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Background: Traditional thinking places high Intelligence Quotient (IQ) as the most important predictor of success but its contribution is only half that of Emotional Intelligence (EI), the ability to manage emotions. EI encompasses several skills, all of which need to be mastered for professional and personal success. Objectives: To determine the emotional intelligence level of medical students at a private medical college in Lahore, Pakistan, and to see its association with gender and years of study. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2022. Convenience Sampling was used to select 370 medical students at a private college in Lahore, Pakistan, who filled out a questionnaire to measure their emotional intelligence. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. Results: The majority scored in the middle range of EI, with a mean score of 58.6±7.8 (out of a possible lowest score of 20 and highest of 80). There was a significant association of EI with gender as well as with years of study. Males had higher total EI scores than females (p.002), as well as higher mean EI score of 59.9±8 compared to 56.9±7.3 for females (p.001). Students from higher classes had higher total scores as well as higher mean scores than those from lower classes (p.001) and (p.001) respectively. Conclusions: Half the respondents got mid-range EI scores. While there were very few low scores, only a third scored in the desirable higher ranges indicating a need for counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic protocols capable of incorporating acyl based functional moieties have been proved fruitful to develop variety of carbonyl containing organic molecules. Substituted‐aromatic ketones are important motifs in different natural products and biologically active pharmaceuticals. Substituted aromatic ketones based compounds have been proved effective as antioxidant, antiallergic, antimicrobial, antimitotic, anticholinergic, antiinflammatory, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic age, anticancer, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and antiviral agents, Transition metals are necessary part of modern catalytic systems for carbonylative transformations. Carbonylative coupling reaction involves direct introduction of carbonyl fragment for synthesis of biaryls, aryl/alkyl ketones through transition metals based catalytic systems. In this review, we have reported the synthesis of biaryls, aryl/alkyl ketones by using different feed stocks in presence of various transition metal catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development is the ultimate objective of the nations around the world, and the adoption of development strategies is the driving force for obtaining long-run economic growth, environmental protection and social inclusion. On other hand, globalization integrates the countries around the globe economically, politically and socially. Thus, it is vital to conduct a study on the impact of globalization on sustainable development in Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, as most of the countries are in a transition state from socialism to capitalism and are opening their doors to the world. Globalization comprises three main components, which are economic, political and social. Henceforth, this study investigates the effect of economic globalization, political globalization and social globalization on sustainable development. Energy has been highlighted in the literature and received attention from researchers as a factor of income and environmental quality; thus, it is added as a control variable in this study. The long-run relationships among variables are established through panel cointegration once the order of integration is determined. This study finds a positive and significant effect of economic globalization and political globalization on sustainable development, whereas energy consumption is deteriorating in CIS countries. Policy implications are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare peri and early post-operative complications in long versus short proximal femoral nails for unstable proximal femoral fractures. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Orthopaedic Department, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, Jan to Sep 2021. Methodology: We included all the patients who suffered from unstable proximal femur fractures diagnosed by a consultant orthopedic surgeon based on clinical and radiological findings. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group-A was managed by a long proximal femoral nail, while Group-B was managed by a short proximal femoral nail. Both groups were compared for peri-and early post-operative complications. Results: The final analysis included 110 patients. The mean age of the study participants was 63.66±8.553 years. 79(71.8%) were male, while 31(28.2%) were female. Peri-and early post-operative complications were not statistically different in both groups except for the duration of surgery. Patients undergoing long proximal femoral nail fixation had more chances of having surgery lasting more than 40 minutes than patients undergoing short femoral nail fixation (p-value-0.004). Conclusion: The peri-and early post-operative complications rate was almost similar in both groups. Patients undergoing long proximal femoral nail fixation had more chances of having prolonged surgery than patients undergoing short femoral nail fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates thermal and combustion kinetics of raw and bio-char samples of eucalyptus wood and bark. Raw samples of eucalyptus wood and bark were subjected to pyrolysis at temperatures of 300, 350, 400, and 450°C. The maximum mass yield was obtained at 350°C for both bio-char samples of wood and bark. Gross calorific value, proximate, ultimate, and chemical analyses of the raw and their derived bio-chars showed high energy yield of bio-chars as compared to raw samples. Thermal analysis of raw and their respective bio-chars was also studied using thermogravimetric analysis in air at heating rates of 25, 35, and 45°C min−1. Raw wood and bark in comparison to their bio-chars showed delayed ignition that resulted in increase of ignition, peak, and burn-out temperatures. Mean reactivity of raw and bio-char samples was obtained using Ghetti model that showed higher reactivity of raw samples than bio-chars. Kinetic parameters including activation energy and order of reaction were found using Arrhenius model. For different heating rates, activation energies lied in the range of 61–108 kJ mol−1 (wood) and 42–79 kJ mol−1 (bark). Higher carbon contents in the bio-char samples resulted in higher activation energies than raw samples. This increasing carbon contents trend also furnished increase activation energies of bio-chars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to investigate the mediating role of Global Technical Standards (GTS) on Voice of Customers (VOC) and Sustainable Supply Chain (SSP) in halal meat industry of Pakistan.This study used mixed methodology in a two-phase investigation, results of analysis have focused on the Halal Meat Industry. In phase-I, study has generated QFD model through Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA). The participants were fourteen domain experts of Pakistan Halal Meat Industry. In phase-II a total of 250 responses were generated from domain experts of Pakistan's halal meat industry using a five-point Likert scale for quantitative analysis.The findings show that the top management and domain experts of halal meat industry need to incorporate global quality standards.Itwill surely lead to high productivity and exports.This article serves as a guide to acquiring sufficient knowledge of the global technical standards to make sure sustainable supply chain performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poultry litter was subjected to water and diluted mineral acids leaching for nutrients extraction followed by its thermal and kinetic analysis. Nitric acid treatment yielded optimum results showing an increase of 33%, 30%, and 60%, in fixed carbon, volatile matter, and gross calorific values, respectively. Macronutrients prior and after the leaching process were found to be decreased to 50% in leached samples. Ignition and burn out temperatures were not affected with heating rates, whereas an inverse effect was found for activation energy during thermogravimetric and kinetic analysis. However, peak temperature was increased to 100°C and 50°C in case of water treated and untreated & nitric acid treated samples, respectively. The results showed potential utilization of extracted poultry litter in the energy matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the functional outcome of unilateral peroneus longus autograft in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Orthopedic Department, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, from Jul 2020 to Jun 2021. Methodology: We included all the patients who underwent ipsilateral peroneus longus autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Fixation was achieved with a bio-absorbable screw on the tibial side and an endobutton on the femoral side. Lateral or medial menisectomy was performed according to the requirement. Post-op X-rays were done to assess the position of the endobutton and tibial tunnel. Eight millimetres tunnels were drilled, and the tendon was tailored accordingly. Results were assessed for pain, infection, range of motion and instability after three months of surgical procedure. Results: A total of 52 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the study participants was 33.36±6.353 years. At the end of three months, pain 6(11.5%) and restricted range of motion 6(11.5%) were the common untoward outcomes reported by the patients. High body mass index and lack of engagement in physiotherapy had a statistically significant relationship with the presence of untoward outcomes in our study (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: Peroneus longus is a strong, robust autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with excellent functional results. Very few patients had untoward effects, and those, too, were of mild intensity. Patients with high body mass index and those not engaging in physiotherapy emerged as high-risk patients for having untoward effects after the surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of the addition of complexing agents on the removal efficiency of sulphur and ash contents during chemical leaching by acidified hydrogen peroxide. Representative coal sample from Lakhra was subjected to chemical leaching under various conditions of the parameters including time (60 and 120 min), temperature (25 and 50°C), complexing agents (citric acid and phosphoric acid) and the concentration of complexing agents (100 and 1000 ppm). The addition of complexing agents, i.e. citric acid and phosphoric acid imparted significant effects on improving the removal efficiency of sulphur and ash contents. Under optimized conditions, it was found out that the addition of citric acid improved the removal efficiency for sulphur from 63.88 to 83.47% and from 33.12 to 66.25% for ash. In case of phosphoric acid, the removal in sulphur and ash contents was increased from 63.77 to 80.77% and from 33.12 to 59.18%, respectively. Apparently, citric acid happened to be the most effective complexing agent, as compared to phosphoric acid. These results warrant subsequent detailed studies for further optimization of the process, including the use of some other complexing agents, as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-liquefaction of Thar coal with waste plastic and waste oil was carried out to get high-quality fuel from waste. Four major variables, temperature, residence time, hydrogen pressure and coal: waste plastic ratio, oil: coal and oil: waste plastic ratios were investigated. According to results, maximum oil yield was obtained at 400°C temperature, 100psi pressure, 60 min residence time, and oil: coal: waste plastic ratios of 6:2:2. An FTIR result and 13C NMR analysis have shown extracted oil contains almost 84% aliphatic compounds and 16% aromatic compounds. Among aliphatic, there is more %age of diesel fraction. Extracted residue can also be used as a fuel in cement industry and in power generation plants because it contains almost 83-84% carbon with less than 1% sulfur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation on co-combustion of Lakhra coal and rice husk blends was carried out in a drop tube furnace to measure its impact on flue gas emissions and carbon burnout. According to experimental results, the emissions of NO and SO2 were higher in case of combustion of Lakhra coal compared to coal​-rice husk blends combustion. The emissions of CO decreased rapidly at higher furnace temperatures beyond 900°C. Minimum of CO emissions were nearly 45 ppm while SO2 and NO emissions were found to be 554 and 120 ppm, respectively, for 15% biomass blending ratio and at exit furnace temperature of 1000°C. The unburnt carbon was found to be reduced significantly with an increase in furnace temperature and blending ratio. The study has shown that blending of rice husk would be a useful option to minimize SO2 and NO emissions during combustion of Lakhra coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was taken to evaluate pesticide quality and their impact on crop. Total 14336 number of pesticide samples were received for quality evaluation from 2006 to 2012. The data was analysed statistically at 5% level of significance and treatment means were worked out. The results revealed that out of 14336 analysed samples, 13541 (94.5%) were declared fit for crop use whereas the remaining 795 (5.5%) were found to be unfit. The trend in generic and branded unfit samples between the years 2006 to 2012 revealed that the agencies marketing branded pesticides had better quality than generic ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three biomasses likeEucalyptus, Azadirachata, andFicus religiosawere torrefied to investigate the effect of temperature and residence time was investigated on torrefied biomasses for yield, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash, and Gross calorific value (GCV). Thermogravimetric analysis and Hardgrove grindability index (HGI) of three torrefied samples were studied at optimum conditions of temperature and residence time. According to the results, an optimum temperature was found to be 260°C at 45 min residence time. A maximum GCV of torrefied biomasses ofEucalyptus, Azadirachata, andF. religiosawere found to be 4,301, 3,190, and 3,278 kcal/kg, respectively. According to thermogravimetric analyzer results, theAzadirachatahas shown higher weight loss compared toEucalyptusandF. religiosaduring thermogravimetirc study. The weight loss rate forAzadirachatawas maximum to nearly 12.8%/min compared to 6.11 and 5.12%/min forEucalyptusandF. religiosa, respectively. The order of reactivity based on mean reactivity and combustion characterization factor was found to beAzadirachata indica > Eucalyptus > F. religiosa. According to HGI results,Eucalyptus, Azadirachata, andF. religiosahave shown HGI values of 71, 60.7, and 81.7, respectively. The results of this study could be useful for the energy recovery schemes in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The selective mining activities have generated a huge quantity of poor grade coal that is rich in mineral matter and sulfur content and has piled up in whole mining site at Lakhra. This highly oxidized and mineral matter rich coal has been upgraded by reverse floatation. Three process parameters such as pH (7, 8, 9, 10, 11), particle mesh size (60, 100, 150, 200), and % solids (10, 15, 20, 25, 30) in flotation pulp have been investigated with respect to their effect on sulfur and ash reduction. According to results of this study, parameters such as particle size of 100 mesh (150 μm), pH 9 and 20% solids were found to be optimum removing 63.7% of ash and 72.9% of sulfur from coal and coal recovery of 61.3%. Moreover, the heating value of coal also improved from 3924 kcal/kg to 5500 kcal/kg ~ 40.16% enhancement. The recovery of combustibles and gangue at optimum conditions was found to be 60.31% and 39.1% respectively. The clean coal thus obtained containing 12.7% ash, 1.5% sulfur, and 5500 kcal/kg heating value can be used as an energy source for cement manufacturing, in utility boilers, and production of smokeless briquettes for domestic and industrial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effect of intrathecal tramadol added to bupivacaine to prolong the duration of analgesia in subarachnoid block for lower limb orthopedic surgeries. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Place and Duration of Study: Anesthesia department of Combined Military Hospital Sialkot, from Nov 2015 to Apr 2016. Material and Methods: Patients were selected by non-probability consecutive sampling. One hundred and fifty patients from American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I, II and III category fulfilling inclusion criteria undergoing various lower limb orthopedic surgeries were divided into two groups by lottery system. Group tramadol bupivacaine (TB) received 25mg (1 ml) of tramadol plus 2ml (10mg) of 0.5% bupivacaine while group bupivacaine alone (SB) received 1 ml normal saline plus 2ml (10mg) of 0.5% bupivacaine. Time to first analgesia request was noted as a measure of duration of analgesia. Time of onset of sensory block level and peak sensory block level and time to reach the peak sensory block level were also noted. Quality of anesthesia was compared among two groups. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Results: Four patients were excluded from the study. The duration of anesthesia was effectively prolonged in group TB 181.56 ± 12.42 mins as compared to group SB 120.93 ± 15.54 mins. VAS score was significantly lower in group TB. Higher peak sensory block levels (T6) were achieved in group TB as compared to group SB. However time to reach the peak sensory block levels were significantly longer in group TB. (4.5 ± 0.47mins vs 3.09 ± 0.54 mins). Conclusion: This study showed that intrathecal tramadol (25mg) can safely be used along with bupivacaine in subarachnoid blockade to prolong the duration of analgesia and improve the quality of anesthesia as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to investigate the direct co-pyrolysis of blends comprising lignite coal and waste tires. The effects of various parameters that include coal to waste tires ratio, temperature, pressure, hydrogen donor concentration, and retention time were investigated. From the results, an optimum oil yield obtained with 50:50 coals to waste tires ratio was found to be 36% with maximum gross calorific values of 5501 Kcal/kg. Fourier transform infrared resonance spectra (FTIR) suggested the presence of aromatic and aliphatic linkages along with hydroxyl group and carbonyl functional groups. According to nuclear magnetic resonance analysis (NMR), the aromatic and aliphatic fractions were found to be 65% and 35%, respectively, with 50:50, coal to waste tires blend. The presence of carbon fractions from C16 to C36 was found in liquid oil through gas chromatograph mass spectroscopic analysis (GC-MS). The results of study could be applied to the commercial production of pyrolysis oil through pyrolysis of waste tires and coal largely available in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study deals with the extraction and characterization of humic acids from low rank coals of Thar, Chakwal, and Quetta. Three respective coal samples were initially oxidized with 2% HNO3and then treated with 2.5, 3, and 3.5% KOH solutions for the extraction of humic acid. The 3.5% concentration of KOH was found to be the optimum for the extraction of humic acid. The extracted humic acid was investigated for its quantitative assessment through gravimetric and UV spectrophotometer procedures. The gravimetric method showed 24.6, 13.6, and 18.0% of humic acid extraction from Thar, Chakwal, and Quetta coals, respectively, whereas the humic acid determined by UV spectrophotometry was 29.67, 20.1, and 22.6% for the same sample sequence. FTIR analyses of extracted humic acid samples have shown the presence of carboxylic, phenols, alcoholic, and amines functional groups. The13C NMR spectra of three humic acids have exhibited the broad diversity of aliphatic and aromatic compounds such as carboxylates, carbohydrates, ethylene, phenols, and amines. The results of the study could be useful for selection of suitable coals for humic acid extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to develop a correlation for the prediction of calorific values of high ash lignite coals. The multiple linear regression models were developed for estimation of calorific values of high ash Pakistani lignite coals. Three models were developed based on proximate components such volatile, ash, and fixed carbon, on as-received, moist free coal datasets from Khushab, Mianwali, Jhelum, and Chakwal regions. The linear regression models were developed, and tested using analysis of variance, an absolute error estimate, and compared with earlier studies available in the literature. According to the findings, all the three models predicted the response, within acceptable limits of error. The two models developed in this study involving i) ash, volatile matter, and fixed carbon and ii) ash and fixed carbon as independent variables were recommended for the prediction of high ash lignite coals from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the thermal and kinetic behaviors of Pakistani corncob (Cc) and Falsa sticks (FS) under inert (N2) and oxidative (dry air) atmospheres using a nonisothermal thermogravimetric method. Maximum rates of weight loss, peak temperature, combustion factor, pyrolysis factor, mean reactivity, order of reaction, and activation energies were evaluated and correlated. Mean reactivities were found to be Cc = 0.52 > FS = 0.51 > Chamalang coal = 0.05 for pyrolysis and Cc = 0.75 > FS = 0.67 > Chamalang coal = 0.08 for oxidative environment. The pyrolysis factor and combustion characterization factor were found to be higher for biomass fuels compared to coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was the production of ethanol from two locally available lingo-cellulosic biomasses: rice hulls and wheat straw. Both biomasses were ground to a particle size of 2 mm and pretreated with 2.5% solution of NaOH and the dried masses were individually subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis usingcellulaseenzyme in buffer solutions. Fermentation of the hydrolyzed products was carried out by usingsaccharomyces cervicesunder anaerobic conditions at 35°C for three days of incubation period. The rice hulls and wheat straw produced 15.22 mg/ml and 25.02 mg/ml ethanol, respectively, (on the last day) with appreciable yields. The two bio fermentation residues were used for the production of bio using fixed-bed pyrolysis. At the optimum temperature of chars 600°C, the bio-char products from rice hulls contained 56.15% fixed carbon and 40.88% volatile matter (VM) with a gross calorific value of 7513 Kcal/Kg, whereas bio-chars from wheat straws contained 53.69% fixed carbon, 45.19% VM, and a gross calorific value of 7123 Kcal/Kg. Both bio-chars appear to be good value added products for fuel applications, activated carbon production, and carbon dioxide sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study investigates the desulfurization of Chakwal coal (Punjab, Pakistan) using three oxidants, namely KMnO4, Fe2(SO4)3,and NaOCl. Operational parameters were concentration, particle size, and pH. According to the results, KMnO4removed 95% sulfur from coal. Similarly, Fe2(SO4)3removed 71% and NaOCl removed 50% sulfur. NaOCl was found to be less efficient compared to other two oxidants. Fe2(SO4)3and KMnO4both removed sulfur significantly. Fe2(SO4)3could be considered for cleaning of low grade coals since it is cheaper and very effective in removing sulfur from coal. The cleaned Chakwal coal can be used in different energy recovery schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study was carried out for beneficiation of Makarwal coal using soybean oil as agglomerant. The effect of six parameters – pH, mesh size of coal particles, slurry ratio, stirring speed, soybean oil concentration, and time of agglomeration – was investigated to reduce ash and sulfur from Makarwal coal and to enhance the gross calorific value. In the cleaned product obtained after the agglomeration process, the gross calorific value was increased from 4900 to 7115 Kcal/kg. The ash of agglomerates was reduced from 30% to 7.5% and sulfur was reduced from 5.4% to 2.0% The optimum operating conditions were concentration of soybean oil 10 mL, pH 9, stirring speed 2800 rpm, mesh size 200, coal to water ratio of 15:450 (W/V), and time of agglomeration 20 min. Significant reduction in ash and sulfur showed the effectiveness for agglomeration of Makarwal coal using soybean oil as the agglomerant. The final product thus obtained may be used efficiently in various energy recovery schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The upgradation of a low quality coal enables it suitable for wider applications. The Lakhra coal (Pakistan) belongs to the lignite coal category. This study investigates the agglomeration technique for beneficiation of Lakhra coal using diesel oil as an agglomerant. Three parameters were investigated such as the solid–liquid ratio, residence time, and shear velocity. Characterization of the Lakhra coal before and after agglomeration was carried out in order to determine its volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash and sulfur contents, and gross calorific value. According to the results, agglomerates contained fixed carbon 35.63%, volatile matter 42.21%, gross calorific value (GCV) 5570.6 kcal/kg, ash 17.07%, and sulfur 4.03%. The ash and sulfur reductions were 42.3% and 58.4%, respectively, suggesting significant reduction in ash and sulfur compared to the original coal. The clean coal, resulting from this cleaning process, is a good grade product which may be valued as a good fuel source for any coal fired utility. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was carried out for the beneficiation of Dukki (Pakistani) coal using agglomeration technique. The effect of six parameters, particle size, solid to liquid ratio, xylene concentration, agitation speed, agitation time, and pH, was investigated to improve the quality of coal in terms of reduced ash and sulfur content. The clean coal obtained at optimum parameters was found to have 69.25 and 26.6% reduction in ash and sulfur, respectively. The gross calorific value (GCV) increased to 6,377 kcal/kg compared with 5,300 kcal/kg in the original sample. A maximum reduction in ash and sulfur contents was achieved by the following input parameters: particle size, 100 mesh (150 µm); solid to liquid ratio, 20:80 (w/v); xylene dose, 6.8 mL; agitation time, 10 min; pH 7; and stirring speed, 2,520 rpm. Significant reduction in ash (%) and sulfur (%) showed the effectiveness for agglomeration of Dukki coal using xylene as agglomerant. The final product thus obtained may be used efficiently in various energy recovery schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to get insight about farmers' intention towards adoption of micro catchments as a useful tool for rainwater harvesting. The assessment of acceptability and compatibility of the intervention through farmers' perceptions, feed-back, practices and intentions regarding up-scaling the technology would develop the up-scaling and sustainability options for wider area. Under Watershed Rehabilitation and Irrigation Improvement Project besides other technologies, rainwater harvesting through micro catch-ments were demonstrated by Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute (SWCRI) in Pothwar area, Pakistan. The results highlight that the technology is not only suitable for in situ water conservation for fruit plants but also cost effective, water, labor and resource saving along with farmer friendly under rainfed condition with scare supplemental water availability. The cost of adoption of technology including labor charges for its preparation and maintenance was recovered from irrigation cost saved from single rainfall at the demonstration site. One of the important implications drawn in this regard was the need of a shift from site development to skill development. The same was derived as an important recommendation during assessment and evaluation of different demonstration and dissemination activities being conducted under Watershed Project. This shift could catalyze the technology adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study evaluated the effect of different additives on the bait consumption by Indian crested porcupine, a serious forest and agricultural pest, under field conditions. Different additives (saccharin, common salt, bone meal, fish meal, peanut butter, egg yolk, egg shell powder, yeast powder, mineral oil and coconut oil) at 2 and 5% each were tested for their relative preference, using groundnut-maize (1:1) as basic bait. All the additives were tested under a no-choice test pattern. For control tests, no additive was mixed with the basic bait. Saccharin at 5% concentration significantly enhanced the consumption of bait over the basic bait, while 2% saccharin supplemented bait resulted in a non-significant bait consumption. All other additives did not enhance the consumption of the bait material; rather, these worked as repellents. However, the repellency was lowest with the common salt, followed by egg yolk, egg shell powder, bone meal, peanut butter, mineral oil, fish meal and yeast powder, while coconut remained the most repellent compound. The present study suggested that groundnut-maize (1:1) supplemented with 5% saccharin was the preferred bait combination, and can be used with different rodenticides for the management of Indian crested porcupine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indian crested porcupine, Hystrix indica, is a serious pest of forest plantations, orchards and agricultural crops in different countries of the world. Field trials, conducted in Abbottabad - Balakot (Pakistan), suggested that consumption of groundnut -- maize (1:1) bait poisoned with zinc phosphide, offered after three nights of pre-baiting practice, exhibited a decline and negligible amount of bait was consumed on 3rd night of poison baiting. Degree of decline in bait consumption gradually increased with increasing zinc phosphide concentration from 1% to 3%. The consumption of poison bait with or without saccharin (5%) during the poison baiting nights were not significantly different, however, there was a persistent trend where the baits having 5% saccharin, as taste additive, were consumed in higher quantities as compared with those having no saccharin. This trend was equally reflected in the data on average consumption of control bait during each test night. Higher reduction in burrow activity (55%) was recorded with 2% zinc phosphide and 5% saccharin (without saccharin supplementation, 45% reduction was recorded), as compared with 1% (35% with saccharin and 30% without saccharin) and 3% (25% with saccharin and 15% without saccharin). The study suggested that 2% zinc phosphide can be used by using groundnut -- maize (1:1) as bait base and 5% saccharin, at least for the initial control campaign of this mammal pest species. Further refinement of the rodenticide and sweetener concentrations may be more useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses study results of the effectiveness of in-burrow rodenticide bait delivery method to control small rodents in groundnut fields of Pothwar region of Pakistan. Formulated baits of zinc phosphide wax cake and broken rice, brodifacoum was block and coumatetralyl broken rice were subjected to evaluation. After five bait applications, results show varied degrees of reduction in the burrow activities. However, the estimated mortality reveals that all the bait formulations were equally effective. The results indicate that 4-5 applications of the rodenticide baits are adequate to obtain economic yields of groundnut crop.

The rainfed Pothwar area of Pakistan is one of the most eroded areas where 20% of the total land is affected by soil erosion and 4.2 billion cubic meter of water is lost from surface runoff annually. Soil erosion, along with arid climate, erratic rainfall and undulating topography makes land productivity very low and the livelihood of rural people even hard. Soil and water conservation under such an environment could provide the foundation for agricultural and natural resource development. To develop appropriate technologies for increasing land productivity through soil and water conservation, applied research has been carried out during 2001-07 in the rainfed Pothwar area. Low cost soil and water conservation structures were developed and demonstrated in the area. The investment appraisal based on the cost incurred and benefits realized by the farmers recorded through assessment survey revealed that the technology had a short payback period along with internal rate of return varying in the range of 25-37% under rainfed conditions and positive net present value. The farmers' perceptions revealed that the technology can solve the erosion problem along with 10-35% increase in crop yield and save repair and maintenance cost incurred on eroded lands. The technology is compatible with farmers' resources and practices along with availability of the raw material and technical skills for its adoption. The results from the assessment and financial evaluation of the technology provide logical base for investment in up scaling the technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which evaluated several fresh food baits for the management of Indian crested porcupine Hystrix indica in Pakistan. Guava was preferred by porcupine over potato, carrot and sweet potato in both no-choice and multiple-choice tests conducted. The study observed that consumption of fresh food items significantly increased with increasing duration of exposure to novel food, indicating that pre-baiting acclimatization of porcupine is required before poison baiting. It also indicated an increase in the degree of decline of bait consumption upon increasing zinc phosphide concentration.

The article evaluates the efficacy of 0.005% flocoumafen, 0.0375% coumatetralyl and 2% zinc phosphide for small rodents infesting groundnut fields in the Chakwal District of Plateau, Pakistan. Study shows that rodent activity reductions after treatments were 70.2% zinc phosphide, 95.0% coumatetralyl and 90.4% flocoumafen. It notes that groundnut yield was substantially increased. It points out that partial budget analyses revealed a more than 20-fold economic return according to benefit/cost determinations for rodent control treatments.

The article presents a field trial which evaluates several grain bait bases against Hystrix indica, an Indian crested porcupine, conducted in Balakot-Abbottabad tract, Pakistan. It states that maize, potato and groundnut are more vulnerable to porcupine attack while groundnut was the most preferred food in no-choice food preference tests. Moreover, it shows that liking groundnut over other grains were confirmed in both multiple-choice and paired-choice tests. It also mentions that Indian crested porcupine has a preference for food with higher oil contents.