• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.303-311
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• 2015

This study aimed to assess the effects of tree manures in comparison with NPK fertilizer on growth of Acacia senegal seedlings. It was conducted in the nursery of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Khartoum, Shambat (Lat.: $15^{\circ}$ 39' 387" N and Long.: $32^{\circ}$ 30' 871" E), during August 2008 and January 2009. The growing media were prepared by mixing ground foliage of trees with sandy soil (weight/volume) as follows, Albizia lebbeck (AL): 25 g, 50 g and 75 g; Azadirachta indica (AZ): 25 g, 50 g and 75 g; Khaya senegalensis (KH): 25 g, 50 g and 75 g; NPK fertilizer: 30 g per seedling. Albizia lebbeck and Azadirachta indica manures and NPK fertilizer have stimulated the Acacia senegal seed germination percentage in comparison with the control, with respective values of 89, 82.7, 81 and 71%. Khaya senegalensis manure has suppressed the Acacia senegal seed germination percentage with a value of only 49%. Effects of treatments on the seedlings growth parameters varied in the following percentages, in comparison to the control, shoot height: AZ 62.9%, AL 46%, KH 9.9% and NPK 27.8%; root length: AZ 25.8%, AL 31.5%, KH 30.6% and NPK 4.4%; diameter: AZ 75.2%, AL 37.1%, KH 34.3% and NPK 20%; Shoot biomass: AZ 319%, AL 195.2%, KH 57.1% and NPK 42.9%; root biomass: AZ 288.9%, AL 116.7%, KH 55.6% and NPK 16.7%%;. Thus, the effectiveness of the used substrates on the growth performance of Acacia senegal seedlings occurred in the following descending order: Azadirachta indica> Albizia lebbeck>Khaya senegalensis>NPK fertilizer. These results assert clearly the ameliorative and fertilizing characteristics of tree manures that can be reliably used for raising seedlings stocks in the nurseries.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.270-280
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• 2017

Selection of superior phenotypes of fruit trees and products based on established criteria by local people is a prerequisite for future species domestication and conservation. Thus the study objective was to identify the local people's perceptions and preferences on baobab trees and products. A sample of 142 respondents was randomly selected using structured interviews in Blue Nile and North Kordofan, Sudan in 2013. Descriptive analysis was employed using SPSS and Excel programs. The study results indicated that local people use the morphological characteristics of the tree (leaves, fruits, seeds, kernels and bark) to differentiate individual trees. Based on the perceptions, local people recorded trees with delicious leaves, white pulp color, big fruit size and mature capsule size, and high pulp yield as criteria for differentiating between baobab trees in the study areas. In contrast, the undesirable traits were connected to trees with acidic pulp, slimy pulp, bitter leaves, and low pulp yield. The study concluded that the ethnobotanical knowledge of the baobab tree and its products may play an important role in tree domestication and improvement in Sudan. However, further research on tree genetics is needed to complement the ethnobotanical knowledge for baobab resources domestication and conservation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.625-630
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• 2016

Background: Despite the established role of the Pap smear test (PST) in prevention and early detection of cervical cancer, it is still rarely practiced in Sudan. Many challenges hinder the establishment of an effective cervical cancer screening program, including socio-cultural factors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Sudanese women with regard to the Pap smear test and cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 500 married women aged 14 to 58 years were recruited from obstetric clinics, hospitals and universities in Khartoum in 2014. Data were collected using a standardized, pretested questionnaire that inquired socio-demographic characteristics and their KAP about cervical cancer and the PST. Results: More than 52% of participating women were above 30 years of age, and the majority (78.8%) were university degree holders. A total of 486 (97.2 %) of participants were resident in urban areas of Khartoum State. However about 48% of the respondents had never heard about PST, and only 15.8% of the participants had undergone a Pap smear test previously; 46.6% (233/500) knew that the human papilloma virus (HPV) was the causative agent, but only 39.2% (196/500) had heard about HPV vaccination, and only 11.4% (57/500) had received the vaccine. However 68% of the respondents agreed to do Pap smear if properly informed about the test and 75.4% of the respondents agreed to participate in a cervical cancer screening program. Conclusions: Despite a high educational level, less than half of our participants had accurate knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV, and cervical cancer screening. Health education about cervical cancer, HPV and sexually transmitted infections and the role of PST in cervical cancer prevention are crucial when designing interventions aimed at improving cervical cancer screening for Sudanese women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2105-2110
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• 2016

Purpose: A multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess factors delaying presentation of breast cancer cases. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from a pair of highly specialized referral centers, both located in the center of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. For a total of 153 eligible respondents, durations of delay, clinicodemographic factors and reasons of referral were collected from our respondents through self-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis and ANOVA were used to test the relation between periods of delay and different factors. Odd ratios (OR's) and their correspondent Confidence intervals (95% CI's). Delay periods were studied with Andersen's model. Results: The average duration of delay in our study was 11.9 (${\pm}11.2$) months. Only a quarter of our patients presented early within the first 3 months after onset of their symptoms. About 47.7% arrived later during the course of the first year, while it took beyond that for the last 27% to come. A prior diagnosis of BC was the only predictor of early presentation (for 3-12 months OR=9.6 (p<0.00), 95% CI 9.55-9.75; for >12 months OR=9.3 (p<0.00), 95% CI 9.33-9.33). Out of the 12 different reasons for delay given by our respondents, none showed a significant difference between patients presenting early or late. Financial incapacity (17.5%), ignorance about BC (14.3), and misinterpreting symptoms (12.7%) were the top three whys of delay. Conclusions: Our findings support existence of a non-uniform pattern of delay among Sudanese BC patients. Changing currently adopted awareness elevating strategies into much more inclusive approaches is strongly recommended.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2003

This study was designed to investigate the effects of main constituents of Nigella sativa (NS) seed on the survival and CNS responses in experimental animals. The toxicological investigations were conducted for the determination of median lethal doses $(LD_{50})$ of NS seed constituents [i.e. aqueous extract (AE), fixed oil (FO), volatile oil (VO)] and main components of its VO [i.e. thymoquinone (TQ), ${\alpha}-pinene$ (AP) and p-cymene (PC)]. A part of this study includes evaluation NS constituents in the induction of minimal neurological deficit (MND) as a parameter for neurotoxicity using chimney test. In this study, the i.p. $LD_{50}$ values of AE, FO, VO, TQ (suspended In 0.5%CMC), TQ (dissolved in corn oil), AP and PC, were 3020, 3371, 1853, 616.6, 90.3, 1726 and 1523 mg/kg, respectively. All the NS constituents can be considered moderately toxic ($LD_{50}$ ranged from 616.6 to 3371 mg/kg), except the oily solution of TQ, which was very toxic ($LD_{50}$ was 90.3 mg/kg). It appeared that the toxicity of the whole VO is mainly due to its content of TQ and to some extent PC. All the NS constituents induced different degrees of MND at certain dose levels. The median neurotoxic (or sedating) doses $(TD_{50})$ of AE, FO, VO, TQ (suspended in CMC) and AP and PC, were 950, 1403, 306, 88.1, >173 and 368 mg/kg, respectively. TQ was the most potent component in inducing MND, whereas the FO and AE were the least. Neurotoxicity induced by the VO in the chimney test may refer basically to its contents of TQ and to some extent PC and AP.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2021

We aimed to explore the population dynamics of snail in 3 sites of the White Nile in Sudan. More specifically, we aimed to investigate the annual patterns of snail populations that act as intermediate hosts of schistosomes and monthly snail infection rates and ecological characteristics presumably related to snail populations. We collected snails for 1 year monthly at 3 different shore sites in the vicinity of El Shajara along the White Nile river in Khartoum State, Sudan. In addition, we measured air and water temperatures, water turbidities, vegetation coverages, and water depths and current speeds. Most of the collected snails were Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus. The population densities of snails and their infection rates varied across survey sites. The collected snails liberated S. mansoni and S. haematobium cercariae as well as Amphistome and Echinostome cercariae. Infected snails were found during March-June. The ecological characteristics found to be associated with the absence of snails population were: high turbidity, deep water, low vegetation coverage (near absence of vegetation), high water temperature, and high current speed. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study of the snail population and ecological characteristics in the main basin of the White Nile river.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2022

Agroforestry in terms of intercropping cow pea as summer forage with Grewia tenax was undertaken under sub -irrigation system in two consecutive seasons of 2017 and 2018 in saline soil of Khartoum State of Sudan. The aims were to find out suitable agro forestry system for saline soils as well as to investigate effect of tree spacing on field summer forage crop under semi -irrigation system. Therefore G. tenax trees that spaced at 4×4 m were used as main factor versus cow pea crop that incorporated at 25×50 cm intervals by using completely randomized block design with 3 replications. Trees and crop parameters were determined in terms of plant growth and yield. In addition to land equivalent ratio and soil chemical and physical properties at different layers were determined. The results revealed that, soil parameters in terms of CaCo₃, SAR, ESP, pH paste and EC ds/m were increased with increasing soil depths. Meanwhile tree growth did not show any significant differences in the first season in 2017. Whereas in the second season in 2018 tree growth namely; tree height, tree collar and canopy diameters were higher under intercropping than in sole trees. Cow pea plant height recorded significant differences under sole crop in the first season in 2017. Unlike the forage fresh yield that was significant under the inter cropped plots. Tree fruit yield was higher under sole trees and land equivalent ratio was more advantageous under GS2 (1.5 m) which amounted to 4. Therefore it is possible to introduce this agroforestry system under saline soils to provide summer forage of highly nutritive value to feed animals and to increase farmers' income as far as to halt desertification and to sequester carbon.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5497-5500
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of cancer awareness after delivering educational programs by assessing the awareness in regard to the role of microbial infectious agents in the etiology of some cancers. Methodology: Data were collected during Cancer Awareness and Educational Programs which were conducted at various places such as schools, clubs, mosques and Government health centres. This survey included 200 participants. Results: Of the persons who responded to the question, whether some viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi, can cause cancer, 111/134 (82.8%), 105/129 (81.4%), 102/124 (82.8%) and 95/122 (77.8%), respectively, answered yes. Conclusion: The level of cancer awareness is low amongst Sudanese northern state inhabitants even after delivering an educational program.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.342-350
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• 2014

Rural people of Sudan are endowed with a deep knowledge concerning the utilization of different tree species. However research on the local knowledge related to tree species utilization still lacks adequate attention. The study objectives were to identify the existing local knowledge related to the utilization of the tree species and the existing threats to the availability of the trees. A total of 300 respondents were selected randomly from Rashad district in Nuba Mountains in 2011. Semi-structured interview, direct observation, group discussion, preference ranking and direct matrix ranking were used to collect the data. The study results revealed that people of Nuba Mountains utilize different tree species for food, medicinal purposes, fodder, firewood, construction and cultural ceremonies. The study results also indicated that the availability of trees is negatively influenced by firewood collection, agricultural expansion, drought, overgrazing and charcoal production. The study concluded that local knowledge has crucial role in tree species utilization in Nuba Mountains. Further researches to document and substantiate the local knowledge on useful tree species are highly recommended.

• Kyungpook Mathematical Journal
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.203-219
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• 2018

This paper is devoted to the study of strongly ${\alpha}-semicommutative$ rings, a generalization of strongly semicommutative and ${\alpha}-rigid$ rings. Although the n-by-n upper triangular matrix ring over any ring with identity is not strongly ${\bar{\alpha}}-semicommutative$ for $n{\geq}2$, we show that a special subring of the upper triangular matrix ring over a reduced ring is strongly ${\bar{\alpha}}-semicommutative$ under some additional conditions. Moreover, it is shown that if R is strongly ${\alpha}-semicommutative$ with ${\alpha}(1)=1$ and S is a domain, then the Dorroh extension D of R by S is strongly ${\bar{\alpha}}-semicommutative$.