The global construction sector is responsible for utilizing a huge amount of energy and raw materials. It also generates a huge amount of solid waste which has become a threat to the environment. For improving the construction practices, it is promoted to adopt sustainable practices in construction works. Since sustainable practices are comparatively new in Pakistan. Hence, this paper focused on investigating the implementation level of adoption of sustainable practices in construction works and the barriers to adoption of sustainable practices in construction work. However, this study was limited to the construction industry of Sindh. Through structured questionnaires, 98 samples were gathered against 145 questionnaire forms distributed amongst the client, contractor, consultant organizations and academicians. Data were analyzed through statistical methods using relative importance index formula to assess the occurrence level, severity level, and importance level. From the findings of the study, it is found that level of implementation of practices related to environmental sustainability is low while economical sustainability is at a better level and the adoption of social practices in construction projects is at a moderate level. Further, investigation of 29 common barriers indicated that lack of planning policy and regulatory framework, the perception of the higher investment cost of sustainability and lack of knowledge, training, and education in sustainable construction are major barriers in the implementation of sustainable construction. During interviews, the practitioners mentioned that for promoting the adoption of sustainable construction government should develop policy-making and regulatory bodies, the government should enforce and monitor existing laws and legislations to deter defaulters; and encouraging research in sustainable construction.

A sustainable approach to the conservation of the natural environment remains the subject of concern for the developing countries\' developers. There is an active debate that construction activities have the potential to cause significant environmental harm. The rapid growth in urbanization generated ample demand for automobiles, leading to greater fuel consumption. The place catering for this fuel need is a Petrol Filling Station (PFS). A PFS is certainly a very valuable facility, but it is shown to have high potential hazards, resulting in natural resource destruction and pollution and causing hazards such as environmental, hydrological, geological and socioeconomic. Thus, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was implemented as an effective tool for Preparing and controlling the environmental and socioeconomic feasibility of the proposed development projects. It has been noted that the chosen sites cannot pass the evaluation tests for these construction projects. Therefore, the site should be relocated or precautionary measures that are suggested by the competent authority should be followed, resulting in project time and cost overrun. This study thus provides an integrated Geographical Information System (GIS) land suitability approach based on EIA using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) technique for the viable selection of new petrol filling stations for the site. A case study is carried out to develop and validate the theoretical approach to its practical end. The case study findings indicate that there is 76 per cent of the current PFS in the acceptable region, while there is still 26 per cent of the total current PFS not in the adequate region. The findings of the comparative code analysis show a difference in the selected codes. This EIA-based GIS approach to the analysis of land suitability using AHP is an important method for policymakers to evaluate these spatial issues.

A healthy and safe workplace remains a priority for workers of the steel industry. Historic events depict that the process of this industry was complex and hazardous. In such an environment, accidents were inevitable. The safety and health require a strong commitment and must establish the culture in which safety and health should be of top priority and should not be compromised. This paper investigates the occupational accidents and health problems occur in the steel industry and it also investigates the root causes of identified accidents and health problems. A qualitative study has been conducted followed by a quantitative segment. Quadrant Distribution (QD) method is used to identify the most critical occupational accident and health problem. Relative Importance Weight (RIW) is used for prioritizing the causes. This study concludes that Fall at ground level, Struck against and Slip and fall are the three major occupational accidents occur in the steel industry. Similarly, Lungs irritation, Throat irritation, and Heatstroke are the three major health problems. It is also observed that Worker negligence for safety practices, Inadequate supervision, Lack of safety meetings, Coordination gape, Insecure methods & task and Lack of training are the major causes of such occupational accidents and health problems. Hence, it is very significant to design proper strategies to resist occupational accidents and health problem in the steel industry because the phenomenon of occupational accidents management is a serious concern of any industry.

Globally construction sector is facing difficulties due to poor performance of the workers. Though, several advanced tools and methods have been invented but yet productivity of the workers especially unskilled workers is not reached to satisfactory level. This poor productivity of the workers is influenced by different factors which are essential to be controlled. Hence, this paper has focused on investigating the factors affecting poor labour productivity. However, the scope of this work is limited to construction work of Sindh province of Pakistan. Data collection involved survey using questionnaire form designed based on 36 common factors of productivity determined through comprehensive review of previously published research articles. Statistical analysis of the 71 collected questionnaire forms revealed that semi skilled workers have better productivity than un-skilled workers on site. Major reasons of this poor productivity are low wages, delay in payment, accidents, unsafe working conditions and lack of incentive scheme programmes for works. On the other hand critical factors influencing productivity of semi-skilled workers include low wages o the workers, delay in payment, accidents, unsafe working conditions and delay in supply of materials and equipment\'s to site.

Most of the researchers\' attentions are focused on the efficacy of antitumor agents, so that the toxic effects induced are rarely valued and always weakened. Our previous study has demonstrated that the synthesized ruthenium (Ru) complex exerted favorable antitumor activity as well as low cytotoxicity on normal cells. Hence the Ru complex seems to be a promising antitumor agent and has significant clinical value. In this work, its developmental toxicities were investigated using zebrafish vivo model. The results suggested that Ru complex obviously inhibited the hatching process and swimming bladder formation of zebrafish, and it was able to enter the body through breeding behavior and distribute into the brain. In addition, the Ru complex clearly reduced the sensitivity of zebrafish to external stimuli, which may be attributed to the direct injuring effect of Ru complex on the brain rather than the ROS or apoptosis production, and it also reduced the adaptability of zebrafish on the light and dark stimulation. Meanwhile, Ru complex impeded the angiogenesis formation, activated sympathetic stimulation and influenced the heart function of zebrafish. It can be seen from this that the toxic effects caused by antitumor agents should be paid more attention, and there was no point in assessing antitumor efficacy unless the toxicity was evaluated appropriately.

In this study, the emulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate and methyl acrylate (Vac/MA) in the presence of potassium persulfate (KPS) in reaction times of 3.5 and 5 h at 70-72 ºC investigated. The synthesized copolymer (Vac/MA) was confirmed using FT-IR spectroscopy and its glass transition temperatures (Tg) determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Then, the copolymer was coated sugar beet seeds for applied at 7 °C and 50% moisture in the germinator. Results showed that copolymerization of vinyl acetate and methyl acrylate (Vac/MA) has glass transition temperature (Tg) of 12 °C. During the 21 days after cultivation in the germinator, fewer have been germinated during the period than the uncoated seed and usual polymer (usual in sugar beet seed coating). This indicates the inhibitory effect on germination and delaying it in sugar beet seed, which is resistant to pests and also suitable for use in cold regions. Due to the use of late winter and early spring rainfall, the amount of water used to irrigate is also reduced.