Effects of neighbourhood environment on physical activities in gated and non-gated neighbourhoods in Karachi, Pakistan

While it has been established that neighbourhood environment influences physical activity, gated neighbourhoods, which are a relatively new phenomenon, have been reported to affect the whole urban morphology with their distinct built and social environment as well as the number of physical activity facilities (PAF). However, limited research has been carried out on the effects of neighbourhood environment of gated neighbourhoods on physical activity (PA), especially in the context of developing countries. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of neighbourhood environment (built and social), PAF, and demographics (age, gender, and employment status) on PA in gated and non-gated neighbourhoods of Karachi, Pakistan. Data were gathered using the quantitative research methods: the neighbourhood environment indicators (walkability index, land-use mix (LUM), streets connectivity, housing density, perception of crime (POC), perception of traffic hazard(POTH)), PAF, and demographics were treated as independent variables, whereas physical activity variables (vigorous physical activity (VPA), moderate physical activity (MPA), and walking) were dependent. Data on LUM, streets connectivity, and housing density were collected through objective methods using GIS database and Space Syntax technique, while the number of PAF was enumerated. The data on POC, POTH, PA variables, and demographics were collected through questionnaire. A total of sixteen neighbourhoods eight for each neighbourhood type were studied, involving a total of 1042 participants. The collected data were statistically analysed by using SPSS. A walkability index was developed using data on LUM, streets connectivity, and housing density. The differences between variables of gated and non-gated neighbourhoods were analysed through independent sample t-test. The association of neighbourhood environment indicators and demographics with PA was measured through binary logistic regression. The comparison of walkability index with walking and PAF with VPA were done through -tests. Results show that the walkability index, LUM, streets connectivity, POC and walking were higher in non-gated neighbourhoods while the numbers of PAF, POTH, total PA and VPA were higher in gated neighbourhoods. Results also show that there was a significant positive relationship of walkability index and numbers of PAF with PA, but a significant negative relationship of age and employment status with PA. Other results show that the PAF had association with VPA in both types of neighbourhoods while walkability index had association with walking only in non-gated neighbourhoods. It is concluded that PAF is an important attribute to increase VPA, and consequently total PA; therefore more PAF should be built in non-gated neighbourhoods as well. Gated neighbourhoods have less LUM and street connectivity, and consequently less walkability, therefore, gating the communities should not be encouraged at policy level

Assessment of Fertility-Related Quality of Life and its Associated Factors among Females of Reproductive Age at a Secondary Care Public Hospital, Hub Chowki, District Lasbela, Balochistan

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Induction of Labour at Term: Comparison of Prostaglandin E2 with Foley Catheter

Background: Induction of labour (IOL) or cervical ripening of an unfavourable cervix can be achieved by both pharmacological and surgical methods. When the cervix is unripe, Foley catheters and prostaglandins method of IOL is used. In this study, we aimed to compare the success rate and cost-effectiveness of vaginal prostaglandin E2 pessary with Foley catheter. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Gynaecological department of Ziauddin hospital from June-December 2019. A total of n=256 women at term were selected according to inclusion criteria. Group 1 was induced with Foley catheter and group 2 with Prostaglandins E2 vaginal pessary. The success rate to achieve delivery, the time interval between induction, delivery and the cost were recorded and compared between the two methods. Student’s t-test (continuous variables) and Chi-square (categories) were used for statistical analysis and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the females was 27.15 ± 5.5 years. The mean induction to the delivery time interval for PGE2 (group 2) was 15.77 ± 7.37 hours and Foley catheter (group 1) 17.31 ± 7.19 hours (p=0.02). The study did not find any statistically significant difference between the two methods of labour induction(p>0.05). It was found that overall, 198 (77.3%) women delivered by spontaneous vaginal deliveries and 58 (22.7%) by lower Caesarean section (p=0.02, 0.04). However, the total cost of prostaglandins (Rs.1500/-) was higher than the cost of Foley catheter (Rs. 256/-) (p=0.00). Conclusion: Foley catheter to induce labour in an unfavourable cervix is an effective, safe, and inexpensive method of labour induction. Keywords: Foley Catheter; Prostaglandin E2; Induction of Labour; Cost

N-Saccharinylmethyl ether

In the title mol­ecule [systematic name: 1,1,1′,1′-tetra­oxo-2,2′-(oxydimethyl­ene)bi(1,2-benzothia­zol-3-one)], C16H12N2O7S2, the benzisothia­zole ring systems are individually planar [maximum deviations of 0.0497 (13) and 0.0195 (19) Å] and their mean planes are inclined at a dihedral angle of 62.76 (4)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions. Two O atoms bonded to two S atoms and four aryl H atoms belonging to two symmetry-related mol­ecules lying about an inversion center form a hydrogen-bonded 10-membered ring with graph-set notation R 4 2(10)

The Effects of the Internet on Real Estate Marketing in Gwadar, Pakistan

The paper is about the control of speculations and fraud cases in real estate marketing using the internet. The area under consideration is the new port city Gwadar. The deep Sea port of Gwadar has been constructed with the cooperation of Chinese government in 2002. Gwadar Development Authority has been established in 2003 as a statutory body for the city planning and execution, but not a single piece of land is under control of this Authority. The area has a significant location in the region for investment and also has scenic beauty. People all over the country and abroad are interested in investing in real estate in this area. Currently, it is a small town, less developed, poor infrastructure and far from the main cities of Pakistan. So visiting Gwadar is not feasible for everyone in this condition but on the other hand, there is no doubt that the land of Gwadar is precious for future. Most of the people who can invest in Gwadar but don’t because of fear of fraud cases in the private real estate market. In this paper we have addressed the problem how this land can be made accessible to everyone. I suggested that the internet can be the right mode of real estate marketing in this area with the involvement of No Objection Certificate (NOC) issuing authority (GDA). GDA is making the map of Gwadar on GIS, which can be utilized in this scenario for the benefits of the people. After our survey to the market, it is concluded that provincial government should make a policy that the internet will be the only mode of transactions in real estate marketing in Gwadar with the involvement of government sector. GDA may provide the GIS map of the area and updates about the NOC’s of each scheme on internet. Finally, GDA may use its Computer Cell for providing confirmation email to every investor whether his/her scheme/plot is valid or not.&#x0D;  </jats:p

Compressive and Flexural Tests on Adobe Samples Reinforced with Wire Mesh

Adobe is an economical, naturally available, and environment friendly construction material that offers excellent thermal and sound insulations as well as indoor air quality. It is important to understand and enhance the mechanical properties of this material, where a high degree of variation is reported in the literature owing to lack of research and standardization in this field. The present paper focuses first on the understanding of mechanical behaviour of adobe subjected to compressive stresses as well as flexure and then on enhancing the same with the help of steel wire mesh as reinforcement. A total of 22 samples were tested out of which, 12 cube samples were tested for compressive strength, whereas 10 beams samples were tested for modulus of rupture. Half of the samples in each category were control samples i.e. without wire mesh reinforcement, whereas the remaining half were reinforced with a single layer of wire mesh per sample. It has been found that the compressive strength of adobe increases by about 43% after adding a single layer of wire mesh reinforcement. The flexural response of adobe has also shown improvement with the addition of wire mesh reinforcement