palm subfamily ceroxyloideae: Topics by WorldWideScience.org

Some ABCA3 mutations elevate ER stress and initiate apoptosis of lung epithelial cells

BackgroundOil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is one of the most important oil bearing crops in the world. However, genetic improvement of oil palm through conventional...Full Text Available

Chemical resistance, void content and tensile properties of oil palm/jute fibre reinforced polymer hybrid composites

BackgroundABCA3 transporter (ATP-binding cassette transporter of the A subfamily) is localized to the limiting...Full Text Available

2011-01-01

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Tri layer hybrid composites of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and jute fibres was prepared by keeping oil palm EFB as skin material and jute as the core material and vice versa. The chemical resistance, void content and tensile properties of oil palm EFB/Jute composites was investigated with reference to the relative weight of oil palm EFB/Jute, i.e. 4:1, the fibre loading was optimized and different layering pattern were investigated. It is found from the chemical resistance test that all the composites are resistant to various chemicals. It was observed that marked reduction in void content of hybrid composites in different layering pattern. From the different layering pattern, the tensile properties were slightly higher for the composite having jute as skin and oil palm EFB as core ...

2011-01-01

The Protein Kinase SnRK2.6 Mediates the Regulation of Sucrose Metabolism and Plant Growth in Arabidopsis^[W]^[OA]

The Metabolism of the Germinating Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Seedling 1

In higher plants, three subfamilies of sucrose nonfermenting-1 (Snf1)-related protein kinases have evolved. While the Snf1-related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1) subfamily has been shown to share pivotal...Full Text Available

2010-05-01

Some Enzymic Activities in the Germinating Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Seedling 1

The metabolism of ¹⁴C-labeled fatty acids and triacylglycerols was followed in intact germinating oil palm seedlings as well as in tissue slices. In the germinating seedling, the shoot contained...Full Text Available

1983-12-01

Relationship of Xylem Embolism to Xylem Pressure Potential, Stomatal Closure, and Shoot Morphology in the Palm Rhapis excelsa¹

In germinating oil palm (Elaeis guineensis var D × P) seedling, an active lipase was present in the shoot but absent from both the kernel and the haustorium. It has an optimum...Full Text Available

1983-12-01

QTL detection by multi-parent linkage mapping in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Xylem failure via gas embolism (cavitation) induced by water stress was investigated in the palm Rhapis excelsa (Thumb.) Henry. Xylem embolism in excised stems and petioles was detected...Full Text Available

1986-01-01

Natural convection cooling for offshore nuclear power plants

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis designed for a multi-parent population was carried out and tested in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), which is a diploid cross-fertilising...Full Text Available

2010-05-01

First occurrence of Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) preying on defoliating caterpillars of oil palm in the state of Para, Brazil

(1973). United States Kylstra, CD West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. 25 Apr 1973.

1973-04-25

X-ray structure of sensory rhodopsin II at 2.1-? resolution

The oil palm Elaeis guineensis is usually attacked by pests, particularly, defoliating caterpillars. Between 2004 and 2006 a stinkbug predator (Asopinae) was registered preying on caterpillars of Brassolis sophorae L., Opsiphanes invirae Hubner (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) and Sibine spp. (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), reducing their populations in commercial oil palm plantations in the State of Para, Brazil. Specimens of the natural enemy were collected, mounted, and identified as Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), corresponding to the first report of the occurrence of this stinkbug attacking defoliating caterpillars of oil palm in Brazil. (author)

2004-01-01

Transcriptional mapping of the 3' end of the bovine syncytial virus genome.

Sensory rhodopsins (SRs) belong to a subfamily of heptahelical transmembrane proteins containing a retinal chromophore. These photoreceptors mediate the cascade of vision in animal eyes and phototaxis...Full Text Available

2001-08-28

Localization of Reversion-Induced LIM Protein (RIL) in the Rat Central Nervous System

The bovine syncytial virus, a member of the retroviral subfamily Spumavirinae, causes a persistent, asymptomatic infection in cattle. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the viral genome revealed two overlapping...Full Text Available

1994-02-01

Descriptive study of damage caused by the rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes agamemnon, and its influence on date palm oases of Rjim Maatoug, Tunisia.

Reversion-induced LIM protein (RIL) is a member of the ALP (actinin-associated LIM protein) subfamily of the PDZ/LIM protein family. RIL serves as an adaptor protein and seems to regulate cytoskeletons....Full Text Available

2009-02-28

Science.gov (United States)

Oryctes agamemnon (Burmeister 1847) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) was accidentally introduced in the southwestern oases of Tunisia (Tozeur) around 1980 and spread to the Rjim Maatoug region. In these areas O. agamemnon was specific to date palm trees causing severe damage that can result in potential danger due to collapse of the tree. This study was conducted from April 2004 to March 2006 in 4 sites in the region of Rjim Maatoug. Different levels of palm tree attack were determined, ovioposition sites were identified, and pest damage was described in detail to specify their relative importance and to indicate factors governing palm tree attack. Eggs were individually oviposited in the attacked parts. Dead parts of palm trees were the main target of O. agamemnon including the respiratory roots, tough, trunk bark, dry petiole and the periphery of the crown. The crown itself was not attacked. Feeding by ...

2008-01-01

Control mechanisms operating for lipid biosynthesis differ in oil-palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and olive (Olea europaea L.) callus cultures.

Hybrid Composites Made from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches/Jute Fibres: Water Absorption, Thickness Swelling and Density Behaviours

As a prelude to detailed flux control analysis of lipid synthesis in plants, we have examined the latter in tissue cultures from two important oil crops, olive (Olea europaea L.) and oil palm (Elaeis...Full Text Available

2002-06-01

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this research, hybrid composite materials were prepared from combination of oil palm Empty fruit bunches (EFB) fibre and jute fibre as reinforcement, epoxy as polymer matrix. This study intended to investigate the effect of jute fiber hybridization and different layering pattern on the physical properties of oil palm EFB-Epoxy composites. Water absorption and thickness swelling test reveal that hybrid composite shows a moderate water absorption which is 11.20% for hybrid EFB/Jute/EFB composite and 6.08% for hybrid Jute/EFB/Jute composite. The thickness swelling and water absorption of the hybrid composites slightly increased as the layering pattern of hybrid composites changed. Hybrid composites are more water resistance and dimensional stable compare to the pure EFB composites. This is...

2011-01-01

Fuzzy logic to classify date palm trees based on some physical properties related to precision agriculture

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Precision agriculture can be cost effective for date palm groves because the tree positions are known and fixed, the groves are mostly structured and many of agricultural operations are applied manually. Therefore, the new technology tools of precision agriculture are not essential. This study was done to improve date palm yield using maps of the variation in tree properties. Data on five Mozafati tree properties, such as sex, age, yield, visual appearance and fruit length were measured and recorded for each tree in five groves near the city of Bam in Iran. Tree positions were defined and the above properties were mapped. It was difficult to judge patterns in the variation because of tree to tree variability. Therefore, the Mamdani fuzzy inference system (MFIS) was used to classify the pro...

2010-01-01

Estimating aboveground biomass in forest and oil palm plantation in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo using ALOS PALSAR data

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Conversion of tropical forests to oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia has resulted in large-scale environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and significant carbon emissions. For both countries to participate in the United Nation's REDD (Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism, assessment of forest carbon stocks, including the estimated loss in carbon from conversion to plantation, is needed. In this study, we use a combination of field and remote sensing data to quantify both the magnitude and the geographical distribution of carbon stock in forests and timber plantations, in Sabah, Malaysia, which has been the site of significant expansion of oil palm cultivation over the last two decades. Forest structure data from 129ha of research and inventory p...

2011-01-01

Transesterification of palm oil and esterification of palm fatty acid in near- and super-critical methanol with SO4-ZrO2 catalysts

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Sulfated zirconia (SO4-ZrO2) catalysts, prepared with three different sulfur loading contents (0.75%, 1.8% and 2.5%) at two calcination temperatures (500degreeC and 700degreeC), were tested for use in the transesterification of purified palm oil (PPO) and the esterification of palm fatty acid (PFA) in near-critical and super-critical methanol. Techniques including BET, XRD, NH3- and CO2-TPD revealed that the sulfur content and calcination temperature strongly affects the catalyst base-acid site, specific surface area, average pore size, phase structure, and thus the catalytic reactivity. The most suitable sulfur loading content was found to be 1.8% and the optimum calcination temperature 500degreeC. The results show that the use of SO4-ZrO2 reduces esterification reaction times, the amount...

2010-01-01

1 2 3 4

Tinea nigra by Hortaea werneckii, a report of 22 cases from Mexico

Comparison of estimation capabilities of response surface methodology (RSM) with artificial neural network (ANN) in lipase-catalyzed synthesis of palm-based wax ester

Tinea nigra is a superficial mycosis caused by Hortaea werneckii. It is an infrequent asymptomatic infection that affects human palms and soles, and is mostly observed in tropical...Full Text Available

2008-01-01

Structure, Function, and Evolution of Rice Centromeres

BackgroundWax esters are important ingredients in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, lubricants and other chemical industries due to their excellent wetting property. Since the naturally...Full Text Available

Study on upgrading of oil palm wastes to animal feeds by radiation and fermentation processing

The centromere is the most characteristic landmark of eukaryotic chromosomes. Centromeres function as the site for kinetochore assembly and spindle attachment, allowing for the faithful pairing and segregation of sister chromatids during cell division. Characterization of centromeric DNA is not only essential to understand the structure and organization of plant genomes, but it is also a critical step in the development of plant artificial chromosomes. The centromeres of most model eukaryotic species, consist predominantly of long arrays of satellite DNA. Determining the precise DNA boundary of a centromere has proven to be a difficult task in multicellular eukaryotes. We have successfully cloned and sequenced the centromere of rice chromosome 8 (Cen8), representing the first fully sequenced centromere from any multicellular eukaryotes. The functional core of Cen8 spans ~800 kb of DNA, which was determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) using an antibody against the rice ...

2010-02-04

Biosynthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and characterisation of its blend with oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers

Upgrading of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), which is a main by-product of palm oil industry, to animal feeds by radiation pasteurization and fermentation was investigated for recycling the agro-resources and reducing the environmental pollution. The following results were obtained: 1) The necessary dose for pasteurization of EFB contaminated by various microorganisms including aflatoxin producing fungi was determined as 10 kGy. The chemical and biological properties of EFB were changed little by irradiation up to 50 kGy. 2) In the fermentation process, Pleurotus sajor-caju was selected as the most effective fungi and the optimum condition for fermentation was clarified. The process of fermentation in suspension was also established for the liquid seed preparation. 3) The digestibility and nutritional value of fermented products were evaluated as ruminant animal feeds and the mushroom can be produced as by-product. 4) The pilot plant named ...

2002-10-15

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-38mol%-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-38mol%-3HV)] was produced by Cupriavidus sp. USMAA2-4 in the presence of oleic acid and 1-pentanol. Due to enormous production of empty fruit bunch (EFB) in the oil palm plantation and high production cost of P(3HB-co-3HV), oil palm EFB fibers were used for biocomposites preparation. In this study, maleic anhydride (MA) and benzoyl peroxide (DBPO) were used to improve the miscibility between P(3HB-co-3HV) and EFB fibers. Introduction of MA into P(3HB-co-3HV) backbone reduced the molecular weight and improved the thermal stability of P(3HB-co-3HV). Thermal stability of P(3HB-co-3HV)/EFB composites was shown to be comparable to that of commercial packaging product. Composites with 35% EFB fibers content have the highest tensile st...

2011-01-01

Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX) Pretreatment, Enzymatic Hydrolysis, and Fermentation on Empty Palm Fruit Bunch Fiber (EPFBF) for Cellulosic Ethanol Production

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Empty palm fruit bunch fiber (EPFBF), a readily available cellulosic biomass from palm processing facilities, is investigated as a potential carbohydrate source for cellulosic ethanol production. This feedstock was pretreated using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) and enzymatically hydrolyzed. The best tested AFEX conditions were at 135??C, 45?min retention time, water to dry biomass loading of 1:1 (weight ratio), and ammonia to dry biomass loading of 1:1 (weight ratio). The particle size of the pretreated biomass was reduced post-AFEX. The optimized enzyme formulation consists of Accellerase (84??L/g biomass), Multifect Xylanase (31??L/g biomass), and Multifect Pectinase (24??L/g biomass). This mixture achieved close to 90% of the total maximum yield within 72?h of enzymatic hydrolysis. Fer...

2010-01-01

Pretreatment of empty palm fruit bunch for production of chemicals via catalytic pyrolysis

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The effect of chemical pretreatments using NaOH, H2O2, and Ca(OH)2 on Empty Palm Fruit Bunches (EPFB) to degrade EPFB lignin before pyrolyis was investigated. Spectrophotometer analysis proved consecutive addition of NaOH and H2O2 decomposed almost 100% of EPFB lignin compared to 44% for the Ca(OH)2, H2O2 system while NaOH and Ca(OH)2 used exclusively could not alter lignin much. Next, the pretreated EPFB was catalytically pyrolyzed. Experimental results indicated the phenolic yields over Al-MCM-41 and HZSM-5 catalysts were 90wt% and 80wt%, respectively compared to 67wt% yield for the untreated sample under the same set of conditions. Meanwhile, the experiments with HY zeolite yielded 70wt% phenols.

2009-01-01

Ergosterol analyses of oil palm seedlings and plants infected with Ganoderma

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Basal stem rot of oil palm (OP) by Ganoderma boninense is of major economic concern and it is the predominant disease of OP in SE Asia. Also, other plantation crops are affected by Ganoderma. The early detection of symptoms is crucial for control, although effective methods remain elusive. Ergosterol is the principal sterol of fungi and plays an essential role in the cell membrane and other cellular constituents. The analysis of ergosterol is useful for fungal detection in solid plant substrates. The present report compares ergosterol concentration in sound and decayed OP seedlings and mature plants using HPLC with diode array detection. The disease of OP requires to be considered as a white rot process where fungal biomass will increase from a low to high level as the infection progresses...

2011-01-01

Enhancement of PVC/ENR blend properties by poly(methyl acrylate) grafted oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Effect of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber and poly(methyl acrylate) grafted OPEFB on several mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blends were studied. The composites were prepared by mixing the fiber and the PVC/ENR blends using HAKEE Rheomixer at the rotor speed of 50 rpm, mixing temperature 150degreeC, and mixing period of 20 min. The fiber loadings were varied from 0 to 30% and the effect of fiber content in the composites on their ultimate tensile strength (UTS), Youngs modulus, elongation at break, flexural modulus, hardness, and impact strength were determined. An increasing trend was observed in the Youngs modulus, flexural modulus, and hardness with the addition of grafted and ungrafted fiber to the PVC/ENR blends. However the i...

2008-01-01

Energy use analysis of selected palm-kernel oil mills in south western Nigeria

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Energy use patterns and utilisation efficiencies in 40 factories producing palm kernel oil (PKO) in southwestern part of Nigeria were studied. The factories were stratified into small, medium and large scale categories based on the mode of operations and production capacities. Questionnaires were administered on the factories to obtain historical data on petrol, diesel and electricity consumption and PKO production outputs for seven years (1998-2004). Energy use efficiency indicators employed include: energy intensity (EI), energy cost per unit product (EC/P), energy ratio (ER), food energy ratio (FER) and percentage oil yield by weight. Results of the study indicated that averagely, 0.58, 0.53 and 0.74GJ/103l of PKO were needed in the small, medium and large PKO factories, respectively. T...

2008-01-01

Effect of the Fiber Size on the Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties of Composites of Epoxy and Date Palm Tree Fibers

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Lignocellulosic fibers from date palm trees were employed to reinforce an epoxy matrix. Two fiber sizes were used, with the length and diameter in the range of 20-30 and 1.5-3 mm, respectively, for the so-called long fibers, and in the range of 5-15 and 0.25-0.75 mm, respectively, for the so-called short fibers. The morphologies of the resulting composites, as well as their thermal, mechanical, and water sorption properties were evaluated. Strong interactions between both components and etherification reactions may occur between the hydroxyl groups of the fibers and the epoxy groups of the epoxy-amine reactive mixture. These effects are emphasized when decreasing the size of the fibers.

2008-01-01

Characterization of treated date palm tree fiber as composite reinforcement

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Recently, great interest was paid to new technologies dealing with environmental aspect. Preservation of natural resources such as natural fibers forced the composite industry to search and examine "eco-friendly" components. Studies to find alternative reinforcements and resin systems that are environmentally friendly while providing the same performance as their synthetic counterparts are in continuous progress. The aim of this study is to investigate effect of different treatment process on the data palm fiber (DPF). Raw DPF underwent different surface modification methods such as alkali treatment with concentrations 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2.5% and 5%, and acid treatment with 0.3, 0.9 and 1.6N. All treatments were performed at 100degreeC for 1h. The surface morphology, thermal gravimetry analys...

2009-01-01

Chemical evolution of formation waters in the Palm Valley gas field, Northern Territory

³¹P NMR Observations on the Effect of the External pH on the Intracellular pH Values in Plant Cell Suspension Cultures ¹

The chemical composition and evolution of formation waters associated with gas production in the Palm Valley field, Northern Territory, has important implications for reservoir management, saline water disposal, and gas reserve calculations. Historically, the occurrence of saline formation water in gas fields has been the subject of considerable debate. A better understanding of the origin, chemical evolution and movement of the formation water at Palm Valley has important implications for future reservoir management, disposal of highly saline water and accurate gas reserves estimation. Major and trace element abundance data suggest that a significant component of the highly saline water from Palm Valley has characteristics that may have been derived from a modified evaporated seawater source such as an evaporite horizon. The most dilute waters probably represent condensate and the variation in the chemistry of the ...

Antibacterial iridoid glucosides from Eremostachys laciniata

³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to monitor the response of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and carrot (Daucus carota) cell suspensions...Full Text Available

1990-06-01

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Eremostachys laciniata (L) Bunge (family: Lamiaceae alt. Labiatae; subfamily: Lamioideae) is one of the 15 endemic Iranian herbs of the genus Eremostachys. A decoction of the roots and flowers of E. laciniata has traditionally been taken orally for the treatment of allergies, headache and liver diseases. Three antibacterial iridoid glucosides, phloyoside I (1), phlomiol (2) and pulchelloside I (3) have been isolated from the rhizomes of this plant. The structures of these compounds were elucidated unequivocally by a series of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. The antibacterial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of these compounds were assessed using the resazurin microtitre assay and the brine shrimp lethality assay, respectively. All three iridoid glycosides 1-3 exhibited from low to moderate level...

2009-01-01

Characterization of chicken octamer-binding proteins demonstrates that POU domain-containing homeobox transcription factors have been highly conserved during vertebrate evolution

Pre-irradiation technique for processing of oil palm fruit bunch fibers - polypropylene composites

The DNA sequence motif ATTTGCAT (octamer) or its inverse complement has been identified as an evolutionarily conserved element in the promoter region of immunoglobulin genes. Two major DNA-binding proteins that bind in a sequence-specific manner to the octamer DNA sequence have been identified in mammalian species--a ubiquitously expressed protein (Oct-1) and a lymphoid-specific protein (Oct-2). During characterization of the promoter region of the chicken immunoglobulin light chain gene, the authors identified two homologous octamer-binding proteins in chicken B cells. when the cloning of the human gene for Oct-2 revealed it to be a member of a distinct family of homeobox genes, they sought to determine if the human Oct-2 cDNA could be used to identify homologous chicken homeobox genes. Using a human Oct-2 homeobox-specific DNA probe, they were able to identify 6-10 homeobox-containing genes in the chicken genome, demonstrating that the Oct-2-related subfamily of ...

1990-02-01

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber reinforced PVC/ENR blend-electron beam irradiation

Researches on oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers and thermoplastic composites have been carried out by many workers in the last decade. The main focus was to enhance the properties of the resultant composites in view of the incompatibility of the two components. Thus, efforts have been made to enhance their properties by using coupling agents, treating the fibers and modifying the matrices. In this study, the effects of electron beam (EB) irradiation and some reactive additives (RAs) on the mechanical properties of EFB-PP (polypropylene) composites were evaluated. Different modes of irradiation were investigated. Mono, di and tri functional of monomers of RAs were used. irradiating PP alone, compared to irradiating the EFB fibers or irradiating both components, gave optimum properties for EFB-PP composites. Further, improvements of the properties of the composites were achieved with the addition of RAs with TMPTA (trymethylol propane triacrylate) giving the ...

2002-06-25

Liquefaction of empty palm fruit bunch (EPFB) in alkaline hot compressed water

The effect of irradiation on the tensile properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber reinforced poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blends were studied. The composites were prepared by mixing the fiber and the PVC/ENR blend using HAAKE Rheomixer at 150 deg. C. The composites were then irradiated by using a 3.0 MeV electron beam machine at doses ranging from 0 to 100 kGy in air and room temperature. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break and gel fraction of the composites were measured. Comparative studies were also made by using poly(methyl acrylate) grafted OPEFB fiber in the similar blend system. An increase in tensile strength, Young's modulus and gel fraction, with a concurrent reduction in the elongation at break (Eb) of the PVC/ENR/OPEFB composites were observed upon electron beam irradiation. Studies revealed that grafting of the OPEFB fiber with methyl acrylate did not cause appreciable ...

2007-12-15

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Effect of alkalis (NaOH, KOH and K2CO3) on liquefaction of EPFB (empty palm fruit bunch) biomass liquefaction was investigated under subcritical water conditions in a batch reactor operating at 270degreeC and 20bars for a period of 20min. Catalytic performance and suitable biomass to water ratio that supported higher EPFB conversion, liquid hydrocarbons yield and lignin degradations were screened. Analytical results indicate that maximum of 68wt% liquids were produced along with 72.4wt% EPFB mass conversions and 65.6wt% lignin degradation under 1.0M K2CO3/2:10 (biomass/water) conditions. In comparison, the experiments that were performed in the absence of alkalis yielded only 30.4wt% liquids, converted 36wt% EPFB and degraded 24.3wt% lignin. Furthermore, biomass to water ratios >2:10 decre...

2010-01-01

Fermented empty fruit bunch (FEFB) as feed for ruminant animal

Effect of lead nitrate on thyroid function on the Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti (Wroughton)

Fermented oil palm empty fruit bunch, now known as 'Sterifeed' has been characterized by physico-chemical properties. It has also been proven to have an improved digestibility (by in vitro and in-vivo test) over the original material. The remaining important aspect of feed to be examined is the long term effect of feeding this material to animals. The size of fermentation media bags used was 0.5 - 1 kg/bag. In the large scale production of these materials, the numbers of bags were increased. The production at pilot scale level reinvestigated the basic processing parameters for the 1 kg/bag media and also performed a trial run for different sizes of bags. These include: 1) investigation on the growth of fungi on fermentation media subjected to different treatment times and the non treated media, 2) evaluation of the processing rate, 3) trial run processing of 25-50 MT oil palm EFB into feed, and 4) processing of different sizes of bags

1998-01-01

1 2 3 4

Assessing NDVI Spatial Pattern as Related to Irrigation and Soil Salinity Management in Al-Hassa Oasis, Saudi Arabia

Some of the known toxic effects of lead in mammals including man are, impaired heme synthesis, anemia, nepatopathy, nephropathy, behavioral disorders and neuropathy. However, very little is known about the effect of lead on endocrine physiology. Some data are available on lead induced impairment of thyroid function in occupationally exposed men and experimental rats. As lead nitrate is largely consumed through water and food, in this study the wild rodents Funambulus pennanti were administered lead through their drinking water and their thyroid structure, radioiodine 131-I percentage uptake and protein bound iodine (PBI) level were assessed.

1987-06-01

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Sustainability of irrigated agriculture in arid and semi arid lands depends, mainly on the level of soil salinity and the quality of irrigation water. Remotely sensed data can provide information about the extent of vegetated irrigated areas. Al-Hassa oasis, Saudi Arabia is probably the largest oasis in the world depends mostly on tapped ground water to irrigate mainly date palm groves for its economic survival. This study tried to investigate the extent of soil salinity and the quality of irrigation water and the relationship with vegetation growth, employing NDVI derived from Landsat satellite imagery.

2011-01-01

Origin of salinity in produced waters from the Palm Valley gas field, Northern Territory, Australia

Origin of salinity in produced waters from the Palm Valley gas field, Northern Territory, Australia

The chemical composition and evolution of produced waters associated with gas production in the Palm Valley gas field, Northern Territory, has important implications for issues such as gas reserve calculations, reservoir management and saline water disposal. The occurrence of saline formation water in the Palm Valley field has been the subject of considerable debate. There were no occurrences of mobile water early in the development of the field and only after gas production had reduced the reservoir pressure, was saline formation water produced. Initially this was in small quantities but has increased dramatically with time, particularly after the initiation of compression in November 1996. The produced waters range from highly saline (up to 300,000 mg/L TDS), with unusual enrichments in Ca, Ba and Sr, to low salinity fluids that may represent condensate waters. The Sr isotopic compositions of the waters ({sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr = 0.7041-0.7172) ...

2005-04-01

Overexpression of a maize dehydrin gene, ZmDHN2b, in tobacco enhances tolerance to low temperature

2005-04-01

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Dehydrins, a subfamily of group 2 LEA proteins, are intrinsically unstructured plant proteins that accumulate in the late stages of seed development and in vegetative tissues subjected to water deficit, salinity, low temperature, or abscisic acid treatment. In this study, we isolated and characterized ZmDHN2b, a maize dehydrin gene. The genomic organization of the ZmDHN2b gene and its expression in maize seedlings were analyzed. To investigate the function of ZmDHN2b, we generated transgenic tobacco plants constitutively overexpressing ZmDHN2b. Ectopic expression of ZmDHN2b in tobacco accelerated seed germination and seedling growth at 15?C. Furthermore, ZmDHN2b-overexpressing lines had lower levels of cold-induced malondialdehyde and less electrolyte leakage than wild-type tobacco at 4?C....

2011-01-01

Fermi pulsar revolution

CERN Document Server

2009 has been an extraordinary year for gamma-ray pulsar astronomy and 2010 promises to be equally good. Not only have we registered an extraordinary increase in the number of pulsars detected in gamma rays, but we have also witnessed the birth of new sub-families: first of all, the radio-quiet gamma pulsars and later an ever growing number of millisecond pulsars, a real surprise. We started with a sample of 7 gamma-ray emitting neutron stars (6 radio pulsars and Geminga) and now the Fermi-LAT harvest encompasses 24 "Geminga-like" new gamma-ray pulsars, a dozen millisecond pulsars and about thirty radio pulsars. Moreover, radio searches targeted to LAT unidentified sources yielded 18 new radio millisecond pulsars, several of which have been already detected also in gamma rays. Thus, currently the family of gamma-ray emitting neutron stars seems to be evenly divided between classical radio pulsars, millisecond pulsars and radio quiet neutron stars.

2010-01-01

Detection of constitutive heterodimerization of the integrin Mac-1 subunits by fluorescence resonance energy transfer in living cells

Trichoderma-fortified compost extracts for the control of choanephora wet rot in okra production

Macrophage differentiation antigen associated with complement three receptor function (Mac-1) belongs to #beta#_2 subfamily of integrins that mediate important cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Biochemical studies have indicated that Mac-1 is a constitutive heterodimer in vitro. Here, we detected the heterodimerization of Mac-1 subunits in living cells by means of two fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques (fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy) and our results demonstrated that there is constitutive heterodimerization of the Mac-1 subunits and this constitutive heterodimerization of the Mac-1 subunits is cell-type independent. Through FRET imaging, we found that heterodimers of Mac-1 mainly localized in plasma membrane, perinuclear, and Golgi area in living cells. Furthermore, through analysis of the estimated physical distances between cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fused ...

2006-08-04

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The potential of water extracts produced from rice straw (RST) and empty fruit bunch of oil palm (EFB) composts fortified with Trichoderma harzianum for the control of Choanephora wet rot of okra caused by Choanephora cucurbitarum was studied under field conditions. Disease severity was lowest in plants treated with Trichoderma-fortified RST extracts (9.56%) with a disease index of 1, mancozeb (Dithane M-45 (2gl-1 of water), Trichoderma-fortified EFB compost extracts, extracts of RST and EFB, and an aqueous suspension of T. harzianum recorded disease severity values of 10.25%, 19.38%, 37.56%, 53.71% and 56.36%, with a disease index of 1, 1, 2, 3 and 3, respectively. There was a reduction of 85.04% in Choanephora wet rot severity on okra treated with Trichoderma-fortified RST extracts durin...

2008-01-01

Preparation of nanocomposite dispersions based on cellulose whiskers and acrylic copolymer by miniemulsion polymerization: Effect of the silane content

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract A one step method was used to prepare stable aqueous nanocomposite dispersions based on cellulose whiskers extracted from the rachis of the date palm tree and a poly(styrene co 2 ethyl hexylacrylate) copolymer via miniemulsion polymerization. A reactive silane, i.e., methacryloxypropyl triethoxysilane was added to stabilize the dispersion and favor the anchoring of the whiskers on polymer particles. Dynamic light scattering was used to study the effect of the silane and whiskers contents on the average particle size of the polymer. Nanocomposites materials were prepared from these dispersions using a casting/evaporation method. The effect of the silane and whiskers contents on the thermal and mechanical properties were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic me...

2011-01-01

Investigation on the effect of cellulosic nanoparticles' morphology on the properties of natural rubber based nanocomposites

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Cellulose whiskers and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were extracted from the rachis of date palm tree and characterized. These cellulosic nanoparticles were used as reinforcing phase to prepare nanocomposite films using latex of natural rubber as matrix. These films were obtained by the casting/evaporation method. The properties of the ensuing nanocomposite films were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, toluene and water uptake experiments, dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile tests. The stiffness of the natural rubber was significantly increased above its glass-rubber transition temperature upon nanoparticles addition. The reinforcing effect was shown to be higher for nanocomposites with MFC compared to whiskers. It was ascribed to the higher aspect ratio and possi...

2010-01-01

Influence of the Different Oils Used in Dough Formulation on the Lipid Fraction of-Taralli

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract:- An experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the quality of-taralli-as a function of the type of oil used in their dough formulation. To this end, 4 types of oil (extra virgin olive oil, olive oil, olive-pomace oil, and refined palm oil) were utilized to prepare-taralli-to investigate on the lipid fraction degradation and evaluate the-taralli-acceptability by consumers. The data obtained pointed out that-taralli-manufactured with extra virgin olive oil were significantly more appreciated than those made with refined oils due to their visual appearance and odor. Moreover, with respect to the other kinds of oil, the use of extra virgin olive oil led to significantly lower values (P-< 0.05) of specific absorption at 232 and 270 nm (K232 and K270, respectively) and of t...

2011-01-01

Evaluation and optimization of organosolv pretreatment using combined severity factors and response surface methodology

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this study, ethanol organosolv pretreatment was investigated and optimized for the pretreatment of empty palm fruit bunch using (1) response surface methodology based on three-variable central composite design and (2) the combined severity parameters. The reaction parameters studied were sulfuric acid concentration (0.5-2.0%), reaction temperature (160-200^oC) and residence time (45-90min). Both models provide valuable and complementary informations: using combined severity parameters, very good predictions were obtained concerning xylan and lignin extraction whereas central composite design is the best model for glucose production. The optimal values of the variables were as the followings: sulfuric acid 2.0% w/w, 160^oC, 78min and the experimental values (96.0%) concerning glucose and...

2011-01-01

Effect of processing of dates into date juice concentrate and appraisal of its quality characteristics

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is widely cultivated in Kutch district of Gujarat and the fruits are harvested at immature stage before the onset of monsoon to prevent spoilage. The immature date fruits with less commercial value were used for processing into date juice concentrate. Immature dates were crushed and treated with 0.1% pectinase enzyme for 120 min to obtain maximum juice. Date juice was found to be rich in reducing sugars (16.1%) and total sugars (18.3%). Juice was pasteurized at 85?C to inactivate the enzyme, cooled and centrifuged at 3000 rpm to get clear juice. The juice was concentrated in a thin film evaporator to a total soluble solids (TSS) of 76?Brix in 2 passes. Chemical composition of date juice during different stages of concentration was determined. Date juice conc...

2010-01-01

Detecting date palm trees health and vegetation greenness change on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates using SAVI

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Due to shortage of fresh water resources, the vegetation of the eastern region of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced a series of declines resulting from salinization of groundwater, which is the major source of irrigation. To assess these changes, field measurements combined with Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) based Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) were analysed. TM and ETM+ images from two dates, 1987 and 2000 were acquired to enable the computation of the greenness anomalies for three sites in the eastern region, Fujairah, Kalba and Hatta. The results show an overall increase in agricultural area, associated with a severe decrease in vegetation greenness and health conditions, particularly in the Kalba study area. The SAVI values decreased ...

2008-01-01

A new zinc hydroxide nitrate heterogeneous catalyst for the esterification of free fatty acids and the transesterification of vegetable oils

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A new heterogeneous catalyst for the esterification of free fatty acids and the transesterification of vegetable oils is reported. The layered compound zinc hydroxide nitrate (Zn5(OH)8(NO3)22H2O) was very effective in the alcoholysis of palm oil and the esterification of lauric acid with m(ethanol), even when hydrated ethanol was used. Over the range of 100-140degreeC, the ester yield was the highest at 140degreeC, while the catalyst concentration had a much greater effect on ester yields than the molar ratio of alcohol to acid did. Total ester contents above 95wt% were obtained in both reactions and 93.2wt% glycerin streams were recovered as a result of methanolysis.

2008-01-01

Energy use analysis of selected palm-kernel oil mills in south western Nigeria

The CYP2A3 gene product catalyzes coumarin 7-hydroxylation in human liver microsomes

Energy use patterns and utilisation efficiencies in 40 factories producing palm kernel oil (PKO) in southwestern part of Nigeria were studied. The factories were stratified into small, medium and large scale categories based on the mode of operations and production capacities. Questionnaires were administered on the factories to obtain historical data on petrol, diesel and electricity consumption and PKO production outputs for seven years (1998-2004). Energy use efficiency indicators employed include: energy intensity (EI), energy cost per unit product (EC/P), energy ratio (ER), food energy ratio (FER) and percentage oil yield by weight. Results of the study indicated that averagely, 0.58, 0.53 and 0.74 GJ/10{sup 3} l of PKO were needed in the small, medium and large PKO factories, respectively. The average food energy ratios in the small, medium and large mills are 2.48, 2.53 and 2.14, respectively. The corresponding values of PKO conversion ratio are 0.43, 0.50 ...

2008-01-15

The CYP2A3 gene product catalyzes coumarin 7-hydroxylation in human liver microsomes

Three cDNAs, designated IIA3, IIA3v, and IIA4, coding for P450s in the CYP2A gene subfamily were isolated from a {lambda}gt11 library prepared from human hepatic mRNA. Only three nucleotide differences and a single amino acid difference, Leu{sup 160}{yields}His, were found between IIA3 and IIA3v, indicating that they are probably allelic variants. IIA4 displayed 94% amino acid similarity with IIA3 and IIA3v. The three cDNAs were inserted into vaccinia virus, and recombinant viruses were used to infect human hepatoma Hep G2 cells. Only IIA3 was able to produce an enzyme that had a reduced CO-bound spectrum with a {lambda}{sub max} at 450 nm. This expressed enzyme was able to carry out coumarin 7-hydroxylation and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation. cDNA-expressed IIA3v and IIA4 failed to incorporate heme and were enzymatically inactive. Analysis of IIA proteins in human liver microsomes, using antibody against rat IIA2, revealed two proteins of 49 and 50 kDa, the former ...

1990-02-06

Radiation accidents in the Southern Urals (1949-1967) and human genome damage.

Three cDNAs, designated IIA3, IIA3v, and IIA4, coding for P450s in the CYP2A gene subfamily were isolated from a #lambda#gt11 library prepared from human hepatic mRNA. Only three nucleotide differences and a single amino acid difference, Leu"1"6"0#->#His, were found between IIA3 and IIA3v, indicating that they are probably allelic variants. IIA4 displayed 94% amino acid similarity with IIA3 and IIA3v. The three cDNAs were inserted into vaccinia virus, and recombinant viruses were used to infect human hepatoma Hep G2 cells. Only IIA3 was able to produce an enzyme that had a reduced CO-bound spectrum with a #lambda#_m_a_x at 450 nm. This expressed enzyme was able to carry out coumarin 7-hydroxylation and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation. cDNA-expressed IIA3v and IIA4 failed to incorporate heme and were enzymatically inactive. Analysis of IIA proteins in human liver microsomes, using antibody against rat IIA2, revealed two proteins of 49 and 50 kDa, the former of ...

1990-02-01

Science.gov (United States)

A series of radioactive catastrophes (from 1948 to 1967) in the Southern Urals in the USSR led to intensive environmental contamination. Radioactive wastes were dispersed over the 20000 km(2) territory of four provinces-Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk, Tyumen' and Kurgan-due to the activity of the military facility that was built in 1948 for the production of nuclear bomb plutonium. The results of 50 years of investigations into the consequences of these disasters allow a general picture of the events that occurred to be reconstructed and allow the medical consequences of the irradiation of about half a million residents to be depicted. However, due to the atmosphere of secrecy and inadequate medical procedures, the results of medical studies of radiation victims are scant. The current protocols present a unique opportunity to study the DNA damage at the nucleotide resolution level in the genome of inhabitants of the given region, who presumably received chronic doses of irradiation. Studies ...

2002-11-01

Neuromuscular effects of candoxin, a novel toxin from the venom of the Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus).

Science.gov (United States)

1 Candoxin (MW 7334.6), a novel toxin isolated from the venom of the Malayan krait Bungarus candidus, belongs to the poorly characterized subfamily of nonconventional three-finger toxins present in Elapid venoms. The current study details the pharmacological effects of candoxin at the neuromuscular junction. 2 Candoxin produces a novel pattern of neuromuscular blockade in isolated nerve-muscle preparations and the tibialis anterior muscle of anaesthetized rats. In contrast to the virtually irreversible postsynaptic neuromuscular blockade produced by curaremimetic alpha-neurotoxins, the neuromuscular blockade produced by candoxin was rapidly and completely reversed by washing or by the addition of the anticholinesterase neostigmine. 3 Candoxin also produced significant train-of-four fade during the onset of and recovery from neuromuscular blockade, both, in vitro and in vivo. The fade phenomenon has been attributed to a blockade of putative presynaptic nicotinic ...

2003-06-01

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Emission factors of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from plastics processing and recycling facilities

Production and use of biodiesel

With regard to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), there is few scientific knowledge on the emission patterns into the environment and exposure pathways to humans, and basic information is insufficient to consider what measures effective are. For the purpose of promoting risk reduction of target substances more effectively and efficiently, it is desirable to comprehend accurately the causal chain from the target substances utilization to the risk intake, and to evaluate the measures covering the whole applications of target substances. As the existing researches on the PBDE emission inventory, there are EU risk assessment report (European Chemical Bureau 2000, 2002, 2003), Danish EPA (1999), Palm et al.(2002) and Alcock et al. (2003). In addition, emissions of DecaBDE are published in TRI (Toxic Release Inventory) of US EPA. However, the primary information of the previous inventories is often the same and estimations based on the measured values are few. In ...

2004-09-15

Catalytic hydrothermal gasification of biomass for the production of synthetic natural gas[Dissertation 17100

Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils that have been chemically modified by esterification; an example is rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME), made by treating rapeseed oil with methanol. Biodiesel can be burned directly in diesel engines. Oil from the rapeseed variety known as 00 was the first type of vegetable oil used for transesterification to produce biodiesel. Many other oils have been used successfully as biodiesel feedstock including sunflower oil in Southern France and Italy, soybean oil in the USA, and palm oil in Malaysia. Biodiesel can be made from a wide range of feedstock and multi-feedstock blends. Compared to conventional diesel biodiesel has some environmentally friendly advantages, e.g. biodiesel is reported to release fewer solid particles. Potentially even more important is the low level of carbon dioxide generation associated with biodiesel, at a time when CO{sub 2} emissions are falling in every industrial sector except transport. Life-cycle ...

2003-11-01