Biodiversity of Cyanobacteria in industrial effluents

Biodiversity of cyanobacteria in industrial effluents. In order to study the biodiversity of cyanobacteria in industrial effluents, four different effluents such as dye, paper mill, pharmaceutical and sugar were selected. The hysicochemical characteristics of all the effluents studied were more or less similar. Totally 59 species of cyanobacteria distributed in four different effluents were recorded. Among the effluents, sugar mill recorded the maximum number of species (55) followed by dye (54), paper mill (45) and pharmaceutical (30). Except pharmaceutical effluent, others recorded heterocystous cyanobacteria. In total 26 species of cyanobacteria were recorded in common to all the effluents analysed. Of them, Oscillatoria with 13 species was the dominant genus which was followed by Phormidium (8), Lyngbya (2), Microcystis (2) and Synechococcus with single species. The abundance of cyanobacteria in these effluents was due to favourable contents of oxidizable organic matter, rich calcium and abundant nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates with less dissolved oxygen. Indicator species from each effluent and their immense value for the future pollution abatement programmes have also been discussed.Biodiversidad de cianobacterias en vertidos industriales. Se ha estudiado la biodiversidad de cianobacterias presente en vertidos industriales de diferente naturaleza (colorantes, fabricación de papel, sector farmacéutico y azúcar). Las características físico-químicas de los vertidos fueron más o menos similares. Se han identificado un total de 59 especies de cianobacterias en los cuatro tipos de vertidos. La mayor riqueza específica se encontró en el vertido de la industria azucarera (55 especies), seguida luego por la industria de colorantes, papel y productos farmacéuticos (54, 45 y 30 especies, respectivamente). Con la excepción del vertido de la industria farmacéutica, en los restantes vertidos se detectaron cianobacterias heterocistadas. El número de especies comunes a los cuatro vertidos ascendió a 26. Entre éstas, Oscillatoria, con 13 especies, fue el género dominante, seguido por Phormidium (8), Lyngbya y Microcystis (ambas con 2) y Synechococcus (1). La abundancia de cianobacterias en estos vertidos se debió al contenido en materia orgánica oxidable, altos niveles de calcio y nutrientes inorgánicos (nitratos y fosfatos) y bajos niveles de oxígeno disuelto. Se discuten el valor del indicador de especies de cada vertido y su importancia para los programas de reducción de la contaminación

Biodiversity and distribution of cyanobacteria at Dronning Maud Land, East Antartica

Biodiversity and distribution of cyanobacteria at Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica.The current study describes the biodiversity and distribution of cyanobacteria from the natural habitats of Schirmacher land, East Antarctica surveyed during 23rd Indian Antarctic Expedition (2003�2004). Cyanobacteria were mapped using the Global Positioning System (GPS). A total of 109 species (91 species were non-heterocystous and 18 species were heterocystous) from 30 genera and 9 families were recorded; 67, 86 and 14 species of cyanobacteria were identified at altitudes of sea level >100 m, 101�150 m and 398�461 m, respectively. The relative frequency and relative density of cyanobacterial populations in the microbial mats showed that 11 species from 8 genera were abundant and 6 species (Phormidium angustissimum, P. tenue, P. uncinatum Schizothrix vaginata, Nostoc kihlmanii and Plectonema terebrans) could be considered as dominant species in the study area.Biodiversidad y distribución de las cianobacterias de Dronning Maud Land, Antártida Oriental. En este estudio se describe la biodiversidad y distribución de las cianobacterias presentes en los hábitats naturales de Schirmacher, Antártida Oriental, muestreados durante la 23ª Expedición India a la Antártida (2003-2004). Las muestras de cianobacterias fueron georreferenciadas mediante un GPS. Se identificaron 109 especies (91 no heterocistadas y 18 provistas de heterocistes) de 30 géneros y 9 familias; en los tramos de altitud sobre el nivel del mar >100 m, 101-150 m y 398-461 m se detectaron 67, 86 y 14 especies, respectivamente. La frecuencia y densidad relativas de las poblaciones de cianobacterias en los tapices microbianos mostraron que 11 especies de 8 géneros eran abundantes y que 6 especies (Phormidium angustissimum, P. tenue, P. uncinatum, Schizothrix vaginata, Nostoc kihlmanii y Plectonema terebrans) se pueden considerar como dominantes en el área de estudio

Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Economic Growth in Pakistan

This discussion paper aims to highlight the existing scenario of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for the economic growth in Pakistan. It specifically analysis the status of vocational training, related policies and practices with reference to the 18th Amendment, which abolishes the concurrent list and grants more provincial autonomy in the matters of education. Article 25A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (iv) states that the provinces should set priorities for access and quality education based on the provincial needs and develop action plans for its actualization. A developing country like Pakistan needs to devise a systematic, well thought and sophisticated policy for TVET; therefore, this paper proposes a policy following the simple framework of input, process and output. The inputs are predominantly focused on highlighting and matching demand and supply of the TVET. The process thoroughly discusses both the formal and informal education arrangements. Finally, the outputs are deliberated in the form of economic effects such as the manpower structures, technological development, manpower quality and economic behavior leading to the ultimate goal of economic growth and development of the country

People in Motion: Politics of Migration Policy

Research project funded in academic years 2005-06, 2006-07, and 2007-08The University Archives has determined that this item is of continuing value to OSU's history.The project will create a cross-national database of immigration policy, coding policies on 90 variables that include restrictiveness, purpose, and enforcement. Funding will also support case studies on immigration policy in India and the United Arab Emirates.Mershon Center for International Security Studie

Intertextuality in Orientalists’ Discourses: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Watt’s Concept of Revelation

For the last many centuries Islam has been discursively represented in the Orientalist discourses. These discourses are intertextually well-linked and share the same epistemological grounds. So, the broader focus of this study is to explore the linguistic modes, discursive strategies and intertextuality of the Orientalists’ discourses representing the Muslim Meta- narrative about the revelation of the Holy Qur’an. The data is selected through purposive sampling technique from Montgomery Watt’s books “Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman” and “Muhammad at Mecca”. For critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the data, Fairclough’s (1989, 1993) three dimensional model is used as a theoretical framework. Insights from the works of Kristeva (1980) and Bakhtin (1973, 1981) have also been incorporated for intertextual study. This study foregrounds that the Orientalists’ discourses are highly intertextual and Watt’s perspective about the revelation of the Holy Qur’an is intertextually embedded in the Orientalists’ Meta- narrative, which challenges its Divine nature. Watt discursively structures his narrative, which in fact is the sophisticated sequel of the Orientalists’ discourses about Islam.  This study helps the readers to analyse how the Orientalists’ discourses intertextually construct and reinforce their stereotypical stance about the divine nature of the revelation.

Student behavior management : School leader’s role in the eyes of the teachers and students

This study explored the perspectives and viewpoints of the teachers and students in relation to the influence of the head teacher and senior leadership team on students’ behavior management in the form of policies, procedures and support mechanisms in a secondary school in Karachi Pakistan. Two surveys were developed and employed, one for the entire teaching staff (N=43) and one for a sample of students (n=120). The majority of teachers (97%) and students (83%) reported that school leadership influences students’ behavior management through policies and procedures. A large number of the teachers are of the view that sharing of personal experiences by the school leadership, supporting their staff members, and the leader’s visibility in the school context helps them in understanding and coping with the behavioral issues of the students. The majority of the teachers (95%) and students (86%) feel that school leadership influences students’ behavior management through providing awards to the students for good behavior rather than consequences for misbehavior. Awards are considered as a positive means of influence as compared to consequences. The sports activities and club activities were ranked as the favorite positive support systems by the students as well as by the teachers

Engagement of School Leadership in Teachers’ Continuous Professional Development: A Case Study

Teachers in the recent fast transforming technological era are required to regularly upgrade their knowledge, skills and attitudes to meet the needs of the 21st century learners & learning. This study explores the engagement of the school leaders in continuous professional development (CPD) by using a case study method. An elite school was selected as a sample case considering its recognition of CPD models and its constructive implications on learning. Two school leaders consisting of school headmistress and CPD convenor were selected using a purposive sampling method. The data were collected using an in-depth interview strategy and having a semi structured interview guide that could allow subjective detailed questioning and responses. Also, researchers own observations of CPD programmes provided relevant data for the study. The data analysis revealed that school leaders pursue CPD in a very systemic and process-oriented manner. The process starts from exploring individual teachers’ needs to providing them with avenues to upgrade their teaching with timely support and monitoring. This study synthesizes the findings and present essential characteristics of effective professional development. Strategies for policy makers, school leadership, school administrators and teachers to engage in continuous, relevant and contextualized professional development endeavours are discussed.Keywords: continuous professional development, school leadership, studentachievement, and teachers