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OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of goiter among the population of Timergara, Lower Dir. METHODOLOGY A retrospective study was carried out at the district headquarters hospital Timergara hospital of district lower dir. The study duration was one year from January 2018 to December 2018. The data were collected from 205 patients in the district headquarters hospital Timergara district lower dir. the clinical data of patients were collected through proforma. It was approved by the research committee of the Department of the surgical, institute of paramedical sciences, Khyber medical university Peshawar Duranpur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Percentage and frequencies have been used to determine the frequency of goiter at district lower dir. SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis. RESULTS This study shows that goiter is most frequently occurring in females as compared to males. out of 205 patients with goiter 58 patients were male and 147 were female. Female frequency was higher than male. Secondly, it was observed that goiter is more frequent in people aged 35 -44. i.e., out of 205 patients, 37.1% were in this age group. patients having goiter were mostly from hilly areas (61.5%). It was also observed in this study large number of patients were having visible goiter of grade two. CONCLUSION It was concluded that goiter most of the females and older population are suffering from the goiter.

The realization of water splitting at a commercial scale is one of the major obstacles to the development of a viable and long-term hydrogen economy. In this regard 3d-transition metals (TMs) doped anatase TiO2 slabs are investigated to understand the role of magnetism in water splitting using density functional theory (DFT). The structural stability of various 3d-TMs (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) doped in TiO2 ultrathin films have been investigated. The electronic band structures show that the doping of 3d-TMs makes the bandgap of TiO2 narrow which leads to the improvement of photo-reactivity as well as maintains the strong redox potential. The large magnetic moment of Fe- and Mn-doped slabs indicates that high charge transfer to water molecules with low adsorption energy. The results demonstrate that V, Fe, and Co doping makes the slabs ferromagnetic (FM), whereas Cr, Mn, Ni, and Cu doping makes the slabs non-magnetic. The water molecule is placed on each FM slab and their splitting behavior has been analyzed thoroughly. It was concluded that magnetism does not affect water splitting.

In this article, we introduce a new geometrical structure which is the hybrid of cone metric space over Banach algebra and extended b-metric space. We prove analogues of Banach, Kannan and Reich type fixed point theorems in our introduced space. We also furnish with various concrete examples to establish the validity of our results. The obtained results generalize many well-known results in literature, especially the main results due to Vujakovic et al., Hussain et al., Huang, Radenovic, Xu become special cases of our results.

The external influence due to the severe repercussions of unprecedented and un-attended pollution has put vulnerable marine ecosystems at high risk of irreversible damage. This business-as-usual scenario could render them unfit to offer sustenance along with innumerable ecosystem services. Since the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment 1972, there have been global efforts to raise awareness, build capacity, and govern the pollution issue for a sustainable solution. However, there is a growing concern about the adequacy of the desired level of mobilization and readiness so far achieved at the level of various stakeholders to respond to the issue of maritime pollution. In this context, the present study was aimed at assessing the relationship between knowledge, perception, and attitude of the stakeholders regarding their engagement towards maritime pollution at sea, beach, and coastal environments, by incorporating multi-criteria quantitative analysis method for a case study of Karachi area in Pakistan. The structured questionnaire incorporates Knowledge, Perception, and Attitude as three key variables for three principles; four standardized criteria each, with eighteen indicators transformed into queries by applying MCDA’s Simple Multi Attribute Rating (SMART) technique for scoring to quantify the feedback of 304 respondents through a ratio scale having nominal qualifiable classes. The analysis has offered insight into the ways the stakeholders are perpetrating pollution and how their respective actions are important in the abatement of marine pollution. One-tailed Pearson Correlation analysis reveals insignificant relationship between the variables, indicating that the level of understanding of the stakeholders has not developed opinions to an extent that would enable an appropriate behavioral approach toward the abatement of the pollution. It suggests inducing awareness, mobilization, and reforms to encourage collective action by all actors.

Land is one of the most vital nonrenewable resources that guarantee the survival and development of humans on planet Earth. In the 21st century, rapid population growth accompanied by expeditious industrialization and urbanization has led to land degradation and irreparable damage. In Pakistan, land degradation has affected the livelihood of 3.58% of the total population. This study aimed to identify the soil erosion-based land that is degraded in Pakistan through an analytical hierarchal process (AHP). For this purpose, climatic parameters such as vis-a-vis precipitation, temperature, land use/land cover, soil parameters (i.e., soil pH, soil texture, soil bulk density, and soil moisture content), and topographic parameters (i.e., slope, elevation, aspect, and drainage density) were taken into the consideration. Weights and scores were assigned in integration with a weighted overlay analysis (WOA) to the prioritized parameters. The findings revealed that Zone A comprising high mountains is severely affected by land degradation, followed by Zone D and E (Sindh and Balochistan). Key factors operating in Zone D and E are hyper-arid climatic conditions along with inefficient land management practices. The overall results validated the hypothesis that soil erosion strongly correlates with an increase in the magnitude and severity of land degradation.

Agriculture has a very strong nexus with water and energy sectors due to their complex interdependence and interplay in the context of adaptation, resilience, mitigation, and low carbon development to cope with the increasing effects of a changing climate. The situation demands a comprehensive response in terms of policies, legal instruments, institutional strategies, and management in the national, sub-national, and local contexts of the governance for climate compatibility, environmental security, and sustainable agriculture development; particularly in developing countries, as they are at the forefront of a high vulnerability risk and severe environmental insecurity due to a business-as-usual complex and weak governance. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the adequacy of the climate response vis-à-vis policies, legal and other appropriate arrangements in place for agriculture governance by reviewing the high vulnerability case of Pakistan. Considering the need, the assessment model was developed using the first climate principle, nine criteria, and 43 composite indicators. A multi-criteria decision analysis method along with Simple Multi Attribute Rating Technique (SMART) on a ratio scale, combining qualitative and quantitative data and employing rule-based and rights-based governance approaches were adopted to collect and analyze a dataset of 357 observations from 17 locations, which were validated through Pearson Correlation, Regression, and KW H-Tests. The findings reveal significant gaps at the federal, provincial, and district levels in policies, legal and institutional strategies to step forward the climate agenda in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. However, the inadequacy is not homogenous at all levels of governance. The overall situation is similar to what has been reported in developing countries in the United Nations Report on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2020. Provincial climate strategies are required along with enhanced coordination and capacities for execution at all tiers of constituencies.

Wound infections are one of the most common hospital acquired infections and are an important cause of morbidity and account for 70-80% mortality. The Purpose of the current study was to determine the commonest bacteria associated with wound infections at Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar January 2019 to June 2020. A total of 100 culture positive samples from patients with mean age of 6.2+0.25 were analyzed. Patient history and clinical findings were collected on a pre-coded form. Pus samples or wound swabs were collected from infected wounds and were analyzed through culturing and biochemical methods for aerobic bacteria. A total of 109 bacteria were isolated from 100 samples with almost same frequency of Gram positive cocci 54(49.54%) and Gram negative bacilli 55(50.45%). Most frequently isolated organism was S. aureus 45(41.28%) followed by Pseudomonas species 20(18.35%).From this study we conclude that Wound infection remains an ongoing problem which, although, cannot be completely eradicated, however by taking prompt control measures against the most commonly isolated organism and proper care of wound may lead to the minimum of wound infection. Keywords: Abscess, wound infection, padiatric surgical wounds, arobic bacteria

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of heritable connective tissue disorders. Common features of EDS include skin hyperextensibility, articular hypermobility, and tissue fragility. It is classified into 13 subtypes, caused by variations of more than 19 different genes. Among these two subtypes, EDS musculocontractural type 1 (EDSMC1/mcEDS-CHST14; MIM# 601776) is caused by biallelic mutations in the CHST14 gene (MIM# 608429) on chromosome 15q14 and EDS musculocontractural type 2 (EDSMC2/mcEDS-DSE;MIM#615539) is caused by a mutation in DSE (MIM# 605942) on chromosome 6q22. In this study, clinical and molecular diagnoses have been performed for a consanguineous Pakistani (Pakhtun) family with five affected siblings, presenting mcEDS-DSE phenotype. Whole-exome sequencing analysis identified a novel homozygous DSE variant (NM_001080976.1; c.2813T>A, p.Val938Asp) in the proband. Sanger sequencing in all available affected members and their obligate carriers confirmed autosomal recessive segregation of the diseased allele. To the best of our knowledge, this variant identified is novel and expands the DSE pathogenicity leading to EDS, musculocontractural type 2. The result obtained has the potential to help in early diagnosis, genetic counseling, and possible therapeutic inventions.

The rapid pace of unattended urbanization has caused the urban heat island phenomenon, due to which the United Nations SDGs agenda 2030 calls for immediate actions for “sustainable cities and communities”. In this context, the case of the emerging metropolitan city Islamabad has been studied based on its developmental discourse vis-à-vis associated environmental problems. A time-series trend for the land surface temperature was generated by investigating the change in minimum and maximum variability against a dataset of 1960–2012 which was obtained from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, along with MODIS LST images from January 2000 to December 2015. The statistical comparison of an eight-day composite of the maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) temperature reveals an increasing trend with R2 values of 0.2507 (Tmin) and 0.1868 (Tmax). The box plots for both the Tmin and Tmax depict changes in seasonal patterns for Islamabad, with summers becoming longer and winters becoming harsher. Moreover, the application of the Mann–Kendall test affirmed the slope of the R2 linear trend map and showed the temperature regression in the Margalla Hills National Park and in such urban zones which had an expanded vegetative cover. These findings will act as a guide for urban planners and future researchers to maintain a standardized urban heat island and promote the concept of sustainable cities in the future course of action.

Indium-tin oxide electrodes modified with vertically aligned silica nanochannel membrane have been produced by electrochemically assisted self-assembly of cationic surfactants (cetyl- or octadecyl-trimethylammonium bromide) and concomitant polycondensation of the silica precursors (tetraethoxysilane). They exhibited pore diameters in the 2-3 nm range depending on the surfactant used. After surfactant removal, the bottom of mesopores was derivatized with aminophenyl groups via electrografting (i.e., electrochemical reduction of in situ generated aminophenyl monodiazonium salt). These species covalently bonded to the ITO substrate were then exploited to grow polyaniline nanofilaments by electropolymerization of aniline through the nanochannels. Under potentiostatic conditions, the length of polyaniline wires is controllable by tuning the electropolymerization time. From cyclic voltammetry characterization performed either before or after dissolution of the silica template, it appeared that both the polyaniline/silica composite and the free polyaniline nanowire arrays were electroactive, yet with much larger peak currents in the latter case as a result of larger effective surface area offered to the electrolyte solution. At identical electropolymerization time, the amount of deposited polyaniline was larger when using the silica membrane with larger pore diameter. All polyaniline deposits exhibited electrochromic properties. However, the spectroelectrochemical data indicated more complete interconversion between the coloured oxidized form and colourless reduced polyaniline for the arrays of nanofilaments in comparison to bulky films. In addition, the template-free nanowire arrays (i.e., after silica dissolution) were characterized by faster electrochromic behaviour than the polyaniline/silica hybrid, confirming the potential interest of such polyaniline nano-brushes for practical applications.

This paper explores the socio-ecological changes perceived by the X-hamlet local community in Bangka Island before and after the spread of large-scale tin mining and how it adapted to those changes. Using evidence collected by household surveys, combined with key informant interviews and focus group discussions, this study shows that the spread of tin mining activity on large and small scales were perceived differently by subsistence groups within this hamlet as a key driver of coastal ecosystem and land tenure system changes, leading to income uncertainty. The household economic conditions, resource availability, relationships, and networking are important factors influencing household decisions on diversifying income sources. Nonetheless, the lack of capital (physical, financial, human), limited skill, and low education levels constrained to them in diversifying their income sources. Thus, landless households are facing a greater challenge in adapting, particularly fishers who are facing ongoing fish depletion yields due to suction dredger and small-scale coastal mining. The landless fishers are potentially marginalized by engaging in mining activity which is an economical, socially, and environmentally unsustainable alternative livelihood. Therefore, future policies need to address those key issues for securing local’s lives and livelihoods.

Aniline is electropolymerized through mesoporous silica nanopores (100 nm-long, 3 nm in diameter) orthogonally oriented on indium-tin oxide (ITO). Only a few polyaniline (PANI) wires are accommodated in the nanochannels and their growth is electrochemically controlled. The electronic transport properties of PANI@SiO2 are studied by Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy (C-AFM), using a Pt-coated C-AFM tip. Three different behaviors are observed. First, linear I/V curves are obtained when PANI is deposited in the nanopores with material spilling over the silica membrane; electron transport occurs through many PANI@SiO2 channels and the overall conductance is high. Second, flat I/V curves are recorded, indicating “insulator” behavior when the SiO2 nanopores are not fully filled by PANI wires. Thirdly, non-linear I/V curves, which are quantitatively highly reproducible and independent of the point probed, are obtained. These are attributed to the formation of molecular junctions where the C-AFM tip in contact with the nanopores acts as the top electrode and vertical PANI wires just fill the SiO2 channels. The size of the top electrode and the reproducilility of the I/V suggest that the C-AFM is seeing about 5 nanopores each filled with one or two PANI wires.

Micro-credit programs have an enormous influence on the lives of millions of poor people from the rural areas of Bangladesh. This paper explores the significant contributions made by micro-credit concerning poverty reduction by increasing the income generating activities, empowerment of the rural poor so that they can properly get access to development services. This study is based on a household questionnaire survey, involving 533 respondents, and geographical information system (GIS) analysis to identify the concentration of NGOs, offering micro-credit in rural programs and find potential areas in need of such programs. A total of 30 NGOs with its 175 sub-branches were found in the study area. The NGOs have been considered the savior to the countless number of people who suffers from food, cloth, education and basic health facilities. Among others, the most prominent micro-credit institutions found were BRAC, Grameen Bank, RDRS Bangladesh and ASA. These institutions are working massively on poverty reduction, empowerment, and improvement of living standards for the poor people of the rural area. It indicates that NGOs have recognized to be very successful as a delivery system regarding relief and micro-credit inputs to the rural poor. However, in terms of poverty reduction, some individual achievements may have been made, but net welfare achievements at the union level remain nonexistent. The study suggests that NGOs should also focus on remote areas where such programs are severely needed to reduce poverty alleviation while working on improving their loan management system.

We present an efficient, highly selective and binder free non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on polyaniline@copper-nickel (PANI@CuNi) nanocomposite. PANI@CuNi nanocomposites with different loading ratio of nanoparticles (1: 025, 1: 0.33, 1: 05 and 1: 1) were prepared by mixing solution of PANI, synthesized through inverse emulsion polymerization method, and CuNi nanoparticles, synthesized through polyol process. The as prepared PANI@CuNi nanocomposites were coated on glassy carbon substrate without binder for non-enzymatic glucose sensing. A considerable increase in the active surface area of the electrode occurred after coating of this material. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry demonstrated that PANI@CuNi nanocomposite with 1: 0.5 ratio could be a good choice to be used as electrode material for non-enzymatic glucose sensing. The PANI@CuNi modified electrode exhibited high sensitivity (1030 μA mM−1 cm−2), good lower detection limit (0.2 μM) and a linear range of 5.6 mM (R2 = 0.992) with additional advantage of excellent selectivity, high stability and effective detection in real blood samples.

Purpose This study aims to investigate risks associated with climate change vulnerability and in response the adaptation methods used by farming communities to reduce its negative impacts on agriculture in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The study used household survey method of data collection in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, involving 116 randomly selected respondents. Findings Prevalent crops diseases, water scarcity, soil fertility loss and poor socio-economic conditions were main contributing factors of climate change vulnerability. The results further showed that changing crops type and cultivation pattern, improved seed varieties, planting shaded trees and the provision of excessive fertilizers are the measures adapted to improve agricultural productivity, which may reduce the climate change vulnerability at a household level. Research limitations/implications The major limitation of this study was the exclusion of women from the survey due to religious and cultural barriers of in Pashtun society, wherein women and men do not mingle. Practical implications Reducing climate change vulnerability and developing more effective adaptation techniques require assistance from the government. This help can be in the form of providing basic resources, such as access to good quality agricultural inputs, access to information and extension services on climate change adaptation and modern technologies. Consultation with other key stakeholder is also required to create awareness and to build the capacity of the locals toward reducing climate change vulnerability and facilitating timely and effective adaptation. Originality/value This original research work provides evidence about farm-level vulnerability, adaptation strategies and risk perceptions on dealing with climate-change-induced natural disasters in Pakistan. This paper enriches existing knowledge of climate change vulnerability and adaptation in this resource-limited country so that effective measures can be taken to reduce vulnerability of farming communities, and enhance their adaptive capability.

Pupils constantly face risks as they spend most of their time in schools and become easy victims of natural hazards. It is also important for schools in countries like Pakistan where disaster preparedness is subject to a choice rather than a compulsory obligation to provide a robust disaster risk reduction (DRR). The current research employs a pragmatic approach, analyzing the disaster risk management insights on school emergency preparedness in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (namely, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, and Dera Ismail Khan) of Pakistan. Thematic analysis was used to organize the views and responses from interview data. 100 individuals with different roles (senior primary headteachers and teachers), across the twenty schools interviewed through semi-structured individual interviews. The current study identified recurrent responses, which enabled the development of six main themes included 1-alert; 2-emergency planning; 3-preparation measures/protective actions; 4-school building design for safety; 5-school planning for continuation; and 6-hazard education and training. The findings reveal that schools are still vulnerable to flood risk as disaster risk management measures were lowly implemented. The study calls for policymakers to design and upgrade current school buildings to ensure the appropriate protection of students and teachers in the event of disasters. The schools collaboratively develop emergency plans and scenarios, in conjunction with the local institutions and disaster response organizations to build resilience and self-efficacy in times of crisis. In addition to this, enable school authorities (including teachers and other staff) to enhance their professional development on emergency response and management and strategies for school-based disaster response and recovery.

Agriculture is considered as the backbone of the economy of Pakistan. However, current changes in climate have been adversely affecting agricultural productivity. In this paper, perceived impacts of climate change on agriculture and adaptation towards it have been studied in Charsadda district (lowlands) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan through extensive field surveys, involving 116 farm households. Results have revealed that climate change factors including fluctuating temperature, evidence of yearly long droughts, and a steady shift in rainfall patterns have pressured the agriculture sector and livelihoods of the local peasants. The staggering floods of 2010 and 2011 in Pakistan have evidenced severe climatic changes in Pakistan. These countrywide floods have washed fertile soil in the study area that has directly contributed to losses in agricultural yield and increased vector-borne diseases in crops. The local farmers have commonly deployed adaptive measure such as crops diversification, changing fertilizer, and planting shaded trees to minimize the impacts of changes in climate. However, these adjustments measures are perceived as not appropriate for improving farm yield. Therefore, the study suggests that improved understanding of the climate change impacts and knowledge on adapting adequately will lead to no-regret adaptation. It will also help protecting farmer's lives and livelihoods and will boost their resilience towards changing climatic conditions. Graphical abstract .

International audience; The participation of local people in climate change mitigation is considered key to ensuring that their priorities are taken into account. This should help to design effective social safeguards and to improve equity in benefit sharing. The participation of local people has been explored in carbon emission Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) for REDD+. The feasibility and sustainability of participatory MRV (PMRV) are not automatic and depend on its relevance to local people (including incentives to participate), their technical capacity and the existence of appropriate structures for MRV.; La participation des populations locales est promue dans les projets d'atténuation du changement climatique, notamment pour mesurer, notifier et vérifier (measurement, reporting and verification, ou MRV) les émissions de carbone pour la Redd+. Or une telle participation n'est pas acquise. Pour que les populations participent, dans la durée, à la MRV (PMRV, Participatory MRV), certaines conditions doivent être remplies : la pertinence des activités de la PMRV (et des incitations à participer) au regard des priorités des populations concernées ; les compétences techniques pour conduire les activités ; l'existence de structures adaptées.

The paper in hand is a review of scientific findings focusing on vulnerability of Pakistan in the context of climate change (CC). Since last decade, head to head episodes of natural disasters especially floods, leave the country`s people highly vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change due to its geographical location and socioeconomic conditions making it susceptible to natural disasters. In this paper we conclude the state of the art research by discussing and clarifying different conceptual definitions of vulnerability and its association with CC. Further the paper highlights vulnerability and exposure of Pakistan towards natural hazards such as floods, droughts and cyclones stating that the country is vulnerable to numerous hazards, both natural and human induced due to a direct consequence of the country’s high variability and regional contrast in terms of geology, topography and meteorology. Next, the paper outlines exposure and vulnerability among the poorest by summarizing that in most cases poorest of the poor communities are hard hit by climate change due to their high exposure and low adaptive capacity and the final part of the paper concludes discussion that for Pakistan, as a hazard-prone country, it is the need of time to actively address natural hazards at all scales by engaging local communities and organizations to better withstand natural disasters.