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This research aimed to explore the influence of pet keeping on the psychological well-being of adolescents. Pet keeping can also have some effect on human psychology. Animals as companions are an important part of human life. This exploratory study is being developed to contribute to a better understanding of the role of pet keeping in the Psychological wellbeing of adolescents. It will compare the levels of Psychological well-being in pet-keeper and non-pet-keeper adolescents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPS). The sample size consisted of 100 individuals who were pet keepers, and they were selected using convenience sampling. For the control group, 100 individuals who did not own pets were approached. To gather a wide range of age groups, participants aged between 15 to 60 years were included in both groups. The combination of online and offline data collection methods and the inclusion of participants from various age groups aimed to enhance the overall validity and generalizability of the research findings. The Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale, created by Carol Ryff, is a widely utilized questionnaire in psychological research and clinical assessments. The short form of the Ryff inventory which consists of 18 items was used. The study's key conclusion highlights a notable distinction between individuals who keep pets and those who do not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some new polythiols were derived from aromatie aldehyde (2-hydroxy benzaldehyde) and different diamines (semiearbazide, 4-phenyl, 3-thiosemiearbazide, 4-4'-oxydianiline and N, N'- dimethyl p-phenylenediamine), in the presenee of elemental sulphur. The proeess of eondensation is earried out by the Willgerodt Kindler (WK) reaetion of azomethine donor or derivatives with elemental sulphur in the presenee of a strong base as a eatalyst. The polythiols (polythioamides) were eharaeterized by different teehniques like elemental miero analysis, FTIR, UV-Vis speetroseopies, thermal analysis and viseosity measurement. The FT-IR showed the main band around 1235-1265/em-1 beeause of the formation of thiol groups in respeeted polythiols to vC=S vibrations. The polythiols indieated improved thermal solidity up to 600 °C. These polythiols were soluable in highly polar organie solvents due to their eomplex struetures. The intrinsie viseo-metrieal data of these polythiols reaehed about 0.393-0.5201 dL/g in THF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a raft of policy changes in the UK that are intended to help low-income families engage with the labour market. Drawing in part upon the findings of a small-scale qualitative study of the experiences of low-income working families, this article infers that the secular trend to working parenthood may, as matters stand, be experienced rather differently by secure middle-class families than by poor families. It may be that the former will benefit from policies to improve access to formal childcare, career breaks and time off when needed. The latter are more likely to remain dependent on informal childcare from other family members or friends and receive minimal concessions granted by reluctant employers. While benefits such as working families tax credit will help to secure the material needs of low-income working families, low-paid employment will remain no less precarious and it is possible that the insecurity experienced by low-income working families will increase.

This study presents synthesis of new polythioamides prepared from dialdehyde, [4,4′-methylene bis(cinnamaldehyde)] (MBC) with ethylenediamine, 1,3-propylenediamine, semicarbazide, thiosemicarbazide and meso-stilbenediamine, in the presence of elemental sulfur by Willgeordt Kindler reaction. Elemental microanalysis, FTIR, UV-visible and NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize synthesized polythioamides. Viscometric data of polymeric solutions were obtained by using Huggins, Kramer, Martin and Schulz-Blaschke equations in THF at 303 K, by graphic extrapolation and Solomon-Ciuta, Deb-Chantterjee equations through a single point determination, which represents the benefit of being a faster method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundant resources of Sindh province for RE (Renewable Energy) such as wind, solar, etc. can be tapped through RETs (Renewable Energy Technologies) to fulfil energy needs. But RETs are still not able to make major breakthrough in individual's life to enhance it. Even though individuals began to use solar panels to conquer power deficiencies, more endeavours are required to diffuse RETs in Sindh. This research paper explores the present situation for the dissemination of RETs in masses. A survey is conducted to achieve the said task. It measures the opinion difference of respondents regarding awareness creation towards RETs, needs for funding, provision of incentives and role of community engagement required for promotion of RETs in Sindh. The opinion difference was measuredregarding stakeholders' individual perception and chances of occurring the same (societal perception). The outcome of the survey identifies an entirely opposite opinion of stakeholders regarding their individual and social perceptions. Thus, predicting the real situation for RETs diffusion in Sindh. It indicates that despite much enthusiasm for RETs, lesser possibilities are accessible for their fruitful dispersion in Sindh in current conditions. Lack of awareness regarding RETs, few funding opportunities and absence of incentives from government resulted in the low engagement of communities to utilise RETs. Hence, due to hurdles identified, RETs face hindrances in their popularisation, which can be addressed through appropriate policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic residues can be a major source of nutrients and are valuable fertilizers. But their benefits with regard to soil quality are undisputed. However, only few studies have focused on emissions of greenhouse gases from soil enriched with organic residues. A microcosom approach was employed to investigate the influence of the origin and composition of various organic residues on mineralization and N2O and CO2 emissions in an arable soil. In total, we set up six treatments: control, poultry manure, bio-waste compost, sheep and wheat straw compost, cow manure (CM) and for further comparison, the mineral fertilizer calcium ammonium nitrate. 500 g of sieved and homogenized soil was mixed with the amendments and packed into microcosms. After a pre-incubation period of 10 days, gas concentrations were measured periodically from the headspace of the microcosm by means of an airtight surgical syringe. The measurement period continued for 32 days. Soil amended with CM showed a significantly (α = 0.05) higher cumulative CO2 emission (914 mg kg−1) followed by bio-waste compost than poultry manure, sheep waste compost, control and calcium ammonium nitrate. Amending soil with cow manure and poultry manure led to the highest N2O-N emissions (110 µg kg−1). However, poultry manure and calcium ammonium nitrate significantly enhanced mineralization and net nitrification. Amendment of sheep and wheat straw compost and cow manure led to C sequestration and reduced N2O emission. Soil pH greatly decreased with poultry manure, sheep and wheat straw compost and bio-waste compost. Summing up, the application of organic residues to soil has some disadvantageous environmental effects calling for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of a new polymeric resin [poly 4,4'-(naphthyl bis(oxy))bisbenzaldehyde ethylenediimine] (PNBOBen) by polymerization from dialdehyde 4,4'-naphthylbis(oxy) bisbenzaldehyde with ethylenediamine in m-cresol is described The synthesized Schiff base polymer (PNBOBen) was characterized by elemental microanalysis, FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The thermal degradation pattern of PNBOBen resin was also measured at higher temperature. The dialdehyde (NBOB) and Schiff base polymer (PNBOBen) were soluble in various common organic solvents including tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). The metal uptake behavior of PNBOBen was investigated for Cu (II) and Ni (II) ions and optimized with respect to the sorptive medium (pH), shaking rate and equilibration time. The resin exhibited lower swelling ratios in an acidic medium because of the protonation in the imine group of polymer. The sorption of Cu (II) and Ni (II) by PNBOBen, followed Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. Thus in both metal ions, Cu (II) was sorbed slightly better than Ni (II) ions onto the polymeric resin (PNBOBen). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive use of mineral N fertilizers and organic amendments has resulted in higher N2O emissions. Agrowing worldwide concern for these problems has motivated researchers, environmentalists, and policy makers to find alternatives to overcome such losses. Biological nitrogen fixation is one of many natural biological approaches to minimize the use of fertilizers and to possibly reduce N2O emissions. A greenhouse study was performed by growing inoculated and noninoculated soybean seeds (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in PVC columns. The objective was to measure the contribution of Bradyrhizobium Japonicum and mineral-N fertilizer to promoting N2O emission. A closed chamber technique was used for gas sampling. N2O measurements were carried out shortly after nodulation. Bradyrhizobium Jopanicum induced N2O cumulative (121.8 μg kg-1) fluxes of inoculated seeds was significantly (α = 0.05) higher than those of mineral N fertilized treatment (NIS) and the control (bare soil). Total nitrogen content of the roots and seeds was not affected by inoculation. Total carbon (42.1 ± 0.1%), total nitrogen (3.1 ± 0.1%), and crude protein (19.9 ± 0.7%) contents of leaves of the inoculated seeds were significantly higher than those of noninoculated seed treatments. N2O fluxes significantly increased with high dissolved organic carbon content (70.77 ± 3.99 mg L-1) at R3 and at R8 stages when NO3 - (39.60 ± 0.94mg L-1) concentrations were high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]