Effects of Co-Application of Zeolites and Vermicompost on Speciation and Phytoavailability of Cadmium,Lead, and Zinc in a Contaminated Soil

In this study, we investigated, with pot experiments, whether combined application of zeolites and vermicompost is more effective than single application on plant growth and heavy metals’ uptake in a heavy metal contaminated soil. The results showed that co-application of these amendments decreased zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) availability by their redistribution from plant available forms to organic matter and metal oxide associated fractions. While, the addition of vermicompost and zeolites increased the lead (Pb) concentration significantly in the soluble/exchangeable form as compared with the control. Applying vermicompost individually or in combination with zeolites markedly increased plant biomass. Single zeolites and vermicompost reduced Zn and Pb contents of corn roots and shoots compared to un-treated soil, but less compared to the combined zeolite and vermicompost treatments. The results obtained suggest that co-application of zeolites and vermicompost could be an option for immobilizing Cd, Pb, and Zn in heavy metal contaminated soils.     

Metal Extractability in Binary and Multi-metals Spiked Calcareous Soils

In the present study, a laboratory experiment was designed to compare the 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extraction methods for their ability to predict cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) availability and mobility in five calcareous soils. The soils were spiked with different amounts of metals (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg^?1) both in binary (Cu and Zn; Ni and Cd; Fe and Mn) and in multi-systems (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) and incubated for 1 months at field capacity. In metal-spiked soils, both extraction methods showed a linear relationship of extractable to total metals for all soils. The fraction of total metals extracted by DTPA was much higher than the fraction extracted by CaCl₂, which was attributed to the formation of soluble metal-complexes in the complexing extracts calculated by the Visual Minteq program. DTPA extraction method showed higher selectivity for Cu over other metals both in binary and in multi-systems. Different order of metals extractability was found in binary and multi-systems for both extraction methods. Solid/solution distribution coefficient (K_d) was calculated by the ratio of the solid phase to soil solution concentration of metals extracted by CaCl₂ or DTPA extraction methods. Both in binary and in multi-systems, the average K_d (l kg^?1) of metals by soils were in the order of Mn (5398) > Fe (4413) > Zn (3376) > Cu (2520) > Ni (969) > Cd (350) in the CaCl₂-extractable metals and Fe (35) ≥ Ni (34) > Zn (18) > Mn (11.2) > Cu (6.3) > Cd (4) in the DTPA-extractable metals. Results showed that among the six studied metals, Cd had the lowest K_d, implying a relative higher mobility in these calcareous soils. The Visual Minteq indicated that in the CaCl₂-extraction method and in both binary and multi-systems the dominant species for Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn were Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺, respectively, while for Cd and Fe, the dominant species were CdCl⁺ and Fe(OH)²⁺, respectively.     

Changes In Antioxidant Enzyme Activity In Turfgrass Cultivars Under Various Saline Water Irrigation Levels To Suit Landscapes Under Arid Regions

Turfgrass cover is an inevitable component in the urban landscapes of the United Arab Emirates. Tolerance to abiotic stress like salt, drought, and high temperature is a potential factor to be considered in the selection of turfgrass for the landscapes in the arid regions. Three Seashore paspalum genotypes, four Bermudagrass cultivars along with tall fescue as a control were screened for enzymatic changes under four different saline irrigation levels of 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, and 20,000 mg L^?1 of salinity. Irrigation with potable water served as the control. Turfgrasses were maintained in a field experiment under factorial randomized block design for a period of two years under sustained saline conditions by working out the leaching fraction to maintain the precise level of salinity in each treatment throughout the experimental period. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and catalase (CAT) were assayed in each of the saline water treated turfgrass types. The SOD activity was found to be high in Yukon (bermudagrass) and Sea Dwarf paspalum. In the paspalum group, Salam and Sea Dwarf showed the highest SOD activity under saline condition. In Bermuda types, Yukon and SR 9554 showed the highest SOD activity compared to other bermuda types. Compared to other cultivars, Sea Isle 2000 (Paspalum type), SR 9554, and Yukon (Bermuda types) exhibited more APX activity without any significant differences among themselves. There was an elevated activity of POD initially, followed by gradual reduction upon increasing the salinity level. Salam cultivar maintained stable POD activity even at the elevated salinity levels. The paspalum types showed relatively high level of PPO activity compared to other types under salinity. Yukon cultivar showed a significantly higher activity of PPO when the salinity level was raised from 15,000 to 20,000 mg L^?1. A significant increase with respect to CAT activity was exhibited in Sea Dwarf under elevated level of salinity. Saline water irrigation brought about a significant effect on the antioxidant enzyme systems to impart oxidative stress tolerance in turfgrass species.     

Effect of radiation on chemical composition and protein quality of cottonseed meal

This study was conducted to compare the effects of electron beam (EB) and gamma ray (GR) irradiation treatments at doses of 10, 20 and 30 kGy on chemical composition, protein quality and protein digestibility of cottonseed meal (CSM). GR irradiation in all doses significantly decreased the crude fiber of samples compared to raw CSM. Free and total gossypol content of CSM was decreased significantly by utilizing both types of irradiation in a dose‐dependent manner. Also, EB irradiation caused decrease in free and total gossypol content more than that of GR irradiation. GR irradiation at doses of 20 and 30 kGy, and EB irradiation at doses of 10, 20 and 30 kGy can significantly decrease protein solubility of CSM compared to that of a raw sample. GR irradiation at a dose of 30 kGy significantly increased apparent digestibility of protein compared to raw and EB irradiation of CSM at a dose of 10 kGy in Leghorn cockerels. Maximum increase in protein digestibility of CSM was observed in GR irradiation at a dose of 30 kGy. In conclusion, the present study showed that EB and GR irradiation reduced gossypol and crude fiber and increased protein digestibility of CSM but had no effect on protein quality of CSM.     

Rutin promoted resistance of tomato against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas perforans</Emphasis>

Xanthomonas perforans is the causal agent of bacterial spot, one of the most devastating diseases of tomato that results in considerable yield losses worldwide. Rutin, as a polyphenolic substance, was used to induce resistance in tomato against X. perforans. Rutin at concentration of 2 mM had ability to reduce the disease severity of bacterial spot. On the other hand, 2 mM rutin had no antibacterial activity in vitro. Expression profiling of pathogenesis-related gene 5 (PR-5), Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and lipoxygenase (LOX) was probed during the enhanced resistance by rutin. Pretreatment with rutin (rutin/ X. perforans) led to induction of PR-5, PAL and LOX compared to controls (water/ X. perforans). Our results suggest that rutin-induced resistance against X. perforans in tomato might be mediated through stimulation of some defense genes such as PR-5, PAL and LOX.     

Linking morphological and ecophysiological leaf traits to canopy dieback in Persian oak trees from central Zagros

Intraspecific variability in morphological and ecophysiological leaf traits might be theorized to be present in declining populations,since they seem to be exposed to stress and plasticity could be advantageous.Here we focused on declining Persian oaks(Quercus brantii Lindl.var.persica(Jaub and Spach)Zohary)in the Zagros Mountains of western Iran,representing the most important tree species of this region.We selected trees with contrasting crown dieback,from healthy to severely defoliated,to investigate the relationships between canopy dieback and leaf morphology,water content and pigments.We also measured esterase and peroxidase,as enzymatic antioxidants and indicators of contrasting genotypes.Trees showing moderate to severe defoliation showed higher leaf mass area(LMA),reduced relative water content(RWC),and lower stomatal density(SD).Increasing LMA indicates a more sclerophyllic structure,according to drier conditions.We did not find significant differences in leaf pigments(chlorophyll a and b,and carotenoids)among crown dieback classes,suggesting that Persian oak trees are able to maintain accurate photochemical efficiency,while reduced RWC and SD suggest hydraulic limitations.Our results do not provide a consistent pattern as regards enzymatic antioxidant defense in Persian oak.Morphological leaf traits would be important drivers of future adaptive evolution in Persian oak,leading to smaller and thicker leaves,which have fitness benefits in dry environments.Nonetheless,drought responses may be critically affecting carbon uptake,as photosynthetic compounds are less effectively used in leaves with higher sclerophylly.     

Physics and hydraulics of the rhizosphere network

Take home message Mucilage secreted by roots and EPS produced by microorganisms alter the physical properties of the soil solution and impact the water dynamics in the rhizosphere. The high viscosity of mucilage and EPS is responsible for the formation of thin filaments and interconnected thin lamellae that span throughout the soil matrix maintaining the continuity of the liquid phase across the pore space even during severe drying. The impact of these mechanisms on plant and microorganisms needs to be explored.     

Comparison of intranasal and intramuscular ketamine‐midazolam combination in cats

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to compare intranasal (INS) and intramuscular (IM) routes of administration of a ketamine-midazolam combination in cats.Study designRandomized block design.AnimalsTwelve healthy mixed breed cats (six males and six females).MethodsThe drug combination was ketamine (14 mg kg⁻¹) and midazolam (0.5 mg kg⁻¹). In the IM group, drugs were injected into quadratus femoris muscle; in the INS. group, the combination dropped equally into the two nostrils. Pulse and respiratory rates, peripheral haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and rectal temperature were monitored before and at intervals after drug administration. Time to onset and duration of sedation and, during recovery to head up, sternal recumbency and recovery were recorded.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the groups in any time measured except for recovery to sternal recumbency, where time was lower in the INS than in the IM (p = 0.034). Respiratory rate was greater in the INS than in the IM group (p = 0.029), but there was no difference between groups in other physiological parameters. In both groups SpO₂ was low before and fell further during sedation.ConclusionsThe results substantiated that INS ketamine-midazolam can produce effective sedation in cats.Clinical relevanceIntranasal (INS) administration of ketamine-midazolam is atraumatic, and its use may avoid the pain of injection of ketamine combinations when this drug is used to induce sedation in cats.     

Effects of seasonal variation,group size and sex on the activity budget and diet composition of the addax antelope

Behaviour and diet composition are critical elements in conservation biology within the scope of reintroduction programs. Here we focused on addax (Addax nasomaculatus), a Critically Endangered antelope species, in the Jbil National Park, Tunisia. In this study, we advanced the hypothesis that season, day period, sex and social structure have an effect on the activity budgets and diet composition of addax. Three groups were selected (large group, adult pair and solitary male). Resting, moving, grazing, vigilance and other behaviours were recorded during two seasons (dry and wet) and in the morning and the afternoon. In addition, faecal samples were collected. The results indicate that season and day period were the main factors affecting the activity budgets. The resting behaviour increased from the wet to the dry season, and from morning to afternoon. The grazing and moving behaviours increased during the wet season and decreased from morning to afternoon. Addax select a mixed diet composed of perennial and herbaceous plant species notably during the wet season. In addition, we observed that addax modify their behaviour according to the season and forage availability. This represents an adaptive strategy to survive in a desert climate with a stochastic low-resource environment and depending on ambient climatic conditions.     

Multi-criteria decision-making selection model with application to chemical engineering management decisions

Chemical industry project management involves complex decision making situations that require discerning abilities and methods to make sound decisions. Chemical engineers as project managers are faced with decision environments and problems in chemical industry projects that are complex. Multiple-criteria decision making （MCDM） approaches are major parts of decision theory and analysis. This paper presents all of MCDM approaches for use in chemical engineering management decisions. In this work, case study is Research and Development （R＆D） project selection in chemical industry. The ability to make sound decisions is very important to success of R＆D projects. It is hoped that this work will provide a ready reference on MCDM and this will encourage the application of the MCDM in chemical engineering management.