bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning for monthly rainfall–runoff modelling: a large-sample comparison with conceptual models across Australia
Authors: Clark Stephanie R. , Lerat Julien , Perraud Jean-Michel , Fitch Peter
Published: March 2024

Abstract. A deep learning model designed for time series predictions, the long short-term memory (LSTM) architecture, is regularly producing reliable results in local and regional rainfall–runoff applications around the world. Recent large-sample hydrology studies in North America and Europe have shown the LSTM model to successfully match conceptual model performance at a daily time step over hundreds of catchments. Here we investigate how these models perform in producing monthly runoff predictions in the relatively dry and variable conditions of the Australian continent. The monthly time step matches historic data availability and is also important for future water resources planning; however, it provides significantly smaller training datasets than daily time series. In this study, a continental-scale comparison of monthly deep learning (LSTM) predictions to conceptual rainfall–runoff (WAPABA model) predictions is performed on almost 500 catchments across Australia with performance results aggregated over a variety of catchment sizes, flow conditions, and hydrological record lengths. The study period covers a wet phase followed by a prolonged drought, introducing challenges for making predictions outside of known conditions – challenges that will intensify as climate change progresses. The results show that LSTM models matched or exceeded WAPABA prediction performance for more than two-thirds of the study catchments, the largest performance gains of LSTM versus WAPABA occurred in large catchments, the LSTMs struggled less to generalise than the WAPABA models (e.g. making predictions under new conditions), and catchments with few training observations due to the monthly time step did not demonstrate a clear benefit with either WAPABA or LSTM.
Forcing for varying boundary layer stability across Antarctica
Authors: Dice Mckenzie J. , Cassano John J. , Jozef Gina C.
Published: March 2024

Abstract. The relative importance of changes in radiative forcing (downwelling longwave radiation) and mechanical mixing (20 m wind speed) in controlling boundary layer stability annually and seasonally at five study sites across the Antarctica continent is presented. From near neutral to extremely strong near-surface stability, radiative forcing decreases with increasing stability, as expected, and is shown to be a major driving force behind variations in near-surface stability at all five sites. Mechanical mixing usually decreases with increasing near-surface stability for regimes with weak to extremely strong stability. For the cases where near neutral, very shallow mixed, and weak stability occur, the wind speed in the very shallow mixed case is usually weaker compared to the near neutral and weak stability cases, while radiative forcing is largest for the near neutral cases. This finding is an important distinguishing factor for the unique case where a very shallow mixed layer is present, indicating that weaker mechanical mixing in this case is likely responsible for the shallower boundary layer that defines the very shallow mixed stability regime. For cases with enhanced stability above a layer of weaker near-surface stability, lower downwelling longwave radiation promotes the persistence of the stronger stability aloft, while stronger near-surface winds act to maintain weaker stability immediately near the surface, resulting in this two-layer boundary layer stability regime.
The variation of growth in diameter and its relationship with the height of pedunculated oak (Quercus Robur L.) trees in the provenance cultures
Authors: Cuza Petru
Published: March 2024

In provenance cultures, studies were conducted on diameter growth dynamics in pedunculated oak (Quercus robur L.) trees and the height-diameter relationship was evaluated based on three data approximation models. The studies highlighted a signifi cant variation of the trunk diameter in trees of different origins and a similar growth reaction of oaks from four provenances (Hârjauca, Plaiul Fagului, Zloti, and Baimaclia) in relation to the environmental conditions of the common stand. In all the years of observation, the trees from Edineț had a rapid growth in diameter, thus demonstrating their ability to adapt through phenotypic plasticity. An uneven distribution of tree diameters was observed by provenance, indicating that dominant trees have an advantage in competition for light, slowing the growth of those with smaller diameters and causing a positive skew towards oaks with larger diameters. With the advancing age of the oaks, a tendency to decrease the values of the heritability coefficients for the trunk diameter was observed. At the age of 5 years, studies show a strong genetic control over the growth in diameter, a fact highlighted by the heritability coefficient value of 0,53 for this character. As the trees age, non-genetic factors such as environmental conditions become increasingly important in determining tree diameter growth. The comparative analysis of three statistical fitting models for data on pedunculate oak trees from different provenances, showed that the logarithmic model is the most appropriate to explain the relationship between their height and diameter.
Variation of chlorophyll index and dry mass in Quercus robur L. trees from different provenances
Authors: Cuza Petru , Zdioruk Nina , Platovschii Nicolai
Published: March 2024

In the comparative forest cultures of the "Plaiul Fagului” Scientific Reserve, an evaluation of the chlorophyll index and dry mass in the leaves of pedunculate oak descendants from the northern, central, and southern regions of the Republic of Moldova was carried out. The obtained data showed significant variations within trees in terms of minimum and maximum values, as well as the position of the median value relative to the mean in the distribution of the chlorophyll index in the investigated provenances. The analysis of the variation indicates significant differences in the distribution of the chlorophyll index of the leaves of trees originating from different ecological zones. Within this variation, two trends can be observed. The first trend refers to the fact that descendants from more distant areas (in the north and south) have a higher chlorophyll index than those from the central area (including local provenance). This difference due to the fact that descendants from ,,foreign” zones are exposed to different environmental conditions than optimal ones, which makes adaptation processes more pronounced compared to descendants from the central zone with similar conditions to the cultivation area. The second tendency consists of the uniformity in the response of different genotypes of non-locally provenance descendants from remote areas in the north and south, in relation to the specific environmental conditions of the common arboretum. This uniformity is indicated by lower coefficients of variation in the chlorophyll index of descendants from ,,foreign” zones compared to local provenance ones. Therefore, descendants of non-local provenance developed adaptation processes in new environmental conditions reflected by differences in the distribution of chlorophyll content. In descendants of northern and southern origin, these differences are lower than those characteristic of local provenance descendants. This view is supported by the fact that the dry mass rate of the leaves of local provenance descendants tends to be lower compared to those from the northern and southern parts of the Republic of Moldova.
Achievements in the creation of the “Vegetation of Moldova” exhibition over 50 years
Authors: Postolache Gheorghe , Titica Ghenadie
Published: March 2024

A review is made of the work carried out over the course of 50 years in creating the „Vegetation of Moldova” Exhibition at the National Botanical Garden „Alexandru Ciubotaru”. From the initial plantings in 1972 until the year 2023, design, planting, and mobilization of the gene pool have been undertaken. Currently, the Moldavian present Vegetation Exhibition includes 12 micro-exhibitions of forest vegetation, 2 micro-exhibitions of meadow vegetation, 1 micro-exhibition of steppe vegetation, and 1 microexhibition of aquatic and marsh vegetation. In 2020, the exhibition area was settled, parcel divisions were elaborated, boundary markers were installed, and borders were delineated. The article presents the results of inventorying trees, tree seedlings, shrubs, and herbs for each micro-exhibition and sub-plot. Flora of the „Vegetation of Moldova” Exhibition at the National Botanical Garden „Alexandru Ciubotaru” includes 560 species of vascular plants, of which 258 species grow in 12 forest micro-exhibitions, 152 species grow in the micro-exhibition with steppe vegetation and 150 species of plants grow in meadows vegetation. For each sub-plot within the forest micro-exhibitions, data is provided on the number of specimens for each tree species, the composition of the shrub layer, and the herb layer. 61 species of rare plants are preserved ex situ, in the „Vegetation of Moldova” Exhibition in the Botanical Garden „Alexandru Ciubotaru”, of which 32 species are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Moldova.
Panorama general del programa de la Licenciatura en Geografía de la Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero
Authors: Salgado Hernández María del Carmen , D’Luna Fuentes Carlo Alejandro
Published: March 2024

La carrera que nos ocupa, la licenciatura en Geografía de la Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, forma parte del último grupo de carreras creadas en el país sobre esta profesión y, a diferencia de la gran mayoría, si no es que de todos los programas, no surge en la capital estatal, sino en una de sus unidades, ubicada en las afueras de la ciudad de Taxco de Alarcón, en la zona norte de Guerrero. Desde sus inicios el programa es concebido como parte de la Escuela de Ciencias de la Tierra, donde se mantiene desde su creación. El artículo rescata brevemente los antecedentes de la carrera, enfatiza el perfil de ingreso y egreso, como argumento básico de su estructura curricular, la cual revela la estructura y contenidos de la carrera, cuya duración es de ocho semestres, sustentada en los objetivos del propio plan, las etapas y ejes de formación. También, destacan algunas de las principales características del programa, las instalaciones y la problemática que enfrenta la carrera en materia de demanda y matrícula, como la gran mayoría de los programas del país, especialmente por tratarse de un programa con orientación hacia las clases bajas (universidad pueblo).
¿Saben algo de puntuación los niños que están aprendiendo a leer y a escribir?
Authors: Dávalos Amira
Published: March 2024

Este estudio tiene como objetivo indagar si los niños prealfabéticos y recién alfabetizados identifican y construyen ideas sobre la puntuación. El corpus consta de 80 entrevistas a niños de 4 a 6 años. Les propusimos identificar las marcas que “no son letras ni números” en un texto y comentar lo que saben sobre ellas. Desde el eje cuantitativo, los datos muestran que a medida que los niños avanzan hacia un nivel de escritura más alfabético, mayor es la cantidad y tipo de signos de puntuación que reconocen. Desde el eje cualitativo, los resultados evidencian que existe una estrecha relación entre el progresivo dominio del principio alfabético de escritura y el tipo de ideas que los niños construyen sobre las funciones de la puntuación. Concluimos que la adquisición de la puntuación inicia antes de saber leer y escribir. Su desarrollo presenta regularidades no azarosas, sino internamente coherentes.
¿Qué significa colaborar en el marco de un trabajo colectivo entre maestros e investigadores?
Authors:   Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Castaño Torres Yesenia , Block Sevilla David Francisco ,   Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Published: March 2024

En este artículo analizamos las maneras concretas en que colaboraron maestros de matemáticas en servicio e investigadores en el marco de un trabajo conjunto que tuvo por objetivos la problematización, implementación y análisis de un conjunto de situaciones didácticas dirigidas a identificar y analizar características que determinan la congruencia de dos figuras en primer año de secundaria. Asimismo, se buscó ofrecer una experiencia de formación continua a los maestros respecto de la enseñanza de la geometría. La experiencia se desarrolló con cuatro maestros de dos escuelas de la Ciudad de México y tres investigadores, y tuvo una duración de cuatro semanas alternando sesiones de trabajo colectivo y la implementación de las situaciones en el aula por parte de los maestros. En este texto centraremos el análisis en las distintas maneras en que se dio la colaboración y las condiciones que favorecieron o dificultaron dicha colaboración durante la experiencia.
La modelación matemática como estrategia didáctica para promover la interdisciplinariedad escolar en telesecundaria
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, García Torres Erika , Santiago Flores Felipe de Jesús ,   Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
Published: March 2024

Este estudio plantea una problemática didáctica relacionada con el diseño de situaciones por parte del colectivo docente de telesecundaria en las que interactúen dos o más asignaturas, y al mismo tiempo una solución de trabajo interdisciplinar con saberes de matemáticas, biología y química. El objetivo es el diseño e implementación de una situación interdisciplinaria a través de la modelación matemática, así como la caracterización de la construcción de saberes de las y los estudiantes en dicha situación. Los resultados evidencian modelos matemáticos que tienen como característica principal los discursos matemáticos y extramatemáticos y se concluye que estas situaciones son una gran posibilidad para trabajar en las aulas de telesecundaria.
La comprensión de los principios de agrupamiento y posición del sistema decimal de numeración en primero y segundo grados de primaria, ¿es posible?, ¿es necesaria? Una reflexión crítica
Authors:   Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Block Sevilla David Francisco
Published: March 2024

Desde hace alrededor de 30 años se han multiplicado los resultados de investigaciones de corte didáctico y psicológico que demuestran que el aprendizaje de los principios de base y posición que subyacen al sistema decimal de numeración, son excesivamente complejos para los alumnos de los dos primeros grados de la primaria. Consecuentemente con ello, se han producido alternativas didácticas para el estudio del sistema decimal de numeración con un enfoque constructivista, con base en tales investigaciones. En México, la difusión y el estudio empírico de dichas alternativas es aún escaso y, en consecuencia, nuestros programas escolares se han modificado muy poco en este aspecto, en particular continúa la inclusión del contenido de valor posicional desde primer grado. En este texto desarrollo una reflexión sobre esta problemática. Constituye un ensayo dirigido a investigadores del área, a formadores de maestros, a diseñadores de programas de enseñanza de las matemáticas y a maestros preocupados por las dificultades mencionadas.
Proposed Strategies to Address Women’s Underrepresentation In Garment Sector Leadership Roles: An In-Depth Analysis Using Four Frames Of Gender In Organization
Authors: Desyani Carissa Sediana Nadine , Putra Pratama Andika
Published: March 2024

Penelitian ini mengkaji kurangnya perwakilan perempuan pada posisi kepemimpinan di sektor garmen Indonesia meskipun mereka merupakan mayoritas tenaga kerja. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, termasuk wawancara yang menginterpretasikan pengalaman bias gender karyawan, untuk menganalisis norma-norma sosiobudaya dan praktik-praktik sistemik yang menguntungkan laki-laki yang berkontribusi terhadap ketimpangan tersebut. Kerangka "four frames of gender in organization" menstruktur investigasi mendalam tentang stereotip maskulin kepemimpinan yang membatasi peluang dan menghambat kemajuan perempuan. Analisis PESTLE dan SWOT lebih lanjut mengevaluasi faktor eksternal dan internal yang mempertahankan ketidaksetaraan. Penelitian menguji hipotesis bahwa mengatasi bias dan hambatan dapat mencapai representasi gender yang merata untuk meningkatkan potensi perempuan yang saat ini kurang dimanfaatkan, yang akan meningkatkan keberlanjutan sektor. Inisiatif seperti program pendampingan dan evaluasi yang adil bertujuan untuk mengakui kapabilitas perempuan sebagai pemimpin. Penelitian memberikan wawasan praktis untuk membimbing perusahaan di sektor menuju kesetaraan gender yang lebih besar. Dengan menganalisis masalah penelitian seputar ketidaksetaraan dalam industri garmen, penelitian ini berupaya memberikan kontribusi substansial terhadap diskursus dan memberikan rekomendasi yang dapat ditindaklanjuti untuk perubahan positif. Penelitian ini beraspirasi untuk membentuk lanskap yang inklusif di mana potensi semua individu direalisasikan sepenuhnya terlepas dari gender.
Identifikasi Kuliner Tradisional Suku Dayak di Desa Tanap Kecamatan Kembayan Kabupaten Sanggau Kalimantan Barat
Authors: Fransiska Fransiska
Published: March 2024

Semakin majunya masyarakat menyebabkan makanan tradisional semakin hari semakin ditinggalkan oleh masyarakat. Di Kalimantan Barat sendiri sebenarnya mempunyai begitu banyak jenis masakan, minuman, kudapan dari berbagai bahan dasar yang ada ditiap-tiap daerah. Desa Tanap merupakan desa yang berada di Kecamatan Kembayan, kabupaten Sanggau, suku yang mendiami adalah suku Dayak. Dari hasil observasi diketahui bahwa ada jenis-jenis makanan tradisional yang belum teridentifikasi sehingga perlu diketahui keberadaannya. Adapun tujuan dalam penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengolahan masakan-masakan tradisioanal khas suku dayak di Desa Tanap, Kecamatan Kembayan, Kabupaten Sanggau serta mengetahui kaitannya dengan budaya dan tradisi di desa tersebut. Dari hasil penelitian ditemukan jenis-jenis masakan tradisioanal khas suku dayak bidayuh di Desa Tanap seperti makanan yaitu Usap (masakan dalam bambu), masakan Bunga Tipo, masakan rebus dengan bahan rebung segar, tengkuyung hitam, daun mpareih, dan garam, masakan keladi, daun ubi tumbuk, tempoyak, sobour (pekakas organ dalam tubuh hewan babi), terong asam bakar, bahnannya ikan teri mentah, bawang kucai, jahe, daun jahe dan garam, pekasam rebung. Sedangkan untuk kue ditemukan yaitu lemang dan dange serta minuman tuak. Tuak terdiri dari tuak putih, tuak hitam dan tuak merah. Makanan-makanan tradisional ini sangat berkaitan dengan adat istiadat didesa misalnya kue dange, lemang putih, lemang bersantan dihidangkan dalam jamuan pesta pernikahan, acara mporisowo (gawai tebas, gawai anak padi, gawai panen padi/gawai besar). Caranya pun dengan menggunkaan kayu bakar dan bambu sebagai wadah.
Relationship between Academic Freedom and Academic Performance of Student Teachers
Authors: Kausar Rubina , Shahzadi Uzma , Malik Sadia
Published: March 2024

The study is conducted to examine the students' perceptions on academic freedom. The main objective of the study was to determine the   relationship   between   academic freedom and academic performance of prospective teachers at university of Sargodha. The study was quantitative in nature. Target population of the present study was all student teachers enrolled in the department of education. University of Sargodha. Convenient sampling techniques was used to select a representative sample (n=236) of the population. Descriptive statistics (mean standard deviation percentage and frequencies) and inferential statistics (t-test and correlation test) were used for the analysis of the data collected. The major findings of the study were that there is no difference between academic freedom of male and female prospective teachers and there is weak positive relationship in academic performance and academic freedom of prospective teachers.so it is recommended that policies for academic freedom might be formulated by the institutes and an extensive study to explore academic freedom and its relationship with academic performance of students in academic institutes.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (Kap) Toward Covid-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Pakistan
Authors: Bano Sumaira , Chaudhary Ayesha , Mahmood Babak
Published: March 2024

Covid-19 has quickly transformed the lifestyles and behaviors of people across the globe. It has claimed millions of lives worldwide and thousands in Pakistan. Pakistan’s national response to the pandemic was effective despite limited resources. The nature of this pandemic was unique and hardly experienced by human beings over the last century. In the absence of an effective cure and reliable vaccination, this pandemic had the potential to devastate human cultures and economies. The only thing that worked before the advent of vaccination has been the use of masks and social distancing. The adoption of these measures by hundreds of millions of people without adequate knowledge was a gigantic task. Therefore, it was important to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of people during the current pandemic to know community tendencies and actual behaviors during emergencies. The study area for the current study was three districts from South Punjab namely Khanewal, Rahimyar Khan and DG Khan. The study employed univariate and bivariate analysis on cross sectional data collected through a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS. After the reliability tests the generated results highlighted that rural people in South Punjab had knowledge of the pandemic, their attitude was positive towards the pandemic however, adoption of precautionary practices was restricted mainly due to socio-economic conditions of rural people in South Punjab. Hence study concluded the adoption of precautionary measures greatly depends upon socio-economic factors like age, gender, education and economic status. The study also highlighted that aggressive media campaigns and structured policy response from the government could lead to quick behavioral transformation among the rural people.
Role of Economic Values, Social Capital, Security and Religiosity in Happiness and Well-being: Evidence from World Value Survey
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Atif , Ayub Maryum , Bashir Furrukh
Published: March 2024

By employing data from the world values survey to analyze Pakistan’s determinants of happiness, the new study has expanded our understanding of happiness.The current analysis focused on the seventh wave of data that was looked at for Pakistan between 2017 and 2020. The entire sample size is roughly 1995 people, and a range of sociodemographic and economic factors are taken into account. The estimation was done using the partial least squares (PLS) approach. Several social and economic factors, including religiosity, economic values, social capital, and security, might affect a person’s happiness, according to some theoretical studies. To yet, empirical research on the factors that influence happiness & wellbeing has produced conflicting results. Empirical research on social capital explains how it affects specific people, families, communities, provinces, or even nations. The level from which data is acquired varies amongst those researches. Investigating if social capital actually improved people’s well-being in Pakistan was interesting in this sense. The PLS model’s results support the findings of the earlier research and show that Security is positively insignificant for instance, it has a favorable impact on happiness,but at 5%, it not statistically significant. Similar to the past findings, wealthy people are discovered to be happier. Religiosity, social capital, and economic values all have a favorable impact on happiness.
Human Capital, Political Instability, Foreign Direct Investment, Infrastructure and Economic Growth: Heterogeneous Causal Linkages
Authors: Bhatti Muhammad Azhar , Khan Rana Ejaz Ali
Published: March 2024

This study examines the heterogeneous causal relationship between human capital, political instability, foreign direct investment, infrastructure and economic growth for 87 global economies. This study used the dynamic panel GMM regression to examine the heterogeneous causal relationship among them from 1984 to 2019. The results confirmed that there exists a heterogenous causal relationship among these indicators, and the findings have significant implications for economic development by political stability, FDI, human capital and infrastructure development because policymakers should focus on creating a situation that boosts the economic growth by focusing this heterogeneous causal relationship between human capital, political instability, foreign direct investment, infrastructure, and economic growth in a comprehensive and integrated manner.
A Study on Consumer Satisfaction using Islamic Fintech with the Moderation Effect of Attitude toward Behavior
Authors: Ahmed Tisman Pasha  , Sonia Hassan  , Raza Zafar
Published: March 2024

This study sought to examine how perceptions usefulness, privacy security and perceived ease of use impact customer satisfaction with perceptions of Islamic FinTech in Pakistan serving as a moderating factor. For this study's analysis, PLS_SEM was employed on a sample size of 450 that was obtained by convenience sampling. Perceived usefulness had a positive and substantial effect on consumer satisfaction, according to the study. The Perceived ease of use also had a substantial impact on customer satisfaction. Also, it was discovered that consumer satisfaction was significantly positively impacted by perceived privacy security. The results also demonstrated that attitudes towards Islamic FinTech had a positive influence on the relationship between perceived ease of use and customer satisfaction. To make a stronger connection between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, privacy security and customer satisfaction, the study further underlines the moderating influence of attitude towards Islamic FinTech. The development and promotion of Islamic FinTech goods and services in Pakistan will be greatly impacted by these findings. There is the need to understand the role of Reg tech alongwith Fintech in this new era of digitalization and VUCA state.
The Case for Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Learning Strategies: Perspective of Marginalized Pakistani University Students
Authors: Iqra Ameer  , Kamran Muhammad , Sajida Parveen
Published: March 2024

The study explored the differences in preferred learning strategies according to students’ academic achievement, age, area, and gender among the university students that were enrolled in various departments of the University of Loralai, Balochistan. We used the survey descriptive quantitative method of research to carry on with this study. Descriptive (mean & SD) and inferential statistics (t-test & one-way ANOVA) were used to determine the differences in the learning strategies as per academic achievement, area, age, and gender of the said University students. The convenience type of sample (N = 396) consisted of students (M= 237, F= 159) from various departments of the University of Loralai, Balochistan. A reliable measure of 17 items spread on 3 factors was used to collect data. The construct validity of the measure, which was obtained by EFA & CFA, was considered from the prior research led in Spain and KSA. The current research revealed the results that all learning strategies were used but among these, the ESS (emotional social support) learning strategy was the most favored one while the MLS (micro learning strategy) was the least favored one. Males and females were found to have significant differences in using the overall learning strategies. Age groups were also found to have significant differences in using the KMMC strategy, ESS strategy, and overall LS. Based on these findings, limitations, and recommendations were enlisted for future studies.
Fostering Inclusive Growth: Exploring Gender Dynamics and Loan Sizes in Microfinance Institutions
Authors: Muhammad Ahmed  , Tahir Safdar Husain , Gulzar Ahmad
Published: March 2024

The financial landscape has witnessed a growing focus on the role of women in driving economic development and achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). The global pursuit of the SDGs, notably in gender equality and women's empowerment, has highlighted the importance of women's economic involvement. Recognizing the critical role that microfinance institutions (MFIs) play in encouraging inclusive economic growth and poverty alleviation, this study investigated how strategic gender dynamics within MFIs affect loan size. The study addresses a critical gap in understanding the gender dynamics within MFIs concerning women's presence at various echelon positions and their involvement, notably evaluating their impact on loan size. The study examines a meticulously curated dataset consisting of 1295 MFIs from 102 countries by analyzing selected gender dynamics such as women's echelon position, women's focus, gender diversity, target market and outreach. The study's findings, distilled into four configurational solutions, gave fascinating insights into the circumstances under which numerous factors interact to determine loan size in MFIs. Core conditions such as target market, women focus and female outreach were identified as critical drivers of loan size outcomes in various configurations. The implications of women's focus were particularly noteworthy, indicating that a concerted effort to prioritize women's engagement can significantly contribute to increased loan size in MFIs. The findings of this study serve as a foundation for establishing a more equitable and prosperous future through empowered women and effective microfinance practices on a global scale.
Exploring Factors Contributing to the Low Conviction Ratio of Rape Cases in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Azeem Hafiz Muhammad , Thaheem Muhammad Sohail , Ramzan Kasuri Muhammad
Published: March 2024

This research paper explores the various factors contributing to the low conviction ratio in sexual offences cases registered in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The practical challenges identified include the registration of cases based on false allegations, defective investigations, false witnesses and fabrication of evidence, reliance on hearsay evidence, presence of hostile witnesses, inconsistencies and shortcomings in the presentation of evidence, imperfect collection and reporting of forensic evidence, contradictions and improvements in witness depositions, delays in reporting crimes and recording statements, as well as the high standard of proving a case beyond a reasonable doubt, which may not be compatible with the societal context. To analyze these practical factors, a research questionnaire was distributed to fifteen prosecutors and fifteen lawyers. Additionally, secondary sources such as law books, articles, case laws, law reports, journals, and publications from non-governmental organizations were considered. The paper highlights that addressing these practical issues on a high priority basis, as recommended within the study, could lead to a decrease in the low conviction ratio. This research underscores the significance of implementing the provided recommendations to improve the overall conviction rate in sexual offences cases in Punjab, Pakistan.
Fostering the Protégé Career Success through Traditional and Relational Mentoring Functions: A Complementary Fit Perspective
Authors: Muhammad Shaukat Malik  , Nawaz Muhammad kashif , Muhammad Sameer Imam
Published: March 2024

In today's dynamic and continuously changing environment, achieving a successful career can be challenging for a protégé. A range of stakeholders, including mentors, influence the protégé's career success in their professional network. Mentors play a crucial role in a protégé's professional network. They are strong predictors of the resources that a protégé can acquire, such as career self-efficacy, which is essential for making informed career decisions and achieving success in professional life. Following this, the current study explores the connection between traditional and relational mentoring functions and career success via the intervening construct of career self-efficacy. Data were gathered from 384 staff employed in Pakistan's private, public, and Islamic banks. PLS-SEM was utilized to analyze the data. The findings show that mentoring functions are significantly related to the career success of protégés, with relational mentoring emerging as a more potent predictor of career success and career self-efficacy than traditional mentoring. Additionally, the findings suggest that protégé career self-efficacy mediates the direct association between mentoring and career success. This study adds to the literature by studying traditional and relational mentoring roles as predictors of protégé career self-efficacy and success. By highlighting the importance of relational mentoring, this study emphasizes the need for employers to develop effective mentoring programs that prioritize establishing supportive and collaborative mentor-protégé relationships.
Asymmetric Volatility Spillover among Macroeconomic Variables and Pakistan Stock Exchange
Authors: Hussain Muzammil , Malik Fahad , Muhammad Ali Mahnaz
Published: March 2024

The present research focused on the association of macroeconomic variables uncertainty with the volatility of stock market in Pakistan. The research explored uncertainties in macroeconomic series by common version of EGARCH and GARCH variances were used as proxies of volatilities. Furthermore, the series were incorporated into mean and variance equations to model spillover effect between stock market and indicators of macroeconomy. The association was additionally checked through VECM and Wald test methods. The investigation used monthly observations from January 2001 to December 2020. Findings revealed a significant causality amid macroeconomic volatility and stock exchange volatility. The outcomes also reconciled with Banumathy and Azhagaiah (2015); Wang (2011). A bilateral causal relationship was found between volatilities of gold prices and manufacturing output with stock market, whereas uni-directional causality was from exchange rate,  inflation and oil prices toward stock market.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Dengue Fever among People in District Multan, Pakistan
Authors: Sameer Sajjad  , Kamran Ishfaq  , Zainab Bibi
Published: March 2024

The present study was conducted to evaluate the Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding dengue fever among people in district Multan, Pakistan. In this study numbers of four towns of Multan (i) Bosan Town (ii) Shah Rukn-e Alam Town (iii) Mosa Pak Town (iv) Mumtazabad Town were selected. Total number of 400 People (217 males and 183 females) 18 years to above 60 years of age, permanent residents of Multan were interviewed. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding dengue were evaluated among people through pre-designed set of questions. Of the 400 respondents, 87% of the respondents already heard about this type of fever, 72% of them considered mosquito bite as cause / mode of spread of this disease. The study reported that among the participants of the study literate people had more and correct information than un-educated people. As regards the prevention of this disease, 83% of study populations were in favor of preventing mosquito bites by the use of anti-mosquito spray while 39% were of the opinion to reduce the mosquito population by attacking the breeding sites. Although most of the individuals in sample population were aware of various aspects of dengue fever but detailed knowledge and awareness were lacking. People need more understanding of the disease particularly its vector characteristics. The study has suggested that there is a need to develop and implement the targeted health education programs that focus on disseminating accurate and accessible information about dengue fever. These programs should address the knowledge gaps identified in the study and be tailored to the specific needs of different demographic groups within the district. Mass media platforms such as television, radio, newspapers, and social media must be used to disseminate the health messages related to dengue fever among general public. The study has also recommended to develop informative content that reaches the wide audience and reinforces the dengue preventive practices.
Lexicographical Landscape: An Investigation into Digital Tools, Preferences, Challenges and Usage Patterns among Pakistani Graduate ESL Learners
Authors: Mamona Yasmin Khan  , Ambreen Ayaz
Published: March 2024

The present study explores the uses, preferences and challenges of ESL learners in using digital lexicographical tools in typical Pakistani context. As technologies continue to shape language learning, the importance of digital lexicographical tools has increased substantially. However, the specific preferences and challenges in using these tools by the ESL learners are less explored in Pakistani context. The researchers employed mixed method approach and floated a questionnaire among 200 ESL learners from public sector universities eliciting their preferences, challenges and frequency of use. Additionally, focus group discussions and individual interviews provide deeper insights into participant’s perspective. Findings of the study reveal that these ESL learners exhibit strong tendency in using digital lexicographical tools (DLTs) due to easy accessibility and convenience in use. Most popular DLTs include Google online dictionary, Oxford Dictionary, thesauruses and Merriam Webster (Mobile Apps).  Nevertheless, the study identifies challenges faced by the participants, such as limited internet connectivity, Google advertisements that impede a successful and trouble-free consultation process, the terminology used to describe the difficult terms they seek is beyond their comprehension lack of teachers’ guidance in selecting appropriate tools. They have positive attitude towards digital lexicographical tools to help them enhance their lexical development and language knowledge. Through DLTs, they have experienced a sense of autonomy and independence in learning.  Furthermore, the study proposed that there is a need to gain guidance from teacher to select an appropriate and suitable digital lexicographical tools and suggested digital lexicographical tools based on their level of understanding.
Exploring The Impact of Tourism Development and Governance on Economic Growth of Developing Economies: Evidence from Driscol-Kraay Approach
Authors: Sadia Mahwish  , Bashir Furrukh , Shahbaz Ali Khan
Published: March 2024

This study undertakes a comprehensive panel data evaluation of 28 developing countries to explore the interconnected dynamics of tourism development, governance, and economic growth in developing economies. GDP is used as a proxy for economic growth and taken as dependent variable while International tourism receipts are used as tourism development and governance stability (GS) was used for governance. FDI and labor force are taken as control variable. In this study, analysis is based on descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, Breusch and Pagan cross section dependency test and second generation unit root tests (occurrence of cross-sectional dependency) have been applied. Moreover, Driscoll and Kraay (DK) standard error (based on fixed effects estimation) technique are used because of Heteroskedasticity, Autocorrelation, and Cross-sectional dependency. The findings indicate a robust positive influence of both tourism development and governance on the economic growth of developing economies. Nevertheless, effective policy interventions are imperative to address governance challenges prevalent in these economies.
A Review on Zoonotic Dermal Infections in Humans
Authors: Javed Anam , Naeem Humaira , Murad Faiza , Sadiq Anam , Nazeer Rafia , Bibi Iqra , Chaudhary Arfa
Published: March 2024

Human skin has a major role in protecting several organs from various microbial attacks. It regulates the body’s temperature and its other normal functions. It is usually possessed by various microbes that may vary in different aspects and impacts on human dermal layer and may lead to serious infections in future. Encounter of human dermal layer to any injury or wound can be a forum for microbes to get entered and cause infection. Most of infections occur due to zoonosis. Anthropozoonosis, zooanthroponosis and amphixenoses are the terms acknowledged for transmit of disease or infections. Zoonosis has three major categories on the basis of type of host, etiological agents and life cycle of pathogens. Each category is further sub-categorized into various possible groups. Domestic animals are generally the primary source for humans to get infected. Human skin is affected by the virus, namely Orf zoonosis having corresponding to the genus Parapoxvirus. It is a major threat to human dermal layer.
Protective effect of Helianthus annuus seeds extract against CCl4-induced hepatocellular damage
Authors: Mughal Tafail Akbar , Ali Shaukat , Shazia Khatoon  , Saeed Khalil  , Mumtaz Shumaila
Published: March 2024

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a hepatotoxin that causes toxicity in animals on its exposure. Hepatotoxins lead to hepatic demage that is treated by generating antioxidant effect. Synthetic and as well as natural drugs are available for this purpose but phyto-based herbal medicines got paramount importance against drug induced hepatotoxicity Current research was conducted to inspect the protective effect of aqueous extract of Helianthus annuus seeds pre-treatment on the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Balb C mice. Study covered the valuation of  the enzymatic activity such as alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and other biochemical components like bilirubin, total protein, catalase, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde bis-(dimethyl acetal) tetra ammonium (MDA). The induction of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) caused rise in plasma ALAT, ASAT, ALP and LDH. Helianthus annuus seeds extract (HA extract) pre-treatment obliterated CCl4-induced deviations in the activities of these enzymes significantly. Bilirubin level increased whereas total protein contents decreased after the induction of CCl4 this effect was reversed by HA extract. Induction of CCl4 caused increased in MDA level while decrease in GSH and catalase. Helianthus annuus seeds extract also abolished these changes. Helianthus annuus seeds extract pre-treatment also prevented CCl4-induced changes in bilirubin and total protein contents. Carbon tetrachloride treatment resulted in huge hepatic damage. This was prevented by Helianthus annuus seeds extract. These results show that Helianthus annuus seeds extract pre-treatment prevented the mice from CCl4-induced hepatic damage, which visibly shows its defensive effects against hepatic damage.
Comparison of Enamel Surface Roughness after Orthodontic Brackets Debonding and Surface Polishing with Restorative and Orthodontic Composites
Authors: Reza Soltani Mohammad , Kazemi Parisa , Mohammad Shirkhani Amir
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Emergence of superficial enamel roughness following orthodontic bracket debonding leads to the accumulation of microbial plaque, resulting in the development of dental caries and compromising the aesthetics and health of the tooth enamel. The objective of this current study is to investigate the Enamel Surface Roughness after Orthodontic Brackets Debonding and Surface Polishing with Restorative and Orthodontic Composites. Materials and Methods: In the present study, three types of composites were used for bonding metal orthodontic brackets. The samples were randomly divided into three cure groups: XT, GC, and SHOFU. Subsequently, the brackets were debonded, and the target surfaces were treated using a carbide bur for one minute by an operator to remove adhesive remnants and be prepared for bonding. The superficial enamel roughness was then examined. Furthermore, the samples were evaluated for the Adhesive Remnant Index before and after adhesive removal and enamel surface preparation. The data were analyzed using ANOVA test and SPSS software version 22. Results: The results indicated that there was no significant difference in surface roughness among the tested groups. However, a significant difference was observed between the surface roughness of the experimental groups and the healthy enamel surface (P<0.05). Moreover, among the different experimental groups, there were statistically significant differences in the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) after bracket debonding, before and after enamel surface cleaning. These differences were primarily due to distinctions between the XT and SHOFU groups, as well as between the GC and SHOFU groups. However, there was no significant difference in ARI before and after enamel surface cleaning between the XT and GC groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate a desirable and acceptable performance of the composite material. It is suggested that future studies focus on a comparative investigation of several cleaning and surface preparation systems.
Development and Validation of Bioanalytical Method for Estimation of Rivaroxaban using RP-HPLC with Liquid liquid extraction in Human Blood Plasma and its application in Bioequivalence Study
Authors: R. Dunbale Saurav , V. Derle Deelip , A. Wakchaure Ashlesha , A. Amrutkar Ashwini , V. More Amol
Published: March 2024

Rivaroxaban is andirect acting oralanticoagulant and factor Xa inhibitor. A simple, selective, precise and rapid RP-HPLC method for estimation of Rivaroxaban (RIVA) in human blood plasma was developed and validated. The sample spike in plasma was extracted using liquid liquid extraction were extracted with the organic solvent ethyl acetate as organic solvent. Apixaban as an internal standard. The compounds were analysed by Agilent HPLC was used with control panel software using UV detector on a Inertsil ODS (250mm x 4.6mm ID;5μ) column with an Flow rate of 1.2mL/min, an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 0.02M Ammonium acetate buffer: Acetonitrile (70:30%v/v). Different sample pre-treatment techniques were evaluated, but Liquid Liquid extraction was found to be satisfactory, with good recovery values of 93.70% for RIVA. The developed method is validated by ICHM10 and USFDA guidelines over the concentration range of 5.00 to 200.00 ng/ml in human blood plasma with R² =0.9993. Within-day precisions and accuracy for RIVA were found in 0.36% to 4.73% and 92.58% to101.82% respectively. The validated RP-HPLC method has been used successfully for both preliminary pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring