The Melia Azedarach (MA) plant materials were used for the stabilization of Co (Co/MA) and Ni (Ni/MA) NPs prepared through simple chemical routes in an aqueous medium using NaBH 4 as a reducing agent. The prepared catalysts were extensively characterized through FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDS, and TGA elemental analysis. These techniques suggest the presence of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in the MA plant. Five modal pollutants methyl orange (MO), para-nitrophenol (PNP), Congo Red (CR), Rhodamine B (RB), and Methylene Blue (RB) were selected to assessed the catalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts. The Co/MA decolorized the MO and PNP in 4.5 and 12 min up to 81 and 93%, respectively, while the Ni/MA took 8 and 25 min in the decolorization of the same pollutants up to 95 and 89%, respectively. The k app values for PNP degradation of Co/MA are higher which was 2.1 × 10-1 compared to Ni/MA (4.9 × 10-2 min −1) confirming the highest catalyst activity of Co/MA. Similarly, we have observed the superior catalyst activity of Co/MA for all the selected pollutants and the highest rate constant found for MB dye was 2.2 × 10-1 min −1. The turnover frequency (TOF) found highest for Co/MA against PNP degradation which was 3.4 × 10-1 h −1 and lowest for Ni/MA against MO degradation (9.6 × 10-2 h −1), respectively. Furthermore, various statistical parameters indicated that all the experiments are highly significant.

The study intended to investigate the effect of academic and personality development activities on competitiveness of business schools through the lens of Islamic perspective. The features of academic & personality development activities of competitive business schools from modern literature were studied in the light of Islamic perspective. Regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Data was collected from a sample of 354 students through structured questionnaire. The study found that Islam supports businesses education and provides a comprehensive framework that embodies moral and social values leading to a prosper society in long-term. The activities of academic and personality development in modern literature to increase the competitiveness of business schools are supported by Islamic perspective as far as it is within Islamic boundaries. Positive relation was found between academic and personality development activities and competitiveness of business schools from students’ perspective. Future studies are directed to cover other activities required for competitiveness of business schools and its relevance from Islamic perspective.

Objective:  To determine the factors that affects the decision making process of the spine surgery from a patient’s perspective. Material and Methods:  The study was carried on 264 patients admitted for spine surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. Data was collected from patients on questionnaire using a Likert scale. Reliability was ensured by Cronbach alpha. Results:  The results for regression analysis revealed that there is a significant negative relationship between previous experiences and decision for spine surgery in patients (β = -0.156, p = 0.001 < 0.05). There is a significant positive influence of emotional and social state (β = 0.193, p = 0.002), information & counselling (β = 0.097, p = 0.011), socioeconomic status (β = 0.131, p = 0.004), severity of disability (β = 0.602, p = 0.000), ineffective conservative treatment (β9 = 0.082, p = 0.013) and intensity of pain (β = 0.527, p = 0.000) on decision for spine surgery in patients. The independent variables, including physical health, gender role and age were found to have an insignificant effect on the decision for spine surgery (p > 0.05). Conclusion:  It is concluded that the factors affecting the decision of patients on spine surgery included previous experience, emotional & social state, information & counselling, socioeconomic status, severity of disability, ineffectiveness of previously taken conservative treatment and intensity of pain.

Purpose- The present study was an attempt to enhance the understanding on the competitiveness of business schools (Bschools) and identify the most influential determinants that affect competitiveness of Bschools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from faculty’s perspective. Methodology- The current study followed the quantitative approach. The sample size was 261 determined by formula of Yamane (1967) and respondents were selected using stratified probability sampling technique. Data was collected through questionnaire using 5-point Likert scale. Principal Component Analysis was applied to assess unifactoriality of the constructs. Hypothesis of study assuming relationship between independent and dependent variables were tested using SEM. Findings- Findings of the study suggests that Teaching staff, Employment prospects, Gender diversity, Leadership and management significantly and positively affect the Competitiveness of Bschools (P< 0.05). On other hand, Industry and Internationalization aspects were found to have significant negative effect on competitiveness of Bschools (P<0.05). Originality/Value- The present study can help the management of business schools to focus on the areas that can increase the competitiveness of business school to meet the challenges of globalization. Moreover, competitiveness was measured using satisfaction and reputation and the empirical testing of effect of determinants on competitiveness of business schools are the theoretical contributions of the study.