In the present work,the fruits of four Morus species,namely Morus alba (white mulberry),Morus nigra (black mulberry),Morus laevigata (large white fruit),and Morus laevigata (large black fruit),were analyzed for proxim...In the present work,the fruits of four Morus species,namely Morus alba (white mulberry),Morus nigra (black mulberry),Morus laevigata (large white fruit),and Morus laevigata (large black fruit),were analyzed for proximate composition,essential minerals,and antioxidant potentials.For this purpose,the ripe fruits were collected from the northern regions of Pakistan.The major nutritional components moisture,ash,lipids,proteins,fibres,carbohydrates,and total sugar) were found to be in the suitable range along with good computed energy.Total dry weight,pH,and titratable acidity (percent citric acid) were (17.60±1.94)–(21.97±2.34) mg/100 g,(3.20±0.07)–(4.78±0.15),and (0.84±0.40)%–(2.00±0.08)%,respectively.Low riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3) contents were recorded in all the fruits,while ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was in the range from (15.20±1.25) to (17.03±1.71) mg/100 g fresh weight (FW).The mulberry fruits were rich with regard to the total phenol and alkaloid contents,having values of (880±7.20)–(1650±12.25) mg/100 g FW and (390±3.22)–(660±5.25) mg/100 g FW,respectively.Sufficient quantities of essential macro-(K,Ca,Mg,and Na) and micro-(Fe,Zn,and Ni) elements were found in all the fruits.K was the predominant element with concentration ranging from (1270±9.36) to (1731±11.50) mg/100 g,while Ca,Na,and Mg contents were (440±3.21)–(576±7.37),(260±3.86)–(280±3.50),and (240±3.51)–(360±4.20) mg/100 g,respectivly.The decreasing order of micro-minerals was Fe>Zn>Ni.The radical scavenging activity of methanolic extract of fruits was concentration-dependent and showed a correlation with total phenolic constituents of the respective fruits.Based on the results obtained,mulberry fruits were found to serve as a potential source of food diet and natural antioxidants.展开更多
Limestone and clay samples were collected from Darukhula and adjoining areas of the Nizampur District,Nowshera,N.W.F.P.,Pakistan,and analyzed for different parameters in order to search for new reserves of suitable ma...Limestone and clay samples were collected from Darukhula and adjoining areas of the Nizampur District,Nowshera,N.W.F.P.,Pakistan,and analyzed for different parameters in order to search for new reserves of suitable material for the manufacture of different types of cements in N.W.F.P.It was found that the area under study contains three types of limestones,including high grade limestone,Darukhula limestone and siliceous limestone,which contain 53%,49.03% and 45.19% CaO,respectively,and three types of clay,including maroon color,yellow to yellowish-green color and green color clay containing 57.76%,65.47% and 61.24% SiO2,respectively.Chemical analysis of the limestone and clay samples collected from the deposits in the area under study showed that all the elements found in these samples are within the range of permissible limits for the production of high-strength Portland cement,sulphate resisting cement and white cement.This paper covers the detailed version of the potential raw material deposits at Darukhula and adjoining areas of the Nizampur District.展开更多
Transformation of lignin into high-value chemicals is hampered by the complexity of monomers obtained from lignin depolymerization. Here we report a strategy, composed of hy-dro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation react...Transformation of lignin into high-value chemicals is hampered by the complexity of monomers obtained from lignin depolymerization. Here we report a strategy, composed of hy-dro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions, that is able to chemically converge various lig-nin-derived phenolic monomers into phenol in a single-step. Using 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol as a model compound, Pt/C exhibited the best performance in hydro-demethoxylation reaction afford-ing 80% 4-propylphenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol, while H-ZSM-5 was identified as the most suitable catalyst for de-alkylation, achieving 83% yield of phenol from 4-propylphenol. Since the two catalysts operate under compatible conditions, combining the two catalysts to simultane-ously promote both hydro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions was achieved. Configura-tion of how to organize the catalysts is a critical parameter, where the physical mixture of the two was most effective, providing over 60% phenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol in a single-step.展开更多
We report physicochemical characteristics of various kinds of liquid milk commercially available in Pakistan in comparison with those of fresh natural milk from animals. Milk samples were collected from local markets ...We report physicochemical characteristics of various kinds of liquid milk commercially available in Pakistan in comparison with those of fresh natural milk from animals. Milk samples were collected from local markets at Peshawar, Pakistan, and analyzed for their physical features, including moisture, total solids, specific gravity, conductivity, viscosity and titratable acidity (lactic acid equivalent), and chemical components and macro-minerals, including total protein, casein, lactose, ash and minerals (Na, K and Mg). These items were compared with the physicochemical characteristics of the fresh natural milk samples from buffalo, cow and goat. The results were also compared with reported nutritional quality of milk from various countries and World Health Organization (WHO) standards. We found that all the physical features and chemical components of commercially available milk in Pakistan markets meet WHO's requirements, except for Na, K, Ca and Mg, which are below the standards.展开更多
Pakistani wheat varieties are grown over a wide agro-climatic range and as such are anticipated to exhibit yield and quality differences. It is therefore necessary to investigate the nutritional status of wheat variet...Pakistani wheat varieties are grown over a wide agro-climatic range and as such are anticipated to exhibit yield and quality differences. It is therefore necessary to investigate the nutritional status of wheat varieties in terms of biochemical and physiochemical characteristics available for food and nutritional purposes in Pakistan. The result shows that wheat grains of different varieties contain a net protein level of 9.15%～10.27%, 2.15%～2.55% total fats, 1.72%～1.85% dietary fibers, 77.65×10-6～84.25×10-6 of potassium and 7.70×10-6～35.90×10-6 of sodium ions concentration, 0.24×10-6～0.84×10-6 of phosphorus, 1.44%～2.10% ash, 31.108～43.602 g of thousand grain mass (TGM) and 8.38%～9.67% moisture contents. This study is significant in providing an opportunity to explore the available wheat varieties and to further improve their nutritional excellence and also essential for setting nutritional regulations for domestic and export purposes.展开更多
Objective： Scandix pecten-veneris L. is a less studied wild edible herb and is considered an extinct plant species in many parts of the world. This study was designed to evaluate its phytochemical composition and bio...Objective： Scandix pecten-veneris L. is a less studied wild edible herb and is considered an extinct plant species in many parts of the world. This study was designed to evaluate its phytochemical composition and biological potential of S. pecten-veneris L. Methods： Phytochemicals including alkaloids, fiavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins were determined in extracts of S. pecten-veneris. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl （DPPH）, while reducing power was tested by ferric reducing/antioxidant power （FRAP） assay. Antimi- crobial activity against seven bacterial and four fungal strains was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay. Enzymes inhibition study was performed for urease, phosphodiesterase-I, and catalase-II. Results： S. pecten-veneris showed moderate antiradical activity and reducing potential of hydroxyl radicals to about 20% of the initial value. The antiox- idant activity of various extracts of S. pecten-veneris showed a linear correlation with total phenolic contents in the order of water〉n-butanol〉chloroform〉ethyl acetate〉methanol extracts. S. pecten-veneris leaves showed the highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus while the highest antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans. The plant extract was most potent against urease enzymes but showed moderate activity against phosphodiestrase-I and carbonic anhydrase-II. Conclusions： Our data demonstrate that in addition to its culinary uses, S. pecten-veneris has good medicinal potential and hence could be used for treating some specific health ailments.展开更多
Background:Facelift procedures represent a critical area of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery that addresses the physical and psychological impacts of facial aging.Advancements in techniques and technologies over t...Background:Facelift procedures represent a critical area of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery that addresses the physical and psychological impacts of facial aging.Advancements in techniques and technologies over time have transformed the field,making it essential to assess the evolution of research trends.This study performed a bibliometric analysis of facelift research by examining the top 50 most cited publications to evaluate their contributions,thematic evolution,and collaborative networks.Methods:The Scopus database was used to identify relevant publications.A total of 50 documents were selected,comprising 47 articles and 3 reviews published across 16 academic sources.The inclusion criteria focused on publications with substantial relevance to facelift research;this ensured comprehensive coverage of the topic.Key performance indicators(for the authors)such as the number of papers,total citations,h-index,g-index,m-index,HG composite,and Q2 index were calculated.Citation analysis and collaborative network mapping were conducted to identify the leading contributors,including authors,universities,countries,and sources.Results:The findings indicated an annual growth rate of 1.34%,with an average document age of 29.4 years and an average citation count per document of 134.9.The analysis identified the top authors and their collaborative networks,along with key contributions from various universities,countries,and sources.The thematic evolution of facelift research was examined across these 50 papers;this revealed important trends and shifts within the field.Conclusion:This bibliometric analysis offers valuable insights into the development and influence of facelift research over a 52-year span.It highlights significant contributors and outlines thematic shifts,providing directions for future research and collaboration in this field.展开更多
Background:Three-dimensional(3D)printing has revolutionized craniofacial and craniomaxillofacial applications,leading to substantial advancements in patient-specific treatments.In this study,a bibliometric analysis wa...Background:Three-dimensional(3D)printing has revolutionized craniofacial and craniomaxillofacial applications,leading to substantial advancements in patient-specific treatments.In this study,a bibliometric analysis was performed to identify the key contributors,research trends,thematic developments,and collaboration networks in this evolving field.Methods:Two search strategies were employed to ensure a comprehensive analysis:(1)a broad search,in which selected keywords were searched in the title,abstract,and keyword fields to capture all relevant publications,and(2)a title-specific search,in which keywords were restricted to the title field to identify publications with a strong focus on 3D printing in craniofacial and craniomaxillofacial applications.The retrieved dataset was analyzed using VOSviewer and RStudio(bibliometrix package).Results:The broad search retrieved 3534 publications,whereas the title-specific search yielded 280 publications.The analysis of these 280 papers focused on identifying the top authors,universities,and countries,as well as their research dynamics and collaboration networks.A more detailed approach was adopted by examining the titles of these 280 papers.VOSviewer segmented the titles into approximately 800 words,which were then categorized into 18 distinct thematic groups to represent research trends.The focus areas of the ten most cited papers were also analyzed.Conclusion:This bibliometric study provides valuable insights into the progress in 3D printing for craniofacial and craniomaxillofacial applications.By highlighting the key contributors,thematic developments,and collaborative networks,this study offers a foundation for future research in this rapidly advancing field.展开更多
Acidic environments enhance CO_(2) utilization during CO_(2) electrolysis via a buffering effect that converts carbonates formed at the electrode surface back into CO_(2).Nevertheless,further investigation into acidic...Acidic environments enhance CO_(2) utilization during CO_(2) electrolysis via a buffering effect that converts carbonates formed at the electrode surface back into CO_(2).Nevertheless,further investigation into acidic CO_(2) electrolysis is required to improve its selectivity towards certain CO_(2) reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)products,such as multicarbon(C2+)species,while enhancing its overall stability.In this study,liquid product recirculation in the catholyte and local OH−accumulation were identified as primary factors contributing to the degradation of gas diffusion electrodes mounted in closed‐loop catholyte configurations.We demonstrate that a single‐pass catholyte configuration prevents liquid product recirculation and maintains a continuous flow of acidic‐pH catholyte throughout the reaction while using the same volume as a closed‐loop setup.This approach improves electrode durability and maintains a Faradaic efficiency of 67%for multicarbon products over 4 h of CO_(2) electrolysis at−600 mA cm^(-2).展开更多
Stability of borohydrides is determined by the localization of the negative charge on the boron atom.Ionic liquids(ILs) allow to modify the stability of the borohydrides and promote new dehydrogenation pathways with a...Stability of borohydrides is determined by the localization of the negative charge on the boron atom.Ionic liquids(ILs) allow to modify the stability of the borohydrides and promote new dehydrogenation pathways with a lower activation energy. The combination of borohydride and IL is very easy to realize and no expensive rare earth metals are required. The composite of the ILs with complex hydrides decreases the enthalpy and activation energy for the hydrogen desorption. The Coulomb interaction between borohydride and IL leads to a destabilization of the materials with a significantly lower enthalpy for hydrogen desorption. Here, we report a simple ion exchange reaction using various ILs, such as vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride([VBTMA][Cl]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride([bmim][Cl]), and 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bromide([EMPY][Br]) with NaBH4 to decrease the hydrogen desorption temperature. Dehydrogenation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium borohydride([bmim][BH4]) starts below 100℃. The quantity of desorbed hydrogen ranges between 2.4 wt% and 2.9 wt%, which is close to the theoretical content of hydrogen. The improvement in dehydrogenation is due to the strong amine cation that destabilizes borohydride by charge transfer.展开更多
In the current study simultaneous reactions of hydrodesulfurization(HDS) of dibenzothiophene(DBT) and reforming of methanol in a micro-autoclave reactor were studied over bi-metallic(Co-Mo/Al2O3 and Ni-Mo/Al2O3) and t...In the current study simultaneous reactions of hydrodesulfurization(HDS) of dibenzothiophene(DBT) and reforming of methanol in a micro-autoclave reactor were studied over bi-metallic(Co-Mo/Al2O3 and Ni-Mo/Al2O3) and tri-metallic(Pd-Co-Mo/Al2O3 and Pd-Ni-Mo/Al2O3) catalyst systems which were prepared by incipient impregnation method.In situ hydrogen utilization and low Pd loadings were the major targets of this study.For comparison purpose,catalytic activity was separately determined for both the methanol reforming and HDS of DBT reactions as well.Ni based catalysts were confirmed with better activity than Co ones for both the reactions with Pd promoted ones ranking at the top i.e.Pd-Ni-Mo/Al2O3 > Ni-Mo/Al2O3 > Pd-Co-Mo/Al2O3 > Co-Mo/Al2O3 where Pd-Ni-Mo/Al2O3 showed 91% DBT conversion at 380 ℃ and 12 h reaction time.Some of the selected organic additives on catalytic activity were tested for their effect toward HDS reaction which was unique with close relation to their chemical nature.Reaction products were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed via HPLC and GC-MS techniques respectively which helped in elucidating reaction mechanism.展开更多
Heavy metals were analyzed in different foods crops, milk, meat and blood samples collected from different age group subjects such as children （1–12 years）, adolescent （12–18 years）, adults （18–45 years） and ...Heavy metals were analyzed in different foods crops, milk, meat and blood samples collected from different age group subjects such as children （1–12 years）, adolescent （12–18 years）, adults （18–45 years） and old age （above 45 and 55 years for males and females, respectively） from polluted and relatively less polluted areas. The results revealed that the consumption of contaminated food crops, meat and milk have significantly increased the concentrations of selected metals in the human blood. Cu, Zn and Mn concentrations were significantly higher （p 0.05） in the blood samples collected from the polluted area as compared to control area. Old people had accumulated high concentrations of metals as compared to the younger ones within the same area. Males accumulated higher concentrations of metals as compared to females.展开更多
Two new dimeric naphthoquinones, 5′,8′-dihydroxy-6,6′-dimethyl-7,3′-binaphthyl-1,4,1′,4′-tetraone(1; Di-naphthodiospyrol D) and 5′,8′-dihydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-6,6′-dimethyl-7,3′-binaphthyl-1,4,1′,4′-tetraon...Two new dimeric naphthoquinones, 5′,8′-dihydroxy-6,6′-dimethyl-7,3′-binaphthyl-1,4,1′,4′-tetraone(1; Di-naphthodiospyrol D) and 5′,8′-dihydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-6,6′-dimethyl-7,3′-binaphthyl-1,4,1′,4′-tetraone(2; Di-naphthodiospyrol E), along with known naphthoquinones diospyrin(3) and 8-hydroxy diospyrin(4) were isolated from the chloroform fraction of extract of Diospyros lotus roots. Their structures were elucidated by advanced spectroscopic analyses, including HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and J-resolved NMR experiments. The fractions and compounds 1-4 were evaluated for urease activity and phosphodiesterase-Ⅰ, carbonic anhydrase-Ⅱ and α-chymotrypsin enzyme inhibitory activities. Compounds 1 and 2 and their corresponding fractions showed significant and selective inhibitory effects on urease activities. The IC_(50) values of 1 and 2 were 260.4 ± 6.37 and 381.4 ± 4.80 μmol·L-1, respectively, using thiourea(IC_(50) = 21 ± 0.11 μmol·L^(-1)) as the standard inhibitor. This was the first report demonstrating that the naphthoquinones class showed urease inhibition.展开更多
This paper covers the detailed version of the potential raw material deposits at Darukhula and the adjacent areas of Nizampur, the manufacturing of high-strength Portland cement samples from the same material and comp...This paper covers the detailed version of the potential raw material deposits at Darukhula and the adjacent areas of Nizampur, the manufacturing of high-strength Portland cement samples from the same material and comparison of the physical and chemical parameters for resulting cement with British and Pakistan standard specifications, which include compressive strength, setting time, consistency, lechatelier expansion, Blaine and insoluble residue. It was found that the raw material available in the study area meets the standard specifications and the area is feasible for the cement plant installation. The area can provide raw material which is quite sufficient for the running of a cement plant.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the sedative effect of Diospyros lotus L(D. lotus) extract in mice using the open field and Rota rod tests.Methods: For the sedative and muscle relaxants activities of extract/fractions of the p...Objective: To evaluate the sedative effect of Diospyros lotus L(D. lotus) extract in mice using the open field and Rota rod tests.Methods: For the sedative and muscle relaxants activities of extract/fractions of the plant, invivo open field and phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time were used, while the Roda rod test was employed in animals for the assessment of muscle relaxant activity.Results: Results from this investigation revealed that the extracts of D. lotus have exhibited significant sedative effect in mice(45.98%) at 100 mg/kg i.p. When the extract was partitioned with different solvents, the n-hexane fraction was inactive whereas the chloroform fraction was the most active with 82.67% sedative effect at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. On the other hand,the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions displayed significant sedative effects(55.65% and40.87%, respectively) at 100 mg/kg i.p. Among the tested extract/fractions, only chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed significant(P < 0.05) muscle relaxant activity in the Rota rod test.Conclusions: In short, our study provided scientific background to the traditional uses of D.lotus as sedative.展开更多
The generation and controlled or uncontrolled release of hydrocarbon-contaminated industrial wastewater effluents to water matrices are a major environmental concern.The contaminated water comes to surface in the form...The generation and controlled or uncontrolled release of hydrocarbon-contaminated industrial wastewater effluents to water matrices are a major environmental concern.The contaminated water comes to surface in the form of stable emulsions,which sometimes require different techniques to mitigate or separate effectively.Both the crude emulsions and hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater effluents contain suspended solids,oil/grease,organic matter,toxic elements,salts,and recalcitrant chemicals.Suitable treatment of crude oil emulsions has been one of the most important challenges due to the complex nature and the substantial amount of generated waste.Moreover,the recovery of oil from waste will help meet the increasing demand for oil and its derivatives.In this context,functional nanostructured materials with smart surfaces and switchable wettability properties have gained increasing attention because of their excellent performance in the separation of oil–water emulsions.Recent improvements in the design,composition,morphology,and fine-tuning of polymeric nanostructured materials have resulted in enhanced demulsification functionalities.Herein,we reviewed the environmental impacts of crude oil emulsions and hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater effluents.Their effective treatments by smart polymeric nanostructured materials with wettability properties have been stated with suitable examples.The fundamental mechanisms underpinning the efficient separation of oil–water emulsions are discussed with suitable examples along with the future perspectives of smart materials.展开更多
A novel deamination of 2-alkyl/aryl 3-amino-4（3H）-quinazolinones series using aqueous KMnO4 under thermal condition and microwave irradiation is described. Compared to thermal condition, significantly higher yields ...A novel deamination of 2-alkyl/aryl 3-amino-4（3H）-quinazolinones series using aqueous KMnO4 under thermal condition and microwave irradiation is described. Compared to thermal condition, significantly higher yields in much shorter times were observed for reactions under microwave irradiation. A plausible mechanism has been proposed for the oxidative water-promoted deamination.展开更多
The thermodynamics of extracting In（ Ⅲ） with diethylhexylmonothiophosphoric acid as an extractant in a H2SO4 system is reported. The equilibrium molalities of In^3＋ ions were measured at a high acidity and ionic s...The thermodynamics of extracting In（ Ⅲ） with diethylhexylmonothiophosphoric acid as an extractant in a H2SO4 system is reported. The equilibrium molalities of In^3＋ ions were measured at a high acidity and ionic strengths varying from 0. 1 to 2.0 mol/kg in an aqueous phase containing Na2SO4 as the supporting electrolyte. The values of the standard extraction constant K^0 at various temperatures were obtained by the methods of extrapolation and polynomial approximation. The equation lgK^0 = - 51.95 - 5.93 × 10^3/T ＋ 6. 15 × 10^-2 T was also obtained and the thermodynamic quantities for the extraction process were calculated.展开更多
Majority of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) yet reported either have low gel strength or high production cost. Therefore, we synthesized a novel polyacrylic acid-grafted China clay (Kaolinite) super-absorbent polymer c...Majority of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) yet reported either have low gel strength or high production cost. Therefore, we synthesized a novel polyacrylic acid-grafted China clay (Kaolinite) super-absorbent polymer composite (SAPC) with high thermal stability, low cost of production and superior sorption and retention capability for water and salt solution. The resulting SAPCs were extensively characterized and analysed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results suggested that the composites were thermally stable. Water absorbency increased with increase of clay content up to 45%, while further increase in clay content decreased the water absorbency. Percentage of acrylic acid (AA) and clay by weight shows the optimum absorbency in 35% and 40% respectively. Crosslinker and initiator contents were optimized to be 0.5% and 0.3% by weight respectively. The resulting polymer composite showed high water absorbency of about 785 g/g and 103 g/g of 1% NaCl solution with above 90% retention ability at 50 oC.展开更多
文摘In the present work,the fruits of four Morus species,namely Morus alba (white mulberry),Morus nigra (black mulberry),Morus laevigata (large white fruit),and Morus laevigata (large black fruit),were analyzed for proximate composition,essential minerals,and antioxidant potentials.For this purpose,the ripe fruits were collected from the northern regions of Pakistan.The major nutritional components moisture,ash,lipids,proteins,fibres,carbohydrates,and total sugar) were found to be in the suitable range along with good computed energy.Total dry weight,pH,and titratable acidity (percent citric acid) were (17.60±1.94)–(21.97±2.34) mg/100 g,(3.20±0.07)–(4.78±0.15),and (0.84±0.40)%–(2.00±0.08)%,respectively.Low riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3) contents were recorded in all the fruits,while ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was in the range from (15.20±1.25) to (17.03±1.71) mg/100 g fresh weight (FW).The mulberry fruits were rich with regard to the total phenol and alkaloid contents,having values of (880±7.20)–(1650±12.25) mg/100 g FW and (390±3.22)–(660±5.25) mg/100 g FW,respectively.Sufficient quantities of essential macro-(K,Ca,Mg,and Na) and micro-(Fe,Zn,and Ni) elements were found in all the fruits.K was the predominant element with concentration ranging from (1270±9.36) to (1731±11.50) mg/100 g,while Ca,Na,and Mg contents were (440±3.21)–(576±7.37),(260±3.86)–(280±3.50),and (240±3.51)–(360±4.20) mg/100 g,respectivly.The decreasing order of micro-minerals was Fe>Zn>Ni.The radical scavenging activity of methanolic extract of fruits was concentration-dependent and showed a correlation with total phenolic constituents of the respective fruits.Based on the results obtained,mulberry fruits were found to serve as a potential source of food diet and natural antioxidants.
文摘Limestone and clay samples were collected from Darukhula and adjoining areas of the Nizampur District,Nowshera,N.W.F.P.,Pakistan,and analyzed for different parameters in order to search for new reserves of suitable material for the manufacture of different types of cements in N.W.F.P.It was found that the area under study contains three types of limestones,including high grade limestone,Darukhula limestone and siliceous limestone,which contain 53%,49.03% and 45.19% CaO,respectively,and three types of clay,including maroon color,yellow to yellowish-green color and green color clay containing 57.76%,65.47% and 61.24% SiO2,respectively.Chemical analysis of the limestone and clay samples collected from the deposits in the area under study showed that all the elements found in these samples are within the range of permissible limits for the production of high-strength Portland cement,sulphate resisting cement and white cement.This paper covers the detailed version of the potential raw material deposits at Darukhula and adjoining areas of the Nizampur District.
文摘Transformation of lignin into high-value chemicals is hampered by the complexity of monomers obtained from lignin depolymerization. Here we report a strategy, composed of hy-dro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions, that is able to chemically converge various lig-nin-derived phenolic monomers into phenol in a single-step. Using 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol as a model compound, Pt/C exhibited the best performance in hydro-demethoxylation reaction afford-ing 80% 4-propylphenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol, while H-ZSM-5 was identified as the most suitable catalyst for de-alkylation, achieving 83% yield of phenol from 4-propylphenol. Since the two catalysts operate under compatible conditions, combining the two catalysts to simultane-ously promote both hydro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions was achieved. Configura-tion of how to organize the catalysts is a critical parameter, where the physical mixture of the two was most effective, providing over 60% phenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol in a single-step.
文摘We report physicochemical characteristics of various kinds of liquid milk commercially available in Pakistan in comparison with those of fresh natural milk from animals. Milk samples were collected from local markets at Peshawar, Pakistan, and analyzed for their physical features, including moisture, total solids, specific gravity, conductivity, viscosity and titratable acidity (lactic acid equivalent), and chemical components and macro-minerals, including total protein, casein, lactose, ash and minerals (Na, K and Mg). These items were compared with the physicochemical characteristics of the fresh natural milk samples from buffalo, cow and goat. The results were also compared with reported nutritional quality of milk from various countries and World Health Organization (WHO) standards. We found that all the physical features and chemical components of commercially available milk in Pakistan markets meet WHO's requirements, except for Na, K, Ca and Mg, which are below the standards.
基金Project (No. HEC/FD/2007/670) supported by the Higher EducationCommission (HEC), Pakistan
文摘Pakistani wheat varieties are grown over a wide agro-climatic range and as such are anticipated to exhibit yield and quality differences. It is therefore necessary to investigate the nutritional status of wheat varieties in terms of biochemical and physiochemical characteristics available for food and nutritional purposes in Pakistan. The result shows that wheat grains of different varieties contain a net protein level of 9.15%～10.27%, 2.15%～2.55% total fats, 1.72%～1.85% dietary fibers, 77.65×10-6～84.25×10-6 of potassium and 7.70×10-6～35.90×10-6 of sodium ions concentration, 0.24×10-6～0.84×10-6 of phosphorus, 1.44%～2.10% ash, 31.108～43.602 g of thousand grain mass (TGM) and 8.38%～9.67% moisture contents. This study is significant in providing an opportunity to explore the available wheat varieties and to further improve their nutritional excellence and also essential for setting nutritional regulations for domestic and export purposes.
基金Project supported by the Directorate of Science and Technology(DoST),Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan,under Research Project Developmental Scheme(Bio-Tech Sector,Phase-1,A03959 Bio-Tech)
文摘Objective： Scandix pecten-veneris L. is a less studied wild edible herb and is considered an extinct plant species in many parts of the world. This study was designed to evaluate its phytochemical composition and biological potential of S. pecten-veneris L. Methods： Phytochemicals including alkaloids, fiavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins were determined in extracts of S. pecten-veneris. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl （DPPH）, while reducing power was tested by ferric reducing/antioxidant power （FRAP） assay. Antimi- crobial activity against seven bacterial and four fungal strains was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay. Enzymes inhibition study was performed for urease, phosphodiesterase-I, and catalase-II. Results： S. pecten-veneris showed moderate antiradical activity and reducing potential of hydroxyl radicals to about 20% of the initial value. The antiox- idant activity of various extracts of S. pecten-veneris showed a linear correlation with total phenolic contents in the order of water〉n-butanol〉chloroform〉ethyl acetate〉methanol extracts. S. pecten-veneris leaves showed the highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus while the highest antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans. The plant extract was most potent against urease enzymes but showed moderate activity against phosphodiestrase-I and carbonic anhydrase-II. Conclusions： Our data demonstrate that in addition to its culinary uses, S. pecten-veneris has good medicinal potential and hence could be used for treating some specific health ailments.
文摘Background:Facelift procedures represent a critical area of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery that addresses the physical and psychological impacts of facial aging.Advancements in techniques and technologies over time have transformed the field,making it essential to assess the evolution of research trends.This study performed a bibliometric analysis of facelift research by examining the top 50 most cited publications to evaluate their contributions,thematic evolution,and collaborative networks.Methods:The Scopus database was used to identify relevant publications.A total of 50 documents were selected,comprising 47 articles and 3 reviews published across 16 academic sources.The inclusion criteria focused on publications with substantial relevance to facelift research;this ensured comprehensive coverage of the topic.Key performance indicators(for the authors)such as the number of papers,total citations,h-index,g-index,m-index,HG composite,and Q2 index were calculated.Citation analysis and collaborative network mapping were conducted to identify the leading contributors,including authors,universities,countries,and sources.Results:The findings indicated an annual growth rate of 1.34%,with an average document age of 29.4 years and an average citation count per document of 134.9.The analysis identified the top authors and their collaborative networks,along with key contributions from various universities,countries,and sources.The thematic evolution of facelift research was examined across these 50 papers;this revealed important trends and shifts within the field.Conclusion:This bibliometric analysis offers valuable insights into the development and influence of facelift research over a 52-year span.It highlights significant contributors and outlines thematic shifts,providing directions for future research and collaboration in this field.
文摘Background:Three-dimensional(3D)printing has revolutionized craniofacial and craniomaxillofacial applications,leading to substantial advancements in patient-specific treatments.In this study,a bibliometric analysis was performed to identify the key contributors,research trends,thematic developments,and collaboration networks in this evolving field.Methods:Two search strategies were employed to ensure a comprehensive analysis:(1)a broad search,in which selected keywords were searched in the title,abstract,and keyword fields to capture all relevant publications,and(2)a title-specific search,in which keywords were restricted to the title field to identify publications with a strong focus on 3D printing in craniofacial and craniomaxillofacial applications.The retrieved dataset was analyzed using VOSviewer and RStudio(bibliometrix package).Results:The broad search retrieved 3534 publications,whereas the title-specific search yielded 280 publications.The analysis of these 280 papers focused on identifying the top authors,universities,and countries,as well as their research dynamics and collaboration networks.A more detailed approach was adopted by examining the titles of these 280 papers.VOSviewer segmented the titles into approximately 800 words,which were then categorized into 18 distinct thematic groups to represent research trends.The focus areas of the ten most cited papers were also analyzed.Conclusion:This bibliometric study provides valuable insights into the progress in 3D printing for craniofacial and craniomaxillofacial applications.By highlighting the key contributors,thematic developments,and collaborative networks,this study offers a foundation for future research in this rapidly advancing field.
基金supported by the EPFL,EMPA and the National Research Foundation of Singapore(Urban Solutions and Sustainability,Industry Alignment Fund[Pre‐Positioning]Programme)(A‐0004543‐00‐00)。
文摘Acidic environments enhance CO_(2) utilization during CO_(2) electrolysis via a buffering effect that converts carbonates formed at the electrode surface back into CO_(2).Nevertheless,further investigation into acidic CO_(2) electrolysis is required to improve its selectivity towards certain CO_(2) reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)products,such as multicarbon(C2+)species,while enhancing its overall stability.In this study,liquid product recirculation in the catholyte and local OH−accumulation were identified as primary factors contributing to the degradation of gas diffusion electrodes mounted in closed‐loop catholyte configurations.We demonstrate that a single‐pass catholyte configuration prevents liquid product recirculation and maintains a continuous flow of acidic‐pH catholyte throughout the reaction while using the same volume as a closed‐loop setup.This approach improves electrode durability and maintains a Faradaic efficiency of 67%for multicarbon products over 4 h of CO_(2) electrolysis at−600 mA cm^(-2).
基金part of the activities of SCCER HeE, which is financially supported by Innosuisse – Swiss Innovation Agency
文摘Stability of borohydrides is determined by the localization of the negative charge on the boron atom.Ionic liquids(ILs) allow to modify the stability of the borohydrides and promote new dehydrogenation pathways with a lower activation energy. The combination of borohydride and IL is very easy to realize and no expensive rare earth metals are required. The composite of the ILs with complex hydrides decreases the enthalpy and activation energy for the hydrogen desorption. The Coulomb interaction between borohydride and IL leads to a destabilization of the materials with a significantly lower enthalpy for hydrogen desorption. Here, we report a simple ion exchange reaction using various ILs, such as vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride([VBTMA][Cl]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride([bmim][Cl]), and 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bromide([EMPY][Br]) with NaBH4 to decrease the hydrogen desorption temperature. Dehydrogenation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium borohydride([bmim][BH4]) starts below 100℃. The quantity of desorbed hydrogen ranges between 2.4 wt% and 2.9 wt%, which is close to the theoretical content of hydrogen. The improvement in dehydrogenation is due to the strong amine cation that destabilizes borohydride by charge transfer.
基金Fundamental Research Foundation of Sinopec(X505015)
文摘In the current study simultaneous reactions of hydrodesulfurization(HDS) of dibenzothiophene(DBT) and reforming of methanol in a micro-autoclave reactor were studied over bi-metallic(Co-Mo/Al2O3 and Ni-Mo/Al2O3) and tri-metallic(Pd-Co-Mo/Al2O3 and Pd-Ni-Mo/Al2O3) catalyst systems which were prepared by incipient impregnation method.In situ hydrogen utilization and low Pd loadings were the major targets of this study.For comparison purpose,catalytic activity was separately determined for both the methanol reforming and HDS of DBT reactions as well.Ni based catalysts were confirmed with better activity than Co ones for both the reactions with Pd promoted ones ranking at the top i.e.Pd-Ni-Mo/Al2O3 > Ni-Mo/Al2O3 > Pd-Co-Mo/Al2O3 > Co-Mo/Al2O3 where Pd-Ni-Mo/Al2O3 showed 91% DBT conversion at 380 ℃ and 12 h reaction time.Some of the selected organic additives on catalytic activity were tested for their effect toward HDS reaction which was unique with close relation to their chemical nature.Reaction products were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed via HPLC and GC-MS techniques respectively which helped in elucidating reaction mechanism.
基金The financial assistance was provided the Higher Education Commission (HEC),Pakistan.
文摘Heavy metals were analyzed in different foods crops, milk, meat and blood samples collected from different age group subjects such as children （1–12 years）, adolescent （12–18 years）, adults （18–45 years） and old age （above 45 and 55 years for males and females, respectively） from polluted and relatively less polluted areas. The results revealed that the consumption of contaminated food crops, meat and milk have significantly increased the concentrations of selected metals in the human blood. Cu, Zn and Mn concentrations were significantly higher （p 0.05） in the blood samples collected from the polluted area as compared to control area. Old people had accumulated high concentrations of metals as compared to the younger ones within the same area. Males accumulated higher concentrations of metals as compared to females.
基金supported by the Education Commission of Pakistan(No.112-26510-2PS1-258)
文摘Two new dimeric naphthoquinones, 5′,8′-dihydroxy-6,6′-dimethyl-7,3′-binaphthyl-1,4,1′,4′-tetraone(1; Di-naphthodiospyrol D) and 5′,8′-dihydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-6,6′-dimethyl-7,3′-binaphthyl-1,4,1′,4′-tetraone(2; Di-naphthodiospyrol E), along with known naphthoquinones diospyrin(3) and 8-hydroxy diospyrin(4) were isolated from the chloroform fraction of extract of Diospyros lotus roots. Their structures were elucidated by advanced spectroscopic analyses, including HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and J-resolved NMR experiments. The fractions and compounds 1-4 were evaluated for urease activity and phosphodiesterase-Ⅰ, carbonic anhydrase-Ⅱ and α-chymotrypsin enzyme inhibitory activities. Compounds 1 and 2 and their corresponding fractions showed significant and selective inhibitory effects on urease activities. The IC_(50) values of 1 and 2 were 260.4 ± 6.37 and 381.4 ± 4.80 μmol·L-1, respectively, using thiourea(IC_(50) = 21 ± 0.11 μmol·L^(-1)) as the standard inhibitor. This was the first report demonstrating that the naphthoquinones class showed urease inhibition.
文摘This paper covers the detailed version of the potential raw material deposits at Darukhula and the adjacent areas of Nizampur, the manufacturing of high-strength Portland cement samples from the same material and comparison of the physical and chemical parameters for resulting cement with British and Pakistan standard specifications, which include compressive strength, setting time, consistency, lechatelier expansion, Blaine and insoluble residue. It was found that the raw material available in the study area meets the standard specifications and the area is feasible for the cement plant installation. The area can provide raw material which is quite sufficient for the running of a cement plant.
基金supported by HEC,Pakistan with grant number112-26510-2PS1-258
文摘Objective: To evaluate the sedative effect of Diospyros lotus L(D. lotus) extract in mice using the open field and Rota rod tests.Methods: For the sedative and muscle relaxants activities of extract/fractions of the plant, invivo open field and phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time were used, while the Roda rod test was employed in animals for the assessment of muscle relaxant activity.Results: Results from this investigation revealed that the extracts of D. lotus have exhibited significant sedative effect in mice(45.98%) at 100 mg/kg i.p. When the extract was partitioned with different solvents, the n-hexane fraction was inactive whereas the chloroform fraction was the most active with 82.67% sedative effect at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. On the other hand,the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions displayed significant sedative effects(55.65% and40.87%, respectively) at 100 mg/kg i.p. Among the tested extract/fractions, only chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed significant(P < 0.05) muscle relaxant activity in the Rota rod test.Conclusions: In short, our study provided scientific background to the traditional uses of D.lotus as sedative.
文摘The generation and controlled or uncontrolled release of hydrocarbon-contaminated industrial wastewater effluents to water matrices are a major environmental concern.The contaminated water comes to surface in the form of stable emulsions,which sometimes require different techniques to mitigate or separate effectively.Both the crude emulsions and hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater effluents contain suspended solids,oil/grease,organic matter,toxic elements,salts,and recalcitrant chemicals.Suitable treatment of crude oil emulsions has been one of the most important challenges due to the complex nature and the substantial amount of generated waste.Moreover,the recovery of oil from waste will help meet the increasing demand for oil and its derivatives.In this context,functional nanostructured materials with smart surfaces and switchable wettability properties have gained increasing attention because of their excellent performance in the separation of oil–water emulsions.Recent improvements in the design,composition,morphology,and fine-tuning of polymeric nanostructured materials have resulted in enhanced demulsification functionalities.Herein,we reviewed the environmental impacts of crude oil emulsions and hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater effluents.Their effective treatments by smart polymeric nanostructured materials with wettability properties have been stated with suitable examples.The fundamental mechanisms underpinning the efficient separation of oil–water emulsions are discussed with suitable examples along with the future perspectives of smart materials.
文摘A novel deamination of 2-alkyl/aryl 3-amino-4（3H）-quinazolinones series using aqueous KMnO4 under thermal condition and microwave irradiation is described. Compared to thermal condition, significantly higher yields in much shorter times were observed for reactions under microwave irradiation. A plausible mechanism has been proposed for the oxidative water-promoted deamination.
文摘The thermodynamics of extracting In（ Ⅲ） with diethylhexylmonothiophosphoric acid as an extractant in a H2SO4 system is reported. The equilibrium molalities of In^3＋ ions were measured at a high acidity and ionic strengths varying from 0. 1 to 2.0 mol/kg in an aqueous phase containing Na2SO4 as the supporting electrolyte. The values of the standard extraction constant K^0 at various temperatures were obtained by the methods of extrapolation and polynomial approximation. The equation lgK^0 = - 51.95 - 5.93 × 10^3/T ＋ 6. 15 × 10^-2 T was also obtained and the thermodynamic quantities for the extraction process were calculated.
文摘Majority of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) yet reported either have low gel strength or high production cost. Therefore, we synthesized a novel polyacrylic acid-grafted China clay (Kaolinite) super-absorbent polymer composite (SAPC) with high thermal stability, low cost of production and superior sorption and retention capability for water and salt solution. The resulting SAPCs were extensively characterized and analysed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results suggested that the composites were thermally stable. Water absorbency increased with increase of clay content up to 45%, while further increase in clay content decreased the water absorbency. Percentage of acrylic acid (AA) and clay by weight shows the optimum absorbency in 35% and 40% respectively. Crosslinker and initiator contents were optimized to be 0.5% and 0.3% by weight respectively. The resulting polymer composite showed high water absorbency of about 785 g/g and 103 g/g of 1% NaCl solution with above 90% retention ability at 50 oC.
