Fluvial systems play a crucial role in coastal and riverine ecosystems, making it essential to understand their responses to sea level changes for preserving biodiversity and managing natural resources. The evolution ...Fluvial systems play a crucial role in coastal and riverine ecosystems, making it essential to understand their responses to sea level changes for preserving biodiversity and managing natural resources. The evolution of the modern Indus River Delta offers a rare opportunity to study the interplay between sea level fluctuations, tectonism, sediment supply, and the corresponding fluvial responses. This study employs the ‘SedSim' stratigraphic forward model to simulate the delta's evolution from 200 kyr to the next5 kyr, drawing on data from field observations, Landsat imagery, digital elevation models, and previous studies. The model consists of 205 layers, each representing a 1-kyr time step, covering the last two glacial-interglacial cycles. Between 200 kyr and 130 kyr, during a lowstand period, sedimentation on the delta plain continued due to partial flow from the Indus River. During the last interglacial(130–60 kyr), rising sea levels led to peak sediment deposition, characteristic of a highstand phase. From 60 kyr to 18 kyr, sea levels dropped to their lowest during the Last Glacial Maximum(LGM), resulting in extensive erosion and minimal deposition on the delta plain. From 18 kyr to the present, rapidly rising sea levels, coupled with intensified monsoon activity, increased sedimentation rates and triggered avulsion and aggradation processes. The model accurately predicted depositional thickness across the delta plain, indicating a maximum of ca. 200 m at the shoreline platform, ca. 175 m in the northeastern delta, and ca. 100 m in the central delta. The study underscores the delta's vulnerability to future sea level rise, which–at a projected rate of 1 m/kyr–could significantly influence the densely populated, low-lying delta plain. These findings offer valuable insights into the geomorphic evolution of the Indus Delta and emphasize the socioeconomic implications of sea level change, underscoring the importance of proactive management and adaptation strategies.展开更多
Interleukins(ILs),a subset of cytokines,play a critical role in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease(CHD)by mediating inflammation.This review article summarizes the role of ILs such as IL-1,IL-2,IL-3,IL-4,IL-5,...Interleukins(ILs),a subset of cytokines,play a critical role in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease(CHD)by mediating inflammation.This review article summarizes the role of ILs such as IL-1,IL-2,IL-3,IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-7,IL-8,IL-9,and IL-10 in the pathogenesis of CHD.Individuals with mild coronary artery disease(CAD)and angina who have ischemic heart disease have higher serum concentrations of IL-1b.Larger studies are needed to verify the safety and assess the effectiveness of low-dose IL-2 as an anti-inflammatory treatment.IL-3 is found more often in patients receiving coronary angioplasty compared to patients with asymptomatic CAD or without CAD.Serum levels of IL-4 are reliable indicators of CAD.An independent correlation between IL-5 and the incidence of CAD was demonstrated.IL-6 helps serve as a reliable biomarker for the degree of CAD,as determined by the Gensini score,and is a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis.Also,variants of IL-7/7R have been linked to the Han Chinese population's genetic susceptibility to CHD.IL-8 plays a role in the progression of CAD occurrences.By interacting with conventional risk factors for CAD,IL-9 may contribute to the development of CAD and offer an innovative approach to its prevention and management.There was a 34%increased risk of a CHD incident for every standard deviation rise in baseline IL-10 levels.展开更多
The Paleocene coals of the Salt Range in the Punjab Province of Pakistan have great economic potential;however,their trace element and stable isotopic characteristics have not been studied in detail except for a few s...The Paleocene coals of the Salt Range in the Punjab Province of Pakistan have great economic potential;however,their trace element and stable isotopic characteristics have not been studied in detail except for a few sporadic samples.In this study,a total of 59 coal samples of which 14 are obtained from open cast mines have been investigated for elemental composition andδ^(13)C-δ^(15)N isotopic signatures.Average contents of trace elements such as Co,Cr,Cu,Pb,Sr,Th,U,V,and Zn are 7.4,41.7,11.2,12.5,90.2,4.0,1.9,128,and 31.1 mg/kg,respectively.These values,when compared with the World Coal Clarke values,were relatively higher in low-rank coals in comparison with Clarke values for brown coals.Likewise,As(20.4 mg/kg),Co(6.6 mg/kg),Cr(22.4 mg/kg),Cu(^(13).3 mg/kg),Pb(19.2 mg/kg),Sr(^(15)4.7 mg/kg),Th(2.5 mg/kg),V(47.8 mg/kg),and Zn(75.1 mg/kg)were significantly higher in the sub-bituminous to bituminous coals of the Salt Range.Mineralogical analysis,based on X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,revealed that the studied samples contain illite,kaolinite calcite,gypsum,pyrite,and quartz.Elemental affinity with organic and inorganic phases of coals calculated by an indirect statistical approach indicated a positive association of ash content with Ag,Al,Co,Cr,Cs,Cu,Mn,P,Rb,Pb,Th,U,and V,suggesting the presence of inorganic components in studied coals.However,As,Fe,Sr,and Zn exhibit negative correlations that imply their association with the organic fraction.Theδ^(13)C andδ^(15)N isotopic range and average−24.94‰to−25.86‰(−25.41‰)and−2.77‰to 3.22‰(0.96‰),respectively,reflecting 3C type modern terrestrial vegetation were common in the palaeomires of studied coal seams.In addition,the trivial variations of 0.92‰and 0.45‰among^(13)C and^(15)N values can be attributed to water level fluctuations and plant assemblies.展开更多
Pancreatic cancer(PC)remains a highly lethal malignancy worldwide.Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC).Inflammatory cell in...Pancreatic cancer(PC)remains a highly lethal malignancy worldwide.Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC).Inflammatory cell infiltration within the PDAC tumor microenvironment promotes tumor growth and metastasis,while both local and systemic chronic inflammation is associated with an elevated risk of developing the disease.Given that the same immune cell populations are involved in mediating both inflammatory and immune responses,there exists a close interrelationship between inflammation and immunity in the context of PDAC.Various studies have reported the relationship between inflammation and PC.This review article provided a comprehensive summary of the roles of erythrocyte sedimentation rate,plasma viscosity,procalcitonin,calprotectin,haptoglobin,serum amyloid A,ferritin,and fibrinogen in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying PC.展开更多
Targeted cancer therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional chemotherapy,which is often plagued by poor selectivity,off-target effects,and drug resistance.Among the various targeting agents in devel...Targeted cancer therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional chemotherapy,which is often plagued by poor selectivity,off-target effects,and drug resistance.Among the various targeting agents in development,peptides stand out for their unique advantages,including minimal immunogenicity,high tissue penetration,and ease of modification.Their small size,specificity,and flexibility allow them to target cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue selectively.Peptide-based therapies have shown great potential in enhancing the efficacy of drug delivery,improving tumor imaging,and reducing adverse effects.With cancer responsible for millions of deaths worldwide,the development of peptide-based therapeutics offers new hope in addressing the limitations of current treatments.As detailed studies on different aspects of targeting peptides are crucial for optimizing drug development,this review provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on tumor-targeting peptides,including their structure,sources,modes of action,and their application in cancer therapy—both as standalone agents and in fusion drugs.Additionally,various computational tools for peptide-based tumor-targeting drug design and validation are explored.The promising results from these studies highlight peptides as ideal candidates for targeted cancer therapies,offering valuable insights for researchers and accelerating the discovery of novel anti-tumor peptide base drug candidates.展开更多
This article summarized the role of interleukins(ILs)in the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma(CCA).It discovered a negative feedback mechanism wherein alternative splicing led to the upregulation of the IL 1 receptor...This article summarized the role of interleukins(ILs)in the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma(CCA).It discovered a negative feedback mechanism wherein alternative splicing led to the upregulation of the IL 1 receptor antagonist(IL1RN)isoforms IL1RN-201 and IL1RN-203,which play a crucial anti-inflammatory role in KRAS-mutant intrahepatic CCA(iCCA).Higher levels of IL-4 receptor were associated with a worse survival rate in patients with CCA.In addition,elevated levels of serum IL-6 have been associated with the start and progression of CCA,a common cancer generated by inflammation.IL-8 was a useful predictor of human hilar CCA.Mechanistically,signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling was used by IL-10 produced from M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages to enhance the malignant characteristics of iCCA cells.It was suggested that IL-17A and IL-22 have an impact on the development of CCA associated with hepatic fluke infection.The most significant finding was the decreased expression of the IL-23 receptor,a prognostic gene,in iCCA.IL-25 may be a useful prognostic biomarker as aberrant expression of the protein in CCA tissue was linked to tumor spread and a poor prognosis.Tumor cell migration and proliferation were both accelerated by homogenized liver tissue that expressed IL-33 significantly.The correlation between high IL-35 expression and aggressiveness in iCCA highlights it as a useful biomarker for assessing the course and prognosis of iCCA in clinical settings.This article concluded that IL-1,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-17,IL-23,IL-25,IL-33,and IL-35 play significant roles in the pathogenesis of CCA.Further research is required to find the association of other ILs such as IL-2,IL-3,IL-5,IL-7,IL-11,and more in the pathogenesis of CCA.展开更多
The Asian Houbara(Chlamydotis macqueenii),a vulnerable species,is under significant threat from habitat degradation and anthropogenic pressures in Pakistan's arid landscapes.This study addresses the urgent need fo...The Asian Houbara(Chlamydotis macqueenii),a vulnerable species,is under significant threat from habitat degradation and anthropogenic pressures in Pakistan's arid landscapes.This study addresses the urgent need for conservation by identifying critical habitats,analyzing the influence of environmental and human factors on species distribution,and projecting future habitat shifts under climate change scenarios.Using the Max Ent model,which achieves a robust predictive accuracy(AUC=0.854),we mapped current and future habitat suitability under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways(SSP126,SSP370,SSP585)for the years 2040 and 2070.Presently,the suitable habitat extends over 217,082 km^(2),with 52,751 km^(2) classified as highly suitable.Key environmental drivers,identified via the Jackknife test,revealed that annual mean temperature(Bio1)and slope play a dominant role in determining habitat suitability.Projections show significant habitat degradation;however,under SSP585,highly suitable areas are expected to expand by up to 24.92%by 2070.Despite this increase,vast areas remain unsuitable,posing serious risks to population sustainability.Moreover,only 2115 km^(2) of highly suitable habitat currently falls within protected zones,highlighting a critical conservation shortfall.These findings highlight the imperative for immediate,targeted conservation efforts to secure the species'future in Pakistan's desert ecosystems.展开更多
Aspergillus species produce aflatoxins and raise concerns about food safety in departmental stores and manufacturing mills.To address the risks posed by aflatoxins,and to advise the public on the highest quality rice ...Aspergillus species produce aflatoxins and raise concerns about food safety in departmental stores and manufacturing mills.To address the risks posed by aflatoxins,and to advise the public on the highest quality rice that serves as a nutritious food source,an inquiry following the guidelines outlined in both local and international standards of food safety for the presence of aflatoxins is an essential requirement.Therefore,16 white rice samples were selected randomly from low/high socio-economic departmental stores from 16 different localities.Grind powdered rice filtrate was extracted using chloroform.The filtrate applied on TLC plates and the amount of aflatoxin and moisture contents were determined.In the non-infected rice,moisture content was low(9.08%)whereas high[13.65%>12%(standard>value)]in infected ones.Four out of 8 samples of low-quality rice were contaminated with AFB_(1) and AFB_(2)(ranging from 22.2 to 29.3μg/kg).All the samples except one(22.3μg/kg)from high-quality rice were certified fit despite the contamination with AFB_(1).Furthermore,phylogenetic analysis showed Aspergillus flavus from unfit low(Long grain brown and Brown basmati)and high-quality(Basmati-198)rice whereas A.parasiticus from unfit low-quality Medium-grain brown rice.The presented research proves that the detection of fungi and aflatoxins in rice grains poses a huge risk to the health of consumers.Therefore,it is necessary to check the rice grains before distribution.展开更多
In Pakistan, particularly in Punjab Province, it is difficult for agrofarmers to combine their indigenous knowledge and modern scientific methods to evaluate existing traditional farming systems and forestry practices...In Pakistan, particularly in Punjab Province, it is difficult for agrofarmers to combine their indigenous knowledge and modern scientific methods to evaluate existing traditional farming systems and forestry practices. This requires an evaluation of indigenous soil classification in simple terms along with knowledge of the local flora, especially trees. This study focuses on land suitability classification for trees in the Attock District of Punjab, Pakistan. A survey was conducted which included interviews of local agrofarmers as well as standard soil analyses including both chemical and physical determinations of local soil types. An evaluation of soil types for cultivation of various crops was carried out given its total extent, component soil series and their proportions, spotting characteristics of each soil series and their major limitations/hazards for trees/crops. These would lead to the identification of various tree species according to soil characteristics. Then, according to the soil types and species, a land suitability map was obtained for the choice of tree species by using geographic information system （GIS） software. Land suitability classification will help local agroforesters/agrofarmers in matching suitable agricultural trees/crops properly for different soils in the area.展开更多
The present study was aimed to assess the ability of Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 and Staphylococcus capitis to reduce hexavalent chromium into its trivalent form.Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 could tolerate Cr（Ⅵ）（4800 μg/mL） and ...The present study was aimed to assess the ability of Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 and Staphylococcus capitis to reduce hexavalent chromium into its trivalent form.Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 could tolerate Cr（Ⅵ）（4800 μg/mL） and S.capitis could tolerate Cr（Ⅵ）（2800 μg/mL）.Both organisms were able to resist Cd^2＋（50 μg/mL）,Cu^2＋（200 μg/mL）,Pb^2＋（800 μg/mL）,Hg^2＋（50 μg/mL） and Ni2＋（4000 μg/mL）.S.capitis resisted Zn^2＋ at 700 μg/mL while Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 only showed resistance up to 50 μg/mL.Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 and S.capitis showed optimum growth at pH 6 and 7,respectively,while both bacteria showed optimum growth at 37°C.Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 and S.capitis could reduce 85% and 81% of hexavalent chromium from the medium after 96 h and were also capable of reducing hexavalent chromium 86% and 89%,respectively,from the industrial effuents after 144 h.Cell free extracts of Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 and S.capitis showed reduction of 83% and 70% at concentration of 10 μg Cr（Ⅵ）/mL,respectively.The presence of an induced protein having molecular weight around 25 kDa in the presence of chromium points out a possible role of this protein in chromium reduction.The bacterial isolates can be exploited for the bioremediation of hexavalent chromium containing wastes,since they seem to have a potential to reduce the toxic hexavalent form to its nontoxic trivalent form.展开更多
Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is a potent human pathogen and is one of the main causes of chronic hepatitis round the world. The present review describes the evidencebased consensus on the diagnosis, prevention and managemen...Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is a potent human pathogen and is one of the main causes of chronic hepatitis round the world. The present review describes the evidencebased consensus on the diagnosis, prevention and management of HCV disease. Various techniques, for the detection of anti-HCV immunoglobulin G immunoassays, detection of HCV RNA by identifying virus-specific molecules nucleic acid testings, recognition of core antigen for diagnosis of HCV, quantitative antigenassay, have been used to detect HCV RNA and core antigen. Advanced technologies such as nanoparticlebased diagnostic assays, loop-mediated isothermal amplification and aptamers and Ortho trak-C assay have also come to the front that provides best detection results with greater ease and specificity for detection of HCV. It is of immense importance to prevent this infection especially among the sexual partners, injecting drug users, mother-to-infant transmission of HCV, household contact, healthcare workers and people who get tattoos and piercing on their skin. Management of this infection is intended to eradicate it out of the body of patients. Management includes examining the treatment(efficacy and protection), assessment of hepatic condition before commencing therapy, controlling the parameters upon which dual and triple therapies work, monitoring the body after treatment and adjusting the co-factors. Examining the treatment in some special groups of people(HIV/HCV co-infected, hemodialysis patients, renal transplanted patients).展开更多
Most forest fires in the Margalla Hills are related to human activities and socioeconomic factors are essential to assess their likelihood of occurrence.This study considers both environmental(altitude,precipitation,f...Most forest fires in the Margalla Hills are related to human activities and socioeconomic factors are essential to assess their likelihood of occurrence.This study considers both environmental(altitude,precipitation,forest type,terrain and humidity index)and socioeconomic(population density,distance from roads and urban areas)factors to analyze how human behavior affects the risk of forest fires.Maximum entropy(Maxent)modelling and random forest(RF)machine learning methods were used to predict the probability and spatial diffusion patterns of forest fires in the Margalla Hills.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)were used to compare the models.We studied the fire history from 1990 to 2019 to establish the relationship between the probability of forest fire and environmental and socioeconomic changes.Using Maxent,the AUC fire probability values for the 1999 s,2009 s,and 2019 s were 0.532,0.569,and 0.518,respectively;using RF,they were 0.782,0.825,and 0.789,respectively.Fires were mainly distributed in urban areas and their probability of occurrence was related to accessibility and human behaviour/activity.AUC principles for validation were greater in the random forest models than in the Maxent models.Our results can be used to establish preventive measures to reduce risks of forest fires by considering socio-economic and environmental conditions.展开更多
Adventitious root formation is a bottleneck during vegetative proliferation.Potassium(K^(+))is an essential macronutrient for plants.K^(+)accumulation from the soil and its distribution to the different plant organs i...Adventitious root formation is a bottleneck during vegetative proliferation.Potassium(K^(+))is an essential macronutrient for plants.K^(+)accumulation from the soil and its distribution to the different plant organs is mediated by K^(+)transporters named K^(+)transporter(KT),K^(+)uptake(KUP),or high-affinity K^(+)(HAK).This study aimed to identify members of the HAK gene family in apples and to characterize the effects of K^(+)supply on adventitious root formation and on the expression of HAK genes and the genes that putatively control auxin transport,signaling,and cell fate during adventitious root formation.In this study,34 HAK genes(MdHAKs)were identified in the apple(Malus×domestica‘Golden Delicious’)genome.A phylogenetic analysis divided MdHAKs into four clusters(Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,andⅣ),comprising 16,1,4,and 13 genes,respectively.The syntenic relationships revealed that 62.5%of the total MdHAK genes arise from genomic duplication events.Chromosome location,domain structure,motif analysis,and physico-chemical characteristics were subsequently investigated.Furthermore,the application of K^(+)indicated the emergence of adventitious roots at 8 d and produced more adventitious roots at 16 d than the K^(+)-free control(CK)treatment.In addition,various MdHAKs showed root-specific expression in B9 apple rootstock stem cuttings and enhanced expression during the initiation and emergence stages of adventitious root formation in response to K^(+)treatment.Additionally,K^(+)treatment enhanced the expression levels of MdPIN1,MdPIN2,and MdAUX1.Further data indicated that a higher expression of MdWOX11,MdLBD16,and MdLBD29 and of cell cycle-related genes contributed to the auxin-stimulated adventitious root formation in response to K^(+).展开更多
The principal objective of this article is to construct new and further exact soliton solutions of the(2+1)-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin chain equation which investigates the nonlinear dynamics of magnets...The principal objective of this article is to construct new and further exact soliton solutions of the(2+1)-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin chain equation which investigates the nonlinear dynamics of magnets and explains their ordering in ferromagnetic materials.These solutions are exerted via the new extended FAN sub-equation method.We successfully obtain dark,bright,combined bright-dark,combined dark-singular,periodic,periodic singular,and elliptic wave solutions to this equation which are interesting classes of nonlinear excitation presenting spin dynamics in classical and semi-classical continuum Heisenberg systems.3D figures are illustrated under an appropriate selection of parameters.The applied technique is suitable to be used in gaining the exact solutions of most nonlinear partial/fractional differential equations which appear in complex phenomena.展开更多
The aim of the study was to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles(ZnONPs)composite with clay by a novel route and then to explore the capability of composite of ZnONPs and silty clay(SC)as adsorbents for Pb(II)eradicati...The aim of the study was to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles(ZnONPs)composite with clay by a novel route and then to explore the capability of composite of ZnONPs and silty clay(SC)as adsorbents for Pb(II)eradication from aqueous media by batch adsorption method.The effect of different operating factors like temperature,pH,dose and time of contact on the adsorption process were studied to optimize the conditions.Langmuir,Freundlich,Dubinin-Radushkevich(DR)and Temkin isotherms were applied for the interpretation of the process.The R^(2)and q values obtained from Langmuir model suggested that the process is best interpreted by this model.The values of adsorption capacity(qm)noted were 12.43 mg·g^(-1) and 14.54 mg·g^(-1)on SC and ZnONPsSC respectively.The kinetic studies exposed that pseudo second order(PSO)kinetics is followed by the processes suggesting that more than one steps are involved to control the rate of reactions.Various thermodynamic variables such as change in free energy(AGe),change in enthalpy(AH9)and change in entropy(ASe)were calculated.Thermodynamic data suggested that Pb(II)adsorption on SC and ZnONPsSC are spontaneous,endothermic and feasible processes.展开更多
The paper addresses the thermophoretic motion(TM) equation, which is serviced to describe soliton-like thermophoresis of wrinkles in graphene sheet based on Korteweg-de Vries(KdV) equation. The generalized uni?ed meth...The paper addresses the thermophoretic motion(TM) equation, which is serviced to describe soliton-like thermophoresis of wrinkles in graphene sheet based on Korteweg-de Vries(KdV) equation. The generalized uni?ed method is capitalized to construct wrinkle-like multiple soliton solutions. Graphical analysis of one, two, and threesoliton solutions is carried out to depict certain properties like width, amplitude, shape, and open direction are adjustable through various parameters.展开更多
The effect of various depositional parameters including paleoclimate,paleosalinity and provenance,on the depositional mechanism of lacustrine shale is very important in reconstructing the depositional environment.The ...The effect of various depositional parameters including paleoclimate,paleosalinity and provenance,on the depositional mechanism of lacustrine shale is very important in reconstructing the depositional environment.The classification of shale lithofacies and the interpretation of shale depositional environment are key features used in shale oil and gas exploration and development activity.The lower 3rd member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Es_(3)^(x)shale)was selected for this study,as one of the main prospective intervals for shale oil exploration and development in the intracratonic Bohai Bay Basin.Mineralogically,it is composed of quartz(avg.9.6%),calcite(avg.58.5%),dolomite(avg.7%),pyrite(avg.3.3%)and clay minerals(avg.20%).An advanced methodology(thin-section petrography,total organic carbon and total organic sulfur contents analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray fluorescence(XRF),field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM))was adopted to establish shale lithofacies and to interpret the depositional environment in the lacustrine basin.Six different types of lithofacies were recognized,based on mineral composition,total organic carbon(TOC)content and sedimentary structures.Various inorganic geochemical proxies(Rb/Sr,Ca/(Ca+Fe),Ti/Al,Al/Ca,Al/Ti,Zr/Rb)have been used to interpret and screen variations in depositional environmental parameters during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale.The experimental results indicate that the environment during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale was warm and humid with heightened salinities,moderate to limited detrital input,higher paleohydrodynamic settings and strong oxygen deficient(reducing)conditions.A comprehensive depositional model of the lacustrine shale was developed.The interpretations deduced from this research work are expected to not only expand the knowledge of shale lithofacies classification for lacustrine fine-grained rocks,but can also offer a theoretical foundation for lacustrine shale oil exploration and development.展开更多
Business process improvement is a systematic approach used by several organizations to continuously improve their quality of service.Integral to that is analyzing the current performance of each task of the process an...Business process improvement is a systematic approach used by several organizations to continuously improve their quality of service.Integral to that is analyzing the current performance of each task of the process and assigning the most appropriate resources to each task.In continuation of our previous work,we categorize resources into human and non-human resources.For instance,in the healthcare domain,human resources include doctors,nurses,and other associated staff responsible for the execution of healthcare activities;whereas the non-human resources include surgical and other equipment needed for execution.In this study,we contend that the two types of resources(human and non-human)have a different impact on the process performance,so their suitability should be measured differently.However,no work has been done to evaluate the suitability of non-human resources for the tasks of a process.Consequently,it becomes difficult to identify and subsequently overcome the inefficiencies caused by the non-human resources to the task.To address this problem,we present a three-step method to compute a suitability score of non-human resources for the task.As an evaluation of the proposed method,a healthcare case study is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method.Furthermore,we performed a controlled experiment to evaluate the usability of the proposed method.The encouraging response shows the usefulness of the proposed method.展开更多
Side-effects associated with the cancer chemotherapy limit the scope of chemotherapeutic drugs and no data was available about these side effects in Pakistan. Moreover starvation based differential chemotherapy has be...Side-effects associated with the cancer chemotherapy limit the scope of chemotherapeutic drugs and no data was available about these side effects in Pakistan. Moreover starvation based differential chemotherapy has been proved to greatly reduce the side effects of chemotherapy depending on starvation time. The current study was conducted to survey the common side effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs and the role of starvation to reduce them. The study included total 100 subjects with multiple carcinomas. A comprehensive questionnaire about starvation inquiry, chemotherapy side effects and their basic information was filled by interviewers as told by patients. There were 48% patients with breast cancer and 11% with uterine cancer. Out of these patients 30%, 28%, 9% and 9% patients were agreed to starve for 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours respectively. The survey regarding the side effects of chemotherapy showed that 43% patients were suffering from headache, fatigue 90%, weakness 95%, hair loss 76%, nausea 77%, vomiting 75%, diarrhea 31%, abdominal cramps 40%, mouth sores 47%, dry mouth 74%, memory impairment 14%?and numbness 49%. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Pakistan. Only 18% of the total patients were agreed to starve for more than one day. Chemotherapy-associated side effects vary greatly and it does not depend upon cancer type. But these side effects depend on multiple factors such as the type and dose of chemotherapeutic drug, patient’s health status and stage of cancer.展开更多
G protein coupled receptors(GPCRs)have emerged as the most potential target for a number of drug discovery programs ranging from control of blood pressure,diabetes,cure for genetic diseases to treatment of cancer.A pa...G protein coupled receptors(GPCRs)have emerged as the most potential target for a number of drug discovery programs ranging from control of blood pressure,diabetes,cure for genetic diseases to treatment of cancer.A panel of different ligands including hormones,peptides,ions and small molecules is responsible for activation of these receptors.Molecular genetics has identified key GPCRs,whose mutations or altered expressions are linked with tumorgenicity.In this review,we discussed recent advances regarding the involvement of GPCRs in the development of cancers and approaches to manipulating the mechanism behind GPCRs involved tumor growth and metastasis to treat different types of human cancer.This review provides an insight into the current scenario of GPCR-targeted therapy,progress to date and the challenges in the development of anticancer drugs.展开更多
基金the Science and Technology Innovation Project of the Laoshan Laboratory (No. LSKJ202203402)the Major Research Project on the Tethys Geodynamic System from the National Science Foundation of China (No. 92055204)。
文摘Fluvial systems play a crucial role in coastal and riverine ecosystems, making it essential to understand their responses to sea level changes for preserving biodiversity and managing natural resources. The evolution of the modern Indus River Delta offers a rare opportunity to study the interplay between sea level fluctuations, tectonism, sediment supply, and the corresponding fluvial responses. This study employs the ‘SedSim' stratigraphic forward model to simulate the delta's evolution from 200 kyr to the next5 kyr, drawing on data from field observations, Landsat imagery, digital elevation models, and previous studies. The model consists of 205 layers, each representing a 1-kyr time step, covering the last two glacial-interglacial cycles. Between 200 kyr and 130 kyr, during a lowstand period, sedimentation on the delta plain continued due to partial flow from the Indus River. During the last interglacial(130–60 kyr), rising sea levels led to peak sediment deposition, characteristic of a highstand phase. From 60 kyr to 18 kyr, sea levels dropped to their lowest during the Last Glacial Maximum(LGM), resulting in extensive erosion and minimal deposition on the delta plain. From 18 kyr to the present, rapidly rising sea levels, coupled with intensified monsoon activity, increased sedimentation rates and triggered avulsion and aggradation processes. The model accurately predicted depositional thickness across the delta plain, indicating a maximum of ca. 200 m at the shoreline platform, ca. 175 m in the northeastern delta, and ca. 100 m in the central delta. The study underscores the delta's vulnerability to future sea level rise, which–at a projected rate of 1 m/kyr–could significantly influence the densely populated, low-lying delta plain. These findings offer valuable insights into the geomorphic evolution of the Indus Delta and emphasize the socioeconomic implications of sea level change, underscoring the importance of proactive management and adaptation strategies.
文摘Interleukins(ILs),a subset of cytokines,play a critical role in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease(CHD)by mediating inflammation.This review article summarizes the role of ILs such as IL-1,IL-2,IL-3,IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-7,IL-8,IL-9,and IL-10 in the pathogenesis of CHD.Individuals with mild coronary artery disease(CAD)and angina who have ischemic heart disease have higher serum concentrations of IL-1b.Larger studies are needed to verify the safety and assess the effectiveness of low-dose IL-2 as an anti-inflammatory treatment.IL-3 is found more often in patients receiving coronary angioplasty compared to patients with asymptomatic CAD or without CAD.Serum levels of IL-4 are reliable indicators of CAD.An independent correlation between IL-5 and the incidence of CAD was demonstrated.IL-6 helps serve as a reliable biomarker for the degree of CAD,as determined by the Gensini score,and is a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis.Also,variants of IL-7/7R have been linked to the Han Chinese population's genetic susceptibility to CHD.IL-8 plays a role in the progression of CAD occurrences.By interacting with conventional risk factors for CAD,IL-9 may contribute to the development of CAD and offer an innovative approach to its prevention and management.There was a 34%increased risk of a CHD incident for every standard deviation rise in baseline IL-10 levels.
基金the Higher Education Commission Pakistan for funding the lab research under its International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) programthe Department of Environmental Science, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad (especially Environmental Hydro geochemistry Lab)the Environment & Sustainability Institute and Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, for technical support in conducting lab analysis
文摘The Paleocene coals of the Salt Range in the Punjab Province of Pakistan have great economic potential;however,their trace element and stable isotopic characteristics have not been studied in detail except for a few sporadic samples.In this study,a total of 59 coal samples of which 14 are obtained from open cast mines have been investigated for elemental composition andδ^(13)C-δ^(15)N isotopic signatures.Average contents of trace elements such as Co,Cr,Cu,Pb,Sr,Th,U,V,and Zn are 7.4,41.7,11.2,12.5,90.2,4.0,1.9,128,and 31.1 mg/kg,respectively.These values,when compared with the World Coal Clarke values,were relatively higher in low-rank coals in comparison with Clarke values for brown coals.Likewise,As(20.4 mg/kg),Co(6.6 mg/kg),Cr(22.4 mg/kg),Cu(^(13).3 mg/kg),Pb(19.2 mg/kg),Sr(^(15)4.7 mg/kg),Th(2.5 mg/kg),V(47.8 mg/kg),and Zn(75.1 mg/kg)were significantly higher in the sub-bituminous to bituminous coals of the Salt Range.Mineralogical analysis,based on X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,revealed that the studied samples contain illite,kaolinite calcite,gypsum,pyrite,and quartz.Elemental affinity with organic and inorganic phases of coals calculated by an indirect statistical approach indicated a positive association of ash content with Ag,Al,Co,Cr,Cs,Cu,Mn,P,Rb,Pb,Th,U,and V,suggesting the presence of inorganic components in studied coals.However,As,Fe,Sr,and Zn exhibit negative correlations that imply their association with the organic fraction.Theδ^(13)C andδ^(15)N isotopic range and average−24.94‰to−25.86‰(−25.41‰)and−2.77‰to 3.22‰(0.96‰),respectively,reflecting 3C type modern terrestrial vegetation were common in the palaeomires of studied coal seams.In addition,the trivial variations of 0.92‰and 0.45‰among^(13)C and^(15)N values can be attributed to water level fluctuations and plant assemblies.
文摘Pancreatic cancer(PC)remains a highly lethal malignancy worldwide.Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC).Inflammatory cell infiltration within the PDAC tumor microenvironment promotes tumor growth and metastasis,while both local and systemic chronic inflammation is associated with an elevated risk of developing the disease.Given that the same immune cell populations are involved in mediating both inflammatory and immune responses,there exists a close interrelationship between inflammation and immunity in the context of PDAC.Various studies have reported the relationship between inflammation and PC.This review article provided a comprehensive summary of the roles of erythrocyte sedimentation rate,plasma viscosity,procalcitonin,calprotectin,haptoglobin,serum amyloid A,ferritin,and fibrinogen in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying PC.
文摘Targeted cancer therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional chemotherapy,which is often plagued by poor selectivity,off-target effects,and drug resistance.Among the various targeting agents in development,peptides stand out for their unique advantages,including minimal immunogenicity,high tissue penetration,and ease of modification.Their small size,specificity,and flexibility allow them to target cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue selectively.Peptide-based therapies have shown great potential in enhancing the efficacy of drug delivery,improving tumor imaging,and reducing adverse effects.With cancer responsible for millions of deaths worldwide,the development of peptide-based therapeutics offers new hope in addressing the limitations of current treatments.As detailed studies on different aspects of targeting peptides are crucial for optimizing drug development,this review provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on tumor-targeting peptides,including their structure,sources,modes of action,and their application in cancer therapy—both as standalone agents and in fusion drugs.Additionally,various computational tools for peptide-based tumor-targeting drug design and validation are explored.The promising results from these studies highlight peptides as ideal candidates for targeted cancer therapies,offering valuable insights for researchers and accelerating the discovery of novel anti-tumor peptide base drug candidates.
文摘This article summarized the role of interleukins(ILs)in the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma(CCA).It discovered a negative feedback mechanism wherein alternative splicing led to the upregulation of the IL 1 receptor antagonist(IL1RN)isoforms IL1RN-201 and IL1RN-203,which play a crucial anti-inflammatory role in KRAS-mutant intrahepatic CCA(iCCA).Higher levels of IL-4 receptor were associated with a worse survival rate in patients with CCA.In addition,elevated levels of serum IL-6 have been associated with the start and progression of CCA,a common cancer generated by inflammation.IL-8 was a useful predictor of human hilar CCA.Mechanistically,signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling was used by IL-10 produced from M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages to enhance the malignant characteristics of iCCA cells.It was suggested that IL-17A and IL-22 have an impact on the development of CCA associated with hepatic fluke infection.The most significant finding was the decreased expression of the IL-23 receptor,a prognostic gene,in iCCA.IL-25 may be a useful prognostic biomarker as aberrant expression of the protein in CCA tissue was linked to tumor spread and a poor prognosis.Tumor cell migration and proliferation were both accelerated by homogenized liver tissue that expressed IL-33 significantly.The correlation between high IL-35 expression and aggressiveness in iCCA highlights it as a useful biomarker for assessing the course and prognosis of iCCA in clinical settings.This article concluded that IL-1,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-17,IL-23,IL-25,IL-33,and IL-35 play significant roles in the pathogenesis of CCA.Further research is required to find the association of other ILs such as IL-2,IL-3,IL-5,IL-7,IL-11,and more in the pathogenesis of CCA.
基金the support of the Zoological Survey of Pakistan,and the Wildlife and Parks Department of Punjab for their assistance in this research。
文摘The Asian Houbara(Chlamydotis macqueenii),a vulnerable species,is under significant threat from habitat degradation and anthropogenic pressures in Pakistan's arid landscapes.This study addresses the urgent need for conservation by identifying critical habitats,analyzing the influence of environmental and human factors on species distribution,and projecting future habitat shifts under climate change scenarios.Using the Max Ent model,which achieves a robust predictive accuracy(AUC=0.854),we mapped current and future habitat suitability under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways(SSP126,SSP370,SSP585)for the years 2040 and 2070.Presently,the suitable habitat extends over 217,082 km^(2),with 52,751 km^(2) classified as highly suitable.Key environmental drivers,identified via the Jackknife test,revealed that annual mean temperature(Bio1)and slope play a dominant role in determining habitat suitability.Projections show significant habitat degradation;however,under SSP585,highly suitable areas are expected to expand by up to 24.92%by 2070.Despite this increase,vast areas remain unsuitable,posing serious risks to population sustainability.Moreover,only 2115 km^(2) of highly suitable habitat currently falls within protected zones,highlighting a critical conservation shortfall.These findings highlight the imperative for immediate,targeted conservation efforts to secure the species'future in Pakistan's desert ecosystems.
基金supported by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project Number(PNURSP2025R317),Princess Nourah bintAbdulrahman University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
文摘Aspergillus species produce aflatoxins and raise concerns about food safety in departmental stores and manufacturing mills.To address the risks posed by aflatoxins,and to advise the public on the highest quality rice that serves as a nutritious food source,an inquiry following the guidelines outlined in both local and international standards of food safety for the presence of aflatoxins is an essential requirement.Therefore,16 white rice samples were selected randomly from low/high socio-economic departmental stores from 16 different localities.Grind powdered rice filtrate was extracted using chloroform.The filtrate applied on TLC plates and the amount of aflatoxin and moisture contents were determined.In the non-infected rice,moisture content was low(9.08%)whereas high[13.65%>12%(standard>value)]in infected ones.Four out of 8 samples of low-quality rice were contaminated with AFB_(1) and AFB_(2)(ranging from 22.2 to 29.3μg/kg).All the samples except one(22.3μg/kg)from high-quality rice were certified fit despite the contamination with AFB_(1).Furthermore,phylogenetic analysis showed Aspergillus flavus from unfit low(Long grain brown and Brown basmati)and high-quality(Basmati-198)rice whereas A.parasiticus from unfit low-quality Medium-grain brown rice.The presented research proves that the detection of fungi and aflatoxins in rice grains poses a huge risk to the health of consumers.Therefore,it is necessary to check the rice grains before distribution.
文摘In Pakistan, particularly in Punjab Province, it is difficult for agrofarmers to combine their indigenous knowledge and modern scientific methods to evaluate existing traditional farming systems and forestry practices. This requires an evaluation of indigenous soil classification in simple terms along with knowledge of the local flora, especially trees. This study focuses on land suitability classification for trees in the Attock District of Punjab, Pakistan. A survey was conducted which included interviews of local agrofarmers as well as standard soil analyses including both chemical and physical determinations of local soil types. An evaluation of soil types for cultivation of various crops was carried out given its total extent, component soil series and their proportions, spotting characteristics of each soil series and their major limitations/hazards for trees/crops. These would lead to the identification of various tree species according to soil characteristics. Then, according to the soil types and species, a land suitability map was obtained for the choice of tree species by using geographic information system （GIS） software. Land suitability classification will help local agroforesters/agrofarmers in matching suitable agricultural trees/crops properly for different soils in the area.
文摘The present study was aimed to assess the ability of Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 and Staphylococcus capitis to reduce hexavalent chromium into its trivalent form.Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 could tolerate Cr（Ⅵ）（4800 μg/mL） and S.capitis could tolerate Cr（Ⅵ）（2800 μg/mL）.Both organisms were able to resist Cd^2＋（50 μg/mL）,Cu^2＋（200 μg/mL）,Pb^2＋（800 μg/mL）,Hg^2＋（50 μg/mL） and Ni2＋（4000 μg/mL）.S.capitis resisted Zn^2＋ at 700 μg/mL while Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 only showed resistance up to 50 μg/mL.Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 and S.capitis showed optimum growth at pH 6 and 7,respectively,while both bacteria showed optimum growth at 37°C.Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 and S.capitis could reduce 85% and 81% of hexavalent chromium from the medium after 96 h and were also capable of reducing hexavalent chromium 86% and 89%,respectively,from the industrial effuents after 144 h.Cell free extracts of Bacillus sp.JDM-2-1 and S.capitis showed reduction of 83% and 70% at concentration of 10 μg Cr（Ⅵ）/mL,respectively.The presence of an induced protein having molecular weight around 25 kDa in the presence of chromium points out a possible role of this protein in chromium reduction.The bacterial isolates can be exploited for the bioremediation of hexavalent chromium containing wastes,since they seem to have a potential to reduce the toxic hexavalent form to its nontoxic trivalent form.
文摘Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is a potent human pathogen and is one of the main causes of chronic hepatitis round the world. The present review describes the evidencebased consensus on the diagnosis, prevention and management of HCV disease. Various techniques, for the detection of anti-HCV immunoglobulin G immunoassays, detection of HCV RNA by identifying virus-specific molecules nucleic acid testings, recognition of core antigen for diagnosis of HCV, quantitative antigenassay, have been used to detect HCV RNA and core antigen. Advanced technologies such as nanoparticlebased diagnostic assays, loop-mediated isothermal amplification and aptamers and Ortho trak-C assay have also come to the front that provides best detection results with greater ease and specificity for detection of HCV. It is of immense importance to prevent this infection especially among the sexual partners, injecting drug users, mother-to-infant transmission of HCV, household contact, healthcare workers and people who get tattoos and piercing on their skin. Management of this infection is intended to eradicate it out of the body of patients. Management includes examining the treatment(efficacy and protection), assessment of hepatic condition before commencing therapy, controlling the parameters upon which dual and triple therapies work, monitoring the body after treatment and adjusting the co-factors. Examining the treatment in some special groups of people(HIV/HCV co-infected, hemodialysis patients, renal transplanted patients).
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2019YFE0127700)。
文摘Most forest fires in the Margalla Hills are related to human activities and socioeconomic factors are essential to assess their likelihood of occurrence.This study considers both environmental(altitude,precipitation,forest type,terrain and humidity index)and socioeconomic(population density,distance from roads and urban areas)factors to analyze how human behavior affects the risk of forest fires.Maximum entropy(Maxent)modelling and random forest(RF)machine learning methods were used to predict the probability and spatial diffusion patterns of forest fires in the Margalla Hills.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)were used to compare the models.We studied the fire history from 1990 to 2019 to establish the relationship between the probability of forest fire and environmental and socioeconomic changes.Using Maxent,the AUC fire probability values for the 1999 s,2009 s,and 2019 s were 0.532,0.569,and 0.518,respectively;using RF,they were 0.782,0.825,and 0.789,respectively.Fires were mainly distributed in urban areas and their probability of occurrence was related to accessibility and human behaviour/activity.AUC principles for validation were greater in the random forest models than in the Maxent models.Our results can be used to establish preventive measures to reduce risks of forest fires by considering socio-economic and environmental conditions.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2018YFD1000101,2019YFD1000803)Shaanxi Apple Industry Science and Technology Project(Grant No.2020zdzx03-01-04)+1 种基金Tang Scholar by Cyrus Tang Foundation(Grant No.C200022002)The China Apple Research System(Grant No.CARS-27).
文摘Adventitious root formation is a bottleneck during vegetative proliferation.Potassium(K^(+))is an essential macronutrient for plants.K^(+)accumulation from the soil and its distribution to the different plant organs is mediated by K^(+)transporters named K^(+)transporter(KT),K^(+)uptake(KUP),or high-affinity K^(+)(HAK).This study aimed to identify members of the HAK gene family in apples and to characterize the effects of K^(+)supply on adventitious root formation and on the expression of HAK genes and the genes that putatively control auxin transport,signaling,and cell fate during adventitious root formation.In this study,34 HAK genes(MdHAKs)were identified in the apple(Malus×domestica‘Golden Delicious’)genome.A phylogenetic analysis divided MdHAKs into four clusters(Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,andⅣ),comprising 16,1,4,and 13 genes,respectively.The syntenic relationships revealed that 62.5%of the total MdHAK genes arise from genomic duplication events.Chromosome location,domain structure,motif analysis,and physico-chemical characteristics were subsequently investigated.Furthermore,the application of K^(+)indicated the emergence of adventitious roots at 8 d and produced more adventitious roots at 16 d than the K^(+)-free control(CK)treatment.In addition,various MdHAKs showed root-specific expression in B9 apple rootstock stem cuttings and enhanced expression during the initiation and emergence stages of adventitious root formation in response to K^(+)treatment.Additionally,K^(+)treatment enhanced the expression levels of MdPIN1,MdPIN2,and MdAUX1.Further data indicated that a higher expression of MdWOX11,MdLBD16,and MdLBD29 and of cell cycle-related genes contributed to the auxin-stimulated adventitious root formation in response to K^(+).
基金the Basic Science Research Unit,Scientific Research Deanship at Majmaah University,project number RGP-2019-4。
文摘The principal objective of this article is to construct new and further exact soliton solutions of the(2+1)-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin chain equation which investigates the nonlinear dynamics of magnets and explains their ordering in ferromagnetic materials.These solutions are exerted via the new extended FAN sub-equation method.We successfully obtain dark,bright,combined bright-dark,combined dark-singular,periodic,periodic singular,and elliptic wave solutions to this equation which are interesting classes of nonlinear excitation presenting spin dynamics in classical and semi-classical continuum Heisenberg systems.3D figures are illustrated under an appropriate selection of parameters.The applied technique is suitable to be used in gaining the exact solutions of most nonlinear partial/fractional differential equations which appear in complex phenomena.
文摘The aim of the study was to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles(ZnONPs)composite with clay by a novel route and then to explore the capability of composite of ZnONPs and silty clay(SC)as adsorbents for Pb(II)eradication from aqueous media by batch adsorption method.The effect of different operating factors like temperature,pH,dose and time of contact on the adsorption process were studied to optimize the conditions.Langmuir,Freundlich,Dubinin-Radushkevich(DR)and Temkin isotherms were applied for the interpretation of the process.The R^(2)and q values obtained from Langmuir model suggested that the process is best interpreted by this model.The values of adsorption capacity(qm)noted were 12.43 mg·g^(-1) and 14.54 mg·g^(-1)on SC and ZnONPsSC respectively.The kinetic studies exposed that pseudo second order(PSO)kinetics is followed by the processes suggesting that more than one steps are involved to control the rate of reactions.Various thermodynamic variables such as change in free energy(AGe),change in enthalpy(AH9)and change in entropy(ASe)were calculated.Thermodynamic data suggested that Pb(II)adsorption on SC and ZnONPsSC are spontaneous,endothermic and feasible processes.
文摘The paper addresses the thermophoretic motion(TM) equation, which is serviced to describe soliton-like thermophoresis of wrinkles in graphene sheet based on Korteweg-de Vries(KdV) equation. The generalized uni?ed method is capitalized to construct wrinkle-like multiple soliton solutions. Graphical analysis of one, two, and threesoliton solutions is carried out to depict certain properties like width, amplitude, shape, and open direction are adjustable through various parameters.
基金supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project of China(Grant No.2017ZX05009-002)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.U1762217,41702139,42072164 and 41821002)+2 种基金Taishan Scholars Program(No.TSQN201812030)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(19CX07003A)the School of Geosciences,China University of Petroleum,East China,for analytical support and financial support。
文摘The effect of various depositional parameters including paleoclimate,paleosalinity and provenance,on the depositional mechanism of lacustrine shale is very important in reconstructing the depositional environment.The classification of shale lithofacies and the interpretation of shale depositional environment are key features used in shale oil and gas exploration and development activity.The lower 3rd member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Es_(3)^(x)shale)was selected for this study,as one of the main prospective intervals for shale oil exploration and development in the intracratonic Bohai Bay Basin.Mineralogically,it is composed of quartz(avg.9.6%),calcite(avg.58.5%),dolomite(avg.7%),pyrite(avg.3.3%)and clay minerals(avg.20%).An advanced methodology(thin-section petrography,total organic carbon and total organic sulfur contents analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray fluorescence(XRF),field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM))was adopted to establish shale lithofacies and to interpret the depositional environment in the lacustrine basin.Six different types of lithofacies were recognized,based on mineral composition,total organic carbon(TOC)content and sedimentary structures.Various inorganic geochemical proxies(Rb/Sr,Ca/(Ca+Fe),Ti/Al,Al/Ca,Al/Ti,Zr/Rb)have been used to interpret and screen variations in depositional environmental parameters during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale.The experimental results indicate that the environment during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale was warm and humid with heightened salinities,moderate to limited detrital input,higher paleohydrodynamic settings and strong oxygen deficient(reducing)conditions.A comprehensive depositional model of the lacustrine shale was developed.The interpretations deduced from this research work are expected to not only expand the knowledge of shale lithofacies classification for lacustrine fine-grained rocks,but can also offer a theoretical foundation for lacustrine shale oil exploration and development.
文摘Business process improvement is a systematic approach used by several organizations to continuously improve their quality of service.Integral to that is analyzing the current performance of each task of the process and assigning the most appropriate resources to each task.In continuation of our previous work,we categorize resources into human and non-human resources.For instance,in the healthcare domain,human resources include doctors,nurses,and other associated staff responsible for the execution of healthcare activities;whereas the non-human resources include surgical and other equipment needed for execution.In this study,we contend that the two types of resources(human and non-human)have a different impact on the process performance,so their suitability should be measured differently.However,no work has been done to evaluate the suitability of non-human resources for the tasks of a process.Consequently,it becomes difficult to identify and subsequently overcome the inefficiencies caused by the non-human resources to the task.To address this problem,we present a three-step method to compute a suitability score of non-human resources for the task.As an evaluation of the proposed method,a healthcare case study is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method.Furthermore,we performed a controlled experiment to evaluate the usability of the proposed method.The encouraging response shows the usefulness of the proposed method.
文摘Side-effects associated with the cancer chemotherapy limit the scope of chemotherapeutic drugs and no data was available about these side effects in Pakistan. Moreover starvation based differential chemotherapy has been proved to greatly reduce the side effects of chemotherapy depending on starvation time. The current study was conducted to survey the common side effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs and the role of starvation to reduce them. The study included total 100 subjects with multiple carcinomas. A comprehensive questionnaire about starvation inquiry, chemotherapy side effects and their basic information was filled by interviewers as told by patients. There were 48% patients with breast cancer and 11% with uterine cancer. Out of these patients 30%, 28%, 9% and 9% patients were agreed to starve for 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours respectively. The survey regarding the side effects of chemotherapy showed that 43% patients were suffering from headache, fatigue 90%, weakness 95%, hair loss 76%, nausea 77%, vomiting 75%, diarrhea 31%, abdominal cramps 40%, mouth sores 47%, dry mouth 74%, memory impairment 14%?and numbness 49%. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Pakistan. Only 18% of the total patients were agreed to starve for more than one day. Chemotherapy-associated side effects vary greatly and it does not depend upon cancer type. But these side effects depend on multiple factors such as the type and dose of chemotherapeutic drug, patient’s health status and stage of cancer.
文摘G protein coupled receptors(GPCRs)have emerged as the most potential target for a number of drug discovery programs ranging from control of blood pressure,diabetes,cure for genetic diseases to treatment of cancer.A panel of different ligands including hormones,peptides,ions and small molecules is responsible for activation of these receptors.Molecular genetics has identified key GPCRs,whose mutations or altered expressions are linked with tumorgenicity.In this review,we discussed recent advances regarding the involvement of GPCRs in the development of cancers and approaches to manipulating the mechanism behind GPCRs involved tumor growth and metastasis to treat different types of human cancer.This review provides an insight into the current scenario of GPCR-targeted therapy,progress to date and the challenges in the development of anticancer drugs.
