Bioplastic-e Sci

e Sci Magazine

March 2014 | 5th Edition

ISSN: 2342-124X

Futuristic Drone Delivery Plan

Enzyme Engineering

Bio-Plastics

Science Updates

e Sci Research

1

e Sci Research Team

C.E.O & President

Muhammad Arsalan Khan

PhD Researcher in Molecular

Medicine from University of

Eastern Finland

Editor

Faiza Azeem Usmani

MSc. Environmental Sciences from

NUST

Assistant Editor

Dr. Namra Tauqir

M.B.B.S from King Edward

Medical University

Representative Manager

Tayyaba Ameen

BE Biomedical Engineering from

Mehran University

Senior Events Manager

Dr. Aymen Rashed

Lecturer at Alexandria University,

Egypt

PhD from University of California

Events Manager

Saba Haq

MSc. Biotechnology from

National University of Sciences

and Technology

Scientific Events Planner

Anam Shahid

B.S. (hons) Biotechnology from

University of Karachi

Assistant Events Manager

Muhammad Saad Saleem

B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering from

UET Taxila

Assistant Events Manager

Sajjad Ur Rehman

Electronics Engineering from

NUST

Asst. Operations Manager

Saddaf Rubab

MS. in Computer Software

Engineering

Asst. Operations Manager

Anum Sulaiman

Bachelors in Medical Technology

from DOW Institute of Medical

Technology (DUHS

Graphics Specialist

Dr. Mohamad El Missiry

Physicist from Egypt

2

Contents

Title Author Page no

1.

Articles

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

E nzyme Engineering for Enantioselectivity

Bio-plastics: A Gateway to Sustainable

Development

Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus)

Thermal Analysis and Promotion of Energy

Efficient Housing in Pakistan

Mathematical Model that Developed Information

Functional Foods and their Health Benefits

Thomas Alva Edison

Balaram Mohapatra

Om Prakash Gupta

Balaram Mohapatra

Dr. Darab Shuja

Asim Abbas

Laith F. Gulli &

Nicole M. Mallory

Dr. Anchal Singh

Namra Tauqir

4 - 8

8 – 10

10 – 13

14 - 16

16 – 19

20 – 23

24 – 28

28 – 30

2. e Sci Comic Competition 2013

Azra Zeb (Best Comic of 2013)

Yasha Nazir (Second Best Comic of 2013)

eSci Research Events

Team

31 – 33

3. Press Release

Coca-Cola National Science Bee 2013 at NUST

Full house response to SAP Workshop at NUST

NUST Science

Society

34 – 35

35 - 36

3

4. Scientific News

Google launches chrome-32

Lenovo introduces flexible tablet

Amazon unveils the futuristic drone delivery plan

Faiza Azeem Usmani

Editor at eSci

Research

37

38

39

5. International Partners eSci Research 40 - 41

6. Magazine’s Title Page (Details) Dr. Mohamad El

Missiry

Graphics and

Animation Specialist

at eSci Research

42

4

Balaram Mohapatra

Environmental Microbiology Lab,

Department of Biotechnology Indian

Institute of Technology

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

Soil is a dynamic environment offering a variety of factors for

growth of plants, animals and microorganisms within it. The

interaction between soil microbes and plants are crucial for

plant growth, development and hence agriculture. The plant

root surface (rhizoplane) and the region close to plant roots (the rhizosphere) are important

sites for microbial growth. It has been found that the microbial diversity in this rhizosphere

region is much higher and has agricultural attention due to its beneficial way of making

agriculture sustainable. Plants roots secrete chemical compounds (high and low molecular

weight) termed as root exudates. These compounds act as signal molecules/ carbon sources

for microbial nutrition. So over all it’s a two way signaling cross talk that employ molecular

lexicons.

Compounds excreted by root of cereal crops

Volatile Compounds : CO2

Ethanol

Isobutanol

Iso-amyl alcohol

Acetoin

Isobutyric acid

Ethylene

Low molecular weight compounds : Sugars

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Amino acids

Vitamins

Organic acids

Nucleotides

High molecular weight compounds : Polysaccharides

Enzymes

Source: Microbial diversity in terrestrial environments, Textbook of Microbiology,

Prescott,Harley, and Klein’s, Seventh Edition, McGraw-Hill Publishing house, New York,

USA.

Microorganisms involved

Most of the microorganisms colonize plant root and they include bacteria, fungi, protozoa

and algae but bacteria are the most abundant among them, and found to be 1011

- 1012

order

/gm of soil. They have been classified according to their effects on promoting plant growth

and yield and the way they interact with roots, some being pathogenic whereas, many of them

are beneficial.

Mechanism of action of PGPR for plant growth

The possible direct mechanisms of action of PGPR are:

1) Root colonization: - Bacteria colonize and survive in the root surface efficiently by

utilizing root exudates and the nature of bacterial flagella, pilli, lipopolysaccharides and

exopolysaccharides are the most important factors which determine the colonization of the

roots by PGPR.

2) Production of growth regulators:- The production of phytohormones (auxins, IAA,

ethylene, gibberelin) by PGPR is considered to be an important mechanism by which the

bacteria promote plant growth.

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3) Nitrogen fixation: - As N2 is essential for plant metabolism and it cannot fix it from

atmosphere, many free living bacteria (Azotobacter, Azospirilum) and symbiotically

associated (Rhizobia) fix atmospheric N2 and plants take it in ammonium ion form for its

metabolism

4) Increased uptake of minerals: - apart from N2, PGPR are promising in solubilizing the

rock phosphate by producing phosphatase and organic acids which dissolve the fixed

phosphate and make it available to plant root.

The indirect mechanisms are:

1) Production of antibiotics:- Antibiotics for combating against phytopathogens and

includes streptomycin, butyrolactones, zwittermycin A, kanosamine, oligomycin A, oomycin

A, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, pyoluteorin, pyrrolnitrin, viscosinamide, xanthobaccin, and

2,4-diacetyl phloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG). Among them, 2, 4-DAPG is one of the most

efficient antibiotics in the control of plant pathogens and can be produced by various strains

of Pseudomonas, have a broad-spectrum activity against fungal and bacterial pathogens like

Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea, Verticillium dahliae and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

2) Induced systemic resistance: - Some strains of PGPR were shown to act as inducing

agents in different plants by producing salicylic acid which is responsible for the induction of

induced systemic resistance in plants. Induced systemic resistance was observed first with

Pseudomonas sp. strain WCS417r against Fusarium wilt of carnations and by selected

rhizobacteria against the fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare in cucumber,

3) Production of lytic enzymes:-Some PGPR strains excrete lytic enzymes that can attack

pathogen growth .It was demonstrated that extracellular chitinase and laminarinase

synthesized by P. stutzeri lyse mycelia of F. solani (fungus),

4) Siderophore production: - Iron is an essential element for respiration, photosynthesis,

DNA synthesis but availability of iron is limited by its low solubility in neutral pH. To

survive in such an environment, plant associated PGPR have different strategies of obtaining

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iron from the soil, which include the synthesis of siderophores which are selective ferric ion

chelators. In this context, Pseudomonads have received much attention over the past years,

because of their role in biological control of soil-borne plant pathogens and in disease

suppressive soil.

Major benefits to plants

Recently it has been studied that some PGPR have the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-

carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, which hydrolyses ACC, the immediate precursor of ethylene

in plants and some are responsible for stress resistance in plants. Beneficial effects of PGPRs

have been reported by various workers on a wide range of crops including cereals, pulses,

vegetables, oilseeds and plantation crops. Currently, these bacteria are used to sustain

agriculture as biofertilizers and biocontrol.

Schematic representation showing direct and indirect mechanisms of plant growth promotion

by PGPR

PGPR in sustainable agriculture

Our over increasing food demand, rapid industrialization and use of chemical fertilizers have

made our fertile soil more synthetic, infertile and polluted and also the excess use of chemical

fertilizers in agriculture is costly and also have various adverse effects on soils i.e. depletes

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Om Prakash Gupta

Scientist (Biochemistry), Quality and

Basic Sciences, Directorate of Wheat

Research (ICAR, India

water holding capacity, soil fertility and disparity in soil nutrients. So, in this regard we need

to develop some low cost effective and eco-friendly technology which can benefit farmers

and make agriculture sustainable for long term. PGPRs by the action of biofertilization and

biocontrol are the promising in making agriculture productive in more organic and natural

way, which can replace synthetic fertilizers.

E nzyme Engineering for Enantioselectivity

Enzyme engineering is a common means to bring out change

in amino acid sequences of enzyme to get desired function viz.

activity, enantioselectivity, sensitivity to rapidly changing

condition, substrate specificity, thermo stability, product

inhibition etc. Enantioselectivity is the capacity of an enzyme to differentiate between two

enantiomer. Enantioselective enzymes are used to harvest enantiopure compound which are

utilized for aroma and flavor, pharmaceuticals, food industry, agricultural chemicals,

specialty materials. Market of enantiopure compound includes around 15 billion $ revenue

contributed by chiral compound (41% from traditional technology, 36% from chemocatalysis,

22% from biocatalysis).

Enantioselectivity is one key parameter defining the usefulness of an enzyme and, therefore,

the competitiveness of the corresponding industrial process. Hence, identification of enzymes

with high enantioselectivity is important. Currently, this is achieved by screening collections

and libraries comprising natural or man-made diversity for the wanted trait. Recently, a

variety of improved methods have been developed to generate and screen this diversity more

efficiently. During the past decades, enzyme engineering for enantioselectivity have nearly

9

exploded, resulting in re-designing natural enzymes to the requirements of a desired chemical

synthesis. Enzyme engineering comprises two crucial key steps. First, variants of the

template enzyme are generated from which, in a second step, the most suited candidates are

identified.

Strategies for enzyme engineering:

1. Directed evolution

Directed evolution includes random changing of amino acids without prior knowledge of

their exact function or position in the protein. In the early days of enzyme engineering, focus

was on designing applied mutagenesis protocols and was applied to enzymes exhibiting

selectable traits, such as antibiotic resistance and thermo stability. Since then, the scope of

enzyme engineering has increased with modifying of industrially relevant enzymes for

various traits such as improved stability, accepted substrates and stereospecificity. Therefore,

directed evolution has emerged as a prevalent tool for enzyme engineering, as demonstrated

by the many scientific and patent publications over the past decade.

2. Semi-rational design

It involves structural information with random elements to yield high-quality enzyme

libraries. The CASTing methodology (combinatorial active site saturation test) that has been

recently developed represents one prominent example. In this method, relevant amino acids

and regions in the enzyme of interest are identified based on its crystal structure. By

simultaneous randomization of these and adjacent regions, a probabilistic element is

introduced to enable incomputable synergistic alterations around the active site. This rational

confinement to (putatively) relevant amino acid positions reduces the library size for

significant screening.

3. De-novo design

The decisive goal of enzyme engineering is a factual rational design, which goals at de-novo

engineering of enzymes. Instead of using experimental approaches that are time, money and

10

resource intensive; enzyme engineering using de-novo design entirely depends on in-silico

approach using fast computational algorithms. The technique relies on the availability of a

crystal structure, homology model knowledge of catalytic mechanisms. Lessons learned

from semi-rational redesign and catalytic antibodies show that mere stabilization of the

transition state is not sufficient to create efficient catalysts. Rather, a multi-disciplinary

approach has to be taken such as description of the actual chemical reaction, not only of the

transition state, but also of the entire reaction coordinate; and more dynamic molecular

modelling algorithms. First steps towards this goal have been taken by demonstrating de-

novo design of a retro-aldolase and a ‘Kemp eliminase’.

Success stories and future prospective

Lipases, esterases, nitrilase, hydantoinase, esterase, phosphotriesterase, aminotransferase,

aldolase, cyclopentene monooxigenase, monoamine oxidase, cytochrome P450 enzyme are

the some examples that have been used to engineer for one or other industrial property.

Enzyme engineering with the aim to control and tailor enantioselectivity remains a

challenging task. Directed evolution remains the preferred approach despite its many

disadvantages. This stochastic approach necessitates tedious and time-consuming screening

of huge libraries resulting in a few hits of the desired properties.

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Balaram Mohapatra

Environmental Microbiology Lab,

Department of Biotechnology Indian

Institute of Technology

Bio-plastics: A Gateway to Sustainable

Development

Introduction

Large scale industrialization and exploitation of land and water

resources have culminated in considerable environmental

degradation affecting natural homeostasis and flora and fauna. The increasing use of plastics

and their accumulation has further contributed to eco-pollution. A large percentage of plastic

produced each year is used to make single-use, disposable packaging items or products which

will get permanently thrown out within one year. As per the United States Environmental

Protection Agency, in 2011 plastics constituted over 12% of municipal solid waste. Plastics

may not only release harmful chemicals into surrounding soils but also produce powerful

greenhouse gases upon being degraded by microorganisms, contributing to global warming.

Switching over to bio-plastics is probably the only way to combat the situation in hand.

What is Bio-plastic?

Bio plastics are plastics produced from biomass sources and are mostly biodegradable and

recyclable. The three types of biodegradable plastics introduced are i) Photodegradable, ii)

Semi-biodegradable and iii) Complete biodegradable. Photodegradable plastics have light

sensitive group incorporated directly into the backbone polymer and extensive ultraviolet

radiation can disintegrate their polymeric structure and opens up the structure for microbial

degradation but if they are land filled then it can’t be degraded. Semi-biodegradable plastics

are starch linked plastics where starch holds the short chain of polyethylene. The basic

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fundamental of incorporating starch is it can be attacked by microbial enzymes and degraded

by other microbes but the polyethylene part remains as non-degradable ones. The third one is

a new and promising because it is synthesized by bacteria as polymer, which includes

Polyhydroxy alknoates (PHA), Polylactides, Aliphatic polyesters, Polysaccharides, Co-

polymers and/or blend of above. Production of a specific type of bio-plastic is a strain

specific event. Currently, the main limitations for the bulk production of bio-plastics are its

high production and recovery costs. However, genetic and metabolic engineering has allowed

their biosynthesis in several recombinant organisms improving the yield of production and

reducing the cost.

Types of Bio-polymers from living organisms

Bio-plastic- Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) was first obtained from Bacillus megaterium and

this was almost unnoticed until late 1970s when, because of petroleum crisis, a scientific

movement aimed at discovering the alternative source of fossil fuel reserve was undertaken.

Microbes belonging to more than 90 genera- including aerobe, anaerobe, photosynthetic

microbes, archae and lower eukaryotes are able to accumulate and catabolise these polymers.

Bio-polymer Natural source Chemical structure

Cellulose Wood, cotton, corn, wheat Composed of glucose and main

component of plant cell walls

Soy Protein Soy beans Proteins, naturally occurs in soy plant

Starch Corn, potatoes, wheat Carbohydrates not found in animal tissues

Polyesters Bacteria Polyesters are created by natural chemical

reactions carried out by certain bacteria

Lactic acid Beets, corn, potatoes Produced through fermentation of sugar

feedstock

Triglycerides Vegetable oils These form a large part of storage lipids

found in plant

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Growing bio-plastics in plants

Plants are becoming factories for production of bio-plastics. Bacteria create the plastic

through the conversion of sun light into energy. Researchers have transferred the gene that

code for the enzymes into Arabidopsis thaliana plant and is stored in cellular compartments.

The plant is harvested and the plastic is extracted using suitable solvent. The liquid resulting

from this process is distilled to separate the solvent from the plastic. The enzymatic

conversion consist of first condensation of two acetyl- CoA into acetoacetyl CoA, then

reduction of acetoacetyl CoA to 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA by NADPH dependent process and

finally hydroxybutyryl-CoA monomers are polymerized into PHB by polymerases. Microbial

Production of bio-plastics mainly concerns with fermentation process with genetically

engineered microbes but recently transgenic crop plants have been used for commercial

cultivation and are becoming competitive with the petroleum based plastics.

Properties and practical application

PHAs are non toxic, biocompatible and have high degree of polymerization, highly

crystalline, optically active, isotactic, piezoelectric and insoluble in water. Polyaliphatic

esters and alkanoates have emerged as promising biopolymers finding numerous applications

as thermoplastics, elastomers, adhesives, packaging materials, dining utensils, disposable

razors, diapers, cosmetic container- shampoo bottles and cups. In addition to this, they are

also used as osteosynthetic materials in the stimulation of bone growth owing to their

piezoelectric property, in bone plates and surgical sutures etc.

Conclusion

The uses of bio-plastic reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and also limits the

environmental impacts of plastic use and manufacture. However, optimizing the cost of

production is still a challenge for the researchers. Fostering new techniques for cost curtailing

and quality improvement will definitely lead to a sustainable way of development.

14

Dr. Darab Shuja

Services Institute of Medical

Sciences Lahore, Pakistan

Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus)

Clubfoot is a collection of foot abnormalities commonly

present at birth and congenital in nature in which newborn's

foot is twisted out of shape or position. In this condition,

tissues that connect the muscle to the bone (tendons) are shorter than normal tissues.

Following characteristics are found in affected foot of newborn:

The top of the foot is usually twisted downward

& inward. The calf muscles of affected foot are

underdeveloped. Affected foot may be up to 1/5

inch or 1 cm shorter than other foot.

Cause of clubfoot is unknown yet (idiopathic in

medical term). It may be associated with other

congenital anomalies like spina bifida which is

severe congenital disorder in which tissue which

surrounding the developing spinal cord do not

close properly. Ladies who do smoking during pregnancy have the risk of delivery of

newborn with clubfoot.

Clubfoot is more common in male babies. If either one of the parents or their children have

had clubfoot, the baby is more likely to have it. Very little amniotic fluid in the womb of the

mother may increase the risk of clubfoot.

There is almost no complication if the clubfoot is treated and the baby will most likely walk

15

fairly normally. However, if not treated clubfoot causes more serious problems e.g.: Arthritis,

Poor self image, Inferiority Complex, Inability to walk normally, Muscle development

problems.

If the newborn has clubfoot the parents should visit pediatric orthopedist immediately.

Doctor usually recognizes clubfoot soon after birth just from looking at the shape and

position of newborn's feet but he may advise to do X-rays or ultrasound of feet.

Treatment of clubfoot requires involvement of both Medical Man (Doctor, physical therapist)

and Parents. There are three methods of treatment:

1- Stretching & Casting / Ponseti Method:

In this method doctor follows this procedure:

He/she moves the baby's foot into correct position and then places it in a cast / plaster,

Repositions and recasts the baby's foot once or twice a week, performs a minor surgical

procedure to lengthen the achilles tendon (tendon of heel), does stretching exercises with the

baby, Puts the baby in special shoes & braces for a long duration.

2- Stretching & Taping / French Method:

This method is usually followed by physical therapist. In this method he/she performs

following steps:

He/she moves the affected foot daily and hold it in position with adhesive tape, advises the

parents to use a machine to continuously move baby's foot while he/she sleeps.

16

Asim Abbas

Department of Civil Engineering

University of Engineering and

Technology Peshawar, Pakistan

3- Surgery:

In some cases, when clubfoot is severe and affected foot does not come to its normal position

by non-surgical treatments, babies may need more invasive surgery.

An orthopedic surgeon can lengthen tendons to help ease the foot into a better position. After

surgery the baby will be in a cast for up to two months and then need to wear the brace for a

year.

In most cases, babies who are treated early grow up to wear ordinary shoes and lead normal

and active lives.

Thermal Analysis and Promotion of

Energy Efficient Housing in Pakistan

Introduction

Pakistan has been facing the worst energy crisis of its

history, especially in the shape of huge shortfalls in electric

power production, exacerbated by an infrastructure deficit.

Demand is rising rapidly, driven in part by the trend of urbanization along with numerous

other factors. Moreover, 65% of overall electricity is being generated through thermal power

plants (run either by gas or oil). It contributes largely in emission of Green House gases

causing environmental hazards. A significant amount of electricity is being used in

cooling and maintaining thermal comfort in residential buildings in the summers. Mud

17

houses and traditional roofs are being replaced by RC slab roofs as people are aligned

towards urbanization. RC structures absorb and emit more heat thereby increasing the heat

island effect of built up areas and cities. (UN-HABITAT, Pakistan October 2010)

Problem statement

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that residential, commercial and

public buildings account for 30 percent to 40 percent of the world’s energy consumption.

Surprisingly little attention has been paid to ensuring energy efficiency in buildings, despite

the tremendous impact buildings have on costs and the environment. A combination of

higher energy prices, skyrocketing demand for electricity and deepening environmental

concerns has pushed Asia to a tipping point with regard to energy efficiency in

buildings. Simply put, business as usual threatens Asia’s continued prosperity.

Objectives of Study

The aim of study is to analyze the thermal performance of RC slab roofs using Polystyrene

foam (Jumbolon). So as to provide solution to survive the energy consumption

Literature Review

People tend to move towards cities for better livelihood opportunities and living

standards in terms of better facilities and services. While their economic circumstances may

improve, they are also likely to find themselves living in many different housing

conditions, with smaller living space, less private outdoor space, less mobility for

women and children, and more time spent inside buildings particularly for women, young

children and the elderly. High density results in poor levels of indoor daylight and poor

ventilation. Higher numbers of people in small space means increased needs for ventilation.

People live in very congested spaces in cities with little to no open space or verandahs

compared to what they used to have in villages, where most families live in joint family

compounds with shared large open spaces, usually with shaded areas. In villages many

household tasks are done outside including cooking and laundry and the compound is used by

18

members of the family for sleeping at nights in the summers. In cities, outdoor spaces are

less open even if available, and do not have the same level of privacy. (UN-

HABITAT, Pakistan October 2010).

Methodology

Insulation techniques are applied on the top surface of the roof slab. These techniques lower

down the heat transfer from the top by slowing down the conduction of heat. There are the

different insulation techniques applied on roofs but I used only one technique to

improve the thermal performance of building is by using Polystyrene foam (Jumbolon) on

top if roof slab with plain concrete screed.

Results and Conclusions

Thermal comfort level recorded by the people and observed by the team working in the field

was set as below 34 degree Celsius. The temperatures observed above this limit are

considered as uncomfortable and need electrical solutions to bring it down. Solutions

applied/ tested on the roofs have shown satisfactory results clear from the Table 1

and Figure 1. The average temperature maintain by polystyrene foam is 31.8 C˚ while

ordinary construction having no insulation temperature observed is 35.5 C˚.

19

Table 1: Thermal performance of house before and after Insulation

Time House with no thermal House with Foam Insulation Insulation (Jumbolon) Temperature (C˚) Temperature (C˚) Outside Inside Outside Inside

6:00 29.1 32.6 29.1 30.0 9:00 34.3 33.3 34.3 31.1

12:00 39.7 34.9 39.7 31.9 15:00 41.0 36.2 41.0 32.2 18:00 39.2 37.6 39.2 32.8 21:00 34.1 37.1 34.1 32.6

24:00:00 32.0 36.7 32.0 32.0 Average 35.6 35.5 35.6 31.8

40.0

35.0

()

30.0

Te

mp

era

ture

25.0

20.0 No Insulation

Insulation

15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0

6:00 9:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00 24:00:00

Time duration

Figure 1: Inside temperature comparison of House having polystyrene Insulation and no

Insulation

20

Laith F. Gulli

MD, MS, CBiol, MS, LMFT, MSA,

Chief Science Officer

Nicole M. Mallory

MS, PAC, Research Associate in

Medicine

International Institute of Drug

Abuse Science and Education,

LLC, (DASE), USA

Mathematical Model that Developed

Information

Combinatorics-Algorithms-Grids (I-CAG) for the Design of an Evidenced

Based Psychometric Screening Instrument: A Brief Communication

The undertaking to develop a psychometric instrument is

monumental. Understanding the relationship between

variables and events is important in structural and

exploratory design of psychometric instruments.

Considering this we describe a method used to group, pair

and combine multiple Philosophical Assumption

statements that assisted in development of a 13 item

psychometric screening instrument. We abbreviated our

Philosophical Assumptions (PA)s and added parameters

which were then condensed and mathematically modelled

in a specific process. This model produced clusters of combinatorics which was utilized in

design and development for 1) information retrieval and categorization 2) item development

and 3) estimation of interactions among variables and likelihood of events. The psychometric

screening instrument measured Knowledge, Assessment (education) and Beliefs (KAB) of

New Addictions Research (NAR) which we called KABNAR. We obtained an overall

internal consistency for the seven Likert belief items as measured by Cronbach’s α of .81 in

the final study calculated by SPSS 14.0.1 for Windows.

We constructed the instrument to begin with demographic items (degree/addictions

certifications) for identification of target populations that practiced within OSAC settings.

21

We then devised education items, beliefs items (seven items) and a modifiable “barrier from

learning” item (question 13) that consisted of six “choose any” choices. We also

conceptualized a close relationship between identifying various degrees and certifications

held by OSAT (the demographics domain) and all aspects of their education related to EB-

NAR (past and present education and desired future training). We placed a descriptive

(PA)1tx in both demographic and education domains (Table 3) to trace relationships of

therapist education within these two domains. The two perceptions domains B1/b1 and B2/b2

represented different but interrelated perceptions from the therapist perspective. The belief

items measured therapist perceptions concerning EB-NAR and therapist perceptions using

EB-NAR during the beginning of outpatient addictions counseling. The (PA)s were written

in simple words and descriptively accurate and concise (Table 1).

Table 1. Identification and Labeling of Philosophical Assumptions

B1 Therapist Perceptions B2 Therapist Perceptions about

treatment

Educational Deficiency (PA)1 Missed Treatment Opportunity (PA)1

Relation to Practice Years (PA)2 Better Compliance with

Psychoeducational Intervention (PA)2

Taken Graduate Education (NAR) (PA)3 Better Completion Rates with

Psychoeducational Intervention (PA)3

Taken Continuing Education (NAR) (PA)4

Able to interpret (NAR) (PA)5

Belief in Disease Concept (PA)6

Treatment Improvement (PA)7

Need for Continuing Education (PA)8

Level of Degree and Certification (PA)9

We then devised a list of parameters as summarized in Table 2 and appropriately matched

them to each PA summarized in Table 1 and devised descriptive parametric (PA)s in a

domain categorized information grid (Table 3).

22

Table 2. Parameters

Table 3. Domain Categorized Information Grid

D E B1 B2

(PA)1txd (PA)1txe (PA)5tyb1 (PA)1pyb2

(PA)2txd (PA)3txe (PA)6tyb1 (PA)2pyb2

(PA)9txd (PA)4txe (PA)7tyb1 (PA)3pyb2

(PA)8txe

Descriptive parametric (PA)s were reduced to simple symbols demonstrated in Table 4. This

made it easy to utilize parametric (PA)s into algorithms, combinatorics and clusters to

develop larger information grids. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 we demonstrate the combinatorics

method.

Table 4. Simple Symbols

D E B1/b1 B2/b2

D1 E1 B1a B2a

D2 E2 B1b B2b

D3 E3 B1c B2c

E4

t Therapist

p Patient

y Dependent Variable

x Independent Variable

d Demographics

e Education

b1 Beliefs of therapist

b2 Therapist Beliefs about

Patient Care

23

By using matching combinatorics we took paired demographic and education domains with a

subscript of 1 and matched them to the column with each B domain with subscript 1. Our

matching from Figure 1 and Figure 2 formed one of the larger information grids with

organized clusters in columns and rows as summarized in Figure 3. We repeated the process

using different demographic, education and belief domains and devised multiple information

grids with different parametric clusters and geometric arrays.

We found benefit combining clusters by different geometric arrays which enabled us to trace

parametric variables and concepts. We were able to understand potential differences between

dependent and independent variables and trace relationships of maximum likelihoods. We

devised a categorization pyramid called ASHLEY (Assessment; Skills or Society; Hierarchy;

Learning or Liability; Education or Ethics; Yields) to organize each cluster into specific data

categories. Information grids were useful for designing structural equations and exploratory

factors.

24

Dr. Anchal Singh

Department of Food and Nutrition

Punjab Agricultural University

Functional Foods and their Health Benefits

Certain foods or food components may provide health

benefits. These foods, also known as “functional foods,” are

thought to provide benefits beyond basic nutrition and may

play a role in reducing or minimizing the risk of certain diseases and other health conditions.

Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fortified foods and beverages and some dietary

supplements are the examples of functional foods. The Institute of Medicine's Food and

Nutrition Board (IOM/FNB, 1994) defined functional foods as "any food or food ingredient

that may provide a health benefit beyond the traditional nutrients it contains." There are

following functional which have discussed with a lots of health benefits:

Oats: Oat products are a dietary source of the

cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber β-glucan. The

consumption of this particular plant food can reduce

total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol,

thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease

(CHD).

Soy: It contain a high quality protein, and act as

preventive and therapeutic roles in cardiovascular

disease (CVD), cancer, osteoporosis, and the

alleviation of menopausal symptoms. The

Functional Foods

25

cholesterol-lowering effect of soy is well-documented physiological effect. Of these,

isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) are particularly noteworthy because soybeans are the

only significant dietary source of these compounds.

Tomatoes: Now day’s tomatoes have received significant attention within the last few years

because of interest in lycopene, the primary carotenoid found in this fruit and its role in

cancer risk reduction. The mechanisms by which lycopene could influence cancer risk are

related to its antioxidant function. Lycopene is the most efficient quencher of singlet oxygen

in biological systems.

Flaxseed: Among the major seed oils, flaxseed oil contains the most (57%) of the omega-3

fatty acid, a-linolenic acid. Recent research, however, has focused more specifically on fiber-

associated compounds known as lignans. Two primary mammalian lignans, enterodiol and its

oxidation product, enterolactone, are formed in the intestinal tract by bacterial action on plant

lignan precursors Flaxseed is the richest source of mammalian lignan precursors. Because

enterodiol and enterolactone are structurally similar to both naturally-occurring and synthetic

estrogens, and have been shown to possess weakly estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities,

they may play a role in the prevention of estrogen-dependent cancers. Consumption of

flaxseed has also been shown to reduce total and LDL cholesterol as well as platelet

aggregation.

Garlic: Garlic (Allium sativum) is likely the herb most widely quoted in the literature for

medicinal properties. The purported health benefits of garlic are numerous, including cancer

chemopreventive, antibiotic, anti-hypertensive, and cholesterol-lowering properties. The

characteristic flavor and pungency of garlic are due to an abundance of oil-and water-soluble,

sulfur-containing elements, which are also likely responsible for the various medicinal effects

ascribed to this plant. The intact garlic bulb contains an odorless amino acid i.e. alliin, which

is converted enzymatically by allinase into allicin when the garlic cloves are crushed. This

compound is responsible for the characteristic odor of fresh garlic. Allicin then spontaneously

26

decomposes to form numerous sulfur-containing compounds, which have chemo preventive

activity.

Broccoli and other Cruciferous Vegetables: Epidemiological evidence has associated the

frequent consumption of cruciferous vegetables with decreased cancer risk. Glucosinolates

are a group of glycosides stored within cell vacuoles of all cruciferous vegetables.

Myrosinase, an enzyme found in plant cells, catalyzes these compounds to a variety of

hydrolysis products, including isothiocyanates and indoles.

Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits are protective against a variety of human cancers. Oranges,

lemons, limes, and grapefruits are a principal source of important nutrients such as vitamin C,

folate, and fiber. Citrus fruits are also contain

limonoids (a class of phytochemicals known)

which is responsible for the cancer

preventative effect and also effective against a

variety of both spontaneous and chemically-

induced rodent tumors.

Tea: Tea is second only to water as the most

widely consumed beverage in the world. A great deal of attention has been directed to the

polyphenolic constituents of tea, particularly green tea. Polyphenols comprise up to 30% of

the total dry weight of fresh tea leaves. Catechins are the predominant and most significant of

all tea polyphenols. The four major green tea catechins are epigallocatechin-3-gallate,

epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, and epicatechin. In recent years, there has been a

great deal of interest in pharmacological effects of tea. By far, most re-search on health

benefits of tea has focused on its cancer chemopreventive effects. Tea consumption may also

reduce the risk of CVD.

27

Fish: Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids are an essential class of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)

derived primarily from fish oil. The Western-type diet is currently deficient in n-3 fatty acids,

which is reflected in the current estimated n-6 to n-3 dietary ratio of 20:25-1, compared to the

1:1 ratio on which humans evolved. This has prompted researchers to examine the role of n-3

fatty acids in a number of diseases -- particularly cancer and CVD and more recently, in early

human development. n-3 fatty acids play an important role in CVD. Although eating large

amounts of fish has not unequivocally been shown to reduce CVD risk in healthy men and as

little as one serving of fish per week was associated with a significantly reduced risk of total

cardiovascular

Dairy Products: There is no doubt that dairy products are functional foods. They are one of

the best sources of calcium, an essential nutrient which can prevent osteoporosis and possibly

colon cancer. In view of the former, the National Academy of Sciences recently increased

recommendations for this nutrient for most age groups. In addition to calcium, however,

recent research has focused specifically on other components in dairy products, particularly

fermented dairy products known as probiotics. Probiotics are defined as "live microbial feed

supplements which beneficially affect the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial

balance". A variety of health benefits have been attributed to probiotics, their

anticarcinogenic, hypocholesterolemic and antagonistic actions against enteric pathogens and

other intestinal organisms have received the most attention.The role of probiotics in cancer

risk reduction, particularly colon cancer are due to the fact that lactic acid cultures can alter

the activity of fecal enzymes (e.g., b-glucuronidase, azoreductase, nitroreductase) that are

thought to play a role in the development of colon cancer. In addition to probiotics, there is

growing interest in fermentable carbohydrates that feed the good microflora of the gut. These

prebiotics, defined as "non digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by

selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in

the colon and thus improves host health," may include starches, dietary fibers, other non-

absorbable sugars, sugar alcohols, and oligosaccharides. Oligosaccharides consist of short

chain polysaccharides composed of three and 10 simple sugars linked together. They are

28

Namra Tauqir

King Edward Medical University

found naturally in many fruits and vegetables (including banana, garlic, onions, milk, honey,

artichokes).

Functional foods offer great potential to improve health and/or help prevent certain diseases

when taken as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. The subject of health claims is

becoming increasingly important and there is broad consensus that there needs to be a

regulatory framework that will protect consumers, promote fair trade and encourage product

innovation in the food industry.

Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Alva Edison is renowned scientist of modern world.

He was a business man by profession and invented many

common life things. He was born on 11th

February 1847 in

Ohio and died on 18th

October 1931 at the age of 84. His father was a part of Mackenzie

rebellion of 1837 after which he left Canada. His famous inventions include light bulb,

motion picture camera. His inventions were not only inventions

in themselves but also opened new horizons for future

inventions by supporting establishment of various industries.

His early life was full of troubles. His family had to leave Ohio

and settled in Michigan. Due to scarlet fever Edison lost his

sense of hearing and he was not able to speak till the age of 4

years. When he was of seven years, his short tempered teacher

lost patience because of his persistent questioning. Edison’s

forehead was comparatively broader than other students and his

teacher felt no hesitation in labeling him as child with

29

scrambled brain and was labeled as addled by his teacher. After this, his mother started to

teach him at home. In Michigan, in order to survive Edison sold newspapers in train initially.

Due to his interest, he established a small laboratory in box car which exploded one day due

to some chemical accident and he was forced to leave the train then. In order to supplement

his income he also sold vegetables. Later he started selling newspapers on road. Working on

the same line he started publishing his own newspaper with name Grand Trunk Herald. This

career line served as the path later in his inventions related to field of telegraphy. During his

work as telegraph operator, Edison once again met an accident in his laboratory while

experimenting with lead-acid battery when he spilled sulphuric acid on floor due to which he

had to lose his job once again.

Talking about his family life, Edison married twice in his life, once with his employee who

died at age of 29 due to some unknown cause related to tumor or morphine over dosage.

Later he remarried daughter of Lewis Miller. He had 6 children in total, 3 from each wife.

His first invention was an automatic repeater but real fame was acquired by the invention of

phonograph after which he was declared a genius by then president of United States of

America. He establish first industrial laboratory in Menlo park and that laboratory flourished

so much that within a period one decade it included almost two city blocks. It is said about

his laboratory that his laboratory included all sort of stuff from animals to screws, needles,

nails and cords of all sizes and almost eight thousand chemicals, cocoons, silk of all types,

tortoise shells hoofs of animals and sharks etc. Edison invented first practical incandescent

light bulb. Before Edison, many other scientists such as Humphrey Davy, Joseph Swan and

William Sawyer had worked on this but those were not practical either due to short life or due

to increased expenditure. So, the credit of invention of first practical incandescent bulb goes

to Edison. Edison continued to improve his invention ending with use of carbonized bamboo

with a life of almost 1200 hours on average. Initially he used materials like cotton, linen and

even paper folded in various ways which were gradually replaced by better materials. He

established electrical company with name ‘Edison electrical company’ in 1878 and

demonstrated his invention for the first time on 31st December 1879. His patent was

30

questioned in 1883 by US court stating that his work was based on work of Sawyer. This case

continued for 6 years after which decision was made in favor Edison. Later to avoid court

battle with Joseph Swan, who himself was a pioneer in work on incandescent lamps, Edison

and Swan opened a combined company with name ‘EdiSwan’. Mahan Theater was the first

building to use Edison’s electric bulbs in 1882.

Edison was strictly against violence. So, when he was asked to help the country during World

War 1, he said that he would work for creation of defensive weapons only. Due to this we can

see no invention of Edison in field of ammunition and he himself stated that he was proud of

it.

Edison established an electrical company to deliver electricity to city in form of DC. At the

same time George Westinghouse established a company utilizing AC. Here a war of current

started between these two. Edison and his company started doing propaganda against AC

stating that AC is hazardous. In this war they also electrocuted many animals to give practical

demonstration of adverse effects of AC. However, DC could only be supplied up to one and a

half mile of range of power generating plant and so could only be provided to central

industrial units. This thing limited the use of DC. His other inventions include kinetoscope,

fluoroscope used for production of X- rays. He also advocated use of Calcium tungstate

instead of using Barium paltinocyanide by evidence of production of brighter images.

However, he abandoned his work on X-rays due to almost complete loss of vision. History

also supports that Edison was himself afraid of working on X-rays after seriously injuring his

assistant while working on it who was an extremely dedicated person.

Edison was remained active till his death. He died of diabetic complications in his home at

New Jersey. His last breath was saved in a test tube by his son Charles Edison, was sealed

and then it was later on kept in the museum.

31

eSci Events Team

Dr. Aymen Rashed

Saba Haq

esci Comic Competition 2013

eSci Research has organized Comic Competition 2013. The purpose

of this event was to promote the drawing talent of students and

researchers. eSci Research Events Team has received several comics

from different parts of the world.

32

Azra Zeb

Registration ID: 2013-ECC-12

Best eSci Comic of 2013

33

Yasha Nazir

Registration ID: 2013-ECC-01

Second Best eSci Comic of 2013

34

NUST Science Society

PRess Release

Coca-Cola National Science Bee 2013 at NUST

Islamabad: The NUST Science Society held its annual Science Bee Competition in official

partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages Pakistan Limited (CCBPL), at the School of Chemical

and Materials Engineering (SCME) from 21-22 December at the NUST H-12 campus.

The event was a science based competition open to high school and university students from

all around Pakistan, and was designed to challenge them on a theoretical and practical level.

The Chief Guest at the event was the legendary scientist, Dr. Noor Muhammad Butt who has

initiated nanotechnology research in Pakistan.

The two day event began with the

teams being split in to two,

simultaneously competing in two parts

of the event, the ‘Mind Voyage’ and

‘InnoVent’. Mind Voyage consisted of

a short written quiz, testing the

participants' knowledge of physics,

chemistry, biology and their analytical

skills; the second round was a model

making competition in which the participants were given empty Coca Cola cans and bottles

35

NUST Science Society

to construct models to impress the judges; and the third round had oral questions and a rapid

fire.

InnoVent consisted of two rounds where participants presented innovative ideas on topics

like water purification, countering pollution etc. Being held side by side these events was the

Mensa IQ Test. Mensa is the oldest High IQ society in the world and if a high enough score is

achieved in the test, an automatic MENSA membership is offered.

Social events included Astro-Hunt and

Astronomy Night where participants and

students gathered at the school ground

where telescopes had been set up to gaze

at the ongoing meteor shower.

Winning teams from NUST, RCI

Millennium Campus, The City School and

OPF Girls College took home cash prizes

and trophies at the closing ceremony.

Full house response to SAP Workshop at NUST

Islamabad: The NUST Science Society (NSS) organized a SAP Training Workshop at the

School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME), NUST H-12. The two day workshop

which continued from 14-15 December invited students from all over NUST. The event was

coordinated by NSS executive Danish Pirzada and the resource person was Engineer

36

Mohammad Bilal, a Civil Engineer who brought diverse experience in construction,

measurement engineering, quality analysis and site engineering from various multi nationals.

The main focus of the workshop was to introduce students to SAP 2000(Structural Analysis

Program), a programme which is a popular tool today, serving Architects, Civil, Mechanical

and Design Engineers by testing the strength and durability of the structures that they

conceive. Virtual models of the structure were constructed in the programme and then virtual

earthquakes, tidal waves, high winds, etc were generated to test whether the structure could

stand against them or fall over.

The workshop proved to be a popular event as registrations exceeded the seats available. In

light of the high demand many students have requested another such workshop to be held

soon. The two-day programme was sealed with a certificate distribution ceremony for

participants and a shield was presented to the trainer.

37

Faiza Azeem Usmani

Editor at e Sci Magazine

Scientific News

Google launches chrome-32

Google launches chrome-32 with tab-indicators and

advanced malware detection that comprises improved

malware blocking.

When a website is playing a sound or video, it is shown on the tab. It also shows the sites

accessing webcam. Google uses a speaker icon, blue rectangle and red dot to demonstrate

these different functions.

For Windows 8 users, the new version now gives a new appearance in “Metro” mode. In the

Metro mode it appears similar to Chrome Os. Indirectly with this renew, Google is bringing

Chrome Os to windows.

38

Lenovo introduces flexible tablet

Lenovo has launched the Yoga

tablet which is said to be

advancement because of its unique

capability to tilt and stand. The

tablet was launched in Los Angeles

on 29th

October and is likely to face

a strong competition in market

because Apples iPad is still ruling.

The handle of the device allows it

to attach to furniture or household

appliances and this product is

available in 8 and 10 inches designs. Users have the choice to hold, tilt or build the device

stand with the help of the cylindrical hinge on its side. Actor Ashton Kutcher, also known as

a tech investor, reveals the tablet stating that the company has decided to lead by taking a

risk. The structure of the keyboard can be compared to Apple’s wireless keyboard. Its battery

life lasts up to 18 hours.

The price of the 8 and 10 inch models is $249 and $299 respectively. The former is said to be

ideal for reading. Users can find the tablet easier to carry with the help of the handle and it

also feels lighter. Some compare its design with the Sony Tablet S and Xperia Tablet S. Yoga

Tablet works using Android, and is very fast but the screen resolution is low (1280 x 800).

The stand, when in use, slightly blocks the camera lens and requires an unusual twisting grip

to open. Two speakers are present on the front and the audio quality is commendable, making

it all the more enjoyable to watch movies. The company has proved that it can pull off a new

idea impressively.

39

Amazon unveils the futuristic drone delivery plan

Company CEO Jeff Bezos says

that he hopes to soon deploy an

armada of mini-drones able to

drop small packages at people’s

doorstep.

Jeff Bezos believes that Amazon

“Prime Air” would be up and

running in four to five years.

“These are effectively drones

but there’s no reason that they

can’t be used as delivery vehicles,” Bezos said.

A demo video posted on the company's website showed the tiny robotic devices picking up

packages in small yellow buckets from Amazon's fulfillment centers and then whizzing

through the air to deliver the items to customers just 30 minutes after they made their

purchase on Amazon.com.

Jeff said: “We can do half-hour delivery, and we can carry objects, up to five pounds (2.3

kilograms), which covers 86 percent of the items that we deliver”.

40

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Medicalia

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Research in Engineering

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