Search

Contribution: This study compares the outcome-based education (OBE) system with the traditional teaching--learning methods. A detailed analysis regarding the effectiveness of these techniques at Riphah International University (RIU), Faisalabad Campus is presented. Background: Education is becoming more demanding in terms of students' learning. In the same way, teaching methods are becoming more systematic and outcome-oriented. Pakistan has turned out to be a full signatory of the Washington Accord, and Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has directed all engineering institutions to implement the described OBE system. Intended Outcomes: The aim of this work is to investigate the advantages and drawbacks of both teaching methods. Also, it reveals the strengths of the OBE system to improve future students' learning. Application Design: The analysis is performed by considering the student's feedback, average learning scores, letter grades, and overall class impact as the main driving factors toward the comprehensive system's evaluation. The data for two consecutive batches under OBE and non-OBE systems is collected and compared. Reliability and validity tests were also performed for the data validation. Findings: The overall transformation from non-OBE to OBE has proved the new educational system superlative in student learning, subject delivery, and teaching technique.

Early summer (May–June) is the season where the surface air temperature (SAT) variability is largest and may result in extreme temperature conditions over Pakistan. Therefore, we analysed the early summer interannual SAT variability over Pakistan for the period 1981–2018 using observational dataset and model simulations. We noted that upper‐level anticyclonic circulation anomalies over Pakistan, which are associated with upper to the middle tropospheric descending motion, favour clear skies with an increase in net shortwave radiation that leads to extreme surface warming over the region. Moreover, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) based on Niño3.4 SST index is negatively associated with SAT anomalies over Pakistan. The cold ENSO phase favours the positive geopotential height anomalies due to the strengthening of the Walker circulation that enhance the sinking motion and result in less cloudiness leading to the extreme higher surface temperature conditions over Pakistan, while the opposite happens in the warm ENSO phase. Moreover, the Saudi‐KAU Atmospheric Global Climate Model (AGCM) simulated large‐scale patterns that are in good agreement with the observations. Sensitivity experiments with the AGCM confirm that cold SST anomalies in the ENSO region significantly favour above‐normal SAT anomalies over Pakistan, while the opposite happens in the warm ENSO phase. These results are important to understand and potentially predict regional heatwaves over the South Asian region, particularly over Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research intends to look at the asymmetrical influence of institutional quality (IQ) on carbon emissions (CO2e) by incorporating additional variables i.e., trade openness (TO), population growth (PG), and energy use (E) over the period 1980-2020. The current study used nonlinear ARDL to demonstrate the nonlinear influence of IQ on CO2e. The empirical finding suggests that positive fluctuation in institutional quality considerably improves the environmental quality in Pakistan in the short and long run. At the same time, the outcomes show that negative fluctuations in IQ lead to considerably contributed to CO2e in long run. GDP and E are positively connected with CO2e. The policy makers could need to enhance the institutional quality leads to attaining the long-term ecological objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Local institutions could play an essential role in providing first-hand rescue and support to communities in reducing the impacts and vulnerability to natural disasters such as floods. Keeping in view the importance of local institutions, Pakistan has established disaster management authorities at a national and provincial level to collaborate with local institutions in dealing with natural disasters. However, little is known about the current level of preparedness and capacity of local institutions and capacity building gaps in managing disasters at the local scale. In order to fill this gap, this study conducted 40 key informants from 19 institutions working at local level to identify the current capacities, preparedness, and gaps in disaster management cycle of local institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan using five indicators of disaster preparedness pillar. The descriptive study statistics are used to explore the study objectives. The study findings revealed that the majority of the local institutions were underprepared in terms of awareness and training, human resources, financial resources, infrastructure and equipment, and coordination. The results further indicated that the existing preparedness capacity gaps could be bridged through capacity building training, technical support and financial capacity and infrastructure building. Additionally, to achieve a higher level of disaster preparedness, the government should establish direct linkages among all institutions which are actively involved and engaged in DRR/DRM especially local institutions. Thus it is very important for local institutions to adopt a proactive approach and engage in preparedness activities and strengthen the existing governance system to manage disaster risks in Pakistan and policymakers should focus more on addressing challenges that could restrict effective preparedness to deal with disaster risks through relevant policy mechanism and consult with all other stakeholders been involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study identifies the factors behind fatal and non-fatal road crashes in Lahore, Pakistan, by investigating 461 reported cases to Traffic Police Lahore that occurred during January-November 2014. Road crashes are categorized into fatal and non-fatal crashes and, because of the binary nature of the dependent variable, logistic regression is used to identify the factors behind these crashes. As a follow-up, discriminant analysis is employed to classify the factors related to fatal and non-fatal crashes. The logistic regression results reveal that females are at higher risk of fatalities than male drivers. Among vehicle types, rickshaws and cars are more involved in fatal accidents because both are growing at large on roads. Long trucks and trailers are also involved in fatal accidents, mainly because of their huge size and drivers' risky driving behaviours. It is also noted that risk of fatalities is higher in case where two vehicles bumped each other. Speeding and overloading are the common behaviours resulting in fatal crashes. Better urban transport systems and strict compliance with traffic rules and regulations may improve road safety in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current agricultural growth in most of the developing countries including Pakistan is stagnant due to huge gaps between actual and potential crop productivity. Better access to agricultural advisory and financial services may play an important role in enhancing crop productivity. Using a dataset of 240 farmers collected through face-to-face interviews in 48 villages of district Sargodha in Punjab, Pakistan, this study analyzes farmers’ access to and use of farm advisory and financial services, its impact on wheat productivity and barriers to their access. The results of the study revealed that farmers rely more on informal sources for agricultural advisory and credit services than public or private sources. However, the quality of private advisory and credit services was reported better than other sources due to its easy availability and processing. Small land holdings, lack of education and high interest rates were some of the key barriers that restrict farmers’ access to both services. Further, the study also found that majority of the farmers (accessors) use agricultural credit for non-farm activities for several reasons. Moreover, the study found significant differences in the wheat productivity for farmers who had simultaneous access to both services compared to those who have access to at least one or none of the services. The study findings showed that access to agricultural advisory services improves wheat productivity. However, productivity gains of using agricultural credit are mainly associated with its proper utilization for agricultural purposes. The study suggests enhancing the outreach and quality of public advisory services through hiring and training extension staff. Furthermore, misuse of agricultural credit and barriers that restrict farmers’ access to advisory and credit services need to be eliminated through implementing effective policies and monitoring provided services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating adaptation into subsistence farming systems is an important strategy to reduce damages related to climate change and to protect livelihoods in developing countries. Using a dataset of 450 farm households collected from three agro-ecological zones, this study examines rural networks, assesses farm-level institutional support and documents any existing structural gaps on climate change adaptation in the agricultural sector of Pakistan. For this purpose, a social network analysis method is used. The study findings reveal that farmers reported a decrease in crop production and increase in pests and diseases due to climate change. Further, changing crop varieties, sowing dates, input mixes and planting trees are the key measures adopted by farmers. Lack of information, finances and resources are the key adaptation constraints. The study findings show that only 28% and 13% of the respondents do not have access to financial services and climate adaptation knowledge, respectively. Support to farmers mainly consists of marketing information and farm equipment from community-based organizations, while private institutions offer weather forecasting services. Public institutions are poorly represented in the network analysis. We also found that extension services are key institutions in the climate adaptation network, while agricultural credits, post-harvest services and marketing of produce were dominant but weakly connected in the financial support network. We also found that with an increase in the provision of services at the farm level, farmers not only adapt more but also move from low-cost and short-term measures to advanced measures. This study proposes an integrated framework to improve the stakeholders' networking through different kind of partnerships and better adaptation to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dryland agriculture is an imperative component of our national economy, presently contributes around Rs. 15 billion to gross domestic product (GDP) annually. About 12% of the total wheat produced in Pakistan is harvested from rainfed areas but low and unevenly distributed rainfall and prolonged dry spells limits wheat production in these areas. To narrow the yield gap between potential and actual wheat yield and to boost up the overall wheat productivity in rainfed areas, serious efforts are needed. Supplemental irrigation is one of the best approaches to unravel the yield potential of crops in rainfed areas and to increase water use efficiency by assuring the water availability during drought conditions. In this review, we have focused the potential of supplemental irrigation, its sources, management and its integration with different farming techniques especially in rainfed areas. The objective of this analysis is to trace the pathways to enhance the crop, water and farm productivity through supplemental irrigation to sustain the food security for a growing population in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton farmers have to deal with various kind of environmental and production risks. Risk attitude and perceptions play an important role in shaping farmers' decision regarding farm operations and management of exposed risks. Research on various aspects of managing risks in developing countries is few. Hence, keeping in view the research gap, this study aims to investigate the farmers' attitude and perceptions of various kinds of risks to which cotton crop is exposed in Pakistan. This study is based on a farm household survey of 480 farmers in six cotton belt districts of Punjab province, Pakistan. Equally Likely Certainty Equivalent (ELCE) and risk matrix methods are used to determine risk attitude and risk perceptions respectively. In addition, factor affecting farmers' attitude and perceptions are also analyzed by using probit model. The findings of the study revealed that that majority of farmers are risk averse in nature and reported flood, excessive rainfall, increased incidents of crop diseases and higher input prices as major risks exposed to their cotton crop. Furthermore, study found that age, education, location, off-farm income and access to market information are the factors which significantly (either positively or negatively) affect the farmers' risk perceptions and attitude. Study provides useful firsthand information to researchers and policy makers about the local understanding of risks to cotton crop in a developing country which could be used for research on farmers’ adaptation to exposed risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan is among the countries highly exposed and vulnerable to climate change. The country has experienced many severe floods, droughts and storms over the last decades. However, little research has focused on the investigation of vulnerability and adaptation to climate-related risks in Pakistan. Against this backdrop, this article investigates the farm level risk perceptions and different aspects of vulnerability to climate change including sensitivity and adaptive capacity at farm level in Pakistan. We interviewed a total of 450 farming households through structured questionnaires in three districts of Punjab province of Pakistan. This study identified a number of climate-related risks perceived by farm households such as extreme temperature events, insect attacks, animal diseases and crop pests. Limited water availability, high levels of poverty and a weak role of local government in providing proper infrastructure were the factors that make farmers more sensitive to climate-related risks. Uncertainty or reduction in crop and livestock yields; changed cropping calendars and water shortage were the major adverse impacts of climate-related risks reported by farmers in the study districts. Better crop production was reported as the only positive effect. Further, this study identified a number of farm level adaptation methods employed by farm households that include changes in crop variety, crop types, planting dates and input mix, depending upon the nature of the climate-related risks. Lack of resources, limited information, lack of finances and institutional support were some constraints that limit the adaptive capacity of farm households. This study also reveals a positive role of cooperation and negative role of conflict in the adaptation process. The study suggests to address the constraints to adaptation and to improve farm level cooperation through extended outreach and distribution of institutional services, particularly climate-specific farm advisory services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in the rice-growing zone of Punjab province, where rice production is affected by climate variabilities. The study aimed to assess farmers' perception of and adaptation to climate variability and its associated factors. Cross-sectional data of 480 rice growers was collected from the four rice-growing districts in Punjab using a multi-stage sampling approach. A multivariate probit model is used to analyze the determinants of farmers' adaptation decisions, and an ordered probit model is employed to estimate the factors affecting adaptation intensity. We find that farmers perceived significant changes in local climate, i.e., increase in summer temperature, decrease in summer rainfall, and changing pattern of rainfall and winter cropping season. Rice growers applied supplementary irrigation, changed rice cultivation dates, considered fertilizer management and crop diversification, and changed crop varieties as adaptation strategies to cope with climatic variability. The results of the multivariate probit model indicate farmers' age, farm size, availability of water resources, livestock ownership, off-farm income, and access to farm advisory services, credit, and climate information as significant determinants of adaptation strategies. The ordered probit model shows a positive and significant effect of farmers' education level and availability of irrigation water, farm labor, credit, farm advisory services, and climate information on adaptation intensity. The findings identify lack of water resources, financial constraints, and limited advisory services as key barriers to adaptation. This study suggests that the government should adopt a proactive approach to support farming communities to adapt to climate variability through improved access to water resources, advisory services, and credit services. • Climate variability is negatively impacting rice production in Pakistan. • This study analyses farm level perception and adaptation practices to climate variability. • Rice farmers perceive climate variability and adopt different adaptation measures. • Farmers' access to extension services, credit, labor, and irrigation source improves adaptation. • This study provides implications in designing extended adaptation framework in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: To compare the differences in musculoskeletal health with vitamin D alone in comparison with vitamin D with physical activity (PA) among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.Methods and Study Design: An open labeled, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at two tertiary care centers in Pakistan. Patients with CKD stage 2-4 and vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) were recruited in the trial. Both the arms were given oral vitamin D (cholecalciferol) drops (4000 IU) once daily for three months. One arm received only vitamin D (VD arm), while the second arm received vitamin D along with PA (VDPA arm).Results: Of the 1,235 CKD stage 2-4 subjects contacted, forty-six subjects were enrolled. Eighteen were assigned to VD arm and twenty-eight were assigned to VDPA arm. Between groups comparison shows that bicep strength increases from 15 to 17 kg. Likewise, back flexibility and aerobic fitness also increased among those who receive vitamin D and physical activity, however these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Sensitivity analysis within group comparison shows rise of bicep strength from 13.8 kg to 15.2 kg in the VD alone arm (p=0.05); however, in the VDPA arm, there is a greater difference of 14.3 kg to 17.2 kg (p<0.001).Conclusions: Targeted PA among CKD patients has potential to improve bicep strength and back flexibility. However, as the sample size was small, further studies would be required to suggest whether a PA should be included as part of the treatment regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Pakistani farmers are using groundwater at an increasing rate to supplement their irrigation needs. This practice has led to overexploitation of groundwater in the country, resulting in many negative externalities and increased resource costs. In response to the growing water shortage, the informal groundwater markets in the arid and semi-arid regions of Punjab have gradually emerged. These markets are believed to improve the fair distribution of groundwater and encourage more efficient use of agricultural water. This study aims to investigate these claims through conducting a field survey of 120 farmers that are further divided into three groups i.e. buyers, self-users cum sellers, and self-users (control group). Further, the study employed a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach to estimate the water use efficiency of all three type of groundwater actors. The study findings show that water buyers are mostly small farmers who do not own tube wells, hence buy water from tube well owners (large farmers). The study also found that groundwater markets improve the equity of water access to some extent, as water is transferred from large farmers to small farmers. The results of DEA analysis show water buyers and water sellers are more efficient in using water than the control group, making buyers the most efficient of all groups. Therefore, participation in water markets appears to be improving the WUE of farmers. The results of single bootstrapped truncated regression show that participation in water markets and access to extension services can improve WUE, while off-farm income and the diesel tube wells can reduce WUE in the study area. However, government could play an important role here through introducing groundwater regulations and improving water use efficiency for sustainable and equitable distribution of water among water users. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Due to the scarcity of surface water, informal groundwater markets are very common in Punjab, Pakistan • Water use efficiency of three groups of groundwater users i.e. self-users, self-users cum sellers, and buyers is assessed • Informal groundwater markets improve efficiency, as WUE of buyers and sellers is higher compared to self-users • WUE is significantly associated with off-farm income, participation in the water market, extension, and power source • Government interventions are required to increase equitable distribution of water among water users [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Driver attitude explains the risky driving behavior (RDB) of truck drivers. • Prevailing Social norms are positively associated with the RDB. • Work safety climate has a moderating impact on socio-cognitive factors and RDB. • Work safety climate has a moderating impact on social norms and RDB. • Limits placed by supervisors on risky driving have significant impact on RDB of truck drivers. Trucks involvement in fatal road crashes are considerably high and, literature evidenced that the risky driving behavior of truck drivers is the main cause. Therefore, the study investigates the impacts of socio-cognitive factors (attitude towards risky driving, locus of control and social norms related to driving) and work safety climate in forming the risky driving behavior of truck drivers in Pakistan. Data from 396 truck drivers are collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The results show that driver attitude and prevailing social norms both have a positive significant effect on risky driving behavior, while the work safety climate has a negative impact on risky driving behavior. The study distinctly defines the role of "work safety climate" in the context of the culture prevailing among truck drivers in Pakistan, and looks additionally at the moderating effects on socio-cognitive factors and risky driving behavior. Open communication and counseling by supervisors, their role modeling and placing of limits on risky driving behavior in fact have negative effects on the self-reported risky driving behavior of truck drivers. The study reveals that five of the nine factors have significant moderating effects on risky driving behaviors. The results also imply that improvements in the "work safety climate" of the trucking industry would help to control the socio-cognitive factors and risky driving behaviors, and may improve the road safety conditions in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]