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Here, we prepared two kinds of nanocomposites (MCT#1 and MCT#2) involving MWCNTs and TiO2 nanoparticles. The characterisation of the samples is carried out based on FTIR spectroscopy and TEM. The Ti-O groups that is attributed to the TiO2 nanoparticles can be confirmed according to the FTIR analysis. TEM images show that the average particle size of TiO2 nanoparticles in prepare MCT#1 and MCT#2 is equal to 13 nm and 15 nm, respectively. The influences of nanocomposites weight fraction and illumination time are investigated on the decomposition rate of methyl orange (MO) as pollutant. The photocatalytic results exhibit that the decomposition rate of MO is increased with respect to the weight fraction and illumination time. Meanwhile, higher decomposition rate can be observed using MCT#2 compared to MCT#1. Statistical analysis of the results based on Duncan's multiple range test at α = 0.05 reveals that all of the applied levels of the factors have a significant effect on the decomposition rate. The response surface results confirm that the effect of illumination time is high that that of weight fraction of MCT#1 and MCT#2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of groundwater resource around an abattoir site in Igoba area of Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria has been carried out, within 1.3 km radius from the abattoir site in order to determine the influence of the effluents discharge on quality of groundwater in the area, so as to forestall outbreak of diseases that can endanger human health. Eleven water samples were analyzed for physical, chemical and microbial parameters; and result subjected to spatial and statistical analysis using analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range of variance. The obtained parameters mean ± SD are pH (5.5±0.50), turbidity (10±5.9 NTU), temperature (27.75±0.35 °C), conductivity (240±105.99µs/cm), total dissolved solid (158.9±46.8 mg/L), total hardness (92.1±14.2 mg/L), nitrate (7.3±4.3 mg/L), iron (0.24±0.04 mg/L), total alkalinity (14.57±4.87 mg/L), manganese (0.017±0.0079 mg/L), calcium (26.53±8.7 mg/L), magnesium (12.20±8.1 mg/L), chloride (21.86±7.39 mg/L), sodium (14.71±4.85 mg/L), bicarbonate (13.95±4.48 mg/L), nitrite (0.0336±0.0269 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (1.82±0.52 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (133.1±53.7 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (29.55±10.93 mg/L), total coliform (9.36±6.05 cfu/100ml) and E.coli (0.5090±0.4700 cfu/100ml). The analysis of variance showed that statistically significant difference occurs among the parameters (p

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success rate of planting project. Also reviews combating desertification in this region by the Project. First, plant characteristics including canopy cover and vegetation density were measured by transect of 100m and plots of 225m2 (15×15), respectively. Also physical (soil texture) and chemical properties of soil samples including salinity and acidity at three depths of 0-30, 30-60 and 60-90cm (roots development zone) were measured. A region as a flood spreading area including three phases, two phases of Atriplex and one phase of Haloxylon was selected. Also, another region was considered as the control area. The results were compared by Duncan's test according to Completely Randomized Block design. The results of physical and chemical properties of the soil samples showed that the electrical conductivity and pH have decreased in the most samples. These changes were significant at the 5% level. Soil texture and sand increased but clay has decreased in the depth of 0-30cm, therefore soil structure has improved. The results of plant characteristics showed that water spreading has positive effects on establishment and natural regeneration of the planted spices (15.75 percent increase) and these changes are significant at the 5% level. Based on canopy cover and vegetation density results, there are no significant differences between Atriplex and Haloxylon; but the establishment of endemic species has been more successful in Haloxylon phase.

Abstract The objective of current research is to investigate distribution patterns of vegetation types and its relation with environmental factors in southern margin of Haj Aligholi Kavir of Damghan. Three vegetation types including Halecnemum strobilaceum, Sedlitzia rosmarinus and Artemisia sieberi were studied in marginal arid regions and uplands of the study area. Firstly, geographic location of vegetation types was determined using GPS. Then the boundary of the region was delineated on the topographic map in scale 1:50000. Elevation, slope and aspect of vegetation types were determined as well. Ten plots were established in the field based on randomized – systematic approach. The area of each plot was determined according to the kind of plant species and distribution of plants. Floristic list, canopy cover and average percent of species canopy cover were determined in each plot. Finally, five soil samples were taken in each vegetation type. The characteristics of soil samples including texture, EC, pH, %CaCO3, %CaSO4, %OM, SAR and ESP were measured too. ANOVA and Duncan's test were used to analyze the collected data. The result of analysis of variance showed that F test of all studied characteristics except %CaCO3, %CaSO4, %OM and elevation is significant in %1. The results of Duncan's test showed that soil texture, EC, SAR, ESP and pH of Halecnemum strobilaceum type is significantly different from two other types. Also, SAR, ESP and slope in habitat of Artemisia sieberi and Sedlitzia rosmarinus types were significantly different

Effects of dietary administration of Bacillus subtilis, B. pumilus and B. licheniformis on growth performance and survival rate of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). were evaluated in the present study. The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks with 12 h light: 12 h dark cycles and performed in triplicate with 10 dietary groups (one control and nine modified diets) comprised of 45 fish in each group. The treatments consisted of three levels at an initial concentration of 1× 106 CFU.g"1 (T1), 1× 107 CFU.g"1 (T2) and 1× 108 CFU.g"1 (T3) and one control, and were conducted every day. Siamese fighting fish (weight 0.1 ± 0.01 g) was fed with these diets and various growth indices and survival rate study were conducted for 8 weeks post-feeding. Survival percentage and condition factor of the diet containing 1 × 108 CFU.g"1 of B. subtilis had the best performance and showed a significant difference from other treatments (P< 0.05). The results suggest that Bacillus subtilis supplemented at a dose rate of 1 × 108 CFU.g"1 could significantly increase survival rate and is beneficial to Betta splendens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Leaf anatomy in six annual plant taxa of the genus Polygonum s. str. was analyzed. • The first study of this kind in the Balkan Peninsula and the Pannonian Plain. • Anatomical characteristics for two neglected polygonum s. str. taxa were considered. • Identified qualitative characters proved to be important in taxonomic delimitation. Leaf blade anatomy in six annual plant taxa of the genus Polygonum from the western and central regions of the Balkan Peninsula and the southern region of the Pannonian Plain was analyzed. The aim was to compare the anatomical characteristics of the leaf blades and identify the diagnostic significance of these traits in the taxonomy of the studied taxa. The analyses included 32 populations, and focused on 18 quantitative (14 basic and 4 derived) and 5 qualitative traits. A detailed description of the leaf anatomy was also provided for all examined taxa. Based on the statistical analysis and tests conducted on the quantitative leaf blade anatomical traits, it is possible to distinguish P. albanicum from the remaining taxa (P. arenarium subsp. arenarium, P. arenarium subsp. pulchellum, P. arenastrum, P. aviculare , and P. graminifolium). However, the analyzed quantitative characteristics did not contribute to the delimitation of the remaining taxa or to the formation of new groups within this genus. Consequently, they are insufficient for the separation of the examined taxa, but can provide important additional taxonomic information. On the other hand, the results yielded by nonparametric statistical analyses confirm that the analyzed qualitative traits, the midrib protrusion in particular, and the presence and level of protrusion of the lateral ribs, are valuable in taxa delimitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of current research is to investigate distribution patterns of vegetation types and its relation with environmental factors in southern margin of Haj Aligholi Kavir of Damghan. Three vegetation types including Halecnemum strobilaceum, Sedlitzia rosmarinus and Artemisia sieberi were studied in marginal arid regions and uplands of the study area. Firstly, geographic location of vegetation types was determined using GPS. Then the boundary of the region was delineated on the topographic map in scale 1:50000. Elevation, slope and aspect of vegetation types were determined as well. Ten plots were established in the field based on randomized - systematic approach. The area of each plot was determined according to the kind of plant species and distribution of plants. Floristic list, canopy cover and average percent of species canopy cover were determined in each plot. Finally, five soil samples were taken in each vegetation type. The characteristics of soil samples including texture, EC, pH, %CaCO3, %CaSO4, %OM, SAR and ESP were measured too. ANOVA and Duncan's test were used to analyze the collected data. The result of analysis of variance showed that F test of all studied characteristics except %CaCO3, %CaSO4, %OM and elevation is significant in %1. The results of Duncan's test showed that soil texture, EC, SAR, ESP and pH of Halecnemum strobilaceum type is significantly different from two other types. Also, SAR, ESP and slope in habitat of Artemisia sieberi and Sedlitzia rosmarinus types were significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]