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This study delves into the intricate aspects surrounding individuals with a black identity in Hamid's novel, "The Last White Man," utilizing Frantz Fanon's "Black Skin, White Masks" as a theoretical framework for textual analysis. The novel is situated within the context of the psychosocial challenges faced by black individuals, delving deeply into issues connected to the conscious and unconscious minds of these individuals. Multiple facets of black identity are explored, leading to inaction, passivity, confusion, self-denial, and an inferiority complex, among various other similar issues. These themes are examined through the transformation of various characters within the novel, revealing the impact of traumatic experiences and the complex nature of black identity. The actions and decisions of these characters are shaped by a multitude of thoughts that factor into the broader social context of society. The truths concerning black individuals presented by the author are universally applicable. This research challenges the often-self-proclaimed idea of post-racial societies as it intersects with this discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease with prevalence all over the world. Several therapeutics with different modes of action are available to deal with the disease but have failed to produce universal response leaving a large proportion of patients untreated. This is due to complex pathogenesis comprising a network of signaling pathways. By controlling one pathway, the pathogenesis continues through complementary pathways. Janus kinase and bruton's tyrosine kinase regulates a number of T-cell and B-cell mediated signaling pathways ranging from cytokine expression and antibody production to the bone resorption and cartilage destruction. We propose a dual trap to control this pathogenesis in the form of dual JAK3/BTK inhibitor. Using the computer-aided drug designing techniques, we developed dual JAK3 and BTK inhibitors based on quinoxaline derivatives which show appreciable dual inhibition in enzyme assays. To our knowledge, this is the first-ever report on dual JAK3/BTK inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.), known as "Shakarqandi" in Pakistan, is an imperative root vegetable with large size, traditionally used as aphrodisiac, antiprostatic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardiotonic, and anticancer agent. Present study was conducted to gauge aphrodisiac potential of Ipomoea batatas ethyl acetate (IPT-EA, IPA-EA) and methanol (IPT-M, IPA-M) extracts from tuber and aerial part, respectively, via behavioral and biochemical tests and their possible protective role in BPA-induced gonadotoxicity at the dose 300 mg/kg in male Sprague Dawley rats. Phytochemical analysis was done qualitatively and quantitatively through total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC-DAD) fingerprinting while antioxidant profiling used multimode in vitro assays. To calculate sexual excitement mount latency, intromission latency, mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculatory latency, and postejaculatory interval were examined while for biochemical ratification semen characteristics, levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol were measured. Gonadoprotective ability was assessed through comet assay and histomorphological examination of testes. Qualitative analysis ensured the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanin, saponins, coumarins, terpenoids, and betacyanin. Quantitatively maximal TPC (304.32±7.20 μg GAE/mg dry extract) and TFC (214.77±4.09 μg QE/mg DE) were estimated in IPA-EA extract. IPT-EA yielded maximum rutin (7.3±0.12) and myricetin (2.7±0.14 μg/mg DE) while IPA-EA and IPA-M yielded maximum caffeic acid (4.05±0.22 and 1.92±0.17 μg/mg DE, respectively) in HPLC-DAD analysis. Extracts enhanced sexual excitement, improved semen quality, levels of testosterone, FSH, LH, and estradiol, and successfully attenuated toxic effects of BPA. Levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, POD, and GSH) were restored and NO abundance was minimized. Significant stimulation in sexual behavior, amelioration of toxicity symptoms, elevated spermatic production, raised viability, vitalized levels of gonadal hormones, maintained endogenous enzymes, genoprotection, and reformed testicular histology endorsed I. batatas as a better aphrodisiac alternative and gonadoprotective agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earlier approaches which have tried to assess market structure in banking industry have relied upon using assets or deposits or even loans to calculate market shares, however using profit-after-tax as the relevant variable dramatically changes the results. This paper aims to use this approach and produce conclusive evidence about Pakistan's banking industries market structure, which so far has been classified as monopolistically competitive and is thought to be moving towards healthy levels of competition. Further analysis is built upon a simple model of market power in the market for loans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]