Facebook addiction: its relation with academic performance of University students

The present study intended to find Facebook addiction and its relation with academic performance of university students from Pakistan. Sample comprised of eighty students (n=80) in total whom are purposefully selected and equally divided according to gender. The universe was public sector higher learning institute named as The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Cross-sectional survey research design was employed. Data were collected by use of Bergen Facebook addition scale. Data were analyzed from SPSS (21.0), descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis were computed to test the hypotheses. Results depict significant negative relationship between Facebook addiction and academic performance of students (β = -.907, t = -4.554). Conclusively, female students consume more time to use Facebook as compare to male students; hence, male students exhibit better academic performance. Limitations and future implications of current study were enclosed

Phononic Crystal Resonators

In this chapter we present the theory of phononic crystal, classification of PnC according to its physical nature, and phononic crystal (PnC) phenomena in locally resonant materials with 2D, and 3D crystals structure. In this chapter, phononic crystal (PnC) micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) resonators with different transduction schemes such as electrostatically, piezoresistively, piezoelectrically transduced MEMS resonators are explained. In this chapter, we employed phononic crystal strip in MEMS resonators is explained to reduce anchor loss, and analysis of eigen frequency mode of the resonators. The phononic crystal strip with supporting tethers is designed to see the formation of band gap by introducing square holes, and improvement of quality factor and harmonic response. We show that holes can help to reduce the static mass of PnC strip tether without affecting on band gaps

Description of Sivalhippus (Equidae: Perissodactyla) from the Late Miocene Siwalik Sub-Group of Pakistan

New fossil mandible as well as isolated upper and lower dentitions of the late Miocene Hipparionine species, have been discovered from a locality of Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan. By using morphometric and morphologic analysis, we have deduced that these specimens belong to Sivalhippus theobaldi. The body size of this species was intermediate between Sivalhippus perimensis and Hipparion antilopinum while its hypsodonty indicates that this species was a grazer to a larger extent which existed in mosaic of woodland and grassland in the Latest Miocene. However, the comparison with the recent horse (Equus caballus) mandible indicates some differences in dental and jaw lengths. The recent horse tends to have bigger and longer molars (higher hypsodonty indices) which may be attributed to a response towards changing vegetation, started at the end of the Miocene (ca. 6-7 Ma) strengthening the hypothesis that adaptive physiologies are a response towards a changing climate

Electrochemical study of polymer and ceramic-based nanocomposite coatings for corrosion protection of cast iron pipeline

Coating is one of the most effective measures to protect metallic materials from corrosion. Various types of coatings such as metallic, ceramic and polymer coatings have been investigated in a quest to find durable coatings to resist electrochemical decay of metals in industrial applications. Many polymeric composite coatings have proved to be resistant against aggressive environments. Two major applications of ferrous materials consist of their use in marine environment and in oil & gas industry. Knowing the corroding behavior of ferrous based materials during exposure to these aggressive applications, an effort has been made to protect the material by polymeric and ceramic based coatings reinforced with nano materials. Uncoated and coated cast iron pipeline material was investigated during for corrosion resistance by employing EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and electrochemical DC corrosion testing using 'three electrode system'. Cast iron pipeline samples were coated with Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polyanline/FLG (Few Layers Graphene) and TiO2/GO (graphene oxide) nanocomposite by dip coating. The EIS data indicated better capacitance and higher impedance values for coated samples compared with the bare metal, depicting enhanced corrosion resistance against seawater and 'produce water' of a crude oil sample from a local oil rig; Tafel scans confirmed a significant decrease in corrosion rate of coated samples

Walking the Talk? A Corporate Governance Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility Decoupling

Information asymmetry and the pressure to conform to stakeholders’ expectations cause firms to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) decoupling – a practice that has severe socioeconomic consequences for firms. Adopting a corporate governance perspective, this paper answers a novel question: whether board gender diversity (BGD) curbs CSR decoupling. Using a battery of sophisticated analyses and robustness tests on 9276 firm-year observations for the period 2002–2017, our results confirm that BGD is negatively associated with CSR decoupling. Analysis of the composition of gender-diverse boards further reveals that this effect is stronger for balanced boards than for skewed and tilted boards. Furthermore, we note that independent female directors are more effective monitors of decoupling than executive female directors. We also document that the relationship between BGD and CSR decoupling is stronger when the overall governance is weak. This implies that gender-diverse boards could act as a substitute mechanism for corporate governance that would otherwise be weak. Our study offers important theoretical and policy implications for the field of corporate governance and CSR

Bacterobilia in acute cholecystitis: bile cultures\u27 isolates, antibiotic sensitivities and antibiotic usage. a study on a Pakistani population.

Abstract Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common acute surgical conditions. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains the mainstay of treatment. In patients managed non-operatively, antibiotics play an important role in the treatment of cholecystitis. The current retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, and comprised medical records of patients admitted between 2008 and 2014with acute cholecystitis and in whom bile cultures were obtained. Of the 509 patients with a mean age of 51.15 ± 13.4years, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (within 72hours) was performed on 473(92.9%) cases, while the rest underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy. Bile cultureswere positive in 171(33.6%) patients. Predominantly gram-negative organisms were isolated among a total of 137(27%), with E.coli 63(46%) being the most commonly isolated organism. Of the gram-positive organism, enterococcus 11(8%) was the most common. Antibiotic sensitivities were determined.Based on our findings gram-negative coverage alone should be sufficient in our segment of the population

Phytochemical Profiling of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) Genotypes Using GC-MS Analysis

Twenty-four soybean genotypes collected from different regions and origin were evaluated for their quality performance to explore their nutritional and medicinal values. The proximate compositions showed considerable variations among soybean genotypes. The USA genotypes recorded the highest values for protein (43.1 g/100 g), total fat (23.61 g/100 g), phenolic content and flavonoids (1.77 and 2.13 mg/g). Using GC-MS analyses of methanolic extracts, a total of 88 compounds were identified in the genotypes and were classified to: 19 heterocyclic compounds, 13 compounds for ketones and esters, 9 for phenolic compound, 7 compounds for carboxylic acids and sugar moiety, 5 compounds for aldehydes and alcohols, 4 ether compounds, 3 amide, 2 alkanes and one alkene and one fatty acid ester. Indonesian genotypes recorded the highest number of phenolic and the Australian genotype A-1 had the maximum number of esters. Genotypes showed high levels of proximate compositions and pharmaceutical components, offering potential candidates for improving those traits in adapted genotypes through breeding program, as well as serving as a good source of mass production of pharmaceutical and medicinal components either through classical or in vitro production. Furthermore, platform was set for isolating and understanding the characteristics of each compound for it pharmacological properties

Mutational analysis of CYP1B1 gene in Pakistani pediatric patients affected with Primary Congenital Glaucoma

Background: Glaucoma is the significant cause of blindness all over the world. Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) reduces the vision and ultimately causes the blindness by damaging the aqueous drainage system of the eye. The purpose of the current study was to determine the pathogenic mutations in the CYP1B1 gene responsible for PCG.Methods: A total of thirty-five PCG patients were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected from the enrolled patients, and after DNA extraction and amplification, the coding regions of CYP1B1 were sequenced to determine the pathogenic mutations. In-silico analysis of the identified mutation was executed to study the effect of genetic variation on protein structure.Results: One mutation, c.1169 G>A has been revealed in exon 3 of the CYP1B1 gene leading to p.R390H, present in 20% of the patients enrolled. Besides, two missense sequence variants c.1294G>C (2 patients), c.1358A>G (4 patients) and a synonymous variant c.1347T>C (18 patients) has also been observed.Conclusion: Our study not only reaffirms the role of CYP1B1 mutations in PCG but also supports the use of genetic screening for molecular diagnosis and carrier identification, which will reduce the burden of disease on society. Furthermore, the in-silico analysis of the identified mutations provided an in-depth understanding of the PCG pathogenesis at the molecular level.Keywords: Primary congenital glaucoma; CYP1B1, mutation; Genetic variatio

Extraction and characterization of pectin from grapefruit (Duncan cultivar) and its utilization as gelling agent

Globally, agro-industrial by products such as fruit waste has attained immense recognition to be used for the extraction of valuable functional ingredients. Pectin is naturally occurring biopolymer that is widely recognized in food industry as well as in biotechnology. Keeping in view, current research was conducted for extraction, characterization and utilization of grapefruit peel pectin from Duncan cultivar. The extracted pectin was characterized for different parameters that explored its role in value added products. Acid extraction was carried out and then pectin was characterized for equivalent weight, ash content and methoxyl content. With the addition of extracted pectin, jam was prepared and analysed for physicochemical analysis and sensory attributes. The maximum extraction (22.55%) was done from grapefruit peel at temperature-120°C with pH-1.5, while minimum extraction (0.41%) was obtained at temperature-120°C with pH-2. Moreover, adding pectin in jam formulation resulted in significant effect on texture of the final product. Conclusively, pectin holds a great potential to be extracted and utilized in fruit based products for best quality and value addition