Wheat growth and phytoavailability of copper and zinc as affected by soil texture in saline-sodic conditions

Nutrient disorders in saline-sodic soils can adversely affect crop growth. In order to evaluate the growth response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Cu and Zn and the phytoavailability of these essential elements, a pot experiment was conducted in three different textured saline-sodic soils [sandy loam (SL), sandy clay loam (SCL) and clay (C)] having an ECe 8.63, 8.80, 8.98 dS m–1 and SAR 21.66, 23.48, 24.84 (mmol L–1)1/2 respectively. Seven treatments including levels of Cu (4, 6 and 8 mg kg–1) and levels of Zn (4, 6 and 8 mg kg–1) were separately applied together with a single control treatment. Dry matter yield (straw + grain) of wheat increased up to 35.2% with Cu and up to 31.2 % with Zn application relative to the control. As soil clay content increased, dry matter yield decreased up to 39.2% in SCL and up to 62.7% in C soil when compared to SL soil. Application of Cu increased the concentration in both wheat straw and grains up to 2.46 and 2.20 mg kg–1 DW respectively relative to the control. Zinc concentration in wheat straw and grains was also increased up to 29.97 and 29.40 mg kg–1 DW respectively relative to the controls. Copper application significantly increased Zn concentrations in wheat plants

Knowledge and practices regarding cigarette smoking among adult women in a rural district of Sindh, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and to obtain information on socio-demographic factors and attitude regarding cigarette smoking among adult women in a rural district of Sindh Province, Pakistan. METHODS: A cross sectional community based survey was done in a rural district of Sindh province of Pakistan using a two stage cluster sampling design. A pre tested questionnaire was used to interview 502 adult women (aged 18- 60 years) from the study site. The study was approved by the ethical research committee and informed consent was taken from participants. RESULTS: A total of 502 women were interviewed for this study. Approximately 71% of women were illiterate and 44% of women were in the age group of 18-24 years. A high number (10%) of adult women were smokers. Age at initiation among women (18-24 years) was 42%. A significant difference for questions regarding smoking effects on health (p = 0.02) and knowledge regarding smoking causes respiratory disease (p = 0.02) was observed in this survey. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the prevalence of smoking among women is on the rise in this rural district of Pakistan. Young age at initiation is an important finding that needs to be addressed

Log-logistic distribution for survival data analysis using MCMC

This paper focuses on the application of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique for estimating the parameters of log-logistic (LL) distribution which is dependent on a complete sample. To find Bayesian estimates for the parameters of the LL model OpenBUGS—established software for Bayesian analysis based on MCMC technique, is employed. It is presumed that samples for independent non informative set of priors for estimating LL parameters are drawn from posterior density function. A proposed module was developed and incorporated in OpenBUGS to estimate the Bayes estimators of the LL distribution. It is shown that statistically consistent parameter estimates and their respective credible intervals can be constructed through the use of OpenBUGS. Finally comparison of maximum likelihood estimate and Bayes estimates is carried out using three plots. Additively through this research it is established that computationally MCMC technique can be effortlessly put into practice. Elaborate procedure for applying MCMC, to estimate parameters of LL model, is demonstrated by making use of real survival data relating to bladder cancer patients

Novel VPS13B Mutations in Three Large Pakistani Cohen Syndrome Families Suggests a Baloch Variant with Autistic-Like Features.

BackgroundCohen Syndrome (COH1) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, principally identified by ocular, neural and muscular deficits. We identified three large consanguineous Pakistani families with intellectual disability and in some cases with autistic traits.MethodsClinical assessments were performed in order to allow comparison of clinical features with other VPS13B mutations. Homozygosity mapping followed by whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing strategies were used to identify disease-related mutations.ResultsWe identified two novel homozygous deletion mutations in VPS13B, firstly a 1 bp deletion, NM_017890.4:c.6879delT; p.Phe2293Leufs*24, and secondly a deletion of exons 37-40, which co-segregate with affected status. In addition to COH1-related traits, autistic features were reported in a number of family members, contrasting with the "friendly" demeanour often associated with COH1. The c.6879delT mutation is present in two families from different regions of the country, but both from the Baloch sub-ethnic group, and with a shared haplotype, indicating a founder effect among the Baloch population.ConclusionWe suspect that the c.6879delT mutation may be a common cause of COH1 and similar phenotypes among the Baloch population. Additionally, most of the individuals with the c.6879delT mutation in these two families also present with autistic like traits, and suggests that this variant may lead to a distinct autistic-like COH1 subgroup

Characteristics of chicken slaughterhouse wastewater

The chicken slaughterhouse wastewater is a class of wastewater, which is heavily polluted with organic matters including proteins, blood residues, fats and lard. Therefore, the direct discharged of untreated chicken slaughterhouse wastewater into the environment is associated with the occurrence of eutrophication phenomenon. In the present study, the characteristics of chicken slaughterhouse wastewater were investigated to ascertain the role of these wastes in the adverse effect on the environment and natural water system. The parameter tested included biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solid (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC), orthophosphate (PO4 3-), temperature and pH. The results revealed available high concentrations of BOD (1,341 - 1,821 ± 242.7 mg L1 ), COD (3,154.19 - 7,719.3 ± 2,282.69 mg L-1), TSS (377.67 - 5,462 ± 2,696.1 mg L-1) which have exceeded the EQA1974 standard limits for disposal of wastewater into the environment. The concentrations of TN (162.6 -563.8 ± 215 mg L-1) and PO4 3- (7.047 - 17.111 ± 4.25 mg L-1) were within the range required for microalgae growth which confirm their role in the occurrence of eutrophication phenomenon. It can be concluded that the direct discharge of chicken slaughterhouse wastewater contributes negatively on the environmental biodiversity and thus they should be subjected for an effective treated before the final disposal

Toward a secure global contact tracing app for Covid-19

AbstractThe outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic has devastated many sectors of each country and led to the development of contact tracing applications for controlling its spread. Contact tracing apps have been promoted to track infected contacts. However, contact tracing has gained significant debate due to its security and privacy concerns. The goal of this study is to examine the most popular contact tracing apps, their impact on pandemic control, as well security and privacy concerns. The multivocal literature review (MLR) brings the results from the state-of-the-art literature. We extracted 23 studies from both formal and grey literature to achieve the research objectives and found several security and privacy threats in the existing contact tracing applications. Additionally, the best practices to address these threats were also identified. We further proposed a preliminary structure of a secure global contact tracing app using blockchain technology.Abstract The outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic has devastated many sectors of each country and led to the development of contact tracing applications for controlling its spread. Contact tracing apps have been promoted to track infected contacts. However, contact tracing has gained significant debate due to its security and privacy concerns. The goal of this study is to examine the most popular contact tracing apps, their impact on pandemic control, as well security and privacy concerns. The multivocal literature review (MLR) brings the results from the state-of-the-art literature. We extracted 23 studies from both formal and grey literature to achieve the research objectives and found several security and privacy threats in the existing contact tracing applications. Additionally, the best practices to address these threats were also identified. We further proposed a preliminary structure of a secure global contact tracing app using blockchain technology

Islamic Versus Conventional Mutual Funds Performance in Pakistan; Comparative Analysis Through Performance Measures and DEA Approach

Islamic mutual funds are different from conventional mutual funds because both have different characteristics. Islamic mutual funds act upon the Shariah guidelines and rules. This study investigates the performance of Islamic and conventional mutual funds for the period of 8 years from January 01, 2010 to December 2017. For the purpose of analysis 30 Islamic mutual funds and 30 conventional mutual funds are selected as sample of the study. Study evaluates the performance of Islamic and conventional mutual funds based on different ratios like Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio and Jensen Alphen along with data envelopment analysis technique. Sharpe and Teynor ratios of Islamic mutual funds are higher than the conventional mutual funds which shows the better performance of Islamic mutual fund as compared to conventional mutual funds. Whereas the results of Jenson Alpha showed opposing results with Treynor and Sharpe ratios in which the value of Jenson Alpha of Islamic mutual fund is lower than conventional mutual funds. Results of data envelopment analysis showed higher efficiency of Islamic mutual funds as compared to conventional mutual funds. Ultimately, it is concluded that financial performance of Islamic mutual funds is superior as compared to conventional mutual funds in Pakistani mutual fund market for the period of 2010 to 2017

Islamic Versus Conventional Mutual Funds Performance in Pakistan; Comparative Analysis Through Performance Measures and DEA Approach

Islamic mutual funds are different from conventional mutual funds because both have different characteristics. Islamic mutual funds act upon the Shariah guidelines and rules. This study investigates the performance of Islamic and conventional mutual funds for the period of 8 years from January 01, 2010 to December 2017. For the purpose of analysis 30 Islamic mutual funds and 30 conventional mutual funds are selected as sample of the study. Study evaluates the performance of Islamic and conventional mutual funds based on different ratios like Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio and Jensen Alphen along with data envelopment analysis technique. Sharpe and Teynor ratios of Islamic mutual funds are higher than the conventional mutual funds which shows the better performance of Islamic mutual fund as compared to conventional mutual funds. Whereas the results of Jenson Alpha showed opposing results with Treynor and Sharpe ratios in which the value of Jenson Alpha of Islamic mutual fund is lower than conventional mutual funds. Results of data envelopment analysis showed higher efficiency of Islamic mutual funds as compared to conventional mutual funds. Ultimately, it is concluded that financial performance of Islamic mutual funds is superior as compared to conventional mutual funds in Pakistani mutual fund market for the period of 2010 to 2017