Physiological responses of seven varieties of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] to salt stress

In agriculture, salinity is one of the most significant abiotic stresses that plants confront and harms agricultural productivity, physiological, growth and development processes. In the present study, there were 7 different varieties of soybean (Ajmeri, William-82, D.A, PSC-60, Rawal-1, NARC-1 and NARC-2,) were tested under NaCl concentration level (0 mM and 150 mM) to determine their physiological performance under control and experimental conditions. The present investigation aimed to select salt tolerant varieties. Under salt stress, different varieties have differed significantly in the biological yield, chlorophyll contents, antioxidant activity and ionic concentrations. The results showed that among the seven varieties evaluated NARC-1 and NARC-2 are producing higher biological yield and antioxidant activity than others under 150 mM NaCl. NARC-1 and NARC-2 under 150 mM NaCl concentration produced significantly higher biomass in comparison with other varieties and similarly enhance the antioxidant activity by decreasing the catalase activity. The relative water content (RWC) of plants was measured 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after the treatment was applied, as well as at harvest time, along with the grain yield and characters related to yield. The 7 different soybean varieties tested showed significant differences in grain yield and yield-associated characters when exposed to NaCl salinity. The salinity had a greater impact on Ajmeri and William than on NARC-1 and NARC-2. Under salt stress, the grain yield of the NaRC-1 and NARC-2 varieties was 70% and 65% respectively, while the yields of the Ajmeri and William varieties were 41% and 38% respectively. The salinity-induced decrease in grain yield was traced to fewer pods per plant, fewer seeds per pod and a lighter weight per 100 grains. However, the number of pods per plant was most affected compared to the other characters. It was also observed that Na+ ion concentrations were elevated in the shoot under salt stress in all varieties. However, NARC-1 and NARC-2 showed low salt concentration in shoot as compared to other varieties. SDS-PAGE revealed significant variations in the protein profile of seedling soybean varieties. NARC-1 and NARC-2 have shown a unique banding pattern under salt stress with a molecular weight of 60 and 130 kDa. The results indicate that salinity (NaCl) triggered an antioxidant response in tolerant varieties (NARC-1 and NARC-2) of Glycine max (L.). This study suggested that both varieties have more capability and appropriate survival under salt stress as compared to other varieties

Advanced discrete-time controller design with application to motion control

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

1,4-Bis(4-amino­phen­oxy)benzene

The title compound, C18H16N2O2, is a precusor for the synthesis of polyimides. The mol­ecule is located on a crystallographic inversion center and the terminal amino­phen­oxy rings are almost perpendicular to the central benzene ring with a dihedral angle of 85.40 (4)°. The mol­ecular conformation is stabilized by N—H⋯O and N—H⋯N inter­molecular hydrogen-bonding inter­actions

Brand Consciousness, Brand Loyalty, Consumer Satisfaction and Buying Behavior of Teenagers for Apparel and Clothing

This research has been designed with the goal of examining relationship among brand consciousness, brand loyalty, buying behavior and consumer satisfaction of teenagers towards clothing and apparel. This is hypothesized that brand consciousness, brand loyalty, buying behavior are likely to be significant predictors of consumer satisfaction. The sample comprised of n-200 young students enrolled in different public and private sector colleges of Lahore and Sahiwal. The measures comprised of Brand Consciousness Questionnaire, Brand Loyalty Questionnaire, Buying Behavior Scale, and Consumer Satisfaction Scale. The data was analyzed through SPSS version 21.00. The findings revealed that brand loyalty is positively and significantly correlated with brand consciousness, purchasing conduct and customer fulfillment. Brand cognizance and purchasing conduct are strong and positive predictors of brand loyalty resulting in increased consumer satisfaction. Both the genders are equally affected by brand consciousness, brand loyalty except for buying behavior. Keywords: Brand consciousness, Brand loyalty, Buying behavior, Consumer satisfactio

Estimation of Combining Ability for the Development of Hybrid Genotypes in Helianthus annuus L

Plant materials were developed by L×T crossing fashion of nine lines and four testers and their thirty six hybrids were sown in field during 2011 in RCBD design with three replications. Genetic variability, general and specific combining abilities among genotypes was assessed under the research area of department of plant breeding and genetics, university of agriculture, faisalabad, Pakistan. The Line G-93, and G-79 expressed highly significant GCA effects for days to flowering, days to maturity, internodal length, head diameter, %age of filled achenes, 100 achene weight, achene yield per plant and oil contents but they showed best general combiner. Among testers A-85 expressed highly significant GCA effects for days to flowering, days to maturity, 100 achene weight, achene yield per plant and oil contents whereas A-5 exibited best general combiner for days to flowering, days to maturity, internodal length, achene yield per plant and oil contents. The cross G-65×A-85 revealed highest SCA effect for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity, head diameter, 100 achene weight, achene yield per plant and oil contents. The results of analysis of variance were determine among entries for all the traits at significant level (p ? 0.01-0.05). Key words: GCA, SCA, line × tester, oil contents and yield

Depression, Anxiety And Stress Among Medical And Allied Health Sciences Students At Sargodha Medical College

Abstract Objective: This study attempts to determine the frequency of depression, anxiety and stress and associated factors among medical and allied health sciences students of Sargodha Medical College.  Methods: The nature of the study is cross-sectional, among 350 (175 each) medical and allied health sciences students of Sargodha Medical College. The students were recruited using convenient sampling. Socio-demographic information was recorded and depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 was used for data entry and analysis. Results: The study shows that nearly half of medical students (53.1%) had depression, 69.7% had anxiety and 44% had stress; while among allied health sciences students, 60.6% were depressed, 73.7% had anxiety and 45.1% had reported stress. The mean depression score among medical students was 12.19 ± 9.98 and 13.29 ± 11.12 among allied health sciences students (p≤0.332). Conclusion: Based on the results, it is recommended that various methods should be adapted and prioritized for enhancing the mental health of the students to support and improve academic learning among students.

Risk factors for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in urban Pakistan: A multicenter case-control study

Objective: To evaluate risk factors for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in an urban setting of Pakistan.DESIGN AND Methods: In this multicenter case-control study, patients aged 15years old or older with sputum culture and sensitivity (C/S) diagnosed with pulmonary MDR-TB were defined as cases, whereas patients aged 15years old or older with sputum C/S diagnosed and susceptible to pulmonary TB were regarded as controls. Fifty cases and 75 controls were enrolled from three tertiary-care hospitals in Karachi.Results: Multivariable logistic regression models showed that cases were more likely to have had a TB patient in the house prior to the diagnosis of MDR-TB (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj]=3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2, 8.3) or had a history of prior TB treatment (ORadj=4.2, 95% CI: 1.1, 15.4). Furthermore, cases compared with controls tended to be male (ORadj=3.6, 95% CI: 1.4, 9.7), 15-25years of age (ORadj=3.7, 95% CI: 1.2, 11.3), of Sindhi ethnicity (adjusted OR=9.1, 95% CI: 1.9, 43.4) or with low educational attainment (ORadj OR=5.5, 95% CI: 1.7-17.6, for no formal schooling; ORadj=3.8, 95% CI: 1.1-14.1, 1 for 1-5 school years).CONCLUSIONS: A TB patient in the house or a history of prior TB treatment was strongly associated with MDR-TB in this study. Furthermore, younger age, male gender, Sindhi ethnicity and poor educational attainment entailed a high risk for MDR-TB. Targeted educational intervention for patients and their contacts may minimize the noncompliance with prescribed TB treatment and lessen MDR-TB magnitude in settings like Karachi

Formulation Optimization and In-vitro Evaluation of Oral Floating Captopril Matrix Tablets using Factorial Design

Purpose: To develop a zero-order sustained release floating formulation of captopril, and optimize its drug release for enhanced oral bioavailability.Methods: A relatively new approach, 32 full factorial design, was used to formulate floating captopril matrix tablets and to systematically optimize its drug release using varying levels of xanthan gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K100M polymers. Calcium carbonate was used as gasgenerating agent. After setting the levels by preliminary trials, nine tablet formulations (F1 - F9) were prepared by wet granulation method using Design Expert Software® - suggested combinations of polymers. The concentrations of HPMC K100M (X1) and xanthan gum (X2) were chosen as control variables. Conversely, the response variables selected were timed to release 50 % of the drug (t50%) at 6 h (Q6) and 12 h (Q12). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to assess compatibility between the drug and the excipients. The validity of the developed mathematical equations was assessed by designing three extra check-points.Results: The response surface plots drawn demonstrated the suitability of the hydrophilic matrixforming agents for formulating controlled release floating tablets of captopril. FTIR and DSC spectra showed no noticeable incompatibility between drug and polymers in both physical mixtures and in formulations. Floating time lag remained < 5.5 min with floating duration > 12 h. Considerable agreement was observed between predicted and actual release parameters. Fitting the data into different kinetic models showed that non-Fickian behavior for diffusion exponent (n) differed from 0.588 and 0.811.Conclusion: Optimum formulation (F4) showed satisfactory release profile. Moreover, the study successfully demonstrated influence of polymer blends in controlling release variables.Keywords: Captopril, Xanthan gum, Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose , Factorial design, Bioavailabilit