Past Issue

Biochemical screening of advanced potato lines for tolerance against rhizoctonia solani

Potato (Solanium tuberosum) is a starch rich tuberous crop of Solanaceae family. Potato is known to be indigenous to Chiloe Archipelago and its cultivation dates back 10,000 years. In the early and mid sixteenth century it was introduced to Europe and the marines introduced it to the territories all over the world. In Pakistan potato was cultivated on an area of 154317 hectares with total production of 2538971 tons in the year 2007-08. During the present study three potato lines viz.

Effects of thirst on plant health and recovery mechanisms

Crop plants are exposed to several environmental stresses, all affecting plant growth and development, which consequently hamper crop productivity. Among all stresses drought is considered the single most devastating environmental stress. During germination phase, the water absorbed is required for several enzymatic reactions, for solubilization and transport of metabolites and as a reagent in the hydraulic digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids from the tissue reserve of the seed towards the embryo.

Screening of possible anti-inflammatory ligands of terminalia chebula against the stress related anaemia using docking studies

Anaemia a chronic disorder is a result of low levels of haemoglobin. The reduction in the levels of haemoglobin leads to several other complications in the body causing acute organ failure. Stress related anaemia is also at a pace in the modern world in view of the stressed life style. Interleukins were found to be more enhanced during stress related anaemia and as such the present study was focussed mainly to lower the levels of inflammatory molecules. Possible ligands were screened from Terminalia chebula and docked against the inflammatory molecules.

The effects of symptomatic bacterial vaginosis in the second trimester of pregnancy on pregnancy outcome

Objective: A prospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the correlation between the presence of bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy outcomes.
Methods: 192 pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy with vaginal discharge were included in the study.The study group consisted of 50 pregnant women positive for the presence of bacterial vaginosis. 138 pregnant women without bacterial vaginosis constituted the control group and both groups were compared in respect to the pregnancy outcomes. 

Farmers vs. agricultural labourers: A comparative analysis of two rural socioeconomic groups

More than half of the world’s second largest population is directly dependent on agriculture. Within these people, there are two main socioeconomic groups- landless agricultural labourers and land-owning farmers. This study is aimed at understanding the socio-economic status and the disparities of socio- economic level between these different groups of the agricultural sector.

Climate influence on oil sardine and Indian mackerel in Southeastern Arabian sea

The  anomalies  of  sea  surface  temperature,  coastal  upwelling  index,  rainfall,  multivariate  ENSO  index  and  chlorophyll a  were  analysed  and  correlated  with catch  rate  anomalies  of  oil sardine  and  Indian mackerel  exploited  by  purse  seine  along  the  coastal  waters  off  Karnataka, India in South-Eastern Arabian Sea  during  period  1990–2014.  The  purse  seines  in  Karnataka contributed  on  an  average  75%  and  65%  catch of  oil  sardine  and  Indian  mackerel  respectively.

Collection evaluation in libraries

Purpose: This paper aims to provide an overview of collection assessment techniques useful for libraries. Main advantages, disadvantages and procedures for applying each assessment technique are explained.
Methodology/approach: The author performs a content analysis to understand how evaluators assess library collection.
Findings: Detailed descriptions are examined of the methods to develop guidelines necessary to evaluate library collection in support of their mission.

Rebranding vocational education teachers’ status as a panacea to achieving functional vocational education in Nigeria

The effect of the present global economic factors facing the Nigerian nation will no doubt, make any right thinking citizen to be more reasonable, to nurture the process of discovery; to develop the class of education that will serve the supply of trained and authentic workforce to develop the economy. Functional education does not entail expertise in abstract and theoretical knowledge of a discipline, rather a selection of knowledge that is concrete, usable and which can be translated into action.

Woman and social security: From needs-based charity to rights-based social justice

Social security is an investment in human resources, which can provide overall security for a person within the family, workplace, and society. The right to social security is an indispensable human right and an essential precondition for the realization of all human rights, which also represents an essential transformation from needs-based charity to rights-based social justice.

Tourism development in Africa: The case of Benin in west Africa between 1972 and 2000

The article deals with Benin's place in the African touristic space. Reflection is centered on the potential at the country’s disposal to deal with African and West African competition. The demonstration is based on the use of statistical data from 1972 to 2000 and the opinion of foreign tourists visiting the country. The results and analyzes show modest tourist inflow and revenues: some delay related to certain factors which include the weak economy and the very low standards of living of the population.