Effect of sowing dates on yield and yield-attributes of some sunflower hybrids

To determine the optimum sowing date for some sunflower hybrids i.e. A11 x Rf7, A11 x Rf9, A12 x Rf9, A8 x Rf10, A11 x Rf10, A8 xRf12, A9 x Rf12, A15 x Rf12, A2 x Rf20 and the check variety Sakha 53, along with to assess their genetic variability and to determine selection criteria for improving their yield. These materials were sown at four adjacent field represent four sowing dates i.e. 20th of April, 20th of May, 20th of June and 20th of July using randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental Farm of El Mattana Agricultural Research Station, (latitude of 25.17o N and longitude of 32.33o E), Luxor Governorate, during the two successive summer seasons 2018 and 2019. Results revealed that early sown plants on 20th of April had high yield potential compared to other sowing dates. The promising sunflower hybrid for seed yield feddan-1 and more yield attributes was A12 x Rf9 when sown on 20th of April and across sowing dates, whereas A15 x Rf12 when it sown on 20th of July and across sowing dates was the best for seed oil content. Considerable genetic variability was detected among sunflower genotypes, and hence the selection would be effective to genetic improvement of seed weight plant-1 for these materials, which can be achieved through selecting genotypes having the largest head diameter and the heaviest weight of 100-seed.

Evaluation the performance of the tin (IV) oxide (SnO2) in the removal of sulfur compounds via oxidative-extractive desulfurization process for production an eco-friendly fuel

YesCatalysts play a vital role in petroleum and chemical reactions. Intensified concerns for cleaner air with strict environmental regulations on sulfur content in addition to meet economic requirements have generated significant interests for the development of more efficient and innovative oxidative catalysts recently. In this study, a novel homemade nano catalyst (manganese oxide (MnO2) over tin (IV) oxide (SnO2)) was used for the first time as an effective catalyst in removing dibenzothiophene (DBT) from kerosene fuel using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as oxidant in catalytic oxidative-extractive desulfurization process (OEDS). The catalyst was prepared by impregnation method with various amount of MnO2 loaded on SnO2. The oxidation step was carried out at different operating parameters such as reaction temperature and reaction time in batch reactor. The extractive desulfurization step was performed by using acetonitrile as solvent under several operating conditions (agitation speed and mixing time). The activity of MnO2/SnO2 catalyst in removing various sulfur compounds from kerosene fuel at the best operating conditions was investigated in this work. The results of the catalyst characterization proved that a high dispersion of MnO2 over the SnO2 was obtained. The experiments showed that the highest DBT and various sulfur compounds removal efficiency from kerosene fuel under the best operating conditions (oxidation: 5% MnO2/SnO2, reaction temperature of 75 0C, and reaction time of 100 min, extraction: acetonitrile, agitation speed of 900 rpm, and mixing time of 30 min) via the catalytic oxidative-extractive desulfurization process was 92.4% and 91.2%, respectively. Also, the MnO2/SnO2 catalyst activity was studied after six consecutive oxidation cycles at the best operating conditions, and the catalyst prove satisfactory stability in terms of sulfur compounds removal. After that, the spent catalyst were regenerated by utilizing different solvents (methanol, ethanol and iso-octane), and the experimental data explained that iso-octane achieved highest regeneration efficiency.This study was supported by College of Petroleum Processes Engineering, Tikrit University, Iraq and Ministry of Oil, Iraq

Effect of mutation and vaccination on spread, severity, and mortality of COVID-19 disease

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had different waves within the same country. The spread rate and severity showed different properties within the COVID-19 different waves. The present work aims to compare the spread and the severity of the different waves using the available data of confirmed COVID-19 cases and death cases. Real-data sets collected from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science were used to perform a comparative study between COVID-19 different waves in 12 countries with the highest total performed tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 detection in the world (Italy, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Spain, India, USA, UAE, Poland, Colombia, Turkey, and Switzerland). The total number of confirmed cases and death cases in different waves of COVID-19 were compared to that of the previous one for equivalent periods. The total number of death cases in each wave was presented as a percentage of the total number of confirmed cases for the same periods. In all the selected 12 countries, Wave 2 had a much higher number of confirmed cases than that in Wave 1. However, the death cases increase was not comparable with that of the confirmed cases to the extent that some countries had lower death cases than in Wave 1, UAE, and Spain. The death cases as a percentage of the total number of confirmed cases in Wave 1 were much higher than that in Wave 2. Some countries have had Waves 3 and 4. Waves 3 and 4 have had lower confirmed cases than Wave 2, however, the death cases were variable in different countries. The death cases in Waves 3 and 4 were similar to or higher than Wave 2 in most countries. Wave 2 of COVID-19 had a much higher spread rate but much lower severity resulting in a lower death rate in Wave 2 compared with that of the first wave. Waves 3 and 4 have had lower confirmed cases than Wave 2; that could be due to the presence of appropriate treatment and vaccination. However, that was not reflected in the death cases, which were similar to or higher than Wave 2 in most countries. Further studies are needed to explain these findings

Synthesis and characterization of amino acid conjugates of oleanolic acid and their in vitro cytotoxic effect on HCC cell lines.

Oleanolic acid (3β-hydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid; OA-01), a pentacyclic triterpene, exhibit a wide range of pharmacological and biological activities. We have isolated oleanolic acid from methanolic extract of Periploca aphylla, collected from surroundings of Karachi in the month of February. Furthermore, four known and two new C-28 amino acid conjugates of oleanolic acid were prepared to explore potential of these compounds on HCCs and one breast cancer cell line. Cytotoxic effects revealed that as compare to parent compound (OA-01), two derivatives OA-04 (p<0.0001) and OA-06 (p<0.01) showed significantly increased/higher inhibition rates

Performance Evaluation of a Direct Absorption Collector for Solar Thermal Energy Conversion

The solar absorption efficiency of water as a base-fluid can be significantly improved by suspending nanoparticles of various materials in it. This experimental work presents the photo thermal performance of water-based nano-fluids of graphene oxide (GO), zinc oxide (ZnO), copper oxide (CuO), and their hybrids under natural solar flux for the first time. Nanofluid samples were prepared by the two-step method and the photothermal performance of these nanofluid samples was conducted under natural solar flux in a particle concentration range from 0.0004 wt % to 0.0012 wt %. The photothermal efficiency of water-based 0.0012 wt % GO nanofluid was 46.6% greater than that of the other nanofluids used. This increased photothermal performance of GO nanofluid was associated with its good stability, high absorptivity, and high thermal conductivity. Thus, pure graphene oxide (GO) based nanofluid is a potential candidate for direct absorption solar collection to be used in different solar thermal energy conversion applications

Model Independent Analysis of the Forward-Backward Asymmetry for the B→K1μ+μ−B\to K_{1}\mu^{+}\mu^{-} Decay

The sensitivity of the zero position of the forward backward asymmetry $\mathcal{A}_{FB}$ for the exclusive $B\rightarrow K_{1}(1270)\mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ decay is examined by using most general non-standard 4-fermion interactions. Our analysis shows that the zero position of the forward backward asymmetry is very sensitive to the sign and size of the Wilson coefficients corresponding to the new vector type interactions, which are the counter partners of the usual Standard Model operators but have opposite chirality. In addition to these, the other significant effect comes from the interference of Scalar-Pseudoscalar and Tensor type operators. These results will not only enhance our theoretical understanding about the axial vector mesons but will also serve as a good tool to look for physics beyond the SM.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, Published version that appears in EPJ

Natural Course and Treatment of Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency in a Nationwide Cohort of Chronic Pancreatitis

Objectives Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis. However, little is known about the natural course of PEI and the effect of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy on symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural course and treatment of PEI in a nationwide cohort of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Methods Patients with chronic pancreatitis were selected from the multicenter Dutch Chronic Pancreatitis Registry. Patients were classified in 3 groups: Definite PEI, potential PEI, and no PEI. Definite PEI and no PEI were compared regarding the course of disease, symptoms, treatment, and quality of life. Results Nine hundred eighty-seven patients were included from 29 centers, of which 304 patients (31%) had definite PEI; 451 (46%), potentially PEI; and 232 (24%), no PEI. Patients with definite PEI had significantly more malabsorption symptoms, a lower body mass index, and aberrant defecation. Lowered quality of life was not independently associated with PEI. Of the PEI patients using pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, 47% still reported steatorrhea. Conclusions Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is associated with malabsorption symptoms and a lower body mass index. Some form of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is reasonably effective in alleviating malabsorption symptoms, but improvement of treatment is needed

Anaesthetic Considerations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopies

Gastrointestinal endoscopy has become fundamental procedure for diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tract diseases. Generally, the gastrointestinal endoscopy is minimally invasive procedure. However, it can cause considerable amount of discomfort and pain which make the procedure unsafe, complicated and refusal of follow up procedures if done without safe sedation. The sedation is required to alleviate anxiety, provide analgesia, amnesia and to improve endoscopic performance specifically in therapeutic procedures. The safe administration of sedative and analgesic medications, irrespective of the regimen used, requires knowledge of the individual needs of patients. The combination of benzodiazepines and opioids is now the most widely used sedation regimen for sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. Generally, sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy is considered safe, however, it has the potential for serious complications. Therefore, endoscopist should assess the patients properly before the endoscopy as well as should be aware of all possible complications and the risk factors. Furthermore, skilled staff and emergency equipment should be available in endoscopy suit. This chapter discuss in details all the aspects of safe procedural sedation during GI endoscopies

Evaluation of catalase activity, gill histology and genotoxic effects of cadmium in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

This research was designed to assess the toxicity of cadmium (Cd), and its effects on catalase (CAT) activity, histology of gills and geno-toxicity of Oreochromis niloticus. The acute toxicity of Cd (96-h) for fish was computed as 56.021 mg/L (LC50) and 80.7336 mg/L (LC100) using Probit method. The inferences showed that catalase level was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Cd treated O. niloticus as compared to control that was metal-stress free. It followed the order as: intestine<gills<muscles<brain. Results of gills histology showed that Cd-exposure caused prominent damage to both primary and secondary lamella. The histological alterations included fusion and curling of secondary lamella, hyperplasia in secondary lamella, epithelial lifting, and aneurysm observed in gills. Geno-toxic results showed that a significant (p<0.05) increase in micronuclei, de-shape and notched nuclei in erythrocytes of Cd-exposed O. niloticus was found as compared to control. The inferences of this study confirmed the genotoxic properties of Cd. This study will be helpful in understanding the histological and geno-toxic changes in fish body kept under Cd stress. This study will also help in the development of a specific approach to minimize the negative and genotoxic impacts of cadmium. Furthermore, tilapia can be used as a good bio-indicator for detecting toxic impacts associated with water pollution