Engineering Geophysical Study of Unconsolidated Top Soil Using Shallow Seismic Refraction and Electrical Resistivity Techniques

A near-surface geophysical study was conducted at University of Peshawar (UOP), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, using an integrated approach including seismic refraction and electrical resistivity survey (ERS) techniques in order  to image the shallow subsurface in terms of main geological and geophysical properties covering the study area. Seismic longitudinal wave velocities (Vp) were determined within four meters beneath ground surface which indirectly provided us with critical subsurface information about depth of layers, morphology and stratigraphic sequence without borehole information. The results of the seismic refraction survey along profile AB, showed two-layers separated by a refractor having gentle slope and P-wave velocity values (223m/sec & 316 m/sec) for overlying and underlying layers respectively indicating loose soil filled in top four meters underneath the surveyed seismic profile. Seismic refraction data demonstrated shallow subsurface structure characterized by longitudinal wave velocities less than 330 m/s.Apparant resistivity data was acquired along two profiles  (CD & DE) using four shlumberger vertical electrical soundings with maximum spread length of 10m. Electrical resistivity survey validated the results obtained from seismic refraction data analysis by detecting bi-layer near-surface geologic model at all VES stations with distinct characteristics. These geoelectric layers included top soil/dry unconsolidated surface material ranging in thickness from 1.11m to 1.3m with true resistivity values (38.08 - 52.70 ?m) and less resistive (13.13-18.38 ?m) clayey layer. Integrated geophysical approach showed that overburden terrain in the target zone is characterized by a relatively thin superficial layer (dry unconsolidated sediments) underlain by a clay layer having high porosity and saturation. Based on seismic velocities (223m/sec & 316 m/sec) and resistivity values (13.13 - 52.70 ?m), it is derived that sub surface soil conditions within studied depth interval are poor and should be considered seriously as this may put the high rise buildings at risk. Keywords: Shallow seismic refraction, Compressional wave velocity (Vp), time-term inversion, electrical resistivity survey (ERS), top soil

CHARACTERIZATION OF SOFT B SEPARATION AXIOMS IN SOFT BI-TOPOLOGICAL SPACES

The main aim of this article is to introduce Soft b separation axioms in soft bi topological spaces. We discuss soft b separation axioms in soft bi topological spaces with respect to ordinary point and soft points. Further study the behavior of soft regular b T3 and soft normal b T4 spaces at different angles with respect to ordinary points as well as with respect to soft points. Hereditary properties are also discussed

Formulation development and characterization of quercetin loaded poly caprolactone nanoparticles for tumors

Cancer is a formidable health obstacle, characterized by its bleak outlook. Considerable scientific investigation has shed light on the capacity to modify the dispersion of anticancer medications at various levels within tissues and cells by enclosing them within submicronic colloidal systems, often known as nanoparticles. This approach is based on the goal of enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness of these medications while minimizing adverse effects on the entire body. Moreover, the theragnostic characteristics of these nanoparticles are widely acknowledged, hence enhancing their therapeutic potential. The current study is centered on exploring the potential anti-tumor effects of quercetin by utilizing its antioxidant capabilities. The quercetin nanoparticles are synthesized with great precision utilizing the nanoprecipitation approach, in which poly(caprolactone) is utilized as the polymer matrix. Following synthesis, the nanoparticles are extracted for further analysis. Further attempts are undertaken to enhance the drug loading process, and the resultant nanoparticles undergo a thorough analysis, including the examination of their morphology using scanning electron microscopy, and the evaluation of drug-polymer interactions using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The remarkable efficacy of quercetin's envelopment can be attributed to its lipophilic nature, reaching a maximum of 81%. The utilization of scanning electron microscopy allows for the observation of nanoparticles with varying forms. Conversely, the absence of noticeable interactions in Fourier-transform infrared analysis indicates the stability of poly(caprolactone) nanoparticles loaded with quercetin

Feeding Behavior of a Carp, Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton) from Fishponds of District Jacobabad, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract.-Cirrhinus reba was observed as an omnivore with higher feeding preference for plant foods. The plant food items recorded in the gut content were Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and aquatic higher plants. Animal foods were found to be less preferred food items of this fish. It was also found to be a bottom feeder with respect to dial patterns of feeding. The fish was observed to be a continuous feeder with greatly reduced feeding activity at night. Two feeding peaks of this fish were recorded, the major of which was recorded at dusk, while the minor one at noon. The fish did not show any tendency to change its food item with the change in hour

Pharmacognostic, phytochemical, biological and spectroscopic analyses of Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew root and stem bark

Purpose: To investigate the pharmacognostic, phytochemical, biological and spectroscopic analyses of Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew root and stem bark.Methods: Plant material (root and stem bark) was collected, authenticated, shade-dried and extracted by maceration using methanol as a solvent separately. Powder microscopy was performed using a binocular microscope. Fluorescence, physico-chemical analysis and phytochemical screening for the presence of secondary metabolites were performed using standard methods. Brine shrimp lethalitybioassay was carried out using Artemia salina bioassay, while enzymatic modulatory study was performed by α-amylase inhibition assay. Microscopic analysis was carried out with scanning electron microscopy. Spectroscopic analysis was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).Results: Powder microscopy showed the presence of different cellular structures. Various colors were observed under ultraviolet (UV) and ordinary light when treated with different reagents. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids but phenol and cardiac glycosides were absent from both extracts. The root bark of the plant showed significant brine shrimp lethality activity.Conclusion: Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew root and stem bark contain a variety of bioactive compounds that have medicinal and therapeutic potentials. Therefore, further investigations are required to elucidate their pharmacological properties. Keywords: Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew, Phytochemical, Spectroscopy, α-Amylas

Fine-grained sentiment analysis for measuring customer satisfaction using an extended set of fuzzy linguistic hedges

© 2020 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL. In recent years, the boom in social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter has brought people together for the sharing of opinions, sentiments, emotions, and experiences about products, events, politics, and other topics. In particular, sentiment-based applications are growing in popularity among individuals and businesses for the making of purchase decisions. Fuzzy-based sentiment analysis aims at classifying customer sentiment at a fine-grained level. This study deals with the development of a fuzzy-based sentiment analysis by extending fuzzy hedges and rule-sets for a more efficient classification of customer sentiment and satisfaction. Prior studies have used a limited number of linguistic hedges and polarity classes in their rule-sets, resulting in the degraded efficiency of their fuzzy-based sentiment analysis systems. The proposed analysis of the current study classifies customer reviews using fuzzy linguistic hedges and an extended rule-set with seven sentiment analysis classes, namely extremely positive, very positive, positive, neutral, negative, very negative, and extremely negative. Then, a fuzzy logic system is applied to measure customer satisfaction at a fine-grained level. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed analysis has an improved performance over the baseline works

Time series subsidence evaluation using NSBAS InSAR: a case study of twin megacities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) in Pakistan

Ground deformation associated with natural and anthropogenic activities can be damaging for infrastructure and can cause enormous economic loss, particularly in developing countries which lack measuring instruments. Remote sensing techniques like interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) can thus play an important role in investigating deformation and mitigating geohazards. Rawalpindi and Islamabad are twin cities in Pakistan with a population of approximately 5.4 million, along with important government and private entities of national and international interest. In this study, we evaluate rapid paced subsidence in this area using a modified small baseline subset technique with Sentinel-1A imagery acquired between 2015 and 2022. Our results show that approximately 50 mm/year subsidence occurs in the older city of Rawalpindi, the most populated zone. We observed that subsidence in the area is controlled by the buried splays of the Main Boundary Thrust, one of the most destructive active faults in the recent past. We suggest that such rapid subsidence is most probably due to aggressive subsurface water extraction. It has been found that, despite provision of alternate water supplies by the district government, a very alarming number of tube wells are being operated in the area to extract ground water. Over 2017–2021, field data showed that near-surface aquifers up to 50–60 m deep are exhausted, and most of the tube wells are currently extracting water from depths of approximately 150–160 m. The dropping water level is proportional to the increasing number of tube wells. Lying downstream of tributaries originating from the Margalla and Murree hills, this area has a good monsoon season, and its topography supports recharge of the aquifers. However, rapid subsidence indicates a deficit between water extraction and recharge, partly due to the limitations inherent in shale and the low porosity near the surface lithology exposed in the area. Other factors amplifying the impacts are fast urbanization, uncontrolled population growth, and non-cultivation of precipitation in the area

Measurement of indoor radon concentration in district Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The study of the indoor radon concentration in district Mardan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan is presented. To know the impact of the dose for Mardan city, 40 CR-39 detectors were installed in different houses for a period of three months. The radon concentration for this phase of the year (early summer) is from 18.45 ± 0.53 to 41.51 ± 3.4 Bq/m3. The level of indoor radon concentration is the highest in the basements i.e. 41.51 ± 3.4 Bq/m3 which is within acceptable limit (148 Bq/m3), recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. The annual effective dose calculated from this study is ERn = 0.704 mSv. It was concluded that indoor radon concentration may not suppose any severe threat to the health of residents

Development of a cost-effective CVD prediction model using lifestyle factors. A cohort study in Pakistan

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as hypertension and ischemic heart diseases cause 35 to 40% of deaths every year in Pakistan. Several lifestyle factors such as dietary habits, lack of exercise, mental stress, body habitus (i.e., body mass index, waist), personal habits (smoking, sleep, fitness) and clinical conditions (i.e., diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension) have been shown to be strongly associated with the etiology of CVD. Epidemiological studies in Pakistan have shown poor adherence of people to healthy lifestyle and lack of knowledge in adopting healthy alternatives. There are well validated cardiovascular risk estimation tools (QRISK model) that cn predict the probability of future cardiac events. The existing tools are based on laboratory investigations of biochemical test but there is no widely accepted tool available that predicts the CVD risk probability based on lifestyle factors. Aims: Aim of the current study was to develop alternative CVD risk estimation model based on lifestyle factors and physical attributes (without using laboratory investigation) using QRISK model as the gold standard. Study Design: Clinical and lifestyle data of one hundred and sixty subjects were collected to formulate a regression model for predicting CVD risk probability. Methods: Lifestyle factors as independent variables (IV) include BMI, waist circumference, physical activities (stamina, strength, flexibility, posture), smoking, general illnesses, dietary intake, stress and physical characteristics. CVD risk probability of QRISK Intervention computed through clinical variables was used as a dependent variable (DV) in present research. Chronological age was also included in analysis in addition to selected lifestyle factors. Regression analysis, principal component analysis and bivariate correlations were applied to assess the relationship among predictor variables and cardiovascular risk score. Results: Chronological age, waist circumference, BMI and strength showed significant effect on CVD risk probability. The proposed model can be used to calculate CVD risk probability with 72.9% accuracy for the targeted population. Conclusion: The model involves only those features which can be measured without any clinical test. The proposed model is rapid and less costly hence appropriate for use in developing countries like Pakistan