Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indigenous commercial drinks as potential sources of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLS) producing organisms in Kano, Nigeria

Ten samples each of ten different indigenous commercial drinks were processed for bacterial isolation and Gram staining reactions. Gram negative isolates were subjected to biochemical tests for identification using standard procedures and confirmed enterobacteriaceae isolates were screened for extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) production using Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoint. Suspected ESBLs producers were subjected to Disc Diffusion Test (DDST) using standard discs of Augmentin {AUG 30 �g (Optudisc)} and prepared discs of Ceftriaxone {CXN 30 �g (Medireich)} and Ceftazidime {CAZ 30 �g (Glaxo-Smithkline)}. Of the 80 samples processed, 11 (13.75%) yielded Gram negative isolates belonging to enterobacteriaceae family. These include; Citrobacter fruendii 2, Escherichia coli 1, Klebsiella pneumoniae 1, Morganella morganii 1, Proteus vulgaris 1, Salmonella typhi 2 and Serratia mercescens 3. Among the enterobacteriaceae isolates screened, the results of CLSI breakpoint test showed that 7 (36.36%) were ESBLs producers viz: Citrobacter fruendii 1, Escherichia coli 1, Morganella morganii 1, Serratia mercescens 2. On subjecting the CLSI positive isolates to DRM, only 4 (18.75%) were confirmed ESBLs producers. These include; Citrobacter fruendii 1, Escherichia coli 1 and Morganella morganii 1.
Compensation for Herbivory in Cruciferous Plants: Specific Responses to Three Defoliating Insects

Abstract Plant compensation may be specific to the defoliation of a particular insect herbivore, or a generalized response to herbivory. These alternate hypotheses were tested by measuring biomass and seed production of Brassica napus L. and Sinapis alba L. in response to 0, 25, or 75% defoliation of seedling plants. The herbivores were adults of Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), larvae of Plutella xylostella L. , and larvae of Mamestra configurata (Walker). Although defoliated to the same extent, both B. napus and S. alba compensated most for defoliation by M. configurata and least for defoliation by P. cruciferae. Both plant species compensated better for 25% than for 75% defoliation, and S. alba compensated better than B. napus. Laboratory and field experiments showed similar patterns of compensatory leaf growth, but recovery was more rapid in a controlled environment. Compensation was associated with changes in root biomass that were correlated with foliage biomass, indicating that root-shoot ratios were maintained. Complete recovery of foliage after defoliation did not assure complete recovery of plant fitness. For these three herbivorous insects, compensation by two plant species for defoliation was specific to the insect defoliator, and not a generalized response to herbivory. The compensatory responses of the two plant species explain, in part, the differential impact the three herbivores have on the crops.
Distribution and population dynamics of cryptomonads in a Chinese lake with three basins varying in their trophic state

Shuang Xia, Yingyin Cheng, Huan Zhu, Guoxiang Liu* and Zhengyu Hu 1Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China, 2College of Life Sciences, South-central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China, and 3State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
Deriving QoE in Systems From Fundamental Relationships to a QoE-based Service-level Quality Index

With Quality of Experience (QoE) research having made signiﬁ-cant advances over the years, service and network providers aim at user-centric evaluation of the services provided in their system. The question arises how to derive QoE in systems. In the context of subjective user studies conducted to derive relationships between inﬂuence factors and QoE, user diversity leads to varying distributions of user rating scores for diﬀerent test conditions. Such models are commonly exploited by providers to derive various QoE metrics in their system, such as expected QoE, or the percentage of users rating above a certain threshold. The question then becomes how to combine a) user rating distributions obtained from subjective studies, and b) system parameter distributions, so as to obtain the actual observed QoE distribution in the system? Moreover, how can various QoE metrics of interest in the system be derived? We prove fundamental relationships for the derivation of QoE in systems, thus providing an important link between the QoE community and the systems community. In our numerical examples, we focus mainly on QoE metrics. We furthermore provide a more generalized view on quantifying the quality of systems by deﬁning a QoE-based Service-level Quality Index (SQI). This index exploits the fact that quality can be seen as a proxy measure for utility. Following the assumption that not all user sessions should be weighted equally, we aim to provide a generic framework that can be utilized to quantify the overall utility of a service delivered by a system.
MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF EVOLUTIONARY TRENDS IN THE CERATOPSIAN POSTCRANIAL SKELETON

Abstract The cranial anatomy of ceratopsian (“horned”) dinosaurs is well understood, but the postcranial skeleton has been largely ignored in previous studies of phylogeny, evolution, and function. In order to study morphological differences among ceratopsian postcranial elements and to compare evolutionary patterns, multivariate (Principal Components Analysis) and bivariate methods were used to analyze linear measurement data, and the shape methods Resistant-Fit Theta-Rho Analysis (RFTRA), Least-Squares Theta-Rho Analysis (LSTRA), and Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis (EDMA) were applied to biological landmark data. Results of the analyses show that size is the primary change through ceratopsian skeleton evolution. Elements display positive allometry, and increasing structural support is evident, especially in the radius and fibula. Phylogenetic distribution of ceratopsian postcrania agrees with the skull material included in recent cladistic analyses. Psittacosaurus elements are in many ways derived relative to those of non-ceratopsid neoceratopsians, and evidence suggests that Psittacosaurus was bipedal, while non-ceratopsid neoceratopsians were not, except maybe for Udanoceratops. With increasing body size, neoceratopsian limbs bowed laterally. The variety of methods allows for unbiased interpretation of results, provides more information than any one method, and provides controls for each other. However, sample sizes are not ideal, and all results should be treated with caution at this time.
460. Studies of the secretion of milk of low fat content by cows on diets low in hay and high in concentrates: I. The effect of variations in the amount of hay

1. Twelve Shorthorn cows were used for an investigation into the effect of diets low in roughage and high in concentrates on the fat content of milk. 2. An experiment was conducted with initial and final control periods. During the control periods all the cows received daily 17 to 21 lb. of hay, 30 lb. of mangolds and 4 lb. of a balanced concentrate mixture per 10 lb. of milk. In the period of experimental treatment, lasting 4 weeks, a control group of four cows remained on this diet. Two other similar groups received daily only 6 and 2 lb. of hay, but this was supplemented with 9 lb. of a concentrate mixture low in fibre and protein. The same allowances of mangolds and of concentrates for production were given to these as to the control group. 3. The mean fat content of milk produced in the last 2 weeks of the period of experimental treatment by cows receiving the diets low in roughage was 0·49 % (group receiving 6 lb. of hay) and 0·59% (group receiving 2 lb. of hay) below that produced by the cows receiving the control diet, these differences being statistically significant. In the group receiving daily 6 lb. of hay the drop in fat content was accompanied by an increase in the yield of milk and there was only a small fall in the yield of milk fat, but in the group receiving daily 2 lb. of hay there was a significant fall in the yield of fat. The latter fall represented a loss of 18·9% of the fat as compared with the control group. The fat content of the milk and the yield of milk rapidly returned to normal when the cows reverted to 18 lb. of hay per day. 4. The butterfat produced by the cows receiving diets low in roughage had a higher iodine value and lower softening point than that from the control cows. The fat from the group receiving daily 2 lb. of hay, but not that from the group receiving 6 lb. of hay, had a distinctly lower Reichert value than fat from the control group. The treatments caused no change in the saponification value. 5. The level of solids-not-fat in the milk was not affected by reduction in the roughage intake.
INTERSPECIFIC VARIATION IN THE ABUNDANCE, PRODUCTION, AND EMERGENCE OF DAPHNIA DIAPAUSING EGGS

Despite the ubiquity of dormancy among invertebrates, the demographic ties between the active and dormant stages remain largely unexplored in most systems. Nevertheless, dormant stages could potentially have significant impacts on the ecology and evolution of the active population. In Oneida Lake, New York, populations of the suspension-feeding crustaceans Daphnia galeata mendotae and Daphnia pulicaria produce large numbers of long-lived diapausing eggs, which accumulate in the sediments to densities of over 2.5 × 104 eggs/m2 for D. galeata mendotae and 8.0 × 104 eggs/m2 for D. pulicaria. Sedimentation rates obtained by 210Pb dating suggest that these eggs can remain viable for >125 yr and that these two Daphnia populations have persisted in this system for >200 yr. Total annual production of new diapausing eggs can range from 0 to over 104 new eggs/m2 of sediment. Annual emergence rates back to the water column are also variable but only range between 0 and 25 Daphnia/m2. Because annual variation in the .
ANTI-BCG IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIA IN FORMALIN-FIXED PARAFFIN-EMBEDDED TISSUE SAMPLES OF GRANULOMATOUS LYMPHADENITIS

Objective: In order to improve the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), there is a growing need for a simple, sensitive, fast and cost-effective tool for the detection of mycobacteria. The present study was designed to evaluate the applicability of immunohistochemistry (IHC) by using polyclonal anti-BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin) antibody on tissue sections for detection of tuberculous bacilli or their components in granulomatous lymphadenitis and to assess its advantages over conventional Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) histochemical staining. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of forty one formalin-fixed and paraffinembedded (FFPE) biopsies of tuberculous granulomatous lymphadenitis, randomly selected from the archives of pathology laboratories in Erbil during the period from 2009 -2012. All specimens were subjected to ZN staining for acid fast bacilli (AFB) and IHC staining by polyclonal antiBCG antibody; then a comparison of the detection rate of both techniques was done. Results: AFB were identified by ZN stain in 27/41 (65.9%) of the cases; while IHC staining was positive in 39/41 (95.1 %) of cases. Conclusion: IHC is a simple, sensitive and useful diagnostic technique, superior to conventional ZN staining, in detection of mycobacterium bacilli or their components in granulomatous lymphadenitis.
Detection of bla VIM and bla IMP metallo-β-lactamase genes by Multiplex PCR among carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from ventilator associated pneumonia in ICU patients

This study was undertaken to examine the microbial causes of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) among adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients of Al-ansar Hospital, Medina, KSA and to detect the prevalence of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) in carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii. Microorganisms obtained from different respiratory specimens in patients diagnosed with VAP between January 2011 to January 2014 were included in the current analysis. Standard laboratory methods were used to identify microorganisms, and a standardized susceptibility test was performed. Vitek 2 compact identification system (BioMerieux) using GP-67 and GN-291 cards were also used to confirm the identification. Screening for the detection of MBL in A. baumannii strains was done by disc potention test with EDTA impregnated- impenem and meropenem discs and confirmed by multiplex PCR. A total of 208 clinical isolates of bacteria including Gram negative bacteria constituted 150 (72.1%) of VAP, while Gram positive bacteria constituted 58 (27.9%) of isolates. The most common pathogen associated with VAP was Acinetobacter spp. (26.9%). Patients with primary VAP associated with Acinetobacter spp. were more likely to have nasogastric intubation, sedation and they were on mechanical ventilator for more than 15 days. Out of the 56 strains of A. baumannii isolated form VAP patients, 35 were carbapenem-resistant; of these, 20 were positive for MBL production by potentiated disk test, 17 were positive for bla VIM by multiplex PCR but none of our strains were positive for bla IMP. In conclusion, gram-negative pathogens are responsible for most of VAP cases in our patients. A. baumannii is the most common pathogen associated with VAP, especially recurrent cases. Carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii is mainly mediated by MBL production. The common MBL gene is bla VIM.
Small Ruminant Mastitis Unity - studies on grazing ewes.

A Unidade de Estudo de Mastites em Pequenos Ruminantes, formalmente constituida no âmbito do Programa Nacional de Re-equipamento Cientifico, da Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, vem dar corpo ao trabalho de colaboracao de diversas equipas de investigacao que se tem debrucado sobre a problematica das infeccoes intramamarias em pequenos ruminantes, nos seus aspectos de saude animal, saude publica veterinaria e qualidade e seguranca alimentar. Tem como principal objectivo criar condicoes para o desenvolvimento de trabalhos de investigacao e divulgacao cientifica que contribuam para reduzir a prevalencia de mastites em pequenos ruminantes e assim melhorar a producao e a qualidade do leite, favorecendo produtores de leite, produtores de queijo e consumidores. Entre os trabalhos ja realizados pela equipa cientifica, destacam-se o isolamento e identificacao de agentes etiologicos de mastite em ovelhas, o estudo de factores de virulencia nas bacterias mais relevantes, o estudo dos mecanismos de infeccao e a resposta imunologica local e sistemica do hospedeiro e outros estudos na area da epidemiologia. O estudo da etiologia e da fisiopatologia da mastite ovina, com o objectivo de compreender a modulacao da resposta imunitaria da glândula mamaria, podera contribuir para o desenvolvimento de metodos de controlo com base na estimulacao da resposta imunitaria, alternativos ao uso de antibioticos.
Fermentation Characteristics of Several Carbohydrate Sources for Dog Diets Using the In Vitro Gas Production Technique

Fermentable carbohydrates are an important part of the canine diet. They can improve gastrointestinal health by modifying gut microbial population and metabolic activity. The present study compared the fermentation characteristics and kinetic patterns of 10 carbohydrate sources using the in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT) with dog faecal inoculum. The substrates tested were: pure cellulose (PC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), sugar-cane fibre (SCF), beet pulp (BP), wheat bran (WB), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, yeast cell wall (YCW), ground psyllium seed (PS), pea hulls (PH). All substrates were incubated at 39°C under anaerobic conditions with faeces collected from dogs as microbial inoculum. Gas production of fermenting cultures was recorded and after 48 h, pH, shortchain fatty acids (SCFA) and organic matter disappearance (OMD) were determined. The results confirm high fermentation by dog faecal bacteria of FOS and inulin that produced high amounts of propionate and that underwent very rapid fermentation. Three substrates (SCF, CMC and PC) were not able to support bacterial growth, with low gas and SCFA production, and high BCFA formation. The PH and BP showed moderate OMD and SCFA production. Wheat bran B underwent rapid fermentation and generated a high proportion of butyrate. Psyllium seeds underwent slow fermentation with delayed gas production, supporting a high formation of SCFA, with an adequate amount of butyrate for bacterial growth while YCW, which showed a delayed fermentation, gave moderate SCFA production. The fermentation characteristics of PS and YCW suggest their potential use in promoting a more distal fermentation on intestinal tract.
Gomal-8, a high yielding, disease tolerant wheat variety for irrigated areas.

Wheat variety Gomal-8, having parentage/pedigree “ATTILA” CM85836-4Y-0M-0Y-14M-0Y-5M-0Y-1SJ-0Y-0AP, was first tested at the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), Dera Ismail Khan, during the year 1999-2000 in Regional Bread Wheat Yield Trial (RBWYT) received from Centro International de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT), Mexico. Out of 24 lines tested, high yielding and disease resistant line (DN-38) was selected which was then tested in various Preliminary Yield Trials (A-Test, B-Test, Micro Plot Trial) under irrigated condition at ARI, Dera Ismail Khan, during 2000-01. DN-38 was then included in Advanced Yield Trial (AYT) during 2001-02 and National Uniform Wheat Yield Trials (NUWYT) for two consecutive years from 2005-07. In NUWYT, DN-38 showed its dominance in high yield and resistance to yellow and leaf rusts. On the basis of its overall performance, DN-38 (Gomal-8) was approved by the Provincial Seed Council (PSC) as new wheat variety for general cultivation in irrigated areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). The optimum sowing time for Gomal-8 is from 25th October to 25th November in KPK.
Contribution of estuaries to commercial fisheries in temperate Western Australia and the concept of estuarine dependence

Fisheries catch statistics for temperate Western Australia are considered in conjunction with life cycle data to elucidate the importance of estuaries to the commercial and recreational fisheries in this region. The data are used to discuss whether the term estuarine-dependent is strictly applicable to all species of finfish found in abundance in estuaries. Between 1976 and 1984, 96 species of finfish, 7 species of crustaceans and 12 species of mollusks contributed to the large commercial fishery in estuaries, protected coastal areas and open marine waters of temperate Western Australia. The mean annual weight and monetary value (in 1984 terms) of this fishery was 21,355 t and $A151.3×106. The contribution of the weight (4,340 t) and value ($A3.7×106) of the estuarine-dependent species to the total fishery was 20.3 and 2.4%, respectively. Estuarine-dependent marine species frequently use protected inshore waters in temperate Western Australia, and have to do so when they occur in subtropical regions in Western Australia where there are no permanent estuaries. Even the semi-anadromous Perth herring and some species which are estuarinesensu stricto in south-western Australia complete their life cycle within the marine waters of this latter more northern region. Since virtually none of the commercially important marine species in temperate Western Australia can be considered to be entirely dependent on estuaries, and a similar conclusion is valid for many species of marine teleosts found in abundance in estuaries in temperate waters elsewhere in the world, these marine species would be best regarded as estuarine opportunists rather than estuarine dependents.
The use and macro-mineral content of saline water for goat production

To overcome a lack of data on the use and acceptability of saline water for goats, a survey of saline water use by drought affected goat producers in Australia was completed. The responses (n = 31) from all but one contributor indicated that the goats survived on saline water sources without any noticeable problems. The range in the acceptable total dissolved salts (TDS) was (median; minimum; maximum): 2,300; 200; 11,000 mg/L; electrical conductivity (EC) 4,200, 400, 16,000 µS/cm; total alkalinity 240; 0; 550 mg CaCO3/L; pH 7.5; 3.7; 8.5; total P 0.03; 0.01; 0.17 mg/L; total N 1.1; 0.09; 14.0 mg/L; Mg 110; 0; 470 mg/L; Na 560; 50; 3,200 mg/L; Cl 970; 25; 4,600 mg/L. Two producers noted that goats walk past fresh ground water to drink bore water with 11000 mg TDS/L and survived. One case of saline poisoning was related to water with a TDS of 33,000 mg/L and a Mg concentration of 1,300 mg/L. The application of the results is discussed. Goats can tolerate water with high salinity levels, but they need to be adapted to saline water. Long-term effects of increased saline water intake and elevated trace element exposure in adapted goats should be investigated.
Laboratory study of anticandidal activity of thyme, pennyroyal and lemon essential oils by micro dilution method

Introduction and objective: Patients with candidiasis could be treated with antifungal drugs. Due to side effects and drug resistance, many studies have been conducted to investigate essential oils’ antifungal effects. The aim of the present study was to determine anticandidal activity of some essential oils. Materials and methods: In this study, the effect of thyme, pennyroyal and lemon essential oils on Candida isolated from vulvovaginal infection were investigated experimentally by using micro dilution method. Serial dilution of thyme (0.002-4%), pennyroyal (0.004-8%) and lemon (0.15-32%) essential oils accompanying to controls and also amphotericin B (0.008-16µg/ml) and fluconazole (1-2048µg/ml) were used. Results: Thyme’s essential oils had the most anti-candidal activity followed by pennyroyal. Candida albicans was the most sensitive species (0.008-0.062%). Thyme and lemon essential oils had the most (0.008-0.271%) and least (1-32%) anticandidal activities, respectively. The candidal growth was inhibited by amphotericin B at 1µg/ml; whereas the anticandidal activity of fluconazole was 29.647-978. 824µg/ml. the effect of thyme essential oil was similar to amphotericin B. Conclusion: Because of the strong anti-candidal effects of thyme which was proved through in vitro tests in our study, it is proposed to do further research in the treatment of candidiasis with thyme experimentally.
Exotic invasive plant accumulates native soil pathogens which inhibit native plants

1 We investigated the role of a native generalist soil pathogen through which a non‐native invasive plant species may suppress naturalized/native plant species. 2 We found that rhizosphere soils of Chromolaena odorata, one of the world's most destructive tropical invasive weeds, accumulate high concentrations of the generalist soil borne fungi, Fusarium (tentatively identified as F. semitectum), thus creating a negative feedback for native plant species. 3 Soils collected beneath Chromolaena in the Western Ghats of India inhibited naturalized/native species and contained over 25 times more spores of the pathogenic fungi Fusarium semitectum than soils collected at the same locations beneath neighbouring native species that were at least 20 m from any Chromolaena plant. Sterilization of these soils eliminated their inhibitory effect. Chromolaena root leachate experimentally added to uninvaded soils increased Fusarium spore density by over an order of magnitude, and increased the inhibitory effect of the soils. 4 The positive effect of Chromolaena root leachates on Fusarium spores was attenuated by activated carbon, suggesting a biochemical basis for how the invader stimulated the pathogen. 5 Synthesis. Invasive plants have been shown to escape inhibitory soil biota in their native range and to inhibit soil biota in their invaded range, but our results indicate that the impacts of Chromolaena are due to the exacerbation of biotic interactions among native plants and native soil biota, which is to our knowledge a new invasive pathway.