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Abstract : Role of Mass Media in Dissemination of Agricultural Technology among the Farmers of Jaffarabad District of Balochistan
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Abstract: Agricultural extension is essentially a message delivery system organized to convey the latest findings ofagricultural research to farmers. Effective communication is therefore, the prime requirement in extension work. This study conducted during 2013 attempted to examine the role of mass media in dissemination of agricultural technology among the farmers of Jaffarabad district of Balochistan province of Pakistan. The results revealed majority of the respondents were male (80%), belonged to the age group of 31-40 years (45.35%), and with formal education of (31%). Information regarding agricultural farming revealed that three-fourth (75%) of the respondents owned personal land, medium size of farms (12.5-50.0 acres) were more common (52%). Majority (70.93%) of the respondents perceived that the sources of media used in the area are highly conventional. About two third (66.28%) of the respondents perceived that the sources of media for agricultural information was highly accessible. Relative majority of the respondents (40.70%) supposed to prefer listening to agricultural programs between 8 pm to 12.00 am; 33.72% respondents showed preference for listening to agricultural programs from 4.00 -8.00 pm. Majority (70.93%) of the respondents considered the information receiving through mass media is highly relevant in solving agriculture problems. Majority (41.86%) of the respondents reported infrastructural development due to agricultural information received through mass media and 22.09 percent found that agricultural information received through mass media was helpful in capacity building. Regarding major obstacles in receiving information, 31.40 percent respondents reported power failure, followed by high cost (24.42%), and poor signals (12.79%). Keywords: Mass Media, Agricultural Technology Transfer, and Agricultural Extension. Download Full Article |
Abstract : Techniques to Identify and Test PCB Faults with Proposed Solution
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Abstract: Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are getting more complex day by day because of vast and modern technology. Analyzing PCB’s failure and their reason of failing is a challenging task but despite how faulty they may be, they can be diagnosed and repair. Modern PCBs consist of fine pitch components including unidentified, non-testable and customized parts, which make it difficult to troubleshoot and repair. Modern PCBs cannot test and repair using generic Automatic Test Equipments (ATEs), unlike simple ones. Successful repair of such types of PCBs is an art more than science. PCB troubleshooting and fault analysis needs a good theoretical knowledge and analytical thinking. It is not something, which can only study from books, but it can gain through constant troubleshooting and experiencing. Keeping in view above mentioned problems this research focused on exploring diagnosis skills and techniques used to identify faults in such Integrated Circuits (ICs) and components using VI instrument. As a result, reducing equipment downtime and high costs need in PCB repairs. Keywords: Troubleshoot and repair, VI instrument, customized components, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), defective component. Download Full Article |
Ambreen Insaf, Mirza Salman Baig, Zeeshan Alam Nayyar and Mirza Aman Baig
Abstract : An Assessment of Wheat Procurement Issues in Jafferabad District of Balochistan
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Abstract: Exploitation of farmers’ profit margins by middlemen is well documented and reported by various studies. In this regard, public sector initiated support price and procurement policies especially for wheat. Presently, Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) is a key procurement agency in Pakistan. It has been reported that in certain cases, PASSCO do not reach directly to farmers for the purchase of wheat. Hence, the role of middlemen in procurement of wheat is once again emerging and leaving low profit margins for the farmers. In this regard, this study aimed to assess wheat procurement issues in Jaffarabad district of Balochistan. Quite a large majority of the respondents were aware about seed dealers (69.4%), whole sellers (66.6%) and commission agents (62.5%). On the other hand, majority (55.5%) of the respondents were not aware about procurement centers of PASSCO. Price variation by various wheat procurement agencies was observed from Rs. 22.50kg-1 offered by seed dealer to Rs. 31.25 kg-1 offered by PASSCO. One fourth (25.0%) of the respondents opted “lack availability of gunny bags” as one of the top most problem in selling wheat while 20.8% respondents reported for timely availability (especially during harvesting season) of gunny bags as a serious problem. Lack of coordination was reported by 13.8% while the same proportion of the respondents was of the opinion “delay in announcement of the support price” is one of the most important issues. Majority (94.44%) of the farmers suggested that the transport facilities should be provided to farming community for transport of their wheat from farm to market. Keywords: Wheat Procurement, PASSCO, Support Price.. Download Full Article |
Abstract : Sewage Sludge Compost as Potting Media Component for ivy Pelargonium (Pelargonium peltatum (L.) L’Her.) Production
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Abstract: The increasing demand and raising cost of high quality peat for horticultural use have led to search for low cost substrates as an alternative. The source of materials for their production can be various types of industrial, municipal and agricultural waste. Most of them are rich in organic matter and minerals essential for plant growth. The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth and flowering of two ivy pelargonium cultivars (‘Beach’ and ‘Boneta’) grown in the media containing sphagnum peat and composts made from municipal sewage sludge and structure-forming components. Two different types of composts were used, consisting in equal proportions of sewage sludge and straw (SSRS) or leaves (SSL). The composts replaced 25% or 12.5% of sphagnum peat (v/v) in the growth media. A control media was sphagnum peat (100%) supplemented with a mixed fertilizer. It was found that the media containing both types of compost might be useful for growing ivy pelargonium. The most beneficial effect on the growth, foliage, and a decorative value of the pelargonium was observed for the medium containing 12.5% of SSL compost and 87.5% of peat. Decorative value of the pelargonium grown in the medium with 25% of SSL compost or with either dose of SSRS compost, did not differ from the control plants. The investigated cultivars differed in the number of shoot, color and area of leaves as well as length of stem of inflorescence. ‘Boneta’ cv. developed more stems and had greener leaves than those from ’Beach’ cultivar. While cultivar ‘Beach’ had greater area of leaves per plant and longer stem of inflorescence. Keywords: Bedding plants, decorative values, growing media, ornamental plant, sphagnum peat, rye straw, waste material. Download Full Article |
Abstract : Mental Health Statues in Patients with Fibromyalgia
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Abstract:Background: It has long been shown that chronic conditions are usually accompanied by psychosocial disorders. Fibromyalgia (FM) is not an exception in this regard. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mental health in FM patients. Methods: In an analytic-descriptive setting, patients with diagnosis of FM were inquired according to general health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and severity of pain was inquired based on visual analogue scale (VAS). Somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression were assessed. Results: One hundred female patients with mean age of 44.66±11.34 years were enrolled. According to GHQ-28, 55% of the patients with FM have suffered from psychological abnormalities.The prevalence of suspected psychological disorders, were 68 % in "somatic symptoms", 18% in “depression” and "anxiety and insomnia" and 53% in "social dysfunction". There were a significant positive correlation between VAS and level of somatic symptoms, social dysfunction and severe depression. Conclusion: This study showed that a considerable portion of patients with FM may suffer concurrently from psychological disorders. The probability of these diseases increases with the severity of pain, hence effective pain reducing policies may be useful in providing a better quality of life. Keywords: Fibromyalgia, Depression, Anxiety, Psychological Disorders, Mental Health. Download Full Article |