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Pumping pressure and flow rate relationship to reduce energy consumption in irrigation systems
No full textIn the context of the current energy crisis, electricity consumption, especially by large consumers, must be reduced, rationally, without affecting the quality of services provided. Pressure pumping stations (PPS) in irrigation systems are usually equipped with 4 to 8 electric pumping sets with an installed power that can even exceed 1 MW. Since the PPS serving the irrigation plots must work mainly on demand, the required flow rate in the network can vary widely even during each day of the irrigation period. Also, due to the dependence of the pressure loss on the flow carried in the pipe network, this dependence is usually represented by an increasing quadratic function, and the variation of the required flow also leads to a variation, generally significant, of the pressure required from the PPS. To ensure the necessary flow, the PPS are automated with Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, which optimally control the configuration of the electric pumps in operation and their speed. This article presents a mathematical model and algorithm that facilitate the determination of the correlation between the pressure and flow required from the PPS ((p-Q)c), rendered by an increasing function. The implementation of (p-Q)c in the SCADA system software at PPS 2 in the Trifești-Sculeni irrigation system, in the eastern part of Romania, determined a reduction of energy consumption by up to 16%
Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Abies alba and Pinus sylvestris Bark Extracts: Characterization, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Antibacterial Effects
Get PDFIn recent years, phytofunctionalized AgNPs have attracted great interest due to their remarkable biological activities. In the present study, AgNPs were synthesized using Abies alba and Pinus sylvestris bark extracts. The chemical profile of these bark extracts was analyzed by LC-HRMS/MS. As a first step, the synthesis parameters (pH, AgNO3 concentration, ratio of bark extract and AgNO3, temperature, and reaction time) were optimized. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, DLS, SEM, EDX, and TEM. Their antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antibacterial properties were evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, MTT, and broth microdilution assays, respectively. Abies alba and Pinus sylvestris bark extract-derived AgNPs were well-dispersed, spherical, small (average particle size of 9.92 and 24.49 nm, respectively), stable (zeta potential values of −10.9 and −10.8 mV, respectively), and cytotoxic to A-375 human malignant melanoma cells (IC50 = 2.40 ± 0.21 and 6.02 ± 0.61 μg/mL, respectively). The phytosynthesized AgNPs also showed antioxidant and antibacterial effects
Establishing the distribution of West Nile Virus outbreaks in Romania by using climatic scenarios
No full textWest Nile virus (WNV) is a
re-emerging zoonotic pathogen that
represents a threat to both human and animal
health. It is difficult to estimate the impact of
WNV in the future, although many of the
climatic factors influencing its spread have
been identified. In this study, we used
bioclimatic indices to estimate those periods
that favour the growth of vector mosquito
populations and the incubation periods for
the virus. To this end, we studied the
climatic changes in the Romanian regions
where cases of WN infection have been
reported. Simulations were carried out for
2100 based on long-term scenarios.
Identifying the bioclimatic conditions which
can cause WNV outbreaks in Romania is
necessary to anticipate and thereby prevent
future epidemics. However, no extraordinary
weather events were registered in the years
with WNV outbreaks which could explain
such a high number of cases. Thus, in the
High Scenario (which will occur if actions to
control (GHG) gas emissions are not taken
or implemented effectively), the hatching
period is extended until November, with the
risk that adult mosquitoes are active
throughout the year, ensuring a high survival
rate of the virus within mosquitoes. In
addition, in the High Scenario, the
transmission period of the virus is extended
from April to October, which underlines the
need to establish monitoring and control
programmes for both mosquito populations
and the spread of the virus among the animal
and human populations
Management of nitrogen stress in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) using greenseeker technology
No full textThis study was performed with
GreenSeeker technology in order to
determine the possibility of nitrogen stress
management in cotton and to determine the
differences between the normalized
difference vegetative index (NDVI) and
nitrogen doses determined with
GreenSeeker, to determine the nitrogen
deficiency and stress conditions by making
use of the value of the NDVI in cotton
production and to intervene when necessary
and direct the producers in this regard. In the
study six nitrogen doses (Control, 60, 120,
180, 240 and 300 kg ha-1) were used. The
results showed significant differences
between N applications for leaf chlorophyll
content (SPAD), NDVI-2 (in the boll
formation period), number of bolls (NB),
seed cotton (SCY) and fiber yield (FY). On
the other hand, there were non-significant
differences in terms of (LA) area, NDVI-1
(in the beginning of the flowering), plant
height (PH), node number of first fruiting
branches (NNFFB), number of monopodial
branches (NMB) and number of sympodial
branches (NSB), number of nodes (NN),
height to node ratio (HNR), seed cotton boll
weight (SCBW) and ginning percentage
(GP). The highest SCY and FY obtained
were from doses of 180 and 120 kg ha-1 N,
the highest leaf chlorophyll content and
number of bolls obtained were from doses of
120 kg ha-1 N. The highest values of NDVI-2
obtained were from doses of 120, 240 and
300 kg ha-1 N, respectively. There were nonsignificant
differences between N doses for
values of the NDVI-1 of flowering, but
significant differences observed for values of
NDVI-2 of boll formation periods. The
findings obtained from this research
indicated that leaf chlorophyll and NDVI of
the boll formation period can be used for
determining differences due to varying N
doses in cotton production
Study on cost analysis in farms in the N-E and S-E development regions of Romania
No full textAn important problem of Romanian agriculture is the fragmentation of land which correlates significantly with the
diversification of household production. The evolution of agricultural production systems worldwide is influenced by
the globalization of international trade in the current stage of socio-economic development, which amplifies structural
interdependence for economies in different regions. The aim of the paper is to analyses costs on farms in the North-East
and South-East regions of Romania. Field research was conducted in the agricultural year 2020-2021 on a
representative sample, by size categories, of 60 farms in the NE and SE development regions, 30 in each region and 5 in
each county. The 5 farms were selected by economic size (below 100 thousand SO; 100 thousand SO - 250 thousand
SO; 250 thousand SO - 500 thousand SO; 500 thousand SO - 750 thousand SO; above 750 thousand SO). The economic
size of the farms was pre-determined in the survey in order to accurately determine the costs in agriculture. The results
suggest significant variability in costs by structure, farm size and area of activity. The sum of the influence of these
factors can also be associated with a diversified management system
Evaluarea potențialului ameliorativ al unor populații locale de fasole de grădină din colecția Băncii de resurse genetice vegetale Suceava
Get PDFThe research that was the basis of this work aimed to know the variability of some morphological and physiological descriptors of some landraces from the collection of the Suceava Plant Genetic Resources Bank (BRGV). These morphological descriptors relate to plant vigour, number of main branches, leaf colour, flower colour, berry colour, pod size, expressed as length and width, number of pods per plant, number of kernels in pod, berry weight and resistance to factors abiotic stress, in order to identify valuable characters and traits for the breeding proces
Continuous systems bioremediation of wastewaters loaded with heavy metals using microorganisms
Get PDFHeavy metal pollution is a serious concern of the modern era due to its widespread negative
effects on human health and to the environment. Conventional technologies applied for the uptake
of this category of persistent pollutants are complex, often expensive, and inefficient at low metal
concentrations. In the last few years, non-conventional alternatives have been studied in search of
better solutions in terms of costs and sustainability. Microbial adsorbents are one of the biomass-based
sorbents that have extensively demonstrated excellent heavy metals removal capacity even at low
concentrations. However, most of the carried-out research regarding their application in wastewater
treatment has been performed in discontinuous systems. The use of microorganisms for the uptake
of metal ions in continuous systems could be an important step for the upscale of the remediation
processes since it facilitates a faster remediation of higher quantities of wastewaters loaded with
heavy metals, in comparison with batch systems removal. Thus, the current research aims to analyze
the available studies focusing on the removal of metal ions from wastewaters using microorganisms,
in continuous systems, with a focus on obtained performances, optimized experimental conditions,
and the sustainability of the bioremoval process. The present work found that microbial-based
remediation processes have demonstrated very good performances in continuous systems. Further
sustainability analyses are required in order to apply the bioremediation technology in an optimized
environmentally friendly way in large-scale facilities
Should global warming influence the occurrence of canine dirofilariosis infection in Romania?
Get PDFIn order to evaluate the prevalence of heartworm disease in the South-East of Romania, we collected blood from 40 dogs
from a shelter in Galati, which were examined by several methods for the Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repenes
microfilariae identification, and for the detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen respectively. Eleven dogs were positive
for microfilariae (27.5%), of which 3/11 were co-infections and only 1/40 had D. repens microfilariae detected. Following
serological test, D. immitis antigen was detected in 30% of the investigated serum samples (12/40). The high prevalence
of heartworm disease requires continuous monitoring of symptomatic dogs, but also of the asymptomatic ones from
shelters or of those from veterinary clinics in endemic areas. Furthermore, the mosquito populations control in endemic
areas is mandatory
Hemostatic Cryogels Based on Oxidized Pullulan/Dopamine with Potential Use as Wound Dressings
No full textThe impetus for research into hydrogels based on selectively oxidized polysaccharides has been stimulated by the diversity of potential biomedical applications. Towards the development of a hemostatic wound dressing in this study, we creatively combined the (hemi)acetal and Schiff base bonds to prepare a series of multifunctional cryogels based on dialdehyde pullulan and dopamine. The designed structures were verified by NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Network parameters and dynamic sorption studies were correlated with environmental scanning microscopy results, thus confirming the successful integration of the two components and the opportunities for finely tuning the structure–properties balance. The viscoelastic parameters (storage and loss moduli, complex and apparent viscosities, zero shear viscosity, yield stress) and the structural recovery capacity after applying a large deformation were determined and discussed. The mechanical stability and hemostatic activity suggest that the optimal combination of selectively oxidized pullulan and dopamine can be a promising toolkit for wound management
Researches regarding the using the varietal diversity of barley in the intercropping system with white lupine (Lupinus albus l.) and oat (Avena spp.)
No full textThe aim of this study is to test the varietal mixtures of barley in intercropping system and to select genotypes adapted
for the redesign of breeding programs in the management of modern agroecosystems. Descriptors such as yield /
genotypes, seeds weight and foliar diseases were evaluated in 36 barley genotypes (10 advanced cultivars, 16 local
populations, 10 inbred lines) by testing in mono-cropping and intercropping experiments in two years (2019, 2021), in
the climatic conditions of northeastern Romania. Intercropping experiments (barley-oats, barley-white lupine) versus
mono-cropping (barley, oats, white lupine) were performed in blocks with 36 genotypes sown in alternating rows
(intercropping) and successive (mono-cropping) 2 m long and 12.5 cm between rows, for each variant. The results
obtained of the barley evaluation in the two cropping systems by using the descriptors of productivity, disease and
equivalent land ratio (LER) showed: high barley yield in mono-cropping and intercropping systems with white lupine,
low incidence of powdery and life stripe in white lupine intercropping and spot blotch in oat intercropping, respectively
positive interspecific interference regarding the resources in white lupine intercropping especially of local barley
populations (LER -1.15). The selection of the varietal mixture (7-advanced cultivars, 13 local populations, 3 inbred
lines) in the Ward dendogram can be used in intercropped crops and as genetic sources to obtain forms well adapted to
the intercropping system