BIOSORPTION AND RECOVERY OF HEAVY METALS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS BY EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES (WATER HYACINTH) ASH

Heavy metal’s release without treatment poses a significant threat to the environment. Heavy metals are non-biodegradable and persistent. In the present study the ash of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), was used to remove six metals from aqueous solutions through biosorption. Results of batch and column experiments showed excellent adsorption capacity. Removal of lead, chromium, zinc, cadmium, copper, and nickel was 29.83, 1.263, 1.575, 3.323, 2.984 and 1.978 µgg-1, respectively. The biosorptive capacity was maximum with pH >8.00. Desorption in µgg-1 of ash for lead, chromium, zinc, cadmium, copper, and nickel was 18.10, 9.99, 11.99, 27.54, 21.09, and 3.71 respectively. Adsorption/desorption of these metals from ash showed the potential of this technology for recovery of metals for further usages. Hydrogen adsorption was also studied with a Sievert-type apparatus. Hydrogen adsorption experiments showed significant storage capacity of water hyacinth ash

Increased Focus on Human Resource Practices leads to Organizational Effectiveness: A Study of Law Enforcement Agencies in Pakistan

Organizational effectiveness, in general, is based on the integration of goals of the organization and the employees. Neither of them should be viewed in isolation. This article is designed to explain effect of increased focus on human resource practices leading to organizational effectiveness. The researchers have examined as to what extent the role of talent management, conflict management and reward management influence organizational effectiveness particularly in hierarchical organizations such as law enforcement agencies. The study was conducted in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad of Pakistan for law enforcement agencies including their training academies. Sample size consists of 264 respondents, who filled the questionnaire out of 300 respondents. After analyzing the data, findings showed that there is a significant impact of all these human resource practices i.e. talent management, conflict management and reward management on organizational effectiveness. Results showed that increased focus on employee’s related issues accelerates organizational effectiveness. As employees get their issues addressed, the organizational effectiveness moves in a positive way. Moreover, this study indicates that the combined effect of most relevant human resource practices on strength of the organizations will be positive rather than application of other least effective/relevant human resource initiatives. Since concept of “happy employees are more productive rather than productive employees are happier” is mostly studied for business organizations and hardly any law enforcement agency applies the same for its effectiveness, therefore, the topic is highly of research interest in current years. Thus Organizational effectiveness should also be researched in the context of non-profit organizations such as law enforcement agencies being most vital for stability and economical strength of countries like Pakistan. Limitations of the study are also highlighted at the end. Keywords: Organizational Effectiveness, Law Enforcement Agencies, Human Resource Practice

Effectiveness of Tetrachlorodecaoxide Compounds in the Healing of Mandibular Fracture

Fractures of mandible are more common in fighting dogs or can be occur due to accidents. A dog with similar fracture was presented at Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery (CMS) with dropped jaw, drawling of bloody saliva. Animal was reluctant to eat and was depressed. After critical physical examination, the condition was confirmed as bilateral fracture of the mandibular body. After performing the necessary pre-operative test like complete blood count (CBC), Serum biochemistry and urinalysis, fracture was surgically reduced by using inter-dental wiring technique. Tetrachlorodecaoxide drops (TCDO) (Oxoferin®; Brookes Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Pakistan) were applied on fracture site three to four times /day until recovery. Animal was kept on liquid diet (chicken soup and milk) throughout and semi-solid food after 25 days. The fracture healed uneventfully in just 37 days

Increased Focus on Human Resource Practices leads to Organizational Effectiveness: A study of law Enforcement Agencies in Pakistan

Organizational effectiveness, in general, is based on the integration of goals of the organization and the employees. Neither of them should be viewed in isolation. This article is designed to explain effect of increased focus on human resource practices leading to organizational effectiveness. The researchers have examined as to what extent the role of talent management, conflict management and reward management influence organizational effectiveness particularly in hierarchical organizations such as law enforcement agencies. The study was conducted in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad of Pakistan for law enforcement agencies including their training academies. Sample size consists of 264 respondents, who filled the questionnaire out of 300 respondents. After analyzing the data, findings showed that there is a significant impact of all these human resource practices i.e. talent management, conflict management and reward management on organizational effectiveness. Results showed that increased focus on employee’s related issues accelerates organizational effectiveness. As employees get their issues addressed, the organizational effectiveness moves in a positive way. Moreover, this study indicates that the combined effect of most relevant human resource practices on strength of the organizations will be positive rather than application of other least effective/relevant human resource initiatives. Since concept of “happy employees are more productive rather than productive employees are happier” is mostly studied for business organizations and hardly any law enforcement agency applies the same for its effectiveness, therefore, the topic is highly of research interest in current years. Thus Organizational effectiveness should also be researched in the context of non-profit organizations such as law enforcement agencies being most vital for stability and economical strength of countries like Pakistan. Limitations of the study are also highlighted at the end. Keywords: Organizational Effectiveness, Law Enforcement Agencies, Human Resource Practices

Effect of carbon fiber winding layer on torsional characteristics of filament wound composite shafts

Composite materials are promising candidates as structural materials and substituting metals in extensive applications. Shafts are used in aerospace and automotive structures and hence replacing conventional shafts with composite material shafts is a viable option. Hollow shafts can be manufactured using filament winding technology employing hoop and helix winding layers. Filament winding technology offers several advantages such as continuous filaments through structure and capability for continuous manufacturing. Previously researchers have investigated composite shafts; however, this research elaborates the significance of type of winding layer on torsional characteristics. This paper reports the effects of carbon fiber winding layer on torsional characteristics of filament wound composite hollow shafts. Shafts were manufactured using filament winding technology with continuous carbon fiber roving and epoxy matrix material and tested using the torsional testing machine. The finite element (FE) simulations have been carried out with a general purpose commercial FE code, ABAQUS, to demonstrate shafts in torsional loading. The results revealed that values from torsional test correlate with developed finite element model. It was concluded that helix winding layer offers high hardness and more resistance to torsional forces as compared to hoop winding layer in filament wound composite shafts

Integration of 1401 Graduate Studies (Groundwater Management for Sustainable Farming Systems)

This report presents the integration of research studies carried out by the graduate students at UTS and UNSW as part of the CRC for Sustainable Rice Production Graduate Studies Program. It evaluates the methodologies and modelling scenarios in rice-based irrigation areas. Moreover, the report collates the research findings and conclusions to establish the benefits to rice industry. The main objective of the graduate studies was to develop strategies for managing groundwater for salinity mitigation at farm and regional scale. Through field experimentation and modelling approaches, the studies examined the impacts of land use on the environment and the effect of irrigation water with different quality levels on the rising watertable and the subsequent salinisation. These studies developed hydrogeological information base for rice growing areas mainly MIA (Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area) and WID (Wakool Irrigation District) has been developed that includes monitoring groundwater levels, groundwater quality, soil analysis and geophysical surveys. The modelling exercises show strong interaction between shallow and deep aquifer. The simulations show significant rise in groundwater levels during the rice crop season and fall during the fallow season. Subsurface lateral groundwater flows are dominant from east to west; from Narrandera to Hay. Groundwater monitoring indicated a rapid response to rainfall as well as irrigation events with a recharge estimation of about 80% for the shallow aquifer and 50% for the deep aquifer. The shallow aquifer (2 m) responds slightly faster than the deep aquifer (7 m) to irrigation events. Groundwater quality at Whitton (M.I.A) is classified as brine and therefore not suitable for irrigation. However, the irrigation water was classified as fresh. Sodium, Sulfate and Chloride were the most abundant elements found in the four water samples. The piezometers in irrigated paddocks showed substantially lower salinity indicating that irrigation water was recharging the aquifer. The deep aquifer piezometers monitoring displayed conductivity values of about 5 to 6 ms/cm. The geophysical resistivity imaging has shown a great promise for developing understanding about surface-ground water interactions and salinization. Large spatial variations in apparent resistivity were observed in irrigated and non-irrigated areas. Resistivity decreases with depth in a linear fashion. Variations in resistivity have been noticed in the upper 10 metre layer of soil indicating recharge zone. Increase of resistivity closer to rice paddocks during irrigation is due to the fresh water infiltrating to the aquifer. Irrigation events resulted in decreased resistivity at most depths, particularly at 15 m that reflecting rising water table or input of fresh water from the irrigated paddocks. These studies have shown a strong correlation between resistivity and electromagnetic responses from EM31 and EM34. The MODFLOW model developed by the UTS graduates with a 10 m minimum discretisation and a refined time scale (2 days stress period) simulated the groundwater dynamics with 80% accuracy. Six key parameters are identified influencing the system. They include rice ponding, precipitation, drainage, evapotranspiration deep leakage and lateral groundwater flow. The solute transport model revealed that the groundwater salinity is controlled by rising groundwater levels due to rice ponding. Salinity concentration is higher in top 2 metres below -2- ground surface. The solute transport model has successfully simulated salinity trends. The irrigated areas are affected by irrigation water salinity. The salinity of top 3 m profile is higher and decreases with depth. Groundwater salinity ranges from 1500 mg/l directly below and is approximately 2500 – 3000 mg/l in the fallow paddocks adjacent to the rice pond. According to the optimization results, an extensive bore network of several hundred pumping bores at shallow depths would be necessary to lower water levels around the irrigated area. However, it impossible to pump out the necessary groundwater volumes in order to lower water table to the targeted levels in low permeability areas as vertical hydraulic conductivity is one order of magnitude lower than horizontal hydraulic conductivity. The UNSW PhD (Xu, 2003) study in Wakool region predicted that about 2 kg/m2 salt will be added to root zone per one rice crop per season. This prediction quantifies to 20 t/ha per crop season each year. Moreover, if repeated irrigation with saline water is practiced, the salt concentration in root zone will continue to increase with time, which is alarming for future of rice industry. Therefore, careful decisions need to be done while working out the soil suitability for rice growers regarding existing soil salinity and the EC levels in irrigation water. The ponded rice irrigation is a major contributing factor to groundwater accessions resulting in rising watertables and subsequent salinity problem. The alternative use of fresh and low salinity water could be practiced on short-term basis for ponded irrigation as long as it does not affect rice growth or rice yield. This will help remove accumulated salts in the root zone by fresh water irrigation after the irrigation with water containing salts. The six graduate modelling studies described in this report are site specific. Efforts to apply these methods to other farms or regions will need to incorporate site specific information on cropping, topography and groundwater systems to describe and calibrate the salinisation processes

The Dynamic Relation between Technology Adoption, Technology Innovation, Human Capital and Economy: Comparison of Lower-Middle-Income Countries

The advent of technologies has stimulated the economic growth of western countries, however, some Asian and African countries are among the Lower Middle Income Countries due to lack of technology adoption and digitally skilled human capital. The use of technologies produces digital competent human capital stock that accelerates economic growth. The prime goal of this article is to explore dynamics of technology adoption, technology innovation, human capital and skill development for Lower Middle Income Countries region over the period 2000-2016 by Generalised Method of Moments and cross sectional dependence. New technology adoption, technology innovation and human capital & skill development indices are formulated. The empirical findings indicate that human capital development & skill and investment have positive linkage with Lower Middle Income Countries economic growth while technology adoption and innovation have different linkage across the Lower Middle Income Countries regions. The panel error correction method was applied to estimate short run dynamics and convergence rate. The fully modified ordinary least square was applied to authenticate whether the long run estimates are consistent and valid for policy implications. The findings propose policy implications for advance technology adoption and innovation with the focus on human capital development & skill and investment in Lower Middle Income Countries region

Antioxidant activity influenced by in vivo and in vitro mutagenesis in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

The antioxidant potential (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPHº)-scavenging activity) of in vitro regenerated and induced mutant sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) was investigated. Efficient callus induction and shoot regeneration were induced in bud explants when incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators (PGRs). Best callogenesis was observed on MS-medium supplemented with 3 mg L-1 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 D) and on ½ MS medium with 2 mg L-1 2,4 D after 30-days of culture. Almost 85% shoot organogenesis was observed on MS-medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 mg L-1 gibberellic acid (GA3) within 30 days. Optimum percentage rooting (89%), were obtained for 2 mg L-1 of BA alone. Mother plant setts were irradiated with 60Co mutagen source. Assay of antioxidant activity of in vitro and in vivo grown tissues was evaluated as gross parameter of medicinal efficacy. Significantly higher antioxidant activity (60%) in in vitro regenerated sugarcane was observed as compared to induced mutant (57%) and mother plant (53%).Key words: Saccharum officinarum, in vitro regeneration, induced mutation, antioxidant

Kesarjanaan sufi salafi di maghribi: ʿabd allāh ibn ʿabd al-qādir al-talīdī, pengajian hadis dan kitab bidāyat al-wuṣūl bi-lubb ṣiḥāḥ al-ummāhāt wa al-uṣūl

Makalah ini mengetengahkan kesarjanaan seorang tokoh Muslim Maghribi iaitu ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Talīdī. Meskipun keilmuan beliau diiktiraf oleh sejumlah para ilmuwan dunia dan boleh dihargai menerusi karya-karya dan legasi beliau, tiada sebarang penerokaan ilmiah khususnya dalam bahasa Melayu yang memaparkan sejarah, kesarjanaan dan sumbangan beliau kepada tradisi keilmuan dan intelektual Islam. Makalah ini cuba mengisi kelompangan tersebut dengan menggunakan metode kajian kepustakaan dan analisis bersasar terhadap karya-karya beliau. Makalah ini akan turut menyentuh serba sedikit pemikiran madrasah al-Ṣiddīqiyyah al-Ghumāriyyah memandangkan ia meninggalkan pengaruh yang sangat besar kepada kesarjanaan al-Talīdī. Sejarah kesarjanaan al-Talīdī juga berupaya menjelaskan lagi gambaran polemik Salafi dan Sufi yang melatari kesarjanaan neo-tradisionalisme di Maghribi. Selanjutnya, karya al-Talīdī iaitu Bidāyat al-Wuṣūl bi-Lubb Ṣiḥāḥ al-Ummāhāt wa al-Uṣūl akan diperincikan kerana ia tidak hanya terhad kepada hadis-hadis ṣaḥīḥ sahaja dan tidak pula terlalu luas meliputi kesemua hadis. Ia seumpama pengembangan karya 40 hadis al-Nawawī yang tidak terhad kepada tema tertentu seperti Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn atau Bulūgh al-Marām. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa kepelbagaian pendirian dan konflik menunjukkan pengamalan ijtihad turut wujud dalam kalangan mereka yang muncul di arena keilmuan melalui tradisi zāwiyah. Meskipun tidak terkenal sebagai salah seorang nuqqād dalam kesarjanaan hadis semasa, al-Talīdī telah memberikan sumbangan kepada pendidikan masyarakat umum melalui karya Bidāyat al-Wuṣūl yang menunjukkan bahawa pendekatan pengesahan hadis dan penolakan hadis yang sangat lemah dan palsu dianggap sangat penting dalam menyampaikan kerangka dan amalan Islam yang benar