Volume 2 Number 3 (May 2017)

Pectinase: Substrate, Production and their Biotechnological Applications

Oliyad Jeilu Oumer

Pectinolytic enzymes can be applied in various industrial sectors wherever the degradation of pectin is required for a particular process. Several microorganisms have been used to produce different types of pectinolytic enzymes. Microbial pectinases account for 25% of the global food and industrial enzyme sales and their market is increasing day by day. Owing to the enormous potential of Pectinase in various sectors of industries whenever degradation of pectin is needed, this review broadly focus on types of pectin substances, pectinase, their production as well as their biotechnologically potential applications.

Development of a Bioactive Food Additive for Controlling of Fungal Growth

Mauricio V. Cruz, Marcos A. Pereira-Junior, Karla A. Batista, Katia F. Fernandes

Fresh foods have a great importance in human nutrition. However, they are marketed with greatly reduced shelf life mainly due to fungal spoilage. In this work, cell wall degrading enzymes produced by Trichoderma asperellum T00 (TCWDE) were immobilized onto cashew gum polysaccharide (CGP) in order to evaluate the potential use of this material as food additive aiming to increase the shelf life by inhibiting fungal growth. Results from factorial design (32) evidenced that the best conditions for TCWDE immobilization was achieved with 20 min of reaction using 1 mmol L-1 of NaIO4. On these conditions it was observed 91% of retention yield for NAGase (30.1 ± 0.38 U mL-1), 41% for chitinase (0.67 ± 0.05 U mL-1), and 24% for β-1,3-glucanase (0.017± 0.001 U mL-1). CGP/TCWDE was effective for growth inhibition of Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium sp. and the inhibition mechanism seems to involve changes in the cell wall of those microorganisms. Finally, the CGP/TCWDE presented high stability after drying, maintaining enzymatic and biological activity after 200 days of storage at room temperature (25 ºC).

Comparison of 4 Buckwheat Cultivars and 2 Planting Densities in 2 Mountain Places of Umbria (Central Italy)

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is a pseudocereal grown on limited extensions in Italy and Western Europe in general, but is currently the subject of considerable interest from the scientific community and consumers for its unique nutritional properties: it is rich in vitamins and mineral salts, dietary fiber and antioxidant substances, and it is free of gluten. This species also has agronomic characteristics that make it suitable for cultivation in mountain environments, enabling farmers to extend and change crop rotations: a short growing season, limited nutritional needs, good adaptation to acid soils, tolerance to pests and weeds. Buckwheat cultivation in Italy is more common in the Alps, but recently experiments have been carried out which have shown its good adaptation to the climatic conditions of the Apennines. In this paper, we present the results of an experimental field trial conducted in the year 2015 in two mountain localities of Umbria (Castelluccio di Norcia and Norcia) in which were compared 4 varieties and 2 seeding densities. The results confirmed the suitability of the mountain places of central Italy (especially those located at high altitudes) for the cultivation of buckwheat and indicated significant differences between yields and grain quality traits of different varieties. The different seeding rates resulted in significant differences in some biometric parameters of plants, but not in production yields.

Study of Bryophytic Flora in the Ramsar Wetland of Merja Zerga (North-west of Morocco)

The research undertaken in the IBA and Ramsar wetland of Merja Zerga at Moulay Bousselham were interested only in the higher plants. Our study tends then to contribute to enrich the knowledge about the bryophytic flora of this area by filling the gaps in this field. Thus, we carried out a systematic sampling with a stop and a harvest in each encountered bryophyte population. This prospection enabled us to find 26 species of bryophytes including 22 species of mosses belonging to 15 genera and 9 families, and 4 species of liverworts belonging to 3 genera and 3 families. The relative low specificity of this wetland can be explained by the influence of sea spray and the strong anthropic disturbance. A comparison with previous studies allowed us to conclude that 11 species were observed for the first time in the area.

Measuring Social Complexity and the Emergence of Cooperation from Entropic Principles. The Collapse of Rapa Nui as a Case Study

The quantitative assessment of the state and dynamics of a social system is a very difficult problem. This issue is important for both practical and theoretical reasons such as establishing the efficiency of social action programs, detecting possible community needs or allocating resources. In this paper we propose a new general theoretical framework for the study of social complexity, based on the relation of complexity and entropy in combination with evolutionary dynamics to assess the dynamics of the system. Imposing the second law of thermodynamics, we study the conditions under which cooperation emerges and demonstrate that it depends on the relative importance of local and global fitness. As cooperation is a central concept in sustainability, this thermodynamic-informational approach allows new insights and means to assess it using the concept of Helmholtz free energy. We then introduce a new set of equations that consider the more general case where the social system changes both in time and space, and relate our findings to sustainability. Finally we present a model for the collapse of Rapa Nui island civilization in NetLogo. We applied our approach to measure both the entropy production and the complexity of the system and the results support our purpose that sustainability needs a positive entropy production regime which is related to cooperation emergence.

Optimization of Experimental Biomethanation Applied to Poultry Droppings for Better Energy Valorization

Ghariani. I, Najar. T

The fight against climate change is first and foremost passed by the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG). Mainly in the form of methane CH4, the GHGs emitted by the waste originate from the decomposition of organic matter which is more commonly known as Anaerobic Digestion (AD) or Biomethanation. Livestock manure is one of the major hazards to the environment and human health due to the nuisances and pollution generated. The present study consists of optimizing the methane fermentation applied to poultry droppings. This optimization focuses on the daily monitoring of experimental digesters, on the physico-chemical characterization of the inputs used and on the study of the effect of temperature and inoculum changes on the daily production of biogas and its composition (CH4, CO2 and H2S). The main results show, on the one hand, that the stability of the DA process after initial filling depends on experimental conditions, the general characteristics of the anaerobic digester, the initial biomass activity and the nature of the introduced inoculum. On the other hand, the production of biogas is better at a temperature of 35°C than at a temperature of 55°C and the addition of the inoculum has improved the production of biogas and the CH4 content, especially the use Of liquid poultry digestate.

Effectiveness of Adaptation Measures Taken by Farmers in the Field of Effects of Climate Change in the Coastal Department in Benin

Acacha-Acakpo Hortensia V., Seboka Siriac A.

It is evident that climate change affects the well being of farmers and increases their vulnerability in the future if no action is taken into account by them. In fact, Various adaptation measures, such as crop diversification, changes in the dates of semi and crops, use of seed and fertilizer varieties, irrigation, use of tractors etc. are carried out by Farmers. However, these different measures have not yet had the same effect in reducing the negative effects of climate change on agriculture. Thus, this paper aims at evaluating empirically assess the effectiveness of these measures or strategies of adaptations on the performance of farms in Benin. Using the estimation technique of MCO, estimating the technical efficiency of farmers' production reveals that the use of improved seeds and fertilizers also reduces the negative impact of climate change In addition, land irrigation and the number of weeding remain influential factors for which we do not have the necessary statistics to assess their efficiencies

Physicochemical Properties of Sugar Industry and Molasses Based Distillery Effluent and its Effect on Water Quality of River Musamya in Uganda

Yonah K. Turinayo

Despite the economic and ecological importance in terms of supply of water for industrial and domestic use, irrigation and support of aquatic life, River Musamya receives over 1000m3 of wastewater per day from the nearby sugar industry. However, there is scarcity of information regarding water quality of the River after wastewater discharge. This study determined the physico-chemical properties of a sugar industry and molasses based distillery effluent and assessed its effect on water quality of River Musamya. The analysis was conducted between February and April 2010, using standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Results showed that pollutant concentrations (4.3 pH, 9104mg TDS/l, 48mg TN/l, 16 mg TP/l, 2256mg BOD/l, 8064mg COD/l) of wastewater (2,523±728 m3/day) were above permissible limits (6.0 – 8.0 pH, 1200mg TDS/l, 10mg TN/l, 10mg TP/l, 50mg BOD/l, 100mg COD/l) by NEMA. This significantly (P < 0.05) altered the water quality downstream the River after discharge. The pH, TDS, T-Fe, Na+, Ca2+, TN, TP, Turbidity, BOD, COD of the upstream and downstream river after wastewater discharge varied from 7.1 to 5.6, 88 to 1007mg/l, 3.2 to 10.5mg/l, 5.5 to 8.0mg/l, 8.5 to 25mg/l, 1.4 to 6.8mg/l, 0.8 to 2.7mg/l, 49 to 616NTU, 3.8 to 184mg/l, 13 to 675mg/l, respectively, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Therefore, environmental pollution mitigation measures should be put in place to mitigate deterioration of River Musamya’s water quality. The sugar industry and distillery should employ technologies that reduce the quantity of wastewater and also install a treatment system that impacts less on the environment.

Effects of a Composite Endomycorrhizal Inoculum on Olive Cuttings under the Greenhouse Conditions

This study was carried out in a nursery to evaluate the impact of mycorrhizal fungi on the cutting’s root growth, and root colonization of a Moroccan olive variety ‘Picholine Marocaine’ under greenhouse conditions during 2 years of cultivation. The results revealed that the inoculation with a composite inoculum of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) stimulated an early root formation and high development of vegetative shoots in inoculated cuttings respectively, 35 days (50 days in the control plots) and 40 days (60 days in the control plots) after their culture. The progressive establishment of mycorrhizal symbiosis in the roots of the inoculated plants showed that the root and vegetative masses were respectively 24 g and 19.5 g two years after inoculation. The average height and the leave’s number of the inoculated plants relative to the control were respectively s 42/ 12 cm and 145/12. The newly formed roots were mycorrhizal and present different structures characteristic of AMF: arbuscules, vesicles, hyphae and spores, whose frequency and intensity reached 90% and 75% two years after cuttings cultivation. The arbuscular and vesicular contents and the number of spores were 67%, 96% and 212 spores/ 100 g of soil respectively. The fourteen species of mycorrhizal fungi isolated from the rhizosphere belong to 4 genera (Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, and Scutellospora) and three families (Glomaceae, Acaulosporaceae and Gigasporacea).The Glomus genus was the most dominant (65%) followed by the Gigaspora genus (22%). Glomus intraradices, Gigaspora sp.2, Glomus versiformes are the most abundant species, their frequency of occurrence are respectively 30%, 21% and 16%.

Synthesis and Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Anti-Proliferative Properties of Dox-ZnO Quantum Dots Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles against MCF-7 and SKBR-3 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of cancer. In the present study, pH responsive chitosan polymer coated Dox nanoparticle (Composite) was developed to investigate targeted drug delivery against breast cancer. The anticancer drug DOX-ZnO QDs was loaded to the chitosan nanoparticles. The synthesized free and drug loaded nanoparticle were analyzed using Fourier transmission electron microscopy (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy(UV-Vis). The particle size was measured using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Further, the composite was evaluated for its anticancer effects. Drug release analysis showed significantly larger amount of drug released in acidic pH of 5.0 compared to pH 7.4. The composite was significantly more cytotoxic to the breast cancer cells MCF-7 and SKBR-3. The composite was however, less toxic to HEK-293 human embryonic kidney cells confirming minimum side effects on normal cells andcytotoxic to tumor cells. DAPI staining showed nuclear degradation in composite treated breast cancer cells. The cellular uptake of the composite was analyzed by confocal microscopy. The composite induced a G0/G1 phase arrest in breast cancer cells and the number of colonies formed by the composite treated breast cancer cells formed less number of colonies compared to free NP. Our results showed that our composite could serve as a promising therapeutic approach to improve clinical outcomes against various malignancies.

Modelling the impact of climate change on cereal yield in Morocco

Faiz Mourad, Laamari Abdelali, Lakhyar Zouhair

To assess the impact of climate change different studies were conducted in several regions of Morocco. The assessment of climate change and its impacts involves the simulation of a range of different socio-economic and physical processes. Some of these processes are well known such temperature, rainfall, storms, etc.., others not. Hence for each modeling step researchers need to consider what is known, what is not known, and how climate change can be expressed.This paper is a contribution to research on climate change impact on cereal yield in the last 50 years. The application of the multiple linear regression model to a set of time series of yield, rainfall, temperature and storm has generated significant coefficients that can explain the relation between yield and the three climate variables. The model output confirms the results of the previous studies of yield variability. The positive effect of rainfall and the negative one of storm and temperature ware recorded. Above the three factors, temperature and storms have a negative effect on cereal yield. So more efforts on germplasm, crop management and agricultural policy measures are needed to alleviate the impact of climate change. An estimate coefficient of -4.943 for temperature is very indicating the high impact of temperature on yield. The R² is around 0.45indicates that more than 55% of total yield variability is explained by other factors than rain, temperature and storm.

Studying the tendency of citizens to participate in the protection and development of land scape in Tehran

Shadi Maleki, Abbas Mafi, Seyedeh Mahsa Hosseini

Today, as an essential part and parcel of urban landscape that they play a major role in metabolism and create a lack of serious damage to urban life. This study performed to investigate the willingness of citizens to participate in activities to protect and develop landscapeof Tehran district 4. The research was descriptive and correlation method that is used for collecting information. The statistical population consisted of district 4 of Tehran. The sample size was determined 230 by using Cochrane method. A questionnaire was used to collect data. According to the research, 63.04 percent of citizens showed participation in a high level. Among the variables investigated how citizen participation in conservation and development of landscape, effective strategies to motivate citizens to participate,the reasons for lack of cooperation and participation of citizens learn about gardening and landscaping,introductory training centers with the desire of citizens to participate in municipal plants open landscape had a significant relationship and stepwise regression analysis results showed that four variableseffective strategies to motivate citizens to participate,method to involve citizens in the landscape,the reasons for lack of cooperation and participation of citizens familiar with gardening and landscaping activities have on the willingness of citizens to participate effectively.

Evaluation of Salinity Stress on Marigoldâ€™s Growth with Bacteria Inoculation

Abedini Tina, Moradi Pezhman, Zeinab Deris

This study was performed to Evaluation of salinity stress on marigold’s growth with Bacteria inoculation with afactorial experimental design and 3 replications. First factor was bacteria (inoculated and no inoculated) and second factor was salinity stress (control, 2, 4 and 8dS/m). After the experiment, some morphological characters and morphological of marigold were evaluated such as height, yield of fresh and dried flowers, number of flowers per plant, grain yield, petals, seed weight. Totally, it was founded that with increased stress levels from 0 to 8dS, the height, fresh yield of flowers, yield of flower dry weight, number of flowers per plant, grain yield, petals and seed weight, showed 43, 60, 56, 17, 64, 15 and 30percent of reduction, respectively. Also, it was determined that the using of bacteria can reduce the effects of stress on marigold.

Studies on the Antioxidant Properties of Various extracts of Hippophae rhamnoide

M. Amin Mir, S. S. Sawhney, Jigmat Stanzin, Manmohan Singh Jassal

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) a spiny shrub native to Ladakh Region of Jammu and Kashmir, have been found to posses so many medicinal properties from times immoral. From this point of view the antioxidant property of the plant fruit extracts have been analysed by DPPH method. Various plant extracts viz, fruit, leaf and root have been analysed for the antioxidant power determination in which fruit extracts showed highest free radical scavenging activity followed by leaf and root extracts. Among the solvents which have been used, more polar solvents showed highest antioxidant activity than the less polar solvent extracts. The IC50 value of various plant extracts as determined have been found to be 40 for DCM extract of fruit, 38 for Methanolic extract of fruit and 30 for the water extract of fruit. Similarly the leaf extracts posses IC50 value as 51, 47 and 37 respectively for DCM, Methanol and Water extracts. The IC50 values of various root extracts have been found to be 53, 50 and 48 respectively for DCM, Methanol and Water.

Indirect selection for resistance to Alectra vogelii (benth) infestation in cowpea (Vignaunguiculata (L) walp)

Mbwando. A., Tembo. L., Lungu D. M, Tryphone G. M

Alectra vogelii (benth) is a parasitic weed which causes significant yield reductions in cowpeas (VignaunguiculataWalp) in most of the sub-Saharan African countries. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of Alectra vogelii infestation on yield components of cowpea and the prospects of utilizing these components for indirect select to A. vogelii in resistance breeding. Seven genotypes of cowpea were crossed in all possible combinations without reciprocals and their 21 F2 progeny including parents were evaluated for reaction to Alectra vogelii infection at two locations, Ilonga and Hombolo. The experiments were laid using a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Significant (P < 0.001) genotypic responses to Alectra emergency and infestation were found. A significance negative correlation was found between the Alectra emergency and infestation to yield and yield components (P< 0.01 and P< 0.001). However, both yield components (Number of pods per plant and 100 seed weight) tested exhibited a weak r2 value (< 0.25) implying that these components can only be used to supplement and not as a substitute to direct selection in breeding for resistance to A. vogelii.

Screening of Guava genotypes to natural infestation of fruit flies (Diptera:Tephritidae) in River Nile, Sennar and North Kordofan States, Sudan

The infesting species and their infestation indices of fruit flies were determined for guava genotypes (Psidium guajava L.),grown in River Nile, Sennar and North Kordofan States during the period from June to August 2010 .Twenty genotypes were selected from each state to be evaluated ,where ten mature fruits from each genotypes were harvested randomly from insecticide unsprayed trees. Fruits were brought to the laboratory and placed in individual plastic vials containing sand at the bottom to obtain the pupae. Infestation indices were estimated by means of total number of pupae/fruit. Pupal viability was then calculated based on the percentage of pupae resulted in fly emergence. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test for mean separations. Results showed that Guava fruits were infested by four fruit fly species Ceratitis cosyra, C.quinaira, C capitata and Bactrocera dorsalis constitute (82.2), (0.8), (16.7), (0.3% ) and 28.35 ,0.01 ,10.1 and 61.56% in River Nile and Sennar States respectively. While in North Kordofan State guava fruits were infested by C.cosyra, C.capitat and B.dorsalis 98.4,0.4 and 1.2% respectively. All the evaluated genotypes in River Nile and Sennar States were infested by the fruit fly with varying degrees only two genotypes 15 red flesh fruit and 19 white flesh fruit in Kordofan state were found free from fruit fly infestation. Infestation was much higher in Sennar and River Nile states (32 and 29 pupae/fruit) respectively compared to North Kordofan (1.6 pupae/fruit).The higher infestation rate occurred in ripe guava fruits (33) compared to 18 and 6 pupae/fruit in mature green and immature green fruit respectively.

Hematological Parameters of three Strains of Local Cocks in Northern Nigeria

Yasks J. A., Momoh M. O, Dauda A.

The study was conducted to determine the hematological parameters of three strains of the Nigerian indigenous cocks. A total of 15 sexually matured (14-18 month of age) breeders cocks comprising (5 normal feathered, 5 frizzled feathered and 5 naked neck) were used for the experiment. The study was conducted from October to December 2016 at the Teaching and Research Farm University of Maiduguri. Blood samples were collected from 9 breeder’s cocks which were randomly selected 3 per genotype and used for hematological parameters examination. Hematological examination such as Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell ( RBC) , Haemoglobin (Hb), White Blood Cell (WBC), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin concentration ( MCHC), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Volume ( MCV) showed significant (P 0.05) different between normal feathered and frizzle feathered but there is significant difference ( P< 0.05) with naked necked cock. Neutrophil ( N) showed significant (P0.05) difference between normal feathered and naked neck feathered , fizzle feathered and necked neck respectively but showed significant (P

Climatic Variations and Cereal Production in India: An Empirical Analysis

Prof. (Dr.) Surender Singh

The study is an attempt to forecast the impact of climate variations on the production of two main cereal crops, i.e., wheat and paddy, by employing a crop model using cross-section data for the year 2014-2015. The findings predict that the yield of the wheat crop is expected to go down in the farms in the plains by 10.11 per cent, while set to increase in the farms in the hills by 6.70 per cent, respectively by 2100 AD. The results, further pinpoint that the production of paddy crop is expected to decline in both farms in the plains and farms at hills by 15.04 percent and 12.83 per cent respectively for farms in the plains and farms in the hills by the turn of this century. The study recommends the expansion of area under wheat cultivation for the farms in the hills in order to compensate the loss in production of wheat farming in farms in the plains to maintain the aggregate production of wheat at the same level. There found a dire need for the development and adoption of climate responsive varieties of both crops along with the spatial diversification of crops (full or partial), to cope with the future shocks of climate variability.

Recycling of Recalcitrant Solid Waste from Herbal Pharmaceutical Industry through Vermicomposting

Veena Das, Sanjeev Satyanarayan, Shanta Satyanarayan

As per the estimates of World Health Organization (WHO) about 80% of world’s population depends on plant and plant products for their primary healthcare. Recently the demand for herbal drugs has increased many folds at the global level, as these herbal medicines do not have any side effects and its cost effectiveness. Huge quantities of solid waste is generated during the production of decoction using roots, stems, nuts, barks, seeds, flowers and fruits. This solid waste is recalcitrant in nature and the dried waste is very sharp and prickly in nature. Hence cannot be used as a fodder, like leguminous plants. At present, this solid waste is simply being disposed off on land. So it was envisaged to try vermicomposting of this solid waste using earthworm species of Eudrilus eugeniae, considering the high content of Volatile Solids of Total Solids to the tune of 81.78%, indicating its good degradable nature. Herbal solid waste depicted C/N ratio of 35.34 and the vermicompost had C/N ratio of 12.6. Volatile Solids reduction obtained is around 61.23% indicating good bioconversion of the waste. 18.6% moisture content further indicates good quality vermicompost production. Maturity of the compost was confirmed by microbial analysis and also by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Vermicompost prepared out of this herbal pharmaceutical solid waste depicted efficient porosity of 80.489% and water holding capacity of 87.5534%. Bulk density was around 0.9667 gm/cm3 indicating its suitability for agricultural activity.

The Impact of Capital Structure on the Performance of Industrial Commodity and Services Firms Listed on Vietnamese Stock Exchange

Vuong Quoc Duy

This paper investigates the impact of capital structure on the performance of commodity and service firms listed on the Vietnamese Stock Exchange. Data used in the paper were collected from the 142 firms listed on Ho Chi Minh and Ha Noi Stock Exchange during time 2009-2015. By using the descriptive statistics and linear regression model, the findings shows that there is negative relationship between capital structure (e.i. STD. LTD and DA) and peformance of the firms (i.e. ROE) for the commodity and services firms listed on two given Stock Exchange Market of Vietnam. Following are possible implications for the study.

In vitro free radical scavenging activity of different extracts of Adansonia digitata L.

Samatha Talari, Chandrakala Gundu, Thirupathi Koila, Rama Swamy Nanna

The species Adanasonia digitata L. (Bombacaceae) is a multipurpose tree with enormous range of medicinal and economic importance. The objective of the current study was to investigate the free radical scavenging potential of A. digitata. The methanol extracts of different parts i.e., leaf, seed, bark, fruit wall and floral extracts of A. digitata were screened for antioxidant activity using DPPH assay. Results from this study showed that the maximum and minimum percentage of free radical scavenging activity was exhibited by methanol extracts of seed and fruit wall (27.69 & 20) as measured by using DPPH assay. These results showed the antioxidant potential of this medicinal plant to make use in the preparation of drugs with free radical scavenging activity.

Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue and Malachite Green Dyes with BaWO4-Go Nano Composite

A facile solid state metathesis synthesis of barium tungstate (BaWO4) followed by ball milling and subsequent preparation of barium tungstate-graphene oxide (BaWO4–GO) nano composite using a colloidal blending process and its application as a visible light photocatalyst for the degradation of Malachite green and Methylene blue dyes. The morphology and composition of barium tungstate (BaWO4) nano composite have been characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectra (UV-DRS), Raman Spectra, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) – EDAX and UV Visible Spectroscopy. This composite material is found to be a wide band gap semiconductor with band gap of 4.3 eV. The sample shows poor transmittance in ultraviolet region while it has maximum transmittance in visible-near infrared regions. It shows an increase in range and intensity of light absorption and the reduction of electron–hole pair recombination in BaWO4 with the introducing of GO on to it.

Depression Involved in the Chemotherapy Induced Event-based Prospective Memory Impairment in Breast Cancer Survivors

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between depression and occurrence of chemotherapy induced prospective memory impairment in patients with breast cancer (BC).The 63 BC patients before and after chemotherapy were administered with the self-rating depression scale (SDS) and a battery of cognitive neuropsychological tests including event-based and time-based prospective memory (EBPM and TBPM, respectively) tasks. The changes in their prospective memory and cognitive neuropsychological characteristics before and after chemotherapy were compared. Compared with the scores before chemotherapy, the EBPM score exhibited a statistically significant difference after chemotherapy (t = 6.069, P < 0.01), while the TBPM score showed no significant difference (t = 1.087, P > 0.05). Further, compared with the patients without depression, the patients with depression exhibited a statistically significant difference in the EBPM score (t = -4.348, P < 0.01), while the TBPM scores did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups (t = -1.260, P > 0.05). Post-chemotherapy, EBPM and overall cognitive functions in BC patients merged with depression were found to decline, while TBPM did not show a significant change, suggesting that the combination of chemotherapy and depression might be related with the occurrence of post-chemotherapy EBPM impairment.

The Role of Educational Awareness of Biotechnology Products and Services in Senior Secondary Schools in Enugu East Local Government Area

Chidobi Roseline Unoma, Menkiti B.U

Both literature and experience suggest that there has been little or no attention paid to biotechnology in Nigerian education. There is no organized curriculum on biotechnology among the subjects taught in secondary schools in Enugu education zone. This study examined whether students in secondary schools in Enugu east local government area are aware of biotechnology products and services, the role of educational awareness of biotechnology, and the strategies to be employed to ensure awareness of this important area. Data were collected using a 25-item questionnaire, administered to 300 SSI and SS2 science students and 50 science teachers in the area. Results were analyzed using mean and standard deviations and significance determined by means of t-test of difference in mean. The results showed that senior secondary science students are highly unaware of biotechnology products and service. The proposed strategies for increasing awareness rated highly. The researchers recommended that the senior secondary science curriculum be modified to include units on biotechnology.

Quantification of Heavy Metals using Contamination and Pollution Index in Selected Refuse Dumpsites in Owerri, Imo State Southeast Nigeria

Onwudike S. U, Igbozurike C. I, Ihem E. E., Osisi F. A., Ukah C. I

Many sites in urban cities are used for dumping of domestic, industrial and municipal wastes because of high human population density in the area. Most often, people use these dumpsites for growing of crops without knowing the level of heavy metal contamination in soils of these areas. This study evaluated the quantification and contamination level of heavy metals in some refuse dumpsites in communities of the State Nigeria. Three replicate soil samples were collected from the dumpsites and at 20 m away from the non - dumpsite which do not receive sewage water within the root zone of 0 – 40 cm depth using soil auger sampler. Samples were analysed for soil properties and heavy metal concentrations using standard methods. The concentrations of the studied heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd) were compared with the permissible limits of other countries. Results showed that in the three studied locations, soil pH at dumpsites were 40 .6%, 39.4% and 38.9% higher than the values in the control sites while soil organic carbon were higher in the dumpsites by 50.1%, 31.3% and 41.1% as compared to the control sites. Cu concentrations at the three locations were below the standard limits of United Kingdom, European Union (EU), USA and WHO. The concentrations of the studied heavy metals passed the contamination stage and therefore will pose negative effect on plant and soil environment. Use of the dumpsite for crop cultivation or as compost materials should be avoided and construction of shallow wells near these areas should be discouraged.

Heavy Metals in Sediment from Alvarado Lagoon System in Veracruz, MÃ©xico

Heavy metals are one of the main sources of pollution in sediment in coastal lagoons in Mexico. The presence of metals in sediments of these aquatic bodies, are an indicator that allows us to know the environmental quality of ecosystems and the risk it poses to public health. This, due to consumption of aquatic organisms that have direct contact with the sediment when inhabiting the bottom of the lagoon system. The objective of this research was to determine the concentration of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Co in the Alvarado lagoon complex in Veracruz, Mexico. Sediments of 41 sampling stations were analyzed. Sediment digestion for the analysis of heavy metals was carried out in a CEM Microwave Accelerated Reaction System, Model MARS 5®. The concentrations levels of the metals were analyzed by atomic absorption through flame spectrophotometry on a Thermo Cientific 3500 Model AA Ice System. The presence of the five metals were found in all 41 analyzed stations. The Co presented the maximum concentration with 9.53 μg g-1. Concentrations were within the limits established by international legislation with the exception of Cd. However, continuous analyzes should be carried out in this study area to ensure the environmental quality of sediments as a final deposit site for persistent organic pollutants. The above as a result of different productive activities that impact this area of study.

Evaluation of Brassica Germplasm for Resistance sources against White Rust

Kalpana Gairola, A.K.Tewari

A series of Brassica germplasm NDN (National disease nursery) and UDN (Uniform disease nursery) were evaluated in field under natural epiphytotic condition followed by in glasshouse at cotyledonary and true leaf stage under controlled artificial epiphytotic condition for the confirmation of resistance against Albugo candida (white rust disease). In field, out of 30 (NDN) germplasm (03 no.) DRMRIJ 12-37, RH 1234 and NDRE-08-14-01 were found immune and 03, DRMRIJ 12-41, DRMRJA 35 and DRMRIJ 12-03 were found resistant. However, among UDN germplasm (34 no.), 03, DLSC-1, DRMR-312, RMM-09-04 were found immune and 02, RMWR 09-5-1, DRMR 2035, were found resistant while remaining germplasm in both the series most of them showed moderately resistant reaction and some showed moderately susceptible to susceptible reaction against white rust disease at 90 days after sowing (DAS). All these (NDN) and (UDN) germplasm were further tested in glasshouse at cotyledonary and true leaf stage for the confirmation of resistance. The (NDN) germplasm (03 no.) which were immune and 03, (total no. 6) which were moderately resistant in field at cotyledonary and true leaf stage only 02 showed immune reaction and 04 showed susceptible reaction. Similarly in (UDN), germplasm 03, showed immune reactions and 02, (total no.5) showed resistant reaction in field at cotyledonary and true leaf stage only 02 showed immune reaction and 03 showed susceptible to highly susceptible reaction. And remaining germplasm which were found moderately resistant in field in both the series most of them converted into susceptible germplasm in glasshouse. Present investigation explained that the glass house study is appropriate method for evaluation of resistance against white rust as actual resistance is obtained. However, the present findings revealed that in glasshouse (controlled artificial epiphytotic condition) at cotyledonary and true leaf stage is most important in my opinion for the confirmation rather than field study at leaf stage as some times disease escaped in field condition.

Genetic Divergence Studies for Quantative and Quality Traits in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Sonam Spaldon, Sanjeev Kumar

The present experiment was carried out during spring-summer 2013 and 2014 to study genetic diversity for quantitative and quality traits in tomato at vegetable Experimental Farm, Division of Vegetable Science & Floriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chatha. The 25 genotypes were grouped into six clusters based on D2 values, which exhibited no association between geographical and genetic diversity. The cluster VI was the largest containing 9 genotypes followed by cluster I, II and IV containing four genotypes each. However, the cluster III (Lehar & US-3383) and cluster V (DVRT-2 & Marglobe) had minimum number of genotypes i.e two in each cluster. The intra-cluster distance was recorded maximum for cluster III (3.69) consisting of 2 genotypes namely Lehar & US-3383. Whereas, cluster IV, V, VI had lowest intra cluster distance i.e 0.00. The maximum distance at inter-cluster level was between cluster II and cluster VI (11.48) followed by clusters III and VI (9.83) indicating that the genotypes in these groups can be used for heterosis and recombinant breeding programme which may serve as potential genotypes for hybridization programme. Cluster mean analysis (Table 4) showed that cluster I was earliest to flowering (29.07 days); days to first marketable fruit picking (70.15) and maximum number of fruits per plant (27.73); cluster II showed maximum performance for number of locules per fruit (3.77); betacarotene (5.13mg) and minimum incidence of fruit borer (18.64%); cluster III showed maximum plant height (123.20 cm) and minimum intensity of early blight (27.27%); cluster IV recorded maximum fruit diameter (5.17cm) and average fruit weight (81.33 g); cluster V recorded maximum marketable fruit yield (3.73 kg/plot) and total fruit yield (5.27 kg/plot), pericarp thickness (6.75 mm), pH (4.43) and minimum number of seeds per fruit (62.45); cluster VI gave maximum fruit length (6.91cm), total soluble solids (4.340B), lycopene (3.85mg) and ascorbic acid (26.07mg).

Post-Harvest Behavior of Different Lettuce Cultivars and their Cut Form sunder Different Storage Conditions

The four leaf type lettuce cultivars i.e. GKL-1, GKL-2, GKL-3 and Chinese Yellow were evaluated for postharvest behavior during storage. The harvested fresh leaves of different lettuce cultivars were processed into two forms i.e. whole leaf form and cut form (5x3 cm) and were stored at two storage conditions i.e. refrigerated storage (5±1°C) and ZECC (9-15°C). Results revealed that whole leaf form of lettuce cultivars stored in refrigerated condition recorded minimum changes in physico-chemical parameters. With the advancement of storage period decrease in per cent moisture, ascorbic acid and polyphenol content was observed in all treatments irrespective of cultivars, forms and storage conditions. The maximum per cent browning and decay was observed in ZECC storage which was minimum in refrigerated storage.The whole leaf form of lettuce cultivar Chinese Yellow recorded shelf life of 15 days when stored at refrigerated storage (5±10C), whereas other cultivars (GKL-1, GKL-2 and GKL-3) recorded shelf life of 12 days. Whole leaf form of Lettuce cultivars stored in ZECC condition recorded shelf life upto 6 days while fresh-cut lettuce recorded shelf life of 3 days in ZECC. Fresh-cut lettuce recorded accelerated physiological loss in weight, moisture loss with increase in browning and decay percentage. Decrease in per cent moisture, ascorbic acid and polyphenol content with increase in physiological loss in weight was recorded in all treatments over the period of storage irrespective of cultivars, forms and storage conditions. The whole leaf form of lettuce cultivar Chinese Yellow recorded minimum changes in physico-chemical parameters and controlled enzymatic browning which maintained sensorial marketable quality and enhanced acceptability of lettuce leaves up to 15 days when stored at refrigerated storage (5±1°C).

Effect of Poultry Droppings on Growth and Fruit Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Tswanya M.N., Isah K.M., Ahmed M., Yisa P.Z., Lile S.N.

The effect of poultry droppings on growth and fruit yield of okra was evaluated during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching and Research Farm Mokwa Sub- Station (90181N and 504E) with altitude of 378.0 m above the sea level of the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria. The trial was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design which consisted of ten (10) treatment combinations with three replications. Different rates of poultry droppings (t ha-1); 0 (No application), 5 t ha-1, 10 t ha-1, 15 t ha-1 and 20 t ha-1 with two okra varieties, LD 88- 1 and Kukurasungi Local were used. Data was taken from five sampled plants per plot on parameters such as average plant height per plant (cm), number of leaves per plant, number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length (cm) and green fruit yield (t ha-1). Results from this study showed that in the two years trial LD 88- 1 variety performed better than Kukurasungi Local and therefore can be used for okra production within the study area. Poultry droppings rate of 15 t ha-1 increased the fruit yield. Therefore, this can be applied as part of cultural treatment.

Effects of Pinching Time on the Performance of three Tomato Varieties (Lycopersicon lycopersicum Mill) in Ogbomoso and Mokwa, Nigeria

Tswanya M.N., Olaniyi J.O., Akanbi W.B., Kolawole G.O.

Field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Niger State College of Agriculture, Mokwa, in 2012 cropping season to examine the effects of pinching on fruit yield and nutritional qualities of three tomato varieties. The experiment had twelve treatments of three varieties (Ogbomoso Local, Mokwa Local and UC82B) of tomato and four pinching times (0, 2, 4 and 6) weeks after transplanting (WAT), replicated three times. The experiment was laid out as split plot arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design. Data were collected on plant height, number of flowers, number of fruits and total fruit yield. The determination of fruit phytochemical contents at full ripening, 6 fruit samples were randomly selected per plot and analysed for nutritional qualities such as crude Protein, Carotene, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Lycopene, Magnesium, Vitamin C contents. Data was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) SAS package and treatment means compared using least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. There were varietal differences in fresh fruit yield among the three varieties of tomato. UC82B gave the highest fruit yield (23.10 t ha-1) while Mokwa Local recorded the least (12.00 t ha-1). Pinching improved fruit yield of tomato. Plants pinched at 4 WAT gave the highest fruit yield (19.60 t ha-1) and the least obtained from un-pinched plants (12.50 t ha 1). Nutritional qualities (Lycopene, phosphorus, potassium) was best at PT of 6 WAT. It could be concluded from this experiment that, though highest yield of tomato (19.60 t ha-1) occurred with pinching at 4 WAT, the best nutritional qualities were obtained when pinched at 6 WAT. Also, UC82B was better than other varieties in terms of yield performance.

Environmental Education for all: Ethiopian Context

Zenebe Shuite Argado

Today’s environmental challenges urge man to search for possible solution from wider viewpoints. This paper review is persuasive that it stresses relevance of environmental education for all citizens as one of the key tools for stewardship of environmental wellbeing besides policies and actions combating against environmental problems like pollutions and environmental degradation; believing that environmental education can pose positive change in attitude and behavior of society that in turn probably support efforts done towards sustainable development. The paper also attempt to discuss rationale of this review paper, interactions between man and environment, meaning and aims of environmental education, environmental pollution, climate change, pressure on biological diversity, desertification and drought, population growth and resource use, population growth and environment, dimensions and approaches of environmental education. Developing environmental literacy- knowledge, skill, attitude and actions on current environmental challenges particularly like climate change, loss of biodiversity, health problems and suggested solutions of these problems are need commitment to be addressed. Hence, environmentally literate citizens make informed environmentally sound decisions. Further, suitable approach of delivering environmental education, for all learners, in schools or higher institutions probably is generic form.

Storage Life of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal (AMF) Inoculum in Vermiculite Based Culture

S. Merina Prem Kumari, B. Jeberlin Prabina

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is ubiquitous soil borne fungi which provide an intimate link between soil and nutrient absorbing organs of plants. AMF fungi optimize the uptake of phosphorus in plant which results in increase in yield. Production of AMF inoculum and the storage in a viable condition for a longer period of time is still a serious constraint. This study describes the survival capability and infectivity of AMF spores under different storage conditions. The vermiculite based AMF inoculum contained spores of AMF namely Glomus sp., Gigaspora sp., Scutellospora sp., Entrophospora sp., and Acaulospora sp., identified from the rhizosphere soil collected from the maize crop cultivated at Mellur block of Madurai District in Tamil Nadu, India and the mixed AMF colonized host root bits as propagules. The AMF inoculum spore count was 5-6 / 100g inoculum and the infectivity was 100% in the roots of maize plant at the time of packing of the inoculum for storage. During storage, at the end of 180 days the AMF spore count was reduced to 2-5 / 100g inoculum and the infectivity was reduced to 90-95%. But the AMF inoculum stored with 10% moisture content at 20ºC - 30ºC and under the light intensity of 1500 lux maintained the same initial spore count of 5-6 / 100g inoculum and infectivity of 99% for the storage period of 150 days (5 months). The results of the present study suggest that AMF propagules, spores and hyphae colonized root bits in the form of vermiculite based culture maintained with 10% moisture content at temperature range of 20ºC - 30ºC and under light condition of 1500 lux for 5 months can be expected to be viable for infectivity in crop plants.

Contributions of the Environmental Non Governmental Organisations and international law on climate change

This study aims at finding out how Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) perceive this issue and what roles they play in the fight against this phenomenon and in its formation in order to contribute to this domain and analyse contributions of Non Governmental Organisations to the international law on climate change. Results show that consequences of climate changeare visible and real. Thus, NGOs such as Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, World Wild Funds (WWF), World Watch Institute (WWI) and Sierra Club emerged in the mode of the international law, bringing an effective participation in international negotiations by cooperating with States and by sensitizing citizens and political decision-makers. For this purpose, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 as well as several other multilateral treaties during different Conventions of Parties (COP). However, this struggle is opposed by industrialists and other States that protect their short-term interests and support the idea that climate change mightnot exist or climatic change is not due to men, but rather to natural phenomena. That is why NGOs have to actively play their role of pressure to call out to decision makers and populations on consequences of the climate change so that we can attenuate this phenomenon because the more we are doing nothing today, the more difficult it will be to avoid the consequences tomorrow.

Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria and Fungi Associated With Biodegradation of Municipal Solid Wastes in Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria

Microorganisms involved in the biodegradation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Abakaliki dumps were isolated and characterized using standard microbiology technique. Five municipal solid waste dumpsites located within Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State, Nigeria were used for this study. The potential of individual microbial isolate to grow on the MSW was also studied using nutrient broth supplemented with mineral salt media and thereafter five of the best microbial degraders were subjected to a 98 days biodegradation studies using weight loss, change in pH, density change and CO2 evolution as indices of success. The study showed that different dumpsites had different temperature readings, bacterial and fungal load, caused by the volume of waste dumped and the habits of the inhabitants. The bacteria population isolated from the dumpsites included Pseudomonas spp, Bacillus spp, Lactobacillus spp, Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp and Micrococcus spp. Penicillum spp, Mucor spp, Aspergillus spp, Fusarum spp, Saccharomyces spp and Candida spp were the fungal species isolated from the dumpsites. The bacteria with the highest growth rate were Bacillus spp, Pseudomonas spp, while Aspergillus spp, Mucor spp, and Saccharomyces spp recorded the highest growth rate for the fungi isolates. The fungi group proved to be better microbial degraders than the bacteria population as a percent weight loss of 1.11 ± 0.03, 1.04 ± 0.05 and 1.23 ± 0.02 were achieved by Saccharomyces spp, Mucor spp and Aspergillus spp respectively. This was in comparison to the bacteria group, which recorded 0.89 ± 0.04 and 0.87 ± 0.03 percent weight loss by Pseudomonas spp and Bacillus spp. Increases in CO2 evolution was equally recorded by both the fungal and bacterial groups as well as increase in acidity. There was a positive correlation among CO2 evolution, weight loss and density for all the test organisms. However, there was no relationship between pH and CO2 evolution, weight loss and density.

Shift work and Risks in Pregnant Women

Salma Ummul, Kameswara Rao K

Varying work schedules are suspected of increasing risks to pregnant women and to fetal well being. In particular, maternal hormonal disturbance arising from sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm disruption might impair fetal growth or lead to complications. This review was based on few high quality studies.

Studies on Soil Microbes of Tropical Moist Forest in Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Unanaonwi O E, Doubra O

Soil microbes vary according to forest stand and composition and this two governs soil condition. Rural farmers believe that moist or wet soil is not suitable for forest and agricultural production. This study investigated soil microbes in a tropical moist forest soil as well as the physico-chemical properties, on the backdrop that soil microbial population, organic carbon content, electrical conductivity, and acidity have been used as good indicators of soil fertility. Three forest stands were chosen viz; high forested area (site A), low forested area (site B), and cultivated area (site C) 5m x 5m sample plot sizes were mapped out from each selected site and one sample plot per selected area were randomly chosen for investigation. Soil samples were collected for analyses. Results shows that mean values for bacteria counts were not significantly different among the sites (p< 0.05). Mean values for fungi isolates were significantly different among the sites (p< 0.05), the mean values of bacteria counts for low forested soil and cultivated land were significantly different (p< 0.05) while site A was not. Mean values for the physico-chemical parameters investigated were not significantly different (p< 0.05) across the sites. The soil could sustain plantation forestry and crop production.

Floristic Composition, Structural Analysis and Socio-economic Importance of Legume Flora of the Commune of Mayahi, Niger, West Africa

Floristic assessment plays a crucial role in managing and conserving phytodiversity. Thisstudy tried to determine the floristic composition, woody structure and socio-economic importance of the legume flora in the commune of Mayahi. We used plot method based on systematic sampling approach to inventory legume species within the parklands in September 2012. We recorded 55 legume species belonging to 24 genera in 56 relevés. Fabaceae is the dominant family among the legume botanical families in the parklands of the commune of Mayahi. The average woody legume density is 62 individuals per hectare in the commune of Mayahi. The woody legume species of highest average density are Faidherbia albida and Piliostigma reticulatum. While the total basal area of legumes of the commune is 1.12m2 / ha in the Mayahi commune. The crown cover varies according to the vegetation types but it is higher in the Goulbi N’kaba forest reserve. Legume flora provides a myriad of benefits to the people of Mayahi. The present study recommends furtherresearch that examines the impact of human activities on the legume flora of the parklands in the commune of Mayahi.

Increasing Growth and Production on Two Rice Varieties of Submersion Stress Condition on Two Lowland Swamp Types

Gribaldi

This study aims to determine the best fertilizer treatment at vegetative stage for the growth and yield of rice submergence stress conditions on two types of swampy lowland. The experimental design used in this research was spilt-plot design with three replications. The main plot was fertilization treatment consisting of P1 = base fertilization, P2 = fertilizer before being submerged, P3 = fertilizer after being submerged + PPC Micro, P4 = fertilization before and after being submerged. The subplots are varieties of rice, V1 = Inpara 5, V2 = IR 64. The subplot was rice variety which consisted of V1 = Inpara 5, V2 = IR 64. The results showed fertilization treatment can increase rice production growth and submergence stress conditions, varieties of Inpara 5 added with fertilization before flooded can suppress a decrease in grain yield for 16 % in the shallow-back swamp and 6 % in middle-back swamps or with each production of 2.9 and 5.1 tons per hectare, varieties of Inpara 5 which is giving fertilization before flooded, tends to be a good treatment to be developed in rice submergence cultivation both in the the shallow-back swamp and middle-back swamps.

Durability and Water Stability of Pellet Fish Supplementation Results pairing Coconut Oils and Hazlenut Oil

Kiki Haetami, Junianto, Iskandar, Rita Rostika, Abun

Fish cultivation encourages increased demand for artificial feed, but information on nutritional fulfillment of pellets provided is limited. Supplementof oil in fish feeds can function to increase the energy content and as a neutral fat tangible liquid at room temperature should be noted the effect on the physical quality of fish pellets. In contrast to natural food, the physical quality of feed formulation is important in fish farming given its susceptibility to pellet degradation and leaching nutrients. Six treatmentsincluding controlwith three replicates with setup different of used of oil (coconut and candlenut oil supplement) and added Se (basal diets;mixed of oil without and added Se, coconut oil; candlenut oil added Se, and control pellet with high protein content) informulated. The type of tested feed was dry compressed pellet using pelletizer. Pellet leaching rates were used to indicate pellet water stability. The results showthat the presence of vegetable oil supplement in the diets significantly improved pellet water stability (p

Energy-Protein-Consentrate as Product of Glucosamine Extract from Shrimp Waste on Performance Ofnative Chicken

Abun, Deny Saefulhadjar, Tuty Widjastuti, Kiki Haetami, Rachmat Wiradimadja

Material shrimp waste contains a lot of liquid extract dissolved nutrients, especially protein primary metabolite degraded, the process of protein back into a higher structure in the form of glucosamine will have a biological value as a source of energy-protein concentrate. Chitin Extraction of shrimp waste was done microbiologically using Bacillus licheniformis and Lactobacillus sp. Ration is a major determinant in the maintenance of super chicken intensive system, as the provision of energy and protein for growth. This research was aim to feeding trial of EPC product (energy-protein concentrates) on ration chick nature through performance measured (consume of ration, weight gain, and feed efficiency), and choice level of EPC product on ration through measure carcass production (weight of carcass). The trial used Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Statistic data analyzed was used variants, followed by Duncan Multiple Range Test. The result indicated that: 1. The use of energy-protein concentrates (EPC) in anative chickenration feed consumption resulted in the same response. 2. The use of energy-protein concentrates (EPC)in a chicken feed at a rate of3% can increase weight gain, live weight and carcass weight, and efficiency offeed utilization. 3. Rations containing 18.5% crude protein and metabolizable energy 2,800 kcal / kg which iscoupled with the EPC3% yield performance of the supernative chicken which is equivalent to the standard diet (20.5% crude protein and metabolizable energy of 3,000 kcal / kg).

StratÃ©gies Des Femmes Dans La Lutte Contre La PauvretÃ© En Zone Urbaine : Cas De Lâ€™association Chigata De Natiokobadara Dans La Commune De Korhogo (CÃ´te Dâ€™ivoire)

Adaman Sinan

During these last years, the economic activity centres are relatively well developed in Ivorian big cities. They have significantly moved from the countryside to the urban zones. Today, the focus of domestic activities is located in the urban zones and about 60 % of the population from that area lives from it. The category of actors working in the sector is essentially constituted of women. Coming from diverse backgrounds, they implement several types of activities (market gardens, low-lying ground for rice crops, cassava production and processing for “attieke”, cashew nuts processing into butter). Which allow them to better promote the social well-being, taking them out of that cycle of poverty and place the economies on the path to sustainable growth. Since many year, for not being left out, a group of women who form the Association “Chigata” in the city of Korhogo was part of this dynamic focused on the fight against poverty, by the extraction of Shea butter. However, the day-to-day practice of this activity is compromised by many difficulties: use of traditional and archaic tools, difficult exiting of products due to the absence of machinery and roads, the absence of farms, the absence of a reliable market, the absence of training and guidance. This situation threatens women and makes them even more vulnerable. The desire of the research was to analyse the strategies of women’s work, the related obstacles and the appropriate ways to strengthen this sector. The study is in three parts. The first part underlines the methodology; the second one is about the processing steps of the cashew nuts into butter and the third one deals with the commercialization strategies and recommendations.

Assessment of pesticides residues in fish (Tilapia guineensis) in the Couffo River in Djidja (Benin)

In Benin, the main cash crop is the cotton of which the level of production is largely insufficient to satisfy the national and international market. The main food crops (corn, cassava, yam, bean, rice, etc.) permit to cover the food needed globally, but remain again extensively on this side of the potentialities offered by the ecological conditions of the country. In the process to increase the agricultural production, the herbicides, insecticides and the fertilizers are used now in higher quantity that in the past. The aim of this work was to assess the level of contamination of fish (Tilapia guineensis) in the Couffo River in Djidja (Benin) by the pesticides. Nine (09) samples of fish (Tilapia guineensis) have been collected in nine (09) points along the Couffo River. The analysis of these fish has been done by gas chromatography after extraction and purification. In fish, the detected concentrations in average ranged between 0.123 µg/kg and 0.191 µg/kg for the glyphosate, from 0.095 to 0.128 µg/kg for the profenofos, between 0.112 and 0.125 µg/kg for the acetamiprid and 0.127 and 0.139 µg/kg. To assess the risk to public health, pesticides intake by fish consumption was estimated and compared with Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values reported by the Codex Alimentarius. This comparison showed that fish consumption does not pose a risk for public health.

Relationships of Providersâ€™ Accountability of Nursing Documentations in the Clinical Setting

Chiejina E.N

Documentation demonstrates the unique contribution of nursing to the care of clients. This study investigated the relationships of Providers accountability of nursing documentations in the clinical settings. Judgmental and simple random sampling techniques were used to select documented nursing actions for 264 clients. One research question and four null hypotheses guided the study. The instrument used for data collection was checklist on Nursing documentation in the clinical setting. Descriptive statistics of frequency, means and standard deviation (SD) were used to summarize the variables. Pearson Product Moment correlation was used to answer the research question, while analyses of variance (ANOVA) was adopted in testing the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result indicated that significant correlation existed between legal implications of nursing documentation and the core principles of nursing documentation. Significant differences were also observed among providers’ accountability of nursing documentations with regard to promotion of interdisciplinary communication, legal implications of documentation, impacts on quality assurance and nursing science.

Adsorption of Methylene blue and Malachite Green in Aqueous Solution using Jack Fruit Leaf Ash as Low Cost Adsorbent

Soumitra Banerjee, Dr. Anupam Debsarkar, Dr. Siddhartha Datta

The adsorption of mixture of two basic dyes methylene blue and malachite green in aqueous solution onto jack fruit leaf ash in a batch system with respect to initial dye concentrations, pH, contact time, shaker speed and adsorbent doses was investigated.. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second- order kinetics model were used to describe the kinetic data. The rate constants at different pH values (3-9.1) were evaluated. The experimental data fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Equilibrium isotherms were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. Maximum adsorption capacity was 20.41mg/g was achieved by Langmuir isotherm model. Error analysis was done to find the best model that described the experimental data well and it was the Langmuir model. The result indicated that jack fruit leaf ash could be fruitfully employed as low cost adsorbent for the removal of mixture of two basic dyes MB and MG from the wastewater.

Ecklonia Maxima Extract Effect in Tissue Regeneration of Symbionts at in Vivo Heteroplasmic Grafting of Some Tomatoes

Madalina Doltu, Dorin Sora

The research was conducted to determine the Ecklonia maxima extract effect in the symbiont accretion at the in vivo heteroplasmic grafting of some tomatoes. E. maxima or sea bamboo is a seaweed used for obtaining of organic extracts used as stimulators in horticulture because consists the natural plant hormones such as auxins and cytokinins which have optimal role in cell division, important activity for tissue regeneration. The experimental variants were grafted plants, combinations between different symbionts, cultivar fragments from Lycopersicon esculentum specie. The symbionts were two scions, F1 hybrids, 'Siriana' (Romanian cultivar), 'Abellus' (Dutch cultivar) and two rootstocks, 'Buzău' variety (Romanian cultivar), 'Emperador' F1 hybrid (Dutch cultivar). The algae extract used had auxins (11 mg/L) and cytokinins (0.3 mg/L). Two treatments were applied before grafting on scion and rootstock, 1 mL/500 mL water and a treatment at grafting on soil, 5 mL/L water. Control variant was without hormone extract. Determinations, observations and interpretations of the algae effect were made on symbionts. The best results on tissue regeneration were obtained in plants treated with sea bamboo extract compared to untreated control plants. The E. maxima extract influenced the tissue regeneration.

Study of the efficiency of the perydroxan against Penicilliumitalicum and P. digitatum responsible for the decay of fruits of citrus fruits in preservation (Morocco)

Khaled Attrassi

Penicilliumitalicum and P. digitatum are the main fungal diseases capable of developing resistance to a wide variety of compounds fungicides of synthesis. This research project is interested in the study of the antifungal activity of a new product said Perydoxan against two phytopathogenic fungi Penicilliumitalicum and P. digitatum attacking the fruits of Citrus fruit in conservation of the Gharb region (Morocco). Different concentrations of Perydoxan have been tested for their inhibitory effects of the mycelial growth and spore germination in vitro and in vivo of P. italicum, and P. digitatum. In addition the mycelial growth of P. italicum was inhibited 100% at the dose of 2.5%. While the germination of the spores of P. digitatum was inhibited to 100% at the dose of 1.5% and for a duration of contact of 25min. This study shows that the Perydroxan presents a significant efficiency on the growth mycilienne and germination of the spores of fungi P. italicum and P. digitaum.

The Effect of Dipel and Spruzit Biopesticides on Metcalfa pruinosa (Say, 1830) (Homoptera: Flatidae)

Temel Gokturk

Metcalfa pruinosa (Say) is one of the important harmful insect species of the coastal areas of Eastern Black Sea Region. This insect poses a danger by feeding on the juices of hundreds of plants in the region. This study was designed to create a fight strategy against M.pruinosa, which has posed an intense danger in Artvin - Kemalpaşa in recent years, and the effect of Spruzit Neu and Dipel biopesticides on the nymphs and adults of the insect was investigated, and the applicability of these biopesticides was revealed. The study was conducted in the summer season of 2016 when the nymphs and adults of the insect are abundant in the region. In in vitro conditions, the Spruzit Neu (Pyrethrum) and Dipel DF (Bacillu thuringiensis) biopesticides were sprayed at different doses (DiPel® DF BT 100gr / 100lt, Dipel® DF BT 300gr / 100lt, Dipel® DF BT 500gr / 100lt ve Spruzit® Neu) on the nymphs and adults of the insect. The adults and nymphs were checked with 2-day intervals, and the results were assessed according to the One-Way Variance Analysis (ANOVA) and the Duncan Test. It was determined that the most effective applications for the nymphs were Dipel DF 300gr/100lt and 500gr/100lt. It was also determined that the most effective applications for the adult individuals were Spruzit Neu 600ml/100lt and Dipel DF 500gr/100lt doses. The highest death rates in the nymphs were determined in Spruzit Neu 600ml/100lt dose as 72,5%; and in Dipel DF dose as 80%. These rates were determined in Pyrethrum 600 ml/100lt dose as 78%, and in Dipel DF 500 gr/100lt dose as 75%. As a conclusion, it was determined that both biopesticides are influential on the nymphs and adults of M.pruinosa. However, it was also determined that the fight will be more influential in the nymph period of the insect.

Bioactivity of Locally Available Plants on Cotton Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci and the fungus isolated from cotton

Aqueous, diethyl ether, chloroform, petroleum ether, N-hexane and benzene extracts of locally available plant species were tested for phytochemical and insecticidal bioactivity against cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, under controlled conditions. This study is within bioprospection context, for utilizing local plant species as alternative in sustainable agriculture development. The leaf and stem extract was used. The whole plant extract of T.procumbens followed by N.oleander and V.rosea showed repellent and toxic effect against adult and second nymphal instars. Leaf extract of all three plants showed high inhibition activity against nymphal instars. In case of flower extract less inhibition activity was shown respectively. Fungi which grow on the cotton plant was screened, characterized and checked for antifungal activity against the extracts of the plant material. Phytochemical analysis was also carried out by standard protocols.

Study of Some New Entolomes Species for Fungal Flora of Morocco

In this study, four species of Entolomataceae family, were studied namely Entoloma papillatum, Entoloma rhodopolium, Nolanea hirtipes and N. cucullata are harvested for the first time in Morocco. The genus Entoloma’ species were encountered in Quercus suber in the forest of Mamora (Northwestern Morocco) and those of the Nolanea’ genus under Quercus rotundifolia in the forest El Harcha (Northeast of the Central Plateau).

Inventory and world geographical distribution of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.) diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and phytoplasma

The objective of this work is to prepare an Inventory about the viral and bacterial diseases of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.) and to study their Geographical distribution in the world. Fifteen viruses were considered as pathogens on the olive tree, these viruses were reported in 22 countries in five continents showing different symptoms on different olive tree varieties. All viruses were reported in Italy, some of these viruses were found only in the Eurepean continent, such as Olive vein yellows associated virus (OVYaV), Olive yellow mottling and decline associated virus (OYMDaV), Olive mild mosaic virus (OMMV) and Olive semilatent virus (OSLV). Two bacteria were reported as pathogen on the olive tree; Pseudomonas savastanoi. pv. savastanoi responsible bacteria of thr olive knot; a serious disease of olive (Olea europaea L.) in the Mediterranean region. This bacteria was detected in 22 countries in five continents, the majority of these countries exist in the Mediterranean Basin. Another bacteria was Xylella fastidiosa responsible of the quick decline syndrome of olive (OQDS), was deteted in Europe in four countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal and Slovenia) and in America in three countries (USA, Argentina and Brazil). Phtoplasmas was reported in 5 countries in three continents (Europe, Asia and Australia).

Deciphering Genetic Diversity in Spathodea campanulata Beauv. from South India Based On Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

The African tulip (Spathodea campanulata) is a monophyletic species native to tropical forests of sub-Saharan Africa belonging to family Bignoniaceae. Although its endemism in sub-Saharan Africa, it is listed as potential alien invasive species in Pacific, Indian and Caribbean, but also Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Australia. The expansion of its range from ornamental to invasive is being observed in South India. In this study, RAPD based DNA markers have been used to determine genetic diversity of the monophyletic species. About 14 populations were studied from 6 states of South India using 41 random decamer primers. The total number of 517 bands were scored which are generated by 41 primers producing 12.6 bands on an average per primer, of these 517 bands produced 379 were polymorphic showing 73% polymorphism revealing higher level of genetic polymorphism in the study population. The similarity coefficient ranged from 0.312 to 0.837 and the dendrogram constructed by the UPGMA based on Jaccard’s similarity matrix farmed two clusters. In the present study, results showed the high degree of genetic diversity within the populations of S. campanulata supporting high degree of adaptation and its range expansion from ornamental to possible invasive species in South India.