Saving human lives after natural disaster

Background: In order to secure human lives the post flood disaster management system of different countries of the world was studied at united nation level, international level, individual countries level and at Pakistan level. Flood 2010 affected 11 districts of Punjab adversely but the most affected district was district Muzaffer Garh that is why it was selected as case study. Methods: The methodology includes literature review at international level, national level & local level and collection of data from different key informants. The data has been collected by systematic random sampling. The collected data was then analyzed ascertain the problem with the help of different statistical data analysis techniques. The analysis has given rise to results which lead towards conclusions and finally on the basis of these conclusions recommendation has been made. Results: On the basis of analysis of data different problems have been observed. These relate to DRR based aspects, community participation, flood early warning system, socio economic and housing aspects, preparation of flood hazard maps, awareness to the people about flood prone areas, poor building control, livelihood and job opportunities, occupation of respondents, educational level and public facilities and utilities aspects. Conclusion: On the basis of these afore mentioned results it has been concluded that due to weaker foundation and weaker super structure of houses, lack of community participation, poor flood early warning system, non-preparation of flood hazard maps by District Disaster Management Authority and Tehsil Disaster Management Committee, un-awareness to the people about flood prone areas, lack of effective building control, insufficient livelihood and job opportunities for the people of flood affected areas, low education level and less number of educational and health facilities and non-provision of public facilities and utilities are the main problems which the people of facing in flood prone areas.

Fiscal Decentralisation and Economic Growth in Pakistan

Fiscal decentralisation is seen as a means to enhance the economic efficiency of the government and also promote economic growth. Fiscal decentralisation is the empowerment of fiscal responsibilities to the sub-national governments, involving devolution of powers to tax and spend along with arrangements for correcting the imbalances between resources and obligations. The effectiveness of fiscal decentralisation depends upon: (a) appropriate expenditure assignments—with division of functions among different levels of government depending upon their comparative advantage (called the principle of subsidiarity); (b) appropriate tax or revenue assignments; and (c) the efficient design of a system of transfers and its proper implementation [Kardar (2006)]

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity

The dearth of cardinal data on species presence, dispersion, abundance, and habitat prerequisites, besides the threats impeded by escalating human pressure has enormously affected biodiversity conservation. The innovative concept of eDNA, has been introduced as a way of overcoming many of the difficulties of rigorous conventional investigations, and is hence becoming a prominent and novel method for assessing biodiversity. Recently the demand for eDNA in ecology and conservation has expanded exceedingly, despite the lack of coordinated development in appreciation of its strengths and limitations. Therefore it is pertinent and indispensable to evaluate the extent and significance of eDNA-based investigations in terrestrial habitats and to classify and recognize the critical considerations that need to be accounted before using such an approach. Presented here is a brief review to summarize the prospects and constraints of utilizing eDNA in terrestrial ecosystems, which has not been explored and exploited in greater depth and detail in such ecosystems. Given these obstacles, we focused primarily on compiling the most current research findings from journals accessible in eDNA analysis that discuss terrestrial ecosystems (2012–2022). In the current evaluation, we also review advancements and limitations related to the eDNA technique

A Critical Assessment of the Congruency between Environmental DNA and Palaeoecology for the Biodiversity Monitoring and Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction

The present study suggests that standardized methodology, careful site selection, and stratigraphy are essential for investigating ancient ecosystems in order to evaluate biodiversity and DNA-based time series. Based on specific keywords, this investigation reviewed 146 publications using the SCOPUS, Web of Science (WoS), PUBMED, and Google Scholar databases. Results indicate that environmental deoxyribose nucleic acid (eDNA) can be pivotal for assessing and conserving ecosystems. Our review revealed that in the last 12 years (January 2008–July 2021), 63% of the studies based on eDNA have been reported from aquatic ecosystems, 25% from marine habitats, and 12% from terrestrial environments. Out of studies conducted in aquatic systems using the environmental DNA (eDNA) technique, 63% of the investigations have been reported from freshwater ecosystems, with an utmost focus on fish diversity (40%). Further analysis of the literature reveals that during the same period, 24% of the investigations using the environmental DNA technique were carried out on invertebrates, 8% on mammals, 7% on plants, 6% on reptiles, and 5% on birds. The results obtained clearly indicate that the environmental DNA technique has a clear-cut edge over other biodiversity monitoring methods. Furthermore, we also found that eDNA, in conjunction with different dating techniques, can provide better insight into deciphering eco-evolutionary feedback. Therefore, an attempt has been made to offer extensive information on the application of dating methods for different taxa present in diverse ecosystems. Last, we provide suggestions and elucidations on how to overcome the caveats and delineate some of the research avenues that will likely shape this field in the near future. This paper aims to identify the gaps in environmental DNA (eDNA) investigations to help researchers, ecologists, and decision-makers to develop a holistic understanding of environmental DNA (eDNA) and its utility as a palaeoenvironmental contrivance

A Critical Assessment of the Congruency between Environmental DNA and Palaeoecology for the Biodiversity Monitoring and Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction

The present study suggests that standardized methodology, careful site selection, and stratigraphy are essential for investigating ancient ecosystems in order to evaluate biodiversity and DNA-based time series. Based on specific keywords, this investigation reviewed 146 publications using the SCOPUS, Web of Science (WoS), PUBMED, and Google Scholar databases. Results indicate that environmental deoxyribose nucleic acid (eDNA) can be pivotal for assessing and conserving ecosystems. Our review revealed that in the last 12 years (January 2008–July 2021), 63% of the studies based on eDNA have been reported from aquatic ecosystems, 25% from marine habitats, and 12% from terrestrial environments. Out of studies conducted in aquatic systems using the environmental DNA (eDNA) technique, 63% of the investigations have been reported from freshwater ecosystems, with an utmost focus on fish diversity (40%). Further analysis of the literature reveals that during the same period, 24% of the investigations using the environmental DNA technique were carried out on invertebrates, 8% on mammals, 7% on plants, 6% on reptiles, and 5% on birds. The results obtained clearly indicate that the environmental DNA technique has a clear-cut edge over other biodiversity monitoring methods. Furthermore, we also found that eDNA, in conjunction with different dating techniques, can provide better insight into deciphering eco-evolutionary feedback. Therefore, an attempt has been made to offer extensive information on the application of dating methods for different taxa present in diverse ecosystems. Last, we provide suggestions and elucidations on how to overcome the caveats and delineate some of the research avenues that will likely shape this field in the near future. This paper aims to identify the gaps in environmental DNA (eDNA) investigations to help researchers, ecologists, and decision-makers to develop a holistic understanding of environmental DNA (eDNA) and its utility as a palaeoenvironmental contrivance

Low Temperature Synthesis of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles and Their ROS Mediated Inhibition of Biofilm Formed by Food-Associated Bacteria

In the present study, a facile environmentally friendly approach was described to prepare monodisperse iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (IONPs) by low temperature solution route. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using x-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) measurements, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analyses. XRD patterns revealed high crystalline quality of the nanoparticles. SEM micrographs showed the monodispersed IONPs with size ranging from 6 to 9 nm. Synthesized nanoparticles demonstrated MICs of 32, 64, and 128 μg/ml against Gram negative bacteria i.e., Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, and 32 μg/ml against Gram positive bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. IOPNs at its respective sub-MICs demonstrated significant reduction of alginate and exopolysaccharide production and subsequently demonstrated broad-spectrum inhibition of biofilm ranging from 16 to 88% in the test bacteria. Biofilm reduction was also examined using SEM and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Interaction of IONPs with bacterial cells generated ROS contributing to reduced biofilm formation. The present study for the first time report that these IONPs were effective in obliterating pre-formed biofilms. Thus, it is envisaged that these nanoparticles with broad-spectrum biofilm inhibitory property could be exploited in the food industry as well as in medical settings to curtail biofilm based infections and losses

Saving human lives after natural disaster

Background: In order to secure human lives the post flood disaster management system of different countries of the world was studied at united nation level, international level, individual countries level and at Pakistan level. Flood 2010 affected 11 districts of Punjab adversely but the most affected district was district Muzaffer Garh that is why it was selected as case study. Methods: The methodology includes literature review at international level, national level & local level and collection of data from different key informants. The data has been collected by systematic random sampling. The collected data was then analyzed ascertain the problem with the help of different statistical data analysis techniques. The analysis has given rise to results which lead towards conclusions and finally on the basis of these conclusions recommendation has been made. Results: On the basis of analysis of data different problems have been observed. These relate to DRR based aspects, community participation, flood early warning system, socio economic and housing aspects, preparation of flood hazard maps, awareness to the people about flood prone areas, poor building control, livelihood and job opportunities, occupation of respondents, educational level and public facilities and utilities aspects. Conclusion: On the basis of these afore mentioned results it has been concluded that due to weaker foundation and weaker super structure of houses, lack of community participation, poor flood early warning system, non-preparation of flood hazard maps by District Disaster Management Authority and Tehsil Disaster Management Committee, un-awareness to the people about flood prone areas, lack of effective building control, insufficient livelihood and job opportunities for the people of flood affected areas, low education level and less number of educational and health facilities and non-provision of public facilities and utilities are the main problems which the people of facing in flood prone areas