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This study was conducted to evaluate different planting methods for rice crops in the rice wheat zone of Sheikhupura Pakistan for the year 2019-2020. Four planting methods were tested in this study conventional transplanting of rice, 2- Manual transplanting of rice by rope, 3-Mechanical transplanting of rice and 4-Direct seeding of rice. Among all these methods, the mechanical transplanting of rice method proved to perform best in terms of meeting recommended plant population of rice crop, rice crop yield and yield parameters followed by manual transplanting of rice by rope method and direct seeding of rice method. Mechanical transplanting of rice is a mechanized technology for sowing rice crops; solving labor problems and time management. Transplanting of rice by rope method is a laborious method. Direct seeding of rice method also fulfil labour, and plant population issues with proper weeds management, Conventional transplanting of rice method performed poorly in terms of plant population, yield and yield parameters.

The Indus River System is a major source of life in Pakistan. A vast array of Pakistan's agricultural and domestic consumption needs are critically dependent on the Indus River System. The Indus River contributes towards 25% of the country's gross domestic product, providing water for almost 90% of the food production in Pakistan. Linked to the water security issues, Pakistan is potentially at risk of facing a severe food shortage in the near future. The World Bank report of 2020–2021 estimates that the water shortage will increase to 32% by 2025, which will result in a food shortage of almost 70 million tons. Water shortage could also result in confrontation between the provinces as river sharing has always been a source of problem for Pakistan. According to recent estimates, siltation and climate change will reduce the water storage capacity by 2025 to almost 30%. As for the per capita water storage capacity in Pakistan, it is about 150 m3, which is quite meagre in comparison with that in other countries. Irrigated agriculture will soon be adversely affected due to the reduced surface water supplies and the consequent increase in groundwater abstraction. To make matters worse, over the past decades, a great deal of distrust has developed among the provinces of Pakistan regarding the water distribution issue, and the successive federal governments have failed to formulate a cohesive inter-provincial National Water Policy. Along with the shortages and increasing demand for water, administrative corruption also plagues the water sector and is quite common. The beneficiaries of this water reallocation system are not only the rural elite, for example the large and politically influential landlords, but also the small and medium capitalist farmers. If not properly addressed, these complications of decreasing water resources could result in serious political and economic hostility among the provinces. If it wants to harness its potential to increase storage capacity, Pakistan must improve its water-use efficiency and manage its groundwater and surface water resources in a sustainable way. Strengthening the institutions and removing mistrust among the provinces are the key elements for maintaining a sustainable irrigated agriculture in the Indus Basin. HIGHLIGHTS Indus River, a major source of life in Pakistan.; River sharing has always been a source of problem and confrontation between the provinces of Pakistan.; The paper highlights various problems in Pakistan's Indus Basin.; It also gives several recommendations for improving sustainability in Pakistan's Indus Basin.

Psychological disturbance (PD) or cerebral dysfunction (CD) covers several clinical areas, and has defining features of mental retardation. Recently, we conducted a study to investigate heritable heterogeneity in Pakistani consanguineous couples with recessive autosomal intellectual abnormalities. A cohort of three consanguineous families with multiple birth defects, belonging two to district lower Dir and one to district Lodhra, were selected for molecular analysis. All the affected individuals in the cohort showed autosomal recessive non-syndromic mental disturbances. DNA was extracted and subjected to Single tagged sequence (STS) marker analyses to all known non-syndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation (NS-ARMR) genes, while autozygosity mapping was performed by advanced SNP techniques. Fragment analyses of the NS-ARMR disease genes CRBN, CC2D2A, PRSS12, GRIK2, TUSC3, and CC2D1A using polymorphic STS markers confirmed these to be contender genes for the alteration. Mapping of autozygosity in all the study subjects using genome study revealed nine novel linkage intervals, i.e. four intervals for MR4, two intervals for MR8 and three intervals for MR13. In spite of being a monogenic condition, autosomal recessive mental retardation shows genetic heterogeneity and several genes are involved in different families; hence, there is a chance for involvement of separate gene in each family.

The real time hydrological data may contain noise, missing information and deviation from its original scale due to complex and nonlinear nature of hydrological processes. The data when used as it is in hydrological forecasting may create uncertainty in hydrological models, especially in data-driven models which fully rely upon the input-output data. The current research provides a simple preprocessing approach to improve the performance of ANN-based streamflow estimation models through providing a better input state. The two-step preprocessing approach includes; the data transformation through a family of power transformation, the Box-Cox transformation, and the selection of appropriate input variables through the Gamma Test. The original data, which is essentially antecedent upland catchment information of thirteen stations located in Upper Indus Basin (UIB), comprises of twenty inputs, including precipitation, solar radiation and discharge. The Box-Cox transformation has been applied to prepare a transformed data-set and the power factor, λ, (with best value of 0.005), for this transformation, has been determined using probability plots and histogram characteristics. Input combination selection procedure is carried out in WinGamma environment with the help of Genetic Algorithm (GA). Two-layer ANN models have been trained through Broyden, Fletcher and Goldfrab Shano (BFGS) training algorithm for both original and transformed data-sets. The comparison of models clearly indicate that the models developed through transformed data-set showed better performance in both training and testing phases with high values of NSE and R2 which is above 90% in most of the cases, and less other statistical errors including RMSE, VARIANCE and BIAS. Simple preprocessing options, could significantly reduce the uncertainty in ANN based hydrological models through improving the quality of real time hydrological data.

The ever-increasing concentration of Carbon footprint into the environment has drastically changed the climatic conditions. Among many anthropogenic activities, the housing sector remains one of the major contributors. However, a complete assessment of these environmental impacts throughout the life cycle still remains an area of concern. Most of the study does not assess the impacts by each phase of lifecycle. The current work presents a complete approach for carbon footprint assessment including planning, construction, operational, maintenance and dismantling & dispose-off phase. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with boundary limitations of ‘cradle to grave’ was adopted. Thirteen housing units were selected as case study. These included detached, semi-detached and terraced types of construction. Selected units were developed in a virtual environment using Building Information Modeling (BIM). The study observed the average contribution range from 1.48 tons-CO2/yr to 2.85 tons-CO2/yr. On individual basis, the execution phase dominated the five phases with almost 43 %. The operational phase shared 39 % followed by maintenance (15 %), dismantling & dispose-off (1.8 %) and planning at the last (1.5 %). The categorization of environmental impact into embodied and operational carbon footprint observed the embodied part in dominance. A strong positive relationship between the area of housing units and resulting carbon impact was also observed. The work presents one of few environmental studies for a tropical housing sector assessing complete life cycle. The study provides a vital guideline to the designers for ensuring a sustainable environment by assessing and opting less carbon intensive options at early stage of planning and design.

Betasatellites are single-stranded DNA molecules associated with most monopartite begomoviruses of family Geminiviridae. They are symptoms modulating molecules and depend on their helper viruses for replication, encapsidation and movement. To investigate the genetic diversity of cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMuB), different Pakistani isolates of betasatellites were retrieved from the NCBI data bank. The sequences were compared to all available sequences of CLCuMuB in the database, identified from cotton in Pakistan, India and China. Phylogenetic and recombination analysis showed the sequences are separated into five major groups. This is primarily based on recombination within the satellite conserved region (SCR) of the betasatellite genome. The first group consists of sequences of the original betasatellite associated with the first epidemic of cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) in the 1990s, while the second group consists of recombinant betasatellites associated with the second epidemic of CLCuD, containing a short fragment of tomato leaf curl betasatellite (ToLCB) DNA in the “satellite conserved region (SCR)”. The third group contains a short fragment of papaya leaf curl betasatellite (PaLCuB), while the fourth group contains a short fragment of tobacco curly shoot betasatellite (TbCSB) in the SCR region. The fifth group consists of sequences of betasatellite associated with the recent begomovirus disease complex identified from Vehari. This betasatellite contains a short fragment of sequences in the SCR region of a defective betasatellite (KT228331) from India. This new strain of CLCuMuB is named CLCuMuBVeh. Here, the significance of the evolution of CLCuMuB with respect to the CLCuD complex is discussed.

The mountainous catchments often witness contrasting regimes and the limited available meteorological network creates uncertainty in both the hydrological data and developed models. To overcome this problem, remotely sensed data could be used in addition to on-ground observations for hydrological forecasting. The fusion of these two types of data gives a better picture and helps to generate adequate hydrological forecasting models. The study aims at the improvement of ANN-based streamflow estimation models by using an integrated data-set containing, the satellite-derived snow cover area (SCA) with on-ground flow observations. For this purpose, SCA of three sub catchments of Upper Indus Basin, namely Gilgit, Astore and Bunji coupled with their respective gauge discharges is used as model inputs. The weekly stream-flow models are developed for inflows at Besham Qila located just upstream of Tarbela dam. The data-set for modeling is prepared through normalizing all variables by scaling between 0 and 1. A mathematical tool, Gamma test is applied to fuse the inputs, and a best input combination is selected on the basis of minimum gamma value. A feed forward neural network trained via two layer Broyden Fletcher Goldfarb Shanno algorithm is used for model development. The models are evaluated on the basis of set of performance indicators, namely, Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency, Root Mean Square Error, Variance and BIAS. A comparative assessment has also been made using these indicators for models developed, through data-set containing gauge discharges, only and the data-set fused with satellite-derived SCA. In particular, the current study concluded that the efficiency of ANN-based streamflow estimation models developed for mountainous catchments could be improved by integrating the SCA with the gauge discharges.

Infectious agents cause serious diseases in humans worldwide and are responsible for the high rate of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and epidemiology of infectious disease (HCV) in the hospital visited patients referred by the physicians through the initial findings and their associated risk factors were studied in Swat. The data of 174 infected patients were collected during the period of 2015 to 2017 from two clinical laboratories of Tehsil Matta Swat. Inform consent form was taken before blood collection. After taking informed consent blood samples were collected and ICT test was performed and then ICT positive cases were conform through PCR. A total of 174 ICT positive samples [106 male and 68 females] were included in this study. Age was considered from 10 to 72 years. Of the 174 ICT strip positive, 99 [63 males, 36 females] were confirmed through PCR. The prevalence rate was recorded 56.89%. I.V/I.M injection was recorded in 100% of the individuals. Visits to the barber shop was reported in (58%) of the individuals, married individuals were (81.0), surgical operation was reported in (44.8%), sharing toothbrush was observed in (29.9%), piercing was reported in (39.7%), family history was reported in (26.4%), dental treatment was observed in (21.8%), jaundice were (13.2%) and tattooing was (1.7%). Blood transfusion, surgical operations, Jaundice, family history and dental treatment were found significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. It was concluded that proper implementation of precautionary measures should be needed to control the spread of HCV in far near future. RESUMO Agentes infecciosos causam doenças graves em humanos em todo o mundo, e são responsáveis pelo alto índice de morbimortalidade. A prevalência e a epidemiologia das doenças infecciosas no hospital que atendeu pacientes encaminhados pelos médicos por meio dos achados iniciais e seus fatores de risco associados foram estudadas em Peshawar. Os dados de 174 pacientes infectados foram coletados durante o período de 2015 a 2017 oriundos de dois laboratórios clínicos de Tehsil Matta Swat. O formulário de consentimento informado foi obtido antes da coleta de sangue. Após a obtenção do consentimento informado, foram coletadas amostras de sangue e foi realizado o teste ICT e, em seguida, os casos ICT positivos foram confirmados por PCR. Um total de 174 amostras ICT positivas [106 homens e 68 mulheres] foi incluído neste estudo. A idade considerada foi de 10 a 72 anos. Das 174 tiras de ICT positivas, 99 casos [63 homens, 36 mulheres] foram confirmados por PCR. A taxa de prevalência foi de 56,89%. A injeção IV / IM foi registrada em 100% dos indivíduos. A visita à barbearia foi relatada em (58%) dos indivíduos, os números de casados foram (81,0%), e a operação cirúrgica foi relatada em (44,8%), o compartilhamento de escova de dente foi observado em (29,9%), o piercing foi relatado em (39,7%), antecedentes familiares foram relatados em (26,4%), tratamento odontológico em (21,8%), icterícia (13,2%) e tatuagem em (1,7%). Transfusão de sangue, operações cirúrgicas, icterícia, histórico familiar e tratamento odontológico foram fatores de risco significativos para adquirir infecção por Vírus da Hepatite C (VHC). Concluiu-se que a implementação adequada de medidas de precaução deve ser necessária para controlar a propagação do VHC em um futuro próximo.

The question of how to govern and manage transboundary river basin for competing and often conflicting demands due to limited supplies continues to be an issue of concern, conflict, and cooperation. A key novelty of this paper is the use of the Water Diplomacy Framework (WDF) to address supply-demand mismatch using the notion of collaborative problem-solving and joint fact-finding. It builds on innovative applications of game-theoretic approaches and uses equity and sustainability as guiding principles to address the supply-demand mismatch. Five different bankruptcy methods (net benefit ranges between US$17,462M to US$18,201M) and the Nash Bargaining Solution (net benefit ranges between US$18,132M to US$19,216M) are used to resolve supply-demand mismatch in the Indus basin among four provinces within Pakistan. The maximum total benefit generated from the Nash Bargaining Solution is 5.5% higher compared to the best bankruptcy method. Moving from the non-cooperative and rule-based bankruptcy methods to the Nash Bargaining Solutions provided increased benefit for all stakeholders. Reallocation of these increased benefits among the four provinces is done by applying the Nash Bargaining Solutions for homogenous and heterogeneous weights. These findings suggest that aspects of WDF – cooperative problem-solving approaches involving joint fact-finding and exploring different options – has the potential to simultaneously resolve supply-demand mismatch and generate more benefits for all stakeholders.

Addressing water access, allocation, and use becomes a complex problem when it crosses multiple boundaries: political, jurisdictional, and societal, as well as ecological, biogeochemical, and physical. This paper focuses on transboundary water management (TWM) problems among the riparians with conflicting needs and competing demands. The complexity of TWM problems arises because of interdependencies among variables, processes, actors, and institutions operating at various scales. For such situations, the traditional notion of necessary and sufficient causal conditions is not adequate to resolve TWM problems. In essence, the resolution of many TWM issues becomes contingent upon the changes that occur within the context of the problem. A key for initiating and sustaining the resolution of complex TWM issues appears to be a set of enabling conditions, not any easily identifiable and replicable causal conditions or mechanisms. Thus, before analyzing and addressing contingent and situational factors important for any TWM issues, this paper argues for a reframing of these issues and examining the role and relevance of three enabling conditions. Using the inter-provincial water conflicts for the Indus basin within Pakistan as an illustrative case, it shows why over 30 years of dialog and discourse could not create any formal water allocation agreement. Then, it discusses how the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 created the enabling conditions to address inter-provincial water conflicts within Pakistan in an adaptive way.

The ranking of the reservoirs in Pakistan is an important decision and it has a vital impact on the sustainability of the region and the economic operation of the reservoir. The reservoirs ranking is a vital problem which involves multi-criteria decision-making. The framework proposed in this paper involves the fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS method for the ranking of reservoirs in Pakistan. Potential feasible locations are identified from the Water and Power Development Authority, Pakistan. Weight calculation for the criteria is done by the fuzzy AHP method, which is a multi-criteria decision-making method. In order to model the fuzziness, equivocacy, incomplete knowledge and ambiguity, the fuzzy AHP is used. Furthermore, in order to rank the selected reservoirs based on their performance, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is applied, which is a multicriteria decision making method. We demonstrate the application of the above-mentioned methods to the case study of the Indus Reservoir system in Pakistan. A decision support tool is provided for the decision makers in this paper to manage, evaluate and rank the planned reservoirs in the Indus River.

A common problem in water resource allocation is to design a stable and feasible mechanism of water sharing in critical scarcity conditions. The task becomes very challenging when the water demand exceeds the available water resources reserves. To address this pervasive allocation problem related to transboundary rivers, the bankruptcy method is used. The bankruptcy method distributes water among riparian states when their total demand exceeds the total available water. This paper describes a new methodology for the allocation of scarce water resources in a complex system using a stochastic game theory which is an extension of bankruptcy theory. The authors have also proposed ‘weighted bankruptcy’ approach that can be used under a stochastic setting. The weighted bankruptcy approach favors agents with ‘high agricultural productivity’. The bankruptcy rules have been applied in the water resource system in four critical scarcity scenarios. The available water is allocated under the simple and weighted bankruptcy rules. The results showed that under all four scenarios, the weighted bankruptcy rules favor the agents which have a high agricultural productivity. The stochastic bankruptcy approach under the simple and the weighted bankruptcy rules can provide important strategic information for better management and sustainable sharing of water resources.

The gamma rays treated seeds of four mungbean varieties (V1=NM-98, V2= KM1, V3= Inqilab mung and V4= Sona mung) were studied for both biochemical and molecular analysis. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used for the experiment with four treatments using three replications (T0= Control, T1= 5 krad, T2= 10 krad, T3= 15 krad and T4= 20 Krad). Maximum biochemical and molecular based variability was recorded among genotypes. Higher amount of total sugar and proline contents were recorded in the plants grown from the seeds treated with T1, T2, T3 and T4 as compared to the control (T0) plants. On the other hand, effect on the protein content was inversely proportional to the increasing range of the radiations i.e. in T4 treated plants the protein content was low in comparison to the T3, T2, T1 and T0, respectively. However lower protein content was recorded in all treated samples with increasing of gamma radiation doses. The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers were used to check molecular based variability in the allelic pattern at different gamma irradiation treatments. The three primers (OPS-03, OPB-1 and B-11) amplified four extra alleles in the treated plants. These extra bands were observed in NM-98 (after T1, T2 and T3 treatments), KM-1 (after T2, T3 and T4 treatments), Inqilabmung (after T1 treatment) and Sonamung (after T2, T3 and T4 treatments). Variations in physiological, biochemical and more interestingly the molecular (amplification of extra alleles/bands) attributes of the treated plants grown could possibly be due to the changes in the genome of these varieties. However, this study serves as a model to check the effect of gamma rays on other economically important crop species.

Pakistan’s biggest province in terms of area, Baluchistan appears to have been affected from the climate variability since last few decades. No substantive research works have been carried out in analyzing the precipitation variability in Baluchistan and linkage to large-scale teleconnection. The goal of this paper is to determine possible linkages of precipitation with large scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation indices in the months which have shown changes in precipitation trends in Baluchistan. These climate indices may be the possible predictors for the precipitation in Baluchistan in the respective months. Mann-Kendall (MK) statistical test was used to identify the monthly significant precipitation trends in thirteen meteorological stations located in four regions of Baluchistan. The noteworthy trend out of significant trends is selected using Theil and Sen’s slope (TS). Decreasing trend is identified in January whereas increasing trend is identified in June mostly in stations located in North Eastern region of Baluchistan (Region1). The changes in the significant trend in January and June under the influence of climate indices are then determined by Partial Mann-Kendall (PMK). Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), correlation technique between Principal Components (PC) of Region1 precipitation and climatic Indices are used to filter out the relevant climatic indices. It is found out that North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Equatorial Indian Ocean Zonal Wind Index (EQWIN), ENSO Modoki Index (EMI) on annual scale whereas Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO) on decadal scale are influencing the January precipitation. It is also found out that El Nino Southern Oscillation-Multivariate ENSO Index (ENSO-MEI), EMI, NAO, PDO and AMO are influencing the June precipitation. These are the dominating indices explains the precipitation variability in January and June in this Region1. This research will impart awareness in the society from the impact of precipitation trend variability.

Inhabited by almost 20 million people, Karachi, also known as the “city of lights”, houses almost 60 percent of the industries in Pakistan and is considered as the financial and industrial center of the country. The city contributes almost 12–15 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP), showing its significance in Pakistan’s economy. Unfortunately, with the increase in population, the city is facing a serious shortage of water supply. The current allocation of water among the city’s districts is not equitable, which has caused water scarcity and even riots in some areas. Surface water and ground water are the two primary sources of water supply in the city. The water supply provided by Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) is approximately 650 million gallons per day (MGD) against a demand of 480–866 million gallons per day (MGD), resulting in a serious shortfall. Keeping a holistic view in mind, this paper focuses specifically on proposing measures to address the gap in proposing concrete solutions to manage Karachi’s increasing water woes. It also proposes a water allocation mechanism and uses Nash bargaining theory to address the inefficient and unequal water distribution. Results indicate that our suggested policies and water allocation mechanism have the potential to simultaneously resolve the supply–demand mismatch and water shortage problems of the city.

Background: Thermal weed control is a viable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly emerging alternative to highly challenged and unsustainable chemical weed control. Objective: To find out the most suitable pre-sowing soil solarization durations for effective weed control and soil fertility enhancement in sesame crop. Methods: A field study was conducted during the summer season of 2016 and 2017. Different soil solarization treatments were applied, including 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks before sowing (WBS) of sesame by spreading transparent polythene sheets. Results: The temperatures of solarized soil at 10 cm depth were 8-10 oC more than the control. The soil NPK and organic matter contents were gradually increased with increasing solarization durations. The highest soil nitrogen (0.71%), phosphorus (9.63 ppm), K (166.2 ppm), and organic matter content (1.12%) were observed with the longest soil solarization for 12 WBS. Different solarization durations provided 23 to 64% weed control efficiency and up to a 34% rise in sesame yield. Conclusions: Based on the current findings, soil solarization for 12 WBS by polythene sheets is an effective alternative to the chemical weed control method with additional positive effects on soil fertility and sesame yield.

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. The disease is more prevalent in aged individuals compared to young ones. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the factors associated with PD in the population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: In this study, the questionnaire was filled from 600 PD patients, which include 54 familial cases, and 1,200 control subjects. To study the risk of PD in familial cases, questionnaires were also filled from the cases and controls. Results: This study revealed that depression symptomology is common in PD patients. Moreover, the risk of PD was higher in patients with consanguineous marriages compare to controls (OR = 3.96, 95% Cl = 1.98–7.89). The first-degree relatives (59.3%) of PD patients are more likely to develop PD compared to a second- (29.5%) or third-degree (11.1%) relatives. Furthermore, the risk of PD is higher in individuals whose parents get married to first-cousin (OR: 4.76, 95% Cl: 1.81–12.5) than second- (OR: 1.34, 95% Cl: 0.54–3.32) or third-cousin marriages (OR = 0.18, 95% Cl: 0.06–0.49). Moreover, the use of paracetamol (OR: 0.39; 95% Cl: 0.25–0.59) and ibuprofen (OR: 0.35; 95% Cl: 0.17–0.70) were higher in control subjects. Conclusion: This study concludes that consanguineous marriages and first-degree relation with PD patients increase the risk of PD, while the use of certain medications may decrease the risk of PD. Further study is warranted in a population of Pakistan.

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during cotton harvesting is critical for securing better health for female cotton pickers in the developing countries where health facilities are not sufficiently available to the masses in the rural areas. Despite increasing the efforts in increasing awareness about the benefits of PPE among the farm workers, a vast majority of the farm workers including pickers don't use the PPE. The present study examines health impacts of cotton harvesting in Pakistani Punjab along with the factors affecting the use of PPE among the cotton pickers. Cross-sectional data collected from Vehari district is used. The study estimates health cost and the use of PPE among the young and elder cotton pickers. Headache, sleeplessness, cough, flue/fever, skin and eyes problems are reported by the young and elder cotton pickers. Personal protective equipment is rarely used during picking. However, the young pickers relatively adopt more PPE compared to the elder cotton pickers. Health cost of cotton picking is US$2.96 and 3.06 per season during the year for the young and elder cotton pickers, respectively. Results of logit model show that health cost, age, education below 8th grade, perception of temporary impact and health problems are important determinants of adopting PPE among the cotton pickers. The findings of the study conclude that the use of PPE can be realized through proper training and education of cotton pickers and farm workers.

Inorganic hollow spheres have a great potential in many fields, such as calcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2) as carriers of active ingredients and local delivery. They are typically synthesized by the methods that reply on template-based strategies. However, the template residue and energy consumption during template removal are drawbacks. Currently developed template-free methods remain challenges such as time, cost and complicated procedures. In this paper, we introduce a general low-cost and template-free precipitation method with simple procedure. A series of inorganic hollow spheres, including calcium phosphate, calcium fluoride, strontium phosphate, strontium fluoride, barium phosphate and barium fluoride via magnesium were successfully synthesized, respectively. Based on these experimental results, a new model is proposed to explain the mechanism of the hollow inorganic spheres formation. This paper provides a general method to synthesize inorganic hollow spheres, which may have an important indication to other systems.

Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a rare and heterogeneous genetic disorder characterized by reduced head circumference, low cognitive prowess and, in general, architecturally normal brains. As many as 14 different loci have already been mapped. We recruited 35 MCPH families in Pakistan and could identify the genetic cause of the disease in 31 of them. Using homozygosity mapping complemented with whole-exome, gene panel or Sanger sequencing, we identified 12 novel mutations in 3 known MCPH-associated genes - 9 in ASPM, 2 in MCPH1 and 1 in CDK5RAP2. The 2 MCPH1 mutations were homozygous microdeletions of 164,250 and 577,594 bp, respectively, for which we were able to map the exact breakpoints. We also identified four known mutations - three in ASPM and one in WDR62. The latter was initially deemed to be a missense mutation but we demonstrate here that it affects splicing. As to ASPM, as many as 17 out of 27 MCPH5 families that we ascertained in our sample were found to carry the previously reported founder mutation p.Trp1326*. This study adds to the mutational spectra of four known MCPH-associated genes and updates our knowledge about the genetic heterogeneity of MCPH in the Pakistani population considering its ethnic diversity.

Rice is cultivated worldwide under wide range of ecological conditions and is a daily staple food crop for more than half of world’s population. The morphological characterization is usually performed to select better genotypes. This type of characterization identifies elite genotypes based on qualitative as well as quantitative traits. In present study 45 diverse rice germplasm were screened for important qualitative traits. The experiment was designed as augmented and important qualitative traits including leaf related traits, lodging, panicle shape, seed coat color and awn related traits were studied. Significant variations were observed for all the examined traits. Majority of genotypes showed resistance to lodging, and only few showed slight lodging. The brown seed coat color was found dominant among genotypes. All the studied traits included in the study were found useful for the identification of improved genotypes and these traits have direct relation with yield or yield related traits. However, to elucidate the particular responsible genes for these traits, further molecular based studies are recommended. Keywords: Genetic variability; Lodging; Morphological traits; Rice; Qualitative traits http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80056

The interaction of a gas molecule with a sensing material causes the highest change in the electronic structure of the latter, when this material consists of only a few atoms. If the sensing material consists of a short, conductive molecule, the sensing action can be furthermore probed by connecting such molecules to nanoelectrodes. Here, we report that NO2 molecules that adhere to 4,4'-biphenyldithiol (BPDT) bound to Au surfaces lead to a change of the electrical transmission of the BPDT. The related device shows reproducible, stable measurements and is so far the smallest (

Whitefly (Bemicia tabaci) is an insect pest that causes severe losses in economically important crops by sucking the plant sap and transmitting plant viruses. We used the promising new approach of plant-mediated artificial miRNA (amiRNA) expression against three essential genes of whitefly. The Arabidopsis thaliana miR159 precursor was modified and engineered to express artificial miRNAs (amiRNAs) targeting three vital genes of whitefly, sex lethal (Sxl) protein, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and orcokinin (Orc). The amiRNAWF construct was transformed into the Nicotiana tabacum plants. Whiteflies were infested in separate cages on both control and transgenic plants. After four weeks of infestation, the nymphs were counted and real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to assess the relative expression of whitefly genes. The transgenic N. tabacum plants showed resistance against whitefly and the number of whiteflies in the next generation were substantially reduced on transgenic plants compared to control plants. Abnormal egg hatching and poor development was observed and only a small number of whitefly nymphs matured to adults. RT-qPCR results indicated that the expression of target genes (Sxl, AChE and Orc) in the nymphs was considerably down-regulated in whiteflies reared on transgenic plants. The amiRNA mediated resistance against whitefly in transgenic plants may pave the way for engineering resistance against whitefly in cotton plants.

Over the years many techniques have been proposed for the purpose of the formation of electrically conducting metal-molecule-metal junctions. One such technique utilizes gold-nanoparticles (AuNPs) that could assist in contacting small molecules between large gaps. The Ideal device structure then comprises of one nanoparticle and two molecules that are aligned as electrode1-molecule-AuNP-molecule-electrode2. In present work these AuNP-molecule hybrids were fabricated inside sub 20 nm sized nanogaps between nanoelectrodes. The nanogaps were fabricated by milling of thin gold wires using focused ion beam. The tuning of the ion dosage resulted in the tuning of the gap size and the smallest nanogap of 2.3 nm was achieved. The nano molecular electronic device (nanoMoED) platform comprised of the AuNPs that were assembled inside the nanogaps via dielectrophoresis. Two types of the AuNPs were used that were different from each other due to their functionalization chemistry. The low bias resistance 'RLB' of the nanoMoED platform was (i) reduced as compared to the nanogaps (ii) remained stable in toluene and air, and (iii) was reduced when exposed to the electron beam. The nanoMoED platform was functionalized with various molecules using the molecular place exchange method. The successful functionalization resulted in the reduction of the 'RLB'. The smallest value of the 'RLB' of the nanoMoED devices was achieved when the inserted molecule was not only highly conducting but also its length was same as the initial spacing between the AuNPs. The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) molecules reduced the 'RLB' of the nanoMoED devices that were made with 4,4'-biphenyl dithiol. The theoretical simulations showed that this reduction was due to the induced states at Fermi energy of the junction. The nanoMoED devices made with 1,8-octanedithiol showed conductance switching between two levels because of different geometries of the Au-S contact. This switching vanished when these devices were exposed to NO2 and a strong enhancement of signal to noise ratio was observed. On the basis of these results this thesis suggests possible routes for the fabrication of highly conducting nanoMoED devices as well as elucidates the possibility of using the nanoMoED devices for gas sensing applications.

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) has been a problem for cotton production in Pakistan and India since the early 1990s. The disease is caused by begomoviruses associated with a specific satellite, the cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB). In 2001, resistance introduced into cotton was broken by a recombinant begomovirus, Cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus strain Burewala (CLCuKoV-Bur). Unusually, in resistant cotton, this virus lacked an intact transcriptional activator protein (TrAP) gene, with the capacity to encode only 35 of the usual ~134 amino acids. Recently, isolates of CLCuKoV-Bur with a longer, but still truncated, TrAP gene have been identified in cotton breeding lines lacking the earlier resistance. This suggests that more pathogenic viruses with a full TrAP could return to cotton if the earlier resistance is not maintained in ongoing breeding efforts to produce CLCuD-resistant cotton varieties. This conclusion is supported by recent studies showing the reappearance of pre-resistance-breaking begomoviruses, with full-length TrAP genes, in cotton.

Modified supersaturated phosphate buffer solutions were used to synthesize phosphate-based spheres, including calcium phosphate (CaP), strontium phosphate (SrP) and barium phosphate (BaP). A series of ions concentrations in the modified phosphate buffer solutions were investigated in order to study their effects in precipitates morphologies. During synthesis, it was found that magnesium was the key factor in sphere formation. The morphologies of calcium phosphate, strontium phosphate and barium phosphate precipitates varied as the concentration of magnesium ions varied. When sufficient magnesium was provided, the precipitates appeared spherical, and the diameter was in range of 0.5–2 μm. The morphologies, compositions and structure of spheres were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption analysis. Moreover, the application of magnesium substituted calcium phosphate spheres in dentin tubules occlusion was investigated.

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius; Hempitera: Aleyrodidae) is considered to be a cryptic (sibling) species complex, the members of which exhibit morphological invariability while being genetically and behaviorally distinct. Members of the complex are agricultural pests that cause direct damage by feeding on plants, and indirectly by transmitting viruses that cause diseases leading to reduced crop yield and quality. In Pakistan, cotton leaf curl disease, caused by multiple begomovirus species, is the most economically important viral disease of cotton. In the study outlined here, the diversity and geographic distribution of B. tabaci cryptic species was investigated by analyzing a taxonomically informative fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene (mtCOI-3'). The mtCOI-3' sequence was determined for 285 adult whiteflies and found to represent six cryptic species, the most numerous being Asia II-1 and Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM-1), the later also referred to as the B-biotype, which was previously thought to be confined to Sindh province but herein, was also found to be present in the Punjab province. The endemic Asia I was restricted to Sindh province, while an individual in the Asia II-8 was identified in Pakistan for the first time. Also for the first time, samples were collected from northwestern Pakistan and Asia II-1 was identified. Results indicate that in Pakistan the overall diversity of B. tabaci cryptic species is high and, based on comparisons with findings from previous studies, the distribution is dynamic.

Background: Head louses, commonly known as Pediculosis, is an infestation of the skin caused by a parasite known as Pediculus humanus capitis. Head louses are more common among crowded families, having poor hygiene and poor living condition. It can be easily transmitting from infected to healthy person. Methodology: This study was conducted in district Mardan of Pakistan. In this study, 202 head louse patients from 30 schools (15 males and 15 female’s elementary schools) were examined. A questionnaire was designed for data collection. Results: The occurrence of head louse was excessive among students having indigent living situation (78.7%), as compare to those students having good living condition (21.3%). Head louse rate was high (82.7%) among students with more than five family members living together. This study confirms that head louse rate was abundant in students having poor hygiene (72.8%). Head louses were more prevalent among students whose parents are illiterate (39.6%). This study shows that most functional treatment method was medication (72.3%). Conclusion: Results showed that head louses were common among students who need proper responsiveness. Its prevalence can be lowered by improving hygiene, living condition, and by educating people.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) plants with severe leaf mosaic and mottling were found in a kitchen garden near cotton fields in Pakistan. Rolling Circle Amplification products from six of the naturally infected eggplant plants, subjected to PCR, successfully amplified expected products of 2.8 and 1.4 kb using begomovirus and betasatellite-specific primers, respectively. Based on 99% nucleotide sequence identity, the virus was identified as a variant of Cotton leaf curl Burewala virus (CLCuBuV) (GenBank Accession No. HG428709). Likewise, the sequenced betasatellite with a maximum of 97% nucleotide sequence identity was recognized as a new variant of Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMuB Mul ) (GenBank Accession No. HG428708). The symptomatic induction of Cotton leaf curl disease in CLCuBuV susceptible cotton genotype CIM-496 by back-indexing further confirmed the presence of CLCuBuV in eggplant. This is the first report of CLCuBuV and its associate betasatellite in naturally infected plants of eggplant.

Begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae) are whitefly-transmitted viruses with single-stranded DNA genomes that are frequently associated with DNA satellites. These satellites include non-coding satellites, for which the name deltasatellites has been proposed. Although the first deltasatellite was identified in the late 1990s, little is known about the effects they have on infections of their helper begomoviruses. Recently a group of deltasatellites were identified associated with sweepoviruses, a group of phylogenetically distinct begomoviruses that infect plants of the family Convolvulaceae including sweet potato. In this work, the deltasatellites associated with sweepoviruses are shown to be transreplicated and maintained in plants by the virus with which they were identified, sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV). These deltasatellites were shown generally to reduce symptom severity of the virus infection by reducing virus DNA levels. Additionally they were shown to be maintained in plants, and reduce the symptoms induced by two Old World monopartite begomoviruses, tomato yellow leaf curl virus and tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus. Finally one of the satellites was shown to be transmitted plant-to-plant in the presence of SPLCV by the whitefly vector of the virus, Bemisia tabaci, being the first time a deltasatellite has been shown to be insect transmitted.

This study has been carried out to forecast the impact of global warming on the precipitation pattern of Saudi Arabia by the end of year 2100. Simulation has been done using EdGCM model software (with available 8×10 resolution) developed at Columbia University on which there have been produced global precipitation maps for the seasonal and annual averages for the last 5 years (2096–2100). For each map, EdGCM grid values surrounding Saudi Arabia are used as input to one of the tools of Eagle point software called surface modelling (SM). SM is a new approach for downscaling global climate model results. SM software modelled out isohyets at 0.2 mm/day interval. The results indicate that the present pattern of precipitation (more in winter and less in summer) is going to change by almost equal occurrence of precipitation in all seasons for double_CO2 (2CO2) experiment. The 2CO2 experiment indicates an increase of about 16.05% over the annual average precipitation across the country.

Graphene is a promising material in the field of solid-state gas sensors due to the unique two-dimensional structure. Here, we have shown by fabricating graphene/ZnS-CdS hetero-nanowire structure, the gas sensor sensitivity has a two-fold increase to 20% under 15 ppm gaseous concentration compared to a 10% response in pristine graphene. Spectroscopy and microscopy analysis indicate that the semi-conducting ZnS-CdS hetero-nanowires are 2 nm wide and densely packed on top of graphene. By combining UV illumination, the device approaches a fast response/recovery and high gas sensitivity, thus has a potential to be used in a detection of wide range of gases.