Impact evaluation of structural adjustment program: a case of Pakistan

We 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

HESITANCY TOWARDS ONLINE SHOPPING, A STUDY OF PAKISTANI CONSUMERS

To study the influence of Perceived cost, risk, convenience and enjoyment on online consumer purchases. Being more convenient online shopping seems painless compared to in store shopping, why consumers are still reluctant to shop online?.A sample of 220 questionnaires was filled from different departments at University of Sargodha. Respondents were asked to fill the questionnaire based on four factors (Perceived cost, Perceived risk, Perceived convenience, Perceived enjoyment), there were 2 general questions. Out of 220, 207 questionnaires were returned. One sample test is applied in this study to check the reliability of independent variables. Analysis was also done on basis of gender and their ages. The most important factor out of four, which can persuade the customer's online buying decision, is delivery cost for purchased items and it has negative relationship with dependent variable, moreover perceived risk has also negative relationship with dependent one. Perceived convenience and Perceived enjoyment has positive relationship with online shopping preference. As online shopping is easier to do but due to extra delivery cost and risk factors consumers do not adopt online shopping and these factors should be minimized to promote online shopping. Online shopping should be promoted and to gain the consumer confidence, delivery cost and risk factor should be minimized. As online shopping is easier to do as compared to offline shopping but people still reluctant to use internet for online shopping, so to promote online shopping delivery cost and risk factor should be minimized to gain consumers attraction and confidence. People want to experience online shopping but it won’t be promoted until delivery cost and perceived risk factors be reduced. A little work has been done on exploring the factors that influence the online buying decision. These factors are called situational factors and include delivery charges, risk factors, convenience factors and enjoyment factors. In Pakistan consumers are not too much affiliated to online shopping as compared to European countries and not too much researches have been done related to online shopping in Pakistan , so this research been conducted to promote online shopping

Screening of Arabidopsis mutants for functional genomic studies

Eight photosynthetic Arabidopsis mutants were screened for co-segregation of a photosynthetic phenotype with the T-DNA insertion. These mutants were selected from 80 photosynthetic mutants with genetic background of Columbia-0. Two different screening approaches were used to study the T-DNA insertion in the genome of mutant Arabidopsis lines. The sulphonamide sulfadiazine was found to be an effective selective agent and a single copy of sulfonamide resistant gene was found to be completely resistant to the optimal concentration i.e., 5mg mL-1. The maximum number of Arabidopsis mutant plants had confirmed insertions. Some of the plants did not show any amplification with gene specific primer combination, and it was assumed that either they were wild type plants or they had random T-DNA insertion and the insertion was not found in the gene under study but it could be found in any where in the genome. Some mutant plants were morphologically different from the wild type plants e.g., ALP105. These plants grew as small in size and dark green in color. After PCR screening with gene specific and T-DNA border primers all such mutant plants were confirmed as heterozygous T-DNA insertion plants

Misconceptional views about epilepsy exist across social class system of society

Epilepsy affects over 1% of population worldwide. Studies have shown that although our understanding about epilepsy has come a long way, misconceptions about its etiology and treatment exist in rural slums. However, no study has been conducted to see whether such misconceptions exist in middle and upper socio-economic class. This study aims to explore the existence of misconceptions and social stigma in the middle and upper socio-economic class. Materials and Methods: We conducted a survey-based study about epilepsy on 227 participants, belonging to middle and upper socio-economic class. Results: The symptoms of generalized tonic-clonic seizures were correctly described by participants. However, magic, superstition and ‘jin’ were considered as the etiology by some. Incorrect treatment options, like shoe sniffing and ‘taweez’ etc., were also mentioned. Social stigmas regarding sharing information about epilepsy and marrying epileptics also existed. Discussion: Our study shows that although the general understanding about epilepsy was correct in majority of participants belonging to the middle upper socio-economic class, it was restricted to generalized tonic clonic seizures. Key misconceptions regarding the etiology and treatment of epilepsy and social stigma associated with it did exist. These findings emphasize the need to educate all segments of the society about epileps

Atrial natriuretic peptide gene - a potential biomarker for Long QT syndrome

This study highlights the possible implication of NPPA (natriuretic peptide precursor A) gene in the etiology of Long QT syndrome (LQTS) by population-based as well as familial study. Three SNPs of NPPA- C-664G, C1363A and T1766C were examined by molecular analyses in LQTS, controls and first degree relatives (FDRs). This study revealed a possible association of 1364 C>A SNP ‘C’ allele with LQTS (p = 0.0013). All three SNPs were in tight linkage disequilibrium. The familial study highlights the association of NPPA SNP with cLQTS and implicating it as a potential biomarker in South Indian population

Women’ Working Status and their Children’ Education in Pakistan: An Evidence from PSLM Survey

Working women contribute to household welfare in the form of child education, health, recreation, and nutrition. It also increases the welfare of household members. However, the situation varies depending on the formal and informal labor market, the adaptation of technology, the economic level of the country, and the socio-cultural status of the women in the household, community, and country. In this situation, the issue of the contribution of working women in child schooling is the focus of the current study. The study empirically investigates the relationship between female labor force participation and child schooling (5-15 years children) Pakistan by using micro data of Pakistan Social and Living Standard Measurement Survey (PSLM) 2011-12. The results of binary logistic regression show that women's employment has negative impact on child schooling, i.e. there is less probability of children to attend school as the mothers participate in the labor force. It is due to the higher ratio of female labor force participation in the informal labor market. The parental education, household income, gender of household head, and provision of electricity to the household have shown a positive impact on child schooling, while the number of children in the household and female gender of the child has shown a negative impact on child schooling

Indigenous Healing Practices of Mental Illness in Southern Punjab

Culture encompasses a person's lifestyle. Cultures vary greatly in their views on ideas, beliefs, customs, and practices. However, the cultural view of illness is a strong weapon that may be used to develop a belief about the etiology of any illness or disease. The study aimed to see the indigenous curing process of Mental Illness in Jalalpur Pirwala, Southern Punjab. The researcher chose to conduct her study in the developing region of Jalalpur Pirwala in Pakistan to see the cultural beliefs held by families in an area where people have a greater tendency to believe in saints and superstitions. From a personhood perspective, there is limited research on adulthood mental illness in Pakistan; this phenomenological study is a contribution to the anthropological inquiries being conducted in a specific subfield of anthropology known as Psychological Anthropology. People with mental illnesses who were between the ages of 18 and 60 were the focus of the study. Various techniques of data collecting were used, such as unstructured interviews with practitioners (spiritual bhoopa/healers), observation, and in-depth interviews with carers of mentally ill individuals. Caretakers and practitioners were selected through snowball sampling. Document and thematic analysis were used to enhance the reliability and validity of the qualitative research. According to the findings, cultural beliefs about mental illness are tied to the divine or supernatural in which preference of healing for mental illness is associated with bhoopa (Traditional practitioner) with indigenous rituals of healing. Carers of mentally ill persons prefer traditional, spiritual, or faith healing rather than westernized psychological treatments

Spectral Calculations with DFT

Spectra calculations are an important branch of theoretical modeling, and due to the significant improvements of high-level computational methods, the calculated spectra can be used directly and sometimes help to correct the errors of experimental observations. On the other hand, theoretical computations assist the experimental assignments. The authors discuss three spectral calculations (UV-Vis, IR and NMR) that are the most widely used. UV-Visible spectrum can be carried out employing time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) with B3LYP/631G(d,p) and CAM-B3LYP functional method to illustrate the characteristics of vertical electronic excitations. The vibrational spectra can be generated from a list of frequencies and intensities using a Gaussian broadening function method. NMR chemical shifts can be calculated by density functional theory individual gauge for localized orbitals (DFTIGLO) method and by gauge including atomic orbitals (GIAO) approach

MALLAMPATTI SCORE AS A PREDICTOR FOR RISK OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Objective: To observe the association of high Mallampatti score with obstructive sleep apnea and to see its predictive value for high risk individuals. Study Design: A Prospective Cross Sectional Study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anaesthesia Indus Hospital Muzaffargarh Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur and Nishtar Hospital Multan, from July 6, 2017 to January 20, 2018. Methodology: Body mass index was calculated from weight and height. Mallampatti score was evaluated besides Berlin questionnaire, snoring, Epworth sleeping scale. Patients were divided into four groups on the basis of Mallampatti score. Mallampatti score was cross tabulated against snoring grades, Berlin score risk, Epworth score classes and body mass index categories and was compared by applying Chi-square test. SPSS v.23 was used, considering p≤0.05 statistically significant. Results: In group III and IV of Mallampatti score, there was significantly more snoring of grade III and grade IV (p=0.043). Mallampatti score difference was not statistically significant among normal, overweight and obese persons (p=0.962). On the basis of Berlin Score risk, the difference was not found to be of any statistical significance (p=0.366). There was a statistically significant increase in Mallampatti score when we moves from class I to class IV of Epworth Sleep Score (p=0.031). Conclusion: We concluded that high Mallampatti score is greatly interrelated with snoring and high Epworth sleep score. This shows a strong relationship between high Mallampatti score and obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, Mallampatti score can be used to predict the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Keywords: Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Mallampatti Score, Epworth Sleep Score, Berlin Score. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/55-17 Publication date:May 31st 201