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Irrigation trials were conducted in the late dry season (March to June) with Lublab (Lablab purpureus) and Columbus grass (Sorghum almum) in the Sudan savanna of Nigeria. The objective of this study was to determine the dry matter yield (IDM/ha), crude protein (CP), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus(P) in dual-purpose lablab bean and Sorghum almum at 3 irrigation schedules (5, 7 and 10 days irrigation interval). The results obtained showed dry matter yield in lablab increased (P

Heterocyclic compounds with effective solid-state luminescence offer a wide range of uses. It has been observed that combining pyrimidine and indole moieties in a single molecule can enhance material behavior dramatically. Here, different heterocyclic compounds with indole and pyrimidine moieties have been synthesized effectively, and their structures have been validated using NMR, IR, and mass spectroscopy. The photoluminescence behavior of two substances was investigated in powder form and solutions of varying concentrations. After aggregation, one molecule displayed a redshifted luminescence spectrum, whereas another homolog showed a blueshift. Thus, density functional theory calculations were carried out to establish that introducing a terminal group allows modifying of the luminescence behavior by altering the molecular packing. Because of the non-planarity, intermolecular interactions, and tiny intermolecular distances within the dimers, the materials demonstrated a good emission quantum yield (Φ

The parasitic weed Striga poses a serious threat to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa. For many years, technological packages for the control of this weed were proposed and implemented on farmers’ fields. A study was conducted in 2012 and 2013 to determine maize/ Jointvetch (Aeschynomenehistrix) and N fertilization effect on Striga infestation and maize yield. The intercropping trial consists of six treatments, four inorganic N fertilizer levels of 0, 60, 90, 120 kg ha-1, alternate hill and same hill intercropping of A. histrix. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Alternate hill and same hill intercropping significantly (P < 0.05) reduced Striga infestation with respect to Striga shoots per m-2 and plot, Strigareation score and enhanced maize grain yield. There was a significant decline in the level of damage by Striga on maize in plots that received 60 – 120 kg N ha-1. Alternate hill and same hill intercropping had maize grain yield of 3295 kg ha-1 and 2616 kg ha-1 which were significantly higher than those obtained without inorganic N application (306 kg ha-1). Inorganic N application had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on grain yield. Lowest grain yield of 306 kg ha-1 was obtained without inorganic N application, which was significantly (P

Catalytic conversion of a furfural extract from the extraction unit of lubricating oil to valuable products was investigated over the shaped HY extrudates using bentonite as binder (HY/bentonite) and zinc and nickel promoted HY/bentonite catalyst (Zn-Ni-HY/bentonite) in a bench scale fixed bed reactor. The catalysts were characterized by XRF, XRD, SEM and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. At 550 °C and LHSV of 9.2 h-1, 7.3 wt% gasoline was yielded over HY/bentonite catalyst, which was significantly increased (ca. 42%) over Zn-Ni-HY/bentonite catalyst. Besides, notably enhanced yield of light and heavy naphtha, kerosene, gas oil and lubricating oil can be distilled from the overall liquid products over Zn-Ni-HY/bentonite catalyst (90.5 wt%) than over HY/bentonite catalyst (77.6 wt%). The obtained petroleum products with the satisfied characteristics can be blended after hydrodesulfurization processing.

The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and inflammatory effect of flaxseed and fish oils in rats exposed to fipronil and bacterial wall containing lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Sixty rats were divided into four groups each of 15 one. Group 1 served as control. Group 2, administered fipronil at dose of 15 mg/kg b.wt. orally for 15 days followed by single injection of LPSs (2 × 106 CFU/ rat) intraperitonially at day 16th. Group 3, treated as group 2 plus administration of fish oil at dose of 270 mg/kg b.wt. orally daily all over the experimental period (30 days). Group 4, treated as group 2 plus administration of flaxseed oil at dose of 270 mg/kg b.wt. orally daily all over the experimental period. Serum was separated and used directly for determination of urea, creatinine, albumin, sodium, potassium, Tumor necrosis factor –alfa and Interleukin 1β. Kidney samples were taken for histopathological examination, Malondiadehyde (MDA), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD). Results revealed that in group 2 there were significant elevations of urea, creatinine, MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β. Furthermore, there were significant decreases in albumin, sodium, potassium, GPx and SOD compared with control group. Meanwhile, administration of flaxseed and fish oils resulted in significant decrease in urea, creatinine, MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β and significant increase in albumin, sodium, potassium, GPx and SOD compared with group 2. Therefore it's concluded that flaxseed and fish oils have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Nano gamma alumina was prepared by double hydrolysis process using aluminum nitrate nano hydrate and sodium aluminate as an aluminum source, hydroxyle poly acid and CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) as templates. Different crystallization temperatures (120, 140, 160, and 180)0C and calcinations temperatures (500, 550, 600, and 650)0C were applied. All the batcheswere prepared at PH equals to 9.XRD diffraction technique and infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy were used to investigate the phase formation and the optical properties of the nano gamma alumina. N2adsorption-desorption (BET) was used to measure the surface area and pore volume of the prepared nano alumina, the particle size and the morphology of the surface of nano gamma aluminawere estimated using AFMand SEMtechniques,respectively. All the samples represented pure nano gamma alumina with high crystallineand irregular hexagonal structure shape. The best results obtained were 456.5 m2/gm surface area,0.49 cm3/gm pore volume, and 59.26average particle size for the sample prepared at 1800C crystallization temperature,and 5000C calcinations temperature with nano spherical surface structure

Hydroisomerization of Iraqi light naphtha was studied on prepared Ni-Pt/H-mordenite catalyst at a temperature range of 220-300°C, hydrogen to hydrocarbon molar ratio of 3.7, liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) 1 hr-1 and at atmospheric pressure. The result shows that the hydrisomerization of light naphtha increases with the increase in reaction temperature at constant LHSV. However, above 270 0C the isomers formation decreases and the reaction is shifted towards the hydrocracking reaction, a higher octane number of naphtha was formed at 270 °C.

The cholinergic system has attracted new interest as a pharmacological target to accomplish effective analgesia without the limitations of opioid-induced side effects. Objective: the purpose of this prospective study was a comparison between three doses of bolus and continuous infusion of epidural neostigmine versus fentanyl as an adjuvant analgesic in adults. Patients and methods: In a prospective study of 160 adult patients undergoing lower half of the body surgeries using epidural anesthesia at Zagazig University Hospitals form May 2010 to May 2013 for comparing three doses of bolus and continuous infusion of epidural neostigmine versus fentanyl as an adjuvant analgesic. Result(s): The highest neostigmine dose used in this study 200 μg bolus or 125 μg/hour infusion showed significant better pain relief parameters than lower doses regarding duration of analgesia, postoperative VAS, number of diclophenac ampoules consumed in first postoperative 24 hours and patient satisfaction score with no significant different side effects. Neostigmine showed significant lower nausea/vomiting and no pruritis with no significant difference postoperative VAS,total number of diclophenac ampoules consumed in first postoperative 24 hours and patient satisfaction score in comparison to fentanyl but fentanyl showed significant longer duration of analgesia. Conclusion(s): The highest does of neostigmine either bolus or continuous infusion is better than lower doses and fentanyl showed longer duration of analgesia with more side effects than neostigmine doses with similar postoperative VAS, number of diclophenac ampoules consumption in first postoperative 24 hours and patient satisfaction score as highest dose neostigmine either infusion or bolus. Key Words: epidural anesthesia, bupivacaine, neostigmine, fentanyl

Multi component equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption of propane, n-butane, and i-butane mixture on 5A zeolite at 303 K were obtained experimentally and theoretically. The constant-volume method was used for measuring the experimental equilibria data. Both the extended Freundlich and modified extended Langmuir equations correlated the multi component experimental data fairly well. The selectivity of 5A zeolite to adsorb gases was also studied. The results of this study showed that n-butane was more selectively adsorbed than propane on 5A zeolite, while i-butane was not adsorbed on this zeolite at the studied temperature. Also, it was found that an increase in partial pressure of n-butane decreases the adsorbed amount of propane, while the increase of partial pressure of propane has no effect on adsorbed amount of n-butane.

Experimental and theoretical studies were reported on equilibrium isotherms of pure methane and ethane adsorption on 4A molecular sieve zeolite at 301 K. The experimental equilibria data were measured using the constant- volume method. The Langmuir, the Freundlich, and BET equations were used to fit the pure component experimen- tal data. The results show that both the Langmuir and Freundlich equations correlated the pure component experimental data fairly well with a correlation coefficient of 0.998 and 0.977 for methane and ethane, respectively. The results of this study showed that ethane was more selectively adsorbed than methane on 4A molecular sieve zeolite.

Breakthrough curves for the adsorption of propane, n-butane, and iso-butane mixture on 5A molecular sieve zeolite were obtained experimentally and theoretically at a constant temperature of 301 K. The equilibrium model and linear driving force model were used to predict the experimental breakthrough curves for this multicomponent mixture. The equilibrium model gave a satisfactory fit for experimental data. The model equations were solved by a numerical method based on backward finite difference with a fixed griding technique. The effects of feed flow rate (0.552–3.496 l/min), feed concentration (60.72–141.68 mmol/l), and adsorbates composition (58.75–75.32%) on these breakthrough curves were examined.

Breakthrough curves for the adsorption of methane, ethane, and propane mixture on 4A molecular sieve zeolite were obtained experimentally and theoretically at a constant temperature of 301 K. The equilibrium model and linear driving force model were used to predict the experimental breakthrough curves for this multi component mixture. The equilibrium model gave a satisfactory fit for experimental data. The model equations were solved by a numerical method based on backward finite difference with a fixed griding technique. The effect of feed flow rate (0.385–3.465 l/min), feed concentration (60.72–182.16 mmole/l), and adsorbates composition (11.73–20.11%) on the breakthrough curves were examined.

The isomerization of n-hexane on platinum loaded acidic zeolite was studied at atmospheric pressure, H2/nC6 molar ratios of 1-4 and temperature range of 240-270ºC. The measured kinetic data were fitted to an equation based on the bifunctional mechanism and by using independently obtained dehydrogenation and adsorption data. The activation energies of protonation (ΔHpro) and the elementary isomerization step (Eact,iso) and as well as the corresponding preexponential factor were simultaneously determined. The observed values of both ΔHpro and Eact,iso are in agreement with the results of quantum-chemical calculations.

n-Hexane conversion enhancement was studied by adding TCE (Trichloro-ethylene) on feed stream using 0.3%Pt/HY zeolite catalyst. All experiments were achieved at atmospheric pressure and on a continuous laboratory unit with a fixed bed reactor at a temperature range 240-270◦C, LHSV 1-3h-1, H2/nC6 mole ratio 1-4.By adding 435 ppm of TCE, 49.5 mole% conversion was achieved at LHSV 1h-1, temperature of 270ºC and H2/nC6 mole ratio of 4, while the conversion was 18.3 mol% on the same catalyst without adding TCE at the same conditions. The activation energy decreased from 98.18 for pure Pt/HY zeolite to 82.83 kJ/mole by adding TCE. Beside enhancement the activity, selectivity and product distribution enhanced by providing DMB (Dimethyl butane) which have higher octane number as compared with 0.3%Pt/HY zeolite. Indeed the increase of the 2.2-DMB/2,3DMB ratio with n-hexane conversion is more pronounced with TCE than with pure Pt/HY zeolite.

Adsorption equilibrium isotherms of hydrogen and methane are reported for the temperature range 303-333 K and pressure up to 4 MPa. The adsorbent was 5A molecular sieve (supplied by Rhone Poulenc industries Ltd.). Experimental data were obtained using a static system for gas-solid adsorption. The Langmuir adsorption equilibrium equation gave excellent predictions. Adsorption of hydrogen and methane on 5A molecular sieve is purely physical since the isosteric heat of adsorption was found to be equal to 9.889 and 14.804 kJ mole-1 for hydrogen and methane, respectively.

Dysfunction of subcortical serotoninergic neurons has been implicated in some behaviour disturbances. The serotoninergic neurons in the dorsal and median raphe project widely in the brain. They innervate the olfactory bulbs and can be targets for exogenous agents attacking the olfactory epithelium and bulbs. We report here an injury to the serotoninergic neurons after intranasal infection in 12-day-old rats with a temperature-sensitive mutant of vesicular stomatitis virus. The brain infection was focal and transient. Viral antigens could no longer be detected 13–15 days after infection. In spite of this the animals, as adults, had a severe serotonin depletion in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and showed abnormal locomotor and explorative behaviour as well as learning deficits. The neocortex was histologically intact and parameters related to other neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline, GABA and acetylcholine showed no marked changes. A relatively selective damage to serotoninergic nuclei as a result of virus neuroinvasion through a natural portal of entry, may constitute a new pathogenetic mechanism for cortical dysfunction and behavioural deficits.

Atomically thin films of WSe2 from one monolayer up to 8 layers were deposited on an Al2O3 r-cut ( 11¯02) substrate using a hybrid-Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) system where a laser ablation of pure W is combined with a flux of Se. Specular X-ray reflectivities of films were analysed and were consistent with the expected thickness. Raman measurement and atomic force microscopy confirmed the formation of a WSe2 monolayer and its spatial homogeneity over the substrate. Grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction uncovered an in-plane texture in which WSe2 [ 101¯0] preferentially aligned with Al2O3 [ 112¯0]. These results present a potential to create 2D transition metal dichalcogenides by PLD, where the growth kinetics can be steered in contrast to common growth techniques like chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy.

Background: Although, different protocols of chemotherapy are recommended for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, still response rates are variable.Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects and correlation of different chemotherapy administered to metastatic breast cancer patients on serum levels of some biomarkers.Patients and methods: Thirty metastatic breast cancer patients were enrolled in the study. The patients received different protocols of chemotherapy. Blood samples were taken from the patients before and after the last cycle of each protocol and from 20 healthy control and serum levels of biomarkers IL-6, leptin, CA 15-3 and p53 were estimated by Elisa.Results: The mean serum levels of IL-6, leptin, CA 15-3 and p53 were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher in patients before and after chemotherapy compared to controls. A significant (P≤0.01) higher mean levels of IL-6, leptin and p53 was found in the patients after chemotherapy compared to before chemotherapy with the exception of mean serum levels of CA 15-3 that did not differed significantly (P≥0.174) after chemotherapy compared to before chemotherapy. A significant correlation was found between hormone status and the mean serum level of leptin and between the mean serum levels of CA15-3 and IL-6.Conclusion: The results highlights that the biomarkers IL-6, leptin, CA 15-3, p53 play a role in breast cancer progression and metastasis and could be helpful in predicting and monitoring chemosensitivity to these chemotherapeutic drugs.

This work deals with thermal cracking of slack wax produced as a byproduct from solvent dewaxing process of medium lubricating oil fraction in AL-Dura refinery. The thermal cracking process was carried out at a temperature ranges 480-540 ºC and atmospheric pressure. The liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) for thermal cracking was varied between 1.0-2.5 . It was found that the conversion increased (61 - 83) with the increasing of reaction temperature (480 - 540) and decreased (83 - 63) with the increasing of liquid hourly space velocity (1.0 - 2.5). The maximum gasoline yield obtained by thermal cracking process (48.52 wt. % of feed) was obtained at 500 ºC and liquid hour space velocity 1 . The obtaining liquid product at the best operating condition 500 ºC and LHSV 1 was fractionated into wide range fractions. Based on the determination of some properties for the distilled fractions and comparison (these properties with that required by standard requirements) it is possible to use the fractions of cracking products as a component for production of automobile gasoline, domestic kerosene, light diesel fuel and basic lubricating oils.

The catalytic activity of faujasite type NaY catalysts prepared from local clay (kaolin) with different Si/Al ratio was studied using cumene cracking as a model for catalytic cracking process in the temperature range of 450-525° C, weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 5-20 h1, particle size ≤75μm and atmospheric pressure. The catalytic activity was investigated using experimental laboratory plant scale of fluidized bed reactor. It was found that the cumene conversion increases with increasing temperature and decreasing WHSV. At 525° C and WHSV 5 h-1, the conversion was 42.36 and 35.43 mol% for catalyst with 3.54 Si/Al ratio and Catalyst with 5.75 Si/Al ratio, respectively, while at 450° C and at the same WHSV, the conversion was decreased to 29.15 and 21.86 mol% respectively, and the catalyst of 5.75 Si/Al ratio gave the higher cumene activity than the catalyst with 3.54 Si/Al ratio.

A finite element formulation for flexure of deep beams based on a recent refined theory is developed. The refined theory incorporates effects of transverse shear, transverse normal stress and transverse normal strain. The Galerkin finite element method was used to develop the finite element equations for both beam bending and in-plane problems. The performance of the proposed finite element model was evaluated by solving problems of uniformly loaded deep beams with different support conditions. The results of the present formulation are compared with closed form and elasticity solutions whenever they exist.

The synthesis of zeolite NaX from locally available kaolin has been studied. The operating conditions for zeolite NaX production from kaolin with good crystallinity were as follows; a gel formation step of metakaolin in alkaline medium in presence of additional silica to crystallize the zeolite was achieved at 60 oC for 1 hr,and with stirring. In ageing step of the reactants at room temperature for 5 days and crystallization step at 87±2 oC for 24 hr. The catalytic activity of catalyst prepared from local kaolin was studied by using cumene cracking as a model for catalytic cracking and compared with standard HY zeolite and HX zeolite catalysts. The activity test was carried out in a laboratory continuous flow unit with fixed bed reactor at duration time in the range 10-240 minutes, temperature 823 K, and LHSV 1 h-1. The prepared and the standard catalysts were characterized by atomic absorption, X-Ray Diffraction Analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, surface area and pore volume.

Tha governing equations, previously developed for plate bending and inplane stretching [1], are solved for the average displacements, W, Ū, V, and average rotations ɸx and. ɸy. This Involved the solution of the governing equations for the inplane problem, which has not been accomplished in previous refined theories. Explicit expressions for Inplane stresses σx, σy, and rxy were found. The coupling of the bending problem and the inplane problem is manifested through the expressions derived from the inplane stresses. Also expressions for the resultant shear forces Qx, Qy; resultant couples Mx, My, Mxy; and resultant inplane forces Nx, Ny, and Nxy are found. ill-conditioning problems that appear in a previous companion refined theory [2] were overcome in this present work. Results are compared with those as obtained from other refined theories.

The problem of crowding of nodes in the center of the simulation area in the random way-point mobility model for ad hoc networks is addressed in this paper. A novel method is proposed to make the distribution of nodes uniform. This is achieved by making the pause time of the nodes dependent on their pause location. Closed form expressions for the pause times as functions of spatial coordinates are derived and validated through simulations. Employing this modified model will remove any artifacts in simulation results which may arise due to nodes crowding in the center of the simulation area. The modification to the random way-point model is simple and can be easily incorporated in simulators such as ns-2 and GloMoSim.

This qualitative study on donkey was conducted in Bauchi, Kano and Kebbi States of Nigeria. The objective of the study was to understand the role, significance and potential areas needing intervention in donkey rearing in the rural setting. The study was also used to obtain first-hand baseline information on the state of knowledge on the donkey in the states surveyed. Sixty two locations were visited comprising 36 from Kebbi, 19 from Bauchi and 17 from Kano States respectively. Rapid Rural Participatory Appraisal (RRPA) technique with check list of questions and farmers' participation was employed in villages/towns randomly selected to cover all the ecological zones in each of the three States. A meeting of one to two hours was organized with the farmers and donkey owners. Observations were made on donkeys at home and in the field. Problems mentioned by respondents included: Colics (Anomari),ulcerative lymphangitis, inflammation of the tongue, interdigital dermatitis, ear sore, fistulous withers, unknown causes of lameness and nervous system disorder called locally as “chinkai chinkai”. There were generally poor or no veterinary facilities and services in most of the villages and towns. It was not the farmers practice to take donkeys to clinic for treatment. Mortality was high during the late dry season in most places but also occurred in the rainy season in some places. Areas for further investigations were also highlighted. Keywords: Nigeria, Appraisal, Northern States, diseases, donkey

Hydrotreatment of spent oil distillate was carried out on a commercial Ni-Mo-alumina catalyst in the temperature range 260–340 °C, with a liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) of 0.7–2.0 h−1, pressure of 4.5 MPa and H 2 oil ratio of 300 NL L−1 (normal litre of H2 per litre of feedstock). U.v. spectra of hydrogenated and original spent oil distillates (measured in normal hexane) gave a band with a maximum at 230 nm. The change in absorbance at three selected wavelengths for original oil distillate and hydrotreated oil at different operating conditions was taken as a guide for the determination of hydrogenation reaction rates (including partial saturation of aromatics and sulphur compound hydrogenolysis). The rate constants of hydrogenation reactions (k) using a second-order equation and a model of two parallel first-order reactions (k1 and k2) were calculated. Finally, the apparent activation energy (Ea), enthalpy of activation ( ΔH ∗ ) and entropy ( ΔS ∗ ) were calculated based on the values of k, k1, and k2. The calculated values of Ea based on k, k1 and k2 were 81.479, 71.188 and 62.882 kJ mol−1, respectively. The values of ΔH ∗ based on the same rate constants were 76.670, 66.564 and 58.433 kJ mol−1, while the values of ΔS ∗ were −117.150, −133.779 and −150.823 J mol−1 K−1, respectively.

The effect of different sulphur compounds at different concentrations, 1000, 2000 and 3000 μg g −1 S on deposit formation in hydrotreated kerosene distilled from heavy crude oil was studied. The addition of most studied sulphur compounds increased the deposit formation rate. The addition of t -butyl sulphide at all concentrations showed no significant effect on the deposit rate. Di- n -propyl sulphide increased the deposit formation rate at 1000 and 2000 μg g −1 S but at 3000 μg g −1 S, it enhanced the stability of the fuel. Thiophenol has no effect on the stability of the fuel when 2000 μg g −1 S was added at low temperature, but at 1000 μg g −1 S, a maximum deposit rate was observed compared with other sulphur compounds. The effect of temperature on the deposit formation rate at different concentrations of sulphur compounds has been studied. The results showed that deposit formation rate of the unhydrotreated, hydrotreated and spiked kerosenes increased with increasing temperature.