bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
QUANTIFICATION OF XYLOPIC ACID AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC FINGERPRINT EVALUATIONS OF THE DRIED FRUITS OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA FROM FOUR AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Alolga Raphael N. , Assanhou Assogba G. , Onoja Vitus 
Published: May 2018

Dunal) A. Rich, (herein called XYA), family Annonaceae, commonly known as “Guinea pepper”, “Ethiopian pepper” or “Negro pepper”, are widely used in traditional African medicines to treat a wide array of diseases including malaria, fungal infections, rheumatism, arthritis, etc. Scientific investigations have ascribed the following activities to the fruits of XYA; anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, analgesic, anti-nociceptive, anti-proliferative, spermatogenic and neuropharmacological effects. The main active principle reported is xylopic acid (XA), a kaurene diterpene. This study aimed to develop and validate a simple HPLC/UV (high performance liquid chromatography – ultraviolet detection) analytical method for the quantification of XA that can be reproduced in poor-resource settings where advanced analytical detection techniques such as HPLC-MS are unavailable.
Materials and Methods: Thus in this study, a simple C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) column-pretreatment ─ HPLC/UV analytical procedure was developed for the quantification of XA in the dried fruits of XYA from four African countries, Benin, Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria. The samples of XYA from the four countries were assessed for similarities using chromatographic fingerprinting.
Results: The HPLC method was validated for linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision and accuracy. The samples of XYA from Cameroon were found to have the highest average content of XA while those from Benin had the lowest average content of XA.
Conclusion: Using the chromatographic fingerprint evaluation, the similarities of the samples from the four countries to the reference chromatogram was in the order: Benin > Cameroon > Nigeria > Ghana.
Key words: Xylopia aethiopica, xylopic acid, C18
EVALUATION OF THE HYPOGLYCAEMIC POTENTIAL OF KIGELIA AFRICANA FRUIT POWDER BEING SOLD IN MALAWIAN RETAIL PHARMACIES
Authors: Lampiao Fanuel , Kafukiza Samson , Msowoya Denise , Phiri Thokozire , Wyson Lina , Alfazema Louisa 
Published: May 2018

Background: Kigelia africana fruit powder is being sold in Malawian retail pharmacies for the purported purpose of lowering blood sugar in diabetic patients when there is scant data on its hypoglycaemic activity. This study was aimed at evaluating the hypoglycaemic potential of the Kigelia africana fruit powder being sold in Malawian retail pharmacies.
Materials and Methods: Hyperglycaemia was induced in rats via intra-peritoneal injection of dexamethasone. Albino rats were randomly allocated into five different groups of eight rats each. Group 1 consisted of non-hyperglycaemic rats receiving no treatment, group 2 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving no treatment, group 3 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 25mg/kg of metformin, group 4 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 0.5mL of Kigelia africana fruit powder filtered solution, and group 5 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 1mL of Kigelia africana fruit powder solution.
Results: The Kigelia africana fruit powder filtered solution administered to hyperglycaemic albino rats significantly lowered the sugar level which was comparable to the reduction caused by the pharmacological drug, metformin.
Conclusions: Kigelia africana fruit powder has the potential of lowering glucose levels in white albino rats.
EFFECT OF CONSUMPTION OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA AND AZADIRACHTA INIDCA PRENATALLY AND POSTNATALLY ON MILK CREAMATOCRIT AND EARLY GROWTH OF OFFSPRING
Authors: Ephraim Ekanem E. , Aniema Ituen , O. Charles Ezeh , Pamela Okorie , Jide Uzoigwe , Princewill Ugwu , Eghosa Iyare E. 
Published: May 2018

Background: Aqueous extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (HS) and Azadirachta indica A. juss (AI) are widely used in Nigeria for medicinal purposes and have been shown to affect postnatal growth of offspring. Breast milk creamatocrit is a simple accurate inexpensive technique and useful measure of lipid and energy content of breast milk. No data has shown effects of these extracts on breast milk creamatocrit and early postnatal growth of offspring. This study was designed to investigate effects of HS and AI on breast milk creamatocrit and early postnatal growth of offspring.
Materials and Methods: 40 pregnant rats weighing 150-200g were used for this study. They were divided into control, HS and AI groups. These groups were subdivided into two of low and high doses. Administration was by gavage and commenced on day 1 of pregnancy and ended on postnatal day 21. Litter weight and length were recorded at birth, postnatal days 7-21. Breast milk was collected from 4 dams in each group at postnatal days 7-21 for milk creamatocrit.
Results: Results showed that aqueous extract of HS and AI caused progressive increase in milk creamatocrit during lactation. This increase peaked greatly in the third week of lactation. There was also a progressive increase in BMI of pups in extract treated group that became significantly greater at weaning.
Conclusion: In conclusion, consumption of aqueous extracts of HS and AI during pregnancy and lactation may accelerate the postnatal growth of the offspring through mechanisms that may depend on increased breast milk creamatocrit.
RETRACTION: ANANAS SATIVA INCREASES LONGEVITY THROUGH OXIDATIVE STRESS RESISTANCE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
Authors: Ajagun-Ogunleye M.O 
Published: May 2018

Background: Ageing is the major risk factor for most non-communicable diseases. It occurs as a result of free radical damage to macromolecules in the cell, coupled with environmental stress assaults. In the quest to identify new anti-ageing bioactive compounds from natural products, and despite the therapeutic values of Ananas sativa, its anti-ageing activity has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to screen the crude, methanol fruit extract of Ananas sativa (MEAS) and its fractions, for anti-ageing bioactivity in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster w1118 wild type flies.
Materials and Methods: Flies reared on food supplemented with 5, 10, and 20mg/ml fruit pulp and juice extract were assayed for longevity, fertility and stress resistance according to established protocols. Phytochemical composition and scavenging activity of extract on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) were equally evaluated. The crude extract anti-ageing activity was assayed through a successive bioassay-guided fractionation approach, with different extraction solvents; n-Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl acetate and Acetone.
Results: There was a dose-dependent effect of the fruit extract on lifespan, fertility and oxidative stress resistance, with a unique information on the anti-ageing bioactivity of Ananas sativa. The IC50 values of the fruit extract and Ascorbic acid positive control in the free radical scavenging activity were 248.15μg/ml and 81.51μg/ml respectively. However, the bioactive fraction obtained from the Ethylacetate fraction F1, did not exhibit oxidative stress resistant effect in the model organism.
Conclusion: The methanol fruit extract of Ananas sativa possesses anti-ageing bioactivity through oxidative stress resistance.
Molecular Identification and Characterization of Seeded Turf Bermudagrass Cultivars Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers
Authors: Yang Lie , Wu Yanqi , Moss Justin Q. , Zhong Sheng , Yang Bin 
Published: May 2018

Core IdeasSix to nine signature alleles were revealed for each of the four standard seeded bermudagrass cultivars with 32 SSR markers.All individual bermudagrass plants were correctly assigned to their source cultivars using the SSR markers.The SSR marker profiles can be effectively used to identify blinded individuals to the source cultivars.Common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers. var.dactylon], is increasingly used in the development of seed‐propagated turf cultivars. Each seeded bermudagrass cultivar is a heterogeneous population composed of heterozygous genotypes. Therefore, the accurate identification of seeded bermudagrass cultivars is a challenge and has not yet been reported although this kind of information would be valuable for new cultivar development, seed certification, and intellectual property protection. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were (i) to characterize the genetic diversity within and relatedness between turf‐type seeded cultivars; and (ii) to investigate the assignment of individuals to their source cultivars using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Four seeded cultivars, NuMex Sahara, Princess‐77, Riviera, and Yukon were used in the investigation. Thirty individual plants, two bulk samples, and two additional individual plants from each of the four cultivars were genotyped with 32 SSR markers that were sampled to span a major portion of the species genome. The number of alleles amplified per SSR locus ranged from 3 to 10, with a mean of 5. Six to nine signature alleles were identified for each of the four cultivars. Genetic distance estimates and clustering results were consistent with the respective breeding history. Individual plants formed four distinct groupings corresponding exactly to the four cultivars and all individuals were correctly assigned to their respective source cultivars. The total gene diversity of the four cultivars was 0.257, indicating high diversity. The posterior test also indicated that bulk samples and two additional individual plants were clearly assigned to their source cultivars. The approach developed in this study is useful for the accurate identification of seeded bermudagrass cultivars.
Impacts of Certain Imposed Factors on Education and Educationists in Punjab, India
Authors: Kaur Navjot 
Published: May 2018

Quality achievements, teacher inputs and outputs require a universal level if our country have to compete with the developed nations. Firstly, this paper examines problems while implementing those according to the present conditions in the schools of Punjab and secondly how those problems affect educationists as employs and educationists as common man. Teacher can fulfil the desires of society if he himself is mentally free from hardships in social responsibilities and free from the threat of insecure future. Education is only way to achieve desired goals in life and to make people aware of their prospect and potentials. Due to disparities presented in the rural and urban conditions of schools of Punjab there are some issues presented which affects the education system but are ignored ever. Often ignored factors, policies and structures either by political will or by bureaucracy have many adverse effects on the thousands of educationists and their families throughout life. This paper thus depicts categories of Para teacher schemes including contractual and departmental, Unequal wages but equal desired output by department, same policies for rural and urban staff ignoring regional disparities, prioritization of subjects since Kothari commission(1964-1966) without considering demand of today’s 21st century globalised world, poor level of teacher trainings , misinterpretations of compulsory education, Annual confidential reports (ACR’s) without feedback to employs, non-teaching works due to lack of support staff in schools which suffers teacher student contact timings and finally partial transfer policies in which some remained in urban areas forever and others remained in faraway places forever until and unless blessed by political will and ignoring goals of justice, liberty and equality and in last some remedies also suggested for the revision consideration. School education forms the foundation of an education system and this can be achieved only by providing the free environment.
An investigation of some water quality properties from different sources in Pelengana commune, Segou, Mali
Authors: Toure Amadou , Wenbiao Duan , Keita Zakaria 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
An assessment of consumer quality perception, as well as some physical and chemical characteristics of water samples sourced from wells, boreholes, and rivers in the locality of Pelengana commune, in Mali, was carried out. The World Health Organization (WHO) Guideline (or other) Values (GVs) for drinking water quality was used as a benchmark. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) alongside Duncan's multiple comparison tests for significant differences, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used in analyzing differences and correlations regarding the parameters investigated. Results revealed that the majority of the households (61.2%) regarded wells and river water as unsafe for drinking. The physical and chemical quality of water was affected by climatic season. Also, with the exception of iron (average values), the parameters studied met the WHO GVs. Based on the analyzed parameters, the quality of these different water sources is chemically acceptable.
Total solution for RO system with our RO chemical line up
Authors: Iuchi T. , Nakamura T. , Matoba Y. , Oosawa M. , Harada K. , Ishii K. , Arai K. , Hayato S. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Water shortages around the world pose a challenge to all living beings, as well as to humanity's abilityto sustain a high quality of life. Reverse osmosis (RO) technology, such as seawater desalination and wastewater reclamation, has become one solution for preventing water shortages. Improving the operation of RO facilities can increase water production. Kurita Water Industries Ltd. has more than 40 years' experience in engineering, operations and maintenance, and optimization of RO facilities, and today we assist RO operators to improve operating conditions with our KURIVERTER™ Treatment Program, which consists of unique chemicals for stable operation of RO systems. The treatment includes maintenance chemicals (for example, scale inhibitors and slime control agents) and emergency chemicals, such as membrane deterioration. This paper introduces case studies of KURIVERTER™ IK-110 with S.sensing™ B equipment to minimize biological fouling that causes downtime, and also the KURIVERTER™ RC series to recover deteriorated RO membrane performance. The key technology behind the KURIVERTER™ Treatment Program is our specialty product, the KURIVERTER™ IK-110 with S.sensing™ B. Using these technologies, an actual RO facility achieved a 14% production increase and a 28% unit cost reduction for permeate. The KURIVERTER™ RC series could recover damaged RO membranes at commercial plants and prolong their effectiveness for more than 3 months at a cost reduction of 60%.
Causes of intermittent water supply in Lusaka City, Zambia
Authors: Simukonda K. , Farmani R. , Butler D. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Water supply systems that operate intermittently rather than continuously are highly complex. This arises from the interaction of large numbers of internal and external factors that produce major consequences for system operation and management. Handling these problems requires understanding, and to some extent eliminating, their causes. In this paper, Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company, Zambia, is used as a case study that shows how poor governance, demographic and economic dynamics, hydrologic regime change, poor system management and operation, unplanned system extensions, limited skilled manpower, poor electricity supply and lack of customer awareness all contribute to sustaining intermittent water supply. Interdisciplinary approaches are recommended to explore interplays between governance, climate change and technical factors when developing solutions to intermittent supplies.
Recovery of ammonia from digestate as fertilizer
Authors: Menkveld H. W. H. , Broeders E. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Ammonia inhibition can be a major problem during anaerobic digestion of manure and municipal and industrial sludges. Anaerobic digestion is sensitive to higher NH3-N concentrations, which are inhibiting and at certain levels even toxic for methanogen bacteria. During anaerobic digestion, COD and BOD are converted for 60–80% into biogas. Nitrogen will only slightly be removed due to cell synthesis and due to hydrolysis most of the Kjehldahl nitrogen is converted to ammonium. Because of the reduction of COD in anaerobic digestion the effluent of the anaerobic treatment often results in a COD/N ratio which is too low for further aerobic nitrogen removal. The Nijhuis Ammonium Recovery system (NAR) can solve this problem and removes ammonium from digestate or other substrate for digestion. The NAR is a chemical process based on stripping of ammonia. The ammonium is recovered as ammonium sulphate, which can be used as a fertilizer for agricultural purposes. The NAR was proven to be a robust technology with a stable ammonium removal efficiency of 85–90% for anaerobic digested manure, municipal and other organic waste waters.
The cost effectiveness mainly depends on the concentration of NH3-N in the influent, scale of the installation, the availability of residual heat and the local value and market for ammonium sulphate. Above 2 g/l NH3-N the NAR system is competitive and at higher NH3-N concentrations more cost efficient compared to other state of the art nitrogen removal technologies and ranges between 1–3 €/kg N.
Ceramic membranes for reuse
Authors: Ng Isaac , Shorney-Darby Holly , Zheng Jumeng , Galjaard Gilbert 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Ceramic membranes are being considered for reuse applications due to their durability and the ability to use strong chemicals to clean the membranes. Some pilot evaluations of different pre-treatments to ceramic membranes have been completed, and more are underway. It is clear that membranes can perform well when the pre-treatment is optimized. This could be pre-coagulation, perhaps with pre-chlorination. If ozone can be used to allow a residual on the membrane surface, then extremely high fluxes can be achieved (e.g., 300 lmh). More study is needed on the benefits of ozone on the water quality when ceramic membranes are used for reuse treatment. With a thorough understanding through continued research, perhaps ozone and ceramic microfiltration could be the basis for some future reuse applications.
Stormwater treatment evaluation on a commercial site in Nambour, Queensland
Authors: Hornbuckle A. , Drapper D. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Field monitoring of a stormwater treatment train had been underway between March 2014 and April 2015 at a commercial development located at Nambour, in Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland. The research was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of a Class 1 proprietary stormwater treatment system for removing total suspended solids and nutrients from runoff. Monitoring was undertaken on all events complying with the sampling protocol. The protocol was developed in collaboration with the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), reflecting the Auckland Regional Council Proprietary Device Evaluation Protocol (PDEP) and United States Urban Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Performance Monitoring Manual with some minor improvements reflecting local conditions. During the 18 month period, more than 59 rain events have occurred, of which 18 are complying with the protocol. The Efficiency Ratios (ER) observed for the treatment device are 83% TSS, 11% for TP and 23% TN. Dry weather sampling does not show conclusive evidence that pollutants are exported between storms or that concentrations increase significantly over time.
Treatment of industrial used water by UASB+CMBR process to produce industrial grade water for reuse
Authors: Noguchi H. , Niwa T. , Nakamura Y. , Agrawal J. K. , Ang W. S. , Kekre K. , Tao G. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Joint project has been conducted in a demonstration plant with 1-MGD capacity at Jurong Water Reclamation Plant to produce high quality effluent through a combined process of up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor and ceramic membrane bioreactor (UASB-CMBR). Water quality of the product and energy consumption met target which were evaluated after one-year operation. The joint project has further been conducted to optimize operating conditions including cleaning procedure. Recovery cleaning (RC) of the ceramic membrane was carried out after 18 months operation and permeability was recovered to be initial value. Stable filtration at 25 LMH was achieved after the RC. RO filtration test was also carried out to treat effluent from the UASB-CMBR. Stable operation in the RO system was achieved with flux of 15 LMH and recovery of 60%. Quality of RO permeates met criteria for industrial water. It is concluded that UASB-CMBR process with RO system can produce high quality water for reuse from industrial used water.
Characterization of antibiofouling behaviors of PVDF membrane modified by quaternary ammonium compound – combined use of QCM-D, FCM, and CLSM
Authors: Wen Yue , Zhang Xingran , Chen Mei , Wu Zhichao , Wang Zhiwei 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
In this study, we systematically evaluated the antibiofouling behavior of quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) blended polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) combined with flow cytometry (FCM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) measurements. QCM-D tests showed that the introduction of QAC reduced bacterial attachment due to the biocidal functions of QAC. FCM indicated that cell integrity of the bacteria in the suspension flowing along QAC-modified membrane surfaces during the QCM-D test was severely affected. CLSM confirmed the significantly lower attachment of bacteria and higher dead/live cell ratio onto the surface of modified membranes after the washing step in QCM-D tests. Both FCM and CLSM results validated the antibacterial behavior of QAC-modified membranes by a contact-killing mechanism, which is in agreement with that of QCM-D tests. In addition, the bacterial cells accumulated on modified membrane surface exhibited higher reversibility compared to the control membrane, indicating ease of membrane cleaning. The results highlight that the combined use of QCM-D, FCM, and CLSM can comprehensively characterize the antibiofouling behavior of membranes.
Emerging plant-based flocculation treatment of phosphate clay: case study from Metlaoui-Gafsa (southwest Tunisia)
Authors: Srarfi Feyda , Rachdi Raouen , Khela Karim , Shimi Najet Slim 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of cactus Opuntia ficus-indica, used as a natural flocculant in the treatment of phosphate clay as an industrial wastewater. It is a new process that has proven very promising in the removal of high turbidity from industrial effluents. The volume of clear water recovered (supernatant) is one of the characteristic features which allow us to judge the effectiveness of this bioflocculant. The following of the settling velocity on the one hand and the analysis of supernatant and sludge on the other hand allow us to compare the cactus-based flocculant effectiveness with that of a chemical flocculant (CF) of anionic polyacrylamide nature. The optimum pH required for maximum settling velocity was found to be 12. Obtained results indicated that after 900 seconds of settling, the highest volume of clear supernatant was obtained with the natural flocculant (740 mL/L), against 666 mL/L obtained with CF. Several analyses on recovered clear water (pH, turbidity, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd and Cr) and on dry sludge (P2O5, CaO, MgO, organic C, SiO2 and Cd) are highlighted.