Analysis of Irrigation Water Requirements in Gezira Scheme Using Geographic Information Systems: Case Study Block Number 26 (Dolga)

Water scarcity has a direct impact on food security and a real threat to food production for millions of the population. To avoid the unwise and random consumption of available water resources, it is high time for using efficient system and appropriate policies for management of irrigated farms to control water overuse, starting by the analysis of the existing reality. Block number 26 (Dolga) in Gezira scheme had been chosen as a study area. The total area of the study area is about 24616 Feddans. The study aims to apply GIS in the data editing, manipulation, storage, processing, and presentation for the analysis of irrigation water requirements. GIS had been chosen for its capabilities of data capturing, data processing and efficient spatial analysis. Layers of geo-referenced spatial database including crops’ maps, irrigation canals network and its command area, each crop water requirements, irrigation water requirement, rainfall data, area cultivated for each crop and contour map of the study area had been created and used for the spatial analysis in ArcGIS software. Five course rotations are applied for the crops of cotton, wheat, sorghum, and groundnut. Each crop covers 20% of the total area and the remaining 20% are fallow and layer for each crop had been created. Crops’ water requirements had been calculated applying Penman-Monteith method and saved in the attributes Table of crops layer. It had been found that the seasonal crop water requirements per Feddan for each crop is 3,871.56 m3, 2,983.26 m3, 1,847.16 m3 and 2,007.6 m3 respectively, calculated using Penman-Monteith method. The total crops water requirements are 50,254,962.66m3(absorbed by plants), water allotment of the study area according to the ratio of the area is 67, 195,230.327 m3, irrigation water requirement is 64,537,716.5 m3 (including the water losses), where the actual water supply is 63,817,600 m3 which had been calculated applying ArcGIS tools and saved in the attribute Table of the crops and rotation layer. The study had concluded that cotton consumes the largest amount of water supply, rainfall water is in irrigation has the used only in the complementary irrigation of sorghum crop and the implementation of GIS capabilities enables efficient analysis and scheduling of irrigation water

Diversity analysis of Moroccan carob ("Ceratonia siliqua" L.) accessions using phenotypic traits and RAPD markers

Diversity analysis of moroccan carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) accessions using phenotypic traits and RAPD markers. The carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a perennial leguminous (Caesalpinioideae) that grows as an evergreen shrub or tree. It¿s an important component of the Mediterranean vegetation and its adaptation in marginal soils of the Mediterranean regions is important environmentally and economically. Phenotypic and genetic diversity among 10 Ceratonia siliqua accessions coming from different areas of Morocco were studied with morphometric and RAPD approaches. The analysis of discriminative fruit characters showed highly significant differences among these accessions, the closely related ones have a similarity level less than 65%. No molecular studies have been carried out so far on Ceratonia siliqua. To provide markers useful for molecular diversity study of the carob tree, genomic DNA extraction and amplification conditions were finalized and 67 arbitrary primers were screened. 52 of them showed clearly reproducible banding patterns. The analysis of RAPD profiles revealed a high degree of genetic diversity within these carob accessions and enabled each of them to be uniquely fingerprinted. Overall, in our study we note that morphological relationship between carob accessions is deeply different to their molecular relationship. Concerning the distribution of the accessions according to their geographical origin, clustering based on RAPD data revealed a rough distribution of theses accessions. Indeed, Sidi Bou Ottman, Demnate and Essaouira accessions coming from the south of Morocco seem to be linked in the PCA plot. However, two geographically distant accessions, Aïn Sfa and Ouazzane coming from the north (about 700 Km) were clustered with Essaouira and Demanate - Sidi Bou Ottman, respectively.Analyse de la diversité des accessions du caroubier marocain (Ceratonia siliqua L.) utilisant des traits phenotypiques et des marqueurs RAPD. Le caroubier (Ceratonia siliqua L.) est une légumineuse pérenne (Caesalpinioideae), à feuillage persistant et pouvant croître entant qu¿arbrisseau ou arbre. C¿est un composant important de la végétation méditerranéenne et son adaptation aux sols marginaux des régions méditerranéennes est d¿une grande importance écologique et économique. La diversité phénotypique et génétique au sein de 10 accessions de caroubier provenant de différentes régions du Maroc a été étudiée par des approches morphométriques et moléculaires (RAPD). L¿analyse des caractères morphologiques discriminants du fruit a montré des différences hautement significatives au sein des accessions, puisque les apparentées d¿entre elles n¿ont approximativement que 65% de similarité. Jusqu¿à nos jours, aucune étude moléculaire n¿a été entreprise sur Ceratonia siliqua. Pour mettre à disposition des marqueurs utiles pour l¿étude de la diversité moléculaire du caroubier, l¿extraction de l¿ADN génomique et les conditions de l¿amplification ont été mises au point et 67 amorces arbitraires ont été criblées. 52 d¿entre elles ont montré clairement des profils de bandes reproductibles. L¿analyse des profils RAPD a révélé une diversité génétique de haut niveau entre les accessions de caroubier ce qui a permis à chacune d¿elles d¿être distinguée génétiquement de façon singulière. De manière générale, nous avons noté que la relation morphologique entre les accessions du caroubier est profondément différente de leur relation moléculaire. Concernant la distribution des accessions selon leur origine géographique, le regroupement basé sur les données de la RAPD a révélé une distribution grossière. En effet, les provenances de Sidi Bou Ottman, Demnate et Essaouira, originaires du sud de Maroc, semblent être liés par l¿analyse des composantes principales (PCA). Cependant, deux accessions géographiquement distantes, Aïn Sfa et Ouazzane, originaires du Nord (approximativement 700 Kms) ont été liées avec Essaouira et Demanate - Sidi Bou Ottman, respectivement

DNA SELF-ASSEMBLY OF TRAPEZOHEDRAL GRAPHS

Self-assembly is the process of a collection of components combining to form an organized structure without external direction. DNA self-assembly uses multi-armed DNA molecules as the component building blocks. It is desirable to minimize the material used and to minimize genetic waste in the assembly process. We will be using graph theory as a tool to find optimal solutions to problems in DNA self-assembly. The goal of this research is to develop a method or algorithm that will produce optimal tile sets which will self-assemble into a target DNA complex. We will minimize the number of tile and bond-edge types needed to assemble a DNA complex with the same structure as the trapezohedral graphs under different laboratory constraints

Reclamation of Agricultural Land and Its Impact on Exports and the Number of Workers in the Agricultural Sector in Jordan

The study dealt with the plant production and agricultural areas in Jordan and its impact on unemployment rates and exports during the period (2011-2015), the problem of the study lies on non-agricultural land use with scarcity, where it constitute 10% of the area of Jordan and although it is few but only 30% of the fertile land is actually used which affect the agricultural sector's contribution to GDP and its role in employment in this sector, which suffers from high levels of unemployment as the exhibitors' workers are increasing continuously or seasonally in the labor market in the agricultural sector. The study compared the acreages with the numbers of employers in it and the ratio of unemployment during the study period; it also compared the acreages and the exports during the study period and created regression equation to estimate these relationships through statistical analysis for this study.One of the most important productions to increase acreages of fertile land, or reclamation of invalid land increases the production of exports and increases the creation of new job opportunities in the agricultural sector and the study recommended supporting the agricultural sector for agricultural reclamation from the government directly. Keywords: Plant Production, Agricultural reclamation, Employees, Export

A Conceptual Model of Construct Ability in Construction Projects

The concept of constructability enhances benefits to the owner; by provide the construction input at the earliest stage, i.e. during the conceptual planning stage. The present research aims to identify the common design- related problems and the factors that delay the design and construction processes (stage of detailed design and commencing of construction activities, etc.). A questionnaire survey was conducted; followed by interviews with construction personnel including contractors, project managers, designers, expert engineers, etc. The 'process complexity' was found to be the major factor that delayed the design and construction processes in the absence of construction input during the design phase. On the other hand, the main barrier to implement constructability was identified as the lack of construction experience of design organizations and the differences in contractual arrangement (the construction knowledge (Constructors) were not involved during project team meetings). This research also revealed that the integration of experienced construction personnel into the earliest stages of the prcject as full- fledged members of the project team and comprehensive tracking (analysis, retrieving and storing of the efficient, workable methods and procedures that can be implemented to the current and future project) will greatly improve the chances of achieving a better quality project. Making this perceive specific knowledge available to designers at the right time. It is also important to obtain information as an integrated environment. The Information Management Model has been proposed to address the problems surrounding the construction environment, such as contractual arrangement and team relationships. It is facilitates the recording of the intent behind construction project decisions. Thereby, provide a complete project history, to integrate construction participant's knowledge and experience into the planning and designs phases. This knowledge should be collected before and after the construction of a project, to make it available for the planning and design of future projects. Design/Build approaches, is being suggested by the study to apply during the preconstruction and through whole project. Moreover, specialized- formal constructability programming, and comprehensive tracking have been argued as an essential approaches during the planning and design phase

Microbiological quality of Moroccan labeled Euphorbia resinifera honey

In the present work, microbiological profile of thirty-seven samples of labeled honey were collected in a Protected Geographical Indication “PGI” area of Tadla-Azilal region, which is an endemic zone of Euphorbia resinifera plant. A profile was assessed using conventional microbial methods, like enumeration, detection and/or germs identification, in accordance with ISO norms. This is the first study in which a honey with Moroccan “PGI” was tested, in order to assess its compliance with bacteriological recommendations. Coliforms (Total and fecal Coliforms), Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Sporus of Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens were not detected. The numbers of Standard Plate Count “SPC” were less than 102 CFU.g-1 for all samples. The molds and yeasts were found among samples and 32% and 40% of samples were positive, respectively. However, no samples showed a higher value than recommended limit [102 CFU.g-1]. We conclude that samples of labeled euphorbia honey of Tadla-Azilal analyzed present good commercial quality parameters (SPC, molds and yeasts “absence of unwanted fermentations”), a good sanitary quality (absence of coliforms and S. aureus) and are safe (Slam., Shig., Sporus of B. cereus and C. perf.). Standardization (regulation and specifications) and a rationalization of beekeeping techniques throughout Euphorbia “PGI” area studied may further sustainably improve the quality of this unique honey, and ensure it over the years

Construct validation of an Arabic version of the Learning Transfer System Inventory for use in Jordan

Organizations in Jordan have invested heavily in employee training. However, these training efforts may not be as effective. One area of particular interest is learning transfer, or the extent to which learning from training is applied on the job. Recent research efforts have led to the development of the Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI), the only valid and reliable measure of key transfer system factors. This study validated the constructs of the LTSI for use in Jordan. By doing so, HRD practitioners in Jordan can use such instrument to diagnose early problems with learning transfer, the key to training effectiveness and individual performance. The LTSI was translated through a rigorous cross-cultural translation process which involved forward and back translations, pilot testing, and the establishment of equivalency using objective measures of evaluation. The ALTSI was administered to 500 employees employed by 28 public and private sector organizations operating in Jordan who have attended nine different types of training. Responses were received from 450 employees with a response rate of 90%. The results showed that 18 factors were valid for use in Jordan. The reliabilities of these factors ranged from .70 to .87 with the exception of three factors. The study also investigated the perceptions of transfer system characteristics across selected individual variables (gender, age, levels of education, and years of experience) and situational variables (types of training, choice of training, sector of the organization, and task of the organization). The results suggested that the learning transfer system perceptions differed across the individual variables (except for gender and age) and the situational variables. Private organizations and the technical sector appeared to have the strongest transfer system. Moreover, employees were more prone toward voluntary training. Finally, the study established the relationship between the learning transfer system domain and the organizational learning domain, thus expanding their nomological network. The learning transfer systems explained a significant portion of the total variance in each measure of organizational learning. Results suggested that higher levels of learning transfer were associated with higher levels of organizational learning

Behavior of hollow-core fiber reinforced polymer-concrete-steel bridge columns under extreme loading

This study introduces an investigation of the behavior of innovative, resilient, and quickly-constructed hollow-core fiber reinforced polymer-concrete-steel (HC-FCS) bridge columns under extreme loading. The HC-FCS column consists of a concrete wall sandwiched between an outer fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tube and an inner steel tube. The steel tube was embedded into a reinforced concrete footing with an embedded length of 1.6-1.8 times the diameter of the steel tube. The FRP tube only confined the concrete wall and truncated at the top of the footing level. The hollow steel tube was the only reinforcement for shear and flexure inside the HC-FCS column. The steel and FRP tubes act together as stay-in-place formworks. The results obtained from testing the HCFCS columns under seismic loading have been compared with those from testing the conventional reinforced concrete (RC) column. Results showed that the HC-FCS column exhibited a high lateral drift reaching 15.2%, while the well-detailed solid cross-section RC column reached a drift of 10.9%. The HC-FCS column dissipated energy reaching 1.9 times that of the RC column. A simple analytical model and preliminary design guidelines were presented to help implement this new technology. Vehicle collision with RC and HC-FCS bridge columns was also presented in this study using LS-DYNA software. The first equation for estimating the equivalent static force of the vehicle collision, based on the vehicle\u27s mass and velocity, was developed. This approach will allow departments of transportation (DOTs) to design different bridge columns for different impact force demands depending on the anticipated truck loads and velocities from roads survey. In general, the peak dynamic force values of the HC-FCS columns were lower than those of the RC columns when they were subjected to vehicle collision, which could save lives and reduce damage to the bridge column and the vehicle --Abstract, page v