bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respondents Refusal to Pay its Share of the Advance on Costs
Authors: Rohner Thomas , Lazopoulos Michael
Published: April 2022

It happens in arbitration that the respondent refuses to pay its share of the advance on costs, be it to obstruct the proceedings, to force the claimant to finance the arbitration alone, or for other reasons. In this context, the question arises whether the claimant, who substituted the respondent's share of the advance on costs, has any remedies to claim immediate reimbursement for the substituted payment.

This article will demonstrate that the respondent has a contractual obligation under the arbitration agreement to pay the required advance on costs. If the respondent fails to do so without having justified reasons, it is in breach of its contractual obligation towards the claimant, who is forced to pay the entire advance on costs to allow the proceedings go forward.

Since disputes regarding the non-payment of the advance on costs fall within the scope of the arbitration agreement, the arbitral tribunal has the power to render a decision on the immediate reimbursement of the substituted advance on costs. This article submits that for enforcement purposes, the arbitral tribunal's decision on the reimbursement should be rendered in the form of a partial award.

Finally, this article also provides a list of various arbitral awards dealing with this topic.
Challenge of international arbitration awards in Switzerland for lack of independence and/or impartiality of an arbitrator  Is it time to change the approach?
Authors: Beffa Luca
Published: April 2022

It is almost unanimously admitted that the case law of the Swiss Federal Tribunal concerning Art. 190(2) PILS is "ultra-restrictive". Recent case law shows that this is particularly true with respect to challenges based on an alleged irregular or improper composition of the arbitral tribunal (Art. 190(2) lit. a PILS). The recent decisions discussed in this paper give the disturbing impression that our Supreme Court is adopting too relaxed an approach to the concepts of independence and impartiality of arbitrators, in particular in sports arbitrations.

Renowned arbitrators have recently sounded the alarm with respect to the negative consequences that such an "ultra-restrictive" approach could have, in particular with respect to the attractiveness of Switzerland as a venue for arbitration. Although strict procedural requirements are often desirable in order to prevent parties from filing groundless challenges that may delay the proceedings, it could be detrimental to arbitration in general, and to Swiss arbitration in particular, if fundamental principles such as the principle of independence and impartiality of arbitrators were neglected. This paper seeks to propose possible remedies that could be implemented in order to ensure a more effective control of the independence and impartiality of arbitrators, not only by the Swiss Federal Tribunal, but also by arbitral institutions.
Enforcement against State Assets and Execution of ICSID Awards in Switzerland: How Swiss Courts Deal with Immunity Defences
Authors: Giroud Sandrine
Published: April 2022

Three recent decisions of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court provide welcome guidance on the enforcement of ICSID awards against State assets in Switzerland. In the first two decisions, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court reiterated the general principle that State assets entrusted to an International Organisation enjoy absolute immunity. The Court went on to find that while in the case at hand the Swiss Government could initiate arbitral proceedings against the International Organisation concerned if it considered a defence of immunity to constitute an abuse of law, the Court could not review a decision by the Swiss Government not to use its power to initiate such arbitral proceedings since this decision pertained to foreign affairs. In the third, most recent, decision, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court for the first time considered Swiss law on immunity in the context of the enforcement and execution of an ICSID award. It confirmed that ICSID awards are subject to general rules of immunity under Swiss law, and do not therefore enjoy more favourable treatment in this respect than domestic judgments against States.
Recognition of international arbitration in Ukraine in figures
Authors: Pilkov Konstantin
Published: April 2022

Arbitration practitioners often put Ukraine below the average ranking of countries in terms of recognition of arbitration. Ukraine's image of a not entirely arbitration-friendly jurisdiction is "promoted" with common thought about problematic enforcement of arbitral awards in Ukraine. However, in recent years Ukrainian legal system demonstrated significant progress in adherence to the arbitration-friendly approach. That progress had been measured during the study resulted in the research paper "Ukraine. Arbitration-friendly jurisdiction: 2011-2012 statistical report".
Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Turkey. Further Steps Towards a More Arbitration-Friendly Approach
Authors: Canyas Asli Bayata
Published: April 2022

The aim of this study is to set out the main principles with regard to the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under Turkish law, and to question the main impediments that prevent enforcement. In this framework, prominent judgments of the Turkish Supreme Court and the approach of the Turkish legal doctrine are analysed in a holistic manner. We first consider whether the New York Convention or the Turkish Code on Private International Law should prevail when rendering an enforcement judgment. After this, we aim to explain how the conditions for enforcement should be interpreted according to the general characteristics and the main structure of international arbitration law. In this regard, the amendments brought in by the recent Turkish Code on Private International Law are scrutinised in order to reveal whether they give rise to a more arbitration-friendly climate. As a result, it will become easier to foresee the points which should be considered in obtaining an arbitral award that might be enforced in Turkey.
Declaratory Relief in International Commercial Arbitration
Authors: Leimgruber Stefan
Published: April 2022

Declaratory relief has become a common remedy in international arbitration. While it is widely accepted that arbitral tribunals have the power to render declaratory awards, it is controversial whether the granting of declaratory relief is subject to the same or similar restrictions in international arbitration as before state courts.

This article examines the nature of and the limits on declaratory relief and proposes a systematic and user-friendly approach to dealing with requests for declaratory relief before international arbitral tribunals. While, absent an agreement of the parties to the contrary, the specific requirements for declaratory actions before state courts do not apply in international arbitration, the general principle of good faith draws the boundaries of the admissibility of requests for declaratory relief. As a minimum standard, a request for declaratory relief should meet three basic criteria: (i) The legal position of (one of) the parties to the arbitration is in dispute; (ii) the requested declaration is suitable to resolve the dispute; and (iii) the declaratory award will serve a practical purpose.
The Expanding Significance of Arbitration for Patent Licensing Disputes: from Post-Termination Disputes* to Pre-Licensing FRAND Disputes
Authors: De Werra Jacques
Published: April 2022

In its recent decision ATF 140 III 134, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court held that certain claims raised by patent licensors against their exlicensee after the termination of their patent license agreement were within the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal notwithstanding a contractual provision which seemed to limit the submission to arbitration of only pretermination disputes. This interesting decision confirms that courts can consider adequate to confer to arbitral tribunals the jurisdictional powers to decide on patent-related claims after the termination of the patent license agreement at issue, even in the presence of contractual limits to the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal. This note further discusses the opposite scenario in which certain disputes arising before the conclusion of a patent license agreement can be submitted to arbitration. This peculiar situation arises in connection with so-called standard essential patents (which are quite common in the information technology / telecommunication industries) which must be made available to willing licensees under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions (FRAND) and for which arbitration can be used in order to determine the FRAND-compliant terms and conditions of the patent license agreement (specifically the royalties to be paid by the licensee for the use of the standard essential patents). This note analyses this scenario in the light of the recent commitments made by Samsung (in its high profile dispute with Apple) which were validated by the European Commission on April 29, 2014 and which contains very interesting arbitration-related features which deserve to be presented. In sum, this note illustrates the expanding significance of arbitration for patent licensing disputes with respect to both post-termination disputes (as decided in ATF 140 III 134) and pre-licensing disputes (as contemplated for FRAND disputes).
Removing an Arbitrator: Recent Decisions of the English Court on Apparent Bias in International Arbitration
Authors: Geesink Stephanie , Beale Ned , Lancaster James
Published: April 2022

This article analyses two important recent decisions of the English court on apparent bias in international arbitration issued in early 2016. The article explains the English law concept of apparent bias and defines the legal test, providing illustrative examples. The article then examines each judgment in turn and concludes with the lessons that can be learned from them.

The decisions are Cofely Ltd v (1) Anthony Bingham and (2) Knowles Ltd [2016] EWHC 240 (Comm) and W Ltd v M Sdn Bhd [2016] EWHC 422 (Comm). They arise out of two commonly encountered issues. The first is in Cofely, where the arbitrator is regularly appointed by a party. The second is in W v M, where the arbitrator's law firm has a commercial relationship with a party's group of companies. In Cofely the arbitrator's appointment was revoked by the English court on the basis of apparent bias. In W v M, a challenge to an award on the basis of apparent bias by the arbitrator was rejected by the English court.

The judgments illustrate the approach that English arbitrators, judges and lawyers are likely to take to issues of arbitrator bias. That involves making reference to the IBA Guidelines, but not treating them as determinative. The decisions are of relevance to any practitioner who may become involved in arbitrations involving English parties or law, or who need to enforce an award in England. Because they contain analyses of the IBA Guidelines, they are also relevant to arbitration and related court proceedings involving the IBA Guidelines even where there is no direct nexus with English law.
Schiedsgerichtlicher Instanzenzug  Welches Verfahren bei Rechtsmitteln an ein Oberschiedsgericht?
Authors: Göksu Tarkan
Published: April 2022

An appeal to another arbitral body within an arbitration proceeding is unusual and, relative to the number of arbitration disputes, exceptional. This phenomenon is therefore barely regulated by law, rarely considered by arbitration rules and only ever mentioned incidentally at most by scholars. As a result, the most important questions relating to internal appeals, as far as they can be identified, remain largely unanswered.

It seems that two legal issues present themselves: (1) which rules govern the arbitral appeal proceedings in the absence of any agreement on this, for example, as regards the time limit for the making of an appeal? and (2) which lex arbitri is applicable if the first and second instance arbitral tribunals are seated in different countries? In relation to the first question, the Swiss lex arbitri turns out to be quite incomplete. Regarding the second question, if the last competent arbitral tribunal has its seat in Switzerland, the Swiss lex arbitri lays claim to the entire arbitral proceeding with regard to mandatory procedural guarantees and the arbitrability of the case.
Application of the New York Convention to the Enforcement of Arbitration Agreements
Authors: Tsakiri Dimitra A.
Published: April 2022

The 1958 New York Convention is indeed one of the most important instruments in international arbitration, contemplating not only the enforcement of arbitral awards, but also the enforcement of arbitration agreements under Article II (3). One of the perceived shortcomings of the Convention is the fact that it does not define which types of arbitration agreements can be enforced under it. The article takes into account some national legislations and judicial interpretations on the matter and contemplates the ways of interpreting the Convention so as to fill this gap. In this regard, Article II (3) is interpreted in conformity with Article I, which defines the Convention's scope of application based on the seat of arbitration. Moreover, this article discusses briefly a recent attempt to address the aforementioned shortcoming through the introduction of a hypothetical draft convention which would modernize the New York Convention.
Efficacy of Different Vinegars as Antifungal Agents Against Aspergillusniger
Authors: Niamat Humaira , Imtiaz Asmmara , Khan Muhammad Amjad
Published: April 2022

Natural sources have caught the scientist’s eye for the development of new active substances because of the side effects of chemically synthetic preservatives and their ultimate hazardous effects on human health. In the present study, three types of vinegars; white distilled vinegar, grape vinegar and apple cider have been used to test the antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger. For the isolation of the fungal strain, lemon was used. Microscopy was performed for identification of fungus followed by application of vinegars through agar well diffusion assay technique. All kinds of vinegar showed a significant size of zone of the inhibition against fungi. Among all these vinegars, apple cider showed the best effect against A. niger forming zone of inhibition of 0.7±0.05 mm. While, grape vinegar and white distilled vinegar forms a zone of inhibition of 0.3±0.05 mm and 0.45±0.05 mm respectively. The results showed that vinegars can be used as an alternative to synthetic antifungal agents in order to overcome the drawbacks because they have active components i.e. phenolics and flavonoids etc. which have antifungal and anti-oxidant properties.
Yurtiçi Göçmenlerin Demografik Özelliklerinin Sektörel Ücretler Üzerindeki Etkisi: Türkiye’de İl Düzeyinde Ekonometrik Bir Analiz
Authors: TAŞTEKİN Nevin , ÇAĞATAY Selim
Published: April 2022

Göç uzun dönemde pozitif ve negatif ekonomik ve sosyal etkilerin ortaya çıkmasına neden olabilecek bir olgudur. Ekonomik etkilerin en fazla etkilediği piyasalardan bir tanesi emek piyasası ve ücretlerdir. Etkinin yönü ve büyüklüğü konusunda artan işgücü arzı kalifikasyonlarının belirleyici olması beklenmektedir. Örneğin artan kalifiye işgücünün büyümeyi tetiklemesi ve ücretlerde artışa yol açması bir olasılık ise diğer olasılık vasıfsız işgücünün işsizliği arttırıp ücretleri düşürmesidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye’de iller arası iç göç ve göçün demografik özelliklerinin dört ana sektörde ücretler üzerindeki etkisini ekonometrik olarak incelemektir. Çalışmanın sonucunda beklenilenin aksine eğitim seviyesinin ücretler üzerinde etkisinin oldukça düşük olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Eğitim ve işsizlik arasındaki zayıf bağ, Türkiye’deki ücret katılığı ve artan işsizlik seviyesi ile ilişkilendirilebilmektedir.
Politique d'apartheid en Afrique du Sud
Authors: Banji Asante
Published: April 2022

La discrimination raciale est un très gros problème et se retrouve dans plusieurs pays tels que les États-Unis, la Grande-Bretagne et le plus dominant en Afrique du Sud avec la politique d'apartheid. Par conséquent, l'Afrique du Sud est au centre de la lutte contre le racisme vers la réalisation de la justice. Le mot apartheid signifie "séparation" en langue africaine et il décrit la rigidité raciale qui régit la division entre la population minoritaire blanche et la population blanche majoritaire. La lutte de la majorité des Noirs africains contre la domination des minorités blanches est le principal et dernier conflit racial. La communauté internationale l'encourage activement. Cependant, le groupe blanc était assez important et trop fort alors que le pouvoir noir était si faible et divisé, qu'à la fin une personne du nom de Nelson Mandela apparaissait, qui était active dans la lutte pour l'élimination de la politique d'apartheid en Afrique du Sud, le au motif que des crises et des conflits raciaux surgiraient. ce qui s'est passé là-bas était bientôt terminé et l'Afrique du Sud est devenue un pays propice.
Improvement of large-seeded waxy corn (Zea mays L. var. ‘Ceratina Kulesh’) populations for food and industrial purposes
Authors: Chaiyaphum A. , Chankaew S. , Falab S. , Sukto S. , Sanitchon J. , Lertrat K. , Suriharn K.
Published: April 2022

Improving large-seeded waxy corn for food and industrial purposes is one way to increase the value and utilization of new corn cultivars in Thailand. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic traits, yield and yield components, and response to downy mildew (DM) disease caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi of the developed breeding lines of large-seeded waxy corn. A total of 33 waxy corn breeding lines with different seed sizes, row numbers, and kernel colors were selected from 2015 to 2018. The yield experiment was conducted at the Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand in the 2019/20 dry season and the 2020 rainy season. The breeding lines were also screened for DM resistance through artificial inoculation with spore suspension at farmers’ fields in two locations, namely, Sok Muang and Nong Bua, in the 2020 rainy season. Genotype had a significant effect on yields, yield components, and agronomic traits. However, the interactions between genotype and season were not significant for 1000-kernel dry weight and the number of rows per ear. ‘DRP-4’, RLW-4’, ‘RLW-6’, ‘RLW-7’, and ‘RLW-10’ showed the highest 1000-kernel dry weight and the optimal number of rows. Corn grown at Sok Muang Village had higher disease severity than that grown at Nong Bua Village due to the high rainfall, low temperature, and high humidity at the area. The resistant check cultivar ‘Nei9008’ exhibited moderate resistance to DM at both locations. Although the inbred lines were susceptible to DM disease, they appeared to be a good source of large seeds. Therefore, the backcross breeding method is still needed to obtain DM-resistant germplasm for the further development of waxy corn cultivars.
Climatic and agronomic impacts on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) production
Authors: Bastaubayeva S.O. , Tabynbayeva L.K. , Yerzhebayeva R.S. , Konusbekov K. , Abekova A.M. , Bekbatyrov M.B.
Published: April 2022

The use of suitable technologies helps crop cultivation under unfavorable and extreme weather conditions obtain the optimum yield by influencing irrigation, fertilization, sowing time, and crop density. The study aimed to determine the impact of adaptive technologies on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivation at the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan. The phenological observations on basic phases of sugar beet growth and development, and plant density were done according to the generally accepted methods. Moreover, the photosynthetic activity of crop productivity was studied through the accumulation of raw and dry biomass (weight method), area determination of the assimilation apparatus (die-cutting method), and the advent of photosynthetic active radiation. The influence of meteorological conditions was particularly noted on plots with moisture deficit. Maintaining such pre-irrigation soil moisture at 60% of LMC (Least Moisture Capacity) requires less watering with large irrigation rates (1020-1260 m3 ha-1) with inter-irrigation periods of 30–37 days. In 2016, three irrigations with the rate of 1220-1260 m3 ha-1 were done. Maximum water consumption occurs from the end of July to the beginning of August. Consumption of spring reserves for soil moisture was 8%-10% higher at late harvesting than at early harvesting. During the crop season with high rainfall distributed uniformly over the vegetation period, spring soil moisture reserves consumption increased and their share in total water consumption increased 12% up to 20%, whereas, during dry seasons it decreased 6% up to 14%. The study noted that for producing the sugar beet yields ranging from 22.6 to 65.2 t ha-1, the NPK should be applied at the rate of nitrogen (32 – 215 kg ha-1), phosphorus (12–68 kg ha-1), and potassium (50–380 kg ha-1), It was also found necessary to apply fertilizers differentially depending on the level of applied technology for the planned beet yield.
Genetic variability and inheritance pattern of yield components through diallel analysis in spring wheat
Authors: Qulmamatova D.E. , Baboev S.K. , Buronov A.K.
Published: April 2022

Wheat is the third most important staple crop in the world, hence, its sustainable production remained the primary focus due to increasing global consumption. This study aims to determine the genetic potential of spring soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) F2 populations for yield traits. Six wheat genotypes were used for diallel reciprocal crossing and a total of 12 hybrids in comparison to parental genotypes were studied from 2015 to 2018 at the Institute of Genetics and Plant Experimental Biology, Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In parental genotypes, the average spikelets per spike were similar, however, the highest index per spike was recorded in cultivars Bardosh (56.8±1.02), Unumli Bugdoy (57.9±1.05), and Sayhun(56.3±0.79). The F2 populations were recorded with the highest number of spikelets per spike and shifted to the right side by 2-3 classes compared to the parental genotypes. The appearance of right-sided regression and identified genotypes with higher 1000-grain weight was observed in the populations of cultivar Bardosh. Populations with higher indices (3.5 to 4.4) than parental genotypes were observed in the cross Bardosh × Unumli Bugdoy (21.7%). The range of variability for 1000-grain weight in the cultivars Kroshka and Bardosh belonged to 2nd class, and cultivars Kayraktash, Unumli Bugdoy, Saykhun, and K-5076 belonged to 3rd class. Populations with 1000-grain weight ranged from 44.0 g to 47.9 g, with a percentage estimate of 63.3% for cultivar Kroshka, and 76.7% for Kayroktosh. In the second generation, the variability range was distributed into eight classes. Larger grains were observed in the hybrids of cultivar Kayroktash. Hybridological analysis of the inheritance of quantitative traits exhibited that the grains per spike were mainly inherited according to the type of dominance of the best parent with a high trait index. The grain number and grain weight per spike were inherited by overdominance type of gene action in the characterized F1 populations.
Combining ability and heterosis in Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor L.)
Authors: Maftuchah  , Widyaningrum H. , Zainudin A. , Sulistyawati  , Reswari H. A. , Sulistiyanto H.
Published: April 2022

For the sustainable improvement of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), local genotypes were conventionally crossed in East Java, Indonesia to determine a) the crossing success of different genotypes, b) germination percentage and seed setting traits, and c) the combining ability and heterotic effect of sorghum parental genotypes and their F1 diallel hybrids. Three sorghum genotypes (‘Lamongan-1’, ‘Tulungagung-2’, and ‘Jombang’) from the local germplasm were collected from various regions in East Java, Indonesia, and were crossed in a complete diallel design. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications during 2018–2019 at the Agrotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Muhammadiyah, Malang, Indonesia. Results showed that the parental genotypes and their F1 hybrids exhibited significant differences in seed weight and seed diameter and nonsignificant differences in germination percentage and seed setting. The parental genotype ‘Tulungagung-2’ and its hybrids ‘Jombang’ × ‘Tulungagung-2’, ‘Tulungagung-2’ × ‘Lamongan-1’, and ‘Jombang’ × ‘Tulungagung-2’ presented the highest germination percentages, seed setting, seed weights, and seed diameters. The genotype ‘Tulungagung-2’ had the highest general combining ability and was identified as a good general paternal and maternal parent for the production of promising F1 hybrids. The hybrid ‘Jombang’ × ‘Lamongan-1’ had the highest specific combining ability for all of the characters and was recognized as a promising F1 hybrid for improving sorghum yield. Cluster analysis divided all of the parental genotypes and their F1 hybrids into two large groups with a similarity of 13.13%.
Meta-QTL analysis associated with bacterial stalk rot resistance in maize (Zea mays L.) segregating populations
Authors: Baer O.T. , Reano C.E. , Gregorio G.B. , Diaz Mg.Q. , Pabro Lj.A. , Tamba L. , Baltazar N. , Fabreag Me.R. , Pocsedio A.E. , Lacam S. , Kumar A.G. , Laude T.P.
Published: April 2022

Bacterial stalk rot (BSR) caused by Dickeya zeae is one of the important diseases of maize that significantly affects maize yield performance. Resistance to D. zeae is influenced by high humidity and temperature. Affected tissues are described as soft, mushy, and emitting a foul odor. Yield losses can reach approximately 98.8% of the grower‟s potential. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping experiments using seven biparental populations were conducted at Syngenta Philippines, Inc., from 2014–2020 to locate consistent QTL and markers involved in BSR resistance. The QTL detected in NMM033, NMM073, NMM089, NMM090, NMM091, NMX003, and NMX001 populations were used to estimate the numbers and positions of consensus QTL with BioMercator V4.2.3 software. Meta-analysis for BSR resistance was conducted by considering all QTL for BSR resistance traits identified in 2014–2020. Among the 49 distinct markers on chromosomes (chrs) 1 to 10, eight most significant loci were detected, i.e., MSRQTL1-1, MSRQTL2-1, MSRQTL3-1, MSRQTL3-2, MSRQTL5-1, MSRQTL5-2, MSRQTL6-1, and MSRQTL10-1. Meta-QTL were identified in chrs 1, 5, and 10 in four populations; in chr 2 in three populations; and in chrs 3 and 6 in two populations evaluated in this study. The regions identified in chrs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 10 with high QTL colocalization across biparental populations were considered as important QTL for BSR resistance traits. Further implementation through fine-mapping is recommended for marker development. The impact of this discovery would strengthen downstream applications in marker-assisted backcrossing and is not only limited to maize BSR resistance but also to other native traits of different crops.
Phenolic Acids in Selected Tropical Citrus
Authors: Roowi Suri , Hussin Z. , Othman R. , Muhammad S.A. , Jusoh Arif Zaidi
Published: April 2022

In spite of wide research on plant phenolics, limited data are available on the phenolic acid content in selected tropical citrus. Phenolic acids are known to contribute health benefits to humans. In this study, free and ester conjugated phenolic acid in selected tropical citrus was successfully identified and quantified using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). Citrus microcarpa, Citrus medica, Citrus hystrix and Citrus suhuiensis were among the tropical citrus analysed for their free and ester conjugated phenolic acids. C. microcarpa contains high amount of free and ester conjugated phenolic acid, which may suitable to be applied in health food products.
Bacterial Degradation of Caffeine: A Review
Authors: Ibrahim Salihu , Shukor M.Y. , Syed M.A. , Rahman Nor Arina Ab , Khalil Khalilah Abdul , Khalid Ariff , Ahmad S.A.
Published: April 2022

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is an important naturally occurring, commercially purine alkaloid which can be degraded by bacteria. It is a stimulant central nervous system and also has negative withdrawal effects and is present in different varieties of plants such as coffee plant, tea leaves, colanut, cocoa beans and other plant. It is also present in soft drinks and is being used extensively in human consumption and has in addition some therapeutic uses but in minimal amount. Evidence has proved the harmful effects of caffeine thus opening a path in the field of caffeine biodegradation. Biodegradation by bacteria is considered to be the most efficient technique in degrading caffeine within the environment. Even though there are available methods for the removal of caffeine using conventional methods such as water, supercritical and solvent decaffeination but they are lack of accuracy/specificity for the removal of caffeine and in addition to the existing caffeine which sometime remains. Microbial degradation of caffeine provides a safe and cheaper alternative compared to chemical and physical methods. Microbial candidates for caffeine biodegradation are actively being isolated globally. Caffeine degradation can occur in both aerobically and an-aerobically depending on the contaminants. Organisms such as Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Aspergillus, Serratia, Penicillium, Klebsiella, Stemphylium, Rhizopus, Rhodococcus, Brevibacterium, Bacillus sp., and Phanerochaete strains have been reported to have the ability to degrade caffeine.
The Application of Plant Proteases from Garlic (Allium sativum) for Biomonitoring of Heavy Metals in the Environment
Authors: Halmi M.I.E. , Sakeh N.S.M. , Masdor N.A. , Gunasekaran Baskaran , Wasoh Helmi , Syed M.A. , Johari W.L.W. , Shukor M.Y.
Published: April 2022

In this work, a novel source of protease for the bioassay of heavy metals has been developedusing proteases extracted from garlic (Allium sativum). The principle of casein-Coomassie-dyebinding assay has been applied for this purpose. The optimum concentration of enzyme andsubstrate were determined at 0.7 mg/mL and 0.175 mg/mL, respectively. The crude proteases ofAllium sativum exhibited optimal activity at pH 6.0, temperature at 40oC and incubation time of60 minutes. The IC50 values for mercury, copper, cadmium, nickel and chromium were 0.0590mg/L, 0.6398 mg/L, 1.291 mg/L, 0.9865 mg/L and 1.871 mg/L, respectively. The calculatedlimits of quantitation (LOQ) value for mercury, copper, cadmium, nickel and chromium were0.0188 mg/L, 0.025 mg/L, 0.50 mg/L, 0.10 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. The calculatedLOD values for mercury, copper, cadmium, nickel and chromium were 0.0002 mg/L, 0.006mg/L, 0.05 mg/L, 0.02mg/L and 0.1 mg/L, respectively. The crude proteases extracted fromAllium sativum showed good potential for the development of a rapid, sensitive, and economicinhibitive assay for the biomonitoring of mercury, copper, cadmium, nickel and chromium inthe environments.
The evaluation of Periophtalmodon schlosseri as a source of acetylcholinesterase for the detection of insecticides
Authors: M.K Sabullah , Ahmad S.A. , Shukor M.Y. , Syed M.A. , Shamaan N.A.
Published: April 2022

The aim of this study is to investigate the ability of acetylcholinesterase from mudskipper, Periophtalmodon schlosseri, as an assay to detect various pesticides, especially carbamate and organophosphate, and selected metal ions. The assay is sensitive to several carbamates with IC50of 0.0993, 0.0945, 0.0532 and 0.0488 mg/L for carbaryl, methomyl, propoxur and bendiocarb, respectively. Carbofuran highly inhibited the activity (0.0313) with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0176 and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.0526. The organophosphate group is less inhibiting compared to carbamate group.
Mathematical modelling of the molybdenum reduction kinetics in Bacillus pumilus strain Lbna
Authors: Halmi Mohd Izuan Effendi . , Ahmad S.A. , Syed M.A. , Shamaan N.A. , Shukor M.Y.
Published: April 2022

Molybdenum, an emerging pollutant, has just recently been demonstrated to be toxic to spermatogenesis in several animal model systems. Hence its removal and studies on the kinetics of removal is very important at a biotechnological point of view. In this work we study the reduction kinetics of a molybdenum-reducing bacterium using kinetic models such as Haldane, Monod, Teissier, Andrews and Noack, Hinshelwood, Moser, Aiba, Webb (Edward), Yano and Koga, Han and Levenspiel and Luong and evaluated the accuracy of the fitted model using statistical analysis such as Root Mean Square (RMSE), adjusted Coefficient of Determination (R2), corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc), Bias Factor, Accuracy Factor and F-test. Statistical analysis shows that the best model was Luong with low values for RMSE and AICc, highest adjusted R2 values, F-test and with Bias Factor and Accuracy Factor nearest to unity (1.0). The calculated value for the Luongâ€™s constants qmax, Ks, Sm, and n were 27.303 hr-1, 115.8 mM, 57.83 mM and 1.405, respectively. The true qmax where the gradient for the slope is zero was approximately 3.38 h-1 at 30 mM molybdenum. The results indicate that the exhaustive use of mathematical models provides new understanding of the way molybdenum inhibits production into molybdenum blue in bacterium. This can provide new knowledge on ways to predict progress of molybdenum reduction in the laboratory and during bioremediation works.
River Monitoring of Mercury using a novel Molybdenum-Reducing Enzyme assay
Authors: A.R Othman . , Ahmad S.A. , Gunasekaran B. , Halmi M.I.E. , Shamaan N.A. , Syed M.A. , Shukor M.Y.
Published: April 2022

An inhibitive assay for mercury using a molybdenum-reducing enzyme assay system from Serratia sp. Strain DRY8 is presented. Mercury showed a sigmoidal inhibition curve with a calculated IC50 using the four-parameter logistic model of 2.101 mg l-1. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for mercury were 0.021 and 0.237 mg l-1, respectively. Other heavy metals tested at the final concentrations of 5.0 mg l-1 were not inhibitory to the assay. The enzyme requires 12-molybdophosphoric acid as an electron acceptor substrate and NADH as the electron donor substrate. The enzyme in the crude extract converted the yellowish solution into a deep blue solution with a maximum peak at 865 nm and a shoulder at 710 nm. The comparative IC50 (concentration causing 50% inhibition) data for lead for different toxicity tests show that the IC50 value for mercury was lower than the synthetic activated sludge assay and within the range of the Spirillum volutans and the dehydrogenase activity assays. A water sample from the Juru Industrial estate gave positive toxicity results with mercury far exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations allowed by the Malaysian Department of Environment. The waters from tap, a forest reserve, and a recreational area gave negative toxicity for mercury in agreement with ICP-AES results which showed the presence of heavy metals at the non-detectable levels.
Modelling the Growth of Moraxella sp. B on Monobromoacetic acid (MBA)
Authors: M.S. Shukor , Masdor N.A. , Shamaan N.A. , Ahmad S.A. , Halmi M.I.E. , Shukor M.Y.
Published: April 2022

Monohalogenated acetic acids have been widely used in industry and agriculture as precursor tochemicals and as herbicides, respectively. Bioremediation of xenobiotics have been touted as amore economical and feasible method compared to physical and chemical approaches. In thiswork, we model the growth of Moraxella sp. B on monobromoacetic acid (MBA) from publishedliterature to obtain vital growth constants. These growth constants can only be accuratelyobtained from mathematical modelling of the growth curves using various available primarymodels such as logistic, Gompertz, Richards, Schnute, Baranyi-Roberts, Von Bertalanffy,Buchanan three-phase and more recently Huang models. The Buchanan three-phase model waschosen as the best model based on statistical tests such as root-mean-square error (RMSE),adjusted coefficient of determination (R2), bias factor (BF), accuracy factor (AF) and correctedAICc (Akaike Information Criterion). The constants obtained indicated that the lag period wasincreased as the concentrations of MAB was increased. In addition, the growth rate was severely reduced at high concentrations of MAB indicating substrate inhibition. Novel constants obtained from the modelling exercise would be useful for further secondary modelling implicating the effect of media conditions and other factors on the growth of this bacterium on MAB.
Test of Randomness of Residuals for the Buchanan-three-phase model used in the Fitting the Growth of Moraxella sp. B on Monobromoacetic acid (MBA)
Authors: Sabullah M.K. , Shukor M.S. , Masdor N.A. , Shamaan N.A. , Shukor M.Y.
Published: April 2022

Monobromoacetic acid (MBA) is a chemical intermediate often use in agriculture andpharmaceutical industries. The use of monohalogenated acetic acids including monobromoaceticacids in industry and agriculture has led to numerous environmental issues. Bioremediation ofmonobromoacetic acid, has been recommended as a cheaper and achievable method whencompared with physical and chemical approaches. Formerly, we model the growth of growth ofMoraxella sp. B on monobromoacetic acid from published literature to obtain vital growthconstants. We discovered that the Buchanan-three-phase model via nonlinear regression utilizing the least square method was the very best model to explain the growth curve. However, an essential consideration, which has not been pointed out enough, is the residuals of the model have to be random. To ensure that randomness being met we carry out the Wald-Wolfowitz runstest. The results showed that the number of runs was 13, and the expected number of runs under the assumption of randomness was 7.462, indicating the series of residuals had adequate runs. The p-value obtained was greater than 0.05, therefore the null hypothesis is not rejected indicating no convincing evidence of non-randomness of the residuals and they do represent noise.
Prediction of Cumulative Death Cases in Nigeria Due to COVID-19 Using Mathematical Models
Authors: Yahuza Salihu , Sabo Ibrahim Alhaji , Dan-Iya Bilal Ibrahim , Shukor Mohd Yunus Yunus
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we present various growth models such as Von Bertalanffy, Baranyi-Roberts, Morgan-Mercer-Flodin (MMF), modified Richards, modified Gompertz, modified Logistics and Huang in fitting and evaluating the COVID-19 epidemic pattern as of 15 July 2020 in the form of the total number of SARS-CoV-2 deaths in Nigeria. The MMF model was found to be the best model having the highest adjusted R2 value and lowest RMSE value. The values for the Accuracy and Bias Factors were near unity (1.0). The parameters derived from the MMF model include maximum growth rate (log) of 0.02 (95% CI from 0.02 to 0.03), curve constant (d) that affects the infection point of 1.61 (95% CI from 1.42 to 1.79) and maximal total number of death cases (Ymax) of 1,717 (95% CI from 1,428 to 2,123). The model estimated that the total number of death cases for Nigeria on the coming 15th of August and 15th of September 2020 were 940 (95% CI of 847 to 1,043) and 1,101 (95% CI of 968 to 1,252), respectively. The predictive ability of the model employed in this study is a powerful tool for epidemiologist to monitor and assess the severity of COVID-19 in Nigeria in months to come. However, like any other model, these values need to be taken with caution because of the COVID-19 uncertainty situation locally and globally.
Preliminary Phytochemical Screening, Quantitative Analysis of Flavonoids from the Stem Bark Extract of Commiphora africana (Burseraceae)
Authors: Dauda Hambali , Uba Garba , Ali Umar
Published: April 2022

The use of medicinal plants as a fundamental component of the traditional African health care system is perhaps the oldest, sustainable and most diverse of all therapeutic methods. Traditional medicinal herbal healers are, in many parts of rural Africa, the most readily accessible and inexpensive health resource available to the local population and, at times, the only surviving treatment. The Phytochemical analysis of Commiphora africana was carried out in three different organic solvents n-hexane, methanol and aqueous. Preliminary qualitative analysis revealed the presence of all the Phytochemicals analysed except anthraquinone and steroids. Quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that n-hexane fraction of Commiphora africana contains more phenolics and glycosides (6.2 Â± 0.02, and 7.2 Â± 0.1) respectively as compared to flavonoid (4.1Â± 0.03). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of n- hexane extract of the plant using three standard flavonoids rutin, quercitin and gallic acid showed comparable RT values. From the calibration curve, it was compared and revealed the presence of more quercitin (60%) followed by gallic acid in a negligible amount. Quercetin has specific biological properties, which can enhance mental / physical efficiency and reduce the risk of infection.
Modelling the Inhibition Kinetics of Molybdenum Reduction by the Molybdate-reducing Enterobacter cloacae
Authors: Yakasai H.M. , Babandi A. , Ibrahim S.
Published: April 2022

The mathematical simulation of physical, chemical or biological data can assist a researcher in explaining the physicochemical or biological phenomenon by predicting or estimating the possible actions, to replicate a prediction or retroactivity and to schedule better experiments. Bacteria are an emerging instrument for the bioremediation of the molybdenum pollutant in the world, molybdenum reduction into insoluble molybdenum blue. In this study, the molybdenum reduction rate by the bacterium Enterobacter cloacae was studied for its inhibitory kinetics characteristics using sodium molybdate as a substrate. Modeling kinetics showed that molybdenum reduction could be explained by several models such as Monod, Haldane, Hans-Levenspiel, Luong, Teissier, Aiba and Yano with Aiba as the best model as judged using error function analysis such as bias and accuracy factors (BF and AF), root mean square error (RMSE), adjusted coefficient of determination (adjR2), and corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc). The calculated value for the Teissier-Edwardâ€™s constants, which are qmax, Ks, and Ki that are maximal reduction rate, half saturation constant for maximal reduction, half saturation constant for inhibition of reduction were 7.77 (95% C.I.,  4.41 to 19.95) ï­mole Mo-blue hr-1, 26.63 (95% C.I.,  12.82 to 40.44) mM and 51.39 (95% C.I.,  23.67 to 79.10) mM, respectively. The true maximal reduction rate, which occurred when the slope of the curve is zero occurs at 36 mM molybdate concentration and a corresponding value of 1.85 ï­mole Mo-blue hr-1. The fitting parameters of the Monod model prove a strong bacterial resistance to higher toxic molybdenum levels, making the bacterium useful tool for metals bioremediation work.
Removal of Cu(II) from Industrial Effluents by Citric Acid Modified Rice Straw
Authors: Che Zulzikrami Azner A. E. , Ibrahim Naimah , Fahmi M.R. , Salsuwanda S.
Published: April 2022

The aim of the present study was to convert rice straw, a by-product of rice production to a metal adsorbent and investigate the potential of using the adsorbent for the removal of Cu (II) ions. The rice straw was modified with citric acid (CA) to enhance its nature's adsorption capacity. Batch adsorption studies of Cu (II) adsorption were carried out under various operating conditions, and found to be pH, initial adsorbate concentration, contact time, and temperature dependent. Experimental data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freudlinch isotherm models, and can be well described by the Langmuir isotherm model that supports the assumption that adsorption takes place by single layer on homogeneous surfaces. Kinetic studies indicated that pseudo-second-order kinetic equation provides better data correlation than pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic studies show that the standard Gibbs free energy of the process at all temperatures was negative and changed with temperature increase, indicatinga spontaneous processthat increases with temperature. CA modified rice straw (CARS) shows a considerable potential as a low-cost and highly efficient biomaterial to be a new single-use adsorbent for Cu (II) ions removal from wastewater.
Biodecolorization of Azo Dyes by Microorganisms Isolated From Serdang and Merambong Soils
Authors: Wan Johari Wan Lutfi , Ghazali Norhusna , Shukor Mohd Yunus Abd
Published: April 2022

Several local microorganisms were isolated and screened for their capabilities to decolorize selected azo dyes. Two isolates, NHG and NH2 have shown their capabilities to decolorize azo dyes i.e. Reactive Black 5 (RB5, diazo) and Metanil Yellow (monoazo), respectively, under agitated condition at room temperature. Isolate NHG was capable to decolorize RB5 99.2% under shaking condition and only 43.88% under static condition in 24 hours. The use of glucose and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, has provided optimal decolorization of RB5 by isolate NHG. Isolate NH2, which was isolated from Merambong shoal soil sample, can decolorize 93.3% of Metanil Yellow in 24 hours. Crocein Orange G and Orange II, both have exactly the same molecular weights, were 25.9% and 47.8% decolorized, respectively by the same isolate under agitated conditions. No correlation between degradation rate and molecular weight, number of azo bonds or presence of aromatic molecules has been observed.
Over expression of Recombinant CP3 Protein of Rice Tungro Spherical Virus in Prokaryotic Expression System
Authors: Fung Yee Siew , Chu Chia Huay , Sum Magdline Sia Henry
Published: April 2022

Currently, serological based diagnosis of rice tungro disease (RTD) is being limited by theavailability of antisera. This study aims to produce recombinant protein from the coat protein(CP)3 of rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) as a potential antigen in producing high titreantibodies for use in detection of RTD. Amplified RTSV CP3 gene of approximately 900 bpwas cloned into pETSUMO vector. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into cloning hostMach1â„¢-T1Â® E.coli cells and screened for recombinant gene in the correct orientation. PlasmidDNA from positive transformants was isolated and transformed into expression host BL21(DE3) E.coli cells. One positive clone was selected for large scale expression where theexpressed protein was purified and analysed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Thisrecombinant RTSV CP3 protein, 46 kDa in molecular mass with 6x His-tag and SUMO proteinfused to its N-terminal, was found to be antigenic when it reacted with our in-house generatedpolyclonal antibodies against tungro viruses.