OPERATIONAL RESEARCH TOOLS IN IRRIGATION - A REVIEW

Operational research optimization is an old method for allocating scarce resources with maximum benefits and efficiency. With increasing global water scarcity, earliness and tiredness in demand base water supply, economical issues, maximizing crop per drop of water, OR is getting popular in irrigation and agriculture sector as well. This paper is intended to review different optimization techniques used so far in the field of irrigation.Key Words: Operation research, optimization, irrigation, water delivery, genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, fuzzy sets, swarm optimization

OPERATIONAL RESEARCH TOOLS IN IRRIGATION - A REVIEW

Operational research optimization is an old method for allocating scarce resources with maximum benefits and efficiency. With increasing global water scarcity, earliness and tiredness in demand base water supply, economical issues, maximizing crop per drop of water, OR is getting popular in irrigation and agriculture sector as well. This paper is intended to review different optimization techniques used so far in the field of irrigation.Key Words: Operation research, optimization, irrigation, water delivery, genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, fuzzy sets, swarm optimization

The Role of Network Relationship Quality Played In the International Expansion of SMEs

This study attempts to explore the most significant factors of the OEC construct which contributes to improve the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The OEC (Organizational Expansion Competency) construct is based on four sub-factors, i.e. Domestic network quality, International network quality, Capabilities of company and Access to resources. A case study analysis of local SMEs from manufacturing sector that operates in Melaka was conducted to examine the framework which was developed for this study to improve performance. A sample of 105 entrepreneurs (respondents) of SMEs was surveyed using a structured questionnaire as an instrument. The result shows the most important factors towards improving performance based on statistical methods to analyze the data. International network quality was the most significant factor, followed by Capabilities of company and Access to resources that contribute to the performance of SMEs, while Domestic network quality of SMEs were relatively not significant but still related positively to the performance of SMEs in Melak

COMPARISON OF IMPACT BEHAVIOUR WITH SURFACE HARDNESS OF ISOTROPIC AND COMPOSITE PLATES

Impact tests were carried out both on composite as well as plates made of conventional materials such as aluminium and steel. Various magnitudes of impact energy per unit volume of deformation were obtained for each specimen. The surface hardness number for these plates were also determined experimentally. A relationship was investigated between the impact energy per unit volume of deformation and hardness number

Characteristics and clinical features of cauda equina syndrome: insights from a study on 256 patients

Objective: To determine the frequency, clinical presentation, and etiological factors of cauda equina syndrome (CES). Materials and method: This retrospective study was done on 256 participants, and aimed to analyze the frequency and patterns of clinical presentation in suspected cases of CES. The inclusion criteria included participants aged 18 or older with medical records available for review and having red-flagged symptoms for CES. The study collected information on various factors such as age, gender, confirmation of CES on MRI, neurological deficits, etiological factors, duration of symptoms, and more. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to identify significant variables between MRI-proven CES and suspected CES. Results: The mean age was 58.05 ± 19.26 years, with 151 females (58.98%) and 105 males (41.02%). The majority (50.78%) had a neurological deficit, while other symptoms included difficulty initiating micturition or impaired sensation of urinary flow (17.58%), loss of sensation of rectal fullness (3.12%), urinary or faecal incontinence (35.16%), bilateral sciatica (21.88%), neurological symptoms in the lower limbs (25.00%), anaesthesia or any leg weakness (24.22%), and bilateral sciatica as the predominant symptom (21.88%). Symptoms were chronic in 47.27% and acute in 21.88%. The odds of MRI-proven CES increase by 3% per year of age. Neurological deficit was strongly associated with MRI-proven CES (OR = 14.97), while loss of sensation of rectal fullness increased the odds by 10-fold (OR = 10.62). Conclusion: CES can present with various symptoms, including the bilateral neurological deficit, urinary and faecal incontinence, and bilateral sciatica, with age, severe bilateral neurological deficit, and loss of sensation of rectal fullness being associated with MRI-proven CES. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better outcomes

Microsatellite Analysis Revealed Potential DNA Markers for Gestation Length and Sub-Population Diversity in Kari Sheep

Kari sheep inhabiting the Chitral district of Pakistan show variation in gestation length. In this study, we have analyzed the genetic differences between the three subtypes of Kari sheep (based on variation in gestation length) using microsatellite markers. Kari sheep samples were collected from their breeding tract and were characterized for gestation length and genetic diversity using microsatellite markers. A total of 78 Kari ewes were grouped into three categories based on gestation length (GL), i.e., Kari-S (with a shorter GL), Kari-M (with a medium GL), and Kari-L (with a longer GL). DNA from these samples was used to amplify 31 ovine-specific microsatellite loci through PCR. Of the total 78 Kari specimens, 24 were grouped in Kari-S (GL = 100.7 ± 1.8), 26 were from the Kari-M subtype (GL = 123.1 ± 1.0), and 28 were Kari-L (GL = 143.8 ± 1.5). Microsatellite analysis revealed an association of genotypes at two marker sites (MAF214 and ILSTS5) with variation in GL. A total of 158 alleles were detected across the 22 polymorphic loci with an average of 7.18 alleles per locus. Unique alleles were found in all three subtypes. The highest number of unique alleles was observed in Kari-L (15), followed by Kari-S (10) and Kari-M (8). The results indicated that Kari-S is a genetically distinct subtype (with higher genetic differentiation and distance) from Kari-M and Kari-L. The genetic uniqueness of Kari-S is important for further exploration of the genetic basis for shorter gestation length, and exploitation of their unique values

Molecular prevalence, characterization and associated risk factors of

This study was conducted in four districts (Malakand, Swat, Bajaur and Shangla) of Northern Pakistan to investigate the prevalence, associated risk factors and phylogenetic analyses of Theileria and Anaplasma species in small ruminants. A total of 800 blood samples, 200 from each district, were collected from apparently healthy animals. PCR assays were performed using generic primers for Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. as well as species specific primers for A. ovis and T. ovis. Overall infection prevalence was 361/800 (45.1%). Theileria spp. infection prevalence (187/800, 23.3%) was higher than Anaplasma spp. (174/800, 21.7%). Amplified partial 18S rRNA genes were sequenced and enrolled animals were found to be infected by T. ovis (115/800, 14.3%), and at least two more Theileria species (72/800, 9%) were present (T. lestoquardi and T. annulata). All blood samples that were found to be positive for Anaplasma spp. were also positive for A. ovis. Infection prevalence was higher in sheep (227/361, 28.3%) compared to goats (134/361, 16.6%) (p < 0.005). Univariable analysis of risk factors showed that host, age, grazing system and acaricide treatment were significant determinants (p < 0.05) for both Theileria and Anaplasma infections. Multivariable analysis revealed that host, sex, age, tick infestation and grazing system were significant risk factors (p < 0.005) for both pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis revealed variants among the A. ovis and T. annulata samples analysed, indicating that different genotypes are circulating in the field while T. ovis presented the same genotype for the samples analysed

Ticks Infesting Dogs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: Detailed Epidemiological and Molecular Report

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are considered a major challenge for human and animal health in tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate regions of the world. However, only scarce information is available on the characterization of tick species infesting dogs in Pakistan. In this study, we present a comprehensive report on the epidemiological and phylogenetic aspects of ticks infesting dogs in Pakistan using the mitochondrial markers i.e. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) nucleotide sequences. A total of 300 dogs were examined and 1150 ixodid ticks were collected across central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The morpho-molecular characterization of hard ticks revealed the presence of two ixodid tick genera on dogs, i.e., Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus, including six tick species viz. Hyalomma dromedarii (15.9%), Hyalomma excavatum (3%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (41.3%), Rhipicephalus turanicus s.s. (28.7%), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (10.2%), and Rhipicephalus microplus (2%). The total prevalence of tick infestation in dogs was 61%. The district with the highest tick prevalence rate in dogs was Mardan (14.7%), followed by Peshawar (13%), Swabi (12%), Charsadda (11%), and Malakand (10.3%), respectively. Risk factors analysis indicated that some demographic and host management-associated factors such as host age, breed, exposure to acaricides treatment, and previous tick infestation history were associated with a higher risk of tick infestation on dogs. This is the first molecular report confirming the infestation of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus tick species in the dog population from the study area. The present study also reported a new tick–host association between Hy. excavatum, Hy. dromedarii, and dogs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that cox1 partial nucleotide sequences of Hy. excavatum in our dataset were 100% identical to similar tick specimens identified in Turkey, and those of Hy. dromedarii were identical to tick specimens from Iran. Whereas, Rh. haemaphysaloides and Rh. microplus’ cox1 partial nucleotide sequences were identical to sequences previously published from Pakistan. Rhipicephalus turanicus s.s. ‘s cox1 isolates from the present study were 99.8–100% identical to Pakistani-reported isolates, and those of Rh. sanguineus s.l. were 100% identical to Chinese specimens. Results on the genetic characterization of ticks were further confirmed by 16S rRNA partial nucleotide sequences analysis, which revealed 100% identity between the tick isolates of this study and those of Hy. excavatum reported from Turkey; Hy. dromedarii specimens reported from Senegal; Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. microplus, and Rh. turanicus s.s., previously published from Pakistan, and Rh. sanguineus s.l., published from China. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that the Rh. sanguineus s.l. isolates of this study clustered with specimens of the tropical lineage with 7.7–10% nucleotide divergence from the specimens of the temperate lineage. Further molecular works need to be performed throughout Pakistan to present a more detailed map of tick distribution with information about dog host associations, biological characteristics, and pathogen competence