Abstract The bacterial species employ various types of molecular communication systems recognized as quorum sensing for the synchronization of differential gene expression to regulate virulence traits and biofilm formation. A variety of quorum sensing inhibitors; molecules that interfere with quorum sensing among bacteria have been examined which can block the action of autoinducers. Moreover, the studies have scrutinized various enzymes for their quorum quenching activity resulting in the degradation of signaling molecules or blocking of gene expression. So far, the studies have found that these approaches are not only capable to reduce the pathogenicity and biofilm formation but also resulted in increased bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics and bacteriophages. The effectiveness of these strategies has been validated in different animal models and it seems that these practices will be transformed in near future to develop the medical devices including catheters, implants, and dressings for the prevention of bacterial infections. Although many of these approaches are still in the research stage, the increasing library of quorum quenching molecules and enzymes will open innovative perspectives for the development of antibacterial approaches which will extend the therapeutic arsenal against the pathogenic bacterial species.

Abstract The present study was planned to test the hypothesis that feeding lactating dairy cattle with varying levels of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) can enhance protein utilization, milk production, milk protein, and nitrogen (N) excretion. Forty mid-lactating crossbred (Jersey × Friesian) cattle were randomly divided into four groups. Four treatment diets were formulated to contain 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% RUP of crude protein. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein intakes were significantly reduced with increasing dietary RUP levels. Crude protein digestibility increased linearly with incremental increases in dietary RUP levels. Cattle fed 60% RUP showed a linear decrease in N intake compared to that in the other groups. A linear decrease in urinary N and linear increases in net N, milk N, and N-use efficiency were observed with increasing dietary RUP levels. Actual milk, energy-corrected milk, and 4% fat-corrected milk yields (kg/day) increased linearly with an increasing degradability of protein. However, milk protein, solids not fat and total solids, as well as the yields of protein, fat, and lactose, showed significant increases with increased RUP supplementation. Collectively, the results indicate that formulating dairy cow diets to contain 60% RUP results in better lactating performance and N-use efficiency and lower N excretion.

Abstract: Buildings consume one-third of final energy consumption in the world and are graded as the largest sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Buildings energy consumption is driven by numerous factors that have direct or indirect effects on it. Identification of such factors could help building designers and architectures in introducing energy efficient designs of various types of buildings. Such studies are indispensable for countries such as Pakistan where a very limited research has been published in this area. This study attempts to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the effect of numerous factors on the residential electricity consumption and further, aims to establish an electricity usage intensity (EUI) value for the residential sector of Pakistan. Data were collected from 523 dwellings through site surveys and interviews with residents. Effect of 48 different variables, (five socioeconomic variables, 14 dwelling variables, 22 variables from electric appliances details, five demographic variables and two variables from renewable energy sources) was investigated on the residential buildings annual electricity consumption using SPSS software. It was found that 17 out of 48 variables have significant linear relationship with annual electricity consumption. Further, through a multivariate analysis, it was found that annual electricity usage intensity (EUI) for Pakistan’s residential buildings is 24kWh/m2. Finally, this EUI value is compared with the same of two major South Asian countries. It is observed that mean EUI of Pakistan is almost similar to that of India, i.e. 24kWh/m2 whereas Bangladesh has a higher value of mean EUI, i.e. 32kWh/m2.

Resumen: Los edificios consumen un tercio del consumo final de energía en el mundo y están clasificados como las mayores fuentes de emisiones de dióxido de carbono (CO2). El consumo de energía en los edificios se debe a numerosos factores que tienen efectos directos o indirectos. La identificación de tales factores podría ayudar a los diseñadores y arquitecturas de edificios a introducir diseños de eficiencia energética de varios tipos de edificios. Tales estudios son indispensables para países como Pakistán, donde se ha publicado una investigación muy limitada en esta área. Este estudio intenta llenar este vacío de conocimiento al investigar el efecto de numerosos factores en el consumo de electricidad residencial y, además, tiene como objetivo establecer un valor de intensidad de uso de electricidad (EUI) para el sector residencial de Pakistán. Se recolectaron datos de 523 viviendas a través de encuestas de sitio y entrevistas con residentes. El efecto de 48 variables diferentes (cinco variables socioeconómicas, 14 variables de vivienda, 22 variables de detalles de electrodomésticos, cinco variables demográficas y dos de fuentes de energía renovables) se investigó sobre el consumo anual de electricidad de los edificios residenciales utilizando el software SPSS. Se encontró que 17 de las 48 variables tienen una relación lineal significativacon el consumo anual de electricidad. Además, a través de un análisis multivariado, se encontró que la intensidad anual del uso de electricidad (EUI) para los edificios residenciales de Pakistán es de 24kWh / m2. Finalmente, este valor de EUI se compara con el mismo de dos de los principales países del sur de Asia. Se observa que la media de la EUI de Pakistán es casi similar a la de la India, es decir, 24kWh / m2, mientras que Bangladesh tiene un valor más alto de la media de la EUI, es decir, 32kWh / m2.

Abstract Flatulence and fullness of stomach is one of the most common problem associated with chickpea primary due to presence of some oligosaccharides and phenols. In this investigation Desi and Kabuli varieties were compared for these oligosaccharides and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the effect of different processing and cooking methods such as soaking, cooking and germination in the reduction of these antiphysiological factors were are also studies. Maximum tannic acid (0.90 ± 0.20%) was observed in Parbat and C-44 while minimum (0.60 ± 0.04%) in Karak-2. Stachyose contents ranged between 1.10 ± 0.05 (Karak-3) to 1.42 ± 0.02% (Parbat) while raffinose was 0.63 ± 0.05(Karak-3) to 0.81 ± 0.02% (Dasht). The highest tannic acid content was reduced up to 50% in C-44 by cooking of 72 hours germinated seeds. Stachyose and raffinose contents were completely removed after 72 hours germination. Present studies revealed that cooking after germination is the most effective method to reduce the anti-nutritional factors of chickpea. Individually, soaking and cooking also contributed to the loss of the same factors but to a lesser extent.

Abstract. The aim of current work is to evaluate the dyeing performance of newly introduced disperse dye to improve its dyeing behavior onto polyester fabric using microwave radiation. Microwave heating has promisingly improved the disperse dyeing of polyester fabrics. Disperse Yellow 211 (DY 211) has been used to dye the polyester fabric under the influence of microwave treatment. Both the fabric and dye solution, were treated with the microwaves for 1- 6 min. Different dyeing parameters such as temperature, time, dispersant and dye bath volume were also optimized and ISO standard methods for colorfastness were employed to rate the influence of microwave and ultraviolet treatment on disperse dyeing. It is found that microwave treated polyester (RP, 6 min), has given good color strength and darker shades upon dyeing at 90°C for 40 min. in the presence of 2 g/100ml of dispersant using 70 mL of irradiated dye solution (RS, 6 min) of pH 8. Similarly using dye bath of pH 11, microwave treated polyester (RP, 6 min.) has given good color strength and darker shades upon dyeing at 70°C for 35 min.in the presence of 1 g/100ml of dispersant. using 50 mL of irradiated dye solution (RS). ISO standards for fastness to light, washing and rubbing revealed that good to excellent ratings have been obtained from different shades dyed at optimal condition. It is inferred that Microwave treatment has not only reduced the dyeing conditions but also improved the color characteristics of dyed polyester fabric.

Resumen. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar las características que se inducen al teñido sobre tejido base poliéster, después de habérsele aplicado radiación de microondas, evaluando para ello las propiedades del tinte recién disperso en la fibra. Se observa que el calentamiento por microondas mejora de manera adecuada la dispersión del teñido en telas base poliéster. Para las pruebas se utilizó el colorante textil Amarillo Disperso 211 (DY 211) para teñir el tejido base poliéster, bajo la influencia del tratamiento con microondas. Tanto al tejido como a la solución del tinte se les hizo un tratamiento con microondas durante 1-6 min. También se optimizaron diferentes parámetros de teñido, tales como la temperatura, el tiempo, el dispersante y el volumen del baño de colorante; se efectuaron análisis de las muestras utilizando los métodos estándares ISO para evaluar el efecto en la solidez del color en el teñido disperso por el tratamiento con microondas y radiación ultravioleta. Se encontró que el poliéster tratado con microondas (RP, 6 min), presenta una buena adhesión del color y produce tonos más oscuros al teñir a una temperatura de 90 ° C durante 40 min. en presencia de 2 g / 100 ml del dispersante, usando para ello 70 ml de solución de colorante irradiado (RS, 6 min) a un pH = 8. De manera similar, utilizando un baño de colorante a pH = 11, el poliéster tratado con microondas (RP, 6 min) da lugar a un color resistente y produce tonos más oscuros al teñir a 70 ° C durante 35 minutos en presencia de 1 g / 100 ml de dispersante. usando 50 ml de solución de colorante irradiado (RS). Las pruebas de solidez a la luz, lavado y el frotamiento hechas mediante métodos ISO revelaron que se han obtenido clasificaciones de buenas a excelentes de los diferentes tonos teñidos en condiciones óptimas. Se infiere que el tratamiento con microondas no solo ha reducido los requerimientos para el teñido, sino que también ha mejorado las características del color sobre la tela de poliéster teñida.

The objective of this work was the phylogenetic characterization of local clinical isolates of uropathogenic E. coli with respect to drug resistance. A total of 59 uropathogenic E. coli responsible for community acquired urinary tract infections were included in this study. A triplex PCR was employed to segregate each isolate into four different phylogenetic groups (A, B1, B2 and D). Drug resistance was evaluated by disc diffusion method. The drugs used were ampicillin, aztreonam, cefixime, cefoperazone, ceftriaxone, cephradine among β-lactam group; amikacin, gentamicin, and streptomycin among aminoglycosides; nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin from quinolones; trimethoprim-sulfomethoxazole, and tetracycline. Among 59 uropathogenic E. coli isolates majority belonged to phylogenetic group B2 (50%) where as 19% each belonged to groups A and B1, and 12% to group D. All the isolates were multiple drug resistant (MDR). Most effective drugs against Group A, B1, and B2 were gentamicin, amikacin and cefixime; ceftriaxone and quinolones; and ceftriaxone and amikacin, respectively. Group D isolates were found to be highly resistant to all drugs. Our results have shown emergence of MDR isolates among uropathogenic E. coli with dominance of phylogenetic group B2. However, it was found that group D isolates were though less frequent, more drug resistant as compared with group B2. Groups A and B1 were relatively uncommon. Amikacin, ceftriaxone and gentamicin were the most effective drugs in general.

Increasing scarcity of irrigation water is a major threat to sustainable production of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Identifying genomic regions contributing to abiotic stress tolerance will help develop cotton cultivars suitable for water-limited regions through molecular marker-assisted breeding. A molecular mapping F2 population was derived from an intraspecific cross of the drought sensitive G. hirsutum cv. FH-901 and drought tolerant G. hirsutum cv. RH-510. Field data were recorded on physiological traits (osmotic potential and osmotic adjustment); yield and its component traits (seedcotton yield, number of bolls/plant and boll weight); and plant architecture traits (plant height and number of nodes per plant) for F2, F2:3 and F2:4 generations under well-watered versus water-limited growth conditions. The two parents were surveyed for polymorphism using 6500 SSR primer pairs. Joinmap3.0 software was used to construct linkage map with 64 polymorphic markers and it resulted into 35 markers mapped on 12 linkage groups. QTL analysis was performed by composite interval mapping (CIM) using QTL Cartographer2.5 software. In total, 7 QTLs (osmotic potential 2, osmotic adjustment 1, seedcotton yield 1, number of bolls/plant 1, boll weight 1 and plant height 1) were identified. There were three QTLs (qtlOP-2, qtlOA-1, and qtlPH-1) detected only in water-limited conditions. Two QTLs (qtlSC-1 and qtlBW-1) were detected for relative values. Two QTLs (qtlOP-1 and qtlBN-1) were detected for well-watered treatment. Significant QTLs detected in this study can be employed in MAS for molecular breeding programs aiming at developing drought tolerant cotton cultivars.