On the Differential Market Reaction to Dividend Announcement: Evidence from an Emerging Equity Market

The corporate finance literature for market reaction to dividend announcements reports mixed result

Corrosion mechanisms of 304L NAG in boiling 9M HNO3 containing Cr (VI) ions

In this research, the mechanisms of end-grain corrosion of 304L NAG tubes in boiling 9M HNO3-containing Cr (VI) ions are reported to sustainably manage the corrosion of nuclear fuel reprocessing plant components. Specific heat treatments were applied to as-received specimens to produce phosphorus and/or sulphur intergranular segregation. End-grain corrosion on heat-treated specimens and the effect of a Cr (VI) concentration on a 304L NAG tube (as-received) were investigated. It has been reported that an increase in Cr (VI) ions leads to the acceleration of end-grain corrosion due to high electrochemical potential. After systematic heat treatments on the 304L NAG specimens, it is concluded that the primary causes of heat-induced end-grain corrosion are phosphorus or sulphur segregation to the grain boundaries. The key findings of this research are highly significant in terms of understanding the corrosion mechanisms and controlling the end-grain corrosion of NAG steel in boiling HNO3 environments. This research will help to sustainably reduce power plant maintenance costs and will have a significant impact on the delivery of long-term, clean, secure, and tenable energy

AN ASSESSMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER FEMALE PATIENTS' DEATH AND SURVIVAL RATE AFTER SURGICAL INTERVENTION: NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY VERSUS PRIMARY DEBULKING SURGERY

Objective: The main purpose of the study is to determine the survival and death rate of the female after surgical operation. This is determined by the two different methods of treatment between the females suffering from ovarian cancer. Methods: The study arranged was of a retroactive type and it was held at Mayo Hospital, Lahore from February to September 2017. The study was associated with the data obtained in 1999 and 2008 about the female’s treatment suffering from ovarian cancer. The clinical data obtained during the previous analysis was again studied and revised. And similar knowledge was obtained about the environmental, medical, therapeutically, pathological aspects of studies. Overall existence of patients was compared with growthfree existence. The comparison was made between patients who went either debulking surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery. Mathematical identification was performed by using SPSS. Results: Total 118 patients were undergone surgical cure. Out of which 66% gained the primary debulking surgery and rest of the 34% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The average age and tumour antigen 125 level before treatment was same. In the debulking group, two stages of patients were identified. That group had 94.8% patients with stage 3 carcinoma and 5.1% stage 4 carcinoma. While in other groups the percentage of patients in stage 3 and 4 were 80% and 20% correspondingly. The most favourable occurrence of debulking was 56.8% in the earlier group as compared to 79.4% in the second group. At the time of surgery, the total loss of blood was recorded as 1500 ml. The loss of blood was almost the same in the different exhaustive care unit. In addition to the loss of blood, the rate of urinary swathe, bowel grievance and bowel reactions were also analogous. The growth free existence was also comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Equivalent existence rates and peri-operative difficulties can be created by neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by intermission debulking. Keywords: Ovarian epithelial cancer, Chemotherapy, Gynecological surgical procedure, Survival analysis

Patient Esthetics and Functional Satisfaction with Complete Denture Therapy

Objective: To evaluate patient esthetics and functional satisfaction with complete denture therapy. Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study. th Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Lahore Medical and Dental College from 10 February 2023 to 10 August 2023. Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven edentulous patients who have undergone complete denture therapy of tooth losses using complete denture for at least six months were enrolled. Patients' satisfaction was recorded having variables regarding socio demographic features and questions regarding esthetic and functional satisfaction of complete denture. Results: Forty-four patients (65.7%) have satisfied esthetics whereas 23 (34.3%) patients have no esthetics satisfaction. Forty patients (59.7%) were functionally satisfied, and 27 patients (40.3%) were not functionally satisfied. 89.5% patients were between 6-12 months and 7 (10.4%) patients were between 13-20 months of duration of use of denture. Conclusion: Patients appeared to be largely satisfied with their dentures, indicating that patient happiness is a key factor in the success of denture delivery

Sodium in the leaf apoplast does not affect growth of maize (Zea mays L.) under saline field conditions

Studies dealing with leaf apoplastic Na+ concentration of monocots, such as maize, under actual saline soils are scarce. Therefore, the current study was aimed to investigate the growth, total ions and leaf apoplastic Na+ concentration of salt sensitive maize plants growing in saline soils. Plants were subjected to salt stress with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 3, 8 10 and 14 dS m-1 using completely randomized design (CRD) for 3 weeks. Shoot fresh weight, plant height, leaf area and leaf length of maize plants drastically decreased when plants were exposed to increasing salt stress. We found that maize could display a steep increase in Na+ concentration in the total shoot biomass with maximum 82.3 μmol g-1 FW, when plants were subjected to highest soil salinity at 14 dS m-1. As expected, other cations i.e., K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ decreased with increasing EC of the soil compared to Na+. Surprisingly, a maximum of 17 mM Na+ were found in the leaf apoplast of maize grown under very high soil salinity at EC 14 dS m-1. Considering this lower leaf apoplastic Na+ concentration at such a high EC level in maize plants, current study does not corroborate that surplus sodium in the leaf apoplast can result in dehydration and cell death under salt stress

Ameliorating drought effects in wheat using an exclusive or 2 co-applied rhizobacteria and ZnO nanoparticles

Simple Summary Wheat is a vital source of food, and its production is increasingly threatened by drought episodes. Moreover, its cultivation under water deficit situations along with zinc deficient soils is a major concern of declined wheat grain quantity and quality. Drought-linked changes in nutrient use efficiency, photosynthetic mechanisms, and chemical composition of wheat plants ultimately led to poorer harvest. Therefore, we aimed to understand the drought-ameliorating and grain nutritional improving effects in wheat by rhizobacteria (Azospirillum brasilense) and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) under various growth stage-based drought stress episodes. Rhizobacteria colonized the host plant rhizosphere and provided growth promotion and stress amelioration. ZnO NPs were recognized as a potential water and zinc deficiency alleviator, and general growth promoter by triggering nitrogen metabolism, chlorophyll synthesis, membrane integrity, and grain zinc biofortification activities. Physio-biochemical observations indicated significantly higher positive effects under co-application over the sole use of either microbial or nanomaterials. Based on our research, it was concluded that co-applied Azospirillum brasilense and ZnO NPs generally increase wheat productivity under drought episodes with low operational cost to growers. Further, plausible synergistic physiological enhancement by NPs and rhizobacteria interaction may contribute towards sustainable wheat crop management under abiotic stresses. Drought is a major abiotic factor and affects cereal-based staple food production and reliability in developing countries such as Pakistan. To ensure a sustainable and consistent food supply, holistic production plans involving the integration of several drought mitigation approaches are required. Using a randomized complete block design strategy, we examined the drought-ameliorating characteristics of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and nanoparticles (NPs) exclusively or as a combined application (T-4) through three stages (D-1, D-2, and D-3) of wheat growth (T-1, control). Our field research revealed that Azospirillum brasilense alone (T-2) and zinc oxide NPs (T-3) improved wheat plant water relations, chlorophyll, proline, phenolics and grain quality, yield, and their allied traits over the stressed treatments. Specifically, the best outcome was observed in the combined treatment of PGPR and ZnO NPs (T-4). Interestingly, the combined treatment delivered effective drought mitigation through enhanced levels of antioxidants (15% APX, 27% POD, 35% CAT, 38% PPO and 44% SOD) over controls at the grain-filling stage (GFS, D-3 x T-1). The 40% improvements were recorded under the combined treatment at GFS over their respective controls. Their combined usage (PGPR and ZnO NPs) was concluded as an effective strategy for building wheat resilience under drought, especially in arid and semi-arid localities

Life satisfaction, disease management attitudes and nutritional status of diabetes mellitus patients in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan: a hospital based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The life satisfaction of diabetes mellitus patients in association with the disease management attitudes and nutritional status have never been investigated yet in Pakistani administered Azad Jammu & Kashmir. AIM: The purpose of this study is to analyze the patient satisfaction about life with diabetes mellitus in association with disease management and nutritional status. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted among 496 patients in DHQ hospital, Mirpur Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The questionnaire comprised of two sections: 1) Diabetes Attitude Scale (DAS-3); 2) Patient profile, DM history, nutritional status and dietary habits. The findings are generated by binary logistic regression and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 64% of the patients interviewed reported dissatisfaction with their life with DM. Majority of the patients were females (66%), BMI value above 25.0 (56%). Gender male (AOR=1.82; 95%CI=1.15-2.88) and low income (AOR=3.16; 95%CI= 1.13-8.80) and middle income (AOR=4.70; 95%CI=1.52-15.5) were significantly associated with life dissatisfaction. There was higher likelihood of life dissatisfaction among patients with low food intake (AOR=1.82; 95%CI= 1.20-2.76); patients’ belief on: no need of taking insulin to treat their diabetes have a mild disease (AOR=1.56; 95%CI= 1.01-2.41); not much use in trying to have good blood sugar control because complications of diabetes happen anyway (AOR= 1.63; 95%CI= 1.18-2.23); emotional effects of diabetes are small (AOR=1.47; 95%CI= 1.02-2.14); decisions regarding daily diabetes care should be made by the patient (AOR= 2.15; 95%CI= 1.19-3.88). CONCLUSION: Findings implied the need of organizing counselling sessions for DM patients that promote regular physical activity to improve health and disease management. The consultation and regular visits of a nutritionist may help the patients in achieving better health outcomes

Influence of Sewage Sludge and Heavy Fertilization on Nitrate Leaching in Soils: An Overview

Sewage sludge is now widely used for production of crops throughout the world. Utilizing the sewage sludge for crop production has various advantages such as nutrient recycling, reducing the need for mineral fertilizer, increasing organic matter amount in soils, and improving physical properties of soil. A large amount of sludge is generated during the sewage treatment process, and it is disposed off on land in the form of fertilizer or soil conditioner. In this, heavy metals are usually in greater concentration than in soil, which is one of the main problems which restricts its utilization as a fertilizer. Nitrate leaching and heavy fertilization cause serious problems for the groundwater and this issue of nitrate leaching is usually neglected. Continuous used of swage sludge cause contamination of soil and water and affects plant growth and soil microorganisms. In this chapter, we have focused on i) various factors which affects nitrate leaching in soil, it includes soil texture, rate of fertilization, season and climate, ii) strategies to reduce nitrate leaching and iii) nitrogen conversion mechanism in sewage sludge

Screening of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cultivars for drought stress based on vegetative and physiological characteristics

Drought tolerance is an important genotypic character to be exploited for the plant cultivar selection under water deficit conditions. In the recent study, we examined the response of two marigold cultivars (Inca and Bonanza) under different regimes of drought stress. The aim was to determine the best performing cultivar under water/drought stress. Three irrigation treatments include; 4 days (T1), 6 days (T2) and 8 days (T3) in comparison to control 1 day (T0) interval were imposed. Response characters under study were morphological, physiological and anatomical. Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications in two factorial arrangements was followed for experiment layout. The results revealed that increasing water stress adversely affect plant height, in both cultivars. Both cultivars showed a decreasing trend to the number of flowers under water stress. Total chlorophyll contents including a, b were also showed reduction under prolonged drought treatment in both cultivars from (2.7 mg g-1 FW) to (1 mg g-1 FW). Overall, the performance of cultivar (cv.) Inca was satisfactory under water stress regimes. These results are helpful for selecting drought tolerant marigold cultivars in water scarce areas.  Â