bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cattle Fattening Practices in West Hararghe: Potentials and Constraints of Beef Cattle Production in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Bezahegn
Published: June 2019

The present study was conducted to investigate the status of beef cattle production system, major available beef cattle feed, constraints, and challenges of cattle fattening in Gemechis, Mesela, Tulo and Oda Bultum District, Western Hararge Zone, Oromia National Regional State. To select the districts and individual cattle fatteners, purposive selection techniques were applied based on their potentiality and beef cattle ownership, respectively. Accordingly a total of 120 cattle fatteners were included and interviewed using pre tested structured questionnaire. In addition to semi-structured questionnaire, group discussions and key informant interviews were carried out to support the survey data. As the assessment result showed fattening length in highland regions was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than those of midland regions with mean value of 5.0±0.18 and 4.1±0.18 respectively. Green feeds from maize and sorghum origin which includes thinning contributes a major role as livestock feed during wet season whereas crop residues (mainly maize and sorghum stover) in wet season and wheat bran ‘frushika’ are the dominant feed resources supplement for cattle fatteners in the study area. Feed shortage and marketing of fattened animals were major constraints reported by the farmers. Beef marketing constraints prioritized by the respondents in the study area included problems created by brokers (77.5%), seasonality of market price variation (14.17%), low market price (0.83%) and others (7.5%). It can be concluded that cattle fattening could be one potential strategy to improve the income of the fatteners if utilizes seasonally available feed resources by improving utilization efficiency and controlled cattle marketing system by governmental bodies for sustainable market service, to protect the negative influence and interference of the broker’s.
Growth and Structural Development of Tectona grandis in Different Cultivation Systems in Brazil
Authors: Medeiros Reginaldo A. , Domiciano Carlos A. R. , Leseux Vitor , Soares Alvaro A. V. , Filho Antonio A. Tsukamoto , Silva Fulvianny C. , Leite Helio G.
Published: June 2019

The objective of the research was to assess the growth and structural changes of clonal and seed-origin teak trees in monoculture and agroforestry systems. The experiment was established in a randomized complete block design with six replicates. Eight treatments were etablished consisting of combinations of two propagation types (clonal and seed-origin), two types of cultivation systems until the age of 24 months (monoculture and taungya system with maize) and two types of cultivation system after 24 months of age (monoculture and silvopastoral systems).

The data were analyzed by modeling the growth and yield, diameter distribution and diameter class ingrowth. The technical age of thinning was then determined by the percent entries method. Independent of the cultivation system, clonal trees presented greater tree height and diameter than seed-origin trees. Regarding the cultivation systems, systems ending in a monoculture phase presented greater tree height and diameter than systems ending in a silvopastoral phase. In terms of structure, represented by the evolution of diameter distribution, seed-origin trees and systems ending in a silvopastural phase resulted in flatter and broader distributions than clonal trees and final monoculture phase. Overall, the technical age of the first thinning varied from 6 to 9 years, being earlier for clonal trees in monoculture and later for seed-origin trees in systems ending in a silvopastoral phase. The slower growth and greater variability in silvopastoral systems with seed-origin teak tree can be attributed to the genetic variability of the trees associated competition with the brachiaria grass, which also made the plants more susceptible to the attack of pests.
Reproductive Biology and Flowering of Feijoa (Acca sellowiana (Berg) Burret) in Areas of Marginal Occurrence
Authors: Donazzolo Joel , Turra Eliza Luana Charneski , Voss Larissa Corradi , Danner Moeses Andrigo , Citadin Idemir , Nodari Rubens Onofre
Published: June 2019

Studies of feijoa adaptability in different locations, with specific weather conditions can be useful for the cultivation of the species. The objective of this work was to study aspects of reproductive biology (pollen viability and fruit set under different methods of pollination) and flowering phenology of feijoa in regions of marginal species occurrence. Progenies of five different crosses were evaluated in 2011 in Pato Branco and Dois Vizinhos, Paraná, Brazil. Effective fruit set was low with manual self-pollination and open pollination, but was higher with manual cross-pollination, demonstrating a lack of pollinators or even self-incompatibility in some progenies. For both sites, pollen viability was extremely low and atypical for the species. The flowering period of feijoa started earlier and was extended in these marginal regions. Manual pollination is required for a good fruit set.
Identification of Chili Pepper Genotypes (Capsicum spp.) Resistant to Meloidogyne enterolobii
Authors: Marques M. L. S. , Chadud J. V. G. , Oliveira M. F. , Nascimento A. R. , Rocha M. R.
Published: June 2019

Chili pepper has economic importance and is the dominant Solanaceae in the market of spicy spices. Among the pathogens that affect this crop, Meloidogyne enterolobii is one of the most important because it presents a wide range of hosts and there are no resistance genes identified that are efficient against this species. The present study aimed to evaluate the reaction of chili pepper genotypes (Capsicum spp.) to M. enterolobii in order to identifify genetic resistance. Three experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions: Experiment I, with 53 genotypes with ten replications; Experiment II, with twenty genotypes with ten replications; Experiment III in a 16 × 4 factorial scheme, with sixteen Capsicum spp. genotypes and four inoculum concentrations of M. enterolobii and eight replications. Inoculation was performed seven days after transplanting the Capsicum spp. seedlings into 2L plastic bags filled with sterilized soil and sand (2:1), using 4,000 eggs + J2/plant. Ninety days after inoculation (DAI) (Experiments I and II) and 60 DAI (Experiment III) nematode population density, reproduction factor (RF), fresh root mass, egg mass index (EMI) and gall index (GI) were evaluated. Genotypes with RF < 1.0 were considered resistant according to Oostenbrink (1966). Thirty one genotypes of Capsicum spp. showed resistance to M. enterolobii with RF ranging from 0.87 to 0.08. Seventeen resistant genotypes of C. chinensis presented RF lower than 0.85, ten genotypes of C. annuum had the RF lower than 0.75, three genotypes of C. frutescens had the RF lower than 0.87 and only one genotype of C. baccatum was resistant to M. enterolobii, presenting RF = 0.6. EMI and GI weren’t considered reliable variables to determine resistance and susceptibility. Fourteen genotypes rated as resistant in Experiments I and II were submitted to increasing concentrations of inoculum and, nevertheless, remained resistant.
Yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus) Under Different Corm Densities
Authors: El Hajj Abdel Kader , Moustafa Sally , Oleik Soha , Telj Vera , Taha Nour , Chehabeldine Hanaa , Tachach Tamim El
Published: June 2019

Due to its valuable properties, Saffron is considered one of the most expensive spices. Saffron was introduced to Lebanon in 2000 and promoted as alternative crop to Canabis Sativa. There has been little research for saffron on a variety of subjects, in particular on cultural practices. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of corm density on Saffron yield attributes. The study included three corm densities that were organized in randomized complete block design with three replicates; Low(LD)-25 corms m-2, 20 × 20 cm spacing; Moderate (MD)-44 corms m-2, 15 × 15 cm spacing; High (HD)-100 corms m-2, 10 × 10 cm spacing. The study was conducted at the Lebanese agricultural research institute (LARI) in Lebaa station for four consecutive years. Results showed a steadily significant high yield of flowers m-2 at high density compared to low density for four years .In contrast, the number of flowers (NF)/100 corm clusters (CC) was significantly increased at low density in last two years compared to high density. Treatments showed no significant effect of the main compounds of air-dried stigmas (Crocin, Picrocrocin and Safranal). Fresh (FWSS) and dry (DWSS) weight of single stigma was affected by year showing a significant change from year to year. These results revealed that success of long-term cultivation can be achieved by planting saffron corm at moderate and low densities.
Multivariate Geospatial Feature of the Soil Attributes of Archaeological Dark Earth in Novo Aripuanã, AM
Authors: Cunha José Maurício da , Campos Milton César Costa , Lima Alan Ferreira Leite de , Filho Elilson Gomes de Brito , Silva Douglas Marcelo Pinheiro da , Souza Fernando Gomes de , Silva Lucivânia Izidoro da , Sales Maria Clécia Gomes , Oliveira Ivanildo Amorim de
Published: June 2019

Changes in natural ecosystems for the use and management of soil can have negative consequences, favoring the appearance of areas susceptible to physical degradation. This work aimed to evaluate changes on the soil properties in Archaeological Dark Earth environments preserved under pigeon pea cultivation and pasture, using multivariate geostatistics technique. Sampling meshes were delimited with regular spacings with 88 sample points per mesh and then georeferenced. Soil samples and volumetric rings were collected in the layers 0.0-0.05 m, 0.05-0.10 m and 0.10-0.20 m, for the determinations of the physical attributes and soil organic carbon. The main components main components 1 (MC1) and main components 2 (MC2) were characterized by attributes related to the stability of the aggregates (geometric average diameter (GAD), weighted average diameter (WAD) and aggregate classes) and the related soil structure taxes, respectively, with a variability of soil attributes under forest influenced by values above the mean for both main components. Land use under pigeon pea little influenced the variability of the main components, presenting values of the attributes related to these components near the mean values, while the soil under pasture promoted influence only to the attributes related to main components 2 (MC2).
Hepatic and Haemato-biochemical Alterations in Juvenile Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) on Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Seed Meal
Authors: Omeje Victor Okonkwo , Lambrechts Helet , Brink Danie
Published: June 2019

Pawpaw seed meal (PSM) can be used as an antifertility agent in animals, however there is no information on its potential toxicological effect on Mozambique tilapia (O. mossambicus). In this study the effect of PSM on the liver, blood haematological and biochemical parameters of O. mossambicus juveniles was assessed to ascertain its suitability as a reproductive suppressant. The PSM was administered at an inclusion level of 10 g and 30 g/kg of a commercial tilapia diet (basal diet, BD) for 30 and 60 days, respectively. The potential toxicological effect was assessed by determining the extent of change in the normal haematological (RBC count, haematocrit, haemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC, thrombocyte count, absolute WBC and differential cell counts) and biochemical (cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin and glucose) parameters. Haematological and biochemical profiles of different treatment groups did not differ throughout the course of the investigation. Liver weight and hepatosomatic index values of the treated fish were comparable to those of the control. The absence of any effect of the blood parameters measured in this study also indicate that PSM has no compromising influence on the immune system of the fish, indicating that PSM can be considered as a safe alternative to induce masculinization in Mozambique tilapia, and therefore act as a reproductive inhibitor.
Integrating Soybean Residues With Nitrogen Fertilizer for Improved Maize Production in Eastern Uganda
Authors: Sadina B. , Amoding A. , Amayo R. , Biruma M.
Published: June 2019

Soybean has become one of the dominant crops in Ugandan farming systems; however the contribution of its residues to improve soil and crop productivity is less known. To investigate the role of soybean residues to enhance crop productivity, researcher-managed experiments were conducted for two seasons (2011B and 2012A) in Namayingo and Tororo districts, representing the L. Victoria crescent, and South-eastern L. Kyoga basin agro-ecological zones, respectively. Factorial treatments of three levels of soybean residues (0, 2 and 4 t ha-1) and four levels of N fertilizer (0, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1 N) in form of urea were applied in maize fields in a randomized complete block design so as to; determine the optimum nutrient combination for maize, and establish the added yield benefits, if any, of using soybean residues with N fertilizer in maize production. Site yields varied significantly (p < 0.001), with higher maize yields obtained in Namayingo compared to Tororo. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher maize grain yields were obtained with the highest nutrient input combinations of 2 t ha-1 residue and 60 kg ha-1 N (yield increment of 71.72% above the control) in Namayingo district and 4 t ha-1 residue combined with120 kg ha-1 N increased maize grain yield by 140.69% above the control in Tororo. The added maize grain yield benefits ranged from 2540 kg grain ha-1 to 3250 kg grain ha-1 in Namayingo and from 2000 kg grain ha-1 to 2310 kg grain ha-1 in Tororo. Combined use of soybean residue with N fertilizer has been found to have agronomic yield benefits to maize production.
Color Shade Heritability of Peach Flesh
Authors: Dini Maximiliano , Raseira Maria do Carmo B. , Scariotto Silvia , Carra Bruno , Abreu Everton S. de , Mello-Farias Paulo , Cantillano Rufino F. F.
Published: June 2019

Nowadays, despite of being a typically temperate fruit crop, peach is found in subtropical and even tropical altitude zones, due to breeding efforts. Genetic knowledge and phenotypic and environmental parameters directly or indirectly influence the characters of economic importance in peach, and they are of great importance for breeding programs orientation. The aim of this study was to estimate heritability of a color shade character of peach flesh, measured by the Hue angle, chroma and lightness to evaluate its distribution in the populations, testing the possible existence of maternal effect. Results showed that parameters related to color shade of peach flesh have a medium heritability. Parents selection based on phenotype allows a medium genetic improvement for the mentioned character. This heritability is predominantly additive, without maternal effect. The Hue angle is the correct parameter to be used to classify and study yellow-flesh peaches and nectarines in relation to their color shade. However, the multivariate analysis of principal components, using the three parameters Hue angle, chroma and lightness, is an alternative of high accuracy.
Development of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Different Host Fruits
Authors: Boldo R. S. , Kovaleski A. , Rosa J. M. , Boff M. I. C. , Franco C. R.
Published: June 2019

The objective of this work was to determine the biological characteristics of South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae) using three fruit hosts. Mature fruits of cherry (Eugenia involucrata DC. (Myrtaceae) (n = 200), guabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Mart.) O. Berg. (Myrtaceae) (n=200) and apple Malus domestica Borkh. variety “Gala” (Rosaceae) (n = 100) were placed separately in plastic cages. These fruits were exposed to A. fraterculus for four hours for oviposition. On a daily basis, the resulting larvae and the pupa were separated. Studies on fertility and longevity used 25 pairs of adults that emerged from these fruits. A. fraterculus completed its biological cycle in all fruits tested. The period of development from egg to adult was shorter in fruits of C. xanthocarpa (25.9 days) and E. involucrata (28.6 days) than in those of M. domestica (34.7 days). The pre-oviposition period was shorter in adults, which emerged from fruits of C. xanthocarpa (9.9 days). The results show the importance of native host fruits for population growth of A. fraterculus, and probably, for host availability of larvae of A. fraterculus for natural and applied biological control in the Southern Cone of South America region.
Mortality Assessment of Botanical Oils on Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) Applied in Fruits Under Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Brilinger Dahise , Wille Cleiton L. , Rosa Joatan M. da , Franco Cláudio R. , Boff Mari Inês C.
Published: June 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of botanical oils on adult mortality and oviposition repellency of Anastrepha fraterculus in peach, apple and red cattley guava fruits. The fruits were treated by the dip method for 15 seconds with botanical oils of Ruta graveolens (0.05%), Cymbopogon citratus (1%), Cymbopogon winterianus (10%), Carapa guianensis (25%) and distilled water was used as a control. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design with twenty replicates. After being treated, the fruits were dried at room temperature, placed in separate plastic containers (750 mL) and transferred to a room at 25±2 °C. Each fruit was exposed to two fruit fly couples for 48 hours. After this period, the amount of dead insects was recorded. On apple fruits kept in containers with sterilized vermiculite, the effect of the treatments on A. fraterculus biology was evaluated for 36 days, and data were collected on the amount of pupae in the second generation. C. winterianus oil presented mortality rates of 100 and 80% of adults in peach and apple fruits, respectively. C. citratus oil caused a significantly different mortality rate compared to the control in peach fruits, whereas C. guianensis oil caused A. fraterculus mortality in red cattley guava and apple fruits. The mortality of A. fraterculus in fruits treated with R. graveolens oil did not differ from the control treatment. The botanical oils of C. winterianus and C. guianensis protected apple fruits by preventing A. fraterculus proliferation, and there was a significant reduction of the amount of pupae in the second generation. Botanic oils presented potential for suppression of fruit flies; however, further studies are necessary to test and make them feasible under field conditions.
Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oil to the Control of Tenuipalpus heveae
Authors: Melo Thalia Mayara Pereira de , Silva Eliamara Marques da , Silva Abimael Gomes da , Vieira Gustavo Haralampidou da Costa , Lopes Beatriz Garcia
Published: June 2019

The objective was to determine the effect of essential oils on the mortality and repellency of the Tenuipalpus heveae Baker mite (Acari, Tenuipalpidae). Leaf discs of rubber trees were deposited in Petri dishes containing a moistened cotton layer. Posteriorly, the essential oils were diluted to formulate solutions, which were sprayed onto the discs. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 3 × 4 factorial design: neem, cedar and clove oils at doses 0, 10 μL, 50 μL and 100 μL, with five replicates, with ten adult females being considered per replicate. The exposure to the effect of essential oil was evaluated after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours for the number of females dead and females in the cotton. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, the values were transformed into (x + 0.5)1/2, and the means were grouped by the Scott-Knot test at 5% probability for the treatments, the doses were submitted to regression analysis. From the 48 hours of evaluation, clove oil showed greater potential for adult mite mortality, being 1.38 in 48 hours, 1.40 in 72 hours and 1.50 in 96 hours. The dose of 100 μL presented a greater potential for the neem and clove oils. The clove essential oil has potential in the control of Tenuipalpus heveae.
Stochastic Meta Frontier Analysis of Smallholder Rice Farmers’ Technical Efficiency
Authors: Mariko Korotoumou , Macalou Moussa , Xiangmei Li , Matafwali Eunice , Alavo John-Philippe Essiagnon , Eltom Ekram Abdalgadir , Omondi Osewe Maurice
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study is to compare the technical efficiency of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Conventional Rice Production System (CRPS) farmers in Mali. Using cross-sectional data for 208 randomly selected rice farmers, the Stochastic Meta Frontier model is applied. The results indicate that the mean technical efficiency is 0.96 and 0.79 for SRI and CRPS respectively. This implies that SRI farmers were more technically efficiency than their counterpart. Similarly, the mean technology gap ratio was 0.98 and 0.91 for SRI and CRPS farmers, respectively. We also find that rice paddy production (SRI) was positively influenced by labor and negatively by organic manure while rice paddy production (CRPS) was positively linked with inorganic fertilizer and land. Further investigation reveals that family labor and flooding level increased the technical inefficiency for SRI adopters whereas education had a negative impact. For the CRSP farmers, the current factors were unable to account for technical inefficiency except age of farm household head. Our study finds strong cause to encourage SRI adoption as it could be the highly searched for solution for farmers to increase their yields and eventually enhance their food security status.
The Interface Between Entrepreneurship as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Improved Rural Household Food Security and Food Systems Sustainability in South Africa
Authors: Portia Ndou , Taruvinga Bridget , Hlerema Igenicious N. , Plooy Christian P. du , Venter Sonja L.
Published: June 2019

The worst and most direct impacts of climate change will fall disproportionately on livelihood systems and vulnerable populations that are already poor and food insecure. The highly vulnerable are communities dominated by farming, with limited livelihood diversification and adaptive capacity at household level. During the past three years, rural enterprises were established in six provinces of South Africa to increase access to food and to create income streams for farming communities in rural areas as part of the broader rural development strategy. This study sought to determine the impact of smallholder agricultural entrepreneurship through sweet potato and indigenous vegetable production on improved access to food, income generation and job creation. Return on Investment and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the data collected from 186 project beneficiaries. The results of the study indicated that enterprise development intervention impacted positively on household income, job creation and formal market access. The logistic regression model showed a significant relationship between productivity and access to formal markets (P < 0.001), educational level (P < 0.0001) and access to training (P < 0.002) at the 1% significance level. Sustainable establishment of these enterprises must be ensured through infrastructure support, capacity building and adapting to changes in cultivation practices intended to cope with climate change.
Developmental Parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Immature Stages Under Controlled and Standardized Conditions
Authors: Montezano Débora Goulart , Specht Alexandre , Sosa-Gómez Daniel Ricardo , Roque-Specht Vânia Ferreira , Paula-Moraes Silvana Vieira de , Peterson Julie A. , Hunt Thomas E.
Published: June 2019

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797), is the most important noctuid pest in the Americas and has recently become an invasive pest in Africa and in India. Having a detailed and standardized record of the biology and the larval development of S. frugiperda will be critical to further studies on integrated pest management, toxicology, and applied ecology. This study reports the temporal and morphological parameters of the immature stages of S. frugiperda for larvae fed on artificial diet under controlled conditions (25±1 °C, 70±10% RH and 14 hour photophase). The survival of the egg, larval, prepupal and pupal stages was 97.40, 98.33, 99.32 and 97.95%, respectively. The average duration of the egg, larval, prepupal and pupal stages were 2.69, 13.73, 1.43, and 9.24 days, respectively. All larvae passed through six instars, with significantly slower larval development for females. However, females had faster pupal development and heavier pupae, thus total time from egg to adult was not significantly different between sexes. With the growing importance of this highly polyphagous species, centralizing the fragmented information in the literature and standardizing its rearing methods will improve and facilitate future studies on this pest.
Ants Associated to Loranthaceae in an Agroecosystem Based on Cocoa Trees in Nkolbisson (Yaounde: Cameroon)
Authors: Jueya Sandrine , Mony Ruth , Djieto-Lordon Champlain
Published: June 2019

The present study was carried out in order to identify the ant fauna and her potential role as auxiliary of an agricultural system based on cocoa trees leeched by Loranthaceae, in Nkolbisson neighborhood in Yaoundé (Cameroon). The work was conducted from May to September 2015. An inventory of all woody species and the associated ant fauna was carried out beforehand, followed by an inventory of the ant fauna associated couples Theobroma cacao/Loranthaceae during periods of non-flowering, flowering and fruiting Loranthaceae. We inventoried a total of 187 plants of which 44 (23.53%) were parasitized by flowering-shrub epiphytes (Loranthaceae). Theobroma cacao (cocoa) appeared to be the most abundant species (122 plants) followed by Dacryodes edulis (16 safou trees) and Mangifera indica (15 mango trees). Three species of Loranthaceae were identified: Tapinanthus preussii (Engler) Van Tieghem and Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) S. Balle which both attack Theobroma cacao (cocoa tree) and Tapinanthus bangwensis (Engl.et. Krause) Denser which attacks mainly forest type trees. Five sub-families of ants (Pseudomyrmicinae, Dolychoderinae, Ponerinae, Formicinae and Myrmicinae) divided into 16 genera and 35 species were recorded throughout the agrosystem. Tetramorium acculeatum has emerged as the most dominant ant species on both T. preussii and P. capitata. Monitoring of the ant foraging activity during flowering and fruiting Loranthaceae shows they participate in the flowers fall.
Providing the Developmental Model of a Comprehensive System of Prioritizing Occupational Risks Using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Technique in the Management of Integrated Health, Safety and Environment (Case Study of Oil Industrial Contractors)
Authors: Pouresfandyani Homa , Najiazarpour Sara
Published: June 2019

In this study, researchers designed a functional decision supporting model for workplaces for managers and showed its application by implementing it in health, safety and environment fields.

Researchers used Excel software to demonstrate the ease of use of this method. This model is designed to help managers for decision-making to select and allocate resources to optimize risk of irreversible and unacceptable risks. In this regard, detailed quantitative risk assessment methods and techniques AHP expert’s extraction, classification and has been structured; to help managing workplaces risks and reducing the effects other than representing the applications of multi-criteria decision making techniques especially Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique, and in the end, to attribute resources in the best possible way. This model comes as a decision support system and is used to ease, the accuracy of decisions and reassuring them.

This study suggests the use of multi-criteria decision-making techniques in large-scale projects and organizational risk management process for managers and reassuring them in terms of efficiency and effectiveness of steps taken to reduce and control occupational risks in the workplace and promise reduction irreparable effects for both organizations and for society, and to optimize the allocation of limited resources of organization. To carry out all stages of computational and analytic hierarchy process technique, Excel software was used in this study to show that this technique with capacity is also applicable in various companies.
Drenagem linfática no pós operatório de lipoaspiração de abdome: uma revisão da literatura
Authors: Pontes Cleuma Regina Freitas de Almeida , Watanabe Luiz Aurélio Rodrigues
Published: June 2019

A busca por tratamentos estéticos é constante na população brasileira e a lipoaspiração de abdome é a mais realizada. Para a melhora dos resultados a cirurgia é indicada a Drenagem Linfática Manual (DLM) no pós-operatório, que tem o objetivo de prevenir possíveis sequelas e promover uma melhor recuperação. O principal objetivo é revisar na literatura sobre a eficácia da drenagem linfática manual no pós operatório de lipoaspiração de abdome. Consultando artigos científicos publicados nas bases indexadas: U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes Health (Pubmed) e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) e com a ferramenta de busca Google Scholar, sem restrição de data. Através dos artigos e livros analisados neste estudo, foi possível comprovar a eficácia da DLM no pós-operatório de lipoaspiração. Conclui-se com esta revisão que, a DLM é um método eficaz para a melhora do quadro de sintomas como seromas, fibrose e lindedemas, causados pelo impacto do processo cirúrgico. Além da melhora dos sintomas, a técnica é capaz de estimular o sistema imunológico e acelerar o processo de cicatrização das incisões.
PICO and Risk Of bias Navigator for Evidence Based Medicine
Authors: Yamada Tomohide , Kondo Yoshinobu , Momosaki Ryo
Published: June 2019

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) involves determining treatment that matches the needs of each patient by integrating the best and latest available “scientific evidence” and “clinical skills”. Systematic review and meta-analysis refer to the process of searching databases and performing statistical analysis to integrate the results of multiple independent studies conducted in the past. The results obtained provide the highest quality evidence, which has become the foundation of various clinical guidelines. Systematic review and meta-analysis are conducted in the following sequence: 1) formulation of a hypothesis, 2) searching databases for articles, 3) selection of research articles, 4) evaluation of bias for each study, 5) integration of the results, 6) verification of bias, and 7) evaluation of the quality of the meta-analysis. Especially regarding 2) article searches and 3) article selection, it is usual for two or more researchers to independently conduct a comprehensive search of databases and extract all the articles that meet the eligibility criteria. Generally, each researcher must evaluate thousands of research articles one by one, making the whole process very time-consuming. In addition, articles may be missed since the search is done manually, and the results tend to be arbitrary. Moreover, updating the information requires a lot of time and effort. Generally, it takes one to two years to complete a single systematic review and meta-analysis. As a result, many reviews are obsolete or missing. Therefore, development of software that could contribute to labor saving and automation of systematic review has been advocated. PICORON-EBM aims to shorten the time required for assessment of PICO and Risk of Bias by natural language processing. Strengths: 1. Quick and Easy operation. 2. You can add and delete any keywords to your area of interest.

URL: http://www.picoron.com/
A new algorithm for band detection and pattern extraction on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis images
Authors: Rezaei Mohammad , Zohorian Naser , Soltani Nemat , Mohajeri Parviz
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a new approach for band detection and pattern recognition for molecule types. Although a few studies have examined band detection, but there is still no automatic method that can perform well despite the high noise. The band detection algorithm was designed in two parts, including band location and lane pattern recognition. In order to improve band detection and remove undesirable bands, the shape and light intensity of the bands were used as features. One-hundred lane images were selected for the training stage and 350 lane images for the testing stage to evaluate the proposed algorithm in a random fashion. All the images were prepared using PFGE BIORAD at the Microbiology Laboratory of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. An adaptive median filter with a filter size of 5x5 was selected as the optimal filter for removing noise. The results showed that the proposed algorithm has a 98.45% accuracy and is associated with less errors compared to other methods. The proposed algorithm has a good accuracy for band detection in pulsed-field gel electrophoresis images. Considering the shape of the peaks caused by the bands in the vertical projection profile of the signal, this method can reduce band detection errors. To improve accuracy, we recommend that the designed algorithm be examined for other types of molecules as well.
Variation characteristics of stem water content in Lagerstroemia indica and its response to microenvironment
Authors: Liang Hao , Zhang Meng , Zhao Yandong , Gao Chao , Wang Hailan
Published: June 2019

To achieve a rational allocation of limited water resources, and formulation of an appropriate irrigation system, this research studied the change characteristics of stem water content (StWC) in plant and its response to micro-environmental factors. In this study, the StWC and micro-environmental factors of Lagerstroemia indica in Beijing were continuously observed by BD-IV plant stem water content sensor and a forest microclimate monitoring station from 2017 to 2018. The variation of StWC and its correlation with environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed the StWC of Lagerstroemia indica varies regularly day and night during the growth cycle. Meanwhile, the rising time, valley time, and falling time of StWC were various at the different growth stages of Lagerstroemia indica. The results of correlation analysis between StWC and micro-environmental factors indicated that the StWC of Lagerstroemia indica was positively correlated with air relative humidity, while it was negatively correlated with total radiation and air temperature. The multiple regression equation of StWC and micro-environmental factors of Lagerstroemia indica was StWC = 11.789-1.402Rn-0.931T-1.132Ws+0.933RH-3.368ST+2.168SMC, and the coefficient of determination of the equation was of 0.87. Furthermore, the results illustrated that the irrigation should pay attention to supplementing irrigation in time during the peak growing season of fruit.
Geobacter protein nanowires
Authors: Lovley Derek R , Walker David J F
Published: June 2019

The study of electrically conductive protein nanowires in Geobacter sulfurreducens has led to new concepts for long-range electron extracellular transport, as well as the development of sustainable conductive materials and electronic devices with novel functions. Until recently, electrically conductive pili (e-pili), assembled from the PilA pilin monomer, were the only known Geobacter protein nanowires. However, filaments comprised of the multi-heme c-type cytochrome, OmcS, are present in some preparations of G. sulfurreducens outer-surface proteins. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the available evidence on the in vivo expression of e-pili and OmcS filaments and their biological function. Abundant literature demonstrates that G. sulfurreducens expresses e-pili, which are required for long-range electron transport to Fe(III) oxides and through conductive biofilms. In contrast, there is no definitive evidence yet that wild-type G. sulfurreducens express long filaments of OmcS extending from the cells, and deleting the gene for OmcS actually increases biofilm conductivity. The literature does not support the concern that many previous studies on e-pili were mistakenly studying OmcS filaments. For example, heterologous expression of the aromatic-rich pilin monomer of G. metallireducens in G. sulfurreducens increases the conductivity of individual nanowires more than 5000-fold, whereas expression of an aromatic-poor pilin reduced conductivity more than 1000-fold. This more than million-fold range in nanowire conductivity was achieved while maintaining the 3 nm diameter consistent with e-pili, not OmcS. Purification methods that eliminate all traces of OmcS yield highly conductive e-pili. Substantial evidence suggests that OmcS is often associated with the outer cell surface and intermittently localized along e-pili in vivo. Future studies of G. sulfurreducens expression of protein nanowires need to be cognizant of the importance of maintaining environmentally relevant growth conditions because artificial laboratory culture conditions can rapidly select against e-pili expression. Principles derived from the study of e-pili have enabled identification of non-cytochrome protein nanowires in diverse bacteria and archaea. A similar search for cytochrome appendages is warranted. Both e-pili and OmcS filaments offer design options for the synthesis of protein-based ‘green’ electronics, which may be the primary driving force for the study of these structures in the near future.
Pristinity, degradation and landscaping: the three angles of human impact on islands
Authors: Rull Valentí
Published: June 2019

This paper presents three extreme examples of the potential consequences of human settlement on oceanic and continental islands. The Neotropical Pantepui continental archipelago of sky islands is an example of pristinity, which is due to the almost inexistent human impact because of the remoteness and inaccessibility of these islands as well as the lack of natural resources to exploit. Easter Island is used to illustrate almost total landscape degradation by deforestation and the exhaustion of natural resources, which has transformed the island into badlands with no signs of recovery. The Azores Islands have been chosen to illustrate landscaping as, after initial postsettlement deforestation and extractive practices, a further transformative phase occurred consisting of creating an almost totally anthropogenic landscape with mostly exotic species. The paper describes in some detail the developments of each case and the historical context in which they took place using historical, archeological and paleoecological evidence. Many intermediate states are possible among these three extremes, which can be represented with a ternary diagram (the PDL diagram), which is useful for characterizing the state of each island or archipelago, in terms of human impact, and to inform conservation and restoration practices.
Study of the optimizing karyotype by applying AC voltage
Authors: Shams Amir , Ayat Hoda , Ahadi Ali Mohammad
Published: June 2019

Background: The main problem in the conventional karyotype slide is twisted and folded chromosomes that make it challenging to analyze the karyotype slide. Most of the time karyotype sorting software mistake chromosome with each order. In this study, the alternating current (AC) voltage conducted in order to drag the chromosome on karyotype slides. This method can facilitate the analysis of chromosomes structure by researchers, and karyotype sorting software can perform better and show a more accurate result.

Methods: In this study, the AC ramp voltage has been applied to drag the chromosome on karyotype slides. AC voltage interacts with chromosomes in the slide so the force of electric charge can untwist and unfold chromosomes partially.

Results: Karyotype chromosomes that were under AC voltage showed somewhat lined, and arranged chromosomes compare to conventional karyotype chromosomes.

Conclusions: This method makes the study of the chromosomes structure very easy and more reliable. Hopefully, with the design and development of custom signal generators, the results of the study will be better and more accurate.
Role of Prostaglandins in the Vasodilator Effect of the Aqueous Extract from Artemisia annua Plant in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Sadeghimahalli Forouzan , Khaleghzadeh-Ahangar Hossein , Baluchnejadmojarad Tourandokht
Published: June 2019

Aims: One of the most important causes of mortality is vascular complications resulting from diabetes mellitus. Herbal medicines are commonly used for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions in diabetes.  Artemisia annua (A. annua) as a medicinal plant has vasculature protective effects in diabetic rats. In the present study, the role of prostaglandins in the vasodilator effect of A. annua aqueous extract in diabetic rats has been studied.

Study Design: This animal study was conducted on diabetic rats. Aqueous extract of Artemisia annua was used for diabetic rats. Then, isolated thoracic aortic rings were exposed to indomethacin and after exposure, the contractile responses were measured.

Methodology: The studied animals were male Wistar rats (n=36) which were randomly divided into intact, untreated-diabetic, and A. annua aqueous extract treated-diabetic groups. For the induction of diabetes, streptozotocin was intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered (60 mg/kg). A. annua extract-treated group received i.p. 100 mg/kg of extract for one month. After one month, the dose contractile response of isolated aortic rings to phenylephrine (doses of 10-9-10-4 mol/L) in the absence and presence of indomethacin as a prostaglandins inhibitor was determined using isolated tissue setup.

Results: Comparison of contractile responses before and after adding indomethacin in treated extract diabetic rats, showed that contractile responses of aorta ring with and without endothelium after adding indomethacin significantly increased at all concentrations of phenylephrine (P<0.05–P<0.0001) while indomethacin in diabetic rats did not effect on contractile response.

Conclusions: Since the vasodilator effect of the aqueous extract of A. annua with a concentration of 100 mg/kg of body weight was pronounced even after endothelium removal, it can be claimed that the vasodilator effects of the extract are related to inhibition of prostaglandin generation both indirectly and directly.
Fatty Acid Composition of Seed Oil from Pachira aquatica Grown in Nigeria
Authors: Sunday Afolayan S. , Gillian Igbum O. , John Igoli O.
Published: June 2019

The relative composition of the fatty acids in Pachira aquatica seed oil were determined using GC-MS and 1H NMR. The results obtained from GC-MS and 1H NMR show that the oil contained saturated fatty acids (>67%), oleic acid (>18%), linoleic (>3%) and linolenic acid (≤0.01%). 1H NMR gave more reliable and reproducible results.
Alternative splicing in human cancer cells is modulated by the amiloride derivative 3,5‐diamino‐6‐chloro‐N‐(N‐(2,6‐dichlorobenzoyl)carbamimidoyl)pyrazine‐2‐carboxide
Authors: Lee Chien‐Chin , Chang Wen‐Hsin , Chang Ya‐Sian , Yang Jinn‐Moon , Chang Chih‐Shiang , Hsu Kai‐Cheng , Chen Yun‐Ti , Liu Ting‐Yuan , Chen Yu‐Chia , Lin Shyr‐Yi , Wu Yang‐Chang , Chang Jan‐Gowth
Published: June 2019

Alternative splicing (AS) is a process that enables the generation of multiple protein isoforms with different biological properties from a single mRNA. Cancer cells often use the maneuverability conferred by AS to produce proteins that contribute to growth and survival. In our previous studies, we identified that amiloride modulates AS in cancer cells. However, the effective concentration of amiloride required to modulate AS is too high for use in cancer treatment. In this study, we used computational algorithms to screen potential amiloride derivatives for their ability to regulate AS in cancer cells. We found that 3,5‐diamino‐6‐chloro‐N‐(N‐(2,6‐dichlorobenzoyl)carbamimidoyl)pyrazine‐2‐carboxamide (BS008) can regulate AS of apoptotic gene transcripts, including HIPK3, SMAC, and BCL‐X, at a lower concentration than amiloride. This splicing regulation involved various splicing factors, and it was accompanied by a change in the phosphorylation state of serine/arginine‐rich proteins (SR proteins). RNA sequencing was performed to reveal that AS of many other apoptotic gene transcripts, such as AATF, ATM, AIFM1, NFKB1, and API5, was also modulated by BS008. In vivo experiments further indicated that treatment of tumor‐bearing mice with BS008 resulted in a marked decrease in tumor size. BS008 also had inhibitory effects in vitro, either alone or in a synergistic combination with the cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents sorafenib and nilotinib. BS008 enabled sorafenib dose reduction without compromising antitumor activity. These findings suggest that BS008 may possess therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.
Image quality and radiation dose in planar imaging — Image quality figure of merits from the CDRAD phantom
Authors: Konst Bente , Weedon‐Fekjær Harald , Båth Magnus
Published: June 2019

Purpose

A contrast‐detail phantom such as CDRAD is frequently used for quality assurance, optimization of image quality, and several other purposes. However, it is often used without considering the uncertainty of the results. The aim of this study was to assess two figure of merits (FOM) originating from CDRAD regarding the variations of the FOMs by dose utilized to create the x‐ray image. The probability of overlapping (assessing an image acquired at a lower dose as better than an image acquired at a higher dose) was determined.

Methods

The CDRAD phantom located underneath 12, 20, and 26 cm PMMA was imaged 16 times at five dose levels using an x‐ray system with a flat‐panel detector. All images were analyzed by CDRAD Analyser, version 1.1, which calculated the FOM inverse image quality figure (IQFinv) and gave contrast detail curves for each image. Inherent properties of the CDRAD phantom were used to derive a new FOM h, which describes the size of the hole with the same diameter and depth that is just visible. Data were analyzed using heteroscedastic regression of mean and variance by dose. To ease interpretation, probabilities for overlaps were calculated assuming normal distribution, with associated bootstrap confidence intervals.

Results

The proportion of total variability in IQFinv, explained by the dose (R2), was 91%, 85%, and 93% for 12, 20, and 26 cm PMMA. Corresponding results for h were 91%, 89%, and 95%. The overlap probability for different mAs levels was 1% for 0.8 vs 1.2 mAs, 5% for 1.2 vs 1.6 mAs, 10% for 1.6 vs 2.0 mAs, and 10% for 2.0 mAs vs 2.5 mAs for 12 cm PMMA. For 20 cm PMMA, it was 0.5% for 10 vs 16 mAs, 13% for 16 vs 20 mAs, 14% for 20 vs 25 mAs, and 14% for 25 vs 32 mAs. For 26 cm PMMA, the probability varied from 0% to 6% for various mAs levels. Even though the estimated probability for overlap was small, the 95% confidence interval (CI) showed relatively large uncertainties. For 12 cm PMMA, the associated CI for 0.8 vs 1.2 mAs was 0.1–3.2%, and the CI for 1.2 vs 1.6 mAs was 2.1–7.8%.

Conclusions

Inverse image quality figure and h are about equally related to dose level. The FOM h, which describes the size of a hole that should be seen in the image, may be a more intuitive FOM than IQFinv. However, considering the probabilities for overlap and their confidence intervals, the FOMs deduced from the CDRAD phantom are not sensitive to dose. Hence, CDRAD may not be an optimal phantom to differentiate between images acquired at different dose levels.