Potassium Calcium Research Articles

Nutrient transformations in soil amended with rock phosphate enriched composts for improving productivity of wheat-green gram sequence

ABSTRACTThe present study focuses on the transformations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in soil amended with rock phosphate (RP) enriched composts prepared using different crop residues under wheat-green gram sequence. Data emanated from the field study revealed that significant buildup in available pools of potassium permanganate (KMnO4-N), Olsen-P, and calcium chloride (CaCl2-S) as well as different fractions of N, P, and S were maintained higher under RP enriched composts treated plot than control. The total N, P, and S varied from 979 to 1776, 604 to 1165, and 273 to 464 kg ha−1, respectively in different treatments. The yield of wheat and green gram was significantly correlated with different fractions of N, P, and S in soil. Results conclude that RP enriched compost could be an alternative and cost-effective option for mitigating the shortage of chemical fertilizers for crop production.

Effect of vermic-activity of earthworm Eisenia fetida on the physico-chemical texture of biological wastes

In the present study, the conversion potential of earthworm Eisenia fetida of waste feed materials into rich nutrients biofertilizer and chemical analysis of feed materials before and after vermicomposting was observed. The significant decrease in EC, pH, C/N ratio and organic carbon whereas, significant increase in level of total potassium (TK), TKN, total phosphorus(TP) and total calcium (TCa) in different combination of vermiwash of buffalo dung with poultry litter and leaf litter in compression to initial feed mixture were observed. The increased level of plant nutrients in final vermiwash of different combinations of feed mixture demonstrated that the vermiwash, of biological wastes can be a valuable biofertilizer for sustainable land restoration practices.

The Effectiveness of Antifungal Controlling Aspergillus Niger Growth on Plasterboard

Good indoor environmental quality is desired for a healthy indoor environment. The microbial growth under indoor environments contribute to the poor indoor environmental quality that can cause various of health problems. In this study, the applications of three types of antifungals to prevent microbial migration, subsequent growth and bio-deterioration of the substrates. The aim of this research was to evaluate the coating-bio resistance in remediation of indoor fungal using three types of antifungals with different types of wall finishing materials. The treatment was exposed to optimum temperature and relative humidity at 30°C and 90% respectively. The potassium sorbate, zinc salicylate and calcium benzoate are tested against Aspergillus niger which is collected from indoor rooms. This study has revealed the growth of A. niger are more affected by the potassium sorbate on thick wallpaper, which is the percentage growth are 47%.

Afterdepolarlizations induced by wave pattern in human ventricular tissue

Recently, arrhythmogenic condition has attracted special attention of scientists in the field of different disciplines because sudden cardiac death is often caused by cardiac arrhythmia. Arrhythmias can have different underlying causes. But the underlying mechanism of arrhythmia is not fully understood due to cardiac complexity. As is well known, one particular group of arrhythmias is often associated with the afterdepolarizations. So far, afterdepolarizations have been studied mainly in isolated cardiac cells. The question how the afterdepolarization is produced at a tissue level has not been widely studied yet. In this paper, we use the model of human heart to study how spiral wave or other wave patterns induces the afterdepolarizations in two-dimensional myocardial tissue. We try to obtain the instantaneous spatial distribution of afterdepolarizations by changing the L-type calcium and fast potassium conductance. In order to avoid bringing in afterdepolarizations, the applied parameters avoid evoking the afterdepolarizations at a single-cell and one-dimensional tissues level. The numerical simulation results show that spiral wave and other wave patterns can cause the phase II and III early afterdepolarizations, the delayed afterdepolarization, the enhanced automaticity, the delayed excitation and the delayed enhanced automaticity to occur. Moreover, we observe the weak oscillation of the membrane potential during the phase I of action potential. The afterdepolarizations generally occur in the spiral-wave core. They are generated by the phase singularity of spiral wave. The afterpolarizations can also appear in other region of spiral wave pattern. The afterpolarization is characterized by scattered distribution. When parameters are appropriately chosen, we observe the outbreaks of different afterpolarizations under the state of spiral wave. The corresponding spatial and temporal distributions of the early afterdepolarizations, the delayed afterdepolarizations, and the enhanced automaticity become spiral line distributions, which exhibits memory effect. It is shown that the outbreaks of afterdepolarizations in the system do not necessarily lead to the breakup of spiral wave. By observing the changes of different ion currents we find that when sodium current exciting cell is very small, the weak excitation with small sodium current can cause the L-type calcium current and the sodium calcium exchange current to increase, and the slow potassium current and rapid potassium current to decrease, leading to the occurrences of various afterdepolarizations. Therefore, increasing sodium current can effectively suppress the occurrences of afterdepolarizations.

THE PROPERTIES OF MOTHER LIQUORS OF THE WATER-SOLUBLE SALTS PRODUCTION BY CONVERSION METHOD

The paper deals with the conversion method which leads to the formation of mother liquors as by-products. In some cases, they can be used as commodity products after pre-revision. However, optimization of physical and chemical, and the functional properties of the liquid mixes by empirical way can appear long and inefficient process. The paper employs the physical and chemical analysis of homogeneous systems and a method of mathematical planning of experiment that allows optimizing the liquid mixes both on composition, and on some set functional properties. The paper notes the conversion method of production of potassium nitrate from calcium nitrate and potassium chloride is covered by a number of patents, however, it is not realized in industrial scale so far. The reason for this may be a problem of further use of the mother liquors containing calcium and potassium chlorides and nitrates. In the majority of patents, there are no data on the production of calcium chloride from the mother liquor that testifies to a number of the difficulties connected to crystallization of this salt. The mother liquors of potassium nitrate production can be used as an anti-icing reagent, a coolant, the heat-carrier in power systems, a mineral fertilizer and the heavy liquids in a petroleum industry. However, in each specific case, the certain revision of their composition is required in order to achieve the necessary physical and chemical, and functional properties. The paper analyzes the possibility for using the mother solution in the potassium nitrate production as heavy liquids in the oil industry. Moreover, the paper studies the cuts of the systems CaCl 2 – Ca(NO 3 ) 2 – М – H 2 O where М is the mother solution after the crystallization of potassium nitrate. The density and temperature of the solution freezing are identified in the homogeneous areas of the cuts. It is shown a fundamental possibility for improving the operating characteristics of the mother solutions with the introduction of additional amounts of calcium salts.

Solubility in the diagonal sections of the 2KCl + Ca(NO3)2 ⇆ 2KNO3 + CaCl2–H2O system

Solubility data in the diagonal sections of the quaternary reciprocal 2KCl + Ca(NO3)2 → 2KNO3 + CaCl2–H2O system at 25 and 15°C are presented. It has been shown that the quaternary system has no stable diagonal at the studied temperatures, but contains a stable pair of salts, namely, potassium nitrate and calcium chloride. The obtained data can be used to optimize the thermal and concentrational parameters of the synthesis of potassium nitrate from calcium nitrate and potassium chloride.

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

ABSTRACTIn 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.

Indutores de resistência abióticos no controle da fusariose do abacaxi

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de indutores de resistência abióticos no controle da fusariose (Fusarium guttiforme) do abacaxizeiro na fase pré-colheita, em área de ocorrência natural da doença, e verificar se promoveram alterações físico-químicas e bioquímicas nos frutos. Os produtos testados foram fosfito de potássio, fosfito de cálcio, fosfito de cobre, Agro-Mos, silicato de cálcio, Biopirol e Bion pulverizados em campo, nas dosagens recomendadas pelos fabricantes. Fosfito de potássio, Biopirol e fosfito de cobre foram os mais eficientes na redução da incidência da fusariose do abacaxizeiro em campo, com 91,67, 70,01 e 67,68% de controle, respectivamente. As análises físico-químicas mostraram que os tratamentos não promoveram alteração no pH, nos sólidos solúveis totais e na acidez total dos frutos, enquanto, nas análises bioquímicas, apenas a β-1,3-glucanase apresentou menor atividade em relação à testemunha (água destilada esterilizada), com exceção do tratamento com fosfito de potássio. Assim, a adubação foliar com fosfito de potássio e fosfito de cobre, assim como o tratamento com o Biopirol, podem auxiliar no controle da fusariose do abacaxi.

Patiromer: The First Potassium Binder Approved in Over 50 Years.

For over 50 years, there have been limited options for the management of hyperkalemia, especially among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic nephropathy, hypertension, and heart failure, who were receiving concomitant renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor therapy. Hyperkalemia is a potential, life-threatening electrolyte abnormality that frequently challenges clinicians from maximizing the mortality benefit and organ-protective properties of RAAS inhibitors especially in CKD and heart failure populations. Patiromer is a novel nonabsorbed, cation-exchange polymer that binds and exchanges potassium for calcium, predominantly in the gastrointestinal tract. It has demonstrated potassium-lowering effects in normo- or hyperkalemic patients on concomitant RAAS inhibitors with heart failure, diabetic nephropathy, and CKD, in the PEARL-HF, AMETHYST-DN, and OPAL-HK studies, respectively. Across all studies, it appears to be generally effective and well tolerated, with adverse events predominantly gastrointestinal in nature. Additional investigational studies are needed to explore its use for an extended duration of treatment and in larger patient populations, as well as exploring drug-drug interactions. Overall, patiromer demonstrates a promising role in the chronic management of hyperkalemia that will allow optimization of RAAS inhibitor therapy, thus delaying progression of CKD and improving the mortality benefit in heart failure patients.

Tomato post-harvest durability and physicochemical quality depending on silicon sources and doses

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the effect of silicon (Si) sources and doses on the physicochemical quality as well as post-harvest conservation of tomato fruits. Treatments were arranged in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme corresponding to sources {calcium silicate, potassium silicate and sodium silicate} and five doses of Si (equivalent to 0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 kg/ha SiO2). Randomized blocks were the experimental design, with four replications. Soluble solids, vitamin C, lycopene, titratable acidity, mature fruit firmness, initial firmness, firmness half-life, time until reaching firmness equivalent to 3.0 x 104 N/m2 and 2.0 x 104 N/m2 and Si content in fruits were evaluated. Soluble solids, vitamin C and lycopene of fruits increased with increasing doses of Si, except for the highest dose. Calcium and sodium silicate provided the highest lycopene concentration in fruits. An increase in initial firmness, number of days until reaching firmness half-life and firmness equivalent to 3.0 and 2.0 x 104 N/m2 were observed along with increasing doses of Si. Tomato fertilization with calcium silicate, potassium silicate and sodium silicate, used as sources of Si, increased the post-harvest conservation as well as the physicochemical quality of tomato.

The Use of a Fractional Factorial Design to Determine the Factors That Impact 1,3-Propanediol Production from Glycerol by Halanaerobium hydrogeniformans.

In recent years, biodiesel, a substitute for fossil fuels, has led to the excessive production of crude glycerol. The resulting crude glycerol can possess a high concentration of salts and an alkaline pH. Moreover, current crude glycerol purification methods are expensive, rendering this former commodity a waste product. However, Halanaerobium hydrogeniformans, a haloalkaliphilic bacterium, possesses the metabolic capability to convert glycerol into 1,3-propanediol, a valuable commodity compound, without the need for salt dilution or adjusting pH when grown on this waste. Experiments were performed with different combinations of 24 medium components to determine their impact on the production of 1,3-propanediol by using a fractional factorial design. Tested medium components were selected based on data from the organism’s genome. Analysis of HPLC data revealed enhanced production of 1,3-propanediol with additional glycerol, pH, vitamin B12, ammonium ions, sodium sulfide, cysteine, iron, and cobalt. However, other selected components; nitrate ions, phosphate ions, sulfate ions, sodium:potassium ratio, chloride, calcium, magnesium, silicon, manganese, zinc, borate, nickel, molybdenum, tungstate, copper and aluminum, did not enhance 1,3-propanediol production. The use of a fractional factorial design enabled the quick and efficient assessment of the impact of 24 different medium components on 1,3-propanediol production from glycerol from a haloalkaliphilic bacterium.

Response of maize for grain to potassium and magnesium fertilizers in soils with high lime contents

ABSTRACTAn antagonistic reaction between calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) may lead to low absorption of K and Mg by plants from soils with high Ca contents even when levels of K and Mg should be adequate. Two separate field studies were carried out in 2009 and 2010 to determine the effects of potassium (0, 40, 80, 120 kg K2O ha−1; as potassium sulfate) and magnesium (0, 20, 40, 60 kg magnesium oxide (MgO)ha−1; as magnesium sulfate) applied to a soil with high lime content either separately or in combinations, on the grain yield and yield components of maize for grain in semi-arid Central Anatolia in Turkey. One dose of the K, Mg-fertilizers was applied during sowing in both years. According to the results, increasing the dosage of K increased yield components more than increases in Mg dosages. Combinations of K and Mg tended to maximize the yield components. Moreover, the greatest plant heights, first ear lengths, grain weights per ear and protein ratios were obtained for the K80Mg40 dose.

Abstract 61: Ablation of BK Ca Channels Results in Cardiac Hypertrophy

Expression and activation of the large conductance calcium and voltage-gated potassium (BK Ca ) channels encoded by Kcnma1 gene is shown to be vital in cardioprotection from ischemia-reperfusion injury. BK Ca channels present in SA node cells regulate the heart rate, and in blood vessels play an active role in vascular relaxation. However, the role of BK Ca in regulation of structure and function of the heart is not fully-established. Using Kcnma1 -/- mice, we have observed structural changes in cardiomyocytes and compromised cardiac function as compared to wild type mice. Absence of BK Ca resulted in significant increase in size of adult cardiomyocytes (from 7.95 + 0.1 um 2 to 9.68 + 0.1 um 2 , p < 0.01, n=480 cells each) and also increased cardiac fibrosis. Further to determine underlying signaling mechanisms in cardiac hypertrophy, we performed microarray analysis of RNAs isolated from wild type and Kcnma1 -/- mice (n=3) hearts. We found up regulation of a class of cardiac hypertrophy markers (myosin variants) and changes in the expression of several mitochondrial genes (such as ND4) directly associated with heart diseases in Kcnma1 -/- mice. To evaluate the functional consequence of absence of BK Ca , we performed high-resolution echocardiography on wild type and Kcnma1 -/- mice. Under anesthesia (1.5% isoflurane), left ventricle of Kcnma1 -/- mice showed significant reduction (p < 0.05) in ejection fraction (56 + 2 %, n=7) as compared to wild type (74 + 3 %, n=6) as well as fractional shortening (23 + 3 %, n=7, and 39 + 3 %, n=6, respectively). Similarly, right ventricle had a lower ejection fraction (35.7 + 4% vs 56.9 + 5 %, n > 5) in Kcnma1 -/- as compared to wild type mice. In agreement with our histopathology and microarray data, Kcnma1 -/- mice showed increased posterior wall thickness (0.75 + 0.3 mm vs 0.62 + 0.1 mm) and interventricular septum thickness (0.83 + 0.4 mm, n=7 vs 0.68 + 0.3 mm, n=6) . Together, these data imply that BK Ca plays a direct role in cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac function.

Hepatotoxic effect of chronic exposure of Tacrolimus in male Albino rats

This study was carried out to investigate the hepatotoxicity of chronic adminstration of an immunosuppressant Tacrolimus in male albino rats. Thirty male albino rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups, the first one (T1) recieved therapeutic dose (70µg/kg.BW) of Tacrolimus. The second group (T2) recieved double dose (140 µg/kg.BW) of Tacrolimus, while the third group recieved distilled water for the same period and considered as control (C). Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferases, Alkaline Phosphatase, serum potassium and serum calcium showed significant increase in both treated groups T1 and T2 as compared with control, proportional to the dose of Tacrolimus. There were histopathological changes seen in liver at the end of exposure manifested by necrosis, hemorrhage, hyperplasia and fibrosis.It can be concluded that Tacrolimus has hepatotoxic effects when used for a long period

Vasorelaxant mode of action of dichloromethane-soluble extract from Agastache mexicana and its main bioactive compounds

Context: Agastache mexicana (Kunth) Lint & Epling (Lamiaceae) is a plant used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension, anxiety and so on.Objective: To determine the vasorelaxant effect and functional mode of action of dichloromethane-soluble extract from A. mexicana (DEAm) and isolate the constituents responsible for the pharmacological activity.Materials and methods: Extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of A. mexicana (225.6 g) by successive maceration with hexane, dichloromethane and methanol (three times for 72 h at room temperature), respectively. DEAm (0.01–1000 μg/mL), fractions (at 174.27 μg/mL), acacetin and ursolic acid (UA) (0.5–500 μM) were evaluated to determine their vasorelaxant effect on ex vivo rat aorta ring model. In vivo UA antihypertensive action was determined on spontaneously hypertensive rats.Results and discussion: DEAm induced a significant vasorelaxant effect in concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent manners (EC50 = 174.276 ± 5.98 μg/mL) by a calcium channel blockade and potassium channel opening. Bio-guided fractionation allowed to isolate acacetin (112 mg), UA (2.830 g), acacetin/oleanolic acid (OA) (M1) (155 mg) and acacetin/OA/UA (M2) (1.382 g) mixtures, which also showed significant vasodilation. UA significantly diminished diastolic (80 mmHg) and systolic blood pressure (120 mmHg), but heart rate was not modified.Conclusion: DEAm produced significant vasorelaxant action by myogenic control cation. The presence of acacetin, OA and UA into the extract was substantial for the relaxant activity of DEAm. In vivo antihypertensive action of UA corroborates the use of A. mexicana as an antihypertensive agent on Mexican folk medicine.

Multi-octave supercontinuum generation with IR radiation filamentation in transparent solid-state media

Supercontinuum generation from the near to far IR during radiation filamentation in solid-state media in an anomalous dispersion region is theoretically investigated. The initial search for appropriate media with the use of an interference model showed that the widest IR spectrum is generated in media with high values of zero group velocity dispersion wavelength with the pump wavelength located not far from it. Halides belong to one of such media groups. The possibility of generation of a very wide supercontinuum in calcium fluoride (0.52–3.35 μm, which corresponds to 2.7 octaves), sodium chloride (0.7–7.6 μm, 3.5 octaves), and potassium iodide (0.66–22 μm, 5.1 octaves) is demonstrated by numerical simulation. Also, pulse self-compression down to 13 fs at the 5-μm central wavelength (about single period) has been observed in potassium iodide. The mechanisms of multi-octave supercontinuum generation are discussed.

Influence of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate on potassium retention and ash melting characteristics during combustion of biomass

The influence of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4) on the potassium (K) retention ability in the ash phase and the ash melting characteristics during biomass combustion was investigated. Experiments were performed in a tube furnace experimental system and an ash melting point detector. The results show that the addition of NH4H2PO4 will increase the potassium retention ability in the ash phase. NH4H2PO4 can react with part of potassium elements within the biomass to form potassium phosphates and potassium calcium phosphates, which contributes to the improvement of the melting characteristics. Some stable double salts with high melting point are observed in the formed ashes. The feature temperatures of the formed ash were enhanced by different levels with the addition in of NH4H2PO4. SEM (scanning electron microscope) analysis proved that the addition of NH4H2PO4 could avoid the surface melting of the formed ash. NH4H2PO4 is an effective biomass additive which could not only enhance the potassium retention ability in the ash phase but also enhance the ash melting characteristic of biomass.

Post-prandial dynamics of macro elements in the blood and rumen liquor of buffalo calves under four feeding regimes

The present investigation was undertaken to study the distribution and post-prandial variation of macro elements in blood and rumen liquor under different dietary regimes in buffalo calves. In the present study, the distribution of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium was studied in whole blood and rumen fluid of 4 rumen fistulated buffalo calves maintained under 4 different feeding regimes viz. diet A (concentrate 1 kg, wheat bhoosa 2 kg, green fodder 8 kg), diet B (wheat bhoosa 2 kg, green fodder 16 kg), diet C (wheat bhoosa 2 kg, concentrate 2 kg) and diet D (wheat bhoosa 6 kg). Samples were collected at 0. 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours post feeding. Samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The dietary differences had highly significant effect on rumen liquor and blood sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels. The mean concentration of sodium (mEq/L), potassium (mEq/L), calcium (mg%) and magnesium (mg%) in whole blood and rumen liquor were 163.68, 4.64, 10.10 and 3.67 and 149.23, 40.48, 8.49 and 9.60 respectively during feeding of diet A, B, C and D. It is evident from the results that sodium, potassium calcium, and magnesium concentration in rumen liquor as well as in blood were highest on diet A.

Synthesis and luminescence of europium(III)‐doped potassium calcium pyrophosphate

Both pure and doped with Eu3+ potassium calcium pyrophosphate have been prepared by solid state synthesis and by flux growth from K4P2O7–K2Mo2O7 molten salts. For solid solutions K2Ca1–XEuXP2O7 (X = 0.01–0.10) synthesized by a ceramic method the admixture of Ca3(PO4)2 has been observed for values above X = 0.05. For a range of X = 0.01–0.03 well defined nanoparticles has been prepared with the size about 100 nm. In case of molten salts approach both crystalline and vitreous material have been studied by luminescence spectroscopy. Their emission spectra consist of a well‐known set of peaks which are associated with radiation transitions from excited 5D0 level on 7FJ (J = 0–4) manifold levels of the ground state of the Eu3+ ion, showing the strongest emission lines in a region 590–625 nm. In comparison to crystalline, vitreous host is characterized by more reddish luminescence due to a more asymmetric environment of luminescence centers. The luminescence decay curve for a vitreous sample is characterized by a lifetime value of 1.7 ms.

Characterization and Utilization of Bioslury from Anaerobic Digester for Fertilizer in Crop Production

In biogas plant there is a release of mainly two products. Methane gas which use for different purpose like cooking, lighting and slurry which can be used as organic fertilizer. The main target of this study was characterizing the slurry by measuring the relative amount of macro and micro nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium Calcium, Magnesium, and Manganese by using standard methods. And comparative study of the organic fertilizer at different treatments with commercial fertilizer on selected crops. Potassium and Calcium (part of plant cell wall) show positive deviation when it was composted.