Following are the list of articles published in the current issue of University of Swabi Journal (USJ).
Click on article title to view it.
Volume :01 Issue 1, December 2017
Antioxidant activity of Natural Comb and Local Market Honey of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
Page No :01-10
Author : Khaliq Ur Rahman
Abstract : Free radicals scavenging activity of Natural comb and local market honey of methanolic extract were assess against DPPH free radicals by using honey samples of various concentration 100-600µg/ml. Spectrophotometeric method was used for the determination of antioxidant activity. In Natural comb honey, at the concentration of 600µg/ml (NCH1) Sample show high scavenging activity (84.77±1.12), while at 100µg/ml concentration sample (NCH4) show lowest activity (10.35±1.34).In Local Market honey, at the concentration of 600µg/ml (LMH4) Sample show high scavenging activity (82.23±1.33), while at 100µg/ml concentration sample (LMH4) show lowest activity (10.35±1.34). The percent scavenging activity increases due to increases in compound concentration. Antioxidant activity was observed at all evaluated honey samples. However the natural comb honey has better activity as compare to local market honey. Thus purposely honey might be used as substitute natural antioxidant in various formulations for pharmaceutical industries and food.
Volume:01 Issue 1, December 2017
Page No :11-20
Authors : Amjad Ali, Faisal Khan, Abdul Mateen, Nasir Shaheen, Muhammad Ali
Abstract : This study examined the relationship among job stress, organizational commitment and employees’ performance in banking sector of District swat. Sample for this research study is composed of two hundred and fifty employees. The results of the study indicate that factors like heavy workload, long hour working and new technology causes stress. Furthermore, it has found that stress is negatively correlated with organizational commitment and employee’s performance and organizational commitment is positively correlated to employee productivity. For increasing both employee’s and organizational productivity the policy makers and administration needs to increase in rewards, organizational commitment and compensations.
Volume:01 Issue 1, December 2017
Bioactivity of Archislatifolia using brine shrimp lethality, antioxidant & antimicrobial assays
Page No :21-32
Authors : Wasim Ahmed, Mushtaq Ahmad, Rahmat Ali Khan
Abstract : The objective of the study was to evaluateprobable cytotoxic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Archislatifolia’s leaves. The result showed that the extract was lethal against brine shrimps at higher concentration i.e. at 1000µg/ml. Survival rate was 8% at the aforementioned concentration while 48 and 70% survival rate was perceived at 500 and 100µg/ml correspondingly. The PFRSP (percent free radicals scavenging potential) of extract at 100, 250, 500 and 1000µg/ml was 41%, 52%, 68% and 81% individually and was matched to ascorbic acid that showed 58%, 69%, 85% and 88%. The IC50 value was 318µg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of numerousportions of extract was assessed for antibacterial action. Inhibitory values of S. aureuswere: n-hexane fraction (5 μg/ml), methanolic fraction (2.5g/ml), ethyl acetate fraction (5 μg/ml) and butanol fraction (7.5 μg/ml) correspondingly. MIC for E. coli comprised methanolic fraction (5μg/ml). However, MIC for K. pneumoniae growth was 1μg/ml, in case of methanolic fraction, whereas 2.5μg/ml was for n-hexane fraction. Antifungal outcomesdisplayed that growth of Aspergillusniger inhibited by methanol was (54±0.91), n-hexane (46±0.88), Chloroform (50±0.56), Ethylacetate (44±0.56). Butanol and aqueous fractions didn’t exhibited any inhibition. % inhibition against A. flavuswas as under. Methanol (58±0.81), n-hexane (52±0.87),Chloroform (48±0.81), Ethylacetate (54±0.91).Similarly, against A.Fumigatus, Methanol (48±1.0), n-hexane (40±2.0), Chloroform (40±1.0), Ethylacetate (38±3.0), Butanol (28±1.0), Aqueous (34±0.08).
Volume:01 Issue 1, December 2017
Ethnomedicinal Assessment of Snake Bite Treatment in District Bannu, KPK-Pakistan
Page No :33-40
Authors : Wasim Ahmad, Mushtaq Ahmad, Nadia Latif, Rahmat Ali Khan
Abstract : Snake bite poisoning is a matter of great trepidation around the globe, particularly in developing countries. Every year, approximately 5 million cases of snake bite are reported resulting in 125,000 deaths worldwide. The morbidity and mortality remains un-documented in most of the rural parts as the victims are first attended by the traditional healers. Pharmacological investigations explored the use of numerous parts of the medicinal plants for antagonizing the effects of venom and purified toxins. Herbs are more common in use than shrubs and trees. The various parts used as an anti-dot against snake bite envenomation are as: leaves >roots > whole plant > flower > wood > fruit > milky juice. The current study revealed, for the first time, the use of various medicinal plants against snake bite envenomation in district Bannu and its peripheries. Though, pharmacological and chemical investigations are imperative to make confirmation of anti-venom claims about these medicinal Pakistani plants.
Volume:01 Issue 1, December 2017
Multidimensional Study of Irrigation Water Conflicts(A Case Study of ChotaLahor, District Swabi)
Page No :41-48
Authors : Waleed Imam, Aman Ullah, Hina Ashraf, Waqar Ahmad, Fayaz Ahmad, Jawad Ali Shah
Abstract : The main theme of this study was to explore the nature of conflicts among farmers on water related issues in village chotalahor, District Swabi. The study further explored remediesand analyzed the role of Jirga in mitigation of such issue. For this purpose, six in depth case studies of farmers, irrigation employees and Jirga members were conducted. Results indicated that water shortage, low rainfall, vague watering schedules, water theft and shortage of cooperation between farmers as the primary causes of conflicts. In addition the role of Jirga in resolving water related issues was seen to be very weak while study also described irrigation authority’s deficiencies like broken and blocked canals and water courses, also added to the intensity of water conflicts. Different sources of irrigation ground water sources and developing new watering schedules for all the fields of the area in order to minimize water numbering issues as well as cooperation and thinking of collective benefits are some of the recommendations.
Volume:01 Issue 1, December 2017
Evaluation of Elite Wheat Lines under Irrigated Conditions of Peshawar Valley
Page No :49-60
Authors : Saad Ahmad, Saif Ullah, Nawab Ali and Muhammad Mehran Anjum
Abstract : An experiment was conducted at ARI (Agricultural Research Institute) Tarnab, Peshawar, during 2013-2014. Twenty eight wheat advanced lines were evaluated for yield and yield contributing traits under irrigated condition using Completely Randomized Block Design. Lines exhibited significant differences for days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, spike length, spikelets per spike, grains per spike and biological yield while non-significant differences for tillers m-2, grain yield and 1000 grain weight. Mean data ranged from 116-123 for days to heading, 157-167 for days to maturity, 73-99cm for plant height, 8.6-11.4 for spike length, 15.67-20.33 for spikelets per spike, 46.33-71.33g for grains per spike, 100.33-239.3 for tillers m-2, 4963-8889 kg ha-1 for biological yield, 793.3-1787kg ha-1 for grain yield and 38.13-47.7for 1000 grain weight. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlation of days to heading with days to maturity and plant height, days to maturity with days to heading, spike length, spike lets per spike, grains per spike, tillers m-2, and biological weight, plant height with days to heading and biological yield, spike length with days to maturity, spikelets per spike, and grains per spike, spikelets per spike with days to maturity, spike length and grains per spike, tiller per m2 with biological yield and grain yield and biological yield with days to maturity and grain yield, grain yield with tillers m-2 and biological yield while tillers m-2 had significant negative correlation with days to maturity. Wheat lines MPT-4, 28, 27, and 22 performed well for important traits like days to heading, days to maturity, biological yield, grain yield and 1000 grain weight and thus recommended for further studies.
Volume:01 Issue 1, December 2017
Page No :61-83
Authors : Muhammad Ismail Khan, Muhammad Mehran Anjum, Nawab Ali and Saif Ullah
Abstract : This internship report conducted in 2016, with the objectives to learn the work environment in the development organization and to study the role of water and hygiene project of Integrated Regional Support Programme (IRSP) in district Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For this, data was collected by the internee and the field staff of the host organization. Total households residing in the camp were selected as the respondents for this study which is 130. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of the data. Result of the study revealed that 38.09% were female and 37.86% are male and lies in the age group of above 20 years while data responding literacy level reveals that 30.15% of the respondents were literate, mostly having primary level of education. The data revealed that 49.05% buffaloes were kept by the household. Further data shows that 35.87% of the people are using their own private sources of water, while 64.13% of the people are using public sources of water. At household level 33% water are store in water cooler for drinking purpose, while 43% water are store in jerry cans for other purposes. Further data revealed that 76.15% people cleaning their drinking water storage source daily. The data reveals that 15.39% treat their water, while 84.61% not treat their water due to 53.64% source are clean. 66.92% have accessibility to safe drinking water, while 33.08% have no accessibility to safe drinking water.
Further data shows that 35.13% households suffered from diarrhea lied in the age group of above 16 year, while 1.53% are died due to diarrhea. It is found that 34.62% food quality is the reason of diarrhea, while expenditure on diarrhea cure is 34% which is 2000-5000.
Further data shows that 18.40% wash hand with soap after working with animals, while 11.33% wash hand without soap after working with animals. It is found that 15.39% households have hand washing place, while 84.61% have no hand washing place. The data reveals that 23.08% have availabe soap at hand washing place, while 76.92% have no available soap at hand washing place.
Volume:01 Issue 1, December 2017
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Phytochemical Analysis of Herniaria hirsuta
Page No : 84-93
Authors : Ghias Uddin, Jawad Ali and Sania Feroz
Abstract : This study examined to explore Herniaria hirsuta for the presence of secondary metabolites and pharmacological profile of crude extract. H. hirsuta was evaluated for phytochemical screening, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities. The phytochemical screening explored the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, coumarins and betacyanins. Antimicrobial activities were performed against selected bacterial strain. The crude extract exhibited promising antibacterial effect, while low antifungal effect at 22mg/Ml. The crude extract and isolated fractions was also screen for free radical scavenging activity using DPPH the tested samples showed good anti-radical activity against Quercetin. In conclusion H. hirsute should be used as a good source of antimicrobial and antioxidant molecules.
Volume:01 Issue 1, December 2017
Role of Islamic Micro Credit Activities of Akhuwat in Poverty Alleviation in District Nowshera
Page No : 94-107
Authors : Asad Khan, Khalid Naveed, Mahnaz Iqbal Yousafzai, Kifayat Khan
Abstract : The study was carried out to find the role of micro credit activities of Akhuwat in poverty alleviation in tehsil Nowshera. Details about the respondents were taken in written form from the local and branch offices of Akhuwat. Sample of respondents consisted of 100 male and 50 females. A questionnaire was developed in two parts. Part A was to find out the main characteristics of the respondents. Part B was about the operational and financial activities of Akhuwat. Data was collected from 150 respondents comprising 100 males and 50 females through questionnaire. The data was analyzed through SPSS version 17. Results of the analyzed data showed remarkable role of Akhuwat in poverty alleviation. Social status of the respondents has been improved after taking loan. Their health, education. savings. purchasing power, decision making power, income and capitals have been improved. Hence micro credit activities of Akuwat in District Nowshera has a positive relationship with poverty alleviation. It was suggested that the government must cooperate with Akhuwat so maximum benefits may be achieved. Government must also start such activities at the doorsteps of the loan takers.
Volume:01 Issue 1, December 2017
Outbreak of Dengue Fever (DF) in District Peshawar, Pakistan
Authors : Muhammad, Saadat Mehmood, Jasir Ullah, Nabeela , Braikhna Jabeen, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Nazir Uddin
Abstract : From last the two decades, Pakistan faced devastating challenges due to climate change which not only destroyed infrastructure but also endangered the general public health standard. Dengue fever (DF) is one of the vector borne disease happened so many time in different locations of Pakistan. In current study dengue outbreak in Peshawar were investigated. Questionnaire based study were designed and155 (100%) dengue patients were interviewed for their symptoms, age, sex, location and travel history. During study the symptoms of headache were recorded in 127 (81.93%) patients. Furthermore, it were noted that males were more infected than females, i.e. 111 (71.6%) and 44 (29.4%) respectively. On the basis of location it were noted that most of the patients 61(39.35%) were residence of Tahkal while the lowest ratio 11(7.09%) were recorded for Shaheen Town. The patients were distributed on the basis of age groups and found that Group 2: 15-44 years were more vulnerable, i.e. 144 (73.54%) while the lowest ratio was recorded in Group 1: 8 (5.16 %). Furthermore 79(50.96 %) were recorded marital while all the remaining, i.e. 76(49.03%) were recorded non marital. Educationally the dengue infected people were found 90 (58.06%) literate and 65(41.93%) illiterate. Travel history showed that about 132(85.16%) individuals were traveled to previously infected areas, e.g. Swat and Punjab. The Government of Pakistan, WHO and other health organization need to give full attention to the problem to prevent the future outbreak of dengue feverin said area to protect human lives.
