Simultaneous Analysis of Bioactive Markers from Orthosiphon Stamineus Benth Leaves Extracts by Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Purpose: To develop a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the analysis of the crude extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus.Methods: A simple and facile analytical method was developed using RP- HPLC with UV detection for the identification and quantitation of bioactive markers present in O. stamineus extracts. Four different bioactive markers were used for the analysis, namely, rosmarinic acid, orthosiphol-A, 3’-hydroxy-5, 6, 7,4’-tetramethoxyflavone (TMF) and 5, 6, 7, 3’, 4’-pentamethoxyflavone (sinensetin), using an isocratic mobile phase methanol: tetrahydrofuran: water (0.1% H3PO4) (55:5:40) on Nucleosil C-18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 ìm particle size) at a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min and detection at 330 nm with 30 min separation time.Results: The bioactive marker orthosiphol A was identified and isolated from the water extract of O. stamineus leaves. The standard calibration curves for the marker were linear in the range 0.01 - 500 ìg/ml with a regression coefficient (r2) > 0.9996. The recoveries of the four markers were in the range 83.2 to 106.4 % at relative standard deviation (RSD) values < 5 %. The limit of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) were 2 and 20 ng/ml, respectively.Conclusion: The developed method is simple, sensitive and specific for simultaneous determination of the indicated marker compounds either qualitatively or quantitatively, and may be used as a fingerprintprofile for the standardization of extractives or herbal medicines from O. stamineus

Factors affecting intention to adopt Green Building Practices: A Journey towards meeting Sustainable Goals

Abstract Purpose The construction industry and its activities harmfully affect the environment. Hence, adopting green building (GRB) practices can be helpful in achieving sustainable development goals. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors affecting the intention to adopt GRB practices by extending theory of planned behavior (TPB). Design/methodology/approach Using non-probability purposive sampling technique, data was gathered from consultant and contractor engineers in the construction industry through a questionnaire. The analysis was done using partial least square-structural equation modeling technique on a useful sample of 290. Findings Findings revealed that the core constructs of TPB [i.e. attitude (AT), subjective norms (SUBN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC)] significantly affect the intention to adopt GRB practices. Moreover, government support and knowledge of green practices (KNGP) were found to be critical influencing factors on AT, SUBNs and PBC. Lastly, the findings confirmed that environmental concerns (ENC) play as a moderating between SUBN and intention to adopt GRB practices, as well as AT and intention to adopt GRB practices. Practical implications This study contributes to existing knowledge on GRB, offering evidence base for policy choices regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation in the construction industry. Originality/value This study provides insights from the perspective of a developing economy and confirms the applicability of TPB in the adoption of GRB practices. Moreover, this study confirms the moderation role of ENC in between TPB constructs and intention to GRB that is not tested earlier in the context of GRB. This study also confirms that government sustainable support positively affects PBC, and KNGP significantly affects SUBNs

Worldview-2 and Landsat 8 Satellite Data for Seaweed Mapping along Karachi Coast

Seaweed is a marine plant or algae which has economic value in many parts of the world. The purpose of this study is to evaluate different satellite sensors such as high-resolution WorldView-2 (WV2) satellite data and Landsat 8 30-meter resolution satellite data for mapping seaweed resources along the coastalwaters of Karachi. The continuous monitoring and mapping of this precious marine plant and their breeding sites may not be very efficient and cost effective using traditional survey techniques. Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) can provide economical and more efficient solutions for mapping and monitoring coastal resources quantitatively as well as qualitatively at both temporal and spatial scales. Normalized Difference Vegetation Indices (NDVI) along with the image enhancement techniques were used to delineate seaweed patches in the study area. The coverage area of seaweed estimated with WV-2 and Landsat 8 are presented as GIS maps. A more precise area estimation wasachieved with WV-2 data that shows 15.5Ha (0.155 Km2)of seaweed cover along Karachi coast that is more representative of the field observed data. A much larger area wasestimated with Landsat 8 image (71.28Ha or 0.7128 Km2) that was mainly due to the mixing of seaweed pixels with water pixels. The WV-2 data, due to its better spatial resolution than Landsat 8, have proven to be more useful than Landsat8 in mapping seaweed patche

Assessment of Vegetative Phenology with Respect to Leaf Elongation Pattern of Avicennia Marina and Rhizophora Mucronata in Hajambro Creek, Indus Delta, Pakistan

Leaves emergence and the rate of elongation have been studied in Hajambro creek in Indus deltaic region, Pakistan. Leaves emergence was found higher during the summer months (mostly pre-monsoon period), that was March April, May and June. Leaves of A. marina that were observed from March to July, till the leaves reached their maximum length (about 77 mm), showed a gradual increase in their length, reaching maximum in April. Leaves of Avicennia marina reached their maximum length (about 77 mm) in about 113 days. The leaves showed gradual increase in their length, reaching maximum in April (0.97mm d-1). The per-day increment in length was 0.54 mm d-1. As reaching their maximum length (77mm), the per-day increment in the length gradually slower down. The leaves of Rhizophora mucronata were observed from February to November. The leaves of Rhizophora mucronata showed elongation rate of 0.24 mm d-1 from the day of the first observation till the leaves reached their maximum length (120 mm). The maximum time required by the leaves to reach their maximum length (120 mm) was 236 days. The rates of elongation of leaves are also fast in summer. The rate of elongation of the leaves was found to be highly correlated with the temperature (

SELEKTIVNOST PLIJENA U SOMA (Silurus glanis) I AFRIČKOG SOMA (Clarias gariepinus)

The experiments aimed at prey selectivity in two Siluriformes predators. African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, and wels, Silurus glanis, were performed under laboratory conditions. Prey fish (12-22% TL of predator) were submitted to one.year.old African catfish (~220 g) and wels (~150 g) originating from intensive culture, ie with no previous experience with live fish food. In African catfish, negative selectivity (avoidance) was shown for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) whilst rudd(Scardinius erythrophthalmus) and sunbleak (Leucaspius delineatus) were preferred (positive selectivity). The intensity and efficiency of African catfish predation were quite low because its feeding strategy is based rather on prey searching than hunting. Prey fish, wounded and/or dead from its clumsy attacks, were sonsumed preferably overnight. Not one successful attack of African catfish on healthy prey fish was registered. The SGR and FCR of clarias fed live fish were 0.39%. day-1 and 4.73 respectively. In wels, strong negative selectivity (avoidance) was proved for roach (Rutilus rutilus) and topmouth gungeon, and lower avoidance for Prussian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and chub (Leuciscus cephalus). Asp (Aspius aspius) were found to be low preferred but high preference was shown for sunbleak, rudd and bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus). Both catfishes preferred smaller prey fish during the 10.day experimental period whilst those which remained non-consumed belonged to the mean or above-mean size categories.Istraživanja su bila usmjerena na selektivnost plijena u dvije vrste grabežljivaca siluriformes - afričkog soma (Clarius gariepinus) i soma (Silurus glanis). Istraživanja su provedena u laboratorijskim uvjetima. Riba plijen (12-22% TL grabežljivaca) poslužila je jednogodišnjem afričkom somu (~220 g) i somu (~150 g) porijeklom iz intenzivnog uzgoja bez prethodnog iskustva u prehrani živim ribama. Afrički je som pokazao negativnu seletivnost (izbjegavanje) prema nilskoj tilapiji (Oreochromis niloticus) i amurskom čebačoku (Pseudorasbora parva), a crvenperka (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) i bjelica (Leucaspius delineatus) bile su preferirane (pozitivna selektivnost). Intenzitet i efikasnost proždrljivosti afričkog soma bila je posve niska, jer je njegova hranidbena strategija u osnovi zapravo na selektivnosti traženja, a ne lova. Plijen, ozlijeđen ili mrtav u tijeku neefikasnog lova, bio je bolje konzumiran za vrijeme noći. Ni jedan uspješan napad afričkog soma na zdravi plijen nije registriran. U soma je bila dokazana jaka negativna selektivnost (uklanjanje) za bodorku (Rutilus rutilus) i amurski čebačok (Pseudorasbora parva), a slabije izbjegavanje za babušku (Carassius auratus gibelio) i klena (Leuciscus cephalus). Bolen (Aspius aspius) nisko je preferiran, dok je visoka preferiranost pokazana za bjelicu (Leucaspius delineatus), crvenperku (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) i gavčicu (Rhodeus sericeus). Obje vrste soma preferirale su manji plijen za vrijeme desetodnevnog eksperimentalnog razdoblja, dok su oni koji su ostali nekonzumirani pripadali kategoriji srednjih ili većih riba

SELEKTIVNOST PLIJENA U SOMA (Silurus glanis) I AFRIČKOG SOMA (Clarias gariepinus)

The experiments aimed at prey selectivity in two Siluriformes predators. African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, and wels, Silurus glanis, were performed under laboratory conditions. Prey fish (12-22% TL of predator) were submitted to one.year.old African catfish (~220 g) and wels (~150 g) originating from intensive culture, ie with no previous experience with live fish food. In African catfish, negative selectivity (avoidance) was shown for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) whilst rudd(Scardinius erythrophthalmus) and sunbleak (Leucaspius delineatus) were preferred (positive selectivity). The intensity and efficiency of African catfish predation were quite low because its feeding strategy is based rather on prey searching than hunting. Prey fish, wounded and/or dead from its clumsy attacks, were sonsumed preferably overnight. Not one successful attack of African catfish on healthy prey fish was registered. The SGR and FCR of clarias fed live fish were 0.39%. day-1 and 4.73 respectively. In wels, strong negative selectivity (avoidance) was proved for roach (Rutilus rutilus) and topmouth gungeon, and lower avoidance for Prussian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and chub (Leuciscus cephalus). Asp (Aspius aspius) were found to be low preferred but high preference was shown for sunbleak, rudd and bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus). Both catfishes preferred smaller prey fish during the 10.day experimental period whilst those which remained non-consumed belonged to the mean or above-mean size categories.Istraživanja su bila usmjerena na selektivnost plijena u dvije vrste grabežljivaca siluriformes - afričkog soma (Clarius gariepinus) i soma (Silurus glanis). Istraživanja su provedena u laboratorijskim uvjetima. Riba plijen (12-22% TL grabežljivaca) poslužila je jednogodišnjem afričkom somu (~220 g) i somu (~150 g) porijeklom iz intenzivnog uzgoja bez prethodnog iskustva u prehrani živim ribama. Afrički je som pokazao negativnu seletivnost (izbjegavanje) prema nilskoj tilapiji (Oreochromis niloticus) i amurskom čebačoku (Pseudorasbora parva), a crvenperka (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) i bjelica (Leucaspius delineatus) bile su preferirane (pozitivna selektivnost). Intenzitet i efikasnost proždrljivosti afričkog soma bila je posve niska, jer je njegova hranidbena strategija u osnovi zapravo na selektivnosti traženja, a ne lova. Plijen, ozlijeđen ili mrtav u tijeku neefikasnog lova, bio je bolje konzumiran za vrijeme noći. Ni jedan uspješan napad afričkog soma na zdravi plijen nije registriran. U soma je bila dokazana jaka negativna selektivnost (uklanjanje) za bodorku (Rutilus rutilus) i amurski čebačok (Pseudorasbora parva), a slabije izbjegavanje za babušku (Carassius auratus gibelio) i klena (Leuciscus cephalus). Bolen (Aspius aspius) nisko je preferiran, dok je visoka preferiranost pokazana za bjelicu (Leucaspius delineatus), crvenperku (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) i gavčicu (Rhodeus sericeus). Obje vrste soma preferirale su manji plijen za vrijeme desetodnevnog eksperimentalnog razdoblja, dok su oni koji su ostali nekonzumirani pripadali kategoriji srednjih ili većih riba

Statistical analysis for the impact of smoking on the behavior and health of Qatari adolescents

The links between the use of tobacco and health risks are well known. Most of the younger smokers reside in Asia which includes Qatar, the focus country of this study. Cigarette smoking among children is rising at an alarming rate worldwide including Qatar. As youth make up a significant percentage of the population and to achieve the health objectives of the Qatar Vision 2030, it is essential to ensure the health and well-being of adolescents, as they are the future of Qatar. This study focuses on exploring the patterns of tobacco use and its impacts on the adolescents by conducting a survey in different schools across Qatar. The questionnaire was administered in five schools, selected by proportional random sampling. The responses were recorded from the sample for general questions regarding interest in physical activities, relationship with family and friends, mental satisfaction, health, academics and access to cigarettes. 2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston 2018.Scopu