In the pursuit of novel drugs, natural products, especially those from herbal medicines are being investigated in more detail. Plant extracts are complex samples and whilst screening of crude samples is of some use, reliable screening data can only be obtained from purified material. This study describes the novel application of automated preparative-HPLC combined with a rapid off-line bacterial bioassay, using the tetrazolium salt, XTT reaction as an indicator of bacterial metabolism. This approach facilitated the identification of bioactive fractions from Quercus baloot that were active against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This is the first report of bioactivity associated with Q. baloot.

Object of this study is investigating of the efficiency of regional stock exchanges, in 2009, and specifying efficient and inefficient stock exchanges. To this aim, input oriented method is used, in both fixed and variable return to scale. Results show that 10 units have efficiency of 1, in CCR method (fixed return to scale hypothesis). Also, in BBC model (variable return to scale hypothesis), 16 units located on efficiency border and had efficiency of 1.5 units were identified as inefficient units. Kish, Isfahan and Zanjan have the most efficiency in BBC model. Surveying ranking of regional stock indicates that Kish, Zanjan and Isfahan are in better status than other units. Thus, it is suggested to identify effective factors on getting the best ranks in stocks and apply them to units having low efficiency.

This paper evaluates impact of Community Driven Development programme on infrastructure under National Fadama II Project in Oyo State Nigeria.\n\n Data were collected from two hundred and sixty-four farmers using multistage sampling procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and infrastructure index. \nThe result shows that average infrastructural index in the area was 0.42. Forty-four villages were classified as infrastructural developed villages (IDV) while the remaining were infrastructural under-developed villages (IUV). \n\nThe study therefore calls for the involvement of both private and public organization in construction and rehabilitation of rural infrastructure such as roads, health centre, school, market, motor able road, potable water, box culvert , VIP toilet and processing services centers, in the areas and the initiation of researches on labour saving devices for agriculture in the study area.

Novel superabsorbent hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) were prepared by a crosslinking technique using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker. The hydrogel structure was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results from SEM observation also showed a porous structure with smooth surface morphology of the hydrogel. We were systematically optimized the certain variables of hydrogel synthesis to achieve a hydrogel with maximum swelling capacity. Under the optimized conditions concluded, maximum capacity of swelling in distilled water was found to be 125 g/g. Swelling ratio in various salt solutions was also determined and the hydrogels exhibited salt-sensitivity properties.

The ability to increase salt tolerance in crop plants is a major breeding objective in many areas where saline and sodic soils limit crop production and in areas that experience significant fluctuations in soil salinity, including estuaries and intertidal zones. The Salt Overly Sensitive 1 ( SOS1) gene encodes a plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter that plays an important role in germination and growth of plants in saline environments. This study presents the in silico and phylogenetic analysis of SOS1 gene in different species based on coding sequences (complete cDNA. Results revealed the lengths of cDNA in 4 species (Aegilops tauschii, Triticum monococcum, Triticum aestivum and Aegilops speltoides ) are completely equal (3429 bp) that are belonging to the Gramineae family. moreover analysis of phylogenic tree showed that species classificated in three group, group 1 consist of 4 plant (Aegilops tauschii,Triticum monococcum, Triticum aestivum and Aegilops speltoides), group 2 consist of 4 plant (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, Salicornia brachiata, Vitis vinifera), group 3 consist of only 1 plant (Arabidopsis thaliana).

In order to investigation some of micronutrients application on micronutrient distribution, partitioning, and their ratio in different parts of soybean plant, we conducted an experiment in field conditions at Kermanshah, Iran. Three levels of zinc (Zn0, Zn20 and zn40 as Znso4), iron (Fe0, Fe25 and Fe50 as Feso4) and manganese (Mn0, Mn20 and Mn40 as Mnso4) were applied. Based on results, Based on results, Zinc and Manganese concentrations increased with micronutrient fertilizers application. The highest zinc concentration was observed in pod, but Maximum iron and manganese concentrations recorded in leaves. With increases in soybean old and reach to full maturity stage, the zinc, iron, and manganese content in tissue plant were decreased. The results indicated that with zinc application, [Zn]/[Fe] and [Zn]/[Mn] ratios in seed increased, severely. While, Fe fertilizer application was caused that [Zn]/[Fe] ratio reduced, but [Zn]/[Mn] ratio unaffected by iron application.