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Anthropogenic activities in the past and present eras have created global warming and consequently a storm of drought stress, affecting both plants and animals. Being sessile, plants are more vulnerable to drought stress and consequently reduce plant growth and yield. To mitigate the effects of drought stress on plants, it is very crucial to determine the plant response mechanisms against drought stress. Drought response mechanism includes morph-physiological, biochemical, cellular and molecular processes takes place in plants underlying drought stress. These processes include improvement in root system, leaf structure, osmotic adjustment, relative water content and stomata regulation. In addition, calcium and phytohormone (Abscisic acid, Jasmonic acid, Salicylic acid, Auxins, Gibberellins, Ethylene etc.) signaling pathways and scavenging of reactive oxygen species are the key mechanisms to cope with drought stress. Moreover, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi also have an important role in drought tolerance enhancement. To further elucidate and improve drought tolerance in plants, quantitative trait loci, transgenic approach and application of exogenous substances (nitric oxide, 24-epibrassinoide, glycine betaine and proline) are very crucial. Hereby, the present study integrates various mechanisms of drought tolerance in plants.

Exploring new near-room-temperature thermoelectric materials is significant for replacing current high-cost Bi 2 Te 3 . This study highlights the potential of Ag 2 Se for wearable thermoelectric electronics, addressing the trade-off between performance and flexibility. A record-high ZT of 1.27 at 363 K is achieved in Ag 2 Se-based thin films with 3.2 at.% Te doping on Se sites, realized by a new concept of doping-induced orientation engineering. We reveal that Te-doping enhances film uniformity and (00 l )-orientation and in turn carrier mobility by reducing the (00 l ) formation energy, confirmed by solid computational and experimental evidence. The doping simultaneously widens the bandgap, resulting in improved Seebeck coefficients and high power factors, and introduces Te Se point defects to effectively reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. A protective organic-polymer-based composite layer enhances film flexibility, and a rationally designed flexible thermoelectric device achieves an output power density of 1.5 mW cm −2 for wearable power generation under a 20 K temperature difference. Flexible Ag 2 Se possesses promising near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance, while trade-off in thermoelectric performance and flexibility enhances its practical utility. Here, the authors fabricate polycrystalline Ag 2 Se-based thin film with a high ZT of 1.27 at 363 K by Te doping.

Purpose The main purpose of this study is to examine the catalytic impact of perceptions of politics in organizations on the relationship between perceived unfairness and deviant behavior at work. Design/methodology/approach To test the proposed research model, the authors collected field data in a public sector university located in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan. A two-wave questionnaire was distributed to 400 employees. In the first wave, the questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ perceptions of perceived injustice and organizational politics. After two weeks, the second wave of data collection was conducted by sending another questionnaire to the same respondents to collect data on their organizational and interpersonal deviance. Findings Empirical findings revealed that perceived interactional injustice results in interpersonal deviance, and perceived distributive and procedural injustice results in organizational deviance. Moreover, the direct relationship between perceived injustice and deviant behaviors was stronger when the perception of politics factor was high. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to test the detrimental effect of perception of politics on deviance in a public organization in Pakistan.

PurposeUsing the frameworks of social exchange theory (SET) and conservation of resources (COR) Theory, this study examined the influence of servant leadership on employees' performance through the social exchange indicator (trust), and how perceived organizational politics (POP) influences these relationships.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 236 supervisor/subordinate dyads in a public sector organization in Pakistan. Structural equation modeling and bootstrapping were used to test the study hypotheses.FindingsServant leadership was found to positively influence employees' task performance and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). Further, analysis revealed that trust in leader partially mediated the positive relationship between servant leadership and subordinates' task performance and OCBs. However, although POP moderated the indirect relationship between servant leadership and subordinates' task performance, it did not moderate the indirect relationships between servant leadership and OCBs.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to be conducted in the South Asian context, testing the relationship between servant leadership and employee performance through the social exchange indicator (trust) in a political organizational environment. Theoretical contributions, practical implications, study limitations and future research directions are discussed at the end of the study.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine whether servant leadership (SL) buffers the negative relationship between perceived organizational politics (POP) and employee performance outcomes.Design/methodology/approachTime-lagged multi source data were collected from 236 supervisor-subordinate dyads in a public sector university in Pakistan. SL, POP and several control variables were measured in subordinates at time 1, and supervisor ratings of organization citizenship behaviors and task performance were measured at time 2. The authors performed moderated multiple regression analysis to test the hypotheses underpinning the study.FindingsFindings revealed that POP was negatively related to employee task performance and two types of organization citizenship behavior (individual and organizational). Findings also revealed that SL attenuated the negative effect of POP on employee task performance and the two types of organization citizenship behavior.Practical implications SL is particularly important in organizational cultures characterized by high politics; therefore, managers seeking to enhance task performance and citizenship behavior in employees should adopt this style of leadership if possible.Originality/value This is the first study conducted in the South Asian context that has examined whether, and how, SL buffers the negative effects of POP on employee task performance and organization citizenship behavior.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate employee trust in the leader as the underlying mechanism between transformational leadership and employees’ organizational identification and their continuous improvement efforts.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 282 employees, working in 8 different private and public sector organizations from the banking, higher education, telecommunications and health sectors in Pakistan. Structural equation modeling was used to test the study hypotheses.FindingsThe results support the hypothesized relationships showing that trust in the leader partially mediates the relationship of transformational leadership with organizational identification and continuous improvement efforts.Research limitations/implicationsThis study relied upon cross-sectional data, which does not satisfy the conditions to establish causality.Practical implicationsThe results of this study will help organizations and practitioners to understand the importance of trust between transformational leaders and followers, which ultimately results in higher organizational identification and continuous improvement.Originality/valueUsing the broader framework of social exchange theory (Blau, 1964), this study contributes to the extant employee – organization relationship literature by proposing and testing trust in the leader as an underlying psychological mechanism that can explain the impact of transformational leadership on employees’ organizational identification and their continuous improvement efforts.

Ag 2 Se shows significant potential for near-room-temperature thermoelectric applications, but its performance and device design are still evolving. In this work, we design a novel flexible Ag 2 Se thin-film-based thermoelectric device with optimized electrode materials and structure, achieving a high output power density of over 65 W m −2 and a normalized power density up to 3.68 μW cm −2 K −2 at a temperature difference of 42 K. By fine-tuning vapor selenization time, we strengthen the (013) orientation and carrier mobility of Ag 2 Se films, reducing excessive Ag interstitials and achieving a power factor of over 29 μW cm −1 K −2 at 393 K. A protective layer boosts flexibility of the thin film, retaining 90% performance after 1000 bends at 60°. Coupled with p-type Sb 2 Te 3 thin films and rational simulations, the device shows rapid human motion response and precise servo motor control, highlighting the potential of high-performance Ag 2 Se thin films in advanced applications. The authors design a flexible Ag 2 Se-based thermoelectric device with optimized electrode materials, structure, and selenization time, capable of various applications including rapid response to human motion signals as electronic skin.

Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. (autumn olive) is a high valued medicinal plant. It belongs to Elaeagnaceae family and is widely distributed in Himalayan regions of Pakistan. In the present study essential oil were extracted from the fruit of this plant and their antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antidiabetic potentials were also evaluated. Essential oils were extracted from the fruit of E. umbellata using hydro-distillation method and were characterized by GC-MS. The extracted oil were tested for its antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antidiabetic potentials using standard protocols. About 68 compounds were identified by GC-MS. The extracted oil exhibited a fairly high free radical scavenging activities against DPPH and ABTS radicals with IC values of 70 and 105 μg/mL respectively (for ascorbic acid, used as standard, the IC values were 32 and 29 μg/mL, respectively against the mentioned radicals). The essential oil also exhibited anticholinesterase activities with IC values of 48 and 90 μg/mL respectively against AChE and BChE (for galantamine used as standard, the IC values were 25 and 30 μg/mL respectively). The essential oil also exhibited antidiabetic potential with IC values of 120 and 110 μg/mL respectively against α-glucosidase and α-amylase (IC values for standard acarbose = 28 and 30 μg/mL respectively). Essential oil extracted from the fruits of E. umbellata exhibited reasonable antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antidiabetic potentials that could be used as alternative medicine in treating diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. However, further studies are needed to isolate responsible compounds and evaluate the observed potential in animal models.

The increase in resistance of microbes against conventional drugs is currently a hot issue, whereas diabetes is another main cause of mortalities encountered throughout the world after cancer and heart attacks. New drug sources in the form of plants are investigated to get effective drugs for the mentioned diseases with minimum side effects. Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. is a medicinal plant used for the management of stress related disorders like diabetes and other health complications. The active constituents of the chloroform extract derived from E. umbellata berries was isolated by silica gel column chromatography which were identified as morin, phloroglucinol, and 1-hexyl benzene through various spectroscopic techniques (electron ionization mass spectrometry, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectroscopy). The possible protective effects (antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activity) of isolated compounds were evaluated using reported methods. Morin exhibited strong in vitro antiradical potential against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals along with prominent antibacterial activities against selected bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis). Among the isolated compounds the more potent one (morin) was assessed for its in vivo antidiabetic potential in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. The in vivo effects observed were further confirmed in ex vivo experiments where the effect of isolated compound on antioxidant enzyme like glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total content of reduced glutathione (GSH), % DPPH inhibition, and the lipid peroxidation MDA (Malondialdehyde) level in pancreatic tissues homogenates were evaluated. In vivo morin at tested doses (2, 10, 15, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight) significantly restored the alterations in the levels of fasting blood glucose level and body weight loss along with significant decrease in levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, HbA1c level, and significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein in diabetic rats. Morin also effectively ameliorated the hepatic enzymes, and renal functions like serum creatinine. Morin significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme like GPx activity, GSH content, and % DPPH inhibition activity, while reduced the lipid peroxidation MDA (malondialdehyde) level in pancreatic tissues homogenates, and modification of histopathological changes in diabetic rats. Morin exhibited high antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic potentials as compared to phloroglucinol and 1-hexyl benzene, that could, therefore, be considered as a promising therapeutic agent to treat diabetes mellitus and bacterial infections.

Pakistan has been blessed with rich tourism potential because of its rich history, culture, biological and geographical diversity. Travelers have for quite some time been attracted to Pakistan to encounter a nation that flaunts rugged natural beauty, cultural richness, and unparalleled hospitality. Pakistan has various tourist destinations in the northern areas of Pakistan. Kumrat Valley has become a tourist hotspot in recent times after the prime minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, visited the valley. To reduce the negative effects on these tourist destinations due to the accelerating increase in tourists, the present study used a quantitative approach to uncover whether there is an environmental awareness–behavior gap among the tourists, with their level of environmental awareness outweighing pro-environmental behavior. Using a sample of 426 tourists who have visited the valley, the analysis of the results indicates that the pro-environmental behavior is positively and significantly affected by the components, environmental awareness, environmental concern, and environmental attachment. Environmental attachment is added as a moderator between environmental awareness and pro-environmental behavior. This study suggests that environmental awareness must be promoted among tourists to ensure that they exhibit pro-environmental behavior.