Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neck-drooping Posture in Oriental White-Backed Vultures (Gyps bengalensis): An Unsuccessful Predictor of Mortality and Its Probable Role in Thermoregulation

ABSTRACT Populations of three Gyps vulture species in the Indian subcontinent have undergone recent rapid declines due to elevated mortality rates caused by diclofenac poisoning. Researchers have proposed that vultures adopt a previously-undescribed neck-drooping posture prior to death. Our study investigated two hypotheses: (1) neck drooping is temperature-dependent, (2) neck-drooping is indicative of poor health in Oriental White-backed Vultures (Gyps bengalensis) and is a prelude to death. Observations of neck-drooping were highly seasonal, with the majority of vultures observed neck-drooping in the hot season from April to October and no vultures observed neck-drooping during the cold months of December and January. Above a calculated threshold ambient temperature of 15.4°C (95% CI 9.9–22.5°C), there was a significant positive correlation between temperature and the proportion (expressed as an angular transformation) of vultures observed neck-drooping. Neck-drooping vultures were observed significantly more frequently with their back toward the sun with their head in their own shade than birds that were not neck-drooping, and vultures that were not neck-drooping were observed more frequently facing the sun than those neck-drooping. Together, these observations strongly suggest that neck-drooping posture has a role in thermoregulation. In contrast to the highly seasonal pattern of neck-drooping, mortality of vultures occurred in all months of the year. This finding indicates that neck-drooping has low specificity and sensitivity as an indicator of poor health and impending death in vultures.
Variation in the structure and development of foliar stomata in the Euphorbiaceae

The structure and ontogeny of foliar stomata were studied in 50 species of 28 genera belonging to 17 tribes of the family Euphorbiaceae. The epidermal cells are either polygonal, trapezoidal, or variously elongated in different directions and diffusely arranged. The epidermal anticlinal walls are either straight, arched or sinuous. The architecture of cuticular striations varies with species. The mature stomata are paracytic (most common), anisocytic, anomocytic and diacytic. Occasionally a stoma may be tetracytic, cyclocytic or with a single subsidiary cell. The ontogeny of paracytic stomata is mesogenous dolabrate or trilabrate, mesoperigenous dolabrate; that of diacytic stomata is mesogenous dolabrate, whereas that of anisocytic stomata is mesogenous trilabrate; rarely an anisocytic stoma may be mesoperigenous. Hemiparacytic stomata are mesoperigenous unilabrate; tetracytic stomata are mesoperigenous dolabrate and anomocytic stomata perigenous. Abnormalities encountered include four types of contiguous stomata, stomata with a single or both guard cells aborted and persistent stomatal initials. Cytoplasmic connections between the guard cells of two adjacent stomata or the guard cell of a stoma and an adjacent epidermal/subsidiary cell, or both types occurring in a species, were noticed. The stomatal development, distribution, diversity and basic stomatal type with reference to systematics are discussed.
DOES CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT AFFECT THE SINKING RATES OF MARINE DIATOMS? 1

We tested the hypothesis that positive relationships between sinking rate and irradiance were due to increases in cell density caused by accumulations of carbohydrate. In semicontinuous batch cultures of Thalassiosira weissflogii (Gru.) Fryxell el Hasle and Ditylum brightwellii (t. West) Grunow in Van Huerk, carbohydrate content was varied by growing cells under diel cycles of high or low light. Sinking rate was measured at the end of the light period and the end of the dark period, on live and heat‐killed cells. No positive correlations were found between sinking rate (which varied from – 0.060 to 0.13 m·d−1) and carbohydrate content (which varied from 10 to 950 pg · cell−1), indicating that accumulations of carbohydrate did not significantly affect sinking rate. There were no large diel variations in the sinking rate of T. weissflogii, but sinking rates of D. brightwellii grown under high light ranged from being negative (i.e. cells were floating) at the end of the light period to positive at the end of the dark period. This is the first report of positive buoyancy in vegetative D. brightwellii, a phenomenon that may only occur in D. brightwellii grown under diel cycles.
Laboratory evaluation of azadirachtin against the oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis L. (Dictyoptera, Blattellidae): Insecticidal activity and reproductive effects

In this work, the toxicity of azadirachtin applied topically at various doses (300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800 and 9000 ng/ insect) was evaluated against newly emerged adults of the oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis L. (Dictyoptera, Blattellidae) under laboratory conditions. Results show that treated insects exhibited toxic symptoms with a dose-dependent mortality. In a second series of experiments, the compound applied topically at its LD 50 and LD 90 on newly emerged female adults was investigated on ovarian growth during the first gonadotrophic cycle (0, 2, 4 and 6 days). Azadirachtin was found to reduce the number of oocytes per paired ovaries and the size of basal oocytes. Furthermore, the compound was examined on ovarian biochemical components. Biochemical data revealed a significant reduction of ovarian contents of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates with the two tested doses. The overall results suggest an interference of the compounds with the vitellogenesis.
Interactions among weed, insect, and common rust treatments in sweet corn

Abstract Treatment interactions affecting endemic populations of annual grass and broadleaf weeds, corn rootworm larvae (CRW), corn earworm (CEW), European corn borer (ECB), and common rust in sweet corn were investigated in three field studies near Arlington, WI, in 1996 and 1997. In all environments, weed biomass was affected only by the weed control treatments with cultivation resulting in the highest weed biomass. Corn root damage was affected only by the CRW insecticide treatments in the early- and late-planted environments in 1997 (E97 and L97). Both weed control and ear insect (CEW and ECB) control treatments affected corn ear damage by CEW and ECB. In E97 and L97, more insect ear damage occurred in plots with 1× herbicide treatments than in cultivation treatments. In L97, the ear insect treatment decreased ear damage 55% compared to untreated plots. The interaction between ear insect and weed control treatments affected the number of CEW found per 10 ears in L97. The interaction between hybrid rust and weed control treatments influenced common rust severity in all environments. A hybrid rust by CRW by ear insect treatment interaction also affected common rust severity in E97 and L97. ‘Jubilee’ hybrid (rust-susceptible) corn treated with both insecticides had greater common rust severity than nontreated Jubilee corn. Sweet corn yield was affected most by weed control in all environments, with the lowest yields occurring in cultivated plots. Sweet corn yield did not differ between the 1× and ⅓× herbicide treatments in all environments. The interaction among hybrid rust by CRW by ear insect treatments also affected yield in E97 and L97. An important component of this interaction was the CRW treatment, as sweet corn yield was higher in treated than nontreated plots. The interactions in this study indicate that the best chances for developing comprehensive thresholds for sweet corn pests in the Midwest are for CEW, ECB, and common rust. Nomenclature: Cyanazine; metolachlor; permethrin, (3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl ( ± ) - cis, trans -3- ( 2, 2-dichloroethenyl ) -2, 2-dimethylcyclopropane-carboxylate; tefluthrin, (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methylphenyl)methyl-(1α,3α)-(Z-(±)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate; common rust, Puccinia sorghi Schw. ; corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea Boddie; corn rootworm, Diabrotica spp. ; European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner; sweet corn, Zea mays L. ‘Heritage’, ‘Jubilee’.
Isolation, characterization and safety assessment of lactic acid bacterial isolates from fermented food products

India is traditionally rich in microbial diversity since ancient times. As the production and consumption of traditional fermented food products become increasingly relevant in the face of rapidly increasing population and food insecurity, more research and development to ensure the safety and nutritional quality of these fermented products is warranted. In addition to preservation, fermented foods can also have the added benefits of enhancing flavor, increased digestibility, improving nutritional and pharmacological values (Jeyaram et al., 2009). Lactic acid bacteria have contributed in increased volume of fermented foods worldwide especially in foods containing probiotics or health promoting bacteria. Probiotics are live microbial, dietary supplements or food ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the host by influencing the composition and metabolic activity of the flora of the gastrointestinal tract.
Heroes, Heroines and Everything in between: Challenging Gender and Sexuality Stereotypes in Children’s Entertainment Media, C. D. Reinhard and C. J. Olson (eds) (2017)

Review of: Heroes, Heroines and Everything in between: Challenging Gender and Sexuality Stereotypes in Children’s Entertainment Media, C. D. Reinhard and C. J. Olson (eds) (2017)Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 270 pp.,ISBN 978-1-49853-957-9, h/bk, $105.00ISBN 978-1-49853-957-9, eBook, $99.00
Improving enzymatic conversion of lignocellulose to platform sugars

Increasing demand and uncertain availability of fossil fuels urge us to find alternative resources available in large quantities especially for the petrol-based transportation sector. Lignocellulosic biomass, available worldwide in plant cell walls, is a promising alternative feedstock. It can be depolymerised to sugar monomers, which provide potential raw material for sugar platform-based production of fuels and chemicals. However, the enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulose to platform sugars is hindered primarily by the complexity of lignocellulosic substrates as well as by the performance of the hydrolytic enzymes involved. This study focuses on various rate limiting factors such as the decrease in the reactivity and accessibility of the substrates which slow down the hydrolysis, on auxiliary enzymes needed for the efficient solubilisation of cellulose, as well as on the adsorption of enzymes. Consequently, solutions to these limitations were sought to improve the efficiency of biomass conversion processes. Following the morphological and structural changes in the substrate during hydrolysis revealed that the average crystal size and crystallinity of cellulose remained constant while particle size generally decreased (Paper I). In particular, cellulose microfibrils were proposed to be hydrolysed one-by-one in fibre aggregates by peeling off cellulose chains layer-by-layer from the outer crystals of microfibril aggregates. Microscopic observation showed that almost intact particles remained in the residue even after 60% conversion. Lignocellulose is a complex network of lignin and polysaccharides. Lignin was found to impede the hydrolysis of cellulose, and its extensive removal doubled the conversion yields of softwood (Paper II). On the other hand, accumulation of lignin during hydrolysis did not affect hydrolysability by commercial cellulase preparations. Residual hemicelluloses, especially glucomannan, were resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis but could be removed together with lignin during delignification. This suggests that especially glucomannans are bound to lignin as lignin-carbohydrate complexes. In addition, cellulose, xylan and glucomannan were shown to be structurally interlinked in softwood (Paper IV). The hydrolysis yield of these polysaccharides remained below 50% without the simultaneous hydrolysis of all polysaccharides. Synergism between the solubilisation of cellulose and hemicelluloses was found, and the release of glucose, xylose and mannose was in linear correlation. The adsorption and desorption of enzymes were followed during hydrolysis (Paper III). After a quick initial adsorption, slow desorption and re-adsorption of enzymes was observed in alkaline delignified spruce. On the other hand, unproductive adsorption to lignin as well as enzyme inactivation was predicted to play a
Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Predictors of Disability in a Cohort of Jordanian Patients with the First Ischemic Stroke

Objective To identify the risk factors, etiologies, length of stay, severity, and predictors of disability among patients with the first ischemic stroke in Jordan. Methods A retrospective cohort study of 142 patients who were admitted to the Neurology Department at King Abdullah University Hospital between July/2017 and March/2018 with a first ischemic stroke. Etiology was classified according to the TOAST criteria. Severity was represented by NIHSS score, disability by mRS score, and prolonged length of stay as hospitalizations more than 75th percentile of the cohort's median length of stay. Analysis of the sample demographics and descriptive statistics were done, including frequencies of prevalence of independent variables (risk factors) and frequencies of stroke and etiology work-up. Chi-square and univariate analysis of variance “ANOVA” were used to investigate the relationship between risk factors and type of stroke. Finally, logistic regression analysis was used to measure the contribution of each of the independent variables. IRB approval was obtained as necessary. Results The mean age for the cohort was 66.5 years. The most common risk factors were hypertension (78.8%), diabetes mellitus (60.5%), and ischemic heart disease (29.4%). The most common stroke etiology was small-vessel occlusion (54.2%). Median length of stay was 4 days. Prolonged length of stay was observed in 23.23% of patients, which was associated with several factors, the most common of which were persistent dysphagia (57.5%), nosocomial infection (39.3%), and combined dysphagia and nosocomial infection (21.2%). The mean admission NIHSS score was 7.94, and on discharge was 5.76. In-hospital mortality was 2.81%, while 50% of patients had a favorable outcome on discharge (mRS score between 0-2). The mean discharge mRS score for the cohort was 2.47 (SD ± 1.79). Large artery atherosclerosis was associated with the highest residual disability with a mean score of 3.67 (SD ± 1.88), while the stroke of undetermined etiology was associated with the lowest residual disability with a mean score of 1.60 (SD ± 1.78). Significant predictors of mRS score were smoking (t 3.24, P < 0.001), age (t 1.98, P < 0.049), and NIHSS score (t 9.979, P 0.000). Conclusion Ischemic strokes have different etiologies that are associated with different levels of impact on the patient's clinical status and prognosis. Large artery atherosclerosis was associated with the highest residual disability. Regarding predictors of prognosis, current smoking status, age above 50, gender, and NIHSS on admission appear to be the strongest predictors of prognosis. Finally, higher NIHSS score on admission resulted in a longer hospital stay.
Variation in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Composition of Persian Walnut

The variation in polyunsaturat ed fatty acid content of walnut (Juglans regia L.) oils was determined by analysis of samples isolated from specimens growing in four germplasm collections (California (55 cultivars), Wash- ington (64 seedlings), China (12 cultivars), and France (20 cultivars)). In addition, the impact of within-state geo- graphic differences on oil composition was examined by comparing samples from three California cultivars ('Ashley', 'Hartley', and 'Franquette') grown in three locations. Local environmental effects on oil composition of 'Chico' were also examined by comparing 1) samples collected from shaded and sun-exposed locations of the same trees and 2) samples collected from trees subjected to three irrigation regimes. Polyunsaturated fatty acid content, as a percentage of total fatty acids, ranged from 47.2% in nuts from PI 142323 from France to 81.0% in 'Ashley' from California. However, our data indicate that environment, genotype, nut maturity, and their interactions all contribute signifi- cantly to variation in the degree of unsaturation of walnut oil. The walnut's tendency for rancidification is probably related to the high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids found in walnut oil. The kernel is ≈65% oil, on a dry-weight basis, although this figure varies year to year (Greve and Labavitch, 1985). Of the fatty acids in walnut oil, as much as 90% is comprised of linoleic plus linolenic acids (C18:2 and C18:3, respectively) (Table 1, from Greve and Labavitch, 1985). These two polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in conjunction with naturally occurring enzyme systems (e.g., lipase and lipoxy- genase), have been shown to be contributors in the rancidifi- cation of various plant and animal oils (Davies et al., 1987; Karahadian and Lindsay, 1989; Rennie and Tanner, 1989; Rockland et al., 1961). Various workers have assumed that a reduction in the concentration of these (and other less promi- nent) PUFA in edible oils would lead to a significant stabili- zation of these commodities (Dahmer et al., 1989; Hammond and Fehr, 1981; Karahadian and Lindsay, 1989; Rennie and
A review on heliotropism plant: Helianthus annuus L.

Nowadays, plants are used as medicinal hub for the various disease treatments and as cosmeceuticals. Helianthus annuus L. is the source of various chemical constituents which are used for the treatment of many fatal or life threatening diseases. It is one of the best plants for the antimicrobial activity. The leaves of this plant are source of maximum photochemical then other parts like seeds, stem, flower etc. This review is a pharmaceutical and medicinal update on Helianthus annuus L.
The Masked Lipids of Nuclei

The histochemistry of masked lipids of chromosomes has been investigated with the aid of paper chromatographic procedures. At least three tightly bound associations of phospholipid with protein have been identified in calf thymus nucleohistone. Hence it seems likely that the ‘spurious’ reactions of nuclei and of nucleohistone, especially after extraction with lipid solvents, is a true indication of the increased availability of these closely linked phospholipids. Moreover, not more than about 10% of the material extracted by hot pyridine from calf thymus was fatty, the rest being watersoluble. After treatment of plant cells with hot trichloroacetic acid had produced increased staining with methods for demonstrating lipids, fatty matter could be extracted from the tissues. This demonstrates that the cells which gave the ‘spurious’ reaction did contain lipid. Hence it seems probable that extraction with solvents does not remove all lipids but may make those that remain more available for staining, so giving rise to what has been considered to be a spurious reaction. The nature of the binding of lipid to protein and the relevance of such complexes to histochemistry and the composition of nuclei are discussed.
Primary health care policy and vision for community pharmacy and pharmacists in Spain

From a political and governance perspective Spain is a decentralized country with 17 states [comunidades autónomas] resulting in a governmental structure similar to a federal state. The various state regional health services organizational and management structures are focused on caring for acute illnesses and are dominated by hospitals and technology. In a review by the Interstate Council, a body for intercommunication and cooperation between the state health care services and national government, there is a move to improve health care through an integrative approach between specialized care and primary care at the state level. Community pharmacy does not appear to have a major role in this review. Primary health care is becoming more important and leading the change to improve the roles of the health care teams. Primary care pharmacists as the rest of public health professionals are employed by the respective states and are considered public servants. Total health care expenditure is 9.0% of its GDP with the public health sector accounting for the 71% and the private sector 29% of this expenditure. Community pharmacy contracts with each state health administration for the supply and dispensing of medicines and a very limited number of services. There are approximately 22,000 community pharmacies and 52,000 community pharmacists for a population of 47 million people. All community pharmacies are privately owned with only pharmacists owning a single pharmacy. Pharmacy chain stores are not legally permitted. Community pharmacy practice is based on dispensing of medications and dealing with consumer minor symptoms and requests for nonprescription medications although extensive philosophical deep debates on the conceptual and practical development of new clinical services have resulted in national consensually agreed classifications, definitions and protocolized services. There are a few remunerated services in Spain and these are funded at state, provincial or municipal level. There are no health services approved or funded at a national level. Although the profession promulgates a patient orientated community pharmacy it appears to be reluctant to advocate for a change in the remuneration model. The profession as a whole should reflect on the role of community pharmacy and advocate for a change to practice that is patient orientated alongside the maintenance of its stance on being a medication supplier. The future strategic position of community pharmacy in Spain as a primary health care partner with government would then be enhanced.
Ecological and numerical analyses of plant communities of the most conserved protected area in North-Togo

The 36 statements obtained from sampling investigation in Galangashi protected areas (Northern Togo) were subjected to floristic processing and several multivariate analyses to study the overall plant diversity, to determine the distribution of life form and phytogeographic type; to identify and describe the main plant communities’ and the ligneous structure of these plant communities. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and hierarchical clustering was used for ordination and classification of samples to determine the plant groupings. The plant community was defined by indicator value such as fidelity and abundance. The results showed that four plant communities were discriminated from 36 statements. The statements were well distributed in the factorial plan form by axe 1 and 3 of DCA. The plant communities were distributed along the moisture gradient in the DCA ordination. The SudanoZambesian species followed by Sudanian species were the phytogeographic types most found. Moreover, micro-phanerophytes were the most represented life form. The diversity indices in both plant communities are well significant and indicate a good distribution of species in the area. In overall, the vegetation condition of the protected area is somehow disturbed while most of the plant communities are stable. These results confirmed the assertion that Galangashi ecosystem still presents a typology of less disturbed area.