Abstract: This study investigates the effects of basic mix design variables such as water/cement ratio (w/c), slump flow, coarse-to-total aggregate ratio (CA/TA), and maximum aggregate size (Dmax) on the main characteristics of self-consolidating concrete. The w/c of the mixtures was either 0.42 or 0.50. The CA/TA ranged between 0.45 and 0.53. Slump flow was adjusted to 550, 650 or 720 ±20 mm by varying the superplasticizer content. Dmax was varied as 10, 15 and 20 mm. V-funnel, L-box, rheometer, sieve segregation tests and a new test method, recently developed by the authors, for dynamic segregation resistance were performed. The effect of each variable on the test results were effectively summarized in a table. Increasing the w/c, CA/TA and Dmax decreased the superplasticizer demand and increased the flowability. When the slump flow, w/c and CA/TA were higher, viscosity was found to be lower. Higher values of CA/TA and Dmax were found to reduce the passing ability. Increasing the slump flow (or superplasticizer content), CA/TA and Dmax disturbed the stability. Generally, the effects of w/c and slump flow on the SCC characteristics were more pronounced when compared to those of CA/TA and Dmax. Good correlations were obtained between several test results.

Resumo A senescência pós-colheita é um dos desafios cruciais que limitam a comercialização das flores de corte. Pertinentemente, investigações recentes relacionam um extenso papel das poliaminas na regulação da senescência das flores. O presente estudo foi planejado para testar a eficácia das poliaminas na preservação da qualidade pós-colheita de inflorescências cortadas de Consolida ajacis (C. ajacis). As inflorescências de C. ajacis foram submetidas a vários tratamentos de poliaminas, a saber, 4 mM de espermina (SPM), 6 mM de Putrescina (PUT) e 6 mM de espermidina (SPD). Um conjunto separado de inflorescências foi mantido em água destilada para o controle. Os resultados demonstraram uma melhoria significativa na vida de vaso das inflorescências cortadas de C. ajacis em comparação com o controle. O incremento na vida de vaso foi proporcional à maior concentração de açúcares, proteínas e fenóis nos tecidos das tépalas. As poliaminas promoveram a atividade de várias enzimas antioxidantes viz, superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e ascorbato peroxidase (APX) para superar os efeitos deletérios das espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS). O fluxo de saída da membrana dos tecidos das tépalas foi intensamente reduzido devido à atividade atenuada da lipoxigenase (LOX). Esses resultados revelam o importante papel das poliaminas, particularmente SPM, na modulação da senescência da flor em inflorescências de corte de C. ajacis.

Abstract Postharvest senescence is one of the crucial challenges limiting the marketability of cut flowers. Pertinently, recent investigations implicate extensive role of polyamines in regulation of flower senescence. The present study was envisaged to test the efficacy of poylamines in preserving the postharvest quality of Consolida ajacis (C. ajacis) cut spikes. The cut spikes of C. ajacis were subjected to various treatments of polyamines viz, 4 mM Spermine (SPM), 6mM Putrescine (PUT) and 6 mM Spermidine (SPD). A separate set of spikes held in distilled water represented the control. Our results authenticate a significant improvement in vase life of cut spikes of C. ajacis as compared to control. The increment in vase life was commensurate with the higher concentration of sugars, proteins and phenols in the tepal tissues. Polyamines amplified the activity of various antioxidant enzymes viz, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) to overcome the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The membrane outflow of tepal tissues was profoundly reduced due to attenuated lipoxygenase (LOX) activity. These findings reveal conspicuous role of polyamines particularly SPM in modulation of flower senescence in cut spikes of C. ajacis.

Resumo Na indústria da floricultura, a senescência pós-colheita é um dos desafios que restringe a comercialização das flores de corte. Portanto, manter a boa qualidade das flores de corte e prolongar a longevidade das flores são considerados os fatores mais importantes no comércio de flores de corte. Portanto, para obter uma melhor compreensão dos aspectos fisiológicos e bioquímicos específicos da senescência das pétalas, conduzimos experimento para avaliar a eficácia do ácido bórico (BA) na longevidade das flores em flores cortadas de Digitalis purpurea L. Botões isolados foram colhidos no estágio IV, ou seja, 1 dia antes da antese e dividido em 5 conjuntos, sendo um conjunto de gemas mantido em água destilada (DW) designado como controle. Os outros 4 conjuntos foram suplementados com tratamento de pulsing de 24 horas de diferentes concentrações de BA (50, 100, 150 e 200 µM). A aplicação de BA na concentração de 150 µM foi considerada mais eficaz no aumento da longevidade das flores em cerca de 4 dias em comparação com o controle. O aumento da longevidade coincidiu com os maiores valores de diâmetro floral, massa fresca, massa seca e absorção de solução. Flores com senescência retardada também retiveram proteínas, açúcares e fenóis mais solúveis, além de menor densidade bacteriana em comparação com o controle. Além disso, a longevidade melhorada da flor também mostrou estar positivamente associada ao aumento das atividades de várias enzimas antioxidantes, como superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e ascorbato peroxidase (APX) e redução da atividade da lipoxigenase (LOX).

Abstract In the floriculture industry, postharvest senescence is one of the glaring challenges restricting the marketability of cut flowers. Hence, maintaining good quality of cut flowers and extending flower longevity are considered to be the most crucial factors in the cut flower trade. Therefore, to gain better understanding of the specific physiological and biochemical aspects of petal senescence we conducted an experiment to evaluate the efficacy of Boric acid (BA) on flower longevity in excised flowers of Digitalis purpurea L. Isolated buds were harvested at stage IV i.e, 1 day before anthesis and divided into 5 sets, with one set of buds held in distilled water (DW) designated as control. The other 4 sets were supplemented with 24h pulse treatment of different concentrations of BA viz., 50, 100, 150 and 200 µM. The application of BA at 150 µM concentration was found to be most effective in increasing flower longevity by about 4 days as compared to control. The enhanced longevity coincided with higher values of floral diameter, fresh mass, dry mass and solution uptake. Flowers with delayed senescence also retained higher soluble proteins, sugars and phenols in addition to lower bacterial density compared to control. Moreover, this ameliorated flower longevity has also been shown to be positively associated with increased activities of various antioxidant enzymes viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and reduced activity of lipoxygenase (LOX).

Resumo Visando a estender a vida pós-colheita relativamente breve de flores de corte por uma gama de tecnologias, o presente estudo elucida a implicação de 6-benzilamino purina (BAP), cinetina (KN) e tidiazuron (TDZ) no desempenho pós-colheita e longevidade de flores isoladas flores de Calendula officinalis. O BAP e o KN pertencem às citocininas do grupo adenina, enquanto o TDZ é um composto de difenilureia com atividade semelhante à da citocinina. As flores foram suplementadas com BAP, KN e TDZ em várias concentrações 25, 50, 75 e 100 µM um dia antes do estágio de antese (em forma de copo). O controle foi designado por um conjunto distinto de flores mantidas em água destilada (DW). Nossos resultados revelaram o aumento substancial na longevidade das flores pela aplicação de vários reguladores de crescimento em comparação com o controle. Soluções de vaso contendo 50 µM de BAP e KN e 75 µM de TDZ (individualmente) foram mais eficazes em melhorar a longevidade das flores de calêndula cortadas. A melhora na longevidade das flores foi principalmente associada com alto índice de estabilidade de membrana (MSI), o aumento das atividades de várias enzimas antioxidantes viz., Catalase (CAT), superóxido dismutase (SOD) e ascorbato peroxidase (APX), além de uma atividade atenuada de lipoxigenase (LOX) em as pétalas. Em relação ao controle, as flores exibiram maiores valores de proteínas solúveis, fenóis e açúcares totais, além de menor teor de α-aminoácidos. No entanto, o BAP superou o TDZ e o KN na melhoria da longevidade da flor de Calendula officinalis, mantendo maior estabilidade fisiológica e bioquímica nos tecidos das pétalas.

Abstract In view of extending the relatively brief postharvest life of flowers by a range of technologies, the present study elucidates the implication of 6-benzylamino purine (BAP), kinetin (KN) and thidiazuron (TDZ) on postharvest performance and flower longevity of isolated flowers of Calendula officinalis. BAP and KN belong to adenine group cytokinins while as TDZ is a diphenyl urea compound having cytokinin like activity. The harvested flowers were supplemented with BAP, KN and TDZ at various concentrations viz., 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM at one day before anthesis (cup shaped) stage. The control was designated by a distinct set of flowers held in distilled water (DW). Our findings revealed substantial enhancement in flower longevity by application of various growth regulators as compared to the control. Vase solutions containing BAP and KN at 50 µM and TDZ at 75 µM (individually) were most effective in improving the longevity of cut Calendula flowers. Improvement in flower longevity was primarily associated with high membrane stability index (MSI), upregulated activities of various antioxidant enzymes viz., catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), besides an attenuated lipoxygenase (LOX) activity in the petals. As compared to control, the treated flowers exhibited higher values of soluble proteins, total phenols and total sugars, besides lower α-amino acid content in the petal tissues. However, BAP outplayed TDZ and KN in improving the flower longevity of Calendula officinalis by maintaining higher physiological and biochemical stability in petals.

Abstract: The properties of CLT can be affected by the type of adhesives used. The thermal properties of the adhesive that join the timber together is essential to determine the thermal endurance of the CLT product. In this study, two types of adhesives were used to join the cross laminated timber (CLT) manufactured from Acacia mangium namely phenol resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF) and one component polyurethane (PUR). The thermal properties of the adhesives, A. mangium wood and the glue lines were determined via Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) tests. The TGA test showed that PRF adhesive had higher degradation temperature at 530 ºC compared to PUR adhesive at 430 ºC. Meanwhile, the PRF adhesive as a glue line in CLT also showed better thermal resistance where a higher amount of residue of 20,94 % was recorded at temperature up to 900 ºC compared to PUR glue line with 18,26 % residue. The integrity of the CLT over temperature was determined via DMA test and the results showed that PRF adhesive as glue line had superior properties, indicating better interfacial bonding with the woods.

Abstract Background: Plant-derived compounds are alternatives of synthetic insecticides in sustainable agriculture. Objective: This study investigated the phytotoxic effect of higher concentrations (2, 4, 8 and 16%) of four plants extracts (Azadirachta indica, Mentha arvensis, D. stramonium and Citrus limonium) on cotton plants. Methods: Each concentration was replicated four times to check the phytotoxic effect (CO2-in, CO2-out, H2O-in, H2O-out and photosynthesis absorption rate (PAR) in randomized complete block design. Data was recorded after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of spray with the help of Photosynthetic CL 340 meter. Results: The results showed that CO2-in was more affected by the D. stramonium (131.65±0.38) at 8% concentration. The overall progress showed that C. limonium was more affected the CO2-in of cotton crop. CO2-out was less affected by the C. limonium (117.83±1.46) at 4% concentration than M. arvensis (116.99±1.25) at 8% concentration and D. stramonium (115.77±0.74) at 16% concentration, but was more affected by the A. indica (118.15±0.71) at 4%. H2O-in was more affected by the C. limonium (0.39±0.05) than D. stramonium, A. indica and M. arvensis at 16% concentration. H2O-out of cotton was least affected by the D. stramonium (7.63±0.01) at 2% and more affected by the C. limonium (1.56±0.15) at 16% concentration. PAR was more affected by the A. indica (931.47±8.39) at 4% concentration and least affected by the M. arvensis (1499.7±9.94) at 8% concentration. Conclusions: Different dosages of various botanicals influenced the opening and closing of stomata and photosynthesis of cotton plants.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to find out the ameliorative properties of Tribulus terristeris L (TT) on BPA induced spermatotoxicity in male albino rats. Mature male albino rats were divided into five groups, Group A was taken as control for comparison group, whereas the other four groups namely B(vehicle control), C (toxic), D (preventive control) and Group E (amelioration group) received distilled water, olive oil, BPA, TT, and (TT + BPA) respectively. Macroscopic results revealed decreased body weight of rats, weight of testes, and the relative tissue weight index (RTWI) in BPA induced group. Hormonal (testosterone) assay results revealed the decreased values of BPA treated group. Microscopic examination of testis of BPA treated rats showed reduction in leydig cells, decreased diameter of seminiferous tubules and low values of Johnsen’s scoring. Histological examination showed discontinuity and irregularity of basement membrane and sloughing of the germinal cell linage. Group E showed the body weights of rats, weight of testes, RTWI, and increased, while reduced level of testosterone, reduced number of Leydig cells, decreased diameter of seminiferous tubules and low values of Johnsen’s scoring were restored near to normal. These results demonstrate that TT might be beneficial in combating the spermatotoxicity, induced by BPA.

Ginkgo biloba is considered to be an alternative drug for various indications; unfortunately very few studies are available on its side effects. This present study describes the harmful effects of Ginkgo biloba on developing fetal liver. Two experimental groups of six pregnant female mice each were given Ginkgo biloba at human therapeutic dose (A) and a higher dose (B) throughout the gestation period. A third group (C) was taken as a control and given distilled water only. Fetal livers were examined and the effects of the drug observed. There were signs of congestion and fatty change along with dilatation of sinusoids in a dose dependent manner concluding that Ginkgo biloba affects fetal liver.

La Ginkgo biloba es considerada, en varias indicaciones, como un medicamento alternativo; sin embargo, existen pocos reportes disponibles sobre sus efectos secundarios. Este estudio describe los efectos nocivos de Ginkgo biloba en el desarrollo del hígado fetal. Dos grupos experimentales de 6 ratones hembras preñadas recibieron Ginkgo biloba en la dosis terapéutica humana (A) y una dosis más alta (B) por el período de gestación. Un tercer grupo control (C) recibió agua destilada. Los hígados fetales fueron examinados y observados los efectos de la droga. Hubo signos de congestión y degeneración grasa, junto con la dilatación de sinusoides en función de la dosis. Como conclusión la Ginkgo biloba afecta el hígado fetal.