Studying irradiation homogeneity in light aging for historical textile conservation

Instrumental light aging is one of the most important tools for restoration and conservation of historical textiles. It used in testing stability of conservation materials, in addition to its lightening effect during the presentation in the museums. Light fading is an important tool for preparing the aged textile and other polymeric samples especially for archaeological conservation applications. Many fadometers do not give homogeneous exposure for all sample’s areas. This work studies the color changes of silk fabric dyed with turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) mordanted with alum or ferric sulfate. Color change was studied for the exposure periods ranged from five to hundred hours. Three positions of different irradiance levels were measured on the same sample namely (bottom, middle and upper). Individual color change for each position was recorded and studied. The results showed that there is non-homogeneous irradiance distribution due to different positions in fadometer or mordant used.     

β-carotene and retinol contents in the meat of herbivorous ungulates with a special reference to their public health importance

The aim of this study was to estimate total carotenoids, β-carotene and retinol concentrations in the livers and muscles of some ungulates (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and horses) in comparison with the Wistar rats as a control. Cattle and horses had the highest contents of total carotenoids and β-carotene. Unexpectedly, sheep was the highest accumulator of retinol with a mean concentration of 203 ± 23.34 µg/g, while the least accumulator was buffalo, having a mean value of 58.28 ± 13.77 µg/g. Livers had higher contents of the examined phytochemicals than muscles. Consumption of these tissues may provide human with some needs from these important phytochemicals, though ingestion of livers, especially that of the sheep, is not advisable for the pregnant women.     

Mineral status of Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton) fingerlings in relation to supplemental phytase: absorption, whole-body and bone mineral content

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to quantify the effects of microbial phytase supplementation on apparent absorption, whole body and bone contents of minerals in Pangasius pangasius fingerlings. Seven isoprotein (35.67%) and isocaloric (3870 kcal kg^?1) diets were prepared with graded levels of supplemental phytase at 0 (T₁), 150 (T₂), 250 (T₃), 350 (T₄), 500 (T₅), 1000 (T₆) and 2000 (T₇) FTU (Phytase Units) kg^?1. Three hundred and fifteen fingerlings of P. pangasius (1.97–2.05 g) were randomly distributed in seven treatments with three replicates each. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in tissue protein content in phytase‐supplemented groups compared with the control. Apparent absorptions of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), potassium (K), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the phytase‐supplemented groups than the control group. Faecal ash and P contents were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the control (T₁) than the phytase‐supplemented groups. Whole‐body contents of Ca, P, Zn, Fe, Cu and Co were significantly (P<0.05) improved by the dietary supplementation of phytase‐barring Mg and Mn. Concentrations of bone Ca, P, K, Cu and Co were significantly (P<0.05) higher in phytase‐supplemented groups. Bone ash contents (40.77–44.85%) were increased concomitantly with the increased level of phytase inclusion upto 500 FTU kg^?1 diet. It was observed that a minimum dose of 250 FTU phytase kg^?1 diet improved the mineral absorption and utilization in P. pangasius fingerlings.     

Application of Trichoderma harzianum Strain KABOFT4 for Management of Tomato Bacterial Wilt Under Greenhouse Conditions

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a very important pathogen that causes bacterial wilt of tomato (BWT). Biological control of plant diseases is a critical tool for protecting the environment from chemical pollution. Twenty-five isolates of the genus Trichoderma were obtained from a healthy tomato root. Of the 25 isolates, KABOFT4 showed highly antagonistic activity that controlled the growth of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm7) under in vitro conditions. The 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene and internal transcribed spacer identified the isolate as Trichoderma harzianum KABOFT4. The effect of this isolate as a soil drench and/or foliar application on bacterial wilt under greenhouse conditions was studied. The germination percentage of tomato seed treated with KABOFT4 increased by 36.7% compared to infected seed treated with only the pathogen Cmm7. Under greenhouse conditions, tomato seedlings treated with KABOFT4 as a soil drench, foliar and soil treatment, and foliar treatment had a 61.3, 26.7, and 40% reduced disease severity relative to the infected control, respectively. All treatments had a positive effect on tomato plants that presented as greater vegetative growth and accumulation of dry matter. The best fresh and dry weight was recorded when plants were treated with KABOFT4 as a soil and foliar application. Tomato plants treated with KABOFT4 also had increased total phenol and flavonoid contents in inoculated and non-inoculated plants compared to untreated plants. Under greenhouse conditions, T. harzianum strains can be used as an environmentally friendly way to manage the most economically important tomato disease. The results showed that a native endophytic strain of T. harzianum was a potent biocontrol agent against C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Application of this strain to tomatoes in the greenhouse resulted in a decrease in disease severity and an increase in crop biomass.

     

The potential feasibility for soil improvement, based on the properties of biochars pyrolyzed from different feedstocks

Purpose

Biochars have been considered as useful soil amendments due to their beneficial properties in improving soil fertility, carbon (C) sequestration, and soil decontamination. In our study, a series of biochars produced from different types of feedstocks at two pyrolysis temperatures (300 and 500 °C) were characterized to evaluate their different potentials as soil amendments.

Materials and methods

Ten types of feedstocks were used to prepare biochars at the pyrolysis temperatures of 300 and 500 °C, for 2 h. Chemical and physical analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analyses were conducted to determine differences in biochar properties. Then, soil incubation studies were used to investigate the relationships between these biochar properties and their different ameliorant values in soil.

Results and discussion

The pH, ash, total C, total potassium, total phosphorus, total base cation concentrations, surface areas, and total pore volumes of biochars produced at 500 °C were higher than at 300 °C, while the reverse applied for yields, total oxygen and total hydrogen, and average pore widths and particle sizes. Cluster analysis suggested that biochars derived from similar feedstock types belonged in the same category. The SEM, XRD, and FTIR analyses of typical biochars from the different categories suggested both variations and similarities in their characteristics. In addition, the results from soil incubation experiments were consistent with the conclusions made from biochar characteristics analysis.

Conclusions

Biochars derived from swine manures, fruit peels, and leaves with high pH and macro-nutrients appeared appropriate to increase soil pH and soil nutrient availability; whereas, biochars from wetland plant residues with high C concentrations and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller were better for soil C sequestration and contaminant adsorption.     

Comparative regeneration status in a natural forest and enrichment plantations of Chittagong （south） forest division, Bangladesh

于2002年4月至11月,对孟加拉Chittagong (南部)林区天然纯林和肥沃地人工林树种更新情况进行了比较研究。共设100个3m×3m的样地(天然林50个,人工林50个)。共记录天然林更新树种64个,苗木密度为24767株/hm2;人工林更新树种40个,苗木密度为18633株/hm2。天然林更新量最大的树种为Castanopsis spp.(2200 株/hm2),其次是Glochidion lanceolarium (2183 株/hm2);人工林更新量最大的树种为Dipterocarpus gracilis (2117株/hm2),其次是Anogeissus acuminata (2000株/hm2)。对天然林而言, Castanopsis spp 的相对密度最高(8.88%), Glochidion lanceolarium 的相对频度最高(7.36%),Syzygium spp. 的相对富有度最高(3.79%),Glochidion lanceolarium的重要值指数最高(18.24%);对人工林而言,Dipterocarpus gracilis的相对密度最高(11.36%),Glochidion lanceolarium的相对频度最高 (9.71%), Dipterocarpus gracilis的相对富有度最高(5.92%), Glochidion lanceolarium的重要值指数最高 (23.32%)。Dipterocarpus gracilis 常见种在天然林和人工林都有更新苗木,但人工林的苗木要高于天然林。天然更新的苗木非常密集,但由于人为的干扰,这些更新的苗木通常达不到径干生长期。表4参35。     

Role of social aspects in extent of on-farm tree growing in subsistence agroforestry systems of Western Himalaya

Many so-called society-oriented agroforestry programs, mainly in developing countries, fail because they do not take account of the social structure in their design. This study provides empirical evidence of the impact of social structure on the extent of on-farm tree growing. The study has been carried out in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, in Indian Western Himalaya. Analysis of survey data reveals significant relationships between extent of on-farm tree growing and caste, education of the head of household, family literacy, primary occupation, government employment, mobility of the household head, importance of tree growing for future generations, and holy tree worship practices. Households with concrete houses had more trees than households with mixed, mud and wooden houses. The study implies a need to consider social factors to encourage the level of on-farm tree growing and to design socially acceptable agroforestry programs. The study also emphasises the need for a holistic approach to agroforestry development by integrating other continuing rural development programs with that of agroforestry to increase the level of on-farm tree growing.     

Nutritional Effect of Flaxseeds on Cholesterol Profile and Fatty Acid Composition in Egg Yolk

This experiment investigated the effect of a supplementary dietary source (flaxseed) on egg yolk cholesterol contents and fatty acid profile. Flaxseeds at three different levels (5, 10, and 15%) were supplemented to 84 Rhode Island Red × Fayoumi cross layers during 21–24 weeks of age. The birds were divided randomly into four groups. Flaxseeds were supplemented in the diet at the level of 5% (FS‐5), 10% (FS‐10), and 15% (FS‐15), and one group served as the control (FS‐0). Cholesterol content of eggs was not significantly affected by flaxseed. The amount of monounsaturated fatty acids was significantly decreased with the increase in the flaxseed level, and the highest reduction was observed in FS‐15. The highest total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and total omega‐3 PUFA were recorded in FS‐15. These findings reflect that unsaturated healthy fatty acid content in poultry eggs can be increased with dietary supplementation of flaxseed.     

Recovery of Ralstonia solanacearum from canal water in traditional potato-growing areas of Egypt but not from designated Pest-Free Areas (PFAs)

Surveys over three seasons of irrigation, drainage and artesian well water throughout the major potato-growing areas of Egypt indicated that Ralstonia solanacearum bv. 2 race 3 (phylotype II sequevar 1), cause of potato brown rot, was limited to the canals of the traditional potato-growing areas in the Nile Delta region, with positive findings more commonly associated with the network of smaller irrigation canals flowing through potato-growing areas. Pathogen populations in the canals of the Delta (~100–200 cfu l^?1) were generally variable throughout the year with presence linked to potato cultivation in the immediate area. The pathogen was not detected in irrigation or drainage water associated with potato cultivation in the newly reclaimed desert areas (designated as Pest-Free Areas, PFAs) or in the main branches of the Nile upstream from these areas. In vitro studies showed that temperature and microbial activity were the main factors affecting survival of the pathogen in canal water. In experiments at temperatures of 4, 15, 28 and 35°C, survival was longest at 15°C and shortest at 35°C. Survival at 4 and 28°C tended to be intermediate between these extremes as was survival when the bacterium was grown at fluctuating temperatures. Aeration, solarisation and pH variation between 4 and 9 appeared to have little effect on survival. Survival in autoclaved or filter-sterilised canal water was longer than in untreated water irrespective of other factors with survival times exceeding 300 days at 15°C in some experiments. Evidence is presented indicating that survival in water-saturated sediment may be longer than in the overlying water suggesting that sediment may provide a protective niche for the pathogen in some circumstances. The maximum survival time in non-sterile Egyptian canal water at high inoculum pressure was estimated to be up to 300 days at optimum temperature for survival (15–30°C) suggesting the potential for long-distance spread in Egyptian surface waters from sources of contamination.     

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in Punjab (India) and its association with diarrhea in neonatal dairy calves

A prevalence study was contemplated to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy farms in Punjab, India. The cryptosporidium oocysts were detected from 50 and 25.68% from 80 diarrheic and 74 non-diarrheic animals, respectively. Both shedding and intensity of shedding were significant in calves with diarrhea. The Cryptosporidium spp. appears to be common in dairy calves and an important contributor of calf diarrhea in the Punjab province. The prevalence of the infection peaked in young calves between 0 and 30 days in both the diarrheic and non-diarrheic groups (86.4 and 66.6%, respectively). The percentage distribution of positive samples, with reference to age groups of diarrheic and non-diarrheic animals was negatively correlated with increase in age. High mortality rate and case fatality rate of 35.2 and 44.4% were observed in young calves between 0 and 30 days of age.