A Note on the Poetic Aesthetic of Faiz

Faiz’s championship for a classless society has a conscious voice in his poetry. His attempt is to uphold the tenets of Communism and the cause of the deprived, the underdog “yeh galion ke awara bekar Kutte†(Faiz  Nuskha Haai Wafa 71) which is well manifest in his poetry. His voice is robust with optimism, courage and strength. In him, there is a celebration of not only the intellect which is often a prerogative of the upper class that can afford time and energy to spend for the acquisition of intellectual prowess and aesthetic taste; but there is also a bonhomie about physical strength that the proletariat are more associated with as theirs is real struggle of the body and its sustenance. Hands, mouth and lips, voice, a tall and erect body accustomed to hard work are the main sources of power. His poetry enthuses many and is appreciated by many. Some of his poems are in Punjabi aiming at the Punjabi peasantry. Is Faiz’s appeal really universal, cutting across the class borders? The aesthetic peculiar to Faiz that he perhaps shares only with Ghalib, involves an amalgamation of high and low styles and diction. His conversational style admixes with Arab-Persian lexical chunks. It was something inevitable for his lack of control of the language that draws its aesthetic conventions in an intellectual hybridity resulting from its historical contact and association with Arabic and Persian, once languages of the intellectual as well as emotional make-up of the learned class. A reading of his poetry against its grain reveals the fault lines inherent in his aesthetic. It is ironic that crux of his message is for the proletariat of the society who cannot read him with felicity as they lack the pre-requisite literary competence and are beyond the purview and leisure of reading sessions. Major Mohammed Is’haaq’s “Roodad-e-Qafas†(Faiz Zindan Naama 9), epitomises warring nature of the ideology, theme and aesthetic that inheres Faiz’s poetry. Mohammed Is’haaq’s sense of honour associated with the task of writing an introduction to Faiz’s poetry, his alleged plebeian background and his hyperbolic confession of nervousness for the said task (in a language that again belies the said words) affirms the opposing threads of potential interpretations that make apparent that the unity of his voice and theme remain elusive and indeterminate. The question whether Faiz may infuse the real underdogs with the real zeal, ardour and passion, as he talks about the uplift of their lot demands an attempt to affirm an answer or lack thereof. The paper is an experiment with the trailing of the fissures and gaps that leave any interpretation of Faiz’s poetry indeterminate without undermining the effect it has on a particular class that controls, defines and patents aesthetic sense

Planarity in cubic intuitionistic graphs and their application to control air traffic on a runway

Fuzzy modeling plays a pivotal role in various fields, including science, engineering, and medicine. In comparison to conventional models, fuzzy models offer enhanced accuracy, adaptability, and resemblance to real-world systems and help researchers to always make the best choice in complex problems. A type of fuzzy graph that is widely used in medical and psychological sciences is the cubic intuitionistic fuzzy graph, which plays an important role in various fields such as computer science, psychology, medicine, and political sciences. It is also used to find effective people in an organization or social institution. In this research endeavor, we embark upon elucidating the innovative notion of a cubic intuitionistic planar graph, delving into its intricate properties and attributes. Additionally, we unveil the novel concept of a cubic intuitionistic dual graph, thus enriching the realm of graph theory with further profundity. Furthermore, our exploration encompasses the elucidation of other pertinent terminologies, such as cubic intuitionistic multi-graphs, along with the categorization of edges into the distinct classifications of strong and weak edges. Moreover, we discern the concept of the degree of planarity within the context of CIPG and unveil the notion of strong and weak faces. Additionally, we delve into the construction of cubic intuitionistic dual graphs, which can be realized in cases where the initial graph is planar or possesses a degree of planarity ≥0.67. Notably, we furnish the exposition with a comprehensive discussion on noteworthy findings and substantial results pertaining to these captivating topics, contributing valuable insights on the field of graph theory. Last, we shall endeavor to exemplify the practical relevance and importance of our research by presenting an illuminating real-world application, thus demonstrating the tangible impact and significance of our endeavors in this research article

The SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Activates the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mediated Signaling

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). At the molecular and cellular levels, the SARS-CoV-2 uses its envelope glycoprotein, the spike S protein, to infect the target cells in the lungs via binding with their transmembrane receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here, we wanted to investigate if other molecular targets and pathways may be used by SARS-CoV-2. We investigated the possibility of the spike 1 S protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) to target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream signaling pathway in vitro using the lung cancer cell line (A549 cells). Protein expression and phosphorylation were examined upon cell treatment with the recombinant full spike 1 S protein or RBD. We demonstrate for the first time the activation of EGFR by the Spike 1 protein associated with the phosphorylation of the canonical Extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and AKT kinases and an increase in survivin expression controlling the survival pathway. Our study suggests the putative implication of EGFR and its related signaling pathways in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and COVID-19 pathology. This may open new perspectives in the treatment of COVID-19 patients by targeting EGFR

Ecophysiological and Biochemical Responses Depicting Seed Tolerance to Osmotic Stresses in Annual and Perennial Species of Halopeplis in a Frame of Global Warming

Plant abundance and distribution are regulated by subtle changes in ecological factors, which are becoming more frequent under global climate change. Species with a higher tolerance to such changes, especially during early lifecycle stages, are highly likely to endure climate change. This study compared the germination adaptability of Halopeplis amplexicaulis and H. perfoliata, which differ in life-form and grow in different environments. Optimal conditions, tolerances and the biochemical responses of seeds to osmotic stresses were examined. Seeds of H. perfoliata germinated in a wider range of temperature regimes and were more tolerant to osmotic stresses than H. amplexicaulis seeds. Neither NaCl nor PEG treatment invoked the H2O2 content in germinating seeds of the tested species. Consequently, unaltered, or even decreased activities of H2O2 detoxification enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants were observed in germinating seeds in response to the aforementioned stresses. High and comparable levels of recovery from isotonic treatments, alongside a lack of substantial oxidative damage indicated that the osmotic stress, rather than the ionic toxicity, may be responsible for the germination inhibition. Hence, rainy periods, linked to water availability, may act as a key determinant for germination and H. perfoliata could be less affected by global warming owing to better germinability under high temperatures compared with H. amplexicaulis. Such studies involving biochemical analysis coupled with the germination ecology of congeneric species, which differ in life-form and occurrence are scarce, therefore are important in understanding the impacts of global changes on species abundance/distribution

Salinity inhibits seed germination of perennial halophytes Limonium stocksii and Suaeda fruticosa by reducing water uptake and ascorbate dependent antioxidant system

Information about production and detoxification of reactive oxygen species during seed germination of halophytes under saline conditions is scanty. We therefore studied levels of common oxidative stress markers, antioxidant substances and antioxidant enzyme activities in germinating seeds of two subtropical coastal halophytes Limonium stocksii and Suaeda fruticosa under various NaCl (0, 200 and 400. mM) treatments. Mature seeds of both species lacked reduced ascorbate (AsA) in dry state. However, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were detected in dry seeds of both species. Higher and rapid germination was noted in L. stocksii seeds compared to S. fruticosa in distilled water. Ascorbate (AsA) was detected in water imbibed seeds of both species, along with increase in GSH levels and SOD, APX and GR activities during germination in distilled water. Germination and hydration of the seeds of both species decreased with increases in NaCl concentration. CAT and GPX activities were higher while APX, AsA and GSH decreased in salt stressed seeds compared to water-imbibed seeds. Thus, it appears that the salinity inhibits seed germination of L. stocksii and S. fruticosa by reducing water uptake and compromising ascorbate dependent antioxidant system.Higher Education Commission of PakistanScopu

Ecophysiological and Biochemical Responses Depicting Seed Tolerance to Osmotic Stresses in Annual and Perennial Species of <i>Halopeplis</i> in a Frame of Global Warming

Plant abundance and distribution are regulated by subtle changes in ecological factors, which are becoming more frequent under global climate change. Species with a higher tolerance to such changes, especially during early lifecycle stages, are highly likely to endure climate change. This study compared the germination adaptability of Halopeplis amplexicaulis and H. perfoliata, which differ in life-form and grow in different environments. Optimal conditions, tolerances and the biochemical responses of seeds to osmotic stresses were examined. Seeds of H. perfoliata germinated in a wider range of temperature regimes and were more tolerant to osmotic stresses than H. amplexicaulis seeds. Neither NaCl nor PEG treatment invoked the H2O2 content in germinating seeds of the tested species. Consequently, unaltered, or even decreased activities of H2O2 detoxification enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants were observed in germinating seeds in response to the aforementioned stresses. High and comparable levels of recovery from isotonic treatments, alongside a lack of substantial oxidative damage indicated that the osmotic stress, rather than the ionic toxicity, may be responsible for the germination inhibition. Hence, rainy periods, linked to water availability, may act as a key determinant for germination and H. perfoliata could be less affected by global warming owing to better germinability under high temperatures compared with H. amplexicaulis. Such studies involving biochemical analysis coupled with the germination ecology of congeneric species, which differ in life-form and occurrence are scarce, therefore are important in understanding the impacts of global changes on species abundance/distribution

Biomass production and predicted ethanol yield are linked with optimum photosynthesis in phragmites karka under salinity and drought conditions

Plant photosynthesis and biomass production are closely associated traits but critical to unfavorable environmental constraints such as salinity and drought. The relationships among stress tolerance, photosynthetic mechanisms, biomass and ethanol yield were assessed in Phragmites karka. The growth parameters, leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of P. karka were studied when irrigated with the control and 100 and 300 mM NaCl in a nutrient solution and water deficit conditions (drought, at 50% water holding capacity). The plant shoot fresh biomass was increased in the low NaCl concentration; however, it significantly declined in high salinity and drought. Interestingly the addition of low salinity increased the shoot biomass and ethanol yield. The number of tillers was increased at 100 mM NaCl in comparison to the control treatment. High salinity increased the photosynthetic performance, but there were no significant changes in drought-treated plants. The saturated irradiance (Is) for photosynthesis increased significantly in low salinity, but it declined (about 50%) in high salt-stressed and (about 20%) in drought-treated plants compared to the control. The rates of dark respiration (Rd) and compensation irradiance (Ic) were decreased significantly under all treatments of salinity and drought, with the exception of unchanged Rd values in the control and drought treatments. A-Ci curve analyses revealed a significant improvement in the Jmax, Vc, max, and triose-phosphate utilization (TPU) at lower salinity levels but decreased at 300 mM NaCl and drought treatments compared to the control. In the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, maximum photochemical quantum yield of PSII, and Y(NO)), the non-photochemical yields were not affected under the salt and drought treatments, although an effective photochemical quantum yield (YII) and electron transport rate (ETR) were significantly enhanced in water deficit compared to control plants. P. karka regulates an efficient photosynthesis mechanism to grow in saline and arid areas and can therefore be used as a sustainable biofuel crop.King Saud University | Ref. RSP-2021/17

Enhancing sustainable plant production and food security: Understanding the mechanisms and impacts of electromagnetic fields

The prevalence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) caused by electromagnetic radiation is increasing in our daily lives, potentially bringing both adverse and beneficial effects. EMFs have garnered significant research attention in various disciplines, including agricultural science. However, our understanding of the impact of EMFs on the ecophysiological performance of plants under suboptimal conditions is limited. Despite this, there are indications that EMFs can improve crop productivity by enhancing seed germination, plant nutrition, precision farming, water use efficiency, root hydraulic conductance, plant water uptake, anti-oxidative defense, pest prevention, stress signaling, and hormonal pathways. This review highlights the practical application of EMFs for increasing plant biomass production by elucidating the underlying mechanisms involved in seed germination, plant growth, water relations, ion flux, photosynthesis, and antioxidant defense. We also highlight the prospects for using EMFs in sustainable agriculture and their potential to alleviate the conventional agricultural pressures related to food security issues