52 research outputs found
Taking the bull by its horns:The political economic logics of new farm laws and agrarian dissent in India
National economic and environmental development study: the case of Pakistan
Pakistan is a developing country bracing for significant economic growth and development in the future. In this regards, the country is poised to shift towards an increased reliance upon its indigenous coal reserves to fuel its development in the 2010-2050 time frame. Although this will significantly raise its projected greenhouse gas emissions, the present study has identified numerous measures which can be taken to shift this future development pathway on to a lower carbon and more climate friendly trajectory. The country, however, requires this shift to be supported through the access and transfer of appropriate technologies and finance. The ensuing âadditionalâ financial needs for mitigation for a cleaner development future range from between U 17 billion. These have been identified in this report along with a potential of 18% and 40% reduction of emissions between below âBusiness As Usualâ scenario which is possible with a shift towards cleaner technologies. These clean development investments, however, need to be made in the near future as otherwise the energy future of Pakistan will get locked into the lower cost - higher carbon options. This mitigation costing estimate will, however, need to be refined and focused further as Pakistan identifies not only the specific technologies that it needs for this low carbon shift (through carrying out the âTechnology Needs Assessmentâ) but also the programmatic, sectoral as well as project specific NAMAs (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions) in the near future. Pakistan is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and faces immense associated challenges in coping with its unavoidable effects and economic implications. This study has highlighted the need to treat adaptation to climate change as a primary development issue for Pakistan. The potential impacts and sectors demanding prioritized adaptation have been identified in this study and the, associated, costs of adaptation have been estimated utilizing three diverse modeling methodologies â using GDP projections, per-capita figures and âfloodâ disaster modeling. The resulting adaptation cost figures range from between U 14 billion/year that Pakistan would have to spend at an average in the 2010-2050 time frame to cope with the effects of climate change while it will be also left to, unavoidably, bear significant âresidual damageâ costs induced due to climate change. The top-down adaptation costing analysis applied in this report is aimed at providing a reasonable first approximation that can be refined over time as relevant and reliable local data becomes available especially from research focusing on sector specific adaptation costing. Most significantly the report reinforces the fact that the issue of climate change is, thus, not only an environmental issue challenging the country but an issue which will directly impinge upon the countryâs economic, financial and development future as it deals with its extreme vulnerability to climate change. The significant climate costs identified in this study inextricably shows that climate change is an issue which Pakistan can ill afford to ignore in the future. Finally the report has identified the major financing options available for climate change related activities in Pakistan as well as the significant unilateral climate resources, U$ 4.5 billion in 2007-2009 alone, that the country is already committing to climate change without getting any global recognition for its efforts. In future, global financing will need to augment and leverage such national financial commitments. Also, as climate finance becomes increasingly available at the global level, it would be essential to enact appropriate assimilative national capacity in Pakistan to direct this finance towards nationally identified priorities as well as channelize it transparently and efficiently through consolidated financial mechanisms like a National Climate Change Fund which has been proposed through this study.climate change Pakistan
Isolation of Caffeine from Carbonated Beverages
The work presented on the isolation of naturally occurring alkaloid from carbonated beverages. The extensive presence of caffeine in different plants plays an important role in the long-standing acceptance of caffeine-containing products. Caffeine (3,7-dihydro-1, 3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione or 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is an alkaloid belongs to Methylxanthine family. Liquid-liquid extraction methods were used in the assay of research work. Chloroform was taken as extracting solvent. Solid residue of caffeine was recrystallized from 95% ethanol using 5ml/gram (5ml per gram). It is declared to raise caffeine, effects a number of different drugs include Paracetamol, Benzodiazepines and Aspirin and amount of plasma free Fatty acids increases. While inform that in regular sleeping interaction caffeine take place and raise the absorption of certain drugs. Changes in drug metabolizing enzymes, acts as an agent in a microsomal system of the body. The highest amount of caffeine dry crystal is extracted in sting sample while the 7up sample is free from caffeine
National economic and environmental development study: the case of Pakistan
Pakistan is a developing country bracing for significant economic growth and development in the future.
In this regards, the country is poised to shift towards an increased reliance upon its indigenous coal
reserves to fuel its development in the 2010-2050 time frame. Although this will significantly raise its
projected greenhouse gas emissions, the present study has identified numerous measures which can be
taken to shift this future development pathway on to a lower carbon and more climate friendly
trajectory.
The country, however, requires this shift to be supported through the access and transfer of appropriate
technologies and finance. The ensuing âadditionalâ financial needs for mitigation for a cleaner
development future range from between U 17 billion. These have been identified in
this report along with a potential of 18% and 40% reduction of emissions between below âBusiness As
Usualâ scenario which is possible with a shift towards cleaner technologies. These clean development
investments, however, need to be made in the near future as otherwise the energy future of Pakistan
will get locked into the lower cost - higher carbon options.
This mitigation costing estimate will, however, need to be refined and focused further as Pakistan
identifies not only the specific technologies that it needs for this low carbon shift (through carrying out
the âTechnology Needs Assessmentâ) but also the programmatic, sectoral as well as project specific
NAMAs (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions) in the near future.
Pakistan is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and faces immense associated
challenges in coping with its unavoidable effects and economic implications. This study has highlighted
the need to treat adaptation to climate change as a primary development issue for Pakistan.
The potential impacts and sectors demanding prioritized adaptation have been identified in this study
and the, associated, costs of adaptation have been estimated utilizing three diverse modeling
methodologies â using GDP projections, per-capita figures and âfloodâ disaster modeling. The resulting
adaptation cost figures range from between U 14 billion/year that Pakistan would have
to spend at an average in the 2010-2050 time frame to cope with the effects of climate change while it
will be also left to, unavoidably, bear significant âresidual damageâ costs induced due to climate change.
The top-down adaptation costing analysis applied in this report is aimed at providing a reasonable first
approximation that can be refined over time as relevant and reliable local data becomes available
especially from research focusing on sector specific adaptation costing.
Most significantly the report reinforces the fact that the issue of climate change is, thus, not only an
environmental issue challenging the country but an issue which will directly impinge upon the countryâs
economic, financial and development future as it deals with its extreme vulnerability to climate change.
The significant climate costs identified in this study inextricably shows that climate change is an issue
which Pakistan can ill afford to ignore in the future.
Finally the report has identified the major financing options available for climate change related
activities in Pakistan as well as the significant unilateral climate resources, U$ 4.5 billion in 2007-2009
alone, that the country is already committing to climate change without getting any global recognition
for its efforts. In future, global financing will need to augment and leverage such national financial
commitments. Also, as climate finance becomes increasingly available at the global level, it would be
essential to enact appropriate assimilative national capacity in Pakistan to direct this finance towards
nationally identified priorities as well as channelize it transparently and efficiently through consolidated
financial mechanisms like a National Climate Change Fund which has been proposed through this study
National economic and environmental development study: the case of Pakistan
Pakistan is a developing country bracing for significant economic growth and development in the future.
In this regards, the country is poised to shift towards an increased reliance upon its indigenous coal
reserves to fuel its development in the 2010-2050 time frame. Although this will significantly raise its
projected greenhouse gas emissions, the present study has identified numerous measures which can be
taken to shift this future development pathway on to a lower carbon and more climate friendly
trajectory.
The country, however, requires this shift to be supported through the access and transfer of appropriate
technologies and finance. The ensuing âadditionalâ financial needs for mitigation for a cleaner
development future range from between U 17 billion. These have been identified in
this report along with a potential of 18% and 40% reduction of emissions between below âBusiness As
Usualâ scenario which is possible with a shift towards cleaner technologies. These clean development
investments, however, need to be made in the near future as otherwise the energy future of Pakistan
will get locked into the lower cost - higher carbon options.
This mitigation costing estimate will, however, need to be refined and focused further as Pakistan
identifies not only the specific technologies that it needs for this low carbon shift (through carrying out
the âTechnology Needs Assessmentâ) but also the programmatic, sectoral as well as project specific
NAMAs (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions) in the near future.
Pakistan is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and faces immense associated
challenges in coping with its unavoidable effects and economic implications. This study has highlighted
the need to treat adaptation to climate change as a primary development issue for Pakistan.
The potential impacts and sectors demanding prioritized adaptation have been identified in this study
and the, associated, costs of adaptation have been estimated utilizing three diverse modeling
methodologies â using GDP projections, per-capita figures and âfloodâ disaster modeling. The resulting
adaptation cost figures range from between U 14 billion/year that Pakistan would have
to spend at an average in the 2010-2050 time frame to cope with the effects of climate change while it
will be also left to, unavoidably, bear significant âresidual damageâ costs induced due to climate change.
The top-down adaptation costing analysis applied in this report is aimed at providing a reasonable first
approximation that can be refined over time as relevant and reliable local data becomes available
especially from research focusing on sector specific adaptation costing.
Most significantly the report reinforces the fact that the issue of climate change is, thus, not only an
environmental issue challenging the country but an issue which will directly impinge upon the countryâs
economic, financial and development future as it deals with its extreme vulnerability to climate change.
The significant climate costs identified in this study inextricably shows that climate change is an issue
which Pakistan can ill afford to ignore in the future.
Finally the report has identified the major financing options available for climate change related
activities in Pakistan as well as the significant unilateral climate resources, U$ 4.5 billion in 2007-2009
alone, that the country is already committing to climate change without getting any global recognition
for its efforts. In future, global financing will need to augment and leverage such national financial
commitments. Also, as climate finance becomes increasingly available at the global level, it would be
essential to enact appropriate assimilative national capacity in Pakistan to direct this finance towards
nationally identified priorities as well as channelize it transparently and efficiently through consolidated
financial mechanisms like a National Climate Change Fund which has been proposed through this study
Nigella sativa provides protection against metabolic syndrome
The seeds of Nigella sativa have been used in folk medicine all over the world. The plant has been of interest due to its low degree of toxicity and beneficial pharmacological properties like antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, antioxidant, along with significant anti-neuplastic activities. The present clinical study was undertaken to ascertain the adjuvant effect of Nigella seeds on various clinical and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome. After final diagnosis and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, one hundred and fifty nine patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups. In Group I (standard group), patients were advised to take simvastatin 10 mg once a day, metformin 500 mg twice a day, Enalapril 10 mg once a day, Atenolol 50 mg once a day and clopidagrel 75 mg once a day for a period of six weeks. In Group II (Nigella seeds group), patients were advised the above standard medication plus Nigella seeds 250 mg twice daily for a period of six weeks. Blood sugar both fasting and postprandial, fasting lipid profile and different parameters of obesity were recorded before therapy and after completion of therapy. It was found that the addition of Nigella seeds provide beneficial effects in all the clinical and biochemical parameters for the adultâs treatment panel-III of metabolic disorders especially in fasting blood sugar, low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins. No sign of toxicity of the plant appeared in the Group II. Improvement in all other parameters like blood pressure, circumference of waist and serum triglyceride was also observed. Thus, Nigella seeds were found to be effective as an adjuvant therapy in patients of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia.Keywords: Nigella sativa, toxicity, hyperglycemia, adjuvant, antihistaminic, antioxidant, patient
2,4-Dinitrophenyl hydrazone derivatives as potent alpha amylase inhibitors
277-282In our current study thirteen new 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazone derivatives 1–13 have been evaluated for alpha amylase activity. The molecular docking results indicate that compounds potentially bind in the catalytic site of the enzyme with excellent result. Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software was used for docking study. 2,4-Dinitrophenyl hydrazone 1-13 have been obtained under reflux conditions by reacting dinitrophenyl hydrazine in methanol with different aromatic as well as aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of acetic acid act as a catalyst. The current results have shown that compounds 5 (IC50 =12.16µg/mL), 6 (IC50 =15.03µg/mL), and 12 (IC50 =16.42 µg/mL) have been found to be the more potent alpha amylase inhibitors as compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 = 42.47µg/mL). These compounds may provide better leads for alpha amylase inhibitor and further assessment of these compounds can be of great help in the discovery of new antidiabetic drugs
2,4-Dinitrophenyl hydrazone derivatives as potent alpha amylase inhibitors
In our current study thirteen new 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazone derivatives 1â13 have been evaluated for alpha amylase activity. The molecular docking results indicate that compounds potentially bind in the catalytic site of the enzyme with excellent result. Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software was used for docking study. 2,4-Dinitrophenyl hydrazone 1-13 have been obtained under reflux conditions by reacting dinitrophenyl hydrazine in methanol with different aromatic as well as aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of acetic acid act as a catalyst. The current results have shown that compounds 5 (IC50 =12.16Âľg/mL), 6 (IC50 =15.03Âľg/mL), and 12 (IC50 =16.42 Âľg/mL) have been found to be the more potent alpha amylase inhibitors as compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 = 42.47Âľg/mL). These compounds may provide better leads for alpha amylase inhibitor and further assessment of these compounds can be of great help in the discovery of new antidiabetic drugs.
Clinical practice guidelines on the management of variceal bleeding
Gastroesophageal variceal bleeding occurs in 30 - 50% of patients of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension, with 20-70% mortality in one year. Therefore, it is essential to screen these patients for varices and prevent first episode of bleeding by treating them with β-blockers or endoscopic variceal band ligation. Ideally, the patients with variceal bleeding should be treated in a unit where the personnel are familiar with the management of such patients and where routine therapeutic interventions can be undertaken. Proper management of such patients include: initial assessment, resuscitation, blood volume replacement, vasoactive agents, prevention of associated complications such as bacterial infections, hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia, and specific therapy. Rebleeding occurs in about 60% patients within 2 years of their recovery from first variceal bleeding episode, with 33% mortality. Therefore, it is mandatory that all such patients must be started on combination of β-blockers and band ligation to prevent recurrence of bleeding. Patients who required shunt surgery/TIPSS to control the acute episode do not require further preventive measures. These clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been jointly developed by Pakistan Society of Hepatology (PSH) and Pakistan Society of Study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD)
Investigation of Chemical and Physical Properties of Seven Types of Edible Oils of District Mansehra with Respect to the Recommended Standardshe Recommended Standards
This research was aimed to assess the physicochemical properties of seven edible oils, i.e., almond oil, castor oil, cooking oil, mustard oil, pumpkin oil, black seed oil and egg oil collected from local market, Mansehra. Their chemical and physical properties were also compared to the recommended levels set as a standard by WHO/FAO to find out whether they are suitable and safe to be used by human beings. Among the chemical characteristics, acid values, saponification values and peroxide values were determined while the physical properties that were studied included density, specific gravity, refractive index, moisture content and viscosity. All these assays were performed using standardized assays/protocols. From the results, it can be illustrated that most of the physicochemical parameters are in line with the standard values as evident from the results. However, some value shows deviation, for instance, the acid values of all studied oil samples except almond oil, cooking oil and pumpkin oil exceed the recommended value of 0.6. In addition, the saponification value of almond oil and black seed oil, while peroxide value of pumpkin oil are above the recommended range. So, it can be concluded that most of these oils whose studied parameters are according to permissible limits are safe for human consumption
- âŚ