Effect of Soil pH, Liming Materials and Phosphorus on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Sugarcane

Sugarcane (Variety H59-3775) yield and nutrient composition was studied in relation to soil pH, liming with caco3 and CaSi03, and P fertilization. The pH levels investigated were 4.7, 5.0, 5.2, 5.6, 5.8, 6.0 and 6.7 obtained with either Caco3 or CaSi03. Two P levels, 0.006 and 0.025 ppm Pin solution, were also included in the study as the main plots. Liming Wahiawa soil (Tropeptic Eutrustox) significantly increased sugarcane yield. Maximum yield was obtained at pH 5.8 in the caco3 system and at pH 6.0 in the CaSi03 system. In general, an optimum soil pH for sugarcane was about 5.8. Liming resulted in a significant increase in Ca, Mg, and N concentrations in various plant tissues. Besides supplying Ca and some Mg, the liming materials substantially improved the retention of these elements within reach of plant roots. This was due to the marked increase in CEC obtained with increasing soil pH. This can be of practical importance since the well aggregated condition of Wahiawa soil can result in rapid leaching of the basic cations under acid conditions. In the unlimed treatment, and at the low liming rates (pH 5.2 and 5.6) large amounts of K moved down the soil profile to the 45 cm depth. Potassium extracted from the surface was 30% greater from the high lime treatments (pH 6.7) than from the control (pH 4.7). Increasing soil pH significantly reduced soil Al and Mn in the surface. Mn was also reduced markedly in the soil profile down to the 30 cm depth in the high liming treatments. Phosphate sorption studies suggested that the first rates of liming decreased P sorption by reducing Al activity which otherwise could immobilize P by precipitation as Al-phosphate or adsorption on the surface of hydrous Al oxide. The silicate applications at the high rates decreased P sorption markedly by anion exchange. An attempt was made to study the direct effect of H ion concentration on sugarcane growth in a nutrient solution culture using a split-root technique. In the pH range investigated (3.0, 4.0, 5.5, 6.5, and 8.5) supplied with 45 ppm Ca in solution, the maximum yield of cane was obtained at solution pH 5.5 and 6.5. Yield declined slightly at pH 8.5 and significantly at pH < 4.0. Absorption of nutrients was severely curtailed at pH 3.0 and 4.0, probably due to the high H ion concentration. Symptoms of Fe deficiency occurred at pH 8.5, and it appeared that the Fe absorbed was precipitated in the stalks. In general, growth and nutrient absorption of sugarcane was best in the pH range 5.5 - 6.5

The Black Seed Nigella sativa Linnaeus - A Mine for Multi Cures: A Plea for Urgent Clinical Evaluation of its Volatile Oil

AbstractThis review almost covers what is actually known to date about the black seed and its constituents. It is clear that most of the potent and fruitful activity resides in its volatile oil and a protein component. However, the volatile oil suffers the drawback of the bronhoconstricting effect of thymoquinone. However, the latter can be easily removed from the oil to obtain a dethymoquinoneated oil that has already been shown to possess the major characteristics of the whole oil. At this moment there are a lot of experimental data that hopefully, may stimulate the beginning of the era of pilot clinical studies to evaluate the clinical potential of the volatile oil, some of the protein fractions and the dethymoquinoneated volatile oil. It is hoped that this plea will have a rapid response

Evaluation of satellite based indices for gross primary production estimates in a sparse savanna in the Sudan

One of the more frequently applied methods for integrating controls on primary production through satellite data is the Light Use Efficiency (LUE) approach. Satellite indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and the Shortwave Infrared Water Stress Index (SIWSI) have previously shown promise as predictors of primary production in several different environments. In this study, we evaluate NDVI, EVI and SIWSI derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensor against in-situ measurements from central Sudan in order to asses their applicability in LUE-based primary production modeling within a water limited environment. Results show a strong correlation between vegetation indices and gross primary production (GPP), demonstrating the significance of vegetation indices for deriving information on primary production with relatively high accuracy at similar areas. Evaluation of SIWSI however, reveal that the fraction of vegetation apparently is to low for the index to provide accurate information on canopy water content, indicating that the use of SIWSI as a predictor of water stress in satellite data-driven primary production modeling in similar semi-arid ecosystems is limited

Design of Controlled Pre-Split Blasting in a Hydroelectric Construction Project

Geologic conditions and design requirements around upstream Nachtigal Falls, in Cameroon, for the hydroelectric construction project on the Sanaga River dictated close control of blasting procedures with very precise geometry to obtain safe and economical excavation lines. Various techniques of pre-split blasting were used in the initial stage of all major excavations. Hole diameters for pre-splitting were 89 mm, and hole spacing ranged from 0.8 to 1m. Explosive charges varied from 1 to 7 kg per hole, and the detonating cord linear charge ranged from 12 to 60g. The contour blasting technique is aimed at controlling overbreak and improving remaining slope stability. Over-break or over-excavation needs to be controlled since its occurrence compromises the operations in terms of safety (instability in the remaining slope; loosening rocks that increase the risk for operational people; an irregular free face for subsequent blasting); and costs (need for reinforcement of the remaining rock structure through costly sustainment systems; increase in concrete volumes in civil works). This paper discusses in detail the design and field implementation of pre-split blasts successfully carried out to achieve clean vertical walls in moderately dipping, though complexly sheared and jointed gneiss. Based on the results of the experiments, we were able to design a pre-splitting pattern both experimentally and in a very cost-effective manner. It is felt that the methods developed on this project could have useful applications on other major construction projects. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-03-05 Full Text: PD

Evaluation of the Intestinal Bacterial Community of Local Omani and Cobb 500 Broiler Chickens Raised in an Open-Sided House Using 16S rDNA-Based Analysis

Little is known about how the intestinal bacterial microbiota differs among different strains of chickens raised in an open sided house, predominantly those with lower growth rates, such as Indigenous chickens. Ninety-one-day-old chicks of each strain of chickens were raised in an open-sided house system and fed a conventional corn-soybean meal diet from Day 0–35 days of age. The objective of this study was to assess the relative abundance of bacteria microbiota identified in the intestinal tract of local Omani and Cobb 500 broiler chickens raised in an open-sided house system using 16S rDNA-based analysis. The results obtained showed the diversity of bacterial populations in different intestinal regions of two chicken strains. Bacilli were found in higher numbers and reached 98.8% of the bacteria in the duodenum on Day 5 in Cobb 500 versus 72.5% in the Omani chickens. Local Omani chickens had significantly higher numbers of Clostridia at an early age period. On Day 5 Clostridia comprised 13.1% of the bacteria in the duodenum of local Omani chickens, versus only 0.062% in the Cobb 500. The relative abundance of the bacterial microbiota differed significantly (p &lt;0.05) across different intestinal segments of the two strains of chickens, suggesting that each region generated its bacterial community with different relative abundances

Expression of Hepatoma-derived growth factor family members in the adult central nervous system

BACKGROUND: Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) belongs to a polypeptide family containing five additional members called HDGF related proteins 1–4 (HRP-1 to -4) and Lens epithelial derived growth factor. Whereas some family members such as HDGF and HRP-2 are expressed in a wide range of tissues, the expression of others is very restricted. HRP-1 and -4 are only expressed in testis, HRP-3 only in the nervous system. Here we investigated the expression of HDGF, HRP-2 and HRP-3 in the central nervous system of adult mice on the cellular level by immunohistochemistry. In addition we performed Western blot analysis of various brain regions as well as neuronal and glial cell cultures. RESULTS: HDGF was rather evenly expressed throughout all brain regions tested with the lowest expression in the substantia nigra. HRP-2 was strongly expressed in the thalamus, prefrontal and parietal cortex, neurohypophysis, and the cerebellum, HRP-3 in the bulbus olfactorius, piriform cortex and amygdala complex. HDGF and HRP-2 were found to be expressed by neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In contrast, strong expression of HRP-3 in the adult nervous system is restricted to neurons, except for very weak expression in oligodendrocytes in the brain stem. Although the majority of neurons are HRP-3 positive, some like cerebellar granule cells are negative. CONCLUSION: The coexpression of HDGF and HRP-2 in glia and neurons as well as the coexpression of all three proteins in many neurons suggests different functions of members of the HDGF protein family in cells of the central nervous system that might include proliferation as well as cell survival. In addition the restricted expression of HRP-3 point to a special function of this family member for neuronal cells

Study protocol: The Dutch 20|30 Postmeningitis study: a cross-sectional follow-up of two historical childhood bacterial meningitis cohorts on long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a serious, life-threatening infectious disease of the central nervous system that often occurs in young children. The most common severe to moderate sequelae following BM are sensorineural hearing loss, neuromotor disabilities and mental retardation, while subtle sequelae include academic and behavioral disabilities. It is largely unknown whether these more subtle sequelae persist into adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, this study will investigate the very long-term effects of childhood BM in later life. Better understanding of long-term effects and early identification of adverse outcomes after BM are essential for more timely interventions. Additionally, certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with disease severity and might predict adverse sequelae. These include SNPs in genes encoding for pathogen recognition and immune response upon infection. Accordingly, a secondary objective of this study is to investigate the role of genetic variation in BM and use any insights to predict short- and long-term outcomes. METHODS: In the Dutch 20|30 Postmeningitis study, adolescents and young adults (n = 947) from two historical cohorts with a prior episode of BM during childhood will be enrolled into a cross-sectional follow-up investigation using mainly questionnaires that examine executive and behavioral functioning, health-related quality of life, subjective hearing, mood and sleeping disorders, academic performance, and economic self-sufficiency. The results will be compared to normative data by one-sample t-tests. Multivariable regression analysis will be used to assess for any associations with causative pathogens and severity of BM. Participants that complete the questionnaires will be approached to provide a swab for buccal DNA and subsequent sequencing analyses. Logistic regression models will be used to predict sequelae. DISCUSSION: The unique follow-up duration of this cohort will enable us to gain insights into the possible very long-term adverse effects of childhood BM and how these might impact on quality of life. The investigation of host genetic factors will contribute to the development of prediction models which will serve as prognostic tools to identify children who are at high risk of adverse outcome after BM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register NTR-6891. Retrospectively registered 28 December 2017

Box–Behnken Response Surface Design of Polysaccharide Extraction from Rhododendron arboreum and the Evaluation of Its Antioxidant Potential

© 2020 by the authors. In the present investigation, the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions and optimization of Rhododendron arboreum polysaccharide (RAP) yield were studied by a Box–Behnken response surface design and the evaluation of its antioxidant potential. Three parameters that affect the productivity of UAE, such as extraction temperature (50–90 ◦C), extraction time (10–30 min), and solid–liquid ratio (1–2 g/mL), were examined to optimize the yield of the polysaccharide percentage. The chromatographic analysis revealed that the composition of monosaccharides was found to be glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, and fucose. The data were fitted to polynomial response models, applying multiple regression analysis with a high coefficient of determination value (R2 = 0.999). The data exhibited that the extraction parameters have significant effects on the extraction yield of polysaccharide percentage. Derringer’s desirability prediction tool was attained under the optimal extraction conditions (extraction temperature 66.75 ◦C, extraction time 19.72 min, and liquid–solid ratio 1.66 mL/g) with a desirability value of 1 yielded the highest polysaccharide percentage (11.56%), which was confirmed through validation experiments. An average of 11.09 ± 1.65% of polysaccharide yield was obtained in optimized extraction conditions with a 95.43% validity. The in vitro antioxidant effect of polysaccharides of R. arboreum was studied. The results showed that the RAP extract exhibited a strong potential against free radical damage

3-Amino-5-(piperidin-1-yl)thio­phene-2,4-dicarbonitrile

In the title compound, C11H12N4S, the thio­phene ring is roughly planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.012 (1) Å for the S atom, and makes a dihedral angle of 7.89 (8)° with the mean plane of the piperidine ring, which is in a chair conformation. The crystal packing is stabilized by pairs of centrosymmetric inter­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, which results in the formation of a step-wise chain parallel to [10]