Decrease In Ca Concentration Research Articles

Temperature-sensitively dissolving of GGBS in neutral and alkali media

The sensitivity of temperature on the decomposition/polymerisation of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) was investigated through the dissolution experiments at high water to solid ratio under controlled temperatures (5, 20, and 40 °C). The aqueous compositions during the dissolution in neutral and alkali media were determined by ICP-OES (Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry) and the saturation conditions with respect to the possible precipitations were estimated by thermodynamic modelling. The depolymerisation of silicate groups and the chemically combined water in the residual GGBS was examined by FTIR/SEM (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy/Scanning Electron Microscopy) and TG (Thermogravimetric) analysis respectively. The results demonstrated that the effect of temperature on the dissolution of GGBS is more pronounced from 5 °C to 20 °C than that from 20 °C to 40 °C. The extremely low temperature (∼ 5 °C) restricts the hydration of GGBS even in a high pH environment. The temperature does not affect the depolymerising sequences of silicate groups in GGBS in a neutral environment but changes the overall dissolution rate. The major silicate spices (Q0 to Q3) in GGBS tend to dissolve evenly in DI water, whereas the Q2 tends to depolymerise faster than others in the NaOH solution. The decreasing Ca concentration in the NaOH solution corresponds to the formation of ∼ 50 nm needle-like precipitates regardless of temperature. Based on the results collected, the dissolving potential and the temperature sensitivity of the major components in GGBS can be divided into three batches: the easiest/most sensitive group: Na-Ox; intermediate group: K-Ox, Si-Ox, Ca-Ox, Al-Ox; the hardest/least sensitive group: Mg-Ox. The intermediate batch required an initial activation energy of ∼ 15 kJ/mol in DI water. The relevant data could be considered as experimental evidence in the thermodynamic modelling of the hydration of GGBSs.

Outcrop-to-subsurface correlation and sequence stratigraphy of a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic ramp using element geochemistry and well logging; Upper Cretaceous Kometan Formation, Zagros Foreland, NE Iraq

Surface analogues are suitable tools to link reservoir models to real facies but they require a robust outcrop-to-subsurface stratigraphic correlation. In this study, we correlate gamma-ray (GR), and porosity logs from nine wells drilled in the Cretaceous Kometan Formation, a prolific carbonate reservoir of northern Iraq, with geochemical logs from three sections representing surface analogues. The sections were sampled for microfacies, X-ray diffraction mineralogy, and element geochemistry using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry calibrated by ICP-MS data. Six microfacies composed of mudstones to packstones with planktonic, and benthic foraminifers were identified in outcrop, and interpreted as middle ramp, outer ramp, and basin deposits. The microfacies show increasing Al and K, and decreasing Ca concentration trends from the middle ramp to the basin settings. Their subsurface analogues are carbonates, marls and shales with benthic foraminifers, deposited in proximal, inner to middle ramp parts of the Kometan mixed carbonate–siliciclastic ramp system. The K + Al logs are correlated for 33 km, and the subsurface GR logs for over 100 km distance, but both reflect detrital admixture in biogenic carbonate. However, the outcrop- and subsurface log patterns show opposite vertical trends. The subsurface, inner ramp GR maxima in the middle Kometan, correlate with the outcrop K + Al minima jointly reflecting landwards and seawards shifts of the middle ramp carbonate factory during transgressions and regressions, respectively. The maxima and minima are interpreted as maximum regression (mrs) and maximum flooding surfaces (mfs) in the T–R sequence-stratigraphic model. Neutron-density and sonic logs indicate that the best reservoir quality is achieved in fractured pure carbonates, which are controlled by these T–R cycles. The results highlight the importance of elemental geochemistry in stratigraphic correlation of lithologically uniform sequences, and suggest that outcrop geochemistry can be correlated with well logs.

Impact of litter burning on alpine <i>Festuca varia</i> grasslands of the Northwestern Caucasus

Fires play an important role in structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems, but their long-term impact on the composition and structure of plant communities in humid high mountain regions remains almost not studied. At the most dry alpine grasslands, dominated by a dense-tussock grass Festuca varia, with substantial accumulation of non-decomposed litter, the 23-years long experiment with regular (every two years) litter burning was established. The composition of plant community changed significantly. The mortmass (mass of litter), aboveground vascular plant biomass and relative abundance of dominants decreased substantially. In aboveground biomass the proportion of grasses decreased and that of forbs increased. The shoot numbers of Anthemis cretica, Campanula collina, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta, and Veronica gentianoides increased after burning. Two-fold increase of alpha-diversity of vascular plants was observed on plots with burning treatment, it was twice as high as initial value, and was significantly higher than the values in the control plots. Long-term burning did not substantially change mean P, Ca and Mg content in the biomass of the most of studied species, only K content decreased in some species, while Mg content increased in Festuca varia and Nardus stricta. The increase of P and Mg content in the mortmass was observed. During long-term burning, weak soil acidification and the decrease of Ca content, as well as strong decrease of nitrogen content and the intensity of nitrogen transformation processes were observed. Generally, the observed patterns were similar to those in other studied herb communities, however, the decrease of K content during the regular burning was not reported earlier.

Eucalcemia during lipopolysaccharide challenge in postpartum dairy cows: II. Calcium dynamics

Hypocalcemia induced by immune activation is a conserved response among mammals. Early postpartum cows will experience decreased circulating Ca concentrations following acute immune activation; however, the cause for decreased Ca concentration is unknown. Our objectives were to (1) describe Ca dynamics following an intravenous (IV) LPS challenge in early postpartum cows, and (2) compare inflammatory-induced changes in Ca dynamics between IV Ca-treated cows and control cows. Cows (n = 14, 8 ± 1 d in milk) were enrolled in a matched-pair randomized controlled design to receive IV Ca (IVCa) in a eucalcemic clamp for 12 h, or 0.9% NaCl (CTRL) following an IV LPS infusion (0.040 or 0.045 µg of LPS/kg of body weight over 1 h). During the 24 h following LPS infusion, circulating concentrations of parathyroid hormone and serotonin were measured, serum and urine samples were collected to calculate urinary fractional excretion of Ca (FECa), and fecal samples were collected to calculate Ca apparent digestibility (ADCa) using amylase-treated and ash-corrected undigested neutral detergent fiber after 240 h (uNDFom240) as an internal marker. Changes in Ca intake and milk Ca secretion were also quantified and compared with baseline values. Cows were fasted during challenge and dry matter intake was 20 ± 5% less than baseline values on the day of challenge and did not differ between groups. On the day of challenge, milk Ca concentration increased, but milk yield decreased such that total Ca secreted in milk did not change from baseline. Urine FECa was low overall, but an interaction of treatment and time was identified such that FECa increased in IVCa but decreased in CTRL. Concentrations of parathyroid hormone increased and serotonin decreased following challenge. Fecal dry matter decreased from baseline, but did not differ between 6, 12, and 24 h, and did not differ between groups. An interaction of treatment and time was identified for ADCa and apparent digestibility of dry matter such that digestibility was decreased in CTRL but not IVCa at 6 h. Acute immune activation induced hypocalcemia in CTRL, and although urinary Ca excretion was not a primary cause, it is unclear to what degree hypocalcemia was due to altered ADCa. Eucalcemia appeared to alter adaptations in Ca homeostasis during immune activation as FECa was increased in IVCa animals.

Persistent and sex-independent effects of decreased calcium concentration inhibiting morphological defense of Daphnia: Evidences from morphological traits and expression of the associated genes

The continuous decline in calcium concentration in freshwater as a widespread environmental stress can have complex effects on the interspecific relationships of organisms, such as interference with the anti-predation defenses of Daphnia with high calcium demand. The natural population of Daphnia includes individuals with different developmental stages and sexes. Here, we measured the effects of decreased calcium concentration on morphological defense of Daphnia after different numbers of molts or under various sexes and the expression of genes related to signal recognition, carapace formation, reproductive allocation, and stress defense. Results showed that decreased Ca concentration resulted in the altered effects of fish kairomone on the change rates of body size, change rates of spine length, and change rates of relative spine length disappear. Furthermore, male Daphnia also developed morphological defense under fish predation risk, which was also inhibited by decreased Ca concentration, but no significant difference was observed in the intensity of induced defense between male and female Daphnia at low Ca concentrations. Importantly, decreased Ca concentrations did not alter the increase in expressions of genes related to neural signaling by fish kairomone. Fish kairomone promoted the expression of reproduction-related genes, whereas decreased Ca concentration inhibited their expression. Fish kairomone altered the expression of carapace-related genes, but most were disturbed by decreased Ca concentration. Decreased Ca concentration inhibited the increased expression of stress defense-related genes by fish kairomone. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of environmental changes on interspecific relationships among aquatic organisms of different developmental stages and different sexes.

Impact of the Yellow River capture on the paleoenvironmental changes of Hongze Lake, China

The Yellow River (YR) capture of the Huai River had a profound effect on the landscape evolution, ecology, and social development in China, disrupting the evolution of some vital shallow floodplain lakes. Because of the absence of lacustrine sediment provenance analysis, previous studies were inadequate in distinguishing the influence of YR capture on paleoenvironmental changes in these lakes, especially on landscape evolution, redox conditions, lake level changes, and organic productivity. The current study aims to use X-ray fluorescence-core scanning (XRF-CS) and multivariate statistics on a 9.8 m sediment core from Hongze Lake (HZL), China, to analyze the impact of the YR capture on the lake's paleoenvironmental changes and the sediment provenance simultaneously. High-resolution images, magnetic susceptibility, and XRF-based multi-element data were obtained using a GEOTEK Multi-Sensor Core Logger. The calcium (Ca) content indicates the presence of YR sediment in HZL, given the high Ca content in YR sediment and the identification of mainly exogenous sources of Ca in HZL. The high values of Ca indicate that 48.7% of the sediment in the center of HZL is related to the YR's incursion. Periods of higher Ca content coincide with periods of higher oxygenation levels of the lake (as indicated by the ratio of manganese to titanium) and lower organic content in the lake sediment (as indicated by the ratio of incoherent to coherent scatter). These analyses reveal that the YR's capture of HZL significantly increased the lake's oxygen level. Furthermore, the decrease in the organic content of sediment tends to be the result of the accelerated deposition caused by the YR. The decrease in Ca content coincides with an increase in lake levels (as indicated by magnetic susceptibility). Thus, it can be inferred that the embankment on the eastern side of HZL, built to increase lake storage, has reduced the incursion frequency of the YR.

The Effect of Mealworm Frass on the Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Horticultural Peat in an Incubation Experiment.

Insect farming is growing in popularity, and in addition to insect meal, it generates waste products such as exuviae and frass, which can be recycled in agriculture. The aim of this incubation experiment was to evaluate the effect of Tenebrio molitor L. frass on selected chemical and biological properties of deacidified peat, which is widely used in horticulture. The optimal rate of frass fertilizer in peat for growing vegetables and ornamental plants was determined, with special emphasis on mineral nitrogen levels. Peat was fertilized with five nitrogen rates, 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg dm-3, and supplied with frass or urea. The study demonstrated that frass can be used as organic fertilizer. An increase in the nitrogen rate significantly increased mineral nitrogen content and electrical conductivity and decreased Ca content in peat. Both frass and urea increased the ammonification rate at the beginning of incubation and the nitrification rate from the second week of the experiment. Higher frass rates (5 and 10 g dm-3) increased the content of plant-available nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and sodium) in peat as well as the abundance of microorganisms supporting organic matter mineralization. Unlike frass, urea increased the counts of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in peat.

MACRO- AND TRACE ELEMENTS COMPOSITION OF THE BLUE HONEYSUCKLE AND ELM-LEAF SPIREA CE-NOPOPULATIONS IN THE GEOCHEMICALLY ABNORMAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE MOUNTAIN ALTAI

The specificity of macro- and trace elements accumulation in the leaves and stems of Lonicera caerulea and Spiraea chamaedryfolia cenopopulations growing at the sites with serpentinite inclusions in the Mountain Altai (Russia) was studied. The total content of macro- and trace elements in plants and soil was determined by atomic emission spectrometry, and the mobile forms, extracted by the ammonium acetate solution with pH 4.8, were measured by atomic absorption. The study revealed species-specific accumulation of some chemical elements in plant organs. The elm-leaf spirea plants were found to accumulate Mn and Ni more intensively in comparison with the blue honeysuckle plants, and to concentrate such trace elements as Zn, Cu and Mn, whereas the blue honeysuckle plants concentrated Zn and Cu. Species-specific statistically significant correlations between mobile Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb and Mg soil and phytomass content were also revealed. Negative correlation was found between the total P and Cr content in soil and plants, whereas total Fe, Cd and Ni in soil and plants correlated positively. The leaves of Lonicera caerulea and Spiraea chamaedryfolia, growing at the site with ultra-basic rock outcroppings, had Ni concentrations exceeding the maximum permissible level and decreased Ca concentration.

Effect of elevated Al concentration on early-age hydration of Portland cement

To understand the effect of elevated Al concentration on early hydration in Portland cement, hydration heat, the evolution of solid and aqueous composition in paste blended with reactive alumina were investigated in this study. The increase of Al concentration depletes gypsum rapidly with massive precipitation of ettringite during the pre-induction period, resulting in decreased Ca and S concentration in pore solution. The elevated Al concentration passivated the active sites on C3S surface, and the decreased Ca concentration inhibited the nucleation of C–S–H and precipitation of portlandite, hence prolonging the induction period. Meanwhile, the reaction of C3A has not been accelerated even after the complete depletion of gypsum, which is associated with the lowered undersaturation degree caused by the increased Al concentration. Additionally, the precipitation of large amounts of ettringite and foil-shaped C–S–H reduced available nucleation sites, thus hindering the reaction of both C3S and C3A during the acceleration period.

Study on strontium doped bioactive coatings on titanium alloys surfaces by micro-arc oxidation

In order to improve the bioactivity of titanium alloy, hydroxyapatite coatings with different amounts of Sr doping were prepared on the Ti6Al4V surface by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) using electrolytes containing Ca(CH3COO)2, NaH2PO4, and different concentrations of Sr(CH3COO)2, and EDTA-2Na was used as a complexing agent to complex Ca and Sr ions. The coatings' thickness, phase composition, microstructure morphology, and elemental distribution were examined, and the hydrophilicity and bioactivity were evaluated by contact angle and MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts proliferation experiments. The results show that the concentration of Sr(CH3COO)2 in the electrolyte has little effect on the anodic oxide film breakdown voltage. However, the higher the concentration, the smaller the stable value of the MAO voltage is. The thickness of the MAO coating decreases with the increase of Sr concentration in the electrolyte, and the coatings mainly consist of strontium-containing hydroxyapatite, rutile, and anatase phases. The rise in Sr content leads to a decrease in Ca content, and both Ca and Sr content on the surfaces of the coatings are higher than that on the interior. (Ca + Sr)/P in all coatings is close to 1.67, which is similar to human bone. Moreover, all coating surfaces have good hydrophilicity, the Sr-doped MAO coatings promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts, and the cell proliferation is higher on the coatings with higher Sr content.

Role of night interruption lighting and NPK application on growth and flowering of Phalaenopsis

• NIL quality and NPK fertilizers differentially affect growth and flowering of Phalaenopsis. • Under the NI-B treatment, days to the first flower opening and leaf area index were increased. • The highest leaf area and dry weight were found in 19-6-20 NPK exposed plant. • NPK fertilizer 12-12-36, led to an increase of P and K contents and a decrease of Ca level in leaves. Phalaenopsis orchid (the moth orchid; Phalaenopsis spp.) is the most sold indoor's potted plant in the world's major floriculture markets. In the present study, the effects of night interruption light (NIL) quality and different NPK fertilizers were evaluated on the vegetative growth and flowering of Phalaenopsis orchid ‘Evolution’ in a factorial experiment based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. In the first factor, six-old month plants from the last days of August to October, when the length of flower buds was about 5 cm, were grown under NIL in the controlled chambers of a greenhouse. NI was provided by white (NI-W), red (NI-R) and blue (NI-B) LEDs at the significantly reduced intensity of 15-23 μmol m −2 s −1 PPF. The NIL qualities employed for 4-h a day throughout the dark period. Control plants received 10 h of light during the day. In the second factor, three water-soluble NPK fertilizers including 19-6-20, 12-12-36 and 20-20-20 were applied separately throughout the entire vegetative and reproductive stage to plants at the concentration of 1 g L −1 . According to the results, NI-W and NI-B reduced the leaf area compared to the control, while NI-R had no effect. Flowering was not affected by the NIL quality, and all plants flowered upon employed treatments. Under the NI-B treatment, days to the first flower opening, as well as leaf area, were increased; meanwhile, chl a, b , total chl, carotenoid, and the number of leaves and florets in an inflorescence were decreased. Among NPK fertilizers, the highest leaf area and dry weight were found in 19-6-20 NPK. Flowering yield was practically unaffected by the kind of the NPK fertilizer used. However, NPK fertilizer 12-12-36, led to an increase of P and K contents and a decrease of Ca content in the leaves of plant during the reproductive stage. These results suggest that both NIL quality and NPK fertilizers had different effects on growth and flowering. NI-R and NI-W had more pronounced effects on the growth and flowering characteristics of Phalaenopsis orchid. The negative role of 20-20-20 treatment compared to 19-6-20 could be due to the adverse effects of higher P. Among different NPK fertilizers, 19-6-20 efficiently affected physiological and morphological characteristics of Phalaenopsis orchid , but the reproductive stage was not significantly impacted by employed NPK fertilizers .

The Effects of Salinity and B Toxicity on Some Soil and Plant Parameters

Ensuring the continuity of species that can grow naturally and increasing their availability without causing an economic burden in soils with salinity and boron toxicity has become an increasingly important worldwide issue. For this purpose, the effects of the Limonium gmelinii treated with NaCl, Na₂SO₄ to be grown on saline and boron toxicity areas with their respective plant and salt content, soil reaction and exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and N contents were investigated. The effect of the treatments on the increase of EC content in soil and plant was found to be significant. It also had an effect on the increase in the pH value of the soil. The effect of the decrease in the exchangeable Mg content in the soil and the increase in the Mg content in the plant was found to be significant. Moreover, while its effect on the decrease in Ca content in the soil was significant, it did not affect the Ca content in the plant. Its effect on the decrease in K content in the soil was found to be significant, but it did not affect the K content in the plant. Furthermore, the effect of treatments on N content in soil was found to be significant. It was observed that Limonium gmelinii can be grown in areas with NaCl, Na₂SO₄ and B toxicity without significant damage. Economic income can be obtained by determining the different post-harvest uses of the Limonium gmelinii plant, which is tolerant to such problem areas. Dried flowers can be used for decoration. In addition to the economic income to be obtained by growing it on unused and idle lands due to salinity and B toxicity problems, it can also offer a beautiful landscape with its green leaves and blue flowers in summer and winter seasons.

Impacts of ocean warming on a reef-building coralline alga Amphiroa cf. fragilissima under high irradiance

Coralline algae, an important calcifying group, play vital roles in the primary productivity, reef frameworks construction, and carbon store. In this study, we investigated the responses of an articulated coralline alga Amphiroa cf. fragilissima to ocean warming under various light intensities. The relative growth rate significantly decreased under light or heat stress. When A. cf. fragilissima was exposed to high light intensity (120 μmol photons m−2 s−1) at 32°C, the relative growth rate was lowest, which reduced by 87% compared with that of group A1 (60 μmol photons m−2 s−1, 26°C). Meanwhile, a higher level of algal bleaching occurred when light intensity was 120 μmol photons m−2 s−1. Similarly, Fv/Fm and Chl-a content were negatively affected by light and heat stress, but they were more affected by light. Furthermore, the mineralogical responses to temperature and light were investigated. The net calcification rate declined from 92.27 (60 μmol photons m−2 s−1, 26°C) to 10.92 μmol CaCO3 g−1 DW day−1 (120 μmol photons m−2 s−1, 32°C). High temperature significantly decreased Ca content in live algal pigmented layer, whereas there were no significant differences in Ca content in the skeleton layer, implying that the pigmented layer could protect skeleton layer from mineral changes under ocean warming. The results revealed that A. cf. fragilissima was impaired by high light or thermal stress from various aspects, including growth, survival, photosynthesis, reproduction, and calcification. This study contributes to understand the effects of warming and light on coralline algae and provides a theoretical basis to protect the richness and diversity of calcified macroalgae.

Geochemical expression of sequence stratigraphic surfaces: A case from Upper Cretaceous shallow-water carbonates of southeastern Neo-Tethys margin, SW Iran

Providing a chronostratigraphic framework often is problematic in shallow-marine carbonates with poor biostratigraphic resolution. In such cases, an integration of geochemical, sedimentological, and paleontological data can be used to construct a reliable sequence stratigraphic framework. This study focuses on elemental concentrations and isotopic ratios of Cenomanian–Santonian (C–S) neritic carbonates in SW Iran used to construct a sequence stratigraphic framework, asses sequence ages and durations of hiatus. The diagenetic and geochemical expression of two paleoexposure surfaces, representing type-I sequence boundaries (SBs), are discussed. Increase in Fe and Rb concentrations and decrease in Ca content are recorded at and/or below distinct erosional surfaces. Mg content shows a facies-dependent response with former LMC (low magnesium calcite) or aragonitic facies showing increase while HMC (high magnesium calcite) indicates decrease in response to SBs. Mn shows considerable changes apart from sequence surfaces that are strongly facies dependent. Sr concentrations show an increase in HMC and decrease in LMC in samples which experienced semi-closed meteoric diagenesis, far below the SBs. However, in samples characterized by open system diagenesis, directly underlying the SBs, Sr tends to decrease in all components. The Sr/Rb ratio is a reliable tool in detecting erosional SBs, shown as conspicuous negative excursions. C (carbon) and O (oxygen) isotopes show distinct negative excursions at erosional SBs and a slight increase at or around the MFSs. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio shows clear positive excursions at SBs probably due to 87Rb decay in incorporated aluminosilicate detritus, which makes it as the most reliable proxy for the detection of SBs in the studied sections. Two main erosional SBs are marked by 87Sr/86Sr ratios including the CT-ES (Cenomanian–Turonian boundary exposure surface) and mT-ES (middle Turonian exposure surface) with hiatus durations of 0.53 and 2.7 Myr, respectively. These paleoexposure surfaces are correlated with other neritic sections of C–S sequences in SW Iran.

Lead Inhibits Postecdysial Exoskeletal Calcification in the Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus).

Postecdysial mineralization in crustaceans involves the deposition of carbonate salts, such as calcium carbonate, to the organic matrix. Because of the resemblance between Pb2+ and Ca2+ , the present study was carried out to investigate whether Pb is incorporated into the new shell during postecdysial mineralization using the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) as the model crustacean. It was hypothesized that injected Pb would be deposited in the shell via calcium transporters in the epidermis during the mineralization process. Postecdysial blue crabs were injected with two doses of 5 µg Pb/g wet weight each in lead acetate, and then Pb, Ca, and Mg contents were analyzed in the exoskeleton, while only Pb bioaccumulation was quantified for the hepatopancreas, gills, muscles, and hemolymph. The results showed a statistically nonsignificant increase in exoskeletal Pb content in Pb-treated crabs compared to control, suggesting that exoskeletal Pb may not be a sensitive proxy for aquatic Pb pollution. There was a significant decrease in Ca content in Pb-treated crabs, suggesting that Pb hindered the deposition of Ca to crab exoskeleton, thereby obstructing calcification. A trend of a decrease in exoskeletal Mg was also observed in Pb-treated crabs. There was a significant increase in Pb content found in the gills, hepatopancreas, muscle, and hemolymph in Pb-treated crabs. The rank of the Pb level among three soft tissues in a decreasing order is hepatopancreas > gill > muscle. This is the first study to present evidence that Pb disrupts postecdysial exoskeletal calcification in a crustacean. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:474-482. © 2021 SETAC.

Synthesis of nanosized nickel zinc ferrite using electric arc furnace dust and ferrous pickle liquor

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) and waste pickle liquor (WPL); two major side products of the steel industry with negative environmental impact were used for the synthesis of nickel zinc ferrite (NZF); the important magnetic ceramic material of versatile industrial applications. The structural and magnetic properties of the prepared material were examined which showed good magnetic properties (high saturation magnetization and low coercivity) compared with those synthesized from pure reagents. In the applied process, nano sized nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) with a composition of Nix(Zn + impurities)1−xFe2O4 (where x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and impurities of manganese, magnesium, and calcium were prepared using zinc-containing electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) and waste pickle liquor (WPL). The chemical compositions of the prepared samples were determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The optimum acetic acid concentration for EAFD treatment was found 2% v/v that decreased Ca content of EAFD by 70.6% without loss of Fe and Zn. The structural and morphological characterization was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) to confirm the formation of Ni–Zn ferrite nanoparticles and estimate the particle sizes. The maximum saturation magnetization (Ms) of 73.89 emu/g was achieved at 0.5 Ni content and the minimum coercivity of 2.55 Oe was obtained at 0.25 Ni content.

Dietary encapsulated essential oil mixture influence on apparent nutrient digestibility, serum metabolic profile, lymphocyte histochemistry and intestinal morphology of laying hens.

ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mixture of encapsulated essential oils (EOs) addition on nutrient digestion, serum biochemical parameters, peripheral blood alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), and acid phosphatase (ACP-ase) positive lymphocyte ratios and intestinal morphology in laying hens.MethodsA total of 320 laying hens of 48-wk-old were randomly allotted into 4 treatment groups with 10 replicates of 8 birds in each replicate. The birds were fed a basal diet (control) or the diet added with mixture of EOs (which consist of eugenol, nerolidol, piperine, thymol, linalool, and geraniol) at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for period of 84 days.ResultsThe addition of EOs at 100 or 200 mg/kg increased the dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestion as compared to control. The addition of all doses of EOs did not affect serum gamma glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and P but increased serum asparate aminotransferase (AST) concentration. The addition of 200 mg/kg EOs increased serum creatinine, while 100 mg/kg decreased Ca concentration. The addition of 100 and 200 mg/kg EOs generally improved ANAE and ACP-ase positive peripheral blood lymphocyte ratios and intestinal morphology.ConclusionIt can be concluded that, the addition of 100 or 200 mg/kg encapsulated EOs generally increased apparent nutrient digestion and serum AST concentration, improved ANAE and ACP-ase positive peripheral blood lymphocytes and intestinal morphology in laying hens.

Potassium sources impact on cassava plant productivity, quality and mineral composition

In the mineral nutrition of plants, potassium is considered “the element of quality” of harvested products, and its lack or excess can cause decreased or loss of product quality. In this sense, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the productivity, root quality and mineral nutrient levels of the Pretinha cassava cultivar according to potassium sources and doses. Two sources (potassium chloride and potassium sulfate) and five K2O doses (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg of K2O ha−1) were tested, in a randomized block design, with five repetitions. After 11 months of sowing, five plants were manually harvested from the useful area of each plot and the number, diameter, firmness, root moisture and productivity were determined, in addition to the nutritional contents in different plant organs (leaf, stem and root and bark). Fertilization with potassium sulfate promotes higher root productivity, higher P and S levels in leaves and increased N and K levels in root barks. Potassium fertilization promotes a greater number of roots per plant, larger root diameter and greater external firmness, increased K content in plant organs and decreased Ca content in cassava leaves. The use of potassium chloride also increases Cl levels in cassava leaves.

PSIII-6 Gene Expression Profile of Beef Heifer Placental Caruncles Is Affected by Pre-breeding and Early Gestation Micronutrient Supplementation

Abstract Vitamins and minerals are essential for proper fetal and placental development and function. However, the impact of micronutrient supplementation on placental function and gene expression remains unclear. Herein, we performed a transcriptomic analysis to determine the impact of pre-breeding maternal micronutrient supplementation on the gene expression of placental caruncles (CAR; maternal placenta). Crossbred Angus beef heifers were supplemented (VTM, n = 7) or not (CON, n = 7) with 113 g•heifer-1•d-1 of mineral premix (Purina® Wind & Rain® Storm® All-Season 7.5 Complete) from d 71 to 148 before breeding and until d 83 of gestation. After breeding, heifers were fed a diet to gain 0.79 kg/d. Uteroplacental tissues were collected at d 83. The largest placentome closest to the fetus was collected, and CAR was manually dissected from the cotyledon. Total RNA was isolated from CAR, and gene expression was measured with RNA-Seq. After data quality control and read mapping, differential expression was performed using DESeq2. We identified 46 upregulated and 19 downregulated genes in the VTM group (adj.Pval < 0.1). ShinyGO pathway analysis software was used to identify genes in the Ca and CGMP-PKG signaling pathways, including CALM2 and CAMK2G, which were down and upregulated, respectively. Calcium-mediated systems may activate steroidogenic activity in bovine placentomes, while the cGMP-PKG pathway plays a key role in vascular homeostasis mediated by nitric oxide and decreased Ca concentrations. Furthermore, biological processes underlying blood circulation were among those over-represented. Previous studies report that maternal nutrition may impact placental vascularity and uterine blood flow. ATP2B, that is upregulated in the VTM group, is a calcium/calmodulin-regulated, magnesium-dependent protein involved in intracellular Ca homeostasis. In summary, pre-breeding and early gestation maternal micronutrient supplementation leads to differential expression of genes involved in Ca homeostasis and has a putative effect on placenta vascular function.

Inhibition of osteoclast activities by SCPC bioceramic promotes osteoblast-mediated graft resorption and osteogenic differentiation.

Maximizing vital bone in a grafted site is dependent on a number of factors. These include resorption or turnover of the graft material, stimulation of bone formation pathway without a need for biological molecules added to the site and inhibition of cellular activities that compromise the mineralization of new bone matrix. In the present study, the dissolution profile of silica-calcium phosphate composite (SCPC) in physiological solution was measured and the data were fed to (ANN-NARX) prediction model to predict the time required for complete dissolution. The inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer ionic composition analysis of the culture medium incubated for 3 days with SCPC showed 57% decrease in Ca concentration and a significant increase in the concentration of Si (13.5 ± 1.8μg/ml), P (249.4 ± 22 μg/ml), and Na (9.3 ± 0.52 μg/ml). In conjunction with the release of Si, P, and Na ions, the bone resorptive activity of osteoclasts was inhibited as indicated by the significant decrease in multinucleated tartrate resistant acidic phosphate stained cells and the volume of resorption pits on bone slices. In contrast, addition of SCPC to hBMSC cultured in conventional medium promoted higher Runt-related transcription factor 2 (p < .05), osteocalcin (p < .01), and bone sialo protein (p < .01) than that expressed by control cells grown in the absence of SCPC. The predicted dissolution time of 200 mg of porous SCPC particles in 10ml phosphate buffered saline is 6.9months. An important byproduct of the dissolution is inhibition of osteoclastic activity and promotion of osteoblastic differentiation and hence bone formation.