Metal oxide nanofibers were fabricated using electrospinning technique. Electrical measurements were used as a diagnostic tool for gas sensing application. Photocatalytic activity of metal oxide nanofibers was measured for degradation of organic contaminants in water. The synthesized metal oxide nanofibers were of titanium dioxide (TiO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), bismuth modified silicon dioxide (Bi-modified SiO2) and bismuth silicate (Bi4(SiO3)4). The diameters of fabricated nanofibers were ~150 – 200 nm and length is of several micrometers. AC impedance spectroscopy of TiO2 nanofibers was performed in the temperature range of 333 K – 513 K. Dielectric loss peak in loss tangent confirmed the presence of relaxing dipoles. The AC conductance as a function of frequency obeys the Jonscher’s power law. The effect of metal (Ti, Ni, and Au) electrodes on humidity sensing properties of TiO2 nanofibers was investigated from 40% – 90% relative humidity (RH) at room temperature. TiO2 nanofibers RH sensor with Ti-electrode had higher sensitivity of 7.53 MΩ/∆%RH, fast response and recovery time of 3 s and 5 s, respectively, as compared to other electrode sensors. SiO2 nanofibers RH sensor was also investigated and it had sensitivity of 9.40 MΩ/∆%RH, quick response and recovery time of 5 s and 3 s, respectively. All sensors were stable, having good reproducibility and low hysteresis values. Oxygen sensing properties of SiO2, Bi-modified SiO2 and Bi4(SiO3)4 nanofibers were investigated by changing the oxygen concentration inside the chamber using different gas flow rates. The performance of the sensors was evaluated from 298 K – 400 K in oxygen rich environment. SiO2, Bi-modified SiO2 and Bi4(SiO3)4 nanofibers oxygen sensors had response time of 58 s, 51 s and 49 s, respectively (error < 5 %). The photodegradation of cationic (methylene blue (MB) and Safranin O (SO)) and anionic (methyl orange (MO)) dyes were performed using photocatalyst i.e. SiO2, Bi-modified SiO2 and Bi4(SiO3)4 nanofibers. The photodegradation rate of SiO2 photocatalyst increased from 0.008 min-1 - 0.085 min-1 (MO), 0.071 min-1 – 0.312 min-1 (SO) and 0.081 min-1 – 0.231 min-1 (MB) with increasing Bi contents from 1 % to 10 %. In case of Bi4(SiO3)4 nanofibers photocatalyst the photodegradation rate was 0.273 min-1, 0.409 min-1 and 0.406 min-1 for MO, SO and MB respectively.
In the context of blasphemy issue, the present study examines the socio-cultural elements in the Moral Ethics syllabi functional at the different universities of Pakistan. As per our hypothesis, ME syllabi lack some important socio-cultural elements responsible for handling hate crimes, especially the issue of blasphemy. For testing the proposed hypothesis, available ME syllabi were collected from the official websites of different universities. Collected ME syllabi were examined through the method of content analysis. After examining literature review, necessary socio-cultural factors (SCFs) were listed and the selected syllabi were evaluated through this list of SCFs. Our study findings endorse the primary hypothesis that majority of universities has adopted the foreign model of ME syllabi without adapting them according to indigenous social and cultural needs. Additionally, the most important SCFs; knowledge of blasphemy laws (KBL) and real-life dilemmas (RLD), are mostly absent in the existing ME syllabi.
Cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) an important vegetable crop is reported to have very low genetic diversity. The present study was conducted to determine the extent of heritable variation in tomato germplasm. Germplasm comprised of 82 accessions including accessions of Solanum lycopersicum L. and four wild species S. chilense, S. habrochaites, S. pennellii and S.pimpinellifolium. At morpho-physiological level data was recorded for qualitative and quantitative traits from seedling to reproductive stages in 2006 and 2007. F-ratio and heritability values were high for most of the traits. Cluster analysis revealed grouping of accessions based on similarities irrespective of geographical origin. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed positive contribution of fruit traits on PC1 while vegetative and agronomic traits on PC2. Towards yield Correation studies revealed complex pattern of association. Path analysis revealed that direct selection of the genotypes with greater equatorial diameter or multiple trait selection for traits which exert indirect positive effects through fruit diameter may meet the target of yield improvement. The germplasm investigated had enough variation (>50%) which can be employed in future breeding programs for yield as well as other vital combinations. Keeping in view the results of path analysis and other statistics 19 accessions have been identified for yield enhancement program. Genetic variance of 82 genotypes was studied for seed protein profile also. Out of 23 bands one was monomorphic and 22 were polymorphic. Low polymorphism was detected and cultivar identification was not possible. Cluster analysis did not reveal differentiation either for agronomic traits or origin. In a representative sample of 39 accessions microsatellite analysis was performed employing 15 SSR markers. An average of 2.8 alleles per locus was observed. Average Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value was 0.507. From the results it is concluded that SSR markers were effective in detecting polymorphism in crops with high genetic similarity. Regarding wild species S. pimpinellifolium was distinguishable while for rest of three species it seems pertinent to conclude these as cultivated tomato not the wild species.