The Composition of Spesies and Changes in Reef Fishes Community at Ecoreef Rehabilitation Site, Manado Tua Island, Bunaken National Park

The study conducted from 2006 to 2012 with an interval of every two years in the ecoreef area of ​​ Manado Tua island found 2,936 individual reef fishes of 181 species that include into 32 families. Species composition value of the 10 dominant species of reef fishes was 55.48% of the total species. The highest number of species was Plotosus lineatus with schooling behavior which only discovered in 2010 at a depth of 3 meters. Ecoreef area of Manado Tua island, when analyzed from the abundance and biomass of reef fishes exhibited a succession of reef fish that have been stable, with peak abundance and higher biomass in 2008 and 2010. Reef fish found in ecoreef seemed to start a new living and become a new habitat for them. These were indicated by the highest biomass during the previous year but the number of individuals and spesies were decline. There was no change in the structure of reef fish communities in the ecoreef area of Manado Tua Island, which characterized by non significant different ecological index between the years. Cluster analyses grouped reef fish species into 2 groups i.e., the group of 2006 and the group of 2008, 2010, and 2012. Early survey in 2006 showed lower abundance of reef fish species for allegedly associated with low ecoreef organisms

Analisis Pertumbuhan Tanaman Kayu Putih (Melaleuca Cajuputi Sub SP. Cajuputi) pada Kawasan Hutan Lindung Dusun Malimbu dan Dusun Badung Resort Malimbu Kphl Rinjani Barat

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui faktor karakteristik lahan yang mempengaruhi perbedaan pertumbuhan Kayu Putih di Malimbu dan Badung dan menentukan Kelas kesesuaian lahan Kayu Putih di Malimbu dan Badung. Penelitian ini dilakukan di kawasan hutan lindung Dusun Malimbu dan Badung Resort Malimbu KPHL Rinjani Barat. Parameter yang diukur adalah pertumbuhan Kayu Putih meliputi diameter, tinggi dan volume, serta faktor lingkungan meliputi ketinggian tempat, suhu udara, dan sifat fisika tanah (tekstur tanah, kadar air tanah, kedalaman efektif, bulk density, porositas tanah dan suhu tanah). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ׃ 1). Rata-rata diameter, tinggi, volume dan jumlah tanaman Kayu Putih umur 22 bulan di Badung sebesar 3,33 cm, 3,29 m, 2355,83 cm3 dan 32 tanaman/plot, sedangkan di Malimbu sebesar 1,43 cm, 1,87 m, 241,85 cm3 dan 22 tanaman/plot; 2). Faktor yang berpengaruh nyata pada taraf toleransi 95% (α = 0,05) terhadap diameter Kayu Putih adalah fraksi pasir, suhu tanah, kedalaman efektif dan ketinggian tempat, sedangkan terhadap tinggi Kayu Putih adalah fraksi pasir, bulk density dan kedalaman efektif; 3). Kesesuaian lahan aktual Kayu Putih di Malimbu tergolong Kelas N1r dengan faktor pembatas media perakaran (drainase tanah), sedangkan di Badung tergolong Kelas S3w dan S3wr dengan faktor pembatas ketersediaan air (bulan kering) dan media perakaran (drainase tanah)

A report of natural enemies of papaya mealybug, paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Papaya mealybug is notorious pest of papaya & other horticultural crops. Keeping in mind the role of parasitoids and predators in pest management, an exploratory study was conducted on the availability of natural enemies of recently introduced papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus in Selangor and Negri Sembilan states of Peninsular Malaysia. Results revealed the presence of two predators (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Apertochrysa sp.), one primary parasitoid (Acerophagus papayae) and three hyperparasitoids (Chartocerus sp., Marietta leopardina and Cheiloneurus sp.). Among all natural enemies recorded, populations of C. montrouzieri and A. papayae were frequently recorded from all sampled locations of the two states. Accordingly, these two species should be exploited for their potential to manage populations of P. marginatus below threshold levels

A Pilot Study on the Quality of Life in Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients at an Urban Tertiary Hospital in Kuala Lumpur

Background: Family plays an important role in caregiving of cancer patients. There are limited published articles on cancer caregiving in the Malaysian population. The aim of the study was to determine the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patient caregivers and its associated factors. Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an urban tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 94 family caregivers of all types of cancer patients completed validated questionnaires in the national language. The dependent variable was theQoL in family caregivers, which was measured by the Malay Caregiver Quality of Life–Cancer (MCQOL-C) questionnaire. It consisted of 35 items, and the domains are burden, positive adaptation, disruptiveness, financial concerns and others. The higher the QoL scores, the better the QoL. The independent variables were socio-demographic factors (age, education level, ethnicity, gender, marital status, relationship with patient, any children less than 18 years old, and employment status). The data were analyzed by a linear regression model. Results: The study population (N= 94) comprised of 73.4% females, 38.8% were spouses to cancer patients. The mean age was 45.02+14.65, ranged from 17-78 years old. Half (56.4%) of the study subjects were Malays, 54.3% obtained secondary education, and 50% were not working. The reliability of the questionnaire was good with Cronbach alpha= 0.87. The mean (SD) score of QoL was 80.57 (21.27), ranged from 25-128. The multivariate analysis showed that being non-Malay had lower quality of life than Malay (b= -18.40; 95% CI= 3.10 to 33.70; p= 0.020). Conclusion: Ethnicity affects the QoL of cancer patient caregiving. This provides invaluable insight for developing health care service. Keywords: quality of life, family caregiver, cance

Global burden of human brucellosis : a systematic review of disease frequency

BACKGROUND: This report presents a systematic review of scientific literature published between 1990-2010 relating to the frequency of human brucellosis, commissioned by WHO. The objectives were to identify high quality disease incidence data to complement existing knowledge of the global disease burden and, ultimately, to contribute towards the calculation of a Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) estimate for brucellosis.METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Thirty three databases were searched, identifying 2,385 articles relating to human brucellosis. Based on strict screening criteria, 60 studies were selected for quality assessment, of which only 29 were of sufficient quality for data analysis. Data were only available from 15 countries in the regions of Northern Africa and Middle East, Western Europe, Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Central Asia. Half of the studies presented incidence data, six of which were longitudinal prospective studies, and half presented seroprevalence data which were converted to incidence rates. Brucellosis incidence varied widely between, and within, countries. Although study biases cannot be ruled out, demographic, occupational, and socioeconomic factors likely play a role. Aggregated data at national or regional levels do not capture these complexities of disease dynamics and, consequently, at-risk populations or areas may be overlooked. In many brucellosis-endemic countries, health systems are weak and passively-acquired official data underestimate the true disease burden.CONCLUSIONS: High quality research is essential for an accurate assessment of disease burden, particularly in Eastern Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Central and South America and Africa where data are lacking. Providing formal epidemiological and statistical training to researchers is essential for improving study quality. An integrated approach to disease surveillance involving both human health and veterinary services would allow a better understand of disease dynamics at the animal-human interface, as well as a more cost-effective utilisation of resources

Combined QCD and electroweak analysis of HERA data

A simultaneous fit of parton distribution functions (PDFs) and electroweak parameters to HERA data on deep inelastic scattering is presented. The input data are the neutral current and charged current inclusive cross sections which were previously used in the QCD analysis leading to the HERAPDF2.0 PDFs. In addition, the polarisation of the electron beam was taken into account for the ZEUS data recorded between 2004 and 2007. Results on the vector and axial-vector couplings of the Z boson to u- and d-type quarks, on the value of the electroweak mixing angle and the mass of the W boson are presented. The values obtained for the electroweak parameters are in agreement with Standard Model predictions.Comment: 32 pages, 10 figures, accepted by Phys. Rev. D. Small corrections from proofing process and small change to Fig. 12 and Table

Screening and identification of antibacterial agents produced by Aspergillus species from the soil of Bayero University Kano

This study was conducted to isolate antibiotic producing fungi in soil samples collected from Bayero University, Kano. Soil samples were suspended in deionised distilled water and inoculated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) by spread-plate method for the isolation of fungi. Primary screening of antibiotic producers was conducted using agar well diffusion method. All the isolates were identified to be in the genus Aspergillus. Out of the sixty (60) fungal isolates, three (3) species (A. flavus, A. fumigatus and A. niger) were selected for fermentation process and extraction of metabolites using ethyl acetate. The extracts were dried and subjected to disc diffusion assay against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extracts showed inhibitory activity against all the test organisms at concentration of 1000μg and 800μg with little or no activity at 600μg against the tests organisms. Highest activity was observed from the metabolites of A. fumigatus on all the test organisms with MIC values of 250μg/ml. Thin layer chromatography of all the three extracts revealed four sports per chromatogram. The chromatogram study reveals many bioactive compounds such as Oleic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid known to have antibacterial activity against range of bacteria. Similarly, the extracts showed some level of toxicity to brine shrimp. The extracts were found to have some pharmaceutical applications and therefore should be subjected for further bioassay such as anticancer and antioxidant.Keywords: Antibiotic producing fungi, Soil, Aspergillus, Oleic aci

A study on commercial cultivation and storage of water chestnut (Trapa natans L.) under wetland ecosystem of North Bihar, India

Water chestnut is an excellent economical and medicinal winter crop from fresh water ecosystem. It is well known for its nutrient content including protein and antioxidants. Different water chestnut germplasm viz. Green Spineless, Green Spine, Red Spineless and Red Spine were studied at wetland ecosystem of North Bihar in India under Research Centre on Makhana, Darbhanga, during 2016-17. Under wetland ecosystem, Green Spineless variety of water chestnut produced large quality nut (24.42 g) followed by Red Spineless (23.11 g). Regarding yield, Green Spineless gave rise to the maximum yield of 12.24 t/ha. The Red Spineless variety exhibited the maximum TSS of 9.60B followed by Green Spineless (9.20B). Water chestnut beetle (Galerucella birmanica Jacoby.) was dangerous pest under wet land ecosystem as compared to aphid.  Green colored varieties were resistant to beetle and aphid. Different approaches had been made to enhance the shelf life of water chestnut variety Red Spineless as it was sweetest and attractive in colour among trial varieties. The results revealed that poly packaging with 5% perforation and stored in refrigerator for 40C (T1) increased storage life up to 14.0days as compared to open ambient (T4) (4.72 days) maintaining  fair market acceptability. This treatment (T1) also improved the TSS content of the fruit to 9.80B by slow and gradual PLW about 21.15 % during two weeks of storage. From our present study it may be concluded that irrespective of color, spineless varieties of water chestnut were promising under wetland ecosystem of North Bihar on account of their yield potential and nut quality