Ficus benjamina (Rosales: Moraceae), commonly known as weeping fig, is not only planted alongside the road as decorative plant in Pakistan but also has chemicals which used to treat cancer and ulcer. A leaf eating caterpillar, Trilocha varians (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is a serious pest of Ficus spp. especially Ficus benjamina. This is a new emerging pest of horticultural andagricultural crops all over the world. The pest is causing 100% defoliation and even death of plant.The severe attack of this pest has seen on F. bejamina. The current pest is invading to otherornamental plants, especially jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) in the world and becoming risk for other crops. There is need to minimize the pest population, but still no management strategies have adopted to control this pest in the world. The current experimental study was conducted to check the efficacy of botanicals alone and in combine application with insecticides against 2nd instar larvae of leaf eating caterpillar, T. varians under laboratory conditions. Results showed that among botanicals, Azadirachta indica was showed more toxicity as compared to Eucalyptus globulus. A. indica was showed the highest mortality (6.40%) of larvae at 72 hours of post treatment, whileminimum mortality (0.40%) at 24 hours. The combine application of A. indica and Emamectin benzoate was given maximum mortality (9.20�9.20) at 72 hours and minimum (1.80�3.20) at 24 hours. The mixture of emamectin benzoate and E. globulus was also found effective and toxic against second instar larvae but less than combine application of A. indica and Emamectin benzoate. In response to this new pest issue in the ornamental plants, control strategies includingbiological control alone and in combine with others chemicals are being developed in Pakistan.
Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) is a common material in dental treatments but presents issues like cytotoxicity and potential allergic reactions. In contrast, curcumin boasts anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial attributes. This study set out to compare the cytotoxicity of Nano curcumin-based pastes to that of ZOE. The research involved examining the cytotoxic effects of Nano curcumin-based pastes, ZOE, and Metapex® on L929 mouse fibroblast cells using the MTT assay. Two variations of Nano curcumin pastes, curcumin paste (CP) and modified curcumin paste (MCP), were developed and tested in five concentration dilutions (1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16) with three replications. Results after a 24-hour exposure indicated that both Nano curcumin pastes had reduced cytotoxicity at the 1/1 and 1/2 dilutions compared to ZOE. However, after 72 hours, CP\'s cytotoxicity at the 1/1 dilution exceeded that of ZOE. Yet, MCP maintained its lesser cytotoxicity than ZOE for the same dilutions. The study\'s conclusion highlighted that MCP showcased a more favorable cytotoxic profile than ZOE, aligning more closely with the results observed for Metapex®.
This paper introduces implementation of the new project known as an African Satellite Augmentation System (ASAS) for Africa and Middle East designed by the CNS Systems Company and its research group supported by partners. The ASAS project as Regional Satellite Augmentation Systems (RSAS) will provide service for maritime, land (road and rail) and aeronautical applications. Thus, with existing and other new projected RSAS networks, it will be integrated in Global Satellite Augmentation System (GSAS) with new Satellite Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) for improved Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Air Traffic Management (ATM). This System also enhances safety and emergency systems, transport security and control of aircraft freight, logistics and the security of the crew and passengers onboard aircraft and helicopters as well. The current CNS infrastructures of the first generation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS-1) applications are represented by old fundamental solutions for Position, Velocity and Time (PVT) of the satellite navigation and determination systems such as the US GPS and Russian (former-USSR) GLONASS military requirements, respectively. The establishment of Space, Ground and User segment including Local Satellite Augmentation System (LSAS) are discussed as a new basic infrastructures for aeronautical and other mobile applications, which will be integrated with RSAS in the future GSAS network.
This paper describes Global Aircraft Tracking (GAT) system proposed in 2014 to the International \nCivil Aviation Organization (ICAO) by author of this article as major solution in the function of Global \nAeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) for reliable global tracking of missing and hijacking \naircraft in any real time and space. The GAT device as an integration of GPS/GNSS Receiver and Satellite \nTransceiver is programmed to send Position, Velocity and Time (PVT) and other data via Geostationary Earth \nOrbit (GEO) Inmarsat or Leo Earth Orbit (LEO) Iridium satellites to the Ground Earth Stations (GES), \nTerrestrial Telecommunication Network (TTN) and ground Tracking Control Station (TCS). The ground TCS \nis the brain of the GAT network, which is receiving, processing and memorizing all PVT and other data sent \nby an aircraft. The TCS cites will have like radar display to indicate position of all aircraft in certain Flight \nInformation Region (FIR). In case of any aircraft incident TCS will provide PVT data about certain aircraft in \ndistress to be found by the Search and Rescue (SAR) forces in any real time and space of about 2 - 3 days and \nin range of few hundred mails. The GAT unit has to be fully independent of the pilot actions, power supply \nand other navigation and communication equipment in the cockpit. The GAT message has to include the \nairborne equipment identifier (aircraft ID), PVT data with altitude and the date/time of the transmission
The present study was conducted to study the effect of the methanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri leaves on the extent of cell death under conditions of oxidative stress. The cells used were Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and the oxidant used to induce oxidative stress was H2O2. The cells were subjected to oxidative stress and the effect of the extract in counteracting this stress was assessed by analyzing characteristic apoptotic events. The results obtained clearly indicated that the exposure to H2O2 resulted in a steep rise in the number of \nS. cerevisiae cells undergoing apoptosis. Bacopa monnieri leaf extract, by itself, did not cause an increase in the extent of apoptosis. When co-administered along with H2O2, the plant extract resulted in a markedly decreased number of apoptotic cells. Thus, it is evident that the methanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri leaves protects the yeast cells from oxidative stress-induced death.
In this paper, the effect of magnetic field on unsteady boundary layer flow of an electrically-conducting Newtonian fluid over a stretching porous sheet with a convective heat exchange at the surface is investigated. By taking suitable similarity variables, the governing boundary layer equations are transformed into a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations and then tackled numerically using shooting quadrature. The effects of key parameters on the fluid velocity, temperature, skin friction and Nusselt number in the flow regime are depicted graphically and analyzed in detail. Comparison of numerical results is made with previously published results under the special cases, and found to be in good agreement.
To partition a set of samples in a dataset, any clustering algorithm considers all features of dataset equivalently during the clustering procedure. It is highly likely that some features have more information in any dataset. If any clustering algorithm lets different features have unequal contributions in the final partitioning, it can highly likely result in a better set of resultant partitions. But the problem of how the features can participate in the clustering task in a weighted manner is a very challenging problem. The other problem is the mechanism of the weight assignment. Recently the problem has been dealt with by a Locally Adaptive Clustering (LAC) algorithm. However, like other traditional clustering algorithms, LAC algorithm is inefficiency when the at-hand dataset is imbalanced. In this paper a novel method is proposed which deals with both raised problems (that have not solved by LAC algorithm) while it exploits LAC algorithm privileges. While LAC algorithm forces the sum of weights for the clusters to be equal, our method lets them be unequal. This makes our method more flexible to escape from falling at the local optima. It also lets the cluster centers to be efficiently located in the feature space at fitter places. It finds better cluster centers than the ones found by its rivals. The proposed clustering algorithm is called Weighted Clusters in Locally Adaptive Clustering (WLAC). The paper shows the effectiveness of WLAC algorithm both theoretically and experimentally.
Prakash and Singh presented the shrinkage testimators under the invariant version of LINEX loss function for the scale parameter of an exponential distribution in presence type-II censored data. In this paper, we extend this approach to gamma distribution, as Prakash and Singh\'s paper is a special case of this paper. In fact, some shrinkage testimators for the scale parameter of a gamma distribution, when type-II censored data are available, have been suggested under the LINEX loss function assuming the shape parameter is to be known. The comparisons of the proposed testimators have been made with improved estimator. All these estimators are compared empirically using Monte Carlo simulation.
This study examines the antecedents of brand loyalty like brand awareness, perceived quality and mediating role of Brand Image. The data was collected by using established scale and statistical techniques correlation, regression and mediation were used for interpretation. The results indicate a positive relationship between perceived quality and brand loyalty but a negative relationship between brand awareness and brand loyalty. Additionally, mediation has been established between brand awareness, perceived quality and brand loyalty due to brand image. Overall, these results demonstrated that the influence on brand loyalty varies across various variables of study. Results contribute to the brand loyalty topic.\nStatement of contribution;\nResearch suggests that for Beverages (low involvement products) brand image fully mediates the relationship between brand awareness and brand loyalty. Additionally partial mediation has been observed between perceived quality and brand loyalty due to brand image. That’s why extended levels of brand awareness and perceived quality develop the the brand image which ultimately yield brand loyalty. Thus loyalty program should focus on the awareness and perception of quality. \nKeywords: Brand loyalty, Perceived Quality, Brand Image, Brand Awareness, Mediation, Pakistan.
Capitalists and factory owners believe that trading has reached to higher scales and it\
Abstract\nThe problem statement: Traditional Iranian architecture especially houses have unique characteristics, while considering aesthetic issues and environmental conservation have been responsive to climate requirements for each region. Techniques and rules used in this architecture clearly have in themselves many new concepts in sustainable architecture arena.\nObjective:This paper studies these sustainable concepts in the architecture of Iranian houses. \nMethod:This research is qualitative, descriptive and then analytic in regard to research performing process. Investigating and selecting the bases and concepts are based on library and documentation methods. \nResults:This research results show that sustainability can be promoted in environmental, economic, social and architectural dimensions considering to indigenous and local sustainable values. \nKey words: Sustainable architecture, Iranian houses, Iranian architecture, traditional architecture.
Abstract\nThe problem statement: Looking at valuable tissues, it is noticed that cultural spaces have the most important position in urban identity. City identity is the resultant of all forces for changing the city to a cohesive physical-social arena and to strengthen cultural-social prestige and structural phenomenology of urban identity using the effects of these arenas. What creates the urban identity is the coordination between architectural and urban spaces with the performance and the content of physical-social phenomena in a city. Cultural performance spaces are among the most important of these spaces which have the important and valuable role in the hierarchy of urban identity.\nObjective: This study investigates the importance and clear position of the spaces with the cultural using for strengthening and promoting the urban identity.\nMethod: This research in regard to implementation process is qualitative, descriptive and then analytical. The investigation and the concepts are based on library and documentation methods.\nResults: The results indicate that cultural spaces can be considered as one of physical-social phenomena of a city. Despite of different problems in the design, cultural spaces should be built in coordination with the framework determined in the principles of urban identity. Hence in creating these spaces, a suitable design of the city identity can be imaged by benefiting from past experiences and new thinking. Whatever systematic principles of urban and architectural design have more effective communication with urban identity structure, the stability of urban identity will be provided.\nKey words: Urban identity, cultural spaces, architecture, urban spaces.
