In vitro Evolution and Engineering for Improved Ribozyme Polymerase Production

According to the "RNA World Hypothesis" the first self replicating molecule formed from the prebiotic chemicals is the ribozyme. A model compartmentalized self replicating system for ribozyme polymerases is designed and used to improve activity, fidelity and generality of the enzyme

Increased regeneration efficiency of _Brassica napus_ L. cultivars Star, Westar and Cyclone from hypocotyle and cotyledonary explants

The comparative organogenesis of _Brassica napus_ L cultivars Cyclone, Star and Westar was studied. The cotyledonary explants gave a higher response to all the combinations of 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D and BAP (0.5, 1.0,1.5 and 2.0 mg/L} used for optimizing the conditions for callus induction. The best mean weight and mean length of callus was obtained at 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D and 1.5mg/L BAP for Star cotyledonary explants. For the complete plant regeneration the new method of exposing the explants culture to Growth regulator free medium was performed. The method was applicable to both hypocotyl and cotyledonary explants. The Shoot Induction Frequency for hypocotyl (6-34%) in the three cultivars is higher than the cotyledonary explants (3-23%). The method is speedy and almost all of the shoots and some unshooted calli (78%) form roots on the same media without prior transfer to rooting medium

Interval-valued fuzzy ideals generated by an interval-valued fuzzy subset in ordered semigroups

In this paper, we de ne the concept of interval-valued fuzzy left (right, two sided, interior, bi-) ideal in ordered semigroups. We show that the interval- valued fuzzy subset J is an interval-valued fuzzy left (right, two sided, interior, bi-) ideal generated by an interval-valued fuzzy subset A i J and J + are fuzzy left (right, two sided, interior, bi-) ideals generated by A and A + respectivelyPeer Reviewe

Cost Efficiency and Total Factor Productivity of Islamic and Conventional Banks in Pakistan

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to compare the Cost Efficiency and Total Factor Productivity growth rate of Islamic, Conventional and Conventional Islamic Windows banks in Pakistan from 2007-2011.Design/methodology/approach – a sample of fifteen banks has been selected from the whole of population. Five banks from each of the banking sector have been chosen by random sampling technique. Secondary data for the subject study has been taken from the banks statistics of Pakistan, annual statements of the respective banks and periodical reports of State Bank of Pakistan. For the comparison of cost efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used. To find out the total factor productivity growth rate, we used Malmquist productivity indices (MPI). Tobit Regression Analysis was used to determine the bank specific factors on cost efficiency.Findings – The findings of the study suggest that the cost efficiency of Islamic banks is lower than its comparing counterparts. But on the other side the total factor productivity growth rate of the Islamic banks is on the boom as compared to its peers. The factors like SIZE and DEPOSITS indicate an inverse association with the cost efficiency of banks. While checking for the factors i.e. ROE and DEBT, both have a positive significant relationship with the cost efficiency of banks. Keywords:  Cost efficiency, DEA, MPI, Islamic banks, Conventional banks

Catalytic Decomposition of 2% Methanol in Methane over Metallic Catalyst by Fixed-Bed Catalytic Reactor

The structure and performance of promoted Ni/Al2O3 with Cu via thermocatalytic decomposition (TCD) of CH4 mixture (2% CH3OH) were studied. Mesoporous Cat-1 and Cat-2 were synthesized by the impregnation method. The corresponding peaks of nickel oxide and copper oxide in the XRD showed the presence of nickel and copper oxides as a mixed alloy in the calcined catalyst. Temperature program reduction (TPR) showed that Cu enhanced the reducibility of the catalyst as the peak of nickel oxide shifted toward a lower temperature due to the interaction strength of the metal particles and support. The impregnation of 10% Cu on Cat-1 drastically improved the catalytic performance and exhibited 68% CH4 conversion, and endured its activity for 6 h compared with Cat-1, which deactivated after 4 h. The investigation of the spent carbon showed that various forms of carbon were obtained as a by-product of TCD, including graphene fiber (GF), carbon nanofiber (CNF), and multi-wall carbon nanofibers (MWCNFs) on the active sites of Cat-2 and Cat-1, following various kinds of growth mechanisms. The presence of the D and G bands in the Raman spectroscopy confirmed the mixture of amorphous and crystalline morphology of the deposited carbon

Coverage of Cancer News in Pakistani Print Media: A Content Analysis Study of Daily Pahenji Akhbar – A Sindhi Language Newspaper

Background: Newspaper coverage is a key source of cancer information. Although it was of profound significance to understand how the local newspapers of Pakistan cover the cancer news. Aims and Objectives: To counter this, the present study was aimed to examine the cancer news coverage of the last year 2020. Materials and Methods: Using content analysis technique, the whole year coverage in daily Pehnji Akhbar was investigated to determine which topic and the type of cancer were most frequently mentioned in the news, and what was the locality the cancer news was most frequently reported from. Results: In total, 90 cancer-related news were generated, out of which 7.5% of news were found as an average in each month during the whole year of 2020. Death was the topic of the majority (90%) of the news (contributing to 74% male deaths and 15% female deaths). However, blood, liver, throat, and mouth cancers were the most frequently mentioned-types in the news related to male victims. In terms of localities, the rural areas were the highest contributors of the 57 cancer news (contributing to 48% male victims and 14% female victims). Conclusion: It was found that cancer is increasing at an alarming rate in the rural areas of Sindh. Recommendations: Keeping in view the significance of the newspapers, it would help proffer the public with adequate information on cancer by increasing the mentions of particular types of common cancer. Also, it would be beneficial if the newspapers consider relating the news to the profiles of the victims. Keywords: Cancer, mortality, news reporting, print media, public healt

DNA-based Eye Color Prediction of Pakhtun Population Living in District Swat KP Pakistan

Background: Forensic DNA Phenotyping (FDP) or the prediction of Externally Visible Characteristics (EVCs) from a DNA sample has gained importance in the last decade or so in the forensic community. If and when the traditional forensic DNA typing via Short Tandem Repeats (STR) fails due to the absence of a reference sample, an individual can be traced by a DNA sample using FDP. Amongst the many available EVCs, eye color is one such character that can be predicted by employing previously developed IrisPlex system using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) assay. In this study, we applied the IrisPlex system to samples collected from population of District Swat for prediction of eye colours from DNA.Method: Eye colour digital photographs and buccal swab samples were collected from 267 Pakhtun individuals of District Swat. Any person with eye disease was excluded from the study. Genomic DNA was extracted through Phenol-Chloroform extraction method. The amplified SNPs were typed using Multiplexed Single Base Extension (SBE). The genotypes were checked for eye color phenotypes through IrisPlex online tool and correlation were checked between SNPs, Gender, pie score and eye color.Result: Brown eye color was found prevalent as compared to intermediate and blue. Females have highly brown eye color compared to males while males have intermediate and blue. Three SNPs rs12913832 (in the HERC2), rs1393350 (TYR gene), rs1800407 (OCA2 gene) were strongly significant to eye color. Pie score was also significant to eye color and rs12913832 SNP. IrisPlex analysis in 20 individuals of District Swat was performed. The prediction accuracy of IrisPlex for blue or brown was 100% in the studied individuals. However, the IrisPlex tool predicted the intermediate phenotype incorrectly as brown or blue.Conclusion: It is concluded from the data that intermediate eye colour was not predicted accurately, therefore, inclusion of more SNPs in the IrisPlex system is needed to predict intermediate eye colour accurately.Keywords: Eye colour, IrisPlex, SNPs, Multiplex genotyping, DNA, District Swa

Environmentally Friendly Utilization of Wheat Straw Ash in Cement-Based Composites

The open burning of biomass residue constitutes a major portion of biomass burning and leads to air pollution, smog, and health hazards. Various alternatives have been suggested for open burning of crop residue; however, each of them has few inherent drawbacks. This research suggests an alternative method to dispose wheat straw, i.e., to calcine it in a controlled environment and use the resulting ash as a replacement of cement by some percentage in cement-based composites. When wheat straw, an agricultural product, is burned, it is very rich in SiO2, which has a pozzolanic character. However, the pozzolanic character is sensitive to calcination temperature and grinding conditions. According to the authors’ best knowledge, until now, no systematic study has been devised to assess the most favorable conditions of burning and grinding for pozzolanic activity of wheat straw ash (WSA). Hence, a systematic experimental program was designed. In Phase I, calcination of WS was carried out at 500 ◦C, 600 ◦C, 700 ◦C, and 800 ◦C for 2 h. The resulting ashes were tested for color change, weight loss, XRD, XRF, Chapelle activity, Fratini, and pozzolanic activity index (PAI) tests. From test results, it was found that beyond 600 ◦C, the amorphous silica transformed into crystalline silica. The WSA calcined at 600 ◦C was found to satisfy Chapelle and Fratini tests requirements, as well as the PAI requirement of ASTM at 28 days. Therefore, WSA produced at 600 ◦C (WSA600) showed the best pozzolanic performance. In Phase II, WSA600 was ground for various intervals (15–240 min). These ground ashes were tested for SEM, Blaine fineness, Chapelle activity, Fratini, and PAI tests. From test results, it was observed that after 120 min of grinding, there was an increase of 48% in Blaine surface area, with a consequence that WSA-replaced cement cubes achieved a compressive strength almost similar to that of the control mix. Conclusively, wheat straw calcined at 600 ◦C and ground for 120 min was found to be the most effective way to use pozzolanic material in cement-based composites. The addition of WSA in cement-based composites would achieve manifold objectives, i.e., aiding in the production of environmentally friendly concrete, the use of wheat straw as fuel for electricity production, and adding economic value to wheat straw

Optimizing Conservation of Nili Ravi Buffaloes in Southern Region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Phenotypic, Morphometric, and Productive Traits

In Pakistan, Nili Ravi buffalo is highly valued breed due to its high milk yield. Native to Punjab province, the breed is now extensively distributed throughout the country. To assess and optimize the conservation strategies for Nili Ravi buffaloes in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by evaluating their phenotypic, morphometric, productive, and reproductive characteristics. Buffaloes were maintained at Livestock Research and Development Station in Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan from 2010-2023, under breed conservation program. A sum of 298 records Nili Ravi buffaloes were used for the investigation. The research examined physical attributes such as coat color, horn morphology, and other qualitative characteristics. In addition to body weight, body length, withers height, chest circumference, and hip breadth, morphometric measurements were recorded. Mean body weight of Nili Ravi buffaloes was recorded was 677 + 213 Kg, produced 1387.12 + 32.87 liters milk during their lactation period of 292.87 + 32.40 days that was substantially impacted by year (p \u3c 0.05) and calving season. Calving interval was 480.18 + 22.09 days, whereas parity year and calving season bear considerable (p \u3c 0.05) impact on their characteristic. Dry period was 181.2 + 18.01 days. This research aided in the development of conservation and enhancement strategies for Nili Ravi buffalo in the region. Nili Ravi buffaloes in the region have excellent milk yield but the study disclosed morphometric variations within the breed, demonstrating the need for targeted breeding and management practices

FREQUENCY OF NASOPHARYNGEAL ANGIOFIBROMA IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH RECURRENT EPISTAXIS

Objective: To determine the frequency of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in patients presenting with recurrent epistaxis. Study design: Cross sectional study. Duration and setting: This study was carried out from July 2017 to July 2018 at ENT, Head & Neck Surgery department, Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar. Material and method: A total number of 93 patients were included in this study. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were collected from the outdoor patient department (OPD) of ENT, head and neck surgery, Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar. Informed consent for participating in the study was taken from all patients. The patients’ biodata along with hospital registration number were entered on proforma. The patients were assessed initially by history and nasal endoscopic. CT scan nose and PNS with contrast was done and patient admitted and operated for the suspected nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. Biopsy specimen was sent for histopathology to consultant histopathologist in the hospital’s pathology laboratory. Lab reports of the biopsy specimen showing histopathology of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma were reviewed and data entered in the proforma. Results: Out of 93 patients, 32% patients were in age range 10-15 years, 68% patients were in age range 16-20 years. Mean age was 16 years with SD ± 1.26. Fifty seven percent patients had duration of symptoms <1 year while 43% patients had duration of symptoms > 1 year. The incidence of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma was 18%. Conclusion: Our study concludes that the incidence of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in our setup is 18% which can be due to the increasing number of Afghan refugees. Key words: nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, recurrent epistaxis