Pharmacognostic Studies of Some Indigenous Medicinal Plants of Pakistan

Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of traditional and modern medicines. The plant is a biosynthetic laboratory, not only for chemical compounds but also a multitude of the compounds. The present research work was confined to study the macro, microscopic features and analysis of powdered drug of Acacia modesta Wall., Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile, Berberis lycium Royle and Zanthoxylum alatum D. C. Prod. These studies were carried out in Botany laboratory of University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi during 2004. These species are used as miswak (tooth brush) by local people of Pakistan in different areas. Anatomical features such as, fibres, parenchyma cells, vessels and pith were identified during microscopic studies. Powdered miswak of Acacia modesta Wall., Berberis lycium Royle and Zanthoxylum alatum D. C. Prod. were soluble in sulphuric acid only while insoluble in other solvents, i.e., hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, benzene and water. Powdered miswak of Acacia nilotica was insoluble in these solvents. Powdered drug of these species did not retain their original colour in cold and hot tests and on dry filter paper, when mixed in various solvents

The Relationship between Emotional Expressivity, Self-efficacy and Marital Happiness among type II Diabetic Patients

This study examined the relationship among emotional expressivity, self-efficacy and marital happiness in patients with type II diabetes. It was hypothesised that there will be positive relation among emotional expressivity, self-efficacy and marital happiness in patients with type II diabetes. It was a co-relational study in nature. Sample size was 100 (n=100) in which fifty was the male patients (n=50) and fifty was the female patients (n=50). Emotional expressivity in participants was assessing by using the Provision of Emotional Expressivity Scale, self-efficacy scale was used to measure self-efficacy and comprehensive marital satisfaction scale was used to measure marital happiness in sample. In statistical analysis Pearson product moment correlation and independent sample t-test were used for analysis.  Result shows that there is significant negative relation between self-efficacy and marital satisfaction.  Result shows that there is non-significant negative relation between emotional expressivity and marital satisfaction. The results expressed that there is non-significant negative relation between self-efficacy and emotional expressivity.  Results described that there is significant difference on self-efficacy between males and females. Key words; Emotional expressivity, Self-efficacy, Marital satisfactio

Nature of complex network of dengue epidemic as a scale-free network

Objectives: Dengue epidemic is a dynamic and complex phenomenon that has gained considerable attention due to its injurious effects. The focus of this study is to statically analyze the nature of the dengue epidemic network in terms of whether it follows the features of a scale-free network or a random network. Methods: A multifarious network of Aedes aegypti is addressed keeping the viewpoint of a complex system and modelled as a network. The dengue network has been transformed into a one-mode network from a two-mode network by utilizing projection methods. Furthermore, three network features have been analyzed, the power-law, clustering coefficient, and network visualization. In addition, five methods have been applied to calculate the global clustering coefficient. Results: It has been observed that dengue epidemic follows a powerlaw, with the value of its exponent γ = –2.1. The value of the clustering coefficient is high for dengue cases, as weight of links. The minimum method showed the highest value among the methods used to calculate the coefficient. Network visualization showed the main areas. Moreover, the dengue situation did not remain the same throughout the observed period. Conclusions: The results showed that the network topology exhibits the features of a scale-free network instead of a random network. Focal hubs are highlighted and the critical period is found. Outcomes are important for the researchers, health officials, and policy makers who deal with arbovirus epidemic diseases. Zika virus and Chikungunya virus can also be modelled and analyzed in this manner. © 2019 The Korean Society of Medical Informatics

The Modified Quadrature Method for solving Volterra Linear Integral Equations

In this paper the modified trapezoidal rule is presented for solving Volterra linear Integral Equations (V.I.E) of the second kind and we noticed that this procedure is effective in solving the equations. Two examples are given with their comparison tables to answer the validity of the procedure

Robustness of dengue complex network under targeted versus random attack

Dengue virus infection is one of those epidemic diseases that require much consideration in order to save the humankind from its unsafe impacts. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3.6 billion individuals are at risk because of the dengue virus sickness. Researchers are striving to comprehend the dengue threat. This study is a little commitment to those endeavors. To observe the robustness of the dengue network, we uprooted the links between nodes randomly and targeted by utilizing different centrality measures. The outcomes demonstrated that 5% targeted attack is equivalent to the result of 65% random assault, which showed the topology of this complex network validated a scale-free network instead of random network. Four centrality measures (Degree, Closeness, Betweenness, and Eigenvector) have been ascertained to look for focal hubs. It has been observed through the results in this study that robustness of a node and links depends on topology of the network. The dengue epidemic network presented robust behaviour under random attack, and this network turned out to be more vulnerable when the hubs of higher degree have higher probability to fail. Moreover, representation of this network has been projected, and hub removal impact has been shown on the real map of Gombak (Malaysia)

Pharmacognostic Studies of Some Indigenous Medicinal Plants of Pakistan

Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of traditional and modern medicines. The plant is a biosynthetic laboratory, not only for chemical compounds but also a multitude of the compounds. The present research work was confined to study the macro, microscopic features and analysis of powdered drug of Acacia modesta Wall., Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile, Berberis lycium Royle and Zanthoxylum alatum D. C. Prod. These studies were carried out in Botany laboratory of University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi during 2004. These species are used as miswak (tooth brush) by local people of Pakistan in different areas. Anatomical features such as, fibres, parenchyma cells, vessels and pith were identified during microscopic studies. Powdered miswak of Acacia modesta Wall., Berberis lycium Royle and Zanthoxylum alatum D. C. Prod. were soluble in sulphuric acid only while insoluble in other solvents i.e., hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, benzene and water. Powdered miswak of Acacia nilotica was insoluble in these solvents. Powdered drug of these species did not retain their original colour in cold and hot tests and on dry filter paper, when mixed in various solvents

Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of ethanol extract of Cassia fistula fruit in male rats

Objective: The plantCassia fistula L. (Caesalpiniaceae) is traditionally used to treat heart diseases, abdominal pain and fever. The present study was aimed to investigate the toxic effects acute and sub-acute administration of ethanol extract of C. fistula fruit (CFE) in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In acute toxicity, the effects of a single oral dose (1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg) of CFE have been determined. Animal behaviour and mortality were determined for up to 14 days. In sub-acute study, the effects of CFE in daily single oral administration at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg during 28 days were determined. The blood haematological and biochemical parameters, as well as the histopathological examination of the liver, heart and kidneys were studied. Results: In acute study, a single administration of the CFE up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg did not induce mortality. Thus, the LD50 of the CFE has been estimated higher than 5000 mg/kg. In sub-acute toxicity study, administration of CFE at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg to rats did not induce mortality. No significant differences were found in relative organ weight, and haematological and biochemical analyses in treated groups compared to control group. No noticeable histological changes were observed in organs of CFE-treated rats compared to controls.  Conclusion: These results have shown that oral administration of C. fistula fruit did not produce any significant toxic effect in male rats. Hence, C. fistula fruit could be regarded as a safe natural product for therapeutic use

Network Formation and Analysis of Dengue Complex Network

Several efforts have been made and are constantly being made to keep the Aedes aegypti virus under control. Numerous scholars are involved in the study of medicine, while others are working in computer science and mathematics to model the spread of this disease. This study will help to comprehend how this epidemic sickness behaves. A complex network has been established from the complex dengue phenomenon. We have evaluated dengue network topology by pondering scale-free network properties. The network’s resilience in tracking the dengue epidemic is measured by systematically removing nodes and links. The primary hubs of this network are emphasized, and the vulnerability of the network structure has been examined through an in-depth investigation of the dengue virus’s spreading behavior. Understanding the intricate web of dengue outbreaks relies heavily on geographic representation. The applied method on the dengue epidemic network and the results will be added as scientific additions to the literature on complex networks. Different network analysis metrics have been applied (closeness centrality, betweenness centrality, eigenvector centrality, network density), and the network’s stability has been evaluated. This network is extremely vulnerable to targeted attacks; results showed that after removing 8% of focal hubs, 34% of the network is destroyed

Molecular characterization of cDNA encoding resistance gene-like sequences in Buchloe dactyloides

Current knowledge of resistance (R) genes and their use for genetic improvement in buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides [Nutt.] Engelm.) lag behind most crop plants. This study was conducted to clone and characterize cDNA encoding R gene-like (RGL) sequences in buffalograss. This report is the first to clone and-characterize of buffalograss RGLs. Degenerate primers designed from the conserved motifs of known R genes were used to amplify RGLs and fragments of expected size were isolated and cloned. Sequence analysis of cDNA clones and analysis of putative translation products revealed that most encoded amino acid sequences shared the similar conserved motifs found in the cloned plant disease resistance genes RPS2, MLA6, L6, RPM1, and Xa1. These results indicated diversity of the R gene candidate sequences in buffalograss. Analysis of 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), applied to investigate upstream of RGLs, indicated that regulatory sequences such as TATA box were conserved among the RGLs identified. The cloned RGL in this study will further enhance our knowledge on organization, function, and evolution of R gene family in buffalograss. With the sequences of the primers and sizes of the markers provided, these RGL markers are readily available for use in a genomics-assisted selection in buffalograss

Robotic dry cleaner for photovoltaic solar panels: an implemented design that evaluated in iraq's weather

Arabian desert areas are suffered from high mitigation in the produced photovoltaic (PV) power due to high dusty weather. This article presents a robotic cleaner that will significantly reduce the impact of dust on the installed PV systems in these areas. The proposed robotic cleaner is simple, low cost, standalone, self-powered, portable, and connected to the cloud. ESP32 used as a controller that manages the cleaning process and monitors its PV power production, the battery's state of charge, time of the day, and weather conditions. Thanks to the ESP32 features and its ability to connect to the cloud, as an internet of things (IoT), via the ThingSpeak website. All the electrical, mechanical, and electronic design aspects are presented and implemented in this article. The results show the effectiveness and performance enhancement due to periodic cleaning using the proposed robotic cleaner. The results also show that the total percentage of the monthly normalized accumulated losses for the two scheduled cleaning photovoltaic strings with a performance improvement of 15.54% for the weekly cleaned string (WCS) 83.04% for the never cleaned string (NCS) through the tested month