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Railway projects are incredibly costly due to their complex nature. This study performs risk analysis and management of Pakistan railways ML-1 project expansion and upgradation that will be undertaken at US$6.8 billion under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The risks were identified based on an extensive literature review and their relevance to the CPEC. We employed fuzzy set theory (integrated with the risk severity index) to obtain the most severe risks. The novelty of this study is the technique employed to analyse and rank the risk, also there are no previous studies conducted that emphasized the construction risk of railway projects in Pakistan. The study is useful for all stakeholders of the project, as it can plan for them to tackle these risks and implement ML-1 successfully.

Image segmentation and identification are crucial to modern medical image processing techniques. This research provides a novel and effective method for identifying and segmenting liver tumors from public CT images. Our approach leverages the hybrid ResUNet model, a combination of both the ResNet and UNet models developed by the Monai and PyTorch frameworks. The ResNet deep dense network architecture is implemented on public CT scans using the MSD Task03 Liver dataset. The novelty of our method lies in several key aspects. First, we introduce innovative enhancements to the ResUNet architecture, optimizing its performance, especially for liver tumor segmentation tasks. Additionally, by harassing the capabilities of Monai, we streamline the implementation process, eliminating the need for manual script writing and enabling faster, more efficient model development and optimization. The process of preparing images for analysis by a deep neural network involves several steps: data augmentation, a Hounsfield windowing unit, and image normalization. ResUNet network performance is measured by using the DC metric Dice coefficient. This approach, which utilizes residual connections, has proven to be more reliable than other existing techniques. This approach achieved DC values of 0.98% for detecting liver tumors and 0.87% for segmentation. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations show promising results regarding model precision and accuracy. The implications of this research are that it could be used to increase the precision and accuracy of liver tumor detection and liver segmentation, reflecting the potential of the proposed method. This could help in the early diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer, which can ultimately improve patient prognosis.

Climate change and salt-affected soils detrimentally affect crop production in arid regions. Reclaiming these soils for crops and carbon sequestration can mitigate climate change and enhance food security. A laboratory-scale experiment was conducted on a wheat-maize crop rotation system for three consecutive years to check the effectiveness of organic amendments in reclaiming marginally salt-affected soils, improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and improving food grain production. This study included five treatments namely control (T1), gypsum alone at 100% gypsum requirements (G100), and its combinations with different organic amendments and 50% gypsum requirements (farm manure (FYM+G50), poultry manure (PM+G50), and green manure (GM+G50)) were used. Results indicated that sandy clay loam textured soil showed highest potential for its properties improvement after 45 days, i.e., EC decreased up to 3.9 dS m−1, pH 7.9 and, SOC increase up to 0.25%. After the fallow period, three consecutive years of crop production study indicated up to 39 and 70% increase in wheat and maize yields, respectively, compared to inorganic fertilizer alone. Maximum soil aggregation was noted in treatment with gypsum and farmyard manure application in loam soils (50%). The maximum soil organic carbon accumulation over the whole experiment was recorded in farmyard manure application in combination with gypsum (0.44 g kg−1) in both loam and sandy clay loam soil, while 0.31 g kg−1 in the clay loam soil. Based on the results, it was concluded that reclaiming marginally salt-affected soils enhances food crop production and incorporating manures improves soil through aggregation and carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the status of antimicrobial‐resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus in Pakistan, their association in terms of co‐occurrence with the biofilm‐forming genes, resistance profiling and associated discrepancies in diagnostic methods. Methodology: A total of 384 milk samples from bovine was collected by using convenient sampling technique and were initially screened for subclinical mastitis, further preceded by isolation and confirmation of S. aureus. The S. aureus isolates were subjected to evaluation of antimicrobial resistance by phenotypic identification using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method, while the genotypic estimation was done by polymerase chain reaction to declare isolates as methicillin, beta‐lactam, vancomycin, tetracycline, and aminoglycoside resistant S. aureus (MRSA, BRSA, VRSA, TRSA, and ARSA), respectively. Results: The current study revealed an overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis and S. aureus to be 59.11% and 46.69%, respectively. On a phenotypic basis, the prevalence of MRSA, BRSA, VRSA, TRSA, and ARSA was found to be 44.33%, 58.49%, 20.75%, 35.84%, and 30.18%, respectively. The results of PCR analysis showed that 46.80% of the tested isolates were declared as MRSA, 37.09% as BRSA, and 36.36% as VRSA, while the occurrence of TRSA and ARSA was observed in 26.31% and 18.75%, respectively. The current study also reported the existence of biofilm‐producing genes (icaA and icaD) in 49.06% and 40.57% isolates, respectively. Lastly, this study also reported a high incidence of discrepancies for both genotypic and phenotypic identification methods of resistance evaluation, with the highest discrepancy ratio for the accA‐aphD gene, followed by tetK, vanB, blaZ, and mecA genes. Conclusion: The study concluded that different antibiotic resistance strains of S. aureus are prevalent in study districts with high potential to transmit between human populations. The study also determined that there are multiple resistance determinants and mechanisms that are responsible for the silencing and expression of antibiotic resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pea (Pisum sativum L.), a globally cultivated leguminous crop valued for its nutritional and economic significance, faces a critical challenge of soil salinity, which significantly hampers crop growth and production worldwide. A pot experiment was carried out in the Botanical Garden, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur to alleviate the negative impacts of sodium chloride (NaCl) on pea through foliar application of ascorbic acid (AsA). Two pea varieties Meteor (V1) and Sarsabz (V2) were tested against salinity, i.e. 0 mM NaCl (Control) and 100 mM NaCl. Three levels of ascorbic acid 0 (Control), 5 and 10 mM were applied through foliar spray. The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD) with three replicates. Salt stress resulted in the suppression of growth, photosynthetic activity, and yield attributes in pea plants. However, the application of AsA treatments effectively alleviated these inhibitory effects. Under stress conditions, the application of AsA treatment led to a substantial increase in chlorophyll a (41.1%), chl. b (56.1%), total chl. contents (44.6%) and carotenoids (58.4%). Under salt stress, there was an increase in Na+ accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the application of AsA increased the contents of proline (26.9%), endogenous AsA (23.1%), total soluble sugars (17.1%), total phenolics (29.7%), and enzymatic antioxidants i.e. SOD (22.3%), POD (34.1%) and CAT (39%) in both varieties under stress. Salinity reduced the yield attributes while foliarly applied AsA increased the pod length (38.7%), number of pods per plant (40%) and 100 seed weight (45.2%). To sum up, the application of AsA alleviated salt-induced damage in pea plants by enhancing photosynthetic pigments, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities, maintaining ion homeostasis, and reducing excessive ROS accumulation through the limitation of lipid peroxidation. Overall, V2 (Sarsabz) performed better as compared to the V1 (Meteor). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphates are toxic compounds commonly used in agriculture, industry and warfare, making their detection a critical issue for public health and safety. Gold nanoparticles have emerged as a promising tool for the detection of organophosphates due to their unique optical properties and surface chemistry. This review discusses the various methods for synthesizing gold nanoparticles and their functionalization for improved organophosphate detection. The sensitivity and selectivity of the detection method are also discussed, as well as its potential applications in environmental monitoring, food safety, clinical diagnosis and industrial applications. The use of gold nanoparticle-based detection methods for organophosphates has the potential to provide a rapid, sensitive and reliable tool for the detection and monitoring of these toxic compounds in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study compares the two emerging seaports: Gwadar port (Pakistan); and Chabahar port (Iran). The study evaluates the trade attractiveness among the neighboring countries, i.e., Afghanistan, China, and the Central Asian States, while keeping China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development in perspective. The two ports may provide one of the closest sea links for the resource-rich Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. At the same time, Gwadar provides China with an alternative and short trade route via Pakistan. The study employs the Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique of Multi-Criteria Decision Making methods to evaluate and select the best seaport. The findings establish that Gwadar is a better option. The study also provides recommendations for the authorities of the two ports and the prospective other countries in the neighborhood to ensure maximum return on their investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of variable durations of loud noise stress on the histomorphology of the thyroid gland in adult rats. METHODS: This laboratory-based experimental study was conducted at the Anatomy Department, Army Medical College/National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to December 2020. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Control group A (no noise exposure), experimental group B (100 dB noise for 4 hours daily), and experimental group C (100 dB noise for 6 hours daily) for four months. At the end of the experiment, the rats were weighed, euthanized, and their thyroid glands removed. The glands were analyzed microscopically after Haematoxylin and Eosin staining, measuring the diameter and epithelial height of thyroid follicles. RESULTS: All rats remained healthy with no statistically significant differences in weight gain between the groups. The follicular epithelial height significantly increased in groups B (9.86±0.38 µm) and C (10.37±0.39 µm) compared to the control group A, (p-values <0.001 and 0.001, respectively). The follicular diameter significantly decreased in groups B (86.61±7.68 µm) and C (95.47±5.24 µm) compared to group A, (p-values <0.001 and 0.003, respectively. Microscopic examination revealed that experimental groups exhibited disrupted thyroid follicles and increased inflammatory infiltrates compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Exposure to variable durations of loud noise stress in adult rats leads to histomorphological changes in the thyroid gland, including increased follicular epithelial height and reduced follicular diameter. These findings are suggestive of potential hyperactivity of thyroid follicles in response to noise stress exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw goat milk can be a potential source to transfer antibiotic-resistant pathogens between animals and humans. Due to increased virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes acquired by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), it is considered a major public health hazard and has a significant impact on the treatment and management of mastitis in dairy goats. For this purpose, Coagulase-positive S. aureus (n=103) isolates from mastitis samples in goats were evaluated to check the resistance mechanism against β-lactam antibiotics by disc diffusion assay and by PCR. The isolates were tested for the presence of coa, mecA, and blaZ genes. The results of PCR analysis revealed that out of 384 milk samples collected from goats, 103 were identified as CoPS, 37 isolates carried blaZ gene while 19 isolates were identified as methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The absolute frequency depicted that 13 of the isolates harbored both blaZ + mecA genes in their genetic material. The findings of the antibiogram profile of β-lactam resistant coagulase positive S. aureus was found highly resistant against the oxytetracycline, followed by gentamicin and tylosin while the maximum isolates showed sensitivity towards ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin in both groups. The results of antibiotic susceptibility patterns would be critical for evaluating the trends and patterns of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), estimating the contribution of particular genes in drug-specific resistance, and developing control measures to decrease AMR in goats of Pakistan. The genetic analysis of the current study concluded that genetic divergence, the transfer of zoonotic MRSA, and the involvement of coa, mecA, and blaZ genes serve as important virulence factors of S. aureus leading to the causation of goat mastitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research communication we investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus harboring virulent genes responsible for mastitis in cattle of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 690 milk samples were collected from commercial dairy farms for analysis of the prevalence of subclinical and clinical mastitis and isolation of S. aureus . Virulence ability and methicillin resistance in S. aureus (MRSA) was determined by targeting the pvl (the gene for Panton-Valentine leukocidin) and mec A genes, respectively. A total of 175 S. aureus isolates exhibiting prevalence of pvl gene (6.28%) and mec A gene (22.28%) were determined. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of pvl positive and negative MRSA against different classes of antibiotics revealed 100% resistance against β-lactams while 100% sensitivity towards tylosin and linezolid.