Water status and yield response to deficit irrigation and fertilization of three olive oil cultivars under the semi-arid conditions of Tunisia

Sustainability of olive production is possible by adopting the modern techniques of irrigation and fertilization. In Tunisia, olive trees are usually cultivated in poor soils, under semi-arid conditions characterized by water scarcity. This study investigated the effects of different water supply and fertilization on leaf water status and crop yield of three different olive oil varieties cultivated in central Tunisia, during four experimental seasons (2014-2017). Three treatments were examined: trees conducted under rainfed conditions (TRF), which represented the control treatment, trees irrigated with 50% ETc (T50) and, finally, trees irrigated with 50% ETc and with additional fertilization (T50F). Leaf water content and potential, yield and water use efficiency have been monitored on three different varieties, Chetoui, Chemlali, and Koroneiki, which are quite typical in the considered region. For all the growing seasons, midday leaf water potentials were measured from April to September. Midday leaf water potentials (MLWP) were generally higher for the two irrigated treatments (T50 and T50F) than for non-irrigated trees (TRF). As the season proceeded, MLWPs tended to decrease during summer for all the treatments and varieties. The lowest values were observed for the non-irrigated trees, varying between -3.25 MPa to -4.75 MPa. Relative leaf water content followed the same trends of midday leaf water potentials. Chetoui showed the lowest yield, which did not exceed 1530 Kg/(ha year), even for irrigated and fertilized trees. On the other hand, the yields of Chemlali and Koroneiki, cumulated in the four years, reached the maximum value of about 20 tons/ha. For these two varieties, the cumulated yield obtained in the control treatment (TRF) resulted significantly lower than the corresponding of the other two treatments (T50 and T50F). The highest irrigation water use efficiency (WUE) was estimated for Chemlali (T50) and (TRF). WUE was equal to 1.22 Kg/m3 for Koroneiki under fertigated treatment (T50F). Application of the only water supply (50% ETc) or associated with fertilizer improved the tree water status and increased the productivity of Chemlali and Koroneiki varieties

Genetic Algorithm Based Control System Design of a Self-Excited Induction Generator

This paper presents an application of the genetic algorithm (GA) for optimizing controller gains of the Self-Excited Induction Generator (SEIG) driven by the Wind Energy Conversion Scheme (WECS). The proposed genetic algorithm is introduced to adapt the integral gains of the conventional controllers of the active and reactive control loop of the system under study, where GA calculates the optimum value for the gains of the variables based on the best dynamic performance and a domain search of the integral gains. The proposed genetic algorithm is used to regulate the terminal voltage or reactive power control, by adjusting the self excitation, and to control the mechanical input power or active power control by adapting the blade angle of WECS, in order to adjust the stator frequency. The GA is used for optimizing these gains, for an active and reactive power loop, by solving the related optimization problem. The simulation results show a better dynamic performance using the GA than using the conventional PI controller for active and reactive control

Oil Extracted Moringa peregrina Seed Cake as a Feed Ingredient in Poultry: A Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value Study

The chemical composition, antioxidant activity, tannic acid content, mineral, fatty acid, and amino acid profiles of oil-extracted Moringa peregrina seed meal (OEMPSM) were determined. Apparent (AME) and true (AMEn) metabolizable energy and apparent (AAAU) and true (TAAU) amino acid utilization were evaluated using a precision feeding trial. The protein (CP) quality was evaluated by a total efficiency analysis method. The antioxidant activity, gauged by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), was 237, 353, and 15.2 mg/mL for the water and ethanol extracts, and ascorbic acid, respectively. Tannic acids were 131.4 mg/100 g dry weight. The OEMPSM had 27.2% CP and 22.4, 15.1, and 15.8 MJ/kg of gross energy, AME and AMEn, respectively. The neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and hemicellulose were 40.2, 29.7, and 10.5% DM, respectively. The 15.41% of total fatty acids were saturated and 84.57% unsaturated. The AAAU and TAAU of OEMPSM were 30.92% and 61.06%, respectively. From findings, OEMPSM comprises a valuable level of bioactive substances, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and energy; it can provide up to 1.12% of the requirements of total amino acids of chickens (1–21 days); however, the quality of its protein was found to be 44.6% less than that of protein of soybean meal

Power System Stabilizer Driven by an Adaptive Fuzzy Set for Better Dynamic Performance

This paper presents a novel application of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) driven by an adaptive fuzzy set (AFS) for a power system stabilizer (PSS).The proposed FLC, driven by AFS, is compared with a classical FLC, driven by a fixed fuzzy set (FFS). Both FLC algorithms use the speed error and its rate of change as input vectors. A single generator equipped with FLC-PSS and connected to an infinite bus bar through double transmission lines is considered. Both FLCs, using AFS and FFS, are simulated and tested when the system is subjected to different step changes in the reference value. The simulation results of the proposed FLC, using the adaptive fuzzy set, give a better dynamic response of the overall system by improving the damping coefficient and decreasing the rise time and settling time compared with classical FLC using FFS. The proposed FLC using AFS also reduces the computational time of the FLC as the number of rules is reduced.

57. Aortic valve replacement with sutureless valve and mitral valve repair in patient with infected aortic homograft

The approach of implanting aortic sutureless valve inside the calcific homograft is suitable in redo surgery especially if associated with mitral valve surgery. Aortic valve replacement in patients who have undergone previous aortic root replacement with an aortic homograft remains a technical challenge because of homograft degeneration and the need for a redo Bentall operation. We report a case of redo aortic valve replacement (valve in valve) with a sutureless valve and mitral valve repair by miniband annuloplasty in a female patient aged 64years old who underwent aortic valve replacement with homograft 14years ago and presented by sever aortic valve regurge and sever mitral valve regurge because of infective endocarditis. This technique allows rapid aortic valve replacement in a heavily calcified aortic root. It also avoids aortic valve size affection after mitral valve repair by ordinary methods especially in patients with small aortic annulus. This technique is particularly suitable in redo procedures for homograft degeneration, it avoids performing a redo Bentall operation with its known problems as well as to avoid patient prosthesis mismatch

pH Assist for Highly selective determination of Xipamide by the enhancement of the green emission of Tb3+ optical sensor

The highly selective, accurate method for determination of Xipamide was maintained. The method depends on the enhancement of the green emission band of Tb3+ at 545 nm in the presence of different concentration of  Xipamide at pH 4.1 and λex = 320 nm in acetonitrile. The photophysical properties of the green  emissive Tb3+  complex have been elucidated, the terbium was used as optical sensor for the assessment of  Xipamide in the pharmaceutical tablets and body fluids with a concentration range 5.0 ×10−9 – 2.3 ×10−6 mol L−1 of xipamide, correlation coefficient of 0.995 and  detection limit of 8.5 ×10−10 mol L−1

Fuzzy Algorithm for Supervisory Voltage/Frequency Control of a Self Excited Induction Generator

This paper presents the application of a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) to regulate the voltage of a Self Excited Induction Generator (SEIG) driven by Wind Energy Conversion Schemes (WECS). The proposed FLC is used to tune the integral gain (KI) of a Proportional plus Integral (PI) controller. Two types of controls, for the generator and for the wind turbine, using a FLC algorithm, are introduced in this paper. The voltage control is performed to adapt the terminal voltage via self excitation. The frequency control is conducted to adjust the stator frequency through tuning the pitch angle of the WECS blades. Both controllers utilize the Fuzzy technique to enhance the overall dynamic performance.  The simulation result depicts a better dynamic response for the system under study during the starting period, and the load variation. The percentage overshoot, rising time and oscillation are better with the fuzzy controller than with the PI controller type.

Rice Bran as an Alternative Feedstuff in Broiler Nutrition and Impact of Liposorb® and Vitamin E-Se on Sustainability of Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Antioxidant Indices

The impact of dietary rice bran with or without feed additives on the performance, carcasses, and blood profiles of chickens was examined. A total of 245 unsexed one-week-old broiler chicks were divided into seven groups, with seven replications of five chicks each. The treatments were: (1) control, (2) 5% rice bran, (3) 5% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg of Liposorb®, (4) 5% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E-Se, (5) 10% rice bran, (6) 10% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg Liposorb®, and (7) 10% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E–selenium. Considering the entire experimental period, it did not affect the in vivo performance of the broilers. However, all the experimental diets decreased dressing % compared with the control (p < 0.01) and the worst values were obtained for the 10% RB groups (75.7, 75.9, and 75.8%, respectively, for 10%RB, 10%RB + Liposorb, and 10%RB + Vit. E-Se groups). All the experimental diets decreased (p < 0.01) the albumin/globulin ratio due to an increased level of serum globulins. Differences in lipid profiles, antioxidants, and immunity parameters in plasma were not related to dietary treatments. In conclusion, the use of rice bran up to 10% in diets had no harmful effect on the overall growth performance of the broilers from 1 to 5 weeks of age. Still, carcass characteristics were negatively affected, except for heart percentage. In addition, the supplementation of Liposorb® or vitamin E-Se to rice bran diets did not recover these harmful effects. Thus, rice bran could be utilized at 10% in broiler diets when growth performance was considered; further research is required

2. Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery why do you take the risks?

During recent years, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) become the preferred method of mitral valve repair and replacement in many institutions worldwide with excellent results, in spite of there is no clear difinition of minimally invasive surgery and we do not have efficient studies about the risks of MIMVS comparing to conventional mitral valve surgery. Many studies are needed to clarify the need for either conventional or minimally invasive mitral valve surgery instead of personal preference. The patient’s demographic profile, intraoperative data and postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery were retrospectively collected from our database from May 2011 to April 2014. We will present early and mid-term outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery in our institution. Seventy consecutive patients (45 male and 25 female), age 35±12 years, underwent MIMVS surgery. Mean preoperative New York Heart Association function class was 2.6±0.7. Mean ejection fraction was 50±8. Cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted through femoral cannulation (28 of 70, 40%), or direct aortic cannulation (42 of 70, 25%). Aortic cross-clamp used in (66 of 70, 94.2%). Without aortic cross-clamp in (4 of 70, 5.7%), mitral valve repair has been done in (52 of 70, 74.2%), mitral valve replacement (18 of 70, 25.7%). Concomitant procedures included AF ablation (24 of 70, 34.2%), and tricuspid valve repair (33 of 70, 47.1%). No mortality recorded, residual mitral regurge was found in (6 of 70, 8.5%) during 1 year follow up. Cardiopulmonary bypass, and “skin to skin” surgery were 95±35 and 250±74min, respectively. 4 patients (5.7%) underwent reexploration for bleeding and (57 of 70, 81.4%) did not receive any blood transfusions. Six patients (8.5%) sustained face oedema. Mean length of hospital stay was 7±3.8days. 18 patients (25.7%) did not feel any interest regarding cosmotic advantage over conventional surgery. Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is an excellent alternative to conventional mitral valve surgery in most cases however comparing to conventional mitral surgery it shows long bypass time, long cross clamp time, difficult reexploration for bleeding and multiple body incisions