Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study on filamentous bacteria in activated sludge process of sewage treatment plant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A study was conducted on filamentous bacteria implicated in bulking and foaming problems in activated sludge process of sewage treatment plant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates over a period of six months. To determine morphological characteristics of diverse filaments, foam and mixed liquor samples were collected and studied using various simple and differential staining techniques. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis was carried out in mixed liquor samples with nocardioform group specific probes using VIT kit (Vermicon Identification Technology, Vermicon, Munich). The dominant filamentous bacteria identified from mixed liquor and foam samples included: A long branched form of Gram varibale nocardioform actinomycetes species, Thiothrix, Eikelboom Type 021N, Sphaerotilus natans, Beggiatoa and Nostocoida limicola type I. Occasionally attached growth forms of Eikelboom type 0041/0675 like filaments were observed in mixed liquor and foam samples especially during warm weather. All filamentous bacteria identified were found in both the samples throughout the study period. FISH analysis successfully identified filamentous and non-filamentous morphotypes of nocardioform group members. It is concluded that specific filamentous bacterial population in mixed liquor and foaming activated sludge was constant and not dependent on variable wastewater characteristics.
Sustainability of fishery bycatch: a process for assessing highly diverse and numerous bycatch

In tropical prawn (shrimp) trawl fisheries it is daunting to assess the sustainability of bycatch species because they are diverse and there is little historical and biological information for quantitative stock assessments. We developed a process to examine the likely impact of prawn trawling on the sustainability of bycatch species and applied this to fish bycatch in the Australian Northern Prawn Fishery. The 411 fish bycatch species were ranked with respect to biological and ecological criteria that contributed to two overriding characteristics, namely first, their susceptibility to capture and mortality due to prawn trawling, and second the population's capacity to recover after depletion. The rank of each species on these two characteristics determined its relative capacity to sustain trawling, and therefore its priority for research and management. Species that were the least likely to be sustainable came from the families Apogonidae, Ariidae, Bathysauridae, Callionymidae, Congridae, Diodontidae, Labridae, Opisthognathidae, Plotosidae, Synodontidae and Tetraodontidae. These species are highly susceptible to capture by trawls, they are benthic or demersal, their primary habitat is soft sediments, and their diet may include prawns. The recovery capacity of these species is also low, with the estimated removal rate by trawling high. The species that were the most likely to be sustainable came from the families Carangidae, Clupeidae, Ephippidae, Scombridae, Sphyraenidae and Terapontidae. They are less susceptible to capture by trawls, they are generally pelagic, their primary habitat is not in trawl grounds, and they have a broad depth distribution and range in the fishery. These species also have a greater capacity to recover, as most individuals have bred before capture, and a low estimated removal rate by trawling. The final ranking of the species must be used with caution because of the assumptions made in the process. However, the process is a valuable first step towards ensuring the sustainability of the bycatch species. Because of the simplicity of the process, it can be readily used in fisheries, particularly those with diverse bycatch, to manage the sustainability of their bycatch.
Phenotypic Plasticity of Rice Seedlings: Case of Phosphorus Deficiency

Abstract The aim of this study is to characterize the plasticity of root and shoot morphology in rice, the genomic model plant for cereals, using P deficiency as environmental factor causing variability. A phytotron study on Nipponbare (Oryza Sativa L.) seedlings was conducted to analyze the effects of P deficiency on plant organogenesis (tiller and leaf appearance, root apex number) and allometric relationships (root/shoot weight ratio, specific leaf area (SLA) and specific root length (SRL), blade/sheath weight ratio). The results confirmed that the main effect of P deficiency is a reduction of shoot growth for the benefit of the root system. Reduced shoot growth was associated with reduced tiller production, longer phyllochron and reduced leaf elongation rate while final leaf size remained unchanged. The reduced leaf elongation rate might be a primary response to P deficiency and this caused lower phyllochron and tillering by feedback. Allometric parameters such as SLA, SRL, root apex number per unit length and leaf blade/sheath weight ratio remained largely stable under P deficiency. Increased root growth relative to shoot was associated with increased sucrose concentration in roots, and thus possibly resulted from assimilates liberated by shoot growth inhibition. The simple theory of multiple morphological changes resulting from slow leaf expansion under P deficiency requires further experimental confirmation, after which it may serve as a basis for a mechanistic model of rice phenotypic plasticity and certain genotype X environment interactions on morphology.
Evaluation of levamisole as a treatment for amoebic gill disease of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Levamisole, a known T-cell stimulator and immunomodulator in mammals, has been demonstrated to enhance resistance to amoebic gill disease in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. When used in fresh water baths, dose rates of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 ppm levamisole stimulated resistance to reinfection with Paramoeba sp. that was evident from 2-3 weeks post-treatment. It is proposed that this response is related to enhancement of the non-specific immune system.
Early impacts of harvesting and burning disturbances on vegetation communities in the Warra silvicultural systems trial, Tasmania, Australia

Impacts on the understorey vegetation of a range of silvicultural alternatives to clearfelling in lowland Eucalyptus obliqua wet forest were studied over a decade in the Warra silvicultural systems trial in southern Tasmania. The treatments were clearfell with understorey islands, patchfell, stripfell, dispersed retention, aggregated retention, and single-tree/small-group selection. High intensity burning, low intensity burning and no burning were variously applied as part of these treatments. Three understorey types were studied, including one wet sclerophyll community and two rainforest communities. Wherever burning occurred across the research trial, the regenerating vegetation was floristically wet sclerophyll with an incipient composition consistent with that of the pre-harvest wet sclerophyll community. Sites previously occupied by rainforest understoreys retained occasional rainforest elements, but the regeneration was overwhelmingly sclerophyll in nature. There were no consistent differences in the floristic composition of the regenerating vegetation, after burning or harvesting disturbance, that could be attributed to the silvicultural system. However, field observations and the results of a related, subsequent study suggest that, in designing silvicultural trials similar to the present one, close attention should be paid to the size of quadrats in relation to the level at which disturbance impacts are operating. The response of the vegetation at edges created by the treatments, and in the undisturbed forest beyond, supports the finding that edge effects on the vascular flora extend for less than 10 m into the undisturbed forest.
The association of smoking status with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, hospitalization and mortality from COVID‐19: a living rapid evidence review with Bayesian meta‐analyses (version 7)

Abstract Aims To estimate the association of smoking status with rates of (i) infection, (ii) hospitalization, (iii) disease severity and (iv) mortality from SARS‐CoV‐2/COVID‐19 disease. Design Living rapid review of observational and experimental studies with random‐effects hierarchical Bayesian meta‐analyses. Published articles and pre‐prints were identified via MEDLINE and medRxiv. Setting Community or hospital, no restrictions on location. Participants Adults who received a SARS‐CoV‐2 test or a COVID‐19 diagnosis. Measurements Outcomes were SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, hospitalization, disease severity and mortality stratified by smoking status. Study quality was assessed (i.e. ‘good’, ‘fair’ and ‘poor’). Findings Version 7 (searches up to 25 August 2020) included 233 studies with 32 ‘good’ and ‘fair’ quality studies included in meta‐analyses. Fifty‐seven studies (24.5%) reported current, former and never smoking status. Recorded smoking prevalence among people with COVID‐19 was generally lower than national prevalence. Current compared with never smokers were at reduced risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection [relative risk (RR) = 0.74, 95% credible interval (CrI) = 0.58–0.93, τ = 0.41]. Data for former smokers were inconclusive (RR = 1.05, 95% CrI = 0.95–1.17, τ = 0.17), but favoured there being no important association (21% probability of RR ≥ 1.1). Former compared with never smokers were at somewhat increased risk of hospitalization (RR = 1.20, CrI = 1.03–1.44, τ = 0.17), greater disease severity (RR = 1.52, CrI = 1.13–2.07, τ = 0.29) and mortality (RR = 1.39, 95% CrI = 1.09–1.87, τ = 0.27). Data for current smokers were inconclusive (RR = 1.06, CrI = 0.82–1.35, τ = 0.27; RR = 1.25, CrI = 0.85–1.93, τ = 0.34; RR = 1.22, 95% CrI = 0.78–1.94, τ = 0.49, respectively), but favoured there being no important associations with hospitalization and mortality (35% and 70% probability of RR ≥ 1.1, respectively) and a small but important association with disease severity (79% probability of RR ≥ 1.1). Conclusions Compared with never smokers, current smokers appear to be at reduced risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, while former smokers appear to be at increased risk of hospitalization, increased disease severity and mortality from COVID‐19. However, it is uncertain whether these associations are causal.
The effects of nutrition and density on growth, foliage biomass, and growth efficiency of high-density fire-origin lodgepole pine in central British Columbia

A factorial thinning and fertilization experiment was established in central British Columbia in a 36-year-old high-density fire-origin lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) stand to examine the effects of density, nutrition, and their interaction on tree and stand growth, foliage biomass per hectare, and growth efficiency. Volume growth was increased from 2 to 7 m3·ha1·year1 when fertilizer was applied without thinning and to 5 m3·ha1·year1 when fertilizer was applied with thinning. Thinning increased tree-level foliage biomass and growth efficiency by concentrating limited resources onto fewer trees, resulting in increased tree-level volume growth. Stand-level volume growth was reduced by thinning because of the large reduction in stocking. However, by year 4, stand-level volume growth was the same on control and thinned plots, suggesting that thinned trees have already recaptured the site potential. Fertilization increased both tree-level and stand-level productivit.
An invasive alien weed giant sensitive plant ( Mimosa diplotricha Sauvalle) invading Southwestern Ethiopia

An assessment was carried out on the highway from Jimma to Addis Ababa in November 2009 to investigate the incidence and distribution of Mimosa diplotricha . This assessment revealed the occurrence of the weed M. diplotricha on the road sides from Jimma to Wolisso town. The roadsides from Beda Buna, near Jimma town, to Assendabo were seriously invaded whereas patches were observed from Asendabo to Wolisso. The farmers indicated that the weed has invaded the area for the last three to five years and confirmed that the spread of the weed was associated with the road construction from Addis Ababa to Jimma and the allied movement of soils and heavy machineries and vehicles. The literature study confirmed that the weed was known in many parts of the world as an invasive weed. In Ethiopia, there are evidences that indicate the presence of the plant in Southwestern Ethiopia for more than 20 years with the name Mimosa invisa . Mechanical, chemical and biological control methods were attempted in different countries with varying degrees of success. An integrated control method with land management practices has been suggested as the most effective. Though some farmers around Jimma started controlling the plant thicket by burning, no other control method was attempted. To this end, a country-wide survey was suggested on distribution and impacts of the weed and investigations on its biology, ecology, mechanisms of invasion success and its management.
Recreation changes the use of a wild landscape by corvids

ABSTRACT As urban areas have grown in population, use of nearby natural areas for outdoor recreation has also increased, potentially influencing bird distribution in landscapes managed for conservation. Members of the family Corvidae (crows, ravens, jays, and magpies) have strong interactions with humans and may be directly affected by recreation in wild landscapes. In Mount Rainier National Park, we evaluated the effects of vegetation, visitor use, and the availability of human-subsidized food on the use of landscape features by 4 corvid species: Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis), Common Raven (Corvus corax), and Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana). We conducted >1,400 point counts across areas that varied in habitat and in the degree of human recreational impact. We calculated predicted occupancy values while allowing for variation in detection probability. In addition to species-specific suites of vegetation and landscape variables, we found that patterns of human recreation, such as visitor use, food subsidy, and amount of road edge, were also significant in explaining corvid distribution. The number of visitors present during point counts was positively associated with Steller's Jay and Clark's Nutcracker use. Common Ravens used areas with fewer people but with a high density of road edge. Gray Jays, Common Ravens, and Clark's Nutcrackers were each more likely to use sites with anthropogenic food subsidy than sites without subsidies. These changes in landscape use may affect the performance of ecosystem services by corvids and could serve as useful and easily measured bioindicators of the impacts of recreation.
Individual state and survival prospects: age, sex, and telomere length in a long-lived seabird

Identifying markers that are indicative of individual state, related to fitness, and which could be used to study life-history trade-offs in wild populations is extremely difficult. Recently, it has been suggested that telomeres, the ends of eukaryote chromosomes, might be useful in this context. However, little is known of the link between telomere length and fitness in natural populations and whether it is a useful indicator of biological state. We measured average telomere length in red blood cell samples taken from a wide age range of individuals of a very long-lived and highly sexually dimorphic seabird, the southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus). We examined the relationship with age, sex, and subsequent survival over an 8-year period. Telomere length was longer in chicks than adults. Within the adult group, which ranged in age from 12 to 40 years, telomere length was not related to age. For the first time in birds, there was some evidence of a sex difference. Male giant petrels, which are substantially larger than females, had significantly shorter telomere lengths than females. This difference was evident from an early stage in life and is likely to relate to differences in growth trajectories. Those adults that died during the 8-year time window following the telomere length measurement had significantly shorter telomere lengths than those that survived this period, irrespective of age or sex, neither of which were significant predictors of survival. These results show that relatively short telomere length is related to future life expectancy at any adult age, demonstrating its usefulness as a state variable. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Study on the socio-economic condition and productive performances of backyard chicken in some selected areas of Pabna district

The study was carried out to investigate backyard chicken production systems in three areas (Bera, Santhia and Sujanagar Thana) of Pabna district. A total of 150 households were selected, from three thana, each having 5 villages and 10 households per village. Stratified random sampling technique was followed to collect data. The hatchability rate was 89, 88.5 and 85 percent in Sujanagar, Santhia and Bera, respectively. The percentage of egg production was 68% in Sujanagar, 72% in Santhia and 75% in Bera Thana. The differences in hatchability and egg production between the three areas were significant. Family wise and per bird total income was Tk. 2124.00 and Tk. 223.95, respectively which is higher than the net cost of Tk. 1324.23 and Tk. 138.70, respectively. The BCR (Benefit Cost Ratio) in family wise and per bird wise was 1.60 and 1.61 respectively. It indicates that if backyard chicken rearers invest Tk.1. 0 then they can earn Tk.1.60. So, family wise profit was Tk. 0.60 & per bird basis was Tk. 0.61. The results indicate that backyard chicken rearing is profitable for the farmers in those areas. Vaccinations and balanced diets have a decisive effect on chicken rearing, providing quality products for human consumption and reducing nutritional deficiencies and poverty of the country.
Coinfection of typhoid and malaria

Rampant and unnecessary use of iron supplementation to correct possible anemia in malaria and other infections is dangerous, since excess iron may predispose to salmonellosis. Intracellular bacteria, such as Salmonella typhimurium has an obligate requirement for iron to support intracellular growth and survival. Complements have unique role in salmonella co-infection with malaria because complements like C1q and C4 deficiency are associated with Salmonella infection. On the other hand, misleading Widal results may keep one away from the true diagnosis because of cross reaction of antigen from other infections with Salmonellaantibody. Therefore an erroneous interpretation of rapid diagnostic tests delays the treatment of actual infection and increases morbidity. So, further research is necessary to diagnose a true coinfection and to eliminate false interpretation of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Thereby true co-infections and their prevalence should be measured correctly. Effective control measures can be determined if a data of true co-infection were present. A review was carried out on the literature relating to malaria and typhoid, using various journals and published articles from internet search engines. Here we described the importance of malaria and typhoid co-infection due to misleading Widal results, associated conditions, and iron induced true co-infection and their public health importance by reviewing various scientific data. Key word: Coinfection, malaria, typhoid, iron overload, salmonella, false positive widal, misleading widal result, true coinfection.
Responses of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to sowing rate in south-western Australia. I. Seed yield and economic optimum plant density

Sowing rate in∞uences plant establishment, growth, seed yield, and the profltability of a crop. However, there is limited published information on the optimum sowing rate and plant density for faba bean in Australia. The response of the growth and seed yield of faba bean (cv. Fiord) to sowing rate (70{270 kg/ha) was examined in 19 fleld experiments conducted over 3 years in south-western Australia. The economic optimum plant density was estimated at each site by fltting an asymptotic model to the data and calculating the point where the cost of extra seed equalled the return from additional seed yield, allowing a 10% opportunity cost for the extra investment. On average across all sites and seasons, only 71% of the seeds sown emerged. Increasing sowing rate resulted in more dry matter production at flrst ∞ower and at maturity, and at about half of the sites there was a small trend of reduced harvest index. In general, the mean number of seeds per pod (1¢8{2¢6) and mean seed weight (32{45 g/100 seeds) were unafiected by sowing rate. As sowing rate increased, the number of pods per plant (5{35) generally decreased, but this was compensated by the large plant population and more pods per unit area. The asymptotic models fltted to the seed yield data accounted for 15{81% of the variance. In 8 experiments, the models indicated that yield was continuing to increase substantially as sowing rate increased at the largest sowing rate treatment. The estimated optimum plant densities in these experiments were beyond the range of the data or had large standard errors and, hence, were excluded from any further consideration. Among the remaining 11 experiments, the estimated optimum plant densities varied from 31 to 63 plants/m 2 , with a mean of 45 plants/m 2 . This study demonstrates that targeting sowing rates greater than the current commercial practice for faba bean in southern Australia of 15{30 plants/m 2 results in more yield and proflt. Additional experiments are required with sowing rates in excess of 270 kg/ha to estimate accurately the optimum plant density for faba bean. Fungal diseases were either absent or controlled with fungicides in these experiments but the interactions between disease, time of sowing, and sowing rates also deserve further attention.
Pollen morphology of 10 taxa belonging to Prangos Lindl. and Ekimia H. Duman & M.F. Watson (Umbelliferae) from turkey and its taxonomic significance

Pollen grains of nine taxa of Prangos Lindl. and one of Ekimia H. Duman & M.F. Watson (Umbelliferae) were examined with LM (light microscope) and SEM (scanning electron microscope), and of them four with TEM (transmission electron microscope). The quantitative data were also subjected to cluster analysis. The obtained phenogram revealed that Ekimia bornmuelleri (Hub.-Mor. & Reese) H. Duman & M.F. Watson is strictly different from the taxa of Prangos regarding their quantitative pollen profile; except P. ferulacea Lindl. , all taxa included in section Intactae formed a cluster together; members of section Meliocarpoides and section Prangos show a closer relationship regarding their pollen features. Exine ornamentations of Prangos and Ekimia are rugulate-striate and are of no value for identification purposes. Keywords: Ekimia ; Pollen morphology; Prangos ; SEM; Taxonomy; TEM. DOI: 10.3329/bjpt.v16i2. 3929 Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 16(2): 165-174, 2009 (December)