Effect of conservation tillage systems on growth, yield and yield components of soybean

Conservation tillage systems have been used during recent years in many areas of Iran. In this study, the effect of conservation tillage on soybean yield, yield components and phenological characteristics was evaluated in Golestan province located at the northern Iran. Four different treatments including conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), no- tillage with no-till planter (NT-Planter) and no-tillage with no-till grain drill (NT-Grain Drill) were considered. A randomized complete block design with four replications was designed for the experiment. Soybean yield and yield components and some phenological characteristics were measured. Data were analyzed using SAS software and Duncan’s multiple range tests was used to compare the means. The results of two year experiments showed that in year 2012, NT-Grain drill with mean yield of 3612 kg ha-1 had the highest yield while the treatment MT had the lowest yield of 2794 kg ha-1. In year 2013, NT-Planter had the highest yield of 3617 kg ha-1 whereas CT method had the lowest yield of 3054 kg ha-1. It was concluded that NT methods with respect to yield increase are appropriate alternative to replace conventional tillage method in soybean cultivation. Phenological characteristics gave promising response to conservation tillage especially to no tillage

Analysis of environmental instability using geomorphological indices (case study: alluvial fans Aleh Igneous mass in Qom)

Geomorphological forms each at different stages of the process of environmental change and evolution, stable conditions and instabilities under the influence of external and internal processes. One of these forms is igneous masses, which take on a distinct shape and change due to tectonic movements and fault movements. This change can be shown using geomorphological evidence and indicators. The igneous massif is located beyond the Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic belt in the western part of Qom province. By examining different patterns such as drainage patterns, color tone, slope, circular rings, and geomorphological indices, mass growth was revealed in this area. The pattern index completely indicates the instability of this mass. Most of the surfaces of the alley mass slopes are composed of triangular shapes, the formation of which is the result of the performance of active internal processes against external processes. The color tone of this cone is light and indicates that it is active. The circular rings of the mass indicate the expansion of the eastern slopes. The slope of this mass is between 5-10.5 which is justified by tectonic action and all the alluvial fans of the surface morphology are in the form of ducts and small ridges 2 cases of erosion were observed in the southeastern part of the intrusive mass, which is advancing towards the top of the alluvial fan. Captivity and diversion of waterways in the region is another piece of evidence that is influenced by active tectonics. Due to the instability of the slopes and alluvial fans, no human activity (except in special cases) has been formed in the area. In general, the indicators and evidence of instability and active tectonic movements in different parts of the intrusive rock of diorite and the lack of news of the day. Due to the active tectonics and instability of this environment is fully approved

Numerical and analytical investigation of an ultrasonic assisted ECAP process

One of the great challenges in the processing of materials using Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) is the high forming forces required to produce large shear deformation in the material. Researchers show that the friction forces between the die and the sample constitute a great part of the total forming forces. Recently, ultrasonic vibrations are successfully implemented into the ECAP process with the aim of reducing the friction forces. However, there is still need to optimize the parameters of ultrasonic vibrations in the ECAP process using numerical methods. FE simulation of the ultrasonic assisted ECAP process is very time-consuming and during simulation, the constant ram speed has interaction with the vibration speed. A virtual increase in the ram speed for simulation of ultrasonic assisted ECAP process will affect the results. By using Coulomb and Dahl friction models, it is analytically shown how vibration speed and constant ram speed interact with each other during FE simulation. The results clearly suggest against using virtually higher speeds in numerical modelling of the vibrated ECAP process. The conclusion is reached through comparing several simulations, as well as an analytical formulation, with experimental data from literature. The required friction coefficient values to be used in FE simulation at high contact forces are measured experimentally. An alternative strategy is then offered to speed up FE simulation of the vibrated ECAP process without the need for a virtual increase in the ram speed. The proposed strategy can increase the simulation speed of the ultrasonic assisted ECAP process up to ten times <br /

A Report of Two Cases of TGM1 Mutations in Iranian Patients with Lamelar Ichthyosis

ObjectiveAutosomal Recessive Congenital Ichthyosis (ARCI) is a rare, heterogenous keratinization disorder of the skin, classically divided into two clinical subtypes, Lamellar Ichthyosis (LI) and Nonbullous Congenital Ichthyosi-formis Erythroderma (NCIE). Lamellar Ichtyosis is caused by mutations in the TGM1 gene that encodes transglutaminase 1 enzyme, which is critical for the assembly of the cornified cell envelope in terminally differentiating keratinocytes. TGM1 is a complex enzyme existing as both cytosolic and membrane-bound forms.Moreover, TGM1 is proteolytically processed, and the major functionally active form consists of a membrane-bound 67/33/10-kDa complex with a myristoylated and palmitoylated amino-terminal 10-kDa membrane anchorage fragment. In this study, all 14 coding exons of TGM1 gene were investigated using PCRsequencing method in three Iranian patients with different phenotypes which are often caused by homozygote or compound heterozygote mutations and a homozygote mutation (G218S) in exon 4 and  three heterozygote mutations (R37K, D58N, D86N) in exon 2 were observed. The mutation (D86N) was seen in two patients simultaneously.Key words: TGM1gene, mutation, ARCI, lamellar, ichthyosis, sequencing

A new designed incremental high pressure torsion process for producing long nanostructured rod samples

High pressure torsion (HPT) is one of the most important and effective severe plastic deformation (SPD) processes for producing nanostructured (NS) and ultrafine grained (UFG) metals. Whereas HPT presents excellent mechanical properties, its applications are limited to small disk-shaped samples. In this study a new design of incremental HPT (IHPT) process entitled SIHPT is developed which is much convenient for the production of large NS and UFG metallic rods. In this new design, some steppers along the length of the rod-shaped sample are used while applying an axial load from two ends of it. Step twisting of stepper parts with simultaneous axial loads extend the deformed region to the whole length of the sample. The five turn IHPT process was applied to a 50 mm length and 10 mm diameter pure copper sample and microstructure, and mechanical properties were evaluated. The microstructural study of SIHPT processed samples using TEM and EBSD micrographs clearly reflected the NS sample having an average grain size of less than 100 nm. Also, microhardness measurements showed that the sample has fairly good homogeneity through both axial and radial directions. Besides, tensile test measurements indicate that there is about four times improvement in yield strength of nanostructured sample compared to unprocessed metal which is accompanied with satisfactory ductility as a result of high hydrostatic compressive stresses

Effect of different sulfur levels plus Thiobacillus on yield and yield components of Canola (Brassica Napus L.) cultivars in Gorgan, Iran

In an effort to determine the effect of different sulfur levels plus Thiobacillus (Thiobacillus sp.) bacteria on yield, yield components and protein content of canola cultivars, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2014-2015. The experimental treatments consisted of three hybrid genotypes of winter canola (Hyola401, RGS003 and Gerry) and sulfur at five levels (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 kg ha-1, plus Thiobacillus). The results indicated that various cultivars of canola and different values of sulfur plus Thiobacillus had a significant effect on studied factors. As Hyola 401 contained the highest number of pods per plant, 1000 grain weight, grain yield and shoot dry matter. Gerry genotype also had the maximum height to the first branch and number of branches, while the largest diameter of main stem was observed in RGS003 and Gerry. Moreover, the 1000 kg S ha-1 treatment achieved maximum height to first branch and harvest index, while the highest number of pods per plant, number of branches, grain yield and shoot dry mass were found in 750 and 1000 kg S ha-1 treatments. In the interactions, the highest grain yield was observed in the interaction of Hyola401 in 1000 kg S ha-1, while the highest protein content in the interaction of Gerry cultivar was obtained in 750 and 1000 kg S ha-1. In conclusion, sulfur and thiobacillus supplementation could be lead to better crop performance and significant increment in protein level of canola seeds

Investigation of Affecting Factors on Soybean (Glycine max L.) Pod Abnormality in Gorgan

Soybean pod abnormality is a kind of growth in which soybean plant accompanied with growth disorders including sever pod and flower abscission as well as leaves and pod morphological modifications. In an acute status, these kinds of plants stays green; therefore, the yield decreases and harvest time delay, dramatically. To investigate the reasons of pod distortion abnormality in Katul cultivar, a field assay based on roving method was performed. In the field experiment based on roving method 40 fields of Katul were selected randomly and traits like yield and yield component as well as managemental and climatic parameters were recorded in two successive growing years, 2015 and 2016. Result indicated that all field management factors didnot have any effect on PDS, except frequency of irrigation. In such a way that decreasing frequency of watering increased incidence of PDS significantly. Furthermore, percent of flower abscissions as well as shoot dry weight were increased; meanwhile, number of pod per plant, number of grain per pod, number of grain per plant, 1000-grain weight, harvest index, biological yield and grain yield dwindled extraordinary in PDS plants. Taken together, these results indicated that abiotic stresses such as heat and drought stresses as well as undesirable field irrigation might play an important role in soybean pod distortion abnormality incidence. In addition, interpreting of mineral nutrient indicated that well nutrition plants might decrease damage percentage of soybean pod abnormality

Uncontrolled seizures resulting from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis complicating neurobrucellosis

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare form of stroke caused by thrombosis in venous sinuses of the brain. In this study, we reported on a patient with venous sinus thrombosis and brucellosis who presented with uncontrolled seizure despite being treated with anti-epileptic drugs at high doses. The case was a 33-year-old woman with a history of controlled complex partial seizure who presented with headache, asthenia, and uncontrolled seizure for one month. She was febrile and a brain CT scan indicated hemorrhagic focus in the left posterior parietal and the temporal lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography also proved venous sinus thrombosis in the left transverse sinus. Besides [In addition], a laboratory assessment confirmed brucellosis. Following the treatment with anti-coagulant, anti-brucellosis, and anti-epileptic agents, the patient was discharged in good condition with medical orders. Clinical suspicion and accurate evaluation of a patient′s history is the most important clue in diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, especially in uncontrolled seizure in patients who had previously been under control

Response of Some Agronomic Characteristic of Canola (Brassica napus L.) to Nitrogen Fertilizer and Sowing Date

To study effects of nitrogen fertilizer and sowing date on some agronomic traits of canola cultivars, a factorial split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replications was conducted during growing season 2013 – 2014 at the Research Farm of Gonbadkavus University, Iran. Treatments were four canola (Brassica napus L) cultivars (C1=Hayola 401, C2=Zarfam, C3= Hayola 308, and C4=RGS003), two planting dates (D1=17 Nonvember and, D2=28 December) and three levels of nitrogen fertilizers (N1=0, N2=%50 of recommended fertilizer, N3=%100 recommended fertilizer). In this study the treatment of nitrogen fertilizer levels and planting dates were asseigned to main plots and canola cultivars to sub plots. The results of analysis of variance showed that the interaction effects between nitrogen fertilizer × planting were significant at 0.01 probability level on all evaluated traits. Interaction of planting date × cultivar effects on all yield components except seed per silique were also significantly. The fertilizer × cultivar interaction did not affect yield components significantly. The highest yield, 4.2 t/ha, was produced by the open pollinated cultivar of RGS003 using %100 recommended rate of nitrogen fertilizer at sowing date of 17 November, which represents a high potential of this cultivar under this nutrients level and sowing date