Library Anxiety among Undergraduate Students: A case study of faculty of Management Science, University of Peshawar

Library anxiety is a psychological barrier to the academic performance of university students. This study was conducted among undergraduate students at the faculty of management sciences, the University of Peshawar to examine the factors which predict library anxiety. Library anxiety is a psychological barrier to academic success among college students. This study of 843 undergraduate team was administered by hand to all the sample size among university students in order to examine factors that predict library anxiety, a sample size of 262 was drawn 244 questionnaires was collected with a response rate of 93.12% based on Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) table of sample size determination. The results indicate that the students were more anxious about the staff of the library than other factors. Thus it can be inferred that the attitude of library staff made a significant contribution to the degree of library anxiety among students which made them unable to effectively utilize library resources and services. Such behavior also contributed to other areas of library anxiety-like non-use or avoidance of the library by students, which results in achieving poor academic grades

Nanotechnology and nano-propolis in animal production and health: an overview

Nanotechnology is the science and technology of small and specific things that are <100 nm in size. Because of the size of nanomaterials, new changes in their chemical and physical structure may occur, and indicate higher reactivity and solubility. Many of nanotechnology applications in food and agricultural production are being developed in research and development settings. Global challenges are related to animal production, including environmental sustainability, human health, disease control, and food security. Nanotechnology holds promise for animal health, veterinary medicine, and some areas of animal production. Nanotechnology has had application in several other sectors, and its application in food and feed science is a recent case. Especially, natural nano antimicrobials obtained from different techniques such as nano-propolis are useful to veterinary medicine in terms of health, performance, and reliable food production. Nano-propolis is a nano-sized (1–100 nm in diameter) propolis particles tied together to make it more effective without changing its properties by changing the size of propolis by different methods. Propolis have many advantages such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and antifungal activity, etc. The consumption of free form of propolis restricts these benefits due to low bioavailability, low solubility, low absorption, and untargeted release. Different nanoencapsulation technologies are used to obtain nano-propolis. Nano-propolis are more easily absorbed by the body because they have a size smaller. Nano-propolis is also more effective than propolis in terms of antibacterial and antifungal activity. This review focuses on some recent work concerning the uses of nanotechnology in animal health or human health using animal models, and the effectiveness of nanotechnology on natural supplements such as propolis used in animal nutrition and animal health

Impact of government spending on FDI inflows: the case of ASEAN-5, China and India

This study investigates the impact of government spending towards Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in the host country using a panel data set of 7 countries spanning from 1982 until 2016. The countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Philippine (ASEAN-5), India and China are utilised for the study. We examine the impact of government spending towards FDI by conducting the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimation developed by Pesaran et al. (1999) using market size, capital, macroeconomic stability and infrastructure as control variables. The results of this study shows that the government spending contributes positively towards FDI inflows in the long run

Impact of public expenditures on FDI inflows into developing countries

This paper uses Pesaran et al.'s (1999) Pooled Means Group (PMG) estimation to explore the role of government expenditures of the host countries on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows. The PMG estimator allows for a greater degree of parameter heterogeneity by imposing common long-run relationships across countries. A panel data from 24 developing countries was utilised for the study period between 1982 and 2014. The empirical results show government expenditure significantly promotes FDI inflows in the long-term. The results also suggest that market size plays an important role in FDI inflows

Comparative efficacy of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and synthetic phosphate fertilizers on the growth of wheat

Wheat is recognized as one of the most important dietary elements due to its high nutritious content and thus, has become greatest food option all over the world. Phosphorus (P) being major plant food nutrient plays a vital role multiple functions of plant growth and development. The current study was carried out to compare the performance of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) as bio-fertilizer with commercially available phosphate fertilizers on wheat crop. The trial was designed in randomized complete block (RCB) replicated thrice. 6 different sources of phosphate fertilizers (Di-ammonium phosphate as DAP, Nitrophos as NP, Single super phosphate as SSP, Restore as PSB, Marathon as PSB, Nitrogen (N2) fixing bacteria as PSB) followed by control were evaluated for agronomic, physiological and quality attributes of wheat. The results showed that most of the qualitative traits were significantly influenced by different treatments. However, application of N2 fixing bacteria was more significant in all treatments. Highest total viable count of colony-forming units (14.63×106 at 3-WAS &amp; 17.70×106 after harvest CFU g-1), maximum tillers’ count (337 m-2), grains’ count (45.57 spike-1), grain yield (2714.3 kg ha-1), LAI (0.67 &amp; 1.16 at 56 &amp; 112 DAS), CGR (13.59 g day-1 m-2), photosynthesis rate (26.13 µ mol m-2 sec-1) and flag leaf sugar content (0.24%) were recorded on account of using N2-fixing bacteria applied as PSB. Moreover, NPK content in shoot, grain as well as uptake of NPK by grain were also received as highest in the same treatment. Based on research findings, it is concluded that application of N2-fixing bacteria as PSB (7.5 kg ha-1) might be increasing wheat production in Dera Ismail Khan and other areas of similar environment in Pakistan

COMBINING ABILITY ANALYSIS FOR YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN BROWN MUSTARD

ABSTRACT A 6x6 diallel experiment was conducted on brown mustard Brassica juncea.L to determine combining ability analysis for yield and its components during 2000-2002 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan. Estimates of variance due to general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal effects were highly significant for all characters except the variances due to reciprocal effect for the number of primary branches, length of main inflorescence and specific combining ability effect for seed yield plant -1 which were found to be non significant. Higher magnitude of mean squares for general combining ability effects as compared to specific combining ability were recorded for all the characters and thus all the parameters were governed by additive type of gene action. B.L 9141 and 9142 were found to be the best general combiners for all the characters studied. The good general combiners for all the traits formed superior specific and reciprocal combinations with R. L-18 and Early raya for all the characters and is therefore recommended for inclusion in the breeding programs for the evolution of high yielding Brown mustard varieties

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe