Archives-J 

Solvent extracts of xerophytic plant, Opuntia dillenii Haw were screened for larvicidal, ovicidal and repellent properties against the dengue vector Ae. aegypti L. Five different extracts viz., hexane, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, carbon tetrachloride and distilled water were tested for larvicidal, ovicidal activity in five different concentrations ranging from 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm. Among the five solvent extracts of O. dillenii, petroleum ether extract showed the highest larvicidal activity at 1000 ppm against the fourth instar larvae of Ae. aegypti. The LC50 and LC90 values of O. dillenii petroleum ether extract were recorded as 323.76 and 829.76 ppm against Ae. aegypti larvae respectively. High ovicidal activity of 64% was recorded at 1000ppm concentration of petroleum ether extract. The petroleum ether extract was also found to be the most effective protectant against the adult female mosquitoes of Ae. aegypti. The mean protection time recorded in petroleum ether extract was up to 107 min at 5 mg/cm2 dosage against Ae. aegypti adults. The potential of petroleum ether extract of O. dillenii could be used in dengue vector control.

Table of contents for the month of September 2016

We report three cases of abdominal fibromatosis that caused hydronephrosis by extrinsic ureteral compression in young women with a fruitlessly surgical resection. This ureteral compression was treated by endoscopic placing of double pigtail stents or percutaneous nephrostomy associated with tamoxifen with, apparently, stabilization of the disease. All three patients were regularly monitored with change of the ureteral stents.

An analysis is presented for the problem of the fully developed natural convection magnetohydrodynamics micropolar fluid flow of heat and mass transfer in a vertical channel. Asymmetric temperature and convection boundary conditions are applied to the walls of the channel. The cases of double diffusion and Soret-induced connections are both considered. Solutions of the coupled non-linear governing equations are obtained for different values of the buoyancy ratio and various material parameters of the micropolar fluid and magnetic parameters. The resulting non dimensional boundary value problem is solved by the Galerken Finite element method using MATLAB Software. Influence of the governing parameters on the fluid flow as well as heat and solute transfers is demonstrated to be significant.

The study made here signifies the user patterns of mobile phones and internet usage among the universities in India. For the above mentioned purpose a questionnaire was made comprising a set of related questions which was used for data collection from the selected sampling. The method of data collection and sampling was snowball sampling as the data was collected via internet website and mouth to mouth publicity. The sample consisted of 269 respondents. The conclusion obtained from the analysis state that the college students in India are highly addicted to the use of mobile phones and internet and excessively use the above technological services. Their life now highly depends on phone and internet. Airtel turned up as the favourite service provider while Google Chrome came out as the most famous browser. Many more such results have been retrieved from the following analysis.

A vast amount of dye effluent from textile industries cause severe water pollution as it comprises of xenobiotic azo dyes that are recalcitrant to biodegradation. Continual research is going on worldwide to develop effective, economical and environment-friendly treatment processes while biological treatment is considered the most promising in all aspects. This study aims at the evaluation of textile dye decolourizing capability of naturally occurring fungi. After screening, 4 fungal species identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavipes, A. luchuensis and Penicillium rubrum from dye effluent were found as potential decolourizer, exhibiting strong to mild decolorization of Novacron dyes viz. Blue FNR, Red FNR, Yellow FN2R, Orange W3R and Navy WB at habitat concentration of 0.05% after 3, 5 and 7 days of co-incubation in Czepex-Dox broth medium. Maximum decolourization usually found at 7 days. Notably, A. fumigatus and A. flavipes exhibited 85-99% decolourization of all the dyes. In contrast, A. luchuensis selectively decolourized 76-80% of yellow FN2R and blue FNR. P. rubrum also caused significant decolourization of red FNR, yellow FN2R and orange W3R. This study thus elucidates that indigenous microorganisms of textile effluent cause remarkable degradation of azo dyes and can be used as potent agent in their bioremediation.

Widespread perception about the motivations behind decision making process in purchase of a new product is crucial for the success behind the development of innovative products. This article used a quantitative research method to test hypothesises that were associated with different stimulating factors of consumers personality traits that affect the sale of new products; at the same time, it helped to highlight factors that have a significant effect. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used to distribute questionnaires to 105 students living in the UK. This research paper has found out that differences in personality traits of consumers have a significant effect on buying behaviour and intentions in case of new products, which in turn affects the final purchase of the products.

In the present context, the world is confronted with the twin crisis of fossil fuel and environmental degradation. The fuel economy is achieved by efficient combustion inside the cylinder which is possible by uniform mixing of air and fuel in the cylinder. The swirl can be generated in the diesel engine by modifying three parameters in the engine; they are the cylinder head, the piston crown, and the inlet manifold. The objective of the present study is to enhance the swirl effect in the cylinder which causes better performance and reduces the emissions. In this work an attempt is made using fixed curved blade with different inclinations placed before the intake manifold for effective air swirl motion. For this, the experiment is done on Kirloskar AV1 water cooled, natural aspirated direct injection diesel engine with pure diesel.

A total of 350 fruits and vegetable samples were collected from local markets in Ghana and subjected to pesticide residue and heavy metal analyses. Residues of some organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as gamma-HCH, methoxychlor, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, p,p’-DDE, and p,p’-DDT, as well as synthetic pyrethroid pesticides (SPPs), such as permethrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, deltamethrin were found in a number of samples at different concentrations. The results obtained showed that 37 % of the fruit and vegetable samples analyzed contained no detectable level of the monitored OCPs, 22 % of the samples gave results with levels of organochlorine pesticides residues above the MRL, while 41 % of the samples showed results below the MRL. The majority of the analyzed samples contained detectable concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn and Cr. All the metal concentrations were far below their respective limit. Daily intake limit was calculated and compared with their respective tolerable limits. Synthetic pyrethroid pesticides were detected in 66 % of the samples without violation. The daily intake of heavy metals and pesticide residues revealed that all the monitored pesticides and heavy metals were far below the recommended tolerable levels except aldrin and dieldrin in fruits and aldrin, dieldrin and endrin in vegetables suggesting a great potential for systemic toxicity particularly in children considered the most vulnerable population subgroup. Based on observations made in these studies, it is proposed that more extensive monitoring investigation covering all foodstuffs be carried out to find the exact position of heavy metals and pesticide residues.

The paper reports key issues associated with the used of leaded gasoline (petrol) in Nigeria. While many global countries have indicated strong commitment for a shift to most suitable and environmentally sustainable gasoline upgrading option (i.e hydroisomerisation), addition of 0.6-0.74 g/L of tetraethyl lead remain the only upgrading option given priority in Nigeria, due to government negligence. Millions of people have suffered from various associated illness with numerous number of deaths, especially in young children below the age of seven. The soils, foods and waters are severely polluted in the major trafficking communities. The availability of favorable factors such as adequate infrastructure and capital for hydroisomerisation in the country indicated the process to be a long overdue process that was neglected due to poor government concern and serious corruption problem in the energy industry. It is therefore recommended here that the public should put the issue in the fore front of the current protest for lucrative workers’ salary.