Surface Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles for Antiviral Medicines by Simulating the Surface Structure of Host Cells
Pages 572-576
Yujiro Naruse

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.76

Published: 10 November 2015

Abstract: Surface functionalized gold nanoparticles that mimic the surfaces of host cells are proposed for antiviral medicines and the strategic design is theoretically described. As for the interaction between the gold nanoparticles and the viruses, the former acts as the adhesive balls for viruses. This will lead to gathering viruses and forming clusters or chains of them, bringing about four-stage antiviral mechanisms. The mechanisms are the interference against budding, reduction of diffusion velocity, inhibition of entry into host cells and the damage to RNA/DNA by X-ray exposure.

Predictive Relationship between Depression and Quality of Life among Patients with Type II Diabetes in Karachi-Pakistan
Pages 577-582
Umara Rauf and Uzma Ali

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.77

Published: 10 November 2015

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between depression and quality of life among individuals with type II diabetes. On the basis of literature review it was hypothesized that a) depression will predict quality of life among patients with diabetes b) there will be negative relationship between depression and quality of life among patients with diabetes. A purposive sample of 96 people with diabetes type II diagnosed by physicians was selected from different hospitals and different organizations of Karachi, Pakistan. Their age range was between 25 to 75 years (mean age = 41.2, SD = 12.3) and they belonged to three major socioeconomic status i.e. low, middle and high. To measure the depression Salma Siddiqui Depression Scale was used and quality of life was assessed through WHO Quality of life BREF-Urdu Version. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were applied for the analysis of data. Findings revealed that there was moderately significant negative relationship between Depression and Quality of Life (p<.000) and depression contributes 40% variance in quality of life among patients. The findings have clinical implications for general physicians and clinical psychologists as well as for the general population.

Cu²⁺-Citrate Dimer Complexes in Aqueous Solutions
Pages 583-589
Yahia Z. Hamada, Robin Cox and Hasan Hamada

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.78

Published: 16 November 2015

Abstract: The UV-Vis spectra, speciation diagrams, and potentiometric profiles for Cu²⁺-citrate complexesin aqueous solutions are presented. As the pH increases from 2.29 to 5.15, the UV-Vis spectral profile of the Cu²⁺-citrate complexes showed a blue shift from 820 nm to 760 nm. We have set the conditions to construct the speciation diagram as follow: Cu²⁺:citric acid was in 1:1 ratio with concentration of 1.0 x 10^-4 mol.L^-1, 0.1023 mol.L^-1 NaOH solution, and pKw = 13.781 ± 0.006 taken from Sweeton, Mesmer, and Baes. The current report is the first potentiometric study that has taken into accounts two Cu-Cit dimeric species to be refined simultaneously. These spectroscopic and potentiometric data are discussed which augment what had been reported in the literature.

Exceptional Sets for Subharmonic Functions
Pages 567-571
Juhani Riihentaus

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.75

Published: 04 November 2015

Abstract: Blanchet has shown that hypersurfaces of class C¹ are removable singularities for subharmonic functions, provided the considered subharmonic functions satisfy certain assumptions. Later we showed that, in certain cases, it is sufficient that the exceptional sets are of finite (n-1)-dimensional Hausdorff measure. Now we improve our results still further, relaxing our previous assumptions imposed on the considered subharmonic functions.

Keywords: Subharmonic, Hausdorff measure, exceptional sets. 

Effect of Sowing Dates on Growth, Yield and Grain Quality of Hybrid Maize
Pages 553-558
M. Buriro, T.A. Bhutto, A.W. Gandahi, I.A. Kumbhar and M.U. Shar

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.73

Published: 22 October 2015

Abstract: This study was conducted during 2013-14 at Student Farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (factorial) with three replications having net plot size 3x4m=(12m²). The effect of three sowing dates 25^th October, 10^th November and 25^th November on three hybrid maize varieties Pioneer 1543, Syngenta 4841 and Monsanto DK-6142 was studied. Yield components and grain quality parameters such as plant height, number of cobs per plant, cob length, grains per cob, grain yield, protein, starch and oil content of maize varieties were significantly affected by different sowing dates. It was concluded from the finding of present research work that all quantity and quality traits were promising when the sowing was completed up to 25^th October. Further delay of the sowing had negative effects on the performance of quantity and quality of maize. Hybrid maize variety Pioneer 1543 was promising variety which gave the grain yield more than 8312 kg ha^-1.

Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.), hybrid, sowing dates, grain yield.