Assessment of Heavy Metals in Fodder Crops Leaves Being Raised with Hudiara Drain Water (Punjab-Pakistan)

The present study was designed with the objectives to assess heavy metals' concentration in Hudiara drain water and investigation of the concentration of heavy metals in different fodder crops grown with this drain water and the determination of heavy metals in milk of cattles grazing these contaminated fodder crops. A survey was conducted and ten different sites were selected along Hudiara drain after entering Lahore. Five water samples and three samples of crops from a each site. The samples were processed, stored and then analyzed for heavy metals like Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Zinc, Iron, Copper and manganese. Lead pollution was not found, whereas, Cadmium, Chromium and Nickel contamination was shown in Hudiara drain water. Similarly, Zinc pollution was not found in Hudiara drain water regarding irrigation and Iron, Copper and Manganese contamination was present in Water samples. Most of the fodder crops samples were contaminated with all heavy metals having levels of heavy metals above the Recommended Concentrations. It is noted that Pb+2 of Hudiara drain and irrigated Pb+2 of fodder crop were in positive correlation and negative correlation between Pb+2 and Cr+2, Ni+2, Cu+2. There is positive correlation between Cd+2 and Cr+2, Fe+2 and also negative correlation between Cd+2 and Pb+2, Cd+2, Ni+2, Zn+2, Cu+2, Mn+2 of fodder crop irrigated with Hudiara drain

Impact of Charge on Traversable Wormhole Solutions in f(R,T)f(R,T) Theory

This paper examines the effects of charge on traversable wormhole structure in $f(R,T)$ theory. For this purpose, we use the embedding class-I approach to build a wormhole shape function from the static spherically symmetric spacetime. The developed shape function satisfies all the required conditions and connects two asymptotically flat regions of spacetime. We consider different models of this modified theory to examine the traversable wormhole solutions through null energy condition and also check their stable state. We conclude that viable and stable wormhole solutions are obtained under the influence of charge in this gravitational theory.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figure

Viable and Stable Compact Stellar Structures in f(Q,T)f(\mathcal{Q},\mathcal{T}) Theory

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of $f(\mathcal{Q},\mathcal{T})$ gravity on the geometry of anisotropic compact stellar objects, where $\mathcal{Q}$ is non-metricity and $\mathcal{T}$ is the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. In this perspective, we use the physically viable non-singular solutions to examine the configuration of static spherically symmetric structures. We consider a specific model of this theory to examine various physical quantities in the interior of the proposed compact stars. These quantities include fluid parameters, anisotropy, energy constraints, equation of state parameters, mass, compactness and redshift. The Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation is used to examine the equilibrium state of stellar models, while the stability of the proposed compact stars is investigated through sound speed and adiabatic index methods. It is found that the proposed compact stars are viable and stable in the context of this theory.Comment: 31 pages, 12 figure

Study of Viable Compact Stellar Structures in Non-Riemannian Geometry

The main objective of this article is to study the viable compact stellar structures in non-Riemannian geometry, i.e., $f(\mathbb{Q},T)$ theory, where $\mathbb{Q}$ defines the non-metricity and $T$ represents trace of the stress-energy tensor. In this perspective, we consider a static spherical metric with anisotropic matter configuration to examine the geometry of considered compact stars. A specific model of this theory is used to derive the explicit expressions of energy density and pressure components that govern the relationship between matter and geometry. The unknown parameters are evaluated by using the continuity of inner and outer spacetimes to examine the configuration of spherical stellar structures. Physical parameters such as fluid characteristics, energy constraints and equation of state parameters are analyzed to examine the viability of the considered stellar objects. Further, we use Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation, sound speed and adiabatic index methods to analyze the equilibrium state and stability of the proposed stellar objects. The rigorous analysis and satisfaction of necessary conditions lead to the conclusion that the stellar objects studied in this framework are viable and stable.Comment: 39 pages, 9 figure

Green or Greenwashed? Examining Brand Loyalty and Consumer Behavior Towards Eco-Friendly Cosmetics

Masteroppgave(MSc) in Master of Science in Strategic Marketing Management - Handelshøyskolen BI, 2024This master thesis studies consumers' desire to investigate greenwashing and how greenwashing awareness, knowledge, interest, brand loyalty, and beliefs about potential trade-offs when choosing a green product impact, the consumer's desire to investigate greenwashing. This thesis addresses the need for more examination in the greenwashing literature of consumer acceptance of greenwashing by their favourite brands. This factor could minimize the risks associated with greenwashing. The mediating effect of green ad scepticism is also considered. The existing greenwashing literature lacks studies testing consumers' concerns about greenwashing performed by their favourite brands. Brand loyalty might be one factor affecting consumers' reactions to greenwashing, thus it is important to investigate brand loyalty as one of the factors that might reduce the risks associated with greenwashing. This quantitative research was done through an online survey. The participants took part in an experiment where greenwashing was manipulated through an article stating that greenwashing was either performed by their favourite brand or by cosmetic brands in general, after the manipulation respondents were asked how likely they would be to investigate the advertisement of their favourite brand/general cosmetic brand after seeing it, measuring their desire to investigate greenwashing. This study did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups. However green ad scepticism was shown to affect consumers’ willingness to investigate greenwashing claims. These findings as well as future research recommendations will be discussed later in more depth

Anisotropic Durgapal-Fuloria Neutron Stars in f(R,T2)f(\mathcal{R},\mathrm{T}^{2}) Gravity

The main purpose of this paper is to obtain physically stable stellar models coupled with anisotropic matter distribution in the context of $f(\mathcal{R},\mathrm{T}^{2})$ theory. For this, we consider a static spherical geometry and formulate modified field equations containing various unknowns such as matter determinants and metric potentials. We then obtain a unique solution to these equations by employing Durgapal-Fuloria ansatz possessing a constant doublet. We also use matching criteria to calculate the values of these constants by considering the Schwarzschild exterior spacetime. Two different viable models of this modified theory are adopted to analyze the behavior of effective matter variables, anisotropy, energy conditions, compactness and redshift in the interiors of Her X-1, PSR J0348-0432, LMC X-4, SMC X-1, Cen X-3, and SAX J 1808.4-3658 star candidates. We also check the stability of these models by using three different physical tests. It is concluded that our considered stars satisfy all the physical requirements and are stable in this modified gravity for the considered parametric values.Comment: 28 pages, 10 figure

Identification and characterisation of putative drug binding sites in human ATP-binding cassette B5 (ABCB5) transporter.

The human ATP-binding cassette B5 (ABCB5) transporter, a member of the ABC transporter superfamily, is linked to chemoresistance in tumour cells by drug effluxion. However, little is known about its structure and drug-binding sites. In this study, we generated an atomistic model of the full-length human ABCB5 transporter with the highest quality using the X-ray crystal structure of mouse ABCB1 (Pgp1), a close homologue of ABCB5 and a well-studied member of the ABC family. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to validate the atomistic model of ABCB5 and characterise its structural properties in model cell membranes. Molecular docking simulations of known ABCB5 substrates such as taxanes, anthracyclines, camptothecin and etoposide were then used to identify at least three putative binding sites for chemotherapeutic drugs transported by ABCB5. The location of these three binding sites is predicted to overlap with the corresponding binding sites in Pgp1. These findings will serve as the basis for future in vitro studies to validate the nature of the identified substrate-binding sites in the full-length ABCB5 transporter

Examining Undergraduate Communication Degree Programs: Mission Statements, Assessment Plans, and Assessment Evaluations

One hundred undergraduate communication programs listed in the NCA directory were examined in this investigation. The process involved gathering the university mission statement, departmental mission statement, program assessment plan, and program assessment evaluations. Results demonstrate that 98 institutions utilized mission statements, 81 departments provided mission statements, 18 departments made assessment plans available and the researchers obtained 4 assessment evaluations

ApoA-I Deficiency Increases Cortical Amyloid Deposition, Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Cortical and Hippocampal Astrogliosis, and Amyloid-associated Astrocyte Reactivity in APP/PS1 Mice

Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is defined by amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles and characterized by neurodegeneration and memory loss. The majority of AD patients also have Aβ deposition in cerebral vessels known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), microhemorrhages, and vascular co-morbidities, suggesting that cerebrovascular dysfunction contributes to AD etiology. Promoting cerebrovascular resilience may therefore be a promising therapeutic or preventative strategy for AD. Plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL) have several vasoprotective functions and are associated with reduced AD risk in some epidemiological studies and with reduced Aβ deposition and Aβ-induced inflammation in 3D engineered human cerebral vessels. In mice, deficiency of apoA-I, the primary protein component of HDL, increases CAA and cognitive dysfunction, whereas overexpression of apoA-I from its native promoter in liver and intestine has the opposite effect and lessens neuroinflammation. Similarly, acute peripheral administration of HDL reduces soluble Aβ pools in the brain and some studies have observed reduced CAA as well. Here, we expand upon the known effects of plasma HDL in mouse models and in vitro 3D artery models to investigate the interaction of amyloid, astrocytes, and HDL on the cerebrovasculature in APP/PS1 mice. Methods APP/PS1 mice deficient or hemizygous for Apoa1 were aged to 12 months. Plasma lipids, amyloid plaque deposition, Aβ protein levels, protein and mRNA markers of neuroinflammation, and astrogliosis were assessed using ELISA, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. Contextual and cued fear conditioning were used to assess behavior. Results In APP/PS1 mice, complete apoA-I deficiency increased total and vascular Aβ deposition in the cortex but not the hippocampus compared to APP/PS1 littermate controls hemizygous for apoA-I. Markers of both general and vascular neuroinflammation, including Il1b mRNA, ICAM-1 protein, PDGFRβ protein, and GFAP protein, were elevated in apoA-I-deficient APP/PS1 mice. Additionally, apoA-I-deficient APP/PS1 mice had elevated levels of vascular-associated ICAM-1 in the cortex and hippocampus and vascular-associated GFAP in the cortex. A striking observation was that astrocytes associated with cerebral vessels laden with Aβ or associated with Aβ plaques showed increased reactivity in APP/PS1 mice lacking apoA-I. No behavioral changes were observed. Conclusions ApoA-I-containing HDL can reduce amyloid pathology and astrocyte reactivity to parenchymal and vascular amyloid in APP/PS1 mice

New approaches and technical considerations in detecting outlier measurements and trajectories in longitudinal children growth data

Background Growth studies rely on longitudinal measurements, typically represented as trajectories. However, anthropometry is prone to errors that can generate outliers. While various methods are available for detecting outlier measurements, a gold standard has yet to be identified, and there is no established method for outlying trajectories. Thus, outlier types and their effects on growth pattern detection still need to be investigated. This work aimed to assess the performance of six methods at detecting different types of outliers, propose two novel methods for outlier trajectory detection and evaluate how outliers affect growth pattern detection. Methods We included 393 healthy infants from The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!) cohort and 1651 children with severe malnutrition from the co-trimoxazole prophylaxis clinical trial. We injected outliers of three types and six intensities and applied four outlier detection methods for measurements (model-based and World Health Organization cut-offs-based) and two for trajectories. We also assessed growth pattern detection before and after outlier injection using time series clustering and latent class mixed models. Error type, intensity, and population affected method performance. Results Model-based outlier detection methods performed best for measurements with precision between 5.72-99.89%, especially for low and moderate error intensities. The clustering-based outlier trajectory method had high precision of 14.93-99.12%. Combining methods improved the detection rate to 21.82% in outlier measurements. Finally, when comparing growth groups with and without outliers, the outliers were shown to alter group membership by 57.9 -79.04%. Conclusions World Health Organization cut-off-based techniques were shown to perform well in few very particular cases (extreme errors of high intensity), while model-based techniques performed well, especially for moderate errors of low intensity. Clustering-based outlier trajectory detection performed exceptionally well across all types and intensities of errors, indicating a potential strategic change in how outliers in growth data are viewed. Finally, the importance of detecting outliers was shown, given its impact on children growth studies, as demonstrated by comparing results of growth group detection