Towards Sustainable Flood Risk Management in the North-West Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: A Flood Vulnerability Assessment Approach

Vulnerability assessment is an important component of flood risk reduction. The north-west Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan is a highly vulnerable region to seasonal and flash floods. Due to changes of climate and socio-economic activities, flood vulnerability is increasing. The assessment of flood vulnerability in the area has received very little attention at district level, where the majority of the administrative decisions takes place. At local scale very few studies exist that are related to flood vulnerability. However, these studies have limitations while using an indicator-based approach. Hence the aims of this study are 1) to develop flood vulnerability indices in a transparent and reliable manner and 2) to assess the flood vulnerability of the area at two scales. A deductive approach is applied to build a composite indicator for flood vulnerability using a step-wise procedure. First, the flood vulnerability assessment was performed for the nine flood prone districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were selected based on the reports of Provincial Disaster Management Authority and dataset availability. The methodology is downscaled to the community households’ level by selecting the two main districts of Peshawar vale. Seven rural villages were randomly selected from these two districts after a thorough literature analysis and personal visits. Data were retrieved from various sources and especially from official publicly accessible portals that are best suited for assessing district level flood vulnerability and through a household survey for assessing local-scale flood vulnerability assessment. The findings of the study facilitate a vivid image of different districts and communities that might be situated in approximately similar geographical conditions with varying levels of flood vulnerability. Identifying the flood vulnerability profiles of these hotspots together with their underlying factors can help to take appropriate initiatives to reduce the existing flood risk. These analyses will facilitate the discussion about the development of sustainable flood risk management practices and will provide a background for extending the methodology to other flood-prone areas. However, there are several limitations in such kind of studies. From the current study it can be concluded that it is crucial to construct such an index of flood vulnerability that is not only intuitive to a variety of stakeholders, but also scientifically justified. It must be fairly simple in construction and comprehension to its technical and non-technical users to reduce the subjectivity issue, which is one of the main problems in the reliability of flood vulnerability indicators. Trying to apply such an approach at varying spatial scales can reduce time, resources and provide a common ground for faster comprehension, modification, and updating of flood vulnerability indices. Further, it enhances the transparency and reduces the gap between policy and sciences. Providing the flood vulnerability indices as an open tool to the end users for different experimentation is a strength and not a limitation. Vulnerability is closely related to sustainability since both are related to system or society's resilience to disturbance. A robust vulnerability assessment can support a sustainable flood risk management

Cycloaddition Reactions of C-Nitrosocarbonyl Compounds in Asymmetric Synthesis

Oxidation of (+/-)-mandelohydroxamic acid (328a) with periodate gave the corresponding transient C. -nitrosocarbonyl compound (329a) which was trapped at

Mediating Role of Moral Identity in the Relationship between Ethical Leadership and Unethical Behavior of Employees: Evidence from the Oil and Gas Sector of Pakistan

This study draws on social identity, social learning, and trait-activation theories to probe if moral identity mediates the relationship between ethical leadership and unethical behavior. It investigates how ethical leadership serves as a predictor of employees’ unethical behavior and moral identity as a mediator between ethical leadership and employees’ unethical behavior. Together, these variables influence the self-reported unethical behavior of employees. The findings of this study are based on a sample of 297 oil and gas sector employees in Pakistan. For this purpose, data was analyzed through SPSS and AMOS. Consistent with trait-activation and social learning theories, employees on seeing their leaders behaving ethically develop a positive sense of the moral identity and report fewer incidences of unethical behavior. Furthermore, the findings suggested thatmoral identity and ethical leadership behavior are vital for predicting organizational outcomes. Thus, the originality of this study lies in the fact that it analyzed the influence of moral identity as a mediating variable. &nbsp

Evaluation of the root and canal morphology of mandibular first permanent molars in a sample of Pakistani population by cone-beam computed tomography

Objective: To evaluate the root canal morphology of permanent mandibular first molars using Cone Beam Computed Tomography. Methods: The retrospective study was done at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised medical records of patients who visited the dental clinics from December 2016 to March 2017. Mandibular first permanent molars were evaluated on Cone Beam Computed Tomography images. Frequency distribution of Vertucci\u27s classification was determined, and so was the association between Vertucci\u27s classifications and gender. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 142 mandibular first permanent molars were evaluated on 78 Cone Beam Computed Tomography images. The most common Vertucci\u27s classification was Type IV for mesial root 86(60.56%) and Type I for distal root 63(44%). There was no difference in the two genders for root canal morphology (p\u3e0.05). Conclusions: Type IV Vertucci\u27s were prevalent in the mesial root and Type I were common in the distal root of permanent mandibular first molars

A COMPARISON OF PACING STRATEGY BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL AND PAKISTANI 100-M SWIMMERS

The purpose of this study was to determine, based on the stroking time recorded in a 100-m swimming competition, whether elite international 100-m swimmers have the same pacing strategy as the Pakistani swimmers or not. Based on a video data, three different levels of performance were analyzed i.e. Finalists (G1, n=32) from the European Championship, 2012; Medalists (G2, n=12) and Non-medalists (G3, n=20) from the Pakistan National Swimming Championship, 2014. For the current analysis each stroking distance was divided into two sections (i.e. before and after the 25m mark). The average speed of each section (ST1, ST2, ST3 and ST4) was quantified in order to depict pacing strategy. Results showed even-positive pacing (1.75 ± 0.17 m/s) towards the end of the race in G1; whereas, variable speed pacing was observed in both G2 (1.42 ± 0.26 m/s) and G3 (1.21 ± 0.28 m/s). Based on these findings it is proposed to encourage an efficient pace strategy for 100-m swimmers

Amaranth as Nutrition-Rich and Climatic Resilient Crop: A Review

Malnutrition and climatic changes are the most significant issues nowadays. The present form of food is not acceptable and balanced nutrition. Besides, much food can be destroyed by climatic changes. There must be some crops that we can consider for future food security. There is a need to explore crops rich in nutrition that can survive in such climatic conditions. Some crops have such qualities that are considered super and functional foods. These foods have higher nutrition and are also rich in some phenolic compounds that are medicinally proven against a specific disease; that is the reason we call them super and functional food. Amaranthus is one of them. It has higher protein quality and quantity than our staple food, wheat, barley and maize. Some of the lines of amaranth report a protein content of more than 21%. It contains higher minerals and vitamins in it. The plant makes a beautiful landscape; because of this, it is mostly used for landscaping, but now many scientists are working on it considering this crop good not for beautification but for high nutrition and high tolerance against global climate changes. Amaranthus has the potential to survive in changing climatic conditions. It is resistant to drought, salinity and heavy metals as some studies confirm. This review comprises morphology, nutrition and climatic resilient properties of amaranth

Prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous mandible with two-implant retained fixed hybrid prosthesis: A case report

Removable complete dentures have been the most costeffective treatment option for edentulous jaws since decades. However, certain problems are encountered by the patients such as stability of the lower dentures resulting in poor masticatory efficiency. Ridge resorption and inadequate bony support are the long-term complications comprising the stability of the denture and patient finding it difficult to control denture movement during speaking and eating reducing patient compliance. Mandibular implant retained over dentures or hybrid dentures have shown to be better alternatives in terms of retention, stability and patient satisfaction. Two implants provide cost-effective, stabilized and comfortable treatment options. The present case report discusses the management of the patient with compromised dentition in which all teeth were extracted followed by conventional upper complete denture and lower two implant supported fixed hybrid dentures with splinted bar attachmen

Amaranth as Nutrition-Rich and Climatic Resilient Crop: A Review

Malnutrition and climatic changes are the most significant issues nowadays. The present form of food is not acceptable and balanced nutrition. Besides, much food can be destroyed by climatic changes. There must be some crops that we can consider for future food security. There is a need to explore crops rich in nutrition that can survive in such climatic conditions. Some crops have such qualities that are considered super and functional foods. These foods have higher nutrition and are also rich in some phenolic compounds that are medicinally proven against a specific disease; that is the reason we call them super and functional food. Amaranthus is one of them. It has higher protein quality and quantity than our staple food, wheat, barley and maize. Some of the lines of amaranth report a protein content of more than 21%. It contains higher minerals and vitamins in it. The plant makes a beautiful landscape; because of this, it is mostly used for landscaping, but now many scientists are working on it considering this crop good not for beautification but for high nutrition and high tolerance against global climate changes. Amaranthus has the potential to survive in changing climatic conditions. It is resistant to drought, salinity and heavy metals as some studies confirm. This review comprises morphology, nutrition and climatic resilient properties of amaranth

Reflective Teaching and the Teachers' Self Efficacy in the Post Method Era: A Case Study of Jazan University, Saudi Arabia

The theoretical and practical underpinnings of reflective teaching and the teachers' self-efficacy were examined in this research to bring forth coherence in the construct and measurement of these apparently competing conceptual strands. The research found many implications of applying reflective teaching with its reconciliation with the teachers' self-efficacy for the practicing teachers. The study used Teacher Reflectivity questionnaire (short form) coined by Akbari, et al (2010) and the Teachers' Self Efficacy Scale developed on Bandura's (1997a) Social Cognitive Theory. The objectives of the study were to find correlation in (1) teachers’ reflective practices and self-efficacy in overall teaching practice (2) teachers’ reflective practices and self-efficacy on the basis of gender (3) teachers’ reflective practices and self-efficacy on the basis of their educational level, and (4) teachers’ reflective practices and self-efficacy on the basis of their job experience. A total of 96 teachers participated in this study. The study found that there was a positive correlation between the teachers' reflectivity and self-efficacy which means that the reflective practices by the teachers will obviously lead to teachers' self-efficacy. Keywords: Language teaching, reflective teaching, self-efficacy, post-method era

Awareness and Implementation of Total Quality Management: Medical Libraries’ Perspective

The study intended to assess the level of awareness and the status of applications of total quality management (TQM) in medical libraries. A survey method was used to collect data from the library professionals serving in the libraries of medical colleges/institutes/universities of Punjab, Pakistan. The findings revealed that the majority of the respondents claimed a good level of awareness and understanding about TQM applications for medical libraries. TQM applications including “committed leadership and management support; continuous improvement; teamwork; involvement of everyone; and employee empowerment” were practiced in medical libraries to achieve “customer satisfaction”. The medical library professionals (MLPs) considered the indicators of performance measures such as “PMDC registration requirements, staff evaluation criteria, and users’ complaints” as necessary elements. However, the MLPs did not aware of the performance indicator method, benchmark, and ISO 9001 certification application. The study suggested that the leadership and medical library professionals should focus on devising mechanisms for TQM standards/norms for quality library services and facilities, allocating budget, and providing training opportunities for professional development