Application of Multiple Criteria Decision Models for Oilseed Crops in Pakistan’s Punjab

Pakistan is deficient in major food products. Self-sufficiency in food has virtually always been a major priority, because imports of wheat, edible oil, sugar, pulses and milk products put a massive burden on the balance of payments for the country. The increase in the production of oilseed has been a priority goal of the agricultural development policy in Pakistan. The oilseed crops have been validated as alternative crops on several target locations of different agro-ecological zones [PARC (1990)]; but the success of this validation work in terms of their dissemination is very limited. The possibility of including these crops in well established systems needed to be well conceived. The selection of farming systems, which have the potential to adopt such crops, is a prerequisite to investigate the problems and prospects of oilseed crops. The emphasis of the study is, therefore, on the identification of typical farm situations where the oilseed crops can be evaluated for their potential inclusion in the cropping plans. A real decision-making environment in agriculture involves several objectives along with their explicit targets.

Interventional techniques in the management of persistent atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac rhythm problem experienced by patients and comprises an increasing demand on healthcare systems. AF is characterised by advanced neurohormonal remodelling in the atria resulting in dilation and variable degree of atrial fibrosis that can be measured by imaging techniques with difficulty in developing methods of identifying and quantifying left atrial (LA) fibrosis. LA fibrosis can be estimated by measuring LA scar using non-invasive imaging methods such as strain imaging in advanced echocardiography and in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Achieving rhythm control strategy utilising catheter ablation (CA) has shown to be advantageous in improving quality of life (QOL) in patients with paroxysmal AF. The most effective method in management of AF has remained elusive in non-paroxysmal AF. Thoracoscopic surgical ablation (TSA) has been developed over the last decade by experienced surgeons with some promising early results but has not been investigated in long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF). I have attempted to answer some of the relevant questions that have remained in management of LSPAF by conducting a multicentre randomised control trial comparing efficacy between CA and TSA (CASA-AF RCT) and improvements in quality of life indices. In a sub-study, I measured LA volumes using echocardiography and CMR to determine reverse remodelling and LA function using tissue Doppler imaging and strain imaging to predict AF recurrence. In a CMR sub-study, a novel automatic LA segmentation algorithm was used to quantify LA fibrosis before and after ablation. I was able to quantify the response of the autonomic nervous system to targeted ganglionic plexi (GP) ablation as part of TSA compared to CA by measuring heart rate variability. I am hopeful that the knowledge gained from this thesis will help with an appropriate selection that will improve the management of patients with LSPAF.Open Acces

Tourists’ Personal Development Through Participatory Consumer-Generated Content

The paper seeks to investigate key factors influencing the personal development of tourists. This study examines the relationship between participatory consumer-generated content and tourists’ capabilities, emotions, and skills, as well as the moderating effect of previous tourists’ experiences. To evaluate the research model, 301 valid responses were examined using the PLS-SEM technique. The empirical findings showed that participatory consumer-generated content positively relates to tourists’ capabilities, emotions, and skills. Moreover, previous tourists’ experiences moderate the relationships of participatory consumer-generated content with tourists’ capabilities and skills; however, previous tourists’ experiences have no moderation effect on tourists’ emotions. Thus, our paper\u27s findings offer valuable contributions to theory and practice. Practitioners and authorities should stimulate users to share their tourism experiences and take the initiative to share easily traceable and searchable data. Moreover, businesses should implement activities that encourage tourists to share their experiences as soon as possible and make travel and tourism websites and social media platforms readily available

Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability Governance and Sustainable Performance: A Preliminary Insight

This conceptual paper aims to investigate corporate social responsibility (CSR) practises in the tourism sector. Drawing on the existing literature, this study conceptualises the linkage between CSR, sustainability governance, and sustainable performance. Moreover, this study conceptualises three sub-dimensions of CSR. The integration of CSR in the tourism sector is significant and novel. An analytical review is conducted to present conceptual linkage and research implications. The finding implies that CSR positively influences the sustainable performance of organisations and sustainable governance plays a mediating role between relationships. This study provides important implications that help tourism industry practitioners to realise the significance of reducing environmental and social problems, which cause by tourism activities. Further, this study obtains support from institutional theory to explain the relationships of governance mechanism and CSR that leads to economic performance as well as create value for nature and the local community. Additionally, the future direction of research is provided that highlights some important avenues in the sustainability fiel

Intussusceptions in adults: Clinical features and operative procedures

Objective: To determine the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of adult patients with intussusceptions. Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 1988 to December 2008. Methodology: Medical records of patients with diagnosis of intussusceptions in adults (above 15 years of age) from January 1988 to December 2008 were retrieved through ICD 9 coding system. Patients with complete records were included in the study and those with incomplete medical record or under 30 days follow-up were excluded. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 16. The treatment outcomes were hospital stay, 30 days-morbidity, mortality and recurrence of intussusceptions during follow-up period. Results: The mean age of the 19 patients was 37 years with male predominance. Most patients presented with acute bowel obstruction. In 14 patients, small bowel were involved. CT scan diagnosed intussusception in 10 out of 12 patients. Benign lead point were found in 80% cases. Eighteen patients were treated surgically. Fourteen (70%) patients underwent resection with primary anastomosis while in 4 patients only reduction was done. In resection group, 11 patients had resection after reduction and in 3 patients only resection was done. There was no recurrence in resection group. One recurrence was noticed in the reduction group and one patient died of advanced gastrointestinal malignancy in the nonoperative group. Conclusion: Intussusception is a rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction in adult population. CT scan is a promising diagnostic tool to establish pre-operative diagnosis. Early surgical resection could achieve optimal outcome. Small bowel intussusception could be reduced before resection if there is no doubt about bowel viability. In most of the patients the lead point could be benign disease

IMPACT OF SERVICE QUALITY ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: EVIDENCES FROM THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IN PAKISTAN

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the literature of service quality importance in restaurant industry. The study has been based upon the Servqual technique and Dineserv tool of improving the quality by the service providing organizations. The study is undertaken from the perspective of Pakistani Restaurant Industry and the customers' perceptions vis-à-vis restaurant dining. Two variables of Servqual, i.e. Tangibles and Responsiveness, have been examined to demonstrate the significance of service quality on customer satisfaction. The results endorse the importance of enhanced complementary service standards in restaurant industry. Finally, the findings provide an insight for the Pakistani restaurant service providing establishments and suggestion have been made for the caretakers of the industry on ways to improve service quality.marketing; restaurants; servqual; customer satisfaction

Human Resource Practices in SME Sector: An Exploratory Case Study of Pakistan

The role of human resource practices (HRP) at its significance in small and medium enterprises (SME) become an emerging topic, especially in developing countries. This study aims to gauge the level of HR practice being exercise in SME. Quantitative approach has been followed and data was collected from 195 SMEs, operating in Karachi, through a structure questionnaire. Findings suggested that SME are performing moderate level of HR practices and owner/managers are aware with the importance of HR practices in their organizations. Moreover, compensation is the most significant factor of HR practices followed by employee performance, recruitment and selection and training and development. HR function has been substantially implemented and HR practices are being carried out in number of SME and is contributes at all phases of organization’s functions. The globalization and dynamic milieu is forcing the SME sector to switch informal functions to formal manner. However more coherent approach is required to replace the traditional way of practicing HR functions. This study validates the implementation of HR practices in SME as documented in the literature. It further provides a reference for academicians and practitioner to build upon a contention for future research