Risk-based integrated performance assessment framework for public-private partnership infrastructure projects

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) play a pivotal role in global infrastructure development, significantly impacting economic growth. However, a notable research gap exists in addressing risk management adequately within the performance assessment of PPP projects, particularly in developing nations like Pakistan. This study aims to address this gap by developing an integrated performance assessment framework (IPAF) in order to fill the deficiency of structured risk management in PPP project evaluations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to devise a systematic methodology for assessing PPP project performance, with a keen emphasis on robust risk management criteria. Employing a comprehensive approach, the methodology integrates 16 performance measures (PMs) aligned with key performance indicators (KPIs), covering the triple constraints of projects (cost, time and quality) during the project feasibility, execution and operation and maintenance phases of project life cycle. Additionally, it incorporates an analysis of 10 prominent risks, spanning financial, environmental, operational, construction, legal and governmental dimensions inherent to PPP projects. The IPAF not only identifies these risks but also offers calculated mitigation strategies to enhance overall project performance. Emphasising alignment with project objectives, stakeholder engagement and contextual factors, the framework aids decision-makers, project managers and policymakers in making informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle. Furthermore, this study contributes by providing a systematic approach to address the critical bond between risk management and project performance in PPP projects. By bridging this gap, the IPAF fosters enhanced project outcomes, thereby contributing to the advancement of infrastructure development practices in both developed and developing contexts

The Role of Neighborhood Environment in Promoting Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease among Young Adults: Data from Middle to High Income Population in an Asian Megacity

Background: Modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have their triggers in the neighborhood environments of communities. Studying the environmental triggers for CVD risk factors is important to understand the situation in a broader perspective. Young adults are influenced the most by the environment profile around them hence it is important to study this subset of the population.Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted using the EPOCH research tool designed by the authors of the PURE study. The study population consisted of young adults aged 18-25 in two areas of Karachi. The study setting was busy shopping malls frequented by young adults in the particular community being studied.Results: Our total sample size was 120 individuals, who consented to be interviewed by our interviewers. Less than 50% of the population recognized some form of restriction regarding smoking in their communities. The largest contributor to tobacco advertising was actors smoking in movies and TV shows with 89% responses from both communities. Only 11.9% of the individuals disapproved of smoking cigarettes among men with wide acceptance of \u27sheesha\u27 across all age groups. Advertising for smoking and junk food was more frequent as compared to smoking cessation, healthy diet and exercise in both the areas. Unhealthy food items were more easily available in contrast to healthier options. The cost of healthy snack food options including vegetables and fruits was higher than sugary drinks and foods.CONCLUSION: This assessment showed that both communities were exposed to environments that promote risk factors for cardiovascular diseases

Improved outcome of myeloma related bone pain with oral analgesics and bisphosphonate therapy: A single-center experience from Pakistan

Objective: To determine the frequency of myeloma-related bone pain and to evaluate the effectiveness of various therapeutic options in such patients.Subjects and methods: This was a retrospective review and we evaluated the patients with multiple myeloma over a period of 2 years from January 2005 to September 2012, for various types of bone pain and determined the optimum management for the same. Myeloma was diagnosed according to previously established criteria. All patients who presented with myeloma-related bone pain were included. Response to various analgesics was analyzed.Results: During the study period n = 125 patients were diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Of these n = 89 (71%) presented with bone pain. There were 63 males and 62 females with median age of 58 years. Eighty patients complained of moderate pain, with backache as the commonest site which was observed in n = 30 patients (24%). Skeletal survey was diagnostic in 71%. Bone marrow involvement was seen in n = 55 patients with plasmacytosis ranging from 16 to 90%. Hypercalcemia was observed in 5% of the patients while IgG kappa was found in 22%. Fifty seven patients responded to World Health Organization step 1 and step 2 analgesic therapies alone while n = 32 patients required a combination of radiotherapy and surgery.Conclusion: We observed that moderate bone pain is a frequent presenting symptom in multiple myeloma which in our experience responded very well to oral analgesics

Review Paper on Arduino Based Fire Fighting Robot

Abstract: A fire outbreak is a hazardous act that leads to numerous consequences. Detecting a fire at an early stage and extinguishing it can aid in prevention of various accident. Till now we rely on human resource. This often leads to risking the life of that person . Therefore, fire security becomes an important aspect to save human lives. In this paper a fire extinguishing robot has been proposed and designed which detects the fire location and extinguish fire by using sprinkler on triggering the pump. This robot uses three flame sensors for accurate fire detection. This proposed model of Fire Extinguishing Robot using Arduino used to detect presence of fire and extinguishing it automatically without any human interference. It contains gear motors and motor driver to control the movement of robot when it detects any presence of fire and will automatically start the water pump to extinguish that fire breakout. This model robot has a water ejector which is capable of ejecting water at the fire breakout place. The water ejector pipe can be move towards the required direction using servo motor .The whole operation is controlled by an Arduino UNO micro controller. Keywords: Arduino UNO, Flame sensor, motor driver, water pump.</jats:p

Helicobacter pylori Virulence Regulatory Network: Insights into the Host-Environment and Pathogen Interactions

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has evolved significant regulatory mechanisms in order to acclimatize in extreme gastric environment of human beings. The virulence machinery of H. pylori is complicated as virulence factors of pathogen not only interact with transcription and translational machinery of host, but also are involved in the progression and development of the disease. The present study is an effort to model virulence mechanism in H. pylori, particularly ferric uptake regulator (FUR) under acidic and iron (Fe) depleted conditions, as well as its effects on the well known virulence factors cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (vacA) gene. The virulence regulatory network of cagA and vacA is modeled based on an asynchronous kinetic logic formalism introduced by René Thomas. The cagA-vacA virulence regulatory network is then elaborated qualitatively to obtain insights into H. pylori induced pathogenesis. The findings have revealed the significant regulatory pathways through which H. pylori spreads infection to the gastric cells, and also verified that cagA is associated with acute gastritis while vacA is involved in vacuolation, apoptosis and atrophy. Interestingly, both cagA and vacA were found to modulate each other virulence potential which ultimately leads to the state of chrHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has evolved significant regulatory mechanisms in order to acclimatize in extreme gastric environment of human beings. The virulence machinery of H. pylori is complicated as virulence factors of pathogen not only interact with transcription and translational machinery of host, but also are involved in the progression and development of the disease. The present study is an effort to model virulence mechanism in H. pylori, particularly ferric uptake regulator (FUR) under acidic and iron (Fe) depleted conditions, as well as its effects on the well known virulence factors cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (vacA) gene. The virulence regulatory network of cagA and vacA is modeled based on an asynchronous kinetic logic formalism introduced by René Thomas. The cagA-vacA virulence regulatory network is then elaborated qualitatively to obtain insights into H. pylori induced pathogenesis. The findings have revealed the significant regulatory pathways through which H. pylori spreads infection to the gastric cells, and also verified that cagA is associated with acute gastritis while vacA is involved in vacuolation, apoptosis and atrophy. Interestingly, both cagA and vacA were found to modulate each other virulence potential which ultimately leads to the state of chronic gastritis; which in turn drives the pathway smoothly towards gastric adenocarcinoma via the formation of pre-malignant lesions. The proposed strategy can be extended to understand the mechanism of other similar bacterial infections and disease progression. It will also help in the prioritization of potential therapeutic targets to control such serious infections.onic gastritis; which in turn drives the pathway smoothly towards gastric adenocarcinoma via the formation of pre-malignant lesions. The proposed strategy can be extended to understand the mechanism of other similar bacterial infections and disease progression. It will also help in the prioritization of potential therapeutic targets to control such serious infections.</jats:p