Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enumeration of total and Feacal coliform bacteria of some borehole water in Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria

*Nuru Adamu Garkuwa, Sa’adatu Said Mustapha, Sani Aliyu Ibrahim, Muhammad Yusha’u, Mansur Abdulrasheed and Usman Adamu Garkuwa Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Gombe State University, Gombe State Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Gombe State University, Gombe State Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria Department of Human Physiology, Bauchi State University Gadau, Bauchi State, Nigeria *Correspondence Author: nuratoro@gmail.com, +2348065585642 ABSTRACT Inadequate provision of potable drinking water in relation to teaming population is forcing most of the urban communities to drink untreated water obtained from traditional boreholes. Hence, the need to assess the portability of drinking water. In this research, boreholes water samples collected within Gombe city were investigated bacteriologically using multiple tube fermentation and pour plate methods to examine feacal coliform and coliform bacterial counts respectively; bacterial isolation was conducted using standard culture methods. Identification of the bacterial Isolates were carried out by macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical examinations. Total coliform bacteria ranges from <3 to 11 MPN/100 ml and 1 to 3 MPN/100ml for faecal coliform. The borehole water samples from studied areas had high counts of faecal coliforms (Escherichia coli), and other pathogens like Entrobacter and Salmonella. The findings showed that all the borehole water analysed were not suitable for human consumption and may pose a serious threat to the health of consumers and therefore, there is need for treatment of these borehole waters by the borehole proprietors and also by simple treatment methods such as boiling, filtration before drinking and agitation by the consumers.
Developing a risk assessment model using fuzzy logic to assess groundwater contamination from hydraulic fracturing

Technological advances in directional drilling has led to rapid exploitation of onshore unconventional hydrocarbons using a technique known as hydraulic fracturing. This process took off initially in the US, with Canada following closely behind, but brought with it controversial debates over environmental protection, particularly in relation to groundwater contamination and well integrity failure. Prospective shale gas regions lie across areas in Europe but countries such as the UK are facing public and government turmoil surrounding their potential exploitation. This extent of energy development requires detailed risk analysis to eliminate or mitigate damage to the natural environment. Subsurface energy activities involve complex processes and uncertain data, making comprehensive, quantitative risk assessments a challenge to develop. A new, alternative methodology was applied to onshore hydraulic fracturing to assess the risk of groundwater contamination during well injection and production. The techniques used deterministic models to construct failure scenarios with respect to groundwater contamination, stochastic approaches to determine component failures of a well, and fuzzy logic to address insufficiency or complexity in data. The framework was successfully developed using available data and regulations in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Fuzzy Fault Tree Analysis (FFTA) was demonstrated as a more robust technique compared with conventional Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and implemented successfully to quantify cement failure. A collection of known risk analysis methods such as Event Tree Analysis (ETA), Time at Risk Failure (TRF) and Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) models were successfully applied to well integrity failure during injection, with the novel addition of quantifying cement failures. An analytical model for Surface Casing Pressure (SCP) during well production highlighted data gaps on well constructions so a fuzzy logic model was built to a 93% accuracy to determine the location of cement in a well. This novel application of fuzzy logic allowed the calculation of gas flow rate into an annulus and hence the probability of well integrity failure during production using ETA. The framework quantified several risk pathways across multiple stages of a well using site-specific data, but was successfully applied to a UK case study where there existed significant differences in geology, well construction and regulations. The application required little extra work and demonstrated the success and limitations of the model and where future work could improve model development. This research indicated that risks to groundwater from hydraulic fracturing differ substantially depending on well construction. Weighing up the risk to groundwater compared with financial gain for well construction will be essential for decision-makers and policy. To reduce the social anxiety of hydraulic fracturing in the UK, decision-makers who
Effects of Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles andCondensed Distillers Solubles With and Without OilExtraction on Finishing Performance

A finishing study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding 27% inclusion of condensed distillers solubles (CDS) and 40% inclusion of modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) with and without corn oil removal. Deoiled CDS or MDGS did not impact performance or carcass characteristics compared to normal fat. Cattle fed CDS or MDGS, regardless of fat content, had greater final BW, ADG, and HCW compared to controls. Feed conversion, regardless of fat content, was greatly improved for CDS or MDGS compared to controls. These data suggest that cattle fed de-oiled distillers or solubles have comparable performances to normal fat concentration using the centrifugation process removing oil from solubles.
Sustained hovering, head stabilization and vision through the water surface in the Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)

Pied kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) capture fish by plunge diving from hovering that may last several minutes. Hovering is the most energy-consuming mode of flight and depends on active wing flapping and facing headwind. The power for hovering is mass dependent increasing as the cube of the size, while aerodynamic forces increase only quadratically with size. Consequently, birds above a certain body mass can hover only with headwind and for very short durations. Hummingbirds are referred to as the only birds capable of hovering without wind (sustained hovering) due to their small size (ca. 2-20 gr), high wing-beat frequency and unique anatomy. We studied the hovering characteristics of pied kingfishers in relation to wind and sun orientation, in 139 hovers. Furthermore, plunge diving necessitates the coping with the visual effects of light at the air/water interface. The kingfishers oriented their body axis towards the wind more than towards the sun. Hovering in little or no wind was common. With increased wind speed (a) orientation precision increased, (b) wing beat amplitude did not change, (c) wing beat frequency decreased and (d) body tilt became more horizontal. The head was highly stabilized and with orientations that indicated monocular viewing of prey. We conclude that pied kingfishers achieve sustained hovering. This is despite their being significantly heavier than the theoretical maximum and showing ordinary kinematics and morphology. Head stabilization is a means of aiding viewing of submerged prey across the interface.
Age and Gender Dependent Deposition of Crude Nutrients and Energy in Fast Growing Meat-Type Chickens

Two consecutive growth studies were conducted to investigate the age-dependent nutrient and energy deposition in male and female meat-type chickens (Ross 308) based on feather and feather-free body fraction data determined according to the comparative slaughter technique. Birds were reared under standardized housing conditions (15 floor pens per gender, 5 birds per pen). Both the starter (day 1 to 22) and grower diets (day 22 to 36) were based on corn, wheat, soybean meal, soybean protein concentrate and crystalline feed amino acids. Diets were formulated to ensure an equal feed protein quality close to the ideal amino acid ratio by adjusting a constant mixture of the feed proteins. Individual body weight (BW) and feed intake per pen were recorded weekly. At the start (day 1) as well as on a weekly basis until the end of the 5th week, 15 birds per gender (each 3 pens of 5 birds) were selected and euthanized following 24 h feed deprivation. Subsequently, the feathers were manually removed and quantified. Crude nutrient analysed in representative samples of both feather and feather-free body fractions. The nutrient and energy deposition in the bodies of both genders were significantly increased with increasing age (p . Male birds deposited significantly higher body protein (p and female birds significantly more fat and energy in the whole body (p during the entire growth period. In contrast, no differences were found in protein contents of the BW gain between genders dependent on age (p > 0.05). However, the protein partitioning in the gain of both analyzed body fractions provided oppositional results. Accordingly, male birds yielded relatively more protein in the feather-free body fraction (p and females relatively more feather protein (p as related to the whole body protein gain.
Crystal-chemical role of oxalate ions

The crystal-chemical role of oxalate ions in the structures of available compounds is surveyed. Oxalate anions exhibit 15 different coordination modes with respect to metal atoms A and act as mono-, bi-, tri-, or tetradentate ligands. Depending on the coordination mode, oxalate ions form from one to eight 0-A bonds. With respect to a single complex-forming atom, the oxalate ion functions as a bidentate chelating ligand. The effect of coordination on the basic features of the C 2 O 2 - 4 geometry is considered, and reasons for a nonplanar structure of oxalate ions are discussed. The volume of the Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra of the oxygen atoms of C 2 O 2 - 4 ions turns out to be virtually independent of the number of their O-A coordination bonds.
Visiting insect behaviour and pollen transport for a generalist oak-savannah wildflower, Camassia quamash (Asparagaceae)

Abstract Many studies have investigated plant-pollinator interactions using visit records of insects contacting floral reproductive organs. However, these studies may not reflect the effectiveness of visits, since factors such as visitor behaviour and the composition of pollen on their bodies may influence conspecific pollen transfer required for fertilisation in plants. Here we study how pollen transport to a generalist wildflower, Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene (Asparagaceae), is influenced by the behaviour and body pollen of five functional visitor groups (Andrena Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)/Halictidae (Hymenoptera), Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Bombus Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Osmia Panzer (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), and Syrphidae (Diptera). We found that functional visitor groups differed in their behaviour (Bombus and Osmia were legitimate visitors, contacting both anthers and stigmas) and in the amount of conspecific pollen on their bodies (A. mellifera had the highest levels and Andrena/Halictidae the lowest). Conspecific pollen receipt by C. quamash stigmas was high (>80%), and best explained by visitor behaviour rather than the proportion of visitors with high amounts of conspecific body pollen. Our findings highlight the utility of pollen analyses for understanding pollinator effectiveness.
Mole-rat from Khortytsia in the light of morphological and geographical relations between Spalax zemni and S. microphthalmus

Mole-Rat from Khortytsia in the Light of Morphological and Geographical Relations between Spalax zemni and S. microphthalmus. — Korobchenko, M. , Zagorodniuk, I. — The taxonomic status of the mole-rats from Khortytsia Island which is located between the ranges of Spalax zemni (right bank of the Dnipro) and S. microphthalmus (left bank) are considered. This island population is a unique biogeographical phenomenon that may be an evidence of ancient evolutionary events associated with the migration of steppe animals in the region of Zaporizhia Rapids. The mole-rat forms on Khortytsia a stable population, which is regarded as autochthonous. Osteological characters of mole rats from the island and adjacent areas of the right bank of the Dnipro, as well as comparison of these samples with those of S. zemni and S. microphthalmus from distant parts of their ranges were investigated. By all characters, mole rats of Khortytsia and adjacent areas of the left bank of the Dnipro should be identified as S. zemni. Authors suggest that the mole-rat population in the nearest left-bank steppes may also be S. zemni. Descriptions of craniological characters to distinguish the two species and their distribution map are presented.
Propriétés adsorbantes d'argiles pontées organophiles : synthèse et caractérisation

Une serie de complexes inorgano-montmorillonites (CIM) a grandes surfaces specifiques et stables thermiquement est preparee par intercalation d'une montmorillonite algerienne par trois solutions pontantes a base d'aluminium, de fer ou de titane. La co-adsorption de ces trois argiles pontees par du bromure (ou chlorure) de cetyl-trimethyl ammonium conduit a la formation de complexes organo-inorgano-montmorillonites (COIM) hydrophobes et organophiles. Les conditions de preparation de ces matrices sont liees au rapport molaire OH(ou H+)/Me, a la concentration finale et au temps de vieillissement de la solution pontante et au rapport CTAB/CIM. Toutes les matrices CIM et COIM preparees sont caracterisees par plusieurs methodes telles que : DRX, S. S. (BET), spectroscopie IRTF, ATD/ATG, CEC, acidite de surface et zetametrie. Les isothermes d'adsorption de plusieurs composes organiques : pentachlorophenol PCP, diuron et ses trois sous-produits de degradation (dichlorophenylmethyl uree, dichlorophenyl uree, dichloroaniline), du methyl parathion, du rose sulfacide (colorant anionique) et des acides humiques AH sur les matrices COIM ont montre de grandes affinites adsorbants-adsorbats, surtout en milieu acide et avec les argiles a piliers de titane et de fer. L'etude de l'adsorption en melange de deux solutes (PCP/AH) a montre globalement que l'adsorption du PCP est influencee par la presence des AH dont l'hydrophobie et les poids moleculaires sont eleves.
Foraging ecology of tropicbirds breeding in two contrasting marine environments in the tropical Atlantic

Studying the feeding ecology of seabirds is important not only to understand basic aspects of their ecology and threats but also for the conservation of marine ecosystems. In this regard, tropical seabirds have been relatively neglected, and in particular the trophic ecology of tropicbirds is scarcely known. We combined GPS tracking, environmental variables and sampling of regurgi tates during incubation and brooding to understand the feeding ecology of red-billed tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus as well as how foraging strategies may change between 2 contrasting marine envi ron ments: a coastal island in the Canary Current upwelling (Iles de la Madeleine) and an oceanic island in the middle of the south Atlantic (St Helena). Tropicbirds breeding on the Iles de la Madeleine headed west, foraging on and beyond the shelf slope, probably to associate with subsurface predators which bring pelagic fish close to the surface. Birds from St Helena showed a greater foraging effort and a strong attraction to areas with the greatest species richness of Scombridae, possibly due to a greater difficulty in finding prey in the oligotrophic oceanic waters. Tropicbirds ranged much beyond the extension of the protected areas around their colonies, indicating that current protected areas are insufficient for these populations. We found no evidence to suspect direct mortality of tropicbirds in regional fisheries, but overexploitation of small epipelagic fish and tuna may decrease feeding opportunities and lead to competition with fisheries. The substantial differences in foraging behaviour demonstrated by individuals from both colonies indicates that caution should be taken when extrapolating foraging patterns of tropical seabirds breeding in contrasting oceanographic environments.
Molecular markers for genetic diversity studies in Jatropha ( Jatropha curcas L.)

The molecular markers namely random amplified polymorphic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphism, sequence-characterized amplified region, inter simple sequence repeats, simple sequence repeats and single-nucleotide polymorphism, etc. have been successfully used for genetic diversity studies in J. curcas . The assessment of genetic variations among Jatropha germplasms using molecular markers show the presence of high genetic diversity for the Central and South American regions and insignificant genetic variation from Asia and Africa. The use of molecular markers for the assessment of phylogenetic relationships among different Jatropha species has been restricted only to the well adapted and acclimatized species in India. The significant genetic variability in the genus Jatropha for vegetative and floral traits for seed oil content, productivity, toxicity (phorbol esters, curcin), fatty acid profiles, etc. has been studied in the past decade using molecular markers. Genetic enhancement of Jatropha through conventional breeding and interspecific gene transfer can be attempted by exploiting the diverse genetic resource form J. curcas and their wild species. This review focuses on the importance and use of molecular markers towards studying diversity analysis in J. curcas growing at different areas.
Influence of Partial Root-zone Saline Irrigation Management on Tomato Yield and Fruit Quality from a Potted-plant Study

This research aimed to evaluate the yield and quality of tomato plants under different managements of salt stress by adopting the partial root-zone saline irrigation (PRSI) system. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Universidade Federal Rural do SemiÁrido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six treatments and four replicates, totaling 24 plots. The treatments consisted of six different irrigation management regimes using low and high saline water (S1–0.5 and S2–5.0 dS·m−1), applied with or without PRSI, such that one side of the root-zone was submitted to saline water whilst the other side was water low salinity irrigated. For treatments T1 (control), T2 (S2 water), and T3 (alternate irrigation system between S1 and S2, with a cycling period of 15 d for each one), the PRSI was not applied; T4 (irrigation with S1 and S2, adopting the PRSI system from phase II to phase IV), T5 (irrigation with S1 and S2 in phase II, alternating in phase III; in phase III the inversion of the remaining water was made until the end of phase IV), and T6 (irrigation with S1 and S2, adopting the PRSI system in phase II, with the water switched between low and high saline water every 15 days, remaining until the end of phase IV) treatments were under the PRSI. The number of fruit per plant, fruit weight, fruit longitudinal and transverse diameter, pulp firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, pH, vitamin C, color relation (a*/b*), lycopene, and β-carotene were determined as parameters for the fruit yield and quality evaluation. Our findings reinforce the importance of the use of PRSI systems followed by irrigation managements without loss of product quality, such as demonstrated by T4 and T5 water managements.
What is the best diet to recommend when treating obesity by an increase of habitual physical activity

Objective. The objective of this three-part narrative review has been to examine empirical data on the optimal type of diet to recommend when individuals with established obesity are being treated by a programme of moderate exercise coupled with some reduction of daily energy intake. The final section of this review considers the potentially beneficial influence of an increased water and fibre intake, along with other possibly helpful nutritional options. Methods. Information obtained from Ovid/Medline, PubMed and Google Scholar through to September 2019 as been supplemented by a search of the author's extensive personal files. Results. Drinking additional water or adding water to a food product may reduce immediate hunger and thus the overall intake of food, replace the previous consumption of sugar-containing drinks, and possibly increase thermogenesis by an osmotic mechanism. Longitudinal studies give tentative evidence that increased water ingestion has some beneficial effect upon body mass, greater in the obese than in individuals of normal weight. A high fibre content also increases satiety, but randomized controlled trials show that such a diet has little advantage in terms of eventual weight loss. Other potentially beneficial options include an increased consumption of nuts, yogurt and calcium. In cross-sectional analyses, nut consumption is inversely associated with body weight, but short-term experimental increases of nut consumption have had little influence upon body mass. Yogurt has also been suggested as helping the process of weight loss, but again there are as yet few randomized controlled trials supporting such an idea. Cross-sectional and cohort studies, almost without exception, have shown better weight regulation in groups receiving calcium supplements or an increased intake of dairy products, but in contrast there is either no effect or at most a quite small benefit to be seen in randomized trials. Conclusions. Available randomized studies suggest that the fat loss achieved by a combination of moderate physical exercise and some restriction of energy intake is similar for those following a variety of diets and nutritional tactics. Challenges to health professionals are to maintain a blood glucose level that avoids a deterioration of mood and a reduction of voluntary exercise, to maintain lean tissue mass and thus resting metabolic rate, and to sustain satiety and thus the enthusiasm needed to persist with the prescribed regimen.
Glycerophospholipids in sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) and its processing by-products serve as bioactives and functional food ingredients

Sea cucumber is a “healthy” food. Although previous studies have suggested that sea cucumber might serve as a potential rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) enriched phospholipid (PL), the molecular species of its PL has rarely been reported. In this study, some 200 glycerophospholipid (GP) species belonging to seven classes in processing by-products (spawns and intestines) of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) were characterized for the first time. Most of the dominant GP species contained PUFAs, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4n-6). Meanwhile, the lipids contained high levels of PUFA (25.35–45.12% of total FAs) and polar lipid (65.55–85.95% of total lipids) but low levels of cholesterol (0.63–2.26% of total lipids). Among PL, phosphatidylcholine (38.34–65.56 mol%) was dominant. Therefore, PUFA enriched PL in sea cucumber may account for their nutritional and health beneficial effects. Meanwhile, by-products of Stichopus japonicus byproducts provide great potential as health-promoting food ingredients.