Search

Abstract Climate change poses manifold consequences to the world’s ecosystems and human well-being. Greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate-friendly technological innovations at the corporate level are considered effective measures to mitigate climate change. Using the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) to analyze 178 enterprises listed in the Standard and Poor’s 500 companies from 2016 to 2021, this paper examines how companies’ climate risk-mitigating efforts can affect their market value. We found that emitted carbon dioxide negatively affects the stock price. Meanwhile, companies’ income and climate risk-mitigating efforts, including producing eco-friendly products, using renewable energy, and environmental investments, are positively associated with their share value. However, the effects of these efforts are conditional on the companies’ income. Based on these findings, we suggest that building an eco-surplus culture among investors and improving their climate change knowledge can be a promising approach to promoting a corporation’s mitigation efforts.

Abstract Background The limited availability of complex coronary intervention facilities and qualified operators, due to the high cost associated with chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous intervention (PCI) equipment and a shortage of necessary skills, has led to a scarcity of capable medical centers in Pakistan. This study seeks to examine the outcomes and potential complications associated with CTO PCI procedures conducted at the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories of a prominent national institute in Pakistan, which handles a large volume of cases. Results Three hundred and six patients were included in the study in the study period of six months. The mean age was 59.49 (± 9.16) years: 256 (83.66%) were male and 50 (16.34%) were female. CTO was successfully re-vascularized in 237 (77.5%) with a complication rate of 13.7%. Two hundred and ninety-eight (97.39%) patients underwent an antegrade approach, while RCA was the most common target vessel (47.71%). Diabetes was the only significant associated risk factor with CTO PCI failure (30.43% vs. 30.43%, P-value = 0.015). Conclusion We achieved an excellent procedural success rate with a low complication rate. CTO procedural failure is associated with a higher complication rate, and diabetes is among the risk factors that lead to higher procedural failure.

Background: Chiari malformations (CMs) encompass a range of clinicopathological conditions that exhibit diverse etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical characteristics. This study was done to compare the resolution of syringomyelia after posterior fossa decompression with and without duraplasty in Chiari malformation-1 (CM-1). Methods: This Quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, from January to November 2023. A non-probability, consecutive sampling technique was adopted. Thirty-two children of either gender, aged below 16 years, presenting with CM-1, and planned to undergo either posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty (PFDD) or posterior fossa decompression without duraplasty (PFD) were analyzed. Duration of procedure (minutes) estimated intra-operative blood loss (ml) and post-surgical complications were noted. Outcomes in terms of resolution or improvement in syringomyelia along with syrinx diameter were compared after 6 months. Qualitative variables were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and quantitative variables were assessed using independent sample t-tests with p

This work presents the development of a novel antifungal ternary approach that is eco-friendly, biocompatible, and cost-effective. It consists of Bryum argenteum extract, silver nanoparticles, and healing clay smectite. The research focuses on the green production of silver nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Bryum argenteum as a stabilizing and reducing agent, as well as the synthesis of clay dispersion and plant extract. The silver nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR, SEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and XRD. Using a standard phytochemical screening procedure, the aqueous, ethanolic, and acetonic extracts of Bryum argenteum were subjected to phytochemical screening. Silver nanoparticles and plant extract were evaluated for their antioxidant properties using DPPH scavenging activity at 517 nm. Using the agar well diffusion method, a number of investigations have been conducted on the antifungal potential of the proposed innovative ternary approach against Rhizopus oryzae (R. oryzae) and Aspergillus Niger (A. Niger). The color shift validated the silver nanoparticle generation, and the maximum absorbance at 432.11 nm was observed employing UV–Vis spectroscopy. Several functional groups responsible for the synthesis of AgNPs were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The particles are spherical in shape, with the range of 10 nm to 50 nm in size. Both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Bryum argenteum contain sterols, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, and terpenoids. AgNPs have stronger antioxidant activity in comparison to the aqueous extract of Bryum argenteum. Out of all the individual components, AgNPs demonstrated the strongest antifungal activity, with clay and plant extract coming in second and third, respectively. Additionally, their binary composition exhibits a synergistic effect with each combination. However, the ternary combination consisting of smectite clay, Bryum argenteum mediated silver nanoparticles, and Bryum argenteum extract showed exceptional antifungal efficiency against the mentioned fungus species. In respect to the zone of inhibition, the maximal antifungal activity was correlated with concentration and pH. Conclusion: It is concluded here that the proposed ternary system has significant antifungal potential. Future technological and medicinal studies will find this new ternary system to be an invaluable tool.

Abstract This paper contributes to the social science literature when analyzing survey or time series data social scientists use spurious regression without due consideration of its assumptions and the data structure. This results in misinterpretation and misleading conclusions about the population. The paper reviews basic statistical and econometrics literature which led to the development of modern time series analysis in the presence of spurious regression. It concludes that the term ‘Spurious’ was well known before the Granger and Yule’s work in time series context rather than cross-sectional data. The same reasons can produce spurious regression today and surely the solution doesn’t exist in the cointegration analysis. Social scientists and applied econometrician investigators need more serious thinking and care to avoid spurious regression, if it is necessary even if data is stationary or cross-sectional. In this study, we extended the Ghouse experiment which is based on simulated data by employing real-world data to assess the effectiveness of the newly proposed Ghouse Equation in comparison to conventional approaches. The findings demonstrate that the Ghouse Equation produces the lowest probability of spurious regression as compared to its counterparts. Moreover, in forecasting performance, Ghouse Equation outperformed its counterparts. These results highlight the Ghouse Equation as a valuable and better tool for econometric analysis for nonstationary time series.

In this paper, the study investigates the problem of the creeping flow of a non-Newtonian couple stress fluid through a linearly porous walled slit within a Darcy porous medium. The well-established approach, the Inverse Method approach, was employed to attain the precise solution of the governing equations. The inverse technique is utilized to transform the momentum equations into stream functions. The physical parameters are all computed: longitudinal velocity, transverse velocity, fractional reabsorption, leakage flux, axial pressure, volume flow rate, and mean pressure. The data was also graphed, indicating that the initial flow rate affects longitudinal velocity but not transverse velocity. The streamlines are greatly affected by the initial flow rate, resulting in straighter and more uniform patterns as the flow rate increases. Parameters like permeability and the couple stress parameter also have an impact on physical quantities. Because of the porosity parameter, backward flow occurs at the slit's end. The novelty of this research lies in the investigation of couple stress fluid flow within both linear channel walls and a porous medium. The present research focuses on how kidney disease affects fluid flow in renal tubules. It's critical because fibers, lipids, and waste particles can clog or disrupt these channels, lowering kidney performance. Understanding this helps in the management of kidney disease and provides insights for better biomedical engineering in the development of improved renal medicines.

Abstract Background Childhood vaccination is widely recognized as the most effective means to prevent various diseases. However, a considerable amount of children still miss out on their vaccination schedules. Therefore, this study explores the reasons for defaulting from the expanded program on immunization in district Swat, Pakistan. Methods A qualitative phenomenological approach was used. Data collection took place from March to September 2022. Thirty-six in-depth interviews were conducted with participants who had defaulter children. The collected qualitative data were analysed thematically to identify key patterns and themes related to the reasons for defaulting from childhood vaccination schedules. Results Six themes emerged, i.e., illness of the defaulter child at the scheduled time, perceived side effects of the vaccination, factors related to caregivers, myths and misconceptions, vaccinators attitudes and crowed vaccination centres, as well as poor immunization service arrangements. Four subthemes arose related to caregivers, such as lack of clear understanding about completion of vaccination, least priority for child’s vaccination, cultural restriction on mothers, and the loss of vaccination card. Conclusion According to the study’s findings, caregivers have their own perceptions regarding the non-completion of their children’s vaccination schedule. The childhood immunization defaulting arises from various factors including child illness, Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) concerns, misconceptions, improper injection techniques, and negative vaccinator attitudes. The vaccination completion rate may be increased if the concerns of the caregivers are appropriately addressed.

In order to predict and fill in the gaps in categorical datasets, this research looked into the use of machine learning algorithms. The emphasis was on ensemble models constructed using the Error Correction Output Codes (ECOC) framework, including models based on SVM and KNN as well as a hybrid classifier that combines models based on SVM, KNN, and MLP. Three diverse datasets—the CPU, Hypothyroid, and Breast Cancer datasets—were employed to validate these algorithms. Results indicated that these machine learning techniques provided substantial performance in predicting and completing missing data, with the effectiveness varying based on the specific dataset and missing data pattern. Compared to solo models, ensemble models that made use of the ECOC framework significantly improved prediction accuracy and robustness. Deep learning for missing data imputation has obstacles despite these encouraging results, including the requirement for large amounts of labeled data and the possibility of over-fitting. Subsequent research endeavors ought to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of deep learning algorithms in the context of the imputation of missing data.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a prevalent and serious condition causing a significant global mortality rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, CVD claimed the lives of approximately 19.1 million people, accounting for 33% of global fatalities. ECG is widely used for automatic detection of CVD using traditional machine learning; however, it is usually difficult to select optimal features. Addressing this issue, a scalable machine learning-based architecture is proposed for early CVD detection based optimal feature selection. This architecture aims to revolutionize healthcare by enabling timely diagnosis and treatment, reducing CVD-related fatalities. Comprising data collection, storage, and processing components, the system employs machine learning classifiers to predict patients’ heart conditions. Initially features are extracted from ECG signals then feature selection techniques like FCBF, MrMr, and relief, along with PSO-optimization are used to select optimal features. Extra Tree and Random Forest classifiers trained on the selected features have achieved notable performance rates with accuracy of 100% respectively. Furthermore, a comparison of the proposed method with state of the art on both small and large dataset is provided. The proposed system holds potential to revolutionize patient care and substantially lower CVD-related mortality, enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals. In summary, this architecture offers a promising solution to the pressing issue of CVD and paves the way for advanced healthcare systems.

Abstract Background Malnutrition causes nutrient deficiencies that have both physical and clinical consequences in severe acute malnutrition children. Globally, there were 47 million wasted children under the age of five in 2019. One in four were located in sub-Saharan Africa, with half being in South Asia. This study aims to apply the Boruta algorithm to identify the determinants of undernutrition among children under five living in Dera Ghazi Khan, one of the marginalized districts of densely populated Punjab Province in Pakistan. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 185 children with severe acute malnutrition aged under five years visiting the OTPs centers located in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect data using a pretested structured questionnaire from parents/caregivers regarding family sociodemographic characteristics, child nutrition, and biological and healthcare characteristics. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference, were collected. The Boruta models were used to incorporate the children’s anthropometric, nutritional, and household factors to determine the important predictive variables for undernutrition using the Boruta package in R studio. Results This study included 185 children, with a mean age of 15.36 ± 10.23 months and an MUAC of 10.19 ± 0.96 cm. The Boruta analysis identifies age, mid-upper arm circumference, weaning practices, and immunization status as important predictors of undernutrition. Income per month, exclusive breastfeeding, and immunization status were found to be key factors of undernutrition in children under the age of five. Conclusion This study highlights age, mid-upper arm circumference, weaning practices, and immunization status as key determinants of weight-for-height and weight-for-age in children under five years. It also suggests that economic context may influence undernutrition. The findings can guide targeted strategies for combating undernutrition.

Let $ S $ be a polynomial ring over a field and $ I $ be an edge ideal associated with some classes of circulant graphs. We discussed the algebraic invariants, namely, regularity, projective dimension, depth, and the Stanley depth of $ S/I. $

Anthracyclines exert cytotoxic effects on cancer cells through genotoxicity, inducing damage to their genetic material and impeding their reproductive capacity. The compound possesses a molecular framework consisting of an anthracycline ring system, which confers its pharmacological activity against cancer. Adriamycin is an anthracycline chemotherapeutic agent characterized by a structurally intricate chemical composition. In this article, we computed irregularity indices like the Albertson index, total irregularity index, Randić irregularity index and other degree-based irregularity indices to estimate the biological and chemical properties of Adriamycin. The findings are illustrated through the use of numerical figures and graphical representations. Further, we proposed the relationship between irregularity indices and the physicochemical properties of emetic drugs. We examined that the irregularity indices showed a statistically significant relationship with Molecular Weight, Monoisotopic Mass, Polar Surface Area, Heavy Atom Count, Complexity, Boiling Point, Enthalpy of Vaporization, Flash Point, Molar Refractivity and Polarizability based on the p-value (

Background: Epilepsy is fairly a frequent occurrence in the elderly. It is commonly diagnosed after the episode of two or more unprovoked seizures. Unprovoked seizures in elderly are recurrent rather than younger individuals. This study was designed to estimate the concrete burden of frequent causes of epilepsy. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with a total of 153 patients diagnosed case of epilepsy were included in this study at Jinnah Medical College Hospital from February 2018-August 2018. Mean was calculated for age, duration of disease of the patients. Causes of epilepsy, gender, and education was calculated and presented as percentages. Electrolyte readings were taken i.e., Sodium, Calcium and Magnesium levels and imaging was planned to rule out stroke, primary neurodegenerative disorders and tumors. Post stratification Chi square test was applied and p-value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.91±5.68 years and mean duration of the disease was 4.61± 1.07 months. The common causes of epilepsy were found to be cerebrovascular disease 56.9%, cryptogenic 54.2%, neurodegenerative disorder 20.3%, traumatic head injury 11.8%, metabolic abnormalities or electrolyte disturbances 10.5% and brain tumor 7.8%. Conclusion: Elderly patients with first seizure should present to a facility designed in a way that neurologist, cardiologist, rehabilitation and geriatrics work together to identify and treat the condition in a better way. Keywords: Epilepsy; Seizures; Cerebrovascular Disease; Neurodegenerative Disorder.

In a recent study, researchers investigated the flow behavior of Casson Hybrid nanofluids (HNFs) combination of single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), (MWCNTs) on a Riga plate for drug delivery applications. The study found that the Casson HNFs exhibited non-Newtonian behavior on the Riga plate, with the presence of nanoparticles causing an increase in viscosity and shear-thinning behavior. This rheological behavior is favorable for drug delivery applications as it improves the stability and dispersion of drug particles in the fluid. The similarity equations of the flow problem are easily tackled with the homotopy analysis method (HAM) built on fundamental homotopy mapping. In high-speed flows, Riga actuators are expected to achieve the requirements, since HNF is enhanced by modified Hartmann numbers. As the Eckert number, heat generation/absorption parameter, and thermal relaxation time parameter decrease the temperature, thermal transport increases. Furthermore, with the increments in paramount parameters, the skin friction coefficient and heat transfer rate are remarkably meliorated under higher modified Hartmann number. Furthermore, the study also found that the Casson Hybrid nanofluids showed enhanced heat transfer properties on the Riga plate, which is beneficial for localized drug delivery applications that require precise temperature control.

We compute the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity of the quotient rings of edge ideals of perfect [ν,h]-ary trees and some unicyclic graphs.

Superlattices are periodic arrangements of two or more different materials on a nanoscale. Ge-Sb-Te (Germanium-Antimony-Tellurium) superlattices are a type of material used in phase-change memory (PCM) technology. PCM is a non-volatile memory technology that relies on the reversible phase transition between amorphous and crystalline states in certain materials. This phase-change property, combined with the non-volatile nature of the material, makes it suitable for applications like phase-change memory in electronic devices. Topological and entropy indices are the mathematical tools that are helpful to estimate the physico-chemical characteristics of chemical compounds. In this article, we have calculated some reduced reverse degree-based topological indices and entropy indices for Ge-Sb-Te superlattice. Ravi et al. [32] examined the statistically significant relationship of reduced reverse degree-based topological indices with physico-chemical characteristics of drug structures and proposed regression models using entropy indices. In this context, our computed results can be helpful in predicting the physico-chemical characteristics of Ge-Sb-Te superlattices.

Diabetes is a long-term metabolic disease epitomized by postprandial hyperglycemia. The prolonged use of synthetic drugs renders distinct side effects, necessitating the development of safe and cost-effective substitutes. The aim of the current study is to isolate, evaluate the antidiabetic potential and HPLC method development for simultaneous estimation of antidiabetic compounds from the leaves of Tradescantia pallida. The leaves were extracted, fractionated and subjected to column chromatography. The isolated compounds' antidiabetic potential was evaluated using α-amylase and glycosylation of hemoglobin assays. The study employed molecular docking to scrutinize interactions between antidiabetic compounds and human α-amylase and hemoglobin protein. Prime MM-GBSA calculations determined binding energies of ligand–protein complexes. Further analysis of morin and catechin involved exploring dynamic and thermodynamic constraints through molecular dynamics simulations under specific biological conditions. A rapid HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of isolated compounds. The column chromatography culminated in the isolation of four antidiabetic compounds (syringic acid, catechin, p-coumaric acid and morin). The in vitro analyses revealed that morin and catechin exhibited 72.67 % and 78 % α-amylase inhibition and 67 % and 71.66 % inhibition of hemoglobin glycosylation, respectively. In silico studies substantiated the in vitro assay, confirming the stability of catechin and morin complexes via root mean square deviation analysis. Interactions, encompassing hydrophilic, hydrophobic, water bridges, and ionic interactions, identified key residues involved in these processes. The validated HPLC method exhibited excellent correlation coefficients ranged from 0.9909 to 0.9997. The antidiabetic compounds were quantified from the extract in the range of 0.072 – 0.160 µg/mL. The study concluded that the isolated compounds from Tradescantia pallida have remarkable antidiabetic activity, and the developed method can be successfully used for the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in Tradescantia pallida and other plant-derived matrix.

The Charter of Madinah is not the world's first written constitution though it has the highest covenant and constitutional characteristics in terms of its content and meaning. The covenant is a distinct constitution emblematic of the Quran and Sunnah. In the light of this constitution, not only Ansaar and Muhajirin but Jews and other minorities lived amicably in Madinah. The Charter of Madinah carries all the fundamental features that an ideal constitution should have. According to the treaty, Madinah was considered the 1st Islamic state which had won acceptance of all the Jewish tribes and clans of other minorities living within the premises of Madinah. In the constitution, the rights of Muslims were explicitly mentioned and it was ensured that rights of all minorities are protected. The treaty was held abiding by all the residents of Medina and all were required to observe the rights of each other. Some historians report that the Magna Carta was the first International treaty or constitution which was reportedly written down in 1215 during the era of King John-I of England. In this article, a comparative analysis has been made between both constitutions focusing the minorities’ rights.

Abstract Most of the breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive recurring with a steady rate of up to 20 years dysregulating the normal cell cycle. Dinaciclib is still in clinical trials and considered as a research drug against such cancers targeting CDK2. The major goal of this study was to identify the potential inhibitors of CDK-2 present in Moringa oleifera for treating hormonal receptor positive breast cancers. For this purpose, in silico techniques; molecular docking, MM-GBSA and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to screen Moringa oleifera compounds and their anticancer potential was determined against CDK-2 protein targets. Among 36 compounds of Moringa oleifera reported in literature, chlorogenic acid (1), quercetin (2), ellagic acid (3), niazirin (4), and kaempferol (5) showed good affinity with the target. The interaction of the compounds was visualized using PYMOL software. The profiles of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) and toxicity were determined using SWISS and ProTox II webservers. The MTT assay was performed in-vitro using MCF-7 cancer cell lines to validate the anticancer potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract. MTT assay results revealed no significant change in proliferation of Mcf-7 cells following 24 h treatment with fraction A (petroleum ether). However, significant antiproliferative effect was observed at 200 µg/mL dose of fraction B (ethyl acetate) and cell viability was reduced to 40%. In conclusion, the data suggested that all the compounds with highest negative docking score than the reference could be the potential candidates for cyclin dependent kinase-2 (CDK-2) inhibition while ellagic acid, chlorogenic acid and quercetin being the most stable and potent inhibitors to treat estrogen receptor positive breast cancer targeting CDK-2. Moreover, the data suggested that further investigation is required to determine the optimum dose for significant antiproliferative effects using in-vivo models to validate our findings of in-silico analysis.

Boost converters are widely used in industry for many applications, such as electrical vehicles, wind energy systems, and photovoltaic energy systems, to step up the low voltages. Using the topology structure of the DC–DC boost circuit, this paper studied and designed a dual loop control method based on proportional integral controllers for improving the converter efficiency. The inner loop and outer loop controls of the traditional boost circuit are adopted in MATLAB/Simulink software to make the output of the system more stable. The input voltage is set to 24 V DC, and the desired output voltage varies from 36 to 48 V. Through simulation verification, the influence of a 1 kW sudden load connection by using a switch at a nominal output voltage of 48 V DC is studied, and the results show that it reduces the transient output voltage dips during the sudden load connection. Simulation analysis verifies the design scheme of the system, reduces the fluctuation in output voltage and power, reduces the output current ripple, minimizes the dip in voltage to a minimum possible value, and improves the dynamic characteristics and overall efficiency of the converter.

An innovative design of extended fins in the form of arrow fins is optimized for high performance heat transfer in a double pipe heat exchanger (DPHX). The arrow fins are designed within the trapezoidal fin to save material, weight, cost and making energy-efficient DPH. The arrow fins are investigated for the first time in DPHX. The FEM approach is used for computational simulation of the present work. A thermal boundary condition of constant heat flux is imposed on the arrow fins and inner pipe assembly. The results are computed in terms of fRe, Nusselt number and j-factor. The results dictate that the geometrical configurations of arrow DPHX for a significant rise in the values of the Nusselt number are: 80 % height of arrow fins is recommended when the number of arrow fins varies from 6 to 24, 20 % height for 30 arrow fins in the case of smaller values of radii ratio (Rˆ). For larger values of Rˆ, 20 % height of arrow fins may be selected for M=6&30, while for arrow fins varying from 12 to 24, H*=0.8 is recommended. On comparison of the thermal performance of the arrow-finned DPHX with the trapezoidal-finned DPHX, the maximum rise of the Nusselt number and j-factor are 113.2 % and 124.2 %, respectively. The proposed design of arrow-finned DPHX has advantages over the design of trapezoidal finned DPHX due to the significant decrease both in manufacturing cost and weight, increased thermal performance, and saving energy.

Of late, intensive agricultural practices are often associated with many negative implications for soil systems, such as decline in soil organic matter and biological diversity, and increase in the risk of soil erosion, and degradation of soil physical quality. However, conservation agriculture (CA) offers minimum soil disturbance, improving and creating more efficient use of natural resources, enhancing use efficiency of external inputs and increasing soil functioning, organic matter content, and biodiversity. However, CA practices need to be redefined at the specific field level or growing conditions to promote sustainable production system without deteriorating soil health, and to manage profitability. Therefore, a fixed-site field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different tillage and residue management practices; CT0 (puddled transplanted rice followed by conventional tilled wheat sown with residue removal); CTR (puddled transplanted rice followed by conventional tilled wheat sown with residue retention); NT0 (direct seeded rice followed by zero-tilled wheat sown with residue removal); NTR (direct seeded rice followed by zero-tilled wheat sown with residue retention) on soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and grain yield of rice–wheat double cropping system. The results showed that the mean SOC stock increased by 31%, 21.9% and 15.3% and by 35.2%, 22% and 17% under NTR, CTR, and NT0 compared with CT0. Furthermore, the SOC sequestration rate in NTR was significantly higher than other treatments. Particulate organic carbon (POC) concentration was 58.4% higher in 0–15 cm than 15–30 cm soil layer, and the maximum concentration was recorded under NTR and minimum was under CT0. The highest average rice grain yield was recorded under CTR, which was 5.5%, 16.2% and 24.3% higher than CT0, NTR and NT0, respectively. Both NTR and CTR produced more average wheat yield, which was 8.4% and 8.5% higher than CT0 and NT0, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) also showed that cumulative cropping system yield and SOC were increased under CTR, NTR as compared to other treatments. Therefore, it can be drawn that residue retention could be a useful management practice to increase SOC stock and grain yield under both tillage practices in the rice–wheat cropping system.

Saffron, the "golden spice" derived from Crocus sativus L., is renowned for its richness in secondary metabolites such as crocin and safranal, contributing to its unique properties. Facing challenges like decreasing global production, optimizing cultivation techniques becomes imperative for enhanced yields. Although the impact of factors like planting density, planting depth, spacing, and corm size on saffron growth has been studied, the interaction between corm size and planting depth remains underexplored. This study systematically investigates the interactive effects of corm size and planting depth on saffron growth and yield, providing evidence-based guidelines for optimizing cultivation. A factorial experiment, employing a completely randomized design, was conducted to assess the influence of corm size (05-10g, 10.1-15g, 15.1-20g) and planting depth (10cm, 15cm, 20cm) on saffron yield. Uniform-sized corms were obtained, and a suitable soil mixture was prepared for cultivation. Morphological and agronomic parameters were measured, and statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test. The study revealed that planting depth significantly affected saffron emergence. The corms sown under 15cm depth showed 100% emergence regardless of corm size (either 05-10g, 10.1-15g, 15.1-20g) followed by 10cm depth corms. Corm dry weight exhibited a complex interaction, where larger corms benefited from deeper planting, while intermediate-sized corms thrived at shallower depths. Similar patterns were observed in shoot fresh weight and dry weight. Specifically, the largest corm size (t3, 15.1-20g) produced the greatest fresh-weight biomass at the deepest planting depth of 20cm (T3), while intermediate-sized corms (t2, 10.1-15g) were superior at the shallowest 10cm depth (T1). The total plant biomass demonstrated that larger corms excelled in deeper planting, while intermediate-sized corms were optimal at moderate depths. This research highlights the intricate interplay between corm size and planting depth in influencing saffron growth. Larger corms generally promote higher biomass, but the interaction with planting depth is crucial. Understanding these dynamics can aid farmers in tailoring cultivation practices for optimal saffron yields. The study emphasizes the need for a coordinated approach to corm selection and depth placement, providing valuable insights for sustainable saffron production and economic growth.

In recent decades, because of the speedy progress of the smart grid and the deepening of the reforms of the energy system, demand-side users can contribute to the collaboration of the energy network, with the main right to public energy procurement and the main right to sell energy. The demand side of the smart grid and the open energy market provides users with more adoptions, and game theory is expected to become an important tool for optimizing multi-stakeholder decision-making and solving many problems in this area. In this regard, this review article first reviews the recent development of game theory application in modern power systems, in addition to discussing in detail the typical gaming behavior of the current energy demand side. Second, it focuses on the application of game theory mainly in three aspects: distributed energy users, high-energy energy users, and medium- and low-energy users. Game theory is used in optimizing the distributed energy coordination, optimizing the energy purchasing strategy, responding to the needs of commercial and residential users, and ensuring network communication. Later, a comprehensive analysis of recent trends in game theory application in power systems is carried out in detail.

This study examined the effects of cognitive and affective-based trust on knowledge sharing among students, which influences learning performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was conducted with 730 participants, and analysis was carried out using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on the uses and gratifications (U&G) theory. The results showed that cognitive and affective trust significantly affects students’ knowledge sharing behavior on Facebook, which further influences learning performance. This study also showed that social media had become a tool for social interaction and learning, which is crucial to students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comorbidities associated with obesity, including diabetes and kidney diseases, greatly increase mortality rates and healthcare costs in obese patients. Studies in animal models and clinical trials have demonstrated that L-serine supplementation is a safe and effective therapeutic approach that ameliorates the consequences of obesity. However, little is known about the effects of L-Serine supplementation following high-fat diet (HFD) consumption and its role in the mRNA expression of markers of kidney injury. We provide a descriptive action by which L-serine administration ameliorated the consequences of HFD consumption in relation to weight loss, glucose homeostasis as well as renal mRNA expression of markers of kidney injury. Our results indicated that L-Serine supplementation in drinking water (1%, ad libitum for 12 weeks) in male C57BL/6J mice promoted a significant reduction in body weight, visceral adipose mass (epididymal and retroperitoneal fat pads) as well as blood glucose levels in mice consuming a HFD. In addition, the amino acid significantly reduced the mRNA expression of the Kidney Injury Marker 1 (KIM-1), P2Y purinoceptor 1 (P2RY1), as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNFα). L-serine administration had no effect on mice consuming a standard chow diet. Collectively, our findings suggest that L-serine is an effective compound for long-term use in animal models and that it ameliorates the metabolic consequences of HFD consumption and reduces the elevated levels of renal pro-inflammatory cytokines occurring in obesity.

OBJECTIVES To establish the diagnostic yield of blood cultures among patients admitted with non-focal pyrexias. METHODOLOGY This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from August 2020 to April 2021. One hundred ninety-seven patients with non-focal pyrexia were recruited. Data about age, gender, presence of other illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, history of smoking and duration of fever were noted. A thorough clinical evaluation was done. Under aseptic conditions, 2 blood culture sets were taken. The final blood culture report was collected after 5 days of incubation in culture media. The culture was labelled positive if any organism was isolated from the sample. All data was entered in specially designed proforma. Patients with positive blood cultures were managed as per hospital protocols. Confidentiality of data was ensured. RESULTS Our study shows that among 197 patients, 18(9%) had positive cultures, while 179(91%) did not yield any pathogen on blood culture. Escherichia coli was the most commonly grown organism among the positive blood cultures. CONCLUSION The yield of blood culture was 9% in febrile patients admitted to the medical ward of a tertiary care hospital.

The ability of the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology to prevent losses by stabilizing power fluctuations during severe weather conditions is critical in improving photovoltaic power generation systems. Overall system stability is improved by carefully tracing the maximum power point (MPP). This research focuses on improving MPPT performance in solar systems by employing the ''Fuzzy Logic'' control method. The simulation, which is run in MATLAB/Simulink, includes a detailed model of the entire system. The primary circuit is designed with a DC-DC Boost architecture and a single MOSFET transistor. The Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) unit in MATLAB/Simulink generates an output variable led by two input variables via the Fuzzy Logic Controller unit. The Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) unit generates an output variable led by two input variables in MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation model, called ''Fuzzy Disturbance,'' combines Perturb & Observe with Fuzzy Logic and runs for 3 s. The results show an essential increase in system efficiency to 97%. The simulation results show that the suggested approach tracks MPP, reduces output power fluctuations, and improves system efficiency.

Antibiotics are more effective against intracellular bacterial infections. However, with continuous administration of antibiotics, cells acquire drug resistance. The bioconjugated Geranyl and farnesyl penicillin G is the best antibiotic to reduce the replication of bacteria inside the cells as compared to untreated cells. Topological index is a technique used for understanding the fundamental topology of chemical compounds investigated by the quantitative structure-properties relationship (QSPR). Özge Çolakoğlu Havare [43] developed the QSPR relation between M-polynomial indices and physiochemical characteristics. In this article, we have calculated the degree-based M-polynomial indices for the geranyl and farnesyl penicillin G bioconjugate structure. Based on the results of Özge Çolakoğlu Havare article, we can say that our computed results for antibiotic drug are helpful for predicting the physiochemical characteristics.

Recruitment of adequate number of healthy volunteers is vital for success of clinical trials but there is limited research on factors motivating the healthy volunteers to participate in clinical trials especially in developing countries. Pakistani researchers also faced the problems in enrollment of enough healthy volunteers during COVID-19 pandemic when a number of clinical trials began in Pakistan. Around 117 research proposals were processed by the National Bioethics Committee (NBC) of Pakistan in last two years. A major proportion of these clinical research studies target healthy populations as primary research subjects or as controls. Numerous studies have investigated factors such as motives, barriers, risks. benefits and ethical values affecting recruitment and participation of healthy volunteers in clinical trials. We have reviewed the literature to learn about factors that motivate or prevent the healthy persons to volunteer along with the pertaining ethical issues. Financial incentive is the principal motive for healthy volunteers to participate in clinical trials along with altruism, contribution to sciences, research and other people’s health, desire to take part in something important, learning more about science and medicine, access to healthcare & free medical checkup and prospects of one’s social network expansion whereas time inconvenience, confidentiality, possible side effects & route of administration of drug and fear of contacting the disease were identified as important barriers. Application of knowledge of these motives and barriers will help Pakistani researchers to enroll adequate number of healthy volunteer for their clinical trials.

This article is mainly concerned with computations of some algebraic invariants of quotient rings of edge ideals of perfect [h,d]-ary trees and unicyclic graphs. We compute exact values of depth and Stanley depth and consequently projective dimension for above mentioned quotient rings, except for the one special case of unicyclic graph for which best possible bounds of Stanley depth are given.

Abstract Background Oral diseases are one of the major public health problems worldwide and affect the population of all age groups. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions and practices of caregivers at care centres and boarding religious schools responsible for managing children’s oral health. Methods A qualitative ethnomethodological approach was used to collect data from the caregivers at the children’s religious schools and foster care centres. A purposive sampling technique was used to conduct focus group discussions comprising 4–7 caregivers from five foster care centres and religious schools located in Lahore, Pakistan. An interview guide was developed based on results from previous studies. An inductive approach was used to analyse data on broader oral health concepts to generate themes in this qualitative research. A three-step thematic analysis was applied to develop codes that were merged to generate categories and to conclude into themes from the transcribed data. Five focus group discussions were conducted at two foster care centres (FG1 & FG2) and three religious schools (FG3, FG4 & FG5). Foster care centres had children of both gender within the same premises; however, religious schools had segregated settings. Results The following four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: development of the desired living environment and responsibilities of the caregivers, preexisting traditional personal knowledge of the caregivers determine children’s oral health, use of religio-cultural driven and convenience-based oral hygiene practices, and ethnomedicine, spiritual healing, and self-medication. Development and the existing living environment of the foster care centres and religious schools appeared important to manage the matters of the boarding children. Conclusions This qualitative study concludes that the oral health of the children at foster care centres and at religious schools depends upon the personal reasoning and pre-existing religio-cultural knowledge of the caregivers rather than on specialized oral health-oriented approaches. The foster care centres are more involved in supervising the children to maintain oral hygiene and oral health compared to religious schools.

Obesity produces a systemic low-grade inflammation associated with many adverse health conditions and, as we recently learned, with complications of COVID-19. Functional studies in animal models have demonstrated that asperuloside, an iridoid glycoside found in many medicinal plants, has produced promising anti-obesity results. However, the safety profile and the anti-inflammatory properties of asperuloside remain unknown. Here, we confirmed the previously reported anti-obesity properties of asperuloside, and, importantly, we performed toxicity studies assessing cell viability providing a dose reference for future animal experiments. Asperuloside significantly reduced blood levels of leptin and the mRNA levels of orexigenic peptides, such as NPY and AgRP in mice consuming HFD, with no effect on mice eating a standard chow diet. In addition, our results indicate that ASP reduced both hypothalamic and hepatic mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α as well as the blood levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which are known to play a major role in the development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular complications. Collectively, our findings suggest that asperuloside is a safe compound for long-term use in animal models and that it reduces the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines occurring in obesity.

Online assessment in medical education is relatively new and there is a paucity of literature available on this topic. The objective of this scoping review was to conduct a systematic search of the published literature on the challenges of conducting online assessments in undergraduate medical and dental curricula. The literature was searched in the recommended electronic databases. The search terms used were “online assessments, e-assessments, computer-assisted assessments, online assessment challenges and opportunities, online assessments in medical education, reliability and validity of online assessments, and online assessments during COVID-19 pandemic” in PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, SpringerLink, and Ovid. After screening, 21 full-text articles were included in this scoping review. The data were charted independently and synthesized to present the findings.Most of the studies included in this review were published in the year 2020 and 2021(till September). Half of the studies (50%) reported that cheating and plagiarism are the most common challenges in online assessments, while a similar number of studies highlighted the issues faced by the teachers in making and conducting online assessments. Similarly, 22% of the studies emphasized the concerns raised by the students, while another 22% reported the technical and financial issues faced by the institutions in conducting online assessments. It was revealed that during COVID-19 the biggest challenge for the educational system was to switch to online assessments, as the educational system was not ready for it. Few studies (16%) reported that the issues of reliability and validity of online assessments are still to uncover. This scoping review may help to lay the foundation for more empirical future studies on the challenges of conducting online assessments in the undergraduate medical and dental curricula in Pakistan.

FDA approved transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for the treatment of symptomatic aortic valve (AV) stenosis. Recent evidence reveals that TAVR is the treatment of choice in most patients with AV stenosis who are at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Per AHA guidelines, repeat valve replacement has been recommended for bio-prosthetic AV stenosis. Urgent TAVR for hemodynamically unstable patients with prosthetic AV stenosis is not supported by significant scientific data. However, there have been a few cases reported on emergency TAVR procedures in hemodynamically unstable patients with severe native AV stenosis. We are reporting a unique case of successful emergency TAVR in a hemodynamically unstable patient, who had severe symptomatic bio-prosthetic AV stenosis at the time of presentation.

Abstract This study uses the gravity model to estimate the effects of food safety regulations implemented by the partner countries on agri‐food exports of China. Annual bilateral trade data are compiled for major agrifood export items of China like apples, kidney beans, garlic, mandarins and orange, meat of swine, and tea. The panel data are estimated using both the fixed‐ and random‐effect models. Results of the study show that all the standard gravity‐type variables carry signs according to prior expectations and economic theory. The study concludes that food safety regulations have no effect on exports of all the selected commodities except meat of swine.

In this paper, we study depth and Stanley depth of the quotient rings of the edge ideals associated to triangular and multi triangular snake and triangular and multi triangular ouroboros snake graphs. In some cases, we find exact values, otherwise, we find tight bounds. We also find lower bounds for the edge ideals of triangular and multi triangular snake and ouroboros snake graphs and prove a conjecture of Herzog for all edge ideals we considered.

OBJECTIVES Frequency of congenital heart disease in patients with Down syndrome. METHODOLOGY This study was conducted in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from 10th May 2021 to 9th November 2021. A total of 377 patients of age 1 to 10 years and both gender were included in the study. Those with already diagnosed cases of congenital heart disease and dysmorphic features other than Down syndrome were excluded from the study. All patients were undergone echocardiography and patient with PDA, VSD, ASD, ASVSD, and TOF were labeled as having congenital heart diseases. RESULTS Mean age was 5.96 ±1.954, Males were 176 (46.7%) while females were 201 (53.3%), Mean birth weight was 3.45 ± 0.801 kg, Mean age of the mother was 38.25 ± 6.797 years, Congenital heart diseases were present in 157 (41.6%) of the patient while it was not present in 220 (58.4%) of patients, there was no association between congenital heart disease and age of mother, age of the child, sex of child or weight of the child (P >0.05). CONCLUSION Congenital heart disease is very common in patients with Down syndrome. It is recommended that at the time of diagnosis of this disease, the patient should be screened for congenital heart disease.

Abstract Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) is a promising candidate for photodetector applications boasting unique material benefits and remarkable optoelectronic properties. Achieving high‐performance self‐powered Sb2Se3 photodetector through a synergistic regulation of absorber layer and heterojunction interface demonstrates great potential and needs essential investigation. In this study, an effective two‐step thermodynamic/kinetic deposition technique containing sputtered and selenized Sb precursor is implemented to induce self‐assembled growth of Sb2Se3 light absorbing thin film with large crystal grains and desirable [hk1] orientation, presenting considerable thin‐film photodetector performance. Furthermore, aluminum (Al3+) cation dopant is introduced to modify the optoelectronic properties of CdS buffer layer, and further optimize the Sb2Se3/CdS (Al) heterojunction interface quality. Thanks to the suppressed carrier recombination and enhanced carrier transport kinetics, the champion Mo/Sb2Se3/CdS (Al)/ITO/Ag photodetector exhibits self‐powered and broadband characteristics, accompanied by simultaneously high responsivity of 0.9 A W−1 (at 11 nW cm−2), linear dynamic range of 120 dB, impressive ON/OFF switching ratio over 106 and signal‐to‐noise ratio of 109, record total noise determined realistic detectivity of 4.78 × 1012 Jones, and ultra‐fast response speed with rise/decay time of 24/75 ns, representing the top level for Sb2Se3‐based photodetectors. This intriguing work opens up an avenue for its self‐powered broadband photodetector applications.

Microplastic pollution has become a global concern, with potential negative impacts on various ecosystems and wildlife species. Among these species, ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) are particularly vulnerable due to their feeding habits and proximity to aquatic environments contaminated with microplastics. The current study was designed to monitor microplastic (MP) pollutants in the freshwater ecosystem of the Panjkora River, Lower Dir, Pakistan. A total of twenty (20) duck samples were brought up for four months and 13 days on the banks of the river, with no food intake outside the river. When they reached an average weight of 2.41 ± 0.53 kg, all samples were sacrificed, dissected, and transported in an ice box to the laboratory for further analysis. After sample preparation, such as digestion with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH), density separation, filtration, and identification, the MP content was counted. A total of 2033 MP particles were recovered from 20 ducks with a mean value of 44.6 ± 15.8 MPs/crop and 57.05 ± 18.7 MPs/gizzard. MPs detected in surface water were 31.2 ± 15.5 MPs/L. The major shape types of MPs recovered were fragments in crop (67%) and gizzard (58%) samples and fibers in surface water (56%). Other types of particles recovered were fibers, sheets, and foams. The majority of these detected MP particles were in the size range of 300–500 µm (63%) in crops, and 50–150 µm (55%) in gizzards, while in water samples the most detected particles were in the range of 150–300 µm (61%). Chemical characterization by FTIR found six types of polymers. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) had the greatest polymer detection rate (39.2%), followed by polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (28.3%), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (22.7%), polystyrene (6.6%), co-polymerized polypropylene (2.5%), and polypropylene homopolymer (0.7%). This study investigated the presence of microplastics in the crops and gizzards of ducks, as well as in river surface water. The results revealed the significant and pervasive occurrence of microplastics in both the avian digestive systems and the surrounding water environment. These findings highlight the potential threat of microplastic pollution to wildlife and ecosystems, emphasizing the need for further research and effective mitigation strategies to address this pressing environmental concern.

In this paper, we find values of depth, Stanley depth, and projective dimension of the quotient rings of the edge ideals associated with r-fold bristled graphs of ladder graphs, circular ladder graphs, some king’s graphs, and circular king’s graphs.

Classification is a common problem in various fields of life, and the key challenging task in data mining. The primary objective of the classification process is to classify the given dataset in a defined class label for all data. Many research papers widely used classification in the medical sector. Various researches have been carried out to classify medical data using different techniques, such as High Order Neural Network (HONN) combined with Back-Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) as a learning algorithm. Due to the increased data complexity, the back-propagation algorithm faced problems of slow convergence. The Back-Propagation (BP) using the gradient descent technique has the possibility of getting stuck in local minima. So, the BP algorithm may cause difficulties in finding the global minima of the error function. This paper proposed a high-order Functional Link Neural Network (FLNN). The proposed FLNN model is integrated with a metaheuristic-based searching algorithm called Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization (APSO). The performance of the proposed Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization Functional Link Neural Network (APSOFLNN) model is validated with various medical datasets and compared to traditional techniques such as Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization Functional Link Back-Propagation (APSOFLBP), and Artificial Bee Colony Functional Link Neural Network (ABCFLNN). The simulation results showed that the proposed APSOFLNN algorithm for the used benchmarked datasets shows good results in terms of the mean square error (MSE) and accuracy in comparison to the traditional techniques.

Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss has a great nutritional value and delicious taste. A 90-days experimental trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary leaf extract of neem tree Azadirachta indica as a feeding supplement on the growth performance and proximate composition of O. mykiss. Four experimental diets were designed as T1 (with 5% A. indica leaf extract), T2 (with 7% of A. indica leaf extract), T3 (with 10% A. indica leaf extract), and T4 (control group feed with a regular diet with 0% A. indica leaf extract). The average initial weight of fry 0.4 ± 0.14 g was stocked at 25 fish/tank with two replicates per treatment (4 × 2 = 8). After 90 days of the experimental trial, One-way ANOVA showed significant differences in final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and survival rate among the treatment groups (p 0.05). The phenomenal regression indicates that 7.5% A. indica inclusion is optimum for best growth performance for rainbow trout under a controlled environment. Thus, the present study suggests that the dietary leaf extract has performed an excellent nutritional supplement by enhancing growth performance and health conditions of rainbow trout in the hatchery conditions.

Objective: To determine the association of dryness of eyes with rheumatoid arthritis severity. Method: The cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at the Jinnah Medical College Hospital, Karachi, from December 2020 to May 2021, and comprised adult patients of either gender with rheumatoid arthritis who were diagnosed on the basis of clinical and serological investigations. Data was collected using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaires with Tear Film Breakup Time were used to assess the severity of dry eyes. Disease Activity Score-28 with erythrocyte sedimentation rate was used to assess the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. Association between the two was explored. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Results: Of the 61 patients, 52(85.2%) were females and 9(14.8%) were males. The overall mean age was 41.7±12.8 years, with 4(6.6%) aged 60years. Further, 46(75.4%) subjects had sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis, 25(41%) had high severity, 30(49.2%) had severe Occular Surface Density Index score and 36(59%) had decreased Tear Film Breakup Time. Logistic Regression analysis showed there were 5.45 times higher odds of having severe disease among the people with Occular Surface Density Index score >33 (p=0.003). In patients with positive Tear Film Breakup Time, there were 6.25 higher odds of having increased disease activity score (p=0.001). Conclusion: Disease activity scores of rheumatoid arthritis were found to have strong association with dryness of eyes, high Ocular Surface Disease Index score and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Key Words: Rheumatoid arthritis, Tear film breakup time, Disease activity score-28, Dry eye, Ocular surface disease index.

This study is aimed at investigating the motivational needs of Pakistani Facebook users and intended to develop a scale to measure motivation to use Facebook among Pakistani users. Opting uses and gratifications theory and reviewing the relevant literature, the researchers developed a scale comprised of six motivations. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with the university students, and 1245 university students participated in this study. The results of first- and second-order confirmatory analyses indicate that the scale was reliable and had construct validity as well. This scale confirmed six motivations as motivational needs of Pakistani Facebook users. This scale covers both social and personal needs. The findings of this study confirm that Facebook users utilize Facebook for various purposes.

A 105-day experimental trial was conducted to assess different levels of dietary Aleo vera extract supplementation on water quality parameters, proximate composition, growth performance and haematological parameters of fry Oreochromis niloticus. Four different percentages of dietary leaf extract powder of Aleo vera (ALE) with a basal feed, designated as, i.e., T0 (Control group; without ALE), T1 (1% ALE), T2 (2% ALE), and T3 (3% ALE). Fish fry was reared in concrete tanks (7.0 m, 1.6 m, 1.0: L, W, H; water volume 11.2 m3/tank), with an average initial weight 4.04 ± 0.03 g/ fry, and each treatment was triplicated. Fry was randomly distributed at a stocking rate of 450 individuals/ tanks. The water quality parameters revealed that temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrates were found in a promising range as given by FAO/WHO limits. However, the record values obtained for Electric Conductivity (EC), Total dissolved solids (TDS), and alkalinities were not found in all tanks' suitable range according to FAO/WHO limits. The results revealed a significant impact of different percentages of dietary ALE supplementation on fry's body composition and haematological parameters. Moreover, the final body weight, final body length, average daily weight gain (g), net weight gain (g) and specific growth rate (%) were significantly higher (p

Bela Ophiolite and suture zone host several types of gemstones in the underlain and overlain rocks such as garnet (demantoid and almandine), quartz, brucite, malachite, chrysocolla, azurite, calcite, natrolite, green chert, jasper, serpentine, agate, epidote, augite and prehnite. However, the rare gemstones including demantoid garnet are found as dodecahedron green crystals associated with the altered peridotite rocks such as serpentinite. Brucite is found in the botryoidal habit in the ultramafic rocks of Bela Ophiolite associated with the chromite mines in the Baran Lak and Amorzai area of Wadh in the host rock dunite. The serpentine is found in several locations associated with the altered ultramafic rocks formed after the serpentinization of peridotite. Furthermore, one of the rare gemstones such as petroleum and diamond quartz is formed due to the hydrothermal intrusion in the sedimentary rocks such as limestone; calcite also occurs in limestone as dogtooth crystals. While azurite, malachite and chrysocolla are formed as secondary deposits in the oxidized zone of copper and sulphide mines in the Manjawi, Nal and Sonaro associated adjacent to basalt. Moreover, epidote is found as green crystals having porphyritic texture in the host rock granite mainly in the Bakhalo area, Wadh. Agate, jasper, green chert and several other kinds of chert are found associated with the basalt chert unit in the mélange and gossan. In addition to that natrolite is found in the Nal ophiolite mainly in the Hazarghanji town found associated with the cracks and vugs of dolerite dykes as fibrous and cylindrical crystals. In metamorphic sole rocks of Bela Ophiolite in the Sonaro area, marble and quartzite are associated with the metamorphic rocks such as greenschist and amphibolite facies that are formed during the e volution period of the ophiolite. In pegmatite gabbro, the elongated and prismatic black crystals of augite are found in the host rock gabbro near the Ornach cross area, and the prehnite gemstone is found associated with the basalt and gabbroic rocks transition zone in the Ornach area.

The issue of microplastic (MP) pollution is one of the most pressing environmental problems faced today and for the future. Plastics are ubiquitous due to their exponential use and mismanagement, resulting in the accumulation of fragments across the world. Hence, the problem of MP pollution is aggravated when these plastic items disintegrate into smaller particles due to different physical, chemical, and environmental factors. The consumption of these MP pollutants by wildlife is a worldwide concern and a potentially crucial risk for all ecosystems. Consequently, MPs have caused a wide variety of problems for both public health and wildlife concerning vital life processes—specifically reproduction, which is critical to species’ survival in an ecosystem. Despite MPs’ detrimental effects on wildlife reproduction, it remains unclear how MPs can affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. This review highlights the significant reproductive toxicity of MPs in wildlife, with potentially devastating consequences for human health. The findings emphasize the urgency of developing effective solutions for mitigating the adverse effects of MP pollution on the reproductive systems of wildlife and preserving the integrity of aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging environmental health concern due to their widespread occurrence in food sources such as fish, meat, chicken, honey, sugar, salt, tea and drinking water, thereby posing possible risks to human health. This study aimed to observe the existence of MPs in the crop and gizzard of the farm chicken, a significant food source in Pakistan. Twenty-four chicken samples were taken from eight poultry farms across Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1227 MP particles were found from 24 samples (crop and gizzards) originating from the 8 poultry farms. In all, 429 MP particles were found in 24 chicken crops, with a mean of 17.8 ± 12.1 MPs/crop. In contrast, 798 MP particles were found in 24 chicken gizzards, with a mean of 33.25 ± 17.8 MPs/gizzard. Comparatively larger particles, ranging between 300–500 µm, were more abundant (63%) than other considered sizes (300–150 µm [21%] and 150–50 µm [16%]). Additionally, fragments were the dominant type of shape in both sample types (crop [64%] and gizzard [53%]). The predominant colours of particles extracted from gizzards and crops were yellow (32%) and red (32%), respectively. Chemical characterisation of these particles detected four types of polymers: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) at 51.2%, followed by low-density polyethylene (LDPE) at 30.7%, polystyrene (PS) at 13.6% and polypropylene homopolymer (PPH) at 4.5%. In conclusion, we provide evidence for MPs in the gizzards and crops of farmed chickens which may originate from contaminated poultry feed. Only a few studies have been reported globally to assess MPs ingestion in chickens. The current study is the first report from Pakistan. It could be a valuable addition to support MPs literature to establish a relationship between MPs contamination and intake through the food chain.