Molecular epidemiology of bovine anaplasmosis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Bovine anaplasmosis is endemic in Pakistan where it reduces livestock productivity and leads to high mortality, especially in young animals. This study was aimed to identify the potential risk factors responsible for the occurrence and spread of anaplasmosis in cattle and buffaloes for the first time in Pakistan. A total of 900 (cattle?=?479, buffalo?=?421) blood samples were collected irrespective of age and sex from three distinct zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used for the molecular detection of anaplasmosis. Data collected on a piloted questionnaire including 11 predicting variables which were analyzed using R-statistical software, and association between the dependent and independent variables was assessed using univariable analysis. Automated and manual approaches were exercised, producing comparable models. Key risk factors identified in all the approaches included species of the animal, breed of animal, sex of animal, tick infestation status, previous tick history, tick control status, and acaricides used (odds ratio?>?1). The 611 bp DNA fragment specific for 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma spp. was produced from 165 samples. The samples were confirmed for anaplasmosis through sequencing and BLAST queries. The findings of the current study conclude that by enhancing the protective measures to control the identified risk factors can reduce the spread of anaplasmosis in Pakistan.

     

Economic valuation and conservation: Do people vote for better preservation of Shadegan International Wetland?

Shadegan International Wetland (SIW) is a unique natural ecosystem with great national and international significance, designated under Ramsar Convention. Located in southern part of Iran, this wetland serves many functions. Among them the rich biodiversity, ecological, hydrological, and economic functions are the most important. Despite the great opportunities for sustainable development of this wetland, it is currently under serious threats from a diverse range of non-sustainable activities. Underestimating SIW’s non-market values in development decisions is a major reason for the conversion and excessive depletion of its resources. The aim of this study was therefore to estimate the economic benefit of SIW as a very useful instrument to reflect the values of this unique ecosystem to society members. A choice experiment (CE) survey was undertaken to estimate the value of different nonmarket attributes of SIW. In addition to the overall model, users and nonusers preferences were also estimated. Random parameter logit (RPL) model was employed to derive the marginal value of the respondents for different attributes of the nonmarket values of SIW. Results indicated the respondents’ positive preferences towards better conservation of SIW.     

Combining hydrological modeling and GIS approaches to determine the spatial distribution of groundwater recharge in an arid irrigation scheme

Accurate quantification of the rate of groundwater (GW) recharge, a pre-requisite for the sustainable management of GW resources, needs to capture complex processes, such as the upward flow of water under shallow GW conditions, which are often disregarded when estimating recharge at a larger scale. This paper provides (1) a method to determine GW recharge at the field level, (2) a consequent procedure for up-scaling these findings from field to irrigation scheme level and (3) an assessment of the impacts of improved irrigation efficiency on the rate of GW recharge. The study is based on field data from the 2007 growing season in a Water Users Association (WUA Shomakhulum) in Khorezm district of Uzbekistan, Central Asia, an arid region that is characterized by a predominance of cotton, wheat and rice under irrigation. Previous qualitative studies in the region reported irrigation water supplies far above the crop water requirements, which cause GW recharge. A field water balance model was adapted to the local irrigation scheme; recharge was considered to be a fraction of the irrigation water losses, determined as the difference between net and gross irrigation requirements. Capillary rise contribution from shallow GW levels was determined with the HYDRUS-1D model. Six hydrological response units (HRUs) were created based on GW levels and soil texture using GIS and remote sensing techniques. Recharge calculated at the field level was up-scaled first to these HRUs and then to the whole WUA. To quantify the impact of improved irrigation efficiency on recharge rates, four improved irrigation efficiency scenarios were developed. The area under cotton had the second highest recharge (895 mm) in the peak irrigation period, after rice with 2,514 mm. But with a low area share of rice in the WUA of <1 %, rice impacted the total recharge only marginally. Due to the higher recharge rates of cotton, which is grown on about 40 % of the cropped area, HRUs with a higher share of cotton showed higher recharge (9.6 mm day^?1 during August) than those with a lower share of cotton (4.4 mm day^?1). The high recharge rates in the cotton fields were caused by its water requirements and the special treatment given to this crop by water management planners due to its strategic importance in the country. The scenario simulations showed that seasonal recharge under improved irrigation efficiency could potentially be reduced from 4 mm day^?1 (business-as-usual scenario) to 1.4 mm day^?1 (scenario with maximum achievable efficiency). The combination of field-level modeling/monitoring and GIS approaches improved recharge estimates because spatial variability was accounted for, which can assist water managers to assess the impact of improved irrigation efficiencies on groundwater recharge. This impact assessment enables managers to identify options for a recharge policy, which is an important component of integrated management of surface and groundwater resources.     

Enzymatic surface modification of polyacrylonitrile and its copolymers: Effects of polymer surface area and protein adsorption

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is a widely used polymer in the textile industry. PAN contains cyano groups on the surface due to which it possess low hydrophilicity and limits its application. Thus, there is a need to modify the functional groups on the surface of PAN for its industrial demand to improve moisture uptake, dyeability with ionic dyes, without affecting mechanical properties. A number of strategies such as chemical treatment, plasma treatment, enzymatic treatment etc. have been applied for the surface modification of polymer but enzymatic treatment are advantageous over plasma treatment and chemical treatment. In enzymatic treatment, reaction is limited to polymer surface only, and provides milder condition with less damage to polymer. In present study, it was found that enzyme system of Amycolatopsis sp.IITR215 was effective enzyme system for modification of surface nitrile groups of polyacrylonitrile. PAN powder was treated with the cell free extract of Amycolatopsis sp.IITR215 and it was found that the nitrile metabolizing enzymes of this strain were efficiently able to transform -CN to -COOH groups present on the surfaces of PAN powder. The formation of carboxyl group was quantified by ammonia released and dye binding assay. Further, confirmation of carboxyl group on polymer was done by FTIR and XPS. This study indicates that, specific adsorption of enzyme probably plays an important role in the enzymatic surface modification of polymer.     

Influence of Varieties,Irrigation and Weed Control Measures On Nutritional Status of Chickpea Grains

Gesunde Pflanzen - The effect of weed control in chickpea crop was assessed during 2011–12 and 2012-–13 in two-year experimentation at Ahmad Wala Research Station district Karak,...     

Chemical composition and larvicidal activities in vitro and in vivo of essential oils of Thymus vulgaris (L) and Lavandula angustifolia (Mill) against pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa Den. & Schiff. in Ain Defla (Algeria)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Biological tests with Thymus vulgaris against both third and fifth instar larvae of Thaumetopoea pityocampa showed positive correlation between the used...     

Genetic analysis of post-weaning growth traits of Thalli sheep under tropical conditions

Present investigation was carried out to study the influence of genetic and non-genetic factors affecting post-weaning performance traits in Thalli sheep. Data on post-weaning growth of Thalli sheep maintained at Livestock Experiment Station, Rakh Ghulaman, District Bhakkar-Punjab, Pakistan during 1977–2003 were subjected to genetic analysis. The average values for weight at 180 and 270 days of age, yearling weight and post-weaning average daily gain were 22.37?±?4.21, 25.96?±?4.90 and 28.93?±?5.20 kg and 28?±?0.01 g/day, respectively. Weight at 180, 270 and 365 days of age and post-weaning average daily gain were significantly affected by year of birth, sex, type of birth and weaning weight (covariable) whereas season of birth was a significant source of variation for 180 and 270 days of age. The heritability estimates for 180 and 270 days, yearling weight and post-weaning average daily gain were 0.07?±?0.02, 0.08?±?0.02, 0.07?±?0.02 and 0.07?±?0.02, respectively.