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The economic and social benefits derived by women who join credit unions was measured in terms of the state of their businesses, income levels, monthly savings and the financial contribution of beneficiaries towards dependants’ education. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 50 women who had obtained business loans from the Credit Union within the time period of June 2009 to July 2010 financial year. The study showed a significant influence of loans on the socioeconomic status of the women beneficiaries of loans.

The present study deals with the isolation of polyurethane (PU) degrading microorganisms from the soil, analysis of biodegradation and optimization of various factors (temperature, pH and by using different co-metabolites). Soil sample was collected from dumping area, Sector H/8, Islamabad, Pakistan and was used as a source for isolation of polyurethane degrading bacteria. Sterilized polyurethane films were buried in soil for three months. The PU pieces were taken from the soil, washed with sterilized distilled water and enriched in liquid MSM for a period of one month. Six different bacterial strains were isolated through enrichment technique, which were identified on the basis of standard morphological and biochemical tests. The study yields that the bacteria with the ability to degrade polyurethane were isolated from soil. It is therefore concluded that soil contains the potential candidates for bioremediation of plastic wastes.

This study empirically examines the commitment factors contributing to employee share in Higher Education Institutes of Khyber Pakhtonkhuwa (KPK) province of Pakistan. In total 200 questioners are distributed out of which 133 are returned in completed form with a percentage of 66.5%. A multiple regression analysis is performed; Employee Commitment is taken as the Dependent variable while Top Management Behavior, Compensation & Benefits, Career Development Opportunities and Working Conditions are the independent variables of this study. The results of this study confirm that employee’s commitment is significantly associated with their independent factors. The results of the study are valuable to both academics and policy makers.

Capacity enhancement has been defined in multiple ways; its ultimate purpose is to leave behind better skilled and oriented individuals, more responsive and effective institutions, and a better policy environment for pursuing development goals. Enhancing the capabilities of people in the organization is the most inevitable change expected in the era of globalization and liberalization. People capability enhancement induces better knowledge, skill and aptitude and it develop better business opportunities during global change. To accelerate with new technology, new manufacturing and development process, new ways of meeting the needs of customers, of course, are in need of better capacities and capabilities of people at work. This paper tries to focus on the person's capability assessment, enhancement and its return to better business opportunities and organizational development.

Quality assurance and relevance of ECD Programmes in many countries obligates the revision of the syllabuses, the establishment of an ongoing in-service programme for teachers, the construction and equipment of resource centers in ECD, provision of free textbooks and the establishment of benchmarks for the improvement of pupils’ mastery levels at the basic cycle. The purpose of this study was to identify Challenges Facing the Ministry of Education Officials In Carrying Out Supervision Of Early Childhood Curriculum In Schools. The study was guided by Allan Glathorm’s (1997) differential supervision model. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. Stratified sampling technique was used to obtain public ECD centers and private ECDE centers, while simple random sampling was used to get 32 public ECD centers and 15 private ECD centers, from 155 centers in the District. All head teachers from selected ECD centers were involved in the study and one ECD teacher from each selected centre. Five field officers were selected for the study using purposive sampling. Data collection instruments involved the use of the following: questionnaires, interview schedule and document analysis. Descriptive statistics (percentages and bar graphs) and inferential statistics (regression analysis) were used to analyze data. The findings of the study noted that supervision of the ECDE curriculum is affected by lack of funding, poor infrastructure, lack of support from the management, dispersion of the ECD centers, interference from local leaders and sponsors. Supervision propelled the teachers’ intellectual abilities, helped them to unearth the children’s potential, and led to positive appraisal of pupils. The study recommended the harmonization of ECDE curriculum, employment of ECDE teachers by the government and quality remuneration of those ECDE teachers.

Both Rhynocoris marginatus (F.) and Coranus spiniscutis are polyphagus predator of agriculture important insect pests, collected from Deoria agroecosystem and under light source, Gorakhpur respectively, during 2012-2013. To determine the olfactory preference of these polyphagus predators towards one prey over another, choice based experiments were conducted in the laboratory by using Y-shaped olfactometer. The distant ends of the first two tubes of the olfactometer was used for keeping two different prey types whereas the third tube end used for introducing the predator. R.marginatus was evaluated against the African cluster bug, Agonoscelis tuberula Stål, (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Hadda beetle, Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae), whereas C. spiniscutis against Raphidopelpa foveicellis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Chryrocoris stolli (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae). R. marginatus was found to be more responsive to African cluster bug (60%) followed by Hadda beetle (50%) and Coranus spiniscutis strongly preferred Raphidopelpa foveicellis (91.67%) followed by Chryrocoris stolli (8.33%). In these observations, the preference of both preys during 24 hours by C. spiniscutis was converted into percentage value. R. marginatus showed higher rostral protruding activity with African cluster bug (8.29±0.159min) than that of Hadda beetle (1.65±0.049min). This may be due to the strength of the prey’s chemical cues of one prey over another elicited a quicker approaching. Prey consumption time of R.marginatus was significantly longer with regard to African cluster bug (60±2.44 min) as compared to Hadda beetle (37±2.50 min).The results clearly showed that the prey chemical cues determine the prey selection pattern of these predators. The outcome of this result will be helpful to consider these predatory bugs as biological control agents against preferred insect species.

Trichoderma has been widely used to control R. Solani. However, there is need to evaluate the different mechanisms used to administer the biological control agent into the plant environment. A greenhouse experiment to compare the efficacy of three T. Harzianum application methods; seed bio-priming, seed coating and soil treatment to control R. solani in peas was conducted. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of T. harzianum application methods for controlling root rot and damping off caused by R. solani in peas. There were significant differences (p<0.001) between different T. harzianum application methods in reducing pre and post emergence damping off. Seed biopriming recorded the lowest pre emergence damping off incidence of 2.64 % compared to 7.16 % recorded on untreated control. Seed coating had pre emergence damping off percentages and root rot severity scores of (4.22%; 1.87) respectively. Soil treatment recorded the highest population increase of T. harzianum (2.855 x 104 CFU) 6 weeks after sowing.

In reinforced concrete frame building, masonry wall are generally used in as infills and specified by architects as partitions in such a way that they do not contribute to the vertical gravity load-bearing capacity of the structure. Infill walls protect the inside of the buildings from the environment hazards and create separation insides. In addition to this infills have a considerable strength and stiffness. In the present study, it is attempt to highlights the performance of masonry infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames with and without openings to ultimate loads.

This study is aimed to determine whether Cooperative Learning Approach will improve the soft skills among university students and to discover the perception of student towards such approach. Data obtained is analyzed by descriptive as well as inferential statistics. Data on demographic were analyzed by means and percentage, while the paired t-test was used to analyze before and after experiencing Cooperative Learning Approach, in which 0.05 a significant level was established to prove that student’s soft-skills has improved. From 9 key competencies of soft skills that being evaluated, surprisingly result shown that students really improved their soft skills after using Cooperative Learning Approach. In sum, Cooperative Learning Approach can be used as instructional classroom strategy in tertiary education as to improve student’s soft skills and thus increasing their employability chances.

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a capitalist society. Its special focus is to investigate CSR as a trend as well as the role of law using different initiatives and dimensions at different level of governance; i.e. national, regional and international levels. This paper employs qualitative method of research, drawing on observation, semi-structured interviews and the use of statistical data from different body of United Nations. Most importantly were observations made at CSR module lectures during my LLM. In CSR movement today, the law is taken shape, although in different form of legal norm which might either be prescriptive or regulatory. The study also found that CSR is a trend and not a passing social fad or a threat to corporate capitalism. That the legal norm definitely has a role to play in any social group without which conflict is rife and that firm’s responsibility to the society is continuous. As the society develops, so also is the need for sustainable economic development expected from corporate industries. This research paper adds to myriads of literature on CSR and capitalism. It suggests the need for legal dimensions and initiative for better ‘performance ‘rather than ticking the boxes. It concludes that the firm, society and the law cannot function effectively in a water tight compartment, the society cannot do without the firm, and the firm needs the law for its existence. Thus the firm needs to balance responsibility to the law and the society for it to achieve its aims.