The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Nexus between Green HR Practices and Sustainable HR Management: Evidence from Health-Care Sectors of Pakistan

The global evolvement of green human resource management practices within organizations has significantly influenced the retention of personnel and sustainable growth of the firms. It is very imperative to examine the strengthening relationship between green human resource management (GHRM) and sustainable human resource management (SHRM) practices. Hence, the purpose of this study is to bridge the knowledge gap to examine the moderating effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the GHRM and the SHRM practices link. The study collected a total of 300 respondents engaged in the human resource management practices of health care units in Punjab using random stratified sampling data. The data was analyzed using the PLS-SEM approach along with the descriptive statistics of the variables. The existing research studies have already provided the mediating effects of many other variables on the GHRM and sustainable HRM practices in the healthcare industry of Pakistan

Communicating Business Ethics: The Role of Ethics in the Millennial Entrepreneur’s Decision to Start a Business

This review paper is an integration and extension of the existing knowledge on Business ethics regarding the perception of entrepreneurs belonging to the Millennial Generation and its role in their decision- making process while establishing a new business. Using the available body of literature, this study aims to determine whether business ethics is perceived as an integral part of the decision-making process of the Millennial Generation. Millennials is the most recent and largest workforce of today and includes those born between 1980 and 1990. This study starts with general discussion on business ethics and its relation with age, followed by a review of ethics for entrepreneurs and the Millennials. This review revealed that although majority of Millennials consider business ethics as a vital component of business, however, all of them have not included the business ethics yet prior to start a new business in their decision making

Comparative effects of Alpha Tocopherol and Ascorbic Acid on Chronic Stress Induced Neuropeptide Y Derangements

Background: Chronic stress decreases resilience of the body mainly due to hormonal imbalance. Neuropeptide Y-ergic system is abnormally regulated in chronic stress due to reduction-oxidation imbalance. The antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid reduce this imbalance with positive effect on neuropeptide Y synthesis and release. This study was aimed to compare the protective effects of alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on plasma neuropeptide Y levels in chronic stress.Material and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done at Al-Nafees Medical College in collaboration with National Institute of Health Islamabad from January 2015 to January 2016 after taking institutional approval. Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats were obtained and divided equally into four groups; group I (control), group II (restraint stress group - chronic restraint stress six hours daily for 28 days), group III (restraint stress + alpha-tocopherol 50mg/kg body weight /day), and group IV (restraint stress + ascorbic acid 100mg /kg body weight /day). Cardiac puncture was done to obtain blood for biochemical analysis.Results: A significant decrease in plasma neuropeptide Y levels was seen in group II compared to group I, group III and group IV. However, alpha-tocopherol administration in group III showed positive effects on maintenance of plasma neuropeptide Y concentration with better p trend than that of ascorbic acid supplementation in group IV.Conclusions: Alpha-tocopherol supplementation has more potent effect than that of ascorbic acid on chronic restraint stress induced derangements in neuropeptide Y levels. It leads to less imbalance in neuropeptide Y levels during chronic stress.Key words: Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Tocopherol, Chronic Stress, Neuropeptide

A Value Chain Approach to Characterize the Chicken Sub-sector in Pakistan

The chicken industry of Pakistan is a major livestock sub-sector, playing a pivotal role in economic growth and rural development. This study aimed to characterize and map the structure of broiler and layer production systems, associated value chains, and chicken disease management in Pakistan. Qualitative data were collected in 23 key informant interviews and one focus group discussion on the types of production systems, inputs, outputs, value addition, market dynamics, and disease management. Quantitative data on proportions of commodity flows were also obtained. Value chain maps were generated to illustrate stakeholder groups and their linkages, as well as flows of birds and products. Thematic analysis was conducted to explain the functionality of the processes, governance, and disease management. Major chicken production systems were: (1) Environmentally controlled production (97–98%) and (2) Open-sided house production (2–3%). Broiler management systems were classified as (I) Independent broiler production; (II) Partially integrated broiler production; and (III) Fully integrated broiler production, accounting for 65–75, 15–20, and 10–15% of commercial broiler meat supply, respectively. The management systems for layers were classified as (I) Partially integrated layer production and (II) Independent layer production, accounting for 10 and 80–85% in the egg production, respectively. The share of backyard birds for meat and eggs was 10–15%. Independent, and integrated systems for chicken production could be categorized in terms of value chain management, dominance of actors, type of finished product and target customers involved. Integrated systems predominantly targeted high-income customers and used formal infrastructure. Numerous informal chains were identified in independent and some partially integrated systems, with middlemen playing a key role in the distribution of finished birds and eggs. Structural deficiencies in terms of poor farm management, lack of regulations for ensuring good farming practices and price fixing of products were key themes identified. Both private and public stakeholders were found to have essential roles in passive disease surveillance, strategy development and provision of health consultancies. This study provides a foundation for policy-makers and stakeholders to investigate disease transmission, its impact and control and the structural deficiencies identified could inform interventions to improve performance of the poultry sector in Pakistan

Fetomaternal Effects of Obesity in Postdate and Induced Pregnancies

Background : To study the fetomaternal effects of obesity in post date and induced pregnancies. Methods: In this case control study 210 postdate patients were included. They were divided into obese and non-obese groups according to BMI. Patient’s age, parity, and duration of gestation was recorded. Induction was done, mode of delivery, PPH, perinatal outcome i.e. macrosomia, birth outcome, and shoulder dystocia was noted. Results;The mean age was 23.05±3.61 years. All patients were postdate and underwent induction. BMI showed an increase with increase in age.Fifty seven percent of obese compared to 32% of non-obese needed low segment caesarean section (LCSC). Shoulder dystocia occurred in 2% of obese and 1% in non-obese while PPH occurred in 23% and 9.6% in obese and non-obese females respectively. Macrocosmia was encountered in 25% of obese versus 5% non-obese while stillbirth was observed in 3% of obese group.  Clavicle fracture 1% was noticed only in obese females. Conclusion:  Maternal obesity is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancy including operative deliveries, PPH with fetal macrosomia, birth anoxia, and stillbirth. So these women should be treated as high risk pregnancie

Evaluation of Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Sauce and Formulation of Tamarindus indica (L.) And Prunus domestica (L.) Fruits

The formulation and sauce of Tamarindus indica  (L.) and Prusnus  dometica (L.) are very popular recipes across globe. But, not even a single study existed on free-radical scavenging activity (FRSA) of afore-mentioned recipes. So, the present study was designed to bridge this gap of information. The FRSA of individual samples were also determined and compared with that of combinations of both. The highest value for FRSA among all samples was that of T. indica (158.9732 ± 12.658 % at 100 μg ml-1). It was followed by that of individual extract of P. domestica fruit (96.647 ± 0.554 %). The percent FRSA of both combinations was less than that of individual sample extracts. The highest SA recorded was 93.886 ± 0.471 % and 77.64 ± 16.391 % respectively. The fruit length was 10.18 ± 0.34 cm and 4.7 ± 0.2 cm for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively. The width of fruit was 1.6±0.3 cm and 4.55 ± 0.12 cm for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively. The weight of fruit was 7.2 ± 0.6 g and 44.8 ± 0.37 g for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively, Pulp weight was 48 ± 0.43% and 94.58±0.352% for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively. The stone weight was 30 ± 0.421 % and 5.42±0.224  %  for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively. The values of squared R reflected that there was a strong correlation between the concentrations and percent SA for all the studied samples (p \u3c 0.05) with values of R2 0.896 and 0.946 in case of T. indica and P. domestica extracts respectively and 0.980 and 0.875 for sauce and formulation respectively. It was concluded that the mixture of both ingredients has considerable potential for scavenging free radicals

Genetic Polymorphism of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase

Genetic polymorphism is referred to the discontinuous interspecies genetic variability among individuals having distinct alleles on a particular locus. Genetic polymorphism of genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes constitutes individual’s susceptibility to drugs, affirmed by having discrete allelic frequencies by the individual, strengthening the concept of precision medicine. To combat with toxic consequences of drugs, the polymorphic genes associated with xenobiotic metabolism must be studied. Up to 70% xenobiotic elimination is believed to be dependent on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), an enzyme encoded by polymorphic UGT1A and UGT2B genes. Both bimodal and trimodal distribution patterns of UGT have been reported in various human populations studied. Genetic polymorphisms of UGT may even lead to truncated and shorter gene with grossly diminished enzymatic activity. The extent of phenotypic alteration inflicted by genetic polymorphisms depends on its nature and position on gene locus. The different isoforms of UGT superfamily differ from each other regarding substrate specificity and selectivity. The incidence of genetic polymorphisms and associated altered gene functions results in inter-individual variability in metabolic clearance and elimination of drugs. Hence, the critical interaction between genetics and biotransformation of drugs has recently been the focus of pharmacology research

Hepatoprotective effect of Cichorium Intybus linn (Kasni) Extracts against Carbon Tetrachloride induced Liver Damage

Background: To assess the effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Cichorium intybus linn , frequently used by Hakims and traditional healers, on liver, against the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic injury. Methods: In this experimental intervention study, forty rats were subdivided into four sub groups, ten in each group. Group I was kept as standard control. For this study three groups (II, III, IV) were made in which aqueous and alcoholic extract was given prior to hepatic damage by CCl4. Hepatoprotective effect was assessed by measuring serum levels of alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Results: Very significant hepatoprotective effect (p<0.001) was observed by alcoholic extract while aqueous extract showed no significant effect against CCl4 induced hepatic injury. Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of Cichorium intybus linn exhibits a very significant hepatoprotective effec

Numerical Simulations of Shear Driven Square and Triangular Cavity by Using Lattice Boltzmann Scheme

In this paper, fluid flow patterns of steady incompressible flow inside shear driven cavity are studied. The numerical simulations are conducted by using lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for different Reynolds numbers. In order to simulate the flow, derivation of macroscopic hydrodynamics equations from the continuous Boltzmann equation need to be performed. Then,the numerical results of shear-driven flow inside square and triangular cavity are compared with results found in literature review. Present study found that flow patterns are affected by the geometry of the cavity and the Reynolds numbers used