Fate of rubber bush (Calotropis procera (Aiton) W. T. Aiton) in adversary environment modulated by microstructural and functional attributes

Calotropis procera(Aiton)W.T.Aiton,belonging to the family Apocynaceae,is C3 evergreen plant species in arid and semi-arid areas of the Punjab Province,Pakistan.It grows in a variety of habitats like salt affected and waterlogged area,desert/semi-desert,roadside,wasteland,graveyard,forest,crop field,coastline,and river/canal bank.A total of 12 populations growing in different ecological regions were sampled to evaluate their growth,physio-biochemical,and anatomical responses to specific environmental condition.Population adapted to desert/semi-desert showed vigorous growth(plant height,shoot length,and number of leaves),enhanced photosynthetic level(chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b,carotenoids,and total chlorophyll),and apparent anatomical modifications such as increased stem radius,cuticle thickness,storage parenchyma tissues(cortex and pith),and vascular bundles in stems,while the maximum of midrib and lamina thickness,epidermal cells,cuticle thickness,cortical proportion,abaxial stomatal density,and its area in leaves.There was high plasticity in structural and functional features of these populations,which enable them to survive and tolerate under such hot and dry desert environment.Population of saline areas exhibited very critical modifications to sustain under salt prone environment.At physiological level,it possesses the maximum amount of organic osmolytes(glycine betaine and proline)and antioxidants(superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),and peroxidase(POD)),while at anatomical level,it showed intensive sclerification,large phloem region(inner and outer),pith parenchyma cells,and metaxylem vessels in stems and leaves.The population of dry mountains showed very distinctive features,such as increased shoot ionic contents(K+and Ca2+),collenchyma and sclerenchyma thickness in stems,trichomes size,and numerous small stomata on abaxial surface of leaves.It is concluded that no definite or precise single character can be taken as a yardstick for adjudging the biomass production in this rubber bush weed population.

Dataset of Large Gathering Images for Person Identification and Tracking

This paper presents a large gathering dataset of images extracted from publicly filmed videos by 24 cameras installed on the premises of Masjid Al-Nabvi,Madinah,Saudi Arabia.This dataset consists of raw and processed images reflecting a highly challenging and unconstraint environment.The methodology for building the dataset consists of four core phases;that include acquisition of videos,extraction of frames,localization of face regions,and cropping and resizing of detected face regions.The raw images in the dataset consist of a total of 4613 frames obtained fromvideo sequences.The processed images in the dataset consist of the face regions of 250 persons extracted from raw data images to ensure the authenticity of the presented data.The dataset further consists of 8 images corresponding to each of the 250 subjects(persons)for a total of 2000 images.It portrays a highly unconstrained and challenging environment with human faces of varying sizes and pixel quality(resolution).Since the face regions in video sequences are severely degraded due to various unavoidable factors,it can be used as a benchmark to test and evaluate face detection and recognition algorithms for research purposes.We have also gathered and displayed records of the presence of subjects who appear in presented frames;in a temporal context.This can also be used as a temporal benchmark for tracking,finding persons,activity monitoring,and crowd counting in large crowd scenarios.

Appraisal of Improvement in Physiological and Metabolic Processes by Exogenously Applied Natural and Synthetic Ascorbic Acid in Okra(Abelmoschus esculentus L.)Fruit Subjected to Water Deficit Stress

To counteract the effects of drought stress,scientists have adopted several approaches including the use of different chemicals both inorganic and organic,which is contemplated as a highly efficient and cost-effective shot-gun approach.Ascorbic acid(AsA)is a potential organic substance,which widely occurs in plants,and is considered to be an effective antioxidant to counteract reactive oxygen species(ROS).Thus,a pot experiment was performed to assess the relative mitigating impacts of synthetic AsA and naturally occurring AsA in the form of lemon juice(LJ)and orange juice(OJ)on two cultivars of okra(Abelmoschus esculentus L.)namely Sabz Pari and Bhindi Sanwali under varying water deficit conditions.After 30 days of seed germination,okra seedlings were subjected to different irrigation regimes,i.e.,water deficit stress[(65%and 50%F.C.)and control conditions(100%F.C.)].Different levels of AsA[control(no spray),14 mg L^(−1)LJ,24 mg L^(−1)OJ and 150 mg L^(−1)AsA]obtained from different sources were applied as a foliar spray to control and water-stressed plants.Drought stress prominently reduced plant growth and yield attributes of the okra cultivars.Water-deficit conditions(65%and 50%F.C.)substantially decreased the fruit chlorophyll(a,b)pigments and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)enzyme,while an increase was observed in the contents of fruit’s hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)),malondialdehyde(MDA),total phenolics,total soluble sugars,AsA,and total soluble proteins.Drought stress also increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes like peroxidase(POD)and catalase(CAT).However,plant growth and yield attributes,fruit chlorophyll pigments,total phenolics,total soluble sugars,total free amino acids,total soluble proteins,AsA,GB,H_(2)O_(2),and the activities of antioxidant enzymes(POD and CAT)were increased by the AsA exogenous treatment in both okra cultivars under water deficit and control conditions.Overall,LJ and OJ were more effective than the synthetic AsA in upregulating the physiological and metabolic processes of okra plants.So,cost-effective as well as multi-nutrient natural sources of AsA could be suggested for alleviating the harmful effects of water deficit stress on plants.

钾元素不同供应水平下玉米叶片的生长与发育(英文)

采用沙培法,以玉米品种V1和V2为试验材料,定量分析缺钾对玉米生长和发育的影响。从胚芽鞘叶完全展开时,设置营养液中钾的浓度为3个梯度,分别为KH=8mmol·L-1;KM=4mmol·L-1;KO=0mmol·L-1。从胚芽鞘叶完全展开到吐丝期经常浇这3种营养液。用有效积温来计算玉米生长期间所需热量,把每日完好的叶面积作为玉米生长的衡量指标;每天记录每株玉米的叶片数,不管叶片的大小,作为衡量植株生长发育的方法。在每一个钾元素供应水平上,品种V1和V2的叶片数和自播种以来的受热时间呈直线相关。在KO水平上,V1和V2的发育速率分别是10%和15%,相对于KH水平来说是低的。在11片叶子期间,KO水平上的叶面积大约比KH水平上的低46%,KM水平上的叶面积大约比KH水平上的低25%;在玉米抽雄期,KO水平上的叶面积相对于KH来说减少37%,比KM水平上的少26%。这种差异从抽穗期开始一直保持到吐丝期。

Effect of chromium on growth attributes in sunflower(Helianthus annuus L.)

Heavy metal soil pollution takes place when the metal concentration of soil exceeds natural background level and causes ecological destruction and deterioration of the environment.In the present study,a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of chromium-contaminated soil in sunflower(Helianthus annuus L.)growth attributes.Three different levels of chromium(Cr)i.e.,20, 40,and 60 mg/kg were applied to three varieties of sunflower(G-3,G-9,and G-59).The results of morphological,chemical,and yield p...

Molecular study of HCV detection,genotypes and their routes of transmission in North West Frontier Province,Pakistan

Objective:To determine hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotypes and explore the associated risk factors in chronic HCY patients.Methods:A total of 116 patients with chronic hepatitis C were subjected to polymerase chain reaction(PCR) based detection out of which 112 chronic HCV patients[53 male(47.32%),59 female(52.68%);mean age(43.76±16.40) years;mean BMI(23.8± 3.9)kg]were enrolled in this study.The frequency of 6 HCV genotypes and associated risk factors were evaluated from five districts of North West Frontier Province(NWFP).Results:Genotype 3was the most prevalent in 73 samples(65.17%) followed by genotype 1 in 24(21.42%) and genotype2 in 13(11.60%) samples.Genotype3 had significantly high prevalence(P=0.0002).The results showed that 48(42.85%) samples were infected with HCV 3a:25(22.32%) with 3b;14(12.50%) with 1a;10(8.92%)with 1b;11(9.82%) with 2a;2(1.78%) with 2b;and 2 were untypable.The distribution of HCV genotypes in Murdan.Charsadda,Peshawar.Sawabi and Nowshehra districts was different.Use of unsterile equipment lor medication,barbers and previous history of hospitalization were the main risk factors for HCV transmission.Conclusions:Cenotype 3a and 3b.1a.1b and 2a are the common genotypes in NWFP.Genotype 4.5.and 6 can not be found in a single sample.The level of awareness about various modes ot transmission of HCV among the population is found to be verv low.

Computational Analysis of the Effect of Nano Particle Material Motion on Mixed Convection Flow in the Presence of Heat Generation and Absorption

The present study is concerned with the physical behavior of the combined effect of nano particle material motion and heat generation/absorption due to the effect of different parameters involved in prescribed flow model.The formulation of the flow model is based on basic universal equations of conservation of momentum,energy and mass.The prescribed flow model is converted to non-dimensional form by using suitable scaling.The obtained transformed equations are solved numerically by using finite difference scheme.For the analysis of above said behavior the computed numerical data for fluid velocity,temperature profile,and mass concentration for several constraints that is mixed convection parameterλt,modified mixed convection parameterλc,Prandtl number Pr,heat generation/absorption parameterδ,Schmidt number Sc,thermophoresis parameter Nt,and thermophoretic coefficient k are sketched in graphical form.Numerical results for skin friction,heat transfer rate and the mass transfer rate are tabulated for various emerging physical parameters.It is reported that in enhancement in heat,generation boosts up the fluid temperature at some positions of the surface of the sphere.As heat absorption parameter is decreased temperature field increases at position X=π/4 on the other hand,no alteration at other considered circumferential positions is noticed.

Impact of Land-Use Practices on Sediment Yield in the Dhrabi Watershed of Pakistan

Soil erosion by water is one of the most important land degradation processes in the sloping rainfed lands in Pakistan. A study was conducted in the Dhrabi watershed of Pakistan to evaluate sediment yield associated with rainfall-runoff under various land-use practices. Five sub-catchments with sizes varying from 1.5 to 350 ha were selected for measurement of rainfall, runoff and sediment yield. Soil conservation techniques were also introduced to reduce the soil erosion. All runoff events occurred in the summer especially during monsoon season （July-September）. Sediment yield of two small gully catchments ranged from 4.79 to 8.34 t/ha/yr in 2009, a relatively dry year. In 2010, the annual sediment yield was 8.15 to 12.31 t/ha. Terraced catchment with arable crops produced annual 4.1 t/ha of sediment as compared to 12.31 t/ha by the adjacent gully catchment showing high potential of terraces in reducing erosion. Runoff coefficients calculated for these catchments vary from 0.09 to 0.75. The macro and micro nutrients present in the sediment indicate that these nutrients are being depleted due to soil erosion.

Exogenously applied glycinebetaine induced alteration in some key physio-biochemical attributes and plant anatomical features in water stressed oat(Avena sativa L.) plants

Although exogenous application of glycinebetaine(GB) is widely reported to regulate a myriad of physio-biochemical attributes in plants under stressful environments including drought stress, there is little information available in the literature on how and up to what extent GB can induce changes in anatomical features in water starved plants. Thus, the present research work was conducted to assess the GB-induced changes in growth, physio-biochemical, and anatomical characteristics in two cultivars(CK-1 and F-411) of oat(Avena sativa L.) under limited water supply. After exposure to water stress, a considerable reduction was observed in plant growth in terms of lengths and weights of shoot and roots,leaf mesophyll thickness, leaf midrib thickness, root cortex thickness, root diameter, stem diameter, stem phloem area, and stem vascular bundle area in both oat cultivars. However, water stress resulted in a significant increase in leaf total phenolics, hydrogen peroxide(H_2 O_2), ascorbic acid(AsA), GB contents,activities of enzymes(CAT, SOD and POD), total soluble proteins, leaf epidermis(abaxial and adaxial)thickness, bulliform cell area, sclerenchyma thickness, root endodermis and epidermis thickness, root metaxylem area, stem metaxylem area and stem sclerenchyma thickness in both oat cultivars.Foliar-applied 100 mM GB suppressed H_2 O_2 contents, while improved growth attributes, free proline and GB contents, activity of SOD enzyme, leaf abaxial epidermis thickness, leaf bulliform cell area, leaf midrib thickness, leaf sclerenchyma thickness, root cortex thickness, root endodermis, epidermis thickness,root stele diameter, stem diameter, stem epidermis thickness, stem metaxylem area, and stem phloem and vascular bundle area in both oat cultivars. For both oat cultivars, CK-1 was superior to F-411 in leaf abaxial epidermis thickness, leaf mesophyll, leaf sclerenchyma, root metaxylem area, stem diameter, stem epidermis, sclerenchyma thickness, stem metaxylem area, and stem vascular bundle area. Overall, both oat cultivars showed inconsistent behavior to water stress and foliar-applied GB in terms of different physio-biochemical attributes, however, CK-1 was superior to F-411 in a number of anatomical features of leaf, root, and stem.

Numerical investigations of asymmetric flow of a micropolar fluid between two porous disks

Numerical solution is presented for the two- dimensional flow of a micropolar fluid between two porous coaxial disks of different permeability for a range of Reynolds number Re （-300≤ Re 〈 0） and permeability parameter A （1.0≤A ≤2.0）. The main flow is superimposed by the injection at the surfaces of the two disks. Von Karman＇s similarity transformations are used to reduce the governing equations of motion to a set of non-linear coupled ordinary differential equations （ODEs） in dimensionless form. An algorithm based on the finite difference method is employed to solve these ODEs and Richardson＇s extrapolation is used to obtain higher order accuracy. The results indicate that the parameters Re and A have a strong influence on the velocity and microrotation profiles, shear stresses at the disks and the position of the viscous/shear layer. The micropolar material constants cl, c2, c3 have profound effect on microrotation as compared to their effect on streamwise and axial velocity profiles. The results of micropolar fluids are compared with the results for Newtonian fluids.

Computational Analysis of the Oscillatory Mixed Convection Flow along a Horizontal Circular Cylinder in Thermally Stratified Medium

The present work emphasizes the significance of oscillatory mixed convection stratified fluid and heat transfer characteristics at different stations of non-conducting horizontally circular cylinder in the presence of thermally stratified medium.To remove the difficulties in illustrating the coupled PDE’s,the finite-difference scheme with efficient primitive-variable formulation is proposed to transform dimensionless equations.The numerical simulations of coupled non-dimensional equations are computed in terms velocity of fluid,temperature and magnetic field which are computed to examine the fluctuating components of skin friction,heat transfer and current density for various emerging parameters.The governing parameters namely,thermally stratification parameter𝑆𝑆𝑡𝑡,mixed-convection parameter𝜆𝜆,Prandtl number Pr,magnetic force parameter𝜉𝜉and magnetic-Prandtl number𝛾𝛾are displayed graphically at selected values for velocity and heat transfer mechanism.It is computed that heat transfer attains maximum amplitude and good variations in the presence of thermally stratified parameter at each position𝛼𝛼=𝜋𝜋6⁄,𝛼𝛼=𝜋𝜋3⁄and𝛼𝛼=𝜋𝜋around the surface of non-conducting horizontally cylinder.The velocity of fluid attains certain height at station𝛼𝛼=𝜋𝜋6⁄for higher value of stratification parameter.It is also found that the temperature gradient decreases with stratification parameter𝑆𝑆𝑡𝑡,but it increases after a certain distance𝑌𝑌from the cylinder.The novelty of the current work is that due to non-conducting phenomena the magnetic effects are strongly observed far from the surface but exact at the surface are zero for each position.

微极液体在两个多孔圆盘间的MHD流动及其热传导

两个平行的无限大多孔圆盘,圆盘表面有均匀注入时,数值地研究圆盘间不可压缩导电微极流体,在横向外加磁场作用下的轴对称稳定层流.运用von Krmn的相似变换,将非线性运动的控制方程转化为无量纲形式.使用基于有限差分格式的算法,在相应的边界条件下,求解简化后耦合的常微分方程组.讨论Reynolds数、磁场参数、微极参数和Prandtl数,对流动速度和温度分布的影响.在特殊情况下,所得结果与已有文献的工作有着很好的一致性.研究表明,圆盘表面的传热率随着Rynolds数、磁场参数和Prandtl数的增加而增加;剪切应力随着注入的增加而减少,但它随着外部磁场的加强而增加.和Newton流体相比较,微极流体的剪切应力因素较弱,有利于聚合体加工过程中流动和温度的控制.

High Accuracy Time of Flight Measurement Using Digital Signal Processing Techniques for Subsea Applications

The techniques widely used in ultrasonic measurements are based on the determination of the time of flight (T.o.F). A short train of waves is transmitted and same transducer is used for reception of the reflected signal for the pulse-echo measurement applications. The amplitude of the received waveform is an envelope which starts from zero reaches to a peak and then dies out. The echoes are mostly detected by simple threshold crossing technique, which is also cause of error. In this paper digital signal processing is used to calculate the time delay in reception i.e. T.o.F, for which a maximum similarity between the reference and the delayed echo signals is obtained. To observe the effect of phase uncertainties and frequency shifts (Doppler), this processing is carried out, both directly on the actual wave shape and after extracting the envelopes of the reference and delayed echo signals. Several digital signal processing algorithms are considered and the effects of different factors such as sampling rate, resolution of digitization and S/N ratio are analyzed. Result show accuracy, computing time and cost for different techniques.

Total Particulate Matter and Wound Healing: An in vivo Study with Histological Insights

Objectives Wound healing in the skin is a multifarious orchestration of cellular processes and cigarette smoking may be a cause for delayed wound healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the plausible association between exposures of cigarette total particulate matter （TPM） and wound healing. Methods An in vivo wound healing model of mice was established for determination of assorted events of wound healing, dermal matrix regeneration, re-epithelialization, and neovascularization. A total of 72 adult mice, separated in eight groups, were exposed to TPM for 12 days. Results A highly considerable diminution in wound closure （P〈0.001） was pragmatic among all TPM-treated mice from day 6 to day 8 post-wounding. Histological investigations unveiled a noteworthy impede in the outcome of re-epithelialization, dermal matrix regeneration and maturation of collagen bundles among all TPM-exposed wounds. Delayed commencement of neovascularization was pragmatic among all TPM-treated mice, on day 12 post wounding. Abbot curve, angular spectrum, and other different parameters of 3D surface behavior of wounds revealed a very highly significant reduction （P〈0.001） in angiogenesis on days 6 and 8 post-wounding, which points that application of TPM instigates extensive delay in trigging the progression of angiogenesis, resulting in delayed onset of wound healing. Conclusion Our annotations validate the damaging effects of TPM on wound healing and excessive use of TPM may lead to the production of chronic wounds and oral ulcers.

Static and adaptive feedback control for synchronization of different chaotic oscillators with mutually Lipschitz nonlinearities

This paper addresses the control law design for synchronization of two different chaotic oscillators with mutually Lipschitz nonlinearities. For analysis of the properties of two different nonlinearities, an advanced mutually Lipschitz condition is proposed. This mutually Lipschitz condition is more general than the traditional Lipschitz condition. Unlike the latter, it can be used for the design of a feedback controller for synchronization of chaotic oscillators of different dynamics. It is shown that any two different Lipschitz nonlinearities always satisfy the mutually Lipschitz condition. Applying the mutually Lipschitz condition, a quadratic Lyapunov function and uniformly ultimately bounded stability, easily designable and implementable robust control strategies utilizing algebraic Riccati equation and linear matrix inequalities, are derived for synchronization of two distinct chaotic oscillators. Furthermore, a novel adaptive control scheme for mutually Lipschitz chaotic systems is established by addressing the issue of adaptive cancellation of unknown mismatch between the dynamics of different chaotic systems. The proposed control technique is numerically tested for synchronization of two different chaotic Chua＇s circuits and for obtaining identical behavior between the modified Chua＇s circuit and the R6ssler system.

Current issues and innovations in stem cell based therapy

It is well established that stem cells can differentiate into cell types of the organ in which these are transplanted.However,the process is very slow due to lack of understanding of signals important for their survival and differentiation,most optimal stem cells and their plasticity.Limitations and advantages of various cell subtypes will be described. The rate of stem cells mobilization and their survival in the ischemic environment are major obstacles in engraftment and differentiation of stem cells for meaningful repair of the infarcted myocardium. Manipulation of stem cells with ischemic preconditioning,combined gene and cell therapy together with simultaneous activation of diverse signaling pathways for massive stem cell mobilization & regeneration has significant impact on the repair process by stem cells.These and other difficulties encountered in efficient use of various stem cells have resulted in invention of induced pluripotent stem cells which could revolutionize the stem cell based therapy and their applications for understanding of human disease and drug screening in the near future. Reprogramming of adult cells into iPS cells without the use of viral vectors is a major challenge towards getting iPS cells without viral integration into cells.To meet this challenge we have repro-grammed skeletal myoblasts into iPS cells with high efficiency using epigenetic modifiers.Transplantation of iPS cells derived pure cardiac progenitors into infarcted myocardium led to extensive repopulation of scar area with fully developed myocytes without tumor formation and resulting in marked improvement in cardiac function.Reprogramming with pure chemical means will make therapeutic use of these cells more safer.Targeting the induced pluripotent stem cells towards cardiac progenitors and their application towards transplantation is a major step forward in enhancing the myocardial repair capacity by these cells.

Identification of novel silent HIV propagation routes in Pakistan

Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) is rapidly increasing in both high risk groups and the general population.In this study, silent routes of propagation in teenaged Pakistanis are discussed. In order to promote sexual activity in youths, regular clients write contact details of sex workers on the doors of public washrooms. HIV prevalence is much higher among Hijra sex workers.Hijra sex workers have apparently stepped into the profession of begging at public places, where they earn money by both begging and distributing visiting cards offering unsafe sex. In many educational institutes, sex education is lacking or absent; if delivered via teachers,government agencies and nongovernmental organizations this could prevent a future epidemic of sexually transmitted infections in Pakistan.

Spatial and Temporal Analyses of Water Quality in the Dhrabi Watershed of Pakistan： Issues and Options

Monitoring water quality is important for maintaining a healthy watershed, but it is mostly ignored in watershed planning and management. In the Dhrabi watershed of Pakistan, the quality of surface water was monitored at 16 locations to assess suitability for irrigation over regular intervals during the period 2007-2010. Similarly, groundwater quality was monitored at 10 locations for drinking and irrigation purposes. There was high spatial and temporal variability in surface water quality. Electrical conductivity （EC） and residual sodium carbonate （RSC） either exceeded or fluctuated around permissible limits at most of the locations throughout the monitoring period. Therefore, the use of such water for irrigation needs special care, otherwise its prolonged use may pose soil salinity and sodicity problems. The trend of EC and RSC for groundwater was similar to that for surface water. Exchangeable Mg2＋ exceeded permissible limits for most of the surface water and groundwater samples. In addition, microbial analysis of groundwater revealed that only two out of eight monitoring points during August 2009, none out of eight points during February 2010, and one out of nine points during June 2010 provided water fit for drinking. Soil samples were collected from the catchment areas of the major contributing streams and from the beds of the Kallar Kahar Lake and the Dhrabi Reservoir. The soil samples from the catchments showed high salinity and sodicity that may be the cause of high salinity and sodicity in the streams. The highest EC, sodium adsorption ratio （SAP,） and exchangeable sodium percentage （ESP） in the bed samples from the Kallar Kahar Lake were about 43 dS/m, 56, and 45, respectively. These high values were due to the saline water brought into the lake with the runoff.

Lipidomic insights into the response of Arabidopsis sepals to mild heat

Arabidopsis sepals coordinate flower opening in the morning as ambient temperature rises;however,the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Mutation of one heat shock proteinencoding gene, HSP70-16, impaired sepal heat stress responses (HSR), disrupting lipid metabolism,especially sepal cuticular lipids, leading to abnormal flower opening. To further explore, to what extent,lipids play roles in this process, in this study, we compared lipidomic changes in sepals of hsp70-16 andvdac3 (mutant of a voltage-dependent anion channel, VDAC3, an HSP70-16 interactor) grown underboth normal (22 C) and mild heat stress (27 C, mild HS) temperatures. Under normal temperature,neither hsp70-16 nor vdac3 sepals showed significant changes in total lipids;however, vdac3 but nothsp70-16 sepals exhibited significant reductions in the ratios of all detected 11 lipid classes, except themonogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDGs). Under mild HS temperature, hsp70-16 but not vdac3 sepalsshowed dramatic reduction in total lipids. In addition, vdac3 sepals exhibited a significant accumulationof plastidic lipids, especially sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols (SQDGs) and phosphatidylglycerols (PGs),whereas hsp70-16 sepals had a significant accumulation of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and simultaneousdramatic reductions in SQDGs and phospholipids (PLs), such as phosphatidylcholines (PCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and phosphatidylserines (PSs). These findings revealed that the impact ofmild HS on sepal lipidome is influenced by genetic factors, and further, that HSP70-16 and VDAC3differently affect sepal lipidomic responses to mild HS. Our studies provide a lipidomic insight intofunctions of HSP and VDAC proteins in the plant’s HSR, in the context of floral development.

Does Seed Priming Induce Changes in the Levels of Some Endogenous Plant Hormones in Hexaploid Wheat Plants Under Salt Stress？

In order to assess whether salt tolerance could be Improved In spring wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）, the present study was performed by soaking the seeds of two cultlvars, namely MH-97 （salt sensitive） and Inqlab-91 （salt tolerant）, for 12 h In distilled water or 100 mol/m^3 CaCl2, KCI, or NaCI. Primed seeds from each treatment group and non-primed seeds were sown In a field In which NaCI salinity of 15 dS/m was developed. Priming of seeds with CaCl2, followed by priming with KCI and NaCI, was found to be effective In alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on both wheat cultivars In terms of shoot fresh and dry weights and grain yield. Priming with CaCl2 alleviated the adverse effects of salt stress on hormonal balance In plants of both cultlvars. In MH-97 plants, CaCl2 pretreatment considerably reduced leaf absclslc acid （ABA） concentrations and Increased leaf free salicylic acid （SA） concentrations under both saline and non-saline conditions. In contrast, In the Inqlab-91 plant, CaCl2 Increased free Indoleacetic acid （IAA） and indolebutyrlc acid （IBA） content. However, priming of seeds with CaCl2 did not alter free polyamlne levels in either cultlvar, although spermldlne levels were considerably lower In plants raised from seeds treated with CaCl2 for both cultlvars under saline conditions. Priming with KCI Increased growth In Inqlab-91 plants, but not In MH-97 plants, under saline conditions. The salinity Induced reducUon In auxins （IAA and IBA） was alleviated by NaCI priming In both cultlvars under saline conditions. However, NaCI Increased leaf free ABA content and lowered leaf SA and putresclne levels In Inqlab-91 plants under saline conditions. In conclusion, although all three priming agents （I.e. CaCl2, KCI, and NaCI） were effective In alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on wheat plants, their effects on altering the levels of different plant hormones were different In the two cuItlvars.