Seed Germination, Seedling Growth and Enzyme Activity of Wheat Seed Primed under Drought and Different Temperature Conditions

The study aimed was to determine the effects of drought stress (0, -4, -8, -12 bar) and osmopriming (-15 bar PEG 6000 for 15 at 24 h) on seed germination, seedling growth and enzyme activity at different temperatures were assessed in the laboratory for wheat. Results showed that the highest germination percentage (GP) (94.33%), normal seedling percentage (NSP) (92%), germination index (GI) (44.85) and seedling length (11.03 cm) were attained from osmo-priming in control conditions. Therefore, seed priming with PEG 6000 significantly (p≤ 0.01) increased germination characteristics as compared to the unprimed seeds under drought stress. Also, osmopriming increased catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) as compared to the unprimed

Effect of different priming methods on germination and seedling establishment of two medicinal plants under salt stress conditions

Priming is one of the seed enhancement methods that might be resulted in increasing seed performance (germination and emergence) under stress conditions, such as salinity. Salinity is a major environmental stress which adversely affects germination and seedling establishment in a wide variety of crops. The experiment was arranged as a factorial in completely randomized design (CRD) at Seed Research Laboratory of College of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Iran. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different priming methods on seed germination of two medicinal plants including lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) under salinity stress. Treatments were combinations of two levels of salinity stress (0 and 10 dsm-1) and five levels of priming (control = non-priming), GA3, manitol, NaCl and distilled water) with three replications. Seeds of lemon balm and cumin were primed for 24 h at 25°C. Results revealed that different growth traits (including germination percentage, germination rate, seedling dry weight, plumule and radical length) significantly (p=0.05) decreased with applying salinity. However, priming of seeds with different materials particularly GA3 was useful for alleviating salt stress effects and improving germination and seedling establishment under salt stress. Under salinity condition, primed seeds possessed more germination and emergence than control. The result of this experiment is consistent with the hypothesis that under salinity stress, priming can prepare a suitable metabolic reaction in seeds and can improve seed germination performance and seedling establishment

Effect of salinity on nodulation, glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase activity in nodules of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Bami cultivar of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) was inoculated with salttolerant Sinorhizobium meliloti in solution culture with different salt concentrations (0, 50, 75 and 100 mmoles l-1NaCl) added immediately at the time of inoculation. The results indicated that S. meliloti formed an infective and effective symbiosis with alfalfa under saline and nonsaline conditions. Salinity significantly decreased shoot and root dry weight, nodule weight and mean nodule weight. Roots were more sensitive than shoots, and N2 fixation was more sensitive to salinity than was plant growth. Analyses of ammonium assimilating enzymes in the nodule showed that glutamine synthetase appeared to be more tolerant to salinity than glutamate synthase, and that it limits ammonium assimilation under saline stress

Mini/Micro-Grid Adaptive Voltage and Frequency Stability Enhancement Using Q-learning Mechanism

This paper develops an adaptive control method for controlling frequency and voltage of an islanded mini/micro grid (M/µG) using reinforcement learning method. Reinforcement learning (RL) is one of the branches of the machine learning, which is the main solution method of Markov decision process (MDPs). Among the several solution methods of RL, the Q-learning method is used for solving RL in this paper because it is a model-free strategy and has a simple structure. The proposed control mechanism is consisting of two main parts. The first part is a classical PID controller which is fixed tuned using Salp swarm algorithm (SSA). The second part is a Q-learning based control strategy which is consistent and updates it's characteristics according to the changes in the system continuously. Eventually, the dynamic performance of the proposed control method is evaluated in a real M/µG compared to fuzzy PID and classical PID controllers. The considered M/µG is a part of Denmark distribution system which is consist of three combined heat and power (CHP) and three WTGs. Simulation results indicate that the proposed control strategy has an excellent dynamic response compared to both intelligent and traditional controllers for damping the voltage and frequency oscillations

A Robust Discrete FuzzyP+FuzzyI+FuzzyD Load Frequency Controller for Multi-Source Power System in Restructuring Environment

In this paper a fuzzy logic (FL) based load frequency controller (LFC) called discrete FuzzyP+FuzzyI+FuzzyD (FP+FI+FD) is proposed to ensure the stability of a multi-source power system in restructured environment. The whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is used for optimum designing the proposed control strategy to reduce fuzzy system effort and achieve the best performance of LFC task. Further, to improve the system performance, an interline power flow controller (IPFC) and superconducting magnetic energy system (SMES) is included in the system. Governor dead band, generation rate constraint, and time delay are considered as important physical constraints to get an accurate understanding of LFC task. The performance of the optimized FP+FI+FD controller is evaluated on a two area six-unit hydro-thermal power system under different operating conditions which take place in a deregulated power market and varying system parameters in comparison with the classical fuzzy PID controller. Simulation results shows that WOA based tuned FP+FI+FD based LFC controller are relatively robust and achieve good performance for a wide change in system parameters considering system physical constraints

Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence in a monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy: a very rare condition

Background: Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAP) is a very rare congenital anomaly. We present sonographic findings of TRAP sequence in the case of a multiparous woman with a monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy who was referred to our unit for blood sugar control. Case presentation: The patient had a history of co-twin demise at 13 weeks of gestation without appropriate fetal surveillance afterwards. We found a monochorionic placentation with a normal appearing pump twin, an abnormal appearing co-twin without obvious cardiac activity and reversed arterial flow toward instead of away from the anomalous acardiac fetus. Therefore, the sonographic diagnosis of TRAP sequence was confirmed. Conclusions: We recommend considering the potential rare complications of monochorionic twin pregnancy which necessitates proper surveillance and intervention to monitor suitable growth of pump twin. © 2020, The Author(s)

Uterus dysplasia associated with cervico-vaginal agenesis

Müllerian ducts can form upper parts of normal female reproductive system and any failure in ductal fusion may result in to müllerian duct anomalies (MDA). We present a case of MDA and a uterus dysplasia with no evidence of cervical or upper vaginal tissue. This case showes the role of magnetic resonace imaging (MRI) on MDA diagnosis and urges the need for a unified reliable and practical classification more compatible with clinical practice. © 2017, Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

Uterus dysplasia associated with cervico-vaginal agenesis

Müllerian ducts can form upper parts of normal female reproductive system and any failure in ductal fusion may result in to müllerian duct anomalies (MDA). We present a case of MDA and a uterus dysplasia with no evidence of cervical or upper vaginal tissue. This case showes the role of magnetic resonace imaging (MRI) on MDA diagnosis and urges the need for a unified reliable and practical classification more compatible with clinical practice. © 2017, Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

Antenatal umbilical coiling index in gestational diabetes mellitus and non-gestational diabetes pregnancy

Objective: Umbilical cord abnormalities increase fetal morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to compare antenatal umbilical coiling index (aUCI) in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and non-gestational diabetes mellitus (non-GDM) pregnancy, considering uncertainties about the best time to perform antenatal ultrasonography scan. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 246 parturients were included, 123 with GDM and 123 with non-GDM pregnancy. Gestational diabetes was confirmed at 24�28 weeks of gestation (WG) using one-step strategy. An anatomical ultrasound survey of placenta and umbilical cord was performed at 18�23 as well as 37�41 weeks of gestational age. Results: At 18�23 WG, the frequency distribution (10th, 90th percentiles, mean ± SD) of the aUCI in the GDM and non-GDM groups were (0.13,0.66,0.32 ± 0.19) and (0.18,0.74, 0.4 ± 0.31) respectively. These values were (0.12,0.4, 0.25 ± 0.11) in the GDM group at 37�41 WG and (0.17,0.43, 0.29 ± 0.11) in the non-GDM group. A significant relationship was detected between UCI value and GDM/non-GDM groups at both antenatal evaluations (18�23 WG; P = 0.002, 37�41WG; P 90th) (P = 0.001). However, hypocoiling were significantly more frequent in GDM than non-GDM in both antenatal evaluations (P < 0.001, P = 0.006). Conclusion: Antenatal UCI in pregnancy complicated by GDM were lower in comparison with non-GDM pregnancy. The most abnormal pattern of coiling in gestational diabetes was hypocoiling in both trimesters. In addition, 18�23 WG is the best time to perform ultrasound scan to detect aUCI and umbilical cord pattern. © 201

Oxygen Redox Activity through a Reductive Coupling Mechanism in the P3-Type Nickel-Doped Sodium Manganese Oxide

Increasing dependence on rechargeable batteries for energy storage calls for the improvement of energy density of batteries. Toward this goal, introduction of positive electrode materials with high voltage and/or high capacity is in high demand. The use of oxygen chemistry in lithium and sodium layered oxides has been of interest to achieve high capacity. Nevertheless, a complete understanding of oxygen-based redox processes remains elusive especially in sodium ion batteries. Herein, a novel P3-type $Na_{0.67}Ni_{0.2}Mn_{0.8}O_2$, synthesized at low temperature, exhibits oxygen redox activity in high potentials. Characterization using a range of spectroscopic techniques reveals the anionic redox activity is stabilized by the reduction of Ni, because of the strong Ni 3d–O 2p hybridization states created during charge. This observation suggests that different route of oxygen redox processes occur in P3 structure materials, which can lead to the exploration of oxygen redox chemistry for further development in rechargeable batteries