Extraction and Determination of Oxymatrine Pesticide in Environmental Sample and in its Formulation using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

The quinolizindine alkaloid compound, oxymatrine pesticide, was analysis in the river water samples collected from different agriculture areas in the Iraqi city of Kerbala and also in its formulation using developed reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method. Acetonitrile:methanol (60:40 v/v) was chosen as mobile phase at pH (7.0), flow rate 0.5 mL/min, and 20 µL as volume injection. Modified ecological-friendly method, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, was used for the extraction of oxymatrine from water samples. Linearity study was constructed from 0.1 to 70 μg/mL at λmax 205 nm. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.025 and 0.082 μg/mL, respectively, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) % was 0.518%. Three spiked levels of concentration (20.0, 40.0, and 70.0 μg/mL) were used for the validation method. The percentage recovery for the three spiked samples was ranged between 98.743 and 99.432 and the RSD% was between 0.051 and 0.202%, the formulation studies of oxymatrine between 99.487 and 99.798, and the RSD% was ranged from 0.045 to 0.057%. The developed method can be used accurately and selectively for the determination of oxymatrine in environmental samples and in the formulation

The Regularization q-Homotopy Analysis Method for (1 and 2) - Dimensional Non-linear First Kind Fredholm Integral Equations

In this paper, the solutions of (1 and 2)- dimensional non-linear first kind Fredholm integral equations are studied by combine the q-homotopy analysis method (q-HAM) [2-11] and the regularization method [16,17]. The utilization of this technique depends on converting the first kind Fredholm Integral Equations to the second kind of equations by applying the regularization method. Then q-HAM is employed to the resulting second kind of equations to obtain a solution. Some illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the validity and applicability of this technique

The role of Znic in alleviating B-toxicity in plants differing in their sensitivity to boron in terms of rooting response of cuttings.

The role of Znic in alleviating B-toxicity in terms of adventitious root formation (ART) in cutting of plants differing in their sensitivity to boron such as Mung bean (sensitive ) ,Cucumber (Moderately tolerant ) and Tomato (tolerant ) has been carried out . The toxic level of B  in addition ,to the promontory  conc. Of Zn-salt was determined for each of the  above spp. Three of Zn-salts were tested ( sulphate ,nitrate and chloride ) and the best promontory salt is Znic sulfate in developing the higher number. of roots in addition to the best conc. of the same salt was 15,10,15 pmm for Mung bean , Cucumber and Tomato respectively ,comparing to other Zn-salt & their concentration . The toxic levels of boron was 200,300 and 400 µg/ml for Mung bean , Cucumber and Tomato respectively . These levels reduced growth parameters in terms of  rooting response to 50% or beyond (55.16% ,50.83% and 53.49% )for Mung bean , Cucumber and Tomato compared to control in addition ,to the localized toxic symptoms like necrotic spots at leaves edges of the a above 3- spp. respectively . Boron detoxification was occurred completely by supplying Znic  sulphate prior to toxic–B treatment (pre-treatment )in all spp. compared to its supply as post- treatment or simultaneously with    toxic –B . The protective role of Znic – sulphate was significantly enhances the average of root number /cutting to its levels in control treatment  ( in absence of toxic – B)in all spp. under study . Toxic levels of B for the above spp. were caused  significant damage for plasma- membrane of leaf tissues via permeability perturbation in terms of EC% with increasing 111.05%, 50.015%  and30.65 in cutting  of Mung bean , Cucumber and Tomato respectively . Whereas ,in seedling (in presence of root system ) the % of damage was declined to 83.74%,42.59% and 9.91% when exposed to B-toxicity .These results confirms the sequostration mechanism of boron in roots exclusively ,rather than its transport to leaves . Key woreds: Boron-toxicity, Boron-detoxification,Cucumber,Mung bean,rooting response ,Tomato and Znic

A framework for the visualisation and control of ubiquitous devices, services and digital content

The General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has developed a special feeding program for the students at its institutions. The effects of this program on the nutritional and health status of these students have not been evaluated yet, and since no published dietary research has been performed on Technical and Vocational young adult male students, the present work was undertaken to investigate the nutritional status of this community in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After a pilot survey, it was decided to use a selfcompleted questionnaire combined with personal interview to investigate the nutritional status of 690 students randomly selected from the study population. Dietary data was collected by two methods: usual weekly intakes "diet history" and actual daily intakes "diet diary". The nutrient intakes were calculated using the unilever Dietary Analysis Program (UNIDAP). The statistical Package for the social Science (SPSS/PC+) was employed to analyse the data; statistical significance of relationships between certain sets of data was determined by chi-square analysis. Some general factors affecting the nutritional status of these students were identified, their nutritional habits and attitudes were investigated, and the average daily intakes of energy, the macronutrients, and selected micronutrients were calculated. The main results of this study shows that the majority of the study population are adolescent, moderately active individuals, and have lower than the standard range of the Body Mass Index; anaemia is the most stated health problem; meal-skipping and eating between meals are common habits amongst the students. Regarding nutrient intake, there was an energy, polyunsaturated fat, and vitamin C deficiency; adequate intake of saturated fat, dietary fibre, retinol, and zinc; more than adequate intake of protein, total fat, cholesterol, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, and iron. Recommendations are given which aim to improve the nutrition of technical and vocational students

A field performance and adherence study of point-of-use water treatment in Zambia and Pakistan.

While point-of-use (POU) water treatment may be efficacious in laboratory or idealized intervention settings, its use as a strategy for delivering safer drinking-water is constrained by (1) relatively poor field performance compared with laboratory performance, (2) low adherence (correct, consistent, and sustained use), and 3) insufficient understanding of underlying behavioural barriers and drivers to adherence. A multi-site, mixed-methods longitudinal crossover trial was conducted, assessing two flocculent-disinfectant POU products: the Purifier of Water® (“PoW”) and the new Pureit® sachet, in urban Zambia and peri-urban Pakistan. The aim was to evaluate field performance, different measures of adherence (chlorine residuals, used packet counts, and self-reported usage), and potential correlates of adherence over time. (1) Pureit-treated samples had significantly higher chlorine residuals in both countries, though did not maintain minimum levels of free chlorine any longer, and had potentially weaker buffering capabilities than PoW. Field performance also varied significantly between study sites, and was sensitive to differences in adherence, measurements, and reporting accuracy. Qualitative feedback indicated a number of product-related weaknesses. (2) Adherence was generally low and declined over time in both countries, while untreated water consumption rose. Adherence was higher in Pakistan than in Zambia. Self-reported usage was considerably higher than observed measures. (3) A complex interplay was observed between drivers and barriers. The perceived need to treat water may have ultimately been purposive, based on circumstantial factors that influenced quality perceptions. Both products’ adherence-related costs ultimately outweighed their benefits. This study’s findings underline the challenge in high POU adherence, the importance of carefully measuring field performance, and suggest that for POU to be consistently used – and thus deliver health impact – behavioural factors and added-value to the user should inform intervention and design strategies alongside effectiveness, even under short-term use conditions

User-driven design of decision support systems for polycentric environmental resources management

Open and decentralized technologies such as the Internet provide increasing opportunities to create knowledge and deliver computer-based decision support for multiple types of users across scales. However, environmental decision support systems/tools (henceforth EDSS) are often strongly science-driven and assuming single types of decision makers, and hence poorly suited for more decentralized and polycentric decision making contexts. In such contexts, EDSS need to be tailored to meet diverse user requirements to ensure that it provides useful (relevant), usable (intuitive), and exchangeable (institutionally unobstructed) information for decision support for different types of actors. To address these issues, we present a participatory framework for designing EDSS that emphasizes a more complete understanding of the decision making structures and iterative design of the user interface. We illustrate the application of the framework through a case study within the context of water-stressed upstream/downstream communities in Lima, Peru

Barriers to development and progression of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan

This article would help integration of women entrepreneurs into the mainstream economy in Pakistan.In Pakistan, women entrepreneurs do not enjoy the same opportunities as men due to a number of deep-rooted discriminatory socio-cultural values and traditions. Furthermore, these restrictions can be observed within the support mechanisms that exist to assist such fledgling businesswomen. The economic potential of female entrepreneurs is not being realised as they suffer from a lack of access to capital, land, business premises, information technology, training and agency assistance. Inherent attitudes of a patriarchal society, that men are superior to women and that women are best suited to be homemakers, create formidable challenges. Women also receive little encouragement from some male family members, resulting in limited spatial mobility and a dearth of social capital. The research suggests that in order to foster development, multi-agency cooperation is required. The media, educational policy makers and government agencies could combine to provide women with improved access to business development services and facilitate local, regional and national networks

Determination of penicillic acid in Poultry food in Diyala Governorate

Contamination of the poultry feed with fungi and its toxin products can lead to nutrient losses and detrimental effects on animal health and production. This study was designed to isolate the fungi especially Penicillium spp. and to determine the concentrations of Penicillic acid (PA) levels in poultry food samples collected from different Layer andBroiler chicken farms in Diyala governorate. Food samples were collected from four sectors farms (Alkhalis, Baquba, Baldrooz and Almuqdadia) from Diyala governorate in the period extended from November 2015 to March 2016. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analysis food samples. Mucar spp., Rhizopus spp., Absidia spp., Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Chrysonilia sitophila, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium spp., Apophysmyces elegans, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Scopulariopsis, Circinella were isolated from different food samples. Moreover, Candida spp., Rhodotorula rubra, Geotricum candid and Cryptococcus neoformans were the most isolated yeast species. All feed samples were positive for PA. The highest levels of penicillic acid in Alkhalis, Baquba, Baldrooz and Almuqdadia were (53.47±2.75), (49.62±2.43), (48.39±2.35) and (47.29±2.37) respectively in Layer chicken and (53.66±2.79), (49.99±2.62), (48.25±2.35) and (47.23±2.42) respectively in broilers. No significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) was seen in the levels of PA among the food samples from the four different sectors. In conclusion, this study approved the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi in the poultry foods that increases the risk of mycotoxin poisons for the animal health and its implications for human health. The authors recommend another future study in another farms in Diyala including a large number of samples to understand the actual situation of the fungi toxin products

Impact of hydrodynamic conditions on optimum power generation in dual stage pressure retarded osmosis using spiral-wound membrane

The Dual Stage Pressure Retarded Osmosis technique is considered for power generation. The influence of feed flow rates, hydraulic pressure, and pressure drop on mass transfer and solute diffusion in a full-scale membrane model was investigated for the first time to maximize power generation. Dead Sea-seawater, Dead Sea-reverse osmosis brine, reverse osmosis brine-wastewater, and seawater-wastewater salinity gradient resources were investigated for power generation. Results revealed a 71.07% increase in the specific power generation due to the dual-stage pressure retarded osmosis process optimization using Dead Sea-seawater salinity gradient resources. The increase in the specific power generation due to the dual-stage pressure retarded osmosis optimization was 108.8%, 63.18%, and 133.54%, respectively, for Dead Sea-reverse osmosis brine, reverse osmosis brine-wastewater, and seawater-wastewater salinity gradient resources. At optimum operating conditions, using the dual-stage pressure retarded osmosis process as an alternative to the single pressure retarded osmosis process achieved up to a 22% increase in the energy output. Interestingly, the hydraulic pressure at optimum operating conditions was slightly higher than the average osmotic pressure gradients in the dual-stage pressure retarded osmosis process. The study also revealed that power generation in the dual-stage pressure retarded osmosis process operating at constant mass transfer and solute resistivity parameters was overestimated by 2.8%