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Heterogenous copper based nano catalyst was synthesized by Co-precipitation method. The effect of nano catalyst particle size from 0.5 to 52 nm was investigated. The Cupper dopped zinc oxide the nano particle size was used from 0.5 to 52 nm, and Transesterification method was used to produce the biodiesel. The optimum yield of bio-biodiesel was obtained 92% from Jatropha Curcas seed oil. SEM shows the surface morphology, topography, composition, crystallographic and structural shape of synthesized Cu-ZnO nano catalyst. XRD and EDX results depicted good morphology of prepared catalyst. XRD and EDX also displays the pattern of a model Cu-ZnO. FTIR results showed the major functional groups identified were alkanes , aromatics and carboxylic acid . Among these functional groups, alkanes were qualitatively noted to be the main constituents which indicate the good catalytic cracking activity of the catalyst.The UV, absorbance peak indicated the presence of ZnO nanoparticles, which is in accordance of UV absorbance result shown by previous studies. The effect of temperature on biodiesel yield showed from higher yield with 45 o C from 64.33 to 80 ml of ethanol concentration at 45 o C. On further rise in temperature resulted 92% product yield. Furthermore, effect of methanol on bio- diesel yield showed that, as the methanol ratio subsequently increased from 1: 05 to 1: 12increased the product yield. Besides this, the heterogeneous nano catalyst showed good catalytic activity in transforming Jatropha seed oil up to 92% of biodiesel yield.

Due to the easy access of internet and smart devices, people are becoming habitual to give their feedback on what they hear or watch, online. These reviews are very valuable for all sorts of users. Due to the widespread online activities, the count of these reviews has raised tremendously. This fact makes it humanly impossible to analyse them manually. So it needs time that reviews to be analysed and use patterns to be found and explored through the automated channel. This led to a new field of research known as Sentiment Analysis. This paper is targeting to design a model to perform sentiment analysis of Roman Urdu text using the reviews of Pakistan Super League’s official song. To perform this analysis five different techniques-- Naïve Bayes Kernal, Random Forest, Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbour and Artificial Neural Network, are applied. Naïve Bayes Kernal and Logistic Regression correctly predicted 97.00% reviews.

This study aims to consolidate existing literature results through a systematic review to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework. This study followed Pollock and Berge's (2018) six-stage methods of the systematic review to achieve the aims. Bibliometric and content analysis was conducted using 48 articles collected from six databases: Science Direct, Emerald Insight, Wiley online Library, Sage Pub, Springer Link, and Taylor & Francis. The content analysis reveals three major categories of the antecedent: advert attributes, personal factors, and environmental factors that affect mobile advertising value, attitude, and acceptance. The differences in the factors leading to mobile advertising acceptance are observed across different age groups, regions, advertising types, and cultures. The study concludes with theoretical implications and future research directions. The study highlights some of the regions and mobile advertising contexts where further research is needed. These consolidated findings are useful for advertisers in planning future mobile advertising campaigns.

Objective: To evaluate satisfaction of outpatients with respect to administrative services and the level of satisfaction towards the various facilities available in an outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Hospital based transverse situational analysis. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt, from Nov 2018 to Dec 2019. Methodology: Data was collected from 756 participants, using an “Outpatient Feedback Form” to evaluate the satisfaction level of patients. Nonprobability, convenient sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data was analyzed in Statistical Package of Social Sciences, version 22. Result: The patient satisfaction was present in 388 (51%) followed by 235 (31%) participants graded the Outpatient department facilities (OPD) as excellent and good respectively. However, only 16 (3%) were disgruntled with the present OPD administrative and medical service of the hospital. Conclusion: Overall the study showed a good satisfaction level of patients with OPD services received from the hospital. Hospital administration has managed to deliver excellent quality services towards betterment in every discipline and created an example for other hospitals to become an effective part of the healthcare delivery system.

Objective: To assess the level of satisfaction regarding the admission process, treatment process, nursing care and general support services amid patients admitted in various hospital departments. Study Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt, from Oct 2018 to Sep 2019. Methodology: Data was collected from 522 participants. An inpatient feedback form was used to assess satisfaction among admitted patients. Result: Out of 522, 256 (49%) participants ranked health care facilities as excellent and199 (38%) participants ranked health care facilities as good. Out of 53 (10%) participants were satisfied, while only 16 (3%) were discontented with current hospital facilities. Conclusion: This survey has provided deep insight into the contemporary health care services of the hospital. Being a costeffective organization, CMH Malir Cantt has delivered excellent quality care to patients through continuous efforts towards betterment in every discipline deemed to the medical facility.

Background: To assess the status of knowledge and practices about family planning utilization and its influencing factors among women of reproductive age group in Karachi, Pakistan. The study design was analytical cross-sectional study. The Place and Duration of Study was Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt from January to March 2021. Methods: Data was collected from 426 participants visiting outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital, using structured questionnaire. Nonprobability, convenient sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data was analyzed in Statistical Package of Social Sciences, version 23. Results: Family planning knowledge and practicing contraceptive methods utilization among women of reproductive age group was 73.94% and 55.16% respectively. Effectiveness of contraceptive methods was acknowledged by 57.27%. Family planning utilization practices were statistically associated with educational status, marriage duration, number of children, knowledge, availability, suitability and effectiveness of FP methods and husband support. Family planning centers and hospitals were the most common (41%) sources of information and desire to conceive was found to be the leading cause (54.2%) to attain family planning services. Conclusion: Overall the study revealed satisfactory knowledge about family planning with relatively low practices or utilization of contraceptive methods. Researches using qualitative approach are recommended to gain deep insight of women’s internal feeling regarding family planning. Besides, reasons for non-utilization of family planning services need to be explored further.

Objective: To assess level of anxiety, its associated factors and coping strategies in postgraduate trainees of public and private teaching hospitals of Karachi Study Design and Setting: It was a cross-sectional study. The data was collected from different major teaching hospitals February 2019 till April Methodology: A total of 230 postgraduate trainees were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire specifically designed for this study which included General Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale and Brief COPE Questionnaire. Data were analyzed on SPSS version 21. Chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression was performed and P-value

The field of heterogeneous photoredox catalysis has grown substantially and impacted organic synthesis because of the affordability and reusability of catalysts. This study reports radical trifluor...

Pyrolysis product yield and composition are dependent on the characteristics of feedstock and operating parameters. Heating rate is one of the key parameters that has substantial influence on pyrolysis yields and its composition. This study aims to investigate the influence of heating rate on the yield and the composition of pyrolysis products from palm kernel shell feedstock in low, medium and high pyrolysis modes. The pyrolysis experiments were performed at three heating rates ranging from 50 to 275 °C/min via screw-assisted fluidization. The process was optimized at the rotation speed of 50 rpm at 500 °C. A maximum bio-oil yield of 72.86 wt.% was obtained with 275 °C/min heating rate. The liquid yield obtained at 275 °C/min heating rate contained higher proportion of organic phase of approximately 42.21 wt.% than the aqueous phase. The presence of oxygenated compounds in the organic phase at this heating rate was lower than that obtained with low and medium heating rates.

A series of experiments was conducted to study the effect of temperature and feed rate on physicochemical properties and yield of bio-oil. The experiments were performed in a helical screw fluidized bed reactor and about 150-gram palm shell (PS) was pyrolyzed in each run at 275 °C/min heating rate. The first set of experiments was conducted at temperature ranging from 400 to 650 °C without using any inert gas for fluidization. While the second set of experiments were performed at feed rates ranging from 3 to 25 g/min in order to investigate the effects of feed rate on pyrolytic products. Results showed that the bio-oil yield was increased with the increase in temperature and feed rate due to the enhanced biomass volatilization. In a similar vein to this, a greater extent in oxygenates cracking was also noted in the bio-oil. A maximum liquid yield of about 72.84 wt% was obtained at 500 °C, while 72.92 wt% liquid yield was obtained with 25 g/min feed rate. The HHV of bio-oil was also increased from 38.52 to 43.13 MJ/kg when pyrolysis temperature was increased from 400 to 650 °C.

Steven Weiss,1 Muhammad Qureshi2 1Quality and Support Services, Atlantic Dialysis Management Services, Ridgewood, New York, USA; 2Clinical Research, Mattoo & Bhat Medical Associates, P.C., College Point, New York, USACorrespondence: Steven WeissQuality and Support Services, Atlantic Dialysis Management Services, 385 Seneca Ave, Ridgewood, NY, 11385, USATel +1 347-512-9090Fax +1 718-366-2936Email sweiss@atlanticdialysis.comPurpose: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is the second leading cause of death in hemodialysis patients. Patients dialyzed via central venous catheters (CVCs) are more susceptible to vascular access-related bloodstream infection (VRBSI), sepsis, and mortality when compared to patients with other dialysis accesses.Patients and Methods: A retrospective observational data analysis was conducted from 13 outpatient dialysis clinics in the United States to compare novel chlorhexidine-coated end caps to standard needlefree connectors for differences in CLABSI rates when utilizing CVCs for hemodialysis. There were two periods in this study: in the first study period over a 5-month period (May 2018 to September 2018), data were evaluated from a group of patients undergoing hemodialysis using chlorhexidine end-caps (‘chlorhexidine group’) as well as a group using standard needlefree connectors (‘standard group’). An initial assessment found that a substantial CLABSI rate reduction was seen with use of chlorhexidine-coated end caps; therefore, most patients were switched to chlorhexidine by February 2019 and data continued to be collected till June 2019. The second study period spanned 9 months from October 2018 to June 2019.Results: Across 13 dialysis centers, anonymized health records of 5934 patients who were dialyzed via CVCs between May 2018 and June 2019 were analyzed. The mean age was 61.3 and 47.1% of all patients were female. Study period one included 967 patients with chlorhexidine and 1044 patients with standard end caps, while there were 3647 chlorhexidine and 276 standard patients in the second period. The combined CLABSI rate in the chlorhexidine group was 0.09/1000 CVC days versus 0.63/1000 CVC days in the standard group (p< 0.0001).Conclusion: Chlorhexidine-coated CVC caps may provide a therapeutic improvement in CVC hemodialysis management.Keywords: catheter-related infection, renal dialysis, quality improvement, infection control, chronic kidney failure, chlorhexidine-coated CVC caps

For a photovoltaic (PV) generator, knowledge of the parameters describing its equivalent circuit is fundamental to deeply study and simulate its operation in any weather conditions. In the literature, many papers propose methods to determine these parameters starting from experiments. In the most common circuit, there are five of these parameters, and they generally refer to specific weather conditions. Moreover, the dependence on irradiance and temperature is not investigated for the entire set of parameters. In fact, a few papers present some equations describing the dependence of each parameter on weather conditions, but some of their coefficients are unknown. As a consequence, this information cannot be used to predict the PV energy in any individual weather condition. This work proposes an innovative technique to assess the generated energy by PV modules starting from the knowledge of their equivalent parameters. The model is applied to a highly efficient PV generator with all-back contact, monocrystalline silicon technology, and rated power of 370 W. The effectiveness of the model is investigated by comparing its energy prediction with the value estimated by the most common model in the literature to assess PV energy. Generated energy is predicted by assuming PV power to be constant for a time interval of 1 min.

Until recently, sulfur was known as a "spectroscopically silent" element because of a paucity of convenient spectroscopic probes suitable for in situ chemical speciation. In recent years the technique of sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used extensively in sulfur speciation in a variety of different fields. With an initial focus on reduced forms of organic sulfur, we have explored a complementary X-ray based spectroscopy - sulfur Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) - as a potential analytical tool for sulfur speciation in complex samples. We compare and contrast the sensitivity of sulfur Kβ XES with that of sulfur K-edge XAS, and find differing sensitivities for the two techniques. In some cases an approach involving both sulfur K-edge XAS and sulfur Kβ XES may be a powerful combination for deducing sulfur speciation in samples containing complex mixtures.

Objective: To determine the magnitude and pattern of injuries and their associated contributory risk factors in patients visiting accident and emergency department. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Accident & Emergency, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from Jun to Sep 2019. Methodology: The sample population comprised of 250 patients with traumatic injuries visiting Accident and Emergency department, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Abbreviated Injury Scale was used to assess the injury level of the patients. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis. Results: Out of 250 patients included in the study, 197 (78.8%) were males and 53 (21.2%) were females. Mean age of the respondents was 36.5 ± 12 years. Most common cause of injury was road traffic accidents being 159 (63.6%). Majority of patients were males between the age group of 25-45 and belonging to rural areas. Two hundred and thirty five (94%) cases of injuries were unintentional. Conclusion: Road traffic accidents were found to be a major contributing factor in un-intentional injury especially among males. Therefore, appropriate preventive strategies must be strengthened and implemented against Road Traffic Accidents. It has been suggested that teenagers and adults must be educated in teaching institutions and at work places to prevent such intentional and un-intentional injuries.

Mercury is in some sense an enigmatic element. The element and some of its compounds are a natural part of the biogeochemical cycle; while many of these can be deadly poisons at higher levels, environmental levels in absence of anthropogenic contributions would generally be below the threshold for concern. However, mercury pollution, particularly from burning fossil fuels such as coal, is providing dramatic and increasing emissions into the environment. Because of this the environmental chemistry and toxicology of mercury is of growing importance, with the fate of mercury being vitally dependent upon its speciation. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) provides a powerful tool for in situ chemical speciation, but is severely limited by poor spectroscopic energy resolution. Here, we provide a systematic examination of mercury Lα1 high energy resolution fluorescence detected XAS (HERFD-XAS) as an approach for chemical speciation of mercury, in quantitative comparison with conventional Hg L(III)-edge XAS. We show that, unlike some lighter elements, chemical shifts in the Lα1 X-ray fluorescence energy can be safely neglected, so that mercury Lα1 HERFD-XAS can be treated simply as a high-resolution version of conventional XAS. We present spectra of a range of mercury compounds that may be relevant to the environmental and life science research, and show that density functional theory can produce adequate simulations of the spectra. We discuss strengths and limitations of the method, and quantitatively demonstrate improvements both in speciation for complex mixtures and in background rejection for low concentrations.

The production of bio-oil from palm shell pyrolysis was investigated using a helical screw fluidized bed reactor setup. This study was done by investigating the effects of particle size, pyrolysis time and vapor residence time on pyrolysis product yields. The pyrolysis experiments were performed at different particle sizes, pyrolysis times and vapor residence times from 0.25 mm to 10 mm; 20 min to 60 min and 0.25 s to 15 s, respectively. The optimum condition for PS pyrolysis in helical screw fluidized bed reactor is at 2 mm particle size, 30 min pyrolysis time and 0.25 s vapor residence time to produce PS derived bio-oil of the highest yield of 73.86 wt% and higher heating value of 43.14 MJ/kg. Here, we report of the capability of helical screw fluidized bed reactor in handling large biomass particle size ranging up to 10 mm with marginal deteriorations of less than 1% and 3% for bio-oil yield and higher heating value respectively. This feature was attributed to the screw propeller design system in helical screw fluidized bed reactor which provided high mass and heat transfer at large particle size range which is 5 times of the particle size limit as recommended in previous studies. This finding would enable the possibility of helical screw fluidized based pyrolysis to be done in the absence of biomass size reduction processes to reduce process cost and complexity.

The current study extends the applications of the variational iteration method for the analytical solution of fractional contact problems. The problem involves Caputo sense while calculating the derivative of fractional order, we apply the Penalty function technique to transform it into a system of fractional boundary value problems coupled with a known obstacle. The variational iteration method is employed to find the series solution of fractional boundary value problem. For different values of fractional parameters, residual errors of solutions are plotted to make sure the convergence and accuracy of the solution. The reasonably accurate results show that one of the highly effective and stable methods for the solution of fractional boundary value problem is the method of variational iteration.

Objective: To compare the severity of cognitive, affective and somatic symptoms of depression between two samples of medical students with high and low suicidal ideation using Beck Depression Inventory Study Design and Setting: This is a cross sectional study conducted in public and private medical colleges in Karachi from September-December 2018. Methodology: A total of 150 normal healthy students with 75 each from public and private medical colleges in Karachi were sampled through purposive sampling technique. Beck depression inventory (BDI) with twenty one items for depressive symptoms was used. Suicidal ideation was assessed using item 9 of BDI and participants were identified as having high and low suicidal ideation. Remaining twenty items of BDI were categorized as affective, cognitive and somatic symptoms of depression. Severity of each symptom was assessed through BDI score on a 4-point scale. Hypothesis testing for difference in BDI scores of depressive symptoms between high and low suicidal ideation cases was performed through independent sample t tests. Result: BDI showed significantly higher suicidal ideation in public medical colleges’ students. Cases with high suicidal ideation showed higher prevalence of five cognitive (past failure, feeling guilty, self-image, feeling of being punished, crying spells), four affective (sadness, irritability, decision making, self-dislike) and one somatic (physical health) symptoms of depression. Conclusion: Significant higher prevalence of affective and cognitive symptoms of depression was found among cases of higher suicidal ideation

Objective: To identify the health status and well-being of the professional automobile drivers and associated risk factors that affect their health. Study Design and Setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 professional automobile drivers operating on local and long routes in Karachi, Pakistan Methodology: The study was done at various locations in the city of Karachi from September to November 2017. The subjects were asked for their personal health related complaints and medical illnesses. Further, this research also has the complimentary purpose to measure anxiety and depression among professional drivers. Anxiety was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 Item Scale (GAD-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire2-Item Depression Module (PHQ- 2) was used to measure, depression. SPSS version 21.0 was used for data entry and its analysis. A written informed consent about the study was provided to the subjects with questionnaire. This study was approved by the Institutional/Ethical review board of Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). Results: Amongst the 350 participants 48% were long route and 52% were local route automobile drivers. The result indicate that professional automobile drivers were suffering from backache (56%), Joint pain (36%), Hypertension (44%), Diabetes Mellitus (21%), Anxiety (87%) and Depression (38%). Tobacco addiction was found in (94%) of total respondents. Conclusion: Health status of the professional drivers and their well-being was found unsatisfactory. Multiple factors such as working environment and sociodemographic factors are inevitably linked to their health status and wellbeing

The neighbourhood built environment influences mobility and participation of persons using mobility assistive technology (MAT). Documentation of environmental barriers/facilitators by MAT users can...

Production of bio-jet fuel from triglycerides (TGs) based vegetable oils have recently received increased attention from research and industries because of its renewability and environmental benefits. Catalytic deoxygenation (DO) is a suitable way to produce bio-jet fuel from TGs. Presently, the main challenges faced by DO are the optimized selection of feedstocks, catalysts, reaction pathways and parameters. This review includes discussion on the feedstock and assessment of several potential catalysts: noble metals, sulphided, non-sulphided for DO of TGs. This assessment elucidates the model compounds of TGs, effect of operating parameters, potential catalysts and different DO reaction pathways to attain optimum yield and selectivity of desired products. In addition, some relevant discussion of TGs derived jet fuel specification, characteristics and fuel properties are also discussed. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive discussion on DO of TGs based vegetable oils in enhancing alternative jet fuel production in all relevant technical aspects.

Methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) generates renewable energy. This method of generating energy makes use of small Pt-Ru catalysts. The cost of fuel cell technology makes it unsuitable for widespread use. Like platinum, palladium has electrocatalytic properties. In-situ CO poisons its monometallic form, which possesses significant overpotentials. Alkaline electrolytes, unfavorable for platinum but speed up the kinetics of alcohol oxidation by preferentially oxidizing methanol to formaldehyde, are where palladium is most active. Secondary metals collaborate in the co-catalysis of CO surface oxidation and assist in controlling palladium-reactant binding strengths. An article discusses anode electrocatalysts. The mechanics of current platinum catalysts are compared to those of palladium catalysts. Palladium catalyst requirements and synthesis are discussed.

Fuel cell technology is the best alternative to replace fossil fuels in the modern period. Platinum-based materials may function well as fuel cell electrodes because these can be employed as catalytic materials to carry out the infamous oxygen reduction process. In this respect, a copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF-74) was first created, to which ultralow content platinum nanoparticles (Pt/Cu-MOF-74) were added, and the structure was then studied using a variety of experimental approaches. After heating the MOF to 900 °C, Pt and Cu nanoparticles are incorporated into it to create a homogenized hybrid functional material, which is then pyrolyzed (Pt-Cu-PC-900). Compared to the 20% Pt/C catalyst available commercially, the Pt/Cu-PC-900 hybrid has shown superior ORR performance in terms of half-wave potential and limiting current density. This study emphasizes the value of nanoparticles with low content of Pt for potential large-scale commercial fuel cell applications.

Objectives: To screen and assess the severity level of anxiety, its influencing factors along with the gender-wise predilection of coping strategies among resident doctors working in accident and emergency departments. Methods: A transverse study was conducted amongst 260 resident doctors of accident and emergency department of different teaching hospitals of Karachi from October 2020 until March 2021. A demographic sheet containing questions related to factors, GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and Brief COPE were used to measure the severity level of anxiety and coping strategies. Data was scored according to the standard scoring procedure for each subscale and for further statistical analysis SPSS Version 21 was used. Results: Out of all participants, 68.1% were

Objectives: This study aims to test the association between diabetes and tuberculosis. Methods: It is a matched case control study conducted in tertiary care hospitals in 2019-2020. Cases and controls were 144 each, selected on the basis of an odds ratio of 2 at 95% confidence interval with a significance level of 5%. Cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were selected through consecutive sampling technique, either visiting OPD or admitted in hospital. Controls were taken from the general population and frequency matching was done based on age, gender and socioeconomic status. Data was collected through structured questionnaire after taking written consent. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 23. Binary Logistic regression model was applied for finding association between the risk factors and the disease. P value

Background and Objective: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are suggested to predict dementia at a very early stage. However, association of SMCs with known risk factors of dementia namely diabetes mellitus Type-2 diabetes and hypertension (HTN) remain unexplored which is the main aim of this study. The objective of the study was to investigate the association of SMC with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and hypertension (HTN). Methods: The associations of diabetes and hypertension, with SMCs has been tested in 500 participants from a tertiary care hospital of Karachi during 2017. Diagnosed cases of diabetes and hypertension were included through convenient sampling. Healthy attendants of patients were interviewed for the reference group. SMCs were assessed through a 14-item SMC questionnaire. Results: Sample included 114 patients with only diabetes and hypertension each, 103 with both diabetes and hypertension and 169 healthy participants. Compared to healthy adults, persons with diabetes and hypertension had higher SMCs (difference, 0.88, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.54) (difference, 1.06, 95% CI: 0.40, 1.71) respectively, in fully adjusted models. Conclusions: Compared to healthy adults of working age-group, persons with diabetes and hypertension were more likely to have SMCs. Assessment and early detection of SMCs in persons with diabetes and hypertension might be informative to provide a window for effective interventions to maintain cognitive health. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3426 How to cite this:Faiz S, Qureshi FM, Hussain AW, Nigah-e-Mumtaz S. Association of subjective memory complaints amid patients of Diabetes Mellitus Type II and Hypertension. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):477-482. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3426 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Context The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting health and economies across the world, although the nature of direct and indirect effects on Asian agrifood systems and food security has not yet been well understood. Objectives This paper assesses the initial responses of major farming and food systems to COVID-19 in 25 Asian countries, and considers the implications for resilience, food and nutrition security and recovery policies by the governments. Methods A conceptual systems model was specified including key pathways linking the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 to the resilience and performance of the four principal Asian farming and food systems, viz, lowland rice based; irrigated wheat based; hill mixed; and dryland mixed systems. Based on this framework, a systematic survey of 2504 key informants (4% policy makers, 6% researchers or University staff, 6% extension workers, 65% farmers, and 19% others) in 20 Asian countries was conducted and the results assessed and analysed. Results and conclusion The principal Asian farming and food systems were moderately resilient to COVID-19, reinforced by government policies in many countries that prioritized food availability and affordability. Rural livelihoods and food security were affected primarily because of disruptions to local labour markets (especially for off-farm work), farm produce markets (notably for perishable foods) and input supply chains (i.e., seeds and fertilisers). The overall effects on system performance were most severe in the irrigated wheat based system and least severe in the hill mixed system, associated in the latter case with greater resilience and diversification and less dependence on external inputs and long market chains. Farming and food systems' resilience and sustainability are critical considerations for recovery policies and programmes, especially in relation to economic performance that initially recovered more slowly than productivity, natural resources status and social capital. Overall, the resilience of Asian farming and food systems was strong because of inherent systems characteristics reinforced by public policies that prioritized staple food production and distribution as well as complementary welfare programmes. With the substantial risks to plant- and animal-sourced food supplies from future zoonoses and the institutional vulnerabilities revealed by COVID-19, efforts to improve resilience should be central to recovery programmes. Significance This study was the first Asia-wide systems assessment of the effects of COVID-19 on agriculture and food systems, differentiating the effects of the pandemic across the four principal regional farming and food systems in the region.

Background: Bronchiectasis in PCD (primary ciliary dyskinesia) is a recognised indicator of poor lung health but it is mostly detected late.MPA measurement on CT aids diagnosis of PHTN (pulmonary hypertension) together with echocardiogram.There are no studies looking at MPA size and its association with PHTN or bronchiectasis. Aims and objectives: To see if measuring MPA size and MPA/Ascending Aorta correlates with PHTN and bronchiectasis. To analyse if serial measurements over time indicate future development of PHTN or bronchiectasis. Methods: Children aged 0-14 with a confirmed diagnosis of PCD had HRCT (high resolution CT) every 3 years as part of disease surveillance. A retrospective analysis was done by a single radiologist for measurement of MPA, ascending and descending aorta at RPA(right pulmonary artery) and MPA/Asc Ao.MPA was measured at its widest point perpendicular to its long axis, excluding its immediate post valvular segment. Results: 26 children(F=19, M=7)with confirmed PCD were included.Total of 38 readings were noted as some patients had serial scans.Median age was 8 years while average height was 132cm.Average MPA size was 17.15mm(SD 3.55).None of our patients had pulmonary hypertension however 19 had bronchiectasis. Conclusions: MPA size was directly propotional whereas MPA/Asc Ao was inverseley proportional to severity of bronchiectasis.Serial measurements in individual patients showed that MPA size increased disproportionately when bronchiectasis progressed from mild to severe.

A platinum complex, (CH3)2Pt(COD), is grafted via surface organometallic chemistry (SOMC) on morphology-controlled anatase TiO2 to generate single, isolated Pt atoms on TiO2 nano-platelets. The resulting material is characterized by FT-IR, high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM), NMR, and XAS, and then used to perform photocatalytic water splitting. The photocatalyst with SOMC-grafted Pt shows superior performance in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and strongly suppresses the backwards reaction of H2 and O2 forming H2O under dark conditions, compared to the photocatalyst prepared by impregnation at the same Pt loading. However, single Pt atoms on this surface also rapidly coalesce into nanoparticles under photocatalytic conditions. It is also found that adsorption of CO gas at room temperature also triggers the aggregation of Pt single atoms into nanoparticles. A detailed mechanism is investigated for the mobility of Pt in the formation of its carbonyls using density functional theory (DFT) calculations.