Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fall defoliation affects acquisition of freezing tolerance and spring regrowth in asparagus

Abstract: Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) acquires freezing tolerance during a period of fall acclimation when both photoperiod and temperature decrease. The above-ground vegetative growth may be important for sensing changing environmental conditions and translocating compounds to the below-ground crown. Defoliation experiments, repeated over 2 yr, were conducted by removing fern in mid-August, -September, and -October and evaluating crown metabolites and LT50, the temperature at which 50% of plants die, at monthly intervals to mid-November. Spring emergence and vigor were also assessed in separate experiments. In the first year, only mid-August defoliation affected LT50 values, decreasing freezing tolerance, which was associated with diminished rhizome proline concentration and storage root low- and high-molecular-weight fructan concentrations. All defoliation treatments in the second year decreased LT50 values, or increased freezing tolerance, possibly resulting from an interaction between defoliation and drought which increased rhizome sucrose concentrations. Defoliation decreased spring vigor in both experiments; the response was proportional to the earliness of the treatment and associated with rhizome and storage root fructan levels. Crowns of plants defoliated in mid-August had increasing proline concentrations during the fall, similar to control plants, suggesting the below-ground organs may have sensed soil temperature to cold acclimate. Autumn defoliation to control disease, harvest seed, or implement other cultural practices can reduce vigor and likely attenuate long-term performance of a plantation.
Ergodicity for stochastic equation of Navier--Stokes type

In the first part of the note we analyze the long time behaviour of a two dimensional stochastic Navier-Stokes equation (N.S.E.) system on a torus with a degenerate, one dimensional noise. In particular, for some initial data and noises we identify the invariant measure for the system and give a sufficient condition under which it is unique and stochastically stable. In the second part of the note, we consider a simple example of a finite dimensional system of stochastic differential equations driven by a one dimensional Wiener process with a drift, that displays some similarity with the stochastic N.S. E. , and investigate its ergodic properties depending on the strength of the drift. If the latter is sufficiently small and lies below a critical threshold, then the system admits a unique invariant measure which is Gaussian. If, on the other hand, the strength of the noise drift is larger than the threshold, then in addition to a Gaussian invariant measure, there exist another one. In particular, the generator of the system is not hypoelliptic.
INVESTIGATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RATE OF SOUND AND LOCAL LIGHTING WITH OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AMONG DENTISTS IN THE CITY OF SHIRAZ

Background & objectives: Sound and lighting are the deleterious effects of the physical environment as exposure to physical stressors act. Occupational stress in certain areas of life occurs and factors contribute to its creation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between these two factors, physical and psychological stress in dentistry in the city of Shiraz. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among 150 dentists in Shiraz; Samples were selected randomly. Data collection included job stress questionnaire, the scale and luxury m. Statistical analysis by Pearson correlation test, T-test of independent, Kruscal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test was performed using SPSS 16 software. Results: The volume and intensity of lighting in public centers are more than private sectors. The stress in public sectors was more than private centers and the difference was statistically significant ((p=0.02 Sound of the workplace and job stress were associated with each other that the relationship is statistically significant (p=0.007 the relationship between age and work experience job stress was reversely related and statistically significant (p=2.02, 0.01). The lighting environment with job stress were not correlated significantly (p=0.02). Conclusion: Stress in dental practice decreases quality and quantity of health care services. Therefore, identification of stress in dental and physical agents in the workplace, such as sound and lighting led activities to reduce the effects of stress and enhance the quality of services.
Outbound Program Based Local Wisdom for Students in Pesantren Schools

: The purpose of this community service is to improve the understanding of elementary school teachers in SAQO Islamic Boarding School Kraksaan Probolinggo about child development by providing stimulus to support the optimization of child development. The outbound kids training method was carried out with training and direct experience approaches experienced by teachers and elementary school students. The experiential cycle-based approach to learning included experience, reflection, conclusions, and application. Local culture-based outbound kids training activities help to optimize child development. Local culture taken was religious, knowledge, traditional, and creative values. This training train students to have effective learning skills and good leadership, so they are able to achieve academically in school and have a passion for learning. This activity was given to children aged 10-12 years or elementary school students from grade 3 to grade 6, amounting to 62 people. The activity was carried out for two days. The activities carried out were able to: (1) foster self-confidence; (2) develop social skills; (3) eliminate school saturation; (4) grow bravery of children; (5) practice concentration and balance; (6) help develop children; (7) enhance multiple intelligences; and (8) optimize aspects of child development.
Fears in Children with Chronic Constipation: Reliability and Validity of the Defecation Anxiety Scale

FEARS IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC CONSTIPATION: RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE DEFECATION ANXIETY SCALE By Elizabeth Page Clawson, M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University, 1994 Virginia Commonwealth University, 1996 Dissertation Director: Melanie McGrath, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Department of Psychology Pediatric constipation can lead to various negative emotional and physical consequences including abdominal pain, painful defecation, toileting fears, anxiety about pain and intestinal dysfunction. In addition, constipation can lead to socially compromising and embarrassing situations due to associated overflow incontinence These unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms may in tum lead to conditionedavoidance behaviors, which serve to further maintain the cycle of stool retention and constipation. Presently, there have not been any studies directly addressing the role of ' conditioned aversion in the etiology and maintenance of constipation. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Defecation Anxiety Scale (DAS)a scale
Assimilating polarimetric radar data with an ensemble Kalman filter: OSSEs with a tornadic supercell storm simulated with a two‐moment microphysics scheme

The impact of assimilating differential reflectivity ZDR in addition to reflectivity (ZH) and radial velocity (Vr) from a polarimetric radar on the analysis of a tornadic supercell storm using an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is studied in an observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) framework assuming a perfect forecast model. A double‐moment microphysics scheme is used to allow for proper simulation of polarimetric signatures. Root‐mean‐square errors of analysed state variables are calculated and the structure and intensity of analysed fields and derived quantities are examined. Compared to the baseline experiment assimilating radial velocity and reflectivity only, the assimilation of additional ZDR further reduces the errors of all state variables. The analysed hydrometeor fields are improved in both pattern and intensity distributions. Polarimetric signatures including ZDR and KDP columns, and ZDR arc in the supercell, are much better reproduced. Sensitivity experiments are performed that exclude the updating of hydrometeor number concentrations by ZDR or of state variables not directly linked to ZDR via observation operators. The results show that if number concentrations are not updated together with the mixing ratios, most of the benefit of assimilating ZDR is lost. Among other state variables, the updating of water vapour mixing ratio qv has the largest positive impact while the impact of updating vertical wind w comes in second. The updating of horizontal wind components or temperature has a much smaller but still noticeable impact. Reliable flow‐dependent cross‐covariances among the state variables and observation prior as derived from the forecast ensemble and used in EnKF are clearly very beneficial.
Why doctors lead multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinics: A grounded theory study of leader motivation

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to de velop a construct that describes the motivations of physicians to lead multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinics (MPCCs). Medical leaders play a key role in increasing the n umber of MPCCs, which are not yet widely available to patients in the United States. Understanding what motivates these physicians to lead is an important dimension of dev eloping, recruiting, and retaining MPCC leaders. This study collected qualitative, empirical data fr om 12 MPCC medical leaders located throughout the United States. Utilizing the oretical sampling and constant comparison, the data derived from face-to-face inte rviews were used to create a new construct of MPCC medical leaders’ motives called L ader-Stage Motivation (LSM). In the LSM construct a physician experiences 11 mot ivational factors while leading a multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinic. These 11 factors are grouped into 5 motivational patterns: mentored self-efficacy, purp ose-driven goal, multidisciplinary relatedness, time-moderated challenge, and achievem ent-driven goal. Each of these 5 patterns is directly related to the leader’s role d uring 3 stages of MPCC development: leader-creator, leader-sustainer, and leader-renewe r. The LSM construct is distinct from other leadership motivation theories such as leadership motive pattern (McClelland, 1975), role motivation theory (Miner, 1978) and motivation to lead (Chan & Drasgow, 2001). Unlike t h se previous theories LSM establishes a relationship between the leader’s mot ivations and changing leadership roles during the life cycle of an organization. The LSM c onstruct also provides a new model of leadership motivation that is specific to medical l eaders.
Infections neonatales a abidjan : Aspects cliniques et étiologiques

Les infections neonatales sont une cause importante de mortalite et de morbidite. Notre objectif dans cette etude etait d'identifier les etiologies des infections neonatales rencontrees a Abidjan. L'etude a porte sur 250 nouveau-nes hospitalises au CHU de Treichville, de mars 2000 a aout 2000. Les resultats de cette enquete ont montre qu'il s'agissait dans 76,8% des cas d'infections materno-foetales. Le tableau clinique etait pluri-symptomatique. Les bilans paracliniques ont permis d'identifier par ordre de frequence, Klebsiella pneumoniae (51,61%), E. coli (16,14%), S. aureus (9,7%).
Trends and perceptions of choosing chemistry as a major and a career

In many countries, the choice of a STEM career, especially in chemistry, is decreasing. A shortage of appropriately skilled workers can become a threat to any country's future achievements. Our research strives to understand behavioral trends and career choice factors related to personal and environmental themes. Building on the foundations of the Social Cognitive Career Theory, the research sheds light on prospective trends and retrospective perceptions of chemistry-related professionals in choosing chemistry in high school, as a career, and as a STEM occupation. To analyze the prospective trends in choosing chemistry, we used data curated by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics on 545 778 high school graduates. For the retrospective perceptions of choosing a chemistry career, we investigated three research groups (N = 190): chemists and chemical engineers, chemistry teachers, and third year undergraduate chemistry students. We found that choosing chemistry as a major and profession decreases from high school to higher education. Women tend to choose chemistry more than men at high school and university levels, and minorities tend to choose it more in high school but less in higher education compared to non-minorities. Task-oriented self-efficacy was the factor which contributed the most to chemistry career choice in all three research groups. The theoretical contribution is the unique SCCT application through the integration of both the prospective views on the behavioral theme and the retrospective views on the personal and environmental themes. Furthermore, we present new chemistry-related factors within the personal theme of this theoretical framework that can extend the SCCT framework.
Bibliometric evaluation of 2020–2022 publications on COVID-19-related cardiovascular disease

Objective This study aimed to investigate the international scientific output regarding the relationship between COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) through a bibliometric analysis and explore research hotspots in this field. Methods We searched the Web of Science Core Collection for publications and used different types of software, such as R, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer, to analyze and visualize the data. Results A total of 10,055 publications were retrieved as of the 13 December 2022, based on the inclusion criteria after screening. The USA and China lead in the quantity and quality of publications in this field. Based on Bradford's law, 63 journals were considered core journals in the field. Co-cited references and keywords analysis indicated that researchers paid particular attention to cardiovascular comorbidities, outcomes, and COVID-19 regenerative medicine. In summary, with increasing COVID-19 research related to CVD, more attention might be drawn to the relationship between these two diseases. Conclusion The hotspots in this field may continue to revolve around cardiovascular comorbidities, outcomes, and COVID-19 regenerative medicine. Owing to the different situations faced by different groups with COVID-19, further exploration of the related factors specific to each of these groups, e.g., history or no history of heart failure, is needed, with a view to providing a reference for intervention measures in COVID-19 research.
Perceptions of Occupational Heat, Sun Exposure, and Health Risk Prevention: A Qualitative Study of Forestry Workers in South Africa

Occupational exposure to heat and solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) threatens the health and wellbeing of outdoor workers. These threats are likely to increase as a result of climate change. This study examined the perceptions of occupational heat and sun exposure and health risk prevention among forestry workers removing alien invasive vegetation in the Western Cape, South Africa. The linkages between workers’ perceptions of heat, solar UVR, and herbicide exposure and impacts under the current climate were investigated to better understand potential adaptation needs under a changing climate. Using focus group discussions and participatory risk mapping, heat stresses identified by workers were either environmental (e.g., lack of shade) or work-related (e.g., wearing required personal protective equipment). Several heat and solar UVR health impacts were reportedly experienced by workers; local indigenous knowledge and coping mechanisms, such as wearing ochre for sun protection, were used to prevent these impacts. Despite workers’ current efforts to protect their health, existing gaps and opportunities to improve working conditions were identified. Institutional structures for improved reporting of adverse events are imperative, together with awareness and education campaigns about the risks associated with working in hot and sunny environments.
Application of GMDH model to predict pore pressure

Pore pressure (PP) is one of the essential and very critical parameters in the oil and gas industry, especially in reservoir engineering, exploitation, and production. Forecasting this valuable parameter can prevent huge costs incurred by the oil and gas industry. This research aims to develop a algorithm to better predict PP in subsurface -formations. Based on this, information from three wells (F1, F2, and F3) representing one of the Middle East oil fields was used in this research. The input variables used in this research include; laterolog (LLS), photoelectric index (PEF), compressional wave velocity (Vp), porosity (NPHI), gamma ray (spectral) (SGR), density (RHOB), gamma ray (corrected) (CGR), shear wave velocity (Vs), caliper (CALI), resistivity (ILD), and sonic transit time (DT). Based on the results presented in the heat map (Spearman’s correlation), it can be concluded that the pairs of parameters RHOB-PEF, CGR-SGR, RHOB-CALL, DT-PEF, PP-RHOB, Vs-RHOB, ILD-LLS, DT-CGR, and DT-NPHI are connected. In this research the GS-GMDH methods is used for modeling which is based on the Group method of data handling (GMDH). The results of this research show that this algorithm has an average error of RMSE = 1.88 Psi and R2 = 0.9997, indicating its high-performance accuracy. The difference between this method and the conventional GMDH method is that it can use three or more variables instead of two, which can improve prediction accuracy. Furthermore, by using the input of each neuron layer, the proposed model can communicate with other adjacent and non-adjacent layers to solve complex problems in the simplest possible way.
Statistical analysis and optimality of neural systems

Normative theories and statistical inference provide complementary approaches for the study of biological systems. A normative theory postulates that organisms have adapted to efficiently solve essential tasks, and proceeds to mathematically work out testable consequences of such optimality; parameters that maximize the hypothesized organismal function can be derived ab initio, without reference to experimental data. In contrast, statistical inference focuses on efficient utilization of data to learn model parameters, without reference to any a priori notion of biological function, utility, or fitness. Traditionally, these two approaches were developed independently and applied separately. Here we unify them in a coherent Bayesian framework that embeds a normative theory into a family of maximum-entropy “optimization priors. ” This family defines a smooth interpolation between a data-rich inference regime (characteristic of “bottom-up” statistical models), and a data-limited ab inito prediction regime (characteristic of “top-down” normative theory). We demonstrate the applicability of our framework using data from the visual cortex, the retina, and C. elegans, and argue that the flexibility it affords is essential to address a number of fundamental challenges relating to inference and prediction in complex, high-dimensional biological problems.
An improved method to produce clinical scale natural killer cells from human pluripotent stem cells

Human natural killer (NK) cell-based adoptive anti-cancer immunotherapy has gained intense interest with many clinical trials actively recruiting patients to treat a variety of both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Most of these trials use primary NK cells isolated either from peripheral blood (PB-NK cells) or umbilical cord blood (UCB-NK cells), though these sources require NK cell collection for each patient leading to donor variability and heterogeneity in the NK cell populations. In contrast, NK cells derived human embryonic stem cells (hESC-NK cells) or induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-NK cells) provide more homogeneous cell populations that can be grown at clinical scale, and genetically engineered if desired. These characteristics make hESC/iPSC-derived NK cells an ideal cell population for developing standardized, “off-the-shelf” immunotherapy products. Additionally, production of NK cells from undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells enables studies to better define pathways that regulate human NK cell development and function. Our group previously established a stromal-free, two-stage culture system to derive NK cells from hESC/hiPSC in vitro followed by clinical-scale expansion of these cells using interleukin-21 expressing artificial antigen-presenting cells. However, prior to differentiation, this method requires single cell adaption of hESCs/hiPSCs which takes months. Recently we optimized this method by adapting the mouse embryonic fibroblast-dependent hESC/hiPSC to feeder-free culture conditions. These feeder-free hESC/hiPSCs are directly used to generate hemato-endothelial precursor cells. This new method produces mature, functional NK cells with higher efficiency to enable rapid production of an essentially unlimited number of homogenous NK cells that can be used for standardized, targeted immunotherapy for the treatment of refractory cancers and infectious diseases.
Limited evidence for sympathetic neural overactivation in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction Mechanistic studies suggested that excess sympathetic activity promotes arterial hypertension while worsening insulin sensitivity. Older patients with type 2 diabetes are at particularly high cardiovascular and metabolic risk. However, data on sympathetic activity in this population is scarce. Methods We studied 61 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (22 women, 60.9 ± 1.4 years; 39 men, 60.9 ± 1.4 years). They had to have diabetes for at least 2 years, a hemoglobin A1c of 6.5–10%, a body-mass-index of 20–40 kg/m2, and had to be treated with stable doses of metformin only. We recorded ECG, finger and brachial blood pressure, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). Results MSNA was 37.5 ± 2.5 bursts/min in women and 39.0 ± 2.0 bursts/min in men (p = 0.55). MSNA expressed as burst incidence was 52.7 ± 2.0 bursts/100 beats in women and 59.2 ± 3.1 bursts/100 beats in men (p = 0.21). Five out of 39 men (12.8%) and two out of 22 women (9.1%) exhibited resting MSNA measurements above the 95th percentile for sex and age. In the pooled analysis, MSNA was not significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, body composition, or HbA1c (r2 < 0.02, p > 0.26 for all). Discussion We conclude that relatively few older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus exhibit increased MSNA. The large interindividual variability in MSNA cannot be explained by gender, blood pressure, body mass index, or glycemic control.
“Learning lords” and “ink in your stomach”: eliciting Chinese EFL students’ beliefs about classroom participation

ABSTRACT Drawing from the theory of planned behavior, we conducted a belief elicitation study to gain insights on what considerations guide Chinese English-as-foreign-language students’ decision to participate in English during class. We used four semistructured focus groups (in Chinese) to explore salient beliefs from a total of 34 Chinese university students enrolled in a Sino-American international branch campus. Results suggest that participants considered attentive listening as an integral part of their decisions about classroom participation, probably given their precollege education experience. They also perceived participation to be an effective means to improve English skills and to acquire a Western mindset, but also a frustrating practice that can waste class time and generate anxiety. Finally, through verbal and nonverbal communication, both instructors and classmates played a crucial role in affecting these students’ intention to participate in English during class. Ultimately, we discuss practical pedagogical implications as well as relevant theoretical implications.