The use of natural gas as fuel for motorcycles

Utilization of motorcycle in Malaysia is really synonym especially for lower income group. Statistic for motor vehicles in Malaysia shown that nearly five million units or over the half are motorcycles. These are mostly small capacity, two or four stroke engine motorcycles. The use of low quality fuel to operate motorcycles causes a serious pollutant especially in densely populated areas. Besides, crude oil reserve in Malaysia is expected to finish within 19 years. Natural gas is now acknowledged by the world as being a mainstream alternative fuel. It has a high octane rating that is general indication of the ability of the fuel to burn more efficient and improving engine performance. Malaysia has massive, under exploited natural gas reserve. As such a study has been conducted by a group of researchers from Gas Technology Centre (GASTEG) to diversify the usage of natural gas especially as a fuel for internal combustion engine. The product of this research is a set of natural gas conversion kits and the first prototype of natural gas motorcycle. The exhaust emissions from natural gas motorcycle give complete combustion, which decrease 99.6% of carbon monoxide and 72.5% of unburned hydrocarbon at a speed of 70km/hr. However, the lower heat content of natural gas and the lower burning velocity as compared to gasoline reduces the engine maximum power for about 15% at high engine speed without any modification to the original engine. These parameters can be used as a guidance to the motorcycle industry how to utilise natural gas as a fuel, a new and a leading technology for the world that propelling Malaysia for the next millennium with clean city

The Influence of Epidural Steroids on Postoperative Pain and Hospital Stay in Patients Having a Single-Level Lumbar Discectomy

Objective:   In this study, we looked at how intra-operative epidural steroids affected postoperative pain and stay duration in patients with unilateral single-level lumbar discectomy. Material & Methods:  A randomized control trial was conducted at Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. Group A (n = 30) was given intraoperative epidural methylprednisolone, while group B (n = 30) was given normal saline only. The outcome was measured between the two groups in terms of postoperative pain (visual analog scale), time of mobilization, length of hospital stay, and duration to return to work. Results:  At discharge, the VAS score in group A was 0.40 compared to 2.4 in group B (p = 0.000). At 2 weeks follow-up, the mean VAS score was 1.10 in group A in contrast to 1.4 in group B (p = 0.001). Patients who received local epidural methylprednisolone were mobilized after an average of 1 day, stayed for an average of 1.16 days, and returned to work following 18.2 days, whereas patients in the control group were mobilized after an average of 1.2 days, stayed for an average of 1.86 days and returned to work following 25.9 days. An incidental Dural tear occurs in 2 cases. Conclusion:  Intra-operative epidural steroid is beneficial in reducing post-operative pain, hospital stay, and time to return to work. It allows early mobilization with enhanced recovery and few complications

Impact of Human Capital on the Organization’s Innovative Capabilities: Case of Telecom Sector in Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of human capital on organization’s innovative capabilities in the narrative context of Pakistan. Today various organizations recognized the significance and importance of the intellectual capital. Without any doubt in knowledge-intensive organizations like telecom sector organizations intellectual capital plays a vital role in the contemporary aggressive and everchallenging business environment. The organizations can achieve competitive edge over its competitors by mean of innovation. By effective utilization of intellectual capital organizations can enhance innovative capabilities. Intellectual capital can be classified into three classifications named as human capital, structural capital and relational capital. Human capital is the main component of the intellectual capital and considered as a main aspect for the organization in order to perform in this diverse and unpredictable business environment. The conception of human capital now became mainstream issue for both academics and business practitioner all around the world. However, in the context of developing countries like Pakistan concept of human capital is still under explored. In this study at hand the impact of human capital organization’s innovative capabilities i.e. radical and incremental innovative capabilities are examined. Three hypotheses were developed in order to test the relationship between human capital and innovative capabilities of telecom sector organization in Pakistan. To accomplish the objectives of this study survey method was used in which data was collected through questionnaire. Telecom Sector of Pakistan has been taken as unit of analysis. The collected data was analyzed with the help of SPSS by applying the correlation and regression test. Results of correlation and regression analysis showed that there is a strong relationship between human capital and organization’s innovative capabilities in telecom sector of Pakistan and all three developed hypotheses were supported

Role of Waqf in poverty mitigation: A study from South Punjab Pakistan

This study investigated the mediating role of family well-being in the relationship between waqf and poverty mitigation. Using a cross-sectional design, data was collected from 350 respondents in a Malaysian context. The results showed that waqf practices have a direct positive effect on poverty mitigation and family well-being. Family well-being, in turn, partially mediates the relationship between waqf and poverty mitigation. The study provides evidence for the potential of waqf practices to improve family well-being, which can ultimately contribute to poverty reduction. The findings have important implications for policymakers, organizations, and Islamic philanthropists involved in poverty reduction efforts. Policymakers can promote and support waqf practices to mitigate poverty, while organizations can focus on initiatives that improve family well-being. The study highlights the importance of family well-being in poverty reduction efforts and provides valuable insights for poverty reduction strategies and initiatives

MOTIVATING STUDENTS THROUGH SELF CORRECTION

ABSTRACT Providing feedback is an ethical and professional responsibility of the teacher. Students seldom make good use of the feedback and they often repeat the same mistakes in future writing assignments. This paper highlights how students can be encouraged to improve their written work by using "Self Correction" tool proposed by McDonough and Shaw (2003

Prioritizing the Issues extracted for Getting Right People on Right Project in Software Project Management from Vendors' Perspective

Software project management inspires and urges the spirit of software developing team members which continues until project completion. Obviously, success of every project based on right selection of team members that ensures to meet the desired requirements of any software developing project. The fundamental aim of current study is to extract and prioritize issues faced by vendors of global software development (GSD) organizations during the selection of right team with having aim to complete the project successfully. As a methodology, a systematic literature review (SLR) used for data extraction and categorization, a questionnaire survey adopted for data validation, and a hierarchical analytical process (AHP) used for prioritizing extracted findings. A total of 12 issues are extracted and grouped into 3 categories (association, teamwork, and fascination). The overall result showed that 'association' is the most important category as compare to other categories. Similarly, communication and coordination issues, team's consistency and stability issues, and lack of expertise issues, etc are highlighted as the most critical issues during selection of right people for the right project from vendors' perspective.Qatar University [IRCC-2020-009]

Description of Sivalhippus (Equidae: Perissodactyla) from the Late Miocene Siwalik Sub-Group of Pakistan

New fossil mandible as well as isolated upper and lower dentitions of the late Miocene Hipparionine species, have been discovered from a locality of Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan. By using morphometric and morphologic analysis, we have deduced that these specimens belong to Sivalhippus theobaldi. The body size of this species was intermediate between Sivalhippus perimensis and Hipparion antilopinum while its hypsodonty indicates that this species was a grazer to a larger extent which existed in mosaic of woodland and grassland in the Latest Miocene. However, the comparison with the recent horse (Equus caballus) mandible indicates some differences in dental and jaw lengths. The recent horse tends to have bigger and longer molars (higher hypsodonty indices) which may be attributed to a response towards changing vegetation, started at the end of the Miocene (ca. 6-7 Ma) strengthening the hypothesis that adaptive physiologies are a response towards a changing climate

ATTITUDES OF ELEMENTARY TEACHERS IN LAHORE TOWARDS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional development is an accepted criterion for the enhancement of teaching skills of the in-service teachers’ vis-à-vis learning of the students. This study is aimed to measure the attitude of elementary teachers at different public sector high schools of Lahore towards their professional development. The data was collected through a researcher made questionnaire having 28 items focusing on 7 major indicators. A pilot study was conducted to check the validity of the tool. After establishing its validity the tool was distributed among the teaching staff of selected schools and was collected after a period of 3 days. The responses were then fed to SPSS to statistically analyze the data. The data was analyzed based on descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study show that the teachers are showing positive attitude towards their professional development. The data also show that female teachers at public sector are more conscious about their professional development than their male counterparts. Besides that it is also known that experience has less effect on the attitude of teachers regarding professional development

Comparison of Short Segment Percutaneous Transpedicular Fixation With and Without Inclusion of Fractured Vertebrae in Thoracolumbar Fractures

Objective:  To compare the outcome of SSPF (Short Segment Posterior Fixation) with and without the inclusion of fractured vertebrae in thoracolumbar fractures in terms of visual analog score and vertebral column stability. Materials and Methods:  The study enrolled 96 patients who were divided into two groups. Group A treated by SSPF (four screws: one level above and below the fracture), and Group B was treated by PSFFV (six screws: including fractured vertebrae). Assessment of parameters related to clinical and radiological aspects was recorded at 3 – 6 months. Results:  Mean ages of patients were 36.96 and 37.41 years with an M:F ratio of 1.8:1 and 1.4:1 in groups A (SSPF) and B (PSFFV), respectively. Mean VAS preoperatively, and postoperatively, at 3 and 6 months were 8.78 vs. 9.01, 4.98 vs. 5.01, 2.08 vs. 2.11, and 0.47 vs. 0.67 in groups A and B, respectively. Mean Kyphotic angle preoperatively, postoperatively, at 3 and 6 months were 21.76 vs. 22.91, 11.13 vs. 10.16, 13.59vs. 11.16 and 14.88 vs. 12.87 in groups A and B respectively. Mean AVH preoperatively, and postoperatively, at 3 and 6 months were 19.11 vs. 18.72, 20.01 vs. 22.71, 20.61 vs. 22.87, and 20.02 vs. 22.67 in groups A and B, respectively. Conclusion:  The results of this study favor PSFFV (Group B) over SSPF (Group A) in terms of vertebral column stability which was better achieved in PSFFV. PSFFV was also found superior with no implant failure which declares it safer and more effective than SSPF. None of the techniques was found superior in terms of pain. Radiologically, PSFFV, showed significant improvement in achieving anterior vertebral height, while there was no important distinction in kyphotic angle between the two

Feeding Overlap Investigations between Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix and Cyprinus Carpio from Punjab, Pakistan

Freshwater ichthyofauna is facing intensive stress as a result of urbanization and growing industries in Pakistan. The alien fish species are considered one of the major challenges due to their deleterious effects. Feeding habit analysis is a basic tool to evaluate the ecological stress on fish species residing in different habitats. The present study was designed to disclose the feeding overlap between Cyprinus carpio (Common Carp) and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Silver Carp) from Head Marala (river Chenab) and Mangla Dam (river Jhelum). For this purpose, 20 samples i-e 10 from each site of each fish species out of total 40 were captured from March to May 2022 and analyzed at the Department of Zoology, University of Sialkot through gut content analyses. Results indicated that there was a significant feeding overlap with Schoener index values of 0.65 and 0.89 at Head Marala and Mangla Dam respectively between two exotic fish species. It is observed that the aquatic ecosystem of Pakistan is being depleted, where highly generalist feeder invasive fishes have interspecific feeding overlap. It is recommended that the management of the freshwater ecosystem and resident ichthyofauna should be treated as a top priority; otherwise, these may embrace an inevitable and incalculable loss. This functional baseline data will help the land managers and aquaculturists to conserve the freshwater ecosystem of Pakistan