65 research outputs found
Data for: Size at Sexual Maturity of Waved Whelk (Buccinum undatum) on the Eastern Scotian Shelf
No full textThe files contain the raw data sheets and the figures which have been used in the research. Additional data sheets, including the processed ones can be provided. Only the EXCEL has been used in the production of figures so there are no resource files (e.g. photoshop etc). Please contact Author for more detail, if other data files are required
Advancements and challenges in the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and management of multiple sclerosis: a comprehensive review
No full textAbstract Background Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system through inflammation, loss of myelin, and progressive neurodegeneration. Its prevalence has been increasing worldwide, with variations that reflect genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and immune system dysregulation. Main Body Advances in high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and the use of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers have enhanced the ability to detect early disease activity, monitor progression, and evaluate therapeutic response. Despite these improvements, challenges remain in understanding the mechanisms driving disease progression, particularly in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis where treatment options are limited. Barriers such as unequal access to therapies, variable long-term efficacy, and incomplete knowledge of disease pathways continue to hinder effective management. Current research emphasizes the need for personalized approaches that incorporate genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. Efforts are also being directed toward identifying neuroprotective and remyelinating agents, alongside integrating biomarkers into treatment strategies, in order to better tailor therapies and improve monitoring of disease activity. Conclusion Future directions in multiple sclerosis research should focus on precision medicine, the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, and the integration of biomarkers into clinical care. These strategies hold the potential to improve long-term outcomes, reduce disease burden, and enhance the quality of life for affected individuals. This review explores global epidemiological patterns, recent diagnostic innovations, and the effectiveness of emerging treatment strategies in multiple sclerosis
پاکستانی رومانی افسانہ اور اشفاق احمد کا تصور ِ محبت: PAKISTANI ROMANTIC SHORT STORY AND ASHFAQ AHMAD’S CONCEPT OF LOVE
No full textRomance and romanticism has a great impact on Urdu Literature. Romantic Urdu afsana has been written before the partition of sub-continent. Many Pakistani short story writers has started their career as “Afsana Nigar” before the Pakistan came into being. After the partition of Hindustan, people were so much depressed and scattered in both sides of boarder. At that time, in Pakistan, many writers created some characters showing love and affection to console the Pakistanis in their hardest time of life. Ashfaq Ahmad, a renowned fiction and non-fiction writer of Urdu literature, is one of them. He has a mystical nature in his concepts of love. Ashfaq Ahmed has multidimensional aspects in his personality as an author. He was a short story writer, columnist, playwright, a translator, poet and played a famous character of Talqeen Shah in Radio drama. His short stories and dramas ‘collections like “ Aik Muhabbat Safo Asany” “ Subhaany Fsaney” “ Ujley Phool” “Tota Kahani” and “ Tilissim Hosh Afza” “ Aik Muhabbt So Dramay” “ Mann Chalay ka Sauda” etc. Present his philosophy of love and affection very deeply. His writings are a beautiful combination of love and Sufism and present different shapes of love. He knew well what the love is. He is a realistic writer. He presented love and affection in a very simple and pure way. This emotion makes a person a great human being, without the appropriation of religion. His philosophy of love and affection based on scarifies
Technical and marketing support systems for successful small and medium-size enterprises in four countries
No full textStudies of successful and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and their marketing and technical support systems were undertaken for Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Three to four subsectors were examined in each country. The sample worldwide amounted to 445 firms. Mechanisms to support export marketing varied across countries and subsectors. How they varied depended greatly on whether SMEs operated within well-developed private networks. When market penetration begins, transaction costs are high and collective marketing support can be important. As markets"thicken,"initiatives by foreign buyers become more important. Generally the most effective collective marketing support was of the kind that can be provided more effectively by decentralized organizations - such as industry associations or local governments and chambers of commerce (support firms'participation in trade fairs, for example) - than by central government institutions. Private mechanisms were more important than collective mechanisms for helping firms improve their technological capability. Demand for collective mechanisms tended to be greater when technological requirements of production were complex or when the endowments of private technological networks in certain countries or industries were weak. Broad-based collective technical support facilitates the emergence of an information-rich environment for firms, and may be worth pursuing in many settings. Examples of such support include: 1) sponsoring courses in specialized topics; 2) facilitating the use of expert consultants (either directly, by making a consultant available to a broad array of firms, or indirectly, by providing financial support for the use of consultants); and 3) promoting information-sharing among firms. Countries that already have strong broad-based collective support and that are moving into technologically more advanced activities might consider"high-intensity"support, but should proceed with caution.Microfinance,Small and Medium Size Enterprises,Small Scale Enterprise,Markets and Market Access,Water Conservation,Microfinance,Private Participation in Infrastructure,Small Scale Enterprise,Access to Markets,Markets and Market Access
Author highlights social media’s dominant role in today’s world at book launch
No full textThis article covers the launching of Dr Aasim Sajjad Akhtar’s book ‘The Struggle for Hegemony in Pakistan: Fear, Desire and Revolutionary Horizons’ at IBA City camus. IBA Executive Director Dr S Akbar Zaidi, visiting faculty at IBA Abira Ashfaq, and lawyer Faisal Siddiqui, and the author all talked at the book launching panel discussion
Seismische 3-D Datenbearbeitung im Kristallin mithilfe der Common Reflection Surface Stapelung
No full textSeismische Daten aus dem Kristallinen oder Hardrock-Umgebungen weisen in der Regel aufgrund der niedrigen Impedanzkontraste im Untergrund ein schlechtes Signal-Rausch (S/N) Verhältnis auf. Außerdem beobachten wir anstelle von kontinuierlichen Reflexionen viele steil abfallende Ereignisse, die sich wie Diffraktionssegmente verhalten. Die konventionelle Bearbeitung seismischer Daten (CMP-Stapelung und DMO) ist nicht idealerweise zur Abbildung dieser Art von Daten geeignet ist. Die Bearbeitung mit dem Common-Reflection-Surface (CRS) Verfahren betrachtet mehr Spuren als das CMP-Verfahren und das resultierende Bild zeigt ein besseres S/N-Verhältnis. In den letzten zehn Jahren wurde die CRS-Methode als ein mächtiges Werkzeug eingeführt um verbesserte Bilder, vor allem für niedrig überdeckte oder verrauschte Daten aus Sedimentbecken zu erzeugen. Der CRS-Stack und alle mit ihm verbundenen Attribute werden unter Verwendung eines kohärenzbasierten, automatischen und datengesteuerten Optimierungsverfahren erhalten. In dieser Untersuchung wurde der 3D-CRS-Workflow auf 3D seismische Daten im kristallinen Gestein angewendet, die in der Nähe von Schneeberg, Deutschland für geothermische Exploration aufgezeichnet erworben wurden. Seismische 3D-Bildgebung ist eine Herausforderung für die in einer Hardrock-Umgebung erfassten Daten. Im 3D-Fall ist die Datenmenge groß und nicht einfach zu bearbeiten. Zu diesem Zweck wird vor der Bearbeitung dieser großen Daten der 3D-CRS-Code mit dem Hybrid-Ansatz (Message Passing Interface (MPI) mit OpenMP) optimiert. Das erlaubt, das Programm in effizienter Art und Weise auszuführen und die große Datenmenge, die Tera-Bytes betragen kann, schnell zu bearbeiten und auch die Qualität des Outputs ist die gleiche wie die des mit dem Original-3D-CRS bearbeiteten Bildes.
Der CRS-Stack selbst hat ein Bild mit gutem S/N-Verhältnis geliefert. Doch für Daten von Umgebungen mit niedriger akustischer Impedanz und schlechten Geschwindigkeitsinformationen, bietet die Kohärenz, die automatisch in der Optimierungsprozedur bestimmt wird, eine alternative Möglichkeit, den Untergrund abzubilden. Trotz der reduzierten Auflösung für diese Daten war das Kohärenzbild das beste Ergebnis für eine erste Analyse. Als Gewicht eingesetzt, kann das Kohärenzattribut verwendet werden, um die Qualität der Stapelung weiter zu verbessern. Durch die Kombination der Vorteile des verringerten Geräuschpegels mit der hohen Auflösung und den Interferenzeigenschaften von Wellenformen, argumentieren wir, dass diese Ergebnisse die besten Bilder in einem rein datengesteuerten Bearbeitungsworkflow für die Schneeberg-Daten liefert. Wegen der großen Anzahl der Diffraktionen in den Daten, die zu zahlreichen 'conflicting dip' Situationen führen, sind die Stapelsektionen
schwierig zu interpretieren. Zeitmigrierte Daten haben dazu beigetragen, mehrere große Verwerfungsstrukturen zu identifizieren, die mit geologischen Besonderheiten des betrachteten Bereich übereinstimmen.
Studien an diesen 3D Gesteinsdaten aus dem Kristallin zeigten einige interessante Features, die von den Geologen nicht erwartet wurden. Der Schneeberg-Körper wurde vor der Erhebung der Daten nicht erwartet. Konjugierte Störungen schneiden den Roten Kamm, was auch eine überraschende Tatsache ist. Das Verhalten des Roten Kamm ist neu für die Geologen. Dies beinhaltet die schwache seismische Signatur der regionalen Verwerfung Roter Kamm. Vor der Messung mit 3D-Seismik wurde davon ausgegangen, dass diese das hervorstechende Merkmal ist. Die Verteilung der Diffraktions-Apices in der zeitmigrierten Sektion zeigt ein deutliches Maximum dort wo sich mehrere Bruchsysteme schneiden. Die Bruchsysteme kreuzen einander nahe dem Zentrum dieses Blocks. Wenn diese Diffraktionen die Auswirkungen offener Risse sind, könnte der Bereich als natürlicher Wärmetauscher dienen, um geothermische Energie zu erzeugen. Es ist gegenstand anhaltender Diskussion ob die Risse offen oder mineralisiert sind.Seismic data from crystalline or hardrock environments usually exhibit a poor signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio due to low impedance contrasts in the subsurface. Moreover, instead of continuous reflections we observe a lot of steeply dipping events resembling parts of diffractions. The conventional seismic processing (CMP stack and DMO) is not
ideally suited for imaging such type of data. Common-reflection-surface (CRS) processing considers more traces during the stack than CMP processing and the resulting image displays a better S/N ratio. In the last decade, the CRS method was established as a powerful tool to provide improved images, especially for low fold or noise contaminated data from sedimentary basins. The CRS stack and all attributes linked to it are obtained using a coherence-based automatic data-driven optimization procedure. In this research, the 3D CRS workflow was applying to 3D crystalline rock seismic data which were acquired near Schneeberg, Germany, for geothermal exploration. 3D seismic imaging is the challenge for data acquired in the hardrock environment. In 3D case, the data volume is big and it is not easy to process. For this purpose, before processing this big data, the 3D CRS code has been optimized with the hybrid approach (message passing interface {MPI} with OpenMP). This makes the program run in efficient fashion and can handle the big dataset up-to Tera-bytes with fast processing and also the output quality of the image is same as the original 3D CRS processed image.
The CRS stack itself provided an image of good S/N ratio. However, for data from environments with low acoustic impedance and poor velocity information, the coherence which is automatically obtained in the optimization procedure provides an alternative way to image the subsurface. Despite the reduced resolution, for this data the coherence image provided the best results for an initial analysis. Utilized as a weight, the coherence attribute can be used to further improve the quality of the stack. By combining the benefits of a decreased noise level with the high resolution and interference properties of waveforms, we argue that these results may provide the best images in an entirely data-driven processing workflow for the Schneeberg data. Because of the large number of diffractions in the data leading to numerous conflicting dips and crossing image patterns, stacks are difficult to interpret. Time-migrated data helped to identify several major fault structures, which coincide with geological features of the considered area.
Studies on these 3D crystalline rock data showed some interesting features which were not expected by the geologists. Schneeberg body was not expected before survey. Conjugate faults cut through the Roter Kamm which is also a surprising fact. The behaviour of Roter Kamm is new for geologists. This include the faint seismic signature of the regional fault Roter Kamm. Before the 3D seismic survey, it was assumed to be the prominent feature. The distribution of diffraction apexes in the time-migrated section shows a distinct high where several fracture systems intersect. The fracture systems cross each other near the center of this block. If these diffractions are the response of open fractures the area could serve as a natural heat exchanger to generate geothermal energy. This is an ongoing discussion whether the cracks are open or mineralized
Radiation efficiency and nitrogen fertilizer impacts on sunflower crop in contrasting environments of Punjab, Pakistan
No full textJabran, Khawar/0000-0001-8512-3330; Rehmani, M.I.A./0000-0001-7922-1233; Rahman, Muhammad Habib ur/0000-0002-2823-9959; Amin, Asad/0000-0003-2242-8377; Ahmad, Ashfaq/0000-0002-9249-185X; Turan, Veysel/0000-0001-7805-8411; Shah, Ghulam Mustafa/0000-0003-1230-7029WOS: 000419944100076PubMed: 29103112Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is the leading non-conventional oilseed crop in Pakistan. Nitrogen fertilizer can affect plant growth and productivity by changing canopy size which has an effect on the radiation use efficiency (RUE) of the crop. The response of sunflower hybrids in terms of phenology, fraction of intercepted radiation (F-i), and RUE to nitrogenous rates (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha(-1)) was studied in three field experiments conducted in three various environments: Multan (arid), Faisalabad (semi-arid), and Gujranwala (sub-humid) during spring seasons 2008 and 2009. The treatments were laid out according to a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements, keeping the sunflower hybrids in main plots and nitrogen rates in subplots, and replicated three times. The results showed Hysun-38 took a maximum number of days to anthesis (101) as compared to Pioneer-64A93 (100) and Hysun-33 (99). The mean values of F-i were 0.850, 0.903, and 0.978, and the estimated values of RUE for total aboveground dry matter were 2.14, 2.47, and 2.65 g MJ(-1) at experimental locations of Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, respectively. The values of RUE for grain yield (RUEGY) were 0.78, 0.98, and 1.26 g MJ(-1) at experimental locations of Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, respectively. The average RUEGY values over three locations were 2.61, 2.60, 2.43, and 2.36 g MJ(-2) in N-4 (180 kg ha(-1)), N-5 (240 kg ha(-1)), N-3 (120 kg ha(-1)), and N-2 (60 kg ha-1) treatments, respectively. Increasing rates of N increased RUEGY over the standard treatment N-3 (120 kg N ha(-1)); however, the averaged values over three locations were 1.22, 1.08, 0.99, and 0.92 g MJ(-2) in N-4, N-5, N-3, and N-2 treatments, respectively. Therefore, optimum water and N doses are important for attaining higher RUE, which may enhance sunflower growth and yield.Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF); University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanThe first author is highly thankful to the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) for the partial funding to present this work in a second International Balkan Agriculture Congress at the Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey (2017). Moreover, the first author is also appreciative to the Endowment Fund Secretariat, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, which was highly acknowledged for the partial financial support of this study
Collaboration and Innovation in Food Industry
No full textIn the dynamic economic environment where knowledge is vastly distributed companies can no longer rely on their own research and are pushed to utilize outside sources to sustain growth. At the same time food industry involves large number of horizontal and vertical relationships, the very dynamic nature of these relationships play role in innovation. In order to fully capitalize on supplier-customer collaboration it becomes vital to understand the dynamic relation between packaging and processing industry and need to operate closely, develop ways to identify good partners and create & maintain fruitful collaboration. Based on this understanding the primary purpose of the research is to study interactions and relations between stakeholders in food industry, to gain an understanding of the driving forces for development in food processing and packaging technologies.This understanding can then be utilized to identify the barriers for collaboration.Title Collaboration and Innovation in Food Industry - Study on collaboration of packaging and process equipment industry with food manufacturing. Author Mustafa Ali Ashfaq Bombaywala Supervisor Malin Göransson, PhD Student at Division of Packaging Logistics, Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University. Issue of study In the dynamic economic environment where knowledge is vastly distributed companies can no longer rely on their own research and are pushed to utilize outside sources to sustain growth. At the same time food industry involves large number of horizontal and vertical relationships, the very dynamic nature of these relationships play role in innovation. In order to fully capitalize on supplier-customer collaboration it becomes vital to understand the dynamic relation between packaging and processing industry and need to operate closely, develop ways to identify good partners and create & maintain fruitful collaboration. However the research on collaboration with packaging and processing equipment industries as well as academia is rather limited. Purpose The primary purpose of the research is to study interactions and relations between stakeholders in food industry, to gain an understanding of the driving forces for development in food processing and packaging technologies. Also gain insight into the innovation process at major Packaging solution provider (PSP) and Process equipment manufacturers (PEM), their interaction, collaboration and information sharing with food manufacturing companies (FMC). This understanding can then be utilized to identify the barriers for collaboration. Method The research follows an inductive approach which starts with a premise and structure is built around the conceptual framework and the research objectives. Secondary data collected through literature survey was utilized to develop a conceptual model. Primary data was collected through interviews with experts from the industry and academia who have experience in working with innovation and collaboration. A non-probability sampling technique was adopted and II Semi-structured interview technique was followed. The interviews were transcribed to text and categorized under common themes which for analysis and comparison. To ascertain the credibility of the data it was triangulated and compared to literature. Conclusion The views of industry experts strongly reflect that the role of suppliers of processing and packaging in food industry is “contractual” in nature, whereas ingredient suppliers tend to be more mature partners in the innovation process. The innovation process at major food machinery and packaging companies corresponds well to the ‘food-machinery framework’ of open innovation (Bigliardi et al., 2010). It is apparent that food industry is taking steps to integrate external knowledge sources in the innovation process, still suppliers continues to play limited strategic role in innovation. Some barriers to collaboration were identified and they can be grouped into two types: technical and perspective. Technical factors constitute lack of technical expertise amongst food manufacturer, requirement for legal framework and difficulty in predicting future needs. But the more imperative barriers are lack of trust, skepticism about new technologies and conflict of interest Trust continues to be the major barrier for collaboration and further research needs to be focused on this aspect
Sero-RAPD makers based evaluation of chilli pepper germplasm for resistance to chilli veinal mottle virus
No full textBackground: Chilli veinal mottle virus is a remarkable threat to chilli crops worldwide including Pakistan. Methods: In the present study, 18 chilli pepper genotypes were catalogued against ChiVMV ATIPK isolate by using DAS-ELISA with virus-specific polyclonal antisera. Results: Out of 18 genotypes, four genotypes viz., Loungi pepper, Sanam, Red Pepper, and CV-1 were categorized as highly susceptible followed by three susceptible (Soofi, Royal Wonder, Pepper PLSQ) and four (Yolo wonder, Bhakkar Local, CIM-506, CR-25) were moderately susceptible. The plants of these genotypes exhibited characteristic symptoms of ChiVMV and accumulated a high level of virus titer. The rest of three (California wonder, Gola Peshawar, Red top) and four (CV-7, Hot Pepper, Doni Pepper, Ghotki) genotypes were grouped as resistant and moderately resistant, respectively. Three resistant and three highly susceptible genotypes were further appraised for genetic diversity by RAPD markers and a total of 75 bands were scored, 76% of them unveiled polymorphism with an amplification range of 5-9 bands. Genetic analysis revealed 44-78.67% similarities with Mean Similarity Index (MSI) ranging from 59.46 to 65.86%. Most of the primers were highly informative with PIC value fluctuated from 0.388 to 0.666, with an average value of 0.512. Cluster analysis further confirmed and clustered both groups of genotypes in a separate clade. Conclusion: It is concluded that genotypes; California Wonder and Red Top showed diverse response from other genotypes, not only based on symptoms and ELISA but also on markers' basis. Therefore, these genotypes could be useful as ChiVMV resistant sources in the chilli breeding program. (c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.International Foundation for Science (IFS), Sweden [C/5259-1]; King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [RSP-2023R7]This work was funded by International Foundation for Science (IFS), Sweden under the Research Grant No. C/5259-1 to M. Ashfaq. This project was also supported by Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP-2023R7) King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
PROGNOSIS OF UNCONTROLLED DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION LEADS TO SECONDARY COMPLICATIONS: A CASE REPORT
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