Punjab Province Research Articles

Unraveling the defensive strategies of camel thorn Alhagi maurorum medik. For thriving in arid and semi-arid environments

The study aimed to evaluate the role of morpho-physiological and anatomical attributes of Alhagi maurorum Medik. Populations from five water deficit regions in Punjab province, Pakistan, namely, Cholistan desert (KHP), Rajanpur (DGK), Thal (LYH), Patisar Lake (LAS), and Salt Range (WSM), in their adaptability to arid and semi-arid regions. The study sheds light on the adaptive components of various plant populations to cope with increasing dryness ratio. Arid populations [Khanpur-KHP (D = 44.91, P = 97.1 mm), Dera Ghazi Khan-DGK (D = 41.41, P = 105.3 mm), Layyah-LYH (D = 37.11, P = 117.5 mm) and Ladamsar-LAS (D = 34.83, P = 125.2 mm)] relied on larger roots and leaves, enhanced biomass production, ion accumulation, and photosynthetic pigments. It also encompassing larger root and stem cellular area, cortex and vascular region, thicker leaves, and numerous large stomata. Semi-arid populations display distinctive changes, such as longer shoots, higher root and shoot Na+ levels, organic osmolytes, thicker epidermis, and enlarged pith region in stems [Warcha Salt Mine-WSM (D = 8.70, P = 501 mm)]. These modifications at both structural and functional levels guarantee the survival and success of this species in challenging environmental conditionswhich will have implications for sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and adaptation to climate change adaptation in arid and semi-arid regions.

Perception of Vehicle Drivers about the "Road Safety on Wheels” Awareness Campaign in Punjab Province, Pakistan

The National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) has a tradition of organizing Road Safety awareness programs in the shape of walks, workshops, and road safety seminars. This paper explored the drivers’ perceptions about the road safety awareness campaign “display of road safety awareness messages on the back side of vehicles”. A total of 41 drivers participated in this study who were traveling on the M2 motorway, which is the busiest motorway in Pakistan, connecting Lahore with Islamabad. Data were collected through the questionnaire, and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. Results indicated that the use of slogans and messages on vehicles and trucks is a highly effective means of promoting road safety awareness, preferred over traditional signboards, and that road safety programs are universally seen as having a positive impact on drivers. Results reflected a positive perception of the efficacy of road safety initiatives, highlighting their importance in promoting safer driving habits and behaviors among the surveyed population. The majority of respondents learn about road safety campaigns through social media and personal networks; it is essential to continue utilizing these channels effectively. There is also a need to explore and use a variety of communication channels, including those not traditionally considered mainstream, to maximize the impact of the campaign and engagement with different segments of the population.

Perceptions on Climate Change and Satisfaction on Adaptive Measures: Farmer Field Evidence from Punjab, Pakistan

Climate change poses a serious threat to the agrarian economy of Pakistan. Future agriculture productivity of the country can only be secured through the adaptation of climate change strategies. This research is designed to investigate the farmers’ perceptions of climate change and their satisfaction with the adaptation measures in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The questionnaire-based data was collected in 36 districts, from 360 respondents through the field survey. Both random and convenient sampling techniques were employed. For empirical analysis, a Multinomial Logistic regression model was operated. The results indicate that an increase in per-hectare yield lessens the farmer’s vulnerability to climate change. This research found that the farmers observed that changing precipitation patterns, extreme climate events, mutable sowing and harvesting time, temperature variation, night temperature, and traditional crop varieties are key vulnerable factors of climate change. These may create an alarming situation for agriculture productivity in the province. It is registered that farmers are not satisfied with adaptation measures particularly concerning heat-resistant and drought-resistant varieties. Agriculture extension services could not deliver optimally to protect the agriculture output from climate vulnerability. The results show that farmers are not satisfied with the performance of climate-resilient and research institutions. It is recommended that the government, research institutions, and climate-resilient institutions design new sowing and harvesting patterns, new seed varieties, new climatic zones, and alternative crop switching. The whole paradigm of extension services needs to be modernized and mechanized with the wider application of ICTs. The extension department should timely disseminate the climate information and educate the farmers on climate resilience and adaptation.

Poverty, Women Empowerment and Role of Agriculture Sector in Pakistan: Estimation of Women Empowerment Index

Women's empowerment is crucial for sustainable economic progress and poverty reduction in developing nations. The study interviewed 1000 households in Punjab Province, Pakistan, using Shoaib et al.'s (2012) sampling methodology and dividing the province into four regions. The index was calculated using Alkire and Foster's (2007) methodology. The study reveals that leadership and income are the most significant factors contributing to female disempowerment in the Punjab province. The Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index score is 0.70, with 21% of women empowered and 79% disempowered. The study found that 7% of women's disempowerment contributes to autonomy in production, 23% to income control, 19% to organizational membership, and 10% to public speaking. Males' insufficient accomplishment differs from girls, with leadership contributing at 35% and time allocation at 25%. Male disempowerment is 7% in wealth control, while males face similar disempowerment in production and resource access. Men contribute 5% to asset ownership, 6% to purchase and sale, and 11% to credit access and control. Men's disempowerment index includes 22% group participation, 13% public speaking, 13% workload, and 12% leisure. The gender parity index shows that 51.7% of women experience gender disparity, with an average empowerment difference of 45.7%.

Sustainable livelihood capital and climate change adaptation in Pakistan's agriculture: Structural equation modeling analysis in the VIABLE framework

This study aims to assess the role of sustainable livelihood capital, the mediation of investments and farming purposes, and the moderation of climatic and non-climatic factors in the adaptation process, particularly in the aspects of Crop, Farm, Irrigation, and Economic Management. Moreover, guided by the VIABLE (Values and Investments for Agent-Based Interaction and Learning in Environmental Systems) framework, we analyze stakeholders' actions, priorities, and goals in the climate change adaptation process. A structured questionnaire was designed based on a five-point Likert scale covering the concepts of livelihood capital, climate change adaptation, investment priorities, farming constraints, and farmers' decision-making factors. Field data were collected from 800 farmers during December 2021 to February 2022 in the irrigated agricultural regions in the Indus Plain of the Punjab and Sindh provinces, Pakistan. We employed the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling approach to the VIABLE framework (VIABLE-SEM) to analyze the collected data. The results confirm livelihood capital as the most significant determinant (beta = 0.57, effect size = 0.503) for farmers’ adaptation strategies in the Indus plain. Other variables, such as the principal purpose of farming, available investment options, natural and human constraints, appear less important. We identified 13 significant viability pathways that show investment priorities, farming purposes, and constraints faced by the farmers in climate change adaptation. The study also found that non-climatic factors negatively influence (beta = −0.156) the relationship between capital and adaptation, while climatic factors positively influence (beta = 0.050) this relationship. Interestingly, the presence of these influencing factors increases the adaptive capacity of farmers. These findings have important implications for policymakers and researchers in designing and implementing effective climate change adaptation strategies in the agricultural sector of Pakistan.

Homozygous Mutations in GDAP1 and MFN2 Genes Resulted in Autosomal Recessive Forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease in Consanguineous Pakistani Families.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a heritable neurodegenerative disease of peripheral nervous system diseases in which more than 100 genes and their mutations are associated. Two consanguineous families Dera Ghazi Khan (PAK-CMT1-DG KHAN) and Layyah (PAK-CMT2-LAYYAH) with multiple CMT-affected subjects were enrolled from Punjab province in Pakistan. Basic epidemiological data were collected for the subjects. Nerve conduction study (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) were performed for the patients. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) followed by Sanger sequencing was applied to report the genetic basic of CMT. The NCS findings revealed that sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities for both families were <38 m/s. EMG presented denervation, neuropathic motor unit potential, and reduced interference pattern of peripheral nerves. WES identified that a novel nonsense mutation (c. 226 G>T) in GADP1 gene and a previously known missense mutation in MFN2 gene (c. 334 G>A) cause CMT4A (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4A) in the PAK-CMT1-DG KHAN family and CMT2A (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A) in the PAK-CMT2-LAYYAH family, respectively. Mutations followed Mendelian pattern with autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Multiple sequence alignment by Clustal Omega indicated that mutation-containing domain in both genes is highly conserved, and in situ analysis revealed that both mutations are likely to be pathogenic. We reported that a novel nonsense mutation and a previously known missense mutation in GAPD1 gene and MFN2 gene, respectively, cause CMT in consanguineous Pakistani families.

An Investigation on the Medicinal Plants Promoting Women's Health in the Punjab Province of Pakistan

Pakistan is home to a wide variety of plants used for medicinal purposes, and its citizens regularly use traditional medicine to treat a wide range of conditions. Research excursions were taken throughout the Punjab province, encompassing various rural and tribally populated regions, to document ethno pharmacological herbs used by females to cure multiple ailments. Many women worldwide use natural remedies, and their numbers continue to grow as more and more people reap the potential of herbal medicines for illness prevention and treatment. Plants have historically been used in Pakistan and the nations around it to treat women's health issues. Medicinal plants play a big part in women's healthcare in many rural places. A significant portion of contemporary medications has been generated from medicinal plants. Historically, plants have developed new treatments with a considerable body of adequate data. In light of this, the study was conducted to learn more about the plants used to treat various issues relating to women's health. According to the results, native plants are used a lot in the Punjab region of Pakistan as essential medicines for women's health problems.

Novel mutations in structural proteins of dengue virus genomes

BackgroundGenomic characterization of the dengue virus (DENV) is useful for understanding its molecular evolution, transmission, pathogenicity and infectivity. The DENV genomic RNA encodes three structural proteins, capsid (C) envelope (E) and membrane (M) proteins mediating viral entry and assembly during host infection. The current study aims to explore the DENV serotypes and mutations in the E and M proteins. MethodsTwenty-three samples of DENV-positive patients were processed and selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS) from the Punjab Province of Pakistan. ResultsAmong the 23 WGS, 19 samples showed numerous mutations (BioProject ID PRJNA943555). DENV1 and DENV2 are the most prevalent serotypes. A total of 179 mutations were detected in the E protein, in which K203E, T88A, I114L, and I293T are novel. The I270L, T272A, S273L, and T277A were found in the “kl” β-hairpin (aa 270–279). The M protein harbors 74 mutations, of which 24 were novel. Three prominent complementary regions in the prM and E protein complex formations include R6, E46, D47, D63, and D65 on ‘pr’ peptide, and E84, K64, and H244, K247 on E, remain conserved except R6C. To our knowledge, it is the first comprehensive study of mutations in structural proteins. ConclusionGenomic epidemiology is critical for analyzing emerging mutations and designing new policies therapeutic efforts for future outbreaks.

Evaluating the Shelf Life of APIS MELLIFERA Honey Collected in South Punjab, Pakistan

The study aimed to assess the shelf life of multi-floral honey collected from the southern region of Punjab Province, Pakistan, over 12 months. Fifty honey samples were analyzed for various physiochemical parameters every four months at room temperature. Initial values included pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, diastase number, invertase number, HMF, proline content, fructose, glucose, and sucrose percentages. After 12 months, the pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, diastase, invertase, glucose, and fructose values decreased, while HMF content, proline content, and sucrose percentage increased. These findings suggest that honey composition changes during storage, shortening its shelf life. Fresh A. mellifera honey is recommended for consumption within 6 to 8 months to maintain its quality.

Empowering Education: Unleashing Teacher Self-Efficacy in Harnessing Instructional Technologies for Elementary-Level Students with Hearing Impairment

Purpose: The primary aim of this descriptive study was to assess the self-efficacy of teachers working with hearing-impaired students at the elementary level in utilizing instructional technologies.&#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach: This survey-based research was conducted among hearing-impaired teachers in the Punjab Province. A sample of 124 teachers was randomly selected. The data collection tool employed was a questionnaire consisting of four and five-point Likert scale items. Data collection was performed through personal interviews, telephone interviews, and Google Forms. The study utilized both descriptive and inferential statistics, employing SPSS for data analysis. The research framework included components related to teacher self-efficacy in instructional technology, the variety of technologies employed in the classroom, factors influencing self-efficacy, and sources of self-efficacy.&#x0D; Findings: The study's results revealed that special education teachers' self-efficacy in utilizing instructional technologies was positively associated with their years of experience in teaching hearing-impaired students, the availability of technical support, and the frequency of technology use.&#x0D; Implications/Originality/Value: These findings carry significant practical implications. They suggest that improving professional development opportunities and providing adequate technical support can enhance the self-efficacy of special education teachers in using instructional technologies to benefit students with hearing impairments. This, in turn, may contribute to enhancing the overall quality of special education services for students with hearing impairments.

Detection of Cotton Leaf Curl Disease using Betasatellite-based Molecular Marker

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) caused by whitefly-transmitted begomoviruses has hampered cotton production across the Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan and northeastern India. Eight species of begomoviruses in association with a single betasatellite “Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB)” have been reported to cause CLCuD. Objective: To detect early and efficiently Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) using betasatellite-based molecular marker. Methods: 3-7 samples leaves were collected from symptomatic cotton fields in selected five areas of cotton production in Pakistan. Total DNA was extracted from collected leaves using the Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Primers were designed by MUSCLE alignment tool and target region was amplified by PCR and amplification confirmed by performing gel electrophoresis. After DNA sequencing Phylogenetic analysis of the was carried out using software MEGA-X. Results: Amplified target region of483bp was observed by running 1% agarose gel. Comparison of DNA sequences revealed two nucleotide substitutions in DNA sequence from samples collected from Multan, Sakrand, Rahim Yar Khan and, while four nucleotide substations in sample collected from Vehari. High nucleotide substation in DNA sequence from Vehari as compared to other regions. Conclusions: In conclusion all of eight distinct begomoviruses causing CLCuD with CLCuMB is indicative of the fact that CLCuMB based molecular marker can be developed for detection of the disease. Early detection of disease will help the breeders and farmers to manage the disease.

Prevailing Government Maternal Health Care System and Challenges Faced by Health Professionals: A Case study in Tehsil Jampur

This research aims to investigate maternal healthcare facilities and the challenges faced by the health professionals in tehsil Jampur. The present study utilized a qualitative approach and collected data from 23 participants through purposive sampling. The population of Tehsil Jampur in the Punjab province of Pakistan predominantly resides in rural areas. The data was collected via in-depth interviews and analyzed using a straightforward thematic analysis methodology. Services provided at primary healthcare units endeavor to met service-provision standards by arranging, LHVs, LHWs, LHS, CMWs, transportation, nutrition etc. but it requires to highlighting the importance of addressing staff absenteeism, inadequate infrastructure, and inconsistent working hours to improve health outcomes. It also reveals that due to multiple deficiencies, the assessment of service quality at facility centers is of utmost importance. The challenges encompass insufficient medicine accessibility, restricted service hours, inconvenient transportation to remote medical facilities, male exclusion as partaker of health program, traditional practices including reliance on TBAs and a scarcity of female healthcare providers influenced by cultural norms pertaining to gender dynamics. The health sector’s governance is adversely affected by the frequent fluctuations in government and its system. The health department experiences instability due to the varying strategies, programs, and staff appointments introduced by successive prime ministers.

Participatory Interventions and Development of Social Capital: Evidence from Punjab Rural Support Programme

The admiration towards sustainable development and improved quality of life has been the critical subject matter since the beginning of the Anthropocene. The interconnections of individual and collective relationships regarding humanity and the environment are closely associated with affluent human development at individual, group, and community levels. In recent decades, numerous advancements that characterized improvement in quality of life, considered the reflection of exceptional actions and self-realization numerous national and international organizations intervening mainly in rural areas of Pakistan for mobilization of rural community to work for their betterment through participatory approach. This exploratory study tries to understand the development of social capital through these participatory interventions adopted by the Punjab Rural Support Program (PRSP). PRSP has awareness interventions in 22 districts of Punjab province. From these districts, five were selected randomly for this study. Then, one field unit from each selected district was chosen, and 50 respondents were taken through a convenient sampling technique. Therefore, the total sample size for the study was 250. The results of the study revealed that the participatory approach applied by PRSP brought some positive changes in the thinking behavior of the rural communities, which led to developing the social capital. The Government institutions should encourage the participatory approach and also review its policies.

Explore the Effectiveness of Vocational Training Services available for Students with Hearing Impairment in Government Institutions of Punjab Province: A Qualitative Probe

Explore the Effectiveness of Vocational Training Services available for Students with Hearing Impairment in Government Institutions of Punjab Province: A Qualitative Probe

Impact of Students’ Ubiquitous Learning through Web 2.0 Tool on Students’ 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Collaboration

Ubiquitous learning is transforming education by enabling human-focused learning through seamless access to resources from anywhere. In addition, these tools enhance context understanding and make it easy to interact between real and digital learning resources, all while offering individualized learning opportunities. This research surveyed public sector university teachers in the Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan to gather their opinions on how Web 2.0 tools and ubiquitous learning are affecting the development of 21st-century learning skills in students. The research aimed to assess the impact of Web 2.0 tools for ubiquitous learning (UL) on the critical thinking and collaboration skills of graduate-level students. To collect data, the study administered a self-developed questionnaire with 50 items rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale to 500 university teachers. This constituted the primary data for the research. According to the findings, ubiquitous learning has a noteworthy effect on fostering critical thinking and collaboration skills in university students. To make ubiquitous learning successful, both private and public sector universities must have adequate ICT infrastructure and provide teacher training that focuses on ICT-based teaching methods. The study can assist university teachers in establishing a ubiquitous learning (UL) environment that employs web 2.0 tools, thereby enabling students to effectively enhance their 21st-century learning skills, including critical thinking and collaboration.

A Qualitative Study to Explore the Socioeconomic Status of Women Working in Livestock Production

Purpose: Rural women comprise of one quarter of the total world population, and they are considered key agents for achieving the transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to assess the socioeconomic status of women working in livestock activities and to find out the impact of this work on their lives&#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected from three different villages of District Rahim Yar Khan Punjab Province, Pakistan. In-depth interviews were conducted from a selected group of ten rural women, which were further divided into two groups based on age.&#x0D; Findings: The thematic analysis revealed the deprived socioeconomic status and vulnerabilities reported by women working in this sector in rural areas. Although financial benefits are reported as a positive impact, health risks, work and gender related issues surfaced the negative impact of this work on their lives.&#x0D; Implications/Originality/Value: The findings indicate the need of women friendly policies and development projects to facilitate women’s work in the livestock sector to improve their socioeconomic conditions and well-being

Perceived Effectiveness of Probation System under Criminal Justice Administration: Evidence from the Punjab, Pakistan

The probation system, as a functional part of criminal justice administration, deals with low-risk offenders to rehabilitate and bring them into mainstream socio-cultural and family life. The probation system provides opportunities to convicted offenders conditionally and releases them under the supervision of a probation officer. This empirical highlighted the importance and effectiveness of the probation system and its impacts on probationers. The primary data was collected from probationers who had experience imprisonment before probation order from ten districts of Punjab province. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire, and results revealed that the probationers who were ex-prisoners perceived the probation period very positively, with significant impacts on their physical, psychological, and social life. The probation system was found effective in the process of rehabilitation of offenders under criminal justice administration. Therefore, the offenders incarcerated for minor offenses may be released on probation orders instead of constructing new prisons.

Impact of early access to land record information through digitization: Evidence from Alternate Dispute Resolution Data in Punjab, Pakistan

We leverage novel data extracted from weekly updated registers of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) centres to examine the impact of early access to land record information through digitization on dispute resolution outcomes in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Employing a quasi-experimental design, we estimate the causal effect of early access to Punjab Land Record Management Information System (PLRMIS) on the registration and resolution process of land-related disputes. Our results reveal that ADR centres in districts with early treatment experience an average increase of approximately 50 cases compared to those in districts with late treatment. By utilizing generalized multi-level mixed effect and two-stage least square models, we find that early implementation of PLRMIS significantly increases successful mediation outcomes by 126 cases in the treatment region with no effect on mediation failure cases. These findings provide compelling evidence for the pivotal role of PLRMIS in facilitating effective alternate dispute resolution, indicating increased public utilization of the system. Our results underscore the effectiveness of digitization and e-governance systems in improving land administration, reducing information asymmetry, and expediting the dispute resolution process.

A brief note from Pakistan: reflections from a British psychiatrist.

A British general adult psychiatrist born and trained in the UK, who also considers himself Pakistani, had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks running a psychiatric clinic in a remote hospital in the Punjab province of Pakistan. In this article he offers some reflections on the unexpected culture shock he felt, on the hospital system, the patients he treated and their resilience in such a poor country.

Predicting energy consumption through the LEAP model based on LMDI technique along with economic analysis: A case study

This research reports the implementation of logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) and categorizes the growth of total energy usage in three different industrial sectors for the years of 2010 to 2021. Furthermore, it classifies and evaluates the factors influencing on energy consumption in Punjab province thru a sustainable way. The growth consumption is classified into scale influence, structure influence, and efficiency influence. Likewise, the long-term energy alternatives planning-Punjab model is executed with the energy consumption, scale impact, structure impact, and efficiency impact. Besides, comprehensive adjustment scenarios are also introduced to examine the impact of three different factors on overall energy usage. The results from the qualitative decomposition of LMDI indicate that the high scale can lead to high-energy consumption in Punjab Province. However, it can be reduced by high-efficiency reinforcement. The total energy consumption in 2024, 2036, and 2044 under reference scenario is 304.12, 460.01, and 590.04 million tons compared to structure influence analysis for slow terminology (SIAS) and comprehensive scenario. For that reason, it can predict and provide earlier energy management planning for the province. Conversely, the structure factor does not display obvious effect on the energy use. Equally, the quantitative results of the long-term energy alternative planning (LEAP) model are relatively consistent with those of LMDI model, whose advantageous impact on the structure influence is reasonably extrapolated. This phenomenon indicates that the structure influence and efficiency influence will maintain the disruptive impact on increasing overall energy use for the future perspectives. Consequently, the LEAP model predicts the energy consumption of Punjab Province among the years of 2020 to 2040 under medium-term development framework.