Azolla as an Economic Substitute to Soybean Based Feed for Poultry

A study on azolla as an economical substitute to soybean based poultry feed was conducted. The experiment consisted of four treatments laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five replications. Each experimental unit consisted of three birds. For this purpose, eight-day old, unsexed Hubbard broiler chicks were weighed and randomly assigned to each treatment. Four different levels of azolla meal were incorporated in the starter and finisher ration at a level of 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% respectively. Body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and feed efficiency were measured. The average cumulative weekly body weight for all weeks were found to be significantly different (P<0.05) for the various treatments. Maximum cumulative body weight (1360 g) was found in broiler fed T2 ration in 5th week. Similar trend was also observed in 6th week showing highest cumulative weight (1882 g) in control diet (T1) which was at par with T2 (1841 g). Significantly highest (420.3 g) live weight gain was observed in T2 diet during 5th week. Overall mean of weekly feed consumption was recorded highest (784.33 g) in T2 diet. The economic analysis of net income/kg live weight was the highest (Rs 18.86) in T1 which was at par with T2 (Rs 18.35). Likewise, cost of production/bird was highest (Rs 124.5) in T1 and lowest (Rs 112.2) in T4. The results show that azolla meal could be utilized to substitute up to 10% soybean meal from overall production and economic point of view.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(4): 619-62

Perception of Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases Worldwide

In this comprehensive review study, we addressed the challenge posed by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) with growing incidence affecting human and animal health worldwide. Data and perspectives were collected from different countries and regions worldwide, including America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The results updated the current situation with ticks and TBD and how it is perceived by society with information bias and gaps. The study reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary and international collaborations to advance in the surveillance, communication and proposed future directions to address these challenges

Long-term trends of direct nitrous oxide emission from fuel combustion in South Asia

An increasing concentration of nitrous oxide (N2O) in the global atmosphere can perturb the ecological balance, affecting the climate and human life. South Asia, one of the world's most populous regions, is a hotspot for N2O emission. Although agriculture traditionally dominated the region, economic activities are rapidly shifting towards industry and energy services. These activites may become the largest emitters of N2O in future. Yet, few attempts have been made to estimate long-term direct N2O emission from fuel combustion for the different energy-consuming sectors in the South Asian region. Therefore, the present study developed a comprehensive sectoral N2O emission inventory for South Asian countries for the time period of 1990–2017, with projections till 2041. It revealed that the average N2O emission from fuel combustion in the South Asia region is about 40.96 Gg yr−1 with a possible uncertainty of ±12 Gg yr−1, showing an increase of more than 100% from 1990 to 2017. Although India is the major contributor, with an average of 34 Gg yr−1 of N2O emissions, in terms of growth, small countries like Bhutan and Maldives are dominating other South Asian countries. Sector-wise, the residential sector contributed a maximum emission of 14.52 Gg yr−1 of N2O but this is projected to reduce by more than 50% by 2041. This is because of the successful promotion of cleaner fuels like liquefied petroleum gas over more polluting fuelwood. Power generation contributed 9.43 Gg yr−1of N2O emissions, exhibiting a maximum growth of 395%, followed by road transport (289%) and industry (231%). Future N2O emissions from transport, power and industry are projected to rise by 2.8, 3.3, and 23.9 times their 2017 estimates, respectively, due to the incapability of current policies to combat rising fossil fuel consumption. Mitigation options, such as replacing diesel and compressed natural gas vehicles with electricity-driven vehicles, can decelerate N2O emissions to 45% by 2041 for road transport. A 41% reduction is possible by displacing coal with renewables in the power and industry sectors. Overall, the South Asian contribution to global N2O emissions has enlarged from 2.7% in 1990 to 5.7% in 2007–2016, meaning there is an urgent need for N2O emission mitigation in the region

A Case of Severe Hypoxia Caused by Phenazopyridine-Induced Methemoglobinemia: A near Fatal Event from Over-the-Counter Medication Use

Methemoglobinemia is a rare blood disorder characterized by the oxidation of heme iron from ferrous (Fe2+) to ferric (Fe3+) state, which increases oxygen affinity and impairs oxygen release to the tissue causing hypoxia. It can be congenital or acquired; however, most cases are acquired and caused by exogenous substances such as medications, chemicals, and environmental substances. Phenazopyridine is an over-the-counter urinary analgesic medication commonly used for symptomatic relief of dysuria and has been reported to cause methemoglobinemia. However, only a handful of cases of phenazopyridine-induced methemoglobinemia have been reported. We present a case of an 89-year-old female who presented with severe hypoxia, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and dizziness caused by phenazopyridine-induced methemoglobinemia. She was found to have a methemoglobin level of 21.5% and was treated with methylene blue, leading to a rapid improvement of her symptoms. She was taking one over-the-counter phenazopyridine 200 mg tablet three times daily for two weeks for her chronic dysuria. This case highlights the need to have a high index of suspicion of phenazopyridine-induced methemoglobinemia in a patient presenting with unexplained shortness of breath with a history of phenazopyridine use as it could lead to severe methemoglobinemia with hypoxia that could potentially be fatal if not promptly diagnosed

Identification of groundwater potential zones in data-scarce mountainous region using explainable machine learning

Groundwater is a critical resource, yet its detailed assessment in mountainous regions is challenged by varying topography, complex hydrogeological characteristics and limited data. In this study, machine learning approaches were used to analyze the groundwater potential in five different watersheds in Nepal. Explainable machine learning models (EBM and GAMI-net) were used to identify zones with different groundwater potentials and controlling factors. The models were validated with k-fold cross-validation using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the two groundwater potential models with unseen validation dataset of 0.87 and 0.88 respectively. We found that precipitation, elevation, soil bulk density, slope and lineaments primarily controls the groundwater potential in the study regions. The expected impact of each of the factors on groundwater potential was complex and multimodal. The results of this study can be used to improve water resource management and ensure sustainable groundwater use in the region.</p

The relationship between geology and rock weathering on the rock instability along Mugling-Narayanghat road corridor, Central Nepal Himalaya

The present study was conducted along the Mugling–Narayanghat road section and its surrounding region that is most affected by landslide and related mass-movement phenomena. The main rock types in the study area are limestone, dolomite, slate, phyllite, quartzite and amphibolites of Lesser Himalaya, sandstone, mudstone and conglomerates of Siwaliks and Holocene Deposits. Due to the important role of geology and rock weathering in the instabilities, an attempt has been made to understand the relationship between these phenomena. Consequently, landslides of the road section and its surrounding region have been assessed using remote sensing, Geographical information systems and multiple field visits. A landslide inventory map was prepared and comprising 275 landslides. Nine landslides representing the whole area were selected for detailed studies. Field surveys, integrated with laboratory tests, were used as the main criteria for determining the weathering zones in the landslide area. From the overall study, it is seen that large and complex landslides are related to deep rock weathering followed by the intervention of geological structures as faults, joints and fractures. Rotational types of landslides are observed in highly weathered rocks, where the dip direction of the foliation plane together with the rock weathering plays a principle role. Shallow landslides are developed in the slope covered by residual soil or colluviums. The rock is rather fresh below these covers. Some shallow landslides (rock topples) are related to the attitude of the foliation plane and are generally observed in fresh rocks. Debris slides and debris flows occur in colluviums or residual soil-covered slopes. In few instances, they are also related to the rock fall occurring at higher slopes. The materials from the rock fall are mixed with the colluviums and other materials lying on the slope downhill and flow as debris flow. Rock falls are mainly related to the joint pattern and the slope angle. They are found in less-weathered rocks. From all these, it is concluded that the rock weathering followed by geological structures has prominent role in the rock slope instability along Mugling–Narayanghat road section and its surrounding regions