81 research outputs found
Evaluation of Anthropometric Parameters of Central Obesity among Professional Drivers: A Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis
No full textDifferent anthropometric parameters have been proposed for assessing central obesity. The diagnostic performance of these anthropometric parameters and their ability to correctly measure central obesity for the professional community, like drivers, is questionable and needs to be assessed. The study aimed to examine the diagnostic performance of anthropometric parameters as indicators of central obesity in drivers as measured by waist circumference (WC) and to determine the best cut-off values for these parameters that would identify obese drivers. Anthropometric measurements from a cross-sectional sample of 197 professional drivers were taken under standard protocol. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to examine the diagnostic performance and to determine the optimal cut-off point of each anthropometric parameter to identify centrally obese drivers. It was found that WC had a significant positive correlation with all other obesity indicators. The ROC curve analysis indicated that all the parameters analyzed had a good performance, but the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) had a more predictive value of the area under the curve (AUC). Optimal cut-offs to identify central obesity in drivers were 0.55, 2.06, 0.95, and 25.44 for WHtR, conicity index, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index, respectively. These cut-off points for different indicators can be used to detect central obesity for drivers.
Impact evaluation of structural adjustment program: a case of Pakistan
No full textWe analyzed the effect of Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) on macroeconomic variables of Pakistan using annual time series data for the years 1981-2001. The impact of
four policy instruments of SAP, i.e. reduction in budget deficit, increase in indirect taxes,adjusting the exchange rate and sliding down of subsidies, on employment, income
distribution, per-capita income and inflation has been analyzed. It is found that the first policy instrument, i.e. decrease in budget deficit has affected employment, income distribution and inflation adversely. The second policy instrument of imposition of indirect tax negatively affected the employment, income distribution, per capita income and positively affected the inflation. The third policy instrument of SAP was adjustment of exchange rate. It is estimated that adjusting exchange rate has resulted into increased unemployment and inflation. The fourth policy instrument of shrink in subsidies augmented
the unemployment, unequal distribution of income and inflation and dwindled the percapita income. It appears that SAP has adversely affected the major socioeconomic
variables of the economy. Currently the government is considering for loan from IMF, so it is proposed to avoid such type of policy directives from IMF
Impact evaluation of structural adjustment program: a case of Pakistan
No full textWe analyzed the effect of Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) on macroeconomic variables of Pakistan using annual time series data for the years 1981-2001. The impact of four policy instruments of SAP, i.e. reduction in budget deficit, increase in indirect taxes,adjusting the exchange rate and sliding down of subsidies, on employment, income distribution, per-capita income and inflation has been analyzed. It is found that the first policy instrument, i.e. decrease in budget deficit has affected employment, income distribution and inflation adversely. The second policy instrument of imposition of indirect tax negatively affected the employment, income distribution, per capita income and positively affected the inflation. The third policy instrument of SAP was adjustment of exchange rate. It is estimated that adjusting exchange rate has resulted into increased unemployment and inflation. The fourth policy instrument of shrink in subsidies augmented the unemployment, unequal distribution of income and inflation and dwindled the percapita income. It appears that SAP has adversely affected the major socioeconomic variables of the economy. Currently the government is considering for loan from IMF, so it is proposed to avoid such type of policy directives from IMF.Structural Adjustment Program, Budget deficit, Indirect taxes, Exchange rate, Subsidies, Employment, Income distribution, Per-capita income, Inflation,Pakistan
Prevalence of Avian Influenza Virus (H 5 ) in Poultry Layer Flocks in and Around Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
No full textAbstract.-Avian influenza virus (AIV: H 5 ) infections are persisting in wild birds in sub-clinical form and are source of dissemination to commercial birds. In an outbreak, rapid detection of the AIV is considered to be a valuable tool for its handling on poultry farms. In the present study, 975 samples of tissue homogenate, tracheal, and cloacal swabs (325 of each) were collected from 40 suspected flocks (10 layer breeder and 30 commercial layers) and were processed for AIV detection using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and virus culture and identification techniques. The AIV was detected from 92 (9.4%) samples (12 samples of tissue homogenate, 50 tracheal and 30 cloacal swabs) of 4 (10%) layer flocks (one layer breeder and 3 commercial layer) using RT-PCR technique while the virus was confirmed from 16 (1.6%) samples (10 samples of tissue homogenate, 20 tracheal swabs and 10 cloacal swabs) of 2 (5%) flocks (one layer flock of each category) using virus culture technique. Fifty tracheal swabs (15.4%), 30 cloacal swabs (9.2%) and 12 tissue homogenate (3.7%) showed presence of the AIV through RT-PCR and 20 tracheal swabs (6.2%), 10 cloacal swabs (3.1%) and 10 Tissue homogenate (3.1%) showed presence of the virus through the virus culture technique. In conclusion, AIV subtype H 5 was prevailing in poultry layer flocks in and around Faisalabad city, Pakistan. Tracheal swabs were the most reliable source of sample for detection of virus RNA using RT-PCR technique and isolation of the virus for subsequent confirmation through hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test
The Carbon Emission Trading Policy of China: Does It Really Boost the Environmental Upgrading?
No full textChina’s rapid industrialization has led to massive resource consumption, and the country has recently been highlighted as the World’s top carbon emitter. To pursue a sustainable economy via environmental upgrading, reductions in carbon emission levels are of great concern. The carbon emission reduction policy (CETP) is an environmental regulation aimed at cutting emissions and achieving environmental protection. Based on panel data of pilot and non-pilot regions, this study investigated the policy impact of the CETP on carbon emission reduction through difference-in-differences (DID). The findings, based on pooled OLS (ordinary least squares) and LSDV (least square dummy variable) regressions, revealed that the carbon emissions of the pilot regions (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangdong, Chongqing, and Hubei) had reduced by 12 percent more than the non-pilot regions. Thus, this implies that the CETP causes environmental upgrading. The results were further verified using a number of robustness checks, including parallel trends, placebo test, Granger causality test, and DID regression with a longer sample period. Based on the study findings, it was concluded that to achieve higher upgrade levels related to the environment, the CETP needs to be encouraged and improved for nationwide implementation. Furthermore, sustainable economic development in China also needs strict environmental regulations and policy measures
Exploring the neurosurgery training landscape in Pakistan: A trainee\u27s perspective in resource-limited settings
No full textBackground: Shortage of neurosurgeons in Pakistan, one per 720,000 people, stems from a lack of trainees. Therefore, it is vital to assess the training experience, career opportunities, and satisfaction levels of neurosurgical trainees in Pakistan.Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted, covering 22 CPSP-accredited neurosurgery training programs in Pakistan. Convenience sampling was utilized with a pilot tested questionnaire and responses were analyzed using STATA 15.Results: The response rate was 98% (120/122) with 70.8% male and mean age of 30.4 ± 4.1 years. Training programs included teaching courses (79%) and journal club (66%); however, there was a lack of cadaver workshops (14%) and cranial model-based stimulation (22%). 67% of trainees lacked publications in indexed journals. 69% worked 50-100 h weekly, with 62% experiencing burnout due to workload and hours and a third reporting poor work-life balance. Trainees dedicated more to operating rooms (37%, 10-24 h/week) and clinics (34%, 24-48 h/week) compared to study (42%, \u3c5 h/week) and research (64%, \u3c5 h/week). Gender equality was rated poorly by 50%. Disparities emerged in subspecialty exposure, with over half of trainees lacking exposure to deep brain stimulation (67%), and epilepsy (75%). 52.5% of the training institutes did not offer fellowships and 64.1% of trainees planned to pursue fellowships abroad.Conclusions: Steps need to be taken to improve working hours, gender equity, and increase simulation courses, diversify subspecialty exposure, and promote research initiatives
Biotic Potential Induced by Different Host Plants in the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
No full textFall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous insect pest of many important crops. To evaluate the influence of host plants on the biology and survival of the Pakistani population of S. frugiperda, we examined life table parameters of S. frugiperda raised on maize, sorghum, wheat, and rice. The development rate was significantly higher on the maize crop than on the other three host plants. Different larval diets affected development time and fecundity. S. frugiperda attained the fastest larval development (16 days) on maize and the slowest development (32.74 days) on rice. Adult females from maize-fed larvae laid 1088 eggs/female, those from sorghum-fed larvae laid 591.6 eggs/female, those from wheat-fed larvae laid 435.6 eggs/female, and those from rice-fed larvae laid 49.6 eggs/female. Age stage-specific parameters also indicated the higher fecundity, higher life expectancy, and higher survival of S. frugiperda on maize plants than on the other three hosts. Larval diets had a significant varying effect on the finite and intrinsic increase rates, reflecting that maize was the most suitable diet. The findings of the present study are useful for predicting population dynamics especially in areas cultivating Poaceae crops, except maize, to develop sustainable integrated pest management strategies for this pest
A new water stable zinc metal organic framework as an electrode material for hydrazine sensing
No full textMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as direct electrode materials for electrochemical sensing can offer inherent advantages such as containing sensing element and redox mediator in a single molecule.</p
E-Government Development and its Role in Enhancing Government Effectiveness and Public Sector Governance
No full textThe digital transformation within public administration is fundamental to improving government effectiveness levels. The study employs CS-ARDL analysis to evaluate the relationship between e-government development and governance indicators (control of corruption, e-government, rule of law, regulatory quality, and voice and accountability) concerning Government Effectiveness in the short and long term. According to the study findings, control of corruption, regulatory quality, and citizen participation demonstrate short-run effects on Government Effectiveness. The combination of quick expansions in the rule of law regulations and previous government efficiency creates obstacles to present-day administrative success, indicating potential administrative flexibility problems. Sustainable improvements in government effectiveness emerge from robust control of corruption combined with high regulatory quality, active voice, and accountability during the long-run analysis. Combining e-government platforms with strict regulations shows inverse relationships to sustainable effectiveness because proper institutional backing and supplementary reform measures are essential for digital tools to produce intended benefits. The findings demonstrate the need for government officials to unite digital initiatives with extensive institutional capacity development because this combination enables e-government programs to create better public service provision and governance outcomes
Channel Contention-Based Routing Protocol for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks
No full textWith the development of wireless technology, two basic wireless network models that are commonly used, known as infrastructure and wireless ad hoc networks (WANETs), have been developed. In the literature, it has been observed that channel contention is one of the main reasons for packet drop in WANETs. To handle this problem, this paper presents a routing protocol named CCBR (Channel Contention Based Routing). CCBR tries to determine a least contended path between the endpoints to increase packet delivery ratio and to reduce packet delay and normalized routing overhead. Moreover, throughout the active data section, each intermediate node computes its channel contention value. If an intermediate node detects an increase in channel contention, it notifies the source node. Then the source node determines another least contended route for transmission. The advantages of CCBR are verified in our NS2-based performance study, and the results show that CCBR outperforms ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) in terms of packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay, and routing overhead by 4% to 9%
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