Strategies for soil amelioration using sulphur in salt affected soils

Effective use of salt affected soils needs the development of the most efficient and suitable reclamation technology to optimize farm management and better crop yields. Different chemical methods and amendments are used to reclaim the salt affected soils and after reclamation such soils may be used for sustainable agricultural production. Choice of a chemical amendment depends on its availability, cost, handling and time of application. Application of sulfur is very effective technique to suppress the uptake of undesired toxic elements and to improve the quantity and quality of produce in salt affected soils. So, a three-year field experiment was carried out to evaluate the comparative reclamation efficiency of two sulfur sources, i.e elemental sulfur and gypsum to improve the soil conditions by reducing the salinity/sodicity impact and yield characteristics of rice and wheat crop. A saline-sodic field {(ECe = 6.10 dS m-1, pHs = 9.21 and SAR = 41.67 (mmol L-1)1/2, SO4-S = 16.0 (mg kg-1) and soil gypsum requirement (SGR) of 9.10 t ha-1 for 0-15 cm soil depth} was selected. The treatments included were: control, gypsum application @ 100 SGR, S application @ 25, 50, 57, 100 and 125 % of SGR. Statistical analysis of three-year pooled data showed that varying levels of sulfur and gypsum significantly improved soil properties and rice-wheat yield than control, however, gypsum @ 100% of soil GR was at par with S @ 125 and 100% of SGR in term terms of improving yield component of both test crops and reducing soil pHs, ECe and SAR. Efficiency of treatment could be arranged as gypsum @ 100% SGR = S @ 125 % of SGR= S @ 100% of SGR> S @ 75 % of SGR> S @ 50 % of SGR> S @ 25% of SGR>control

Homozygosity mapping reveals novel and known mutations in Pakistani families with inherited retinal dystrophies.

Inherited retinal dystrophies are phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous. This extensive heterogeneity poses a challenge when performing molecular diagnosis of patients, especially in developing countries. In this study, we applied homozygosity mapping as a tool to reduce the complexity given by genetic heterogeneity and identify disease-causing variants in consanguineous Pakistani pedigrees. DNA samples from eight families with autosomal recessive retinal dystrophies were subjected to genome wide homozygosity mapping (seven by SNP arrays and one by STR markers) and genes comprised within the detected homozygous regions were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. All families displayed consistent autozygous genomic regions. Sequence analysis of candidate genes identified four previously-reported mutations in CNGB3, CNGA3, RHO, and PDE6A, as well as three novel mutations: c.2656C > T (p.L886F) in RPGRIP1, c.991G > C (p.G331R) in CNGA3, and c.413-1G > A (IVS6-1G > A) in CNGB1. This latter mutation impacted pre-mRNA splicing of CNGB1 by creating a -1 frameshift leading to a premature termination codon. In addition to better delineating the genetic landscape of inherited retinal dystrophies in Pakistan, our data confirm that combining homozygosity mapping and candidate gene sequencing is a powerful approach for mutation identification in populations where consanguineous unions are common

Comparison the efficient reclamation of different inorganic materials with organic amendments to rice-wheat crop sustainable production in salt-affected soils

Amelioration of salt-affected soils requires an integrated management approach, which not only improves their effectiveness for improving soil properties, but also increases the crop production and quality of the produce. Hence, a study was planned to evaluate combined use of organic and inorganic amendments for better rehabilitation of salt affected soil in ricewheat cropping sequence from 2013 to 2016. Treatments included T1 - control, T2 - gypsum @ 100 SGR, T3 - CaCl2 @ 50% SGR, T4 - CaCl2 @ 50% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1, T5 - H2SO4 @ 25% GR, T6 - H2SO4 @ 25% SGR + biogas slurry @10 tˑha-1. A saline sodic field was selected, prepared and leveled. Composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for pHs = 9.15, ECe (dS m-1) = 4.86, SAR (mmol L-1)1/2 = 42.52 and GR (tˑha-1) = 8.64. Experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. The inorganic amendments (gypsum and CaCl2) were applied 30 days before rice transplanting in the respective treatment plots, followed by leaching while biogas slurry was applied 15 days before transplanting and H2SO4 was applied with first irrigation. Recommended dose of fertilizer 120-110-70 NPK kg ha-1 for wheat (Inqlab-91) and 110-90-60 NPK kg ha-1 for rice (Shaheen Basmati) was applied. Soil samples were collected before application of amendment and after harvesting of each crop. Straw and grain/paddy yield data were recorded at maturity. Pooled data showed that grain/paddy and straw yield of wheat and rice crop was higher in T2 (gypsum @ 100% SGR), but statistically (P≤ 0.05) non significant with T4 (CaCl2 @ 50% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1). T3 (CaCl2 @ 50 % SGR) was at par with T6 (H2SO4 @ 25% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1), followed by T5 (H2SO4 @ 25% SGR). The minimum yield was recorded in T1 (control). Soil analysis showed that pHs, ECe and SAR were significantly decreased in T2, (Gypsum @ 100% SGR), followed by T4 (CaCl2 @ 50% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1). Hence, CaCl2 @ 50% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1 may be an effective alternative reclamation strategy for areas that are restricted use because of salinity

Performance Evaluation of a Direct Absorption Collector for Solar Thermal Energy Conversion

The solar absorption efficiency of water as a base-fluid can be significantly improved by suspending nanoparticles of various materials in it. This experimental work presents the photo thermal performance of water-based nano-fluids of graphene oxide (GO), zinc oxide (ZnO), copper oxide (CuO), and their hybrids under natural solar flux for the first time. Nanofluid samples were prepared by the two-step method and the photothermal performance of these nanofluid samples was conducted under natural solar flux in a particle concentration range from 0.0004 wt % to 0.0012 wt %. The photothermal efficiency of water-based 0.0012 wt % GO nanofluid was 46.6% greater than that of the other nanofluids used. This increased photothermal performance of GO nanofluid was associated with its good stability, high absorptivity, and high thermal conductivity. Thus, pure graphene oxide (GO) based nanofluid is a potential candidate for direct absorption solar collection to be used in different solar thermal energy conversion applications

Consensus standards for acquisition, measurement, and reporting of intravascular optical coherence tomography studies

Objectives: The purpose of this document is to make the output of the International Working Group for Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography (IWG-IVOCT) Standardization and Validation available to medical and scientific communities, through a peer-reviewed publication, in the interest of improving the diagnosis and treatment of patients with atherosclerosis, including coronary artery disease. Background: Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) is a catheter-based modality that acquires images at a resolution of ∼10 μm, enabling visualization of blood vessel wall microstructure in vivo at an unprecedented level of detail. IVOCT devices are now commercially available worldwide, there is an active user base, and the interest in using this technology is growing. Incorporation of IVOCT in research and daily clinical practice can be facilitated by the development of uniform terminology and consensus-based standards on use of the technology, interpretation of the images, and reporting of IVOCT results. Methods: The IWG-IVOCT, comprising more than 260 academic and industry members from Asia, Europe, and the United States, formed in 2008 and convened on the topic of IVOCT standardization through a series of 9 national and international meetings. Results: Knowledge and recommendations from this group on key areas within the IVOCT field were assembled to generate this consensus document, authored by the Writing Committee, composed of academicians who have participated in meetings and/or writing of the text. Conclusions: This document may be broadly used as a standard reference regarding the current state of the IVOCT imaging modality, intended for researchers and clinicians who use IVOCT and analyze IVOCT data

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

Synthesis of palmitic acid derivatives of p-aminophenol and p-amino benzoic acid with improved pharmacodynamic profiles

In the present study, p-amino phenol (PAP) and p-amino benzoic acid (PABA) have been modified as lipids palmitoyl p-amino phenol (PPAP) and palmitoyl N - p-amino benzoic acid (N-PPABA) by a simple amide formation reaction of the respective compounds with palmitoyl chloride. On screening PPAP and N-PPABA for pharmacological activity, PPAP (an analogue of paracetamol) has been found to exhibit potent and persistent analgesic and inflammatory activity than paracetamol. Whereas N-PPABA, an amide of p-amino benzoic acid demonstrated novel analgesic, antiinflammatory and antipyretic effects

Effect of water stress and planting system on growth, yield and quality of sweet potato

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is an important crop due to its cultivation as staple food for millions of small farmers as well as for poor people in Latin America, Asia, Africa and in many other parts of the world. This tuberous crop is susceptible to drought stress especially during the period of crop establishment as well as vine development and tuber initiation. Yield of the crop vary widely among farmers due to improper planting systems. This current study was aimed to investigate the influence of various irrigation intervals and planting systems on vegetative growth, storage root yield and quality of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) cv. ‘White star’ under field conditions. Three irrigation intervals (7, 14 and 21 days for summer crop, and 14, 28 and 42 days for winter crop) and two planting systems (bed planting and ridge planting) were adopted in this study. Vine length, number of branches and average leaf area significantly reduced as the irrigation interval was increased. Ridge planting produced longer vines with greater leaf area in winter crop as compared to bed planting. Yield parameters (storage root length, storage root diameter, number and fresh weight of marketable roots per plant) were directly linked with vegetative growth especially in summer crop. Under water stress conditions, as vegetative growth decreased storage root yield was also reduced. However, yield attributes were not affected by the planting systems. Vitamin C content decreased with water stress, whereas total soluble solids (TSS) and leaf proline content significantly increased with water stress in summer crop. Ridge planting also resulted in increased leaf proline content in summer crop. It is concluded that for attaining good vegetative growth and storage root yield, sweet potato should be irrigated at an interval of 7 days during summer and 14 days during winter crop and planted on ridges

Seed priming and foliar application of plant growth regulators affect the growth and yield of okra under calcareous soils

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different plant growth regulators (PGRs) applied through seed priming and foliar spray on growth and yield of three okra cultivars grown under calcareous soils. The cultivars of Punjab Selection and Sabzpari produced significantly higher number of branches and leaves per plant, pod length and diameter and pod yield as compared to cv. Green ferry, while, cv. Punjab selection produced significantly greater number of flowers and pods per plant as compared to other two cultivars. Seed germination (%), plant height, and fruit set (%) were not affected by the cultivars. Among the PGR treatments, seed primed with GA3 resulted in significantly higher germination percentage and greater plant height at flowering. Seed priming and foliar spray with NAA and GA3 were effective in increasing the final plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of flowers and number of pods per plant and fruit set (%), fresh weight per pod and pod yield. However, pod diameter, pod moisture content and dry weight per pod were not influenced by the PGR treatments applied. These results suggested that the PGRs have great potential to improve seed germination, enhance growth and increase yield of okra cultivars under calcareous soils

Boron toxicity in salt-affected soils and effects on plants

Modern civilization with the rapid growth in population, large scale urbanization and industrialization around the globe, results in deterioration of soil and irrigation water quality. It is becoming necessary to understand the responses of crops towards these environmental issues. Among various abiotic stresses, salinity is considered an important limiting factor for worldwide wheat production. High levels of boron (B) and salinity are a serious constraint to crop production around the world. Cropping on saline and B toxic land is restricted by the low tolerance of agricultural crops to these abiotic factors. Frequently, B and salt occur together, however, it is unknown whether the interactions of B and salt increase or decrease the tolerance of a plant to both of these stresses. Low concentration of B is essential to plant growth and may limit the plant growth and development in excess quantity especially under saline conditions. In this chapter the individual and interactive effects of salinity and boron toxicity on physiological and biochemical process in plants have been reviewed