Evaluation of metal nano-particles as growth promoters and fungi inhibitors for cereal crops

Background Nano-particles of metals can be routinely synthesized. The cereal seeds treatment with the particles can improve early growth and crop production. Moreover, the treatment is robust and economical. Methods Metal (Fe0, Cu0, Co0), zinc oxide (ZnO) and chitosan-stabilized silver nano-particles were synthesized and applied to cereal seeds. The germination rate, early plant development and inhibition effects on pathogenic fungi were quantified. Results It was found that all nano-particles had a positive effect on the development of healthy cereal seedlings. In particular, the length of the above-ground part of the seedlings was increased by 8–22%. The highest inhibition effect was observed on Helminthosporium teres with the application of Co0 and chitosan-Ag. Pre-sowing treatment with metal nano-particles reduced the number of infected grains by two times for wheat and 3.6 times for barley. The application also increases the chlorophylls and carotenoids in both uninfected and infected seedlings. Conclusions The results demonstrated a robust application of nano-particles in improving cereal production. Graphical Abstract

Forecasting the impact of buildings with multi-storey underground parts on the displacement of subsoil using modern numerical tools

The paper will analyse and review the experience to date in determining the impact range of implementation of deeply founded structures on the displacement of the subsoil in the vicinity. With the background of these experiences, primarily empirical, the present possibilities of using numerical modelling to forecast the displacements of the terrain surface in various stages of works, that is, execution of deep excavation support systems, excavation-deepening phases with successive adding of struts, construction of underground levels and erection of the above-ground part of the building, will be presented. Based on the results of own research, conclusions on the use of 3D numerical models in spatial shaping and designing the structure of underground parts of new buildings erected in dense urban development will be presented. The characterised 3D numerical models were verified, taking into account the actual results of geodetic measurements of the completed buildings. Determining the range and forecasting the displacements of the subsoil are necessary for the design and implementation of investments due to the need to ensure the safety of erection and use of a new building and the buildings located within the area of influence.

Improvement of Shape Error for Slender Parts in Cylindrical Traverse Grinding by Part-Deformation Modelling and Compensation

Achieving geometrical accuracy in cylindrical traverse grinding for high-aspect slender parts is still a challenge due to the flexibility of the workpiece and, therefore, the resulting shape error. This causes a bottleneck in production due to the number of spark-out strokes that must be programmed to achieve the expected dimensional and geometrical tolerances. This study presents an experimental validation of a shape-error prediction model in which a distributed load, corresponding to the grinding wheel width, is included, and allows inclusion of the effect of steady rests. Headstock and tailstock stiffness must be considered and a procedure to obtain their values is presented. Validation of the model was performed both theoretically (by comparing with FEM results) and experimentally (by comparing with the deformation profile of the real workpiece shape), obtaining differences below 5%. Having determined the shape error by monitoring the normal grinding force, a solution was presented to correct it, based on a cross-motion of the grinding wheel during traverse strokes, thus decreasing non-productive spark-out strokes. Due to its simplicity (based on the shape-error prediction model and normal grinding force monitoring), this was easily automatable. The corrective compensation cycle gave promising results with a decrease of 77% in the shape error of the ground part, and improvement in geometrically measured parameters, such as cylindricity and straightness.

Ethnopharmacological application of common agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) in the Pirot County (Serbia)

Agrimonia eupatoria is perennial herbaceous plant from family Rosaceae, characterized by pinnate leaves, and yellow spike-like racemose inflorescences. It flowers from June to September, and above ground part of plants are collected for medicinal purposes. Survey on participants' knowledge and use of medicinal plants in the Pirot County was carried in the form of interviews in four municipalities: Pirot, Babušnica, Bela Palanka and Dimitrovgrad. Out of the total number of respondents, which amounted to 631, it was noted that 34 people knew the use of common agrimony. The largest number of respondents mentioned common agrimony against the group of urinary diseases (19 reports). A small number of respondents have mentioned the use against prostate disease (6 reports) and treatment of wounds (5 reports). Five reports against the group of digestive tract diseases were recorded. The results were compared with other ethnopharmacological studies from Serbia and the Balkan Peninsula. The following applications of common agrimony were not mentioned in previous ethnopharmacological investigations in Serbia and Balkan Peninsula: for circulation, for the heart, against varicose veins, catarrh of the stomach, for colon, for the stomach, bile, liver, prostate disease, against kidney and urinary tract sand, and diseases of internal organs.

A ring monopole quad band antenna loaded with metamaterial and slots for wireless applications

The present wireless applications demand a compact, multi-operated, and stable radiation pattern antenna with good gain and impedance matching performance. To accomplish this requirement. In this paper, we propose a compact metamaterial structure loaded quad band antenna. The structural specifications/layout of the antenna consists of a circular ring monopole fed by a microstrip line. The ground part of the antenna is loaded with a metamaterial rectangular split-ring resonator (RSRR), an L-shaped slot, and two horizontally placed rectangular slots parallel to each other. No external matching circuit is utilized and impedance matching is solely controlled by the placement of slots. The antenna shows operation at 2.1 GHz (2.01-2.24 GHz, a bandwidth of 230 MHz (WLAN)), 4.5 GHz (4.35-4.66 GHz, a bandwidth of 310 MHz (C-band)), 5.5 GHz (5.37-5.77 GHz bandwidth of 400 MHz (WiMAX)), and 7.2 GHz (7.08-7.33 GHz, a bandwidth of 250 MHz (satellite band)). The antenna exhibits good gain and stable radiation pattern in both the plane and thus can be utilized for aforementioned applications.

Microscopic Evaluation of Salvia stepposa Des.- Schost above - ground part widespread in Kazakhstan

Microscopic analysis of medicinal plants and raw materials is one of the stages of quality control which makes it possible to determine the authenticity of an object. This article presents the results of microscopic analysis of leaves, corolla, leafstalks and stalk of Salvia stepposa (steppe sage). This species is a relative to Salvia officinalis officinal used in traditional medical systems as an anti-inflammatory agent. The purpose of this study is to determine the features of the anatomical structures of the above-ground part of steppe sage and to reveal diagnostic signs at the microscopic level. Preliminary pharmacognostic investigation of vegetative raw material is done and diagnostic signs are identified. The detail microscopy revealed the presence of 3 types of trichomes on leaves’ epidermis: 1) simple unicellular; 2) simple multicellular; 3) glandular; their localization and shape are determined. Type of mesophyll, structure of trichomes; form and location of epidermal cells, the presence of rare simple trichomes along the edge are discovered. As a result of the research the anatomical features of the raw material were established, which make it possible to identify the above-ground part of Salvia stepposa and can be used for the development of regulatory documentation.

RESEARCH ON DETERMINING THE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF VARIOUS POTATO VARIETIES AT SOLFARM SRL, COVASNA COUNTY

Potato cultivation is mainly influenced by the type of fertilisers used, the dosage of mineral or organic fertilisers applied based on the soil nutrient supply and texture of the soil. The potato’s particularities in growing stolons and tubers in the soil, the superficial root system, reltively smaller when compared to the above-ground part, make the plant’s soil condition requirements different from other crops. The purpose of these experiments was to determine the nutrient content in the soil, in order to accurately determine the macro- and micro-element requirements, decided before starting the cultivation, as they are highly important in order to obtain a good yield. In order to monitor the soil nutrient supply, soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-20 and 20-40 cm for ten different varieties, i.e. Arizona, Esmee, Riviera, Red Lady, Carrera, Jelly, Red Fantasy, Levantina, Bellarosa and Luna Rosa, and based on them the ph values, the humus, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and mobile form (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) content were established. Soil analysis is extremely important before starting the cultivation, because it helps farmers determine whether the type of soil is suitable for the plants to be grown and to determine an adequate fertilisation plan.

Phytoextraction, Accumulation and Toxicological Effects of 1-Tetradecyl-3-Methylimidazolium Ionic Liquid in Ryegrass

Ionic liquids are widely used in many fields due to their extremely tunable nature and exceptional properties. The extensive application of ionic liquids raises great concerns regarding their bioaccumulation potential and adverse effects on organisms.Green plants have a great potential for uptake of persistent xenobiotics from aquatic and terrestrial environment. However, the assimilation and bioaccumulation of 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C14mim]Br) has not been studied in plantsyet. In order to explore the phytoaccumulationof [C14mim]+, ryegrass were exposed to [C14mim]Br with hydroponic experiment.The effects of [C14mim]Brdosages on growth index, chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde (MAD) content and antioxidant enzyme activity of ryegrass were investigated. The toxic effects of[C14mim]Bron ryegrass growth increased with increasing initial concentration. The high initial concentration treatment resulted in rapid changes in physiological characteristics in ryegrass tissue. [C14mim]+ions were mainly accumulated in root tissue and partly translocated to the above ground part of ryegrass.[C14mim]+was observed in the highest concentration (314.35 µg/gin root and 101.42 µg/gin aboveground partsof ryegrass) with 10 mg/L of [C14mim]Br.Our results demonstrated that ryegrass can uptake and accumulate [C14mim]+ and is therefore a suitable species for phytroremediationof trace amount of [C14mim]+ and possibly other ionic liquids.

THE RITUAL OF TWIN BURIALS IN KUDASHEVSKY I BURIAL GROUND OF PERM PRIKAMYE

The article deals with the features of the funeral rite of the ancient population - twin burials on the example of the Kudashevsky I burial ground (3 - 5 centuries AD), located in the Bardymsky district of the Perm Region. In the ground part of the monument in the rows, along with individual pits are allocated a slightly larger size, but having the same orientation to the cardinal directions. All twin burials of the monument have inventory that does not differ from individual burials in the composition and number of items. But some details in the decoration of the burial place twin graves differ from individual graves. The funerary wooden structures in the graves represent separate places for each of the pair and differ in morphological details. Grave items of weapons and household items are found in men's graves, as well as in individual graves. Comparison of the accompanying inventory allows you to determine the gender and status of a person in a pair, to identify important people - men who played a significant role in the military and women who have set neck jewelry - necklaces. Armaments and household items were found in male graves, jewelry and household items in female burials, as well as in individual graves. The study of things in the burials made it possible to date the twin graves to the time of the late 4 - early 5 centuries. The issue of semantics of twin burials is considered. Twin burials are associated with the processes of assimilation of the newcomer population into the local population. Analogs to twin burials from burial sites of the middle of the 1 Millennium AD of the Perm and Udmurt Kama region are given.

PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS AGRIMONIA PILOSA DEPENDING ON THE PHASE OF PLANT DEVELOPMENT

The composition and content of phenolic compounds in the organs of the above-ground part of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. depending on the phase of plant development were studied by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fourteen compounds found in water-ethanol extracts from organs of A. pilosa. Flavonols (kaempferol, astragalin, kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside, quercetin, hyperoside and rutin), flavones (apigenin, vitexin, luteolin and luteolin-7-glucoside) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, vanillic and ellagic acids) have been identified. Hyperoside, rutin, and ellagic acid were the major constituents in the extracts from the leaves and the reproductive organs of the species. The highest content of rutin were found in the leaves during vegetative growth and in the inflorescences (2.75 and 2.67 mg/g, respectively). The highest content of hyperoside were observed in leaves in the phase of budding and fruiting (2.02 and 2.25 mg/g). The highest content of ellagic acid were revealed in leaves in the fruiting phase and in buds (3.49 and 2.09 mg/g). The highest total phenolic content was found in the leaves during the fruiting (21.1 mg/g). Unidentified flavonols number 12 and 13 (1.62 and 2.76 mg/g, respectively) were the domi-nant components in the leaves in the growing phase. The total content of phenolic compounds in buds (9.52 mg/g) and in inflorescences (9.80 mg/g) was the same. The total content of phenolic compounds in fruits was two times less (4.24 mg/g) than in buds and inflorescences.