Thermodynamic study of adsorption alcohols on natural clay by inverse gas chromatography

The adsorption of VOCs onto porous clays has been considered as an innovative research of environmental treatment. This work was performed to investigate the adsorption properties of alcohols vapors (ethanol and methanol) on natural clay using inverse gas chromatography (IGC). This method was based on the principle of the chromatography of elution in gas phase. From the IGC data, the adsorption isotherms of alcohols on natural clay were determined. These isotherms were used to calculate the thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy and entropy and to find the appropriate adsorption model. Finally, the adsorptive performance in terms of adsorption of alcohols by natural clay has been compared to activated carbon. Keywords: Adsorption, Elution chromatography, isotherms, enthalpy, entropy

Effect of some tillage methods and sowing dates on bulk density, soil moisture and sorghum yield in the rainfed areas of northern Gedarif , Gedarif State , Sudan

     The study was carried out during three consecutive seasons (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08) under rain-fed conditions, to investigate the effect of some tillage methods and sowing dates  of  sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) on soil moisture  content, bulk density and sorghum grain  yield  in  northern Gedarif area, at the pilot farm of the Faculty of Agricultural  and Environmental Sciences, University of  Gedarif, Gedarif, Sudan. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replicates. Main plots were assigned to three tillage methods; which were:  Zero tillage (ZT), offset disc as post harvest tillage(PHT) and farmers practice which was  wide level disc (WLD) as control, while sub-plots were assigned  to two sowing dates  which were early sowing date (S1) and late sowing date (S2). Post-harvest tillage treatment (PHT) resulted in significantly higher soil moisture content in the three growing seasons  compared to the other two treatments. Combined analysis indicated that ZT resulted in  significantly higher soil bulk density  in comparison with WLD and PHT treatments  for the three depths. The 3-years average grain yield for PHT, WLD and ZT were 1113 kg/ha, 976 kg/ha and 885 kg/ha, respectively.  The respective increase in yield was  26% and 14%.                                                                                                                                                                              The study was carried out during three consecutive seasons (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08) under rain-fed conditions, to investigate the effect of some tillage methods and sowing dates  of  sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) on soil moisture  content, bulk density and sorghum grain  yield  in  northern Gedarif area, at the pilot farm of the Faculty of Agricultural  and Environmental Sciences, University of  Gedarif, Gedarif, Sudan. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replicates. Main plots were assigned to three tillage methods; which were:  Zero tillage (ZT), offset disc as post harvest tillage(PHT) and farmers practice which was  wide level disc (WLD) as control, while sub-plots were assigned  to two sowing dates  which were early sowing date (S1) and late sowing date (S2). Post-harvest tillage treatment (PHT) resulted in significantly higher soil moisture content in the three growing seasons  compared to the other two treatments. Combined analysis indicated that ZT resulted in  significantly higher soil bulk density  in comparison with WLD and PHT treatments  for the three depths. The 3-years average grain yield for PHT, WLD and ZT were 1113 kg/ha, 976 kg/ha and 885 kg/ha, respectively.  The respective increase in yield was  26% and 14%.                                                                                                                                                                       &nbsp

Effects of nitrogen source, rate and foliar application on some leaf mineral nutrient contents and yield of “Sinnari” sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis L.) in the River Nile State, Sudan

      Sweet orange production in the Sudan is characterized by low yield and poor fruit quality. This research was aimed at determining the effects of nitrogen source, rate and foliar application on some leaf mineral nutrient content and yield of “Sinnari” sweet oranges in  the River Nile State during 2010/11 and 2011/12. Nitrogen sources were urea (100%), sheep manure (SM) (100%), or a combination of them (50% each), beside Wuxal foliar fertilizer. Nitrogen rates were 0, 43 and 86 kg N/ha. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and 2 trees/plot. Results showed that nitrogen sources and rates were effective in increasing leaf nitrogen content and the highest values were obtained by the application of 86 kg N/ha using urea (100%) or a combination of urea and sheep manure. Application of Wuxal foliar fertilizer resulted in a significant increase of Zn and Fe leaf contents and total yield. Nitrogen source had significant effects on yield components and total yield. The highest values were obtained by a combination of urea and sheep manure or 100% urea, and the lowest values were recorded for 100% sheep manure. Nitrogen rate of 86 kg N/ha resulted in the highest yield components and total yield. It is recommended to fertilize sweet orange trees in the River Nile State with a combination of urea and sheep manure at the rate of 86 kg N/ha (12.4 kg SM/tree and 0.5 kg urea/tree) in addition to Wuxal foliar fertilizer

Current status of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) orchards in the River Nile State, Sudan

ABSTRAC     Production of sweet oranges in the Sudan does not cover domestic needs and sweet oranges are currently imported from Egypt, Iran and South Africa to satisfy the increasing demand. Hence, there is a need to investigate factors involved in the decline of sweet orange trees in one of the most important States for orange production in the Sudan. This research aims to study and evaluate different agronomic practices contributing to the prevailing sweet orange performance in the River Nile State, Sudan. A questionnaire and interviews with 120 sweet orange growers from Ketiab, Zeidab and Gandato citrus projects indicated that 75.8% of the farmers have orchards less than 2.9 ha. Low yielding cultivars such as “Sinnari”, the local selection (Baladi), Hamlin and Nori 16 dominate in the areas, 96.7% of the trees were budded on sour orange rootstocks, 85.8% of the seedlings were budded in private nurseries using bud wood collected from non-certified mother trees from private orchards. All sweet oranges were grown with other fruit species in 100% of the orchards, 80.8% used flat surface irrigation. There is no fixed fertilizer program. The type and quantity of chemical and organic fertilizers varied with different growers. No foliar fertilizers were used and nutrient deficiencies of Zn, Fe and Mn were observed in most orchards. Extension services for citrus production are highly needed for improvement of yield and quality of sweet oranges in the River Nile Stat

Phenotypic Characterization of Crossed Goats F1- (Desert Goat and Damascus)

This study was conducted in North Kordofan state, Western Sudan, during the period Feb 2016- March 2020 to study the Phenotypic Characterization of crossed goats (F1-Desert goat and Damascus).44 female Desert goats of average age of 3-4 years and average body weights33.18±0.84 kg, were purchased from the local markets. Two mature sexual Damascus bucks were used in the experiment in addition to two castrated local young ones (teasers) all animals were identified using ear tags, tested for brucellosis and treated against external and internal parasites. During gestation period goats were closely observed up to the time of kidding. Data concerning with crossed kids (phenotypic characers, body measurements, performance up to maturity) were recorded. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, software package (SPSS, V23, 2017)). The results indicated that Male kids were significantly (P<0.01) heavier than females (2.74±0.48 visas 2.04±0.14kg). 27% mortality rate was recorded in kids. 71% of crossed goats (first generation) had light blue eye color. The flock had different coat colors (light brown, reddish brown and dark brown). The udder was somewhat small and attached to the abdomen the average body weight at kidding was 26.28 ± 1.56 and 22.03± 1.27 kg for single and twins, respectively

A Clinicopathological Study of Urinary Bladder Neoplasms in Patients at Three Centers in Khartoum, Sudan

OBJECTIVES: To present the histopathological pattern of urinary bladder neoplasms using the WHO/ISUP classification system and relate it to the outcome.METHODS: This study was conducted in the period from January 2004 through December 2005 at three centres in Khartoum, Sudan. One hundred and six patients with urinary bladder neoplasms were included in the study.RESULTS: The commonest affected age group was 60-80 years with male to female ratio 4.6:1. Urothelial neoplasms were found in 72 (67.9%), Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 26 (24.5%), urothelial neoplasms with Squamous differentiation in 3 (2.8%), and other types in 5 (4.7%) of thepatients. There were 43.4% of the urothelial neoplasms graded as papillary carcinoma of high grade, 52.6% papillary carcinoma of low grade, 1.3% papillary neoplasm of low malignant potential, 1.3% papilloma, and 1.3% was graded as flat neoplasm. Of the SCCs, twelve (42.9%)were poorly differentiated SCCs, nine (32.1%) moderately differentiated, and seven (25%) cases were well differentiated SCCs. Follow-up information was available in 32 patients. At last followup, fifteen (46.9%) patients were dead of the disease, twelve (35.5%) were alive with no evidence of disease, four (12.5%) were alive with disease, and one (3.1%) was alive and terminally ill. CONCLUSION: Histological grade (P: 0.006), and muscle invasion (P: 0.002) were significantly associated with survival. A subset of the cases could not be assessed for muscle invasion due toinadequate sampling; we thus recommend proper trans-urethral bladder biopsy (TUBP) sampling.Key words: Urinary bladder neoplasm; Papillary carcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; WHO/ISUP classification system

Nitric Oxide Synthase Encapsulation in Liposomes: A Potential Delivery Platform to (Nitric Oxide)-Deficient Targets

Nitric oxide (NO) is a freely diffusible, gaseous free radical, associated with many physiological and pathological processes: such as neuronal signaling, immune response and inflammatory response. In mammalian organisms, NO is produced from L-arginine in an NADPH-dependent reaction catalyzed by a family of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes. Typically, large NO fluctuations in biological systems under/over a critical limit is associated with problems that range from transient dysfunctions to severe chronic disease states. In this regard, we explore the development of a potential delivery and release method of nitric oxide to NO-deficient sites using liposomes as vehicles. Liposomes have already been used as effective nano-carriers. In this short communication, we report on the preparation and characterization of liposomes carrying a recombinant NOS enzyme. We report on the efficacy of using liposomes to carry NOS enzymes, and on the extent of preservation of native NOS structure and function. In addition to the characterization of liposome stability and recovery of enzymatic activity after encapsulation in liposomes, we also measured the NO production upon NOS stimulation. The NO release was monitored with a nitric oxide ultrasensitive electrochemical microsensor placed near NOS-carrying liposomes. This method of NOS-carrying liposomes shows the promise of potential development as a platform for targeted NO-delivery

Statistical modeling of the effect of rainfall flushing on dengue transmission in Singapore

Background: Rainfall patterns are one of the main drivers of dengue transmission as mosquitoes require standing water to reproduce. However, excess rainfall can be disruptive to the Aedes reproductive cycle by “flushing out” aquatic stages from breeding sites. We developed models to predict the occurrence of such “flushing” events from rainfall data and to evaluate the effect of flushing on dengue outbreak risk in Singapore between 2000 and 2016. Methods: We used machine learning and regression models to predict days with “flushing” in the dataset based on entomological and corresponding rainfall observations collected in Singapore. We used a distributed lag nonlinear logistic regression model to estimate the association between the number of flushing events per week and the risk of a dengue outbreak. Results: Days with flushing were identified through the developed logistic regression model based on entomological data (test set accuracy = 92%). Predictions were based upon the aggregate number of thresholds indicating unusually rainy conditions over multiple weeks. We observed a statistically significant reduction in dengue outbreak risk one to six weeks after flushing events occurred. For weeks with five or more flushing events, compared with weeks with no flushing events, the risk of a dengue outbreak in the subsequent weeks was reduced by 16% to 70%. Conclusions: We have developed a high accuracy predictive model associating temporal rainfall patterns with flushing conditions. Using predicted flushing events, we have demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in dengue outbreak risk following flushing, with the time lag well aligned with time of mosquito development from larvae and infection transmission. Vector control programs should consider the effects of hydrological conditions in endemic areas on dengue transmission.Charles Stark Draper Laborator

Fungicidal Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae Lipodepsipeptide Syringopeptins 22A and 25A

The plant-associated bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae simultaneously produces two classes of metabolites: the small cyclic lipodepsinonapeptides such as the syringomycins and the larger cyclic lipodepsipeptide syringopeptins SP22 or SP25. The syringomycins inhibit a broad spectrum of fungi (but particularly yeasts) by lipid-dependent membrane interaction. The syringopeptins are phytotoxic and inhibitory to Gram-positive bacteria. In this study, the fungicidal activities of two major syringopeptins, SP22A and SP25A, and their mechanisms of action were investigated and compared to those of syringomycin E. SP22A and SP25A were observed to inhibit the fungal yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans although less effectively than syringomycin E. S. cerevisiae mutants defective in ergosterol and sphingolipid biosyntheses were less susceptible to SP22A and SP25A but the relative inhibitory capabilities of SRE vs. SP22A and SP25A were maintained. Similar differences were observed for capabilities to cause cellular K+ and Ca2+ fluxes in S. cerevisiae. Interestingly, in phospholipid bilayers the syringopeptins are found to induce larger macroscopic ionic conductances than syringomycin E but form single channels with similar properties. These findings suggest that the syringopeptins target the yeast plasma membrane, and, like syringomycin E, employ a lipid-dependent channel-forming mechanism of action. The differing degrees of growth inhibition by these lipodepsipeptides may be explained by differences in their hydrophobicities. The more hydrophobic SP22A and SP25A might interact more strongly with the yeast cell wall that would create a selective barrier for their incorporation into the plasma membrane