A Study on Automated Micro Irrigation Using Soil Moisture Sensors

Micro irrigation is the modern method of irrigation. By this method water is irrigated through drippers, sprinklers, foggers and by other emitters on surface and sub surface of the land. Micro irrigation can be given by tubes and drippers which deliver water directly to the base of each plant or crop. Drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, bubbler irrigation and sub-surface irrigation are the different types of irrigation. Soil moisture is the key variable in controlling the exchange of water and heat energy between the land surface and atmosphere. Soil moisture sensor measures the volumetric water content in the soil. Automation in micro irrigation is a system by which all the operations related to supply of irrigation water or fertilizer to the crop are carried out automatically with minimum manual interventions using soil moisture sensors

Comparative genetic analysis of cystic fibrosis in populations of the republic of Moldova and India

Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, The 6th International Medical Congress for Students and Young Doctors, May 12-14, 2016Cystic Fibrosis is the most common and life shortening disease in Caucasians, and it is found commonly in Europe, Australia and United States of America. It is an autosomal recessive monogenetic disorder that affects several system, which is caused by mutations in the CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductor Regulator) gene. This gene encodes for the transmembrane conductance regulator protein which responsible for the conductance of chloride ions across epithelial cells in different organs. This affects the transport of salt and water in different organs, which results in thick secretions. Aim of the study: To study the genetic component and mutation of cystic fibrosis in different races especially in India and Moldova, to understand the pathogenesis of the genetic material that causes cystic fibrosis. Material and methods. Analysis of latest articles and databases concerning Cystic fibrosis in both populations. Conclusion. 1 in 2000 is the prevalence of Cystic fibrosis patient in Moldova whereas 1 in 40000 to 100000 is the prevalence in India.Recent statistics suggest that 1 in 25000 expatriates of India in United Kingdom and United States of America have Cystic fibrosis. However, the exact number of Cystic Fibrosis patients in India are unknown compared to Moldova due to the lack of studies conducted in the Indian population and also non availability of screening or investigation methods. More than 1000 mutations have been identified in CFTR gene in different ways.ΔF508, which means deletion of phenylalanine at the 508 positon, is the most common mutation found. The most frequent mutations of the CFTR gene in Moldavian populations are ΔF508, G542X & W1282X, and in India ΔF508, -219insG & S169G. Better understanding and screening of the population have increased the life expectancy of the cystic fibrosis patients. New screening methods need to be implemented into the health care systems as well as holding seminars for the health care professionals to improve the diagnosis and patient support. Early diagnosis will improve the life of patient and reduce mortality

Solidarity with Grieving Farmers in India: An Ethical and Pastoral Approach in the Context of Increasing Suicides Among the Farmers

Thesis advisor: James F. KeenanThesis advisor: Melissa KelleyThis thesis examines the diverse challenges that confront Indian farmers and delves into the biblical and ethical resources at our disposal for recognizing and responding as disciples of Christ. Additionally, it provides recommendations and suggestions based on successful modes and best practices from various regions for bringing hope, healing, and transformation to the lives of farmers in India.Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry.Discipline: Sacred Theology

Spatiotemporal characterization of cyclooxygenase pathway enzymes during vertebrate embryonic development.

Vertebrate development is regulated by several complex well-characterized morphogen signaling pathways, transcription factors, and structural proteins, but less is known about the enzymatic pathways that regulate early development. We have identified that factors from the inflammation-mediating cyclooxygenase (COX) signaling pathway are expressed at early stages of development in avian embryos. Using Gallus gallus (chicken) as a research model, we characterized the spatiotemporal expression of a subset of genes and proteins in the COX pathway during early neural development stages. Specifically, here we show expression patterns of COX-1, COX-2, and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-2 (mPGES-2) as well as the genes encoding these enzymes (PTGS1, PTGS2, and PTGES-2). Unique expression patterns of individual players within the COX pathway suggest that they may play non-canonical/non-traditional roles in the embryo compared to their roles in the adult. Future work should examine the function of the COX pathway in tissue specification and morphogenesis and determine if these expression patterns are conserved across species

Single cell RNA-sequencing of feline peripheral immune cells with V(D)J repertoire and cross species analysis of T lymphocytes

IntroductionThe domestic cat (Felis catus) is a valued companion animal and a model for virally induced cancers and immunodeficiencies. However, species-specific limitations such as a scarcity of immune cell markers constrain our ability to resolve immune cell subsets at sufficient detail. The goal of this study was to characterize circulating feline T cells and other leukocytes based on their transcriptomic landscape and T-cell receptor repertoire using single cell RNA-sequencing.MethodsPeripheral blood from 4 healthy cats was enriched for T cells by flow cytometry cell sorting using a mouse anti-feline CD5 monoclonal antibody. Libraries for whole transcriptome, αβ T cell receptor transcripts and γδ T cell receptor transcripts were constructed using the 10x Genomics Chromium Next GEM Single Cell 5’ reagent kit and the Chromium Single Cell V(D)J Enrichment Kit with custom reverse primers for the feline orthologs.ResultsUnsupervised clustering of whole transcriptome data revealed 7 major cell populations - T cells, neutrophils, monocytic cells, B cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, mast cells and platelets. Sub cluster analysis of T cells resolved naive (CD4+ and CD8+), CD4+ effector T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and γδ T cells. Cross species analysis revealed a high conservation of T cell subsets along an effector gradient with equitable representation of veterinary species (horse, dog, pig) and humans with the cat. Our V(D)J repertoire analysis identified a subset of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells with skewed TRA and TRB gene usage, conserved TRA and TRB junctional motifs, restricted TRA/TRB pairing and reduced diversity in TRG junctional length. We also identified a public γδ T cell subset with invariant TRD and TRG chains and a CD4+ TEM-like phenotype. Among monocytic cells, we resolved three clusters of classical monocytes with polarization into pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes in addition to a cluster of conventional dendritic cells. Lastly, our neutrophil sub clustering revealed a larger mature neutrophil cluster and a smaller exhausted/activated cluster.DiscussionOur study is the first to characterize subsets of circulating T cells utilizing an integrative approach of single cell RNA-sequencing, V(D)J repertoire analysis and cross species analysis. In addition, we characterize the transcriptome of several myeloid cell subsets and demonstrate immune cell relatedness across different species

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell therapy improves immune recovery in a feline model of severe coronavirus infection

Severe coronavirus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, are marked by systemic inflammation, T-cell exhaustion, lymphopenia, and chronic immune dysfunction, with limited therapeutic options for recovery. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a naturally occurring feline coronavirus infection, mirrors these immune pathologies, providing a valuable translational model. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of allogeneic mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy combined with antiviral treatment in cats with effusive FIP. Hematologic, virologic, and immunologic analyses were conducted over 12 weeks. Antiviral therapy reduced cytotoxic T-cell exhaustion by downregulating inhibitory receptors PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3. MSC-treated cats demonstrated enhanced immune recovery, evidenced by reduced expression of exhaustion-related transcription factors (IKZF2, ZEB2, PRDM1) and increased regulatory T-cell populations, promoting immune homeostasis. Single-cell RNA sequencing of mesenteric lymph nodes revealed transcriptomic shifts indicative of immune rejuvenation, including elevated memory T-cell markers (IKZF1, GZMK, IL7R) and reduced hyperproliferative lymphocyte subsets. Serum cytokine analysis revealed 3 distinct inflammatory mediator patterns using principal component analysis. Both treatment groups showed transitions toward cytokine profiles resembling those of healthy controls. Notably, residual cytokine elevations persisted at the study's end, mirroring features of chronic immune dysregulation. PDGF-bb, a marker of tissue repair, was uniquely associated with higher lymphocyte counts, suggesting its role in lymphoid recovery. This study highlights the potential of MSC therapy to modulate immune dysfunction and support durable immune recovery. The findings underscore its translational relevance for addressing severe viral diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, advancing both veterinary and human medicine

Future scenario analysis of streamflow in a humid tropical river basin using a distributed hydrological model

Water resource in the world is likely to be affected by the expanding centralization of ozone depleting substances in the environment. The General Circulation Models (GCMs) having huge scale goals are the best accessible devices to give assessments of the impacts of rising ozone depleting substances on precipitation and temperature. Yet, the spatial goal of these models (250km x 250km) is not good with that of hydrologic models. The yield from GCMs is downscaled utilizing Regional Climate Models (RCMs), which are provincial based, in this manner anticipating the yield to better goals (25km x 25km). A general approach is proposed for utilizing the downscaled yields from a RCM in hydrologic models for surveying the effect of environmental change on water assets. In the present work, the outputs obtained for two scenarios, A2 and B2 are used by the RCM to predict future climate changes. Two significant atmosphere factors, viz. precipitation and temperature are in this way produced. These are then used to estimate the influence of climate change on streamflow by coupling with a hydrologic model called SWAT. The territory chose for this exploration is a piece of the Chaliyar waterway bowl in Kerala. The model is aligned with watched information for the period 1995–2001. Results show Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (ENS) of 0.99 for stream flow. The coefficient of assurance (R2) is additionally 0.99 for stream. The model is then validated for the period from 2002 to 2004 and its performance is found to be reasonably good. The average annual stream flows are predicted to decrease by 84.67% and 94.03% in the A2 and B2 scenarios respectively

A Study on Automated Micro Irrigation Using Soil Moisture Sensors

Micro irrigation is the modern method of irrigation. By this method water is irrigated through drippers, sprinklers, foggers and by other emitters on surface and sub surface of the land. Micro irrigation can be given by tubes and drippers which deliver water directly to the base of each plant or crop. Drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, bubbler irrigation and sub-surface irrigation are the different types of irrigation. Soil moisture is the key variable in controlling the exchange of water and heat energy between the land surface and atmosphere. Soil moisture sensor measures the volumetric water content in the soil. Automation in micro irrigation is a system by which all the operations related to supply of irrigation water or fertilizer to the crop are carried out automatically with minimum manual interventions using soil moisture sensors.</jats:p