The Past, Present, and Future of Humanitarian Parole

The humanitarian parole provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act grants the Attorney General discretion to allow people to enter the United States without an immigrant or non-immigrant visa. Despite the sparse language of the provision establishing parole, it has been used in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from one-time grants of entry into the United States for medical care to the establishment of large-scale programs for entire groups of people. The creation and administration of large-scale parole programs have been the focus of recent lawsuits, placing critical questions on the meaning and scope of the provision before judges. This Comment aims to provide a historical overview of humanitarian parole and evaluate controversies and lawsuits challenging large-scale parole programs. Ultimately, it argues that large-scale parole programs play a crucial role in our immigration system, and their creation is a legitimate, legal use of the provision. It ends by making a recommendation on how to amend the parole statute to formally authorize large-scale programs

Poverty Status and Factors Affecting Household Poverty in Southern Punjab: An Empirical Analysis

The strategies expected to mitigate poverty tend to identify factors that are closely related to poverty and that could have influenced the policy implications. A household level data was collected to examine the poverty status and factors affecting poverty in Southern Punjab. A logistic regression technique was employed for the present analyses. The findings show that age and education of the household head, own house, spouse participation, remittances, number of earners in the household and physical assets reduces the probability of being poor in Southern Punjab. However, large household size, occupation in the primary sector, high dependency ratio and mental disability are associated with an increased probability of being poor in Southern Punjab. Government should adopt effective policy measures to generate employment and encourage the attainment of education for the poor households for the mitigation of poverty in this region

OPENING NEW FRONTIERS IN ADAPTIVE SPORTS FOR SPECIAL PERSONS THROUGH INCLUSION

Disability has always been associated with limitations and social segregation. And when it comes to sports, circumstances for special persons are largely unfavorable. In this modern era, inclusion is somewhat replacing social segregation, but there are new frontiers waiting to be explored. The event of Paralympic is evolving along with the social norms within mainstream society. Hence, there is always a space for new ideas to emerge. For instance, several new sports can be modified and introduced to special persons. This research aimed at bridging this gap by introducing a plethora of conventional sports that can be modified to suit the needs of special persons. For example, special persons can be trained with modified versions of wrestling, karate, and power-lifting. Hence, the researcher triangulated his research by conducting semi-structured interviews aimed at special persons from all four types of disabilities to get their perspective. The researcher was well-acquainted with the relevance of different varieties within the emerging trends in sports. Therefore, his own participant observation guided the course of this study. A sample of 12 special persons with all four types of disability was interviewed. The study discovered that many special persons displayed prominent acumen and interest toward aforementioned sports

What Factors Lead to Affect Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan? A Sector Level Empirical Investigation

This study investigates the factors that lead to affect foreign direct investment (FDI), using Pooled data for five sectors namely, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, transport, storage and communication, construction and trade and commerce for 1972 to 2018 in Pakistan. This study also investigates that whether the determinants of FDI are same or different across sectors? To further analyze the role of policy variables, dummy for privatization and liberalization have been introduced. Using Autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL), this study found the presence of long run relationship among variables. Further, the results of panel as well as individual time series regression suggest that in the long run, variables such as agglomeration, market size, market growth, domestic investment, labor productivity, financial performance, political instability, privatization and liberalization are deep determinants of FDI across sectors. Results also show that in the short run, only agglomeration, market size, market growth and dummy of political instability are significant variables. Moreover, the importance of policy variables (privatization and liberalization) cannot be denied. The result of this study recommends coherent and sound policy measures for further policy formulation of FDI inflows across sectors. With reference to policy formulation, special attention should be given to manufacturing sector-based infrastructure, research and development and outward looking export orientated policies to improve manufacturing sector performance. Political stability is most desirous phenomenon to attract FDI

KCNQ1 rs2237895 polymorphism is associated with Gestational Diabetes in Pakistani Women

Background and Objective: Genetic studies on gestational diabetes (GDM) are relatively scarce; moreover, limited data is available for KCNQ1 polymorphism in Pakistani pregnant women. We aimed to determine the frequency of KCNQ1 rs2237895 in GDM and normal pregnant controls and its association with GDM-related phenotypes.Methods: A total of 637 pregnant females (429 controls and 208 cases) in their second trimester were classified according to the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study criteria in this study. Their blood samples were genotyped for KCNQ1 SNP rs2237895 using PCR-RFLP method and sequencing. Fasting and two hour-post glucose load blood levels, serum HbA1c, insulin, and anthropometric assessment was performed.: Pearson\u27s Chi Square test, Mann- Whitney U test, and regression analyses were performed. A p-value of \u3c 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The variant genotyped was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p \u3e 0.05). The rs2237895 showed an association with GDM (OR 2.281; 1.388-3.746: p \u3c 0.001) and remained significant after multiple adjustments for age and body mass index (OR 2.068; 1.430-2.997: p=0.005). The C allele showed positive association with insulin level, and HOMA-IR in study subjects.Conclusions: This study identifies that KCNQ1 rs2237895 polymorphisms might be associated with risk of GDM in Pakistani population and that it is related to higher glucose levels and insulin resistance. Further large scale studies are required to consolidate on the functional aspect of this polymorphism

A Comprehensive Review of Acute Coronary Syndrome

A significant sign of coronary artery disease is the acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Angina pectoris, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are just a few of the conditions that are grouped together under the general term “ACS.” The main cause of death worldwide is cardiovascular disease, which puts ACS under a heavy financial strain. Reduced blood flow to the heart, primarily as a result of plaque rupture and thrombus development, is a pathogenesis of ACS. Numerous risk factors, both modifiable (such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and inactivity) and non-modifiable (like age, gender, and inheritance), can lead to the development of ACS. Electrocardiography (ECG), clinical evaluation, history-taking, and cardiac biomarkers are all used in the diagnosis process. For the best management, prompt diagnosis and risk classification are essential. Reperfusion therapy, anti-anginal therapy, and renin-angiotensin blocking are a few of the suggested procedures in treatment techniques that aim to minimise myocardial ischemia and restore coronary blood flow. Long-term management also strongly depends on modifying one’s lifestyle, including giving up smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and obtaining rehabilitation. Acute cardiac failure, ventricular septum or papillary muscle rupture, arrhythmias, recurrent angina, and other consequences of ACS are also highlighted in the paper. The prognosis varies depending on variables, including persistent myocardial injury and the existence of ventricular arrhythmias; an unfavourable prognosis is frequently related to arrhythmias and is associated with poor left ventricular function. . This article offers a thorough review of ACS and gives readers important information about its pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis

Herpesviriae Infection of the Corneal Endothelium

Background - The corneal endothelium plays a vital role in maintaining corneal clarity by regulating the amount of fluid in the corneal stroma. - Corneal endotheliitis is defined as inflammation of the corneal endothelial layer that leads to corneal edema and haziness, and subsequent loss of vision. - Most common causes include cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and varicella zoster virus (VZV). - Because corneal endothelial cells cannot regenerate following injury, early diagnosis is essential in proper management and preventing loss of corneal endothelial cells. In this review we aim to gather the most recent knowledge on viral corneal endotheliitis, focusing on the most common viral causes, to help clinicians with clinical diagnosis, appropriate laboratory tests, and proper management of this potentially debilitating condition

mHealth based interventions for the assessment and treatment of psychotic disorders: a systematic review

The relative burden of mental health disorders is increasing globally, in terms of prevalence and disability. There is limited data available to guide treatment choices for clinicians in low resourced settings, with mHealth technologies being a potentially beneficial avenue to bridging the large mental health treatment gap globally. The aim of the review was to search the literature systematically for studies of mHealth interventions for psychosis globally, and to examine whether mHealth for psychosis has been investigated. A systematic literature search was completed in Embase, Medline, PsychINFO and Evidence Based Medicine Reviews databases from inception to May 2016. Only studies with a randomised controlled trial design that investigated an mHealth intervention for psychosis were included. A total of 5690 records were identified with 7 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority of included studies, were conducted across Europe and the United Sates with one being conducted in China. The 7 included studies examined different parameters, such as Experiential Sampling Methodology (ESM), medication adherence, cognitive impairment, social functioning and suicidal ideation in veterans with schizophrenia. Considering the increasing access to mobile devices globally, mHealth may potentially increase access to appropriate mental health care. The results of this review show promise in bridging the global mental health treatment gap, by enabling individuals to receive treatment via their mobile phones, particularly for those individuals who live in remote or rural areas, areas of high deprivation and for those from low resourced settings

Prevention of: self harm in British South Asian women: study protocol of an exploratory RCT of culturally adapted manual assisted Problem Solving Training (C- MAP)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suicide is a major public health problem worldwide. In the UK suicide is the second most common cause of death in people aged 15-24 years. Self harm is one of the commonest reasons for medical admission in the UK. In the year following a suicide attempt the risk of a repeat attempt or death by suicide may be up to 100 times greater than in people who have never attempted suicide.</p> <p>Research evidence shows increased risk of suicide and attempted suicide among British South Asian women. There are concerns about the current service provision and its appropriateness for this community due to the low numbers that get involved with the services. Both problem solving and interpersonal forms of psychotherapy are beneficial in the treatment of patients who self harm and could potentially be helpful in this ethnic group.</p> <p>The paper describes the trial protocol of adapting and evaluating a culturally appropriate psychological treatment for the adult British South Asian women who self harm.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We plan to test a culturally adapted Problem Solving Therapy (C- MAP) in British South Asian women who self harm. Eight sessions of problem solving each lasting approximately 50 minutes will be delivered over 3 months. The intervention will be assessed using a prospective rater blind randomized controlled design comparing with treatment as usual (TAU). Outcome assessments will be carried out at 3 and 6 months. A sub group of the participants will be invited for qualitative interviews.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study will test the feasibility and acceptability of the C- MAP in British South Asian women. We will be informed on whether a culturally adapted brief psychological intervention compared with treatment as usual for self-harm results in decreased hopelessness and suicidal ideation. This will also enable us to collect necessary information on recruitment, effect size, the optimal delivery method and acceptability of the intervention in preparation for a definitive RCT using repetition of self harm and cost effectiveness as primary outcome measures.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials 08/H1013/6</p

Economic Evaluation of Project Site Using Cardinal Numbers Approach

Selection of suitable site for construction project is essential since it has strong linkage with service life of the project. Recent fast developments in construction technology consider only the technical suitability of the project site but ignore the economic suitability. There can be many instances when a site may be suitable from technical point but not from economic point of view and vice versa. This research is about finding economic suitability of three different project sites located in Liberia. Cardinal approach was used for the study. A multi-prong comprehensive research methodology was adopted to accomplish the task. Detail economic features of each site were studied and thorough economic evaluation was carried out. Finally, based on economic factors, an economic suitability map was created for the area with the latest and state of the art computer software. The research is first of its kind to map the features of economic evaluation