The Role of Resonant Leadership, Workplace Friendship and Serving Culture in predicting Organizational Commitment: the Mediating Role of Compassion at Work

Purpose – This study aims to empirically demonstrate the positive effects of resonant leadership, workplace friendship and serving culture on organizational commitment through a mediating role of compassion at work. Design/methodology/approach – The data are collected from 442 front line employees (FLEs) working in Pakistani healthcare organizations by employing a cross-sectional survey. The collected data are analysed through the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique, using SmartPLS 3.0. Findings – All the proposed relationships are statistically supported. We found that resonant leadership, serving culture and workplace friendship predict normative commitment among healthcare frontliners through a mediating role of compassion at work. The results demonstrate an excellent model fit, where all the direct as well as indirect hypotheses are supported by the data. Originality/value – The analysis of the positive effects of resonant leadership, workplace friendship and serving culture as a unified framework to predict organizational commitment via the mediating role of compassion in a healthcare setting is unique to this study

Drug overdose: a wake up call! Experience at a tertiary care centre in Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of patients admitted with drug overdose caused either by accidental overdose of the prescribed medications or as an act of deliberate self harm (DSH) at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.METHODS: A retrospective case series review was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2002 to October 2006. Three hundred and twenty four adult patients admitted with drug overdose were included in the study.RESULTS: Our sample group revealed mean age of 36.2 +/- 17.0 years, more females (59%), housewives (34%), and students (20%). Fifty six percent of patients committing DSH were married (p = 0.001), 81% needed in-patient psychiatric services (p = 0.016) of whom a significantly high number (38%) refused it. Domestic and social issues were rated highest among DSH group (p = 0.003), depression among females was common (p = 0.028) and Benzodiazepines (41%) was the most frequently used drug (p = 0.021). Sub-group analysis of accidental overdoses revealed mean age of 45.6 +/- 19.6 years, single (75.4%) and males (54.1%). Drugs used were mainly Benzodiazepines (18%) followed by Opioids (11%), Antiepileptics (10%) and Warfarin (10%).CONCLUSION: Our study showed that depressed housewives are at greater risk for DSH. Domestic and social issues were rated highest and Benzodiazepines were the most commonly used agents. Most of our patients refused inpatient psychiatric treatment leading us to believe that general awareness of psychiatric illnesses is imperative in our community. High number of accidental overdoses is alarming in older, single males convincing us to believe that existing pharmacy system needs further evaluation and modification

A comprehensive review on Gossypium hirsutum resistance against cotton leaf curl virus

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a significant fiber crop. Being a major contributor to the textile industry requires continuous care and attention. Cotton is subjected to various biotic and abiotic constraints. Among these, biotic factors including cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) are dominant. CLCuV is a notorious disease of cotton and is acquired, carried, and transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). A cotton plant affected with CLCuV may show a wide range of symptoms such as yellowing of leaves, thickening of veins, upward or downward curling, formation of enations, and stunted growth. Though there are many efforts to protect the crop from CLCuV, long-term results are not yet obtained as CLCuV strains are capable of mutating and overcoming plant resistance. However, systemic-induced resistance using a gene-based approach remained effective until new virulent strains of CLCuV (like Cotton Leaf Curl Burewala Virus and others) came into existence. Disease control by biological means and the development of CLCuV-resistant cotton varieties are in progress. In this review, we first discussed in detail the evolution of cotton and CLCuV strains, the transmission mechanism of CLCuV, the genetic architecture of CLCuV vectors, and the use of pathogen and nonpathogen-based approaches to control CLCuD. Next, we delineate the uses of cutting-edge technologies like genome editing (with a special focus on CRISPR-Cas), next-generation technologies, and their application in cotton genomics and speed breeding to develop CLCuD resistant cotton germplasm in a short time. Finally, we delve into the current obstacles related to cotton genome editing and explore forthcoming pathways for enhancing precision in genome editing through the utilization of advanced genome editing technologies. These endeavors aim to enhance cotton’s resilience against CLCuD

Predator- Prey Interaction In Plant –Associated Ecosystems. Effect On Plant Fitness And Trophic Cascade

Predator-prey interactions in plant-associated ecosystems play a crucial role in shaping ecosystem dynamics and stability. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the implications of these interactions, highlighting the intricate web of relationships among predators, herbivores, and plants. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining predator-prey interactions for ecosystem stability and functioning. Trophic cascades initiated by predator-prey interactions have been shown to regulate herbivore populations, indirectly benefiting plant communities. However, human activities can significantly impact predator populations and trophic cascades, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to preserve these important ecological dynamics. The integration of molecular techniques and modeling approaches can enhance our understanding of trophic cascades in plant-associated ecosystems. Conservation strategies aimed at promoting predator diversity and enhancing plant fitness are essential for maintaining ecosystem stability and promoting sustainable management of plant-associated ecosystems. Further research is needed to investigate the complex dynamics of predator-prey interactions and trophic cascades, as well as to develop effective conservation strategies to preserve these important ecological dynamics

Improving Growth and Yield of Sunflower with Integrated Use of Compost and PGPR (Variovorax Paradoxus) with Different Levels of N-Chemical Fertilizer

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) stimulate plant growth through their ability, to increasing the root length and growth, by asymbiotic nitrogen fixation, by producing siderophores, solubilization of mineral phosphates and mineralization of other nutrients. Organic waste material of fruits and vegetables was collected and composted in a locally fabricated composting unit. A pot trial was conducted to study the effectiveness of compost and PGPR (Variovorax paradoxus) with recommended rate of PK and with different rates of N fertilizer i.e. 50 %, 75 % and 100 %, on growth and yield of sunflower. Results showed that the integrated use of 75 % N of recommended dose in combination with PGPR inoculation and compost caused a significant increase in grain yield and yield-contributing parameters compared with control. PGPR isolate Variovorax paradoxus in combination with 75 % N of recommended dose and compost gave maximum total achene’s yield 73 % more than control where recommended NPK was applied. Similarly, in case of Plant height, root length, head diameter, head weight, 100 – Achene’s weight and nitrogen content in straw were also increased by PGPR isolate Variovorax paradoxus in combination with 75 % N of the recommended dose and compost up to 11, 109, 27, 26, 17, and 54.0 % respectively over control

The Comparison of Outcome in Treating Proximal Ureteric Stones of Size 10 mm to 15 mm Using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy as Compared to Ureterorenoscopic Manipulation Using Holmium Laser

Urinary stone disease or nephrolithiasis, the third most common disease of the urinary tract, is a major health issue due to its high prevalence, occurrence, and recurrence. The hallmark of a stone that obstructs the ureter or renal pelvis is excruciating, intermittent pain that radiates from the flank to the groin or to the inner thigh. Stone size influences the rate of spontaneous stone passage. Our aim was to compare the efficacy & the frequency of stone-free patients after intervention at 1 week after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureterorenoscopic (URS) manipulation for proximal ureteric stone (10–15 mm size). This randomized control trial was done in the department of Urology, KRL Hospital Islamabad from 18th Nov 2019 to 18th May 2020. After meeting the inclusion criteria, 100 patients were enrolled and were divided into two groups. The first group was treated with ESWL and the other with URS. Then, procedures were done. Follow-up was noted after 1 week in the stone clinic. The average age of the patients was 39.71 ± 10.17 years. Efficacy in the ESWL group was found in 68% cases while in the URS group, efficacy was noticed in 76% cases (P > 0.05). Male patients were three times at a higher risk of recurrence as compared to females. This study concluded that both ESWL and URS are equally effective statistically in terms of the frequency of stone-free patients at 1 week for proximal ureteric stone (10–15 mm size)

Determination of Crop Coefficient of Hybrid Wheat under Arid Climate: A Pot Study

Climate change increases vulnerabilities for crop productivity in Pakistan. Water crises are increasing with an increase in temperature and change in precipitation patterns due to climate change which ultimately imposed a threat to the food security of the country. Water is indispensable for all plants to complete life cycle as the unavailability of water at critical growth stages drastically affects the development of the plant. The present pot study was conducted for the estimation of crop coefficient of hybrid wheat for irrigation scheduling at Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan during two growing seasons 2018-19 and 2019-20. In this experiment, three wheat varieties were used were Hybrid-1 (R26-3-1/DH-16), Hybrid-2(AR 7-5 / ZWB-14), and Galaxy-2013 as treatment. The soil moisture content was maintained between 50 to 100 % available water content (AWC) during both growing seasons. The crop coefficient (Kc) and actual evapotranspiration (Eta) were maximum in galaxy-13 and minimum in hybrid wheat. The grain yield for Hybrid-1, Hybrid-2, and galaxy-13 was 1, 1.5, and 0.6 g plant-1, respectively while the straw output was 4.8, 4.3, and 3 g plant-1, respectively. The harvest index for Hybrid-1, Hybrid-2, and galaxy-13 were 20, 34, and 20% respectively. The water use efficiency (WUE) for Hybrid-1, Hybrid-2, and galaxy-13 was 0.2. 0.3 and 0.1 g plant-1mm-1, respectively. The Hybrid-1 and Hybrid-2 produced more grain yield, straw yield, more spikes, and more grains per spikes and showed more water use efficiency with short plant height as compared to galaxy-13. The results of the study revealed that Hybrid-2 is more water-efficient with low water requirement and it was followed by Hybrid-1. The growing of Hybrid-2 will enhance the wheat yield to meet the food requirements of the increasing population under the climate change scenario with less water

Impact of unhygienic conditions during slaughtering and processing on spread of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli from poultry

Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli is a global health concern. We studied all possible routes of cross contamination of broiler meat with resistant E. coli from broiler feces at poultry shops. Various sample categories namely poultry feces, meat (n=225 for each), slaughterer hands, consumer hands, slaughterer knife, canister, tap water, carcass, feed and drinking water (n=50 for each) were collected from local poultry processing market. Samples were screened for prevalence of E. coli, resistance of isolates against ten antibiotics and presence of tetracycline- resistance genes in the isolates. Fecal samples had greatest colony count (4.1×104 CFU/g) as compared to meat (1.9×104 CFU/g) samples. Samples of consumer hands (6%) and tap water (12%) had less prevalence percentages of E. coli as compared to slaughterer hands (92%) and drinking water of broiler (86%). Isolates of eight sample categories had high resistant rate (≥90%) against oxytetracycline. On average, about 94% of the isolates from various sample categories possessed multidrug-resistance (MDR). Tetracycline-resistance genes (tetA and tetB) were identified in all sample categories except isolates of consumer hands and tap water. The distribution of tetracycline-resistance genes was significantly greater in fecal isolates (42%) than meat isolates (25%). The study depicted the spread of resistant E. coli in broiler meat through all studied routes of contamination of slaughtering periphery. This problem can be mitigated by strict monitoring of antibiotics use at poultry farms, prevention of cross contamination by adopting hygienic slaughter and vigorously screening the market meat for resistant E. coli