Habitat Use and Movement Activity of Neolissochilus soroides and Channa lucius during Post Inundation of Tembat Reservoir, Hulu Terengganu

The drastic changes in hydroelectric reservoir development created a completely new ecosystem that affects the river, particularly in the inundated area. In this study, five Neolissochilus soroides and Channa lucius were surgically implanted with a unique coded acoustic transmitter to observe the habitat utilisation and movement activity in Tembat Reservoir after the inundation process. All of the individuals were released into the transition zone of the reservoir and observed using passive and active acoustic tracking devices from April to December 2018. Kruskal-Walis test showed no significant difference between the average size of core area for N. soroides and C. lucius, x2(1) = 1.320, p = 0.251. The home range also showed a similar result for N. soroides and C. lucius where there was an insignificant difference, x2(1) = 0.273, p = 0.602. However, duration wise, N. soroides spend more time in the transition zone, R1 (M = 2.71 hrs, SE = 0.38), and C. lucius in the riverine zone, R5 (M = 7.14 hrs, SE = 6.13) and R6 (M = 3.85 hours, SE = 6.36). From the active tracking survey, PCA identified three (62.32%) and four (71.19%) components with eigenvalues greater than 1 for N. soroides and C. lucius, respectively. Three most important habitat parameters for N. soroides were the size of river (r = 0.97), existence of canopy cover (r = 0.77), and substrate type (r = 0.79).While, for C. lucius were mesohabitat type (r = 0.79), distance to riffle (r = 0.97), existence of canopy cover (r = 0.90), and elevation (r = 0.90). A 24-hour movement frequency analysis for both species revealed two active hours of movement at dusk and dawn for both species. From the study, it is known that N. soroides and C. lucius respond differently towards the inundation of the reservoir. The findings in this study can be implemented for effective aquatic management and conservation plan to ensure sustainable dam development.

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Documentation et gestion du patrimoine archéologique de la chaîne montagneuse tuniso-libyenne via l'utilisation des nouvelles technologies : résultats préliminaires

Libyan Studies ◽

10.1017/lis.2020.17 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Héla Mekki

Keyword(s):

New Technologies ◽

Management Plan ◽

Archaeological Sites ◽

Mountain Range ◽

Direct Evaluation ◽

Nouvelles Technologies ◽

Data Assessment ◽

Conservation Plan ◽

Indirect Evaluation ◽

Management And Conservation

Abstract The mountain range formed by Jebels Matmata, Demmer and Nefoussa which links the two countries, Tunisia and Libya, is strewn with archaeological remains that are little known today, due in part to the rugged terrain which makes it difficult to see them. This issue has been helped by the use of new technologies, in this case remote sensing and QGIS software. Archaeological evidence has been uncovered and more than 3,900 sites and monuments have been detected on the sides of these mountains. In addition to the inventory of unknown archaeological sites, the main aim of the work was to draw up a management and conservation plan to provide, with an order of priority, a strategy for the safeguard and conservation of the mountain heritage. This management plan was only possible through a correlation of three data: assessment of values, identification of threats, and study of the state of conservation. These components were studied using an indirect evaluation based on satellite imagery and direct evaluation through field visits.

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Patients Satisfaction Undergoing Endometrial Thermal Balloon Ablation for the Treatment of Intractable Menorrhagia

10.53350/pjmhs2115102537 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 2537-2539

Author(s):

Saman Ejaz ◽

Maryam Raana ◽

Ambar Riaz ◽

Netasha Nazar ◽

Amara Mumtaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Balloon Catheter ◽

Uterine Cavity ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Patients Satisfaction ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Insignificant Difference ◽

Balloon Ablation ◽

Thermal Balloon

Background: Heavy amounts of menstrual blood loss regularly in three or more consecutive cycles are characterized as menorrhagia which has been shown to be present among in many peri-menopausal and premenopausal women. Aim: To determine the frequency of patients’ satisfaction with TBA for the treatment of intractable menorrhagia. Methods: This descriptive study was undertaken in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lady Wallington Hospital Lahore from January to July 2017. A sample size of 200 patients was calculated and informed consent was taken to fill predesigned Performa. Prophylactic dose of 1g Ceftriaxon antibiotic was administered and Foly’s catheters were placed simultaneously in uterine cavity of patients after curettage and dilations. The uterine balloon catheter was then entered into the uterus and balloon was filled with sterile fluid. Results: A high number of 157(78.5%) women were found to be satisfied with thermal balloon ablation while different age groups presented an insignificant difference on level of satisfaction. Level of education and BMI had insignificant difference (p >0.05) while a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed among patients suffering from long duration of >6 months as compared to short duration of 3-6 months. Conclusion: Thermal balloon ablation is the method of choice for treatment of women suffering from menorrhagia and high number of patients revealed their trust on this method. Keywords: Menorrhagia, Dysmenorrhea, Blooding, Satisfaction, Endometrium.

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Analysis of Pre and Post Merger and Acquisition Financial Performance of Banks in Pakistan

Information Management and Business Review ◽

10.22610/imbr.v6i4.1113 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 177-190

Author(s):

Qamar Abbas ◽

Rashid Saeed . ◽

Ehsan-Ul-Hassan . ◽

Muhammad Shahzad Ijaz .

Keyword(s):

Financial Performance ◽

Banking Sector ◽

Merger And Acquisition ◽

Business Environment ◽

Study Data ◽

Financial Statement ◽

Acquisition Performance ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Insignificant Difference ◽

The Impact

Merger and Acquisition is a strategy adopted by the organizations globally to meet the needs of dynamic business environment. This strategy also has much importance in Pakistan mostly in banking sector. Therefore, the objective of the study is to assess the impact of M&A on the financial performance of banks in Pakistan. The accounting and financial data of 10 banks were used in this study. Data was taken from the financial statement analysis (FSA) by State Bank of Pakistan from the period of 20062011. For the analysis of pre and post Merger and Acquisition performance 15 financial ratios were used in the study. To compare the results Paired sample t-Test was used to measure the significant difference between pre and post M&A financial performance. The overall results show that there is no significant difference in financial performance. It is concluded that there is insignificant difference between pre and post M&A performance of banks in Pakistan.

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Clinico-radiological profile of abdominal tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS patients-a study from rural central India

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20171829 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 1980 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nisar A. Wafai ◽

Sudhir K. Yadav ◽

Prem S. Singh ◽

Manoj Kumar ◽

Prafulla K. Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Imaging Modality ◽

Central India ◽

Abdominal Tuberculosis ◽

Cd4 Count ◽

Common Finding ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Average Size ◽

Loss Of Appetite ◽

Hiv Aids

Background: One of the major challenge of present era is dual epidemic of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. With immunosuppression, risk of opportunistic diseases increases in these patients and tuberculosis is most common opportunistic infection. The prevalence of abdominal tuberculosis seems to be rising, particularly due to increasing prevalence of HIV infection. The diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis can often be difficult and it remains underdiagnosed, in view of its nonspecific manifestations. The investigations involved in its diagnosis are expensive and time consuming, however, ultrasonography (USG) is an affordable, non-invasive and widely available modality which can be of help in the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate clinical and USG finding among Abdominal Tuberculosis patients with HIV/AIDS.Methods: After informed consent, patients underwent thorough history taking and clinical examination followed by high quality USG abdomen and other biochemical and haematological tests including CD4 count. Follow up USG abdomen was done at time of completion of course of ATT and data was analysed.Results: 45 were found to have abdominal tuberculosis. Of these patients, 31(68.9%) were male and 14 (31.1%) were female. Mean age of HIV-abdominal TB was 34.27±9.66 years. most common symptoms were weight loss 41(91.1%), loss of appetite 38(84.4%), fever 32(71.1%), generalized weakness 30(66.7%) and abdominal pain 27(60.0%). On USG abdomen, intraabdominal lymphadenopathy was most common finding found in 44(97.8%). Average size of enlarged lymph node was 3.1+-1.0 cm. Mesenteric lymphnodes were enlarge in 40(88.89%), paraaortic 8(17.78%), retroperitoneal 4(8.89%) while peripancreatic and porta hepatic in 3(6.67%). splenomegaly was noted in 14(31.1%) cases. Hepatomegaly was found in 6 cases, who all were male. Ascites was evident in 5(11.1%) patients. Extensive involvement, defined as involvement of two or more intraabdominal sites, was found 24(53.3%) cases. There was no statistically significant difference found among these USG findings and CD4 count.Conclusions: The findings of lymphadenopathy (size>15mm) and hypoechoic/necrotic echotexture, hepatosplenomegaly with hypoechoic lesions in ultrasonography are suggestive of abdominal tuberculosis in HIV infected patients with unexplained nonspecific symptoms and low CD4 count. However, above findings are not standardized and inability to confirm the diagnosis of tuberculosis by direct microscopy and culture is the limitation of this study. Ultrasonography is an affordable, widely available, non-invasive imaging modality which may be optimally utilized for the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis in HIV infected patients, especially in the rural setup where microbiological and other sophisticated radiological investigations have limited availability.

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A Systems Approach for the Management of Russian Knapweed (Centaurea repens)

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00043943 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 363-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Rick M. Bottoms ◽

Tom D. Whitson

Keyword(s):

Systems Approach ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Economic Feasibility ◽

Grass Species ◽

Grass Cover ◽

Russian Knapweed ◽

Centaurea Repens ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Russian Wildrye

Studies were initiated in Wyoming to determine the potential of grass competition as an alternative to repetitive herbicide treatment or other cultural practices for control of Russian knapweed. An experiment was established to evaluate the effects of five grass species, including Russian wildrye cv. ‘Bozoisky.’ Picloram, applied to Russian knapweed during the first frost, reduced Russian knapweed from an average of 80.1% live canopy cover which equates to 0% control. Untreated, unseeded checks resulted in 83.9 and 81.1% control in tilled and nontilled treated plots, respectively. Grass cover increased in untreated seeded plots from an average of 11.3 and 8.2% in tilled and nontilled plots, respectively, to 65% in tilled and 66% in nontilled plots treated with clopyralid plus 2,4-D. Grass cover also increased 69.7% in tilled and 66% in nontilled plots treated with picloram. There was no significant difference between grass varieties when compared to percent Russian knapweed cover. Reductions to zero live canopy cover of Russian knapweed were obtained with a single application of picloram. Economic feasibility thresholds were obtained from four out of five varieties, including a significant difference provided by nontilled Russian wildrye treated with picloram.

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Importance of boreal forested wetlands for epiphytic macrolichen communities

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2020-0042 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (12) ◽

pp. 1333-1339

Author(s):

Tegan Padgett ◽

Yolanda F. Wiersma

Keyword(s):

Community Composition ◽

Abies Balsamea ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Tree Height ◽

Forested Wetlands ◽

Tree Age ◽

Forested Wetland ◽

Forest Types ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Face Threats

Forested wetlands provide ecosystem services and often support elevated levels of biodiversity and rare species. However, forested wetlands are understudied and face threats such as logging and land conversion. Epiphytic lichens are abundant in forested wetlands and may be useful to help delineate microhabitats across wetland–upland gradients. We investigated epiphytic macrolichen richness, diversity, and community composition in 15 sites in the Avalon Forest Ecoregion, Newfoundland, Canada. Within each site, we set up three parallel 40 m transects in (i) the forested wetland, (ii) the ecotone, and (iii) the upland forest. Along each transect, we selected five balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) trees 10 m apart and surveyed for macrolichens on the lower bole. We collected data on tree height and tree diameter at breast height, which differed significantly among forest types. We also collected data on tree age and canopy cover, which did not differ significantly among forest types. Contrary to hypotheses suggesting that biodiversity is highest in ecotones, we found that mean macrolichen richness was significantly higher in wetlands, lower in the ecotones, and lowest in upland forests, and macrolichen diversity followed a similar pattern but with no significant difference among groups. Macrolichen community composition significantly differed among wetlands, ecotones, and upland forests. A lichen of conservation concern, Erioderma pedicellatum (Hue) P.M. Jørg., was detected primarily in forested wetlands, highlighting wetlands as key habitats for rare epiphytic macrolichens.

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Evaluating the Contribution of Trees outside Forests and Small Open Areas to the Italian Landscape Diversification during the Last Decades

Forests ◽

10.3390/f9110701 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 701 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lorenzo Sallustio ◽

Marco di Cristofaro ◽

Maaz Hashmi ◽

Matteo Vizzarri ◽

Tommaso Sitzia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Large Scale ◽

Land Use Changes ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Small Scale ◽

Trees Outside Forests ◽

Large Scale Assessment ◽

Average Size ◽

Policy And Planning

Land use by humans strongly alters the landscape mosaic, either by reducing or increasing its heterogeneity. One of the most recent and widespread land use changes in Europe has been the spontaneous reforestation of marginal agricultural lands. These primarily affected small landscape patches, such as trees outside forests (TOF) and small open areas (SOA), often represent the most diversifying features of landscape’ structures. Nevertheless, only small-scale studies can be found in the literature and thus it remains a relatively unexplored issue. Integrating inventory and cartographic approaches, this work assesses changes in abundance, coverage, and average size of small patches in Italy between 1990 and 2013. Main results showed an overall increase in number and coverage of small patches during the reference period. The average patch size remains unaltered for TOF but decreases significantly for SOA, due to trees encroachment and canopy cover increasing in forests. Our findings confirm the important changes in Mediterranean land mosaics and contribute to a better understanding of current conditions and recent trends regarding TOF and SOA. The integrated approach has proven to be helpful for the large-scale assessment of small patches dynamics, representing a viable monitoring tool to encourage the inclusion of small patches in landscape policy and planning.

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Early-Stage Phenotyping of Root Traits Provides Insights into the Drought Tolerance Level of Soybean Cultivars

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11010188 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 188

Author(s):

Elana Dayoub ◽

Jay Ram Lamichhane ◽

Céline Schoving ◽

Philippe Debaeke ◽

Pierre Maury

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Water Stress ◽

Early Stage ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Early Growth ◽

Growth Difference ◽

Controlled Conditions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Soil Moisture Status ◽

Root And Shoot Traits

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) may contribute to the agro-ecological transition of cropping systems in Europe, but its productivity is severely affected by summer drought. New drought-avoidance cropping strategies, such as early sowing, require cultivars with high early plant growth under suboptimal conditions. This study aims at phenotyping early-stage root and shoot traits of 10 cultivars commonly grown in Europe. Cultivars were grown in minirhizotrons under two soil moisture status in controlled conditions. Root and shoot traits were evaluated at 10 days after sowing. Field early growth of two cultivars was also analyzed under early and conventional sowing dates. A significant intraspecific variability (p < 0.05) was found for most investigated shoot and root morpho-physiological traits regardless of the soil moisture status under controlled conditions. However, no significant difference among cultivars (p > 0.05) was found in terms of root architectural traits that were mainly affected by water stress. Total root length was positively correlated with shoot length and shoot dry matter (p < 0.05). Under field conditions, the differences between cultivars were expressed by the canopy cover at emergence, which determines the subsequent canopy cover dynamics. The significant early growth difference among cultivars was not related to the maturity group. Cultivars characterized by high root depth and length, high root density and narrow root angle could be considered as good candidates to cope with water stress via better soil exploration. New agronomic strategies mobilizing the diversity of cultivars could thus be tested to improve soybean water use efficiency in response to climate change.

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Liver Status in a Cohort of Polytransfused B-Thalassemia Major (BTM) on Long Term Desferrioxamine (DfO) or Deferiprone (L1).

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.3732.3732 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 3732-3732 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mohsen Saleh Elalfy ◽

Iman Abdin

Keyword(s):

Thalassemia Major ◽

Iron Chelators ◽

Main Body ◽

Liver Iron ◽

Iron Storage ◽

Liver Iron Content ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A ◽

Insignificant Difference ◽

The Difference

Abstract The liver is the main body site for iron storage. Iron chelators as DFo and L1 had problems of compliance and intolerance respectively. This prospective study enrolled 76 BTM patients aged from 9–33 years, mean of 14±4.4 to evaluate the effectiveness of both chelators judged by serum ferritin (sf) and liver iron content (LIC) using repeated liver biopsies. Fifty patients were on DFo 35 mg/kg/day 5 days per week and twenty-six were on L1 75 mg/kg/day on daily bases. Mean baseline sf values were 3678±1922 and 3573±1879 ng/ml while mean baseline LIC was 19.2±7.9 and 18.9±8.1 mg fe/g dw, while 12% and 14% showed evidence of liver fibrosis (score ≥ 3) respectively. Twenty-four months later; a decline in sf by 287±837 in Dfo (In Dfo compliant group [number = 30]who had received ≥ 75% of planned dose; sf dropped by 890±437 while increased in DFo non compliant by 621±513). While falling by 729±633 in L1 group. A decrease in LIC by 3.9±2.8 mg fe/g dw (−5.8±3.1 in Dfo compliant,+2.6±3.3 in Dfo non compliant) and falling by 2.2±3.4 mg fe/g dw in L1 group, the difference was statistically significant P< 0.05 between compliant and non compliant DFo and insignificant difference between Dfo and L1.The mean iron excretion: intake was 1.61,0.86 and 1.48 in Dfo compliant, non compliant and L1 respectively. A positive correlation was found between sf and LIC in both groups. Fibrosis was improved in Dfo compliant group better than L1 but no statistically significant difference was observed, while progressive fibrosis in 10% of Dfo non compliant group. All Dfo compliant group completed study, 18 out of 20 Dfo non compliant while six L1 patients discontinued the drug prematurely (3 severe gastrointestinal disturbances, 2 severe arthralgia and one repeated neutropenia). Conclusion: Both Dfo and L1 are effective iron chelators evident by drop in sf, LIC and improved fibrosis, however compliance and intolerance are still troublesome.

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Investigation on Species Composition of Plant Community at Tad Xai at Phou Khao Khouay National Park, Lao PDR

Our Nature ◽

10.3126/on.v11i1.8237 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Metmany Soukhavong ◽

Liu Yong ◽

Khamseng Nanthavong ◽

Jérôme Millet

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Plant Community ◽

National Parks ◽

National Park ◽

Lao Pdr ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Tree Height ◽

Species Number ◽

Crown Cover ◽

Significant Difference

Phou Khao Khouay (PKK) National Park is one of the 21 National Parks in Lao PDR that supports high biodiversity. The plant community was represented by 62 families, 145 species and 1,221 tree size individuals in 50×50 m2 plots. The largest species in terms of individual number were Hydnocarpus ilicifolia, Hopea spp. and the largest families in terms of species number were Rubiaceae and Dipterocarpaceae. A total 24 families, 33 species and 91 sapling individuals were found in the 10×10 m2 sapling plots, the largest species were Rinorea boissieui, Ailanthus triphysa and Hopea spp. and the largest families were Dipterocarpaceae and Myrtaceae. In the seedling quadrat, there were 88 families, 153 species and 1,586 seedling size individuals in 2×2 m2 plots, the largest species were Hopea spp., Hopea ferrea and spp. (leguminoceae), the largest families were Rubiaceae, Annonaceae and Dipterocarpaceae. Diversity was found very high in tree and seedling was significantly higher than that of sapling, but no significant difference between tree and seedling. The largest tree height and maximum mean diameter at breast height (DBH) belonged to the family of Dipterocarpaceae. Canopy cover of Diperocarpaceae was highest (35%) in study area. Lauraceae and other 6 families had lowest crown cover around 5%. The result of this study indicated the pattern of species composition in plant community assembly and density, diversity, abundance for the vegetation layers.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v11i1.8237 Our Nature Vol.11(1) 2013: 1-10

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