Presence of Diverse Sugarcane Bacilliform Viruses Infecting Sugarcane in China Revealed by Pairwise Sequence Comparisons and Phylogenetic Analysis

Ahmad, Kashif,Sun, Sheng-Ren,Chen, Jun-Lu,Huang, Mei-Ting,Fu, Hua-Ying,Gao, San-Ji The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2019 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.35 No.1

Sugarcane bacilliform viruses (SCBV), which belong to the genus Badnavirus, family Caulimoviridae, are an important DNA virus complex that infects sugarcane. To explore the genetic diversity of the sugarcane-infecting badnavirus complex in China, we tested 392 sugarcane leaf samples collected from Fujian, Yunnan, and Hainan provinces for the occurrence of SCBV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using published primers SCBV-F and SCBV-R that target the reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H (RT/RNase H) regions of the viral genome. A total of 111 PCR-amplified fragments (726 bp) from 63 SCBV-positive samples were cloned and sequenced. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the SCBV sequences from this study and 34 published sequences representing 18 different phylogroups or genotypes (SCBV-A to -R). All SCBV-tested isolates could be classified into 20 SCBV phylogenetic groups from SCBV-A to -T. Of nine SCBV phylogroups reported in this study, two novel phylogroups, SCBV-S and SCBV-T, that share 90.0-93.2% sequence identity and show 0.07-0.11 genetic distance with each other in the RT/RNase H region, are proposed. SCBV-S had 57.6-92.2% sequence identity and 0.09-0.66 genetic distance, while SCBV-T had 58.4-90.0% sequence identity and 0.11-0.63 genetic distance compared with the published SCBV phylogroups. Additionally, two other Badnavirus species, Sugarcane bacilliform MO virus (SCBMOV) and Sugarcane bacilliform IM virus (SCBIMV), which originally clustered in phylogenetic groups SCBV-E and SCBV-F, respectively, are first reported in China. Our findings will help to understand the level of genetic heterogeneity present in the complex of Badnavirus species that infect sugarcane.

Presence of Diverse Sugarcane Bacilliform Viruses Infecting Sugarcane in China Revealed by Pairwise Sequence Comparisons and Phylogenetic Analysis

Kashif Ahmad,Sheng-Ren Sun,Jun-Lü,Chen,Mei-Ting Huang,Hua-Ying Fu,and San-Ji Gao 한국식물병리학회 2019 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.35 No.1

Sugarcane bacilliform viruses (SCBV), which belong to the genus Badnavirus, family Caulimoviridae, are an important DNA virus complex that infects sugarcane. To explore the genetic diversity of the sugarcane-infecting badnavirus complex in China, we tested 392 sugarcane leaf samples collected from Fujian, Yunnan, and Hainan provinces for the occurrence of SCBV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using published primers SCBV-F and SCBV-R that target the reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H (RT/RNase H) regions of the viral genome. A total of 111 PCR-amplified fragments (726 bp) from 63 SCBV-positive samples were cloned and sequenced. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the SCBV sequences from this study and 34 published sequences representing 18 different phylogroups or genotypes (SCBV-A to -R). All SCBV-tested isolates could be classified into 20 SCBV phylogenetic groups from SCBVA to -T. Of nine SCBV phylogroups reported in this study, two novel phylogroups, SCBV-S and SCBVT, that share 90.0-93.2% sequence identity and show 0.07-0.11 genetic distance with each other in the RT/ RNase H region, are proposed. SCBV-S had 57.6- 92.2% sequence identity and 0.09-0.66 genetic distance, while SCBV-T had 58.4-90.0% sequence identity and 0.11-0.63 genetic distance compared with the published SCBV phylogroups. Additionally, two other Badnavirus species, Sugarcane bacilliform MO virus (SCBMOV) and Sugarcane bacilliform IM virus (SCBIMV), which originally clustered in phylogenetic groups SCBV-E and SCBV-F, respectively, are first reported in China. Our findings will help to understand the level of genetic heterogeneity present in the complex of Badnavirus species that infect sugarcane.

Ransomware Dissemination and Mitigation Techniques - A Review

Kashif Nisar,Muhammad Imran Sarwar (Member IEEE),Muhammad Tariq Arfan,Muhammad Waseem Iqbal,Sana Ahmad 한국차세대컴퓨팅학회 2021 한국차세대컴퓨팅학회 학술대회 Vol.2021 No.11

Digital assets are one of the most important precious entities for any organization and if someone captures them for the purpose of ransom, then it would be a serious threat. The threat actor behind this activity is the ransomware. The threat posed by the ransomware on personal and business data assets expands very quickly. Data on an infected computer becomes encrypted until a ransom is paid for its release. Each year, ransomware causes hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for the companies throughout the world. Frequently, new versions are released because of the enormous profit margins and notorious practices. Antivirus software and other intrusion detection systems can be bypassed, so they are not a permanent solution so-far. This research work contributes some latest dissemination and mitigation techniques that are using in ransomware attacks. We also discussed the countermeasures to mitigate the ransomware attacks and some decryption tools and ransomware simulation to find the vulnerabilities in the system.

Liquidated Damages Clause in Commercial Contracts: A Pakistan’s Perspective

Kashif Imran Zadi,Ahmad Abdul Rehman Khan,Usman Hameed,Khushbakht Qaiser,Zarfishan Qaiser 이준국제법연구원 2022 China and WTO Review Vol.8 No.2

Characteristics of Sustainable Concrete with Partial Substitutions of Glass Waste as a Binder Material

Jawad Ahmad,Rebeca Martinez-Garcia,Salem Algarni,Jesús de-Prado-Gil,Talal Alqahtani,Kashif Irshad 한국콘크리트학회 2022 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.16 No.3

Manufacturing waste has been quickly increasing over time as a result of the fast-rising population as well as the consumption of foods that are thrown away dishonestly, resulting in environmental contamination. As a result, it has been suggested that industrial waste disposal may be considerably reduced if it could be integrated into cement concrete manufacturing. The aim of this study is to analyze the properties of concrete employing waste glass (WG) as a binding material in proportions of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% by weight of cement. The fresh property was assessed using a slump cone test, while mechanical performance was assessed using flexural, compressive, splitting tensile, and pull-out strength after 7, 28, and 56 days. Furthermore, microstructure analysis was studied by scan electronic microscopic (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) test. The results reveal that the addition of discarded glass reduces the workability of concrete. Furthermore, mechanical performance was increased up to a 20% substitution of waste glass and then gradually declined. Waste glass can be employed as a micro filler or pozzolanic material without affecting the mechanical performance of concrete, according to microstructure research.

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors for biohydrogen production: Recent developments, challenges and perspectives

Aslam, Muhammad,Ahmad, Rizwan,Yasin, Muhammad,Khan, Asim Laeeq,Shahid, Muhammad Kashif,Hossain, Shakhawat,Khan, Zakir,Jamil, Farrukh,Rafiq, Sikander,Bilad, Muhammad Roil,Kim, Jeonghwan,Kumar, Gopalakr Elsevier 2018 Bioresource technology Vol.269 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Biohydrogen as one of the most appealing energy vector for the future represents attractive avenue in alternative energy research. Recently, variety of biohydrogen production pathways has been suggested to improve the key features of the process. Nevertheless, researches are still needed to overcome remaining barriers to practical applications such as low yields and production rates. Considering practicality aspects, this review emphasized on anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) for biological hydrogen production. Recent advances and emerging issues associated with biohydrogen generation in AnMBR technology are critically discussed. Several techniques are highlighted that are aimed at overcoming these barriers. Moreover, environmental and economical potentials along with future research perspectives are addressed to drive biohydrogen technology towards practicality and economical-feasibility.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Anaerobic membrane bioreactor technology for biohydrogen production is overviewed. </LI> <LI> Enhancement of biohydrogen yield and generation rates via various strategies is discussed. </LI> <LI> Techno-economic and environmental impacts of this approach are addressed. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Association of Mutual Fund Risk Measures and Return Parameters: A Juxtapose of Ranking for Performance in Pakistan

KHURRAM, Muhammad Usman,HAMID, Kashif,JAVEED, Sohail Ahmad Korea Distribution Science Association 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.2

This purpose of this study is to investigate the association among mutual funds (MFs) risk measures and return parameters, evaluate mutual fund performance and also explore the best appropriate mutual fund performance measure for investment in Pakistan. Therefore, thirty-five mutual funds have been selected for the period 2007-2015. The Sharpe, Treynor, Jensen Alpha, Information ratio and Fama's Net Selectivity measures has been used to analyze MF performance. Our study findings show significant positive relation exist between Sharpe and Jenson alpha & information ratio (IR); Treynor ratio is negatively correlated to Jenson alpha and Jenson alpha is positively allied with IR. Moreover, association among performance measures, Fama's net selectivity is a major driver in leading to other measures but Sharpe and IR lead to Treynor ratio as well. Furthermore, performance measures are ranked in accordance standard deviation with the arrangement of Fama's net selectivity at top, Jenson Alpha at second, Sharpe ratio at third, IR at fourth and Treynor ratio at fifth position according to risk parameters in Pakistan. Overall, Jensen Alpha measure appears to be the best suitable mutual fund performance measure in Pakistan due to its practical nature. Finally, the Pakistani stock market index KSE100 (as benchmark) performs better than MF industry of Pakistan.

A comprehensive review on the watermelon phytochemical profile and their bioactive and therapeutic effects

Muhammad Nadeem,Maham Navida,Kashif Ameer,Aqsa Iqbal,Faiqa Malik,Muhammad Ather Nadeem,Hira Fatima,Aftab Ahmed,Ahmad Din 한국식품저장유통학회 2022 한국식품저장유통학회지 Vol.29 No.4

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is commonly consumed by humans and widely available around the world. It has impressive nutritional properties, a rich phytochemical profile, and various claimed medicinal and health benefits. The major carotenoids in watermelon include lycopene, β-carotene, phytofluene, phytoene, lutein, and neurosporene. Lycopene (approximately 6,888 μg/152 g) is the major bioactive component in the fruit and it reportedly promotes several therapeutic effects, such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities etc. in humans and animals. Watermelon is also a good source of the amino acid citrulline, which is involved in production of arginine. Pre- and postharvest factors, including fruit sampling area, application of fertilizer, climatic factors, and genetic variability, are known to affect its bioactive compounds and nutrient concentrations. This review summarizes our current understanding of the watermelon phytochemical profile and the factors affecting its bioactivities and therapeutic effects.

Evaluation of Potential Morpho-physiological and Biochemical Indicators in Selecting Heat-tolerant Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) Genotypes

Jalal Ud Din,Sami Ullah Khan,Ahmad Khan,Abdul Qayyum,Kashif Sarfraz Abbasi,Matthew A Jenks 한국원예학회 2015 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.56 No.6

A few degrees in temperature above the optimum can cause a considerable yield loss in tomatoes. A research experiment was conducted in which three tomato genotypes of (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.), ‘Suncherry Extra Sweet’ (Suncherry), ‘Walter’, and ‘CLN-2498d’, were evaluated for response to moderate high temperature at the reproductive stage. High temperature reduced the total number of fruits per plant, fruit size, number of seeds per fruit, seed setting, and relative ovule viability. However, high temperature increased proline accumulation and membrane thermo-stability in plant parts of the investigated genotypes. Fruit size and the number of seeds per fruit were reduced in all the genotypes, with the greatest reduction occurring in Suncherry. Similarly, viability of male and female gametes was also reduced in all of the investigated genotypes due to high temperature injury. The reduction in seed setting due to high temperature was greatest in ‘Suncherry’ and ‘Walter’, and least in ‘CLN-2498d’. Likewise, ovule viability was least reduced in ‘CLN-2498d’. The genotypes accumulating higher proline concentrations in reproductive parts and with enhanced membrane thermo-stability under high temperature likewise produced the highest fruit yield, and hence, exhibited high temperature tolerance.

Metabolites of Marine Algae Collected from Karachi-coasts of Arabian Sea

Muhammad Shaiq Ali,Muhammad Jahangir,Muhammad Saleem,Muhammad Kashif Pervez,Shaista Hameed,Viqar Uddin Ahmad 한국생약학회 2000 Natural Product Sciences Vol.6 No.2

The ethanolic extracts of marine green, brown and red algae collected from Karachi coasts of Arabian Sea afforded a new enol-derivative of N-acylsphingosine named as coelarthenol (1) from Coelarthrum muelleri, two new glucose-derivatives named: botryenal (2) and botryenol (3) from Botryocladia leptopoda, α-tocopherol quinone (4) from Codium iyengarii, β-sitosterol and hexadecanoic acid from Stokeyia indica. The known constituents (4, β-sitosterol & hexadecanoic acid) have not been reported so far from their corresponding sources and the structures were determined through spectroscopic methods, whereas, the structures of new constituents (1-3) were elucidated with the aid of selective HMBC experiments. The phytotoxicity of 4 was also monitored.