Uppermost Values Research Articles

Excess heat production of the pair annihilation of ionic vacancies in a copper redox reaction using a double bipolar MHD electrode.

Through a copper double bipolar magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) electrode (MHDE) producing twice the amounts of ionic vacancies than a conventional single MHDE, the molar excess heat of the pair annihilation of ionic vacancies, 702kJmol-1 at 10T on average was obtained in a copper redox reaction. It was about twice as large as that of a single MHDE, 387kJmol-1 at the same magnetic field. This result strongly suggests that a multi-channel bipolar MHDE will produce much greater excess heat. To conserve the linear momentum and electric charge during electron transfer in an electrode reaction, ionic vacancies are created, storing the solvation energy in the polarized core of the order of 0.1nm, and the pair annihilation of the vacancies with opposite charges liberates the energy as excess heat. The promoted excess heat by the double bipolar MHDE with a diffuser at 10T was 710 ± 144kJmol-1, whereas as mentioned above, 702 ± 426kJmol-1 was obtained by the same electrode without such a diffuser. From the theoretical excess heat of 1140kJmol-1, the collision efficiencies in pair annihilation were 0.623 ± 0.126 and 0.616 ± 0.374, respectively. From these results, the reproducibility of the thermal measurement was experimentally validated. At the same time, it was concluded that at magnetic fields beyond 10T, the concentration of ionic vacancy and the collision efficiency take constant uppermost values.

Exploring Genetics by Environment Interactions in Some Rice Genotypes across Varied Environmental Conditions.

Rice production faces challenges related to diverse climate change processes. Heat stress combined with low humidity, water scarcity, and salinity are the foremost threats in its cultivation. The present investigation aimed at identifying the most resilient rice genotypes with yield stability to cope with the current waves of climate change. A total of 34 rice genotypes were exposed to multilocation trials. These locations had different environmental conditions, mainly normal, heat stress with low humidity, and salinity-affected soils. The genotypes were assessed for their yield stability under these conditions. The newly developed metan package of R-studio was employed to perform additive main effects and multiplicative interactions modelling and genotype-by-environment modelling. The results indicated that there were highly significant differences among the tested genotypes and environments. The main effects of the environments accounted for the largest portion of the total yield sum of squared deviations, while different sets of genotypes showed good performance in different environments. AMMI1 and GGE biplots confirmed that Giza179 was the highest-yielding genotype, whereas Giza178 was considered the most-adopted and highest-yielding genotype across environments. These findings were further confirmed by the which-won-where analysis, which explained that Giza178 has the greatest adaptability to the different climatic conditions under study. While Giza179 was the best under normal environments, N22 recorded the uppermost values under heat stress coupled with low humidity, and GZ1968-S-5-4 manifested superior performance regarding salinity-affected soils. Giza 177 was implicated regarding harsh environments. The mean vs. stability-based rankings indicated that the highest-ranked genotypes were Giza179 > Giza178 > IET1444 > IR65600-77 > GZ1968-S-5-4 > N22 > IR11L236 > IR12G3213. Among them, Giza178, IR65600-77, and IR12G3213 were the most stable genotypes. Furthermore, these results were confirmed by cluster-analysis-based stability indices. A significant and positive correlation was detected between the overall yield under all the environments with panicle length, number of panicles per plant, and thousand grain weight. Our study sheds light on the notion that the Indica/Japonica and Indica types have greater stability potential over the Japonica ones, as well as the potential utilization of genotypes with wide adaptability, stability, and high yield, such as Giza178, in the breeding programs for climate change resilience in rice.

Assessing soil fertility influenced by land use in Moche, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

One of the main reasons for Ethiopia’s declining agricultural production is land use change under poor soil management practices. Hence, in order to evaluate the effects of various land use types on certain soil qualities, research was done on the soils of Cheha district, Gurage zone in Ethiopia’s central highlands. Four different land use types (LUTs) (cultivated, enset, eucalyptus, and wild forest) were used for this study to assess and analyze their response to soil fertility. A total of 48 soil samples (24 undisturbed and 24 disturbed) was collected from the selected LUTs and two different soil depths (SDs) (0-20 and 20-40 cm) with three replications for the laboratory analysis. The results showed that most of the properties of soil physicochemical properties of soil were significantly affected by LUTs, SD, and the interactions. The result showed that the highest sand (43%), silt (46.5%), and clay (30.30%) fractions were observed under forest land (FL), enset farmland (ENFL), and cultivated land (CUL), respectively. Concerning the SD, higher silt (40.9%) and clay (28.3%) were found in the subsurface soils. Except for CUL, textural classes of all LUTs were loamy. The highest (1.37 g cm-3) bulk density was observed under the subsurface soils of CUL and the lowest (1.06 g cm-3) was in the surface soils of FL and ENFL. In contrast to bulk density, total porosity was highest (60.1%) under surface soils of FL and ENFL and the lowest (48.3%) value was observed under subsurface soils of CUL. The combination of two factors influenced the soil pH. The highest value (6.54) and lowermost (4.82) values were found under the surface soils of ENFL and subsoils of EUCL, respectively. Comparatively, the uppermost (7.48%) and lowermost (3.55%) values of organic matter were recorded under the surface soils of FL and subsoils of EUCL. The uppermost (0.37%) and lowermost (0.17%) values of total nitrogen were registered under surface soil and subsoils of FL and EUCL, respectively. The uppermost (22.69 mg kg-1) value of Av.P was registered under superficial soils of ENFL and the lowermost (5.02 mg kg-1) was obtained under a subsurface layer of EUCL. The uppermost (37.96 cmol(+) kg-1) and lowermost (11.90 cmol(+) kg-1) of CEC values were observed under the surface soils of FL and subsoils of EUCL. The uppermost value of exchangeable acidity (1.85 cmol(+) kg-1) was recorded under soils of EUCL. This study showed that different LUTs and SDs have substantial impacts on the status of soil fertility. Soils of FL and ENFLs were relatively more fertile. Increasing eucalyptus tree cover on arable land and intensive farming severely impacted soil fertility which may have increased soil acidity. Appropriate land use and a variety of soil fertility management practices are crucial to address soil fertility loss and acidity issues

Growth performance, antioxidant activities, and immunological responses of hapa-reared thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) juveniles fed on diets supplemented with spirulina (Arthrospiraplatensis)

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) (SP) has been utilized for a long time as a valued feed supplement because of its proteinous content and other beneficial phytochemical compounds. Herein, we investigated the influences of SP-supplemented diets on growth, body somatic indices, digestive enzymes, hepatic antioxidant activities, and immunological responses of hapa-reared thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) juveniles. Fish were assigned in six triplicate groups and were fed for consecutive 60 days on the prepared experimental diets containing varying SP levels as 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0 g/kg diet and defined as control (CNT or SP0), SP2, SP4, SP6, SP8, and SP10 groups, respectively. The results indicated that dietary SP supplementation linearly and quadratically improved the fish growth performance, and the highest growth indices were found in the SP8 group. However, dietary SP supplementation did not significantly alter feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate (%), hepato-somatic index, and viscera-somatic index among all experimental groups. Meanwhile, digestive enzymes (lipase, α-amylase, and proteases) in the mid-intestine were also linearly and quadratically increased in all SP-fed groups, and their uppermost values were noted in the SP8 group. Hepatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity in SP-supplemented groups were significantly elevated than the CNT group. Conversely, hepatic malondialdehyde contents were decreased significantly along with increasing dietary SP-supplementation levels. The immunological parameters such as lysozyme, respiratory burst, and alternative complement activities were significantly elevated in SP-fed groups than in the CNT group. These findings evoked that feeding SP-supplemented diets (especially at 8.0 g/kg diet) significantly promoted the growth, digestive enzymes, hepatic antioxidant status, and immunity of L. ramada juveniles.

Physicochemical properties and sensory attributes of cookies prepared from sorghum and millet composite flour.

Sorghum and millet are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. They can enhance nutrition and health. This study was aimed to develop sorghum–millet gluten‐free cookies from sorghum and millet composite flour. Cookies were made using 100% wheat WF100%, sorghum SF100% ,and millet MF100% flours and composite flours of 25% sorghum–75% millet (SF25%–MF75%), 50% sorghum−50% millet (SF50%–MF50%), and 75% sorghum–25% millet (SF75%–MF25%). The physicochemical, nutritional, bioactive, and sensory quality attributes of the developed cookies were evaluated.The results of flours displayed that the highest values of peak viscosity and final viscosity were observed in SF100%, breakdown and pasting temperature were observed in WF100%, setback viscosity in composite flour of SF25%–MF75%, and hardness and chewiness in WF 100%. Regarding cookies analysis results, the highest values of hardness were shown in WF100% and SF100% cookies, and the highest water activity was observed in the cookies of (SF25%–MF75% and SF50%–MF50%), and the (SF75%–MF25%) cookies had the best diameter and thickness. The lowest water‐holding capacity (WHC) and oil‐holding capacity (OHC) were found in (WF100%) cookies, while they were high in the cookies of SF and MF flours and their combinations (p ≤ .05). The cookies made using the composite flour of SF25%–MF75% appeared to have the uppermost values of moisture, protein, fat, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity. They have the highest contents (p ≤ .05) of potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium. The scores of all sensory attributes of all cookie types were higher than the cutoff score (5). Overall, the incorporation of sorghum and millet flour in cookies formulation enhanced the physicochemical, nutritional, and bioactive properties without major effect on the sensory attributes of the product, which make it excellent nutritive and healthy sorghum–millet gluten‐free cookies.

Calibration of the near-surface seismic structure in the SCEC community velocity model version 4

SUMMARYThe near-surface seismic structure (to a depth of about 1000 m), particularly the shear wave velocity (VS), can strongly affect the propagation of seismic waves and, therefore, must be accurately calibrated for ground motion simulations and seismic hazard assessment. The VS of the top (<300 m) crust is often well characterized from borehole studies, geotechnical measurements, and water and oil wells, while the velocities of the material deeper than about 1000 m are typically determined by tomography studies. However, in depth ranges lacking information on shallow lithological stratification, typically rock sites outside the sedimentary basins, the material parameters between these two regions are typically poorly characterized due to resolution limits of seismic tomography. When the alluded geological constraints are not available, models, such as the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) Community Velocity Models (CVMs), default to regional tomographic estimates that do not resolve the uppermost VS values, and therefore deliver unrealistically high shallow VS estimates. The SCEC Unified Community Velocity Model (UCVM) software includes a method to incorporate the near-surface earth structure by applying a generic overlay based on measurements of time-averaged VS in top 30 m (VS30) to taper the upper part of the model to merge with tomography at a depth of 350 m, which can be applied to any of the velocity models accessible through UCVM. However, our 3-D simulations of the 2014 Mw 5.1 La Habra earthquake in the Los Angeles area using the CVM-S4.26.M01 model significantly underpredict low-frequency (<1 Hz) ground motions at sites where the material properties in the top 350 m are significantly modified by the generic overlay (‘taper’). On the other hand, extending the VS30-based taper of the shallow velocities down to a depth of about 1000 m improves the fit between our synthetics and seismic data at those sites, without compromising the fit at well-constrained sites. We explore various tapering depths, demonstrating increasing amplification as the tapering depth increases, and the model with 1000 m tapering depth yields overall favourable results. Effects of varying anelastic attenuation are small compared to effects of velocity tapering and do not significantly bias the estimated tapering depth. Although a uniform tapering depth is adopted in the models, we observe some spatial variabilities that may further improve our method.

Occurrence of trace elements in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) from an experimental pilot farm in the Calich Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy).

The present study aimed to determine trace elements in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from an experimental pilot farm of the Calich Lagoon, a typical Sardinian brackish area (Italy). Two sampling sessions were scheduled in February and May 2019 and the occurrence of 24 metals (Hg, Ag, Al, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, In, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sn, Ti, V, Zn) in bivalves was considered. Environmental conditions of water (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll a) were also measured in situ. A high significant (P<0.001) difference was reported for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Our results showed a significant sessional variation of Mo (P<0.001); Cd, V (P<0.01); Ni, Pb and Co (P<0.05) in examined M. galloprovincialis samples; as all values were higher in February than those for May session samples, meanwhile the highest levels were reported for Mg (mean±s.d. 1151±263 mg kg-1 wet weight), Al (mean±s.d. 341±192 mg kg-1 w.w.), and Fe (mean±s.d. 212 ±75 mg kg-1 w.w.) in February samples. The European Union uppermost values (EC Reg. 1881/2006) for Cd, Hg, and Pb were never overpassed. The results confirmed the role of M. galloprovincialis as one of the most appropriate biological indexes to track the presence of trace elements in brackish environments. It could be concluded that the current ecology of the Calich Lagoon suggests that compatibly with the transitional ecosystem, the classification as a bivalves’ production area and the implementation of extensive shellfish farming can improve its production capacities. The knowledge of the lagoon ecology is an essential tool for its sustainable exploitation, preserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of anthropogenic activities on public health.

Ecological studies on some planktonic organisms at Mahallet Ziad Wastewater treatment plant in El Gharbia Province, Egypt

This study was carried out at Mahallet Ziad wastewater treatment plant in El-Gharbia Province during a period extending between Feb. 2018 and Jan. 2019. Major planktonic groups and certain physico-chemical parameters were investigated monthly at this water plant to elucidate its performance efficiency in treating and enhancing the wastewater. It was apparently that protozoa and rotifers represent the major groups in that wastewater treatment plant. Protozoa are represented by three major phyla (Sarcodina, Mastigophorea and Ciliophora) where the ciliated protozoans prevail the other two phyla. The numerical densities of sessile peritrich ciliates were less abundant than other ciliated protozoan types (crawling and swimming ciliates). It was proved that the maximal and minimal numerical densities of total protozoans of the present investigation exhibited 6956 and 1716x 102/L during March and December, respectively. Simultaneously, the uppermost numerical values of sarcodines, flagellates and ciliates were 565, 2211 and 56312/L during May, February and April, while the lowest ones were 30, 87 and 1716x 102/L on September, July and December, respectively. Different types of protozoan were proved to be significantly influenced to varying levels with certain physico-chemical parameters. From the technological point of view, it was proved that the performing efficiency of the activated sludge of the present study is more or lessparallel to those of other wastewater treatment plants in different provinces of Egypt which gives an indication that there is a critical strategic need for the government to have more treated water to be used in agricultural and industrial activities.

A numerical assessment on heat transfer and flow characteristics of nanofluid in tubes enhanced with a variety of dimple configurations

Heat transfer performance and flow characteristics in tubes enhanced with dimples have been studied numerically. Innovative geometrical parameters including dimple filling angle, dimple height, and dimple pitch are presented for dimple shaped roughness applied on tube surfaces. Water and Al2O3/Water nanofluid are considered as working fluids in steady three-dimensional simulations, where Reynolds number ranged from 500 to 4000. Nanoparticle volume fractions are taken to be 1%, 2%, and 4% in this study. Both Newtonian and shear-thinning models are used to describe rheological behavior of the nanofluid. Results show that overall performance of the enhanced tubes increases with decreasing dimple pitch, increasing dimple height, and increasing filling angle in the case of water flowing through the tubes. Moreover, maximum improvement in performance occurs at Re = 2000 while using 4% non-Newtonian (shear-thinning) nanofluid in tube with specifications of 120° dimple filling angle, 2.0 mm dimple height, and dimple pitch equal to one dimple diameter. Highest obtained PEC value is 3.12, which ranks amongst uppermost values regarding internal flows in circular conduits with modified surfaces reported in the literature.

Molecular simulation on the stability and adsorption properties of choline-based ionic liquids/IRMOF-1 hybrid composite for selective H2S/CO2 capture

The compatibility and performance of an Isoreticular Metal-Organic Frameworks (IRMOF-1) impregnated with choline-based ionic liquids (ILs) for selective adsorption of H2S/CO2, were studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Cholinium alanate ([Chl][Ala]) was nominated as the suitable IL for impregnation into IRMOF-1, consistent with the low RMSD values (0.546 nm, 0.670 nm, 0.776 nm) at three IL/IRMOF-1 w/w ratios (WIL/IRMOF-1 = 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2). The [Chl]+ and [Ala]− ion pair was located preferentially around the carboxylate group within the IRMOF-1 framework, with the latter interacting strongly with the host than the [Chl]+. Results of radius of gyration (Rg) and root mean square displacement (RMSD) revealed that a ratio of 0.4 w/w of IL/IRMOF-1 (Rg = 1.405 nm; RMSD = 0.546 nm) gave the best conformation to afford an exceptionally stable IL/IRMOF-1 composite. It was discovered that the IL/IRMOF-1 composite was more effective in capturing H2S and CO2 compared to pristine IRMOF-1. The gases adsorbed in higher quantities in the IL/IRMOF-1 composite phase compared to the bulk phase, with a preferential adsorption for H2S, as shown by the uppermost values of adsorption (AH2S = 17.954 mol L−1 bar-1) and an adsorption selectivity (ASH2S/CO2 = 43.159) at 35 IL loading.

Sub-watershed wise Runoff Modeling using Drainage Morphometric Analysis in Karur District, Tamil Nadu, India through Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Morphometric examination, being extensively used to evaluate the drainage individuality and have been found to be a helpful tool to identify areas runoff prone sub-watersheds in this current study. Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System has been demonstrated as successful apparatus in the demarcation of drainages and sub-watersheds boundary and morphometric investigations of sub-watersheds. The current study integrates a morphometric study of 68 sub-watersheds of Karur District, Tamil Nadu, India. Common morphometric parameters are measured for analysis. The following morphometric features such as drainage density, bifurcation ratio, drainage texture, circularity ratio, stream frequency, and form factor has a straight connection by runoff, i.e., superior these values, then, more is the runoff. For the recognition of runoff prone sub-watersheds, the uppermost values of above limits were rated as rank 5, the subsequent uppermost values were rated as rank 4 and so on, and the least values of these factors were charged last in rank 1. The factor such as elongation ratio and length of overland flow has an opposite connection with runoff, i.e., lesser these values; supplementary is the runoff. Therefore the lowly values of these factors were rated as level 5, subsequently, lower values were rated as rank 4 and so on and the maximum values of these parameters were rated last in rank 1. The above-weighted maps were in ArcGIS software to identify the runoff prone sub-watersheds. The current study will improve the systematic understanding of watershed characteristics and its runoff proneness of the study area since there is no prior information is accessible in this study region. The results of the current research will support the development of further hydrological improvement actions in the study area watersheds. Keywords: GIS, morphometric analysis, remote Sensing, sub-watershed-runoff prone modeling Cite this Article J. Muralitharan, K. Palanivel. Sub-watershed wise Runoff Modeling using Drainage Morphometric Analysis in Karur District, Tamil Nadu, India through Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques. Journal of Remote Sensing & GIS. 2019; 10(2): 52–65p.

Medicinal applications of plants by Bapedi traditional healers for sore throat and related symptoms in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

This survey reports on medicinally plant used by Bapedi traditional healers (THs) to sore throat and related symptoms. Presently there is no published ethnobotanical literature focusing on these conditions. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews aimed at addressing this gap in knowledge were used to gather data from 156 THs practicing in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A total of 80 plant species belonging to 73 genera and 43 botanical families, mainly the Fabaceae (10 spp.) and Asteraceae (8 spp.), were recorded as being used by THs. Croton gratissimus, Cryptocarya transvaalensis, Enicostema axillare, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Plumbago zeylanica, Solanum catombelense, Stylochaeton natalensis and Warburgia salutaris emerged as the most preferred species for healing sore throat and related symptoms according to fidelity level index analysis. However, the output of use value calculations positioned Adansonia digitata, Catha edulis, Lasiosiphon caffer and Zanthoxylum capense as Bapedi THs keystone species on the basis of its utility and applications in numerous ailments, scoring the uppermost values. This study showed that Bapedi THs employed a substantial number of plant species to treat the investigated ailments. Healing claim/s of most of these species is presently restricted to the Bapedi THs.

Effectiveness of Compost and Potassium Silicate under Low Rate of Mineral Fertilizers on Production, Quality, Marketability and NPK Contents of Banana Plants

Banana (Musa spp) is considered as one of the most important fruit crops in Egypt, where it occupy an area of 27.5 thousand ha. Field experiments on banana cv. Grand Nain for two consecutive seasons (2016 and 2017) were conducted in Horticulture Research Station located in El-Kanter Elkharia, Kaluobia Governorate. The main objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of reducing the mineral fertilizers applied to the banana crop by using compost and potassium silicate treatments. Three rates of compost (15, 20 and 25 kg per mate) were applied with 50% of the recommended rate of mineral fertilizers along with or without potassium silicate at a rate of 60 ml per mate. These treatments were compared with recommended rates of mineral fertilizers mixed with and without potassium silicate. Obtained results showed that application of compost led to enhance all studied parameters and recorded highly significant differences particularly under the treatments combined with potassium silicate and 50% of the recommended rate of mineral fertilizers. The highest level of compost with potassium silicate treatment recorded the uppermost values of growth, yield and quality of banana fruits. Moreover, the same treatment recorded significant increments in total sugar and T.S.S% in fruits as compared with the recommended dose of mineral fertilizers.

Effect of Foliar Application and N-Levels on Productivity and Granis Quality of Barley

To study the influence of foliar applications, N-levels and their interaction on growth, yield and its attributes and grain quality of barley Giza 123 cultivar, a field experiments was carried out at the Experimental Farm of Sahl El-Husseiniya, Agriculture Research Station, as a new reclaimed soils (salinity affected soils), during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons using design of strip-plot with 4 replicates. Vertical plots devoted to five foliar applications i.e. without, spraying with; Macro + Micro, amino acids, humic acid and the combination of Macro + Micro, amino acids and humic acid. Horizontal plots billed to 3 levels of N-fertilizer (40, 60 and 80 kg N/fed). Spraying barley plants with the combination of (Macro + Micro), amino acids and humic acid at the rates of 2 g + 1 ml + 1.25 ml/liter water, respectively in each spraying was the best treatment to increase barley growth, productivity and grains quality, which produced the highest values of these characters, with exception of total carbohydrates % in grains, which had inverse trend into both seasons. Fertilizing plants of barley with 80 kg N per fed gave the uppermost mean values of barley growth, productivity and quality of grains, except carbohydrates % in grains in together seasons. Foliar spraying barley Giza 123 cultivar with Macro + Micro, amino acids and humic acid at the side of fertilizing by 60 kg N per fed in order to maintain high productivity and grains quality and decrease production costs and environmental pollution under salinity affected soils conditions.

Flow-induced horizontal and vertical vibration of sluice gates

The present study focuses on out-of-plane and in-plane vibrations of sluice gates due to the fluid–structure interaction based on numerical modelling, using the finite-element method. Primarily, the vibration of the gate was restricted to a single direction, detaching the horizontal and vertical vibrations of the gate so as to exclude their interaction. Results indicated that, if the edge of the gate is bevelled at an angle of 45°, the lowest amplitudes of horizontal vibrations are obtained. Whereas the maximum horizontal vibrations are associated with the uppermost values of the reduced velocities, for example vr &gt; 3·5, as well as the gate's normalised opening height δ/d of about 0·8, the maximum vertical vibrations are attained for intermediate values of vr, at about 3, and δ/d = 0·8. If both the horizontal and vertical vibrations are mutually considered, the two-dimensional reduced velocities vrx and vry and the structural natural frequencies fx and fy become relatively different compared to these of single-way vibrations. Results also indicated that the amplitudes of the horizontal vibrations in the authors' previous analyses were considerably greater than those of single-way horizontal vibrations. The maximum amplitude of the horizontal vibrations was observed to be close to the out-of-plane natural frequency, when 3·5 &lt; vrx &lt; 7 and vry &gt; 10. For vibration frequencies close to the vertical natural frequency fy, however, the dominant vertical vibrations occur for 2 &lt; vry &lt; 4.

Grass Physiognomic Trait Variation in African Herbaceous Biomes

African herbaceous biomes will likely face drastic changes in the near future, due to climate change and pressures from increasing human activities. However, these biomes have been simulated only by dynamic global vegetation models and failing to include the diversity of C 4 grasses has limited the accuracy of these models. Characterizing the floristic and physiognomic diversity of these herbaceous biomes would enhance the parameterization of C 4 grass plant functional types, thereby improving simulations. To this end, we used low-ermost and uppermost values of three grass physiognomic traits (culm height, leaf length, and leaf width) available in most floras to identify several grass physiognomic groups that form the grass cover in Senegal. We then checked the capacity of these groups to discriminate herbaceous biomes and mean annual precipitation domains. Specifically, we assessed whether these groups were sufficiently generic and robust to be applied to neighboring (Chad) and distant (South Africa) phytogeographic areas. The proportions of two phys-iognomic groups, defined by their lowermost limits, delineate steppe from savanna and forest biomes in Senegal, and nama-karoo, savanna, and grassland biomes in South Africa. Proportions of these two physiognomic groups additionally delineate the mean annual precipitation domains 600 mm in Senegal, Chad, and South Africa, as well as the 1000 mm domains in South Africa. These findings should help to identify and parameterize new C 4 grass plant functional types in vegetation models applied to West and South Africa.

The Effect of Changing Scores for Multi-way Tables with Open-ended Ordered Categories

Log-linear models are used to analyze the contingency tables. If the variables are ordinal or interval, because the score values affect both the model significance and parameter estimates, selection of score values has importance. Sometimes an interval variable contains open-ended categories as the first or last category. While the variable has openended classes, estimates of the lowermost and/or uppermost values of distribution must be handled carefully. In that case, the unknown values of the first and last classes can be estimated firstly, and then the score values can be calculated. In the previous studies, the unknown boundaries were estimated by using interquartile range (IQR). In this study, we suggested interdecile range (IDR), interpercentile range (IPR), and mid-distance range (MDR) as alternative to IQR to detect the effects of score values on model parameters.

The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum at DSDP Site 277, Campbell Plateau, southern Pacific Ocean

Abstract. Re-examination of sediment cores from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 277 on the western margin of the Campbell Plateau (paleolatitude of ~65° S) has identified an intact Paleocene–Eocene (P–E) boundary overlain by a 34 cm thick record of the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) within nannofossil chalk. The upper part of the PETM is truncated, either due to drilling disturbance or a sedimentary hiatus. An intact record of the onset of the PETM is indicated by a gradual decrease in δ13C values over 20 cm, followed by a 14 cm interval in which δ13C is 2 ‰ lighter than uppermost Paleocene values. After accounting for effects of diagenetic alteration, we use δ18O and Mg/Ca values from foraminiferal tests to determine that intermediate and surface waters warmed by ~5–6° at the onset of the PETM prior to the full development of the negative δ13C excursion. After this initial warming, sea temperatures were relatively stable through the PETM but declined abruptly across the horizon that truncates the event at this site. Mg/Ca analysis of foraminiferal tests indicates peak intermediate and surface water temperatures of ~19 and ~32 °C, respectively. These temperatures may be influenced by residual diagenetic factors and changes in ocean circulation, and surface water values may also be biased towards warm-season temperatures.

Molecular tools to understand the bioremediation effect of plants and earthworms on contaminated marine sediments

A meso-scale pilot plant was set up to test the efficiency of a bioremediation scheme applied to marine sediments contaminated by heavy metals and hydrocarbons. The experiment was implemented for three years in two stages using two remediation agents: plants (Paspalum vaginatum and Tamarix gallica) and earthworms (Eisenia fetida). DNA and RNA-based methodologies were applied to elucidate the dynamics of the bacterial population and were related to improving biological and chemical conditions of the sediments. Bioremediation strategies were successful in removing pollutants from the contaminated sediments and specialization within the bacterial community related to the type of contamination present was detected in the different stages of the process. The highest response of Gram-positive PAH-degraders to the contamination was detected at the beginning and after the first stage of the experiment, corresponding to the uppermost values of degradation.

The effects of different sowing time practices on Vitamin C and mineral material content for rocket (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa (Mill))

Salad rocket largely differs in composition and content for antioxidants such as Vitamin C together with a significant variability of bioactive compounds. Rocket encloses the highest Vitamin C content among the Brassicaceae vegetables used for salad. The content of Vitamin C and minerals in plants is affected by seasonal factors such as sowing time and the date of harvesting. The existence of Vitamin C and mineral materials in the content of green leaved vegetables are subject to different factors. The main factors are light and temperature. The aim of this study is to determine the values of antioxidant worthy Vitamin C and mineral material for rocket on different sowing times – fall and spring – that have different light and temperature conditions. Experiments were carried out in an unheated greenhouse in fall and spring growing period in Corlu, Turkey (41°11'N, 27°49'E). Results indicated that the rocket grown in fall sowing time has the maximum Vitamin C content as 57.41 mg 100 g – 1. Moreover, N, P and K values in fall sowing time are at the highest values as 3.69, 0.30 and 3.02% respectively. For rocket; Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents reached at the highest values in fall sowing time; however, spring sowing time offered uppermost values for Mg and Mn contents in the research. In addition to its relatively short cultivating period, rocket has an easy growing vegetable. With its content of Vitamin C and mineral materials, it can be a good alternative crop for fall growing periods in an unheated greenhouse as well. Key words: Rocket (Eruca vesicaria subsp.sativa (Mill)), different sowing time, vitamin C, mineral content.