Nutrients balance for improvement of phytoremediation ability of teak seedlings (Tectona grandis)

As a green technique, plant-based remediation systems can be used to remove nitrogen (N) pollutants from N-rich wastewaters. However, the excess amount of N and shortage of other nutrients in this system limits the plant growth and affects the plant remediation efficiency. In this study, the effect of adding phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to the N-enriched wastewater on growth and N-removal efficiency of teak seedlings (Tectona grandis) was evaluated. Twelve ratios of N:P:K were applied to teak seedlings and the related effects were compared with those in control solution containing only N. The results indicated that a ratio of 1N:0.5P:1K increased dry matter accumulation in teak seedlings by improving the balance of nutrients in plants. Teak seedlings grown in nutritionally-improved system eliminated 33.8% N more than those grown in only N solution. The water loss through plant uptake was also enhanced in the improved system up to 56%.     

The statistical investigation of mechanical properties of PP/natural fibers composites

A systematic and statistical approach to evaluate and predict the properties of random discontinuous natural fiber reinforced composites. Different composites based on polypropylene and reinforced with natural fibers have been made and their mechanical properties are measured together with the distribution of the fiber size and the fiber diameter. The values obtained have been related to the theoretical predictions, using a combination of the Griffith theory for the effective properties of the natural fibers and the Halpin-Tsai equation for the elastic modulus of the composites. The relationships between experimental results and theoretical predictions are statistically analyzed using a probability density function estimation approach based on neural networks. The results show a more accurate expected value with respect to the traditional statistical function estimation approach. In order to point out the particular features of natural fibers, the same proposed method is also applied to PP-glass fiber composites.     

Response of wheat genotypes to foliar spray of ZnO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles under salt stress

This study evaluated the effects of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) and zinc oxide (ZnO) on two wheat genotypes (Kavir and Tajan) at three levels (0, 75, and 150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)) of salinity. Spray treatments included two forms of normal and nanoparticles of Fe₂O₃ and ZnO, a mixture of nanoparticles of Fe₂O₃ and ZnO (2 g L^?1) and a non-spray treatment. The pot experiment was arranged as factorial in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Two forms of Fe₂O₃ and ZnO significantly accelerated plant height, leaf area, shoot dry weight, and the concentration of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in comparison with non-spray treatment. The highest plant height and leaf Fe concentration belonged to Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles; however, it seems that the spray of nanoparticles may not be superior compared with normal forms in alleviation of salinity impacts.     

Yield Components and Fatty Acids Variation of Canola Cultivars Under Different Irrigation Regimes and Planting Dates

To investigate the effect of different planting dates and irrigation regimes on six canola cultivars, a 2-year (2014–2016) experiment was conducted at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute of Karaj. The experiments were conducted as the factorial split-plot in a randomized complete block design including six canola cultivars (Gabriella, Brutus, Triangle, Marathon, Danube, and Natali), two irrigation regimes (fully irrigated and irrigation termination at the flowering stage) and two planting dates (October 1 and November 1). The results showed that irrigation termination from the flowering stage prevented the supply of required material for filling the seeds and the metabolism of the seed compounds and reduced the growth period of the seed. Therefore, a reduction was observed in the content of oleic and linoleic acids and proline. Also, water deficit stress caused an increase in the glucosinolate content of the seed. The response of canola cultivars was different in terms of fatty acids, so that the Natali cultivar had higher palmitic, oleic acids, and proline content compared to the other cultivars at both planting dates. Fully irrigated treatment and planting date of October 1 produced the highest amount of seed and oil yield (4659 and 2073?kg ha^?1), palmitic acid (5.5%), and proline (22.7?μmol/g) content, and the lowest glucosinolate content (13.2?mg/g). Generally, the Natali cultivar and planting date of October 1 and the fully irrigated regime are highly recommended in the studied area regarding qualitative traits and yield of canola.

     

Induction of Immunogenic Response in BALB/c Mice by Live and Killed Form of Recombinant Lactococcus lactis Displaying EG95 of Echinococcus granulosus

Background:CE is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus worldwide and is associated with economic losses among livestock animals. EG95 is an immunogenic antigen from the E. granulosus. Lactococcus lactis has been prested as a safe vehicle for antigen delivery. The goal of this study was to design a novel L. lactis strain displaying EG95 as a vaccine delivery system. Methods:The eg95 encoding gene fragment fused to the M6 anchoring protein was cloned into the pNZ7021 vector, and L. lactis NZ9000 displaying recombinant EG95 was constructed. The expression of an approximately 32-kDa EG95 protein was confirmed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. The immune responses were evaluated in BALB/c mice immunized orally and subcutaneously with the live and killed recombinant L. lactis, respectively. Results:Total IgG level in mice immunized with heat-killed recombinant L. lactis (pNZ7021-eg95) significantly increased compared to the control group. sIgA was significantly higher in mice received live recombinant L. lactis (pNZ7021-eg95) compared to the control mice. Splenic lymphocytes from immunized mice represented the high levels of IFN-γ and the low-levels of IL-4 and IL-10. Conclusion:Our results indicate that immunization with EG95-expressing L. lactis can induce both specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. Key Words: Echinococcus granulosus, Lactococcus lactis, Immunization, Vaccines     

Optimal conjunctive use of aqua-agriculture reservoir and irrigation canal for paddy fields (case study: Tajan irrigation network,Iran)

Paddy and Water Environment - Aqua-agriculture reservoirs have been used as one of the main resources for supplying water to paddy fields, particularly under water shortage conditions. In this...     

Distribution and variability of n-alkanes in waxes of conifers

Epicuticular waxes have vital roles in the growth and development of plants and in defense. Conifers have a considerable amount of waxes on their cones and leaves.Here we characterized the n-alkane composition of Iranian conifers, including Juniperus oblonga, J. foetidissima, J.sabina, J. communis subsp. hemisphaerica, J. excelsa,Cupressus sempervirens, Platycladus orientalis from Cupressaceae and Taxus baccata from Taxaceae for the first time using GC-FID analyses. In the waxes, 25 n-alkane homologs with chain lengths ranging from C7 to C32 were identified. Short-chain n-alkanes were dominant in almost all samples with some exceptions. Complementary studies to elucidate complete wax constituents of Iranian conifers and n-alkane distribution pattern as a function of geographical and bioclimatic variables are recommended.     

Carbon Dioxide Capture with Amine-Grafted Activated Carbon

There are several possible methods by which amine groups can be grafted on the surface of activated carbon (AC) to improve their capacity for CO₂ adsorption. Ethylenediamine and diethylenetriamine were selected as amino compounds for anchoring on the surface of an oxidized AC. Oxidation of AC was carried out by concentrated nitric acid. For each amino compound, two “in-solvent” and “solvent-free” methods with a number of grafting times were studied. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption at 77 K and proximate and ultimate analysis were used to determine physical and chemical characteristics of the samples. Temperature-programmed (TP) CO₂ adsorption test from 30°C to 120°C were performed to investigate the effect of modification on CO₂ capture. The modification clearly had a negative effect on the textural characteristics of the samples, so the samples showed a less CO₂ uptake at lower temperatures. However, the decrease of capture capacity with increasing temperature is to somewhat softer for amine-grafted samples, so that they have a capacity comparable to the parent sample or even more than that at elevated temperatures. This property may give the new adsorbents this opportunity to be used at flue gas temperature with a higher efficiency. CO₂ capture capacity per unit surface area of all the amine-modified samples, however, was significantly improved, compared to the parent sample presenting a great influence of amino groups on the CO₂ capture capacity. Moreover, the used amine compounds and grafting methods were compared in terms of adsorbent characteristics and CO₂ uptake curves. Cyclic adsorption–desorption tests showed a satisfactory regeneration for the modified samples.     

Study on morphological, rheological and physico/mechanical behavior of SEBS/CaCO3 nanocomposite

This work focuses on the modification of the mechanical properties and morphology, cure behavior and other characterization of nano CaCO₃ filled SEBS (Styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) elastomers. The tensile strength was increased and compression set characterization was decreased with increasing content of nCaCO₃ value. The influence of the interfacial area and the volume fraction of filler were studied. Furthermore, isothermal cure characterization of neat and filled systems was performed using a torque rheometer. The most important finding base on the rheological studies was the catalytic effect of nCaCO₃ on cure reaction of SEBS, leading to the shorter curing time. Moreover, the kinetic analyses of rheograms revealed a marked decrease in the activation energy of the cure process upon raising nCaCO₃ content. Interestingly, MFI, Hardness, Tensile, Compression set testes showed that the hardness and tensile properties were dramatically increased and MFI and elongation decreased by the addition of nano CaCO₃ into SEBS system compared to pure blend resin. It was shown that the relative increase in tensile yield stress when increasing amount of interfacial agent was added, both depends on the volume of filler and the interfacial area. The nanoparticles shape, size and dispersion state were investigate through X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) method.     

Micronutrient status of calcareous paddy soils and rice products: implication for human health

Modern agricultural systems have to provide enough micronutrient output to meet all the nutritional needs of people. Accordingly, knowledge on micronutrient status in soil and crop edible tissues is necessary. This study was carried out to investigate zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) concentration of calcareous paddy soil and the relative rice grain. Rice crops (straw, hull, and grain) and associated surface soils (0–25 cm) were collected from 136 fields and analyzed for total and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) available Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu. The DTPA-Zn concentration in more than 50% of paddy soils was less than its critical deficiency concentration (2 mg kg⁻¹), while the concentrations of DTPA Fe, Mn, and Cu were sufficient. The grain Zn concentration of more than 54% of the rice samples was less than 20 mg kg⁻¹. About 55% and 49% of the rice samples were deficient in Mn and Cu, respectively, while the Fe concentration in rice grains was sufficient. A significant negative correlation was found between the CaCO₃ content and soil DTPA-extractable Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu. There were significant relationships between the total soil phosphorus and DTPA-extractable micronutrient concentrations. By considering the average daily rice consumption of 110 g per capita, the Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu intake from rice consumption was estimated to be 2.4, 7.7, 1.6, and 0.7 mg for adults, respectively.