Analytical derivation of optimal irrigation water depth for efficient irrigation scheduling.

Optimal irrigation water depth is a crucial parameter in irrigation engineering, often referred to as root zone depth. It is typically assumed to lie between 1 and 1.5 m below the ground surface, depending on the crop and soil types as well as the practitioner's skill and experience. This approach can lead to inefficient irrigation scheduling. Coupling Richards' equation with the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) concept and using the three-phase diagram of soil column widely used in geotechnical engineering, this paper suggests an analytical expression for optimal irrigation water depth providing the maximum storage capacity of a soil depending on its hydraulic/storage properties. The results for winter wheat crop in different hydrologic soil groups show that the use of the proposed concept can lead to savings of 71.79% and 57.69% of irrigation water in sandy soils (HSG-A) compared to that used in traditional irrigation considering lump-sum 1.5 m and 1 m optimal irrigation water depths, respectively. In the case of silty loam soils (HSG-C), these savings can assume 52.42% and 28.62%, respectively. The proposed relation can also be of great help in volumetric assessment of field capacity, moisture content, maximum water storage capacity (of different agricultural soils), and avoiding the issue of waterlogging that may arise from over-irrigation and thus is useful in efficient irrigation scheduling as well as in sustainable agricultural water management.

Esophageal actinobacillosis mimicking a diverticulum in a cow: a case report.

Present case report describes a case of an atypical oesophageal actinobacillosis in an adult cow presented to the university hospital with a history of inability to drink and swallow. Clinical examination revealed a five-inch swelling in the jugular groove. Skiagram revealed the presence of a small and slightly radio opaque round growth. Exploratory surgical excision of the growth was adapted as palliative treatment and the extirpated tissue was fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Histopathological examination revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation with radiating eosinophilic club shaped bodies surrounding small colonies of coccobacilli. Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen stains confirmed the presence of Gram-negative and non-acid-fast coccobacilli. Histopathology confirmed the pathognomonic lesion and proved to be a modality of choice for pathologists to reach at a diagnosis of atypical oesophageal actinobacillosis in a cow. After the exhaustive search of relevant literature on atypical actinobacillosis, the authors claim this to be the second report of oesophageal actinobacillosis worldwide.

Evaluation of sludge quality in Indian sewage treatment plants to develop quality control indices.

Dewatered sludges from twenty-two sewage treatment facilities were characterized to develop the quality control indices in India. This study used fertilizer index (FI) and clean index (CI) as a tool for categorizing sludge utilization into different classes (A, B, C and limited use classes LU-1, LU-2, LU-3) by their fertilizing potential, toxicity level, pathogen presence, and vector attraction reduction criteria. The findings revealed that total P (as P2O5), total N, and K (as K2O) in the sludge samples ranged from 0.9 to 5.7%, 1.2 to 3.8%, and 0.1 to 1.5%, respectively. Moreover, all sludges belong to Class C and lower category due to the presence of toxic metals and pathogens. The helminth eggs were found in the range of 25-1450 Numbers/4gTS in sludge samples. The highest number of helminth eggs of 1450/4 g of TS was found in the fecal sludge. The specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) values in the sludge samples varied from 0.3 to 4.9, with a median value of 1.3 and an RSD of 86% is way too high. It indicates that the sludge samples need further treatment to be less attractive as a food source for vectors and rodents. However, sludge samples have fertilizing potential and FI values ranges from 4.1 to 4.9, and CI value ranges from 2.5 to 5.0. It indicates that compost is best in quality and has high-fertilizer potential and low heavy-metal content, which is suitable for high-value crops such as organic farming. Further sludge treatment using typical composting, aerobic or anaerobic digestion, and solar or thermal drying could bring the sludges into the Class A and B categories.

Microplastics in landfill leachate: Occurrence, health concerns, and removal strategies.

Landfills are commonly used to manage solid waste, but they can contribute to microplastic (MPs) pollution. As plastic waste degrades in landfills, MPs are released into the surrounding environment, contaminating soil, groundwater, and surface water. This poses a threat to human health and the environment, as MPs can adsorb toxic substances. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the degradation process of macroplastics into microplastics, the types of MPs found in landfill leachate (LL), and the potential toxicity of microplastic pollution. The study also evaluates various physical-chemical and biological treatment methods for removing MPs from wastewater. The concentration of MPs in young landfills is higher than in old landfills, and specific polymers such as polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, and polycarbonate contribute significantly to microplastic contamination. Primary treatments such as chemical precipitation and electrocoagulation can remove up to 60-99% of total MPs from wastewater, while tertiary treatments such as sand filtration, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis can remove up to 90-99%. Advanced techniques, such as a combination of membrane bioreactor, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration (MBR + UF + NF), can achieve even higher removal rates. Overall, this paper highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of microplastic pollution and the need for effective microplastic removal from LL to protect human and environmental health. However, more research is needed to determine the actual cost and feasibility of these treatment processes at a larger scale.

Global distribution of pesticides in freshwater resources and their remediation approaches.

The role of pesticides in enhancing global agricultural production is magnificent. However, their unmanaged use threatens water resources and individual health. A significant pesticide concentration leaches to groundwater or reaches surface waters through runoff. Water contaminated with pesticides may cause acute or chronic toxicity to impacted populations and exert adverse environmental effects. It necessitates the monitoring and removing pesticides from water resources as prime global concerns. This work reviewed the global occurrences of pesticides in potable water and discussed the conventional and advanced technologies for the removal of pesticides. The concentration of pesticides highly varies in freshwater resources across the globe. The highest concentration of α-HCH (6.538 µg/L, at Yucatan, Mexico), lindane (6.08 µg/L at Chilka lake, Odisha, India), 2,4, DDT (0.90 µg/L, at Akkar, Lebanon), chlorpyrifos (9.1 µg/L, at Kota, Rajasthan, India), malathion (5.3 µg/L, at Kota, Rajasthan, India), atrazine (28.0 µg/L, at Venado Tuerto City, Argentina), endosulfan (0.78 µg/L, at Yavtmal, Maharashtra, India), parathion (4.17 µg/L, at Akkar, Lebanon), endrin (3.48 µg/L, at KwaZuln-Natl Province, South Africa) and imidacloprid (1.53 µg/L, at Son-La province, Vietnam) are reported. Pesticides can be significantly removed through physical, chemical, and biological treatment. Mycoremediation technology has the potential for up to 90% pesticide removal from water resources. Complete removal of the pesticides through a single biological treatment approach such as mycoremediation, phytoremediation, bioremediation, and microbial fuel cells is still a challenging task, however, the integration of two or more biological treatment approaches can attain complete removal of pesticides from water resources. Physical methods along with oxidation methods can be employed for complete removal of pesticides from drinking water.

Diagnosis and successful management of a rare case of phaeohyphomycosis in a Doberman pinscher dog.

Skin affections in canines are common and their treatment depends upon the pathogens involved. Delayed or no response to traditional treatment indicates the involvement of unusual etiology or the multidrug resistance. This report describes the diagnosis and therapeutic management of a rare case of phaeohyphomycosis caused by Alternaria alternata complicated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated pyoderma in a Doberman pinscher dog. Identification of the etiological agents was based on microscopy and culture of the skin lesions and further confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Treatment consisted of a combination of systemic antifungal and antibacterial drugs selected on the basis of in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests along with the tropical therapy. The report hightlights the need of studies on opportunistic fungi to better understand the associated risks, pathogenesis and optimal treatment of these uncommon infections.

Retro-bulbar cyst of Coenurus gaigeri in Barbari goats.

Two adult Barbari goats were presented to the Division of Animal Health of the Institute with the history of unilateral protrusion of the left eye ball, blepharitis and congestion of the conjunctival membrane. Physical and ultrasonographical examination revealed large fluctuating fluid filled bladder with distinct dimensions. The cysts were successfully removed along with its membrane and parasitological examination revealed it as a Coenurus gaigeri, the intermediate stage of T. multiceps gaigeri. The present report describes the retro-bulbar cyst of Coenurus gaigeri in two Barbari goats. This is the first report of retro-bulbar cyst of Coenurus gaigeri in goats.

Immuno-potentiating role of encapsulated proteins of infectious diseases in biopolymeric nanoparticles as a potential delivery system.

The study aimed to evaluate encapsulation of therapeutic proteins in nanoparticles to understand the interactions among Cytokines in the immune response to chronic infection, induction of long lasting memory cell formation and cytokine production. Chitosan nanoparticles in the size range of approximately 200 nm were prepared by ionic gelation method which binds with M. tuberculosis CFP-10 and CFP-21 proteins. Mean Residence Time were found to be higher for nanoparticles coated CFP-10 and CFP-21 proteins resulting in increase in relative bioavailability of encapsulated proteins in comparison with free proteins. Proteins encapsulated nanoparticles exerted negligible cytotoxicity as compared to 80% cytotoxicity by CFP-10 and CFP-21 proteins per se.

Constituents of Asteracantha longifolia.

The isolation of two aliphatic esters and betulin from the aerial parts of Asteracantha longifolia is reported.

Aliphatics from Peristrophe bicalyculata.

The isolation and spectral data of the new 14-methyl-tritriacont-14-en-15-ol (1) and 35-hydroxynonatriacontanal (2) from the aerial parts of Peristrophe bicalyculata are reported.

Retrieval of foreign body from upper GI tract by flexible fibreoptic endoscope--an experience.

Forty foreign bodies (29 located in oesophagus and 11 located in the stomach) were removed by means of a flexible fibreoptic endoscope over a period of two years. The foreign bodies consisted of coins, a pin, a needle, a big button, a key ring, a fish bone, a denture, some fruit seeds, a meat bolus, a lock, a golden chain, a diamond nose ring, an ear top and a nasal catheter. Age of the patients ranged from four months to eighty years. Anaesthesia was required in 5 paediatric patients. Thus this method was found to be a safe, rewarding and non-operative one.

Non-random distribution of various sizes of human Y chromosomes in different ethnic groups.

One hundred and ninety normal males from three ethnically different populations (Caucasians, American blacks and East Indians) were selected to study the frequency distribution of length of the Y chromosome, fluorescent (f) and non-fluorescent (nf) segments as a function of Y/F, f/F and nf/F indices. The QFQ techniques was performed to identify the f and nf segments. The frequency distribution of the total length of Y chromosome was not normally distributed in all three populations (P less than 0.05). Extensive statistical analysis revealed that the non-random distribution of the total length was due to skewness and kurtosis for both the n and nf segments. The clinical implications as well as evolutionary aspects of such variation in ethnic anthropology are discussed.

A radiotherapeutic clinical trial of twice per week vs. five times per week in oral cancer.

135 cases of oral cancer have been treated by two fractions per week, and the results are compared with 115 approximately identical cases treated by conventional five days a week schedule with other parameters being identical. Radical irradiation was done by 6000 and 6500 rd in 6--6 1/2 weeks (NSD 1800--1900 ret) and palliative dose was 4500 R/4 weeks (NSD 1532 ret). Tumour regression was found markedly superior by conventional regime in radically irradiated cases but much less superior for palliative treatment. Acute and late reaction as well as tumour control at 1 year was better with daily treatment, more so in cases treated for radical cure, while in palliative treatment, the superiority of daily regime was less marked. Our study provides evidence that only for palliation in advanced cases, radiation therapy by 2 fractions a week can be alternatively used.

Reflex responses of abdominal vascular capacitance from aortic baroreceptors in dogs.

The vascularly isolated abdominal circulation of chloralose-anesthetized dogs was perfused at constant flow through the aorta and drained at constant pressure from the inferior vena cava. Changes in resistance were calculated from changes in perfusion pressure and changes in capacitance were calculated by integrating changes in venous outflow. While carotid sinus pressure was constant, a decrease in pressure in the vascularly isolated aortic arch, over the whole range of baroreceptor sensitivity, decreased abdominal vascular capacitance by 2.9 ml-kg-1 (mean, SE +/- 0.42) and increased the abdominal vascular resistance by 35 +/- 7.1%. Decreases in pressure in the vascularly isolated carotid sinuses, while aortic pressure was constant, decreased capacitance by 5.0 +/- 0.62 ml-kg-1 and increased resistance by 72 +/- 15.9%. Responses of capacitance and resistance to changes in aortic pressure were greatest when carotid pressure was held near threshold levels and least when it was held at levels that would maximally excite carotid baroreceptors. The responses to changes in aortic pressure were abolished when the venous nerves were cooled or the splanchnic nerves were cut.