Association between body mass index and mental health among Scottish adult population: a cross-sectional study of 37,272 participants

<b>Background:</b> The evidence is conflicting as to whether body mass index (BMI) is associated with mental health and, if so, to what extent it varies by sex and age. We studied mental health across the full spectrum of BMI among the general population, and conducted subgroup analyses by sex and age.<p></p> <b>Method:</b> We undertook a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the Scottish adult population. The Scottish Health Survey provided data on mental health, measured by the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ), BMI, demographic and life-style information. Good mental health was defined as a GHQ score <4, and poor mental health as a GHQ score ≥4. Logistic regression models were applied. Results Of the 37 272 participants, 5739 (15.4%) had poor mental health. Overall, overweight participants had better mental health than the normal-weight group [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–0.99, p = 0.049], and individuals who were underweight, class II or class III obese had poorer mental health (class III obese group: adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05–1.51, p = 0.013). There were significant interactions of BMI with sex (p = 0.013) and with age (p < 0.001). Being overweight was associated with significantly better mental health in middle-aged men only. In contrast, being underweight at all ages or obese at a young age was associated with significantly poorer mental health in women only.<p></p> <b>Conclusions:</b> The adverse associations between adiposity and mental health are specific to women. Underweight women and young women who are obese have poorer mental health. In contrast, middle-aged overweight men have better mental health.<p></p&gt

THE IDENTIFICATION OF FORMULAIC SEQUENCES IN URDU LANGUAGE AND THEIR PEDAGOGICAL IMPLICATION FOR SLA (ESL/USL)

In this study, an effort has been made to explore formulaicity in the Urdu language and its pedagogical implication in second language acquisition, both for English as a second language and Urdu as second language learners. It is believed that formulaic sequences or prefabs make more than fifty percent of a language. These formulaic sequences are of various kinds encompassing idioms, proverbs, collocations and sometimes, simple fillers. For the current study, data will be collected from two widely circulated Urdu newspapers. The data will consist of lexical chunks or formulas, which will be identified on the basis of eleven criteria proposed by Wray and Namba (2003). To maintain inter-rater reliability, the data will be shared with an Urdu language expert. After the identification, the formulaic sequences will be classified into six classes. Results of the pilot study show that there is formulaicity in the Urdu language. It was found that Urdu is also replete with almost all kinds of formulaic sequences, like many other languages

OPTIMIZATION OF THE CROPPING PATTERN IN CENTRAL YASIN DISTRICT GHIZER, GILGIT-BALTISTAN

In this research study Linear Programming (LP) Model is applied to determine the maximum profit from the three major crops (wheat, maize and alfalfa) in Central Yasin District Ghizer, where agriculture is the main source of income, however, due to population growth the agricultural land is used to construct buildings, which has minimized the land for agricultural use. In such a challenging condition a method to suggest the cultivation of a maximum profitable crop is the need of time. Therefore, LP model is an appropriate method to decide the profitable crop and to maximize the profit. The study was conducted employing quantitative method of research, with the purpose to compare the maximum profit per annum from the major crops, and to determine the beneficial crop among the three major crops in Central Yasin. All the farmers of the study area who grow the crops were the target population of the study and samples from the target population were selected using random sampling technique. Data was collected by conducting survey in the study area, where self-made questionnaires were distributed among the samples individually and responses were noted on the spot. The raw data is organized and analyzed using Microsoft Excel for LP model formulation. The result showed that the average land used for the cultivation of wheat, maize and alfalfa in the study area is 0.924 acres, 0.664 acres and 0.75 acres respectively. Furthermore, results of the LP model showed that alfalfa is the optimal solution rather than wheat and maize, and it (alfalfa) gives an average annual net profit of Rs.195634.488

PENGUJIAN EXTENDED SLIPPERY SLOPE FRAMEWORK DALAM KEPATUHAN PAJAK: SEBUAH STUDI EKSPERIMEN

Latar Belakang: Kepatuhan pajak merupakan isu yang sudah cukup lama dihadapi oleh pemerintah Indonesia, Kepatuhan pajak tidak lagi hanya diteliti dari sisi ekonomi saja, namun telah diteliti dari sisi sosial dan psikologi. Extended Slippery Slope Framework adalah kerangka yang mengkaji kepatuhan pajak dari sisi sosial dan psikologi, serta dapat menjelaskan dinamika antara kepercayaan terhadap otoritas pajak dan kekuasaan otoritas pajak.Tujuan: Menganalisis pengaruh kepercayaan pada otoritas pajak dan kekuasaan otoritas pajak terhadap kepatuhan pajak berdasarkan Extended Slippery Slope Framework, serta menganalisis efek interaksi antara kepercayaan pada otoritas pajak dan kekuasaan otoritas pajak terhadap kepatuhan pajak.Metode Penelitian: Penelitian ini menggunakan desain eksperimen 2x2 antar-subjek yang melibatkan 79 partisipan. Uji Anova digunakan untuk pengujian hipotesis.Hasil Penelitian: Kepercayaan implisit memberikan pengaruh yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan kepercayaan berbasis alasan dalam mempengaruhi kepatuhan pajak, dan kekuasaan legitimasi memberikan pengaruh yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan kekuasaan koersif dalam mempengaruhi kepatuhan pajak. Penelitian ini juga menunjukkan tidak ada interaksi antara kepercayaan pada otoritas dan kekuasaan otoritas dalam mempengaruhi kepatuhan pajak.Keaslian/Kebaruan Penelitian: Di Indonesia, penelitian ini merupakan penelitian yang pertama kali menggunakan konseptualisasi Extended Slippery Slope Framework dalam kepatuhan pajak yang menggunakan metode eksperimen.Kata kunci: Extended Slippery Slope Framework; Kepatuhan Pajak

An antibody raised against a pathogenic serpin variant induces mutant-like behaviour in the wild-type protein.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to a transient intermediate may act as a catalyst for the corresponding reaction; here we show this principle can extend on a macro-molecular scale to the induction of mutant-like oligomerisation in a wild-type protein. Using the common, pathogenic Glu342Lys (Z) variant of α1-antitrypsin as antigen - whose native state is susceptible to the formation of a proto-oligomeric intermediate - we have produced a mAb (5E3) that increases the rate of oligomerisation of the wild-type (M) variant. Employing ELISA, gel shift, thermal stability and FRET time-course experiments, we show that mAb5E3 does not bind to the native state of α1-antitrypsin, but recognises a cryptic epitope in the vicinity of the post-helix A loop and strand 4C that is revealed upon transition to the polymerisation intermediate, and which persists in the ensuing oligomer. This epitope is not shared by loop-inserted monomeric conformations. We show the increased amenity to polymerisation by either the pathogenic Glu342Lys mutation or the binding of mAb5E3 occurs without affecting energetic barrier to polymerisation. As mAb5E3 also does not alter the relative stability of the monomer to intermediate, it acts in a manner similar to the Glu342Lys mutation, by facilitating the conformational interchange between these two states

The Odd Inverse Rayleigh Family of Distributions: Simulation & Application to Real Data

A new family of inverse probability distributions named inverse Rayleigh family is introduced to generate many continuous distributions. The shapes of probability density and hazard rate functions are investigated. Some Statistical measures of the new generator including moments, quantile and generating functions, entropy measures and order statistics are derived. The Estimation of the model parameters is performed by the maximum likelihood estimation method. Furthermore, a simulation study is used to estimate the parameters of one of the members of the new family. The data application shows that the new family models can be useful to provide better fits than other lifetime models

Principles and Interpretations of Local Dispute Resolution body in Sharīʿah perspective

This is the common practice in society to seek local system of justice other than Conventional court’s system. People like to resolve their disputes through most reputes or juries of the society due to various reasons. They believe that conventional system requires more money and time than the previous method. It is experienced and people are aware of the current situation of these courts that some cases approach to fifty years and not yet resolved. Therefore, the wise people engross in local justice system, easy to access, simple to resolve and effortless to execute the decision. Comprehensively, the process of seeking justice and to resolve the disputes through well-known, repute referees beside the conventional court system is called ‘Taḥkīm’ in Shariah terminology and refers as Jirga in Pakhtūn Society. The present paper emphasis on highlighting the detailed comparison of Taḥkīm and Jirga coupled with bringing up the differences and similarities with respect to their modes and principles along with recommendations to bring the local system in full conformity of Shariah Standards