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Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deficiency in soils limit plant growth. Consequently, chemical fertilizers are applied to fulfill crop nutrient demands. However, low nutrient utilization can make these fertilizers unprofitable for low-income smallholding farmers. Therefore, we studied the influence of Bradyrhizobium sp. and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas) on N and P utilization by mungbean crop from fertilized nutrient-deficient soil. We inoculated novel Bradyrhizobium sp. TAL-377 and Pseudomonas sp. 54RB strains alone or their combination with seeds of mungbean varieties (C-MUNG, NM-06, and NM-11). A basal dose of chemical fertilizers was applied at the rate of 60 kg N and 90 kg P ha−1 in the form of urea and single super phosphate in all plots before crop sowing. All inocula increased soil mineral N and P compared to control (P < 0.05). Co-inoculation increased mineral N by 30%, 18%, and 18% than Bradyrhizobium sp. alone and increase in P was 22, 29 and 43% than Pseudomonas sp. in C-MUNG, NM-06, and NM-11, respectively. This resulted in 35%, 45%, and 36% higher shoot N uptakes than Bradyrhizobium sp., and 46%, 84%, and 62% higher shoot P uptake than Pseudomonas sp. in the varieties. Similarly, root nodulation, mungbean grains, and biological yields were higher in co-inoculation treatments than single strain (p <.05). Hence, co-inoculation of Bradyrhizobium sp. and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.) is a vital strategy to increase mungbean growth, yield, N and P utilization from chemical fertilizers applied in nutrient-deficient soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a partial randomized response technique to collect reliable sensitive data for estimation of population proportion in ranked set sampling (RSS) scheme using auxiliary information. The idea is to increase confidence and (or) co-operation of the respondents by providing them the option of both 'direct' and 'randomized' response for the inquired sensitive question. This option is quite logical because perception of sensitive (insensitive) inquiry can vary among respondents. The properties of the proposed method are discussed and compared with existing randomized response techniques. Cost analysis is also carried out to prove supremacy of the suggested method. Finally, an application to clinical trial on AIDS is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the concomitant based double ranked set sampling (CDRSS) for estimating the population proportion and compares with existing concomitant based ranked set sampling (CRSS) and simple random sampling (SRS) schemes. Moreover, taking into account information on a single concomitant variable, we also develop ratio-and exponential-type estimators, along with their biases and mean square errors (MSEs) up to first order of approximation, for precisely estimating the population proportion using CRSS and CDRSS schemes. The advantages of the ratio-and exponential-type estimators over SRS estimator are investigated in terms of the relative precision. A real data application is also given to support the theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the concomitant-based rank set sampling (CRSS) for estimation of the sensitive proportion. It is shown that CRSS procedure provides an unbiased estimator of the population sensitive proportion, and it is always more precise than corresponding sample sensitive proportion (Warner SL (1965)) that based on simple random sampling (SRS) without increasing sampling cost. Additionally, a new estimator based on ratio method is introduced using CRSS protocol, preserving the respondent's confidentiality through a randomizing device. The numerical results of these estimators are obtained by using numerical integration technique. An application to real data is also given to support the methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is one of the typhoidal Salmonellae that causes typhoid fever. We report the first case of an XDR S. Typhi in a suspected case of Endocarditis with Aortic Valve Replacement and deranged INR. The identification was carried out by an automated system. The antibiogram was performed according to CLSI recommendations. The XDR S. Typhi isolates were found resistant to Azithromycin. Although XDR S. Typhi has been reported in our country and elsewhere, however, till to date no complete resistant isolate of S. Typhi to Azithromycin has been reported in Pakistan. The patient had a smooth recovery on intravenous meropenem. The case highlights the importance of the acquisition of resistance to the last line antibiotics in S. Typhi in our country and is of concern to infectious disease specialists to ensure infection control to avoid its spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize flour was infested with fresh emerged Tribolium castaneum adults, and its nutritional composition was evaluated after 0, 45, and 90 days of the infestation. Furthermore, 99% carbon dioxide was applied to different developmental stages of T. castaneum for its management. There were six treatments and five replicates; for each replicate, maize flour (150 g) was taken in a 250-ml plastic jar container, insects were released in the flour, and jars were placed into the incubator at a temperature of 28 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH. Similarly, the application of 99% CO2 was done with four exposure times of 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, at 35 °C 65 ± 5% RH. Present results showed major fluctuations in the nutritive composition of maize flour. Increase in the moisture, fat, fiber, protein, and ash contents was directly proportional to the increase in infestation level and time, contrary to the depletion of carbohydrates and total weight loss. The results of CO2 treatment indicated that pupa was the most resilient stage as compared with larvae and adult stage. The observed susceptibility order was as follows: adult > larvae > pupae. The maximum mortality of adult, larval, and pupal stages was recorded after 24, 48, and 72 h of CO2 application, respectively. These findings might be helpful to develop an ecofriendly technique to manage this crucial pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost-effective and efficient sampling methods are of main concern in many social, biological and environmental studies. In this article, an efficient sampling scheme, named manipulation-based ranked set sampling (MBRSS) scheme is introduced with its properties for estimating population mean and median. The MBRSS is a mixture of simple random sampling (SRS), ranked set sampling (RSS) and median ranked set sampling (MRSS) schemes and is applicable in the situation when ordinary RSS cannot be conducted. It is shown that the proposed scheme provides unbiased mean estimator provided underlying distribution is symmetric. For asymmetric distributions, a weighted mean is proposed, where optimal weights are computed using Shannon's entropy. Monte Carlo simulation is used to ascertain effectiveness of the proposed mean and median estimators in the presence of outliers. We also compared the efficiency of MBRSS and truncation-based ranked set sampling (TBRSS) scheme with respect to SRS under the situation of perfect and imperfect ranking i.e error in rankings with respect to variable of interest. It is observed, on the basis of theoretical and numerical studies that MBRSS is more efficient than SRS. Further, a real data set is used to illustrate the proposed MBRSS scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine correlation between blood levels of high sensitivity c-reactive protein (Hs CRP) and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) on coronary angiography measured through Gensini scoring system. Study type, settings and duration: The descriptive case study was conducted at Rawalpindi institute of cardiology. The duration of study was six month. Patients and Methods: Adult patients of both genders between age 25 to 60 years visiting to outpatient department of the institute and registered for coronary angiogram were included. From each of the enrolled patient about 5cc venos blood sample was collected and Hs-CRP was performed. Severity was measured through Gensini score after coronary angiography. Angiographic Gensini scores were correlated with Hs-CRP using Pearson's correlation (2-tailed). Value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Total 87 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled among them 81.6% (n=71) were males and 18.4% (n=16) were females. The correlation coefficient was found to be 0.043, implying that there is negligible relationship between Hs-CRP and Gensini scores at p= 0.696. Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between Hs-CRP and severity of CAD measured through Gensini scores on coronary angiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia is one of the most common causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in most countries of the world. The objective of my study was to assess the correlation of clinical findings of perinatal asphyxia with cranial sonography in full term babies. Study Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Children's Hospital Multan. Period: January 2016 to October 2016. Material and Methods: 100 full term babies having history of delayed cry were scanned within three days of birth in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Children's Hospital Multan. Clinically findings including full term babies, birth weight, grunting, cyanosis history of mode delivery, resuscitation history, delayed cry and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) grades were taken from baby's hospital file record and standard images including coronal and sagittal plans were taken by Ultrasound machine probe of frequency 3-5 MHz. Findings were recorded on data collection sheets and spread on EXEL sheets. Correlation was found by using SPSS software. Result: Out of 100 neonates 63 were male and 37 were female with birth weight (2.4-3.6) having mean ± SD 3.08 ± 0.53. HIE grades (mild, moderate and severe) were found in 12, 83, 5 babies respectively and ultrasound grades 0 (normal/ mild echogenic), grade 1 (moderate echogenic) and grade 2 (severe/generalized echogenic) were found in 32, 52, 16 neonates respectively with r= 0.37 and P-value < 0.05 showing moderate positive correlation. Conclusion: Cranial ultrasound is a good screening tool to evaluate asphyxiated neonatal brain. It has a moderate positive correlation with clinical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a double robust truncation based ranked set sampling (DRTBRSS) for estimating population mean and median. It provides unbiased estimator of population mean under symmetric population and its efficiency dominates the efficiency of conventional estimators based on ranked set sampling (RSS), truncation based rank set sampling (TBRSS) and simple random sampling (SRS). Monte Carlo simulation, based on perfect ranking and ranking based on auxiliary variable, is used under symmetric and asymmetric distributions to evaluate effectiveness of the proposed sampling method. Further, a real data set is used to illustrate the proposed sampling design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective was to determine accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of ureteric calculi confirmed on non-contrast Computed Tomography among patients with acute ureteric colic. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Emergency Department of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Period: 11-07-2012 to 10-01-2013. Materials and Methods: 100 consecutive patients presenting with acute severe ureteric colic and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled for the study from the emergency department of Nishtar Hospital Multan. Ultrasonography was done in all patients and USG findings were recorded for the presence or absence of hyperechoic shadows in the ureteric. All the patients underwent CT scan to confirm or refute the findings of Ultrasonography. Result: Mean age of the patients was 37.85 + 12.60 years. Males were 53 (53%) while females were 47 (47%). Mean duration of pain before presentation was 14.81 + 6.20 hours. Mean severity of pain on visual analogue scale was 9.40 + 0.8. Overall 79 patients were diagnosed as having ureteric calculi. Ultrasonography detected the ureteric stone in 75 patients and was all found to have stone on CT scan and represented true positives. Among 25 patients in whom ultrasound did not demonstrate any stone, 4 were found to have ureteric stone on CT scan thus representing false negative whereas 21 (84%) were confirmed on CT scan not to have any stone, thus representing True negatives. The sensitivity of USG for detection of ureteric stone was found to be 94.9%, the specificity was 100%, and positive predictive value was 100% while negative predictive value was 84%. There was no significant effect of age or gender on the accuracy of ultrasound. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is a readily available, non-invasive and reliable investigation in patients presenting with acute flank pain to diagnose ureteric stones with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity approaching 95%. Thus it is recommended that it should be used routinely for the evaluation of patients presenting with acute flank pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender, being a substantial dynamic in establishing the philosophy of language use, language ideology and difference in the process of language preference, is an irrefutable and prospective disposition of a given socio-linguistic fiber. Present study aims at investigating and analyzing the discernible socio-linguistic phenomenon of language preferences exhibited by varied gender categories in Pakistan. It is directed towards analyzing how gender along with other social factors plays its role in determining linguistic attitudes in social mosaic of Pakistan. Over two hundred people were chosen through convenient sampling technique from different cities of Pakistan in order to explore their opinion regarding given issue. Results of the study reveal that women tend to associate themselves with emblematic capital, English, for their societal standing and repute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]