Germination and seedling characteristics of drought-stressed corn seed as influenced by seed priming with potassium nano-chelate and sulfate fertilizers

Effect of seed-priming with potassium (K) sources (K-nano-chelate, KNC, and sulfate (0, 2 and 4 %)) under drought stress (DS) conditions (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9, -1.2 and -1.5 MPa water potential) on the corn seedling traits was studied. Drought stress decreased the germination indices and seedling vigor. The highest germination, seminal root fresh and dry mass (RFM and RDM) was obtained in KNC primed seeds at -0.3 MPa DS. Mean germination time increased under DS conditions mainly in non-primed seeds. Increasing DS to -1.2 MPa led to decrease in RFM and RDM. Influence of DS on the fresh mass of shoots was more severe than on seminal roots. The highest shoots and seminal roots length was observed in 4 % KNC without any DS. Proper priming can be suggested to increase the plant tolerance under DS

Training needs assessment of empowerment of faculty members in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences based on regulations of empowerment and increasing the knowledge of faculty members plan

Background: Several needs assessments have shown the need for faculty members, at different stages of starting and continuing their academic career, to be empowered in their own discipline as well as in other interdisciplinary capabilities which are the continuation of education, research and management in various fields of medical sciences to which they have not enough time and opportunity in their academic learning period. Objective: The purpose of this study was determine the educational needs of faculty members of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in line with the implementation of regulations of empowerment and increasing the knowledge of faculty members in of universities and research institutes of Iran in 2012 in which the focus is on training and religious courses. Methods: In this descriptive - cross sectional survey, we prepared some questionnaires using indicators derived from the literature and similar foreign and domestic studies and guidelines and regulations set for implementation of empowerment and increasing the knowledge of faculty members in 2012. The sample questionnaires determined for our sample faculty members (140 students) selected by cluster–random samplings were sent to all the universities. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistical measures of mean and standard deviation were used in order to describe the date. Findings: Different areas of educational needs in the course of training course were respectively as follow: scope of research in variables of familiarity with methods of preparing and publishing articles in ISI journals, writing scientific texts, personal development scope variables in the manner of doing internal and external scientific correspondence, English grammar and conversation, scope of information technology and searching resources and familiarity with SPSS variables, medical education communication and consultation with students and teaching methods and techniques in execution and management especially time management variable and evaluation in terms of familiarity with modern methods of student assessment. In religious courses, workshops for ethics in education and scientific and professional ethics are necessary for faulty members. Faculty members of the university tend to participate in personal development and information technology areas as well as some medical training workshops in person, but prefer to participate in assessment and cultural areas as well as some workshops in executive and management in distance courses. Conclusions: Faculty members of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences have educational needs for research, personal development and information technology areas, so it is suggested that these items should be a priority for faculty members’ empowerment workshops. Administrative and management, assessment and cultural areas have not been pretty remarkable, so it is suggested that the scores of all these seven areas offered and homogenized so that the importance of one area does not affect the other areas. It is highly recommended that virtual educational infrastructure and facilities be provided at the university so that faculty members can easily enjoy the benefits of distance training. Key words: Needs assessment, empowerment, faculty members, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, training prioritie