Entrepreneurship through Bricolage. A Study of Displaced Entrepreneurs at Times of War and Conflict

War and conflict brings about adverse changes for those who are displaced. How do entrepreneurial individuals respond to such adversity to either set-up, or continue with their existing entrepreneurial endeavours that would improve their own livelihood or that of others who have been affected? Whilst previous studies have found local knowledge, networks and resources to be crucial in the development of ventures in the war and conflict context, alienation from mainstream society within the host location often means that to succeed, those who are displaced require alternative strategies and approaches. Through examining the entrepreneurship ventures of six internally displaced entrepreneurs in Pakistan, our study identifies that entrepreneurial individuals find different ways to adapt to the new order, with both internal and external bricolage becoming the key strategies deployed to either re-establish their previous business(es) or to develop new endeavour(s) in the host location. To compensate for lack of local knowledge, networks and resources, we found that entrepreneurs followed closely their previous paths in their bricolage attempts, relying on reconfigurations of their pre-existing competencies, as well as utilising pre-established and clandestine networks

Fish feed in Bangladesh: Where are the women?

Peer Revie

Fabrication and Evaluation of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate-co-Acrylic Acid Hydrogels for Sustained Nicorandil Delivery

Purpose: To fabricate and evaluate oral 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate co-acrylic acid hydrogels as a drug delivery system for sustained release of nicorandil.Methods: HEMA-co-AA hydrogels using different monomer concentrations were prepared by free radical polymerization. N, N-methylene bis acrylamide (MBA) was used as crosslinker and potassium persulphate (KPS) as initiator. Nicorandil (20 mg) loaded hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) . Swelling ratio, equilibrium swelling (ES), gel content (gc), porosity measurement (P) and in vitro drug release of the delivery system were evaluated.Results: Swelling ratio and ES decreased as AA concentration (%) was reduced from 3.173 to 2.93 (pH 1.2) and 16.42 to 15.01 (pH 7.4) and 68.49 to 65.90 (pH 1.2) and 93.91 to 93.34 (pH 7.4), respectively, while HEMA and MBA showed opposite effects. Gel content (%) and porosity (%) ranged from 83.76 to 88.0, respectively from F1 to F9. With increase monomer content (AA), drug release increased from 85.99 to 89.38 %. However, when the concentrations of HEMA and MBA were raised, drug release decreased.Conclusion: HEMA-co-AA hydrogels are potential pH-sensitive and sustained-release system for nicorandil.Keywords: Hydrogel, 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate-co-acrylic Acid, Sustained Drug Release, Monomer, Nicorandil, Swelling Ratio, Porosit

Prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness in persons ≥50 years of age in Pulwama district, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Rapid assessment of cataract blindness has been accepted as a robust tool to help planners in developing countries.Prevalence of cataract blindness can give important information about the impact of a cataract intervention programme. A study in this direction was carried out in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir. Our results clearly showed that with the increase in age, the prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness increases manifold. However, gender did influence the prevalence of cataract in the present survey. The prevalence of bilateral cataract decreases considerably, with the increase in education of both the genders. Among both male and female respondents examined, 89 percent were having both eyes phakia. Similarly 79 percent of study population were not having lenticular opacity either in R/E or L/E in both males and females. Results show that the prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness in district Pulwama is 4.16 percent

An overview of enhancing drought tolerance in cotton through manipulating stress resistance genes

Drought stress affects the normal growth of plant by influencing Physiological, morphological molecular and biochemical traits at cellular level. It is a polygenic trait, controlled by multiple genes, which makes its manipulation difficult by genetic engineering. It seems drought could be major threat in future to high yield of cotton in Pakistan as well around the globe because it is spontaneous and cannot be controlled with manuring and skilled agricultural practices. Gene manipulation could be a solution of this threat by producing transgenic cotton plants. As it is polygenic trait, so, understanding about cellular mechanism of drought tolerance is crucial to impart tolerance by controlling gene expression under stressed conditions. Universal Stress Proteins (USP) genes have already been identified in drought stressed leaves of Gossypium arboreum which make this variety of cotton a rich source of stress tolerance genes. USP genes could be manipulated for drought tolerant transgenic cotton with high yielding as well and it is most important family of proteins in this regard. This family encompasses a conserved group of proteins that has been reported in different organisms which are activating under various abiotic stress conditions. USP is also a regulatory protein; its activity can be increased by manipulating its interactions

Error management climate and job stress in project-based organizations: an empirical evidence from Pakistani aircraft manufacturing industry

Drawing on the JD-R model, this study examines the influence of error management climate (EMC) on the job stress of frontline aeronautical employees. It also analyzes the moderating role of psychological capital (PsyCap) dimensions (i.e., hope, optimism, self-efficacy, and resilience) for the relationship between error management climate and job stress. The data was collected from 208 individuals through a questionnaire survey and was analyzed using a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The results revealed that employees’ perceptions of error management climate have a significant negative impact on job stress. PsyCap optimism and PsyCap self-efficacy were found to have a negative moderating influence on the relationship between EMC and job stress. The other two dimensions of hope and resilience were found to have a moderating influence in the same direction as expected, but not at statistically significant levels. The findings of this study provide a unique perspective in realizing the part national and organizational cultures could play in either enhancing or attenuating the influence of an individual’s psychological resources such as psychological capital

An overview of groundwater monitoring through point-to satellite-based techniques

Groundwater supplies approximately half of the total global domestic water demand. It also complements the seasonal and annual variabilities of surface water. Monitoring of groundwater fluctuations is mandatory to envisage the composition of terrestrial water storage. This research provides an overview of traditional techniques and detailed discussion on the modern tools and methods to monitor groundwater fluctuations along with advanced applications. The groundwater monitoring can broadly be classified into three groups. The first one is characterized by the point measurement to measure the groundwater levels using classical instruments and electronic and physical investigation techniques. The second category involves the extensive use of satellite data to ensure robust and cost-effective real-time monitoring to assess the groundwater storage variations. Many satellite data are in use to find groundwater indirectly. However, GRACE satellite data supported with other satellite products, computational tools, GIS techniques, and hydro-climate models have proven the most effective for groundwater resources management. The third category is groundwater numerical modeling, which is a very useful tool to evaluate and project groundwater resources in future. Groundwater numerical modeling also depends upon the point-based groundwater monitoring, so more research to improve point-based detection methods using latest technologies is required, as these still play the baseline role. GRACE and numerical groundwater modeling are suggested to be used conjunctively to assess the groundwater resources more efficiently

A quantitative study of the impact of organizational culture, communication management, and clarity in project scope on constructions’ project success with moderating role of project manager’s competencies to enhance constructions management practices

The construction industry is considered a driver of economic growth, especially in developing countries. However, the successful completion of construction projects is a major challenge, due to the lack of competencies. The current study explores the effects of communication management practices, clarity in the scope of the construction project, and organizational culture to enhance project success. A project manager is essential in running a project smoothly and according to the schedule. Keeping in view the predominant role of the project manager, this study aims to find the moderating impact of manager competencies to improve the construction project routine and generate successful projects. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the data and determine how these variables influence construction project progress. The current research results show an ex-cellent association between a construction project’s success and the discussed independent variables. Additionally, it was found that a competent project manager can play a better role in preventing the uncomfortable influences of independent variables on the dependent variable. The obtained outcomes highlight the importance of adequately handling organizational culture, communication management, and clarity to achieve project success. These outcomes are helpful for the professionals working in the construction sector to raise the project success rate and enhance their construction management capabilities