ABSTRACT Hepatitis B infection is one of the most important health problems around the world. The high mortality rate of the hepatitis B encouraged research that led to the finding of an effective vaccine against it. The aim of the present study was to find out the use of the Euvax-B vaccine in sectors of Nineveh province. According to the results obtained in this study, in the next five years, the vaccination coverage for the second and third doses needs to improve.

RESUMEN La infección por hepatitis B es uno de los más importantes problemas de salud del mundo. La alta tasa de mortalidad de la hepatitis B impulsó las investigaciones que llevaron a encontrar una vacuna eficaz contra la misma. El objetivo del presente estudio fue conocer el uso de la vacuna Euvax-B en sectores de la provincia de Nínive. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, en los próximos cinco años, se debe incrementar la cobertura de inmunización de la segunda y tercera dosis de la vacuna.

Organisations cannot put their efforts equally into all the best practices that impact operational performance, due to their limited resources, their ineffective usage, government policies, and inadequate strategic planning. In this contribution, we aim to identify and prioritise the practices with the most impact on operational performance. Twelve practices that steer operational performance were identified through a literature survey. Second, the identified practices were prioritised and evaluated, based on improving operational performance by using a hybrid approach. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method were used such that AHP was applied to determine the relative weights of alternatives, and then the final ranking was obtained by conducting a TOPSIS analysis. Empirical data were collected from eight experts and 417 users at operational-level. The results suggest that lean management, total quality management, six sigma, and supply chain management practices rank 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively, signifying the practices with the most influence and making the greatest contribution. This strategic understanding will help researchers and practitioners to frame competitive strategies in order to pay more attention to those practices that have a greater influence on operational performance.

Verskeie faktore lei daartoe dat organisasies nie hul toewyding eweredig aan beste praktyke kan bestee nie. Hierdie faktore sluit in: beperkte hulpbronne, en hul ondoeltreffende aanwending, regeringsbeleid en onvoldoende strategiese beplanning. Hierdie artikel poog om die praktyke wat die grootste impak op operasionele vertoning het te identifiseer en te geprioritiseer. Twaalf praktyke wat operasionele vertoning aanvoer is identifiseer deur 'n literatuurstudie. Daarna is hierdie praktyke prioritiseer en evalueer aan die hand van hul vermoë om operasionele vertoning te verbeter deur middel van 'n hibriede benadering. 'n Analitiese hiërargieproses (AHP) en die tegniek vir orde vertoning deur ooreenstemming met die ideale oplossing (TOPSIS) is gebruik. AHP het die relatiewe gewigsfaktore toegeken en die finale rangorde is met behulp van TOPSIS bepaal. Empiriese data is ingesamel van agt kundiges en 417 operasionele gebruikers. Die resultate toon dat lenige bestuur, totale gehalte bestuur, ses-sigma, en voorsieningskettingbestuur onderskeidelik die eerste tot vierde plekke beklee. Die strategiese verstaan van hierdie resultaat sal navorsers en praktisyns help om mededingende strategieë te formuleer en sorg dat hulle meer aandag aan die sleutel praktyke bestee.

RESUMO: A competição e as interações entre plantas daninhas são o foco de muitos pesquisadores para tornar a decisão de gerenciamento dessas plantas precisa e econômica. Portanto, foram realizados estudos de campo em dois anos consecutivos (2012-13 e 2013-14) em dois locais diferentes: Peshawar (34.0167o N, 71.5833o E) e Chitral (35o50’46" N, 71o47’9" E), da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Paquistão. O objetivo dos estudos foi determinar a capacidade competitiva da aveia selvagem (Avena fatua L.) com trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) em dois locais ecologicamente diferentes, bem como os possíveis efeitos na quantidade e qualidade dos grãos de trigo. Em estudos de campo, o experimento foi delineado em delineamento de blocos ao acaso (delineamento de aditivos) com três repetições, nas quais a taxa de sementes de trigo (var. Ata-Habib) foi de 125 kg ha-1, enquanto a aveia selvagem foi plantada a 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 e 40 plantas m-2. Dados de campo mostraram que os efeitos de diferentes densidades de aveia selvagem durante os dois anos foram proeminentes, visto que diminuíram significativamente as variáveis relacionadas ao rendimento de grãos e biológicas do trigo. A densidade de aveia selvagem acima de 5 plantas m-2 resultou na diminuição dos componentes da produção de trigo. Esses resultados mostraram que a aveia selvagem iniciou a competição no estágio inicial do trigo. Todas as outras variáveis relacionadas à produção de trigo foram diminuídas pela densidade crescente de aveia selvagem, o que indica que esta compete com o trigo durante toda a safra. As perdas de rendimento de grãos no trigo variaram de 2-35% durante o ano 1 e 1-21% durante o ano 2 na densidade de aveia selvagem de 5-40 plantas m-2. As variáveis de qualidade dos grãos de trigo mostraram que o teor de proteína nesses grãos diminuiu com a maior densidade de aveia selvagem. Durante o ano 2, o teor de glúten em Chitral diminuiu com o aumento da densidade de aveia selvagem. À luz dos estudos atuais, sugere-se que a presença de aveia selvagem diminua todas as variáveis relacionadas ao rendimento ecobiológico do trigo.

ABSTRACT: Crop-weed competition and interactions are the focus of many researchers to make the weed management decision accurate and economical. Therefore, field studies were conducted in two consecutive years (2012-13 and 2013-14) at two different locations viz Peshawar (34.0167o N, 71.5833o E) and Chitral (35o50’46" N, 71o47’9" E) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, Pakistan. The aim of the studies was to determine the competitive ability of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at two ecologically different locations and the possible effects on quantity and quality of wheat grains. In field studies, the experiment were laid out in randomized complete block design (additive design) with three replications in which the seed rate of wheat (var. Ata-Habib) was 125 kg ha-1 while wild oat was planted at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 plants m-2. Field data showed the effects of different wild oat densities during both the years were prominent by significantly decreasing the grain and biological yield-related variables of wheat. Wild oat density above 5 plants m-2 resulted in decreasing the wheat yield components. These results showed that wild oat started competition at initial stage of the wheat. All other yield related variables of wheat were decreased by the increasing density of wild oat, which is indicated that wild oat compete with wheat throughout the crop season. The grain yield losses in wheat ranged from 2-35% during year 1 and 1-21% during year 2 at wild oat density of 5-40 plants m-2. The quality variables of wheat grains showed protein content in wheat grains were decreased at higher density of wild oat. During year 2, the gluten content in Chitral was decreased with increasing density of wild oat. In light of the present studies, it is suggested that presence of wild oat decrease all eco-biological yield related variables of wheat.

ABSTRACT The aim of this project was to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on nutrient digestibility and immune response of caged layers during summer when the temperature exceeds 40 ˚C. For immune response trial, White Leghorn layers (n=160; 24 weeks old) were purchased from a poultry farm and were divided into five treatment/diets groups (4 replicate/treatment). Diet A, was without NaHCO3 and served as control whereas, diets B, C, D, and E contained 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% NaHCO3, respectively. All these birds were vaccinated against Newcastle disease (ND) virus at the start of the experiment and thereafter with one-month intervals. Blood samples were collected from two birds/replicate at 10 days post vaccination each time to check antibody titer against ND virus. For digestibility trial, fecal samples were collected (6 layers/treatment group) at the start of the 37th week of age for two days, at 3 hours interval. Results revealed that immune response against ND virus 10 days post vaccination after 1st, 2nd and 3rd month was significantly (p<0.05) higher in layer birds fed diets containing NaHCO3. Digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE) and absorption of minerals were also found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in groups treated with NaHCO3 and the birds fed diet containing 1% NaHCO3 showed the best results. In general, results revealed that 1% supplementation of NaHCO3 in layers’ diet have a beneficial impact in terms of immunity and diet digestibility.

Abstract Introduction Otomycosis is a common problem in otolaryngology practice. However, we usually encounter some difficulties in its treatment because many patients show resistance to antifungal agents, and present high recurrence rate. Objectives To determine the fungal pathogens that cause otomycosis as well as their susceptibility to the commonly used antifungal agents. Additionally, to discover the main reasons for antifungal resistance. Methods We conducted an experimental descriptive study on 122 patients clinically diagnosed with otomycosis from April 2016 to April 2017. Aural discharge specimens were collected for direct microscopic examination and fungal culture. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was performed against the commonly used antifungal drugs. We tested the isolated fungi for their enzymatic activity. Results Positive fungal infection was found in 102 samples. The most common fungal pathogens were Aspergillus and Candida species, with Aspergillus niger being the predominant isolate (51%). The antifungal susceptibility testing showed that mold isolates had the highest sensitivity to voriconazole (93.48%), while the highest resistance was to fluconazole (100%). For yeast, the highest sensitivity was to nystatin (88.24%), followed by amphotericin B (82.35%), and the highest resistance was to terbinafine (100%), followed by Itraconazole (94.12%). Filamentous fungi expressed a high enzymatic ability, making them more virulent. Conclusion The Aspergillus and Candida species are the most common fungal isolates in otomycosis. Voriconazole and Nystatin are the medications of choice for the treatment of otomycosis in our community. The high virulence of fungal pathogens is owed to their high enzymatic activity. Empirical use of antifungals should be discouraged.

RESUMO Bredo (Trianthema portulacastrum) e tiririca (Cyperus rotundus) são duas plantas daninhas do tipo C4 que causam grandes perdas de rendimento na cultura do milho. Foi realizado um experimento de campo com duração de dois anos para estimar a interferência de T. portulacastrum e C. rotundus e avaliar o potencial alelopático dos extratos aquosos no manejo eficaz de plantas daninhas no milho. Cinco extratos aquosos de espécies vegetais em dez combinações binárias foram aplicados nas folhas em um delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com três repetições. As parcelas foram tratadas com o herbicida comercial atrazina, e a testemunha sem capina (controle) foi utilizada para fins de comparação. A maior densidade de ambas as espécies de plantas daninhas foi observada 45 dias após a semeadura (DAS), enquanto a biomassa seca das plantas daninhas foi maior aos 60 DAS. A combinação binária de sorgo-girassol resultou na maior redução de densidade das plantas daninhas, biomassa seca e índice de persistência (88-92% para T. portulacastrum e 65-81% para C. rotundus) em comparação com a testemunha sem capina. Esta combinação de tratamento também registrou um aumento de 125% no índice de resistência da cultura, 84% no índice de área foliar, 41% na taxa de crescimento da cultura aos 60-75 DAS, levando assim, ao aumento de 51% na produção de grãos. A combinação binária de girassol-colza resultou em máximo benefício líquido marginal, enquanto a combinação milho-sorgo permitiu estimar o valor máximo da taxa marginal de retorno. Além do manejo eficaz de plantas daninhas e do maior rendimento, a combinação sorgo-girassol trouxe os melhores benefícios econômicos líquidos entre as diferentes combinações de extratos vegetais, sugerindo, portanto, que a aplicação exógena do extrato de sorgo-girassol pode ser uma ferramenta eficaz no controle destas plantas daninhas em lavouras de milho.

ABSTRACT Horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum) and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) are two noxious C4 weeds of maize crop causing extensive yield losses. A two years field experiment was performed to estimate interference of T. portulacastrum and C. rotundus and to evaluate the role of allelopathic water extracts for effective weed management in maize. Five plant water extracts in ten binary combinations were foliar applied in triplicated randomized complete block design. Plots treated with commercial herbicide atrazine and weedy check (control), were also maintained for comparison. The highest density of both weed species was observed at 45 days after sowing (DAS) while weed dry biomass was higher at 60 DAS. Binary combination of sorghum-sunflower depicted greater suppression for weed density, dry biomass and persistence index (88-92% for T. portulacastrum and 65-81% for C. rotundus) as compared with weedy check. This treatment combination has also recorded an enhancement of 125% in crop resistance index, 84% in leaf area index and 41% in crop growth rate at 60-75 DAS thus, leading to 51% improvement in grain yield. Binary combination of sunflower-brassica returned maximum marginal net benefit, while sorghum-maize combination anticipated the peak value for marginal rate of return. Along with the effective weed management and higher yield, sorghum-sunflower documented the maximum net economic benefits among different plant extract combinations therefore, suggesting that exogenous application of sorghum-sunflower extract can be effectively used for controlling these weeds in maize field.

As crescentes preocupações sobre toxicidade e desenvolvimento de resistência a herbicidas sintéticos exigiram a busca por abordagens alternativas no manejo de plantas daninhas. Alelopatia obteve apoio e potencial suficientes para o manejo sustentável de plantas daninhas. Extratos aquosos de seis espécies vegetais (girassol, arroz, amora, milho, colza ou couve-nabiça e sorgo) em diferentes combinações, isoladamente ou em mistura com 75% de redução da dose de herbicidas, foram avaliados por dois anos consecutivos em condições de campo. Uma verificação de plantas daninhas e S-metolachlor com atrazina (pré-emergência) e apenas atrazina (pós-emergência) nas doses recomendadas foi incluída para comparação. Dinâmica de plantas daninhas, índices de crescimento do milho e estimativa de rendimento foram realizados seguindo procedimentos padrão. Todas as combinações de extrato vegetal aquoso suprimiram crescimento e biomassa de ervas daninhas. Além disso, o efeito supressor foi mais pronunciado quando extractos de plantas aquosas foram suplementados com doses reduzidas de herbicidas. A combinação de colza ou couve-nabiça-girassol-sorgo suprimiu plantas daninhas em 74 - 80%, 78 - 70%, 65 - 68% durante os dois anos de estudo que foram semelhantes com S-metolachlor juntamente com meia dose de atrazina e uma dose completa apenas de atrazine. A taxa de crescimento da cultura e o acúmulo de matéria seca atingiram valores máximos de 32.68 e 1.502 g m-2 d-1 para a combinação de colza ou couve-nabiça-girassol-sorgo em 60 e 75 dias após a semeadura. Regressão de ajuste de curva para as características de crescimento e produção previu uma forte correlação positiva com o rendimento dos grãos e uma correlação negativa para biomassa seca de plantas daninhas em manejo alelopático de plantas daninhas na cultura de milho.

Growing concerns about toxicity and development of resistance against synthetic herbicides have demanded looking for alternative weed management approaches. Allelopathy has gained sufficient support and potential for sustainable weed management. Aqueous extracts of six plant species (sunflower, rice, mulberry, maize, brassica and sorghum) in different combinations alone or in mixture with 75% reduced dose of herbicides were evaluated for two consecutive years under field conditions. A weedy check and S-metolachlor with atrazine (pre emergence) and atrazine alone (post emergence) at recommended rates was included for comparison. Weed dynamics, maize growth indices and yield estimation were done by following standard procedures. All aqueous plant extract combinations suppressed weed growth and biomass. Moreover, the suppressive effect was more pronounced when aqueous plant extracts were supplemented with reduced doses of herbicides. Brassica-sunflower-sorghum combination suppressed weeds by 74-80, 78-70, 65-68% during both years of study that was similar with S-metolachlor along half dose of atrazine and full dose of atrazine alone. Crop growth rate and dry matter accumulation attained peak values of 32.68 and 1,502 g m-2 d-1 for brassica-sunflower-sorghum combination at 60 and 75 days after sowing. Curve fitting regression for growth and yield traits predicted strong positive correlation to grain yield and negative correlation to weed dry biomass under allelopathic weed management in maize crop.