The Deleterious Effects of Workplace Bullying on Employee's Job Strains in Pakistan

This study attempts to expand the broader literature on aggression by examining how workplace bullying as a stressor creates job strains. We hypothesize that individuals who experience workplace bullying are more likely to exhibit disastrous consequences in the form of higher Job Stress, Job Burnout, Turnover Intensions and Psychological strain. Utilizing a field sample of 280 employees working in the service sector of Pakistan we tested our proposed model using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Analysis. The results of SEM model rendered support for the full measurement model and hypothesized structural model indicating that workplace bullying significantly and positively predicted job stress, job burnout, turnover intensions and psychological strain. Our results contribute to the latest stream on workplace bullying and promote research and practice in the area of bullying. The findings of the study also highlight deleterious consequences for victims of abusive and maltreatment behaviors at the workplace in a newer cultural context such as Pakistan. Keywords: Workplace Bullying, Job Stress, Job Burnout, Turnover Intensions, Psychological Strain

Efficacy of fungicides, plant extracts and biocontrol agents against Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under field conditions

Two fungicides, Aliette and ThiovitJet @ 0.15%, containing Aluminum tris (O-ethyl phosphonate) and sulphur compounds, respectively; two plant extracts, Melia azedarach and Azadirachta indica @ 8% and one biocontrol agent, Trichoderma harzianum @ 107 conidia ml-1 were investigated against ascochyta blight of chickpea under field conditions. Treatments were evaluated on three varieties susceptible to chickpea blight. Field trial revealed that Aliette and ThiovitJet significantly decreased disease severity to 17 and 23% respectively, followed by M. azedarach and A. indica which decreased severity to 50 and 56% respectively, compared to control with 75% disease severity. T. harzianum, with a severity of 63%, was significantly less effective than fungicides and both plant extracts in controlling blight disease. The current research revealed that systemic and sulphur containing fungicides, both plant extracts and the biocontrol agent have the potential to control ascochyta blight of chickpea

Identification of differentially expressed genes in developing cotton fibers (Gossypium hirsutum L) through differential display

Cotton fibers are differentiated, non-dividing cells that originate from the epidermal layer of developing ovules. To identify genes involved in cotton fiber development, we performed non-radioactive differential display reverse transcriptase PCR (DDRT-PCR) on the purified mRNA. This technique was tested on mRNA isolated from five different developmental stages of cotton fiber including 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 DPA (days after pollination). The mRNA purified from total RNA was reversibly transcribed using three anchored oligo-dT primers. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of each cDNA preparation was carried out in combination with seven arbitrary primers. The amplified products were resolved on 1% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide. DNA was extracted from seventeen differentially expressed bands and cloned in pTZ57R/T vector. The sequencing and BLAST search analysis indicated that 12 of the differentially expressed genes matched the previously characterized genes, while 3 of them matched the uncharacterized sequences of cotton fiber expressed sequence tags (ESTs) reported previously to be associated with cotton fiber and 2 of the clones had homology with putative proteins. The technique can be used to efficiently identify differentially expressed genes and can be expanded to large scale studies by increasing the number of random decamers

Nano-antivirals: A comprehensive review

Nanoparticles can be used as inhibitory agents against various microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, archaea, fungi, and a huge class of viruses. The mechanism of action includes inhibiting the function of the cell membrane/stopping the synthesis of the cell membrane, disturbing the transduction of energy, producing toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibiting or reducing RNA and DNA production. Various nanomaterials, including different metallic, silicon, and carbon-based nanomaterials and nanoarchitectures, have been successfully used against different viruses. Recent research strongly agrees that these nanoarchitecture-based virucidal materials (nano-antivirals) have shown activity in the solid state. Therefore, they are very useful in the development of several products, such as fabric and high-touch surfaces. This review thoroughly and critically identifies recently developed nano-antivirals and their products, nano-antiviral deposition methods on various substrates, and possible mechanisms of action. By considering the commercial viability of nano-antivirals, recommendations are made to develop scalable and sustainable nano-antiviral products with contact-killing properties

Effect of Dietary Energy Levels on Growth Performance and Feed Cost Analysis in Japanese Quail

Abstract.-Feed cost has a direct influence on routine farm operations. Optimum energy level in the feed results in better performance as well as proves to be cost effective. The present study was conducted to examine the growth and production of meat type quail along with feed cost analysis using different energy levels. Three diets having energy levels of 2900 kcal/kg (Control group), 2700 kcal/kg (B) and 3100 kcal/kg (C) were offered to 600 one-day-old quail chicks for 28 days to examine the carcass quality and growth performance. Birds were divided into 3 groups. Each group was further divided into 4 replicates with 50 birds in each. High energy diet (3100 kcal/kg) resulted in improved body weight gain, increased feed intake and better FCR (p<0.05). Liver weight was observed better in high energy diet (p<0.05). Dressing percentage was not affected by high energy diet (p>0.05) but a numerical difference existed while breast meat percentage was lower in high energy supplemented group (p<0.05). It is concluded that higher energy diet resulted in better performance and is more economical as it resulted in low cost per Kg live weight gain of birds

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of different measures to control Ascochyta blight in chickpea

Ascochyta blight, an infection caused by Ascochyta rabiei is a destructive disease in many chickpea growing regions and it caused significant yield losses. To minimize the impact of Ascochyta blight, 5 fungicides viz., Aliette, Cabrio Top, Thiovit Jet, Cymoxanil and Difenoconazole, 5 plants extracts namely Azadirachta indica, Azadirachta azedarach, Datura stramonium, Chenopodium album and Allium sativum L. and two strains T-22 and E58 of bio-control agents (BCAs) Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus flavus were evaluated on the growth of A. rabiei under in vitro conditions by using the food poison technique. The colony growth of Ascochyta rabiei was inhibited at all concentrations of fungicides @ 0.07, 0.15, 0.21%, plants extracts @ 4, 6, 9% and bio-control agents @ 105, 106 and 107 conidia ml-1 respectively. Among all applied treatments, maximum inhibition colony growth of pathogen was recorded in the case of Aliette (83.4%), followed by Cabrio Top (74.3%), Azadirachta indica (50.3%) and Trichoderma viride (60.3%) at their high concentrations. Field trials showed that Aliette and Cabario Top significantly reduced the disease severity to 10 % and 24% respectively, followed by Azadirachta indica and Allium sativum which reduced the disease severity to 40% and 50% respectively. Bio-control agent Trichoderma viride proved less effective in controlling Ascochyta bight severity under field conditions. The present study showed that systemic and sulphur containing fungicides, plant extracts and bio-control agents (BCAs) have the potential to control Ascochyta blight in both in vitro and in vivo conditions

Risk Factors and Secondary Infections in Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Patients

Background: Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a fatal manifestation of dengue disease. DHF’s risk factors profile holds significance importance in the clinical practice and efficient care plan are required during dengue disease flare-up. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for pathogenesis of dengue disease and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, data was obtained from 256 patients with diagnoses of Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Comprehensive history, physical assessment and biochemical estimations were recorded. Patients were followed to identify and assess the risk factors for DHF. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences for analysis of data. Stratification of residence and socioeconomic status to see effect of these on result variable by applying chi square test. p value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Among the 256 patients, the mean age of the age (Mean±SD) of study population was 28.4±12.1 years, 162 (63.28%) were less than 40 years of age and 94 (36.72%) were ≥40 years. The males were 181 (70.70%) and females were 75 (29.30%). The frequency of risk factors was observed to be 26 (10.8%) patients had Diabetes Mellitus, 55(21.5%) hypertension, 25(9.8%) hyperlipidemia. Secondary infection occurred in 192 (75%) but results were insignificant (p>0.05). All diseases were common in participants who belonged to the urban area. Conclusion: Secondary infection was most common risk factor in patients with DHF and found mostly in less than 40 age than older patients. Whereas, males were predominately affected more than the females (p<0.05). Keywords: Severe Dengue, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, Risk Factor