Assessment of Students’ Academic Performance in Government Schools of Pakistan

The main purpose of this study was to reduce the gaps in the evaluation of academic performance in Pakistan government schools. This study analyzed the students’ academic performance with respect to social media usage, physical activity, and motivation. A sample of 204 students was selected for studying in different government schools located in Lahore (Pakistan). Both stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to draw the sample. This study focused on 9th class and 10th class students who were the respondents of primary data collection. Both correlation and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results showed that all the predicted variables were significant and positively correlated with academic performance

Fear of getting Covid-19: A challenge to elective surgical practice and ways to overcome

Background: Covid-19, a global pandemic has a huge impact on surgical practice. There is transmission risk of Covid-19 during the elective surgery and nowadays it is a part of informed consent process. This has an impact on patient decision making as it creates anxiety and fear. Objective: To evaluate patient experience (fear of getting Covid-19) from elective surgery and challenges of elective surgical practice and ways to overcome during this pandemic era. Methods: This study was an observational cross-sectional survey and it has been conducted in General Surgery Department of Dr Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad, from May to August 2021 after approval of Institutional Review Board (IRB). Participants for elective surgery and their negative report of Covid-19 infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were included in the study. Fear of Covid-19 infection was measured through “fear of Covid-19 scale” by Ahorsu et al and analyzed. All findings were entered in a structured Proforma. Data was entered in SPSS version 26 and analyzed. Effect modifier chi square was used to find out the patient’s dropout due to getting Covid-19 infection from surgery. Results: Total 200 patients were included; 62% patients were male and 38% were females. The mean age of the patients was 38.64±12.08 years. The statistical analysis showed that there was a very significant association between FCV-19 scale and getting Covid-19 infection from elective surgeries (p ≤ 0.05). When stratified FCV-19 scale with education status of all patients there was a very significant association between them (p=0.001). The patient’s observations regarding FCV-19 questionnaire, most of the patients were disagreed (46.3%) to getting Covid-19 infection from their elective surgeries or any fear of Covid-19 infection. The actual dropout of patients from elective surgery due to fear of getting Covid-19 infection during surgery or staying in hospital was 7.5%. Conclusion: Fear of getting Covid-19 is still present in some of the patients who visit hospitals for elective surgeries. Discussing the various steps taken by the institute to improve patient safety and minimize risk of Covid-19, greatly enhanced their confidence in elective surgery and improved satisfaction level. Key words: Covid-19; Fear; Fear of Covid-19 Scale; Elective Surgical Procedures

Fear of getting Covid-19: A challenge to elective surgical practice and ways to overcome

Background: Covid-19, a global pandemic has a huge impact on surgical practice. There is transmission risk of Covid-19 during the elective surgery and nowadays it is a part of informed consent process. This has an impact on patient decision making as it creates anxiety and fear. Objective: To evaluate patient experience (fear of getting Covid-19) from elective surgery and challenges of elective surgical practice and ways to overcome during this pandemic era. Methods: This study was an observational cross-sectional survey and it has been conducted in General Surgery Department of Dr Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad, from May to August 2021 after approval of Institutional Review Board (IRB). Participants for elective surgery and their negative report of Covid-19 infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were included in the study. Fear of Covid-19 infection was measured through “fear of Covid-19 scale” by Ahorsu et al and analyzed. All findings were entered in a structured Proforma. Data was entered in SPSS version 26 and analyzed. Effect modifier chi square was used to find out the patient’s dropout due to getting Covid-19 infection from surgery. Results: Total 200 patients were included; 62% patients were male and 38% were females. The mean age of the patients was 38.64±12.08 years. The statistical analysis showed that there was a very significant association between FCV-19 scale and getting Covid-19 infection from elective surgeries (p ≤ 0.05). When stratified FCV-19 scale with education status of all patients there was a very significant association between them (p=0.001). The patient’s observations regarding FCV-19 questionnaire, most of the patients were disagreed (46.3%) to getting Covid-19 infection from their elective surgeries or any fear of Covid-19 infection. The actual dropout of patients from elective surgery due to fear of getting Covid-19 infection during surgery or staying in hospital was 7.5%. Conclusion: Fear of getting Covid-19 is still present in some of the patients who visit hospitals for elective surgeries. Discussing the various steps taken by the institute to improve patient safety and minimize risk of Covid-19, greatly enhanced their confidence in elective surgery and improved satisfaction level. Key words: Covid-19; Fear; Fear of Covid-19 Scale; Elective Surgical Procedures

How Companies Value Stock Prices After Going Public: Evidence from Emerging Pakistan economy

The purpose of this study is to estimate the accuracy and authenticity of valuation methods used by underwriters to set preliminary offer price. This study uses complete universe of all newly listed companies during 2000 to 2015 on Pakistan Stock Exchange. We analyzed the determinants of the Initial Public Offering (IPOs) by comparing the ex-ante and ex-post characteristics of IPOs firms. Binary logistic model was used for evaluation of variables. Results revealed that underwriters use four different valuation methods to set IPO preliminary offer price namely as dividend discount model (DDM), discounted cash flow method (DCF), peer groups multiple (MULT) and economic valuation method (EVA). This study used Binary Logistic Regression model to estimate the accuracy and authenticity of these valuation methods. Results of this study can help the portfolio managers for constructing their effective portfolio strategies. This study also helps to highly levered firms to get cheaper long term capital by going public. This study is also important for underwriters to counter check their valuation patterns for IPO firms

How Companies Value Stock Prices After Going Public: Evidence from Emerging Pakistan economy

The purpose of this study is to estimate the accuracy and authenticity of valuation methods used by underwriters to set preliminary offer price. This study uses complete universe of all newly listed companies during 2000 to 2015 on Pakistan Stock Exchange. We analyzed the determinants of the Initial Public Offering (IPOs) by comparing the ex-ante and ex-post characteristics of IPOs firms. Binary logistic model was used for evaluation of variables. Results revealed that underwriters use four different valuation methods to set IPO preliminary offer price namely as dividend discount model (DDM), discounted cash flow method (DCF), peer groups multiple (MULT) and economic valuation method (EVA). This study used Binary Logistic Regression model to estimate the accuracy and authenticity of these valuation methods. Results of this study can help the portfolio managers for constructing their effective portfolio strategies. This study also helps to highly levered firms to get cheaper long term capital by going public. This study is also important for underwriters to counter check their valuation patterns for IPO firms

Co-inoculation with Rhizobium and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for inducing salinity tolerance in mung bean under field condition of semi arid climate

Salinity stress severely affects the growth, nodulation and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.). However, its growth can be improved under salinity stress by inoculation/co-inoculation with rhizobia and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase enzyme. ACC-deaminase containing bacteria regulate the stress induced ethylene production by hydrolyzing the ACC (immediate precursor of ethylene) into ammonia and ketobutyric acid, thus improve plant growth by lowering the ethylene level. A study was conducted under salt affected field conditions where pre-isolated strains of Rhizobium and PGPR were used alone as well as in combination for mitigating the salinity stress on growth, nodulation and yield of mung bean by following the randomized complete block design (RCBD). The data were recorded and analyzed statistically to see the difference among treatments

Impact of Perceived Influence, Virtual Interactivity on Consumer Purchase Intentions Through the Path of Brand Image and Brand Expected Value

Many researchers are currently showing interest in researching consumers who are purchasing the products with the help of new tools, and new kinds of markets are emerging rapidly. M-commerce is a prevalent mode of marketing and is famous among young people of Pakistan. Current research is planned to check the status of consumer purchase intentions (PIs) using perceived influence, virtual interactivity, brand image, and brand expected value among customers who purchase their products with the help of m-commerce. Data was collected from customers who were engaged in buying with the help of m-commerce by using the convenience sampling technique and 227 complete questionnaires were used in final analysis. This research examines the direct impact of perceived influence, virtual interactivity, brand image, and brand expected value on PIs and finds the indirect effect of brand image and brand expected value on the relationships of perceived influence and virtual interactivity with PIs. Results indicate that all the hypotheses of direct relationships are accepted except the hypothesis for the relation of virtual interactivity with consumer PIs. Virtual interactivity has an insignificant positive impact on consumer PIs. Brand expected value has a strong positive effect on consumer PIs among all. The current study proposed four mediational hypotheses. All the proposed mediational hypotheses are accepted

Potential and prospects of biomass as a source of renewable energy in Pakistan

In an agricultural country like Pakistan, producing affordable and clean energy can be a challenging task. However, Pakistan has the potential to utilize various biomass feedstocks to generate renewable energy and tackle climate change while promoting sustainable development. Wheat, rice, sugarcane, and corn are the four main crops that yield a significant amount of residue, totaling 112.1 million tons per year. These residues have the potential to produce 3,050 kWh/ton of energy, which can meet 14% of the energy demand in Pakistan, equivalent to 9.85TW, starting in 2022. Gasification technology is a versatile option that efficiently converts biomass into energy while reducing negative environmental impacts. The current research explores the feasibility of generating clean energy from crop residues with low emissions, addressing the country’s energy needs, and supporting policymakers in promoting the use of biomass for energy production. According to this study, rice husk, corn cobs, wheat straw, and sugar bagasse all produce hydrogen at rates of 6.9 wt.%, 6.4 wt.%, 5.69 wt.%, and 5.35 wt.%, respectively. Therefore, our study demonstrates that corn cobs have a significant potential for energy production

Dynamic Evaluation of Desiccant Dehumidification Evaporative Cooling Options for Greenhouse Air-Conditioning Application in Multan (Pakistan)

This study provides insights into the feasibility of a desiccant dehumidification-based Maisotsenko cycle evaporative cooling (M-DAC) system for greenhouse air-conditioning application. Conventional cooling techniques include direct evaporative cooling, refrigeration systems, and passive/active ventilation. which are commonly used in Pakistan; however, they are either not feasible due to their energy cost, or they cannot efficiently provide an optimum microclimate depending on the regions, the growing seasons, and the crop being cultivated. The M-DAC system was therefore proposed and evaluated as an alternative solution for air conditioning to achieve optimum levels of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) for greenhouse crop production. The objective of this study was to investigate the thermodynamic performance of the proposed system from the viewpoints of the temperature gradient, relative humidity level, VPD, and dehumidification gradient. Results showed that the standalone desiccant air-conditioning (DAC) system created maximum dehumidification gradient (i.e., 16.8 g/kg) and maximum temperature gradient (i.e., 8.4 °C) at 24.3 g/kg and 38.6 °C ambient air conditions, respectively. The DAC coupled with a heat exchanger (DAC+HX) created a temperature gradient nearly equal to ambient air conditions, which is not in the optimal range for greenhouse growing conditions. Analysis of the M-DAC system showed that a maximum air temperature gradient, i.e., 21.9 °C at 39.2 °C ambient air condition, can be achieved, and is considered optimal for most greenhouse crops. Results were validated with two microclimate models (OptDeg and Cft) by taking into account the optimality of VPD at different growth stages of tomato plants. This study suggests that the M-DAC system is a feasible method to be considered as an efficient solution for greenhouse air-conditioning under the climate conditions of Multan (Pakistan)