Union Council Research Articles

Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic insights of lumpy skin disease in cattle from diverse agro-ecological regions of Punjab, Pakistan.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging, highly contagious transboundary disease of bovines caused by the Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), responsible for substantial economic losses to the dairy, meat, and leather industries in Pakistan as well as various countries around the world. Epidemiological information on LSD is scarce in Punjab, Pakistan. Therefore, a molecular epidemiological study was conducted in two agro-ecologically diverse districts (Bhakkar and Jhang) of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 800 blood samples were randomly collected from the jugular vein of clinically suspected cattle with nodular lesions using a multistage cluster sampling technique. The sampling unit was indigenous, crossbred, and exotic breeds of cattle. Four hundred samples were collected from each district. Ten union councils (UC) were selected from each district, and two villages were selected from each union council. From each village, twenty cattle were selected for sample collection. The PCR-based overall prevalence of LSDV in clinically suspected cattle using the P32 gene was 36.25% (36.25%; 290/800). The multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that animals who were not treated with acaricide (P = 0.014; OR = 1.459; C.I = 1.079-1.972), body condition score (emaciated animals; P = 0.019; OR = 1.573; CI = 1.076-2.301), and gender (female; (P = 0.016; OR = 1.435; CI = 1.072-1.969) were significantly at higher risk for LSDV infection in cattle. The phylogenetic insights revealed that our isolates were linked to Kenya, China, Russia, Egypt, India, Zimbabwe, Iraq, and Iran. It can be concluded that LSD is widely distributed in the study area, with evidence of genetic diversity. Further studies are required on genetic composition using variable genetic markers for effective control and eradication of LSDV in Pakistan.

UNSAFE SIPS: PREVALENCE OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIAL DIVERSITY IN DRINKING WATER OF KHAIRPUR CITY PAKISTAN

Background: Access to clean drinking water is vital for public health, yet contaminated water remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Pakistan, approximately 30% of diseases and 40% of deaths are waterborne, disproportionately affecting children in vulnerable environments such as schools. Poor water quality poses a significant risk to children's health, necessitating studies to assess microbial contamination and antimicrobial resistance in drinking water. Objective: To evaluate the microbial quality of drinking water in government primary schools in Khairpur, Pakistan, by identifying bacterial diversity, prevalence of pathogenic bacteria, and antimicrobial resistance patterns. Methods: A total of 42 water samples were collected from primary schools across six union councils in Khairpur. Total viable counts (TVC) were determined using serial dilution methods, and coliforms were detected using the membrane filtration method in accordance with WHO protocols. Bacterial isolates were identified and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the MicroScan WalkAway 96 plus system. Sensitivity profiling was performed to determine resistance patterns, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production. Results: Microbial contamination exceeded acceptable limits in all samples, with TVC ranging from 9,900 to 23,300 CFU/mL. Coliforms were detected in 57% of samples, and Escherichia coli was the most prevalent pathogen, constituting 47% of identified isolates. Among the 28 coliform isolates, 21.4% were identified as MDR, and 10% were ESBL producers. Antibiotics such as tigecycline, meropenem, and imipenem demonstrated the highest efficacy, whereas ampicillin and amoxicillin were the least effective. Conclusion: This study highlights the poor microbial quality of drinking water in Khairpur's primary schools, posing significant health risks to children. Immediate measures, including improved water treatment and regular monitoring, are crucial to mitigating the burden of waterborne diseases.

Study on the implementation of the CAL (Coding as Another Language) curriculum in early childhood education

In recent years, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have been increasingly integrated into preschool education, enriching the learning process with valuable information and motivation while capturing young students' interest. Numerous studies emphasize the importance and impact of utilizing ICT in education, introducing new dynamics to learning experiences, particularly as children grow up surrounded by diverse digital stimuli. From an early age, they interact with applications and digital tools, especially touchscreens, building digital experiences that become essential in educational interventions. Rapid technological advancements have led to the development of a wide range of applications that enhance educational processes, significantly influencing how young children learn and process information. Games, mobile devices, interactive whiteboards, and programming applications aid in the development of critical ICT skills, logical thinking, associative reasoning, computational thinking, and programming abilities. Striking the right balance between play and learning creates a rich, stimulating environment that fosters young learners' growth in skills and abilities. Considering the European Union Council's recommendation of May 22, 2018, digital competence is one of the key skills that must be cultivated both within and beyond school throughout life. As future citizens, today's students need skills that will enable them to solve problems effectively. Our digital society demands individuals capable of responding efficiently to challenges across various social contexts. Consequently, teaching students computational thinking and programming skills has become essential. Research demonstrates that preschool children, when faced with problem-solving tasks requiring the creation of code, can develop basic programming and computational thinking skills, such as debugging and understanding sequences. Moreover, in recent years, digital applications specifically designed to teach young children fundamental programming concepts have emerged. While numerous learning environments focus on coding skills, studies on their effectiveness in fostering coding and computational thinking in preschoolers remain limited. As the number of mobile learning applications grows, it is crucial to identify those with genuine educational value, avoiding those marketed as educational without substantive merit. This study describes an educational intervention based on experiential and collaborative teaching principles. The research aims to demonstrate that through the use of the CAL (Coding as Another Language) approach within the ScratchJr programming environment, significant programming and computational thinking skills can be cultivated in a conventional Greek preschool classroom. The teacher and researcher are the same individual, ensuring direct involvement in the educational process.

Exploring the Nexus between Marketing Challenges and Distribution Channels: Insights from Chilli Growers in Taluka Kunri, District Umerkot, Sindh

This research is crucial to understanding the complex challenges of chilli growers in Taluka Kunri, District Umerkot. This significant chilli-producing region contributes 55% of the total production in Pakistan. Despite being a major contributor to the country's chilli output, growers face substantial obstacles such as price volatility, inadequate storage facilities, and a lack of cooperative marketing associations. These issues hinder their ability to secure favorable prices and manage produce effectively. The study employed a survey approach by targeting 100 chilli growers across the four randomly selected union councils of Taluka Kunri. The structured questionnaire was used to collect the data covering socioeconomic characteristics, marketing problems, and marketing channels. The sampling approach involved a random selection of 25 farmers from each union council, UC Chajro, UC Bustan, UC Memon Kunri, and UC Mai Bakhtawar. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics and Likert scale analysis to quantify and interpret growers' perceptions and experiences. The research highlights a discrepancy between the most used marketing channels and those perceived as most beneficial. While multi-tiered channels are commonly used due to lower costs, direct sales from producers to consumers are seen as more advantageous despite higher expenses. This suggests that growers prioritize cost-effectiveness over potential returns. The strategy proposes implementing minimum support prices, improving infrastructure, enhancing access to credit and insurance, and promoting direct marketing channels. These measures aim to create a more sustainable and profitable environment for chilli production in Kunri District, addressing both immediate marketing challenges and long-term economic growth.

HUMANIZAR LA EDUCACIÓN PARA HUMANIZAR A LA PERSONA

This paper is framed within the thematic line of Education at the IV Ibero American Congress on Research in Society, Education, and Psychology, specifically within the line of work on Teaching Innovation. The starting point lies in the social and educational problems and challenges described in reports from leading international educational institutions. UNESCO (2015; 2017; 2022), the OECD (2023b), the European Union (Council of Europe, 2021), and the Holy See (Dicastery for Culture and Education, 2013; 2014; 2017; 2022; Pope Francis, 2019; 2020b) emphasize the seriousness of the dehumanization of society and the individual, as well as the problems arising from multicultural coexistence. The social issue, turned into an anthropological issue, urgently requires education (Benedict XVI, 2009, n. 75; UNESCO, 2015; Marope, 2017) from a strategic approach (Council of Europe, 2021; OECD, 2020). It is considered that the shift in the educational paradigm requires educating young generations in the Competence in Integral and Solidary Humanism. Through this competence, it is possible to enhance the student profiles proposed by the LOMLOE, advance towards achieving SDG 4 Quality Education, and promote the construction of students' social personality and their understanding of life, the world, and people. The study aims to contextualize, translate, and synthesize all this educational thought. To achieve this, firstly, the current social and educational scenarios are presented; secondly, the foundations of the new anthropology described in the Global Compact on Education are presented as a proposal to initiate the shift in the educational paradigm; thirdly, the design of the Key Competence in Integral and Solidary Humanism is offered as a didactic innovation. Finally, it justifies how educating in the classroom in the culture of dialogue, encounter, and care from an early age becomes an indispensable element in the service of the new humanism, building the social dimension of the new generations and providing an alternative model of coexistence to the current culture of waste and individualism.

Effects of Climate Change on Communities Living and Economic Structure of Indus Riverine Areas of Dera Ghazi Khan

Climate change is the most important issue of the top current issues that the globe is experiencing. Climate change is the most significant and hazardous issue not just for Pakistan but globally as well. Pakistan is one of the underdeveloped nations in South Asia and is ranked among the five nations that have been worst affected by climate change. Climate change has severely influenced both the development of human lifestyles and existence, together with food scarcity, wildlife destruction, and risky meteorological conditions problems. The objectives of the study were (1) to investigate the direct consequences of deforestation on the local ecosystem and (2) to examine how deforestation increases environmental changes. The study was delimited to people only in the Indus riverine areas in District Dera Ghazi Khan. All the people who are living in the Indus Riverine areas in District D.G. Khan served as the population of the study. A total sample size of 225 citizens was selected from District Dera Ghazi Khan. In the first stage, 3 Tehsils of District Dera Ghazi Khan e.g. (Dera Ghazi Khan, Kot Chutta, & Taunsa Shareef) were selected. In the second stage, 3 riverside union councils were selected from each Tehsil through a convenient sampling technique. In the third stage, 25 citizens were selected from each union council. Data was collected through an interview schedule and examined by ‘The Statistical Package for Social Sciences’ (SPSS). Obtained results indicate that climate change also happens in the community (99.1%), climate change decreases the local agricultural productivity (92.9%) and climate change has effect on the overall economic sustainability of the local community (95.5%). The bivariate analysis showed that more will be climate change vs less will be the agricultural productivity; less will the economic sustainability. So, all the hypothesis results are accepted after the analysis of the data.

Parent's Perception Regarding the Effects of Excessive Use of Mobile Phone on Children's Health: A Sociological Study in City Dera Ghazi Khan

The use of mobile phones among children has major effects on their health. Excessive and unrestricted use of mobile phones can contribute to various physical and psychological problems. Physically, children who spend excessive time on their phones often lead sedentary lifestyles, which can result in weight gain, obesity, and related health issues. Additionally, poor posture while using mobile phones can lead to musculoskeletal problems, causing discomfort and pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. The study objectives were i) to investigate the awareness level among parents regarding the potential health effects of excessive mobile phone use on children, ii) to examine the perception and attitudes of parents towards the use of children's mobile phones and its adverse effects on children's health as well as study the factors influencing parents decision regarding use of children mobile phone, and iii) to explore the knowledge gap among parents regarding the recommended guidelines for managing children's mobile phone usage. For this study, 280 parents were selected as respondents through a multistage sampling technique. At the first stage, 4 urban union councils (UC # 7 "Block–H", UC # 9 "Block–5", UC # 12 "Khayaban–e–Sarwar", and UC # 16 "Model Town") out of a total of 7 union councils were chosen using a simple random sampling method. At the second stage, 8 localities (two from each union council) were selected through a simple random sampling procedure. At third stage, 35 parents (as respondents) were selected from each locality using a purposive sampling technique. The results indicated that majority of parents (60.7%) were female , were age bunch from 31-40 years (52.5%), said their education was matriculation to upto graduation level (53.6%), were married (98.9%), and having 1–3 children (52.9%) were housewives (48.9%). The results also depicted majority (70.0%) of respondents said their household monthly income was 20,000– upto 50,000 rupees, parents' replied upto 6 hours spent their children to use mobile phone in a day (68.9%), parents sometimes allowed their children to use mobile phone in free time (77.9%) and sometimes allowed their children to use mobile phone in childhood (68.9%). Data regarding various purpose their children use mobile phone i.e. majority (71.4%) of the respondents said that children often use mobile phone for playing games; movies (47.9%); cartoons (55.0%); DIY crafts (49.6%); animated stories (54.3%); motivational content (49.3%); and educational Apps (48.9%). The results indicated that majority of parents (83.9%) were agreed that excessive mobile phone utilization cause neurological (mental health) issues in youngsters', mobile phone helped their child to stay organized (80.0%), mobile phone use likely obstruction with parent-kid association (78.2%) and empowering age-fitting substance and applications for youngsters deal with kids' cell phone utilization (85.3%). The bivariate analysis hypothesis showed that more hours spend by children on mobile phone in a day had significant relationship between more the risk of neurological (brain development) problems (χ2 = 33.882, p < .006). More hours spend by children on mobile phone in a day had significant correlation between more the potential interference with parent-child interaction (χ2 = 30.376, p < .016). Parents more allow to use mobile phone children's in free time had significant association between lower the children stay organized (χ2 = 21.748, p < .005). Parents more allow to use mobile phone children's in childhood had highly significant relationship between lower encourage age-appropriate content and apps to manage children's mobile phone usage (χ2 = 25.726, p < .001). The study was suggested that parents should be monitoring apps and games children download manage children’s mobile phone usage.

Bridging the Vaccination Equity Gap: A Community-Driven Approach to Reduce Vaccine Inequities in Polio High-Risk Areas of Pakistan.

Background: Immunization saves millions of lives, and globally, vaccines have significantly contributed to reducing mortality and morbidity due to more than 20 life-threatening illnesses. However, there are considerable disparities in vaccination coverage among countries and within populations. This study evaluates the reduction in disparities in vaccination coverage across various socio-economic groups by adopting an integrated community-engagement approach combined with maternal and child health services through mobile health camps. Methods: This secondary analysis is based on a community-based demonstration project conducted between 2014 and 2016 across 146 union councils in polio high-risk districts of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Baluchistan in Pakistan. The intervention involved structured community engagement and mobile health camps providing routine immunization alongside maternal and child health services. Data were collected through cross-sectional independent surveys using the WHO two-stage cluster technique at the baseline and the endline, covering over 120,000 children under 5 years old. Four key outcome indicators were analyzed: fully vaccinated children, under-immunized children, unvaccinated children, and polio zero-dose children for equity in vaccine uptake. Results: The proportion of fully vaccinated children increased in the lowest wealth quintile from 28.5% (26.7%, 30.3%) at the baseline to 51.6% (49.5%, 53.8%) at the endline. In comparison, the increase in the richest quantities was 16.2% (14.0%, 18.4%) from the baseline 56.4% (54.6%, 58.2%) to the endline 72.7% (71.1%, 74.2%). Under-vaccination dropped by 10.2% (95% CI: -11.4%, -9.1%), with the poorest quintile showing an 11.8% reduction. The gap between the highest and lowest wealth quintiles in full immunization narrowed by 6.9%, from 27.9% to 21.0% at the baseline and the endline, respectively. The prevalence of zero-dose children significantly decreased across all quintiles, with the highest reduction observed in the lowest quintile of -11.3% (-13.6%, -9.1%). The difference between the highest and lowest wealth quintiles reduced from 6.2% to 3.8%. A significant reduction in polio zero-dose children was achieved, as 13.5% (95% CI: -14.8%, -12.2%), from 29.2% (95% CI: 28.0%, 30.3%) to 15.6% (14.8%, 16.5%). Conclusions: This study shows that integrating community engagement with maternal and child health services through health camps can significantly enhance immunization coverage and reduce wealth-based disparities in high-risk, hard-to-reach areas. The approach improved coverage for zero-dose and fully vaccinated children, suggesting a potential for scaling in regions with access issues, conflict, and vaccine hesitancy.

Removal of Polyvalent Cations from Aqueous Solutions Prepared By Roasting and Dissolving Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries By Ion-Exchange Membrane Electrodialysis

Background and purposeEfforts to curb CO2 emissions, which cause global warming, are spreading around the world, and countries and regions are attempting to ban new sales of gasoline and diesel vehicles that emit CO2. Therefore, it is expected that the spread of electric vehicles will increase in the future, and that the number of used lithium-ion batteries will increase accordingly. In order to reduce the environmental impact of these battery products, Europe adopted the European Battery Regulation in July 2023, making it mandatory to recycle used batteries. The regulations require recycling of 50% of lithium materials from spent batteries by the end of 2027 and 80% by the end of 2031. In addition, by August 2031, 6% of the materials must be made from recycled lithium. Recycling technology has not yet been established for large lithium-ion batteries, such as those used in cars, because their exteriors are more durable and the risk of ignition is higher than for smaller ones used in mobile phones. Therefore, early establishment of recycling technology is necessary.Lithium is typically recycled by roasting the used lithium-ion batteries, dissolved, and separated through hydrometallurgy. In addition to lithium, polyvalent cations of Cu, Mg, Ca, Mn, Al and so on, which are impurities, are present in high concentrations in the roasted and dissolved solutions of lithium-ion batteries. In hydrometallurgical refining, there is a concern that a high concentration of impurity polyvalent cations may cause a decrease in the recovery rate of lithium. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of polyvalent cations in the battery roasting and dissolved solution as much as possible. The purpose of this study was to clarify the possibility of reducing polyvalent cations contained in the roasted and dissolved solution of lithium-ion batteries by electrodialysis using a monovalent permselective cation exchange membrane.Previous research has shown that the monovalent permselective cation exchange membrane used in this study allows small amounts of multivalent ions to permeate. If the solution on the negative electrode side is basic, there is a concern that multivalent ions will precipitate as hydroxides on the surface of the cation exchange membrane and inhibit the permeation of ions. Therefore, in this study, we considered using an acidic solution as the negative electrode solution of the cation exchange membrane. In this study, we use a Ni electrode, which is inexpensive and easy to use industrially. However, the Ni electrode dissolves in acidic solutions. To prevent its dissolution, the electrode was placed in a basic solution separated from the acidic solution by a bipolar membrane.Experimental methodChronoamperometry (CA) was performed using an electrochemical cell with four solution baths separated by two bipolar membranes and a cation exchange membrane. A schematic diagram is shown in Fig.1. The electrode solutions were lithium hydroxide, and the initial solution in the acid solution bath was 1wt% hydrochloric acid. The stock solution tank contained an aqueous solution of roasted and dissolved lithium-ion batteries. The nickel electrode used was a 3 cm × 4 cm nickel mesh (100 mesh, φ 0.10 mm) with a nickel wire (φ 0.30 mm) attached. A voltage of 5 V was applied to CA for 24 hours. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer was performed on the solutions in the stock solution and acid solution after the test and the amount of lithium transferred, and the removal rate of polyvalent cations were calculated.ResultsThe ratio of multivalent ions to lithium in the acid solution after the test was decreased compared to the stock solution before the test, indicating that the multivalent ions were successfully reduced. There was a concern that precipitates would form on the surface of the cation exchange membrane, but no precipitate was formed. However, when a voltage was applied for a long time, the cations precipitated on the surface of the bipolar membrane faces the acidic solution, even though the pH of the acid solution after the test was between 1 and 2 where in principle they would not precipitate. In the presentation, we will report on the amount of lithium permeation, the removal rate of polyvalent cations, and the estimated mechanism of precipitation formation.Fig.1 Schematic diagram of ion-exchange membrane electrodialysis.BP: Bipolar membrane, C: Monovalent permselective cation exchange membraneReferences(1) the 91st ECSJ Annual Meeting S11_1_03.(2) the European parliament and the council of the European union. Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European parliament and of the council. 33-34,191 (2023). Figure 1

Empowering Advanced Photovoltaic Pioneers: A Bilateral Italy-USA Project

The sun bathes our planet with far more energy than humankind will possibly ever need (> 8,000 times the current demand). Yet, sustainable energy provision is among the most pressing challenges faced today. In order to unlock the vast potential of clean solar energy, we need disruptive technologies capable of efficiently harvesting sunlight, while being deployable at unprecedented scales. Available commercial photovoltaics (PV) can hardly cope sustainably with the sheer scale of this challenge. Silicon solar panels are the major commercial PV, they are based on a very Earth-abundant element, but their fabrication is extremely energy intensive. Conversely, thin film solar panels based on CdTe and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 require far less energy to produce, but some of their constituent elements are quite rare on the Earth’s crust. Hence, in both cases, the short term economic and ecologic sustainabilities are dubious. Recently, an advanced PV concept, called microconcentrator PV [1], has been conceived, which is free from raw materials availability constraints and is based on sunlight absorbers requiring low energy to grow. To demonstrate microconcentrator PV at laboratory scale, research groups have been using optical projection lithography (OPL), generating arrays of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 circles with tens of micrometer diameter. However, OPL cannot be scaled credibly to terawatt deployment. Industrial uptake of microconcentrator PV is only possible with a technique that ensures both high semiconductor quality, and high throughput at capital expenditure comparable or lower than currently available PVs. Inspired by the research of the US partner Gary Friedman [2], the Italian PI D. Colombara has patented a disrupting microfabrication technique [3] that could be scaled economically to deploy terawatts of microconcentrator PV. Our intent in this project is to leverage our complementary know-how to empower young PV pioneers and establish a lasting cooperation in this new promising field. Acknowledgements This work was supported in part by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, grant number US23GR17. REMAP has received funding from the European Commission PathFinder Open programme under grant agreement No. 101046909. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Kinetics and Stability of Sustainable Indium Alkaline Electrodeposition

Indium is widely utilised for the fabrication of CuIn1-xGaxSe2 (CIGS) based solar cells1,2. Such devices are constituted by thin layers of various materials stacked on top of each other, one of which is the CuIn1-xGaxSe2 absorber layer itself. Cu-In-Ga alloys as absorber precursors can be obtained using cathodic electrodeposition of each separate elemental layer from three distinct galvanic baths containing Cu2+, In3+, and Ga3+ ions, respectively.State-of-the-art indium galvanic baths display low faradaic efficiency. Being mostly acidic or neutral, these baths are affected by the hydrogen evolution reaction under highly cathodic potentials. The most known alternative to enhance faradaic efficiency is to employ non-aqueous media 3–5.In this study, we present a sustainable alkaline galvanic bath yielding smooth In electrodeposits. Alkaline conditions naturally hinder hydrogen evolution, but favour strong precipitation of In2O3 and In(OH)3. Here, we solved this conundrum by identifying competitive organic compounds capable of complexing In3+, thus avoiding the formation of such precipitates. Moreover, we carried out potentiometric titration experiments to identify the stoichiometry of the coordination compounds.This galvanic bath was formulated, characterized and stabilized for alkaline pH. The faradaic efficiency was assessed and the deposition kinetics explored using coulometric techniques on rotating disk electrodes (RDEs). We are currently investigating the deposition mechanism in detail and plan to leverage the acquired knowledge to further optimize the deposition process. Acknowledgements This work was supported in part by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation”, grant number US23GR17. REMAP6 has received funding from the European Commission PathFinder open programme under grant agreement No. 101046909. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. References J. Zhou and C. Li, in E3S Web of Conferences,, vol. 267, EDP Sciences (2021).L. Thouin, S. Massaccesi, S. Sanchez, and J. Vedel, Formation of copper indium diselenide by electrodeposition, p. 81–88, (1994).W. Monnens, C. Deferm, K. Binnemans, and J. Fransaer, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 22, 24526–24534 (2020).R. Piercy and N. A. Hampson, The electrochemistry of indium, p. 1–15, (1975).S. Zein El Abedin et al., Electrochim Acta, 52, 2746–2754 (2007).https://re-map.eu/

(Invited) Ferrofluid Lithography: Advances in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Alkaline Electroplating

Ferrofluid lithography allows to economically obtain sub-micron patterns by externally guiding ferrofluid droplets onto a desired substrate via external magnetic fields produced by arrays of permanent or electromagnets1. The main advantage of this approach is the complete recovery of the lithographic mask, providing environmental and economic benefits. Here, we present the formulation of smart electrolytes2 for the fabrication of CuIn1-xGaxSe2 (CIGS) micropatterned solar cells3 by sequential electrodeposition/selenization, a route compatible with world-record industrial processing4. In this work, we stack thin films of metallic Cu, In, and Ga on top of each other by means of potentiostatic electrodeposition. We tune the formulation of Cu2+, In3+ and Ga3+ electrolytes to be mutually compatible in terms of pH. Moreover, by operating under alkaline conditions, we minimize the hydrogen evolution reaction during plating. Lastly, to ensure the stability of the alkaline electrolytes, we carefully choose environmentally friendly complexing agents that also yield flat and smooth metallic deposits. Acknowledgements This work was supported in part by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, grant number US23GR17 and in part by the European Commission PathFinder Open programme under grant agreement No. 101046909 (REMAP)5. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. References B. B. Yellen, G. Fridman, and G. Friedman, Nanotechnology, 15, S562–S565 (2004).Diego Colombara, (2020) https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2020136057D. Correia et al., Results Phys, 12, 2136–2140 (2019).M. Nakamura et al., IEEE J Photovolt, 9, 1863–1867 (2019).https://re-map.eu/

Factors influencing women’s participation in disaster recovery after the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine factors that influenced the participation of women in the disaster recovery process after October, 2005 earthquake in the Union Council Langarpura, Azad Kashmir state of Pakistan. To achieve this aim, two focus group discussions, thirty-four (34) semi-structured interviews and participant observations were conducted. The results revealed that women’s participation was influenced by two key factors: the role of social capital and the Kashmir earthquake itself. Three forms of social capital including bonding, bridging and linking social capital encouraged women in Langarpura to participate in the recovery. The Kashmir earthquake influenced women’s participation in disaster recovery due to the death of the men heads of the family and the outmigration of men that compelled women to start working by participating in various recovery projects. The influx of several government and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) as well as aid organisations after the Kashmir earthquake also encouraged women’s participation in disaster recovery. The findings of this study show that the Kashmir earthquake opened a window of opportunity to change the status of the women of Langarpura and their stereotypical roles in society and go out and take an active part in the recovery of their families and the community at large.

Impact of regulatory and other changes on Australian unions’ strategies and campaigns, 2023–2024

This article reviews the challenges and opportunities facing Australian trade unions in 2023–2024. It covers industry challenges for specific unions and the changes introduced by the Federal Labor Government through its Closing the Loopholes Amendments to the Fair Work Act. It argues that the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and individual unions need to take the opportunity provided by the Federal Government's legal changes to make gains for members so that they are difficult to overturn if the federal government changes. It analyses campaigns and strategies of unions around challenges specific to them: for example, the recruitment of gig workers by the Transport Workers’ Union and campaigns by the ACTU and the Media and Entertainment Arts Alliance around inappropriate use of artificial intelligence by employers seeking to replace workers and usurp employees’ ownership rights to their work. It considers amalgamations (mergers) and disamalgamations (demergers) of concern for some unions. It discusses allegations of inappropriate behaviour facing the Construction and General Division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees’ Union leading to its forced administration as a concern and possible impediment for the entire union movement if not resolved effectively.

Perceptions of Senior Citizens Regarding the Social Media Impact on Relationship between Parents and Teenagers: A Sociological Case Study in Dera Ghazi Khan

The utilization of social media can have both advantageous and detrimental effects on families, regardless of whether they are in their household or traveling. Elderly individuals in households often observe the impact of social media on their interactions with adults, experiencing a combination of concern and fascination. They express apprehension about the potential harm to family connections caused by the various risks linked with teenagers' use of social media, including cyberbullying, harassment, and fraud. The study aims to understand the sociological implications of social media on family dynamics with objective of, (i) to find out the socioeconomic characteristics of the study participants; (ii) to explore the main cause the social media platforms impact on the relationship between parents and teenagers; (iii) to explore the negative consequences of social media sites on the activities of teenagers; and (iv) how to overcome the negative effect of social media. For this study, a sample of 160 study participants (senior citizens) selected through multistage sampling technique. At first stage 1 Tehsil will be selected randomly, at second stage 4 union councils selected randomly from each tehsil, at third stage 2 villages selected from each union council randomly, at fourth stage 20 study participants selected from each village through convenient sampling technique. Majority more than eighty percent (80.7%) of the teenagers due to excessive usage of social media apps make them aggressive. Majority more than eighty-two percent (82.5%) of the teenagers face depression due social loneliness. Majority more than ninety-one percent (91.9%) of the senior citizens’ availability of internet making them addictive of social media app. Majority more than ninety-two percent (92.5%) of the teenagers after the use of social media app they feel headache, back pain and eyesight problems. Majority more than seventy-one percent (71.9%) of the senior citizens said that usage of social media apps teenagers faced mood swings. Strain relationship between parent’s teenagers was associated with teenager isolation. The time for parents was associated with the feeling of pleasant with social media apps. Habitual of social media app usage was associated with depression in teenagers.

Integrating the ICF Model to Study Health Satisfaction and the Long-Term Effects of Leisure Activity Limitation after Road Traffic Crashes

This research study was conducted in District Malakand to find out the long-term effect of leisure activities limitation on the health satisfaction of road traffic crash victims. For this purpose, a sampling procedure (Multistage Stratified Random Sampling) was selected to choose a sample from the study university that represents the whole universe. Hence, 274 Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) victims were interviewed to obtain the study objectives from twelve Union Councils of District Malakand. For testing the association of leisure activities limitation and health satisfaction status at bivariate level the Chi-square and Kendall’s Tau-b statistical tests were applied however, the same was repeated at multivariate level by controlling the four background variables (age, gender, education and income). The study found that most respondents were from 21 to 30 years of age who were involved in Traffic Crashes (TC). Male (95%) were the dominant group of RTI victims. In terms of education, primary to high grade respondents were the highest group. The low-income group of the victims (33.2%) had the highest ratio of reported injury. The results at bivariate level further investigated that the health satisfaction status was significantly influenced by leisure activities limitation of RTI victims. Age, gender, education, and income levels explained the association between independent and dependent variables at multivariate level. The study suggests an immediate action on the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations equally in rural areas. An effective post-crash response is needed to support crash survivors and reintegrate into society by providing social, economic, recreational facilities as per their disability needs.

Domestic Violence and Drug Addiction Among Adolescents: A Case Study of Union Council Bilitang-District Kohat

Aim of the Study: The recent literature about drug addiction reveals several causes in the least developed societies. Very little attention has been given to domestic violence which is also a major contributor to this menace in developing societies. This study is designed to explore the role of domestic violence in promoting drug addiction among adolescents of District Kohat. Methodology: The nature of the study was qualitative where the data was collected from 20 participants selected purposively through in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used for the data analysis which reveals that familial affairs such as conflict among parents, divorce, financial unrest, conflict among siblings, and disintegration among family members are the major contributors to drug addiction. Findings: The finding highlights that a holistic and institutionalized approach needs to be undertaken with vivid policy implications at a societal and communal level to eliminate the increasing rate of drug use among adolescents in the study area. Conclusion: The study concluded that a stable, nurturing family environment, free from violence and financial distress, is critical in preventing the onset of poly-substance abuse among adolescents. Interventions aimed at strengthening family bonds, improving economic conditions, and addressing cultural norms that perpetuate adverse childhood experiences are essential in mitigating the risk of drug addiction in vulnerable populations.

Exploring the Effects of Deforestation on Communities Living Style: A Sociological Study in Indus Riverine Areas of Dera Ghazi Khan

Deforestation is the eradication of trees, clearing of plants, or burning of forests on a large scale to accomplish all the local, regional, and global needs of the expanding population. Climate change has severely influenced both the development of human lifestyles and existence, together with food scarcity, wildlife destruction, and risky meteorological conditions problems. A total sample sizes of 225 citizens were selected from District Dera Ghazi Khan. In the first stage, 3 Tehsils of District Dera Ghazi Khan e.g. (Dera Ghazi Khan, Kot Chutta, & Taunsa,) were selected. In the second stage, 3 riverside union councils were selected from each Tehsil through a convenient sampling technique. In the third stage, 25 citizens were selected from each union council. Data was collected through an interview schedule and examined by ‘The Statistical Package for Social Sciences’ (SPSS). Obtained results indicate that deforestation increases in the community (99.1%) and climate change also happens in the community (99.1%) deforestation is one of the major causes of climate change (99.6%) and climate change is due to deforestation (100%). It was concluded that negative impact of deforestation on the local ecosystem (95.6%); deforestation caused air and water pollution in the community (99.6%); deforestation increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters in the region (96%); deforestation changes in the landscape, such as soil erosion or changes in the flow of rivers (95.5%); the forests are mitigating in climate change and preserving biodiversity (96.4%). The bivariate analysis showed that more will be deforestation vs more will be climate change; more will be negative impact on the local eco-system. So, all the hypothesis results are accepted after the analysis of the data.

Population Movement and Poliovirus Spread across Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2023.

Population movement dynamics are a critical part of understanding communicable disease transmission patterns and determining where, when, and with whom to deliver appropriate prevention interventions. This study aimed to identify the origin of the Afghan population and their patterns of movement within Karachi, to assess the polio vaccination status of children under the age of five, and to investigate the travel history and guest arrival patterns of individuals from Afghanistan and other regions known to be affected by wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) within the past six months. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected 12 union councils of Karachi, Pakistan. The data were collected through interviews with Afghan household members and from the frontline workers (FLWs) responsible for the polio vaccination of the children of the same households. Cohen's kappa was used to check the agreement between information provided by the household participant and FLWs. A total of 409 Afghan household members were interviewed. Travel of any household member outside the city within the last six months was reported by 105 (25.7%) participants, 140 (34.2%) hosted guests within the last six months, and 92 (22.5%) participants reported that guest children were vaccinated in their households. A total of 230 (56.2%) participants observed polio teams at relatives' households within Karachi, and 127 (31.1%) observed polio teams at relatives' households outside Karachi in different districts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Fair to moderate agreement was observed between information provided by the household members and FLWs on the variable's duration of living at current residence (Kappa = 0.370), travel history (Kappa = 0.429), guest arrival (Kappa = 0.395), and household children vaccinated for OPV (Kappa = 0.419). Substantial population mobility was observed between Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as significant movement of the Afghan population within Karachi in the last six months. These findings warrant attention and targeted implementation of interventions to enhance and sustain both routine and supplementary immunization activities within this demographic group.

Organized prostate cancer screening program: a proposal from the Italian Society of Urology (SIU).

To contrast opportunistic PCa screening, the European Union Council suggested extending screening programs to PCa by recommending the implementation of a stepwise approach in the EU Countries to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an organized program based on PSA testing in combination with additional MRI as a follow-up test. The objective of this expert-based document is to propose an organized PCa screening program according to the EU Council recommendations. The Italian Society of Urology (SIU) developed a team of experts with the aim to report 1) the most recent epidemiologic data about incidence, prevalence, and mortality of PCa; 2) the most important risk factors to identify categories of men with an increased risk to eventually develop the disease; 3) the most relevant studies presenting data on population-based screening; and 4) the current recommendations of the leading International Guidelines. According to previous evidence, the Panel proposed some indications to develop a new organized PCa screening program for asymptomatic men with a life-expectancy of at least fifteen years. The SIU Panel strongly supports the implementation of a pilot, organized PCa screening program inviting asymptomatic men in the age range of 50-55 years. Invited men who are already performing opportunistic screening will be randomized to continue opportunistic screening or to cross into the organized protocol. Men with PSA level ≤3 ng/mL and familiarity for PCa received a DRE as well as all those with PSA levels >3 ng/mL. All other men with PSA levels greater than 3 ng/mL proceed to secondary testing represented by mpMRI. Men with Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) lesions 3 and PSAD 0.15 ng/mL/cc or higher as well as those with PI-RADS 4-5 lesions proceed to targeted plus systematic prostate biopsy. The primary outcome of the proposed pilot PCa screening program will be the detection rate of clinically significant PCa defined as a tumor with a ISUP Grade Group ≥2. Main secondary outcomes will be the detection rate of aggressive PCa (ISUP Grade Group ≥4); the detection rate of insignificant PCa (ISUP Grade Group 1); the number of unnecessary prostate biopsy avoided, the metastasis-free survival, and the overall survival. Men will be invited over a one-year period. Preliminary analyses will be planned 2 and 5 years after the baseline enrollment. According to the recent EU Council recommendations on cancer screening, pilot studies evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of PCa screening programs using PSA as the primary and mpMRI as the secondary screening test in selected cohorts of patients must be strongly promoted by scientific societies and supported by national governments.