Red rot disease affects sugarcane production adversely throughout the world. Intensive cropping and uninterrupted use of chemicals results in evolution of new pathotypes which can infect the resistant cultivars. Bacillus sp. inhabiting plant rhizosphere can protect the plants from multiple pathogens. In the present study, two antagonistic strains Bacillus subtilis NH-100 and Bacillus sp. NH-217 were able to maintain their population at 9.0 log CFU g -1 in sugarcane filter cake until nine months. These strains were compatibile to the indigenous bacteria of sugarcane filter cake which maintained their population at 7.8-8.0 log CFU g -1 . The developed bioformulation induced the activity of various defense-related enzymes (0.6-6.9 change in absorbance min -1 g -1 of tissue), suppressed the red rot disease and enhanced crop yield under field conditions. This formulation could be used as potential biopesticide to control red rot disease of sugarcane.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of self-efficacy and perfectionism on academic procrastination among university students and its differences among genders in Pakistan. It was hypothesized that self-efficacy and perfectionism would significantly impact academic procrastination and that there is a significant difference in students’ views concerning their gender. The sample comprised 405 university students, 104 male and 301 female. The study used the general self-efficacy scale, the multidimensional perfectionism scale, and the academic procrastination scale to measure the constructs. SmartPLS 4 was applied for the analysis of the data. The results indicated that all three variables—self-efficacy, perfectionism, and academic procrastination—were present among university students. Perfectionism showed a significant effect on academic procrastination. However, self-efficacy showed no significant effect on academic procrastination. Further, no significant difference was found in students’ views concerning their gender. The findings provide significant evidence for stakeholders to improve academic procrastination among university students.

Aim: To translate and validate Advance Warning of Relapse (AWARE) Questionnaire in to Urdu language for assessing relapse among drug addicts of Pakistan. Methods: The research comprises of translation of AWARE, temporal validation of translated scale, and its construct validation. Two items (22, 28) were modified keeping structural and functional equivalence. Sample for validation was obtained from rehabilitation centers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with age ranging from 18-60 years (M=29.3; SD=8.2). Temporal validity was determined by test-retest reliability. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to determine the valid factor structure, whose model fitness was assessed using Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Reliability was used to assess the internal consistency. Results: It was found that translated scale possess significant temporal validity (α= .81). EFA demonstrate a unifactorial structure (λ > .30) explaining variance of about 34.3%; such that four items (8, 14, 20, 26) were removed based on poor factor loadings. Indices of model fit through CFA confirm factor structure. Reliability of scale was also significant (α= .90). Conclusion: Findings suggested the reliable and valid nature of AWARE-Urdu to assess warning signs of relapse in drug addicts. Keywords: Warning signs, relapse, drug addicts, Urdu translation, validation, AWARE

<p>Language forms the medium of communication through verbal and nonverbal means which help to develop understanding. The communication and pedagogy are part and parcel of each other as well as the teaching process. The aims of teaching could not be achieved without better communication between teacher and students. The present study was thus planned to analyze the effect of PEELI (Punjab Education and English Language Initiative) training on communication skills of primary school teachers. The findings showed that the educators recruited in 2017 and 2018 have found PEELI interesting and innovative. Listening, speaking, reading and writing are the four dimensions of communication. PEELI training has assisted them in enhancing speaking and writing skills of learners. However, they feel difficulty in developing and interacting learners in listening and reading. They look for more modules and sessions to be organized to cover all the four aspects of communication to develop better interaction with learners. It is recommended to overcome the drawbacks in future training policies thus to bridge the communication gaps between teachers and students of primary schools.</p>

Relapse is an inevitable part of recovery from substance use such that polysubstance users have high chances of relapse (Andreas et al., 2015). In Pakistan, approximately 70% of people with substance use have history of relapse (Masood & Sahar, 2014). Actively changing substance use behavior have a protective effect against relapse (Hartney, 2020) which is basic component of personal growth initiative (Robitschek, 1998). The overall personal growth initiative however has not yet studied in this context. The present study thus aimed to assess relationship of personal growth initiative and chances of relapse along with the moderating role of polysubstance use for this relationship. Personal Growth and Initiative Scale-II-Urdu (Zaman & Naqvi, 2020) and Advance Warning of Relapse (AWARE-Urdu) Questionnaire (Sahar & Naqvi, 2021) were administered on sample of people with substance use (N = 240) ranging in age from 20-60 years. The sample was recruited from rehabilitation centers within Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Findings demonstrate that personal growth initiative negatively associates and explains 15% variance in chances of relapse. Results from moderation analysis suggest that the interaction effect for polysubstance use and personal growth initiative explains about 5% of variance in chances of relapse (ΔR2 = .05) such that, significant decrease in chances of relapse is observed with increasing personal growth initiative among the drug addicts with lower polysubstance use. It was found that the most commonly used drugs among the sample were cannabis (n = 109), cocaine (n = 74), and alcohol (n = 67). These findings could help address relapse among drug addicts.