Simulating the Production of Rice Genotypes by Flood Management and End-Season Water Stress Conditions Using AquaCrop Model

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to assess the ability of AquaCrop model in predicting of grain and biological yield of rice genotypes in water management. A two-year field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of the Iranian Rice Research Institute in Rasht, Iran from 2016 to 2017. The experiment was established in a split-plot design with two irrigation management (continuous submergence and end season water stress) as the main plot, fourth rice genotypes as the sub-plot and three replications. The goodness-of-fit between observed and simulated grain yield and final biomass was assessed by means of the coefficient of determination (R ²), the absolute and normalized root mean square errors (RMSE). The RMSE_n of predicting grain yield at calibration and evaluation stages was in the range of 6–12% and 6–8% for biological yield. The results indicated that AquaCrop model is suitable to predict grain yield and biological yield of rice genotypes in northern Iran. AquaCrop model can be used to determine optimization strategies to improve the water consumption of rice genotypes.     

Effects of different carbon sources and dietary protein levels in a biofloc system on growth performance,immune response against white spot syndrome virus infection and cathepsin L gene expression of Litopenaeus vannamei

A 5‐week study was performed to evaluate the effect of spoilage date extract (SDE) as the biofloc carbon source on Litopenaeus vannamei (5.4 ± 0.3 g) performance. The two levels of dietary protein (15% and 25% crude protein) and two carbohydrate sources (molasses‐M and SDE‐P) were tested including: M15, M25, P15 and P25. The minimum (0.2 ± 0.0 mg/L) and the maximum (0.5 ± 0.0 mg/L) of total ammonia nitrogen were observed in the P15 and M25 groups respectively. The highest protein efficiency ratio (6.1 ± 0.3) and protein productive value (112.3 ± 5.8%) were found in the P15 group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found between biofloc treatments in the expression of cathepsin L gene in hepatopancreas (p > 0.05). The number of total haemocyte count (THC), semigranular cells (SGC) and granular cells (GC) of shrimp in SDE‐based biofloc treatments was relatively higher than those in molasses‐based biofloc treatments. Following the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge, a significant decrease in THC, SGC, GC and hyaline cell values was observed in all treatments (p = 0.001). Plasma biochemical parameters were significantly influenced by dietary protein levels, biofloc carbon sources as well as WSSV challenge test. In conclusion, SDE successfully could be used as an alternative carbon source for establishing a biofloc system in L. vannamei production.     

Effects of the addition of Calanopia elliptica,Artemia franciscana,and Brachionus rotundiformis in a nursery biofloc system on water quality,growth, gut morphology,health indices,and transcriptional response of immune and antioxidant-related genes in Penaeus vannamei

Aquaculture International - A 56-day study was carried out to examine the addition of live foods a biofloc technology (BFT) system on Penaeus vannamei postlarvae performance (PL25, initial weight:...     

Interaction analysis between slenderness ratio and resin content on mechanical properties of particleboard

The interaction between particle size and resin content is one of the most important structural parameters that can influence the accuracy of predictions about wood-composite properties. We developed three kinds of equation (linear, quadratic, and exponential) for each mechanical property of particleboard based on slenderness ratio and resin content at a constant density (0.7g cm -3 ). Results from SHAZAM software (version 9) suggested that the quadratic function was not significant, but the linear and exponential functions were significant. The interaction between particle size and resin content was analyzed by Maple 9 software. The results indicated that an exponential function can better describe the simultaneous effect of slenderness and resin content than a linear equation. Under constant resin content, particles with higher slenderness ratios increased more in modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) than did particles with lower slenderness ratios. Edge withdrawal resistance (SWRe) values did not increase with increasing slenderness ratio.     

Lavender essence for post-cesarean pain

Post cesarean (CS) pain is a challenging problem for the obstetricians, because it may interfere with mother and baby's well-being. Many approaches have been ever proposed to diminish this pain, each one with particular benefits and limitations. Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy especially for controlling pain. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of lavender essence on post CS pain. In a single-blind clinical trial, 200 term pregnant women with planned elective CS were recruited in a 12 month period of time. They were randomized in two 100-patient groups; received either lavender essence (the case group) or a similar clinically neutral aromatic material (the control group) thorough oxygen mask for 3 min 3 h after receiving similar intravenous analgesics. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was employed to determine the level of post CS pain. The VAS was documented half hour after first intervention. Eight and 16 h later, the aromatherapy was repeated and half hour after each intervention, corresponding VAS was documented. The two groups were matched for demographics and obstetrical history. The baseline VAS was comparable between the two groups. The mean VAS decreased significantly by 16 h after the first intervention in both groups (p < 0.001). However, this amelioration of pain was significantly more prominent in the cases group comparing with that in the controls in all documented stages half hour, 8 and 16 h after the first intervention (p < 0.001 for all measurements). In conclusion, aromatherapy by using lavender essence is a successful and safe complementary therapy in reducing pain after CS.     

Hydrocortisone Reduces Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression on Peripheral CD14+ Monocytes in Patients Undergoing Percutanoues Coronary Intervention

Bacground: Evidence from several lines of investigations suggests that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is involved in atherosclerosis as a bridge between innate and acquired immunity. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can trigger inflammation through activation of human TLR4 (hTLR4) on monocytes. Hydrocortisone as an anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressant agent has multiple mechanisms of action. In this study, we aimed at assessing the effects of hydrocortisone on monocyte expression and activity of hTLR4 in patients underwent PCI. Methods: Blood samples were taken from a total of 71 patients with chronic stable angina who were scheduled for a PCI, before the intervention. Thirty patients received 100 mg hydrocortisone prior to the procedure. Control group was composed of 41 patients underwent PCI without receiving hydrocortisone. Blood collection was repeated 2 and 4 h after PCI. The expression of hTLR4 on the surface of CD14⁺ monocytes and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were measured using flowcytometry and Sandwich ELISA. Results: Compared with controls, hydrocortisone significantly reduced monocyte expression of hTLR4 in test group (P<0.01). In addition, it had a significant effect on reduction of serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β in test group in a time-dependent manner (P<0.01). Conclusion: In this study, hydrocortisone was able to reduce the hTLR4/CD14 positive monocytes and its related pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus it can decrease inflammatory responses following PCI. Key Words: Toll-like receptor 4, Cytokines, Hydrocortisone     

Bilateral apex pubis distance：a novel index for follicular development and egg laying status in domestic hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

ABSTRACT

1. Measures of the bilateral apex pubis (BAP) in White Leghorn (WLH) hens aged from 16 to 64 weeks (from the time ovaries were completely undeveloped to senility) were ranked into various groups so the relationship between external traits (BAP distance, comb length, comb height, wattle length, wattle height, body weight) and internal traits (largest ovarian follicle diameter (LFD) and oviduct weight and length) could be determined.

2. Using correlation and regression analysis with data from 16 weeks of age to the onset of lay, measurements of the apex pubis showed a strong correlation with LFD (r = 0.80, P < 0.01) and oviduct weight (r = 0.80, P < 0.01).

3. Multiple comparisons among WLH hens from 16 to 43 weeks of age showed that the BAP distance increased in all groups ranked by LFD or by laying period.

4. In the late laying period (>60 weeks of age), BAP distance showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in long-term non-laying hens compared to laying hens.

5. These findings suggest BAP distance can serve as an index for evaluating the onset and probable stages of follicular development during sexual maturation and/or aid in the identification and selection of non-laying hens during reproduction.     

Monitoring the photosystem II behavior of wild and cultivated barley in response to progressive water stress and rehydration using OJIP chlorophyll a fluorescence transient

To study the effects of progressive drought stress on photosystem II behavior of wild type (Spantaneum) and cultivated barley (Morocco), different levels of soil water availability, including control, moderate, mild, and severe water stress (70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% water holding capacity of soil, respectively) and rehydration were used. Polyphasic OJIP fluorescence transient of Morocco plants exhibited a considerable increase in fluorescence intensity at O, J, and I steps under mild and severe stress relative to slight increase in wild barley. Values of fluorescence parameters and quantum efficiencies, including minimal fluorescence, relative variable fluorescence at phase J and I, maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), performance index, electron transport yield, and excitation transfer efficiency were influenced by water stress in both genotypes. These parameters were significantly less affected in wild type barley by progressive drought stress compared to Morocco. After re-watering, both genotypes were able to restore from severe drought in most of the traits. Based on our findings, highly correlated values of relative water content (RWC) and independent JIP-test parameters (P < 0.01) indicate that the chlorophyll a fluorescence induction technique is sensitive to plant water status and performance index represent an accurate and reliable indicator for early stress detection and also explore plant vitality under water stress.     

A pollution index for agricultural soils

The main purpose of the present investigation was to develop a pollution index for agricultural soils. For this purpose, 58 soil samples were collected from agricultural lands in Hamedan Province (Iran). The elemental contents of As, Cd and Co in soil samples and agricultural crops were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The spatial distribution of studied metals was prepared by Kriging method. It is concluded that agricultural activities have led to the higher concentrations of Co, Cd and As. Results of the chemical partitioning studies revealed that a considerable portions of As, Cd and Co in agricultural soils are derived from anthropogenic sources. We believe that pollution index should show values that are in accordance with chemical partitioning data. The newly developed pollution index showed slightly higher values when compared with the previously published indices such as geochemical index (I_geo) and pollution index (I_poll). The health risk index in the area of study was found to be lower than many other reported ones. Among the studied elements, Co has the highest transfer factor of 17.95 that could be attributed to its lower retention rate.