Current standards of postgraduate surgical education and training in Pakistan: Time to bridge the gaps in lieu of national necessity

The provision of good-quality surgical care is a salient feature of every public health system. Pakistan is ranked among low and middle-income countries where the burden of surgical disease is rapidly increasing, but the capacity of the health system has not expanded at the same pace to cater current needs. One of the key components is the dearth of trained surgical specialists and lack of easy access to surgical care. College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan is the main certifying institution for surgeons, while public and private teaching hospitals bear the burden of responsibility for surgical education and training. The current review article was planned to describe current standards of postgraduate surgical education and training in Pakistan and to highlight the challenges that need to be faced and the existent deficiencies that need to be met to match the nation\u27s demand against the immense burden of surgical diseases

Knowledge Management practices: Teachers perception

In today’s world, Knowledge Management is considered as a key to organizational growth and competitiveness. This study aim was to investigate the perception of teachers about main factors affecting the teaching learning process in adopting and applying Knowledge Management. The main objectives of the study were (i) to explore the existing Knowledge Management Practices of teachers in International Islamic University Islamabad (ii) to find out the difficulties regarding knowledge management and (iii) to examine the factors affecting the application of Knowledge Management Practices in improving the performance of teachers. Qualitative method was used as mode of inquiry. Data was collected through an Interview guide. Concurrent exploratory design was used in the study while collecting and analyzing data. Qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis and percentage

Nano-enable materials promoting sustainability and resilience in modern agriculture

Intensive conventional agriculture and climate change have induced severe ecological damages and threatened global food security, claiming a reorientation of agricultural management and public policies towards a more sustainable development model. In this context, nanomaterials promise to support this transition by promoting mitigation, enhancing productivity, and reducing contamination. This review gathers recent research innovations on smart nanoformulations and delivery systems improving crop protection and plant nutrition, nanoremediation strategies for contaminated soils, nanosensors for plant health and food quality and safety monitoring, and nanomaterials as smart food-packaging. It also highlights the impact of engineered nanomaterials on soil microbial communities, and potential environmental risks, along with future research directions. Although large-scale production and in-field testing of nano-agrochemicals are still ongoing, the collected information indicates improvements in uptake, use efficiency, targeted delivery of the active ingredients, and reduction of leaching and pollution. Nanoremediation seems to have a low negative impact on microbial communities while promoting biodiversity. Nanosensors enable high-resolution crop monitoring and sustainable management of the resources, while nano-packaging confers catalytic, antimicrobial, and barrier properties, preserving food safety and preventing food waste. Though, the application of nanomaterials to the agri-food sector requires a specific risk assessment supporting proper regulations and public acceptance.Fil: Ur Rahim, Hafeez. Dalian University Of Technology; ChinaFil: Qaswar, Muhammad. University of Ghent; BélgicaFil: Uddin, Misbah. Dalian University Of Technology; ChinaFil: Giannini, Cinzia. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; ItaliaFil: Herrera, Maria Lidia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Rea, Giuseppina. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Itali

Compositional analysis of chalcopyrite using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Thisarticlepresentselementalanalysisofaneconomicallyimportantmineral(chalcopyrite) oflocalorigin. Calibration-freelaser-inducedbreakdownspectroscopy(CF-LIBS)methodologybased on the assumption of optically thin plasma and local thermodynamic equilibrium was employed for quantitative analysis. Plasma on the surface of the chalcopyrite target was generated by an Nd:YAG laser beam of wavelength 532 nm, pulse width 5 ns, and operated at repetition rate of 10 Hz. A LIBS2000+ detection system, comprised of five spectrometers, covering the spectral range from 200–720 nm, was used to record the signal of the optical emission from the chalcopyrite plasma. Recorded optical spectrum revealed the presence of Cu and Fe as the major elements while Ca and Na were recognized as the minor elements in the target sample. Quantitative analysis has shown that the relative concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Ca in the sample under study were 58.9%, 40.2%, and 0.9% by weight respectively. However, Na was not quantified due to the unavailability of suitable spectral lines, required for CF-LIBS analysis. Results obtained by CF-LIBS were validated by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, which showed the presence of five compositional elements viz. Cu, Fe, Si, Se and Ag with weight percentages of 58.1%, 35.4%, 5.7%, 0.7%, and 0.1% respectively. These results endorse the effectiveness of the CF-LIBS technique for quantitative analysis of major elements, however, its usefulness in case of minor and trace elements needs further improvement

Public Finance and Revenue Mobilization of Union Parishads: A Case of Four Union Parishads

Publication supported by SDC and HELVETAS, Banglades

Chondromyxoid Fibroma; experience of 36 cases of an intriguing entity

Objective: To evaluate the clinico-pathological features and treatment options of chondromyxoid fibroma patients. Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, and comprised data of all cases of chondromyxoid fibroma of bone diagnosed between 1996 and 2013.The diagnosis had been made mostly histopathologically, but also included patients in whom preoperative incisional biopsies had been used. Histopathological and radiological findings along with various treatment options and follow-up was recorded on a proforma. Results: Of the total 36 patients,14(39%) were females and 22(61%) were males, with an overall mean age ± of standard deviation 20.9 years ± 9.8 (range: 6-51 years). Diagnosis was made histopathologically in 27(75%) patients and biopsy was used in 9(25%) cases. The most common site of involvement was tibia in 16(44.4%). The main presenting symptom was pain in 30(83.3%) and/or swelling in 6(16.6%). Radiological examination revealed no foci of soft tissue involvement. Bizarre large atypical cells were seen in 14(39%) cases and osteoid formation in 2(5.5%), leading to extreme difficulty in diagnosis. Treatment options included wide resection and marginal excisionin 22(61%) cases, intra-lesional curettage in 14(39%). The mean ± standard deviation follow-up was 48.8 ± 40.2 months (range: 8-152 months). Follow-up details were available only for 19(53%) patients. Among them, recurrence occurred in 7(36.8%) patients. No functional loss developed after surgical treatment, but 3(16%) patients developed wound-site infection. Conclusions: Chondromyxoid fibroma is clinically and histopathologically rare and difficult to diagnose because of the absence of typical diagnostic features in every case

<i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Extract-Assisted Fabrication of Copper Oxide/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Applications

In this work, we report the engineering of sub 30 nm nanoparticles of copper oxide (CuO) and Zinc oxide (ZnO) and their nanocomposite, using a green method, to degrade an organic dye (methyl orange) that is responsible for water pollution. The plant extract of Eucalyptus globulus was used as a capping and stabilizing agent, as it is non-toxic, easy to use, and affordable. The percent purity and composition of the samples were found using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), which confirmed the formation of 75% CuO nanoparticles, 77.81% ZnO nanoparticles, and 77.34% ZnO/CuO nanocomposite in respective samples. Morphological analysis was achieved using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). FTIR investigations revealed that the vibrations of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles and CuO/ZnO nanocomposite were observed at 568 cm−1, 617.9 cm−1, and 475 cm−1, respectively. The bandgap of the synthesized CuO and ZnO nanoparticles, and ZnO/CuO nanocomposite was analyzed using Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), and found to be 3.36 eV, 1.83 eV, and 1.48 eV, respectively. Best photocatalytic activity confirmed that favorable conditions for the maximum degradation of methyl orange are at pH 12 and 0.02 g of the photocatalyst is required

Persistence and Degradation of Imidacloprid in Wheat Crop

Present study was conducted to investigate the levels and persistence of imidacloprid residues in wheat grains and straw of field crop samples grown from treated seed and foliar application. Objective of the study was to assess the best practices that may be used to produce safe grains and straw. Residual uptake of imidacloprid was measured after seed treatments at four dosage levels of seed. Each sample of 25g treated seed was sown in a separate 5ft2 plot.The absorption of imidacloprid residues was investigated by spraying the crops with 1ml and 5ml of 6 mgmL-1 solution of 200SL Confidor (imidacloprid). The results helped in determining the maximum allowable limits of imidacloprid application (foliar or seed treatment) on wheat, which would prevent the residues from exceeding the MRL. The quantitative determination of imidacloprid suggested that the lowest seed treatment level (i.e. 0.015g/25g seed) may be used to produce a residues-free crop

Persistence and Degradation of Imidacloprid in Wheat Crop

Present study was conducted to investigate the levels and persistence of imidacloprid residues in wheat grains and straw of field crop samples grown from treated seed and foliar application. Objective of the study was to assess the best practices that may be used to produce safe grains and straw. Residual uptake of imidacloprid was measured after seed treatments at four dosage levels of seed. Each sample of 25g treated seed was sown in a separate 5ft2 plot.The absorption of imidacloprid residues was investigated by spraying the crops with 1ml and 5ml of 6 mgmL-1 solution of 200SL Confidor (imidacloprid). The results helped in determining the maximum allowable limits of imidacloprid application (foliar or seed treatment) on wheat, which would prevent the residues from exceeding the MRL. The quantitative determination of imidacloprid suggested that the lowest seed treatment level (i.e. 0.015g/25g seed) may be used to produce a residues-free crop

Synthesis of Thermally Stable h-BN-CNT Hetero-Structures via Microwave Heating of Ethylene under Nickel, Iron, and Silver Catalysts

Initially, three samples of carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized from neem tree material. Afterward, these samples were coated with hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) to form h-BN and CNT composite (h-BN-CNT). The essence of using h-BN (being a perfect insulator) with armchair SWCNT (being a conductor) is to create an interface between an insulator and conductor. The samples were treated under three different transition metal nanoparticles; silver, iron, and nickel. Thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis reveals that h-BN/CNT is thermally more stable with silver than iron and nickel nanoparticles. TGA profile showed resistance to mass loss at the beginning due to the higher thermal resistivity by the impurity compounds. The DFT calculation, generalized gradient approximation (GGA), and Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) analysis found engineered bandgap energy of 3.4 eV for the synthesized h-BN-CNT heterostructure. Because of its unique structural and electronic properties such as tunable bandgaps, the h-BN-CNT heterostructure may open new ways for manipulating excitons in the CNTs, and thus can be explored to develop various new electronic devices