Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C-Reactive Protein and Respiratory Viral Infection

호흡기 C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are not generally associated with viral infections. This study investigated the changes in the CRP level caused by an infection from respiratory virus (RV). Nasopharyngeal samples from hospitalized patients with suspected RV infection were used to measure the CRP levels, virus load, virus-virus co-infection, age, sex, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Abnormal CRP levels were detected in 62.3% (3,608 out of 5,788) of all RV-positive samples. The percentage of patients with abnormal CRP levels tended to increase with age. Furthermore, LOS in patients with abnormal CRP levels was significantly longer than that in patients with normal CRP levels. The frequency of elevated CRP levels differed according to the causative virus and the frequency of abnormal levels increased with age. Moreover, LOS was longer in those with abnormal CRP levels. These data provide important insights into the role of CRP levels in RV infection.
Influence of breed, season and age on quality bovine semen used for artificial insemination

The success or failure of artificial insemination starts with the quality status of semen used, hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of breed, season and year on bovine semen quality of the National Bull Stud of Rwanda kept at Masaka bull station, Rwanda. A total of 1475 semen samples were collected bi-weekly from nine bulls of Holstein Friesian (n = 3), Inyambo (n = 3) and Jersey (n = 3) breed using an artificial vagina. Semen volume, colour, concentration, mass motility, live sperm percentage and post-freeze motility were evaluated. Libido of the bulls at the time of semen collection was scored. Ejaculate volume, mass motility, individual motility, density and post freeze motility significantly differed (p < 0.05) among seasons of the year, bull breeds and age/year of collection. Friesian bulls had superior (p < 0.05) semen volume (5.76±0.08 ml) to that of Jersey (4.29±0.09 ml) and Inyambo (3.37±0.1 ml). However, Friesians had an inferior (p < 0.05) lighter coloured semen, with only 52.7% of Friesian samples having the preferred cream colour, as compared to 65.2% of Jersey and 64.9% of the Inyambo semen samples. Year of collection (2011 or 2012) and in essence age of the bull negatively affected (p < 0.05) all the parameters studied, with semen volume dropping from 5.16 to 5.10 ml, colour lightened from 62.8 to 54% of the samples being cream; mass motility fell from 2.98 to 2.65, while live sperm percentage in ejaculates dropped from 65 to 63%. Of the eight parameters studied, only post-freeze motility was not affected by passage of time. Semen collected during the October to December period had the best quality characteristics, though collections in the long rains (March to May) had comparable mass motility and post-freeze motility. Semen volume (4.61 ml per bull ejaculate) and post-freeze motility (39%) were poorest in the long dry season (January to February). In conclusion, the Friesian breed should be promoted at the bull station. Most semen should be collected during the rain season, particularly the short rains (October to November). Bulls below three years of age should be of focus. Key words: Cattle, mortality, seasonality, semen evaluation, pedigree bulls.
A SURVEY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF WELL WATER FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN BOSSO TOWN, NORTH CENTRAL, NIGERIA.

The importance of water cannot be over emphasised as it serves a vital role in sustaining the lives of living organisms especially human but is also a major route in the transmission of human diseases since certain pathogens which are capable of causing life-threatening disease survive in water. This study was carried out to determine the coliform contamination of public well water supplies within Bosso town. Ten (10) well water samples samples were aseptically collected from Bosso Town and analyzed using membrane filtration technique. The results obtained showed that all (100.0%) of the water samples from the well sources had coliform counts above 10cfu/100ml.The organisms isolated included species of Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Shigella, Clostridium, Bacillus, Yersinia, Serratia e.t. c. E.coli had the highest frequency of occurrence (24.4%) followed in descending order by Helicobacter pylori (13.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (10.0%), Salmonella typhi (8.9 %), Shigella flexneri(6.7%), Streptococcus faecalis (5.6%), Streptococcus pyogenes (5.6%), Campylobacter jenuni (4.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.4%), Bacillus subtilis (4.4%), Proteus mirabilis(4.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.3%), Proteus vulgaris (3.3%) and Yersinia enterocolitica (1.1%). This study reveals that well water samples were contaminated. This highlights the need for a continuous assessment of the quality of public water supply and intervention measures to prevent outbreak of water-borne diseases.
Nutritional Behavior, Morphogenesis Cycle and Sediment Consolidation Capabilities of the Calcareous Bacteria Derived from Coastal Marine Sediments

ABSTRACT Samples from stones and sediments of a coastal site in the Bay of Bengal (Indian Ocean) yielded as many as 39 new bacterial isolates capable of precipitating calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Molecular identification revealed that these bacteria belonged predominantly to the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Culture studies showed that nitrogen sources controlled the metabolic pathway of crystal precipitation, which was restricted to three reaction pathways, namely the deamination of amino acids, ureolytic nitrate reduction and dissimilatory nitrate reduction. The sequence of crystal morphogenesis clearly showed that bacterial precipitation of CaCO3 led to predominantly spherical structures with time. The present investigation provides the first demonstration of the bacterial contribution and mechanisms involved in the calcareous consolidation of stones and sediments by bacteria in the marine environment.
Decapod crustaceans of the littoral and shallow sublittoral Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf: Faunistics, Biodiversity and Zoogeography

A total of 150 species belonging to five infraorders (Caridea, Stenopodidea, Thalassinidea, Anomura and Brachyura) are recorded from the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf. About 17% (26 species) are new records for the area. The infraorder Brachyura shows the highest species richness with 83 species. The Anomura and Caridea, with 29 and 27 species, respectively, follow. The Thalassinidea is represented by 10 species, whereas Stenopodidea only by one. The species with the highest occurence are ranked as follows: Nanosesarma sarii Naderloo & Turkay, 2009 (Brachyura), Alpheus lobidens De Haan, 1850 (Caridea), Metopograpsus messor (Forskal, 1775) (Brachyura), Coenobita scaevola (Forskal, 1775) (Anomura), Diogenes avarus Heller, 1865 (Anomura), Pilumnopeus convexus Maccagno, 1936 (Brachyura) and Portunus segnis (Forskal, 1775) (Brachyura). Among the surveyed habitats, mixed rocky/cobble show the highest diversity with 99 (66%) recorded species, followed by sedimentary muddy-sandy substrates and mangroves with 40 (26%) and 24 species (16%), respectively. The least diverse habitat is sandy beaches with 6 species. The decapod fauna shows a predominance of wide ranging Indo-West Pacific species (43%) and a small degree of endemism (5%). A considerable number of species is restricted to the northwestern Indian Ocean (27%), supporting the presence of a zoogeographical subregion within the western Indian Ocean Province.
Allometric equations for yield predictions of enset (Ensete ventricosum) and khat (Catha edulis) grown in home gardens of southern Ethiopia

Enset is a large, single-stemmed perennial herbaceous plant domesticated as a staple food crop only in Ethiopia. Khat is a perennial plant cultivated for its economically important leaves and twigs that are the sources of stimulant when chewed. We address the issue of yield estimation of both crops, as they are important for the livelihoods of smallholders in the home garden systems in Southern Ethiopia and have received little attention so far. The objective of this study was to develop linear allometric models for estimating the edible (food and feed) and commercial yields of enset and khat plants, respectively. Data were collected from 20 enset and 100 khat plants. Diameter at 50-cm height (d50), pseudostem height (hp) and their combination were good predictor variables for the food products of enset with adjusted R2 values above 0.85, while d50, hp, edible pseudostem height (hep), total height (ht) and their combination were good predictor variables for the feed products of enset with adjusted R2 values above 0.70. For dwarf khat plants crown area (ca) combined with total height (ht) resulted in the best prediction with an adjusted R2 of 0.77, while the leaf and twig dry weight for tall khat plants was best predicted by ca with adjusted R2 of 0.43. In all cases linear models were used.
Prophylactic effect of Haslea ostrearia culture supernatant containing the pigment marennine to stabilize bivalve hatchery production

This paper explores the possibility of using the supernatant of Haslea ostrearia culture containing marennine, a natural microalgal pigment, as an antimicrobial in bivalve hatcheries. The blue mussel Mytilus edulis and the scallop Placopecten magellanicus were used as model animals, and the pathogenic marine bacteria Vibrio splendidus was used to induce larval mortality. The hypothesis tested was that V. splendidus pathogenicity in larval rearings can be controlled by using marennine-containing culture supernatants. The effect of three marennine concentrations was tested on a larval rearing over 20 days for M. edulis and 9 days for P. magellanicus. At a low dose (0.1 mg L-1), survival and physiological condition were both higher than in the control. In bacterial challenges, larvae were exposed to V. splendidus for 72 h, with or without marennine. The bacterial challenge caused significant mortality when compared to controls, while the marennine-treated larvae showed significantly higher survival. Results show that marennine is an interesting molecule for pathogen control in hatcheries as it is active at low concentrations and significantly enhanced larval survival and physiological condition. -- Keywords : Bivalve hatcheries ; microalgal by-products ; Haslea ostrearia ; Mytilus edulis ; Placopecten magellanicus ; Vibrio splendidus.
Growth, Yield, Efficiency, and Fruit Quality of Five Navel Orange Clones During 4 Years

Clone 7 can increase three-fold the production of navel oranges in Puerto Rico. Clone 7 produced 293 fruits per tree. The number and weight of fruits per tree increased with age, whereas the size and fruit weight, navel volume and peel weight diminished. Growth measurements such as rootstock and scion diameter, scion/rootstock ratio, canopy diameter, tree height, and canopy volume are not as good parameters for the selection of navel orange clones as the number of fruits per m 3 of canopy volume. Screening for varieties according to yield revealed that clones 5 and 7 were the most productive and that they should be recommended to the citrus growers. Clones 5 and 7 also had the highest Brix and acidity values, and an intermediate pH, which contribute to an appropriate Brix/acid ratio, typical of the high quality of these navel clones. The smallest fruits had significantly the highest juice percentage.
Evaluation of antibacterial activity of essential oil from Algerian Pistacia lentiscus resin

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the resin of Pistacia lentiscus against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram–positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli (Gram–negative bacteria). The agar disc diffusion method was used for microbial growth inhibition at various dilutions of the oils. Results showed that the tested essential oils possess antibacterial activity against S. aureus but inactive on E. coli. These results may have significant implications for the future development of resin oils of P. lentiscus as an antimicrobial agent for the treatment of the infections caused by S. aureus.
An Efficient γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Producing and Nitrite Reducing Ability of Lactobacillus plantarum BC114 Isolated from Chinese Paocai

Some γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) producing and nitrite reducing lactic acid bacteria were isolated from Sichuan paocai, a Chinese traditional fermented vegetable. Determination of GABA and sodium nitrite residue was carried out by thin layer chromatography combined with HPLC and colorimetric analysis, respectively. It was found that BC114 strain which was identified and designated as Lactobacillus plantarum BC114 possessed the highest GABA producing and nitrite degradation capacity in MRS broth with 5 g/L monosodium glutamate (MSG) and 100 mg/L sodium nitrite. Then, GABA production and nitrite degradation ability were enhanced by optimizing culture conditions, such as time, pH, temperature and MSG concentration. The greatest yield (3.45 g/L) of GABA was determined after 72 h fermentation in MRS with 20 g/L MSG at 30°C and initial pH 5.5. Furthermore, nitrite degradation ability reached the maximum value of 90.17%. These results suggested that L. plantarum BC114 with GABA producing and nitrite reducing ability has the potential to be starter culture and promote the development of functional fermented foods.
Influence of roasting on the chemopreventive potential of macadamia nuts

Background: Due to their content of dietary fiber , the consumption of macadamia nuts may help to reduce the risk for colon cancer development. Methods: To examine potential chemopreventive effects of macadamia nuts and to study the influence of different roasting conditions (R), raw and roasted macadamia nuts (R1=138.9°C/25 min, R2=160.1°C/15 min and R3=170.7°C/13 min) were subjected to in vitro digestion and fermentation. LT97 colon adenoma cells were incubated with fermentation supernatants (FS) and cell growth and apoptosis as well as gene expression of CAT, SOD2, GPx1 and GSTP1 were examined. Results: Macadamia nut FS decreased the growth of adenoma cells in a timeand dose-dependent manner. FS obtained from macadamia nuts significantly increased caspase-3 activity (up to 3.8-fold), particularly at a concentration of 5% in comparison to the respective blank control. In particular, FS obtained from raw macadamia nuts increased mRNA levels of SOD2 (up to 1.6-fold) and GSTP1 (up to 1.9-fold) in comparison to the fermentation blank control. The roasting process had no direct impact on the mentioned effects. Conclusion: The present study indicates that macadamia nuts exhibit chemopreventive effects regarding the risk for colon cancer development which are largely unaffected by the state of roasting.
On the Roles of Membrane Channels in Plant Mineral Nutrition and Toxicity

The study of plant mineral nutrition and toxicity has made major strides recently, particularly at the level of molecular genetics. Arguably, however, this has been at the expense of “classical” physiology, which is of concern because critical physiological examinations of cellular and molecular models in planta are needed if extrapolations of these models to “real-world” (fieldlevel) conditions are to be made. This is particularly urgent in the face of increasing environmental degradation and global food demands. To this end, the preset work explores the physiological role of membrane channels in higher-plant nutrition and toxicology, building upon foundational work in nutritional physiology and applying the important new discoveries in the areas of molecular-genetics and electrophysiology. Combining radioisotopic (K and NH3/ NH4 ) flux kinetics and compartmentation analyses with techniques in electrophysiology, mutant analysis, gas exchange, fluorescence imaging and tracing, and tissue mineral-content analysis, this work investigates the involvement of inwardand outwardrectifying Shaker-like K channels (KIR and KOR, respectively), nonselective cation channels (NSCCs), and aquaporins (AQPs), in K and NH3/NH4 + transport under conditions of both stress (low K, salinity, and ammonium toxicity) and non-stress, in the intact plant. Efflux analyses showed that KOR channels mediate K efflux in barley roots only at low external [K] (<1 mM),
Insetos galhadores associados à família Burseraceae da reserva florestal Ducke, Manaus, Amazonoas, Brasil

O presente estudo objetivou inventariar e caracterizar as galhas de insetos associadas a Burseraceae na Reserva Florestal Ducke, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. Foram realizadas coletas mensais de janeiro a junho de 2009. As especies de Burseraceae estavam previamente identificadas, mapeadas e sinalizadas na Reserva. As galhas coletadas foram levadas ao laboratorio para a emergencia dos adultos, verificacao da abundância e entomofauna associada. Foram encontrados 98 morfotipos de galhas associados a 15 especies de Burseraceae, todas em Protium. A maioria das galhas ocorreu nas folhas, porem tambem foram observadas galhas em peciolo. Protium divaricatum apresentou a maior riqueza de galhas com 17 morfotipos. A abundância de galhas por foliolo variou de 1 a 220. A abundância das galhas variou com o morfotipo de galha e a especie de Protium, sendo que P. nitidifolium e P. altsonii tiveram as maiores abundâncias em janeiro e junho, respectivamente. Representantes de Diptera e Hemiptera foram os que induziram galhas em Protium na Reserva. Cecidomyiidae foi a familia dominante dentre os galhadores. A fauna associada foi composta de inquilinos, predadores e parasitoides representados por Diptera, Hymenoptera e Thysanoptera. Os Hymenoptera, composto por 8 familias, compuseram a fauna de parasitoides. O estudo confirma a elevada riqueza de insetos galhadores presente em ecossistemas amazonicos, evidenciada pela elevada quantidade de galhas encontradas associadas a apenas um genero de planta na Reserva Florestal Ducke.
Factors Influencing Students ’Academic Performance in Mathematics

This paper attempts to compare students ’academic performance in mathematics on the basis of their level of mathematics anxiety. Moreover, students ’IQand SES are known to influence their academic performance in mathematics. Fence students ’IQand SES are included as control variables whose effect from academic performance in mathematics was removed statistically and then it was compared on the basis of the level of students ’mathematics anxiety was studied. The participants of the study included 703 students of standard 8th from S.S. C board schools. Mathematics anxiety was measured using Mathematics Anxiety Scale (MARS-I) by Karimi (2008). Students ’final examination marks in mathematics subject were considered as academic performance scores of mathematics. Results indicated that there is a significant difference in academic performance of students by mathematics anxiety. There is no significant difference in academic performance of students by mathematics anxiety when an effect of IQhas been removed statistically. This implies that the difference in students ’academic performance in mathematics on the basis of their mathematics anxiety arose on account of their IQrather than their mathematics anxiety. There is significant difference in academ ic performance of students by mathematics anxiety when effect of SES has been removed statistically. It may be concluded that the academic performance of students with low mathematics anxiety is significantly greater than that of students with moderate mathematics anxiety after controlling for their SES. The findings of the study would enable teachers to develop programmes to facilitate academic performance of students from different SES backgrounds and with different levels of IQ
Thermal acclimation of leaf respiration as a way to reduce source-sink imbalance at low temperature in Erythronium americanum , a spring ephemeral

Many spring geophytes exhibit greater growth at colder than at warmer temperatures. Previous studies have suggested that there is less disequilibrium between source and sink activity at low temperature, which delays leaf senescence and leads to higher accumulation of biomass in the perennial organ. We hypothesize that dark respiration acclimates to temperature at both leaf and bulb level, mainly via the alternative pathway, as a way to reduce source-sink imbalance. Erythronium americanum was grown under three temperature regimes, 8/6 °C, 12/8 °C and 18/14 °C (day/night). Plant respiratory rates were measured at both growth and common temperature to determine whether differences were due to direct effects of temperature on respiratory rates or to acclimation. Leaf dark respiration exhibited homeostasis, which together with lower assimilation at low growth temperature, most likely reduced the quantity of C available for translocation to the bulb. No temperature acclimation was visible at the sink lev.
POPULATION STUDIES OF Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton ON SOME COMMERCIAL ROOTSTOCKS OF CITRUS UNDER NURSERY CONDITIONS

Population studies of Phyllocnisris citrella revealed two peaks in April and September, coinciding with ﬂushes on all commercial rootstocks in the nursery from seedling to budling stage. There was no significant correlation between the population and weather factors irrespective of the rootstock. Rough lemon strain Jatti Khatti was more susceptible to leaf-miner injury.
Morphological characterization of pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes stored in Albanian genebank

Study for characterization of genetic diversity present in the pea germplasm stored in Albanian genebank was carried out in the Experimental Field of Agriculture University of Tirana during three growing seasons (2010, 2011, and 2012). The study analyzed 12 local pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes of different origins for 23 quantitative morphological characters and had the objective to characterize and select those with favourable characteristics for use in breeding programs. ANOVA, PCA and cluster analysis reveal considerable extent of diversity, and the association among different traits. Most of the quantitative morphological characters showed significant differences among important agro economic traits. Cluster analysis for morphological data divide the whole pea genotypes into three groups in respect of genetic diversity and similarity among pea accessions of different origin. Relationships analysis between the morphological characters and pea genotypes using Principal Coordinates' analyses show that there are nine morphological characters with larger values in PC1 that account for 57.4% of total variance. The study identifies traits with agronomic interest which account for genetic diversity and the demarcation of distinguishable morphological groups which will facilitate the maintenance and agronomic evaluation of the collections.