Field In Egypt Research Articles

Why the World’s Food Basket Became the Largest Grains’ Importer Country? “Comparative Statement on Main Crops’ Self-Sufficiency in Egypt and in China”

<p>How a country as Egypt which is formerly known as the world’s food basket and the gift of the Nile River became the largest grains’ importer country of wheat? Why agricultural field in Egypt could not produce enough food for its people? And how does China succeeded to depend on itself to be able to feed its huge population? The current study used 4 crops (wheat, maize, rice and soybean), with three indexes (production, import, and domestic supply quantity) chosen to measure self-sufficiency (Ss). The study found out that, Egypt has a negative self-sufficiency for wheat, maize and soybean. Agricultural policies are the key of China’s successful development and at the same time are the main factors which affected agriculture in Egypt and make it fail to produce enough food. This study highly recommends policy makers in Egypt to make an improvement on agricultural policies for the purpose of promoting the agricultural self-sufficiency by supporting farmers’ to produce enough food.</p>

A New Oil Formation Volume Factor Correlation of Egyptian Crude Oils

Knowledge of reservoir fluid properties is very important in reservoir engineering calculations such as reserve estimates and numerical reservoir simulations. Laboratory measurements are the most dependable methods for pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) analysis of reservoir fluid properties. Under circumstances, the absences of such measurements are unavailable, hence, resorted to use empirical PVT correlations. Within the current research, a new correlation for estimating oil formation volume factor at bubblepoint pressure of Egyptian crude oils using nonlinear multiple regression technique has been developed. In developing the correlation, 162 PVT data sets from Egyptian crude oils were used. The data were collected from different fields in Egypt and covered a wide range of crude oils ranging from heavy to volatile oils. The data consisted of oils with oil formation volume factor at bubblepoint pressure ranging from 1.068 to 2.43 bbl/stb, o API of 17 to 46, solution gas oil ratio of 52 to 2254 scf/stb, gas gravity of 0.6 to 1.474 and temperature of 107 to 310 o F. The developed correlation was taken as a function of solution gas oil ratio, oil gravity, gas relative density and reservoir temperature. Statistical and graphical analyses have been used to evaluate the performance of the developed correlation. Correlation performance was also compared with published correlations. It was found that the new correlation estimates oil formation volume factor at bubblepoint pressure of Egyptian crude oils much better than the published ones. The obtained outcomes include an average relative error (ARE) of 0.06, an average absolute error (AARE) of 2 and coefficient of regression (R 2 ) of 0.98.In the current research, PVT data sets were collected from Egyptian reservoirs and regression analysis were used to obtain oil FVF correlation.

DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF TRACTOR-MOUNTED FERTILISZRS SPREADER

The lack of efficiency and effectiveness in fertilizer applications in many crops has been continues challenge to sustainable use of inorganic/commercial fertilizers, the right balance in fertilizer application is an important element in nutrition management in Egypt, and promoting efficient and effective use of fertilizer has emerged as an important target of policies and programs in recent decades. However, fertilizers distribution in Egypt is still mostly done manually due to small field sizes, and it is laborious, costly, and the spread pattern is not accurate. So manufacturing such small fertilizer distributor that can be mounted on a tractor or any smaller carriage could provide a simple mechanized solution for fertilizing small fields in Egypt. So, this study is carried out to manufacture and test a tractor-mounted spreader and this could help farmers to increase efficiency and effectiveness in fertilizer use in small scale applications. Fertilizers spreader consisted of; frame, spreading material hopper, agitator, spreading disc with four adjustable blades (fins), and electrical control unit. In stationery mode experiments, Differences of distribution density in both sides of the spreader have been measured under different possible combinations of settings till best results obtained. Many tables have generated to get the recommended setting to deliver specific amount with best uniformity. Also, the spreader has been calibrated to get the repression equations to be the base of using different fertilizers in field based on the recommended tractor forward speeds in field. For spreading Urea in field, placing 1 fin in middle and 3 fins at end right on spreading disc and setting spreading disc speed to 550 rpm is better option to have 5.5 m effective swath length. Where using 250 rpm spreading disc speed is one of settings can achieve the favorable effective swath width of 5.5 m with compound fertilizer. For maximum spreading width, it is recommended to set the spreading disc speed to 700 rpm and 2 disc fins located in center and 2 in their end right for both urea and compound fertilizer. Muriate of Potash fertilizer (MOP) as a fine crystal fertilizer with recommended amount less than 20 kg/feddan in most of fields not easy to be distributed by the spreader under 4 km/h forward speed or less. Average SPAD values (Chlorophyll meter values) showed no significant differences within each subplot and in different locations for all application rates. The maximum difference between average lowest and highest SPAD values for plots that have been spread by the machine was 8 % when the machine was spreading 75 % of recommended rate. Lowest values were 3 and 4% for 50 and 100 % of recommended rates. In manual broadcasting there was difference of 15% between lower and highest value of SPAD in different plot locations.

Effect of pore framework and radius of pore throats on permeability estimation

The purpose of this study is to understand and develop a model pore geometry, petrophysical parameters of (porosity, pore throat radius and permeability), and reservoir performance characteristics. Number of both sandstone and limestone samples extracted from different oil fields in Egypt and Arabian Gulf were conducted for petrophysical study. This study used the pore throat size distribution derived from capillary pressure by mercury injection (MICP) to determine the pore throat parameter for all the studied samples, r35 and the amount of micro-porosity in the studied samples. The pore throat and micro-porosity cut-off were determined graphically from the two curves of cumulative flow capacity and storage capacity.The idea that micro-porosity will hold a great part of irreducible water volume was verified by comparing the micro-porosity, with water saturation data determined from Dean and Stark technique which showed a good match between the two calculated values. It was used also to calibrate the T2-cutoff to enhance the permeability prediction from porosity using the NMR logging tool.The all studied samples were discriminated based on permeability cutoff 10md. For the measured permeability values higher than 10md, the regression coefficient increased form when the permeability was plotted with macro-porosity instead of total porosity or with calculated permeability using Coates et al., equation model. For the calculated permeability values less than 10md, there was very weak correlation between either the macro or total porosity with measured one.In our work, we have introduced a radius of pore throat at mercury saturation of 35% (r35) together with the pore space configuration parameters to enhance the permeability prediction. The r35 was assumed to present different pore throat parameters.The present study showed that, pore throat size, (r35) improves permeability estimation. The combination of pore space configuration and pore throat parameters in the new model has enhanced the relationship between porosity and permeability.Finally, the validity of the new model represented by porosity and (r35) was tested using 123 rock samples (sandstone and limestone). The estimated permeability using the new model was plotted against the measured permeability and revealing high coefficient of correlation.

Serological Characteristics of Erwinia carotovora Isolated from Potato Fields in Egypt

Serological Characteristics of Erwinia carotovora Isolated from Potato Fields in Egypt

Screening for and Identification of Novel Glucarpidase Producing Bacteria: Cloning and molecular characterisation of novel enzymes involved in ADEPT for cancer treatment (LB581)

Antibody Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (ADEPT) is a novel therapy which has already been implemented in cancer therapy to solve the problem of drug resistance and lack of tumor selectivity. Repeated cycles of (ADEPT) and the use of glucarpidase in detoxification of cytotoxic methotrexate (MTX) are desirable but are hindered by the induced human antibody response to the glucarpidase.Novel glucarpidases with unrecognized epitopes may increase the prospect of repeated cycles of ADEPT for effective cancer therapy and could also be used to remove excess MXT.The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize new glucarpidase (former name: carboxypeptidase G2) producing bacteria in order to clone and overexpress the cognate genes for Antibody Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (ADEPT), and for detoxification of methotrexate (MXT) used for cancer treatment.Over five hundred soil samples were collected from different fields in Egypt and Qatar where folate rich fruit and vegetables are routinely cultivated. Screening of these samples was performed using folate as the sole carbon and/or nitrogen source. Several molecular techniques including 16S rRNA were used to characterize the isolated strains.The work led to the isolation and characterization of four new glucarpidase producing strains, The novel native enzymes have been assayed using Methotrexate as a substrate, and characterised.We successfully cloned and molecular characterized a novel glucarpidase from one of the isolated strains which could be used in the ADEPT techniques for cancer treatment that could overcome the immune response problems.Grant Funding Source: Qatar National research fund, NPRP 6 ‐ 724 ‐ 3 ‐ 183

Evaluation of a cotton germplasm collection against Fusarium wilt race 3 isolates from Egypt

Pathogenic variation of 30 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV) race 3 was evaluated on seedlings of the highly susceptible cotton cultivar 'Giza 74' in greenhouse assays. FOV isolates were clustered based upon their virulence patterns. The clusters of FOV isolates were not related to their geographic origins. Fifty-five experimental cotton genotypes were evaluated under greenhouse conditions for resistance to Fusarium wilt, in autoclaved clay loam soil infested with a mixture of equal parts (w/w) of 30 isolates of FOV race 3 at a rate of 10 g/kg of soil. Eleven genotypes were rated as highly susceptible (survival frequency from zero to 24.7%) and 21 genotypes were rated as highly resistance (survival frequency of 79.6 to 100%). The remaining genotypes displayed variable levels of partial resistance. Since no wilt nursery has been established in Egypt, greenhouse tests will continue to be the only reliable method for screening cotton breeding materials for FOV resistance. The current absence of Fusarium wilt in commercial cotton fields in Egypt demonstrates the reliability of the adopted screening procedures in discriminating cotton genotypes for resistance to Fusarium wilt.

Evaluation and Analysis of Oil Shale in Quseir-Safaga and Abu-Tartur Western Desert, Egypt

Seeking ways to diminish Egypt’s dependency on foreign oil imports, we had to look for the obvious resources to exploit. Oil shale is one of Egypt’s resources that are left abandoned and not used. This project is aiming at introducing both experimental analysis for oil shale in Egypt and the best production technique for it. This study is about experimentally analyzing different samples of potential oil shale fields in Egypt. Samples that are analyzed in this project are from two locations in Egypt: Quseir-Safaga and Abu-Tartur Western Desert, and they are compared to one of the best oil shale fields in the world, which is from Green River Formation Colorado. The experiments were done using AUC lab retort to experimentally determine the critical temperature that will lead to the maximum production using sudden and gradual change in temperatures, which turned out to be sudden change at 500°C. Thereafter, the degree of API gravity was calculated for each run. Then the oil samples were determined for impurities and liquid chromatography results in the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute. Part two of the study plan has been included to determine the ultimate ways of producing efficiently, ecologically and economically.

Studies on the wheat curl mite, Aceria tulipae Keifer (Eriophyidae), in Egypt

Field experiments were carried out with the goal of estimating the population fluctuations of the wheat curl mite, Aceria tulipae Keifer, and its control. These experiments were conducted at an abandoned wheat field in Egypt during a growing season in 2012 in Cairo Governorate. Also, studies on life history aspects and reproductive parameters of the same species in the laboratory at 25 1 °C and 60 15% R.H. were carried out. There were population fluctuations of the wheat curl mite, A. tulipae, when affected by temperature increase during the experimental season. The results showed that the population fluctuation continued at a moderate level until the end of February and then started to increase until it reached to three peaks from the mid of March to the mid of April when the temperature degrees were at 17–24 °C. A. tulipae removes cell contents of the leaves which generally become yellow. The obtained data indicated that the total developmental time of the immature stages was 8.90 ± 0. 74 and 9.58 ± 0.88 days for male and female, respectively, and the female fecundity was 22.8 eggs; 1.17 eggs/♀/day. Intrinsic rate of increase (r m) was found to be 0.153 individuals per female per day and the population multiplied 12.54 times in a generation time of 19.20 days under the given conditions. Three acaricides: Abamectin, Antimite and Sulphur were selected to control the wheat mite A. tulipae. The results of control pest experiments indicated that the Abamectin was superior in reducing the wheat mite A. tulipae (79% reduction) compared to Sulphur and Antimite which had approximately equal reductions (67 and 65% reductions, respectively). The study ended with the conclusion that the population of the wheat mite A. tulipae was significantly highest at the interval from the mid of March to the mid of April. The wheat mite A. tulipae is considered to be disastrous as its intrinsic rate of increase (r m) is high and the best control of this species at this interval was attained with Abamectin.

Differential Efficacies of Nomuraea Rileyi and Isaria Fumosorosea on Some Serious Pests and the Pests’ Efficient Predator Prevailing in Tomato Fields in Egypt

Abstract The efficiency of the two microbial control agents Nomuraea rileyi and Isaria fumosorosea, were evaluated against Bemisia tabaci and Myzus persicae pests in tomato cultivations The safety levels of the agents, to the predator Coccinella undecimpunctata, were also studied under laboratory and field conditions. Results showed that under laboratory conditions, LC50 values for N. rileyi and I. fumosorosea were 103.7x104 and 139.4x104 spores/ml against B. tabaci, respectively, while the corresponding values for M. persicae were 89.1x104 and 149.8x104 spores/ml, respectively. Under the field conditions, the percentages of infested plants with B. tabaci and M. persicae were significantly decreased after treatments with both fungi as compared with the corresponding controls. At the El-Esraa farm (Nobaria region), the weights of the tomato yield were 2,417 and 2,911 kg/feddan when I. fumosorosea and N. rileyi were applied respectively, as compared with 2,010 kg/feddan in the corresponding controls. The corresponding yields in El-Kassaseen were 2,699 and 2,999 kg/feddan, respectively, as compared to 1,990 kg/feddan in the control. The present study showed that C. undecimpunctata exhibit relatively high and reasonable resistance to N. rileyi and I. fumosorosea at the highest lethal concentration (1x108 spores/ml) for both tested preys.

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SOME STARWEBERRY CULTIVARS TO THE INFESTATION OF TETRANYCHUS URTICAE KOCH

The relative susceptibility of six strawberry cultivars (Chandler sweet charll Branko, style , Helda and Almont) to the infestation with the two spotted mite Tetranychus urticae Koch was studied in Al kanater Research station Qualubia Governorate , through two successive seasons (2010/2011) and (2011/2012) . Evaluation of mite infestation was estimated according to the other mean number of eggs and immature stages, results showed that the population dynamics of spider mites infestation in the six cultivars appear in few numbers during the period from October until February. The infestation increased during March and reaches until February the infestation increased during march and reaches the maximum during April and decreases. The results also showed that sweetcharll and Chandler are the least preferable varieties, while Almont and Helda where the most preferable varieties to spider mite infestation . Based on these conclusions, Sweetcharll and Chandler varieties are recommended for the strawberry growers in order to depress the population density of the mite T. urticae in the strawberry fields in Egypt.

Analytical Study of an Innovated Solar Power Tower (PS10) in Aswan

The city of Aswan, located at the south of Egypt, is characterized by a very high level of solar density. The Solar Power Plant (SPT) technology using the Concentrated Solar Power Plant (CSP) is expected to soon enter the renewable energy field in Egypt. Fortunately, considerable amount of informat ion about the PS10, which is a co mmercial SPT of power 11 MW are availab le for performing considerable attractive analysis . A co mparative performance analysis is developed between the existing PS10 in Sanlucar la Mayor- Spain, and a modified one of similar specifications located in Aswan. In this study, the PS10 So lar Po wer Tower systems (SPT) design-layout is revised to suit the solar data in Aswan. Accordingly, the location of each heliostat is reviewed, analysed and modified. The solar irradiance model and sunshine duration (solar hours) of the existing plant in Spain are co mpared to those in Aswan. The study includes optical and geometric analysis of both SPTs. The annual average efficiency and SPT performance values in the existing and intended power stations are compared. Su itable mod ifications are introduced in the SP10 to fit the conditions in Aswan according to the innovated field of the heliostats. The main objective of this study is to find the relative advantage of installation of the CSPs in Aswan compared to the other locations in the world. The innovated model of PS10 in Aswan is believed to be more pro mising than that of the original one in Spain.

Modeling hydraulic fractures in finite difference simulators using amalgam local grid refinement (LGR)

Hydraulic fracturing allows numerous, otherwise unproductive, low-permeability hydrocarbon formations to be produced. The interactions between the fractures and the heterogeneous reservoir rock, however, are quite complex, which makes it quite difficult to model production from hydraulically fractured systems. Various techniques have been applied in the simulation of hydraulically fractured wells using finite difference simulators; most of these techniques are limited by the grid dimensions and computing time and hardware restrictions. Most of the current analytical techniques assume a single rectangular shaped fracture in a single-phase homogeneous reservoir, the fracture is limited to the block size and the fracture properties are adjusted using permeability multiplier. The current work demonstrates how to model these systems with a smaller grid block size which allows you to apply sensitivity to the fracture length and model the fracture with enhanced accuracy. It also allows you to study the effect of reservoir heterogeneity on the fractured well performance. It is proposed to apply amalgam LGR technique to decrease the grid size to the dimensions of the hydraulic fracture without dramatically increasing the number of grid blocks which would cause a great increase in the computing time and the model size with no added value. This paper explains how the amalgam LGR is designed and compares between standard LGRs and the proposed design and a case study is presented from an anonymous field in Egypt to illustrate how to use this technique to model the hydraulically fractured well. The simulation model is matched to available production data by changing fracture lengths. Then the model is used to predict future response from the wells. The advantage of this technique is that it allows hydraulically fractured reservoirs to be modeled with less grid size which will lead to more realistic models and more accurate predictions; however, the most useful application of this technique may be in the fracture modeling stage. With this tool, various fracture geometries and scenarios can be tested in the simulator, and the most economic scenarios selected and implemented. This will lead to better fracture placement, and ultimately greater production.

Assessment of irrigation practices at the tertiary canal level in an improved system—a case study of Wasat area, the Nile Delta

Egypt faces great challenges due to its limited water resources by enforcement policies to improve the performance of the existing delivery system and its development. The improvement of irrigation systems in the Nile Delta is one of the most important attempts in Egypt to implement more effective irrigation technologies. This study was carried out to evaluate improved tertiary canal level and farmers’ practices by comparing with other unimproved systems to understand the farmers’ practices in their farms after modifying the existing irrigation system. This study area applied to the Wasat command area’s most commonly used to the cultivation of a paddy field in Egypt, which contributes 40 % of production. The overall results indicate that the water-use application at the improved system level improved. This was due to the role of water user association in the successful management and operation of the water-supply system on the private level of water distribution network. So, water users’ association has the positive effect on managing of the improved tertiary canal. Although, there are main problems of water delivery in the irrigation networks that was a water shortage in the main canal owing to its location at the tail of the feeder canal system in the Nile Delta, and other reasons include the absence of crop production planning by farmers, especially rice farmers in summer, and the greater demand of some fields than supply.

Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus in Egypt

During 2010, yellowing symptoms were frequently observed in cultivated squash fields in Egypt. A total of 717 symptomatic squash leaf samples were collected from four regions where squash cultivation is of economic importance for the country: Kafrelsheikh, El-Behira, El-Sharkia and El-Ismailia. Serological analysis showed that 95.6% of the symptomatic squash samples were infected by Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), and visual estimation of the incidence of yellowing symptoms suggested a very high incidence of CABYV in the fields. Twelve CABYV isolates were characterized by sequencing two regions of the viral genome, open reading frame (ORF) 3 and ORFs 4/5. Overall, Egyptian isolates were very similar among them, and had higher similarity values with a French than with a Chinese isolate. The average nucleotide diversity for ORF 3 was significantly higher than for the other two regions, indicating that variability is not evenly distributed along the viral genome. The ratios between nucleotide diversity values in non-synonymous (dN) and synonymous (dS) positions (dN/dS) for each ORF showed that the three ORFs are evolving under different pressures, although predominantly under purifying selection. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that these Egyptian isolates, with only one exception, shared the same clade with a French isolate. Moreover, these analyses suggested that Egyptian isolates belong to the Mediterranean group described previously.

The Emergence of the Sixties Generation in Egypt and the Anxiety over Categorization1

Abstract In September 1969 the Egyptian literary journal al-Ṭalīʿah began a feature entitled “Hākadhā yatakallamu al-udabāʾ al-shabāb” (“This Is How the Young Writers Speak”), that sought to understand, analyze, and categorize the emerging literary generation in Egypt. Consisting of a questionnaire that targeted over thirty artists and a series of articles by prominent critics, the feature precipitated fierce debates about the significance of what came to be known as jīl al-sittīnāt—the sixties generation—in Egypt. This article examines the emergence of this generation as documented in the pages of the journals of the time. Here I build upon the work of Elisabeth Kendall and Richard Jacquemond, presenting this feature as an example of what I call the “anxiety over categorization” that dominated literary discussions during this time. These discussions were as much about categorization as they were about the negotiation of power in what Pierre Bourdieu has called “the field of cultural production.” The emergence of a new generation of writers seemed to pose a threat to the established figures in the field, raising questions about whether or not aesthetic innovation was strictly the domain of the young. I read the al-Ṭalīʿah feature against the work of the new writers themselves, as displayed upon the pages of Jālīrī 68. The latter, a short-lived but highly influential avant-garde journal, was created to cater to the literary production of the new generation, and privileged publication of their work over a categorizing discourse. In tracing the generational debates that took place surrounding the emergence of the sixties generation, this anxiety over categorization reveals how power and authority are negotiated in the literary field in Egypt.

Construction Safety and Occupational Health Education in Egypt, the EU, and US Firms

The construction industry has been considered an accident prone industry. Alarming statistics indicate thatthe construction industry accounts for 55,000 fatal injuries each year. That is because construction sites are often filled with potential hazards that can lead to serious injury or death. Responsibility for these injuries may be attributed to a variety of individuals including owners, contractors or subcontractors, engineers, equipment manufacturers, and architects. This mandated a new safety culture to emerge resulting in a decline in the incidence rate of all recordable nonfatal injury and illness for construction workers. This study explores the safety culture encountered in twolarge construction companies in the USA and Egypt, over the last five years. Comparison of the results recorded in both companies was also conducted. The study also investigated the benefits of focusing on the occupational health in the construction field in Egypt and USA. In addition to the literature review, the research methodology used for this study was inspired by the Contextual Design (CD) Methodology. The study indicated thepositive impact of implementing safety programs on significantly reducing the recordable injuries. It also showed the benefits of focusing on occupational health and wellness, training, and education of workers.

Communities of oribatid mites and heavy metal accumulation in oribatid species in agricultural soils in Egypt impacted by waste water

The continued use of waste water for irrigation of agricultural fields in Egypt may lead to accumulation of heavy metals in soils and adverse effects on soil-living communities. We investigated responses of oribatid communities to heavy metal contamination in mango plantations irrigated by the Ismailia canal in the Suez region. Mean concentrations of heavy metals determined in irrigation water were considerably above the recommended levels. Concentrations of metals in agricultural soil were however below the permissible levels. A comparison with concentrations of a typical uncontaminated soil in this area revealed that the Ismailia water canal used for irrigation of agricultural land has elevated levels of heavy metals. The results of our ecological survey showed that the abundance and structure of the soil oribatid communities were not influenced by levels of heavy metals in the soil. We also showed that the diversity index can be a valuable tool for assessing the possible impact of pollutants on different species of oribatid mites. The oribatid species appeared to be accumulating different amounts of heavy metals when characterised by their bioconcentration factors. Most species were poor zinc accumulators. The accumulation of heavy metals in the body of oribatids was not strictly determined by their body size or by the trophic level. In conclusion, our study showed that mango plantations impacted by waste water from the Ismailia canal are accumulating heavy metals in their soils above the background concentrations, but ecological effects on soil-living communities are not apparent yet.

Simultaneous detection and differentiation by multiplex real time RT-PCR of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 classic (clade 2.2.1 proper) and escape mutant (clade 2.2.1 variant) lineages in Egypt

BackgroundThe endemic status of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) of subtype H5N1 in Egypt continues to devastate the local poultry industry and poses a permanent threat for human health. Several genetically and antigenically distinct H5N1 lineages co-circulate in Egypt: Strains of clade 2.2.1 proper replicate mainly in backyard birds causing the bulk of human infections, while a variant lineage within 2.2.1 (2.2.1v) appears to be perpetuated mainly in commercial poultry farms in Egypt. Viruses of the 2.2.1v lineage represent drift variants escaping from conventional vaccine-induced immunity and some of these strains also escaped detection by commercial real time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) protocols due to mismatches in the primers/probe binding sites.ResultsWe developed therefore a versatile, sensitive and lineage-specific multiplex RT-qPCR for detection and typing of H5N1 viruses in Egypt. Analytical characterization was carried out using 50 Egyptian HPAIV H5N1 strains isolated since 2006 and 45 other avian influenza viruses (AIV). A detection limit of 400 cRNA copies per ml sample matrix was found. Higher diagnostic sensitivity of the multiplex assay in comparison to other generic H5 or M-gene based RT-qPCR assays were found by examination of 63 swab samples from experimentally infected chickens and 50 AIV-positive swab samples from different host species in the field in Egypt.ConclusionsThe new multiplex RT-qPCR assay could be useful for rapid high-throughput monitoring for the presence of HPAIV H5N1 in commercial poultry in Egypt. It may also aid in prospective epidemiological studies to further delineate and better control spread of HPAIV H5N1 in Egypt.

Brownish inclusions and dark streaks in Libyan Desert Glass: Evidence for high-temperature melting of the target rock

Dark streaks and different types of inclusions in Libyan Desert Glass (LDG) collected from the LDG strewn field in Egypt were investigated. Rare transparent spherules enclosed in the glassy matrix are characterized by concentric cracks, irregular internal cracks, intense twinning, and considerable amounts of Ti and Al. Raman spectra show that the spherules are a-cristobalite. Their occurrence together with lechatelierite indicates quick heating of the source rock to at least 1550 � C, followed by rapid quenching leading to crystallization of b-cristobalite, which upon cooling inverted into a-cristobalite. Brownish inclusions are irregularly shaped, elongated objects with smooth contacts to the surrounding glass. They contain small roundish to elliptical droplets, and a few larger angular grains, which compositionally and according to their Raman spectra most closely resemble low-Ca, Al-rich orthopyroxene. Composition and texture of the orthopyroxene suggest that the brownish inclusions formed by incomplete melting of an Al-rich orthopyroxene bearing precursor, e.g., mafic phases present in desert surface sands or also of orthopyroxene- bearing granulite dykes in the LDG target. Experimental data on Ca-poor enstatite also support that the inclusions were heated to about 1550 � C. Analyses of dark streaks in LDG reveal high abundances of Al, Ti, Mn, Cr, Fe, and Ni and a pronounced correlation between the abundances of Cr, Mn, Fe, and Ni. As the Fe ⁄ Ni, Mn ⁄ Ni, and Cr ⁄ Ni ratios are all clearly nonchondritic, the source of this material is most likely terrestrial and the dark streaks studied here represent a different type of schlieren compared to those which contain a meteoritic component. These findings suggest LDG formation during a short high-temperature event. Melting of Al-rich orthopyroxene bearing target material seems to suggest an asteroid impact rather than a near-surface airburst.