Muhammad Nasir

Logic of the Absurd: Reading Kafka in a Kafkaesque World

If the present world is defined as Kafkaesque, what better way have we to access the Kafkaesque than through Kafka? A critical engagement with Kafkas works may help us comprehend the logic of the absurd operative in the contemporary lifeworld. The article largely relies on Kafkas The Trial and The Castle— with cursory references to his other works—to analyze the workings of the ultra-efficient hyper-rationalities governing the present mode of governance. By subjecting comfortable constants to critical scrutiny, Kafkas works not only expose the dynamics of hyper-rationality, but also give forth a way we may overcome its tyranny and envision alternatives. The article concludes by briefly reviewing the question: Can the post-crisis world be post-Kafkaesque?

Characterization of Y-Chromosomal Short Tandem Repeat Markers in Pakistani Populations

The Y chromosome microsatellite markers have been extensively used for population genetic studies and in individual identification and paternity testing in forensic medicine. In the present study, we report the data of five male-specific, polymorphic microsatellites in 740 unrelated male individuals from 12 different ethnic groups of Pakistan. The overall diversities of these individual loci in Pakistan ranged from 0.236 to 0.799. The total haplotypes identified were 152, and of these, 70 different haplotypes were present in only single individuals. Two haplotypes were found more frequently, 9_8_17_11_24 (13.5%) and 9_8_17_11_25 (8.6%), showing population-specific clustering in the Mohanna and the Brahui, respectively. An overall haplotype diversity of 0.965 in Pakistan suggested a high power of discrimination for these loci. Few populations, particularly the Mohanna and the Balti, showed lower haplotype diversity values for these loci (0.662 and 0.758, respectively). This set of microsatellite loci reported in the study can be used for population genetics and forensic medicine analysis. This study also demonstrates the importance of studying haplotype distribution pattern in population genetics.

Structural mass irregularities and fiber volume influence on morphology and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin in matrix composites.

This paper presents the comparative results of a current study on unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix composites processed by filament winding method, with cotton spun yarn of different mass irregularities and two different volume fractions. Physical and mechanical properties were measured, namely ultimate stress, stiffness, elongation%. The mechanical properties of the composites increased significantly with the increase in the fiber volume fraction in agreement with the Counto model. Mass irregularities in the yarn structure were quantitatively measured and visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mass irregularities cause marked decrease in relative strength about 25% and 33% which increases with fiber volume fraction. Ultimate stress and stiffness increases with fiber volume fraction and is always higher for yarn with less mass irregularities.

Identification and association of recurrent ALOXE3 mutation with non-bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma in two ethnically distinct Pakistani families

Non‐bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (NCIE) is characterized by skin scaling with erythema. In this study, two Pakistani families with NCIE are genetically characterized through Whole Exome and Sanger sequencing to identify molecular basis of the disease. We identified a nonsense homozygous c.2026C>T mutation of ALOXE3, causing premature termination of the eLOX3 protein (p.Q676X). In silico studies predicted impaired enzymatic activity of the premature truncated eLOX3, leading to abnormal synthesis of specific hepoxilin derivatives, essential for epidermal barrier formation. It is the first ever study reporting homozygotes of p.Q676X mutation in ethnically distinct two Pakistani families; otherwise, heterozygotes of the said mutation have been reported in South Asian population only. Hence, mutation seems to be region‐specific and may be useful for molecular diagnosis of NCIE. Moreover, our findings should help in genetic counseling and career screening.

Spectroscopic and morphological investigation of chemically treated cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) prepared from cotton sliver

Cellulose nanowhiskers were prepared from cotton sliver and chemically treated with acylating agents. FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the morphological changes after each chemical treatment when reinforced in unsaturated polyester resin.