Physico-Chemical Analysis of Soils Used for Pineapple Cultivation in the Sub-Prefectures of Maferinyah and Friguiagbé (Prefectures of Forécariah and Kindia) Republic of Guinea

Over the years, pineapple production in the Republic of Guinea has become less competitive in the West African sub-region, with a world ranking of 144th. It is therefore only natural to review certain parameters in order to improve this ranking. To do this, certain physico-chemical parameters of soil samples from Friguiagbé and Maferinyah (in the Kindia and Forécariah prefectures) were taken and analysed using the following techniques: Pipette de Robinson, Anne, Bray II, Kapen HICDVITZ, Mc. Lead (1982). The analytical results show that the soils at Friguiagbé in Kindia and Maferinyah in Forécariah are acidic, with pH values of 4.4 and 4.7 (fields I and II) and 4.8 and 4.7 (fields I and II) respectively. The soils have a silty-sandy texture. This study could therefore serve as a guide for the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Guinea.

Physico-Chemical and Nutritional Properties of a Food Broth Based on Nere (Parkia biglobosa)

Purpose: Diet and eating habits are major risk factors for the health and the development of disease, such as, for example, metabolic disorder leading to cardiovascular pathology and cancer, decreased immunity exposing to infections. This study of the physico-chemical and nutritional properties of a soumara-based food broth was carried out with the aim of promoting the consumption of organic broth made from nere seeds (soumara). That is to alleviate certain metabolic diseases, which is a matter of food safety, and also to limit the risk for the health about the consumption of some cooking stocks on the market. Methods: Several natural ingredients such as nere seeds (soumara), ginger, black pepper, parsley and garlic were used to create a nere-based stock. All these ingredients were freeze-dried and the powder obtained was used to make the broth, regarding their physical and chemical properties. Results: The broth had a good protein content of 17.41 ± 0.367 g/100g, a lipid content of 16.80 ± 0.08 g/100g and a fiber content of 8.66 ± 0.04 g/100g. In terms of nutritional values, the broth showed good levels of calcium 184.21 ± 0.09 mg/100g, potassium 50.04 ± 1.45 mg/100g and iron and zinc. In terms of antioxidant activity, the broth also showed good antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Regarding the properties of our food broth, whose composition is based on natural ingredients, could be recommended for consumption and, its properties, could play an important role in preventing and combating certain metabolic diseases.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Soils from Diguel and Koudalwa Tchad,and Phytoremediation Potentials of Acasia and Kinkeliba Plants in Removing Cr and Cu from These Soils

The aim of this study to investigate the physico-chemical properties of soils from Diguel and Koudalwa Tchad,and phytoremediation potentials of acasia and kinkeliba plants in removing Cr and Cu from these soils.Soil was sampled from the tannery plant in Diguel and agricultural land around crude oil activities in Koudalwa.Soils were characterized by the following properties:pH,(Electrical Conductivity),TDS(Total Dissolved Solids),salinity,bulk density,OM(Organic Matter),nitrate,phosphate,clay,silt,sand,and textural class.The acasia and kinkeliba plants were used to decontaminate Cu and Cr from sample soils for 30 days period.The bulk density of all the soil samples from Kouldawa was higher compared to Diguil,ranging from 1.421 to 1.64 g/cm^(3)compared to 1.21 to 1.51 g/cm^(3)for Diguel.Most of the soils in Kouldawa are mineral soils,while those of Diguel are mostly mineral soil with some organics.Diguel soils are richer in nitrate(577.9 to 2,687.32 mg/kg in Diguel and 33.64 to 197.64 mg/kg in Kouldawa)and phosphate than soils from Kouldawa.Soils from the studied areas are not saline except for a subsurface soil in Diguel(salinity,4.21;EC,4.280 dS/m;TDS,3,040 mg/L).The highest amount of Cr and Cu removed by acasia is 78%and 53.12%compared to 73.8%and 52.21%by kinkeliba.Diguel soil can be very suitable for agriculture and Kouldawa soils for construction.Acasia and kinkeliba can be effectively used to decontaminate the studied soils from heavy metal pollution.

Physico-Chemical and Structural Assessment of Akono Riparian Forest Watershed, Tributary of the Nyong Basin (Centre-Cameroon) at Different Stages of Degradation

Freshwater bodies are natural resources that should be exploited to the fullest, while maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems and ecosystem services which they support. Riparian forests are more important as they contain rivers which are vital sources of fresh water for local populations. However, the quality and quantity of water issued from the watershed depend on the structural state of these forests. The aim of this work was to assess the physico-chemical and structural state of the Akono gallery forest. To achieve this, fieldwork consisted of selecting six major streams of the watershed including Ndjolong, Menyeng adzap, Emomodo, Mvila, Negbe and Ossoé kobok. On each of these, two stations, one intact and one degraded, were marked by transects. The method involved measuring Hydrometric parameters (depth, length, width) of the stream and Physico-chemical parameters of water in the streams while dendrometric parameters were measured along 100 m-transects laid using the point-centred quarter method modified for water bodies to collect tree, shrub and palm variables such as trunk diameter, crown diameter and height. Macrophytes and species identification were carried out using standard botanical procedures. Results showed that, the majority of physico-chemical parameters measured differed significantly between intact and degraded stations (P Pentachletra mancrophylla, whereas on degraded sites, this index was low and characterized by the relative dominance of species Piptadeniastrum africanum. Sorensen’s index (0.56) and CFA showed that the different stands were homogeneous. We can affirm that the riparian forests of Akono watershed are towards a state of stability notwithstanding the perpetuation of anthropological actions.

Assessment of Groundwater Physico-Chemical Quality in the Ouémé Delta (Southern-Benin)

Groundwater resources are the main sources of water used to supply drinking water to the population of the Ouémé Delta via the Continental Terminal aquifer. Urbanization, population growth, and agricultural and industrial activities have resulted in a deterioration in the quality of these resources. To assess the quality of the delta’s groundwater and its suitability for human consumption and irrigation, a total of fourteen (14) physico-chemical parameters were analyzed in some forty existing water points between September 2020 and March 2021, using standard water analysis techniques. The values obtained were compared with the potability standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Republic of Benin and were subjected to statistical analysis (principal component analysis (PCA)). In addition, methods for determining the suitability of water for irrigation were used. The results showed that the waters are acidic to slightly neutral and influenced by ambient temperature. In addition, the waters are moderately mineralized, with conductivities (24 - 1205 μS/cm) in line with WHO standards. A comparison of the analytical results of the WHO (2017) and Benin (2001) standards indicates that the majority of the waters studied are of good quality for all the chemical parameters considered. Nevertheless, some samples show levels of nitrates (21%), potassium (14% to 16%), calcium (13%), ammonium (12%), nitrites (8%) and bicarbonates (10%) over their respective standards. The Wilcox and Riverside diagrams indicate that the majority of waters (90%) have excellent suitability for irrigation and no negative effect on soil fertilization.

Physico-Chemical Characterization of Some Honeys from the Savannah-Gallery Forest Complex and Primary Forest in Gabon

Honey harvesting throughout beekeeping is a technology recently introduced in Gabon comparing to the other African countries well known in international honey trade. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of the quality of multi-flower honeys from the savannah-gallery forest complex and primary forest not well documented in Gabon. Physical and chemical parameters of different honeys were analyzed using the official methods of analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The results of physico-chemical analysis show variations in pH (3.4 to 3.9), free acidity (37.12 to 76.65 meq∙kg−1), water content (17.49% to 21.21%), electrical conductivity (0.64 to 1.24 mS∙cm−1), density (1.02 to 1.03) and total sugar content (77% to 82%). These variations were significantly different (p < 0.05) between certain honeys, but independent of the type of ecosystem considered. The pH values confirmed the botanical origin of the five honeys. The physico-chemical parameters of the honeys show significant correlations (p < 0.05). Moisture content is negatively correlated with conductivity (r = −0.628), pH (r = −0.631), density (r = −0.552) and total sugar content (r = −0.890). Conductivity is positively correlated with free acidity (r = 0.688) and total sugar content (r = 0.776), and negatively correlated with water content (r = −0.628). All honeys were in line with Codex Alimentarius standards, except for 3 types of honey (M1, M2 and M4) for free acidity and electrical conductivity, showing possible fermentation of these honeys.

Phase behavior and percolation in an equilibrium system of symmetrically interacting Janus disks on the triangular lattice

A Janus particle has two distinct areas on its surface.Denoting the two areas as P(patch)and N(nonpatch),when two particles come close to each other,the strength of the PP interaction is usually different from that of the NN interaction.Recently the interplay between a rotational-symmetry-breaking continuous phase transition and percolation has been explored for an equilibrium system of asymmetrically interacting(i.e.,attractive PP interaction,zero NN and PN interactions)Janus disks on the triangular lattice.By Monte Carlo simulation and finite-size scaling analysis,in this work we study an equilibrium system of symmetrically interacting(i.e.,attractive PP and NN interactions with the same strength,zero PN interaction)Janus disks on the same lattice.By definition,the phase diagram in the T-θplane is symmetric for systems with patch sizesθbelow and above 90°.We determine the phase diagram and compare it with that of the asymmetric system.Similar to the latter system,for 60°<θ<90°,a rotational-symmetry-breaking continuous phase transition and an anisotropic percolation transition are found in the symmetric system,though the transition points in the two systems are quite different.Phase crossover curves are found to be different,e.g.,a continuous varying crossover line extends betweenθ=0°and 90°for the symmetric model;and in the range 0°<θ≤30°,along the crossover lines of the two models,the trends of 1/T vs.θare opposite in the two systems.We understand the latter by analytically solving the models with two particles in 0°<θ≤30°.These results are helpful for understanding close-packed systems of Janus disks with more complex interactions.

Percolation transitions in edge-coupled interdependent networks with directed dependency links

We propose a model of edge-coupled interdependent networks with directed dependency links(EINDDLs)and develop the theoretical analysis framework of this model based on the self-consistent probabilities method.The phase transition behaviors and parameter thresholds of this model under random attacks are analyzed theoretically on both random regular(RR)networks and Erd¨os-Renyi(ER)networks,and computer simulations are performed to verify the results.In this EINDDL model,a fractionβof connectivity links within network B depends on network A and a fraction(1-β)of connectivity links within network A depends on network B.It is found that randomly removing a fraction(1-p)of connectivity links in network A at the initial state,network A exhibits different types of phase transitions(first order,second order and hybrid).Network B is rarely affected by cascading failure whenβis small,and network B will gradually converge from the first-order to the second-order phase transition asβincreases.We present the critical values ofβfor the phase change process of networks A and B,and give the critical values of p andβfor network B at the critical point of collapse.Furthermore,a cascading prevention strategy is proposed.The findings are of great significance for understanding the robustness of EINDDLs.

Monitoring of the Physico-Chemical Parameters of the Waters of Lake Sonfonia,Municipality of Ratoma(Republic of Guinea)2021

As part of the determination of the possible impact of human activities on surface waters, case of Lake Sonfonia, six sampling sites were selected according to their solicitation by the population and their exposure to probable sources of pollution. The objective of this work is to monitor the physico-chemical quality of the waters of Lake Sonfonia during the low water level (March) and during the flood period (August) of the year 2021. Two sampling campaigns of water were carried out in dry weather and two others in cold weather. Parameters such as temperature, pH, EC (Electrical Conductivity), dissolved oxygen, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) were measured in situ. Suspended matter, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, sulphates, total iron, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) were measured in the laboratory by the colorimetric method. Stata 15 software was applied for the statistical analysis of the data and the correlation test between the parameters gave highly significant correlations. It has been noted that the situation is not very good and that this pollution comes mainly from human activities.

Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals in Groundwater Bassambiri-Nembe, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The study is focused on the post impact of oil spill contamination of groundwater in Bassambiri Nembe Bayelsa State. Groundwater samples were sampled from hand dug wells from eight stations including the control point for physico-chemical investigation using sterilized glass bottles. Standard methods were used for the analyses. The result of physico-chemical parameters analyzed shows that the values of the groundwater pH ranged between 5.90 - 6.35, electrical conductivity between 80.39 - 89.23 μS/cm, Salinity 23.3 - 28.69 mg/l, Turbidity 1.71 - 3.84 NTU, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 1.12 - 1.36 mg/l, Alkalinity 8.56 - 12.12 mg/l, Total Hardness 11.8 - 14.47 mg/l and Temperature 26.1℃ - 27.3℃. Analysis of cations shows that Na ranged from 7.38 - 10.34 mg/l, K 0.26 - 0.49 mg/l, Calcium ion levels 2.56 - 3.59 mg/l and Mg 0.88 mg/l - 1.23 mg/l. The anions showed Potassium ion levels ranged from 0.01 mg/l - 0.02 mg/l, Chloride ion levels 12.29 mg/l - 15.88 mg/l, Fluoride ion levels 0.01 mg/l and Nitrates from 0.27 mg/l - 0.48 mg/l. Total Heterotopic Fungi population ranged from 15.26 - 48.55 Coliform Forming units/ml. The maximum permissible value of total coliforms in drinking water was exceeded. However, the Total Hydrocarbon Concentration (THC) across the groundwater sample points was less than 0.01 mg/l. The concentration of PAH and BTEX was 0.01 mg/l across the study area. The heavy metal concentrations in the groundwater samples were negligible with levels of 0.01 mg/l observed in the study area except for iron ranging from 0.20 - 0.56 mg/l levels above the WHO permissible limit. The physico-chemical parameters of groundwater indicate that they fall below WHO permissible limits. The cations and anions concentration indicate a stable and healthy water system which is relatively good. The groundwater system has high levels of iron in groundwater and bacterial contamination. Treatment is required to avoid acute and chronic iron overload resulting from consumption from drinking groundwater within the study area.

段家河流域泥石流发育的渗流(Percolation)模型

在观察资料的基础上,提出了泥石流发育的渗流(Percolation)模型。由类比得到泥石流爆发的临界值P_c=d/(Z(d-1)),其中d是欧氏空间维数,z是配位数。根据广义Fibonacci数列,得到临界状态时的分形维数D_t(p,q)=In N/2ln,其中p、q是与人类活动、环境因素有关的参数.用以上结果对段家河流域的泥石流的发生作了理论分析。

Percolation on networks with dependence links

As a classical model of statistical physics, the percolation theory provides a powerful approach to analyze the network structure and dynamics. Recently, to model the relations among interacting agents beyond the connection of the networked system, the concept of dependence link is proposed to represent the dependence relationship of agents. These studies suggest that the percolation properties of these networks differ greatly from those of the ordinary networks. In particular, unlike the well known continuous transition on the ordinary networks, the percolation transitions on these networks are discontinuous. Moreover, these networks are more fragile for a broader degree distribution, which is opposite to the famous results for the ordinary networks. In this article, we give a summary of the theoretical approaches to study the percolation process on networks with inter- and inner-dependence links, and review the recent advances in this field, focusing on the topology and robustness of such networks.

Research on the nonlinear spherical percolation model with quadratic pressure gradient and its percolation characteristics

For bottom water reservoir and the reservoir with a thick oil formation, there exists partial penetration completion well and when the well products the oil flow in the porous media takes on spherical percolation. The nonlinear spheri-cal flow equation with the quadratic gradient term is deduced in detail based on the mass conservation principle, and then it is found that the linear percolation is the approximation and simplification of nonlinear percolation. The nonlinear spherical percolation physical and mathematical model under different external boundaries is established, considering the ef-fect of wellbore storage. By variable substitu-tion, the flow equation is linearized, then the Laplace space analytic solution under different external boundaries is obtained and the real space solution is also gotten by use of the nu-merical inversion, so the pressure and the pressure derivative bi-logarithmic nonlinear spherical percolation type curves are drawn up at last. The characteristics of the nonlinear spherical percolation are analyzed, and it is found that the new nonlinear percolation type curves are evidently different from linear per-colation type curves in shape and characteris-tics, the pressure curve and pressure derivative curve of nonlinear percolation deviate from those of linear percolation. The theoretical off-set of the pressure and the pressure derivative between the linear and the nonlinear solution are analyzed, and it is also found that the in-fluence of the quadratic pressure gradient is very distinct, especially for the low permeabil-ity and heavy oil reservoirs. The influence of the non-linear term upon the spreading of pressure is very distinct on the process of percolation, and the nonlinear percolation law stands for the actual oil percolation law in res-ervoir, therefore the research on nonlinear per-colation theory should be strengthened and reinforced.

Implicit finite difference method for fractional percolation equation with Dirichlet and fractional boundary conditions

An implicit finite difference method is developed for a one-dimensional frac- tional percolation equation （FPE） with the Dirichlet and fractional boundary conditions. The stability and convergence are discussed for two special cases, i.e., a continued seep- age flow with a monotone percolation coefficient and a seepage flow with the fractional Neumann boundary condition. The accuracy and efficiency of the method are checked with two numerical examples.

Percolation Model of Graphite-modified Asphalt Concrete

The addition of graphite powder in conventional asphalt mixture can produced asp halt concrete with excellent electrical performance. Percolation theor y was employed to discuss the relation between the conductivity and graphite con tent of graphite-modified asphalt concrete. It was found that the results of pe rcolation model are consistent with experimental values. The percolation thresho ld of graphite-modified asphalt concrete is 10.94% graphite content account for the total volume of the binder phase consisting of asphalt and graphite. The cr itical exponent is 3.16, beyond the range of 1.6-2.1 for the standard lattice c ontinuous percolation problem. Its reason is that the tunnel conduction mec hanism originates near the critical percent content, which causes this system to be not universal. Tunnel mechanism is demonstrated by the nonlinear voltage-cu rrent characteristic near percolation threshold.The percolation model is able to well predict the formation and development of conductive network in graphite- modified asphalt concrete.

A Novel Method for Preparing Polyurethane Based Conductive Composites with Low Percolation Threshold

A novel method for preparing conductive carbon black fllled polymer composites with low percolation threshold from polyurethane emulsion are reported in this paper. The experimental results indicate that with a rise in carbon black concentration the insulator-conductor transition in the emulsion blended composites occurs at 0.8-1.4vol%. In contrast, the solution blended composites exhibit drastic increase in conductivity at conducting filler fraction as high as 12.3-13.3vol%. It is demonstrated that the composites microstructure rather than chemical structure of the matrix polymer predominantly determines the electrical conduction performance of the composites.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Flour, Starch, and Modified Starch of Two Rice Varieties

The physical and chemical properties of the flours, starches, and modified starches of indica rice and japonica rice were investigated in this paper. Results showed that the swelling powers of flour, starch, and phosphate starch [substitution degree （DS）=0.065] of japonica rice were significantly higher than those （DS=0.065） of indica rice. The transmittance of modified starches was highest; and that of flours was lowest. The pasting property investigated with rapid visco analyzer （RVA） indicated that the peak viscosity and breakdown value of paste with high swelling power were high. Furthermore, the effect of protein and amylose content on pasting property were investigated. The results of rheological properties determined using rheological rheometer showed that at the same temperature, the storage modulus （G′ of flour, starch, and modified starch of indica rice was higher than that of japonica rice. For each variety, the G′of flour was the highest, while the G′of modified starch was the lowest.

Research on percolation model and criticality of seismicity

Making use of modern nonlinear physics theory and earthquake focus theory, combined with seismicity characteristics, the percolation model of earthquake activity is given in this paper. We take the seismogenic process of alarge earthquake as a phase transition process of percolation and apply the renormalization method to phase transition of percolation. The critical property of the system, which is like percolation probability exponential andcorrelative length exponential, etc, can be calculated under the fixed point as which in the renormalization transformation infinite correlative length in percolation phase transition is taken. The percolation phase transition process of two large earthquakes, which are Haicheng and Tangshan event occurred in 1975 and 1976 respectively, hasbeen discussed by means of seismicity data before and after two shocks.

Analysis on nonlinear effect of unsteady percolation in the inhomogeneous shale gas reservoir

The nonlinear effects of unsteady multi-scale shale gas percolation,such as desorption,slippage,diffusion,pressure-dependent viscosity,and compressibility,are investigated by numerical simulation.A new general mathematical model of the problem is built,in which the Gaussian distribution is used to describe the inhomogeneous intrinsic permeability.Based on the Boltzmann transformation,an efficient semi-analytical method is proposed.The problem is then converted into a nonlinear equation in an integral form for the pressure field,and a related explicit iteration scheme is constructed by numerical discretization.The validation examples show that the proposed method has good convergence,and the simulation results also agree well with the results obtained from both numerical and actual data of two vertical fractured test wells in the literature.Desorption,slippage,and diffusion have significant influence on shale gas flows.The accuracy of the usual technique that the product of viscosity and compressibility is approximated as its value at the average formation pressure is examined.

Physico-Chemical Properties and Enzyme Activities of the Arable Soils in Lhasa,Tibet,China

An understanding of the physical,chemical,and biological properties of a soil provides a basis for soil use and management.This paper reports the major physico-chemical properties and enzyme activities of the soils of Lhasa's main arable lands and the factors that influence these soil properties.Composite and core samples were taken from the three main arable soil types(alluvial soil,subalpine arable steppe soil,and subalpine arable meadow soil) and were analysed using standard methods.The bulk density and the ventilation porosity ratio of the soils were close to the recommended values for arable lands,and the dominant soil texture was sandy.The soil moisture release rates were arable steppe soil > alluvial soil > arable meadow soil.Soil organic matter content,Cation-Exchange Capacity(CEC),total and available nitrogen content,and catalase activity of the arable meadow soil were higher than those of the alluvial and the arable steppe soils,while soil pH in the arable meadow was lower.Most of the measured properties did not show a significant variance among these three soils.However,the measured indices(apart from the total potassium) indicate that there are notable differences among the three types of soil.The results implied that the utilisation patterns of the arable soil or human activities,such as tillage practices and fertiliser applications,have a substantialeffect on the soil properties in this region.Our results suggest that the cultivation practices in the region have apparently positive impact on the soil organic matter,nutrient contents and bulk density probably due to the sound fertiliser management such as the applications of farmyard manure and chemical fertilisers.However,intense cultivation practices lowered the activity of most soil enzymes.The results demonstrate that the choice of soil management strategy had a significant impact on the soil physicochemical and biological properties in the region studied.