Abstract: This study was carried out to evaluate concentration
of micro minerals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and Se) of forages and their
distribution in fiber fraction (neutral detergent fiber/NDF and acid
detergent fiber/ADF) in South Sumatra during dry and rainy seasons.
Seven species of commonly forages namely Axonopus compressus,
Panicum maximum, Pennisetum purpuphoides, Leucaena
leucocephala, Centrocema pubescens, Calopogonium mucunoides
and Acacia mangium were collected at native pasture during rainy
and dry seasons. The results showed that micro minerals
concentration of forages and their distribution in fiber fraction varied
among species and season. In general, concentration of micro
minerals was slightly higher in rainy season compared to dry season
either in grass or legumes forages. In grass, concentration of Fe and
Mn were above the critical level, while 33.3 %, 100 % and 16.7 % of
evaluated grass were deficient in Zn, Cu and Se. Data on legume
forages show that 75 % of legumes were deficient in Zn and Mn, 62.5
% deficient in Cu and 50 % deficient in Se. There was no species of
legume deficient in Fe. Distribution of micro minerals in NDF and
ADF were also significantly affected by species and season and
depends on the kinds of element measured. Generally, micro minerals
were associated in fiber fractions much higher during dry season
compared to rainy season. Iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) in forages
were the highest elements associated in NDF and ADF, while the
lowest was found in Copper (Cu).
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistant is becoming a major factor in
virtually all hospital acquired infection may soon untreatable is a
serious public health problem. These concerns have led to major
research effort to discover alternative strategies for the treatment of
bacterial infection. Nanobiotehnology is an upcoming and fast
developing field with potential application for human welfare. An
important area of nanotechnology for development of reliable and
environmental friendly process for synthesis of nanoscale particles
through biological systems In the present studies are reported on the
use of fungal strain Aspergillus species for the extracellular synthesis
of bionanoparticles from 1 mM silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution. The
report would be focused on the synthesis of metallic bionanoparticles
of silver using a reduction of aqueous Ag+ ion with the
culture supernatants of Microorganisms. The bio-reduction of the
Ag+ ions in the solution would be monitored in the aqueous
component and the spectrum of the solution would measure through
UV-visible spectrophotometer The bionanoscale particles were
further characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thin layer
chromatography. The synthesized bionanoscale particle showed a
maximum absorption at 385 nm in the visible region. Atomic Force
Microscopy investigation of silver bionanoparticles identified that
they ranged in the size of 250 nm - 680 nm; the work analyzed the
antimicrobial efficacy of the silver bionanoparticles against various
multi drug resistant clinical isolates. The present Study would be
emphasizing on the applicability to synthesize the metallic
nanostructures and to understand the biochemical and molecular
mechanism of nanoparticles formation by the cell filtrate in order to
achieve better control over size and polydispersity of the
nanoparticles. This would help to develop nanomedicine against
various multi drug resistant human pathogens.
Abstract: The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's
largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in
medical imaging and therapy, laboratory diagnostics, medical
information technology, and hearing aids.
Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire
range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and
early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By
optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases,
Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better, and more cost effective.
The optimization of clinical workflows requires a
multidisciplinary focus and a collaborative approach of e.g. medical
advisors, researchers and scientists as well as healthcare economists.
This new form of collaboration brings together experts with deep
technical experience, physicians with specialized medical knowledge
as well as people with comprehensive knowledge about health
economics.
As Charles Darwin is often quoted as saying, “It is neither the
strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the
one most responsive to change," We believe that those who can
successfully manage this change will emerge as winners, with
valuable competitive advantage.
Current medical information and knowledge are some of the core
assets in the healthcare industry. The main issue is to connect
knowledge holders and knowledge recipients from various
disciplines efficiently in order to spread and distribute knowledge.
Abstract: Coal will continue to be the predominant source of
global energy for coming several decades. The huge generation of fly
ash (FA) from combustion of coal in thermal power plants (TPPs) is
apprehended to pose the concerns of its disposal and utilization. FA
application based on its typical characteristics as soil ameliorant for
agriculture and forestry is the potential area, and hence the global
attempt. The inferences drawn suffer from the variations of ash
characteristics, soil types, and agro-climatic conditions; thereby
correlating the effects of ash between various plant species and soil
types is difficult. Indian FAs have low bulk density, high water
holding capacity and porosity, rich silt-sized particles, alkaline
nature, negligible solubility, and reasonable plant nutrients. Findings
of the demonstrations trials for more than two decades from lab/pot
to field scale long-term experiments are developed as FA soil
amendment technology (FASAT) by Central Institute of Mining and
Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad. Performance of different crops
and plant species in cultivable and problematic soils, are
encouraging, eco-friendly, and being adopted by the farmers. FA
application includes ash alone and in combination with
inorganic/organic amendments; combination treatments including
bio-solids perform better than FA alone. Optimum dose being up to
100 t/ha for cultivable land and up to/ or above 200 t/ha of FA for
waste/degraded land/mine refuse, depending on the characteristics of
ash and soil. The elemental toxicity in Indian FA is usually not of
much concern owing to alkaline ashes, oxide forms of elements, and
elemental concentration within the threshold limits for soil
application. Combating toxicity, if any, is possible through
combination treatments with organic materials and phytoremediation.
Government initiatives through extension programme
involving farmers and ash generating organizations need to be
accelerated
Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding and
regulatory RNAs about 20 to 24 nucleotides long. Their conserved
nature among the various organisms makes them a good source of
new miRNAs discovery by comparative genomics approach. The
study resulted in 21 miRNAs of 20 pre-miRNAs belonging to 16
families (miR156, 157, 158, 164, 165, 168, 169, 172, 319, 390, 393,
394, 395, 400, 472 and 861) in evergreen spruce tree (Picea). The
miRNA families; miR 157, 158, 164, 165, 168, 169, 319, 390, 393,
394, 400, 472 and 861 are reported for the first time in the Picea. All
20 miRNA precursors form stable minimum free energy stem-loop
structure as their orthologues form in Arabidopsis and the mature
miRNA reside in the stem portion of the stem loop structure. Sixteen
(16) miRNAs are from Picea glauca and five (5) belong to Picea
sitchensis. Their targets consist of transcription factors, growth
related, stressed related and hypothetical proteins.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to evaluate the
occurrence of fungi in aerobic and anoxic activated sludge from
membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Thirty-six samples of both aerobic
and anoxic activated sludge were taken from 2 MBR treating
domestic wastewater. Over a period of eight months 2 samples from
each plant were taken per month. The samples were prepared for
count and definition of fungi. The obtained data show that, sixty
species belonging to 27 genera were collected from activated sludge
samples under aerobic and anoxic conditions. Regarding to the fungi
definition, under aerobic condition the Geotrichum was found at
(8.8%) followed by Penicillium (75.0%), Yeasts (65.7%) and
Trichoderma (55.5%), while Yeasts (77.1%) Geotrichum
candidumand Penicillium (61.1%) species were the most prevalent in
anoxic activated sludge. The results indicate that activated sludge is
habitat for growth and sporulation of different groups of fungi, both
saprophytic and pathogenic.
Abstract: The C3 plants are frequently suffering from exposure
to high temperature stress which limits the growth and yield of these
plants. This study seeks to clarify the physiological mechanisms of
heat tolerance in relation to oxidative stress in C3 species. Fifteen C3
species were exposed to prolonged moderately high temperature
stress 36/30°C for 40 days in a growth chamber. Chlorophyll
fluorescence (Fv/Fm) showed great difference among species at 40
days of the stress. The species showed decreases in Fv/Fm and
increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) content under stress condition
as well as negative correlation between Fv/Fm and MDA (r = -0.61*)
at 40 days of the stress. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content before
and after stress in addition to its response under stress showed great
differences among species. The results suggest that the difference in
heat tolerance among C3 species is closely associated with the ability
to suppress oxidative damage but not with the content of reactive
oxygen species (ROS) which is regulated by complex network.
Abstract: Studies of vocal communication in Sooty-headed
Bulbul were carried out from January to December 2011. Vocal
recordings and behavioral observations were made in their natural
habitats at some localities of Lampang, Thailand. After editing, cuts
of high quality recordings were analyzed with the help of Avisoft-
SASLab Pro (version 4.40) software. More than one thousand
element repertoires in five groups were found within two vocal
structures. The two structures were short sounds with single element
and phrases composed of elements, the frequency ranged from 1-10
kHz. Most phrases were composed of 2 to 5 elements that were often
dissimilar in structure, however, these phrases were not as complex
as song phrases. The elements and phrases were combined to form
many patterns. The species used ten types of calls; i.e. alert, alarm,
aggressive, begging, contact, courtship, distress, exciting, flying and
invitation. Alert and contact calls were used more frequently than
other calls. Aggressive, alarm and distress calls could be used for
interspecific communication among some other bird species in the
same habitats.
Abstract: Fungal infections are becoming more common and the
range of susceptible individuals has expanded. While Candida
albicans remains the most common infective species, other Candida
spp. are becoming increasingly significant. In a range of large-scale
studies of candidaemia between 1999 and 2006, about 52% of 9717
cases involved C. albicans, about 30% involved either C. glabrata or
C. parapsilosis and less than 15% involved C. tropicalis, C. krusei or
C. guilliermondii. However, the probability of mortality within 30
days of infection with a particular species was at least 40% for C.
tropicalis, C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. krusei and only 22% for
C. parapsilopsis. Clinical isolates of Candida spp. grew at rates
ranging from 1.65 h-1 to 4.9 h-1. Three species (C. krusei, C. albicans
and C. glabrata) had relatively high growth rates (μm > 4 h-1), C.
tropicalis and C. dubliniensis grew moderately quickly (Ôëê 3 h-1) and
C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii grew slowly (< 2 h-1). Based
on these data, the log of the odds of mortality within 30 days of
diagnosis was linearly related to μm. From this the underlying
probability of mortality is 0.13 (95% CI: 0.10-0.17) and it increases
by about 0.09 ± 0.02 for each unit increase in μm. Given that the
overall crude mortality is about 0.36, the growth of Candida spp.
approximately doubles the rate, consistent with the results of larger
case-matched studies of candidaemia.
Abstract: The proposed system identifies the species of the wood
using the textural features present in its barks. Each species of a wood
has its own unique patterns in its bark, which enabled the proposed
system to identify it accurately. Automatic wood recognition system
has not yet been well established mainly due to lack of research in this
area and the difficulty in obtaining the wood database. In our work, a
wood recognition system has been designed based on pre-processing
techniques, feature extraction and by correlating the features of those
wood species for their classification. Texture classification is a problem
that has been studied and tested using different methods due to its
valuable usage in various pattern recognition problems, such as wood
recognition, rock classification. The most popular technique used
for the textural classification is Gray-level Co-occurrence Matrices
(GLCM). The features from the enhanced images are thus extracted
using the GLCM is correlated, which determines the classification
between the various wood species. The result thus obtained shows a
high rate of recognition accuracy proving that the techniques used in
suitable to be implemented for commercial purposes.
Abstract: Several studies have shown the association between
ambient particulate matter (PM) and adverse health effects and
climate change, thus highlighting the need to limit the anthropogenic
sources of PM. PM Exposure is commonly monitored as mass
concentration of PM10 (particle aerodynamic diameter < 10μm) or
PM2.5 (particle aerodynamic diameter < 2.5μm), although increasing
toxicity with decreasing aerodynamic diameter has been reported due
to increased surface area and enhanced chemical reactivity with other
species. Additionally, the light scattering properties of PM increases
with decreasing size. Hence, it is important to study the chemical
characterization of finer fraction of the particulate matter and to
identify their sources so that they can be controlled appropriately to a
large extent at the sources before reaching to the receptors.
Abstract: An attempt was made for availability of wastewater reuse/reclamation for irrigation purposes using phytoremediation “the low cost and less technology", using six local aquatic macrophytes “e.g. T. angustifolia, B. maritimus, Ph. australis, A. donax, A. plantago-aquatica and M. longifolia (Linn)" as biological waste purifiers. Outdoor experiments/designs were conducted from May 03, 2007 till October 15, 2008, close to one of the main sewage channels of Sulaimani City/Iraq*. All processes were mainly based on conventional wastewater treatment processes, besides two further modifications were tested, the first was sand filtration pots, implanted by individual species of experimental macrophytes and the second was constructed wetlands implanted by experimental macrophytes all together. Untreated and treated wastewater samples were analyzed for their key physico-chemical properties (only heavy metals Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu with particular reference to removal efficiency by experimental macrophytes are highlighted in this paper). On the other hand, vertical contents of heavy metals were also evaluated from both pots and the cells of constructed wetland. After 135 days, macrophytes were harvested and heavy metals were analyzed in their biomass (roots/shoots) for removal efficiency assessment (i.e. uptake/ bioaccumulation rate). Results showed that; removal efficiency of all studied heavy metals was much higher in T. angustifolia followed by Ph. Australis, B. maritimus and A. donax in triple experiment sand pots. Constructed wetland experiments have revealed that; the more replicated constructed wetland cells the highest heavy metal removal efficiency was indicated.
Abstract: A new generation product made from bamboo strips,
known as laminated bamboo, has gained importance. The objective
of this research was to experiment the effect of three factors on the
mechanical property of laminated bamboo. The interested factors for
experimental design were (A) four bamboo species, namely Bambusa
blumeana Schultes (Pai See Suk), Dendrocalamus asper Backer (Pai
Tong), Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees (Pai Hok) and
Dendrocalamus sericeus Munro (Pai Sang Mon), (B) two types of
glue adhesive, polyvinyl acetate emulsion (PVAC) fortified with
urea-formaldehyde (UF) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) to make
parallel-oriented bamboo strips laminates and (C) glue weight per
strip area, 150 g/m2 and 190 g/m2. Experimental results showed that
Dendrocalamus asper Backer (Pai Tong) and Dendrocalamus
sericeus Munro (Pai Sang Mon) were best used for manufacturing
due to their highest MOR and MOE. The amount of glue weight 150
g/m2 yielded higher MOR and MOE than the amount of glue weight
190 g/m2. At the conclusion, the laminated bamboo manufacturers
can benefit from this research in order to select right materials
according to strength, cost and accessibility.
Abstract: A research project dealing with the phytoremediation
of a soil polluted by some heavy metals is currently running. The
case study is represented by a mining area in Hamedan province in
the central west part of Iran. The potential of phytoextraction and
phytostabilization of plants was evaluated considering the
concentration of heavy metals in the plant tissues and also the
bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (TF). Also
the several established criteria were applied to define
hyperaccumulator plants in the studied area. Results showed that
none of the collected plant species were suitable for phytoextraction
of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn, but among the plants, Euphorbia macroclada
was the most efficient in phytostabilization of Cu and Fe, while,
Ziziphora clinopodioides, Cousinia sp. and Chenopodium botrys
were the most suitable for phytostabilization of Zn and Chondrila
juncea and Stipa barbata had the potential for phytostabilization of
Mn. Using the most common criterion, Euphorbia macroclada and
Verbascum speciosum were Fe hyperaccumulator plants. Present
study showed that native plant species growing on contaminated sites
may have the potential for phytoremediation.
Abstract: Removal of PCP by a system combining
biodegradation by biofilm and adsorption was investigated here.
Three studies were conducted employing batch tests, sequencing
batch reactor (SBR) and continuous biofilm activated carbon
column reactor (BACCOR). The combination of biofilm-GAC
batch process removed about 30% more PCP than GAC adsorption
alone. For the SBR processes, both the suspended and attached
biomass could remove more than 90% of the PCP after
acclimatisation. BACCOR was able to remove more than 98% of
PCP-Na at concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 mg/L, at empty
bed contact time (EBCT) ranging from 0.75 to 4 hours. Pure and
mixed cultures from BACCOR were tested for use of PCP as sole
carbon and energy source under aerobic conditions. The isolates
were able to degrade up to 42% of PCP under aerobic conditions in
pure cultures. However, mixed cultures were found able to degrade
more than 99% PCP indicating interdependence of species.
Abstract: Landscape connectivity combines a description of the
physical structure of the landscape with special species- response to
that structure, which forms the theoretical background of applying
landscape connectivity principles in the practices of landscape
planning and design. In this study, a residential development project in
the southern United States was used to explore the meaning of
landscape connectivity and its application in town planning. The vast
rural landscape in the southern United States is conspicuously
characterized by the hedgerow trees or groves. The patchwork
landscape of fields surrounded by high hedgerows is a traditional and
familiar feature of the American countryside. Hedgerows are in effect
linear strips of trees, groves, or woodlands, which are often critical
habitats for wildlife and important for the visual quality of the
landscape. Based on geographic information system (GIS) and
statistical analysis (FRAGSTAT), this study attempts to quantify the
landscape connectivity characterized by hedgerows in south Alabama
where substantial areas of authentic hedgerow landscape are being
urbanized due to the ever expanding real estate industry and high
demand for new residential development. The results of this study
shed lights on how to balance the needs of new urban development and
biodiversity conservation by maintaining a higher level of landscape
connectivity, thus will inform the design intervention.
Abstract: Computer languages are usually lumped together
into broad -paradigms-, leaving us in want of a finer classification
of kinds of language. Theories distinguishing between -genuine
differences- in language has been called for, and we propose that
such differences can be observed through a notion of expressive mode.
We outline this concept, propose how it could be operationalized and
indicate a possible context for the development of a corresponding
theory. Finally we consider a possible application in connection
with evaluation of language revision. We illustrate this with a case,
investigating possible revisions of the relational algebra in order to
overcome weaknesses of the division operator in connection with
universal queries.
Abstract: Water hyacinth has been used in aquatic systems for
wastewater purification in many years worldwide. The role of water
hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) species in polishing nitrate and
phosphorus concentration from municipal wastewater treatment plant
effluent by phytoremediation method was evaluated. The objective
of this project is to determine the removal efficiency of water
hyacinth in polishing nitrate and phosphorus, as well as chemical
oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia. Water hyacinth is considered
as the most efficient aquatic plant used in removing vast range of
pollutants such as organic matters, nutrients and heavy metals. Water
hyacinth, also referred as macrophytes, were cultivated in the
treatment house in a reactor tank of approximately 90(L) x 40(W) x
25(H) in dimension and built with three compartments. Three water
hyacinths were placed in each compartments and water sample in
each compartment were collected in every two days. The plant
observation was conducted by weight measurement, plant uptake and
new young shoot development. Water hyacinth effectively removed
approximately 49% of COD, 81% of ammonia, 67% of phosphorus
and 92% of nitrate. It also showed significant growth rate at starting
from day 6 with 0.33 shoot/day and they kept developing up to 0.38
shoot/day at the end of day 24. From the studies conducted, it was
proved that water hyacinth is capable of polishing the effluent of
municipal wastewater which contains undesirable amount of nitrate
and phosphorus concentration.
Abstract: Prickly pear fruit (Opuntia ficus indica L. Miller) belongs to the Cactaceae family. This species is very sensitive to low storage temperatures (< 5°C) which cause damages. The fruits can be peeled, suitably packaged and successfully commercialized as a ready-to-eat product. The main limit to the extension of the shelf life is the production of off-flavors due to different factors, the growth of microorganisms and the action of endogenous enzymes. Lipoxygenase (LOX) and Pectinesterase (PE) are involved in fruit degradation. In particular, LOX pathway is directly responsible for lipid oxidation, and the subsequent production of off-flavours, while PE causes the softening of fruit during maturation. They act on the texture and shelf-life of post-harvest, packaged fruits, as a function of the the grown of microorganisms and packaging technologies used. The aim of this work is to compare the effect of different packaging technologies on the shelf life extension of ready-to-eat prickly pear fruits with regards for the enzymes activities.
Abstract: This study investigated the ecological effects of
particulate pollution from a cement factory on the vegetation in the
western Mediterranean coastal desert of Egypt. Variations in
vegetation, soil chemical characters, and some responses of Atriplex
halimus, as a dominant species in the study area, were investigated in
some sites located in different directions from the cement factory
between Burg El-Arab in the east and El-Hammam in the west. The
results showed an obvious decrease in vegetation diversity, in
response to cement-kiln dust pollution, that accompanied by a high
dominance attributed to the high contribution of Atriplex halimus.
Annual species were found to be more sensitive to cement dust
pollution as they all failed to persist in highly disturbed sites. It is
remarkable that cover and phytomass of Atriplex halimus were
increased greatly in response to cement dust pollution, and this was
accompanied by a reduction in the mature seeds and leaf-area of the
plant. The few seeds of the affected individuals seemed to be more
fertile and attained higher germination percentages and exhibited
hardening against drought stress.