Effect of Light, Temperature, Salinity, and Halopriming on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Hibiscus sabdariffa under Salinity Stress

Salt stress is a serious and current global problem for crops. Due to climate change, the soil today has higher salinity levels than in past decades. Identifying temperature, light, and salinity that allow plants to germinate and grow is an ambitious challenge for the future. Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) is a plant that undergoes abiotic stress during all stages of growth. The aim of this work was to identify the best conditions in terms of light, temperature, and salinity during the germination and growth phases of H. sabdariffa. To improve the germination of H. sabdariffa seed, the effects of abiotic stress were investigated in three experiments. In the first experiment, the factors included light at two levels (light and dark cycles) and temperature at eight levels (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C). In the second experiment, the effect of salinity was examined at seven levels (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 mM NaCl). In the third experiment, the factors consisted of seed halopriming at two levels (0 and 180 mM NaCl for 24 h) and salinity at seven levels (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 mM NaCl). The highest germination rate (GR), seedling dry weight, and uniformity of germination were obtained at 30 °C in dark conditions, as reported by one-way Anova analysis. Germination was restricted by temperatures lower and higher than 5 and 30 °C, respectively. By increasing the salinity, all the germination characteristics were decreased, but these effects were less pronounced by halopriming. The most suitable planting date was in the spring, when the temperature was in the range of 25–35 °C. During the germination stage, Hibiscus tea is sensitive to low salinity soils. Halopriming can be performed for enhancing GR and emergence percentage

Assessment of Meteorological Drought Hazard Area using GIS in Ghareh Aghaj basin, Iran

In this paper area under hazard of Meteorological Drought was evaluated using GIS technique. In Ghareh Aghaj watershed, meteorological drought has the most profound effect on the way of living and regionaleconomy. Hence knowledge of the meteorological drought hazard area of their occurrence and their course is an essential aspect for planning. The purpose of this study was to make a model of the meteorological drought hazard area using GIS. A set of meteorological drought indices were studied and reviewed to define areas under hazard. Meteorological drought indicators used in the present model include: Annual rainfall, climate change, Coefficient variation (CV) of annual rainfall, climate, ratio of the number of arid years with SP

Parametric architecture in it’s second phase of evolution

This paper seeks to illustrate the evolution history of Parametric Architecture and describe the reasons why parametric architecture, in its second phase of evolution, called “Parametricism 2.0”, is showing promising abilities in solving more and more intricate socio-environmental problems. In this sense, paper discusses that mentioned school of architecture can be used in several fields other than mere form finding and geometrical coding. Current article studies the history of parametric architecture by finding the root of its name, reviewing its early designs and discussing the work of two of its precursors; then moves on to examine the current situation of the style and defines the word: Parametricism. Paper continues to study the vistas ahead by presenting techniques that empower Parametricism and concludes its discussion by presenting a redefinition for Parametricism. Overall, the paper depicts how “Parametricism 2.0” intends to go back to solving socio-environmental problems; Problems that all the existing evolutionary and generative techniques were initially designed in order to answer them

Leak detection using cepstrum of cross-correlation of transient pressure wave signals

A new leak detection method is proposed here which is based on the cepstrum of the cross-correlation of the pressure signals from two transducers. Computational simulations of leaks with different properties, size, position and shape, in a straight pipe and a T-Junction network were studied. The proposed method was successful in estimating leakages and the pipeline features with a high precision. For the results with a straight pipe, this method is considerably more accurate than using the cross-correlation leak detection method or the cepstrum method alone. However, the results obtained by cepstrum and cepstrum of cross-correlation for the T-Junction case were quite accurate, while cepstrum alone showed a slightly better precision

Fuzzy genetic-based noise removal filter for digital panoramic X-ray images

This paper proposed a novel fuzzy genetic-based noise removal filter and surveyed the gain of popular filters for noise removal in the digital orthopantomography (OPG) images. The proposed filter is a non-invasive technique for attaining sub-clinical information from the areas of interest in each tooth, both jaws and maxillofacial. The proposed Poisson removal filter combines 4th-order partial differential equations (PDE), total variation (TV) and Bayes shrink threshold accompanied by fuzzy genetic algorithm (FGA) and the exact unbiased inverse of generalized Anscombe transformation (EUIGAT). Experiments were performed in order to show the effect of noise removal filters on 110 simulated, 106 phantom and 104 panoramic radiographic images for subjects (aged 30�60 years old, 50 males and 54 females). Various noises degraded filters and Canny edge detection was performed separately in three kinds of images. The program measured mean square error (MSE), peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), image quality index (IQI), structural similarity index metric (SSIM) and figure of merit (FOM). The results verify that the proposed filter enhances physicians� and dentists� skill of diagnosing normal and pathological events in the teeth, jaws, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) regions and changeable anatomical panoramic landmarks related to osteoporosis progress in the mandible bone using noise removal and improving images quality. Experimental results show the superiority of this filter over other noise removal filters. © 2018 The Author

Comparison of quadruple and triple Furazolidone containing regimens on eradication of helicobacter pylori

Background: The effectiveness of classic standard triple therapy regimen of helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication has decreased to unacceptably low levels, largely related to development of resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin. Thus successful eradication of H. pylori infections remains challenging. Therefore alternative treatments with superior effectiveness and safety should be designed and appropriately tested in all areas depending on the native resistance patterns. Furazolidone has been used successfully in eradication regimens previously and regimens containing furazolidone may be an ideal regimen. Methods: H. pylori infected patients with proven gastric or duodenal ulcers and /or gastric or duodenal erosions at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari/Northern Iran, were randomly allocated into three groups: group A (OABF) with furazolidone (F) (200 mg bid.), group B (OABM-F) metronidazole (M) (500 mg bid.) for the first five days, followed by furazolidone (F) (200 mg bid.) for the second five days and group C (OAF) with furazolidone (F) (200 mg tid.). Omeprazole (O) (20 mg bid.) and amoxicillin (A) (1000 mg bid.) were given in all groups; bismuth (B) (240 mg bid.) was prescribed in groups A&B. Duration of all eradication regimens were ten days. Eight weeks after treatment, a 14C-urea breath test was performed for evaluation of H. pylori eradication. Results: A total of 372 patients were enrolled in three groups randomly (124 patients in each group); 120 (97) patients in group A (OABF), 120 (97) in group B (OABM-F) and 116 (93) in group C (OAF) completed the study. The intention-to-treat eradication rates were 83.7 (95 CI= 77.3-90.4), 79.8 (95 CI= 72.6-87), and 84.6 (95 CI= 78.2-91.1) and per-protocol eradication rates were 86.6 (95 CI= 80.5-92.8), 82.5 (95 CI= 75.6-89.4), and 90.5 (95 CI= 85.1-95.9) for groups OABF, OABM-F, and OAF, respectively. No statistical significant differences were found in case of severe drug adverse effects between the above mentioned three groups (p> 0.05). The most common side effects, namely nausea and fever, occurred in all groups, but more frequently in group C (OAF) (p< 0.05). Conclusion: In developing countries such as Iran, furazolidone-based regimens can substitute clarithromycinbased regimens for H. pylori eradication because of a very low level of resistance, low cost and high effectiveness. Considering per-protocol eradication rate of ten days OAF regimen, and the acceptable limit of ninety percent, we recommend this regimen in developing countries such as Iran to be substituted of classic standard triple therapy. In order to minimize rare serious adverse effects, one week high dose OAF regimen should be taken into consideration in other studies

Association of interleukin 1 gene cluster and interleukin 1 receptor gene polymorphisms with ischemic heart failure

BACKGROUND: Proinfl ammatory cytokines have been known to play a considerable part in the pathomechanisms of chronic heart failure (CHF). Given the importance of proinfl ammatory cytokines in the context of the failing heart, we assessed whether the polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-1 gene cluster, including IL-1a, IL-1β, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and IL-1R gene are predictors of CHF due to ischemic heart disease. METHODS: Forty- three patients with ischemic heart failure were recruited in this study as patients group and compared with 140 healthy unrelated control subjects. Using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specifi c primers method, the allele and genotype frequency of 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL- 1a (-889), IL-1β (-511, +3962), IL-1R (psti 1970), and IL-1RA (mspa1 11100) genes were determined.RESULTS: The frequency of the IL-1β -511/C allele was signifi cantly higher in the patient group compared to that in the control group (p = 0.031). The IL-1β (-511) C/C genotype was signifi cantly overrepresented in patients compared to controls (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Particular allele and genotype in IL-1β gene were overrepresented in patients with ischemic heart failure, possibly affecting the individual susceptibility to this disease (Tab. 1, Ref. 27). Text in PDF www.elis.sk

3D-printed microfluidic droplet generation systems for drug delivery applications

Drug delivery systems are advanced methods that aim to deliver a targeted drug to a specific location or release it at a controlled rate. Many methods have been proposed for drug delivery systems, among which microfluidic systems present unique advantages. In contrast to bulk methods, in this work, by considering the unique capacity of microfluidic-based drug delivery systems, including controllability of fabricated chip geometry and flow rate of multiphase fluid, highly stable particles with higher encapsulation efficiency can be generated. Employing additive manufacturing in biomedical applications has enabled researchers to propose novel and accurate microfluidic systems. In this paper, by employing stereolithography (SLA) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing, a microfluidic-based drug delivery system for generating polycaprolactone (PCL) droplets loaded with dexamethasone drug is fabricated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and microscopic images show the effectiveness of this method in generating such droplets

Determining the internal wall condition of a water pipeline in the field using an inverse transient

The application of inverse transient analysis (ITA) to estimate the location and magnitude of lost lining and internal corrosion of metal pipelines is demonstrated for a field pipeline. The method uses a transient model and inverse search algorithm to analyze patterns of measured pressure reflections obtained after a transient pressure wave is induced in a pipeline. The method is applied in the field on a 6 km long section of a 750 mm nominal diameter steel pipeline with internal cement mortar lining. The equipment used for generating hydraulic transients and measuring pressure responses in the pipeline is described. Results of the field tests are analyzed to estimate the location and extent of internal wall damage along the pipeline. Extensive ultrasonic thickness survey results are used to corroborate the approximate location and magnitude of predicted pipeline wall damage.M. L. Stephens, M. F. Lambert, and A. R. Simpso

ISMRM Open Science Initiative for Perfusion Imaging (OSIPI): ASL pipeline inventory

Purpose: To create an inventory of image processing pipelines of arterial spin labeling (ASL) and list their main features, and to evaluate the capability, flexibility, and ease of use of publicly available pipelines to guide novice ASL users in selecting their optimal pipeline. Methods: Developers self-assessed their pipelines using a questionnaire developed by the Task Force 1.1 of the ISMRM Open Science Initiative for Perfusion Imaging. Additionally, each publicly available pipeline was evaluated by two independent testers with basic ASL experience using a scoring system created for this purpose. Results: The developers of 21 pipelines filled the questionnaire. Most pipelines are free for noncommercial use (n = 18) and work with the standard NIfTI (Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative) data format (n = 15). All pipelines can process standard 3D single postlabeling delay pseudo-continuous ASL images and primarily differ in their support of advanced sequences and features. The publicly available pipelines (n = 9) were included in the independent testing, all of them being free for noncommercial use. The pipelines, in general, provided a trade-off between ease of use and flexibility for configuring advanced processing options. Conclusion: Although most ASL pipelines can process the common ASL data types, only some (namely, ASLPrep, ASLtbx, BASIL/Quantiphyse, ExploreASL, and MRICloud) are well-documented, publicly available, support multiple ASL types, have a user-friendly interface, and can provide a useful starting point for ASL processing. The choice of an optimal pipeline should be driven by specific data to be processed and user experience, and can be guided by the information provided in this ASL inventory