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The study analyses the scope and role of Bloom's Taxonomy (1956) in reforming teaching-learning practices in the classroom by employing a systematic balance of questions from both the lower and higher domains of learning in the summative assessment. Thus, this study analyses the annual question papers designed by the Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Mirpurkhas for the subject of English grade XII from the year 2014 to 2018. It employs Bloom's Taxonomy to analyze and categorize each item included in these annual question papers to ascertain the higher and lower domains of learning. At Sindh province level, it has been found that 74% of questions refer to the lower domains whereas only 26% are used for higher domains. Given the formative assessment practices, teachers and students remain focused only on the lower domains, but by altering the course, the pedagogical practices and teaching-learning process in Sindh province can remarkably be reformed and transformed from sheer memorization and rote-learning to critical thinking, solution-making, knowledge-building process, and analytical skills.

Background: Understanding of morphometric parameters of Radius play a very important and beneficial role for the advanced orthopedic and plastic manipulations by surgeons. Aim: To study the morphological and morphometric parameters of adult Indian radius. Material and methods: The material for this study compromised of 87 dry adult human radii (Right = 45, left = 42) obtained from Department of Anatomy Government Medical Collage Srinagar, J & K India and various parameters measured with Vernier Calipers. Results: The present study "Morphometric study of radius in Indian population" done on 87 adult dry radii of both sides (right 45 and left 42). The mean length of radius, Antero posterior diameter (radial head), transverse diameter (radial head), length of neck of radius, diameter of neck (proximal), diameter of neck ( distal), length of radial tuberosity, width of radial tuberosity, mid shaft antero- posterior diameter, mid shaft transverse diameter, length of styloid process in total radius were 22.37, 1.90, 1.72, 1.24,1.62, 1.36, 2.18, 1.25, 1.10, 1.39, 0.95 cm respectively on the right and 23.30, 1.92, 1.80, 1.27, 1.56, 1.29, 2.05,1.13, 1.07, 1.35, 0.94 cm respectively on the left side. All the parameters were recorded as per anatomical basis Conclusion: The results obtained from this study can be useful for the orthopedic surgeons for various surgical techniques and making prosthesis. These morphometric parameters can prove of great help to department of Surgery, Anatomy and Radiology as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies the narratives of voices identifying the harrowing aftermath of the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan, and the representations of the contemporary effects of partition in Bapsi Sidhwa's novel Ice Candy Man. The narrative unfolds past experiences through the eyes of different characters and surroundings from different social, political and religious backgrounds. The novel vividly portrays the horror of violence during the partition, as communities that once coexisted peacefully become engulfed in a whirlwind of hatred and bloodshed. Sidhwa's polyphonic narrative experiences reflect the multifaceted nature of violence, from communal riots to personal tragedies creating a poignant portrayal of human suffering and resilience. The theme of partition, violence, and memory permeates throughout the novel, encapsulating the socio-political upheavals that marked the birth of two nations – India and Pakistan. This paper, therefore, attempts to analyse the novel in order to understand the ideas of the 'polyphonic narrative' of Mikhael Bakhtin's theory and many other postcolonial critic's ideas. For portraying the human experience amidst a backdrop of partition and historical turmoil in shaping narratives as presented in the text by applying the theoretical framework of Postcolonial theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graph theory plays a crucial role in the era of computer science, medical science and information technology. The fundamental motivation behind this paper is to present some availability ideas in the m polar interval-valued fuzzy graph (m-PIVFG), which are utilized to portray the interval of the uncertainty of items. What's more, the m-PIVFG graphs are utilized to portray the underlying connection between ideas in which the vertices and edges are of multi-poles and in the form of interval values to feature the uncertainty conditions. The dominating set involves a basic situation in graph analysis. This paper essentially adds to expanding the idea of double domination in the fuzzy graph to the m-PIVFG and getting the related extended ideas of m-PIVFG. In the interim, the ways to get the particular double dominating sets are introduced. At long last, a numeral model on ambulance service on some villages information in India is introduced to clarify the necessity of double domination in m-PIVFG in the particular application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study analysed a total of 272 saffron (Crocus sativus L.) genotypes using multivariate analysis. We carefully observed and recorded information about the floral, morphological and corm attributes. Significant variations were observed among the genotypes for all the traits, indicating a high level of variability and suggesting a great potential for saffron improvement. The phenotypic variances were found to be greater than the estimated genotypic variances. Descriptive data on various morphological traits revealed significant differences in the frequency of phenotype classes as well as a wide distribution range. The high heritability estimates were observed in average number of daughter corms per plant (ANDCPP), initial weight of corms (IWC g), no. of buds/corm (NBPC), – no. of leaves in main sprout, (NLMS), number of sprouted buds per corm (NSBpC) and total number of leaves (TNL), whereas average weight of daughter corms per plant (AWBCPP), corm diameter (CDcm), pistal length (PL) cm, style length (STYLcm), fresh weight of pistals per plant (FWOPPPmg) and stigma length (STML cm), revealed medium sense of heritability. The traits dry weight of pistals per plants (DWOPPP mg), inner tepal width (ITW cm), leaf length (LLcm), number of flowers per corm (NFpC), outer tepal length (OTLcm), parianth length with tube (PLWT cm) and weight of stigma (WSTG mg) exhibited low broad-sense heritability. Principal component analysis (PCA) divulged that the first eight component characters had an eigenvalue greater than one with a contributory cumulative variance of 66.15% to the total variance, while as rest of the 16 components contributed 33.85% of total variation in a set of 272 genotypes of saffron. The eigenvalues for yield attributing traits for significant PCs ranged from 5.48 (PC1) to 1.03(PC8). The current study has revealed that there was a sufficient variability in a set of saffron germplasm lines which forms the basis for performance-based clonal selection. Moreover, identified elite genotypes based on saffron yield and corm attributes could be used in the saffron breeding programme for the development of saffron varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Himalayas, the lives and livelihoods of millions of people are sustained by water resources primarily depending on the moisture brought by Western Disturbances and Indian Summer Monsoon. In the present study, a network of 12 precipitation stations was established across the Kashmir Valley to understand the spatial and meteorological factors controlling precipitation isotopes. Temperature and relative humidity are dominant meteorological factors, whereas altitude, proximity to forest canopy, land use/land cover, windward and leeward sides of the mountains are the main physical factors influencing precipitation isotopes. The study suggests that the Mediterranean Sea and nearby water bodies along with continental recycling are the dominant sources of moisture from October to May, while the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and continental recycling are the main sources of moisture from June to September. However, some precipitation events from October to May collect moisture from the Arabian Sea and some precipitation events from June to September collect moisture from the Mediterranean Sea. The occasional passage of Western Disturbances in summer merging with the Indian Summer Monsoon yields heavy to very heavy precipitation. The study provides a better understanding of complex spatial and meteorological phenomena controlling precipitation isotopes across the Western Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subcentre is the lowest rung of a referral pyramid of health facilities. The purpose of health subcentre is mainly providing preventive and promotive services, but it also provides a basic level of curative services. Objectives: To assess the existing services availability at subcentres and identification of gaps between minimum requirements as per Indian public health standards and actual availability of services at subcentres. Material and Methods: It was a cross sectional observational study. Study units were subcentres. Fifty percent of subcentres of the district were selected using simple random sampling method. Check list prepared from Indian public health standards facility survey formats was used for data collection and collected data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences. Results: Majority (58.8%) of the subcentres were catering a population in the range of 1000-3000. Ante-natal and child care related services were available in all subcentres. Intra-natal services were available in only two subcentres. Eighty five percent of subcentres were involved in providing school health related services. Conclusion: Most of the services as recommended by Indian public health standards were available in the studied subcentres. The lack of some services was mainly due to inadequate staff and infrastructure at subcentres. Comprehensive efforts are required to ensure adequate service delivery at all health centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting financial sustainability is the focus of current state policies while addressing the concerns of environmental pollution. The alarming impacts of climate change on economies motivate us to revisit an intensive empirical study to explore the dynamic relationships of low-carbon energy, current account balance, and reserves with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the most polluted countries across the globe for the years 1981–2020. We applied the dynamic autoregressive distributive lag (D-ARDL) simulation model to investigate the short and long-run connection. The empirical outcomes of the study uncover that in the short run, a 1% increase in renewable energy reduces CO2-based emissions by 0.417%, 0.169%, and 0.619% in China, the USA, and India, respectively. We further explored that China's and the USA's economic growth causes environmental deterioration. In contrast, a 1% increase in current account balances improves the environmental quality of China and India by 0.3% and 0.6%, respectively. This research concludes that model variables significantly impact the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to draw policy implications to increase the consumption of low-carbon energy to sustain economic growth by limiting the adverse impacts of economic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a routine inspection of fields at Faisalabad, Pakistan, symptoms of begomovirus infection were observed on soybean plants. Viruses from symptomatic soybean plants were isolated and characterized by Sanger sequencing. Multiple bipartite and monopartite begomoviruses were identified that include Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus, Mungbean yellow mosaic virus, Pedilanthus leaf curl virus, Cherry tomato leaf curl virus, Tomato leaf curl Kerala virus, and Cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus. Among these viruses, the Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus was the most abundant virus followed by Pedilanthus leaf curl virus. The presence of DNA satellites associated with begomoviruses such as alphasatellites and betasatellites were also investigated. The alphasatellites identified were Ageratum yellow vein India alphasatellite, Guar leaf curl alphasatellite and Tomato leaf curl alphasatellite. Three betasatellites including Papaya leaf curl betasatellite, Tomato leaf curl betasatellite, and Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite were also identified. The infection of these multiple begomoviruses associated with multiple DNA satellites pose a serious threat to production of soybean as well as to other legume crops. The current findings of multiple begomoviruses and satellites in soybean demand for developing broad-spectrum resistant cultivars of soybean in future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geochemistry and petrography of the late Cretaceous Pab sandstone exposed at the Laki Range, Southern Indus basin has been carried out in order to acquire better understanding of source rock, paleoclimate and the tectonics. The unit in the study area dominantly comprises of sandstone with some conglomeratic sandstone and mudstone beds. The petrographic studies of Pab sandstone reveal the quartz as the major mineral constituent in almost all analyzed samples. The monocrystalline variety of quartz was seen dominant than the polycrystalline; with dominant non-undulatory extinction, the undulation was also noticed. In addition, studied samples reflect medium to coarse size grains, angular to subangular to subrounded shape characterized with the grain to grain contacts as point to straight and sutured. Iron oxide is observed to be leading cement with calcareous as the second most abundant cementing material, the matrix was also observed in minor amount. The monocrystalline quartz abundance in Pab sandstone indicate the existence of granitic rocks in the source region. The lesser fragments of feldspar and lithics suggest of their alteration to various clay minerals. The Pab sandstone is composed mainly of monocrystalline quartz derived dominantly from craton interior as revealed through plots of model composition on Quartz -Feldspar-Lithics (QFL) and Quartz Monocrystalline-Feldspar-Lithics (QmFLt) plots as per the petrographic characterization. The major element geochemistry of Pab sandstone indicates that the samples comprised of abundant SiO2 (56.21 to 69.93 wt.%), Al2O3 (12.56 to 22.98 wt.%), CaO (1.68 to 6.38 wt.%) and Fe2O3 (3.87 to 14.12 wt.%), the rest of the major oxides are <2 wt.%. Additionally, major element compositions suggest the sediment derivation from a granitic source. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values ranging from 61.12 to 83.75 and the values of Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA) ranging from 59.94 to 89.44 suggests that studied sediments underwent the weathering conditions being moderate to intense in warm and humid climate regime. The present petrographic findings and geochemical data suggest the sediment derivation from huge Cratonic landmass (Indian Shield). The similar rock types in the form of Nagar Parkar Igneous Complex are still exposed in the southeast of study area in Pakistan and Malani Igneous Suite in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stone tools in association with Pleistocene elephant remains were recovered from Pampore, Kashmir, India, in 2000 from channel deposits in the Pampore Member of the Upper Karewa Group of sediments, which are interpreted as Middle Pleistocene in age. In March 2019 the elephant remains were re-examined to establish taxonomy, cause of death and evidence of human intervention, alongside study of the stone tools and age of the site. This paper reports the results of this work. Most of the elephant remains, including skull and tusks, are from a large adult, but at least two other elephants are also represented. Taxonomic analysis shows that the adult belongs to the genus Palaeoloxodon , but with a mix of features not seen in typical Palaeoloxodon skulls from the Indian Subcontinent. Pathology of the skull indicates severe sinusitis, which may have contributed to the death. No cut-marks from butchery were found on the elephant bones, although three elephant bone flakes were identified, linking human intervention with elephants at the site. The small lithic assemblage is in fresh condition with some refitting artefacts, both suggesting minimal post-depositional movement. Most of the artefacts consist of flakes, flake tools and cores, but with several points and blades suggestive of an early Mode 3 prepared core technology. This might indicate a late Middle Pleistocene age for the site. Further dating evidence using amino acid racemisation on elephant tooth enamel is ongoing, but consistent with this age. The association of stone tools with humanly-modified elephant remains is rare, while prepared core technology is currently scarce further north or east in Asia in the late Middle Pleistocene. The significance of the discovery is discussed in the wider context of Middle Pleistocene elephant-human interaction. • The Pampore elephant, Kashmir, India, from the Pampore Member of the Upper Karewa Group, dates to the Middle Pleistocene. • New investigations by an Indo-British team in 2019 attribute the elephant to Palaeoloxodon. • It is the only Middle Pleistocene elephant site from India to be found in association with an in situ lithic assemblage. • The lithic assemblage is probably attributable to a Mode 3 industry, which suggests a late Middle Pleistocene age. • Elephant bone breakage and flaking shows exploitation of the bones by humans, but no evidence of hunting or butchery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of students regarding the use of antibiotics in Punjab, Pakistan. Participants: 525 medical and non-medical students from Punjab in Pakistan. Methods: The t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the average response of respondents. Chi-square test was used to measure the association of different elements. Results: The mean age was 20.78 ± 2.10%. About 14% of the students agreed about the appropriateness of antibiotics for viral infections, and 15% of students said they stopped taking the drugs when symptoms subsided. 65.7% of students took antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor and 54% bought antibiotics without prescription. Statistically significant results were found among the students who had heard about the antibiotic resistance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study will help assess the adequacy of current educational campaigns, maximize rationalization of antibiotic use, and minimize gaps in knowledge and attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phosphorus (P) is among the essential elements for plant growth and one of the main elements of fertilizers. Decreased availability of P may limit agricultural production in the coming years. The magnitude of soil aggregation influences phosphorus access to mineral surfaces. Aim: The present study aims to determine phosphorus adsorption processes affected by soil aggregation under different land‐use systems. Methods: The distribution of soil aggregates was determined in representative soil samples in the district Kupwara of Kashmir Valley in India. To predict the phosphorus fertilizer requirement of a particular soil, we used the Freundlich adsorption equation and Langmuir equation and drew a clear comparison between these two models. Results and discussion: Maximum phosphorus (P) adsorption was recorded at the smallest aggregate size, 0.5–0.1 mm. However, soil aggregates >2.0 mm (the largest category) adsorbed the least amount of P. Our results revealed that increasing the addition of P to the soil decreased the percentage of adsorbed P regardless of aggregate size. The maximum P adsorption of different size aggregates varied between 1869–1924, 1872–1900, 1718–1739, and 1800–1890 mg P kg–1 in irrigated agriculture, forest, orchard and rainfed agriculture soils, respectively. The variation in P adsorption parameters across the different land uses was attributed to their mean weight diameter difference. The maximum bonding energy in the forest resulted in higher P adsorption. Langmuir and Freundlich's adsorption equations were fitted to each soil aggregate size and land‐use system. Conclusion: Our results revealed that for all soil aggregate sizes and land use systems, the Freundlich adsorption equation performs better than the Langmuir equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) & Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)) related liver disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality especially in the patients with advanced renal failure who are treated with dialysis, and this is due to high number of blood transfusion sessions and/or cross contamination from the dialysis circuits. Aims & Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in patients with advanced renal failure (ARF). Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in joint collaboration of Department of Nephrology and Department of Gastroenterology, KGMU, Lucknow, from June 2018 to June 2020 among, CRF patients. Clinical data such as age, gender, duration of dialysis; number of transfusions, Serum sample was collected from each patient. Serological markers for HBV and HCV were determined with ELISA by using commercial diagnostic kits. HCV-RNA and HBV-DNA were determined quantitatively by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results: A total 934 patients with advanced renal failure attended the nephrology OPD. Out of 934 patients, 65 (6.96%) patients screened positive for HBV/HCV infection. The results of this study also showed that the prevalence of viral hepatitis infection in the haemodialysis (HD) and without HD patients is 8.25% and 6.3% respectively. Conclusion: It has been found that viral infections, particularly HBV and HCV infections are common in advanced renal failure patients who are on HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellectual Capital (IC) is a driving force behind the financial performance of non-financial firms. Investing in intellectual and physical capital allows companies to optimize their financial performance by maximizing resource utilization. This study aims to determine whether IC efficiency impacts the financial performance of listed Pakistani and Indian companies between 2010 and 2020. Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) are used to calculate financial performance, and IC is calculated using the modified Value-Added Intellectual Coefficient (MVAIC) model. Regression analysis is performed using the STATA software developed by the South Texas Art Therapy Association. Human Capital (HC), Structural Capital (SC), and Capital Employed (CE) have a significant impact on Pakistani and Indian firms' financial performance. Resource-based theory (RBT) supports these findings. The findings should provide management with a prompt to improve financial performance and emphasize the importance of IC. A rare study has addressed the impact of IC on firm financial performance using the MVAIC model, rather than the VAIC model, in Pakistan and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discoveries of heavy crude oil in the Neoproterozoic rocks (Infracambrian rock sequence) from the Bikaner-Nagaur Basin of India emphasize the significance of studying and exploring the Neoproterozoic source rock potential in the southeastern part of Pakistan. This study evaluates the potential of the source rock in the Infracambrian rock sequence (Salt Range Formation) based on surface geochemical surveys, Rock–Eval pyrolysis, source biomarkers, geophysical characterization, and seismic inversion using machine learning for maturity index estimation. Core samples of Infracambrian rock were extracted for Rock–Eval pyrolysis and biomarker characterization. Additionally, 81 geomicrobial soil and gas samples were collected from the surface to explore the petroleum system and potential source rocks in the subsurface. Advanced interpretation techniques were used to investigate the origin and concentration of hydrocarbon gases at the surface, including Rock–Eval pyrolysis, thermal maturity, source biomarkers, and the environment of deposition of organic matter. The results show that the investigated samples are characterized by restricted marine clay devoid of sedimentary carbonate facies with thermal maturity in the early stage of the oil generation window. The seismic inverted maturity index profile demonstrates a reasonable correlation of thermal maturity with the biomarkers and Rock–Eval pyrolysis. Further scrutiny of the surface geochemical samples confirms the presence of higher concentrations of thermogenic C2–C4 hydrocarbons in the vicinity of anticlinal structures, suggesting the existence of an effective migration path along deep-seated faults to the surface. This study concludes that the Infracambrian rocks on the eastern flank of Pakistan are thicker, thermally mature, and have deep-seated structural closures, indicating a greater probability of heavy and light oil in this area than in the Bikaner–Nagaur Basin, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When Muslim Leaders of the Subcontinent of India were trying to create a different independent state for Muslims, the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah repeatedly used the phrase "Separate state for the Minorities of India". He demanded a state where all types of minorities could live freely according to their religious teachings and norms. These demands were very pleasing for all types of religious minorities of the Subcontinent, so few of them supported the idea of Pakistan where anyone could live freely. The Christian community supported the idea of Pakistan and made efforts to become part of it. There are different speeches of Quaid-e-Azam that consist of praises of Christian leaders who were helping the Muslim leadership. Despite the fact that Pakistan's Objective Resolution and Constitution of 1956 and 1962 gave equal rights to every citizen and religious liberty to minorities, the Objective Resolution and Constitution of 1956 and 1962 are the most condemned document which made Pakistan a theocracy. After liberty and freedom, political rights are the most important rights for any person. This paper will try to find out the answer to the question of how objective resolution, Constitution of 1956 and 1962 dealt with the minority rights and their political rights. For this purpose in-depth study of all three documents occurred along with different articles, news, research reports and books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Persianate world, a mukhtār-nāma (deed of representation or a power of attorney) was a legal instrument that enabled people to transact business through a representative or agent (mukhtār or wakīl). This is a study of one such document written in Surat in 1821. It analyses the document for its socio-cultural, legal, and commercial significance as well as to explore the transition in the adjudication of commercial disputes and civil cases from Mughal to East India Company courts. It shows that there was a strong tradition of documenting business transactions in early modern South Asia and that such practices have continued into the colonial and postcolonial periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although few case reports of human fascioliasis have been reported from different parts of India, there is no case reported from the Kashmir valley to date. Herein we report two cases of human fascioliasis. Both patients presented with fever, marked eosinophilia, and liver lesions on imaging. Hepatobiliary imaging showed vague features like mild biliary dilatation and liver lesions representing burrows. A liver biopsy in one of the patients revealed eosinophilic granuloma. Both patients were diagnosed definitively with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) by demonstrating live adult fasciola worms. Any patient presenting with fever, marked eosinophilia, and liver lesions on imaging should be evaluated for fascioliasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 8-Oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) is a potent DNA damage marker that leads to cellular oxidative stress. It is a DNA-repair enzyme that participates in "8-oxodG" DNA adducts removal. Previous studies show weak associations of rs1052133 (hOGG1) in breast cancer patients of Northern India. We performed this study to explore the variant rs1052133 (hOGG1) with breast in the population of Jammu and Kashmir (J and K).Method: A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism -based single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypic study was carried out in peripheral blood samples of 165 breast cancer patients and 200 healthy controls, using specific primers. Sanger sequencing verified the results.Results: hOGG1-Ser326Cys polymorphism occurred frequently in cases as compared with controls. Data were evaluated by SPSS V.13 software, following Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.002 at OR 2.57; 95% CI [1.68-3.93]), which showed that the SNP rs1052133 had a significant association with increased risk of breast cancer.Conclusion: Overall, the results of this analysis show that the hOGG1-Ser326Cys polymorphism may be associated with an increased risk for breast cancer in the J and K population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leucine-rich repeat and fibronectin type 2 gene (LRFN2) variant rs2494938 has recently been found associated with esophageal cancer in a genome-wide association study in an Asian population. However, this association has not been replicated in any Indian population despite high incidence of the disease.Materials and Methods: In the present case-control study, 166 cases and 459 controls were included. Taqman assay technique using real-time PCR was employed to investigate the association of the variant with esophageal cancer in the population of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for rs2494938 was assessed using the Chi-square test. The allele- and genotype-specific risk was estimated by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: Variant rs2494938 was observed to be significantly associated with esophageal cancer with an allelic OR of 1.59 (1.23-2.04 at 95% CI, P = 0.0003).Conclusion: The study highlights LRFN2 as a candidate gene for esophageal cancer susceptibility in the population of J&K and calls for a detailed study with a large sample size and involving more ethnic groups of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant health burden and recent reports suggest that the incidence of diabetes is increasing. Poor knowledge, fear of use of new drugs, and lack of awareness of the importance of the control of the disease are common among primary care physicians caring for diabetes patients. Many diabetes patients continue to be underdiagnosed, undertreated, increased use of expensive acute health-care services, and reduced quality of life. Aims and Objectives: The aim was to study the poor control of DM and the associated risk factors associated with Type 2 DM, to spread awareness about DM, to assess the prevalence, treatment, and control of diabetes, to examine the relationship of obesity with raised blood glucose, and finally, to evaluate the effect of the educational level on glycemic control. Study Material: This study was conducted to evaluate the control of diabetes in South Kashmir, India. It was done among patients in the Outpatient Department of Medicine, MMAB Memorial Hospital (GMC Associated Hospital) Anantnag, Kashmir. A random sampling procedure was adopted for the study, and a total of 300 patients were studied over a period of 5 months, which included 155 men and 145 women. During a period of study, within the age group of 36–50 years with adiposity were assessed for glycemic control. Methodology: All patients underwent anthropometric assessment and blood pressure measurements. Fasting blood sample was obtained for plasma glucose and lipids. Patients were assessed for weight and body mass index. Results: The prevalence of uncontrolled glycemia was more frequent in women as compared to men because of adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disastrous event of 9/11 changed the Political and Security dynamics of the world. The event of 9/11 provided a chance for India to enter into Afghanistan. Afghanistan attracts the world powers due to its strategic importance. Afghanistan is a gateway to the energy rich Central Asian Republics. India's involvement in Afghanistan is quite realistic. India had never established cordial relations with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The event of 9/11 gave India a chance to establish cordial relations with the Afghan political government. India participated in the Bonn Conference and announced its support for the people of Afghanistan in the reconstruction of the country. India enjoyed its best relations with the governments of Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani in Kabul. India enhanced its ties with Iran to secure its interest in Afghanistan and to counter Pakistan. India and Iran have some common interests in Afghanistan. New Delhi has invested a big amount in various sectors in Afghanistan to enhance its influence in Afghan society. India has worked hard to facilitate Afghan Nationals to boost its soft power. India now influences the internal politics of Afghanistan. The world considers India a major market in South Asia. India's presence in Afghanistan has always been a source of worry for Pakistan. Pakistan considers India's presence in Afghanistan a threat to its National Security. Pakistan thinks India should work for the betterment of Afghan people but she should avoid using Afghan soil against Pakistan. Pakistan has already suffered a lot due to the disturbance in Afghanistan. Peaceful Afghanistan is in the favor of South Asia and for the Global Powers. This paper focuses on the Indian presence in Afghanistan and India's role to bring peace in Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of medium-grade organic matter confirmed by Raman spectroscopy is reported for the first time from the Zor diamictite of the Ramsu Formation, Tethyan Himalaya. The organic matter has undergone overmature thermal evolution. The sediment shows low total organic carbon (TOC) and low total sulfur (TS) values of <0.25% and <0.01%, respectively. Low TS/TOC < 0.08 suggests oxic bottom waters during the deposition of the Zor diamictite. The recovered palynomorph assemblage includes Leiosphaeridia spp., Kildinosphaera verrucata, Trachyhystrichosphaera sp., the filamentous cyanophyte Taeniatum sp., the clusters of simple, spheroidal forms Myxococcoides sp., and the colonial cyanobacteria Synsphaeridium sp. This palynomorph assemblage suggests a Neoproterozoic age for the Zor diamictite of the Ramsu Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an attempt to investigate the discursive bases of the categorical and identity-based choices available to the Dalits under the Ashrafia hegemony, and the resultant denial of Dalitness prevalent among the Dalits and the Sindhi civil society in, Pakistan. Informed by the Ambedkarian (subaltern) perspective, I analyse the conversational interviews conducted with the Dalit activists (mostly Scheduled Castes), and with their Ashrafia class counterparts. Interrogating the superior status of Sayed caste(s), I contend that the the denial of casteism, the opposition to the use of the 'Dalit' identity marker and the negation of the Dalitness seemed to have as much to do with the belief in Ashrafia values as it had with the normative sanction of the Savarna. values.Both the Savarna and the Ashrafia values seemed to seek legitimacy from the dominant ethnocentric forms of the politicized Sufism. Political Sufism merges the Savarna and Ashrafia norms by means of the syncretic narrative based on interfaith harmony and the civilisational rhetoric. Ashrafisation (also Savarnisation) and the reverence towards Sayeds were the key self-perpetuating hegemonic processes underlying the attempts by the Dalits and the civil society activists to dissipate cognitive dissonance underlying the existing Dalitness and the Ashrafia hegemony. I, therefore, conclude that the practices and the narratives prevalent in Sindhi civil society undermined the Dalit agency to come up with their own counter-hegemonic and emancipatory narrative(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guryul Permian–Triassic sediments were deposited on a passive margin in a partially enclosed basin, at a latitude of about 45°S along the southern margin of the Neotethys Ocean. The closest modern analogy is the Japan Sea rotated into a southern hemisphere orientation. Guryul element variations are subdued, mostly lithological, and take place across the change from the dominantly sandy shallow‐water Permian Zewan Formation into the dominantly shaly deeper‐water latest Permian–Triassic Khunamuh Formation, and not at the palaeontological Permian–Triassic boundary. The overall geochemistry of the Guryul sediments is very similar to that of the Ulleung Basin in the Japan Sea, where the sediments are 40%–60% eolian from loess and redeposited loess in the North China Basin. The overall Guryul geochemistry indicates that the sediments were derived from dominantly silica‐rich continental rather than silica‐poor sources although with some more silica‐poor inputs at times. Element ratios suggest increasing aridity and wind abrasion across the Permian–Triassic boundary. Various geochemical redox proxies suggest mainly oxic depositional conditions, with episodes of anoxia, but with little systematic variation across the extinction boundary. Productivity proxies suggest a slight decrease across the Permian–Triassic boundary, and at least one more decreased interval in the Early Triassic. The similar geochemistry of other localities indicate that the Guryul geochemical changes are regional in extent and representative of the North Indian Permian–Triassic passive margin. The lack of consistent element geochemical changes across the boundary accompanied by significant C, S, and other isotopic changes suggests that atmospheric and oceanic chemistry rather than physical changes, such as provenance, climate and sea‐level changes, drove the Permian–Triassic environmental changes and extinctions at least on the mid‐latitude Tethyan shelf of northern India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Text is the confluence of multiple social relations that take place in the context of available resources and constitute the identity of the participants under sociocultural rules. In Native American context, the available resources have been distributed and adjusted in the favor of the whites. To counter this hegemonic arrangement, Sherman Alexie's fiction imaginatively develops the situations in which the relationships of the Native Americans among themselves and with the Whites are readjusted through redistribution of social resources. Native American presence in the whitewashed contemporaneity of America forms intercontextuality seeking re-placement and re-situatedness of the Native subject in the active flow of the social life of today's multi-ethnic, multi-cultural US society. The school serves as a structure where academic practices are conducted according to Euroamerican norms of signification, and resources of allocation and authorization. This article explores how Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian shows the Native American subject performing prescribed socio-cultural functions in interaction with the whites in the academic environment of two schools, first at the Reservation school and then at the white school in Reardan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: More than 24% of the world's population, are infected with soil-transmitted helminth infection. Aim: To assess the helminthic load & efficacy and safety of various antiheliminthics. Methods: A total of 400 patients who met the inclusion criteria were recruited after proper consent. Subjects were divided into Four groups (100 each) randomly & receive different anti-helminthic drugs. Cure rate and egg reduction rate was used as a primary outcome measure. Three weeks later two more stool samples were analyzed by two methods 1) Direct Smear method & 2) Concentration method. On follow-up, each group were randomly assigned a single dose of albendazole (single 400 mg dose), mebendazole (100 mg, BD×3 days), pyrantel pamoate (11 mg/kg orally once) and ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg orally once) using a randomization procedure. The data was statistically analysed. Observations: Among 400 patients, 63% were 5-19 years of age, 68% were male, 73.5% were from rural areas, 71% were literate, 62% were in the low income group, 58% reported closed sanitation, 6.75% were having low BMI, 26.25% were having High Absolute Eosinophilic Count before treatment, 77.5% were non-anaemic. 92.5% did not have icterus. In the present study it was seen that the difference among the four drugs was statistically significant as per demographic variables. Significant decrease of worm load after treatment were comparable with each other. However, Presence of Worm across papillae seen after upper GI endoscopy and persistent biliary ascariasis was comparable in all the four drug groups. Overall, the efficacy of anthelmintic drugs was excellent and statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Albendazole and mebendazole having cure rates of 90% and also reducing the mean egg count by 90%. Also treatment of school children every 4 monthly may be necessary in high endemic areas, like ours. All these drugs which we used in our study are safe and no significant side effects were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The century long Dogra rule in Kashmir was tyrannical and undemocratic and provoked resentment among its Muslim subjects. During this rule, the socio-economic conditions of the Muslims deteriorated and finally led to political consciousness among them. The Muslims in the State started organizing themselves to raise demands for reforms in education, employment, structure of taxation, and constitutional changes, among other things. Eventually, the State witnessed the politicization of the Muslim community in the form of a series of protests against Dogra rule from 1930 to 1947. As a result, Kashmir during Dogra rule, saw the emergence and development of the Muslim political identity. This paper attempts to trace the formation of the sense of political identity in the Muslim community and the emergence and role of religio-political groups in sharpening the political identity of the Muslims of Kashmir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afghanistan is located at the convergence of Central, Middle and South Asian regions, one of the most world prime geographical locations. Its strategic location and abundant mineral resources have always attracted international community including India. Hence Indian objectives to develop relations with Afghanistan are manifold and decades old. Indian foreign policy is devised by many factors like its bitter relations with Pakistan and its desire of access route to Central Asian Republics by limiting Pakistan's reach that has serious implications for Pakistan. In view of its past experience, Pakistan perceives Indian extended desire to engage in Afghanistan as a deliberate strategy of using the later as a battleground to show its power and use influence against Pakistan. Terrorist incidents in Balochistan provide evidence and links with Indian RAW activities organized in Afghan areas. So, Indian intention to invest in Afghanistan for infrastructure rebuilding is not as simple as it is often claimed. India has covert objectives of troubling Pakistan. In hostile lunacy, India increased, dramatically, its involvement in Afghanistan when the Taliban era came to an end. India's interference in Afghanistan is a clear reflection of its desire to execute Afghan land against Pakistan. India sees Afghan war an opportunity to encounter Pakistan's influence in the region. This research paper will analyze Indian involvement in Afghanistan and its implications for Pakistan. The study is designed to unveil the hidden objectives of fast growing Indo-Afghan relations and evaluates Indian strategies in regional context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of various social media tools in libraries is not a new topic and is in vogue for more than a decade now. Academic libraries around the globe are widely using social media tools to reach to their users and promote their products and services. The present study was carried out to determine the use of Social Media tools used for promoting the library resources and services in the academic libraries in Northern India. The library websites were analyzed for identifying social media tools being used. The study reveals that the majority of the academic libraries do not use any Social Media tool. However, their respective parent organizations use a few Social Media tools like Facebook, Twitter, Ask a Librarian and RSS feeds. The study further reveals that Email service is being used by many libraries followed by YouTube and Blog services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protracted conflict between the US and the former USSR demonstrated that deterrence stability is improved by détente. South Asia's environment is characterized by mutual hostility; conventional military balance tilting in favor of India; and lack of a transparent and nonaggressive nuclear doctrine. The aforementioned factors are the missing components of détente. Both the provocative Indian expansion in its nuclear weapons programme, and Pakistani retaliatory notion of the short-range weapons option, is problematic not only in the South Asian context, but also contradictory to the decades-long experience acquired during the Cold War. Pakistan and India must move towards nuclear CBMs, doctrinal clarity, and risk-reduction measures in the light of new technological advancements, and changing US role in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Genetic variation, an authentic tool of individual discrimination, is being used for forensic investigations worldwide. A missing result for even one out of 13–17 markers leads to an inconclusive report. Additional reliable markers are required to compensate such deficiencies. The SE33 locus has high genetic variability in different populations and is being used in forensic investigation systems in some countries. The purpose of the study was to assess the viability of use of the SE33 locus as a supportive marker for forensic DNA profiling. Materials and methods: Amplification of the SE33 locus was performed using the PowerPlex ES Monoplex System SE33 (Promega). After genotyping 204 Pakistani individuals, different genetic and forensic parameters for the SE33 locus were studied. Results: Genotyping of the SE33 locus revealed a total of 43 alleles including 3 novel alleles. Significant values of different forensic and genetic parameters including power of discrimination, power of exclusion, and polymorphism information content were observed. Conclusions: Addition of the SE33 locus in forensic DNA profiling may help to produce conclusive reports where results are inconclusive due to degraded evidence samples. The SE33 locus can confidently be used for Pakistani and neighboring populations having common ancestors from Iran to Central Asia, the Middle East, India and Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to determine the impact selected Indo-Pak events that are believed to be deteriorating for the relation between the two countries on behavior of Bollywood film industry. The events we selected include Nuclear Bomb Experiment 1998, Kargal War 1999, and Attack on Indian Parliament 2001, and Mumbai attack 2006. The data for anti-Pak movies is selected from 1988 to 2017 that is fair range for well number of such movies. The number of movies is calculated for the selected range for each year. The study is conducted using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and we selected 10 years before and after year of the selected event as we assume that such movies take time to be complete and have long term impact. We found that Nuclear Bomb Experiment 1998, Kargal War 1999 and Mumbai Attack 2008 have significant positive impact on Bollywood movies attitude towards anti - Pak movies. However, Parliament attack 2001 is not found to have influence. The possible justification for the insignificance of impact of Parliament attack 2001 may be the Agra Summit 2001 with the involvement of United Nation that raised the need for resolving long term relations between these two countries. The study is unique on its own and may open up a new wave of research in this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike many other cancers, the relationship ofCYP1A2*1F (rs762551) polymorphism with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) risk has not been assessed so far. To evaluate its association with ESCC, we conducted a case control study in Kashmir, India, a high risk region. We recruited 404 histopathologically confirmed ESCC cases and 404 controls, individually matched for sex, age and residence to the respective cases. Information was obtained on dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors in face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire from each subject. Genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing randomly selected samples. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We found that mutant genotype (AA) ofCYP1A2*1F polymorphism was associated with ESCC risk (OR = 3.11; 95% CI: 1.72–5.36). A very strong ESCC risk was observed in subjects who drank >1250 ml of salt tea daily and harbored mutant genotype ofCYP1A2*1F (OR = 14.51; 95% CI: 5.33–39.47). The study indicates thatCYP1A2*1F polymorphism is associated with ESCC risk and the risk is modified in salt drinkers. However, more replicative and mechanistic studies are needed to substantiate the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Precipitation samples were collected across the Himalayas from Kashmir (western Himalaya) to Assam (eastern Himalaya) to understand the variation of the stable isotopic content ( $$\updelta ^{18}$$ O and $$\updelta $$ D) in precipitation associated with two dominant weather systems of the region: western disturbances (WDs) and Indian summer monsoon (ISM). Large spatial and temporal variations in isotopic values were noted with $$\updelta ^{18}$$ O and $$\updelta $$ D values ranging from $$-30.3$$ to and $$-228$$ to , respectively. The d-excess values also exhibit a large range of variation from $$-30$$ to . In general, heavier isotopic values are observed in most of the samples in Jammu, whereas lighter values are observed in majority of the samples in Uttarakhand. Precipitation at Jammu seems to have undergone intense evaporation while that from Uttarakhand suggest normal Rayleigh fractionation/distillation of the air mass as it moves from the source region to the precipitation site and/or orographic lifting. The d-excess of rainfall in Kashmir has a distinctly higher median value of compared to other precipitation sites with a median of . Using distinct isotopic signatures, the regions receiving precipitation from two different weather systems have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mean residence time (MRT) of karst groundwater in three mountainous catchments of the Western Himalaya was estimated using multiple approaches: the tritium method, the sine wave model and tracer tests. Water samples were collected from precipitation, glacier melt, streams and karst springs for δ2H and tritium analysis during 2012 and 2013. High tritium values were observed in winter precipitation and low values in summer precipitation. The variation of tritium in karst springs was similar to that of the streams, whereas glacier melt showed lower tritium values. The MRT of cold karst springs was shorter than that of warm karst springs. The tracer breakthrough curves (TBC) retrieved for different springs suggested a short travel time for groundwater and possibly conduit flow. Deterioration of water quality and variation in flux magnitude are the two main practical consequences of the short travel time of karst groundwater in the region.EDITOR D. KoutsoyiannisASSOCIATE EDITOR K. Heal [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Proterozoic Sirban Limestone Formation (SLFm) crops out as detached allochthons in the northwest Himalaya (Jammu region, India) and has its coeval equivalents laterally disposed in the west in Salt Range, in the northwest in Abbotabad (Pakistan) and in southeast in Himachal Pradesh (India). The oil and gas occurrences have been reported from the Proterozoic successions globally and the hydrocarbon potential of the SLFm cannot be ruled out. The interbedded shales and algal laminated dolostones within the SLFm have yielded microflora comparable to those reported in the North African Neoproterozoic sandstones and the Late Proterozoic carbonates of the giant oil and gas fields of the Siberian Platform. The SLFm contains a rich and diverse biota comprising ~ 10% of the rock volume in thin section. The rich organic assemblage justified a hydrocarbon source potential analysis of the SLFm, tested in this study by Rock Eval (RE) pyrolysis. RE pyrolysis yielded a total organic carbon (TOC) content of 0.02 to 1 wt. % with very low Hydrogen Index (HI) values for the shales and TOC content averaging 0.02 wt. % for the dolostones. The organically lean shales and dolostones exhibit T values indicative of immature to post mature stage. But, since these values are for the samples with complex thermal and tectonic history the results may be unreliable. The highly altered organic matter and kerogen present in the SLFm had the potential to generate hydrocarbons and presently indicates no significant source potential. This study is important for understanding the hydrocarbon occurrences in the SLFm particularly in light of the recent oil and gas discoveries from the coeval Proterozoic successions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The substantive aim of this study was to identify the effect of governmental notification of up gradation of special education teachers on job satisfaction of teachers working in the area of mental retardation. Punjab Special Education Department notified the creation of 270 posts of Senior Special Education Teachers (BS-17, one in each disability like hearing impairment, physical disabilities and visual impairment) excluding teachers of children with mental retardation. The study was a comparison of job satisfaction of these teachers before and after the issuance of notification. A sample of forty one teachers (26-38 years old) was taken from a list of forty five Government Special Education Centers selected through systematic random sampling technique. Two self-developed questionnaires were used to elicit responses from these teachers. The reliability of validated instrument 1(before notification) was .73(Cronbach alpha) and instrument 2(after notification) was .79 (Cronbach alpha).The major findings exhibited moderate level of job satisfaction among teachers which was extremely affected after the issuance of notification of up gradation. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the perceived effectiveness of text and pictorial smokeless tobacco health warnings in India and Bangladesh, including different types of message content. Methods An experimental study was conducted in Navi Mumbai, India (n=1002), and Dhaka, Bangladesh (n=1081). Face-to-face interviews were conducted on tablets with adult (≥19 years) smokeless tobacco users and youth (16-18 years) users and non-users. Respondents viewed warnings depicting five health effects, within one of the four randomly assigned warning label conditions (or message themes): (1) text-only, (2) symbolic pictorial, (3) graphic pictorial or (4) personal testimonial pictorial messages. Results Text-only warnings were perceived as less effective than all of the pictorial styles (p<0.001 for all). Graphic warnings were given higher effectiveness ratings than symbolic or testimonial warnings ( p<0.001). No differences were observed in levels of agreement with negative attitudes and beliefs across message themes, after respondents had viewed warnings. Conclusions Pictorial warnings are more effective than text-only messages. Pictorial warnings depicting graphic health effects may have the greatest impact, consistent with research from high-income countries on cigarette warnings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this quantitative investigation was to identify instructional practices used by special education teachers in classrooms of young children with deafness. The population of study involved all 388 teachers serving in 34 Government Deaf & Defective Hearing Schools located in four zones of the Punjab province. A sample of 68 teachers (two teachers from each school) teaching to young children with deafness in class K.G.I and K.G.II was selected. A self developed and validated questionnaire (cronbach Alpha: 0.92) was used to elicit teachers' responses on instructional practices made by them in teaching speech, speech reading, reading recognition, writing and mathematics, on parental involvement and evaluation. Data were collected personally, through email, and registered post. Collected data were analyzed on SPSS. Independent sample t-test and ANOVA was run to see differences in instructional practices on the basis of teachers' gender, position, qualification, number of children, and four zones of the Punjab. Major findings revealed that teachers were having problems in teaching to and working with young children with deafness due to overcrowded classrooms, lack of teaching staff, unavailability of hearing aids, lack of parental cooperation etc. conclusions were drawn and recommendations to Punjab Special Education Department of Pakistan were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance abuse is an important health problem throughout the world including India, but prevalence and pattern of abuse varies from country to country and in different types of population. Slums have their own social and economic problems so that substance abuse may be different in this population and might be related with these problems. The aim of the present study was to study the prevalence and pattern substances in slum population. Prakash Chandra Sethi Nagar slum area of Indore district was selected for the purpose of this study. In first phase of the study, first a camp was organized to sensitize local leaders, key persons, and local inhabitants about drug abuse at Chandra Prakash Sethi Nagar. After that basic information was gathered with the key persons in Chandra Prakash Sethi Nagar. In second phase by house‑to‑house survey, all members of the family were interviewed in detail and information was recorded on semi‑structured proforma. We observed prevalence rate of 560/1000 populations, 78.2% were males, 28.2% were females, and two‑third abusers were laborers (72%). In order of frequency, tobacco was the most common substance abused in 53.9% population followed by gutka (nontobacco pan masala). Other drugs in order of frequency were alcohol 46.5%, cannabis 8.9%, opiates 4.9%, sedative and hypnotic 2.0%, solvents 1.0%, and cocaine in 0.1%. Slum population has higher prevalence rates than general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum zinc level in patients with acute myocardial infarction at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This six months study was conducted on the patients with acute myocardial infarction presented at coronary care unit (CCU) of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad. All the patients with myocardial infarction, of ≥30 years of age and either gender diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction were admitted and evaluate for their serum zinc level by taking 2cc fasting venous blood sample on admission and at one or two day interval thereafter. The data entered, saved and analyze in SPSS version 11.00. RESULTS: Total 142 patients with acute MI were registered for study. Of these 92 (64.8%) were males and 50 (35.2%) were females. The mean age ± SD for male and female was 54.98 ±11.88 and 50.52 ±9.85 respectively. Regarding plasma zinc level, hypozincemia (low zinc level) was observed in 90 (63%) patients, of which 53 (58.9%) were males and 37 (41.1%) were females while the 52 (37%) subjects had normozincemia (normal zinc level). In 33 (36.7%) patients the serum zinc was low at admission, 38 (42.4%) patients had hypozincemia on 3rd day of admission while 19 (21.1%) had low serum zinc level on 5th day of admission. The mean ± SD for serum zinc level in overall population was 9.78±2.31 and the mean ± SD of patients with hypozincemia was 7.85±3.42, whereas the mean ± SD of patients with normozincemia was 16.85±2.53. During hospitalization the complications of acute MI identified in hypozincemic population were cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac failure, pericarditis, recurrent infarction, thromboembolism and mitral regurgitation. CONCLUSION: It is observed that serum zinc level appears to be low in patients with acute myocardial infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Panjal Traps of Kashmir, India represent a significant outpouring of mafic and silicic volcanic rocks during the Early Permian and are synchronous with the opening of the Neotethys Ocean. Previous studies have suggested that the silicic volcanic rocks are derived by differentiation of mafic magmas. Dacites and rhyolites collected from the lower portions of the volcanic pile near Pampore, Kashmir are peraluminous (ANCK>1.0) in composition. Their calculated whole rock ISr values are variable (ISr =0.69307 to 0.71825) and indicate open system behavior of either Rb or Sr or both whereas their Nd isotope compositions (εNd(T) =−8.6 to−8.9) are nearly uniform. The εNd(T) values and trace element (Th/NbPM >4; Nb/U<10; Th/Ta>8) ratios suggest the rocks are derived partially or wholly from the crust. Least squares and MELTS modeling indicate that the likely source of the silicic rocks is the middle crust rather than the lower or upper crust. Furthermore, the silicic Panjal Traps have trace element compositions similar to some felsic volcanic rocks and A-type granitic rocks from other large igneous provinces (e.g. Karoo, Parana and CAMP). The Paleoproterozoic TDM ages (TDM =1836 to 1937Ma) indicate that the rocks were likely derived from an ancient crustal source which experienced multiple episodes of recycling. In contrast to silicic volcanic rocks from other LIPs, the silicic Panjal Traps are unusual in that they did not involve mantle source material. The heat required to melt the crust was likely due to the continuous injection of contemporaneous basaltic magmas which formed the majority of the mafic Panjal Traps. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]