Aluminum Toxicity:A Case Study on Tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Aluminum is an abundant metal in the earth’s crust that turns out to be toxic in acidic environments.Many plants are affected by the presence of aluminum at the whole plant level,at the organ level,and at the cellular level.Tobacco as a cash crop(Nicotiana tabacum L.)is a widely cultivated plant worldwide and is also a good model organism for research.Although there are many articles on Al-phytotoxicity in the literature,reviews on a single species that are economically and scientifically important are limited.In this article,we not only provide the biology associated with tobacco Al-toxicity,but also some essential information regarding the effects of this metal on other plant species(even animals).This review provides information on aluminum localization and uptake process by different staining techniques,as well as the effects of its toxicity at different compartment levels and the physiological consequences derived from them.In addition,molecular studies in recent years have reported specific responses to Al toxicity,such as overexpression of various protective proteins.Besides,this review discusses data on various organelle-based responses,cell death,and other mechanisms,data on tobacco plants and other kingdoms relevant to these studies.

Speculative bubbles and herding in cryptocurrencies

This study investigates speculative bubbles in the cryptocurrency market and factors affecting bubbles during the COVID-19 pandemic.Our results indicate that each cryptocurrency covered in the study presented bubbles.Moreover,we found that explosive behavior in one currency leads to explosivity in other cryptocurrencies.During the pandemic,herd behavior was evident among investors;however,this diminishes during bubbles,indicating that bubbles are not explained by herd behavior.Regarding cryptocurrency and market-specific factors,we found that Google Trends and volume are positively associated with predicting speculative bubbles in time-series and panel probit regressions.Hence,investors should exercise caution when investing in cryptocurrencies and follow both crypto currency and market-related factors to estimate bubbles.Alternative liquidity,volatility,and Google Trends measures are used for robustness analysis and yield similar results.Overall,our results suggest that bubble behavior is common in the cryptocurrency market,contradicting the efficient market hypothesis.

Apprehending the potential of BABY BOOM transcription factors to mitigate cotton regeneration and transformation

Since the advent of transgenic technology,the incorporation of gene(s)encoding traits of economic importance in cotton is being practiced worldwide.However,factors like recalcitrant nature of cotton cultivars,in vitro regeneration via tissue culture(especially via somatic embryogenesis),genotype dependency,long and toilsome protocols impede the pace of development of transgenic cotton.Besides that,types and age of explants,media composition,plant growth regulators and other environmental factors affect in vitro cotton regeneration significantly.The studies of genetic control of in vitro regeneration in plants have elucidated the role of certain transcription factor genes that are induced and expressed during somatic embryogenesis.Among these transcription factors,BABY BOOM(BBM)plays a very important role in signal transduction pathway,leading to cell differentiation and somatic embryos formation.The role of BBM has been established in plant cell proliferation,growth and development even without exogenous growth regulators.This review intends to provide an informative summary of regeneration and transformation problems in cotton and the latest developments in utilization of BBM transcription factors in cotton.We believe that the use of BBM will not only ease cotton genetic improvement but will also accelerate cotton breeding programmes.

Parameters Calibration of the Combined Hardening Rule through Inverse Analysis for Nylock Nut Folding Simulation

Locking nuts are widely used in industry and any defects from their manufacturing may cause loosening of the connection during their service life.In this study,simulations of the folding process of a nut’s flange made from AISI 1040 steel are performed.Besides the bilinear isotropic hardening rule,Chaboche’s nonlinear kinematic hardening rule is employed with associated flow rule and Hill48 yield criterion to set a plasticity model.The bilinear isotropic hardening rule’s parameters are determined by means of a monotonic tensile test.The Chaboche’s parameters are determined by using a low cycle tension/compression test by applying curve fitting methods on the low cycle fatigue loop.Furthermore,the parameter calibrations are performed in the finite element simulations by using an optimization approach based on the inverse analysis.Dimensional accuracy for the nut is of primary concern due to the tolerance constraints of the nut manufacturers.Experimental diameter and height measurements of the folded locking nut are compared with those obtained from the optimized model.The results reveal that the folding dimensions can be predicted more accurately when the model parameters are determined by using the combined hardening rule.The calibrated parameters are presented for the folding and cycling deformation processes.

Egypt, Possible Conflict and Cooperation Areas in the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

A country’s foreign policy process is also a decision-making process. Foreign policy is a rational, multifaceted, and balanced area that needs to be thought and executed. States operate within the framework of the decisions of governments. The decision-making process can change its direction with reflections and influences from national, regional, and international politics. While some theories think that governments/decision-makers are rational actors, there are other theories. Decision-makers/governments are able to make decisions in accordance with national interests. Who or which institution will determine what a country’s national interest is and whether its foreign policy is in the national interest. Claiming that a foreign policy carried out by political will is in line with national interest and gives it a certain degree of legitimacy and authority. The main problem here is the identification of national interest with the discourse/policies of those officially responsible for the conduct of foreign policy. National interest can best be determined if it has become a verifiable expression of the priorities of a nation. Heads of state trust their advisors in their immediate surroundings when making foreign policy decisions, so it is important to recognize the composition of the immediate environment. In authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, such as Iran, ideology and leader are vital in foreign policy. The Iranian geopolitics, the ideological structure of the political regime, and the constitutional structure, which is constitutionally effective and superior, should be analyzed in order to examine Iran’s foreign policy. This comprehensive assay will naturally exceed the purpose and scope of this study.

A Cytogenetic Study on Spermophilus Xanthoprymnus(Bennett,1835)in Isparta Province

This study was conducted to explain the karyological characteristics of S.xanthoprymnus from Gencali in Turkey.The chromosomes of the specimens were traditionally stained and examined according to standard procedures.The chromosomes were determined according to centromere positions by examining the photographs of metaphase cells.The karyotype of S.xanthoprymnus contained 42 chromosomes(2n=42)and fundamental number of chromosomal arms NF=81 and the number of autosomal arms NFa=78.The karyotype includes four metacentric chromosomes ranging from large to small,three pairs of large and medium-sized submetacentric autosome,twelve ranging from large to medium size subtelocentric,and a pair of acrocentric autosomes.The X chromosome was determined as large subtelocentric and Y chromosome as small acrocentric.Due to there is no karyological information and geographical distribution of existentence cytotypes in Turkey,revelation of chromosomal structure in Anatolian ground squirrel populations will provide properly assessment of taxonomy of those rodents in further studies.

Exploitation of tolerance to drought stress in carrot(Daucus carota L.):an overview

Drought stress is a significant environmental factor that adversely affects the growth and development of car-rot(Daucus carota L.),resulting in reduced crop yields and quality.Drought stress induces a range of physiological and biochemical changes in carrots,including reduced germination,hindered cell elongation,wilting,and disrupted photosynthetic efficiency,ultimately leading to stunted growth and decreased root development.Recent research has focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying carrot’s response to drought stress,identifying key genes and transcription factors involved in drought tolerance.Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses have provided insights into the regulatory networks and signaling pathways involved in drought stress adaptation.Among biochemical processes,water scarcity alters carrot antioxidant levels,osmolytes,and hormones.This review provides an overview of the effects of drought stress on carrots and highlights recent advances in drought stress-related studies on this crop.Some recent advances in understanding the effects of drought stress on carrots and developing strategies for drought stress mitigation are crucial for ensuring sustainable carrot production in the face of changing climate conditions.However,understanding the mechanisms underlying the plant’s response to drought stress is essential for developing strategies to improve its tolerance to water scarcity and ensure food security in regions affected by drought.

Dietary rumen-protected L-arginine or N-carbamylglutamate enhances placental amino acid transport and suppresses angiogenesis and steroid anabolism in underfed pregnant ewes

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of underfed Hu ewes from d 35 to110 of gestation with either rumen-protected L-arginine(RP-Arg)or N-carbamylglutamate(NCG)on placental amino acid(AA)transport,angiogenic gene expression,and steroid anabolism.On d 35 of gestation,32 Hu ewes carrying twin fetuses were randomly divided into four treatment groups,each consisting of eight ewes,and were fed the following diets:A diet providing 100%of NRC’s nutrient requirements for pregnant ewes(CON);A diet providing 50%of NRC’s nutrient requirements for pregnant ewes(RES);RES diet plus 5 g/d NCG(RES+NCG);or RES diet plus 20 g/d RP-Arg(RES+ARG).On the d 110 of pregnancy,blood samples were taken from the mother,and samples were collected from type A cotyledons(COT;the fetal portions of the placenta).The levels of 17β-estradiol and progesterone in the maternal serum and both the capillary area density(CAD)and capillary surface density(CSD)in type A COT were decreased in response to Arg or NCG supplementation when compared to the RES group.The concentrations of arginine,leucine,putrescine and spermidine in type A COT were higher(P<0.05)in the RES+ARG or RES+NCG group than in the RES group.The mRNA expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and solute carrier family 15,member 1(SLC15A1)were increased(P<0.05)while those of progesterone receptor(PGR)and fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2)were decreased in type A COT by supplementation with either NCG or RP-Arg compared to the RES group.The results suggest that providing underfed pregnant ewes from d 35 to 110 of gestation with a diet supplemented with NCG or RP-Arg improves placental AA transport,and reduces the expression of angiogenic growth factor genes and steroid anabolism,leading to better fetal development.

Impact of Electric Vehicle Aggregator with Communication Time Delay on Stability Regions and Stability Delay Margins in Load Frequency Control System

This paper investigates the impact of electric vehicle(EV)aggregator with communication time delay on stability regions and stability delay margins of a single-area load frequency control(LFC)system.Primarily,a graphical method characterizing stability boundary locus is implemented.For a given time delay,the method computes all the stabilizing proportional-integral(PI)controller gains,which constitutes a stability region in the parameter space of PI controller.Secondly,in order to complement the stability regions,a frequency-domain exact method is used to calculate stability delay margins for various values of PI controller gains.The qualitative impact of EV aggregator on both stability regions and stability delay margins is thoroughly analyzed and the results are authenticated by time-domain simulations and quasi-polynomial mapping-based root finder(QPmR)algorithm.

Dietary rumen-protected L-arginine or N-carbamylglutamate attenuated fetal hepatic inflammation in undernourished ewes suffering from intrauterine growth restriction

This study aimed to explore whether dietary rumen-protected L-arginine(RP-Arg)or N-carbamylglutamate(NCG)supplementation to feed-restricted pregnant ewes counteracts fetal hepatic inflammation and innate immune dysfunction associated with intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR)in ovine fetuses.On d 35 of pregnancy,twin-bearing Hu ewes(n=32)were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups(8 ewes and 16 fetuses per group)and fed diets containing 100%of the NRC requirements(CON),50%of the NRC requirements(RES),RES+RP-Arg(20 g/d)(RESA),or RES+NCG(5 g/d)(RESN).At 08:00 on d 110 of gestation,fetal blood and liver tissue samples were collected.The levels of triglyceride,free fatty acid,cholesterol andβ-hydroxybutyrate in the fetal blood of RESA and RESN groups were lower(P<0.05)than those of the RES group,but were higher(P<0.05)than those of the CON group.The interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1 levels in fetal blood and liver tissue as well as the myeloid differentiation primary response 88(MyD88),transforming growth factorβ(TGFβ),and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)mRNA levels in the fetal liver were decreased(P<0.05)by the NCG or RP-Arg supplementation compared to the RES treatment.Similarly,the toll-like receptor(TLR)-4,MyD88,TGFβ,and p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)protein levels in the fetal liver were reduced(P<0.05)in the NCG and RP-Arg-supplemented groups compared to the RES group.These results showed that dietary supplementation of RP-Arg or NCG to underfed pregnant ewes could protect against IUGR fetal hepatic inflammation via improving lipid metabolism,down-regulating the TLR-4 and the inflammatory JNK and NF-icB signaling pathways,and decreasing cytokine production in ovine fetal blood and liver tissue.

Dietary N-carbamylglutamate and L-arginine supplementation improves redox status and suppresses apoptosis in the colon of intrauterine growth-retarded suckling lambs

Previous studies have revealed that dietary N-carbamylglutamate(NCG)or L-arginine(Arg)improves small intestinal integrity and immune function in suckling Hu lambs that have experienced intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR).Whether these nutrients alter redox status and apoptosis in the colon of IUGR lambs is still unknown.This study,therefore,aimed at investigating whether dietary supplementation of Arg or NCG alters colonic redox status,apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress and the underlying mechanism of these alterations in IUGR suckling Hu lambs.Forty-eight 7-d old Hu lambs,including 12 with normal birth weight(4.25±0.14 kg)and 36 with IUGR(3.01±0.12 kg),were assigned to 4 treatment groups(n=12 each;6 males and 6 females)for 3 weeks.The treatment groups were control(CON),IUGR,IUGR+Arg and IUGR+NCG.Relative to IUGR lambs,superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)content,as well as proliferation index,were higher(P<0.05)whereas reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA)levels and apoptotic cell numbers were lower(P<0.05)in colonic tissue for both IUGR+Arg and NCG lambs.Both m RNA and protein levels of C/EBP homologous protein 10(CHOP10),B-cell lymphoma/leukaemia 2(Bcl-2)-associated X protein(Bax),apoptosis antigen 1(Fas),activating transcription factor 6(ATF6),caspase 3,and glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78)were lower(P<0.05)while glutathione peroxidase 1(GPx1),Bcl-2 and catalase(CAT)levels were higher(P<0.05)in colonic tissue for IUGR+Arg and IUGR+NCG lambs compared with IUGR lambs.Based on our results,dietary NCG or Arg supplementation can improve colonic redox status and suppress apoptosis via death receptor-dependent,mitochondrial and ER stress pathways in IUGR suckling lambs.

Proton radioactivity half-lives with nuclear asymmetry factor

The dependence of proton emission half-lives on the nuclear asymmetry parameter is investigated using the WKB method and two types of empirical formula.Using the single-folding formalism with asymmetry-depend-ent nuclear radius and surface diffuseness of nuclear matter,the nuclear potential and consequently the half-life are functions of the asymmetry factor.Despite small values of asymmetry in neutron-deficient proton emitters,notice-able changes in the half-lives are observed.The addition of an asymmetry parameter term to the two forms of empir-ical formulas leads to a reduction in the rms error for ground state and isomeric transitions.A noticeable reduction of about 43%is obtained for isomeric transitions in the second form of the empirical formula.Considering ground state transitions in two categories,odd-even and odd-odd emitters,and adopting deformation and asymmetry-dependent empirical formulas,the rms decreases remarkably.The low est values of rms errors,viz.0.1492,0.2312,and 0.1999,are obtained for the aforementioned empirical formulas for ground state transitions of odd-even and odd-odd emit-ters and for all isomeric transitions,respectively.

Recent advances in the utilization of insects as an ingredient in aquafeeds:A review

The aquafeed industry continues to expand in response to the rapidly growing aquaculture sector.However,the identification of alternative protein sources in aquatic animal diets to replace conventional sources due to cost and sustainability issues remains a major challenge.Recently,insects have shown tremendous results as potential replacers of fishmeal in aquafeed.The present study aimed to review the utilization of insects in aquafeeds and their effects on aquatic animals’growth and feed utilization,immune response and disease resistance,and fish flesh quality and safety.While many insect species have been investigated in aquaculture,the black soldier fly(Hermetia illucens),and the mealworm(Tenebrio molitor)are the most studied and most promising insects to replace fishmeal in aquafeed.Generally,insect rearing conditions and biomass processing methods may affect the product’s nutritional composition,digestibility,shelf life and required insect inclusion level by aquatic animals.Also,insect-recommended inclusion levels for aquatic animals vary depending on the insect species used,biomass processing method,and test organism.Overall,while an appropriate inclusion level of insects in aquafeed provides several nutritional and health benefits to aquatic animals,more studies are needed to establish optimum requirements levels for different aquaculture species at different stages of development and under different culture systems.

Dietary N-carbamylglutamate or L-arginine supplementation improves hepatic energy status and mitochondrial function and inhibits the AMP-activated protein kinase-peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor γ coactivator-1α-transcription factor A pathway in intrauterine-growth-retarded suckling lambs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary administration of L-arginine(Arg)or N-carbamylglutamate(NCG)on hepatic energy status and mitochondrial functions in suckling Hu lambs with intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR).Forty-eight newborn Hu lambs of 7 d old were allocated into 4 treatment groups of 12 lambs each,in triplicate with 4 lambs per replicate(2 males and 2 females)as follows:CON(lambs of normal birth weight,4.25±0.14 kg),IUGR(3.01±0.12 kg),IUGR+1%Arg(2.99±0.13 kg),or IUGR+0.1%NCG(3.03±0.11 kg).The experiment lasted for 21 d,until d 28 after birth,and all lambs were fed milk replacer as a basal diet.Compared with IUGR lambs,NCG or Arg administration increased(P<0.05)the adenosine triphosphate(ATP)level and the activities of com-plexes I/III/IV,isocitrate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase in the liver.Compared with CON lambs,the relative mRNA levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinaseα1(AMPKα1),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγcoactivator-1α(PGC1α)and transcription factor A(TFAM)were increased(P<0.05)in the liver of IUGR lambs,but were decreased(P<0.05)in the liver of NCG-or Arg-treated lambs compared with those in the IUGR lambs.Compared with IUGR lambs,NCG or Arg administration decreased(P<0.05)the total AMPKα(tAMPKα)-to-phosphorylated AMPKα(pAMPKα)ratio and the protein expression of PGC1αand TFAM.The results suggested that dietary Arg or NCG supplements improved hepatic energy status and mitochondrial function and inhibited the AMPK-PGC1α-TFAM pathway in IUGR suckling lambs.