Performance of Post Graduate Students Using Multiple Regression Analysis (Case Study)

The present study is focused to analyze the performance of post graduate students through various statistical parameters. In order to estimate the performance of Post Graduate Students, who are enrolled in different fields of Science, Technology and Humanities at Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET) Jamshoro. The modified model of MLR is used to represent the Number of Degree Holders Students (ND) and would be utilized for those who obtained their master’s degree within time duration or well time to be considered as dependent variable,  the initially enrolled student denoted as (NS) number of students and with their obtained CGPA to be considered as independent variable. The result of this research would help to estimate the performance of post graduate students. For this study multiple linear regression model can also be generalized as,............. Keywords: Student’s performance, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Hypothesis testing. DOI: 10.7176/MTM/10-8-01 Publication date: December 31st 2020

An Improved Algorithm for Optimal Solution of Unbalanced Transportation Problems

Unbalanced transportation problems are particular kind of transportation problems, but an optimal solution is hard to find for unbalanced transportation problems. Still there is a need for minimizing the transportation cost. Unbalanced–TP deals with two different cases, (i) Excess of accessibility  (ii) Deficiency in accessibility  here in this paper both the cases for getting better optimal solution are discussed. Proposed algorithm is based on dummy rows and dummy columns, by taking the absolute differences (penalty) of Initial & Last cost cells of each row/column in transportation cost-matrix, where the objective function is to find an optimal solution. This method is easy to understand and apply than the other existing methods using Initial Basic Feasible Solution–IBFS. Therefore, the proposed method is very helpful to get optimal solution for unbalanced transportation problems. Keywords:Initial Basic Feasible Solution–IBFS, Unbalanced Transportation Problems, Dummy Rows & Dummy Columns, Optimal Solution. DOI: 10.7176/MTM/10-8-02 Publication date: December 31st 202

The Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Toxic Metals (Cd, Hg and Pb) by Calixarenes

Toxic metals (Cd, Hg and Pb) are mostly present in the environment due to natural phenomenon and human activities as well. Exposure of these non-essential elements in the environment causes severe effects. They are known to cause problems in humans as well as in aquatic life. In this work, we demonstrate various studies regarding liquid-liquid extraction of selected ions with different functionalized calixarenes. This review article briefly discusses several molecular designs of calixarenes for divalent ion (Cd2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+) recognition; as well as the relationship between structure and selectivity of the macrocycles is elaborated. The article does not, however, attempt to cover all of the different approaches to these toxic metal ions extraction

A report of natural enemies of papaya mealybug, paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Papaya mealybug is notorious pest of papaya & other horticultural crops. Keeping in mind the role of parasitoids and predators in pest management, an exploratory study was conducted on the availability of natural enemies of recently introduced papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus in Selangor and Negri Sembilan states of Peninsular Malaysia. Results revealed the presence of two predators (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Apertochrysa sp.), one primary parasitoid (Acerophagus papayae) and three hyperparasitoids (Chartocerus sp., Marietta leopardina and Cheiloneurus sp.). Among all natural enemies recorded, populations of C. montrouzieri and A. papayae were frequently recorded from all sampled locations of the two states. Accordingly, these two species should be exploited for their potential to manage populations of P. marginatus below threshold levels

EFFECT OF VERTICAL TRAILING ON VEGETATIVE, REPRODUCTIVE AND YIELD OF LUFFA AS INTERCROP IN COCONUT FIELD

Abstract Intercropping trial in coconut (Cocos nucifera L), was carried out for generating more income/yield. The experiment was conducted at Coastal Agricultural Research Station (CARS) Farm, PARC, Karachi. The Tori varieties planted ridge gourd (Luffa acutangulla Roxb.) and sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) under the trail staked and unstaked Tori were grown satisfactory under coconut plot. The results showed that the staked method compared to unstaked had 30-35% increase in yield and also insect pest protection. The yield data recorded showed that staked gave maximum yield. It was also found that the intercropping did not affect the agronomic trails and yield of the coconut, but increase the yield compared to palms alone

Cathodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Cefadroxil in Pharmaceutical Preparations and in Blood Serum

Abstract An analytical method has been developed using hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) for the quantitative determination of antibacterial drug cefadroxil (CFL) from pharmaceutical preparations and blood serum. Cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetry was carried out in hydrochloric acid (0.1M): methanol (80: 20 v/v) and potassium chloride (0.1M) as supporting electrolyte. The reduction wave was obtained within -700 to -800 mV. Linear calibration curve was within 1-50µg/mL with detection limit of 0.1µg/mL of cefadroxil. Relative standard deviation for inter and intra day analysis of CFL was within 1-2%. The number of additives present in pharmaceutical preparations did not interfere the determination of cefadroxil. The analysis of pharmaceutical preparations and blood serum after chemotherapy with cefadroxil indicated relative standard deviation (RSD) within 0.8-1.2% and 2.6-3.8% respectively. The satisfactory results were obtained for quality control of cefadroxil in pharmaceutical preparations and in blood serum

Is Enrichment Always Enriching and How Would You Know? Unintended Consequences and the Importance of Formal Assessment of Enrichment Programs in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are viewed as a highly intelligent species capable of complex behaviors. This requires marine parks to maintain dynamic environmental enrichment programs in order to ensure dolphins’ optimal psychological and physiological well-being while in human care. In this study, two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different forms of enrichment on the behavior of four bottlenose dolphins. In Experiment 1, multiple forms of novel enrichment resulted in a shift away from individual swim patterns – a change that is associated with increased behavioral diversity and so often considered an improvement in animal welfare – but also resulted in avoidance behavior and initially resulted in a decrease in affiliative behavior. In Experiment 2, introducing choice of enrichments resulted in unintended social consequences, such as agonistic behaviors. These two experiments together demonstrated that interpreting the results of enrichment programs may not be as straightforward as often presumed. The results suggest that unique forms of enrichment and variable schedules might be particularly effective but also that consistent evaluation continues to be necessary to minimize unintended behavioral consequences

In-situ growth of nonstoichiometric CrO0.87 and Co3O4 hybrid system for the enhanced electrocatalytic water splitting in alkaline media

The development of electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting has received considerable attention in response to the growing demand for renewable energy sources and environmental concerns. In this study, a simple hydrothermal growth approach was developed for the in-situ growth of non-stoichiometric CrO0.87 and Co3O4 hybrid materials. It is apparent that the morphology of the prepared material shows a heterogeneous aggregate of irregularly shaped nanoparticles. Both CrO0.87 and Co3O4 have cubic crystal structures. Its chemical composition was governed by the presence of Co, Cr, and O as its main constituents. For understanding the role CrO0.87 plays in the half-cell oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline conditions, CrO0.87 was optimized into Co3O4 nanostructures. The hybrid material with the highest concentration of CrO0.87 was found to be highly efficient at driving OER reactions at 255 mV and 20 mA cm−2. The optimized material demonstrated excellent durability for 45 h and a Tafel slope of 56 mV dec−1. Several factors may explain the outstanding performance of CrO0.87 and Co3O4 hybrid materials, including multiple metallic oxidation states, tailored surface properties, fast charge transport, and surface defects. An alternative method is proposed for the preparation of new generations of electrocatalysts for the conversion and storage of energy

Synthesis and bio-molecular study of (+)-N-Acetyl-α-amino acid dehydroabietylamine derivative for the selective therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: The purpose of present work is to synthesize novel (+)-Dehydroabietylamine derivatives (DAAD) using N-acetyl-α-amino acid conjugates and determine its cytotoxic effects on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods: An analytical study was conducted to explore cytotoxic activity of DAAD on hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. The cytotoxicity effect was recorded using sulforhodamine B technique. Cell cycle analysis was performed using Propidium Iodide (PI) staining. Based on cell morphology, anti growth activity and microarray findings of DAAD2 treatment, Comet assay, Annexin V/PI staining, Immunoperoxidase assay and western blots were performed accoringly. Results: Hep3B cells were found to be the most sensitive with IC50 of 2.00 ± 0.4 μM against (+)-N-(N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine)-dehydroabietylamine as DAAD2. In compliance to time dependent morphological changes of low cellular confluence, detachment and rounding of DAAD2 treated cells; noticeable changes in G2/M phase were recorded may be leading to cell cycle cessation. Up-regulation (5folds) of TUBA1A gene in Hep3B cells was determined in microarray experiments. Apoptotic mode of cell death was evaluated using standardized staining procedures including comet assay and annexin V/PI staining, Immuno-peroxidase assay. Using western blotting technique, caspase dependant apoptotic mode of cell death was recorded against Hep3B cell line. Conclusion: It is concluded that a novel DAAD2 with IC50 values less than 8 μM can induce massive cell attenuation following caspase dependent apoptotic cell death in Hep3B cells. Moreover, the corelation study indicated that DAAD2 may have vital influence on cell prolifration properties. © 2016 The Author(s)