206 research outputs found
Studies on Genetic Divergence of Rapeseed Genotypes Using SSR Markers
Get PDFThirty five Brassica napus genotypes were evaluated to check their genetic diversity on the basis of mapped 20 microsatellite markers. The genetic similarity values of coefficient ranged from 0.28 to 0.85. A dendrogram was generated based on UPGMA which showed that genotypes were divided into five major clusters. Cluster A had genotypes with higher similarity coefficient of 0.85 while Cluster E had only one genotype (pop 35) genetically distinct from other genotypes. PIC values were calculated for each of the 20 SSR primer pairs. Ten primers PIC value ranged from 0.30 (O110-A05) to 0.59 (Na10-D09 markers). This study would be helpful in assessing the genetic diversity. It was revealed that there was no correlation between the geographical distribution and genetic diversity of the studied germplasm, depicting their close genetic relationship
منہاج القرآن اور دعوتِ اسلامی کی خدمات کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ
No full textMinhaj-ul-Quran and Dawat-e-Islami is a global mission for the sace of Pakistan. The Islamic parties of Pakistan came into being with a very clear goal. Their goal was to spread Islam in the land of Allah and he was convinced and satisfied with the reality of this goal. Religious parties started when the fire of apostasy spread in the ignorant villages of Pakistan and Muslims who were ignorant of their religion and alienated from God and His Messenger were engulfed in this fire. To extinguish this fire, Muslims from all sides rose up and the preaching parties / Tablighi Jammat became enthusiastic. During this period, Dr. Muhammad Tahir ul Qadri, Syed Abu Ali Maududi, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Muhammad Ilyas Qadri tried to preach. And launched a universal movement for this purpose and performed the duty of reform and training for the propagation of Islam. And even today they are carrying out their duty of spreading Islam in the non-Muslim world. Minhaj-ul-Quran International and Da’wah-e-Islami are also such movements which have fulfilled their duty of reform, training and propagation of religion all over the world. Minhaj-ul-Quran International and Da’wah Islami are two such movements which are carrying out their duty of reform, training and propagation of religion all over the world. Under the title of the article, Minhaj-ul-Quran and the method of preaching of Da’wah Islami, comparative and research review, the method and services of preaching of Minhaj-ul-Quran and Da’wah Islami will be reviewed
Astrology in literature: how the prohibited became permissible in the Arabic poetry of the mediaeval period
Get PDFThis thesis is concerned to position the art of astrology within the context of classical Arabic poetry, primarily by investigating and elucidating attitudes to the notion of
qadar (fate) and the ideology in which it was embedded. These attitudes were revelatory of the broader world view of the Arabs of those periods, and their shifts from those held in the pre-Islamic and early Islamic eras tell us a good deal about the importance given to the nature and role of fate and about the various understandings of its influence. The pre-Islamic Arab's notion of qadar was in some ways similar to that of the early Muslims: both emphasised predetermination and the irresistible power of fate. But while the jahilf (Pre-Islamic) Arabs identified fate with the malign power of dahr (Time), the Muslims believed the power of fate lies in the hands of God the
Omnipotent, who alone is responsible for the fate of the whole universe. Thus the astrology of the pre-Islamic era was one aspect of divination (kihana) and claimed to be
able to reveal in advance an individual's destiny, which could be avoided by taking certain precautions. These precautions, however, were considered effective only in
relatively trivial cases; they were useless in the areas of major impact: a person's happiness or misery (shaqiiwa aw sa ada), sustenance (rizq) and one's term (ajal), the
three inevitable and irresistible manifestations of fate. In the Islamic period not only these major aspects of life are governed and controlled by the Omnipotent; the destiny
of the universe, in even its most minute details, is determined and controlled by God alone. Astrology was considered to be of no value whatsoever, and its practitioners were subject to the death penalty. These two irreconcilable views are evident in early Islamic poetry, which reflected clearly the response of poets, and society, to astrology from the perspective of qadar.
When the orthodox caliphate was replaced by dynastic rule the status of astrology was changed dramatically. The idea that the stars, as indicators, play a role in the life of
human beings found popowerful supporters in some governors of the Islamic world, who allowed astrology to fulfil a public function regardless of the hostility of the official
religion of that society. This social phenomenon generated rich material of a controversial character in the realm of literature. Investigating the factors, motivations
and impact of mediaeval political, theological and philosophical attitudes to astrology, in relation to the notions of free will and predestination, is the concern of this study
ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISKS IN RURAL AREAS OF SINDH (PAKISTAN)
Get PDFGroundwater quality has considerable impact on public health, especially in areas where majority of the people rely on groundwater for drinking purpose. In this scenario, investigation of 175 groundwater samples collected from district Jacobabad and Kashmor, Sindh Pakistan was carried out for physicochemical parameters (color, odor, taste, pH, EC, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, Cl, SO4-2, NO3- and TDS), major cations (Na+, K+, Ca+2 and Mg+2), trace elements (F, As, Fe and Zn) and microbiological organisms (total coliform and faecal coliform). Analysis results showed high level of microbial contamination as 66 and 62% sampling sites were laden with total coliform and faecal coliform organisms respectively. On the other hand, chemicals constituents like hardness, Ca, Mg, Na, K, SO4, Cl, and TDS in 54, 72, 21, 47, 25, 73 and 49% water samples respectively were higher than GVs. Other than this, trace elements like F, Zn, As and Fe were also found in high concentration in 11, 04, 22 and 53% water samples respectively. Health risk assessment due to Fe, As and Zn revealed that arsenic HRI>1 in 22 and 13% water samples for children and adults respectively and overall CDIs and HRI were found in the order of As>Zn>Fe whereas, pollution index (Pi) for Fe was significant among all trace elements investigated
HAZARDOUS POLLUTANTS IN POTABLE GROUNDWATER SOURCES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SOUTHERN PUNJAB (PAKISTAN)
Get PDFDrinking water quality is considered to be of vital importance for all human beings and animals but its significance is much more heightened when consumer is a teenager. In view of foregone, groundwater quality assessment of 150 public schools situated in flooded areas of Southern Punjab, Pakistan, was carried out. Analysis results revealed that 49 and 37 % water samples are contaminated with coliform and faecal coliforms, respectively. On the other hand chemicals constituents in samples, including calcium (43 %), magnesium (11 %), potassium (37 %), sodium (31 %), sulphate (39 %), hardness (31 %), total dissolved solids (TDS) (35 %) and chloride (15 %) were higher than World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The situation is more serious as fluoride, iron and arsenic were also found in high concentration in 15, 60 and 58 % samples, respectively. Health risk assessment data indicated that mean chronic daily intake (CDI) values for children and adults were 0.592 and 0.537 μg/kg/day for arsenic and 0.012 and 0.011 μg/kg/day for iron, respectively. Calculated arsenic health risk index (HRI) > 1 for 88 and 58 % water samples for children and adults respectively, which highlights possible health risks associated with intake of contaminated water.Drinking water quality is considered to be of vital importance for all human beings and animals but its significance is much more heightened when consumer is a teenager. In view of foregone, groundwater quality assessment of 150 public schools situated in flooded areas of Southern Punjab, Pakistan, was carried out. Analysis results revealed that 49 and 37 % water samples are contaminated with coliform and faecal coliforms, respectively. On the other hand chemicals constituents in samples, including calcium (43 %), magnesium (11 %), potassium (37 %), sodium (31 %), sulphate (39 %), hardness (31 %), total dissolved solids (TDS) (35 %) and chloride (15 %) were higher than World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The situation is more serious as fluoride, iron and arsenic were also found in high concentration in 15, 60 and 58 % samples, respectively. Health risk assessment data indicated that mean chronic daily intake (CDI) values for children and adults were 0.592 and 0.537 μg/kg/day for arsenic and 0.012 and 0.011 μg/kg/day for iron, respectively. Calculated arsenic health risk index (HRI) > 1 for 88 and 58 % water samples for children and adults respectively, which highlights possible health risks associated with intake of contaminated water
Cointegration and error correction modelling of wheat consumption in Pakistan
No full textPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to estimate the short and the long run wheat demand elasticities in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – Using cointegration and vector error correction model (VECM) techniques, the main objective of the study has been achieved. Findings – The estimated long run and the short run elasticities suggest that income is the most significant determinant of wheat consumption in the long run while price of wheat is the major affecting factor of wheat consumption only in the short run. Practical implications – The estimated demand elasticites may be used for framing any future food security policy in Pakistan. The less elastic nature of wheat demand both in the short and the long run suggests that under the likely Doha Round agricultural trade liberalization, wheat price rise will harm the poor consumers. Originality/value – Wheat demand elasticities are estimated within the framework of cointegration and VECM to differentiate short run and long run elasticities in Pakistan.Justice, Poverty, Social welfare economics, World economy
Competitiveness among Asian Exporters in the World Rice Market.
Get PDFWith the gradual reduction in trade barriers led by the
process of globalisation, more emphasis is now being placed on promoting
export competitiveness. Asia is the home of many of the world’s top rice
exporters. The food-price crisis has divided Asia into “rice haves” and
“rice have-nots”. In order to describe the processes involved in
securing and maintaining international competitiveness in rice exports,
the present study has used the Balassa and White indices of revealed
comparative advantage and revealed competitive advantage respectively.
Results have revealed that Pakistan is the most competitive country in
rice trade and ranks first in both agricultural product trade and total
merchandise exports. JEL classification: C12, C43, Q17 Keywords: Asian
Countries, Competitiveness, Revealed Comparative Advantage, Revealed
Competitive Advantage
Cointegration and error correction modelling of wheat consumption in Pakistan
No full textPurposeThe purpose of this paper is to estimate the short and the long run wheat demand elasticities in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachUsing cointegration and vector error correction model (VECM) techniques, the main objective of the study has been achieved.FindingsThe estimated long run and the short run elasticities suggest that income is the most significant determinant of wheat consumption in the long run while price of wheat is the major affecting factor of wheat consumption only in the short run.Practical implicationsThe estimated demand elasticites may be used for framing any future food security policy in Pakistan. The less elastic nature of wheat demand both in the short and the long run suggests that under the likely Doha Round agricultural trade liberalization, wheat price rise will harm the poor consumers.Originality/valueWheat demand elasticities are estimated within the framework of cointegration and VECM to differentiate short run and long run elasticities in Pakistan.</jats:sec
underlying autosomal recessive primary microcephaly in 32 consanguineous families from Pakistan
No full textAbstract Background Primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a congenital neurodevelopmental disorder manifesting as small brain and intellectual disability. It underlies isolated reduction of the cerebral cortex that is reminiscent of early hominids which makes it suitable model disease to study the hominin‐specific volumetric expansion of brain. Mutations in 25 genes have been reported to cause this disorder. Although majority of these genes were discovered in the Pakistani population, still a significant proportion of these families remains uninvestigated. Methods We studied a cohort of 32 MCPH families from different regions of Pakistan. For disease gene identification, genome‐wide linkage analysis, Sanger sequencing, gene panel, and whole‐exome sequencing were performed. Results By employing these techniques individually or in combination, we were able to discern relevant disease‐causing DNA variants. Collectively, 15 novel mutations were observed in five different MCPH genes; ASPM (10), WDR62 (1), CDK5RAP2 (1), STIL (2), and CEP135 (1). In addition, 16 known mutations were also verified. We reviewed the literature and documented the published mutations in six MCPH genes. Intriguingly, our cohort also revealed a recurrent mutation, c.7782_7783delGA;p.(Lys2595Serfs*6), of ASPM reported worldwide. Drawing from this collective data, we propose two founder mutations, ASPM:c.9557C>G;p.(Ser3186*) and CENPJ:c.18delC;p.(Ser7Profs*2), in the Pakistani population. Conclusions We discovered novel DNA variants, impairing the function of genes indispensable to build a proper functioning brain. Our study expands the mutational spectra of known MCPH genes and also provides supporting evidence to the pathogenicity of previously reported mutations. These novel DNA variants will be helpful for the clinicians and geneticists for establishing reliable diagnostic strategies for MCPH families
CDK6 associates with the centrosome during mitosis and is mutated in a large Pakistani family with primary microcephaly
No full textAutosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is characterized by reduced head circumference, reduction in the size of the cerebral cortex with otherwise grossly normal brain structure and variable intellectual disability. MCPH is caused by mutations of 11 different genes which code for proteins implicated in cell division and cell cycle regulation. We studied a consanguineous eight-generation family from Pakistan with ten microcephalic children using homozygosity mapping and found a new MCPH locus at HSA 7q21.11-q21.3. Sanger sequencing of the most relevant candidate genes in this region revealed a homozygous single nucleotide substitution c.589G>A in CDK6, which encodes cyclin-dependent kinase 6. The mutation changes a highly conserved alanine at position 197 into threonine (p.Ala197Thr). Post hoc whole-exome sequencing corroborated this mutation's identification as the causal variant. CDK6 is an important protein for the control of the cell cycle and differentiation of various cell types. We show here for the first time that CDK6 associates with the centrosome during mitosis; however, this was not observed in patient fibroblasts. Moreover, the mutant primary fibroblasts exhibited supernumerary centrosomes, disorganized microtubules and mitotic spindles, an increased centrosome nucleus distance, reduced cell proliferation and impaired cell motility and polarity. Upon ectopic expression of the mutant protein and knockdown of CDK6 through shRNA, we noted similar effects. We propose that the identified CDK6 mutation leads to reduced cell proliferation and impairs the correct functioning of the centrosome in microtubule organization and its positioning near the nucleus which are key determinants during neurogenesis
- …
