Abstract: Date production in North Africa is facing a worrying slowdown and a decline because of Fusarium wilt or bayoud date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (F. o. a). The objective of this work is to study the in vitro effect of flavonoid aglycones extracted from the roots of two cultivars of date palm (one sensitive to bayoud (Deglet Nour) and the other resistant (Takerboucht)) on the growth and production fusaric acid of the pathogen. Results show that during the first week of development of F. o. a on potato dextrose liquid medium, the flavonoid aglycones extracts of the susceptible cultivar roots stimulates mycelial growth as well as conidiogenesis of F.o.a, nevertheless it has no effect on the synthesis of fusaric acid. However, the flavonoid aglycones extract of resistant cultivar roots stimulates mycelial growth and decreases both the number of conidia production and fusaric acid. It therefore appears possible that the resistant cultivar aglycones have two types of action: they either inhibit the synthesis of fusaric acid, or they metabolize this toxin into hydrosoluble product, this is called detoxification.
Abstract: Human society, there are many uncertainties, such as economic growth rate forecast of the financial crisis, many scholars have, since the the Song Chissom two scholars in 1993 the concept of the so-called fuzzy time series (Fuzzy Time Series)different mode to deal with these problems, a previous study, however, usually does not consider the relevant variables selected and fuzzy process based solely on subjective opinions the fuzzy semantic discrete, so can not objectively reflect the characteristics of the data set, in addition to carrying outforecasts are often fuzzy rules as equally important, failed to consider the importance of each fuzzy rule. For these reasons, the variable selection (Factor Selection) through self-organizing map (Self-Organizing Map, SOM) and proposed high-end weighted multivariate fuzzy time series model based on fuzzy neural network (Fuzzy-BPN), and using the the sequential weighted average operator (Ordered Weighted Averaging operator, OWA) weighted prediction. Therefore, in order to verify the proposed method, the Taiwan stock exchange (Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation) Taiwan Weighted Stock Index (Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index, TAIEX) as experimental forecast target, in order to filter the appropriate variables in the experiment Finally, included in other studies in recent years mode in conjunction with this study, the results showed that the predictive ability of this study further improve.
Abstract: According to biodiesel from microalgae is an attractive fuel for several reasons such as renewable, biodegradable and environmental friendly. Thus, this study, green microalgae Scenedesmus acutus PPNK1 isolated from natural water, was selected based on high growth rates, easy cultivation and high lipid content. The Nile red fluorescence method has been successfully applied to the determination of lipids in S. acutus PPNK1. The combination of the method to the lipid composition in algal cells showed the yellow fluorescence under fluorescent microscope. Interestingly, maximum cell numbers and biomass concentration were obtained at 5.44´107 cells/mL and 1.60 g/L when it was cultivated in BG-11 medium while in case of BG-11 with nitrogen deprivation (N 0.25 g/L), accumulated lipid content in cells (44.67%) was achieved that was higher than that found in case of BG-11 medium at about 2 times (22.63%).
Abstract: Field study was conducted to determine the post field soil fertility status responses of pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) var. homestead selection and sunrise-solo orchards to organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) rates applied at 10, 20 40 t/ha where both the zero t/ha OMF and NPK 15:15:15 at 50 g/plant/month served as control. The result showed that all pawpaw orchards treated with OMF rates recorded significantly (p≤0.01) higher % P, % K, Na and % organic matter in soil compared to applied NPK which recorded lower Na. However, while orchards plated with sole pawpaw were higher in soil bulk density (SBD), orchards with homestead mixture were lower in SBD and significantly lower % organic matter compared to obtainable under sunrise crop mixture which recorded lower Na and Mg. In conclusion, as a result of loosening effect on soil particles, the homestead pawpaw probably due to more rooting activities as well as the addition of organic fertilizer to soils both had significant influence leading to lower SBD.
Abstract: Vetiver oil is secondary metabolite that accumulates in Vetiveria zizanioides roots. The aim of this study was to obtain best type of root culture which produce high amount of vetiver oil, and was similar to metabolites produce from its mother plant. Protein analysis was also conducted to detect protein, related to putative enzymes, which have a role in terpenoids synthesis in the root culture. The results showed that root culture derived from crown explant produced the best root growth. The root culture produced primary and lateral roots, ca. 40 branches. The vetiver oil produced from root culture was analyzed by using GC-MS., and the highest content of terpenoids from roots of crown explant attained 19.024%. The result of SDS PAGE showed proteins which were ±61 kD and ± 68 kD, each might be related to putative monoterpene synthase and sesquiterpenes complex, respectively.
Abstract: Microorganisms can be removed, inhibited or killed by physical agents, physical processes or chemical agents but they have their inherent disadvantages such as increased resistance against antibiotics etc. Since, plants have endless ability to synthesize aromatic substances which act as the master agents for plant defense mechanisms against microorganisms, insects and herbivores. Thus, secondary metabolites or phytochemicals obtained from plants can be used as agents of disease control nowadays. In the present study effect of different concentrations of acetone fraction of leaves and alcohol fraction of inflorescence of Euphorbia pulcherrima on various cytomorphological parameters i.e. cell number, mycelium width, conidial size, conidiophore size etc. of Aspergillus fumigatus has been studied. Change in mycelium/ hyphal cell width, conidium size, conidiophore size etc. was measured with the help of a previously calibrated oculometer. To study effect on morphology, fungal mycelium along with conidiophore and conidia were stained with cotton blue and mounted in lactophenol and observed microscopically. Inhibitory action of the acetone extract of Euphorbia pulcherrima leaf on growth of Aspergillus fumigatus was investigated. Control containing extract free medium supported profuse growth of the fungus. Although decrease in growth was observed even at 3.95μg/ml but significant inhibition of growth was started at7.81μg/ml concentration of the extract. Complete inhibition was observed at 15.62μg/ml and above. Microscopic examination revealed that at 3.95, 7.81 and 15.62μg/ml extract concentration hyphal cell width was found to be increased from 1.44μm in control to 3.86, 5.24 and 8.98 μm respectively giving a beaded appearance to the mycelium. Vesicle size was reduced from 24.78x20.08μm (control) to 11.34x10.06μm at 3.95μg/ml concentration. At 7.81 and 15.62μg/ml concentration no phialides and sterigmata were observed. Inhibitory action of the alcohol extract of inflorescence on the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus was also studied. Control containing extract free medium supported profuse growth of the fungus. Although decrease in growth was observed even at 3.95μg/ml but complete inhibition was observed at 62.5μg/ml and above. Microscopic examination revealed that hyphal cell width of Aspergillus fumigatus was found to be increased from 1.67μm in control to 5.84μm at MIC i.e. at 62.5μg/ml. Vesicle size was reduced from 44.76x 24.22μm (control) to 11.36x 6.80μm at 15.62μg/ml concentrations. At 31.25 μg/ml and 62.5μg/ml concentration no phialides and sterigmata was found. Spore germination was completely found to be inhibited at 3.95μg/ml concentration. Similarly 92.87% reduction in vesicle size was observed at 15.62μg/ml concentration. It is evident from the results that plant extracts inhibit fungal growth and this inhibition is concentration dependent.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship among CO2 per capita emissions, energy consumption, economic growth and bilateral trade between Singapore and Malaysia for the 1970-2011 period. ARDL model and Granger causality tests are employed for the analysis. Results of bound F-statistics suggest that long-run relationship exists between CO2 per capita (PCO2) and its determinants. The EKC hypothesis is not supported in Malaysia. Carbon emissions are mainly determined by energy consumption in the short and long run. While, exports to Singapore is a significant variable in explaining PCO2 emissions in Malaysia in long-run. Furthermore, we find a unidirectional causal relationship running from economic growth to PCO2 emissions.
Abstract: Themain goal of this article is to find efficient
methods for elemental and molecular analysis of living
microorganisms (algae) under defined environmental conditions and
cultivation processes. The overall knowledge of chemical
composition is obtained utilizing laser-based techniques, Laser-
Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for acquiring information
about elemental composition and Raman Spectroscopy for gaining
molecular information, respectively. Algal cells were suspended in
liquid media and characterized using their spectra. Results obtained
employing LIBS and Raman Spectroscopy techniques will help to
elucidate algae biology (nutrition dynamics depending on cultivation
conditions) and to identify algal strains, which have the potential for
applications in metal-ion absorption (bioremediation) and biofuel
industry. Moreover, bioremediation can be readily combined with
production of 3rd generation biofuels. In order to use algae for
efficient fuel production, the optimal cultivation parameters have to
be determinedleading to high production of oil in selected
cellswithout significant inhibition of the photosynthetic activity and
the culture growth rate, e.g. it is necessary to distinguish conditions
for algal strain containing high amount of higher unsaturated fatty
acids. Measurements employing LIBS and Raman Spectroscopy were
utilized in order to give information about alga Trachydiscusminutus
with emphasis on the amount of the lipid content inside the algal cell
and the ability of algae to withdraw nutrients from its environment
and bioremediation (elemental composition), respectively. This
article can serve as the reference for further efforts in describing
complete chemical composition of algal samples employing laserablation
techniques.
Abstract: A numerical study on the effect of side-dump angle on
fuel droplets sizing and effective mass fraction have been
investigated in present paper. The mass of fuel vapor inside the
flammability limit is named as the effective mass fraction. In the first
step we have considered a side-dump combustor with dump angle of
0o (acrossthe cylinder) and by increasing the entrance airflow velocity
from 20 to 30, 40 and 50 (m/s) respectively, the mean diameter of
fuel droplets sizing and effective mass fraction have been studied.
After this step, we have changed the dump angle from 0o to 30o,45o
and finally 60o in direction of cylinderand also we have increased the
entrance airflow velocity from 20 up to 50 (m/s) with the amount of
growth of 10(m/s) in each step, to examine its effects on fuel droplets
sizing as well as effective mass fraction. With rise of entrance airflow
velocity, these calculations are repeated in each step too. The results
show, with growth of dump-angle the effective mass fraction has
been decreased and the mean diameter of droplets sizing has been
increased. To fulfill the calculations a modified version of KIVA-3V
code which is a transient, three-dimensional, multiphase,
multicomponent code for the analysis of chemically reacting flows
with sprays, is used.
Abstract: The present work involves measurements to examine
the effects of initial conditions on aerodynamic and acoustic
characteristics of a Jet at M=0.8 by changing the orientation of sharp
edged orifice plate. A thick plate with chamfered orifice presented divergent and convergent openings when it was flipped over. The centerline velocity was found to decay more rapidly for divergent
orifice and that was consistent with the enhanced mass entrainment
suggesting quicker spread of the jet compared with that from the convergent orifice. The mixing layer region elucidated this effect of
initial conditions at an early stage – the growth was found to be comparatively more pronounced for the divergent orifice resulting in
reduced potential core size. The acoustic measurements, carried out in the near field noise region outside the jet within potential core
length, showed the jet from the divergent orifice to be less noisy. The frequency spectra of the noise signal exhibited that in the initial
region of comparatively thin mixing layer for the convergent orifice,
the peak registered a higher SPL and a higher frequency as well. The noise spectra and the mixing layer development suggested a direct correlation between the coherent structures developing in the initial
region of the jet and the noise captured in the surrounding near field.
Abstract: Grasslands of Iran are encountered with a vast
desertification and destruction. Some legumes are plants of forage
importance with high palatability. Studied legumes in this project are
Onobrychis, Medicago sativa (alfalfa) and Trifolium repens. Seeds
were cultivated in research field of Kaboutarabad (33 km East of
Isfahan, Iran) with an average 80 mm. annual rainfall. Plants were
cultivated in a split plot design with 3 replicate and two water
treatments (weekly irrigation, and under stress with same amount per
15 days interval). Water entrance to each plots were measured by
Partial flow. This project lasted 20 weeks. Destructive samplings
(1m2 each time) were done weekly. At each sampling plants were
gathered and weighed separately for each vegetative parts. An Area
Meter (Vista) was used to measure root surface and leaf area. Total
shoot and root fresh and dry weight, leaf area index and soil coverage
were evaluated too. Dry weight was achieved in 750c oven after 24
hours. Statgraphic and Harvard Graphic software were used to
formulate and demonstrate the parameters curves due to time. Our
results show that Trifolium repens has affected 60 % and Medicago
sativa 18% by water stress. Onobrychis total fresh weight was
reduced 45%. Dry weight or Biomass in alfalfa is not so affected by
water shortage. This means that in alfalfa fields we can decrease the
irrigation amount and have some how same amount of Biomass.
Onobrychis show a drastic decrease in Biomass. The increases in
total dry matter due to time in studied plants are formulated. For
Trifolium repens if removal or cattle entrance to meadows do not
occurred at perfect time, it will decrease the palatability and water
content of the shoots. Water stress in a short period could develop the
root system in Trifolium repens, but if it last more than this other
ecological and soil factors will affect the growth of this plant. Low
level of soil water is not so important for studied legume forges. But
water shortage affect palatability and water content of aerial parts.
Leaf area due to time in studied legumes is formulated. In fact leaf
area is decreased by shortage in available water. Higher leaf area
means higher forage and biomass production. Medicago and
Onobrychis reach to the maximum leaf area sooner than Trifolium
and are able to produce an optimum soil cover and inhibit the
transpiration of soil water of meadows. Correlation of root surface to
Total biomass in studied plants is formulated. Medicago under water
stress show a 40% decrease in crown cover while at optimum
condition this amount reach to 100%. In order to produce forage in
areas without soil erosion Medicago is the best choice even with a
shortage in water resources. It is tried to represent the growth
simulation of three famous Forage Legumes. By growth simulation
farmers and range managers could better decide to choose best plant
adapted to water availability without designing different time and
labor consuming field experiments.
Abstract: Design of experiments made for correlated the hormonal activity of steroids and their effect on the vaginal structure properties. Vaginal wall consists of distinct layers of cells which strongly differ regarding growth in answer to steroid hormones. The presence study carried out for functional evaluation and sustained replacement effect of the reproductive hormones on the vaginal morphometry in the rabbit. Rabbits were maintained control (Co) or ovariectomized (Ovz) and continuously treated with estradiol (Ovz E) and estradiol mixture with testosterone (Ovz ET). Relative to control rabbits with the distinct tissue distribution pattern, ovariectomized animals displayed declined epithelial thickness and atrophy of the muscularis layer that cause the vaginal wall thinning. Estradiol treatment of Orz rabbits inverted these changes to status of the preovariectomy. Histometric measurements in Ovz ET group completely including of thickness of the epithelial and muscular layers was greater in comparison to that of control animals.
Abstract: One of the major pollutants in the environment is arsenic (As). Due to the toxic effects of As to all organisms, its remediation is necessary. Conventional technologies used in the remediation of As contaminated soils are expensive and may even compromise the structure of the soil. An attractive alternative is phytoremediation, which is the use of plants which can take up the contaminant in their tissues. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) has been known to enhance growth of plants through several mechanisms such as phytohormone production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate (ACC) deaminase production, which is an essential trait that aids plants especially under stress conditions such as As stress. Twenty one bacteria were isolated from As-contaminated soils in the vicinity of the Janghang Smelter in Chungnam Province, South Korea. These exhibited high tolerance to either arsenite (As III) or arsenate (As V) or both. Most of these isolates possess several plant growth promoting traits which can be potentially exploited to increase phytoremediation efficiency. Among the identified isolates is Pseudomonas sp. JS1215, which produces ACC deaminase, indole acetic acid (IAA), and siderophore. It also has the ability to solubilize phosphate. Inoculation of JS1215 significantly enhanced root and shoot length and biomass accumulation of maize under normal conditions. In the presence of As, particularly in lower As level, inoculation of JS1215 slightly increased root length and biomass. Ethylene increased with increasing As concentration, but was reduced by JS1215 inoculation. JS1215 can be a potential bioinoculant for increasing phytoremediation efficiency.
Abstract: Probiotic bacteria especially Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium exert suppressive effect on Helicobacter pylori. Cinnamon and licorice have been traditionally used for the treatment of gastric ulcer. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of herbs on yogurt fermentation, the level of probiotic bacteria in yogurt during 28 days storage and the effect of herbal yogurt on the growth of H. pylori in vitro. Cinnamon or licorice was mixed with milk and the mixture was fermented with probiotic bacteria to form herbal-yogurt. Changes of pH and total titratable acids were monitored and the viability of probiotic bacteria was evaluated during and after refrigerated storage. The in vitro inhibition of H. pylori growth was determined using agar diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. The presence of herbs did not affect the probiotic population during storage. There were no significant differences in pH and TTA between herbal-yogurts and plain-yogurt during fermentation and storage. Water extract of cinnamon-yogurt showed the highest inhibition effect (13.5mm) on H. pylori growth in comparison with licorice-yogurt (11.2mm). The present findings indicate cinnamon and licorice has bioactive components to decrease the growth of H. pylori.
Abstract: Safe drinking water is one of the biggest issues facing
the planet this century. The primary aim of this paper is to present our
research focused on theoretical and experimental analysis of potable
water and in-building water distribution systems from the point of
view of microbiological risk on the basis of confrontation between
the theoretical analysis and synthesis of gathered information in
conditions of the Slovak Republic. The presence of the bacteria
Legionella in water systems, especially in hot water distribution
system, represents in terms of health protection of inhabitants the
crucial problem which cannot be overlooked. Legionella
pneumophila discovery, its classification and its influence on
installations inside buildings are relatively new. There are a lot of
guidelines and regulations developed in many individual countries for
the design, operation and maintenance for tap water systems to avoid
the growth of bacteria Legionella pneumophila, but in Slovakia we
don-t have any. The goal of this paper is to show the necessity of
prevention and regulations for installations inside buildings verified
by simulation methods.
Abstract: This paper studies the effect of time delay on stability
of mutualism population model with limited resources for both
species. First, the stability of the model without time delay is
analyzed. The model is then improved by considering a time delay in
the mechanism of the growth rate of the population. We analyze the
effect of time delay on the stability of the stable equilibrium point.
Result showed that the time delay can induce instability of the stable
equilibrium point, bifurcation and stability switches.
Abstract: The new institutional Economics helps generalization
and expansion of new classic by adding the institution theories to
Economic. It is clear that the appropriate institution is among the
factors that lead to success in Economic programs.
If the institutional are appropriate, the society will save the source
and when we make use of time to apply the program, there will be
welfare and average revenue product will also increase. In Economy,
one should not expect the real manifestation of Economic programs
only with a model for estimating and predicting rather institutions of
the same purpose and along with production are needed to form the
process of growth and development costs.
In this research, the institution role in transaction costs, financial
markets, distribution of revenue and capital and its influence on the
process of growth and development are investigated so that
handicaps and problems of Iran Economic Institutions can be
recognized. In other words, incapability, non productivity and
ambiguity of the institution in Iran Economic are some of the factors
that handicap Economic growth and development. For example, Iran
government as an important institution while having 20 ministries,83
organizations and 60 years of programming could not go along the
growth and development but why?
Abstract: With a rapid growth in 3D graphics technology over the last few years, people are desired to see more flexible reacting motions of a biped in animations. In particular, it is impossible to anticipate all reacting motions of a biped while facing a perturbation. In this paper, we propose a three-level tracking method for animating a 3D humanoid character. First, we take the laws of physics into account to attach physical attributes, such as mass, gravity, friction, collision, contact, and torque, to bones and joints of a character. The next step is to employ PD controller to follow a reference motion as closely as possible. Once the character cannot tolerate a strong perturbation to prevent itself from falling down, we are capable of tracking a desirable falling-down action to avoid any falling condition inaccuracy. From the experimental results, we demonstrate the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed method in comparison with conventional data-driven approaches.
Abstract: The significance of environmental protection is wellknown in today's world. The execution of any program depends on sufficient knowledge and required familiarity with environment and its pollutants. Taking advantage of a systematic method, as a new science, in environmental planning can solve many problems. In this article, air pollution in Tehran and its relationship with health and population growth have been analyzed using dynamic systems. Firstly, by using casual loops, the relationship between the parameters effective on air pollution in Tehran were taken into consideration, then these casual loops were turned into flow diagrams [6], and finally, they were simulated using the software Vensim [16]in order to conclude what the effect of each parameter will be on air pollution in Tehran in the next 10 years, how changing of one or more parameters influences other parameters, and which parameter among all other parameters requires to be controlled more.
Abstract: The optimal control is one of the possible controllers
for a dynamic system, having a linear quadratic regulator and using
the Pontryagin-s principle or the dynamic programming method .
Stochastic disturbances may affect the coefficients (multiplicative
disturbances) or the equations (additive disturbances), provided that
the shocks are not too great . Nevertheless, this approach encounters
difficulties when uncertainties are very important or when the probability
calculus is of no help with very imprecise data. The fuzzy
logic contributes to a pragmatic solution of such a problem since it
operates on fuzzy numbers. A fuzzy controller acts as an artificial
decision maker that operates in a closed-loop system in real time.
This contribution seeks to explore the tracking problem and control
of dynamic macroeconomic models using a fuzzy learning algorithm.
A two inputs - single output (TISO) fuzzy model is applied to the
linear fluctuation model of Phillips and to the nonlinear growth model
of Goodwin.