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Termitomyces pakistanensis sp. nov. is a member of an edible genus generally distributed in Asia and Europe. This species has been described as new species based on its different morphology, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of basidiospores. The novelty and degree of endemism is confirmed by analyzing the genetic variation of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1–5.8 S–ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA gene, a universal fungal marker. The evolutionary affinities of new species is also evaluated with Asian and European species by phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences. In our phylogenetic analysis, this genus is found monophyletic comprising of two monophyletic sub clades: Clade I, Microcarpus, with small sized fruiting bodies generally less than 5 cm without pseudorrhiza and Clade II, Macrocarpus, with large sized fruiting bodies generally more than 5 cm having pseudorrhiza. All collections of Pakistani species clustered independently in Microcarpus clade showing their endemic genetic makeup as it is clustering independently. A comprehensive description, photographs of the basidiocarps and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of spores are provided. Research Highlights: It has a new species from Pakistan to world based on the scanning electron microscopy and further confirmed by DNA barcoding.The exact shape and size of basidiospores of this novel species is first time introduced by using SEM analysis.This genus is rarely described from Pakistan.This paper has introduced a two clade, Microcarpus and macrocarpus, in the world for this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the semiotic use of language in the social media campaign of #MeToo to ascertain how far it contributed to the popularity and transformation of the movement. In doing so, the #MeToo movement will be divided for analysis into three waves (thematic and not chronological), signifying different stages of its growth: from the time of its inception, to its period of extreme popularity, till the present day to examine how media discourse and Hollywood celebrities bore a strong impact upon the direction and development of the movement. The primary objective of the research is to explore and analyze the depiction of #MeToo on social media platforms and the ensuing repercussions: the gradual divergence of #MeToo from its original goal of female empowerment to endorsing celebrity culture and triggering misandrist attitudes. A multimodal discourse analysis was conducted upon a sample of ten internet images and seven tweets denoting the three strands of the #MeToo campaign. Michael Halliday's SFL approach was applied to analyze the three meta functions of semiotic language 'ideational, textual and interactional' as identified in the #MeToo discourse. The findings reiterated the stance that although #MeToo may still be running strong as a purely pro feminine movement against gross sexual (male) misconduct, its projection by social media may have different connotations in that it provokes ideologies that are alien to the spirit of the movement. The movement has been criticized for promoting misandry and a misdirected feminist viewpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigates the total bacterial contamination in various packed and unpacked ras malai samples of 14 different localities of Lahore, Pakistan. The bacterial colonies such as Bacillus sp. and Gamella sp. were isolated from ras malai samples and grown on agar‐broth media under sterile environmental conditions. Serial dilution technique was used to compose the replicates to get a viable count of bacteria in the samples. Results indicated that in case of packed ras malai samples, maximum bacterial count was observed in Sample 1 (422 × 10−2 to 402 × 10−6) and minimum bacterial count was in Sample 4 (21 × 10−2 to 9.3 × 10−6). For unpacked ras malai samples, maximum bacterial count was in Sample 3 (200.3 × 10−2 to 181.3 × 10−6) and minimum bacterial count was observed in Sample 1 (110 × 10−2 to 90.4 × 10−6). It was concluded that the marketed samples contain more bacterial count as compared to the standard sterilization values. Such products could possibly become the cause of many health problems in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper posits that Urdu is a naturally heteroglossic or polyphonic language which was invariably exploited by its white colonizers to suit different administrative and political purposes. A historical overview of Urdu is thus taken to explore its debatable status as an indigenous language, its multiple roles and titles during its long history and its exploitive use during the British Raj. Bakhtin's linguistic theory of Heteroglossia is used as a framework for analyzing data taken from two sources: The "Glossary of the British Raj" and "Kipling's glossary of Hindustani-Urdu-Hindi words". The sample consisted of words chosen to reflect three identities of Urdu during the British rule: postcolonial, functional, and oriental. The findings revealed Urdu's natural tendency to adapt to roles that are diverse in their range and import, for which reason it (Urdu) cannot be restricted to a regional identity. A similar approach is used in analyzing the language's status during the British Raj, a period in which its versatility is best expressed through the diverse uses the colonizers employed it for: a lingua franca, a functional language, the language of the subaltern and last but not the least, the alluring language of the Orient. The paper offers new perspectives for rediscovering a linguistic phenomenon: the Urdu language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study deals with the plectological and molecular analysis as well as use of economically important wild Russuloid mushrooms against food pathogenic fungus Aspergillus niger. Three different species of mushrooms viz., Russla laeta, R. nobilis, and R. nigricans were collected and identified from Himalayan range of Pakistan and are found as new records for this country. Major objective of this study was to highlight the importance of these wild creatures as antifungal agents against A. niger. For this purpose methanolic extract of selected mushrooms of different concentration levels viz., 1, 1.5, 2 and 3% were used. This activity is also first time reported from Pakistan by using this group of mushrooms. Results showed that all tested mushrooms exhibit growth inhibition of A. niger and can be used as biocontrol agents. R. nigricans showed maximum inhibition of fungus growth that is 62% at 3% concentrations while minimum inhibition was observed in R. nobilis at same concentration that is 43.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Himalayan range of Pakistan is one of the diversity rich hotspots of the world. Many areas are yet to be explored here to discover new species of organisms including fungi. During present research, Swat District of Pakistan was explored for fungal diversity. One new species of mushroom Russula swatica (Russulales) is described from Himalayan range of Pakistan and analyzed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy as well as by molecular markers. A comprehensive description, photographs, and comparisons with morphologically similar and phylogenetically related species are provided. Conclusions of its phylogenetic relationships within the genus are provided based on the sequence of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to identify 20 high valued medicinal plants of District Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan with the help of the palynological studies. The distinguishing characteristics for selected species were found by systematized methods using light microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. In this study, important pollen qualitative and quantitative features of these medicinal species such as polar and equatorial outline and their diameter, P/E ratio, presence or absence of pore, sculpturing of pollen, exine thickness, intine thickness, intercellular distance of exine and intine, presence or absence of spines, length of spines, width of spines, presence or absence of colpi and length of colpi, were compared. Remarkable variations in these pollen characters have been observed. Pollen grains were usually circular‐semicircular (Calendula officinalis), spheroidal (Convolvulus arvensis), bilobed and trilobed (Convolvulus arvensis), spiny, (Abutilon indicum), oblate (Terminalia chebula) and elongated (Euphorbia pilulifera). In polar view Conyza bonariensis exhibited the highest pollen size [195.9 (211.6–180.2) μm]. While in equatorial view Calendula officinalis and Euphorbia pilulifera had lowest value [22.5 (20–25) μm] whereas Carissa carandas [165 (140–179) μm] appeared to be the largest. Parthenium hysterophorus showed the highest P/E ratio, that is, 1.28. Colpi were reported in only 7 species. Most of the plants showed 100% fertility but Terminalia chebula showed the least value 35%. In the present, project the diversity in pollen morphology present pollen as a valuable taxonomic tool. It is also concluded that pollen features are helpful at the specific level as well as generic level and can provide us fruitful taxonomic solutions. Research Highlights: Palynological flora of the medicinal plant species of district Lahore, Pakistan is investigated first time on the basis of LM and SEM and the flora is found very significant for taxonomic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the molecular systematics of Asian collections of Hebeloma theobrominum and H. mesophaeum which have not been previously reported from any Himalayan part of the world, and are new to Pakistan. Both were identified using morpho-anatomical and molecular characterization. The target rDNA of both species was amplified by using universal fungal primers. In phylogenetic analysis, both species distinctly clustered with their respective groups. These both species have been described first time from Asia using ITS-rDNA barcoding. The sequences of both species were compared with those of same European species from the GenBank. These species clustered with European species in phylogenetic tree proving their cosmopolitan distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chroogomphus roseolus is a common mycorrhizal species exclusively found with Pinus wallichiana which has been collected from Himalayan moist forests of Pakistan. Taxonomically, this species is previously not described from Pakistan and also first time reported outside Chinese territory. In this study, Pakistani collection has been characterized on morphological and molecular basis. Macrosopic characters like size, shape and colour of pileus, stipe and spore are compared in Cinese European and North American literature for its identification. Its Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) of ribosomal DNA sequence was amplified using universal primer pair (ITS1f and ITS4) and nucleotide sequences queried in GenBank database using BLAST analysis where it matches 99% with sequences of the same species from China. Phylogenetic analysis, description, photographs and line drawings of Pakistani collection confirmed as Chroogomphus roseolus. The exclusive presence of this species Pinus wallichiana indicates that it can be used in mycorrhization control in afforestation and reforestation of Pinus wallichiana vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper posits that Poetry Translation is an unimpeded and uninhibited genre of Translation Studies which allows immense freedom to the translator to perceive and project the source text according to her social, cultural, and moral sensibilities and above all her aesthetic tendencies. This stance is supported through a diachronic and synchronic evaluation of diverse translations of selected passages of Homeric epics: the Iliad and the Odyssey. The research draws upon Eugene Nida's sociolinguistic approach to translation and his concept of Dynamic Equivalence for the interpretation and analysis of the Homeric texts. In doing so, the researcher highlighted the various literary techniques and approaches used by three renowned translators of Homeric epics: George Chapman, Alexander Pope, and Robert Fitzgerald, through a stylistic analysis and explored the socio-cultural factors behind their choice of translation strategies. The findings reiterated the viewpoint that poetry translators over the centuries have adopted fluid approaches to translating poetry in keeping with their individual perceptions regarding the principles that govern the craft of literary translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first detailed report on molecular identification of aboveground fruiting body as well as its ectomycorrhiza, Lactarius species, associated with wide host range. Lactarius sanguifluus growing in association with different host trees: Juglans, Populus and Quercus were collected from Galyat, Pakistan along with soil blocks containing plant roots. The genomic DNA was extracted from basidiocarps and roots of different trees. The internal transcribed spacers (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using forward primer ITS1F and reverse primer ITS4, which generated fragments of 700-750bp. The aboveground sequences showed base similarity more than 99% with L. sanguifluus submitted from Europe (FJ858746, AF249289). The phylogenetic analysis of above and belowground parts of L. sanguifluus showed their clustering in same clade with same species. Sequence data of seven specimens is being published from Pakistan; two belong to epigeous L. sanguifluus (HF559378.1, HF559379.1), four ectomycorrhizal roots; two associated with Quercus incana (HF559374.1, HF559375.1), one associated with Pinus wallichiana (HF559376.1), one associated with Juglans regia (HE615155) and one ectomycorrhizal sequence of L. semisanguifluus (HF559377.1) associated with Q. incana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepiota acutesquamosa and L. cristata (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) collected from Himalayan moist temperate forests of Pakistan were characterized using internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of rNDA, a fungal molecular marker. The ITS-rDNA of both species was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. The target region when amplified using universal fungal primers (ITS1F and ITS4) generated 650-650bp fragments. Consensus sequences of both species were submitted for initial blast analysis which revealed and confirmed the identification of both species by comparing the sequences of these respective species already present in the GenBank. Sequence of Pakistani collection of L. acutesquamosa matched 99% with sequences of same species (FJ998400) and Pakistani L. cristata matched 97% with its sequences (EU081956, U85327, AJ237628). Further, in phylogenetic analysis both species distinctly clustered with their respective groups. Morphological characters like shape, size and color of basidiomata, basidiospore size, basidial lengths, shape and size of cheilocystidia of both collections were measured and compared. Both these species have been described first time from Pakistan on morph-anatomical and molecular basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populus cilliata and P. euramericana grow in Himalayan Moist Temperate forest of Pakistan, Lahore and its adjacent plains, respectively. Both these species were explored to know the ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity associated with their root system. Morpho-anatomically, 18 ectomycorrhizal types were identified growing in two different ecological zones. Moist temperate region was richer as compared to semiarid region as 15 species were found in association with P. cilliata growing there, while only three were found forming mycorrhizae with P. euramericana. The difference in ectomycorrhizal community composition supported the concept that soil nutrients, organic matter, pH, moisture content and temperature are very important factors to facilitate the growth of mycobionts and their association with roots of higher plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aloe barbadensis is a stemless plant with a length of 60-100 cm with juicy leaves which is used for its remedial and healing properties in different suburbs of various countries. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of A. barbadensis leaf extract (aqueous and ethanolic) in yeast induced pyrexia and acetic acid induced writhing in rat model to evaluate the antipyretic biomarkers and its phytochemical screening with computational analysis. For analgesic activity model 60 Albino rats (160-200 kg) were divided into four groups. Of the 4 groups, control consisted of 6 rats (Group I) treated with normal saline, standard comprised of 6 rats treated with drug diclofenac (Group I). Experimental groups consisted of 48 rats, treated with A. barbadensis ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts at doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg (Group III. IV). For antipyretic activity group division was same as in analgesic activity. All groups were treated the same as in the analgesic activity except for the second group which was treated with paracetamol. In both antipyretic and analgesic activity at the dose of 400 mg/kg, group III showed significant inhibition. TNF-α and IL-6 showed significant antipyretic activity at a dose of 400 mg/kg. For molecular docking aloe emodin and cholestanol were used as ligand molecules to target proteins Tnf-α and IL-6. Acute oral toxicity study was performed. There was no mortality even at the dose of 2000 mg/kg. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening was performed for the detection of various phytochemicals. Hence, A. barbadensis leaf extracts can be used in the form of medicine for the treatment of pain and fever.

With the increasing aging population in modern society, falls as well as fall-induced injuries in elderly people become one of the major public health problems. This study proposes a classification framework that uses floor vibrations to detect fall events as well as distinguish different fall postures. A scaled 3D-printed model with twelve fully adjustable joints that can simulate human body movement was built to generate human fall data. The mass proportion of a human body takes was carefully studied and was reflected in the model. Object drops, human falling tests were carried out and the vibration signature generated in the floor was recorded for analyses. Machine learning algorithms including K-means algorithm and K nearest neighbor algorithm were introduced in the classification process. Three classifiers (human walking versus human fall, human fall versus object drop, human falls from different postures) were developed in this study. Results showed that the three proposed classifiers can achieve the accuracy of 100, 85, and 91%. This paper developed a framework of using floor vibration to build the pattern recognition system in detecting human falls based on a machine learning approach.

Thirteen new species are formally described: Cortinarius brunneocarpus from Pakistan, C. lilacinoarmillatus from India, Curvularia khuzestanica on Atriplex lentiformis from Iran, Gloeocantharellus neoechinosporus from China, Laboulbenia bernaliana on species of Apenes , Apristus , and Philophuga (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from Nicaragua and Panama, L. oioveliicola on Oiovelia machadoi (Hemiptera, Veliidae) from Brazil, L. termiticola on Macrotermes subhyalinus (Blattodea, Termitidae) from the DR Congo, Pluteus cutefractus from Slovenia, Rhizoglomus variabile from Peru, Russula phloginea from China, Stagonosporopsis flacciduvarum on Vitis vinifera from Italy, Strobilomyces huangshanensis from China , Uromyces klotzschianus on Rumex dentatus subsp. klotzschianus from Pakistan. The following new records are reported: Alternaria calendulae on Calendula officinalis from India; A. tenuissima on apple and quince fruits from Iran; Candelariella oleaginescens from Turkey; Didymella americana and D. calidophila on Vitis vinifera from Italy; Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing tip blight of Dianella tasmanica ' variegata ' from India; Marasmiellus subpruinosus from Madeira, Portugal, new for Macaronesia and Africa; Mycena albidolilacea , M. tenuispinosa , and M. xantholeuca from Russia; Neonectria neomacrospora on Madhuca longifolia from India; Nothophoma quercina on Vitis vinifera from Italy; Plagiosphaera immersa on Urtica dioica from Austria; Rinodina sicula from Turkey; Sphaerosporium lignatile from Wisconsin, USA; and Verrucaria murina from Turkey. Multi-locus analysis of ITS, LSU, rpb1 , tef1 sequences revealed that P. immersa , commonly classified within Gnomoniaceae (Diaporthales) or as Sordariomycetes incertae sedis , belongs to Magnaporthaceae (Magnaporthales). Analysis of a six-locus Ascomycota-wide dataset including SSU and LSU sequences of S. lignatile revealed that this species, currently in Ascomycota incertae sedis , belongs to Pyronemataceae (Pezizomycetes, Pezizales).

The present study introduces seven new species, one new combination, one new variety and several interesting taxonomical notes and/or geographical records. Most of the new taxa are Ascomycetes, but the study also includes a new variety of a Basidiomycete. Novel species include Gyromitra khanspurensis (Discinaceae, Pezizales, Pezizomycetes) from Pakistan growing near Cedrus deoadara and Paramyrothecium guiyangense and Paramyrothecium verruridum (Stachybotriaceae, Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes) both isolated from soil in China. New species from South Africa are Sclerostagonospora elegiae on culm litter of Elegia equisetacea, Sclerostagonospora fusiformis on culm litter of Thamnochortus spicigerus, Sclerostagonospora pinguis on culm litter of Cannomois virgata and Sclerostagonospora sulcata on culm litter of Ischyrolepis subverticellata (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). Hapalocystis berkeleyi var. kickxii with its basionym Hypoxylon kickxii is shown to be a taxon on species level and thus recombined as Hapalocystis kickxii (Sydowiellaceae, Diaporthales, Sordariomycetes), and it is lecto- and epitypified. The new variety Pluteus romellii var. luteoalbus (Pluteaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetes) growing on a mossy fallen stem of a deciduous tree is described from Czech Republic. Cortinarius scaurocaninus (Cortinariaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetes) is new for Austria, Humicola grisea (Chaetomiaceae, Sordariales, Sordariomycetes) is an interesting new record for Chile. Two taxa are reported as new for Turkey: the lichenicolous fungus Opegrapha parasitica (Opegraphaceae, Arthoniales, Arthoniomycetes) growing partly immersed in the thallus of Aspicilia and the lichen Rinodina zwackhiana (Physciaceae, Teloschistales, Lecanoromycetes) from calcareous rock. Finally, Xerula strigosa (Physalacriaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetes), described from China, is confirmed to be present also in Pakistan.