The impact of culture and gender on leadership behavior: Higher education and management perspective

The study of culture, gender and leadership behavior has received much interest from researchers during the last three decades. This paper attempts to propose a conceptual framework consisting three human resource management (HRM) practices (culture, gender and leadership styles) and to explain the relationship among these variables. Culture plays an important role to adopt different leadership styles because it influences the way in which individuals, groups and teams interact with each other and cooperate to achieve organizational goals. The seven cultural elements are measured in the current study i.e., i) member identity ii) rewards criteria iii) team emphasis iv) means-end orientation v) control vi) unit integration and vii) risk/ conflict tolerance. Results show that the culture has a significant influence on male leaders to adopt different leadership styles, but female leaders likely participative in their leadership positions and try to adopt democratic leadership in different cultures

Formulation and characterization of Solid dispersion of Nisoldipine by Solvent Evaporation Method

The aim of this study is to improve the solubility of poorly water soluble drug Nisoldipine by formulating the solid dispersion with different water soluble carriers. This will improve the dissolution rate of antihypertensive drug, Nisoldipine. For this purpose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) k-25and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 were used as carriers and dispersion was carried out by solvent evaporation technique. Formulations were characterized by particle size analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), drug content determination and dissolution studies. The particle size was found in range of 43.52 - 45.12 ?m. FTIR studies showed the compatibility between drug and polymers. DSC study indicated that the drug was in amorphous form which results in better dissolution of the drug from the solid dispersion as compared to the pure drug and physical mixture. Dissolution studies indicated better release for solid dispersions and solubility was also increased 15 folds than pure drug. This could provide the formulation technology with a potential of increased bioavailability of poorly water soluble drug by increasing its dissolution rate. Keywords: Solid Dispersion, nisoldipine, solvent evaporation, PVP k-25, PEG-400

Bovine Feed Manipulation, Enhancement of Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Its Bioavailability

Diet is a pivotal contributing factor to the onset and progression of some chronic ailments nowadays. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a bioactive component of ruminant fat, introduces more elucidates what we know polyunsaturated fats and diseases. CLA, a mixture of isomers c9, t11 and t10, c12, is the most abundant ranging from 80 to 90% of total CLA isomers and account for most known health benefits. Dairy milk and meat are the major dietary sources of CLA, and its concentration is of great interest to human health. The biofunctionalities of CLA from enriched dairy products are major attributes in the context of a substance present in our everyday diet. Thus, dietary modifications in animal feed, synthetic and microbial production have been made to increase CLA intake to enhance its clinical manifestations. However, the bioavailability and distribution of enriched or supplemented CLA has not been fully elucidated because of its response variation in different animal models. This chapter deals with different dietary sources, availability, enhancement of CLA in dairy products and its positive manifestation against different maladies. In conclusion, it is feasible to produce CLA-enriched dairy products with acceptable storage and sensory characteristics while deriving its nutritional benefits

Comparative Review on Information and Communication Technology Issues in Education Sector of Developed and Developing Countries: A Case Study About Pakistan

The use of information and communication technology is very beneficial in the education sector because it can enhance the quality of education. However, the implementation of ICT in the education sector of developed and developing countries is a challenging task. This paper explains the comparative study of ICT issues in the education sector of developed and developing countries. In particular, we compare issues between Pakistan and high-tech countries. Our study reveals the fact that the education sector is facing numerous ICT problems that are based on culture, finance, management, infrastructure, lack of training, lack of equipment, teacher’s refusal, and ethical issues. At the end of this paper, various issues faced by the implementation of ICT in the education sector of Pakistan have been categorized into various types, namely, infrastructure, lack of IT professionals, lack of high-speed internet and equipment. Our research is based on five key research questions related to ICT issues. We used a mixed approach where the results of this study can be used as a set of guidelines to help make the learning environment technology-oriented, fast, planned, and productive. Future directions are also given at the end of this paper

The Influence of Board Characteristics on Shareholders Assessment of Risk for Small and Large Firms: Evidence from Pakistan

This unique study examines the alliance between board characteristics and shareholders assessment of risk as revealed in the volatility of stock returns for Pakistani listed companies. For this purpose, a sample of 30 manufacturing companies is used that are listed on Karachi Stock Exchange for the period of 2004 to 2013.  The study uses panel data analysis and reports that random effect model is the best results yielding method. Our hypothesis incorporates preceding evidence that the small and large firms have spectacularly diverse constitution of boards, shimmering the firms diverse monitoring and counseling needs. It is hypothesized and locate confirmation with the intention of entrenched the large firms are able to produce affirmative net benefits, in the appearance of lesser risk, form board independence, gender diversity and director ownership. On the other hand the finding of this study showed the board size is negatively associated with the shareholder assessment of risk for large firms and the positive associated with the assessment of risk for small firms. The CEO duality is positive associated with the assessment of risk for large and negative associated amid assessment of risk for small firms. The results have insinuation for regulatory authorities, shareholders and directors to take steps to improve the board competanices for better performance. Keywords: Board Characteristics, Shareholders Assessment of Risk, Panel Data Analysis, Karachi Stock Exchange JEL Classifications: G32, G34, G38

Formalizing Mobile Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks Using VDM-SL

AbstractMobile ad hoc and sensor networks (MAHSNs) are expected to become the fabric of modern societies. Despite considerable advancements, these networks are yet unable to surmount many operational challenges especially in safety-critical large-scale applications. Most of the published research focused on performance analysis of nonfunctional properties and ignore correctness of the approach which is vital in large and complex systems. This paper investigates an alternative formal specification and analysis technique for MAHSNs. We model MAHSNs as dynamic graph and employ VDM-SL for formal specification and verification of LASCNN algorithm. Constraints are put on the data where required to support validation of the formal algorithm. Pre and post conditions are defined for correct operation of communication in terms of messages. VDM-SL is used because it is a formal specification language to describe detailed examination of the system. The specification is analyzed and validated using VDM-SL toolbox

Protocol optimization for efficient in vitro micro-propagation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni

Background: Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is one of the most amazing herb that is an abundant source of diterpene glycoside a non-caloric sweetener. In recent years alongside its utilization in herbal and folk medicine, commercial exploitation of this herb for weight control and anti-diabetic treatment has started.Methods: In present study healthy nodal segments of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni were used as explants for optimization of in vitro micro-propagation and regeneration protocol for rapid, fast and efficient multiplication under in-vitro conditions. For shoot proliferation and rooting various concentrations cytokinins NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid), BAP (Benzyl amino purine), IAA (Indole acetic acid) and kinetin (Kn) were employed.Results: Shoots without roots were regenerated from nodal segments via auxiliary shoot induction. The production of multiple shoots from nodal portion was maximum on MS medium complemented with 0.5 mg/L of BAP and 1.5 mg/L of Kn. Maximum rooting was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/L NAA and 1.0 mg/L of IAA. Successful hardening was achieved under controlled growth room conditions followed by transfer to glass house and open field.Conclusion: Standardization of explant source and culturing media for multiplication of shoot resulted in mass proliferation of homogenous and healthy plantlets of Stevia clones under local conditions. Keywords: Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni; BAP; Kinetin, NAA; IAA; Micro-propagation; Regeneratio