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Background: Results-based management (RBM) aims to enhance accountability, transparency and effectiveness in the allocation and utilisation of resources. In the not-for-profit sector, particularly among non-governmental organisations (NGOs), RBM has been pivotal in ensuring interventions are aligned with organisational goals and community needs, thereby maximising impact. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the not-for-profit sector in Zimbabwe by causing unprecedented challenges such as restrictions on movement, supply chain disruptions and economic downturns. Objectives: This study examines the impact of the pandemic on the implementation of RBM within the not-for-profit sector in Zimbabwe. Method: A concurrent mixed methods approach was employed, using a survey of 190 not-for-profit organisations (NPOs), in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with NPO staff. Results: The findings reveal essential influences of COVID-19 on NPOs’ ability to implement RBM, identifying key factors influencing effectiveness during the pandemic, including organisational flexibility, donor support and communication strategies. Additionally, it highlights the need for strengthened capacities, such as data analysis skills and potentially adjusted incentive structures to support effective RBM. Conclusion: The study underscores the inherent challenges of RBM during a crisis, including uncertainty, competing priorities and the potential focus on short-term relief. Contribution: This research contributes to a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities for NPOs implementing RBM during a global crisis. The findings offer valuable insights for NPOs, donors and policymakers to strengthen RBM practices and ensure continued effectiveness in achieving impactful results.

The impact of tilted angles on contact angles of water droplets in digital microfluidics was investigated. Experiments were conducted tilting the chip from 0 to 10 degrees at voltage increments of 50V from 250V to 400V DC. Both advancing and receding contact angles of the water droplets were measured at each angle and voltage combination. As the tilted angle increased from horizontal to 10 degrees, the advancing contact angle generally decreased whereas the receding contact angle increased. This trend held for all tested voltages. The changes were more pronounced at higher tilt angles above 5 degrees. Voltage was also found to influence the contact angles, with both advancing and receding angles decreasing with increasing driving voltage. The results provide insight into how tilted surface angles affect wetting properties in digital microfluidics. By understanding these relationships between contact angles, tilt angles and driving voltages, design parameters like maximum operational tilt angles before droplet pinning or instability can be better determined. The findings may assist in designing and optimizing tilted or three-dimensional digital microfluidic devices and applications.

Flame retardancy is the property that is highly demanded when it comes to deal with plastics in different industries. In this research general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and modified sepiolite clay are melt blended together to fabricate flame retardant nanocomposites. Structural analysis were performed with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Morphological analysis of the fabricated nanocomposites were carried out using scanning electron microscope (SEM). As a result of better clay dispersion in polymer matrix and intermolecular interactions, mechanical properties are also improved. The standard procedure (ASTM D4986-20) was followed for observing the flame retardancy of the fabricated nanocomposites. Tangible decrease is noted upto 48% in burning rate of the optimum sample which reflects improvement in flame retardancy.

SARS-CoV-2 infection, responsible for the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread, causing a global pandemic. COVID-19 can affect any organ system in the body due to overwhelming dysregulated immune response and long-term effects of the disease is still unknown. Endocrine complications associated with COVID-19 is exceedingly rare. Here we present a unique case of a 44-year-old female who developed adrenal insufficiency and central diabetes insipidus following COVID-19 infection.

Remediation and management of Chromium (Cr) contaminated soils for safe usage has been a serious challenge. The aim of present work was to isolate and identify Cr tolerant bacterial strains and assessing their plant growth promoting potential under controlled conditions. Soil samples were collected from Gujrat District, Pakistan, and analyzed for Cr content and bacteria isolation. In-vitro screening was done for chromium tolerance and plant growth-promoting (PGP) abilities. The tolerant isolates which also exhibited PGP abilities were used as inoculants in germination and pot trial experiment. The isolates A5 and A6, identified as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida and Staphylococci saprophyticus through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were found to be tolerant up to 700 mg L-1 of Cr (VI). Both were effective in solubilizing phosphate but only A5 (Pseudomonas plecoglossicida) was able to produce indole acetic acid. A5 also increased the percentage of seed germination from 17 to 46% and spinach plant’s biomass by 44% with respect to the control. Keeping in view the results obtained, A5 (Pseudomonas plecoglossicida) appeared as the best species that was able to tolerate Cr stress and promote plant growth. Further, it can be developed as a bio-inoculant for non-food agricultural applications for remediation of Cr contaminated soils.

Robust scientific evidence exists for occupational group of heavy vehicle drivers in oil and gas transport who are infected with acute fatigue. Numerous recent studies relate driver’s perceived stress and fatigue with dangerous driving behaviours during performance of delivery duties. This study investigates the association between driver’s perceived stress on aberrant driving behaviour and determines fatigue to be the mediation factor. Sample size of 378 male drivers from 10 oil and gas transport companies was selected that operate in peninsular west and east Malaysia, who answered adapted version of Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) in the conducted survey. Structural Equation Model (SEM) was applied that proved aberrant driving behaviours of heavy vehicle drivers can be predicted through driver’s perceived stress and fatigue. Fatigue is a mechanism that mediates the association amongst driver perceived stress and aberrant driving behaviours. In conclusion, the parameter of fatigue mediates between the perceived stress which is an appropriate prediction tool and consequent aberrant driving behaviour of heavy vehicle drivers. This study suggests abatement in individual stress and recommends fatigue management to alter risky and aberrant driving behaviours in order to encourage and give impetus to safe driving culture in oil and gas transportation sector in Malaysia.

This paper investigates the Organizational Learning Capabilities (OLC) affect Organizational innovativeness (OI) on organizational performance (OP). The mediating role of IO on relationship between OLC and OP was also been studied. Analysis is based on data collected from 200 respondents drawn from Pakistan’s Telecom Sectors. Multiple regression analysis had been used to test the hypotheses. This study found that both OLC and OI have a positive impact towards OP. OI also mediates the relationship between OLC and OI. Key word: Organizational Learning Capabilities (OLC), Organizational Performance (OP), Organization Innovativeness (OI).

Underwater gliders are a type of underwater vehicle that transverse the oceans by shifting its buoyancy, during which its wings develop a component of the downward motion in the horizontal plane, thus producing a forward force. They are primarily used in oceanography sensing and data collection and play an important role in ocean research and development. Although there have been considerable developments in these gliders since the development of the first glider concept in 1989, to date, no review of these gliders have been done. This paper reviews existing underwater gliders, with emphasis on their respective working principles, range and payload capacity. All information on gliders available in the public domain or published in literature from the year 2000-2013 was reviewed. The majority of these gliders have an operational depth of 1000 m and a payload of less than 25 kg. The exception is a blend-body shape glider, which has a payload of approximately 800 kg and an operational depth around about 300 m. However, the commercialization of these gliders has been limited with only three know examples that have been successfully commercialized.