Development of a Dynamic Model of Quality Control Circles: A Case of ABC Packaging Company

Quality control circles are considered an effective tool in the organization to best utilize the potential of the workforce. The objective behind using quality control circles is to use employees’ brains to generate savings and create an impact on the bottom-line of the company. The framework of the quality control circles shown in Table 2 proposed the structured seven steps strategy to use the workforce's potential for continuous improvement in the organization. Companies confront multi-faceted issues and challenges in the operational processes and corporate excellence thus mainly depends upon the effective and efficient quality controls to overcome the product, process, machine, and material related issues that hamper the production efficiency, quality of the product, and overall productivity of the company. This paper attempts to develop the system dynamics model of quality control circles based on normalized data of the case company. Participation in quality control circles is voluntary in nature and passion to learn and improve is the intrinsic motivation for employees and organizations to join these circles. Employee involvement to participate and produce creative ideas in these circles is the key to the success of these quality-enhancing programs (Jerman et al. 2019) and model outcome depicts the same story. The quality control circle model indicates that a set of inter-related and interdependent skills and behaviors are a necessary condition to increase participation in the quality control circles and productivity of projects under consideration. The computer-based software STELLA is used for programming the model of quality control circles using the generic structures of the company under study. Underlying feedback structures and interactions among various variables makes the model closer to the real-life setting

The Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from Primordial Black Holes in R-Symmetric SU(5)SU(5) Inflation

This study explores the realization of nonminimally coupled Higgs inflation in the context of no-scale supergravity, investigates the formation of primordial black holes, and examines the potential for observable proton decay within the framework of the R-symmetric $SU(5)$ model. For inflation, both single and multifield scenarios are investigated. The prediction of the single-field model for the tensor-to-scalar ratio, $r$, is approximately $10^{-3}$, and the scalar spectral index falls within Plank's 1$\sigma$ range. The running of the scalar spectral index, $-{dn_{s}}/{d\ln{k}}$, is approximately $10^{-4}$. A realistic scenario of reheating and non-thermal leptogenesis is employed with reheat temperature $T_r\sim10^9$ GeV. In the multifield case, we mainly focus on Primordial Black Holes (PBHs) and Gravitational Waves (GWs). In this inflationary framework, we demonstrate how a suitable choice of parameters can result in an enhanced scalar power spectrum, leading to the production of primordial black holes (PBHs) capable of fully accounting for dark matter. We also show that this scenario leads to Scalar Induced Gravitational Waves (SIGW) which can be detected in current and future GW detectors. We explore different proton decay channels to look for observable predictions for the next-generation proton decay experiments Hyper-K and DUNE consistent with gauge coupling unification and cosmological bounds.Comment: 21 pages, 19 figure

Role of Academic Leadership in Change Management for Quality in Higher Education in Pakistan

Currently, higher education is performing multi tasks for the development of a nation. It prepares and trains the work force for the 21st century. Higher education has broaden the fields of knowledge due to which different changes are occurring in every field of life as well as in the field of higher education and invites the academic leaders to integrate these changes and innovations for effective working in the global age. These changes have created many challenges to academic leaders, now academic leaders are responsible to trace these changes and add them for excellence in higher education. In some situations, academic leaders feel pressure as change management is necessary for advancement, while on the other hand local and cultural norms create some hurdles for them. It is up to academic leaders to motivate faculty members to accept these changes for the improvement of the standards of higher education and also prepare the faculty members to integrate these changes for fitness in the globalization. The objectives of the present study were to know the opinion of the faculty members about the change management and role of academic leaders to accept this change and implement for the betterment of higher education. The sample for the study was the faculty members of higher education institutions taken from Islamabad and Lahore. It is found that Integration of change is necessary for improvement in quality of higher education and it is the responsibility of the academic leaders to play their role for working in change management

Attitude of Medical Students Towards Psychiatry in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Dearth of psychiatrist specialists is evident worldwide. Awareness of undergraduate students towards mental illness has an important role in affecting the quality of care the patient receives and in choosing  psychiatry as a career . Decision to specialize in psychiatry based on many factors, however attitude of undergraduates towards career choice play most important role in this aspect. Objective: This study aims to explore attitude and towards psychiatry among medical undergraduates in tertiary care hospital and factors influencing this decision. Methodology: It was Descriptive cross sectional study done at Nishtar medical University, tertiary care hospital of Multan Pakistan from July to December 2019. The total 384 students from first to final year were enrolled by non probability convenient sampling technique. Participation was voluntary and ensured that response would be kept anonymous. ATP-30 (Attitude towards Psychiatry)   a 30 item self- administered questionnaire was used to measure the attitude of medical students. Data collected on a pre defined questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results pertaining to rates were reported as frequencies and percentages. Result: 47.4% of study respondents were male and 52.6 % were female. 52.3% of our study respondents strongly agree that psychiatry was respected branch of medicine and 56.7% strongly agree that psychiatry should be an important part of medical curriculum. 19.4% of study respondents consider it in the list of the carrier choice while majority didn’t think that it should be in their career list options. Conclusion: Majority of students shows positive attitude. Mostly found it as respected and essential field of medicine. However insufficient knowledge and awareness can also be observed in responses pertaining to available treatment and advancement in the field. There is a need to revise the curriculum and clinical rotation schedule to raise interest of students  regarding  mental health issues of their community and ease their decision in choosing it as a career. Keywords: Attitude, Undergraduate medical students, Psychiatry, Multan, Pakistan DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/63-06 Publication date: January 31st 202

Shrinking Employees Turnover Intention by applying Tools of Job Embeddedness (Used as a Mediator)

The current research study examined the association among the HRM practices through job embeddedness (as a mediator) and employee turnover intentions. In this study, the researchers used new construct i.e. job embeddedness to explore its mediating impact on the relationship between employee turnover intentions and HRM practices such as training, compensation, career planning, performance appraisal and supervisor support. Job embeddedness was studied in terms of fit, links, and sacrifice organization. Job embeddedness plays a crucial role to reduce turnover. If organization applies these HRM practices in true letter and spirit, then their employees will be more satisfied, committed, and loyal to that organization. If employees are more embedded to the organization in a positive manner, so that employees are more committed, satisfied and impacts their performance

Autologous Bone Graft vs PEEK Cage in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Background:  Cervical spine stenosis is one of the most common degenerative changes of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and results in severe dysfunction of the cervical spinal cord. The conventional treatment of such degenerative cervical spine conditions is anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Strut graft remains the gold standard in ACDF with excellent patient recovery but has many shortcomings. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages have recently become popular as a replacement for strut grafts in patients undergoing ACDF. Objective:  This study was carried out to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of autologous bone grafts versus PEEK cages in patients undergoing ACDF surgery. Materials and Methods:  It was a randomized controlled trial conducted at the Neurosurgery Department Punjab Institute of Neurosciences for three years. Patients who consented to be a part of this study and fulfilled our predefined inclusion criteria were recruited and randomized into 2 groups. One group underwent ACDF with auto bone graft whereas the other group underwent ACDF with PEEK cage. Results:  A total of 198 subjects were included in this study. The mean age was calculated as 47.60 ± 9.17 years in the PEEK cage group and 46.74 ± 8.87 years in the Autologous bone graft group. Males accounted for 59.6% of the study population.  The fusion rate was found to be higher in the PEEK cage group with a p-value of 0.002. Conclusion:  PEEK cages are superior to strut grafts as they have lesser morbidity after ACDF surgery in patients with CSM. &nbsp

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease and Risk of Adjacent Segment Disease

Objective:  To determine the chances of adjacent segment disease (ASD) and risk factors after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Material and Methods: 110 patients of both genders with degenerative lumbar instability at L4/5 level were included in my study. We did PLIF in all our patients and followed our patients for one year. The following parameters were measured: the degree of lumbar lordosis, the degree lumbosacral angle, the disc space height and their dynamic angulation and the displacement of L3 over L4. We checked the outcome with the help of the Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). We divided the patients into groups A and B; group A includes patients with progression of degeneration at the proximal level (L3-L4), while group B with no progression of disease at proximal level. Results:  The 86 patients (78.18%) were in group A, and 24 patients (21.88%) were in group B. There were no significant difference in radiological parameters of both groups; lumbosacral angle of lordosis, L3 laminar inclination angle, preoperative degenerative changes at proximal level, L4–L5 lordosis and BMD before surgery. The clinically and statistically significant differenceswere of the age of the patients falling in two groups. We found that at the completion of study ODI and JOA were not significantly different in both groups (P >0.05). Conclusion:  Degenerative lumbar disease is an age related disease with no significant effect of radiological degenerations on the final outcome of our patients.No other possible risk factor has a significant effect on outcome

Low Temperature Stress Induced Changes in Biochemical Parameters, Protein Banding Pattern and Expression of Zat12 and Myb Genes in Rice Seedling

Low temperature stress is one of the main abiotic factors that reduce the productivity of many crops in hilly areas around the world. In this study, rice seedling were exposed to low temperature stress (control, 0°C, -2°C, -4°C and -6°C) for 2 hr to observe its effect on two rice varieties (Basmati-385 and Shaheen Basmati) through ion and proline contents, photosynthetic pigments, total protein content, protein banding pattern and expression of Zat12 and Myb genes. Resulted showed different patterns of accumulation of Na+ K+ and Ca+2 ions with the decrease in temperature in both varieties. Proline accumulation was gradually increased in both varieties with the decrease in temperature. Photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll (Chl) a, b and carotene) were negatively affected by low temperature stress in both varieties, however, carotene content was much affected than Chl a and b. Nonsignificant variation in protein contents was observed at all levels of low temperature, but the effects of low temperature stress on protein banding pattern of Basmti-385 and Shaheen Basmati were different at different treatments. RT-PCR results indicated that ZAT12 was upregulated by short term low temperature stress while OsMYB show slight upregulation at -2°C as compared to the other treatments. This study identified that ZAT12 and OsMYB function as a positive regulator to mediate tolerance of rice seedlings at low temperature stress

Surgical Outcome of Cerebellopontine Angle Tumours by Retrosigmoid Approach

Objective: To determine the microsurgical outcome of cerebellopontine angle tumours by the retrosigmoid approach. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Neurosurgery Lahore General Hospital and mayo hospital, Lahore from January 1998 to June 2015. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and fifty six patients of cerebellopontine angle tumours of various histologies were operated at the Departments of Neurosurgery, Lahore General Hospital and mayo hospital, Lahore, from Jan 1998 to June 2015. All patients with unilateral or bilateral lesions from 15 to 65 yrs of age and with all different pathologies in cerebellopontine angle were included in the study. Complete blood count, X-Ray Chest and MRI Brain plain and with I.V contrast were done. Patients with pre-operative radiosurgery, multiple surgeries and those unfit for surgery were excluded from the study. All patients were operated under general anaesthesia by retrosigmoid approach in park bench position. Preservation of the facial nerve was attempted in all cases. Post op facial nerve status was compared with pre-op grade by House – Brackman grading. Post op development of hydrocephalus and other cranial nerve complications were also noted and overall morbidity and mortality was studied.Results: Four hundred and fifty six patients, 274 men (60.1%) and 182 women (39.9%), underwent micro-surgical excision of cerebellopontine angle tumours. 410 (89.9%) patients were vestibular schwannomas,22 (4.8%) were meningioma, 9 (1.9%) were epidermoid and 13 (2.8%) were all other pathologies in cerebello-pontine angle tumours. Patient ages ranged from 15 to 65 years (mean 44.11±8.41 years). All patients were operated by the Retrosigmoid approach. Complete resection was achieved in 237 patients (51.9%), subtotal resection (STR) in 209 patients (45.8%), and near-total resection (NTR) in 10 patients (2.1%). Good facial nerve outcomes (House-Brackmann [HB] Grades I-III) were achieved in 82% of the patients who had undergone either NTR or STR, as compared with 73% of patients who had undergone gross-total resection (GTR). Complications included wound infection (2 patients), delayed CSF leakage 10 (2.1% of patients), hydrocephalus requiring VP shunt in 15 (3.2%), basal cranial nerve palsy in 45 patients (9.8%) and mortality in 10 (2.1%). Conclusion: Retrosigmoid approach is relatively easy and safe approach for cerebellopontine angle tumour. Tumours of all sizes can be operated completely and facial nerve can be identified and saved with this approach with less operative time and less chances of CSF leak

Outcome of Lateral Mass Fixation and Fusion – A Comprehensive Analytical Study of 205 Lateral Mass Screws in 35 Patients at Punjab Institute of Neurosciences

Objective: To see outcome, accuracy and expected complications in passing lateral mass screws in patients with cervical spine injury, degenerative disease at the cervical spine level and neoplastic lesions.Materials and Methods: In this study, 35 patients were included and 205 screws passed in lateral mass patients’age ranged from 12-70 years (25 males and 10 females) with trauma to the cervical spine, degenerative disease at the cervical spine level and Intradural extramedullary benigntumors and extradural malignant neoplasm.Patients less than 12 years and more than 65 years of age,patients with traumatic ruptured disc causingspinal cord compression anteriorly and operated for cervical spine were excluded from our study.In all patients,we did lateral mass fixation with polyaxial screws and rods under fluoroscopic assistance.For assessment of screws trajectory and position, CT scan cervical spine with 3D reconstruction was performed on a first post op day to confirm screw orientation and direction and for fascet, foraminal, foramen transversarium violations.Results: All screws were passed by using Megrel’s trajectories. Not a single patient had nerve root, cord injury nor vertebral artery injury. One patient had screw pullouts requiring reoperation.12 to 14mm size screws were used under fluoro guidance. On postoperative CT cervical spine with 3D reconstruction shows no breach or violations of any foramen transversarium, nerve root injury or neural foramen penetration by screws. In all patients polyaxial screw/rod construct was used. Conclusion: Cervical spine lateral mass fixation with polyaxial screws is a safe and effective technique in expert hands under fluoroscopic assistance