Irrigation with municipal wastewater as a suitable solution for safflower cultivation in arid regions

In order to study the effect of different manure and chemical fertilizer levels on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of safflower in the condition of irrigation with municipal wastewater, an experiment was conducted as split plot basis of randomized complete design in Lakhshah region locate in Zahedan city, Iran. The treatments were comprised of two levels of irrigation, W1= Well water and W2= Treated wastewater, in main plots and sub plots consisted of F1: control (without consumption of manure and chemical fertilizer), F2: Recommended manure, F3: Half of recommended manure and chemical fertilizer (N, P and K), and F4: Recommended chemical fertilizer (N, P and K). The results showed that Treatment of treated wastewater had a positive and significant influence on all yield components, and the most influence was shown on 1000 seed weight. Also, irrigation with wastewater significantly increases the dry and fresh yield and grain yield of safflower than ordinary water. Among the fertilizer treatments, complete treatment of chemical fertilizer N, P and K had the greatest effect on increase of yield and grain yield components. In this experiment, water treatment hadn’t significant effect on accumulation of Cr, pb, Fe and Mn in safflower grain, and soil. While, fertilizer treatment had only a significant influence on the accumulation of Fe and Mn in safflower grain, but between these treatments wasn’t saw any significant difference on the accumulation of Cr and pb. In general, the results of this experiment showed that irrigation with wastewater and application of complete fertilizer with manure is recommended

Pentylenetetrazol and Morphine Interaction in a State-dependent Memory Model: Role of CREB Signaling

Introduction: State-dependent (STD) memory is a process, in which the learned information can be optimally retrieved only when the subject is in the state similar to the encoding phase. This phenomenon has been widely studied with morphine. Several studies have reported that Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) impairs memory in experimental animal models. Due to certain mechanistic interactions between morphine and PTZ, it is hypothesized that PTZ may interfere with the morphine-STD. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate Response Element-Binding (CREB) is considered as the main downstream marker for long-term memory. This study was designed to determine the possible interaction between PTZ and morphine STD and the presumable changes in CREB mRNA. Methods: In an Inhibitory Avoidance (IA) model, posttraining morphine (2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg/kg-i.p.) was used. The pre-test morphine was evaluated for morphine-induced STD memory. Moreover, the effect of a pre-test PTZ (60 mg/kg-i.p.) was studied along with morphine STD. Locomotion testing was carried out using open-field. Eventually, using real-time-PCR, the CREB mRNA changes in the hippocampus were evaluated. Results: Posttraining MOR (7.5 mg/kg-i.p.) impaired IA memory (P<0.001). The pre-test injection of similar doses of morphine recovered the morphine-induced memory impairment (P<0.001). The pre-test PTZ impaired the IA memory recall (P<0.001); however, the pre-test PTZ along with morphine STD potentiated the morphine-induced STD (P<0.001). Alterations in CREB mRNA were observed in all groups. No difference was seen in the locomotor activity. Conclusion: Presumably, the certain interactive effect of PTZ on morphine-induced STD is mediated through gamma-aminobutyric acid and opioid systems via CREB signaling

Predicting Yield and Water Use Efficiency in Saffron Using Models of Artificial Neural Network Based on Climate Factors and Water

The predicted models for crops yield are developing rapidly by the creation of new statistical techniques and neural networks. For this purpose, a research was carried out in the Torbat-e-Heydarieh region for predicting yield and water use efficiency of saffron by using an artificial neural network model. The model was calibrated and validated by using crop yield and climate parameters data during 2009-2010. The models were evaluated by using indices of correlation coefficient (R2), root mean squares error normalized (RMSEn), and mean squares error (MSE). The results showed that the suggested neural network (model No. 9) with having 2 hidden layers, 8 neurons, and R2= 0.97 (for saffron yield); and 1 hidden layer, 7 neurons, and R2= 0.90 (for water use efficiency) had a high accommodation with these two factors. Also, according to the indices RMSEn and MSE, model No. 9 simulated the yield and WUE of saffron with a high accuracy, such that RMSEn and MSE for yield in this model obtained were 2.78% and 0.0041, respectively; and for WUE they were calculated to be 5.41% and 0.0073, respectively. Also, the results of sensitivity analysis indicated that irrigation is the most important parameter for predicting yield and WUE, and after that is precipitation and solar radiation. Generally, use of the suggested neural network in this research can improve saffron cultivation in the Torbat-e-Heydarieh region

Effect of Pentylenetetrazol on Morphine State-Dependent Memory in Rat

Abstract Background: Learning and memory are among the higher functions of the brain. State-dependent memory (STM) is a type of memory in which the recall of a learned behavior is happend only in the same sensory and physiologic condition in which the behavior is encoded. The STM is seen with some drugs, e.g. the morphine. The pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) is a durg which is used for the induction of seizure in experimental models. Some studies have been revealed different effects of the PTZ on brain higher function (learning, memory …). The aim of present study was to explore the effect of PTZ on morphine-induced STM. Materials and Methods: In this study, male adult Wistar rats (190-220 g) were used. Animals in 3 groups (n=8) during 3 sessions (learning/memory, STM and interaction) were studied. During 48 hour (training and test) the learning and memory of animals were studied in inhibitory avoidance apparatus. The step-through latency in the test day was used as a criterion for memory. Post-training injection of saline or morphine (2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg-ip) in different groups was carried out. In addition, the pre-test injection of morphine at the same doses was made to study the STM. Moreover, the interaction of pre-test single-dose PTZ (60 mg/kg-ip) on STM was studied. The locomotion of the animals was measured using the open field. Results: The post-training injection of morphine (2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg-ip) impaired the inhibitory memory of rats compared to control group (p<0.001). The post-training and pre-test injections of the same dose of morphine (7.5 mg/kg-ip) reversed the impaired memory compared to morphine (2.5 and 5 mg/kg-ip), (p<0.001). The pre-test PTZ (60 mg/kg-ip) maintained the morphine (7.5 mg/kg-ip) STM (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study revealed that the post-training ip injection of different doses of morphine results in the impairment of inhibitory avoidance memory in rat. In addition, the pre-test injection of the same doses of morphine reverses the impaired memory. This process is called STM. Consequently, the pre-test injection of PTZ maintains the morphine STM

Effect of Using Different Levels Manure on Quality and Quantity of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) under Salt Stress Condition

To study the effects of using different levels manure under salt stress conditions on the quantity and quality of rosemary a field experiment is conducted in split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Zahedan during fall season of 2013-2014. The experimental treatments consisted of salinity with two levels (irrigating the field with drinking water of Zahedan [EC = 1.1 ds/m (S1)] and irrigating the field with salty water of Zahedan [EC = 4.4 ds/m (S2)] considered as the main factor and using manure with four levels (M1- without manure, M2- 15 t.ha-1, M3 - 30 t.ha-1 and M4 - 45 t.ha-1) as sub factor. Traits evaluated were plant height, leaf dry weight, leaf to stem ratio, shoot dry weight, percentage and yield of essence. Experimental results showed the salt stress did not affect significantly plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, biomass and essence of rosemary as comparied with drinking water (non-salinity), but a decreasing effect of saline water was observed. Using 45 t.ha-1 of manure, in comparison with other manure treatments, did have beneficial effect on most of the traits under study. However, no significant difference was observed between this treatment and with that of 30 t/ha. The simple correlation showed there is a positive and significant relationship between plant biomass and all other traits. The results also showed that there was positive and significant relationship between essence percentage and essence yield

Estimation of greenhouse unit’s efficiency for planning sustainable culture pattern (The case study: Zabol city, Iran)

Iran due to specific climatic conditions and water restriction is a country that requires substantial revision in the structure of culture and development; in this regard greenhouse cultivation can be presented as a suitable way. In this study the technical efficiency units of cucumber greenhouse in Zabol and the following sections were calculated using data envelopment analysis and application of linear programming models. Data needed to complete the study questionnaire 42 cucumbers greenhouse units were collected in the city of Zabol. Results showed that the average efficiency of Zabol city was equal to 71 percent. Technical efficiency was estimates equal to one for 38 percent of the greenhouses, too. Greenhouse technical efficiency in subsectors of Zabol (Shibab, central, Miankangi and Postab) was 88, 81, 64, 50 percent, respectively

Effect of Salinity on Osmotic Adjustment, Yield and Essence of Local Landraces Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.)

Ajowan is one of the most important medicinal plants in Zahedan region. Salinity and drought are the main causes of yield reduction of plants in Sistan and Balochestan. To evaluate the effect of salinity on yield and quality of ajowan a factorial experiment with randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the greenhouse of the Payam Noor University of Agriculture in Zahedan in 2016. Treatments were two populations of ajowan: C1: local and C2: Pakistani which were considered as the first factor and five salinity levels 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 d/ms as the second. The results of this experiment showed that highest root length, stem height, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight and yield of essence belonged to local population under saline condition. Increasing salinity levels beyond 4 ds/ms decreased quantitative traits significantly but increased essential oil content and concentrations of osmotic regulants (prolin and carbohydrate) as compared to that of control. This may indicate that ajowan is tolerant to salinity

Effects of Ethanol Preconditioning on Pentylenetetrazole-induced Memory Impairment and Expression of NMDA Receptor NR1 Subunit mRNA in Rat

Abstract Background: Neuronal damage following seizures and epilepsy is one of the main causes of disabilities and mortality worldwide. In recent years, preconditioning has been introduced as a novel strategy for the prevention of brain damage. Preconditioning is a phenomenon in which a minor noxious stimulus protects from a subsequent more severe insult. The aim of present study was to examine the effect of ethanol (Eth) preconditioning on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced impairment memory in the inhibitory avoidance model. Material and Methods: This study was carried out on 45 adult male Wistar rats (180-200 g). Animals were assigned into five groups: Control, Eth 0.25, Eth 0.5, PTZ and Eth (0.5) +PTZ (n=9, for all groups). Eth-preconditioning was induced 6 days before the injection of PTZ. The animals were tested in a single trial step-through inhibitory test in two sessions (train and test). Then locomotor activity of rats was recorded in the open-field apparatus and NR1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus was measured by real-time PCR technique. Results: One-way ANOVA revealed that the Ethanol preconditioning did not impair inhibitory memory. Further, post-test analyses showed that Ethanol preconditioning significantly prevented from PTZ-induced memory impairment, and increased NR1 subunit mRNA expression in PTZ-induced memory impairment group. In addition, one-way ANOVA for the locomotor activity showed no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Our results showed that a pre-conditioning treatment with Ethanol (0.5g/kg/day), 6 days before PTZ-induced memory impairment may provide a kind of neuroprotection in rats

The Effect Organic Fertilizer on Quantitative and Qualitative Characters of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) in Sistan Region

To evaluation the effect of manure, compost and vormicompost on yield and yield components of basil (Ocimum basilicum), a pot experiment was carried out as completely randomized design with three replications in Zabol, Sistan, in 2013. Bio fertilizer treatments consisted of seven levels: F1= control (no fertilizer), F2= 20% vormicompost, F3= 40% vormicompost, F4= 20% compost, F5= 40% compost, F6= 20% manure and F7= 40% manure. Traits measured were plant high, number of branches, number of seeds per plant, dry weight, essence content and yield. The results showed that the use of bio fertilizer significantly improved the quantity and quality basil characters. Treatments had a significant effect on most of the measured traits and increased all of the traits as compared to thos of control. Thus, with the exceotion of 1000 grain weight, highest amounts were obtained for plant height, number of branches, number of seeds per plant, dry weight, essence content and essence yield by using 40% vormicompost and lowest to those of control treatment. Our results also showed that increasing vermicompost, compost and manure from 20% to 40% increased plant height, number of branches, number of seeds per plant, dry matter and essence percent. Generally, the use of organic fertilizers, as compared with not using them, produced optimum quality and quantity of basil. As a whole, it can be said that using bio fertilizers may help to achieve sustainable agriculture goals

IMECE2010-38693 Multi-objective crashworthiness optimization of Composite Hat-shape Energy Absorber using GMDH-type Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms

Abstract Reducing the weight of car body and increasing the crashworthiness capability of car body are two important objectives of car design. In this paper, a multi-objective optimization for optimal composite hat-shape energy absorption system is presented At the first, the behaviors of the hat shape under impact, as simplified model of side member of a vehicle body, are studied by the finite element method using commercial software ABAQUS. Two meta-models based on the evolved group method of data handling (GMDH) type neural networks are then achieved for modeling of both the absorbed energy (E) and the Tsai-Hill Failure Criterion (TS) with respect to geometrical design variables using those training and testing data obtained models. The obtained polynomial neural metamodels are finally used in a multi-objective optimum design procedure using NSGA-II with a new diversity preserving mechanism for Pareto based optimization of hat-shape. Two conflicting objectives such as maximizing the energy absorption capability (E), minimizing the Tsai-Hill Failure Criterion are considered in this work