Introduction to Communication Research: The First Basic Steps

Since the articles publish in Weekend Reviews and journals like Pakistan Perspectives are usually anchored in Communication Research it is incumbent that the first basic steps in that Research are delineated first. The first steps consist of three basic exposures i.e. Selective exposure, selective perception and selective retention. A. Selective exposure means that you expose yourself to those events or developments you’re already familiar with. If that is, if you’re PMLN fan you don’t usually expose yourself to PPP meetings or events. That is you strengthen your already antecedent perception all the more-to the exclusion to other perceptions. B. Selective perception means that even when you expose yourself to selective exposure you try to pursue only those developments or events that you’re at home with. Since you don’t expose yourself to other perceptions you get yourself confirmed or strengthened in your own persistent views. C. Finally, selective retention means that you retain only such perceptions which again are antecedent to your previous perceptions. In any case, the differences wrought by exposing yourself to different views are great, even monumental. This is seen in the respective stance of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi on the federal part of the Government of India Act, 1935-1940. Jinnah use to expose himself to all sorts of document, word by word and formulated his stance in the light of his readings.

Microbial Community and its Role in Mangrove Ecosystem

The aim of current experimental work was to explore the importance of microbial mat present at the mangrove area of Sandspit backwaters, Karachi. The first chapter consists of an introduction to mangroves in general. In chapter 2, nutrients in the backwater channels were studied. It was found that nutrient levels were more on site where mat was present as compared to without mat site. Overall phosphate levels were high throughout all seasons and the nutrient levels were found in the following order phosphate>ammonium>nitrate>nitrite. In chapter 3, it was observed that the presence or absence of microbial mat directly influence the soil. The soil covered with mat have increased water retention, low salinity and pH, high carbon as compared to soil without mat. In chapter 4, the seasonal rates of potential nitrification were examined. This process is a significant step in nitrogen cycle and involves the conversion of ammonium into nitrate. Although there were no drastic changes in rates with respect to seasons, the presence of microbial mat significantly affects the rates of potential nitrification. In chapter 5, microbial mats were surveyed. The primary members of mat include few protozoa, cyanobacteria, bacteria and diatoms. The filamentous forms of cyanobacteria were responsible for macroscopic green sheath formation on top soil. Phormidium tenue, Spirulina labyrinthiformis, Spirulina major, Oscillatoria limosa, Phormidium breve and Oscillatoria prínceps were present in all seasons. In chapter 6, cyanobacterial metabolites were inspected. Seawater fraction of Aphanocapsa litoralis and ethanol fraction of Phormidium breve were active against Candida albicans. Phormidium breve extract was more cytotoxic (LC50 0.02 mg/ml) against Artemia salina as compared to Aphanocapsa litoralis extract (LC50 6.2 mg/ml). In chapter 7, metabolites of bacteria associated with microbial mat were screened. Out of 120 isolates only two isolates SSC1407 (Proteus sp.) and SSC14011 (Klebsiella pneumoniae strain) were found to have some antagonistic activity against isolates of E. coli and Proteus O respectively. SSC1407 tolerated increased levels of temperature and different types of chemicals. SSC14011 tolerated high pH, UV-rays and also produced higher protein yield after successive purifications. SSC14011 was slightly more cytotoxic (LC50 0.046 mg/ml) against Artemia salina than SSC1407 (LC50 0.052mg/ml).