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The global COVID-19 pandemic has led educational institutions to shut down and adopt e-learning practices through computer-mediated communication. An unanticipated switch of online classes from face-to-face classes isolates students from social groups and teachers, causing online disinhibition. Therefore, this paper investigates factors influencing university students' toxic disinhibition behavior in online classrooms, WhatsApp groups, and Telegram groups. Also, social isolation has been used as a moderating variable to identify whether social isolation strengthens or weakens the proposed association. The research holds the basis of "Social Cognitive Theory" and "Theory of Planned Behavior." The data from 506 university students have been collected for analysis. The proposed framework and research hypotheses have been assessed via PLS-SEM using Smart PLS software. Findings from the study show that toxic behavior victimization, attitude, subjective norms, and behavioral control are factors that positively & significantly affect toxic disinhibition online. Furthermore, motives and self-efficacy showed an insignificant influence on toxic disinhibition. Additionally, toxic disinhibition significantly & positively affects toxic behavior. At last, social isolation is likely to have a moderation effect on the variables. Hence, the research yields guidance on reducing toxic disinhibition online. Further, implications and recommendations are discussed at the end of the study.

The English has become a lingua-franca language, thus to promote the English language's interest in the people with the teachings of English literature is regarded as the competence of the learners in the Target Language(TL). Thus, the study aims to investigate the effectiveness of English literary elements in improving English language at undergraduate level. The qualitative method was preferred for collecting the data in which 15 participants were involved, 5 of them were university lecturers and rest of them were the students of English Department Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sanghar Campus. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from the participants and the data was analyzed by the thematic process. The findings of the research indicated that the English literary elements are helpful in the favor of improving English language. It was also declared that movies and dramas affect the English language more effectively. English literary elements affect the learners' language competence in the different areas as; Listening and speaking. These elements help the learners to learn the language more effectively, and these elements play important role in improving the comprehensions of the learners. The study suggests that there should be integration of movies and dramas in the favor of students as they could get more fluency in English and the study also suggests that the material in the class should be used related to the learning area of the students.

The paper explores the impact of the green–blue revolution on environmental sustainability proxied by production-based carbon emission and agro-environmental footprint in Pakistan between 1976 and 2020. The basic objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the impact of green–blue revolution on sustainable environment in different quantiles. Johansen co-integration test with trace and max eigenvalues determines the long-run relationship between green–blue revolution and environmental degradation in Pakistan. Using median quantile regression analysis, we find that agricultural machinery, pesticides, and aquaculture production are positive and significant factors of production-based carbon emissions with 0.49, 0.1, and 0.09 coefficient values, respectively, while fertilizers, agricultural credit, and HYV (high yield variety) seeds are not major determinants of production-based carbon emission. At the same time, high variety seeds and fertilizers enhance the agro-environmental footprint in Pakistan with 0.23 and 0.28 coefficients, respectively, by applying median quantile regression. Similarly, agricultural machinery, pesticides, agricultural credit, and aquaculture production are not the major determinants of agro-environmental footprint by using median quantile regression. However, the response of exogenous variables varies from quantile to quantile in the case of both environmental proxies. These results discuss implications for fruitful and effective policies and recommendations for a sustainable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research work, the viewpoints of both teachers and students are investigated in relation to the development of critical thinking skills. The development of abilities in critical thinking is of the utmost importance in the context of language acquisition. Not only does it make the acquisition of linguistic competence easier, but it also nurtures cognitive aptitude and the ability to find solutions to problems. This makes the development of critical thinking skills one of the most important aspects of language learning. The purpose of this research is to acquire a better understanding of the current state of critical thinking skills within the field of English language instruction through the collection of relevant data. In addition, it aims to uncover the challenges that students have when attempting to acquire these skills, as well as the strategies that teachers employ in order to cultivate them in their students. In order to acquire an exhaustive understanding of the topic at hand, the research makes use of a qualitative method, which includes semi-structured interviews from 10 teachers and 7 students at university level. According to the findings, there is a consensus among educators regarding the significance of encouraging students to engage in critical thinking within the context of the study of the English language. This research study works as a helpful resource for instructors and stakeholders in the field of English language education, offering significant insights and recommendations for the enhancement of critical thinking abilities among students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)" has become a focal point of interest in contemporary times. While much research has focused on the impact of "CSR" on consumers, there remains a gap in understanding its effects on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) amongst public sector employees. This study examines how "Employees' CSR persuasion (ECP)" influences job felicity and Responsive Assurance (RA) on "OCB" in the public sector. By considering the four dimensions of CSR--economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic--we explore the relationships amongst ECP, job felicity, RA, and OCB. Many countries are implementing public sector reforms to enhance government employees' OCB, which is vital for program success. We categorize "citizenship behavior" into "altruism, conscientiousness, courtesy, civic virtue", and "sportsmanship". Our findings indicate a positive link between ECP and OCB (B=0.199, p<0.01), a negative association with External Job Felicity (EJF) (B=-0.412, p<0.01), and a substantial negative impact of EJF on OCB (B=-0.158, p<0.01). Additionally, RA (B=0.274, p<0.01) and Inbuilt Job Felicity (IJF) (B=0.261, p<0.01) are positively and significantly related to OCB amongst public sector employees in Pakistan. These results highlight the importance of CSR initiatives for public sector employees, as they have the potential to promote positive workplace behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with terminal diseases may benefit physically and psychosocially from an outpatient palliative care visit. Palliative care services are limited in Pakistan. An improved understanding of the symptom clusters present in our population is needed. The first outpatient palliative care center in Karachi, Pakistan, was established at our tertiary care institution. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a palliative care outpatient consultation on symptom burden in patients with a terminal diagnosis. The secondary aim was to analyze the symptom clusters present in our population. Methods: Patients with a terminal diagnosis referred to our outpatient palliative department between August 2020-August 2022 were enrolled. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) questionnaire was administered at the initial visit and the first follow-up visit at one month. Change in symptom burden was assessed using a Wilcoxon signed ranks test. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation was performed on the symptoms reported at the initial visit to evaluate symptom clusters. The palliative performance scale (PPS) was used to measure the performance status of palliative care patients. Results: Among the 78 patients included in this study, the average age was 59 ± 16.6 years, 52.6% were males, 99% patients had an oncological diagnosis, and the median duration between two visits was 14 (Q1-Q3: (7.0, 21.0) days. The median PPS level was 60% (Q1-Q3: 50–70). Overall, ESAS scores decreased between the two visits (6.0 (2.8, 11.0), p < 0.001) with statistically significant improvement in pain (5.0 vs. 2.5, p < 0.001), loss of appetite (5.0 vs. 4.0, p = 0.004), depression (2.0 vs. 0.0, p < 0.001), and anxiety (1.5 vs. 0.0, p = 0.032). Based on symptoms at the initial visit, 3 clusters were present in our population. Cluster 1 included anxiety, depression, and wellbeing; cluster 2 included nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, and shortness of breath; and cluster 3 included drowsiness. Conclusion: An outpatient palliative care visit significantly improved symptom burden in patients with a terminal diagnosis. Patients may benefit from further development of outpatient palliative care facilities to improve the quality of life in terminally ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant performance is mainly estimated based on plant architecture, leaf features and internal microstructural changes. Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a drought tolerant, oil yielding, and medium sized woody tree that shows specific structural and functional modifications under changing environment. This study was aimed to know the microstructural alteration involving in growth and yield responses of different Olive cultivars. Eleven cultivars were collected all over the world and were planted at Olive germplasm unit, Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal (Punjab) Pakistan, during September to November 2017. Plant material was collected to correlate morpho-anatomical traits with yield contributing characteristics. Overall, the studied morphological characters, yield and yield parameters, and root, stem and leaf anatomical features varied highly significantly in all olive cultivars. The most promising cultivar regarding yield was Erlik, in which plant height seed weight and root anatomical characteristics, i.e., epidermal thickness and phloem thickness, stem features like collenchymatous thickness, phloem thickness and metaxylem vessel diameter, and leaf traits like midrib thickness, palisade cell thickness a phloem thickness were the maximum. The second best Hamdi showed the maximum plant height, fruit length, weight and diameter and seed length and weight. It also showed maximum stem phloem thickness, midrib and lamina thicknesses, palisade cell thickness. Fruit yield in the studied olive cultivars can be more closely linked to high proportion of storage parenchyma, broader xylem vessels and phloem proportion, dermal tissue, and high proportion of collenchyma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant women reporting to a public sector tertiary care hospital and find the association of gestational diabetes mellitus with age. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Pathology Department, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta Pakistan, from Jan 2016 to Mar 2017. Methodology: Five hundred and thirty pregnant women who reported to the Pathology Department of the hospital for an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test at 24-28 weeks of gestation were included. The blood samples were taken after ten hours of fasting and one hour and two hours after loading with 75g of anhydrous glucose and analyzed using the enzymatic (Glucose Oxidase) method. Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed using guidelines recommended by the International Association for Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group/American Diabetic Association for a one-step diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus according to the new criteria. Results: The frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus was quite high 190(35.8%). Of these 530 pregnant women, 162(85.3%) women were diagnosed with Fasting Plasma Glucose, and 28 women were diagnosed with 1-hour or 2-hour after the glucose load test. Age-group of > 30 years had the highest number of women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: The frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus in our hospital-reported sample of pregnant women was 35.8%, associated with advanced age. The maximum number of women were diagnosed as having gestational diabetes mellitus based on the fasting Plasma Glucose cut-off value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental degradation is a severe problem for all nations, especially for developing ones like Pakistan. For analysis purpose, this study employed two proxies of environmental degradation, i.e., carbon emission and ecological footprint as the explained variables during 1980–2017. In contrast, real GDP per capita, electricity consumption, financial development, urbanization, life expectancy rate, and fertility rate are used as independent variables. For the empirical analysis, Johnson co-integration, Markov switching equilibrium correction model (MS-ECM), and other second-generation econometric models have been used. Granger causality is also used to quantify the causal association among concern variables. MS-ECM results showed that there is U-shaped behaviour that holds for the case of ecological footprint and real GDP; on the other hand, inverted U-shaped behaviour has been seen between CO2 and real GDP. Study found negative association between electricity consumption and environmental degradation to save the environment. Study suggests that electricity production sector should be shifted from non-renewable to renewable energy (solar and wind) sources for sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Helicobacter pylori is a human-stomach-dwelling organism that causes many gastric illnesses, including gastritis, ulcer, and gastric cancer. The purpose of the study was to perform differential proteomic analysis on H. pylori isolates from gastritis, ulcer, and gastric cancer patients. Materials and Methods: H. pylori was isolated from antrum and fundus biopsies obtained from patients who visited the Department of Gastroenterology. Using nano-LC-QTOF MS/MS analysis, differentially regulated proteins were identified through proteome profiling of pooled samples of H. pylori isolated from gastritis, ulcer, and gastric cancer patients. Antigenic scores and cellular localization of proteins were determined using additional prediction tools. Results: A total of 14 significantly regulated proteins were identified in H. pylori isolated from patients with either gastritis, ulcer, or gastric cancer. Comparative analysis of groups revealed that in the case of cancer vs. gastritis, six proteins were overexpressed, out of which two proteins, including hydrogenase maturation factor (hypA) and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (ndk) involved in bacterial colonization, were only upregulated in isolates from cancer patients. Similarly, in cancer vs. ulcer, a total of nine proteins were expressed. Sec-independent protein translocase protein (tatB), involved in protein translocation, and pseudaminic acid synthase I (pseI), involved in the synthesis of functional flagella, were upregulated in cancer, while hypA and ndk were downregulated. In ulcer vs. gastritis, eight proteins were expressed. In this group, tatB was overexpressed. A reduction in thioredoxin peroxidase (bacterioferritin co-migratory protein (bcp)) was observed in ulcer vs. gastritis and cancer vs. ulcer. Conclusion: Our study suggested three discrete protein signatures, hypA, tatB, and bcp, with differential expression in gastritis, ulcer, and cancer. Protein expression profiles of H. pylori isolated from patients with these gastric diseases will help to understand the virulence and pathogenesis of H. pylori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture sector is the second largest sector of Pakistan, which contributes 17.9% of the total Gross Domestic Production. The productivity of major crops such as wheat, maize, rice, sugarcane, and cotton is central to the economic development of the country. Among these crops, wheat is considered as a staple crop of Pakistan, covering almost nine million hectares of the cultivated land. However, its productivity rate is severely affected by rust disease, which is an airborne fungal disease caused by a group of fungi from Pucciniales order. This disease has the ability to decrease the wheat production rate up to 30% and destroy the crop within a month after its first assault, thus posing a serious threat to food security. Owing to conventional farming practices, there is a recurring concern for an early arrest of this disease to minimize the yield losses and to feed the growing population. Several precision farming solutions are available worldwide to timely identify the rust attack, mitigate its catastrophic effects, and invoke the remedial action in a site-specific manner. In this paper, the technical review of cutting edge techniques used for detecting wheat rust attacks is presented, which include Remote Sensing, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Internet of Things. Additionally, the challenges and limitations associated with these techniques are discussed to highlight the practical implications of implementing these techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islamic Banking in Pakistan has been continuously growing since 2001 and currently, five full fledge Islamic Banks are working. This study has investigated the inside factors which effect Islamic Banks' profitability. These internal factors include Capital Adequacy Ratio, Deposit ratio, operating expense with total assets ratio, Size, and Debt to Equity Ratio, and were taken as Independent variables in this study, whereas profitability return on asset was taken as a dependent variable. This study has covered the period of 2015-2020 and data was gathered from financial reports of Islamic Banks, previous studies which were conducted in Pakistan did not cover up to 2020 and mostly covered both internal and external factors but in this research, we have emphasized on internal factors exclusively. Panel Data was analyzed with step-by-step statistical techniques like POLS, BRUESCH-PAGAN TEST, RANDOM EFFECT, and HAUSMAN TEST and finally, Fixed Effect Model was applied through EViews version-11. According to the investigated results of this study, two independent variables capital adequacy and operating expense ratio had a positive and major influence on return on assets (Dependent Variable). Hence null hypothesis of these variables was rejected and concluded that only the capital adequacy ratio and operating expenses with total assets ratio positively affected Islamic banking profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A healthy diet in the adolescence period is essential for physical, mental, and immunological development. We aimed to assess macronutrient consumption in the diet of adolescent school children using 24 h recalls in four seasons of the year.Method: This was a longitudinal study conducted from February 2014 to June 2015. The study population included 155 school children aged 7-14 years from an urban school in Karachi. 24HR recall was conducted on 4 random days of the 4 main seasons. A food composition table was developed where the weight, calories, carbohydrate, fat, and protein content of the food items were listed. Macronutrients quantification was calculated by using proportional weight from the food composition table. Food groups were also assigned to each food item including vegetables, fruits, grains, protein foods, dairy products, and oils.Results: A total of 155 adolescent children aged between 7 and 14 years were approached. Out of the 155 preadolescents and adolescents, 150 (96.7%) agreed to participate. The mean (SD) age of the children was 11.31 (1.6) years, and 59% of all the children were males. Overall mean (SD) daily intake for all seasons was 195.31 (86.87) grams of carbohydrates, 94.77 (71.87) grams of proteins, and 55.87 (30.79) grams of fats. Carbohydrates formed 48.16%, protein 21.92%, and fat 29.93% of the total caloric intake. The mean (SD) daily caloric intake was 1517 (644) grams. Overall, the highest source of calories was from carbohydrate 781 (347) Kilocalories (Kcal), followed by fat 502 (277) Kcal and protein 379 (287). The Carbohydrate intake in 24 h was highest in the autumn; 212.81 (85.37), and there was a significant difference in carbohydrate intake in all seasons (p value 0.003). Consumption of discretionary food group was high (31.3%), and consumption of fruits and vegetables was low (29%).Conclusion: The study reports a suboptimal caloric intake of fewer than 2000 cal/day among the adolescents from school. The highest source of calories was from carbohydrates.The highest consumption of food was in autumn and the least in summer. Fruits and vegetable intake was low, and discretionary food intake was high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is a severe contagious disease that causes reproductive failure and has zoonotic potential with profound public health importance. It is one of the most important bacterial diseases, with more than 500,000 human cases annually worldwide. Human infection is acquired by consumption of unpasteurized milk or through direct contact with the infected animals or their aborted fetuses. The present study aimed to appraise the livestock owners' knowledge, attitude, and practices related to brucellosis in Punjab, Pakistan. Among the livestock owners, 600 were interviewed to collect their knowledge about brucellosis and its zoonotic importance. The study population comprised smallholder dairy farmers having - up to 20 animals in their household. Of the 600 respondents, 61.3% and 87.3% were unaware of the term brucellosis and its zoonotic potential. Correlations show that the farmers' educational status was positively associated with knowledge of the zoonotic potential of brucellosis (p < 0.001). More than 60% of the participants did not - suspect unpasteurized milk and raw meat as potential infection sources. Eighty-five per cent of the workers were found to be unaware about their local diagnostic test facility for brucellosis. Contact with aborted fetuses and other potential sources of infection without protective measures were common. Our study results delineated the association of diagnosed positive herd history for brucellosis on extending their calving period after abortion (p < 0.001). Our study indicated that the knowledge of brucellosis among the livestock owners was inadequate, which may increase the zoonotic risk. To improve awareness, extensive control programs are needed with a focus on rural and underdeveloped areas of the country to prevent animal-to-human transmission and reduce the disease incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses the theory of planned behavior to examine the individual's intentions and zig-zag kiln technology adoption attitude in responding to carbon emissions in Pakistan. This study is based on cross-sectional data and a representative sample of 335 brick kilns owners from 11 districts of Punjab province of Pakistan is collected. Partial least squares structural equation modeling technique was used for the analysis. Results depicted that environmental concern and self-efficacy have a significant influence on attitude toward sustainable technology while subjective norms have a significant effect on intentions toward zig-zag kiln technology. A 1% increase in environmental concern and self-efficacy increases sustainable environmental technology by 24% and 58%, respectively. Furthermore, perceived behavioral control and intentions also significantly impact adoption attitude, and a 1% increase in perceived behavioral control and intentions increase the zig-zag kiln adoption attitude by 68% and 30%, respectively. Results depicted that adoption attitude is significantly determined by these explanatory variables. The study's findings provided new evidence for the government to place more emphasis on enhancing kiln owners' attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control, which would lead towards the adoption of this new technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To find out the frequency of intra-operative awareness and to compare the effect of Sevoflurane plus Dexmedetomidine with only Dexmedetomidine infusion in preventing awareness during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Adult Cardiac Surgery and Anesthesiology department, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from May to Nov 2023. Methodology: Eighty patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery (valvular and CABG) on Cardiopulmonary Bypass under general anesthesia irrespective of age and gender were recruited through non-probability consecutive sampling with non-random allocation of study participants. Patients were divided into S Group (Sevoflurane plus Dexmedetomidine Group) and D Group (Dexmedetomidine Group). Modified Brice questionnaire was used to assess awareness after 24 hours of surgery. Chi-square and t-test were applied to compare the study variables among study groups. p <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 80 patients, who underwent cardiac surgery were recruited. Out of which 40(50.0%) were included in S group and 40(50.0%) were included in D group. 67(83.7%) were males and 13(16.3%) were females. Mean age of the study participants was 59.98±6.85 years. Comparison of study groups showed that 4(10.0%) patients from group-D and 3(7.50%) patients of group-S experienced awareness during surgery (p=1.00). Mean Cardiopulmonary Bypass time was significantly different among study groups (p=0.02) Conclusion: Patients in S-group experienced slightly less awareness as compared to the patients in D-group but the difference was not statistically significant concluding the fact that Dexmedetomidine is sufficient to avoid awareness during cardiopulmonary bypass for CABG surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is considered as the most valuable cash crop of Pakistan. During last decade, its yield has been declined due to various biotic and abiotic factors. Among abiotic factors, improper use of fertilizers is considered very important specially regarding plant defense and yield. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1) of K fertilizer (K2O) on different growth parameters of two commercial Bt cotton cultivars (CYTO-301 and IUB-2013) and one non-Bt cultivar (CYTO-142) during 2016 and 2017. Maximum plant height (124–134 cm), dry matter contents (915–1005%), fruiting point (441–462), bolls per plant (96–139), average boll weight (4.2–5.2 g) and seed cotton yield (2524–3175 kg ha-1) and minimum shedding (43–73%) were observed in plots receiving highest dose of K (120 kg ha-1). The CYTO-103 cultivar was found more responsive to K fertilizer as compared to rest of cultivars (CYTO-142 and IUB-2013). Concluding, ideal dose of fertilizer is very important (120 kg ha-1 in our case) for optimum growth and production of good quality fiber with enhanced seed cotton yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conserving energy efficiently is becoming a challenging problem around the globe, specifically in developing countries. One main reason is the lack of awareness of end users (or consumers) about the usage of new and emerging techniques and technologies [e.g., Internet-of-things (IoT)], which can be helpful in mitigating the aforementioned problem. This paper will present the state-of-the-art technologies that have been proposed in the literature related to IoT-enabled solutions for energy conservation. This paper also highlights the details of infrastructure and communication models used in the literature for implementing such IoT-enabled applications. Based on the existing literature, this paper mentions areas that need more attention and can serve as open issues or gaps for future research. In the end, this paper presents our proposed model (i.e., IoT-enabled smart socket), which can be useful to serve the needs of consumers from developing countries like Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses ecological modernization and environmental transition theories to estimate the interaction among energy intensity, carbon emission and urbanization for the period of 1980–2017. We have systematically examined the empirical connections among emission, urbanization, income per capita, imports, exports, energy use, trade openness and energy intensity. The Johnson co-integration and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) causality methods are employed for the sake of analysis. Overall findings confirm the dynamic and U-shaped relationship between emission and urbanization, and carbon emission and income per capita. The empirical results of urbanization, inflation and financial development illustrate positive association with the energy intensity, whereas trade openness, labour force participation and carbon emission show a negative association with the dependent variable. Moreover, outcomes of causality analysis provide evidence of varied causality link among the variables across the models. The study provides the implications for the decision makers in Pakistan to choose new urbanization patterns that are less reliant on energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this research project was to investigate the impact of Strategic Human Resource Management practices on knowledge sharing behavior among university faculty members. This research also studied the mediating role of trust and organizational commitment in the relationship between SHRM practices and knowledge sharing behavior. Following the positivist paradigm, this research adopted the quantitative research strategy and collected the data from 700 faculty members of leading universities (top ranked by Higher Education Commission) of Pakistan through a self-administered questionnaire. Bi-variate and multi-variate quantitative analyses were used to test the hypothesis and achieve the research objectives. Structural Equation Modeling through Smart Partial Least Square was used to test the entire key hypothesis. The findings revealed that SHRM practices are vital in creating knowledge sharing behavior among faculty members, organizational commitment partially mediates the relationship among the aforementioned variables, while trust completely mediates the relationship between HR practices and knowledge sharing behavior. Thus, this study provides sufficient guidelines for HR policymakers and administration of public universities on how to make faculty members more committed to their institution and to develop the culture of knowledge sharing by adopting SHRM practices, while helping employees to have socio-emotional relationships so that trust can be developed among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The similarities, differences, and contradictions regarding climate change adaptation and resilience by academics and practitioners have already been documented. It is the need of time to set new precedence by observing the adaptations and resilience as tools to respond to the climate variations. This study analyzed the influence of climate change adaptations and synergy between resilience from livelihood vulnerability and adaptations. A field survey of 489 farming households is conducted with the help of a well-structured questionnaire from four districts of the south part of Punjab province of Pakistan. This study uses the Endogenous Switching Regression model for the sake of analysis. The outcomes of the study reveal that age, education, family size, total land, and seed price have significant linkage with the adoption of adaptations. The synergistic effects of adaptation and resilience are also visible here as the adaptations factors are significantly contributing towards yield, per capita income, poverty, and poverty gap of the respondents. This study suggests the provision of proper education and smart technology to help in enhancing the adaptive capacity of farmers. More imperatively, adaptations to climate variations can be concluded as a remedial tool for resilient livelihood. It is believed that the present study can be considered as a guide for future research on other regions of Pakistan and neighboring countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the Various Chest X-ray findings in confirmed cases of COVID -19 patients Study Design: Retrospective Descriptive Cross-sectional Study Place and Duration: Department of Radiology of Combined Military Hospital Malir, Pakistan from 1st March 2020 to 31st May 2020 Methodology: After recording of basic demographic variables, all the standard frontal projections of Chest X-Ray of PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients were studied on computer and radiological findings were noted. Results: Majority of the patients had normal chest X-Ray (75.4%). The most common finding is bilateral pulmonary infiltrates 8.4% followed by mixed opacities 6.1%. The other findings were unilateral peripheral opacities (3.8%) and ground glass opacities (1.0%). All of these findings were independent of gender or ethnicity. Conclusion: The frequency distribution of four main Chest X-Ray findings in confirmed COVID-19 cases can be used to make a provisional diagnosis where PCR result can't be awaited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of integrated quality environmental management (IQEM) and analyze their impact on operational performance (OP) and environmental performance (EP) in food processing Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on collecting data using a survey questionnaire through snowball sampling technique. A total of 302 food processing SMEs operating in Punjab, Pakistan, responded to the survey. SPSS version-23 and SmartPLS-3 were used for data analysis. Findings: The literature review identified leadership (LS), employee management (EM), strategic planning (SP), information management (IM), process management (PM), supplier management (SM) and customer focus (CF) as CSFs of IQEM. The results of this study found a significant relationship of all identified CSFs with operational performance in food processing SMEs whereas EM, IM, PM and SM were insignificant with the EP in the food processing SMEs. Research limitations/implications: Although this study has collected data from one province, the Punjab province, it still relevant in identifying the CSFs for IQEM implementation within food processing SMEs to improve performance. Originality/value: Despite the wide spread of integrated systems practices in the developed countries, little attention has been placed to implement and assess the IQEM initiatives by organizations in the developing countries. Thus, this study identified CSFs of IQEM based on empirical studies and analyzed their impact on OP and EP of food processing SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, the importance of energy consumption in transport sector has burgeoned forth and has been growing rapidly in Pakistan, and the course is being augured to linger over the coming decades. This paper brings about the function of transport energy demand, economic growth (GDP), oil rents, gas rents, road length and number of registered vehicles for Pakistan over the 1980-2015 by using Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach. The results which have come about shows preponderance of the fact that there is significant relationship between all concerned variables when transport energy demand is used as a dependent variable in Pakistan. Hence, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model is used for the future forecasting related to the consumption and production of gasoline and oil. According to the forecasted results, consumption (demand) is much greater as compared to production (supply) in both non-renewable sources. As policy makers suggest, we can make up for this lacuna by bourgeoning forth new technology (hybrid vehicles) as well as an awareness campaign through which we can make others abreast of this research may be launched about energy conservation methods to curtail the transport energy demand (TED) in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: However, it is not enough to simply produce an influx of dentists. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to understand the motivates of young individuals into pursuing career in dentistry to map and explore avenues for dentistry career. Objective: The objective was to assess the motivation of dental students in pursuing dentistry and to investigate the career choices of dental students immediately after graduation. Study type and settings: The Cross sectional study was conducted at different government and private dental colleges in Karachi. Subjects and Methods: All the participants were asked to fill a questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of three parts; first part consisted of bio-data, the second and the third part consisted of questions related to study motives and future career choices of fresh dental graduates. Results: One hundred and sixty five (165) dental house officers were approached, out of which, eighty five (n=85, 51.55%) participants expressed a preference to pursue post-graduate studies after completion of house job, twenty nine (n=29, 17.6%) chose private practice and nineteen (n=19, 11.5%) wanted to pursue a foreign licensure exam. Conclusion: A significant effort needs to be made to encourage the graduates to pursue this field as a full time opportunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine IV Ondansetron efficacy in preventing post-spinal shivering during LSCS. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anaesthesiology, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Sep 2018 to Mar 2019. Methodology: A total of 60 women undergoing LSCS under spinal anaesthesia were included. Group-A was given 8 mg/4 ml Ondansetron, while Group-B was given 4 ml Normal Saline 0.9% IV immediately before induction of spinal anaesthesia. Body temperature, level of sensory block, and shivering scores during the peri-operative period were recorded. After surgery, patients were shifted to Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Shivering was graded using Crossley and Mahajan 5-item scale. Injection Tramadol 1mg/kg intravenously was used as a rescue anti-shivering drug. Results: The majority of the patients 33(55.0%) were between 18-25 years of age. Efficacy of Intravenous Ondansetron in preventing post-operative shivering during spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing caesarean section was seen in 26 86(67%) patients (Group-A) as compared to 17(56.67%) patients in the Control Group (Group-B) (p-value=0.010). Conclusion: The study concluded that there was less post-operative shivering with intravenous Ondansetron during spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing caesarean section as compared to the Control Group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the dose of Protamine required for reversal of Heparin effect in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Adult Cardiac Surgery Unit, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from May to Dec 2022. Methodology: Total 382 patients were included in this study through consecutive sampling and were divided into two groups (n=191 participants in each group). After induction of anesthesia, baseline Activated Clotting Time (ACT) was measured. About 300units/kg of unfractionated Heparin was given non-randomly before establishing Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB). After termination of CPB, Protamine was administered in doses of 1 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg to Group-A and Group-B respectively. Protamine was diluted in 20ml of saline, and administered at a rate of 100ml/hr. Once Protamine was administered, blood sample was taken after 5min for ACT measurement. If this ACT was within 10% of baseline, it was taken as sign for reversal of Heparin effect. Student t-test and Chi-square test were applied to compare the groups and level of significance taken was p<0.05. Results: Majority cases were males 287(75.1%), whereas 95(24.9%) were females. Statistically significant mean differences were noted between Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) time, ACT after Protamine administration, and requirement for extra Protamine administration between two groups (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were noted between age, weight and ACT before Heparin administration (p>0.05). About 1mg/kg of Protamine reversed the Heparin effect in 116(60.7%) patients in Group-A, whereas 1.5mg/kg reversed the Heparin effect in 180(94.2%) cases in Group-B (p<0.001). Conclusion: Classical doses of 3mg/kg of Protamine in CABG patients may actually be exposing patients to higher than required doses of Protamine. Dose of 1mg/kg and 1.5mg/kg of Protamine was also found to be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the validity of bispectral in diagnosis of mild and moderate head injury keeping GCS as a gold standard. Study Design: A cross sectional validation study. Place and Duration of Study: This Study was conducted in main Intensive Care Unit of the Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi and was carried out over eight months from Dec 2009 to Aug 2010. Material and Methods: A minimum of 137 patients were included in study. At the time of admission, Glasgow coma score was calculated by 3 different anesthetists and mean was calculated. At the same time BIS reading was taken using Aspect BIS monitor. Results: Mean age of the patients was 29.5 ± 6.2. 108 (78.8%) patients were male while 29 (29.2%) patients were female. Mean glasgow coma score was 12.2 ± 0.9 and mean bispectral index score was 69.9 ± 8.4. A 2 x 2 table was made between GCS and BIS. Sensitivity was found to be 95.65%, specificity 98.53%, positive predictive value 98.50% and negative predictive value 95.7%. ROC curve was drawn and demonstrated area under curve value of 0.999. Conclusion: BIS monitor can prove to be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis and management of mild and moderate head injury patients in the intensive care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the frequency of postoperative pulmonary complications after (coronary artery bypass grafting) CABG surgery and to compare the respiratory complications of post COVID and comparison group Study Design: Analytical Crosssectional study Study Place and Duration: Study was conducted in Adult Intensive Care Unit, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Sep 2021 to Mar 2022. Methodology: 40 patients were selected, and divided into two groups using nonProbability consecutive sampling. GroupA had history of COVID-19 infection and GroupB was a comparison group and had no history of COVID-19 infection. Patients presenting for elective OnPump (coronary artery bypass grafting) CABG surgery and known history of COVID-19 were included in our study. Patients of age ranging 30 to 70 years irrespective of gender were included in the study. Any patient who had cardiopulmonary bypass time of more than 120 min, respiratory illness like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), history of smoking, or requiring postoperative reventilation due to cardiac or neurological complication, were excluded from the study. After patients were received from Operation theatre, they were monitored for the respiratory complications and both groups were compared. Results: A total of 40 patients were included in this study having mean age 57.9±7.62 years. Most of the patient population was male 31(77.5%) and only 09(22.5%) were female patients. Study population was equally divided into two groups i.e., 20(50%) in comparison group and 20(50%) in post COVID-19 group. There was no significant difference in age (p=0.714), ventilation time (p=0.068), gender (p=1.000), and reventilation (p=0.451) of both groups. While Intensive Care Unit stay (p=<0.0001) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) were found to be significant (p=0.007). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited investments in land degradation neutrality (LDN) are causing environmental degradation and are the main barriers to socioeconomic development worldwide. Therefore, it is crucial to meet the target 15.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals to achieve soil neutrality by 2030 at the national level. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study is to find critical enablers, challenges, and benefits of LDN and develop a new administrative management framework for mobilizing private investments according to local financial market conditions. To achieve this research objective, the authors selected 14 degraded districts in four provinces of Pakistan. The data for this study were collected from 63 institutions that were directly or indirectly involved in land degradation risk prevention and management. The research evaluation process comprises a mixed-method approach to infer institutional survey data analysis. The interpretation of the results was based on two important dimensions, including 12 survey statements. From the perspective of LDN management (LDNM) enablers, the government's long-term vision and strong commitment were validated as top-ranked measures among the six enablers for the implementation of LDN. The development of horizontal and vertical coordination mechanisms for the LDN is the second-most critical enabler. While developing public-private partnership (PPP) policies, procedures and services are perceived as the third most potent enabler. In terms of LDNM challenges and benefits, raising awareness of the LDN concept, capacity development, and LDN market risk assessment are identified as the main challenges. However, developing a green economy, securing social needs, and ensuring ecological sustainability are vital benefits. This study makes theoretical and practical contributions to the field of LDNM. Theoretically, this study contributes to the LDNM framework based on complexity theory by integrating transaction cost logic to execute win-win PPP agreements. Practically, to meet different market conditions, this study suggests three PPP models: special credit lines, risk-sharing facilities, and land protection performance contracts. These inputs will provide insight into what the government needs to develop for land use policy, promote LDN investments, and forge new partnerships between local financial institutions and landscape stakeholders. • This study assessed how Pakistan can mobilize private investments to achieve land degradation neutrality (LDN) targets. • LDN management is now a top priority in Pakistan's 14 most degraded districts. • LDN management enablers, challenges, and benefits must be identified to increase investments and combat desertification. • Political commitment and capacity building can motivate the private sector to invest in LDN market. • Government should forge partnerships between local financial institutions and landscape stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of the War on Terror, Pakistan carried out several military operations on its Northwestern frontier. These operations invited considerable amount of academic and non-academic scholarship. However, much of what was written was from geo-strategic perspective. Therefore, the question whether these small wars could be anything more than geo-strategy went unattended. The aim of this essay is to attend to this question by exploring the ontological dimension of war. From the perspective of Hegelian philosophy, states do not engage in wars just for strategic purpose, but also for encountering and seeking alterity in order to maintain their coherent self (the statehood). Alterity is imagined, created and engendered to strengthen the coherence of self, rather than at the outright elimination of the Other/enemy. In this line of argument, the so-called small wars on the Northwestern frontier--of present and of colonial past--can be seen as ontological project of the state maintaining the coherence of state, honor of the army, and "the enlightened moderation" of the people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To measure the differences in CIMT across groups based upon normal and higher levels of fasting glucose and lipids. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out between January to June 2011 at department of radiology and pathology, PNS Rahat hospital Karachi. From a target population of patients presenting for fasting blood glucose measurement, a total 0f 201 subjects were shortlisted and consented after various exclusion. These patients were sampled for glucose and lipids after brief clinical evaluation. Later subjects underwent CIMT measurement in radiology department. Results: Age showed moderate positive correlation with CIMT readings (r=0.493, p=0.000), while BMI (r=0.038, p=0.636), fasting blood glucose (r=0.038, p=0.646), triglyceride (r=0.179, p=0.029), and total cholesterol (r=0.221, p=0.007) showed lesser correlations. Patients with hyperglycemia had higher CIMT [{Group-1, Normolycemia, FBG≤5.5mmol/L = 0.667±0.137cm} {Group-2, Hyperglycemia, FBG>5.5mmol/L = 0.7180±0.147cm}(p=0.028)]. Mean CIMT values among subjects with hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia were higher than patients with normal triglycerides and cholesterol [(triglyceride: p=0.040) (total cholesterol: p=0.055)]. Conclusion: The carotid intima medial layers were found to be thicker in subjects having higher blood levels of fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child labour is an immense problem in Pakistan. As labour boys are put under persistent/severe physical stress, we hypothesised, that it may result in higher levels of cortisol and exhaust glycogen, fats and protein. Depletion of fats may result in lower body weight, and insufficient leptin concentrations could excite gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) at normal time of puberty in working boys. Moreover, lower testosterone levels in working boys, due to delayed puberty, may result in suppression of somatotropic axis. Short/weak stature and failure of onset of puberty may cause poor performance, inferiority complex and psychological disorders. Therefore, the present study is designed to find out the timing of onset of puberty in working boys. The study will include 10–18 years of working boys as case and non-working boys of the same age group as control. Working boys will be labour boys, while the control group will not be involved in physical work. A questionnaire will be used to record socioeconomic status, major diseases, nutritional status, type and duration of work and family history of puberty, growth and obesity of subjects. Boys with familial history of pubertal delay, obesity, malnutrition, mental disorders, haematological diseases and severe/chronic diseases will be excluded. The intensity of physical working stress will be determined by a grading scale. The anthropometric data including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), bone age and tests of adiposity will be collected from subjects. The stages of pubertal onset will be determined by Tanner staging. Serum concentrations of hormones of growth, thyroid, adrenal, brain–gut and gonadal axis will be determined in non-working and working boys. Physical and hormonal tests of the working boys and the comparison with non-working boys are sufficient to test the idea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There have been no previous studies conducted in Pakistan comparing the concordance of any well established Western anxiety/depression screening instrument with an indigenous scale, in a community based setting. Methods: Participants (n = 1040) in the present study were recruited from the six villages of our interest from the district Gujarat of Pakistan, using a convenient sampling technique. Interview versions of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist 10-item version (HSCL-10) and the Pakistani Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire (PADQ) were used to observe the pattern of anxiety and depression among the participants. Results: The internal consistency of HSCL-10 and PADQ were 0.86 and 0.84 respectively. Exploratory factor analysis found evidence for both a one-dimensional (distress) and a two-dimensional (anxiety and depression) solution for the HSCL-10, but only a one-dimensional (distress) solution for the PADQ. The HSCL-10 and PADQ found to be moderately to highly correlated (r = 0.62, p < 0.0001, 0.73 after correction for attenuation). Conclusion: HSCL-10 has shown good screening abilities in a rural setting in Pakistan, and moderate to good concordance with an indigenous instrument measuring psychological distress. The HSCL-10 can therefore be used as a screening instrument, both in clinical and epidemiological settings in Pakistan, and for Pakistani immigrants living in Western societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in energy requirements and its shortfall in developing countries have affected socioeconomic life. Communities in remote mountainous regions in Asia are among the most affected by energy deprivation. This study presents the feasibility of an alternate strategy of supplying clean energy to the areas consisting of pristine mountains and forest terrain. Southeast Asia has a much-diversified landscape and varied natural resources, including abundant water resources. The current study is motivated by this abundant supply of streams which provides an excellent environment for run-of-river micro vertical axis water turbines. However, to limit the scope of the study, the rivers and streams flowing in northern areas of Pakistan are taken as the reference. The study proposes a comprehensive answer for supplying low-cost sustainable energy solutions for such remote communities. The suggested solution consists of a preliminary hydrodynamic design using Qblade, further analysis using numerical simulations, and finally, experimental testing in a real-world environment. The results of this study show that the use of microturbines is a very feasible option considering that the power generation density of the microturbine comes out to be approximately 2100 kWh/year/m2, with minimal adverse effects on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somatostatin receptors (SStR) based 177Lu-DOTATATE therapy is known as one of the highly effective neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) treatment strategy. Development of DOTATATE freeze-dried kit for imaging and therapy of SStR positive NETs is a prime goal in neuroendocrine cancer research. The present work describes the development of 177Lu-DOTATATE freeze dried cold kit for indigenous needs, through technology development fund (TDF) program offered by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan. The parameters for freeze dried kit production was optimized and tested the stored lyophilized cold kits for different time intervals after labeling with 177Lu radioisotope. The effect of ligand to radionuclide ratio, pH and reaction time at 90°C was recorded. Five times greater molar concentration of ligand, pH 5 and 30 min reaction time were the effective reaction conditions for maximum radiochemical yield. The radiolabeling yield at 1 day, 1-week and 4-week post storing period showed ∼100% radiochemical yield. The biodistribution study using rat model depicted the absence of non-targeted accumulation while glomerular filtration rate also explains the rapid renal washout. Cytotoxicity study showed quite favorable results for subjecting the radiopharmaceutical to clinical practice in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Both hormonal and genetic data reveal that the stress hormone cortisol and its regulating genes may affect the level of testosterone in humans. It is uncertain whether type 2 diabetes mellitus would manifest similarly. Furthermore, a genetic strategy to screen out the stress system genes that may contribute to testosterone decline in humans is less understood. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to elucidate the link between stress and testosterone levels, both hormonally and genetically. Method: This study comprised 37 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 50 healthy individuals. For the analysis of hormones and the targeted genes, we used the RIA system and bioinformatics expertise. Results: The patients had significantly elevated cortisol and lower testosterone readings, according to data from hormonal analyses. The bioinformatics approach reveals that SHBG was intracellularly suppressed by 2 defined stress system genes: FKB5 and CYP17. TCF4/TCF8, ATRX, and AR in skeletal muscle were inversely related to stress system genes. Furthermore, all testosterone regulated genes were positively linked with SHBG in the current study. A strong relationship between GNAS and PKA with CYP17 and FKBP5 reveals that the Gαs-cAMP/PKA signaling pathway may be one of the regulatory pathways through which the suppression of testosterone system genes happens. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that beyond stress, the key stress system genes might affect cortisol levels, which in turn affect testosterone figures via the Gαs-cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]