Nano zinc vis‐à‐vis inorganic Zinc as feed additives: Effects on growth,activity of hepatic enzymes and non‐specific immunity in rohu,Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings

The effects of dietary administration of inorganic zinc (zinc sulphate, ZnSO₄) and nano zinc (zinc oxide nanoparticles, ZnO‐NP) were evaluated in rohu, Labeo rohita fingerlings. Fish were fed with a basal diet (Control) supplemented with ZnSO₄ (T1, T2 and T3) and ZnO‐NP (T4, T5 and T6) at 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively, for a duration of 45 days. The results revealed that fish fed diet containing 20 mg ZnO‐NP per kg (T5) had the highest weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR, % per day), which was significantly different (p < .05) from the other experimental diets. Significantly (p < .05), higher activities of the digestive and metabolic enzymes were recorded in the fish fed ZnO‐NP containing diets as compared to the diets containing inorganic Zn or control diet. The maximum serum glucose and protein levels were noted in fish reared on diet T5. Both SGOT and SGPT activities were significantly increased in fish fed Zn‐supplemented diets (T1 to T6), as compared to the control group. Similarly, innate immune parameters were improved with feeding Zn incorporated diets. The highest phagocytic (40.74 ± 0.65%) and respiratory burst (0.33 ± 0.001, OD 630nm) activities were recorded in the fish fed diet containing ZnO‐NPs at 20 mg/kg (T5). The maximum superoxide production and serum peroxidase activity were detected in the fish fed T5 and T6 diets. Overall, results indicated that short‐duration feeding (≤45 days) of dietary ZnO‐NP (20 mg/kg) improved growth, enzyme activity, serum biochemical parameters and immune function in rohu fingerlings.     

Identification and partial characterization of selected proteolytic enzymes in the digestive system of giant freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) Postlarvae

Biochemical assays and substrate SDS-PAGE were conducted to partially characterize and identify various types of proteases present in the digestive tract of PL₁₅ giant freshwater prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ). Casein hydrolytic assay of the enzyme extracts showed major proteolytic activities at pH 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0, while assay of preincubated enzyme extracts with phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), a serine protease inhibitor produced a 33.17% reduction in alkaline protease activity. When specific inhibitors tosyl-lysine chloromethyl ketone and tosyl-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone were used, they resulted in a reduction in activity of proteases in the enzyme extracts by 82.41% and 55.03%, respectively, confirming the presence of trypsin and chymotrypsin, while ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid produced protease activity reduction in 33.92% showing the presence of metalloproteases in the digestive tract of the prawn. Further characterization of the alkaline proteases using SDS-PAGE technique, after incubating the extract in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors, produced six bands corresponding to molecular masses of between 13.48 and 136.1 kDa; two trypsin bands of 13.48 and 36.4 kDa, three chymotrypsin bands in the range of 23.0–73.4 kDa and one for metalloprotease of 136.1 kDa, all of which were identified from a zymogram. This study suggests that protein digestion in M. rosenbergii is initiated by an acid protease followed by a combination of action of alkaline proteases: trypsin, chymotrypsin and metalloproteases.     

基于多维高光谱植被指数的冬小麦叶面积指数估算

为提高干旱区冬小麦叶面积指数（Leaf area index, LAI）遥感估算精度,以拔节期冬小麦LAI为研究对象,在对冠层高光谱数据进行一阶（First derivative, FD）、二阶（Second derivative, SD）微分预处理的基础上,计算了任意波段组合的二维植被指数（Two-dimensional vegetation index, 2DVI）和三维植被指数（Three-dimensional vegetation index, 3DVI）,通过进行与LAI之间相关性分析,寻求最佳波段组合的植被指数;利用人工神经网络（Artificial neural network, ANN）、K近邻（K-nearest neighbors, KNN）和支持向量回归（Support vector regression, SVR）算法分别建立LAI估算模型,并进行精度验证。结果表明：任意波段组合的植被指数与LAI相关性均显著提高,尤其是基于一阶微分预处理光谱的FD-3DVI-4（714 nm, 400 nm, 1 001 nm）相关系数达到0.93（P<0.01）,且最...     

Stereochemical basis for the insecticidal activity of carbamoylated and acylated pyrazolines

Methyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[N-(4-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl]-4-methyl-2-pyrazoline-4-carboxylate was converted to corresponding (1R)- and (1S)-phenethyl esters via its carboxylic acid and acid chloride at the C-4 atom to separate the diastereomers. Their configurations were confirmed by X-ray analysis. Both isomers of the (1R)methylbenzyl ester were subjected to transesterification with sodium methoxide to obtain enantiomers of the starting methyl ester. Their insecticidal activity was measured against American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana (L.)) by injection and against house flies (Musca domestica L.) by topical application under various synergistic conditions with metabolic inhibitors. The activity values of the four α-methylbenzyl esters and the R-isomer of the starting methyl ester were similar. The S-enantiomer of the methyl ester was about 10 and 100 times more active than the R-isomer against the cockroach and the fly, respectively. Some N-arylacetyl and N-aryloxyacetyl derivatives of the starting N-(4-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl compound gave very low activity. Conformation-energy profiles for some compounds suggested that the conformation of substituents on the N-1 atom in the pyrazoline ring has a specific role for the potential insecticidal effects.     

Removal of cadmium from aqueous solution by a soil containing magnesite

Removal of Cd (II) from aqueous solution by a soil containing magnesite and thermal activated soil containing magnesite was investigated. Maximum activation temperature was determined at 700°C for 2?h and maximum adsorption capacities were determined as 4.20?mg/g for natural magnesite, 38.91?mg/g for thermal activated magnesite at 25°C respectively. Equilibrium contact time of cadmium was determined for 2?h. Adsorption of Cd (II) on soil containing magnesite conforms to Langmuir's isotherm.     

Effect of kenaf and EFB fiber hybridization on physical and thermo-mechanical properties of PLA biocomposites

Kenaf/empty fruit bunch/polylactic acid (kenaf/EFB/PLA) hybrid biocomposites were prepared using hot press technique. The ratio of fiber to polylactic acid was set at 60:40 with 1:1 ratio between kenaf and empty fruit bunch fibers. Physical, mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid biocomposites were subsequently characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile and water absorption tests. Test results indicated that mechanically stronger fiber was able to support the weaker fiber. Hybrid fiber biocomposite had higher crystallinity as compared to single fiber biocomposite. Water absorption of hybrid composite was higher as compared to single fiber composite. Thermal result revealed that hybridization of fiber was not significantly influence the thermal properties of composites. However, the presence of two different fibers proposed good wettability properties, which could reduce the formation of voids at the fibers-polymer interface and produce composites with high stiffness and strength.     

Effects of soil tillage,canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars and planting date on canola yield,and oil and some biological and physical properties of soil

Determination of different agronomical properties including soil-related parameters for enhanced canola (Brassica napus L.) production can be of great significance. Hence, the objectives were to determine the effects of different tillage systems, canola cultivars and different planting dates on: (i) canola yield and oil, and (ii) soil moisture and microbial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Two field experiments were planned as split-plot experiments in three replicates. The main plots were different tillage systems including no-tillage (NT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT), and the subplots were the combination of different canola cultivars (PF and Hyola 401) and different planting dates (PD): 8 and 23 September and 7 October. Soil moisture under CT and PF was significantly less than that of MT and NT, and Hyola 401, respectively. Carbon and N microbial biomass was the highest at NT and on the first PD. The tillage method and planting date also significantly affected canola yield, oil content and the amount, and the number of earthworms. We may conclude that although the amount of yield was the highest at CT, it may be more agronomically sustainable to plant canola under NT or MT earlier during the autumn growing season.     

Employment volatility in lagging and advanced regions: The Italian case

The presence of cycles characterizes all economic systems, but economic cycles have differentiated spatial impacts. Some regions have broader cycles with respect to the country, while others tend to be less responsive to shocks and hence have narrower cycles. Being exposed to broader cycles, that is, greater volatility, may increase the strain on a regional economic system. This paper investigates the different responsiveness to cyclical forces and volatility of regions in the long run. It does so by using quarterly employment data for the Nuts2 Italian regions over almost 40 years before and during the period 1978–2016. Explored in particular are the cross-regional variations in employment volatility and the reasons for the patterns observed, as well as whether they have changed the following different macroeconomic policy regimes. The paper identifies the break dates of different regimes, and these regime changes will be related to policy modifications, such as the implementation of the European Monetary Union. The determinants of this regional volatility appear to be quite stable, so that the changes in volatility are explained by how these determinants have changed overtime and how they are unevenly distributed in space. In particular, the lagging regions of the country suffer, in addition to lower production and income, from higher volatility due to a structure which is weaker and more unstable. Volatility can hence be an additional issue for lagging regions.