Comprehensive Assessment of Economic, Productive, Phenotypic, and Morphometric Traits in Azikheli Buffalo Breed of Northern Pakistan

The study was conducted to illuminate the phenotypic, morphometric, and productive characteristics of the Azikheli buffalo breed. One thousand two hundred pure Azikheli buffaloes (male: female) were randomly selected from the main hub of the Azikheli buffalo breed in Swat (Azikhel). The data were analyzed for comparison and frequency distribution. Phenotypic characteristic of the female buffalo shows that more than 73 % of the body color was golden yellowish. In contrast, in males, this value was 83 %, followed by white-albino and grayish colors. The shape of horns were semi sickle and grayish in color. Morphometric parameters of the breed indicated that the average body weight of female and male buffaloes was 480 ± 20 kg and 422 ± 20 kg, body length 131.3 ± 2.5 cm vs. 121.4 ± 1.3, height at withers 127.48 ± 0.5 cm vs. 124.9 ± 0.4 cm and heart girth 185.8 ± 3 cm vs. 172.5 ± 2 cm. The male is slightly narrow, and more compact in body structure than the female. Average daily milk production was 7.80 liters with a range of 5-16 liters/day. The milk fats % was very high compared to other local buffalo breeds and ranges from 6.5 to 9.70 g/100 g and make the milk selling at a high rate in the swat local market ranges from 250-270 Pakistani rupees/liter compared to other buffalo milk (200-220 Pakistani rupees). It may be concluded that the Azikheli buffalo is an asset for the people of northern Pakistan, providing livelihood support through the sale of milk and animals. The farmer income may be further enhanced through good feeding practices

Effect of carbon fiber winding layer on torsional characteristics of filament wound composite shafts

Composite materials are promising candidates as structural materials and substituting metals in extensive applications. Shafts are used in aerospace and automotive structures and hence replacing conventional shafts with composite material shafts is a viable option. Hollow shafts can be manufactured using filament winding technology employing hoop and helix winding layers. Filament winding technology offers several advantages such as continuous filaments through structure and capability for continuous manufacturing. Previously researchers have investigated composite shafts; however, this research elaborates the significance of type of winding layer on torsional characteristics. This paper reports the effects of carbon fiber winding layer on torsional characteristics of filament wound composite hollow shafts. Shafts were manufactured using filament winding technology with continuous carbon fiber roving and epoxy matrix material and tested using the torsional testing machine. The finite element (FE) simulations have been carried out with a general purpose commercial FE code, ABAQUS, to demonstrate shafts in torsional loading. The results revealed that values from torsional test correlate with developed finite element model. It was concluded that helix winding layer offers high hardness and more resistance to torsional forces as compared to hoop winding layer in filament wound composite shafts

Effect of hybrid reinforcement on the performance of filament wound hollow shaft

Previous studies have shown that composite materials can replace metals as the material of construction in shafts. Composite material shafts are normally made up of polymer matrix composites as they are easy to design and economical to manufacture. This paper investigates the effect of hybrid reinforcement on the performance of filament wound hollow shaft. The hybrid shafts are composed of hybrid filaments including a combination of carbon, glass and aramid fibers. The initial stage involved development and verification of FEA model in order to establish grounds for further experimentation. Afterwards, a design of experiments model was established and experiments were performed using FEA. After the design phase, the shafts were manufactured using filament winding processing technique employing suitable matrix and reinforcement systems. Lastly, the shafts were tested for torsional characteristics, hardness, density and chemical reactivity. The results showed that carbon fiber reinforcement shows best results in terms of torsional characteristics. In terms of chemical reactivity, carbon-glass hybrid reinforcement exhibited minimum degradation. Furthermore, it was also found that hybrid reinforcements containing carbon-aramid fibers showed better results in terms of density and surface hardness

3-Methyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]oxazin-1-one

In the title mol­ecule, C8H7NO2, all the non-H atoms lie essentially in the same plane (r.m.s. deviation = 0.019 Å) In the crystal structure, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions link mol­ecules into chains along [100]. In addition, there are π–π stacking inter­actions between mol­ecules related by the c-glide plane, with alternating centroid–centroid distances of 3.434 (2) and 3.639 (2) Å

Herbal drugs: knowledge, attitude and practice of its concurrent use with allopathic drugs, scientific testing and effectiveness in common diseases among educated class

Background: Craving for a holistic approach for healthcare and concern about side effect of the chemically produced drug is increasing interest in herbal medicine. There is a favourable perception about its effectiveness in complete cure of certain diseases. Its regulation, concurrent use with allopathic medicine and scientific testing has always been of concern.Methods: Cross sectional descriptive study was done using predesigned questionnaire among the educated class. Socio-demographic data, attitude and practice about simultaneous use, effectiveness in common disease, scientific testing and regulation of herbal medicine were asked. Also a rating of different system of medicine i.e allopathy, unani, ayurveda, homeopathy was asked.Results: Total completed participants were 120. Across level of education use of herbal medicine was 55% in the last 1 year, 56.7% have used or intend to use herbal along with allopathic and only 18.9 % tell it to treating physician. 50% consider concurrent use as safe, 43% believe it cures completely, 31.7% consider equally effective than allopathic and 95% have not encountered any side effect or allergic reaction with it. A majority did not know about any scientific testing and clinical study of herbal drugs.Conclusions: Herbal medicines have very positive perception. The regulatory authorities are also patronising it in many countries. They are also being used along with allopathic medicine and many times even without knowledge of treating doctor. The perception about herbal medicine is historical based on personal or clinical experiences, mostly lacking with good grade of strength of evidence. There is need to have Level Ia or Ib evidence for their effectiveness and safety

3-Phenyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]oxazin-1-one

The mol­ecule of the title compound, C13H9NO2, is slightly twisted with a dihedral angle of 4.85 (9)° between the nine-membered ring system and the phenyl ring. The nine non-H atoms of the 1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]oxazin-1-one system are coplanar [r.m.s. deviation = 0.0122 (2) Å]. In the crystal, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions link mol­ecules into chains along [10]. The crystal studied was an inversion twin with a 0.48624 (9):0.51376 (9) domain ratio

N-[2-(3-Methyl-1-oxo-1,2-dihydro­pyrrolo­[1,2-a]pyrazin-2-yl)eth­yl]methane­sulfonamide

In the title compound, C11H15N3O3S, the dihedral angle between the five- and six-membered rings is 1.13 (18)°. The ethyl­methane­sulfonamide group is in a (+)synclinal conformation. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen-bond inter­actions link mol­ecules into zigzag ribbons parallel to the b axis. The ribbons are further connected by C—H⋯π inter­actions

Assessing the Formal and Informal Waste Recycling Business Processes through a Stakeholders Lens in Pakistan

With this study, we aim to assess integration possibilities of formal and informal waste management approaches in a low-income country context by using recycling as a tool towards sustainability. Using a holistic approach, this study examines both formal and informal aspects of recycling value chains through a stakeholder lens. Pakistan is far from being a circular economy, as evident from the dismal levels of municipal solid waste collection and recycling. This problem calls for the effective integration of formal and informal recycling business processes to fill the void. With this study, we seek to assess various aspects of formal and informal waste recycling in Pakistan through an inductive qualitative research design by examining the case of one of the most populous cities, Lahore, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Equal representation to various stakeholders is accorded, with 25 interviews each with managers of private companies, public companies, waste pickers and scrap dealers in the target area. The study highlights that recycling sector in Pakistan is completely informal and unregulated with no or little support available due to a lack of funds and systematic planning. The empirical evidence suggests that the formal sector lacks the capacity for proper waste disposal of total waste generated. The recycling aspects are left to informal sector stakeholders who improvise to extract value from MSW in an entrepreneurial manner. The formal sector holds a bias towards informal stakeholders due to the fact that their work also serves as a theft bargain and resale platform under the guise of waste collection and recycling. The study highlights the most and least sought after recyclables, identifies gray channel markets of spare parts, metal recycling and counterfeit products, and practices of adulteration in the target area. This study recommends as a policy input, to overcome bias towards the informal sector, the creation of a central recycling commission to overlook and regulate the affairs of hitherto unregulated and informal municipal solid waste and recycling value chains

Nigella Sativa's Effect on Biochemical as well as Anthropometric Parameters in Diabetic Rats on High Fat Diet

Objective: Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds and its crude extract or essential oils have been widely used traditionally for nutritional and medicinal applications in Asian countries. Its effects on diabetics with high fat diet consumption have not been adequately studied. This study was undertaken to study its effects on body weight, abdominal girth, lipid profile and plasma glucose levels in diabetic high fat diet fed rats. Materials and Methods : Streptozotocin induced male Wistar rats were fed high fat diet [5130 kcal] for 4 weeks after which they were given vehicle, Nigella sativa ethanolic extract (300mg/kg), Nigella sativa ethanolic extract (600 mg) or metformin (100 mg). Lipid profile, blood glucose, body weight & abdominal girth were measured. Results: Nigella sativa ethanolic extract (600 mg) caused significant reduction in blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and non HDL cholesterol comparable to metformin. Conclusion : Nigella sativa shows anti-hyperglycemic effects and improvement in lipid profile in diabetic high fat diet fed rats which is comparable to metformin. Further studies are required to advocate its use in patients with diabetes and dyslipidemias. Keywords: Nigella sativa, diabetes mellitus, antihyperlipidemic, antihyperglycemic, high fa

Serology based disease status of Pakistani population infected with Hepatitis B virus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The infection rate of hepatitis B virus is continuously increasing in Pakistan. Therefore, a comprehensive study of epidemiological data is the need of time.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 1300 individuals were screened for HBV infection markers including HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBcAg. The association of these disease indicators was compared with patients' epidemiological characteristics like age, socio-economic status and residential area to analyze and find out the possible correlation among these variables and the patients disease status.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>52 (4%) individuals were found positive for HBsAg with mean age 23.5 ± 3.7 years. 9.30%, 33.47% and 12% individuals had HBeAg, antibodies for HBsAg, and antibodies for HBcAg respectively. HBsAg seropositivity rate was significantly associated (<it>p </it>= 0.03) with the residing locality indicating high infection in rural areas. Antibodies titer against HBsAg decreased with the increasing age reflecting an inverse correlation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicate high prevalence rate of Hepatitis B virus infection and nationwide vaccination campaigns along with public awareness and educational programs are needed to be practiced urgently.</p