Host plant mediates foraging behavior and mutual interference among adult Stethorus gilvifrons (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) preying on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Citation: Bayoumy, M. H., Osman, M. A., & Michaud, J. P. (2014). Host plant mediates foraging behavior and mutual interference among adult Stethorus gilvifrons (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) preying on Tetranychus urticae. Retrieved from http://krex.ksu.eduPhysical plant characteristics can influence predator foraging and their behavioral responses to each other. This study examined the searching efficiency and functional response of adult female Stethorus gilvifrons Mulsant foraging for Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on castor bean, common bean, and cucumber leaves. Experiments conducted on leaf discs in arenas for 12 h revealed a type II functional response for S. gilvifrons on all host plants. Per capita searching efficiency and killing power decreased with increasing predator density on all plants, but most notably on common bean, the plant with the highest prey consumption rates, due to greater mutual interference. Attack rates were highest on common bean and lowest on castor bean, whereas handling times were shortest on common bean and longest on cucumber, such that the daily predation rate was maximal on common bean. Host plant interacted with predator and prey densities to affect searching efficiency and functional response, the differences in mite consumption among host plants increasing with predator and prey densities. The waxy layers of castor bean leaves and high trichome counts of cucumber leaves appeared to reduce predator foraging efficiency. Thus, the efficacy of S. gilvifrons against T. urticae is likely to be greatest on plants such as Phaeseolus vulgaris L. that have relatively smooth leaves

Non –Hodgkin lymphoma in Sudanese Children

Background: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a very heterogeneous  lymphoproliferative disease with clinical and histological pattern different from children to adults.Objective: To characterize the clinical and pathological pattern of Non -Hodgkin`s lymphoma among Sudanese children.Materials and Methods: This study was undertaken prospectively on paediatric cases (≤16 years) referred to histopathology department, Radio-Isotope Centre, Khartoum which is the main Centre for cancer  management in Sudan from January 2008 to December 2012. The clinical and demographical data of these patients were recorded. The H&E stained slides of each case were examined initially, then the confirmed cases of non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma were classified according to the 2008 WHO classification of neoplastic diseases of the haematopoietic lymphoid tissue following immunostaining of sections cut from formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks with the following panel of antibodies:-LCA, CD3, CD5, CD10, CD20, CD23, BCL2, CyclinD1, MUM1,CD15,CD30 andKi67.Results: Age range was 9 months to 16years. Fifty percent of the cases occurred between the age 2-5 years and only one case below one year. Male to female ratio was 1.6. Extranodal lymphoma (60%) was higher than nodal type (40%).The most commonly affected site was the  gastrointestinal tract. Most of the gastrointestinal lymphoma presented with abdominal mass. The most common histological type was Burkitt`s  lymphoma. None of the cases were small lymphocytic, follicular or T- cell type. Bone marrow involvement was in 87.5% of the cases at the time of diagnosis.Conclusion: Burkitt`s lymphoma is the predominant paediatric lymphoma in Sudan. The majority of the cases presented late with bone marrow involvement.Key words: Non -Hodgkin`s lymphoma, immunohistochemistry, Paediatric, Sudan

Mainstreaming Islamic Religious Education and Secular Education in Schools as Per the Kenyan Basic Education Act 2013

This paper is an attempt to harmonize the local Quranic schools, the Islamic schools (Madarasa) and the secular schools in Kenya. The article is based on existing literature review, the author’s personal experiences and opinions. It is felt that a change be made to integrate the three-parallel curricula. The curriculum of the Quranic and the Arabic schools can be accommodated into the secular curriculum to give time for the pupils for rest or play or do their homework adequately. The current system makes the child run from one school to another. This starts at the age of six and continues until the child completes primary school. This is strenuous for the child. It is hoped that the integrated approach will alleviate this problem. The child needs to be given a chance to interact with his \ her environment so that he \ she can react to it. It should be concerned with the intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth of the child. Keywords: Quranic Schools, integrated curriculum, secular education, colonial administration DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-27-10 Publication date:September 30th 201

Moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) and metabolic syndrome: where are we now and where are we going?

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome appears to affect 10% to 25% of adult population worldwide. Several studies have described the association between metabolic syndrome and ischaemic heart disease, however, none linked metabolic syndrome to ischemic mitral regurgitation, a serious clinical problem facing both the cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. Ischemic mitral regurgitation is mitral insufficiency caused by myocardial infarction. The myocardial ischemia can result in altered ventricular geometry, leading to mitral insufficiency. Interestingly metabolic syndrome showed more pronounced alteration of left ventricular geometry and function especially in obese subjects. PRESENTATION OF THE HYPOTHESIS: We have recently proposed that there is link between metabolic syndrome and ischemic mitral regurgitation and associated complications. Operative strategy for moderate ischaemic mitral regurgitation continues to be debated between revascularisation alone and concomitant valve repair at the time of coronary artery bypass surgery. Each of the above group has published studies, with results supporting each argument. TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS: Generally speaking the treatments available for metabolic syndrome are based in both life style modification (dietary advice and advice to increase physical activity) and medical treatment to enhance insulin sensitivity. Randomised controlled trials may show whether the current available treatment of metabolic syndrome may have an impact on moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation. IMPLICATIONS OF THE HYPOTHESIS: Metabolic syndrome was shown to alter left ventricular geometry and therefore it is possible to postulate that the variation in the response of different patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation to current management may be attributed to the absence and presence of metabolic syndrome. Research testing of this hypothesis in the future may reveal whether concomitant treatment of metabolic syndrome will play part in the management of moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation

FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY (FNAC) IN DIAGNOSIS OF TUMORAL CALCINOSIS, A REPORT OF THREE CASES

Introduction: Tumoral calcinosis (T.C.) is very rare and generally of unknown aetiology characterized by calcific deposits in the soft tissues. Commonly seen in the second decade of life (reported age range 15 months to 83 years). We are reporting 3 cases of T. C. who were initially diagnosed by FNAC. Two of the 3 cases were female siblings who were referred to us as possible cases of recurrent fibrosarcomas following surgical excision. Case reports:  (1) Two female siblings aged 17 and 14 years  complaining of large swelling in the upper   outer right thigh and the left outer upper thigh around the hip joints respectively. There was no limitation of movement. The masses recurred within a short period after total excision. Neither specimen was subjected to histopathology. Clinical examination showed two masses each approximately 30cm maximum diameter and 10 cm width. In addition the younger sister showed an additional mass 4.5 cm in the outer aspect of her right elbow. (2) 18 months old female child, unrelated to the above two cases, presented with an egg-sized mass in the mid-lateral aspect of her right thigh  cystic and mobile.There is a history of quinine injection in the same area. No positive family history of a similar condition. All three cases showed normocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia with specks of calcification on x - ray and cysts in ultrasound. FNAC showed structureless gung , calcium granules and inflammatory cells including foreign body type multinucleated giant cells. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of T. C. Discussion: Described the three types of T. C. (familial, idiopathic, and that in patients of chronic renal failure on dialysis). The differential diagnoses were also discussed as well as lines of management such as Ca++ supplementation, phosphate restriction, acetazolamide, parathyroidectomy and the treatment of choice is total surgical excision. To our best knowledge this is the first time to report the use of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of T. C. in Sudan.&nbsp

Anatomical variations of nasal and paranasal sinuses among Sudanese patients undergoing CT scan evaluation at Antalya Diagnostic Center – Khartoum – Sudan, 2017

Introduction: The anatomical variations of the paranasal sinus are common among populations. These variations are asymptomatic most of the time, yet it may be associated with some inflammatory or allergic conditions. Knowledge of these anatomic variations helps in choosing the operative techniques, reducing the surgical complication rates and explains recurrence of disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and type of the anatomical variations of the paranasal sinus among adult Sudanese population by using CT scan. Patients and Method: This is a retrospective descriptive and health facility-based study, conducted at Antalya Diagnostic Center, Khartoum, during the period from July to September 2017. Included in the study all patients referred to the center for CT scan of the sinuses (n=151). A simple random technique was used for anatomical variations; with a sample size of 76 patients. Data collection sheet was used included demographic data and the anatomical variations. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The total number of patients diagnosed with variations was 76, which constituted of 50.3% of all patients included in the study. The age of patients ranged between 16 to 65 years, with a mean age of 36.46 (±11.12SD) years. The most frequent age groups were (16 to 25) and (26 to 35) years which constituted (52.63%) of the patients. Males were 34 (44.7%) and females were 42 (55.3%), with a male to female ratio 1:1.23. Relationship between age and gender with anatomical variants was found not statistically significant. Ninety variations were detected among the study sample. Nasal septal deviation was the commonest variation observed in (26.7%), followed by Concha bullosa in (20%), Onodi Cells in (11.1%), Agger nasi in  (10%), frontal sinus hypoplasia in  (10%) and other variations in ( 22.2%) of cases. Most of the variants were unilateral (81.6%) and were more on the left side in (46.1%) of cases. Conclusions and recommendations: the commonest variation was Nasal septal deviation, variations were common among the age group 16 to 35 years with slight female predominance. The study emphasizes the importance of CT scan for the detection of anatomical variations of the paranasal sinus in every patients planned for nasal or sinus surgery

Low loss waveguide-based Butler matrix with iris coupling control method for millimeterwave applications

This paper proposes a low loss 4×4 Butler matrix based on rectangular waveguide cavity resonators technology for millimeterwave beamforming network using iris coupling method. This method has the advantage of controlling the electrical fields and the coupling factor inside a complex medium such as waveguide cavity resonators. The coupling factor of 6 dB for 4×4 Butler matrix is achieved by tuning the iris coupling k-value between the waveguide cavity resonators. Thus, avoiding a higher phase difference losses and component losses at upper millimeterwave bands. To validate the proposed method, CST software simulations are performed under several iris coupling k-values to achieve a 6 dB coupling factor. Then, the proposed 4×4 Butler matrix is 3D metal printed using selective laser melting (SLM) technique. The measured reflection and isolation coefficients are observed below −10 dB, with coupling coefficients ranging between −6 and −7 dB. The phase differences of −42.02°, 42.02°, −130.95°, and 133.3° are achieved at the outputs. It confirmed that using this proposed method has the superiority over the conventional microstrip and waveguide coupling methods by a 1 dB coupling factor loss and a 3° phase difference error

Effect of irrigation interval, sowing method and farmyard manure on growth and seed yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in the desert plain soils of northern Sudan

   This study was conducted at the National Institute of Desert Studies (NIDS) Research Farm, on the desert plain soils of the New Hamdab Agricultural Scheme, New Hamdab, Northern State, Sudan, during the winter seasons of 2008/09 and 2009/10. The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of irrigation intervals, sowing methods and farmyard manure on the growth and yield of improved Selaim cultivar of faba bean in a desert environment, and to develop a suitable technical package for these arid areas. A split-split plot design was used with four replicates. The irrigation intervals of 7, 10 and 13 days were assigned to the main plots, the two sowing methods on flat and ridges were assigned to the sub plots while the farmyard manure (FYM) with two rates of 0 and 10 t/ha was assigned to the sub-sub plots. Irrigation intervals had significant effects on number of days to 80% maturity, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, biological yield and seed yield. Sowing methods significantly affected plant population, number of days to 80% maturity and biological yield. On the other hand, FYM application led to significant differences in the number of seeds/pod and number of pods/plant. However, the effects of these factors on the harvest index, 100 seed weight and time to 50% flowering were not significant. The results showed that the best seed yield (3.29 and 2.13 t/ha) was obtained when the irrigation interval was seven days with sowing on flat surface and with the application of 10 t/ha of FYM. This package resulted in the tallest plants, highest number of pods per plant, highest number of seeds per pod and highest seed yield.    تمت زراعة الفول المصري صنف سليم المحسن تحت ظروف المناخ الجاف في تربة السهل الصحراوي بشمال السودان في الموسم الشتوي 2008/2009 و2009/2010 بمزرعة المعهد القومي لدراسات الصحراء بمشروع الحامداب الجديدة الزراعي ، الذي يقع علي خطي عرض″11  ′55 °17 و″11  ′58  °17 ش وخطي طول ″08 ′06 °31 و″31 ′13 °31 ق. أجريت هذه الدراسة لتقويم اثر فترات الري وطرق الزراعة والسماد البلدي علي نمو وإنتاجية الفول المصري في تربة السهل الصحراوي. نظمت المعاملات إحصائيا باستخدام تصميم القطع المنشقة المنشقة بأربعة مكررات حيث وضعت فترات الري (7- 10- 13  يوم) في القطع الرئيسية و طريقة الزراعة  ( ارض مسطحة و سرابات) في القطع الثانوية  ومستويا السماد البلدي   (صفر و10 طن /للهكتار) في القطع تحت الثانوية. تم حساب المحتوي الرطوبي للتربة ومؤشرات النمو ومكونات الإنتاجية  وإنتاجية الحبوب والإنتاج الحيوي ودليل الحصاد.  أظهرت نتائج التحليل الإحصائي وجود فروق معنوية  لأثر الري علي عدد الأيام حتى 80% نضوج ولعدد القرون في النبات والإنتاج الحيوي وإنتاجية الحبوب، أما طرق الزراعة فأثرت معنويا في الكثافة النباتية وعدد الأيام  ل80% نضوج والإنتاج الحيوي ، بينما الأثر المعنوي لاستخدام  السماد البلدي كان في عدد الحبوب في القرن وعدد القرون في النبات. أوضحت النتائج أيضا عدم وجود فروق معنوية لفترة الإزهار حتى 50% ودليل الحصاد ووزن المائة حبة. أوضحت الدراسة أن الري كل سبعة أيام وزراعة المحصول على ارض مسطحة وإضافة  عشرة طن من السماد البلدي للهكتار هي الأفضل في زراعة الفول المصري في أراضى السهل الصحراوية حيث أدت إلي أفضل طول للنبات وأعلي عدد للقرون في النبات وللحبوب في القرن وبالتالي اعلي إنتاجية للحبوب بلغت 3.29 و2.13طن/ هكتار في الموسمين علي التوالي. عليه يوصى باستخدام هذه الحزمة لزراعة الفول فى اراضى السهل الصحراوى

A comparison of various double loops frequency selective surfaces in terms of angular stability

This paper presents the comparison of Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) structure performance based on three different double loops: square, circular and hexagonal structures. The simulation process of the double loops FFS structures are carried out by using the Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio software. The dielectric substrate used in the simulation is the FR-4 lossy substrate