Removal of Residual Oils from Palm Oil Mill Effluent by Adsorption on Natural Zeolite

The adsorption of residue oil from palm oil mill effluent using natural zeolite was investigated in this study. The adsorption was performed in batch mode, and the effect of different operational parameters such as pH, dose of adsorbent, stirring rate, contact time and initial oil concentration were explored. It was found that the pH plays a major role in the adsorption process. Isotherm data best fitted with the Freundlich model, and kinetic data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The results obtained demonstrated that the oil removal efficiencies by natural zeolite were up to 70?% at a pH of 3.0 and 50?min of contact time. The adsorbent material also has been characterised by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy.     

Removal and Preconcentration of Cobalt Ions from Aqueous Media Using ImHA Packed Column by On-Line SPE System

This work assesses the use of immobilized humic acid (ImHA) onto aminopropyl silica (APS) as a sorbent for the removal and preconcentration of trace amounts of cobalt ions by on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) technique in the column system prepared in our laboratory. Different parameters, such as the effect of the pH, concentration, and flow rate, were studied and throughput was observed by a UV detector. All SPE steps were monitored by breakthrough curves used to visualize distribution of cobalt concentration between mobile and solid phase. The solutions collected from stripping steps were analyzed in atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) and the amount of sorbed ions was calculated. Sorption characteristics were evaluated by using common adsorption isotherms and Scatchard plot analysis. From the obtained results, it was seen that sorption mechanism of cobalt ions were fitted to Langmuir model on a large scale and thought to be localized. Mean free energy (E?=?40.82?kJ?mol^?1) calculated from D-R isotherm showed that chemical interactions are more effective than physical interactions. This investigation reveals a new, simple, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective method for removal and preconcentration of cobalt ions from aqueous solutions by a new aminopropyl silica-immobilized humic acid material.     

Correction: QTL mapping under salt stress in rice using a Kalarata–Azucena population

Euphytica - The color of flour and its end-use products is an important quality trait of wheat. Understanding the genetic basis of this trait is essential for improving wheat quality. In this...     

Gravity Waves in Jupiter's Thermosphere

The Atmosphere Structure Instrument on the Galileo probe detected wavelike temperature fluctuations superimposed on a 700-kelvin temperature increase in Jupiter's thermosphere. These fluctuations are consistent with gravity waves that are viscously damped in the thermosphere. Moreover, heating by these waves can explain the temperature increase measured by the probe. This heating mechanism should be applicable to the thermospheres of the other giant planets and may help solve the long-standing question of the source of their high thermospheric temperatures.     

Studies on green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The phytoalexins produced after the inoculation of green bean pods (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with the spore suspension of three fungi viz.Fusarium solani, Penicillium patulum andPhytophthora megasperma were studied. Five phytoalexins were isolated and identified as phaseollin, coumestrol, kievitone, phaseollidin and 6--hydroxyphaseollin. Their identity was proved according to m.p., TLC, UV and MS by comparison with authentics. Moreover, the preliminary screening of their antifungal activity was carried out.     

Effects of long-term organic and mineral fertilizers on bulk density and penetration resistance in semi-arid Mediterranean soil conditions

Soil aggregation is of great importance in agriculture due to its positive effect on soil physical properties, plant growth and the environment. A long-term (1996-2008) field experiment was performed to investigate the role of mycorrhizal inoculation and organic fertilizers on some of soil properties of Mediterranean soils (Typic Xerofluvent, Menzilat clay-loam soil). We applied a rotation with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) as a second crop during the periods of 1996 and 2008. The study consisted of five experimental treatments; control, mineral fertilizer (300-60-150 kg N-P-K ha⁻¹), manure at 25 t ha⁻¹, compost at 25 t ha⁻¹ and mycorrhiza-inoculated compost at 10 t ha⁻¹ with three replicates. The highest organic matter content both at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths were obtained with manure application, whereas mineral fertilizer application had no effect on organic matter accumulation. Manure, compost and mycorrhizal inoculation + compost application had 69%, 32% and 24% higher organic matter contents at 0-30 cm depth as compared to the control application. Organic applications had varying and important effects on aggregation indexes of soils. The greatest mean weight diameters (MWD) at 15-30 cm depth were obtained with manure, mycorrhiza-inoculated compost and compost applications, respectively. The decline in organic matter content of soils in control plots lead disintegration of aggregates demonstrated on significantly lower MWD values. The compost application resulted in occurring the lowest bulk densities at 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depths, whereas the highest bulk density values were obtained with mineral fertilizer application. Measurements obtained in 2008 indicated that manure and compost applications did not cause any further increase in MWD at manure and compost receiving plots indicated reaching a steady state. However, compost with mycorrhizae application continued to significant increase (P < 0.05) in MWD values of soils. Organic applications significantly lowered the soil bulk density and penetration resistance. The lowest penetration resistance (PR) at 0-50 cm soil depth was obtained with mycorrhizal inoculated compost, and the highest PR was with control and mineral fertilizer applications. The results clearly revealed that mycorrhiza application along with organic fertilizers resulted in decreased bulk density and penetration resistance associated with an increase in organic matter and greater aggregate stability, indicated an improvement in soil structure.     

Biofortification of Durum Wheat with Zinc Through Soil and Foliar Applications of Nitrogen

Increasing zinc (Zn) concentration of cereal grains is a global challenge to alleviate Zn deficiency‐related health problems in humans caused by low dietary Zn intake. This study investigated the effects of soil‐ and foliar‐applied nitrogen (N) and Zn fertilizers on grain Zn accumulation of durum wheat (Triticum durum) grown on a Zn‐deficient soil. In addition, localization of Zn and protein within durum wheat grain was studied by using Bradford reagent for protein and dithizone (diphenyl thiocarbazone) for Zn. Grain Zn concentration was greatly enhanced by soil or foliar applications of Zn. When Zn supply was adequately high, both soil and foliar N applications improved grain Zn concentration. Consequently, there was a significant positive correlation between grain concentrations of Zn and N, when Zn supply was not limiting. Protein and Zn staining studies showed co‐localization of Zn and protein within grain, particularly in the embryo and aleurone. Results indicate that N and Zn fertilization have a synergistic effect on grain Zn concentration. Possibly, increasing N supply contributes to grain Zn concentration by affecting the levels of Zn‐chelating nitrogenous compounds or the abundance of Zn transporters. Our results suggest that nitrogen management can be an effective agronomic tool to improve grain Zn concentration.     

Technical efficiency of cage fish farming in Peninsular Malaysia: a stochastic frontier production approach

The study estimates technical efficiency and investigates the factors affecting the technical inefficiency of cage fish farming in Peninsular Malaysia. The study employs the stochastic frontier function to estimate a production frontier and technical inefficiency model. The data were collected using standard structured questionnaires completed by sample cage fish farmers in the study area. The result reveals an estimated mean technical efficiency score of 0.79, implying that the sample fish farmers are operating 21% below the production frontier and thus, there is room for improvement. The production function involves the use of one output and four inputs, which are stocking density, feed, labour and other relevant production costs. The coefficients of all the inputs have positive signs and statistically significant impacts on the output. The output elasticity associated with stocking density is the highest (0.634), followed by feed (0.317). The null hypotheses that the technical inefficiency effects are absent from the model and that the combined exogenous variables do not influence inefficiency are strongly rejected. The individual's null hypotheses of no age effect, no experience effect, no education effect, no species effect, no extension services effect, no workshop attended effect and no diseases effect on technical inefficiency are all rejected at different levels of statistical significance.     

Shape differences of the Carina sterni in birds of various locomotion types

The anatomy of the sternum in birds varies according to their habitats and type of locomotion. In particular, the carina sterni manifest different shape variations. In this study, the shape of the carina sterni was investigated by means of geometric morphometrics. Birds of different types of locomotion were used in the study: flying, swimming, and terrestrial. Ducks and chickens show a wider variety of shapes. Pigeons are the species with the least differences. The margo cranialis carinae in a turkey is the flattest compared to other species. In chickens, the apex carinae is more caudally than the base of the carina sterni. The margo cranialis of the carina sterni in ducks is concave. The differences in centroid size and shape differences between species collectively are statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The most distinct shape contrast is between the duck and turkey (p: 0.0003). Form differences between the ducks and geese as well as between the chicken and turkey are statistically insignificant. There is less variation in the shape of the carina sterni among avian species representing the same type of locomotion. Although there are many comparative morphological and morphometric studies of birds, shape analysis studies revealing the interspecific differences and similarities of the sternum are very limited. Morphology of the carina sterni can be useful in taxonomic investigations.