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Membrane biofouling is a major obstacle, which considerably affects membrane performance and shortens membrane life span. In the present study, the biofouling prevention potential of the tannic acid (TA) was tested on single and mixed species culture under flow conditions in flow cell and on reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in drip flow reactor (DFR). Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to acquire three dimensional (3D) images of biofilm samples and biofilm biovolume (µm³) was calculated via IMARIS software. The continuous dosing of TA at 20 mg/L to a flow cell led to a 98.2% (P < 0.05) biofilm reduction by PAO1 and 84.6% (P < 0.05) by a multispecies culture isolated from an industrial RO membrane. Furthermore, the continuous addition of TA to DFR led to 96.6% (P < 0.05) biofilm reduction by PAO1 and 98.9% (P < 0.05) by multispecies species, which further indicated the anti-biofouling effect of TA on RO membrane. These results suggest that TA can be a potential agent for the control of RO biofouling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension of public secondary schools of Islamabad. The sample was based on 124 students; 72 male and 52 female from 12 public sector secondary schools. The students were selected conveniently from 10th grade with age range from 13 to 18 years, (M=15.10, SD = .998). They were taught English as a compulsory subject included in the school curriculum. The assessment of vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension of students was measured through four research instruments; Vocabulary Level Test, Word Associate Test, Morphological Knowledge Test and Reading Comprehension Test. Results showed that a high correlation occurred between depth of vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension, but a moderate correlation was observed between breadth of vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension. Regression analysis showed that vocabulary depth has high predictive power than vocabulary breadth. The study advocated to mount students' depth of vocabulary knowledge to increase their reading comprehension abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study looks at the causes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by considering the implications of financial development in the presence of economic growth and use of energy in the case of China over the period 1980-2014. This study first uses the nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (NARDL) model to capture the asymmetry that arises from positive or negative components of financial development following use of the ARDL technique. The findings confirm a symmetrical relationship of both positive and negative effects of financial development on carbon emissions in the model, which allows the use of the ARDL approach. Results of the ARDL bound test confirm a long-term and positive relationship among CO2 emissions, financial development, economic growth and energy use. Further, the error correction model (ECM) confirms a short-run relationship among CO2 emissions, financial development, economic growth and energy use. Moreover, a dynamic multiplier graph indicates that the positive component of financial development has more influence on carbon emissions in the long run as compared to negative financial development shocks. The findings suggest that there is no asymmetry between CO2 emissions and financial development, lending support to the symmetric impact of both positive and negative components of financial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to assess resistance potential of 142 indigenous accessions along with two check cultivars against bacterial leaf blight disease at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan during 2011 rice crop growing season. On artificial inoculation with Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae, the fundamental agent of bacterial leaf blight, most of the studied rice accessions and the two commercial rice cultivars displayed susceptible reactions. Seven rice accessions viz. UoA-2, UoA-5, UoA-11, UoA-48, UoA-53, UoA-102, and UoA-123 showed moderate levels of resistance while eleven rice accessions viz. UoA-4, UoA-6, UoA-22, UoA-41, UoA-60, UoA-67, UoA-68, UoA-84, UoA-126, UoA-129 and UoA-133 displayed strong resistance against the disease. The use of these resistant rice accessions are, therefore, recommended for deploying bacterial leaf blight resistant genes into commercial rice cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine milk, a rich source of proteins and fatty acids, has a beneficial impact on physicochemical and organoleptic properties. The current study was planned to identify oxytocin's effects on protein and fatty acid profiles of cow milk (the Sahiwal breed) at various lactation stages (early, middle, and late) under a controlled atmosphere and feeding inputs. Examination of milk protein and fatty acid profiles by urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry respectively revealed the significant effect (P < 0.01) of oxytocin during the cow's lactation stages. In electrophoretic patterns, casein (αs1-CN, αs2-CN, β-CN, and k-CN) and whey protein fractions (Ig, BSA, β-Lg, and α-La) appeared as low-intensity bands in oxytocin-injected milk when compared to the control. Reductions in concentrations of fatty acids C16:0 (25.00%) and C18:1 (21.60%) were observed in oxytocin-treated milk as compared to the control group (29.30% and 29.10%, respectively) at late lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Scimitar syndrome is a congenital anomaly of pulmonary venous return where right pulmonary artery drains into right side other heart, instead of the left side, causing pulmonary hypertension resulting in shortness of breath, recurrent lower respiratory tract infections, chest pain, and fatigue. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention would correct this congenital anomaly reducing morbidity and complications in otherwise healthy young patients. Case Report: We present a case of an 18-year-old female who presented with exertional shortness of breath, fatigue, and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. She had unremarkable physical examination but chest x-ray showed an abnormal opacity next to right heart border. Computed tomography (CT) chest was performed that showed possible scimitar syndrome. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and right heart catheterization (RHC) confirmed the diagnosis. Conclusion: Scimitar syndrome is a very rare congenital anomaly of pulmonary venous return. It is usually diagnosed in early childhood but the diagnosis may be delayed until later in adulthood. The consequences are pulmonary hypertension, right-sided heart failure, and frequent pulmonary infections resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and frequent doctor visits for otherwise healthy young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new type constant phase sensor (CPS) for solving the problem of high humidity measurement. It is based on change in phase angle of the CPS with variation of humidity. The CPS is having interdigitated electrode sandwiched between two identical thin films of γ -Al2O3 fabricated by sol-gel dipcoating method. In the presence of relative humidity, the device shows a fairly constant phase behavior over wide signal frequency and its fractional exponent reduces to nearly 0.7 value at 90% RH from the initial value of 1 at dry humidity. Results show that the CPS is effective in measuring humidity in the range of 50%-100% RH at the signal frequency of 1-5 MHz. Finally, the device has been interfaced with a simple fractional-order differentiator circuit to measure the phase angle change with change in relative humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine and compare the level of awareness regarding diabetes mellitus, its complications and management in male & female diabetic patients of Peshawar, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross sectional study conducted in Peshawar, from February to July 2013. A well organized questionnaire was used, having fourteen items. The participants were interviewed and the questionnaire was filled by trained persons (Diabetes Educators). The correct answers were marked as aware and incorrect as unaware, and made conversions to percentage. Total 561 diabetic patients were assessed. The data was analyzed using SPSS v.16 software and excel 2007. Results: The level of awareness regarding diabetes and its management was found inadequate. Amongst, 36.3% male and 13% female diabetics were aware that why glycemic control is important, 63% male and 32.4% females were aware that diabetes could produce some complications. Similarly 23.7% male and 10% female respondents know importance of blood glucose monitoring. Only 181 male and 31 female diabetics were aware of hypoglycemia symptoms and management. Over all level of awareness in female patients as compared to male patients was found low. Conclusion: The overall level of awareness in both male and female diabetics was found low; and comparatively female patients have poorer awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embolic events from infective endocarditis can cause acute coronary syndrome. Mortality rate is high and optimal management might be different from those chosen in setting of classic atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. We present a case of 56-yearold male who had received 5 weeks of antibiotics for aortic valve endocarditis and developed acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in hospital settings. Interestingly, patient had recent left heart catheterization that was normal. This was recognized as embolic event from sterile vegetation. Patient was managed with balloon angioplasty and placement of intracoronary stent. Following re-vascularization, patient chest pain and electrocardiogram normalized and he improved in short term. However due to multiple comorbidities he had to be intubated and placed on dialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of groundwater with elevated levels of the fluoride ion (F-) for drinking purpose is a major F- exposure pathway for humans. Groundwater samples (n=100) were collected from 25 villages of district Mardan of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and analyzed for anions including F-, chloride (Cl-), bromide (Br-), phosphate (PO43-) and sulfate (SO42-) through ion chromatography. The concentrations of F- in the groundwater samples ranged between 0.05 mg/L and 10.8 mg/L. The measured concentrations were within the permissible limits of the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of Pakistan for drinking water in 92% of the samples. The groundwater samples of three villages exhibited a Fconcentration greater than the permissible level of 1.5 mg/L. F- has shown a positive correlation with electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Br-, PO43- and SO42-. To safeguard public health this study suggests further research in the area for possible sources and mitigation measures of F- contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The goal of the study was to investigate the burden of transfusion- transmitted infections (TTIs) hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, and malarial parasite (MP) in ABO Blood Groups and Rh Type System among voluntarily blood donors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. It is a retrospective single center cross sectional study. This study was conducted from June 2020 to September 2021 (16 months) at the frontier foundation thalassemia center Peshawar KPK. Donors were physically healthy and fit for donation. Donors with physical disabilities and/or having co-morbid conditions were excluded from the report., Methods: All the samples were screened for anti-HIV, anti-HCV, HBsAg, Syphilis, and Malarial Parasite via ELISA kit and Immune Chromatographic Technique (ICT), respectively. A total of 6311 blood donations were evaluated. The majority of the donations (92%) were from (VNRBD) voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, while only 8% came from replacement donors., Results: Amongst 6311 blood donations, 1.50 % (n = 95) were infected at least with one pathogen, HBV positive cases were 0.855 % (n = 54), HCV positive cases were 0.316% (n = 20), syphilis positive were 0.30% (n = 19) and MP positive cases were only 0.031% (n = 2). HBV, HCV, syphilis and malaria infections rates were found to be low as compared to the previous data published, while no case was reported for HIV. The study also revealed the distribution pattern of the aforementioned pathogens in blood groups and the Rh type system of the reactive samples., Conclusion: The lower reported in our study indicates the awareness among the people of Peshawar about TTIs and their precautions. The prevalence rate that we are reporting is less than previously published articles in the same domain., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The degradation of magnesium alloys, AZ31B and AZ91E, are under review due to a their ability to degrade under physiological conditions and successively yield an oxidized biocompatible by-product which can safely be absorbed by the body. By exploiting the biodegradability of magnesium alloys, the prospects of developing an unprecedented class of implant are at hand. To do so however, the rate of corrosion of the alloys must be modified in order to better suit physiological conditions. Therefore, anodization was carried out on AZ31B and AZ91E specimens to alter the surface chemistry to reduce the corrosion rates and improve biocompatibility. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and contact angle meter, were used to characterize and compare the surfaces of untreated and anodized magnesium alloys. Corrosion behavior was evaluated by electrochemical tests using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, to verify changes in corrosion rates as a result of anodization. Finally, a bio-assessment using MTS assays and fluorescent microscopy were carried out to ensure that the anodization process had no compromise on the biocompatibility of the magnesium alloys. The study indicated that the anodization process did alter the surface chemistry of the alloys, yielding slower corrosion rates, while causing no adverse effects in regards to biocompatibility.

Because of the unusual properties of the structure, the metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have received great interest in separation science. However, the most existing methods for the applications of MOFs in separation science require an off-line procedure to prepare the materials. Here, we report an in situ, layer-by-layer self-assembly approach to fabricate MIL-100(Fe) coated open tubular (OT) capillary columns for capillary electrochromatography. By a controllable manner, the OT capillary columns with a tailored MIL-100(Fe) coating have been successfully synthesized. The results of SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and ICP-AES indicated that MIL-100(Fe) was successfully grafted on the inner wall of the capillary. Some neutral, acidic and basic analytes were used to evaluate the performance of the MIL-100(Fe) coating OT capillary column. Because of the size selectivity of lattice aperture and hydrophobicity of the organic ligands, three types of analytes were well separated with this novel MIL-100(Fe) coating OT capillary column. For three consecutive runs, the intraday relative standard deviations (RSDs) of migration time and peak areas were 0.4-4.6% and 1.2-6.6%, respectively. The interday RSDs of migration time and peak areas were 0.6-8.0% and 2.2-9.5%, respectively. The column-to-column reproducibility of retention time was in range of 0.6-9.2%. Additionally, the 10 cycles OT capillary column (10-LC) could be used for more than 150 runs with no observable changes on the separation efficiency.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by chemical co-precipitation method and then modified with sodium citrate. These iron oxide nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). BSA was adsorbed on these citrate modified nanoparticles using two types of buffers (acetate buffer, pH 4.0, 4.7 and phosphate buffer, pH 7.4). The results showed that the maximum adsorption of BSA was 83 mg/g at its isoelectric point (pH 4.7). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the attachment of citrate groups and BSA on the prepared magnetic nanoparticles. BSA was desorbed from nanoparticles under alkaline conditions, which was confirmed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. The desorbed BSA showed small changes in its structure. The adsorption results indicated that BSA adsorption on citrate modified iron oxide nanoparticles occurred mainly by electrostatic mechanism.

Background: Empyema thoracis results from postpneumonic effusion of bacterial origin or trauma. If untreated it may convert to fibro-purulent or an organising stage., Methods: This study was conducted at cardiothoracic unit of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from Jan 2008 to Aug 2009. Patients with diagnosis of empyema thoracic were studied. Their clinical features and investigations were recorded on a proforma. Antibiotics alone, aspiration, chest intubation, rib resection or decortication were performed where required., Results: Out of 71 patients, males were 58 (81.69%) and females were 13 (18.3%). Majority of the patients (24, 33.8%), were below 20 years of age. Most of the patients (59, 83.09%), were from the poor socioeconomic class. Forty-one (57.76%) patients were smokers, 12 (16.9%) were diabetic, and 39 (54.92%) were hypertensive. Cough was the most common complain (62, 87.32%). Forty (56.33%) had more than 50% involvement of hemi thorax. In 44 (61.97%) cases, cause was tuberculosis. Fifty-one (71.83%) patients were treated with tube thoracostomy and 13 (18.3%) required decortication., Conclusion: Empyema thoracis commonly affects males. Apart from clinical assessment, x-ray chest is an important and simple investigation to detect empyema thoracic. Mostly tube drainage cures the diseases but in case of failure other options are also available.