Assessment of Bholari River Sand for its Geotechnical Characterization as Fine Aggregate

Present study is aimed at assessment of Bholari river sand for its geotechnical characterization and suitability as fine aggregate which is being quarried in Jamshoro district, Sindh, Pakistan. For this purpose, sand samples (n=11) were collected from quarry sites and main river channel. Physical properties reveal that Bholari sand is mainly coarse to fine in size (0.2 mm-5 mm). Average values of fineness modulus, specific gravity, bulk density and void content of collected samples are 2.58, 2.56, 1659.90 kg/m3 and 35.12% respectively which varied within the corresponding permissible ranges of ACI (American Concrete Institute). Carbonate content of about 57.59% is also in agreement with corresponding range for fine aggregate. Petrographic examination revealed that Bholari River sand mainly comprises of quartz and rock fragments with subordinate limestone fragments. As per classification of Dott (1964), Bholari sand is lithic arenite where quartz (50%) occurs as main mineral followed by rock fragments (30%), feldspars (15%) and other opaque minerals (5%). Texturally, the sediments are angular (77%) to sub-round (33%). All these physical properties lie within the range set by National Highway Authority (NHA) and American Standard of Testing Material (ASTM). It is concluded that Bholari River sand is suitable for use in concrete mixed with cement and asphalt

A brief overview on an air transportation system (ATS)

The worldwide Air Transport System (ATS) has a huge impact on the global economy and is expected to grow annually in size and operational costs. This impact has led the ATS to attract the attention of researchers worldwide. This article aims to provide an operational insight into the ATS by discussing the major stages of the flight planning process, which is commonly known as airline scheduling, and elaborates how the traversal of flights takes place in the ATS after the filing of flight plan. The reader will also see references to other research which can provide further information, in the hope that this article can be of use to those who are beginning to look into this area

Residential Demand for Electricity in Pakistan

Undoubtedly, in the new millennium, the importance of energy sector for the development of a country is undeniable. Rapidly increasing knowledge along with speedy technological innovation has resulted in the provision of abundance of facilities. This has made the human beings, consumers or producers, much demanding for energy sources that are used to run mechanical processes. There are various sources of energy which include oil, electricity, gas, coal and nuclear. Countries differ in the usage of alternative energy sources. In Pakistan the major energy source is gas which is 41 percent of the total energy supplied. The other energy supply sources along with their percentage shares are as follow: oil (29 percent), hydro (12.70 percent), coal (12 percent) and nuclear (1 percent).1 Electricity is one of the most important source of energy in Pakistan. It has become a necessity in the present life, having a wide range of uses in residential as well as in commercial sector. Table 1 describes the major domestic users of electricity in Pakistan along with their respective shares of consumption. It is obvious from the table that residential consumption of electricity has the highest share

Strategic Considerations To New Product Development(NPD) And Product Launch In Pakistan

The aim of the research was to understand what problems and considerations companies needed to take into account when launching new products in emerging markets, particularly by looking at the case of Pakistan. For this purpose semi-structured, in-depth interview approach was used with nine marketing professionals from renowned multinational corporations and local firms based in Karachi, Pakistan. Based on these interviews, the author derived four main themes which address the research question. The author argues that that local firms and MNCs operating in Pakistan adopted a blend of various strategies when launching new products; with a majority of the strategies adopted by firms being in consensuses with the new product and launch literature, such as the Stage-Gate process. Moreover, the research also showed that during new product development firms faced numerous challenges, such as lack of R&D, corruption, lack of infrastructure, and so on. Furthermore, drivers behind successful launches were also identified. These included market size, market growth, market positioning, target strategy,competitors and firms commitment towards the new product. Lastly, it was found that firms in Pakistan adopted a wide product assortment and a strong branding strategy, along with incremental innovation in a launch of a new product

Role of Modern Technologies in Tissue Engineering

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field with numerous applications spread in different fields, especially medicine. It plays a role in tissue engineering, tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine. The present brief review summarizes the role of nanotechnology in tissue engineering and tissue regeneration. The CRISPR/Cas9 system in tissue engineering is playing an important role, as CRISPR is a revolutionary genome-editing technology that is being used for tissue engineering where it emphasizes to address tissue architecture formation, immune response circumvention, cell differentiation, and disease model development. Moreover, the development and research expenses for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are too high and there is a need for making these systems cost-effective. Thus, the advanced approach of applications of nanotechnology to regenerative medicine and CRISPR will definitely revolutionize the basis of treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of various diseases

Birth weight estimation--a sonographic model for Pakistani population

OBJECTIVE: To develop a sonographic birth weight estimation model for Pakistani population and to validate the published models in the same population. METHODS: Data was collected for pregnant women who presented to Radiology Department of Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi from January 2007 to July 2008 and had undergone ultrasound estimation of foetal weight within 4 days prior to a term delivery (37-42 weeks gestation). The neonate\u27s actual birth weight was used to validate the published foetal weight estimation models and modified sonographic birth weight estimation model was derived for our population by using linear regression. RESULTS: Modified sonographic birth weight estimation model for our population was derived by using foetal parameters. No significant difference (p-value \u3e 0.05) of actual and predicted birth weight derived from Our regression model, Campbell and Woo models was noted, however least difference (p = 0.7) was identified between our predicted model (Mean difference 14 +/- 37.7 g). CONCLUSION: Our sonographic modified regression model of foetal weight estimation gave the least difference with actual neonatal birth weight and can be reliably used in our population. Hadlock1, Hadlock2 and Woo2 models are not appropriate in our setting or should be used carefully while predicting foetal weight in our population

PENGEMBANGAN SISTEM INFORMASI AKUNTANSI MASJID (SIMAS) PADA MASJID ASH-SHOBIRIN RUNGKUT SURABAYA

Abstract. The purpose of community service is to design mosque books and accounts based on the Interpretation of Financial Accounting Standards (ISAK) 35. Community service activities focus on developing a mosque accounting information system that is designed regarding applicable accounting standards and is relevant to mosque entities. Mosque entities are classified as non-profit-oriented entities, so the accounting information system developed refers to accounting standards governing accounting for non-profit-oriented entities. namely SAK ETAP and ISAK 35. The implementation method in community service activities is currently carried out through discussion forums, training, and mentoring. Discussion forums were held with mosque administrators in the context of compiling a chart of accounts and initial trial balance. Training and mentoring are carried out concerning the input of daily transactions to prepare financial statements. The results of community service activities are software called the mosque accounting information system (SIMAS) and mosque financial statements.Abstrak. Tujuan pengabdian masyarakat adalah merancang pembukuan dan pembukuan masjid berdasarkan Interpretasi Standar Akuntansi Keuangan (ISAK) 35. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat fokus pada pengembangan sistem informasi akuntansi masjid yang dirancang sesuai dengan standar akuntansi yang berlaku dan relevan dengan entitas masjid. Entitas masjid tergolong entitas non profit oriented, sehingga sistem informasi akuntansi yang dikembangkan mengacu pada standar akuntansi yang mengatur akuntansi untuk entitas non profit oriented. yaitu SAK ETAP dan ISAK 35. Metode pelaksanaan dalam kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat saat ini dilakukan melalui forum diskusi, pelatihan, dan pendampingan. Forum diskusi dengan pengurus masjid dilakukan dalam rangka penyusunan chart of account dan neraca saldo awal. Pelatihan dan pendampingan dilakukan mengenai input transaksi harian untuk menyusun laporan keuangan. Hasil kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat berupa perangkat lunak yang disebut sistem informasi akuntansi masjid (SIMAS) dan laporan keuangan masjid.   

Molecular Docking of 6-shogaol and Curcumin on DNMT1 and LSD1 As Potential Agents for Thalassemia Treatment

Beta-thalassemia therapy is developed by increasing γ-globin production which binds to α-globin to form haemoglobin fetal (HbF). Meanwhile, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) play an important role in silencing the HbF gene by inhibiting the production of HbF and inducing haemoglobin subunit alpha (HbA) expression. 6-Shogaol and curcumin induce HbF by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression. Therefore, this study predicts the interaction between 6-shogaol and curcumin on DNMT1 and LSD1. The protein structure of DNMT1 (3SWR) and LSD1 (6KGP) was prepared by removing the water molecules, while the validation step was performed by separating protein from native ligands (sinefungin for 3SWR and flavine-adenine dinucleotide (FAD) for 6KGP) in new protein data bank files. Furthermore, the protein was docked with a native ligand to obtain grid box coordinates, while the root means standard deviation (RMSD) was calculated from the conformation results of the validation process. 6-Shogaol and curcumin were docked with coordinates of the validation results, and the best conformation was visualized with Discovery Studio. The validation step results in the RMSD value of 0.861Å and 1.410Å for DNMT1 and LSD1, respectively. The binding affinity of 6-shogaol and curcumin on DNMT1 was -6.5 kcal/mol and -8.0 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, the binding affinity of 6-shogaol and curcumin on LSD1 was -8.2 kcal/mol and -10.1 kcal/mol, respectively. Amino acid residues found in DNMT1 interaction include Gly1147, Phe1145, Glu1168, Asn1278, Pro1225, Leu1151, Val1580, Ala1579, Asn1578, Trp1170, and Ala1579; meanwhile, Val288, Ser289, Arg310, Gly285, Thr624, Leu659, Lys661, Arg316, Leu625, Tyr761, Trp751, Gly330, and Leu659 were found in LSD1. This study showed that curcumin has the potential to inhibit DNMT1 as well as LSD1 proven by lower bonding energy and stronger bond types compared to sinefungin and FAD native ligands and other DNMT1 and LSD1 inhibitors