Does Macroeconomic and Firm Specific Factors drive Corporate Profitability? New Evidence from Pakistan

The aim of the paper is to analyze the impact of macroeconomic and firm specific factors on corporate profitability. Data for the period 2010-2019 is collected from listed Pakistani firms. Findings of the study reveal that corporate profitability is significantly and positively influenced by firm size and liquidity whereas corporate profitability is significantly and negatively influenced by leverage. GDP affects EPS positively but its impact on ROE and ROA is negative. Exchange rate also has a negative impact on corporate profitability. Real interest has a strong negative effect on ROA but on EPS and ROE, the effect is insignificant. Real interest has a strong negative effect on ROA but on ROE and EPS the effect is insignificant

Impact of Commodity Concentration and Geographical Concentration upon Export instability in Pakistan

This research study investigates the factors affecting export instability in Pakistan by using time-series data from 1981 to 2017. The determining factors of export instability in this study are commodity concentration index, geographical concentration index, food ratio, export earnings and total export quantity. The study employs Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to investigate the long-run (LR) relationship between export instability and its employed determinants. The empirical evidence reveals that commodity concentration, geographical concentration, food exports and export earnings are the key factors explaining export instability in Pakistan. The study finds the positive relationship between export instability and commodity concentration, while a negative association with geographical concentration. Furthermore, food exports and export earnings are also found to be negatively related to export instability. The study finds that concentration or depend ence on a few exports causes export instability in Pakistan, but this problem would be overcome if Pakistan’s commodity basket for exports become diversified

Combined Influence of Fly Ash and Recycled Coarse Aggregates on Strength and Economic Performance of Concrete

Recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) and fly ash (FA) are materials with least to very low global warming potential. Considering long term strength and durability, various studies have suggested to use RCA in concrete with FA. This research paper deals with the strength and economic performance of concrete made with individual and combined incorporation of FA and RCA. Nine different mixtures of concrete were prepared by varying the incorporation levels of RCA and FA. 0% RCA, 50% RCA and 100% RCA were used in concrete with three different levels of FA (0%FA, 20%FA, and 40%FA). The compressive strength of each mixture of concrete was determined at the age of 3, 28, 90 and 180 days. To evaluate economic performance cost of 1 m3 of each mixture of concrete was compared to that of the control mixture having 0% RCA and 0% FA. Results showed that RCA was detrimental to the compressive strength of concrete at all ages, whereas, FA reduced early strength but improved the strength at later ages of testing i.e. 90 and 180 days. FA plus RCA mixes also showed lower early age strength but gained higher strength than conventional concrete at the age of 180 days. RCA did not reduce the cost of concrete effectively. FA despite having a very high transportation cost, it reduced the cost of concrete efficiently. FA did not only reduce the cost of binder but also lower the demand of plasticizer by improving workability. Cost to strength ratio (CSR) analysis also indicated that FA significantly improve the combined economic and strength performance of RCA concrete mixes

The Nexus between Carbon Emissions and Per Capita Income of Households: Evidence from Japanese Prefectures

Household consumption is influenced by various factors. Despite this, the intricate nature of consumption behaviors and the lack of comprehensive data from the supply chain have led to an incomplete recognition of the attributes contributing to home emissions at the city level. Through the analysis of city-level household consumption in relation to energy demand, utilizing a city-scale input-output model and urban residential consumption inventories, this study considers the environmental responsibility inherent in residential consumption for Japanese Prefectures, this study reveals that variations in this responsibility based on household type and season. Various factors are taken into account when examining emissions by age and month, including emission type, source, fuel variety, and consumption items for the period 2013-2022. These assertions stem from emissions data computed using the system boundary method. The connection between residential emissions and GDP is also explored through regression analysis. We uncovered evidence indicating that carbon emissions in Japan fluctuate with the seasons and across diverse categories. These statistics illustrate a notable discrepancy in the regional distribution of carbon emissions, owing to evident variations in consumption rates and patterns.</p

Management of Ingested Foreign Bodies

Objective: To determine the likelihood of spontaneous passage of esophageal coins in stomach, to see the effect of initial coin location on spontaneous passage and to design management strategies. Material and Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted from March 2011 to March 2016, in the department of ENT POF Hospital Wah Cantt.In all patients of coin ingestion history and radiological findings were recorded. They were evaluated after 24 hours for either spontaneous passage of coin to stomach or needed surgical intervention with either Magill forceps or oesophagoscopy. Base line investigations and repeat X-ray were done before surgical procedure. Results: Out of 25 patients of coin ingestion, 60% (n=15) were boys and 40% (n=10) were girls with age range from 2 to 6 years. Total 84% patients (n=21) had coin at cricopharyngeus level, while 8% (n=2) at mid esophagus and 8% (n=2) at lower esophagus level. After 24 hours, total of 36% (n=9) patients had spontaneous passage of coin. Among them two patients were with coin at lower esophageal level while two and five patients were with coin at middle esophagus level and at cricopharyngeus level respectively. Among the remaining 16 patients only 20% (n=5) needed to go for esophagoscopy and rest 44% (n=11) had removal of coin by using direct laryngoscopy and Magill forceps. Conclusion: A trial of 24 hours for spontaneous passage of coin irrespective of the site of impaction is recommended. If the coin does not pass spontaneously, then upper esophageal level coins should be attempted with Magill forceps. For Left over cases oesophagoscopy should be done.&nbsp

Effects of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] slices on nutritional quality, sensory quality, and shelf life of Chinese pickled and steamed pork belly

This study aimed to investigate the influence of different ratios of taro slices (TS) on the nutritional quality, sensory quality, and shelf life of Chinese pickled and steamed pork belly (CPSPB). The study examined various aspects of CPSPB, including its proximate components, fat oxidation, fatty acid composition, protein hydrolysis, oxidation reaction, and induction period (IP). Additionally, the sensory quality and texture analysis were compared simultaneously. The results showed that the addition of TS to CPSPB significantly improved water and lipid loss (p &lt; 0.05), increased the unsaturated/saturated ratio of fatty acids, and reduced lipid and protein oxidation. Additionally, the incorporation of TS extended the IP and enhanced the shelf life of CPSPB. Particularly, the addition of a specific amount of TS (60%) to CPSPB resulted in the highest organoleptic quality. Therefore, these results emphasize the positive impact of TS on the overall quality of CPSPB, highlighting its potential to enhance the nutritional value, sensory attributes, and shelf life

Doppler of Renal Segmental Artery Resistive Index in Diabetic Patients

Background: Diabetic nephropathy affects 40 percent of patients with type I diabetes mellitus. It carries a poor prognosis when fully developed, where the estimated death rate is approximately 40-100 times that of non-diabetics. Vascular resistivity evaluation at multiple points of renal parenchyma can indicate structural or functional changes within the kidneys and can provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information. Objective: The goal of the research was to use renal artery Doppler to evaluate the mean renal resistivity index in patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Methodology: The research was initiated with the approval of the University of Lahore Ethical Committee. In this study, all the patients were registered after signing the informed consent form. Toshiba Xario was used with a convex probe of frequency of 3-5 MHz. Renal Resistive Index (RRI) was evaluated and sonographic data was kept in the ultrasound unit. The Statistical package for Social Sciencies version 24 was used for analysing the data. Results: Among 97 patients, there were 66 females and 31 males of which 50 patients were with Diabetes and 47 were normal. In the result of our study it was seen that renal resistive index significantly increases in patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Conclusion: In  conclusion,  renal  resistive index (RRI) levels were high in patients with Diabetes Mellitus showing positive correlation of RRI values Keywords: Diabetic nephropathy, Renal resistive index, Chronic kidney disease DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/82-03 Publication date: November 30th 202