Foraging ecology of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, in lower Chesapeake Bay

This study concurrently quantified blue crab feeding habits and preference, and examined the inter-relationships between diet, predator preference, and predator and prey abundance and distribution in three subestuaries of lower Chesapeake Bay--the James, York and Rappahannock Rivers, Virginia. Complementary laboratory investigations estimated the combined effect of the functional, aggregative and interference responses upon prey and predator survival and predator foraging rates for blue crabs and a common bivalve prey, Macoma balthica, in this system. Crab abundance, prey abundance and diet were correlated such that blue crabs aggregated in areas of highest preferred (i.e., bivalve) prey abundance, as determined through electivity analyses. Spatial and size-related differences in diet selection occurred. at least two trophic groups were distinguished, based on their relative consumption of bivalves and crabs, including conspecifics (i.e., older juveniles and adults) or polychaetes and small crustaceans (i.e., younger juveniles and new recruits). Spatial differences were reflected by proportional bivalve consumption: crabs always preferred bivalves, but in areas of relatively lower bivalve abundance, opportunistically expanded their diets to include other prey taxa. Cannibalism was common, but the frequency of occurrence varied with crab size, season, river, new juvenile recruit abundance, and the density of alternative preferred prey. Laboratory experiments assessed the joint effects of varying predator and prey densities upon predator foraging rates and prey survival. A full-factorial experimental design involved 2 prey and 3 predator densities with 6 trials per treatment combination. Blue crabs exhibited density-dependent foraging under all conditions: proportionally more clams were consumed at higher clam density. Furthermore, at the higher crab densities, mutual interference was evident in the incidence of wounds and deaths to crabs resulting from cannibalism or intraspecific aggression. The collective results indicate that both predator and prey densities must be examined experimentally for their joint impact upon predator-prey dynamics in marine systems

Measuring Financial Development in the Middle East and North Africa: A New Database

This paper develops a methodology to construct detailed indices of financial sector development across countries and uses it to create a new panel database of finan-cial sector development in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. It combines existing quantitative data with information from comprehensive surveys undertaken in 2000-01 and 2002-03. The data show that some MENA countries have relatively well-developed banking sectors and regulatory and supervisory regimes. However, across the region, the nonbank financial sectors and sup-porting institutions are in need of reform. The MENA region ranks far behind industrialized countries and East Asia in financial sector development. Copyright 2006, International Monetary Fund

Exploring patient and family satisfaction in pediatric neurological surgery

Introduction Patient and family satisfaction during outpatient visits is correlated with a continuance of care and likelihood to recommend the practice to others. Additionally, patient-family satisfaction can determine the success of the practice and influence medical outcomes. Utilizing a well-validated surveys instrument, patient and family satisfaction can be explored in the office setting. Methods During a consecutive 36 month period, a standardized and validated patient satisfaction survey instrument was provided to the family members of patients who presented to two pediatric neurosurgery clinics associated with Nemours Children\u27s Health System. The completed surveys were analyzed statistically to identify correlations between overall satisfaction, defined as “Likelihood to Recommend (LTR) the Practice”, and relevant practice and provider variables. Results The factors that exhibited the greatest correlation to LTR were: ‘Cheerfulness of Practice’ (r = 0.74), ‘Ability to Get Desired Appointment’ (r = 0.70), ‘Likelihood of Recommending Care Provider’ (r = 0.65), ‘Staff Worked Together’ (r = 0.65), and ‘Waiting Area Comfort and Pleasantness’ (r = 0.60). Discussion and conclusions Patient and family satisfaction surveys are useful for gaining insight into pediatric neurosurgical practices. Data from this cohort suggest that the environment in which patient care is delivered, timeliness of appointments and positive perceptions of the healthcare team correlate most strongly with overall satisfaction. © 201

Virtual Machines Embedding for Cloud PON AWGR and Server Based Data Centres

In this study, we investigate the embedding of various cloud applications in PON AWGR and Server Based Data Centres

The Influence of Prey Availability and Vegetation Characteristics on Scent Station Visitation Rates of Coyotes, Canis latrans, in a Heterogeneous Environment

We investigated the effects of local prey fluctuations and habitat variables on the scent station visitation rates of the Coyote (Canis latrans) in northern Illinois within a heterogeneous environment. Availability of small mammalian prey was assessed by monthly mark-recapture sampling and visual counts conducted along three, 192-m transects in each of seven habitats that ranged from grassland to wooded sites. Habitat metrics, which included foliage density, ground cover, and canopy cover, were also collected for the same seven habitats. Visitation rates of Coyotes were determined from scent station lines parallel to the small mammal trapping transects. A multiple regression analysis indicated that Coyote visitation rates across the study site were influenced positively by vole (Microtus spp.) abundance and negatively by canopy cover. When Coyote visitation rates were regressed on vole abundance for only the habitats in which voles occurred, the relationship was not significant. This may be attributed to the general avoidance of wooded areas by Coyotes. Coyotes did, however, respond to experimentallyinduced abundant patches of Peromyscus. These findings suggest Coyotes selectively use grassland habitats within a heterogeneous environment and may modify their use according to prey availability

3D-FDTD Method for Analysis of Rectangular Waveguide Loaded with Anisotropic Dielectric Material

One of the most popular techniques to solve electromagneticproblems numerically is using finite-difference timedomain(FDTD) method. The method has been successfullyapplied to an extremely wide variety of electromagnetic problems.The essential reason resides in the fact that the FDTD methoditself is extremely simple even for analyzing in a three-dimensional(3D) system. In this paper, the analysis of resonant frequencyfor a rectangular waveguide which is loaded with anisotropicdielectric material is numerically investigated based on 3D-FDTDmethod. The wave equations and modes that appear in thewaveguide are analyzed theoretically in which the results areapplied to validate the numerical result obtained from 3D-FDTDmethod. For comparison, an empty rectangular waveguide anda rectangular waveguide fully loaded with isotropic dielectricmaterial are also analyzed both theoretically and numerically.From the result, it shows that a good agreement has been achievedbetween theoretical calculation and 3D-FDTD numerical resultswith their discrepancies of 0.26–2.32%

Outcome and Mortality of Hospitalized children with Severe Acute Malnutrition at Aden, Yemen

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is considered a common cause of morbidity and mortality among children in low- and middle-income countries, being responsible for 45% of deaths among under-five children. The aim of the study was to determine the outcome and mortality of severe acute malnutrition among hospitalized children in Aden, Yemen. This is a descriptive, retrospective study. The studied population includes hospitalized children of both sexes with SAM admitted to the nutritional unit of Al-Sadaka General Teaching Hospital/Aden during the period from January 1st to December 31st 2021. Of a total of 537 under 5 years, males constitute 53.4% over females 46.6%. In this study, 509 children had a favorable clinical evolution, while 28 deaths were recorded. This corresponds to a mortality rate of 5.2%. The most common cause of death is due to Acute diarrhea in 60.7% of cases .Mortality is higher among males 67.8 % than females and high 85.7% among children \u3c 24 months. Of these 28 deaths, most mortality cases occurred in the non-edematous type of SAM in 89.3% of cases. The most common nutritional feeding formula was F75 in 66.3% of cases. Only 28% of cases achieved target weight; edema had been resolved in 75.8% of cases of edematous SAM at discharge. Severe acute malnutrition remains a severe public health problem, and it mainly affects children under 24 months. A national policy of nutritional intervention should be implemented

Pelaksanaan Musyawarah Perencanaan Pembangunan Desa (Studi Kasus Desa Pekan Heran Kecamatan Rengat Barat Kabupaten Indragiri Hulu Tahun 2014)

Participation or involvement society in politics are the form of democracy in a country, the one of that democracy is a Musrenbang from the village to the national level. Musrenbang would be successful if all the delegation of society involve to participate and the process of implementation could be appropriate as Musrenbang principle in Kepmendagri No.050-187 / Kep / Bangda / 2007, there are equality, discussion, alignments, anti-domination, anti-discrimination, development village holistically. This research aims to investigate the implementation of Village Musrenbang in Pekan Heran Village already appropriate of the principles in Kepmendagri Musrenbang No.050-187 / Kep / Bangda / 2007.This research is a qualitative research is conducted with a descriptive approach. The technique of this research is using purposive sampling with 14 informants. The methods of data collection using interview techniques, and documentation.The technique of the data analysis is using triangulation.Based on the research results of the stages of the implementation of the Village Musrenbang Pekan Heran in 2014 is an appropriate conformity with as established, but a society participation in the activities of the Village Musrenbang low levels, because a society lack of education, social and economic, as well as the lack of socialization of village appliance, and the process of implementation Musrenbang Pekan Heran Village in 2014 is in appropriate yet with the principles Musrenbang in Kepmendagri No.050-187 / Kep / Bangda / 2007 in the principle of anti-domination, and holistic development.Keywords: Rural planning, Participate of Society, and Musremban

An Insight into the Practice of Iron Therapy: Contribution to the On-going Debate with Special Reference to Low- and Middle-income Countries

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is a public health problem of a sizable proportion in developing countries. Recently, emerging biochemical knowledge coupled with the discovery of Hepcidin have greatly advanced our understanding of iron metabolism and offered a better insight into its associated pathophysiology. This knowledge should be applied to iron-deficiency anemia therapy to avoid subsequent sequelae of tissue damage associated with reactive oxygen radicals that are catalyzed by iron, because current practices do not include these advances in the treatment guidelines. In the light of recent progress, the existing iron therapy program in many healthcare settings is controversial. This necessitates adjusting the magnitude of iron dose with respect to the very limited iron bioavailability, as gauged by Hepcidin. The current study was therefore aimed to incorporate newly emerging biochemical knowledge into the current iron-deficiency anemia treatment practice Methods: Literature relevant to iron-deficiency studies published in English between 1964 and 2020 and available online was covered. Conclusion: Evidently, the existing iron-therapy schedule is both inefficient and toxic. The intricate metabolism of iron should be translated into a more rational iron intervention program with special bias towards low- and middle-income countries requiring a more individualized approach. Key words: iron deficiency anemia, hepcidin, oxidative stress, iron therap

Young LMC clusters: the role of red supergiants and multiple stellar populations in their integrated light and CMDs

The optical integrated spectra of three LMC young stellar clusters (NGC 1984, NGC 1994 and NGC 2011) exhibit concave continua and prominent molecular bands which deviate significantly from the predictions of single stellar population (SSP) models. In order to understand the appearance of these spectra, we create a set of young stellar population (MILES) models, which we make available to the community. We use archival International Ultraviolet Explorer integrated UV spectra to independently constrain the cluster masses and extinction, and rule out strong stochastic effects in the optical spectra. In addition, we also analyze deep colour-magnitude diagrams of the clusters to provide independent age determinations based on isochrone fitting. We explore hypotheses including age-spreads in the clusters, a top-heavy initial mass function, different SSP models and the role of red supergiant stars (RSG). We find that the strong molecular features in the optical spectra can only be reproduced by modeling an increased fraction of about 20 per cent by luminosity of RSG above what is predicted by canonical stellar evolution models. Given the uncertainties in stellar evolution at Myr ages, we cannot presently rule-out the presence of Myr age-spreads in these clusters. Our work combines different wavelengths as well as different approaches (resolved data as well as integrated spectra for the same sample) in order to reveal the complete picture. We show that each approach provides important information but in combination can we better understand the cluster stellar populations.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA