Integration and Analysis of Resource Inventory Data for Risk Assessments of Environmental Contamination in Mixed Use Landscapes in Pakistan

This paper examines the various metals that are associated with land contamination for instances arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, and mercury that are well known as the ingredient of contamination of the ecology in the region where there is a high rate of anthropogenic burden. The study investigates land contamination in Pakistan's context. The researches have used the quantitative method to analyze the most recent literature available on the land contamination of Pakistan following funnel approach. The three main steps followed to analyze are first, assessment of the site initially, secondly, assessment of the exposure of the contaminated site that also contains a survey of few places and the amount of contamination found and lastly, remediation of the site. The finding revealed that the contamination in Pakistan is both men made as well due to the terrain they belong to that contains various anthropogenic elements, which are harmful to live beings. Additionally, it is evident that the different elements, which can cause soil contamination, are higher in many places in Pakistan than the standard or tolerable rate mentioned by WHO and other survey board. Lastly, the paper confirms that the pollution can be reduced only if there is a reduction in the man made cause of the land contamination such as oil spill and other industrial emissions that constitute most of Pakistan’s land contamination

Integration and Analysis of Resource Inventory Data for Risk Assessments of Environmental Contamination in Mixed Use Landscapes in Pakistan

This paper examines the various metals that are associated with land contamination for instances arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, and mercury that are well known as the ingredient of contamination of the ecology in the region where there is a high rate of anthropogenic burden. The study investigates land contamination in Pakistan's context. The researches have used the quantitative method to analyze the most recent literature available on the land contamination of Pakistan following funnel approach. The three main steps followed to analyze are first, assessment of the site initially, secondly, assessment of the exposure of the contaminated site that also contains a survey of few places and the amount of contamination found and lastly, remediation of the site. The finding revealed that the contamination in Pakistan is both men made as well due to the terrain they belong to that contains various anthropogenic elements, which are harmful to live beings. Additionally, it is evident that the different elements, which can cause soil contamination, are higher in many places in Pakistan than the standard or tolerable rate mentioned by WHO and other survey board. Lastly, the paper confirms that the pollution can be reduced only if there is a reduction in the man made cause of the land contamination such as oil spill and other industrial emissions that constitute most of Pakistan’s land contamination

Determinants of Anxiety in Amputees Owed to Traumatic & Non-Traumatic Causes in Quetta

Objective: To find out the causes and factors of anxiety among amputees suffering from traumatic and non-traumatic causes. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Quetta from the month of May 2018 to July 2018. This study included those clients with amputations as a result of Traumatic & non-traumatic causes and the data was collected from them. This study involved a total of 54 participants. All amputees who visited the three Physical Rehabilitation Centre were included during data collection process. A structured adopted questionnaire using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) according to the inclusion & exclusion criteria & then tabularized and analyzed by applying Chi square test. Results: This study involved a total of 54 participants of whom 7(13%) were females and 47(87%) males. Among amputees 36(66.7 %), amputations were due to Traumatic injuries and 18(33.3%) were due to non-traumatic amputations. In traumatic, the majority was due to RTA with 25(46.3 %) and in non-traumatic causes diabetes stood first with 13(24.1%) amputation. Traumatic are more anxious than non-traumatic. There is a significant relationship between marital status and anxiety level (p-value 0.047). Statistically significant relationships between amputation and anxiety level were noticed, p value=0.049. Conclusion: Amputation has a significant association with anxiety level. Traumatic experiences make people feel more anxious than non-traumatic ones. Socio-demographics has association with levels of anxiety. It is recommended to do regular or annual screening of these patients following amputation

DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN PAKISTAN

Diversity management practices are becoming the norm of the day and a challenge for HR managers. Keeping this organizational reality in mind, the main purpose of the research is to explain the relationships between diversity management practices and organizational performance. Hypotheses has been developed and the diversity management practices, and the organizational performance have been measured using the Employees’ perception of diversity management practices (EPDMP) scale and on a sample size of 514 employees from public and private sector organizations across Pakistan. The results confirm the relationship between diversity management practices and organizational performance.  It has been concluded that higher workforce diversity does not automatically produce an inclusive climate, specific working environment is required to support workforce diversity where diverse employees are valued and appreciated. Lastly, some practical implications for HR managers and policy makers have also been discussed

Diversity Management and Organizational Performance in Pakistan

Purpose The main purpose of research is to examine the relationships between diversity management and organizational performance along with the fostering role of leadership dimensions. Methodology Diversity management practices have been measured using the EPDMP scale on a sample of 514 employees from organizations across Pakistan and data were collected from employees of universities. The PLS-SEM was used as the main technique for data analysis. Findings Results show that higher workforce diversity does not automatically produce inclusive climate-specific diversity inclusive leadership dimensions are required to support diversity environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. Further, the results confirm that the diversity-inclusive leadership dimensions moderate the relationship between diversity management and organizational performance. Conclusions The study concluded that diversity management has a positive and significant direct impact on organizational performance. Therefore, policymakers need to devise human resource statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and practices that promote a heterogeneous workforce in organizations and offer equal opportunities to all employees unrestricted by individual employee identities such as gender, race, ethnicity, education, religion, function, and abilities. Practical implications The findings are very helpful for HR managers for effective diversity management to enhance their organizational performance. Originality/value: The study explains the association of diversity management practices and organizational performance and moderating role of diversity leadership dimensions

Establishment of the Invasive Cactus Moth, \u3ci\u3eCactoblastis cactorum\u3c/i\u3e (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Pakistan: A Potential Threat to Cultivated, Ornamental and Wild \u3ci\u3eOpuntia\u3c/i\u3e spp. (Cactaceae)

Subsequent to the significant accomplishment of biological control of Opuntia weeds in Australia, the larvae of the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (native to parts of South America), were released in many countries for the biological control of native Opuntia species (Simmonds and Bennett, 1966). Inauspiciously, larvae were also released in the Caribbean, where the moth spread naturally and by the human support all over the region (García-Turudi et al., 1971). Its enhanced dissemination rate and the biological potential for invasiveness, suggests that the cactus moth is likely to become an invasive pest of Opuntia in the Southeast United States, Mexico, and southwestern America. Its damage is restricted mainly to the plants of genus Opuntia (plants with the characteristic of flat prickly pear pads of the former genus Platyopuntia, now considered to be the part of the genus Opuntia). In this region, plants of this genus provide valuable resources for humans, livestock, and wildlife such as food, medicine, and emergency fodder, while in the arid and semi-arid regions, the plants play key roles in ecosystem processes and soil conservation. At present, the cactus moth has developed into a severe threat to the high diversity of prickly pear cacti, all over the world for both the native and cultivated species of Opuntia (IAEA, 2002)

Genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection in Fasciola gigantica isolates of Pakistani livestock

Fasciola spp. are responsible for over 3 billion US dollars of production loss annually in livestock and cause widespread zoonotic disease. Nevertheless, understating of the emergence and spread of the trematode species is poor. The multiplicity of F. gigantica infection and its spread is potentially influenced by multiple factors, including the abundance of suitable intermediate hosts, climatic conditions favouring the completion of the parasite's lifecycle, and translocation of infected animals, or free-living parasite stages between regions. Here we describe the development of a ‘tremabiome’ metabarcoding sequencing method to explore the numbers of F. gigantica genotypes per infection and patterns of parasite spread, based on genetic characteristics of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 (mt-ND-1) locus. We collected F. gigantica from three abattoirs in the Punjab and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan, and our results show a high level of genetic diversity in 20 F. gigantica populations derived from small and large ruminants consigned to slaughter in both provinces. This implies that F. gigantica can reproduce in its definitive hosts through meiosis involving cross- and self-breeding, as described in the closely related species, Fasciola hepatica. The genetic diversity between the 20 populations derived from different locations also illustrates the impact of animal movements on gene flow. Our results demonstrate the predominance of single haplotypes, consistent with a single introduction of F. gigantica infection in 85% of the hosts from which the parasite populations were derived. This is consistent with clonal reproduction in the intermediate snail hosts.[Display omitted]•To confirm the species identity of recovered Fasciola spp.•To identify the presence of single or multiple genotypes per infection (multiplicity of infection)•Demonstrate the spread of F. gigantica mt-ND-1 haplotype

Rabies molecular virology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment

Rabies is an avertable viral disease caused by the rabid animal to the warm blooded animals (zoonotic) especially human. Rabies occurs in more than 150 countries and territories. According to an estimation by WHO, almost 55,000 people die because of rabies every year. The Dogs are the major reason behind this, approximately 99% human deaths caused by dog's bites. Developing and under developing countries, both are the victims of rabies. With the post-exposure preventive regimes, 327,000 people can prevent this disease annually

Usability Issues in Content Based Multimedia Computer Based Trainings

In distance education, students and teachers are at different places and interact with each other with the help of different technologies. Broadcast television, two-way video conferencing, asynchronous learning mode, virtual learning environment (VLE) and content based multimedia computer based trainings (CB-MCBTs) are some of the technologies used to provide distance education. Content Based Multimedia Computer Based Trainings (CB-MCBT) is a computerized learning environment. The acceptance of computerized learning environment is based on its usability. And usability in any computerized learning environment is supportive to learners and it increases their learning experiences of learners. Authors of this research have evaluated usability of CBMCBTs, specifically CB-MCBTs designed by AIOU. Usability evaluation has been performed to find out usability issues in CB-MCBTs, and figured out requirements of learners regarding CB-MCBTs. To figure out usability issues in CBMCBTs authors have used inquiry technique with focus group and questionnaire. Authors have proposed usability criteria to evaluate usability of CB-MCBTs. Each element of proposed criteria is based on principle of user interface design, and three main usability aspects: effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. Development of CB-MCBTs in AIOU is nice and unique effort in the field of computer based trainings. However if these CB-MCBTs are designed to support distance education, then AIOU should focus on the availability of CB-MCBTs to the students, feedbacks within CB-MCBT and feedback from university to students and completeness of these CB-MCBTs regarding features and facilities required by the students. This research also gives recommendation to AIOU for improvements in CB-MCBTs. These recommendations are helpful to fix usability issues in CB-MCBTs and to make these CB-MCBTs according to the requirements of learners

Usability Issues in Content Based Multimedia Computer Based Trainings

In distance education, students and teachers are at different places and interact with each other with the help of different technologies. Broadcast television, two-way video conferencing, asynchronous learning mode, virtual learning environment (VLE) and content based multimedia computer based trainings (CB-MCBTs) are some of the technologies used to provide distance education. Content Based Multimedia Computer Based Trainings (CB-MCBT) is a computerized learning environment. The acceptance of computerized learning environment is based on its usability. And usability in any computerized learning environment is supportive to learners and it increases their learning experiences of learners. Authors of this research have evaluated usability of CBMCBTs, specifically CB-MCBTs designed by AIOU. Usability evaluation has been performed to find out usability issues in CB-MCBTs, and figured out requirements of learners regarding CB-MCBTs. To figure out usability issues in CBMCBTs authors have used inquiry technique with focus group and questionnaire. Authors have proposed usability criteria to evaluate usability of CB-MCBTs. Each element of proposed criteria is based on principle of user interface design, and three main usability aspects: effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. Development of CB-MCBTs in AIOU is nice and unique effort in the field of computer based trainings. However if these CB-MCBTs are designed to support distance education, then AIOU should focus on the availability of CB-MCBTs to the students, feedbacks within CB-MCBT and feedback from university to students and completeness of these CB-MCBTs regarding features and facilities required by the students. This research also gives recommendation to AIOU for improvements in CB-MCBTs. These recommendations are helpful to fix usability issues in CB-MCBTs and to make these CB-MCBTs according to the requirements of learners