Realist evaluation of the AKU-SONAM mentorship program.

Background & Objectives: The context, mechanism, and outcome (CMO) framework is meant to identify specific contextual factors (C) related to organizational and program structure that trigger certain mechanisms (M) involving the unique characteristics of a program, leading to specific outcomes (O). The purpose of this study was to explore the contextual underpinnings, operational processes, and resultant effects of the faculty mentorship program at AKU-SONAM. This exploration involved the context in terms of organizational culture, mechanisms examining processes such as communication between mentors and mentees, quality of relationships, the challenges encountered, and the program's adaptability to cope up while, outcomes encompassed improvements in interpersonal relationships, career advancement, and skill development.

Pedestrian POSE estimation using multi-branched deep learning pose net.

In human activity-recognition scenarios, including head and entire body pose and orientations, recognizing the pose and direction of a pedestrian is considered a complex problem. A person may be traveling in one sideway while focusing his attention on another side. It is occasionally desirable to analyze such orientation estimates using computer-vision tools for automated analysis of pedestrian behavior and intention.

Trace elements in fish species from the Punjnad headworks: Bioaccumulation and human health risk assessment.

Aquatic toxicology, as a result of industrial and agrieqcultural effluences, has become a global concern impacting not only the well-being of aquatic organisms but human health as well. The current study evaluated the impact of four toxic trace elements (TTEs) Cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) in three organs (liver, gills, and muscles) of five fish species viz, Rita rita, Sperata sarwari, Wallago attu, Mastacembelus armatus, and Cirrhinus mrigala collected from right and left banks of Punjnad headworks during winter, spring, and summer. We investigated the accumulation (mg/kg) of these TTEs in fish in addition to the human health risk assessment.

Low-resource MobileBERT for emotion recognition in imbalanced text datasets mitigating challenges with limited resources.

Modern dialogue systems rely on emotion recognition in conversation (ERC) as a core element enabling empathetic and human-like interactions. However, the weak correlation between emotions and semantics poses significant challenges to emotion recognition in dialogue. Semantically similar utterances can express different types of emotions, depending on the context or speaker.

Computational design of multi-epitope vaccine against Hepatitis C Virus infection using immunoinformatics techniques.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a blood borne pathogen that affects around 200 million individuals worldwide. Immunizations against the Hepatitis C Virus are intended to enhance T-cell responses and have been identified as a crucial component of successful antiviral therapy. Nevertheless, attempts to mediate clinically relevant anti-HCV activity in people have mainly failed, despite the vaccines present satisfactory progress.

Unveiling diabetes onset: Optimized XGBoost with Bayesian optimization for enhanced prediction.

Diabetes, a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide, necessitates early intervention to prevent severe complications. While accurately predicting diabetes onset or progression remains challenging due to complex and imbalanced datasets, recent advancements in machine learning offer potential solutions. Traditional prediction models, often limited by default parameters, have been superseded by more sophisticated approaches.

Design of Carbon Materials with Selective Ion Separation in Capacitive Deionisation and Their Applications.

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is a novel, cost-effective and environmentally friendly desalination technology that has garnered significant attention in recent years. Carbon materials, owing to their excellent properties, have become the preferred electrode materials for CDI. Given the significant differences between different ions, ion-selective performance has emerged as a critical aspect of CDI applications.

Enzymatic Antioxidants and Their Differential Response to Cryopreservation in Japanese Quail Semen.

A triad of enzymatic antioxidants viz., catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) constitutes a first line of defence against any redox imbalances in the semen. Cryopreservation enabling long term storage of semen also prompts generation of surplus reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells with waned antioxidants, hampering the full exploitation of this process.

Development of Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptides Based on Genomic Analysis of Streptococcus salivarius.

Background: In the oral environment, the production of bacteriocins or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by impeding the proliferation of closely related microorganisms. This study aims to conduct in silico genome screening of Streptococcus salivarius to identify potential antimicrobial compounds existing as hypothetical peptides, with the goal of developing novel synthetic antimicrobial peptides.

Methods: Draft genomes of various oral Streptococcus salivarius strains were obtained from the NCBI database and subjected to analysis using bioinformatic tools, viz.

Indoor air quality and human health risk assessment in selected high-altitude villages of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

This research marks the inaugural endeavor in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to identify the primary sources of household energy and indoor air pollutants (IAPs) during the winter and additionally, to evaluate the health impacts associated with IAPs within specific high-altitude communities in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Using the convenience sampling method, 20 households were continuously monitored to assess IAPs based on standards time-weighted average. The study found that 90% of the population relied primarily on animal dung as their main energy source, with wood, agricultural residues, electricity, and gas as other sources.

Polychlorinated biphenyls induced toxicities upon cell lines and stem cells: a review.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants emitted during e-waste activities. Upon release into the environment, PCBs can pose harmful effects to the humans and environment. The present review focused on the effects of PCBs on cell proliferation, apoptosis, functional and developmental toxicity and potential possible molecular mechanisms upon cells and stem cells.

Unveiling the potential of Loigolactobacillus coryniformis BCH-4 to ameliorate drought stress in Zea mays L.

The lactic acid bacterial (LAB) species have proven multifaceted roles in sustainable agriculture due to their biologically safe nature, making them eco-friendly. However, their plant growth-improving mechanisms in stressed and non-stressed conditions are still under consideration. Thus, the current work has been planned to evaluate the drought tolerance potential and plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits of Loigolactobacillus coryniformis BCH-4 in Zea mays L.

Cystic fibrosis in Pakistan: population harbouring rare variants non-responsive to CFTR modulators and the dilemma of poor health facilities.

Background: Pathogenic mutations in the CFTR gene disrupt the normal function of the chloride ion channel CFTR protein, resulting in Cystic Fibrosis (C.F.).

Application of fertilizers improves cadmium phytoextraction efficiency of Nasturtium officinale R.Br. grown in cadmium-contaminated water.

Increasing toxic metal pollution in the aquatic ecosystem since the industrial revolution produces serious environmental challenges and has raised critical questions of ecological and human health implications. As a typical aquatic plant, Nasturtium officinale (N. officinale) has drawn significant attention due to its remarkable accumulation of heavy metals and other harmful substances from polluted water.

Exposure to spaceflight enhances the virulence of Purpureocillium lilacinum against Tetranychus cinnabarinus: modulation of the host's enzyme activities and microbiome.

Multiple studies have been conducted to investigate the impact of space conditions on human, plant, and microbial life. This research investigated the virulence of spaceflight mutants of the entomopathogenic fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum (HP7, HP36, HP52) and its original strain (SP535) against Tetranychus cinnabarinus as well as examination of the T. cinnabarinus immune response, including alterations in enzyme profiles and microbiome composition post fungal application.

Phytotoxic Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Growth Morphology, Photosynthesis, Gaseous Exchange and Oxidative Stress of Wheat Vary with Concentration and Shape.

Microplastics pose a serious ecological threat to agricultural soils, as they are very persistent in nature. Microplastics can enter the soil system in different ways and present different shapes and concentrations. However, little is known about how plants react to microplastics with different concentrations and shapes.

Evaluating the Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Health Risks of Heavy Metals Contamination in Drinking Water, Vegetables, and Soil from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

Environmental pollutants significantly impact health and quality of life. High levels of harmful metals in drinking water, vegetables, and soil can accumulate in the body, leading to serious health issues. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, the prevalence of cancer is notably high, and heavy metals are considered among the possible risk factors.

In Vitro Evaluation of Ruminal Digestibility, Fermentation Characteristics, and Bacterial Diversity of Kenaf Crop at Various Cutting Heights.

The current study investigated the in vitro degradability, in vitro gas production, methane (CH) production, and ruminal bacterial community of kenaf plants cut at different heights (130, 160, 190, 220, and 250 cm). These samples were subjected to an in vitro batch culture system using buffalo rumen fluid to measure gas and CH production at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h of incubation. Results reveal that crude protein (CP) concentration was the highest at the 220 cm height compared with the other heights.

Evaluating Forelimb and Hindlimb Joint Conformation of Morna Racehorses ().

Measuring limb joint angles is crucial for understanding horse conformation, performance, injury diagnosis, and prevention. While Thoroughbred horses have been extensively studied, local Pakistani breeds (e.g.

Antifungal Potential of Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Controlling Cercospora Leaf Spot in Mung Bean.

Agricultural growers worldwide face significant challenges in promoting plant growth. This research introduces a green strategy utilizing nanomaterials to enhance crop production. While high concentrations of nanomaterials are known to be hazardous to plants, this study demonstrates that low doses of biologically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) can serve as an effective regulatory tool to boost plant growth.

Role of Nanotechnology in Ischemic Stroke: Advancements in Targeted Therapies and Diagnostics for Enhanced Clinical Outcomes.

Each year, the number of cases of strokes and deaths due to this is increasing around the world. This could be due to work stress, lifestyles, unhealthy food habits, and several other reasons. Currently, there are several traditional methods like thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy for managing strokes.

Diversity and Multigene Phylogeny of the Genus (Agaricales, Basidiomycota).

is known as a northern-hemisphere-distributed genus with important economic values, especially in Western China. However, its species diversity in Asia and the phylogeny of this genus have not been critically studied. Based on worldwide sampling and multi-locus DNA sequence data (ITS, LSU, , ), the phylogeny of was reconstructed, and the species diversity in Asia was critically studied on the basis of morphology and phylogeny.

A Structural Bioinformatics-Guided Study of Adenosine Triphosphate-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters and Their Substrates.

Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporters form a ubiquitous superfamily of integral membrane proteins involved in the translocation of substrates across membranes. Human ABC transporters are closely linked to the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer, metabolic diseases, and Alzheimer's disease. In this study, four ABC transporters were chosen based on (I) their importance in humans and (II) their score in a structural bioinformatics screen aimed at the prediction of crystallisation propensity.

Delivering Volumetric Hyperthermia to Head and Neck Cancer Patient-Specific Models Using an Ultrasound Spherical Random Phased Array Transducer.

In exploring adjuvant therapies for head and neck cancer, hyperthermia (40-45 °C) has shown efficacy in enhancing chemotherapy and radiation, as well as the delivery of liposomal drugs. Current hyperthermia treatments, however, struggle to reach large deep tumors uniformly and non-invasively. This study investigates the feasibility of delivering targeted uniform hyperthermia deep into the tissue using a non-invasive ultrasound spherical random phased array transducer.

Genetic variation in zona pellucida-3 (ZP3) gene and its association with litter size variation in Kari sheep.

Variation in litter size (LS) in sheep is linked to genetic factors, including the Zona pellucida-3 (ZP3) gene, which plays a role in ovine reproductive processes. This study examined the association between ZP3 gene variations and LS in Kari sheep. Two groups of 160 Kari ewes were analysed: one consistently producing singletons and another producing twins, with occasional triplets.