Cytogenetic effect of some nanostructure polymers prepared via gamma irradiation on Vicia faba plant

Background Nourishment plants during the field time is a must; to have healthy, high productive and self-propagating plants. The trendy nano-fertilizers came to the front in modernized agriculture seeking for minimizing the soil suffocation with other chemical fertilizers in the bulk size. Nano-fertilizers may represent a way out of shot as they are completely absorbed by plant due to their small size, also it magnifies the benefit to the plant due to its high surface area. Nano-fertilizers are introduced via different way of synthesis methods. In this work, three of new nanocomposites are prepared in nano form via Gamma irradiation from Cobalt 60 source at irradiation dose 5 KGy. These composites which can supply plants with P, Zn elements needs to be revised for their safety usage in agriculture. Methodology Three compounds; Zinc oxide, phosphorous and the mixed Zinc–phosphorous elements were prepared in nano-composite forms coated with PVP as a shell and then characterized by HR-TEM, UV and FT-IR to emphasize their new sizes and shapes, then, they were examined for their cytotoxicity in three concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2%) on Vicia faba plants; after 3 h of direct roots treatment. Cytotoxicity test concerned the mitotic index, phase index, abnormal mitosis and the type of the aberrations at each phase. Results The three tested NPs exerted mito-accelerating effect on root meristematic cells. However, concentration‐dependent genotoxicity was also an evident. Conclusion The three examined nano-composites may recommend to be used in the lowest examined concentrations to minimize its harm effect on the plant cell and keep their benefits to the environment. It also recommended to count the Zn/P mix NPs over ZN or P separately as it induces an intermediating cytogenetic effect on mitosis apparatus of Vicia faba plant. Graphical Abstract

Development and Experimental Validation of an Adaptive, Piston-Damage-Based Combustion Control System for SI Engines: Part 2—Implementation of Adaptive Strategies

This work focuses on the implementation of innovative adaptive strategies and a closed-loop chain in a piston-damage-based combustion controller. In the previous paper (Part 1), implemented models and the open loop algorithm are described and validated by reproducing some vehicle maneuvers at the engine test cell. Such controller is further improved by implementing self-learning algorithms based on the analytical formulations of knock and the combustion model, to update the fuel Research Octane Number (RON) and the relationship between the combustion phase and the spark timing in real-time. These strategies are based on the availability of an on-board indicating system for the estimation of both the knock intensity and the combustion phase index. The equations used to develop the adaptive strategies are described in detail. A closed-loop chain is then added, and the complete controller is finally implemented in a Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP) device. The controller is validated with specific tests defined to verify the robustness and the accuracy of the adaptive strategies. Results of the online validation process are presented in the last part of the paper and the accuracy of the complete controller is finally demonstrated. Indeed, error between the cyclic and the target combustion phase index is within the range ±0.5 Crank Angle degrees (°CA), while the error between the measured and the calculated maximum in-cylinder pressure is included in the range ±5 bar, even when fuel RON or spark advance map is changing.

Dispersion Characteristics of Electromagnetic Wave in Magnetized One Dimensional Ferrite Photonic Crystals with Mixed Field Configuration

The dispersion characteristics and phase index of electromagnetic waves in two types of magnetized one dimensional ferrite photonic crystals with mixed field configuration are studied for transverse magnetic mode. The dispersion equation and formula for phase index are derived using transfer matrix method. It is found that in type-1 & type-2 magnetized one dimensional ferrite photonic crystals, photonic band gaps (PBGs) show dependence on HOYIG and HONI respectively. The PBGs corresponding to thinner YIG layer are at higher frequency side at fixed. The variation of frequency-filling factor shows that PBGs occur in the form of lobe for both types. It is observed that the phase index is strongly influenced by external magnetic fields, and filling factor. It is demonstrated that PBGs in phase index occur in the form of lobes at fixed. Also, with decrease in the magnitude of phase index, number of lobe increases. The phase index, field and frequency plots show that there are multiple peaks in the PBGs of phase index in the lower frequency.

CTRP-1 levels are related to insulin resistance in pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus

Recent studies have shown higher levels of CTRP-1 (C1QTNF-related protein) in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to controls. We aimed at investigating CTRP-1 in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). CTRP-1 levels were investigated in 167 women (93 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 74 GDM) of a high-risk population for GDM. GDM was further divided into GDM subtypes depending on a predominant insulin sensitivity issue (GDM-IR) or secretion deficit (GDM-IS). Glucose tolerance was assessed with indices [Matsuda index, Stumvoll first phase index, insulin-secretion-sensitivity-index 2 (ISSI-2), area-under-the-curve (AUC) insulin, AUC glucose] derived from an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) performed at < 21 and 24–28 weeks of gestation. In pregnancy, CTRP-1 levels of GDM (76.86 ± 37.81 ng/ml) and NGT (82.2 ± 35.34 ng/ml; p = 0.104) were similar. However, GDM-IR women (65.18 ± 42.18 ng/ml) had significantly lower CTRP-1 levels compared to GDM-IS (85.10 ± 28.14 ng/ml; p = 0.009) and NGT (p = 0.006). CTRP-1 levels correlated negatively with weight, AUC insulin, Stumvoll first phase index, bioavailable estradiol and positively with HbA1c, Matsuda Index and ISSI-2. A multiple regression analysis revealed bioavailable estradiol (β = − 0.280, p = 0.008) and HbA1c (β = 0.238; p = 0.018) as the main variables associated with CTRP-1 in GDM. Postpartum, waist and hip measurements were predictive of CRTP-1 levels instead. CTRP-1 levels were higher postpartum than during pregnancy (91.92 ± 47.27 vs.82.44 ± 38.99 ng/ml; p = 0.013). CTRP-1 is related to insulin resistance in pregnancy and might be a metabolic biomarker for insulin resistance in GDM. CTRP-1 levels were significantly lower during pregnancy than postpartum, probably due to rising insulin resistance during pregnancy.

Cytogenetic in Vivo Effects of The Aqueous Extract of Raphanus Sativus L. Leaves in Mitosis of the Meristematic Cells of \Onion Roots

The current study included the preparation of the aqueous extract of Raphanus sativus (Brassicaceae), commonly known as radish which is widely available throughout the world and has been used in folk medicine as a natural drug against many toxicants. The study was designed to evaluate the in vivo cytogenetic activity of the crude aqueous extract of R. sativus on mitosis on Allium cepa root tips as a plant test system. Root tips of A. cepa were tested for four hours with four concentrations of the crude aqueous extract (0.00, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg/ml). The study included a number of cytogenetic analyses such as mitotic index, phase index, and chromosomal aberration. The data showed that this extract led to reducing the mitotic index (MI) to less than 50%. Specifically, when treated with 10 and 40 mg/ml the mitotic index reached 23.72 % and 41.89 %, respectively. This reduction is considered to have toxic and sublethal effects. The extract caused an arrest of the cells at metaphase (c-metaphase) with a high percentage of 80.76% at 5 mg/ml, along with chromosomal aberrations including sticky metaphase, polar deviation, and bridges in anaphase.

Quantifying the Changing Nature of the Winter Season Precipitation Phase from 1849 to 2017 in Downtown Toronto (Canada)

One hundred and sixty–nine years of weather station data were analyzed to quantify the changing nature of the winter season precipitation phase in the downtown area of Toronto (Canada). The precipitation variables examined were rainfall, snowfall water equivalent, total precipitation, rain days, snow days, and precipitation days. From these precipitation variables, three precipitation phase metrics were constructed for further analysis: the fraction of total precipitation that fell as snow, the fraction of precipitation days that recorded snow, and finally, the precipitation phase index (PPI) derived from comparing the rainfall to the snowfall water equivalent. Snowfall and snow days were decreasing at the most significant rate over this time period, and although rain days were increasing, total precipitation and precipitation days were also decreasing at a statistically significant rate. All three precipitation phase metrics suggest that winters are becoming less snowy in Toronto’s urban center. We also looked at trends and changes in average winter season temperatures to explore correlations between warming temperatures and changes in the winter season precipitation phase. Of the three precipitation phase metrics considered, the ratio of snow days to precipitation days recorded the strongest time series trend and the strongest correlation with warming temperatures.

EFFECT OF PURPLE LETTUCE AQUEOUS EXTRACT IN CYTOGENETICS ACTIVITY OF LETTUCE ROOT UNDER SALT STRESS

Salinity can affect cell division and cause chromosomal abnormalities such as the formation of micronuclei, chromosome stickiness, c-mitosis and multipolar anaphases. Plants react to salt stress with morphological, biochemical, physiological, cellular and molecular adjustments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different leaf extract concentrations of purple lettuce on the cytogenetic activity of lettuce roots, cv. Regina, from seeds subjected to salt stress. Four extract concentrations of purple lettuce (0, 50, 100 and 150 g lettuce leaves L-1 water)and five concentrations of sodium chloride (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mM) were tested, constituting 20 treatments, with distilled water for a negative control. The analyses were of mitotic index (MI), phase index of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase) and the presence of chromosomal aberrations. Salt reduces the mitotic index and all index phases of the lettuce roots. The purple lettuce extract does not affect the mitotic index, reduces the cell index in prophase and increases the cells in telophase of lettuce roots. The purple lettuce extract and salt cause chromosomal abnormalities in lettuce root cells; however, a smaller number of mutations is found by applying 100 g L-1 extract.