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The current study worked on heavy metals concentrations in sediments of the alpine lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Pakistan. Sediments samples (n = 41) from alpine lakes: Sadpara Lake, Rama Lake, Upper Kachura Lake, and Shausar Lake were collected. Sediments samples were digested according to standard protocol and analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Among heavy metals, Mn exhibited the highest mean concentration (333 mg/kg) in the sediments of alpine lakes, while Cd showed the lowest (1.48 mg/kg). The Ni, Cu, Cr, Mn, and Zn showed the highest mean concentrations in Sadpara Lake compared to other lakes. Sediments heavy metals concentrations were used for the calculation of pollution factors of alpine lakes, such as contamination factor (CF), pollution loads index (PLI), and ecological risk assessment (ERA). Among alpine lakes, the Sadpara Lake showed the highest PLI and CF values for most of the heavy metals. However, the highest mean (74.2 and 104) values of ERA and risk index (RI) were noted in the Rama Lake and exhibited a low-level risk to the alpine lake's system. Statistical analyses showed that weathering of bedrock and rich mineralised zone in the vicinity were dominating contributors of heavy metals contaminations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green practices and sustainability are mounting in business organizations around the world. All sized firms have concentrated on environmental and social strategies to benefit the societies that payback in sales and revenue. However, little is known about how Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) improve green strategies in emerging markets, especially in Pakistan. To contribute to the existing literature in small businesses, this research tests the influence of financial resources on green business strategy (environmental, social and economic) with a mediating role of competitive business strategy (differentiation and cost leadership). The results of the structural equation modeling based on the data set of 217 Pakistani SMEs indicate that financial resources do not directly influence green business strategy. However, the relationship between financial resources and green business strategy is significantly mediated by competitive business strategy. This research recommends SMEs utilize their financial resources efficiently and economically to practice green activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study scrutinises the influence of the internal resources/capabilities; financial capabilities, Information Technology (IT) capabilities and entrepreneurial orientation on new venture performance with Business Model Innovation (BMI) as a mediator. We tested the hypotheses on the basis of a data set of 308 new ventures of Pakistan. The results indicate that all three resources/capabilities have a significant influence on new venture performance as well as on BMI. Moreover, BMI fully mediates the relationship between IT capabilities and new venture performance while it plays a partial mediating role between financial capabilities and new venture performance as well as between entrepreneurial orientation and new venture performance. Our study recommends new enterprises emphasise their internal resources/capabilities to innovate their business model in a way to survive in the long run in the competitive market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a typical immunosuppressive virus devastating the global swine industry. DEAD-box helicases (DDXs) are a family of ATP-dependent RNA helicases that are predominantly implicated in modulating cellular RNA metabolism. Meanwhile, a growing number of studies have suggested that some DDXs are associated with innate immunity and virus infection, so they are considered potential antiviral targets. Herein, we screened 40 DDXs and found that ectopic expression of DDX10 exhibited a significant anti-PRRSV effect, while DDX10 knockdown promoted PRRSV proliferation. Further analysis revealed that DDX10 positively regulates type I interferon production, which may contribute to its anti-PRRSV effect. Interestingly, PRRSV infection promoted DDX10 translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm for macroautophagic/autophagic degradation to block the antiviral effect of DDX10. By screening PRRSV-encoded proteins, we found that the viral envelope (E) protein interacted with DDX10. In line with the autophagic degradation of DDX10 during PRRSV infection, E protein could induce autophagy and reduce DDX10 expression in wild-type cells, but not in ATG5 or ATG7 knockout (KO) cells. When further screening the cargo receptors for autophagic degradation, we found that SQSTM1/p62 (sequestosome 1) interacted with both DDX10 and E protein, and E protein-mediated DDX10 degradation was almost entirely blocked in SQSTM1 KO cells, demonstrating that E protein degrades DDX10 by promoting SQSTM1-mediated selective autophagy. Our study reveals a novel mechanism by which PRRSV escapes host antiviral innate immunity through selective autophagy, providing a new target for developing anti-PRRSV drugs.Abbreviations: ACTB: actin beta; ATG: autophagy related; co-IP: co-immunoprecipitation; CQ: chloroquine; DDX10: DEAD-box helicase 10; E: envelope; EGFP: enhanced green fluorescent protein; hpi: hours post infection; hpt: hours post transfection; IFA: indirect immunofluorescence assay; IFN-I: type I IFN; IFNB/IFN-β: interferon beta; IRF3: interferon regulatory factor 3; ISGs: interferon-stimulated genes; KO: knockout; MAP1LC3B/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; mAb: monoclonal antibody; MOI: multiplicity of infection; NBR1: NBR1 autophagy cargo receptor; NFKB/NF-κB: nuclear factor kappa B; OPTN: optineurin; ORF: open reading frame; PRRSV: porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus; SeV: sendai virus; siRNA: small interfering RNA; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TCID50: 50% tissue culture infective dose; WT: wild type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a molecular graph, molecules are associated with some numerical values these values are known as topological indices. From the M-polynomial of molecular structure we can derived degree based topological indices. We can derived chemical and physical properties of chemical compound from the topological indices. To find the strain energy, melting point, boiling point, distortion and stability of chemical compound usually mathematician used topological indices. Moreover topological indices also make relation between biological activities of compound with physical properties. In this paper, we determined the M-polynomials of the structure of the molecules of polyphenylene nanotube and nanotori. Then we derived some closed formulas for well-known topological indices, first Zagreb index, second Zagreb index, second Modified Zagreb index m M 2 (G) , general Randić index, Symmetric division index, Harmonic index, inverse sum index for polyphenylene nanotube structure of molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a molecular graph, molecules are associated with some numerical values these values are known as topological indices. From the M-polynomial of molecular structure we can derive degree base topological indices. We can derived chemical and physical properties of chemical compound from the topological indices. To find the strain energy, melting point, boiling point, distortion and stability of chemical compound usually mathematician used topological indices. Moreover topological indices also make relation between biological activities of compound with physical properties. In this paper, we determined the M-polynomials of the structure of the molecules of polyphenylene. Then we derived some closed formulas for well-known topological indices, first Zagreb index M 1 (G) , second Zagreb index M 2 (G) , second modified Zagreb index m M 2 (G) , general Randic index R α (G) , Symmetric division index SDD(G), Harmonic index H(G), Inverse Sum index I(G) for polyphenylene structure of molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes (g-MWCNTs) were synthesized while using purified MWCNTs (p-MWCNTs). Functionalization of MWCNTs was confirmed by FTIR, TGA, and XRD measurement. Comparative study of ammonia sensing performance of p-MWCNTs, carboxylated MWCNTs (a-MWCNTs), amine-functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs) and g-MWCNTs were performed. Among all g-MWCNTs showed a large variation in resistance over an entire concentration range of ammonia vapors. The calculated limit of detection for g-MWCNTs was found to be 0.236 ppm. Sensor response of g-MWCNTs reaches full saturation at 150 ppm ammonia. The f-MWCNTs and g-MWCNTs showed a highly reversible response to ammonia vapors at 250 ppm at 25°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the investor overreaction catches the attention of the academicians and practitioners. The topic comes under the limelight of academicians and policymakers. This study, therefore, addresses investor overreaction and its relationship with the global financial crisis for the period of 2004–15. The study used stratified random sampling technique; equal allocation method of Krejcie and Morgan. By adopting the methodology of Debondt and Thaler, the study finds that there is highly significant overreaction (distinct reversal) in the stock market in the global-financial crisis period, which may attribute to the aggressive behavior of individual investors in the market. Overreaction has also been shown in the line graph shaded area which opposes the efficient market hypothesis and verifies the presence of a weak form of efficiency. Econometric tests are applied for robustness check that confirms weak form of efficiency in the PSX. The study has implications for both the investors and policymakers. This study is quintessential for those investors who have the aptitude to look introspectively and to evaluate their behavioral biases. Further, investors would learn to transmute behaviors and to build portfolios which will help them to stick to their long-term investment strategies and hence achieve their investment goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with amine group using 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) is achieved after carboxylation of pure MWCNTs (p-MWCNTs). p-MWCNTs, a-MWCNTs (acid functional MWCNTs) and f-MWCNTs (amine functional MWCNTs) were used to fabricate their nanocomposite with PMMA. A comparative study of the humidity characteristics of p-MWCNTs/PMMA, a-MWCNTs/PMMA and f-MWCNTs/PMMA-based capacitive humidity sensors was carried. f-MWCNTs/PMMA-based capacitive humidity sensor shows low hysteresis loss (5%), good response recovery behavior and highest sensitivity (S ~ 9736%) among all the studied composites. The maximum capacitance drift under different relative humidity was 1%RH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrication of electronic materials from nanocomposite of biopolyesters reinforced with carbon nanotubes can be regarded as the effective alternative for conventional nanocomposites consisting of non-biodegradable polymers. Commercial availability of biopolyester-based nanocomposites is limited because of their high cost compared to other polymers, but the factor of their compostable nature is worthless for environmental protection. Such nanocomposites have potential applications in biodegradable sensors, EMI materials, etc. In this review, the current progress of biopolyester/CNTs nanocomposites in the field of biodegradable electronics is reviewed and also the impact of CNTs dispersion on electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of eco composites is stipulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnic minority parents often appear to be less involved in school functions and activities than their culturally dominant counterparts. Their invisibility is usually assumed due to a lack of either interest or parental capacity to oversee their children's education. However, the simplistic equation between parental involvement in children's education and their participation in school is largely informed by middle-class cultural norms that ignore diversity. Data drawn from home visits and in-depth, semi-structured interviews amongst Pakistani parents and children in Hong Kong reveals that the involvement of these parents only seems less visible because it is largely based at home rather than in schools. The parental involvement of this ethnic minority is influenced by socio-economic and cultural factors that separate school from home, divide parental responsibilities by gender, and set expectations for children with primary reference to the parents' own experiences. These research findings on how such characteristics shape the outcomes of parental involvement can inform school practices to build more effective home-school collaboration and enhance children's academic achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the present study is to identify the most influential research articles and their main characteristics in the specialty of periodontal regeneration. Materials & methods: The Web of Science database advance search was performed in the subject category of 'Dentistry, Oral surgery and medicine' from January 2004 to October 2018 to retrieve citations data. Results: The majority of the articles were published in journals dedicated to the specialty of periodontology. Among the top-cited articles most emphasized study types were randomized control trials (n = 25) and reviews (n = 20). Conclusion: The present bibliometric analysis provides comprehensive information regarding the contributions made in the advancement of regenerative periodontal research. The authors from developed countries and affiliated with interdisciplinary/multicenter institutions have predominantly contributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]