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In this study, we report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Zanthoxylum armatum stem extract. The characteristic absorption at 385 nm suggested synthesis of AgNPs which was further confirmed by SEM, with a size in the range of 46.66 nm to 60.12 nm and a spherical shape, having an FCC structure, analyzed by XRD. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of phenol and secondary alcohol groups over the AgNPS. The elemental composition was further investigated by FESEM-EDX analysis which revealed the presence of silver in the synthesis nanoparticles. The synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms with a zone of inhibition of 21 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, 17 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 18 mm for Salmonella enteric, and 18 mm for Escherichia coli. Overall, the results showed that the green silver nanoparticles could be safe, as they are capable of potential antimicrobial activity against S. aureus.

Water is a precious natural resource. Unfortunately, bodies of water become polluted by waste, such as untreated wastewater and detritus, along with oil spills, with minimum or no consideration for their limited capacity to renew themselves. Among these pollutants, dyes are harmful as they are persistent and not biodegradable in nature. The present study demonstrates the removal of crystal violet (CV), a toxic cationic dye, by using three systems: Peroxymonosulfate (PMS), UV-254 nm radiation and UV/P5MS. The effects of various parameters, such as the effects of the initial dose of crystal violet, initial concentration of PMS, pH, typical inorganic ions, etc., were also investigated. The effect of pH was investigated in the range of 1.92–12.07. Similarly, the effect of various anions such as NO2•−, HCO3•−, CO3•2−, SO4•2− and CH3COO•− was investigated for the degradation of target pollutants. The order of degradation of crystal violet was UV/PMS > PMS > UV with removal efficiencies of 97%, 76% and 42%, respectively, at reaction times of 60 min. The degradation of crystal violet was enhanced significantly at a pH range of 10.52–12.07. Electrical energy per order (EE/O) values for UV/PMS, PMS and UV were calculated to be 1.68, 3.62 and 48.96 KWh/m3/order, respectively. The addition of inorganic ions inhibited the removal of CV in the order of SO4•2− > NO2•− > HCO3•− > CO3•2− > CH3COO•−. Moreover, the kinetic studies on the degradation of CV by the UV-254 nm, PMS, and UV/PMS systems, were also carried out and found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. The study revealed that oxidation processes are most efficacious for the removal of organic dyes from wastewater.

The antibiotic resistance has become a worldwide threat to public health, and has been conventionally recognized for extensive usage of antibiotic in medicinal and agricultural applications. In this study new thiazole acetate incorporating triazole 6 was successfully synthesized using click reaction and characterized through UV–Visible, FT-IR, Mass and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The supramolecular interaction of compound 6 towards commonly used drugs has been investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The supramolecule 6 displayed distinctive quenching in the fluorescence intensity after mixing with Pefloxacin, selectively in the presence of other drugs at pH 6, with a linear range of concentration from 1 to 11 μM (R2 = 0.9889) and a limit of detection down to 0.24 μM. The binding stoichiometry between 6 and Pefloxacin was found to be 1:2 (6: Pefloxacin) as revealed by Job's plot method. Compound 6 is highly selective for Pefloxacin even in the presence of other widely used medicinal drugs, as no interference was observed in competitive experiments. More over compound 6 was successfully used for the detection of Pefloxacin in tap water and human plasma samples.

Background Essential oils are chemical products produced by odoriferous glands from a variety of plants. These essential oil have many health benefits i.e. antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. So due to these medicinal properties present study was designed to analyze essential oil of Thymus vulgaris and Mentha arvensis for their chemical composition and biological activities. Materials and methods Essential oil from these plants were extracted by hydrodistillation method, and analyzed by GC-MS. To test the microbial activity of these oil disk diffusion method and micro wells method were used. For free radical scavenging DPPH assay was used. However total phenolic content was measured by colorimetric method. Results The GC-MS analysis of T. vulgaris oil showed the presence of 47 chemical compounds among which thymol, terpinene, p-cymene and carvacrol were major. However essential oil of M. arvensis showed the presence of 28 constituents, among which the Menthone, Menthol, Isomenthone, Eucalyptol, neo-Menthol, cis-Piperitone oxide, Linalool, Thymol, Limonene, and α-Phellandrene were major. Essential oil from both these plant tested for antimicrobial activity showed that the T. vulgaris oil was effective against seven bacterial strains and the essential oil of M. arvensis was effective against six bacterial strain. The antioxidant activity of both samples by DPPH assay which showed positive result. Conclusion As both species showed the presence of active components, positive microbial activities, and antioxidant activity so, research should be carried on for further biological activities of these oil for betterment of living beings.

Purpose The impact of a firm’s strategic performance measurement system (SPMS) on its customer-focused strategy, under varying contexts, has largely been documented in the literature. However, the system’s capacity to positively influence the firm strategy through its impact on the firm’s peculiar internal and external capabilities, in the peculiar context of the developing countries’ financial services sector, has so far skipped a thorough academic enquiry. This study, using Indonesia’ financial services sector as its ‘site’, aims to fill this void in the literature. Design/methodology/approach The authors gleaned the study’s empirical data from financial services sector firms using survey questionnaire and analyzed it using SmartPLS. A total of 107 valid responses from management members of different financial services sector firms in Indonesia were deemed useable. Findings The study findings support the paper’s main thesis. The findings revealed that the strategic PMS contributes to enhancing firms’ market orientation and robustness by positively contributing to their customer-focused strategy from three distinct dimensions – competitors, customers and organizational learning. Research limitations/implications The authors posit that an effective customer-focused strategy can be accomplished by purposefully adapting the focus of the firm’s strategic PMS to positively influence the organizational learning, which subsequently translates into the firm’s high competitiveness in the marketplace. Originality/value The unexplored link between the SPMS, firm’s internal and external capabilities and customer-focused strategy in the particular context of a developing country’s financial services sector will not only fill the current void in the literature but also instigate a new academic debate. The study will also contribute to the management accounting practice in service firms in the developing countries context.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the theoretical concepts of adult constructive development (ACD) in response to a requirement to teach fully online during the COVID-19 lockdown. However, responses have been unique for many university educators, regardless of the roles they have in supporting students during this time. How each person approaches the changing context can be enhanced by an understanding of their mindset as defined by Kegan’s theory. Design/methodology/approach An accounting academic and educational designer combine their expertise and engage a “digital mindset” to guide the re-design of the management accounting unit incorporating strategies that encourage students to be self-reliant yet learn from a broad diversity of perspectives. Findings Unexpected changes within an educational environment may be the catalyse needed to force significant rethinking of pedagogical practice within the online teaching space. Practical implications This paper offers practical thinking and design tips for creating interactive learning and teaching programs to develop a positive and supportive approach that challenges and facilitates cognitive growth in student knowledge, skills and learning behaviours. Social implications Stimulating student interaction via the creation of interactive and dynamic online curriculum design teachers may communicate more effectively with students as well as sharing their knowledge and skills with each other. Originality/value The authors explore Kegan’s ACD framework (1982, 1998, 2009) within the context of tertiary teaching and learning design for management accounting. The authors propose online strategies for each of the levels of development in the form of supports and challenges.

Objectives We sought to determine the prevalence, pattern of causative organisms, and mortality of newborns with culture-proven late-onset sepsis (LOS) and to determine and compare the risk factors linked to late-onset gram-positive and late-onset gram-negative sepsis in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study of data obtained between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2014 (eight years) from infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at SQUH. Infants born in SQUH (inborn) and other institutions (outborn) with positive blood cultures were included in the study. Results The total number of live births and admissions during the study period were 26 289 and 3559, respectively. The total number of infants identified with LOS were 125 of whom 69 (55.2%) were gram-positive, 52 (41.6%) were gram-negative, and four (3.2%) were due to Candida species (spp.). The majority of infants (n = 113, 90.4%) were inborn; 69 (55.2%) were males and 56 (44.8%) were females. The prevalence of LOS among inborn admissions was 4.3 per 1000 live births. Most infections occurred in very low birth weight infants (n = 81, 64.8%). Eleven (8.8%) infants died due to gram-negative sepsis. Klebsiella pneumoniae followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the leading cause of death. Maternal intrapartum antibiotics were the only independent risk factor correlating with gram-negative organisms in multivariate analysis (p = 0.003). Conclusions LOS poses a burden in the NICU, which could be due to the increasing survival of premature babies. The main contributing organisms to LOS are gram-positive bacteria. Klebsiella spp. is a major cause of mortality in LOS. The use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis in mothers might explain the positive correlation of maternal antibiotics as a risk factor with gram-negative infections.

Livestock is an important source of meat and milk with its significant share in the world's total calories and protein consumption. There has been a substantial increase in the consumption of livestock products in the last decades at a global level. Buffalo have a large and growing share of the global livestock sector. However, buffalo are no longer an important part of the livestock sector of Turkey for various socioeconomic and political reasons. Turkish Government has taken some serious measures to revive the buffalo population in the country. The economic profitability of buffalo is manifold as it not only serves as draught animal but also provides milk, meat and hides. Lack of scientific research activities and improper marketing strategies, along with inadequate perception and knowledge of farmers, are the main constraints to buffalo production in Turkey. Organised and well-developed strategies are required to revive and utilise the potential of buffalo products in Turkey.

Buffalo is considered as a triple purpose animal that provides milk, meat and draught power to mankind. The ideal environmental conditions for buffalo are floodplains with plenty of grasses and water supply. However, buffalo are also raised in many different climatic conditions, other that of their origin, in various parts of the world with the help of facilities such as barns and sheds. The world buffalo population has shown a growing trend in recent decades. The aim of the present research is to review and analyse the current status and future prospects of water buffalo domestication in Turkey in a geographical context. Water buffalo were used in Turkey as a draught animal along with production of meat, milk and related dairy products for a long time. However, buffalo domestication has been neglected in Turkey for several decades and no effort has been made to revive this sector. Therefore, a declining trend in the buffalo population has been observed since the 1980s for several reaseons including increased mechanisation, changes in livestock preferences, intensification of agriculture and livestock, and changes in consumer behaviour. Geographical distribution of the animal reveals a high concentration in Eastern Black Sea and Marmara regions of Turkey.

The study aims to investigate the effect of employees’ participation in the budget construction process, through voice and trust, on employee self-efficacy and performance, in public sector organizations. Budgetary participation and employees’ performance have been extensively researched in both private sector organizations and from the perspective of top management. We investigated the phenomenon in public sector organizations and from the point of view of lower level participating employees. We gleaned empirical data from 114 respondents in public sector organizations in Lampung, Indonesia, and analyzed it using SmartPLS to test our hypotheses. We found that in the course of budgetary participation, employees’ expectancy attitude, in the light of the expectancy theory and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, predicted employees’ behavior, and had a significant impact on their self-efficacy and performance. Employees’ voice and interpersonal trust in the budget construction process would reap optimal ben...

Phytochemical investigation of the tubers of Ophiopogon japonicus led to the isolation of five previously undescribed steroidal saponins, ophiojaponins A–E, together with twelve known ones. The structures of these isolated compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. Ophiojaponins A–C are rare naturally occurring C 29 steroidal glycosides possessing a homo-cholestane skeleton with an aromatized ring E. Ruscogenin 1- O - α -L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-4- O -sulfo- β -D-fucopyranosido-3- O - β -D-glucopyranoside was isolated as single component and its full spectroscopic data was reported for the first time. The isolated steroidal saponins were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against two human tumor cell lines MG-63 and SNU387. Among them, five known spirostane-type glycosides showed cytotoxic activity against both MG-63 and SNU387 cell lines with IC 50 values ranging from 0.76 to 27.0 μM.

Phytochemical investigation of the seeds of Croton tiglium resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of four new 4-deoxy-4 β -phorbol diesters ( 1–4 ) named as 12- O -tiglylphorbol-4-deoxy-4 β -phorbol-13-acetate ( 1 ), 12- O -tiglylphorbol-4-deoxy-4 β -phorbol-13-hexadecanoate ( 2 ), 13- O -acetylphorbol-4-deoxy-4 β -phorbol-20-oleate ( 3 ) and 13- O -acetylphorbol-4-deoxy-4 β -phorbol-20-linoleate ( 4 ), respectively. The structures of the new compounds were established by 1D, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI–MS spectroscopic data and chemical degradation experiments. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1–4 were evaluated against hepatic tumor cell lines (SNU387 and SNU398). Among these compounds, compound 4 exhibited the most potent activity against the SNU387 with IC 50 value of 0.71 μM.

A new compound (1) (named as artemceramide-B) together with eight known compounds (taraxerol (2), taraxerol acetate (3), β-sitosterol (4), stigmasterol (5), trans-ethyl caffeate, dracunculin (7), scoparone (8) and isoscopoletin (9) were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the roots of Artemisia incisa Pamp (Asteracae). The structures of the compounds were determined through IR, 1D NMR ( 1H NMR, 13C NMR) and 2D NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC) analyses. Accurate mass analyses were done with EI-MS, ESI-MS and acid methanolysis of compound 1 followed by GS-MS studies. The relative stereochemistry of artemceramide-B was determined by comparing its specific rotation and spectroscopic data with the literature. Compounds 1-9 were tested for their anti-bacterial potential against five bacteria strains; Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Compound 1 (new) (MIC: 0.0157, 0.0313 mg/mL ) and 7 (MIC: 0.0815 , 1.000 mg/mL ) showed excellent activities against S. epidermidis and S. aureus while compound 9 showed excellent activities (MIC: 0.0700 , 1.234, 1.890 and 2.286 mg/mL) against S. epidermidis,S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and E. coli, respectively. Compound 6 (MIC: 2.000 mg/mL) was found to be active against E. coli while neither of the compounds showed potential activity against B. subtilis.

The project was intended to the phytochemical characterisation from the rudimentary methanolic extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn., which escorts to the isolation of stigmasterol (1), β-sitosterol (2), octadecanoic acid (3), scopoletin (4) and 1-piperoylpiperidine (5). Literature validates the medicinal authentication of these compounds extorted from other sources, while our previous findings regarding microbial activities of different solvent systems fractions are favouring the presence of medicinally important compounds in this species. Herein, however, we report these natural products for the first time from this species.

Aqueous solution of rose bengal dye has been studied spectrophotometrically as a gamma-ray dosimeter for the measurement of low doses of radiation. The useful dose range was found to be from 50 to 1000 Gy when the measurements were made at 549 nm. The effects of temperature and light conditions on the stability of response during post-irradiation storage were also investigated. When stored in dark at room temperature, the dosimetric solutions showed a stable response up to 22 days. The storage of irradiated solutions in diffused sunlight showed a stable response only up to 6 days. When exposed to direct sunlight, very prominent and fast bleaching of dye solution occurred. At low storage temperature (ca. 11 °C), dosimetric response was found to be stable up to 22 days while at higher temperature (ca. 30 °C), the response of dosimetric solution was stable only up to 6 days. The rose bengal aqueous solution showed promising characteristics as a low dose radiation dosimeter when stored at lower temperatures (

Whole grains of some important cereals (wheat, buckwheat, maize, millet and oat) and some whole tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachio nuts and pine nuts) have been investigated for the identification of radiation treatment using microgel electrophoresis of single cells. This DNA Comet Assay is proposed as a rapid screening method for detection of irradiated foods, but is not radiation specific. Cereals and nuts were exposed to radiation doses of 0.5, 1 and 3 or 5 kGy covering the range for insect/pest disinfestation or for microbial control. After electrophoresis, irradiated cells from buckwheat, maize, millet and oat, and also from almonds, peanuts, walnuts and hazelnuts showed comets indicating stretching of fragmented DNA towards the anode. The size and shape of the comets were dose dependent. Non-irradiated samples of all cereals showed intact cells/nuclei in form of round stains or with short faint tails except for wheat, which showed only comets also in non-irradiated samples. For nuts like Brazil, cashew and pistachio nuts, suitable DNA material could not be extracted. In case of pine nuts, very few round intact cells were observed along with a majority of comets, making the screening difficult. Thus comet assay can be successfully used as a screening method for detection of radiation treatment of several cereals and nuts, however, the assay was not satisfactory for wheat and for Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, and pistachio nuts.

A simple technique of microgel electrophoresis of single cells (DNA Comet Assay) enabled a quick detection of radiation treatment of several kinds of leguminous beans (azuki, black, black eye, mung, pinto, red kidney and white beans). Each variety was exposed to radiation doses of 0.5, 1 and 5 kGy covering the permissible limits for insect disinfestation. The cells or nuclei from beans were extracted in cold PBS, embedded in agarose on microscope slides, lysed between 15 and 60 min in 2.5% SDS and electrophoresis was carried out at a voltage of 2 V/cm for 2–2.5 min. After silver staining, the slides were evaluated through an ordinary transmission microscope. In irradiated samples, fragmented DNA stretched towards the anode and the damaged cells appeared as a comet. The density of DNA in the tails increased with increasing radiation dose. However, in non-irradiated samples, the large molecules of DNA remained relatively intact and there was only minor or no migration of DNA; the cells were round or had very short tails only. Hence, the DNA comet assay provides an inexpensive, rapid and relatively simple screening method for the detection of irradiated beans.

This paper aims to explore the importance of kinship system in tribal areas (Fazla Kach) of province Punjab, Pakistan. An exploratory research was conducted by using the qualitative research tools for data collection including key informant interviewing and participant observation as the major tools for data collection. It was revealed through data analysis that kinship system plays a central role in tribal life. Kinship system merely serves as the code of tribal life of Buzdar tribe of Fazla Kach , Punjab Pakistan. Extended family system is lead and identified by the grandfather’s name who possesses the ultimate decision-making power. Kinship system plays a pivotal role to maintain social order through repressive tribal laws which are executed through Meal-Maraka (indigenous conflict resolution body). Each minimal lineage is represented by Sofaid Rish (white bearded). Furthermore, data revealed that segmentary lineage kinship is decisive in formal electoral process. Ritual and ceremonies, property inheritance, communal land holding and sheep flock herding and conflict resolution are conducted via patriarchal kinship system. Females are very active in daily chores of life yet are invisible in socio-political and economic system of the tribe.

Four new neolignans, meliasendanins A-D (1-4), and a new glycoside, toosenoside A (5), together with ten known ones (6-15), were isolated from a n-BuOH partition of the fruits of Melia toosendan. Their structures were elucidated by analyses of extensive spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with those reported previously. Meliasendanin A (1) was a rare neolignan containing isochroman moiety, and its absolute configuration was determined using a CD spectrum. Toosenoside A (5) was an unusual glycoside with a rare naturally occurring aglycone and its structure was confirmed by X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. The antioxidant activity of the isolated neolignans and lignans was evaluated by ABTS radical-scavenging assay. Compounds 1 and 13 exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 62.8 and 45.1 μM, respectively.