bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Components of Maize Crop as a Function of Doses of Polymerized Urea
Authors: Ferreira L. L. , Amaral U. do , Silva Cairo Souza , Curvêlo Carmen Rosa da Silva , Pereira Alexandre Igor de Azevedo
Published: July 2019

The efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer applications such as urea is reduced as a function of volatilization and leaching losses. For this reason, the producers have opted for the use of polymerized urea. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the production components in maize culture as a function of doses of polymerized urea. The experimental design was a 5 × 3 factorial, totaling fifteen treatments, corresponding to five doses Polyblen® 39% N of polymerized urea (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 kg ha-1) and three cultivars of maize (30A37, MG580 and MG600). The variables were analyzed after harvest, being: plant height, ear height commercial, stem diameter, leaf area, plant leaf area, ear diameter without husks, ear diameter with husks, ear length without husks, ear length with husks, number of grains per row, number of grains per ear, grain yield, number of rows per ear, 100-grain weight. Regarding the production components in the corn crop, the presence of Polyblen® polymerized urea influenced all variables analyzed. While varieties 30A37, MG580 and MG600 demonstrated a significant increase in their productivity averages.
Alterations in Leaf Ultrastructure in Varieties of Sugarcane Infected by Diseases
Authors: Lapaz Allan de Marcos , Lisboa Lucas Aparecido Manzani , Viana Ronaldo da Silva , Ferreira Lucas , Yoshida Camila Hatsu Pereira , Aguilar Jailson Vieira , Ramos Sérgio Bispo , Pradela Valter Alves , Nicolai Artur Bernardeli , Figueiredo Paulo Alexandre Monteiro de
Published: July 2019

Given the importance of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases in agriculture and their impact on crop yields, this study evaluated leaf ultrastructural changes in sugarcane varieties infected by these diseases, aiming to find morphological responses that may be associated to the decline of sugarcane yield. Three independent experiments were carried out with sugarcane varieties. In the three experiments, a randomised block design was used with 10 replications. The treatments consisted of the following diseases: mosaic from infection of variety SP86-155 by SCMV (experiment 1); stunting from infection with bacterium Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli and smut from infection with fungus Sporisorium scitamineum (formally called Ustilago scitaminea) in the variety SP70-3370 (experiment 2); and scald from infection of variety SP78-5495 by bacterium Xanthomonas albilineans (experiment 3). The ultrastructural parameters were evaluated: mesophyll thickness, xylem diameter, phloem beam diameter, epidermal thickness of the adaxial face, epidermal thickness of the abaxial face, cuticle thickness of the adaxial face and cuticle thickness of the abaxial face. Healthy plants were controls for the three experiments. Sugarcane plants with mosaic, stunting, smut and scald diseases show deleterious changes in leaf ultrastructure.
Growth and Gas Exchange of Cnidoscolus quercifolius Fertilized With Potassium and Under Water Deficit
Authors: Ramos Fabio Rodrigues , Freire Antonio Lucineudo de Oliveira
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to investigate the gas exchange, growth and biomass production of Cnidoscolus quecifolius fertilized with potassium and submited to different water conditions. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with 4 replications and two plants per experimental unit, with treatments arranged in factorial scheme 3 × 4, corresponding to three levels of potassium (0 (control), 97.5 and 195 mg dm-3 K) and four levels of water (100% (control), 75%, 50% and 25% of pot capacity). Growth (height, shoot diameter, leaf area, and dry mass) and physiogical parameters (water potencial (Ψw), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), net photosynthesis (A), CO2 intercelular concentration (Ci), carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci), and intrinsic water use efficiency (A/E). Increase in potassium promoted rise in Ψw, gs, E, and A. However, it not influenced the growth parameters, except roots dry mass. Reduction in water levels reduced Ψw, gs, E and A, growth and dry matter production of plants. It is recommended that the substrate moisture level of 75% of the pot capacity in the early growth stages of faveleira seedlings.
Identification and Characterization of S-RNases in Japanese Plum Genotypes
Authors: Souza Rauny O. de , Dalbó Marco A. , Braga Eugenia J. B. , Bianchi Valmor J.
Published: July 2019

Many species of the genus Prunus exhibit the gametophytic self-incompatibility system, governed by the S-locus, that encode S-Ribonucleases in the pistil, and are able to degrade the RNA of the pollen tubes when the S-haplotypes of both gametophytes are the same, preventing the fertilization of the oosphere. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the S-alleles of Japanese Plum genotypes to verify groups of reproductive compatibility. Isolation, amplification and DNA sequencing were performed to obtain an allelic profile of the genotypes. Combinations of PC1 and PC2 primers identified 95% of the genotypes. After sequencing, the ‘Sc’, ‘Si’, ‘Sa’ and ‘Sh’ alleles were obtained with an identity greater than 90%, compared to the NCBI sequences. PC2 was more extensive in identifying the S-alleles in the S-RNases coding region, generating larger fragments than PC1. In this way, it was possible to generate three groups of genotypes with S-alleles of the same size with PC2: Group 1 (Selection Embrapa A19, Selection Embrapa A28, Black Amber Black, Fortune, Roysum, SC-7 and Zafira); and Group 2: (Selection Embrapa A7, Carazinho, Sanguínea, Laroda, SC-15 and Rebelatto) and Group 3 (Selection Ameixa 86-13, Golden King, Letícia and Robusto). Each primer combination amplified only one allele per genotype, suggesting the development of specific primers to amplify the S-alleles in each genotype. The identification and characterization of the alleles allow the use of genotypes compatible with each other, considering the floral synchrony of the genotypes, besides providing information for the management of the breeding processes in Japanese Plums.
The Influence of H2O2 Application Methods on Melon Plants Submitted to Saline Stress
Authors: Santos Adriana Silva , Almeida Juliana Formiga , Silva Marcio Santos da , Nóbrega Jackson Silva , Queiroga Thais Batista de , Pereira Jessica Alves Ribeiro , Linné Jéssica Aline , Gomes Fernando Antônio Lima
Published: July 2019

The salinity in irrigation water is one of the most important causes to decline cultivated plants yield. The H2O2 application has shown efficiency as a stimulator and activator for antioxidative defense system in plants submitted to biotic and abiotic stresses. The objective of this study was to evaluate methods for hydrogen peroxide application as a strategy to minimize the effects of saline stress on melon plants. The experiment was designed in complete randomized blocks and set in 2 × 4 factorial scheme, consisting two levels for irrigation water salinity (S1 = 0.3 and S2 = 2.0 dS m-1) and four methods for hydrogen peroxide application (15 mM), (T1 = no peroxide application, T2= imbibition of seeds, T3 = at sowing, T4 = Foliar spraying), with five repetitions. It was evaluated the following variables at 58 days after transplanting: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of flowers, shoot dry mass, root dry mass and total dry mass. The results showed that salinity affected the growth, biomass accumulation and plant quality severely, with the highest losses promoted by the electrical conductivity of 2.0 dS m-1.
Homeopathy for Treating Contaminated Cucumber Seedlings With the Herbicide Residues
Authors: Felito Ricardo A. , Yamashita Oscar M. , Gervazio Wagner , Carvalho Marco A. C. , Roboredo Delmonte , Rossi Ana A. B. , Silva Ivone V. , Dallacort Rivanildo , Seabra Jr Santino
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of homeopathic medicines in the neutralization of waste herbicide 2,4-D+picloram in cucumber seeds, in the municipality of Alta Floresta-MT process. The experiment was carried out to evaluate two herbicide concentrations and five Nux vomica dynamizations (6CH, 12CH, 18CH, 24CH and 30CH), in addition to two controls, one with distilled water and the other contaminated with herbicide alone. The variables assessed were germination percentage, germination speed index, fresh weight, dry weight, shoot length, root length and stem thickness, where we observed a significant difference in most of the variables analyzed. From the results, it can be concluded that the homeopathic preparations in five dynamics of Nux vomica (6CH, 12CH, 18CH, 24CH and 30CH), act positively on vigor and development of cucumber seeds.
Thermotherapy via Humid Heat for the Treatment of Safflower Seeds
Authors: Menegaes Janine Farias , Nunes Ubirajara Russi , Bellé Rogério Antônio , Lopes Sidinei José , Fernandes Tiéle Stuker , Ludwig Eduardo José , Zini Priscila Barbieri , Barbieri Geovana Facco
Published: July 2019

The objectives of this work were to evaluate and adequate the method of thermotherapy via humid heat for the treatment of safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and, to verify its effect on the physiological and sanitary quality of seeds. The experiment was performed in the period from September to November, 2016 and from May to July, 2017, in entirely randomized design, arranged in 5 × 6 + 1 factorial scheme, with five temperatures: 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 ºC and with six time periods: 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min, plus the additional treatment (control), with eight repetitions. The seeds were packaged in glass of 500 mL and disposed in thermodigital water bath device with heated water according to the abovementioned factorial. We evaluated the degree of humidity of the seeds after thermotherapic treatments, the germination of normal seedlings, the emergence at field, the speed indexes of germination and emergence, the length and dry mass of seedlings and the sanity test. We observed that the treatment of seeds via humid heat thermotherapy was efficient in the control of phytopathogens, without damage to the physiological quality until 45 ºC. The treatment of 45 ºC for 15 min provided the greater reduction of the pathogens on the safflower seeds, incrementing its germinative potential and emergence at field.
Characterization and Analysis of Gullies in the Sub-basin of Ribeirão Serra in Morrinhos, Goias, Brazil
Authors: Silva Breno A. da , Giongo Pedro R. , Barbosa Thais A. , Moraes Victor H. , Cavalcante Thomas J. , Backes Clarice , Santos Alessandro J. M.
Published: July 2019

Due to the reduction of the vegetation cover, the exposed soil increases the erosive vulnerability, and reduces the organic matter content, factors that can aggravate with less production of vegetal mass and microbiological activity of the arable layers, rich in calcium carbonate and that increases the degradation of the soil structure leading to the formation of gullies. This study aimed to characterize and survey the physical, chemical and structural characteristics of soils of four gullies located in the sub-basin of Ribeirao Serra by means of physical-chemical parameters and subjected to multivariate analysis. Slope maps, hypsometry, drainage network and soil types were elaborated. Morphological description of the soil, georeferencing of the boundaries of each gullie, and collection of deformed soils samples for physical-chemical and structural analysis were performed. Soil samples were collected on the slopes of the gullies at three points of each erosion, with three replicates, one in each horizon (A, B and C) at depths ranging from 0 to 310 cm. Qualitative tests were also carried out to verify the presence of some substances in the soil, such as carbonates and manganese. The data were submitted to the multivariate analysis, by means of Discriminant Analysis of Partial Least Squares analysis to evaluate the grouping of gullies in relation to the analyzed elements (physical-chemical), identifying if the set of elements interact with each other and/or present similarities. There is a high degree of anthropization with the use of pasture cultivated around the four gullies studied. According to the multivariate analysis the gullies Barreiro, Vendinha and Capim, are different, while it resembles the gull of the Retreat with the gullies Vendinha and Capim. The chemical elements present greater weight than the physical ones, in the separation of the gullies through the multivariate model.
Aboveground Biomass Estimates of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze, Using Vegetation Indexes in Wolrdview-2 Image
Authors: Basso Luiz Carlos Pietrowski , Pesck Vagner Alex , Roik Mailson , Filho Afonso Figueiredo , Stepka Thiago Floriani , Lisboa Gerson dos Santos , Konkol Ismael , Hess André Felipe , Brandalize Ana Paula
Published: July 2019

The present research aims to evaluate the biomass estimates of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze trees obtained by the direct method, then present results generated from a 2.0 m resolution spectral image Worldview-2 satellite. The quantification of the biomass in the field was first carried out of 29 trees of the specie of interest with DBH ≥ 40 cm and then with the image aid the crowns were delimited for analysis. From the spectral bands (B2-blue, B3-green, B4-yellow, B5-red, B6-near red, B7-near infrared 2 and B8-near infrared 2), it was possible to obtain vegetation indexes proposed by the literature (NDVI, NDVI_2, RS and SAVI_0,25) and later incorporated with dendrometric data a correlation matrix was formed. Additionally, mathematical equations were used to estimate biomass and carbon as a function of dendrometric variables and information obtained from the satellite image processing. From these equations, the ones that presented better results were those that contained independent dendrometric variables (DBH) and those that contained vegetation indices (NDVI_2 and NDVI). For the dendrometers, the relative error found was 14.42% and 14.32% for biomass and carbon respectively, while for the digital ones, NDVI_2 found a relative error of 37.82% and an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.88 in the biomass equations. In the carbon equations, the NDVI variable presented the best results, being 38.56% the relative error and 0.87 the determination coefficient.
Investigation of Relationship Between Reactive Agility and Cognitive Parameters in Male Football Players
Authors: AKTAŞ Yakup
Published: July 2019

Objective: This study aims at investigating the relationship between reactive agility and cognitive performance of amateur male football players.

Material and Method: Twenty-four male football players from 11 Nisan Sports Club in Şanlıurfa struggling in Regional Amateur Football League (BAL) participated in the study voluntarily. The mean age, height and weight of the football players participating in the study were 22.88 ± 4.15 year, 176.76 ± 5.90 cm and 69.76 ± 7.61 kg, respectively. Psycho-Technical Vienna system was used for Participants’ Cognitive tests, IQ (SPM), Continuous Attention (SIGNAL, SIGINAL TIME), Visual Memory (TAVTB), Determination Test (DT, DT TIME), Attention and Problem Solving (COG), Line Tracking (LVT), and Speed Distance Estimation (HMT). For the reactive agility test, the Fusion Sport Smart Speed device was used. Correlation statistics were used for the relationships between the variables. SPSS 23.0 package program was used for statistical operations. For the interpretation of statistical analyze, the significance level was accepted as 0.05.

Results: There was no significant relationship between IQ (SPM), Continuous Attention (SIGNAL), Visual Memory (TAVTMB), Determination Test (DT), Attention and Problem Solving (COG), Line Tracking (LVT) with reactive agility values of male football players (p > 0.05), a significant relationship was found between Continuous Attention Reaction Time (SIGINAL TIME) the rRaction Time of the Determination test (DT TIME) and Speed Distance Estimation (HMT) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: As the content of the reactive agility test was based only on the speed and reaction speed against light and noise, it was found that the players were only associated with speed distance estimation and response time among the reactive agility performance and the cognitive tests. In order to determine the relationship between reactive agility and cognitive performance, there is a need for new reactive agility tests which are designed according to the branches where there is a distinction between competitor and team player requiring visual memory, attention, reaction, and double action skills.
Over synthetische toerekening van schulden in geval van een wettelijke verdeling
Authors: Perrick S.
Published: July 2019

Over synthetische toerekening van schulden in geval van een wettelijke verdeling

In deze bijdrage verdedigt de auteur dat artikel 3:184 BW naar analogie van toepassing is in geval van een wettelijke verdeling. Dit is van praktisch belang indien een van de erfgenamen insolvent is. Alvorens te motiveren waarom zijn standpunt naar zijn mening geldend recht weergeeft, vraagt de auteur aandacht voor de wijze waarop het aandeel van een deelgenoot-schuldenaar in de gemeenschap dient te worden bepaald. Het antwoord op deze vraag is ook van belang voor de analogische toepassing van artikel 3:184 BW. De auteur geeft vervolgens aan op welke wijze artikel 3:184 BW analogisch dient te worden toegepast, waarbij hij een onderscheid maakt tussen het geval dat een kind schuldenaar is van de nalatenschap en het geval dat de langstlevende dat is.
Boerenplaatsje revisited: de openheid van ons recht
Authors: Brinkman R.E.
Published: July 2019

Boerenplaatsje revisited: de openheid van ons recht

Bij herlezing van het Boerenplaatsje-arrest valt op dat de Hoge Raad de insteller van een fideicommissaire erfstelling de vrijheid geeft om een bepaald goed uit die nalatenschap te voorzien van een extra voorwaarde, waarmee dat goed aan het fideicommissair verband kan worden onttrokken. Daarmee lijkt de fideicommissaire erfstelling iets weg te hebben van een (universeel) vindicatielegaat. In dit artikel wordt een en ander nader onderzocht.
De psychische gezondheid van gedetineerden in België en Nederland: een systematisch overzicht
Authors: Favril Louis , Dirkzwager Anja
Published: July 2019

Mental health of prisoners in Belgium and the Netherlands: a systematic review

A well-established body of epidemiological research suggests that the prevalence of mental health problems (mental disorders, psychological distress, and substance use) in prisoner populations far exceeds that of non-incarcerated people in the surrounding community. Poor mental health in prisoners is associated with multiple adverse outcomes, including suicidal behaviour. In the past decade, novel data in Belgium and the Netherlands have been published on this topic, which have not been synthesized to date. The aim of the current systematic literature review was to provide an up-to-date overview of the mental health of prisoners in Belgium and the Netherlands. Based on 24 empirical studies conducted in 1997-2018, the authors conclude that people with mental health problems are overrepresented in Belgian and Dutch prisons, providing both a challenge and a public health opportunity to address the mental health care needs of a vulnerable and hard-to-engage population. Investing in the prevention and treatment of mental health problems not only benefits the prisoners concerned, but equally, society at large.
Wie heeft een wiethok op zolder?
Authors: Berger Emily , de Berk Vera , Beijers Joris , Blokland Arjan
Published: July 2019

Who is growing weed in their attic? A multilevel study on risk and protecting factors at the individual and neighbourhood level regarding illegal weed cultivation sites

Illegal weed cultivation is increasingly perceived as an important societal problem. Most of existing research in this area focuses on the criminal organisations active on the cannabis market and the criminal profits that are gained here. The current study however focuses on the actors at the bottom of the cannabis market – the home growers – and aims at answering the following research question: what factors influence the chance of encountering an illegal weed cultivation at a certain residential address? In this study, the risk and protecting factors are taken into consideration on both the individual level (e.g. family composition and financial position of residents) and the neighbourhood level (e.g. social cohesion, physical disorganisation, level of criminality in a certain neighbourhood). In the current study, data of 401 illegal hemp cultivation sites discovered between 2011 and 2016 in homes in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, were analysed. Data from various quantitative data sources – like municipal data (BRP and data from the Social Domain) and data from the municipal neighbourhood monitors – were combined and analysed through a multilevel logistic regression. The results suggest that the likelihood of an illegal weed cultivation site is most prominently influenced by individual factors. Being married for instance seems to decrease the risk, whereas being divorced seems to increase the risk. The housing type also turns out to be of influence. On a neighbourhood level, physical disorganisation and the presence of other hemp cultivation sites in the neighbourhood are the only predictors for hemp cultivation. The results are discussed in the light of criminological theories regarding participation in crime, using the theoretical concepts motivation, opportunity, and control.
El Rumor, mensaje metamórfico que crea reacciones atípicas en la Red
Authors: Mazo Salmerón María Elena
Published: July 2019

Main subject/topic: This work deals with rumour as a message which undergoes a metamorphic process in its content and form and which produces atypical effects on the Internet. It is worth highlighting the relevance of this type of message in the digital environment, as well as the importance of the effects which rumours produce in today’s knowledge-driven society.

Logical development of the subject: Firstly, the «rumour», the «hoax» and the «fake news» are defined, before exposing this phenomenon through an interdisciplinary approach. Secondly, the author expands the content of this unusual communication process from the point of view of Communication Theory. The focus is put on verbal metamorphosis this type of message experiences as well as on «disturbing» effects that it has on the individual and on the digital society. Finally, there are concrete examples of reactions from the Internet which these types of «perverse» but seductive messages provoke.

The author’s point of view and contributions: Author’s main contributions are the redefinition of the rumour in the digital society and the analysis of two significant cases of combative reactions to hoaxes and rumours on the Internet in Spain: Auntocontrol and SaludSinBulos.

Implications and conclusions: The relevance of this article for the academic and social sphere is demonstrated by the confirmation that certain institutions are identifying rumours and hoaxes on the Internet and are developing atypical strategies to neutralize the content of these messages. The conclusions derived have more to do with the process of spontaneous communication of rumour, taking into account each of its elements, as well as the functions exercised by this type of messages affected by prejudice and testimonials. The author concludes the work with some other problems that should be debated within the scientific community.
Turkish Domestic Actors’ Role in Foreign Policy Making: Case of Turkey – KRG’s Strategic Bilateral Partnership
Authors: - Luerdi -
Published: July 2019

This paper aims to describe the role of Turkish domestic societal actors in the state policy making in the case of strategic bilateral partnership between Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG); a quasi state within the Iraqi federal state. The rareness of literature describing domestic forces within Turkey and the consequence for the state’s policy in building a strategic partnership with the KRG was the gap that this research would be expected to narrow. The paper argues that Turkish domestic actors like the individual, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Turkish military and business people had an important role; shaping Turkey’s preference and national interests strongly determined by their views on nation and economic regulation which occupied its legitimate preference. The research applied the ideational liberal theory proposed by Andrew Moravcsik emphasizing the primacy of domestic actors. The research was qualitative with descriptive analysis model. The paper represents a perspective that identity or values well embedded in domestic actors’ views do matter to understand the state behavior either cooperation or conflict.
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Its Impact in Indonesia
Authors: Tobing Fredy B.L. , Indradjaja Erwin
Published: July 2019

This paper presents a historical and qualitative study to examine the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as a force in international politics and its impacts on the dynamics of violent extremism threat in Indonesia. The rise of ISIS was a turning point from the nascent progressive shift toward democratization in the Arab world represented by the “Arab Spring,” and its influence has spread beyond Syria and Iraq to threaten regional and global security. Like in other countries in the Islamic world, Indonesian society and politics have been significantly affected by the activities of ISIS. In addition to describing the origin of ISIS and spread of its ideology, this paper examines the responses from Indonesian extremist and mainstream community to ISIS’ agenda. It argues that the conflicting responses primarily revolves around the notion of whether ISIS actually has qualities of a functional state. The role of moderate Islamic mass organisations such as Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah has also proven to be important in resisting the spread of ISIS’ ideology in Indonesia.
Patterns of richness of freshwater mollusks from Chile: predictions of its distribution based on null models
Authors: Fuentealba Jara Carmen Gloria , Rivera Reinaldo , Franco Cristian , Figueroa Ricardo , Faúndez Victor
Published: July 2019

The freshwater mussels from Chile are characterized by a high percentage of endemism and a fragmented latitudinal diversity, which has been attributed to the features and geomorphological history sculpted by the hydrographic basins. In this work, a set of hypothesis under a macroecological approach is addressed, with the aim to explore environmental, topographic and hydrological factors that define the latitudinal distribution of this mussel group. In order to achieve this goal, Rapoport’s rule, geometrics limits and co-ocurrence were evaluated. In addition, we analyze the source and sink hypotheses through the nested analysis. We observed a noticeable mid-domain effect (MDE), where a major richness than expected was randomly observed between 40 and 41°S. The results revealed that the distribution pattern was not concordant with Rapoport’s rule (r = 0.123;p = 0.128). Regarding to historical dynamic of the distribution, the results show a significant nestedness pattern, suggesting a source-sink dynamic, that is, poorer communities are a subset of richer communities in species. According to the co-occurrence analysis, an aggregate pattern existed, suggesting potential regulatory mechanisms. The specific richness pattern is explained by the variable seasonality of the temperature with a variance percentage explained of 35%. The full model indicated that variables which characterize the heterogeneity of habitat (i.e. range, Shannon), water availability (i.e., precipitation, density of water bodies) and topography (i.e., altitude area available) jointly explain 40% of the variability of the observed richness. This study shows that the geographical distribution of mollusc richness is mainly explained by mainly climatic and topographical environmental components, as well as by the source-sink dynamics.
An artificial-vision- and statistical-learning-based method for studying the biodegradation of type I collagen scaffolds in bone regeneration systems
Authors: Robles-Bykbaev Yaroslava , Naya Salvador , Díaz-Prado Silvia , Calle-López Daniel , Robles-Bykbaev Vladimir , Garzón Luis , Sanjurjo-Rodríguez Clara , Tarrío-Saavedra Javier
Published: July 2019

This work proposes a method based on image analysis and machine and statistical learning to model and estimate osteocyte growth (in type I collagen scaffolds for bone regeneration systems) and the collagen degradation degree due to cellular growth. To achieve these aims, the mass of collagen -subjected to the action of osteocyte growth and differentiation from stem cells- was measured on 3 days during each of 2 months, under conditions simulating a tissue in the human body. In addition, optical microscopy was applied to obtain information about cellular growth, cellular differentiation, and collagen degradation. Our first contribution consists of the application of a supervised classification random forest algorithm to image texture features (the structure tensor and entropy) for estimating the different regions of interest in an image obtained by optical microscopy: the extracellular matrix, collagen, and image background, and nuclei. Then, extracellular-matrix and collagen regions of interest were determined by the extraction of features related to the progression of the cellular growth and collagen degradation (e.g., mean area of objects and the mode of an intensity histogram). Finally, these critical features were statistically modeled depending on time via nonparametric and parametric linear and nonlinear models such as those based on logistic functions. Namely, the parametric logistic mixture models provided a way to identify and model the degradation due to biological activity by estimating the corresponding proportion of mass loss. The relation between osteocyte growth and differentiation from stem cells, on the one hand, and collagen degradation, on the other hand, was determined too and modeled through analysis of image objects’ circularity and area, in addition to collagen mass loss. This set of imaging techniques, machine learning procedures, and statistical tools allowed us to characterize and parameterize type I collagen biodegradation when collagen acts as a scaffold in bone regeneration tasks. Namely, the parametric logistic mixture models provided a way to identify and model the degradation due to biological activity and thus to estimate the corresponding proportion of mass loss. Moreover, the proposed methodology can help to estimate the degradation degree of scaffolds from the information obtained by optical microscopy.
Metaplectic transformations and finite group actions on noncommutative tori
Authors:   Stat-Math unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203 Barrackpore Trunk Road, Kolkata 700 108, India, Chakraborty Sayan , Luef Franz ,   Department of Mathematical Sciences, NTNU Trondheim, 7041 Trondheim, Norway
Published: July 2019

In this article we describe extensions of some K-theory classes of Heisenberg modules over higher-dimensional noncommutative tori to projective modules over crossed products of non\-commutative tori by finite cyclic groups, aka noncommutative orbifolds. The two dimensional case was treated by Echterhoff, L\"uck, Phillips and Walters. Our approach is based on the theory of metaplectic transformations of the representation theory of the Heisenberg group. We also describe the generators of the K-groups of the crossed products of flip actions by Z2 on 3-dimensional noncommu\-tative tori.
Universality and models for semigroups of operators on a Hilbert space
Authors:   Universit\'e de Lyon, Universit\'e Lyon 1, Institut Camille Jordan, CNRS UMR 5208, 43 bld du 11/11/1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France, C\'elari\`es B. , Chalendar I. ,   Universit\'e de Lyon, Universit\'e Lyon 1, Institut Camille Jordan, CNRS UMR 5208, 43 bld du 11/11/1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France, Partington J.R. ,   School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
Published: July 2019

This paper considers universal Hilbert space operators understood in the sense of Rota, and gives criteria for universality of semigroups in the context of uniformly continuous semigroups and contraction semigroups. Specific examples are given. Universal semigroups provide models for these classes of semigroups: following a line of research initiated by Shimorin, models for concave semigroups are developed, in terms of shifts on reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces.
Angular derivatives and compactness of composition operators on Hardy spaces
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece, Betsakos Dimitrios
Published: July 2019

Let Do be a simply connected subdomain of the unit disk and A be a compact subset of Do. Let ϕ be a universal covering map for Do∖A. We prove that the composition operator Cϕ is compact on the Hardy space Hp if and only if ϕ does not have an angular derivative at any point of the unit circle. This result extends a theorem of M.M. Jones.
Geometry of joint spectra and decomposable operator tuples
Authors:   Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, U.S.A., Stessin M.I. , Tchernev A.B. ,   Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, U.S.A.
Published: July 2019

Joint spectra of tuples of operators are subsets in complex projective space. We investigate the relationship between the geometry of the spectrum and the properties of the operators in the tuple when these operators are self-adjoint. In the case when the spectrum contains an algebraic hypersurface passing through an isolated spectral point of one of the operators we give necessary and sufficient geometric conditions for the operators in the tuple to have a common reducing subspace. We also address spectral continuity and obtain a norm estimate for the commutant of a pair of self-adjoint matrices in terms of the Hausdorff distance of their joint spectrum to a family of lines.
On a theorem of Kucerovsky for half-closed chains
Authors:   Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Syddansk Universitet, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark, Kaad Jens , van Suijlekom Walter D. ,   Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Published: July 2019

Kucerovsky's theorem provides a method for recognizing the interior Kasparov product of selfadjoint unbounded cycles. In this paper we present a partial extension of Kucerovsky's theorem to the non-selfadjoint setting by replacing unbounded Kasparov modules with Hilsum's half-closed chains. On our way we show that any half-closed chain gives rise to a multitude of twisted selfadjoint unbounded cycles via a localization procedure. These unbounded modular cycles allow us to provide verifiable criteria avoiding any reference to domains of adjoints of symmetric unbounded operators.
Biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) from Aqueous Solution Using Chicken Feathers: Thermodynamics and Mass Balance Studies
Authors: Abdulwasiu Olawale Salaudeen , Wosilat Funke Abdulrahman , Haruna Dede Aliyu , Hajara Yakubu
Published: July 2019

Thermodynamic and mass balance studies of Pb(II) and Cu(II) biosorption from aqueous solution using chicken feathers (CF) were carried out. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard free energy (ΔG0), enthalpy (ΔH0) and entropy (ΔS0) changes were calculated from the data obtained to predict the nature of adsorption by chicken feathers (CF). From the results, entropy changes were positive indicating an increase in disorderliness in the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) onto the chicken feathers (CF). The negative values of Gibbs free energy and positive values of enthalpy indicated that the adsorption process by CF was spontaneous and endothermic. Data obtained also showed that the percentage Cu(II) and Pb(II) released by CF after digestion at 25 mg/l were higher than those released at 100 mg/l. Finally, FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino and sulphur containing functional groups on CF, with no substantial variation in the spectra obtained before and after adsorption indicating a possible re use of CF.
Heavy Metals Analysis in Human Body (Toenail, Fingernail and Hair Samples) and Drinking Waters of Santa Fe Region, Argentina
Authors: Bungudu J. I. , Shuaibu L. , Mohammed U. F. , Alkali M.
Published: July 2019

This study provides an insight into a province of Santa Fe region of a developing country, namely San Cristobal and Huanqueros, Argentina and a possible link between arsenic, copper and iron concentration in toenail, fingernail and hair in the population. A multivariate statistical tool, known as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to explain the behaviour of the elements in toenails, fingernails, drinking waters and hair using multi- base 2013 excel add- ins. Correlation test, error bars, and a 2-factor ANOVA test were employed. Results from one hundred and twenty- nine (n=129) samples of tap well water (n=23), rainwater (n=20), bottled water (n=6) and treated well water (n=80) and each of toenail, fingernail and hair (n=129) samples from the subjects were determined and the results compared with the previous works. Mean, standard deviation, covariance and maximum and minimum for each variable were reported. The hypothesis is to understand if there is a correlation between fingernail and toenail metals levels and make a comparison with previous researches. Results show that a positive correlation exists between fingernail and toenail metals concentrations. Also, the study reveals higher concentrations of arsenic, copper and iron in the samples tissues compared with the values available in the previous works. The elevated levels of these metals may be attributed to the drinking water sources. Since this study highlighted elevated levels of these metals, consumptions of contaminated drinking water should be constantly monitored. Finally, the application of multivariate statistical techniques can provide powerful information on heavy metals bioaccumulation analysis in human and environment.
Antibacterial Activity of Biologically Synthesized Silver and Zinc Nanoparticles Using Allcemilla vulgaris (Layd’s Mantle) Leaf Extract
Authors: Demirezen-Yilmaz Dilek , Koca Fatih Doğan , Ertaş-Onmaz Nurhan
Published: July 2019

In this study, the powder of Allcemilla vulgaris was used in the sythesis of silver and zinc nanoparticle. Biologically synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Zeta potential and then evaluated for antibacterial potential using micro dilution broth method. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of AgNP were 4.25 µg/mL and 6.64 µg/ mL for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Similarly, the MIC values of ZnNP were 3.32 µg/mL and 6.25 µg/mL, respectively for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus.
Extraction and Characterization of Oil from African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) Seed
Authors: Olowokere J. A. , Onen A. I. , Odineze M. C. , B’aga I. D. , Akoji J. N.
Published: July 2019

The extraction of oil from African locust bean seeds was carried out in this work. Standard procedures were followed to determine the yield present in the oil feed stocks using n-hexane in a Soxhlet extraction apparatus. Analyses were carried out to determine their proximate compositions and physicochemical characteristics. The determination of the functional groups and fatty acid compositions present in the extracted oils was also carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) respectively. The results revealed that African locust bean seed has higher oil yield, crude fat, crude protein, ash content, crude fibre, moisture content than some other seeds such as Date palm seed with the exception of the carbohydrates content. Similarly, African locust bean seed oil which was yellowish brown in colour contained higher acid value, iodine value, peroxide value, free fatty acid with the exception of saponification value and specific gravity in comparism. Result from the FTIR analysis shows that 15 peaks were noticed in African locust bean seed oil, indicating the presence of various functional groups such as OH, C-H, C=C, C=O, C≡ C and C — N. Similarly, the GC-MS result also reveals that there are 6 dominating fatty acid compounds present in locust beans seed oil in relation to their relative weight composition abundance. In locust bean seed oil, linoleic acid stood out as the fatty acid compound with the highest weight composition of 31.9% having a relatively high degree of unsaturation. Furthermore, capric acid and lauric acid were found in this oil.  Judging from all the results in this work, it can be deduced that African locust bean seed oil may serve as better alternative oil for consumption and in large-scale production of lubricants, cosmetics, paints, and hydraulic brake fluid.
Comparative Study of Selected Macro and Micronutrients in Bio Slurry Samples from Different Feed Stocks and Inorganic Fertilizers
Authors: Kinaichu J. G. , Nyaga C. G. , Njogu P. , Gatebe E. G. , Maina E. G.
Published: July 2019

In Kenya overuse of inorganic fertilizers have rendered soils in arable areas acidic leading to poor crop production and hence great risk of food insecurity. An alternative source of plant nutrients that can also address soil acidity is needed if the country is to be food secure. Bio slurry, a by-product from the biogas plant, can successfully be used to improve crop productivity and soil health. This study was conducted to determine the levels of macro and micro nutrients in bio-slurry from different feed stocks and compare with nutrients from conventional chemical fertilizers. Physical parameters were determined on site. The samples were digested using protein digestion method for nitrogen and acid digestion method for phosphorus, potassium, sodium and magnesium. Phosphorus was then determined using UV-Vis while metals a flame emission spectrophotometer was used. The levels of macro and micronutrients were found to be significantly high in bio slurry samples than in select inorganic fertilizers. This study indicates that bio slurry has basic pH and can be used to raise the pH of acidic soil upon prolonged application. In addition, pig waste slurry can serve better as a planting fertilizer due to its high P content while Cow dung slurry would best serve as a top dresser due to the high nitrogen content.
An Evaluation of the Chemical Compositions and Antifungal Activity of Ocimum gratissimum (Nchuanwu) Leaves against Some Plant Pathogens
Authors: Uchegbu Rosemary I. , Akalazu Jacinta N. , Sokwaibe Chinweotuto E.
Published: July 2019

Aim: This work was carried out to determine the chemical compositions of Ocimum gratissimum leaf (Fig. 1) using GC-MS and its antifungal potential against some plant pathogenic fungi.

Study Design: The study was designed to determine its chemical compositions by GC-MS and to test the inhibitory ability of the plant extract on plant pathogens.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri and Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria, between February to July 2017.

Methodology: The ethanol extract of the leaf of Ocimum gratissimum was evaluated using GC-MS to determine the chemical compositions of the plant. The identification of compounds was done by comparing spectrum of the unknown component with the spectrum of the known components stored in the NIST library. The essential oil of the plant was used to analyze the antifungal potential of the plant. This was done against some plant pathogenic fungi using disc diffusion method and MIC using broth micro dilution method.

Results: The GC-MS analysis revealed eight compounds (Fig. 2) with n- Hexadecanoic acid constituting the bulk of the oil (37.21%), followed by Oleic acid (25.38%) and Octadecanoic acid (16.19%). Other compounds present in the plant are Glycyl alcohol (2.47%), Methyl alpha –D- Glucopyranoside (8.33%), Tetradecanoic acid (5.77%), Palmitic amide (2.72%) and d-Glucose, 2,3- diethyl-4,5-dithioacetyl (1.93%). Ocimum gratissimum exhibited different degrees of antifungal activity against the mycelial growth of Aspergillus niger, Botryodiploidia theobromae, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium expansum and Colletotrichum spp and Fusarium oxysporium. The maximum percentage degree inhibition of Ocimum gratissimum oil was observed on A. niger at different concentrations while the least inhibition was observed in Colletotrichum spp at different concentrations.

Analysis of some of the compounds found in Ocimum gratissimum such as Methyl alpha.-d-glucopyranoside, Oleic acid etc, reveals the rich pharmacological potential of this medicinal plant and the inhibitory potential of the plant against fungi justify the use of Ocimum gratissimum as a medicine traditionally.
Effect of Metal on the Properties of the Azopyridine Complexes of Iron, Ruthenium and Osmium
Authors: Patrice Ouattara Wawohinlin , Kafoumba Bamba , Kouakou N’guessan Nobel , Richard Koné Mamadou Guy , Guillaume Kodjo Charles , Ziao Nahosse
Published: July 2019

The theoretical study of α-, β-, γ-, δ-, ε- MCl2(Azpy)2 isomers with (M = Fe, Os and Ru) complexes is carried out using Density Functional Theory (DFT) at the B3LYP / LANL2DZ level. This study is focused not only on the effect of metals over geometric, electronic and reactivity parameters, but also on their anti-cancer effect. Its results that the geometric parameters undergo small modifications. These modifications evolve from iron to osmium through ruthenium complexes. Thus, the lengths of the bonds M-X (with X = Cl, N2, Npy) follow the following order Fe-X <Ru-X <Os-X. However, regarding their angular variation that undergoes deformation through the octahedron shape, it could be related to Jahn Teller effect. Also, the substitution of Ru by Os would increase the reactivity of these complexes. Among the isomers studied, the ε-Fe, δ-Ru and δ-Os complexes are likely to bind easily to the DNA. The values of the dipole moments are arranged in the following order: μ (ε-M)> μ (β-M)> μ (α-M)> μ (γ-M)> μ (δ-M) within these azopyridine complexes. Finally, we notice that the substitution of Ru by Os improves the cytotoxicity and the fluorescence of these complexes. The δ-Os isomer has the best cytotoxic and photosensitive characteristics of these azopyridine complexes and would be the ideal isomer for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.
Alkaline Leaching of Metals from Cathodic Materials of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Gaye Nango , Gueye Rokhaya Sylla , Ledauphin Jérôme , Balde Mamadou , Seck Matar , Wele Alassane , Diaw Mahy
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to recover metals from the positive electrode material for recycling in lithium-ion batteries. It was focused on research to optimize the hydrometallurgical pretreatment process of cathode materials for Li-ion batteries by varying parameters such as NaOH concentration, the ratio of solvent volume to mass of the test sample (liquid-solid ratio (L/S)) and reaction time. Thus, from used batteries collected in a local market (Colobane, Senegal), cathodic materials dried in an oven at 50°C for 24 hours, submitted to alkaline leaching with NaOH 2, 3 or 4N, followed by filtration, all at room temperature. The filtrates obtained were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results obtained were showed that Al collectors could be better extracted with 4N NaOH for 5 hours at a ratio liquid/solid (L/S) = 10/1, with small quantities of the metals Co, Mn, Ni and Li found in the filtrates.