Statistical and Geometrical Way of Model Selection for a Family of Subdivision Schemes

The objective of this article is to introduce a generalized algorithm to produce the m-point n-ary approximating subdivision schemes(for any integer m, n ≥ 2). The proposed algorithm has been derived from uniform B-spline blending functions. In particular, we study statistical and geometrical/traditional methods for the model selection and assessment for selecting a subdivision curve from the proposed family of schemes to model noisy and noisy free data. Moreover, we also discuss the deviation of subdivision curves generated by proposed family of schemes from convex polygonal curve. Furthermore, visual performances of the schemes have been presented to compare numerically the Gibbs oscillations with the existing family of schemes.     

Ornamental Plant Efficiency for Heavy Metals Phytoextraction from Contaminated Soils Amended with Organic Materials

Accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) by ornamental plants (OPs) from contaminated agriculture soils is a unique technique that can efficiently reduce the metal load in the food chain. Amaranthus tricolor L. has attractive characteristics acquiring a higher growth rate and large biomass when grown at heavy metal contaminated soils. Site-specific detailed information is not available on the use of A. tricolor plant in metal phytoremediation from the polluted sites. The study aimed to enhance the uptake of HMs (Pb, Zn, and Cu) via amending poultry litter extract (PLE), vinasse sugarcane (VSC), and humic acid (HA) as natural mobilized organic materials compared to ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), as a common mobilized chemical agent by A. tricolor plant. The studied soils collected from Helwan, El-Gabal El-Asfar (Cairo Governorate), Arab El-Madabeg (Assiut Governorate), Egypt, and study have been conducted under pot condition. Our results revealed all organic materials in all studied soils, except EDTA in EL-Gabal El-Asfar soil, significantly increased the dry weight of the A. tricolor plant compared to the control treatment. The uptake of Pb and Zn significantly (p > 0.05) increased due to applying all organic materials to the studied soils. HA application caused the highest uptake as shown in Pb concentration by more than 5 times in Helwan soil and EDTA by 65% in El-Gabal El-Asfar soil while VSC increased it by 110% in El-Madabeg soil. Also, an increase in Zn concentration due to EDTA application was 58, 42, and 56% for Helwan, El-Gabal El-Asfar, and El-Madabeg soil, respectively. In all studied soils, the application of organic materials increased the remediation factor (RF) than the control. El-Madabeg soil treated with vinasse sugarcane gave the highest RF values; 6.40, 3.26, and 4.02% for Pb, Zn, and Cu, respectively, than the control. Thus, we identified A. tricolor as a successful ornamental candidate that, along with organic mobilization amendments, most efficiently develop soil health, reduce metal toxicity, and recommend remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. Additionally, long-term application of organic mobilization amendments and continued growth of A. tricolor under field conditions could be recommended for future directions to confirm the results.     

Diorganotin(IV) Complexes with Monohydrate Disodium Salt of Iminodiacetic Acid: Synthesis,Characterization, Crystal Structure and Biological Activities

Diorganotin(IV) derivatives have been synthesized by the reaction of R₂SnL₂ (R=n‐Bu 1 , Ph 2 ) with monohydrate disodium salt of iminodiacetic acid ( Na₂L ) in 1 : 1 M/L ratio under reflux conditions. The compounds have been characterized by FT‐IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectoscopy, electron ionization mass spectrometry (EIMS), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and single crystal XRD. FTIR data indicates a mono‐dentate binding mode of the carboxylic acid group as well as participation of the amino nitrogen and aqua oxygen in coordination with organotin(IV) moieties. NMR data demonstrates a tetra‐coordinated environment around tin(IV) in solution. Mass spectrometric and thermogravimetric analyses verify the close similarities between the molecular structures of both complexes. The thermal stability of diphenyltin(IV) derivative ( 2 ) was found slightly higher than that of the free ligand ( Na₂L ). Single crystal X‐ray analysis of the complex 1 have shown a hexa‐coordinated geometry around Sn(IV) with trans configuration. There are evidences for the existence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the structure of the complexes. The products displayed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities in contrast to the biologically inactive ligand precursor. However, the hemolytic cytoxicity of the complexes was comparatively high than the free ligand.     

Attraction behaviour of Anagrus nilaparvatae to remote lemongrass (Cymbopogon distans) oil and its volatile compounds

Utilisation of Anagrus nilaparvatae is a promising and effective method for planthoppers manipulation. Twenty-seven components of remote lemongrass (Cymbopogon distans) oil were identified by GC/MS and nine volatiles were selected for behavioural experiments. In this study, we noted that the remote lemongrass oil was attractive to female A. nilaparvatae at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/L. α-Pinene, β-pinene, eucalyptol, carveol and D-carvone attracted female wasps in the dose-dependent bioassays. Blend 1 (a mixture of eucalyptol, D-carvone, carveol, α-pinene, and β-pinene with ratios of remote lemongrass oil volatiles of 625:80:11:5:3) attracted female wasps at 10 mg/L, while blend 2 (a mixture of the same five volatiles at the same loading ratio) attracted them at 0.1 and 1 mg/L. These results suggested that plant essential oils could be attractants for natural enemies to control pests. The ratios of volatiles in the mixtures affect the attractiveness of the synthetic mixtures.