Paradigm shift in the microfinance sector and its implications for theory development: empirical evidence from Pakistan

Financial and non-financial subsidized resources at the disposal of international donor agencies available for continued support of the microfinance sector are not unlimited. One of the strategies resorted to by the donor community to ensure supply of financial resources to the sector was to make it lucrative to private-sector investment. Thus, for more than a decade now, the donor community has been emphasizing profitability on the part of microfinance institutions to enable the sector to attract commercial capital. This move on the part of the donor community led microfinance institutions to adapt both functionally and structurally to better cope with donor’s expectations and show them profits. Many microfinance institutions set example of successful adaptation and reorientation of their tangible and intangible organizational elements to enable them to survive under these new conditions. Laughlin’s (1991) Model of Organizational Change provides a theoretical base for understanding such an organizational change in the light of changing external circumstances. While the Model placated all the relevant research questions, it did not fully explain all the trends observed in the empirical data collected for the study, which lent a room for development in the Model

Investigation of hydraulic imbalance for converting existing boiler based buildings to low temperature district heating

The hydraulic balance of heating network is considered as a pre-condition for the implementation of low temperature district heating (LTDH). Its imbalance result into high energy consumption and heat-losses in the network. In this study, a novel hydraulic model is presented which investigates hydraulic imbalance in the LTDH network, using real weather and hourly monitored operational heating data from an existing boiler based building. Analysis of delta t in space-heating system shows that the delta t is maximum when the outside air temperature is lowest and it decreases with increase in outside air temperature. Furthermore, the hydraulic imbalance is analysed for four different control scenarios with the aim to find an optimum scenario with minimum pumping power, energy consumption and heat-losses in the LTDH network. Results show that the hydraulic imbalance is due to the absence of flow-limiters and balancing valves on the return pipe and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) alone are unable to maintain hydraulic balance in the space-heating system of buildings. Moreover, the control scenario with variable flow-rate and fixed supply water temperature from the sub-station is found to be optimum. Compared to the constant flow-rate scenario, the pumping power, energy consumption and heat-losses in the LTDH network are reduced by approximately 2%, 63% and 14%, respectively

Karo Kari : the murder of honour in Sindh Pakistan : an ethnographic study

This paper aims to discuss the wider context, in which honour murders occur, the social structures which contribute to the occurrence and perpetuation of the practice of honour murders. An ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in Jacobabad Sindh, Pakistan. The study found that honour murders were not solely driven by customs and traditions, but also by a feudal culture, male-dominated social structures, the complicit role of state institutions and law enforcement agencies and a web of vested interests. Therefore, honour murders may be prevented by reducing the influence and interference of feudal lords on state institutions, in particular law enforcement agencies, and by promoting education that challenges a patriarchal and feudal mind-set in the community

Surgery for prolactinomas

A large proportion of prolactin secreting tumours of the pituitary gland are treatable by dopamine agonist drugs. however certain subgroups of these patients are better managed by surgical excision. the indications for surgery in prolactinomas remain controversial and this paper attempts to clarify these with illustrative cases. the factors favouring a surgical approach include poor tolerance of long term medical therapy, progression of visual deficits or recurrence while on medical treatment, cystic change in the tumour with pressure effects, csf fistula secondary to tumour shrinkage and prophylactic surgery in tumours anticipated to cause csf leak following medical therapy. the size and invasiveness of the tumour and the prolactin level are also important determinants of treatment planning. the indications for surgery in prolactinomas are discussed and illustrative cases are presented

Modeling of wind energy conversion system using PSCAD/EMTDC

This paper aims to model a complete wind energy conversion system (WECS) connected to a grid. The motivation comes from the Distributed Generation System (DGS) installed at the Renewable Energy Lab at UMass Lowell. The objective of this work is to develop universal and standardized manufacturer independent textbook models. Manufacturer specific models are more accurate and detailed, but proprietary and non-disclosure agreements become an issue for research purposes. Since the wind turbines installed in the lab are VSWT (Variable Speed Wind Turbine) with Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators (PMSG), so such a turbine system is modeled to represent them in general. PMSG requires very less maintenance and has high efficiency since it doesn't have rotor current and is used without a gearbox. Further, there are two more advantages: first, it has the capability of variable speed control due to the fact that its rotor speed can change in a large range; second, it's excitation system is independent of the grid and require any other excitation source. In addition to the turbine generator, other main components of WECS are also modeled namely: wind source model, wind turbine, permanent magnet synchronous generator and AC/DC/AC control. The equations governing these models are also discussed. The entire generation system is implemented on PSCAD/EMTDC and integrated to a grid and a basic fault analysis is done under different conditions. The proposed model can be used for research purposes on distributed generation issues. This model provides a good software simulation test bed for further research

Giant choroid plexus papilloma of the third ventricle

Abstract are not provided by the author/publishe

Ganglioneuroblastoma of the posterior mediastinum: a case report.

Introduction:Ganglioneuroblastoma is a rare peripheral neuroblastic tumor that is derived from developing neuronal cells of the sympathetic nervous system, and is found mostly, but not exclusively, in babies and young children. Case Presentation: To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previously reported cases of ganglioneuroblastoma of the mediastinum from Pakistan. We present a case of ganglioneuroblastoma in an eight-year-old Pakistani Sindhi boy incidentally found to have a large posterior mediastinal mass that on biopsy initially looked like ganglioneuroma. He underwent successful excision of the mediastinal mass and remained stable post-operatively. Final pathology findings showed a ganglioneuroblastoma. He has remained free of symptoms on long-term follow-up. Conclusions: The rarity of this tumor along with its almost exclusive occurrence in the pediatric population necessitates a thorough investigation of Patients presenting with a symptomatic mass

Optimizing Lead-free MASnBr3 Perovskite Solar Cells for High-Efficiency and Long-Term Stability Using Graphene and Advanced Interface Layers

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered significant attention in the scientific community due to their rapid increase in performance. Inorganic perovskite devices have been noted for their high performance and long-term stability. This study introduces a device optimization process guided by modeling to produce high-efficiency PSCs using lead-free n-i-p methylammonium tin bromide (MASnBr3) materials. We have thoroughly examined the impact of both the absorber and interface layers on the optimized structure. Our approach utilized graphene as the interface layer between the hole transport and absorber layers. We employed zinc oxide (ZnO)/Al and 3C-SiC as interface layers between the absorber and electron transport layers. The optimization process involved adjusting the thicknesses of the absorber layer and interface layers and minimizing defect densities. Our proposed optimized device structure, ZnO/3C-SiC/MASnBr3/graphene/CuO/Au, demonstrates theoretical power conversion efficiencies of 31.97%, fill factors of 89.38%, a current density of 32.54 mA/cm2, a voltage of 1.112 V, and a quantum efficiency of 94%. This research underscores the ability of MASnBr3 as a nontoxic perovskite material for sustainable energy from renewable sources' applications

Trans-mastoid approach to otogenic brain abscess

The treatment of otogenic brain abscess initially involves excision or aspiration of the abscess through a temporal or sub-occipital route depending on its location. This is followed by a mastoidectomy by the ENT surgeon to eradicate the primary source of infection. During the last three years, we have approached such lesions through a mastoidectomy followed by excision of the abscess through the same approach. This trans-mastoid approach is technically feasible in following the tract of suppuration, and clearing the cause and effect of pathology, at the same sitting. This paper describes our initial experience with the trans-mastoid approach to otogenic brain abscesses. On the basis of our results, we believe that transmastoid approach is an effective and logical option for the treatment of otogenic brain abscess, and merits further investigation in the form of a prospective study