The Determinants of Food Prices: A Case Study of Pakistan

Controlling prices is one of the major tasks for the macroeconomic policy-makers. The recent oil price hike that shifted the policy towards biofuels and some natural calamities increased food prices around the world. This paper analyses the demand- and supply-side factors that affect food prices in Pakistan. Long-run relationship is analysed using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) for the period 1970 to 2008. The result indicates that supplyside factors (subsidies and world food prices) have a significant impact on food prices , whereas demand-side factors, such as money supply, are the main cause of the increase in food prices in the short as well as the long run. The error correction is statistically significant and shows that market forces play an active role to restore the long-run equilibrium.Food Prices, ARDL Approach, Pakistan

Restructuring of WAPDA: A Reality or a Myth

Serious financial crisis in Pakistan energy sector, mainly due to poor governance, rising fuel prices and rampant corruption, led to the decision of corporatisation of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in 1992. However, this decision has been highly debated in the context of its socio economic benefits as the energy crises continues unabated. This study, by using semi-structured interview from energy experts in the power sector, attempts to find the factors that withheld the positive effects of this decision. The objective is to provide useful input to frame future energy policy to overcome critical energy crises in Pakistan. The study concludes that the decision of corporatisation of WAPDA was a forced decision without proper homework recommended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which worked as an obstacle to achieve required targets in context of energy crises. However, expert opinion shows that unbundling of WAPDA if managed adequately in line with the ground realities would help bring in the competition in market and support the neoliberal theory which calls for deregulation of businesses and privatisation of publicly owned assets, thus minimising the state intervention. Therefore, the only choice for the government is to move forward with the reforms to frame efficient and effective power policy. Chile, with successful power reforms, is the example quoted by the experts to be followed by Pakistan to overcome load shedding and black outs. JEL Classification: H7 Keywords: Energy, Pakistan Energy Sector, WAPDA, Neoclassical Theory, Corporatisation, Privatisation, Restructuring, Governanc

General Equilibrium Effects of Immigration in Germany: Search and Matching Approach

Iftikhar Z, Zaharieva A. General Equilibrium Effects of Immigration in Germany: Search and Matching Approach. Working Papers in Economics and Management. Vol 08-2016. Bielefeld: Bielefeld University, Department of Business Administration and Economics; 2016.In this study we develop and calibrate a search and matching model of the German labour market and analyze the impact of recent immigration. Our model has two production sectors (manufacturing and services), two skill groups and two ethnic groups of workers (natives and immigrants). Moreover, we allow for the possibility of self-employment, endogenous price and wage setting and fiscal redistribution policy. We find that search frictions are less important for wages of the low skilled, especially in manufacturing, whereas wages of the high skilled are more sensitive to their outside opportunities. Furthermore, employment chances of immigrant workers are up to four times lower than employment chances of native workers, especially in the high skill segment. Our results show that recent immigration to Germany, including refugees, has a moderate negative effect on the welfare of low skill workers in manufacturing (-0.6%), but all other worker groups are gaining from immigration, with high skill service employees gaining the most (+4.3%). This is because the productivity of high (low) skill workers is increasing (decreasing) and there is a higher demand for services. The overall effect of recent immigration is estimated at +1.6%. Finally, we observe that productive capacities of immigrant workers are underutilized in Germany and a policy implementing equal employment opportunities can generate a welfare gain equal to +0.9% with all worker groups (weakly) gaining due to the redistribution

A CADAVERIC STUDY OF THE BRANCHING PATTERN OF RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY IN PAKISTANI POPULATION

Background:  It is very common for coronary arteries to vary in their origin, course and area of distribution. The knowledge about these variations is unequivocally important for a cardiac surgeon and physician. However, the prevalence of such variations varies among different populations. The already available data on variations in the anatomy of coronary arteries is mostly based on studies conducted on the western population and quite a few studies report the coronary arterial patterns of Asian population. Between the two main coronary arteries, i.e. the right coronary artery (RCA) and left coronary arteries (LCA), variation in the branching pattern of RCA is more common than LCA. The present study investigated the branching pattern of RCA in the local population in Pakistan and hence will add to the existing data on inter- and intra-population frequencies of branching pattern of RCA among non-Europeans.   Methods:  It was an observational study of six months duration and conducted on dissection cadavers available in various medical colleges of Rawalpindi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The branching pattern of RCA was studied by blunt dissection method.   Results:  Right marginal, conus, Sinuatrial (SA) nodal, atrioventricular (AV) nodal and posterior descending arteries (PDA) were arising from RCA in majority of cases. However, the branching pattern varied from one heart to another as reported in other studies carried out in developed countries. The frequencies of branching patterns of RCA varied from those already reported in literature.  Conclusions:   RCA manifest anatomical variations in branching pattern as reported in international literature and this variation is different in different populations of the world which indicates that postnatal development, along with differences based on geography and ethnicities might contribute to the modification of anatomical pattern of coronary arteries in humans. 

Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Strategies of Herbal Medicine for Acute Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal problem characterized by loose watery stool and mild to severe dehydration. Annually, about 1.7–5 billion new cases of diarrhea were reported. In developing countries, it is more common, where young kids have diarrhea approximately three times/year. In 2013, 1.26 million deaths occurred due to diarrhea, whereas in 1990, the figure was slightly higher (2.58 million). In 2012, diarrhea was the second most common reason of death (11%, n = 0.76 million) in children less than 5 years. Although various synthetic drugs are being prescribed as standard therapy for diarrhea, they have side effects. It is possible to prescribe the herbal medicine for diarrhea, which is safe and effective. In this study, medicinal plants discussed are proven to be scientifically active in diarrheal diseases. This study reviews about current medicinal plants used in the treatment of diarrhea. The use of medicinal plants for diarrhea results in improvement of the symptom. Moreover, studies on large scale are needed to characterize the beneficial role of medicinal plants in the treatment of diarrhea

Psychological and psychotherapeutic challenges of COVID-19

Coronavirus is a deadly disease, classified on 30th January 2020, by the World Health Organization (WHO) that acknowledged the outburst of coronavirus disease 2019  (COVID-19), after several cases were reported from China’s 34 regions. In 2020 the virus originated from the wholesale seafood market in Wuhan (China)spreading life all around the world. Quarantine, restraints, and economic closure can change a whole psychological environment in all the countries having coronavirus. affect Although this situation should give several opportunities for personal growth and family unity, disadvantages may compensate for these benefits affecting the psychological health of children and adolescents. But in this difficult time anxiety, and stress are common due to lake of relationships and also due to a reduction in other opportunities other risk includes parents’ mental illness, domestic violence, and lack of treatment for the child during an illness. This was especially common in adolescents and children because they need special care thus causing disabilities, traumatic experiences, and mental health problems. With all these above-mentioned problems this was definitely a challenging time. In Italy where Covid-19 had severe effects on physical health but on mental health also and psychological issues are long-term and main challenges for our healthcare systems where mental health gain not as much important as other physical illnesses

Comparison of Aspiration Versus Incision and Drainage in the Treatment of Breast Abscess, in terms of Recurrence: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To assess and compare the treatment outcomes of breast abscess using two different methods aspiration versus incision and drainage. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from October 2022 to March 2023. Females aged 18 to 50 years with ultrasound-diagnosed acute breast abscesses up to 5 cm, presenting with signs and symptoms such as breast pain, localized swelling, erythema, tenderness, and fever, were included. Patients were randomly assigned to receive needle aspiration or incision and drainage. Outcomes were assessed based on recurrence and scarring. Recurrence was defined as the reappearance of similar signs and symptoms after complete resolution. Patients were monitored for one-month post-treatment. Results: Of total 124 patients, the mean age was 38.10 ±5.21 years. The mean duration of procedure was 26.33 ±10.58 minutes. A significantly longer mean duration of the procedure was observed in the aspiration group as compared to the incision and drainage group i.e., 36.61 ± 2.82 minutes vs. 16.04 ± 1.67 minutes (p-value <0.001). A significant association found between the two groups in terms of parity (p-value <0.001) and site of abscess (p-value 0.001). Treatment outcome showed higher rate of recurrence and scarring in the aspiration group compared to the incision and drainage group i.e., 8 (66.7%) vs. 4 (33.3%) and 5 (100.0%) vs. 0 (0.0%). However, a significant association of scar (p-value 0.022) was observed between groups. Conclusion: Incision and drainage proved more effective than aspiration for treating breast abscesses, with lower rates of recurrence and scarring

Comparison of Breast-Feeding Positions Related to Neck Pain Among Lactating Mothers

BACKGROUND: Mothers are advised to use the cradle hold and cross-cradle hold positions for breastfeeding (BF) for the benefit of both mother and child. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the breastfeeding positions (cross-cradle hold and cradle hold) related to musculoskeletal neck pain among lactating mothers METHODOLOGY: This comparative cross-sectional study was carried out at Imran Idress Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Sialkot from January 2023. A convenient sampling technique was used. The data was collected from 204 lactating mothers of aged 18-40 years. Self-structured section of the questionnaire comprised of demographic and breastfeeding-related features from lactating mothers and Numeric pain rating scale were used to compare the breastfeeding position and musculoskeletal neck pain among lactating mothers. SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that the mean age of lactating mothers among participants of group A was 29.83yr± 3.78 and in group B was 28.61yr± 4.76 Independent t-test showed a significant difference of p-value= 0.00 at significance level 0.05 respectively Comparing the means of both groups, lactating mothers with cradle hold Breast feeding position-related MSK neck pain (group A) were more affected than cross cradle hold BF position related MSK neck pain (group B). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that MSK neck pain was more affected in cross cradle hold breastfeeding position than the cradle holds breastfeeding position KEYWORDS: Breast feeding, Cross Cradle, Neck Pain, Lactating Mothe

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Using IoT-based mobile application to build smart parking system

The idea of using the current technologies to build more sustainable smart cities has gained great popularity. One of attractive fields is Internet of Things applications to control vehicle traffic and parking which reduce energy consumption in smart cities. This paper presents an android mobile application system that allows users to check the availability and location of parking spots by using their smartphones. Main tools used for this project are the Arduino UNO and mobile application running with Android. Sensors were used to sense if the spot is empty, and then send that info to the mobile application. As the empty place is discovered to be vacant it is distinguished utilizing ultrasonic sensors which report it further. The system would not help the user to book parking spot but would show the availability of parking spot to reduce the searching time. This Smart Parking System is a basic prototype which can be improved later for real system by connecting the system to a GPS-based application which will direct the user to the spot itself and it can further be improved by using artificial intelligence to highlight different spots to different user