Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Assessement of Oyibo River in Ehime Mbano, Imo State

The physico-chemical and bacteriological assessement of Oyibo river, Ehime Mbano, was carried out between 2011 and 2012. Considering the communities that make use of this river for different purposes, water samples were collected from four differ ent sampling points along the river and subjected to physico -chemical and bacteriological analyses. Pour plate metho d was adopted to determine total heterotrophic bacteria, and membrane filtration technique, for total coliforms and E. coli counts. Standard procedures for water analysis by APHA were adopted for the determination of physical and chemical parameters. Atomi c Absorption Spectrophptometer (AAS) was used to analyze for heavy metals. The average values of total heterotrophic bacteria were 5.8 x 10 3 cfu/ml and 1.51 x 10 3 cfu/ml for rainy and dry seasons respectively. Average values for total coliforms and E. coli counts were 33.75 cfu/100ml and 6 cfu/100ml for rainy season, and 17.38 cfu/100ml and 4 cfu/100ml for dry season. Bacterial isolates included E. coli, Salmonella spp, Lactobacilli spp, Klebsiella spp, Staphylococcus spp, Proteus spp, and Pseudomonas spp. In all the water samples, the pH values ranged from 6.04 – 6.52. Average values of total hardness for rainy and dry seasons were 5.90mg/l and 5. 43mg/l respectively. The concentrations of nitrate, phosphate, chloride, and sulphate ranged from 0.00 – 16.40mg/l; 0.01 – 1.24mg/l; 0.13 – 0.35mg/l; 0.00 – 15.95mg/l respectively. Average COD, BOD and DO values were 5.63mg/l, 2.07mg/l, and 3.17mg/l in dry season, and 9.24mg/l, 1.77mg/l, and 4.26mg/l in rainy season. The values of heavy metals during the rains were within the range of 0.0008ppm – 1.5605ppm, but 0.0001ppm – 0.0339ppm, in dry season. There were no significant differences in some bacteriological and chemical properties with season, but the physical parameters such as dept h, flow rate, pH, and turbidity were, at p ˂ 0.05. The study revealed that Oyibo River is not safe for drinking (inasmuch as it serves as source of drinking water for some communities), unless subjected to appropriate treatment.
Investigation into the Usage of Solvent for Extracting Neem Oil from Neem Seed for Industrial Application

Neem oil was extracted using food grade ethanol in an agitated pilot scale solvent extractor. The maximum percentage yield was 36.86% and was obtained when flat blade turbine impeller was operated at 84 rpm for 40 minutes contact time at 50oC extraction temperature and particle size of 0.425 – 0.710mm. The Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometer result shows the composition of the extracted neem oil to be 40.41% oleic acid, 27.65% stearic acid, 25.36% palmitic acid, 3.90% octanal, 1.23% elaidic acid, 0.97% lactone and 0.48% methyl stearate,. This percent composition compares favourably with standard values. The composition of the neem oil suggests its application for industrial usage. The properties of the neem oil extracted were found to be: specific gravity, 0.9111; pH, 6.5; refractive index, 1.4668; iodine value, 70.21g/g; acid value, 34.33mgKOH/g and Saponification value, 180.95 mgKOH/g. These values compare favourably with standard values. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014. v3n5p39
Study on Spectral Response and Estimation of Grassland Plants Dust Retention Based on Hyperspectral Data

Accurate monitoring of plant dust retention can provide a basis for dust pollution control and environmental protection. The aims of this study were to analyze the spectral response features of grassland plants to mining dust and to predict the spatial distribution of dust retention using hyperspectral data. The dust retention content was determined by an electronic analytical balance and a leaf area meter. The leaf reflectance spectrum was measured by a handheld hyperspectral camera, and the airborne hyperspectral data were obtained using an imaging spectrometer. We analyzed the difference between the leaf spectral before and after dust removal. The sensitive spectra of dust retention on the leaf- and the canopy-scale were determined through two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS). The competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) algorithm was applied to select the feature bands of canopy dust retention. The estimation model of canopy dust retention was built through random forest regression (RFR), and the dust distribution map was obtained based on the airborne hyperspectral image. The results showed that dust retention enhanced the spectral reflectance of leaves in the visible wavelength but weakened the reflectance in the near-infrared wavelength. Caused by the canopy structure and multiple scattering, a slight difference in the sensitive spectra on dust retention existed between the canopy and leaves. Similarly, the sensitive spectra of leaves and the canopy were closely related to dust and plant physiological parameters. The estimation model constructed through 2DCOS-CARS-RFR showed higher precision, compared with genetic algorithm-random forest regression (GA-RFR) and simulated annealing algorithm-random forest regression (SAA-RFR). Spatially, the amount of canopy dust increased and then decreased with increasing distance from the mining area, reaching a maximum within 300–500 m. This study not only demonstrated the importance of extracting feature bands based on the response of plant physical and chemical parameters to dust, but also laid a foundation for the rapid and non-destructive monitoring of grassland plant dust retention.
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF THE RAZOR CLAM Solen regularis DUNKER, 1862 IN THE WESTERN PART OF SARAWAK, MALAYSIA, BASED ON GONADAL CONDITION INDEX

Razor clam or ‘ambal’ is a highly-priced bivalve collected as food source from several intertidal areas located in western Sarawak, which currently is an unregulated fishery. This study monitored the reproductive cycle of razor clam, Solen regularis, collected from the intertidal beaches of Asajaya Laut and Buntal using gonadal condition index (GCI). Sampling was performed at a two-weeks interval or monthly for two years from March 2007 to February 2009. A total of 30 specimens were dissected per sampling. The male gonads appeared beige in colour while female gonads were whitish. Throughout the study, the mean GCI ranged from 0.000 (± 0.000) to 0.247 (± 0.077) at Asajaya Laut and 0.000 (± 0.000) to 0.253 (± 0.079) at Buntal. Based on the mean GCI pattern, it is concluded that this razor clams has five stages of reproductive cycle as follows; i) gonadal development, ii) maturation, iii) spawning, iv) spent, and v) resting period. Spawning period for both sites was similar, from end of March-April to September and followed by a short spent stage from end of September-October to November and a resting period from end of October-November to January in the following year. The results obtained in this study could provide important knowledge in determining the spawning season which will benefit razor clam fishery for sustainable management and potential species for aquaculture in future.
Contribution to the identification of Cladosporium species in the North of Iran

In a taxonomic survey on Cladosporium species in Iran, 35 specimens were collected from different substrates of various localities in Guilan (N. Iran) during 2011–12. Seven species viz. C. cladosporioides s. str. , C. oxysporum, C. halotolerans, C. perangustum, C. pseudocladosporioides, C. sphaerospermum, and C. tenuissimum are identified and the latter five species are new records to Iran.
Porphyromonas gingivalis Fimbriae Use β2Integrin (CD11/CD18) on Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages as a Cellular Receptor, and the CD18 β Chain Plays a Functional Role in Fimbrial Signaling

ABSTRACT In this study, we demonstrate that Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae use molecules of β2 integrin (CD11/CD18) on mouse peritoneal macrophages as cellular receptors and also show that the β chain (CD18) may play a functional role in signalling for the fimbria-induced expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genes in the cells. Using a binding assay with 125I-labeled fimbriae, we observed that fimbrial binding to the macrophages was inhibited by treatment with CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, or CD18 antibody but not by that with CD29 antibody. Western blot assays showed that the fimbriae bound to molecules of β2 integrin (CD11/CD18) on the macrophages. Furthermore, Northern blot analyses showed that the fimbria-induced expression of IL-1β and TNF-α genes in the cells was inhibited strongly by CD18 antibody treatment and slightly by CD11a, CD11b, or CD11c antibody treatment. Interestingly, intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), a ligand of CD11/CD18, inhibited fimbrial binding to the cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, ICAM-1 clearly inhibited the fimbria-induced expression of IL-1β and TNF-α genes in the cells. However, such inhibitory action was not observed with laminin treatment. These results suggest the importance of β2 integrin (CD11/CD18) as a cellular receptor ofP. gingivalis fimbriae in the initiation stage of the pathogenic mechanism of the organism in periodontal disease.
Evaluation of the Sequelae of Untreated Dental Caries Using PUFA Index

Aim: To evaluate (PUFA/pufa) index in assessing the prevalence and severity of oral conditions related to untreated caries in a group of primary school pupils in Mosul City. Materials and Methods: Dental examination was conducted on 756 school pupils aged 7–12 years old, divided into 3 groups according to age; 7–8, 9–10, and 11–12 years old. Caries was recorded in terms of decayed, missing and filled teeth for both primary teeth (dmft) and permanent teeth (DMFT). The PUFA/pufa index was also recorded for both dentitions regarding the presence of severely decayed teeth with visible pulpal involvement (P/p), ulceration caused by dislocated tooth fragments (U/u), fistula (F/f) and abscess (A/a). Results: Caries experience in the primary dentition was found to be 6.33, 4.75, 1.00, and 4.43 for the three age groups as well as the total sample, respectively. While for the permanent dentition, it was 0.59, 1.18, 3.67, and 1.58, respectively. The PUFA/pufa index recorded the following values for each age group as well as the total sample for permanent and primary teeth respectively; 0.03/2.35, 0/1.66, 0.42/0.58, and 0.12/1.66. The main component in this index for all age groups, and both dentitions was found to be pulpal involvement. Conclusion: The PUFA index should be seen as a complementary to the current caries assessment index (DMF), with relevant information for epidemiologists and health care planners.
Antimicrobial activity of tropical fruits

The present study was designated to study the antimicrobial activities of aqueous and alcohol extracts that were prepared from fresh fruits of Malus domestica, Punica granatum, Psidium guajava, and Citrus sinenses. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts were tested against bacteria and fungi by the use of agar well diffusion method. The aqueous extracts showed higher antimicrobial activity as compared to alcohol extracts. The aqueous extracts of M. domestica were most active against Candida albicans with the (MIC = 1.2 cm) and inactive against gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus extracts were found to be most active for P. guajava and P. granatum with (MIC = 1.1 cm and 1.0 cm respectively), while the alcohol extract of M. domestica showed highes antimicrobial activity for gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis with (MIC = 0.8 cm) and no activity against gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeuroginosa. Similarly, P. guajava and C. sinensis showed no activity against gram positive bacteria S. aureus.
The Ethics of Social Media Analytics in Migration Studies

The prevalence of social media platforms and their use across the globe makes them attractive options for studying large groups of people, particularly when some of these platforms provide access to large amounts of structured data. However, with the collection, storage, and use of this data comes ethical and legal responsibilities, which are particularly important when looking at social groups such as migrants, who are often stigmatised and criminalised. Various guidelines, frameworks and laws have been developed to ensure social media data is used in the most ethical way. However, they have quickly evolved within the past few years and are scattered across various fields and domains. To help researchers navigate these issues, this chapter provides an overview of the ethical considerations of studying migration via social media platforms. Building on relevant academic literature, as well as national and supranational frameworks and legislations, we review how the main ethical issues related to social media research have been discussed in the past twenty years and outline good practice examples to mitigate them. This overview is designed to provide researchers with theoretical and practical tools to consider and mitigate the ethical challenges related to social media research in migration-related contexts.
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON SILICON‐ AND PHOSPHORUS‐LIMITED GROWTH AND COMPETITIVE INTERACTIONS AMONG THREE DIATOMS 1

Three diatom species, Stephanodiscus hantzschii (Ehr.) Grun. , Asterionella formosa Hass. and Fragilaria crotonensis Kitt. Hass. were isolated from Lake Maarsseveen where they are dominant and show a successional sequence. The physiological responses of each species to temperature and limitation by silicon and phosphorus were determined over the temperature range of 5° to 20° C using short‐term batch culture methods. Stephanodiscus hantzschii had higher maximum growth rates than the other two species at all temperatures, and the maximum growth rates of all species increased with increasing temperature. Temperature affected not only maximum growth rates but also half‐saturation constants (Ks) and the minimum cell quotas. S. hantzschii had low silicon requirements for growth under Si‐limiting conditions, and A. formosa and F. crotonensis had higher and nearly identical silicon requirements. The Ks values for silicon for S. hantzschii were essentially constant from 5° to 20° C but varied greatly for the other two species. A. formosa had the lowest requirements for growth under phosphorus limitation, F. crotonensis was intermediate and S. hantzschii had the highest growth requirements for phosphorus. The K1 values for phosphorus were constant over the temperature range for both A. formosa and F. crotonensis and were much higher and variable for S. hantzschii.
Genetic Analysis of the Fused Vein Trait in

The expression and inheritance of the fused vein trait in Cucurbita pepo were investigated. The fused vein inbred, NH2405, was crossed to normal lines, NH614, and NHBP10. Reciprocal F1, F2, F3 and BC populations were generated and examined for leaf type segregation in field and greenhouse environments. Although the fused vein phenotype is stable in NH2405, it exhibited a continuum of expression in segregating populations. The onset of vein fusion ranged from the fourth to the tenth leaf stage and degree of fusion varied from slight (1-5 cm) to extreme (10-20 cm). Inheritance ratios varied with population, conditions of production, and direction of cross. Most segregating populations fit either a single or double recessive gene model, however, a quarter of the populations showed no or low fused vein recovery. A feasible explanation for the distorted inheritance is that the fused vein trait is a gametophytic subvital, governed by a single recessive gene, fv. Although less likely, a double recessive, subvital model cannot be ruled out. Hull-less seeded pumpkin cultivars are particularly prone to contamination. They are morphologically similar to many hulled pumpkins and their seed stocks are maintained and produced in the same agricultural region. Hull-less seed acreage is comparatively small, and adequate isolation is difficult to obtain. The hull-less trait is determined by a maternally expressed recessive gene, n (Grebenscikov, 1954; Stuart, 1983). Outcrossing by hulled geno- types can remain undetected for two generations allowing wide- spread contamination of stock and commercial seed lots. A new leaf mutant, fused vein (FV), has potential as a roguing marker for pumpkins. The FV trait is expressed before flowering and imparts a distinctive, readily visible, leaf morphology (Carle and Loy, 1996a). The trait is not present among current Cucurbita pepo cultivars; limiting its use to hull-less material would provide broad outcross detection from hulled contaminants. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of the FV trait as a production marker. Using selected breeding lines, the trait's inheritance and expressivity were determined.
Effects of Prescribed Fire and Thinning on the Spatial Heterogeneity of the Seed Bank in a Mixed Oak Forest

Abstract Prescribed fire and thinning are commonly employed management practices in mixed-oak forests of the central Appalachians. The effects of these practices on the soil seed bank are important to consider in order to evaluate the full impact of these treatments on plant community dynamics in the understory. Species composition of the soil seed bank was examined under three treatments: thin, burn, and thin followed by burning, and an untreated control. Thinning was conducted in Fall 2000, and burns were conducted in Spring 2001. Soil samples were collected in March 2004, three years following treatment. Species composition was assessed by seedling emergence. Seventy total species were found in the seed bank. Ruderal species such as Erechtites hieraciifolia, Carex spp. , and Rubus spp. were the most commonly occurring species across all treatments. No significant difference in species composition or proportion of functional groups was found between any of the treatment groups. However, as found in previous studies, species composition of the seed bank and aboveground vegetation were significantly different in all treatments. Species composition and canopy cover were each significantly spatially autocorrelated in the thinned and burned treatment. While thinning and burning did not produce detectable changes in the species composition of the soil seed bank at these sites, they may influence the spatial heterogeneity of the soil seed bank.
Hemşirelerde Kas İskelet Ağrılarının Değerlendirilmesi

OZET Perimenstruel sorunlar kadinlarda oldukca yaygindir. Perimenstruel sorunlarin azalmasi ve kadinlarin yasam kalitesinin gelistirilmesi icin, bu konuya daha cok fazla onem verilmeli ve gerekli onlemler alinmalidir. Bu nedenle hemsireler perimenstruel distres sikayetlerinin onlenmesi ve tedavisinde onemli role sahiptir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Perimenstruel sikayetler, premenstruel sendrom (PMS), dismenore, hemsirelik ABSTRACT Approach of Nursing And Perimenstrual Distress The incidence of perimenstrual distress is common in women. In order to decrease the incidence of perimenstrual distress and increase the life quality of women; more attention should be paid to this condition and prepare precautions should be taken. Because of this nurses have a significant role in management and prevention of perimenstrual distress. Keywords: Perimenstrual distress, premenstrual sendrom ( PMS), dismenore, nursing
Nitrate reduction, nitrite reduction and ammonium assimilation in barley roots in response to anoxia

Nitrate reduction, nitrate reductase (NR)-activity and activation state, nitrite reduction and ammonium assimilation were measured in barley roots (Hordeum vulgare cv. Gaulois) in response to anoxia, uncouplers or cellular acidification. Ammonium and nitrite accumulation were followed in root segments and in the suspending buffer solution flushed with air or nitrogen, in the presence of methionine sulfoximine (MSX). Catabolic ammonium formation was subtracted from nitrate-dependent ammonium formation for a correct estimation of nitrite reduction rates in vivo. In anoxic roots, nitrite was accumulated and partly released. This was due to both, a stimulation of nitrate reduction and a partial inhibition of nitrite reduction. Ammonium assimilation rates were also impaired by anoxia. Due to nitrite and ammonium leakage, anoxic roots lost a major proportion of their primary nitrate assimilation products. In aerobic roots, excess nitrite production could be also induced by treatment with uncoupler (CCCP) or by tissue acidification (propionic acid at pH 4.8). The same conditions caused an activation of (NADH)-nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1), a partial inhibition of nitrite reduction and of ammonium assimilation. Increased nitrite production and activation of NR were prevented by cantharidin, a protein phosphatase inhibitor. Our data indicate that nitrite release by anoxic roots was a consequence of both, an activation of NR by protein dephosphorylation and an inhibition of nitrite reduction. Both events may be causally related to cellular acidification under anoxia.
Does tree environment in agro-forestry ecosystems influence the population of N2 fixing soil bacteria?

The present study aimed to monitor the rhizobial population present in four “montado“ ecosystems from two different locations, Vaiamonte and Estremoz in the South of Portugal, with natural and sown pastures. The influence of tree canopy of Quercus suber was evaluated in relation to rhizobial population abundance, symbiotic effectiveness and genetic diversity. Results showed that the size of natural rhizobial population in the two older improved pastures analyzed, having more than 30 and 12 years, had the highest values outside the influence of cork tree canopy. However, under the canopy, the population size in these two improved pastures decreased. Also, rhizobial abundance in the youngest sown pastures (>5-years-old) had high values, either beneath the tree canopy or outside its influence. Concerning the effectiveness of symbiotic fixation, results revealed the existence of N2 fixing strains in the four pastures, the highest values being observed in the youngest improved pasture and under the tree canopy. A high genetic diversity of rhizobial population was also found in all pastures, especially outside the influence of the tree canopy. Key-words: canopy of Quercus suber L. , diversity, effectiveness, population size, rhizobia Does tree environment in agro-forestry ecosystems influence the population of N2 fixing soil bacteria? Em ecossistemas agroflorestais terão as árvores influência nas populações de bactérias do solo fixadoras de N2? Ricardo Soares1, Concepción Fernandéz1, Corina Carranca2, Manuel Madeira3 and Isabel Videira e Castro1 1 Laboratório de Microbiologia do Solo, Unidade Estratégica de Investigação dos Sistemas Agrários e Florestais e de Sanidade Vegetal, (UEISSAFS), INIAV,I.P., Quinta do Marquês, Av. República, Nova Oeiras, 2784-159 Oeiras, Portugal, E-mail: isabel.castro@iniav.pt, author for