13 research outputs found
STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY, SECURITY DILEMMA AND THE INTERPLAY OF INTERESTS: RUSSIA, CHINA AND THE US IN THE ARCTIC REGION SINCE 2014
No full textThe Northern Pole\u27s polar ice is melting at an alarming rate due to climate change, significantly impacting the region\u27s strategic landscape. The potential for economic growth and increasing security competition has led Russia, China and the US to ramp up their politico-military activities in the region. This research paper uses a qualitative method that explores the changing geopolitics of the region through a structural realist approach to examine the strategic interests and opportunities of these three countries in the Arctic. The study sheds light on how climate change has affected the region\u27s geopolitical and geostrategic effects and how these countries compete for influence in the area, leading to mounting concerns and policy shifts. The paper shows how Russia takes a realist approach; China enhances its influence through a developmental approach, while the US tries to increase its power to counter the influence of Russia and China in the region. Additionally, the paper explains how the interplay of interests in the region is associated with the offence-defence balance and security dilemmas resulting from the neorealist behaviour of these states.
Bibliography Entry
Mushtaq, Shireen, Uswa Sharif and Rida Fatima. 2023. "Strategic Opportunity, Security Dilemma and the Interplay of Interests: Russia, China and the US in the Arctic Region Since 2014." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 67-81
Characterizing Vulnerabilities in Microservices: Source, Age and Severity
No full textMicroservices architecture has become a popular choice for developing scalable, cloud-native applications because of its modularity. However, this architecture introduces unique security risks due to its distributed nature and dependency management requirements. While existing literature has investigated some security challenges and proposed mitigation strategies, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the security vulnerabilities present within systems using this architecture. To bridge this gap, we used three vulnerability detection tools to analyze security vulnerabilities across 30 open-source microservices projects from GitHub, identifying three sources of vulnerabilities: \u27application code\u27, \u27dependencies\u27, and \u27container configurations\u27. Vulnerabilities related to request and data handling were most common, stemming from container misconfigurations and outdated dependencies. Dependency-related vulnerabilities are new but most fall into pre-established CWE and OWASP top 10 categories. Most of the detected vulnerabilities fall under a severity of medium to high. While the emergence of microservices has not introduced new vulnerabilities, the severity of existing vulnerabilities urges developers to implement secure data and request handling, address container misconfigurations, and update dependencies timely
An insight into the clinical learning environment of dental institutes: a study in the twin cities of Pakistan
No full textObjective: To assess the perceptions of dental students regarding their clinical learning environment in an urban setting. Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 2020 to May 2021 after approval from the ethics review committee of Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan. It comprised of clinical year students, house officers and postgraduate trainees from 6 dental teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Data was collected using a pre-validated instrument assessing the dental clinical learning environment. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. Results: Of the 1030 students approached, 561(54.4%) responded. Of them, 448(80%) were girls, 234(41.7%) were 3rd year students, 110(19.6%) were 4th year students, 120(21.4%) were house officers and 97(17.3%) were postgraduate trainees. Female students had a better patient attitude and were more confident in their abilities to keep up with their peers (p<0.05). The students were content with the performance of their clinical teachers, with a mean score of 70.99+/-16.0, while the lowest score of 54.67+/-22.9 was for clinical infrastructure and materials. Students of Islamabad pointed out the lack of clinical materials and maintenance of equipment but noted better research opportunities compared to their Rawalpindi counterparts (p<0.05). Conclusion: The clinical learning environment for Islamabad and Rawalpindi cities individually was good. Overall, students were satisfied with their clinical teachers, learning and training experience. Dental materials, infrastructure and maintenance factors scored the lowest.We are grateful to Noor Javed and Uswa Shehzadi of IIDC (Batch 2021) for providing support.Scopu
Zinc-chitosan nanocomposites as guardians against the dreaded phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina in Vigna radiata L.
No full textMacrophomina phaseolina, a phytopathogenic fungus responsible for root rot in mung beans (Vigna radiata L.), produces resilient sclerotia that are not effectively managed by chemical fungicides. In this study, as an alternative management approach, zinc-chitosan nanoparticles (Zn-ChNPs) were prepared using the ionic gelation method and evaluated for their antifungal activity against M. phaseolina. The synthesis of Zn-ChNPs was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy with absorption peaks at 215 nm and 265 nm. XRD indicated hexagonal crystalline planes, verifying nanoparticle crystallinity, while FTIR showed strong ZnO-chitosan interactions with peaks at 3495 cm⁻¹ and 678 cm⁻¹. The particles averaged 80–100 nm in size. Antifungal bioassays demonstrated significant inhibition of fungal growth, achieving 50–100 % reduction at concentrations of 0.11 % and above, and an EC50 (effective concentration) value of 0.08 %. Microscopic analysis revealed sclerotia distortion at 0.15 % Zn-ChNPs, while enzymatic assays showed a 20–60 % increase in catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activities at concentrations of 0.03–0.11 %, followed by a sharp decrease beyond 0.11 %. In planta bioassays indicated that 0.4–0.6 % Zn-ChNPs reduced disease by 97 % and improved growth up to 100 %, surpassing the performance of chemical fungicides (Carbendazim). Multivariate analysis further underscored the superior efficacy of Zn-ChNPs in enhancing plant defense mechanisms and managing root rot disease. These findings highlighted the potential of Zn-ChNPs as a sustainable and effective alternative to chemical fungicides, offering dual benefits of disease control and growth enhancement in mung bean plants
In Vitro Antifungal Potential of Vanillic Acid against Sclerotium rolfsii
No full textThe worldwide demand for making agriculture greener, safer, and more efficient can be met aptly by the application of biopesticides. Vanillic acid is a naturally occurring versatile phenolic molecule with promising antifungal activity, however, there have been no studies of the possible use of vanillic acid for its antifungal activity against a serious soil-borne fungal plant pathogen namely Sclerotium rolfsii. This study was performed to assess the antifungal potential of vanillic acid by analyzing growth, morphological, and biochemical changes in S. rolfsii under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that vanillic acid (0.003-0.10 %) significantly reduced fungal growth, distorted fungal morphology (hyphae, and sclerotia), altered activity of enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase). However, 0.05 and 0.10 % concentrations caused complete inhibition in the fungal growth. The results explained in this work serve as a basis for further research to formulate fungicides using vanillic acid
Scars on Body are the Scars on Mind - Anxiety, Depression and Low Self-Esteem in Acne Vulgaris Patients
No full textBackground: Acne, or acne vulgaris, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit of the skin, can severely affect an individual’s social and psychological functioning, progressing into psychiatric morbidity including anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of Anxiety, Depression and Low Self-esteem in patients with Acne Vulgaris visiting dermatology clinics at tertiary care hospitals in Karachi.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 215 patients with acne vulgaris of both genders, > 13 years recruited from Dermatology clinics at two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, from July 2011-February 2012. Anxiety, depression and self-esteem were evaluated using, Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES). The severity of acne was assessed by three grades (Mild, Moderate and Severe) according to American academy of dermatology. Data was analyzed using SPSS and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Out of 215 patients (113 males, 102 females), 107 participants were from private hospital and 108 from public hospital. Patients with mild, moderate and severe acne were 41.4%, 42.8% and 15.8% respectively. Similarly, anxious, depressed and low self-esteem was found 67%, 40% and 69.3% respectively. Most acne patients were young adults (61.4%) between 19-24 years, followed by adolescents (20.9%). between 13-18 years of age.
Conclusion: Overall the patients with moderate acne were found with highest anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, but the results were not significant. The physicians should treat acne with early intervention and holistic management.
Keywords: Acne Vulgaris; Depression; Anxiety
Agronomic performance and stability of andean common bean lines with white grains in Brazil.
No full textThis work evaluated the effect of genotype by environment interaction in Andean common bean lines with white grains, in Central Southern Brazil, to identify lines with high agronomic performance, stability and adaptability, aiming to meet domestic demand and to increase the Brazilian participation in the foreign market of common bean. Nineteen trials with twelve Andean lines were conducted in 2007, 2008 and 2009, in Central Southern Brazil. Grain yield and other agronomic traits were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and of adaptability/stability using Annicchiarico and modified AMMI methods. Significant differences were found between lines for all traits evaluated. Genotype by environment interaction was important for lines with Andean origin and white seed. The utilization of weighted mean of absolute scores and yield with the AMMI results enabled the identification of the most stable and adapted lines. Lines Poroto Alubia, CNFB 16211, Ouro Branco and WAF 160 were stable and adapted, using both methods. CNFB 16211 line presented high agronomic performance, stability and adaptability and therefore this line may be a new cultivar. USWA 70 and WAF 75 lines presented grain size similar to that required by the foreign market and superior to the Brazilian cultivars, besides favorable agronomic traits, and thus these lines may be indicated as new cultivars
Association of asthenopia with refractive errors in madrassa students
No full textOBJECTIVE: To determine the association of presenting clinical features of asthenopia in madrassa students with different refractive errors.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September-November 2022 at different Madrassas in Lahore, Pakistan. Study was performed on a sample of 108 patients, who had different refractive difficulties. Informed consent was taken from the patients aging ≥18 years and from parents/ guardians of patients aging <18 years. A self-designed questionnaire was used to gather the data of all patients. Patients with different refractive errors within the range of 8-25 years were taken into consideration. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 25. A statistically significant p-value of 0.05 was considered.
RESULTS: Out of 108 patients, 38 (35.2%) were males and 70 (64.8%) were females. Majority (n=59; 54.6%) were >16 years of age. Common asthenopic symptoms included hazy vision (n=106; 98.1%), headache (n=93; 86.1%), discomfort (n=79; 73.1%), pain (n=76; 70.4%) and eye strain (n=72; 66.7%). Common refractive errors were myopia (n=59; 54.6%), hypermetropia (n=25; 23.2%) and astigmatism (n=24; 22.2%). Severity of refractive errors was mild in majority of cases of myopia (n=24/59; and hypermetropia (n= and moderate in astigmatism (n=16; 64%). Headache, eye strain and blurring of vision had significant association with myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism.
CONCLUSION: Myopia and hypermetropia are the most common refractive errors; hazy vision and headache are the common asthenopic symptoms. There is a strong association between asthenopic symptoms and refractive errors
Agronomic performance and stability of andean common bean lines with white grains in Brazil.
No full textThis work evaluated the effect of genotype by environment interaction in Andean common bean lines with white grains, in Central Southern Brazil, to identify lines with high agronomic performance, stability and adaptability, aiming to meet domestic demand and to increase the Brazilian participation in the foreign market of common bean. Nineteen trials with twelve Andean lines were conducted in 2007, 2008 and 2009, in Central Southern Brazil. Grain yield and other agronomic traits were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and of adaptability/stability using Annicchiarico and modified AMMI methods. Significant differences were found between lines for all traits evaluated. Genotype by environment interaction was important for lines with Andean origin and white seed. The utilization of weighted mean of absolute scores and yield with the AMMI results enabled the identification of the most stable and adapted lines. Lines Poroto Alubia, CNFB 16211, Ouro Branco and WAF 160 were stable and adapted, using both methods. CNFB 16211 line presented high agronomic performance, stability and adaptability and therefore this line may be a new cultivar. USWA 70 and WAF 75 lines presented grain size similar to that required by the foreign market and superior to the Brazilian cultivars, besides favorable agronomic traits, and thus these lines may be indicated as new cultivars
Agronomic performance and stability of andean common bean lines with white grains in Brazil
No full textThis work evaluated the effect of genotype by environment interaction in Andean common bean lines with white grains, in Central Southern Brazil, to identify lines with high agronomic performance, stability and adaptability, aiming to meet domestic demand and to increase the Brazilian participation in the foreign market of common bean. Nineteen trials with twelve Andean lines were conducted in 2007, 2008 and 2009, in Central Southern Brazil. Grain yield and other agronomic traits were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and of adaptability/stability using Annicchiarico and modified AMMI methods. Significant differences were found between lines for all traits evaluated. Genotype by environment interaction was important for lines with Andean origin and white seed. The utilization of weighted mean of absolute scores and yield with the AMMI results enabled the identification of the most stable and adapted lines. Lines Poroto Alubia, CNFB 16211, Ouro Branco and WAF 160 were stable and adapted, using both methods. CNFB 16211 line presented high agronomic performance, stability and adaptability and therefore this line may be a new cultivar. USWA 70 and WAF 75 lines presented grain size similar to that required by the foreign market and superior to the Brazilian cultivars, besides favorable agronomic traits, and thus these lines may be indicated as new cultivars
