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Based on the learning organization theory the main purpose of this research is to discuss how demographics variables affect the learning organization disciplines perception in faculty members of higher education institutes (HEIs) of Pakistan. This study explores that how demographic variables affect the learning organization disciplines perception at the HEIs level. We use the demographic variables and learning organization model in higher education institutions of Pakistan. In doing so, we used a survey instrument to collect data from 253 faculty members of HEIs in Pakistan. In addition, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with the same respondents. Study findings revealed that there is a low application of the learning organization disciplines in HEIs in Pakistan. Further study also explains that demographic variables generated a variance of 2.7% in learning organization culture. Further, this study suggested some substantial implications for universities and regulatory bodies of HEIs. more...

Getting education is very important for both boys and girls. However, there are female children who do not complete school cycle and leave school before its completion which is one of the concerning issues for the Ministry of Education in Pakistan. To know why these girls drop out of school, the study provides some brief information on it. To get information on the above issue, structured interviews were used. The study was conducted in 4 Girls primary schools of Tehsil Bahrain district SWAT. Data was collected from sample of 80 respondents, in which (11 dropout girls from Govt Girls Primary School Madyan Swat, 16 from Govt Girls Primary School Ayeen Swat, 22 dropout girls from Girls Primary School Darolai Swat, 3 dropout girls from Girls Primary School Jail Bahrain Swat. 20 mothers of the dropout students and 8 teachers. After collecting information, some of the main causes for the dropout were found as work to earn some money for support of family (poverty), moving from one place to another, culture of the village, punishment, teachers' behavior, long distance from house to school and lack of text books and facilities. By looking to the findings of the study, there is a need of other researches in the area. more...

The main difference between Islamic and conventional banking is that Islamic banking works on profit and loss while conventional banking work is interest based. The aim of this research study is to measure and compare the financial performance of Islamic and conventional banking in Pakistan during 2006 to 2015. This study is to examine and to evaluate the performance of 5 Islamic banks (Meezan Islamic Bank, Bank Islami Limited, Al Baraka Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank Limited and Burj Bank Limited) and 5 conventional banks (Muslim Commercial Bank Limited, United Bank Limited, Askari Bank Limited, Allied Bank Limited, Habib Bank Limited) in terms of profitability, liquidity, risk, capital and efficiency. We used quantitative and qualitative data for comparison of Islamic and conventional banks. Collection of data consists on both primary as well as secondary sources. Primary data has been gathered from interviews and Secondary data has been gathered from the balance sheets and income statements of the sampled banks for the period of 2006 to 2015.Financial ratios such as profitability ratios, liquidity ratios, solvency ratios, capital ratios and efficiency ratios are used for measure of the financial performance of both banking sector. The results indicate that Islamic banks are less profitable, more liquid, less risky and less efficient. There is no significant difference in terms of capital between Islamic and conventional banks. more...

The Eocene Large Benthic Foraminiferal limestones of the Tethyan margins are proven hydrocarbon reservoirs. This study examines the controls on porosity and permeability development of the producing Middle Eocene Pirkoh Member of the Eastern Tethys using well core data from Well Zx-01 from the Punjab Platform area, Central Indus Basin, Pakistan. The standard petrographic and core analysis techniques were adopted to determine these controls. Petrographic studies revealed three microfacies comprising bioclastic packstone to floatstone, bioclastic wackestone and mud-wackestone microfacies. The allochems belong to benthic foraminifera including Nummulites sp., Discocyclinids sp.., Coralline algae, Assilina sp., Lockhartia sp., Coralline algae and Gastropods along with the other bioclastic debris. These allochems were found embedded in the micritic matrix with extensive cementation of calcite. The diagenetic events included cementation, compaction, dolomitization, fracture filling and neomorphism. Based on microfacies, the environment of deposition is interpreted to be a high-energy zone of the middle ramp in shallow marine environment. Subsurface core indicates that the porosity of the reservoir is low to high ranging between 6 to 27.47% and permeability is found low to fair ranging between 0.03 to 7.73 mD, found closely related to microfacies and diagenetic modifications. This study is a first attempt to document the reservoir facies of the non-reefal carbonates of the Pirkoh limestone that would help to exploit the reservoir's potential of the carbonate platforms developed in similar settings worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Present study was carried out in 2018-19, in the three districts of Punjab i.e., Faisalabad, Sargodha and Muzaffargarh to analyse the factors affecting dissemination of agricultural information to farmers through ICT tools. One hundred and twenty respondents were selected randomly from each district, making a total sample of 360 respondents. Concerning the general use of ICT tools in the dissemination of agricultural information, the findings indicated a change in trend from the radio (11.1%) towards TV (85.6%) and mobile phone SMS (75.8%). The relevance of information and ICT tools' cost appeared as common determinant factors for technology transfer effectiveness by ICT tools. Furthermore, farmers also indicated that the most effective tool to disseminate agricultural information was television, followed by the mobile phone and social media. Moreover, most of the farmers (81.7 % and 73.1%, respectively) indicated that the lack of innovative information and difficulties in using ICT tools were significant barriers while communicating via these tools. The use of television and mobile phones in extension should be improved because they were relatively more popular among farmers. It was recommended that the Punjab government should also design a system of periodic monitoring and evaluation of the use of information and communication technologies in the extension with agricultural universities' participation and relevant non-governmental organizations in Punjab. A dynamic feedback system should be designed, based on the local advisory committees' recommendations, to determine the local farmers' needs/problems, which should be sent immediately to the Directorate of Agricultural Information to suggest some suitable solution and disseminate through ICTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This research study examined the impact of current and non-current assets on the profitability of pharmaceutical companies of Pakistan. For this study 9 years data was collected from the annual financial statements of six pharmaceutical companies listed in Karachi Stock Exchange over a period of 2010 to 2018. The profitability was measured by ROA.Current and non-current assets were taken as independent variables. The regression analysis was used and the result showed that current assets have a significant positive impact with the return on assets while the fixed assets have a significant negative impact on profitability of pharmaceutical companies of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Innovation is coming from new Knowledge, and new Technology. The author select these two countries because Canada has a very strong innovative economy, while Pakistan is not so strong. The study concludes that foreign direct investment, R&D, and High-tech exports have a positive impact on economic growth, and the results show a significant positive impact on GDP, in the case of Canada. While in Pakistan this influence is not significant due to some internal problems that Pakistan faces like a low rate of domestic investment, political instability, less investment in higher education. Therefore, the comparison can be useful in adapting Canada's innovation policy for Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A quick, efficient, and cost-effective provision of justice is considered to be the integral part of good governance. Absence of such an efficient judicial mechanism lead to conflicts which is more significant in conflict societies and tribal structures. For ordinary man in dis-equilibrium societies, lack of good governance means rampant corruption, police brutality, dearth of education and health infrastructure, high costly and less accessed justice, criminalized politics and absence of social justice. The absence of justice and security constitutes a good reason for adoption of alternatives to the current legal and judicial governance structures. Structured violence against the state in lineage societies is a good manifestation of this perspective. The Swat conflict presents a complex picture where loopholes in legal governance structure contributed to the augmentation of the conflict. Costly and delayed justice system made ground for opting the presented alternative swift decision making system by the Taliban. Empirical data suggests that average instituted cases in Malakand's seven districts was almost half of the cases instituted in the whole province. This shows that communities here are comparatively more litigant. To address the cases district courts are understaffed and lack case management and delay reduction techniques. The average disposal of cases was less than the other districts in the province. Per court disposal is comparatively high, however, average court pendency is higher and average number of judges was lower comparatively. Such delayed, inefficient and costly judicial governance produced catalytic effect on the conflict. This study is aimed at examining how the gaps in the justice sector of governance led to augmenting the violence against the state and what sort of intervention at government level is needed to strengthen rule of law in the Swat valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The presence of age diagnostic spores and bissacate pollen preserved in the Tredian Formation of the Nammal Gorge and Zaluch Nala sections represent an Anisian age. The comparative study of the spores and pollen taxa of the Nammal and Zaluch gorges reveal weak correlation. This weak correlation can be explained by limited number of samples and low resolution sampling. The palynofacies analysis of the Nammal and Zaluch Gorge sections suggests heterolithic proximal oxic shelfal depositional settings for the Tredian Formation, however the presence of amorphous marine organic matter, sporangial mass and absence of woody matrix in the Zaluch Gorge section, suggests marine incursion and therefore relatively deeper settings as compared to the Nammal Gorge section. The deepening of the Tredian facies in Zaluch section suggest progradation towards south west in the western Salt Range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Boron (B) is considered as an essential element for plant growth and development. Sexual reproduction in plant is more sensitive to low B, than vegetative growth. Considerable research activities have been directed at accentuating the physiological and biochemical role of B in plant growth and development. This paper reviews the literature (upto the year 2006) focusing on the role of boron in cell wall integrity, cell division, plasma membranes, phenol metabolism, and its requirement for the nitrogen fixation and in the reproductive growth of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A number of projects are being undertaken to reduce rural poverty in saline and waterlogged areas of Pakistan. The studied project (Bio Salne-II) is operating at three districts in the Punjab namely; Hafizabad, Sargodha and Jhang. The present study was conducted during 2008 to see impact of social mobilization services provided under the project, Punjab Community Development Project for Rehabilitation of Salt Affected and Water Logged (Bio-Saline-II) in the rural areas of Tehsil Sahiwal, district Sargodha. Out of 47 project villages, 12 villages were selected randomly and 25 respondents who were members of Salt Land User Group (SLUG) were chosen at random from each village making total number of 300 respondents. The data were collected through an interview schedule. The results revealed that majority (67%) of respondents reported that social mobilization procedure and strategies were satisfactory while remaining respondents (33%) rated social mobilization services as un-satisfactory. Further, the results depicted that vast majority (89%) of respondents was not involved in project activities (identification of problems, solution, monitoring evaluation, suggestions and recommendations). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The current study was conducted at Post Harvest Research Centre, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan in 2018-2019 to investigate the postharvest application of two antioxidants i.e. ascorbic acid (AA) and benzyl adenine (BA) on physicochemical properties and shelf life extension of guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.). The application of AA was done @ of 500, 750 and 1000 ppm, and BA was applied @ of 25, 50 and 75 ppm along with control for ten minutes and stored at 25 ± 2°C with a relative humidity of (70-75%). During storage, various physicochemical parameters were assessed at a three-day interval to the maximum acceptable period. Among various treatments, the BA @ 75 ppm was found effective to retain the lowest physiological weight loss (5.19%), greater firmness (1.95 kg/cm2 ) and TSS (6.95 Brix), ascorbic acid (82.66 mg/100g) and reducing sugar (3.83%). In addition, the total phenolic contents (0.15%), chlorophyll contents (0.21%) and pectin (0.32%) were found to be higher in BA treated fruit (75 ppm) as compared to control. The outcomes noticeably validate that 75 ppm application of BA showed a greater potential to enhance the shelf life and retain the quality characteristics of guava fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A field experiment was conducted to assess the quality of carrot variety T-29 as affected by the application of potassium fertilizer. Potassium was applied @ 0, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 kg/ha and carrot was sown during the month of November of every year. The experiment was continued for consecutive three years i.e. 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 at research area of Biochemistry Section, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Pakistan. Yield data were collected and quality parameters pulp, juice, TSS, vitamin C, dry matter, total sugars and reducing sugars were determined. Results revealed that the application of K enhanced the yield and quality parameters. Root yield in various treatments ranged from 20.6 to 30.8 in 2017, 18.0 to 25.8 in 2018 and 17.5 to 27.8 t/ha in 2019, minimum in control and maximum at treatment where K was applied @ 120 kg/ha. Quality parameters like pulp, juice, mineral matter and vitamin-C did not affect significantly by the application of K while the total sugars were increased from 4.0 to 5.6, 4.7 to 5.5 and 5.5 to 6.8% (Minimum in control and maximum with 120 kg/ha K application) during the years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Maximum antioxidant potential i.e. 75.2, 80.13 and 78.6 was found with potassium application of 120 kg/ha during all years. Pro vitamin A contents (3782 and 3706 μg/100g) were analyzed during 2018 and 2019, respectively where 100 kg/ha potassium was applied. In short, potassium application could be effective for carrot optimum yield and quality enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The significance of root exudates has long been under estimated, presumably of being concealed in nature. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and compost inhabiting bacteria (CIB) interact with plant to regulate root exudation. Present study was conducted at Biochemistry Section, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the year 2018 to check antifungal effect of PGPR and CIB tested against fungal pathogen, (Fusarium oxysporum) with maize crop. Root exudates were collected and analyzed by high performance laquid chromatography (HPLC) to get an insight of their chemical composition. Our results indicated that conidial germination of pathogen was significantly decreased while bacterial population enhanced by exudates of those plant roots which were treated with bacterial consortium. Analysis of root exudates revealed that composition of root exudates of co-inoculated plants, differ not only from the exudates of pathogen free plants but also from the un-inoculated controls referring to only pathogen inoculated plants. Salicylic acid (upto 83%), chlorogenic acid (upto 46%) and caffeic acid (upto 61%), along with higher quantities of malliec acid (upto 24%) were found in exudation of bacterial treated plants. The increase in concentration of specific secondary metabolites might have a role in inducing systemic resistance in the maize against seedling blight (Fusarium oxysporum). In conclusion, this study illustrates the disease resistance mechanism on the basis of plant-microbe communication and helps to devise suitable strategies against fusarium-mediated blight of maize plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Current experiment was conducted during 2017-18 at Biochemistry Section, Post Harvest Research Center, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan to evaluate the effect of seasonal variations on the recovery and chemical composition of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) gel. Samples of aloe vera leaves were collected four times in a year, in the months of January, April, July and October of 2017 and 2018, and analyzed for various quality parameters. Results of two years studies were compiled and average values were calculated. Results indicated that seasonal variation had no significant effect on the recovery of gel and its chemical composition. There was no significant variation recorded in quality parameters throughout the year. On an average, gel recovery was 64.6 ± 3.05, 35.4 ± 3.07%. Average value for pH of gel was 4.62 ± 0.33, total soluble solids (TSS) 1.00 ± 0.25%, vitamin C 2.86 ± 0.79 mg/100g and antioxidant potential of aloe vera was 66.50± 1.25% and dry matter ranged from 2.48 to 2.75%. Crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, Cu, Zn, Fe and Ca were determined in dried leaves and the mean value of these parameters were 14.6 ± 0.75 %., 0.45 ± 0.12 %, 0.14 ± 0.04 %, 0.15 ± 0.2 %,16.0 ± 2.73 mg/kg, 3.03 ± 0.8 mg/kg, 110.7±19.9 mg/kg and 247.1 ± 22.5 mg/kg, respectively. Nitrogen free extract (NFE) or available carbohydrate ranged from 84.48 ± 0.70 to 84.93 ± 0.82 % with an average value of 84.70 ± 0.80 %. It was concluded that seasonal variation had no significant effect on the aloe vera leaf biochemical components like TSS, crude protein, vitamin C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...