Investigating the degradation behavior of Cypermethrin (CYP) and Chlorpyrifos (CPP) in peach orchard soils using organic/inorganic amendments.

Reducing toxic effects of pesticide residues in agricultural soils through organic amendments is an eco-friendly technique. Cypermethrin (CYP) and Chlorpyrifos (CPP) are widely used pesticides in peach growing orchards in Swat valley of Pakistan. The aim of the current study was to investigate the degradation behavior of CYP and CPP in soil by the application of different combination of organic/inorganic amendments. A total of 36 soil samples were used in the current incubation study which was collected from 4 peach orchards in district Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Different amendments including urea, farm yard manure (FYM) and saprofil were applied alone and in various combinations. The initial concentrations of CYP and CPP in the tested soil was range from 0.94 to 4.8 mg kg-1 and 0.024 to 4.12 to mg kg-1. Soil samples were taken at 5, 15, 30 and 45 days after exposure to different treatments. The extraction of pesticides from soils was done through quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method. Soils amended with urea, FYM and saprofil individually and in combinations significantly reduced the concentrations of CYP and CPP. However, the concentration of CYP (24.6) and CPP (27.0) in soil showed higher reduction through the application of FYM. While the concentrations of CYP and CPP were declined with the 5, 15, 30 and 45 days intervals, however, reduction at day 30 and 45 was faster for CYP (16.7 to 8.46) than CPP (20.2 to 12.3). At day 5 and 15, the CYP (42.5 to 30.7) was slightly lower than CPP (42.9 to 32.7).The highest half-life value (t ½) of CYP was in control treatment (32 days) and the shortest was soil amended with FYM (18.6 days). While the longest half-life value (t ½) of CPP was maximum in control treatment (42 days) and the minimum was in FYM (22 days). Based on our findings, it was concluded that soil application of FYM is recommended for the degradation of CYP and CPP.

Peristaltic activity for electro-kinetic complex driven cilia transportation through a non-uniform channel.

MOTIVATIONS: Now-a-days in medical science, the transport study of biological fluids through non-uniform vessels are going to increase due to their close relation to the reality. Motivated through such type of complex transportation, the current study is presented of cilia hydro-dynamics of an aqueous electrolytic viscous fluid through a non-uniform channel under an applied axial electric field. Mathematical Formulations: Because of the complexity shape and nature of flow channel, we have used curvilinear coordinates in the derivation of continuity and momentum equationsin a fixed frame of reference. A linear transformation is used to renovate the flow system of equations from fixed (laboratory) to moving (wave) frame. For further simplification, the dimensionless variables are introduced to make the flow system of equations into the dimensionless form and at last convert these equations in term of stream function by using the mathematical terminologies of streamlines. The whole analysis is performed under (low Reynolds number) creeping phenomena and long wavelength approximation, respectively. Additionally, small ionic Peclet number and Debye-Huckel linearization are used to simplify the Nernst-Planck and Poisson-Boltzmann equations. The BVP4C technique is used to obtain the numerical solution for velocity distribution, pressure gradient, pressure rise and stream function through MATLAB. MAIN OUTCOMES: The amplitude of velocity distribution is increased (decreased) at larger values of non-uniform parameter (cilia length). The non-uniform parameter played a vital role not only in the enhancement of circulation at the upper half of the channel but also the length of bolus increased. Results of straight channel are gained for larger value of the dimensionless radius of curvature parameter as well as cilia length.

Isolation, characterization, and effect of phosphate-zinc-solubilizing bacterial strains on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth.

OBJECTIVE: Phosphate (P) and zinc (Zn) are essential plant nutrients required for nodulation, nitrogen-fixation, plant growth and yield. Mostly applied P and Zn nutrients in the soil are converted into unavailable form. A small number of soil microbes have the ability to transform unsolvable forms of P and Zn to an available form. P-Zn-solubilizing rhizobacteria are potential alternates for P and Zn supplement. In the present study, the effect of two P-Zn-solubilizing bacterial strains (Bacillus sp. strain AZ17 and Pseudomonas sp. strain AZ5) was evaluated on the growth of chickpea plant. METHODOLOGY: Both strains were purified from the rhizospheric soil of chickpea plant grown-up in sandy soil and rain-fed area (Thal desert). In vitro, both strains solubilize P and Zn as well both strain produce IAA and organic acids. In the field experiments, conducted in the rain-fed area, the positive influence of inoculation with both bacterial isolates AZ5 and AZ17 on chickpea growth was observed. RESULTS: The application of inoculum (strains AZ5 and AZ17) resulted in up to 17.47% and 17.34% increase in grain yield of both types of chickpea grown in fertilized and non-fertilized soil, respectively over non-inoculated control. Strain AZ5 was the most effective inoculum, increasing up to 17.47%, 16.04%, 26.32%, 22.53%, 26.12% and 22.59% in grain yield, straw weight, nodules number, dry weight of nodules, Zn uptake and P uptake respectively, over control. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that Pseudomonas sp. strain AZ5 and Bacillus sp. strain AZ17 can serve as effective microbial inocula for chickpea, particularly in the rain-fed area.

Clinical presentation of non-HIV Kaposi Sarcoma.

Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is a rare entity. In the north west of Pakistan and Afghanistan, we mostly come across non-HIV related Kaposi sarcoma as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Infections are rare in this part of the world. Here, we present a case of a non-auto Immunodeficiency Disease (AIDS) related KS. A 45-year-old male, Afghan patient presented to our oncology outpatient's unit with multiple subcutaneous nodules. The sites of involvement were the periorbital region, retro-auricular region, forearms, legs, chest and back. Oral mucosa was spared at the nodules. The patient had no visceromegaly at the time of presentation. A biopsy specimen from the retro-auricular region revealed a KS with dermal lymphatic involvement. His serum was negative for the common types of viral infections including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on routine serology. His total B-lymphocytes (CD 19+), total T-lymphocyte (CD3+), total CD4+ lymphocyte (CD3+, CD4+) and total CD8+ (CD3+, CD8+) counts were all normal or borderline high. The patient was under treatment with 3 weekly chemotherapeutic regimens of Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vincristine (ABV) keeping in view socioeconomical constrains, logistical difficulties in getting proper medical care and side effects of other options like radiotherapy for extended surface areas.