DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN PAKISTAN

Diversity management practices are becoming the norm of the day and a challenge for HR managers. Keeping this organizational reality in mind, the main purpose of the research is to explain the relationships between diversity management practices and organizational performance. Hypotheses has been developed and the diversity management practices, and the organizational performance have been measured using the Employees’ perception of diversity management practices (EPDMP) scale and on a sample size of 514 employees from public and private sector organizations across Pakistan. The results confirm the relationship between diversity management practices and organizational performance.  It has been concluded that higher workforce diversity does not automatically produce an inclusive climate, specific working environment is required to support workforce diversity where diverse employees are valued and appreciated. Lastly, some practical implications for HR managers and policy makers have also been discussed

Atributos físico-químico en aceite de semilla de plantas de girasol (Helianthus annuus L.) sometidas a estrés por sequia

The effects of water deficit conditions on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of sunflower seed and seed oils were assessed. Two sunflower cultivars (Gulshan-98 and Suncross) were sown in the field. The water stress treatment was applied at the vegetative or the reproductive stage. Analysis of the sunflower seed showed that the oil content decreased (a decline of 10.52% relative to the control) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) due to water stress when imposed at either of the growth stages. Both of the sunflower cultivars studied showed differential responses to water stress with respect to oil oleic and linoleic acid contents. A significant negative correlation in oil oleic and linoleic acid was observed in cv. Gulshan-98 under water deficit conditions as compared to Suncross in which no such effect of water stress on oleic and linoleic acid was observed. Water deficit conditions caused a reduction in linolenic acid in Gulshan-98, whereas it remained unaffected in Suncross. The stearic acid content increased in cv. Gulshan-98 due to drought, whereas no effect due to water stress was observed on oil palmitic acid content in either sunflower cultivar. Overall, oil unsaturated fatty acids remained unchanged in the drought stressed or normally irrigated plants of both cultivars but saturated fatty acid increased in Gulshan-98. Individual (α, γ, and δ) and total tocopherol contents in the seed oil increased significantly with the application of water stress in both cultivars. An assessment of the physical and chemical characteristics of the oils of both sunflower cultivars revealed that drought stress caused a marked increase in the content of un-saponifiable matter (18.75% with respect to the control) and a decrease in iodine value (5.87% with respect to the control), but saponifcation value, density, specific gravity and refractive index remained unchanged.El efecto de las condiciones de déficit de agua sobre las características cualitativas y cuantitativas de semilla de girasol y aceites de semilla fueron evaluadas. Dos cultivos de girasol (Gulshan-98 y Sun Cross) fueron sembrados en el campo. El tratamiento de estrés hídrico fue aplicado en el estado vegetativo y reproductivo. El análisis de la semilla de girasol mostro que el contenido en aceite disminuyo significativamente (p ≤ 0.05) (un descenso del 10,52% respecto al control) debido al estrés hídrico cuando se impone en ambos estado de crecimiento. Ambos cultivos de girasol mostraron respuestas diferenciadas al estrés hídrico con respecto a los contenidos de los ácidos oleico y linoleico. Una correlación negativa significativa entre los ácidos oleico y linoleico fue observada en cv. Gulshan-98 bajo condiciones de déficit de agua en comparación con Suncross en la que tal efecto del estres hídrico sobre los ácidos oleico y linoleico no fue obsevado. Las condiciones de déficit de agua causan una reducción en el ácido linoleico en Gulshan-98, mientras que permanece inalterado en Suncross. Los contenidos de ácido esteárico aumentaron en cv. Gulshan-98 debido a la sequia, mientras que no se observo efecto del estrés hídrico sobre el contenido de ácido palmítico en el aceite de ambos cultivos de girasol. En general, los ácidos grasos poliinsaturado del aceite permanecen sin cambios en condiciones de estrés hídrico o en plantas regadas normalmente de ambos cultivo, sin embargo los ácidos grasos saturados incrementaron en Gulshan-98. Los contenidos de tocoferoles totales o individuales (α, γ, and δ) en aceite de semilla se incrementaron significativamente con la aplicación de estrés hídrico en ambos cultivos. Una evaluación de las características físicas y químicas de ambos cultivos de girasol revelan que el estrés por sequia causa un marcado incremento en el contenido de materia insaponificable (18,75% con respecto al control) y un descenso del índice de yodo (5,87% respecto al control), aunque el índice de saponificación, densidad, peso específico y índice de refracción permanecen sin cambios

Diversity Management and Organizational Performance in Pakistan

Purpose The main purpose of research is to examine the relationships between diversity management and organizational performance along with the fostering role of leadership dimensions. Methodology Diversity management practices have been measured using the EPDMP scale on a sample of 514 employees from organizations across Pakistan and data were collected from employees of universities. The PLS-SEM was used as the main technique for data analysis. Findings Results show that higher workforce diversity does not automatically produce inclusive climate-specific diversity inclusive leadership dimensions are required to support diversity environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. Further, the results confirm that the diversity-inclusive leadership dimensions moderate the relationship between diversity management and organizational performance. Conclusions The study concluded that diversity management has a positive and significant direct impact on organizational performance. Therefore, policymakers need to devise human resource statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and practices that promote a heterogeneous workforce in organizations and offer equal opportunities to all employees unrestricted by individual employee identities such as gender, race, ethnicity, education, religion, function, and abilities. Practical implications The findings are very helpful for HR managers for effective diversity management to enhance their organizational performance. Originality/value: The study explains the association of diversity management practices and organizational performance and moderating role of diversity leadership dimensions

Thermally robust ring-shaped chromium perfect absorber of visible light

A number of light-absorbing devices based on plasmonic materials have been reported, and their device efficiencies (or absorption) are high enough to be used in real-life applications. Many light-absorbing applications such as thermophotovoltaics and energy-harvesting and energy-sensing devices usually require high-temperature durability; unfortunately, noble metals used for plasmonics are vulnerable to heat. As an alternative, refractory plasmonics has been introduced using refractory metals such as tungsten (3422 degrees C) and transition metal nitrides such as titanium nitride (2930 degrees C). However, some of these materials are not easy to handle for device fabrications owing to their ultra-high melting point. Here, we propose a light absorber based on chromium (Cr), which is heat tolerant due to its high melting temperature (1907 degrees C) and is compatible with fabrication using conventional semiconductor manufacturing processes. The fabricated device has >95% average absorption of visible light (500-800 nm) independent of polarization states. To verify its tolerance of heat, the absorber was also characterized after annealing at 600 degrees C. Because of its compactness, broadband operational wavelength, and heat tolerance, this Cr perfect absorber will have applications in high-temperature photonic devices such as solar thermophotovoltaics.111Ysciescopu

Infective agents in diabetic foot ulcers and their sensitivity patterns

Background: Diabetic-foot syndrome is a difficult & debilitating complication of inadequately regulated Diabetes Mellitus. Attributed to neural & vascular pathology, the condition is further potentiated by glycemic healing impairment.  A wide array of microorganisms have been implicated & sensitivity-guided antibiotics are essential to save both limb as well as to minimize rampant microbial resistance. Present study aims to determine the culture & sensitivity pattern of bacteria in stated cohort of patients at a Surgical Unit. Materials & Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted over a period of 1 year-duration at a tertiary-care-Hospital. All patients presenting with diabetic-foot who had not been subjected to empiric antibiotic-therapy were enrolled. Demographic & lesion-based variables were studied and the Culture & Sensitivity pattern was evaluated and statistically analyzed. Results:100 patients were included in the study,of which 80 were male (mean-age 60.8±12.7 years) & rest female (mean-age 58.4±11.3-years).35% cultures yielded no growth. Remaining cases showed following pathogens in descending order of incidence. Maximal sensitivity was also reported as mentioned. 1) Staphylococcus-aureus & Klebseilla-Pneumoenae– Piperacillin/Tazobactam,2) Pseudomonas-Aerugionas-Cefotaxime,3)E-coli–Amikacin& Sulbactam,4) Proteus -Gentamicin, 5) Streptococci– Amikacin and 6) Bacteroides – Cefoperazone & Aztreonam. Of 71 cases, 70  had aerobic-organisms isolates & only 1 had anaerobic-isolate.   Conclusions: Six pathogens were identified in present study of which Staphylococcus-Aureus was the most prevalent as well as the most resistant. Streptococci & Gram-negative Organisms were observed in remaining cases. While formulation of an adequate antibiotic regime is rendered difficult by resistance & mixed infections, targeted antibiotic administration is decisively crucial to achieve optimal & timely outcome in diabetic foot. &nbsp

Efficacy of Phytochemicals of Cassia Angustifolia in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia – An In-silico Analysis

Objective: To discover the compounds of Cassia having activity against the BCR-ABL fusion protein involved in the pathogenesis of CML and to compare it with previously developed inhibitor, nilotinib using in-silico molecular docking. Methodology: The 3D structure of Human BCR-ABL fusion protein was obtained from PDB (RSCB). The SMILES and Chemical Structures of the ligands were obtained from PubChem. They were prepared in Mol SDF format by the Chem Bio Draw and then converted to PDBQT format using PyRx tool for generating the atomic coordinates for molecular docking.  Molecular docking of Nilotinib, Quercimeritin, and Scutellarein with Human ABL Kinase was performed using Autodock4. The ADMET properties were described using Swiss ADME, a web-based tool. Results: All the three compounds under study bind and make stable complexes with wild-type BCR ABL with the global energies of -12.46, -16.17kCal/mol and -15.41kCal/mol for Nilotinib Scutellarein and Quercimeritin respectively which means that these compounds can act as selective inhibitors of BCR-ABL fusion protein. Quercimeritin, also form Hydrogen bonds with GLU 286 and Asp 381, Conclusion: The binding energies of the phytochemicals of Cassia are higher in comparison with Nilotinib which has a binding energy of -12.46kCal/mol which suggests a better inhibitory potential of these compounds. Quercimeritin also forms Hydrogen bonds with Glutamine 286 and Aspartate 381, hence its potential to be a potent inhibitor of the BCR- ABL fusion protein is more promising Nilotinib. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are suggested to elaborate the anti-neoplastic potential of Quercimeritin in CML

Inhibitory Effect of Sodium Cromoglycate on Insulin Induced Airway Hyper-Reactivity

Objective: To explore the acute effect of insulin on airway reactivity of guinea pigs and protective effects of sodium cromoglycate against insulin induced airway hyper-reactivity on isolated tracheal tissues of guinea pigs in vitro. Subjects and Methods: Effects of insulin (10-7- 10-3 M) and insulin pretreated with sodium cromoglycate (10-6 M) were observed on isolated tracheal strip of guinea pig (n=12) in vitro by constructing cumulative concentration response curves. The tracheal smooth muscle contractions were recorded with Transducer on Four Channel Oscillograph. Results: Insulin produced a concentration dependent reversible contraction of isolated tracheal muscle of guinea pig. The mean ± SEM of maximum amplitudes of contraction with insulin and insulin pretreated with sodium cromoglycate were 35 ± 1.13 mm and 14.55 ± 0.62 mm respectively. Cromoglycate shifted the concentration response curve of insulin to the right and downwards. Conclusion: Sodium cromoglycate significantly reduced the insulin mediated airway hyper-reactivity in guinea pigs. So we suggest that pretreatment of inhaled insulin with cromoglycate may have clinical implication in amelioration of its potential respiratory adverse effects such as bronchoconstriction