[en] The high tc phase of Bi/sub 1.6/Pb/sub 0.4/Sr/sub 2/Ca/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub y/ has been synthesized using an appropriate thermal procedure with zero resistance temperature 106 K. Current density and x-ray diffraction (XRD)studies have been done. Single crystals in Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca- Cu-O system have been grown from high-temperature solutions using PbO as a flux. Four-probe electrical resistance measurement indicates super- conducting transition temperature at about 82 K. XRD analysis reveals the formation of low T/sub c/ (2212) phase, a layered orthorhombic structure with lattice constants a=5.39(2) A and b=5.35(2) A and c=30.65(3) A respectively. The single crystal specimens are also examined by x-ray Laue and SEM. Laue back reflection patterns confirm the single crystallinity and SEM indicates that the specimen is composed of several plate like crystals that are stacked in layered structure in the direction of thickness. (author)

No abstract available

[en] A 8 X 8 complete diallel population was studied to estimate correlation coefficients of seven quality and morphological traits in wheat. Sowing was done on 15 November and 15 December 2007-08. The differences among all the traits were statistically significant. Grain yield per plant under normal planting was significantly and positively correlated with plant height, peduncle length and 1000-grain weight. It was also positively correlated with spike length and gluten at genotypic level at P.0.01. Only grain yield per plant was negatively and significantly correlated with protein under both planting dates at genotypic level. Genotypic correlation of grain yield per plant in case of late planting was positive and non-significant with plant height, peduncle length and spike length, while it was negatively correlated with gluten. Phenotypic correlation of grain yield per plant with plant height, peduncle length, spike length, 1000-grain weight and gluten was positive and significant under both plantings while grain yield per plant was negatively and significantly associated with protein. It is therefore suggested that 1000-grain weight, peduncle length and gluten should be given more emphasis to improve yield and quality in wheat. (author)

[en] Objective: To determine the effect of sleep quality on mitochondrial DNA copy number in eveningness chronotype. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Physiology, Islamic International Medical College, in collaboration with Genetic Resource Centre, from August 2022 to May 2023. Methodology: A total of 80 participants with eveningness chronotype based on the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire were recruited. The participants' sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Accordingly, they were categorised into Group A (good sleep quality) and Group B (poor sleep quality) with 40 participants in each group. After extracting DNA using the Chelex method, mitochondrial DNA copy number of all participants was measured using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The mean values in both groups were analysed by Independent-samples t-test. Results: Analysis of mitochondrial DNA copy number in both groups showed normal distribution after being transformed into logarithmic values. The mean value of Group A (2.65 ± 0.26) exhibited a significant increase in mitochondrial DNA copy number (95% CI: 0.18, 0.44; p <0.001) as compared to that in Group B (2.34 ± 0.29). Conclusion: People with good sleep quality have a higher mtDNA-CN than those with poor sleep quality. Good sleep quality may counteract negative effects of increased oxidative stress brought on by eveningness behaviour, thus leading to better mitochondrial function and increased mitochondrial biogenesis that was indicated by higher mtDNA-CN in individuals who experience good sleep quality. (author)

[en] Appropriate nutrient management and harvesting date are the main and quickest means for increasing maize production. A field experiment with three nitrogen fertilization rates (N = 50; N = 100; N = 150 (kg ha/sup 1/) and three harvest dates (H/sub 1/ = 50, H/sub 2/ = 60 and H/sub 3/ = 70 DAS) was carried out at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to predict the response of maize (Zea mays L.) fodder yield and its quality attributes to optimal nitrogen input rates and harvest dates. The results showed that increase in nitrogen fertilizer input resulted in significant (P 0.05) increase in yield and quality traits. Yield attributes as plant height (179.40 cm), stem diameter (3.59 cm), leaf area plant (3755 cm/sup 2/ ), dry matter (33.44%), dry matter yield (17.68 t ha ) and green fodder yield (71.32 t ha ) were significantly increased with nitrogen input of 150 kg N ha . Among nitrogen input rates, 150 kg N ha level was also responsible for highest crude fat (3.09%), crude protein (11.48%) and crude fiber (34.21%) except ash contents (10.17%) compared to other nitrogen treatments. Twenty days delayed for harvest proved to be best for increasing growth and quality characters of maize plants. The interaction between nitrogen rates and harvest dates was found to be highly significant except for plant height, dry matter percentage and crude protein. Nitrogen input of 150 kg N ha/sup -1/ with 70 DAS harvest date (N/sub 3/ at H/sub 3/) significantly improved the stem diameter (5.11 cm), leaf area plant (4108 cm ), dry matter yield (21.35 t ha ), green fodder yield (83.87 t ha ) and crude fiber (37.21%) while crude fat (2.47%) and ash (9.17%) contents were decreased. In conclusion, on the basis of growth and quality parameters, the nitrogen application at 150 kg N ha and harvesting time (70 DAS) was the suitable option to attain highest maize fodder yield. (author)

[en] Objective:To determine the relationship between eating habits and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid copy number in adult cases of eveningness chronotypes. Method: The cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted from September 2022 to June 2023 at the Physiology Department of the Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with the Genetic Resource Centre, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised adult subjects who were assessed using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. The participants' eating habits were assessed using the Healthy Eating Assessment Questionnaire, and on they were divided into those with healthy eating habits in group A and those with unhealthy eating habits in group B. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted using the Chelex method, the mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid copy number of all participants was quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Data was analysed using SPSS 27. Results: Of the 80 subjects, 30(37.5%) were males and 50(62.5%) were females. The overall mean age was 24.27±6.91 years (range: 18-45 years). There were 40(50%) subjects in each group. The mean mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid copy number in group A was 2.74±0.14 compared to 2.26±0.25 in group B (p<0.001). Conclusion: Subjects with healthy eating habits exhibited higher mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid copy numbers, indicating reduced damage to mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid.

[en] (Bi_1-xPb_x)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y (x = 0.3) high critical transition temperature (T_c) superconductors are synthesized by the solid-state reaction method in polycrystalline form. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, direct current (dc) electrical resistivity measurements, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies, critical current density measurements and zero-field alternating current (ac) susceptibility measurements are performed to investigate the physical changes, structural changes, and magnetic behavior of the superconducting samples. X-ray diffraction studies show that a high T_c phase exists with orthorhombic symmetry in the specimen. According to the XRD data, the lattice parameters of the high T_c phase were determined as a = 0.537(1) nm, b = 0.539(1) nm, and c = 3.70(1) nm. The compound exhibits a superconducting transition at 106 ± 1 K for zero resistance. The ac susceptibility measurements in zero field confirm the dc electrical resistivity results; hence both support the XRD results. The particle size and structural changes as a function of the cold-pressing and aging effect are also reported

[en] Barrier materials possess the ability to restrict the passage of gases, vapors, and organic liquids through their boundaries. These barrier materials have large number of applications in industry and scientific research. To measure the permeability of barrier materials, a specific gas flow system has been developed, pure helium gas is used to measure the back ground reading through SS-316. The permeability and break-through time has been measured through Inconel X-750, NBR and Viton below and above the atmospheric pressure and at different temperatures 20 deg. C, 40 deg. C and 70 deg. C. (author)

[en] A field experiment for the comparison among different wheat genotypes (Iqbal-2000, Chenab-2000, Aqab-2000) for its maximum yield potential in response to different moisture regimes, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement in triplicate run was carried out during the year 2006-07. Factors were: wheat genotypes (Iqbal-2000, Chenab-2000, Aqab-2000) in main plots and five irrigation levels 0= no irrigation (control), 1= irrigation at tillering, 2= irrigation at tillering + booting, 3= irrigation at tillering + booting + anthesis and 4= irrigation at tillering + booting + anthesis + milking in subplots. Results showed that maximum LAI was attained on 2 February and 4 March harvest and genotype Iqbal-2000 was superior compared to other genotypes. Irrigated treatments significantly increased LAI than control (0) treatments at all harvest dates. Iqbal-2000 showed maximum CGR (32.69 g m/sup -2/ d/sup -1/) and LAD (319.42) compared with lowest CGR (25.49 g m/sup -2/ d/sup -1/) and LAD (278.50) given by genotype Chenab-2000 under 3 and 4 treatments throughout the growing season. Radiation use efficiency ranged from 17.58-18.27 DM MJ-1 of intercepted radiation. Mean accumulated radiation interception (754, 736 and 784 MJm-2) was assessed in genotypes (Iqbal-2000, Chenab-2000 and Aqab-2000), respectively but not significant effect on net assimilation rate. Genotype Iqbal-2000 and Aqab-2000 had highest TDM (21670; 21220 kg ha/sup -1/) respectively while 4 (Irrigation at tillering + booting + anthesis + milking) had the highest TDM 22240 kg ha/sup -1/ verses I0 (no irrigation) 18070 kg ha/sup -1/. Aqab-2000 showed the highest grain yield (5458.78 kg ha/sup -1/) as compared to Chenab-2000 (4536.71 kg ha/sup -1/) whereas 4 (Irrigation at tillering + booting + anthesis + milking) produced more grain yield (6376.25 kg ha/sup -1/) than all other irrigation treatments. (author)

[en] The high-T_c phase of the Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y has been synthesised using a appropriate thermal procedure. The d.c. electrical resistivity and X-ray diffraction studies have been done. The measurements show that a slow cooling process, is necessary for a better control of the thermal process. The variation in T_c as a function of annealing time is also reported. Indexed X-ray diffraction patterns indicate the formation of high as well as low-T_c phases. (author). 10 refs., 6 figs