DRIVERS OF ENERGY INTENSITY IN PAKISTAN: AN ASSESSMENT USING INDEX DECOMPOSITION METHODS

We employ index decomposition techniques to decomposeaggregate energy consumption into energy intensity, efficiency andstructural change indices for Pakistan. Data suggests that energyinefficiencies play a prominent role in increasing energy intensitywhile structural changes cause small reduction in intensity index.Partial adjustment model was applied to investigate underlying forcesof energy intensity and its components. Results illustrate that energyprices and capital-labor ratio have significant effect in reducing energyintensity through efficiency channel whereas; income predominantlyincreases energy intensity through inefficient energy use. Extensivepolicy intervention is required through implementing energy intensityreduction targets for efficient energy use

Impact of Energy Efficiency on CO2 Emissions: Empirical Evidence from Developing Countries

Attaining higher level of the energy efficiency is being considered as a preferred and cost-effective policy option to achieve economic propensity, environmental sustainability and improved energy security in recent years. This drive to achieve higher energy efficiency levels is mainly motivated by higher international oil prices during last two decades, the concerns regarding energy supply security and rising CO2 emissions globally. In this background, this study decomposes energy intensity into structural and activity effects, and empirically examines their impact on CO2 emissions in environmental Kuznets curve framework for the developing economies. Second generation methodological approach is adopted. The decomposed indices reflect that energy efficiency has played a key role in decreasing energy intensity, while structural shifts have caused only a minor reduction in energy intensity. The findings suggest that energy efficiency improvements have largest influence on CO2 emissions mitigation. In developing countries as a whole, energy efficiency has positive while structural shifts have negative relation with CO2 emissions in long run. The findings presented that energy efficiency is major contributor of CO2 emissions reduction. While structural shifts in developing countries tend to increase CO2 emissions because these countries are moving towards the sectors that are producing more pollution. However, the income is one of the major contributors of CO2 emissions. While renewable energy consumption has negative and industrialization has positive impact on CO2 emissions in developing countries. The study outcomes are utilized to develop a policy framework for attaining the SDG 7 and SDG 13 in the chosen countries

An assessment of industrial employment skill gaps among university graduates in the Gujrat-Sialkot-Gujranwala industrial cluster, Pakistan

The objective of this study is to examine different assessments of employers and students about job skills leading to differences defined as skill, employability, and perception gaps based on surveys of 100 industrial employers and 151 final year students from 6 universities and postgraduate colleges in the Gujrat-Sialkot-Gujranwala industrial cluster. Factor analysis grouped 24 specific skills into the three interpretable categories: communication and business specific skills, core employability skills, and professional skills. The results suggest gaps in all three respects for each of the skill categories.Non-PRIFPRI1; PSSPDSG

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Myrsine africana Leaf Extract for Their Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Phytotoxic Activities

Nanotechnology is the study and control of materials at length scales between 1 and 100 nanometers (nm), where incredible phenomena enable new applications. It affects all aspects of human life and is the most active research topic in modern materials science. Among the various metallic nanoparticles used in biomedical applications, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most important and interesting nanomaterials. The aim of this study was to synthesize AgNPs from the leaf extract of Myrsine africana to investigate their antibacterial, antioxidant, and phytotoxic activities. When the leaf extract was treated with AgNO3, the color of the reaction solution changed from light brown to dark brown, indicating the formation of AgNPs. The UV-visible spectrum showed an absorption peak at 438 nm, confirming the synthesis of AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the AgNPs were spherical and oval with an average size of 28.32 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the presence of bio-compound functional groups on the surface of the AgNPs. The crystalline nature of the AgNPs was confirmed by XRD pattern. These biosynthesized AgNPs showed pronounced antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with higher inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli. At 40 µg/mL AgNPs, the highest antioxidant activity was obtained, which was 57.7% and an IC50 value of 77.56 µg/mL. A significant positive effect was observed on all morphological parameters when AgNPs were applied to wheat seedlings under constant external conditions at the different concentrations. The present study provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of AgNPs, which can be effectively used in the field of therapeutics, as antimicrobial and diagnostic agents, and as plant growth promoters.This research was funded by projects APOGEO Cooperation Program INTERREG-MAC 2014–2020, with European Funds for Regional Development-FEDER. “Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información (ACIISI) del Gobierno de Canarias” (Project ProID2020010134), and CajaCanarias (Project 2019SP43).Peer reviewe

Descriptive study of plant resources in the context of the ethnomedicinal relevance of indigenous flora: A case study from Toli Peer National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

<div><p>Background</p><p>This paper presents the first quantitative ethnobotanical study of the flora in Toli Peer National Park of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Being a remote area, there is a strong dependence by local people on ethnobotanical practices. Thus, we attempted to record the folk uses of the native plants of the area with a view to acknowledging and documenting the ethnobotanical knowledge. The aims of the study were to compile an inventory of the medicinal plants in the study area and to record the methods by which herbal drugs were prepared and administered.</p><p>Materials and methods</p><p>Information on the therapeutic properties of medicinal plants was collected from 64 local inhabitants and herbalists using open ended and semi-structured questionnaires over the period Aug 2013-Jul 2014. The data were recorded into a synoptic table comprising an ethnobotanical inventory of plants, the parts used, therapeutic indications and modes of application or administration. Different ethnobotanical indices i.e. relative frequencies of citation (RFC), relative importance (RI), use value (UV) and informant consensus factor (Fic), were calculated for each of the recorded medicinal plants. In addition, a correlation analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 16 to check the level of association between use value and relative frequency of citation.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 121 species of medicinal plants belonging to 57 families and 98 genera were recorded. The study area was dominated by herbaceous species (48%) with leaves (41%) as the most exploited plant part. The Lamiaceae and Rosaceae (9% each) were the dominant families in the study area. Among different methods of preparation, the most frequently used method was decoction (26 species) of different plant parts followed by use as juice and powder (24 species each), paste (22 species), chewing (16 species), extract (11 species), infusion (10 species) and poultice (8 species). The maximum Informant consensus factor (Fic) value was for gastro-intestinal, parasitic and hepatobiliary complaints (0.90). <i>Berberis lycium Ajuga bracteosa</i>, <i>Prunella vulgaris</i>, <i>Adiantum capillus-veneris</i>, <i>Desmodium polycarpum</i>, <i>Pinus roxburgii</i>, <i>Albizia lebbeck</i>, <i>Cedrella serrata</i>, <i>Rosa brunonii</i>, <i>Punica granatum</i>, <i>Jasminum mesnyi</i> and <i>Zanthoxylum armatum</i> were the most valuable plants with the highest UV, RFC and relative importance values. The Pearson correlation coefficient between UV and RFC (0.881) reflects a significant positive correlation between the use value and relative frequency of citation. The coefficient of determination indicated that 77% of the variability in UV could be explained in terms of RFC.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Systematic documentation of the medicinal plants in the Toli Peer National Park shows that the area is rich in plants with ethnomedicinal value and that the inhabitants of the area have significant knowledge about the use of such plants with herbal drugs commonly used to cure infirmities. The results of this study indicate that carrying out subsequent pharmacological and phytochemical investigations in this part of Pakistan could lead to new drug discoveries.</p></div

Relationship between Use value (UV) and Relative frequency of citation (RFC).

<p>Relationship between Use value (UV) and Relative frequency of citation (RFC).</p

Map showing location of Toli Peer National Park within Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.

<p>Map showing location of Toli Peer National Park within Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.</p

Demographic data of informants in Toli Peer National park.

<p>Demographic data of informants in Toli Peer National park.</p