149 research outputs found
Hydraulic simulations to evaluate and predict design and operation of the Chashma Right Bank Canal
No full textIrrigation systems / Irrigation canals / Flow control / Velocity / Canal regulation techniques / Hydraulics / Simulation models / Design / Operations / Crop-based irrigation / Distributary canals / Water delivery / Policy / Protective irrigation / Water allocation / Water requirements / Sedimentation / Water distribution / Equity / Water conveyance / Pakistan / Chashma Right Bank Canal
Novel CO2 Separation Membranes
No full textUsing membranes for CO2 capture has gained recent prominence in the global scientific community due to its lower capital cost and a quicker separation performance than the conventional separation methods. The membrane process features desirable properties, like compactness, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness. Various polymeric and inorganic materials have been tested both as unique ingredients and blends to form CO2 separation membranes with a focus on increasing the performance but have had varying rates of success. For commercial viability, the membrane sector requires new techniques and testing materials to lower the cost of CO2 capture. Recently, thermally rearranged polymers, intrinsic microporous polymers, ionic liquid inclusion as fillers, and binary fillers have all emerged as novel trends, focusing on enhancing the working efficiency and sustainability of the membranes. This chapter explores the most recent advances in membrane technology and its future prospects as a sustainable solu ion towards carbon dioxide capture. This Page is compulsory Book Title – Sustainable Carbon Capture: Technologies and Applications Chapter Author(s) – Asif Jamil, Department of Chemical Polymer and Composite Material Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (New Campus), Lahore, Pakistan, [email protected] Muhammad Latif, Institute of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of the Punjab, 54590, Lahore, Pakistan, [email protected] Alamin Idris Abdulgadir, Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences, Karlstad University, SE-651 88 Karlstad, Sweden, [email protected] Danial Qadir, Centre for Sustainable Engineering, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom, [email protected] Hafiz Abdul Mannan, Institute of Polymer and Textile Engineering, University of the Punjab, 54590, Lahore, Pakistan, [email protected]</p
Label-free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein based on carbon cloth sputtered gold nanoparticles
No full textThe proliferation and transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or the (COVID-19) disease, has become a threat to worldwide biosecurity. Therefore, early diagnosis of COVID-19 is crucial to combat the ongoing infection spread. In this study we propose a flexible aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for the rapid, label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP). A platform made of a porous and flexible carbon cloth, coated with gold nanoparticles, to increase the conductivity and electrochemical performance of the material, was assembled with a thiol functionalized DNA aptamer via S–Au bonds, for the selective recognition of the SARS-CoV-2 SP. The various steps for the sensor preparation were followed by using scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The proposed platform displayed good mechanical stability, revealing negligible changes on voltammetric responses to bending at various angles. Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 SP was performed by DPV and chronopotentiometry (CP), exploiting the changes of the electrical signals due the [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox probe, when SARS-CoV-2 SP binds to the aptamer immobilized on the electrode surface. Current density, in DPV, and square root of the transition time, in CP, varied linearly with the log[ SARS-CoV-2 SP], providing lower limits of detection (LOD) of 0.11 ng/mL and 37.8 ng/mL, respectively. The sensor displayed good selectivity, repeatability, and was tested in diluted human saliva, spiked with different SARS-CoV-2 SP concentrations, providing LODs of 0.167 ng/mL and 46.2 ng/mL for DPV and CP, respectively
Customer Relationship Management Practices in University Libraries of Pakistan
No full textThe purpose of this study was to appraise the prevailing status of customer relationship management (CRM) practices in university libraries of Pakistan to increase strong and mutual beneficial relationship with user. Moreover, correlates of CRM practices with types, categories, and geographical locations of university libraries were also explored. This study adopted cross-sectional survey research design using a questionnaire. The survey questionnaire was emailed to the in-charge/head librarians of all 193 university libraries in Pakistan and response rate was 74%. The results were consolidated at the analysis stage. The results have demonstrated that current status of CRM practices (customer focus, organizational focus, customer feedback management) is in the adolescence phase, while information technology infrastructure is inadequate for absolute implantation of CRM programmes and strategies. The data indicate that CRM practices are linked with university libraries types and geographical locations private sector university libraries are concentrating more on organizational focus as compared to public sector while university libraries of Islamabad Capital Territory are having good IT Infrastructure from KPK Province and AJK region respectively. The study suggests that all academic institutions should formulate a clearly specified user care and satisfaction policy. In Pakistan, Information Management / Library & Information Sciences schools and library associations should conduct ongoing training, workshops, seminars, and conferences on CRM strategies, practices, programs, tactics and mechanism, defined in this study. University top management must encourage, provide financial resources and train staff for smooth running and implementation of CRM. Complete IT infrastructure, CRM software and models should be adopted as per market demand. CRM models may be developed for Pakistani university libraries or such models may be opted with some amendments from other pure business CRM models
Tourism Development in BRICS: Unraveling the Role of Foreign Direct Investment & Trade
No full textThis article presents the findings of a study that utilized a panel ARDL (autoregressive distributive lag) model to scrutinize the association of foreign direct investment (FDI), trade, human capital, government expenditures, with tourism in the BRICS nations. The research analyzed data spanning the period from 1995 to 2020 and unveiled crucial insights into the dynamics influencing tourism development in these countries. The results revealed that FDI, trade, and human capital demonstrated positive associations with the tourism sector, in the short and long time period. These factors played a significant role in boosting tourism activities within the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, China, India & South Africa) nations. However, an inverse correlation was observed between government expenditures and tourism during the same time frame, suggesting the need for careful allocation and optimization of public funds to enhance the sector's growth and performance. This study sheds light on the complex interplay between various determinants of tourism development in BRICS countries, providing valuable implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders
Investigating Organizational Commitment of Information Professionals working at University Libraries in Pakistan
No full textThis study investigated the organizational commitment of information professionals working at university libraries in Pakistan. Survey method was adopted using a questionnaire to collect data from 329 information professionals of Punjab and Islamabad. The questionnaire contained 18-items measure of organizational commitment, developed by Meyer, Allen and Smith (1993), along with certain demographic variables. Each statement was measured on 5-point Likert scale (e.g. 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3= Neutral, 4=Agree, 5= Strongly Agree). The collected data were analysed by applying descriptive as well as inferential statistics in SPSS. Results indicated that information professionals were slightly committed to their organizations and most of these had emotional attachment with the organization. There were no significant mean differences in the index of organizational commitment based on age, gender, sector, area, and continuing education. However, the qualification, designation, experience, employment nature, and salary of the participants appeared to be predictor of organizational commitment. These results are important for university administration especially human resource department who work for retention of productive and committed employees and ensure strategic human resource development. This study would make worthy contribution in the existing research on organizational commitment in general and information professionals in particular
Does Job Satisfaction Predict Organizational Commitment? An Information Professionals’ Perspective
No full textThis study examined the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment among information professionals working at university libraries in Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire was conducted. The questionnaire contained items related to job satisfaction and organizational commitment along with demographic variables. All the professionals working in university libraries of Punjab and Islamabad were considered as study population. It was decided to collect data from all these professionals. The questionnaire was administered either through personal visits or through email. A total of 329 questionnaires retuned which were used for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for data analysis. The results revealed job satisfaction appeared to be a statistically significant but positive predictor of organization commitment among survey participants. The facets such as promotion, supervision, and job itself also appeared to be the positive correlative of overall organizational commitment. Conversely, the three facets of job satisfaction pay, fringe benefits and colleagues were not significantly correlated with overall organizational commitment as well as with all its facets. These results are useful for human resource departments of universities who work strategically for retention of satisfied and productive employees for their institutions. This study would make worthy contribution in the existing research on library management
Role of Corporate Governance in Shareholders Value Creation
No full textThe mechanism of governing corporate affairs in line with strategic goal of shareholders' value creation (SVC) has been pivotal debate among academic and institutional scholars over last few decades. Most of the studies in developing countries including Pakistan, have considered more conventional measures, like firm financial performance to examine the impact of corporate governance (CG). Theoretically, firm financial performance optimization has little role in maximizing SVC, that rarely streams to shareholders' exchequer. Therefore, the study is unique in its nature that identifies market capitalization, the most appropriate measure of value creation for shareholders over long run. The authors gathered panel and longitudinal data pertaining to PSX-100 listed firm over the period of 10 years ranging from 2006-15, which is analyzed using multivariate regression. Hausman and Likelihood tests guide the process of appropriate econometrics model selection. Empirical findings reveal that CG dimensions such as audit committee independence (ACI), managerial ownership (MO) and ownership concentration (OC) have positive impact on SVC, except board size (BS) and board independence (BI). The study offers valuable policy recommendations to make CG practices more effective, however, application of the model proposition at macro and micro level can be a substantial extension to literature incorporating some controlling dimensions.</jats:p
- …
