Enhancing water use efficiency and grain yield of wheat by optimizing irrigation supply in arid and semi-arid regions of Pakistan

The lack of good irrigation practices and policy reforms in Pakistan triggers major threats to the water and food security of the country. In the future, irrigation will happen under the scarcity of water, as inadequate irrigation water becomes the requirement rather than the exception. The precise application of water with irrigation management is therefore needed. This research evaluated the wheat grain yield and water use efficiency (WUE) under limited irrigation practices in arid and semi-arid regions of Pakistan. DSSAT was used to simulate yield and assess alternative irrigation scheduling based on different levels of irrigation starting from the actual irrigation level up to 65% less irrigation. The findings demonstrated that different levels of irrigation had substantial effects on wheat grain yield and total water consumption. After comparing the different irrigation levels, the high amount of actual irrigation level in semi-arid sites decreased the WUE and wheat grain yield. However, the arid site (Site-1) showed the highest wheat grain yield 2394 kg ha(-1) and WUE 5.9 kg(-3) on actual irrigation (T-1), and with the reduction of water, wheat grain yield decreased continuously. The optimal irrigation level was attained on semiarid (site-2) with 50% (T-11) less water where the wheat grain yield and WUE were 1925 kg ha(-1) and 4.47 kg(-3) respectively. The best irrigation level was acquired with 40% less water (T-9) on semi-arid (site-3), where wheat grain yield and WUE were 1925 kg ha(-1) and 4.57 kg(-3), respectively. The results demonstrated that reducing the irrigation levels could promote the growth of wheat, resulting in an improved WUE. In crux, significant potential for further improving the efficiency of agricultural water usage in the region relies on effective soil moisture management and efficient use of water. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University

Optimization of depth-based routing for underwater wireless sensor networks through intelligent assignment of initial energy

Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) are extensively used to explore the diverse marine environment. Energy efficiency is one of the main concerns regarding performance of UWSNs. In a cooperative wireless sensor network, nodes with no energy are known as coverage holes. These coverage holes are created due to non-uniform energy utilization by the sensor nodes in the network. These coverage holes degrade the performance and reduce the lifetime of UWSNs. In this paper, we present an Intelligent Depth Based Routing (IDBR) scheme which addresses this issue and contributes towards maximization of network lifetime. In our proposed scheme, we allocate initial energy to the sensor nodes according to their usage requirements. This idea is helpful to balance energy consumption amongst the nodes and keep the network functional for a longer time as evidenced by the results provided

Modifiable Factors Associated with Intracerbral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose:  The purpose of the study was to evaluate modifiable factors causing intracerebral hemorrhage in our set up. Material and Method:  This prospective descriptive study was done at King Edward Medical University/ Mayo Hospital, Lahore from January 2009 to August 2010. Patients of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage admitted through emergency department were included. After history and examination, diagnosis of ICH was made on CT brain without contrast in all cases. Further evaluation was done by platelet count, INR, LFTs, renal function tests and CT angiogram brain. Modifiable factors studied were hypertension, coagulopathy and drugs. Only patients of negative CT angiogram were included in the study. Results:  Age range of patients was 11 to 85 years. Male were more than female i.e. 24 (54.5%). Maximum patients i.e. 10 (22.5%) had ICH in 7th decade. Maximum patient had uncontrolled hypertension as the cause of intracerebral hemorrhage i.e. 31 (70.5%). It was followed by coagulopathy and smoking i.e. 4(9.9%). Dengue fever was present 2 (4.5%) cases and both had low platelet count. Conclusion:  Hypertension is the commonest modifiable risk factor for ICH, affecting middle aged and elderly persons. All modifiable factors especially hypertension needs extensive public awareness programs to decrease mortality and morbidity related to ICH

Pattern of Presentation of Spinal Dysraphism

Objective:  To assess the pattern of presentation of spinal dysraphism and compare with already available data on the subject. Design:  Prospective study. Material and Method:  This prospective study was done in the department of Neurosurgery, King Edward Medi-cal University (KEMU) Lahore, Pakistan from January 2008 to December 2009. Cases of spinal dysraphism admitted and managed in the department during this period were included in the study.  Results:  Total patients admitted with spinal dysraphism during this period were 56. Of them, spina bifida aperta were 42 (75%) and occulta were 14 (25%). Age range of patients of spinal dysraphism was from 1 day to 27 years. Male to female ratio was 1.5 : 1. All the patients of spina bifida aperta had myelomeningocele i.e. 42 (75%). Of them maximum patients had myelomeningocele at lumbosacral region i.e. 18 (42%) followed by lumbar area i.e. 11 (26%). No patients had cervical spina bifida aperta. Hydrocephalus was present in 32 (76%) patient. Of 56 cases of spinal dysraphism, 14 (25%) had spina bifida occulta. Among spina bifida occulta, lipo-myelomeningocele and congenital dermal sinus were 5 (9%) each while 4 (7%) patients had meningocele. All patients had x-ray spine of the affected region. All patients of spina bifida occulta had MRI brain and whole spine.  Conclusion:  All patients of spina bifida aperta presented with myelomeningocele, commonest at lumbosacral area. Age at presentation was relatively late.  Of spina bifida occulta, Lipomyelomeningocele and congenital der-mal sinus were unusually equal. Meningocele was relative less

Leadership and Its Impact on Total Quality Management

The purpose of this research is understand how leadership in a tire and battery factory can contribute to the implementation of total quality management principles. The methodology involved a literature review and data collection through interviews and surveys, followed by data analysis using a descriptive approach. The tools used included interviews, surveys, and statistical analysis tools. The study aims to shed light on The role of managers in achieving quality and performance improvements in the factory. This study elucidated Leadership plays an important role in achieving this goal quality and excellence in organizations. The results indicated a substantial impact of leadership on quality and excellence at 76.2%. Furthermore, the, results showed that leadership's focus on customers contributes to excellence, with a significant effect of 58.1%. Additionally, the study found that leadership's role has a meaningful influence on achieving quality and excellence through continuous improvement at 45.0%. The study also revealed that leadership significantly contributes to improving processes and products to achieve quality and excellence at 33.5%. Moreover, the results demonstrated a significant impact of leadership in achieving quality and excellence through pricing policy improvement at 58.2%. Concerning development and innovation, the study found a substantial effect of up to 69.6%, emphasizing the role of leadership in achieving excellence through fostering development and innovation.   LEad2. Total Quality Management (TQM) 3. Process Improvement

Knowledge, attitude and practice of private practitioners regarding TB-DOTS in a rural district of Sindh, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is prevailing in both urban and rural areas of Pakistan. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of private practitioners (PPs) regarding tuberculosis management have been reported only in urban areas of Pakistan. This survey was conducted for the first time in a rural area of Sindh, Pakistan.METHODS: This survey was conducted in January 2007 at Thatta, a rural district of Sindh, Pakistan. Study subjects were twenty-two allopathic qualified (MBBS) doctors of district Thatta, who were practicing in private setups for at least last one year. Before TB-DOTS training PPs had filled the KAP questionnaire regarding tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and management through DOTS. Survey data was analysed through SPSS version 11.05 software.RESULTS: On average, five TB suspects per month were seen by each PP. Only 14% of PPs advised sputum microscopy solely for pulmonary TB diagnosis, while 86% of PPs used different combination of tests (chest x-ray/sputum microscopy/ESR/tuberculin test) for TB diagnosis. Over 40% PPs did not prescribe TB treatment regimen according to TB-DOTS category. Majority PPs (85%) did not follow the treatment through sputum microscopy and instead relied on clinical improvement and x-ray clearance. Nearly 60% of TB patients at PPs clinic did not show compliance to the TB treatment and none of PPs were following the retrieval of default cases.CONCLUSIONS: A gross lack of PPs knowledge and right practice regarding TB diagnosis and management through DOTS was identified and needed to be addressed through providing DOTS training