Abstract: The paper presents the statistical analysis on the compressive strength of concrete with strength ranging from 30 MPa to 130 MPa. To obtain these concrete strengths, concrete mixes with virgin aggregates were prepared with four different wate r to cementitious content (w/c) ratios i.e., 0.45, 0.36, 0.24, and 0.18. With w/c ratio of 0.45, a mix is also designed using recycled construction and demolition coarse aggregate to compare statistical characteristics with respect to concrete made using virgin aggregates. The presented statistical analysis includes measure of central tendency, dispersion of the data, distribution shape properties, and precision of the mean. A normal and a log-normal distribution has been established and validated for the experimental data set of all the mixes. A correlation has also been established for the compressive strength of 100mm cube and 150mm cube. Analysis shows an increase in dispersion of data with increase in the mean compressive strength of the mix. The mix with Construction and demolition waste aggregate shows a higher standard deviation than the mix with virgin aggregates at the same w/c ratio. The correlation curve for the compressive strength of 100 mm and 150 mm size cubes, shows a conversion factor of 1.04, suggesting an insignificant difference of the compressive strength values of 100 mm and 150 mm cubes for the mix studied.

Resumen: En este estudio se presenta un análisis estadístico de las resistencias a la compresión del hormigón, con resistencias que varían desde los 30MPa a los 130 MPa. Para obtener dichas resistencias, se prepararon mezclas de hormigón con áridos vírgenes para las siguientes cuatro diferentes razones agua-cemento (a/c): 0,45, 0,36, 0,24 y 0,18. Así, por ejemplo, para una razón a/c de 0,45, también se diseñó una mezcla usando áridos gruesos reciclados de construcción y demolición a fin de comparar las características estadísticas con las del hormigón preparado con áridos vírgenes. El análisis estadístico incluye la medida de tendencia central, dispersión de los datos, propiedades de la forma de distribución y precisión de la media. Se estableció y validó una distribución normal y log-normal para el conjunto de datos experimentales de todas las mezclas. También se estableció una correlación para la resistencia a la compresión los cubos de 100 mm y 150 mm. El análisis muestra un aumento en la dispersión de los datos al aumentar la resistencia a la compresión media de la mezcla. La mezcla con árido de residuos de construcción y demolición presenta una desviación estándar mayor que la mezcla con áridos vírgenes a la misma relación a/c. La curva de correlación para la resistencia a la compresión de los cubos de 100 mm y 150 mm muestra un factor de conversión de 1,04, sugiriendo una diferencia insignificante de los valores de resistencia a la compresión de los cubos de 100 mm y 150 mm para la mezcla estudiada.

Abstract Introduction Temporal bone surgery is a unique and complicated surgical skill that requires extensive training. There is an educational requirement to maximize trainee experience and provide effective feedback. Objective We evaluate three temporal bone dissection scales for efficacy, reliability, and accuracy in identifying resident skill during temporal bone surgery. Methods Residents of various skill levels performed a mastoidectomy with posterior tympanotomy on identic 3D-printed temporal bone models. Four blinded otologic surgeons evaluated each specimen at two separate intervals using three separate dissection scales: the Welling Scale (WS), the Iowa Temporal Bone Assessment Tool (ITBAT), and the CanadaWest Scale (CWS). Scores from each scale were compared in their ability to accurately separate residents by skill level, inter- and intrarater reliability, and efficiency in application. Results Nineteen residents from 9 postgraduate programs participated. Assessment was clustered into junior (postgraduate year or PGY 1, 2), intermediate (PGY 3) and senior resident (PGY 4, 5) cohorts. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) found significant differences between cohort performance (p < 0.05) for all 3 scales considering the PGY level and the subjective account of temporal bone surgical experience. The inter-rater reliability was consistent across each scale. The intrarater reliability was comparable between the CWS (0.711) and the WS (0.713), but not the ITBAT (0.289). Time (in seconds) to complete scoring for each scale was also comparable between the CWS (42.7 ± 16.8), the WS (76.6 ± 14.5), and the ITBAT (105.6 ± 38.9). Conclusion All three scales demonstrated construct validity and consistency in performance, and consideration should be given to judicious use in training.

Abstract Introduction Inactive squamosal disease is unique for having a conflicting treatment protocol, with an age-old debate between early surgical intervention or keeping patients in a long-term follow-up. The shifting paradigm is early intervention to prevent further progress into active disease and improve hearing outcome in its nascent stage. Objective To evaluate recurrence and hearing outcome in cases of inactive squamosal disease after cartilage strengthening tympanoplasty. Methods The study was conducted on 50 patients with inactive squamosal disease. Detailed examination was done to grade the retraction. All patients underwent autologous conchal cartilage tympanomastoidectomy with temporalis fascia grafting. Recurrence and hearing evaluations were done by pure tone audiogram at regular intervals for one year. Results Hearing loss was the most common presenting symptom. Isolated pars tensa retractions were more common (54%) than pars flaccida (12%), or those involving both (34%). Ossicular status was normal in only 14% of the cases, and the most common ossicular damage was to the lenticular process of the incus (52%). Three of the patients (6%) had residual perforation at the 3rd month of follow-up. Subjective improvement in hearing was reported by 42% patients. Hearing improvement greater than 10 dB was found in 24 patients (48%). Air–bone gap reduced from 25.16 ± 8.15 dB preoperatively to 12.90 ± 6.20 at 1 year of follow-up. Recurrence was seen in three patients (6%). Conclusion Early intervention by cartilage strengthening of weakened tympanic membrane and ossicular reconstruction not only offers better hearing results, but also prevents progress to active disease.

This study presents a comparative literature examination of the pharmaceutical industry in Japan, Europe, and the United States, focusing on quality culture, which historically has impacted operations in these regions. It aims to highlight generic pitfalls that result from cultural influences so that these can be avoided when designing a conceptual model of quality management practices for South African organisations. Simultaneously, the literature illuminates areas where culture promotes operational excellence (OpEx) in production. Quadrants of the organisational cultural analysis instrument (OCAI) are used to collect and examine research data from 72 literature sources. An activity theory research approach is adopted to perform a comparative study to ensure a consistent formal examination of the three geographical regions. During this analysis, industry traits presumed to be supported by culture types are highlighted and examined. Findings from this examination will be used in a future study to develop an OpEx model for South Africa, based on quality culture.

Hierdie studie bied 'n vergelykende literatuurondersoek van die farmaseutiese industrie in Japan, Europa en die Verenigde State, met die fokus op die kwaliteitskultuur, wat histories bedrywighede in hierdie streke beinvloed het. Dit het ten doel om generiese valstrikke wat ontstaan as gevolg van kulturele invloede uit te lig, sodat die valstrikke vermy kan word wanneer 'n konseptuele model van kwaliteitbestuurspraktyke vir Suid-Afrikaanse organisasies ontwerp word. Terselfdertyd het die literatuur gebiede belig waar kultuur operasionele uitnemendheid (OpEx) in produksie bevorder. Kwadrante van die organisatoriese kultuuranalise-instrument (OCAI) word gebruik om navorsingsdata uit 72 literatuurbronne in te samel en te ondersoek. 'n Aktiwiteitsteoretiese navorsingsbenadering is gebruik om die vergelykende studie uit te voer en dus 'n konsekwente formele ondersoek van die drie geografiese streke te verseker. Tydens hierdie ontleding, word veronderstel dat bedryfseienskappe ondersteun word deur kultuurtipes wat uitgelig en ondersoek is. Bevindinge van hierdie ondersoek sal in 'n toekomstige studie gebruik word om 'n operasionele uitnemendheidsmodel vir Suid Afrika te ontwikkel wat gebaseer is op kwaliteitskultuur.

Abstract Catatonic patients may develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) due to prolonged periods of immobility. These life-threatening conditions demand prompt recognition and management. We describe the case of a patient with catatonia who presented to anesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at the outset of the current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. She complained of breathing difficulty and was suspected to have COVID-19 infection. On further evaluation, she was found to have DVT and PE and required oxygen therapy and intensive care management. The diagnostic delay in our patient would have probably not occurred, had it not been for the existing pandemic situation.

Abstract The members of the genus begomovirus are transmitted by Bemisia tabaci and cause severe losses in cucurbitaceae. The objectives of the study were: i) to investigate the etiology of the disease caused by the pumpkin leaf curly virus; ii) know the population dynamics of the vector, compare the effectiveness of yellow sticky traps against yellow trays and determine the effect of the location of the traps, in monitoring B. tabaci during the crop development cycle; and iii) study the spatio-temporal distribution and severity of pumpkin virosis. The study was carried out in the experimental station of the Superior Agricultural College of the State of Guerrero, located in the Cocula Valley, Guerrero, Mexico. DNA was extracted from pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita pepo) var. Gray Zucchini with symptoms of virosis. The PCR was carried out in five samples with the generic oligonucleotides for begomoviruses, two PCR products were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was generated. Pumpkin virus transmission test was performed, under controlled conditions. The population dynamics of B. tabaci was determined using sticky yellow traps and yellow trays. From the symptomatology, the severity percentage and the area under the disease progress curve (ABCPE) were obtained. PCR analysis, sequencing and phylogeny, confirmed the presence of the SLCV virus (KX620945.1-DAAV-1) in pumpkin. It was found that B. tabaci transmits to SLCV that significantly reduces plant growth. The sticky trap and sampling date influence the population fluctuation of B. tabaci. The incidence of B. tabaci and severity of SLCV were manifested in all the phenological stages of the crop and related to the temperature level.

Resumen En el proceso de mejoramiento genético de trigo, la evaluación de genotipos por resistencia a royas es fundamental, se tienen que mezclar distintas razas; sin embargo, es primordial conocer su habilidad competitiva y en que genotipo se deben incrementar; por lo que el objetivo del estudio fue medir la habilidad competitiva de cuatro razas de roya de la hoja causada por Puccinia triticina E. que atacan trigos cristalinos (Triticum durum). El estudio se realizó en invernadero durante el año 2015. Las razas BBG/BN, BCG/BN, BBG/BP y CBG/BP, fueron mezcladas y multiplicadas por tres generaciones sucesivas en genotipos susceptibles (Atil C2001 y Morocco), genotipos resistentes (Samayoa C2004 y Thatcher-Lr16 (RL6005)) además de Júpare C2001 resistente a BBG/BN y BCG/BN, pero susceptible a BBG/BP y CBG/BP. Después de la reproducción de urediniosporas, se obtuvieron 100 aislamientos que se incrementaron en Morocco y se procedió a la identificación. La raza identificada con más frecuencia fue CBG/BP con 46%, seguida de BBG/BP con 34% y BBG/BN con 18%, mientras que BCG/BN fue la menos frecuente con 2%. Solo en urediniosporas del compuesto masal (CM) obtenidos de RL6005 y Morocco permitió identificar las cuatro razas, en Atil C2001, Júpare C2001 y Samayoa C2004 solo se identificaron tres. La raza identificada con más frecuencia en Atil C2001, RL6005 y Samayoa C2004 fue BBG/BP, mientras que en Morocco y Júpare C2001, fue CBG/BP. Se concluye que CBG/BP es más competitiva que BBG/BP, BBG/BN y BCG/BN y se recomienda usarse en la mezcla.

Objective: This study aimed to determine if personality disorder (PD) predicted functional outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Data (n=71) from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled 12-week trial assessing the efficacy of 200 mg/day adjunctive minocycline for MDD were examined. PD was measured using the Standardized Assessment of Personality Abbreviated Scale. Outcome measures included Clinical Global Impression – Improvement (CGI-I), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS), and Range of Impaired Functioning (RIFT). Analysis of covariance was used to examine the impact of PD (dichotomized factor [≥ 3] or continuous measure) on the outcome measures-treatment group correlation. Results: PD was identified in 69% of the sample. After adjusting for age, sex, and baseline scores for each of the outcome measures, there was no significant difference between participants with and without PD on week 12 scores for any of the outcome measures (all p > 0.14). Conclusion: In this secondary analysis of a primary efficacy study, PD was a common comorbidity among those with MDD, but was not a significant predictor of functional outcomes. This study adds to the limited literature on PD in randomized controlled trials for MDD. Clinical trial registration: ACTRN12612000283875.

Abstract Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) is a rapid method for the determination of protecting the ability of thin film coatings in addition to oxidation kinetics. Boron carbide (B4C) reinforced Ti-6Al-4V thin films were deposited through the magnetron sputtering coating technique. The effect of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Wt. % of B4C adding on microstructure, thermal behaviour and hardness of Ti-6Al-4V-B4C coatings were investigated. Thermal analysis of Ti-6Al-4V-B4C coatings with varying percentage of B4C resulted in the establishment of an exothermic peak, for the reason that reduction in the oxidation of coating. The thermal behaviour of coating was improved by B4C addition; those coatings are recommended for practical application. It was proven that the addition of B4C not only alters the thermal stability but also transforms the mechanism of oxidation. It was absolutely unconcealed that the Ti-6Al-4V-B4C film oxidization may be a multi-staged procedure subject on the heating rate. An occurrence of formal treatment for obtaining Kissinger’s assessment mechanics for various oxidization levels is additionally valid. The addition of B4C was supported to enhance the nanohardness of the coating. The morphology, composition and structure of the thin film coatings were examined by way of SEM, AFM and XRD.

ABSTRACT Objectives To primarily evaluate the functional outcomes of PCNL for bilateral renal calculi/calculi in solitary functioning kidney with Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD). To identify factors affecting the renal replacement therapy following PCNL. Materials and Methods Patients with bilateral renal calculi/calculi in solitary kidney and CKD (eGFR<60/s.creatinine>2) and Good Performance Status [Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG): 0–2] were included in the study. Results A total of 60 patients with CKD who had bilateral renal calculi/calculi in solitary functioning kidney underwent PCNL. At 6 months, eGFR improved or stabilized in 45 (75%) patients, while in 15 (25%) patients eGFR deteriorated. A total of 5 (14.28%) and 2 (25%) patients of CKD stage 4 and 5 respectively had improvement in eGFR as well as CKD stage. Fourteen (82.35%), 21 (60%), 3 (37.5%) patients of CKD stage 3, 4, 5 had improvement in eGFR but not significant enough to cause stage migration. Again 3 (17.65%) , 9 ( 40%) and 3 (37.5%) patients of CKD stage 3, 4, 5 had reduction in eGFR but not significant enough to cause stage migration. None of the patients had worsening of CKD stage. Preoperative CKD stage and eGFR were compared with measurements made at the final follow up visit (6 months). Conclusion Our results indicate that most patients of renal calculi with CKD show improvement or stabilization of renal function with aggressive stone removal. Improvement is more in patients who have mild to moderate CKD. Aggressive management of comorbidities, peri-operative UTI and complications may delay or avoid progression of CKD status in such patients.

Resumen Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton) habita las aguas frías de de las riberas de los ríos del Himalaya. Es un componente importante de la dieta de la población rural de Uttarakhand y Jammu. A pesar de la importancia de B. bendelisis en la acuacultura, no se reportan caracterizaciones moleculares de los ríos geográficamente aislados, Alaknanda y Chenab. Para estudiar estos aspectos, analizamos 567 muestras de B. bendelisis que se recolectaron de los afluentes de estos dos ríos entre marzo 2015 y abril 2017. Analizamos los datos morfométricos por medio del análisis truss utilizando tpsDig2 y PAST y para la caracterización genética utilizamos el gen COI. En el análisis truss 14 puntos de referencia que resultaron en 90 medidas se analizaron de imágenes digitalizadas de especímenes muestreados. Un total de 23 medidas mostraron diferencias significativas entre las poblaciones de B. bendelisis. El análisis de componentes principales (PCA) generó siete componentes explicando el 93.15 % del total de la varianza. El análisis de función discriminante (DFA) reveló que el 83.8 % de los especímenes fue clasificado dentro de sus poblaciones originales. La morfometría basada en el análisis de truss y el árbol filogenético de máxima verosimilitud revelaron hetrogeneidad entre las dos poblaciones geográficamente aisladas de B. bendelisis.

Abstract Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton) inhabits cold water drainages of the Himalayan region, occurring near the stream banks. It is an important component of the diet of rural population of Uttarakhand and Jammu. Despite the aquaculture importance of B. bendelisis, no extensive molecular characterization from two geographically isolated rivers, Alaknanda and Chenab, has been conducted. In order to study those aspects, 567 samples of B. bendelisis were analysed and collected from these tributaries of two geographically isolated rivers between March of 2015 and April 2017. The morphometric data were analysed by means of truss analysis using tpsDig2 and PAST, whereas the genetic characterization was performed using the COI gene. In truss analysis 14 landmarks resulting in 90 measurements were studied from the digitized images of the sampled specimens. In total 23 measurements exhibited significant differences among the populations of B. bendelisis. The principal component analysis (PCA) generated seven components explaining- 93.15 % of total variance. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) revealed that 83.8 % of the specimens were classified into their original populations. Truss based morphometry and Maximum likelihood type of phylogenetic tree revealed heterogenicity between the two geographically isolated populations of B. bendelisis.

Resumen Los ferrocianuros de cobre, lantano, mercurio, molibdeno, plata, titanio y zinc se sintetizaron y caracterizaron mediante análisis elemental y estudios espectrales. La estabilidad de los ferrocianuros metálicos sintetizados se registró en calor (varias temperaturas), varias concentraciones de ácidos (HC1, H2SO4, HNO3, CH3 COOH) varias concentraciones de bases (NaOH, KOH, NH40H), y en agua de mar y de grifo. Todas las estabilidades se registraron a temperatura ambiente y de ebullición. La estabilidad de los ferrocianuros metálicos sintetizados también se registró en presencia de radiación visible y ultravioleta. El potencial oxidante y fotosensibilizante de los ferrocianuros metálicos sintetizados se probó con yoduro de potasio y la solución de almidón recién preparada indicó que el ferrocianuro de cobre es un posible oxidante fuerte y fotosensibilizador. Se descubrió que los ferrocianuros de molibdeno, mercurio y tungsteno actúan como oxidante débil y fotosensibilizador. El lantano y el ferrocianuro de zinc no mostraron ningún potencial oxidante y fotosensibilizante.

Abstract Copper, lanthanum, mercury, molybdenum, silver, titanium, and zinc ferrocyanides were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectral studies. The stability of synthesized metal ferrocyanides were recorded in heat (various temperature), various concentrations of acids (HC1, H2SO4, HNO3, CH3 COOH) various concentrations of bases (NaOH, KOH, NH4OH), and in sea and tap water. All stabilities were recorded at room and boiling temperature. Stability of synthesized metal ferrocyanides were also recorded in presence of visible and ultraviolet radiation. Oxidizing and photosensitizing potential of synthesized metal ferrocyanides were tested using potassium iodide and freshly prepared starch solution indicated copper ferrocyanide as possible strong oxidizer and photosensitizer. Molybdenum, mercury and tungsten ferrocyanides were found to act as weak oxidizer and photosensitizer. Lanthanum and zinc ferrocyanide did not show any oxidizing and photosensitizing potential.

Abstract Piper betle L., is an evergreen perennial creeper belonging to family Piperaceae and is known to possess numerous medicinal properties. Current study focuses on evaluating antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of betel leaf. For the present study, distilled water, hexane, acetone and ethanolic extracts of two varieties of betel leaves: Meetha paan and Banarasi paan were used. Biochemical tests such as proximate analysis (moisture, ash, protein, lipids, minerals viz., sodium and potassium), antioxidant activity tests (DPPH radical scavenging activity, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, reducing power) and antimicrobial test (antibacterial and antifungal susceptibility test) against four pathogens viz., B. subtilis, E. coli, A. niger and S. cerevisiae were determined. Ethanolic extract had the highest antioxidant activity (89.46% inhibition), while the aqueous extract exhibited lowest antioxidant activity (62.03% inhibition). With increasing concentration (5, 10, 25 and 50 µg/mL), the reducing power of leaf extracts also increased. The ascorbic acid was not significant in Banarasi paan (5.21mg/100 g) and Meetha paan (5.20mg/100 g). The highest antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract (Banarasi paan) may be attributed to the presence of phytosterols in the leaf varieties. Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential study will help to build a database and promote the utilization of betel leaf as a medicinal herb.

Resumen En Hyderabad, India se evaluaron los atributos nutritivos de residuos de cosecha (rastrojo) de 11 cultivares de sorgo de grano (SP 18005A x 220-2,3,6,7; PC-5; GGUB44 x SSG-59-3; ICSV-700; CSV-17; NRF-526; FM-1; SPV -1616; PVK-809; UPMC-503; y HC-308), seleccionados por su diversidad genética y formas de uso, con el objeto de identificar líneas parentales superiores por concentración de proteína y digestibilidad, para uso eventual en programas de fitomejoramiento. Las concentraciones de proteína cruda difirieron entre los cultivares (3.7-6.7%; P<0.05) al igual que las concentraciones de NDF, ADF, celulosa y lignina (P<0.05). También difirieron (P<0.05) las concentraciones de carbohidratos totales, no estructurales y estructurales, y las fracciones de carbohidratos (Ca, Cb1, Cb2, Cc). Con excepción de Pa, las demás fracciones de proteína (Pb1, Pb2, Pb3 y Pc) también difirieron (P<0.05). Las concentraciones de las fracciones proteicas Pa y Pb3 fueron inferiores a Pb1, Pb2 y Pc. La mayor (P<0.05) fracción de proteína no disponible (Pc) se encontró en el rastrojo de SPV-1616 (36.8% CP) y la más baja en ICSV-700 (20.4% CP). Las concentraciones de energía bruta, energía digestible, energía metabolizable y nutrientes digestibles totales (NDT) variaron entre los cultivares (P<0.05); ICSV-700 presentó las concentraciones más altas de energía digestible y metabolizable, y NDT (2.60 kcal/g MS, 2.13 kcal/g MS y 59.0%, respectivamente). La eficiencia energética para mantenimiento, lactancia y crecimiento difirieron entre los cultivares (P<0.05) con rangos de 1.13-1.42, 0.41-0.70 y 0.95-1.33 kcal/g de MS, respectivamente. El consumo estimado de MS, la MS digestible estimada y el valor relativo del alimento para los rastrojos también variaron (P<0.05) con rangos de 1.76-2.19%, 55.3-61.4% y 75.4-104.1%, respectivamente. La digestibilidad in vitro más alta de la MS (P<0.05) se encontró con los cultivares PVK-809 (55.7%) e ICSV-700 (54.3%). Las concentraciones de macro- y micro-minerales también variaron (P<0.05) entre cultivares. La amplia variabilidad genética de los atributos nutritivos en los rastrojos de los cultivares de sorgo indica un potencial significativo para mejorar la calidad del rastrojo a través de programas de fitomejoramiento, pero se debe considerar el riesgo de comprometer los rendimientos de grano y rastrojo.

Abstract The nutritional attributes of stover from 11 sorghum cultivars (SP 18005A x 220-2,3,6,7; PC-5; GGUB44 x SSG-59-3; ICSV-700; CSV-17; NRF-526; FM-1; SPV-1616; PVK-809; UPMC-503; and HC-308), selected on the basis of their diverse genetic backgrounds and use, were evaluated to aid in selecting parents superior in protein concentration and digestibility for use in sorghum breeding programs. Samples of stovers were collected after grain harvesting and analyzed. The CP concentrations in different cultivars differed (3.7-6.7%; P<0.05) as did NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin concentrations (P<0.05). Total carbohydrate, non-structural carbohydrate and structural carbohydrate concentrations differed (P<0.05) amongst cultivars as did carbohydrate fractions (CA, CB1, CB2, CC; P<0.05). Protein fractions (Pb1, Pb2, Pb3 and Pc) except Pa differed (P<0.05). Concentrations of stover protein fractions Pa and Pb3 were lower than Pb1, Pb2 and Pc. Unavailable protein fraction Pc was highest (P<0.05) in stover of SPV-1616 (36.8% CP) and lowest in ICSV-700 (20.4% CP). Concentrations of gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) varied (P<0.05) and ICSV-700 had highest concentrations of DE, ME and TDN (2.60 kcal/g DM, 2.13 kcal/g DM and 59.0%, respectively). Energetic efficiency for maintenance (NEm), lactation (NEl) and growth (NEg) differed (P<0.05) with ranges of 1.13-1.42, 0.41-0.70 and 0.95-1.33 kcal/g DM, respectively. Values for estimated DM intake, estimated digestible DM and relative feed value for stovers also varied (P<0.05) with ranges of 1.76-2.19%, 55.3-61.4% and 75.4-104.1%, respectively. In vitro dry matter digestibility was highest (P<0.05) for cultivars PVK-809 (55.7%) and ICSV-700 (54.3%). Macro- and micro-mineral concentrations also differed (p<0.05) across cultivar stovers. The wide genetic variability for nutritional attributes in stovers of sorghum cultivars indicates significant potential for improvement of stover quality through sorghum improvement programs, but care needs to be taken that grain and stover yields do not suffer.

A highly efficient and simple reaction under exceptionally mild conditions is shown for the synthesis of biologically and pharma-ceutically active molecules of homopropargyl alcohol using HZSM-5 as the catalyst. Products analyzed by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and GC-MS showed consistent yields of 98 % of the alcohol, even with respective recycles of the regenerated catalyst. The reaction was also carried out with selected mineral acids, acidic oxides and other acidic catalysts to compare reactivity and the influence of the type of acidity involved in the reaction. The results indicate that the presence of both Bronsted and Lewis acidity is beneficial for inducing a high rate of reaction when compared to systems having either predominantly Bronsted or Lewis acidity.

Resumen El propósito principal de este artículo gira en torno de la influencia que tienen ciertos parámetros relacionados con la pirólisis de biomasa sobre las soluciones numéricas del modelo de energía de activación distribuida (MEAD) de orden n, usando la distribución Gamma. Se estudian el límite superior de la integral 'dE', el factor de frecuencia, el orden de reacción, y los parámetros de forma y velocidad de la distribución Gamma. El análisis del modelo matemático es realizado con ayuda de una expansión asintótica.

Abstract The main aim of this paper pivoted around the influence of some parameters relevant to biomass pyrolysis on the numerical solutions of the nth order distributed activation energy model (DAEM) using the Gamma distribution. The upper limit of ‘dE’ integral, frequency factor, reaction order, and the shape and rate parameters of the Gamma distribution are investigated. Analysis of the mathematical model is done with the help of asymptotic expansion.

Resumo O objetivo principal deste artigo gira em torno da influencia de certos parâmetros relacionados à pirólise de biomassa nas soluções numéricas do modelo de energia de ativação distribuída (MEAD) de orden n, usando a distribuição Gamma. São estudados o limite superior da integral 'dE', o fator de frequência, a ordem da reação, e os parâmetros de forma e velocidade da distribuição Gamma. A análise do modelo matemático é realizada com a ajuda de uma expansão assintótica.