Analytical characterization of Moringa oleifera seed oil grown in temperate regions of Pakistan

The hexane-extracted oil content of Moringa oleifera seeds ranged from 38.00 to 42.00%. Protein, fiber, and ash contents were found to be 26.50-32.00, 5.80-9.29, and, 5.60-7.50%, respectively. Results of physical and chemical parameters of the extracted oil were as follows: iodine value, 68.00-71.80; refractive index (40 degrees C), 1.4590-1.4625; density (24 degrees C), 0.9036-0.9080 mg/mL; saponification value, 180.60-190.50; unsaponifiable matter, 0.70-1.10%; and color (1 in. cell), 0.95-1.10 R + 20.00-35.30 Y. Tocopherols (alpha, gamma, and delta) in the oil were up to 123.50-161.30, 84.07-104.00, and 41.00-56.00 mg/kg, respectively. The oil was found to contain high levels of oleic acid (up to 78.59%) followed by palmitic, stearic, behenic, and arachidic acid up to levels of 7.00, 7.50, 5.99, and 4.21%, respectively. The induction period (Rancimat, 20 L/h, 120 degrees C) of the crude oil was 9.99 h and reduced to 8.63 h after degumming. Specific extinctions at 232 and 270 nm were 1.70 and 0.31, respectively. Many parameters of M. oleifera oil indigenous to Pakistan were comparable to those of typical Moringa seed oils reported in the literature. The results of the present analytical study were also compared with those of different vegetable oils.     

Seasonal changes in microbial biomass in soils cropped with palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii L.) and Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.) in subtropical India

Changes in microbial C, N, and P were investigated for 1 year in two soils with similar physicochemical properties but supporting different crops under subtropical conditions. One was cropped with palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii L.) and the other with Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.). Both the season and the type of cropping had a significant influence on changes in the soil microbial biomass. In general, soil microbial biomass C, N, and P were highest in summer months and lowest in midwinter. Soil microbial biomass levels and microbial C:N and C:P ratios were higher and N:P ratios lower under palmarosa soil than under mint.     

Interactive effects of salinity and iron deficiency on different rice genotypes

Salinity adversely affects plant growth, photosynthesis, and availability of nutrients including iron. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is susceptible to soil salinity and highly prone to iron (Fe) deficiency due to lower release of Fe‐chelating compounds under saline conditions. In order to investigate the effects of salinity and low iron supply on growth, photosynthesis, and ionic composition of five rice genotypes (KS‐282, Basmati Pak, Shaheen Basmati, KSK‐434 and 99417), a solution culture experiment was conducted with four treatments (control, 50 mM NaCl, Fe‐deficient, and 50 mM NaCl + Fe‐deficient). Salinity and Fe deficiency reduced shoot and root growth, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, chlorophyll concentration, and stomatal conductance. The reduction in all these parameters was more in the interactive treatment of salinity and low Fe supply. Moreover, a significant increase in shoot and root Na⁺ with corresponding decrease in K⁺ and Fe concentrations was also observed in the combined salinity and Fe‐deficiency treatment. Among the tested genotypes, Basmati Pak was the most sensitive genotype both under salt stress and Fe deficiency. The genotype KS‐282 performed better than other genotypes under salinity stress alone, whereas Shaheen Basmati was the best genotype under Fe deficiency in terms of all the studied parameters.     

新疆山地针叶林乔木胸径-树高关系分析

树木的生长包括了径向生长和垂直生长两个方面,这两方面具有密切的关系,这一关系既受到树木本身的控制,同时也受森林立地条件的影响.通过分析新疆阿尔泰山、天山南北坡以及昆仑山区11个地点120个样方的胸径-树高关系.结果表明:昆仑山的尖削度(taper)显著大于其余3地,其潜在最大树高(potential height,H*...     

Assessment of genetic variability in hexaploid wheat landraces of Pakistan based on polymorphism for HMW glutenin subunits

Summary Sixty hexaploid wheat landraces collected from five regions of Pakistan were assessed for genetic variability in terms of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits as revealed by SDS-PAGE. The germplasm appeared to be diverse and unique on the basis of HMW glutenin subunit compositions. Out of 24 alleles detected at all the Glu-1 loci, four belonged to Glu-A1, 12 to Glu-B1 and eight to Glu-D1 locus. The number of novel HMW glutenin subunits detected were 1, 4 and 6 at the three loci (Glu-A1, Glu-B1, Glu-D1), respectively. The frequency distribution patterns of 24 allelic variants detected at the three Glu-1 loci in 1080 samples analysed for 60 accessions were determined both on the basis of individual accessions and on the basis of regions (accessions pooled across the regions). One allele (null) at the Glu-A1 locus, three alleles (17+18, 7+8, 14) at the Glu-B1 locus and, two alleles (2+12 and 2^**+12) at the Glu-D1 locus were found most frequently distributed in the 60 populations. Maximum variation was observed in the Baluchistan and Gilgit regions of Pakistan in terms of distribution of novel Glu-1 alleles. A higher gene diversity was observed between the populations as compared to the gene diversity within the populations while, a reverse pattern of gene diversity was observed when populations were pooled across the regions (higher within the regions than between the regions). A data base has been generated in this study which could be expanded and usefully exploited for cultivar development or management of gene bank accessions.     

Kinematic Motion Patterns of the Cranial and Caudal Canine Cervical Spine

Objective: To define the kinematic motion patterns of the canine cervical spine, with a particular emphasis on identifying differences between the cranial (C₂–C₄) and caudal (C₅–C₇) segments, and to determine the significance of coupled motions (CM) in the canine cervical spine. Study Design: Cadaveric biomechanical study. Sample Population: Cervical spines of 8 Foxhounds. Methods: Spinal specimens were considered free of pathology based on radiographic, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. All musculature was removed without damaging ligaments or joint capsules. Spines were mounted in a customized pure‐moment spine testing jig, and data were collected using an optoelectronic motion capture system. Range of motion, neutral zone and CM in flexion/extension, left/right lateral bending and left/right axial rotation were established. Data were analyzed using mixed‐effects maximum likelihood regression models. Results: Total flexion/extension did not change across the 4 levels. There was no difference between flexion and extension, and no CM was identified. Lateral bending was not different across levels, but tended to be greater in the cranial spine. Axial rotation was ～2.6 times greater in the caudal segments. Lateral bending and axial rotation were coupled. Conclusions: Kinematics of the cranial and caudal cervical spine differed markedly with greater mobility in the caudal cervical spine.     

干旱区城市化对城市内河水质的影响研究——以吐曼河为例

随着城市社会经济的迅速发展，工业主导的城市化过程带来了许多城市生态环境问题，引起了城市内河水质的恶化。采用1996～2000年喀什市吐曼河水质观测数据、1990年与1999年卫星遥感图像和城市发展中有关的社会经济统计数据与土地利用资料，在3S技术的支持下，运用地表水污染综合指数法，对吐曼河水质进行评价，定量与定性相结合分析了干旱区城市化对城市内河水质的影响。结果表明：大气中的总悬浮颗粒是导致吐曼河水质严重污染的主要原因。此外，城市化所带来得人口增加、工业化与土地利用方式的改变也一定程度的影响了吐曼河的水质。