Electron emission characterization of laser-induced gaseous plasma

Laser induced hydrogen plasma has been investigated as a source of electrons. The energy, temperature and flux of the electrons have been determined by using two different temporal detectors; Faraday cup and Rogowski coil. The energy, temperature and flux were measured from the electrons extracted from laser induced hydrogen plasma. The Rogowski coil has been used for measurement of flux and current whereas Faraday cup has been used to determine the current density in laser induced plasma. The energy and temperature of the electrons are measured by the time of flight method in the range of 1.23 - 5.04 keV and 2516.26 eV, respectively. The flux of the electrons has been measured ≈ 1015 by Rogowski coil and the maximum current has been measured to be 39.6 kA. The current density has been measured by the Faraday cup ranges from 20 Am-2 to 23 Am-2

The Impact of Green Human Resource Management on Environment Performance: A Roadmap Towards Sustainable Development in Hotel Industry

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) upon the hotel’s environmental performance (HEP) in view of  the global call for sustainability. The study was conducted by sampling the employees from different hotels of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. SPSS and PLS were used for data analysis. The findings show that GHRM has a positive impact on HEP, but the direct relationship between employees’ organizational commitment (EOC) and HEP is negative, while EOC plays a negative role in the relationship between GHRM and HEP. The sequential mediation shows that the EOC and employees’ eco-friendly behavior (EEB) positively mediate the relationship between GHRM and HEP. This research shows that it would be helpful for the employees to understand the effects of green human resource strategies and practices for improvement in the hotel environment and thereby leading towards sustainable performance

Potencial antioxidante de extractos de residuos agroalimentarios: estabilización de aceite de maíz

The antioxidant potential of 80% methanolic extracts of some agro wastes (pomegranate peel, apple peel, banana peel, citrus peel, corncob, wheat husk, wheat bran, rice bran, and rice hull) was assessed. The yields of the extracts varied over a wide range (8.83 to 29.9 g/100g of dry weight). TPC, TFC, total flavonols (kaempeferol, quercetin, myricetin; HPLC method), DPPH. radical scavenging and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation for the extracts varied significantly (P < 0.05) ranging from 0.16-36.40, 0.026-4.89 g/100g of dry matter, 1.06-2622.41 mg/Kg of dry matter, 11.2-52.6, and 64.8-96.4%, respectively. Pomegranate peel extract, offering the highest TPC, TFC, and total flavonols exhibited superior antioxidant activity followed by apple peel, citrus peel, banana peel, corncob, wheat bran, rice bran, wheat husk, and rice hull. Furthermore, the antioxidant effectiveness of the extracts was assessed using corn oil (CO) as the oxidation substrate. CO samples stabilized with extracts at a concentration of 600 ppm (w/w) were subjected to accelerated aging (60 ºC, oven heating, 30 days; 8 h heating cycle per day), and analyzed periodically for the extent of oxidative alterations following the measurement of conjugated dienes (CD), conjugated trienes (CT), p-anisidine and peroxide values. The correlation between the results of different antioxidant assays and oxidation parameters investigated in the present study indicated that fruit peel extracts, exhibiting higher TPC, TFC, flavonol and scavenging power, were also more potent for enhancing the oxidative stability of corn oil.En este studio se determinó el potencial antioxidante de extractos de methanol al 80%, de distintos resíduos de granada, manzana, frutos cítricos, maíz, trigo y arroz. Los rendimientos de los extractos variaron en un amplio rango (8.89 a 29.9 g/100 g de materia seca). La cantidad total de compuestos fenólicos, de flavonoides y de flavonoles, así como la capacidad para secuestrar radicales y la inhibición de la oxidación del ácido linoleico varió significativamente (P < 0.05). El extracto de piel de granada contenía las cantidades más elevadas de compuestos fenólicos, de flavonoides y de flavonoles y exhibió la capacidad antioxidante más elevada, seguido del de piel de manzana, piel de cítricos, piel de plátano, mazorca de maíz, salvado de trigo, salvado de arroz, cáscara de trigo y cáscara de arroz. Igualmente, se estableció la actividad antioxidante de los extractos usando aceite de maíz como sustrato. Muestras de aceite estabilizadas con los distintos extractos (600 mg/kg) fueron sometidas a oxidación acelerada (60 °C en horno durante 30 días con ciclos de calentamiento de 8 h/día) y periódicamente se determinaron los siguientes índices: dienos y trienos conjugados, índice de panisidina e índice de peróxidos. Finalmente, se estudiaron las correlaciones entre los resultados de los distintos ensayos y los niveles de compuestos con acción antioxidante, destacando los extractos de pieles de fruta por su mayor contenido en compuestos fenólicos, flavonoides y flavonoles, e igualmente por su potencia para aumentar la estabilidad oxidativa del aceite de maíz

Evaluation of seed priming on germination of Gladiolus alatus

Seed priming improves seed performance under environmental conditions. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of different priming treatments on germination behavior of Gladiolus alatus. The experiment was conducted under complete randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Seed priming was done with different concentration of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and hydropriming. All the treatments had significant effect on germination percentage, germination test in growth room, time for 50% germination and mean germination time. Results show that maximum invigoration was observed in seeds osmoprimed at lower concentrations of KNO3 and with hydropriming while minimum invigoration was observed at higher concentration of KNO3-. It was concluded that germination percentage can be increased by using lower concentrations of KNO3 and with hydropriming.Key words: Priming, hydropriming, gladiolus, germination

Characterization of cowpea to harvest rainwater for wheat in semiarid conditions

Aim of study: A field experiment was executed, under rainfed conditions from 2014-15 to 2017-18, to study the role of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in rainwater harvesting to enhance the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield.Area of study: Rain-fed area of Pothwar region, Punjab, Pakistan.Material and methods: We designed three treatments (T1: control; T2: cowpea grown after conventional tillage and incorporated into soil to act as “green manure”; and T3: grown without any tillage practice, cut with sickle and spread as “mulch”). The effect of these treatments on soil moisture conservation was studied against conventional farmer’s practice, wherein no host crop is grown before wheat sowing.Main results: Available soil water remained highest in T2 during first three years when sufficient rainfall was received contrary to fourth year with low rainfall. The results revealed that cowpea biomass of 15.2 t/ha and 13.72 t/ha, from T2 and T3 respectively, were produced during 2015 corresponding to 213 mm rainfall. Whereas, these quantities increased to 25.69 t/ha and 24.29 t/ha during 2017 with 387 mm of rainfall. The study revealed that net income from wheat crop under T2 was Rs 13000 and Rs 9000 per hectare higher than that of control during the first two years respectively. Contrarily, net income from T2 was found negative and benefit-cost ratio reduced to 0.79 when very low rainfall was received during the last year.Research highlights: Use of cowpea as green manure gave maximum net return if sufficient rainfall is received during decomposition of cowpea and hence recommended for in-situ rainwater harvesting

Regeneration of Plantlets from various Explants of Tetraploid watermelon

Micropropagation of tetraploid watermelon is important to cope with high cost of seed. Seeds of tetraploid watermelon were grown in vitro to raise seedlings. Hypocotyl and cotyledonary explants and media supplemented with plant growth regulators (BAP and NAA) was explored for callus induction and organogenesis. Data was collected for callus, shoot and root induction. Maximum callus induction was observed at BAP 5 mgL-1 (76.66%) from cotyledon and (73.33%) from hypocotyls explant. The callus induced from different explants was sub-cultured on the shoot regeneration medium. Higher shoot induction (96.66%) was observed  from cotyledon and hypocotyl explant (76.66%) on MS + 1.0 mgL-1 BAP + 0.2 mgL-1 NAA with maximum number (6.3) of shoot per explant and average shoot length 4.5 cm. Among different types (NAA and IAA) and concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 mgL-1) of auxins investigated for root induction, maximum frequency of rooting was observed in 0.1 mgL-1 NAA while no root formation was observed at higher levels of auxin (1.0 mgL-1). Similarly in case of number of roots per shoot maximum root (4.3) was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mgL-1 NAA. Key Words: Regeneration, Explant, Tetraploid, Water Mello

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a widespread parasitic infection caused by the Leishmania, which is carried by female sandflies. The symptoms include basic ulcer to lethal systemic disease i.e., formation of widely dispersed skin lesions of diverse types. Almost 350 million individuals are at danger and the disease is endemic in more than 98 countries. There are globally 12 million cases, with 2–2.5 million new cases annually. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is considered as critically neglected disease by WHO. Earlier it was difficult to identify the infecting parasite, but modern DNA techniques make it quite simple to identify the Leishmania species, allowing quick treatment decisions. The quick identification of Leishmania is made possible using the PCR method. There is currently no vaccination to prevent leishmaniasis, and pharmacological treatment is frequently ineffectual. There is a need for broad and well-conducted investigations to help its control. Amphotericin B, pentamidine isethionate, paromomycin, and antifungals are some of the drugs recommended for treatment. By organising direct, in-person training, which is a crucial step in improving attitudes and preventative actions toward CL and its control in endemic areas, it is necessary to underline the significance and necessity of teaching this at-risk population

ANTIVIRAL EFFECTS OF GREEN TEA (Camellia sinensis) AGAINST PATHOGENIC VIRUSES OF HUMAN AND ANIMALS (A MINIREVIEW)

Background: Tea is the second most addictive worldwide after formulations containing caffeine in carbonated beverage. Green tea is made from leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. In the repertoire of traditional Chinese medicine, green tea beverages have played a fundamental role associated with their culture. It has been suggested that green tea has a number of positive health benefits that are reviewed and discussed in this minireview. Materials and Methods: We performed a search using the key words “green tea” AND “antiviral” covering the last 10 years. The consulted data based were PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Reuters and Thomson. Results: The results of the searching greatly support that green tea presents both antibacterial and antiviral effects. The beneficial effects of green tea are mainly attributed to the presence of a type of polyphenols known as catechins and formed by several isomers including (-) - epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-) - epigallocatechin, (-) - epicatechin gallate, (-) -epicatechin, and (+) - catechin. The catechins in green tea have a wide range of antiviral activity against a variety of viruses that act by interfering with its replication cycle. Conclusion: A detailed information on the antiviral activity of green tea in a number of different viruses show a promising future as a popular drink and also as a potential therapeutic agent