Skills of ICTs among Library Professionals of South Punjab

The study aimed to explore the skills, knowledge, abilities, and competencies of library professionals working in the academic libraries of public sector universities and private sector universities located in south Punjab. Library professionals working in the libraries of public sector universities and private sector universities were the population of the study. Convenience sampling technique was used to meet the objectives of the study. Quantitative research technique followed by the questionnaire as a data collection tool was used to accomplish the research. The findings of the study revealed that ICT is an essential part of the libraries and librarians are there to perform library operations to facilitate the library users of their respective libraries. It is the basic necessity of the present age to learn new skills, abilities, and competencies related to ICTs to survive in the profession of librarianship. Training courses about ICT are an effort to enhance the skills of library professionals. Library associations can play an important role in uplifting the trainings regarding ICTs

Synthesis, characterization and pharmacological evaluation of mixed ligand-metal complexes containing omeprazole and 8-hydroxyquinoline

Purpose: To synthesize a series of mixed ligand-metal complexes and to evaluate their alkaline phosphatase inhibitory capacities, antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activities.Method: Mixed ligand-metal complexes of Zn (II), Ni (II), Co (II), Cu (II), omeprazole and 8- hydroxyquinoline were synthesized. The ligand-metal complexes were characterized by various physicochemical techniques, including elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, scanning electron microscope (SEM), mass spectrometry (EI-MS), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and conductance studies. The new compounds were also investigated for their alkaline phosphatase (ALPs) inhibition, 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging and antimicrobial activities.Results: Spectroscopic studies revealed the chemical composition of synthesized compounds as well as the bidentate bonding behavior of the coordinating ligands with metal ions. Conductance measurement suggested that the metal complexes were non-electrolytes. Ni(II) complex exhibited antioxidant activity (30.48 ± 0.32 μM) higher than those of BHT (standard) and other complexes. Stronger inhibition of ALPs by Ni (II) mixed ligand complex compared to the other complexes was evident. The synthesized compounds showed moderate to very good antimicrobial activity against bacterial strains, i.e., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Actinomyces viscosus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis; as well as against the fungal strains, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger.Conclusion: All the mixed ligand complexes demonstrate higher antioxidant, ALPs-inhibitory and antimicrobial activities than their corresponding ligands. This indicates their therapeutic potential as future drug candidates for the concerned diseases.Keywords: Omeprazole, 8-Hydroxyquinoline, Mixed-ligand complexes, Alkaline phosphatase, Bidentate bonding behavior

Methyl (2Z)-3-[(4-nitro­phen­yl)carbamo­yl]prop-2-enoate

In the title compound, C11H10N2O5, the amide group is nearly coplanar and the ester group approximately perpendicular to the vinyl C—HC=CH—C group [dihedral angles of 5.0 (2) and 88.89 (5)°, respectively]. This results in a short intra­molecular O =C⋯O=C contact of 2.7201 (17) Å between the amide O atom and the ester carbonyl C atom. The prop-2-enamide fragment and the nitro group make dihedral angles of 20.42 (6) and 13.54 (17)°, respectively, with the benzene ring. An intra­molecular C—H⋯O inter­action between the benzene ring and the amide group generates an S(6) ring motif. Inter­molecular C—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds complete R 2 2(11) ring motifs and join mol­ecules into [100] chains

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Methods Adopted by University Library Professionals for Acquiring ICTs Competencies

The major objective of the study was to explore methods adopted by library professionals of South Punjab to acquire ICTs competencies. The population of the study was all the universities of South Punjab, Pakistan. Purposeful Sampling was applied by the researchers. The tool of the questionnaire was formed to gather data from the participants. The findings of the study show that the respondents of South Punjab sectors\u27 libraries used tele/video conferencing methods, LIS schools, self-study, and tours of other institutions for acquiring ICT skills. The study discovered that respondents faced problems during acquiring ICT competencies included tight working schedules, lack of scope for library professionals due to ICT applications, lack of initiative from professional associations to conduct specialized training programs. The respondents of South Punjab sectors\u27 libraries also faced limited opportunities, lack of power interruption of electricity, library professionals are not interested to learn ICT, and higher authority is not interested to send their librarian to upgrade their ICT skills during acquiring competencies in ICT. The study recommends methods to cultivate ICTs expertise among library professionals to initiate smart services in university libraries. Recommendations of the study are of great value for the policymakers and decision-making personalities

2-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione

In the title compound, C15H11NO3, the dihedral angle between the methoxybenzene and isoindole ring systems is 70.21 (3)°. The methoxy C atom is close to being coplanar with its attached ring [deviation = 0.133 (2) Å] and is oriented away from the isoindole moiety. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds generate R22(10) loops. Further C—H...O interactions lead to (010) infinite sheets and weak aromatic π–π stacking [centroid–centroid separations = 3.6990 (10) and 3.7217 (10) Å] is also observed

Schiff Bases: Multipurpose Pharmacophores with Extensive Biological Applications

Schiff bases are substances prepared generally by the condensation reaction of aldehydes or ketones with amines. They may have substituted aliphatic or aromatic side chains, and hence show extensive biological activities. It is reported that these molecules play an important role in the synthesis of various drugs. This paper focus on the biological activities of Schiff bases of various types and hence makes them important precursors in designing drugs for medical treatment. The biological applications of Schiff bases can be extended from antimicrobial, plant growth regulator, antioxidant, enzymatic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, antiviral, neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-convulsant to neurotoxic activities. They also serve as a dominant class of ligands with a variety of binding sites for coordination with metals

Schiff Bases: Multipurpose Pharmacophores with Extensive Biological Applications

Schiff bases are substances prepared generally by the condensation reaction of aldehydes or ketones with amines. They may have substituted aliphatic or aromatic side chains, and hence show extensive biological activities. It is reported that these molecules play an important role in the synthesis of various drugs. This paper focus on the biological activities of Schiff bases of various types and hence makes them important precursors in designing drugs for medical treatment. The biological applications of Schiff bases can be extended from antimicrobial, plant growth regulator, antioxidant, enzymatic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, antiviral, neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-convulsant to neurotoxic activities. They also serve as a dominant class of ligands with a variety of binding sites for coordination with metals