Blue Nile University

Triticum aestivum productivity can be significantly enhanced through integrated nutrient management involving bio-fertilisers, organic manures, and chemical fertilisers. Nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilising bio-fertilisers improve growth, physiological traits, and yield components, with positive correlations observed between grain yield, leaf area, tiller number, and biomass, highlighting their critical role in sustainable wheat production. A multi-location experiment was carried out over two consecutive winter seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) across three regions of the New Halfa scheme to evaluate the effects of bio-fertilizers—specifically nitrogen-fixing bacteria and phosphorus-solubilising bacteria—combined with nitrogen and phosphorus supplementation via chicken manure on the growth and performance of wheat plants. The results revealed that, addition of amended N or P to bio fertilizer causes significant positive correlation between the grain yield of wheat with physiological traits like leaf area duration(LAD), net assimilation rate(NAR) and crop growth rate (CGR) and most related characters yield components (number of grains per plant,1000–grain weight, harvest index. Thus, the significant positive correlation between these traits and grain yield indicates their substantial contribution to the final yield.

Gum Arabic is a critical source of livelihood in rural areas of Sudan and a key economic commodity. This study investigates the potential for sustainable gum Arabic production in Sheikan locality, North Kordofan, Sudan. Using participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), structured questionnaires with 302 households, and focus group discussions, the research assesses household participation, gum resource potential, and production challenges. Results indicate that 93% of the respondents own gum gardens with gum contributes 38% to household income. Additionally, from targeted respondents 37% of the respondents have less than 10 years experiences in gum Arabic activities. Based on respondents’ perception the average gum production of tree/season was (2.79 kg). However, limited participation by youth, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental constrains hinder gum production sustainability. The study recommends that integrating indigenous knowledge with modern practices, expanding youth involvement, and enhancing policy support to secure a sustainable supply of gum Arabic

The study was carried out along the course of the Blue Nile from the Ethiopian-Sudanese border in the south to the borders of the Blue Nile state with Sennar state in the north. The study area was determined by establishing a buffer around the course of the Blue Nile, with a width of 20 km (10 km at each side of the river), Blue Nile state. The study attempted to update some information in the study area regarding land use/ land cover, soil properties and contour map. To facilitate forest inventory and field work. The study area was divided into equal area to four zones (A, B, C and D), 783 sites and soil sample samples were taken and classified using the land cover classification system (LCCS). The fieldwork and survey began with four practical groups, a group for each zone within the period 1 December 2015 to 5 March, 2016 in a total area of approximately 346483.42 ha. Remote sensing and fieldwork data analysis showed that there are significant changes in land use/ land cover and soil properties are in the study area (1990 to 2015). Zones A and B (South of Rosieris Dam) are mainly composed of clay soil, while the soil of Zones C and D (North of Rosieris dam) is mainly loamy soil. the study indicate that 13%, 11%, 22% and 19% from zone A, B, C and D respectively lies within the slightly acidity (pH 5.5 to 6.5), while 87%, 87%, 78% and 81% of the same zone respectably was natural soil and 2% of zone B classified as Slightly alkaline soil (pH 8) and more than 50% of the total area classified as neutral to slightly acidity, which is suitable for most crops and natural vegetation covers. SP% analysis showed that more than 80% of soils samples in the study area have SP% values greater than 40% which characterized combination of silt, loam and clay. The study indicate that the change in the patterns of land cover/ land use systems is found to be mainly due to civil war and economic crises with no clear signs of climatic change.

This study was conducted in North and West Kordofan States, Sudan during 2019 - 2022. The aim of the study was to identify the uses, harvesting and consumption of baobab leaves, pulps and seeds in the study area. Ten villages were selected from both states, then 404 households were chosen from total number data of 2425. Data was collected used a questionnaire then analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS version 22. The study results revealed that the respondents used baobab for many purposes for instance food, medicine and economic purposes. Consistent with 82.7% of the respondents used leaves and fruits and 92% of them used them as salad. Concerning the pulp, 80.8% of respondents used it as juice. The seeds were used in forms of coffee and snacks as stated by 33.3 and 66.7% of respondents, respectively. According to all respondents, leaves were harvested and consumed in early raining season. The majority of respondents stated that they consumed the pulps widely in fasting (Ramadan) month, wedding and festivals. The pulps have been harvested once and more than five times according to 29.5 and 28.2% of respondents, respectively. The quantities of harvested pulps during the season were estimated as more than 20 kg as said by 27.9% of respondents and 35.6% of them collected the leaves more than six times and their quantities were more than 2 kg according to 55.2% of them. The study results showed that the 24-hour recall pulp and leaves quantity eaten, were <250 g/day and 251-500 g/day as stated by 60.4% and 53.9% of respondents. As well as the form of consumption of pulp was drink or juice according to 99.2% of them. According to 53.9% of respondents the 24-hour recall leaves was 251-500 g/day. The study findings revealed that the respondents were consumed fruits and leaves 2-4 times a week due to 43.6 and 32.8%, respectively. The preference of respondents indicated that 56 and 96.5% of them like leaves and pulps very much, respectively whereas 81.4% of them dislike seeds. The study concluded that the baobab parts have many uses and benefits for the household. The study recommended more investigations about nutritional status of the households in the study area.

The machinability of materials is highly affected by their hardness, and it affects power consumption, cutting tool life as well as surface quality while machining the component. This work deals with machining of annealed AISI 4340 alloy steel using a coated carbide tool under a dry environment. The microhardness of annealed and non-annealed workpieces was compared and a significant reduction was found in the microhardness of annealed samples. Microstructure examination of the annealed sample revealed the formation of coarse pearlite which indicated a reduction of hardness and improved ductility. A commercially CVD multilayer (TiN/TiCN/Al2O3/ZrCN) coated cemented carbide cutting tool was employed for turning quenched and tempered structural AISI 4340 alloy steel by varying machining speed, rate of feed, and depth of cut to evaluate the surface quality, machining forces, flank wear, and chip morphology. According to the findings of experiments, the feed rate possesses a high impact on surface finish, followed by cutting speed. The prominent shape of the serrated saw tooth chip was noticed at a higher cutting speed. Machined surface finish and cutting forces during turning is a function of the wear profile of the coated carbide insert. This study proves that annealing is a low-cost and economical process to enhance the machinability of alloy steel.

This study aims to analyze the effect of boron nitride (B4N) additive (3–6%) on the densification, microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear performance of TiB2–15%Si3N4 and TiB2–30%Si3N4 sintered composites. When the B4N (3%) was added to the TiB2–30Si3N4 composite, the density increased to 99.5%, hardness increased to 25.2 MPa, and the fracture toughness increased to 4.62 MPam1/2. Microstructural analysis shows that in situ phases such as TiB2 help to improve the relative mechanical characteristics. However, raising the B4N additive to 6% in the above-sintered composite reduces the composites’ relative density and hardness. The tested sintered composites demonstrated that their superior wear resistance can be attributed to their increased density and hardness.

Sodium Citrate is widely used in analytical and food processes. It is used in various medical applications as anticoagulant in blood transfusion process and bladder washout. It is used in cough preparation as mucolytic. There are many methods for determination of Sodium Citrate in different preparations. Some of which use spectrophotometric methods, others used HPLC methods. The USP method uses titration and determining the end point potentionometrically. Many arguments take place between the Drug Regulatory Affairs and manufacturers regarding the appearance of the colour at the end point. The objective of this study is to develop and validate a simple, easy and precise HPLC stability indicating method for routine work and to be submitted to the Drug Regulatory Affairs. Chromatographic system with detector PDA at 210nm is utilized, Reprosil-XR C18, 250 mm×4 mm, 5 µm column is used. Column temperature 300C and flow rate of 1 ml/min. A clear peak of acceptable purity at 3.38 min retention time appears. The method is subjected to thermal stress, acid and base hydrolysis at extreme pH and forced oxidation. The result is that there is no interference of degradation products with the substance peak. The method is then subjected to validation study according to the ICH guidelines. The method comply the specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy and robustness acceptable criteria. Thus, the method satisfies the stability indicating method and validation requirements that it can be submitted to the Drug Regulatory Affairs and used in QC routine activities and stability studies.

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major cause of congenital infections. It is more widespread in developing countries and communities with low socioeconomic status. The infection can cause pregnancy loss or spontaneous abortion. Tests are available for the detection of HCMV IgG and IgM antibodies. Many pregnant women in Blue Nile State, Sudan, have suffered from recurrent pregnancy loss, and currently there is no available data concerning the prevalence of HCMV in Blue Nile state. This study aimed to determine HCMV antibodies (IgG and IgM) among pregnant women, who had undergone abortion(s), attending El-Damazin Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional hospital-based study. 270 pregnant women, who had undergone abortion(s) and who attended El-Damazin Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology, were included in the study from September to December 2018. Personal and clinical data were collected directly from each participant into a predesigned questionnaire. Serum samples were separated and stored at -20˚C until used. Samples were analyzed for HCMV IgG and IgM using enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Participants were categorized into three age groups: 15-25 years (33.7%; 91/270); 26-40 years (62.2%; 168/270); and >41 years (4.1%; 11/270). The majority of the participants had IgG antibodies to HCMV (74.8%; 202/270), while only 13.3% (36/270) had IgM antibodies to HCMV. Most abortion cases were documented in the first trimester (85.6%; 231/270) and this had a significant relationship with IgG level (P=0.003). Low socioeconomic status was recorded in 84.8% (229/270) of participants and showed significant correlation with IgG level (P=0.025), whereas illiteracy was reported in 41.9% (113/270) of participants and did not have a significant relationship. Conclusions: Seroprevalence of HCMV in this study population was 74.8% for IgG antibodies. There was an association between HCMV IgG level and first trimester abortion and low socioeconomic status among the studied women.