Local Irrigation Research Articles

Sprinkler irrigation uniformity assessment: Relational analysis of Christiansen uniformity and Distribution uniformity

AbstractChristiansen uniformity (CU) and Distribution uniformity (DU) are the most commonly used irrigation quality evaluation indicators, focusing on overall uniformity and local water deficit, respectively. Clarifying the quantitative relationship between the CU and DU has important production value for determining the water distribution characteristics of whole and localized areas in the evaluation of sprinkler irrigation water uniformity and improving the quality of sprinkler irrigation. This paper analyses the relationship between the calculation formulas of CU and DU based on mathematical analysis. The results reveal a prominent linear relationship between CU and DU, and the sum of the slope coefficient and the constant term of the linear relationship equation is 1. The value of the slope coefficient of the CU–DU linear relationship characterizes the differentiated form of the sprinkler water distribution. The slope coefficient is determined by the nozzle type, operating parameters and working scenarios. Notably, the specific form of the linear relationship obtained by fitting the experimental results in the literature is not universal. The mapping relationship between the value of the slope coefficient and the distribution form of sprinkler irrigation water quantity was established, and the influence of the value range of the slope coefficient on the DU of the overall and local sprinkler irrigation water quantity was demonstrated. The results show that the deviation rates of CU and DU decrease with increasing slope coefficient. When the slope coefficient is less than 1, CU is greater than DU; and the slope coefficient ranges from 0.46 to 1.36. When the slope coefficient is 0.625, the possibility of uniform irrigation is the highest. This research helps to overcome the limitations of CU and DU for irrigation uniformity evaluation and provides a reference for carrying out sprinkler irrigation uniformity evaluation with comprehensive characterization capabilities.

Grain yield and N uptake of maize in response to increased plant density under reduced water and nitrogen supply conditions

The development of modern agriculture requires the reduction of water and chemical N fertilizer inputs. Increasing the planting density can maintain higher yields, but also consumes more of these restrictive resources. However, whether an increased maize density can compensate for the negative effects of reduced water and N supply on grain yield and N uptake in the arid irrigated areas remains unknown. This study is part of a long-term positioning trial that started in 2016. A split-split plot field experiment of maize was implemented in the arid irrigated area of northwestern China in 2020 to 2021. The treatments included two irrigation levels: local conventional irrigation reduced by 20% (W1, 3,240 m3 ha–1) and local conventional irrigation (W2, 4,050 m3 ha–1); two N application rates: local conventional N reduced by 25% (N1, 270 kg ha–1) and local conventional N (360 kg ha–1); and three planting densities: local conventional density (D1, 75,000 plants ha–1), density increased by 30% (D2, 97,500 plants ha–1), and density increased by 60% (D3, 120,000 plants ha–1). Our results showed that the grain yield and aboveground N accumulation of maize were lower under the reduced water and N inputs, but increasing the maize density by 30% can compensate for the reductions of grain yield and aboveground N accumulation caused by the reduced water and N supply. When water was reduced while the N application rate remained unchanged, increasing the planting density by 30% enhanced grain yield by 13.9% and aboveground N accumulation by 15.3%. Under reduced water and N inputs, increasing the maize density by 30% enhanced N uptake efficiency and N partial factor productivity, and it also compensated for the N harvest index and N metabolic related enzyme activities. Compared with W2N2D1, the N uptake efficiency and N partial factor productivity increased by 28.6 and 17.6% under W1N1D2. W1N2D2 had 8.4% higher N uptake efficiency and 13.9% higher N partial factor productivity than W2N2D1. W1N2D2 improved urease activity and nitrate reductase activity by 5.4% at the R2 (blister) stage and 19.6% at the V6 (6th leaf) stage, and increased net income and the benefit:cost ratio by 22.1 and 16.7%, respectively. W1N1D2 and W1N2D2 reduced the nitrate nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen contents at the R6 stage in the 40–100 cm soil layer, compared with W2N2D1. In summary, increasing the planting density by 30% can compensate for the loss of grain yield and aboveground N accumulation under reduced water and N inputs. Meanwhile, increasing the maize density by 30% improved grain yield and aboveground N accumulation when water was reduced by 20% while the N application rate remained constant in arid irrigation areas.

Impact of chlorine or peracetic acid on inactivation of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes in agricultural water

Preharvest agricultural water has been recognized as one of the routes of contamination for foodborne pathogens during fruit and vegetable production. Several strategies have been proposed to reduce the risk of pathogens, including preharvest water chemigation, but literature is lacking with regards to microbiological inactivation of common bacterial foodborne pathogens associated with fresh produce contamination, Salmonella enterica, Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), and Listeria monocytogenes, in surface irrigation water after exposure to chlorine and peracetic acid (PAA). Surface water supplied by a local irrigation district was collected over the summer of 2019. Water was autoclaved, divided into 100 mL samples, and inoculated with a cocktail of five Salmonella, STEC, or Listeria monocytogenes strains or a single strain non-pathogenic E. coli. Samples were then treated with 3, 5, or 7 ppm of free chlorine or PAA, and surviving populations were evaluated using a time-kill assay. A first-order kinetic model was used to fit the inactivation data and obtain the D-values. A secondary model was used to explain the changes due to the type of water, treatment, and microorganism. At a concentration of 3 ppm, the observed and predicted D-values of free chlorine treatments were higher than that of PAA treatments for ground and surface water. Results indicated that PAA was more effective inactivating bacteria than sodium hypochlorite at concentrations of 3 and 5 ppm for both water sources (surface and ground). However, at 7 ppm, the effectiveness of PAA and sodium hypochlorite showed no statistically significant difference for both surface and groundwater. Findings will provide information regarding efficacy of chemical sanitizers like chlorine and PAA for inactivation of Salmonella, Listeria, and STEC in surface water from which treatments can be derived. Ultimately benefitting growers in the selection of an appropriate method for in-field treatment of irrigation water if deemed necessary.

Root architecture and visualization model of cotton group with different planting spacing under local irrigation.

Planting spacing plays a key role in the root system architecture of the cotton group under local irrigation. This study used the Cellular Automata (CA) theory to establish a root visualization model for the cotton group at two different planting spacing (30 and 15cm) within a leaching-pond. At a planting spacing of 30cm, the lateral roots grew almost horizontally toward the irrigation point, and a logarithmic relationship was observed between root length density and soil water suction. However, at a planting spacing of 15cm, the lateral roots exhibited overlapping growth and mainly competed for resources, and a power function relationship was observed between root length density and soil water suction. The main parameters of the visualization model for each treatment were essentially consistent with the experimental observations, with respective simulation errors were 6.03 and 15.04%. The findings suggest that the correlation between root length density and soil water suction in the cotton plants is a crucial driving force for the model, leading to a more accurate replication of the root structure development pathway. In conclusion, the root system exhibits a certain degree of self-similarity, which extends into the soil.

Renal fungus balls in neonates and very young infants treated with local amphotericin B deoxycholate: Two case reports and review of the literature

IntroductionFungal urinary tract infections predominantly affect the critically ill premature infant and those with urogenital tract abnormalities. Fungal balls are an uncommon complication which require prompt detection and treatment to prevent morbidity and mortality. The evidence on the management of fungus balls in young infants with Candida urinary tract infections is very scarce. MethodsCase reports and review of the literature. ResultsWe report two immunocompetent young infants with urogenital abnormalities that received local amphotericin B deoxycholate, and systemic therapy, for the treatment and prevention of Candida urinary tract infection-associated fungus balls. We identified 21 similar cases in the literature, with very limited data about drug compounding, optimal dosages, dwell times and length of treatment. Different management strategies are discussed. ConclusionsAmphotericin B deoxycholate local irrigations were safe and effective for the therapeutic management and prophylaxis of Candida fungus balls in young infants, in combination with systemic antifungal therapy.

Scientific-based regime of irrigation of raspberry with dripping irrigation under the conditions of the Central Non-Black Earth Region

Raspberries are among the important berry crops, the production volumes of which are increasing every year. To obtain high-quality planting material, high and stable yields in unstable weather conditions, it is necessary to develop resource-saving technologies, which include drip irrigation. The purpose of the research is to develop a science-based irrigation regime for drip irrigation of raspberries in the conditions of the Central region of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia. A two-factor field experiment was established in the fall of 2019. The first factor is the drip irrigation regime (maintaining the moisture content of the root layer of the soil in the ranges of 60…80, 70…90 and 80…100% of the lowest moisture capacity), the second factor is the variety (Nagrada and Solnyshko). Drip irrigation of raspberries can significantly save irrigation water. In the variant of drip irrigation with maintaining moisture in the root layer in the range of 80…100% of the lowest moisture capacity, the savings in irrigation water compared to traditional irrigation methods averaged 65%, and in the variant of 60-80% of the lowest moisture capacity - 78%. At the same time, with the use of local irrigation, an optimal water-air regime of the soil is created. For the irrigated variants of the experiment, the main share in the total water consumption is precipitation (from 71 to 81%), and the irrigation rate - from 15 to 22%. In the variants with maintaining humidity above 70% of the lowest moisture capacity, the diameter of the stem of seedlings is 20-40% larger than in the control, the height of seedlings is 40-50%, and the yield is 2 times, which makes it possible to recommend them as optimal.

Water Savings and Performance of ‘KSUZ 0802’ Hybrid Zoysiagrass in Response to Irrigation Strategy

Irrigation methods that can minimize water use are needed, and the performance of recently released ‘KSUZ 0802’ hybrid zoysiagrass (Zoysia matrella × Zoysia japonica) has not been evaluated under such management. Therefore, field experiments were conducted in Manhattan, KS, and Dallas, TX, USA, to compare the amount of water applied and ‘KSUZ 0802’ performance and recovery resulting from irrigation using the following: 1) routine irrigation (1.2 inches/week), 2) evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation (60% of reference ET), 3) soil moisture sensor (SMS)-based irrigation, and 4) no irrigation. The experiment was conducted under a rainout shelter in Kansas from 15 Jul to 27 Sep 2019 and 8 Jun to 19 Oct 2020, and in Texas the experiment was conducted under open field conditions from 22 Jun to 9 Sep 2020. The SMS-based irrigation method in Kansas reduced water application by 68% and 52%, respectively, compared with routine or ET-based irrigation. In Texas, the corresponding water savings were 29% and 13%, respectively. The water savings discrepancy was mainly due to differences in local weather conditions and irrigation demand. Visual turf quality of turf receiving SMS-based irrigation remained above the minimally acceptable level throughout the study in Kansas, whereas in Texas, turf quality declined below acceptable level after 2 weeks. In Kansas, turf retained acceptable quality for more than 21 days with no irrigation, and after rewatering, nonirrigated turf recovered back to significant green cover (93% in 2019 and 67% in 2020). ‘KSUZ 0802’ demonstrated good drought tolerance and recovery in Kansas.

Technical and Economic Irrigation Potentials Within Land and Water Boundaries

AbstractTo satisfy the increasing global demand for agricultural products, the expansion of irrigation is an important intensification measure. At the same time, unsustainable water abstractions and cropland expansion pose a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Irrigation potentials are influenced by local biophysical irrigation water availability and competition of different water users. Using a novel hydro‐economic data processing routine that considers economic criteria of water allocation via a productivity ranking of grid cells and both land and water sustainability criteria, we estimate global irrigation potentials at a 0.5° spatial resolution. We show that there is considerable technical potential to expand irrigation within local water and land boundaries. In terms of potentially irrigated areas on all global land suitable for crop production, 2,144 Mha could be irrigated within land and water environmental boundaries when only considering biophysical criteria. However, not all of these areas would actually be irrigated under consideration of irrigation costs. Of these, only 698 Mha (330 Mha) have a yield gain of more than 300 (600) USD ha−1 under the current crop mix valued at their current commodity price (economic irrigation potential).

Accurate estimates of land surface energy fluxes and irrigation requirements from UAV-based thermal and multispectral sensors

The two-source energy balance model estimates canopy transpiration (Tr) and soil evaporation (E) traditionally from satellite partitions of remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST) and the Priestley-Taylor equation (TSEB-PT) at seasonal time with limited accuracy. The high spatial–temporal resolution spectral data collected by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide valuable opportunity to estimate Tr and E precisely, improve the understanding of the seasonal and the diurnal cycle of evapotranspiration (ET), and timely detect agricultural drought. The UAV data vary in spatial resolution and the uncertainty imposed on the TSEB-PT outcome has thus far not being considered. To address these challenges and prospects, a new energy flux modelling framework based on TSEB-PT for high spatial resolution thermal and multispectral UAV data is proposed in this paper. Diurnal variations of LST in agricultural fields were recorded with a thermal infrared camera installed on an UAV during drought in 2018 and 2019. Observing potato as a test crop, LST, plant biophysical parameters derived from corresponding UAV multispectral data, and meteorological forcing variables were employed as input variables to TSEB-PT. All analyses were conducted at different pixelation of the UAV data to quantify the effect of spatial resolution on the performance. The 1 m spatial resolution produced the highest correlation between Tr modelled by TSEB-PT and measured by sap flow sensors (R2 = 0.80), which was comparable to the 0.06, 0.1, 0.5 and 2 m pixel sizes (R2 = 0.76–0.78) and markedly higher than the lower resolutions of 2 to 24 m (R2 = 0.30–0.72). Modelled Tr was highly and significantly correlated with measured leaf water potential (R2 = 0.81) and stomatal conductance (R2 = 0.74). The computed irrigation requirements (IRs) reflected the field irrigation treatments, ET and conventional irrigation practices in the area with high accuracy. It was also found that using a net primary production model with explicit representation of temperature influences made it possible to distinguish effects of drought vis-a-vis heat stress on crop productivity and water use efficiency. The results showed excellent model performance for retrieving Tr and ET dynamics under drought stress and proved that the proposed remote sensing based TSEB-PT framework at UAV scale is a promising tool for the investigation of plant drought stress and water demand; this is particularly relevant for local and regional irrigations scheduling.

Performance of Basin and Bubbler Irrigation Systems under River Nile State Conditions

This study was conducted in the Jordanian Bashair project,River Nile State, during two seasons (2007 and 2008) to evaluate theperformance of irrigation systems applying different amounts of irrigationwater. The treatments were surface irrigation method (basin irrigationsystem) and localized irrigation system with two types of distributors:locally made bubblers and imported bubblers. The irrigation wateramounts were given as percentages (50%, 75% and 100%) of date palmwatering requirement (ETc). ETc was obtained from the means of theprevious thirty years, using CROPWAT4 WINDOWS. The performanceof the irrigation system was evaluated with reference to the applicationand storage efficiencies and distribution uniformity. The experiment wasorganized in a split plot design with three replicates. The irrigationsystems showed negative effect on distribution uniformity and positiveeffect on application and storage efficiencies. The locally made andimported bubblers revealed highly significant (P ≤0.01) differences withapplication and storage efficiencies, while there was no significantdifference between them. The 50% ETc recorded high significant valuesof application efficiency, but less values of storage efficiency anddistribution uniformity. Interaction of the irrigation systems and amountsof water showed positive effect, whereas locally made bubblers showedhigher values of application and storage efficiencies with 50% and 100%ETc, respectively. On the other hand, the basin irrigation system gavehighest values of distribution uniformity with 75% and 100% ETc .Hence,it was concluded that using bubbler irrigation system would give highirrigation efficiency, thus saving water for other agricultural activities.

Агромелиоративная характеристика черноземов южных в связи с орошением

Abstract. Sustainable highly productive agriculture in the arid steppe zone of Western Siberia is possible only on the basis of optimizing the water regime of soils. The relevance of irrigation is increasing due to the degradation of the soil cover, the geopolitical and resource potential of the territories and the fundamental change in the development strategy of Russia. Light soils prevailing in the Central and Northern Kulund, widely used for crop production, are characterized by a weak water-retaining capacity and require additional in-depth study of the features of reclamation properties. The purpose of the research is to solve scientifically and practically relevant problems of agrohydrophysics of southern light loamy chernozems in connection with the development of soil-saving irrigation technology based on knowledge about the processes of movement, moisture retention in the profile and the limits of its availability to plants. Methods. Field and laboratory methods of soil research were used: morphological study, determination of physical and water properties of the soil according to generally accepted methods. Results. Ameliorative properties of the southern light loamy chernozems of the Northern Kulunda have peculiarities in the granulometric composition, where sandy fractions of 1–0.25 and 0.25–0.05 mm in size predominate and make up to 46–77 % of all particles, providing a weak water-retaining capacity, soluble salts. Good drainage of the soil profile is provided by the underlying layers of sandy loam, loam, sand, up to 3–8 m thick. The reduced porosity of soil-forming and underlying rocks (up to 35.4–40.1 %), along with a high density of composition, ensures non-sagging irrigation of these soils. Weak structure along with favorable microaggregation create favorable water-physical properties. A significant part of the pores (11.9–37.3 %) along the profile in the state of the lowest moisture capacity (HB) is free from water. Water permeability and filtration are increased (from the surface at 1, 2, 3 hours, respectively, 38.6–95.5 mm; 34.0–51.4 and 31.1–49.9 mm). Moisture reserves at wilting moisture (WM) in layers 0–50 cm, 0–100, 0–200 cm are 45 mm and 90.82 mm, respectively. HB on arable land in the 0–50 cm layer is 114.7 mm (15.5 %), in the 0–100 cm layer it reaches 218.7 mm (14.2 %). Under natural conditions, the moisture content of these soils does not reach the HB value even in spring. The range of active moisture (AWM) is narrow, which must be taken into account, together with the characteristics of its movement, when calculating irrigation regimes for a particular soil. The scientific novelty. A complete description of the physical and hydrological properties that are in dire need of optimization of the water regime of southern light loamy chernozems is presented, which is necessary for further in-depth study of the behavior of moisture in their profile, the limits of its availability to plants and the development of modern soil protection technology for selective and local irrigation.

Renal fungus balls in neonates and very young infants treated with local amphotericin B deoxycholate: Two case reports and review of the literature

IntroductionFungal urinary tract infections predominantly affect the critically ill premature infant and those with urogenital tract abnormalities. Fungal balls are an uncommon complication which require prompt detection and treatment to prevent morbidity and mortality. The evidence on the management of fungus balls in young infants with Candida urinary tract infections is very scarce. MethodsCase reports and review of the literature. ResultsWe report two immunocompetent young infants with urogenital abnormalities that received local amphotericin B deoxycholate, and systemic therapy, for the treatment and prevention of Candida urinary tract infection-associated fungus balls. We identified 21 similar cases in the literature, with very limited data about drug compounding, optimal dosages, dwell times and length of treatment. Different management strategies are discussed. ConclusionsAmphotericin B deoxycholate local irrigations were safe and effective for the therapeutic management and prophylaxis of Candida fungus balls in young infants, in combination with systemic antifungal therapy.

Irrigation Timing Retrieval at the Plot Scale Using Surface Soil Moisture Derived from Sentinel Time Series in Europe

The difficulty of calculating the daily water budget of irrigated fields is often due to the uncertainty surrounding irrigation amounts and timing. The automated detection of irrigation events has the potential to greatly simplify this process, and the combination of high-resolution SAR (Sentinel-1) and optical satellite observations (Sentinel-2) makes the detection of irrigation events feasible through the use of a surface soil moisture (SSM) product. The motivation behind this study is to utilize a large irrigation dataset (collected during the ESA Irrigation + project over five sites in three countries over three years) to analyze the performance of an established algorithm and to test potential improvements. The study’s main findings are (1) the scores decrease with SSM observation frequency; (2) scores decrease as irrigation frequency increases, which was supported by better scores in France (more sprinkler irrigation) than in Germany (more localized irrigation); (3) replacing the original SSM model with the force-restore model resulted in an improvement of about 6% in the F-score and narrowed the error on cumulative seasonal irrigation; (4) the Sentinel-1 configuration (incidence angle, trajectory) did not show a significant impact on the retrieval of irrigation, which supposes that the SSM is not affected by these changes. Other aspects did not allow a definitive conclusion on the irrigation retrieval algorithm: (1) the lower scores obtained with small NDVI compared to large NDVI were counter-intuitive but may have been due to the larger number of irrigation events during high vegetation periods; (2) merging different runs and interpolating all SSM data for one run produced comparable F-scores, but the estimated cumulative sum of irrigation was around −20% lower compared to the reference dataset in the best cases.

A Review of Advances in Groundwater Evapotranspiration Research

Groundwater evapotranspiration (ETg) is an important component of the hydrological cycle in water-scarce regions and is important for local ecosystems and agricultural irrigation management. However, accurate estimation of ETg is not easy due to uncertainties in climatic conditions, vegetation parameters, and the hydrological parameters of the unsaturated zone and aquifers. The current methods for calculating ETg mainly include the WTF method and the numerical groundwater model. The WTF method often requires data supplementation from the numerical unsaturated model to reduce uncertainty; in addition, it relies on point-monitoring data and cannot solve the spatial heterogeneity of ETg. The ETg calculation module of the numerical groundwater model is set up too simply and ignores the influence from the unsaturated zone and surface cover. Subsequent research breakthroughs should focus on the improvement of WTF calculation theory and the setting up of an aquifer water-table fluctuation monitoring network. The numerical groundwater model should couple the surface remote sensing data with the unsaturated zone model to improve the accuracy of ETg calculation.

A Comparison Study of Hydro-Compact Generators with Horizontal Spiral Turbines (HSTs) and a Three-Blade Turbine Used in Irrigation Canals

This study aimed to present the experimental results of two types of turbines and attachments used in a hydro-compact generator. Two Horizontal Spiral Turbines (HSTs) with blade angles of eighteen and twenty-one degrees, respectively, and a three-blade turbine were tested and experimented in a laboratory at five levels of water flow rate ranging from 1–2 m/s. After the efficiency and torque values of each turbine were identified, they were installed in two 200 W power generator systems: (1) with a “diffuser” attachment; and (2) with an “in-line+diffuser+nozzle chamber” attachment, and tested in a local irrigation canal with 1.2 m/s. The results from the laboratory indicated that the HST with a twenty-one degree blade angle had 38.10% efficiency at the water flow rate of 2 m/s. It could reach 120.0 rpm and produced 212 Nm of torque. The results from the field experiment revealed that the combination of the power generator with the twenty-one degree blade angle HST and the in-line + diffuser + nozzle chamber attachment was the most efficient, with 284 Nm of torque at 108 rpm and could generate 67.63 W of electrical power. When the water flow rate of the irrigation canal reached 1.5 m/s, it could reach 114 rpm and generate 129.2 W. This hydro-compact generator set is suitable for irrigation canals with a water flow rate ranging from 1–1.5 m/s.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE MAINTENANCE OF AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION NETWORK IN THE CIBURO NAGARI SUAYAN AREA, FIFTY KOTA REGENCY

The damage to the irrigation network has made farmers start to complain about watering their farms. These complaints have an effect on the interest lack of farmers to plant rice. The problem is clear, the availability of rice is decreasing in the Ciburo nagari Suayan area. Care and maintenance of irrigation networks that are lacking from the group is part of the factors in the rapid breakdown of Local irrigation networks. In the research, it is more specific how group participation in the agricultural irrigation networks maintenance in the Ciburo Nagari Suayan area and what are the impediments and enablers for group participation in maintaining agricultural irrigation networks in the Ciburo Nagari Suayan area. This study uses the theory put forward by Holil. There are three forms to see community participation, namely Participation in the form of labor, participation in the form of money, and participation in the form of property are all forms of participation. The method of research used in this research is quasi qualitative research. The research informants were selected using a technique by purposive sampling. The techniques for data collection used are observation, interviews and documentation. The research findings indicate that the form of community participation in the maintenance of agricultural irrigation networks in the Ciburo Nagari Suayan Region, Fifty Cities District is still low. This shown from the participation in the form of labor and money which is still minimal. While the inhibiting factors for group participation are the public awareness lack and socialization between officials, while the supporting factors for group participation are the will of the community and their dependence on rice yields

Crouching Zookeeper, Hidden Dragon: A Case of a Komodo Dragon Bite

BackgroundThe Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the world's largest living lizard and exists in private captivity worldwide. Bites to humans are rare and have been proposed to be both infectious and venomous. Case ReportA 43-year-old zookeeper was bitten on the leg by a Komodo dragon and suffered local tissue damage with no excessive bleeding or systemic symptoms to suggest envenomation. No specific therapy was administered other than local wound irrigation. The patient was placed on prophylactic antibiotics and on follow-up, which revealed no local or systemic infections, and no other systemic complaints. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Although venomous lizard bites are uncommon, prompt recognition of possible envenomation and management of these bites is important. Komodo dragon bites may produce not only superficial lacerations but also deep tissue injury, but are unlikely to produce serious systemic effects; whereas Gila monster and beaded lizard bites may cause delayed angioedema, hypotension, and other systemic symptoms. Treatment in all cases is supportive.

Quantifying the Contributions of Regional Human Activities and Global Climate Change to the Regional Climate in a Typical Mountain‐Oasis‐Desert System of Arid Central Asia From 1979 to 2018

AbstractMany studies have examined the influence of global climate change and regional human activities on the climate of arid Central Asia, but their separate contributions have rarely been reported due to lack of a comprehensive description of regional human activities, especially the irrigation process, in the model. In this study, we conducted two sets of 40‐year continuous simulations with and without human activities to distinguish the effects of regional human activities and global climate change on the surface air temperature (T2), humidity (Q2) and precipitation of a typical mountain‐oasis‐desert system in northern Tianshan by using a modified WRF‐Noah model with irrigation processes. The results indicated that the annual average T2, Q2 and convective precipitation during the past 40 years increased by 0.393°C, 0.063 g/kg and 0.014 mm/d, respectively, and the annual average large‐scale precipitation and total annual average precipitation decreased by approximately −0.017 and −0.003 mm/d, respectively. Regional human activities contributed 52.63% and 50.38% of the change in large‐scale precipitation and total precipitation, respectively, while global climate change accounted for more than 80% of the change in temperature and humidity. Among the human activities, irrigation had the largest impact on T2/Q2 over the local irrigation region and on precipitation in the upstream Tianshan mountainous area. However, for the whole region, the increase in the green vegetation fraction was the core factor that impacted the regional climate. Our results can deepen the understanding of the attribution and mechanism of climate change and provide water and heat change references for other mountain‐oasis‐desert systems in arid endorheic regions.

Water politics: disputes about the “Yellow River-Huai River diversion proposal” in the 1930s

ABSTRACT Between the Southern Song and the Republican era in China, the Yellow River recurrently changed its course and inundated the Huai River, often resulting in disastrous flooding and millions of refugees in the northern Anhui Province. In early 1933, those Anhui natives living in Tianjin sent a communication to their countrymen back home, informing them that the Construction Bureau of Henan Province was contemplating a plan to divert the Yellow River into the Huai River via northern Anhui Province. This news brought wide-spread panic to northern Anhui and triggered two-year long disputes concerning the relevant proposal. At the time, both the Nanjing Nationalist government and the Henan provincial government insisted that the proposed project was only intended for local irrigation purposes, posing no risk to northern Anhui. As a matter of fact, “diverting the Yellow River into the Huai River” had long been an important plan for the Nationalist government. It was expected to improve the soil quality in eastern Henan province, increase the national tax revenue, relieve Henan Province of the perils caused by the Yellow River and develop the local irrigation system. Located in the middle and lower reaches of the Huai River, both Anhui and Jiangsu provinces had been the victims of the course-changing Yellow River and both provinces ought to have a common interest in questioning the desirability of the proposed plan by the Henan provincial government, or at least in theory. However, the officials of Jiangsu Province collectively chose to keep silent, concerned about national interests such as ensuring the implementation of the Huai River Diversion Project and the collection of the salt tax, as well as attending to local interests.

Transcaruncular medial orbitotomy: A globe sparing intervention in management of COVID associated mucormycosis [CAM

To describe a novel method of transcaruncular medial orbitotomy, local debridement and amphotericin B irrigation into orbit for COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis. Also to evaluate its its outcome in controlling the disease, increasing the survival rate and as a globe-sparing intervention in them. A total of ten COVID-19-associated mucormycosis patients with clinical and radiological evidence of orbital involvement with necrotic tissue localized in medial orbit were considered for our study. A transcaruncular modified medial orbitotomy with medial and inferomedial orbit debridement was done along with placement of scalp vein catheter by a single surgeon. Postoperatively 3.5 mg/ml liposomal amphotericin B irrigation through the catheter was done for 5 sittings. Correction of underlying systemic conditions and intravenous antifungals were given. Clinical response to the procedure was noted on postoperative week 1, week 4, and 3rd month (week 12). The mean age group was noted to be 49.9 years with a male: female ratio of 2.3:1. All patients were diabetics with 5 being newly detected diabetes after COVID infection. All the ten patients showed significant clinical improvement at the first follow-up (week 1). Five patients at 1st month showed clinical and radiological improvement, while one patient had worsening of orbital disease for which exenteration was done. Three patients succumbed to the disease due to altered cardiopulmonary status and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. All 6 survived patients were stable till the last follow-up. Hence, mortality rate accounted to 30% and globe survival of 40% in the current study. Transcaruncular approach to orbit for adequate debridement combined with amphotericin irrigation is a novel technique that can be considered for compartmental involvement of orbit in mucormycosis. Debridement removes the necrotic tissue, while local amphotericin irrigation directly reaches the target tissues that effectively halts the disease progression and hence can be considered an effective globe-sparing intervention without affecting the disease outcome.