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The pursuit of resistant plant varieties is indispensable for phytoremediation against salt and heavy metal stresses. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad and Cucumis melo subspecies agrestis are cucurbit weeds used as raw material in for medicines, papers and artificial cotton. Abiotic stresses like salt and heavy metal hassles are prodigious deterrents to early growth of plants. Nickel (Ni), in petite is a decisive micronutrient of plants but disturbs the proficiency of the plants under higher levels. However, response of various plant ecotypes varies under various concentrations of salinity and heavy metals. Germination, morphology, biochemistry and physiological properties are key to determining the fate of the plant. The present objective was to compare the impact of independent stresses by varying concentrations of salt (100, 200 and 400 mM NaCl) and heavy metal (50, 100 and 200 µM NiCl2) on morphophysiological and biochemical parameters of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad and Cucumis melo subspecies agrestis from desert and agricultural ecotypes. It was a four-replica CRD trial. Germination percentage, radicle and plumule length, seedling fresh and dry weight, K+, Ca++, chlorophylls a and b showed a significat increase ( p ≤ 0.05) at lower level of stress (100 mM NaCl and 50 µM NiCl2), slight decrease at moderate level of stress (200 mM NaCl and 100 µM NiCl2) while significant decrease under higher stress levels (400 mM NaCl and 200 µM NiCl2). An increase of Na+, Cl-, Ni+ and secondary metabolites (total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins, catalase, superoxide dismutase and proline) with increasing stress levels was perceived. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad and Cucumis melo subspecies agrestis are adaptive to salt and heavy metal levels.Tolerance of salts and heavy metal metals in sequence C. colocynthis (L.) desert > C. colocynthis (L) cultivated > C. melo (L) agrestis desert > C. melo (L) agrestis agricultural was recorded and can be recommended for phytoremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of nanomedicine, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are remarkable and foremost transition metal oxides having engrossing features. Their green synthesis is getting popularity as future antimicrobials due to cost effective, ecofriendly and simplicity. In this study, CuO NPs were synthesized from Aerva javanica (kapok bush or desert cotton) leaf extract which is well known for its medicinal properties. Antimicrobial potential of A. javanica synthesized CuO NPs was assessed against multi drug resistant bacterial and fungal strains. CuO NPs synthesised in this study were characterized using Uv-Visible, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDXS). These fabricated CuO NPs were studied for their antimicrobial activity using disc diffusion method against multi drug resistant bacterial and fungal strains. Uv-Vis with absorbance band of 255nm confirmed the CuO NPs. XRD pattern distinctive structural peaks that confirmed the typical monoclinic CuO NPs structure. The average measured diameter of CuO NPs by XRD was 5.5 nm. FT-IR spectrum 1378 cm-1-1524 cm-1 displayed CuO vibrations. SEM studies revealed the spherical and agglomerated synthesized CuO nanoparticles. EDXS showed strong peak of copper and oxygen and low peak of carbon elements due to capping of biomolecules. CuO NPs exhibited significant (p<0.005) antimicrobial activity against resistant bacterial strains. However, the significant inhibitory effect was reported in gram negative as compared to gram positive bacterial strain. CuO NPs showed significant (p<0.005) antifungal activity. However, Aspergillus exhibited higher sensitivity as compared to Candida. Based upon our results, it can be anticipated that biologically synthesized CuO NPs can play role as promising therapeutic agents in nanomedicine field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cenchrus ciliaris is a potential forage grass that widely grows in saline desert environment. To examine root, stem and leaf anatomical modifications, population of Cenchrus ciliaris L. (Buffal grass) was collected from the naturally saline patches of the Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Four salinity treatments 0 mM of NaCl (control), 100, 200 and 300 mM of NaCl were maintained in half strength Hoagland nutrient solution by using hydroponic system. After 16 weeks of growth in nutrient solution root, stem and leaf anatomical characteristics were studied. Salt stress induced anatomical modification in root, stem and leaf that help to survive species in adverse environmental condition. At root level, salinity increased the thickness of endodermis and sclerenchyma tissues both prevent the water loss from root surface and also increased in number of parenchyma cells in pith and cortex region that improved the water storage capacity of root. At stem level, salinity contributed in epidermis and sclerenchyma thickness along with increase in number of vascular bundles and its area that might be improved conduction of water and solute, increase succulence ability and preventing water loss. In case of leaf and leaf sheath, decreased in stomatal density and its area, increased bulliform cell, and rich density of vesicular hairs and trichomes might be essential for water conservation and salt excretion. On the basis of anatomical modifications and its correlation with biomass it was concluded that C. ciliaris can easily be grow at salt affected areas and such anatomical modifications seemed to be critical for the better survival of species under harsh sandy and salty environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Architectural education and its relation to culture has deep roots in past as both of these entities hold a strong historical background. The connection between two is explored through this research to investigate the status of culture depicted in the curriculum; a basic medium of dissemination of knowledge in architectural schools in contemporary times. The conceptual framework identifies cultural sensitivity as a potential mean to assess the status of culture in architectural education through curriculum. The study involves quantitative methodology using a case study approach and an objectively selected sample from faculty and students. The conceptual framework of the research visualizes aspects of cultural sensitivity as values, learning and behavior that are translated into taught contents, architectural education and built environment respectively for the manifestation of culture. The conclusions depict that culture has adopted a modified definition in social terms and that culturally sensitive content is present in architectural curriculum generally spread over curriculum. Moreover, cultural sensitivity has been oversimplified in process, whereas the deliberation for the application of the term in curriculum can be focused. This study is significant for architectural academia and society as culture is translated to the society through curriculum-based model taught in architectural schools creating built environment. Therefore, the exploration in status of cultural aspects in the curricula of architectural schools has potential to create better understanding of architecture leading to a culturally sensitive approach in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fate of a contracting liquid filament depends on the Ohnesorge number (Oh), the initial aspect ratio (Γ) and surface perturbation. Generally, it is believed that there exists a critical aspect ratio Γc.Oh/such that longer filaments break up and shorter ones recoil into a single drop. Through computational and experimental studies, we report a transitional regime for filaments with a broad range of intermediate aspect ratios, where there exist multiple Γc thresholds at which a novel breakup mode alternates with no-break mode. We develop a simple model considering the superposition of capillary waves, which can predict the complicated new phase diagram. In this model, the breakup results from constructive interference between the capillary waves that originate from the ends of the filament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to monitor the ambient air quality along the main road to assess risk factors to which various living and non-living things are exposed in Rahim Yar Khan, an industrial town of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. LaMotte air sampling pump was used to monitor SO2, NO2 and total oxidants concentration. GasAlert?Extreme Single-Gas Detectors were used to monitorpersonal exposure of CO, O2 and Cl2, whereas, Mini-Vol SPM sampler was used to sample PM10. Monitoring was done three times a day to assess the short-term exposure and five times a year to analyze the effect of seasonal shifts. Highest concentration of CO, SO2, NO2, total oxidants and PM10 was observed in summer season. Lowest pollution level was observed in winter season. Bus station and residential areas were the most polluted sites, whereas vegetative area was found to be the least polluted. The results indicated that vehicular movement played an important role in a gradual increase of air pollutants from morning to evening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lahore is an ancient historic city and possesses a remarkable architectural heritage. The city served as regional capital of many empires but owes much of its architectural developments to Mughal and British. The Mughals laid the physical and social framework of Lahore, while the British transformed the city into modern times by introducing new institutions and technologies. The British government, proceeding to colonize India, constructed many governmental and public building in European classical styles. However, towards the end of 19th century, they assimilated and adopted the native Indian styles in architecture leading to the development of European Indo Islamic style. This paper explores the architectural achievements of the British Executive Engineer and Architect, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob in India who was intricately involved in the revival of traditional building crafts in Punjab, particularly, in Jeypore state (now Jaipur) in the late nineteenth century. During his tenure of three decades in India, (1867-1902), he constructed many important buildings both for the Government and the private sector. The buildings he designed were a testimony of a mixture of European and Indo Islamic features, The paper highlights his design philosophy and architectural contributions which have never been discussed in any scholarship with the major focus on Punjab, Lahore as well as Jaipur. The information has been gathered from different sources; site visits, Punjab Archives, British libraries, Annual reports on public works and his portfolio of Jaipur. This research paper will surely open up new avenues for the future researcher in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing a unified approach to deal with the conservation of historic city centers has been a great challenge in many countries. Iran, the cradle of ancient civilizations has been the center of debate regarding conservation of historic rudiments and forceful technology-driven modernization. This paper presents different policies and approaches towards urban conservation in Iran and their impact on city transformation with particular reference to Yazd city. This research employs an in-depth case study method due to its qualitative and exploratory nature. Two areas within Yazd city representing the conservation-led regeneration and physically-redevelopment approaches have been chosen. The paper analyzes the formulation process of different approaches and identifies their impact on city transformation. The paper concluded that reinforcement of institutional and administrative framework, integration of policies, reducing the role of central government and decentralization of responsibilities created a more successful path towards urban revitalization. It was recommended that the latest trend of adopting and developing an integrated approach to the conservation of historic environments can be further strengthened through the involvement of local leadership and communities of historic city centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]