178 research outputs found

    Cryptic footprints of rare earth elements on natural resources and living organisms

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    Background: Rare earth elements (REEs) are gaining attention due to rapid rise of modern industries and technological developments in their usage and residual fingerprinting. Cryptic entry of REEs in the natural resources and environment is significant; therefore, life on earth is prone to their nasty effects. Scientific sectors have expressed concerns over the entry of REEs into food chains, which ultimately influences their intake and metabolism in the living organisms. Objectives: Extensive scientific collections and intensive look in to the latest explorations agglomerated in this document aim to depict the distribution of REEs in soil, sediments, surface waters and groundwater possibly around the globe. Furthermore, it draws attention towards potential risks of intensive industrialization and modern agriculture to the exposure of REEs, and their effects on living organisms. It also draws links of REEs usage and their footprints in natural resources with the major food chains involving plants, animals and humans. Methods: Scientific literature preferably spanning over the last five years was obtained online from the MEDLINE and other sources publishing the latest studies on REEs distribution, properties, usage, cycling and intrusion in the environment and food-chains. Distribution of REEs in agricultural soils, sediments, surface and ground water was drawn on the global map, together with transport pathways of REEs and their cycling in the natural resources. Results: Fourteen REEs (Ce, Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ho, La, Lu, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, Th and Yb) were plighted in this study. Wide range of their concentrations has been detected in agricultural soils ( Conclusions: This review article precisely narrates the current status, sources, and potential effects of REEs on plants, animals, humans health. There are also a few examples where REEs have been used to benefit human health. However, still there is scarce information about threshold levels of REEs in the soil, aquatic, and terrestrial resources as well as living entities. Therefore, an aggressive effort is required for global action to generate more data on REEs. This implies we prescribe an urgent need for inter-disciplinary studies about REEs in order to identify their toxic effects on both ecosystems and organisms.This article is published as Adeel, Muhammad, Jie Yinn Lee, Muhammad Zain, Muhammad Rizwan, Aamir Nawab, M. A. Ahmad, Muhammad Shafiq et al. "Cryptic footprints of rare earth elements on natural resources and living organisms." Environment international 127 (2019): 785-800. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.03.022.</p

    Folio

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    Platinum EditionGod Bless Them! pp. 1; In Memory of Prof. Khurshid A. Gill. pp. 2; Sandhu, M. Y.-Poetry-Memories of the Bye-gones. pp. 2; Arif Qureshi-In dulcet memory... pp. 3-4; Arif Qureshi-Poetry-Reminiscences. pp. 4; Ravia Shabeen-The Folio (Registering its History). pp. 5-6; Folio (Year by Year). pp. 7-8; Interview-The Living Legend (F.E. Chaudhry is the oldest Formanite alive, to the best of our knowledge). pp. 9-10; Interview-An Hour with Mian Muhammad Somroo. pp. 11-12; Zainab Mohsin-Buildings. pp. 13-14; Agha Mohsin Sohail-Formanites Are Great. pp. 15-17; Once A Formanite... Always A Formanite. pp. 18-20; Haque Nawaz Cheema-Love for my Institution. pp. 21; Agha Saeed-Old is Gold, New is Silver. pp. 22; Lamia Islam Khan-My Favourite Place. pp. 23; Sara Kanwal-Motivation Forever. pp. 24-25; Bilkis Hussain-Before Sunset. pp. 26; Farid A. Malik-Back to 1958. pp. 27-28; The Excellers. pp. 29-30; Position Holders (Convocation 2008). pp. 31; Survey. pp. 33-34; Donald Alfred Smith-Poetry-A Valentine. pp. 35; Easha Farooq-Love - A Human Need. pp. 36; Fatima Majeed-Defining Love. pp. 37; Bahawal Shehryar-A Fundamentalist. pp. 38; Farhat Aziz-Essay-Concept of Love in Christianity and Islam. pp. 39-40; Fatima Tahir-Mother's Love. pp. 41; Rabiya Khawar-A Blessing for the Two Worlds. pp. 42; Anam Khalid-Etymology of Love. pp. 43; Noor Nisha-Beauty of Love. pp. 44; Ayesha Rana-The Ultimate Aim. pp. 45; Madiha Sundas Rana-I Love thee for a Heart that is Kind. pp. 46; Rabiya Khawar-True Love Never Dies. pp. 47; Amina Jamil-Love - A Timeless Essence. pp. 48; Farhan Hashmi-Love Its Immortal. pp. 49; Kashifa Khalid-A Quest. pp. 50; Daud Aziz Khokher-Love!!! pp. 51-52; Bilkis Hussain-The Truth about Love!!! pp. 53; Alvi, M. Zohaib-Love in Politics. pp. 54; Fatima Arif-Waiting to be Loved like Before. pp. 55-56; Azzam Saddique-Essay-My Symphony for the Deaf. pp. 57-59; Rabiya Khawar-The Quaid-e-Azam. pp. 60-61; Tajwar Ali-Essay-The Unique Location of My Gilgit Baltistan. pp. 62-63; Ramla Ashfaq-Turn Minus Into Plus. pp. 64; Furqan Ali Akhtar-My Childhood Love. pp. 65-66; Kashifa Khalid-Silent Screams. pp. 67-68; Beenish Khokhar-Where we Started? Where we end? pp. 69-70; Omer Habib-Falling Apart. pp. 71; Sobia Kiran-A Speech by my Dream-Minister. pp. 72-74; Interview-An Evening with Javed Iqbal. pp. 75-79; Adil Khurram-Story-Deception. pp. 81-82; Shehzad, M. Shehril-Story-Whatever happened to... pp. 83; Bhatti, M. Umar-Story-Spell. pp. 84-85; Usman Khalid-Story-Love. pp. 86; Umer Murtaza Qureshi-Story-Road Kill. pp. 87-88; Shehzad, M. Shehril-Story-...as I sat down, I sensed something was Different... pp. 89; Hassan Noor Assad-Story-Born Again. pp. 90; Muhammad Adeel-Story-The Cookies. pp. 91-92; Waseem Anwar-Poetry-Out West and the Rule of the Law. pp. 93; Zainab Mohsin-Poetry-Life goes on. pp. 94; Bilkis Hussain-Poetry-Paint me, please. pp. 94; Minam Ahmed-Poetry-Mother. pp. 95; Usman Nasir-Poetry-My tears. pp. 95; Jahanzaib Aslam-Poetry-Untitled. pp. 96; Mehwish Shafi-Poetry-A Fairy Who Lives with Me. pp. 96; Rashion Sajid-Poetry-Old days. pp. 97; Abdul Rehman-Poetry-Essence. pp. 97; Saadia Riaz Sehole-Poetry-Can you justify it? pp. 98; Saad Sarfraz Sheikh-Poetry-The Wishlist thing of mine. pp. 98; Razzaq, M. Sarmad-Poetry-Till we meet again. pp. 99; Fariha Qayyum-Poetry-We...The Formanite. pp. 99; Sohaib Zaheer-Poetry-By Love Serve One Another. pp. 100; Fakiha Komal-Poetry-The Lost Love. pp. 100; Irteza Rehman-Poetry-Realization. pp. 101; Sana Jennifer-Poetry-The Art of Giving. pp. 102; Rizwan Kamran-Poetry-Guess! Who is it? pp. 102; Kamran Akram Gondal-Poetry-Common Things. pp. 103; Rabia Ashfaq-Poetry-The Dying Sun. pp. 103; Hafiz Muhammad Hamza Sehole-Poetry-My Dear Parents. pp. 104; Farhan Hashmi-Poetry-Innocence. pp. 104; Ahmed Farooq-Poetry-All I see is You. pp. 105; Sadia Riaz Sehole-Poetry-Life is at Risk. pp. 105; Goraya, M. Furqan-Poetry-Friendship. pp. 106; Omar Farooq-Poetry-Birth. pp. 106; Iqbal, M. Shaheer-Poetry-In the Shades of Blossom. pp. 107; Nauman Ahmed-Poetry-Life is not what I thought it to be. pp. 107; Haider, S. Zulqarnain-Poetry-Truth. pp. 108; Goraya, M. Furqan-Poetry-Examinations. pp. 108; Prof. Arif Qureshi-Poetry-Dreams. pp. 109; Sheraz Ashraf-Poetry-Lonely Heart. pp. 109; Easha Farooq-Poetry-Winter's Tale. pp. 110; Sana Alvi-Poetry-After She Left Me. pp. 110; Sandhu, M. Y.-Poetry-She comes Not. pp. 111; Erum George-Poetry-Change. pp. 111; Muhammad Adeel-Poetry-Peace. pp. 112; Adeel Anwar-Poetry-Vengeance. pp. 112; Azzam Saddique-A ""Prefect"" Story. pp. 113-114; Muhammad Adeel-Flirtation. pp. 115; Saad Sarfraz-Misery Loves Company. pp. 116-117; Haider F. Halim-No Donkeys in New York. pp. 118-119; Lamia Islam Khan-How to prepare a Bride? pp. 120; Saba Zareen-Modern Love Letter. pp. 121; Lamia Islam Khan-Load Shedding. pp. 122; Zafar Khattak-Application to the Staff Editor. pp. 123; Augustine, Milcah-Cartoons. pp. 124-126; Riaz Akbar Somairi-Article-Prospects of Peace in Multicultural South Asia. pp. 127-128; Bakhtawar Khan-Caste System. pp. 129-130; Abdur Rehman Farrukh-Women are not born. They are made. pp. 131-132; Fraaz Mehmud-Romanticism as a Pillar of Nationalism. pp. 133-134; Fizza Ali Shah-Is mobile phone use among youngsters really a menace? pp. 135-136; Mehreen Ali Kasana-One Muffled Scream. pp. 137-138; Kamal ud Din-Dr. Kamal ud Din. pp. 139-140; Miss Zara Hussain. pp. 141; Miss Saima Saleem. pp. 142; Beenish Khokhar-Unforgettable Tour. pp. 143-144; Rizwan Kamran-The Teacher. pp. 145; Maryam Azhar-IT: A New, Challenging Dimension. pp. 146-148; Folio [Urdu] 148 p.Editorial Board (English). 2 pages before Editorial; Advisory Board. 1 page before Editorial; Prof. Khurshid A. Gill & Mr Perviaz Rehmatullah. page 1; F. E. Chaudhry. after page 10; Mian Muhammad Somroo. before page 11; Society Presidents. before page 29; Political Cartoons created by Javed Iqbal (Famous Cartoonist). on 2 pages, after page 79; 20 pages of pictures, Memories, Commencement 2008: Convocation, Valedictory 2009, Sports Day, Line Work, The Story of Yester Years, People Who Make Difference, Campus Life, Societies, Drama. after page 148; Folio Team with Prof Dr K. K. Aziz. after page 8 (Urdu side); Editorial Board (Urdu). 1 page before Urdu Content

    Organizational Citizenship Behaviour and Psychological Contract: The Moderating Role of Ethical Leadership

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    Purpose: The psychological contract is commonly cited in studies as a precursor to organizational citizenship behavior. While studies in the past have overlooked various forms of psychological contract i.e., relational, transactional, balanced, and transitional This study aims to investigate the effect of various types of psychological contracts on the organizational citizenship behavior. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study uses survey method for data collection. The data were collected from employees of electrical sector in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In total 400 responses were processed for data analysis. Structural equation modelling technique was used to test hypotheses. Findings: the data providing support for the hypothesis used in the study. And it was found that greater levels of organizational citizenship behavior are influenced by both relational and balanced contracts while the transactional and transitional dimensions of psychological contract reduced organizational citizenship behavior.  In addition, it also confirmed ethical leadership provides boundary conditions between the influence of psychological contract and organization citizenship behavior. Implications/Originality/Value: The outcome is consistent with several earlier studies on psychological contracts and their connection to OCB. The study offers managers a useful understanding of the psychology of employees toward various psychological contract dimensions and how much these elements influence employees' organizational citizenship behavior

    <i>In Vitro</i> Anti-Microbial Activity and Anti-Cancer Potential of Novel Synthesized Carbamothioyl-Furan-2-Carboxamide Derivatives

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    A series of carbamothioyl-furan-2-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized using a one-pot strategy. Compounds were obtained in moderate to excellent yields (56–85%). Synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their anti-cancer (HepG2, Huh-7, and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines) and anti-microbial potential. Compound p-tolylcarbamothioyl)furan-2-carboxamide showed the highest anti-cancer activity at a concentration of 20 μg/mL against hepatocellular carcinoma, with a cell viability of 33.29%. All compounds showed significant anti-cancer activity against HepG2, Huh-7, and MCF-7, while indazole and 2,4-dinitrophenyl containing carboxamide derivatives were found to be less potent against all tested cell lines. Results were compared with the standard drug doxorubicin. Carboxamide derivatives possessing 2,4-dinitrophenyl showed significant inhibition against all bacterial and fungal strains with inhibition zones (I.Z) in the range of 9–17 and MICs were found to be 150.7–295 μg/mL. All carboxamide derivatives showed significant anti-fungal activity against all tested fungal strains. Gentamicin was used as the standard drug. The results showed that carbamothioyl-furan-2-carboxamide derivatives could be a potential source of anti-cancer and anti-microbial agents

    Distributed Energy Management Analysis for Microgrids

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    A key method of reducing energy usage and bills is collaborative demand management of buildings, and smart distribution networks using local renewable energy integrated sources. Emerging technologies such as the IOT (internet of things) can be integrated with grids, allowing bidirectional communication between customers and suppliers, while supporting remote management and monitoring of live energy usage. These systems create opportunities to deal with the distributed aggregation and control of distributed energy resources (DERs). Investigating how DERs are used at residential level in buildings such as smart houses reveal new possibilities relating to how the demand side can be made more efficient. In the long term, reducing energy demand during on-peak hours is a step towards creating a clean energy future. The primary goal of this paper is to observe and investigate how specific DSM strategies minimize energy consumption while maximizing efficiency with the use of new emerging technologies. A software called ETAP is used to analyse the integration of distributed generation such as renewable energy sources (RES) to utilize local power storage. In short, this is useful in providing flexibility to consumers. A PV system was also tested with an individual domestic load using an energy management system. This test examined how appliance energy usage can be reduced and shows why a management system is required to optimally utilize a PV system

    Financial Cointegration of Emerging Economies: Evidence from Bivariate Cointegration and Granger Causality

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    The study at hand examined financial cointegration of&nbsp; emerging economies and explored the diversification opportunities which are available for investors of developed countries. For the long run and causal relationship, Johanson cointegration and Granger Causality test are employed respectively. Analysis revealed evidence of cointegration between the markets of UK and Egypt. Granger Causality test indicated causality and most emerging stock markets were detected to be the followers of established capital markets. Findings implied that investors should consider the cointegration relationship before making investment decisions&nbsp;as it can minimize potential paybacks of prospective international portfolio diversification. Further, policy makers&nbsp;are recommended to consider keep an eye on the stock markets which are strongly cointegrated also having high bilateral trade volume while framing fiscal and monetary policies.&nbsp
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