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This study investigates the molecular prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of two prominent blood-borne pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Plasmodium spp., in common quails (Coturnix coturnix) sampled from both wild (N = 236) and farmed (N = 197) populations across four districts (Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, and Multan) in Punjab, Pakistan, during the hunting seasons from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, the impact of these pathogens on the complete blood count (CBC) of the hosts is examined. Out of 433 quails tested, 25 (5.8%) exhibited amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) gene for T. gondii, while 15 (3.5%) showed amplification of the Cytochrome b gene for Plasmodium spp. A risk factor analysis indicated that the prevalence of both pathogens was not confined to specific sampling sites or bird sexes (P > 0.05). District-wise analysis highlighted that hens were more susceptible to both T. gondii and Plasmodium spp. infections than cocks. Wild quails exhibited a higher susceptibility to T. gondii compared to farmed birds. Significant CBC variations were recorded in infected birds as compared to uninfected ones. BLAST analysis of generated sequences has confirmed the identity of recovered PCR amplicons as T. gondii and Plasmodium relictum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Pakistani isolates clustered with those reported from various countries globally. This study provides the first documentation of T. gondii and Plasmodium sp. infections in Pakistani quails, underscoring the need for detailed investigations across different regions to enhance our understanding of infection rates and the zoonotic potential of these parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities are increasing the amount of heavy metals and metalloids in the environment on a global scale, harming all living things and necessitating the employment of bioremediation procedures. Metal-resistant bacteria were used to clean polluted soil and promote plant growth; this approach has gained attention in recent years for bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated systems. We studied the effects of chromium and lithium in Oryza sativa under controlled conditions. In the present study, lithium concentration was applied 50 ppm to 200 ppm according to the dose tolerance level, while the concentration of chromium was 10 ppm throughout the experimental setup due to its concentration observed up to 10 ppm in the targeted soil, which is present in Kasur area Punjab, Pakistan, for rice crop production in future perspective. The results reflect that plants with high lithium concentration have shown decreased plant growth and development, but due to bacterial presence, they thrived until harvesting stage. Due to increase in stress concentration up to 200 ppm, decline in plant growth was observed, but after bacterial inoculation, better growth was seen (chlorophyll content increased to 40, and panicle numbers were more than 13). Our findings reveal that lithium and chromium have a direct negative impact on Oryza sativa, which can be minimized by utilizing halophilic microbes (Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterobacter cloacae) through soil–plant system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Anaplasma ovis is an intra-erythrocytic gram negative rickettsial bacterium that infects small ruminants, resulting in huge economic losses worldwide. Materials and Methods: The present investigation aims at reporting the molecular prevalence of A. ovis in 1200 asymptomatic goats that were enrolled from 4 districts (Layyah, Lohdran, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajanpur) in Punjab, Pakistan by targeting the msp4 gene of bacterium. Risk factors associated with the prevalence of A. ovis and phylogeny of bacterium were also documented. Results: 184 out of 1200 (15%) goat blood samples were infected with A. ovis. The prevalence of the pathogen varied with the sampling sites (p = 0.005), and the highest prevalence was detected in goats from Layyah (19%) followed by Rajanpur (17%), Dera Ghazi Khan (15%), and Lohdran district (9%). The represented partial msp4 gene amplicon was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and deposited to GenBank (OP225957-59). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the amplified isolates resembled the msp4 sequences reported from Iran, Mangolia, Sudan, and the United States. Sex and age of goats, herd composition and size, and the presence of ticks on goats and dogs associated with herds were the rick factors associated with the prevalence of A. ovis. Red blood cells, lymphocytes (%), neutrophils (%), hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels in blood and Aspartate amino transferase, urea, and creatinine levels in serum were disturbed in A. ovis infected goats when compared with uninfected animals. Conclusion: We are reporting the prevalence of A. ovis in Pakistani goats from four districts of Punjab and these data will help in developing the integrated control policies against this tick-borne pathogen that is infecting our goat breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement is one of the key components of concrete, and the qualities of a particular type of cement will affect the attributes of concrete made with that cement. The influence of variations in cement brand attributes that are available in Pakistan is examined in this study. Poor cement choice may affect how long a concrete building project will last. Fineness, cement consistency, concrete compressive strength, and mortar cube strength all grow with cement fineness since they all have a positive relationship with each other. This study aimed to investigate a few particular mechanical and physical characteristics of eight cement brands used in Punjab, Pakistan. The brands of cement that were compared were Kohat, Askari, Bestway, Paidaar, DG, Pioneer, Flying, and Fauji cement. The testing was carried out in a lab and according to ASTM guidelines. In contrast, Kohat had 5.17%, Askari had 8.67%, Bestway had 3%, DG had 2.67, Flying had 9.67, and Fauji cement had 6.33%, with only Paidaar above the allowed limits. Kohat and Paidaar cement's typical consistency was 30%, DG cement was 26%, and Bestway cement was 26%; all of them fell within the range of (26%- 33%). The 28-day compressive strength test results for DG cement and Bestway cement were 7787.74 Psi and 7225.17 Psi, respectively. The strength of Pioneer and Flying cement was found to be lower than that of other cement brands. Except for DG and Bestway cement, all eight brands of cement are used for all structural elements. Bestway cement is much superior for high-rise structures and heavy structural members. Consequently, by comparing the trace element concentration of various brands of Portland cement in Pakistan, the study evaluates the impact of trace element content on cement quality and concrete strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent debates-like agenda 2030-emphasize that women are not just the potential beneficiaries of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), yet they are also active change agents in achieving them. This study used non-parametric techniques to investigate and compare the impact of three entrepreneur-supporting interventions-interest-free start-up credit, skill-development short courses, and information and communication technologies (ICTs) use-in lowering the impediments defying women entrepreneurs in Punjab-Pakistan. We identified 33 barriers and three groups of respondents based on intervention(s) availed. Mean score ranking analysis reveals 25 out of 33 barriers as critical in affecting women entrepreneurs in category one, whereas women entrepreneurs in category two and three are found to face 20 and 14 critical barriers, respectively. Furthermore, we used factor analysis to group these 25 critical barriers into five principal groups: (1) business management & marketing barriers, (2) gender & social barriers, (3) client and customer-related barriers, (4) public policy and governance barriers, and (5) innovation & knowledge-management barriers. Moreover, the study advances a comprehensive understanding of underlying grouped barriers to devise coherent plans and collaborative actions-involving local institutions, stakeholders, academia, and industry-for containing these snags and to better harvest the impacts of development initiatives. The study extends the existing literature on techno-economic disclosure, digital transformation and entrepreneurship, and sustainable knowledge management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers in South Asia is on a declining trajectory due to increased losses. Biochar (BC) and slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizers (SRNF) have been found to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in certain cases. However, field-scale studies to explore the potential of BC and SRNF in south Asian arid climate are lacking. Here we conducted a field experiment in the arid environment to demonstrate the response of BC and SRNF on cotton growth and yield quality. The treatments were comprised of two factors, (A) nitrogen sources, (i) simple urea, (ii)neem-coated urea, (iii)sulfur-coated urea, (iv) bacterial coated urea, and cotton stalks biochar impregnated with simple urea, and (B) nitrogen application rates, N1=160 kg ha-1, N2 = 120 kg ha-1, and N3 = 80 kg ha-1. Different SRNF differentially affected cotton growth, morphological and physiological attributes, and seed cotton yield (SCY). The bacterial coated urea at the highest rate of N application (160 kg ha-1) resulted in a higher net leaf photosynthetic rate (32.8 μmol m-2 s-1), leaf transpiration rate (8.10 mmol s-1), and stomatal conductance (0.502 mol m-2 s-1), while leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), and seed cotton yield (4513 kg ha-1) were increased by bacterial coated urea at 120 kg ha-1 than simple urea. However, low rate N application (80 kg ha-1) of bacterial coated urea showed higher nitrogen use efficiency (39.6 kg SCY kg-1 N). The fiber quality (fiber length, fiber strength, ginning outturn, fiber index, and seed index) was also increased with the high N application rates than N2 and N3 application. To summarize, the bacterial coated urea with recommended N (160 kg ha-1) and 75% of recommended N application (120 kg ha-1) may be recommended for farmers in the arid climatic conditions of Punjab to enhance the seed cotton yield, thereby reducing nitrogen losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan is known to be a climate vulnerable country in the world. Being an agrarian country, floods poses higher threat to rural livelihood. The study assessed the underline causes of livelihood vulnerability in a flood prone rural area surrounded by riverine Jhok Reserve forest of Punjab Province. Using Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI), eight potential components were inquired from two hundred natural-resource dependent households. Two approaches of LVI were customized to incorporate indigenous knowledge into 42 sub-components. The findings of the study showed that local people had poor socio-economic conditions, which led to have a wide networking gap in the community. People have become highly vulnerable to climatic changes because of higher environmental degradation in form of riverbank erosion, deforestation, etc. It was revealed that community in Jhok Reserve Forest had low adaptive capacities mainly due to higher poverty, low education level and lack of awareness about future disasters. And this has exposed them being unable to adapt to environmental changes. The findings of the study are significant for the policy makers to analyze the root causes of livelihood vulnerability and formulate agricultural adaptations for other rural communities. Overall, it is suggested that a reliable vulnerability assessment approach is presented in the study which can be replicated in other settings and regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the pre-diagnosis perceptions and experiences of semi-urban women regarding maternal depression and the issues in the follow-up of its treatment. Using the patient's end of Kleinman's Explanatory Model of Illness, it documents the whole episode of maternal depression in women. The main focus group of this study includes the women diagnosed with maternal depression and registered in the health facilities of Rawalpindi. Research was conducted in one primary health facility i.e. rural health centre of Khayaban e Sir Syed and one secondary health facility i.e. the Tehsil Headquarter Hospital of Taxila that were subject to the Mother and Child Health Program under the Rural Health Sector Reform Project in Punjab. The data shows that the socio-cultural setting of the women affects their perspectives and beliefs regarding maternal depression as well as shapes their health-seeking behavior, as there seemed to be a preference of religious and cultural coping mechanisms resulting in poor compliance with medical services and hurdles in the follow-up of medical treatment. Through understanding the illness beliefs of these women, effective measures can be taken for the provision of better health facilities and ensuring their follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planned study was conducted to estimate per acre cost of production and net returns of strawberry. It also identified the factors affecting the productivity of strawberry. The research also put fingers on identifying different marketing channels prevalent in strawberry supply chain. Primary data were collected from 110 farmers engaged in strawberry cultivation using a well-structured and field pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to explain the socioeconomic characteristics of the farm households while multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the factors affecting the production of strawberry. The results purported that per acre yield and farm gate price received were 244 mounds and Rs. 1964/40 kg, respectively. Total revenue from strawberry cultivation was estimated as Rs. 478234 and net profit gained from one acre of strawberry was Rs. 250979. Growing strawberry is profitable enterprise as returns are more than double against the cost incurred. The Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) was calculated to be 2.10. The results revealed that the education, land holding, dummy of sowing time, climate adaptation and mitigation, and access to loan were contributing positively and significantly to strawberry production. However, owing the existence of fruits and vegetables market far away from farm showed a negative impact on yield. It is need of the time that educated farmers should be encouraged to engage in the strawberry farming. Policy makers and extension workers should motivate the farmers to increase the acreage under cultivation of strawberry. Farmers should be given guidelines regarding the adaptation measures to cope the vulnerabilities of climate. Easy and timely availability of loan should be ensured to the farmers. Finally, output markets should be developed nearby growing areas to fetch higher prices and reduce transportation cost and post-harvest losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agglomeration economies are the external benefits earned from clustering of industries and people in cities. The study assumes unbridled clustering of population in emerging urban agglomerations turning economies into diseconomies. This study empirically investigates the heterogeneous socioeconomic impacts of agglomeration economies in selected cities of Punjab, Pakistan, from 1998 to 2018, using the Pooled Mean Group and the Mean Group techniques of Panel ARDL. Agglomeration economies are determined by population density, number of registered factories, employment size, and housing, in the cities of Punjab. The study designed four indices for socioeconomic conditions using principal component analysis. These include: education-index, healthcare-index, water & sanitation-index, and economic conditions-index. Research findings reveal pressures of high population density, unemployment, and costly housing on educational & healthcare facilities, poor sanitation & waste management, in cities of Punjab, Pakistan. The study suggests that policy makers and urban planners to develop short term and long term policies and development plans for villages and secondary cities to uplift wellbeing of the local population. Nonetheless, cities need to decentralize for sustainable development and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Bovine viral diarrhea virus; BVDV; Sero-prevalence; Risk factors; Southern Punjab EN Bovine viral diarrhea virus BVDV Sero-prevalence Risk factors Southern Punjab INTRODUCTION Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an enveloped positive-sense, single-stranded, RNA virus of approximately 12.5 kb in length (Richter et al. 2017). As during the first round of sampling, no sample was found positive for BVDV antigen, so it was not possible to go for the second round of sampling for the detection for BVDV PI animal. Distinctive consideration should be given for addressing identified risk factors of BVDV, such as checking the status of BVDV before allowing entry of newly purchased animals into herds, discouraging the workers visiting other farms and encouraging the culling of animals with more abortion history. Sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in non-vaccinated dairy and dual purpose cattle herds in Ecuador. [Extracted from the article]

This paper examined the market integration through price signaling in selected chickpea markets of Punjab using Johnson Cointegration technique. The average monthly wholesale prices of seven Chickpea markets Sargodha, Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, Layyah, Bhakhar, and Rawalpindi were used for analysis for the period January, 2007-November, 2018. The empirical results show that six major chickpea markets were integrated with each other i.e., there exist law of one price. Sargodha market emerged as the source market for other six markets - may be called as target markets. The Granger-Casualty results show, there exists bidirectional causality among all markets except Sargodha and Multan market, where exist Uni-directional causality. The study also verified the dynamic of price transmission by using vector autoregressive (VAR) i.e., a 10 percent increase in the price shock to Sargodha market transmitted to the all other chickpea markets. The findings of the study suggested, chickpeas markets in Punjab are working efficiently and there is no need of direct state intervention in markets to improve the efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. This empirical research investigates the interplay between Total Quality Manage-ment (TQM), Project Performance (PP), and Supervisor Support (SS) within the context of post-Covid-19 pandemic manufacturing firms in Pakistan. The study involved the develop-ment and distribution of a questionnaire to manufacturing industries located in federal area of Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and northern Punjab, Pakistan. Upon scrutiniz-ing the collected data, the research revealed a noteworthy and positive correlation between Total Quality Management and Project Performance. Out of 195 distributed questionnaires, 131 responses were received. Interestingly, while global literature commonly asserts that Su-pervisor Support serves as a beneficial moderator in the relationship between Total Quality Management and Project Performance, the study's findings in the Pakistani manufacturing sector suggested a different reality. Specifically, supervisors were perceived as providing in-sufficient support to their subordinates in matters of quality. Some employees also highlighted that their organizations struggled to implement TQM practices fully, occasionally breaching cost and time constraints in projects; nevertheless, these organizations remained highly prof-itable. Overall, it suggests that manufacturing industries in Pakistan may benefit from pri-oritizing Supervisor Support within the framework of Total Quality Management to enhance their overall performance and production efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Amidst recent environmental challenges, Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices have been widely acknowledged as a prospective and effective alternative to sustainable food production. Despite the serious global concerns and appeal to implement Agenda 2030, the task for the widespread adoption of CSA-practices seems challenging in developing countries. To this end, this study examines the impact of two institutional characteristics – market structure, and interaction – on the uptake of six CSA practices in Pakistan, namely: integrated pest management, agroforestry, cover cropping, integrated crop-animal farming, traditional organic composting, and crop rotation and diversification. The data set for this work consisted of 600 new entry organic farmers collected from 12 districts of Punjab province, Pakistan. Results of the binary logistic regression models show that, inter alia , the institutional factors, contractual agreements, entrepreneurial support, and market orientation are related to the adoption of multiple CSA practices (≥3). The findings of the study suggest promoting the integrated role of entrepreneurial support, public and private partnership, and supportive institutional landscape for implementing CSA practices in Pakistan. Further, the study also proposes the implementation of revised contractual agreements by tracking CSA practices with lower uptake and introducing such practices as a package in the contractual agreements. The findings of the study provide several theoretical and practical implications for sustainability along with extending the existing literature on CSA, sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and institutional characteristics. Lastly, the study also shows some limitations each of which provides avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a World Health Organization (WHO)-listed neglected tropical farm economy jeopardizing and public health concern disease. This study was aimed at furnishing sero-epidemiological baseline data of CE in sheep in Pakistan, where data are non-existent. For this purpose, two sheep-rich provinces of Pakistan were selected, and 728 sheep sera were collected using probability proportional to size (PPS) statistical technique. Epidemiological information was recorded on a questionnaire for the estimation of potential risk factors. The serum samples were analyzed for IgG antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus using an in-house-developed EgAgB-based ELISA kit. The overall seroprevalence recorded was 21.98% (160/728) in the tested sheep, suggesting higher seropositivity in sheep from Punjab (23.73%) as compared to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) (19.04%). The overall apparent prevalence observed by this ELISA method was almost similar to the calculated true prevalence (21.77%). Prevalence was significantly different (p < 0.05) among sheep from different districts. Higher prevalence was found in females (22.54%, OR 1.41), age group > 5 years (29.66%, OR 1.64), crossbreeds (42.85%, OR 2.70), and sheep with pasture access (25.96%, OR 3.06). Being in age group > 5 years and having pasture access were the factors significantly associated with seropositivity (p < 0.05). This study provides serological evidence of E. granulosus infection in sheep and can be used as a model for ante-mortem screening of the sheep globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research suggests differences in Personal Knowledge and Information Management (PKIM) behaviour for different groups of researchers. Yet, most investigations have neglected to investigate PKIM behaviour differences between agriculture teachers and practitioners. The current study filled this gap and evaluated PKIM behaviour differences between agriculture practitioners and teachers. A quantitative research design and cross-sectional survey were employed to collect the data. 232 agriculture practitioners and teachers were selected via proportionate random sampling from four agriculture institutes in Punjab, Pakistan in year 2020. Data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire having different sections about PKIM behaviour including 1) Information Gathering and Searching (IGAS) 2(Information Organizing, Keeping and Securing (IOKS) 3(Information Selecting and Evaluating (ISAE). To draw the result, independent samples t-test was applied. The study’s results demonstrate that there are notable distinctions in personal knowledge and management behaviour between agriculture practitioners and teachers, with a statistically significant t-value of 72.05 (p < .05) indicating a substantial difference. Moreover, the findings also highlighted marked variations between the two groups in their IGAS, IOKS, and ISAE scores. These observations have noteworthy implications for personal knowledge and information management behaviour in the agriculture domain, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the unique characteristics and practices of different groups within the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan developed the ever first variety of barley as Jau-17 in Pakistan. Barley variety performed best in a series of irrigated and rainfed yield trials conducted at Wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad and outstation yield trials throughout the Punjab province during 2008-2019. In the yield trials for three consecutive years from Preliminary to Regular and Advanced Yield Trials, it had out-yielded the check variety Haider-93 by an average of 23.34% while in outstation yield trials throughout the Punjab province, it produced 11.40% higher grain yield than commercial check variety Haider-93. Jau-17 had medium to tall stature of about 99 to 110 cm length, growth habit was semi erect and had medium-length-awned ear which had yellowish white color. It took 90 to 100 days to complete heading and matured in 140 to 145 days with tillering capacity (154-160 per m²). The seed is amber in color with 1000-grain weight of upto 42 gram. For quality trait evaluation it had good quantity for protein (12 to 13.7%) and test weight (52.7 to 58 kg/hl) along with opaque seed surface. Its malt making quality was excellent for industrial uses. In 2019 Jau-17 was approved by Punjab Seed Council for general cultivation due to its superior performance over the years for better grain yield, resistance against rusts and nutrition quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]