Saira Ashraf - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Saira Ashraf

Pakistan Journal of Society, Education and Language (PJSEL), Jul 22, 2017

Pakistan Journal of Society, Education and Language (PJSEL), Jan 3, 2020

This study presents a case of career-oriented full-time stay-at-home mothers who suffered from th... more This study presents a case of career-oriented full-time stay-at-home mothers who suffered from the transition from career to a housewife and then again from housewife to career. Verbatim of her case. Reasons and Impact on Psychological well being are presented. Coping strategies are highlighted.

N6-methyladenine is the most common covalent modification in cellular RNA ... more N6-methyladenine is the most common covalent modification in cellular RNA species, with demonstrated functional consequences. At the molecular level this methylation could alter local RNA structure, and/or modulate the binding of specific proteins. We have previously shown that trans-Hoogsteen-sugar (sheared) A:G base pairs can be completely disrupted by methylation, and that this occurs in a sub-set ofD/D k-turn structures. In this work we have investigated to what extent sequence context affects the severity with which inclusion of N6-methyladenine into different A:G base pairs of a standard k-turn affects RNA folding and L7Ae protein binding. We find that local sequence has a major influence, ranging from complete absence of folding and protein binding to a relatively mild effect. We have determined the crystal structure of one of these species both free and protein-bound, showing the environment of the methyl group...

In a knowledge economy, people are facing increased competition hence developing more greed due t... more In a knowledge economy, people are facing increased competition hence developing more greed due to lack of love and kindness. Most of the organization now set their spiritual standards to ensure more love and kindness towards one's role and colleagues. Organizations and people should ensure workplace spirituality. This study is conducted to explore and determine the relationship between workplace spirituality, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and job involvement. Our target population was employees (lecturer level) of public sector Universities of Punjab. A sample of 150 employees was selected by systematic sampling in which 101 were responded at rate of 67 %. A research questionnaire was developed for data collection and data analysis was based on descriptive and inferential statistics. As from previous studies and on basis of our hypothesis testing and data collection, it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between workplace spirituality, job s...

DL-FRONT is a Deep Learning Neural Network (DLNN) that was trained to detect weather fronts using... more DL-FRONT is a Deep Learning Neural Network (DLNN) that was trained to detect weather fronts using spatial grids of near-surface atmospheric variables. The dataset is composed of hourly JSON files containing geospatial vector polylines describing the locations of four types of weather fronts—cold front, warm front, stationary front, and occluded front, over the time span 1980-2018. This dataset is the product of processing data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2). DL-FRONT processed MERRA-2 hourly data grids of instantaneous measures of air pressure reduced to mean sea level, air temperature at 2 meters, specific humidity at 2 meters, and wind velocity at 10 meters over the time span 1980 - 2018 to produce this dataset. The original MERRA-2 data were resampled at 1 degree resolution over the spatial range 31W - 171W x 10N - 77N using bicubic interpolation. At each hourly tim...

RNA Biology, 2019

N 6-methyladenine is the most common covalent modification in cellular RNA species, with demonstr... more N 6-methyladenine is the most common covalent modification in cellular RNA species, with demonstrated functional consequences. At the molecular level this methylation could alter local RNA structure, and/or modulate the binding of specific proteins. We have previously shown that trans-Hoogsteen-sugar (sheared) A:G base pairs can be completely disrupted by methylation, and that this occurs in a subset ofD/D k-turn structures. In this work we have investigated to what extent sequence context affects the severity with which inclusion of N 6-methyladenine into different A:G base pairs of a standard k-turn affects RNA folding and L7Ae protein binding. We find that local sequence has a major influence, ranging from complete absence of folding and protein binding to a relatively mild effect. We have determined the crystal structure of one of these species both free and protein-bound, showing the environment of the methyl group and the way the modification is accommodated into the k-turn structure.

RNA (New York, N.Y.), Jan 16, 2018

A recent study has shown that archaeal L7Ae binds to a putative k-turn structure in the 5'-le... more A recent study has shown that archaeal L7Ae binds to a putative k-turn structure in the 5'-leader of the mRNA of its structural gene to regulate translation. To function as a regulator the RNA should be unstructured in the absence of protein, but it should adopt a k-turn-containing stem-loop on binding L7Ae. Sequence analysis of UTR sequences indicates that their k-turn elements will be unable to fold in the absence of L7Ae, and we have demonstrated this experimentally in solution using FRET for the Archeoglobus fulgidus sequence. We have solved the X-ray crystal structure of the complex of the A. fulgidus RNA bound to its cognate L7Ae protein. The RNA adopts a standard k-turn conformation, that is specifically recognized by the L7Ae protein so stabilizing the stem-loop. In-line probing of the natural-sequence UTR shows that the RNA is unstructured in the absence of L7Ae binding, but folds on binding the protein such that the ribosome binding site is occluded. Thus L7Ae regulate...

RNA (New York, N.Y.), Dec 1, 2017

Folding properties differ markedly between kink-turns (k-turns) that have different biological fu... more Folding properties differ markedly between kink-turns (k-turns) that have different biological functions. While ribosomal and riboswitch k-turns generally fold into their kinked conformation on addition of metal ions, box C/D snoRNP k-turns remain completely unfolded under these conditions, although they fold on addition of L7Ae protein. Sequence elements have been systematically exchanged between a standard ribosomal k-turn (Kt-7) that folds on addition of metal ions, and a box C/D k-turn. Folding was studied using fluorescence resonance energy transfer and gel electrophoresis. Three sequence elements each contribute in an approximately additive manner to the different folding properties of Kt-7 and box C/D k-turns from archaea. Bioinformatic analysis indicates that k-turn sequences evolve sequences that suit their folding properties to their biological function. The majority of ribosomal and riboswitch k-turns have sequences allowing unassisted folding in response to the presence ...

EMBO reports, Sep 16, 2017

N(6)-methyladenine is the most widespread mRNA modification. A subset of human box C/D snoRNA spe... more N(6)-methyladenine is the most widespread mRNA modification. A subset of human box C/D snoRNA species have target GAC sequences that lead to formation of N(6)-methyladenine at a key trans Hoogsteen-sugar A·G base pair, of which half are methylated in vivo The GAC target is conserved only in those that are methylated. Methylation prevents binding of the 15.5-kDa protein and the induced folding of the RNA Thus, the assembly of the box C/D snoRNP could in principle be regulated by RNA methylation at its critical first stage. Crystallography reveals that N(6)-methylation of adenine prevents the formation of trans Hoogsteen-sugar A·G base pairs, explaining why the box C/D RNA cannot adopt its kinked conformation. More generally, our data indicate that sheared A·G base pairs (but not Watson-Crick base pairs) are more susceptible to disruption by N(6)mA methylation and are therefore possible regulatory sites. The human signal recognition particle RNA and many related Alu retrotransposon RN...

Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 2015

To understand the interactions of microwaves with dielectric materials and their conversion to th... more To understand the interactions of microwaves with dielectric materials and their conversion to thermal energy in aqueous systems, the effect of ionic concentration has been studied. Aqueous solutions of inorganic ions were exposed to microwaves (2.45 GHz) in a modified oven under identical conditions. Difference in solution temperatures with reference to pure (deionized) water was monitored in each case. A significant decrease in the temperature was observed with an increase in the quantity of ions. Experiments were repeated with several inorganic ions varying in size and charge. The information can be helpful in understanding the role of ions during dielectric heating.

ABSTRACT Resistant starch (RS) has evoked a considerable position in human society due to its put... more ABSTRACT Resistant starch (RS) has evoked a considerable position in human society due to its putative and positive impacts on health. Dietary starches are significant sources of energy for human being and contributions to health. Resistant starch plays important role in potential health benefits similar to soluble fiber and in functional properties. Resistant starch absolutely influences the function of the digestive tract, the blood cholesterol level and microbial flora. Resistant starch is also lower impact on the sensory properties of food compared with traditional aspects due to its swelling capacity, viscosity, gel formation and water-binding capacity which make it useful in a variety of foods. By this resistant starch (RS) has drawn considerable attention over the last two decades.

Pakistan Journal of Society, Education and Language (PJSEL), Jul 17, 2018