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The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural tracts is a serious problem, contributing to soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) depletion. In this regard, the use of chemical fertilizers together with organic amendments is considered as a sustainable approach, which alters SMBC, thereby increasing nutrient availability in soil-plant ecosystems. The present study was thus conducted to examine the effects of various mixes of organic amendments both with and without chemical fertilizers (NPK) on SMBC and pea (Pisum sativum L.) growth. The following eight treatments were established: control, 100% farmyard manure (FYM), 100% compost, 50% compost + 50% FYM, 33% compost + 33% chemical fertilizers (NPK) + 33% FYM, 50% chemical fertilizers + 50% FYM, 50% compost + 50% NPK, and 100% NPK, each with three replications. Results showed that the combination of 33% compost + 33% NPK + 33% FYM (T5) had the most significant impact on plant height, number of leaves, and roots and shoots biomass. Furthermore, the combination of NPK, compost and FYM enhanced the soil organic matter and SMBC, contributing to the increased amounts of available NPK in the soil-plant systems. Based on the results, it has been concluded that 33% compost + 33% NPK, and 33% FYM improves pea productivity due to improved SMBC that contributed to increased nutrient uptake by plants. It has been suggested to the farmers that integrated nutrient management approaches must be adopted for maintaining SMBC and further sustainable crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of pristine and transition metal (Co, Fe, and Zr)-doped indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films fabricated via RF magnetron sputtering. The effect of transition metal doping on ITO thin films properties was comprehensively examined using numerous spectroscopic and microscopic methods such as XRD, FTIR, and SEM coupled with EDX, UV–visible and PL spectroscopy, and four-probe and J–V measurements. The cubic crystal structure of the materials was confirmed through XRD spectroscopy, while FTIR results validated the existence of chemical bonds, signified by sharp peaks at 608 cm−1 and 667 cm−1 in the fingerprint region. SEM imaging revealed a granular-like agglomerated structure, with EDX confirming the elemental composition of the samples. The incorporation of Co, Fe, and Zr ions into ITO is aimed at improving photoconductivity and the optical bandgap, with the ultimate objective of enhancing performance in photovoltaic applications. Our findings showed a significant decrease in optical transmission in the visible spectrum. The bandgap also experienced a minor decrease from 3.67 eV to 3.53 eV. Analysis of the photoluminescence spectra exhibited the majority of emission peaks in the UV region, ascribed to electronic transitions occurring via band-to-band and band-to-impurity interactions within the ITO. Electrical measurements indicated lower resistance, higher current flow, and increased carrier concentration in transition metals–doped ITO compared to the undoped ITO, with Zr-doped ITO exhibiting the highest conductivity and optimal charge flow among all dopants. These promising findings in terms of optical, structural, and electrical attributes signal the potential of these materials for photovoltaic system applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hematochemical parameters are often used by veterinarians to assess the health status of animals. The information on blood parameters of African lions (Panthera leo) is scarce in Pakistan, this research was conducted on captive African Lions kept at Safari Zoo, Lahore to see their blood profile. The hematochemical parameters included white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), lymphocytes (LYM) count, RBCs count, platelet count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), bilirubin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined. Further, different biological, analytical and operational factors which impose significant effects on hematochemical factors were also considered to rationalize the results. Most of the values were in accordance with the mean values published in the literature, but values of few parameters e.g., hematocrit, platelet, AST, ALT, ALP and blood urea nitrogen were found different from the reference values. It was concluded that biological, analytical and operational factors as well as their respective partialities affect these values. The study contributes to the development of the normal values of hematochemical parameters of African lions kept at different Zoos of Pakistan and ultimately helps to improve their health status and conservation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the standardization of proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique for the analysis of trace elements in thick, standard samples. Three standard reference materials, titanium, copper, and iron base alloys, were used for the study due to their availability. The proton beam was accelerated up to 2.57 MeV energy by 5UDH-II tandem Pelletron accelerator, and samples were irradiated at different geometries and durations. Spectra were acquired using a multi- channel spectrum analyzer, and spectra analyses were done using GUPIXWIN software for determination of elemental concentrations of trace elements. The obtained experimental data were compared with theoretical data and results were found to be in close agreement. Key words: proton induced X-ray emission, trace elements analysis, GUIPIXWIN software, NIST data, tandem Pelletron accelerator. Nous presentons ici une standardisation de la technique d'emission X induite par protons (EXIP/PIXE) pour l'analyse des elements traces dans des echantillons epais. Parce qu'ils sont largement disponibles, nous utilisons des materiaux de reference standards pour le titane, le cuivre et le fer. Le faisceau de protons est accelere jusqu'a 2,57 MeV par notre tandem Pelletron 5UDH-II et les echantillons sont irradies en variant la duree et la geometrie. Les spectres sont enregistres a l'aide d'un analyseur multicanaux et leur analyse se fait a l'aide du modele de Guelph (GUPIXWIN) pour determiner la concentration des elements traces. Nos resultats de mesure sont compares a des calculs theoriques et l'accord est tres bon. Mots-cles: emission X induite par protons, analyse des elements traces, ensemble logiciel du Groupe PIXE de Guelph, donnees de NIST, accelerateur tandem Pelletron., 1. Introduction The method of particle or proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) was reviewed by S.A.E. Johansson of Lund Institute of Science and Technology in 1970 [1]. This technique is [...]