An Attempt to Develop a Suitable Model for Forecasting Bank Credit in Pakistan

An attempt has been made in this study to develop a suitable time series econometric model for forecasting the credit structure in Pakistan. The relevant data has been obtained from the website of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regarding the amount of credit given to the private sector for the sake of economic activity and its development. The data thus obtained was of time series type in months starting from July 1990 to June 2010. Keeping in mind, the influence of months’ effect, eleven dummy variables have also been introduced in analysis to address this issue. In order to develop a suitable forecast model for credit to private sector, first of all Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test has been applied to check the level of integration as the data contains a secular trend. It has been observed through ADF test that the credit to private sector data has two unit roots (i.e., it is integrated of order 2). By applying various models like ARIMA, ARCH, and GARCH, decision has been in favor of GARCH (1,1) model as it contains some significant AR and MA terms of specific order along with influential months of the year that describe the possible patterns in the credit to private sector data. Moreover it has been observed that the months of January, February, April, May, June and July are the significant months explaining the variation in the credit data along with AR term of order 12 and MA terms of order 1 being significant. Keywords: Banking Sector, Credit, Central Bank, Monetary Policy, GARCH Model, Investment, Time Series Model JEL Classification: E52, E51, E62, C32, E5

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) after bevacizumab therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an increasingly recognizable neuro-clinical syndrome. Clinical and neurological manifestations of PRES include hypertension, headache, encephalopathy, seizures, and symmetrical white matter changes on brain MRI. Most common precipitants of PRES are acute medical illness, hypertensive crisis, eclampsia, immunosuppressive therapy, and chemotherapy. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that halts angiogenesis by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor. It has gained widespread popularity in oncology world especially for metastatic and recurrent cancers due to its inherent ability to stop angiogenesis; a vital step for tumor growth. Bevacizumab has also been implicated as the cause of PRES due to dysregulation of the blood-brain barrier. We are reporting a case of PRES induced by Bevacizumab in a patient of colorectal cancer

Trend of Mortality by Water Related Intestinal infectious Diseases: A Study of National Capital Territory of Delhi, (2001 to 2011)

National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi is experiencing rapid urbanization for the last few decades. The area is lagging behind in water and waste management infrastructure. This is due to the fact that Delhi is recording high growth rate of population mostly through in-migration over the year which is taxing much upon the existing water resources and the provisions made for water supply. Consequently demand is higher than supply of the safe drinking water. The consumption of unsafe drinking water is therefore increasing and is causing serious health problems among the fellow residents of NCT of Delhi. These health problems are basically related to the digestive as well as excretory systems of the human body. These disorders are promoting mortality particularly among those segments of population which do not have access to potable drinking water. This paper is therefore a modest attempt towards examining the population growth rate and the scenarios of demand and supply for potable water as well as the overall water related intestinal infections and related mortality at present and their future occurrence. This requires synergy between the different sectors of the state to overcome the problem. of intestinal infection diseases in the region

The prediction of sleep quality using wearable-assisted smart health monitoring systems based on statistical data

The technology, which plays a significant role in our lives, has made it possible for many of the appliances and gadgets we use on a daily basis to be monitored and controlled remotely. Health and fitness data is collected by wearable devices attached to patients' bodies. A number of parties could benefit from this technology, including doctors, insurers, and health providers. This technology, including smartwatches, smart ring, smart cloth wristbands, and GPS shoes, is frequently used for fitness and wellness since it allows users to track their day-to-day health. Devices that compute the sleep characteristics by storing sleep movements fall within the category of wearables worn on the wrist. In order to lead a healthy lifestyle, sleep is crucial. Inadequate sleep can harm one's physical, mental, and emotional well-being and increase the risk of developing a number of ailments, including stress, heart disease, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and other conditions. Deep learning (DL) models have recently been used to forecast sleep-quality based on wearables information from the awake hours. Deep learning has been demonstrated to be capable of predicting sleep efficiency based on wearable data obtained during awake periods. In this regard, this study creates a novel deep learning model for wearables-enabled smart health monitoring system (DLM-WESHMS) for the prediction of sleep quality. The wearables are initially able to collect data linked to sleep-activity using the described DLM-WESHMS approach. The data is then put through pre-processing to create a standard format. Using the DLM-WESHMS, sleep quality is predicted using the deep belief network (DBN) model. The DBN model uses the auto-encoders algorithm (AEA) to predict popularity, which improves the accuracy of its predictions of sleep quality. The experimental outcomes of the DLM-WESHMS approach are investigated using several metrics. The DLM-WESHMS model performs significantly better than other models, according to a thorough comparison analysis

Concept mapping and conceptual change texts: a constructivist approach to address the misconceptions in nanoscale science and technology

Nanoscale Science and Technology (NST) is a rapidly evolving field with profound implications for various industries and our everyday lives. However, misconceptions among learners can hinder their ability to grasp the fundamental concepts of NST, thereby impeding their potential contributions to this advancing domain. Concept maps (CM) and conceptual change texts (CCT) are graphical and written representations of knowledge that enable learners to visualize relationships between concepts and assess the coherence of their understanding. In this pursuit, we engage with the concept of rehabilitation for misconceptions, viewing the learning process as a transformative journey akin to cognitive rehabilitation. Through this CM-CCT constructivist approach, learners are encouraged to engage in critical reflection, self-questioning, and peer discussions, which facilitate the identification of misconceptions. Moreover, CM-CCT provide a structured framework for presenting accurate information about NST, offering a clear depiction of the hierarchical and interconnected nature of nanoscale phenomena. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CM-CCT in correcting the misconceptions of undergraduate university students regarding nanotechnology and the taxonomy of nonmaterial. Prior to the implementation of the CM-CCT, an assessment of pre-existing knowledge of the students was performed through the structure of the observed learning outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy. A quasi-experimental research design was carried out. A total of 70 undergraduate university students, divided into two intact groups, were cross-examined for the study. Further, before and after the instructional tools, an achievement test based on nanotechnology and classification of nonmaterial was conducted, covering all six cognitive domains of the Bloom taxonomy of educational objectives. Data analysis revealed that the instructional tools based on constructivist approach had a statistically significant impact on students for elimination of their misconceptions about nanotechnology, nano science and classification of nonmaterial

An Exploratory Study of the Political Abuse of Women in Afghanistan

Women, the 48.45% of total Afghan population usually termed and referred as the most victimized clan of Afghanistan. It is engendered notion and perceived as reality around the world. Undoubtedly, Mujahidin and later the Taliban have made the situation miserable for women. But, comparatively, women in Afghanistan did not face as many cruelties earlier during Taliban regime as they suffering today. They were secured, honored and allowed to participate equally in all spheres of life ranging from socio-economic to religio-political during the reign of Taliban. Majority of the religious elite among the Muslims interprets the religious teachings according to its own requirements to assure legitimacy particularly in the context of women. Same is the case with Afghanistan, which, being the buffer state, had been remained epicenter for political interests of world powers and who used its soil to expand or legitimize their authority, violate human rights specifically women as wartime strategy to achieve the goals. This intricate study with reference to the manipulated status of women is based on qualitative method and will explore the political dimensions where women have been used as wartime strategy to legitimize the power. It is based on explanatory and exploratory goals of the study. The thematic and observational approach will be used to analyze the available qualitative data by using secondary sources

Exploring the Multi-Dimensional Role of the United Nations in Afghanistan

This paper examines the role of the United Nations (UN) in humanitarian intervention in Afghanistan. The UN has played a significant role in addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people, particularly in the aftermath of the Taliban regime and during times of conflict. The paper provides an overview of the key humanitarian challenges faced by the Afghan people and the efforts of the UN to address them. It analyzes the effectiveness of the UN’s humanitarian interventions, including its coordination with other international actors and local stakeholders. The paper also discusses the legal and ethical considerations surrounding humanitarian intervention in Afghanistan and the role of the UN in upholding human rights and promoting sustainable development. Overall, the paper argues that the UN has an important role to play in supporting humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan and that greater collaboration and coordination among stakeholders is essential for achieving lasting peace and stability in the country

Multi-Response Optimization of Resin Finishing by Using a Taguchi-Based Grey Relational Analysis

In this study, the influence and optimization of the factors of a non-formaldehyde resin finishing process on cotton fabric using a Taguchi-based grey relational analysis were experimentally investigated. An L27 orthogonal array was selected for five parameters and three levels by applying Taguchi’s design of experiments. The Taguchi technique was coupled with a grey relational analysis to obtain a grey relational grade for evaluating multiple responses, i.e., crease recovery angle (CRA), tearing strength (TE), and whiteness index (WI). The optimum parameters (values) for resin finishing were the resin concentration (80 g·L−1), the polyethylene softener (40 g·L−1), the catalyst (25 g·L−1), the curing temperature (140 °C), and the curing time (2 min). The goodness-of-fit of the data was validated by an analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimized sample was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to better understand the structural details of the resin finishing process. The results showed an improved thermal stability and confirmed the presence of well deposited of resin on the optimized fabric surface

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) after bevacizumab therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an increasingly recognizable neuro-clinical syndrome. Clinical and neurological manifestations of PRES include hypertension, headache, encephalopathy, seizures, and symmetrical white matter changes on brain MRI. Most common precipitants of PRES are acute medical illness, hypertensive crisis, eclampsia, immunosuppressive therapy, and chemotherapy. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that halts angiogenesis by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor. It has gained widespread popularity in oncology world especially for metastatic and recurrent cancers due to its inherent ability to stop angiogenesis; a vital step for tumor growth. Bevacizumab has also been implicated as the cause of PRES due to dysregulation of the blood-brain barrier. We are reporting a case of PRES induced by Bevacizumab in a patient of colorectal cancer