Cities Of Punjab Research Articles

Attitude Determinants of Income-Tax E-filing Facility:A Study of Major Cities of Punjab (India)

In India, each year a large number of returns are e-filed and the administration is making efforts to bring all returns online gradually. The success of any e-governance initiatives, however, depends upon the importance that people place on particular project in terms of its usability. The present paper is an attempt to explore the attitude determinants of income-tax e-filing facility usage by the respondents of Punjab and union territory of Chandigarh. The Exploratory Factor Analysis results reveal that nine factors namely; safety of use, performance expectancy, habit, price and legal motivation, knowledge and social influence, effort expectancy, value consideration, facilitating conditions and comfort play a vital role in the use of e-filing facility. The policy-makers should provide adequate safety measures for building confidence of users. The Government should motivate respondents (through less technical legal procedures) for a continuous use of e-filing so that it helps them in saving time and other costs and becomes a habit for them.

Optical Attenuation & Atmospheric Visibility of Free Space Optics

The study was conducted at University of Gujrat during 2015 with an objective to explore the effects of dust on Free Space Optics (FSO) communication. Growing pollution and dust gales motivated studies we presented in this paper. In this paper analysis of the influence of dust on free space optics communication is presented. We focused our studies on Lahore as it is polluted city of Punjab and made a comparison with dust effects in Rahimyar Khan Region. Dense dust consists of large dust particles that raise from Earths sphere and whose atmospheric intensification values are high enough to affect FSO communication links. Dust storm research is based on visibility data. In order to test visibility data, we made calculations of atmospheric conditions for different dust conditions. Visibility of wave is calculated using weather spark. As it is related with the optical attenuation, so we also calculated optical attenuation of dust particles due to influence of dust particles and compared it with that of Rahimyar Khan.

Emergence of mixed infection of Beijing/Non-Beijing strains among multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Pakistan.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains as one of the deadliest diseases after HIV globally with 95 % of deaths confined to low-and-middle income countries. Pakistan is fifth among the 22 high-burden TB countries with the incidence rate of 230/100,000 persons, however, studies related to prevalent Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and their spread, drug resistance pattern and evolutionary genetics are inadequate. The present study was undertaken to highlight the circulation of M. tuberculosis strains causing drug resistant TB in our community by targeting the molecular marker IS6110 and then characterization of these strains as Beijing and Non-Beijing genotypes. Sputum samples from 102 MDR TB suspects from different cities of Punjab were collected and their record was stored in a database. Sputum samples were evaluated by Ziehl Neelson staining and cultured on Lownstein Jensen medium by Modified Petroff’s method. DST was performed for first-line anti-mycobacterial drugs by indirect proportion method. Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were investigated for the presence of IS6110 and further identification as Beijing, Non-Beijing or mixed genotype. Percentage of male and female patients was found to be 58.8 and 41.2 % respectively. DST showed resistance of 93 % of isolates to isoniazid and rifampicin. All of the isolates showed positive results for IS6110 amplification. Based on PCR amplification of Beijing and non-Beijing primer sets 4.9 % of the patients showed infection with pure Beijing isolates, 14.7 % with both Beijing and non-Beijing isolates and 80.3 % with pure non-Beijing isolates. Analysis of IS6110 and Beijing sequences showed the presence of putative transposase conserved domain while non-Beijing sequences were epitomized with RAMP_I_III superfamily domain (CRISPR-associated protein family). TB in Pakistan is predominantly caused by Non-Beijing genotypes, but Beijing strains showed incessant circulation in our community as both single and mixed (co-infecting Non-Beijing and Beijing) strains.

Assessment of nutritional status of celiac disease patients in Ludhiana city of Punjab

A sample of 30 celiac patients including 20 adults and 10 children was enrolled to assess their nutritional status. Mean height of females, males and children was 157.78 cm, 160.48 cm and 95.56 cm, respectively and weight was 44.17 kg, 46.58 kg and 14.13 kg, respectively. Both height and weight were less than the standard height and weight of Indians. The mean intake of cereals was 114.65g, 102.13g, 75.83g and pulse intake was 54.66g, 58.36g, 65.95g by females, males and children, respectively. Pulse intake in case of children was significantly higher whereas intake of all other food groups in all the three groups were significantly lower (P<0.01). Energy intake by all the three groups was less i.e. 1268 kcal by females, 1/3 rd of RDA by males (929 kcal) and ½ of RDA by children (888 kcal). As compare to RDA the protein intake was adequate in case of females (43.26g) and children (32.68g) but less in males (31.50g) as compare to suggested intake. Carbohydrate and fibre intake was significantly lower (P<0.01) in all the three groups as compare to suggested intake. Fat intake was significantly lower (P<0.01) by males and children as compare to calculated value based on 20 per cent and 25 per cent of energy, respectively. It was found that celiac patients were using only maize flour and besan to make chapattis and they were not taking any inbetween meal because of lack of availability of gluten free foods.

Contribution of Women Through Their Unpaid Work in Urban Punjab

The aim of the present study was to estimate the contribution of women towards the nation’s economy and social development through their unpaid work. Primary data for the study was collected from 360 working and non-working women of three different income groups that is LIG, MIG and HIG from two major cities of Punjab namely, Patiala and Ludhiana. Results relating to the non-economic contribution of women have shown that most of them under study (351/360) performed daily household chores by themselves, and hence contributed indirectly towards their family income by saving some money. The average number of household chores performed by working (3.27) and non-working (3.36) women showed that working women do not lag far behind the nonworking women, thus, both working and non-working women have almost equal contribution in the exchequer of their families. On an average, a woman saved INR 1,873 per month by way of doing household chores by herself.

Monitoring of Lead (Pb) Pollution in Soils and Plants Irrigated with Untreated Sewage Water in Some Industrialized Cities of Punjab, India.

Soil and plant samples were collected from sewage and tubewell irrigated sites from three industrially different cities of Punjab (India) viz. Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Malerkotla. The extent of lead (Pb) pollution was assessed with respect to background concentration of tubewell irrigation. In sewage irrigated surface soil layer (0-15 cm), the extent of Pb accumulation was 4.61, 4.20 and 2.26 times higher than those receiving tubewell irrigation sites in Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Malerkotla, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that soil pH, organic carbon, calcium carbonate and clay were significant soil parameters explaining the variation in available soil Pb. The mean Pb content in plants receiving sewage irrigation was 4.56, 5.48 and 2.72 times higher than tubewell irrigation in Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Malerkotla, respectively. The content of Pb in plants receiving sewage irrigation revealed that, assuming a weekly consumption of 500-1000 g of vegetables grown on sewage irrigated soils by an adult of 70 kg body weight, the Pb intake may far exceed the World Health Organization proposed tolerable weekly intake of Pb.

Post-Menopausal Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: An Analysis of Biomarkers

The present study was carried out to assess risk factors associated with obesity. The study was conducted among ninety postmenopausal women in the age group of 45–60 years. They were selected randomly from Ludhiana city of Punjab. The subjects were categorized into three groups (30 each) i.e. normal (18.50–24.99 kg/m2), overweight (25.00–29.99 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2) based on body mass index. The data pertaining to anthropometrics, blood and lipid profile were collected. Lipid profile increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase in body mass index (BMI) i.e. normal to overweight and to obese. BMI was found significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with blood pressure and lipid profile among postmenopausal women staging higher risk in obese subjects. There is a need of nutrition intervention for management of obesity and its associated risk factors to improve nutritional and health profile among postmenopausal women.

Genetic variants of ADAM33 are associated with asthma susceptibility in the Punjabi population of Pakistan

Objective: A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 33 (ADAM33) gene has been considered as an asthma susceptibility gene due to its possible role in airway remodeling, abnormal cell proliferation, and differentiation. Association of this gene with asthma has been reported in several genetic studies on various populations. The current study aims to evaluate the association of ADAM33 gene polymorphisms with the risk of asthma in the Punjabi population of Pakistan. Method: A total of 101 asthma patients and 102 age-matched healthy controls from Lahore, a city in Punjab, were recruited. ADAM33 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) T + 1[rs2280089], T2[rs2280090], T1[rs2280091], ST + 5[rs597980], ST + 4[rs44707], S2[rs528557], Q − 1[rs612709], and F + 1[rs511898] were genotyped in both patients and controls using single base extension and capillary electrophoresis-based genetic analyzer. The basic allelic and genotypic model was analyzed for association of the SNPs with asthma using SHEsis software. Haploview software was used to calculate pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) among six of the genotyped SNPs. Results: Of the 8 SNPs genotyped, only S2[rs528557] showed significant association with asthma (Allele p = 0.0189, Genotype p = 0.021). SNPs T + 1[rs2280089], T2[rs2280090], T1[rs2280091], ST + 4[rs44707], S2[rs528557], and Q − 1[rs612709] were found to be in moderate to strong LD. The significantly higher frequency of haplotype “AAGTCG” in healthy controls suggests a protective effect against asthma risk in the studied population (p = 0.0059). Conclusion: These findings suggest that genetic variants of ADAM33 gene may play important roles in asthma susceptibility in the Punjabi population of Pakistan.

A study of radon concentration in drinking water samples of Amritsar city of Punjab (India)

Radon concentration has been estimated in drinking water samples of 17 selected locations in Amritsar city of Punjab, India. RAD7, an electronic solid state radon monitor has been used to evaluate the radon concentration in collected drinking water samples. The corresponding annual mean effective dose for ingestion and inhalation was calculated according to parameters introduced by UNSCEAR (2000) report. The radon concentration in drinking water samples has been found to vary from 0.53 ± 0.11 to 11.20 ± 1.40 Bql−1 . The values of radon concentration in these samples were found below the recommended limit proposed by USEPA (1991) and European Commission (2001). The range of calculated annual effective dose varied between 1.45 and 30.57 ΅Svy−1 . These values lie well within the safe limit prescribed by the WHO (2003) and European council (2005). The purpose of this study was to assess the radiological risk, if any, to human health due to consumption of drinking water that is available at Amritsar city.

Current Trends of Fish Industry in Five Major Cities of Punjab

Current Trends of Fish Industry in Five Major Cities of Punjab

Anger, Depression and Locus of Control among Heavy Smokers, Cannabis Users and Heroin Addicts

The purpose of the study was to explore relationship and difference in anger, depression, and locus of control among Heavy smokers, cannabis users and heroin addicts along with identifying the determinants of depression. Purposive sampling technique was employed to draw sample. Sample was consisted of 150 male adults between ages ranging from 18 to 36 years who were divided equally in three groups. Participants were recruited from five cities of Punjab. Three assessment tools were used in data collection, Trait Anger Expression Scale (Rashid &amp; Siddiqui, 2005), Siddiqui Shah Depression Scale (Siddiqui &amp; Shah, 1992) and Drug Related Locus of Control (Hall, 2001). Result reveled that Expressive and state anger significantly correlated with depression among three groups. Anger, depression and DRLOC only associated in smokers. MANOVA showed that heroin addicts had very high level of expressive anger and depression than heavy smokers and cannabis users, while significant high anger in as compare to heavy smokers. Expressive anger, quantity of drug intake, DRLOC and quantity of smoking were predicted depression in whole sample. Expressive anger identified as main predictor of depression in smokers, cannabis users and heroin addicts.

Molecular Detection of Aflatoxin Producing Strains of Aspergillus Flavus from Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea)

Aflatoxins are the potential carcinogens produced as secondary metabolites by Aspergillus flavus. They have the ability to contaminate large number of food which ultimately affect the human population. Malt extract agar was selected for the growth of control stains of fungus. The aim of the study was to develop a reliable and quick method for the detection of aflatoxin producing strains in peanuts by using molecular approaches. Total 80 samples of infected peanuts were collected from four different cities of Punjab and checked for their aflatoxin contamination. For aflatoxin detection, three target genes nor1, ver1 and aflR were selected which was involved in the aflatoxin biosynthesis. In all examined cases, 24 out of 80 (30%) samples successfully amplified all three genes indicating aflatoxigenic activity. Discrimination between aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains were also determined on the basis of amplification of these three target DNA fragments. In this study, it was also demonstrated that only specific strains were able to produce the aflatoxin contamination in peanuts.

EMERGENCY SERVICES (1122)

Emergency services were working all over the world to deal with different types ofemergencies and the frequency of emergencies were increased with the passage of time. Manydeveloping countries even don’t have such services and it was difficult to estimate the scaleof emergencies in those countries. Objectives: To know about the types of emergencies andto help to plan for their prevention in future. Place and duration of study: Data was collectedfrom emergency services department 1122 in four big cities of Punjab from Nov.2004-Feb.2014.Methods: Descriptive observational study. Results: The road traffic emergencies received were243481 in Lahore, 92367 in Faisal Abad, 52507 in Multan and33847 in Rawalpindi. Medicalemergencies were 247692 in Lahore, 82910 in Faisal Abad, 112531 in Multan and 31069 inRawalpindi. Fire incidences were 14594 in Lahore, 6369 in Faisal Abad, 3707 in Multan and3929 in Rawalpindi. Crime incidence related emergencies were 13301 in Lahore, 15051 in FaisalAbad, 5326 in Multan and 1705 in Rawalpindi. Conclusions: Road traffic related emergencieswere increased even some times more than medical emergencies. Fake calls were also inhigher proportion.

What are we drinking? Assessment of water quality in an urban city of Punjab, India.

Introduction:Ground water is the ultimate and most suitable fresh water resource for human consumption in the urban areas of India. Studies regarding ground water quality have shown that the higher rate of exploration as compared to the rate of recharging, inappropriate dumping of solid, as well as liquid waste, lack of strict enforcement of law has led to the deterioration of ground water quality. The present study was thus, carried out to evaluate physicochemical, as well as a microbiological profile of tap water, and filtered water in urban areas of Patiala, Punjab.Materials and Methods:The three zones under Municipal Corporation and two areas under Public Health Department were chosen according to the simple random sampling from Patiala city. From each area, 10 houses were chosen according to the systematic random sampling technique (n = 50). Water was taken from two sources, tap water, and from the water filter. Two samples were taken from each source one for the physicochemical analysis and another for bacteriological analysis. The samples which were sent for bacteriological assessment were collected in a sterile container.Results:The number of water samples found to be within desirable limits with respect to physicochemical parameters were significantly more with the filter water sample than the tap water samples. Suspicious/unsatisfactory microbiological quality of water was observed in 28% and 4% of tap and filter water samples, respectively.Conclusion:The results indicate that certain chemical parameters such as hardness, chloride, and fluoride levels were beyond the permissible limits. Therefore, we recommend that home filters should be installed, serviced appropriately, and their water quality should be checked routinely. Also, any leak from sewage pipes should be promptly repaired to prevent contamination of drinking water.

Evaluation of Disable Friendliness of Road Transport Facility in Ludhiana City of Punjab (India)

People with disabilities have the same fundamental right to access mainstream services in the community (education, health-care, employment, social services and social protection) as any other citizen. Inclusive transport is a critical element in a comprehensive strategy of mainstreaming people with disabilities in developing countries. A freely accessible society without any physical obstacles is a first and foremost requirement to mainstream people with disabilities. The present study was done with objective to ascertain the extent to which the road transport facility in Ludhiana city is barrier free for the disabled. A pre-tested questionnaire (Access survey and audit checklist) was used, designed by Samarthya and Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and modified according to our study environment. As found in the study disable friendliness of road transport facilities remains a largely unrealized goal in Ludhiana city till date. The total score for the disable friendliness of the road transport facility in Ludhiana city was 61.15 (30.53%) which was graded as being poor. Transport facility was far from being satisfactory than to be called barrier free.

Participatory Development Strategy: and Effect on Community in Punjab (A Case Study of Water Supply and Sanitation)

Community participation has become one of the significant features of new development paradigm. It has been spread all over the world through different methods that lead toward the sustainable development. The dynamic interaction between the achievement of specific objectives for improving the provision of resource position of the local community and the specific identity of community leads by the process of participatory development. Therefore, present research was giving an overview of the effects of participatory development on community in Punjab. It was also examine the involvement of community in the developmental projects and its effects on community. The study was confined to two cities of Punjab, Pakistan and 300 respondents were selected through Systematic random sampling and Proportionate Sampling Technique. There are many different methods of collecting data, depending on the objective and nature of the study, availability of resources etc. in the present study; the data were collected with the help of interviewing schedule. After field work the data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). In conclusion, the researchers were suggest some strategies to improve the participatory development. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n6p47

PERSONALITY FACTORS AND SOCIAL RELATIONS AMONG WOMEN LIVING IN SHELTER HOMES

The current research focused on exploring the relationship between personality factors and social relations among women living in shelter homes. The present research aimed to explore the relationship between personality factors and social relations among women living in shelter homes.The sample of the study was comprised of N=120 (60 married; 60 unmarried) women living in shelter homes and Dar-ul-Amaan of different cities of Punjab (Pakistan). The age rang of the sample between 18-45 years. Urdu version of Adjective Check List (Fay, Sechrest, &amp; Zaaidi, 1972) and Urdu version of Social Provision Scale by Rizwan and Syed (2010) were used to assess personality factors and social relations respectively.Statistical analysis was done through Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Independent Sample t-test. Findings of the current study suggested that there was a significant positive correlation (r = .674**,p˂ .001) between personality factors and social relations among women living in shelter homes. While no significant relationship was found on personality factors and social relations among married and unmarried women living in shelter homes.

An Analytical Approach of Cluster Analysis towards Various Manifestations of Organizational Conflict in Public and Private Sector Commercial Banks

Conflict exists throughout environments of all kinds. So every employee wants a healthy and competitive working environment in their organization. The main objective of this research article is to explore the factors concerning destructive or dysfunctional impacts of conflict in public and private sector banking organizations selected under study. After the extraction of factors concerning dysfunctional impacts, hierarchical cluster analysis has been employed to classify various observations or cases in clusters resulted into two-cluster solution and k-means cluster analysis has been further applied to find out the cluster membership according to various observations towards manifestations or impacts of organizational conflict in the selected banks under study. The sample includes 541 bank employees from 20 commercial banks situated in Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana cities of Punjab. Eight major factors have been extracted with the help of exploratory factor analysis, namely, ( a) declining performance, profits and management creditability, ( b) health and psychological problems, ( c) detrimental impact upon working environment and organization, ( d) declining cooperation, collaboration and efficiency among employees, ( e) disappointments and widened gap of misunderstanding, ( f) declining trust, morale and motivating power, ( g) interruptions in organizational operations and ( h) job dissatisfaction and resultant frustration. Further, analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant results towards various clusters so formed with the help of the multivariate technique of cluster analysis.

Understanding and responsiveness level about cervical cancer and its avoidance among young women of Pakistan.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst the gynecological cancers worldwide, especially in developing countries. There are few to no initial symptoms and signs. This study was conducted to assess the awareness level of young Pakistani women about cervical cancer and to educate them about this deadly disease. A detailed questionnaire regarding demographic data and information about cervical cancer was distributed in different cities of Punjab. A total of 873 women took part in this survey and 70.1 percent were totally unaware of this cancer. Only 8.5% of the whole surveyed population knew accurately about cancer of cervix, 7% of the surveyed respondents correctly specified the human papilloma virus as the causative agent. Only 5.2% respondents were able to identify the Pap smear test as a diagnostic measure. Out of all the surveyed population only 4.3% of individuals were found to be vaccinated against this disease and the majority was found from the medical profession. Medical professionals, students, working women, housewives and uneducated individuals took active part in this survey. This study demonstrates a low level of awareness among Pakistani women and a need for an active campaign by media and government to increase understanding as well as introducing measures for improved prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

Consumer Behavior of Purchase of Processed Cereal Food Products in Punjab

Food consumption pattern in India is rapidly changing from unprocessed unbranded low quality food products to processed, packaged unbranded products. The main objective of this paper is to find the factors that lead to purchase of processed food.Research was carried out in three cities of Punjab. A sample of 300 respondents wastaken for research according to chosen methodological research approach the quantitative data was analysed by using confirmatory factor analysis through SPSS software. Research revealed that a. External influence b. Health and brand consciousness c. Quality are the major factors that influence people to eat Processed Cereal Food.