Residue Values Research Articles

Pesticide Residue and Bio-pesticides in Vegetable Crops

Intensive vegetable production using pesticides has biggest threat to growers and the consumers. In such instances the accumulation of pesticide residues is increased due to relatively short pre-harvest interval. Use of pesticides without knowing the label claim information increases the cost of production, increases the number of spray and labour cost, ultimately leading to decrease in farmers profitability. Hence, the adoption of pesticide as per label claim is very much essential. The level of residues should be below the maximum residue limit (MRL) at the time of harvest. Most of the detected pesticides in vegetables are not registered by Central Insecticide Board and Registration committee (CIBRC) for use on that specific vegetable which is the off label use of pesticides. Crops grouping is the development of a model that allows extrapolation of residue data from a few representative crops to many other crops in the same group. This allows establishment of residue tolerances for the entire group of crops based on the residue values from certain key crops that are similar. The acceptance of representative crop is a critical component of the savings from using the crop groups. IR-4’s involvement with efforts to remove pesticide residues as a barrier for exports for US-grown specialty crops has been growing in importance over the last 20 years. By establishing a common MRL on a specialty crop from a particular crop protection product use, trade irritants between the two countries can be prevented before they have the potential to become a major problem for specialty crop growers on each side of the border. The U.S./Canadian specialty crop partnership has yielded valuable results for all the stakeholders involved. IR4 signed MOUs with Canada, New Zealand, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Colombia. This model is also much needed for India to regulate the pesticide label claims for numerous crops.

Multiplex technique of data transmission in residual class systems

The research object: data transmission in optical communication lines. The subject of research is algorithms for the construction of digital data and methods of their transmission over buses in optical computer systems and in backbone fiber-optic systems. The problem to be solved is the need to devise new methods that ensure increased reliability and cryptographic stability of optical transmission systems. To solve the task, the issue of expanding the theory of timer signal structures and the system of residual classes for the organization of multifactorial multiplex data transmission through the channels of modern information transmission systems was investigated. The factor space is defined (as an example) for fiber optic transmission systems where different multiplexing options are used or may be used. The possibility of adapting algorithms for the construction of digital signal structures for their further transmission in the system of residual classes by various methods of multiplexing has been substantiated. The main principles of transmission were considered: the principle of independence of multiplexing the transmission of residues on each module and the principle of logical dependence and physical independence of the system of channels for transmission of residue values for a specific module of a specific system of residue classes. The basic principle is that at each specific point in time in the multivariate binary space, only one of the possible values of each factor can be equal to unity. A comparison with existing transmission systems shows that the proposed technique could provide data transmission at a speed of up to 16 Tbit/s in a transmission bandwidth of 200 THz. At the same time, the capacity of the alphabet of transmitted characters will be 39468 different characters. It also provides a significant increase in the reliability of the entire transmission system

Quality by Design Approach for Development and Characterization of Granisetron Hydrochloride-Loaded Orodispersible Films

AbstractGranisetron hydrochloride can be used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy. Its prolonged half-life and reduced dose requirement improve patient acceptance. However, patients undergoing chemotherapy often suffer from dysphagia and drug spitting due to emesis. Hence, the development of a patient-centered formulation of granisetron hydrochloride with simple medication and high compliance is crucial. The current study employed a polymer combination of polyvinylpyrrolidone/polyvinyl alcohol (PVP/PVA) as film-forming materials and Lycoat® RS 780 as a disintegrant to formulate orodispersible films (ODFs) loaded with granisetron hydrochloride. Guided by the concept of quality by design, the quality target product profile and critical quality attributes (CQAs) for the ODF were defined. Through the quality risk assessment, essential factors that have a significant impact on CQAs were identified. The formulation was screened using the Box–Behnken statistical design with three factors and three levels. Our data suggested that all ODF formulations exhibited a disintegration time of less than 60 seconds and complete dissolution within 5 minutes. Furthermore, the formulation displayed appropriate mechanical properties, water residue, and pH values. Thus, the granisetron hydrochloride-loaded ODF is regarded as a patient-friendly formulation that enhances compliance and consequently aids in therapeutic effectiveness.

Enhancing thermal stability, mechanical properties, and flammability of polyvinyl alcohol using amide‐functionalized hydrogel and zinc oxide nanoparticles

AbstractNew polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposites containing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and a hydrogel were prepared by the solution casting method. ZnO nanoparticles grafted co‐polymer (Zn‐g‐CP) was synthesized through the reaction of ZnO nanoparticles with vinyltriethoxysilane and then the radical co‐polymerization with 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS). The amide functionalized hydrogel was prepared via an in situ polymerization of acrylamide and N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker in a solution of PVA. The corresponding results indicated that the simultaneous presence of both Zn‐g‐CP and hydrogel could significantly increase flammability, thermal stability, and the tensile strength of PVA. The results of the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) indicated a uniform dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles and an enhanced compatibility with the PVA matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in both N2 and air atmospheres, indicated that the temperature at 50% mass loss and the char residue values of PVA nanocomposite containing 6 wt% of Zn‐g‐CP in the presence of hydrogel (PZH12 sample) were enhanced, which was evident by the increased thermal decomposition temperature. The peak of heat release rate (pHRR) value of the PZH12 sample was obtained 56.9% lower than that of the neat PVA demonstrating a significant improvement in flammability behavior. Also, the flame‐retardant performance of PZH12 improved, as compared to the pure PVA, with UL‐94 V1 rating and LOI of 27.2%. The tensile strength (Ts) and elongation at break (EB) values for the mentioned sample enhanced by 62.5% and 7.2% compared to those of the neat PVA, respectively.Highlights Preparation of vinyl functionalized ZnO nanoparticles (VZnO). ZnO grafted co‐polymer (Zn‐g‐CP) from a radical polymerization on the VZnO surface. Preparation of an amide‐sulfonated hydrogel in the PVA solution. The effect investigation of hydrogel and Zn‐g‐CP on the PVA properties. The results exhibited the enhanced flame retardancy and mechanical properties of PVA.

Method validation and dissipation kinetics of the novel HPPD-inhibiting herbicide cypyrafluone in winter wheat using QuEChERS method coupled with UPLC-MS/MS

Cypyrafluone, a novel hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibiting herbicide, can successfully control a wide species of grass and broadleaf weed in wheat fields. However, the dissipation behaviors and terminal residues of cypyrafluone in wheat fields remain unclear. Here, a simple, accurate, and dependable approach for the analysis of cypyrafluone in soil, wheat plant, and grain was constructed utilizing an adapted QuEChERS extraction combined with UPLC-MS/MS. For accurate quantification, matrix-matched calibrations with high linearity (R2 >0.99) were employed to eliminate matrix interference. The method possessed high accuracy with recoveries in the range of 85.5%− 100.6% and precision with relative standard deviations < 14.3%, as well as high sensitivity with limits of quantifications of 0.001 mg kg−1 in the three matrixes. The dissipation kinetics and terminal residues of cypyrafluone were determined at two separate locations with different climates, soil types and cropping systems in 2018. The half-lives of cypyrafluone in soil and wheat plant were 1.47–1.55 d and 1.00–1.03 d, respectively. At harvest, the terminal residue values of cypyrafluone detected in wheat plants were 0–0.0025 mg kg−1 and 0.0044–0.0057 mg kg−1 at the recommended dose and 1.5 times of the recommended dose, respectively, and 0.0049 mg kg−1 of this herbicide was detected in grain at 1.5 times of the recommended dose, which was below the maximum residue limit (MRL). Finally, the risk quotient for cypyrafluone ranged from 0.33% to 0.81% (<1) for different age groups in China, indicating that the impact of residues from the cypyrafluone application on wheat was acceptable. These findings above will offer scientific guidelines for cypyrafluone application in the wheat field ecosystem.

Risk assessment related to the presence of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) and chlorates in fish and fish products.

In compliance with Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, EFSA received a mandate from the European Commission to prepare a statement on the risk assessment related to the presence of benzalkonium chloride (mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides with alkyl chain lengths of C8, C10, C12, C14, C16 and C18) (BAC), didecyldimethylammonium chloride (mixture of alkyl-quaternary ammonium salts with alkyl chain lengths of C8, C10 and C12) (DDAC) and chlorates in fish and fish products. Within EFSA's annual chemical data collection, EFSA collected monitoring data for the residues of BAC, DDAC and chlorates from EU Member States, Iceland and Norway performed a statistical evaluation, providing estimated residue values for each substance in/on fish and fish products, at the percentile appropriate for the number of the available samples. Based on the information collected, EFSA performed an acute and chronic exposure assessment for EU consumers for BAC, DDAC and chlorates at the lower-bound, medium-bound and upper-bound scenarios resulting from the consumption of fish and fish products. EFSA did not identify potential consumer health risks associated to residues of the substances found in fish and fish products.

Effects of Plant Biostimulation Time Span and Soil Electrical Conductivity on Greenhouse Tomato ‘Miniplum’ Yield and Quality in Diverse Crop Seasons

Biostimulants help plants cope with environmental stresses and improve vegetable yield and quality. This study was conducted to determine the protein hydrolysate (PH) effect of three different durations (weekly applications: three, six, or nine times plus an untreated control) in factorial combination with four soil electrical conductivities (EC: 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, or 6.0 mS·cm-1) on yield, fruit quality, and elemental composition of tomato 'miniplum' grown in a greenhouse. Fruit yield was best affected, during the summer, by six and nine biostimulant applications at EC 3.0 mS·cm-1, and in the same season, the six treatments led to the highest fruit number with no difference compared to nine applications; during the winter, the three and six treatments improved the mentioned variables at each EC level. Fruits' dry residue and Brixo were positively affected by biostimulation both in summer and winter. In summer, the 6.0 mS·cm-1 EC led to the highest dry residue and Brixo values, though the latter did not show any significant difference compared to 4.5 mS·cm-1; in winter, the best results corresponded to 4.5 and 6.0 mS·cm-1. A higher beneficial effect of PH on fruit antioxidant status, i.e., lycopene, polyphenols, ascorbic acid levels, and lipophilic (LAA) and hydrophilic (HAA) activity, was recorded in winter compared with summer. Positive correlations between polyphenols and LAA, as well as ascorbic acid content and HAA were found for all EC and PH treatments. Most of the mineral elements tested demonstrated concentration stability, whereas the highest EC decreased P, Mg, Cu, and Se accumulation. The opposite effect was shown by PH application on Se and Mn levels, with P tending to increase. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Cu were the lowest under the longest duration of PH supply. These results further confirm the essential role of plant biostimulation in enhancing tomato yield and quality, with a particular focus on the treatment duration.

Proportionality principle revisited - relationship between application rates and pesticide residue concentrations in food commodities.

The proportionality principle has been broadly used for over 10 years in regulatory assessments of pesticide residues. It allows extrapolation of supervised field trial data conducted at lower or higher application rates compared to the use pattern under evaluation by adjustment of measured concentrations, assuming direct proportionality between the rates applied and the resulting residues. This work revisits the principle idea by using supervised residue trials sets conducted under identical conditions but with deviating application rates. Four different statistical methods were used to investigate the relationship between application rates and residue concentrations and to draw conclusions on the statistical significance of the direct proportionality assumed. Based on over 5000 individual trial results, the assumption of direct proportionality was not confirmed to be statistically significant (P> 0.05) using three models: direct comparison of application rates and residue concentrations ratios and two linear log-log regression models correlating application rate and residue concentration or only residue concentrations per se. In addition, a fourth model analysed deviations between expected concentrations following direct proportional adjustment and measured residue values from corresponding field trials. In 56% of all cases, the deviation was larger than ±25%, which represents the tolerance usually accepted for the selection of supervised field trials in regulatory assessments. Overall, the assumption of direct proportionality between application rates and resulting residue concentrations of pesticides was not statistically significant. Although the proportionality approach is highly pragmatic in regulatory practice, its use should be considered carefully on a case-by-case basis. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Quantifying Pharyngeal Residue Across the Adult Life Span: Normative Values by Age, Gender, and Swallow Task.

We quantified pharyngeal residue using pixel-based methods in a normative data set, while examining influences of age, gender, and swallow task. One hundred ninety-five healthy participants underwent a videofluoroscopic swallow study following the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) protocol. ImageJ was used to compute Normalized Residue Ratio Scale and the Analysis of Swallowing Physiology: Events, Kinematics and Timing (ASPEKT) pharyngeal residue measures. Reliability was established. Descriptive statistics were performed for all residue measures. Inferential statistics were performed using ASPEKT total scores (i.e., %C2-42). Logistic regression models explored predictors of residue versus no residue. Generalized linear mixed models explored predictors of nonzero residue. Spearman rho explored relationships between ASPEKT total residue scores and MBSImP Component 16 (Pharyngeal Residue) scores. Majority of swallows (1,165/1,528; 76.2%) had residue scores of zero. Residue presence (%C2-42 > 0) was influenced by age (more in older [F = 9.908, p = .002]), gender (more in males [F = 18.70, p < .001]), viscosity (more in pudding, nectar, and honey [F = 25.30, p < .001]), and volume (more for cup sip [F = 37.430, p < .001]). When residue was present (363/1,528 = 23.8%), amounts were low (M = 1% of C2-42, SD = 2.4), and only increasing age was associated with increased residue (F = 9.008, p = .007) when controlling for gender and swallow task. Increasing residue was incremental (0.01% of C2-42 per year). As ASPEKT total residue values increased, MBSImP Component 16 scores also increased. Pharyngeal residue amounts were very low in healthy adults. Residue presence can be influenced by age, gender, and swallow task. However, when present, the amount of pharyngeal residue was only associated with increasing age. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21957221.

Quality Control of Pesticide Residue Measurements and Evaluation of Their Results.

Pesticide residues are monitored in many countries around the world. The main aims of the programs are to provide data for dietary exposure assessment of consumers to pesticide residues and for verifying the compliance of the residue concentrations in food with the national or international maximum residue limits. Accurate residue data are required to reach valid conclusions in both cases. The validity of the analytical results can be achieved by the implementation of suitable quality control protocols during sampling and determination of pesticide residues. To enable the evaluation of the reliability of the results, it is not sufficient to test and report the recovery, linearity of calibration, the limit of detection/quantification, and MS detection conditions. The analysts should also pay attention to and possibly report the selection of the portion of sample material extracted and the residue components according to the purpose of the work, quality of calibration, accuracy of standard solutions, and reproducibility of the entire laboratory phase of the determination of pesticide residues. The sources of errors potentially affecting the measured residue values and the methods for controlling them are considered in this article.

Penurunan Residu Pestisida Tebukonazol dan Trifloksistrobin pada Umbi Bawang Merah dengan Budidaya Organik Berbasis Biopestisida di Desa Bulugunung Kecamatan Plaosan Kabupaten Magetan

[REDUCTION OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES Tebukunazol AND Trifloksistrobin ON ORGANIC BULB SHALLOT CROPS WITH BIOPESTICIDE BASED IN BULUGUNUNG VILLAGE, PLAOSAN, MAGETAN REGENCY]. Shallot plants are agricultural commodities that have a high and economic value. The continuous use of pesticides to increase Shallot production will harm the environment. The active pesticides of Tebukonazol and Triflooxystrobin are one of the fungicides to overcome moler disease. Maximum Residue Limit (BMR) on shallot bulbs for active substance Tebukonazol of 0.1 mg/kg while for active substances Trifloksistrobin of 0.01 mg/kg. To reduce the pesticide residues, efforts are needed through the application of biopesticides. This research was conducted in March-May 2021 in Bulugunung Village of Plaosan District of Magetan Regency. Analysis of pesticide residues Tebukonazol and Trifloksistrobin was carried out at the Laboratory of The Industrial Research and Consulting Center (BPKI) Surabaya. The research was one factor, conducted in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of 4 treatments with 6 replications, namely: Treatment (A): Conventional cultivation, Treatment (B): Fobio (seeds and plants), Phonska Fertilizer, P-Phosfat, SP-36, KCl, and ZA, Treatment (C): Manure to the soil and Soil sterilization with Fobio, as well as pesticide application, Treatment (D): Giving soil manure and soil sterilization with Fobio, and the application of Fobio (seeds and plants). Data analysis was conducted in analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the the Honesty Significant Difference (HSD) at a level of 5% if the F test shows a significant effect. The results showed that the treatments (B) and (D) of Fobio applications in seeds and plants have the lowest pesticide residue values of Tebukonazol and Trifloksystrobin compared to treatments (A) and (C) that use chemical pesticides.

Comparison of Validated Videofluoroscopic Outcomes of Pharyngeal Residue: Concordance Between a Perceptual, Ordinal, and Bolus-Based Rating Scale and a Normalized Pixel-Based Quantitative Outcome.

This study compared the concordance between two validated videofluoroscopic pharyngeal residue outcome scales used in clinical and research settings: the Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) and the Analysis of Swallowing Physiology: Events, Kinematics and Timing (ASPEKT) percent residue metric. Two trained raters completed independent and blinded videofluoroscopic ratings of both DIGEST efficiency and ASPEKT percent pharyngeal residue outcomes for bolus trials of 5 cc Varibar thin liquid (n = 223), thin liquid comfortable cup sips (n = 223), and 5 cc Varibar thin honey (n = 223). Spearman's rho and Kruskal-Wallis analyses were performed for each bolus type. Significant associations between DIGEST and ASPEKT pharyngeal residue outcomes were noted for 5 cc thin (r = .54, p < .001), cup sip thin (r = .41, p < .001), and 5 cc thin honey (r = .60, p < .001) bolus trials. ASPEKT percent residue increased across worsening DIGEST efficiency ordinal scale levels, with a main effect for each bolus type. Post hoc analysis revealed significant differences in the ASPEKT percent residue values between each DIGEST pairwise comparison for the thin cup sip bolus trial and for each pairwise comparison except between the moderate-to-severe (less than half vs. majority) ordinal levels for the 5 cc thin and 5 cc honey bolus trials, p < .05. Perceptual, ordinal (DIGEST) and quantitative, pixel-based (ASPEKT) videofluoroscopic pharyngeal residue outcomes were associated in this data set of 669 bolus trials. Future research is warranted to confirm these results.

Equilibrium passive sampling: A novel approach to determine internal tissue concentrations of hydrophobic organic compounds in biota

Equilibrium passive sampling has been applied in numerous abiotic environmental matrices. This approach was extended to biological material. In this work, a passive equilibrium sampling method for the measurement of HOCs in biota was developed as an innovative alternative because classical exhaustive extraction techniques are time-consuming and error-prone. The newly developed method is based on the well-proven SPME fiber method for sediment. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used as model lipophilic organic pollutants. Partition coefficients of PAHs and PCBs between the lugworm tissue and the PDMS sampling phase were determined. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated glass fibers were directly inserted in homogenized lugworm tissue and glass fibers were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The method application on lugworms from tidal sand flats near Wilhelmshaven showed that the mean body residue values of PCBs (4 μg g−1) and PAHs (256 μg g−1) were about five times higher for PCBs and more than 22 times higher for PAHs compared to literature data for the North Sea area. This high level of contamination might be a consequence of the oil processing refinery located in direct proximity to the sampling site. This novel approach of applying the SPME method to biota will make biological monitoring more effective and holistic, because seasonally and area-wide changes in all environmental compartments can be recorded quickly.

Evaluation of pesticide residues in commercial Swiss beeswax collected in 2019 using ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic analysis

The aim of this study was to determine residue levels of pesticides in Swiss commercial beeswax. Foundation samples were collected in 2019 from nine commercial manufacturers for analysis of 21 pesticides using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. Individual samples showed the variability and residue ranges and pooled samples represented the average annual residue values of the Swiss production. In total, 17 pesticides were identified and 13 pesticides were quantified. They included 13 acaricides and/or insecticides, two fungicides as well as a synergist and a repellent. The means calculated from individual samples were similar to the average annual residue values for most tested pesticides. Mean values of 401, 236, 106 and 3 μg·kg−1 were obtained for the beekeeping-associated contaminants coumaphos, tau-fluvalinate, bromopropylate and N-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-formamide (DMF; breakdown product of amitraz), respectively. For the other pesticides, the mean values were 203 μg·kg−1 (synergist piperonyl butoxide), 120 μg·kg−1 (repellent N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, DEET), 19 μg·kg−1 (chlorfenvinphos) and 4 μg·kg−1 ((E)-fenpyroximate), while the means for acrinathrin, azoxystrobin, bendiocarb, boscalid, chlorpyrifos, flumethrin, permethrin, propoxur and thiacloprid were below the limit of quantification (< LOQ). Individual samples contained from seven to 14 pesticides. The ranges of values for coumaphos and piperonyl butoxide (from 14 to 4270 μg·kg−1; from 6 to 1555 μg·kg−1, respectively) were larger as compared to the ranges of values for DEET and tau-fluvalinate (from < LOQ to 585 μg·kg−1; from 16 to 572 μg·kg−1, respectively). In conclusion, the most prominent contaminants were the pesticides coumaphos and tau-fluvalinate, which are both acaricides with previous authorization for beekeeping in Switzerland, followed by piperonyl butoxide, a synergist to enhance the effect of insecticides.Graphical abstract

Security Enhancement of Network Constraint Grid-Edge Energy Management System

Network constrained grid edge energy management system (EMS) provides economic solution for active and reactive power dispatch of distributed energy resources (DERs) at the grid edge level. Grid edge EMS ensures secure interconnection of a circuit segment to the distribution system by maintaining grid code requirements (e.g. IEEE 1547-2018). Grid edge EMS is dependent on communication to receive load measurement, which brings a risk of unobservable false data injection attacks (FDIAs). To mitigate the risk, this paper proposes a framework to enhance resilient operation of grid edge EMS by detecting the unobservable FDIAs on loads and replacing them with forecasted values. In this work, a two-step detection algorithm is proposed. In first step, conventional residual based algorithm is deployed. Autoencoder (AE) based data driven mechanism is included in second step to detect the presence of unobservable FDIAs. After ensuring the presence of FDIA, its specific location is detected by checking the maximum residue values till the predefined threshold value is reached. Detected false data injected loads are then replaced with forecasted load values following long- short term memory (LSTM) based forecast to ensure resilient performance of grid edge EMS in the presence of attacks. This proposed security enhancement framework for grid edge EMS is evaluated in IEEE 13 bus system with three integrated DERs. Numerical simulation shows the validation of the proposed framework by reducing voltage violation in real operation of grid edge EMS.

Modifications on the Properties of \(D^*_{s0}\)(2317) as Four-quark State in Thermal Medium

Since the low mass of $D^*_{s0}(2317)$ has still been a problem to the conventional quark model, one can consider other options regarding as multi-quark system. Therefore we investigate the scalar open-charm state $D^*_{s0}(2317)$ by Thermal QCD Sum Rules (TQCDSR) method using the two-point correlation function together with contributions of the non-perturbative condensates up to dimension six. Deriving and numerically analyzing thermal mass and pole residue sum rules, we accomplish the effects on the properties of $D^*_{s0}(2317)$ resonance in hot medium. Our numerical evaluations indicate that the variations in mass and pole residue values are stable through the growing temperature up to $T\cong100~\mathrm{MeV}$, but they begin to fall after this point. At critical temperature, the values of mass and pole residue change up to $91\%, 70\% $ of their values in vacuum in the molecular scenario and $ 91\%, 69\% $ in the diquark-antidiquark scenario. Our results does not give any definite information as to whether $D^*_{s0}(2317)$ resonance has molecular or diquark-antidiquark structure since they are very close to each other to differentiate them. Besides, we predict the hadronic parameters of the bottom partner of the $D^*_{s0}(2317)$ resonance in both molecular and diquark-antidiquark pictures. This bound state is worth investigating in future experiments. Also the detailed search of hot medium effects on the hadronic parameters of open-charm meson $D^*_{s0}(2317)$ and the bottom partner could have some implications to define the QCD phase diagram obtained from heavy-ion collision experiments. Moreover these results can be useful in distinguishing conventional quark model mesons from exotica.

The zeta function for the triangular potential

The zeta functions for the Schrödinger equation with a triangular potential are investigated. Values of the zeta functions are computed using both the Weierstrass factorization theorem and analytic continuation via contour integration. The results were found to be consistent where the domains of the two methods overlap. Analytic continuation is used to compute the values of the zeta functions at zero and the negative integers and explore the pole structure (and residue values) as well as the value of the slopes at the origin. Those results are used for the computation of the trace and determinant of the associated Hamiltonians.

Effect of Spraying Glyphosate Herbicide on Solanum elaeagnifolium in Uncultivated Fields and on Physicochemical and Biological Soil Characteristics

Bakkour, F., A. El-Meamar and Z. El-Naser. 2021. Effect of Spraying Glyphosate Herbicide on Solanum elaeagnifolium in Uncultivated Fields and on Physicochemical and Biological Soil Characteristics. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 296-308. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-39.4.296308 Glyphosate herbicide is used in uncultivated fields infested with Solanum elaeagnifolium plants several times a year in all Syrian governorates by the Ministry of Agriculture. This research aimed to study the effect of repeated spraying of glyphosate in uncultivated fields in five different locations in the Syrian governorates, Deir Ezzor (Tebni), Aleppo (Dakwani), Hama (Bostan AL-Omahat), Homs (ALZahoria) and Rural Damascus (Bohter) during the period 2017-2020, on the physiochemical and biological characteristics of the treated soils. Herbicide residues were measured in the leaves of the treated Solanum elaeagnifolium plants and in the soils surrounding the roots of the Solanum elaeagnifolium plants. It was found that the repetition of the pesticide spray 3 and 6 times during the study period did not alter the physical composition, salinity, pH and calcium carbonate content in all study locations. Whereas, spraying glyphosate 3 and 6 times increased the percentage of organic matter and phosphorus available, with a significant difference with the control. The values of available phosphorous after 6 pesticide spray applications reached 176, 203, 196, 227 and 205 mg/kg of soil in Deir Ezzor, Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Rural Damascus, respectively. In addition, repeated spraying with glyphosate of the treated soils led to increase the average general bacteria and fungi populations. These indicators were increased with the increase in the number of pesticide sprays applied. Furthermore, the pesticide residues increased in the soil and Solanum elaeagnifolium leaves with the increase in number of pesticide sprays. Pesticide residue values after 6 sprays were 1.72, 3.53, 4.89, 4.43 and 2.29 mg/kg of soil in Deir Ezzor, Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Rural Damascus locations, respectively. Keywords: Glyphosate, S. elaeagnifolium, residues, microorganisms, soil.

Valuating hydrocarbon pipeline facility service beyond 20–25 year economic life: Accounting for residual value

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The 20–25 years economic life for hydrocarbon pipelines in the investment decision model is at wide variance with historical statistical records of more than 90-percent world-wide. Opinions diverge, from service type to the product quality, and materials resilience as basis for this premise. While, financial experts consider time to fully depreciate a capital investment, irrespective of the rate of returns, engineers consider operational availability and reliability duration. The risk is that actual residue values of pipelines worldwide are erroneously omitted in every project’s economics Cash-flow computation, thus eroding the investment decision quality. Statistics showed that more than 60-percent of pipelines worldwide have already exceeded the 25 years economic life, while more than 40-percent have operated more than 30-years and above. This theoretical appraisal identified a gap in the economic model in handling multi-criteria risk management uncertainties like hedging, weighting, etc., and highlighted the exigency to craft and assign numeric residue values for pipelines in the investment Cash-flow models.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Sensitivity of Freshwater Australian Bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) and Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) to Waterborne Antimony: Exposure–Dose–Response Characteristics and Ion Homeostasis

We conducted acute toxicity studies using semi-static protocols to examine the lethal responses of Australian bass and silver perch exposed to antimony (Sb) oxidation states in Sb(III) (10.5-30.5mg L-1) and Sb(V) (95.9-258.7mg L-1). Bioavailability and the effects of Sb on body ion regulation (Na, Ca, Mg, and K) were also investigated. Antimony species-specific effects were observed with exposure to both Sb oxidation states. Median lethal concentrations (LC50s) for Sb(III) were 13.6 and 18mg L-1 for Australian bass and silver perch, respectively, and the LC50 for Sb(V) in Australian bass was 165.3mg L-1. The LC50 could not be calculated for silver perch exposed to Sb(V) as the maximum exposure concentrations produced 40% mortality but a larger-than value of > 258.7mg L-1 was estimated. Relative median potency values derived from the LC50s were 0.1 Sb(III) and 12.2 and 16.6 Sb(V) for Australian bass and silver perch, respectively, demonstrating greater toxicity of Sb(III) to both fish species. Antimony uptake in fish was observed. Median critical body residue (CBR50) values of 77.7 and 26.6mgkg-1 for Sb(III) were estimated for Australian bass and silver perch, respectively, and 628.1mgkg-1 for Sb(V) in Australian bass. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for both Sb(III) and Sb(V) did not change with exposure but the greater BCFs for fish exposed to Sb(III) indicate that it is more bioavailable than Sb(V) in acute exposure. No effects on whole-body Na, Ca, Mg, or K ions were observed with fish exposure to either Sb species.