Asymmetric impact of transportation on carbon emissions influencing SDGs of climate change.

Transportation facilities have expanded globally because of rapid industrialization and economic growth. Transportation involves substantial use of energy therefore strongly linked with environmental pollution. This study intends to explore linkages among transport from air mode, combustible renewable energy and waste, GDP, energy use, oil prices, trade expansion, and carbon releases from airline transport. The data covered in the study ranged from 1971 to 2021. For the empirical analysis, the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) methodology has been applied in order to explore the asymmetric impact of the variables of interest. Prior to this, the augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test is applied whose results demonstrate that variables included in the model contain mixed order of integration. The NARDL estimates show that the "positive shock to air transport and positive and negative shock to energy usage results in the increase of CO2 emissions per capita in the long run. While, a "positive (negative) shock" to renewable energy use and trade expansion reduces (increases) transport-related carbon discharge. The Error Correction Term (ECT) carries a negative sign implying a stability adjustment in the long run. These asymmetric components in our study can be employed in cost-benefit analysis and encompass the environmental repercussions (asymmetric) of government and management actions. The study suggests that the government of Pakistan should promote financing for renewable energy consumption and clean trade expansion to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) objective 13.

Label-free imaging flow cytometry for analysis and sorting of enzymatically dissociated tissues.

Biomedical research relies on identification and isolation of specific cell types using molecular biomarkers and sorting methods such as fluorescence or magnetic activated cell sorting. Labelling processes potentially alter the cells' properties and should be avoided, especially when purifying cells for clinical applications. A promising alternative is the label-free identification of cells based on physical properties. Sorting real-time deformability cytometry (soRT-DC) is a microfluidic technique for label-free analysis and sorting of single cells. In soRT-FDC, bright-field images of cells are analyzed by a deep neural net (DNN) to obtain a sorting decision, but sorting was so far only demonstrated for blood cells which show clear morphological differences and are naturally in suspension. Most cells, however, grow in tissues, requiring dissociation before cell sorting which is associated with challenges including changes in morphology, or presence of aggregates. Here, we introduce methods to improve robustness of analysis and sorting of single cells from nervous tissue and provide DNNs which can distinguish visually similar cells. We employ the DNN for image-based sorting to enrich photoreceptor cells from dissociated retina for transplantation into the mouse eye.

Analytical strategies to sense water stress level: An analysis of ground water fluctuations sensing SDGs under pandemic scenario.

Groundwater fluctuation is directly linked with the consumption and wastage of water sources during the pandemic interval. That is why water resource planners directly target water resource and sanitation systems in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) concept. In this study, District Multan is designated as a study area with 85 distinct station points data sets from four zones taken to pursue this massive investigation. The data sets are studied analytically and graphically to explore the relationships among critical variables like population, average water consumption, groundwater elevation, water table depth, total consumption, wastage of water during the pandemic days, etc. For in-depth analysis, the statistical approaches are employed on these massive data sets to reveal the trend among each dataset point to generate predictive models. The results revealed that groundwater reservoirs and levels are continuously declining on an annual basis in the meantime, the water consumption and extraction are increasing simultaneously. The consumption during pandemic days has been increased so much at the same time the wastage and total consumption of water is rising a lot in contrast to previous daily consumption and water demand. The coefficient of determination (R-square) values vary from 0.41 to 0.93 in this investigation. It will help the utilization of developed models and water-providing organizations to forecast groundwater instabilities for the future. Moreover, the situation in the study area is very alarming in terms of water stress conditions. This study will help the decision-making agencies to produce a policy following the SDGs concept to control water consumption and higher extraction.

Exploring and Validating the Effects of Mega Projects on Infrastructure Development Influencing Sustainable Environment and Project Management.

The study is based on validating and exploring the effects of a mega project plan (CPEC) on infrastructure development and Sustainable Project Management. The CPEC has great importance to infrastructure development and economy-boosting. The current study's primary aim is to deal with environmental protection, economic boost up, international relations influencing to the Project's success. The paper also addressed project management as a moderator between environmental protection, economic boost up, international relations, and the CPEC project's success. The primary data has been gathered by using questionnaires, and PLS-SEM has been employed for the analysis. The results revealed that environmental protection, economy boost up, and international relations have a positive association with the success of CPEC. The outcomes also exposed that project management moderating among the nexus of economy boosts up the international relations and success of CPEC. The present study results guided how Pakistan and China make the CPEC project stronger with the efficient implementation of practices required for protecting the environment, with the economic growth and boost up, and good strong relations with foreign countries. This study was an attempt to validate the different factors to check their association with each other in a new environment, resulting in a leading edge for the success of mega projects that influence project management.

Nexus between green logistic operations and triple bottom line: evidence from infrastructure-led Chinese outward foreign direct investment in Belt and Road host countries.

The Belt and Road initiative (BRI) mainly relies on the traditional and underdeveloped logistical trade routes including the terrestrial and oceanic Silk Road. The poor logistic infrastructure across the BRI region not only restricts trade potential and economic progress but also creates several social and environmental challenges. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between green logistic operations, economic, environmental, and social indicators of countries along with the BRI. This study provides three key findings using feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) and system generalized method of moments (Sys-GMM) estimation techniques. First, Chinese outward foreign direct investment significantly improves the quality and quantity of green logistic operations in terms of transport infrastructure, customs services, cost, time, tracking, and reliability of international shipments. Second, a higher quality of transport-related infrastructure, customs clearance efficiency, and competency of logistics services significantly mitigate the level of carbon emissions due to the energy conservation in the supply chain process. Moreover, the application of renewable energy resources significantly improves the quality of logistics operations. These results indicate that higher quality of green logistic operations provides efficient infrastructure and greater information sharing among supply chain partners that increase trade volume, growth opportunities, and environmental sustainability. Third, a higher institutional quality helps to mitigate social concerns through improvement in the efficiency of logistic operations. Although BRI regional estimates show significant variations, the overall results imply that BRI participating countries should integrate with ongoing investment projects to promote the quality and quantity of green logistic infrastructure and ensuring environmental stewardship.

Groundwater contamination with the threat of COVID-19: Insights into CSR theory of Carroll's pyramid.

In this study, we elucidated the effect of sewage drain on groundwater contamination as including different contaminants, microbes, and pathogens, which deteriorating the groundwater by poor infiltration and seepage. This is getting severer in developing countries like India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where unprocessed effluent is discharged into the water bodies. This study was planned to elucidate the effect of sewage drain (based on distance 0-5, 5-10, 15-20, 20-25 m) from two different sewage drains to explain the different physiochemical, and biological parameters including total soluble solids (TSS), chloride, total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium, total hardness, magnesium, nitrate, chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (D.O.), and biological oxygen demand (BOD). Drainage channel number-1 results showed that E. coli (positive), coliform count (22.75-48.66 /100 mL), and BOD (8-25.75 mgL-1) remained above the permissible limit of the World Health Organization (WHO). Besides, drainage channel number 2 results exposed that E. coli (positive), coliform count (17.7-47 /100 mL), and BOD (6.25-21.5 mg/ L) was not within the permissible limit of WHO. The presence of COVID-19 in the stool has been significantly reported in the literature. The presence of stool in sewage drain leading to groundwater contamination can be an emerging threat to water pollution and could lead to the spread of COVID-19. This study helps to minimize this threat with the help of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Because organizational responsibility towards its society is one of the critical factors to contain numerous issues related to the society.

Scientific risk performance analysis and development of disaster management framework: A case study of developing Asian countries.

Disaster is a state of serious disruptions in the functionality of any society or county. Disasters pose serious economic or environmental impacts that surpass the capacity of the affected country or society to compete with the use of their assets. Recently, Pakistan significantly prone to health disasters due to COVID-19 among developing South Asian countries. The long-term impact of health disasters and other natural hazards put additional pressure mostly on the government's economic policy. It forces the government to follow a constructive approach like a disaster relief-based approach rather than a conventional mitigation management formation to reduce the impact of disaster risk. This study elaborates on the main issues associated with disaster preparedness as well as recovery of the economy and businesses of the country. For Scientific risk performance analysis, open-source data from the National Institute of Disaster Management (NDMA) has been utilized to study the current situation of COVID-19 in Pakistan. Results show Pakistan has been facing a highly vulnerable situation as more than three hundred and fifty thousand confirmed cases have been reported. Poor health and technical management facilities have been exposed against COVID-19 as Pakistan has a low heath budget because of its declining GDP growth rate in the world. This research will help in disaster preparedness and the development of a disaster risk management framework while designing strategies to deal with such pandemics in the future.

Epidemic Spread and Its Management Through Governance and Leadership Response Influencing the Arising Challenges Around COVID-19 in Pakistan-A Lesson Learnt for Low Income Countries With Limited Resource.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first reported in China (Wuhan) at the end of 2019. It has rapidly spread over 216 countries, including the USA, UK, Europe, Russia, and many Asian countries. It has affected more than 4.5 million people, and around 0.3 million deaths have been reported globally. Many preventive measures have been adopted worldwide to mitigate its spread. The government of Pakistan has also taken many preventive measures to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, such as rapid response by governance, continuous monitoring of the pandemic spread in the affected areas, and integration of resources from multiple sectors, including health, education, defense, and media. According to global statistics, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country remained remarkably lower than the expected number for the first 169 days, as compared to other countries. A total of 286,674 confirmed cases, including 16,475 active, 6,139 deaths, and 264,060 (92%) recoveries were reported. The study finds that strict adherence to national policies, effective governance, and unity at the national level resulted in better outcomes. Hence, the preventive measures, rapid responses, and strategies adopted for combating the challenges could be adopted as a learning tool for other countries having similar work environments and financial constraints. This paper can help and guide governance/public actions in response to the possible rebound of coronavirus this fall/winter.

Identification of the H&S (Health and Safety Factors) Involved in Infrastructure Projects in Developing Countries-A Sequential Mixed Method Approach of OLMT-Project.

Urbanization is playing a key role in big cities of developing countries, which, in effect, is increasing the population. This study takes care of the mega infrastructure project (Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT)) to explore and identify the H&S (Health and Safety) factors that affect the local residents and the main key stakeholders working on the project. A Sequential Mixed-Method approach of the OLMT-project includes qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted. The data have been collected from the targeted population working on the OLMT-project through a questionnaire. The main key finding of the study indicates that poor planning and a lack of communication between the public and government led to frustration. The most significant factors that identified in the study were unsafe to work practice, project scope constraints, lack in technical and material support, unsafe/bad condition, health/environment degradation, declination and loss of resources and time, no proper emergency system, and negligence in adopting safety rules and laws. The study also revealed that the consensus should also be noticed between the key stakeholders (e.g., contractors, clients, safety officials, academia) in the second round of the Delphi survey of the project. The study findings will help the key stakeholders to prioritize their energies towards attaining zero levels of inadequate health and safety practices in infrastructure projects. The study outcomes can also be generalized for the other developing countries having a similar work scenario.