Recent attention has been focused on the use of synthetic soil conditioners in the modification of soil water relationships especially in arid regions. Soils of extremes in texture—either sands or clays—present problems in this regard. In this laboratory study, Hygromull (a urea formaldehyde) and Agrosil LR and Agrosil S (amorphous sodium hydrosilicates) were evaluated on soils of different textures. Available water content was increased by Hygromull and Agrosil LR. Saturated hydraulic conductivity of the clay soils was improved by Hygromull, while that of the sandy soil was reduced by Agrosil LR. Hygromull increased porosity of all soils but, unlike Agrosil LR, had no effect on aggregation. In contrast, Agrosil S had no effect on any property studied. Notwithstanding the attributes of these conditioners, their acceptance in commercial farming in dry regions will depend on the outcome of field trials and economic considerations.

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Sediment inflow to the reservoir is a key factor to calculate life of the reservoir. Flushing is a very useful technique in order to enhance the life of reservoir. From the literature review, 14 reservoirs were considered where flushing has already been practiced and only 6 reservoirs were found successful in flushing. The others were found partially flushed. In this research, data of three successfully flushed reservoirs namely Baira reservoir (India), Gebidem reservoir (Switzerland), and Gmund reservoir (Austria) were used to run 1-D numerical model HEC-RAS. In the first phase, the longitudinal profiles of delta were modeled and calibrated with observed sediment depositions. In the presence of available data of discharges and respective reservoir levels, the modeled deltas were used for flushing the deltas. With the help of modeled delta and corresponding flushing discharges, sediment deposition and flushing durations were computed. The simulated flushed durations were 31, 102, and 180 h for Baira, Gebidem, and Gmund reservoirs, respectively. The simulated flushed durations were found close to observed durations. Hence, the use of 1-D numerical model HEC-RAS is encouraged for modeling of sediment deposits and flushing operations.

The study was aimed to examine the job stress of academia and its effects on their performance in public sector universities of Punjab. The objectives were to identify the nature of job stress, factors responsible for job stress, and relationship between job stress and performance of academia. There were nine regions in the Punjab. Seven universities representing each region were the population of the study. These universities were, PU from Lahore, BZU from Multan, PMAS-Arid from Rawalpindi, UOS form Sargodha, UOG from Gujrat, IUB from Bahawalpur and GCU from Faisalabad. Stratified random sampling techniques were used and strata were made with respect to the population of the study. A sample of 373 academic heads, 434 academia and 1008 students were taken for study. It was concluded from the results that academia stress is multiple factor construct, and these entire factors associated with each other’s. It is also found from academia job stress negatively effect on their performance. It was recommended from results that university as an organization may conduct need assessment program for academia to explore the causes of their stress and dissatisfaction.

Transition of bioeconomy plays an important role in the development of any economy. Therefore, the purpose of the current paper is to review the key concept of transition of the bioeconomy in the ASEAN economies that is considered to be an innovative collective method for observing the operation of national economies' numerous sectors that produce and process biological wealth. Based on current literature, it has been reviewed that the transition of bioeconomy is being presented with respect to the theoretical concept, and their essence and bioeconomy size, and the challenges and risks which are related to the bioeconomy transition. The various ways and the area of action along with present strategies which are supporting the development of bio economies and their relationship with the circular economies model had been presented. It was seen in the literature that ASEAN agricultures sectors had been contributing their major part in the development of value-added products and employment, except for Malaysia, Thailand, and Laos. Moreover, the analysis results had also shown that the transition of bioeconomy is considered to be an important concept in the growth of agriculture, forestry, agribusiness, and various sectors that produce and use bio-based raw materials. It was further found that for real bio-economy opportunities, it is essential that there should be a proper national and regional strategy for the bioeconomy development in place and for the development of a proper design and proper management coordination at every level of sectors, enterprises, and provincial systems.