Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mermithid Peresitism of Bleck Flies (Diptere: Simuliidee) ~

Mermithid nematodes are common parasites of black flies and play a significant role in the natural regulation of these medically impor tan t insects. Infection levels tend to he moderate and perennial, with epizootics rare and highly localized. Mermithid parasitism almost invariably results in the death of the black fly, and thus considerable at tent ion has focused on the potential of these nematodes as biocontrol agents. Early instar black fly larvae appear most susceptible to infection, and integumental penetrat ion hy mermi th id preparasites is the only known mode of entry. Postparasitic nematodes typically emerge before host pupat ion . However, carryover of parasitism into adult simuliids is an impor tan t mechanism for local dispersal and recolonization of upst ream areas. Folhtwing emergence, the mermithids molt to the adult stage. Copulat ion ensues, the females then laying eggs which eventually give rise to the next generation of infective preparasites. The number of described species is conservatively estimated at 35-40, with most species within the genera Mesomermis, Gastromermis, and Isomermis. The taxonomy of this group of mermithids is a challenging and little explored area. Host-specificity statements, therefore, must be made cautiously because of these systematic problems and others within the Simuliidae. In most instances, temporal and spatial factors limit the host range of these mermith ids among simuliid species. Differential susceptibilities anmng larvae concurrently present within the same microhabi ta t probably reflect varying degrees of host attractiveness and behavioral-physiological resistance. Effects of parasitism on the host may include prevent ion of metamorphosis , sterility, intersexual development, and behavior modification. Evaluation of the technical feasibility of mermi th id control of black flies has been stymied by the limitations of current inoculum-product ion technology. Continued advances in in vivo and in vitro culture methods are required to accelerate the research process.
Potential of phytofactors to mitigate rumen ammonia and methane production.

The increase in the intensity of ruminant production determines changes in the rumen feed conversion and thus, among other, may increase pool of greenhouse gases emission. The ineffective digestion process and changes in the legislation processes implicate the action tends towards the limitation of rumen ammonia and methane production. In the last few years there is an increasing interest of nutritionists in bioactive plant factors – phytofactors as natural feed additives that can modify the rumen fermentation processes, improve the protein metabolism and, at the same time, reduce ammonia production and emission, and curb methane production and emission to the atmosphere. High diversity of bioactive phytofactors contained in many plant species has been identified as a potential factor affecting the above-mentioned processes.
Development of “Serrano” pepper in vermicompost: perlite substrates under shade net conditions

The development of “Serrano” pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under shade net conditions was evaluated, using different mixtures of vermicompost:perlite (VC:P, by volume), at the Comarca Lagunera in northern Mexico. During 2012 spring-summer season, “Camino Real” cultivar was evaluated in five mixtures of VC:P, with ratios 0:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4. Nutrient solution was applied only in the first mixture (control) while VC was used as organic nutrient all other mixtures. Fruit length, pulp thickness, number of locules, equatorial diameter, fruit weight, number of fruits and yield were the variables evaluated. The five mixtures, with six replications, were distributed in a completely randomized design. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and means were separated by the LSD0.05 test. The maximum yield, 37.13 t•ha-1, without applying synthetic fertilizers, was obtained in the mixture VC:P with ratio 1:1, therefore is possible to conclude that the VC was able to satisfy the nutrient demand of Serrano pepper.
Growth of Silver Eels (Anguilla rostrata) in Two Areas of Newfoundland

Seaward-migrating American (silver) eels were collected with fyke nets in Dog Bay and Holyrood Bay on the northeast and south coasts of Newfoundland. In both areas, silver eels evidently undertake their spawning migration at ages 9 to 18 years (mean 12.9 yr), but the mean length and weight of eels from Dog Bay were significantly larger than those from Holyrood Bay. The smallest silver eel in the samples was 56.9 cm long, and all specimens were considered to be females because there are no records of males longer than 40 cm from Newfound land waters. Growth of silver eels from the two areas was compared with the growth of silver and yellow (immature) eels from the Topsail area (near S1.John's) in an earlier study. The size of the watersheds, inhabited by the eels prior to migration, may partly be reflected in the size of eels at the time of migration, because growth of eels was evidently faster in the area with the largest watershed than in the areas with smaller watersheds, probably reflecti ng variation in competition for food and space. Orbit diameter of silver eels from Newfoundland was larger than those of non-silver eels of the same size range from Lake Ontario, indicating that size of the eyes increases with onset of maturity.
The global Cauchy problem for a relativistic scalar field with power interaction

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Pre-clinical appraisal of “Dooshivishari Agada” for antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant activity: In vitro trial

Background: “Dooshivishari Agada” is one of the frequently prescribed herbomineral compound medications in a variety of ailments including venomous bites and stings in South India especially in Kerala. The compound preparation is a contribution of Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridayam, Uttaratantra, and chapter 35/39–40 which indicates are benefits and versatile applicability in various poisonous infectious insect bites. Materials and Methods: The present study was planned to explore the in vitro antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant activity of this formulation. Agar-well method was used for screening in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity. Zones of inhibition were observed in disc diffusion for antimicrobial investigation against selected standard bacterial strains of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Shigella, and fungal strains Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. Cefpodoxime and fluconazole were used as antibacterial and antifungal control with a concentration of 10 mg/ml, respectively, to compare the effects. Results: The formulation - “Dooshivishari Agada” showed an average zone of inhibition ranging from 17 to 33 mm suggesting its activeness against the tested microorganisms and confirmed its antimicrobial perspective. Antioxidant activity was calculated in terms of ascorbic acid which was observed as 10.91. Conclusion: Dooshivishari Agada undoubtedly exhibits its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant potentials. Precise and rational therapeutic application of this formulation will certainly prove beneficial.
The Distributive Impact of Fiscal Policy in Cameroon: Tax and Benefit Incidence

Most fiscal incidence studies neither analyze simultaneously the tax and benefit indicence (simply known as net fiscal incidence) nor actually relate poverty indices to fiscal impact. This paper jointly and separately examines the redistributive and poverty effects of the tax and transfer (education and health) systems in Cameroon. Broadly speaking, the tax system is generally progressive but less so when compared with the benefits of education and health. The net tax system is found to reduce inequality. Interestingly, while overall public spending on education and health are most progressive in rural areas, followed by semi-urban and urban areas, the opposite is true for tax incidence. Tax burden weighs more on the urban, followed by the rural and semi-urban, population. When we consider the two sets of policies together, they are found to mainly reflect fiscal policies in that they are more progressive and poverty-reducing when we use relative poverty lines in rural areas, followed by semi-urban and urban areas, respectively. Though we also realized a poverty-increasing effect of the net tax system using absolute poverty lines, the poverty impact still remains minimal in the rural areas where poverty is high and inequality actually increased between 1996 and 2001 than in urban areas. Overall, the current government policy can help, however, by making sure that the tax burdens of the poor are nil or very low and that the composition and direction of public expenditures on education and health favor the poor.
Application of underpasses to expand nature reserves: responses of a critically endangered marsupial, the woylie, Bettongia penicillata

Despite the conservation benefits that it yields, fencing for conservation presents management challenges. One major problem is that populations in fenced reserves can increase beyond the carrying capacity of the area. This was a concern for a population of woylies, Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi at Whiteman Park’s fenced reserve in Western Australia. Two underpasses were constructed linking the original reserve to a larger, newly established fenced reserve to provide the resident woylies with opportunities for expansion. Underpasses were monitored with microchip readers and infrared cameras. Woylies were also tracked using GPS technology to determine if they would use the underpasses to disperse into the new area and if, in doing so, there would be a decrease in population density and associated expansion in home range size of woylies in the original reserve. The use of underpasses by woylies was clearly demonstrated with 1657 crossings by at least 51 individuals. Contrary to expectations most woylies used the underpasses to move between the two reserves, rather than permanently dispersing into the new area. Although there was an apparent decrease in population density from 3.4±0.8/ha (S.E.) to 1.36±0.08/ha (S.E.), only the core home range of males increased by 38% after the underpasses were opened. However, woylies using the underpass did shift their home ranges to incorporate the underpasses and parts of the second reserve. Findings from this study demonstrate that the use of underpasses to connect reserves separated by roads or other barriers is an effective method to manage populations limited in their expansion by natural or anthropogenic barriers.
Effect of Employee Focused Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives on Performance of Sugar Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

This paper sought to establish the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that target employees on the performance of sugar manufacturing firms in Kenya. Using a sample of two hundred and forty five employees from sugar manufacturing firms (n= 245), the study specifically examined the effect of provision of housing for employees, work safety arrangements, insurance of workers and motivation schemes on the performance of such firms over the years 2008 to 2012.The study employed descriptive causal survey research design. The study targeted a total of 2450 employees. A sample of 245 employees were selected through simple random to participate in the study. The research utilized both primary and secondary data collection instruments. Reliability and validity of the data collection tools was established through cronbach alpha test and expert analysis respectively. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools including mean, standard deviation, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of 95% confidence, Pearson Correlation Coefficient regression analysis were used and the results were presented in tables. The findings showed that there was that there is a positive statistically significant linear correlation between practicing employee oriented CSR activities and business performance of sugar manufacturing firms in Kenya. On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that managers, investors of sugar manufacturing firms as well as the interested parties in sugar firms should proactively utilise employee oriented CSR activities to improve employee performance as well as the performance of the sugar firms.
Genetic variation of Oratosquilla oratoria (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) across Hong Kong waters elucidated by mitochondrial DNA control region sequences

The population genetic structure of the mantis shrimp, Oratosquilla oratoria, in Hong Kong waters was determined using 923 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. Samples were collected from six localities including the open-waters and sheltered bays in both the eastern and western waters of Hong Kong. Twenty-seven haplotypes were detected in 99 individuals. A high overall haplotype diversity (h = 0.886), with a low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0026), was observed, and the haplotype minimum spanning network suggested that rapid expansion might have occurred among the total stomatopod population. Genetic homogeneity was observed over a meso-scale distance (80–100 km) whilst there were significant genetic differentiations between all pairs of the six samples. Partition of genetic variability based on hydrographic conditions did not reveal significant differentiations between: (1) eastern and western waters; and (2) open-waters and sheltered bays; but showed high levels of variation both within groups and within samples. Unexpectedly, genetic distance did not correlate with hydrographic distance among the samples. Results demonstrated a genetic patchiness pattern of O. oratoria in Hong Kong waters that may be attributable to the interplay between hydrographic conditions (e.g. salinity) and the species' life history traits.
Isolation and Identification of Oceanisphaera sp. JJM57 from Marine Red Algae Laurencia sp. (Ceramiales: Rhodomelaceae)

A taxonomic study was carried out to assess the phylogenetic characteristics of isolate JJM57 from marine red algae Laurencia sp. collected from intertidal zone in Jeju Island, South Korea. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that this isolate belongs to the genus Oceanisphaera. It shows 98.02% and 97.7% sequence similarity with Oceanisphera litoralis DSM 15406 T and Oceanisphera donghaensis KCTC 12522 T , respectively. Strain JJM57 is a Gram-negative, aerobic, moderately halophilic bacterium able to grow in different NaCl concentration ranges from 0.5 to 8.0% and at varying temperatures from 4 to 37℃. Sharing some of the physiological and biochemical properties with O. litoralis and O. donghaensis, JJM57 strain differs in the utilization of ethanol, proline, and alanine. The G+C contents of the strain JJM57 is 61.94 mol% and it is rich in C 16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C 15:0 2 -OH, C 16:0 , and C 18:1 ω7c fatty acids. The DNA-DNA relatedness data separates the strain JJM57 from other species such as O. litoralis and O. donghaensis. On the basis of these polyphasic evidences, present study proposed that strain JJM57 (=KCTC 22371 =AM983543 =CCUG 60764) represents a novel bacterial species of Oceanisphaera.
Operations in the context of urban mobility: Evaluating the Performance of the Deliveries to Small Retailers

This study aims to clarify the performance attributes of logistical service that retailers identify as more relevant to their suppliers’ distribution process in urban areas. And, this task was performed using the Stated Preference Technique, a tool not so widespread among operations management researchers. The research focused the small retail food stores in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, considering the complexity involved in the delivery of perishable and fragile foods. As result, the technique show us the relative importance of the attributes related to the service level, highlighting the high degree of relevance achieved by the attributes that define the service level. This means that gaps in services are not easily shadowed by compensatory practices of stock build-up, which are financially very burdensome or unviable in terms of storage area. This kind of approach may call attention to opportunities of improving buyer-supplier relationships and the management of these processes, as well as public issues. DOI: 10.12660/joscmv7n2p26-36 URL: http://dx.doi. org/10.12660/joscmv7n2p26-36
Waste-Load Allocation Model for Seasonal River Water Quality Management: Application of Sequential Dynamic Genetic Algorithms

In this paper, an extension of classical waste-load allocation models for river water quality management is presented to determine the monthly treatment or removal fraction of wastewater to evaporation ponds. The dimensionality of the problem, which is due to a large number of decision variables, is tackled by developing a new GA based optimization model, which is called a Sequential Dynamic Genetic Algorithm (SDGA). This is a deterministic multi-objective optimization model, which is linked to an unsteady water quality simulation model. The model minimizes the total losses incurred during the optimization time horizon, including the treatment or removal fraction costs and the costs associated with the deviation from water quality standards. The proposed model has been used for the water quality management and salinity reduction of the Karoon River in Iran. The results show the proposed model can effectively reduce the computational burden of the seasonal waste-load allocation problem. It is also shown that the seasonal waste-load allocation can significantly reduce the number and duration of standards violations.
From Housing Wealth to Mortgage Debt: The Emergence of Britain's Asset-Shaped Welfare State

Housing has been unjustifiably neglected in comparative welfare state research. The banking crisis of 2007–08, however, revealed how important housing, especially home ownership and the institutional structures of the mortgage market, has become to welfare state change. Securitisation of mortgages created a new circuit of global capital, while national mortgage markets became the conduit through which home owners were connected to this wave of globally sourced capital. In the UK, equity stored in owner-occupied property became much more fungible because of the very open/liberal mortgage market. As a result home owners began to ‘bank’ on their homes using it not only for consumption but increasingly as a financial safety net, a cushion against adversity and a means for securing access to privately supplied services and supporting their family's welfare needs across the life-course. This welfare state change – a move towards asset-based welfare – was historically and today remains underpinned by the emergence of the UK as a home-owning society.
Representation of the tropical stratospheric zonal wind in global atmospheric reanalyses

Abstract. This paper reports on a project to compare the representation of the monthly-mean zonal wind in the equatorial stratosphere among major global atmospheric reanalysis data sets. The degree of disagreement among the reanalyses is characterized by the standard deviation (SD) of the monthly-mean zonal wind and this depends on latitude, longitude, height, and the phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). At each height the SD displays a prominent equatorial maximum, indicating the particularly challenging nature of the reanalysis problem in the low-latitude stratosphere. At 50–70 hPa the geographical distributions of SD are closely related to the density of radiosonde observations. The largest SD values are over the central Pacific, where few in situ observations are available. At 10–20 hPa the spread among the reanalyses and differences with in situ observations both depend significantly on the QBO phase. Notably the easterly-to-westerly phase transitions in all the reanalyses except MERRA are delayed relative to those directly observed in Singapore. In addition, the timing of the easterly-to-westerly phase transitions displays considerable variability among the different reanalyses and this spread is much larger than for the timing of the westerly-to-easterly phase changes. The eddy component in the monthly-mean zonal wind near the Equator is dominated by zonal wavenumber 1 and 2 quasi-stationary planetary waves propagating from midlatitudes in the westerly phase of the QBO. There generally is considerable disagreement among the reanalyses in the details of the quasi-stationary waves near the Equator. At each level, there is a tendency for the agreement to be best near the longitude of Singapore, suggesting that the Singapore observations act as a strong constraint on all the reanalyses. Our measures of the quality of the reanalysis clearly show systematic improvement over the period considered (1979–2012). The SD among the reanalysis declines significantly over the record, although the geographical pattern of SD remains nearly constant.
Characteristics of Shark Bycatch Observed on Pelagic Longlines Off the Southeastern United States, 1992-2000

Data collected by fisheries observers aboard U.S. pelagic longline vessels were examined to quantify and describe elasmobranch bycatch off the southeastern U.S. coast (lat. 22°–35°N, long. 71°–82°W). From 1992 to 2000, 961 individual longline hauls were observed, during which 4,612 elasmobranchs (15% of the total catch) were documented. Of the 22 elasmobranch species observed, silky sharks, Carcharhinus falciformis, were numerically dominant (31.4% of the elasmobranch catch). The catch status of the animals (alive or dead) when the gear was retrieved varied widely depending on the species, with high mortalities seen for the commonly caught silky and night, C. signatus, sharks and low mortalities for rays (Dasyatidae and Mobulidae), blue, Prionace glauca; and tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier; sharks. Discard percentages also varied, ranging from low discards (27.6%) for shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, to high discards for blue (99.8%), tiger (98.5%), and rays (100%). Mean fork lengths indicated the majority of the observed by-catch — regardless of species — was immature, and significant quarterly variation in fork length was found for several species including silky; dusky, C. obscurus; night; scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini; oceanic whitetip, C. longimanus; and sandbar, C. plumbeus; sharks. While sex ratios overall were relatively even, blue, tiger, and scalloped hammerhead shark catches were heavily dominated by females. Bootstrap methods were used to generate yearly mean catch rates (catch per unit effort) and 95% confidence limits; catch rates were generally variable for most species, although regression analysis indicated significant trends for night, oceanic whitetip, and sandbar sharks. Analysis of variance indicated significant catch rate differences among quarters for silky, dusky, night, blue, oceanic whitetip, sandbar, and shortfin mako sharks.