Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Iodine Status on the Risk of Thyroid Nodules: A Cross-Sectional Study in Zhejiang, China

Objective The aim of this study was to explore whether iodine nutrition is associated with the risk of thyroid nodules among adult population in Zhejiang Province, China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the general population aged 18 years or older. A total of 2,710 subjects received physical examination, questionnaires, and thyroid ultrasonography. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and thyroid hormone levels were measured and documented for each subject. 4 multiple logistic regression models adjusted for other risk factors were applied to analyze the association between iodine nutrition and thyroid nodules. Results The prevalence of thyroid nodules was 15.5% among all adults. As indicated by all 4 models, subjects with UIC varying from 200 μg l−1 to 399 μg l−1 had lower risk of thyroid nodules compared with those with relatively low UIC (<100 μg l−1), with approximately 37–57 percent reduction in risk. Moreover, subjects with UIC between 100 and 199 μg l−1 had a decreased risk of thyroid nodules in model 1 and 2 (OR = 0.75, 95% CI, 0.58–0.97; OR = 0.75, 95% CI, 0.58–0.97, respectively). However, there was no significant difference of risk in thyroid nodules between subjects with high UIC (≥400 μg l−1) and low UIC (<100 μg l−1). Furthermore, intake of iodized salt was inversely associated with risk of thyroid nodules, with approximately 69–77 percent reduction in risk. Conclusion The relationship between UIC and the risk of thyroid nodules is U-shaped. Consumption of noniodized salt is an independent risk factor of thyroid nodules.
Depression and Its Relationship with Coping Strategies and Illness Perceptions during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Population

Objective The COVID-19 epidemic has shown a more benign course in Greece possibly due to the early lockdown measures. Mental health consequences of the lockdown however are unknown. In addition, illness perceptions and relevant strategies to cope with the stress of the epidemic may have played a role in complying with the restrictions. We conducted a survey of the Greek population with the aim to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression during the lockdown, the emotional impact of the epidemic, and the effect of coping strategies and illness perceptions in mental health. Methods Adult persons were invited during the peak of the lockdown period through social media. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed with the PHQ-9 and GAD-2 scales, respectively. Coping strategies were assessed with selected items of the Brief COPE questionnaire, while illness beliefs were assessed with items from the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Results A total of 3379 individuals took part. A strong emotional impact of the epidemic was more often in women and in those with severe financial difficulties. Levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms were high but similar to past assessments. Participants showed high levels of personal control and used more often positive strategies to cope with the stress of the epidemic. Depressive symptoms were higher in the younger, in students, in those with a stronger emotional impact, in those isolated due to symptoms, and those overexposed to media for COVID-19-related news. Lower levels of depression were seen in those using positive coping strategies and showing high levels of personal and treatment control. Conclusions The study shows that certain psychological and social determinants were associated with increased depressive symptoms during the lockdown warranting the development of public health guidelines to mitigate the effects of the epidemic to the mental health of the population.
Constant and Interchanged Photoperiod Effects on the Rate of Development in Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Indirect and direct influences of changes in photoperiod on the rate of development in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were examined using three Australian cultivars, Clipper, Galleon and Finlay. Each possessed little or no vernalisation response, and were grown at a constant temperature of 18oC with two treatments, one of each of two constant photoperiod regimes (10 and 18 h) while other treatments involved reciprocal transfer between them at either or both the double ridge (DR) and awn primordium (AP) stages of development. Under constant 18 h photoperiod, the lengths of all three development phases were shorter compared to the constant 10 h regime for Galleon and Clipper, while Finlay was relatively insensitive. The final number of leaves on the main culm was reduced by the constant 18 h photoperiod in Clipper and Galleon but Finlay was unaffected. The rate of development from DR to AP under 10 h photoperiod was increased by exposure to 18 h photoperiod from sowing (S) to DR, compared with plants exposed to 10 h photoperiod from S to DR. A similar response was noted for plants transferred at the AP stage, indicating that rate of development was determined both by its influence on prior as well as current photoperiod conditions. This 'memorised' response appears to be interactive, rather than additive, with the response of the plant to the current photoperiod. Direct and indirect effects of photoperiod on leaf and spikelet number, acting through their influences on the duration from S to DR and from DR to AP, were also discussed.
Integration in Hong Kong: Where are we now and what do we need to do? A review of the Hong Kong Government's Pilot Project

This paper discusses the 2 year Pilot Project on Integration set up by the Hong Kong Government in 1997. It considers the background to the implementation of the Project, the difficulties faced by Government in recruiting schools and the preparation of the participating 9 schools. The paper describes the aims of the Pilot Project in integrating 48 students with disabilities in primary and secondary schools and outlines the methods used by the Research Team to evaluate the Project. The paper outlines some of the main findings of the evaluation study and considers the central issues and challenges for Hong Kong set against a background of the political changes surrounding the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty. A number of recommendations for successful integration strategies for Hong Kong are indicated. “Subject teachers have difficulties in attending to the ‘integrators’ whose learning abilities and academic standards are low. ” (subject teacher) “Not all ‘integrators’ are fully prepared psychologically to study in ordinary primary school and there are adjustment problems. ” (resource teacher) “This Integration Pilot Project is so much better than I had anticipated. ” (a parent).
Drought-stress effects on physiology, growth and biomass production of rainfed and irrigated bell pepper plants in the Mediterranean region

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Capsicum annuum, fluorescence, gas exchange, photosynthesis, CO 2 transfer conductance, vegetative and fruit biomass, drought stress ABSTRACT. Physiological characteristics, growth, and biomass production of rainfed and irrigated bell pepper ( Capsicum annuum L. var. anuum (Grossum Group) 'Quadrato d'Asti') plants were measured in the semiarid conditions of a Mediterranean summer to determine if drought stress effects are transient and do not affect plant growth and crop yield or are persistent and adversely affect plant growth and crop yield. A low midday leaf water potential indicated the occurrence of transient drought stress episodes in rainfed plants during the first 2 months of the study. Later on, predawn water potential also increased, indicating a persistent drought stress condition despite the occurrence of some rainfall. Photosynthesis was reduced when stress conditions developed, but the reduction was transient and limited to the central part of the day during the first 2 months. As plants aged, however, the impact of drought stress on photosynthesis was not relieved during the overnight recovery period. Stomatal conductance was reduced both during transient and permanent stress conditions while CO2 transfer conductance (i.e., conductance to CO 2 inside the leaf) was only reduced when photosynthesis inhibition was unrecoverable. However, chloroplast CO 2 concentration was higher in rainfed than in irrigated leaves indicating that CO 2 availability was not limiting photosynthesis. Nonphotochemical quenching of fluorescence increased significantly in rainfed leaves exposed to permanent stress indicating the likely impairment of ATP synthesis. Transient inhibition of photosynthesis did not significantly affect leaf area index and biomass production, but growth was significantly reduced when photosynthesis was permanently inhibited. Fruit dry weight was even higher in rainfed plants compared to irrigated plants until drought stress and photosynthesis reduction became permanent. It is suggested that bell pepper growth without supplemental irrigation over the first part of the vegetative cycle does not impair plant growth and may even be useful to improve yield of early fruit.
Mineral content in French type bread with sodium replacement using fluorescence spectrometry X-rays by energy dispersive

The present study aimed to determine the mineral composition of the French type bread with partial replacement of sodium chloride by potassium chloride using the technique of X-ray fluorescence energy dispersive. The excitation energy used was 50 keV and detector operation at -176°C. The detected variations were from 10.16 to 613.69 mg 100 g-1 for sodium and from 211.58 to 958.96 mg 100 g-1 for potassium. The concentrations of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium ranged from 10.62 to 21.45, 16.59 to 30.78, 92.53 to 125.77 and from 16.54 to 100.88 mg 100 g-1, respectively. The use of this simple technique proved to be reliable on detecting the variations imposed on the French type bread formulation. The results of this study indicate that, at the levels studied, the addition of potassium chloride assisted in getting French type bread with lower levels of sodium and proved the technological feasibility of producing French type bread with 43% salt reduction (1.0% in the commercial formulation) with 0.5% potassium chloride, which provide bread with the amount of sodium proposed to meet the set limits (174.09 mg.50 g–1), related to the salt standard formulation of 1.88% (306.5 mg.50 g-1). Key words: French bread, replacement, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, food analysis, minerals, energy dispersive.
Comparison of induced sputum with bronchial wash, bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsies in COPD

It is unclear how cellular and soluble inflammatory markers in induced sputum relate to markers in lavage fluid and biopsies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This was investigated and also the possible differences between subjects with COPD and healthy controls assessed. Eighteen nonatopic subjects with COPD and 11 healthy controls were studied. Sputum was induced by inhalation of hypertonic saline. The airways were lavaged, using the first 50 mL for bronchial wash (BW) and the subsequent 150 mL for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and biopsies were taken from subsegmental carinae. Neutrophils were the predominant cell type in sputum in COPD (median 77.3%) but not in BW (5.5%) and BAL fluid (1.7%). Differential cell counts in sputum did not correlate with the counts in BW or BAL fluid or biopsies, whereas sputum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels correlated with BW fluid ECP levels (p=0.66, p=0.007) and sputum interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentration with BAL fluid IL-8 concentration (p= 0.52, p=0.026). Subjects with COPD had a higher percentage of sputum neutrophils and eosinophils and higher concentrations of ECP and IL-8 than healthy controls. The higher percentages of eosinophils and concentrations of ECP were also seen in BW and BAL fluid. Finally, higher numbers of macrophages and eosinophils were found in biopsies. In conclusion, induced sputum is derived from a different compartment from BW and BAL fluid and biopsies. Induced sputum may be useful for studying the contribution of luminal neutrophils and eosinophils in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Fundamental Risk Sources and Pricing Factors

Neoclassical theory suggests that stocks exposed to common pricing factors must face common production risks. We estimate firm-level productivity shocks and decompose them into six aggregate risk components via asymptotic principal component analysis. We find that fundamental risks drive 13 of 15 prevailing pricing factors. First, we show that the fundamental shocks capture most factors proposed in the Fama-French sixfactor model (Fama and French, 2018), the q-factor model (Hou et al., 2015), except the expected investment growth factor in the q5 model (Hou et al., 2018). Second, we find that fundamental shocks explain most mispricing and behavioral factors (Stambaugh and Yuan, 2017; Daniel et al., 2018), except the post-earnings-announcement-drift factor. Third, we identify an important fundamental risk, the first principal component of productivity shocks, is missed in all of these empirical factor models. We interpret this missing factor as the labor risk. Overall, the productivity-based model performs at least as well as the prevailing factor models. JEL classification: E22, E23, E24, G11, G12
Lack of a tradeoff between constitutive and induced defenses among varieties of cotton

Selecting crop plants for high yields has been associated with reduced levels of resistance against herbivores. This raises the concern that varieties selected for high levels of constitutive resistance may have reduced levels of induced defenses. Induced resistance has been hypothesized to evolve in plants when constitutive defenses are costly and not always beneficial. In this study we examined the relationship between constitutive resistance against spider mites and induced resistance against mites and verticillium wilt in ten varieties of cultivated cotton known to possess different levels of constitutive resistance. Levels of constitutive resistance against spider mites were estimated as the number of mites that were found on undamaged plants. Levels of induced resistance against mites were estimated by calculating the percent reduction in mite populations on plants that had been previously damaged relative to undamaged controls. Induced resistance against verticillium wilt was assayed by comparing the number of mitedamaged plants that recovered from exposure to the disease versus the number of undamaged control plants that recovered. We found no evidence for a negative correlation between levels of constitutive and induced resistance against mites. Similarly, we found no evidence of tradeoffs between constitutive resistance to mites and induced resistance against verticillium wilt. Selecting plants for high levels of constitutive defenses should not necessarily bring along with it the unwanted consequence of lowered levels of induced resistance.
Male Size and Female Mate Choice in the Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki: Poeciliidae)

WEYGOLDT, P. 1980. Complex brood care and reproductive behavior in captive poison-arrow frogs, Dendrobates pumilio 0. Schmidt. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 7:329-332. WOLDA, H. 1983. Spatial and temporal variation in abundance in tropical animals, p. 93-105. In: Tropical rain forest: ecology and management. S. L. Sutton, T. C. Whitmore and A. C. Chadwick (eds.). Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, England.
Influence of membrane differential filtration on the natural course of age-related macular degeneration: a randomized trial.

PURPOSE Membrane differential filtration is able to optimize rheologic parameters by eliminating high molecular weight proteins and lipoproteins from the blood. Following the hypothesis that these changes result in an improvement of the microcirculation, the authors tested the efficacy of membrane differential filtration in improving visual function in patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS Forty patients (40 eyes) were randomized into two groups. The treatment group was treated five times over a period of 21 weeks. In both groups, 9/20 of the eyes showed subfoveolar subretinal neovascularization. The main parameter of the study was visual acuity (VA). Electroretinogram (ERG), electrooculogram, and macular visual evoked potentials were also recorded. Plasma and whole blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation were measured. RESULTS The 20 patients treated repeatedly over a period of 21 weeks showed a mean improvement of 0.63 lines (SD 1.8) of VA on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts. The control group showed a deterioration of 0.94 lines (SD 1.7) compared to VA at baseline examination. The amplitude of the ERG photopic a-wave and the flicker ERG was significantly increased. The rheologic parameters were lowered in all treated patients. CONCLUSION Repetitive treatment with membrane differential filtration is able to improve visual acuity of patients with ARMD and the natural course of this disease. Several questions arise from the results of this study. Further research will show if it is possible to optimize the selection of patients for subgroups with predictive responses through morphologic and functional tests and how to create an optimized and individual treatment strategy determined by the quality, intensity, and frequency of treatment sessions.
An Understanding of the Accumulation of Biomass and Nitrogen is Benefit for Chinese Maize Production

Increasing maize (Zea mays L.) yields depends on understanding the dynamics of biomass and N accumulation such that N demand and N supply can be synchronized and N management improved. Biomass and N accumulation data were collected at the six-leaf (V6) stage, the flowering (VT) stage, and harvest from nine field experiments at eight sites in four key summer maize domains on the North China Plain. The data were used to investigate how grain yield and the N uptake requirement per Mg grain yield (Nreq) were related to differences in N management. Grain yield averaged 9.0 Mg ha–¹ and ranged from 1.9 to 16.3 Mg ha–¹; the highest grain yield (9.6 Mg ha–¹) was achieved with optimal N rates (N = OPT). In N = OPT plots, increases in grain yield from 10 Mg ha–¹ were associated with substantial increases in biomass and N accumulation during grain filling. In N = OPT plots with >10 Mg ha–¹ yield, plants had a high stover N content and maintained a high green leaf area index and SPAD, which contributed to a high harvest index, high kernel number per plant, and high thousand kernel weight. Our results indicate that farmers on the North China Plain should apply less total N fertilizer and should apply a substantial proportion of the N fertilizer after stage V6.
Effects of BF Gene Polymorphism on the Reproductive Performance of Hybrid Polish Landrace X Polish Large White Sows

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the potential relationship between variants of the BF gene and litter size in Polish Landrace x Polish Large White sows. To identify polymorphism within the BF gene, the PCR-RFLP method was applied, using specific primers and the SmaI enzyme. The researchers identified the presence of two alleles, T and C, with frequencies: 0.68 and 0.32, giving three genotypes with frequencies: 0.49, 0.37 and 0.14, respectively for TT, TC and CC. Analysis of relationships between the various genotypes of the BF gene and selected reproductive traits showed significant differences. Sows with TT genotype in the BF locus, gave birth to significantly more live piglets in the first litter (10.24) compared with sows with the CC genotype (7.13).
Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success: A Self-Management Approach

Contents: Part I: Foundations of Learning and Motivation. Academic Self-Management. Understanding Learning and Memory. Understanding Motivation. Part II: Motivational Strategies. Goal Setting. Management of Emotion and Effort. Part III: Behavioral Strategies. Time Management. Management of Physical and Social Environment. Part IV: Learning and Study Strategies. Learning From Textbooks. Learning From Lectures. Preparing for Exams. Taking Exams. Appendix A: A Guide for Completing a Self-Management Study. Appendix B: Examples of Self-Management Studies.
Structure, Production and Diversity of the Oak-Pine Forest at Brookhaven, New York

The oak-pine forest at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Long Island, is the subject of continuing ecological study. Our objectives have included measurement of a number of attributes of the forest that integrate structure and function at the ecosystem level; among these are biomass, organic production and respiration, surface areas of leaves and of bark, nutrient inventory and turnover, and species-diversity. In addition, the forest is the subject of long-term studies of the effects of ionizing radiation. The system of techniques of 'dimension analysis' developed at Brookhaven for intensive study of forests and shrub communities was discussed in the preceding paper (Whittaker & Woodwell 1968). The measurements which result are used in this paper to describe and interpret the structure, production and species composition of the Brookhaven Forest.
The effect of fruit maturity and post-harvest ripening on seed quality in hot and conic pepper cultivars

Summary In this study, variation in seed quality in relation to fruit maturity and post-harvest ripening of fruits were determined in two pepper cultivars (hot pepper and conic red pepper). Fruits were harvested at three maturation stages (40, 60 and 80 days after anthesis) and seeds were extracted at 1, 10 and 20 days after each harvest. Fruit weight, seed moisture content, seed dry weight, 1000-seed weight, germination at 25 and 15 o C and vigour (controlled deterioration test at 24% MC and 45 o C for 24h) were determined. The seeds extracted from fruits harvested at 40 days after anthesis (DAA) had less than 50% germination in both cultivars. However, when seeds were extracted from fruits ripened for 10 and 20 days after harvest, their viability and the vigour increased to 81% and 89% in hot pepper and 77% and 89% in red pepper, respectively. Seeds from 60 DAA fruits achieved the maximum germination and vigour levels in both cultivars. Delayed harvest (80 DAA) resulted in a significant decline in seed quality.
Distribution, density and production of the crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana in Lake Tahoe, California - Nevada

The standing crop of the California crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana) is concentrated in the narrow littoral zone of Lake Tahoe and is estimated by trapping returns at 55.5 million adults weighing 1,100,000 kg. The population density differs in relation to substrata and local eutrophication with an average of about 0.9 adults per M2. A more eutrophic area of the lake yielded over twice as many crayfish per trap as less productive areas. Maximum density is found between 10 and 20 m withover 900, of the population found between 0 and 40 m of depth. Because the average depth of Tahoe is 313 m this represents only 12 %? of the lake surface area. Wave action and light appears to limit crayfish density above 10 m depth and water temperature below 40 m. The temperature distribution factor is supported by an experiment where females held at an average of 6.8 C failed to hatch eggs. Substrata which provide good protection from predators produce larger numbers of smaller individuals while more open areas of the lake bottom have a smaller number and larger individuals. Between 80 and 100 % of the population over 95 mm in length are sexually mature. Females carry an average of 1 10 eggs.