Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Closed Vs. Open Reduction/Salter Innominate Osteotomy for Developmental Hip Dislocation After Age 18 Months: Comparative Survival at 45-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND Despite widespread use of single-stage open reduction and pelvic osteotomy for treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) after walking age, this aggressive strategy remains controversial. We directly compared dislocated hips treated with closed reduction (CR) to those treated with open reduction and Salter innominate osteotomy (OR/IO) to estimate the relative hazard of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and the THA-free survival time. METHODS In a series of patients 18 to 60 months of age, 45 patients (58 hips) underwent CR and 58 patients (78 hips) were treated with OR/IO and followed to a minimum 40 years post-reduction. Observations in the survival analysis were censored if no THA had occurred by 48 years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard of THA given treatment, age, and bilaterality. Complications and additional procedures were noted. RESULTS At 48 years of follow-up, 29 (50%) of the hips survived after CR compared with 54 (69%) after OR/IO. At 45 years, the survival probability after OR/IO was 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50 to 0.78) compared with 0.55 (95% CI = 0.43 to 0.72) after CR. The hazard ratio (HR) of THA was modeled as a function of treatment, age at reduction, and bilaterality. The effect of age and treatment on the outcome of hips in patients with unilateral involvement was minimal. However, age did significantly alter the relationship between treatment and outcome in bilateral cases. In the bilateral group, the predicted HR of THA was lower after CR in hips that were reduced at the age of 18 months (HR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.64) but higher in those that were reduced at 36 months (HR = 4.23, 95% CI = 2.00 to 8.95). Additional procedures were indicated for 17% and 22% of hips after CR and OR/IO, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Osteoarthritis and THA was more likely after CR than OR/IO, but the data do not indicate a difference in unadjusted hip-survival time. In patients with bilateral disease, an older age at reduction was associated with an increased hazard of THA after CR than after OR/IO. Both treatments provided substantial benefit relative to the natural history of DDH, but THA is the expected outcome in middle adulthood. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
An Inter-Comparison of the Holiday Climate Index (HCI:Beach) and the Tourism Climate Index (TCI) to Explain Canadian Tourism Arrivals to the Caribbean

Through an empirical investigation of the historical relationship between the destination climate and tourist arrivals in the Caribbean, this study presents the first revealed preference evaluation of a climate index informed by tourists’ stated climatic preferences for coastal-beach tourism (i.e., a sun-sand-surf or 3S travel market). The goal of this multi-organization collaboration was to examine the potential application of a newly designed climate index—the Holiday Climate Index (HCI):Beach—for three Caribbean destinations (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Lucia). This paper provides an overview of the evolution of climate indices, including the development of the (HCI):Beach. To test the validity of climate indices for a beach travel market, daily climate ratings based on outputs from the Tourism Climate Index and the HCI were correlated with monthly arrivals data from Canada (a key source market) at an island destination scale. The results underscore the strength of the new index, with each destination scoring consistently higher using the HCI:Beach, including a stronger relationship (R2) between index scores and tourist arrivals. These findings demonstrate the value of combining stated and revealed preference methodologies to predict tourism demand and highlight opportunities for future research.
Cytoskeleton‐associated, carbohydrate‐metabolizing enzymes in maize identified by yeast two‐hybrid screening

We have used yeast two-hybrid screens and biochemical methods to identify glycolytic enzymes that interact with subcellular structures in hypoxic maize seedlings. As binding domain-bait fusion constructs, we have cloned actin, cytosolic aldolase, the three sucrose synthase (SUS) isoforms SUS1, SUS3, and SH1 as well as the SNF1-related protein kinase into yeast and identified cytosolic isoforms of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), enolase, tubulin, and mitochondrial porin voltage-dependent anion channel protein (VDAC) as well as protein kinases and proteins involved in ubiquitinylation and proteasome-linked degradation as interacting activation domain-prey clones. The results were further confirmed using overlay blots (VDAC) as well as co-polymerization and co-precipitation assays (tubulin and actin). Some results were obtained that support the idea of metabolite and modification effects on the association, namely guanosine triphosphate (GTP)/MgCl2 was necessary for the binding of enolase to actin. GAPDH is inactivated upon association with tubulin but then serves to stabilize the microtubules. The findings support the idea of the dynamic formation of locally associated complexes of enzymes involved in sucrose breakdown and glycolysis in plant cells depending on their metabolic state.
Development of elite indica rice lines with wide spectrum of resistance to Thai blast isolates by pyramiding multiple resistance QTLs.

With 1 figure and 2 tables Abstract The rice varieties IR64 and Jao Hom Nin (JHN) demonstrated a broad-spectrum resistance against the rice blast pathogens in Thailand. A genomic investigation unravelled many resistance genes residing on four genomic regions, chromosome 2 and 12 in IR64 and 1 and 11 in JHN. A cross between these varieties was made to combine resistance genes into a single genotype. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) was employed to identify F2 and F3 plants carrying a combination of four resistance QTLs in a homozygous fusion. Flanking markers RM212/RM319 and RM144/RM139 to blast resistant QTLs on chromosome 1 and 11 in JHN rice and tightly-linked markers RM208 and RM179 to blast resistant QTLs on chromosome 2 and 12 in IR64 rice variety were used for MAS. The stepwise MAS screening was brought in as a strategy to provide a cost-saving and minimum number of PCR performing to select resistant genotypes. F4 generation, lines carrying all resistant QTLs show a broader spectrum of resistance against 11 representatives of Thai blast pathogen isolates.
Structure and ultrastructure of the liver in the domestic fowl, Gallus gallus

Electron-microscopy, histology and the preparation of latex corrosion casts were the principal techniques employed. The terminal twigs of the portal and hepatic venous systems inter-digitate with one another, and are connected by a short network of sinusoids in both central and peripheral regions of the liver. The liver lobule is an elongated unit of hepatic cells with a polygonal cross-section containing a three-dimensional lattice of interconnected sinusoids. Lobules are not discrete vascular units as sinusoidal connections join them together. The parenchyma consists of anastomosing sheets of hepatic cells which enclose the sinusoids. Each sheet is two cells thick. Bile canaliculi are formed as intercellular spaces at the apices of three, four or five hepatic cells, and are surrounded by a condensed homogeneous zone of cytoplasm. They do not enclose individual cells (as in the mammal) but course between the two cell layers of the sheet. The electron-microscopical structure differs from that of the mammal in that the sinusoidal endothelium is fenestrated and partially discontinuous. Intercellular spaces frequently contain white blood cells. A basement membrane underlies the sinusoidal endothelium but it is poorly developed and, in many places, discontinuous.
The MICE tourism value chain: Proposal of a conceptual framework and analysis of disintermediation

Abstract MICE tourism is a segment of the tourism industry that, due to its singularity, requires specific attention. This article offers a holistic approach to the channel of distribution of MICE tourism and targets two main objectives: (1) the proposal of a conceptual framework that depicts all stakeholders, flows of action and possibilities of intermediation-disintermediation and (2) a study of the process of intermediation-disintermediation in order to analyze its present status and future development. The investigation is supported by a quantitative research that follows the principles of descriptive statistics, with its major asset being an international survey carried out with professionals from all segments of the MICE industry and which provides the study with a global approach from a geographical and professional point of view. The results observe a slow but steady process of disintermediation in which intermediaries are being bypassed in order to reduce costs. However, it also reaches the conclusion that total disintermediation is not feasible due to the high standards of quality service that the MICE market demands.
Context-Dependent Changes in the Weighting of Environmental Cues that Initiate Breeding in a Temperate Passerine, the Corsican Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

ABSTRACT. Birds use local environmental cues to fine-tune the timing of egg laying such that the nestling period normally coincides with the local peak in food availability. Ambient temperature, vegetation phenology, and insect phenology are often considered the most likely cues, but no previous studies have explicitly compared and partitioned their relative effects. We used confirmatory path analyses and a long-term study of Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) to identify and measure the relative weighting of the causal paths that link laying date to spring phenology and temperature in deciduous and evergreen oak forests on Corsica. Path analysis showed that the effects of temperature and vegetation phenology vary between forest types and season. In deciduous oak forest, where females lay eggs early in spring, phenology of vegetation or insects sets the laying date. In evergreen oak forest, where breeding occurs later in the season, females shift from a predominantly phenology-based cue system to a predominantly temperature-based cue system. This plasticity in the decision process allows birds to minimize the risk of mismatching breeding date with the optimal time window and may be critical in allowing birds to track human-induced environmental change.
An insight into the chemopreventive role of curcumin and quercetin during promotional phase of benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung carcinogenesis in mice

The aim of the present study was to gain insight into the combined chemopreventive potential of curcumin and quercetin during promotional phase of lung carcinogenesis in male Laka mice. The mice were segregated into five groups; normal control, benzo(a)pyrene (BP) treated, BP + curcumin treated, BP + quercetin treated, and BP + curcumin + quercetin treated. After 10 weeks of BP treatment a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, a significant decrease in the glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and well-differentiated histological signs of promotional phase were noted. Treatment with curcumin and quercetin when given separately as well as in combination restored LPO levels to within normal range. Quercetin alone supplementation and in combination with curcumin significantly elevated the levels of GSH as well as the activities of SOD in the BP-treated mice. Further, treatment with quercetin and curcumin given separately, as well as in combination, to the BP-treated mice showed protective effects in the lung morphology. In conclusion, results suggest that treatment with curcumin and quercetin alone and in combination provides beneficial effects against BP-induced lung alterations in mice.
Larvae of Maculinea rebeli, a large-blue butterfly and their Myrmica host ants: patterns of caterpillar growth and survival

Maculinea rebeli caterpillars spend their final instar as specific parasites of colonies of the ant Myrmica schencki. This paper describes 14 experiments in which 604 caterpillars were reared with six species of Myrmica. About 40% of caterpillars died during an initial period of integration: survival was significantly greater among the larger caterpillars, in M. schencki nests, and in nests that had ant-brood present. The growth of the survivors was extremely variable. After three weeks they had gained 2–18 times their initial body weight and appeared to belong to two distinct types: fast and slow developers. Only 11% of caterpillars died during the next 37 days of growth, before a fall in temperature to below c. 14 dC caused them to overwinter. By then, the caterpillars weighed from 5–90 mg (mean 22 mg). Caterpillars of all weights lost 33% of their mass during winter, and 8% died, before rising temperatures caused growth to resume in spring. Ofthe 363 that survived winter, 44% died during a period of spring growth and 12% pupated after about seven weeks. The latter came mainly from the largest caterpillars before winter and pupal size (mean weight 81 mg) was also related to prewinter caterpillar size. The remaining 44% of post-winter caterpillars continued to grow slowly and then entered another quiescent phase and were still alive after one year in the nest. A small number of these pupated in the second year, an average of 404 days after adoption. It is calculated that an average-sized Myrmica schencki colony of 350 workers can produce 4–5 adult butterflies; this laboratory result agrees well with field observations. The results are discussed in the light of a previous behavioural study.
Effects of herbivory and competition on survival of Carya tomentosa (Juglandaceae) seedlings

We tested the effects of predation, above-ground diffuse competition and belowground diffuse competition on the survival and growth of Carya tomentosa (Juglandaceae) seedlings in a five year oldfield bordering a mature forest. We planted eighty seedlings under cages, in pots or with surrounding vegetation tied back (in all combinations) to realize the treatments. We found that seedlings unprotected from herbivores suffered great mortality (i.e., survival < 10%). Seedlings planted away from the forest edge suffered significantly less predation than those closer to the forest. Seedlings often resprouted after browsing. Because only a few seedlings survived outside the cages, we focused on the caged seedlings to examine competition effects on seedling growth and survival. No significant differences were found in leaf, stem, root, and total biomass of surviving seedlings under any of the competition treatments. Insect herbivores affected 15% of the seedlings by removing 10% of their leaf area during the first year. In the second year, 30% had 1-10% damage to leaf tissue. No seedlings died due to invertebrate herbivores. Browsing by mammalian herbivores appears to be the primary factor determining woody seedling establishment patterns in seral oldfields.
Optimization of Seasonal Migratory Behavior

Optimal migration and dispersal behavior is considered from a theoretical point of view. It is considered as a problem of an optimal choice between alternatives, the outcomes of which are random variables. Models for optimal migration behavior have been worked out for the case where only the density functions of the distributions of survival for the two alternatives are given, and for the case where conditions at the time the choice has to be made are correlated with subsequent survival. The conditions for dominance between the two alternatives have been derived analytically. The predictions of the two models are discussed and compared to natural patterns of migration and dispersal.
Tolerância de cana-de-açúcar a herbicidas avaliada pela diferença dos tratamentos

The objective of this work was to evaluate the tolerance of the sugarcane cultivars RB855453, RB845257, SP90-3414, SP90-1638, SP89-1115, SP81-3250, IAC91- 2218 and IAC91-5155 at early post-emergence after application of sulfentrazone + diuron + hexazinone; sulfentrazone + metsulfuron-methyl, diuron + hexazinone + clomazone; metribuzin + diuron + hexazinone, diuron + hexazinone + MSMA; and ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium + diuron + hexazinone, using the difference with the paired control. It was assumed that the control paired to the respective treatments can facilitate the evaluation of the cultivars' tolerance to the herbicide treatments. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, using the factorial 8 (cultivars) x 6 (herbicides). The plots consisted of six rows of sugarcane, with a central line for the treatment herbicide (TH) and a matched control (TP), with the other lines being used as borders. To check whether the mean differences (TP-TH) did not differ from zero, the following statistics was used: t = (TP-TH)/((QMRes/n)1/2 or, equivalently, the least significant difference of zero, dms0 (TP TH) =|t/((QMRes/n)1/2)|, where QMRes is the mean square analysis of variance (with 47degrees of freedom and p<0.05, t=2), n represents the number of repetitions of their average, 2 to compare the herbicides in a single cultivar, and 2x6 =12 to compare the overall mean of the cultivars. According to the methodology proposed, the cultivars were tolerant to the association of herbicides without any negative effect on yield and quality of the final raw material, although there were initial differences between the cultivars related to toxicity, chlorophyll content, and plant height.
Temporal genetic variation in European eel Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1748): A fine scale investigation in the Adour estuary

Abstract The genetic structure of arrival cohorts of European eels in the continental basin of Adour, France, was analysed. A regular sampling was carried out during three successive seasons of migration to ensure a representative sampling of complete recruitment in the estuary. Genetic variability within this sample was evaluated by analysis of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. A high level of polymorphism was highlighted but a lack of genetic differentiation was observed between cohorts collected during the three successive seasonal migrations.
The last pteraspids (Vertebrata, Heterostraci): new material from the Middle Devonian of Alberta and Idaho

Abstract. This report documents the last pteraspids, (armored, jawless members of the Heterostraci), which are otherwise only known from the Early Devonian of the Old Red Sandstone Continent. Tuberculate pteraspid heterostracans are described from the Middle Devonian beds of two formations in western North America. The late Givetian Yahatinda Formation of Alberta and British Columbia consists of channels cut into lower Paleozoic rocks and represents deposition in marine to littoral environments. Clavulaspis finis (Elliott et al., 2000a) new combination is redescribed from additional material from the Yahatinda Formation and reassigned to the new genus Clavulaspis because the original genus name is invalid. The Eifelian Spring Mountain beds of Idaho consist of a large channel that represents a clastic-dominated estuarine environment. It contains Scutellaspis wilsoni new genus new species, and the previously described species from the Spring Mountain beds is redescribed and reassigned to Ecphymaspis new genus, which was prompted by new material and a review of the validity of the original genus name. Phylogenetic analysis shows that these three new taxa form part of the derived clade Protaspididae.
Evidence of a Heat-Induced Quiescence During Pupal Development in Rhagoletis mendax (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract Pupae of the blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax Curran, from populations with late flight period develop much faster when placed at constant temperature than when kept outdoors through summer, suggesting that exposure to extreme temperature outdoors may delay adult emergence by causing a heat-induced quiescence. We evaluated the effect of heat exposure on time to adult emergence with pupae of both early and late populations in three experiments. Heat exposure consisted of 12 h at 25°C followed by 12 h at 35°C for different periods of time (10–30 d). In the first experiment, the time to emergence at 20°C was sharply reduced in most samples of pupae of the late population kept in an incubator and exposed to heat relatively early in diapause. However, regardless of the duration of exposure, pupal development always stalled at a threshold of ≈50 d to emergence. In the second experiment, heat exposure increased time to emergence in most samples of pupae of the late population brought from outdoors immediately before the onset of high soil temperature. These pupae also took ≈50 d to emergence after the end of the heat exposure, despite being more advanced in diapause than the pupae in the previous experiment. In the last experiment, short heat exposure accelerated, and longer exposure delayed development of pupae of the early population. As in the previous experiments, emergence occurred ≈50 d after the end of the heat exposure. These results suggest that a heat-induced quiescence is a likely cause for the developmental delay observed in pupae of the late population through summer. Furthermore, the similar time to emergence after heat exposure of both pupae of early and late populations suggests that a discrete quiescence-sensitive period occurs during a specific stage of pupal development in the blueberry maggot. This is the first report of a heat-induced quiescence interrupting diapause development in the blueberry maggot or any Rhagoletis fruit flies.
Crescimento de Aegla itacolomiensis (Crustacea, Decapoda) em um arroio da Mata Atlântica no sul do Brasil

The growth of Aegla itacolomiensis (Crustacea, Decapoda) in an Atlantic forest stream in southern Brazil. To give more information about ecology and biology of Aegla itacolomiensis Bond-Buckup & Buckup, 1994 was analized its growth in the nature. Monthly samples were made from June 2005 to May 2006 in Solitaria Alta stream, tributary of Rio dos Sinos basin, district of Igrejinha, RS, Brazil (29°33'10,2''S; 50°50'57''W). The specimens were collected by dip net, sexed and after the cephalotorax measured, the animals were brought back to the stream. The growth estimated by cephalotorax length for males and females of A.itacolomiensis was analized by absolut distributional size-classes frequency. The modal frequency of cephalotorax lenght was calculated. The growth was estimated trought the modal progression. The growth curves in cefalotorax length for males and females are described respectively by the equations: Ct = 23.21(1-e -0.0094 (t + 7.03) ) e Ct = 19.49 (1-e -0.0065 (t + 11.16) ). Were found juveniles in the spring and summer. The males attained larger sizes and a higher growth rate than females. The estimated longevity was 2.2 years for males and 2.5 years for females.