bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Andira inermis STEM BARK ON SOME REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS OF MALE WISTAR RATS
Authors: GAYUS AMINU PAULINA  , OBIDAH WILSON  , IDRIS ALIYU KANKARA  
Published: December 2024

Andira inermis stem bark has been used by herbal practitioners in the treatment of many ailments. Its Pharmacological activities include Anti-oxidant activity, haematological activities, hypoglycaemic activity and antiplasmodia activities. This study seeks to evaluate the effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Andira inermis on some gonadal hormones, sperm count and sperm motility. Thirty-two male Wistar rats weighing 100-120g were randomized into Four (4) groups consisting eight (8) rats each. The animals were allowed to undergo acclimatization for 14days. Animals in group 1 served as the control, group 2, 3 and 4 were the treatment groups. Group 1 received free animal feed and water. Group 2, 3 and 4 received 100, 250 and 500mg/kg aqueous extract of Andira inermis stem bark administered orally daily for 90days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, rats were sacrificed and cardiac puncture was used to collect the blood for centrifugation. The extract produced a significant (P<0.05) increase in serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone respectively at 100mg/kg body weight but had no significant effect on luteinizing hormone and testosterone hormone at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg bodyweight compared to normal control. At 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg treatment, follicle stimulating hormone was significantly decreased compared to control. Sperm counts decreased significantly from 22.13±0.53million/ml to 13.00±1.16 million/ml and sperm motility from 11.25±0.41 million/ml to 8.00 ± 0.59 million/ml after treatment. Data was expressed as the mean ± SEM. Statistical comparisons between various treatment groups was determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Development and Validation of Trust in Intimate Partner Scale for Women
Authors: Sultan Hina , Fatima Syeda Samar , Jabeen Tahira 
Published: December 2024

Background: Intimate relationships are built upon trust. With it, there is liberty and security to experience the full potential of intimacy and affection the relationship has to offer.
Objective: Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a reliable and valid indigenous scale for women measuring trust in their intimate partner.
Method: The study was carried out in three phases. In phase one, ten semi structured interviews were conducted with married women to generate items. Relevant literature was also studied thoroughly. In phase two, construct validity of the scale was established through exploratory factor analysis. A convenient sample of 400 women was taken.
Results: Principal component analysis using varimax rotation resulted in three factors i.e., benevolence, predictability, and dependability. The overall variance explained by all these factors accounted for 71.82%. In phase three, psychometric properties of the scale were examined. The alpha reliability of the scale was significantly high α=.85. Discriminant validity of the scale was r= -.72, p<.01.
Conclusion: Hence, it is a valid and reliable indigenous scale to measure trust in intimate partner among women.
Visuals on the Billboards of Automobile Workshops: A Thematic Analysis
Authors: Rasul Sarwet 
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: If we accept the term media, the plural of medium, as broadly meant to be all the channels of communication, and any form of information that can influence people, billboard advertising is a significant medium. Three major roles of media include to educate, inform and entertain; and when it comes to billboard advertisements they serve at least the first two purposes that is to educate and inform. Billboards as a means of advertising exploit linguistic and visual resources for meaning making. The current paper examines the visual literacy practices as exhibited on the billboards of auto-mechanic workshops in Pakistan from the thematic perspective.
Methodology: The research is based on the data collected from three localities of Rawalpindi and the surrounding areas within 100 kilometers radius including: 1) Rawalpindi City 2) Murree City, Company Bagh, Murree Expressway 3) and Dinna, and Gujjar Khan. These workshops are representatives of two social classes, the middle-middle class and the lower-middle class. Visuals on the billboards of these workshops are captured and examined to find out what are the thematic threads running across this visual data. While mainly Wang’s (2014) framework is adapted, Visual Grammar by Kress and Van Leeuwen (1996, 2001, 2006) and Critical Discourse Analysis by Fairclough (1989, 1995) are the conceptual feeding-streams for the analysis in the current research.
Findings: Discursive narrative analysis of the visuals is focused upon for visual interpretation which enables the researcher to identify some broad themes running across the visuals of billboards at micro and macro levels such as claiming authenticity, professional specialization, metaphor of wealth, and modality as a visual literacy practice.
Conclusion: The research provides insights into the literacy practices observed on the billboards of automobile workshops through the use of visuals; and sheds light on the social aspects of these practices.
Effect of Brand Image on Consumer Buying Behaviour with Mediating Role of Psychological Factors and Moderating Role of Personal Factors
Authors: Khan Ferryal , Kamran Sohail , Malik Fozia , Sarfraz Sania 
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: This paper aims to test the relationship among brand image and consumer buying behavior. The gap incorporated in this study is the mediating role of psychological and moderating role of personal factors in the relationship of brand image and consumer buying behavior which is studied very rare in previous research.
Methodology: Keeping in view the perception and observation of Urban Females of Pakistan that they are more conscious in purchase of designer’s brands and even designers also target female segment in their promotional campaigns. Therefore, data from (200) respondents was gathered through a five-point Likert Scale questionnaire from Rawalpindi and Islamabad cities of Pakistan. Moderation and Mediation tests were carried out along with Correlation and Reliability Analysis.
Results: The findings illustrate a noteworthy impact of brand image on consumer buying behaviour. Moreover, a significant moderation and mediating impact of the personal and psychological factors was also observed. This study employs Horward and Sheth’s Theory of Buyer Behaviour for assessing the influence of brand image on consumer buying behavior.
Conclusion: The study findings could also help marketing managers and fashion designers in designing policies regarding brand image as it can contribute in boosting a positive brand image in prospective buyer’s mind. Finally, the paper also highlights the study limitations and avenues for future research.
The Role of Financial and Entrepreneurial Literacy in Developing Graduate Entrepreneurial Intentions: Larkana and Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Dayo Abdul Jabbar , Jatoi Muhammad Masihullah , Shaikh Naveed Ahmed 
Published: December 2024

Purpose – This research paper aimed to determine the role of financial and entrepreneurial literacy in developing graduate entrepreneurial intentions (GEI) among graduates and undergraduates of Larkana and Sukkur universities / higher education institutes.
Design/Methodology/Approach –The quantitative survey method was used. 409 students filled out a five-point Likert Scale questionnaire and data were analyzed and interpreted data by using the SPSS 26 version (descriptive results and pie charts) and Smart PLS 3.3.5 version (measurement model: factor loadings, reliability and validity and structural models: hypotheses testing, and mediation results).
Findings –The study discovered that financial literacy has negative influence on graduate entrepreneurial intentions (GEI) while entrepreneurial literacy positively influence on GEI. Financial and entrepreneurial literacy positively influences on ATNVC and ATNVC also has positive influence on GEI. Mediation results showed that the mediating variable had no mediation between financial literacy and graduate entrepreneurial intentions. However, the mediating variable has a partial median between entrepreneurial literacy and graduate entrepreneurial intentions to start a business in the future.
Practical Implications – To endorse the financial and entrepreneurial literacy among graduate entrepreneurial intentions as these have significant impact on business succession and it could be enhanced by different university courses, trainings, and workshops etc. to help student to open new business to reduce unemployment and also boost country’s economy.
Originality/Value – This study contributed to the literature on financial literacy, entrepreneurial literacy, graduate entrepreneurial intentions, and entrepreneurship education. This study will help the country's economy because it teaches individuals how to manage money both personally and in business, which will ultimately help them be more entrepreneurial and open more business opportunities.
Influence of Social Media Sites on Youth’s Purchasing Habits
Authors: Arshad Asif , Baber Muhammad Qamar Zaman , Abbas Zaki , Hassan Madiha 
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: E–commerce is one of the growing modes of shopping. In this method there are various ambiguities but as per new generation it is very popular and cheap way of shopping. The social media like Facebook & Instagram give it a new hype. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have significantly contributed to its proliferation. This quantitative study aimed to analyze the influence, preferences, and perspectives of university and college students regarding social media advertisements.
Methodology: The quantitate study conducted to find out the influence of social media particularly Facebook and Instagram among youth’s purchasing habits, the main objective of this research was to analysis the impact, preference and views of University and College students about social media advertisement. The researchers make 2 hypotheses and apply some test to explore the role of social media among different genders regarding purchasing. The data has been analyzed through SPSS and results are manipulated in tabular and graphical form.
Findings: The findings reveal that frequent engagement with social media significantly influences both male and female preferences towards e-shopping. However, the analysis suggests that males tend to exhibit a higher inclination towards e-commerce compared to females, despite both genders showing a preference for online shopping due to their active presence on social media.
Conclusion: It is concluded that frequent visiting of female and male on social media give preference to E-shopping but female has less influence as compare to male.
Agency Autonomy in Pakistan: Exploring the Role of Agency Task in Public Sector Organizations
Authors: Rizwan Aisha , Zahra Abiha 
Published: December 2024

Aim of the study: This article aims to empirically explore the effect of the task a public agency performs on its managerial autonomy. The structural-instrumental perspective theorizes that the structure and task of organizations are the principal features based upon which public agencies are granted a certain degree of autonomy.
Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research methodology by surveying federal public agencies in Pakistan. Data was collected from heads of 145 public agencies by adopting the key respondent approach. It tested hypotheses regarding the perceived autonomy of federal agencies, variation in tasks across these agencies and the role that the task of the agency plays in explaining its autonomy. Data was coded and labelled in SPSS and statistical tests of bivariate correlation were performed. Cross-tabulations were also used to analyze the relationship between the primary task of an agency and its level of managerial autonomy.
Findings: The findings of the study indicated that the overall managerial autonomy of federal public agencies in Pakistan was perceived to be low. Moreover, the task of the agency was found to have a negligible effect on agency autonomy.
Conclusion: The study suggests that considering the contextual and structural features of a country other than agency tasks need to be tested to explain agency autonomy. Agencies are involved in multiple tasks that lead to complexity in task measurement and its impact on autonomy. This has to be taken into account while designing autonomy of agencies. The findings can help policymakers and public managers to adopt public sector governance arrangements and structural and procedural reform initiatives conducive to the successful implementation of managerialism.
Resistance and Reconstruction of the Black Self in Richard Wright’s Native Son: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Rahim Abdul , Khattak Manzoor Ahmad , Khattak Hoor Shamail 
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: This study also aims to analyze Bigger’s character as an embodiment of violent resistance which helped to humanize black identity, avoid objectification, and remove indifferences.
Methodology: The critical and close analysis of Richard Wright’s Native Son significantly highlights that Wright's construction of the main character Bigger, a colonized black native engaged in the struggle for freedom and self-definition, subscribes to Frantz Fanon’s concept of violent resistance.
Findings: For Fanon, the use of violence when no option is available helps to build safety and freedom. Wright depicts the theme of violence to create Bigger’s black identity in a white-dominant American society where blacks are dehumanized and completely alienated.
Conclusion: Resistance encourages colonized and enslaved people to struggle and liberate themselves, transforming them from suppression, injustices, and unequal power relationships to freedom, equality, and self-esteem. The centuries-long plight of the African Americans and their resistance to liberation are worthy of representation in the literary world.
Determining the Association between the Impact of Education and Changing Institutional Network
Authors: Imran  , Gul Rais , Muhammad Badshah 
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: The core objective of this research was to determine the association between the impact of education and changing institutional network while controlling gender as a background variable at a multivariate level.
Methodology: The study was carried out in district Swat and the sampled respondents (n=250) were chosen from the seven tehsils of the study locale based on a non-probability sampling procedure. The data were processed and analyzed on quantitative grounds at bivariate and multivariate levels using a questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. Further, the data was indexed and results were drawn through the Chi-square test coupled with Gamma (ℽ) statistics at the bivariate level and Kendall Tau-C (Tc) at the multivariate level respectively.
Findings and Conclusion: The results revealed a significant relationship between the impact of education and changing institutional networks. Furthermore, the values of Kendall Tau-C and Chi-Square depicted spurious relationships among the impact of education and change in institutional network while controlling gender. The study concludes that the role of education in bringing change in the institutional network is significant whereas, about gender, the tendency of modernization was noticed higher in males than females.
Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Social Behaviour of Higher Secondary Level Students
Authors: Shah Muhammad Anees-Ul-Husnain , Jan Anam , Shaheen Mudasra 
Published: December 2024

The present study designed to compare relationship between emotional intelligence and social, behavior of higher secondary level students. In recent years the focus on improving Education has been increasing and main focus is to motivate young students towards serious study attitude. In the aforementioned study the descriptive research method was employed. Data was collected by conducting a survey using questionnaires as a tool. After data collection, the collected data was analyzed by using different types of tests. The population of this study was made up of 11th graders enrolled in Government HSSC in Dera Ghazi Khan Division. The standardized tool developed by BarOn (EQ-i) and the results of students in Part I Examination 2019 were used as data collection. The tool was modified as per environmental situation with the help of an expert panel. Due to this inventory’s validity and reliability many researchers have utilized it for decades. The social behavior inventory was the second tool and it was altered and customized by scholars in collaboration with the supervisor. It was meant to explore the social, behaviors of higher secondary level, undergraduates with family members, peers, and within the HSSC. The result shows significant association between social behavior of a student with a classmate study content HSSC atmosphere and level of Emotional intelligence. The research found that EI was highly correlated with social behavior and not correlated with the academic success of pupils. The conclusions advise that importance should be given to the understanding of 11th standard students’ EI. Training should be given by experts to modify and organize the emotions of students to decrease the unexpected behavior in HSSC Education.
“How are you?” A Rhetorical Question in Plath’s The Bell Jar
Authors: Aamir Khadija , Binth e Zia Atifa , Akbar Anila 
Published: December 2024

Asking the question, how are you, has been the tradition enrooted in each society, but the focus on the answer has never been the priority. How are you, is a rhetorical question, where the addresser’s credibility does not let the addressee answer it correctly. Sylvia Plath in her novel, The Bell Jar not only raises such questions but also shatters the stereotypical notions of perceived mental illness, and how it should be taken seriously. The paper aims to dismantle the misunderstood notions around the novel, The Bell Jar by analyzing the binary opposition of how are you and I am fine and intends to find the undercurrent meaning shrouded in its grey areas through Plath’s character, Esther. Esther’s personality is caged between the six specific domains of self-concept, and continuously felt placed in the position of “other” by society. Sylvia Plath is a modern writer who challenged the cycle of society through her only novel, The Bell Jar. Esther, the protagonist is constantly in the fight and is torn between the desire to rebel and to belong to the community at the same time. To understand this pretentious question in the novel The Bell Jar, we need to understand the power of persuasion through its three building blocks, logos, ethos, and pathos. Hence, to analyze this rhetorical question, the paper will also evaluate Esther’s dialogic relationships through Aristotle’s rhetoric theory and Lacan’s mirror stage narrowed within six domains of self-concept.
Pakistani Weightlifters and Power Production: Role of Protein Chelated Iron (Iron Bisglycinate / Ferrochel)
Authors: Adnan Muhammad Abdul Jabar , Butt Muhammad Zafar Iqbal , Khan Alamgir 
Published: December 2024

Aims of the Study: Iron is of utmost importance in the human body due to its essential functions. The objectives of the current research are to test the effect of Ferrochel on the change in the level of Blood hemoglobin level (g/dL) and the change in the best weightlifting capacity of a Professional level Weightlifter of Pakistan.
Research Methodology: Experimental Research pattern was adopted for this research in which a pre-test post-test research design was used by segregating the total sample (n=40) into an experimental group (n=20) and control group (n=20) and treated with Ferrochel (orally) and placebo to both groups respectively for a period of two months alongside a game-specific generalized training program for weightlifters.
Results: Results showed a markable increase in the average best weightlifting capacity (29.94 Kgs) as well as the average blood hemoglobin level (4.71g/dL) of Weightlifters of the experimental group and non-noticeable change in for average best weightlifting capacity (2.96 Kgs) and average blood hemoglobin level (0.58 g/dL).
Conclusion: Research concluded that there is a positive effect of Ferrochel supplementation on Strength and Power development weightlifters by increasing blood hemoglobin level as it causes an increase in serum ferritin level and better muscle recovery.
Secondary School Students’ Level of Awareness about the Causes of Environmental Change in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan
Authors: Noreen Samina , Khan Zafar , Kamran Muhammad 
Published: December 2024

This study intends to assess students' attitudes at secondary-level schools about the causes of environmental changes and related issues across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. All human beings, especially students at the school level, need to understand the fragility of our environment and the importance of its protection to create a bright future. In the study, the researcher used a quantitative approach by surveying 10th class (N=169782) students’ of 2227 Public Secondary schools. A multi-stage sampling technique was applied to determine the sample size through four (4) stages, namely; a random selection of 7 districts from seven divisions of KP, referring to the number of male/female schools in the selected districts, a random selection of 10 schools in each randomly selected district and identifying one section of science and one section of humanities of 10th class as the participants for the purpose. Researchers have used a self-developed data collection tool (self-reported test) made from the science syllabus of the 10th class. In the instrument, the study objective was reflected from item1 to item14 only. The instrument was made valid and reliable through expert opinions and the pilot testing method. Overall, the study results showed that all the students had satisfactory awareness of the causes of environmental change. It also revealed significant differences regarding demographic variables such as students from the science and humanities section, gender, and area. Results were discussed, and recommendations were given regarding the environmental changes so that all students across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the country could cope with the changes.
Specific Learning Difficulties of Secondary School Students in Pakistan: A Survey based on Teachers’ Perceptions
Authors: Saifullah  , Akhter Nasreen 
Published: December 2024

The presented research is conducted in the context of prevailing specific learning difficulties (SLD) of secondary grade students. The objective of this descriptive quantitative research was to investigate the rate of specific learning difficulties and their contributing factors. For evaluating the extent of SLD in secondary grade students and perceived factors that promote SLD, a data-collection instrument made up of three sections was deigned. The participants of this study were male and female teachers of secondary classes (n=800) in Punjab, the most populous province of Pakistan. After obtaining results of descriptive analysis the findings of study were analyzed and discussed. The results allowed to conclude that extent of SLD in secondary grade students are moderate. Investigation results suggest that to support students with SLD, Pakistani schools should introduce Universal Learning Design.