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This work was designed for the production of geopolymer based lightweight aggregate (LWA) using industrial by-products. Combination of fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) were used as precursors, whereas, combination of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate were used as activator. Small amount of sodium bicarbonate was also used for surface hardening and early strength development. Pellets of dif- ferent sizes were crafted manually and cured by microwave radiations just for 5 minutes. The physico- mechanical properties of produced pellets (LWA) were discussed in light of: morphology, density, water absorption, specific gravity, porosity, aggregate impact value, and particle crushing strength. The prop- erties of LWA were also compared with literature reported synthetic LWAs cured with different tech- niques. The water absorption and specific gravity of LWAs were within the specified range provided by ACI standard. Mechanical strength properties briefed that the produced LWAs were strong enough to resist compressive load comparable to natural LWAs and many other synthetic LWAs. Thus, proposed curing method, microwave irradiation, has been found to be a sustainable and fast curing technique than conventional energy-intensive curing regimes. The results also confirmed that produced LWAs have po- tential to replace natural LWAs both in cast-in-place and precast concrete elements with possible eco- nomic, environmental, and technical benefits.

There is a pressing need for public administration leaders to exhibit expertise-based intuitive leadership traits for developing countries to respond to sustainability challenges. While the importance of explicit and tacit knowledge to underpin expertise-based intuitive decision-making is known, public service leaders of developing countries can lack these traits. It is necessary to explore the reasons for leadership skills gaps in order to define remedial actions, such as better executive development training. This study conducts 28 in-depth interviews with public administration leaders, managers, and executive training professionals in Pakistan to address the challenge of how to build expertise-based intuitive leadership traits in public administration leaders. The main findings highlight deficiencies in domain-specific knowledge and soft skills. Deficits in the formal training of leaders and the negative contribution of cultural preconditions both result in explicit and tacit knowledge gaps that undermine expertise-based intuitive decision-making. An “iceberg of expertise-based leadership” model is conceptualized, extending on previous models, to describe the intangible role that explicit and tacit knowledge play in the visible expression of leadership skills. The relevance of this model for the success of public sector-led initiatives for sustainable development is highlighted.

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Background: Over diagnosis of isolated oligohydramnios is associated with increased obstetrical intervention without improving maternal and perinatal outcome. Objective of this study is to evaluate two methods of amniotic fluid volume assessment regarding obstetrical intervention frequency and its effect on maternal and perinatal outcome. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at a Private Hospital of Dera Ismail Khan and Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from 1st January 2017 till 31st December 2019. All pregnant patients with singleton, un-complicated pregnancy with period of gestation from 41 weeks to 41 weeks 6 days, live fetus were included in the study. Women who met the eligibility criteria were assigned to two different techniques of amniotic fluid assessment, first amniotic fluid index( AFI) method and second single deepest vertical pocket(SDVP) method. Data was recorded on a specially designed proforma. The socio-demographic variables were age in years, parity. Continuous variable was measured on numerical scale and expressed as mean and SD. Research variables were maternal outcome and perinatal outcome in terms of oligohydramnios frequency, induction of labour, caeserean section, fetal distress, NICU admission, A/S < than 7 at 5 minutes. Chi-sq test of significance was applied. Results: A total of 160 patients met the inclusion criteria. In first group 30 (37.5%) and in second group18 (22.5%) had oligohydramnios. In AFI group 10 (33.3%) and in SDVP group 3(16.66%) had caesereans section. Induction of labour was 30(37.5%) in AFI group and 18(22.5%) in SDVP group. These results were statistically significant with a p value less than .05 at 5% significance level. Fetal distress, A/S < than 7 at 5 minutes, NICU admission results were not statistically significant for two groups. Conclusion: SDVP technique gave less abnormal results, less intervention with no significant difference in maternal and perinatal outcome. Keywords: Amniotic fluid, Oligohydramnios, Caesarean section.