SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Pruning methods can primarily affect grape production at various levels. Of the commonly affected features by pruning, the number of bunches has known to have a significant effect on the relation between the functions of assimilate sources and sinks. Further, fruitfulness can significantly be negatively influenced by shading. In this study, we aim to study the impact of 4, 6 and 8 buds per cane with pruning intensity as light, moderate and severely pruned and their interaction in the course two consecutive years, 2017 and 2018 in ‘Sahebi’ and ‘Halagho’ (both seeded red table grape cultivars). In 2018, lightly pruned ‘Halagho’ and having 8 buds per cane increased number of bunches by 54.00, which had the highest value. Results showed that there is apical buds bear more fruit by comparison to the buds with vegetative nature, 1 to 4 first buds. Based upon the outcomes of this study, it could be concluded that due to the stresses imposed by the pruning of the vines, therefore, the chemical compounds increases in order alleviate the negative aftermaths . In 2018, whole berry antioxidant activity in both cultivars was significantly lessened, and this decline was higher in ‘Saahebi’. The number of bunches was increased by increasing cane length or bud load/cane. Overall, the pruning program has an impactful role in bunch number as well as antioxidant activity and in the long-run on accumulated reserves, which makes choosing and applying a specific pruning method undeniably important. Thus, emphasize the importance of further research in this field.

Background: Aluminum stands out for being a light, corrosion-resistant, and recyclable metal, achieving wide coverage in the market. When incorporated into alloying elements, it is possible to acquire other desirable characteristics. Alloy 6063, intended for architectural purposes, has aesthetic, structural, and strength functions. Anodized finishing is performed through an electrolytic process, ensuring a more resistant aluminum oxide film than that formed naturally. For decorative purposes, the anodic film coloration can be performed by several methodologies, in this case, for the coloration by organic adsorption, with the use of aniline, and the electrolytic coloration, composed of tin sulfate salts, both for obtaining the black color. Aim: Compare of two different staining methods on the surface of anodized profiles of aluminum alloy 6063. Methods: Profile samples were collected and tests were carried out to measure the thickness of the anodic layer, immersion tests with 3,5 percent sodium chloride, for 1000 hours, and neutral saline mist, for 600 hours. Results and Discussion: Both methodologies proved to be resistant to immersion tests with sodium chloride, as well as with neutral saline mist, and these tests are quite aggressive and provide corrosion of the material when not well treated. Corrosion points were only seen at the intersections performed, and in the rest of thearea, no points were detected. Conclusions: The result of both methodologies was positive, considering tht there was no corrosion in the tested samples, except in the intersections performed, as well as the maintenance of the color in both tested methodologies, which was not expected in the literature. For future work, it is suggested to deepen the study to perform electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests for exaluate the strength of the anodic film and perform anodizing with the same parameters, however, with different anilines to analyze their behavior.

Background: Human echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus, the etiological agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE). Aim: This study aims to determine the epidemiological prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus in patients with hydatid cysts and evaluate serum TNF-α levels associated with echinococcosis, as well as the correlation between these levels and disease progression. Methods: Radiological examinations were performed to diagnose Echinococcus granulosus by identifying echinococcal cysts. The study included patients of all ages and both sexes from Al-Sader Medical City, Al-Hakeem General Hospital, Al-Haidarya General Hospital, and Al-Hayat Hospital. The study period was from October 2023 to the end of January 2024. Results: The mean TNF-α level in patients was 163.27 pg/ml, significantly higher than the mean level of 38.58 pg/ml in controls (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of hydatid disease in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf was found to be 33%. TNF-α levels are notably higher in patients with Echinococcus granulosus who are under 40 years of age compared to those over 40 years of age.