Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unicompartmental bipolar osteochondral and meniscal allograft transplantation is effective for treatment of medial compartment gonarthrosis in a canine model

Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation can restore large articular defects in the knee. Bipolar OCA transplantations for partial and whole joint resurfacing often have less favorable results than single‐surface transplants. This study was designed to use a large animal model to test the hypothesis that unicompartmental bipolar osteochondral and meniscal allograft transplantation (BioJoint) would be as or more effective for treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA) compared to standard‐of‐care nonoperative treatment. OA was induced in one knee of each research hound (n = 8) using a meniscal release model and pretreatment assessments were performed. After 3 months, dogs were randomly assigned to either the control group (n = 4, no surgical intervention, daily nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) or the BioJoint group (n = 4). Clinical, radiographic, and arthroscopic assessments were performed longitudinally and histopathology was evaluated at the 6‐month endpoint. At study endpoint, functional, pain, and total pressure index measures, as well as radiographic and arthroscopic grading of graft appearance and joint health, demonstrated superior outcomes for BioJoints compared to NSAID controls. Furthermore, histologic assessments showed that osteochondral and meniscal transplants maintain integrity and integrated into host tissues. Clinical significance: The results support the safety and efficacy of unicompartmental bipolar osteochondral and meniscal allograft transplantation in a preclinical model with highly functional outcomes without early OA progression.
SEASONAL FECUNDITY OF SAGEBRUSH BREWER'S SPARROW (SPIZELLA BREWERI BREWERI) AT THE NORTHERN EDGE OF ITS BREEDING RANGE

Abstract We examined the effects of environmental and ecological factors associated with seasonal fecundity on spatial and temporal patterns of productivity in Sagebrush Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri breweri) in British Columbia, the northwestern edge of its breeding range. This study is the first examination of seasonal fecundity in this species. Seasonal fecundity of females varied from 1998 to 2000. It was highest in 2000, when nest predation was lowest and number of clutches per female was intermediate, and lowest in 1998, when nest predation and number of clutches per female were the highest and warm El Niño conditions led to early breeding. Potential fecundity gains from early breeding were diminished by the interaction of shifting predation rates and variable effects of weather at different elevations. Early breeding in 1998 proved an advantage only at the low-elevation site, because an early spring storm destroyed 43% and 20% of first nests at two high-elevation sites. High seasonal fecundity varied between the sites, such that the best site in 1998 became the least productive in 1999 and vice versa. The overriding factor driving spatiotemporal variation was shifting rates of nest predation, though the elevation-related storm effects and variation in number of clutches were partly responsible. To maintain high productivity for Sagebrush Brewer's Sparrow at the northern edge of its range, where conditions are unpredictable and where there is no consistently best or worst site in terms of productivity, managers must protect sites from habitat loss or alteration across a range of elevations and conditions. Fécondité Saisonnière de Spizella Breweri Breweri à la Limite Nord de Son Aire de Reproduction
The processing cost of reference-set computation: guess patterns in acquisition

An idea which got much attention in linguistic theory in the nineties is that the well-formedness of sentences is not always determined by absolute conditions, but it may be determined by a selection of the optimal competitor out of a relevant reference-set. A restricted version of this was assumed (and gradually abandoned) at the early stages of the minimalist program, and simultaneously, it has been the central notion developed in Optimality Theory. The type of computation required by reference-set economy is inconsistent with what is known about the processing ability of the human parser. If it is indeed vastly at work in the computational system, then processing must be guided by independent algorithms that enable skipping the actual computation, that is, special devices are needed to enable the computational system to be actually used, given the limitations on human working memory.
Gibberella fujikuroi: available populations and variable traits

Gibberella fujikuroi is a complex species comprised of at least seven distinct mating populations (biological species) with Fusarium anamorphs. These fungi are common pathogens of maize, rice, and sorghum and cause billions of dollars of losses in these crops worldwide. Mating populations are biological species defined by cross-fertility of members of the same mating population with one another, and sterility whenever members of two different mating populations are crossed. Mating populations also differ in their electrophoretic karyotypes, their general ability to synthesize secondary metabolites, and their sensitivity to antifungal agents such as benomyl and hygromycin B. Within a mating population strains can be distinguished on the basis of their ability to form a heterokaryon with one another. This polygenic trait has been used to study the structure of some populations of these fungi. In some cases, pathogenic strains appear to be clones that are limited to a crop and (or) geographic location. More .
Factors affecting habitat selection by smooth-coated otters ( Lutra perspicillata ) in Kerala, India

The factors affecting habitat selection by smooth-coated otter Lutra perspicillata were studied along the Periyar Lake within the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, India, between November 2000 and April 2001. The importance of different habitat features influencing habitat selection was assessed using ordination technique. The presence of holts, spraint sites, grooming sites and footprints were considered as good indicators of the use of an area by the otters. For foraging, otters selected less rocky areas of the shallower parts of the lake, which are narrower and slanting. The number of streams joining these areas was more than on the other stretches of the lake and the bankside vegetation was dense. The deeper and wider areas of the lake were avoided. Holts were found in a variety of habitats, such as grass and Lantana thickets, rock crevices and under fallen logs and roots of standing trees at an average distance of 18 m from the water level. Grooming sites were characterized by high sand content and nearness to water.
Use of Trichoderma Hamatum Alone and In Combination with Rhizobial Isolates as Biofertilzer for Improving the Growth and Strength of Sunflower

In the present pot experiment, T.hamatum alone and in combination with rhizobial isolates was investigated their effects on growth of sunflower besides determining its effect on organic and inorganic constituents in leaves of same plant. The observations showed that T.hamatum itself and rhizobial isolates viz., JUR1, JUR2 and JUR4 significantly increased the lengths of both root & shoot and biomass as compared to control, same isolates in combination with T.hamatum were also found effective in promoting growth at 30 th and 60 th day of growth (p<0.05). Total chlorophyll content was found significantly increased by T. hamatum, JUR1, JUR3, fertilizer and fungicide in their respective groups where as T.hamatum with JUR3, JUR4 and fertilizer increased same parameter at 30 th day (p<0.05). However, JUR1 alone and JUR4 with T.hamatum found to maintain the increase in chlorophyll content up to 60 th day (p<0.05). Similarly total carbohydrate and crude protein contents of sunflower leaves were increased by T.hamatum, JUR1 and JUR4 individually and T.hamatum with JUR3 and JUR4 at 30 th day though the increase in these parameters was observed at 60 th day of growth by JUR4 alone and JUR4 with T.hamatum (p<0.05). T.hamatum, JUR1 and JUR4 individually and T.hamatum with JUR1, JUR3 and JUR4 significantly increased nitrogen content at both day intervals (p<0.05). T. hamatum alone and with JUR1, JUR3 at 30 th day while with JUR4 at 60 th day of growth significantly increased phosphorus content (p<0.05). The results concluded that T.hamtum alone and in combination with rhizobial isolates found effective not only increasing the growth of sunflower plant by improving its root-shoot length and biomass but also increasing the organic and inorganic content of same plant.
Monitoring a Marine Coastal Area: Use of Mytilus galloprovincialis and Mullus barbatus as Bioindicators

Samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis and Mullus barbatus were collected in eight coastal sites along the South Adriatic and Ionic coasts of Italy in spring 2000 for a survey of coastal pollution in the Mediterranean basin. Specimens were analysed using an integrated approach based on residue analysis of common aquatic pollutants like organochlorines such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB), DDTs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals and nonylphenols (NPnE) and biomarker responses such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and the two specific P450 activities benzo(a)pyrene monooxygenase (BPMO) and 7-ethoxyre-sorufin-(9-deethylase (EROD). Biological and morphological parameters like somatic liver index (SLI), gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonadal and gamete histology (eggs and sperms) were also evaluated in red mullet samples. A contamination gradient in which several hot spots occur were revealed in this study. The hot spots account for high levels of organochlorines in both species near incinerators and of PAHs in harbour areas. Levels of both NPnE and AChE activity were highest in two protected marine areas and were within detectable limits in others. This finding was confirmed by P450 activities, in which maximum levels were detected in harbours and protected marine areas. No morphological alterations of male and female gonads were observed on the histological level.
The importance of time of spraying, desiccant type and harvest time on industrial fibre production from stand-retted fibre flax (Linum usitatissimum)

SUMMARY Even and successful retting of flax through application of a desiccating herbicide and stand-retting is a major constraint to increasing its incorporation in industrial products. With the release of a new form of glyphosate based on the isopropylamine (IPA) salt with biactivator (Roundup Biactive, Monsanto Ltd), a field trial was planted using three flax varieties with differing levels of ease of desiccation at the Henfaes Research Centre, University of Wales Bangor in 2004. The crop was sprayed at four different times of maturity: mid-point of flowering plus 7 days (MPF+7), MPF+14, MPF+21 or MPF+28 using two different herbicide treatments; Roundup Biactive (Monsanto PLC) or Roundup Biactive+Restore (40% ammonium sulphate, AmegA Sciences PLC). Fibre quality was assessed following retting and the ease of decortication was measured. The highest fibre yields were obtained from the MPF+28 spray date, and from the Biactive herbicide treatment. Although lower yields were recorded with the Biactive+Restore treatment, the stems were easier to decorticate. It is suggested that an early sowing date and the use of the IPA salt-based glyphosate with biactivator, and careful monitoring of the crop during the retting process, contributed to the early and successful harvest from the MPF+28 plots, allowing mature seeds as well as fibre to be harvested from the flax plants.
THE EFFECT OF DIALYSIS ON HEAT‐INDUCED GELATION OF WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE1

Time required for gelation of 10% protein dispersions of commercial whey protein concentrate (WPC) heated at 100°C was influenced by preparation technique. Gel times ranged from 1.25 to greater than 30 min. Dialysis of a rapid gelling WPC resulted in the formation of stronger, more cohesive, less springy, more gummy, more chewy and more translucent gels with heating (100° C for 15 min) at 10% protein than did non-dialyzed WPC. Addition of CaCl2 or NaCl to the dialyzed WPC increased gel strength more dramatically than did salt addition to non-dialyzed WPC. Resistance to penetration and hardness of dialyzed whey protein gels maximized with CaCl2 addition from 5.0 to 20 mM and decreased with 25 mM CaCl2 addition. In non-dialyzed whey protein gels, resistance to penetration maximized at 25 mM added CaCl2 while hardness values maximized at 5.0 mM CaCl2. Addition of 0.2 to 0.5 M NaCl increased resistance to penetration of both whey protein gel systems. Hardness values for dialyzed WPC gels maximized at 0.1 to 0.3 M NaCl and decreased at 0.4 M or greater added NaCl. Hardness values of non-dialyzed WPC were only slightly affected by NaCl addition. Addition of CaCl2 at 5 mM or greater or NaCl at 0.1 Af or greater decreased cohesiveness and springiness of dialyzed WPC gels. Cohesiveness of non-dialyzed WPC gel systems was maximal at 10 mM CaCl2 or 0.2M NaCl. Salt had no apparent effect on springiness of the non-dialyzed WPC gels. Gumminess data followed similar trends to those observed for hardness with respect to salt effects in WPCgel systems. Maximum chewiness values for both WPC gel systems were apparent with addition of 5.0 to 10 mM CaC12 or with addition of0.1 to 0.3 M NaCl.
Incidence, prevalence and clonal susceptibility of Phomopsis canker disease in southern Indian tea plantations

Phomopsis canker is one of the most important stem diseases of tea plants which affect the yield potential significantly. In order to assess the current scenario of Phomopsis canker incidence in southern India tea plantations, a survey was undertaken covering two disease seasons (2002-2006 and 2007-2011). The percentage of diseases incidence (PDI), prevalence and clonal susceptibility of different tea clones and seedlings in various agroclimatic zones were determined. The results indicated that there was a correlation between disease severity and meteorological data and soil sample analysis. The survey clearly showed that different clones / seedlings have different levels of disease severity and their susceptibility varied in various agroclimatic zones. Of the different tea planting districts surveyed, Wynaad and Central Travancore of Kerala were severely affected by the disease. Soil analysis of different tea planting districts showed there was a depletion in balanced nutrients leading to high disease prevalence especially in Wynaad during 2002-2006 and Central Travancore areas during 2007-2011 periods. It has been suggested that the impact of climate change and agronomic practices are the predisposing factors to cause the high disease incidence.
Microsatellite markers reveal low genetic differentiation among southern African Camelus dromedarius populations

We report new demographic and genetic data on southern African camel (Camelus dromedarius) populations. Results from questionnaires on demography indicated that approximately 476 camels were extant in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana in 2003. We have sampled 234 camels for genetic analysis using a microsatellite marker set consisting of 12 loci. Results indicated little differentiation between camels from southern Africa, the Sudan or an outgroup from the family Camelidae, the alpaca (Lama pacos). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that -0.09% of total variation reside between species, 0.26% between the two southern African camel populations and 99.83% within populations. A coefficient of population differentiation (RST) indicated low levels of differentiation between southern African camel populations, with no specific pattern observed in pair-wise comparisons of 16 populations. An assignment test conformed to known population histories and provided additional support for the hypothesis of low differentiation between populations. There was no evidence of loss of genetic diversity in any individual population. Parentage analysis confirmed the utility of the microsatellite marker set for elucidating uncertain paternity. The results are discussed with reference to the management history of camels in the southern African region and the importance of population and parentage verification in the light of the many historic translocations.
Impact of Plant Spacing and Nitrogenous Fertilizer on Incidence of Sucking Pests in Bt Cotton

Field experiment was conducted to study the impact of plant spacing and nitrogenous fertilizer on incidence of sucking pests in Bt cotton at College Agronomy farm, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during Kharif , 2010-11. The Bt cotton raised at wider spacing 150×60cm recorded lower activity of major sucking pests viz. , aphid, leafhopper and whitefly. Application of 360 kg N/ha, higher dose, enhanced the activity of sucking pests. The lower incidence of sucking pests was noticed with the application of lower dose @ 180 kg N /ha. Bt cotton grown at the widest spacing (150×60 cm) with the higher fertilizer dose (360 N kg/ha) recorded significantly higher (1996 kg/ha) seed cotton yield. The sucking pest population declined with increased spacing and with decreased fertilizer level and vis-a-vis.
Relationship between steady-state gas exchange, in vivo ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activity and some carbon reduction cycle intermediates in Raphanus sativus

The relationships between CO2 assimilation rate, RuP2 carboxylase activity and sizes of the pools of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuP2) and 3-phosphoglyceric acid (PGA) were examined using a freeze clamp device to rapidly freeze sections of attached leaves of R. sativus which previously had gas-exchange measurements made on them. At high irradiance and ambient partial pressures of CO2 and O2, RuP2 carboxylase was fully active in vivo. Activity was less at very low CO2 pressures and at high CO2 pressures, particularly when combined with low O2 pressures. In vivo RuP2 carboxylase activity and both RuP2 and PGA pool sizes increased with increasing irradiance. RuP2 pool sizes were high at low CO2 pressures and decreased at high CO2 pressures. PGA pool sizes, on the other hand, were low at low CO2 and high at high CO2 pressures. A model of RuP2 carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) kinetics is used to examine the quantitative relationship between in vivo RuP2 carboxylase activity, CO2 assimilation rate and RuP2 and PGA pools. The model predictions fit in vivo data, except at high CO2 pressures, if it is assumed that RuP2 does not bind tightly to the inactive enzyme form in vivo. It is shown that a large fraction of the RuP2 and PGA pools may be chelated by magnesium in the stroma and that the high RuP2 pools (e.g. at low irradiance) may represent an optimal concentration rather than be truly saturating. We conclude that RuP2 pool sizes above Rubisco site concentration do not necessarily indicate a Rubisco limitation of photosynthetic rate.
High-efficiency Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don by co-cultivation on filter paper wicks followed by meropenem treatment to eliminate Agrobacterium

To develop a more efficient genetic transformation system for Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar), the present study evaluated the effects of culture support during co-cultivation and the use of β-lactam antibiotics (meropenem and carbenicillin) to eliminate Agrobacterium on the transformation efficiency. The co-cultivation of embryogenic tissues and bacterium on filter paper wicks prevented the excess growth of Agrobacterium compared with that observed on solid medium, leading to an increased number of gene-transferred cells. Meropenem successfully eliminated the bacterium at low concentrations (10 mg l−1) and had no phytotoxic effect. The transformed tissues were screened based on kanamycin resistance and green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence, and the integration of the transgene into the plantlet genome was confirmed by Southern blotting. We successfully generated a mean of 105.3±9.02 independent transgenic lines per gram of embryogenic tissues using a combination of filter paper wicks and meropenem. The transformation efficiency of the improved method was approximately 30-fold higher than that observed using the conventional method.
Effects of Implanted Satellite Transmitters on Behavior and Survival of Female Common Eiders

ABSTRACT Surgically implanted satellite transmitters have been widely used in studies of avian ecology, yet little is known about their potential impacts on birds. We implanted satellite transmitters with percutaneous antennae (approx. 50 g) in 17 female common eiders (Somateria mollissima) at a breeding colony in Arctic Canada. Among females implanted during incubation, 11 of 12 nests were abandoned within 1 week of being radioed. We observed no differences in the proportion of time that implanted female eiders allocated to basic behaviors. Radioed birds were more likely to pick or preen their abdominal (site of surgical incision) and posterior—dorsal (site of antenna exit) regions than unmarked females, although these behaviors were rare (approx. 0.3% of total time budget). Three of 10 females re-observed had a pronounced limp following surgery, but we observed no walking difficulties among these females in subsequent seasons, and we observed some implanted eiders nesting in subsequent years. Mark—resighting models suggest eiders with transmitters had lower apparent survival the year after implantation (67.0%; 85% CI: 47.8–81.9%) than did color-banded eiders (87.5%, 85% CI: 82.5–91.2%), but there was no model support for a survival difference in subsequent years. We conclude that transmitter implantation in common eiders leads to short-term changes in behavior and a decline in first year survival. We encourage researchers to collect similar data on their study subjects where possible and use it to determine the degree to which data are representative of the greater population.
Fractal geometry of ammonoid sutures

Interior chamber walls of ammonites range from smoothly undulating surfaces in some taxa to complex surfaces, corrugated on many scales, in others. The ammonite suture, which is the expression of the intersection of these walls on the exterior of the shell, has been used to assess anatomical complexity. We used the fractal dimension to measure sutural complexity and to investigate complexity over evolutionary time and showed that the range of variation in sutural complexity increased through time. In this paper we extend our analyses and consider two new parameters that measure the range of scales over which fractal geometry is a satisfactory metric of a suture. We use a principal components analysis of these parameters and the fractal dimension to establish a two-dimensional morphospace in which the shapes of sutures can be plotted and in which variations and evolution of suture morphology can be investigated. Our results show that morphospace coordinates of ammonitic sutures correspond to visually perceptible differences in suture shape. However, three main classes of sutures (goniatitic, ceratitic, and ammonitic) are not unambiguously discriminated in this morphospace. Interestingly, ammonitic sutures occupy a smaller morphospace than other suture types (roughly one-half of the morphospace of goniatitic and ceratitic sutures combined), and the space they occupied did not change dimensions from the Jurassic to the late Cretaceous. We also compare two methods commonly used to measure the fractal dimension of linear features: the Box method and the Richardson (or divider) method. Both methods yield comparable results for ammonitic sutures but the Richardson method yields more precise results for less complex sutures.