Induction of host defence enzymes by the endophytic bacterium Serratia marcescens,in banana plantlets

Pre-inoculation with the endobacterium Serratia marcescens (strain UPM39B3) induced the production of host defence enzymes such as peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, total soluble phenols and lignothioglycolic acid in banana plantlets. The levels of these enzymes were evidently higher in plantlets pre-treated with the endobacterium compared to the control. The production of host-induced enzymes benefitted the crop plants as they may have a role in suppressing Fusarium wilt incidence in the plantlets. This was evident when plantlets pre-treated with the endobacterium showed a lower disease severity (50%) compared to diseased plantlets lacking the endobacterium (74%). The results of this study thus highlight the potential of the isolate Serratia marcescens (strain UPM 39B3) as a biological control agent for Fusarium wilt management in bananas, reducing disease severity via stimulation of host defences.     

Surface Modification of Sporopollenin with Calixarene Derivative

In this study, p-tert-butylcalix[4]-aza-crown (CAC) immobilized sporopollenin (Sp) was used as a sorbent for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous media. Sporopollenin was firstly functionalized with 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (CPTS) in order to obtain chloro-sporopollenin (Sp-Cl). The Sp-Cl was reacted subsequently with CAC yielding CAC-bonded sporopollenin (Sp-Cl-CAC). The new sorbent was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TG/DTG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sorption properties of modified sorbent (Sp-Cl-CAC) are also investigated. The optimum pH values for the separation of metal ions from aqueous solution onto Sp-Cl-CAC were 5.0 for Pb(II) and Cu(II) and 5.5 for Zn(II). The maximum sorption capacities for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were 0.07 (4.44?mg?g^?1), 0.07 (4.58?mg?g^?1) and 0.14 (29.00?mg?g^?1) mmol?g^?1, respectively. Sorption thermodynamic parameters of such as free energy (?G ^o), enthalpy (?H ^o), and entropy (?S ^o) were evaluated.     

Effects of sample dimensions on pull-out properties of woven fabric structures

The aim of this study was to understand the effects of fabric sample dimensions on pull-out properties of fabric weaves. Polyester woven fabrics were used to conduct the pull-out tests. A yarn pull-out fixture was developed and data generated from this research. Yarn pull-out forces depend on sample dimensions, fabric density, fabric weave, and number of pulled ends in the fabric. Results showed that multiple and single yarn pull-out forces of long samples were higher than those of short samples, and the multiple yarn pull-out force was higher than that of the single yarn pull-out force, and dense fabric has high pull-out force. Plain fabric weave showed high single and multiple pull-out forces compared to ribs and satin fabric weaves. The regression model could be used in this study as a viable and reliable tool. This research could be valuable for development of multifunctional fabrics in technical textile applications.     

日粮小麦对荷斯坦奶牛生产性能和瘤胃发酵的影响

试验旨在研究探讨日粮小麦对荷斯坦奶牛泌乳性能、瘤胃发酵和总营养物质消化率的影响。试验采用拉丁方设计,选择奶牛12头,随机分为3个处理组,分别添加蒸汽压片小麦0、10％、20％。奶牛每天饲喂和挤奶2次。选择6头奶牛安装瘤胃瘘管,瘤胃液样来自每个时期前2d的瘤胃液。试验结果表明,干物质采食量为20．9kg·d^-1,产奶量为36．1kg·d^-1,乳脂肪、乳蛋白、乳糖分别为1．25、1．10和1．67kg·d^-1,对其无显著影响。各处理间的乳脂率无显著差异,乳蛋白含量减少,10％组乳蛋白较20％组少（6．36,6．44）。与对照组相比,     

Tei index (myocardial performance index) and cardiac biomarkers in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

Tei index (myocardial performance) and cardiac biomarkers were evaluated in dogs with parvoviral enteritis (PVE). Tei index was calculated as isovolumic contraction time plus isovolumic relaxation time divided by ejection time. Myocardial and skeletal muscle damages were assessed by serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine (phospho) kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase. Serum magnesium level was also determined. According to treatment response, dogs were divided into the survivor (n=20) and non-survivor groups (n=23). Seven healthy dogs served as controls. The mean value of the Tei index was higher in non-survivors, compared with survivors (p<0.02) and healthy controls (p<0.01). Serum level of cTnI in non-survivors was higher than that of survivors and controls (p<0.05). Tei index showed the highest sensitivity and specificity to predict mortality. The findings of an elevated Tei index and an increase in serum cTnI are factors associated with a poor prognosis in cases of canine parvovirosis.     

Three-year storage of oriental beechnuts (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus orientalis</Emphasis> Lipsky)

Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) is one of the main tree species in Turkey. In this study, 3-year storage of oriental beechnuts from eight Turkish provenances was researched. Beechnuts were stored at −6°C in sealed containers. The average germination percentages of over all provenances were 91.67, 75.92, and 76.75%, prior to initial storage, after 1 year in storage, and after 3 years in storage, respectively. There were significant decreases in the germination percentages of seven provenances while one provenance retained its high initial germination ability over a 3-year storage period. The loss of viability initiated from the radicle and the plumula in stored beechnuts. The average mean germination times were 10.43, 10.22, and 11.89 weeks prior to storage, after 1 year in storage, and after 3 years in storage, respectively. The beechnuts stored for 3 years germinated significantly later than both fresh beechnuts and beechnuts stored for 1 year in terms of average mean germination time. This study showed that oriental beechnuts can be stored in a dormant state for at least 3 years at low temperature (−6°C) with a low moisture content (about 6–7%).     

Physical properties of structural soils containing waste materials to achieve urban greening

Purpose

The densification and expansion of urban areas will increase the streams of waste materials such as bricks, concrete and street sweeping waste. In parallel, green areas offer the potential to overcome many challenges that face growing/expanding cities but require the use of large amounts of natural resources such as natural topsoil and aggregates. In this work, various waste materials mixed with organic debris are tested for greening applications in urban environments as an alternative to the consumption of natural resources.

Materials and methods

Five combinations of artefacts were studied either as “growing material” (i.e. dedicated to plant growth) or “structural material” (as support for traffic). These constructed Technosols were studied in situ in lysimeters under two sets of contrasting climatic conditions at two sites in France (Angers, oceanic climate, and Homécourt semi-continental climate). They were planted with trees (Acer platanoides) and with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).

Results and discussion

Compared to natural soils, the constructed Technosols exhibited high porosities and highly saturated hydraulic conductivities (up to 0.76 m³ m^?3, and to 34.74 cm h^?1, respectively). The physical properties–i.e. macroporosity and microporosity–of these artificial soils revealed high water supply for plants, with available soil water ranging from 0.5 to 2.9 mm cm^?1. Tree and ryegrass roots were able to grow in the entire soil volume available in the lysimeters. Organic matter nature and soil pH conditions appeared to be the main drivers of plant development.

Conclusions

Constructed Technosols are suitable for vegetation growth and constitute a valuable alternative to the consumption of natural arable earth for urban greening applications, e.g. gardens, parks, and tree lines. Furthermore, they can provide high levels of relevant ecosystem functions in cities such as water retention and infiltration, plant settlement, carbon sequestration and even biodiversity habitats.

     

Can nutritional status of apple trees be determined by leaf analysis in early vegetation?

In this study, whether the nutritional status of apple trees can be predicted in the early stages of vegetation was determined by leaf analysis. For this purpose, from different districts of Isparta province in Turkey where apples are cultivated extensively, 150 apple orchards were assessed according to the production potential of districts. The leaf samples were collected at six different stages of vegetation from these orchards, and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and boron (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and B) amounts were determined. Correlations were examined between the sixth period and the previous periods. The presence of significant correlations was interpreted, as leaf analysis can be used to determine the nutritional status of apples in the early growth period. Consequently, it was determined that leaf analysis can be carried out at any time from the beginning of vegetation for all elements except Fe and Cu.     

Effects of linear density and twist level on the mechanical properties of nylon 6.6 tyre cords

The performance of high tenacity nylon 6.6 tyre cords with different linear densities (dtex) was investigated by measuring some mechanical, structural and physical properties. The structural changes due to the dipping process were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis. The breaking strengths were increased with the increasing linear densities, but decreased with twist level. As the linear density increases, shrinkage values of greige cords were increased. Shrinkage is mostly dependent on amorphous parts of the cords. Since amorphous parts of the dipped cords are lower than greige cords, shrinkage values for dipped cord were lower than that of greige cords. Adhesion values were increased with the increasing linear density and twist level. It has been observed that increasing of the twist levels explicitly improved the fatigue resistance in the cases 1400 and 1880 dtex cords. But, no significant changes were observed for 940 dtex cords. It has been found that cords with lower linear densities had better fatigue resistance than that of the cords with higher linear densities.