Kinetics of invertase synthesis by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in synthetic medium

Present investigation deals with optimization of appropriate substrate concentration and incubation temperature both for growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and invertase production. Submerged fermentation technique was employed in the present study. The maximal production of invertase during the course of study was achieved after 48 h of incubation using initial sucrose concentration, 15.0 g l-1. The sugar consumption and dry cell mass were also examined. Data was subjected to kinetic analysis and on the basis of kinetic parameters such as Yp/x (amount of enzyme produced mg-1 cell mass), Yp/s (amount of enzyme produced mg-1 sugar consumed), Yx/s (mg cells mg-1 substrate consumed), Ys/x (mg sugar consumed mg-1 cell mass produced), qp (Amount of enzyme produced mg-1 sugar consumed h-1), qs (mg mg-1 cells h-1), qx (mg cells mg-1 sugar consumed h-1), µ (mg cells produced h-1), it was found that temperature had a direct influence both on substrate consumption and synthesis of enzyme. Similarly, higher concentrations of sucrose in fermentation medium induced catabolite repression of yeast invertase

Returns to Facilitating Farmers’ Organisations for Distributary Maintenance: Empirical Results from a Pilot Project in Southern Punjab

Institutional reforms currently underway in Pakistan’s irrigation and drainage sector require that farmers take over the operation and maintenance responsibilities of their secondary canals. However, the farmers need to be organised first, for which investments are a prerequisite. A great deal of skepticism about the farmers’ collective ability and willingness to undertake the needed tasks exists, even now when they are actually organised. This skepticism originates from past experiences when direct subsidies were offered to induce collective action. Theoretically, collective action can be more sustainable if investments are made in capacity building for the tasks that the farmers have to perform to improve the service delivery. Farmers are being organised for distributary operation and maintenance. So far, the delay in formulation of an appropriate legal framework has prevented the irrigation departments from formally transferring the operation and maintenance responsibilities to farmers. Self-help-based maintenance has been the only avenue for farmers to participate in the management of the irrigation system. The paper uses data pertaining to the cost of facilitation and estimates the amount of resources mobilised for two successive years from a pilot project. The analysis shows that investments made for facilitation do pay off. Investment in facilitation returns 69 percent higher than the actual investment per year during the initial years. In the short-run, the returns to facilitation indicate an increasing trend. The paper argues that when compared to previous approaches adopted in Pakistan, investments for facilitation and capacity building have a greater chance of prompting sustainable collective action for irrigation and drainage management.

Post traumatic avulsion of lumbar artery: a rare cause of retroperitoneal haemorrhage treated by glue embolization

Lumbar arterial injury after trauma is a rare cause of significant retroperitoneal haemorrhage. Early diagnosis followed by endovascular transcatheter embolization is a very effective treatment to control bleeding in patients who do not respond to conservative management. We present a case of post traumatic avulsion of left fourth lumbar artery which was successfully treated with percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization with glue

Returns to Facilitating Farmers’ Organisations for Distributary Maintenance: Empirical Results from a Pilot Project in Southern Punjab

Institutional reforms currently underway in Pakistan’s irrigation and drainage sector require that farmers take over the operation and maintenance responsibilities of their secondary canals. However, the farmers need to be organised first, for which investments are a prerequisite. A great deal of skepticism about the farmers’ collective ability and willingness to undertake the needed tasks exists, even now when they are actually organised. This skepticism originates from past experiences when direct subsidies were offered to induce collective action. Theoretically, collective action can be more sustainable if investments are made in capacity building for the tasks that the farmers have to perform to improve the service delivery. Farmers are being organised for distributary operation and maintenance. So far, the delay in formulation of an appropriate legal framework has prevented the irrigation departments from formally transferring the operation and maintenance responsibilities to farmers. Self-help-based maintenance has been the only avenue for farmers to participate in the management of the irrigation system. The paper uses data pertaining to the cost of facilitation and estimates the amount of resources mobilised for two successive years from a pilot project. The analysis shows that investments made for facilitation do pay off. Investment in facilitation returns 69 percent higher than the actual investment per year during the initial years. In the short-run, the returns to facilitation indicate an increasing trend. The paper argues that when compared to previous approaches adopted in Pakistan, investments for facilitation and capacity building have a greater chance of prompting sustainable collective action for irrigation and drainage management

Optimized genomic DNA extraction by a modified organic phenol- chloroform method without using PCR for best results

Background:  The objective of the study was to design a cost effective, efficient and better protocol for genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction.Methods: This was an experimental study, which is carried out ARID Research laboratory. The duration of study was four months from March 2015 to June 2015. White blood cells were used for extraction of DNA. Two procedures RBC lysis and extraction of DNA from the pellet was done. The goal was to obtain high quality and quantity DNA yield. Even the amount of blood less than 1 ml can be used for extraction. The extraction of DNA comprise of disruption of nuclear membrane and removal of protein from the pellet. After extraction DNA was purified. DNA was confirmed with the help of Nanodrop technology. Genomic DNA was also confirmed by using horizontal agrose gel electrophoresis and visualized using Gel Doc System. Whole blood approximately 10ml µg, yields 250 µg of DNA, using latest organic phenol chloroform method.Results: Successful extraction of DNA from the WBCs without compromising quality and quantity was the end result. Shelf life of DNA was increased. Current modified protocol of DNA isolation, extraction and purification of DNA is not only cost-effective and highly yielding but also reproducible.Conclusions: The DNA extracted with modified organic phenol- chloroform method was of high quality and quantity. The bands of DNA were confirmed with horizontal electrophoresis. Clear DNA band were visualized indicating the precision of latest protocol. Another important advantage was that very small amount of blood sample is required for DNA extraction and the protocol was cost effective and efficient. Present protocol will be very beneficial for genomic studies, requiring DNA extraction. It will enable researchers to work with fewer budgets and less sample size, obtaining best results

Pak-Afghan Ties: Evolution, Challenges and the Way Forward

Pakistan and Afghanistan are often bracketed as brother nations, having deep rooted historical links, traditional affinity, striking social fabric similarity, shared religious identity, ethno-cultural bondage, and strategic partnerships, all dating back to pre-partition Indian subcontinent era. Nevertheless, in the post-partition regional dynamics and legacy of issues between the British Raj and Afghanistan, bilateral relations between the two have been wavy, marked by ups and downs; yet the affinity and warmth at people-to-people level have remained generally cordial if not idyllic. After 9/11, US-led international coalition invaded Afghanistan; it overthrew the Taliban government and since then the political face of Afghanistan has been managed through overt coercion and covert machinations. The conflict of interest between the people of Afghanistan and foreign installed Afghan governments is the cause of current mass resentment leading to armed resistance; led by Afghan Taliban. The ensuing trouble casts its shadow on Pakistan in the form of inflow of unarmed benign refugees as well as militants alongside arms, drug and human trafficking. Afghan government has brushed aside many meaningful border management proposals from Pakistan. Post 9/11 bilateral relations have been revolving around serious distrust, blame game, refugee crisis, cross border violation leading to an environment of low intensity hostility towards each other. This paper summarizes the profile of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, identifies the challenges, envisages the prospects and proposes ways for narrowing the gap between existing and desired format of relationship

Evaluation of Silicone Rubber Insulators used in High-Voltage Transmission Lines

Three long-rod silicone rubber composite insulators used in 230 kV power transmission lines were evaluated for aging affects. The insulators were obtained from various outdoor desert locations within Saudi Arabia where they had been in service for 6 years. Surface degradation associated with the aging process was analyzed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA). Electrical performance of insulators was evaluated by Rapid Flashover Voltage Tests (RFVT) and Pollution Severity Measurement Tests. Depending on their locations of service, the samples exhibited various types of pollutants at their surfaces. The analysis indicated that the insulator material showed localized surface degradation while there was no evidence of micro-cracking. Furthermore, it was noted that the electrical performance of the insulators was not significantly affected by exposure during the in-service period

Corrosion of carbon steel caustic header in the presence of chloride ions

Caustic soda produced in caustic cells at a petrochemical plant was loaded into a crude tank by means of a caustic header line made of plain carbon steel. After a fraction of expected service life, the header was severely corroded. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify the material and the corrosion product. Metallurgical evaluation suggested that the mode of failure was localized attack by chlorine and/or hydrochloric acid at pipe connections (flanges) where concentrated solutions could accumulate. Most evidence pointed out that the failure resulted from corrosion attack due to condensation of hydrochloric acid. Misalignment of the pipe at the flange led to cold work which is also thought to accelerate the corrosion rate. It was recommended to consider a better pipe alignment practice as well as the addition of an inhibitor as a short-term solution. Since the piping system was used close to the critical operating conditions. it was recommended as a long-term solution to replace the caustic header material by one of the higher grades Ni-Cr-Mo alloys

Open-Source and Proprietary Library Automation Software: A Comparative Academic Librarian's Perspective

The purpose of this study was to get an understanding of how academic librarians perceive open-source and proprietary library software. The researchers used a survey research approach and a self-constructed questionnaire as data collection tool. The study targeted 103 library professionals working at HEC-recognized degree awarding institutions (DAIs) and universities in Lahore, both public and private sectors, yielding an 84% response rate. To meet research objectives, descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Study findings explored that library software should have the facility of advanced searching, library standards, and a user-friendly interface. Comparative analysis revealed that open-source library software contains more modules and requires highly skilled employees. On the other hand, human resources with minor skills can use proprietary software. Factors that prevent adopting OSS for academic libraries include a lack of technical support, skilled and motivated library professionals, inadequate cooperation between supervisors and subordinates, and insufficient training opportunities. Experienced library professionals should guide and offer full cooperation in the selection and implementation of software. Library schools and associations should play a decisive role through school curriculum and professional development programs in preparing graduates and practitioners for embracing modern technologies. Open-source software developers should also organize training programs for software users to work independently in libraries