Nutrient use efficiency and nutrient uptake promoting of rice by potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB)

The current study was carried out in both pot and field conditions to investigate the effects of three KSB strains of Pantoea agglomerans, Rahnella aquatilis and Pseudomonas orientalis on nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) uptake, nutrient use efficiency parameters and nutrients remobilization in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Pajohesh). The experiments included 15 treatments of KSB inoculations, commercial K biofertilizer and K chemical fertilizer. The results showed that the inoculums of all three KSB strains increased the K, N and P uptake by grain and straw, especially when applied in combination with ½ K chemical fertilizer (47.5 Kg/ha) as compared to the control treatment. The highest value of available K in the soil obtained from NPK chemical fertilizer equal to 140.1 and 134.6 mg K per kg of soil in the pot and field experiments, respectively, which were significantly higher than KSB inoculations treatments. Bacterial inoculums coupled with ½ K chemical fertilizer also enhanced the nutrient use efficiency (including agronomic efficiency (AE), apparent recovery efficiency (ARE), physiological efficiency (PE), agro-physiological efficiency (APE), internal utilization efficiency (UE), partial factor productivity (PFP), partial nutrient balance (PNB)) and nutrient remobilization. The results indicated that the bioinoculation with these KSB strains isolated from soil paddy could be considered as an effective way to increase potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by rice plant and enhance their use efficiency and remobilization to grains in the flooding irrigation conditions

Biomechanical Properties of Land Based and Shallow Water Wait: A Comparative Review of Literature

Aquatic locomotion exercises are frequently used in rehabilitation and cross-training for land-based athletes. Hydrostatic pressure, thermal conductivity and drag force affect a person\u27s ability to move; therefore, it is important to understand differences of biomechanical gait in water vs land. This review investigated biomechanical differences between shallow water and land-based exercises. PubMed, Google Scholar, SPORTDiscus and Scopus were searched; 33 studies included walking forward (27), backward (6) and running (6). Electromyographic amplitude was similar or less in submaximal intensity during aquatic gait, in comparison to on land. At maximal intensities, however, the amplitude was similar (n=5) or higher (n=4) in water than on land. Kinetic variables (i.e. ground reaction force, lower extremity joint moments) were reduced in water (about 30-35%), while kinematic variables varied between shallow water and land-based exercise. The research highlighted in this review provides a strong foundation for improving rehabilitation and research practices associated with aquatic activities

A Deontic Logic Analysis of Autonomous Systems' Safety

We consider the pressing question of how to model, verify, and ensure that autonomous systems meet certain \textit{obligations} (like the obligation to respect traffic laws), and refrain from impermissible behavior (like recklessly changing lanes). Temporal logics are heavily used in autonomous system design; however, as we illustrate here, temporal (alethic) logics alone are inappropriate for reasoning about obligations of autonomous systems. This paper proposes the use of Dominance Act Utilitarianism (DAU), a deontic logic of agency, to encode and reason about obligations of autonomous systems. We use DAU to analyze Intel's Responsibility-Sensitive Safety (RSS) proposal as a real-world case study. We demonstrate that DAU can express well-posed RSS rules, formally derive undesirable consequences of these rules, illustrate how DAU could help design systems that have specific obligations, and how to model-check DAU obligations.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, In 23rd ACM International Conference on Hybrid Systems: Computation and Contro

ENERGY USE IN CITRUS PRODUCTION OF MAZANDARAN PROVINCE IN IRAN

Energy is a fundamental ingredient in the process of economic development, as it provides essential services that maintain economic activity and the quality of human life. Modern agriculture has become very energy-intensive. The aim of this study was to evaluate energy use in citrus production in the Mazandaran Province in Iran. Data used in this study were obtained from 155 farmers using a face-to-face interview method. The total energy requirement under citrus farming was 17,112.2 MJ ha-1, whereas 36.3 and 33.62% was consumed due to fertilisers and pesticides, respectively. Renewable energy was about 12% of total energy input. The energy ratio, productivities, specific and net energy gain were 1.71, 0.905, 1.104 and 12,251.4 MJ ha-1, respectively. Citrus production needs to improve the efficiency of energy consumption and to employ renewable energy.L\u2019\ue9nergie est un ingr\ue9dient fondamental dans le processus de d\ue9veloppement \ue9conomique, \ue9tant donn\ue9 qu\u2019ellefournit de services essentiels pour le maintien des activit\ue9s \ue9conomiques et la qualit\ue9 de vie humaine. L\u2019agriculture moderne est devenue trop exigente en \ue9nergie. L\u2019objet de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer l\u2019usage de l\u2019\ue9nergie dans laproduction de la pomme dans la Province d\u2019 Mazandaran en Iran. Les donn\ue9es utilis\ue9es dans cette \ue9tude \ue9taientobtenues de 155 fermiers par la m\ue9thode d\u2019interview face \ue0 face. Le total des besoins en \ue9nergie pour la production de la pomme \ue9tait de 17,112.2 MJ ha-1, alors que 36.3 et 33.62% \ue9taient consomm\ue9s par des pesticides, et poisons chimiques, respectivement. L\u2019\ue9nergie renouvelable \ue9tait de 12% du total d\u2019\ue9nergie fournie. Le rapport de l\u2019\ue9nergie fournie \ue0 celle consomm\ue9e, la productivit\ue9, le gain net et sp\ue9cifique en \ue9nergie \ue9taient de 1.71, 0.905 kg MJ-1, 1.104 MJ kg-1 et 12,251.4 MJ ha-1, respectivement. La production de la pomme n\ue9cessite une amelioration efficiente de la consommation \ue9nerg\ue9tique et l\u2019emploi de l\u2019\ue9nergie renouvelable

Comparison of Hypersexual Disorder and Its Dimensions in Patients with Drug Use Disorder and Normal People

Aims: High-risk and unsafe sexual behaviors are prevalent in individuals with drug use disorder, and sexual behaviors also play a key role in addiction treatment and general health of such individuals. Thus, regarding the sensitivity of this issue and the significance of research in the sexual behaviors field, the present study was conducted with the aim of comparing hypersexual disorder and its dimensions in patients with drug use disorder and normal people. Instruments and methods: In the present causal-comparative study, 100 men with drug use disorder, who were selected by purposive sampling and were referred to mid-term residential centers in Tabriz, Iran, were compared with 100 normal men, who were matched based on the demographic information of drug use disorder group in 2016. The data were collected by demographic and drug use style questionnaire and Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI). Using SPSS 22 software, the data were analyzed by independent t-test and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Findings: The mean score of hypersexual disorder was higher in people with drug use disorder than normal people, and 13% of scores were expressed by hypersexual disorder group (p<0.001). Conclusion: People with drug use disorder have higher hypersexual disorder than normal people

Feasibility Study of Smart Schools Program (SSP) in Agricultural Technical High Schools (ATHS) of Kermanshah and Lorestan provinces

The aim of this research is a feasibility study of smart schools program (SSP) in Agricultural Technical High Schools (ATHS) of Kermanshah and Lorestan provinces. For this purpose the current possibilities and conditions of the ATHS have been examined in terms of infrastructural level, users' awareness and the teaching-learning environment. The research typology is a quantitative method through a surveying study. The statistical population was three groups include 1) administrators, 2) the students, and 3) the trainers with a number of 7, 563 and 85, respectively. Of those a number of 7 administrators, 228 students, and 71 trainers were selected as the samples. The data were gathered by research-made questionnaires and the assessment checklists. The questionnaire's questions were confirmed in terms of reliability and validity. The results showed that the level of infrastructure (hardware, software, and financial) as well as the knowledge level of trainers and students to SSP requirements were too low. The results revealed that the teaching-learning conditions to start the SSP at the ATHS were not in a proper status while the attitude of both trainers and students was positive towards the SSP

Study of Changes in Long-term Wheat Production Trend and Factors Affecting it in North Khorasan Province: I- Irrigated Wheat

IntroductionOne of the main challenges of modern agriculture in ensuring food security is development of strategies to deal with potential negative impacts and adapt to climate change. To address this challenge, it is crucial to investigate the effects of climatic factors on agricultural production at a spatiotemporal dimension, develop and utilize crop management decision-support tools, and support targeted agronomic research and policy. These endeavors necessitate the availability of accurate and standardized meteorological data.Studying growth degree days and wheat phenology can significantly enhance our understanding of how wheat growth responds to climate change and aid farmers in adapting to and effectively mitigating its influence.Materials and MethodsTo determine the environmental and management factors affecting the yield of irrigated and rainfed wheat in different regions of North Khorasan province, we investigated the trend of yield changes from 1980 to 2009. Subsequently, we simulated the wheat plant growth stages using the DSSAT model and analyzed the impact of temperature and rainfall changes on yield through panel data analysis. Panel data analysis is a widely used statistical method in social science, epidemiology, and econometrics for analyzing two-dimensional (typically cross-sectional and longitudinal) panel data. This method involves collecting data over time from the same individuals and conducting regression analysis across these two dimensions.Results and DiscussionAccording to the results of this study, 63% of the changes in irrigated wheat yield between the years 1980-2009 can be attributed to environmental factors (temperature and precipitation), while 37% can be attributed to management factors. When comparing environmental parameters, it was observed that the number of temperatures above 30°C (N30TMAX), mean temperature (GSTMEAN), interaction of amount and frequency of precipitation (TPRAT * NPRAT) significantly affect yield (p ≤ 0.05). Bojnord, Shirvan, and Esfarayen regions exhibited significant positive cross-sectional effects in terms of environmental parameters, whereas Farooj, Raz-Jargalan, Maneh Semelghan, and Jajarm regions displayed negative cross-sectional fixed effects.A study examining the critical stages of wheat growth during good years (with high wheat grain yield) and poor years (with low wheat grain yield) revealed that in all weak years, the minimum temperatures fell below the critical level (-11°C). The occurrence of very low temperatures during the early stages of growth and primary leaf production, which is the plant establishment stage, resulted in reduced photosynthesis levels and subsequently severe yield reduction.In all regions and for 100% of the studied years, irrigated wheat in the grain-filling stage experienced temperatures above 30°C, leading to negative cross-sectional effects in Farooj, Raz-Jargalan, Maneh-Semelghan, and Jajarm. The frequency of temperatures above 30°C during the hard dough stage of irrigated wheat was higher than that during the soft dough stage in all regions. Therefore, delaying the planting date from October (the common planting date in the studied areas) would result in conflicts with high temperatures during the soft dough stage and negative temperatures during the primary leaf production stage and plant establishment at the beginning of the growing season, severely reducing yield.ConclusionIn general, the results of this study demonstrated that implementing effective management methods, particularly selecting the appropriate planting date, can lead to better adaptation of wheat's phenological stages to environmental conditions. This, in turn, has the potential to enhance wheat yield

Evaluating the Effect of Combined Water and Salinity Stresses in Estimating the Fodder Maize Biological Yield Through Periodic Evaporation and Transpiration

IntroductionThe rise in water demand and reduction of water quality and soil in irrigating areas, especially in dry and semi-arid areas of the world, have turned into one of the most crucial challenges for water and soil engineering in recent years. This issue leads us toward optimal quantitative and qualitative management of these valuable resources aimed at achieving economic performance and water productivity. The periodic evaporation and transpiration of the plant in the conditions of simultaneous water and salinity stress are known as one of the most important factors in the qualitative and quantitative growth of the plant yield. Applying mathematical models that simulate the relationship between field variables and yield can be seen as a useful tool in water and soil management issues in such a situation, which has the potential to ensure optimal use of the water and soil resources of any country by providing the plant's water needs and preventing its further loss.Materials and MethodsA factorial experiment was performed in 2019 based on completely randomized blocks design with three replications in plots with an area of 9 square meters at the agricultural and animal husbandry farm of Aliabad Fashafuyeh, located in Qom province to examine the simultaneous effect of different levels of water stress and salinity on the periodic evaporation-transpiration and fresh yield of the single cross 704 forage corn cultivar. The applied treatments included the irrigation water salinity at three electrical conductivity levels of 1.8 (S0), 5.2 (S1), and 8.6 (S2) deci Siemens/meter (dS/m), which were prepared by mixing saline well water of the region with fresh (drinking) water and three water stress levels of 100% (W0), 75% (W1), and 50% (W2) of the plant's water requirement. The depth of soil moisture in the corn plant root zone was measured by the TDR device at five depths of 7.5, 12, 20, 40, and 60 cm during different growth stages of the plant using pairs of 7.5, 12, and 20 cm stainless steel electrodes.Results and DiscussionThe simultaneous water and salinity stresses, which led to the reduced amount of periodic evaporation-transpiration of the yield compared to ideal conditions (without stress), were simulated by additive and multiplicative models. The results suggested a decrease in the evaporation and transpiration with the increased simultaneous water and salinity stresses so that the amount of total evaporation-transpiration in different treatments was measured to be between 692.7 and 344.9 mm and the fresh yield was estimated between 50.4 and 3.2 tons per hectare. Also, the highest amount of periodic evaporation and transpiration in all treatments was found to occur in the development and intermediate stages, and the relative fresh yield in the W0S0 to W2S2 treatments was calculated between 66% and 100%. The results of modeling the relative yield of the crop based on the amounts of relative evaporation and transpiration of corn in different growth stages and under the different treatments of water stress and salinity, indicated that Singh's additive model and Rao's multiplicative model were appropriate, while the Minhas model was recognized to be inappropriate in this estimation.ConclusionThe research results suggested the significant impact of water stress and salinity at least at the 95% level on evaporation and transpiration and the corn yield. Moreover, the effect of the sensitivity of different growth stages of the plant on the reduction of evaporation and transpiration of corn varies so that in the three treatment groups W0, W1, and W2, the highest average decrease in slope was related to the final stage (13.6%) followed by the middle stage with an average decrease of 8.4% compared to the control treatment. Therefore, the highest decrease rate in evaporation-transpiration slope has been observed in these two growth stages due to the beginning of flowering, fruit formation, and physiological ripening of seeds. These results come from the lack of sufficient water storage and increased salinity of irrigation water in the soil. Water stresses and salinity will reduce water absorption and evaporation-transpiration, and ultimately, reduce crop production due to the decreased amount and potential of water in the soil. Another finding to be mentioned is the priority of water stress compared to salinity stress in reducing evaporation and transpiration and production yield. Also, by managing water and salinity stresses in the critical stages of plant growth (especially the middle stage), which is the time of flowering and the beginning and completion of the maize production process, a significant reduction in the crop can be somewhat prevented

Frequency of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 in Patients with Rare Bleeding Disorders

Background and Objective: Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a virus that is endemic in some parts of the world, and as a pathogen, it can lead to severe infections in humans. Since no antiviral treatment is currently available and the only way of confrontation is prevention and identification of infected blood, this study was performed to determine the frequency of antibodies against HTLV-1 in patients with rare bleeding disorders receiving blood in Zahedan. Methods: The study population included 180 patients with rare bleeding disorders referred to Ali Asghar Hospital in Zahedan selected by census method and 90 healthy individuals who referred to hospital lab selected by convenience sampling method in 2020. Age range was 1 to 39 years. Blood samples were collected from all participants and antibody test against HTLV-1 was confirmed using ELISA kit and positive ELISA test was confirmed using Real-time PCR. Findings: In the case group, there were 86 men (47.8%) and 94 women (52.2%) and in the control group there were 43 men (47.8%) and 47 women (52.2%). Antibodies against HTLV-1 were found in 2 patients (1.1%) with rare bleeding disorders and none in healthy individuals. The first was a 29-year-old man with Glanzmann's disease who had severe Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. The second case was a 23-year-old woman with severe forms of factor V and factor VIII deficiency whose family history of Rare Bleeding Disorders (RBD) was positive. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the risk of HTLV-1 transmission through plasma-induced blood products and new types of coagulation factors seems negligible