Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture

This study investigates the impact of workplace ostracism on job performance, with a focus on the moderating role of emotional intelligence. Using a quantitative research design, the study collected data through purposive sampling from a sample of 170 university employees (102 females, 68 males), Participants complete questionnaires measuring workplace ostracism, job performance, and emotional intelligence using Workplace Ostracism scale, Job Performance scale, and the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence scale. In SPSS data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation, one-way ANOVA, independent sample t-test, regression and the PROCESS macro. Findings indicate a significant negative correlation between workplace ostracism and job performance. Additionally, a negative correlation exists between workplace ostracism and emotional intelligence, whereas emotional intelligence and job performance showed a significant positive correlation. Results further indicated that less experienced employees experienced higher workplace ostracism than more experienced ones, and age and qualification levels also varied. However, emotional intelligence does not moderate the relationship between workplace ostracism and job performance suggesting that emotional intelligence alone may not be sufficient to mitigate its effects. The study emphasizes fostering inclusive workplaces and enhancing emotional intelligence training to improve job performance.

The examination had been carried out to find out how guar gum affects the nutritional and qualitative characteristics of bakery goods, particularly cookies and cakes. At first guar beans were analyzed for their different physiochemical characteristics and guar gum was produced from guar beans. Then, using various concentrations, guar gum was introduced as a fat substitute in cookies and cakes. After thorough examination of these items, assessing a variety of quality factors, nutritional characteristics and sensory qualities. The prepared products will be assessed in terms of quality factors, nutritional characteristics and sensory attributes. According to the research, the mean values of the components of cookies’ moisture, fat, ash, protein and fibre ranged from 2.98% to 3.35%, 9.36% to 15.05%, 1.41% to 2.17%, 6.64% to 7.34% and 1.41% to 2.17%, respectively. Similar results were found for cakes, where the mean values for moisture, fat, ash, protein and fibre, respectively, ranged from 19.06% to 23.03%, 6.70% to 7.34%, 12.6% to 15.17%, 1.55% to 2.35% and 1.49% to 2.22%. Physical factors including cookie thickness, spread factor and hardness as well as sensory traits were significantly altered. Additionally, the presence of guar gum had a significant impact on the physiochemical characteristics (volume and colour) and sensory qualities of cakes. The results of this physiochemical and sensory analysis conclusively showed that guar gum addition significantly increase the positive impact on the quality characteristics and customer acceptance of a variety of bakery items.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) remain a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide, with current treatments largely focused on symptomatic management rather than addressing underlying genetic causes. This study evaluates the effectiveness, therapeutic potential, and clinical feasibility of CRISPR-based gene-editing interventions in the personalized treatment of CHDs. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from clinical trials, laboratory experiments, and genomic datasets, with stratified sampling to ensure representation across different CHD types and genetic mutations. Statistical analyses assessed gene correction rates, improvements in cardiac function, survival, symptom reduction, and quality of life, alongside safety metrics including adverse effects, off-target mutations, and immune responses. Results indicate that advanced CRISPR techniques such as base editing and prime editing—achieved high mutation correction rates (72%–88%) with low off-target effects (1.5%–6%) and meaningful improvements in cardiac function (60%–75%). Personalized approaches, including patient-specific guide RNAs, iPSC-based ex vivo editing, genomic profiling-guided prime editing, and AI-assisted targeting, led to increased survival (30%–40%), reduced symptoms (55%–65%), decreased hospital readmissions, and enhanced quality of life (65%–75%), with all findings statistically significant (p < 0.05). Safety evaluation demonstrated acceptable adverse effect rates (6%–14%) and moderate immune responses (4%–9%), while ethical compliance and clinical feasibility scores were high (7.0–9.0 and 6.5–8.5, respectively). These findings suggest that CRISPR-based therapies are both effective and clinically feasible for personalized CHD treatment, supporting a shift from symptom-based interventions to curative, gene-targeted strategies. Future research should focus on optimizing delivery systems, ensuring long-term safety, and developing scalable clinical protocols to advance precision medicine for CHDs.

This study explores the use of ternary system nanocomposites to degrade methyl orange (MO) dye in water as well as assesses their antibacterial properties. For this purpose, the co-precipitation process was adopted to synthesize strontium oxide (SrO) doped with a fixed amount (3 wt%) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a capping agent, and various weight ratios (2 and 4 wt%) of cesium (Cs) were added to the binary system (PEG-SrO). Advanced characterization techniques were employed to analyze the various properties of the resulting materials. XRD unveiled the cubic crystal structure of SrO, while TEM revealed randomly oriented nanorods in the pristine sample. The optimum sample (2% Cs/PEG-SrO) demonstrated efficient catalytic activity (CA) in degrading MO dye. The 4% Cs/PEG-SrO sample showed significant bactericidal efficacy against Escherichia coli (E. coli), exhibiting inhibition zones ranging from 2.05 to 6.15 mm at higher concentrations. Furthermore, the computational findings align with the experimental data, offering strong evidence for the microbial effectiveness of Cs/PEG-SrO in hindering DNA gyrase in E. coli.

The global demand for meat is increasing, and recent bans on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) have heightened the need for sustainable, effective alternatives in poultry production. Probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has emerged as a promising natural growth promoter in this context. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of S. cerevisiae on growth performance, feed efficiency, and meat quality (both physical and chemical) by synthesizing findings from previously reported studies. This meta-analysis used data from PubMed and Scopus to screen 377 studies and identify 14 relevant trials published from 2000 to 2025. It examined the effects of S. cerevisiaeon broiler chicken growth and meat quality parameters (body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), color, pH, dressing rate, cooking/drip loss, shear force, and water holding capacity [WHC]). Randomized controlled trials were analyzed with OpenMEE software to determine standard mean differences and heterogeneity. S. cerevisiae supplementation significantly improved broiler BW (standard mean difference [SMD]=0.446, P<0.001) and FCR (SMD=-0.442, P=0.001). S. cerevisiae also enhanced meat tenderness by reducing shear force (SMD=-4.662, P<0.001). Effects on other meat quality parameters (pH, cooking/drip losses, dressing rate, water-holding capacity (WHC), color) were not statistically significant. These findings suggest S. cerevisiae potential as a natural growth promoter for broiler performance and physical and chemical meat quality. S. cerevisiae supplementation enhances performance and meat quality. While some meat quality parameters were not significantly affected, S. cerevisiae shows promise as a natural alternative to AGPs in broiler production.

Corporate governance in emerging economies is often characterized by concentrated ownership structures, weak regulatory enforcement, and limited protection of minority shareholders. In this context, institutional investors have emerged as influential market participants with the potential to enhance corporate governance practices through active monitoring, engagement, and stewardship. This article critically examines the role of institutional investors in shaping corporate governance frameworks within emerging economies. Drawing upon agency theory, stewardship theory, and stakeholder theory, the study analyzes how institutional investors contribute to improving board effectiveness, managerial accountability, transparency, and shareholder protection. The research adopts a doctrinal and comparative legal methodology, examining corporate governance laws, regulatory codes, and stewardship frameworks across selected emerging economies, including Pakistan, India, China, and Brazil. The article further evaluates the legal and structural constraints that limit effective institutional investor engagement, such as passive ownership strategies, conflicts of interest, political influence, and weak enforcement mechanisms. The findings suggest that while institutional investors possess significant potential to strengthen governance standards, their impact in emerging markets remains uneven and contingent upon supportive legal frameworks and regulatory capacity. The article concludes by proposing targeted legal and policy reforms aimed at enhancing shareholder rights, promoting active institutional ownership, and strengthening regulatory oversight, thereby reinforcing the role of institutional investors as key drivers of sound corporate governance in emerging economies.

ABSTRACTCurcuminoids are bioactive polyphenols, mainly extracted from Curcuma longa (turmeric), and have received much attention due to their pleiotropic anticancer properties. Recent evidence suggests that curcumin and analogs prevent the activation of a variety of signaling pathways, including the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NF‐kB pathways, resulting in the induction of apoptosis, prevention of proliferation, and suppression. In addition to these processes, curcumin has been shown to enhance the efficacy of the conventional anti‐cancer modalities such as radiation and chemotherapy. By suppressing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are enzymes that break down the extracellular matrix and promote cancer cell invasion and metastasis, curcumin also demonstrates anti‐metastatic qualities. Inflammation and the advancement of cancer are linked to the NF‐κB signaling pathways, which are also suppressed by curcuminoids. Along with these processes, curcumin has demonstrated the ability to improve the effectiveness of traditional cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy. It increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to various therapies, which enhances the therapeutic results. However, curcumin's low bioavailability limits its therapeutic use. Its anticancer potency may be increased, and this restriction may be overcome due to recent developments in drug delivery technologies, such as curcumin‐loaded nanoparticles. Since they can target several different molecular pathways and improve the effectiveness of current treatments, curcuminoids are a promising family of chemicals for the prevention and treatment of cancer.