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Editor’s Choice : Satellite Image Identification of Wind Channels to Delineate Wind Energy Generation Sites in Pakistan
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Abstract: Technologically, all the renewable energy sources are viable and consequently suit to efforts for poverty alleviation and cleaner environment in Pakistan. They can play an important role in meeting the challenge of providing future electricity to all parts of the country. Wind energy is one of these renewable sources. Considering the geological & geomorphologic setup, geographical position and climatic cycles, Pakistan has tremendous wind potential. Pakistan has about 1000 km long coastline, which could be utilized for the installation of wind farms and wind-monitoring stations as well. Various preliminary comparative studies apparently show that the wind potential is not uniformly distributed along the coastal belt of Pakistan. The present research study is based on the analyses of the satellite images of different periods. On the bases of the result of the study, the prospective wind channels have been identified all along the coastal belt of Pakistan, which are the ideal regions to establish the wind farms for the generation of electricity on the commercial scale. Keywords: Wind Energy, Wind Channels, Satellite Images, Energy Generation, Pakistan.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Sewage Sludge Compost as Potting Media Component for ivy Pelargonium (Pelargonium peltatum (L.) L’Her.) Production
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Abstract: The increasing demand and raising cost of high quality peat for horticultural use have led to search for low cost substrates as an alternative. The source of materials for their production can be various types of industrial, municipal and agricultural waste. Most of them are rich in organic matter and minerals essential for plant growth. The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth and flowering of two ivy pelargonium cultivars (‘Beach’ and ‘Boneta’) grown in the media containing sphagnum peat and composts made from municipal sewage sludge and structure-forming components. Two different types of composts were used, consisting in equal proportions of sewage sludge and straw (SSRS) or leaves (SSL). The composts replaced 25% or 12.5% of sphagnum peat (v/v) in the growth media. A control media was sphagnum peat (100%) supplemented with a mixed fertilizer. It was found that the media containing both types of compost might be useful for growing ivy pelargonium. The most beneficial effect on the growth, foliage, and a decorative value of the pelargonium was observed for the medium containing 12.5% of SSL compost and 87.5% of peat. Decorative value of the pelargonium grown in the medium with 25% of SSL compost or with either dose of SSRS compost, did not differ from the control plants. The investigated cultivars differed in the number of shoot, color and area of leaves as well as length of stem of inflorescence. ‘Boneta’ cv. developed more stems and had greener leaves than those from ’Beach’ cultivar. While cultivar ‘Beach’ had greater area of leaves per plant and longer stem of inflorescence. Keywords: Bedding plants, decorative values, growing media, ornamental plant, sphagnum peat, rye straw, waste material. Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : The Role of Nutrients in a Dietary Intervention in Improving Blood Cholesterol Profile and Lowering Cardiovascular Risk
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Abstract: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol has been positively associated to an increase of cardiovascular risk by a large number of epidemiological studies. On the contrary, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol results inversely related to cardiovascular risk. In this contest plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, and the total cholesterol - high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio seems to be able to predict cardiovascular risk. Diet and its composition affects various plasma cholesterol concentration and their ratios. Particularly, a reduction of saturated fat acids dietary intake is strictly related to both improve of blood lipid profile and reduction of cardiovascular events incidence. On the other hand, the evidences from epidemiologic and clinical studies are consistent in finding that the reduction of cardiovascular risk depends by nutrients used for replacing saturated fat acids. Specifically it has been demonstrated that replacement of saturated fat acids with unsaturated fat acids, either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated ones, is effective in improving cardiovascular risk. On the contrary, saturated fat acids replacement with high glycemic index refined carbohydrate actually increases cardiovascular risk. Despite that, many dietary guidelines do not give any tips about nutrients to use in replacement of saturated fat acids, underestimating the significance. In this perspective Mediterranean diet, represents an attractive dietary pattern for the improvement of blood lipid profile and the reduction of the cardiovascular risk. Keywords: Mediterranean Diet, LDL-C, HDL-C,Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, MUFA, PUFA, UFA, SFA.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Black Watermelon Bug, Coridius viduatus (F.) (Heteroptera: Dinidoridae) in Hatay Region of Turkey
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Abstract: Black watermelon bug, Coridius viduatus (F.) (Heteroptera: Dinidoridae) is one of the most important pest of watermelon in many of African countries. This species is known to be present in Turkey. Although several studies on this species have been done in countries where it is present, it was not sufficiently studied in Turkey. This pest was observed first time on squirting cucumber [Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Richard (Cucurbitaceae)] in Hatay province in 2004. This plant species is the natural host of several viruses creates significant problems in cucurbit plants in the Mediterranean basin. The studies were conducted in both laboratoryand natural conditions in 2007 and 2008. Biological stages of the pest was investigated and determined. Furthermore, damage of the pest on four different cucurbit species [watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Matsum. and Nakai), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), squirting cucumber (E. elaterium) and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Stadl.)] was investigated. In these studies, it was observed that the pest was able to complete its life cycle when only squirting cucumber and watermelon were used as food sources. Keywords: Cucurbitaceae, black watermelon bug, Ecballium elaterium, Heteroptera, viruses.Download Full Article |
