Nanofertilizers offer a promising solution to increase crop yields amid increasing population pressure. Yet there have been safety concerns about their use, particularly in challenging conditions. This work was designed to assess the toxicological effects of a chelated multi-micronutrient nanofertilizer on albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) as non-target organisms, focusing on the liver, which has important metabolic functions. Thirty-five animals were weighed and randomly divided into 5 groups (n=7). A negative control group was included, and four experimental groups (C1-C4) were given the test item. The dosing regimen for the experimental groups was 15 oral doses of nanofertilizer every other day for 29 days. All the groups were treated with different doses (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg, respectively). Biochemical analyses revealed a statistically significant reduction in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in groups C2 through C4 (661.00 ± 181.67, 572.43 ± 187.62, and 577.86 ± 110.84 U/L, respectively) compared to both the control (919.86 ± 232.08 U/L) and C1 (880.00 ± 119.17 U/L) groups. In contrast, serum total protein concentrations exhibited a marked increase across all treatment groups (C1–C4: 74.36 ± 3.91, 68.49 ± 5.88, 70.47 ± 7.93, and 68.14 ± 3.84 g/L, respectively), relative to the control (59.29 ± 5.49 g/L). This rise in total protein was mainly due to a significant increase in serum globulin, whereas albumin showed a marked decrease. Histological examination showed dose-dependent hepatotoxicity in all treatment groups. These results indicated that a sub-lethal dose of this nanofertilizer has the potential to elicit observable hepatotoxicity, underscoring the need for careful application and further toxicological evaluations.
A novel demountable shear connector for precast steel-concrete composite bridges is presented. The connector uses high-strength steel bolts, which are fastened to the top flange of the steel beam with the aid of a special locking nut configuration that prevents bolts from slipping within their holes. Moreover, the connector promotes accelerated construction and overcomes the typical construction tolerance issues of precast structures. Most importantly, the connector allows bridge disassembly. Therefore, it can address different bridge deterioration scenarios with minimum disturbance to traffic flow including the following: (1) precast deck panels can be rapidly uplifted and replaced; (2) connectors can be rapidly removed and replaced; and (
... Show MoreThe temperature control process of electric heating furnace (EHF) systems is a quite difficult and changeable task owing to non-linearity, time delay, time-varying parameters, and the harsh environment of the furnace. In this paper, a robust temperature control scheme for an EHF system is developed using an adaptive active disturbance rejection control (AADRC) technique with a continuous sliding-mode based component. First, a comprehensive dynamic model is established by using convection laws, in which the EHF systems can be characterized as an uncertain second order system. Second, an adaptive extended state observer (AESO) is utilized to estimate the states of the EHF system and total disturbances, in which the observer gains are updated
... Show MoreThe aim of this work is to detect the best operating conditions that effect on the removal of Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ ions from aqueous solution using date pits in the batch adsorption experiments. The results have shown that the Al-zahdi Iraqi date pits demonstrated more efficient at certain values of operating conditions of adsorbent doses of 0.12 g/ml of aqueous solution, adsorption time 72 h, pH solution 5.5 ±0.2, shaking speed 300 rpm, and smallest adsorbent particle size needed for removal of metals. At the same time the particle size of date pits has a little effect on the adsorption at low initial concentration of heavy metals. The adsorption of metals increases with increas
... Show MoreThe conservation for biodiversity in Iraqi freshwater environments is important to protecting native species from the environmental impacts of alien species. Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) (Siluriformes, Clariidae) has been recognized as an alien species in Iraqi water bodies. This study aims to use molecular DNA to identify this catfish and trace its origins using. The DNA sequences of C. gariepinus were done using the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, and a specific primer set. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was used to align the COI gene as a barcoding marker. After analysis, the sequences were compared with sequences in the National Center for Biology Information (NCBI) database
... Show MoreThe present study dealt with the morphological, anatomical,trichomespollen grains,and ecological characteristics of Caroxylon jordanicola (EigAkhani & Roalson (Amaranthaceae) in Al-Tar Caves, Karbala, Iraq which belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. The results of the present study demonstrated that There are distinctive characteristics of the studied species distinguish it from other species and facilitate its diagnosis. The sample was diagnosed using the taxonomic keys of the Iraqi flora and the flora of neighboring countriesIn addition to some available research. The results of the morphological and anatomical features investigation provide really significant taxonomical value to distinguish the species. The results that showe
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