Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE PINNIPEDS OF THE CALIFORNIA CURRENT

There are six species of pinnipeds-California sea lion, Zalophus californianus; northern sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus; northern fur seal, Callorhinus ursinus; Guadalupe fur seal, Arctocephalus townsendi; harbor seal, Phoca uitulina richardsi; and northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris-that inhabit the study area of the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI). The numbers of animals in each population are given; the size, distribution, and seasonal movements are described. The known prey species of the pinnipeds are listed for each species. The otariids, with certain exceptions, consume the same kinds of prey, although in slightly different amounts. In general they feed most commonly on the smaller schooling fishes and squids of the epipelagic zone, and the two sea lion species enter nearshore and estuarine waters to prey on small schooling and anadromous fish. The two phocids, again with certain exceptions, prey on different species. The elephant seal apparently feeds in deeper water than the harbor seal on benthic and demersal species and the harbor seal on nearshore demersal and neretic species, occasionally enteringestuarine and river waters to prey on anadromous fish and such small schooling fishes that regularly enter these waters.
Synthesis of a- and -Methyl NEU5Ac a-(2?8) NEU5Ac Disaccharides

ABSTRACT Acid hydrolysis of colominic acid, an α-(2→8)-linked oligomer of sialic acid, yielded Neu5Ac α-(2→8) Neu5Ac (di-Neu5Ac) 2 as one of the products. Starting from this disaccharide, it was possible to prepare two potential di-Neu5Ac donors, 5 and 8, as their corresponding 2-chloro derivatives. Subsequent reaction of the donor 8 with methanol as a simple acceptor led to the α- and β-methyl Neu5Ac α-(2→8) Neu5Ac glycosides.
Histerid beetles as predators of blowflies (Diptera Calliphoridae) in Finland.

Histerid predation on blowfly eggs and larvae was observed to cause a remarkable decrease in the numbers of developing blowflies in cultures performed in field conditions. The histerids arrived at the fish baits several days later than the ovipositing blowflies. Histerids were rather scarce on isolated archipelago islands but common on the adjoining mainland. The significance of histerids in the biological control of blowflies is discussed.
The habitat preferences and phenology of a generalist butterfly species, Melanargia galathea (marbled white), at multiple spatial and temporal scales, within the British Isles

The climate is undergoing unprecedented rates of change, altering species’ abundances, phenologies and distributions and providing a huge challenge to conservation biology. I look at the distribution of a generalist British butterfly, Melanargia galathea, at multiple temporal and spatial scales, to provide detailed knowledge on this species’ ecology useful for its conservation under a changing climate. At a broad spatial scale I estimated demographic parameters for six generalist British butterflies. Carrying capacities differed between occupied habitats, with estimates varying from 7 (P. c-album; heathland/moorland) to 279 (P. tithonus; neutral grassland) butterflies per hectare per year. Average intrinsic growth rates in newly colonised sites varied from 0.26 (P. c-album) to 0.56 (P. tithonus). I suggest that these differences should be incorporated into species distribution models to increase the accuracy of predictions of future ranges. Phenological asynchrony may occur when interacting species differ in the rate at which they respond to climate change. I show that some M.galathea individuals may be emerging before a key nectar source, Centaurea scabiosa is available. However, topographical diversity lengthened the flowering period of two key nectar species by up to 14 days and could therefore decrease the likelihood of phenological asynchrony. The diverse microclimates provided by topographically heterogeneous sites may also affect M.galathea behaviour. Using scan samples and point counts I show that the abundance and behaviour of M.galathea differs between microhabitats, with a mean five minute point count of 0.18 butterflies in flat sheltered areas compared with 1.32 in flat exposed areas. Effective monitoring methods are vital to accurately assess the success of conservation strategies and to estimate demographic parameters. I compared estimates of emergence and population sizes obtained from transect data and mark release recapture data and suggest that an inability to sex individuals during transects could cause bias.
Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment Access Among People Who Inject Drugs

Hepatitis C (HCV) remains a global issue as it affects 2-3% of the world’s population. Despite Canada’s universal access to healthcare, barriers to accessing testing and treatment for HCV has contributed to approximately 250,000 Canadians living with chronic HCV. People who inject drugs (PWID) account for about 60% of all HCV cases in Canada, making them the primary target for public health interventions, namely prevention and harm reduction. Harm reduction efforts have proven effective to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases and to prevent overdoses, but there remains a large proportion of individuals living with the virus who are unaware of their status and who require treatment. Current HCV discourse lacks a local understanding of barriers and facilitators in the Canadian context. This study explored the experience of accessing HCV testing and treatment among PWID, identifying barriers and facilitators to HCV care throughout the individual’s journey from diagnosis to cure within four domains of access: acceptability, availability, affordability, and geographic accessibility. The role of the client-provider relationship and the impact of harm reduction was also considered as it hinders or facilitates the accessibility of HCV testing and treatment. Qualitative interviews were conducted with clients (self-identified current or former intravenous substance user) and health providers in the Waterloo and Peel Regions of Ontario. Stigma and misinformation of HCV and substance use were regarded as systemic forces that perpetuate oppression, reflected throughout all access domains on a community and individual level. Facilitators and solutions identified in this study indicate a need to apply community health models and resources, more widely adopt harm reduction and patientcentred approaches to clinical care, and further consider or utilize intersectoral action to ensure equitable access to health services.
Wheat blast.

Wheat blast, caused by the Triticum pathotype of Magnaporthe oryzae (MoT), is a serious disease of wheat causing yield failures and significant economic losses during epidemic years in Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Although outbreaks occur only sporadically, wheat blast is considered a major disease affecting wheat production in South America and may be a threat to the wheat crop in the United States. Wheat is a major crop in the U.S. and wheat exports from the U.S. are important to food security of several countries around the World. Thus, it is important to understand the potential for MoT entry and establishment into the U.S. and to test U.S. wheat cultivars for susceptibility to MoT. The hypotheses of this research project were a) importing wheat grain from Brazil does not pose a risk for MoT establishment in the U.S., and b) resistance to MoT head infection does not exist in U.S. hard red winter wheat elite cultivars. Quantitative pathway analysis models were used to estimate the risk of MoT entry and establishment, in the coterminous U.S. and in a more targeted area within southeast North Carolina, via the importation of wheat grain from Brazil. The pathway model predicted that significant risk for MoT entry and establishment exists in some areas of the U.S. However, in approximately 60% of the coterminous U.S. winter wheat production areas the risk of MoT establishment was estimated to be zero. With respect to winter wheat growing areas in the U.S., conditions for MoT establishment and wheat blast outbreak occur only in small, restricted geographic areas. A higher resolution pathway analysis based on a ground transportation corridor in North Carolina indicated that conditions for MoT establishment exist seven out of ten years. Among U.S. cultivars tested, a continuum in severity to head blast was observed; cultivars Everest and Karl 92 were highly susceptible with more than 90% disease severity, while cultivars PostRock, Jackpot, Overley, Jagalene, Jagger, and Santa Fe showed less than 3% infection. WHEAT BLAST: QUANTITATIVE PATHWAY ANALYSES FOR THE TRITICUM PATHOTYPE OF MAGNAPORTHE ORYZAE AND PHENOTYPIC REACTION OF U.S. WHEAT CULTIVARS
Microbial diversity in the termite gut: a complementary approach combining culture and culture-independent techniques.

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is a highly destructive invasive pest species in many tropical and subtropical regions. The survival of this termite is dependent on its gut microbes (protozoa and bacteria). Therefore, alternative strategies may be devised in the future using the gut flora of termites as tools and targets for ecologically sound termite control. To facilitate development of such strategies, detailed knowledge of the microbial diversity in the termite gut is sorely needed. Also, it is important to know, which part of the gut flora can be cultured in order to test the physiological contributions of the bacteria to termite survival and to be able to manipulate them, e.g., by genetic engineering. In this study we used culture-independent 16S rDNA sequencing in conjunction with classical culture methods to describe the bacterial species composition in the gut of C. formosanus. The communal bacteria DNA from two termite colonies was extracted, cloned and sequenced. The 105 clones sequenced from both colonies resulted in 12 different bacteria strains from four different groups (Bacteroides, Treponema, Spirochaeta, Clostridiaceae). Bacteroides was the dominant group comprising over 80% of the gut flora in both colonies. The bacteria taxa identified in the gut of C. formosanus using culture-independent 16S rDNA sequencing were different from the bacteria we were able to culture from the gut of the same species. To date, we have cultured over 25 strains of bacteria, including species belonging to the Enterobacteriacea, Bacteroidales and Lactobacillales. All of the species identified by their 16S sequences and most of the cultured strains were novel species found exclusively in the termite gut. Bacteria culture and culture-independent techniques identified different parts of the termites’ gut community. Thus, it is recommended to use both methods in a complementary way to describe the microbial diversity and ecology in the termite gut.
Design and development of three-row improved pull-type rice transplanter for small farmers

A pull-type transplanter was developed by improvising the functional components of existing six-row manual IRRI rice transplanter. The improved transplanter is capable of planting seedlings in three rows at 250 mm row spacing. Picker mechanism was designed in such a way to perform the planting operation simultaneously as the equipment is being pulled with handle. Thus the push-pull mechanism adopted in the existing transplanter has been eliminated in this improved model, reducing drudgery of operation. While evaluating the unit in different puddling conditions as well as textural conditions, the field capacity was observed as 0.058 ha/h with field efficiency of 85.4% at the draft of 261.7 N. Percentage of missing hills was found as 9.61 with the optimized growing density of seedling of 60 g/mat. The ground wheel diameter was optimized as 500 mm based on intra-row spacing as well as force requirement for pulling the unit. The picker-finger width of 3 mm was optimized as there was high mortality rate observed with other fingers. For the optimized picker-finger width, single seedling was observed in 12.1% hills, double seedlings in 30.4% hills, triple seedlings in 31.7% hills, and 25.8% hills are planted with more than three seedlings. By employing ergonomic consideration in seedling picking mechanism, the energy requirement with improved transplanter was reduced to 19.84 kJ/min from 26.41 as in existing transplanter, and hence there was 24.9% reduction in drudgery. Although energy cost with improved transplanter is graded as ‘heavy’, the unit can be operated effectively with the recommended rest-pause of 12.5 min for every 45 min. Cost of transplanting with the equipment worked out ` 1 150 per ha with a cost-saving of 80.8% in addition to time-saving of 91.3% compared to hand transplanting. The improved transplanter has good scope for introduction in marginal farms.
Complications of treating distal radius fractures with external fixation: A community experience

Objective: To analyze the immediate postoperative complications associated with treating distal radius fractures with external fixation. Design: A retrospective chart review of data obtained from 24 consecutive patients who were treated with small AO external fixators in 1997. Setting: Two community medical centers. Intervention: Preoperative and postoperative radiograph measurements were taken of radial inclination, radial tilt, and radial length, and fractures were classified according to the AO system. Patient charts were reviewed to document demographics, type of fixator used, open or percutaneous technique for pin placement, use of augmentation, additional operations, and complications. Main outcome measurements: Complications associated with treating distal radius fractures with one type of external fixator. Results: Sixteen of the 24 patients had complications: 5 with neuropathies of the median or superficial radial nerve, 9 with pin track infections, 2 with pin loosening, one with a nonunion, 2 with malunion, and 4 patients each with radial shortening, loss of radial tilt, collapse of ulnar border or volar intercalated segment instability (VISI) of the lunate and rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid. Conclusions: Postoperative complications following distal radius fractures treated with external fixation are common. Their effect, however, on long term functional results and patient satisfaction is negligible, with the exception of those patients with complications intrinsic to the fracture itself, i.e., nonunion, malunion or carpal malalignment.
Comparative reproductive energetics and selenium ecotoxicology in three boreal-breeding waterfowl species

Environmental conditions on wintering or spring-staging areas may influence subsequent reproductive performance in migratory birds. These cross-seasonal effects may result from habitat loss and degradation (e.g., via contamination) which in turn reduce reproductive success, particularly in waterfowl that use stored nutrients for reproduction. North American lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) and white-winger scoter (Melanitta fusca) numbers have declined over the past 20 years, particularly in the boreal forest, and remain well below conservation goals, whereas ring-necked duck (A. collaris) numbers have increased. Environmental changes on scaup and scoter wintering and staging areas have raised concern about possible cross-seasonal effects on birds arriving on breeding grounds. The spring condition hypothesis (SCH) purports that many female scaup fail to acquire sufficient nutrients in late winter and spring, causing a decrease in breeding propensity and productivity. The contaminant hypothesis proposes that increased exposure to contaminants (particularly selenium [Se]) on wintering and staging areas has decreased scaup productivity. Accordingly, I compared body condition and studied Se concentrations in scaup, scoters and ringnecks to test the condition and contaminant hypotheses. Scaup had similar body condition to ringnecks, and had similar body mass compared to scaup collected near Yellowknife, NT, in 1968-70. There was no relationship between scaup and ringneck nutrient levels and claw tip carbon, nitrogen or hydrogen isotope values, suggesting that arrival body condition likely was not related to location or diet several months prior. Instead, scaup and ringnecks nutrient levels may be more affected by feeding or habitat conditions on or near the breeding grounds. Scaup had slightly higher liver Se concentrations than ringnecks, but levels in both species were below recognized harmful threshold concentrations; I found no relationship between Se and breeding propensity, or between Se and somatic lipid or protein stores. Scoters had much higher Se concentrations, yet contrary to predictions, there were positive relationships between Se and both lipid stores and breeding status. Follicle [Se] in scaup was below threshold concentrations; despite high liver Se in scoters, egg and follicle levels also were well below threshold concentrations. Using both body composition analysis and stable-isotope analysis I determined that scoters derive egg protein from
Interventions aimed at improving academic performance of the afternoon classes in grade 12 final examinations in selected schools in Choma District, Southern Province, Zambia

iv DEDICATION . v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . vi CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Overview . 1 1.2 Background to the study . 1 1.3 Statement of the Problem . 3 1.4 Purpose of the Study . 3 1.5 Research objectives . 3 1.6 Research Questions: . 4 1.7 Significance of the study . 4 1.8 Delimitation . 4 1.9 Limitation . 4 1.10 Definition of terms . 5 1.11 Theoretical framework . 5 1.12 Summary of the Chapter . 6 CHAPTER TWO – LITERATURE REVIEW . 7 2.1 Overview . 7 2.2 Background of Afternoon Classes . 7 2.3 Academic Performance of Pupils in Schools . 8
Body condition score and body composition of Sarda dairy ewes

This study aimed to assess the accuracy of the body condition score (BCS) method, originally developed for meat and wool breeds, in estimating body reserves in dairy ewes. Twenty-four Sarda dry mature ewes, ranging from 29 to 55 kg of live weight and from 2.00 to 3.25 of BCS (scale 0-5 of Russel et al., 1969), were used to study the relationship between BCS, somatic measures in vivo , fat depots and chemically-determined body composition. At slaughter, each animal was partitioned into carcass and non-carcass. The fat depots were then separated and weighed. The left side of the carcass and non-carcass were analysed for chemical composition (dry matter, fat, crude protein and ash). The results showed that BCS and chest girth were highly correlated with empty body weight (EBW) (r = 0.80; 0.86 respectively). The regression equation for estimating LW and EBW indicated a change of 13.17 kg of LW and 13.84 kg of EBW per unit of change in BCS. Omental plus mesenteric represented the highest proportion of fat depots. Body fat in EBW linearly increased and body protein linearly decreased as BCS increased until the score 3. Above this level body fat seemed to increase at a lower rate. As BCS increased, the proportion of body fat accumulated in the carcass decreased from 56% (BCS 2) to 30% (BCS 3.25) and conversely increased the fat accumulated into visceral organs and tissues. In conclusion, Sarda sheep had a higher proportion of fat in viscera than in carcass. Differently from what observed in meat breeds, in Sarda sheep BCS did not predict body composition accurately above BCS 3.0.
Nifedipine-Induced Gingival Enlargement - A Systematic Treatment Approach: A Case Report

Gingival enlargement is one of the adverse drug reactions associated with the administration of several drugs. Progression of gingival enlargement affects the normal oral hygiene practice and may interfere with mastication, speech, etc. It gradually becomes a source of pain and disfigurement. There is a wide variation in the presentation of clinical and histological features of such gingival enlargements. Nifedipine is one such drug of the family of calcium channel blockers that has the potential to cause gingival overgrowth in patients taking the same, although in a limited number of cases. The management of such cases requires a multi-pronged approach including thorough scaling and root planning, drug substitution, and surgical approach. This case report highlights the management of one such case of a patient taking nifedipine for the management of hypertension.
Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire for pregnant women of Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Food and diet pattern vary across different regions and different communities and so a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) has to be developed for a specific population. Objective: The objective of the study was to develop and to validate a FFQ for pregnant women of Tamil Nadu. Methods: Twenty four hour recalls (HRs) were collected from 200 pregnant women of select districts of Tamil Nadu. A detailed food list was prepared with the data from 24 h diet recalls and after a supplemental focus group discussion. A comprehensive FFQ was developed and it was piloted on 20 women to check its feasibility. The FFQ had 114 items which were divided into seven groups. FFQ validation was conducted on 109 pregnant women using two 24 HRs as the standard measure. Results: FFQ that was developed had the most commonly consumed food items of the region. The intake of nutrients calculated from FFQ when compared with 24 HRs was higher. A significant correlation was found for intake of nutrients. Pearson correlation coefficient between the two methods ranged from 0.3 to 0.9. Conclusion: The FFQ thus developed and validated is a useful tool in estimating the nutrient intake of pregnant women and its results are broadly comparable with other studies conducted in South India which indicates that it can be used for the future studies of nutritional assessments of pregnant women.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices toward antimicrobial usage: a cross-sectional study of layer and pig farm owners/managers in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Chonburi provinces, Thailand, May 2014 to February 2016

This study aimed at determining the current knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of layer and pig farmers to antimicrobial usage and its consequences. Description of such KAP could provide insights useful for promoting the rational use of antimicrobials in livestock. From May 2014 to February 2016, a survey involving 251 respondents in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Chonburi provinces, Thailand, was conducted by using a validated questionnaire. More than half (51.0%) of the respondents incorrectly believed that antimicrobial drug efficacy could not be reduced by using sub-recommended dosages, 61.2% had misconceptions about non-therapeutic antimicrobial use, and 66.9% inaccurately felt that antimicrobials were also effective for virus and fungi. Over half (50.6-55.2%) did not see the need to follow instructions or advice of veterinarians. Moreover, only 10.4% regularly relied on responses to drugs sensitivity tests when evaluating the effectiveness of antimicrobials. Overall, assessment of KAP regarding antimicrobial usage indicated that the majority of respondents had low levels of knowledge of antimicrobials, neutral rather than positive attitudes, and employed poor practices in the use of antimicrobials. The results indicate improvements in KAP could be helpful in developing more effective interventions by farmers, reduce antibiotic usage, and slow the growth of antimicrobial resistance.