Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reparation of chondral defects in rabbits by autologous and allogenous chondrocytes seeded on collagen/hyaluronan scaffold or suspended in fibrin glue

Abstract The topic of the study was to verify in vivo survival of in vitro cultured autologous and allogenous chondrocytes suspended in a fibrin glue Beriplast® or seeded on Collagen type I-Hyaluronan (Col type I-HYA) scaffolds for the regeneration of articular cartilage defects in rabbits. The study was carried out on 15 domestic rabbits randomly assigned to five groups (n = 3 in each) with different treatments of artificially created chondral defects (ChD´s). These defects were made in a non-load-bearing area of medial condyle of the distal femur, and were treated as follows: 1st and 3rd group: the ChD´s were filled with autologous or allogenous chondrocytes seeded on Col type I-HYA scaffolds, respectively. The scaffolds were fixed to the ChD´s by fibrin glue Beriplast®; 2nd and 4th group: the ChD´s were filled with a suspension of autologous or allogenous chondrocytes in fibrin glue Beriplast®, respectively, and they were immediately covered by unseeded Col type I-HYA scaffolds; Control group: the ChD´s were left to heal spontaneously without any treatment. Macroscopical, histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the ChD´s were performed 12 months after the treatment. In all treated groups, the chondrocytes were capable to proliferate and produce the cartilage extracellular matrix, including proteoglycans and type II collagen, as compared to the control “untreated” group. On the other hand, the production of hyaline-like cartilage tissue confirmed that both therapeutic methods using autologous chondrocytes can be applied successfully for the treatment of chondral defects in rabbits.
524-539 Wong SF.pmd

Allergens of Dermatophagoides and Blomia species are well-characterized but not for other species. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of allergic sensitization to house dust (HDM) and storage mites (SM). One hundred adult subjects (aged > 18) were recruited. The mite specific IgE of all allergic subjects were higher compared with healthy subjetcs despite being not statistically significant except for D. farinae and G. malaysiensis. The mean serum IgE levels against HDM and SM for allergic subjects were significantly higher compared with those in healthy subjects. They were mainly sensitized to Dermatophagoides farinae (35%) and Glycycometus malaysiensis (37%). Immunoblots revealed not all allergic subjects showed positive immuno-reactivity against the mites tested. Single or multiple bands were observed for different species. The subjects were commonly sensitized to Group 2 (9-12 kDa), 10 (38 kDa) and 18 (40-48 kDa) allergens. Twenty-one out of 60 allergic subjects were sensitized to either one or more species. The majority of them (71%) were sensitized to single species. The allergic subjects were mainly sensitized to D. pteronyssinus, followed by Tyrophagus putrecentiae and Aleuroglyphus ovatus. Seven were solely sensitized to HDM while 10 were solely sensitized to SM. Four subjects were sensitized to both. Preadsorption study revealed no cross-reactivity. There was difference between the prevalence and reactivity to allergens of HDM and SM in these subjects. Both ELISA and immunoblot did not correlate well but can complement each other in improving the detection of mite allergens to the species level.
Elemental carbon measurements in European Arctic snow packs

Black carbon (BC) and other light‐absorbing particles deposited on snow and ice are known to perturb the surface radiative balance. There are few published observations of the concentration of these particles in the snow in Scandinavia and the European Arctic. We measured BC concentrations in snow samples collected in this region from 2007 to 2009, and we present the results here. The data set includes 484 surface samples and 24 column samples (covering the accumulation season) from snow on land, glaciers, and sea ice. Concentrations up to 88 ng of carbon per gram of snow (ng/g) were found in Scandinavia, while lower values were observed at higher latitudes: 11–14 ng/g in Svalbard, 7–42 ng/g in the Fram Strait, and 9 ng/g in Barrow. Values compare well with other observations but are generally found to be a factor of 2–3 higher than modeled BC concentrations in snow in the chemical transport model Oslo CTM2. This model underestimation comes in spite of potentially significant undercatch in the observations. The spring melt period enhanced BC levels in surface snow at the four sites where the BC concentrations were monitored from March to May in 2008 and 2009. A data set of replicate samples is used to establish a concentration‐dependent estimate of the meter‐scale variability of BC concentration in snow, found to be around ±30% of the average concentration.
Carbon allocation strategies for reproduction and growth in spring ephemeral plants [an abstract of dissertation and a summary of dissertation review]

Title Carbon allocation strategies for reproduction and growth in spring ephemeral plants [an abstract of dissertation and a summary of dissertation review] Author(s) Sunmonu, Azizat Idowu Citation 北海道大学. 博士(環境科学) 甲第11535号 Issue Date 2014-09-25 Doc URL http://hdl.handle. net/2115/57136 Rights(URL) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.1/jp/ Type theses (doctoral abstract and summary of review) Additional Information There are other files related to this item in HUSCAP. Check the above URL. File Information Sunmonu_Azizat_Idowu_abstract. pdf (論文内容の要旨)
Annual cycle of Antarctic baseline aerosol : controlled by photooxidation-limited aerosol formation

Abstract. This article investigates the annual cycle observed in the Antarctic baseline aerosol scattering coefficient, total particle number concentration, and particle number size distribution (PNSD), as measured at Troll Atmospheric Observatory. Mie theory shows that the annual cycles in microphysical and optical aerosol properties have a common cause. By comparison with observations at other Antarctic stations, it is shown that the annual cycle is not a local phenomenon, but common to central Antarctic baseline air masses. Observations of ground-level ozone at Troll as well as backward plume calculations for the air masses arriving at Troll demonstrate that the baseline air masses originate from the free troposphere and lower stratosphere region, and descend over the central Antarctic continent. The Antarctic summer PNSD is dominated by particles with diameters
2 Findings pertaining to measure consumers ’ perception , beliefs and attitude towards the online marketing of Indian Railways

This chapter presents the findings of research objectives dealing, with consumers’ attitude towards online marketing of Indian Railways. It deals with six aspects, namely measuring consumers’ perception, beliefs and attitude towards online marketing of Indian Railways. Furthermore, it advances the understanding of affect of different demographic variables on attitude, behavioral intention and actual usage. Second part is devoted to identify opportunities offered by online marketing and challenges posed by it. Third part pertains to measure the consumers’ attitude towards the various online tourism and information gathering services. Fourth section identifies the factors affecting consumers’ perception of online marketing service quality of Indian Railways. Fifth section is devoted to measure consumers attitude towards Indian Railways website. Last section examines the factors resisting the nonusers to adopt online marketing of Indian Railways.
The effect of the shape of gaps on microenvironmental conditions and seedling recruitment in Molinietum caeruleae meadows

Cessation of the management of semi-natural habitats such as grasslands and meadows contributes to secondary succession and encroachment of native and alien tall-growing perennials, large tussock grasses, shrubs, and trees. Thus, the formation of gaps in the plant canopy and litter, enabling seedling recruitment, appears to be a very effective method for the restoration of several plant communities. The main objective of the research was to assess the effect of the shape of openings on microenvironmental conditions and seedling recruitment in Molinietum caeruleae patches in various habitat conditions. In all study patches, circular and linear openings, comparable in area, were randomly created through the removal of plant canopy and litter layer. The circular gaps presented greater light availability and lower soil humidity than linear openings, while soil temperature within differently shaped openings was similar. Regardless of differences in microenvironmental conditions, the total number of seedlings in differently shaped gaps did not vary considerably. Three plant categories were found: (i) those recruited mostly in circular openings, (ii) those recruited mostly in linear gaps, (iii) those colonizing circular and linear gaps similarly. The colonizers of circular gaps represented various synecological groups (ruderal, grasslands and meadows, young tree communities) and diverse life forms (therophytes, hemicryptophytes, chamaephytes, phanerophytes), while the colonizers of linear gaps were meadow and grassland hemicryptophytes. The formation of linear openings contributes to increases in the abundance of meadow taxa, while the creation of circular openings may have a negative effect, contributing to the promotion of the secondary succession process.
Sensitivity of macroecological patterns of South American parrots to differences in data sources

A criticism of macroecological studies has been their extensive use of secondary data sources. In this note we evaluate how different data sources affect macroecological patterns for the parrots of South America. We mapped extents of parrot occurrence based on four sources of range maps. We compared basic statistics for geographical range size distribution (mean, variance and skew) and calculated correlations between geographical range size estimates and grid cell species richness estimates. Finally, results from multiple regression analyses of species richness against six environmental variables were also compared. We found that patterns were very robust to the data source, with only relatively slight quantitative differences. Our results reinforce the notion that patterns emerging from macroecological analyses are robust to variations in data sources and cannot be merely artefacts resulting from low data quality, notably poorly defined mapping and conflicting taxonomy.
Epoch-dependent absorption line profile variability in λ Cep

We present the analysis of a multi-epoch spectroscopic monitoring campaign of the O6Ief starCep. Previous observations reported the existence of two modes of non-radial pulsations in this star. Our data reveal a much more complex situation. The frequency content of the power spectrum considerably changes from one epoch to the other. We find no stable frequency that can unambiguously be attributed to pulsations. The epoch-dependence of the frequencies and variability patterns are similar to what is seen in the wind emission lines of this and other Oef stars, suggesting that both phenomena likely have the same, currently still unknown, origin.
Concentration and competition in dual banking industry: a structural approach

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the evolution of market concentration and competition in Malaysian dual banking industry for the period of 1997-2013. This study utilized structural approach to investigate changes in the market structure particularly the level of concentration and competition that contributed by several structural changes which take place in the dual banking system. According to structural approach, concentration plays an important role in examining the link between concentration and competition. Therefore, present paper utilized the structural approach to measure various concentration indexes to provide significant evidence on the changes in the market structure of Malaysian banking industry for the largest available data set of 1997-2013. Pearson correlation analysis was also used to examine the consistency of those various measures used in this study. The paper found evidence that structural changes have altered the market structure of the banking industry which comprises of Islamic and conventional banking system. The results also indicate that dual banking industry operates in the monopolistic competition structure. Therefore, concentration indexes can be used by authorities to decide on the optimal number of banks operating in the industry.
Type-II defects in integrable classical field theories

In this thesis we discuss the integrability properties of two-dimensional classical field theories in the presence of discontinuities or type-II defects, mainly using the language of the inverse scattering approach. We present a general method to compute the generating function of an infinite set of modified conserved quantities for any integrable field equation given their associated linear problems and computing their corresponding defect matrices. We apply this method to derive in particular defect contributions to the energy and momentum for several models and show the relationship between the integrable defect conditions and the Backlund transformations for each model.
Innovations in Practice: Further evidence on the effectiveness of the strengths and difficulties added value score as an outcome measure for child and adolescent services.

BACKGROUND The Strengths and Difficulties Added Value Score (SDQ AVS) uses a large epidemiological study to predict follow-up parental SDQ scores for the evaluation of routine outcomes. METHOD We tested the prediction of the SDQ AVS derived from a national population survey separately on scores for the waiting list control and intervention groups in a randomised controlled trial. If the SDQ AVS is to be clinically useful, it needs to function as expected across different populations. RESULTS In the control arm, the SDQ AVS predicted an effect size of 0.15 (95% CI -0.01-0.30) compared to an expected effect size of 0, as the children in this arm received no treatment. In the experimental arm, the SDQ AVS predicted an effect size of 0.62 (95% CI 0.42-0.83) compared to the study effect size of 0.53. Change scores overestimated the effect size in both arms (control 0.50 95% CI 0.34-0.66, intervention 0.85 95% CI 0.66-1.04). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the SDQ AVS adjusts for spontaneous improvement, regression to the mean and attenuation.
ENERGY USE AND CONSERVATION IN BOARDING SCHOOLS IN THIKA SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

This paper is based on a research on energy use and conservation in public and private boarding secondary schools in Thika Sub-County, Kenya. Specifically, it examines the energy sources available to schools and energy conservation strategies adopted. The study findings indicate that firewood, electricity, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) kerosene and charcoal are the main source of energy for cooking, lighting and laboratories in schools in Thika Sub-County. There was limited use of solar and wind energy. With regard to energy conservation, it was observed that a significant proportion of schools utilized energy saving cookers and energy saving bulbs. They also had strict rules on the use of electricity. It is concluded that over-reliance on firewood, electricity diesel and LPG as sources of energy in schools is not sustainable and may contribute to environmental degradation in Thika Sub-County. Furthermore, the high cost of electricity and fossil fuels may put a strain on school budgets.
Coexistence in ungulate communities - niches, resource partitioning, competition & facilitation

The coexistence of species is a fundamental concept studied in ecology. Inherent within it are the concepts of a niche and resource partitioning. In this review I will define these basic concepts and examine how they have been studied using ungulates as a model system. Specifically, I will discuss resource use in ungulate systems and how those resources are partitioned across space and time. I will also discuss important factors in studying the coexistence of ungulate communities, namely the roles of physiology, body mass, and landscape variation. I will also briefly go over the newer, genetic methods are now available to answer more in depth questions on the mechanisms maintaining coexistence within these communities.
Velocity field of the “La Clapière” landslide measured by the correlation of aerial and QuickBird satellite images

Two displacement maps of the “La Clapière” landslide (France) have been derived over two periods of 4 years (1995–1999 and 1999–2003) by correlation of aerial photographs and a QuickBird satellite image. The movement of the landslide ranges from 2.5 m to 20 m per year. Those values have been validated over 13 points monitored by conventional tacheometric measurements. Three areas with significant differences in velocity field have been mapped. Limits of those areas are in good agreement with in situ observations. Velocity maps show the low long term temporal variability of the landslide movement and its spatial variability. The optical correlation method using images derived from various sensors (airborne and spatial) is a promising technique for improving the spatial resolution of velocity field observation of landslides over several years.
Buckling Experiment on Anisotropic Long and Short Cylinders

A buckling experiment was performed on anisotropic, long and short cylinders with various radius-to-thickness ratios. The 13 cylinders had symmetric and anti-symmetric layups, were between 2 and 6 in terms of the length-to-radius ratio, between 154 and 647 in radius-to-thickness ratio, and made of two kinds of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) prepreg with high or low fiber modulus. The theoretical buckling loads for the cylinders were calculated from the previously published solution by using linear bifurcation theory considering layup anisotropy and transverse shear deformation and by using deep shell theory to account for the effect of length and compared with the test results. The theoretical buckling loads for the cylinders were calculated from the previously published solution by using linear bifurcation theory considering layup anisotropy and transverse shear deformation and by using deep shell theory to account for the effect of length. The knockdown factor, defined as the ratio of the experimental value to the theoretical value, was found to be between 0.451 and 0.877. The test results indicated that a large length-to-radius ratio reduces the knockdown factor, but the radius-to-thickness ratio and other factors do not affect it.
Does the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met human polymorphism influence procrastination?

Genetic studies are enlightening how the expression of several genes influences neuronal activity and all facets of human normal and abnormal behavior. Among these, a growing body of information shows that a few key genes regulating activity of central neurotransmitters have specific roles in cognitive and/or emotional processes. Examples of these genes are those encoding for the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and the enzyme cathecol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), both associated with anxiety, aggressive behavior, impulsivity, or even psychopathology. Procrastination is a serious concern in many work and study settings and is usually considered as the expression of impulsive choices: the temporary preference for a smaller-sooner reward over a larger-later reward. Alternatively, but not exclusively, it may be due to the ability to perform better under stressful rather than normal conditions. In the present study, we investigated the association of the 5-HTTLPR and COMT Val158Met polymorphisms with students’ procrastination in an academic writing task. Results showed no relationship between procrastination and the 5-HTT polymorphism but they revealed an association with the COMT Val158Met one. Particularly, the presence of the Met158 allele was found to be significantly associated with the tendency to initiate and complete the assigned task as soon as possible, thus suggesting it may have a protective role in procrastination. Since the 158Met allele provides neurons with significantly higher basal dopamine levels when compared to the 158Val allele, our observation suggests that under normal conditions, namely when the schedule deadline is far ahead, the 158Met allele provides carriers with increased inhibitory control and/or cognitive performance, resulting in an increased tendency to adhere to a planned schedule and therefore reducing procrastination. On the other hand, the Val158 allele may result more effective in increasing carriers’ performances under stress conditions, namely when the schedule deadline is approaching, and dopamine release is increased. This would result in a higher tendency to procrastinate.
Compared the effect of indirect ELISA and serum plate agglutination (SPA) test for the detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in chicken

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is a highly economical and persistent threat of poultry industry in Bangladesh. Indirect ELISA (iELISA) and Serum plate agglutination test (SPA) is available serological test for diagnosis of MG antibodies. The aim of this research was conducted on the basis of comparison on diagnosis results between iELISA and SPA test for MG antibody in same sample in layer chicken. Total 563 serum samples were collected and tested for MG antibody by both iELISA and SPA test. Out of 563 samples 363 (64.48%) samples were positive by iELISA and 316 (56.13%) samples were positive in SPA test. The higher incidence of MG antibody was found in chicken at 50-56 weeks and flock size was 3000-4200 as 69.63% by iELISA and 61.21% by SPA and in Sonali breeds 69.08% by iELISA and 60.64% by SPA. The results showed the comparatively higher number of positive results in iELISA test than SPA test. So the findings of the study demonstrated that a significant (p<0.05) difference between iELISA and SPA test present. The study may helpful for screening the flock for MG and small-holding farmers may use SPA test rather than iELISA test due to rapid, easy and cost effective.
Comparison of LIGO/Virgo upper limits with predicted compact binary merger rates

We compare the current LIGO/Virgo upper limits on double compact object volumetric merger rates with our theoretical predictions. Our optimistic models are a factor of 3 below the existing upper limits for massive BH-BH systems with total mass 50-70 Msun, suggesting that a small increase in observational sensitivity may bring the first detections. The LIGO/Virgo gravitational wave observatories are currently being upgraded to advanced design sensitivity. If a sizeable population of BH-BH binaries is detected, the maximum total binary mass of this population will discriminate between two general families of common envelope models. If no binaries are detected, the new upper limits will provide astrophysically useful information about the environment and physical processes (e.g., metallicity of host galaxies or BH natal kicks) crucial to the formation of binaries containing black holes. For NS-NS systems, our predicted rates are 3 orders of magnitude below the current upper limits; even if advanced instruments reach their design sensitivities (factors of 10 times in distance, and 1,000 times in volumetric rate) the detection of NS-NS systems is not assured. However, we note that although our predicted NS-NS merger rates are consistent with estimates derived from Galactic NS-NS binaries and short GRBs, they are on the low side of these empirical estimates.