In this paper we address the topic of energy and water optimization in the production of bioethanol from corn and switchgrass. We show that in order for these manufacturing processes to be attractive, there is a need to go beyond traditional heat integration and water recycling techniques. Thus, we propose a strategy based on mathematical programming techniques to model and optimize the structu...

Plants have direct and indirect constitutively produced and inducible defenses against herbivores and pathogens, which can substantially aid in their ability to defend themselves. However, very little is known about the influence of agronomic factors on such defenses. Here, we tested the effects of nitrogen levels and water availability on the ability of cotton plants to deter feeding by Spodop...

The Arabidopsis thaliana inward-rectifier K(+) channel AKT1 plays an important role in root K(+) uptake. Recent results show that the calcineurin B-like (CBL)-interacting protein kinase (CIPK) 23-CBL1/9 complex activates AKT1 in the root to enhance K(+) uptake. In addition, this CIPK-CBL complex has been demonstrated to regulate stomatal movements and plant transpiration. However, a role for AK...

During the last century, the density of Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei Buchholz) has greatly increased in oak savannahs of central Texas. Recently, juniper removal has been advocated as a regional water conservation tool. In this study, we investigated whether juvenile trees released from an overstory canopy after clearing exhibited accelerated growth and water consumption. We compared leaf-leve...

One of the effective steps in use of water resources is accurate estimation of plants water requirement. Lack of accurate estimation of this amount leads to water loss and failure to achieve optimum yield, reduced potential of production, soil resources degradation by too much irrigation or lack of enough leaching and salinization of soils by irrigation less than necessary level, which would ul...

the response of plants to drought stress depends on several factors including the plant developmental stage and the length and severity of the stress applied. common bean (phaseolus vulgaris l.) is the most important pulse crop that is cultivated worldwide for human consumption. understanding of the mechanisms responsible for its response to drought is, therefore, essential. an increasing numbe...

In this paper, a data-mining approach for modeling pumps in the wastewater preliminary treatment process is discussed. Datamining algorithms are utilized to develop pump performance models based on industrial data collected at a municipal wastewater processing plant. The performance of wastewater pumps is described by two parameters, pump energy consumption and water flow rate after the pumps. ...

one of the most important parameters essential in different water supplies, treatment, transfer and distribution projects, is water consumption per capita. but unfortunately in many cases, statistics and date available in texts or irrelevant samplings are used. varamin is a region located in south east of tehran. among the most important problems in this region, insufficiency of personnel prolo...

background: a substantial proportion of college students to not drink enough water and consume sugar-sweetened beverages (ssbs). consumption of ssbs is associated with weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dental carries, and increased risk for cardiovascular disease. hence, the purpose of this study was to use the multi-theory model (mtm) in predicting initiation and sustenance of pl...