Impact of Distance Learning Education System on Education Standards

Conventional Learning & Distance based learning are the two systems prevailing in higher education. These systems affect the level of education standard. This research was conducted to highlight the impact of distance learning education system on education standard. The education standards were Institutional support, Course development, Learning Process, Student support, Faculty support, evaluation and assessment. A well-developed questionnaire was administered and distributed among 206 faculty members of Virtual University of Pakistan. Data was analyzed through correlation and regression analysis. Results confirmed that there is a significant relationship and impact of DLE system on education standards. The research further helped to evaluate Distance learning education (DLE) system with reference to higher education standards. The study will also add value in better understanding of standards and its pre-requisites. This will also provide baseline for future research. It will add value in existing body of knowledge. Key Words- Distance Learning Education, Higher Education, Education Standard

Effect of Drought on Trichome Density and Length in Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum)

Cotton is a major cash crop and backbone of the textile industry in Pakistan which is badly affected by sucking insects. Drought is an important abiotic factor in trichome development. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of drought on trichome density and length. Trichome density was measured in two ways, one through the scaling method and the other through counting the trichome density manually. The scaling method is qualitative grading while quantitative grading includes trichomecount in a card of optimized length. Three scales were finalized to classify leaves on the basis of trichomes which were counted in a specific area (0.25cm2) on abaxial side of the leaf. In drought stress, trichomes density and length were measured and compared to that in normal conditions. Trichome density varies from 12 to 56 in 0.25cm2 under drought stress. On the basis of correlation of trichome density with stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, PAR and transpiration ratio under drought and normal conditions, it was concluded that trichome density increased as a result of drought stress

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

Low apoplastic Na+ and intracellular ionic homeostasis confer salinity tolerance upon Ca2SiO4 chemigation in Zea mays L. under salt stress

Salinity is known to have a greater impact on shoot growth than root growth. Na+ buildup in plant tissue under salt stress has been proposed as one of the main issues that causes growth inhibition in crops via ionic imbalances, osmotic stress and pH disturbances. However, the evidence for apoplastic Na+ buildup and the role of silicon in Na+ accumulation at the subcellular level is still enigmatic. The current study focuses on the accumulation of Na+ in the apoplast and symplast of younger and older leaves of two maize varieties (Iqbal as salt-tolerant and Jalal as salt-sensitive) using hydroponic culture along with silicon supplementation under short-term salinity stress. Subcellular ion analysis indicated that silicon nutrition decreased Na+ concentration in both apoplastic washing fluid and symplastic fluid of maize under salt stress. The addition of silicon under NaCl treatment resulted in considerable improvement in fresh biomass, relative water content, chlorophyll content, and concentration of important subcellular ions (i.e., Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+). Knowledge of subcellular ion analysis is essential for solving the mechanisms underlying vital cellular functions e.g. in the current study, the soluble Na+ concentration in the apoplast of older leaves was found to be significantly greater (36.1 mM) in the salt-sensitive variety under NaCl treatment, which was 42.4% higher when compared to the Na+ concentration in the salt-tolerant variety under the same treatment which can influence permeability of cell membrane, signal transduction pathways and provides insights into how ion compartmentalization can contributes to salt tolerance. Calcium silicate enrichment can contribute to increased growth and improved ionic homeostasis by minimizing leaf electrolyte leakage, improving mechanical functions of cell wall and reducing water loss, and improved photosynthetic function. In current investigation, increased water content and intracellular ionic homeostasis along with reduced concentration of Na+ in the maize leaf apoplast suggest that calcium silicate can be used to ameliorate the adverse effects of salt stress and obtain yield using marginal saline lands

Effects of cutter geometry and cutting parameters on machining Al/SiC Metal Matrix Composites (MMC)

Al/SiC Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) have now become one of the prominent materials in composite materials especially in automotive industry. It has gained tremendous demand due to their tailored properties such as lightweight, high strength and wear resistant. However, these materials are classified as poor machinability material due to the presence of the hard-abrasive reinforcement particles within the matrix. Moreover, the lack of commercialization of a specific cutting tool for machining MMC materials is the source of several inherent problems such as rough machined surface and high cutting temperature. Furthermore, most of the researches on machining MMC are merely focus only on the effect of cutting parameters. Addressing to this matter, the development of new cutter design specifically for machining MMC are necessitate. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to study the combined effect between cutter geometrical features (helix angles, rake angles, clearance angles, number of flutes) and cutting parameter (cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut) towards the machining performances namely surface roughness, cutting force and material removal rate. From the conducted experimental work, it was found that all of the considered factors has significant effect on the machining performances. As a conclusion, the obtained relationship between the responses with the cutter geometrical features and machining parameters can be used for the development of new cutter design specifically for machining Al/SiC MMC material

A novel deletion mutation in the TUSC3 gene in a consanguineous Pakistani family with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic intellectual disability

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intellectual disability (ID) is a serious disorder of the central nervous system with a prevalence of 1-3% in a general population. In the past decades, the research focus has been predominantly on X-linked ID (68 loci and 19 genes for non syndromic X linked ID) while for autosomal recessive nonsyndromic ID (NSID) only 30 loci and 6 genes have been reported to date.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Genome-wide homozygosity mapping with 500 K Nsp1 array (Affymetrix), CNV analysis, PCR based breakpoint mapping and DNA sequencing was performed to explore the genetic basis of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic ID in a large Pakistani family.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data analysis showed linkage at 8p23 locus with common homozygous region between SNPs rs6989820 and rs2237834, spanning a region of 12.494 Mb. The subsequent CNV analysis of the data revealed a homozygous deletion of 170.673 Kb which encompassed the <it>TUSC3 </it>gene.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We report a novel deletion mutation in <it>TUSC3 </it>gene which is the second gene after <it>TRAPPC9 </it>in which mutation has been identified in more than one family with autosomal recessive NSID. The study will aid in exploring the molecular pathway of cognition.</p

Analysis of power-efficient high torque solar tracker through PID Controller

To provide a continuous supply of electricity, renewable energy resources, and smart technological innovation must be exploited, aiming to provide a long-term solution to the existing energy crises faced by today’s world. The photovoltaic (PV) panels are deployed to receive solar energy from the sunlight and consequently convert it into electrical energy. The photovoltaic PV panel receives maximum solar radiation only when it is at 90° perpendicular to the sunlight, which is directly proportional efficiency of the system. If proper technique not used to collect the maximum amount of sunlight, solar PV generation can be a more expensive energy source as compared to conventional energy generation. The generated output power of PV panels depends on the quantity of solar energy they collect from sunlight, and this amount can be increased by exploiting tracking systems. The solar tracker tends to move PV panels perpendicular to sunlight radiations to collect the maximum amount of sunlight to increase the system’s efficiency

Anti-mycotic potential of Trichoderma spp. and leaf biomass of Azadirachta indica against the charcoal rot pathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid in cowpea

Abstract Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid is a destructive pathogen of cowpea that causes serious charcoal rot disease with significant yield losses. Antifungal activity of three indigenous Ascomycetes viz., Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, and T. hamatum, and two Meliaceae members, i.e., Melia azedarach L. and Azadirachta indica L. were assessed against the pathogen. Laboratory screening trials with cell-free culture filtrate showed the maximum reduction in growth of M. phaseolina with T. harzianum, followed by T. viride. Various concentrations (1–5%) of methanolic leaf extract of A. indica showed more reduction in fungal biomass than M. azedarach. Pot experiment was performed by T. harzianum, T. viride, and dry leaf biomass of A. indica against M. phaseolina. Results revealed that potted soil amended with T. harzianum in combination with 1–3% dry leaf biomass of A. indica held a significant potential to decrease disease incidence to 20–25% and improve plant growth attributes up to fourfolds over positive control inoculated with M. phaseolina only. Physiology of the host plant was altered due to the incorporation of various soil amendments resulting in reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase). It was concluded that fungal antagonists and allelopathic chemicals would be an effective and eco-friendly means of managing the charcoal rot disease

Synthesis of Model Based Robust Stabilizing Reactor Power Controller for Nuclear Power Plant

In this paper, a nominal SISO (Single Input Single Output) model of PHWR (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor) type nuclear power plant is developed based on normal moderator pump-up rate capturing the moderator level dynamics using system identification technique. As the plant model is not exact, therefore additive and multiplicative uncertainty modeling is required. A robust perturbed plant model is derived based on worst case model capturing slowest moderator pump-up rate dynamics and moderator control valve opening delay. Both nominal and worst case models of PHWR-type nuclear power plant have ARX (An Autoregressive Exogenous) structures and the parameters of both models are estimated using recursive LMS (Least Mean Square) optimization algorithm. Nominal and worst case discrete plant models are transformed into frequency domain for robust controller design purpose. The closed loop system is configured into two port model form and H? robust controller is synthesized. The H?controller is designed based on singular value loop shaping and desired magnitude of control input. The selection of desired disturbance attenuation factor and size of the largest anticipated multiplicative plant perturbation for loop shaping of H? robust controller form a constrained multi-objective optimization problem. The performance and robustness of the proposed controller is tested under transient condition of a nuclear power plant in Pakistan and found satisfactory