Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Counterpoint: Conventional Fluoroscopy-Guided Selective Cervical Nerve Root Block—A Safe, Effective, and Efficient Modality in the Hands of an Experienced Proceduralist

Two-hundred fifty-four conventional fluoroscopy-guided selective cervical nerve root blocks were performed via an anterolateral approach with an average fluoroscopy time of 24.3 seconds for all cases. There were no aborted procedures and no major or permanent complications. There were 14 minor complications; 12 of these were periprocedural and resolved by the 2-week follow-up visit. One-hundred eighty-five patients (75.2%) reported pain improvement of >50% from baseline at 15 minutes postinjection. The authors conclude that this study confirms that conventional fluoroscopy is as safe and effective as CT for the guidance of selective cervical nerve root block when using a meticulous technique and a nonparticulate steroid and performed by an experienced proceduralist. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The conventional fluoroscopy-guided (CF) selective cervical nerve root block (SCNRB) is being used commonly as a treatment for cervical radicular pain as well as a diagnostic tool. This study aimed to identify any major complications and determine the safety and clinical utility of CF-SCNRB performed in a university hospital and associated outpatient clinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-hundred fifty-four conventional fluoroscopy-guided selective cervical nerve root blocks were retrospectively identified from 2011 to 2018 using a radiology report search tool. Each procedure was performed by an experienced neuroradiologist performing spinal injections on a full-time basis in clinical practice. A 10-point pain scale was used for pre- and postprocedural pain-level assessment. Successful conventional, fluoroscopy-guided, selective cervical nerve root block was defined as a patient-reported pain scale reduction of at least 50% and/or alleviation of numbness or paresthesia at ≥2 weeks postinjection. All clinically important immediate and delayed complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Two-hundred fifty-four conventional fluoroscopy-guided selective cervical nerve root blocks were performed via an anterolateral approach with an average fluoroscopy time of 24.3 seconds for all cases. There were no aborted procedures and no major or permanent complications. There were 14 minor complications; 12 of these were periprocedural and resolved by the 2-week follow-up visit. One-hundred eighty-five patients (75.2%) reported pain improvement of >50% from baseline at 15 minutes postinjection. Overall, 172 patients (67.7%) reported >50% pain scale reduction or alleviation from paresthesia at least 2 weeks postinjection. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional fluoroscopy-guided selective cervical nerve root block is an efficacious, efficient, and safe outpatient procedure when performed by a skilled and experienced proceduralist.
Kick the Cat: A Serial Crossover Effect of Supervisors’ Ego Depletion on Subordinates’ Deviant Behavior

Drawing on the crossover model and conservation of resources theory, we explore the mechanism through which supervisors’ ego depletion induces subordinates’ deviant behavior. Using the two-wave survey data from 24 supervisors and their 192 respective subordinates, we found supports for our hypotheses that (a) abusive supervision mediated the effect of supervisors’ ego depletion on subordinates’ ego depletion; (b) subordinates’ ego depletion mediated the effect of abusive supervision on subordinates’ deviant behavior; and (c) abusive supervision and subordinates’ ego depletion serially mediated the effect of supervisors’ ego depletion on subordinates’ deviant behavior. Our serial crossover model posits that both ego depletion and unethical behavior can be transmitted from supervisors to subordinates, and that these two crossover processes are entwined with each other. Findings are discussed in terms of theoretical contributions and practical implications.
Sex-Specific Attraction of Moth Species to Ultraviolet Light Traps

Abstract Phototactic behavior toward ultraviolet light varies among nocturnal flying insects. By recording sex ratios of 28 southeastern US moth species, we tested the commonly held belief that UV light-trap collections of moths are significantly skewed toward males. Twelve species demonstrated a statistically significant male preponderance, but a wide range of sex ratios was found. Two of the 28 species demonstrated both significant male and female bias during different observation periods, illustrating the need to collect over the entire flight period. Since the sex ratio of collected organisms varies by species and by time, this must be taken into consideration when using light-trap collection to make population estimates and to gather information for conservation or control of any particular species.
Transforming growth factor-β modulates effects of epidermal growth factor on corneal epithelial cells

In order to understand the mechanisms that bring about maintenance and restoration of the integrity of corneal epithelium, we investigated independent and combined effects of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on rabbit corneal epithelial cells in cell and organ culture. Specifically, we determined whether incubation with these factors influenced 1) cellular proliferation, 2) ability of cells to attach to a fibronectin matrix, and 3) the rate of epithelial migration over corneal stroma. Incubation with TGF-β caused a dose-related decrease in the incorporation of 3H-thymidine by the epithelial cells. EGF increased 3H-thymidine incorporation, but this effect was antagonized by the addition of TGF-β into the incubation medium. Incubation with EGF increased the numbers of cells that attached to a fibronectin matrix. TGF-β itself did not affect the number of attached cells but, again, it antagonized the stimulatory effect of EGF. Similarly, when corneal blocks were cultured .
Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Cases During the Early Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: On 29th December 2019, a cluster of cases displaying the symptoms of a “pneumonia of unknown cause” was identified in Wuhan, Hubei province of China. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to review the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The search strategy involved peer-reviewed studies published between 1st January and 11th February 2020 in Pubmed, Google scholar and China Knowledge Resource Integrated database. Publications identified were screened for their title and abstracts according to the eligibility criteria, and further shortlisted by full-text screening. Three independent reviewers extracted data from these studies, and studies were assessed for potential risk of bias. Studies comprising non-overlapping patient populations, were included for qualitative and quantitative synthesis of results. Pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for patient characteristics. Results: A total of 29 publications were selected after full-text review. This comprised of 18 case reports, three case series and eight cross-sectional studies on patients admitted from mid-December of 2019 to early February of 2020. A total of 533 adult patients with pooled median age of 56 (95% CI: 49–57) and a pooled prevalence of male of 60% (95% CI: 52–68%) were admitted to hospital at a pooled median of 7 days (95% CI: 7–7) post-onset of symptoms. The most common symptoms at admission were fever, cough and fatigue, with a pooled prevalence of 90% (95% CI: 81–97%), 58% (95% CI: 47–68%), and 50% (95% CI: 29–71%), respectively. Myalgia, shortness of breath, headache, diarrhea and sore throat were less common with pooled prevalence of 27% (95% CI: 20–36%), 25% (95% CI: 15–35%), 10% (95% CI: 7–13%), 8% (95% CI: 5–13%), and 7% (95% CI: 1–15%), respectively. ICU patients had a higher proportion of shortness of breath at presentation, as well as pre-existing hypertension, cardiovascular disease and COPD, compared to non-ICU patients in 2 studies (n = 179). Conclusion: This study highlights the key epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 cases during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Creativity-Contingent Rewards, Intrinsic Motivation, and Creativity: The Importance of Fair Reward Evaluation Procedures

Pay for performance is a common practice used by organizations to increase employees’ motivation and performance, and creativity-contingent rewards have been shown to support creativity. But are all creativity-contingent rewards equal? Procedural justice can potentially affect the way that creativity-contingent rewards impact employees’ intrinsic motivation and creativity. To shed light on this practice-relevant issue, this study investigates how aspects of procedural justice—reward allocation clarity and reward evaluation fairness—impact changes in intrinsic motivation and creativity in the presence of creativity-contingent rewards. Using an incomplete factorial pretest–posttest between subjects design with four reward conditions and one control (no reward) condition, I analyzed changes in intrinsic motivation and creativity. Relative to the control condition, significant increases in both intrinsic motivation and creativity were found in the reward conditions with high evaluation fairness. However, reward allocation clarity did not yield any significant effects on changes in intrinsic motivation and creativity. The results highlight the importance of fair evaluation procedures for determining rewards if creativity-contingent rewards are to increase both intrinsic motivation and creativity.
The action of temperature fluctuations on hard seeds of subterranean clover

Burrs of three cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were placed in soil in a cold frame at Canberra so that they were subjected to daily temperature fluctuations of the order of 20-54°C. After three months and eight months the proportion of permeable seeds was significantly increased. Such seeds were conductive to water at one specific region of the testa-the strophiole. In a further experiment, under laboratory conditions, hard seeds were subjected to temperature fluctuations of 23-60°C with cycle lengths varying from 15 minutes to 1 hour. There was no reduction in the percentage of hard seeds except in two trials when that portion of each cycle at 60°C was greater than 45 minutes.
An isotopic (15N) assessment of intraclonal regulation in C4 perennial grasses: ramet interdependence, independence or both?

1 A series of three experiments was conducted with three C4 perennial grasses, Panicum virgatum (short rhizomes forming distinct clones), Schizachyrium scoparium (caespitose) and Bouteloua gracilis (caespitose), to determine whether intraclonal regulation was characterized by interdependence, independence or a combination of both processes. Specific hypotheses tested were: (i) all ramets within individual clones are physiologically integrated; (ii) ramet hierarchies (several connected generations) within individual clones are capable of acquiring soil nitrogen equally from localized nutrient‐rich pulses; and (iii) nitrogen is retained within individual hierarchies through allocation to sequentially developed ramet generations.
Comparison of Hemodynamic Support by Impella vs. Peripheral Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Porcine Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objectives: Several mechanical circulatory assist devices are used to treat critically ill patients requiring hemodynamic support during post-myocardial infarction or cardiogenic shock. However, little guidance is available to choose an appropriate device to match a particular patient's needs. An increased understanding of hemodynamic effects of the pump systems and their impact on myocardial pre-/afterload might help to better understand their behavior in different clinical settings. Methods: This was an open-labeled, randomized acute animal experiment. A model of acute univentricular myocardial injury by temporary balloon occlusion was used. The experiment was carried out in 10 juveniles female Piétrain pigs. The animals were randomized to mechanical hemodynamic support either by peripheral veno-arterial (VA-)ECMO or Impella CP. Results: While both devices were able to provide flows above 3 L/min and maintain sufficient end-organ perfusion, support by Impella resulted in a significantly more pronounced immediate effect on myocardial unloading: At the onset of device support, the remaining native cardiac output was reduced by 23.5 ± 15.3% ECMO vs. 66.2 ± 36.2% (Impella, p = 0.021). Native stroke volume was significantly decreased by Impella support compared to ECMO, indicating less mechanical work being conducted by the Impella-supported hearts despite similar total assisted cardiac output. Conclusions: Peripheral VA-ECMO and the transaortic Impella pump resulted in contrasting hemodynamic fingerprints. Both devices provided sufficient hemodynamic support and reduce left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in the acute setting. Treatment with the Impella device resulted in a more effective volume unloading of the left ventricle. A significant reduction in myocardial oxygen consumption equivalent was achieved by both devices: The Impella device resulted in a left-shift of the pressure-volume loop and a decreased pressure-volume-area (PVA), while VA-ECMO increased PVA but decreased heart rate. These data highlight the importance of specifically targeting heart rate in the management of AMI patients on hemodynamic support.
Identification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in Japan by multiple molecular assays-implication for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)

Presence of SARS-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater sample has been documented in several countries. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is potentially effective for early warning of COVID-19 outbreak. The purpose of this study was to verify the detection limit of WBE for COVID-19. In total, 27 influent wastewater samples were collected from four wastewater treatment plants in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures in Japan. During the study period, numbers of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in these prefectures increased from almost 0 to around 20 per 100,000 peoples. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the samples were identified by several PCR-based assays. Among the 27 samples, 7 were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by at least one out of the three quantitative RT-PCR assays. These samples were also positive by RT-nested PCR assays. The detection frequency became higher when the number of total confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in 100,000 peoples became above 10 in each prefecture. However, SARS-CoV-2 could also be detected with a low frequency when the number was below 1.0. Considering that the number of the confirmed cases does not necessarily reflect the actual prevalence of the infection at the time point, data on the relationship between the number of infection cases and concentration in wastewater needs to be accumulated further.
The use of visual risk communication and its significance for risk understanding and health literacy in out-clinic settings – a literature review

Background Patients frequently experience difficulties understanding communicated risks. The aim of this study was through a literature review to analyze if the use of visual risk communication tools improve risk understanding among patients in outpatient settings or general practice, and if one tool appears more useful than others. Method The electronic databases PubMed and PsycINFO were systematically searched. Relevant references were used for chain search to make sure all relevant literature was included. Results The main search revealed 1,157 titles. There were 13 eligible studies concerning visual risk communication in outpatient clinical settings. The design, quality and main findings of the studies were heterogeneous. However, most of the analysed studies found a significant positive effect of graphical, interactive and dynamic visual aids on risk communication. Conclusion There is currently not enough evidence to endorse one graphical format above others. Personalising the graph format to the type of risk information presented may facilitate a better understanding of risk and contribute to improve health and cost-efficacy.
FLAGELLAR DEVELOPMENT AND REGENERATION IN VOLVOX CARTERI (CHLOROPHYTA) 1

The biflagellate somatic cells of Volvox carteri f. nagariensis lyengar exhibit an asymmetric pattern of flagellar development. Initiallt each somatic cell has two short (4 μm) flagella but after several hours one flagellum on each cell elongates unitl it reaches a length of 12 μm. Due to the regular arrangement of somatic cells in the Volvox spheroid it is apparent that the same flagellum on each somatic is the first to elongale. The asymmetric flagellar length is maintained for about 8 h after which the second flagellum on each somatic cell elongates. When the second flagellum attains the same length (12 μm) as the first flagellum, both flagella elongale at the same rate until reaching a final length of 22 μm.
Coercion, voluntary compliance and protest: the role of trust and legitimacy in combating local opposition to protected areas

SUMMARY Protected areas (PAs) have long struggled to successfully enforce compliance with their regulations. Even some of the best-funded PAs in the world face shortcomings in using enforcement as an effective deterrent to PA opposition. This suggests that traditional enforcement on its own may be insufficient for effective resource protection. Research was undertaken to understand why some would-be offenders refrain from harmful actions toward neighbouring national parks while others do not. Perceptions of the trustworthiness of PA managers were the most consistent predictors of exercised restraint on behalf of those living within the immediate vicinities of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Virgin Islands National Park and Podocarpus National Park. These trust assessments were most commonly based upon respondents' perceptions of positive personal interactions between PA managers and the public, of PA managers' receptiveness to local input, of the benefits and disadvantages associated with PA presence, and of PA officials' effective performance of their duties and equitable treatment of different groups. The study reveals trust and legitimacy as key factors related to voluntary compliance in situations where general agreement with PA regulations does not necessarily exist and provides insight into how trust and legitimacy can be developed or eroded.
Public Participation in Forest Landscape Management Planning (FLMP) in Italy

In the early 1990s, public involvement in forest planning was recognized and implemented both at a political and technical level in Europe, whereas in Italy, the participatory approach in forest planning, particularly at landscape level, has become widespread over the last decade. Several actors have been involved and the need to consider the objectives and targets expressed by different stakeholders has progressively increased. More consideration has been given to the outcomes of this involvement for the decision-making process. In the first part of the article, the forest-planning framework in the Italian context is presented, illustrating the role of the different levels of planning: the National Forest Programme (NFP), the Forest Landscape Management Plan (FLMP), and the Forest Unit Management Plan (FUMP). In the second part, the public participation process model, developed by the authors in Italy for the landscape scale, is analyzed by underlining four key attributes: procedure, moment of participation, learning interaction, and delegation of power. Regarding procedure, the five stages of participation adopted—communication and information, stakeholder analysis, first consultation stage, synthesis and preparation of the scenarios, and second consultation stage—are presented in order to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the methodological approach.
Synergy Effect of Cyber-life-interruption and Cyberloafing on Employee Emotional Exhaustion

Mobile Communication Technology (MCT) enables employee to maintain constant connectivity to work, as well as, allows them to take cyber breaks from work. Prior research dominantly emphasizes on the dark sides of cyber-life-interruption, i.e. working during non-working hours using MCT, and cyberloafing, i.e. doing nonwork-related activities during working hours using MCT. Studying these two activities on the same dimension is rare too. This research-in-progress study examines the bright sides of cyber-life-interruption and cyberloafing, and their synergy effects to tackle employee emotional problems. It, draws on role theory and attribution theory, investigates the direct effects of cyber-life-interruption and cyberloafing on work and nonwork emotional exhaustion, respectively. It also, draws on conservation of resources theory, considers the interaction between cyber-life-interruption and cyberloafing as a stress management tool. It also extends research on behavioral intervention technologies. A quantitative survey was conducted, data analysis results would be presented in the conference.
Studies on the Monimiaceae. III. Gametophyte development of Laurelia novae-zelandiae A. Cunn. (subfamily Atherospermoideae)

Floral ontogeny and gametophyte development of the New Zealand endemic species Laurelia novae-zelandiae is described. The microsporangium has three to five wall layers inside the epidermis, including a typically thickened endothecium and a tapetum of the secretory type in which the cells become binucleate during the first meiotic division of pollen mother cells. Cytokinesis of pollen mother cells is of an unusual type in which centrifugal cell plates do not develop until the end of meiosis 11. The generative cell of the pollen grain is cut off against what represents a radial wall of the grain with reference to the tetrad stage. Pollen is two- or three-celled when shed. Ovules are bitegmic, crassinucellate, and anatropous with a Polygonum type of embryo sac development.
Dispersion of ascospores and conidia of causal fungus of Japanese pear scab, Venturia nashicola.

ナシ黒星病菌の2種類の胞子,すなわち子のう胞子と分生子の分散に関して検討した。 子のう胞子は葉面上最高でも7. 67mmまでしか放出されなかった。 しかし,圃場で地面から高さ別に子のう胞子を捕捉した実験では,高くなるにつれて捕捉される子のう胞子数は減少したが,一般のナシ園の棚の高さまたはそれより高い位置に相当する180cmの高さでも1カバーグラス当り約3個捕捉された。 この関係を式として求めたところY=78.886e-0. 0199xが得られた。 子のう胞子の横への分散距離を調べたところ,10mまでは明らかに分散した。 これらの関係を式として求めたところ,Y1(東)=11.429e-0.175x, Y2(西)=20.352e-0. 281xおよびY4(北)=18.344e-0. 238xが得られた。 実験式から,東方向では発病葉率が1%となるのは伝染源から14m離れた場所と推定された。 分生子の横への分散距離について検討したところ,伝染源から8m離れた場所でも発病した。 これらの関係を式として求めたところ,Y1(東)=25.586e-0.184x, Y2(西)=24.66e-0.152x, Y3(南)=25.936e-0. 254xおよびY4(北)=23.714e-0. 209xが得られた。 実験式から,南方向へ10m離れた場所の発病葉率は約2%, 15mでは約0. 6%と推定された。