14 research outputs found
Slow Infusion of Information Technology in Master Bank of Pakistan – A Case Study
Full text linkE-Banking is now a well know phenomenon in the industry and amongst the banking users in Pakistan. This paper addresses the issues encountered and lessons derived by largest Pakistani bank while developing its e-banking capabilities. The paper explores some burning issues hindering key decisions of shifting to e-banking, e-banking delivery channel choice, enticing customers, and managing e-channel conflict to be made by bank. The findings indicated that the obstacles related to e banking customer location, customer satisfaction and the Bank’s software’s and communication infrastructure capabilities are influential factors in motivating the decision for shifting to a high-tech bank. The bank's E-channel choice is influenced by competence of application and software technologies that the bank acquires and the nature of diffusion of information and communications among its stakeholders. Technological development in Banking practices and awareness in customers due to presence of foreign and domestic banks in Pakistani financial market influenced the Master Bank to switch over to complete automated banking system. The sophistication of ebanking services and the further rapid improvement appears to influence strategies to entice E-channel conflict issues. The paper concludes by suggesting the Bank to optimally utilize its resources by deploying efficient applications and software’s and third party alliances and partnerships required to offer customized technology enabled banking services and develop appropriate e-banking risk mitigation strategies that bring the bank into a win-win position
The Making of Bangladesh
Full text linkIn this paper, Alavi brings together an interview and academic scholarship on the 1971 partition of East and West Pakistan and the independence of Bangladesh. Throughout the paper, the author works through theories of nationalism to unpack how competing nationalist myths informed the events and aftermath of the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence. Alavi argues for the importance of oral narratives as a way of bearing
witness to histories that are overshadowed by nationalist myths. An earlier version of this essay was produced for an oral history assignment for the course Introduction to South Asian Studies (SOSC 2435) at York University and was the winner of the York Centre for Asian Research’s 2016 Undergraduate Asia Essay Award
Book Review of Unni Wikan, In Honor of Fadime: Murder & Shame. Translated by Anna Paterson.
Full text linkThe writer Unni Wikan, a Norwegian by nationality is a social anthropologist who has worked at various universities a professor of social anthropology. Wikan has also worked as a consultant with international organisations such as United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Program (WFP).
In this book, the author tried to explore Fadime’s (a Swedish girl of Turkish origin) honour killing case under the light of different socio- cultural traditions and immigration issues. Honour killing is one of an extreme act of violence against women which highlights their subordinated position within patriarchal societies. Since last few decades Anthropologists, social scientists, journalists and NGO’s in different parts of the world have started to raise this issue seriously through exploring case studies, writing books, articles and several projects
Economic determinants of nonperforming loans: Perception of Pakistani bankers
Full text linkThis study provides the perception of Pakistani bankers regarding the economic factors causing non-performing loans in the Pakistani banking sector since 2006. This is the first time that any study is conducted in Pakistan to highlight the economic factors of NPLs via primary data collection from loan providing and approving authorities of Pakistani banking industry. This study was conducted via a well structured questionnaire and data was collected from 201 bankers who are involved in the lending decisions or analyze the credit risk or handling non-performing loans portfolio. Correlation and regression analysis was carried out to analyze the impact of selected independent variables (Interest Rate, Energy Crisis, Unemployment, Inflation, GDP Growth, and Exchange Rate) on the non-performing loans of Pakistani banking sector. Top 10 Pakistani banks were selected as a sample. According to the results Pakistani bankers perceive that Interest Rate, Energy Crisis, Unemployment, Inflation, and Exchange Rate has a significant positive relationship with the non-performing loans of Pakistani banking sector while GDP growth has significant negative relationship with the non-performing loans of Pakistani banking sector. This study also discusses how good loans are turning into bad loans due to disaster in energy sector of Pakistan and how these energy crisis are badly affecting the banking sector of Pakistan. In future social determinants of non-performing loans should be studied. This study is first of its kind opening door for further primary research on NPLS of Pakistani banking sector. Key words: Non-performing loan; perception of Pakistani bankers; energy crisis; Economic determinants of Non-performing loans 1
Optimization of process parameters by response surface methodology to develop a more bioefficacious nanosuspension of Silybum marianum seed extract
Full text linkPurpose: To develop a nanosuspension drug delivery system to enhance the dissolution rate of Silybum marianum seeds extract.
Methods: Central composite design was used to study the effect of the input variables (stabilizer to plant extract ratio, antisolvent to solvent ratio, stirring time) on the dependent variables (mean particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential). The optimized formulation was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier Transformed Infrared Microscopy (FT-IR) and in vitro dissolution testing.
Results: The optimized nanosuspension with mean particle size of 137 nm, PDI of 0.327 and zeta potential of -37 mV was obtained. SEM studies revealed irregular shaped particles. AFM studies showed nanosized particles with good surface characteristics. The optimized formulation showed faster dissolution rate than coarse suspension.
Conclusion: Results suggested that nanosuspension has remarkable potential for enhancement of the dissolution properties of poorly soluble S. marianum seed extract.
Keywords: Silybum marianum; Nanosuspension; Optimization; Dissolution rat
Lived experiences of village-based patients with chronic kidney disease receiving haemodialysis at Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan: a transcendental phenomenology study protocol
No full textBackground Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the major health issues in Pakistan, exerting notable effects on both the physical and mental well-being of individuals undergoing haemodialysis. Of particular concern to healthcare professionals is the potential adverse influence of haemodialysis on the lives of patients with CKD residing in rural areas of the country. This study will explore and describe the lived experiences and needs of patients with CKD receiving haemodialysis from the perspectives of patients and their family caregivers.Methods and analysis Transcendental phenomenological research design will be used. Participants will be recruited from the dialysis centre of a tertiary hospital through purposive sampling based on specific inclusion criteria. In-depth unstructured interviews, observation and document analysis will be the methods for data collection. Data will be analysed using Colaizzi’s approach following the transcription of the interviews.Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Pakistan (IRB # 0307–23) and written permission was obtained from the administration of the study hospital. Before giving written and verbal consent, all participants will receive detailed information about the study. Participants will maintain the freedom to withdraw from the study at any point. Confidentiality of the participants will be ensured. The study findings will be disseminated to important stakeholders and published in scientific papers and conference proceedings
Computational Analysis Reveals Distinctive Interaction of miRNAs with Target Genes in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Kidney Disease
Full text linkThe regulation of genes is crucial for maintaining a healthy intracellular environment, and any dysregulation of gene expression leads to several pathological complications. It is known that many diseases, including kidney diseases, are regulated by miRNAs. However, the data on the use of miRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not conclusive. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the potential of miRNAs as an efficient biomarker for the detection and treatment of CKD at its early stages. Gene expression profiling data were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. miRNAs directly associated with CKD were obtained from an extensive literature search. Network illustration of miRNAs and their projected target differentially expressed genes (tDEGs) was accomplished, followed by functional enrichment analysis. hsa-miR-1-3p, hsa-miR-206, hsa-miR-494 and hsa-miR-577 exhibited a strong association with CKD through the regulation of genes involved in signal transduction, cell proliferation, the regulation of transcription and apoptotic process. All these miRNAs have shown significant contributions to the inflammatory response and the processes which eventually lead to the pathogenesis of CKD. The in silico approach used in this research represents a comprehensive analysis of identified miRNAs and their target genes for the identification of molecular markers of disease processes. The outcomes of the study recommend further efforts for developing miRNA biomarkers set for the early diagnosis of CKD
THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN’S OPPRESSION IN A PATRIARCHAL CULTURE: A RADICAL FEMINISTIC ANALYSIS OF ALICE MUNRO’S “RUNAWAY”
Full text linkThe current study aims to investigate female’s life and conditions through the experiences, writings, and narratives of Alice Munro (1931),she is bestselling author of short stories and Nobel Laureate (2013). In her collection of manufactured short stories, Runaway (2004),she explores female existence, conditions, and experiences and gives an exclusive narrative of female-centric characters. This study utilizes qualitative approach based on two main objectives. First, it explores the core causes of women’s oppression in the setting of Canadian society in Munro’s first short tale “Runaway”from her book Runaway, despite the fact that the female protagonist Carla revealed all of her life’s hurdles. Second, it explores the patriarchal norms and dominant culture in Runaway that limit women’s freedom and choices, as demonstrated by Carla’s husband Clark in the story. To offer a thorough examination, the concept of radical feminism proposed by Simone De Beauvoir (1908-86) serves as a theoretical foundation for this study. Radical feminism is a feminist perspective that entitles the concept of patriarchal grounds, gender system, dominating culture, and also a hierarchy; as a result of these fundamental concerns, women suffered oppression throughout their lives. However, due to its assumption-based nature that women are not inherently confined and resist, society produces the opposing fractions (sexes) male and female. Therefore, this theory is also classified as conflict theory. Finally, this paper shows Munro’s pinned down the reality of life and relationships that are built on male dominance over women; the patriarchal harshness of males oppresses women’s freedom and choices
Development of Nanosuspension of Artemisia absinthium Extract as Novel Drug Delivery System to Enhance Its Bioavailability and Hepatoprotective Potential
No full textA nanosuspension of Artemisia absinthium extract was formulated and characterized for the enhancement of bioavailability and better hepatoprotective efficacy. The nanosuspension of A. absinthium extract was formulated using an antisolvent precipitation technique, and various formulation parameters were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized nanosuspension was characterized using AFM and FT–IR spectroscopy. The drug-release profile and oral bioavailability of the optimized nanosuspension were assessed with reference to coarse suspension. The DPPH radical scavenging method was used to measure the nanosuspension’s antioxidant activity, and its in vivo hepatoprotective potential was assessed against CCl4-induced hepatic injury in rats. The developed optimized nanosuspension had suitable zeta potential of −11.9 mV, PDI of 0.285, and mean particle size of 253.8 nm. AFM study demonstrated a homogeneous population of nanoparticles with average size of 25 nm. The formulated nanosuspension of A. absinthium showed faster dissolution rate and 1.13-fold enhanced bioavailability as compared to the coarse suspension (plant extract). Furthermore, the nanoformulation had stronger antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential as compared to the unprocessed coarse extract. These results demonstrated that nanosuspension is a promising strategy for improving the oral bioavailability and bioactivities of A. absinthium extract
