Comparison of low-molecular-weight organic acids and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid to enhance phytoextraction of heavy metals by maize

We compared acetic, ascorbic, and oxalic acids with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to enhance phytoextraction of nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) by maize. Except ascorbic acid, acids significantly (P < 0.05) decreased shoot dry weight with maximum (5.60 g pot-1) recorded with ascorbic acid and minimum with oxalic acid (4.06 g pot-1). Maximum ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (AB-DTPA)-extractable nickel (19.94 mg kg-1) was recorded with EDTA and it was minimum (10.57 mg kg-1) with oxalic acid. The EDTA significantly (P < 0.05) increased AB-DTPA-extractable lead while other acids decreased it. Except acetic acid, other acids significantly (P < 0.05) increased Ni and Zn concentration in shoots with maximum Ni (9.22 mg kg-1) and Zn (37.40 mg kg-1) with EDTA

Design and analysis of a PV system to meet all its energy requirements of an apartment in Abu Dhabi

This paper presents a detailed load analysis, modeling of a Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system and costs analysis for an apartment in Abu Dhabi. For load analysis, an apartment with an area of 550sq.ft. was selected. The main apartment load is air conditioning due to the hot climate. A three year’s of load data has been used for simulation and optimization. The designed system has a 16.44kW, PV, an MPPT controller, and an 8.2kW DC/AC 3-phase inverter to supply electric power to the utility grid. The proposed model is optimized in Homer Pro software and the detailed model is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink. Using other software like PVsyst for sizing, a detailed analysis is performed, and simulation studies are presented. The simulation results show the stability of the system and the advantage of using a PV grid-connected system. The cost of the designed system has been compared with the electricity bills considering saving and using Homer optimized results; the feasibility of the proposed system is presented

IoT based Renewable Energy Management and monitoring system for the First Passive House in Newfoundland

This paper presents a prototype of an Energy Management and Monitoring System (EMMS) for the first house in Newfoundland built under PHIUS+2015 standards. The proposed Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is based on the Internet of things (IOT) and is designed to minimize electricity usage through self-consumption. It comprises of PZEM004T current and voltage sensor with ESP32 as the first layer controller. The controller also has control relays and a web-based monitoring and controlling platform using Ubidots development platform. The overall system can be controlled and monitored remotely with advanced web-based systems powered by Ubidots and set up triggers for excess usage of electricity by the boiler system. The user can then manually load the wood into the boiler to reduce electricity consumption. Overall, this system is scalable and can be implemented to transform the house into a smart home, which will eventually generate cost savings and promote sustainable living

Development of a Powerful Product: Evidence from Pakistan

The development of a powerful product and the deliverance of recognized support quality are premised by staff's capability to provide on client objectives. No concern has been given, however, to knowing the ‘added value’ exemplified in an organization’s product due to the operant sources (skills and knowledge) provided by the organization’s individual investment. This research, therefore, examines the differential impact that internal focused projects have on an organization’s individual investment and its following impact on the organization’s product, from the worker's viewpoint. In-depth discussions were performed with workers across a variety of support sectors and the results provide a knowing into the development of worker product dedication. Furthermore, this empirical research provides a powerful foundation for upcoming research in this region. Keywords: employees, brand commitment, internal brandin

Comparative Study of Clinical Profile of Patients with Solitary versus Multiple Gall Stone

Objective: To compare the clinical profiles of patients with solitary versus multiple gallstones, focusing on symptom distribution and diagnostic findings. Methodology: This prospective comparative study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery at AIMS Hospital, Muzaffarabad, from July to December 2023. Patients aged ?18 years with newly diagnosed solitary or multiple gallstones confirmed by ultrasound were included. Exclusion criteria were common bile duct stones, previous cholecystectomy, gallbladder malignancy, pregnancy, and incomplete records. Patients were grouped as solitary or multiple gallstones based on imaging. Demographic data, clinical presentation, and associated features were documented using a structured proforma. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests, with p &lt;0.05 considered significant. Results: Among 58 patients, 34 (58.6%) had solitary gallstones and 24 (41.4%) had multiple. The mean age was 46.2 ±13.3 years; females predominated (82.8%). Most patients were symptomatic (93.1%). Common symptoms included upper abdominal pain (86.2%), nausea/vomiting (89.7%), right shoulder pain (65.5%), and back pain (60.3%). Jaundice was rare (8.6%). Comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in individual symptoms between groups (p &gt;0.05). However, severe pain was significantly more frequent in solitary stone patients (37.9%) compared to multiple stones (12.1%) (p =0.035). Conclusion: Both solitary and multiple gallstones commonly present with similar symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea. However, solitary gallstones were associated with a higher prevalence of severe pain. These findings emphasize the need for individualized assessment in gallstone management

Effect of fertilizers and chiseling techniques on optimizing growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Cotton contributes significantly to the production of oilseeds and textile fiber globally, and it is an important component of the socioeconomic and political environment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of commercial sulfuric acid and nitrogen, irrigation intervals, phosphatic fertilizer application, and chiseling on cotton growth and yield. The investigation was carried out using a split-plot setup with three replications at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, Pakistan. Nitrogen levels (N1 = 50 kg ha-1, N2 = 100 kg ha-1, N3 =150 kg ha-1) were kept in main plots, while sulphuric acid (S1= 0 kg ha-1, S2= 125 kg ha-1, S3 = 250 kg ha-1 and S4 = 375 kg ha-1) was randomized in sub plots respectively. The results showed that watering interval and chiseling had a substantial impact on plant height and the quantity of fruiting parts per plant. Compared to other treatments, interculturing produced higher plant height and more fruiting parts when paired with chiseling and an 8-day irrigation interval. The height and fruiting sections of cotton plants showed a positive link with the long-term effects of phosphatic fertilizer application in wheat crop. The impact of several phosphorus delivery techniques on plant height and fruiting parts varied in bed-furrow planting; hand application without mixing prior to sowing yielded the best results. The application of commercial sulfuric acid, in conjunction with nitrogen, positively affected both plant height and fruiting parts. Increased fruiting parts and plant height were a result of higher sulfuric acid dosages; nitrogen application had no visible impact. These findings can contribute to the development of effective strategies for cotton cultivation, leading to increased productivity and profitability for cotton farmers

Phytochemicals in Daucus carota and their health benefits-Review article

Carrots are a multi-nutritional food source. They are an important root vegetable, rich in natural bioactive compounds, which are recognised for their nutraceutical effects and health benefits. This review summarises the occurrence, biosynthesis, factors affecting concentration, and health benefits of phytochemicals found in Daucus carota. Two hundred and fifty-five articles including original research papers, books, and book chapters were analysed, of which one hundred and thirty articles (most relevant to the topic) were selected for writing the review article. The four types of phytochemicals found in carrots, namely phenolics, carotenoids, polyacetylenes, and ascorbic acid, were summarised. These chemicals aid in the risk reduction of cancer and cardiovascular diseases due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, plasma lipid modification, and anti-tumour properties. Numerous factors influence the amount and type of phytochemicals present in carrots. Genotype (colour differences) plays an important role; high contents of a and ß-carotene are present in orange carrots, lutein in yellow carrots, lycopene in red carrots, anthocyanins in the root of purple carrots, and phenolic compounds abound in black carrots. Carotenoids range between 3.2 mg/kg and 170 mg/kg, while vitamin C varies from 21 mg/kg to 775 mg/kg between cultivars. Growth temperatures of carrots influence the level of the sugars, carotenoids, and volatile compounds, so that growing in cool conditions results in a higher yield and quality of carrots, while higher temperatures would increase terpene synthesis, resulting in carrots with a bitter taste. It is worthwhile to investigate the cultivation of different genotypes under various environmental conditions to increase levels of phytochemicals and enhance the nutritional value of carrot, along with the valorisation of carrot by-products

Role of Leaders’ Qualification on Performance of Students at Primary Level in Punjab, Pakistan.

Leadership and management have a fundamental part in the quantitative development and qualitative expansion of an educational institute. The administration of a school has a big role towards the students&rsquo; performance whereas the real supports of administration are leadership and management .Role of leaders&rsquo; qualification on the performance of the students on primary level in community model schools and government girls&rsquo; primary school in the Punjab was seen in this research. Following standard methodology and using documentary fact for establishing the role of the leaders&rsquo; qualification on the performance of the students, this research has demonstrated that it does have significant impact. The study was made on population comprising of 350 schools (174 Community model school and 175 Govt. Girls primary schools) from 35 districts of the Punjab. The results show that community model schools are better in students&rsquo; performance than Govt. Girls Primary School because they have more qualified leader

p62-Keap1-NRF2-ARE Pathway: A Contentious Player for Selective Targeting of Autophagy, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Prion Diseases

Prion diseases are a group of fatal and debilitating neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animal species. The conversion of a non-pathogenic normal cellular protein (PrPc) into an abnormal infectious, protease-resistant, pathogenic form prion protein scrapie (PrPSc), is considered the etiology of these diseases. PrPSc accumulates in the affected individual’s brain in the form of extracellular plaques. The molecular pathways leading to neuronal cell death in prion diseases are still unclear. The free radical damage, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play a key role in the pathogenesis of the various neurodegenerative disorders including prion diseases. The brain is very sensitive to changes in the redox status. It has been demonstrated that PrPc behaves as an antioxidant, while the neurotoxic prion peptide PrPSc increases hydrogen peroxide toxicity in the neuronal cultures leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is an oxidative responsive pathway and a guardian of lifespan, which protect the cells from free radical stress-mediated cell death. The reduced glutathione, a major small molecule antioxidant present in all mammalian cells, and produced by several downstream target genes of NRF2, counterbalances the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In recent years, it has emerged that the ubiquitin-binding protein, p62-mediated induction of autophagy, is crucial for NRF2 activation and elimination of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The current review article, focuses on the role of NRF2 pathway in prion diseases to mitigate the disease progression

Time-Lapse Electrical Resistivity Investigations for Imaging the Grouting Injection in Shallow Subsurface Cavities

The highway of Yongweol-ri, Muan-gun, south-western part of the South Korean Peninsula, is underlain by the abandoned of subsurface cavities, which were discovered in 2005. These cavities lie at shallow depths with the range of 5∼15 meters below the ground surface. Numerous subsidence events have repeatedly occurred in the past few years, damaging infrastructure and highway. As a result of continuing subsidence issues, the Korean Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) was requested by local administration to resolve the issue. The KIGAM used geophysical methods to delineate subsurface cavities and improve more refined understanding of the cavities network in the study area. Cement based grouting has been widely employed in the construction industry to reinforce subsurface ground. In this research work, time-lapse electrical resistivity surveys were accomplished to monitor the grouting injection in the subsurface cavities beneath the highway, which have provided a quasi-real-time monitoring for modifying the subsurface cavities related to ground reinforcement, which would be difficult with direct methods. The results obtained from time-lapse electrical resistivity technique have satisfactory imaged the grouting injection experiment in the subsurface cavities beneath the highway. Furthermore, the borehole camera confirmed the presence of grouting material in the subsurface cavities, and hence this procedure increases the mechanical resistance of subsurface cavities below the highway