17 research outputs found
Correction
No full textArticle title: The dynamic role of sustainable development goals to eradicate the
multidimensional poverty: evidence from emerging economy
Authors: Yufei Cao, Aftab Hussain Tabasam, Syed Ahtsham Ali, Anam Ashiq, Carlos
Samuel Ramos-Meza, Vipin Jain and Malik Shahzad Shabbir
Journal: Economic Research-Ekonomska Istrazivanja
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.2153715
When this article was first published online, the affiliation of the last author ‘Malik
Shahzad Shabbir’ was set incorrectly. This has now been corrected as follows and
republished online.
‘Lahore Business School, University of Lahore, Pakistan
Synthesis, crystal structures and, magnetic and photoluminescence properties of lanthanide-based metal–organic frameworks constructed with 2,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid
No full textFunding Information: Prof X. Chen acknowledges National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 21771057 and U1804253) for the financial support. S. Hussain is thankful to the Henan Normal University for postdoctoral support. The author from King Khalid University also acknowledge the financial and technical support of Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Khalid University of Saudi Arabi.Peer reviewe
An Interactive Approach to the Teaching of Reading in the Context of 1st Year University Students in Pakistan. The Old Man and the Sea: A Case Study
No full textPreface I stand impressed by the illuminating approach of the author towards teaching of
English in Pakistan and abroad. Mr. Raza with his experience of teaching in Pakistan
has aptly dealt with the problems of the teacher in teaching of English. He has pointed
to the difficulties of students in dealing with the reading text based upon foreign culture.
He has graphically amplified the use of black board in creation of visual aids as pictures
and diagrams. He has tried to equip the teacher with methodology to motivate the
student‟s active participation in the learning process.
His demonstration of handling the teaching of the novel “The Old Man and
the Sea” will guide the teacher in preparation of his lessons in teaching of English. The
book is expected to find its place in the curricula of teachers training institutions in
Pakistan and abroad where English happens to be taught as a second language. Shabbir Hussain ShahFormer Associate Professor &
Convener
Faculty of English Federal Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Islamabad
Pakistan</div
A Comparison of Ureterorenoscopy and Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for the Treatment Of Upper Ureteric Stone Measuring Less than 1cm.
No full textObjective: To compare the efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) and Ureterorenoscopy (URS) in the management of upper ureteric stone measuring <1cm.Methodology: Randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted by targeting the patient admitted in urology ward, Jinnah Hospital Lahorethrough a period of one year. A sample size of 132 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were selected by employing Non-probability consecutive sampling technique was employed to select 132 (sample size) patients fulfilling inclusion criteria. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups (66 in each group A&B) using lottery method. In group-A, stones were treated using ESWL, while in group-B, URS was performed, and stones were broken with pneumatic energy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, and a Chi-square test was conducted to compare the proportions of qualitative variables, while an independent sample t-test was applied to assess mean differences between two groups of quantitative variables. Asignificance level of ≤0.05 was adopted for determining statistical significance.Results: The sociodemographic profile of the two groups was comparable. It was seen that stone free rate nextto first session was higher in URS (81.8%) as compared to ESWL (63.6%) which later increased to 87.7% after completion of three session. The complaint of pain in ESWL was more as compared to URS (22.7% vs 12.1% p= 0.05)while the differences betweenthe rate of complications like fever, UTI, mucosal abrasion, hematuria or perforation were not statistically significant in both group. (p> 0.05)Conclusion: ESWL outperforms URS for the treatment of upper ureteric stones measuring <1cm in terms of efficacy and safety.Although not statistically significant, ourfindings suggest that URS achieves stone-free rates earlier than ESWL. However, according to our findings, ESWL is recommended as the treatment of choice for the majority of patients due to better compliance.Keywords: Extra-corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy, Nephrolithiasis, Ureterorenoscop
Identification of drought tolerant Chickpea genotypes through multi trait stability index
No full textDrought is a major and constantly increasing abiotic stress factor, thus limiting chickpea production. Like other crops, Kabuli Chickpea genotypes are screened for drought stress through Multi-environment trials (METs). Although, METs analysis is generally executed taking into account only one trait, which provides less significant reliability for the recommendation of genotypes as compared to multi trait-based analysis. Multi trait-based analysis could be used to recommend genotypes across diverse environments. Hence, current research was conducted for selection of superior genotypes through multi-trait stability index (MTSI) by using mixed and fixed effect models under six diverse environments. The genotypic stability was computed for all traits individually using the weighted average of absolute scores from the singular value decomposition of the matrix of best linear unbiased predictions for the genotype vs environment interaction (GEI) effects produced by a linear mixed-effect model index. A superiority index, WAASBY was measured to reflect the MPS (Mean performance and stability). The selection differential for the WAASBY index was 11.2%, 18.49% and 23.30% for grain yield (GY), primary branches per plant (PBP) and Stomatal Conductance (STOMA) respectively. Positive selection differential (0.80% < selection differential < 13.00%) were examined for traits averaged desired to be increased and negative (-0.57% < selection differential <-0.23%) for those traits desired to be reduced. The MTSI may be valuable to the plant breeders for the selection of genotypes based on many characters as being strong and simple selection process. Analysis of MTSI for multiple environments revealed that, the genotypes G20, G86, G31, G28, G116, G12, G105, G45, G50, G10, G30, G117, G81, G48, G85, G17, G32, G4, and G37 were the most stable and high yielding out of 120 chickpea genotypes, probably due to high MPS of selected traits under various environments. It is concluded that identified traits can be utilized as genitors in hybridization programs for the development of drought tolerant Kabuli Chickpea breeding material. (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Chemical and mineral composition of <em>Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita</em> and <em>Wallago attu</em> inhabiting river indus in Mianwali district
No full textUse of hybrid molecular simulation techniques for systematic analysis of polyphenols as promising therapeutic agent against SARS-CoV-2
No full textIn our current study, we systematically report the four phenol classes via three-layer in silico screening approaches consisting of quantum chemical methods, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. We studied the interactions of main protease (Mpro) and Nsp9 proteins of SARS-CoV-2 with four classes of polyphenolic compounds, where both proteins are crucial for virus replication. The phenols are extensively reported for medicinal applications, as these are antioxidants, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory compounds. Initial molecular docking study shows that among forty phenolic compounds the L9, L17, L26 and, L32 reveal the best binding energies with Mpro protein. Their values of docking score in terms of binding energy with Mpro protein is ranging from -5.7 to -6.8 kcal.mol−1. While on the other hands, L8, L11, L22 and, L34 exhibit the best docking scores with Nsp9 protein, which are ranging from -5.8 to -6.8 kcal.mol−1. Additionally, the lead compounds (ligands) were studied by quantum chemical methods for their optimized or the lowest energy structures, electronic properties, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) as well as molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs). The global chemical descriptors are also calculated to explain the global reactivity trend for the lead compounds. To mimic the aqueous like environment, we added ions according to the electrostatic potential of the macromolecule, water molecules are being added to create physiologically relevant environment for studying biological molecules. Proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules are typically surrounded by water molecules in biological systems. The addition of water molecules in MD simulations may provide a more accurate representation of their natural environment. The molecular dynamics simulations are performed for the complexes of best-docked lead compounds and for both proteins (Mpro and, Nsp9) over multiple replicate trajectories of 320 ns. The flexibility and stability behavior of the lead compounds in terms of RMSD and RMSF plots are analyzed through MD simulations results. The binding free energy of the best-docked lead compounds with both proteins in terms of Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) analysis are calculated, which are found as -8.79 and -3.97 kcal.mol−1 for Mpro-L32 and Nsp9-L8 complexes, respectively. The pharmacokinetic analysis of the lead compounds are also performed to disclose their ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and toxic character using online server pkCSM. This allowed for a comprehensive understanding of how these compounds would behave in the organism, specifically focusing on their ADME properties. We believe that the current study can evoke the interest of scientific community by providing fundamental insights, which will ultimately lead in-vivo and in-vitro analysis to assess the studied phenolic therapeutic inhibitors against the SARS-CoV-2.For computer time, this research used the resources of the Super- computing Laboratory at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the University of Bisha for supporting this work through the Fast-Track Research Support Program
Multinuclear (Sn/Pd) complexes with disodium 2,2′-(dithiocarboxyazanediyl)diacetate hydrate; Synthesis, characterization and biological activities
No full textThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this record.Bimetallic chlorodi-/triorganotin(IV) derivatives of general formulas R 2 (H 2 O)SnLCSSSn(Cl)R 2 (R=Me: 1; Ph: 2) and R 3 Sn(Na)LCSSSnR 3 ·H 2 O (R=Bu: 3; Ph: 4) were prepared by reaction of iminodiacetic acid disodium salt hydrate (Na 2 LH) with CS 2 and R 2 SnCl 2 /R 3 SnCl in methanol. The reaction between Na 2 LH, CS 2 , and PdCl 2 produced [Na 2 LCSS] 2 Pd·2H 2 O (5) which was treated with R 3 SnCl to synthesize the heterobimetallic derivatives [R 3 Sn(Na)LCSS] 2 Pd·2H 2 O (R=Me: 6; Ph: 7). The complexes were characterized by microanalysis, spectroscopic, and thermogravimetric analyses. Elemental analysis data, mass fragmentation, and thermal degradation patterns supported the molecular composition of the complexes. FT-IR data indicated monodentate binding of carboxylate while a chelating coordination mode of the dithiocarboxylate was verified in the solid state. A five-coordinate tin(IV) was demonstrated in the solid state. In solution, a tetrahedral/trigonal bipyramidal configuration around Sn(IV) and a square planar geometry of Pd(II) was indicated by multinuclear NMR ( 1 H and 13 C) and UV-visible studies. The Pd(II) derivatives showed interaction with salmon sperm-DNA and caused an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (ALPs). The antibacterial/antifungal potential of the coordination products varied with the nature of incorporated metal and a substitution pattern at tin(IV); the palladium metallation decreased the antimicrobial activities. The triorganotin(IV) products exhibited more powerful action against bacteria/fungi as compared to their diorganotin(IV) counterparts. The complexes displayed sufficiently lower hemolytic effects in vitro as compared to triton X-100 and slightly higher than PBS.SH thanks the Higher Education Commission, Islamabad, Pakistan, for the financial support under the PhD Fellowship Scheme Batch-IV (PIN Code: 074-3160-Ps4-362)
p-type Cu3BiS3 thin films for solar cell absorber layer via one stage thermal evaporation
No full textTernary copper sulphides, especially copper-bismuth-sulphide (Cu-Bi-S), are alternative solar absorber materials due to their earth-abundant and non-toxic constituent elements, compared to the conventional copper indium gallium sulphide and cadmium telluride films. In this study, Cu-Bi-S thin films were deposited onto soda lime glass substrates using a one stage co-evaporation process from Cu2S and Bi2S3 sources, with the deposition temperatures varied from room temperature to 400°C. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that Cu3BiS3 was the dominant phase in the Cu-rich films, and the crystalline quality of the films was significantly improved with increasing the deposition temperature. An optical bandgap of 1.4 eV was achieved for the film deposited at 400°C, which demonstrated a Hall mobility of 3.95 cm2/V-s and a carrier concentration of 7.48 × 1016 cm-3. Cu3BiS3 films deposited at 375 and 400°C were implemented into superstrate solar cell structures (glass/ITO/n-CdS/p-Cu3BiS3/Al)
Impact of HHO gas enrichment and high purity biodiesel on the performance of a 315 cc diesel engine
No full textBiodiesel and oxyhydrogen (HHO) gas have shown promising results in improving engine performance and emissions. In this work, the effects of HHO gas and 5% biodiesel blends (B5) and their combined use in a 315 cc diesel engine have been analyzed. Biodiesel is produced by base catalyzed transesterification and cleaned by emulsification. Its calculated cetane index (CCI) was 61.4. HHO gas is produced from electrolysis of concentrated potassium hydroxide solution. The use of 5% biodiesel blend resulted in a significant rise of 9.4% in the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and a maximum reduction of 8.19% in the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). HHO enrichment of diesel and biodiesel at 2.81 L/min through the intake manifold improved the torque and power by an average of over 3%. HHO addition also improved the BTE of diesel by a maximum of 3.67%. The combination of high CCI biodiesel fuel and HHO creates a mixture that has shortened the ignition delay (ID) to the point that adverse effects were observed due to the premature combustion as shown by the average decrease in the BTE of 2.97% compared to B5. Thus, B5, on its own, is found to be the optimum fuel under these conditions. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
