On the Current Situation of Glanders in Various Districts of the Pakistani Punjab

Glanders is a highly infectious and zoonotic disease of solipeds caused by Burkholderia mallei. Progressive loss of efficiency and fatal outcome resulted in massive economic losses, which forced veterinary authorities throughout the world to implement disease control measures; these measures included mass testing using the complement fixation test and/or malleinization, and the culling of positives. This led to the eradication of glanders from Western Europe and North America in the 1950s. However, in the last decade, the number of outbreaks in Asia and South America increased steadily, and glanders regained the status of a re-emerging transboundary disease. Pakistan has been an endemic country for the past 120 years, but concise data on the presence of disease are not available. A total of 533 serum samples were collected from draught equines, a suspected risk group for glanders, from various districts of Punjab in Pakistan. The complement fixation test and the highly sensitive Western blot technique were used for serodiagnosis. No animal (horse, mule, and donkey) was found to be positive for infection. Glanders seems to be restricted to remote, sporadic pockets of endemicity and may cause outbreaks after being introduced into naive populations by (asymptomatic) shedders.     

基于功能空间分类的抚仙湖流域“3类空间”时空格局变化

为了了解高原湖泊流域“3类空间”的布局结构,探析流域在发展过程中“3类空间”的格局变化及其变化趋势,本文以抚仙湖流域为研究对象,从土地功能空间分类的角度研究抚仙湖流域“3类空间”分类体系,并分析了2005—2015年流域“3类空间”时空格局变化特征,为抚仙湖流域生态环境保护决策和国土空间格局优化研究提供理论参考。结果表明:（1）2005—2015年抚仙湖流域城镇空间呈上升趋势,10 a增加了71.37%,农业空间呈下降趋势,10 a减少了6.38%,生态空间先升后降,总体增加了0.48%;（2）2005年、2010年和2015年抚仙湖流域“3类空间”格局基本一致,以生态空间为主,但城镇空间格局、农业空间格局和生态空间格局的分布存在明显差别,城镇空间和农业空间主要分布于抚仙湖流域的北部,而生态空间除抚仙湖湖泊水面外在流域四周均有分布;（3）从变化程度上看,“3类空间”格局变化差异显著,城镇空间和农业空间格局变化主要发生在流域北部,而生态空间则在湖泊中部沿岸地区。     

Assessment and up-scaling of CO2 exchange by patches of the herbaceous vegetation mosaic in a Portuguese cork oak woodland

Long-term eddy covariance measurements over a montado oak woodland in southern Portugal have documented a vulnerability to predicted decreases in springtime rainfall, since water availability during spring limits annual CO₂ gain, the growth of fodder for animals, and the production of cork by Quercus suber. The current study examined CO₂ exchange of three different herbaceous vegetation components distributed over montado landscapes and within the footprint of long-term landscape eddy covariance monitoring studies. Simultaneous measurements with eddy covariance at two sites and with manually operated chambers at multiple locations revealed that slow drainage of shallow basins, the onset of drying at higher sites and a high release of CO₂ below tree canopies significantly influenced the overall course of montado ecosystem gas exchange during the spring.Hyperbolic light response models were employed to up-scale and compare herbaceous gas exchange with landscape net ecosystem CO₂ flux. The up-scaling demonstrates the importance of the herbaceous understory in determining annual carbon balance of the montado and suggests a relatively small additional CO₂ uptake by the tree canopies and boles, i.e., by the aboveground tree compartment, during springtime. Annual flux totals obtained during the extremely dry year 2005 and a normal precipitation year 2006 for the oak woodland and a nearby grassland were essentially the same, indicating that both ecosystems similarly exploit available resources. Based on comparisons with additional temperate grasslands, we can visualize the montado herbaceous cover as a typical European grassland canopy, but where temperature fluctuations in winter control uptake, and where total production depends on springtime rainfall as it controls phenological events and eventually dieback of the vegetation. On the other hand, tree canopies remain active longer during late spring and early summer, modifying the montado response from that of grassland. Uncertainties in flux estimates via both chamber and eddy covariance methodologies currently prevent a full understanding of vegetation/atmosphere coupling, of the recycling of CO₂ between the understory communities and trees, and of relationships between exchange rates of individual components of the vegetation mosaic and overall carbon and water balances in montado landscapes.     

Follicular dynamics and changes in oestradiol‐17β, progesterone and LH profiles following PGF2α induced oestrus in early and late ovulating Beetal goats

This study compares the factors associated with variable interval to oestrus and ovulation between early versus late ovulating goats following PGF_2α administration. The time of ovulation in Beetal goats (n = 38) was monitored through transrectal ultrasound at every 6 hr following a single dose of PGF_2α (experiment 1). Variations in oestrus and ovulation times were further explored through the changes in follicular dynamics, endocrine profiles and behaviour in another set of goats (n = 13) following single PGF_2α given randomly during the luteal phase (experiment 2). The ovulation time varied between 60 and 96 hr, and 57% of ovulations occurred by 72 hr following PGF_2α (experiment 1). Accordingly, the goats (n = 13) in the second experiment were retrospectively divided either into early and/or late ovulating, that is, ≤72 and/or ≥84 hr following PGF_2α. The onset of oestrus, peak estradiol‐17β concentration and LH surge after PGF_2α was first observed in early than late ovulating goats (p < 0.05). The goats ovulating early had larger follicle and smaller CL in diameter at the time of PGF_2α administration than those ovulating late (5.4 ± 0.2 vs. 4.3 ± 0.2 mm and 10 ± 0.6 vs. 11.8 ± 0.3 mm, respectively; p < 0.05). Likewise, plasma progesterone concentration tended to be lower (p = 0.087) in early than late ovulating goats. In conclusion, the size of dominant follicle and CL at the time of PGF_2a determines the interval to ovulation following a single dose of PGF_2a during the luteal phase.     

The first report on serotyping of bluetongue virus in small ruminants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province,Pakistan

Bluetongue virus (BTV), a member of Orbivirus genus (family Reoviridae), is a non-contagious infection of domestic and wild ruminants. The current study was designed to detect various serotypes of BTV in small ruminants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan, along with their effects on hemato-biochemical parameters. A total of 408 serum samples in four districts (Mansehra, Abbottabad, Swabi, and Kohat) of KPK from small ruminants were screened based on competitive ELISA (cELISA). A total of 204 (50%) samples were found positive for BTV group–specific antibodies. The seropositive samples were processed for the detection of BTV serotypes through real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Out of 204 cELISA-positive samples, 60 (29.41%) were found positive through qPCR. Three serotypes [6, 8, 9] were detected from Mansehra District and two from Kohat [2, 8] and Abbottabad [6, 8], while only one from Swabi [8]. The serotype “8” was found consistently in all the four study districts. A significant (p?<?0.05) increase in the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was recorded in goats, whereas aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in sheep infected with BTV, compared to healthy animals. The hematological parameters showed significantly (p?<?0.05) raised total leucocyte count (TLC) in both sheep and goats, whereas only hematocrit (HCT) value was increased significantly (p?<?0.05) in infected sheep. This is the first report on serotyping of BTV among small ruminants in Pakistan.

     

A validated mechanistic model of carrot (Daucus carota L.) growth

A mechanistic model of carrot vegetative and root development was constructed. This model determined canopy photosynthesis over a day, assimilates were then partitioned into either roots or leaves via temperature dependent partitioning coefficients. Assimilates were lost via terms describing growth and maintenance respiration. The model was calibrated on data from four different carrot cultivars, originating from the UK (Autumn King), Syria (Carrot_S), Poland (Dolanka) and Russia (Hibinskaja), grown in controlled environment glasshouse compartments at one of six temperatures (9–30 °C) repeated over three sowing dates. Calibration of the model showed that it could account for between 83 and 95% of the variance in carrot plant and root dry weights. The model was then validated using independent data from the same cultivars of carrots grown in the field at Reading. In this instance, the model accounted for 75 and 79% of the variance in plant and root weight, respectively. Two other independent data sets were used to validate the model, including carrot of a different cultivar (Panther) grown in phytotrons at temperatures between 9 and 21 °C, at two different locations and over a three sowing dates. In this instance, the model accounted for between 63 and 69% of the variance in root weight. The model also predicted that if ambient carbon dioxide levels increased from 348 to 551 μmol mol⁻¹, root dry weight would increase by 12%, which is within the margin of error of the experimental value of 16% reported in the literature. The model can therefore be used to study the potential impacts of global climate change on carrot production, as well as to rapidly predict whether germplasm is suited to any particular environment.     

Prediction of Major Agricultural Fruits Production in Pakistan by Using an Econometric Analysis and Machine Learning Technique

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to use an econometric analysis to investigate the relationship between agricultural gross domestic product (AGDP) and variables such as apple, citrus, pears, grape and banana in Pakistan; data were explored from 1980 to 2015; we used time series data collected from secondary sources, including the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Year Books and the Economic Survey of Pakistan. Data were analyzed by using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method and Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test, and results were interpreted by using the Johansen co-integration test. The machine learning technique was used to examine and predict the future agricultural productivity in Pakistan. We found that output of banana, citrus and pears had a positive and significant influence on AGDP, whereas apples and grapes had a negative but insignificant influence on AGDP.     

汇水面积阈值对土壤侵蚀定量评价的影响

土壤侵蚀预报模型是定量评价水土流失和评估水土保持措施效益的重要手段。通用土壤流失方程(Universal Soil Loss Equation,USLE)和中国土壤流失方程(Chinese Soil Loss Equation,CSLE)被广泛应用于土壤侵蚀定量评价。这些模型中坡长的计算受汇水面积阈值的影响较大。为揭示汇水面积阈值对土壤侵蚀定量评价的影响,选取北方土石山区、西北黄土高原区、东北黑土区、南方红壤丘陵区、西南紫色土区、西南山地区和西南岩溶区210个流域面积在0.2~3.0km~2的小流域,以1∶10 000地形图10m分辨率DEM为数据源,分别计算了1 000,1 500,2 000,2 500,3 000,5 000,7 000,9 000,11 000,13 000,15 000m~2共11个汇水面积阈值下各小流域不同坡长、土壤侵蚀强度级别以及土壤侵蚀的面积比例,分析了它们对汇水面积阈值变化的敏感性。结果表明:平均坡长、土壤侵蚀面积和轻度以上各级别的侵蚀强度面积比例都随汇水面积阈值的增加先增加而后趋于稳定。微度侵蚀面积比例随汇水面积阈值的增加逐渐减小并趋于稳定。当汇水面积阈值由1 000m~2增加到15 000m~2时,北方土石山区、西北黄土高原区、东北黑土区、南方红壤丘陵区、西南紫色土区、西南山地区和西南岩溶区的平均坡长分别增至阈值为1 000m~2时的1.53,4.16,1.95,1.90,1.69,1.57,1.47倍;土壤侵蚀面积比例分别增至阈值为1 000m~2时的1.20,1.85,1.43,1.37,1.77,1.44,1.30倍。汇水面积阈值对各分区的影响程度存在差异。从平均坡长和土壤侵蚀面积来看,东北黑土区受汇水面积阈值的影响最大。研究结果不仅为精确评价土壤侵蚀提供了数据支撑,而且对水土保持综合防治措施的评价和优化具有指导意义。     

A New Probability Model for Hydrologic Events: Properties and Applications

Upon the motivation of unstable climatic conditions of the world like excess of rains, drought and huge floods, we introduce a versatile hydrologic probability model with two scale parameters. The proposed model contains Lindley and exponentiated exponential (Lindley in J R Stat Soc Ser B 20:102–107, 1958; Gupta and Kundu in Biom J 43(1):117–130, 2001) distributions as special cases. Various properties of the distribution are obtained, such as shapes of the density and hazard functions, moments, mean deviation, information-generating function, conditional moments, Shannon entropy, L-moments, order statistics, information matrix and characterization via hazard function. Parameters are estimated via maximum likelihood estimation method. A simulation scheme is provided for generating the random data from the proposed distribution. Four data sets are used for comparing the proposed model with a set of well-known hydrologic models, such as generalized Pareto, log normal (3), log Pearson type III, Kappa(3), Gumbel, generalized logistic and generalized Lindley distributions, using some goodness-of-fit tests. These comparisons render the proposed model suitable and representative for hydrologic data sets with least loss of information attitude and a realistic return period, which render it as an appropriate alternate of the existing hydrologic models. Supplementary materials for this paper are available online.     

Influence of organic and inorganic passivators on Cd and Pb stabilization and microbial biomass in a contaminated paddy soil

Purpose

Soil contamination with heavy metals, such as Cd and Pb, has caused severe health and environmental risks all over the world. Possible eco-friendly solutions for Cd and Pb immobilization were required to reduce its mobility through various cost-effective amendments.

Materials and methods

A laboratory incubation study was conducted to assess the efficiency of biochar (BC), zeolite (ZE), and rock phosphate (RP) as passivators for the stabilization of Cd and Pb in paddy soil as well as soil microbial biomass. Various extraction techniques were carried out: a sequential extraction procedure, the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR), toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test, and single extraction with CaCl₂. The impact of passivators on soil pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial biomass (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) was examined in the metal contaminated soil.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the exchangeable portion of Cd in soil was significantly reduced by 34.8, 21.6, and 18.8% with ZE, RP, and BC at a 3% application rate, respectively. A similar tendency of reduction in Pb soluble portion was observed by ZE (9.6%), RP (20%), and BC (21.4%) at a 3% application rate. Moreover, the TCLP leachate of Cd and Pb was apparently reduced by 17 and 30.3% with BC at a 3% application dose, respectively, when compared to the control. Soil pH, nutrients, and microbial biomass C, N, and P were significantly increased with the addition of BC, RP, and ZE passivators.

Conclusions

The results showed that the incorporation of BC, ZE, and RP significantly reduced the Cd and Pb mobility in paddy soil as well as enhanced soil nutrients and microbial biomass. Overall, among all the amendments, rice straw derived-BC performed better for Cd and Pb immobilization in paddy soil.