Newcastle disease (ND) virus is a leading threat to commercial and domestic poultry in Pakistan. The virus infects and constitutes irreversible impairment to the nervous system, damages the respiratory system, and mar...Newcastle disease (ND) virus is a leading threat to commercial and domestic poultry in Pakistan. The virus infects and constitutes irreversible impairment to the nervous system, damages the respiratory system, and marks severe gastrointestinal lesions leading to heavy mortality in short-living birds and substantial losses in layers and breeders. The continuous emergence and evolution of the virus made it inclined to evade the humoral response and indirectly the circumvention of artificial active immunization. Newcastle disease is caused by the orthoavula genus of the paramyxoviridae family and has shown high genetic diversity even in their genotypes while information regarding enzootic trends of the virus is scanty in Pakistan. A total of 40 tracheal samples of NDV were collected from different commercial broiler farms and 11 isolates of NDV were identified. In the current study, we determined the genetic diversity of the Newcastle disease virus based on the partial sequencing of the fusion protein gene available in the NCBI database. Genetic analysis showed that seven isolates belonged to class I genotype VII and four belonged to class II genotype II. Interestingly, two isolates had epidemiological connections with vaccine-like class II genotype II. Our findings, concerning the recent outbreaks of class I genotype VII and class II genotype II of NDV in vaccinated commercial flocks, suggest possible potential partial mutations in the fusion protein gene. Genetic diversity and formation of the new cleavage site in an important neutralizing protein of wild strain are linked with the potency of artificial active immunization and a major cause of vaccine failure.展开更多
In this study, CeO2 nanostructures were synthesized by a soft chemical method. A hydrothermal treatment was observed to lead to an interesting morphological transformation of the nanoparticles into homogeneous microsp...In this study, CeO2 nanostructures were synthesized by a soft chemical method. A hydrothermal treatment was observed to lead to an interesting morphological transformation of the nanoparticles into homogeneous microspheres composed of nanosheets with an average thickness of 40 nm. Structural analysis revealed the formation of a single-phase cubic fluorite structure of CeO2 for both samples. A Raman spectroscopic study confirmed the XRD results and furthermore indicated the presence of a large number of oxygen vacancies in the nanosheets. These oxygen vacancies led to room-temperature ferromagnetism （RTFM） of the CeO2 nanosheets with enhanced magnetic characteristics. Amazingly, the nanosheets exhibited substantially greater antibacterial activity than the nanoparticles. This greater antibacte- rial activity was attributed to greater exposure of high-surface-energy polar surfaces and to the presence of oxygen vacancies.展开更多
In this study,resistive random-access memory(RRAM)-based crossbar arrays with a memristor W/TiO_(2)/HfO_(2)/TaN structure were fabricated through atomic layer deposition(ALD)to investigate synaptic plasticity and resi...In this study,resistive random-access memory(RRAM)-based crossbar arrays with a memristor W/TiO_(2)/HfO_(2)/TaN structure were fabricated through atomic layer deposition(ALD)to investigate synaptic plasticity and resistive switching(RS)characteristics for bioinspired neuromorphic computing.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)was employed to explore oxygen vacancy concentrations in bilayer TiO_(2)/HfO_(2)films.Gaussian fitting for O1s peaks confirmed that the HfO_(2)layer contained a larger number of oxygen vacancies than the TiO_(2)layer.In addition,HfO_(2)had lower Gibbs free energy(ΔG°=-1010.8 kJ/mol)than the TiO_(2)layer(ΔG°=-924.0 kJ/mol),resulting in more oxygen vacancies in the HfO_(2)layer.XPS results andΔG°magnitudes confirmed that formation/disruption of oxygen-based conductive filaments took place in the TiO_(2)layer.The W/TiO_(2)/HfO_(2)/TaN memristive device exhibited excellent and repeatable RS characteristics,including superb 10^(3) dc switching cycles,outstanding 107 pulse endurance,and high-thermal stability(10^(4) s at 125℃)important for digital computing systems.Furthermore,some essential biological synaptic characteristics such as potentiation-depression plasticity,paired-pulse facilitation(PPF),and spike-timing-dependent plasticity(STDP,asymmetric Hebbian and asymmetric anti-Hebbian)were successfully mimicked herein using the crossbar-array memristive device.Based on experimental results,a migration and diffusion of oxygen vacancy based physical model is proposed to describe the synaptic plasticity and RS mechanism.This study demonstrates that the proposed W/TiO_(2)/HfO_(2)/TaN memristor crossbar-array has a significant potential for applications in non-volatile memory(NVM)and bioinspired neuromorphic systems.展开更多
Two well-developed mesoscopic folds, D_2 and D_3, which postdate the middle amphibolite metamorphism, were recognized in the western hinterland zone of Pakistan. NW–SE trending D_2 folds developed during NE–SW horiz...Two well-developed mesoscopic folds, D_2 and D_3, which postdate the middle amphibolite metamorphism, were recognized in the western hinterland zone of Pakistan. NW–SE trending D_2 folds developed during NE–SW horizontal bulk shortening followed by NE–SW trending D_3 folds, which developed during SE–NW shortening. Micro- to mesoscopically the NW–SE trending S2 crenulation cleavage, boudins and mineral stretching lineations are overprinted by D_3. The newly established NW–SE trending micro- to mesoscopic structures in Munda termed D_2, which postdated F_1/F_2, is synchronously developed with F3 structures in the western hinterland zone of Pakistan. We interpret that D2 and D3 folds are counterclockwise rotated in the tectonic event that has evolved the Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis after the main phase Indian plate and Kohistan Island Arc collision. Chlorite replacement by biotite in the main matrix crenulation cleavages indicates prograde metamorphism related with D2. The inclusion of muscovite and biotite in garnet porphyroblasts and the presence of staurolite in these rocks indicate that the Barrovian metamorphic conditions predate D2 and D3. We interpret that garnet, staurolite and calcite porphyroblasts grew before D2 because the well developed S2 crenulation cleavage wraps around these porphyroblasts.展开更多
The multilevel storage capability of nonvolatile resistive random access memory(ReRAM)is greatly de-sired to accomplish high functioning memory density.In this study,Ta_(2)O_(5) thin film with different thick-nesses(2...The multilevel storage capability of nonvolatile resistive random access memory(ReRAM)is greatly de-sired to accomplish high functioning memory density.In this study,Ta_(2)O_(5) thin film with different thick-nesses(2,4,and 6 nm)was exploited as an appropriate interfacial barrier layer for limiting the formation of the interfacial layer between the 10 nm thick sputtering deposited resistive switching(RS)layer and Ta ohmic electrode to improve the switching cycle endurance and uniformity.Results show that lower form-ing voltage,narrow distribution of SET-voltages,good dc switching cycles(10^(3)),high pulse endurance(10^(6) cycles),long retention time(10^(4) s at room temperature and 100℃),and reliable multilevel resis-tance states were obtained at an appropriate thickness of∼2 nm Ta_(2)O_(5) interfacial barrier layer instead of without Ta_(2)O_(5) and with∼4 nm,and∼6 nm Ta_(2)O_(5) barrier layer,ZrO_(2)-based memristive devices.Besides,multilevel resistance states have been scientifically investigated via modulating the compliance current(CC)and RESET-stop voltages,which displays that all of the resistance states were distinct and stayed stable without any considerable deprivation over 10^(4) s retention time and 104 pulse endurance cycles.The I-V characteristics of RESET-stop voltage(from−1.7 to−2.3 V)of HRS are found to be a good linear fit with the Schottky equation.It can be seen that Schottky barrier height rises by increasing the stop-voltage during RESET-operation,resulting in enhancing the data storage memory window(on/offratio).Moreover,RESET-voltage and CC control of HRS and LRS revealed the physical origin of the RS mecha-nism,which entails the formation and rupture of conducting nanofilaments.It is thoroughly investigated that proper optimization of the barrier layer at the ohmic interface and the switching layer is essential in memristive devices.These results demonstrate that the ZrO_(2)-based memristive device with an optimized∼2 nm Ta_(2)O_(5) barrier layer is a promising candidate for multilevel data storage memory applications.展开更多
Chlorpyrifos is a commonly used pesticide of organophosphate group, which causes toxicological effects in non-target organisms especially fish and frogs. In the present study, the genotoxicity of sublethal concentrati...Chlorpyrifos is a commonly used pesticide of organophosphate group, which causes toxicological effects in non-target organisms especially fish and frogs. In the present study, the genotoxicity of sublethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos was observed in the erythrocytes of common Indus valley toad, Bufo stomaticus, using the Alkaline Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet) assay. In the first step, acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos was evaluated by exposing the tadpoles to high concentrations of the pesticide. The acute LC50 value of chlorpyrifos, calculated by Trimmed Spearman-Karber (TSK) in static bioassay, was found to be 930.0 μg/L. On the basis of acute LC50 value, the tadpoles were exposed to three sublethal concentrations (155, 233 and 465 μg/L) of chlorpyrifos for 96 h. Blood cells were collected at every 24 h interval and were subjected to the Alkaline Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis assay. The observed DNA damage was concentration and time-dependent, and those levels of DNA damage in between the tested concentrations and times were significantly different (p < 0.05). The tadpoles exposed to different concentrations of chlorpyrifos also showed different morphological abnormalities. It was concluded that chlorpyrifos is a genotoxic pesticide causing DNA damage in Bufo stomaticus.展开更多
In the present article, certain classes of generalized p-valent Robertson functions are considered. Mapping properties of these classes are investigated under certain p-valent integral operators introduced by Frasin r...In the present article, certain classes of generalized p-valent Robertson functions are considered. Mapping properties of these classes are investigated under certain p-valent integral operators introduced by Frasin recently.展开更多
Here, undoped and Cu doped ZnO nanoparticles(NPs) have been prepared by chemical co-precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction(XRD) results reveal that Cu ions are successfully doped into ZnO matrix without altering i...Here, undoped and Cu doped ZnO nanoparticles(NPs) have been prepared by chemical co-precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction(XRD) results reveal that Cu ions are successfully doped into ZnO matrix without altering its wurtzite phase. The single wurtzite phase of ZnO is retained even for 10 wt% Cu doped ZnO sample. It is observed from the electron microscopy results that higher level of Cu doping varies the morphology of ZnO NPs from spherical to flat NPs. Moreover, the particle size is found to increase with the increase in Cu doping level. Raman spectroscopy results further confirm that Cu dopant has not altered the wurtzite structure of ZnO. Impedance spectroscopy results reveal that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss have increasing trend with Cu doping. Cu doping has been found to slightly decrease the bactericidal potency of ZnO nanoparticles.展开更多
Migratory livestock raising has been one of the most important livelihood options for people residing in high mountain areas and has made a significant contribution to the economy of the Hindu Kush Himalayan(HKH) regi...Migratory livestock raising has been one of the most important livelihood options for people residing in high mountain areas and has made a significant contribution to the economy of the Hindu Kush Himalayan(HKH) region, both in terms of supporting households and in export earnings. However, in recent decades, changes in the socioeconomic situation and increasing climate variability have led to a need to enhance adaptation by building the resilience of local socio-ecological systems, including economic diversification and sustainable management of natural resources. Based on semistructured interviews with pastoral communities in six countries within the pastoral HKH region, this paper discusses the situation, trends and driving forces behind the diversification of pastoral livelihood. For internal diversification the study highlights the need for enhancement of pastoral livelihoods through value-adding activities in the pastoral sectors. For external diversification changes on policy changes are needed to support free out-migration, market exploitation, and multiple resource use. Finally the paper highlights the role of education in determining household adaptation strategies in the face of various socio-ecological pressures and recommends integrating innovative and indigenous knowledge to develop appropriate methods for risk management and resource management in the pastoral HKH region.展开更多
Atomic layer deposition technique has been used to prepare tantalum nitride nanoparticles(TaN-NPs)and sandwiched between Al-doped HfO;layers to achieve ITO/HfAlO/TaN-NP/HfAlO/ITO RRAM device.Transmission electron micr...Atomic layer deposition technique has been used to prepare tantalum nitride nanoparticles(TaN-NPs)and sandwiched between Al-doped HfO;layers to achieve ITO/HfAlO/TaN-NP/HfAlO/ITO RRAM device.Transmission electron microscopy along with energy dispersive spectroscopy confirms the presence of TaN-NPs.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggests that part of Ta N converted to tantalum oxynitride(TaO_(x)N_(y))which plays an important role in stable cycle-to-cycle resistive switching.Charge trapping and oxygen vacancy creation were found to be modified after the inclusion of Ta N-NPs inside RRAM structure.Also,HfAlO/TaO_(x)N_(y)interface due to the presence TaN-NPs improves the device-to-device switching reliability by reducing the probability of random rupture/formation of conductive filaments(CFs).DC endurance of more than 10^(3)cycles and memory data retention up to 10^(4)s was achieved with an insignificant variation of different resistance states.Multilevel conductance was attained by controlling RESET voltage with stable data retention in multiple states.The volatile threshold switching was monitored after controlling the CF forming at 200 nA current compliance with high selectivity of~10^(3).Synaptic learning behavior has been demonstrated by spike-rate-dependent plasticity(SRDP).Reliable potentiation and depression processes were observed after the application of suitable negative and positive pulses which shows the capability of the TaN–NPs based RRAM device for transparent synaptic devices.展开更多
Hydro-Pericardium Syndrome (HPS) is viral problem of commercial poultry caused by aviadeno virus type-4. In Pakistan the problems have been controlled by administering inactivated infected liver homogenate vaccine (IL...Hydro-Pericardium Syndrome (HPS) is viral problem of commercial poultry caused by aviadeno virus type-4. In Pakistan the problems have been controlled by administering inactivated infected liver homogenate vaccine (ILHV). The use of liver based HPS vaccines remained potential threat for having hypersensitivity reactions in poultry. The current study was carried out to compare the serological potency of HPS ILHV to vero cell line adopted vaccine in term of anti HPS-ELISA antibody titers. 14 HPS virus vaccines were prepared based on different concentration of antigen, type of adjuvants and source of virus substrate. Total of 160 birds were divided into 16 groups each containing 10 birds. At day of 14th age each bird of every group was injected with 0.3 ml dose of respective vaccine. It was observed that HPS infected liver based vaccine having 1 × 105.6, 1 × 105.6 and 1 × 103.6 bird lethal dose 50 induced 1092.10, 875.25 and 702.2 anti-HPS ELISA antibody titer respectively. The 20, 25 and 30 doses/gm HPS infected liver vaccine induced 110.4, 1071.9 and 1037.8 anti-HPS ELISA antibody titer respectively. Montanide based tissue culture HPS vaccine showed significantly higher 1148.45 anti-HPS ELISA antibody titer to aluminium hydroxide based vaccine (137.2) (P 5.6 TCID50 is serological potent against field infection. The vaccines based on such formulation could be prepared in future for effective immuno-prophylaxis against HPS virus.展开更多
Hepatitis C virus is one of the major health problems worldwide. It affects mainly the liver but several extrahepatic manifestations are also accounted. Chronic hepatitis C patients are at an increased risk of develop...Hepatitis C virus is one of the major health problems worldwide. It affects mainly the liver but several extrahepatic manifestations are also accounted. Chronic hepatitis C patients are at an increased risk of developing hepatic steatosis, which share many clinical features with the metabolic syndrome. Hepatic steatosis has also been associated with elevated levels of markers of inflammation such as homocysteine, identified as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC). HHC due to Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) gene, in particular the C677T polymorphism, was recently associated with coronary heart diseases (CHD) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Homocysteine is an intermediate in methionine metabolism, which takes place mainly in the liver metabolism. Deficiencies of micronutrients (folate, vitamin B 6 and possibly vitamin B 12) along with mild hyperhomocysteinemia, perhaps, act synergistically with other classical risk factors to further increase the risk of CHD. Clinical data indicate that HHC is associated with an increased incidence of CHD as well as with the severity of the disease in CHC patients. In conclusion, HHC might be a potential aetiological factor of CHD in CHC patients. The aim of this review is to investigate the progression of coronary heart diseases in chronic hepatitis C patients and correlate with levels of homocysteine in concurrence to genetic defects and nutrient deficiencies. However, future studies need to clarify the mechanistic role of HHC in CHD and CHC as a useful paradigm with most interesting therapeutic implications.展开更多
Migraine is a common neurological disorder, prevalent in almost all over the world population and being considered as the 13th major medical disorder among other major disorders across the globe, generally characteriz...Migraine is a common neurological disorder, prevalent in almost all over the world population and being considered as the 13th major medical disorder among other major disorders across the globe, generally characterized with unilateral or bilateral headache, nausea and vomiting. In developing world, countries like Pakistan, most of the patients are not well aware of migraine headaches, as usually taken for simple headache due to no proper awareness. Usually it is not a contagious condition and most of the time it is recoded as episodic in nature. To assess the migraine, its frequency, symptoms, usual triggers and patients’ perceptions, the present study was conducted. For this purpose a prospective study was carried out based on properly designed questionnaire. The data were collected from 7 educational institutes, including students of Islamia College Peshawar, University of Peshawar, Khyber Medical College, Engineering University Peshawar, Fatima Jinnah College Peshawar, Commerce College Peshawar and Agriculture University Peshawar. Part of data was also collected from patients visiting Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar for their headache problems. A total of 270 questionnaires were filled up. About 81 (30.00%) headache cases were recorded, fulfilling the International criteria of Headache. Out of 81 recorded cases, 31 (38.3%) patients were of migraine with aura and 50 (61.7%) were of migraine without aura condition. The prevalence of migraine in the study population was found to be 30.00%. The frequency of female migraine patients was higher i.e. 31 (34.1%) than the male sufferers 50 (27.9%). The present study clearly showed that the higher frequency (65.0%) of migraine exists in the age group of above 30 years age. The most prevalent trigger was found to be tension, which was in parallel followed by the lack of sleep or oversleeping. A family history for migraine was found in migraine patients. Usually the condition was found to limit the routine activities of patients. The present study recorded that most of the migraine patients (40.2%) did not visit doctors at hospital and preferably go for self-medication, which really needs a public awareness in order to properly cope this neurological disorder, which may pose future medical complications as well.展开更多
Cotton is an economically important natural fiber in the world, whose seeds are used as food and fiber used in the manufacturing of textiles. Cotton is naturally a renewable synthetic fiber which is derived from petro...Cotton is an economically important natural fiber in the world, whose seeds are used as food and fiber used in the manufacturing of textiles. Cotton is naturally a renewable synthetic fiber which is derived from petroleum. Restriction in conventional breeding program to hereditary change may be because of those of information something like yield revenue and fiber quality of traits. Vitally, the genome representation of the cotton for various traits is the basic need for breeding purposes. The present review discusses the issues of conventional breeding and genomics resources & efforts are utilized to enhance the yield of cotton.展开更多
Molecular dynamics simulation employing the embedded atom method potential is utilized to investigate nanoscale surface diffusion mechanisms of binary heterogeneous adatoms clusters at 300 K, 500 K, and 700 K. Surface...Molecular dynamics simulation employing the embedded atom method potential is utilized to investigate nanoscale surface diffusion mechanisms of binary heterogeneous adatoms clusters at 300 K, 500 K, and 700 K. Surface diffusion of heterogeneous adatoms clusters can be vital for the binary island growth on the surface and can be useful for the formation of alloy-based thin film surface through atomic exchange process. The results of the diffusion process show that at 300 K, the diffusion of small adatoms clusters shows hopping, sliding, and shear motion; whereas for large adatoms clusters（hexamer and above）, the diffusion is negligible. At 500 K, small adatoms clusters, i.e., dimer, show almost all possible diffusion mechanisms including the atomic exchange process; however no such exchange is observed for adatoms clusters greater than dimer. At 700 K, the exchange mechanism dominates for all types of clusters, where Zr adatoms show maximum tendency and Ag adatoms show minimum or no tendency toward the exchange process. Separation and recombination of one or more adatoms are also observed at 500 K and 700 K. The Ag adatoms also occupy pop-up positions over the adatoms clusters for short intervals. At 700 K, the vacancies are also generated in the vicinity of the adatoms cluster,vacancy formation, filling, and shifting can be observed from the results.展开更多
The Internet of Things(IoT)has been evolving for more than a decade.Technological advancements have increased its popularity,but concerns and risks related to IoT are growing considerably along with the increased numb...The Internet of Things(IoT)has been evolving for more than a decade.Technological advancements have increased its popularity,but concerns and risks related to IoT are growing considerably along with the increased number of connected devices.In 2013,a new cryptography-based infrastructure called blockchain emerged with the potential to replace the existing cloud-based infrastructure of IoT through decentralization.In this article,we provide a taxonomy of the challenges in the current IoT infrastructure,and a literature survey with a taxonomy of the issues to expect in the future of the IoT after adopting blockchain as an infrastructure.The two architectures are compared based on their strengths and weaknesses.Then a brief survey of ongoing key research activities in blockchain is presented,which will have considerable impact on overcoming the challenges encountered in the applicability of blockchain in IoT.Finally,considering the challenges and issues in both infrastructures and the latest research activities,we propose a high-level hybrid IoT approach that uses the cloud,edge/fog,and blockchain together to avoid the limitations of each infrastructure.展开更多
Chlorambucil is a classic nitrogen mustard drug that has been used in the treatment of cancers. It may induce neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and other side effects because of its short lifetime and off-target effect. I...Chlorambucil is a classic nitrogen mustard drug that has been used in the treatment of cancers. It may induce neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and other side effects because of its short lifetime and off-target effect. In this report, chlorambucil-tetrapeptide （AAAK, A3K） conjugate vesicles were developed to improve the stability and bioactivity of chlorambucil. First of all, chlorambucil-A3K conjugate was synthesized by solid phase synthesis strategy. Sec- ondly, the chlorambucil-A3K conjugate was assembled and characterized by critical aggregation concentration, cir- cular dichroism, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the chlo- rambucil-A3K conjugate can be assembled to form spherical vesicles with an average diameter of 390.5 nm, and high drug loading about 47.1% is reached. Surprisingly, the preliminary biological evaluation of the chlorambu- cil-A3K conjugate vesicles revealed the best in vitro anticancer activity against HeLa, HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell lines compared with chlorambucil and chlorambucil-A3K conjugate free drugs. Furthermore, conjugate vesicles showed excellent in vivo antitumoral activity. It can be partly attributed to their vesicular structure which isolates chloram- bucil active moiety from aqueous solution to retard degradation before killing cancer cells. Therefore, chlorambu- cil-peptide （A3K） conjugate vesicles may be an alternative delivery system of chlorambucil.展开更多
China and Pakistan's collaboration in attaining regional integration can alter the regional geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics.CPEC is the steps toward benefiting Pakistan,China,and the whole region.This artic...China and Pakistan's collaboration in attaining regional integration can alter the regional geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics.CPEC is the steps toward benefiting Pakistan,China,and the whole region.This article explored the regional actors’role in undermining and threatening the CPEC.Analysis of the secondary data revealed that India,Iran,Afghanistan,and the USA could create security problems for CPEC.Theoretical Framework,based on Behavioralist theory,was developed to investigate these security threats through the primary data collected through the structured questionnaire with the help of experts.The primary data also revealed that Iran and India have vital roles.The study also discussed suggestions and implications for future research.展开更多
文摘Newcastle disease (ND) virus is a leading threat to commercial and domestic poultry in Pakistan. The virus infects and constitutes irreversible impairment to the nervous system, damages the respiratory system, and marks severe gastrointestinal lesions leading to heavy mortality in short-living birds and substantial losses in layers and breeders. The continuous emergence and evolution of the virus made it inclined to evade the humoral response and indirectly the circumvention of artificial active immunization. Newcastle disease is caused by the orthoavula genus of the paramyxoviridae family and has shown high genetic diversity even in their genotypes while information regarding enzootic trends of the virus is scanty in Pakistan. A total of 40 tracheal samples of NDV were collected from different commercial broiler farms and 11 isolates of NDV were identified. In the current study, we determined the genetic diversity of the Newcastle disease virus based on the partial sequencing of the fusion protein gene available in the NCBI database. Genetic analysis showed that seven isolates belonged to class I genotype VII and four belonged to class II genotype II. Interestingly, two isolates had epidemiological connections with vaccine-like class II genotype II. Our findings, concerning the recent outbreaks of class I genotype VII and class II genotype II of NDV in vaccinated commercial flocks, suggest possible potential partial mutations in the fusion protein gene. Genetic diversity and formation of the new cleavage site in an important neutralizing protein of wild strain are linked with the potency of artificial active immunization and a major cause of vaccine failure.
基金funded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) IPFP (Grant No. PM-IPFP/HRD/ HEC/2011/3386) to Dr. Javed Iqbal Saggu and funding for HEC Ph.D. Scholar (Tariq Jan) under his supervision
文摘In this study, CeO2 nanostructures were synthesized by a soft chemical method. A hydrothermal treatment was observed to lead to an interesting morphological transformation of the nanoparticles into homogeneous microspheres composed of nanosheets with an average thickness of 40 nm. Structural analysis revealed the formation of a single-phase cubic fluorite structure of CeO2 for both samples. A Raman spectroscopic study confirmed the XRD results and furthermore indicated the presence of a large number of oxygen vacancies in the nanosheets. These oxygen vacancies led to room-temperature ferromagnetism （RTFM） of the CeO2 nanosheets with enhanced magnetic characteristics. Amazingly, the nanosheets exhibited substantially greater antibacterial activity than the nanoparticles. This greater antibacte- rial activity was attributed to greater exposure of high-surface-energy polar surfaces and to the presence of oxygen vacancies.
基金financially supported in part by a grant(2021R1C1C1004422)of the National Research Foundation(NRF)grant funded by the Korean government(MSIP)。
文摘In this study,resistive random-access memory(RRAM)-based crossbar arrays with a memristor W/TiO_(2)/HfO_(2)/TaN structure were fabricated through atomic layer deposition(ALD)to investigate synaptic plasticity and resistive switching(RS)characteristics for bioinspired neuromorphic computing.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)was employed to explore oxygen vacancy concentrations in bilayer TiO_(2)/HfO_(2)films.Gaussian fitting for O1s peaks confirmed that the HfO_(2)layer contained a larger number of oxygen vacancies than the TiO_(2)layer.In addition,HfO_(2)had lower Gibbs free energy(ΔG°=-1010.8 kJ/mol)than the TiO_(2)layer(ΔG°=-924.0 kJ/mol),resulting in more oxygen vacancies in the HfO_(2)layer.XPS results andΔG°magnitudes confirmed that formation/disruption of oxygen-based conductive filaments took place in the TiO_(2)layer.The W/TiO_(2)/HfO_(2)/TaN memristive device exhibited excellent and repeatable RS characteristics,including superb 10^(3) dc switching cycles,outstanding 107 pulse endurance,and high-thermal stability(10^(4) s at 125℃)important for digital computing systems.Furthermore,some essential biological synaptic characteristics such as potentiation-depression plasticity,paired-pulse facilitation(PPF),and spike-timing-dependent plasticity(STDP,asymmetric Hebbian and asymmetric anti-Hebbian)were successfully mimicked herein using the crossbar-array memristive device.Based on experimental results,a migration and diffusion of oxygen vacancy based physical model is proposed to describe the synaptic plasticity and RS mechanism.This study demonstrates that the proposed W/TiO_(2)/HfO_(2)/TaN memristor crossbar-array has a significant potential for applications in non-volatile memory(NVM)and bioinspired neuromorphic systems.
基金We acknowledge financial support from the Department of Geology,University of Peshawar,and some logistical support and garnetiferous NZ samples from BAK Consulting Engineers
文摘Two well-developed mesoscopic folds, D_2 and D_3, which postdate the middle amphibolite metamorphism, were recognized in the western hinterland zone of Pakistan. NW–SE trending D_2 folds developed during NE–SW horizontal bulk shortening followed by NE–SW trending D_3 folds, which developed during SE–NW shortening. Micro- to mesoscopically the NW–SE trending S2 crenulation cleavage, boudins and mineral stretching lineations are overprinted by D_3. The newly established NW–SE trending micro- to mesoscopic structures in Munda termed D_2, which postdated F_1/F_2, is synchronously developed with F3 structures in the western hinterland zone of Pakistan. We interpret that D2 and D3 folds are counterclockwise rotated in the tectonic event that has evolved the Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis after the main phase Indian plate and Kohistan Island Arc collision. Chlorite replacement by biotite in the main matrix crenulation cleavages indicates prograde metamorphism related with D2. The inclusion of muscovite and biotite in garnet porphyroblasts and the presence of staurolite in these rocks indicate that the Barrovian metamorphic conditions predate D2 and D3. We interpret that garnet, staurolite and calcite porphyroblasts grew before D2 because the well developed S2 crenulation cleavage wraps around these porphyroblasts.
基金supported in part by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIP) (No.2021R1C1C1004422)the Dongguk University Research Fund of 2020supported through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science,ICT & Future Planning (Nos.NRF2020M3F3A2A02082449 and NRF-2016R1A6A1A03013422)。
文摘The multilevel storage capability of nonvolatile resistive random access memory(ReRAM)is greatly de-sired to accomplish high functioning memory density.In this study,Ta_(2)O_(5) thin film with different thick-nesses(2,4,and 6 nm)was exploited as an appropriate interfacial barrier layer for limiting the formation of the interfacial layer between the 10 nm thick sputtering deposited resistive switching(RS)layer and Ta ohmic electrode to improve the switching cycle endurance and uniformity.Results show that lower form-ing voltage,narrow distribution of SET-voltages,good dc switching cycles(10^(3)),high pulse endurance(10^(6) cycles),long retention time(10^(4) s at room temperature and 100℃),and reliable multilevel resis-tance states were obtained at an appropriate thickness of∼2 nm Ta_(2)O_(5) interfacial barrier layer instead of without Ta_(2)O_(5) and with∼4 nm,and∼6 nm Ta_(2)O_(5) barrier layer,ZrO_(2)-based memristive devices.Besides,multilevel resistance states have been scientifically investigated via modulating the compliance current(CC)and RESET-stop voltages,which displays that all of the resistance states were distinct and stayed stable without any considerable deprivation over 10^(4) s retention time and 104 pulse endurance cycles.The I-V characteristics of RESET-stop voltage(from−1.7 to−2.3 V)of HRS are found to be a good linear fit with the Schottky equation.It can be seen that Schottky barrier height rises by increasing the stop-voltage during RESET-operation,resulting in enhancing the data storage memory window(on/offratio).Moreover,RESET-voltage and CC control of HRS and LRS revealed the physical origin of the RS mecha-nism,which entails the formation and rupture of conducting nanofilaments.It is thoroughly investigated that proper optimization of the barrier layer at the ohmic interface and the switching layer is essential in memristive devices.These results demonstrate that the ZrO_(2)-based memristive device with an optimized∼2 nm Ta_(2)O_(5) barrier layer is a promising candidate for multilevel data storage memory applications.
文摘Chlorpyrifos is a commonly used pesticide of organophosphate group, which causes toxicological effects in non-target organisms especially fish and frogs. In the present study, the genotoxicity of sublethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos was observed in the erythrocytes of common Indus valley toad, Bufo stomaticus, using the Alkaline Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet) assay. In the first step, acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos was evaluated by exposing the tadpoles to high concentrations of the pesticide. The acute LC50 value of chlorpyrifos, calculated by Trimmed Spearman-Karber (TSK) in static bioassay, was found to be 930.0 μg/L. On the basis of acute LC50 value, the tadpoles were exposed to three sublethal concentrations (155, 233 and 465 μg/L) of chlorpyrifos for 96 h. Blood cells were collected at every 24 h interval and were subjected to the Alkaline Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis assay. The observed DNA damage was concentration and time-dependent, and those levels of DNA damage in between the tested concentrations and times were significantly different (p < 0.05). The tadpoles exposed to different concentrations of chlorpyrifos also showed different morphological abnormalities. It was concluded that chlorpyrifos is a genotoxic pesticide causing DNA damage in Bufo stomaticus.
文摘In the present article, certain classes of generalized p-valent Robertson functions are considered. Mapping properties of these classes are investigated under certain p-valent integral operators introduced by Frasin recently.
基金funded by the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan (HEC) IPFP (Grant No. PM-IPFP/HRD/HEC/2011/3386)funding for HEC Ph.D. Scholar (Tariq Jan)
文摘Here, undoped and Cu doped ZnO nanoparticles(NPs) have been prepared by chemical co-precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction(XRD) results reveal that Cu ions are successfully doped into ZnO matrix without altering its wurtzite phase. The single wurtzite phase of ZnO is retained even for 10 wt% Cu doped ZnO sample. It is observed from the electron microscopy results that higher level of Cu doping varies the morphology of ZnO NPs from spherical to flat NPs. Moreover, the particle size is found to increase with the increase in Cu doping level. Raman spectroscopy results further confirm that Cu dopant has not altered the wurtzite structure of ZnO. Impedance spectroscopy results reveal that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss have increasing trend with Cu doping. Cu doping has been found to slightly decrease the bactericidal potency of ZnO nanoparticles.
基金The financial supports received from the ICIMOD innovation fundDeutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)+1 种基金Austrian Development Agency (ADA)UK Department for International Development (DFID)
文摘Migratory livestock raising has been one of the most important livelihood options for people residing in high mountain areas and has made a significant contribution to the economy of the Hindu Kush Himalayan(HKH) region, both in terms of supporting households and in export earnings. However, in recent decades, changes in the socioeconomic situation and increasing climate variability have led to a need to enhance adaptation by building the resilience of local socio-ecological systems, including economic diversification and sustainable management of natural resources. Based on semistructured interviews with pastoral communities in six countries within the pastoral HKH region, this paper discusses the situation, trends and driving forces behind the diversification of pastoral livelihood. For internal diversification the study highlights the need for enhancement of pastoral livelihoods through value-adding activities in the pastoral sectors. For external diversification changes on policy changes are needed to support free out-migration, market exploitation, and multiple resource use. Finally the paper highlights the role of education in determining household adaptation strategies in the face of various socio-ecological pressures and recommends integrating innovative and indigenous knowledge to develop appropriate methods for risk management and resource management in the pastoral HKH region.
基金financially supported in part by National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korean government(MSIP)(2018R1C1B5046454)by the Dongguk University Research Fund of 2020。
文摘Atomic layer deposition technique has been used to prepare tantalum nitride nanoparticles(TaN-NPs)and sandwiched between Al-doped HfO;layers to achieve ITO/HfAlO/TaN-NP/HfAlO/ITO RRAM device.Transmission electron microscopy along with energy dispersive spectroscopy confirms the presence of TaN-NPs.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggests that part of Ta N converted to tantalum oxynitride(TaO_(x)N_(y))which plays an important role in stable cycle-to-cycle resistive switching.Charge trapping and oxygen vacancy creation were found to be modified after the inclusion of Ta N-NPs inside RRAM structure.Also,HfAlO/TaO_(x)N_(y)interface due to the presence TaN-NPs improves the device-to-device switching reliability by reducing the probability of random rupture/formation of conductive filaments(CFs).DC endurance of more than 10^(3)cycles and memory data retention up to 10^(4)s was achieved with an insignificant variation of different resistance states.Multilevel conductance was attained by controlling RESET voltage with stable data retention in multiple states.The volatile threshold switching was monitored after controlling the CF forming at 200 nA current compliance with high selectivity of~10^(3).Synaptic learning behavior has been demonstrated by spike-rate-dependent plasticity(SRDP).Reliable potentiation and depression processes were observed after the application of suitable negative and positive pulses which shows the capability of the TaN–NPs based RRAM device for transparent synaptic devices.
文摘Hydro-Pericardium Syndrome (HPS) is viral problem of commercial poultry caused by aviadeno virus type-4. In Pakistan the problems have been controlled by administering inactivated infected liver homogenate vaccine (ILHV). The use of liver based HPS vaccines remained potential threat for having hypersensitivity reactions in poultry. The current study was carried out to compare the serological potency of HPS ILHV to vero cell line adopted vaccine in term of anti HPS-ELISA antibody titers. 14 HPS virus vaccines were prepared based on different concentration of antigen, type of adjuvants and source of virus substrate. Total of 160 birds were divided into 16 groups each containing 10 birds. At day of 14th age each bird of every group was injected with 0.3 ml dose of respective vaccine. It was observed that HPS infected liver based vaccine having 1 × 105.6, 1 × 105.6 and 1 × 103.6 bird lethal dose 50 induced 1092.10, 875.25 and 702.2 anti-HPS ELISA antibody titer respectively. The 20, 25 and 30 doses/gm HPS infected liver vaccine induced 110.4, 1071.9 and 1037.8 anti-HPS ELISA antibody titer respectively. Montanide based tissue culture HPS vaccine showed significantly higher 1148.45 anti-HPS ELISA antibody titer to aluminium hydroxide based vaccine (137.2) (P 5.6 TCID50 is serological potent against field infection. The vaccines based on such formulation could be prepared in future for effective immuno-prophylaxis against HPS virus.
文摘Hepatitis C virus is one of the major health problems worldwide. It affects mainly the liver but several extrahepatic manifestations are also accounted. Chronic hepatitis C patients are at an increased risk of developing hepatic steatosis, which share many clinical features with the metabolic syndrome. Hepatic steatosis has also been associated with elevated levels of markers of inflammation such as homocysteine, identified as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC). HHC due to Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) gene, in particular the C677T polymorphism, was recently associated with coronary heart diseases (CHD) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Homocysteine is an intermediate in methionine metabolism, which takes place mainly in the liver metabolism. Deficiencies of micronutrients (folate, vitamin B 6 and possibly vitamin B 12) along with mild hyperhomocysteinemia, perhaps, act synergistically with other classical risk factors to further increase the risk of CHD. Clinical data indicate that HHC is associated with an increased incidence of CHD as well as with the severity of the disease in CHC patients. In conclusion, HHC might be a potential aetiological factor of CHD in CHC patients. The aim of this review is to investigate the progression of coronary heart diseases in chronic hepatitis C patients and correlate with levels of homocysteine in concurrence to genetic defects and nutrient deficiencies. However, future studies need to clarify the mechanistic role of HHC in CHD and CHC as a useful paradigm with most interesting therapeutic implications.
文摘Migraine is a common neurological disorder, prevalent in almost all over the world population and being considered as the 13th major medical disorder among other major disorders across the globe, generally characterized with unilateral or bilateral headache, nausea and vomiting. In developing world, countries like Pakistan, most of the patients are not well aware of migraine headaches, as usually taken for simple headache due to no proper awareness. Usually it is not a contagious condition and most of the time it is recoded as episodic in nature. To assess the migraine, its frequency, symptoms, usual triggers and patients’ perceptions, the present study was conducted. For this purpose a prospective study was carried out based on properly designed questionnaire. The data were collected from 7 educational institutes, including students of Islamia College Peshawar, University of Peshawar, Khyber Medical College, Engineering University Peshawar, Fatima Jinnah College Peshawar, Commerce College Peshawar and Agriculture University Peshawar. Part of data was also collected from patients visiting Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar for their headache problems. A total of 270 questionnaires were filled up. About 81 (30.00%) headache cases were recorded, fulfilling the International criteria of Headache. Out of 81 recorded cases, 31 (38.3%) patients were of migraine with aura and 50 (61.7%) were of migraine without aura condition. The prevalence of migraine in the study population was found to be 30.00%. The frequency of female migraine patients was higher i.e. 31 (34.1%) than the male sufferers 50 (27.9%). The present study clearly showed that the higher frequency (65.0%) of migraine exists in the age group of above 30 years age. The most prevalent trigger was found to be tension, which was in parallel followed by the lack of sleep or oversleeping. A family history for migraine was found in migraine patients. Usually the condition was found to limit the routine activities of patients. The present study recorded that most of the migraine patients (40.2%) did not visit doctors at hospital and preferably go for self-medication, which really needs a public awareness in order to properly cope this neurological disorder, which may pose future medical complications as well.
文摘Cotton is an economically important natural fiber in the world, whose seeds are used as food and fiber used in the manufacturing of textiles. Cotton is naturally a renewable synthetic fiber which is derived from petroleum. Restriction in conventional breeding program to hereditary change may be because of those of information something like yield revenue and fiber quality of traits. Vitally, the genome representation of the cotton for various traits is the basic need for breeding purposes. The present review discusses the issues of conventional breeding and genomics resources & efforts are utilized to enhance the yield of cotton.
文摘Molecular dynamics simulation employing the embedded atom method potential is utilized to investigate nanoscale surface diffusion mechanisms of binary heterogeneous adatoms clusters at 300 K, 500 K, and 700 K. Surface diffusion of heterogeneous adatoms clusters can be vital for the binary island growth on the surface and can be useful for the formation of alloy-based thin film surface through atomic exchange process. The results of the diffusion process show that at 300 K, the diffusion of small adatoms clusters shows hopping, sliding, and shear motion; whereas for large adatoms clusters（hexamer and above）, the diffusion is negligible. At 500 K, small adatoms clusters, i.e., dimer, show almost all possible diffusion mechanisms including the atomic exchange process; however no such exchange is observed for adatoms clusters greater than dimer. At 700 K, the exchange mechanism dominates for all types of clusters, where Zr adatoms show maximum tendency and Ag adatoms show minimum or no tendency toward the exchange process. Separation and recombination of one or more adatoms are also observed at 500 K and 700 K. The Ag adatoms also occupy pop-up positions over the adatoms clusters for short intervals. At 700 K, the vacancies are also generated in the vicinity of the adatoms cluster,vacancy formation, filling, and shifting can be observed from the results.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61370073)the National High-Tech R&D Program of China(No.2007AA01Z423)the Science and Technology Department of Sichuan Province,China。
文摘The Internet of Things(IoT)has been evolving for more than a decade.Technological advancements have increased its popularity,but concerns and risks related to IoT are growing considerably along with the increased number of connected devices.In 2013,a new cryptography-based infrastructure called blockchain emerged with the potential to replace the existing cloud-based infrastructure of IoT through decentralization.In this article,we provide a taxonomy of the challenges in the current IoT infrastructure,and a literature survey with a taxonomy of the issues to expect in the future of the IoT after adopting blockchain as an infrastructure.The two architectures are compared based on their strengths and weaknesses.Then a brief survey of ongoing key research activities in blockchain is presented,which will have considerable impact on overcoming the challenges encountered in the applicability of blockchain in IoT.Finally,considering the challenges and issues in both infrastructures and the latest research activities,we propose a high-level hybrid IoT approach that uses the cloud,edge/fog,and blockchain together to avoid the limitations of each infrastructure.
文摘Chlorambucil is a classic nitrogen mustard drug that has been used in the treatment of cancers. It may induce neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and other side effects because of its short lifetime and off-target effect. In this report, chlorambucil-tetrapeptide （AAAK, A3K） conjugate vesicles were developed to improve the stability and bioactivity of chlorambucil. First of all, chlorambucil-A3K conjugate was synthesized by solid phase synthesis strategy. Sec- ondly, the chlorambucil-A3K conjugate was assembled and characterized by critical aggregation concentration, cir- cular dichroism, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the chlo- rambucil-A3K conjugate can be assembled to form spherical vesicles with an average diameter of 390.5 nm, and high drug loading about 47.1% is reached. Surprisingly, the preliminary biological evaluation of the chlorambu- cil-A3K conjugate vesicles revealed the best in vitro anticancer activity against HeLa, HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell lines compared with chlorambucil and chlorambucil-A3K conjugate free drugs. Furthermore, conjugate vesicles showed excellent in vivo antitumoral activity. It can be partly attributed to their vesicular structure which isolates chloram- bucil active moiety from aqueous solution to retard degradation before killing cancer cells. Therefore, chlorambu- cil-peptide （A3K） conjugate vesicles may be an alternative delivery system of chlorambucil.
文摘China and Pakistan's collaboration in attaining regional integration can alter the regional geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics.CPEC is the steps toward benefiting Pakistan,China,and the whole region.This article explored the regional actors’role in undermining and threatening the CPEC.Analysis of the secondary data revealed that India,Iran,Afghanistan,and the USA could create security problems for CPEC.Theoretical Framework,based on Behavioralist theory,was developed to investigate these security threats through the primary data collected through the structured questionnaire with the help of experts.The primary data also revealed that Iran and India have vital roles.The study also discussed suggestions and implications for future research.
