Fintech in Pakistan: a qualitative study of bank’s strategic planning for an investment in fin-tech company and its challenges

The purpose of this study is to explore the strategic considerations in the process of searching for Fin-Tech investment targets and what challenges are faced by banks while its implementation. This study has examined the problems faced by banking sectors in investing in Fin-Tech. This study used a case study methodology of 5 banks in Pakistan on convenience based sampling. The major data sources include the field notes, recording and transcription of interviews collected from branch managers. The results relate to: (1) Fin-Tech in banking sector of Pakistan (2) Banks planning for the adoption of new financial technology, (3) Criteria for selecting Fin-Tech company, (4) Technology as banking career,(5) Barriers in the implementation of Fintech in Pakistan. It is suggested that Pakistan must upgrade its Fin-Tech infrastructure besides doing other things. The government is also needed to concentrate more efforts to overcome these problems

The effect of sodium salicylate on the level of GABAB receptor subunits in the rat\u27s central auditory system

Tinnitus is a phantom sensation of sound in the absence of acoustic stimulus and can be induced by ototoxic drugs such as sodium salicylate (SS). Tinnitus is likely related to hyperactivity in central auditory structures. In the central nervous system, activity is dependent on excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmission. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. It can activate the type-B GABAergic receptor (GABA B receptor), which can control the level of excitation/inhibition through regulating the release of neurotransmitters and lowering the cell membrane potential. I hypothesized that SS affects hearing by changing the level and distribution of the GABA B receptor in central auditory structures. My results from immunohistochemical and western blotting experiments revealed that SS reduced the level of GABA B receptors in all major auditory structures. The reduction was observed in both neuronal cell bodies regions and areas containing axonal and dendritic fibers of neurons

Implementation of Lean Practices in Banks: A Qualitative Research

For Pakistani banks to remain competitive in this 21st century, they have to adopt and excel in practices that have brought significant competitive advantages to firms worldwide. Among these practices, lean management has played a significant role. There is a need to develop a systematic approach to access up to what extent firms are adopting lean practices. The objective of this research is to measure the level of adoptions of lean practices in banking sector in Pakistan. Face to face structured interviews were conducted and our findings suggest that banks are not implementing lean practices in true spirit. To implement lean practices holistically, bank employees should understand the philosophy of lean

Static Trade-off theory or Pecking order theory which one suits best to the financial sector. Evidence from Pakistan.

This research is a contribution towards understanding the financial behavior of leasing sector of Pakistan for the period of 2001-2010. It is an attempt to investigate the key factors that influence the capital structure of leasing sector of Pakistan. Financial Leverage is taken as the dependent variable. Whereas, Size of Firm, Capital intensity; Liquidity, Profitability and Tangibility of assets are taken as independent variables. Empirically it has been found that size of assets has a negative and significant impact on leverage. It has also been found that Liquidity, Tangibility, profitability and capital intensity do not significantly influence Leverage. Hence, it is concluded that leasing sector of Pakistan is following Pecking Order Theory in terms of the Size of Firm, Tangibility, liquidity, profitability and capital intensity.   Key words: Leasing, financial sector, Karachi Stock Exchange, Tangibility, Pecking Order Theory, Static Order Theor

Waste Management System in Karachi as an Environmental and Health Hazard

Present research is an attempt to describe the problem of waste management of Karachi and its possible impact as a health hazardous issue in the city. The study mainly focuses on the issues of solid waste management in the sampled areas of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Karachi and Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC). A poll result shows that the sewerage management is comparatively better than the other areas. However, additional and adequate waste management measures to overcome some problems faced in solid as well as effluent disposal.   Conditions in the waste management system can be improved if all the concerned departments worked on a policy of mutual co-operation and co-ordination. This will not only ensure healthier and efficient system but also provide incentive for improvement to areas other than the sampled area. Keywords: Solid Waste Management, Clifton Cantonment Board, Environmental Decency, General Welfare. DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/9-4-07 Publication date: April 30th 201

Remediation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) through Bio and Phytoremediation in the Environment: A Review Study

One of the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) utilized globally between the 1930s and 1980s was polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Even though their usage has been severely constrained, a lot of PCBs are still present in the environment, including soils and air. This local, national, international and governmental organizations regarding polychlorinated biphenyls and how can resolve and treat the problem sustainably. This can be achieved if seriously working on degrading persistent organic pollutants, especially polychlorinated biphenyls biologically via thorough research and sound implementation. The methods opted for remediation by the use of choosing suitable types of microorganisms and plants. These methods are practically active for the identification of the source, concentration level and effects on the ecosystem. It would help in developing appropriate strategy and data generation in formulating the inventories for the management of polychlorinated biphenyls in the future. It is also noted through numerous research that polychlorinated biphenyls are also found in human blood commonly analyzed by indicator congeners such as PCB 138,153, 180, and in air and soil markers of PCBs pollution include PCB congeners 28, 52,101,138,153 and 180 as well. The methods and mechanisms described for degrading the persistent pollutant in this research review the solutions for mitigating PCB pollution in an environment. The best option is to strictly ban it in Pakistan or weightage its usage with its multiple benefits and disadvantages. Promote biological treatment if the payback is healthy and environmentally sustainable

The level and distribution of the GABABR1 and GABABR2 receptor subunits in the rat\u27s inferior colliculus

The type B γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAB receptor) is an important neurotransmitter receptor in the midbrain auditory structure, the inferior colliculus (IC). A functional GABAB receptor is a heterodimer consisting of two subunits, GABABR1 and GABABR2. Western blotting and immunohistochemical experiments were conducted to examine the expression of the two subunits over the IC including its central nucleus, dorsal cortex, and external cortex (ICc, ICd, and ICx). Results revealed that the two subunits existed in both cell bodies and the neuropil throughout the IC. The two subunits had similar regional distributions over the IC. The combined level of cell body and neuropil labelling was higher in the ICd than the other two subdivisions. Labelling in the ICc and ICx was stronger in the dorsal than the ventral regions. In spite of regional differences, no defined boundaries were formed between different areas. For both subunits, the regional distribution of immunoreactivity in the neuropil was parallel to that of combined immunoreactivity in the neuropil and cell bodies. The density of labelled cell bodies tended to be higher but sizes of cell bodies tended to be smaller in the ICd than in the other subdivisions. No systematic regional changes were found in the level of cell body immunoreactivity, except that GABABR2-immunoreactive cell bodies in the ICd had slightly higher optic density than in other regions. Elongated cell bodies existed throughout the IC. Many labelled cell bodies along the outline of the IC were oriented in parallel to the outline. No strong tendency of orientation was found in labelled cell bodies in ICc. Regional distributions of the subunits in ICc correlated well with inputs to this subdivision. Our finding regarding the contrast in the level of neuropil immunoreactivity among different subdivisions is consistent with the fact that the GABAB receptor has different pre- and postsynaptic functions in different IC regions

Evaluation of Common Risk Factors for Breast Carcinoma in Females: a Hospital Based Study in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Breast malignancies are one of the leading causes of deaths in females worldwide. There are a number of risk factors associated with breast cancer but in Karachi Pakistan there are insufficient data available.MATERIALS AND Methods: A case control study was conducted on females in age group between 30-80 years. This study was accomplished by retrospective data collection in Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 108 females with primary malignancy of breast were included along with 108 matched controls. Relationship of various factors with disease was studied using logistic regression to calculate odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals.Results: A total of 14 variables were analyzed and based on and 7 were found to be risk factors: old age, family history of breast cancer, family history of other carcinomas, personal history of breast carcinoma, early age of menarche, older age of mother at first delivery and lower number of children. Five factors, parity, breast feeding, history of oral contraceptive pills intake, past history of oophorectomy and hysterectomy showed protective associations. One variable, use of hormonal replacement therapy, showed a controversial link and one other, marital status, was not significant in this study.CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that most of the well-known risk factors for breast cancer are also associated with the disease in the female population of Karachi, Pakistan. High risk patients should be the focus with the help of this study so that screening can be more effective for early diagnosis before clinically evident breast malignancy

Accuracy of specimen radiography in assessing complete local excision with breast-conservation surgery

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of “X- ray examination of surgically resected specimen‘‘ in assessing complete local excision (CLE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cross sectional study, data were collected for all female breast cancer cases who underwent breast-conserving surgery after needle localization of mammographically visible disease. Males, patients with mammographically invisible disease and cases with benign or inconclusive histopathology, those undergoing modified radical mastectomy and individuals with dense breast parenchyma were excluded. We evaluated radiography of resected specimens to assess margin spiculation, distance of mass/microcalcification from the excised margin, presence of a mass, and presence of any adjacent microcalcification, Other features including mass size, nuclear grade and patient’s age were also recorded and all were analyzed for any association with CLE. RESULTS: Absence of adjacent microcalcification and the presence of a mass on radiographs showed significant associations with CLE, but no links were evident with other features. Specimen radiography was found to be a sufficient tool to predict CLE with a positive predictive value of 83.3%, a sensitivity of 80.7% and a specificity of 81%. CONCLUSION: Specimen radiography is an important and sensitive tool to predict CLE

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised