Malakand Division Research Articles

PREVALENCE AND DIVERSITY OF CANDIDATUS LIBERIBACTER SPECIES IN MAIN CITRUS GROWING AREAS OF MALAKAND IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN

Malakand Division in northwest Pakistan is known for delicious sweet orange, locally called Malta (Citrus sinensis). However, both quality and quantity of the citrus produce has seen a decline over the past few decades. Among production constraints, Huanglongbing (HLB) caused by phloem-limited alpha proteobacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) -an endosymbiont of Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri), is of great economic significance. Therefore, we assessed HLB incidence through symptom-based surveys in major citrus growing areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Northwest Pakistan. The presence or absence of CLas in the collected citrus samples was confirmed by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) using three set of primers (LSS/LAS606, OI1/OI2C “16S rDNA” and MH353/MH354 “operon “nusG-rplK”). An average disease incidence of 92% and severity of 34% were recorded from main production zones in district Swat, KP. Likewise, in district Lower Dir, HLB had disease incidence and severity of 64% and 24%, respectively. Molecular diagnostics using 16S rDNA-specific primer LSS/LAS606 and OI1/OI2C, yielded characteristic bands of 500 bp and 1160 bp, from all five pooled samples from Swat district, while only two samples of Dir tested positive for both primers. Using an alternative primer MH353/MH354 (nusG-rplK) showed positive amplification for four samples from Swat and two samples of Dir with an amplicon of 631 bp. To assess the molecular diversity of the CLas, Sanger sequencing was carried out based on16S rDNA gene. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA gene from all samples revealed maximum similarity with C. Liberibacter asiaticus. Among studied isolates, SwKjuPk-5 (MH374503) and SwMtaPk-2 (MH374500) isolates appeared to be more divergent and grouped in separate clad as compared to remaining isolates of Swat and Dir.

EFFECT OF ISLAMIC WORK ETHICS ON JOB PERFORMANCE: MEDIATING ROLE OF INTRINSIC MOTIVATION

The determination of this research is to examine the effect of Islamic work ethics on job performance and intrinsic motivation. This study also try to investigate the mediating role of intrinsic motivation on the association between Islamic Work Ethics and job performance. Nonprobability sampling, method was used. Data were collected through adopted questionnaires from 310 teachers of different Universities situated in Malakand Division, KP-Pakistan. SPSS and AMOS were used for Statistical tests. Empirical results indicate that there is a significant positive association between Islamic work ethics, Job performance and intrinsic motivation. The study determined that the idea of Islamic work ethics works as a therapy for the emergent ethical crisis of education sector of Pakistan which should be pervaded in organizational culture for sustainable job performance and growth. Further, study explain that intrinsic motivation mediates the association between Islamic Work Ethics and Job Performance. Implications and upcomingstudy recommendations are discuss in the conclusion.

Structure and biomass carbon of Olea ferruginea forests in the foot hills of Malakand division, Hindukush range mountains of Pakistan

The sub-tropical broadleaved forests dominates the foothills in Malakand division, Hindukush range mountains of northern Pakistan. Olea ferruginea is one of the major constituents of these forests having a wide distribution with no quantitative relationships between stand structural parameters and biomass carbon which renders to estimate carbon budget in the region. We investigated the forest structure, growing stock characteristics and biomass carbon stocks of the Olea ferruginea dominated forests in the foot-hills of Hindukush range mountains in Pakistan. The study highlights species diversity, tree distribution pattern and biomass carbon in respective diameter classes. We recognized five Olea ferruginea vegetation types by using an importance values (IV). Results showed that the forest comprised of 19 woody species belonging to 13 families of 10 Genera. Importance value (IV) for Olea ferruginea was ranged from 53 to 96 (mean = 69.4 ± 2.7) with a stem density of 215 to 417 ± 6.4 ha−1. Average basal area was 6.69 ± 1.3 m2 ha−1 and volume was 44.2 ± 9.8 m3 ha−1. Stem biomass and total biomass was 49.82 ± 11.1 and 100.1 ± 22.6 t ha−1 respectively whereas, the stored carbon in the living biomass was 49.54 ± 11.3 t ha−1. These findings revealed that Olea ferruginea forests has great potential to utilize and store atmospheric carbon. We concluded from our results, that the potential of carbon capturing and storage of the area can be increasesd on extensive managements of high biomass carbon density through proper scientific methods.

Taxonomic importance of spore morphology in Thelypteridaceae from Northern Pakistan

Spore morphology of Thelypteridaceae species growing in Malakand Division, Northern Pakistan, was studied using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The taxa are Christella dentata and Glaphyropteridopsis erubescens in the subfamily Thelypteridoideae, and Phegopteris connectilis, Pseudophegopteris pyrrhorhachis, and Pseudophegopteris levingei in the subfamily Phegopteridoideae. The studied species exhibit differences in spore size, exospore thickness, color, and ornamentation. Spores of the studied species are monolete and medium-sized, and shape is ellipsoidal in both polar and equatorial views. The average measurement of the polar diameter ranges from 27 μm to 31 μm, whereas in the equatorial direction it varied from 20 μm to 40 μm. The exospore thickness ranges from 1.2 μm to 2.4 μm. Reticulate, laevigate with microgranules, cristate, and coarsely echinate surface ornamentation are observed among the species. Multivariate analysis including unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean and principal component analysis was used for the grouping and discrimination of species and genera.

Effects of Fermenter Technology on the Yield of Various Crops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

The principle objective of this research was to investigate the effects of fermenter technology on yield of various cash crops grown in Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 128 farmers using fermenter technology in six districts of Malakand division were the universes of the study.50.8% of the farmers using fermenter were holding a land between the groups of 1.6 to 2.5 hectares. Majority of the farmer’s 84.4% source of awareness about the fermenter technology were extension worker. Major cash crops grown by the respondents in the study area were tomato, onion and wheat. T-test results reveal a highly significant (P=0.000) increase in yield of tomato, onion and wheat. On average 1668.868 kg ha-1 increased were recorded in tomato, 1293.478 kg ha-1 increased in onion and 98.791 kg ha-1 in wheat crop. The finding of study suggests that various crops yield were increased with adopting fermenter technology. So the fermenter technology should be promoted and imparted to the entire farming community to meet with the increasing demand.

Environmental friendly method for the extraction of cellulose from Triflolium resopinatum and its characterization

The leaves of Triflolium resopinatum were collected from the mountains of Malakand division, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, Pakistan and was grinded into smaller particles and converted into powder. The ground biomass was treated with different solvents in the Soxhlet apparatus for the removal of soluble extractive like pectin, cutin and wax substances. For bond breaking the alkaline substance was kept in the autoclave. Ethylene diamine tetra-acetate (EDTA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) were used for the removal of most polar substances like pectin, cutin, waxes and other extractives. Furthermore, raw cellulose was purified through acetic acid and nitric acid. Double distilled water was used for the neutralization of pH.The analysis of purified cellulose was carried out through different procedures such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The extracted cellulose has high degree of purity and crystallinity (72%) and thermal stability indicating that the process for the extraction of cellulose is quite adequate. KEY WORDS : Triflolium resopinatum , Cellulose, FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2019 , 33(1), 61-68 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i1.6

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from Organizational Performance Perspective: Analysis of Pharmaceuticals Industries of Malakand Division

This paper aims to explore corporate social responsibility from organizational performance perspective. This research was conducted on the pharmaceutical industries of Malakand division and by structured questionnaire data was collected from customer. 50 customers sample size was selected using convenience sampling techniques. Out of whom 40 questionnaires were received having response rate of 80% and are used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis were used for analysis. Results of the research demonstrate that the association among corporate social responsibility and organizational performance is positive in the pharmaceutical industries of Malakand division Pakistan.

Gender Inequality in Education: An Analysis of Socio-Cultural Factors and Impacts on the Economic Development of Malakand, Pakistan

Women’s education is the most effective channel for reducing the inequalities between men and women and ensuring the maximum participation of women in the developmental process. This study is conducted in Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Further this Paper explains the socio-cultural reasons of gender inequality in education, and to investigate that how this inequality affects the economic stability. The data is collected through questionnaire from 165 household using cluster random sampling technique. Chi-square test and correlation technique are utilized for the verification of hypotheses which proves that the gender inequality in education is as an endogenous variable and show that it can be explained to a considerable extent by cultural-religious preference, and regional factors. It is concluded from the study that, gender disparity in education reduces human per capita income. The study suggests that to improve human development in the context of per capita production, women’s education must be improved through the elimination of disparity in the text and by relaxing the socio-cultural factors.

Ecofriendly Isolation of Cellulose from Eucalyptus lenceolata: A Novel Approach

This study reports the extraction of cellulose by means of an environment-friendly multistep procedure involving alkaline treatment and totally chlorine-free bleaching. The multistep process begins with the removal of pectin, cutin, waxes, and other extractives from Eucalyptus lenceolata straw, followed by the removal of hemicelluloses and lignin using an alkaline treatment, and lastly by further delignification of the cellulose pulp through a two-step bleaching process, first with the use of hydrogen peroxide/tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) and then with the use of a mixture of acetic and nitric acids. The Eucalyptus lenceolata samples were collected from the mountains of the Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and were ground into smaller particles. The pulp resulting from each step was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to detect structural changes. The purified cellulose was characterized through different analytical techniques such as Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The isolated cellulose has a high degree of purity and crystallinity (73%) and thermal stability as verified by XRD and TGA, respectively. SEM was used to study the surface morphology of cellulose, indicating that the surface was free from lignin and hemicelluloses due to the chemical treatment. This study indicates that the multistep procedure is quite adequate for the extraction of cellulose.

Bioaccumulation of Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb in the Economically Important Freshwater Fish Schizothorax plagiostomus from Three Rivers of Malakand Division, Pakistan: Risk Assessment for Human Health.

Contamination of freshwater ecosystems such as rivers with hazardous heavy metals is an environmental problem of public health concern. Accumulation of potentially toxic heavy metals in freshwater fish causes a potential health threat to their consumers including humans. The present research aimed to (1) investigate the accumulation of four potentially toxic heavy metals viz. Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb in muscle tissue of the commercially important freshwater fish Schizothorax plagiostomus at different sites of River Swat, River Panjkora and River Barandu in northern Pakistan (2) to compare gross metal accumulation in the fish samples by calculating metal pollution index (MPI) and (3) to assess potential risk to the health of the fish consumers. Samples were analyzed for the heavy metals by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Risk analysis showed that Ni risk was higher at River Panjkora and River Barandu, Pb risk was higher at River Swat and River Panjkora while Cd risk was quite low at all the three rivers.

Cultural Constraints To Female Higher Education In Malakand Division, Pakistan

The current study was aimed to analyze the Pakhtun cultural constraints in the way of female higher education. For this purpose, the data was collected through a survey instrument by snowball sampling and selected 384 respondents from Malakand division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS. A Chi-Square test was applied in order to find out the association between independent (Pakhtun culture) and a dependent variable (low female higher education). The results show that there is a high and significant relationship between the low ratio of female higher education and sub-dimensions of Pakhtun culture i.e. early puberty, conservatism, Pardah, home related factors, Son preference, male dominancy, lack of freedom of expression for female, early/child marriage, noninvolvement of female in decision making, spending money of parents but benefits goes to husband family, non-acceptance of co-education, living in hostel of female and cultural interpretation of religion are various risk factors for low female higher education in Pakhtun society. The study recommends that the government should focus on women education, create awareness regarding female education and provide better educational facilities and incentives for women. Besides, more employment opportunities should be created to enhance female higher education.

Overweight and Obesity Prevalence Pattern and Associated Risk Factors Among the People of Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

We studied the prevalence and key risk factors responsible for overweight and obesity in different age and sex groups in Malakand Division Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Several components of lipid profile and body mass index were obtained for 562 individuals of the population using standard techniques of WHO. Preclinical data were collected based on stratified random sampling design to investigate about the lifestyle, food, blood pressure, cigarette consumption, snuff use and other diseases and life activities. The prevalence of overweight and obesity and their relationship with different gradients were investigated using multivariate analysis, i.e., cluster analysis and ordination techniques. Multivariate analysis classified the individuals into three major dichotomies (groups) and identified triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and total lipids ( $$P>\,0.001$$ ) as the most influential factors associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the region. The results showed the highest percentage (40%) of obese individuals followed by overweight (38%) and normal (22%), respectively, in the age ranged from 15 to 61 years. It indicated that overweight and obesity is common and an overriding phenomenon in the area. Our findings showed that obesity is significantly higher in female particularly in married women as compare to the male individuals may be due to the unawareness, lifestyle and food. The present pilot study is the first comprehensive report that will help understanding on the prevalence and general awareness about the risk factors associated with overweight and obesity “a Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)” in Pakistan.

Assessment of Cu and Zn in Water, Sediments and in the Carnivorous Fish, Channa gachua from River Swat and River Barandu, Malakand Division, Pakistan

This research work was conducted to assess the concentrations of Cu and Zn in the water, sediments and in the freshwater carnivorous fish, Channa gachua, of River Swat and River Barandu in Malakand Division, Pakistan. Samples were collected at selected sites on the two rivers and analyzed for these metals by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean concentrations of Cu and Zn in fish muscles at different sites of River Swat were 0.57–2.38 and 1.28–3.95 mg kg−1 wet weight, respectively, while corresponding concentrations for River Barandu were 0.67–1.70 and 3.27–5.18 mg kg−1 wet weight. Both the metals showed a lower degree of bioaccumulation in the fish muscles as the bioaccumulation factor values were lower than 1. Liver and gills showed higher metal accumulations compared to muscles. The potential human health risk assessment shows that presently both these metals do not pose any toxicological threat to the health of the fish consumers.

Foliar epidermal micromorphology and its taxonomic implications in some selected species of Athyriaceae.

For the robust identification of taxonomically complex fern family like Athyriaceae, light and scanning electron microscopy is significance implications. This article present first microscopic investigation of foliar micromorphology of 3 genera and 10 species belonging to Athyriaceae namely, Athyrium, Deparia, and Diplazium were collected from different localities in Malakand Division, Northern Pakistan. In present study we compare foliar micromorphology of all 10 species using standard protocols of light microcopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative micromorphological variations in shape of epidermal cells, anticlinal wall pattern, stomatal type and shape, stomatal pore shape, guard cells shape, and trichomes types were studied. In addition, some quantitative characters were also studied and data were statistically analyzed in epidermal cell size, stomatal size, stomatal pore size, stomatal density, and stomatal index. The pivotal result of study include; shape of epidermal cell in all species is irregular on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces. The anticlinal walls are sinuous in most of the species but some species have irregular lobed and broadly lobed wall. Leaves are hypostomatic in all studied species. Two main categories of stomatal type were found: polocytic and anomocytic. Unicellular nonglandular trichomes were observed in only one species Athyrium mackinnoni. The variation in foliar micromorphological characters between the genera and within the species was useful in identification and classification and have potential taxonomic significance for species differentiation. An identification key using micromorphological characters are provided to distinguish genera and species.

Removal of basic green 5 by carbonaceous adsorbent: Adsorption kinetics

The Eucalyptus lenceolata wood was collected from Malakand division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Chemical activation of sample was conducted for surface efficiency. Batch studies were performed to address various experimental parameters like, contact time, temperature and adsorbent dosage for the removal of dye. For elemental analysis, surface morphology and for identification of different functional groups, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were applied, respectively. Removal of dye (Basic Green 5) was studied on raw and activated samples by kinetics adsorption at different temperature. BET adsorption isotherm was used to characterize the surface area of the sample. Under the conditions investigated, a higher carbonization temperature promoted development of porous structures. Intraparticle diffusion, Elovich and Bhangam models were used for adsorption kinetics studies. From adsorption kinetic data thermodynamic parameters like ΔH ≠ , ΔS ≠ and ΔE ≠ were determined. The results show that the adsorption is spontaneous process. The endothermic nature of adsorptive process is due to the positive value of enthalpy. The negative entropy shows that acids molecules on the surface of adsorbent take an oriented position. The results shows that all the models were best fitted for these data of adsorption. KEY WORDS : Activated carbon, Adsorption, SEM, EDS, FTIR, Surface area Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2017 , 31(3), 411-422. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v31i3.5

Social Impact of Parental Imprisonment on Left behind Children: A Study of Dir Lower, Pakistan

This study assesses the anti-social behavior of left-behind children when their parents are convicted and put in prison. The researchers conducted a primary study and collected and analyzed data through quantitative methods. The study is conducted with the randomly selected households in Dir lower, Malakand Division. The relevant literature on the effects of parental incarceration over their left-behind children is also consulted to show the contribution of the study. The study argues that unattended children of imprisoned parents tend to show anti-social and disruptive behavior. Firstly, they do not socialize with others more often and remain to themselves. They do not abide by the approved norms of society (polite manners) since they feel neglected and left behind. Additionally, they showed rude behavior and would engage in frequent brawls in the neighborhoods. Furthermore, teasing and taunting others for their racial backgrounds or other dominant features of identity is another activity they found engaged int. The study recommends taking holistic measures for mainstreaming these children and engage them in positive activities so that they do not fall prey to criminal tendencies.

Mediating Role of Organizational Commitment between Occupational Stress and Turnover Intention in Pakistani Universities

The prime objective of theresearch is to study the mediating role of organizational commitment (OC) between the relationship of occupational stress and turnover intention (TI) among university teaching staff in Malakand Division, Pakistan. Data were collected from 186 faculty members working in government universities of Malakand division which was analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. The results showed a significant positive relationship of psychological and physiological stress withTI s and negative with OC. Furthermore, OC mediated the relationship between psychological and physiological stress and TI.

A Critical Analysis of Terrorism and Military Operations in Malakand Division (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) after 9/11

The 9/11 was a paradigm shifting event in the international and global politics. On September 11, 2001, two jet planes hit the twin's tower in United States of America (USA). US official authorities said that it is done by alQaeda. This event also changes Pakistan's internal and foreign policies. The government of United States compel Afghan Taliban government to handover the master mind of 9/11 attack and their leader Osama bin Laden but the talks failed between the both governments. Therefore US government compel the government of Pakistan to give us Military bases and assistance against Afghan Taliban. Pakistan agreed with US as frontline ally of US in war on terror. The majority of Pakistani people were not happy with the decision, therefore, some non-state actors appeared in different part of the country especially in Malakand Division and FATA to support Taliban regime in Afghanistan. In Malakand Division Mulana Sufi Muhammad head of Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi started a proper armed campaign for Afghan Taliban Support and sent thousands of people to Afghanistan support Taliban against US and their allied forces. It was a basic reason behind the emergence of terrorism in Malakand division KP but it did not played it role alone to cause terrorism in the region. Many other important factors i.e. weak political administration, unemployment, economic deprivation, socio-political instability constituted the main reason that opened room for non-state actors to consolidate their grip on the region.

A Critical Analysis of Terrorism and Military Operations in Malakand Division (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

A Critical Analysis of Terrorism and Military Operations in Malakand Division (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Bioaccumulation of Cu and Zn in Schizothorax plagiostomus and Mastacembelus armatus from River Swat, River Panjkora and River Barandu in Malakand Division, Pakistan

Bioaccumulation of Cu and Zn in Schizothorax plagiostomus and Mastacembelus armatus from River Swat, River Panjkora and River Barandu in Malakand Division, Pakistan