Effect of boron phosphate on the mechanical, thermal and fire retardant properties of polypropylene and polyamide-6 fibers

The effect of boron phosphate (BPO₄) nanoparticles on the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardant properties of polypropylene (PP) and polyamide 6 (PA-6) fibers are investigated by tensile testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and micro combustion calorimeter (MCC). The addition of BPO₄ reduces the mechanical properties of the both PP and PA-6 fibers. According to the TGA results, the addition of BPO₄ does not change the thermal behavior of PP fiber and slightly reduces the thermal stability of PA-6 fiber by about 30 °C. According to MCC results, the addition of BPO₄ does not change the effective total heat evolution and heat release rate (HRR) peak for PP fibers. Although the inclusion of BPO₄ does not change the total heat evolution of PA-6 fiber, it reduces the HRR peaks due to increase in barrier effect of char.     

Effect of chemical and physical treatments on the inactivation of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus and extra small virus

White tail disease (WTD) is found to cause immense economic losses in hatcheries, with mortalities often reaching 100% within 4 or 5 days. The pathogenic agents have been identified as Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) associated with extra small virus (XSV), which are 27 and 15 nm in diameter respectively. The effects of some chemical disinfectants hydrogen ions (pH), heat and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the inactivation of MrNV and XSV were investigated. The viral inoculum exposed to UV irradiation for a period of 5 min and more was totally inactivated and failed to cause mortality in postlarvae of prawn. The viruses were totally inactivated by this high pH (8.5, 9 and 10). The viral suspension treated with sodium hypochloride, formalin, Benzalkonium chloride and Benzethonium chloride at the concentration of 200 ppm caused 100% mortality in postlarvae of prawn. Iodine was found to be effective to inactivate MrNV and XSV at the concentration of 100 ppm or more, whereas the viral suspension treated with iodine at the concentration of 50 ppm or less caused mortality in postlarvae. The infected postlarvae in treated and positive control groups showed positive by RT‐PCR for these viruses.     

Characteristics of some almond kernel and oils

The proximate properties, the fatty acid and mineral contents of different almond kernel varieties were determined. The crude protein contents of kernels ranged between 12.7% (guara) and 16.3% (cristomorto). The oil yields from these kernels were established between 48.8% (cristomorto) and 55.7% (ferragnes). The acidity value of oils were found between 1.389 and 3.559%. In addition, peroxide values were established between 7.586 (nonpareil) and 15.590 mequiv./kg (cristomorto). The major fatty acids of almond kernel oils were oleic (72.5–79.9%), linoleic (13.5–19.8%) and palmitic acids (5.9–6.7%). The predominant mineral in most kernel was potassium (13.1–15.1 mg/100 g). The mineral contents of the kernels were established as 7.94–9.38 mg/100 g potassium, 2.9–4.0 mg/100 g magnesium and 1.84–2.94 mg/100 g calcium. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the kernels of almond varieties are being potential sources of valuable oil which might be used for edible and other industrial applications.     

Functional characteristics of the growth factor receptor family and some ligands in the oropharyngeal cavity of the Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar)

1. The aim of the present study is to describe, immunohistochemically, the expression and cell type localisation of growth factor receptors and some of their ligands in the oropharyngeal organs of the Chukar partridge.

2. The tissue samples from 10 healthy adult partridges were dissected under ether anaesthesia and then embedded in paraffin following routine histological procedures. The immunoreaction for receptors and ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/ligand system was localised in the cell membrane, nucleus and cytoplasm of the luminal and glandular epithelial cells, stromal and striated muscle cells, and vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

3. Variations were observed in the avian oropharyngeal organs. The immunostaining for the erbB1/HER1 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 1) and the EGF (epidermal growth factor) and AREG (Amphiregulin) ligands in the luminal epithelial cells was higher than in the glandular epithelial, stromal and striated muscle cells. However, the immunostaining for erbB3/HER3 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 3) and erbB4/HER4 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 4) were similar in the luminal epithelium, stromal and striated muscle cells.

4. Growth factor receptors and some of their ligands were localised in different cell types in the oropharyngeal organs. We suggest that erbB/HERs (human epidermal growth factor receptors) and their ligands play an important role in proliferation, differentiation, growth, survival and migration of the cells.     

Acute toxicity of ammonia in Meagre (Argyrosomus regius Asso, 1801) at different temperatures

Argyrosomus regius (3.0 ± 0.9 g) were exposed to different concentrations of ammonia in a series of acute toxicity tests by the static renewal method at three temperature levels (18, 22 and 26°C) at a pH of 8.2. Low temperature clearly increased the tolerance of the fish to total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and unionized ammonia (NH₃) (P < 0.05). While the 96‐h LC₅₀ values of TAN were 19.79, 10.39 and 5.06 mg L^?1, the 96‐h LC₅₀ of NH₃ were 1.00, 0.70 and 0.44 mg L^?1 at 18, 22 and 26°C respectively. The safe levels of NH₃ for A. regius was estimated to be 0.10, 0.07 and 0.04 mg L^?1 at 18, 22 and 26°C respectively (P < 0.05). This study clearly indicates that A. regius is more sensitive to ammonia than other marine fish species cultured on the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic coasts.     

Acute Toxicity of Ammonia and Nitrite to Sea Bream,Sparus aurata (Linnaeus, 1758), in Relation to Salinity

Sea bream, Sparus aurata, is one of the most important fish species that is commonly cultured in the Mediterranean and the eastern coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. The life cycle of sea bream in its natural habitat passes through hyposaline and hypersaline lagoons. It is important to determine the tolerance of the fish to nitrogenous compounds for aquaculture at maximum stocking densities. In the present study, a series of acute experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of salinity on ammonia and nitrite toxicity to sea bream. The fish were exposed to different ammonia and nitrite concentrations according to the static renewal methodology at three different salinities (10, 20, and 30 ppt) and at a temperature of 20 C and a pH of 8.2. The toxic effect of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite nitrogen (NO₂‐N) decreased with increasing salinity levels (P < 0.001). Acute toxicity (96‐h lethal concentration 50 [LC₅₀]) values of TAN were determined to be 5.93, 11.72, and 19.38 mg/L at 10, 20, and 30 ppt salinity, respectively. The 96‐h LC₅₀ values of NO₂‐N were determined to be 370.80, 619.47, and 806.33 mg/L at 10, 20, and 30 ppt salinity, respectively. Results indicate that sea bream is less tolerant to ammonia but more tolerant to nitrite compared with some other fish species.     

Effects of vitamin E and selenium on tissue bio-element status in organophosphate toxicity of rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of vitamin E (vit E), selenium (Se) and vit E + Se against organophosphate (OP) toxicity in tissues’ trace and major element levels and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities of rats. Trace and major element concentrations in the tissues were measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. Erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities were studied by using spectrophotometer. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase increased in the fenthion-treated groups (control) more than that of sham group subjects. Heart and pectoral muscle tissue Se and Zn concentrations in the control group were higher than sham group. However, jejunum, kidney, liver and pancreas Se and Zn concentrations in the control group were found to be lower than those in the sham group. The Mn concentrations in the all of the tissues were lower in the control group when compared with the sham group. Brain, heart, jejunum, kidney and pancreas Fe concentrations and heart, jejunum, liver, pectoral muscle and pancreas Cu concentrations were found to be lower in the control group. The treatment of vit E, Se and vit E + Se were increased bio-element levels in the many tissue. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate that the tissue trace and major element concentrations and enzymatic antioxidant system were significantly affected OP toxicity. Furthermore, we have shown an association between bio-elements and antioxidant enzymes in OP toxicity. In addition, administration of vit E, Se and vit E + Se might regulate some trace and major element levels in the many tissues.     

Pathogenicity of four native isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes against Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, 1863 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a major pest on stored grains. Chemical pesticides are...     

Shearing male lambs in the cold season improves the carcass yield without affecting fattening performance

This research was carried out to determine the effects of shearing of different genotypes of male lambs (one from pure Karayaka stock and two from its crossbreed) in winter on bodyweight gain, feed consumtion, feed conversion efficiency, rectal temperature and carcass yield. A total of 21 lambs aged 8 months were allocated randomly to experimental groups according to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement for shorn and unshorn animals. The lambs were fed grass hay (100 g/lamb/day) and commercial concentrate feed ad libitum during a 54‐day of fattening period. The lambs were shorn in the middle of the experiment (27 days after beginning the trial). The interaction between the shearing treatment × genotype of the studied parameters was found to be insignificant. The shearing process increased the rectal temperature (P < 0.01), hot carcass yield (P < 0.05) and dressing percentage (P < 0.05) and decreased the weight of the edible inner organs (P < 0.01). Some of these parameters were affected by the genotypes. It was concluded that shearing male lambs in the winter can have a beneficial effect on the hot carcass weight and dressing percentage without affecting fattening performance, and the performance of Karayaka lambs and its crossbred male lambs were similar under the conditions of the present study.     

Remediation of Lead Contaminated Soils by Stabilization/Solidification

Most available remediation technologies for treatment of heavymetal contaminated soils are very expensive and result in residues requiring further treatment. Stabilization/solidification (immobilization) techniques however, which aredesigned to decrease leaching potential of heavy metals from soil by addition of chemical additives, provide very cost-effective solutions for heavy metal contaminated soils. Thisstudy investigates the most efficient additive for immobilization of lead. To achieve this goal, several leachingexperiments were conducted for mixtures of different additives(lime, activated carbon, clay, zeolite, sand and cement) withartificially Pb contaminated (spiked) soil samples in accordancewith the Toxicity Characterization Leaching Procedure (TCLP) developed by U.S. EPA. Results showed that among the additivestried, activated carbon, clay, zeolite and sand are not very efficient for Pb immobilization. On the other hand, lime andcement are significantly effective in Pb immobilization with 88% efficiency at 1:21 lime:soil ratio and 99% efficiency at1:15 cement:soil ratio, respectively.