Trend analysis of reference evapotranspiration in the western half of Iran

Reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) is an important element of the hydrological cycle, and changes in ET_o are of great significance for agricultural water use planning, irrigation system design and management. In this study, annual, seasonal and monthly trends in the Penman-Monteith ET_o at 20 meteorological stations during 1966-2005 in the western half of Iran were examined using the Mann-Kendall test, the Sen's slope estimator and the linear regression. Annual analysis of the ET_o series indicated a positive trend in 70% of the stations according to the Mann-Kendall test and the Sen's slope estimator and in 75% of the stations according to the linear regression. The magnitude of significant positive trends in annual ET_o varied from (+)11.28 to (+)2.30 mm/year. On the seasonal scale, stronger increasing trends were identified in ET_o data in winter and summer compared with those in autumn and spring. Meanwhile, the highest numbers of stations with significant trends were found in the monthly ET_o series in February, while the lowest numbers of stations with significant trends were observed in November. Analysis of the impact of climatic variables on the significant increasing trend in ET_o showed that the increasing trend was mainly caused by a significant increase in air temperature during the study period.     

Influence of Vermicompost Fertilizer and Water Deficit Stress on Morpho-Physiological Features of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv. karaj)

One goal in the face of deficit water conditions is to increase growth and yield. Agro-industrial production frequently causes environmental pollution by using chemical fertilizers. In recent decades, bio-fertilizers such as vermicompost have been used as a safe alternative to chemical fertilizer. The present study considered the response of the chickpea to different combinations of vermicompost and water deficit stress in a greenhouse environment. Plant response was determined by measuring a range of morpho-physiologic parameters. The treatments were addition of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of vermicompost to soil, and water deficit stress at the following levels: non-stress (100% of field capacity), moderate water stress (75% of field capacity), and severe water stress (25% of field capacity). The results showed that vermicompost had a significant effect on all traits under stress and non-stress conditions. The vermicompost treatments under non-stress conditions significantly increased plant height, number of pods, leaf area, stem and leaf dry weight, pod dry weight, chlorophyll a, carotenoid, total chlorophyll content, CO₂ assimilation rate, internal CO₂ concentration, and water-use efficiency over that of the control condition. The addition of 30% vermicompost under moderate and severe water stress conditions significantly increased plant height, number of pods, leaf area, leaf dry weight, carotenoids, and water-use efficiency over that of the control level. This study confirmed that vermicompost improved the morphological features, soil biological activity, and quality of the chickpea, but did not positively influence the physiological features under moderate and severe water deficit stress.     

Phylogenetic relationship and genetic differentiation of Populus caspica and Populus alba using cpDNA and ITS noncoding sequences

Populus caspica Bornm.(section Leuce and subsection Albida), one of the most endangered endemic tree species in the Hyrcanian Forest in Iran, has numerous morphological characteristics that are closely similar to Populus alba; to clarify their taxonomic relatedness and genetic differentiation and thus inform conservation strategies, we used the noncoding regions of chloroplast DNA(cpDNA; trnL-F and trnH-psbA) and the internal transcribed spacer(ITS). Leaf samples were collected from six populations across northern Iran. cpDNA and ITS fragments were amplified by universal primers using the PCR technique and directed sequencing. The results showed that P. caspica is genetically differentiated from P.alba, and two ITS variants were detected within some P.caspica individuals. Conflicts between topologies from ITS and plastid genomes were observed. High differentiation of P. caspica from the other Populus species shown in this study confirmed the diverging taxonomic status of this endangered species. We recommend in situ conservation measures(e.g., protected areas) for at least several populations of this species, especially in the plain regions of the Hyrcanian forest.     

Anticonvulsant evaluation of safranal and crocin from Crocus sativus in mice

The anticonvulsant activities of Crocus sativus stigma constituents, safranal and crocin, were evaluated in mice using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions in mice. Safranal (0.15 and 0.35 ml/kg, i.p.) reduced the seizure duration, delayed the onset of tonic convulsions and protected mice from death. Crocin (200 mg/kg, i.p.) did not show anticonvulsant activity.     

Diversity of woody plant species and their relationship to physiographic factors in central Zagros forests (Case study: Perc forest,Khorramabad, Iran)

Topography is the most factor that has the greatest impact of all factor that affect the distribution.To study the diversity of trees and shrub species in the Perc forest situated in Khorramabad,Lorestan,140 circular plots of 1200 m~2 in a grid of 300 m 9 250 m were surveyed,using a systematic random sampling method.In each plot,the Margalef richness index,Shannon–Wiener diversity index,Hill's N_1 and Simpson indices and the evenness index of Simpson and Smith-Wilson were calculated and ordered on the basis of different classes of elevation,exposition and slope.The results indicated that slope did not have any significant effect on the indices.Exposition and elevation classes significant impacted the richness and diversity indices,but did not influence evenness.In general,the highest plant diversity was observed for slopes less than 15 %,northern aspects,without geographical direction,and elevations of 2100–2200 m.This information can be very useful in achieving the goals for sustainable management of forests.In addition to greater protection for regions with high diversity and reforestation(compatible species) in degraded area,we can help increase diversity in forests.     

Endocrine disrupting effects of 4-nonylphenol on plasma vitellogenin,reproductive system and histology in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)

International Aquatic Research - This study aimed to assess the effect of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), a ubiquitous aquatic micro-chemical pollutant substance on some on some reproductive parameters and...     

Full-thickness skin avulsion of right leg following car accident trauma

The report presents a 24 year-old man who admitted at the orthopedic center with full-thickness skin avulsion of the right leg, due to his leg being caught under the wheel of a truck and subsequently traumatized. The day after injury, plastic and reconstructive surgery consult was done. After thoroughly irrigation, the 20 cm laceration was repaired above the knee. There was full-thickness skin necrosis below the knee down to the dorsal surface of the right leg (atypical form of skin avulsion). Debridment and graft was performed for the first stage. During the second stage, re-grafting was performed and the gasterocnemious flap was transposed to cover the Tibia bone. This study confirms early Plastic and reconstructive surgery consult from the trauma of lower extremities associated with skin lesion.     

Evaluation of the antitussive effect of stigma and petals of saffron (Crocus sativus) and its components, safranal and crocin in guinea pigs

The antitussive activity of Crocus sativus stigma and petal extracts and its components, safranal and crocin, was evaluated using the nebolized solution of citric acid 20% in guinea pigs. The extract and agents were injected intraperitoneally. The ethanolic extract of C. sativus (100-800 mg/kg) and safranal (0.25-0.75 ml/kg) reduced the number of cough. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of petal and crocin did not show antitussive activity.     

Nutrition and biochemical responses of chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) to vermicompost fertilizer and water deficit stress

Vermicompost can have an effective role in plant growth and nutrition. It can also reduce the harmful effects of stress caused by environmental factors. This study was a factorial experiment with a completely randomized plot design and three replications. The results showed that the calcium concentration (+40% +39%) of root and calcium (+71% +67%) and potassium contents (+49% +59%) of leaf under conditions of moderate and severe water stress increased under vermicompost treatments at the ratio of 30%. Sodium absorption (?37% ?21%) in moderate and severe conditions was significantly reduced by vermicompost treatment. In moderate and severe water stress, the growth medium of 30% vermicompost significantly enhanced proline (+39%) and soluble protein content (+28%) compared to the control. In conclusion, our results proved vermicompost fertilizer due to its structural properties and components, served to reduce the negative effects of water stress by increasing the absorption of calcium (Ca) and potassium (K), and decreasing sodium (Na) absorption that resulted in increased evaluations for proline and protein content.