Open Access Research Paper

The objective of this work is to contribute to the study of starch products in particular Dioscorea cayenensis, Colocasia esculenta and Ipomoea batatas by the characterization of their kinetics of convectif drying to the drying oven and the determination their properties thermodynamic. The convectif drying of the samples of these three starch products of parallel epipedic form of thickness 4 and 14 mm was carried out at temperatures of 50, 60 and 70°C. The results obtained show that the kinetics of drying of Dioscorea cayenensis, Colocasia esculenta and Ipomoea batatas present two (02) phases. It is of the phase of temperature setting and the phase at decreasing speed. The temperature and the thickness of the product have significant effects on the duration of drying, effective diffusivity (Deff), the energy of activation (Ea), the differential of enthalpy (ΔH*) and the energy of Gibbs (ΔG*) except for values of entropy (ΔS*). A titrates illustrative, the reduction the thickness of the product from 14 to 4mm makes it possible to reduce the energy of action from 19.43 to 10.68kJ.mol-1, 35.33 to 11.52kJ.mol-1 and from 11.08 to 5.77kJ.mol-1 respectively during the drying of Dioscorea cayenensis, of Colocasia esculenta.

In the study, total 20 cows (10 Red and 10 Black Holstein) were used. The observed means for somatic cell counts (SCC) and total bacteria counts (TBC) of both groups were compared with the cow health standards for subclinical mastitis test (max. 200000 cells/ml for SCC and max. 1000 cells/ml for TBC) using one-sample t test. The SCC means in both Holstein groups were lower than critical thresholds for subclinical mastitis, whereas TBC means in both groups were statistically higher than critical thresholds. According to findings in our study, we can say that diagnosis of subclinical mastitis was not found according to the SCC means even if the TBC means of both groups were higher than the critical threshold. The SCC is more useful indicator for mastitis detection in raw milk than TBC. It is not reliable that TBC is the only criterion for mastitis detection in raw milk.

The present study is part of a vast program of valorization of the medicinal flora in order to help the populations to draw a real profit from the use of the plants. The objective of this work was to determine through a phytochemical screening, the main chemical groups and the evaluation of the estrogenic effect of the aqueous extract of the curled leaves of P. crispum in rats. To achieve this objective, a tri-phytochemistry was performed on the aqueous extract of P. crispum leaves and compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, catechic tannins, saponosides, sterols and polyterpenes were investigated. For the study of estrogenic properties, four groups of six rats were formed and treated orally. Group 1 received distilled water and constituted the control lot. Groups 2, 3 and 4 received the aqueous extract of P. crispum leaves at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The results of this study revealed that the aqueous extract of P. crispum leaves maintained the estrous cycle in estrus and significantly increased ovarian mass and uterine horn. The concentration of reproductive hormones increases significantly at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight. At these doses, the extract also stimulates follicular development and ovulation, which are at the origin of the estrus phenomenon. Thus its traditional use in the treatment of infertility is justified.

The research aims to highlight on the largest wades in the study area (wade Al-Khur and wade Haussab) which are located in the West of Al-Najaf province and study the possibility of investing in rainwater harvesting through establishment of several submersible dams. Building such of these dams their have many benefits for the region like the protection from floods, obstructing the waters to get more time to penetrate through the soil column, recharging of groundwater from aggregate of water behind the dam via injection of water directly in the groundwater aquifer by use the modern methods. On the other hand, existences of such water ponds which allow to provide the water to the local population (Bedouin) and watering their animals, also it can be used for irrigation. Drainage patterns of secondary valleys are drawn by using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is applied to determine the typical locations of small dams or barriers of concrete or soil. Several of field traps were conducted in the study area, where the main course of both wades were tracked to determine the most appropriate location for constructions such of these submersible dams in the region.

The inventory of fungi associated with the white cochineal is an essential step in the possible microbiological control of this pest. A total of 16 fungal species belonging to 11 genera were inventoried on white cochineal infesting four date palm cultivars, namely Deglet-Nour and Ghars, Degla beidha and Hamraya. The infection rate of cochineal by these fungi differs from one cultivar to another; it is 38.42% in Deglet-Nour and 29.88% in Ghars. The Aspergillus is the most dominant genus on white cochineal, with three species present in the four cultivars studied. Aspergillus niger has a frequency of occurrence of 21.28% on Ghars. The factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) showed specific fungal species for white cochineal in each cultivar. The pathogenicity test of 05 fungal isolates showed that Trichoderma sp. caused the highest rate cochineal mortality (63% ±1.69), followed by Aureobasidum pullulans with 49%±1.65. These encouraging results open up new perspectives in the biological control of this very dangerous date palm pest.

Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate (LAS) is a biodegradable surfactant, which is commonly utilized industrially and domestically. Concentrations of LAS had never been examined in Pittsburg’s Wastewater Treatment Plant because the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit does not specify any standard for LAS in Pittsburg’s wastewater. This study monitored influent and effluent LAS concentrations three times per day (10:00, 14:30, and 19:00), every day for 12 weeks February 24, 2014 – May 18, 2014). Concentrations were determined by the Methylene Blue Active Substances method. There was very little variation in the effluent concentrations which were much lower (one tenth) and more consistent (0.27 – 0.53mg/L) than those in the influent. LAS concentrations in influent were highly variable by the time of the day, day of the week, and week of the study period. Three weeks that were lower in influent LAS concentrations coincided with university activities (17 March – 22 April – 5 May). These three weeks were significantly different from almost all the other weeks but were not significantly different from each other. They coincided with certain university activities. College students may have a large impact on influent LAS concentrations because they make up 25% of Pittsburg’s population. The week of March 17 was spring break when many of the students were out of town, and the other two weeks were during final exams. During these two weeks, students probably are not doing much laundry. The effectiveness of Pittsburg’s Wastewater Treatment Plant was 90%, which is similar to others reported in the literature.

Adequate nutrition is a key among hospitalized patients. It is crucial and most significant aspect of improving quality of life of inpatients. However, hospitals in developing nations challenged with adequate meal provisions. In Tanzania, meal provision isn’t part of inpatients service. This impacted quality of life, causing an increased number of days in hospital stay. Furthermore, research has demonstrated the significance of food consumption to promote recovery. Cross-sectional study design was used in this study. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistical inferences by using R statistical software. Results showed; determinants of food intake were; distance to hospital, 76% inpatients used more than 60 minutes to arrive at hospital and 31% stayed hospital for 15 days and above. Moreover, dietary study was conducted; results showed 70% of inpatients didn’t meet minimum dietary diversity. Insufficient nutrition awareness was another determinant where, 70% of inpatients didn’t understand balanced diet. Findings revealed that, 86% of inpatients consumed monotonous diet high in starch, 12% of adult inpatients were underweight (BMI 30. Twenty nine percent of children aged 6 to 59 months were severely stunted (SD < -3). In this study, association between dietary intake and distance from home indicated, some patients lacking food services because of leaving far from hospital. It was concluded that, higher pro­portion of inpatients didn’t meet minimum dietary diversity due to monotonous diet they consumed. To meet SDGs challenges of zero hunger, good health and well-being, hospital meal provision is essential.

Land uses are one of the prime causes in the loss or fragmentation of natural habitats and their species. In a small watershed in Agusan del Sur, the diversity of plant species were assessed using standard vegetation sampling technique developed by Hill (2005) as basis for the formulation of an integrated watershed management plan to reduce adverse cost of land use change on the remaining biodiversity. Results showed that the vegetation was composed of about 166 vascular plant species belonging to 134 genera and 64 families having an overall Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H’) of 2.546 described to be moderately high. A number of ecologically sensitive species were encountered in the area such as the critically endangered Shorea palosapis and Shorea contorta. Relative to its area, the watershed has been subjected to diverse land-uses that directly affect richness of plant species either native or introduced in the area. Appropriate monitoring and area control therefore should be taken utmost consideration in the formulation of the management plan.

The earth suffers from many environmental problems which need to be tackled at the individual level, requiring individuals to develop that awareness which will guide them to become environmentally supportive. The study endeavored to determine the significant relationship between the level of awareness and practices among Filipino college students on solid waste management. It employed a descriptive correlational research design with 150 randomly sampled students. Using the adopted standardized survey instrument surfacing the level of awareness of solid waste management of students and their practices. Gathered data were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study showed that the students are aware of the solid waste management. Most of them were aware of the policies and management of SWM but relatively not aware of their roles as students in the implementation of SWM. The students also have good practices in solid waste management in terms of properly disposing of, recycling, and reusing but moderately practice proper segregation and reducing. Results of the inferential statistics revealed that the level of awareness of the students influenced their practices on proper segregation, reduce, and recycling but no influence to their practices on solid waste management in terms of reuse and disposal. Present findings can be a basis for policy development on SWM implementation in the campus level.

In this work, we tried to determine the influence of the environment on the content of the main primary metabolites in Tamarix sp. in different areas of the arid region of Khenchela located in the Algerian East where different species of this genus of the Tamaricaceae family represent a remarkable adaptation, where we recorded rather variable values according to the environment. The dosage of chlorophylls (a+b) gave values ranging from 10.05 (µg/g MF) for the site of Guerat El Taref, 10.78(µg/g MF), for the site of Ouazerne 19.02 (µg/g MF), for the site of Oued El Arab. The determination of total sugars gave 0.178 (µg/g MF) for the site of Guerat El Taref, 0.182 µg/g MF) for the site of Ouazerne and 0.184 µg/g MF) for the site of Oued El Arab. The results of the proline and total protein assay followed the same fluctuation with the lowest values in the Guerat El Taref site, the average values in the Ouazerne site and the highest values in the Oued El Arab site. On the other hand, the DNA and RNA quantification gave a high value of 10.85 (µmol/g MS) for Guerat El Taref, 5.62(µmol/g MS) for the site of Oued El Arab and the lowest value that is 1.79(µmol/g MS) for the site of Ouazerne. Statistical analysis by one-way analysis of variance revealed a significant link between environment and the synthesis of these secondary metabolites as an adaptation strategy adopted by Tamarix.

The ethnomedicinal exploration was conducted in the area of Hangrai which falls in Tehsil Balakot of District Mansehra. Balakot is located between 34°33′N 73°21′E Latitude and 34°33′N 73°21′E Longitude. It is the gateway to Kaghan valley of the Northern Pakistan. The study area harbors rich ethnobotanical resources being the part of Western Himalaya. Extensive field visits were made in the study area during years 2015 and 2016. Data was collected from aboriginal peoples by questionnaire method comprising of open-ended and close-ended interviews. Three hundred informants (180 male and 120 female) were interviewed for various medicinal uses of plants. A total of 143 plant species belonging to 70 families were recorded which were used as medicinally by the local rural inhabitants. Habit wise categorization of plants showed 73.33% herbs, 16% trees and 10.66% shrubs. This study first time not only revealed unique ethnomedicinal uses of plants but also side effects of traditional herbal remedies. Furthermore this study will help to discover novel drugs from medicinal plants and it will also set guidelines for conservation of local flora.