Allelopathic effect of imperata cylindrica (L.) beauv. extracts on the germination of weeds

In this study, the allelopathic effect of Imperata cylindrica has been investigated. Aqueous extracts of Imperata cylindrica were tested at concentrations of 31.25, 62.5, and 125 mg/ml to study different parameters on Cucumis sativus and Lolium perenne Similarly, allelopathic effect of Imperata cylindrica root and shoot 70 % ethanol extract fractions (obtained by different polarity solvents), that is, A, B, C, and D, were also tested at 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/ml concentrations on four different plants; Linum usitatissimum, Lolium perenne, Macroptilim lathyroides, and Phalaris canariensis. Distilled water and glyphosate were used as negative and positive control, respectively. Various factors were studied to determine the inhibition and growth of root and shoot length, percentage germination, and fresh and dry weight. Results indicated that the extracts of Imperata cylindrica may contain allelochemicals which may contribute to its invasiveness and extreme competitiveness. While the gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis (GC�MS) of active fractions revealed the presence of allelochemicals including phenolic acid, fatty acids, and organosilicon compounds. Although phenolic acids [butyl phenol, phenyl 3-methylbut-2-enoate, p-coumaric acid, and p-coumaric acid methyl ester], fatty acids [phytol, methyl isohexadecanoate, palmitic acid, palmitic acid methyl ester, (9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester), (9Z, 12Z, 15Z�Octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester)], and organosilicon compounds [silicic acid, diethyl bis(trimethylsilyl) ester and cyclotrisiloxane, hexamethyl] detected in shoot and root extract were similar in some compounds, however, they show difference in phytotoxicity. 125 mg/ml of shoot aqueous extract and 0.5 mg/ml of fraction (B) shoot were the highest concentrations that affected the germination of weeds. The results show that Imperata cylindrica contains allelochemical compounds that are released from the root and shoots parts under different favorable conditions have the capability to contribute towards inhibition and stimulation in germination, lengths growth and decrease in the biomasses of other plant species

Fixed Points of the Dickson Polynomials of the Second Kind

The permutation behavior of Dickson polynomials of the first kind has been extensively studied, while such behavior for Dickson polynomials of the second kind is less known. Necessary and sufficient conditions for a polynomial of the second kind to be a permutation over some finite fields have been established by Cohen, Matthew, and Henderson. We introduce a new way to define these polynomials and determine the number of their fixed points

A study on oxygen independent fitness (anaerobic capacity) in pre-collegiate boys of Vijayapur, North Karnataka, India

Background: The anaerobic capacity is a useful concept, its application during exercise testing should considerably increase the information gained regarding cardiovascular function in health and disease. The objective was to evaluate oxygen independent fitness (anaerobic capacity) in pre-collegiate boys (age group of 16-18 years) of Vijayapur, North Karnataka, India.Methods: Eighty seven young adolescent healthy pre-collegiate boys volunteered for this study. The following parameters were recorded: Physical anthropometric parameters: body surface area, body mass index, body fat percentage, Physiological parameters: Blood pressure, physical fitness index test and anaerobic fitness step test. Correlation analysis and Z tests were used to analyze the obtained data.Results: Physical anthropometric parameters of the subjects were found within normal range. Statistically significant exercise induced rise in blood pressure were observed in physical fitness step test. Anaerobic capacity was correlated with body surface area, body mass index, body fat percentage and pre and post exercise blood pressure. Physical fitness index was not correlated with anaerobic capacity.  Conclusions:The physical fitness index was in good category, normal physiological response to exercise but physical fitness index not correlated with anaerobic capacity. Anaerobic capacity was found within normal range in pre-collegiate boys of age 16-18 years in study area. Ideal body mass index may not be possible in this age group.

The variety of dual mock-Lie algebras

summary:We classify all complex $7$- and $8$-dimensional dual mock-Lie algebras by the algebraic and geometric way. Also, we find all non-trivial complex $9$-dimensional dual mock-Lie algebras

Thymoquinone attenuates diethylnitrosamine induction of hepatic carcinogenesis through antioxidant signaling

Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for about 80–90% of all liver cancer and is the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality. Although there are many strategies for the treatment of liver cancer, chemoprevention seems to be the best strategy for lowering the incidence of this disease. Therefore, this study has been initiated to investigate whether thymoquinone (TQ), Nigella sativa derived-compound with strong antioxidant properties, supplementation could prevent initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis-induced by diethylnitrosamine (DENA), a potent initiator and hepatocarcinogen, in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Rats of Group 1 received a single intraperitoneal (I.P.) injection of normal saline. Animals in Group 2 were given TQ (4 mg/kg/day) in drinking water for 7 consecutive days. Rats of Group 3 were injected with a single dose of DENA (200 mg/kg, I.P.). Animals in Group 4 were received TQ and DENA. DENA significantly increased alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total nitrate/nitrite (NOx) and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) activity in liver tissues. Moreover, DENA decreased gene expression of GSHPx, GST and CAT and caused severe histopathological lesions in liver tissue. Interestingly, TQ supplementation completely reversed the biochemical and histopathological changes induced by DENA to the control values. In conclusion, data from this study suggest that: (1) decreased mRNA expression of GSHPx, CAT and GST during DENA-induced initiation of hepatic carcinogenesis, (2) TQ supplementation prevents the development of DENA-induced initiation of liver cancer by decreasing oxidative stress and preserving both the activity and mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes

Management of congenital esophageal stenosis associated with esophageal atresia and its impact on postoperative esophageal stricture

Aim The aim of this work was to study the incidence, management of congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) associated with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), and its impact on esophageal stricture (ES) after primary repair.Patients and methods From January 2006 to December 2014, 41 sequential cases of EA with distal TEF were retrospectively studied. Cases with significant ES after primary repair were included in the study. Associated CES was diagnosed in the neonatal period by taking histopathologic samples from the tips of the esophageal pouches, failure to pass a size-6 nasogastric tube distally during primary repair, and by initial esophagogram.Results Significant ES developed in 19 patients (46.3%); of them, six had CES (32%). Three patients had tracheobronchial remnants at the anastomotic site. Two of them had refractory strictures requiring resections and one had mainly major esophageal dysmotility. Patients 4 and 5 had CES distal to the anastomotic site on initial esophagogram. Patient 4 responded well to dilatations, whereas the other one had refractory stricture. Patient 6 had distal CES due to fibromuscular stenosis diagnosed by failure to pass a size-6 nasogastric tube distally. The patient responded well to dilatation, myectomy, and Thal’s fundoplication.Conclusion One-third of the patients with significant stricture had CES; half of them were refractory to dilatation. Failure to have histology specimens and a high index of suspicion will make the incidence of this association a rarity. Diagnosis and management of CES with EA/TEF in the neonatal period is possible. Esophageal dilatation is the initial management for all cases with a low threshold for gastric fundoplication and gastrostomy. Resection is reserved for refractory stenosis.Keywords: congenital esophageal stenosis, esophageal atresia, esophageal stricture, tracheoesophageal fistul

Modelling and optimization of machining parameters during hardened steel AISID3 turning using RSM, ANN and DFA techniques: Comparative study

Nowadays, the relationships linking the cutting conditions to the different technological parameters are becoming a major industrial objective. The present work deals with some machinability investigations involving surface roughness and cutting force in finish turning of AISI D3-hardened steel using carbide, ceramic and coated ceramic inserts. The combined effects of the cutting parameters represented by the cutting depth (ap), the cutting tool (Tool), the cutting speed (Vc), and the feed rate (f) on the output parameters illustrated by both the surface roughness (Ra) and the cutting force (Fy) are investigated using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The modelling of surface roughness and cutting force is carried out using both Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). In order to determine the most efficient technique, the models developed are compared in terms of the coefficient of determination (R2), the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and the Model Predictive Error (MPE). Furthermore, a multi-objective optimization using the Desirability Function Analysis (DFA) has been performed. The obtained results show that the ANN models (For Ra: R²=93%, RMSE=0.02%, MPE=4.99% and for Fy: R²=94%, RMSE=2.52%, MPE=3.11%) performed better than those developed using the RSM approach (For Ra: R²=90.4%, RMSE=0.051%, MPE=18.21% and for Fy: R²=79%, RMSE=31.17%, MPE=55.92%). As a consequence, the achieved ANN models for (Ra) and (Fy) are exploited as objective function for the response optimization applying the DFA technique. The optimum level of the input parameters for the combined desirability is finally identified as ap1–Tool3–Vc3–f1 for both (Ra) and (Fy) with a maximum error of 2.94%

Effect of Psychological Empowerment and Transformational Leadership on Organizational Commitment

According to recent literature that relates to organizational leadership, transformational leadership consists of three important elements: idealized influence, individual consideration and intellectual stimulation. Extant studies in this area highlighted that the ability of the leaders in implementing these transformational processes (to execute organizational functions) may have a significant impact on individual outcome especially organizational commitment. Although this relationship has been studied, the mediating role of transformational leadership has taken a less prominent role in organizational leadership model. Recent studies on organizational leadership have emphasized that transformational leadership has three important characteristics: idealized influence, individual consideration and intellectual stimulation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of empowerment in the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational commitment; by using 77 USAble questionnaires gathered from employees who worked at a foreign manufacturing company in Free Trade Zone, Malaysia. Results of SmartPLS path model analysis confirm that empowerment does act as an important mediating variable in the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational commitment in the organizational sample. In the succeeding sections, discussion, implications and conclusion are elaborated

Effectiveness of hot oil treatment on cultivated 15 year-old acacia hybrid against Coriolus versicolors, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Pycnoporus sanguineus

The effectiveness of the hot oil treatment process on 15 year old cultivated Acacia hybrid was studied. Accelerated laboratory durability studies were conducted on the hot oil treated Acacia hybrid inoculated with fungi Coriolus versicolors, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Pycnoporus sanguineus. The logs of Acacia hybrid were harvested, segregated into bottom, middle and top portions, and later were oil-heat treated in an organic palm oil at temperatures of 180, 200 and 220°C for the duration of 30, 60 and 90 min. The wood samples that were dried and ground into sawdust was air-dried again before undergoing accelerated laboratory durability tests. Untreated samples were used as control. The durability of the wood increases with an increase in temperature and duration of the treatment. The hot oil treated samples could reduce the attack of G. trabeum from 20.89%, 20.94% and 21.29% in the control samples to 0.88-4.07%, 1.22-4.84% and 1.28-4.22% at bottom, middle and top portions, respectively. The attack of C. versicolors were reduced from 26.59%, 30.28% and 34.79% in the control samples to 2.89-9.41%, 3.88-16.84 and 4.27-17.34% at bottom, middle and top portions. However, the attacked of P. sanguineus were least effective with 31.42%, 36.33% and 36.55% in control samples to 3.26-12.55%, 4.67-15.36% and 4.69-19.22% at bottom, middle and top portions. Massive colonization of mycelia occurs in vessels of the untreated Acacia hybrid wood in comparison to the hot oil treated wood when observed through scanning electron microscope