bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Storage Security in the Cloud Environment Using the Honey Pot System
Authors: Malar Benjula Anbu , Prabhu J.
Published: August 2020

Cloud computing is a framework for delivering services through a shared network. It should follow certain procedures or mechanisms to protect and make the cloud data more reliable. In secure cloud computing, the implementation and service delivery model are dealt with. Cloud security could be viewed as a provider and customer responsibility depending on their design and level. There are cases where multiple cloud users can use the same information to create service abnormalities, which is called ‘multitenancy.' In a multi-tenant model, the resources are isolated between different users and it is done by segmentation to achieve the goal of data security between many users. In the user access area, user access to common resources is also limited. The software is aware of the actions of the client and acts accordingly if unauthorized access is detected. The authors propose a clear idea of the data storage security of cloud information through honeypot in cloud monitoring applications and various cloud security scheme key models used and also identifies the audit time and invalid response time.
Border Detection in Skin Lesion Images Using an Improved Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Jayalakshmi D.  , Dheeba J.
Published: August 2020

The incidence of skin cancer has been increasing in recent years and it can become dangerous if not detected early. Computer-aided diagnosis systems can help the dermatologists in assisting with skin cancer detection by examining the features more critically. In this article, a detailed review of pre-processing and segmentation methods is done on skin lesion images by investigating existing and prevalent segmentation methods for the diagnosis of skin cancer. The pre-processing stage is divided into two phases, in the first phase, a median filter is used to remove the artifact; and in the second phase, an improved K-means clustering with outlier removal (KMOR) algorithm is suggested. The proposed method was tested in a publicly available Danderm database. The improved cluster-based algorithm gives an accuracy of 92.8% with a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 90% with an AUC value of 0.90435. From the experimental results, it is evident that the clustering algorithm has performed well in detecting the border of the lesion and is suitable for pre-processing dermoscopic images.
An Approach to Feature Selection in Intrusion Detection Systems Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Kavitha G.  , Elango N. M.
Published: August 2020

The rapid development of various services that are provided by information technology has been widely accepted by the users who are making use of such services in their day-to-day life activities. Securing such a system application from various intrusions still remains to be a one of the major issues in the current era. Detecting such anomalies from the regular events involves various steps such as data pre-processing, feature selection, and classification. Many of the computational models intend to accurately discriminate the samples of each group for better classification by identifying candidate features prior to the learning phase. This research studies the implementation of a combined feature selection technique such as the GRRF-FWSVM method which is applied to the benchmarked anomaly detection dataset KDD CUP 99. The results prove the novel proposed hybrid model is an effective method in identifying anomalies and it increases the detection rate of about 98.55% of the intrusion detection system with the two most common benchmark models.
EFS-LSTM (Ensemble-Based Feature Selection With LSTM) Classifier for Intrusion Detection System
Authors: Preethi D.  , Khare Neelu
Published: August 2020

In this article, an EFS-LSTM, a deep recurrent learning model, is proposed for network intrusion detection systems. The EFS-LSTM model uses ensemble-based feature selection (EFS) and LSTM (Long Short Term Memory) for the classification of network intrusions. The EFS combines five feature selection mechanisms namely, information gain, gain ratio, chi-square, correlation-based feature selection, and symmetric uncertainty-based feature selection. The experiments were conducted using the benchmark NSL-KDD dataset and implemented using Tensor flow and python. The EFS-LSTM classifier is evaluated using the classification performance metrics and also compared with all the 41 features without any feature selection as well as with each individual feature selection techniques and classified using LSTM. The performance study showed that the EFS-LSTM model outperforms better with 99.8% accuracy with a higher detection and less false alarm rates.
What Drives Electronic Word of Mouth and Purchase in Social Commerce?
Authors: Choi Youngkeun
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study is to develop and verify the research model to examine the antecedents of electronic word of mouth on social commerce, which influences consumer purchase intentions. In the results, first, the attitude toward the electronic word of mouth, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control increases the electronic word of the consumer. Second, a consumer's electronic word of mouth increases his or her purchase intention. Finally, attitude toward the electronic word of mouth and perceived behavioral control among the pioneers of the electronic word of mouth of the consumer increases his or her purchase intention through the electronic word of mouth. This study is the first one to contribute to the study of social commerce by giving scholarly attention to electronic word of mouth. This study provides new ways to stimulate consumer purchase intention.
Turkish Consumer Participation in E-Commerce
Authors: Kose Tekin , Arslan Sebnem
Published: August 2020

This study investigates socio-economic factors affecting participation by Turkish individuals in electronic commerce. By exploiting a nationally representative household survey data from Turkey, non-linear probability models are employed to quantify the factors influencing participation decision of consumers in e-commerce. Empirical findings indicate that income level, education level, being employed, variety of internet use, technology skills and trust in internet have positive relationships with both use of e-commerce and amount of online expenditures. While relatively younger and older individuals are less likely to engage in e-commerce activities, middle-aged individuals are more likely to participate. Although females are more likely to participate in e-commerce, they tend to spend less in their e-commerce activities compared to males. Research findings imply that policies to encourage use of technology and online marketing strategies of businesses should employ different approaches which specially target sub-groups of society with respect socio-demographics.
Psychological and Relational Moderators for the Relationship Between Brand Equity and Its Consequences
Authors: Liao Ying Kai , Truong Giang Nu To , Nguyen Phuong Minh Binh
Published: August 2020

One of the most critical marketing topics which have been widely discussed is brand equity. However, the moderating effects of relevant variables on brand equity are still inconclusive. This study focused on the potential moderating effects of consumer variables on the influences of brand equity on behavioral intention. Using a survey approach, the result of 353 cosmetics consumers showed that the level of relational moderators, including loyalty program participation, relationship age, product knowledge, and previous shopping experience would accelerate the influences of brand equity on behavior intention, brand preference, and word of mouth. While the level of psychological moderators including product involvement, brand commitment, brand love, switching cost and customer expectation would amplify the influence of brand equity to the same consequential variables. These results may provide an essential reference for both academicians and professionals to conduct further empirical validation or develop appropriate marketing programs to promote brand equity.
IRF4 Expression Is Required for the Immunoregulatory Activity of Conventional Type 2 Dendritic Cells in Settings of Chronic Bacterial Infection and Cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaozhou , Artola-Boran Mariela , Fallegger Angela , Arnold Isabelle C. , Weber Achim , Reuter Sebastian , Taube Christian , Müller Anne
Published: August 2020

The lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract and other mucosal surfaces of humans and mice host a network of mononuclear phagocytes that differ in their ontogeny, surface marker and transcription factor expression, and functional specialization. Conventional dendritic cells (DCs) in particular exist as two major subpopulations in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs that can be distinguished based on their surface marker and transcription factor expression. In this study, we show in various Th1- and/or Th17-polarized settings of acute and chronic bacterial infection and of tumor growth that the conditional ablation of Irf4 in CD11c+ DCs results in more efficient immune control of Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette–Guérin, and Citrobacter rodentium and of tumor growth in a syngeneic tumor model. We attribute the phenotype of IRF4ΔDC mice to unrestricted Th1 responses and in particular to IFN-γ– and TNF-α–expressing CD4+ T cells. This activity of IRF4-expressing DCs is linked to a DC-specific immunoregulatory transcriptional program. In contrast, in Th2-polarized settings such as house dust mite–induced allergic airway inflammation, the lack of IRF4 expression in the DC compartment alleviates inflammation and goblet cell metaplasia. The combined data provide evidence for immunoregulatory properties of this versatile DC population in Th1-polarized infection settings.
Ligation of HLA Class I Molecules Induces YAP Activation through Src in Human Endothelial Cells
Authors: Anwar Tarique , Sinnett-Smith James , Jin Yi-Ping , Reed Elaine F. , Rozengurt Enrique
Published: August 2020

Ab cross-linking of HLA class I (HLA I) molecules on the surface of endothelial cells (EC) triggers proliferative and prosurvival intracellular signaling, which is implicated in the process of chronic allograft rejection, also known as transplant vasculopathy. Despite the importance of Ab-mediated rejection in transplantation, the mechanisms involved remain incompletely understood. In this study, we examined the regulation of yes-associated protein (YAP) localization, phosphorylation, and transcriptional activity in human ECs challenged with Abs that bind HLA I. In unstimulated ECs, YAP localized mainly in the cytoplasm. Stimulation of these cells with Ab W6/32 induced marked translocation of YAP to the nucleus. The nuclear import of YAP was associated with a rapid decrease in YAP phosphorylation at Ser127 and Ser397, sites targeted by LATS1/2 and with the expression of YAP-regulated genes, including connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61). Transfection of small interfering RNAs targeting YAP/TAZ blocked the migration of ECs stimulated by ligation of HLA I, indicating that YAP mediates the increase in EC migration induced by HLA I ligation. Treatment of intact ECs with Src family inhibitors induced cytoplasmic localization of YAP in unstimulated ECs and, strikingly, blocked the nuclear import of YAP induced by Ab-induced HLA I activation in these cells and the increase in the expression of the YAP-regulated genes CTGF and CYR61 induced by HLA I stimulation. Our results identify the Src/YAP axis as a key player in promoting the proliferation and migration of ECs that are critical in the pathogenesis of transplant vasculopathy.
Preoperative high-sensitivity troponin I and B-type natriuretic peptide, alone and in combination, for risk stratification of mortality after liver transplantation
Authors: Moon Young-Jin , Kwon Hye-Mee , Jung Kyeo-Woon , Kim Kyoung-Sun , Shin Won-Jung , Jun In-Gu , Song Jun-Gol , Hwang Gyu-Sam
Published: August 2020

Background: Given the severe shortage of donor liver grafts, coupled with growing proportion of cardiovascular death after liver transplantation (LT), precise cardiovascular risk assessment is pivotal for selecting recipients who gain the greatest survival benefit from LT surgery. We aimed to determine the prognostic value of pre-LT combined measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) in predicting early post-LT mortality. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 2,490 consecutive adult LT patients between 2010 and 2018. Cut-off values of BNP and hsTnI for predicting post-LT 90-day mortality were calculated. According to the derived cut-off values of two cardiac biomarkers, alone and in combination, adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of post-LT 90-day mortality were determined using multivariate Cox regression analysis.Results: Mortality rate after 90 days was 2.9% (72/2,490). Rounded cut-off values for post-LT 90-day mortality were 400 pg/ml for BNP (aHR 2.02 [1.15, 3.52], P = 0.014) and 60 ng/L for hsTnI (aHR 2.65 [1.48, 4.74], P = 0.001), respectively. Among 273 patients with BNP ≥ 400 pg/ml, 50.9% of patients were further stratified into having hsTnI ≥ 60 ng/L. Combined use of pre-LT cardiac biomarkers predicted post-LT 90-day mortality rate; both non-elevated: 1.0% (21/2,084), either one is elevated: 9.0% (24/267), and both elevated: 19.4% (27/139, log-rank P < 0.001; aHR vs non-elevated 4.23 [1.98, 9.03], P < 0.001).Conclusions: Concomitant elevation of both cardiac biomarkers posed significantly higher risk of 90-day mortality after LT. Pre-LT assessment cardiac strain and myocardial injury, represented by BNP and hsTnI values, would contribute to prioritization of LT candidates and help administer target therapies that could modify early mortality.
Spinal cord stimulation for spinal cord injury patients with paralysis
Authors: Tsai Sheng-Tzung , Chen Yu-Chen , Cheng Hung-Yu , Lin Chun-Hsiang , Lin Huan-Chen , Yang Chich-Haung , Liang Chung-Chao , Chen Shin-Yuan
Published: August 2020

Spinal cord injury (SCI) usually leads to disconnection between traversing neuronal pathway. The impairment of neural circuitry and its ascending and descending pathway usually leave severe SCI patients with both motor disability and loss of sensory function. In addition to poor quality of life, SCI patients not only have disabling respiratory function, urinary retention, impaired sexual function, autonomic dysregulation but also medical refractory neuropathic pain in the long term. Some translational studies demonstrated that spinal networks possess a dynamic state of synaptic connection and excitability that can be facilitated by epidural spinal cord stimulation. In addition, preliminary human studies also confirmed that spinal cord stimulation enables stepping or standing in individuals with paraplegia as well. In this review, we examined the plausible interventional mechanisms underlying the effects of epidural spinal cord stimulation in animal studies. Following the success of translational research, chronic paralyzed subjects due to SCI, defined as motor complete status, regained their voluntary control and function of overground walking and even stepping for some. These progresses lead us into a new hope to help SCI patients to walk and regain their independent life again.
Development of Maize Stalk Cellulose Fiber Reinforced Calcined Kaolinite Clay Geopolymer Composite
Authors: Addisu Workiye  , Eyassu Woldsenbet
Published: August 2020

In recent years the popularity of ecological and renewable materials has grown. Aware of the availability of local resources and economic grounds, the attention is paid to the development geopolymer composite. Geopolymers are inorganic polymers that are formed by the polymerization reaction of silico-aluminate and silico-oxide. The aim of the research was to develop single maize stalk cellulose fiber reinforced calcined kaolinte caly based geopolymer composite. Kaolinite clay was characterized for its chemical composition from two different sites located in Ethiopia to use as precursor material. In addition to that, single maize stalk fiber was extracted from the maize stalk local variety by using a retting process, sodium hydroxide purity 98 % used for chemical treatment of the fiber for 30 minutes and its tensile strength 1184 Mpa and young modulus 16 Gpa were determined based on AST M D3822 to use as reinforcement. Sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate in appropriate ratio were used as an alkaline activator. Therefore,  the geopolymer composite developed from chemical treated short single maize stalk cellulose fiber and calcined kaolinite clay based geopolymer matrix activated by sodium water glass.  Geopolymer composites reinforced with 0 weight%, 0.1 weight%, 0.2 weight%, 0.6 weight%, and 1 weight% maize stalk single cellulose were prepared and tested for compression strength according to AST M C 1424. Measured compression strength ranged from 16 Mpa up to 27 Mpa. The result shows that the appropriate addition of single maize stalk cellulose  fibers can improve the Compression strength of a calcined kaolinite based geopolymer
A Study on Dual-band Microstrip Rectangular Patch Antenna for Wi-Fi
Authors: Uqaili Rabnawaz Sarmad , Uqaili Junaid Ahmed , Zahra Sidrish , Soomro Faraz Bashir , Akbar Ali
Published: August 2020

This paper presents the design of a dual-band microstrip patch antenna for Wi-Fi that operates at 2.5 GHz and 5.8 GHz. The antenna contains a rectangular patch with two rectangular slots. The first slot is incorporated in the patch while the second slot is incorporated in the ground plane. The antenna is based on a microstrip fed rectangular patch printed on the FR-4 epoxy substrate with a dielectric constant of 4.4 and a thickness of 1.6 mm with patch size 24 mm × 21 mm. The simulated result shows that the realized antenna successfully works on dual-band and subsequently achieves a bandwidth of 100 MHz and 200 MHz as well as the return loss about -29.9 dB and -15.16 dB for 2.5 GHz and 5.8 GHz respectively. A stable omnidirectional radiation pattern is observed in the operating frequency bands. The antenna meets the required specifications for 802.11 WLAN standards.
Forecasting Carbon Dioxide Emission of Asian Countries Using ARIMA and Simple Exponential Smoothing Models
Authors: Fatima Samreen , Ali Sayed Saad , Zia Syeda Sadia , Hussain Ehtesham , Fraz Tayyab Raza , Khan Mehwish Shafi
Published: August 2020

Industrial revolution has increased the level of pollution due to emission of carbon dioxide in the past fewdecades. Resulting changes in the world’s climate are seen in the form of an increase in temperature which causes heatwaves, diseases related to skin, cardiovascular and other respiratory illnesses in humans. According to a past study,overall contribution of continent Asia is 49% - 50% in the production of carbon dioxide. Therefore, data of carbondioxide emission, heat and electricity, manufacturing industries, residential and commercial buildings, transport andother sources of Asian countries namely: Japan, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Singapore, andNepal from 1971 to 2014 have been taken for the present study. Empirical analysis shows that heat and electricity arethe main cause to increase carbon dioxide emission in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran and Sri Lanka. Whereas thisemission is increased in China due to residential and commercial buildings and transport variables. On the other hand,for Nepal and Singapore, these variables do not play any significant role in CO2 emission. Simple exponentialsmoothing (SES) and ARIMA models are used to forecast CO2 emissions. Furthermore, simple exponential smoothingis found appropriate for Pakistan and Sri Lanka based on the minimum FMAE. Whereas, for Japan, China, India, Iranand Singapore, ARIMA model is found suitable as it has minimum FMAE value. In Nepal and Bangladesh, bothmodels have significant differences, so any one of them can be used for forecasting.
Potential Seismogenic Source Model for the Red Sea and Coastal areas of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Rehman Faisal , El-hady Sherif M. , Harbi Hussein M. , Ullah Muhammad Fahad , Rehman Saif Ur , Riaz Omar , Hassan Saeed
Published: August 2020

Seismogenic source models are unavoidable and a crucial element in seismic hazard studies. A seismogenic source model for Red sea and surrounding areas was constructed. The source model was built up taking into consideration various scientific data sources and logical opinions. A comprehensive model for Red sea and coastal regions of western Saudi Arabia was generated. This model is based on regional geological and tectonic studies, already published seismogenic source models, historical seismicity, recent seismicity, and finally adding up gravity and magnetic studies to construct the final layout of our model. The evaluation of the resources available led to a conclusion for dividing the study area into 23 seismogenic source zones.
Industrial Noise Pollution and Its Impact on the Hearing Capacity of Workers: A Case Study of Gujranwala City, Pakistan
Authors: Maqsood Nafeesa , Younes Isma , Minallah Muhammad Nasar-u-
Published: August 2020

The main purpose of this study was to analyze and evaluate the impacts of industrial noise pollution onhearing of workers in Gujranwala. Noise pollution levels were measured at fifty locations with the help of sound levelmeter, which was placed at a height above 1.2 meters from the ground. Two hundred workers were interviewed throughquestionnaire method. Different statistical tests correlation and chi-square were applied to analyze the noise pollutionlevel in Gujranwala city. Impacts of industrial noise pollution on hearing of workers were shown in different mapsusing interpolation and buffers. The present study concluded that noise pollution levels were exceeding the WHOpermissible limit of noise pollution at all sample locations. Workers of factories were suffering from annoyance,hypertension, irritation, interference with speech communication and sleep disturbance. Thus, it is necessary to possessa hearing discussion program in factories. One of its main parts is education to raise the consciousness of workers aboutnoise risks and techniques of prevention. Lastly, the issues of noise annoyance should be included in all future studieson the usage of hearing protection devices.
Climate Classification of Pakistan
Authors: Khan Saifullah , Hasan Mahmood -Ul-
Published: August 2020

The research covenants amid the evaluation and analysis of the weather data in regards to mean monthlytemperature, precipitation, rainy days, relative humidity, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, evaporation, solarradiation and with the literature cited. The components getting fluctuation in the atmospheric condition comprise ofglobal location, vicinity to ocean, geomorphic reliefs and continental extent, maritime affects, forests and landuse.Based on the daily and monthly temperature, the study area has divided into five localities consisting of hot, warm,mild, cool, and cold. Besides, the five precipitation zones namely arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, humid andundifferentiated highlands have been distinguished during course of work. Generally, eastern longitudes of the countryget substantial downpours amid summers (monsoon season). Though the western areas in winters excluding GilgitBaltistan, where it is from local thunderstorms. Pakistan encounters four precipitation seasons namely winter, premonsoon, monsoon, and post monsoon rainfall. Because of sub-tropical vicinity, the country has experienced twofundamental seasons explicitly winter and summer. Generally, the summer period goes on for five months in mountainsand seven months in plains, whilst the winter period differs for seven months in mountains and five months in plains.The stated two essential rainy periods are auxiliary sub-isolated into four sub-spells to be precisely hot, warm, monsoonand cold season. Based on appropriation and fluctuation of climate variables, Pakistan is classified in five macro areasthat auxiliary sub-curved up into 18 meso and 46 micro scale climate regions.
Reservoir Characterization and Modelling with Diagenetic Trends of carbonates of the Kawagarh Formation: A Section exposed in the Kala-Chitta Range, Pakistan
Authors: Wadood Bilal , Awais Muhammad , Bilal Muhammad , Ishaq Muhammad , Ahmad Laeiq , Zafar Zeeshan
Published: August 2020

Present study is focused on the diagenetic studies and reservoir characterization of the Cretaceous KawagarhFormation exposed in the Gandab village, Kala-Chitta range, north-western Himalayan Fold-and-Thrust belt, Pakistan.The formation is composed of argillaceous limestone and dark grey marls. A total of thirty-three representativecarbonate rock samples were collected at equal intervals of three meters. Various diagenetic features includingcementation, micritization, pyrite precipitation, neomorphism, fracturing, sparitization and stylolitization were observedin the studied rocks which occur in the marine, meteoric and deep burial diagenetic environments respectively. Suchdiagenetic features control the reservoir quality of the rock unit. Porosity types include mostly vuggy and fracture,while minor stylolitic porosity were noted with quantity ranging from 2.66% to 3.88%. The carbonates of KawagarhFormation are highly fractured, but the filling of these fractures due to precipitation of calcite or micritic mud hasgreatly reduced its reservoir potential, while some unfilled fractures, stylolites and vuggs are the dominant factors thatenhance the reservoir potentiality of the Kawagarh Formation. However, the porosity values still do not mark the levelof reservoir rock. These diagenetic studies revealed very less chances for hydrocarbon accumulation as no significantporosity values have been observed and overall reservoir potential is characterized as poor.
Appraisal of Geotechnical Characteristics of Ormara Soil, Baluchistan, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Abdul Jabbar , Ahsan Naveed , Sanaullah Muhammad , Akhter Gulraiz
Published: August 2020

Ormara is located 240 km west of Karachi which is a coastal and port city (25° 16' 29N, 64° 35' 10E) ofPakistan. Present study evaluates engineering properties of soils of Ormara for future construction plans and possibleexpansions in the area. Fifty bore holes were done in study area at depths of 20m, 40m and some (10 bore holes) were60m deep. The study area was divided into three major zones i.e. Foot hills, on-shore and off-shore. Groundwater wasencountered at depths of 2.75m on onshore and offshore zones and at 3.65m depth in foothill zone. Laboratory testingi.e. moisture content (12 to 38 %), liquid limit (from 26 to 34), plasticity index (10 to 18) of soil samples indicate thatsoils are low plastic to moderate plastic in nature. Soil samples of granular soils indicate angles of internal friction (ø)varying from 260- 36ºin upper sand layers while 260 to 30º in lower silt layers (encountered after the clay layer) andCohesion ranges 0 to 0.04kg/cm2 in all three zones. Further, unconsolidated undrained triaxial compression tests on aclayey soil sample indicated an undrained cohesion value of 28 kPa. Density values ranges from 1.6 to 2.05gm/cm3.Consolidation (Cv = 0.20 to 0.40 cm2/minute, Cc = 0.149 to 0.17) has been calculated for clay layer. Chemical testscarried out on soil samples indicated that soil and water both are reactive aggressively and may cause corrosion to steeland concrete disintegration.
Origin and Accumulation Mechanism of Gas Condensate in Kailashtila Gas Field, Sylhet Basin, Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Nafisa , Hossain H. M. Zakir , Sarder Md. Kamrul Islam , Hasan Md. Mahbubul
Published: August 2020

The Kailashtila gas field (KGF) is situated in the northeastern part of Sylhet basin, Bangladesh. This paperpresents chemical characteristics of extractable natural gas in drilled well KTL-2, in order to examine their potentialsource and maturity of organic matter, and hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism in the basin. The gas condensate inthe KTL-2 composed primarily of methane (85.81 wt.%), ethane (6.68 wt.%), propane (2.13 wt.%), and traces of higherhydrocarbons (i-butane, 0.69 wt.%; n-butane, 0.73 wt.%; i-pentane, 0.50 wt.%; n-pentane, 0.44 wt.%; hexane, 1.27wt.%; heptane, 0.99 wt.%; octane, 0.24 wt.%). Nitrogen and CO2 contents in the gas condensate are low (0.46 wt.%and 0.05 wt.%, respectively). Average dry coefficient (C1/C1–5) value in the gas condensate is 0.93 (0.91–0.95), whichreflects relatively mature hydrocarbon migrating from nearby deeply buried source rocks. The δ13C1 (–39 to –40‰) andC1/C(2+3) (19.77) variation diagram show that gas condensate in the KGF is mainly controlled by type III kerogen, andthe organic matter was thermally mature in nature. However, the relationships between stable isotope value of methane(δ13C1), ethane (δ13C2) and propane (δ13C3) indicate mainly thermogenic origin of the studied gas condensate, andminor input from mixed thermogenic and bacteriogenic processes.
The Response of Land Surface Temperature to the Changing Land-Use Land-Cover in a Mountainous Landscape under the Influence of Urbanization: Gilgit City as a case study in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region of Pakistan
Authors: Khan Aftab Ahmed , Hassan Syed Najam ul , Baig Saranjam , Khan Muhammad Zafar , Muhammad Amin
Published: August 2020

With growing urbanization in mountainous landscapes, the built-up areas dominate other land use classesresulting in increased land surface temperature (LST). Gilgit city in northern Pakistan has witnessed tremendousurban growth in the recent past decades. It is anticipated that this growth will exponentially increase in the nearfuture because of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiatives, as this city happens to be thecommercial hub of the northern region of Pakistan. The objective of present study is to explore the influence ofland use and land cover variations on LST and to evaluate the relationship between LST with normalizeddifference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), and normalized difference built -up index (NDBI) values. This study is carried out on data from Google earth and three Landsat images (Landsat 5-TM, Landsat 7-ETM, and Landsat OLI_TIRS-8) during the period from 1992, 2004 and 2016. Land use/coverclasses are determined through supervised classification and LST maps are created using the Mono -windowalgorithm. The accuracy assessment of land use/cover classes is carried out comparing Google Earth digitizedvector for the periods of 2004 and 2016 with Landsat classified images. Further, NDVI, NDBI, and NDWI mapsare computed from images for years 1992, 2004, and 2016. The relationships of LST with NDVI, NDBI, andNDWI are computed using Linear Regression analysis. The results reveal that the variations in land use and landcover play a substantial role in LST variability. The maximum temperatures are connected with built -up areas andbarren land, ranging from 48.4°C, 50.7°C, 51.6°C, in 1992, 2004, and 2016, respectively. Inversely, minimumtemperatures are linked to forests and water bodies, ranging from 15.1°C, 16°C, 21.6°C, in 1992, 2004, and 2016respectively. This paper also results that NDBI correlates positively with high temperatures, whereas NDVI andNDWI associate negatively with lesser temperatures. The study will support to policymakers and urban planners tostrategize the initiatives for eco-friendly and climate-resilient urban development in fragile mountainouslandscapes.
Gems and Jewels: Passing Down Specialized Knowledge and Skills in Pakistan’s MineralRich Province of Balochistan
Authors: Baloch Mumtaz A. , Riaz Sakina , Saman Saman , Yaseen Ghulam , Kalsoom Bibi
Published: August 2020

Gemology and jewelry training are at the core of what the Gems and Jewelry Training and ManufacturingCentre in Baluchistan’s mineral rich province in the southwest of Pakistan does and stands for. Widespread poverty,illiteracy and resistance against foreign influence set a stark contrast to what is happening within the circuit of artisanswhose surface this descriptive social analysis is an attempt to enter more deeply into this world hidden from the outsidegaze. For this study, mixed research methods were used like participant observations, focused group discussions andhousehold questionnaires for a tool for data collection. Contradicting, what one may expect the data revealed that thevast majority (95 percent) of this study participant were young and educated. In addition, 55 percent of their incomecomes from applying the acquired specialized knowledge and skills. On average, they saved Pakistani Rupees266,311/- a year, which is a commendable amount considering the local circumstances. Nearly all of the respondentshad received practice-oriented education from the Gems and Jewelry Training and Manufacturing Centre. Faceting is,besides knowing the qualities of precious and semi-precious stones, a core focus of the training program. Theprogram’s alumni had originally learnt of the Centre’s existence through sign boards, the Internet, and print media.Their savings, interestingly, are spent on education, with their children going to private schools. About two thirds of theinterviewed men and women confirmed that on completion of their training, they purchased raw materials/gems. Theyalso bought mobile phones and motorbikes, which they considered to be part of the ‘tool kit’ required to be successfulin their business. Importantly, about half of the respondents regretted not having been able to set up their own business,partly because they lacked the requisite business skills. Hence, based on this field-based survey, we a comprehensivestudy program is required at the college-level that combines gemology, gem cutting and faceting and fine and fashionjewelry, with business administration and marketing. Ideally, this would be carried out in collaboration withprofessional schools and colleges from China, The United Arab Emirates, and Thailand in order to give greaterimportance to this sector with its high development potential.
Rural Tourism, Income and Rapid Urbanization: Exploring the Nexus Using A MultiDisciplinary Approach for Hunza, Pakistan
Authors: Baig Saranjam , Khan Aftab Ahmed , Khan Amjad Ali , Bano Salma
Published: August 2020

Serving the purpose of an early warning, this paper provides a multi-disciplinary analysis of how thechanging dynamics of tourist arrivals can lead to rapid and unplanned urbanization. The improvements in infrastructureand communication systems under the aegis of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Gilgit-Baltistan have ledto exponential increase in tourists arrival in recent years. Does this increase lead to increase in incomes and spurring anunplanned and rapid urbanization? Hunza district is taken as a case study on the basis of evidence suggesting thataround 70 percent of total tourists Gilgit-Baltistan. To explore the relationship between tourists arrival and rapidurbanization, three types of data were used: survey data collected via questionnaires, secondary data from governmentsources, and Google images, Landsat-7 and Landsat-8 from remotely sensed data. Using cross-tabulations, this studysuggests that tourists arrival led to increase in incomes, which were then spent on building commercial infrastructure.To cross check these results, land use land change study using GIS mapping was conducted for the last ten yearsperiod. It shows that rapid and unplanned urbanization has profound social and environmental implications for Hunza,if not managed properly and timely.
Subsurface Structural and Crustal Assessment on the Basis of Gravity Data Along Bagh, Dir Kot and Adjoining Areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Hadayat , Mehmood Mubashir , Khan Muhammad Jehangir , Ullah Sami , Khurram Shahzada , Shah Murtaza Ali , Rehman Abdur
Published: August 2020

The research work is based on gravity data is taken from numerous parts of an active tectonic belt of AzadKashmir to delineate the crustal thickness and demarcation of thin- skin and thick-skin structures in the study area. Thestudy area includes Bagh, Dhirkot, Arja, Kohala, Sudhan Gali, Ghazi Abad, Chikkar and Chakoti. The study areabounded by the latitude 33°59′3″ and 34°9′22″ N and longitude 73°37′26″ and 73°40′16″ E. The proposed study area isa complex geological entity and is an active zone. This study has been focused to assess the subsurface lithology andstructural geometry present in Bagh and surrounding areas. For this purpose the gravity data has been acquired with thehelp of CG-5 Auto-grav using multi-profile survey technique. Gravity model suggested that Riasi Thrust in the studyzone is plunging at an angle of 42° NE and pierces to a depth of 7 km in the sub-surface. The model also suggested thatBagh Basement Fault in the study area is dipping at an angle of 75° NE in the crystalline basement up to Moho depth.Shaheed Galli Thrust has been delineated in Dhirkot area. The fault dips at 49° NE and penetrated up to a depth of 8km in the sedimentary/meta-sedimentary wedge. The geological model demarcated, 11 km depth of sedimentary/metasedimentary wedge in the southwest and 13 km in the northeast area. The crustal thickness increases from 51 km in thesouthwest area to about 53.17 km in the northeast area.
Analysis of Temperature and Precipitation Trends Observed at Some Selected Districts of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Shirazi Safdar Ali , Liaqut Anum , Shakrullah Khadija
Published: August 2020

Present study examines the trends of extreme daily temperature and rainfall indices in some selectedmeteorological stations/districts of the Punjab. Due to paucity of data only six weather stations were selected from thewhole Punjab, having data of 33 years for temperature and precipitation on daily basis. A set of 14 indices(recommended by climate ET) were used to calculate the trends over a period of 32 years (1985–2017) by usingRClimDex (1.0) software package. These results showed that the number of tropical nights (TR20) and warm nights(TN90p) has been increasing in selected weather stations/districts and number for cool nights (TN10p) has been falling.Other temperature related indices trends such as, summer days, warms days, warm spell duration indicator (WSDI) andcool spell duration (CSDI) shows a mix pattern. The precipitation indices like SDII, RX1day, R10mm and PRCPTOTshowed an increasing trend in some selected stations. Most of the trends were not significant at level of 0.05 % whilemaximum day temperature increase has been observed at five out of six selected stations. Similarly, an average increasein precipitation in the vicinity of 3 mm per decade has been noted. The annual total rainfall and number of heavyrainfall days has also increased by 18 mm and 8.4 mm respectively during each decade. The analysis identified andhighlighted a slight change which was not temporally and spatially rational. However, there is need to more andadequate yearly data of different weather stations across the Punjab to identify the ongoing apparent and impeccablechanges in climate of the Punjab province.
Effects of Eucalyptus Globulus on the Underground Water in Udigram, Swat, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Saifullah , Hasan Mahmood -Ul- , Khan Muhammad Aslam
Published: August 2020

The plantation of Eucalyptus in hilly areas is not encouraging insight because it vanishes more than 50 litersof groundwater per day into the atmosphere and is gradually more dangerous to the water table and rock reservoirs. Therate of water evaporated by eucalyptus is higher than compared to the incoming showers in the area.This imbalance inthe water cycle caused changes in the water table as well as the flow of water from the springs.On the other hand, itswood is of poor quality and having low market demand as well as domestic use.The precipitation shows -2 inches (-25.8 millimeters) decline per year in the winter season between 1995 and 2014, while the ratio of increase is 1.24inches (31.5 millimeters) in the summer months. Generally,the major share of annual precipitation was from the winterseason before 1995, but onward, it is in summer and the area dropped from humid to sub-humid climate.This seasonalfluctuation of rainfall and dryness of rock reservoirs has not only decreased the water table, but also caused changes inthe flow of water from the springs and rivers. The dryness of the wells after reduction in precipitation, generally leadsto the digging and intensive use of tube wells in the area. The study reveals that the dryness in spring has an aftereffecttotally of cultivation of Eucalyptus on the Raja Gira hill slopes and required mitigation to overcome the issue of wateravailability for the locals.
Spatial Environmental Criteria for Siting Industries
Authors: Azeem Aneeqa , Hussainy Abid Shah , Ahmad Sajid Rashid , Nisar Khadija
Published: August 2020

The paper presents the solution for identifying appropriate locations for industrial setup in Lahore districtusing GIS based multi-criteria decision analysis as decision support tool (DST). Several environmental indicators wereused in this study including air quality index, water quality index, landcover, and built-up/settlements. Thematic layerswere developed for these indicators followed by analysis in ArcGIS software’s model builder using various geoprocessing techniques. As a result the study area is divided into four types of zones (e.g., not suitable, less suitablemoderately suitable and suitable) depending on environmental criteria and industrial categorization. The results revealthat 52 % of district area goes to environmentally sensitive zone . In remaining areas possibility of setting industrieswith their pollution index is proposed. The areas are proposed considering the industry categories such as schedule Iindustries which are air emission industries and Schedule II industries which are effluent discharge industries as persectoral guidelines of Pakistan.
Assessing the Impact of Eucalyptus Plantation on Groundwater Availability in Pakistan
Authors: Nazli Sana , Siddiqui Saima , Rehman Naveed Ur
Published: August 2020

Eucalyptus tree was first planted in Pakistan in the 1980s under the project of Pakistan Forest Institute sponsored by United States Agency for International Development. It is not native to Pakistan's environment, so it has become a threat to the ecosystem. A mature Eucalyptus tree shape is like a shrub or tall tree. It is centered by the number of controversies like allelopathy, loss of soil fertility, the substitution of conventional forests and causing various hydro-ecological imbalances of an ecosystem. Eucalyptus tree consumes three times more water in arid and semi-arid environments, because of vapor pressure deficit. About 80% of Pakistan's area is present in the semi-arid and arid climate. Pakistan is facing a serious water shortage and rapid groundwater level depletion in many parts of the country. It is believed that species of Eucalyptus tree are extracting more groundwater than water recharge. Therefore, the present study is conducted to identify the adverse impacts of Eucalyptus plantation on the groundwater level of Lahore. Six parks in Lahore were selected as study sites, i.e., Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Jillani Park, Nawaz Sharif Park, Jallo Park, and Johar Town Park. A total of 3,484 Eucalyptus trees were identified with different age groups. These trees belong to the species of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus citriodora and Eucalyptus sideroxylone. The study reveals that since 1990, the groundwater level has significantly reduced in study sites. It is recommended that Eucalyptus trees may be replaced with other indigenous species so that the rate of groundwater depletion can be slowed down.
Uranium Traps in Phreatic Sandstone-type Prospect, Taunsa Area, Dera Ghazi Khan, Eastern Sulaiman Range, Pakistan: Evidences from Autoradiography and Optical Microscopy
Authors: Ullah Rahman , Fengjuin Nie , Xin Zhang , Chengyong Zhang , Ali Asim , Pengfei Zhang
Published: August 2020

Taunsa uranium occurrence like other uranium resources in Pakistan is hosted by the Late Miocene-Pliocene age Litra Formation of the Siwalik Group molasse sediments. Taunsa uranium prospect is a unique phreatic-type uranium resource in terms of its disturbed geological setting of the eastern limb of the Zindapir anticline in the eastern Sulaiman range. Autoradiography technique was used to locate the spots of anomalous uranium concentration in thin sections from ore of Taunsa prospect. Twenty polished thin sections from uranium ore ranging from 200 ppm-600 ppm were attached to detectors for a month which produced prominent alpha track which were used to find the traps of uranium. Subsequently, these spots were studied under SEM and EPMA for further investigations of uranium phases. Autoradiography revealed that Taunsa uranium ore is mostly associated with organic matter (probably petroleum), black shale clasts, biotite, fougerite (a green colour rusty mineral) and with micritic clasts. This study suggests that prospective facies of the host sandstone containing relatively abundant black shale clasts, organic matter and biotite may be targeted during exploratory drilling in Taunsa uranium deposit and its extensions in the eastern limb of Zindapir anticline
Seasonal Variability of Atmospheric Aerosols in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Ghauri Badar , Khalil Zahid , Shafiq Muhammad , Rizvi Hussain Haider , Nasir Jawad , Abuzar Muhammad Khubaib
Published: August 2020

A variety of in situ and satellite-derived data of aerosols like atmospheric black carbon concentrations wereused to probe the seasonal differences of aerosol concentration in Karachi, Pakistan for one year. Daily [black carbon]varied from about 4000 to 50,000 ng/m3 with the mean maximum of 14700 ng/m3 in February, primarily duringmornings and evenings. The [black carbon] concentrations were at a maximum during winter months of November toFebruary i.e. around 12000 ng/m3 and were at minimum value during summer from June to September (3000 ng/m3).Short term and long-term variabilities were mostly affected by meteorological parameters. Apart from industrial andindiscriminate solid waste burning, most important source of BC emissions in Karachi was vehicular traffic, since overa million vehicles were registered in the city. Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from multi-band AOD, AERONET, andMODIS satellites showed a similar trend of its concentrations similar to BC. Aeronet 500 nm AODs were at amaximum for July (0.95 monsoons) and minimum (around 0.4) in November-February. Seasonal variation of AOD(Aeronet) was matching at other wavelengths, while the deviation in the spectral dependency of AOD was uncertain. Itimplied that a columnar spectral optical depth represented different aerosol type association having advection fromvarious directions and sources. Relevant stakeholders should play their role to reduce BC emissions to mitigate illhealth impacts in this metropolitan city.