Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increasing farmers and breeders access to yam (Dioscorea spp) diversity: The case of Forest-Savannah Transition Agroecology

A study was conducted in five yam-growing communities in the Forest Transition Agroecological Zone of Ghana to identify cultivated yam varieties, their distribution and intensity of cultivation and to document the rate and causes of landrace germplasm loss. Generally, the cultivated varieties ranged from 9 to 16 with a mean of 12. The most diversity was found in Sankore (Asunafo South District), followed by Sampa in the Jaman North District, Asantekwa in the Kintampo District, Ejura in the Ejura-Sekyedumase and Mim in the Atebubu/Amantin Districts with 16, 15, 12, 11 and 9 cultivated varieties respectively. Dioscorea rotundata is most widely cultivated species of yam followed by Dioscorea alata, Dioscorea cayenensis, Dioscorea praehensilis and Dioscorea bulbifera respectively. Factors such as good culinary characteristics, high yield, seed generation capacity, good storage characteristics and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses were important criteria for selection of variety. The market and utilization were major determinants of continual cultivation of a variety or its neglect. Key words: Agro-morphological, cultural, environmental, Ghana, technological.
Treatment of capture myopathy in shorebirds: a successful trial in northwestern Australia

Abstract Shorebirds held during banding activities can develop muscle cramps, especially when temperatures are high and birds are heavy. Such capture myopathy can be fatal or render birds vulnerable to predators. We rehabilitated Great Knots (Calidris tenuirostris), Red Knots (C. canutus), Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica), and Red-necked Stints (C. ruficollis) in northwestern Australia. We kept birds in slings (if cramped) or in a small cage (if able to walk) and gave them daily standing exercises. Recovery of severely cramped birds took up to 14 d, which may reflect a critical period of tissue regeneration. Of 15 knots (8 Red and 7 Great) taken into captivity, 12 were rehabilitated and released. The resighting rate after the breeding season of the rehabilitated birds was the same as for other birds color-banded during our research, indicating that the rehabilitation was successful. We conclude that rehabilitating cramped shorebirds is possible though time-consuming. A sex bias in susceptibility to capture myopathy is suggested by seven of the eight Red Knots treated being male; the sex ratio in the local population was 1:1.
Relationship between depressive symptomatology and cognitive performance in older people

Abstract Objective: To analyze the relationship of depressive symptoms with differentiated components of cognitive function in older adults using the Neuronorma.Co protocol. Methodology: We analyzed the cognitive performance of 144 adults, 58.3% women, with an average age of 68.1 ± 11.2 years. A factor analysis of main components was performed to identify independent factors of cognitive function. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the type and strength of association between depressive symptoms and neurocognitive performance components. Results: Seven differentiated components of cognitive performance were identified. In the multivariate analysis, interference control and language were affected by the total score on the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. Conclusions: The presence and intensity of depressive symptoms is associated with a lower performance in tasks dependent on executive control.
Prescription drugs use during pregnancy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The selection of safe drugs for pregnant women in developing countries, such as Ethiopia, where there are limited options of drugs would be challenging. Hence, the aim of this review was to determine the extent of prescribed drugs use and their potential to cause fetal harm among pregnant women in Ethiopia based on the United States Food and Drug Administration risk category. Methods: Relevant studies were identified through systematic searches conducted in PubMed, HINARI, Google Scholar and Researchgate. Data on study characteristics and outcomes were extracted using the format developed in Microsoft Excel. The primary measure was pooled prevalence of prescription drugs use during pregnancy. The I2 index was used to assess heterogeneity among studies. The presence of publication bias across studies was evaluated using funnel plot. A random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence. Results: A total of nine studies published between 2013 and 2019 were included. The pooled prevalence of prescription drugs during pregnancy, excluding minerals and vitamins, was 45.9 (95%CI: 29.3, 62.5)%. The pooled prevalence of prescription drug use, including minerals and vitamins, was 86.9 (95%CI: 81.2, 92.6)%. The pooled proportion of medications used based on the United States Food and Drug Administration risk category was 56.1 (95%CI: 43.0, 68.4)%, 29.0 (95%CI: 27.9, 30.1)%, 12.1 (95%CI: 7.9, 18.1)%, 4.1 (95%CI: 3.6, 4.6)%, and 2.5 (95%CI: 1.8, 3.6)% for the United States Food and Drug Administration fetal risk category “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” and “X,” respectively. Conclusion: The use of prescription drugs during pregnancy, excluding supplements, in Ethiopia was high. Drugs with evidence of fetal harm were widely used. Hence, health care providers should select relatively safe drugs. Stakeholders should ensure safe prescribing practice for pregnant women through developing guidelines and updating professionals on the fetal risk status of commonly prescribed drugs.
Factors Associated with Untreated Depression Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients at Halaba Kulito Hospital, South Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Depressed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (T2DM) show poorer compliance with treatment and self-care recommendations than non-depressed T2DM patients. This contributes to poor prognosis and accelerates diabetic-related complications including poor glucose regulation, diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and escalated healthcare expenditure. Objective This study aimed to determine the magnitude of untreated depression and associated factors among people living with T2DM at outpatient diabetic clinic in Halaba Kulito General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Methods Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 1 to December 15, 2019 at Halaba Kulito Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. We collected data by face-to-face interview with patient record review. A total of 418 type 2 diabetic patients were systematically selected and interviewed using a pretested structured questionnaire. We used a composite score of nine-items Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression status. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize respondents’ background characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify associated factors with the outcome variable. Levels of significance were set at 5% (P<0.05). Results The finding depicted that 120 (29.3% with 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 25.0%, 34.0%) study participants satisfied diagnostic criteria for depression disorder. After controlling for confounding effect, we identified being hypertensive (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 5.66; 95% CI: 3.24, 9.86), having no child (AOR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.88, 5.86), and poor glycemic control (AOR = 6.23; 95% CI: 3.65, 10.54) as risk factors for untreated depression among people with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion Findings of this study indicate that untreated depression among type 2 diabetic patients is high. Poor glycemic control, not having a child and having hypertension were among significantly associated factors with depression. These results suggest much need for interventions, including strong medication adherence and self-care activities such as exercise or healthful diet for optimal glycemic control.
Novel Strategies for the Control of Planthoppers of Rice and Taro

Taro and rice form a major part of the staple diet of Papua New Guineans but the sustainability of these crops in the Pacific region is constrained by insect pests. A novel approach to control pests of taro and rice would be to develop genetically modified plants expressing foreign genes with insecticidal properties. Insect feeding trials were conducted in vitro to determine the effects of plant lectins against planthopper pests of taro and rice. Lectins were incorporated into an artificial diet at 0.1% concentration (wt/vol). The lectins Galanthus nivalis agglutinin and concanavalin A had significant antimetabolic effects on third instar nymphs of taro planthopper ( Tarophagous proserpina Kirkaldy), whilst Pisum sativum agglutinin showed no significant effects against the insect. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus agglutinin (PTA) showed significant antimetabolic effects on third instar nymphs of rice brown planthopper ( Nilaparvata lugens Stal) when incorporated into an artificial diet at 0.1% concentration. PTA also reduced levels of honeydew excretion by rice brown planthopper over a 24-hour period, demonstrating the antifeedant properties of the protein.
Management of Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) of the Most Perishable Fruits

We investigated to minimize the dependency on the use of chemicals and thus develop safe and environmental friendly control program for the most perishable fruits i.e., apple,‘ber’, guava and mango. Our findings on the composition of fruit fly species reveal that Bactrocera dorsalis was dominant on apple (33.96% existence), Corpomya incompleta on‘ber’(51.91% existence) and Bactrocera zonata on guava (49.62% existence) and mango (74.66% existence). The correlation between population and infestation percentage was non‐significant in apple orchards, whereas positive and highly significant in between population and infestation, as well as on the cumulative basis in‘ber’, guava and mango orchards during 1998‐1999. Hoeing, baiting and methyl eugenol were statistically equal resulting about 77% decrease in infestation. The maximum control of 91.68% was observed where all four‐control operations including Dipterex® were integrated together. Weather factors, when computed together, had maximum effect on population fluctuation and infestation with rainfall contributing the major role. For guava fruits, the months of August (14.06A individuals/trap/day) and September (13.81A individuals/trap/day) were important, resulting in maximum infestation percentage of 10.76 to 14.74%, respectively.
Weed Hosts of Root-Knot Nematodes and Their Distribution in Fiji

Abstract Weeds can act as reservoir hosts of a range of pests and diseases. Information and knowledge on the host status of weeds to common pests and diseases can be used to develop integrated weed and pest management strategies. As part of a survey on the distribution and diversity of root-knot nematodes on crops in Fiji, the root-knot nematode host status of weeds was also studied. Weeds growing in root-knot nematode infested farms (n = 189) and bioassay pot soil samples (n = 277) were identified, and their host status was determined on the basis of a root gall and egg-mass index scale from 0 to 5. A total of 45 weed species were recorded as potential weed hosts of root-knot nematodes with a gall index from 1 to 5. Using the weed and tomato bioassay method, a total of 11 nonhost weed species were recorded with a gall index of 0, relative to infected tomato growing in pot soil samples. Common weeds infected by root-knot nematodes on farms and in bioassay pot soil included slender amaranth, old world diamond-flower, tropic ageratum, sicklepod, mimbra, balsamapple, purple bushbean, little ironweed, ivy gourd, and cutleaf groundcherry. The presence of egg masses on the weed hosts indicated their ability to sustain root-knot nematode populations and, thus, their potential to act as reservoir hosts. Nomenclature: Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne Göldi; balsamapple, Momordica charantia L. ; cutleaf groundcherry, Physalis angulata L. ; ivy gourd, Coccinia grandis (L.) J. Voigt; little ironweed, Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob. ; old world diamond-flower, Oldenlandia corymbosa L. ; purple bushbean, Macroptilium atropurpureum (Moc. & Sesse ex DC.) Urb. ; seedbox, Ludwigia hyssopifolia (G. Don) Excell apud A. R. Fernandes; sicklepod, Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barnaby; slender amaranth, Amaranthus viridus L. ; tropic ageratum, Ageratum conyzoides L. ; garden tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L.
Antimicrobial stewardship programs; a two-part narrative review of step-wise design and issues of controversy Part I: step-wise design of an antimicrobial stewardship program

Regardless of one’s opinion of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs), it is hardly possible to work in hospital care and not be exposed to the term or its practical effects. Despite the term being relatively new, the number of publications in the field is vast, including several excellent reviews of general and specific aspects. Work in antimicrobial stewardship is complex, and includes not only aspects of infectious disease and microbiology, but also of epidemiology, genetics, behavioural psychology, systems science, economics and ethics, to name a few. This review aims to take several of these aspects and the scientific evidence of antimicrobial stewardship studies and merge them into two questions: How should we design ASPs based on what we know today? And which are the most essential unanswered questions regarding antimicrobial stewardship on a broader scale? This narrative review is written in two separate parts aiming to provide answers to the two questions. This first part is written as a step-wise approach to designing a stewardship intervention based on the pillars of unmet need, feasibility, scientific evidence and necessary core elements. It is written mainly as a guide to someone new to the field. It is sorted into five distinct steps: (a) focusing on designing aims; (b) assessing performance and local barriers to rational antimicrobial use; (c) deciding on intervention technique; (d) practical, tailored design including core element inclusion; and (e) evaluation and sustainability. The second part, published separately, formulates ten critical questions on controversies in the field of antimicrobial stewardship. It is aimed at clinicians and researchers with stewardship experience and strives to promote discussion, not to provide answers.
An economic assessment of the impact of grazing land condition on livestock performance in tropical woodlands

Beef cattle grazing is the dominant economic use of the tropical woodlands of northern Australia. Land condition has declined over a large part of the region as a result of over-utilisation of pastures through poor management of grazing, fire and vegetation. While often assumed to be the case, there is little empirical evidence to support a link between deteriorating land condition and reduced economic outcomes for livestock production. A model of a representative livestock enterprise near Charters Towers in northern Queensland is used in conjunction with a simulation of 100 trials that is consistent with long-term rainfall in the region to examine the relationship between stocking rates, animal production and economic outcomes. The present study supports a view that ecological and economic outcomes of grazing management do have some general linkages. However, the linkages are less direct than suggested by common definitions of resource degradation and simple stocking rate models. Key economic parameters include the reproductive performance of breeding herds, the level and duration of supplementary feeding required to meet seasonal feed shortages under different land condition and stocking rate regimes, and additional capital invested in larger herds when stocking rates are increased. An overgrazing spiral is hypothesised whereby there is a short-term economic incentive to exploit the natural capital of land in good condition by grazing at relatively high stocking rates. Should land condition deteriorate, a much lower stocking rate is warranted. In an extreme case of a shift to very poor land condition, there is limited scope for profitable production. The 100 year mean values of many production variables for good and moderate condition land for the range of stocking rates trialled are similar. The inherent variation in climatic conditions in the woodlands region and the ability and skills of managers may lead to the actual differences in these measures passing un-noticed before major land resource problems become apparent.
Mechanism of Carotenoid Accumulation in Citrus Fruit

Citrus is a complex source of carotenoids with the largest number of carotenoids found in any fruit. Carotenoid concentration and composition vary greatly among citrus varieties. Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) predominantly accumulates β-cryptoxanthin in the juice sacs. Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) predominantly accumulates violaxanthin isomers in the juice sacs. Lisbon lemon (Citrus limon Burm.f.) accumulates low level of carotenoids in the juice sacs. To elucidate the carotenoid accumulation in citrus fruit maturation, the expression of genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis and catabolism was investigated in the three citrus varieties exhibited different carotenoid profile. The results showed that the carotenoid accumulation during citrus fruit maturation is highly regulated by the coordination of the expression for the genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis and catabolism in both flavedo and juice sacs. ‘Tamami’ is a hybrid between ‘Kiyomi’ tangor (Citrus unshiu Marc. × Citrus sinensis Osbeck) and ‘Wilking’ mandarin (Citrus nobilis Lour. × Citrus deliciosa Ten.). To elucidate the mechanism of the accumulation of β-cryptoxanthin in ‘Tamami’, a variety accumulating higher β-cryptoxanthin than Satsuma mandarin, the expression of genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis and catabolism was investigated in the juice sacs of ‘Tamami’. The results showed that the mechanism of β-cryptoxanthin accumulation in ‘Tamami’ was similar to that in Satsuma mandarin. Furthermore, in the recent studies, possible factors, which regulate carotenoid concentration and composition in citrus juice sacs were investigated in vitro.
On the High Complexity of Petri Nets ω -Languages

We prove that ω -languages of (non-deterministic) Petri nets and ω -languages of (non-deterministic) Turing machines have the same topological complexity: the Borel and Wadge hierarchies of the class of ω -languages of (non-deterministic) Petri nets are equal to the Borel and Wadge hierarchies of the class of ω -languages of (non-deterministic) Turing machines. We also show that it is highly undecidable to determine the topological complexity of a Petri net ω -language. Moreover, we infer from the proofs of the above results that the equivalence and the inclusion problems for ω -languages of Petri nets are Π 12 -complete, hence also highly undecidable.
Studies on Neotropical Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) IV. Examples of Dual Sex-Limited Mimicry inChirodamus

In the previous paper of this series (Evans, I968), I described several cases of dual sex-limited mimicry in the genus Chirodamus and mentioned that certain species of Austrochares also. exhibit this phenomenon. Since the situation is somewhat different rom that prevailing in Chir’odamus, and since I had previously stated (1966) that Austrochares as originally conceived by Banks (I947) was diphyletic, it seems desirable to clarify this matter further. Austrochares was based upon gastricug Spinola and properly includes this species and tour others; this genus is closely related to Episyron, Poecilopompilus, and 8ericopompilus. The remaining species placed in the genus by Banks are much more clo.sely related to Anoplius and Pompilus and are properly assignable to the genus Dicranoplius Haupt (I95O). I hope to review Dicranoplius in the next paper o.f this series. The cases of dual mimicry occur in Austrochares as here restricted, and not in Dicranoplius. As in the instances of dual mimicry I described in Chiroda.mus, the females belong to a Miillerian mimetic complex principally involving solitary wasps, while the males appear to be Batesian elements in a large mimetic complex centering around certain social wasps. Both complexes happen to be. different than in Chirodamus, but I assume that similar . selection pressures have been operative. The females evidently spend most of their time on the ground hunting for spiders and have evolved a color pattern ot black and rufous like that of a great many solitary wasps occurring in the same situations (e.g. Dicranoplius s’atanus) (Figs. 2, 4), while the males spend most of their time flying in low vegetation in company with the workers of various social Vespidae. In this instance the model of the males is undoubtedly Polybia occidentalis Olivier and its complex of sibling species (partially resolved by Richards, I95I). Bequaert (1944) speaks of occidentalis (that is, of the complex) as "the most common social wasp of tropical America". The males are black except for conspicuous yellow spots on the scutellum and metanotum, a yellow margin on the pronotum,
Aplicação de cromatografia centrífuga de contra-corrente na purificação de ácido ursólico das folhas de Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.

Triterpene acids are common metabolites in the Myrtaceae family, especially in the genus Eugenia. Ursolic acid was found in Eugenia brasiliensis collected in Southeastern Brazil. A previous solvent partition of the ethanol or chloroform extracts of the leavesof E. brasiliensis, followed by rapid high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) afforded ursolic acid in high purity (> 97%). This compound was also purified apart by conventional column chromatography (yield of 0.22% from the ethanolic extract) and characterized by 13C-NMR, GC-MS and co-injection of its methyl ester with standards in GC-FID. The HSCCC technique, usually applied to triterpene glycosides, was here applied successfully to an aglycone, to which examples are rarely described. The mobile and stationary phase for the HSCCC experiment were derived from the two-phase solvent system composed by n-hexane : ethyl acetate : methanol : water in the proportion of 10:5:2.5:1. The choice of the developing solvent system for optimum HSCCC separation was determined by TLC coupled to densitometric measurements of ursolic acid in both stationary and mobile phase, generated by the upper and lower layer of the system above. Commercial ursolic acid was used as standard.
Prey stage preference and functional and numerical responses of Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to eggs of Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

Abstract Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is a polyphagous pest widely dispersed worldwide and a particular threat to crops from the Arecaceae family. Control measures are still being evaluated in recently invaded countries. A possible control strategy for this pest is the use of predatory mites. A recent study has suggested Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a potential biological control agent of R. indica. In the present study we determined the prey stage preference of N. barkeri when offered different stages of R. indica besides its functional response and numerical over its prey stage preferred. The predatory mite N. barkeri showed a marked preference for eggs over other stages of the prey. The regression analysis indicated that the predatory mite N. barkeri exhibited a Type II functional response. The prey density needed to start the oviposition was 10 R. indica eggs. The number of eggs laid by N. barkeri females increased with an increase in the prey density and tended to stabilize when prey availability was greater than 80 R. indica eggs, with average oviposition of 2 eggs/female. Our study suggests that N. barkeri shows potential to reduce populations of R. indica, especially at low prey densities. However, further studies are needed to investigate whether R. indica supports the development of immature stages of N. barkeri.