Evaluation of different plant derived oils as wood preservatives against subterranean termite Odontotermes obesus

The study assessed the effect of jatropha, linseed, eucalyptus, neem and jojoba oils on protection of three wood species (Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo and Pinus wallichiana) against termite attack by Odontotermes obesus. Conditioned and pre-weighed blocks of each wood species were vacuum-pressure impregnated with a 15% concentration of the oil-ethanol solutions.. Resistance of treated and untreated wood against termites was tested under laboratory as well as field conditions using choice and no-choice tests. Oil treated wood showed significant reductions in weight loss compared to control treatments. Complete termite mortality was recorded for all oil treatments except eucalyptus oil. Linseed oil showed good results in each treatment in terms of feeding resistance as well as mortality of termites followed by neem, jatropha, jojoba  and eucalyptus oil. The lower weight losses were found in both choice and no-choice field tests for linseed oil treated Dalbergia sissoo while untreated Pinus wallichiana sapwood had the greater weight loss. It was observed that the oil retention was significantly more in sapwood than in heartwoods. The retention of oils justified that wood with high oil retention showed more resistance against the termite except eucalyptus oil treatment of Pinus wallichiana

Political Awareness and Media’s Consumption Patterns among Students-A Case Study of University of Gujrat, Pakistan

This research examines the role of different media outlets in creating political awareness among students. This study shows that students of University of Gujrat consume mass media for both entertainment and political information. However, Television considered the best source of political information. Through this study agenda and framing theory used which revealed that media has an effect on its target audience. While, survey method has used to gauge the media consumption among university students. Mass media is considered a source of information that has the power to change choice of people. Media present issues to its audience with an effect that public forms opinion according to media’s emphasis on issue. Keywords: Mass Media, Consumption Pattern, Political Awareness, Media Agenda, Media Framin

Sensory and histamine assessment of the freshness of Sardine (Sardine Sindensis) during different storage conditions

Background: Storage of fish under refrigerated conditions from the time it is caught until when it is consumed has been found to be very important in reducing outbreaks of histamine poisoning.Methods: Low temperatures control bacterial histamine formation during fish processing. The shelf life of sardine (sardine sindensis) during storage at ambient temperature (33°C), ice box temperature (0°C) and freezing temperature (-7°C) were studied in terms of sensory and histamine production. The sensory acceptability limit was up to one day at ambient temperature and 11 days at ice storage condition. However, freezing storage had a good preserving effect on sensory acceptability at the end of experiment. The formation of histamine was determined at day 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 16 and 18 of experiment using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fluorometeric method.Results: Histamine development had not exceeded the permissible level (200 mg/kg) recommended by the FAO (2012) during storage condition at -7°C throughout the experiment. At 0°C, histamine concentration was lower than safe level for up to 16 days (135 mg/kg). At ambient temperature, the sardine was spoiled on 3rd day and histamine concentration was found 500.48 mg/kg which was above the FAO recommended level for histamine.Conclusion: Freezing storage condition has a good preserving effect on sensory acceptability and histamine production and seems the best means of storage

EMERGENCY ALARMS IN LAHORE AS EPSILON VARIANT OF COVID-19 IS DETECTED

With the propagation of COVID-19 worldwide, its new strains are also emanating. Consequently, the healthcare workers are persistently monitoring these mutations with grave concern.1 Epsilon variant also called as CAL.20C which is new strain of SARs-COV-2 virus originated and was first detected in California, United States of America (USA) in July 2020 .2,3 Originated from California, this variant is currently in approximately more than 35 countries and was prevalent in the United States.4,5 After processing 23 samples in a reference lab of the Provincial Government, Punjab, it was corroborated by the Health Authority about the existence of the novel variant. Out of 23 samples, five were validated as positive with California Epsilon strain reported in Lahore. According to the medical experts, the patient takes several weeks to recuperate from Epsilon strain in contrast with the other types of infections. Medical pantheons opine that this Epsilon variant found in Lahore is highly contagious and communicable as the Delta variant and this variant is said to be 20 per cent more transmissible. Epsilon strain identified in Lahore, --- city of Pakistan --- was highly contagious and highly communicable as the its counterpart, the Delta variant. Sarah Aslam serving as Secretary Punjab Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department admonished about the menacing situation of the novel California Epsilon strain unearthed in Lahore. Adding her stance, she stated that her department accumulated 23 suspicious samples of which five of them were detected positive for Epsilon. She commended to abide by the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to avert from this strain.6 Though Epsilon is new to South Asia, it is considered to be the second-most dominant variant in New York.5 According to the researchers at the University of Washington it was discovered that this variant is more resistant to vaccines.3 According to peer-reviewed journal Science, Epsilon strain can entirely disappear synthetic antibodies and minimize the potency antibody generates in the plasma of vaccinated people.3 This strain of COVID-19 has five defining variations, one of which incorporates a mutation in spike protein L452R.3 This L452R mutation augments spike strength, viral infectivity, viral fusogenicity, and viral replication.7          Looking at the current scenario and susceptivity of Epsilon variant, the Government of Punjab is working diligently. Primary Health Secretary has released a notice of smart lockdown in various regions of Lahore. All civic vicinities such as market-places, shopping centers, eateries, offices including public and private will remain closed until the situation dwindles. All types of gathering whether social, political or religious shall remain banned.8 In addition, the government has called for moratorium on all intra and inter-city transports.9 According to Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, the government has commenced door to door vaccination campaign to restraint the escalation of cases after the emergence of Epsilon variant along with Delta Variant.

Angioembolization in itractable epistaxis—a tertiary care experience

Objective: To review the role of angioembolization in the control of intractable epistaxis at our institution. Methods: A retrospective review of the charts of the patients between Jan 2001 to June 2010 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi was done. All patients who underwent angioembolization for intractable epistaxis were included in the study. Patients with nasal or nasopharyngeal mass were excluded. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 16. Results: Total numbers of the patients were 16. Fourteen (87.5%) patients were male and 2(12.5%) were female with mean age 51.2 ± 12.922 years (range 26-71 years). In 11(68.75%) patients there were no associated risk factors for epistaxis, 3(18.75%) patients had uncontrolled hypertension, 1(6.25%) patient had road traffic accident and 1(6.25%) patient had bleeding after nasal surgery. All patients were initially treated by anterior and posterior nasal packing for 48 to 72 hours. Angioembolization successfully controlled epistaxis in all 16 (100%) patients initially. However, in 2(12.5%) cases embolization had to be repeated; in 1 patient on the same day and in another patient after one month of initial procedure. The average length of stay after angioembolization was 1.9 ± 0.854 days. No major or permanent complication was observed. Two (12.5%) patients developed minor complications (1 patient experienced facial pain for 7 days and another patient developed haematoma at the site of femoral artery). Conclusion: Angioembolization is a safe and effective treatment option for intractable epistaxi

Impact of egg size on the quality of eggs, chicks, and post hatch overview of offspring during the mid stage of yield (45th week) in Hubbard broiler breeders

Background: Egg size is the most significant component in influencing the performance of the laying flock. Though commercial broiler farming is in operation, little is known about how breeder hatching egg size at mid (45 week) stage of production period affects on egg quality, chick quality and post-hatch Hubbard broiler performance.Methods: At the age of 45 weeks, hatching eggs (n=930) from a commercial broiler breeder flock were collected and classified into three egg weight categories: small (60.25±0.25g), medium (65.10 ± 0.31g), and large (70.07 ± 0.61g). These eggs more classified into 2 categories, eggs for quality parameters and eggs for incubation & posthatch performance parameters.Results: Eggs from the small egg group had a higher shell weight percentage. The shape index and specific gravity were impacted by egg size, with larger eggs having lower values. Both male and female chicks' weight and length were significantly influenced by egg size. Data of the body weight gain indicated that as broilers age, the influence of egg size on post-hatch performance of chicks’ decreases. Up until age 21, female chicks' body weight gain was highly influenced by egg size. The feed conversion ratio of female chicks at day 21 of life was considerably impacted by various egg-weight categories, while it had no effect on male and female chicks at day 35.Conclusion: Egg size favourably influenced the features of the chicks (weight and length) but had no impact on the broilers' final live body weight, feed conversion ratio, feed consumption, or mortality

A Bibliometric Analysis of Journal of International Women’s Studies for Period of 2002-2019: Current Status, Development, and Future Research Directions

This research paper aims to present a thorough overview of the Journal of International Women’s Studies (JIWS). The Scopus database has been used to study the most prolific writers and frequently cited papers of the JIWS. This article considered 907 papers, which offers a map of the knowledge produced and circulated by the JIWS. It offers insights into publication activities, prominent themes, citation trends, and the state of collaborations among the contributors to the JIWS and the journal’s aggregate contributions to the area of Women’s Studies. Moreover, by analyzing the correlation of keywords and how they are clustered together, the authors have highlighted maximum relevant topics. They have highlighted the most popular papers in terms of the number of citations. Additionally, the research paper features the past, the present, and the future trends in JIWS through an analysis of the average appearance date of keywords. The study offers a retrospective analysis of the content published in the journal. Over time, the JIWS has seen an increase in publication activity and citations, reflecting its growing presence among Women’s Studies and feminist journals. The findings also reveal its relevance and diverse contributions to research in the area of women’s studies, gender studies, and feminisms. The primary purpose of the study is to inform potential writers by contributing a variety of indicators to develop papers targeting JIWS, understanding the emerging topics and research areas for publishing their future research in the journal

A cost effective preparative thin layer chromatography cleanup method for high performance liquid chromatography analysis of aflatoxins B1, B2 and G2

Aflatoxins are the by-products of fungal metabolism and common contaminants in feed. To keep their level below permissible limits, various assays have been developed. Currently, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection of toxins is most widely used method but the cleanup methods requiring specific gadgets have increased the cost of the assay. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) is effective and economical but it only gives semi quantitative determination for aflatoxin.This study explores the preparative potential of TLC as cleanup method for HPLC analysis of toxin. Standard aflatoxins solutions containing 10 ng of B1, 2.5 ng of B2 and 2.5 ng of G2 were spotted on silica plates and then extracted using chloroform and acetone (4:1). The extracted toxins were resolved and quantified on HPLC using fluorescent detection. The results showed 81, 79 and 60% mean recovery of aflatoxin B1, B2 and G2, respectively. This method was proved equivocally comparable to other methods of aflatoxins cleanup and thus can be used as an alternative cost effective cleanup method

Effect of yeast supplementation on production parameters, egg quality characteristics and crude protein digestibility in hens

Background: Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has a buffering effect in the digestive tract, and proper feed additives in chicken diets can improve the birds’ digestive efficiency. The present study planned with aim to investigate the effects of different levels of yeast supplementation on the egg production, egg quality traits and crude protein digestibility in hens.Methods: A total of 84 hens (40 weeks of age) were fed the dietary treatments until 50 weeks of age. The hens were distributed into 4 treatments and 3 replicates with 7 hens per experimental unit. The yeast was incorporated into basal feed with various levels (0, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2%). The production data was obtained during trial. For determining egg quality characteristics, 30 eggs from each treatment group were used at 14-day interval of the experiment from a 2-day collection of eggs during the week. The excreta from each replicate were collected after every 2 weeks for determining the crude protein digestibility.Results: Maximum egg production and egg mass were attained from the hens provided 0.15% and 0.20% yeast supplementation. The eggshell thickness decreased with supplementation of yeast. Higher yolk weight, albumen weight, Haugh unit and grading values were observed at 0.2% level than other groups. Crude protein digestibility also improved at high levels of yeast supplementation at all ages.Conclusion: This study envisaged that yeast supplementation between 0.15 and 0.20% could be sufficient during 40 to 50 weeks of age, to augment the overall layer performance. Keywords: Baker’s yeast; feed intake; egg production; egg qualit