Nano-calcium carbonate reinforced polypropylene and propylene-ethylene copolymer nanocomposites: Tensile vs. impact behavior

Improvement of both the tensile and impact strength of the same polymeric material has always been a great challenge for the plastic industry. The study focuses on the effect of incorporation of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (0.3 wt% to 15 wt%) into three polypropylene (PP) based matrices viz. PP homopolymer, propylene-ethylene (PP-PE) copolymer and the blend of PP:PP-PE (30:70) to improve their impact behavior without hampering the tensile strength much. A loss in both the tensile and impact properties was observed in PP based nanocomposite. However, PP-PE based nanocomposites showed a significant improvement in impact strength (47 %) at 10 wt% loading with a loss of tensile strength by 22 %. To minimize this loss a blend of PP:PP-PE (30:70) was explored as a matrix. At 10 wt% loading, this matrix showed an improvement of 30 % in impact strength whereas the tensile loss was minimized to 10 %. Further, silane coupling agent which promoted good interfacial adhesion was used for best compositions. The variation of crystalline morphology of the nanocomposites with various formulations was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction.     

Response of confection sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) grown in a semi‐arid environment to planting date and early termination of irrigation

Adjustments on planting date and on the time to terminate irrigation may reduce agricultural water use. However, such management practices in regions with extreme weather conditions have the potential to negatively affect yield. A 3‐year (2012–2014) study was conducted on a clay‐loam soil in a cool, semi‐arid environment to (i) determine the response of confection sunflower to planting date and irrigation termination timing and (ii) identify the relative importance of yield components in irrigated confection sunflower across planting dates. Early May planting had considerable negative effects on all studied variables, except on the percentage of large seeds. The highest yield of total and large seeds was obtained from the late May plantings, averaging 3,777 and 3,379 kg/ha, respectively. None of the irrigation strategies affected the measured variables. However, the interaction between planting date and termination of irrigation significantly affected the 1,000‐seed weight. Our study revealed the last week of May as suitable planting period for confection sunflower in the semi‐arid north‐western region of Wyoming, USA, and that irrigation on heavy soils may be terminated as early as at R5.5 stage without a significant yield reduction. The path‐coefficient analysis indicated head diameter and the number of seeds per head as important traits that significantly influence the yield of confection sunflower across planting dates.     

Effect of irrigation on tillering in wheat,triticale and barley in a water-limited environment

Summary The effect of irrigation on tillering and tiller mortality in varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum and T. durum), triticale and barley was studied under field conditions. Low temperature in the early stages of growth promoted production of tillers whereas increase in temperature during extension growth phase increased tiller mortality. More than 1000 tillers m^–2 were produced with five irrigations but 40% or more died. With limited water availability tiller production was reduced but so was their mortality. Grain yield in wheat and triticale was positively correlated with productive tillers and negatively correlated with the maximum number of tillers produced in wheat and barley grown under limited irrigation conditions. Varieties with a capacity to produce fewer tillers were identified. Some of them proved more stable in yield. No correlation was found between tiller number and grain yield in the frequently irrigated treatment.     

Detection of rinderpest antibodies

Rinderpest antibodies were detected by employing the fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and the immunoperoxidase test (IPT) and the results were compared with the counterimmuno electrophoresis test (CIE). FAT was found to be the most sensitive in detecting post-vaccinal antibodies followed by IPT and CIE tests.     

Effects of serum vitamin E levels on skin vitamin E levels in dogs and cats

Skin problems are common in small animal practice. Oxidative stress, or the imbalance between prooxidants and the body's antioxidant defense system, likely plays a role in the development of skin disease. According to this study, increasing amounts of vitamin E in foods for dogs and cats increases serum and cutaneous concentrations of vitamin E. Based on available scientific data, these increases in vitamin E concentration are likely to be beneficial. However, the relationship between increases in serum and skin vitamin E concentrations and the prevention, development, and treatment of skin disease remains to be elucidated by intervention studies.     

Pearl Millet Phenology and Growth in Relation to Thermal Time under Arid Environment

Pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum L.R.Br.) hybrid MH 179 was grown under two moisture regimes viz., optimal moisture and rainfed conditions. The field experiment was continued for three consecutive rainy seasons to quantify the pearl millet development with thermal time. The possible influence of variation in natural sowing date on the relationships between crop development and thermal time have been described. At cardinal temperatures of 10°C (base temperature below which pearl millet development ceases), 33°C (optimal temperature for development) and 45°C (maximum temperature at and above which no development takes place), the crop required 1490–1794°Cd thermal time to reach physiological maturity. The thermal time requirement for different developmental stages was influenced by the sowing time and moisture availability during the growing season of the crop.
The leaf tip appearance on the main shoot of pearl millet in relation to thermal time was almost linear under both moisture conditions requiring about 44–50°Cd ± 2.6 °Cd leaf⁻¹, till the appearance of the flag (last) leaf. However, leaf tip appearance on primary tillers was slightly slower and required 53-58°Cd ± 4.7°Cd for each new leaf. Appearance of first primary tiller was later (at 320°Cd after emergence) under the rainfed condition as compared to the crop under the optimal moisture (at 250°Cd).Thereafter, the tiller appearance in relation to thermal time under both moisture conditions was at a linear rate of about 53-56°Cd ± 9.5°Cd tiller⁻¹.
Effect of microclimatic variations, canopy temperature, radiation and photoperiod on the phenology-thermal time relationships have been discussed under both the moisture conditions.