bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of biochemical and physiological parameters in Hordeum vulgare L. seedlings under the influence of benzyl-butyl phthalate
Authors: Kumari Arpna , Kaur Rajinder 
Published: April 2019

Background
Phthalates are man-made chemical compounds with numerous applications especially known for their use as plasticizers. They have weak bonding to the polymeric matrix or products in which they are used. Owing to this reason, they are readily released into the environment which makes them ubiquitous. The agricultural soils are also reported to be polluted with phthalates up to a considerable extent which causes adverse effects on flora and fauna. A few studies have been conducted on phthalate-induced phytotoxicity, which has revealed that phthalates affect the quality and yield of edible plants. In the last decades, some crops were analyzed for phthalate-induced adversities; among them, barley was the least explored.

Methods
The present study has investigated the impact of benzyl-butyl phthalate (BBP) on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings to address the biochemical, physiological consequences, and toxicological implications. After the exogenous exposure of BBP (viz. 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600 mg/L) for 7 days, barley seedlings were analyzed for different indices.

Results
The exposure of BBP mediated a significant (p ≤ 0.05, 0.01) overall elevation in the contents of pigment, proline, soluble protein, carbohydrate, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in shoots and roots of barley seedlings. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) were also stimulated significantly in shoots and roots of seedlings against BBP stress except for SOD activity which declined in the roots. The polyphenols (non-enzymatic antioxidants) content was also altered in all the treated concentrations as compared to the control. Furthermore, BBP caused stomatal abnormalities, induced cytotoxicity, and loss of plasma membrane integrity.

Conclusions
BBP disturbed the normal physiology of barley which could also affect the yield of the crop under field conditions.
Farmers’ Perception on Irrigation Farming and the Factors Influencing Access to and Size of Irrigable lands in Northern Region, Ghana
Authors: Kudadze Solace , Imoru Adams Jongare , Adzawla William 
Published: April 2019

Aim: The impacts of climate change and variability requires proactive and reactive adaptation. The high reliance of farmers on rainfed agriculture leads to their high vulnerability to climate change. As an agrarian economy, irrigation farming system is an essential proactive and/or reactive strategy for the increasing erratic rainfalls in Northern Ghana. This study analyzed the perceptions of smallholder farmers on irrigation farming and the factors that influence access to and size of irrigable lands among communities in the catchment of two irrigation dams.
Study Design: The study adopted a multi-stage sampling procedure.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Northern Region of Ghana. The data for the study was collected in 2014.
Methodology: Through a multi-stage sampling, a cross-sectional data was collected from 240 smallholder farmers. These included both irrigation farmers and non-irrigation farmers. The data was analyzed through switching regression and descriptive statistics.
Results: The result revealed that water unavailability is not a major challenge to most irrigation farmers. The farmers engaged in irrigation vegetable farming mostly for cash purpose and also perceived a high demand for vegetables, especially in the dry season. From the farmers perception, group membership, distance to irrigable land, cost of irrigable land, leadership characteristics and nativity significantly influenced access to irrigable lands. From the econometric result, experience, farmer group, credit, extension, labour availability and age had significant influence on irrigation farming while education, experience, extension, sex and labour availability significantly influenced the acreage cultivated by the vegetable farmers.
Conclusion: The study concluded that, while there is high market potential for irrigated produce, access to and the size of irrigable lands are significantly determined by a mixed of factors. Therefore, while farmers are encouraged to go into irrigation vegetable production, government’s policies such as ‘one village one dam’ should be effectively implemented to realize the needed results.
Quality Evaluation of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L) Oils Produced by Different Extraction Methods
Authors: Ndife Joel , Obot Deborah , Abasiekong Kuyik 
Published: April 2019

Background: Despite the health benefits of coconut oil and its potential for economic development, the availability remain scarce and the cost very high. This is mainly due to poor extraction methods that in turn affect the yield and quality.
Aims: To produce coconut oil using different extraction protocols and to compare the quality of the different oil samples.
Study Design: The experimental set-up was of a completely randomized design.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Science and Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria, between August and October 2018.
Methodology: Coconut oils produced by natural fermentation, centrifugation, freeze-thaw and solvent extraction protocols were analyzed for physical, chemical, sensory, microbial sensory properties.
Results: The solvent extracted oil had the highest oil yield (23.12%) whereas fermentation oil, the lowest (14.19%). The smoke and fire points had 173.75 -176.60°C and 262.45 - 266.65°C respectively. Solvent oil had the highest saponification (261.33 mgKOH/g) and acid values (0.77 mgKOH/g). The oils generally contained more lauric (46.22-48.16%) and myristic (18.03-19.83%) acids. They were also richer in vitamins A (6.22-18.65 ug/g) and E (2.92-4.28 mg/100 g) than D and K. Fermentation oil had the highest microbial count (12.93×02 cfu/ml) whereas solvent oil had the lowest (5.05×02 cfu/ml).
Conclusion: The methods used for the coconut oil extraction had significant impact on the quality of the oils. The highest oil yield was the centrifugation oil obtained from Centrifugation Method. The physico-chemical properties and fatty acid compositions of the coconut oils were comparable to international standards. Coconut oil extracted by freezing and thawing was the most preferred in sensory attributes.
The Effects of Combined Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Annona muricata and Artocarpus heterophyllus on Reproductive Parameters of Type 2 Diabetic Wistar Albino Rats
Authors: Anacletus F. C. , Onuah C. L. , Nwauche K. T. 
Published: April 2019

Aim: The aim of this research is to study the combined effects of the ethanolic leaf extracts of Annona muricata and Artocarpus heterophyllus on the reproductive parameters of type II diabetic wistar albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Fifty-six (56) male wistar albino rats were induced with Type II diabetes mellitus using high fat diet and 35 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin (HFD-STZ).
Results: The result obtained showed a decreased testosterone level 0.78±.06 ng/ml on the diabetic group while the non-diabetic group had testosterone level of 1.90±.09 ng/ml. Treatment with combined ethanol leaf extract of A. muricata and A. heterophyllus led to a significant (p≤0.05) increase in the testosterone level of the treated groups. The motility, viability and the sperm density were also normalised in the treated groups.The result obtained from the present research showed that combined ethanolic leaf extracts of A. muricata and A. heterophyllus has ameliorative effect of the reproductive parameters of type II diabetic male wistar albino rats.
Influence of Fishing Activity on Total Species Richness and Abundance Unevenness in Reef Fish Communities: A Case Study in a Brazilian Tropical Coral Complex
Authors: Béguinot Jean 
Published: April 2019

The internal organization of reef-fish communities, particularly the species richness and the hierarchical structuring of species abundances, depends on many environmental factors, including fishing intensity and proportion of macroalgal cover which are expected to have determinant influences. However, reported studies on this topic are generally based on incomplete samplings (almost unavoidable in practice when dealing with highly uneven and species-rich communities), so that the derived results can be appreciably skewed. To overcome this difficulty, the incomplete samplings involved in this study were completed numerically through a reliable extrapolation procedure. This precaution provided a safe confirmation that reduced fishing activity and increased macroalgae cover both contribute to enhance the total species richness and to reduce the abundance unevenness in these reef fish communities. Yet, it is shown that this reduction of abundance unevenness is almost entirely attributable to the increase in species richness.
Environmental Justice and Women Empowerment in Nyungwe National Park (Rwanda): Case Study of Kitabi Women Handcrafts Cooperative
Authors: Umuziranenge Gloriose 
Published: April 2019

In the framework of the community participation in conservation in Rwanda, a women handcraft cooperative was established in 2011 in the surrounding of Nyungwe National Park in Kitabi sector and Nyamagabe District. It aimed to empower economically and socially wives of former hunters who were themselves relying on natural resources and involved in harvesting different resources in park for making handcraft products. The empowerment was intended to reduce the reliance to natural resources and to contribute to the protection of the park. The objective of the study was to investigate and examine women’s experiences about their empowerment through environmental justice, in terms of distributive and procedural justice and challenges faced by women. In doing so, participants were purposively selected in women handicraft cooperative and in administration bodies. With regards to data collection and analysis, semi-structured interviews and content analysis were used. The findings showed that women are socially and economically empowered. In terms of economic empowerment, access to financial loans, savings, employment and income generating projects are the major indicators of the empowerment. Improved capacity building and family relations are major concerns of social handcraft cooperative members. Regarding the participation of women in decision-making process, the findings are controversial. However, it is still limited because of the dominance of top-down approach that does not consider enough women’s voices and suggestions in decision making. Cooperative women members perceive and consider the process of communication and decision-making as passive because they are almost absent in the monitoring and evaluation processes. The participation of the community members including women only appears through meetings with or without elected representatives. The process of women empowerment is still limited by some challenges such as crop raiding, complicated and slow compensation process, high interest rate and slow process of loan and inadequate communication. The partnership approach is then recommended so as to consider women’s needs and voices in the implementation of natural resources conservation policies.
Components of Tree Biomass in an Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest System
Authors: Ramos Tatiana Vieira , Ferreira Jorge Luís Sousa , Neto Carlos de Melo Silva , Calil Francine Neves , Silva Isabela Carolina , Carrijo Ualace Marciano 
Published: April 2019

Aims: This study performed the adjustment of volumetric models, and determined the biomass of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla hybrid cultivated in a crop-livestock-forest integration system (CLF).
Study Design: The experimental area consists of a crop-livestock-forest integration system where trees are hybrids clones of seven year old Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla.
Place and Duration of Study: This work was carried out at Fazenda Santa Brígida, Ipameri, Goiás (Brazil).
Methodology: A forest inventory of the area was carried out in October 2015 when the tree component was fully developed. Diameter at breast height (DBH) (at 1.30 m) and total height (H) of trees were measured in the field and categorized according to 4 classes. Afterwards, 12 trees were felled, which were cubed and compartmentalized to determine the volume and biomass of their components. The volumetric models developed by Schumacher & Hall and Ogaya were applied to obtain determination coefficients.
Results: The average DBH was 18.28 cm and the average H was 23.47 m. The highest volumes of wood were observed in the diametric classes that presented the largest number of individuals, however in the class of higher DBH an average individual volume of 0.36 m3 of wood was observed. The total biomass of Eucalyptus was 56.64 Mg ha-1, being 83.70% wood, 6.52% in branches, 6.37% in bark and 3.40% in leaves.
Conclusion: The volumetric models developed by Schumacher and Hall as well as Ogaya were found to be applicable for estimating the volume of wood in CLF systems, where both showed a determination coefficient of 0.866.
Epigenetic regulation of regulatory T cells in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Xia Qian , Zhang Jian , Han Yanshuo , Zhang Xiaoyu , Jiang Han , Lun Yu , Wu Xiaoyu , Gang Qingwei , Liu Zhimin , Böckler Dittmar , Duan Zhiquan , Xin Shijie 
Published: April 2019

Abdominal arterial aneurysm (AAA) shares many features with autoimmune diseases and appears to be a T‐cell‐mediated process. In addition, certain epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, are associated with AAA. In this study, we investigated epigenetic modifications in regulatory T cells (Tregs) from AAA patients. We used flow cytometry to sort FOXP3+ CD4+ CD25+ Tregs from the peripheral blood of AAA patients and from healthy controls (HC), and then detected DNA methylation and histone modifications by ELISA. The DNA methylation rate of Tregs was significantly higher in AAA patients than in the HC group (0.159 ± 0.08% vs 0.098 ± 0.03%, P < 0.05), while the acetylation rates of H3 and H3K9 histones were lower in the AAA than in the HC group. We also examined the expression of mRNA encoding enzymes that catalyze making and removing epigenetic modifications by real‐time PCR: we found that mRNA levels of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1 and DNMT3A were higher in the AAA than in the HC group, mRNA levels of methyl‐CpG‐binding domain protein (MBD) 2 and MBD4 were higher in the AAA than in the HC group (MBD2: 6.21 ± 2.57 vs 3.04 ± 1.45; MBD4: 7.76 ± 3.48 vs 4.97 ± 3.10; both P < 0.05), and mRNA levels of histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1 and HDAC5 were significantly up‐regulated in the AAA compared with the HC group (HDAC1: 2.17 ± 1.18 vs 1.51 ± 0.99; HDAC5: 1.35 ± 0.49 vs 0.94 ± 0.76; both P < 0.05). Together, our results reveal that rates of DNA methylation and histone modifications of Tregs are significantly altered in AAA patients.
INAWASHIRO GALLERY: Reconstruction of dozo (warehouse made of soil) destroyed by the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Shibasaki Yasuhide 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis warehouse was originally completed in Inawashiro‐cho as a workshop of a brewery in 1889. It was damaged by volcanic rocks of the Bandai volcano eruption in 1888 at the time of the completion of the framework. In the following year, this warehouse was completed as a symbol of regional reconstruction. After 123 years, on March 11, 2011, the warehouse was visited again by the Great East Japan Earthquake and was destroyed completely. This warehouse which became only a frame was moved by human power only on the foundation of the reinforced concrete structure made in the adjacent place. This traditional technology to move the building only with manpower is called hikiya. This project has rebuilt the dozo that was damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake into a gallery as a symbol of the reconstruction of this area.
An experimental and numerical study of the suppression of jets, counterflow, and backflow in vortex units
Authors: Kulkarni Shekhar R. , Gonzalez‐Quiroga Arturo , Nuñez Manuel , Schuerewegen Cedric , Perreault Patrice , Goel Chitrakshi , Heynderickx Geraldine J. , Van Geem Kevin M. , Marin Guy B. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractVortex units are commonly considered for various single and multiphase applications due to their process intensification capabilities. The transition from gas‐only flow to gas–solid flow remains largely unexplored nonetheless. During this transition, primary flow phenomenon, jets, and secondary flow phenomena, counterflow and backflow, are substantially reduced, before a rotating solids bed is established. This transitional flow regime is referred to as the vortex suppression regime. In the present work, this flow transition is identified and validated through experimental and computational studies in two vortex units with a scale differing by a factor of 2, using spherical aluminum and alumina particles. This experimental data supports the proposed theoretical particle monolayer solids loading that allows estimation of vortex suppression regime solids capacity for any vortex unit. It is shown that the vortex suppression regime is established at a solids loading theoretically corresponding to a monolayer being formed in the unit for 1g‐Geldart D‐ and 1g‐Geldart B‐type particles. The model closely agrees with experimental vortex suppression range for both aluminum and alumina particles. The model, as well as the experimental data, shows that the flow suppression regime depends on unit dimensions, particle diameter, and particle density but is independent of gas flow rate. This combined study, based on experimental and computational data and on a theoretical model, reveals the vortex suppression to be one of the basic operational parameters to study flow in a vortex unit and that a simple monolayer model allows to estimate the needed solids loading for any vortex device to induce this flow transition.
Moisture stability of ethane‐selective Ni(II), Fe(III), Zr(IV)‐based metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Lv Daofei , Chen Jiayu , Chen Yongwei , Liu Zewei , Xu Yuzhi , Duan Chongxiong , Wu Houxiao , Wu Ying , Xiao Jing , Xi Hongxia , Li Zhong , Xia Qibin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) combined with selective adsorption capacity of ethane over ethylene and good moisture stability are highly urged by adsorption industrial community. Here, the moisture stability mechanism of Zr‐bptc, UiO‐66, PCN‐245, and Ni(bdc)(ted)0.5 were investigated by moisture stability experiments, and computational simulation of metal node‐linker breaking energy caused by water. Results show that the moisture stability follows the order of Zr‐bptc > UiO‐66 > PCN‐245 > Ni(bdc)(ted)0.5. The different moisture stability for these MOFs is likely attributed to the bond strength between metal center and ligands, the coordination number of metal center, the hydrophobicity of framework, as well as the degree of interpenetrated framework. Additionally, comparing with ethylene‐selective MOFs, ethane‐selective MOFs have fewer coordinatively unsaturated metal sites. Breakthrough experiments indicated that Zr‐bptc is the promising material for ethane/ethylene separation.
Subcellular Duplex DNA and G‐Quadruplex Interaction Profiling of a Hexagonal PtII Metallacycle
Authors: Domarco Olaya , Kieler Claudia , Pirker Christine , Dinhof Carina , Englinger Bernhard , Reisecker Johannes M. , Timelthaler Gerald , García Marcos D. , Peinador Carlos , Keppler Bernhard K. , Berger Walter , Terenzi Alessio 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMetal‐driven self‐assembly afforded a multitude of fascinating supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs) with applications as catalysts, host–guest, and stimuli‐responsive systems. However, the interest in the biological applications of SCCs is only starting to emerge and thorough characterization of their behavior in biological milieus is still lacking. Herein, we report on the synthesis and detailed in‐cell tracking of a Pt2L2 metallacycle. We show that our hexagonal supramolecule accumulates in cancer cell nuclei, exerting a distinctive blue fluorescence staining of chromatin resistant to UV photobleaching selectively in nucleolar G4‐rich regions. SCC co‐localizes with epitopes of the quadruplex‐specific antibody BG4 and replaces other well‐known G4 stabilizers. Moreover, the photophysical changes accompanying the metallacycle binding to G4s in solution (fluorescence quenching, absorption enhancement) also take place intracellularly, allowing its subcellular interaction tracking.
Can the maximum volume fraction ensure optimum reinforcement in short‐fiber composites?
Authors: Cruces Florencia , García María Guadalupe , Ochoa Nelio Ariel 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTShort sisal fiber composites (SSFCs) based on a pectin matrix were prepared and characterized mechanical and optically. Different concentrations (1–30 wt %) of fibers were used to evaluate the packing effect on the reinforcement of a polymer matrix. Theoretical models were used to obtain the maximum packing or volume fraction (ϕmax) of randomly oriented short fibers and its relationship with the mechanical parameters. A higher elastic modulus and tensile strength were observed when the fiber content was increased in the composite at a fixed aspect ratio (length/diameter = 2.8). Material selection charts showed that SSFCs with a fiber concentration of 20 wt % had a higher reinforcement effect at ϕmax, as was predicted through theoretical models. Nevertheless, SSFCs with a fiber concentration of 7 wt % presented optimum reinforcement because it resulted in the strongest and lightest composite material. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47821.
Fabrication and electrochemical characterization of polyimide‐derived carbon nanofibers for self‐standing supercapacitor electrode materials
Authors: Han Nam Koo , Ryu Ji Hyung , Park Do Un , Choi Jae Hak , Jeong Young Gyu 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTWe report the electrochemical performance of aromatic polyimide (PI)‐based carbon nanofibers (CNFs), which were fabricated by electrospinning, imidization, and carbonization process of poly(amic acid) (PAA) as an aromatic PI precursor. For the purpose, PAA solution was electrospun into nanofibers, which were then converted into CNFs via one‐step (PAA‐CNFs) or two‐step heat treatment (PI‐CNFs) of imidization and carbonization. The FTIR and Raman spectra demonstrated a successful structural evolution from PAA nanofibers to PI nanofibers to CNFs at the molecular level. The SEM images revealed that the average diameter of the nanofibers decreased noticeably via imidization and carbonization, while it decreased slightly with increasing the carbonization temperature from 800 °C to 1000 °C. In case of PI‐CNF carbonized at 1000 °C, a porous structure was developed on the surface of nanofibers. The electrical conductivity of PI‐CNFs, which was even higher than that of PAA‐CNFs, increased significantly from 0.41 to 2.50 S/cm with increasing the carbonization temperature. From cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests, PI‐CNF carbonized at 1000 °C was evaluated to have a maximum electrochemical performance of specific capacitance of ~126.3 F/g, energy density of ~12.2 Wh/kg, and power density of ~160 W/kg, in addition to an excellent operational stability. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47846.