Effects of Individual and Simultaneous Selenium and Iodine Biofortification of Baby-Leaf Lettuce Plants Grown in Two Different Hydroponic Systems

The iodine (I) and selenium (Se) deficiencies affect approximately 30% and 15%, respectively, of the global population. The biofortification of vegetables is a valid way to increase the intake of iodine and selenium through the diet. This study was carried out on baby-leaf lettuce to investigate the effects on plant growth, leaf quality, and leaf I and Se accumulation of adding potassium iodide and sodium selenate, separately and simultaneously, to the nutrient solution in a floating system and aeroponics. The effect of I and Se biofortification on post-harvest quality of lettuce leaves was also evaluated. Our results evidenced that the Se and I treatments increased the content of the two microelements in lettuce leaves without any negative interactions in the plants, when applied either separately or simultaneously. Both hydroponic systems proved to be suitable for producing Se and/or I enriched lettuce. Biofortification with Se was more effective when performed in aeroponics, whereas I biofortification was more effective in the floating system. Quality of leaves during post-harvest storage was not affected by neither of the treatments. Lettuce leaves enriched with 13 µM Se and 5 µMI could be good dietary sources of Se and I without inducing toxic effects in humans.

Generic Upscaling Methodology of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine

This study presents a generic method to upscale a semi-submersible substructure and tower-nacelle-blade for a floating offshore wind turbine from 5 MW to 15 MW and beyond. The effects of upscaling the column radius and/or distance of the floating base are investigated, and a comparison is made with a 15 MW reference design. It is found that scaling column radius increases the mass of the platform and the heave natural period, while scaling column distance raises the center of gravity and metacentric height of the floating system and slightly decreases the heave natural period. The 15 MW reference design addresses these issues through design changes that increase the ballast mass to lower the center of gravity, and increase the added mass to raise the heave natural period. Finally, a method for estimating the scaling of platform parameters with different assumptions is proposed.

MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMISATION AND ITS APPLICATION TO CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT IN FLOATING OFFSHORE SYSTEMS

This paper addresses the need for a rapid, multi-disciplined and rational approach to floating system concept development and selection during the very earliest stages of project definition. It describes the implementation of a modified multi- objective Genetic Algorithm for this purpose. A formulation of the NSGA-II algorithm is combined with additional Target Functions to reduce otherwise large multi-disciplined problems to more tractable solution using tools commonly available in the design office. It also provides a rational basis for the comparison of different design solutions each of which are Pareto Optimal with respect to the technical and economic performance of each underlying concept. A specific example of marginal field development using a novel FPSO concept is presented. Starting with just the oil field location and reserves estimate, the algorithm provides the means to define preliminary hull form and production facility capacities, match performance to payload, and give preliminary indicators of likely investment performance. The method may also be applied more generally in preliminary ship design, particularly where it is possible to model economic performance alongside efficiency, safety and key technical factors in hydrodynamics and structures.

Gastro-retentive drug delivery system: A better approach of drug delivery system

The oral route is the best and most popular route for the administration of drugs in the systemic circulation. There are number of drugs which are given through the oral route. Gastro-retentive drug delivery system is very important system for the drug delivery system. The gastro-retentive drugs prolonged the drug time in the git and also improve their their bioavailability. These are widely used for site specific for the treatment of git disorders and diseases. There are number of approaches for gastro retentive drug delivery system such as floating system, mucoadhesive system, swelling system, high density system etc. In this review we discussed about approaches and various perspectives of gastro retentive drug delivery system.

Effects of NaCl on Hydroponic Cultivation of Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth

Wild edible plant species are often more tolerant to salinity than many crop plants. Considering the salinization of irrigation water that is progressively affecting the Mediterranean region and the market demand for new plant foods, the cultivation of wild edible species could represent a valid alternative to conventional vegetable crops. In this study, Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth, a widespread spontaneous herb of ethnobotanical tradition, was grown for four or six weeks under a greenhouse in a floating system for the production of baby leaves. In order to improve the nutraceutical quality of the tissues, the plants were exposed to the following NaCl concentrations in the nutrient solution: 1.7 (control), 25, 50, and 100 mM. The results showed that a 4-week growing period in a floating system with 50 mM NaCl in the nutrient solution increased the content of bioactive molecules without affecting the fresh yield. After six weeks of cultivation, despite a decrease in biomass production as compared with the control, the leaves of salt-treated plants contained higher levels of bioactive molecules along with lower amounts of nitrate ion.

Effects of Gap Resonance on the Hydrodynamics and Dynamics of a Multi-Module Floating System with Narrow Gaps

Multi-module floating system has attracted much attention in recent years as ocean space utilization becomes more demanding. This type of structural system has potential applications in the design and construction of floating piers, floating airports and Mobile Offshore Bases (MOBs) generally consists of multiple modules with narrow gaps in which hydrodynamic interactions play a non-neglected role. This study considers a numerical model consisting of several rectangular modules to study the hydrodynamics and dynamics of the multi-module floating system subjected to the waves. Based on ANSYS-AQWA, both frequency-domain and time-domain simulations are performed to analyze the complex multi-body hydrodynamic interactions by introducing artificial damping on the gap surfaces. Parametric studies are carried out to investigate the effects of the gap width, shielding effects of the multi-body system, artificial damping ratio on the gap surface, and the dependency of the hydrodynamic interaction effect on wave headings is clarified. Based on the results, it is found that the numerical analysis based on the potential flow theory with artificial damping introduced can produce accurate results for the normal wave period range. In addition, the effects of artificial damping on the dynamics and connector loads are investigated by using a simplified RMFC model. For the case of adding an artificial damping ratio of 0.2, the relative heave and pitch motions are found to be reduced by 33% and 50%, respectively. In addition, the maximum cable and fender forces are found to be reduced by 50%, compared with the case without viscosity correction.

The combination of irradiation biofertilizer of rhizosphere microbes consortium inoculant (IMR) and inorganic fertilizer on the growth of kale in a floating raft hydroponic system

A hydroponic floating system is a working system where a plant is placed in a floating net pot on the surface of water. In hydroponic systems, the content of inorganic fertilizers contained in the media is the main source of nutrients for plants. The use of biological fertilizers is expected to reduce the dose of inorganic fertilizers applied to hydroponic systems. The main objective of this study was to obtain a combination of inorganic fertilizers with Inoculant of Rhizosphere Microbial Consortium (IMR) and biofertilizer which has the most influence on the N content, growth and production of kale plant. There are five different treatments on hydroponic floating system viz 100% inorganic fertilizer (control), 100% inorganic fertilizer + IMR (Pa), 75% inorganic fertilizer + IMR (Pb), 50% inorganic fertilizer + IMR (Pc), and 25% + IMR (Pd), where 100% inorganic fertilizer is equivalent to 10 mL / L and the amount of IMR given to each treatment was 10 ml/L. The method used in this research was descriptive comparative method, using primary data which is then analysed quantitatively such as using graphs, and T-test. The results of the research showed that giving a combination of 100% biological fertilizer and 50% inorganic fertilizer, can reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers by 50%, and gave the best and significant influence on plant height 34.41 cm, leaves as much as 30 strands, root length 24.27 cm, and the harvest weight 80.97 grams. The combination of 100% biological fertilizer and 50% inorganic fertilizer does not give a combination of N content of the kale plant.

Implementation of a floating system as a form of environmental adaptation in Kuala Bubon Village, West Aceh

One of the important factors in supporting the sustainability of an architectural design is the ability to adapt to the environment. This adaptation can be observed, among others, from the accommodative level obtained from a building design to the needs of the community that uses the design. One form of design that is considered to accommodate the needs of the user community is the design of a floating system used by fishing communities. This paper wants to explore the adaptability of the floating system design which is judged by its ability to accommodate the dynamics of the wet environment and the needs of the fishing community. The research method is descriptive and logically explains the causal relationship between the design of the floating system building and the environmental and socio-cultural aspects of the community. Observations show 2 things: a) the legged building system (pit foundation and 2 meter stilt building) is highly adaptive to wetland conditions with tidal characteristics of water at the mouth of the river; b) architectural design of residential units which are about 4 meters apart, allowing the development of residential units into 4 sides, to accommodate the increase in daily activities of fishing communities so that community productivity increases. The conclusion of the study shows that the floating system is very flexible and adaptive to the dynamics of the environment and people’s lives (socio-cultural and economic aspects).