Characterisation of Kenana cattle at Um Banein, Sudan

Results of a study carried on the reproductive performance, herd management, weight & growth, milk production & mortality of Kenana cattle at Um Banein Livestock Research Station (Sudan)

Applicable anode based on Co3O4–SrCO3 heterostructure nanorods-incorporated CNFs with low-onset potential for DUFCs

Besides the high-current density, lower onset potential of urea electrooxidation is key parameter which influences the direct urea fuel cell performance. In the present article, low-onset potential has been reported for nickel-free (NF) electrocatalyst in urea electrooxidation. The nickel-free electrocatalyst: Co3O4–SrCO3 heterostructure nanorods-incorporated carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized by electrospinning technique, followed by calcination of electrospun mat composed of strontium acetate, cobalt acetate, and poly(vinyl alcohol) sol–gel in inert environment at 750 °C. Physiochemical characterizations confirmed the formation of Co3O4–SrCO3 heterostructure nanorods-incorporated CNFs. The electrochemical activity of resultant nickel-free electrocatalyst toward the electrooxidation of urea in alkaline medium is evaluated using cyclic voltammetry measurements (CV). Co3O4–SrCO3 heterostructure nanorods-incorporated CNFs reveals high-current density of 21.33 mA/cm2 at low-fuel concentration. Notably, the low-onset potential has been observed, showing a good application prospect in direct urea fuel cells.This Publication was made possible by NPRP grant # [8-1344-1-246] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of authors

Evaluation of Serum Cystatin C as an Indicator of Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Correlations to other Biomarkers in Detection of Pre-eclampsia.

Background: The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is the best indicator of renal function. Serum cystatin C has been introduced as an endogenous marker of GFR. However, there are conflicting reports regarding its use in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. We aimed to assess the GFR changes in pre-eclampsia, evaluate the use of serum cystatin C as an indicator of GFR and to identify other biomarkers for detection of pre-eclampsia. Methods: This was a case-control study, conducted between December 2008 and December 2010, in Omdurman Maternity Hospital. The study group was 72 pre-eclamptic cases compared to 96 normal pregnant and 63 non-pregnant Sudanese women. Clinical and laboratory parameters including blood samples and 24-hour urine output were recorded. Total blood count, serum liver enzymes, renal function tests and serum cystatin C. Creatinine clearance and GFR were calculated. Results: Serum cystatin C level in the pre-eclamptic cases was significantly higher than the normal pregnant (P=0.000) and the non–pregnant participants (P=0.0001). Mean GFR of the pre-eclamptic cases was significantly lower than that of normal pregnant (P=0.0001) and the non-pregnant (P=0.0001). GFR of pre-eclamptic cases did not correlate with serum cystatin C nor with serum uric acid, but was negatively correlated with serum creatinine (r=-0.31, P=0.02). Serum cystatin C correlated with serum albumin (r=-0.41, P=0.0001), serum aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.26, P=0.03) and serum uric acid (r=0.60,P=0.0001) in the pre-eclamptic group. The diagnostic accuracy tests showed that serum cystatin C was a good detector of pre-eclampsia but not a reliable marker of GFR changes in pre-eclampsia. Conclusions: In pre-eclampsia, serum cystatin C level was significantly higher than in normal pregnancy. Serum cystatin C was superior to serum uric acid and serum creatinine in detection of pre-eclampsia but not a reliable indicator of GFR. Serum albumin and serum aspartate transferase can be used as additional biomarkers in pre-eclampsia.Keywords: Glomerular Filtration Rate, Pre-eclampsia, Serum Cystatin C, Serum Albumin, Serum Aspartate Aminotransferas

A grand avenue to integrate deep eutectic solvents into biomass processing

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are green solvents that are developing rapidly, used in many types of applications as well as fundamental investigations. The physicochemical properties of DESs are one of the most important factors which led to their increased interest in science and technology. DESs are thermally and chemically stable, non-flammable and have a negligible vapor pressure. Furthermore, most of the newly formulated DESs are liquids at room temperature. DESs are more economical and less expensive compared to ionic liquids. DESs are frequently prepared from renewable and non-toxic precursors, in addition, there are wide selections of biocompatible and biodegradable DESs. Hence, DESs have been used in many applications and processes such as biorefinery, lignocellulose dissolution, bioactive compound extraction and electrochemical applications. In this review, an update of the application of DESs in biomass processing as renewable sources is presented. This review aims to cover as much as possible the ongoing research and applications of DES and invite opinions to broaden the applications of DESs, rather than concentrating on the physicochemical fundamentals of new DESs. The future of these solvents is bright but require further investigations and efforts for a better understanding and future for sustainable resources

High-Dielectric PVP@PANI/PDMS Composites Fabricated via an Electric Field-Assisted Approach

Polymer-based composite films with multiple properties, such as low dielectric loss tangent, high dielectric constant, and low cost are promising materials in the area of electronics and electric industries. In this study, flexible dielectric films were fabricated via an electric field-assisted method. Polyaniline (PANI) was modified by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to form a core–shell structure to serve as functional particles and silicone rubber polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) served as the matrix. The dielectric constant of the composites prepared under electric fields was improved by the micro-structures formed by external electric fields. With the addition of 2.5 wt% PVP@PANI, the dielectric constant could be significantly enhanced, up to 23; the dielectric loss tangent is only 1, which is lower than that of the aligned PANI samples. This new processing technology provides important insights for aligning fillers in polymer matrix to form composites with enhanced dielectric properties

Pattern of serum zinc level, peripheral blood lymphocyte and neutrophil counts among patients with sickle cell disease

Background: Zinc is an important mineral element serving as a cofactor in a number of cellular pathways including those involved in cell growth and proliferation. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with excessive haemolysis and defective kidney function with consequential decrease in body’s pool of vital micronutrients. The abnormal loss of zinc in SCD may affect leucopoiesis. Aim: This study was aimed to determine the relationship between serum zinc and leukocyte subsets (Lymphocyte, neutrophil) in adult patients with SCD in steady state together with their counterpart apparently healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 33 adult participants with SCD and 33 apparently healthy controls. Lymphocytes and Neutrophils counts were performed using automated haematology analyser (Sysmex KX21N) and serum Zinc level was determined spectrophometrically using the Br-PADAP method. Results: The results shows statistically significant difference in absolute lymphocyte and neutrophil counts for the two groups were P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively. The serum zinc level was also statistically significant between the groups: P<0.0002. However, serum zinc level of subjects with SCD showed no correlation with lymphocyte and neutrophil counts p<0.0610 and <0.6775, respectively. Conclusions: Significant statistical difference was observed, indicating SCD patients have higher WBC count and neutrophil counts and reduced serum zinc and lymphocyte counts. There was no significant correlation between the leucocyte subset counts and serum zinc levels in both the SCD patients and the normal healthy controls. Keywords: Sickle Cell Disease; Lymphocytes; Neutrophils and Zinc

Wire coating analysis with Oldroyd 8-constant fluid by Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method

AbstractIn this study the wire coating in a pressure type die with the bath of Oldroyd 8-constant fluid with pressure gradient is investigated. The non-linear ordinary differential equation in dimensionless form is obtained, which is solved for the velocity profile using the Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method (OHAM). The effect of Dilatant constant α, the Psendoplastic constant β, and the pressure gradient on velocity distribution and shear stress is studied. Shear stress is examined under the effect of the viscosity parameter η0. Moreover, the volume flow rate and average velocity is carefully studied with changing the domain (thickness) of the polymer and varying the parameter α,β and the pressure gradient

Zeamatin-like protein (ZLP) gene is associated with resistance against A. Niger in maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize (Zea mays L.) constitutes one of the most important crops worldwide with multi-billion dollar annual revenue. The plant is however a good substrate for growth, development and activity of filamentous fungi. A large number of fungal species causes spoilage and accumulation of mycotoxins. Plants restrict the hyphal growth by producing pathogenesis related proteins. So far 17 groups of such proteins are identified. PR-5 group comprises of the thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs), which have diverse modes of actions and act at various stages of fungal attack. Zeamatin-like protein (ZLP) is a member of TLPs, which is basically localized in seeds with enhanced expression during physiological growth and cellular differentiation. However a basal quantity is found in the leaves of many crop plants. Here we report the response of maize plant tissues against A. niger inoculation by measuring the variation in expression profile of a zeamatin-like gene. Conventional PCR coupled with RT-qPCR identifies a significant change in the expression magnitude of ZLP in pre- and post-inoculated plant samples. SDS-PAGE, followed by antimicrobial activities against A. niger, E.coli, P. aeruginosa, B. cereus, S. aureus and S. typhimurium, however, do not register a direct relationship with enhancement in gene expression. It is in line with the fact that response to pathogenesis in plants is a multigenic activity involving a series of responsible/induced genes. The assay developed is useful in primary sorting out of the maize hybrids with respect to their resistance against Aspergillus spp., especially in areas with high rate of incidence of fungal pathogenesis

The study of aquaculture potential of Bojnord and Jajarm cities (Northern Khorasan province)

This study investigates the potential of Bojnord and Jarjam cities (Northern Khorasan province) for developments of Aquaculture. First of all, the current condition of Aquacture and fish farms were montiroed and recorde. Then, the information on geology, weather and climate as well as water resources data were gathered and evaluated. Climatology, geology and distribution of water reseources (i.e. reviers, springs, wells, and aqueducts) were prepared using GIS software. Evaluation of selected water resources in study area revealed suitability for culture of cold water fishes. Potentialities of the water resources for aquacture production were determined according to the latest guidline of Shilat organization. The maps of production potentialities were prepared for each water resources

The study of annual cycle of gonads developments and sex steroids of gray mullet, Mugil cephalus in Golestan Province

Grey mullet, Mugil cephalus is one of the most famous and valuable fish on the fisheries and aquaculture industry. This species is the most suitable to introducing the southern, northern and central regions of our country due to high resistant to large variation of water salinity and temperature. On the monthly sampling period biometric data including total length and total weight recorded and length and weight classes for every sex were determined. To understanding of physiological functions and sexual development of reproductive organs, this investigation carried out with Grey mullet imported from Hong Kong by 1993. Findings of this research can be used for management of artificial breeding of this species. Daily variation of pond water temperature was recorded. Sex steroid hormones and other plasma metabolites such as Ca^2+, cholesterol, triglycerides and total proteins were measured by blood sampling. Gonad samples were prepared in order to histological studies. Oocyte growth was studied by measurement of egg diameters. Measured values of cholesterol, triglycerides of blood plasma revealed that these metabolites have seasonal variation and severely deposited on the summer and mobilized on the spawning seasons. Findings of this research suggested that egg diameters, values of sex steroid hormones (estradiol and progesterone) and Calcium concentrations of fish blood plasma shortening increased a long with day length shortening