Antifungal activity of different extracts of Ageratum conyzoides for the management of Fusarium solani

Ageratum conyzoides L. is potential allelopathic weed very useful for its antifungal and antimicrobial activity. Being environmentally safe and friendly, it has the potential to substitute synthetic fungicides. The current study, therefore, was designed to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of aqueous methanolic and n-hexane extracts of A. conyzoides against the pathogenic fungi, Fusarium solani Mart. (Sacc.), isolated from roots of egg plant (Solanum melongena). The target fungus was exposed to various concentrations (2, 4 and 6% w/v) of   aqueous, methanolic and n-hexane extracts of Inflorescence, leaf, stem and root. All the employed    concentrations of extracts of four plant parts significantly suppressed the growth of the target fungal   pathogen.  The n-hexane extracts of leaf and inflorescence caused highly significant reduction of 84% in growth of F. solani followed by stem and root extracts which caused which caused 80% and 72% reduction in growth, respectively. The same pattern in growth reduction was observed in methanolic and aqueous extracts. Among the four parts of the tested weed, different concentrations of the methanolic extract of leaf were found to be  highly effective in controlling target fungal species resulting in up to 78% reduction in fungal biomass over  control followed by inflorescence (74% reduction), stem (63% reduction) and root (59% reduction) at highest used concentration. In case of aqueous extracts, the maximum reduction was observed in leaf extract (72%) followed by inflorescence, stem and root, respectively.Key words: Ageratum conyzoides, aqueous extract, Fusarium solani, n-hexane extract, methanolic extract

Impact of perceived work environment characteristics on employee wellbeing, attitudes and turnover

The objective of this thesis is to develop a conceptual model that determines how employee perceptions of their work environments are related to their wellbeing and behaviour. This thesis replicates and extends job demands-control-support (JDCS) theory by integrating variables associated with perceived work environment characteristics (job demands, autonomy, managerial support, and family support), general wellbeing (anxiety), job-related wellbeing (job satisfaction and organization commitment), behaviour (turnover), personal characteristics (male versus female employees), and organizational characteristics (public versus private sectors) into a coherent model. The structural equation modelling technique is used to validate of the measurement model and for examining the inter-relationships among these variables at both the individual and workplace level. For the purpose of analysis, data has been taken from 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey (VVERS 2004). At individual level, the findings suggest that employee perceptions of their work environment are associated with their general and job-related wellbeing. The empirical findings show that (1) higher job demands placed on employees and perceived lack of family support influence job attitudes through their effect on anxiety, (2) high job control and managerial support reduces work related anxiety and increases job satisfaction and organization commitment, and (3) male and female employees do not perceive their work environments differently. At workplace level, the findings suggest that employee shared perceptions of their work environment are associated with their wellbeing and behaviour. The empirical findings show that: (1) higher job demands placed on employees increases their work related anxiety and reduces their job satisfaction in private workplaces, (2) high job control and managerial support increases job satisfaction and organization commitment, (3) perceived lack of family support reduces organization commitment in private sector, (4) job satisfaction is the only direct antecedent of turnover, (5) of work environment characteristics, autonomy and managerial support are indirect antecedents of turnover, (6) lack of family support reduces organization commitment in private sector. Overall, the thesis indicates that while JDCS theory is useful in explaining employees psychological and health related wellbeing, extending theory to include family support and using extended theory to predict job-related wellbeing and turnover increases our understanding of the underlying phenomena

Recruitment Methods Used by Software Industry in Pakistan: Issues and Concerns

The research aims to examine the relationship between the organization size and the recruitment methods used. It also examines the differences in recruitment methods for filling the managerial and non managerial positions and exploring possible reasons for switching between these methods among IT organizations. We found that there is a significant relationship between the organization size and the frequency of recruitment. The smaller organizations tend to recruit more frequently as compared to larger organizations. The results also show that there is significant positive relationship between the size of organization and the choice of methods for recruitment of professionals. Most software houses find it difficult to recruit individuals with adequate professional training, skills and experience. Most professionals in the industry are fresh graduates with a sound theoretical base but with inadequate practical experience and skills. Software houses can help in developing these fresh graduates in more mature professionals by offering extensive internship programs

ACCREDITATION OF BUSINESS EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN: A STEP TOWARDS INTERNATIONALIZATION

To meet the challenges of the quality of higher education in Pakistan, National Business Education Accreditation Council (NBEAC) has introduced national level accreditation standards to assure prospective students, of the high standing of their program. The present research aims to compare the standards of NBEAC with international standards of EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) to assess whether NBEAC has the capacity to address education mobility across countries.  The finding of the research concluded that NBEAC standards are very well compatible with EQUIS standards. Thus, NBEAC accreditation  can  be  used  as  a  step  towards  international  accreditation  by  Pakistani institutions

Enseñanza del lenguaje a través de la literatura: un estudio basado en ELT

The present study aims to: firstly, highlight the effectiveness of using literature in ELT classes in an interesting and innovative manner in Pakistan; secondly, to help language teachers develop a thoughtful and principled approach to using literature in the language classroom; thirdly, to provide teachers with the tools for developing their own classroom materials and for using these materials in a way that is relevant to their learners’ needs. This paper explores the text of ‘Good Bye Mr. Chips’, a famous novel by James Hilton (1934) for teaching at the Intermediate level. For the analysis of data, insights are taken from the works of Dubin & Olshtain (1977), Collie & Slater (1987) and Robinette. B. W (1978). It was found that activities like role plays and a lot of pair work and group work not only caused reduction in anxiety level of students but also increased their level of interest and enthusiasm. It also concluded that for facilitating language teaching and learning, the formation of a variety of activities based on learners’ needs from carefully and properly selected texts is unavoidable. Future researchers can exploit similar literary texts following the same frameworks for language teaching purposes.El presente estudio tiene como objetivo: en primer lugar, destacar la eficacia del uso de la literatura en las clases de ELT de una manera interesante e innovadora en Pakistán; en segundo lugar, ayudar a los profesores de idiomas a desarrollar un enfoque reflexivo y basado en principios para utilizar la literatura en el aula de idiomas; tercero, proporcionar a los maestros las herramientas para desarrollar sus propios materiales de clase y para usar estos materiales de una manera que sea relevante para las necesidades de sus alumnos. Este artículo explora el texto de “Good Bye Mr. Chips”, una famosa novela de James Hilton (1934) para la enseñanza a nivel intermedio. Para el análisis de los datos, se toman ideas de los trabajos de Dubin y Olshtain (1977), Collie y Slater (1987) y Robinette. B. W (1978). Se descubrió que actividades como juegos de roles y mucho trabajo en pareja y en grupo no solo redujeron el nivel de ansiedad de los estudiantes sino que también aumentaron su nivel de interés y entusiasmo. También concluyó que para facilitar la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de idiomas, es inevitable la formación de una variedad de actividades basadas en las necesidades de los alumnos a partir de textos cuidadosamente seleccionados. Los futuros investigadores pueden explotar textos literarios similares siguiendo los mismos marcos para la enseñanza de idiomas

Impact of Project Performance Measurement System on Project Success: A Study Based on NGO Sector of Pakistan

This research strives to examine the relationship between the two profound dimensions of Project Performance Measurement System (i.e. project design and Monitoring and Evaluation) and project success in NGOs. A self-administered survey was used to collect responses from project practitioners on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and project design practices in health sector NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization): Of 220, 108 useful responses were received and then analyzed in SPSS. The results showed that: 1) M&E practices are being frequently used in NGO projects of Pakistan, 2) particular care has been taken while designing the projects, and 3) both variables have a positive relationship with project success 4) M&E showed greater impact than project design on project success. Therefore, NGOs should strengthen project design and M&E in order to improve project implementation as well as the chances for project success

Comparison of Effectiveness of Topical Versus Oral Nifedipine for Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of topical and oral Nifedipine in the treatment of chronic anal fissure.Patients and Methods: In this randomized control trial total of 124 patients with chronic anal fissure (CAF) were selected through OPD and divided randomly into two equal groups. In Group A the topical Nifedipine (2%) was applied, while in Group B the oral Nifedipine 10mg TDS was used. Both groups were compared in terms of pain and healing measured one month after starting treatment.Results: Mean age of the patients was 38.81±11.81 years. In both groups there was statistically significant difference for the age but no difference was found regarding gender and baseline visual analogue scale. Group A had better healing rate and pain relieve as compared to Group B. There was no difference between groups regarding the effectiveness of treatment.Conclusion: The topical Nifedipine has better healing effects as compared to the oral Nifedipine. The oral form is better in relieving pain after one month of treatment. There was no difference between oral and topical form in terms of overall effectiveness

Blindness in children at the Ida Rieu school for the blind and deaf

Objective: To identify the causes of blindness at the Ida Rieu school for the blind and deaf, Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at the Ida Rieu School for the blind and deaf. The data collected from medical record of students was entered into the WHO/PBL eye examination form for children with blindness and low vision.Results: Records of 144 pupils aged between 4-30 years were reviewed, including 67% males and 33% females. One third (31%) children had visual impairment (\u3c 6/18-6/60) and 69% were blind (\u3c 3/60-NPL). The commonest anatomical site was retina (41%) and whole globe (20%). The etiology was unknown in 49% cases. In 33% of cases, the data suggested hereditary cause as the etiology, 40% of cases were preventable and 13% treatable.CONCLUSION: Avoidable causes of blindness were seenin 53% of children, 58% of which were preventable and 19 were treatable