Allelopathic and Antifungal potentials of endemic Salvia absconditiflora Greuter & Burdet collected from different locations in Turkey

We determined the antifungal and bioherbicidal properties of essential oils of Salvia absconditiflora. Its plant samples were collected from 10-locations in Kirsehir province, Turkey and dried in shade. Essential oils of dried plant samples were extracted by hydro-distillation method using a Schilcher device and the compounds identified in S. absconditiflora essential oils by GC-MS analysis were: Camphor (10.52-58.64%), Bicyclo [2.2.1] Heptane-2-One, 1.7.7 (21.94-30.16%) and viridiflorol (3.42-25.2%). S. absconditiflora essential oil (a dose of 10 mu l/petri dishes) inhibited the mycelium growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Alternaria solani pathogens by 9.3 and 54.40 %, respectively. At dose of 20 mu l/petri dish, the essential oil completely inhibited the mycelium growth of both pathogens. The S. absconditiflora essential oil at 20 mu l/petri dish. was 100 % phytotoxic to seed germination and seedling growth of Lepidum sativum and Amaranthus retroflexus. Thus S. absconditiflora essential oil can be used as an alternative to synthetic fungicide and herbicide to control the plant pathogenic fungi and weeds, respectively

Flavor Changing Neutral Currents Transition of the ΣQ\Sigma_{Q} to Nucleon in Full QCD and Heavy Quark Effective Theory

The loop level flavor changing neutral currents transitions of the $\Sigma_{b}\to n l^+l^-$ and $\Sigma_{c}\to p l^+l^-$ are investigated in full QCD and heavy quark effective theory in the light cone QCD sum rules approach. Using the most general form of the interpolating current for $\Sigma_{Q}$, $Q=b$ or $c$, as members of the recently discovered sextet heavy baryons with spin 1/2 and containing one heavy quark, the transition form factors are calculated using two sets of input parameters entering the nucleon distribution amplitudes, namely, QCD sum rules and lattice QCD inputs. The obtained results are used to estimate the decay rates of the corresponding transitions. Since such type transitions occurred at loop level in the standard model, they can be considered as good candidates to search for the new physics effects beyond the SM.Comment: 18 Pages and 13 Table

Semileptonic Λb,c\Lambda_{b,c} to Nucleon Transitions in Full QCD at Light Cone

The tree level semileptonic $\Lambda_{b}\to pl\nu$ and $\Lambda_{c}\to nl\nu$ transitions are investigated using the light cone QCD sum rules approach in full theory. The spin--1/2, $\Lambda_{Q}$ baryon with $Q=b$ or $c$, is considered by the most general form of its interpolating current. The time ordering product of the initial and transition currents is expanded in terms of the nucleon distribution amplitudes with different twists. Considering two sets of independent input parameters entering to the nucleon wave functions, namely, QCD sum rules and Lattice QCD parameters, the related form factors and their heavy quark effective theory limits are calculated and compared with the existing predictions of other approaches. It is shown that our results satisfy the heavy quark symmetry relations for lattice input parameters and b case exactly and the maximum violation is for charm case and QCD sum rules input parameters. The obtained form factors are used to compute the transition rates both in full theory and heavy quark effective theory. A comparison of the results on decay rate of $\Lambda_{b}\to pl\nu$ with those predicted by other phenomenological methods or the same method in heavy quark effective theory with different interpolating current and distribution amplitudes of the $\Lambda_{b}$ is also presented.Comment: 18 Pages and 16 Table

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

Appeal No. 0750: Paul A. Grim v. Division of Mineral Resources Management

Chief\u27s Order 2005-2

Physiological responses of cultured bovine granulosa cells to elevated temperatures under low and high oxygen in the presence of different concentrations of melatonin

Our understanding of the effects of temperature on granulosa cell (GC) physiology is primarily limited to in vitro studies conducted under atmospheric (approx 20% O2) conditions. In the current series of factorial experiments we identify important effects of O2 level (i.e. 5% vs 20% O2) on GC viability and steroidogenesis, and go onto report effects of standard (37.5°C) vs high (40.0°C) temperatures under more physiologically representative (i.e. 5%) O2 levels in the presence of different levels of melatonin (0, 20, 200 and 2000 pg/mL); a potent free-radical scavenger and abundant molecule within the ovarian follicle. Cells aspirated from antral (4 to 6 mm) follicles were cultured in fibronectin-coated wells using serum-free M199 for up to 144 h. At 37.5 C viable cell number was enhanced and luteinization reduced under 5 vs 20% O2. Oxygen level interacted (P<0.001) with time in culture to affect aromatase activity and cell estradiol (E2) production (pg/mL/105 cells). These decreased between 48 and 96 h for both O2 levels but increased again by 144 h for cells cultured under 5% but not 20% O2. Progesterone (P4) concentration (ng/mL/105 cells) was greater (P<0.001) under 20 vs 5% O2 at 96 and 144 h. Cell number increased (P<0.01) with time in culture under 5% O2 irrespective of temperature. However, higher doses of melatonin increased viable cell number at 40.0°C but reduced viable cell number at 37.5°C (P=0.004). Melatonin also reduced (P<0.001) ROS generation at both O2 levels across all concentrations. E2 increased with time in culture at both temperatures under 5% O2, however P4 declined between 96 to 144 h at 40.0 but not 37.5°C. Furthermore, melatonin interacted (P<0.001) with temperature in a dose dependent manner to increase P4 at 37.5°C but to reduce P4 at 40.0°C. Transcript expression for HSD3B1 paralleled temporal changes in P4 production, and those for HBA were greater at 5% than 20% O2, suggesting that hemoglobin synthesis is responsive to changes in O2 level. In conclusion, 5% O2 enhances GC proliferation and reduces luteinization. Elevated temperatures under 5% O2 reduce GC proliferation and P4 production. Melatonin reduces ROS generation irrespective of O2 level and temperature, but interacts with temperature in a dose dependent manner to influence GC proliferation and luteinization

The gΣQΣQπg_{\Sigma_Q\Sigma_Q\pi} Coupling Constant via Light Cone QCD Sum Rules

Using the most general form of the interpolating currents, the coupling constants $g_{\Sigma_b\Sigma_b\pi}$ and $g_{\Sigma_c\Sigma_c\pi}$ are calculated within the light cone QCD sum rules approach. It is found that $g_{{\Sigma_{c}\Sigma_{c}\pi}}=-8.0\pm1.7$ and $g_{{\Sigma_{b}\Sigma_{b}\pi}}=-11.0\pm2.1$.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Botanical and Genetic Identification Followed by Investigation of Chemical Composition and Biological Activities on the Scabiosa atropurpurea L. Stem from Tunisian Flora

Scarce information about the phenolic composition of Scabiosa atropurpurea L. is available, and no carotenoid compounds have been reported thus far. In this study the phenolic and carotenoid composition of this plant was both investigated and associated bioactivities were evaluated. Aiming to obtain extracts and volatile fractions of known medicinal plants to valorize them in the pharmaceutical or food industries, two techniques of extraction and five solvents were used to determine the biologically active compounds. Gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization and mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry highlighted the presence of 15 volatiles, 19 phenolic, and 24 natural pigments in Scabiosa atropurpurea L. stem samples; among them, the most abundant were 1,8-cineole, chlorogenic acid, cynaroside, and lutein. Bioactivity was assessed by a set of in vitro tests checking for antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and allelopathic (against Brassica oleracea L. and Lens culinaris Medik) effects. Scabiosa atropurpurea L. stem extracts presented a considerable antioxidant, antibacterial, and allelopathic potential, with less antifungal effectiveness. These results indicate that the volatile fractions and extracts from S. atropurpurea L. stem could be considered as a good source of bioactive agents, with possible applications in food-related, agriculture, and pharmaceutical fields. Genetic investigations showed 97% of similarity with Scabiosa tschiliensis, also called Japanese Scabiosa