Enhancing engine oil performance using nanoparticles and bio-lubricants as additives

Optimize internal combustion engine lubrication to reduce friction and wear leading to improve fuel consumption and to reduce exhaust emission

Selenate-enriched urea granules are a highly effective fertilizer for selenium biofortification of paddy rice grain

Citation: Premarathna, Lakmalie, Mike J. McLaughlin, Jason K. Kirby, Ganga M. Hettiarachchi, Samuel Stacey, and David J. Chittleborough. “Selenate-Enriched Urea Granules Are a Highly Effective Fertilizer for Selenium Biofortification of Paddy Rice Grain.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 60, no. 23 (June 13, 2012): 6037–44. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf3005788.We examined the effects of applied selenium (Se) species, time of application, method of application and soil water management regime on accumulation of Se in rice plants. Plants were grown to maturity in a temperature- and humidity-controlled growth chamber using three water management methods: field capacity (FC), submerged until harvest, and submerged and drained two weeks before harvest; two Se species: selenate (SeO[subscript 4] ˉ²) and selenite (SeO[subscript 3]ˉ²) applied at a rate equivalent to 30 g haˉ¹; and four application methods: i) Se applied at soil preparation, ii) Se-enriched urea granules applied to floodwater at heading iii) foliar Se applied at heading and iv) fluid fertilizer Se applied to soil or floodwater at heading. Total Se concentrations in rice grains, husks, leaves, culms and roots were measured, as well as Se speciation in grains from the Se-enriched urea granule treatment. Highest Se concentrations in the grain occurred with SeO[subscript 4] ˉ² and with fertilizer applied at heading stage; SeO[subscript 4]ˉ²-enriched urea granules applied at heading increased grain Se concentrations 5 to 6 fold (by 450-600 μg kgˉ¹) compared to the control (no fertilizer Se applied) in all water treatments. Under paddy conditions other Se fertilization strategies were much less effective. Drainage before harvesting caused Se to accumulate in/on rice roots, possibly through adsorption onto iron plaque on roots. Rice grains contained Se mainly in the organic form as selenomethionine (SeM) which comprised over 90 % of the total grain Se in treatments fertilized with SeO[subscript 4]ˉ² -enriched urea granules. The results of this study clearly show of the fertilizer strategies tested that biofortification of Se in rice grains can best be achieved in lowland rice by broadcast application of SeO[subscript 4]ˉ² -enriched urea granules to floodwater at heading stage

Root uptake of lipophilic zinc-rhamnolipid complexes

This study investigated the formation and plant uptake of lipophilic metal-rhamnolipid complexes. Monorhamnosyl and dirhamnosyl rhamnolipids formed lipophilic complexes with copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). Rhamnolipids significantly increased Zn absorption by Brassica napus var. Pinnacle roots in 65Zn-spiked ice-cold solutions, compared with ZnSO4 alone. Therefore, rhamnolipid appeared to facilitate Zn absorption via a nonmetabolically mediated pathway. Synchrotron XRF and XAS showed that Zn was present in roots as Zn-phytate-like compounds when roots were treated with Zn-free solutions, ZnSO4, or Zn-EDTA. With rhamnolipid application, Zn was predominantly found in roots as the Zn-rhamnolipid complex. When applied to a calcareous soil, rhamnolipids increased dry matter production and Zn concentrations in durum (Triticum durum L. cv. Balcali-2000) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. BDME-10) shoots. Rhamnolipids either increased total plant uptake of Zn from the soil or increased Zn translocation by reducing the prevalence of insoluble Zn-phytate-like compounds in roots

A Model Based on Mechanics to Predict Settlements in Bioreactor Landfills

Prediction of waste settlement behavior during the construction phase of a landfill is vital to effective functioning of leachate recirculation systems and gas collection pipe network, yet prediction of waste settlement is complex and difficult to perform. Few models, are currently available which can be used to calculate landfill settlement of the entire waste thickness after closure without accounting for variation in density and other parameters with depth. By starting after closure, these models do not account for settlements during construction. The use of entire depth does not allow for the calculation of strains at different depths. When landfills are operated as bioreactors, waste decomposition and gas production are accelerated making the problem more complicated. Rapid degradation results in a significant impact on waste properties, settlement and stability. Accurate prediction of this rapid change in volume is of importance in estimating airspace, planning construction sequence, designing covers as well as planning for expansions. This paper focuses on the behavior of the density and settlements of waste with time and space and proposes a new mathematical model based on mechanics which is capable of computing settlements during construction of landfills. The impact of leachate recirculation and different waste types on settlement behavior of a landfill is also accounted in the proposed model

Soil Microbial Activity with Depth in Claypan Soils of Southeast Kansas

Enzyme activities in soil indicate the relative activities of microbes, which include bacteria, fungi, algae, and other organisms. Changes in soil management alter the composition and activity of soil microbes. Plants rely on soil microbes to break down soil nutrients, and make those nutrients available for plant growth. Symbiotic relationships between soil microbes and plants enhance plant growth and productivity. Alternatively, antagonistic relationships between the soil microbial community and plants limit plant production. Soil dwellers such as nematodes or disease-causing fungi such as Macrophomina phaseolina (the fungus responsible for charcoal rot) can be particularly deleterious to crop growth and yield. Changes in the soil microbial community impact crop performance through the synergistic or antagonistic relationships between crop plants and soil biological activity. Our research is designed to explore soil microbial activity, assess changes in the potential activities of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes involved in nutrient acquisition in the soil, and determine their potential impact on the productive capacity of soil

Key Components of Healthy Soils and Their Role in Crop Production

Soil health is a confusing term that means different things to different people. To a crop producer, healthy soils are critical for good crop growth and yield. Some soil properties include soil texture, such as the relative percentage of sand, silt and clay; the water content; nutrient levels; organic carbon content; the microbial community; and microbial activity. These properties are determinants of soil health. Our research confirmed that changes in soil management affect the composition and activity of soil microorganisms in surface soils. Greater concentrations of microbial biomass and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) in the no-till agricultural system indicated healthier soils in this system. Our research also indicated microbial properties in subsurface soils were determined by parent materials and weathering

Effect of ximenynic acid on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and COX-1 in HepG2 cells

Ximenynic acid is a conjugated enyne fatty acid, which is currently of interest due to its anti-inflammatory activity. Due to the association between inflammation and cancer, the present study was designed to investigate the anti-cancer activity of ximenynic acid in the HepG2 human hepatoma cell line and the underlying mechanisms. The current study demonstrated the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis activities of ximenynic acid by cell viability assay and flow cytometry analysis. The expression of anti-apoptosis protein silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1) was significantly suppressed by ximenynic acid. Furthermore, ximenynic acid blocked G1/S phase transition by inhibiting the protein expression of the cell cycle-associated protein general control of amino acid synthesis yeast homolog like 2 (GCN5L2), and the mRNA expression of cyclin D3 and cyclin E1. Furthermore, ximenynic acid suppressed the expression of angiogenesis-associated genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-B and VEGF-C. Finally, ximenynic acid significantly inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) mRNA and protein, however COX-2 expression was not reduced. The results of the present study suggested that ximenynic acid may inhibit growth of HepG2 cells by selective inhibition of COX-1 expression, which leads to cell cycle arrest, and alters the apoptosis pathway and expression of angiogenic factors. The current study aimed to investigate whether ximenynic acid might be developed as novel anticancer agent

Ticarcillin hypersusceptibility in pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis

Background: A subpopulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) exists in cysticfibrosis (CF) patients that&nbsp; is&nbsp; hypersusceptible&nbsp; to&nbsp; ticarcillin,&nbsp; a&nbsp; carboxypenicillin,&nbsp; in&nbsp; vitro (Tichs strain)&nbsp; defined&nbsp; as&nbsp; a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤4μg/ml. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, isolates of PsA from CF (23),&nbsp; non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) (17) and control (18) patients were analysed. MICs for each isolate were determined using agar dilution against six antibiotics and interpreted using EUCAST breakpoints. Prevalence of Tichs in&nbsp; each&nbsp; cohort&nbsp; was&nbsp; calculated.&nbsp; A&nbsp; point&nbsp; prevalence&nbsp; survey&nbsp; was&nbsp; conducted&nbsp; in&nbsp; CF&nbsp; to&nbsp; review&nbsp; the&nbsp; patients’ clinical progress following PsA isolation. Results: Prevalence of the Tichs strain in PsA was 48%, 76% and 0% in the CF, NCFB and control cohorts respectively. A statistically significant difference in geometric mean MIC was seen between the Tichs and non-Tichs&nbsp; cohorts in CF for ticarcillin (as expected) and temocillin (p=0.041and p=0.036 respectively). A similar trend was observed in NCFB for ticarcillin (p=0.038) and temocillin (p=0.067), although statistical significance was not reached for the latter.In&nbsp; CF,&nbsp; the&nbsp; Tichs&nbsp; strain&nbsp; demonstrated&nbsp; lower&nbsp; MICs&nbsp; to&nbsp; all antibiotics&nbsp; tested&nbsp; apart&nbsp; from&nbsp; gentamicin compared&nbsp; to&nbsp; their&nbsp; non-Tichs counterparts. Those&nbsp; who&nbsp; had the Tichs strain&nbsp; in&nbsp; CF&nbsp; had&nbsp; fewer&nbsp; antibiotics (13.9&nbsp; days&nbsp; versus&nbsp; 23.5&nbsp; days,&nbsp; Tichs&nbsp; and&nbsp; non-Tichs respectively)&nbsp; although&nbsp; this&nbsp; result&nbsp; was&nbsp; not&nbsp; statistically significant p=0.202. Conclusion: Our&nbsp; data&nbsp; supports&nbsp; the&nbsp; existence&nbsp; of&nbsp; a&nbsp; Tichs strain&nbsp; of&nbsp; PsA&nbsp; in&nbsp; our&nbsp; CF&nbsp; and&nbsp; NCFB&nbsp; patient populations. This strain correlated with reduced MICs to temocillin in CF, to which PsA would normally be resistant, which may be of clinical relevance.</p