Prevalence of malaria, typhoid and co-infection in District DIR (lower), Pakistan

Malaria and typhoid fever are among the most endemic diseases in the tropical and developing countries. Both diseases share similar transmission factor and often have the similar symptom. Based on this reason, much medical personnel try to cure both malaria and typhoid instantaneously in each case of suspected Salmonella infection and vice versa. The District Dir (Lower) is a favorable location for the protozoan nourishment and secondly mostly reported cases of malaria and typhoid co-infections. The main objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of malaria and typhoid co-infection in the District Dir (Lower), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. The blood samples of 1889 patients were examined from September 2012 to April 2013, out of which 311 (16.46%) were positive for malaria and typhoid. Out of these infected, 117 (38%) sample was positive for malaria, 183 (58%) sample were positive for typhoid while co-infected cases were only 11 (4%). The current results indicate that this area is endemic for malaria and typhoid and co-infection. Its infection is prevalent in both the genders at varying degrees

(Cyano­meth­yl)triphenyl­phospho­nium chloride

In the mol­ecule of the title compound, C20H17NP+·Cl−, the coordination around the P atom is slightly distorted tetra­hedral. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular C—H⋯N and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules. There is a π–π contact between the phenyl rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.702 (3) Å]

Investigation of Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop in Microchannel Heat Sink Using Al2O3 and ZrO2 Nanofluids.

A new micro heat exchanger was analyzed using numerical formulation of conjugate heat transfer for single-phase fluid flow across copper microchannels. The flow across bent channels harnesses asymmetric laminar flow and dean vortices phenomena for heat transfer enhancement. The single-channel analysis was performed to select the bent channel aspect ratio by varying width and height between 35–300 µm for Reynolds number and base temperature magnitude range of 100–1000 and 320–370 K, respectively. The bent channel results demonstrate dean vortices phenomenon at the bend for Reynolds number of 500 and above. Thermal performance factor analysis shows an increase of 18% in comparison to straight channels of 200 µm width and height. Alumina nanoparticles at 1% and 3% concentration enhance the Nusselt number by an average of 10.4% and 23.7%, respectively, whereas zirconia enhances Nusselt number by 16% and 33.9% for same concentrations. On the other hand, thermal performance factor analysis shows a significant increase in pressure drop at high Reynolds number with 3% particle concentration. Using zirconia for nanofluid, Nusselt number of the bent multi-channel model is improved by an average of 18% for a 3% particle concentration as compared to bent channel with deionized water

Altitudinal distribution and seasonal migration of asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in kaghan and Siran Valleys, Pakistan

The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is considered one of the largest carnivores inhabiting different territories including coniferous and broad-leaved forests, extending from sea level to the elevation of 4300 m. The Kaghan and Siran Valleys in Pakistan's District Mansehra were the location of the current study. To evaluate the altitudinal distribution and seasonal movement of Asiatic black bears in the region, we used three approaches (sign distribution survey, questionnaire-based survey, and scat collecting). A total of 1858 bear signs were observed during the field survey, the highest number of signs was dig marks (1213) followed by plant uprooting. Dig marks (MER: 7.574) were observed repeatedly in each potential site of both valleys followed by plant uprooting (MER: 1.594). Similarly, the altitudinal distribution of black bears was determined through the frequency of signs concerning elevation (m). Elevation of the study area ranged from 1300 to 3500 m and the most abundant population was recorded at the elevation of 2501–3000 m followed by 2001–2500 m. About 52% of local communities encountered black bears during the summer season in the field followed by Spring (23%.8) and winter (15.3%). Manshi Reserver forest (24.5%) from Kaghan and Panjul Reserve forest (31.6) from Siran Valley are the potential summer migratory spots. Eleven scat samples were collected with a 0.103 encounter rate (ER). Most of the scats (about 70%) were observed within the maize crop field in the summer season at low elevation, while just 30% of the scat was observed in the winter season in the forest

Understanding the Effect of Hydro-Climatological Parameters on Dam Seepage Using Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP): A Case Study of Earth-Fill Tarbela Dam, Pakistan

For better stability, safety and water resource management in a dam, it is important to evaluate the amount of seepage from the dam body. This research is focused on machine learning approach to predict the amount of seepage from Pakistan’s Earth and rock fill Tarbela Dam during 2003 to 2015. The data of temperature, rainfall, water inflow, sediment inflow, reservoir level collected during 2003 to 2015 served as input while the seepage from dam during this period was the output. Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and CatBoost (CB), have been used to model the input-output relationship. The algorithms used to predict the dam seepage reported a high R2 scores between actual and predicted values of average seepage, suggesting their reliability in predicting the seepage in the Tarbela Dam. Moreover, the CatBoost algorithm outperformed, by achieving an R2 score of 0.978 in training, 0.805 in validation, and 0.773 in testing phase. Similarly, RMSE was 0.025 in training, 0.076 in validation, and 0.111 in testing phase. Furthermore, to understand the sensitivity of each parameter on the output (average seepage), Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), a model explanation algorithm, was used to understand the affect of each parameter on the output. A comparison of SHAP used for all the machine learning models is also presented. According to SHAP summary plots, reservoir level was reported as the most significant parameter, affecting the average seepage in Tarbela Dam. Moreover, a direct relationship was observed between reservoir level and average seepage. It was concluded that the machine learning models are reliable in predicting and understanding the dam seepage in the Tarbela Dam. These Machine Learning models address the limitations of humans in data collecting and analysis which is highly prone to errors, hence arriving at misleading information that can lead to dam failure

Bio synthesis, comprehensive characterization, and multifaceted therapeutic applications of BSA-Resveratrol coated platinum nanoparticles

Abstract This study examines the manufacturing, characterization, and biological evaluation of platinum nanoparticles, which were synthesized by Enterobacter cloacae and coated with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and Resveratrol (RSV). The formation of PtNPs was confirmed with the change of color from dark yellow to black, which was due to the bioreduction of platinum chloride by E. cloacae. BSA and RSV functionalization enhanced these nanoparticles' biocompatibility and therapeutic potential. TGA, SEM, XRD, and FTIR were employed for characterization, where PtNPs and drug conjugation-related functional groups were studied by FTIR. XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of PtNPs and Pt-BSA-RSV NPs, while TGA and SEM showed thermal stability and post-drug coating morphological changes. Designed composite was also found to be biocompatible in nature in hemolytic testing, indicating their potential in Biomedical applications. After confirmation of PtNPs based nanocaompsite synthesis, they were examined for anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Pt-BSA-RSV NPs showed higher concentration-dependent DPPH scavenging activity, which measured antioxidant capability. Enzyme inhibition tests demonstrated considerable anti-inflammatory activity against COX-2 and 15-LOX enzymes. In in vitro anticancer studies, Pt-BSA-RSV NPs effectively killed human ovarian cancer cells. This phenomenon was demonstrated to be facilitated by the acidic environment of cancer, as the drug release assay confirmed the release of RSV from the NP formulation in the acidic environment. Finally, Molecular docking also demonstrated that RSV has strong potential as an anti-oxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent. Overall, in silico and in vitro investigations in the current study showed good medicinal applications for designed nanocomposites, however, further in-vivo experiments must be conducted to validate our findings

Damages to Himalayan White Pine (Pinus wallichiana) by Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Kaghan Valley, Pakistan

Tree damage is one of the destructive behaviors of the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus G. (Baron) Cuvier, 1823), and this type of damage causes great economic loss to the forest. A survey about Himalayan white pine (Pinus wallichiana (A. B) Jacks, 1836) damages was conducted at Kaghan Valley, District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Field surveys were carried out within five major sites of Kaghan Valley, including Manshi reserve forest, Kamal Bann reserve forest, Malkandi reserve forest, Noori Bichla reserve forest, and some Guzara forests. Line transects and diameter at breast height (DBH) methods were selected for data collection. Eighteen transects were placed in different sites of the valley. A total of (n = 201) affected trees were observed from eighteen transects, along with a total population of 1081 trees with the encounter rate (ER: 0.657) and the mean DBH is x¯ = 71.97 cm. Among total damages, the most severe (n = 39: 19.4%) were fully damaged with a greater encounter rate. Bark stripping was made during the late winter season and used as foodstuff when natural food is limited in the area. In severe cases, the bear-stripped bark encircles from the entire tree trunk, which results in the drying of trees and, finally, falls. Among all five sites, Manshi reserve forest was greatly affected, where the highest number (n = 76) of tree damage, and (n = 21) the entire diameter of trunks were damaged. People of the study area claimed that the black bear causes great forest damage, as well as crop destruction that leads to high economic loss

Synthesis of Chalcones as Potential α-Glucosidase Inhibitors, In-Vitro and In-Silico Studies

α-glucosidase inhibitors are potential antihyperglycemic agents. Seventeen chalcones derivatives (1–17) were synthesized by reactions of diversely substituted aldehydes with various ketones. The structures of compounds were characterized by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS) and carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen (CHN) analysis. These synthetic molecules were tested for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Acarbose was used as a standard drug and positive control in this study which exhibited an IC50 of 2.91±0.02 μM. Of seventeen, nine molecules 1-3, 5, 6, 8, and 11-13 displayed significant inhibition with IC50 values 1.19±0.19 to 15.79±0.99 μM. Compound 6 {(E)-3-(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(p-tolyl)prop-2-en-1-one} with hydroxy and chloro substitutions was found to be the most active compound and a novel compound of this library with IC50=1.19±0.19 μM. Active molecules were subjected to in silico study to determine binding interactions with target site of α-glucosidase