Abstract: Increasing concerns over the environmental impact of chemical pesticides have prompted the exploration of alternative, and eco-friendly solutions for controlling insect pests. The use of entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) as a biological control agent is of paramount importance. We aimed to investigate the effect of different concentrations ofMetarhizium anisopliae(Metschnikoff) Sorokin on larval mortality and pupal formation, of sawfly larvae, a major pest of rose plants. Our study revealed a concentration-dependent effect ofM. anisopliaeon sawfly larvae. At 7 days after EPF exposure, the highest concentration (1 × 109conidia/ml) led to a mortality rate of 65.0% and at the 11th day, the larval mortality was reached up to 82.5%. The highest EPF concentration resulted in a minimal pupal formation (7.5%). This study demonstrates the potential ofM. anisopliaeas a valuable biological control agent against sawfly larvae infestations in rose plants.

Resumen: La creciente preocupación por el impacto ambiental de los pesticidas químicos ha impulsado la exploración de soluciones alternativas y ecológicas para controlar las plagas de insectos. El uso de hongos entomopatógenos (FPE) como agente de control biológico es de suma importancia. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar el efecto de diferentes concentraciones deMetarhizium anisopliae(Metschnikoff) Sorokin sobre la mortalidad larvaria y la formación de pupas de larvas de mosca sierra, una plaga importante de las plantas de rosas. Nuestro estudio reveló un efecto dependiente de la concentración deMetarhizium anisopliaesobre las larvas de mosca sierra. A los 7 días después de la exposición al EPF, la concentración más alta (1 × 109conidios/ml) condujo a una tasa de mortalidad del 65.0 % y al día 11 la mortalidad larvaria alcanzó hasta el 82.5 %. La concentración más alta de EPF resultó en una formación de pupas mínima (7.5 %). Este estudio demuestra el potencial deMetarhizium anisopliaecomo un valioso agente de control biológico contra las infestaciones de larvas de mosca sierra en plantas de rosas.

Abstract Genetic diversity plays a critical role in crop improvement. Radish is one of the important vegetable crops of Rabi season, however, there is a lack of information about radish germplasm resources available in Pakistan. The present research was carried out to characterize radish gene pool on the basis of qualitative and quantitative traits. Twelve genotypes of radish comprised of local and exotic sources were evaluated for genetic variability through morphological, quality, and quantitative traits. Analysis of variance depicted maximum variation among genotypes for all studied straits. High genotypic co-efficient of variance (GCV) value (>20%) in all traits indicates that these traits can be improved through selection. The estimate of genotypic co-efficient of variance (GCV) in present research was closer to phenotypic co-efficient of variance (PCV), suggesting the key role of genotype as compared to the environment. However, high heritability along with genetic advance (as % of mean) among studied genotypes suggests that the selection of studied traits simply on phenotypic basis can also be effective for the breeding program. Cluster analysis based on morphological traits, grouped genotypes into three clusters and cluster I, contained the maximum number of genotypes. In correlation analysis, significant positive correlation among plant fresh weight, root length, root weight, number of leaves and yield can be directly used a selection criteria. Studying of variability in qualitative traits through frequency distribution exhibited maximum variation for root shape and root base. This study showed considerable variability exists in studied genotypes that can further be used for the improvement of radish breeding. season however Pakistan quality straits coefficient co efficient GCV (GCV >20% 20 (>20% PCV, PCV , (PCV) environment However mean program I weight length criteria base >20 2 (>20 (PCV >2 (>2 > (> (

Resumo O levantamento fitossociológico foi realizado durante o período 2018-2020. A área de pesquisa foi classificada em cinco zonas ecológicas com base no habitat, na fisionomia e na composição de espécies. O software Pc-Ord foi utilizado para análise de agrupamento e quatro comunidades de vegetação foram estabelecidas. A comunidade Quercus baloot-Quercus incana está situada em Sair, a uma altitude de 1.196 m (média ± SE) de altitude, com um ângulo de inclinação de 14,1° ± 0, e contém 11 espécies de árvores. A comunidade Pinus wallichiana-Ailanthus altissima teve um número relativamente pequeno de espécies de árvores relatadas em Shakawlie, em 1.556 m (média ± SE) de altitude, com um ângulo de inclinação de 17,5° ± 0. A comunidade de Pinus wallichiana-Quercus incana está distribuída em Wali Kandao e Mangi Kandao, em altitude de 2.030,5 m (média ± SE) e ângulo de inclinação de 19,2° ± 1,4. Esta comunidade possui um total de 21 espécies de árvores e é altamente diversificada. Da mesma forma, o grupo Populus alba-Platanus orientalis esteve presente em Banr Pate, com altitude de 1.613 m (média ± SE) e ângulo de inclinação de 16,3°. Os métodos de análise de componentes principais (PCA) e ordenação de escala multidimensional não métrica (NMS) foram aplicados para estudar as relações entre variáveis ecológicas e de solo com espécies arbóreas. A ordenação NMS do eixo 1 foi significativamente correlacionada com as porcentagens de Areia (p<0,2), Nitrogênio (p<0,1) e Chumbo (mg/kg) (r=0,876751, p<0,05), enquanto a ordenação do eixo 2 foi significativamente correlacionada com as porcentagens de Silte (p<0,2), Areia (p<0,2), Matéria Orgânica (p<0,2), Potássio (mg/kg) (r=0,882433, p<0,02), Ferro (mg/kg) (r=0,614833, p<0,2), Cálcio (mg/kg) (r=0,721712, p< 0,2) e Zinco (mg/kg) (r=0,609545, p<0,2). Da mesma forma, a ordenação PCA do eixo 1 revelou que estava significativamente correlacionada com fósforo e cálcio, e ângulo de inclinação, enquanto a do eixo 2 estava significativamente correlacionada com zinco e manganês, e altitude. 20182020. 20182020 2018 2020. 2020 2018-2020 habitat PcOrd Pc Ord estabelecidas balootQuercus baloot Sair 1196 196 1.19 média SE 141 14 14,1 0 wallichianaAilanthus wallichiana Ailanthus Shakawlie 1556 556 1.55 175 17 5 17,5 wallichianaQuercus 20305 030 2.030, 192 19 19,2 4 1,4 diversificada forma albaPlatanus alba Platanus Pate 1613 613 1.61 163 16 3 16,3° (PCA (NMS arbóreas p<0,2, p02 p p<0,2 , (p<0,2) p<0,1 p01 (p<0,1 mg/kg mgkg mg kg (mg/kg r=0,876751, r0876751 r 876751 (r=0,876751 p<0,05, p005 p<0,05 05 p<0,05) r=0,882433, r0882433 882433 (r=0,882433 p<0,02, p002 p<0,02 02 p<0,02) r=0,614833, r0614833 614833 (r=0,614833 p<0,2) r=0,721712, r0721712 721712 (r=0,721712 0,2 r=0,609545, r0609545 609545 (r=0,609545 p<0,2. . cálcio manganês 2018202 201 202 2018-202 119 1.1 14, 155 55 1.5 17, 2030 03 2.030 19, 1, 161 61 1.6 16,3 p0 p<0, (p<0,2 (p<0, r=0,876751 r087675 87675 (r=0,87675 p00 p<0,0 r=0,882433 r088243 88243 (r=0,88243 r=0,614833 r061483 61483 (r=0,61483 r=0,721712 r072171 72171 (r=0,72171 r=0,609545 r060954 60954 (r=0,60954 201820 20 2018-20 1. 15 203 2.03 6 16, p<0 (p<0 r=0,87675 r08767 8767 (r=0,8767 r=0,88243 r08824 8824 (r=0,8824 r=0,61483 r06148 6148 (r=0,6148 r=0,72171 r07217 7217 (r=0,7217 r=0,60954 r06095 6095 (r=0,6095 20182 2018-2 2.0 (p< r=0,8767 r0876 876 (r=0,876 r=0,8824 r0882 882 (r=0,882 r=0,6148 r0614 614 (r=0,614 r=0,7217 r0721 721 (r=0,721 r=0,6095 r0609 609 (r=0,609 2018- 2. (p r=0,876 r087 87 (r=0,87 r=0,882 r088 88 (r=0,88 r=0,614 r061 (r=0,61 r=0,721 r072 72 (r=0,72 r=0,609 r060 60 (r=0,60 r=0,87 r08 8 (r=0,8 r=0,88 r=0,61 r06 (r=0,6 r=0,72 r07 7 (r=0,7 r=0,60 r=0,8 r0 (r=0, r=0,6 r=0,7 r=0, (r=0 r=0 (r= r= (r

Abstract The phytosociological survey was conducted during 2018-2020. The research area was classified into five ecological zones based on habitat, physiognomy and species composition. Pc-Ord software was used for cluster analysis and four vegetation communities were established. The Quercus baloot-Quercus incana community is situated in Sair at an altitude of 1196 (mean ± SE) m altitude with a 14.1 ± 0 slope angle and contains eleven tree species. The Pinus wallichiana- Ailanthus altissima community had a relatively small number of tree species reported in Shakawlie at 1556 (mean ± SE) with a 17.5 ± 0 slope angle. The Pinus wallichiana- Quercus incana community is distributed in Wali Kandao and Mangi Kandao at altitudes of 2030.5 (mean ± SE) m and the slope angle was 19.2 ± 1.4. This community possesses a total of twenty-one tree species and is highly diverse. Similarly, the Populus alba - Platanus orientalis group was present in Banr Pate, with an altitude of 1613 (mean ± SE) m and a 16.3 slope angle. The principal component analysis (PCA) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination methods were applied to study the relationships between ecological and soil variables with trees species. The NMS ordination of axis 1 was significantly correlated with Sand% (p<0.2), Nitrogen% (p<0.1) and Pb (mg/kg) (r= 0.876751, p<0.05), while the ordination of axis 2 was significantly correlated with Silt% (p<0.2), Sand% (p<0.2), Organic matter% (p<0.2), K (mg/kg) (r=0.882433, p<0.02), Fe (mg/kg)(r=0.614833, p<0.2), Ca (mg/kg) (r=0.721712, p< 0.2) and Zn (mg/kg) (r=0.609545, p<0.2). Similarly, the PCA ordination of axis 1 revealed that it was significantly correlated with phosphorus, calcium and slope angle, while that of axis 2 was significantly correlated with altitude, zinc and manganese. 20182020. 20182020 2018 2020. 2020 2018-2020 habitat composition PcOrd Pc Ord established balootQuercus baloot 119 mean SE 141 14 14. wallichiana 155 175 17 5 17. 20305 2030 2030. 192 19 19. 4 1.4 twentyone twenty one diverse Similarly Pate 161 163 16 3 16. (PCA nonmetric non metric (NMS Sand p<0.2, p02 p p<0.2 , (p<0.2) Nitrogen p<0.1 p01 (p<0.1 mg/kg mgkg mg kg (mg/kg r= r (r 0876751 876751 0.876751 p<0.05, p005 p<0.05 05 p<0.05) Silt matter r=0.882433, r0882433 882433 (r=0.882433 p<0.02, p002 p<0.02 02 p<0.02) mg/kgr=0.614833, mgkgr0614833 mgkgr r=0.614833, 614833 (mg/kg)(r=0.614833 p<0.2) r=0.721712, r0721712 721712 (r=0.721712 0.2 r=0.609545, r0609545 609545 (r=0.609545 p<0.2. . phosphorus manganese 2018202 201 202 2018-202 11 15 203 1. p0 p<0. (p<0.2 (p<0. 087675 87675 0.87675 p00 p<0.0 r=0.882433 r088243 88243 (r=0.88243 kgr mg/kgr=0.614833 mgkgr061483 r0614833 r=0.614833 61483 (mg/kg)(r=0.61483 r=0.721712 r072171 72171 (r=0.72171 0. r=0.609545 r060954 60954 (r=0.60954 201820 20 2018-20 p<0 (p<0 08767 8767 0.8767 r=0.88243 r08824 8824 (r=0.8824 mg/kgr=0.61483 mgkgr06148 r061483 r=0.61483 6148 (mg/kg)(r=0.6148 r=0.72171 r07217 7217 (r=0.7217 r=0.60954 r06095 6095 (r=0.6095 20182 2018-2 (p< 0876 876 0.876 r=0.8824 r0882 882 (r=0.882 mg/kgr=0.6148 mgkgr0614 r06148 r=0.6148 614 (mg/kg)(r=0.614 r=0.7217 r0721 721 (r=0.721 r=0.6095 r0609 609 (r=0.609 2018- (p 087 87 0.87 r=0.882 r088 88 (r=0.88 mg/kgr=0.614 mgkgr061 r0614 r=0.614 61 (mg/kg)(r=0.61 r=0.721 r072 72 (r=0.72 r=0.609 r060 60 (r=0.60 08 8 0.8 r=0.88 r08 (r=0.8 mg/kgr=0.61 mgkgr06 r061 r=0.61 6 (mg/kg)(r=0.6 r=0.72 r07 7 (r=0.7 r=0.60 r06 (r=0.6 r=0.8 r0 (r=0. mg/kgr=0.6 mgkgr0 r=0.6 (mg/kg)(r=0. r=0.7 r=0. (r=0 mg/kgr=0. (mg/kg)(r=0 r=0 mg/kgr=0 (mg/kg)(r= mg/kgr= (mg/kg)(r mg/kgr

Abstract Hedera nepalensis (H. nepalensis) , belonging to the family Araliaceae, is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat stomach problems. The current study investigated the gastroprotective potential and the mechanism of action of H. nepalensis in diclofenac-and ethanol-induced ulcer models. Anti-oxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibitory prospects of H. nepalensis were checked out by free radical scavenging assay and UV spectrophotometer respectively. Effect of H. nepalensis on the pH, gastric total acidity of gastric juice and protective effects of H. nepalensis against ulcer models have been examined. Histopathological studies have been carried out. The aqueous methanol extract of H. nepalensis (100 µg/mL) showed anti-oxidant (83.55%) and lipid peroxidation inhibitory (70.88%) potential at 1000 µg/mL; the extract had no buffer potential. The extract (400 mg/kg) significantly (81.12% and 63.46%) showed gastroprotective effect in diclofenac and ethanol-induced rat ulcer models respectively. Histopathological studies confirmed the biochemical findings. FTIR analysis showed the presence of carboxylic acid, alkanes, conjugated alkanes, aldehydes and alkyl-aryl ethers. Gallic acid, M-coumaric acid and quercetin were found by HPLC analysis. H. nepalensis exhibited significant protection against diclofenac and ethanol induced gastric damage by anti-oxidant and lipid peroxidation suppression effects suggesting potential broad utility in treatment of diseases characterized with gastric damage. H (H Araliaceae problems diclofenacand ethanolinduced Antioxidant Anti oxidant respectively pH examined 100 (10 µg/mL µgmL µg mL antioxidant anti 83.55% 8355 83 55 (83.55% 70.88% 7088 70 88 (70.88% 400 (40 mg/kg mgkg mg kg 81.12% 8112 81 12 (81.12 63.46% 6346 63 46 findings alkanes alkylaryl alkyl aryl ethers Mcoumaric M coumaric 10 (1 83.55 835 8 5 (83.55 70.88 708 7 (70.88 40 (4 81.12 811 1 (81.1 63.46 634 6 4 ( 83.5 (83.5 70.8 (70.8 81.1 (81. 63.4 83. (83. 70. (70. 81. (81 63. (83 (70 (8 (7

PURPOSE: This study is an endeavour to find the effect of human resource development on organisational performance. Human resource development is essential for better organisational productivity and effectiveness. RESEARCH PURPOSE: This study specifically investigates the impact of organisational context, resourcing, training and development, skills, attitude and behaviour on organisational performance. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This research study focuses on manufacturing companies in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. A standardised questionnaire with a response rate of 85% was used to gather data from a random sample of 50 manufacturing companies. The structural equation modelling technique was used for data analysis. FINDINGS: Organisational performance has a positive association with all the independent factors studied in this article: resourcing, training and development, employees' abilities, employee attitudes, employee behaviour and the organisational context. In addition, the outcomes of this research support the idea that human resource development methods might have a favourable influence on manufacturing business performance. There is no direct correlation between resourcing and organisational performance, although training and development activities are favourably connected with it. CONTRIBUTION: For the first time, this research aims to evaluate how human resource management (HRM) influences organisational performance in Pakistan by examining theoretically created pathways between key exogenous and endogenous factors.

Resumen La literatura sobre factores heurísticos y rendimiento de la inversión no es muy precisa. Por eso es muy importante explorar y cuantificar el mecanismo de mediación de las anomalías del mercado de valores en un entorno volátil. Los datos para esta investigación se recopilaron a través de una encuesta a inversores bursátiles que participan activamente en la inversión. Los hallazgos de este estudio indican que los factores heurísticos, la disponibilidad, el conservadurismo y la ilusión de control tienen una relación directa significativa y positiva con el rendimiento de la inversión. Para factores heurísticos como el anclaje y la falacia del apostador, ha habido una relación directa insignificante con el rendimiento de la inversión. Mientras que la ilusión de control y el conservadurismo, en relación indirecta con el rendimiento de la inversión, generan anomalías tanto fundamentales como técnicas en el mercado y afectan el rendimiento de la inversión a través de ambas anomalías. El sesgo de anclaje, el sesgo de disponibilidad y la falacia del apostador no causan anomalías técnicas y fundamentales en el mercado. Las anomalías fundamentales y técnicas tienen una importancia y una relación positiva con el rendimiento de la inversión.

Abstract: The literature of heuristic factors and investment performance is less confirmatory. That is why it is quite important to explore and quantify the mediation mechanism of stock market anomalies in a volatile environment. For this research, the data were collected through a survey to stock investors who are actively involved in investing. The findings of this study show that heuristic factors, availability, conservatism, and illusion of control have a significant and positive direct relationship to investment performance. For heuristic factors like anchoring and gambler's fallacy, there has been an insignificant direct relationship to investment performance. While in indirect relationship to the investment performance, illusion of control and conservatism generate both fundamental and technical anomalies in the market, and they affect the investment performance via technical and fundamental anomalies. Anchoring bias, availability bias and gambler fallacy do not generate both technical and fundamental anomalies in market. Fundamental and technical anomalies have a significant and positive relationship to investment performance.

Abstract Pregabalin, a GABA analogue is used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain. The drug poses problems in analytical quantification when estimated at a shorter UV wavelength. The expensive and non-repetitive reported analytical methods necessitate the utility and development of an accurate, precise, repetitive, simple and highly sensitive colorimetric method for pregabalin in solution as well as sustained release mini matrices. Pregabalin (having primary amino group) was derivatized at alkaline pH of mixture with optimized ninhydrin solution at ambient temperature (25oC). The ninhydrin-pregabalin derivatized complex (Ruhemann’s Purple) was analyzed for drug concentration at absorption maximum (λmax) of 570nm. The linearity was observed in the concentration range of 5-150 µg/mL with coefficient of correlation, 0.998. The developed analytical method was validated according to ICH guidelines and proved to be highly sensitive (LOD 0.917µg/mL, LOQ 3.055µg/mL), with good inter-day as well as intra-day accuracy and precision as 4.65% and 3.75%, respectively. The proposed method was proved to be a simple, sensitive, precise and accurate for the estimation of the minute concentrations of pregabalin in pure form and the developed formulations. Results verified that the proposed method could determine pregabalin at the ambient temperature without requiring high temperatures used in the existing methods. It was concluded that developed method was easier and more suitable for analysis of pregabalin in quality control of commercial preparations. pain wavelength nonrepetitive non repetitive matrices having group 25oC. 25oC oC . (25oC) ninhydrinpregabalin Ruhemanns Ruhemann s Purple λmax (λmax 570nm nm 5150 5 150 5-15 µgmL µg mL correlation 0998 0 998 0.998 LOD 0917µgmL 917µg 0.917µg/mL 3.055µg/mL, 3055µgmL 3.055µg/mL , 3 055µg 3.055µg/mL) interday inter day intraday intra 465 4 65 4.65 375 75 3.75% respectively formulations preparations (25oC 515 15 5-1 099 99 0.99 46 6 4.6 37 7 3.75 51 1 5- 09 9 0.9 4. 3.7 0. 3.

Abstract The leafhopper Tambocerus viraktamathi Rao is a newly recorded species in Pakistan. So far, only two species have been identified from the genus Tambocerus Zhang & Webb in Pakistan. Their distinguishing features, along with illustrations, are provided below.

Resumen La chicharrita Tambocerus viraktamathi Rao es una especie recién registrada en Pakistán. Hasta ahora, sólo se han identificado dos especies del género Tambocerus Zhang & Webb en Pakistán. A continuación se presentan sus características distintivas, junto con ilustraciones.

ABSTRACT Ten coumarin class of compounds, including new fused coumarinolignoids namely, mucronin-C ( 1 ) were isolated from the methanol extract from whole plant of Daphne mucronata Royle. The structures of mucronin-C ( 1 ) and its configurations were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods including 1DNMR, 2D-NMR and HR-FAB-MS. The isolated compounds 1 - 10 were evaluated for in-vitro biological activities. The anti-inflammatory (lipoxygenase) activities of compound 1, 4, 8, 9 and 10 (IC50 = 21.7, 23.7, 25.1, 27.3 and 26.0 μg/mL, respectively) were higher compared with standard Quercetin (IC50 = 22.5 μg/mL). The antioxidant property of coumarin as evaluated by DPPH scavenging bioassay was significantly greater in compounds 1-5, 9 and 10 (IC50 = 0.7, 0.8, 1.9, 2.3, 2.8, 0.5 and 2.1 μg/mL respectively) as standard Trolox (IC50 = 0.3 μg/mL). The density functional descriptors in the progress of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) are significant to analyze the reactive sites and antioxidant ability of compounds. We have explored the reactive sites and radical scavenging activity of studied coumarin derivatives by shedding light on electron affinity, ionization potential, molecular electrostatic potential, frontier molecular orbitals and molecular descriptors analysis. First-principles calculations about one-electron transfer mechanism revealed that smaller ionization potential value of Compounds 1-5, 9 and 10 are leading to superior antioxidant activity, which is in good agreement with the experimental data.

RESUMO A presente pesquisa avaliou a mudança espaço-temporal na floresta subtropical do distrito de Malakand através de técnicas de Sensoriamento Remoto e GIS. O principal objetivo era identificar diferentes classes de cobertura terrestre e determinar as mudanças temporais na cobertura florestal na área de estudo. Este estudo foi baseado nas duas diferentes técnicas de classificação da cobertura do solo. Neste estudo, quatro imagens Landsat foram adquiridas com o intervalo de 10 anos, de 1988 a 2018. A classificação de máxima probabilidade e a classificação de distância mínima foram aplicadas passo a passo em todas as quatro imagens. A área total do distrito de Malakand foi registrada como 975,32 km2. Em relação à porcentagem de cobertura de área sábia, a floresta cobriu 22,1 % da área total, enquanto os assentamentos de outras classes, agricultura, terra árida e água cobriram 17,7, 23,3, 33 e 3,9% respectivamente em 1988. Enquanto que em 2018, a porcentagem de cobertura de área razoável abrangia 9,3 % da área total, embora os assentamentos de outras classes, a agricultura, a terra árida e a água tenham coberto 33,8, 22,3, 31,8 e 3,7, respectivamente. A mudança na área florestal ao longo do tempo foi de 60,4 km2 que é igual a 6,2 % durante 1998 a 2008 e finalmente o desmatamento total foi de 124,4 km 2 que é igual a 12,7% de perda de área de floresta perdida de 1998 a 2018. Assim, a área florestal foi mudada para assentamentos e terras áridas de 1988 a 2018. O Índice de Vegetação com Diferença Normalizada (NDVI) foi calculado para 1988, 1998, 2008 e 2018. Com base na análise do NDVI, o desmatamento total ao longo do tempo foi de 166,29 km 2 nos últimos 30 anos (1988-2018) com percentual de desmatamento de 43,66 % de área perdida. As imagens Landsat têm resolução de 30 metros e pequenas mudanças de área florestal não podem ser detectadas pelas imagens Landsat, assim, produtos de alta resolução podem detectar mais desmatamento comparativamente.

ABSTRACT The present research evaluated spatio-temporal change in the sub-tropical forest of district Malakand through Remote Sensing and GIS techniques. The main objective was to identify different land cover classes and to determine temporal changes in forest cover in the study area. This study was based on the two different classification techniques for the land cover classification. In this study, four Landsat images were acquired with the interval of 10 years from 1988 to 2018. The maximum likelihood classification and Minimum distance classification was applied on all the four images step by step. The total area of district Malakand was recorded as 975.32 km2. Regarding percent wise area coverage Forest covered 22.1 % of the total area while other classes' settlements, agriculture, barren land and water have covered 17.7, 23.3, 33 and 3.9 % respectively in 1988. Whereas in 2018, percent wise area coverage forest covered 9.3 % of the total area although other classes' settlements, agriculture, barren land and water have covered 33.8, 22.3, 31.8 and 3.7 respectively. The change in forest area over the time was 60.4 km2 which is equal to 6.2 % during 1998 to 2008 and ultimately overall deforestation was 124.4 km2 which is equal to 12.7 % loss of forest area lost from 1998 to 2018. Thus, the forest area was changed to settlements and barren lands from 1988 to 2018. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated for 1988, 1998, 2008 and 2018. Based on NDVI analysis, total deforestation over the time was 166.29 km2 in last 30 years (1988-2018) with percent deforestation of 43.66 % area lost. The Landsat images have 30 meters resolution and small forest area changes can not detected by Landsat images, thus high-resolution products can detect more deforestation comparatively.

RESUMEN La presente investigación evaluó el cambio espacio-temporal en el bosque subtropical del distrito de Malakand mediante técnicas de teledetección y SIG. El objetivo principal era identificar las diferentes clases de cobertura del suelo y determinar los cambios temporales de la cobertura forestal en el área de estudio. Este estudio se basó en dos técnicas de clasificación diferentes para la clasificación de la cubierta del suelo. En este estudio, se adquirieron cuatro imágenes Landsat con un intervalo de diez años desde 1988 hasta 2018. La clasificación de máxima verosimilitud y la clasificación de mínima distancia se aplicaron a las cuatro imágenes paso a paso. La superficie total del distrito de Malakand se registró como 975,32 km2. En lo que respecta a la cobertura porcentual de la superficie, el bosque cubrió el 22,1 % de la superficie total, mientras que los asentamientos, la agricultura, las tierras baldías y el agua cubrieron el 17,7, el 23,3, el 33 y el 3,9 % respectivamente en 1988. Durante el año 2018, el bosque cubrió el 9,3 % de la superficie total, así también los asentamientos de otras clases, la agricultura, la tierra estéril y el agua han cubierto el 33,8, 22,3, 31,8 y 3,7 respectivamente. El cambio en la superficie forestal a lo largo del tiempo fue de 60,4 km2, lo que equivale a un 6,2 % durante el período 1998-2008 y, en última instancia, la deforestación global fue de 124,4 km2, lo que equivale a una pérdida del 12,7 % de la superficie forestal perdida entre 1998 y 2018. Por lo tanto, la superficie forestal se transformó en asentamientos y tierras baldías de 1988 a 2018. Se calculó el índice de vegetación de diferencia normalizada (NDVI) para 1988, 1998, 2008 y 2018. Según el análisis del NDVI, la deforestación total a lo largo del tiempo fue de 166,29 km2 en los últimos 30 años (1988-2018), con un porcentaje de deforestación del 43,66 % de superficie perdida. Las imágenes Landsat tienen una resolución de 30 metros y los cambios en las áreas forestales pequeñas no pueden ser detectados por las imágenes Landsat, a diferencia de los productos de alta resolución que pueden detectar más deforestación en comparación.

ABSTRACT By condensing ethylene-1,2-diamine with different aldehydes such as benzaldehyde, 4-chloroacetophenone and 2-chlorobenzaldeyhde within 1:2 molar ratio, resulted new series of Schiff base ligands (L1)-(L3) containing bidentate nitrogen atom. Their metal complexes were synthesized by coordinating the ligands with transition metals as Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) and exhibited octahedral geometry. Their characterization was done with the help of spectral, physical and analytical analysis. Spectral and elemental analysis of all bidentate ligands and their corresponding 3d-metal chelates was consistent with their proposed structures, signifying the high purity of these compounds. For in-vitro studies, these metal complexes along their ligands were screened against the six bacterial strains; Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis. Six fungal strains; Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton mentogrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton schoenleinii, Microscopum canis and Fusarium culmorum were used to study antifungal activity of the compounds. Bioactivity results exhibited that metal complexes showed higher antimicrobial potential as compared with their corresponding ligands. The enhanced activity resulted due to chelation that decreases the polarity of metal ions by complexing with bidentate ligands.

RESUMO O estresse salino é uma das principais restrições à produção de trigo. A manutenção de um baixo acúmulo de Na+ nas folhas pode melhorar a tolerância do tecido ao estresse salino. Um experimento de campo foi conduzido para discriminar vinte genótipos de trigo, com base no acúmulo de Na+ nas folhas como critério para tolerância ao sal, e avaliar o efeito do acúmulo de sódio na produção de biomassa, características fisiológicas e de produção de genótipos cultivados em ambiente salino-sódico. A concentração de Na+ foi determinada em folhas jovens totalmente expandidas, no estágio de crescimento vegetativo. Os genótipos foram categorizados em dois grupos contrastantes (com baixo e alto teor de Na+), em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados, com três repetições. Os genótipos com baixo teor de Na+ (V-03094, V-02156, TURACO, V0005 e PVN) mostraram retenção de clorofila, teor de K+ foliar, prolina e conteúdo fenólico por períodos muito mais longos do que os com alto teor. Os efeitos da salinidade sobre os componentes de rendimento também foram menores nos genótipos com baixo teor de Na+ nas folhas do que os com alto teor. O maior rendimento de grãos de genótipos com baixo acúmulo de Na+ deveu-se ao aumento no número e peso dos grãos em seus perfilhos, que mostraram-se fortemente associados ao maior efluxo de Na+ das folhas. Os genótipos com baixo acúmulo de sódio melhoraram a emergência de plântulas (%) e o rendimento de grãos, em solo salino-sódico.

ABSTRACT Salt stress is a major production constraint in wheat. The maintenance of a low Na+ accumulation in the leaves may improve the tissue tolerance against salt stress. A field experiment was conducted to discriminate twenty wheat genotypes, based on leaf Na+ accumulation as a criterion for salt tolerance, and evaluate the effect of sodium accumulation on the biomass production, physiological and yield traits of wheat genotypes grown in a saline-sodic environment. The Na+ concentration was determined in young fully expanded leaves at the vegetative growth stage. The genotypes were categorized into two contrasting groups (with low and high Na+ content), in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. The low Na+ genotypes (V-03094, V-02156, TURACO, V0005 and PVN) showed much longer chlorophyll retention, leaf K+ content, proline and phenolic contents than the high Na+ genotypes. The salt effects on yield components were also less in the wheat genotypes with low leaf Na+ content than the high Na+ genotypes. The greater grain yield of low Na+ accumulating genotypes was due to the enhanced grain number and weight in their tillers, which were strongly associated with the higher Na+ efflux from the leaves. The low sodium accumulator genotypes improved the seedling emergence (%) and grain yield in saline-sodic soil.

Abstract The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an important insect pest of the cotton crop worldwide. Sex-pheromone and light traps were used to monitor the adult P. gossypiella population in Bt cotton field for the years 2017-18 at southern Punjab, Pakistan. The sampling of infested bolls was done to record the damage level of P. gossypiella. The sex-pheromone traps captured approximately 2-3 times more adults than light traps in all locations during 2017-18. For sex-pheromone traps, temperature showed negative and strong relation (R. = 0.63-0.80) with trap catches. Fewer bolls (7.0-9.0%) were infested in plots where sex-pheromone traps were installed compared to check plots (32-37%). Therefore, the pheromone trapping proved an effective and eco-friendly tool for the monitoring and management of P. gossypiella. Our findings enable forecasting of seasonal P. gossypiella population providing additional information for the development of an integrated pest management program for this pest.

Resumen La lagarta rosada, o gusano rosado del algodón, Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) es una importante plaga de insectos del cultivo del algodón en todo el mundo. Para monitorear la población adulta de P. gossypiella en el campo de algodón Bt, se utilizaron trampas de luz y feromonas sexuales, durante los años 2017-18 en el sur de Punjab, Pakistán. El muestreo de cápsulas infestadas se realizó para registrar el nivel de daño de P. gossypiella. Las trampas de feromonas sexuales capturaron aproximadamente 2-3 veces más adultos que las trampas de luz en todos los lugares durante 2017-18. Para las trampas de feromonas sexuales, la temperatura mostró una fuerte relación negativa (R. = 0,63-0,80) con las capturas de trampas. Se infestaron menos cápsulas (7.0-9.0%) en las parcelas donde se instalaron trampas de feromonas sexuales en comparación con las parcelas de control (32-37%). Por lo tanto, la captura de feromonas resultó ser una herramienta eficaz y ecológica para el seguimiento y manejo de P. gossypiella. Los hallazgos permiten pronosticar la población estacional de P. gossypiella proporcionando información adicional para el desarrollo de un programa de manejo integrado para esta plaga.

The aim of present work was to investigate blends of Eudragit® NE 30D with Aquacoat® ECD using different ratios to eliminate curing effect associated with individual polymers. Propranolol HCl 10% w/w was layered onto sugar cores using 5% w/w HPMC as a binder. Drug-layered-cores were coated either with pure or blends of Aquacoat® ECD: Eudragit® NE 30D in a fluidized bed coater to obtain 20% w/w coating level. Talc 35% w/w was used as anti-tacking agent. The pellets were characterized for in vitro dissolution studies, morphology, water uptake-weight loss, osmolality and adhesion of coating after curing at 60 °C or 60 °C/75% RH for 24 h. The findings revealed that Aquacoat® ECD coated pellets showed curing effect due to further gradual coalescence of polymeric particles which resulted into better film formation upon curing. In contrast, the curing effect of Eudragit® NE 30D coated pellets was caused by decrease in adhesion of coatings after curing which provided entirely different swelling behavior of uncured (localized swelling) and cured (uniform swelling) pellets. The undesired curing effect of individual polymers was eliminated by using their blends in appropriate ratio.

Resumo Vegetais minimamente processados podem ser preparados a partir de várias etapas de processamento como lavagem, toalete, retirada da casca, corte, seguidas por embalagem e armazenamento refrigerado. O presente estudo objetivou determinar os efeitos de diferentes na qualidade e na vida-de-prateleira de batata minimamente processada. Tipos diferentes de corte, tais como fatias, dadinhos, cubos e cunhas, foram selecionados para este estudo, com intuito de avaliar seu efeito na vida-de-prateleira das batatas. Batatas cortadas em diferentes formatos foram tratadas com cloreto de cálcio, ácido cítrico e metabissulfito de potássio (3%, 2% e 0,3%), armazenadas a 4 °C por 60 dias e depois avaliadas por análises físico-químicas (firmeza, perda de peso, pH, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis totais (SST) e conteúdo de ácido ascórbico (AA)) e microbiológicas. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos para o corte em pequenos cubos, com mudanças mínimas em SST (5,31%), pH (5,65), acidez titulável (0,34%), perda de peso (9,04%) e conteúdo de AA (10,86%). A atividade microbiana em todos os cortes de batata permaneceu dentro de limites aceitáveis, durante o armazenamento refrigerado.

Abstract Fresh-cut vegetables can be minimally processed through cleaning/washing, trimming, peeling, slicing and dicing, followed by packaging and cold storage. This study aimed to verify the effect of different cuts on the quality and shelf life of fresh-cut potato. Different cut types, such as slices, dices, cubes and wedges, were selected for this study to evaluate the shelf-life response of potatoes. Potato pieces of these different shapes were treated with calcium chloride, citric acid, and potassium metabisulfite (3%, 2% and 0.3%, respectively), stored in plastic boxes at 4 ˚C for 60 days, and then physicochemically (firmness (N), weight loss (WL), pH, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and ascorbic acid (AA) content analyses) and microbiologically assessed. The best results were observed for the dice cut type, which showed minimal changes in TSS (5.31%), pH (5.65), TA (0.34%), WL (9.04%), and AA content (10.86%). Moreover, the microbial activity of all shapes of potato pieces remained within acceptable limits during cold storage.