Nonlinearity In Inflation, A Case of Pakistan

Recent research work has shown that inflation rate is asymmetric and it is also well known that asymmetry is a non-linear phenomenon. In order to better understand this non-linearity in inflation of Pakistan, we investigate the possible presence of Smooth Transition Autoregressive (STAR) non-linearity in inflation series. The study finds that month on month inflation series for Pakistan possesses both logistic and exponential STAR type non-linearity. Exponential Smooth transition function was proven to be more relevant on the basis of Dijk et al. (2000). Therefore, we develop ESTAR model in this paper which outperforms its linear rivals in forecasting

Positive Predictive Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Intradural Spinal Tumors Taking Histopathology as Gold Standard

Objective: To observe the positive predictive value of MRI, taking histopathology as gold standard in detecting spinal intradural tumors.Materials and Methods: Total 180 cases were included through non-probability purposive sampling, at Ganga Ram Hospital, Radiology department, Lahore. The radiological diagnosis obtained through MRI, was observed. The cases fit in inclusion criteria were underwent surgery and their histopathological findings were observed. Comparison between the outcomes of MRI and histopathology were undertaken, keeping histopathology as gold  standard. Positive predictive value of MRI in the diagnosis of intradural spinal tumor was calculated andpresented in the form of percentages and frequency.Results: There were total 180 patients presenting in OPD with the mean age of 45.71 ± 13.57 years. There were 112 (62%) male. Male to female ratio was 1.6:1. There were 134 (74.4%) cases who were positive for malignant spinal intradural tumor on histopathology showing the PPV of MRI as 74.4%.Conclusion: Magnetic Resonance Imaging is very beneficial imaging tool for early diagnosis of spinal cord tumors

Radiological and Clinical Outcome of Volar Barton Distal Radius Fractures Treated by Variable Angle Volar Locking- Plates (Chinese Version)

Background: To evaluate the functional and radiological results of treating volar Barton fractures of the distal radius with the variable Angle Volar Locking Plates (Chinese version). Methods: In this prospective study patients(n=50), of volar Barton fractures, which were fixed with Variable Angle Volar Locking Plates (Chinese version) were evaluated. Short arm back splint was applied . Volar approach was used for distal radius. After sweeping away the FPL muscle belly and retracting it ulnarly, pronator quadratus was exposed and released from its radial attachment in L shaped fashion using scalpel. Under direct visualization and with the aid of fluoroscopy, the fracture was then reduced. Plate was initially secured proximally with a 3.5-mm cortical screw in the oval hole of plate. Distal fixation with locking screws was then performed while maintaining the reduction. Radiological outcome (residual dorsal angulation, radial shortening and loss of radial inclination) was assessed according to Lidstorm criteria and clinical outcome was done using Mayo score . Results: Forty five cases were caused by road traffic accident and five cases were of domestic fall. Majority (n=28) sustained B3.1. Majority of the patients were operated within the first week of injury (60%). Mean time for radiological union was 08 weeks (6-12 weeks).Duration of hospital stay ranged from 2 to 3 days. Forty-six patients had excellent functional score at the end of six months. Forty-three patients (86%)had volar tilt in the range of 6-11 degrees and 2 patients (4%) had volar tilt in the range of 11-15 degree.Radiologically 96% patients had excellent to good results. Conclusion: Volar Barton fracture are best treated with osteosynthesis using variable angle volar locking plate

The Role of Institutional Quality in Enhancing Social Cohesion

Social cohesion is considered to be important for a society. The role of state institutions is to bring state closer to its population. The effective connection between state and society may be possible only through changing institutions. Present study is an attempt to explore the impact of institutional quality in enhancing social cohesion in a society. For analysis purpose, the study uses five year average panel data from 1990 to 2010 of 68 developing countries. For estimation purpose fixed effect and random effect models as suggested by Hausman test have been used in different specification of the model. The results of the study reveal that better institutional quality enhances social cohesion and income inequality is a threat to social cohesion while diversity is not a harmful to social cohesion. Furthermore, equality and prosperity both enhance social cohesion. The study recommends that on one hand efforts should be made to reduce inequality and on the other hand there is a need to build up social cohesion. These can be achieved through redesigning the institutions ensuring that it is better fit to local needs. The study concludes that social cohesion can be achieved through introducing and re-structuring the policy reforms in developing countries

Recent Advances in Seed Enhancements

Seed quality is vital to sustainable crop production and food security. Seed enhancements include physical, physiological and biological treatments to overcome germination constraints by uniform stands, earlier crop development and better yields. Improved germination rates and seedling vigour are due to reduced emergence time by earlier start of metabolic activities of hydrolytic enzymes and resource mobilization. Nutrient homeostasis, ion uptake, hormonal regulation, activation of antioxidant defence system, reduced lipid peroxidation and accumulation of compatible solutes are some mechanisms conferring biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Several transcription factors for aquaporins, imbibitions, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defence and phenylpropanoid pathway have been identified. However, the knowledge of molecular pathways elucidating mode of action of these effects, reduced longevity of primed or other physical and biological agents for seed treatments and market availability of high-quality seeds are some of the challenges for scientists and seed industry. In this scenario, there is need to minimize the factors associated with reduced vigour during seed production, improve seed storage and handling, develop high-tech seeds by seed industry at appropriate rates and integrate agronomic, physiological and molecular seed research for the effective regulation of high-quality seed delivery over next generations

A Dynamic Analysis of the Relationship among Human Development, Exports and Economic Growth in Pakistan.

This study investigates the econometrically empirical evidence of both the short-run and long-run interrelationships among human development, exports and economic growth in an ARDL framework for Pakistan. This study also examines causal linkages among the said variables by applying the Augmented Granger Causality test of Toda-Yamamoto (1995). By using data on Pakistan’s real GDP, real exports and Human Development Index (HDI) for the period 1970-71 to 2008-09, three models have been estimated. The results show cointegration between economic growth, physical capital, real exports and human development when human development is taken as dependent variables. Furthermore, unidirectional Granger causality running from real GDP to real exports has been found in Bivariate, Trivariate and Tetravariate causality framework. The inclusion of HDI as a measure of human development reduces the physical capital share in real GDP whereas it improves the robustness of the regression model. Real GDP seems to provide resources to improve human development in only the long-run while human capital accumulation does not seem to accelerate real GDP both in the short-run and the long-run. The empirical results of the study do not support ‘export-led growth hypothesis’ and human capital-based endogenous growth theory in case of Pakistan, however, it does support ‘growth-driven exports hypothesis’ in case of Pakistan. JEL classification: O11 Keywords: Human Development, Exports, Economic Growth, ARDL, Causalit

Causes of higher ecological footprint in Pakistan: Does energy consumption contribute? Evidence from the non-linear ARDL model

The impact of human activities on environmental degradation has been increasing over time, and ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment. An increase in ecological footprint has created alarming situations around the globe. This study explores the causes of Pakistan’s high ecological footprint (EFP). The asymmetric analysis of fossil fuels and renewable energy consumption on EFP has been carried out from 1990 to 2020. The results obtained from the NARDL approach revealed that the positive shocks of fossil fuel consumption increase EFP, but its negative shocks decline EFP. Meanwhile, both positive and negative shocks of renewable energy consumption decline EFP in Pakistan. This study suggests that renewable energy consumption can play a significant role in reducing the EFP in Pakistan

Development and validation of a spectroscopic method for the simultaneous analysis of miconazole nitrate and hydrocortisone acetate in pharmaceutical dosage form

Purpose: To develop a new analytical method for the quantitative analysis of miconazole nitrate (MCN) and hydrocortisone (HCA) in pharmaceutical creams.Methods: The study was accomplished in three steps. In the first stage, a spectroscopic method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of miconazole (MCN) and hydrocortisone (HCA). For this purpose, serial dilutions of both drugs were prepared using ethanol: water (50:50) as the solvent system. All solutions were analyzed for absorbance spectrophotometrically at 205 and 249 nm for MCN and HCA, respectively. The method was validated for linearity, range, accuracy, precision and robustness. A commercial formulation was also assayed by the proposed method.Results: The absorbance data were linear over a concentration range of 1 to 12 μg/mL for MCN and 1 to 40 μg/mL for HCA, with correlation coefficient of 0.9995 and 0.9984, respectively. Limit of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) of MCN were  0.49 and 1.49 μg/mL, respectively, and for HCA, 1.50 and 4.57 μg/mL, respectively. The assay results for the commercial  formulation were within the limits specified in British Pharmacopoeia.Conclusion: Simultaneous quantification of miconazole (MCN) and hydrocortisone (HCA) by UV spectroscopy provides a simple, reliable and robust method for the characterization of a mixture of the drugs in a dosage form.Keywords: Simultaneous analysis, Miconazole nitrate, Hdrocortisone acetate, UV-visible spectroscopy, Method validatio

Effect of Weather on Stress Fracture in Runners

Objective: To compare the effect of cold and warm weather on stress fractures in long-distance runners and athletes. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal Study. Place and Duration of Study: Combine Military Hospital, Abbottabad Pakistan, from Nov 2013 to Apr 2017. Methodology: Male athletes joining training in various institutions in November 2013 (Winter-Group) and May 2014 (SummerGroup) were included in the study and followed during two years of training and one year after training. All participants presenting with stress fracture (SF) symptoms were diagnosed by radiography. MRI or bone scan was done in symptomatic cases with negative radiographs. Most of the SFs were managed conservatively. Patients with complete fractures of long bones were fixed surgically. Results: Out of 506 male participants of Winter-Group (WG) and 474 participants of Summer-Group (SG), 57 and 29 were diagnosed to have a stress fracture (p=0.005). There was no significant age difference between the two groups. Among the study subjects, 50.0% were from Punjab, and 26.7% were from KPK. In both groups, most of the SFs were found in the tibia. The stress fractures were more during the initial 16 weeks of training. Most fractures were treated conservatively, and only two cases from each group were operated on. All cases recovered fully after an average period of 11 weeks. Ten runners of Winter-Group had prolonged healing time. Conclusion: Modification in training guidelines may reduce weather-related stress injuries in winter. Keywords: Runners, Stress fractures, Tibia, Weather