ISSUE 3 February –April 2013 e-Magazine NAYS PROMOTING SCIENCE

Health Care System of Pakistan…………03

Biodiversity for Sustainability……..…..08 Safety and Security of Pakistan’s Nuclear Program………...13

Wireless Drug De- livery System……...17 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Editorial

The Universe is immeasurable with no definite boundaries. Although human knowledge is limited with respect to the actual universe, we like to say HELLO NEIGHBOUR to galaxies next to us. The scientists are struggling day in, day out to find out new worlds leading to the discovery of a new galaxy near our ‘Milky Way’. With Hubble Space Telescope scientists have spotted many new galaxies so far off that they appear to be 400 million years, after big bang event. According to astronomers, it is hard to find these small galaxies near Milky Way as they are distant, faint and could be anywhere in universe. Leo P is a small galaxy in vicinity of Milky Way at a distance of about five or six million light-years discussed for the first time in astronomical journal May 2013. It was first spotted as a cloud of hydrogen gas with hundreds to thousands stars as compared to Milky Way having thousands to billions stars. It contains a number of bright, blue, newly formed stars as well as a region of ionized gas that indicates the presence of a luminous young star. Indeed, the “P” in the galaxy’s name stands for “Pristine”, rest refers to the galaxy’s location in the constellation Leo as viewed from Earth, discoverer state. In a nutshell, the discovery makes one think of several small galaxies waiting to be revealed in inexhaustible universe.

TEAM NAYS e-MAGAZINE

Editor-in-Chief Physics Data Managers Attia Razzaq Zahoor Ali Khalid Iqbal University of the Punjab, Pakistan Senior Scientist M.Phil student Pharmaceutics UMC St. Radboud, The Netherlands PAEC, Pakistan University of the Punjab, Pakistan [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

IT Editor Biomedical Sciences Muhammad Javed Hassan Muhammad Sughis Ubaid Umar PhD Agriculture PhD Biomedical Sciences MS Student (EME College, NUST) Bahauddin Zikria University, Multan, Pakistan Center of Research for Public Health & the Health Operations Engineer (Nayatel) [email protected] Journal, Pakistan [email protected] [email protected] Reviewers

Aneela Yasmeen Data Collector Biology University of the Punjab, Pakistan Seema Adil Dr. Muhammad Amjad Ali [email protected] B.S student Biochemistry PhD Biology

University of Karachi, Pakistan UFT-BOKU, Austria Suha Tirmizi [email protected] [email protected] Research Officer

AKDN eHealth Resource Center Biography of Eminent Scientist Engineering Aga Khan University Karachi NAYS Publications Malik Waqas Ahmed [email protected] [email protected] Civil Engineer [email protected] NUST, Pakistan

[email protected] Naey Charagh Report Dr. Aneela Karim

NAYS Naey Charagh team Assistant Professor Campus Corner Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technol- Subject Editors Mirza Abdul Aleem Baig ogy Research Assistant, [email protected] Botany College of Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Mehmooda Munazir Ziauddin University, Karachi Aftab Ahmad PhD Scholar, Arid Agriculture University, RWP [email protected] School of Biological Sciences, Kings College London, UK University of the Punjab, Pakistan [email protected] Workshop/Conference Corner [email protected] Audience portion Leadership

Patron President Vice President Mr. Aftab Ahmad Prof. Dr. Anwar Nasim Dr. S.M. Shahid School of Biological Sciences, (KIBGE), University of Karachi University of the Punjab, Lahore [email protected] [email protected]

Page 2 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Automatic Watering System for Plants

Arsalan Shakil Electronics Engineering/Plant Sciences Engineering hobbyist (Govt. College, Nazimabad, KHI) [email protected] Everyone loves gardening as this is one of the and adapting advance technologies so why gar- into the ADC (Analogue to Digital Converter) things which make our lives delightful by its dening has to be left behind? channels of microcontroller where these read- fragrance and appearance. As we take our very That’s why I thought of making a project which ings are processed and if necessary, it turns ON/ first step outside of our room or house in the can give plants or even an entire garden free- OFF the water pump and that not only saves lot morning, our breaths get filled with the aroma of water but also lives of some of all kinds of flowers and then our eyes get sensitive plants. As this project captivated by the beauty of mother nature. Un- uses Microcontroller, analogue fortunately, this beauty depends on humans! It readings can easily be tweaked requires very short amount of time from us in with respect to different kinds order to look good and to live longer. As we of plants (if necessary). This believe that “time is money” so it has become project is also equipped with an quite hard for us to spend our time for some LCD module which gives a new activities other than our routine work. In more way to humans for interacting formal words, everything is changing rapidly with the plants more freely, all of the process can be seen on the LCD display, as: 1. Water Level: Excellent! 2. Water Level: Good! 3. Water Level: Normal! 4. Water Level: Water is dom to live on their own. Existing watering Needed! (This message turns on the water systems water the plants according to the time, pump and it stays on unless first level is just like alarm clock. That doesn’t work well reached). during different seasons because soil dries more This project consists of the following parts: quickly in summer and less in winter which Microcontroller, 16x2 LCD Display, Two Metal results in over watering, thus most plants die. In Probes (for taking readings from the soil), this Automatic Watering System, precise ana- Small Water Pump, Small pipes for watering logue readings are taken from the soil of plants purpose, 12V DC Adaptor (entire system is with the help of two metal probes that stay operated at just 12V). deeper in the soil. Then these readings are fed

Pharmacists: The Health Care System of Pakistan

Umer Mir General Pharm D Dawn news reported: 1. LAHORE, March 21: The World Health Organization (WHO), too, has blamed ISOTAB for the death of more than 200 patients of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore in early 2012 2. Tyno death toll rises to 17, samples ‘cleared’ 3. LAHORE: At least 16 people, mostly drug addicts seeking a fix, have died after drinking toxic cough syrup in Gujranwala, officials said Saturday Any one has time to think about the cause of these accidents in Pakistan? Why these are only happening in Pakistan? OR there is negli- gence?

Page 3 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

A step forward going towards the diagnosis of the medicines. Hospital pharmacists are also impairment. this situation in Pakistan, I will point out one involved in educating the physicians, nurses, 5. Maintain drug therapy for effectiveness or major lapse in our system, which is the absence staff and patients about the use, safety and ad- adverse effects in order to determine of pharmacist in different fields of health care ministration of drugs. Here the most important whether to maintain, modify or discon- system. Let us discuss the first one which is the segment is the counseling of patient about the tinue. Also counsels the patient and evalu- biggest one, happened in PIC Lahore, when we medication. For example how to take medi- ate the effectiveness of drug therapy. discuss the drug therapies, we must think about cine?, either with water or milk?, after how If govt. appoint clinical pharmacists in hospi- the clinical pharmacist which plays a vital role many hours?, which food you can take and tals then we can achieve these benefits. as a team member in hospital. In all developed which food u can’t take?, either before the meal Community pharmacy is a pharmacy in com- countries clinical pharmacists are working as or after meal?, which adverse drugs effects are munity, where a competent, qualified and therapeutic specialists. In PIC there was no possible? which medication is for which pur- trained pharmacist is appointed. This pharmacy clinical pharmacist to check the adverse drug pose? and how long the therapy will be contin- has the family history of patient, while pharma- actions and to correlate these reactions with ued. Pharmacist welcomes the queries and give cist is well aware of the allergies of the different the toxic symptoms of different drugs. If answers to the patient and satisfy patient psy- families. So at community pharmacy phar- clinical pharmacists were there then the death chologically. Drug information centre and macist can best manage chronic diseases like toll may have been remained very low. poison control centre are the modifications. diabetes and hypertension. Community nd rd Drug information centre provides any informa- Now come towards the 2 and 3 cases. Both pharmacist can also educate people about the tion related to drug. And in near future inshAl- were because of the cough suppressant drug disease, how they spread and prevention. For lah UNIVERSITY OF SARGODHA, FAC- dextrometharphan . This is a cough suppressant this purpose pharmacist can also arrange discus- ULTY OF PHARMACY will establish drug and is available without prescription (OTC-over sion sessions with people of community. Also information centre. You can call there, if u has a the counter). This drug is used for the relief of pharmacists play their active role in immuniza- query related to medicine. Poison control centre the symptoms of cough, and it is also used as tion. Govt. should set the trend of community are established in hospitals and they maintain abuse drug by the addicts. It’s over dose cause pharmacies where pharmacists treat diseases information and antidotes of the drugs. Pharma- respiratory depression, coma and eventually like irritable bowl syndrome, common cold, etc. cists are specialized in this field. But hospital death. Addicts use its over dose for the euphoric and refer the patient to the physician and re- pharmacists are not appointed in all govt. hospi- and stimulant action. Now the question is how spective specialists in case of more severe pa- tals, their induction is necessary to achieve the pharmacist can prevent these happenings, if thology. This will help to reduce quackery in above mentioned services. there are retail pharmacists at the retail Pakistan and will also be beneficial for patients pharmacies and they are properly assessing the Now come towards the role of clinical phar- in terms of prevention of economic loss, time buyer and only giving drugs to patients but not macist, these are most desperately needed in loss and early diagnosis. to abusers and properly counseling patients our health care system, after PIC incident Pun- There are many private as well as public sector about the use and harms of overdose then you jab govt. has appointed clinical pharmacist in universities which are offering Pharm-D. It can easily think how many cases can be pre- the Punjab institute of cardiology. Punjab govt. means thousands of students graduate annually. vented. also has hired pharmacists during dengue con- Many talented studiers leave the country be- trol. Currently AGHA KHAN UNIVERSITY Now I will discuss the different applied fields of cause Pakistan has not well established job HOSPITAL, SHAUKHAT KHANAM MEMO- pharmacy, and how pharmacists are beneficial structure of pharmacist, in this way talent of this RIAL CANCER HOSPITAL and CHILDREN to the people of Pakistan .Some fields are not country goes out and it’s not beneficial for the HOSPITAL LAHORE have well established well established in Pakistan while others are country. Govt. should devise policies for the clinical pharmacy setups. Now I want to tell u established in Pakistan. It is important to de- pharmacist’s induction in health care system how a clinical pharmacist can beneficial for scribe a pharmacist. and giving them proper opportunity to perform health care system. “Pharmacists, also known as druggists, are in health care system. The Punjab drug rules healthcare professionals who practice in 1. Clinical pharmacist ensures there is an 2007( schedule G) should be implemented for pharmacy, the field of health sciences, focus- appropriate indication for each drug and the safety of people. No doubt the establish- ing on safe and effective medication use. The that all the medical problems are addressed ment of Drug Regulatory Authority is admi- role of the pharmacist has shifted from the therapeutically. rable but we want to see it fully functional at classical "lick, stick, and pour" dispensary 2. Select and recommend the most appropri- all levels. Last year in 2012 Punjab assembly role (that is, "lick & stick the labels, count ate drug based upon therapeutic goal. has passed a bill that there will be 1 pharma- the pills & pour liquids"), to being an inte- 3. Select the most appropriate dose regimen cist for fifty beds in every public sector hos- grated member of the health care team di- rectly involved in patient care. according to therapeutic goal. pital. It was a brilliant idea but not came into 4. Checks drug drug interactions, drug food reality. Because vacancies was not announced, Now some chatter about the hospital pharma- interactions, preparing TPN ,preparing and I wish in near future govt. will announce vacan- cist, hospitals pharmacist is a person who is dispensing radiopharmaceuticals , patient cies and will pay attention to this alarming responsible for the dispensing, counseling, in- profile, adjust the dose according to body situation in health care system. ventory control, storing and record keeping of weight, and also in case renal and hepatic

Page 4 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Climatic Changes and Forest Diseases

Muhammad Mohsin Raza, Zeeshan Sattar, Asim Ali, Aiman, Popular article Iqra Ishfaq, Zarnab Sabir Agriculture Sciences M.Sc. (Hons.) Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad [email protected]

Forests provide critical shelters for terrestrial but models frequently predict a reduction in the their effects on the host. Changes in climatic biodiversity, act as a central constituent of the potential geographic distribution of tree species conditions in the last 60 years, i.e. increased earth’s biogeochemical systems and are a source or diseases as a result of climate change. Patho- mean winter temperatures, seasonal precipita- of ecosystem services essential for human well gens that typically affect water stressed hosts tion shift from summer into winter and a ten- being. Forests also have the potential to mitigate are likely to have an increased impact on forests dency to heavy rain are favoring infection by global climate change by serving as net carbon in regions where precipitation is reduced. The several species. It has been predicted that in- sinks. The global forest area has been reduced roles of pathogens as disturbance agents will creasing temperatures will lead to a potential by 40% over the last three centuries, primarily probably increase, as their ability to adapt to range expansion of the pathogen of this group. as a result of human activities, particularly the new climatic conditions will be greater than that Pathogens indirectly affected by climate: conversion of forested land to agricultural us- of their long lived hosts. Most pathogens will be Pathogens indirectly affected by climate e.g. age. Today, less than one third of the earth’s Armillaria root disease, Pine land area is covered by forests. Disturbance wilt, canker pathogens etc tend agents such as pathogens, insects and fire can to infect such hosts that are decrease the ability of forests to provide goods stressed by environmental and services. Climate has always shaped the factors. Such pathogens can world’s forests but today the world’s climate sometimes infect a healthy has become warmer and will change further at host and remain latent an exceptional rate. Recent extensive tree death (hidden) until the host is events have been associated with climate stressed. Whilst the ability of change. Climate change ‘‘refers to a change in these pathogens to sporulate, the state of the climate that can be identified spread and infect new hosts is (e.g. by using statistical tests) by changes in the affected by temperature and mean or variability of its properties, and that moisture, factors that stress persists for an extended period, typically dec- their hosts are often critical to ades or longer’’. their successful invasion of Climate change has the potential to initiate mul- host tissues. For example, an tiple, interacting processes that affect forests, increased incidence of summer some positive and others negative. For instance, drought will increase the prob- higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations can ability that trees will be in- result in increased growth rates and water use fected by pathogens whose efficiency of trees, or there may be a reduced activity is facilitated by host effect of carbon fertilization on tree productivity stresses, such as root patho- over time and in older trees. Elevated CO2 was gens, wound colonizers and shown to increase host resistance to forest dis- latent colonizers of sapwood. eases. If host susceptibility or pathogen viru- Decline diseases lence or aggressiveness is increased by climatic able to migrate to locations where the climate is conditions, then a disease outbreak or epidemic suitable for their survival and reproduction at a Forest declines are diseases caused by a com- may result. Plant disease epidemics may be- faster rate than tree species. plex of predisposing, inciting and contributing come more frequent as the climate changes. Climate change will affect the life cycles and factors. As these difficulties accumulate the tree Epidemics of pathogens that are mobile or eas- biological synchronicity of many forest trees gradually becomes less able to produce, store ily dispersed, and can kill their hosts relatively and pathogens. and mobilize carbohydrates. It typically devel- quickly. ops symptoms of ‘die back’, and unless the In this artifact the diseases and their causal situation improves significantly the tree eventu- The main objective of the article is to under- pathogens or agents are divided into three ally dies. standing and management of forest tree diseases groups: diseases caused by pathogens directly under a changing climate. Because, most plant affected by climate; diseases caused by patho- Managing forest diseases as climate changes diseases are strongly influenced by environ- gens indirectly affected by climate; and decline Given the numerous examples of the ecological, mental conditions, climate change will affect diseases. economic and social value of forests, and the the pathogen, the host and the interaction be- Pathogens directly affected by climate: role that forests may play in mitigating global climate change, it is precious to conduct a com- tween them, resulting in changes in disease This group of pathogens e.g. Phytophthora root impact. Since, abiotic factors such as tempera- prehensive assessment of management options rot can cause disease in a healthy, vigorous for forest diseases. Impacts of climate change ture and moisture influence host susceptibility host, if the pathogen’s environmental require- to pathogens, pathogen growth, reproduction on forest health must be mitigated. This will ments are met. Their life cycles are directly require proactive thinking and a modified tech- and infection which represent the most consid- affected by temperature and moisture. For ex- erable drivers of disease outbreaks. The distri- nique of forest management approaches, be- ample, many pathogens causing needle diseases cause orthodox management strategies will not bution of hosts and diseases will change under are sensitive to precipitation and humidity and the perception of climate change. Because, in- protect forest values in a changing climate. their rates of reproduction, spread, and infection Climate change is already disrupting practices creases in temperature and changes in precipita- are greater when conditions are moist. In these tion may allow the ranges of some species to and policies for managing commercial and non- cases, changes in temperature and moisture commercial forests. expand, perhaps whilst contracting elsewhere, more directly affect the pathogen regardless of

Page 5 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Essential components for managing forest cal observations and experiences to forecast and the synergistic effects of other major distur- diseases as climate changes plan for the future, but instead must develop bances, such as wildfire. Climate change in- Four categories of management tactics have and use a variety of modeling tools. Models of duced increases in tree mortality from patho- been recommended: monitoring, forecasting, diverse phenomena, from climate to vegetation gens and insects may increase the occurrence planning and use of mitigating strategies. to disturbance agents, can guide management of and severity of fires. Hazards and risk rating forests under a changing climate, especially systems are integral components of forest man- Monitoring when they are well integrated. Bio climatic agement plans and can be applied in the absence Monitoring the spatial (Regarding Space) oc- envelope models, for example, which integrate of disease epidemics, and have proven useful currence of forest diseases relative to both the spatially explicit historic and contemporary data for projecting the effects of climate change on ranges of host trees and annual weather patterns from weather stations, general circulation mod- forest pathogens. will inform adaptive management. The reliabil- els and other sources, can be used to correlate Strategies for mitigating effects of climate ity of monitoring data will be maximized if current tree and pathogen species distributions regular, organized surveys of tree health, mor- change with climate variables or to project future distri- Ecological resilience is the capacity of an eco- tality and growth, whether remote or ground butions on the basis of understanding of spe- based, are conducted by skilled personnel, ide- system to absorb disturbance without shifting cies’ physiological responses to environmental into a qualitatively different state. The estab- ally at the stand, watershed and landscape levels variables. Modeling pathogens’ climate enve- at regular intervals. Forest range plots also can lishment and maintenance of forests with di- lopes alongside host reactions to climate can verse species and age classes can help maintain be used to detect trends in growth and mortality thus enhance the ability to predict disease out- for individual species and incidence of diseases resilience to mortality and reduction in growth comes. or other disturbance agents. The ability of these rates of trees in response to diseases and climate activities to effectively inform the long term Planning change. Breeding programs for forest trees can management of forests might be increased by Jurisdictions that already have forest health promote genetic diversity, disease resistance coordinating with monitoring for other distur- strategies must ensure that they are maintained and tolerance to environmental stresses. A bance agents, such as insects or fire, and by and adequately funded. Also, they should re- tree’s resistance to pathogens depends on ge- monitoring across jurisdictional boundaries. view and revise pertinent legislation and poli- netic variation, evolved immunity, agility and Forecasting cies to ensure that forest health problems can be environmental conditions. Fungicides may be responded to quickly and effectively. The suc- an effective method of controlling forest dis- The profound changes in environmental condi- cess of management proposed to minimize the eases in forest nurseries and in natural forests, tions expected from global climate change mean potential effects of climate change on forest especially in the short term, despite negative that forest professionals cannot rely on histori- pests on large spatial scales depends, in part, on public perception.

Evaluate the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Major Traditions and Approaches to Value the Environment

Abdullah Mohiuddin Field: Political Economy and Law in Sustainability Sustainable environment and energy systems, Middle East Technical University Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of estimation of the value of the environment. In services. The basic difference between classi- the major traditions and approaches to Neo Classical economics, one major ap- cal and neo-classical approaches of market value the environment. Referring to the proach is the creation of market. A brief in- are that in neo-classical economics the valua- classical, neo-classical (marginalist), envi- troduction and strengths and weaknesses of tion of price comes from the equilibrium of ronmental and/or ecological traditions, this approach are discussed in this essay. supply and demand where as in classical eco- and their variants as you see appropriate, Two examples from the recent history in this nomics the price is determined by the cost of outline your preferred approach to value essay will extend the understanding about production. So in Neo-classical Market, the the environment. Illustrate your responses how development of a market can help in the instruments of supply and demand operate using real historical environmental prob- reduction of the degradation of the environ- and determine the price of the goods and lems. ment. Second most important concept is of services. Markets are meant for the efficient Why there is need to estimate or assign the market failures. After which another ap- allocation of resources. Creation of markets value to the environment? If something is proach named as “willingness to pay” is dis- for environmental goods and services will there for free, it is ignored in every step of cussed which is for the estimation of value of provide the monetary value to them and thus decision making. Thus in order to save the non-market based environmental goods and it will directly influence the decisions and environment the first step required by the services. A brief discussion of the ecological preferences of the people and the corpora- economists is to come up with the concept of economic approach will be followed by the tions. A new commodity will be created and assigning the monetary value to the environ- conclusion. In neo classical tradition, the new opportunities of trade will emerge. Mar- ment and thus somehow limit the environ- centre of economic activities is the market. kets are created by humans, they are not natu- mental degradation using economical princi- Market is a place where customers and sup- ral. ples. There are various approaches for the pliers gather for the exchange of goods and

Page 6 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

The major problem in creating a market for be 70 billion Dollars annually with a cost- For example, the consumption of resources such environmental goods and services is that these benefit ratio of 1:40 (EPA). The program as fossil fuels, how much would the people of goods and services are non-excludable. For achieved a reduction in Acid rain phenomena future generation like to pay for these re- instance the services of the ozone layer or the locally, so it was kind of a localized solution for sources? benefits of polar ice caps in prevention of cli- a localized problem. This however cannot be Conventional economists however define a mate change are for all human beings. It is im- easily replicated for other international environ- concept of intertemporal discounting where possible to restrict anyone from enjoying the mental problems .Global warming, for instance methods of discounting can be applied to find benefits of their services. Everyone is using is an international problem and thus, for a mar- the future value of the environmental resources these environmental services for free. In order ket based mechanism to work successfully, it and this evaluation can be used in the decision to create a market it is necessary to incorporate will require an international consensus. making process. Then a problem emerges that the concept of ownership or private property. It Kyoto Protocol is an international effort to com- future assets may be valued much lower. As it is is very difficult to establish property rights for bat global warming by reduction of CO2 emis- evident, in modern world money is considered these goods and services. Some of these prob- sions. It’s an international agreement associated as a criterion for depiction of value of any asset, lems are international (e.g. melting of Polar Ice to the United Nation`s Framework Convention and according to the economic principles the Caps, rise of sea levels, global warming etc) and on Climate Change. This protocol binds the 37 value of money decreases with time. This may since there is no global institution powerful industrialized countries and European commu- be proved as a setback, as environmental goods enough to possibly intervene and establish prop- nity to adopt local measures to reduce CO2 and and services will be valued lesser in future than erty rights and thus create a market. So in order other green house gas emissions and gives them in the present. Future environmental resources to create a market some sort of institution some flexibility through market based mecha- when evaluated with the discounting factor, if should be present that could establish property nisms (United Nations Framework Convention on results in lower estimation of their value, will rights. And creation of such institution would Climate Change -UNFCCC). This however seems make it difficult to decrease the excessive con- require costs. Thus creation of Market itself not to be much fruitful because, some major sumption in the present. Above mentioned ex- requires some costs such as transaction costs, players in the CO2 emissions are not taking part ample is a reason of market failure, where mar- which may be very significant. in it. United States for instance, being the major ket fails to serve the purpose of efficient alloca- Although there is an example of success in de- CO2 emitter is not the part of the deal. China is tion of the resources. There can be various other veloping a cap-and-trade mechanism that not required to reduce its emissions since its reasons of market failure as well and they could showed that this might work for restricting the emissions of CO2 per capita is very low (Liliana be because of any inherent feature of the re- degradation of the environment. United State LaValle and Amy Braun) .The estimation of source. program for trading in SO2 (Sulphur dioxide) price of a market good is affected by the supply In case of a market absence of an environmental emissions is said to be successful in reducing and demand of the goods and services. The good, economists suggest an empirical method the SO2 emissions. SO2 emissions can cause number of participants of a market is thus very of estimation of their value. This approach to acid rain. So in order to prevent acid rain this important. The achievements of this protocol find the value of environment is the concept of program was introduced under Title IV of the might have been very different if United States willingness to pay, how much people are will- 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments to reduce acid would have agreed to sign this protocol. ing to pay to stop the degradation of the envi- rain by achieving a reduction in SO2 and NOx Apart from these examples there are other ronment. This non-market based method can (Nitrogen Oxides) emissions (EPA). In that things to be considered as well which are re- help the policy makers and governments to market based mechanism, the program sets a lated to the market based approach of valuing decide the amount of funding they must allocate permanent cap on the total amount of SO2 emis- the environment. There is a possibility of mis- towards the solutions of environmental prob- sions on electric power plants, and the level calculation of the value of environmental goods lems. One of the major problems with the neo- below the cap is traded. Thus, allowing the and services through market based mechanisms classical approaches is the possibility of errors parties to flexibly select the method of compli- because the number of participants in the mar- and misjudgment in valuation of environment. ance. So they could decide the best possible ket is restricted to the present generation. There The pricing technique or the calculation of economical way to reduce their emissions. And is a possibility that if future generation could monetary value of environmental goods and the operations of these electric power plants somehow participate in the market, then the services may not reflect the actual value. Also were influenced by the market value. As it is value that we will get via supply and demand not everything can be put in terms of money. mentioned earlier that creation of market itself principles could turn out to be far greater. But A different perspective in valuation of environ- requires cost. The cost that was anticipated for since future generation does not exist right now, ment is found in ecological economics. As Ken- this program was much higher than the actual and with future there is a factor of uncertainty, neth Boulding, who is regarded as one of the cost that incurred during the implementation of we cannot know how valuable the environment founding fathers of ecological economics de- the program. And the benefits were estimated to will be for them in terms of monetary criteria. scribes spaceman economy, Page 7 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013 where earth is modeled as a spaceship and it can the neoclassical economic paradigm to include parties, which may be more acceptable. be thought of a closed system in terms of mate- scientifically valid measures of the environ- Bibliography rials. (Roger Perman et.al, 2001). Mankind can mental costs of economic activities” (Robert EPA “Cap and Trade: Acid Rain Program enjoy the resources that are present within the Nadeau, 2011). Results” [http://www.epa.gov/capandtrade/ spaceship but they cannot get a supply of re- documents/ctresults.pdf] accessed on 24th In the light of above discussion, it may be stated November 2012 3:15 PM sources beyond the boundaries of the spaceship. that neo-classical approaches of valuation of Liliana LaValle and Amy Braun. “Kyoto Here, in order, for mankind to exist sustainably, environment, if pursued in a proper perspective Protocol” they must find their existence in such a way that [http://sitemaker.umich.edu/ as it is suggested by ecological economics, with section3group3/ does not degrade the ecological cycle. efforts of minimizing the miscalculations, errors the_protocol_and_its_problems] accessed This perspective of valuation of environment and failures such as market failures, can provide on 27th November 2012 at 10:56PM Robert Nadeau, 2011 “Ecology Theory: does not negate the need of price based evalua- a better solution of the environmental problem . Environmental and ecological economics”. tion of the environment as Boulding himself Efforts to include the environmental costs of the Encyclopedia of Earth [http://www.eoearth.org/article/ accepts the need for market based methods, but economic activities in the economic system are Environmental_and_ecological_economics? it emphasizes more on the need of putting the required. Lessons from the past efforts of crea- topic=58074] accessed on 27th November things in a correct perspective. That is, the eco- tion of markets must be learned and applied in 2012, 7:42 PM Roger Perman et.al, 2001, “Natural Re- nomics of humans is a subset of a larger system, the continued efforts. As it is mentioned in this source and Environmental economics: 4th which is the ecology. As Robert Nadeau, a pro- article US program for trading in SO2 is an edition”: Addison Wasley Press fessor of environmental science and public pol- example of the success that is achievable via UNFCC (United Nation`s Framework Con- vention on climate change) “Kyoto Proto- icy at George Mason University says: market based mechanism. The Neo-Classical col” “The primary objective of the ecological econo- market based approach can provide some sort of [http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/ flexibility and ease of implementation by all items/2830.php] accessed on 27th Novem- mists is to enlarge the framework of ber 2012, 6:16 PM

How Would You Value Biodiversity for Sustainability?

Abdullah Mohiuddin Middle East Technical University Sustainable environment and energy systems Field: Political Economy and Law in Sustainability “How would you value biodiversity for sustain- sources of victuals and the chances of discovery tional definition of biodiversity), the mitigation ability? How could development which re- of new pharmaceuticals, the other benefits that and compensation values of the impacts of hu- spected biodiversity be made sustainable, if at are not known to men yet, will trim down if man activities on biodiversity may help in the all?” biodiversity loss is not curtailed (Hans-Peter reduction of the loss of biodiversity. Moreover, “The term biodiversity or biological diversity Weikard, 2002). In other words, biodiversity considering the significance of biodiversity for refers to the variety of life forms occurring in itself is very important for a sustainable world sustainability of mankind, these mitigation and nature, as a result of evolutionary history. The for mankind. compensation values will help us understand the concept includes the variety of organisms at all Some scholars believe that we cannot attach a extent of efforts that are required to preserve levels, from genetic variants belong•ing to the value to essentials, like the services provided by biodiversity. This approach seems effective in same species through arrays of different spe• the ecology. According to Gowdy (1997) we the valuation of biodiversity, because it in- cies; as well as the variety of ecosystems, en- cannot affix a value to an indispensable re- volves the conservation of biodiversity and compassing ecological communities in a given source. Some claim that biodiversity is not sub- conservation of biodiversity is inevitable for habitat and the physi•cal conditions under stitutable. As, Mainwaring (2001, Page 81) sustainability. Later on in this essay the valua- which they live” (Wilson, 1992). states that, the replacement of ecosystem ser- tion approach of mitigation and compensation is The notion of economic growth and develop- vices is far from human capacity. Even if defined. The work of Alexander James et al. ment of humankind is causing the natural habi- Gowdy and Mainwaring`s arguments are ac- (2001) is discussed as an example of mitigation tats to shrink and thus the world is currently cepted, we will still require a valuation of biodi- and compensation value. The work of Hans- progressing towards the state where many spe- versity since our decisions towards anything peter Weikard (2002) is presented as a support cies are endangered. After the industrial revolu- extensively depend upon what value we give to of area-based approach of Alexander James tion we humans are considered to be responsi- it. The survival of ecosystems and the conserva- et.al. In the second part of the essay the notion ble for dreadful conditions of the environment, tion of biodiversity all these things need an of possibility of sustainable development that and biodiversity loss is one of the foremost evaluation to be a part of decision making. respects biodiversity is presented. In this part of environmental problems. Biodiversity is indis- (Hans-Peter Weikard, 2002). the essay examples from agriculture, aquacul- pensable for the stability of the ecosystem. The Even though it may be tough to find the abso- ture and livestock farming are given to support loss of biodiversity reduces the exquisiteness of lute valuation of the biodiversity, (for various the notion that developments in these areas can the ecosystem. The chances of prospective reasons like lack of knowledge or lack of opera- be done while conserving the biodiversity. Next

Page 8 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013 to that the concept of a policy instrument tool protection of biodiversity. It may present a hope their seeds”. Keekok lee adds that “the habitats i.e. `Biodiversity offset` is discussed that can for the possibility of a world that is not only of plants may be destroyed but their seeds live make it possible to sustain the development sustainable but also conserving biodiversity. on. With the seeds intact, DNA genetic engi- while respect diversity. The approach of Alexander James et.al (2001, neering will enable us to splice the DNA relat- The first approach that is discussed here is Miti- Page: 43-52) for the valuation of biodiversity is ing to whatever property of the plant is deemed gation and compensation values. Conservation to increase the number of protected areas, desirable into another, or indeed into bacteria of biodiversity deals with enveloping the devel- thereby giving the nature, a chance to protect using viruses as a vector, which could replicate opment into the biological conservation frame- the biodiversity in its own natural way i.e. ab- that property for us in an infinitely more effi- work and finding procedures to mitigate or sence of human interference. This however cient manner than the original seed/plant can compensate the impacts caused by man`s ex- requires a compromise between the humanity`s do” Thus the approach of giving preference in ploitation of natural habitats. The costs of these urge for development, land exploitation and saving more diverse ecosystems can make more measures are the mitigation and compensation conservation of biodiversity. As Hans-Peter sense if the species of less diverse systems be values of biodiversity (Alho CJR. 2008) Weikard (2002) concludes in his paper that conserved using the biotechnology. The work of Alexander James et al (2001) can “Indeed, the problem of Noah’s ark, which The proposition of Alexander James et.al can be be considered a very good illustration of mitiga- species will be given a place on the ark, is only performed based on the approach suggested by tion and compensation valuation of biodiversity one of two problems that Noah faces. It is a Hans-peter Weikard with an addition of conser- which involves the estimation of costs of a con- second-stage problem. At the first stage Noah vation of species of less diverse ecosystems as servation program for biodiversity around the must make up his mind about how much space discussed by Keekok Lee. In this way, well globe. They surveyed current spending on pro- on the ark he wants for himself.” being of future generation could be ensured and tected areas globally, made an estimate of the The approach of valuation of biodiversity by the impacts of loss of biodiversity on sustain- funding shortfalls. The next step was the acqui- Alexander James et.al (January 2001) seems ability will be minimal. sition of land to spread out this network for more practical in a sense that it focuses on the Now moving to the second part of our discus- ecological representation, and summing the cost area of protected reserves instead of focusing on sion i.e. how could development which re- of managing these areas in future effectively. the species for the conservation of biodiversity. spected biodiversity be made sustainable? The Finally they estimated the scale of reimburse- This seems in-line with the work of Hans-Peter development which respects biodiversity is ment required to meet the opportunity costs Weikard (2002,). Hans-Peter Weikard argued inherently supporting the cause of sustainability incurred by regional people living in or near that biodiversity conservation programs lack because sustainability of mankind itself requires natural reserves. They added all the costs to find operation-ability because of various constraints biodiversity. We depend on biodiversity in the total annual cost of maintaining a biodiver- like lack of all the genetic information, lack of many ways. For example the change of climate sity conservation program around the globe. funds, and a lack of a practical operational defi- and other adverse effects sometimes require us Alexander James et.al also mentioned about the nition of biodiversity. In his work Hans-Peter to make use of biodiversity. Many traditional enormous subsidies towards environment per- Weikard discussed the diversity function pre- livestock farmers employ multi-species and verse activities like subsidies given to prop up sented by Weitzman (Weitzman, Martin L. multi-breed herds and flocks to sustain high agricultural production, energy use, road trans- 1992. ‘‘On Diversity.). Weitzman`s diversity diversity and to shield against climatic and eco- portation, water consumption, and commercial function as a framework for the measurement of nomic adversities. (Hoffmann I., 2003). fisheries. Alexander James et.al (2001) pro- biodiversity, is based on the genetic variation Other than livestock, species combinations also posed that a worldwide representative and suffi- amongst the species. He argued that Weitz- augment the output in aquatic systems thus ciently maintained nature preservation program man’s structure of diversity measurement can supporting the sustainability. Use of diverse fish could be achieved for about 2% of the annual be made realistic and germane by shifting the species in aquaculture improves resource use spending on such environmentally detrimental level of analysis from species to ecosystems. efficiency and reduces waste. This is why, in subsidies. If the proposition of Alexander James Hans-peter Weikard (2002) also proposed that china four types of carp are commonly raised in et.al is accepted and the 2% or more of annual the ecosystems with more biodiversity can be the same pond: silver carp filter phytoplankton, spending on environmentally detrimental subsi- preferred in allocation of resources for conser- grass carp feed on plant-eating microorganisms, dies are diverted towards a global biodiversity vation. This may be a problem, because we do the common carp is an omnivorous bottom conservation program than development and not know what we are losing in the less diverse feeder and bighead carp filters zooplankton conservation can go side by side. This global ecosystem. May be ecosystems that are less (Naylor et al., June 2000). We can see in above conservation program as proposed by the work diverse if not protected, their species can be example that because of different sources of of Alexander James et.al is a noteworthy exam- conserved as well due to the advancement in the feed the resources are used effectively and the ple of a possibility of coupling of development technology as Keekok lee (2000 Page: 39) sug- carp yield can be higher than the pond which with the conservation of natural habitats for the gests that “whole plants need not be saved; only has only one type of carp.

Page 9 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Similarly for agriculture, soil enrichment, pest ecosystems with less biodiversity. Biodiversity that conservation programs like the one pro- control and pollination are necessary ecological offsets are used by governments and private posed by Alexander James et al which focus on benefits that are obtained due to biodiversity. sector to permit the development activities (thus increasing the protected areas, (which can be The presence of wild patches of vegetation in sustaining the development) after the assurance ecosystems) would be effective and practical. farming area preserves wild or weedy species of the no-net-loss or net-gain in biodiversity. Finally a policy tool ( Biodiversity offset) is that provide habitat for wild fauna that contrib- One example of the biodiversity offset is the discussed, which can also work in the same ute towards soil enrichment, pest control and Kate Valley Landfill. Kate Valley landfill is manner, i.e. conservation of areas that have pollination (Vandermeer et al., 2002). Instead of situated in coastal hill country in New Zea- higher conservation value in terms of biodiver- using unsustainable sources, like the use of land`s eastern South Island. Kate Valley Land- sity, while giving flexibility to the people pursu- pesticides for pest control, these wild patches fill was identified by Transwaste Canterbury ing development. may be used. Above examples show the direct Ltd. (TCL) as a possible site for a new regional dependence of human welfare on biodiversity landfill. TCL applied in 2002 to Hurunui Dis- References and they assert the importance of biodiversity trict Council for resource consent. TCL was Alexander James, Kevin J. Gaston, and Andrew for sustainability. Research in these areas can granted the permission subject to some condi- Balmford, January 2001, “Can We Afford to Con- help us further more in developing sustainable tions. One of the restrictions was that the area of serve Biodiversity?” BioScience, Vol. 51 No. 1, Page: 43-52 agriculture, aquaculture and livestock practices Nothofagus solandri (black beech) forest should Alho, CJR, 2008,” The value of biodiversity”, Braz. that can support biodiversity. be retained. TCL wanted this restriction to be J. Biol., 68(4, Suppl.): Page: 1115-1118 Besides that a change in policy can also help for removed to enable the landfill to be of a viable David A. Norton, 2008, “Biodiversity Offsets: Two the conservation of biodiversity while keeping size while the opposing parties wanted it to New Zealand Case Studies and an Assessment Frame- work”, Published: 23 August 2008, Springer Science the development process intact. As it is argued stay. TCL and the three opposing parties went & Business Media, LLC earlier that any development that respects biodi- to the environment court, where TCL offered Gowdy, John M. 1997. ‘‘The Value of Biodiversity: versity is inherently supporting the sustainabil- the environmental compensation (Biodiversity Markets, Society, and Ecosystems.’’, Land Economics ity, so any policy instrument that could bound offset). 73 (Feb.): 25–41. Hans-Peter Weikard, February 1, 2002,”Diversity the development process to respect biodiversity The court accepted the biodiversity offset and Functions and the Value of Biodiversity”, Land Eco- will support sustainability. Biodiversity offset is allowed to remove the restriction of retaining of nomics vol. 78 no. 1, Page 20-27 emerging as a significant policy instrument for Nothofagus solandri (black beech). The biodi- Hoffmann I. (2003),”Spatial distribution of cattle the protection of biodiversity from the impacts versity offset as proposed by the TCL which herds as a response to natural and social environ- ments. A case study from the Zamfara Reserve, North- of development. Biodiversity offsets have been was later accepted by the environment court west Nigeria”. Nomadic Peoples 6, 6–23. defined by ten Kate et al (2004, Biodiversity included the long-term protection, restoration Keekok Lee, Alan Holland and Desmond McNeill, offsets: views, experience and the business and management of a 410 ha “Conservation 2000, “Global Sustainable Development in the 21st century: Global Sustainable development its intellec- case) as: ‘‘Conservation actions intended to Management Area” adjacent to the Kate Valley tual roots”, Edinburgh University Press, Page: 30-47 compensate for the residual, unavoidable harm landfill, which is now known as Tiromoana Mainwaring, Lynn, 2001.” Biodiversity, Biocom- to biodiversity caused by development projects, Bush. The Court Further specified the number plexity, and the Economics of Genetic Dissimilarity”. so as to ensure no net loss of biodiver- of actions that TCL must undertake. Some of Land Economics 77 (Feb.): Page 79–93. sity.’’ (David A. Norton, 2009). these actions included the permanent fencing of Paulo A.L.D. Nunes, Jeroen C.J.M. van den Bergh, 2001,” Economic valuation of biodiversity: sense or Biodiversity offsets involve the safeguard of a the Tirmoana Bush and the removal of domestic nonsense?” Ecological Economics 39, Page: 203–222 natural habitat that holds existing conservation grazing animals within two years. (David A. ten Kate K, Bishop J, Bayon R (2004),”Biodiversity value. In case of possibility of a loss of a natural Norton, 2009). The effectiveness of biodiversity offsets: views, experience and the business case”. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Insight Investment, habitat due to impacts of development, it re- offset for conservation of biodiversity in this London, UK quires the developers to restore the natural habi- case and in general as well is not discussed Rosamond L. Naylor, Rebecca J. Goldburg, Jur- tat of the same conservation value elsewhere. In here. But it can be assumed that policy instru- genne H. Primavera, Nils Kautsky, Malcolm C. M. some parts of the world biodiversity offsets are ments like this if refined and implemented prop- Beveridge, Jason Clay, Carl Folke, Jane Lubchenco, Harold Mooney & Max Troell ,” Effect referred as mitigation whereas in some places it erly may help. of aquaculture on world fish supplies” Nature 405, is referred as compensation measure. (David A. In this essay, the mitigation and compensation Page 1017-1024, 29 June 2000 Norton, 2009). This also supports the earlier valuation approach for the conservation of bio- Vandermeer, J., Lawrence, D., Symstad, A. and discussion of mitigation and compensation val- diversity for sustainability is discussed. This Hobbie, S. 2002.” Effects of biodiversity on ecosys- tem functioning in managed ecosystems”. In: Loreau, ues of Biodiversity in this essay .This policy approach is based on reducing the human im- M., Naeem, S. and Inchausti, P. (Eds.). Biodiversity instrument also seems in-line with the proposi- pacts on biodiversity so it inherently supports and Ecosystem Functioning. Oxford University Press, tion of Hans-peter Weikard i.e. focusing on sustainability (since biodiversity is inevitable Oxford, UK. pp. 157-168. ecosystems for the conservation of biodiversity. WILSON, EO. , 1992, “The Diversity of Life”. New for sustainability) .After that a proposition of York: W.W.Norton & Company. Page: 424. The assessment of conservation value can be Alexander James et.al is shown. Hans-Peter Weitzman, Martin L. 1992, ‘‘On Diversity’’. Quar- possibly done as per the suggestion given by Weikard`s suggestion of shifting the focus from terly Journal of Economics. 107 (May): Page 363– Hans-peter Weikard i.e. the ecosystems with species to ecosystems is also discussed to show 405. more biodiversity, may be preferred over the

Page 10 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Genotyping by Sequencing and its Application in Crop Improvement

Zaryab Khalid Sial Workshop Corner PhD Scholar, LCWU Lahore [email protected] I have attended a workshop on 7th February, versity) was also shared during workshop, she tion for agronomists. Concluding ceremony was 2013 in National Institute for Biotechnology provided complete procedure and protocol inaugurated by Dr. Sobia Ikram after lunch and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Fais- about genotyping. Second session started after break, she also gave a brief overview of work- alabad. This was one day awareness workshop refreshment, Dr. Muhammad Asif (Senior shop activities, Dr. Mubarak Ali (Chief Execu- on “Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) and its Scientist) provided a detailed note on data tive, PARB) was the chief guest of event whe is application in crop improvement’. Agricul- analysis in GBS. In addition, he discussed some a senior member in Punjab Agriculture and tural Biotechnology Division of NIBGE organ- examples and plans of GBS in plants, after his Research Board, he pleasely appreciated the ized this workshop. After registration session, lecture students asked some important questions effort of NIBGE for organizing such events for Hafiz Arshad recited some verses from Holy about his talk, Dr. M Asif satisfied all partici- young researchers. Certificates were distributed Quran, and then participants provided their brief pants by his knowledge, It was really a new among participants and organizers and Director, introduction. After this, Dr. Sohail Hameed technique for all of us and the speaker drew our NIBGE submitted the vote of thanks. At the (Director NIBGE) gave a warm welcome ad- full attention towards its importance. Associa- end, audience shared their views about the said dress for all distinguished guests and partici- tion Mapping using GBS and/or Single Nucleo- event which were very encouraging for whole pants. Dr. Sobia Ikram (Assitant professor, tide Polymorphism (SNP) data was also a novel organizing team; group photo was also taken NIBGE), who was also organizer of event gave approach and Mr. Javed Iqbal (PhD Scholar, with guest, faculty members and participants. details of program and major aspects which NIBGE) discussed his would be covered during workshops. First lec- research using these ture was delivered by Dr. Shahid Mansoor techniques on size im- (Sitara e imtiaz), who is working as Chief Sci- provement of rice. Dr. entific Officer/ Head Agricultural Biotechnol- M. Arif (Principal Sci- ogy Division, NIBGE. He discussed whole entist, NIBGE) gave genome sequencing of crop plants and their basic knowledge about importance in developing countries like Paki- ‘Tilling” and its applica- stan. He also geve a brief and informative note tion in SNP Scoring and on history of genetics. A detailed recorded lec- gene identification, it ture on genotyping sequene by Dr. Sharon was a thought-provoking Mitchell (Research and Laboratory Manager, knowledge and had a Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell Uni- great deals of informa- Group photo of participants

Seminar on Palliative Cancer Care

Aftab Ahmed Workshop/ Seminar Corner PhD Punjab University, Lahore (President NAYS) A seminar was held on “Palliative Cancer Care” Hospital, Lahore). During first lecture Prof. it result in more than 150,000 deaths each year at University of Health Science, Lahore. The Sheharyar highlighted the importance of more and one of big reason of high death rate is late event was organized by Cancer Care Hospital cancer hospitals in Pakistan and also strongly diagnosis of cancer and at this stage it becomes and Research Centre, Lahore which is project of stressed on need for more research work in un-treatable. According to him in Punjab only Cancer research and treatment foundation. Two Pakistan related to cancer. The statistics he there are 75 beds, 6 senior doctors and 10 junior lectures on cancer status in Pakistan and pallia- presented were frightening, according to him doctors for kids suffering from cancer which is tive cancer care was delivered by Prof. Dr. Sha- there are 10 million new cases of cancer world- very less and in just Punjab province of Paki- haryar (Professor of Oncology, King Edward wide and more than 50% die the same year and stan there are around 162,000 new cases of Medical University and President of the Cancer this ratio is much more in developing countries cancer each year and we have facility of just Research and Treatment Foundation) and Dr. like Pakistan. He further added that there are 500 beds with only 35 specialist doctors in Riaz ur Rehman (Oncology Department, Jinnah about 300,000 new cancer cases in Pakistan and this area.

Page 11 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

He added that we treat around 41,000 of total the world related to cancer related knowledge ultimately person die by cancer. He added that cases and for rest we don’t know details that and education. Dr. Riaz ur Rehman added that cancer research and treatment foundation is what treatment they get or where they go. He cancer is 2nd leading cause of death after cardio- going to start a 400 beds hospital for cancer said there is only one bone marrow transplant vascular diseases. According to him 1 in 5 peo- patients in Lahore and they will also have pal- unit in whole Punjab which is at Armed Forces ple suffer from cancer at some stage of life and liative care facility in this hospital which will be Research Institute in Rawalpindi while there is in developing countries mortality rate is very first facility of this kind in Pakistan. At the end not a single unit in Lahore or any other big city high. He further added that there is no concept of his presentation he also presented a model of of Punjab. In order to have a comparison with of palliative cancer care in Pakistan and we palliative cancer care and how we can involve neighboring country India he added that there is need to start it. He also said that palliative can- paramedical staff, volunteers, family physicians only 2 clinical research organization related to cer care is not only good for patient and his and palliative care experts to give best treatment cancer in Pakistan while India have over 4000 family but also it will reduce the economic to patients and it will result in pain free cancer so there is great need to do more investment in losses of government as otherwise patient in death and death with dignity which are recom- research and education related to oncology as late stages have to get medicine from multina- mendations of World Health Organization according to one survey Pakistan rank 162 in tional companies and they cost in millions and (WHO).

SI-ARCS: Sketch Interpretation and Rationale Capture System

Iqra Ejaz, Abeer Syed Research Project in Human Computer Interaction Faculty of Electronic Engineering, GIKI [email protected] Gone are the days when we humans had to intelligent enough to understand and recog- jump into the reality created by machines to be nize a free hand sketch drawn by a digital able to use them. The recent past has shifted the pen. This assembly presents an innovative research focus to human centered computing in way of Human Computer Interaction (HCI). an attempt to make the physical world around It reduces the effort splendidly for an instruc- us intelligent and perceptive. Advances have tor/student to choose a component from the been made to impart intelligence to the sur- library; he can sketch it freehandedly and get roundings. This way machines are made to un- it recognized with the aid of SI-ARCS. derstand and perceive the real world. Speech, The idea is practically realized with the gesture and vision recognition, if embedded in clever combination of an IR pen the real world, would revolutionize the research (transmitter), that sends the information in engineering. about its position via IR rays; an IR camera With this consideration, the initiative that we (sensor), that captures the co-ordinates of the have taken under the supervision of Professor IR pen and feeds this real time data to the M. Junaid Mughal intends to bring the idea of software in the PC; the developed application intelligence embedded systems to the engineer- that first interprets the figure and then swiftly engineering domain but it also provides an op- ing researchers at undergraduate level. Our corrects it in real time; and the projector that portunity for it to be integrated with many simu- team comprises of four senior year students of simultaneously displays the image on any flat lation softwares. Besides its applicability in the Faculty of Electronic Engineering at GIK surface. academia, SI-ARCS can be used by musicians Institute: Abeer Syed, Ayesha Khan, Iqra Ejaz, The software application that we have devel- to have their notes interpreted or even by chil- Tauqeer Hussain. oped is capable of recognizing, interpreting and dren to doodle on walls with the inkless pen. Our project entitled Sketch Interpretation and correcting any freehand sketch. The software is Our inspiration to choose the domain of HCI Rationale Capture System (SI-ARCS) is an written in C# using .Net Framework. The and then develop SI-ARCS, was the current innovative look into the future of educational beauty of the software lies in its absorbability research that is being conducted in the state-of- system in Pakistan. Developed from scratch, i.e. many shapes/sketches can be added to its the-art research facilities all around the world this software-hardware amalgamation is aimed database as per requirement to diversify its use including MIT, Stanford and Microsoft. We to interpret and understand everything that is for sketch interpretation. aimed at bringing a user-friendly teaching aid drawn or written on any surface; ‘A surface that SI-ARCS serves as a platform for a diverse that would have both educational and commer- is as natural and easy to draw on as paper, yet range of applications. Therefore, this project has cial utilities, within the reach of the institutes of that understands what you draw.’-Randall excellent prospects of being launched on a com- Pakistan. But the vision doesn’t end here. Davis, CSAIL-MIT. mercial scale. Not only does it serve as a won- For us, SI-ARCS is not just an idea, it’s a reali- SI-ARCS makes any smooth physical surface drous teaching aid for the instructors of the zation.

Page 12 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Safety and Security of Pakistan’s Nuclear Program

Ahmad Khan Full length research paper Research Associate, Strategic Vision Institute Islamabad Field: Strategic and Security Studies Twitter Handle@ahmadkhan000. [email protected]

Introduction some of the insiders as well outsiders, favorably ing the security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. 1. The threat of nuclear terrorism, especially inclined towards Al-Qeada and Taliban’ politi- Prior to that, two attacks have already being after 9/11, and the safety of nuclear installations cal and radical thoughts. On top of that, the carried out on Kamra. As the result of 2012 highlighted by nuclear disasters like Chernobyl most discouraging scenario was developed por- Kamra Air Base attacks, new questions are and Fukushima Nuclear Plant in 2011, has pro- trays the fear of “radical Islamic movements stirrer in the international media about terrorist foundly changed the discourse of global regime destabilize Pakistan,” and possibly transforms networks attacking and taking over Pakistan’s for nuclear safety and security. After the Fuku- “Pakistan into the first radical Islamic country nuclear arsenal shima power plant disaster, the world leaders possessing nuclear weapons.” In addition, an- 2. Pakistan has introduced an effective com- sensed the urgency to discuss the issues of nu- other most heinous scenario about the security mand and control structure in 2001. However, clear safety and security. In this regards, the of Pakistan nuclear arsenal was formulated— with the passage of time, the global concerns second Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in 2012 “radical Islamic movements influencing mili- about Pakistan’s nuclear safety and security was held in Seoul. With the participation from tary people and or/scientists” to gain access to were cultivated and scenarios were formulated more than 53 heads of state and different inter- the nuclear weapons and fissile materials.” about the possibilities of terrorists getting nu- national organizations, the agenda of summit 3. Despite possible concerns/scenarios about the clear materials from nuclear facilities, to make was set to discuss three main issues. This in- security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, the global nuclear explosion devices and RDD. Pakistan’s clude (1) Cooperative measures to combat the security threats or risks to nuclear materials or nuclear program, for the last one and half dec- threat of nuclear terrorism, (2) Protection of nuclear installations/facilities as describes by ade, has got much attention and negatives pub- Nuclear material and related facilities and (3) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in licity from across the globe. During all this Prevention of Illicit trafficking of nuclear mate- “Nuclear Security Recommendation on Physical propaganda campaign, there was not a single rials. The basic purpose of arranging this sum- Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear credible day left when Pakistan did not defend mit was to give strength to the international Facilities;” are (a) the risk of unauthorized re- its nuclear program. The global propaganda efforts to prevent nuclear materials from being moval of nuclear material with an intention to campaign coupled with deliberate piercing by misused by terrorist groups. President Obama in engage in acts of nuclear terrorism, e.g. Radio- some “Pakistani nuclear pessimists,” has got his Prague’s speech in 2009 highlighted the active Dispersal Device (RDD) (b) risk of pace. In a recent interview with DAWN, Per- serious threat—nuclear terrorism—to interna- physical attack or sabotage of nuclear installa- vaiz Hoodboy hoists concerns about “Jihadi tional security. Above and beyond, he expressed tions; (c) risk of unauthorized removal of nu- Networks,” taking over key nuclear installations his will to create ‘World free of nuclear weap- clear material for making Radioactive Dispersal to fulfill their political objectives. He deliber- ons.’ Pakistan also participated in the summit, Device (RDD); and (d) theft or illegal transfer ately neglected Pakistan’s efforts to ensure the where Prime Minister Yousad Raza Gillian of nuclear material or radioactive materials— nuclear safety and security of its nuclear arse- represented his country. Pakistan participation illicit trafficking. nal. However, the question arises, are terrorists in the summit shows Pakistan’s commitment Safety and Security Issues of Pakistan Nu- networks attacking and taking over Pakistan and motivation to strengthen international coop- clear Program. Nuclear weapons is a reality or it’s just a mere eration to prevent the non-state actors to misuse 1. The international propaganda campaign myth? nuclear materials for any malicious activities. against the safety and security of Pakistan’s 3. P-5 nuclear weapons states have significant 2. After the events of 9/11 in United States, the nuclear arsenal after the terrorist attacks on number of nuclear weapons. On the other Western world is now quiet apprehensive about Army General Head Quarters (GHQ) in 2009, hands, the de facto states –India, Pakistan, Is- the security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. The PNS Mehran attack in 2011, and Kamra Air rael, and North Korea—are having sizeable Western media, think tanks, newspapers and Base attack in 2012, has gained velocity. Over nuclear infrastructure. Pakistan falls under the their official reports painted a dark picture of and above, the increased number of terrorist category of those states, which have not signed Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, falling in the hands activities in the country, the political instability, Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) yet; however of radical, extremists, and fundamentalists Ji- and the pace at which Pakistan is developing its Pakistan, has signed number of agreements with hadi networks, working in connection with Al- nuclear infrastructure, has also increased the the IAEA, based on guidelines contained in Qaeda and Afghan Taliban. Scenarios were challenges to its nuclear safety and security Safeguards Document INFCIRC. Pakistan’s developed about the possible theft of nuclear apparatus. Terrorist attack on Kamra Air Base plan to expand its nuclear program has come materials or gaining access to nuclear weapons in 2012—the mostly deadly attack in recent under severe criticism, raising countless ques- by the extremist groups, might be facilitated by years—rejuvenates the global discourse regard- tions about its safety and security mechanism to

Page 13 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

guard its nuclear materials. However, President strategic task goes through multiple intelligence tamper-proof containers are provided for the Obama and to U.S officials have showed their agencies security clearances, which is very transportations of nuclear materials that are confidence in Pakistan’s nuclear security appa- much similar to the Unites States Safety and escorted by military personnel.” ratus. Security System. 6. Fissile Material Protection, Control and Security System of Nuclear Weapons, Nu- In Pakistan, The Warheads and the delivery Accounting: The A.Q Khan Proliferation saga clear Materials, and Facilities: systems are separated from each other, so that has forced Pakistan to introduce strict measures 1. In February 2000, Pakistan National Security the chances of accidental or unauthorized for protection of fissile material. Prior A.Q Council (NSC) established the National Com- launch of the weapons can be prevented. Fur- Khan Chapter, there were no “formal reporting mand Authority (NCA), the apex civilian led thermore, the individuals who have information channel of the apparatus” that could check the authority to supervise the employment, deploy- about the locations of the nuclear weapons are account for shipments and personal travels. In ment, research and development, and command strictly monitored and ought to be under con- fact, no formal procedures existed for the physi- and control structure of Pakistan nuclear pro- stant surveillance. cal protection and accounting (MPC&A). To- gram. After its establishment, the NCA has took 4. Physical Protection of Nuclear Facilities: day, the SPD has adopted strict measures to measures for the safety and security of the nu- The Security Division is the solely responsible conduct external audits on the nuclear invento- clear arsenals, materials, and facilities, which for the physical protection of all the civilian and ries, and implementing regular and surprise include the formalization of the nuclear safety military nuclear installations. Today, it is fully inspections at all facilities. procedures, security of nuclear arsenals, physi- established and operating a multilayered secu- 7. Export Control Regimes: In 2001, Pakistan cal protection, control, accounting and creation rity perimeter to protect the nuclear installa- established a Strategic Export Control Division of vital infrastructure and legislation. As Zafar tions. The first layer encompasses of the secu- (SEDIV) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Nawaz Jaspal articulated, since the establish- rity personnel from the respective organization; SEDIV comprises of personnel form Customs, ment of Pakistan Nuclear Program, “it has insti- however, it works in coordination with the SPD. Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, De- tutionalized highly-secured system, which has Prior to that the providing security to the instal- fence, Federal board of Revenue. In addition, been improved gradually to thwart internal and lations was the sole responsibility of the respec- the personnel from PEAC, PNRA, and SPD external security challenges,” posed to its nu- tive organization. In the Inner Perimeter, the also work in coordination with the rest of the clear program. specially trained forces operate on a permanent personnel. SEDIV operates independently so 2. Security Division: The Security Division in basis. In the Outer Perimeter, additional fencing that personnel will not face any conflict of inter- one the most important organs of the Strategic is being reinforced by installing closed circuit est. To oversee SEDIV, a board is also formu- Planning Division (SPD), responsible for the cameras and electronic sensors. Besides inner lated, headed by the Foreign Secretary and other security and protection of Pakistan nuclear arse- and outer security arrangements, an Air Defense high-level officials to implement of the act. nal, facilities and the entire strategic organiza- System around the particular nuclear facility is 8. International Agreements to Prevent Nu- tions. Today, the Security Division comprises also installed. The sensitivity of the nuclear clear Terrorism: Pakistan has joined the US more than 20,000 highly trained, skillful secu- installations is protected by Air Defenses ele- led Container Security Initiative (CSI) in 2006 rity personnel to guard the arsenal. Having said ments, and is designated as no-fly zones. The and Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terror- so, these personnel are capable of protecting last tier of the Physical Protection System con- ism (GICNT) in 2007. Pakistan has also cooper- both nuclear weapons and high sensitive strate- sists of counter-intelligence teams, who are ated with Secure Freight Initiative (SFI). Paki- gic facilities from any terrorist attacks. They are tasked to indentify the external threats to facili- stan for the last one decade is actively partici- trained to counter the terrorist attempt of sabo- ties and provide covert security. pating in all these agreement to prevent the tage as well as any foreign power raid on the 5. Transportation Security: While transport- nuclear or radiological terrorism23. nuclear facilities. This security division is ing the nuclear materials—the nuclear waste, 9. Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority headed by a two Star General, who has his ‘eyes and radioactive materials—can become a poten- (PNRA): In 1994, Pakistan signed Convection and ears’ inside the strategic organizations. tial target for the terrorists. “The security and of Nuclear Safety (CNS). In order to fulfill the 3. Personal Reliability Program (PRP): “The protection of materials, such as Spent Nuclear obligation under CNS, each member state has to security clearance and screening processes of all Fuel (SNF) and highly radioactive sources is establish an independent regulatory body. In individuals for employment in the strategic more difficult especially transit when in fixed this regards, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Body organizations has been further consolidated locations.” Pakistan has approved the Conven- came into being under Pakistan Atomic Energy through the enhancement of PRP. The SPD has tion on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material Commission (PAEC). “To further this process overall approval of key personnel and also re- (CPPNM) during 2000, and worked to ensure of having independent regulatory infrastruc- tains information on all retired personnel.” Be- that it meets all the guidelines included in the ture,” Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority sides PRP for military personnel, SPD has also convection. In 2005, an amendment was intro- (PNRA) was established “after the promulga- introduced Human Reliability Program (HRP) duced in the convection; however, “officials are tion of PNRA Ordinance 2001.” PRNA is an for civilian. All these efforts are made to pre- also considering accession to the July 2005 independent organization responsible for regu- vent the insiders’ link with any terrorist organi- amendments that are intended to strengthen the lating all the aspects of radiation and nuclear zations or groups. Any individual dispensed a CPPNM.” Above all, “specialist vehicles and energy.

Page 14 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

It issues licensed for export control of radiologi- sources.” Pakistan offered her support to the Database (ITDB).” cal materials. Furthermore, it regulates, and international community in establishing Nuclear In October 2001, Pakistan also initiated a bilat- supervises all the matters relating to nuclear Security Training and Support Centers. Besides, eral dialogue with U.S to improve its nuclear safety and radiation protection. PNRA being a Pakistan also agreed to deploy Portal Monitors security. U.S officials have repeatedly ex- multilateral coordinating agency is responsible to detect smuggling of nuclear materials in or- pressed their satisfaction over nuclear safety for interacting with domestic and foreign enti- der to prevent the illicit trafficking. and security apparatus of Pakistan. On Septem- ties. “PNRA in coordination with IAEA evalu- 12. Nuclear Plant Stress Test: After the Fuku- ber 22, 2008, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ates and submits reports in compliance with UN shima power plant disaster, the debate about Admiral Michael Mullen described U.S. con- Security Council Resolution 1540, which calls safety of the nuclear power plants gained new cerns that, for national measures to prevent non-state ac- pace. Moreover, the debate was further fueled to the best of my ability to understand it—and tors from obtaining highly dangerous weapons.” right before the beginning of the NSS in Seoul. that is with some ability—the weapons there 10. Radiological Source Security: The PNRA Scores of concerns were raised in the world are secure. And, that even in the change of is tasked to protect workers in the facilities, about the safety of the nuclear energy. After government, the controls of those weapons public, and the environment against accidental Fukushima, Pakistan immediately carried out haven’t changed. Certainly at a worst-case or malicious acts involving nuclear materials IAEA recommended ‘stress tests’ on its civilian scenario with respect to Pakistan, I worry a and facilities. It continuously reviews and up- nuclear power plants, which were very success- great deal about those weapons falling into the dates safety and security measures according to ful. hands of terrorists and either being proliferated recommendations and guidance received from 13. International Cooperation: Pakistan has or potentially used. And so, control of those, the IAEA. Pakistan has signed the CSI, which signed number of agreements with the IAEA stability, stable control of those weapons is a provided radiation detectors at Karachi port. demonstrating its firm commitments, and strong key concern. And I think certainly the Pakistani Pakistan also participates in the IAEA Illicit level of cooperation with the IAEA. The most leadership that I've spoken with on both the Trafficking Database, to share information on important agreement in this regard is the Tech- military and civilian side understands that. incidents involving theft, loss, or pilferage of nical Cooperation (TC). In addition, “Pakistan After the terrorist attack on the Minhas Air Base radiological materials. Pakistan is working to is currently one of the top three recipient coun- in 2012, the State Department Spokeswoman cooperate with the U.S. Department of Energy tries in terms of TC assistance and receives Victoria Nuland said that “We do talk about on export and border control programs. around $ 2-3 million worth of Assistance annu- these issues and support Pakistani efforts to 11. Nuclear Security Summit (NSS): Pakistan ally.” “Pakistan was among the first countries keep them secure — we have for quite a long, has participated in two NSS in 2010 and 2012. that submitted a report to the UN to fulfill its long time. And we don’t have any reason to be During his address in Seoul NSS Prime Minis- obligations under the UNSCR 1540.” More to concerned at this moment.” During the Foreign ter Yousaf Raza Gillani said, “Pakistan has the point, Pakistan has also applied Facility Ministry weekly press briefing, spokesperson taken effective measures which are the most Specific Safeguards (INFCIRC/66). “Pakistan Moazzam Ali Khan said, “Pakistan’s strategic important part of its efforts to enhance nuclear has also made political commitment to apply assets are safe and sound and we have a robust security.” He also said, “As we meet here, we the non-binding IAEA Code of Conduct on the command and control in place, so nobody break new ground on the evolving global nu- Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and should worry about the safety and security of clear security architecture, the role of the IAEA, also participates in the IAEA Illicit Trafficking our nuclear assets.” a n d Conclusion: The terrorist attack on twin towers p r ot ec- and Fukushima power plant disaster has tion of changed the whole global discourse of the nu- nuclear clear safety and security. Prior to Fukushima, materi- not much attention has been paid to the safety als and of the nuclear power plants. On the other hand, radioac- a lot debate has been carried out on the issue of t i v e security of the nuclear arsenal. In this regards, Pakistan has been made a punching pad. De- spite the political turmoil and the country facing both kinetic and non-kinetic threats, its nuclear weapons are the jewel of her crown. In fact, Pakistan has unearthed all the stones to make its nuclear safety and security apparatus stringent. Scenarios developed against the possible theft of nuclear materials, and revolutionist group in connection with military and persons working inside the nuclear facilities .

Page 15 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

References safety and security,” The Nation, February 23, 2013, 24. Noreen Iftakhar, “Safety and Security of Paki- accessed on February 26, 2013, http:// stan’s Civilian Nuclear Industry,” South Asian Strate- www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily- gic Stability Institute, Research Paper no.31, 4. 1. “Overview,” thenuclearsecuritysummit.org, ac- english-online/columns/23-Feb-2013/pakistan-s- 25. Luongo and Salik, “Building Confidence in Paki- cessed on March 10, 2013, http:// nuclear-weapons-safety-and-security; and also see www.thenuclearsecuritysummit.org/eng_info/ stan’s Nuclear Security.” And also See “Safe Port Act “Pakistan’s Nuclear Safety and Security: A Critical overview.jsp. Reauthorization: Securing our Nation's Critical infra- Analysis,” Weekly Pulse, March 06, 2013, accessed structure,” United State Senate, Hearing before Com- 2. Maurizio Martellini, “Nuclear Safety, nuclear sta- on March 10, 2013, http://weeklypulse.org/ mittee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, bility and nuclear strategy in Pakistan: A concise details.aspx?contentID=3368&storylist=1. July 21, 2010, 29, accessed on March 1, 2013, http:// report of a visit by Landau Network-Centro Volta,” 13. “Passing out of soldiers of Strategic Plans Divi- www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-111shrg67271/html/ Pugwash Online, February 9-13, 2008, accessed on sion held,” Pakistan Today, April 19, 2012, accessed CHRG-111shrg67271.htm. February 25, 2013, http://www.pugwash.org/ on February 27, 2013, http://paksoldiers.com/ispr- september11/pakistan-nuclear.htm. 26. “Seoul Nuclear Security Summit,” Ministry of press-releases/passing-out-of-soldiers-of-strategic- Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China, March 3. Ibid. plans-division-held/. 28, 2012, accessed on March 2, 2013, http:// 4. “Nuclear Security Recommendation on Physical 14. Kenneth N. Luongo and Naeem Salik, “Building www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjdt/2649/t920452.shtml. Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facili- Confidence in Pakistan’s Nuclear Security,” Arms 27. “Seoul Summit: ‘Responsible’ Pakistan seeks civil ties,” International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA Control Today, December 1, 2007. nuclear tech,” The Express Tribune, March 27, 2012, Nuclear Security Series no.13, accessed on February 15. Jaspal, “Pakistan’s nuclear weapons safety and accessed on March 2, 2013, http://tribune.com.pk/ 25, 2013, http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/ security.” story/355715/seoul-summit-responsible-pakistan- publications/PDF/Pub1481_web.pdf, 3. 16. Naeem Salik, The Genesis of South Asian Nuclear seeks-civil-nuclear-tech/. 5. Naeem Salik and Kenneth N. Luongo, “Challenges Deterrence: Pakistan’s Perspective (Karachi: Oxford 28. Ibid. for Pakistan’s Nuclear Security,” Arms Control Asso- University Press, 2009), 284. ciation, March 2013, 29. Pakistan pledged to establish Nuclear Security accessed on March 20, Training and Support Center within the region and 2013, http:// outside the region in collaboration with 22 countries. www.armscontrol.org/ See Salik and Luongo, “Challenges for Pakistan’s act/2013_03/ Nuclear Security.” Challenges-for- 30. In an interview, Pakistan Ambassador to China Pakistans-Nuclear- Masood Khan, who was also the chief negotiator on Security. Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), told about the ‘stress 6. Ibid. tests’ conducted by Pakistan on its nuclear power plants. See “Pakistan nuclear plants undergo stress 7. Many Western tests,” The Nation, March 25, 2012, accessed on experts believe that at March 2, 2013, http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan- Kamra 100 nuclear news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/25 warheads were stored, -Mar-2012/pak-nuclear-plants-undergo-stress-tests. and terrorists aimed to attack the nuclear 31. Iftakhar, “Safety and Security of Pakistan’s Civil- arsenals. However, ian Nuclear Industry,” 14. according to Pakistani 32. Jaspal, “Pakistan’s nuclear weapons safety and official report is not security.” And also see “Pakistan nuclear plants un- credible and lacks dergo stress tests,” The Nation, March 25, 2012, ac- does not depicts the true picture of Pakistan nuclear 17. Abdul Manan, “Preventing Nuclear Terrorism in cessed on March 2, 2013, http://www.nation.com.pk/ security apparatus. See Declan Walsh, “Militants Pakistan: Sabotage of Spent Fuel Cask or a Commer- pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/ attack Pakistani Air Base,” The New York Times, cial Irradiation Source in Transportation,” in Paki- international/25-Mar-2012/pak-nuclear-plants- August 16, 2012, accessed on March 10, 2013, http:// stan’s Nuclear Future: Worries Beyond War, ed. undergo-stress-tests. www.nytimes.com/2012/08/17/world/asia/pakistani- Henry Sokolski (United States: Institute of Strategic 33. Iftakhar, “Safety and Security of Pakistan’s Civil- air-force-base-with-nuclear-ties-is-attacked.html? Studies Army War College, 2008), 235. ian Nuclear Industry,” 12. _r=0.; Salik and Luongo, “Challenges to Pakistan 18. Luongo and Salik, “Building Confidence in Paki- 34. Paul K. Kerr and Mary Beth Nikitin, “Pakistan’s Nuclear Security.” stan’s Nuclear Security.” Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues,” 8. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, “Pakistan’s nuclear weapons 19. Jaspal, “Pakistan’s nuclear weapons safety and Congressional Research Services, February 13, 2013, safety and security,” The Nation, February 23, 2013, security.” accessed March 25, 2013, http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/ accessed on February 28, 2013, http:// 20. Peter Levoy, “Islamabad’s Nuclear Posture: Its nuke/RL34248.pdf, 1; Malik Qasim Mustafa, “Are www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily- Premises and Implementation,” in Pakistan’s Nuclear Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons Safe,” Institute of Strate- english-online/columns/23-Feb-2013/pakistan-s- Future: Worries Beyond War, ed. Henry Sokolski gic Studies, Islamabad, accessed on March 25, 2013, nuclear-weapons-safety-and-security. (United States: Institute of Strategic Studies Army http://www.issi.org.pk/publication- 9. Pervaiz Hoodboy, interview to DAWN, DAWN, War College, 2008), 152. files/1299650081_87535106.pdf, 4. February 20, 2013, accessed on February 28, 2013, 21. “Strategic Export Control Division,” Ministry of 35. “US confident of Pakistan nuclear security,” The http://dawn.com/2013/02/20/pervez-hoodbhoy-the- Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan, accessed on Express Tribune, August 17, 2012, accessed on bomb-is-immoral/. February 27, 2013, http://www.mofa.gov.pk/mfa/ March 25, 2013, http://tribune.com.pk/story/423242/ 10. Henry D. Sokolski, “Pakistan’s Nuclear Woes,” in pages/article.aspx?id=25&type=4. us-confident-of-pakistan-nuclear-security/. Pakistan’s Nuclear Future: Worries beyond War, 22. Ibid. 36. “Pakistan reiterates nuclear assets are safe,” The (ed.) Henry D. Sokolski (United States: Strategic Express Tribune, August 16, 2012, accessed on Studies Institute, 2008), 5. 23. Philip E. Coyle and Victoria Samson, “The Prolif- March 25, 2013, http://tribune.com.pk/story/422953/ eration Security Initiative: Background, history and 11. “Pakistan establishes Nuclear Control Body,” pakistan-reiterates-nuclear-assets-are-safe/. Prospects for the Future,” International Commission Arms Control Today, March 2000, accessed on Febru- on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, 10. ary 26, 2013, http://www.armscontrol.org/node/2899. 12. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, “Pakistan’s nuclear weapons

Page 16 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Wireless Drug Delivery System An Innovative Approach and its Awareness among Health Care Professionals

Mehwish Tanveer*, Tariq Ali^, Munazza Khalid*, Daniya Anwer*, Field: Pharmacy Anum Shahnawaz*, Huma Talib*, Israh Ausaf * Research Article *Pharm D Graduates, ^Assistant Professor [email protected] DOW College of Pharmacy, DOW University of Health Sciences

ABSTRACT injected under the skin in the doctor's office in device cleared by the FDA an in the market Micro-electronic devices have become integral about 30 minutes using a local anesthetic and sometime in 2014 [3]. part of our lives. This review examines emerg- lasts about four months before needing to be Future Challenges and Opportunities: Hur- ing technology in drug delivery system that is replaced [7]. dles in commercial development of drug deliv- wireless controlled microchip technology. For Need of Wireless Drug Delivery System: ery systems are that they are complex to eco- this purpose, a review based survey was con- Wireless drug delivery system has the potential nomically manufacture, high cost, invasiveness ducted to find the level of awareness among to improve patient compliance as it is a major and payload limitation. On the other hand, ele- health care professionals. Wireless drug deliv- ments for successful implementation are proof ery system (WDDS) is an innovative approach of technological feasibility, a regulatory ap- to enhance patient compliance which is a major proval, greater emphasis on advanced delivery issue especially in patients with chronic ail- systems and capability to address significant ments that require daily complex dosage regi- unmet medical needs [5]. men. The microchips devices implanted in pa- METHODOLOGY tients and controlled by microprocessor wireless This review examines emerging technology in communication. WDDS has the potential to drug delivery system. For this, articles from improve patient compliance. It is an ‘intelligent wide range of sources were searched like pub- system’ which provides real time dose schedule med, springer link, google scholar, science tracking and physicians to adjust the treatment direct, wiley and other online libraries. Also a while away from patient. survey was conducted to know the awareness INTRODUCTION of latest technologies in our set up among A perspective drug delivery system may be health care professionals and students by pro- Fig. 1 The Microchip implant contains 100 or defined as mechanism to introduce therapeutic viding a 16-item based questionnaire. A total of more tiny reservoirs curved into silicon wafer. agent into the body. Drug delivery systems had On wireless command the lid a sandwich of 138 questionnaires were retrieved out of 200 an enormous impact on medical technology and platinum and titanium foil vaporizes and re- with the response rate of 69%. enabling the use of entirely new therapies [1]. leases the drug stored underneath RESULTS OF AWARENESS SURVEY Our lives have been revolutionized due to the It seems that overall response about the aware- invention of micro-electronic devices. They are medical issue, especially in chronic diseases. ness of WDDS is negative. About 72 % don’t present in our automobiles, cellular phones and Such issues include simply forgetting (65%); have any idea about WDDS, about 18% has computers [2]. This stimulated the development concerns about the drugs (45%) and feeling the some idea and healthcare professionals do not of innovative technologies in drug delivery drug is unnecessary (43%) because of long term have enough knowledge and understanding system. Recent advances created the possibility and complex drug regimen [8]. Therefore, it is about DDS and WDDS. After giving some to meet the patient need. For this a new drug of a great advantage to find a drug delivery information about the system, 75.3% show a delivery system is designed that is wireless device that is capable of controlled release of a positive response towards the future applica- control drug delivery system that works through wide variety of drugs that can be safely im- tions of WDDS and about 24.7% show negative “microchip” [3]. planted inside the body [10]. If future research response as they think that WDDS is difficult to Microchip: Microchips are smart medical im- is promising, the technology could be used to implement. plants that can dispense drugs into the blood- treat a wide range of conditions that require CONCLUSION stream as a result of wireless signals sent to it frequent or daily injections. The convergence of drug delivery and elec- from the medical implant communication ser- Food and Drug Administration Status To tronic technologies gives physicians a real-time vice (MICS)[4]. These chips offer a range of achieve marketing approval, implantable drug connection to their patient’s health [3]. Techni- advantages including localized delivery, deliv- delivery devices are submitted to the Food and cal success is a prerequisite but does not guar- ery on demand, controlled drug release, dose Drug Administration (FDA) for approval as antee commercial success. Advanced drug checking and physician remotely adjust treat- combination products and expects to get the delivery development provides a mix of failures ment schedule [5]. This smart implant can be

Page 17 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

8. Wertheimer A. “Medication Compliance Research: Still So Far to Go”. Journal of Applied Research. 9. Maloney J.M, Uhland S, Polito b, Sheppard N, Pelta C, Santin J.T. “Electro thermally activated microchip for implantable drug delivery & biosensing, journal of controlled release, 109 244-255,2012. 10. Viral Shah, Kruti Patel, U.M. Upadhyay “Injecting New Ideas Into Drug- Delivery Systems-A Brief Review on Microchips as Controlled Drug-Delivery System”. The Pharma Review, JAN 2010. 11. Trafton A. “MIT News Office Clinical trial of the programmable, implantable device shows promise in treating osteoporosis”. 12. Laura J, Martin M. “Drug-Delivery Microchip Could Replace Daily Injec- tions”. 13. Boyle R. “A wirelessly controlled pharmacy dispenses drug from within your abdomen”. 2012. 14. Johnson R.C. “Wireless Implant Meters Drug Doses”. 2012. 15. “Improving patient compliance with low-cost wireless technologies”. 2006. 16. Lavan D, Mcguire T, Langer R. “Small scale system for in vivo drug delivery”. Nature biotechnology. 17. Rebecca Boyle “A Wirelessly Controlled Pharmacy Dispenses Drugs From Within Your Abdomen”, 2012 Feb.

Fig. 2. Pharmacy inside your body and successes so it is difficult to predict the success of innovative prod- ucts. So new technologies are only useful if they can be commercialized, and drug delivery applications cannot be commercialized without a regu- latory environment sufficiently adaptable to support marketing approval of innovative products [5]. It seems to have an innovative discovery for mankind which has pharmacy on a chip, enhancing patient compliance. In a nutshell, microchip provides a new treatment option for clinicians where sub-optimal performance of conventional dosing methods is inconvenient in terms of safety, efficacy and pain. This avoids the compliance issue and points to a future where you have fully automated drug regimens. REFERENCES 1. David A Lanvan, Terry McGuire & Robert Langer “Small-scale systems for in- vivo drugdelivery.” 2. Santini J, Richards AC, Scheidt R, Cima MJ & Langer R ”Microchips as con- trolled drug delivery devices” Angew Chem.Int.Ed.2000,39,2396-2407. 3. Dolan B. “Results from wireless, implantable drug delivery device study”. Sci- ence Transitional Medicine, 2012. 4. Johnson R.C. “Wireless Implant Meters Drug Doses”. 2012. 5. Staples M. “Microchips and controlled-release drug reservoirs”. Wiley online library. 2010. 6. Maloney J. M. “an implantable microfabricated drug delivery system”. Interna- tional Mechanical Engineering Congress. 2003. 7. Pandolfino J.E , Richter J.E , Ours T , Guardino J.M , Chapman J, Kahrilas P T. “Ambulatory Esophageal pH Monitoring Using a Wireless System”. The American Journal of Gastroenterology (2003) 98, 740–749. Fig. 3 Mechanism of the drug introduction and release in body Page 18 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

The Story of Frozen Smoke

Muhammad Ali Scientific Article Lecturer, Institute of advanced materials, BZU, Multan Material Sciences [email protected] In late 1920’s, a professor of chemistry S. S. chromia and so on), polymers and carbon-based makes it a perfect insulating material for electri- Kistler and his colleague professor S. Learned materials. Silica aerogels, the most common cal machinery of space rovers and for heat bet over the reason behind the stability of gel type, have translucence and insulating proper- shields of the same. like matter (jelly/semi-solid). The former justi- ties. They are used in building and window Future implications: Despite of the unique fied it as the function of structural network of glass and tennis rackets etc. They are light blue properties of aerogels, the only hindrance to microscopic pores, whereas the latter, nullifying in colour; the reason for which is same as for their adaptability on commercial scale is heavy the role of porous structure, attributed the semi- the colour of sky (i.e. Rayleigh scattering). (not merely high) cost associated with quality solid behaviour to properties of the liquid it Aerogels made from metal oxides can be mag- synthesis. Currently it costs more than double contains. To prove his proposition, Kistler went netic in nature and found prominent uses in the the price of gold. Once it becomes cost efficient on to remove the liquid component (alcohol) production of carbon nanotubes and catalyst for public approach it would be seen in sundry from the silica-gel. The problem he faced in carriers in chemical industry. Among the everyday usables such as cosmetics, wetsuits, doing so was quite expected that the conven- aerogel community, multiwalled carbon nano- fire-fighter suits, windows, paints, tennis rack- tional evaporation of the liquid rendered the tube (MWCNT) aerogels, in the monolithic ets and so on. Due to high surface area, strength structure to collapse. After several attempts he form, are the lightest with density as low as 4 and translucence, it can be a good material to succeeded in his objective and formed a mate- mg/cm3. Their major applications include elec- support photocatalyst to convert water into hy- rial having structure of a gel but with no liquid tronic components, super-capacitors, fuel cells drogen and oxygen thereby operating a fuel cell. contents. Removal of liquid from alcogel (silica and sensors to detect toxic substances. CNT- If becomes possible on large scale, it will be a -gel with alcohol inside the pores) was con- based aerogels can be made super-elastic by revolution in green energy. ducted through ‘supercritical drying’ employ- infusing a compatible polymeric material Want to make aerogel? Putting the quality ing the combined action of temperature and therein. Experiments have been conducted issue aside, silica aerogels can be synthesised pressure. As the alcohol was replaced with air showing successful preparation of flexible and conveniently. What required for accomplishing in the gel, so the alco with aero in the terminol- non-fragile aerogels (x-aerogels). it are basic understanding of sol-gel chemistry ogy. Aerogels in space: In studying the chemical to prepare the gel and an autoclave for super- Common types and properties: Aerogels can reactions, often the gravitational effect is ne- critical cooling. In lieu of alcohol, use of ace- contain up to 96% of air in the nano-pockets glected. But its influence on the pores character- tone or supercritical carbon dioxide makes the resulting in the lowest density solid and hence istics of aerogels has been proved from the ex- process less hazardous. However, precautionary the nickname frozen smoke or solid smoke. Gen- periments conducted in space (under zero grav- measures must be exercised as silica fumes may erally, these materials exhibit excellent durabil- ity) during 1998-99 space mission. Regardless be carcinogenic. ity, high strength coupled with brittleness, in- of its ultra-high cost, it is a standalone material credibly large surface area and fire proof char- in many high-tech applications. It is a best References: acteristics (except those made from carbon- space-dust collector offering excellent perform- 1. Nature 127, 741 based materials). Aerogels can be made from ance even against the speedy comets. Its ability 2. ACS Nano, 4(12), 7293 – 7302 silica, metal oxides (iron oxide, alumina, to retain properties at elevated temperatures

Diabetes Mellitus

Sheeba Wajid Scientific article/ Biomedical Sciences Student M.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Karachi [email protected]

What is Diabetes? the other is non-insulin dependent diabe- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease in tes mellitus (NIDDM). Another type is which blood glucose level becomes high, also known and that is gestational diabe- either because some special type of cells tes. In type-1 diabetes, the beta cells that (the islet of Langerhans’s cells) of pancreas synthesize insulin get destroyed. This type do not secrete enough insulin or pancreatic of diabetes strats in early childhood. Symp- beta cells do not respond towards insulin. toms of IDDM may include rapid weight Classification of Diabetes Mellitus loss, frequent urination, increased hunger, Diabetes is generally grouped into two increased thirst, blurred vision and tired- major types. The first one is insulin de- ness. It is treated by diet and regular exer- pendent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and cise is recommended.

Page 19 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

On the other hand, Type-2 or non-insulin- hypoglycemic agents. Such plants include to do exercise when they have less blood dependent (NIDDM) diabetes is more Aloe vera, Osmium sanctum, Trigonella sugar level than 250 mg/dl. common than type-1 diabetes. In this kind foenum-graecum, Ficus carica, Opuntia Exercise should be avoided in case of of disease, either the pancreas does not streptacantha, Gymnema sylvestre and health problems including damage to the make enough insulin or the body cells do Momordica charantia. These plants have blood vessels of the eye, damage to the not respond to insulin. Symptoms of type-2 been regarded to have potent anti-diabetic nerves and circulation to extremities, kid- diabetes are closely similar to that of Type- activity. ney damage and cardiovascular problems 1 diabetes. Long term effects include heart Diabetic Meal Plan such as angina, embolism. disease, kidney problems and other disor- If you intend to control your Some Precautions For Diabetics Who ders of vision and nerve damage. It is blood sugar, you should focus on foods Exercise treated by diet, exercise, medications and that your body digests slowly but make To avoid injuries and wounds in feet, wear insulin injections and by controlling sure that the foods should be nutritious too. protective foot wears. weight. While Gestational diabetes is dif- Beans are rich in fiber that decrease your People with diabetes should monitor their ferent from other types as it occurs in some digestion process. Grains are also high in blood glucose level carefully before, dur- pregnant women. It can also be cured by fiber and are able to lower glycemic index. ing, and after workouts. diet, exercise and weight loss. It is unique in the sense that it usually disappears after childbirth. Prevalence Rate of Diabetes Mellitus Prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus vary amongst populations. Pronounced changes in our surroundings and new generation lifestyle cause globalization and due to this, both obesity and diabetes rates greatly increase. Hence a new word ‘diabesity’ has also been introduced for the aforemen- tioned disease. It has been estimated by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) that the global number of diabetic persons will become double over the next 25 years. In Sindh province of Pakistan, the prevalence If your glucose levels are above 300 mg/dl of Type-2 DM was 13.9% and in Baluchis- Some of the fruits and vegetables or under 100 mg/dl you should avoid exer- tan, it was 8.6%. (broccoli, bell peppers, onions, string beans cise. Alternative Medicines and eggplant are typically low in calories) Insulin should be injected away from the are also a good source of lowering weight. The use of alternative medicines muscles to avoid hypoglycemia. has increased throughout the world for With these foods there are some high gly- Before exercising, diabetics should avoid treatment of diabetes mellitus. The use of cemic index foods. Diabetics should avoid alcohol and beta-blockers, which is the such type of medicines can be differenti- white rice, white pasta, white flour, white major cause to increase hypoglycemia. ated into pharmacological category sugar, caffeine foods, alcohol and artificial (namely herbal treatments), physical reme- sweeteners. dies (acupuncture) and dietary approaches. Who Can Exercise? Some plants have been shown to contain It is advisable by the doctors to the patients

Page 20 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Biography of Dr. Wasim Ahmad

Aliya Farooq Biography of eminent Scientist NAYS Publication team

Dr. Wasim Ahmad is a well known name in Foundation (PSF). These include Identification lecular Vision UK, Clinical and Experimental biological sciences in Pakistan. He is an HEC- and Cloning of Inherited Alopecia, Ectodermal Dermatology-UK, European Journal of Derma- Distinguished National Professor; currently Dysplasia and Nail Dysplasia Genes (2002- tology-UK, BMC Medical Genetics-UK, Mo- serving as a Tenured Professor at the Depart- 2005), Identification of Genes Involved in He- ment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological reditary Hearing Impairment (2003-2005) Sciences, Quid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. funded By Higher Education Commission Prof. Dr. Wasim Ahmad was born on May 2, (HEC), Pakistan and Identification of Loci/ 1957 in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He Genes in Five Pakistani Kindred’s with Ecto- received his early education from Peshawar. He dermal Dysplasia (2000-2003) funded by Paki- completed his M.Sc. in 1981 from Department stan Science Foundation (PSF). He also com- of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam Univer- pleted a project namely Identification of Loci/ sity Islamabad. He then chose the same depart- Genes in Pakistani Kindreds showing hereditary ment to complete his M.Phil. in biochemistry/ hearing impairment in 2002 funded by Quaid-I molecular biology in 1984 and then left to Eng- -Azam University Research Fund . land for Ph.D. and got admission in Department In addition, he has internationally funded and of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, completed projects to his credit, namely Identi- England. He completed his Ph.D. in 1990. fication of Loci/Genes in Pakistani Kindreds Prof. Dr. Wasim Ahmad got Postdoctoral Re- with Inherited Neurological Disorders (2001- search Experience from prestigious institutions 2004) Funded by ISESCO Rabat Morocco. He like MRC-Molecular Medicine, Royal Post- is also heading two ongoing projects, Identifica- graduate Medical School, London (1990-1992); tion of Non-syndromic Hearing Loss Genes Prof. Dr. Wasim Ahmad University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama (2005-2016), funded by National Institutes of USA (1992-1994); Telethon Institute of Genet- Health (NIH) Maryland-Bethesda USA and lecular Biology Reporter Australia, Archives of ics and Medicine (TIGEM), Italy (1997); and Identification of Genes Involved in Human Skin Dermatological Research-Germany, Journal of Department of Dermatology Columbia Univer- Disorders Funded by HEC. Dermatological Science-Japan, Journal of the sity New York (1997-1999). He is also actively engaged in teaching to European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology France. Prof. Wasim Ahmad started his career as a re- M.Sc., M. Phil., and Ph.D. levels. His main searcher after completing his Ph.D. He has been interests in teaching are Nucleic Acids, Protein He is a recipient of many national and interna- a postdoctoral research fellow in well known Chemistry and Molecular Biology of Gene Ex- tional awards. He won “Overseas Research international institutions for many years. He pression and Structure. Students (ORS) Award” in 1986. He was also returned to Pakistan after twelve years of re- He has supervised 25 PhD students and 103 awarded Dermatology Foundation Award search and joined his parent institution Quaid-I- M.Phil. students so far. To his credit there are (Dermik Laboratories Research Grant New Azam University as assistant professor, Depart- over 158 publications in reputed National/ York, USA) in 1999. The Government of Paki- ment of Biological Sciences in 1999. He International Journals. stan awarded him Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of his services in 2001. He is an HEC National worked for three years and then promoted to Prof. Dr. Wasim Ahmad is a Fellow of Pakistan Distinguished Professor since 2005 and won Associate Professor in the same department in Academy of Science since 2010 and a Member HEC Best Teacher award in 2010. He has also 2003. of American Society of Human Genetics, USA won a Gold Medal from Pakistan Academy of Department of Biochemistry was established in since 2009. He has been an editor and reviewer Sciences in 2007. 2006 in Quid-I-Azam University and since then of international journals. Prof. Dr. Wasim Ahmad is an amazing teacher, Dr. Wasim Ahmad is working as a Professor of He has been an Associate Editor of BMC and has been a source of motivation and inspira- Biochemistry there. Medical Genetics London-UK, and reviewing tion for his students. He is a very knowledge- Prof Dr. Wasim Ahmad is actively engaged in papers published in the following international able person with a passion for both teaching and scientific research. His main areas of interest journals: American Journal of Human Genetics research. He is a great asset in the field of Bio- are Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of USA, American Journal of Medical Genetics- logical Sciences in Pakistan. inherited Diseases. He has completed a number USA, Pediatric Dermatology-USA, Human of projects funded by Higher Education Com- Genetics-Germany, Journal of Medical Genetics mission (HEC), Pakistan and Pakistan Science -UK, British Journal of Dermatology-UK, Mo-

Page 21 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

Naey Charagh — Dr. Hidayat Hussain

Syyada Samra Jafri Naey Charagh Project Coordinator, NAYS Naey Charagh In the world of science and technology, Paki- ing and always rewarding. The steps along the stani Scientists are playing a prominent role. way that have led to this point in his life are, in One such Pakistani eminent scientist, Dr. Hi- some ways, very different than he had imag- dayat Hussain, was born in a small village of ined; however, he likes who he is today in part Parachinar, Pakistan and where he also received because of his parents and elder brother who his basic education. He received his B.Sc. de- encouraged him to do more what he thought to gree from Postgraduate College Parachinar and do. All he had was a big dream of his mother, his M.Sc. degree from Gomal University Dera Mir Janana, late father, Habib Ullah Khan and Ismail Khan, Pakistan. He received his Ph.D elder brother Muhammad Hayat Khan and it degree in 2004 under the supervision of Prof. was their dream which came true when Dr. Dr. Viqar Uddin Ahmad at H.E.J. Research Hidayat obtain Ph. D degree in Organic Chem- Institute of Chemistry, International Center for istry. Chemical Sciences, University of Karachi, Currently, he is working at the Department of Pakistan with a thesis on phytochemical investi- Biological Sciences and Chemistry, University gation of terrestrial plants of Pakistan and syn- of Nizwa, Oman. His research goals are to util- thesis of organotin complexes. ize principles, tools, methodologies and diverse From June 2004 to September 2007 he was a wealth of medicinal chemistry, natural product Quick Facts postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pader- chemistry and organic synthesis in order to born, Germany, under the supervision of Prof. contribute to the understanding and solving the Name: Dr. Hidayat Hussain Karsten Krohn. During this postdoctoral study biological problems together with global com- he has worked on Natural Product Chemistry munity of scientists. His research interests in- Birth Date: 27th July 1974 (Isolation and characterization of bioactive clude design and synthesis of anticancer, anti- natural products from plants and from Endo- malarial, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial com- Education: phytic fungi) and Synthetic Chemistry pounds, asymmetric catalysis of [4 + 2] hetero- PhD Organic Chemistry (Synthesis of orthoquinones, phenazines, hy- cycloadditions, total synthesis of anthrapyran droxy napthoquinone derivatives, and quinoline antibiotics, and biodiversity and characteriza- Current Position: -5,8 dione derivatives as potential anti malarial tion of natural products produced by endophytic drugs; synthesis of phmosine derivatives). He microorganisms and plants. Visiting Scientist (Visiting Fac- isolated more than hundred natural products To date he has authored and co-authored over ulty), Department of Biological from natural sources and showed anticancer, 140 scientific publications in reputed interna- antimalarial, and antimicrobial activities. On the tionally peer reviewed research journals cumu- Sciences and Chemistry, Uni- other hand some of his synthesized compounds lative impact factor of over 275 along with over versity of Nizwa, Nizwa, Sul- showed very strong antimalarial activity against 850 citations. He is given 15 podium lectures at Chloroquine resistant strain Plasmodium falci- International Conferences and also he is a refe- tanate of Oman parum. In October 2007 he moved to the Uni- ree for more than 15 international journals. He Research Achievements: versity of Maine France under Region Pays de was listed in prestigious Marquis Who’s Who in la Loire postdoctoral scholarship for one year Science and Engineering and Marquis Who’s To date he has authored and co- and worked on topic “Asymmetric Robinson Who in the World and is included in these print annulation via [4+2] heterocycloaddition and directories on the basis of the reference values authored over 140 scientific design and synthesis of Tin catalyst for [4+2] of his achievements and research contributions. publications in reputed interna- heterocycloadditions in the group of Dr. Gilles He was also nominated for 2000 outstanding tionally peer reviewed research Dujardin, Laboratory of Organic Synthesis. In scientist 2008/2009 by International Biographic December 2008, he rejoined the group of Prof. Center Cambridge England. journals cumulative impact fac- Karsten Krohn University of Paderborn Ger- Despite the fact that talented people need direc- tor of over 275 along with over many as senior research scientist (group leader), tion and training, however, self-motivation, working until October 2010. strong determination and patience can get most 850 citations. His "road of life" has been interesting, challeng- of the job done.

Page 22 NAYS e-Magazine, Issue 3, February—April 2013

NAYS is the torch-bearer in mobilizing young scientists; researchers, professionals and schol- ars on a platform by providing them an enabling environment to collabo- rate and exchange their fruitful innovative ideas and information in mul- tidisciplinary science domains. These Scientists are supported by an ad- visory council that includes crew of highly qualified professors for their guidance. It is helpful for young researchers for their advancement, to enrich their knowledge and to prove their flair in research oriented sub- jects. Moreover, NAYS firmly believes that engaging young scientists (and utilizing their capa- bilities by better orientation, improvisation and execution would definitely bring a remarkable boom of science and technology in Pakistan.