The relationship between Islamic bank products, client attraction and business expansion: Evidence from Pakistani banking industry

This research article investigates the relationship between Islamic bank products, client attraction, and business expansion in the Pakistani industry. The study utilizes a survey of Islamic bank customers and employs structural equation modeling to test the proposed relationships. The results indicate that Islamic bank products have a positive relationship with both client attraction and business expansion, and that client attraction mediates the relationship between Islamic bank products and business expansion. The implications of these findings for the Islamic banking industry in Pakistan and beyond are discussed, as well as limitations and potential avenues for future research

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON ISLAMIC AND CONVENTIONAL STOCKS IN INDONESIA: A WAVELET-BASED STUDY

The recent literature shows that COVID-19 has impacted stock markets around the world in many ways. In this paper, we examine the reaction of the Indonesian stock market to COVID-19. We apply the continuous wavelet coherence methodology to daily COVID-19 related deaths and daily conventional and Islamic stock indices inIndonesia. We find that COVID-19 negatively impacts the returns of both indices and enhances their volatility. We find the Islamic stock index to be more volatile as compared to its conventional counterpart during the COVID-19 outbreak

Integrated Fungicidal Management for Downy Mildew of Pumpkin (Pseudoperonosporacubensis)

Downy mildew of pumpkin is caused by the fungus (Pseudoperonosporacubensis), which is responsible for considerable damage to the cucurbits. This pathogen plays a major role for yield losses in pumpkin crop. Current study was intended to verify the effectiveness of different fungicides alone and in combination against downy mildew of pumpkin. Diseased samples were collected for inoculation from different farms of Okara district. A pumpkin variety (Mahadeev) was inoculated by spraying method grown at experimental area of the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad under randomized complete block design (RCBD). Selected chemotherapeutic mixtures were sprayed for the control of (Pseudoperonasporacubensis) under field condition. The data were recorded and analyzed statistically. Ipovalicarb (s) + Propanib (P) revealed maximum efficacy against disease (60%) followed by Tebuconazole (s) + Metiram (p) (58%) and Matlaxyal (s) + Mancozeb (p) (55%), Cymoxinal (s) + Mancozeb (p) (52%), Difenconazole (s) +Mancozeb (p) (46%) and Chlorothalonil (p) + Fosytyle Al (39%) respectively. Thus, Ipovalicarb (s) + Propanib (P) can be used to manage the disease under field conditions

Feasibility, Architecture and Cost Considerations of Using TVWS for Rural Internet Access in 5G

The cellular technology is mostly an urban technology that has been unable to serve rural areas well. This is because the traditional cellular models are not economical for areas with low user density and lesser revenues. In 5G cellular networks, the coverage dilemma is likely to remain the same, thus widening the rural-urban digital divide further. It is about time to identify the root cause that has hindered the rural technology growth and analyse the possible options in 5G architecture to address this issue. We advocate that it can only be accomplished in two phases by sequentially addressing economic viability followed by performance progression. We deliberate how various works in literature focus on the later stage of this ‘two-phase’ problem and are not feasible to implement in the first place. We propose the concept of TV band white space (TVWS) dovetailed with 5G infrastructure for rural coverage and show that it can yield cost-effectiveness from a service provider’s perspective

Barriers in FinTech Success: Evidence from Pakistani Financial Marketplace

This study examined the relationships between FinTech barriers, acceptance, and success, and explores the mediating role of acceptance in the relationship between barriers and success. A survey was conducted with 251 FinTech users, and the data were analyzed using Smart PLS. The results indicate that FinTech barriers have a negative effect on both acceptance and success, while acceptance has a positive effect on success. Furthermore, the analysis supports the hypothesis that acceptance mediates the relationship between barriers and success. These findings have important implications for both researchers and practitioners in the FinTech industry. For researchers, the results highlight the importance of considering the role of barriers to adoption and the mechanisms through which acceptance affects success. For practitioners, the findings suggest that reducing barriers to adoption and promoting acceptance may be important strategies for achieving greater success in the FinTech industry. Overall, the results provide valuable insights into the factors that drive success in the rapidly evolving FinTech industry, and can help guide future research and practice in this important area

Diagnostic Accuracy of Peroperative Color Doppler Ultrasonography for Determining the Nature of Anterolateral Thigh Flap Perforators

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of color Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosing septocutaneous nature of anterolateral thigh flap perforators taking peroperative findings as gold standard among patients undergoing soft tissue reconstruction. Methodology: A total number of 100 patients undergoing soft tissue reconstruction using antero-lateral thigh flap perforators at plastic surgery unit, Pak Italian Modern Burn Center, Multan and fulfilling the selection criteria were approached. An informed consent were taken from them before enrolling in the study. Information regarding their demographic data were noted in the proforma. A high frequency color Doppler ultrasound was done by the consultant radiologist to determine the nature of the perforator (as per operational defination) and the results were noted in the proforma. The anterolateral thigh thin flap was undermined, but kept in situ. The elevation was performed either on superficial or sub-facial plane depending upon situation and surgical plan, and the points of emergence through the deep fascia and nature of its perforators, as they appeared during surgery, was noted in the proforma. Results: Age distribution of the patients was done, it showed that out of 100 patients, 17 %( n=17) were in age group of 15-27 years and 83%( n=83) were in age group of 28-40 years and  mean age was calculated as 33.96±5.72 years. Gender distribution of the patients was done, it showed that 88 %( n=88) were male whereas 12 %( n=12) were females. In this study, Sensitivity and specifity of septocutaneous nature of perforator was 78.41% and 83.33% respectively and PPV was 97.18% and NPV was 34.48% and  accuracy was 79%. Conclusion: Color doppler ultrasonography is the reliable test for the prediction of nature of anterolateral thigh flap perforator

The effects of cutting interval on agro-qualitative traits of different millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) cultivars

AbstractA field experiment was conducted to study the forage yield and qualitative traits of different varieties of millet with different days of harvest during the summer, 2014 at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) under factorial arrangement having three replications. Pearl millet seeds of three varieties viz. BS-2011, Ghana White and MB-87 were grown in 30cm apart rows. Net plot size was 3.6m×8.0m. Three different harvesting times were adopted i.e. 55, 65 and 75days after sowing (DAS). Maximum plant height of pearl millet was recorded for cultivar BS-2011 at harvest time of 75DAS. Maximum leaf area per plant was observed for the cultivar BS-2011 when it was harvested 75DAS. Maximum dry matter percentage was also attained in cultivar BS-2011 where plots were harvested at 75DAS. The highest forage yield was obtained where variety BS-2011 was grown and harvested at 75DAS. Similarly, maximum dry matter production of BS-2011 was recorded in plots harvested at 75DAS followed by Ghana White and MB-87 harvested at 55DAS. Higher crude protein content was recorded where plots were harvested at 55DAS and cultivar BS-2011 was sown. Higher crude fiber and total ash percentage was also seen in BS-2011. Finally, cultivar BS-2011 proved best for cultivation with harvest time of 75 DAS under Faisalabad conditions to obtain higher forage yield and better quality

Impact of Trade Reforms on Poverty

Trade plays a vital role in determining the growth process of any country. Trade liberalisation and openness of the economy are now almost universally accepted as the main ingredients of successful economic growth and welfare of the population. These are believed to be responsible for the exceptional growth of industrialised and newly industrialised countries. Many developing countries, under the auspices of the WTO are taking major steps to liberalise their trade regimes. However, in the short run, the impact of these policy changes is generally perceived to be painful for both the producers and the consumers; and especially so for the latter. A key question here is the impact of trade reforms on poverty, which has persisted in most developing countries despite concerted efforts on many fronts to eradicate this social evil. Like many developing countries, Pakistan has undertaken far-reaching trade reforms aimed at creating an open international trading environment. Pakistan’s dependence on international trade, as measured by the total trade to GDP ratio, has increased significantly from 13.3 percent in 1960-61, to 32.47 percent in 1992-93. As such, it is important to determine if there is a relationship between trade liberalisation and poverty alleviation; do trade reforms lead to reduction in country wide poverty levels or not

AI in Bioinformatics

In bioinformatics science and computational molecular biology, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly gained interest. With the availability of numerous types of AI algorithms, it has become prevalent for researchers to use off-shelf programmes to identify their datasets and mine them. At present, researchers are facing difficulties in selecting the right approach that could be extended to a given data collection, with numerous intelligent approaches available in the literature. Researchers need instruments that present the data in an intuitive manner, annotated with meaning, precision estimates, and description. In the fields of bioinformatics and computational molecular biology (DNA sequencing), this article seeks to review the use of AI. These fields have evolved from the needs of biologists to use the large volumes of data continuously obtained in genomic science and to better understand them. For several approaches to bioinformatics and DNA sequencing, the fundamental impetus is the evolution of species and the difficulty of dealing with incorrect results. The type of software programmes developed by the scientific community to search, identify and mine numerous usable biological databases are also mentioned in this article, simulating biological experiments with and without mistakes. The review of antibody-antigen interactions and their diversity, and the study of epidemiological evidence that can help forecast antibody-antigen interactions and the induction of broadly neutralising antibodies are important questions to be answered in the field of vaccinology

Solutions for the Power Distribution System of Karachi Electric (K- Electric) to Prevent Deaths in Rainy Season

Karachi is the metropolitan city of Pakistan. In rainy or flood season many deaths occurred due to electric shock. For the prevention, we suggest here to K-Electric (Karachi Electric Supply Distribution company) to control death casualties due to electric shock in rainy season. In suggestion paper providing some suggestions to the big power supplier of Karachi (K-Electric) about safety, maintenance, and monitoring for the prevention from deaths occur in metropolitan city due to electric shock. Those deaths occur due to faults in electric pole and touch the fallen live wire. When people touch the pole, they got electric shock in rainy and storm condition due to these electric faults occur in this condition provides enough loss to humans in the form to lose their lives. For the prevention or overcome the loss of life and danger here are giving some suggestions, if do work on following safety, maintenance and monitoring system then get the control on that loss will occur in heavy rain or flood