113 research outputs found
Probing the potential of Al2CO/SiC heterostructures for visible light-driven photocatalytic water splitting using first-principles strategies
No full textPhotocatalytic water splitting is a sustainable and eco-friendly method for renewable energy production. The development of an efficient photocatalyst based on two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures with suitable band offsets is at the heart of relevant research activities. In this work, we predict a novel 2D heterostructure of Al2CO and SiC based on first-principles calculations of the structural, electronic, optical, interfacial, and photocatalytic mechanisms. The results indicate that AB stacking of the interface is energetically more favorable with a direct band gap of 2.27 eV. The interface exhibits strong covalent interaction, straddling-type band alignment, and suitable redox potentials for water splitting. Owing to their exceptional stability, the findings based on the work function revealed an efficient charge transfer mechanism due to the internal electric field. Furthermore, the optical properties of the structure indicate strong light harvesting ability in visible and ultraviolet regions. The findings suggest that the proposed heterostructure offer suitable band edge positions for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. The mechanisms of water splitting, hydrogen and oxygen production are examined to explore the prospects of overall water splitting. Three fundamental steps—Volmer, Heyrovsky, and Tafel—are investigated to study the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity. The screening of whole reaction pathways for oxygen production exhibited low theoretical overpotential and enhanced catalytic efficiency. This study demonstrates that the Al2CO/SiC heterostructure is a promising material for overall water splitting in various pH ranges under visible light irradiation
R from Zero to Hero (Arabic)
No full textThis is a course designed by Batool Almarzouq and delivered in JeelAIDM. All Materials are licensed under CC-BY license. CC-BY license means you can re-use, modify and build upon the materials with attribution to the source. The course is delivered over six weeks, with two sessions each week, each lasting two hours.
Week
Session
1
Introduction to R and Open Science
1
Project Management
2
R Markdown
2
GitHub in RStudio
3
Tidydata
3
Tidyverse
4
ggplot2 Part 1
4
ggplot2 Part 2
5
YAML in R Markdown
5
Blogging in R
6
Reproducibility with renv
6
Create your first R package!
The Slides are accompanied by live coding in this GitHub repository associated.The author acknowledges JeelAIDM for making the materials ope
Erratum: Cloaking using anisotropic multilayer circular cylinder (AIP Advances (2020) 10 (095312) DOI: 10.1063/5.0012769)
No full textCo-author Mehwish Nisar should have had an additional affiliation noted in the byline of our original manuscript.1 The correct affiliations for this manuscript are as listed above
Supplementary material 3 from: Rais M, Ahmed J, Naveed A, Batool A, Shahzad A, Bibi R, Sajjad A (2021) Field surveys along habitat gradients revealed differences in herpetofauna assemblage in Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan. Biodiversity Data Journal 9: e61541. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.9.e61541
No full textSpecies lis
Environmental Impact of ICT on Disaggregated Energy Consumption in China: A Threshold Regression Analysis
No full textDue to resource scarcity, high energy demand, and environmental degradation, China’s rapid economic growth over the past three decades has been accompanied by certain serious issues that require quick attention. The excessive use of fossil fuels worsens the ecosystem and raises the level of carbon in the atmosphere. However, the use of ICT has affected the behavior of energy use in various sectors differently. Although ICT-induced activities, on one hand, may affect the environment positively by reducing energy consumption, on the other hand, they may affect the environment adversely by causing an energy rebound effect. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the nonlinear impact of ICT on the environmental effects of energy consumption in the residential, transport, and industrial sectors in China. The study used threshold regression for empirical analysis by employing data for the period from 1990 to 2021. ICT is used as a threshold variable, while energy consumption in the residential, industrial, and transport sectors is used as a regime-dependent variable. Based on the findings, we deduce that the use of ICT asymmetrically affects sectoral energy consumption and the empirical result varies across sectors. Based on the results, we recommend that the possibility of rebound effects should be given more attention in the development of policies regarding the digitalization of the sectors
Association of Dyslipidemia with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
No full textObjective: to investigate the association of dyslipidemia patterns among newly diagnosed young diabetic patients’ and its role in cardiovascular diseases.Study Design: Cross sectional study.Place and Duration: Study was conducted at medical unit, Service Hospital Lahore and Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. Duration of study was February 2017 to February 2018.Methodology: All the patients were adult who were diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus. Data collection was done via non probability consecutive sampling included patients. Main outcome variables are cholesterol level, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. SPSS version 24 was used to analyze data. P value ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Triglycerideswas noted as less than 180 mg/dl in 9.7% patients and more than 180 mg/dl in 90.3% patients. LDL was noted as less than 180 mg/dl in 41.9% patients and more than 180 mg/dl in 58.1% patients. HDL (males) was observed as more than 35 mg/dl in 21% patients and less than 35 mg/dl in 79% patients. Similarly 61.3% controls having <200mg/100ml cholesterol and 38.7% having >200mg/100ml cholesterol.Conclusion: Results of our study reveal that dyslipidemia is a known risk factor for causing cardiovascular diseases among diabetic patients; it should be addressed and managed accordingly at the onset of diabetes. Aggressive management of dyslipidemia reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients. Keywords: Dyslipidemia, Diabetes Mellitus, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins, insulin
The Effectiveness of the B-Lynch Uterine Compression Sutures for Treating the Uncontrollable Postpartum Hemorrhage Following Cesarean Section
No full textObjective: To find out the safety and efficacy of B-Lynch suturing technique in controlling of massive intractable postpartum hemorrhage.Study Design: A prospective case controlled study.Place and Duration of Study: Gynecology Department of Services Hospital Lahore and Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur from June 2017 to June 2018.Methodology: Forty two patients were selected by nonprobability consecutive sampling technique. Age of the patient, gestational age, parity, cesarean section (elective/emergency) and preoperative Hb were compared between two groups as baseline data. Outcome data included blood lost, pints of packed red cells transfused, days of hospital stay and postoperative Hb. Data was put in SPSS v.23 and analyzed by applying Chi-square test, Mann Whitney U-test and student’s t-test, where appropriate. P-value more than 0.05 was considered insignificant.Results: The difference of age, gestational age, preoperative Hb, parity and the type of cesarean section was not statistically significant (p-value 0.270, 0.220, 0.184, 0.620 and 0.289, respectively). The difference in loss of blood, number of packed RBCs units transfused, number of days of hospital stay and hysterectomy was significantly more in Group O as compared to Group B (p-value being 0.037, 0.045, 0.018 and 0.030 respectively). Postoperative Hb was significantly lower in group O (p<0.001).Conclusion: The method of B-Lynch suture is simple, fast, effective and safe with no apparent adverse effects. This should be made available even in the settings of low resources and all the training centers around the country. Keywords: Postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean section, B-Lynch suture
Dun & Bradstreet: Unlocking Advisory Opportunities Amidst Pakistan’s Privatization Efforts
No full textThe following executive summary is an integrated overview of the findings, insights, and strategic implications from the MBA Capstone Project Dun & Bradstreet: Unlocking Advisory Opportunities During Pakistan’s Privatization. The study delves exhaustively into Pakistan\u27s changing privatization scenario and the viability of Dun & Bradstreet Consulting (DBC) to build a robust advisory presence. Based on primary sources such as expert interviews and substantial secondary research, the report considers the structural character of Pakistan\u27s privatization, stakeholder complexity, competitive market dynamics, and the inner readiness of DBC to compete in this high-risk area. Privatization in Pakistan has seen dramatic transformation over the past thirty years. From the politically directed, ad hoc privatizations of the 1990s, it has become an increasingly formal and institutionally structured process shaped primarily by the conditionality of international finance institutions such as the IMF and World Bank. These have the same underlying imperatives, i.e., to improve efficiency in operations, lighten the fiscal load of inefficient state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and contribute to growth for the economy through the private sector. The transition has not been smooth nonetheless with political push back, court challenges and inefficient institutions slowing the process down. The new 2024-2029 privatization master plan is the promise of action again. The plan outlines the future through sectors such as aviation, finance, energy, and real estate where milestone organizations such as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), First Women Bank Limited (FWBL), and electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) have been included as highpriority organizations. The drive for privatization in Pakistan is prompted by both domestic fiscal needs and international policy requirements. SOEs\u27 chronic losses have put heavy pressure on the federal budget, calling for their divestment to release funds for key sectors such as healthcare and infrastructure development. At the same time, IMF-led adjustment programs call for transparent and substantial privatization to qualify for economic assistance. Both pressures have prompted policymakers to use privatization not just as a relief to the budget but also as structural reform to improve the sectoral performance and to lure foreign direct investment.
Privatization transaction process in Pakistan has a systematic value chain involving phases such as asset identification, financial and legal appraisal, structuring the transaction, ix bidding by the investors, sale completion, and post-transaction monitoring. All of them require technical assistance and advisory services, especially with regard to regulatory compliance, stakeholder interaction, financial modelling, and risk analysis. Consulting firms have an active role across the life cycle of a privatization transaction, helping the government to carry out the due diligence, develop material for investors, monitor bidding processes, and ensure the structuring of the transaction is compatible with strategic vision and the law. Their contribution is not procedural but goes to the core of transaction integrity and credibility of institutions.
Pakistan\u27s privatization experience has been mixed. There has been success with the banking sector where organizations such as UBL and HBL saw substantial post-privatization improvements in profitability and service levels. In the cement and telecom sectors, the privatized companies have shown strength, response to need, and competitiveness. However, failed attempts like those relating to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) show the dangers of weak regulation, unclear transaction structures, and poor post-sale monitoring. These differing instances highlight the need for strong advisory engagement and good regulatory frameworks to guarantee that privatization results create longterm value. Pakistan\u27s advisory marketplace is competitive with high-profile international firms such as PwC, EY, JP Morgan, Alvarez & Marsal, and Citigroup, and regional players such as BDO. The firms tend to compete on sectoral expertise, understanding of Pakistan\u27s regulatory requirements, and their capacity to deliver pricing models to suit the government’s limitations. The allocation of around PKR 7.73 billion for transactional advisory service for the next few years demonstrates the scale of the opportunity. Big-ticket privatization deals such as those of PIA, Roosevelt Hotel, FWBL, and several DISCOs are likely to fetch hefty advisory charges, presenting lucrative opportunities for both local and international firms. The consulting fee arrangements generally involve milestone payments and success fees tied to performance, which encourage high-quality results.
In this instance, Dun & Bradstreet Consulting, although not yet pre-qualified to be a transaction adviser in Pakistan, has strong potential. The firm\u27s strengths are anchored in its integrated advice model blending strategy, operational restructuring, and finance advice. DBC has an excellent reputation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and South Asia, primarily through mandates including public-private partnerships, utility efficiency, and x investment preparation. Its capacity to handle transactions along the entire value chain—with initial valuation through post-deal integration—makes it a strong candidate for advice positions in Pakistan\u27s privatization drive. Nevertheless, there are limitations to capitalize on this potential to the fullest. DBC\u27s model is well-suited to the Government of Pakistan\u27s strategic needs, including the introduction of turnaround solutions, rehabilitation of underperforming SOEs, and creation of transparency-led results. Its sectoral strengths in power and finance only increase the aptness. Nevertheless, DBC\u27s pricing model—largely success-fee based between 2%—does not match the GoP\u27s existing preference for milestone-designed fee structures and 1% plus-capped success incentives. Correct adjustment of its commercial model would become critical to compete.
A SWOT analysis of DBC identifies strong strengths and weaknesses. Among strengths is the firm\u27s provision of integrated advisory services involving strategic planning, operational transformation, financial modelling, and restructuring of the organization. It taps global expertise with local understanding, the result of its history working in comparable markets. Leadership is composed of professionals with track records of work in regulated sectors, allowing the firm to handle public-sector challenges well. Nevertheless, it is not yet listed among prequalified advisers, nor is it well-known enough to have strong brand presence in the public sector of Pakistan. Additionally, the existing business model is not optimized for public-sector procurement teams. These areas of weakness can be corrected by entering the marketplace through strategic alliances, reframing fee structures, and establishing local presence through focused pilot projects. DBC has significant opportunities. The pipeline of privatization offers more than 24 highvalue state-owned enterprises across the 2024-2029 horizon, spanning energy, finance, and infrastructure sectors. Also, firms with active engagement strategies can shape future initial public offer listings, particularly through channels such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The IMF and World Bank\u27s active presence guarantees increased transparency and systematic appraisal, raising the likelihood of qualified selection of advisors. However, dangers loom large. Political uncertainty, the intricacies of regulations, and uncertain timeframes have the power to sabotage transactions. Also, excessive price sensitivity in selection processes means technically superior firms can lose the bid even if their price proposals are competitive.
In order to maximize this moment, DBC would need to undertake various strategies. To start with, it needs to undertake consortium-level market entrance through collaboration with prequalified domestic or foreign firms. This would enhance its technical score and ensure conformity to GoP procurement standards. Second, it needs to reshape its pricing strategy through the introduction of hybrid structures combining milestone payments with capped success fees. Third, DBC needs to engage all the key stakeholders across the Privatization Commission, multilateral donors, and sectoral ministries to gain their trust and establish itself as a credible long-term business associate. Fourth, it should start with comparatively smaller mandates in the finance sector—like FWBL or HBFCL—to develop a track record. Fifth, the establishment of a public finance specific unit within the firm would increase the level of institutional readiness for current and future public-sector transactions. In conclusion, the Pakistan privatization agenda provides a distinctive but challenging chance for consulting firms such as DBC. The payoffs are high, but so are the challenges— everything from political risk to price restrictions and stakeholder imperatives. With the technical strength, strategic vision, and regional understanding, there is no reason DBC can’t succeed. But it’s going to take the firm’s ability to adjust, to get involved enthusiastically, and to gain credibility operating in a competitive, dynamic marketplace. If it can proceed pragmatically to market, develop strategic partnerships, and match commercial frameworks to state imperatives, there is no reason why DBC can’t become the preeminent participant on Pakistan’s public-sector IT transformation journey
Study of Urban Heat Island of Karachi by Using Finite Volume Mesoscale Model
No full textAbstract: Karachi is the largest and most populous metropolitan city of Pakistan and the main seaport and financial centre of the country. Rapid urbanization during last 40 to 50 years caused to accelerate its population to 23.7 million. The objective of this work was to study the impact of urbanization on development of urban heat island (UHI) of Karachi city. The study was conducted by using Finite Volume Mesoscale Model (FVM) in which topography from GTOPO30, land-use from GLC 2000 and Meteorological data from NCEP were used as an input to run the simulation. The simulations were run for three days starting at 00:00 (GMT) on 19 th day of April and ending at 00:00 (GMT) on 22 nd day of April over selected domain with resolution of 3x3 km of 30 cells. The results showed that there is significance urban heat island presence in Karachi city where the urban area has 5.6°C to 13.5°C higher temperature than its surrounding non-urban areas depending upon the time of a day
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