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Background: The polyphagous predatory bug Orius strigicollis Poppius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is an active predator used to control many insect pests of agricultural crops. Orius species are significantly affected by the type of food and temperature. Method: A study of O. strigicollis feeding on Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) eggs in climate chambers at 28 and 32 °C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity, 16:8 photoperiod, was conducted to determine the effects of different temperatures on the predation activity, biological characteristics and demographic parameters of O. strigicollis. Twosex-MS Charts were used to determine the age-stages and characteristics of this species. Results: The results showed that the daily consumption of pre-adults on eggs of P. xylostella was highest at 28 °C, and at this temperature, there was a greater probability that O. strigicollis would survive to adulthood (42.5%) than at 32 °C (25.0%). It has also been found that at 28 °C there was a long oviposition period (9.38 days) and the greatest female fecundity (44.2 eggs/female) In addition to the highest life expectancy of O. strigicollis (16.96 days) at 28 °C, the intrinsic rate of increase (0.087 d−1) was also highest. According to our results, O. strigicollis has the potential to grow and develop on the eggs of P. xylostella at 28 °C and, therefore, could potentially be used as a biological control agent in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine that how Physical therapy teachers perceive 'Professionalism' in Pakistani Context? Study Design: This was a qualitative case study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in five different universities from five different cities of Pakistan from 10 of January to 25 June 2013 at different time. Materials and Methods:Semi structured Interviews were conducted with 15 Physical Therapy teachers of 05 differentuniversities from 05 different cities of Pakistan. The Physical therapy teachers with at least 5 years teaching experience in a university were included for data collection. The interviews were audio recorded; data verbatim transcribed and analyzed manually by open coding and in-Vivo coding. Thematic analysis was done in order to identify different elements of 'Professionalism' in Physical Therapy teachers through finding the patterns in the data. Member checking was done by three researchers in the study in order to validate the data. Results: After thematic analysis based on emerging patterns from transcribed data, following important elements about 'professionalism' in the order of priority were identified; expert in subject with knowledge and skill, behavior and attitude towards the students, patients and staff, Autonomy, serving and benefits to the community and accountability in health services, compassion, moral reasoning, reflective thinker, acquainted with professional ethics, trustworthiness, honest and team based approach. In response to the question about the professionalism in 'Pakistani culture, the faculty responses in the order of priority were as follows; lack of resources, proper jobs, moral support, poor salary packages and financial support and religion boundaries, requirements of the community and cultural hurdle and poor context in the society, lack of governing body, council, responsibility and accountability. Conclusion: It is concluded that for professionalism expertise in subject's domain & skills is the most important element. Besides that behavior and attitude towards students and patients are the key components of professionalism. It is concluded that in Pakistani culture, there is lack of professional behavior in physical therapy teachers/faculty. Majority of the institutes don't concentrate on professionalism.

Objective: To determine the outcome of strength training programme; with and without hamstring stretching in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. Study Design: A Comparative experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: This research study was conducted in department of physical therapy at National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) Islamabad from 1st January to 31st July 2014. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients were randomly selected and placed into two groups. The inclusion criteria were radiologically diagnosed patients of both genders for knee osteoarthritis of age ranges from 40 to 75 years. The isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise, hamstring stretching exercises and NSAIDS were applied in group A, while group B was treated with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise and NSAIDS. Both the groups were treated for 6 weeks at 3 days per week and Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and knee range of motion were used as assessment tools to assess pain, function, and mobility. The measurements were made at the baseline and at the completion of 6 weeks treatment program to obtain numbered data. The data was analyzed through SPSS-20 and paired t test was applied to assess the statistical significance outcomes at 95% level of significance. Results: The results showed that the patients treated with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercises and hamstringstretching exercises combined with NSAIDS managed pain, function and mobility clinically and statistically more (p=0.011, p=0.021, p=0.001), as compared with group B treated with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise and NSAIDs (p=0.931, p=0.814, p=0.742), in patients with knee osteoarthritis, as assessed by visual analog scale (VAS), WOMAC index and goniometry. Conclusion: It is concluded that isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise, hamstring stretching exercises and NSAIDS will managed pain, function, and mobility more effectively as compared with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise and NSAIDS in patients with osteoarthritis.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Spinal Mobilization with manual traction on pain and disability in patients with cervical Radiculopathy. Study Design: Randomized control trial (RCT). Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Helping Hand for Relief Rehabilitation Centre Mingore Swat from 1st January to 30th June 2014. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients (23 males and 17 females) with mean age 35+8 were randomly selected and placed into two groups A and B. The inclusion criteria was patients with diagnosed cervical radiculopathy on physical examination were included. The Group A was treated with spinal mobilization with manual traction, while group B was treated with spinal mobilization alone for 6 weeks at 3 days per week. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Numeric Pain rating Scale (NPRS) were used to measure disability and radiating pain. SPSS version 21 was used for the analysis of data and paired t-test was applied at 95% level of significance to determine the statistical outcomes. Results: The results of both groups were significant but group of patients treated with the spinal mobilization and traction managed pain (from NPRS mean score 6.2 to 2.5) and disability (from NDI mean score 29.18 to 13.45) more than the group of patients treated with the spinal mobilization alone (Pain from NPRS mean score 6.1 to 3.15 and disability from NDI mean score 30.5 to 18.21). Statistically the group A showed more significant results (p= 0.001) than group B (p= 0.054). Conclusion: It is concluded that Spinal mobilization combined with manual traction is more effective than spinal mobilization alone for the management of radicular pain and disability in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Thermoluminescence (TL) and extended dosimetric characteristics of naturally occurring sodium chloride (NaCl) salt were studied. Pellets were prepared from mined crystalline salt obtained from Khewra Salt Mines, Pakistan and irradiated from 1 mGy to 10,000 mGy using cobalt‐60 gamma source. The TL response showed two dominant peaks around 125°C and 230°C, respectively, at low doses, with an additional peak in between at doses beyond 300 mGy. A linear and supra‐linear TL response was observed between 1 mGy–100 mGy and 100 mGy–10 Gy dose ranges, respectively. During the first 24 h post‐irradiation, the TL intensity dropped by 20%. A maximum angular dependence of up to 50% was observed between 0° to 360°. For photon energies between 33 keV and 1.25 MeV significant energy dependence was observed for photons < 100 keV only. Sample sensitivity increased with dose a qualitatively similar behaviour to TLD‐200. Effective atomic number (Zeff) of the sample (14.6) was comparable to TLD‐200 (16.3). No significant dose rate effects (deviation for a cobalt‐60 source within 3.5%) on the TL sensitivity of the sample were found. The lowest detectable dose limit (LDDL) for salt sample was found to be 0.8 mGy whereas the sample reproducibility test showed a maximum of ±11% deviation from the first value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The polyphagous predatory bug O. strigicollis is an active predator used to control thrips and aphids. The whitefly species Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum are voracious pests of different economic agricultural crops and vegetables. Method. In this study, the Holling disc equation and the age-stage, two-sex life table technique were used to investigate the functional response and biological traits of third instar nymphs and adult female O. strigicollis when presented third instar nymphs of both whitefly species as prey. Results. The results showed a type II functional response for each life stage of O. strigicollis when fed each whitefly species. The calculated prey handling time for different O. strigicollis life stages were shorter when fed T. vaporariorum than when fed B. tabaci nymphs. In contrast, the nymphal development of O. strigicollis was significantly shorter when fed B. tabaci than T. vaporariorum nymphs. Additionally, the total pre-oviposition period of adult females was statistically shorter when fed B. tabaci nymphs than T. vaporariorum nymphs. Furthermore, the survival rates and total fecundity of O. strigicollis were higher when fed B. tabaci than T. vaporariorum. There were no significant differences in any population parameters of O. strigicollis when fed either whitefly species. These results show that O. strigicollis could survive and maintain its populations on both species of whitefly and could therefore serve as a biological control agent in integrated pest management (IPM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the frequency of the major precipitating factors among the patients presenting with acute heart failure. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Faisalabad. Period: July 2014 to January 2015. Materials and Methods: 190 patients of acute heart failure were included after obtaining informed consent from emergency department. Patients from age of 25 years to 80 years and of either sex either diabetic or non-diabetic were enrolled in study. ECG and CXR were taken in emergency with baseline investigations. Precipitating cause was identified from collected history, clinical examination and ECG, CXR and lab results. Results: Mean age of these patients were 54.4 + 8.92, 100 (52.6%) were male, 90 (47.4%) were females, 88 patients (46.3%) were diabetic, 102 patients (53.68%) were non-diabetic and 124 (65.3%) had previous history of heart failure and 66 (34.7%) had no past history of heart failure. ACS was the common precipitating factor of Acute Heart Failure ( 31.57% ) among all the patients of the study with non-compliance of drugs 27.9%, arrhythmias 17.9% uncontrolled hypertension 17.36% and infections 5.3%. Conclusion: Young, male, diabetics and patients with history of chronic HF suffered more from AHF. ACS was the most common precipitating factor while in patients with de novo Acute Heart Failure; it was ACS and non-compliance with drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new mass spectrometric method is proposed for measurement of [sup.234]U/[sup.238]U ratio with a single Daly electron multiplier detector using the general peak jump method. The method is based on precise measurement of the [sup.235]U/ [sup.238]U ratio and [sup.234]U/[sup.235]U ratio, which are used to calculate the [sup.234]U/[sup.238]U ratio using the equation [sup.234]U/[sup.238]U= [sup.235]U/ [sup.238]U x [sup.234]U/[sup.235]U. The results show a significant improvement, i.e., more than 35 times better precision in measuring the [sup.234]U/[sup.238]U ratio with this method ([sigma] = 2.9 x [10.sup.8]) as compared to direct measurement of [sup.23]U/[sup.238]U ([sigma] : 1.1 x [10.sup.-6]). The method widens the applicability of the single collector system, and it will potentially be helpful to improve the precision in the case of the static multicollector system also.

Worldwide prevalence of dental caries is very high reaching to more than 95% in developing countries. . Dental caries is a multi-factorial, dynamic and infectious microbiologic disease process resulting from imbalance in the physiologic equilibrium between the tooth mineral and the plaque liquid. The study design was cross-sectional. This study aim was to evaluate the frequency & distribution of dental caries in teeth and arches of caries patients reporting to department of Operative dentistry at Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore. Total of 15323 patients with caries reporting to the OPD of Operative dentistry at Punjab Dental hospital were examined with age range of 10 to 60 years or more. Frequency of carious teeth in age group 20-29 years was maximum and minimum in age group 60 years or more. Dental caries was more prevalent in mandible (53%)(n=8162) than in maxilla(47%) (n=7158). In both the arches, first molars were the most frequently affected teeth by caries. Caries was found to be more prevalent in mandible than maxilla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precision in measurement of trace level uranium isotopic ratio, i.e., 236U/238U or 234U/238U, on single Faraday detector with narrow dynamic range is very hard to achieve. this is mainly due to the narrow dynamic range of a single detector systems. A significant improvement in mass spectrometric determination of 236U/238U ratio has been achieved by employing an alternate method using a single Faraday detector of narrow dynamic range. The method makes use of the precise measurements of the 236U/234U ratio, 234U/235U ratio and 235U/238U ratio, which are used to calculate the 236U/238U ratio using the equation 236U/238U=236U/234U×234U/235U×235U/238U. Despite the fact that correlation of the data tends to increase the uncertainty in the result, our results show a significant improvement, i.e., more than 8 times better precision in measuring the 236U/238U ratio with this method ( σ=3.98×10−08) as compared to direct measurement of 236U/238U ( σ=3.104×10−07). The method widens the applicability of the single collector system with narrow dynamic range and it will potentially be helpful to improve the precision in the case of the static multi-collector system also. The objective of the present study was to compare the results of the same sample analyzed with the present alternate method and the direct method for precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a notorious and polyphagous pest of several economically important agricultural crops. It is worldwide in distribution and primarily managed through typical dependence on insecticides, which resulted in health and the environmental challenges and selected for resistance development in S. litura field populations. Resistance caused chemical control failures and S. litura outbreaks around the world. This necessitated development of eco-friendly alternative approaches such as biological control. With this view, current study investigated the functional response of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at various growth stages (i.e., 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars, and male and female stages) and temperatures (i.e., 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) against S. litura eggs to enable the recognition of efficient biocontrol stages that could be utilized to suppress S. litura populations. In our findings, egg consumption depended on the growth stage of the predator as well as temperature. All stages consumed S. litura eggs, but more promising stages with active egg consumption were the 4th instar and adults (male and female) typically at higher temperatures (25–35 °C). We conclude that these stages may be exploited to suppress S. litura populations in fields and greenhouses. Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major pest of several economically important crops with worldwide distribution. Use of insecticides is the principal strategy for its management, which has subsequently led to insecticide resistance and control failures. Functional response of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at larval and adult stages was evaluated in this study, using S. litura eggs as the prey at various temperatures varying between 15 and 35 °C. Based on logistic model findings, linear parameters of various predatory stages of H. axyridis at various temperatures were significantly negative, which indicate a type II functional response. The theoretical maximum number (T/Th) of eggs consumed increased with increasing temperature across all predatory stages. According to the random predator equation, the coefficients of attack rate increased and that of handling time decreased as the temperature increased. The 4th instar and adult stages were superior candidates for biocontrol of the target prey, typically at higher temperatures. The maximum attack rate (0.546 ± 0.058 h−1) and lowest handling time (0.189 ± 0.004 h) were exhibited by the females at 30 and 35 °C, respectively, whereas these parameters were inferior for early instars. These findings clearly depict that the 4th instar and adult predators are efficient egg consumers and can serve as potential suppressors of S. litura field populations. The limitations of the predictions formulated by functional response trials are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Except of pest control, insecticides have shown adverse effects on natural enemies as well. Thus, risk assessment of pesticides for biological control agents is critical for effective use in integrated pest management (IPM) schemes. In the present study, the lethal and sublethal effects of chlorpyrifos, a commonly used insecticide that may negatively affect biological control agents, were evaluated on a non-target predator, the Asian ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis. Previous studies have reported on lethal concentrations, but the effects of sublethal concentrations remain unclear. Lethal and sublethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos were applied to third instar larvae of H. axyridis, and different growth and developmental parameters were measured. Treatment with LC10 (4.62 mg a.i. L−1) significantly shortened the developmental period of third instar larvae, whereas it significantly prolonged those of fourth instar larvae and pupa. Treatment with LC30 (9.59 mg a.i. L−1) significantly increased the larval and pupal developmental period compared with that of the control, whereas feeding potential, female fecundity, and adult longevity significantly decreased after LC10 and LC30 treatment. The pre-oviposition period significantly increased compared with that of the control. Population growth parameters, the finite (λ) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the net reproductive rate (R0), decreased following exposure to sublethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos. According to the results, the use of chlorpyrifos in IPM schemes requires further research because even sublethal concentrations of this insecticide were harmful to H. axyridis population growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new mass spectrometric method is proposed for measurement of 234U/238U ratio with a single Daly electron multiplier detector using the general peak jump method. The method is based on precise measurement of the 235U/ 238U ratio and 234U/235U ratio, which are used to calculate the 234U/238U ratio using the equation 234U/238U = 238U × 234U/235U. The results show a significant improvement, i.e., more than 35 times better precision in measuring the 234U/238U ratio with this method (σ = 2.9 × 10-8) as compared to direct measurement of 234U/238U (σ = 1.1 × 10-6). The method widens the applicability of the single collector system, and it will potentially be helpful to improve the precision in the case of the static multicollector system also. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoluminescence (TL) and extended dosimetric characteristics of naturally occurring sodium chloride (NaCl) salt were studied. Pellets were prepared from mined crystalline salt obtained from Khewra Salt Mines, Pakistan and irradiated from 1 mGy to 10,000 mGy using cobalt-60 gamma source. The TL response showed two dominant peaks around 125°C and 230°C, respectively, at low doses, with an additional peak in between at doses beyond 300 mGy. A linear and supra-linear TL response was observed between 1 mGy-100 mGy and 100 mGy-10 Gy dose ranges, respectively. During the first 24 h post-irradiation, the TL intensity dropped by 20%. A maximum angular dependence of up to 50% was observed between 0° to 360°. For photon energies between 33 keV and 1.25 MeV significant energy dependence was observed for photons < 100 keV only. Sample sensitivity increased with dose a qualitatively similar behaviour to TLD-200. Effective atomic number (Z eff ) of the sample (14.6) was comparable to TLD-200 (16.3). No significant dose rate effects (deviation for a cobalt-60 source within 3.5%) on the TL sensitivity of the sample were found. The lowest detectable dose limit (LDDL) for salt sample was found to be 0.8 mGy whereas the sample reproducibility test showed a maximum of ±11% deviation from the first value., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A simple method has been developed for the determination of 6Li atom % using combined atomic emission-absorption spectrometry employing a commonly available natural lithium hollow cathode lamp. Unlike in previous practice, there is no need for specially fabricated and high cost 6Li and 7Li monoisotopic lamps in this method. The method requires adjustment of total lithium contents of the sample, i.e., 6Li + 7Li, to 2 microg x mL(-1) based upon atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) (C(aes)) against a 2 microg x mL(-1) natural lithium standard. The concentration of the sample was then analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) measurements (C(aas)). The difference between the concentration measured by AES and AAS, i.e., C(aes)-C(aas), was calculated. The magnitude of the difference was found to be a function of 6Li fraction in the sample. A calibration curve was constructed by plotting 6Li atom % versus [(C(aes)-C(aas))/C(aes)] x 100. 6Li atom % of an unknown sample can be evaluated by putting its [(C(aes)-C(aas))/C(aes)] x 100 value in the calibration curve. The method is fast, convenient, and precise.