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Routable Digital Maps represent a recent advancement driven by the growth of Intelligent Transportation System applications. Efforts have been made to develop and utilize maps within computer systems that can autonomously identify optimal routes. Typically, online map visualizations lack essential information such as traffic patterns, construction zones, or lane counts, which are crucial for designing accurate and realistic routes. This research introduces a route planning method that aggregates and reuses various data points to establish a robust framework for developing new routing plans. The primary goal is to analyze the collected data and create a framework for estimating a geometrically smooth centerline of a road map route. This method involves generating a series of parallel curves, known as offset curves, to facilitate the creation of new routes and alternative lanes. The following examples illustrate some empirical results obtained from this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gossypium hirsutum L. is among the leading cash crop, grown at 4.7 million acreage area in Punjab province annually. The rotational cultivation of cotton and wheat crops constitutes the major cropping pattern in Pakistan. Current study was undertaken to investigate the allelopathic effect of the post-harvest remnants of cotton crop on the germination and growth parameters of successor wheat crop. Experiment was laid down in complete randomized design. The seeds (n=10) of Triticum aestivum L. were placed in each replicate and treated with aqueous extracts from various parts of G. hirsutum (root, stem and leaves) at concentration (0-100% v/v). Among the various test extracts of G. hirsutum, leaf extract were found to impart maximum inhibitory effect on the germination indices of the wheat (T. aestivum) followed by the stem extracts, as the highest concentration of ACWE (i.e. 100%) caused the reduction of 45.65, 54.55, 50.9, 61.6, 5.3 and 9.4 % in germination percentage, germination energy, germination index, vigour index, germination coefficient velocity and relative percentage of wheat, respectively, compared to the control. Delay of 2.98 % mean germination time of wheat. Therefore, it may be inferred that the allelochemicals exuded by G. hirsutum crop residues (leave and stem) may have inhibitory effect on the various germination and growth indices of wheat and consequently results in poor crop development and yield statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the efficacy of double-dose oral Terbinafine and Itraconazole in treating dermatophytic infections. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04880980). Setting and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar 2021 to Mar 2022. Methodology: One hundred and twenty patients with dermatophyte infections of the skin (i.e., tinea corporis and cruris) diagnosed by clinical presentation and KOH mount were included in this study. After randomization, patients were divided into two groups. Group-A was managed with double-dose oral Terbinafine, while Group-B was managed with double-dose oral Itraconazole. Clinical response and side effects were seen and recorded initially at two weeks and then at four weeks. Efficacy and adverse effects were compared in both groups at the end of four weeks. Results: Out of 120 patients with dermatophyte infections of the skin included in the study, 59(49.2%) took double-dose oral Terbinafine while 61(50.8%) took double-dose oral Itraconazole after randomization. It was revealed that Itraconazole was more efficacious in achieving cure at the end of 4-weeks as compared to double dose Terbinafine (p-value=0.001), while adverse effects studied were not statistically significant or different in both the groups (p-value>0.005). Conclusion: This randomized controlled trial showed that double dose oral Itraconazole was more efficacious in treating dermatophyte infections of the skin (i.e., Tinea corporis and cruris) compared to double dose oral Terbinafine. Adverse effects were minimal in both groups and were not specially related to any of these medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant disease management using nanotechnology is evolving continuously across the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Trachyspermum ammi seed extract on Cercospora leaf spot disease in mung bean plants under in-vitro and in-planta conditions. Additionally, the effects on mung bean agronomic and physiological parameters were also assessed. The green synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Green synthesized NPs were tested for their ability to inhibit fungal growth at five different concentrations under in-vitro experiment. After 7 days of inoculation, ZnO NPs (1200 ppm) inhibited mycelial growth substantially (89.86% ± 0.70). The in-planta experiment showed statistically significant result of disease control (30% ± 11.54) in response to 1200 ppm ZnO NPs. The same treatment showed statistically significant improvements in shoot length, root length, number of leaves, number of pods, shoot fresh weight (28.62%), shoot dry weight (85.18%), root fresh weight (38.88%), and root dry weight (38.88%) compared to the control. Our findings show that green synthesized ZnO NPs can control Cercospora canescens in mung bean, pointing to their use in plant disease control and growth enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teachers' professional development is seen to require learning. This study examines teachers' involvement in professional development activities, their classroom behaviors, and if these factors are related to how they teach in Pakistani secondary schools. It also looks at how teachers teach in actual classroom settings. Random selections were made for secondary school instructors and pupils from the public sector. Quantitative research methodology has been used for this study.The information was gathered by asking 100 teachers and 350 secondary school students to answer a series of questions using a Likert scale and multiple-choice options. The collected data was then analyzed using software programs like MS Excel 2016 and SPSS 16.0.After analyzing the data, it was found that secondary school teachers differ in their involvement in professional learning activities. The observed teaching techniques were generally effective. However, there was either no correlation or a weak connection between teacher participation in learning activities and their apparent classroom behaviour. These results have important implications for the professional development of teachers. They highlight the need to focus on strategies that encourage teachers to engage in continuous learning throughout their careers in order to improve their teaching practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let G be a simple connected graph. The second Gourava index of graph G is defined as G O 2 G = ∑ θ ϑ ∈ E G d θ + d ϑ d θ d ϑ where d θ denotes the degree of vertex θ. If removal of a vertex of G forms a tree, then G is called an apex tree. Let L ⊂ V G with ∣ L ∣ = q. If removal of L from V G forms a tree and any other subset of V G whose cardinality is less than ∣ L ∣ does not form a tree, then G is known as q -apex tree. In this paper, we have calculated upper bound for 2 nd Gourava index with respect to q -apex trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offset curves are one of the crucial curves, but the presence of square root function in the representation is main hindrance towards their applications in CAD/CAM. The presented technique is based on offset approximation using rational trigonometric B'ezier curves. The idea is to construct a new control polygon parallel to original one. The two end points of the offset control polygon have been taken as exact offset end points, while the middle control points and weights have been computed using definition of parallel curves. As a result, offsets of rational and nonrational trigonometric B'ezier curves have been approximated by rational cubic trigonometric B'ezier curve. An error between exact and approximated offset curves have also been computed to show the efficacy of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in developing countries like Pakistan. Pentavalent antimonials are still drug of choice, despite being toxic and intolerable for patients. Second line treatments have been extensively studied but the results of their efficacy are conflicting. This, to our knowledge, will be the first study in this regard. Our objective was to determine if combination of oral itraconazole with intralesional (IL) meglumine antimoniate (MA) reduces the duration of treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis, as compared to intralesional MA alone. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (single blinded) was carried out from August 2017 till December 2017 on 69 patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria. They were assigned to Group-A or B by lottery method. Group-A patients received IL MA once a week while Group-B received oral itraconazole 200mg, once daily, for six weeks along with similar regimen of IL MA as Group-A. The patients were assessed every three weeks by the blinded assessor till clinical cure was achieved. A follow up visit, two months after clinical cure was done to look for relapse of the disease. Results: Thirty patients in Group-A and 35 patients in Group-B completed the study. At 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks the patients were assessed for: no, partial or complete response and results of the two groups were compared for statistical significance. The p-values of 0.20, 0.57 and 0.11 at 3, 6 and 9 weeks, respectively, depict that there was no significant difference at any step of assessment between the two groups in terms of healing. The p values of each t test was>0.05 refuting the hypothesis. Conclusion: Combination of oral itraconazole with intralesional MA offered no benefit over intralesional MA alone in the management of cutaneous leishmaniasis in terms of duration of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angioedema is a deep swelling of subcutaneous tissue or mucosa because of increased vascular permeability. It is commonly seen as manifestation of an allergic reaction. It may occur with or without urticaria, or may be recurrent secondary to triggers like trauma, drugs, autoimmune diseases, physical or emotional stress. Severe angioedema can compromise airway patency. Avoidance of known triggering stimuli is the primary strategy in any treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To look for migraine headaches and associated factors in patients being managed for psoriasis at a tertiary healthcare setup in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar 2021 to Feb 2022. Methodology: One hundred and forty patients of psoriasis being managed at our Dermatology Unit were included in the analysis. All patients were screened with the Migraine Screen Questionnaire (MS-Q), and those having scores equal to or more than four were evaluated by medical specialists, and diagnosis of migraine was established based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders diagnostic criteria for migraine. An association of relevant risk factors was established with migraine among these patients. Results: Out of 140 patients with psoriasis, 75(53.4%) were male, while 65(46.6%) were female. Eighty-five (60.7%) patients had migraine confirmed by clinical criteria, while 55(39.3%) had no migraine. Statistical analysis revealed that more body surface area involvement and longer duration of psoriasis had a statistically significant relationship with migraine among the study participants (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: The study showed that patients with psoriasis had an approximately 3-fold increased risk of migraine headaches compared to the normal population. Most of the patients had migraine without aura. Patients with longer duration of psoriasis and those with more surface area of the body affected with psoriasis were at an increased risk of migraines compared to other patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 100% and cryotherapy in xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP). Methods 40 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were treated with cryotherapy on right eye (group A) and TCA on left eye (group B). Patients were followed up for 6 weeks and final outcome variable of efficacy i.e. complete resolution of xanthelasma was assessed at 6 weeks. Adverse side effects of therapy were also recorded as secondary outcome variables. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0. Results Mean age of patients was 43.75 ± 5.90 years and age ranged from 34 to 56 years. Out of 40 patients 9 (22.5%) were male and 40 (77.5%) were female. Complete resolution of xanthelasma was seen in only 7 (17.5%) in group A, while complete resolution of lesions was seen in 30 (75%) of patients in group B (p = 0.000). Conclusion A single session of 100% TCA is highly effective than cryotherapy in the treatment of Xanthelasma palpebrarum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf compounds extracted from Oxalis corniculata, Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus viridis and Convolvulus arvensis were evaluated for their potential against phytopathogenic bacteria namely; Xanthomonas campestris, Pseudomonas syringae, Morganella morganii, Acinetobacter baumannii and Xylophilus sp. Aqueous, methanol and ethanol soluble fractions from the leaves of selected weeds were extracted and employed against bacterial strains using well diffusion method. Results indicated that aqueous crude extracts of all test plants were least effective against bacteria as compared to both organic solvent extracts. In case of methanol, maximum zone of inhibition (42 mm) was recorded against P. syringae by O. corniculata leaf extract followed by S. nigrum leaf extract that restricted the growth of X. campestris in 40 mm diameter around the well. By ethanol crude extract, best results were obtained from A. viridis leaves extracts that produced inhibition zone of 44 mm diameter against Xylophilus sp. growth around well. C. album leaves extract that did not allow P. syringae to grow more than 40 mm diameter around the well. Present study suggested the need of phytochemical profiling of antibacterial compounds in the crude extracts of selected weeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the current investigation, the presence of different bacterial strains were identified from four weeds viz. Parthenium hysterophorus (whitetop), Convolvulus arvensis (lehli), Euphorbia esculenta (dhodak) and Chenopodium album (bathu). Weeds were collected from diiferent areas of Punjab university and main canal road sides as these are local and dominant agricultural weeds of Pakistan. Present study reported information concerning the isolation and identification of bacteria on the morphological and biochemical analysis. Thirteen species of bacteria were isolated in this study belonging to eight different family viz. Burkholderiaceae, Bacillaceae, Peptococcaceae, Comamonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Rhodospirillaceae and Moraxellaceae. Identification was further confirmed by their enzymatic activity and carbohydrates utilization. Although, E. esculenta and P. hysterophorus were the weeds found to be carrying maximum percentage of bacterial species. Cupriavidus sp., Bacillus sp., Peptococcus sp., Acidovorax facilis, Klebsiella sp., Yersinia ruckeri, Corynebacterium minutissimum, Bacillus farraginis, Enterobacter agglomerans, Azospirillum lipoferum, Acinetobacter lwoffii, Cedecea davisae, and Curtobacterium albidum were the identified bacterial species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most popular and significant commercial crop of Pakistan. Outbreak of leaf spot was observed on leaves of tomato plants growing in fields of Lahore. Causal organism was isolated and initially identified on the basis of morphological characters. Complete description of macro and microscopic characters was prepared. Identification was confirmed by rDNA spacer sequence. Based on morphological and molecular approaches, Alternaria metachromatica was identified as causal organism. Culture of pathogen was deposited in First Fungal Culture Bank of Pakistan (FCBP) and the gene sequence in GenBank. Pathogenicity was confirmed by exposing the healthy leaves to spores of A. metachromatica as well as inoculums in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) belonging to family Asteraceae is an aggressive weed that threatens the natural ecosystem in many parts of the world. The present study was carried out to investigate the herbicidal potential of culture filtrates of six species of Aspergillus namely A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. niger, A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. spelunceus against parthenium weed in eco-friendly way. Original culture filtrates of A. fumigatus and A. niger considerably decreased parthenium seed germination by 22% and 28%, respectively. Likewise, culture filtrates of A. flavus and A. parasiticus significantly reduced shoot length by 70% and 48%, respectively. Root growth was highly susceptible to fungal culture filtrates exposure. Culture filtrates of all the Aspergillus spp. with the exception of A. spelunceus significantly reduced seedling root length by 43-92% over control. Culture filtrates of A. flavus and A. parasiticus exhibited the best herbicidal activity against shoot and root growth of parthenium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herpes zoster is a common disease of the dorsal root ganglia and sensory nerve fibers, clinically characterized by unilateral painful vesicular eruption of the skin in a dermatomal distribution. Segmental motor weakness is a rare complication that occurs in 0-5 percent of patients and is associated with an excellent prognosis for recovery. We herein, present a case of herpes zoster complicated by segmental motor paresis of abdominal musculature resulting in pseudohernia. This rare complication of herpes zoster, with an excellent prognosis for recovery, should be recognized by dermatologists and surgeons as it can save costly consultations and evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a rare transformation of the scalp characterized by ridges and furrows resembling surface of the brain. It has primary and secondary types. Patients with primary CVG have normal skin and does not have an underlying pathological process. It is further subdivided into non-essential CVG and essential CVG based on the presence or absence of ophthalmological abnormalities or neuropsychiatric problems such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, schizophrenia or epilepsy. The secondary CVG is always a manifestation of an underlying inflammatory, neoplastic or a systemic disorder. We report here a case of cerebral palsy in a 16-year-old boy who presented with fourteen months' history of progressive deformity of head and face and was diagnosed as primary non-essential CVG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]