Do Workers’ Remittances Boost Human Capital Development?

This study examines the influence of workers’ remittances along with the economic governance system on human capital development in 17 countries having low income, lower middle, upper middle and high income levels by using the annual panel between 1996 and 2013. Overall, results of fixed-effects model reveal that workers’ remittances have significantly positive impact on the human capital development. Results also reveal the positive and significant impact of all selected variables of economic governance system on human capital. It is concluded that the strong economic governance system strengthens the association between workers’ remittances and human capital during the aforementioned time period. JEL Classification: F24, J23 Keywords: Remittances, Economic Governance System, Human Capital Developmen

Turbulence and air uptake at spillway ramp aerators.

The work in this thesis is a physical model of air slot ramp aerators designed to eliminate cavitation in open channel spillway chute flows. The experimental work involves the use of a Laser system to measure the turbulent low structure on a spillway, ramp and jet system, and then to relate the turbulent flow structure to the rate of air entrainment in the aerator. Even though aerator model studies have been carried out for decades, this appears to be the first time that turbulence has been measured in detail, having regard both to the ability of a ramp to generate turbulence and also to the decay of turbulence in the aerator jet downstream of the ramp. An expression is found for air entrainment in the models tested at Glasgow University. It is also valid for a range of previous prototype measurements, and is valid for a range of other previous model studies. The results are also translated into a computer program for designing such structures. The model used was a rectangular cross-section perspex flume, sloping at 45 degrees, incorporating a range of ramps at different angles. A range of flow depths, flow velocities, and boundary roughness values were tested and the measurements were taken by a Laser Doppler Anemometer. The results of this work provide a clearer understanding of the physical processes which occur in aerator ramp. This includes a clear demonstration of the ability of the ramp to generate additional turbulence in the flow, increasing turbulence values by about 30% above normal boundary layer values

Our experience with van nes rotationplasty for locally advanced lower extremity tumours

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To present an early experience with the time-tested technique of Van Ness Rotationplasty to save distal lmbs. METHODS: Van Nes Rotationplasty for locally advanced lower extremity tumours. A reterorespective audit was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised cases of bone and soft tissue sarcoma who underwent Van Ness Rotationplasty over seven years from January 2005 to December 2011. Demographic data, family history, past history, co-morbids, date since diagnosis, duration of symptoms, type of tumour, metastasis, pre-op and post-op functional status, recurrence and survival were collected. RESULTS: Of the 351 cases of bone and soft tissue sarcoma, 9 (2.6%) underwent Van Ness Rotationplasty and were included in the study. The mean duration of symptoms was 7±3SD months (range: 8-41 months). All except 1(11.1%) were osteogenic sarcomas. All except 1(11.1%) involved distal femur. Overall, 7(77.8%) had localised Enneking stage IIB disease. Two (22.2%) patients expired due to metastatic disease, but none had local recurrence. Complete excision of tumour was achieved in all (100%) patients. Longest follow-up was of 34 months while the shortest was of 6 months. No local recurrences were noted. Functional recovery was good. Two (22.2%) patients had simultaneous sciatic nerve repair as part of the primary procedure. Both of them had good motor function at the time of final follow-up. Mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Societyscore was 23.88±2SD. CONCLUSIONS: Van Nes Rotationplasty was found to be a successful alternative to amputation in cases of locally advancedtumours of distal femur or proximal tibia

Marginal bone loss around cement and screw-retained fixed implant prosthesis

Implant-supported fixed restorations are considered as the standard treatment for replacement of missing teeth. These can be either screw or cement retained. The success or failure of implant restorations depend upon amount of marginal bone loss (MBL). The present study is to determine the MBL around cement and screw-retained implant prosthesis and to determine various predictors of the MBL. A retrospective charts review was conducted at the dental clinics, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from February 2017 to June 2017 in which 104 implants restorations were assessed using periapical radiographs. MBL was calculated at baseline and at 12 months and the difference was recorded on a proforma. SPSS version 21.0 was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics was computed. Generalized estimation equation analysis (GEE) was applied to determine the predictors of MBL. Level of significance was kept at ? 0.05. There were 104 implant restorations belonging to 41 patients. Screw retained prosthesis showed significantly greater MBL than cement retained prosthesis (p-value =0 .018) (irrespective of crowns or fixed partial dentures). Other factors that turned out to be significant predictors of MBL were male gender (p-value= 65 yrs. (p-value=0.028) and sites where bone grafting was performed (p-value=0.003). Male patients of age >65 yrs. with sites needing bone grafts who were provided with screw retained prosthesis (irrespective of crown or fixed partial dentures) had significantly greater marginal bone loss around implants

Bonded amalgam as a fissure sealant in low-income setting: A randomised controlled trial

Objectives: To compare one year retention rate of bonded amalgam sealants (BAS) with that of conventional resin-based sealant (RBS). Methods: It was a parallel group, equivalence, randomised controlled trial done during March 2018 to December 2019 at the dental clinics of Dow University of Health Sciences, and the Jinnah Sind Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan on children aged 12-16 years, who were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups (BAS vs. RBS). Complete retention of the sealant at one year follow-up was labeled as success. Multi-level mixed effect logistic regression model was employed. Study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov # NCT NCT03130725. Results: There were 137 teeth (23 subjects) in the BAS and 128 teeth (15 subjects) in the RBS group that were evaluated for sealant retention at 12 months follow-up. Among the BAS group, 100/137 (73%) sealants were completely retained whereas 110/128 (86%) were fully retained in the RBS group. Nearly, 22/137 (16%) BAS and 10/128 (7.8%) RBS were completely dislodged. In multivariable analysis, subject age \u3e15 years and male gender were found to be significantly associated with the dislodgement of sealants. Conclusions: At 12 months follow-up, the retention of bonded amalgam sealant (BAS) was significantly lower than that of the resin-based sealant (RBS)

Epidemiology and Surgical Outcome of Traumatic Sub Axial Cervical Spine Injuries in a Tertiary Care Hospital of KPK, Pakistan

Objective:  The purpose of this study was to characterize the epidemiologic characteristics, a pattern of traumatic subaxial cervical spine injuries, and their surgical outcomes in a tertiary care hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Materials and Methods:  This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. The records of 40 patients between the ages of 15 and 60 who had cervical spine injuries were evaluated to characterize the injuries and surgical outcomes. We employed the anterior route for surgery regularly and the posterior method only when the reduction failed or substantial instability. We used a tricortical bone graft or titanium cages with autologous bone and secured them through titanium plates to achieve fusion. Results:  80% of patients presented with sub axial cervical injury. Regarding the etiology of injury, 37.5 % had motor vehicle accidents, 28.12% had a history of height falls, and the remaining had sustained injuries due to other causes. The majority of the patients, 68.75% (n = 22), had isolated subluxation injury.87.5% (n = 28) underwent surgical intervention; surgical outcomes such as pain relief were measured using the VAS, which was 6.09 ± 1.42 preoperatively while 4.5 ± 1.29 postoperatively with a difference of means of 1.59. There was a significant improvement in neurological functions as measured through the ASIA impairment scale. Conclusion:  Most cervical spine injuries occurred in young male patients, motor vehicle accidents were the most prevalent cause, and isolated subluxation was the most frequent injury pattern. 

Oral Health Status Among Pregnant Women Attending Gynae OPD of Tertiary Care Hospital in Rawalpindi

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the oral health status and treatment needs using DMFT & CPITN indices in pregnant women attending Gynae OPD of tertiary care Hospital in Rawalpindi, to Determine Association of Oral health status using DMFT and CPITN with socioeconomic status and to determine oral health status of various trimesters of pregnancy Materials and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the oral health status and treatment needs among pregnant women at Tertiary Care Hospital, Rawalpindi from April’ 2020 to September’ 2020. Consecutive sampling was used to select the study participants. An adaptive version of WHO questionnaire was used. Results were presented in the form of frequency tables. Chi square test of statistics was applied to assess the association between categorical DMFT and CPITN with the sociodemographic characteristics of the participating females. Results: The mean DMFT score pregnant females was 2.41 + 2.30 and were belonged to a middle socioeconomic status 43.8% (n=173). About 61.8% (n=244) of participants had DMFT total score 1-7. Whereas, majority of the participants were reported bleeding gums on probing 30.6% (n=121) on assessment by CPITN. The participating pregnant females also depicted the worsening of periodontal tissues (P=0.00) and dentition status (P=0.02). Socioeconomic status was not significantly associated with dentition (P=0.39) and periodontal status (P=0.69). Conclusion: The study revealed that oral health status was deteriorated during pregnancy. Education and gestational period were strong indicator for oral health status among pregnant women. Bleeding gums were reported in majority of participants during second trimester of pregnancy. Socioeconomic status was not significantly associated with oral health status by CPITN and DMFT score

Development and in vitro characterization of 5-flurouracilloaded, colon-targeted drug delivery system

Purpose: To prepare chondroitin sulphate–polyvinyl alcohol cross-linked microcapsules (miCAPs) for controlled delivery of 5-flurouracil (5-FU) in cancer patients.Method: Nine different miCAP formulations were prepared using emulsion cross-linking procedure. The formulations were evaluated for their physicochemical properties, complex formation, stability at variable temperatures, safety, as well as drug-loading and drug-release characteristics. The effects of glutaraldehyde (GA), polymer concentration and stirring speed on 5-FU release at various pH were also assessed.Results: One of the miCAP formulations (miCAP-1) was adjudged the most suitable based on its particle size, high drug loading (75.3 %, p = 0.034), and high entrapment efficiency (85.2 %, p = 0.031). Best-fit drug release model was Higuchi model based on regression coefficient value (R2) while drug release mechanism was Fickian.Conclusion: Highly stable, crosslinked, amorphous and drug delivery system has been successfully developed. The delivery system is potentially suitable for acid-sensitive therapeutic moieties and where controlled release is desired.Keywords: Emulsion cross-linking, Colon-specific delivery, 5-Flurouracil, Glutaraldehyde, Kinetic model