Domino Twofold Heck / 6p-Electrocyclization and Regioselective Palladium(0)-Catalyzed Reactions of Brominated Indoles, Furans, Naphthoquinone and 2,4,5,6-Tetrachloropyrimidine

I have synthesized functionalized carbazoles and benzofurans based on domino twofold Heck / 6pi-electrocyclization reactions. Functionalized anthraquinones, fluorenones and benzocoumarines were also prepared by this methodology. Regioselctive Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of 2,4,5,6-tetrachloropyrimidine and 2,3,4,5-tetrabromofuran provided an expedient synthesis of mono-, di-, tri- and tetraaryl-pyrimidines and di- and tetraarylfurans

Skills of ICTs among Library Professionals of South Punjab

The study aimed to explore the skills, knowledge, abilities, and competencies of library professionals working in the academic libraries of public sector universities and private sector universities located in south Punjab. Library professionals working in the libraries of public sector universities and private sector universities were the population of the study. Convenience sampling technique was used to meet the objectives of the study. Quantitative research technique followed by the questionnaire as a data collection tool was used to accomplish the research. The findings of the study revealed that ICT is an essential part of the libraries and librarians are there to perform library operations to facilitate the library users of their respective libraries. It is the basic necessity of the present age to learn new skills, abilities, and competencies related to ICTs to survive in the profession of librarianship. Training courses about ICT are an effort to enhance the skills of library professionals. Library associations can play an important role in uplifting the trainings regarding ICTs

Studies on the influence of temperature and humidity on biological traits of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.; Bombycidae)

Impact of variations in temperature and humidity on pupation, hatchability and larval mortality of eleven inbred silkworm lines M-101, M-103, M-104, M-107, Pak-1, Pak-2, Pak-3, Pak-4, PFI-I, PFI-II and S-1 was investigated during autumn and spring, 2007-2008 at Sericulture Research Laboratory, Lahore. The experiment was laid out in factorial design with replications and the data was pooled over season. The larvae of 4th and 5th instar were exposed to three temperature regimes (25, 30 and 35 ± 1°C). Significant variations in hatchability, pupation and mortality were noticed due to the effect of temperature and relative humidity on 4th and 5th instar larvae of inbred silkworm lines. The maximum mean values of hatchability (93.15), pupation (93.12) and the lowest mean larval mortality (2.60) was observed at 25°C and 70-80% RH. Lower RH of (55 and 65%) even at 25°C lowered the hatchability and pupation of the silkworm lines and contributed significantly in higher larval mortality. The lowest mean value of hatchability (68.96) and pupation (76.55) was recorded at 35°C and 55% RH while highest larval mortality (11.92) was noticed at 35°C with 55% RH. The results indicate that the mean performance of inbred silkworm lines under various conditions of temperature and humidity was significantly different from each other at various temperature and humidity exposures during 4th and 5th instar. At 25°C with 75% RH, the performance of silkworm lines remained consistent but variations in temperature or humidity for three hours significantly affected all three parameters (hatchability, pupation and larval mortality). The results illustrate that hatchability percentage of M-101(84.98), Pak-2 (84.52), Pak-3 (84.32) and Pak-4 (84.05) and pupation rate of Pak-4 (86.60), Pak-2 (86.08), PFI-I (85.33) and M-101(84.88) was significantly better as compared to other silkworm lines. The mean values of larval mortality observed in Pak-2 (5.56), Pak-3 (5.76), PFI-I (6.03) and M-107 (6.20) showed significantly lower mortality. The lower relative humidity level (less than 65%) is not conducive for seed cocoon production even at the optimum temperature of 25°C. The study clearly underlines the importance of optimization of environmental conditions during larval rearing in relation to seed cocoon production. The investigations strongly recommend that temperature and relative humidity in the range of 25-26°C and 70-80% respectively are mandatory for excellent results of egg hatchability, pupation and survival rate (low larval mortality). The results also emphasize that Pak-2, Pak-3, Pak-4, PFI-I, M-101 and M-107 showed better potential for seed production and commercial exploitation.Key words: Sericulture Pakistan, silkworm rearing

Assessment of ameliorative effect of Aab-e-Shifa polyherbal formulation in experimentally-induced wound in rabbits

Purpose: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the wound healing potential of a polyherbal formulation (PHF) Aab-e-Shifa in normal and diabetic albino rabbits. Methods: The activity of PHF application was evaluated in comparison to tetrachlorodecaoxide (TCDO) on experimentally-induced excision wound in the thigh of normal and diabetic rabbits under ketamine anesthesia. Preliminary phytochemical analysis, total phenolic contents, wound contraction, as well as toxicological and histopathological studies were also investigated. Results: PHF exhibited parallel (p < 0.05) activity for initial wound healing in both normal (48.07 %) and diabetic groups (36.32 %), when compared to their respective control groups. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of high levels of total phenolic contents in Allilum sativum L. (54.25 ± 0.15 GAE mg/g), Curcuma longa L. (25.45 ± 0.48 GAE mg/g), Zingiber officinale Rosc. (29.08 ± 0.35 GAE mg/g) and some phytochemicals such as flavonoids, couramins, terpenoids in these plants. No adverse sign of PHF was observed when applied at a dose of 2000 - 3000 g on rabbit skin. Conclusion: Aab-e-Shifa has great potential in wound healing and may be used as an alternative treatment for the healing of wounds in animals. The phytochemicals present in PHF might play a role in the wound healing activity possibly due to their antioxidant potential. However, further detailed studies are required to buttress this

Strategies to cope claustrophobia during magnetic resonance imaging examination

Background: Claustrophobia associated with MRI scan is a well-recognized problem all over the world. The unpleasant psychological experience during MRI can lead to premature cancellation of the study resulting in non-interpretable data. In addition, performing future studies on the claustrophobic patient may not be possible leading to non-utilization of an important diagnostic modality. This study was conducted with the aim to determine a cheap and short intervention which can be applicable to small radiology set up as well.Methods: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from October 2016 to December 2016. Accompanying someone was the first strategy used to coped MR imaging claustrophobia followed by placebo (multivitamin), listening Quran and closed eye (blindfold). All those patients who failed to respond in these strategies were finally labeled as an unsuccessful candidate. Listening of Quran was selected as one of the tools as all the patients were Muslims in present study.Results: Among 84 claustrophobic patients, a closed eye was the most successful strategy found effective in (13) 81.2%, followed by placebo 66.7% patients, listening Quran (7) 30.4%, accompanying someone (15) 17.85% while 4% patients remained claustrophobic after application of all strategies. Significant association of accompanying someone and placebo was observed with education (p-value 0.037) and age of the patients (0.016) respectively.Conclusions: In general, placebo, being accompanied by someone and blindfold were found to be the most effective strategies to cope with MRI related claustrophobia. However, the success of these strategies is also dependent on certain factors like age, education status and socioeconomic status of the patients

An analysis of students' attitude toward electoral politics in 2018 general elections: A case Study of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad

This paper seeks to investigate educated youth's attitudes toward electoral politics in general, and the 2018 general elections, in particular. For this purpose, the researchers conducted a case study of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad (QAU). One of the major objectives of this study was to ascertain educated youth's general attitude toward electoral politics and know whether there exist any variations in the thinking of students with diverse ethnic, social, and academic backgrounds. The author also wanted to find possible explanations for any such variations. Therefore, the paper first presents overall findings of the study and then analyses the responses on the basis of respondents' gender, their disciplines, and ethnic identity. For better results, the researchers used mixed research method. He first collected quantitative data through a survey and then interviewed different people to find possible explanations for the findings. The study found that there are great variations in the thinking of students belonging to different provinces/administrative units, academic disciplines, and genders. The findings necessitate comprehensive reforms in the electoral system

Comparison of Outcome of Bipolar Electrocautery versus Harmonic Scalpel in the Management of Third and Fourth Degree Hemorrhoids

Objective: To compare the outcome of bipolar electrocautery versus harmonic scalpel in the management of third degree hemorrhoids. Methodology: This is a comparative study performed at Different Private Clinics of Karachi from the duration of January 2020 to June 2020. Patients with symptomatic grade III hemorrhoids and grade IV hemorrhoids were randomly divided into two groups. . Either group had 64 patients. One group underwent hemorrhoidectomy using bipolar electrocautery (Group A), other group underwent hemorrhoidectomy using harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy (Group B). Results: The total number of patients was 128 with 64 in either group. The mean operating time in group A was 22 ± 4.7 minutes, while that in group B was 35 ± 2.2 minutes. The mean duration of hospital stay among group A was 1.7 ± 0.5 days while among group B patients was 2.1 ± 1.2 days. Mean VAS score for pain at first post-operative day in group A patients was 7 ± 0.6 days while mean VAS score for pain among group B patients was 8.5 ± .2 days. Conclusion: Our study concludes that harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy offers better post-operative patient satisfaction score as compared to bipolar diathermy. No significant difference in hospital stay was found. The number of patients with post-operative urinary retention were more in harmonic scalpel group while in diathermy group, more patients had post-operative hemorrhage