ABSTRACT Integrated nutrient management (INM) is an environment friendly and ecologically adoptable approach of plant nutrition to sustain crop productivity and maintain soil fertility of fragile agricultural ecosystems. A three-year field experiment on saffron was conducted involving 12 fertilization regimes: control; urea (UN) = 100 kg·ha-1; poultry manure (PM) = 100 kg·ha-1; farmyard manure (FYM) = 100 kg·ha-1; PM50 + FYM50; UN75 + PM25; UN50 + PM50; UN25 + PM75; UN75 + FYM25; UN50 + FYM50; UN25 + FYM75; and UN50 + PM25+ FYM25. Results showed that PM alone and combined with 50% UN (UN50 + PM50) were effective compared to the controls in increasing the number of flowers (58%), flower dry weight (59%), stigma length (70%), dry weight of stigma (40%), number of daughter corms plant-1 (35%), and corm diameter (71%) of saffron over years. In addition, the same treatment combination increased corm weight (96%), corm yield (96%), and stigma yield (35%) over controls across the years. This treatment combination was followed by UN50 + PM25 + FYM25, while UN50 alone did not perform at par to the rest of the fertilization regimes. These results showed that UN50 + PM50 might be developed as potent strategy for boosting the growth and yield (stigma and daughter corms yield) of saffron in temperate climatic conditions.

Resumen Deben resolverse los deberes diarios, las tareas, las diversas situaciones y las decisiones. Sin embargo, con frecuencia postergamos las actividades críticas para más tarde debido a una sobrecarga de información de diversas fuentes, un número excesivo de tareas, el ritmo de vida rápido, etc. El comportamiento de procrastinación impide el desarrollo de todas las organizaciones. El objetivo principal es identificar las posibles diferencias en la procrastinación y el uso adecuado de la policronicidad en un contexto transcultural. Se consideró una muestra de 281 empleados de industrias manufactureras en Pakistán. Las hipótesis propuestas en este estudio fueron probadas mediante la técnica de Modelado de Ecuaciones Estructurales (SEM). Los hallazgos indicaron que la policronicidad aumentó el comportamiento de procrastinación, el papel de la influencia de la mediación de conflictos. Además, la autonomía laboral actúa como un moderador negativo de la influencia de la policronicidad en el papel de los sucesos de conflicto, debilitando así todo el proceso de mediación entre la policronicidad y la conducta procrastinadora individual. Finalmente, los resultados se utilizan para mostrar las implicaciones teóricas y prácticas del modelo.

Abstract Daily duties, tasks, various situations, and decisions must be resolved. However, it is frequently the case that we defer critical activities till later due to an overload of information from many sources, an excessive number of duties, the quick pace of life, and so on. Procrastination behavior impedes the development of every organization. The main objective is to identify possible differences in procrastination and the proper use of polychronicity in a cross-cultural context. A sample of 281 employees of manufacturing industries in Pakistan was considered. A study proposed hypotheses were tested through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique. The findings indicated that polychronicity increased procrastinating behavior, the role of conflict mediation influence. Furthermore, job autonomy acts as a negative moderator of polychronicity influence on the role of conflict occurrences, therefore weakening the entire mediating process between polychronicity and individual procrastinating behaviour. Finally, the results are used to show the model's theoretical and practical implications.

Abstract Wheat based products are consumed as staple food in most the of Asians countries, hence different wheat cultivars are purposely developed to meet the diverse ecological conditions. These cultivars carry difference in their rheometry nutrition and gluten microstructure that affect the overall product quality. In the present investigation ten wheat varieties were selected from two most common ecological zones i.e. rain fed and irrigated. In general, non-significant differences were observed in most of nutritional parameters however, tremendous variations were studied in rheometry and functional features. More than fifteen parameters were linked through Principal Competent Analysis (PCA) which has segregated the cultivars in to four groups. Analyses of secondary structure of gluten were also analysed through Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and hierarchical cluster for FTIR gluten structure divided wheat cultivars in three groups. Results revealed that wheat cultivars (Borlog-2015 and Zincole-2016) having high protein contents (15%), more water absorption capacity (72.0%), dough development time (11.2 min), stability time (15 min) and mixing tolerance index (11.0 min) made their own cluster and showed variable spectra estimated between the 1750 to 1500 cm-1. On the bases of findings of both PCA model and clustering of FTIR proteins, it was revealed these two cultivars are suited for bread making. In contradiction to above features other two cultivars (Pirsabak-2005 and Wafaq-2001) were found good for making biscuits.

Abstract For the proper utilization of the fruits peel, investigation on their biological potential is needed. The present study was designed to determine the proximate composition and biological activities of the fruit peel extracts of three common fruits namely Citrullus lanatus, Punica protopunica and Pyrus pashia. The methanolic fruit peel extracts (FPEs) were analyzed for phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity in terms of free radical scavenging capacity (FRSC), antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum. The fruit peels were found to be statistically different (p < 0.05) in ash, moisture, crude protein, crude fiber content. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in ascorbic acid and total phenolic content, and antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activates of the selected FPEs. Each of the FPE showed a concentration-dependent significant linear increase in FRSC. However, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the FPEs against each of the selected bacterial and fungal strains was found to be a logarithmic function of the extract concentration. The FPE of P. pashia was found to be the best among the selected plants due to comparatively higher values of carbohydrate, crude fiber and ascorbic acid content, FRSC, antibacterial and antifungal activity.

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.

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the vaccination status and barriers to vaccination among the university students by utilizing a simple random sampling technique in the largest public sector university of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. The participants comprised 380 university students. Data was collected by a self-designed questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. Chi-square Test and Fischer Exact test were applied to assess the impact of demographics on vaccination status, and barriers to vaccination. Out of 380 participants, 328 (86.31%) were males and 52 (13.68) females. The immunization status of university students against various diseases was variable: 97.10% (n=369) were vaccinated against poliomyelitis, 58.68% (n=223) against BCG, 44.21% (n=168) against hepatitis B, 49.21% (n=187) against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus and 55.26% (n=210) against measles vaccine. The barriers to vaccination were unwillingness 15.0% (n=57), inaccessibility 17.10% (n=65), financial issues 4.47 % (n=17) and unawareness 63.42% (n=241). Moreover, 31% (n=118) of the participants considered that the use of vaccines is unsafe. The vaccination status of the university students in Southern Punjab, Pakistan is alarming as most of the students were unvaccinated. The unawareness and perception of the unsafety of vaccines were the biggest barriers to vaccination.

RESUMEN Se realizó un estudio transversal para determinar el estado de vacunación y las barreras a la vacunación entre los estudiantes universitarios, mediante la utilización de una técnica de muestreo aleatorio simple, en la universidad más grande del sector público del sur de Punjab, Pakistán. Los participantes fueron 380 estudiantes universitarios. Los datos se recopilaron mediante un cuestionario de diseño propio. Se utilizó el Paquete Estadístico para Ciencias Sociales (SPSS) para el análisis de datos. Se aplicaron la prueba de chi-cuadrado y la prueba exacta de Fischer para evaluar el impacto de la demografía en el estado de vacunación y las barreras para la vacunación. De 380 participantes, 328 (86,31%) fueron hombres y 52 (13,68%) mujeres. El estado de inmunización de los estudiantes universitarios frente a diversas enfermedades fue variable: 97,10% (n = 369) fueron vacunados contra poliomielitis, 58,68% (n = 223) contra BCG, 44,21% (n = 168) contra hepatitis B, 49,21% (n = 187) contra la difteria, tos ferina y tétanos y 55,26% (n = 210) contra la vacuna contra el sarampión. Las barreras para la vacunación fueron la falta de voluntad 15,0% (n = 57); la inaccesibilidad 17,10% (n = 65); los problemas económicos 4,47% (n = 17) y el desconocimiento 63,42% (n = 241). Además, el 31% (n = 118) de los participantes consideró que el uso de vacunas no es seguro. El estado de vacunación de los estudiantes universitarios en el sur de Punjab, Pakistán, es alarmante ya que la mayoría de los estudiantes no estaban vacunados. El desconocimiento y la percepción de la inseguridad de las vacunas fueron las mayores barreras para la vacunación.

Abstract In order to ascertain physicochemical and nutraceutical attributes, indigenous guava (Psidium guajava L.) cultivars were comprehensively characterized. Eight cultivars namely Gola, Chota Gola, Surahi, Choti Surahi, Sufaida, Sdabahar, Lal Badshah and Karela were selected due to their climatic adaptability and commercial suitability. All the cultivars showed significant variations in terms of their studied quality attributes. Amongst physical characteristics, Gola exhibited highest (79.9 mm3) GMD with lowest (50.3 mm3) was estimated in Choti Surahi. Insignificant varietal differences were observed in most of the proximate parameters as well as in mineral contents. Nutraceutical estimations showed significant variation in ascorbic acid (222.26-289.43 mg/100 g), total phenolic contents (94.06-190.64 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoid contents (81.30-154.19 mg QE/100 g) and radical scavenging activity (27.70-78.15%) in the selected cultivars. A highly significant correlation (R2 = 0.9970 p < 0.05) was observed between ascorbic acid and radical scavenging activity. In sensory evaluation, Gola received over all maximum scores (8.8) amongst its counterparts. Processed data were then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). The combination of PCA and HCA yielded in a sufficient discrimination of the examined guava cultivars. In PCA analysis, first two PCA components explained 65.98% of the total variation. Dendrogram successfully classified the tested cultivars into three major groups featuring dissimilarities amongst the cultivars. Research outcome will provide baseline for the farmers, researchers, exporters and other stalk holders to realize the ultimate potential of indigenous guava cultivars for their appropriate commercial utilization.

Abstract Drinking water quality is of vital importance for the healthy life of a community especially if consumer is a teenager. In order to compare groundwater profile of flooded area (FA) and non-flooded area (NFA) of district Sanghar, 120 water samples from public schools were collected and investigated for physico-chemical parameters, essential metals, trace elements and microbiological indicators. Analysis data revealed that 47% samples in FA were contaminated with faecal coliform bacteria as compared to only 8.3% in NFA. On the other hand, chemical indicators like TDS, Ca, Na, K, SO4, Mg and hardness were higher in FA. Comparison of trace elements content with WHO guidelines revealed that concentration of Fe, As and Zn was higher in 66.7%, 31.7% and 13.3% water samples, respectively in FA whereas content of these elements was also on higher side in 3.3%, 23.3% and 1.7% samples in NFA, respectively. Health risk assessment due to high concentration of Fe, As and Zn showed that As HRI>1, for children in 35 and 23% water samples in FA and NFA, respectively.

Resumen La calidad del agua potable es de vital importancia para la vida saludable de una comunidad, especialmente si el consumidor es un adolescente. Para comparar el perfil de las aguas subterráneas del área inundada (FA) y el área no inundada (NFA) del distrito de Sanghar, se recolectaron e investigaron 120 muestras de agua de escuelas públicas para determinar parámetros fisicoquímicos, metales esenciales, oligoelementos e indicadores microbiológicos. Los datos del análisis revelaron que 47% de las muestras en FA estaba contaminada con bacterias coliformes fecales en comparación con sólo 8.3% en NFA. Por otro lado, los indicadores químicos como TDS, Ca, Na, K, SO4, Mg y dureza fueron más altos en FA. La comparación del contenido de elementos traza con las pautas de la OMS reveló que la concentración de Fe, As y Zn fue mayor en 66.7, 31.7 y 13.3% de muestras de agua, respectivamente, en FA, mientras que el contenido de estos elementos también estuvo en el lado superior en 3.3, 23.3 y 1.7% de muestras en NFA, respectivamente. La evaluación del riesgo para la salud debido a la alta concentración de Fe, As y Zn mostró que As HRI > 1, para niños en 35 y 23% de muestras de agua en FA y NFA, respectivamente.

Abstract Fruits and vegetables (F and V) are valuable for their micronutrients, but many F and V in diverse growth areas have not been scientifically validated for these components. The nutraceutical characteristics of the pulp of eight citrus fruits grown in Pakistan were, therefore, investigated. Expectedly, the fruits differed in moisture (86.9-88.9%), ash (0.37-0.53%), pH (2.9-5.8), total soluble solids (8.1-13.7 °Brix), titratable acidity (7.9-13.1%), total sugars (5.1-8.8%), reducing sugars (2.8-4.3%), and non-reducing sugars (0.3-0.5%) contents. Potassium, sodium and magnesium were the major minerals, while iron, zinc and manganese were present in minor fractions in the pulps. Phytochemical analysis (total phenolic content, 132-243 µg/g GAE; total flavonoids content, 4.2-12.1 µg/g QE; vitamin C, 36.3-62.3 mg/100 g) revealed antioxidant potential that was confirmed by a high 1, 1-diphenyl 1-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, showing a highly positive correlation (r2 > 0.921, 0.917, 0.807 p > 0.05) with the measured antioxidant components (Total Phenolics, Total Flavonoids and vitamin C). Principal component analysis shows a significant relationship between the citrus varieties and their quality parameters to guide their industrial potential as sources of nutraceuticals.

Abstract A zero-sum flow is an assignment of nonzero integers to the edges such that the sum of the values of all edges incident with each vertex is zero, and we call it a zero-sum k-flow if the absolute values of edges are less than k. We recall the zero-sum flow number of G as the least integer k for which G admitting a zero sum k-flow. In this paper we gave complete zero-sum flow and zero sum numbers for Octagonal Grid and Generalized Prism.

Abstract The number of attributes, related to the selection of potato varieties, was evaluated with reference to their potential in chip processing. Five commercial varieties of potato were analyzed regarding their physico-chemical, functional, and processing aspects. In general, Lady Rosetta subsequently, Chipsona were the most noticeable potato varieties considering their physical attributes. A significant correlation (R = 0.925) was estimated amongst geometric mean diameter and surface area. Maximum dry matter and starch contents were observed in Lady Rosetta followed by Chipsona. Desiree showed higher fat, sugar and mineral contents than all other selected potato cultivars. Promising correlation (R= 0.952) was estimated among total minerals and ash contents. Functional traits were recorded maximum in Desiree followed by Lady Rosetta. A significant correlation (R = 0.907) was described between total phenolic contents and radical scavenging activity. Lady Rosetta proved to be the most preferred potato variety considering post processing parameters followed by Chipsona.

ABSTRACT Drinking water quality is considered to be of vital importance for all human beings and animals but its significance is much more heightened when consumer is a teenager. In view of foregone, groundwater quality assessment of 150 public schools situated in flooded areas of Southern Punjab, Pakistan, was carried out. Analysis results revealed that 49 and 37 % water samples are contaminated with coliform and faecal coliforms, respectively. On the other hand chemicals constituents in samples, including calcium (43 %), magnesium (11 %), potassium (37 %), sodium (31 %), sulphate (39 %), hardness (31 %), total dissolved solids (TDS) (35 %) and chloride (15 %) were higher than World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The situation is more serious as fluoride, iron and arsenic were also found in high concentration in 15, 60 and 58 % samples, respectively. Health risk assessment data indicated that mean chronic daily intake (CDI) values for children and adults were 0.592 and 0.537 μg/kg/day for arsenic and 0.012 and 0.011 μg/kg/day for iron, respectively. Calculated arsenic health risk index (HRI) > 1 for 88 and 58 % water samples for children and adults respectively, which highlights possible health risks associated with intake of contaminated water.

RESUMEN La calidad del agua potable se considera de vital importancia para todos los seres humanos y animales, pero su importancia aumenta mucho más cuando el consumidor es un adolescente. En vista de lo anterior, se llevó a cabo una evaluación de la calidad de las aguas subterráneas de 150 escuelas públicas ubicadas en áreas inundadas del sur de Punjab, Pakistán. Los resultados del análisis revelaron que 49 y 37% de las muestras de agua están contaminadas con coliformes y coliformes fecales, respectivamente. Por otro lado, los componentes químicos en las muestras que incluyen calcio (43 %), magnesio (11 %), potasio (37 %), sodio (31 %), sulfato (39 %), dureza (31 %), sólidos disueltos totales (TDS) (35 %) y cloruro (15 %)en 43, 11, 37, 31, 39, 31, 35 y 15% de las muestras fueron mayores que los límites de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). La situación es más ya que el fluoruro, el hierro y el arsénico también se encontraron en altas concentraciones en 15, 60 y 58% de las muestras, respectivamente. Los datos de evaluación de riesgo para la salud indicaron que los valores medios de ingesta crónica diaria (CDI, por sus siglas en inglés) para niños y adultos fueron de 0.592 y 0.537 μg/kg/día para arsénico y 0.012 y 0.011 μg/kg/día para el hierro, respectivamente. El índice de rieso, calculado para el arsénico, (HRI, por sus siglas en inglés) fue > 1 para 88 y 58% de muestras de agua para niños y adultos, respectivamente, lo que destaca los posibles riesgos para la salud asociados con la ingesta de agua contaminada.

Abstract Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIF-301) were synergistically incorporated into glassy polysulfone (PSF) to prepare mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) to separate CO2 from post combustion flue gas. The flexible MMMs rendering consistent distribution and improved adhesion of nanofillers with the polymer matrix were hydrothermally stable under wet conditions. Gas sorption analysis along with dry and wet gas permeation experiments showed that both CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 selectivity of MMMs were improved owing to the synergistic effect of nanofillers. The MMM filled with 18 wt % ZIF-301 nanofillers and 6 wt % CNTs showed an optimum separation performance by providing a CO2 permeability of 19 Barrers with a CO2/N2 selectivity of 48. The CO2 separation performance of MMMs prepared in this work was found to be better than those of already existing hydrothermally stable MMMs.

Anodic electro catalysts are developed by using a titanium substrate coated with different compositions of mixed oxides, as it follows: ruthenium-titanium mixed oxides; ruthenium-titanium-tin mixed oxides; and ruthenium-titanium-iridium mixed oxides. The performance of electro catalysts was further evaluated by measuring coating thickness, studying coating morphology with microscope, identifying the presence of RuO2, TiO2, IrO2 and SnO2 in coating film, analyzing shape of individual crystal by XRD, performing accelerated life test and current efficiency test of the selected anode. The coating composition of 15% RuO2, 15% IrO2 and 70% TiO2 exhibited premium properties among the studied anodes.

RESUMOO flurbiprofeno, potente anti-inflamatório não esteroidal, é amplamente utilizado no alívio da dor de pacientes que possuem doenças reumáticas, enxaqueca, dores de garganta e dismenorreia primária. Entretanto, apresenta muitos efeitos gastrointestinais indesejáveis quando administrado por via oral como hemorragia gástrica e úlcera péptica. Esses efeitos foram responsáveis por baixa adesão entre os pacientes, o que resulta no comprometimento do tratamento. As propriedades físico-químicas do flurbiprofeno fazem dele um candidato promissor para a administração transdérmica, que pode eliminar os inconvenientes causados durante a administração oral. Neste sentido, provou-se que as microemulsões aumentam a absorção cutânea de fármacos lipofílicos quando comparadas aos sistemas de liberação convencionais. O objetivo desse estudo foi desenvolver e caracterizar géis bases contendo microemulsões de flurbiprofeno. Diferentes géis bases contendo microemulsão e solução hidroalcoólica de flurbiprofeno foram desenvolvidos e comparados. Os estudos in vitroindicaram que os géis contendo microemulsão apresentaram velocidade de permeação superior ao géis contendo as soluções hidroalcoólicas. Adicionalmente, a formulação de Carbopol -I (microemulsão) apresentou maior capacidade de inibição da inflamação em relação às outras bases. Além disso, o estudo demonstrou que formulação de Carbopol -I (microemulsão) não ocasionou irritações cutâneas. Desta forma, o gel base de Carbopol -I contendo microemulsão de flurbiprofeno apresentou características físico-químicas, desempenho in vitro e in vivo adequados para o desenvolvimento de formulação alternativas de liberação transdérmica.

ABSTRACTFlurbiprofen, a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is widely used for relief of pain in patients suffering from rheumatic diseases, migraine, sore throat and primary dysmenorrheal. However, this drug has many gastrointestinal side effects produced by its oral administration, such as gastric bleeding and peptic ulcer. These effects were responsible for non-compliance among patients, which ultimately results in treatment failure. The physicochemical properties of flurbiprofen, make it a suitable candidate for transdermal drug delivery, which can overcome the drawbacks of oral administration. In this sense, microemulsions have been proved to increase the cutaneous absorption of lipophilic drugs when compared to conventional drug delivery systems. The purpose of this study was to formulate and characterize gel based microemulsions, for topical delivery of flurbiprofen. Different gel bases, containing microemulsion and hydro-alcoholic solution of flurbiprofen, were developed and compared. In vitro study showed that gels containing microemulsion had a higher permeation rate than those containing hydro-alcoholic solutions. Additionally, formulation of Carbopol-I (microemulsion) showed higher percent of inhibition of inflammation than others bases. Further, skin irritation study demonstrated that Carbopol-I was none irritating. Flurbiprofen microemulsion incorporated on Carbopol-I showed physicochemical, in vitro and in vivo characteristics suitable for the development of alternative transdermal delivery formulation.