Antioxidants activity in pineapple CV. N36 culture under aluminium stress

Aluminium is an important stress factor for plants in acidic environments. In the present study, the effect of aluminium-stress on the oxidative enzymes and antioxidant activities in pineapple cv. N36 plantlets was investigated. The plantlets were cultured in MS medium containing 100 μM Al (pH 4.0) for 30 days. Results showed that fresh and dry weight, ascorbic acid content and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by Al-stress. Al did significantly (p<0.05) reduce the α-tocopherol content (2.76 mg/fwt.) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) enzyme activity (3.39 units/mg protein), and increased the enzyme ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (7.16 units/mg protein). These results indicated that long-term Al-stress did change antioxidant substances content and oxidative enzymes activities in the leaves of pineapple cv. N36 plantlets

Optimizing Handover of As-Built Data Using BIM for Highways

An efficient maintenance of the UK’s transportation network is of critical importance to the country’s economy and among the top priorities of the government and public agencies (e.g. Network Rail, Highways England). The public transportation agencies have huge data sets related to asset management and maintenance. However, those data sets are usually held in disparate platforms and have been historically developed using multiple standards and formats. As a result, full value of such data is often not fully realized. Effective management of asset data and availability of reliable information as and when needed, could bring in key benefits for effective management of the transportation network. This paper aims to present the initial findings of a research effort understanding the potential of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in handover processes for a more efficient maintenance of highways assets, and discuss the way forward. The research methodology applied is systematic literature review and two recent best practice cases in the Highways Sector. The research findings suggest that efficient data management through BIM could provide a structured framework to improve asset handover and maintenance. However, it is important to capture the current handover practices between the construction and maintenance phase, and maintenance processes in the UK’s highways sector, both of which seem to be absent in the literature at the moment

Alkaline Cleaning-in-Place of Pink Guava Puree Fouling Deposit Using Lab-scale Cleaning Test Rig

AbstractCleaning-in-place (CIP) of pink guava puree (PGP) fouling deposits is not well known compared to dairy deposits which is well established. Lab-scale cleaning test rig has been used to investigate the cleaning performance of PGP deposits. Removal mechanism during alkaline-based cleaning of PGP deposits were investigated using NaOH concentrations (1.0 wt% -2.0 wt%), temperatures (35 - 70°C) and fluid velocities (0.6-1.5m/s) over a range of Reynolds number (Re= 4x104 - 1.8x105). Cleaning rate was quantified by measuring the remaining area of the deposits at sample holder at every 1min. The efficient CIP process for PGP fouling deposit can be obtained at 1.5m/s, 70°C, with concentration of (1.0 - 2.0wt%)

Hubungan Mata Pelajaran Geografi Dengan Tingkat Kesiapsiagaan Terhadap Bencana Gempa Bumi Siswa Kelas X di Sma IT Nur Hidayah Sukoharjo Jawa Tengah

Sukoharjo area which is indeed mostly in the form of lowland surrounded by a large river that is bengwan solo river, but did not close the possibility affected by the earthquake eruption eruption of Mount Merapi. Furthermore, under the area of kartasura which is easier to feel the impact of the earthquake disaster. This study aims to improve student preparedness especially in SMA IT NUR HIDAYAH SUKOHARJO class X which has classroom building 3 storey school building. This research method used questionnaire method with the descriptive data collection and from 64 correspondents, taken all the data (population system). The results of the study in accordance with the expected, reliable level is very high, namely in the number 0.8901. And seen from the correlation between the value of preparedness with the value of the average geography subjects is diangka 75. So the level of preparedness of students is enough to be said they are ready to face at times earthquake disaster

A cross-sectional study of hypertensive outpatients to determine the necessity of asking about erectile dysfunction symptoms.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common amongst hypertensive men. Hypertensive patients often attribute it to antihypertensive drugs, although conflicting evidence linking ED with antihypertensive medication exists. The objectives were to determine the prevalence and severity of ED, the type of treatment sought, and the risk factors for ED among hypertensive men. Method: A cross-sectional survey conducted over six months from June to November 2008 at University Kebangsaan, Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Inclusion criteria included hypertensive men above 30 years old, with essential hypertension for at least three months. We excluded diabetics, a history of pelvic surgery and known psychiatric illnesses. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) assessment was used with a standardised checklist. We analysed data using SPSS, to assess the prevalence and association of ED with selected variables. Results: Of the 200 participants screened, 35.5% perceived that they had ED. However, prevalence increased to 69% after screening using an IIEF-5 questionnaire. Forty-eight per cent were reported to have moderate-tosevere ED. ED was significantly associated with age (p-value = 0.0001). No significant associations were found between ED and the duration of the hypertension (p-value = 0.505), hypertension control (p-value > 0.05), smoking status (p-value = 0.858) or number of antihypertensive medication taken (p-value > 0.05). Among perceived and proven ED patients, traditional medicines were mainly used for treatment (18.3% and 17.2% respectively). Conclusion: ED is a problem among hypertensive patients. It was associated with age but not with hypertension duration, control, number of antihypertensive drugs or smoking. Physicians should enquire about ED symptoms in hypertensive patients, as most of them resorted to self-treatment with traditional medicines

The mucosal cellular response to infection with Ancylostoma ceylanicum

Although hookworms are known to stimulate inflammatory responses in the intestinal mucosa of their hosts, there is little quantitative data on this aspect of infection. Here we report the results of experiments conducted in hamsters infected with Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Infection resulted in a marked increase in goblet cells in the intestinal mucosa, which was dependent on the number of adult worms present and was sustained as long as worms persisted (over 63 days) but returned to baseline levels within 7 days of the removal of worms by treatment with ivermectin. Increased mast cell responses were also recorded. Levels were again dependent on the intensity of worm burdens and lasted as long as 63 days after infection. When worms were eliminated, mast cell numbers took over 2 weeks to return to normal. Paneth cell numbers fell soon after infection, the degree of reduction being dependent on the worm burden. After clearance of worms, Paneth cell numbers returned to normal within a week, but then rebounded and numbers rose to higher levels than those in control naıve animals. The time course of the response was similar whether animals experienced a chronic low-intensity infection without loss of worms or a higher intensity infection during the course of which worm burdens were gradually reduced. Clearly, A. ceylanicum was able to induce a marked inflammatory response in its host’s intestine which was sustained for over 9 weeks after infection, and which hamsters appeared able to tolerate well. Our data draw attention to the resilience of hookworms which, unlike many other nematodes, are able to survive for many weeks in a highly inflamed intestinal tract

Monte Carlo Calculations for Liquid 4^4He at Negative Pressure

A Quadratic Diffusion Monte Carlo method has been used to obtain the equation of state of liquid $^4$He including the negative pressure region down to the spinodal point. The atomic interaction used is a renewed version (HFD-B(HE)) of the Aziz potential, which reproduces quite accurately the features of the experimental equation of state. The spinodal pressure has been calculated and the behavior of the sound velociy around the spinodal density has been analyzed.Comment: 10 pages, RevTex 3.0, with 4 PostScript figures include