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.
This study explores the role of soil microbiomes in promoting plant growth and enhancing ecosystem resilience under shifting climatic conditions. By analyzing microbial communities associated with various plant species across multiple ecosystems, we identified key symbiotic relationships that contribute to nutrient cycling, stress tolerance, and disease resistance. Advanced metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics tools were employed to characterize microbial diversity and functionality. The findings underline the importance of preserving soil microbial diversity to maintain ecosystem health and productivity, especially in the face of global climate change.
Climate change poses significant threats to alpine ecosystems, leading to shifts in plant biodiversity. This study introduces an innovative Weighted Clusters in Locally Adaptive Clustering (WLAC) algorithm to analyze the effects of climate variations on alpine plant species distribution. By assigning differential weights to environmental variables, WLAC provides enhanced accuracy in detecting shifts in species clusters. Through comprehensive field studies and data analysis across various alpine regions, our findings reveal critical insights into species resilience and adaptation strategies. The proposed methodology offers a valuable tool for ecologists aiming to predict biodiversity changes in response to ongoing climate dynamics.
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 investigates the impact of indigenous plant species on soil restoration and carbon sequestration in the Amazon Rainforest. Using a combination of field experiments and remote sensing technology, we examined the soil health and carbon storage capacity of areas reforested with native species compared to those with non-native species. Our findings reveal that indigenous plants significantly enhance soil fertility and increase carbon sequestration rates, contributing to climate change mitigation. The results underscore the importance of preserving native biodiversity and utilizing local plant species in reforestation efforts.
Silicon is a beneficial element in plant biology, playing a crucial role in growth and resistance to various stresses. This study investigates the influence of silicon on plant growth and its interaction with soil components. Field experiments were conducted to assess silicon's effects on nutrient uptake, disease resistance, and overall plant health. The results indicate that silicon supplementation can enhance plant resilience and improve soil structure, leading to healthier crop production.
Traditional Iranian architecture, especially houses, exhibit unique characteristics by balancing aesthetic appeal with environmental conservation, adapting to the climate conditions of each region. This paper examines the sustainable concepts inherent in Iranian house architecture. The research employs a qualitative, descriptive, and analytical approach, utilizing library and documentation methods to explore these concepts. Findings indicate that sustainability can be enhanced across environmental, economic, social, and architectural dimensions by incorporating indigenous and local sustainable values.
Urban green spaces are critical components of sustainable city environments, offering habitats for diverse plant and animal species and enhancing the ecological resilience of urban areas. This study explores the integration of botanical diversity within urban settings, focusing on the benefits of green spaces in promoting environmental health and supporting urban biodiversity. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative biodiversity assessments with qualitative interviews from urban planners and ecologists. Results suggest that thoughtfully designed urban green spaces contribute significantly to the ecological fabric of cities, providing essential services such as air purification, temperature regulation, and community well-being.
