Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic control of self-incompatibility in Senecio squalidus L. (Asteraceae): a successful colonizing species

Senecio squalidus (Oxford ragwort) is a well-known introduction to the British flora that has proved to be an extremely successful colonist over the last 150 years. Unusually for a colonizing species, S. squalidus is self-incompatible (SI). Being a member of the Asteraceae, SI in S. squalidus is expected to be sporophytic. This paper presents genetic data showing that the SI system of S. squalidus is indeed sporophytic and is controlled by a single multiallelic S locus, alleles of which show the dominance/recessive relationships characteristic of sporophytic SI (SSI). Early indications are that the number of S alleles in populations is low because only four different S alleles were identified in a sample of four plants from two distinct populations; one S allele, S1, a pollen/stigma recessive allele, was present in all four plants. Forced inbreeding, using salt-treatment to overcome SI, was shown to generate ‘pseudo-self-compatible’ individuals with weakened SI and a loss/reduction in stigmatic S-specific discrimination. Relatively high frequencies of unpredictable compatible crossing ‘anomalies’ suggest that a ‘gametophytic element’ may influence the outcome of crosses in certain genetic backgrounds so as to increase levels of compatibility when S alleles are shared. Together, these findings indicate a genetic ‘flexibility’ in the SSI system of S. squalidus that could be crucial to its success as a colonizer.
Effect of boric acid treatment on mechanical properties of laminated beech veneer lumber

In spite of many alternative materials like iron, plastic, and concrete, which can be used instead of solid wood in different areas, wood remains superior as a natural engineering material. Due to depletion of forest resources, forest products industries are faced with a crisis in obtaining suitable raw materials in suffi cient amount. Therefore, layered composite materials like vertically and horizontally glued, laminated wood and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) may be used as a substitute for solid wood as they retain the structural properties of wood. Veneers from medium or small diameter logs are converted into glued parallel laminates or LVL, which is a competitive alternative for structural purposes, as its properties are superior to those of wooden planks (Kamala et al. 1999). As known, boron compounds have several great advantages for application as wood preservatives and fi re-retardants, including a broad spectrum of activity against insects and fungi, low mammalian toxicity, low volatility, and absence of color and odour (Yalinkilic et al. 1999). Due to their hygroscopic character, they may affect the Effect of Boric Acid Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Laminated Beech Veneer Lumber
Increasing incidence of club foot with higher population density: Incidence and geographical variation in Denmark over a 16–year period—an epidemiological study of 936,525 births

Background The occurrence of club foot (CF) varies between countries and populations, and may be related to endogenous and exogenous factors. We analyzed the occurrence of CF in a whole country over a long period of time (16 years). Methods Patients born in Denmark with a foot deformity 1978–93 were identified from the National Patient Register and the Register of Inborn Malformations. The records for each patient were studied in the hospital departments to establish the diagnoses and to obtain additional information. Demographic data were obtained from the Danish National Demographical Institute and from the Danish Population Register. Results The incidence of isolated CF was 1.2/1,000 live births. It increased significantly during the study period, and the incidence of CF and the standardized morbidity ratio for CF were significantly positively correlated to population densities in the counties and the districts. There was no significant increase in the relative proportion of children with CF born to non-Scandina-vian parents during the period. Interpretation The increasing incidence of isolated CF with higher population density indicates that there may be exogenous factors that are pathogenic.
WATER PROPULSION SPEEDS AND POWER OUTPUT BY COMB PLATES OF THE CTENOPHORE PLEUROBRACHIA PILEUS UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS

Summary Parameters of ciliary beating and water propulsion can be studied in a unique fashion in ctenophores because the beat frequency can be controlled. P l e u r o b r a c h i a p i l e u s c o m b plates were driven at frequencies between 2 and 25Hz and at temperatures between 10 and 2 5 ˚C. As frequency is increased from 5 to 25Hz, the rest period between beats is fir s t shortened and then disappears: the duration of the effective stroke is reduced because the angular velocity (which is directly proportional to the sliding velocity of the microtubules) and the tip speed of each plate increase whilst the amplitude of the beat remains unchanged. The recovery stroke is shortened because the recovery bend is propagated more quickly to the tip of the plate. The phase difference between adjacent plates in the metachronal wave (expressed as a percentage of the cycle) is increased in spite of a sharp decrease in the time delay between adjacent plates, a reduction in the number of plates per wave and an increase in the metachronal wave velocity. The water flow speed becomes more continuous and increases in approximate proportion to the tip speed whilst the estimated power output of a metachronal wave increases exponentially, from 1021 0 W at a tip speed of about 20 m ms21 to 1028 W at a tip speed of about 75 m ms21. When comb plates are driven to beat at 10 H z and the temperature is raised from 10˚C towards 20˚C, the duration of the effective stroke is reduced and the comb plates have a somewhat higher angular velocity and tip speed; the duration of the recovery stroke is reduced with a faster propagation of the recovery bend; a rest phase first appears between successive beats and then becomes longer. The phase difference between adjacent plates in a metachronal wave (expressed as a percentage of the cycle time) is decreased, as is the time delay between successive plates in a metachronal wave, so that the number of plates per wave and the wave velocity are increased. The water flow speed and power output are increased by a modest amount (a rise in temperature from 10 to 20˚C produces changes equivalent to those produced by a 5Hz increase in frequency at 20˚C). The cooperation between adjacent plates in the antiplectic metachronal wave makes a major contribution to the dramatic increase in power output of each metachronal wave that is seen as the beat frequency is increased.
Strengthening of Existing Bridge Structures for Shear and Bending with Carbon Textile-Reinforced Mortar

Increasing traffic loads and changes in code provisions lead to deficits in shear and flexural capacity of many existing highway bridges. Therefore, a large number of structures are expected to require refurbishment and strengthening in the future. This projection is based on the current condition of many older road bridges. Different strengthening methods for bridges exist to extend their service life, all having specific advantages and disadvantages. By applying a thin layer of carbon textile-reinforced mortar (CTRM) to bridge deck slabs and the webs of pre-stressed concrete bridges, the fatigue and ultimate strength of these members can be increased significantly. The CTRM layer is a combination of a corrosion resistant carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) fabric and an efficient mortar. In this paper, the strengthening method and the experimental results obtained at RWTH Aachen University are presented.
Substance P

Substance P is considered to be an important neuropeptide in nociceptive processes. Although substance P was described more than 60 years ago, there is still controversy about its exact role in nociception. This article reviews the current knowledge about the function of substance P in pain. Special emphasis is put on how to use this knowledge in the development of new ways to treat pain.
Behavioural change as antecedent to output improvement of recipient firms in government-sponsored R&D programme

This study adopts a broader behavioural additionality framework to evaluate public R&D support programmes and examine the relationships among input additionality, behavioural additionality, output additionality and firm characteristics. Based on a sample of 127 government-sponsored R&D Programmes in Taiwan (1996–2005), this investigation presents empirical evidence for various additionality stimulated by public R&D programmes. The analytical results demonstrate that output additionality is strongly influenced by behavioural additionality. The study findings suggest that government should not only measure output additionality but should also stress the behavioural additionality of recipient firms to recognize potential performance after adjusting their R&D strategy and business operations.
NR3C1 polymorphisms in Brazilians of Caucasian, African, and Asian ancestry: glucocorticoid sensitivity and genotype association.

OBJECTIVE The Brazilian population has heterogeneous ethnicity. No previous study evaluated NR3C1 polymorphisms in a Brazilian healthy population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We assessed NR3C1 polymorphisms in Brazilians of Caucasian, African and Asian ancestry (n = 380). In a subgroup (n = 40), we compared the genotypes to glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity, which was previously evaluated by plasma (PF) and salivary (SF) cortisol after dexamethasone (DEX) suppression tests, GC receptor binding affinity (K d ), and DEX-50% inhibition (IC 50 ) of concanavalin-A-stimulated mononuclear cell proliferation. p.N363S (rs6195), p.ER22/23EK (rs6189-6190), and BclI (rs41423247) allelic discrimination was performed by Real-Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Exons 3 to 9 and exon/intron boundaries were amplified by PCR and sequenced. RESULTS Genotypic frequencies (%) were: rs6195 (n = 380; AA:96.6/AG:3.14/GG:0.26), rs6189-6190 (n = 264; GG:99.6/GA:0.4), rs41423247 (n = 264; CC:57.9/CG:34.1/GG:8.0), rs6188 (n = 155; GG:69.6/GT:25.7/TT:4.7), rs258751 (n = 150; CC:88.0/CT:10.7/TT:1.3), rs6196 (n = 176; TT:77.2/TC:20.4/CC:2.4), rs67300719 (n = 137; CC:99.3/CT:0.7), and rs72542757 (n = 137; CC:99.3/CG:0.7). The rs67300719 and rs72542757 were found only in Asian descendants, in whom p.N363S and p.ER22/23EK were absent. The p.ER22/23EK was observed exclusively in Caucasian descendants. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed, except in the Asian for rs6188 and rs258751, and in the African for p.N363S. The K d , IC 50 , baseline and after DEX PF or SF did not differ between genotype groups. However, the mean DEX dose that suppressed PF or SF differed among the BclI genotypes (P = 0.03). DEX dose was higher in GG- (0.7 ± 0.2 mg) compared to GC- (0.47 ± 0.2 mg) and CC-carriers (0.47 ± 0.1 mg). CONCLUSION The genotypic frequencies of NR3C1 polymorphisms in Brazilians are similar to worldwide populations. Additionally, the BclI polymorphism was associated with altered pituitary-adrenal axis GC sensitivity.
Approach–Avoidance Training Effects Are Moderated by Awareness of Stimulus–Action Contingencies

Prior research suggests that repeatedly approaching or avoiding a stimulus changes the liking of that stimulus. In two experiments, we investigated the relationship between, on one hand, effects of approach–avoidance (AA) training on implicit and explicit evaluations of novel faces and, on the other hand, contingency awareness as indexed by participants’ memory for the relation between stimulus and action. We observed stronger effects for faces that were classified as contingency aware and found no evidence that AA training caused changes in stimulus evaluations in the absence of contingency awareness. These findings challenge the standard view that AA training effects are (exclusively) the product of implicit learning processes, such as the automatic formation of associations in memory.
Emotional Self-Efficacy and Alcohol and Tobacco Use in Adolescents

This study examined relationships between emotional self-efficacy (ESE) and alcohol and tobacco use in a statewide sample of public high school adolescents (n = 2,566). The Center for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Survey and an adolescent ESE scale were utilized. Logistic regression analyses indicated the presence of any significant race by gender associations between lower ESE and alcohol and tobacco use. Results suggest that alcohol and cigarette use was significantly associated (p ≤ .05) with lower levels of ESE for certain race/gender groups. Results have implications for school- and community-based mental health services and substance use prevention/education programs for adolescents. Measures of ESE as a component of comprehensive assessments of adolescent mental health in fieldwork, research, and substance abuse prevention/education program evaluation efforts should be considered.
Efficacy of the FOLFOX/CAPOX regimen for advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma: a three-center study from China.

PURPOSE Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare malignancy, and most patients present with unresectable or metastatic disease. Thus far, no standard chemotherapeutic regimen has been established and related data are scarce, especially in Eastern countries. The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin combined with fluoropyrimidines in Chinese patients with advanced SBA. METHODS Advanced SBA patients who received FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil/5-FU plus leucovorin and oxaliplatin)/ CAPOX (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) as first-line chemotherapy between February, 2004 and October, 2010 were identified from 3 large medical centers in China. The response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and chemotherapy-associated toxicity were evaluated. Cox models were applied for multivariate analyses. RESULTS Of 34 patients, with SBA 28 received FOLFOX and 6 CAPOX. The objective response (OR) and disease control (DC) rates were 32.3% and 61.7%, respectively. The median PFS and OS were 6.3 and 14.2 months, respectively. The toxicity was tolerable, grade 3-4 toxicity was rare. In multivariate analysis, only multi-organ metastasis reached borderline significance for shorter PFS (p=0.059), but the variables of age (>65 years; p=0.001), and multi-organ metastasis (p=0.001) were significantly associated with poor OS. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this multicenter retrospective study is the first and largest one among Asian studies at present estimating oxaliplatin combined with fluoropyrimidines as first-line chemotherapy for advanced SBA. FOLFOX/CAPOX is proved effective for advanced SBA in this study, but the results do not absolutely agree with previous studies from Western countries, showing that further studies are still needed.
Decrease in phorbol ester‐induced potentiation of noradrenaline release in synapsin I‐deficient mice

Synapsin I is involved in regulating amino acid neurotransmitter release, but has a less clear role in noradrenergic nerve terminals. To better understand the role of synapsin I in the function of noradrenergic nerve terminals, we compared noradrenaline release in wild‐type and synapsin I‐deficient mice. No difference was found in the accumulation or in the Ca2+‐independent release of [3H]noradrenaline in cerebrocortical synaptosomes from wild‐type and synapsin I‐deficient mice. Synaptosomes lacking synapsin I also displayed no gross alterations in either the time course or the Ca2+‐dependency of [3H]noradrenaline release when stimulated by depolarizing secretagogues or ionophore treatment. In wild‐type synaptosomes, activation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester treatment resulted in a Ca2+‐dependent increase in [3H]noradrenaline release evoked by depolarizing secretagogues and ionophore treatment. The phorbol ester‐mediated enhancement of [3H]noradrenaline release evoked by depolarizing secretagogues, but not by ionophore treatment, was greatly reduced in synapsin I‐deficient synaptosomes. These results indicate that synapsin I plays a role in regulating noradrenaline release. Synapse 36:114–119, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of pain threshold in haemophilic patients

Many patients with haemophilia (PWH) live with persistent end‐stage arthritis, as a result of multiple joint haemarthrosis, and experience daily pain. For these people, pain becomes a central aspect of life. The aim of this study was to use mechanical pain thresholds (MPT) to characterize pain perception in different PWH groups. The groups tested were characterized by age, previous bleeding into joints, Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) and PAIN perception score in the HJHS scoring. A total of 23 PWH (haemophilia A) were included in this study (10 children, 13 adults). A total of 12 PWH suffered from repeated bleeding into some of the tested joints. Data were compared to those collected from 15 age‐matched control subjects. The most significant differences in MPTs were found when the PWH were compared to the controls, based on the differences in PAIN score (PAIN score 1 and 2) in all the tested joints, except for the right knee. Similarly, the difference in MPT in ankle joints was confirmed when PWH with and without bleeding were compared to controls. Summarizing the outcomes, we can emphasize the potential usefulness of MPT as an objective tool in evaluating the pain of PWH.
Telehealth technologies could improve suboptimal rates of participation in cardiac rehabilitation

Traditional centre-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes have been developed and evaluated in various countries for more than four decades.1 The evidence for the effectiveness of CR in coronary heart disease has been accumulating and the benefits in terms of reductions in cardiovascular mortality and unplanned hospital readmissions coupled with an improvement in health-related quality of life.2 Comprehensive CR is now recommended by several international guidelines and all eligible patients with coronary heart disease including heart failure are encouraged to participate in CR.3 ,4 However, the uptake and usage of CR has remained suboptimal—with participation rates of 10%–30% reported in Europe, USA and Australia.5 Reasons given for poor uptake include low referral rates, problems with transport especially in rural locations, work commitments, a dislike of groups and a lack of funding and trained healthcare personnel.3 ,5 To remedy this, there have been calls to make CR interventions more patient centred with policies that support initiatives offering alternatives to centre-based CR.6 Emerging models of alternative CR which may increase participation include home-based and telehealth-based CR delivered to individuals.3 ,5 In their Heart publication, Rawstorn et al report on a systematic review and meta-analysis seeking to determine the benefits of telehealth exercise-based CR compared with traditional centre-based CR or usual care on exercise …
Different Types of “Dissociation” Have Different Psychological Mechanisms

SUMMARY The term “dissociation” has been used to describe a wide range of psychological and psychiatric phenomena. The popular conception of dissociation describes it as a unitary phenomenon, with only quantitative differences in severity between the various dissociative conditions. More recently, it has been argued that the available evidence is more consistent with a model that identifies at least two distinct categories of dissociative phenomena-“detachment” and “compartmentalization”-that have different definitions, mechanisms and treatment implications (Holmes, Brown, Mansell, Fearon, Hunter, Frasquilho & Oakley 2005). This paper presents evidence for this bipartite model of dissociation, followed by definitions and descriptions of detachment and compartmentalization. Possible psychological mechanisms underlying these phenomena are then discussed, with particular emphasis on the nature of compartmentalization in conversion disorder, hypnosis, dissociative amnesia and dissociative identity disorder.
A DNA Vaccine for Ebola Virus Is Safe and Immunogenic in a Phase I Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT Ebola viruses represent a class of filoviruses that causes severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality. Recognized first in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, outbreaks continue to occur in equatorial Africa. A safe and effective Ebola virus vaccine is needed because of its continued emergence and its potential for use for biodefense. We report the safety and immunogenicity of an Ebola virus vaccine in its first phase I human study. A three-plasmid DNA vaccine encoding the envelope glycoproteins (GP) from the Zaire and Sudan/Gulu species as well as the nucleoprotein was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, dose escalation study. Healthy adults, ages 18 to 44 years, were randomized to receive three injections of vaccine at 2 mg (n = 5), 4 mg (n = 8), or 8 mg (n = 8) or placebo (n = 6). Immunogenicity was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoprecipitation-Western blotting, intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), and enzyme-linked immunospot assay. The vaccine was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events or coagulation abnormalities. Specific antibody responses to at least one of the three antigens encoded by the vaccine as assessed by ELISA and CD4+ T-cell GP-specific responses as assessed by ICS were detected in 20/20 vaccinees. CD8+ T-cell GP-specific responses were detected by ICS assay in 6/20 vaccinees. This Ebola virus DNA vaccine was safe and immunogenic in humans. Further assessment of the DNA platform alone and in combination with replication-defective adenoviral vector vaccines, in concert with challenge and immune data from nonhuman primates, will facilitate evaluation and potential licensure of an Ebola virus vaccine under the Animal Rule.
New records of social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) in Alagoas state, Brazil

Abstract: In this study, the social wasps Mischocyttarus rotundicollis (Cameron)and Polybia bistriata (Fabricius) were recorded for the first time in Alagoas state, including a brief description of the species. Novos registros de vespas sociais (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) no estado de Alagoas, Brasil Resumo: Neste estudo, foram registradas as vespas sociais Mischocyttarus rotundicollis (Cameron) e Polybia bistriata (Fabricius) pela primeira vez no estado de Alagoas e foi incluida uma breve descricao de especies.
Passive immunization with antibodies against iron-regulated outer membrane proteins protects turkeys from Escherichia coli septicemia

Escherichia coli septicemia is a common disease of young poultry and several species of mammals. Rabbit antiserum was prepared against iron-regulated outer membrane proteins of E. coli. Eighteen-day-old turkeys were passively immunized with antiserum and challenged by air sac inoculation of 1 X 10(6) to 2 X 10(6) CFU of E. coli O78:K80:H9. Turkeys injected with normal rabbit serum or saline solution before challenge served as controls. Fatalities (8 of 51 turkeys inoculated) occurred only in groups given saline solution or normal rabbit serum. The remaining turkeys were necropsied 96 h after challenge. Passive immunization with antiserum significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced the frequency of bacteremia at 96 h after challenge, the frequency of recovery of E. coli from air sacs, and the severity of gross lesions in inoculated birds as compared with birds given normal rabbit serum or saline solution.