Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INSECTICIDE ACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACTS OF THE NORTHEASTERN BRAZILIAN FLORA FOR THE CONTROL OF Sitophilus zeamais [Mots, 1885] AND Sitotroga cerealela [Olivier, 1819

One of the typical crops of the semiarid tropic is the maize Zea mays L. , a rustic plant cultivated in the Brazilian northeastern semiarid region mainly by small farmers. It is one of the sources of protein and carbohydrates and an economic alternative for job creation, especially for rural populations. Among the factors limiting its cultivation are pests, among which weevil and Angoumois grain moth. This work aims to evaluate the insecticide activity of plant extracts obtained from medicinal plants of the Brazilian northeastern flora for the control of Angoumois grain moth and weevil under laboratory conditions. The methodology consisted in the production of plant powders, which were mixed with 99.8% alcohol, and then macerated and filtered. Using a rotary evaporator and applying a water bath, it was possible to separate the alcohol from the filtered solution, resulting in a creamy paste, which is the extract itself, later used in tests with insects. Preliminary tests were applied at the concentrations of 0% [control] to 100% ml of extracts. Extracts with a mortality rate ³50% were analyzed by bioassays and four replicates, each consisting of a lot of five insects. The experimental design was completely randomized.
Antibiotic resistant phenotypes of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from fresh and fermented milk in parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This work was aimed at determining the occurrence and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from fresh and fermented milk samples in parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 180 samples comprising of fresh raw milk, bulk milk, nono, and kindirmo were collected over a period of 6 months (May to October, 2017). Standard microbiological procedures were employed in the isolation, identification, characterisation, and determination of the antibiogram of S. aureus from the milk samples. Characterisation of the S. aureus isolates was by morphological, biochemical characteristics using conventional methods, Microgen® STAPH-ID kits. Confirmed isolates were tested for susceptibility or resistance to a panel of 11 commonly used antibiotics using the agar disc diffusion technique. Out of the 180 milk samples examined, 9 S. aureus were isolated giving a prevalence of 5.0%. The occurrence of S. aureus was higher in nono (12.1%) and kindirmo (10.6%) than in fresh raw milk (5.9%). The high occurrence of S. aureus in nono disproved the assertion that fermented foods are not good media for the survival and growth of S. aureus. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the S. aureus isolates indicated all of the nine isolates were completely resistant to cefoxitin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. The isolates were moderately resistant to erythromycin (22.2%), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (22.2%), and tetracycline (44.4%). Five antibiotic resistance patterns were recorded among the isolates. All of the isolates had a multiple antibiotics resistance (MAR) index of 0.3 and above, an indication of possible antibiotic misuse in the areas studied. Key words: Milk, Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic resistant phenotypes, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Mechanisms Influencing Countergradient Variation in Prairie Lizards, Sceloporus consobrinus

Abstract. Countergradient variation (CnGV) in physiological traits exists among populations of broad-ranging ectotherms. Relatively few studies, however, have addressed the underlying biochemical mechanisms that support enhanced growth and development. We aimed to determine whether CnGV in embryonic development occurs in the Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus) and to assess possible mechanisms that contribute to differential embryonic development. We investigated differences in embryonic development between two populations of S. consobrinus from different latitudes by tracking metabolic metrics throughout the incubation period. We found metabolic differences between the two populations that were similar to those observed S. undulatus, a previously studied sceloporine lizard that displays CnGV in development, suggesting that embryos from the high latitude population were developing at a faster rate than those from a lower latitude. However, contrary to our original predictions, aerobic metabolic enzyme activity did not differ between populations. Finally, we found some evidence of a trade-off between embryonic developmental rate and mortality as well as between embryonic and hatchling anaerobic enzyme performance. Our results corroborate previously implicated proximate mechanisms of CnGV in developmental rate in a new lineage of sceloporine lizard. In addition, our results show a novel detriment to embryonic survival in the high latitude population, highlighting that we do not yet understand the complexities of the developmental trade-offs experienced across latitudes.
The molecular phylogenetics of Trachymyrmex Forel ants and their fungal cultivars provide insights into the origin and coevolutionary history of ‘higher‐attine’ ant agriculture

The fungus‐growing ants and their fungal cultivars constitute a classic example of a mutualism that has led to complex coevolutionary dynamics spanning c. 55–65 Ma. Of the five agricultural systems practised by fungus‐growing ants, higher‐attine agriculture, of which leaf‐cutter agriculture is a derived subset, remains poorly understood despite its relevance to ecosystem function and human agriculture across the Neotropics and parts of North America. Among the ants practising higher‐attine agriculture, the genus Trachymyrmex Forel, as currently defined, shares most‐recent common ancestors with both the leaf‐cutter ants and the higher‐attine genera Sericomyrmex Mayr and Xerolitor Sosa‐Calvo et al. Although previous molecular‐phylogenetic studies have suggested that Trachymyrmex is a paraphyletic grade, until now insufficient taxon sampling has prevented a full investigation of the evolutionary history of this group and limited the possibility of resolving its taxonomy. Here we describe the results of phylogenetic analyses of 38 Trachymyrmex species, including 27 of the 49 described species and at least 11 new species, using four nuclear markers, as well as phylogenetic analyses of the fungi cultivated by 23 species of Trachymyrmex using two markers. We generated new genetic data for 112 ants (402 new gene sequences) and 95 fungi (153 new gene sequences). Our results corroborate previous findings that Trachymyrmex, as currently defined, is paraphyletic. We propose recognizing two new genera, Mycetomoellerius gen.n. and Paratrachymyrmex gen.n. , and restricting the continued use of Trachymyrmex to the clade of nine largely North American species that contains the type species [Trachymyrmex septentrionalis (McCook)] and that is the sister group of the leaf‐cutting ants. Our fungal cultivar phylogeny generally corroborates previously observed broad patterns of ant–fungus association, but it also reveals further violations of those patterns. Higher‐attine fungi are divided into two groups: (i) the single species Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Möller); and (ii) its sister clade, consisting of multiple species, recently referred to as Leucoagaricus Singer ‘clade B’. Our phylogeny indicates that, although most non‐leaf‐cutting higher‐attine ants typically cultivate species in clade B, some species cultivate L. gongylophorus, whereas still others cultivate fungi typically associated with lower‐attine agriculture. This indicates that the attine agricultural systems, which are currently defined by associations between ants and fungi, are not entirely congruent with ant and fungal phylogenies. They may, however, be correlated with as yet poorly understood biological traits of the ants and/or of their microbiomes.
Whole leaf photosynthetic light response in a carnivorous plant species Sarracenia alata

Photosynthetic light-response curves of mature leaves of Sarracenia alata were generated and characterized using a custom built chamber (2.79 L) capable of accommodating whole leaves, or pitchers, coupled to a LI-COR 6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System. In addition to generating light-response curves, chlorophyll content, leaf area, and dry mass measurements were obtained for each pitcher. Gas-exchange variables from the light-response curves are reported on a leaf area and dry mass basis. Calculated light-saturated photosynthesis was found to be 2.09 µmol(CO2) m-2 s-1 with a light-saturation point of 315.14 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1, light-compensation point of 40.25 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1, dark respiration rate of -0.57 µmol(CO2) m-2 s-1, and apparent quantum efficiency of 0.033. The use of a large custom built chamber proved to be successful and the data presented indicate that adequate mixing and sampling was achieved. This study is the first to document photosynthetic response of S. alta. The data from this study indicate that S. alata collected from our study site photosynthetically performed like that of a shade-adapted C3 plant and the measurements were consistent with those published for other species of Sarracenia.
The effects of bacteriophages on the expression of genes involved in antimicrobial immunity*

Introduction: Bacteriophages (viruses of bacteria) are used in the treatment of antibiotic‑resistant infections. Moreover, they are an important component of the mucosal microbiota. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of T4 and A5/80 bacteriophages on the expression of genes involved in antimicrobial immunity, including Toll‑like receptors. Material/Methods: The expression of genes was determined in the A549 cell line using RT2 Profiler PCR Array. Results: Purified T4 and A5/80 phage preparations significantly affected the expression of 7 and 10 out of 84 examined genes, respectively. Discussion: Our results are important for phage therapy of bacterial infections and provide novel insights into the role of phages from the mucosal microbiota. They may also lead to novel applications of phages as antiviral and immunomodulatory agents.
From Farms to Forests: Landscape Carbon Balance after 50 Years of Afforestation, Harvesting, and Prescribed Fire

Establishing reliable carbon baselines for landowners desiring to sustain carbon sequestration and identify opportunities to mitigate land management impacts on carbon balance is important; however, national and regional assessments are not designed to support individual landowners. Such baselines become increasingly valuable when landowners convert land use, change management, or when disturbance occurs. We used forest inventories to quantify carbon stocks, estimate annual carbon fluxes, and determine net biome production (NBP) over a 50-year period coinciding with a massive afforestation effort across ~80,000 ha of land in the South Carolina Coastal Plain. Forested land increased from 48,714 ha to 73,824 ha between 1951 and 2001. Total forest biomass increased from 1.73–3.03 Gg to 17.8–18.3 Gg, corresponding to biomass density increases from 35.6–62.2 Mg ha−1 to 231.4–240.0 Mg ha−1. Harvesting removed 1340.3 Gg C between 1955 and 2001, but annual removals were variable. Fire consumed 527.1 Gg C between 1952 and 2001. Carbon exported by streams was <0.5% of total export. Carbon from roots and other harvested material that remained in-use or in landfills comprised 49.3% of total harvested carbon. Mineral soil carbon accounted for 41.6 to 50% of 2001 carbon stocks when considering depths of 1.0 or 1.5 m, respectively, and was disproportionately concentrated in wetlands. Moreover, we identified a soil carbon deficit of 19–20 Mg C ha−1, suggesting opportunities for future soil carbon sequestration in post-agricultural soils. Our results provide a robust baseline for this site that can be used to understand how land conversion, forest management, and disturbance impacts carbon balance of this landscape and highlight the value of these baseline data for other sites. Our work also identifies the need to manage forests for multiple purposes, especially promotion of soil carbon accumulation in low-density pine savannas that are managed for red-cockaded woodpeckers and therefore demand low aboveground carbon stocks.
A soil archaeal community responds to a decade of ecological restoration

Large‐scale restoration efforts are underway globally to mitigate the impact of decades of land degradation by returning functional and biodiverse ecosystems. Revegetation is a heavily relied upon restoration intervention, and one that is expected to result in associated biodiversity returns. However, the outcome of such restoration interventions rarely considers recovery to the soil microbiome, a mega‐diverse and functionally important ecosystem component. Here we examine the archaeal component of the soil microbiome and track community change after a decade of eucalypt woodland restoration in southern Australia. We employed DNA metabarcoding to show that archaeal community composition, richness, and diversity shifted significantly, and towards a restored state 10 years after the restoration intervention. Changes in soil pH and nitrate associated with changes to the archaeal community, potentially relating to the pH responsive properties and close relationship with the nitrogen cycle of some archaea. Our study helps shed light on archaeal community dynamics, as no other study has used DNA metabarcoding to study archaeal responses across a restoration chronosequence. Our results provide great promise for the development of molecular monitoring of the soil microbiome as a future restoration monitoring tool.
Integrated management of glyphosate-resistant horseweed (Erigeron canadensis) with tillage and herbicides in soybean

Abstract Glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed is one of the most common and troublesome weeds in soybean production fields in several states in the United States, including Nebraska. The evolution of horseweed resistant to several herbicide sites of action has prioritized an integrated approach, including tillage, for effective management of this problem weed. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of tillage or herbicide applied in fall or spring followed by a PRE, POST, and PRE followed by a POST herbicide program for GR horseweed control as well as GR soybean injury and yield in Nebraska. Field studies were established in the fall 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 growing seasons using a factorial randomized complete block design with shallow tillage or herbicide applied at different timings as two factors. Shallow tillage was accomplished using a 50-cm-wide rototiller operated at a depth of 10 cm. At soybean harvest, tillage applied the previous year in fall or spring without any follow-up herbicide treatment provided 79% to 88% horseweed control compared with 27% and 56% control with 2,4-D plus carfentrazone applied in fall and spring, respectively. Tillage or herbicide applied in fall or spring followed by a PRE, POST, or PRE and POST herbicide provided 82% to 99% GR horseweed control at soybean harvest. Soybean yield in this study was similar in most treatments. Tillage or herbicide applied in fall or spring provided similar horseweed control and soybean yield when followed by a PRE, POST, or PRE and POST herbicide; therefore, fall- or spring-applied herbicides can be rotated with shallow tillage for integrated season-long horseweed management. Nomenclature: 2,4-D; carfentrazone; horseweed; Erigeron canadensis L. ; soybean; Glycine max (L.) Merr
DNA Barcoding revealing the occurrence of Isarachnanthus (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Ceriantharia) in Cape Verde

The occurrence of Isarachnanthus Carlgren, 1924 (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Ceriantharia) specimens in Cape Verde Islands is recorded. Identification of the tube anemone species Isarachnanthus maderensis (Johnson, 1861) was possible based on DNA Barcoding. A discussion on biogeographic patterns associated with ocean circulation and life cycle is presented.
IMPACT OF SUBSTITUTING SOYA BEAN MEAL BY MORINGA (Moringa oleifera) LEAVES MEAL IN THE DIET ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENTS DIGESTIBILITY, BLOOD CONSTITUENTS AND CARCASS TRAITS OF GROWING RABBITS.

In completely randomized block design, seventy two weaner New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits, 4-5 weeks old and with an average body weight of 458 ± 7g were used in a feeding trial for 56 days . The present study aimed to ascertain the effect of feeding diets containing different levels of Moringa oleifera leaves meal (MOLM) asa substitution forsoya bean meal on growth performance, nutrients digestibility,haematological and biochemical blood parameters and carcass traits of rabbits.Therabbits were randomly divided into three experimental groups of 24 rabbits per each and they distributed on three different pelleted diets containing 0, 12.5 and 19 % MOLM to substitute 0, 50 and 75 % of soya bean meal in the basal diet,respectively. The results of the study revealed that chemical composition (%) ofcomposite sample of MOLM resulted from 6 successive cuts of moringa plants recorded: 90.03 DM, 27.44 CP, 8.13 EE, 8.77 CF, 34.63 NFE and 11.06 %Ash, indicating high crude protein, fats and minerals contents in MOLM. The final body weight (FW), daily weight gain (DWG) and relative growth rate (RGR) were insignificantly increasedwith rabbits fed MOLM diets. Feed intake was significantly (P<0.01)declined with rabbits fed 19 % MOLM diet than those fed control or 12.5 % MOLM diet. However, Feed conversion ratio (FCR), growth performance index (GPI) and economic efficiency were significantly (P<0.01) improved with rabbits fed MOLM diets compared with those fed the control diet. Crude protein (CP) and OM digestibility coefficients and nutritive value (%) of MOLM diets expressed as DCP and TDN were significantly higher (P < 0.01) with rabbits fed MOLM diets than with 636 ABO EL-HADED et al. those fed the control diet, while EE, CF and NFE digestibility coefficients were not affected by the dietary treatments. The haematological and biochemical blood parameters were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments, with exception of RBCs, total proteinand globulin which were significantly (P < 0.01) higher, whereas MCH and cholesterol levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower with rabbits fed MOLM diets. However, all the haematological and biochemical parameters values of rabbit groups were within the normal physiological range. Carcass traits were not significantly influenced by the dietary treatments. Internal organs of rabbits in all groups, including liver, kidney, heart, lungs and spleen appeared normal in size and did not show any signs of toxicity. Conclusively, the results of the present study suggest that MOLM possess good protein quality for growth of rabbits and can be incorporated in the growing rabbits diets up to 19% in replacement up to 75 % of soya bean meal without any detrimental effects on growth performance, nutrients utilization, blood constituents and carcass traits.
Characterization of Microbial Communities in a Dairy Farm Matrix in Ningxia, China, by 16S rDNA Analysis

A large amount of dairy manure is produced annually in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China due to the increase in food-producing animal agriculture in this region. The presence of bovine-originated zoonotic, especially human, pathogenic bacteria in untreated manure poses a significant threat to the environment and to public health. However, little is known about the composition, diversity, and abundance of bacterial communities in untreated dairy manure in the Ningxia region. In this study, the microbial community structure of the dairy farm matrix was characterized through 16S rDNA sequencing. The impact of manure treatment methods on bacterial communities was also analyzed. The results showed that the microbial community in dairy manure contained both beneficial bacteria and pathogens, with Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, and Actinobacteria as dominant phyla. The results also showed the diversity and variety of abundance of zoonotic pathogens among different matrices. The number of pathogens was found to increase significantly in the accumulated but untreated manure, which appeared to be the main matrix of dairy farms that accumulated pathogens including zoonotic pathogens. Findings from this study suggested that farm management, particularly proper treatment of manure, is essential to achieve a shift in the bacterial community composition and a reduction in the environmental load of pathogens including zoonotic pathogens.
Hospice Social Work

Acknowledgments1. End-of-Life Care in the United States2. Current Status of Social Work in Hospice3. A Model for Psychosocial and Spiritual Care in Hospice4. Hospice Social Work Practice on the Micro Level5. Mezzo Context of Hospice Social Work: Work with Families6. Macro Context of Hospice Social Work: Organization7. Cultural Competence in Hospice8. Personal Preparation and Social Worker Self-Care9. Future Challenges in the Field of Hospice Social Work: Looking AheadAppendix A. Social Work Assessment ToolAppendix B. National Association of Social WorkersAppendix C. Team Functioning ScaleIndex
The effect of site preparation on seed tree regeneration of drained Scots pine stands in Finland

We studied the success of natural regeneration eight years after seed tree cutting on four drained peatland Scots pine stands in central and northern Finland (Parkano, Sievi, Vaala, Simo) when retaining ca. 50 Scots pine stems ha-1 followed by site preparation. The total number and the number of crop seedlings and their mean height were investigated by species and methods of site preparation (control, scalping, mounding). The results showed that the total seedling numbers were very high (9,100 – 51,000 ha-1) in all sites and treatments. The share of downy birch seedlings was 64 –76 %. The total number of crop seedlings varied from 1,450 to 2,000 ha-1 (2,000 maximum density accepted), with number of Scots pine seedlings varying from 600 in Parkano to 1,950 ha-1 in Sievi. Site preparation increased the number of pine crop seedlings on two of the four sites: at Parkano by 900 – 1,100 seedlings ha-1 and at Vaala by 600 – 800 seedlings ha-1. On average, the number of pine crop seedlings was slightly higher and that for all birch seedlings clearly higher when site preparation was applied. About 22 – 81% of crop seedlings were grown in a prepared surface in scalped plots and 75-91% on mounded plots. The mean height of the crop seedlings was not significantly affected by the site preparation treatment. With respect to the minimum requirements set for the regeneration result required by forest legislation, seed tree cutting appeared to provide sufficient regeneration in eight years in terms of the total seedling density and the number of crop seedlings when downy birches were included. The beneficial effect of soil preparation was seen in the increased share of Scots pine crop seedlings.
A profile of fatal injuries in South Africa : towards a platform for safety promotion : original contribution

In recent years, injuries have been recognised as a pervasive feature of South African life and a priority public health concern. Launched in 1999, the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (NIMSS) has provided information about the extent of deaths due to non-natural causes. It is estimated that approximately 65 000 to 80 000 South Africans died as a result of intentionally or unintentionally inflicted injuries in 2000. The 2000 NIMSS report indicates that homicide remains the most significant contributor to non-natural mortality. In eighty per cent of all deaths, the victims were males, the majority of whom were aged between 25 to 34 years. Non-natural deaths in females were largely the result of unintentional incidents, followed by homicide, which again was concentrated in the 25 to 34 year age range. With increasing coverage the NIMSS will be able to identify injury prevention priorities at both provincial and city level, and inform efforts to reduce the extent of non-natural mortality. Currently, the NIMSS indicates that violent and traffic injuries remain key public health priorities. African Safety Promotion Vol.1(1) 2002: 16-23