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Pakistan is vulnerable to a range of climate hazards, including sea-level rise. The Indus Delta region, situated in the coastal Sindh province, is particularly at risk of sea-level rise due to low-lying land and fragile ecosystems. In this article, expertise is drawn together from the newly established Pakistan Sea-Level Working Group, consisting of policy experts, scientists, and practitioners, to provide recommendations for future research, investment, and coastal risk management. An assessment of the current scientific understanding of sea-level change and coastal climate risks in Pakistan highlights an urgent need to improve the availability and access to sea-level data and other coastal measurements. In addition, reflecting on the policy environment and the enablers needed to facilitate effective responses to future sea-level change, recommendations are made to integrate coastal climate services into the National Adaptation Plan and develop a National Framework for Climate Services. Such a framework, alongside collaboration, co-production, and capacity development, could help support required improvements in coastal observations and monitoring and continuously deliver useful, usable, and accessible sea-level information for use by practitioners and decision-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth regulators are useful for promoting plant growth and their consumption in horticultural crops is increasing day by day. However, their quality and purity are most important characteristics to estimate their efficacy. In Pakistan, the determination and quality monitoring of naphthyl acetic acid (NAA) in commercial plant growth regulator formulations by using HPLC technique is very limited. For the purpose of registration of plant growth regulators (PGRs) for marketing and for post-registration quality monitoring, a robust, simple, and accurate analytical method is needed. In this study, a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of NAA in commercial PGR samples was validated under the laboratory conditions and available resources of Provincial Reference Fertilizer Testing Laboratory (PRFTL) Raiwind, Lahore. The guidelines and values set by Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council (CIPAC) were considered as standard for method evaluation. The chromatographic conditions of HPLC method under study are comprised of (i) mobile phase; mixture of acetonitrile: water (30:70,v/v); (ii) C8 column; (iii) UV detection at 255nm; (iv) Flow rate of 1.0mL / minute; (v) and injection volume of 10 µL. The method demonstrated clear response linearity with correlation coefficient (r) of 0.999. In order to determine the precision, an interlaboratory comparison of NAA was conducted and percent relative standard deviation (RSD) was calculated from results received from eight (8) participating laboratories. The Horwitz equation was followed to evaluate precision of method. The experimental inter-laboratory RSD (RSDR =0.168) was within the Horwitz acceptable limit of RSDR (2.097). Method accuracy was evaluated by calculating percent recovery of analytical standard of NAA obtained from Sigma Aldrich along with its certificate of analysis. The recovery of NAA standard ranged between 99.96 to 100%. The results revealed that aforementioned HPLC method fulfilled the validation criteria of CIPAC and can be followed under laboratory conditions of PRFTL, Raiwind, Lahore for routine analysis of NAA in commercial PGRs. Additionally, the quality of commercial NAA samples marketed by different companies was assessed by following aforesaid validated HPLC method. Ten samples of NAA were collected from market and were analyzed. The results were tested for fit or unfit and compared with the company/manufacturers' claim considering the decision rule followed by the Agriculture Department, Government of Punjab, Pakistan. The NAA contents in samples ranged from 4.20 ± 0.10 to 5.13 ± 0.05%. The results showed that all the samples were fit, and it can be inferred that presently the quality of commercial NAA marketed in district Lahore is satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria microscopy, microscopic examination of stained blood slides to detect parasite Plasmodium, is considered to be a gold standard for detecting life-threatening disease malaria. Detecting the plasmodium parasite requires a skilled examiner and may take up to 10 to 15 minutes to completely go through the whole slide. Due to a lack of skilled medical professionals in the underdeveloped or resource-deficient regions, many cases go misdiagnosed, which results in unavoidable medical complications. We propose to complement the medical professionals by creating a deep learning-based method to automatically detect (localize) the plasmodium parasites in the photograph of stained film. To handle the unbalanced nature of the dataset, we adopt a two-stage approach. Where the first stage is trained to classify cells into just healthy or infected. The second stage is trained to classify each detected cell further into the malaria life-cycle stage. To facilitate the research in machine learning-based malaria microscopy, we introduce a new large-scale microscopic image malaria dataset. Thirty-eight thousand cells are tagged from the 345 microscopic images of different Giemsa-stained slides of blood samples. Extensive experimentation is performed using different Convolutional Neural Networks on this dataset. Our experiments and analysis reveal that the two-stage approach works better than the one-stage approach for malaria detection. To ensure the usability of our approach, we have also developed a mobile app that will be used by local hospitals for investigation and educational purposes. The dataset, its annotations, and implementation codes will be released upon publication of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skipper fauna of Balochistan province is not properly studied. To fill this gap, a study was conducted to explore the skipper's fauna from previous literature and new collection from Balochistan, Pakistan. We report21 species of skippers from two subfamilies, Coeliadinae and Hesperiinae. Out of21 species five species namely Hesperia comma (Linnaeus, 1758), Parnaraguttatus (Bremerand Grey, 1852), Pyrgus cashmirensis Moore (1874), Pyrgus darwazicus Grum-Grshimailo (1890) and Pyrgus sidae (Esper, 1784) under subfamily Hesperiinae are recorded for the first time from Balochistan. Out of five reported species from Balochistan, two species Pyrgus darwazicus and Pyrgus sidae are new records for Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a map reporting valuable information on the cryosphere of the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP, the largest protected area of Pakistan and the highest park in the world). All the information is provided considering the CKNP as a whole, and in detail by dividing it into five basins (i.e. Shigar, Hunza, Shyok, Upper Indus, and Gilgit). The glacier inventory reports 608 ice bodies covering 3680 km2 (∼35% of the CKNP area), with a total glacier volume of ca. 532 km3. In addition, we modeled the meltwater from glacier ice ablation over the period 23 July to 9 August 2011. The total melt amount is ca. 1.5 km3. Finally, we considered glacial lakes (202 water-bodies, covering 4 km2). For these latter glacier features, we also analyzed their potentially dangerous conditions and two lakes were found having such conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the impact of the warming trend on phenological stages and phases of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in central and lower Punjab, Pakistan, may assist in optimizing crop management practices to enhance production. This study determined the influence of the thermal trend on cotton phenology from 1980-2015 in 15 selected locations. The results demonstrated that observed phenological stages including sowing (S), emergence (E), anthesis (A) and physiological maturity (M) occurred earlier by, on average, 5.35, 5.08, 2.87 and 1.12 days decade 1, respectively. Phenological phases, sowing anthesis (S-A), anthesis to maturity (A-M) and sowing to maturity (S-M) were reduced by, on average, 2.45, 1.76 and 4.23 days decade 1, respectively. Observed sowing, emergence, anthesis and maturity were negatively correlated with air temperature by, on average, -2.03, -1.93, -1.09 and -0.42 days °C-1, respectively. Observed sowing-anthesis, anthesis to maturity and sowing-maturity were also negatively correlated with temperature by, on average, -0.94, -0.67 and -1.61 days °C-1, respectively. Applying the cropping system model CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton model using a standard variety in all locations indicated that the model-predicted phenology accelerated more due to warming trends than field-observed phenology. However, 30.21% of the harmful influence of the thermal trend was compensated as a result of introducing new cotton cultivars with higher growing degree day (thermal time) requirements. Therefore, new cotton cultivars which have higher thermal times and are high temperature tolerant should be evolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the impact of the warming trend on phenological stages and phases of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in central and lower Punjab, Pakistan, may assist in optimizing crop management practices to enhance production. This study determined the influence of the thermal trend on cotton phenology from 1980-2015 in 15 selected locations. The results demonstrated that observed phenological stages including sowing (S), emergence (E), anthesis (A) and physiological maturity (M) occurred earlier by, on average, 5.35, 5.08, 2.87 and 1.12 days decade-1, respectively. Phenological phases, sowing anthesis (S-A), anthesis to maturity (A-M) and sowing to maturity (S-M) were reduced by, on average, 2.45, 1.76 and 4.23 days decade-1, respectively. Observed sowing, emergence, anthesis and maturity were negatively correlated with air temperature by, on average, -2.03, -1.93, -1.09 and -0.42 days °C-1, respectively. Observed sowing-anthesis, anthesis to maturity and sowing-maturity were also negatively correlated with temperature by, on average, -0.94, -0.67 and -1.61 days °C-1, respectively. Applying the cropping system model CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton model using a standard variety in all locations indicated that the model-predicted phenology accelerated more due to warming trends than field-observed phenology. However, 30.21% of the harmful influence of the thermal trend was compensated as a result of introducing new cotton cultivars with higher growing degree day (thermal time) requirements. Therefore, new cotton cultivars which have higher thermal times and are high temperature tolerant should be evolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of rice rhizosphere associated antagonistic bacteria for growth promotion and disease suppression of bacterial leaf blight (BLB). A total of 811 rhizospheric bacteria were isolated and screened against 3 prevalent strains of BLB pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) of which five antagonistic bacteria, i.e., Pseudomonas spp. E227, E233, Rh323, Serratia sp. Rh269 and Bacillus sp. Rh219 showed antagonistic potential (zone of inhibition 1–19 mm). Production of siderophores was found to be the common biocontrol determinant and all the strains solubilized inorganic phosphate (82–116 μg mL-1) and produced indole acetic acid (0.48–1.85 mg L-1) in vitro. All antagonistic bacteria were non-pathogenic to rice, and their co-inoculation significantly improved plant health in terms of reduced diseased leaf area (80%), improved shoot length (31%), root length (41%) and plant dry weight (60%) as compared to infected control plants. Furthermore, under pathogen pressure, bacterial inoculation resulted in increased activity of defense related enzymes including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and polyphenol oxidase, along with 86% increase in peroxidase and 53% increase in catalase enzyme activities in plants inoculated with Pseudomonas sp. Rh323 as well as co-inoculated plants. Bacterial strains showed good colonization potential in the rice rhizosphere up to 21 days after seed inoculation. Application of bacterial consortia in the field resulted in an increase of 31% in grain yield and 10% in straw yield over non-inoculated plots. Although, yield increase was statistically non-significant but was accomplished with overall saving of 20% chemical fertilizers. The study showed that Pseudomonas sp. Rh323 can be used to develop dual-purpose inoculum which can serve not only to suppress BLB but also to promote plant growth in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the Study: The estimation of the degree of hepatic fibrosis is important for diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with chronic liver disease, in particular those associated with hepatic viral infections. In cirrhosis portal blood inflow, hepatic resistance and portal venous pressure increase. Doppler sonography is non-invasive diagnostic modality based on hemodynamic parameters. Hemodynamic changes might have developed even in cases with normal findings on B mode sonography. Therefore, assessment of these alterations has importance for early diagnosis and for close follow-up of previously dia-gnosed case. Therefore the main aim of this study is to determine the role of colour flow Doppler ultrasound examination for detection of change in liver hemodynamic in hepatitis C positive chronic liver disease. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Department of Radiology, Mayo Hospital Lahore from 2012 to 2013. Hundred diagnosed case of Hepatitis C by serology were included in this study. Patient were examined for liver and spleen size, texture and presence and absence of ascites. All the data were coded and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Mean age of the patient was found to be 45.90 ± 12.71 years. The echotexture of liver was normal in 29 patients (29.0%), coarse with smooth margins in 48 patients (48.0%) and coarse with irregular margins in 23 patients (23.0%). Splenic size was enlarged (≥ 13 cm) in 63.0%. Portal vein diameter was enlarged in (≥ 13 mm) in 53.0%. Severity of ascites shows mild ascites in 24.0%, moderate in 24.0% and severe in 19.0% patients. Portal vein velocity shows abnormality (≥ 24cm/sec) in 63.0%. Hepatic vein waveform in 71.0% of patients was triphasic and nontriphasic in 29.0%. Conclusion: In conclusion alterations of liver hemodynamics resulting from inflammation at the tissue level are detectable in Doppler sonography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of soil microorganisms that improve plant growth and yield through a number of diverse mechanisms such as phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, production of phytohormones, and repression of soil borne pathogens. Due to high cost of chemical fertilizers and negative environmental effects, the use of PGPR as biofertilizer is advantageous for development of sustainable agriculture. The objective of this study was to develop DNA-based markers for five PGPR strains to detect these bacteria in the rhizosphere of inoculated wheat. The rhizobacterial strains included four phosphate solubilizer strains (Arthrobacter strain WP-2, Bacillus strain MP5, Rhodococcus strain M28 and Serratia strain 5D) and one phytohormone producer Azospirillum strain WS1. DNA-based markers were developed using 16S rRNA gene restriction patterns, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD-PCR), Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR) and BOX-PCR. In this study, the most differentiating DNA patterns for all strains were obtained by using the BOX primer in PCR. All the strains tested as single-strain inocula resulted in improved growth of wheat plants. The inoculated strains were successfully re-isolated from wheat rhizosphere and confirmed by BOXbased DNA markers. These results indicated that BOX-PCR is a useful and highly discriminatory fingerprinting technique for rapid detection of bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finer climate change information on spatial scale is required for impact studies than that presently provided by global or regional climate models. It is especially true for regions like South Asia with complex topography, coastal or island locations, and the areas of highly heterogeneous land-cover. To deal with the situation, an inexpensive method (statistical downscaling) has been adopted. Statistical DownScaling Model (SDSM) employed for downscaling of daily minimum and maximum temperature data of 44 national stations for base time (1961-1990) and then the future scenarios generated up to 2099. Observed as well as Predictors (product of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) data were calibrated and tested on individual/multiple basis through linear regression. Future scenario was generated based on HadCM3 daily data for A2 and B2 story lines. The downscaled data has been tested, and it has shown a relatively strong relationship with the observed in comparison to ECHAM5 data. Generally, the southern half of the country is considered vulnerable in terms of increasing temperatures, but the results of this study projects that in future, the northern belt in particular would have a possible threat of increasing tendency in air temperature. Especially, the northern areas (hosting the third largest ice reserves after the Polar Regions), an important feeding source for Indus River, are projected to be vulnerable in terms of increasing temperatures. Consequently, not only the hydro-agricultural sector but also the environmental conditions in the area may be at risk, in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth-promoting bacteria-mediated biocontrol of plant pathogens is renowned to enhance the growth of the plants using different direct or indirect mechanisms. The goal of the present investigation was the evaluation ofPseudomonas aeruginosaZ5 isolated from cotton grown in Pakistani soils for the suppression ofFusarium oxysporumassociated with cotton seedling disease. In dual culturing techniques, four bacterial strains inhibited fungal pathogens, i.e.F. oxysporum,Fusarium moniliforme,Fusarium solaniandRhizoctonia solani, significantly with percent inhibition ranging from 25% to 91.5%.P. aeruginosaZ5 showed maximum suppression of all the tested pathogens. Net-house experiments showed that the application ofP. aeruginosaZ5 both separately and in combination withBacillus fusiformisS10 significantly reduced the disease incidence by suppressingF. oxysporum(the causal agent of cotton seedling disease) up to 64–65% and improved the percent germination as compared to the infected control plants. The production of antibiotics, proteases and siderophores may be the contributing factors for its antagonistic properties. Highest bacterial population (8.9 CFU/g root) observed on roots of cotton plants inoculated withP. aeruginosaZ5 showed its good colonisation aptitudes even in the presence of high inoculation of soil withF. oxysporum. Confocal laser scanning microscopy supported the root colonisation of cotton plants with fluorescently labelledP. aeruginosaZ5. Because of innate fungicidal potential, growth promotingP. aeruginosaZ5 can be used as a bioinoculant and an antagonist to suppress the growth of cotton root-associated fungal pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An incubation experiment was carried out with the objective of assessing the short-term effects of sodium salts with different anions (Cl–, SO42–, HCO3–), saline and non-saline inoculants, and two temperature levels (20°C and 40°C) on microbial activity and biomass indices, using sterile quartz sand amended with sugarcane filter cake. Addition of NaCl significantly decreased CO2production, O2consumption, and ergosterol content; addition of Na2SO4increased microbial biomass N, whereas addition of Na2CO3increased the contents of K2SO4extractable C and N. The inoculation with a saline soil significantly reduced respiration and resulted in higher respiratory quotients (RQ) as well as higher contents of microbial biomass and ergosterol. The rise in temperature increased CO2production (+60%) and O2consumption (+93%), leading to a 13% decrease in RQ values. The rise in temperature also led to significant increases in the contents of extractable C (+30%) and N (+42%) as well as ergosterol (+64%). The increased RQ values and the specific decline of extractable C and N in the bicarbonate treatment revealed the increased use of the mobile fraction by microorganisms, especially fungi adapted to saline and alkaline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme events have gained considerable scientific attention recently due to their potentially catastrophic impacts. Heat waves are thought to be more pronounced now in most parts of the world, and especially in South Asia, but doubts remain. The aim of this study is to calculate the frequency and intensity of heat waves in South Asia, focusing on Pakistan and identifying the regions within Pakistan that are most vulnerable to heat waves. Analyses have been performed both at provincial and country levels from 1961 to 2009. The provincial level analysis shows positive trends for heat waves of magnitudes ≥40°C and ≥45°C for 5 and 7 consecutive days. Events of magnitude ≥40°C and ≥45°C for 10 consecutive days also increased in frequency in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. These regions are therefore considered to be the regions most vulnerable to heat wave events in Pakistan. The Balochistan region shows a consistently increasing trend throughout the study period, which may lead to more frequent drought in the future. The country level analysis indicates an increase in the frequency of 5 and 7 consecutive days heat waves at all defined temperature thresholds. The 10-days heat waves spells show a slight increase at ≥40°C and no significant change at ≥45°C. The Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir areas reported no events at ≥45°C for 5, 7 and 10 continuous days. It is anticipated that with a long term rise in temperatures around the globe, heat waves will become more frequent and intense in all parts of the world, including Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandibular Incisor crowding is one of the common problem faced by orthodontic patients. Many factors including skeletal discrepancy are considered responsible in the development of lower incisor crowding. The aim of the present study was to assess whether, vertical parameters such as Maxillary to Mandibular plane angle and Lower facial height play a significant role in the development of lower incisor crowding. A total 213 subjects (81 males and 132 females) were selected. Cephalogram tracings were used to determine vertical parameters such as Maxilla to Mandibular plane angle and Lower Facial height and study casts were used for Lower incisor crowding. The Pearson Chi square test was used to determine whether vertical parameters play a significant part in the development of Lower incisor crowding or not. Hyper-divergent cases showed the highest percentage of Lower Incisor crowding (92.6%) followed by Normo and Hypo-divergent profiles. The Pearson Chi-Square test revealed that Vertical parameters play a significant role in the development of Lower incisor crowding (p value = 0.006) and such parameters must be kept in mind while formulating treatment strategies for patients with such complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study appraises the antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes of various solvent extracts (absolute methanol, aqueous methanol, absolute ethanol, aqueous ethanol, absolute acetone, aqueous acetone, and deionized water) from bark, leaves and seeds of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. Maximum extraction yield of antioxidant components from bark (16.31%), leaves (11.42%) and seeds (21.51%) of P. pinnata was obtained using aqueous methanol (20:80). Of the extracts tested, the bark extract, obtained with aqueous methanol, exhibited greater levels of total phenolics [6.94 g GAE/100 g dry weight (DW)], total flavonoids (3.44 g CE/100 g DW), inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (69.23%) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 value, 3.21 μg/mL), followed by leaves and seeds extracts. Bark extract tested against a set of bacterial and fungal strains also revealed the strongest antimicrobial activity with the largest inhibition zone and lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). HPLC analysis of aqueous methanol extracts from bark, leaves and seeds indicated the presence of protocatechuic, ellagic, ferulic, gallic, gentisic, 4-hydroxybenzoic and 4-hydroxycinnamic acids in bark (1.50-6.70 mg/100 g DW); sorbic, ferulic, gallic, salicylic and p-coumaric acids in leaves (1.18-4.71 mg/100 g DW); vanillic, gallic and tannic acids in seeds (0.52-0.65 mg/100 g DW) as the main phenolic acids. The present investigation concludes that the tested parts of P. pinnata, in particular the bark, have strong potential for the isolation of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for functional food and pharmaceutical uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiyear (1983-2006) hindcast simulation of summer monsoon over South Asia has been carried out using the regional climate model of the Beijing Climate Centre (BCC_RegCM1.0). The regional climate model (hereafter BCC RCM) is nested into the global climate model of the Beijing Climate Centre BCC_CGCM1.0 (here after CGCM). The regional climate model is initialized on 01 May and integrated up to the end of the September for 24 years. Compared to the driving CGCM the BCC RCM reproduces reasonably well the intensity and magnitude of the large-scale features associated with the South Asia summer monsoon such as the upper level anticyclone at 200 hPa, the mid-tropospheric warming over the Tibetan plateau, the surface heat low and the 850 hPa moisture transport from ocean to the land. Both models, i.e., BCC RCM and the driving CGCM overestimates (underestimates) the 850 hPa southwesterly flow over the northern (southern) Arabian Sea. Moreover, both models overestimate the seasonal mean precipitation over much of the South Asia region compared to the observations. However, the precipitation biases are significantly reduced in the BCC RCM simulations. Furthermore, both models simulate reasonably the interannual variability of the summer monsoon over India. The precipitation index simulated by BCC RCM shows significant correlation (0.62) with the observed one. The BCC RCM simulates reasonably well the spatial and temporal variation of the precipitation and surface air temperature compared to the driving CGCM. Further, the temperature biases are significantly reduced (1-4°C) in the BCC RCM simulations. The simulated vertical structure of the atmosphere show biases above the four sub-regions, however, these biases are significantly reduced in the BCC RCM simulations compared to the driving CGCM. Compared to the driving CGCM, the evolution processes of the onset of summer monsoon, e.g., the meridional temperature gradient and the vertical wind shear are well simulated by the BCC RCM. The 24-year simulations also show that with a little exception the BCC RCM is capable to reproduce the monsoon active and break phases and the intraseasonal precipitation variation over the Indian subcontinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential role of host plant species in the selection of symbiotic, nitrogen-fixing Frankia strains belonging to the Elaeagnus host infection group was assessed in bioassays with two Morella, three Elaeagnus, and one Shepherdia species as capture plants, inoculated with soil slurries made with soil collected from a mixed pine/grassland area in central Wisconsin, USA. Comparative sequence analysis of nifH gene fragments amplified from homogenates of at least 20 individual lobes of root nodules harvested from capture plants of each species confirmed the more promiscuous character of Morella cerifera and Morella pensylvanica that formed nodules with frankiae of the Alnus and the Elaeagnus host infection groups, while frankiae in nodules formed on Elaeagnus umbellata, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Elaeagnus commutata, and Shepherdia argentea generally belonged to the Elaeagnus host infection group. Diversity of frankiae of the Elaeagnus host infection groups was larger in nodules on both Morella species than in nodules formed on the other plant species. None of the plants, however, captured the entire diversity of nodule-forming frankiae. The distribution of clusters of Frankia populations and their abundance in nodules was unique for each of the plant species, with only one cluster being ubiquitous and most abundant while the remaining clusters were only present in nodules of one (six clusters) or two (two clusters) host plant species. These results demonstrate large effects of the host plant species in the selection of Frankia strains from soil for potential nodule formation and thus the significant effect of the choice of capture plant species in bioassays on diversity estimates in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a diagnostic study of a typical case of very heavy rainfall during the South Asian summer monsoon when a mesoscale low in a desert climate merged with a diffused tropical depression. The former low was located over Pakistan’s desert region and the latter depression originated over the Bay of Bengal. Surface and NCEP reanalysis data supported by satellite and radar images were incorporated in the diagnosis. The relationship between the heavy precipitation process and large-scale circulations such as monsoon trough, subtropical high, westerly jet, low level jet and water vapor transport were investigated to further understand the mechanism of this peculiar interaction. It was found that: (1) the mesoscale low developed as a result of cold air advection aloft from northern latitudes and strong convection over the region of humidity convergence on 24 July 2003 over the Indian Rajistan area. (2) On the same day, a low that formed over the Bay of Bengal was transformed into a monsoon depression and moved westward to the mesoscale low which existed over southwest India and the adjoining southeastern parts of Pakistan. (3) Initially, the mesoscale low received moisture supply from both the Bay of Bengal as well as the Arabian Sea, whereas the Bay of Bengal maintained the continuous supply of moisture to the monsoon depression. (4) After the depression crossed central India, the Bay’s moisture supply was cut off and the Arabian Sea became the only source of moisture to both the closely located systems. On 27 July, both of the systems merged together and the merger resulted in a heavy downpour in the Karachi metropolitan and in its surroundings. (5) With the intensification as well as the southeastward extension of the subtropical high and the shift of the monsoon trough axis from southwest-west to northeast-east, the monsoon depression moved southwestward. In this situation, there existed a very favourable condition for a merger of the two systems in the presence of cross-latitude influence. (6) A number of convective cloud clusters were developed and organized in the mesoscale low. Probably, interactions existed among the multi-scale systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using surface and NCEP reanalysis data along with radar and satellite images, diagnosis has been carried out to probe the reasons for the very heavy rainfall that occurred in Islāmābad-Rāwalpindi on 23 July 2001. It has been revealed that the sudden evolution of this meso-scale severe weather system was the direct result of strong surface convection in moist and unstable lower layers of the atmosphere. The subsequent rapid development was the combined effect of the presence of the mid latitude westerly’s trough in the north and moisture feeding through monsoon flow along the Himalayas and also the direct south-westerly current from the Arabian Sea. After the westward shifting of the Sub-Tropical High (STH) from the north of India, the strong divergence zone on its eastern edge contributed positively to the development of upward motion. Initially the convective systems moved towards the south and then southeastward following the steering current in the middle troposphere. Based on these analyses, the physical model of the sudden record heavy rainfall has been proposed and a comparison between the heavy rainfall in this case and one in China has been conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Surveys were conducted for apricot insect pollinators during apricot blossom period(early March) from Gilgit, Ghizer, Hunza-Nagar and Skardu. Total 18 species of 14 genera under seven families of orders Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera were identified. Order Diptera was represented by family Syrphidae with four species under three genera. Order Hymenoptera represented four families i.e. Apidae with six species under four genera; Halictidae with two species under two genera; Megachilidae with one species under one genus; and Vespidae with three species under two genera. While order Lepidoptera was represented by two families, Nymphalidae and Papilionidae with single species in each family respectively. Two species namely, Scaeva selenitica of family Syrphidae and Xylocopa acutipennis of family Apidae are new records for Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]