Brazilian Journal of Science

Effect of agricultural crimes on cashew crop farmers in Ogbomoso Agricultural zone of Oyo State, Nigeria

Janet Temitope Ojediran — 2025-11-06

Agricultural crime stays mostly under-researched. This study examined the effects of agricultural crimes on cashew crop farmers in the Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone of Oyo State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, utilising a well-organised questionnaire administered via an interview schedule. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Five per cent of 180 villages were purposefully selected due to their high concentration of cashew plantations. The second stage involves the random selection of cashew crop farmers in the study area. In the third stage, 10 cashew farmers from each selected village within the study area were randomly chosen. Consequently, 90 cashew farmers were selected randomly for the study. The results revealed that most cashew farmers are men (61.1%), with an average age of 50 and 23 years of growing experience. Most of the people who answered worked on small farms (an average of 7 hectares), and they used both family and hired workers. Among the most common crimes in agriculture were theft of cashew nuts (97.8%), theft of other goods (96.7%), damage to property (86.7%), and trespassing (73.3%). These crimes caused big problems, like fewer fruits being harvested (WMS 3.14) and less income (WMS 2.99). Farmers took steps to stop theft by firing dishonest workers, marking crops and tools, and using community-based surveillance like vigilante patrols. Statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation between levels of education and the ability to manage the effects of these crimes (r = 0.42). Agricultural crimes are a major threat to cashew production and the way farmers in the area make a living. Therefore, we recommend strengthening community policing, educating farmers, and providing institutional support to enhance security and sustain cashew production.

Intramolecular interaction analysis of twenty-seven benzothiazole derivatives with CDK9 using a theoretical model

Marcela Rosas Nexticapa — 2025-11-05

There are studies indicating that some drugs can regulate cancer cell growth through CDK9 inhibition. This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of twenty-seven benzothiazole analogs interacting with CDK9 using the 3ocb protein as a theoretical tool. In addition, the fedracib, KB-0742, and N-vinylpyrrolidone drugs were used as controls in the DockingServer program. The results showed different amino acid residues involved in the docking of benzothiazole derivatives (1-27) with the 3ocb protein surface compared to the controls. Other data displayed that the inhibition constant (Ki) was lower for compounds 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13-15, 17, 19-21, 22, 24, and 26 compared to KB-0742 and N-Vinylpyrrolidone. All this data indicate that these benzothiazole derivatives might have a higher affinity for the 3ocb protein surface, and this phenomenon could be translated as a CDK9 inhibition, resulting in a decrease in cancer cell growth.

Analysis of the coupling of twenty-five benzothiazole analogs with the β1-adrenergic receptor using a theoretical model

Magdalena Alvarez-Ramirez — 2025-11-05

Some benzothiazoles have been developed with biological activity on the cardiovascular system through interaction with different biomolecules; however, the coupling with the β₁-adrenergic receptor is not clear. This research aimed to determine the interaction of some benzothiazole analogs (1-25) with the β₁-adrenergic receptor using some theoretical models. In this way, 2ycv protein and the controls (metoprolol, propranolol, and cyanopindolol) were used as theoretical tools in the DockingServer software. The results showed differences in the interaction of benzothiazole derivatives compared with the controls. Other data indicate that the inhibition constant (Ki) for benzothiazole analogs 10, 22, 23, and 25 was lower compared with metoprolol and cyanopindolol. All these data indicate that compounds 10, 22, 23, and 25 may act as β₁-adrenergic receptor inhibitors, translated into changes in blood pressure. Therefore, the benzothiazole derivatives 10, 22, 23, and 25 could be good antihypertensive agents.

Efficacy of fenugreek oil and black seed oil as feed additives for broiler starter chicks

Taiwo Kayode Ojediran — 2025-11-05

This study investigated the efficacy of fenugreek oil and black seed oil as feed additives for broiler starter chicks. For four weeks, 240 day-old broiler chicks without sexes were divided into five treatments, each with four repetitions, using a randomized design. Each replicate contains 12 birds. The dietary group had diet 1 (control, without oil additive), diet 2 (vaccinated control without oil additive), diets 3, 4, and 5 were supplemented with Fenugreek and Black seed oils at a ratio of 10:10, 10:20, and 20:10 mL per kilogram diet. Data were collected on growth indices, digestibility of nutrients, blood profile, and primal cuts. There was no significant (P > 0.05) change in any of the growth metrics. Ether extract and ash digestibility differ notably (P < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were recorded on PCV, hemoglobin, RBC, lymphocytes, heterocytes, and eosinophil counts. Values obtained for albumin, globulin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, glucose, creatinine, and urea were significantly (P < 0.05) affected. The pancreas was significantly influenced (p < 0.05). The values of dressing percentage, head, breast, drumstick, and wings showed substantial variations (P < 0.05) in the. From this study, the supplementation of broiler starter chicken diets with fenugreek seed oil and black seed oil at (1:1) 10 mL to 10 mL of diets is recommended for better oxygen transport, overall health, and dressing percentage. The use of fenugreek oil and black seed oil at the finished phase and layer production can also be investigated.

Entropic lifespan: Disorder and transformation in human life from birth to death

Belay Goshu — 2025-11-05

This study constructs an interdisciplinary framework to investigate entropy’s role across human life (biological, psychological, social) and natural systems, grounded in the thermodynamic principle of increasing disorder. The background reveals entropy’s relevance in aging, cognition, social roles, and ecosystems, yet a cohesive model remains undeveloped. The purpose is to integrate these domains, analyzing entropy from birth/emergence to death/collapse. Methods employ a mixed-model simulation with a modified Shannon entropy approach, tracking entropy in cellular degradation, cognitive disorder/growth, role dissolution/reorganization, and ecosystem decay over 100 years, with data evaluated at key stages (0, 20, 40, 70, 100 years). Findings indicate a synchronized entropy increase: biological from 0.10 to 4.00, psychological from 0.10 to 3.50, social from 0.10 to 3.00, and natural from 0.10 to 3.50, with midlife dips in psychological and social entropy due to adaptive processes. Strong correlations (e.g., biological vs. natural, r = 0.96) affirm a universal entropic pattern. The conclusion establishes entropy as a unifying framework, linking human aging to natural decay, with broad implications for health and ecology. Recommendations include empirical validation with longitudinal data, machine learning for dynamic modeling, and interventions (e.g., cognitive training, reforestation) to counter entropy’s effects. This framework bridges disciplines, providing a novel perspective on life’s entropic trajectory.

Effect of amino acid-enriched nutrient solutions on early growth of tomato and scarlet eggplant

Lucas Aparecido Manzani Lisboa — 2025-11-06

Extensive vegetable cultivation requires large areas and labor, increasing production costs. An alternative is hydroponic production, where the plant receives all the nutrients in the necessary concentrations to complete its entire cycle. This study aims to evaluate the initial development of tomato and scarlet eggplant grown in a nutrient solution containing different amino acids. Two simultaneous experiments were conducted in April 2024 at the Andradina Educational Foundation, located in the municipality of Andradina, São Paulo state. The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD). Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum gr. Scarlet eggplant) were grown in a nutrient solution containing amino acids: (Control) no amino acids, Tryptophan, Lysine, Cysteine, Phenylalanine and all amino acids, comprising six treatments, with four replicates totaling 24 plots. Each plot consisted of one seedling, and the concentration of each amino acid was 10 mg L^-1 of nutrient solution. Tomatoes responded better to the presence of amino acids in the nutrient solution. The combination of the amino acids tryptophan, lysine, cysteine, and phenylalanine resulted in enhanced tomato and scarlet eggplant development when grown in nutrient solution. The use of amino acids in nutrient solution may be an alternative to improving the initial development parameters of tomatoes and scarlet eggplant. Lysine and phenylalanine supplementation improved tomato early growth and nitrogen assimilation, while scarlet eggplant responses were moderate. Further studies should evaluate long-term yield and economic feasibility.