Simulation model for plant growth in controlled environment systems

The role of the mathematical model is to relate the individual processes to environmental conditions and the behavior of the whole plant. Using the controlled-environment facilities of the phytotron at North Carolina State University for experimentation at the whole-plant level and methods for handling complex models, researchers developed a plant growth model to describe the relationships between hierarchial levels of the crop production system. The fundamental processes that are considered are: (1) interception of photosynthetically active radiation by leaves, (2) absorption of photosynthetically active radiation, (3) photosynthetic transformation of absorbed radiation into chemical energy of carbon bonding in solube carbohydrates in the leaves, (4) translocation between carbohydrate pools in leaves, stems, and roots, (5) flow of energy from carbohydrate pools for respiration, (6) flow from carbohydrate pools for growth, and (7) aging of tissues. These processes are described at the level of organ structure and of elementary function processes. The driving variables of incident photosynthetically active radiation and ambient temperature as inputs pertain to characterization at the whole-plant level. The output of the model is accumulated dry matter partitioned among leaves, stems, and roots; thus, the elementary processes clearly operate under the constraints of the plant structure which is itself the output of the model

Neural processing of imminent collision in humans

Detecting a looming object and its imminent collision is imperative to survival. For most humans, it is a fundamental aspect of daily activities such as driving, road crossing and participating in sport, yet little is known about how the brain both detects and responds to such stimuli. Here we use functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess neural response to looming stimuli in comparison with receding stimuli and motion-controlled static stimuli. We demonstrate for the first time that, in the human, the superior colliculus and the pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus respond to looming in addition to cortical regions associated with motor preparation. We also implicate the anterior insula in making timing computations for collision events

Search for the hero: an investigation into the sports heroes of British sports fans

This is an initial study into British sports fans’ heroes. A questionnaire was sent to 95 students (average age ¼ 19.75) to identify their sporting hero, the hero’s sport and nationality and the reasons for this choice. Football was the most common source of sports heroes, identified by 49% of participants with a sporting hero. The majority (60%, N ¼ 48) of heroes chosen by participants were British, with David Beckham the most popular choice. Differences were observed between the gender of participants, gender of hero chosen and the reasons for choosing the hero. The most common reason for selecting a hero was a personal trait rather than skill, while in the questionnaire a category of Local Affiliation was added to those suggested by previous work. It was concluded that to become a hero athletes should combine skill with devotion to family, charity work and a place in popular culture

Simulations of the temporal and spatial resolution for a compact time-resolved electron diffractometer

A novel compact electron gun for use in time-resolved gas electron diffraction experiments has recently been designed and commissioned. In this paper we present and discuss the extensive simulations that were performed to underpin the design in terms of the spatial and temporal qualities of the pulsed electron beam created by the ionisation of a gold photocathode using a femtosecond laser. The response of the electron pulses to a solenoid lens used to focus the electron beam has also been studied. The simulated results show that focussing the electron beam affects the overall spatial and temporal resolution of the experiment in a variety of ways, and that factors that improve the resolution of one parameter can often have a negative effect on the other. A balance must, therefore, be achieved between spatial and temporal resolution. The optimal experimental time resolution for the apparatus is predicted to be 416 fs for studies of gas-phase species, while the predicted spatial resolution of better than 2 nm-1 compares well with traditional time-averaged electron diffraction set-ups

Does Time Heal all Wounds? A Case Study on Rival Perceptions Before and After Conference Realignment

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(6): 823-832, 2017. The current longitudinal case study investigated how conference realignment and beginning new annual competitions impacted fan rival perceptions for fans of the Texas A&M Aggies, Missouri Tigers, and Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. In particular, fan rival perceptions before and after conference realignment were compared to determine if significant differences were present. Findings indicate that history plays an important role in rivalry as fans of teams sharing long-standing rivalries with schools in their previous conference (i.e., Texas A&M/Texas and Missouri/Kansas) did not differ in their rival perceptions before or after conference realignment. On the other hand, rival perceptions of TCU fans significantly differed in their perceptions of Boise State (previous rival) and Baylor (current rival) before and after conference realignment. Implications for sport managers are discussed

On Passion and Sports Fans:A Look at Football

The purpose of the present research was to test the applicability of the Dualistic Model of Passion (Vallerand et al., 2003) to being a sport (football) fan. The model posits that passion is a strong inclination toward an activity that individuals like (or even love), that they value, and in which they invest time and energy. Furthermore, two types of passion are proposed: harmonious and obsessive passion. While obsessive passion entails an uncontrollable urge to engage in the passionate activity, harmonious passion entails a sense of volition while engaging in the activity. Finally, the model posits that harmonious passion leads to more adaptive outcomes than obsessive passion. Three studies provided support for this dualistic conceptualization of passion. Study 1 showed that harmonious passion was positively associated with adaptive behaviours (e.g., celebrate the team’s victory), while obsessive passion was rather positively associated with maladaptive behaviours (e.g., to risk losing one’s employment to go to the team’s game). Study 2 used a short Passion Scale and showed that harmonious passion was positively related to the positive affective life of fans during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, psychological health (self-esteem and life satisfaction), and public displays of adaptive behaviours (e.g., celebrating one’s team victory in the streets), while obsessive passion was predictive of maladaptive affective life (e.g., hating opposing team’s fans) and behaviours (e.g., mocking the opposing team’s fans). Finally, Study 3 examined the role of obsessive passion as a predictor of partner’s conflict that in turn undermined partner’s relationship satisfaction. Overall, the present results provided support for the Dualistic Model of Passion. The conceptual and applied implications of the findings are discussed

La Prévalence des Pathologies Thyroïdiennes chez le Sujet Âgé au Service de Médecine Interne de l’Hôpital National Donka

Introduction : Le vieillissement est associé à des modifications complexes de la fonction thyroïdienne qui interviennent à plusieurs niveaux de régulation. La sécrétion des hormones thyroïdiennes est en général dans les limites inférieures des valeurs usuelles. Méthodes : Il s’agissait d’une étude rétrospective à visée descriptive et analytique menée du 1er janvier 2013 au 31 décembre 2022 (soit 10 ans). L’étude était réalisée au service de médecine interne de l’hôpital national Donka (Guinée). Elle a porté sur les sujets âgés de 60 ans et plus suivis pour une pathologie thyroïdienne. Résultats : Durand la période d’étude nous avons colligé 88 cas de dysthyroïdies soit une prévalence de 17,95 %. Il y avait une prédominance féminine (56 cas) avec un sex ratio H/F de 0,57. L’âge moyen était de 64,5 ans (extrêmes de 60 et 85 ans). Les circonstances de diagnostic de la maladie thyroïdienne étaient principalement un goitre (59,1%), une exophtalmie (9,1%), une compression cervicale (25%), une cardiothyréose (5,7 %). Les principales manifestations de la thyrotoxicose étaient l’amaigrissement (17%), les palpitations (29,5%) et la fatigabilité (34,1%). Les signes d’hypothyroïdie prédominants étaient la constipation (17%) et le syndrome myxœdémateux (3,4%). L’hyperthyroïdie a été rencontrée chez 13,64% des patients, contre 29,54% de cas d’hypothyroïdie. L’échographie cervicale thyroïdienne avait retrouvé 36 cas de goitre diffus (40,9%), 18 cas de goitre multinodulaire (20,45%), 17 cas de nodule unique (19,31%). Les principales étiologies étaient la maladie de Basedow (11,4%), le goitre multinodulaire (46,6%), la thyroïdite de Hashimoto (17%), un goitre simple (5,7%). La thyroïdectomie avait concerné 33 patients (37,5%). Deux cas de décès étaient enregistrés en rapport avec une cardiothyréose. Conclusion : Les dysthyroïdies sont fréquentes chez le sujet âgé au CHU de Conakry et un dosage hormonal au moindre doute afin d’instaurer le traitement adéquat à temps serait requis afin de prévenir les complications.   Introduction: The aging is associated with complex changes in thyroid function that occur at several levels of regulation. Thyroid hormone secretion is generally within the lower limits of usual values. Methods: This was a retrospective study with descriptive and analytical aims carried out from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022 (i.e. 10 years). The study was carried out in the internal medicine department of the Donka national hospital (Guinea). It focused on subjects aged 60 and over followed for thyroid pathology. Results: During the study period we collected 88 cases of dysthyroidism, representing a prevalence of 17.95%. There was a female predominance (56 cases) with a M/F sex ratio of 0.57. The average age was 64.5 years (range 60 and 85 years). The circumstances of diagnosis of thyroid disease were mainly goiter (59.1%), exophthalmos (9.1%), cervical compression (25%), cardiothyreosis (5.7%). The main manifestations of thyrotoxicosis were weight loss (17%), palpitations (29.5%), and fatigability (34.1%). The predominant signs of hypothyroidism were constipation (17%) and myxedematous syndrome (3.4%). Hyperthyroidism was encountered in 13.64% of patients, compared to 29.54% cases of hypothyroidism. Cervical thyroid ultrasound found 36 cases of diffuse goiter (40.9%), 18 cases of multinodular goiter (20.45%), 17 cases of single nodule (19.31%). The main etiologies were Graves' disease (11.4%), multinodular goiter (46.6%), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (17%), simple goiter (5.7%). Thyroidectomy involved 33 patients (37.5%). Two cases of death were recorded in connection with cardiothyreosis. Conclusion: Dysthyroidism is common in the elderly at the Conakry University Hospital and a hormonal dosage if there is the slightest doubt in order to initiate the appropriate treatment in time would be required in order to prevent complications

An Examination of Sport Fandom in the United Kingdom: A Comparative Analysis of Fan Behaviors, Socialization Processes, and Team Identification

Despite recent cross-cultural analyses of sport fandom, work in the field is still limited. To partially fill this research void, the current investigation investigated sport fandom in the United Kingdom, and included cross-cultural comparison with existing data. Four research areas were reviewed: a) sport fan behaviors, b) socialization into the sport fan role, c) identification with the social role of sport fan, and d) team identification. A sample of 252 students at a university in the United Kingdom completed a questionnaire packet assessing demographics, fandom, fan behaviors, team identification, and the impact of various socialization agents. Results revealed gender differences in behavior (e.g., males reported greater levels of participation than females) and both team identification and fandom were significant predictors of fan behavior. The importance of the father as a socialization agent was highlighted throughout the sample, and levels of identification were generally high. Cross-cultural analysis indicated that socialization agents for the UK were more varied than other countries, UK fans were more likely to watch sport live, and UK males were more likely to watch and discuss sport daily. In general, it was demonstrated that UK fan behavior was closer to that of Americans and, in particular, Australian fans, rather than fans in European (Greek and Norwegian) samples

Unusual cage rearrangements in 10-vertex nido-5,6-dicarbaborane derivatives : An interplay between theory and experiment

The reaction between selected X-nido-5,6-C2B8H11 compounds (where X = Cl, Br, I) and "Proton Sponge" [PS; 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene], followed by acidification, results in extensive rearrangement of all cage vertices. Specifically, deprotonation of 7-X-5,6-C2B8H11 compounds with one equivalent of PS in hexane or CH2Cl2 at ambient temperature led to a 7 → 10 halogen rearrangement, forming a series of PSH+[10-X-5,6-C2B8H10]- salts. Reprotonation using concentrated H2SO4 in CH2Cl2 generates a series of neutral carbaboranes 10-X-5,6-C2B8H11, with the overall 7 → 10 conversion being 75%, 95%, and 100% for X = Cl, Br, and I, respectively. Under similar conditions, 4-Cl-5,6-C2B8H11 gave ∼66% conversion to 3- Cl-5,6-C2B8H11. Since these rearrangements could not be rationalized using the Bvertex swing mechanism, new cage rearrangement mechanisms, which are substantiated using DFT calculations, have been proposed. Experimental 11B NMR chemical shifts are well reproduced by the computations; as expected δ(11B) for B(10) atoms in derivatives with X = Br and I are heavily affected by spin-orbit coupling