Significant Positive Rank Correlation Research Articles

The radiomorphological appearance of the invasive margin in pancreatic cancer is associated with tumor budding

PurposePancreatic cancer (PDAC) is characterized by infiltrative, spiculated tumor growth into the surrounding non-neoplastic tissue. Clinically, its diagnosis is often established by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). At the invasive margin, tumor buds can be detected by histology, an established marker associated with poor prognosis in different types of tumors.MethodsWe analyzed PDAC by determining the degree of tumor spiculation on T2-weighted MRI using a 3-tier grading system. The grade of spiculation was correlated with the density of tumor buds quantified in histological sections of the respective surgical specimen according to the guidelines of the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference (n = 28 patients).Results64% of tumors revealed intermediate to high spiculation on MRI. In over 90% of cases, tumor buds were detected. We observed a significant positive rank correlation between the grade of radiological tumor spiculation and the histopathological number of tumor buds (rs = 0.745, p < 0.001). The number of tumor buds was not significantly associated with tumor stage, presence of lymph node metastases, or histopathological grading (p ≥ 0.352).ConclusionOur study identifies a readily available radiological marker for non-invasive estimation of tumor budding, as a correlate for infiltrative tumor growth. This finding could help to identify PDAC patients who might benefit from more extensive peripancreatic soft tissue resection during surgery or stratify patients for personalized therapy concepts.

Yield Stability and Correlation Among Stability Parameters in Faba Bean (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Vicia faba&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Yield Trial in Ethiopia

The relationship between the adaptableness and stability estimates of different models is revealing of whether one or more estimates should be obtained for consistent forecasts of cultivar behavior, and also helps the breeder to select the best adjusted and most informative stability parameter(s). Twelve faba bean genotypes were assessed in 2018/2019 cropping season across seven environments in Ethiopia using randomized complete block design with four replications. The objectives were to identify stable faba bean genotypes across the target environments and determine the relationship among univariate stability parameters. The yield stability was estimated using various stability parameters. Using Eberhart and Russell’s model the regression coefficient (bi) values ranged from 0.85 (G5) to 1.08 (G3). The regression coefficient of G1 (bi = 0.99) and G11 (bi= 1.02) indicated average adaptable across environments. In contrast G2, G3, G4, and G8 have a regression coefficient bi value significantly greater than 1; this showed that genotypes are very sensitive when the environment is changed. To see the level of association among the parameters Spearman’s rank correlation was employed and the result showed highly significant positive rank correlation between cultivar mean performance Pi (r = 0.978) and mean seed yield. Shukula stability variance (ơ²) was significant positive rank correlated (r=1) with (ωi) indicating, the two stability parameters were similar for ranking purposes. Most of the univerate stability (ωi, ơ2, S²di, bi, ASV) parameters identified G8, G6 and G12 were stable and high yielder. Moreover, the experiment has to be repeated in multi locations to provide more reliable results and make recommendations for wide or specific adaptable genotypes in Ethiopia.

Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Pancreatic Cancer is associated with Restricted Water Diffusion in Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the potential of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) as imaging biomarker for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods: In forty-two patients, preoperative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of therapy-naive PDAC were compared with immunohistochemical expression profiles of the epithelial marker E-cadherin as well as mesenchymal transcription factors Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1), as determined by Allred immunoreactivity score.Results: We observed a significant positive rank correlation between the ADC and the E-cadherin Allred score (ρ = 0.553, p < 0.001) and significant negative rank correlations between the ADC and the Runx2 Allred score (ρ = -0.526, p < 0.001) as well as the Zeb1 Allred score (ρ = -0.710, p < 0.001). Compared to tumors with low ADC values < 1.3 µm2/s, tumors with ADC values ≥ 1.3 µm2/s had significantly higher Allred scores for E-cadherin (median, 4 versus 5; p < 0.001) and significantly lower Allred scores for Runx2 (median, 3 versus 2; p = 0.003) as well as Zeb1 (median, 4 versus 0; p < 0.001).Conclusion: In PDAC, tumor plasticity in terms of EMT is well reflected by ADC values from DW-MRI. In the near future, DW-MRI could be beneficial for identification of PDAC patients that might profit from personalized EMT-targeted therapies.

Interlaboratory accuracy and precision among results of three sewage-associated marker genes in urban environmental estuarine waters and freshwater streams

The application of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) based microbial source tracking (MST) marker genes are increasingly being used to identify contaminating sources and inform management decisions. In this study, we assessed interlaboratory agreement on duplicate environmental water samples collected from estuarine and freshwater locations, by comparing results of qPCR based testing for Bacteroides HF183, crAssphage CPQ_056, and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV). The overall agreements (co-detection and non-co-detection) between CSIRO Land and Water (CLW) laboratory and Sydney Water (SW) laboratory for the HF183, crAssphage CPQ_056 and PMMoV marker genes for duplicate water samples were 74, 75 and 74%, respectively. Cohene's kappa (k) revealed fair to moderate agreements and acceptable relative percent difference (RPD) values of <15% for duplicate samples. The pooled mean abundances of HF183, CPQ_056, and PMMoV in measurable samples at the CLW laboratory were 5.19 ± 0.93, 5.12 ± 0.82, and 4.42 ± 0.65 log10 copies/L, respectively. However, the pooled mean abundances were significantly lower at the SW laboratory, HF183 (4.58 ± 0.84 log10 copies/L), crAssphage CPQ_056 (4.20 ± 0.63 log10 copies/L), and PMMoV (3.89 ± 0.41 log10 copies/L). At individual sample level, most of the paired samples had <1 log10 difference. Significant positive Spearman rank correlations were obtained between two laboratories for the HF183 (Rs = 0.65; p < 0.05), CPQ_056 (Rs = 0.79; p < 0.05), and PMMoV (Rs = 0.54; p < 0.05) marker genes. Several factors such as standards, qPCR platforms, PCR inhibitors, nucleic acid extraction efficiency and low levels of targets in some samples may have contributed to the observed discrepancies. Results presented in this study highlight the importance of standardized protocol, laboratory equipment (such as digital PCR), sample processing strategies and appropriate quality controls that may need implementation to further improve accuracy and precision of results between laboratories.

Rank based non-parametric measures of grain yield for rainfed barley genotypes evaluated in northern hill zone

Simple descriptive statistics based on ranks of 19 genotypes evaluated at 8 locations in northern hills of country showed HBL723 and HBL737 as stable genotypes, while BHS400 and UPB1044 based on MR, VLB118 and HBL113 based on SD and VLB118 and BHS400 based on CV were unstable genotypes. Huehn's non-parametric measures based on original values indicated HBL72315, BHS43720 and HBL73716 were genotypes of stable performance, while VLB11811, HBL11319 were unstable genotypes. NPi(1) pointed towards VLB144 and VLB118 as stable and UPB1043 along UPB1044 unstable while, NPi(2) showed VLB144, BHS352 and UPB1044 as sable and unstable, NPi3 found out HBL723 VLB144 and BHS400 and NPi(4) identified VLB144 HBL723 and BHS400 as the stable genotypes and overall by most of measures VLB144 HBL723 and BHS400 VLB118 were stable and unstable genotypes. Highly significant positive rank correlation of yield with CV, Si3 and Si6 and highly significant negative with MR and Med were observed. Yield expressed highly significant positive relationship with NPi(2), NPi(3) and NPi(4).

Does Daily Growth Affect the Rate of Manganese Uptake in Juvenile River Herring Otoliths?

AbstractManganese is a commonly found constituent in fish otoliths, yet a direct correlation with ambient water concentrations as observed for other elements has proven elusive. There is compelling evidence that Mn uptake is related to the availability of reduced Mn (Mn2+) resulting from hypoxia (Limburg et al. 2015) but that fish growth rate also plays a role. We tested the latter possibility by examining otoliths from anadromous river herring (Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus and Blueback Herring A. aestivalis) in New York waters. A significant correlation was found between the ages at which shifts in otolith daily growth increments (assumed proportional to somatic growth) and shifts in otolith Mn:Ca ratios were detected. Furthermore, significant positive Spearman's rank correlations were observed between mean otolith daily growth and otolith Mn:Ca. Species‐ and site‐specific differences were evident, but significant positive correlations were found for these relationships within each species and at most sampling sites. Ambient water concentrations were weakly correlated with otolith Mn:Ca, suggesting that both exogenous and endogenous factors influence Mn:Ca in otoliths. Thus, while endogenous mechanisms (i.e., growth rate) likely influence Mn uptake, exogenous availability is the ultimate control.

Weather type classification of wildfire ignitions in the central Gulf Coast, United States

Limited research has been performed examining the relationships between southeast US wildfire and weather type patterns using modern techniques and data sets. The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between wildfire ignitions in the central Gulf Coast, United States and weather type occurrences in an effort to identify regional patterns associated with wildfire ignitions. Wildfire occurrence data are obtained for nine national forests in the central Gulf Coast for the period 1970 to 2011. The Spatial Synoptic Classification scheme (SSC) is used to classify daily weather type variations for each national forest. Years with high numbers of ignitions experience statistically higher numbers of dry tropical (DT) weather types than years with low numbers of ignitions in five of nine national forests. These differences range from 17 to 160% more DT days during periods of high ignitions. Statistically significant positive Spearman rank correlations exist between annual number of ignitions and annual number of DT days in a given forest. While understanding such relationships on an annual scale is useful, it says nothing about the actual timing of weather types leading up to an ignition. An analysis of weather type activity 30, 90, and 180 days prior to ignitions reveals that the median ratio of DT days to moist moderate (MM) and moist tropical (MT) days is statistically higher for periods leading up to a fire. Positive phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) result in an increased number of DT days. This confirms previous studies that have suggested the strength of the westerlies increases during the positive phase of the NAO, driving DT weather types eastward from their southwest US/Mexico source region. We can therefore also conclude that the positive phase of the NAO is linked with increased wildfire activity in the central Gulf Coast, United States.

English

This study aims to acquaint breeders of the need to use statistical tools that will help resolve the identification of consistently better performing genotypes across various environmental conditions. It also aim to reveal the relationship among the various statistical methods used to describe genotype × environment interaction (GEI) and cultivar stability. A mixed model with fixed genotypes and random environments were used for the analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the present study, twenty released bread wheat cultivars were evaluated during the 2009 main cropping season using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at seven different environments. The combined ANOVA revealed the presence of a highly significant GEI (p < 0.01) for grain yield indicating its influence on cultivar selection and recommendation. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient revealed a perfect correspondence between Wricke’s ecovalence (Wi) and Shukla’s statbility variance (s2). These stability measures also showed a highly significant positive rank correlation with deviation from regression (S2di), coefficient of determination( ri2), AMMI stability value (ASV), variance of ranks (Si(2)), rank sum (R-sum), and mean absolute rank difference (Si(1)) indicating their similarity in cultivar ranking. The principal component analysis (PCA) clearly showed three groupings of the statistical methods as the static concept of stability, the dynamic concept of stability and yield performance measures. Therefore, it is imperative to consider one stability measure from the dynamic concept and one from the yield performance measures for efficient cultivar recommendation. Key words: Bread wheat, genotype × environment interaction (GEI), principal component analysis (PCA), rank correlation, stability measures.

Amount of interleukin-1β and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in periodontitis and healthy patients

ObjectiveRegulation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a critical element of immune responses in health and disease. Additional research is required to determine the levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) sufficient to inhibit inteleukine-1-induced responses in periodontium. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of IL-1β, IL-1ra in gingival crevicular fluid samples obtained from periodontitis and healthy patients. Design of the studyThe periodontitis group consisted of 50 patients (F-31, M-19) with chronic periodontitis. The control group consisted of 30 periodontally healthy subjects (F-19, M-11). Oral hygiene index—simplified, gingival index, pocket depth, clinical attachment level were measured. The concentrations of interleukins in gingival crevicular fluid were measured by the ELISA technique. ResultsThe total amounts of interleukin-1β and IL-1ra were significantly higher in periodontitis group than in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of each cytokine were reported also as moles. In the control group there were 800-times more moles/sample of IL-1ra than IL-1β. In periodontitis group nearly 300-times more moles/sample of IL-1ra was obtained. The significant positive Spearman's rank correlations was identified between both concentrations (R=0.39; P<0.05) and total amounts (R=0.31; P<0.05) of cytokines in the periodontitis group. ConclusionThe increased secretion of IL-1ra in periodontitis is not adequate to “curb” the release of IL-1β.

Specific Humoral Immune Response Induced by Propionibacterium acnes Can Prevent Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Infection in Mice

Porcine contagious pleuropneumonia, caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, has a major impact on economics, ecology, and animal welfare in the pig-rearing industry. Propionibacterium acnes, a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive corynebacterium, exists widely in normal healthy adult animals. We have shown previously that P. acnes can prevent A. pleuropneumoniae infections in mice and pigs. To elucidate the mechanism of this effect and to identify novel A. pleuropneumoniae vaccines, the role of anti-P. acnes antibodies in preventing infection was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence and opsonophagocytosis assays in vitro. The role of the specific humoral immune response induced by P. acnes was confirmed in a B cell depletion mouse model. The survival rates of mice challenged with A. pleuropneumoniae exhibited a highly significant positive rank correlation with the levels of anti-P. acnes antibodies. The specific antibodies induced by P. acnes had the ability to combine with A. pleuropneumoniae and increase opsonization of A. pleuropneumoniae for phagocytosis. Furthermore, analysis in the murine B cell depletion model confirmed that the humoral immune response induced by P. acnes played an important role in resistance to A. pleuropneumoniae infection. In this study, we further elucidated the reasons that P. acnes can prevent A. pleuropneumoniae infection, which provides useful evidence for the development of heterologous vaccines for the control of porcine contagious pleuropneumonia.

Influence of abiotic factors on the molluscicidal activity of a bait containing limonene targeted at the pest snail Lymnaea acuminata

We assessed the lethality of a bait containing both limonene and an attractant (starch or proline) against the pest snail Lymnaea acuminata for every month of the year 2010–2011. Simultaneously, levels of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide and electrical conductivity in test water were measured. In 24 h toxicity assays, carried out in May, June and July, lethal concentration (LC50) values of 3.99, 4.47 and 4.44% were obtained for bait containing proline + limonene, and values of 5.45, 4.41 and 5.60% were obtained for bait containing starch + limonene. A significant positive rank correlation was observed between different concentrations of limonene in bait and acetylcholinesterase activity in the nervous tissue of the snail. There was maximum inhibition (57.93%) of acetylcholinesterase activity in snails fed bait containing 80% of the 24-h LC50 of limonene + proline in May. Our results indicate that snail populations can be controlled by a limonene bait formulation applied in a specific month rather than all the year round.

Toxicity of snail attractant pellets containing eugenol with respect to abiotic factors against the vector snail Lymnaea acuminata

Every month during the year 2010–2011, the 24 to 96 h LC50 values of molluscicide eugenol, in snail attractant pellets (SAP), were determined against a snail Lymnaea acuminata, with concomitant determination of levels of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, and electrical conductivity in test water. On the basis of a 24 h toxicity assay, it was noted that LC50 values 2.55, 2.68, and 2.91% in SAP containing starch+eugenol and 2.67, 2.54, and 2.85% in SAP containing proline+eugenol during May, June, and July, respectively, were most effective treatments in killing the snails, while SAP containing starch or proline+eugenol were least effective in January when the 24 h LC50 was 10.73% and 7.14% for starch and proline, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between LC50 of eugenol containing SAP and levels of dissolved O2 and pH of water in corresponding months. On the contrary, a negative correlation was observed between LC50 and dissolved CO2 and temperature of test water in the same months. A significant positive rank correlation occurred between AChE activities and the corresponding sublethal concentrations of eugenol in SAP. Moreover, there was a maximum inhibition of 58.96% of AChE in snails exposed to 80% of the 24 h LC50 of eugenol+starch in June.

The Relationship between Chill-Coma Onset and Recovery at the Extremes of the Thermal Window of Drosophila melanogaster

Critical thermal minimum (CT(min)), a measure of chill-coma onset temperature, and chill-coma recovery (CCR), the time taken to recover from chill coma, are common metrics of thermal tolerance in insects. We investigated the relationship between CT(min) and CCR in a single population of adult Drosophila melanogaster exposed to a range of rearing (14°, 21.5°, and 27°C), acclimation (5 d at 6° or 29°C), and hardening (1 h at 0° or 36°C) conditions. CT(min) ranged from -4.2° to 8.8°C and CCR from 12.1 to 55.1 min, and CT(min) and CCR varied in the same direction: populations with low CT(min) tended to have short CCR. Acclimation had a greater effect on CT(min) and CCR than short-term hardening. There was a significant positive rank correlation between CT(min) and CCR, but the relationship was demonstrably curvilinear, suggesting that although plasticity in these measures is correlated through the central part of the relationship, there is no relationship between CT(min) and CCR across a range of values generated by phenotypic plasticity. This implies that the mechanisms underlying plasticity in CT(min) are not entirely shared with those underlying CCR.

In vitro and in vivo screening for drought tolerance in winter × spring wheat doubled haploids derived through chromosome elimination

The relative efficiency of in vitro and in vivo screening techniques for drought tolerance, comprising various parameters, namely germination (%), shoot length, root length, coleoptile length, root number, root/shoot ratio and seedling vigour index (SVI) under in vitro conditions and morpho-physiological and yield-contributing traits under in vivo conditions, was studied using 78 winter × spring wheat-derived doubled haploid lines of bread wheat along with 13 parental genotypes and two check varieties, HPW 155 and PBW 343. Analysis of variance for different in vitro parameters in control (0 MPa) and stress (−0.7 MPa) environments and various in vivo parameters under irrigated and rainfed environments indicated sufficient genetic variability and the differential response of the genotypes to the different stress levels for all the in vitro and in vivo parameters. Correlation studies revealed the significance of percentage germination, root number, coleoptile length and seedling vigour index under in vitro conditions and relative water content and excised leaf water loss under in vivo conditions as important selection criteria for drought tolerance, as these parameters were related with each other as well as with the drought susceptibility index (S). The significant positive rank correlation between the in vitro (−0.7 MPa) and in vivo (rainfed) stress conditions indicated that the performance of a genotype under field conditions is very similar to its performance under laboratory conditions. Hence, the selection precision for a crucial and complex trait like drought tolerance in wheat can be enhanced by exercising in vitro selection coupled with evaluation in the field. The drought susceptibility index ‘S’ should not be taken as the sole criterion to categorize genotypes as drought-tolerant or susceptible ones.

The effect of abiotic factors on the toxicity of cypermethrin against the snailLymnaea acuminatain the control of fascioliasis

Every month during the year 2006-2007, the 24, 48, 72 and 96 h LC50 values of a molluscicide, cypermethrin, were determined for a snail Lymnaea acuminata, with concomitant estimation of levels of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide and electrical conductivity, both in control and test water. On the basis of a 24 h toxicity assay, it was noted that LC50 values of 10.39, 10.90 and 11.19 mg l- 1 during the months of May, June and July, respectively, were most effective in killing the snails, while the molluscicide was least effective in the month of January, when its 24 h LC50 was 65.84 mg l- 1.There was a significant positive correlation between LC50 of cypermethrin and levels of dissolved O2/pH of water in corresponding months. On the contrary, a negative correlation was observed between LC50 and dissolved CO2/temperature of test water in the same months. In order to ascertain that such a relationship between toxicity and abiotic factors is not coincidental, the nervous tissue of the snail was assayed for the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to sublethal concentrations (40% and 80%) of 24 h LC50 during each of the 12 months of the same year. The findings confirmed that abiotic factors indeed influence toxicity of cypermethrin in the snail. A significant positive rank correlation between AChE, ACP and ALP activity did exist following exposure to the corresponding sublethal concentrations. Moreover, there was a maximum inhibition of 61.29 and 76.16% of AChE and ACP, respectively, in snails exposed to 80% of the 24 h LC50 in the month of May. A similar treatment caused a maximum inhibition of 70.53% of ALP activity in the month of June. This work shows conclusively that the best time to control the snail population with cypermethrin is during the months of May and June.

Assessment of yield stability in sorghum using univariate and multivariate statistical approaches

The experiment was carried out to estimate GEI in sorghum for grain yield using univariate and multivariate statistical approaches based on two sets of performance trials (T1 and T2). While T1 consisted of 15 genotypes and tested in 8 environments, T2 that consisted of 13 genotypes was carried out in 13 environments. Because the combined ANOVA of each trial revealed significant differences among the genotypes, among the environments and GEI, the five univariate stability estimates: CV(i), S(i)(2), W(i)(2), sigma(i)(2), b(i) and Sd(i)(2) were evaluated for ranking the genotypes. There was positive rank-correlation between CVi and S(i)(2) and among W(i)(2), sigma(i)(2), b(i). Sd(i)(2) had significant positive rank-correlation with sigma(i)(2) and bi in T1 but weak rank-correlation with the remaining parameters in both trials. The three types of univariate stability estimates and the only multivariate stability estimate, the AMMI analysis declared genotypes 2 and 5 to be the most stable in T1, but they gave quite unrelated ranking in T2. Because of the lack of correspondence among the tested stability estimates in the two trials, it was difficult to reach a conclusion on producing genotype recommendation based on the univariate statistical approach. However, as GEI has multivariate nature, the multivariate approach is believed to give more robust inference. Hence, some stable genotypes were suggested using the AMMI model for sorghum growing dry lowlands of the country.

Untreated Asymptomatic Group B Streptococcal Bacteriuria Early in Pregnancy and Chorioamnionitis at Delivery

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with untreated asymptomatic group B β-hemolytic streptococcal (GBS) bacteriuria during pregnancy. Study Design In this retrospective cohort, all women with antepartum GBS bacteriuria in a research registry were included. Controls were women with negative urine cultures. The frequency of chorioamnionitis was compared between groups. Chorioamnionitis was defined as intrapartum fever, fetal tachycardia, and histologic inflammation of the membranes. Results One hundred twenty-two women with bacteriuria (study group) and 183 women with negative antepartum cultures (controls) were included. There were no differences in demographic characteristics between the groups. Thirty-one women (10.2%) had chorioamnionitis. Untreated GBS bacteriuria was associated with chorioamnionitis after controlling for confounding variables, adjusted odds ratio 7.2 (95% confidence interval 2.4 to 21.2). There was also a significant positive rank correlation between increasing colony count of GBS bacteriuria and increasing grade of chorioamnionitis (P = .02). Conclusion Untreated antepartum GBS bacteriuria is associated with chorioamnionitis.

Untreated asymptomatic group B streptococcal bacteriuria early in pregnancy and chorioamnionitis at delivery

The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with untreated asymptomatic group B beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GBS) bacteriuria during pregnancy. In this retrospective cohort, all women with antepartum GBS bacteriuria in a research registry were included. Controls were women with negative urine cultures. The frequency of chorioamnionitis was compared between groups. Chorioamnionitis was defined as intrapartum fever, fetal tachycardia, and histologic inflammation of the membranes. One hundred twenty-two women with bacteriuria (study group) and 183 women with negative antepartum cultures (controls) were included. There were no differences in demographic characteristics between the groups. Thirty-one women (10.2%) had chorioamnionitis. Untreated GBS bacteriuria was associated with chorioamnionitis after controlling for confounding variables, adjusted odds ratio 7.2 (95% confidence interval 2.4 to 21.2). There was also a significant positive rank correlation between increasing colony count of GBS bacteriuria and increasing grade of chorioamnionitis (P = .02). Untreated antepartum GBS bacteriuria is associated with chorioamnionitis.

Transferability of habitat preference criteria for larval European grayling (Thymallus thymallus)

We examined the transferability of habitat preference criteria for larval European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) to two rivers in Finland by testing whether there were significant positive rank correlations between local fish densities (shoals per square metre) and preference indices for depth, velocity, substrate, and vegetation cover or selected combinations. Two sets of preference curves, one obtained from literature for the River Pollon, France, and another for the River Kuusinkijoki, Finland, were tested. All transferability tests for water velocity criteria were successful, correlation coefficients between local fish densities and preference indices ranging from 0.83 to 0.92. Criteria for depth and substrate transferred inconsistently, and criteria for vegetation cover failed to transfer to either target site. Combined indices predicted fish microdistributions inconsistently and they never performed better than the best univariate index for each site. Our results suggest that universal preference criteria for water velocity may exist for larval grayling and that it may be best to use these criteria alone in habitat hydraulic modelling when predicting habitat suitability to larval grayling.

Effects of CO3, Cl and SO4 Ions on Parameters of Sensory Evaluations of Carrots (Daucus carota L.)

Sensory evaluation tests were conducted on raw carrots which were grown using fertilizers containing CO3, Cl or SO4 ions. When carrot plants were grown under relatively wet soil conditions (6.2 kPa), SO4-treated carrots were preferred over CO3- or Cl-treated carrots. There was a significant positive Spearman's rank correlation between preference and sweetness, which suggested that SO4-treated carrots were preferred because of their strong sense of sweetness. However, the more intense sweetness in SO4-treated carrots could not be explained by their sugar, organic acid, amino acid or ortophosphoric acid contents.