Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis for fodder yield and component traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

An investigation was carried out to assess the possibility of exploiting heterosis for green fodder yield in maize and to identify parents with desirable genetic effects. Seven maize parents having forage value along with fodder maize variety African Tall were utilized to produce 21 hybrids through Diallel (without reciprocal) mating design. The hybrids along with parents were subjected to study general and specific combining ability for fodder yield and its contributing traits. The analysis of variance revealed that significant differences for general and specific combining ability which indicated the presence of additive as well as non additive gene effects controlling the fodder yield component traits. However, relative magnitude of these variances showed that non additive gene effects were more prominent for most of the traits studied except for leaf length, stem girth, leaf stem ratio and green fodder yield. The parent African Tall was identified as the best general combiner for fodder yield and its contributing characters. The crosses showing significant sca effect for fodder yield involved low × low and low × high gca parents which could be exploited for hybrid vigour. The mid and better parent heterosis expressed by the different crosses were ranged from-26.14 to 97.08% and-55.69 to 70.12% respectively for green fodder yield. Two crosses viz., FDM 7 x African Tall and FDM 37 x African Tall proved to be better and may be studied in future to produce promising fodder maize hybrids which would help to sustain the economic wellbeing of dairy farmers.
Role of Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma ( FAST ) and CT scan in abdominal trauma : Radiologist ’ s perspective

Background: Diagnosis of abdominal trauma is a real. Diagnostic tools that help the treating doctor in optimum management of abdominal trauma include; Focused Assessment Trauma (FAST), Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and CT scan. Objectives: The aim of this communication wa abdomen in the diagnosis of abdominal trauma. Material and methods: This study aimed at Department of Dhiraj General Hospita patients. Results: Out of 50 patients of abdominal trauma, 12 patients (24%) were in age group 21 with male to female ratio of approximately 5.2: accident according for 54% of total cases. followed by kidney. USG showed overall sensitivity 57.48%, specificity 97.77%, positive predictive value 88.9125, negative predictive value 97.185 and sensitivity of 95.35%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value 77.78% and accuracy 96%. Conclusion: FAST is useful as the initial diagnostic tool for abdominal trauma to d abdominal fluid. With proper training and understanding the limitations of ultrasound, the results of FAST can be optimized. DPL is indicated to diagnose suspected internal abdominal injury when 2, Issue 6, June, 2015. 2 , Konark Sarvaiya 1 , Anil Rathwa 3 Assisstant Professor Sarvaiya, Anil Rathwa -135. www.iaimjournal. com Accepted on:
The Effects of Illumination Level and Retinal Size on the Depth Stratification of Subjective Contour Figures

The apparent stratification in depth of subjective contour figures over their backgrounds was investigated as a function of illumination level, figure size, and viewing distance. Magnitude estimation, with a real contour figure serving as the modulus, was used to measure the stratification in depth of a subjective contour figure over its background. Illumination level and retinal size both had significant effects on the depth stratification of the subjective contour figures. The greatest apparent depth differences were obtained for figures of small retinal size under low levels of illumination. These results paralleled previous findings for judgments of subjective contour strength. Consequently, both contour clarity and depth stratification of subjective contour figures are affected in similar ways by illumination level, figure size, and viewing distance. The implications of this response coupling are discussed in terms of current theories of subjective contours.
The Effect of Friction on Wide Shear Bands

Frictional and frictionless granular materials in a split-bottom ring shear cell geometry show wide shear bands under slow, quasi-static deformation. Here, the differences between frictional and frictionless materials are elaborated using discrete element simulations (DEM). Several continuum fields like the density, the velocity field, the deformation gradient, and the stress are used here for comparison. Interestingly, the shear stress intensity, i.e., the shear stress divided by the pressure, is approximately constant throughout the wide shear band, as long as the strain rate is large enough—indicating a Mohr-Coulomb type yield stress fluid. The “viscosity,” i.e., the shear stress divided by the strain rate, is proportional to the pressure, which is increasing with the contact number density. Furthermore, the viscosity is inversely proportional to the nondimensional strain rate, indicating shear softening behavior inside the wide shear bands.
Results of a prospective study for the treatment of retinoblastoma

The objectives of this prospective study were to avoid adjuvant treatment for patients with intraocular disease and patients with postlaminar optic nerve invasion (PL‐ONI) without full choroidal or scleral invasion. Adjuvant chemotherapy (Regimen 1) was given to patients with scleral invasion, PL‐ONI without cut section, and full choroidal and/or scleral invasion. A more intensive regimen of higher dose intravenous chemotherapy (Regimen 2) and local radiotherapy was given to patients with PL‐ONI and compromise at the cut end and to patients with overt extraocular disease.
Prevalence of hypothyroidism in rheumatoid arthritis and its correlation with disease activity

Objectives To analyse the prevalence of hypothyroidism in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to elucidate its correlation with disease activity. Methods A total of 52 RA patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were assessed fully clinically and underwent routine laboratory investigation including thyroid function testing. Results Hypothyroidism (defined as having a TSH level >4.20 μIU/mL) was observed in 20/52 (38.4%). Erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) were found significantly elevated in patients with hypothyroidism compared to those without (36.3 ± 24.2 vs. 24.6 ± 9.0 mm/h). Disease activity parameters such as DAS-28-ESR, tender joint count; VAS scores were also significantly higher in the former. A significant correlation with serum TSH levels was observed with ESR and DAS-28-ESR. Conclusion Thyroid function test should be included in clinical evaluation of RA patients.
Discrepancy in the use of confirmatory tests in patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of confirmatory use of spirometry in patients admitted to a tertiary-care facility with the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including those with respiratory failure, and compare that to the use of confirmatory 2-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo) in patients admitted with the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF), to determine preferential confirmatory testing practices. SETTING Academic tertiary-care hospital. METHODS A 6-month retrospective review of charts of patients with a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis of COPD, respiratory failure, and CHF, using the appropriate International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Pulmonary function and echocardiography laboratory databases were reviewed to determine if the patients had had spirometry or 2-D echo performed during the 8 years prior to the study period. RESULTS Five hundred fifty-three patients were discharged with the diagnosis of COPD, and 173 patients (31%) had had spirometry. In contrast, 789 patients had the diagnosis of CHF, and a larger proportion of them (619 patients, 78%) had had 2-D echo (p < 0.001). Only 35% of the patients with respiratory failure and COPD had spirometry performed. There were a total of 219 patients with concomitant diagnoses of COPD and CHF. A majority of them (48%) had a 2-D echo as the only confirmatory test, 74 (34%) had both tests performed, 4 (2%) had spirometry only, and 36 (16%) had neither test performed. Of the patients with a diagnosis of COPD who had spirometry, 30% had spirometry findings consistent with restrictive or normal physiology. CONCLUSIONS A large proportion of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of COPD have never had a confirmatory test, including those with presumably advanced disease. Compared to patients with CHF, patients with COPD are less likely to have had the confirmatory test performed, even when both conditions coexist. Many patients with the clinical diagnosis of COPD have an inconsistent physiologic diagnosis. To impact the increasingly important problem of COPD, we must raise awareness of the need to confirm its diagnosis and severity with spirometry.
Post‐Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage: Incidence, Prevention and Management

Tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) continues to be a commonly performed operation in the United States. Over the years, the incidence of post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage (reported between 0% and 20%) has decreased, but continues to pose serious problems. We reviewed 1,445 tonsillectomies performed over a 2‐year period to study the incidence of post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Thirty‐eight of 1,445 children (2.62%) had postoperative bleeding. The incidence of primary hemorrhage (within 24 hours) was 0.14%. Delayed hemorrhage requiring operative intervention or observation in the hospital was 1.03% and 0.76%, respectively. Ten patients (0.69%) had delayed hemorrhage of a minor nature that had stopped by the time they reached the hospital; these children were treated with observation alone and did not require hospitalization or operative intervention. The proposed reasons for this low rate of post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage include complete preoperative coagulation screening, meticulous attention to surgical technique, use of suction‐cautery to obtain hemostasis and, possibly, use of postoperative antibiotics. Management of hemorrhage is discussed with respect to observation, surgical intervention, and blood transfusion.
Hamstring graft technique for stabilization of canine cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifles.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the harvest and application of hamstring grafts for canine cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN Experimental study. ANIMALS Four adult female hounds, weighing 26.3 +/- 1.6 kg (mean +/- SEM). METHODS-One stifle in each dog was randomly chosen for hamstring graft CrCL reconstruction after native CrCL transection. Arthroscopy was performed to evaluate graft integrity at 12 weeks. Gait analysis and stifle radiographs were performed preoperatively and up to 52 weeks after graft placement. Dogs were killed 12 (n = 2) or 52 weeks (n = 2) after CrCL reconstruction. Tissues were evaluated grossly and with light and confocal laser microscopy. RESULTS Hamstring grafts were intact in all stifles at 12 weeks (n = 4) and 52 weeks (n = 2). Grossly, there was no osteoarthritis in stifles at 12 weeks and only chondrophytes along the trochlear ridges at 52 weeks. Minimal radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis developed in stifles with grafts during the study. Lameness in limbs with grafts resolved by 52 weeks. Graft tissue was highly vascular, ligamentized, and undergoing active remodeling at 12 weeks. Fifty-two weeks after graft placement, intraarticular graft tissue was well vascularized, mature, and encapsulated by synovium, and graft-bone interfaces were characterized by Sharpey's fiber insertions. There was no evidence of graft necrosis using confocal laser microscopy at either time point. CONCLUSIONS The hamstring graft technique may be a viable method of canine CrCL reconstruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Hamstring grafts may be an alternative technique for canine CrCL reconstruction. Further study is needed before clinical application.
Marek's Disease Virus Encodes MicroRNAs That Map to meq and the Latency-Associated Transcript

ABSTRACT MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small (∼22-nucleotide) regulatory molecules that block translation or induce degradation of target mRNAs. These have been identified in a wide range of organisms, including viruses. In particular, the oncogenic gammaherpesviruses Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus and Epstein-Barr virus encode miRNAs that could potentially regulate either viral or host genes. To determine if Marek's disease virus (MDV), an oncogenic alphaherpesvirus of chickens, encodes miRNAs, we isolated small RNAs from MDV-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and used the 454 Life Sciences sequencing technology to obtain the sequences of 13,679 candidate host and viral small RNAs. Eight miRNAs were found, five of which flank the meq oncogene and three that map to the latency-associated transcript (LAT) region of the genome. The meq gene is unique to pathogenic serotypes of MDV and is transcriptionally active during latency and transformation, and the LAT region of the MDV genome is antisense to the immediate-early gene ICP4. Secondary structure analysis predicted that the regions flanking the miRNAs could form hairpin precursors. Northern blot analysis confirmed expression of all miRNAs in MDV-infected CEF, MDV-induced tumors, and MDV lymphoblastoid cell lines. We propose that the MDV miRNAs function to enable MDV pathogenesis and contribute to MDV-induced transformation of chicken T cells.
Conserving threatened riparian ecosystems in the American West: Precipitation gradients and river networks drive genetic connectivity and diversity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia)

Gene flow is an evolutionary process that supports genetic connectivity and contributes to the capacity of species to adapt to environmental change. Yet, for most species, little is known about the specific environmental factors that influence genetic connectivity, or their effects on genetic diversity and differentiation. We used a landscape genetic approach to understand how geography and climate influence genetic connectivity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia), and their relationships with specieswide patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation. Using multivariate restricted optimization in a reciprocal causal modelling framework, we quantified the relative contributions of riparian network connectivity, terrestrial upland resistance and climate gradients on genetic connectivity. We found that (i) all riparian corridors, regardless of river order, equally facilitated connectivity, while terrestrial uplands provided 2.5× more resistance to gene flow than riparian corridors. (ii) Cumulative differences in precipitation seasonality and precipitation of the warmest quarter were the primary climatic factors driving genetic differentiation; furthermore, maximum climate resistance was 45× greater than riparian resistance. (iii) Genetic diversity was positively correlated with connectivity (R2 = 0.3744, p = .0019), illustrating the utility of resistance models for identifying landscape conditions that can support a species' ability to adapt to environmental change. From these results, we present a map highlighting key genetic connectivity corridors across P. angustifolia's range that if disrupted could have long‐term ecological and evolutionary consequences. Our findings provide recommendations for conservation and restoration management of threatened riparian ecosystems throughout the western USA and the high biodiversity they support.
Incidence of pathogenic bacteria in raw milk in Ireland.

Raw milk from 70 farms was sampled over 13 months for salmonellas, listerias, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and mastitic streptococci; total bacterial counts (TBC), coliforms and somatic cells were also counted. TBC < or = 30,000/ml were obtained in 63% of samples. High count milks were found mainly during the winter months: 13% of samples had > 10(4) mastitis pathogens/ml of milk. The mean somatic cell count varied from 4.0 x 10(5) to 8.0 x 10(5)/ml throughout the year with highest counts during the late lactation period. Coliforms were present in all samples, but 65-71% of samples had < 100 coliforms/ml. Up to 60% of supplies had < or = 10 E. coli/ml. One of the 589 samples tested (0.1%) was positive for salmonellas. Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. enterocolitica-like organisms were isolated from 39% of samples with up to 68% of samples positive at some sampling periods. A total of 222 strains of yersinias were isolated; Y. enterocolitica (59%) was the most common strain followed by Y. fredriksenii (35%), Y. kristensenii (1.0%), Y. intermedia (4.5%) and Y. aldovae (0.5%). Listerias were isolated from 8.3% of samples tested; 4.9% were Listeria monocytogenes and 3.4% were L. innocua. There was a significant rise in the isolation rate between December and April from a base line of 0-5% during the spring and summer to 35-37% during the winter months while the cows were indoors. Of 66 silage samples tested from the farms involved in the survey 9% of samples were positive for listerias; 3% of these were L. monocytogenes and 6% were L. innocua. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Guidelines for Improving the Power Values of Statistical Tests for Nonresponse Bias Assessment in OM Research

The assessment of nonresponse bias in survey-based empirical studies plays an important role in establishing the credibility of research results. Statistical methods that involve the comparison of responses from two groups (e.g., early vs. late respondents) on multiple characteristics, which are relevant to the study, are frequently utilized in the assessment of nonresponse bias. We consider the concepts of individual and complete statistical power used for multiple testing and show their relevance for determining the number of statistical tests to perform when assessing nonresponse bias. Our analysis of factors that influence both individual and complete power levels, yielded recommendations that can be used by operations management (OM) empirical researchers to improve their assessment of nonresponse bias. A power analysis of 61 survey-based research papers published in three prestigious academic operations management journals, over the last decade, showed the occurrence of very low (<0.4) power levels in some of the statistical tests used for assessing nonresponse bias. Such low power levels can lead to erroneous conclusions about nonresponse bias, and are indicators of the need for more rigor in the assessment of nonresponse bias in OM research.
Leaching of Pesticides Through Normal‐Tillage and Low‐Tillage Soil—A Lysimeter Study. II. Glyphosate

Glyphosate is a widely used non‐selective herbicide. Leaching of glyphosate (N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine) and/or its metabolite AMPA (aminomethylphosphonic acid) was studied in four lysimters, two of them being replicates from a low‐tillage field (lysimeter 3 and 4), the other two being replicates from a normal tillage field (lysimeter 5 and 6). In both cases the soil was a sandy loam soil with 13–14% clay. The lysimeters had a surface area of 0.5 m2 and a depth of 110 cm. Lysimeter 3 and 4 were sprayed with a mixture of 14C‐labelled glyphosate and unlabelled glyphosate, while lysimeter 5 and 6 were sprayed with unlabelled glyphosate. The spraying took place September 18, 1997. The total amount of glyphosate sprayed onto each lysimeter was 40 mg, corresponding to 0.8 kg active ingredient per ha. The lysimeters were installed in an outdoor system in Research Centre Flakkebjerg and were thus exposed to normal climatic conditions of the area. A mean of 260 l drainage water were collected from lysimeter 3 and 4 and a mean of 375 litres from lysimeter 5 and 6. The mean yearly concentration of leached glyphosate and/or AMPA was significantly below 0.1 μg/l from both sets of lysimeters, and thus no significant difference between the two lysimeter sets was shown. However, in both sets of lysimeters several single findings at concentrations above 0.1 μg/l was seen, which might be due to the leaching of particle‐bound compounds. A significant difference between the soil residual concencentrations of AMPA was seen, the higher concentration was found in the set of lysimeterw where low‐tillage had been practiced and where Round Up had been used several times in the years before sampling of the lysimeter soil.
Animal Use Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement: Development of an Integrated Testing Strategy for Bioconcentration of Chemicals in Fish

Abstract When addressing the use of fish for the environmental safety of chemicals and effluents, there are many opportunities for applying the principles of the 3Rs: Reduce, Refine, and Replace. The current environmental regulatory testing strategy for bioconcentration and secondary poisoning has been reviewed, and alternative approaches that provide useful information are described. Several approaches can be used to reduce the number of fish used in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Test Guideline 305, including alternative in vivo test methods such as the dietary accumulation test and the static exposure approach. The best replacement approach would seem to use read-across, chemical grouping, and quantitative structure–activity relationships with an assessment of the key processes in bioconcentration: Adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Biomimetic extraction has particular usefulness in addressing bioavailable chemicals and is in some circumstances capable of predicting uptake. Use of alternative organisms such as invertebrates should also be considered. A single cut-off value for molecular weight and size beyond which no absorption will take place cannot be identified. Recommendations for their use in bioaccumulative (B) categorization schemes are provided. Assessment of biotransformation with in vitro assays and in silico approaches holds significant promise. Further research is needed to identify their variability and confidence limits and the ways to use this as a basis to estimate bioconcentration factors. A tiered bioconcentration testing strategy has been developed taking account of the alternatives discussed.
Serum alphafetoprotein (AFP) in patients with germ cell tumors of the gonads and extragonadal sites: Correlation between endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumor and raised serum AFP

During the last 6 1/2 years, serum AFP has been determined by radioimmunoassay in 387 patients with germ cell tumors of the gonads and extragonadal sites. The histological appearances of all these neoplasms were carefully reviewed. Highly elevated levels of serum AFP were noted in patients with tumors containing endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumor elements irrespective of the location of the neoplasm or presence or absence of metastatic disease. There was good correlation between the presence and quantity of endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumor elements within the primary tumor or its metastases and elevated levels of serum AFP. All patients with tumors composed of pure seminoma or dysgerminoma, and teratoma, had normal serum AFP levels. Slightly elevated levels of serum AFP up to 60 ng/ml (upper limit of normal 20 ng/ml) were noted in a few patients with testicular tumors composed of pure embryonal carcinoma, whereas patients with tumors composed of or containing endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumor elements had serum AFP levels that could be measured in 100's or 1000's of ng/ml. Serum AFP was elevated only in patients with active disease. Serum AFP was determined in 81 patients with gonadal tumors of non germ cell origin and was normal in all these patients. Serum AFP is a very good tumor marker in patients with germ cell tumors composed of or containing endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumor, irrespective of their location.