Integration of Forage Production and Range Improvement in the Irrigated Gezira Scheme in the Sudan

The Gezira is an area of land, a part of the Democratic Republic of the Sudan, which lies between the Blue Nile and the White Nile. The area extends in a triangular shape from the junction of the two Niles at Khartoum on the north to the city of Sennar on the south (Figure 1). The area of this extremely flat plain is approximately two million hectares, one million of which are irrigable. It is considered the largest farm under one management in the world (Barbour, 1961)

Serum calprotectin as a diagnostic marker of late onset sepsis in full-term neonates

Background: Calprotectin, a complex of two calcium-binding proteins that belong to the S100 protein family, is abundant in the cytosolic fraction of neutrophils. A high level of calprotectin reportedly exists in extracellular fluid during various inflammatory conditions, but its role in neonatal sepsis was investigated only in one study as a marker of sepsis in very low birth weight neonates. Objective: This study aimed to measure the serum calprotectin level by ELISA in full-term neonates with late onset neonatal sepsis, its correlations with other laboratory markers of sepsis as interleukin-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), total leucocytic count and platelet count and its relation to the outcome of cases. Methods: This study comprised 48 full-term neonates with gestational ages of 37 to 42 weeks with manifestations of late onset neonatal sepsis admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, Minia University Hospital during the period from February, 2011 to December, 2011 and 40 healthy neonates, age and sex matched as a control group. Serum levels of calprotectin, IL6 and CRP were measured for all neonates recruited in this study. Results: Serum calprotectin levels were significantly higher in term neonates with late onset neonatal sepsis than controls (3.77±1.85 μg/ml and 0.70±0.33 μg/ml respectively, P-value = 0.000). Cases with positive blood cultures and poor outcomes had the highest levels of calprotectin (5.8±0.61 μg/ml and 6.1±0.42 μg/ml respectively). Significant positive correlations were found between calprotectin levels and IL6 (P-value =0.000, r=0.92), C-reactive protein (p=0.000,r=0.95) and total leucocytic count (P-value =0.000, r=0.72), and negative correlations were found between its level and platelet count (P-value =0.000, r=-0.87), gestational age (P-value =0.014, r=-0.35) and body weight (P-value=0.018, r=-0.34). No significant differences were observed between males and females as regards calprotectin levels (3.96±2.10 μg/ml vs 3.55±1.52 μg/ml, P-value=0.444). Conclusions: Serum calprotectin levels are significantly higher in full-term neonates with late onset neonatal sepsis. Its levels correlated well with other laboratory markers of sepsis and neonatal mortality. It is a sensitive diagnostic marker for late onset neonatal sepsis.Keywords: Calprotectin, IL6, Full-term, Late-onset sepsisEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012;10(1):19-2

Effects of cytokinins and auxins on the micropropagation of a local grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivar, using nodal explants

   This study was conducted in the Plant Tissue Culture Unit of the Agricultural Research Corporation, Wad Medani, Sudan, during the years 2006- 2007. The objectives were to develop an in vitro technique for the propagation of a local cultivar of grapevine. The basal Murashige and Skoog medium was supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin both at concentrations of 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 mg/l. Isopentenyladenine (2iP) and BAP were also used at concentrations of 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/l.  The interaction effects of indole acetic acid (IAA) at concentrations of 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/l with BAP at 1.0 or 2.0 mg/l and indole butyric acid (IBA) at concentrations of 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mg/l with 2iP at 1.0 or 2.0 mg/l were also tested. For in vitro rooting, plantlets were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of NAA (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/l). The best morphogenesis of shoots was achieved on MS medium supplemented with BAP at 1.0-1.5 mg/l. The morphogenetic response increased with time and the best response was attained after six weeks. Higher concentrations of BAP (2.0-8.0 mg/l) resulted in abnormal growth of plantlets. The combination of BAP with IAA did not improve shoot morphogenesis. The morphogenesis of the nodal explants was similar on kinetin and 2iP which resulted in a single shoot per explant. The combinations of 2iP at different concentrations with IBA did not improve shoot morphogenesis compared to 2iP alone. The best rooting of regenerated shoots of grapevine was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 0.25 and 0.5 mg/l NAA after four weeks. أجريت هذه الدراسة بوحدة زراعة الأنسجة النباتية بهيئة البحوث الزراعية بواد مدني، السودان، خلال الفترة 2006-2007 م. كان الهدف من هذه الدراسة إكثار السلالة البلدية لكرمه العنب عن طريق تقنية الإكثار النسيجي. أختبر أثر ثلاثة أنواع  من السيتوكينينات في وسط  موراشيجي واسكوق و هي بنزيل أمينوبيورين (BAP) و الكينيتين (kinetin ) بالتركيزات  0.0, 0.25 ،0.5 ،1.0، 2.0، 4.0، 6.0 و8.0 ملجم/لتر وآيزوبنتينيل أدنين (2iP)و BAP بالتركيزات 0.0 , 1.0 , 1.5 و2.0 ملجم/لتر . كما تم اختبار تداخلها مع بعض الاوكسينات مثل اندول حامض الخليك(IAA)   بالتركيزات     0.0, 0.25 ،0.5   و1.0 ملجم/لتر مع BAP  بتركيز 1.0 أو2.0 ملجم/لتر و اندول حامض البيوترك IBA) ) بالتركيزات 0.0 ,  0.1, 0.3 و0.5 ملجم/لتر مع   2iPبتركيز 1.0 أو2.0 ملجم/لتر . أختبر أثر منظم النمو نفثالين حامض الخليك (NAA ) بالتركيزات  0.0, 0.25،0.5   و1.0 ملجم/لتر علي تحفيز التجذير لنبتات سلالة العنب البلدية المنتجة نسيجيا.  اختلفت استجابة البراعم للإكثار النسيجي وذلك باختلاف منظم النمو ودرجة تركيزه. وكانت الاختلافات معنوية بين أنواع هذه المنظمات ودرجة تركيزها.  أفضل استجابة لنمو البراعم كانت علي وسط  موراشيجي واسكوق مضافا إليه BAP بتركيز 1.0 أو 1.5 ملجم/لتر مقارنة بمنظمات النمو الأخرى. كما إزدات أعداد النبتات النامية بزيادة فترة تحضين المنفصل النباتي المزروع حتى الأسبوع السادس. تسببت التركيزات العالية من BAP (2-8 ملجم/لتر) في إنتاج سيقان منتفخة و نمو غير طبيعي للأوراق. لم يؤدي تداخل IAA مع BAP إلي  زيادة عدد النبتات النامية علي المنفصل النباتي المزروع . منظمات النمو kinetin و2iP لم تظهر أي فروق معنوية ما بين  تركيزاتها المختلفة و كانت متساوية في عدد النبتات المنتجة وأعطت نبتة واحدة لكل منفصل نباتي. لم يحسن تداخل IBA مع 2iP في زيادة عدد النبتات النامية علي المنفصل النباتي المزروع.  أفضل استجابة لنمو الجذور كانت علي وسط  موراشيجي واسكوق مضافا إليهNAA  بتركيز 0.25 أو0.5 ملجم/لتر بعد أربعه أسابيع من الزراعة.&nbsp

Living conditions and coping strategy of coastal communities contribute to the environmental integrity at the world heritage site of Dungonab Bay Mukkawar Island Marine National Park at the Sudanese Red Sea coast

World natural heritage sites (WNH) are those areas recognised for their unique natural resources and/or processes. The main objective of this study was to investigate the living conditions and diversity of livelihoods of coastal communities of the world natural heritage site of the Dungonab Bay-Mukkawar Island Marine National Park (DMNP-WNH). The fishing communities at Dungonab and Mohamed Gol villages were found to be deprived in water, electricity, education, health care, sanitation, flooring, cooking fuel and other livelihood assets. The expenditure of 82.9% of Dungonab and 91.2% of Mohamed Gol households exceeded their income. Accordingly, DMNP-WNH fishers were not able to invest in their livelihood assets and they used hook and line as the sole fishing gear. These conditions have restricted the access of respondents to fishing grounds. About 95% of Dungonab and 93.7% of Mohamed Gol respondents were experiencing extreme poverty. The quality of life at study sites was discouraging for human settlement, therefore, limiting the population growth and consequently the consumption of natural resources at DMNP-WNH. This has positively contributed to the environmental integrity. Access to clean water, electricity and diversification of fishermen livelihoods are of key importance to stimulate blue economy and sustain the environment of the DMNP-WNH

The Influence of Advertising Image on Customers’ Final Online Purchase Decisions: A Survey Study

This paper investigates the images use in Sudani Telecom Company’s (STC) advertisements and the degree to which it increases the public’s knowledge about the company. The study was performed among a sample (191 persons) of the company’s users in Khartoum City and the descriptive-analytical method was employed. Results revealed that there are statistically significant differences in the perceived degree to which the company’s use of an image in SNSs advertisements increases the public’s knowledge about and interest in the company and its services. It is recommended that National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) certainly updates its laws. It is also necessary for the company (STC) to employ advertising messages on SNSs, with a special focus on increasing content effectiveness. Furthermore, the company should be more open to the public and consider its demographic characteristics. The advertising image should be considered since it can inform the public and influence its purchase decisions and tendencies

The Potential of Establishing Technology Computer Aided Design Industry: Africa - Sudan As a Case-Study

Very-Large-Scale-Integration (VLSI) Integrated-Circuit (IC) designs have steadily grown in their capacity and complexity through the years. The need for technology simulations using technology computer-aided-design (TCAD) tools have become an essential part of design success. The TCAD simulations facilitate process optimization, highlight device performance tradeoffs, enable worst case analysis, and reveal device defects and weakness. Microelectronics higher education in African universities focuses mainly on the chip/circuit design instruction. Virtually little or no emphasis is applied to grow students TCAD simulation skills. This paper discusses the potential of African educational institutes of becoming the supplier of qualified TCAD simulation engineers for future African IC industry and/or worldwide VLSI job market. The African universities are encouraged to emphasize on establishing frameworks that would include TCAD simulation research and development into their curriculums and motivate students to venture the VLSI design and automation fields. This would enable African graduates to exploit the microelectronics job market worldwide and establish TCAD industries within Africa to industrialize African job market