The present study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence and hematological effects of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep and goat in district Dera Ghazi Khan. Blood samples (n=204) were collected comprise goats (n=101) and sheep (n=103) alongwith age, gender and breeds of animals. Samples were collected randomly from 25 flocks of 7 different union council Viz. Vehova, Tibbi Qaisrani, Lakhani, Kohar, Tuman Qaisrani, Nutkani and Kot Qaisrani of Tehsil Taunsa Sharif at least 4 animals from each flock. All ruminants divide into three groups based on age, breed and gender. The prevalence was detected through two different kits Viz. LAT and ELISA kit. The overall prevalence suspected in goats through LAT and ELISA kit was (35.64%), (32.67%) and in sheep was (25.24%), (23.30%) respectively. The Toxoplasma gondii had a significant effect on goats in age groups and non-significant all other groups of goats and sheep. Toxoplasma gondii had a significant effect on all hematological parameters like Hemoglobin, total leukocyte cells, granulocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, and red blood cells, except monocytes. In conclusion of the current study, toxoplasmosis is prevalent among ruminants, reveals the possibility of transmission to humans on the use of host animals as protein source.

Calcium is present in the primary cell wall and middle lamella in the form of pectic substances of all plant tissues. The gradual penetration of calcium to cell wall results in increasing level of this ion in the cell wall and thus stabilization increases which may protects the fruit from fungal and other microbial attack or contamination. Keeping in view its importance, a postharvest study was assessed at ARI Tarnab Farm, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to evaluate the effect of Calcium chloride (CaCI2) treatment on physio-chemical quality of pear (Pyrus communis L.) during storage. Fresh and disease free pear fruits were dipped in CaCl2 solution for (3, 6 and 9 minutes) and evaluated at 5 days interval for different physio-chemical attributes. The analysis of data showed that pear fruits dipped in CaCl2 solution for 9 minutes significantly affected the fruit juice pH, ascorbic acid, percent titratable acidity, total soluble solid, reducing sugar, and non-reducing sugar. Similarly, prolonged storage duration resulted a significant increasing trend in fruit juice pH, total soluble solids and non-reducing sugar, while ascorbic acid content, percent titratable acidity and reducing sugar decreased with extension in storage duration from zero to twenty-five days. It was concluded from the results that pear fruits dipped for 9 minutes in CaCl2 solution was effective in retaining quality attributes during storage at ambient temperature (20°C with 65-70% RH).

Abstract:Most energy worldwide is supplied through conventional energy sources, such as thermal, hydro, and nuclear.There have been serious energy crises in the last couple of years and so it is essential to consider renewable energy sources. This paper proposes a cost-effective solution for integrating a wind-solar system with an existing diesel power plant of a grid-connected site at Taxila, Pakistan. In the case of nonavailability of power from the grid, this diesel power plant acts as a standby system. Three cases were considered in this paper: 1) using the diesel power plant during load-shedding hours; 2) assisting the system using renewables when it is connected to the grid (on-grid); 3) completely relying on hybrid energy system to meet the daily load demand if excess energy is available (off-grid). The system was implemented in the software package Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Different environmental factors were examined, including wind speeds, solar insolation, and their maximum and minimum differences from the average parameters. In the end, the most optimal solution for each case was proposed to meet the desired load demand while making the system operation economical.

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The beef and dairy industries of tropical and subtropical regions are led by Bos-indicus cattle because of their remarkable endurance for the hot climate, resistance to ticks, and low-cost production ability under harsh environments. Sahiwal cattle is an established indigenous milch breed of Pakistan, making the true representation of zebu cattle in the tropics (Shah, 1994). It is considered the best milker of all zebu breeds and is exported to Asia-Pacific, Africa as well as Caribbean countries. Cross-breeding with exotic Holstein and Jerseys is threatening the Sahiwal breed (Scherf & Pilling, 2015).