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We report structural, magnetic and temperature dependent dielectric properties of diluted magnetic semiconductor Zn0.90Ni0.05Mn0.05O prepared by solid state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed formation of single phase hexagonal wurtzite structure. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images indicated increase in grain size and roughness respectively with increasing sintering temperature. Field dependent DC magnetization at low temperature exhibited ferromagnetic ordering with coercivity ~ 6 × 104 A/m and remanence ~ 17 A/m. Complex initial permeability values were found to be positive for the measurement frequency range (1 kHz-120 MHz) with a relaxation at lower frequency. Temperature dependent DC magnetization and AC susceptibility followed curie law with curie temperature below 65 K. Temperature dependent dielectric constants () and loss tangents () measured for selected frequencies were found to be an increasing function of temperature and decreasing function of frequency. AC conductivity () values were found to be an increasing function of frequency and temperature. Clear signatures of relaxations were observed in and for temperatures above 200 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat is one of the most important cereals, occupying a discrete economic position worldwide as a main source for human nutrition due to its content of essential nutrients. Therefore, wheat has a strategic trait in international economic relationships, and most developing countries, including Iraq, are seeking for achieving self-sufficiency from this crop. This study aimed to estimate the profit and cost functions as well as economic, price, cost, and technical efficiencies beside the other economic indices at actual, optimal and profit-maximizing production of wheat. A random sample of 45 wheat farms in Nejaf province was selected during the agricultural season 2016. From efficiency scales of profit function, it was shown that the average production costs had the greatest impact on the profit compared to other variables (product price and yield). According to the cost function, the optimal cost-minimizing production size was 49.40 tons. Both technical and economic efficiencies were 61.96%, while price and cost efficiencies were 35.1% and 0.53 respectively. From these data, it can be concluded that the actual production uses only 62 % from economic resources and it affords 38% extra cost. The study recommends following a production policy which increases the economic efficiency and achieves the optimal exploit for available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid peroxidation is considered as an important mechanism of male infertility causing impairment in functioning of spermatozoa. The main aim of the study was to investigate the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in relation to semen quality. For this study total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated in seminal plasma and serum of all study subjects by photometric method. Semen quality parameters were also examined following standard protocols. We found significantly reduced (P < 0.01) semen quality parameters in infertile group. The results also showed that TOS and MDA were increased significantly (P < 0.01) while TAS, PON and arylesterase were found significantly lower (P < 0.01) in infertile group when compared to fertile group. We also found an increased lipid peroxidation in older ages as compared to younger ages. Moreover, significant correlation (P < 0.01) was also observed between the studied parameters. We concluded that lipid peroxidation plays a significant role in inducing male factor infertility by disrupting the sperm functions and semen quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Face bow record is used for recording of orientation relation in edentulous patients. Complete denture can be fabricated with or without face-bow record. Both methods of complete denture fabrication have been described. The objective of this study was to compare the numbers of post insertion appointments for occlusal adjustments in removable complete dentures made with and without face-bow record. It was an observational, retrospective study. Methods: Complete data record of 18 patients who received removable complete dentures (RCDs) made using a face-bow transfer and 24 patients who received removable complete dentures (RCDs) without using face-bow transfer was recovered from the department of Prosthodontics at Fatima Memorial Hospital College of Medicine and Dentistry (FMH CM&D) Lahore and analyzed. Total number of post insertion appointment for occlusal adjustments were tabulated for patients treated with complete denture made with or without facebow. All the materials, instruments and techniques which may have some influence on treatment outcomes had been kept similar for dentures made with and without using face- bow. Results: The number of post insertion visits by the patients whose dentures were made with face-bow record was significantly less as compared to the patients whose dentures were made without using face-bow record. Conclusion: Face-bow transfer record in the fabrication of removable complete denture reduces the number of post insertion visits for occlusal adjustments and hence saves valuable time of the dentist and the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cefuroxime is a second generation cephalosporin antibiotic with a broad spectrum activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The purpose of this research work was to evaluate the pharmaceutical quality standards of four different brands of cefuroxime axetil 125 mg tablets with different price ranges purchased from retail pharmacies of Pakistan. The brands were tested for physicochemical evaluation and in vitro dissolution studies in different medium like 0.07N HCl, distilled water, 0.1N HCl of pH 1.2 and phosphate buffers of pH 4.5 and pH 6.8. Statistical analysis, model dependent (zero order, first order, Korsmeyer-Peppas, Hixson-Crowell, Weibull) and model independent (Difference f1, similarity f2) approaches were applied to multiple dissolution profile of all brands. All brands were found to be similar with reference and meeting the compendial quality standard. Inter brand variation was observed in disintegration time and assay which was resulted in significant differences (P<0.05) in drug release data and Weibull was observed as best fill model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]