Meeting irrigation demands in a water-challenged environment

Presented at Meeting irrigation demands in a water-challenged environment: SCADA and technology: tools to improve production: a USCID water management conference held on September 28 - October 1, 2010 in Fort Collins, Colorado.Includes bibliographical references.This study focuses on water use efficiency and water user's role in maintenance of the system for sustainable irrigated agriculture. The parameters assessed were water delivery to water users, water distribution, water use efficiency and farmers' role. The relevant data were collected in the field and through a literature survey. Analyses of data indicate that DPR during the season varied from 1.0 to 1.60. The middle reach received slightly more than the head reach, and in the tail reach it varied from 0.6 to 1.80. Furthermore, water distribution among watercourses was also variable. The 7L- head watercourse received 30 to 82 percent more water than its design discharge (Qd). The downstream watercourses (16R and 18AT) also received up to 183 percent more discharge than Qd. However, the mid-reach watercourses (9AR and 13R) received the design share or less, though the flow of water was greater. In spite of unfair distribution there were no complaints from the water users about unequal distribution because there was enough water for everyone. Furthermore, result indicated that total water supply was 6.62 mm/day and the crop water requirement was between 2.54 and 3.56 mm/day in the Rabi (winter) crop season. Thus, the total loss of water was estimated as 46 percent. This was also verified by estimating seepage losses in watercourses and the distributary, which were 4.5 percent and 26 percent, respectively. However, the role of the Water Users Associations (WUA) in the maintenance of the distributary was significant. They collectively desilted the channel at a cost of about US$ 0.25 (Pak Rs. 21) per acre of land, which improved the head-tail water delivery performance ratio from 3.53 to 2.55 (Lashari and Murray-Rust 2002). But the maturity index has indicated that only 12.5 percent of the WUAs were at a sustainable level (Lashari et al. 2009)

Characterization of Mutations Linked with Second Line Anti-TB Drug Resistance in Pakistan

Background: The incidence of multiple drug resistance tuberculosis is on the rise worldwide and Pakistan is one of 30 high TB burden countries. Resistance to second line drugs especially fluoroquinolones is being reported by many laboratories. This is increasing the gravity of the situation resulting in extensively drug resistant cases, which is difficult to treat, and has more side effects.Methods: One hundred and thirty-three (133) clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis, collected by convenience sampling, were characterized for mutations in eth-A, gyrA, msh-A, rrs genes, and the promoter region of inh-A gene that confer resistance to second line anti-TB drugs. The mutations were detected by allele-specific-PCR and PCR amplification followed by SSCP and DNA sequencing.Results: Mutations in gyrA gene at codon 91, 94 and 95 were found in 4 (3.0%) M. tuberculosis isolates. Mutations in rrs gene were found in 17 (12.8%) isolates, ten (7.5%) isolates had mutation at A1401G position, 5 (3.76%) isolates at C1402T position and 3 (2.25%) isolates had G1484T mutation. For resistance to ethionamide, none of the isolates showed mutation in eth-A gene. In promoter region of inh-A gene, mutations were detected at -C15T, -A112G, -C110T in two samples. Two mutations, A312T and A332G, were found in msh-A gene in one sample. Collectively, 24 (18%) isolates were found to harbor mutations associated with second line anti TB drug resistance.Conclusion: Our work revealed high frequency of mutations (18%) associated with resistance against second line anti-TB drugs. This situation can lead to increase in XDR-TB cases. We, therefore, recommend improved diagnostic and drug sensitivity testing, better prescription, and development of superior drugs to control tuberculosis.   Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Second line anti-TB drug

Two different point mutations in ABL gene ATP-binding domain conferring Primary Imatinib resistance in a Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) patient: A case report

Imatinib (Gleevec) is the effective therapy for BCR-ABL positive CML patients. Point mutations have been detected in ATP-binding domain of ABL gene which disturbs the binding of Gleevec to this target leading to resistance. Detection of mutations is helpful in clinical management of imatinib resistance. We established a very sensitive (ASO) PCR to detect mutations in an imatinib-resistant CML patient. Mutations C944T and T1052C were detected which cause complete partial imatinib resistance, respectively. This is the first report of multiple point mutations conferring primary imatinib resistance in same patient at the same time. Understanding the biological reasons of primary imatinib resistance is one of the emerging issues of pharmacogenomics and will be helpful in understanding primary resistance of molecularly-targeted cancer therapies. It will also be of great utilization in clinical management of imatinib resistance. Moreover, this ASO-PCR assay is very effective in detecting mutations related to imatinib resistance

Architecture and and Zen Calligraphy: Shaping Spiritual Space

“The ancients penned characters as a means of spiritual elevation, for it was considered possible to express the essential spirit of the universe through brushwork. …the act of writing a character is seen as parallel to the universal process of creation, and an embodiment of the principles that govern life.” -Barbara Aria “The way a word is written can convey as much meaning as the word itself.” -Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang “Alas, one who does not enter the gate of this art will not glimpse its mysteries!” -Sun Qianli, Treatise on Calligraphy Calligraphy is the means by which the intangible ideals and experiences of the enlightened person or Zen master are formed and made visible. The art of sacred calligraphy is used specifically for the purposes of evoking emotion or creating experiences of spiritual elevation (Stevens 144). Though at first glance most calligraphy seems to be uninformed brush strokes, the techniques involved in creating provocative and sacred calligraphy are extremely precise and ritualistic. Zen calligraphy is only considered successful when the calligrapher is able to achieve the elevated spiritual station through the ritual journey and the arrival of the mind and soul. The eminent calligrapher Mohamed Zakariya stated that a work of calligraphy is only complete when it is experienced by viewing (6). This can be compared to what the contemporary architect, Tadao Ando has said: “A great building comes alive only when someone enters it” (Auping 25). Both of these statements are an expression of the individual’s interpretation of either the calligraphy or the space, adding the element of a personal experience. Just as in architecture, calligraphy uses the compositional form and space to express emotion or meaning. The experiences, emotion and unity between the person or user within an architectural space and the architecture itself are all reflective of what is achieved by the viewer of sacred calligraphy (figure 1). For this reason, I believe that an architectural space based on the same principles of sacred calligraphy can convey not only intangible spiritual ideas, but also heightened experiences of spirit and soul. A library project is fitting to the thesis argument because of the close relationship of reading and ritual. According to Louis Kahn, institutions are symbolic of human desires, such as the desire to learn, which can be expressed only in community, through people coming together. “For Kahn, architecture is the art whose concern is human institutions” (Lobell 65). The embodiment of a human desire is the essence of calligraphy. How better to express this desire than through the institution of reading, the library

The prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions in Pakistani infertile men

Background: Microdeletions of the azoospermia factor locus of the long arm of Y chromosome are an etiological factor of severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Y-chromosome microdeletions in AZF region and their role in infertility in Pakistani population. Materials and Methods: The type of deletions in AZF locus were detected in infertile men (n=113) and the association of Y chromosome microdeletions with male infertility was assessed by including men (50) with normal karyotype and having children. Y chromosome microdeletions were detected by multiplex PCR using 10 sequence tagged sites namely sY81, sY130, sY141, sY142, sY155, sY157, sY160, sY182, sY231, and sY202 that covered all three regions of AZF. Results: Individuals with severe oligozoospermia showed 2.86% deletion frequency in AZFc region as compared to azoospermic males (5.5%). Conclusion: The results of our study showed that deletions in Y chromosome are not playing major part in male infertility. Moreover, multiplex-PCR strategy might preferably be employed for the detection of Y chromosome microdeletions allied to male infertility

Scrutinize the integrated role of Azotobacter vinelandii in nitrogen assimilation, photosystem II functionality and aerenchyma formation of Zea mays under moisture stress environment

Moisture, salinity, heat, and drought are some of the main ecological extremities that recruit anomalous metabolic process which not only effect the plant growth and development but also lessen the crop production. Present eco-friendly approach was intended to explore the integrated role of soil bacteria (Azotobacter vinelandii) on aerenchyma formation, nitrogen assimilation, chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosystem II functionality in low moisture stress environment were studied. Azotobacter were isolated from the date palm around the harsh environment, later it was purified in lab and were used in plants with two different concentration P1= 2.312 CFU mL−1, P2 = 2.316 CFU mL−1. Two-week old treated (P1 and P2) and untreated (P0) plants were exposed to 20 ± 5 % and 45±5 % soil moisture content (SMC) while 75 ± 5 % moisture served as positive control using water holding capacity technique. In stress environment, Azotobacter with two concentrations (P1= 2.312 CFU mL−1, P2= 2.316 CFU mL−1) improved the plant length and biomass production demonstrates lesser declined (2 to 3.9 %) in seedling growth and (21.5 to 39.8 %) in biomass production as compared 31.5 to 49.8 % in control plants (P0). Relative water content (RWC) was greatly sustained in moisture stress due to bacterial applications showing 0.02 to 8.0 % declined as compared 34.9 % in control plants. Likewise lesser decreased (-16.5 to -39.2 %) in osmotic potential was noted in treated plant as compared to control plant (-37.1 to -60.6 %). The sub- optimal stress from moderate to severe instigated significant upsurge of energy loss in plants. The energy loss indicators like non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qN) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were relatively high (4.1 to 12.9 % and 33.26 to 47.64 %) in Po as compared to P1 and P2 (0.9 to 1.9 % and 1.3 to 14.2 %) plants. Moreover, application of azotobacter (P1 and P2) also upregulated quantum yield of electron transport (jEo,), the efficiencies of light reaction (φPo / (1- φPo), and biochemical reaction (ψo /(1- ψo) in sub-optimal environment. The upregulation in light harvesting efficiency enhance nitrogen assimilation showing lesser declined in nitrite (21.1 to 9.3 %) and nitrate content (50.0 to 24.0%) in P1 and P2 plants compared to control plants (P0). It was noted that P2 treated plants showed lesser declined in protein content (22 %) corresponding with 8.0 % in nitrite reductase (NIR) and 5.1 % in nitrate reductase (NR) activities. The current finding suggested that the application of azotobacter improve growth and biomass production due sustained photosystem II functionality and nitrogen assimilation under moisture environment. Further, Azotobacter facilitates the aerenchyma formation in plants roots under stress condition enabling gaseous exchange in roots. Application of azotobacter in moisture environment seems to be a promising and eco-friendly solution for sustainable agriculture which not only provide an alternative beside chemical fertilizers but also protect plant against low moisture stress consequences

Reverse line probe assay for cheap detection of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

International audienceMore and more Single Nucleotide Polymosrphisms of interest among pathogenic organisms are described with the advent of Whole Genome Sequencing but WGS approach is still too expensive, time consuming, and relying on bioinformatical means that are not available in many developing countries. This study presents a low-cost reverse hybridization line probe technique for detecting SNPs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The proposed test is able to detect mutations in the RRDR of rpoB gene in M. tuberculosis with specificity and sensitivity of 98% and 100%, respectively and for an average cost of less than €3 per sample. The technique proved efficient not only on pure DNA samples extracted from culture isolates but also on crude extracts from clinical samples. The flexibility of the platform allows to get it transformed to any kind of test detection, hence, building a bridge between rich countries performing SNP discovery and countries with high burden that can target these SNPs on the collected samples

Quick and cheap MIRU-VNTR typing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis species complex using duplex PCR.

International audienceWhile minisatellites are usually typed using capillary sequencers or qiaplex systems in developed countries, many low-resource regions cannot afford it. We propose an optimized agarose gel electrophoresis method to genotype Mycobacterium tuberculosis species complex minisatellites in their standardized format (24 MIRU-VNTR). It is based on duplex PCRs combining VNTR loci harboring distinct amplicon sizes whatever the repetition number of each locus. This method performs well both on DNA extracts of good quality and on thermolysates while reducing workload and reagents costs