INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY CULTURE AND STUDENTS COMMITMENT FOR READING HABITS

The current study tries to understand the dynamic relationship between institutions libraries culture (Bureaucratic, Innovative, Supportive cultures) and student’s commitment toward using books/material for learning. For this purpose data was collected through proportionate sampling technique and population consist of over all students studying in The University of Lakki Marwat District lakki marwat Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Pakistan. Data was analyzed through SPSS. According to the findings gender differences did not evident any significant relation with students commitment types and university library culture. While Subject difference results through ANOVA state that normative commitment as well as supportive culture was recorded among zoology students. Regression results depict that supportive , innovative as well as bureaucratic library culture promote students Continuance and normative commitment for reading habit and to spent more time in library. While affective commitment did not evident any strength with library culture, that may promote reading and learning habits amongst students of different discipline. Based on the results recommendations are also suggested in the last part of the paper

Structural Behavior of Composite Reinforced Ferrocement Plates

The results of an experimental investigation to examine the structural behavior of composite reinforced ferrocement concrete plates are presented in this paper. The precast permanent ferrocement forms are proposed as a viable alternative to the steel panels in some of its uses. The experimental program comprised casting and testing of eighteen reinforced ferrocement plates having the dimensions of 550mm width, 1100mm length and different thicknesses (60, 80,100) mm. Each control plate was reinforced with four steel bars of 6mm diameter at the bottom of the plate and six steel bars of 6mm diameter at the transverse direction. Two types of steel mesh were used to reinforce the ferrocement plates. These types are: galvanized welded wire mesh of size of opening 12.5x12.5mm, and (33 X 16.5mm) expanded metal wire mesh of diamond size 33x16.5mm. Single layer, double layers and three layers of each type of the steel mesh were employed. All specimens were tested under 3-lines flexural loadings. The flexural performances of the all tested plates in terms of strength, stiffness, cracking behavior, ductility and energy absorption properties were investigated. The results showed that high serviceability and ultimate loads, crack resistance control, and good energy absorption properties could be achieved by using the developed ferrocement plates.

Effective bioconversion of locally obtained apple waste into citric acid using aspergillus niger (NRRL 567)

A viable and sustainable method was used to produce citric acid. Apple waste (pomace) was used as a substrate and displayed a good efficiency for citric acid yield. The fermentation process was carried out using Aspergillus Niger (NRRL 567) strain. This fungal strain showed a competent performance in fermenting apple waste to produce citric acid. Various key parameters were analyzed and optimized such as incubation temperature, amount of substrate, ph, moisture content, nitrogen source, metal ions, methanol inducer and inoculum density. Among such parameters, the highest citric acid yield of 158 g/kg of apple pomace was achieved with the use of methanol inducer. Methanol inducer, moisture content, amount of substrate and nitrogen source were found to have significant impact on CA production. The fungal strain used in the present study is known to possess an impressive biomass fermentation capacity, as also demonstrated by the present work. In Pakistan, this strain has not been analyzed for its efficiency to produce citric acid using pomace of locally cultivated apple, hence the novelty of the present work. All the experimental work, analysis and optimization was accomplished on laboratory scale at Advanced Research Laboratory, Zoology Department, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea due to Clostridium difficile and clostridium perfringens in Ain Shams University Hospitals

Background: As we are living in the era of antibiotic overuse, antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) is considered now a distinct health problem with a need for more attention. Aim of the Study: was to perform a highly specific detection and definition of pathogenic Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile related AAD in children compared to adults and geriatircs. Patients and Methods: One hundred and fifty patients diagnosed for AAD were included in this study (50 children, 50 adults and 50 geriatric patients). All of them were subjected to full medical history including complete therapeutic history of antibiotics and collection of stool sample during the attack for detection of Clostridium perfringenes enterotoxin (CPEnt) and Clostridium difficile cytotoxin by (EIA) kit. PCR detection of Clostridium perfringenes cpe gene (Coding gene for CPEnt) was performed as well. Results: Results showed that prevalence of Clostridium difficile cytotoxin was 24% while Clostridium perfringenes enterotoxin was 12% as detected by EIA in faecal specimens as a whole. Detection of cpe gene by PCR was positive in 16% of all cases. Children (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.3-14.8, P_0.01) and geriatric patients (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.2-13.5, P_0.02) were significantly more prone to Clostridium difficile AAD compared to adults. Also, childhood was a significant risk for Clostridium perfringens AAD (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 0.54-7.4, P_0.04). In Conclusion: children and geriatric patients are more vulnerable to develop AAD with antibiotic abuse compared to adults. Abbreviations: AAD=Antibiotic associated diarrhea, CI=Confidence interval, ELISA=Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, OR=Odd ratio, PCR=Polymerase chain reaction. Keywords: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea, children, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile. Egypt. J. Hum. Genet Vol. 8 (2) 2007: pp. 121-13

[(Methyl­carbamothio­yl)disulfan­yl]methyl N-methyl­carbamodithio­ate

The title compound, C5H10N2S5, was unintentionally obtained as the product of an attempted synthesis of a methyl­carbamodithioic acid using methyl­amine and carbon disulfide. In the mol­ecule, two dithio­carbamate groups are bridged by a –CH2S– unit. The C—S—S—C torsion angle is −90.13 (11)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by N—H⋯S inter­actions between neighbouring mol­ecules. An intra­molecular N—H⋯S hydrogen bond also occurs

Effect of Pilates Exercises on Cortisol Hormone and Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Women

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and coronary artery disease as well as causes mortality. The Pilates method is a conditioning program in hypertensive patients of the body and mind that is gaining in popularity and acceptance worldwide. Aim of Study: To determine the response of cortisol hormone level and blood pressure after Pilates exercise in hypertensive post-menopausal women. Methods: Sixty women participated in this study was selected from Belbies Central employees and outpatient clinic with age mean ± SD values in groups (A) and (B) were 52.83 ± 3.89 and 53.37 ± 3.66 years., respectively. All of them suffering from high blood pressure stage 2(systolic 140 or higher and diastolic 90 or higher), they took medications (beta blockers - vasodilator – diuretics) and postmenopausal form 1-5 years ago. The study design was pre-post study. Patients were assigned for 8weeks protocol into two groups: Group (A) received Pilates training exercises (bent knee, shoulder bridge, side kick front, side kick back, and single leg circle), while Group (B) received only anti-hypertensive medications. Group (A) performed 5 types of Pilates exercises per session for /3 sessions/ week/ 8 weeks. The outcome measures were blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), cortisol level, anticoagulant factors (prothrombin time (PT), partial prothrombin time (PTT)) and physical characteristic (weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist hip ratio) were evaluated at the baseline and the end of the study. Results: Pre- and post-treatment comparisons showed a statistically significant decrease of the measured variables in the group A (cortisol level 17.73%, systolic blood pressure 3.70%, Diastole blood pressure 5.01 %, partial prothrombin time 7.38%, where weight 2.92 %, Body mass index 2.98 %) and significant increase in prothrombin time 0.67 %. In group B cortisol level 10.48%, significant decrease in diastole blood pressure 1.73%, no significant increase in (prothrombin time 0.25%, Partial prothrombin time 0.28%, weight 0.64%, BMI 0.34%, waist hip ration 0.11%) as well as no significant decrease in systolic blood pressure 0.75

Serum Levels of Copper, Ceruloplasmin and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme among Silicotic and Non-Silicotic Workers

BACKGROUND: Silicosis is the most frequently occurring pneumoconiosis.AIM: Measurement of serum levels of Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), Copper (Cu) and Ceruloplasmin (Cp) in cement workers occupationally exposed to silica dust as biomarkers of exposure rather than biomarkers of effect for silicosis.METHODS: Plain chest X-ray & pulmonary functions were done for 30 silicotic and 42 non-silicotic workers and 42 controls. CT scan was done for the exposed groups. Serum levels of Cu, Cp and ACE were estimated.RESULTS: The results showed a higher significant difference between the exposed groups and controls, and between the two exposed groups regarding the mean levels of all measured biochemical parameters. The pulmonary functions were significantly lower among silicotic workers than controls and non-silicotic groups. There was a significant positive correlation between duration of employment and serum ACE and Cu.CONCLUSION: Since respirable dust exposure-linked lung fibrosis disease is non-curable, the biochemical parameters (Cu, ACE and Cp) can be used as exposure biomarkers to silica dust, providing a better way for early diagnosis of this deadly disease. Down regulating the inflammatory responses could potentially reduce the adverse clinical pulmonary effects of air pollution

Removal of Congo Red from Aqueous Solution by Anion Exchange Membrane (EBTAC): Adsorption Kinetics and Themodynamics

The adsorption behavior of anionic dye congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions using an anion exchange membrane (EBTAC) has been investigated at room temperature. The effect of several factors including contact time, membrane dosage, ionic strength and temperature were studied. Kinetic models, namely pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order, liquid film diffusion and Elovich models as well as Bangham and modified freundlich Equations, were employed to evaluate the experimental results. Parameters such as adsorption capacities, rate constant and related correlation coefficients for every model were calculated and discussed. The adsorption of CR on anion exchange membranes followed pseudo-second-order Kinetics. Thermodynamic parameters, namely changes in Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) were calculated for the adsorption of congo red, indicating an exothermic proces

Correlation between serum ferritin level and liver function tests in thalassemic patients receiving multiple blood transfusions

Background:Multiple blood transfusions are the mainstay of thalassemic patients in order to combat the severe anemia. These frequent blood transfusions result in the excessive iron deposition, leading to multiple injuries to a variety of organs in the body. In response to these injuries, the levels of various enzymes are disturbed. The whole phenomena usually involve the interrelation of one parameter with some other. The present study aimed to estimate the levels of serum ferritin and hepatic enzymes and to find out any possible correlation between them in thalassemic patients receiving multiple blood transfusions.  Methods:A total number of 90 thalassemic patients of both sexes ranging from 10-15 years, receiving multiple blood transfusions were included in the present study. Blood samples from all the patients were withdrawn and analyzed for the values of serum ferritin, hemoglobin and hepatic enzymes (serum alanine transaminase, serum aspartate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase). Pearson correlation coefficient was applied to observe correlation between serum ferritin level and hepatic enzymes. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The overall values of serum ferritin, and hepatic enzymes (serum Alanine Transaminase, serum Aspartate Transaminase, serum Alkaline Phosphatase) were remarkably increased than their normal values. However, hemoglobin level was considerably decreased in thalassemic patients. A weak positive insignificant correlation was observed between serum ferritin with hepatic enzymes and hemoglobin in thalassemic patients.Conclusion:Multiple blood transfusions cause iron overload in the body, which in turn, lead to increased serum ferritin levels in thalassemic patients. High levels of hepatic enzymes are somewhat correlated to serum ferritin concentration. However, the exact reason of elevated levels is still unclear. Further detailed studies should be conducted in order to identify the exact mechanism behind this and to search for the promising correlations of various parameters in thalassemic patients receiving multiple blood transfusions.