1st Week Of June Research Articles

MALARIA CONTROL AMONGST TROOPS INVOLVED IN COUNTER INSURGENCY OPERATION IN RESISTANT PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM AREAS

Incidence of malaria in troops carrying out counter-insurgency operation in thick jungles in North East region was compared for the year 1995 and 1996. Since troops were on constant move in thick jungles in hostile environment and they have to sleep and rest outdoor, use of mosquito net was not feasible in both years. Counter-insurgency operation lasted for two and half months in both the years from last week of March - 1st week of June. Inspite of troops being on 300mg chloroquine (base) per week as chemoprophylaxis, 40 cases (5%) of malaria were observed in troops in the year 1995. During the year 1996 troops were advised to take 600mg chloroquine (base) per week as chemoprophylaxis. Three cases (0.40%) of malaria were observed during the year 1996. Difference was found to be statistically significant.

Role of male and female Ring-billed Gulls in the care of young and territorial defense

This study deals with differences between the sexes in the parental and territorial behaviour of 17 pairs of Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) breeding in the periphery of a colony on Île de la Couvée, Quebec. Males devoted more time than females in territorial attendance, but there was no difference between the sexes in the frequency of feeding the young. Territorial attendance progressively decreased from the end of the 1st week of June and was lower after hatching than before. Males were chiefly involved in high-level agonistic interactions. Agonistic interactions on the whole were more frequent during the post-hatch period; this increase appeared to be related to the greater mobility of the young and to the fact that they attempted to rob regurgitations.

Effect of Corn (Zea mays) Seeding Date on the Growth of Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)

Major differences in above- ground biomass and tuber production of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentusL. # CYPES) were not observed when corn (Zea maysL. “CO-OP S265”) was seeded on different dates (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week of May; and 1st week of June). The final seedbed was prepared just prior to each seeding date and this cultivation stimulated dormant tubers to sprout. As a result, a large population of yellow nutsedge emerged with the corn at all seeding dates. Because fertilizer was banded near the corn row, yellow nutsedge biomass, tuber dry weight and number of tubers were higher within corn rows than between rows. Tuber size was affected by seeding date and shifted toward smaller tubers within corn rows and larger tubers between the rows as the corn was sown late. The optimum seeding date of corn was in the 3rd week of May when the highest corn yield was obtained and yellow nutsedge growth was generally reduced.

Biological Synopsis of the Green Cloverworm in Central Iowa12

Observations of Plathypena scabra (F.) were made in central Iowa from 1968 to 1972. Data were gathered from laboratory, greenhouse, cage, and open-field environments. Additional United States distributional records since 1925 indicated that the species now extends to about 103° W longitude, and larvae reportedly feed on 34 plant species. In Iowa the primary hosts are soybean, alfalfa, and clover. Adult longevity was 22.4 days, with females living significantly longer than males. Flight activity was pronounced at <1 foot candle, and most adults were caught in light traps between 8:00 PM and 12:00 midnight CDT. Light-trap catches were highly biased toward males. The sex ratio from 288 field-collected larvae did not differ significantly from 1:1. Oviposition began with 4- to 5-day-old adults and continued for 2.5 weeks. Peak oviposition occurred 12-16 days after emergence. Eggs were laid on upper or lower leaf surfaces and were subject to mortalities by predators and heavy rainstorms. Young larvae showed no preference for plant stratum, and significantly more older larvae were found in the upper third of the soybean canopy. Important larval mortality was caused by predators ( Orius insidiousus (Say) and Nabis sp.), parasites (primarily Rogas nolophanae Ashmed and Winthemia sp.), and pathogens (a granulosis virus, Beauvaria bassiana (Balsamo), and Metarrhizium sp.). Most larvae pupated in the soil, but 10.4% pupated in the soybean-plant canopy. Adults were active in May, and oviposition began in alfalfa about May 15. Oviposition in soybean was usually delayed until the 1st week of June, and all stages were present until the middle of September. Latest fall activity was on November 16. A long ovipositional period with a relatively long life cycle produced great overlapping of generations. Prominent generations were therefore considered, with 3 occurring in alfalfa and 1 in soybean. The overwintering stage in Iowa remains an unresolved question.

Co-relation between Sepsis Score and Blood Culture Report in Neonatal Septicaemia

Objective: To determine the clinical profile and to correlate the sepsis score with blood culture reports in neonatal septicaemia. Methods: Over a period of 6 months (1st week of June to 1st week of December'2005) 50 consecutive newborns with suspected septicaemia were enrolled for the study. It was a prospective study and septicaemia was suspected on the basis of clinical presentation like reluctance to feed, lethargy, fever, abdominal distension etc. Sepsis scoring was done for all of them immediately after enrolment into the study. Investigations like CBC, CRP and blood culture were sent for all the enrolled cases. Then the sepsis scores were compared with their blood culture reports to find out any correlation between them. The data analysis was done by SPSS software. Results: Among the 50 studied babies 31 were male and rest were female. Most of them were delivered by vaginal delivery (74%) but no significant difference was observed among home and institutional delivery. During delivery 24 babies experienced some problems of which 83.3% had perinatal asphyxia. About 59% of the studied babies were not exclusively breastfed. Majority of them (62%) presented with reluctance to feed and 54% were preterm low birth weight. Fever and respiratory distress were present in 19 (38%) and 18 (36%) cases respectively. Forty two percent studied babies had positive sepsis score 5 and above. Regarding correlation of blood culture and sepsis score, 70% culture positive cases had sepsis score 5 and above whereas 35% of culture negative cases had the same score. Sensitivity and specificity of sepsis score was 70 and 65 respectively with CI interval 95%. Conclusion: Sepsis score can be considered as an useful tool in the diagnosis of neonatal septicaemia specially where there is lack of investigational facilities. Before using this tool further evaluation is needed involving large sample size. Key words: Neonatal septicaemia, sepsis score, blood culture. DOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v26i2.4185 J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2008; 26: 79-82

Development and Testing of a Preventive Program for Control of the Alfalfa Weevil in Ohio1

In 1967, eight insecticides or combinations of insecticides were field tested for effectiveness against adult Hypera postica (Gyllenhal). Methyl parathion was the most effective insecticide tested, followed by a combination of malathion + methoxychlor, and azinphosmethyl. Preliminary field tests led to the development of a preventive program designed to control the alfalfa weevil with 2 sprays of methyl parathion timed to keep the adult population level low and thereby to suppress opposition. In southern Ohio the 1st spray was applied when the 1st small larvae could be found in the alfalfa terminals. In the northern half of Ohio the 1st application was made according to designated dates ranging from April 15 to April 20. The 2nd spray in all areas was applied 25–30 days after the 1st. In 1968 the preventive program was tested in 20 countries on 41 alfalfa fields (842 acres). The results showed excellent control through the 1st week of June and good control through mid-June. Preliminary tests showed that control of the alfalfa weevil with fall applications of nonresidual pesticides, such as methyl parathion, was not possible. because movements of the adult population during February, March, and April led to repopulation of treated fields. Repopulation was also noted 20-30 days after sprays were applied in April. Tests showed that unless a second application was made to control these adults, damaging populations of larvae developed.