Diversity, Inclusiveness and Social Cohesion

__Abstract__ This study aims to investigate the role of diversity (ethnic, linguistic and religious) and social inequality in determining social cohesion. By using cross-country data, we have found that social inequality may be more important factor than diversity in determining cohesiveness of a society. Our analysis suggests that inclusive societies may be in better position to cope with the possible threat of diversity for social cohesion. By reducing social inequality, societies may mitigate the negative effects of diversity for social cohesion

Comparison of transgenic plant production for bacterial blight resistance in Pakistani local rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars

The study was carried out to improve bacterial leaf blight resistance in three rice cultivars (Basmati - 370, DR - 82 and IR - 6) by Agrobacterium mediated transformation system. Three week-old scutellum derived calli were infected with Agrobacterium strain EHA101, containing binary vector pTCL5 which has Xa 21 gene. Different levels of acetosyringone were tested to enhance transformation efficiency. Acetosyringone at 300 ìM showed 56.6% GUS expression with 100 and 200 ìM acetosyringone showing 13.3 and 30.0% GUS expression, respectively. Maximum transformation efficiency was obtained using DR - 82 with calli exposed to 300 ìM acetosyringone for 2 min. Direct hygromycin selection with 48 h ofco-cultivation was superior to pre-selection in all three cultivars. Transient GUS expression was 51.4% while stable GUS expression in calli was 18.8%. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of the Xa 21 gene in transformed regenerated plants. Stable varietal transformation efficiency was DR - 82 > Basmati-370 > IR - 6. Resistance of transgenic plants against Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar oryzae was evaluated with various strains/isolates at the seedling stage. All PCR positive transgenic plants of DR - 82 and Basmati - 370 were resistant with lesion areas less than 5% of the inoculated leaf area. The tested transgenic plants were resistant to all the indigenous and exotic strains tested due to the broad spectrum protection provided by the Xa 21 gene

In vitro direct regeneration in mint from different explants on half strength MS medium

No Abstrac

Study of structural phase transformation and hysteresis behavior of inverse-spinel α-ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by co-precipitation method

Substitution of cobalt (Co2+) ions in cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) with copper (Cu2+) and aluminum (Al3+) ions allows variations in their electric and magnetic properties which can be optimized for specific applications. In this article, synthesis of inverse-spinel Co1−xCuxFe2−xAlxO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) nanoparticles by substituting Cu2+ and Al3+ ions in CoFe2O4 via co-precipitation method is reported. By controlling copper and aluminum (Cu-Al) substituent ratio, the magnetic moment and coercivity of synthesized cobalt ferrite nanoparticles is optimized. The role of substituents on the structure, particle size, morphology, and magnetic properties of nano-crystalline ferrite is investigated. The Co1−xCuxFe2−xAlxO4 (0.0 ≤ x≤ 0.8) nanoparticles with crystallite size in the range of 23.1–26.5 nm are observed, 26.5 nm for x = 0.0–23.1 nm for x = 0.8. The inverse-spinel structure of synthesized Co1−xCuxFe2−xAlxO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) nano-particles is confirmed by characteristic vibrational bands at tetrahedral and octahedral sites using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A decreases in coercive field and magnetic moment is observed as Cu-Al contents are increased (x = 0.0–0.8). The positive anisotropy of synthesized particles Co1−xCuxFe2−xAlxO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) is obtained in the range 1.96 × 105 J/m3 for x = 0.0 to 0.29 × 105 J/m3 for x = 0.8

Management of diabetic neuropathic foot and ankle malunions and nonunions

The management of diabetic neuropathic foot and ankle malunions and/or nonunions is often complicated by the presence of broken or loosened hardware, Charcot joints, infection, osteomyelitis, avascular bone necrosis, unstable deformities, bone loss, disuse and pathologic osteopenia, and ulcerations. The author discusses a rational approach to functional limb salvage with various surgical techniques that are aimed at achieving anatomic alignment, long-term osseous stability, and adequate soft tissue coverage. Emphasis is placed on techniques to overcome the inherent challenges that are encountered when surgically managing a diabetic nonunion and/or malunion. Particular attention is directed to the management of deep infection and Charcot neuroarthropathy in the majority of the cases presented

Fabrication of carbon thin films by pulsed laser deposition in different ambient environments

In this work, carbon thin films are grown in different background environments (Air, Helium and Argon) at different pressures (60, 160, 500 and 1000 mbar) by ablating the graphite target with Nd:YAG laser of wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse energy of 740 mJ and pulse rate of 6 ns. 10,000 laser shots are used to ablate graphite target under different ambient conditions. Grown thin films are analyzed by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to measure thickness, roughness average, maximum profile peak height, average maximum height of profile and spacing ratio of the surface. The obtained results show that the roughness average, thickness of film, maximum profile peak height, average maximum height of profile and spacing ratio of thin films decreases with increase in ambient pressures and shows highest value at low pressure (160 mbar) in helium environment as compared with air and argon

Circulating myostatin is reduced with aging in humans but not altered by short-term, high intensity training

Introduction: Ageing involves a loss of muscle mass and function. The rate of decline is associated with negative health outcomes and increased mortality (1). Muscle atrophy is observed at a predictable rate from 30 years of age (2), however maintenance of function is seen in masters athletes > 60 years of age (3). Myostatin acts as a negative regulator of muscle mass (4) and underlies hypertrophy with chronic resistance training (5) and atrophy in chronic conditions (4). Experiment 1: Declared healthy participants (n = 83, 18 - 75 years of age, 36 male, 47 female) were recruited. Body composition, metabolic rate, grip strength and 6-minute walk test were recorded. Venous blood was collected and total myostatin concentration (herein referred to as myostatin) quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total myostatin was lower in females compared with males (2176.1 [135.3] vs. 2788.7 [180.2] pg.mL-1 [p = 0.007]). Stepwise regression observed that myostatin concentration is best predicted firstly by gender, then by age (r = 0.399, p = 0.02), and was not further improved by the addition of measures of metabolism, muscle mass or function. Experimental 2: A cohort of aged sedentary (SED) males (n = 14; 63.9 [5.6] years of age) and masters athletes (lifelong exerciser [LEX]; n = 10, 61.1 [5.8] years of age) completed 6 weeks of high intensity interview training (HITT). Two way ANOVA suggested no group (SED, LEX) × time (pre, post) interaction on myostatin concentration (p = 0.649), nor a main effect of time (p = 0.757), however there was a trend towards increased myostatin in the LEX group relative to SED (p = 0.083). Discussion: Loss of muscle mass and function occurs at a predictable rate from ~30 years of age, however the rate of loss differs between active and inactive populations. Here we demonstrate that total circulating myostatin decreases as age increases, and differs significantly between males and females. Total circulating myostatin negatively correlates with increasing age, however alterations in myostatin do not appear after short term training interventions. Longer term activity may alter myostatin, thus our next work will follow up experiment 2 with a 3 year longitudinal analysis

Comparative analysis of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about induced abortions among medical and non-medical students of Karachi

Objectve: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding induced abortions among university students of Karachi and compare these aspects among medical and non-medical students. STUDY Design: Cross sectional opinion survey. Methods: The study is a cross sectional opinion survey of medical and non-medical students from four educational institutions of Karachi using a pretested questionnaire. Results: Of the 381 students interviewed, 201 were medical and 180 were non-medical. More medical students were aware of the correct definition of induced abortion. An encouraging finding was the awareness of our study population about the only legally acceptable circumstance for induced abortion in Pakistan, that is, if conceptus is a risk to maternal health (p \u3c 0.001). More medical students cited complications that were technical like uterine perforation (p \u3c 0.001), cervical trauma (p \u3c 0.001), DIC (p \u3c 0.001), and sepsis (p \u3c 0.001). More medical students thought induced abortion to be a health issue (p=0.001) as compared to non-medical students. Most of the medical students felt the need to modify Pakistan\u27s law regarding abortion (p=0.008) especially for fetal anomalies (13.9%) and rape (7%).CONCLUSION: Though medical students were more knowledgeable about induced abortions as compared to the non-medical population, there is a need to improve awareness regarding induced and unsafe abortions and their consequences