Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinico-epidemiological profile of patients with microbial keratitis in Kashmir valley

Purpose: This study was undertaken to provide information on the clinico-epidemiological profile of patients clinically suspected with bacterial and fungal keratitis, who were admitted in the Ophthalmology unit of a tertiary center during a 2 year period. Methods: This is a prospective study of all the patients who were admitted in the eye ward of Government Medical College Srinagar (India) between September 2010 and September 2012. 100 patients of bacterial and fungal corneal keratitis without any history of preexisting ocular or systemic disease were included in the study. All patients were assessed, admitted and completely evaluated in hospital and managed accordingly. Corneal ulcer scrapings were taken at presentation, at the Department of Microbiology. Results: Maximum numbers of patients among males (61.90%) were agricultural workers and among females, 81.08% were housewives. It was seen that majority of patients (79%) presented within 1st week of onset of symptoms and among them growth was seen in 64.6%. Growth was seen in 32cases (72.72%) out of 44 cases who gave a history of trauma whereas growth was seen in 36 cases (64.28%) who did not give a clear history of trauma. Conclusion: Bacterial and fungal keratitis in Kashmir is more prevalent in rural areas, with men being more at risk of developing the disease. There is a seasonal variation in the incidence of the disease; higher cases being reported during the harvesting season. Trauma with organic or vegetable matter is a common preceding factor. Microbiological studies should preferably be carried out in all cases.
The determination of flesh productivity and protein components of some fish species after hot smoking

Chemical changes in pike perch (Sander lucioperca L Kottelat 1997), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss WALBAUM 1792) and eel (Anguilla anguilla L 1766) after hot smoking were investigated. Some differences in water, protein, lipid, ash and carbohydrate contents of the fish were established as significant (P < 0.01). The flesh productivity of fresh eel and pike perch was found to be very high. Differences in group averages of total microprotein content of fresh, smoked and stored eel, rainbow trout and pike perch were found to be significant (P < 0.01). Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis, 18 protein bands in rainbow trout, 12 bands in pike perch and 14 bands in eel were determined. Most of the bands disappeared after smoking and storage owing to denaturation of the fish proteins. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
A taxonomic revision of the Procryptocerus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Central America

The Central American species of the Neotropical ant genus Procryptocerus Emery, 1887 (Myrmicinae, Cephalotini), are revised, with a worker-based key to species and individual accounts for 14 species. Species accounts include distribution, habitat affinities, nesting habits, and, in some cases, descriptions of nest contents. The following taxonomic changes are made: P. reichenspergeri Santschi, 1921, is synonymized under P. mayri Forel, 1899; P. convexus Forel, 1904, is raised to species; P. impressus Forel, 1899, is removed from synonymy and raised to species; and P. laeviventris Forel, 1899, is transferred from synonymy under P. carbonarius to synonymy under P. batesi. Four new species are described: P. eladio, P. kempfi, P. nalini, and P. tortuguero. RESUMEN. Las especies de América Central del género Neotropical de hormigas Procryptocerus Emery, 1887 (Myrmicinae, Cephalotini), son revisadas, con una clave de especies y citas de 14 especies. Las citas de especies incluyen distribución, afinidades de hábitat, hábitos de anidamiento, y, en algunos casos, descriptiones del los contenidos del nido. Se hacen los siguientes cambios taxonómicos: P. reichenspergeri Santschi, 1921 es sinonimizado con P. mayi Forel, 1899; P. convexus Forel, 1904 es elevado a especie; P. impressus Forel, 1899 es retirado de sinonimia y elevado a especie; y P. laeviventris Forel, 1899 es transferido de sinonimia bajo P. carbonarius a sinonimia bajo P. batesi. Se describen cuatro especies nuevas: P. eladio, P. kempfi, P. nalini, y P. tortuguero.
Planting date affects phenology of London rocket (Sisymbrium irio) and interaction with beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus)

Abstract London rocket is a common winter annual weed in southern New Mexico that can host beet curly top virus and its insect vector, the beet leafhopper. Experiments were conducted in southern New Mexico to determine if London rocket could serve as a host for overwintering beet leafhopper. Field experiments were carried out from 2002 to 2003 and from 2003 to 2004 to compare the impact of three London rocket planting dates on plant emergence and life history and leafhopper survival. Emergence was highest in October-planted London rocket, low in January/February plantings, and did not occur for August plantings. The life cycle was 185 d and 125 d for October- and January-planted London rocket, respectively, and growth of the plant (including height and rosette base diameter) was greater for London rocket that was planted in October. October-planted London rocket survived from late October through mid to late April, the period of time needed to serve as an overwintering host for beet leafhoppers. Caging the plants to assess beet leafhopper survival did not affect rate of plant growth, but it reduced the time to flowering for October-planted London rocket and increased the height and weight of plants. Beet leafhoppers were able to survive for approximately 2 mo in early winter or spring on caged London rocket plants. Nomenclature: London rocket, Sisymbrium irio L. SSYIR; beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus (Baker); beet curly top virus, Curtovirus.
Impact of long-term organic and inorganic nutrient managements on the biological properties and eubacterial community diversity of the Indian semi-arid Alfisol

Intensive cropping with limited nutrient management options in low fertile semi-arid tropical soils will have agricultural sustainability problems in future. A better understanding of soil variables as influenced by long-term nutrient amendments could lead to the identification of more precise indicators to monitor soil fertility that would promote sustainability. Long-term nutrient experiment in semi-arid Alfisol at Coimbatore, India was investigated in two successive years, 2009 and 2010 to assess the enduring effects of organic (OM) and inorganic (IC) nutrient managements on soil variables. The organic amendments induced higher microbial population and enzyme activity compared to IC and control soils. The principal component analysis of observed variables revealed that soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity and diazotrophs population could be the possible indicators for predicting soil fertility resulting from long-term nutrient managements. The eubacterial community profile assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequence polymorphism revealed that the abundance and relative ratio of phyla belonging to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria and Firmicutes were considerably affected due to either organic manures or inorganic fertilizers, and organic nutrient management favours bacterial community diversity. These results emphasize the importance of organic nutrient management to maintain soil biological properties in semi-arid Alfisol.
A taxonomic review of the Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) of Thailand

Ninety series of rhinotermitid termites were collected from 19 localities distributed across much of Thailand, and compared with specimens deposited in the NHML. Eleven species belonging to five genera of Rhinotermitidae are recorded from Thailand. Three species of two genera, Reticulitermes (Reticulitermes assamensis) and Parrhinotermes (Parrhinotermes microdentiformisoides and Parrhinotermes buttelreepeni), are new records from Thailand. Keys to the genera and species based on the soldier caste are given. Soldiers of all species are illustrated and morphological measurements are given.
Chemical transformation of copper in some sludge-amended soils

In a laboratory incubation study, the periodic changes in different chemical fractions of copper (Cu) in three sludge-amended soil types (acidic sandy clay loam, neutral clay loam and alkaline clay loam) of varying soil reaction were monitored under field capacity and flooding moisture regime over 16 months. The water soluble and exchangeable fraction of Cu was very low (≤1% of total Cu) in all three soil types. At the end of incubation (16 months), the sodium acetate extractable (carbonate sorbed)- and residual-Cu fractions transformed into Fe-Mn oxide fraction, irrespective of moisture regime in all three soil types. However, the extent of transformation varied among soils.
A New Stilbene from Cercis chinensis Bunge

Abstract: To study new natural products, we used ODS (YMC, Kyoto, Japan) and silica gel column chromatography to separate compounds in Cercis chinensis Bunge (Leguminosae). A new stilbene, trans-3, 5, 3′, 4′-tetrahydroxy-4-methylstilbene (1), along with 10 known compounds, namely piceatannol (2), dihydromyricetin (3), catechin (4), dihydrorobinetin (5), menisdaurin (6), lithospermoside (7), teatannin (8), dasycarponin (9), β-sitosterol (10), and daucosterin (11), was isolated from C. chinensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Compounds 2–6 and 9 were isolated from the genus Cercis Linn. for the first time. (Managing editor: Wei)
BEHAVIOR OF THE OREGON MUD CRAB, HEMIGRAPSUS OREGONENSIS (DANA) (BRACHYURA, GRAPSIDAE)

Among the crustaceans studied, the behavior of true crabs is the most varied and complex. The variety of behavior exhibited in brachyuran families was briefly described by Sch? ne (1968), while Stevcic (1971) attributed such diversity and complexity to centralization of the nervous system during brachyuran evolution. Unfortunately, relatively few behavioral accounts exist for brachyurans despite the abundance of crab species and the opportunity for comparative studies of their behavior and ecology. The genus Uca of family Ocypodidae has received the most ethological attention. Crane's (1975) comprehensive study of genus Uca provided comparisons of behavior, ecology and morphology among species of fiddler crabs, and focused primarily on the major chela and its use during courtship and aggression. Acoustic communication by fiddler crabs was investigated by Salmon (1965, 1967) and Salmon & Atsaides (1968, 1969). Numerous other investigations provide evidence for the behavioral complexity found in the genus Uca; e.g., Langdon (unpubl.) studied shape discrimination and learning by Uca pugilat or (Bosc), and Zucker (1974) reported that males of Uca terpsichores Crane build shelters over burrow entrances to reduce territorial aggression during peak courtship periods. Behavioral reports for ocypodid crabs outside genus Uca, however, are scarce (Hughes, 1966; Linsenmair, 1967; Griffin, 1968). Except for the more recent studies of fiddler crabs, quantitative investigations of behavioral organization and causal relationships have been reported for only one species of aquatic crab from each of the families Potamidae, Majidae and Por tunidae. Vannini & Sardini (1971) examined aggression and the linear dominance hierarchies established by Potamon fluviatile (Herbst) (family Potamidae). Para meters of agonistic behavior (e.g., stereotypy, releasing postures, and the effects of size, sex, etc.) for the spider crab Microphrys bicornutus (Latreille) (family Maji dae) were quantified by Hazlett (1972a, b) and Hazlett & Estabrook (1974). Jachowski (1974) quantified the performance of agonistic action patterns for the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun (family Portunidae), during intraspecific encounters and model presentation experiments. Such quantification is needed for accurate assignment of functions to action patterns. Publication of complete and
EFFECT OF COMPLETE DRY COW TREATMENT ON MASTITIS CONTROL IN DAIRY CATTLE

Data on 297 cows which received complete dry cow treatment and subsequently calved were used in this study. At drying-off, 7.7% of the quarters were infected. Among the mastitic pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 75% of the infected quarters. About 92% of the infected quarters were cured with dry cow treatment and 6% of the quarters had new infections during dry period. It appears that dry cow treatment is an effective means of eliminating Staphylococcus aureus infections. Key words: Mastitis, dry cow treatment, dairy cattle
Helminthes parasites of rodents caught around human habitats in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria

Out of 112 rodents caught from three different locations in the University of Jos premises, 66(58.93%) were positive for helminth parasites. The prevalence rates of helminth parasites in the four species of rodents caught were 82.53% in Xerus erythropus (ground squirrel) 38.30% in Thryonomys swinderianus (cane rat) 70.00% in Rattus rattus (Black rat) and 75.00% in Cricetomys gambianus (Gambian giant rat). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the prevalence rates of the helminthes in the different rodent species. Four groups of helminthes, a trematode species, two species of cestodes, four species of nematodes and one species of an acanthocephalan were encountered in the rodents. The prevalence rates for the respective groups of helminthes were 11.61%, 25.00%, 33.93%, and 8.93%. The worm burdens per infected host were 1.85, 9.57, 10.47 and 8.90 for the trematode, cestodes, nematodes and acanthocephalan respectively. The prevalence rates of the different helminth parasites were 11.61, 15.18, 13.39, 18.75, 17.86, 16.96, 1.79 and 8.93% for Gastrodiscus, Hymenolepis nana, H. dimunita, Oesophagostomum, Cyathostomum, Trichuris, Ascaris and Macrocanthorhynchus respectively. Twenty (52.63%) of the 38 male rodents studied and 46(62.16%) of the 74 female rodents were infected by the helminth parasites whose prevalence rates in the male ranged from 0.00% to 15.97% and 2.70% to 22.97% in the female rodents. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the prevalence rates of the helminth parasites in both sexes of the rodents. The public health significance of the helminth parasites is discussed. Animal Production Research Avancees Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 6-12
Responses of great tits Parus major to small tortoiseshells Aglais urticae in feeding trials; evidence of aposematism

Abstract. 1. The small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) is one of several red‐coloured butterflies and moths that are active in early spring in Norway. It has been suggested that tortoiseshells may be warningly coloured and unpalatable to birds, however no experiments have been carried out to test this hypothesis.
First Record of Two Euplotes Ciliates (Ciliophora: Spirotrichea: Euplotida) from Korea

Two marine euplotid ciliates, i.e. Euplotes cristatus Kahl, 1932 and E. minuta Yocom, 1930, were collected from the public waterfront of Incheon on the Yellow Sea and from the Songjeong Beach, Busan, in the Strait of Korea, respectively. These two species were verified as unrecorded species in Korea. These species were described based on live observation, protargol impregnation, and silver nitrate impregnation. In addition, the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences of the two species were compared with previously known sequences of the Euplotes species. Euplotes cristatus has an elongated oval form, size in vivo of 60-84×38- 68 μm, 35-50 adoral zone of membranelles (AZM), 10 frontoventral cirri (FVC), 5 transverse cirri (TC), 4-5 caudal cirri (CC), 8 dorsal kineties (DK), 10-16 dorsal cilia of middle DK, and silverline system of single-vannus type. Euplotes minuta has a small ovoid form (44-53×26-35 μm in vivo), 31-41 AZM, 10 FVC, 5 TC, 4 CC, 9 DK, 10-12 dorsal cilia of middle DK, and silverline system of single-vannus type.
Configuration of the digestive tube as an aid to identification of worker Termitidae (Isoptera)

Abstract. The appearance of the digestive tube in situ is shown to be valuable in the identification of worker termites, particularly those of detritus and soil feeding species. Genera, and sometimes species, can be identified by this character. These preliminary findings will be of assistance to termite ecologists interested in population studies, where problems of the identification of mixed samples containing workers from cores or other soil samples are a serious problem.
Identification, Analysis, and Removal of Geosmin from Muddy-Flavored Trout

Geosmin has been isolated and identified, using gas-chromatographic, mass-spectrometric and organoleptic analysis, as the principal compound responsible for the muddy flavor in fish from various saline lakes in western Canada. A method for quantitative estimation of geosmin has been described and evaluated. Placing of muddy-flavored rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) in clean water resulted in reduction of flavor to the borderline level between 3 and 5 days, and of geosmin concentration from 1.1 to 0.3 μg/100 g of flesh in 14 days. The taste threshold level of geosmin was estimated to be 0.6 μg/100 g flesh.
Establishment of target and invasive plant species on a reclaimed coal mining dump in relation to their occurrence in the surroundings

The spontaneous establishment of plants on reclaimed spoil heaps and the relationship between their establishment and the occurrence of those same species in the surroundings were studied along the edge of a post-mining site. The study area extended 6.2 km around the perimeter. Study plots 100 × 100 m were situated both inside and outside the edge. Vascular plants considered as target and alien species were recorded in each plot using a semi-quantitative abundance scale. There were 90 target and 16 alien species recorded as spontaneously occurring outside and/or inside the edge. Of this number, 19 (i.e. 21%) target species were recorded outside the mine and four (5%) target species were recorded only on the heaps. Thus, 67 (74%) were common to both the surroundings and the post-mining site, suggesting that about two-thirds of the target species were able to colonise the post-mining site from the surrounding environs within 13–15 years since reclamation. Ordination analysis indicates that vegetation outside and inside the edge does not differ significantly. Colonisation clearly was supported by the fact that the reclamation was not done in a monotonous way, but rather emphasising a mosaic of woodland and grassland patches.
Additional records of eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki (Girard, 1859) for the River Ebro basin (Spain)

Since the first authorised introductions to Spain in 1921 of the Eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki (Girard, 1859), this North American freshwater fish species has invaded large parts of several Iberian basins. For the River Ebro basin, we report 24 new records of this exotic species between 2005 and 2007 which represents a considerable expansion. Potential negative implications for aquatic invertebrate and fish communities are discussed.
Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of thermotolerant Campylobacter strains in retail raw meat products in Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Campylobacter jejuni/coli are frequent causes of diarrhea in humans worldwide originating in foods of animal origin mainly from poultry. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of thermotolerant Campylobacter strains in retail raw meat products. Methods: During a 4-month period from November 2006 to April 2007, a total of 540 raw meat samples were collected from beef (n=227), sheep (n=114), goat (n=92), chicken (n=60) and pork (n=47) and analyzed for Campylobacter spp. Results: Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 50 (9.3%) out of 540 meat samples. The highest prevalence (21.7%) was recorded in chicken meat, followed by sheep meat (10.5%), pork meat (8.5%), goat meat (7.6%) and beef (6.2%). Among the isolates, 39 (78%) were identified to be C. jejuni, 9 (18%) were C. coli and 2 (4%) were C. lari. Lower resistance rates (2-6%) were observed for amoxicillin, chloramphenicol and erythromycin than (10-20%) for ampicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin and tetracycline. Multidrug resistance to two or more drugs was detected in 20% of strains. Conclusion: Raw meat from food animals could serve as potential source of campylobacter, indicating possible risks of infection to people through the consumption of raw/under-cooked meat. Low percentages of resistance to most antimicrobial agents tested in this study may be the indirect result of low/no usage of these agents as a growth promoter or treatment in food animals in the Ethiopian animal farm setting. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2008;22(2):195200]
Responses of litter‐dwelling arthropods and house mice to beech seeding in the Orongorongo Valley, New Zealand

This study investigates further the possibility that eruptions of house mice in forests of southern beech (Nothofagus spp) in New Zealand after mast seedings are triggered by increases in the populations of some arthropods, especially Lepidoptera larvae and spiders that are common foods of mice, rather than by the beech seed It reports on a 5‐year study of arthropods of the forest floor in hard beech and silver beech forest in the Orongorongo Valley, near Wellington, in relation to (1) litter and seedfall, and (2) the numbers and diet of mice Litter‐feeding larvae of Lepidoptera in both the litter and fermentation layers of the forest floor feed on the fallen male flowers of beech, and most species were more common after heavy flowering of the beeches A few of the common spiders (including Miturga sp , the main spider eaten by mice) were also more abundant after beech seeding Analysis of the long‐term records of hard beech seeding, numbers of mice, and numbers of adults of the moth Gymnobathra tholodella (Oecophondae) showed that the number of mice was positively correlated with both the number of beech seeds and the number of moths These results indicate a more complex web of interactions in beech forest than was earlier suggested, but because the intensity of flowering in spring largely determines the numbers of both Lepidoptera larvae and beech seeds, the role of each in the population increase of mice can not be determined