Juxtaposition of micro and macro dynamics of dividend policy on stock price volatility in financial sector of Pakistan : (comparative analysis through common, fixed, random and GMM effect)

The purpose of this study is to analyze the dividend policy dynamics in context to firm specific and macroeconomic variables with stock price volatility in the financial sector of Pakistan. Panel data is used for the period 2006-2014 to identify the common, fixed, random and GMM effect. It is concluded that dividend payout ratio, market value, interest volatility and inflation volatility have positive significant correlation with price volatility. Common effect model shows that dividend payout and interest volatility has a significant positive impact on the share prices. Whereas fixed effect model is more appropriate and good fit than random effect model and model indicate that dividend payout ratio has significant positive impact and market volatility has significant negative impact on stock prices. GMM results also support the fixed and random effect outcomes with more robustness. This study significantly contributes in dividend policy decisions and elaborates the dynamic roll of micro and macro variables on stock price volatility in financial sector of Pakistan.peer-reviewe

Dynamics of Banking Performance Indicators and Economic Growth: long-Run Financial Development Nexus in Pakistan

The purpose of this research is to understand the contributing role of banking industry in economic development process in long run as well as in short run dynamics empirically on the grounds of sound theoretical basis in Pakistan. This study explored the Neoclassical and endogenous mechanism between banking sector and economic growth by using the panel unit root tests, Panel co-integration tests, panel FMOLS and DOLS tests and panel VECM test for the period 2006 to 2016. Results indicate that Lending capability, Bank Investment and Innovation are identified as significant determinant. Further results indicate that there is an existence of positive bi-directional causality relationship between banking sector and economic growth. The long-run dynamics highlights the good policy measures of financial institutions and provides sound basis for positive economic growth and hence short run relationship indicates the consistency of economic policies in the economy. Finally the results conclude that policy makers should focus less on increasing the size of banking sector and more on improving its function as intermediary. The intense competition in banking sector may create problem in the sector itself. However, the rule of demand and supply may put the parameters into equilibrium for positive growth

The effects of interactive marketing, customer satisfaction and flashes on customer loyalty

This study explores impact of interactive marketing impact on consumer satisfaction and loyalty. So for no specific research has been conducted to identify the process of customer loyalty in banking sector in this perspective. Customer loyalty has great importance and agonizes among connoisseur, academician and professionals in ample industries. This study generally focused on following dimensions commitment, trust, familiarity, quality of employees, service quality and service personalization efforts as key predictor of customer satisfaction and loyalty. Data was collected by using pretested questionnaire through personal interviews. A representative sample of one hundred and sixty consumers was selected by using convenience sampling technique. Interactive marketing has positive significant influence on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. The customer satisfaction fully mediates the relationship between interactive marketing and customer loyalty.&nbsp

Functional evaluation of the urinary tract by duplex Doppler ultrasonography in patients with acute renal colic

Purpose: To determine the role of duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DDU) in Patients with acute unilateral renal obstruction. Subjects And Methods:A total of 161 Patients with suspected renal colic due to urolithiasis were evaluated by DDU followed by intravenous urography (IVU). The mean intra-arterial resistive index (RI) and the difference of mean resistive index between both kidneys (delta RI) were determined for each person. An RI value of ≥0.70 and a delta RI value of ≥0.06 were taken as the discriminatory threshold for obstruction. IVU results were considered the reference standard against which renal DDU findings were compared. Results: IVU showed both kidneys to be normal in 51 Patients and with unilateral ureteric obstruction in 110 Patients. The mean RI for obstructed kidneys was 0.67 (0.048), which was significantly higher (P-value Conclusion: Delta RI is more sensitive and specific than RI in acute renal obstruction. However, due to relatively low sensitivity for detection of partial obstruction, DDU cannot replace IVU as the standard imaging technique

Analysis of user-generated content from online social communities to characterize and predict depression degree

The identification of a mental disorder at its early stages is a challenging task because it requires clinical interventions that may not be feasible in many cases. Social media such as online communities and blog posts have shown some promising features to help detect and characterise mental disorder at an early stage. In this work, we make use of user-generated content to identify depression and further characterise its degree of severity. We used the user-generated post contents and its associated mood tag to understand and differentiate the linguistic style and sentiments of the user content. We applied machine learning and statistical analysis methods to discriminate the depressive posts and communities from non-depressive ones. The depression degree of a depressed post is identified using variations of valence values based on the mood tag. The proposed methodology achieved 90%, 95% and 92% accuracy for the classification of depressive posts, depressive communities and depression degree, respectively. </jats:p

A Clinical Audit of Fresh Frozen Plasma Usage

Background: To assess the appropriateness of transfusions of fresh frozen plasma (FFP).Methods: In this cross sectional study use of FFP , by different departments, was analyzed. Management details and appropriateness, for the use of FFP, was recorded. British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) guidelines were used as standards.Results: Four hundred and ninety eight units of FFP were used during the study period for 118 transfusion episodes. Only 44% episodes of FFP transfusions were deemed appropriate. The most common inappropriate uses included bleeding with no coagulation test abnormality following cardiopulmonary bypass, hypovolaemia and hypoproteinaemia. The proportion of inappropriate request was similar between surgical and non surgical units.Conclusion: FFP is frequently used inappropriatel

Islamic Financial Development and Economic Growth of Emerging Economy of Pakistan; a Panel Data Approach

The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamic interactions between five pure Islamic banks of Pakistan and economic growth by using Panel ARDL method over the period of 2006-2016. The study elaborates strong confirmation and advocates the significant positive long-run relationship with economic growth. However, in short-run, each bank has individual significant positive relationship with economic growth in its individual capacity. The findings of this study are encouraging and signify a considerable contribution to recognize how pure Islamic banks activities translated into economic performance of the country. Although prudential regulations of State Bank of Pakistan are quite sound and their legislative structure and policy framing is also equally good but they are required to enhance the number of pure Islamic banks in the country for offering multiple options to clientele in order to promote Islamic economic activities in the country&nbsp; to make Pakistan more prosperous

Effective Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste as Substitute for Natural Resources in Cement Industry

The aim of this study was to evaluate the municipal solid waste (MSW) composition of Peshawar city and its affective utilization for energy purpose in the cement industry. A total 14 days consecutive testing of MSW samples was conducted for winter and summer periods for the purpose of evaluation of the waste composition followed by calculating its heating values. Compliance level of MSW at source was determined which was based upon the questionnaire distribution followed by the financial analysis and feasibility evaluation of the project. The results revealed that the average waste composition of the samples consists of organic waste contents (20.72%), combustible items (37.86%), readily saleable items (20.95%) and other miscellaneous waste items (20.46%). Moreover, the samples were then tested for the evaluation of calorific value and it was found that the heating value of MSW is recorded up to 35513 KJ/Kg whereas; the value for coal is around 38000 KJ/Kg. These findings revealed that the replacement of coal by MSW may be more efficient and might be effectively utilized in the production of cement as the energy production of MSW and coal is nearly same. In addition, the utilization of MSW as a replacement of coal has a great potential of enhancing the service life of the landfills. Besides, NPV analysis of this study revealed that the project is worthwhile to be implemented as it shows high returns regarding financial aspects

Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms encompassing toll like receptor (TLR) -7 (rs179008) and (TLR)-9 (rs352140) in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Background: Multiple documentary evidence comprising genome wide association studies have established association of TLR7 and TLR9 gene polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Present study was aimed to deduce and compare single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TLR7 (rs179008) and TLR9 (rs352140) genes between local population of SLE patients and healthy controls.Methods: A case control study; blood samples from 80 controls (Group1) and 80 SLE subjects (Group2) were collected in EDTA tubes and processed for the analysis of gene polymorphism of TLR7 (rs179008) and TLR9 (rs352140) by PCR-RFLP after DNA extraction. Complete blood counts were also determined. Statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square test for SNPs analysis and allele frequencies between two groups. TLR 7 and TLR 9 genes polymorphism with SLE alongside clinical parameters were assessed.Results: Genotypes of TLR7, AT and TT are not significantly associated with SLE. Whereas, TLR9 CT and TT genotypes, especially T allele are significantly associated with SLE reflecting noticeable interdependence of TLR9 gene polymorphism with respect to SLE subjects.Conclusion: TLR9 (rs352140) gene variation might be a key factor to etiology and pathogenesis of SLE.Keywords: Toll-like receptors; Restriction site; Single nucleotide polymorphism; Systemic lupus erythematosu