Thermophysical characteristics of the formed layer of foam coke when protecting fabric from fire by a formulation based on modified phosphorus-ammonium compounds

This paper reports the analysis of flame retardants for fabrics that has established that the meagerness of the data that explain and describe the process of fire protection, as well as the neglect of elastic coatings, leads to the combustion of structures made from fabrics under the influence of flame. The development of reliable methods to study the fire protection conditions for fabrics leads to the design of new types of fireproof materials. Therefore, it becomes necessary to define the conditions for the formation of a barrier for burning and flame propagation by a piece of fabric and for establishing a mechanism that would inhibit a temperature transfer to the material. To address this issue, an estimation-experimental method has been devised for determining thermal conductivity when using a fire protection agent as a coating, which makes it possible to assess the thermal conductivity coefficient under the effect of high temperature. Based on the experimental data and theoretical dependences, the coefficient of thermal conductivity for the fire-resistant layer of foam coke was calculated, 0.034 W/(m∙K), which, accordingly, ensures the heat resistance of the fabric. The study results have proven that the process of the thermal insulation of fabric involves the formation of soot-like products at the surface of the sample. The inhibition of the process of heat transfer to the material treated with a composition based on modified phosphorus-ammonium compounds is characterized by the formation of a heat-protective layer of coke at the surface of the fabric. The maximum possible penetration of temperature through the thickness of the coating has been estimated. At the surface of the sample, a temperature was generated that significantly exceeds the ignition temperature of the fabric, and, at the non-heated surface, does not exceed 150 °C. Thus, there is reason to assert the possibility of targeted adjustment of fire protection processes in the fabric by applying coatings that can form a protective layer on the surface of the material, which inhibits the rate of heat transfer

INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL PROTECTION OF PLANTS ON SOIL MYCOCENOSIS WHEN GROWING LEAF SALAD UNDER ARID CLIMATE OF ASTRAKHAN REGION

Territories with arid climate are characterized by insufficient atmospheric humidification at high air temperatures. Therefore, the use of drip irrigation during the growing season of plants is an effective agrotechnical method of farming. However, its use causes a number of unfavorable consequences that can be avoided by using biological plant protection agents with pronounced biological activity against phytopathogenic bacteria, micromycetes, insects and viruses. These remedies are based on the introduction of microorganisms and their metabolites into the biotechnological process. A biological plant protection agent based on Bаcillus atrophaeus ACIM В–11474 has been developed and its effect on the mycocenosis of the studied soils when growing lettuce in the arid climate of the Astrakhan region using drip irrigation has been studied.

The Effect of Different Doses of Melatonin on Learning and Memory Deficit in Alzheimer Model of Rats

Background: Alzheimer Disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder with a progressive impairment of cognitive function. The pineal gland hormone melatonin (MEL) has been known as a protection agent against AD. However, the effect of melatonin in various doses is inconsistent. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate two doses of MEL on learning and memory in the amyloid-βeta (Aβ)-induced AD in the rats. Materials & Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were used in the experiment and randomly divided control, sham, vehicle, AD, AD+MEL10 mg/kg, and AD+MEL 20 mg/kg groups. Intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ1–42 was used to develop the animal model of AD. Also, MEL-treated groups received an intraperitoneal injection of MEL for 4 next weeks. The Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Passive Avoidance Learning (PAL) tests were used to examine animals’ learning and memory. The brain of animals was removed for immunohistochemistry for anti- Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP). Results: Intra-peritoneal injection of MEL significantly improve learning and memory in MWM (P=0.000) and PAL test (P=0.000), but there were no significant changes in the two groups that received the melatonin (P>0.05). Histopathological analysis revealed that the clearance of APP deposition in the AD+MEL20 group was considerable compared with the AD+MEL10 group (P=0.000). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that 10 and 20 mg/kg doses of melatonin have similar results on learning and memory in the AD model. But 20 mg/kg of melatonin has significantly more effect on the clearance of APP deposition.

The Plant Sesquiterpene Nootkatone Efficiently Reduces Heterodera schachtii Parasitism by Activating Plant Defense

Plant parasitic nematodes, including the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii, constitute a devastating problem for crops worldwide. The limited availability of sustainable management options illustrates the need for new eco-friendly control means. Plant metabolites represent an invaluable source of active compounds for the discovery of such novel antagonistic agents. Here, we evaluated the impact of eight plant terpenoids on the H. schachtii parasitism of Arabidopsis thaliana. None of the metabolites affected the plant development (5 or 10 ppm). Nootkatone decreased the number of adult nematodes on A. thaliana to 50%, with the female nematodes being smaller compared to the control. In contrast, three other terpenoids increased the parasitism and/or female size. We discovered that nootkatone considerably decreased the number of nematodes that penetrated A. thaliana roots, but neither affected the nematode viability or attraction to plant roots, nor triggered the production of plant reactive oxygen species or changed the plant’s sesquiterpene profile. However, we demonstrated that nootkatone led to a significant upregulation of defense-related genes involved in salicylic and jasmonic acid pathways. Our results indicate that nootkatone is a promising candidate to be developed into a novel plant protection agent acting as a stimulator of plant immunity against parasitic nematodes.

Developed jet-centrifugal spray devices: experimental testing to establish the possibility of their application in plants spraying technologies

Purpose: Experimentally substantiate the possibility of using the developed jet-centrifugal spraying device in plants spraying technologies. Design/methodology/approach: Many years of experience in creating spraying devices for solving practical problems in various industries made it possible to propose a design diagram of a single-phase jet-centrifugal spraying device. The tests were aimed at achieving device characteristics that are acceptable for use in plants spraying technologies such as jet coverage distance, droplet size and droplet deposition area (spray diameter). For this a several tests series with different design parameters was done. Before testing, the tightness of the device body was checked (the holding time under a pressure of 1 MPa is not less than 2 minutes). Findings: Based on the obtained jet coverage distance, droplet size and droplet deposition area, the developed spray device of some modifications can be used in plants spraying technologies. However, it is necessary to determine the quality of the spray device according to the BCPC classification; the device should be tested with some insecticides, fungicides and in plants spraying technologies to develop recommendations for their use. Research limitations/implications: The influence of design features of developed jetcentrifugal spray device on the jet coverage distance, droplet size and droplet deposition area was studied. Practical implications: The results obtained are useful in the field of improving national plants spraying technologies in order to improve the quality of the plant protection agent application and reduce the loss of the drug into the environment. Originality/value: To ensure maximum efficiency the proposed design of the jetcentrifugal spray device can be upgraded directly by the farmer by installing interchangeable nozzles that are attached with a union nut. Replaceable nozzles have different diameters and modifications and can be selected depending on the required jet coverage distance and spraying dispersion according to the current environmental conditions.

Melatonin Protects T-2 toxin-induced neuronal stress through Acetylcholinesterase & Cytochrome P450 receptor-mediated signaling

T-2 toxin is one of the potent mycotoxins responsible for several pathological conditions in humans and animals. This nonvolatile low molecular weight toxin compound shows strong resistance to degradation at room temperature as well as at autoclaving temperature. The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and cytochrome P450 receptor by T-2 toxin leads to many pathological conditions as these two receptors involved in many pathways. Here, we have used melatonin as a protection agent against T-2 toxin in both receptor systems. Using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and free energy calculations we have shown that melatonin can act as a potent inhibitor of T-2 toxin in acetylcholinesterase and cytochrome P450.

Surfactant Washing to Remove Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil: A Review

Heavy metal pollution has pervaded many parts of the world, especially developing countries such as China. The discharge of wastewater containing heavy metals will cause soil pollution for a long time and harm to human health. Soil washing is an environmentally feasible and cost-effective approach for the clean-up of sites contaminated with heavy metals. As a relatively environmental protection agent, surfactants are widely used in soil washing. This paper generalized the methods of remediation of soil from heavy metals, expounded the mechanisms of soil washing by surfactant and the types of surfactants and summarized the application of different surfactants in washing heavy metals from soil. Finally, the application prospects and development trends of surfactant washing heavy metals from soil have been prospected.