Financial Sector Reforms and International Trade Competitiveness: A Case Study of Pakistan

This paper explores the relationship between financial development and international trade competitiveness in the case of Pakistan. An earlier study on this issue, Hanif and Jafri (2008), has some empirical limitations as it is based on Engle-Granger (1987) two steps procedure while dealing with multiple variables regressions. In this study we have used ARDL model by Pesaran, Shin and Smith (1999). We have also applied Johansen test for cointegration and checked the robustness of results established by the ARDL model. We have estimated the cointegration vector using Stock and Watson (1993) dynamic OLS method. We find a stable long run positive relationship between international trade competitiveness of Pakistan and its financial sector development. The estimated external finance elasticity of international trade competitiveness of textile sector in Pakistan is found to be 0.26 which is significantly higher than 0.17 estimated by Hanif and Jafri (2008).Financial Development, Competitiveness

Autonomy and Empowerment to be Creative and Engaged in a Collaborative Culture

This document is an Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP). The purpose of the OIP is to address a specific problem of practice (PoP) at a private career college in Ontario (the College). The PoP at the College is the need for instructors to have autonomy and empowerment to be creative and engaged in a collaborative culture. An organizational analysis at the College determined that the present functionalist theoretical organizational framework and its hierarchical structure inhibit collaboration. After a comprehensive review of scholarly literature, this OIP recommends that a postmodernist theoretical organizational framework and a follower-centric approach to leadership using the transformational and authentic leadership theories be implemented. To substantiate the robustness of the recommendation, peer-reviewed articles and published books on educational leadership are chosen as they are established literature; over 200 references are used. A 3-pronged solution comprising defined autonomy, a collaborative council, and a community of practice is suggested. Kotter’s (1996) change process, congruent with postmodernism as well as the transformational and authentic leadership approaches, will guide the implementation of the change intervention. An implementation plan is developed and monitoring and evaluation strategies are advanced. Face-to-face meetings including one-on-one interviews, considered rich media, along with surveys and focus groups, are utilized to ensure optimal stakeholder engagement. This OIP then presents a communication plan that will inform and raise the awareness of stakeholders of the need for change while actively engaging them in bringing the change to fruition. Keywords: leadership, autonomy, empowerment, collaboration, functionalism, postmodernis

Evaluasi terhadap Sekolah Khusus Olahragawan Smp/sma Ragunan Jakarta

An Evaluation of Special Schools for Athletes (SMP/SMA Ragunan Jakarta). This evaluation study aims to obtain information about the implementation of the training program by the special schools for athletes (SMP/SMA Ragu- nan), academic and sports achievements, recruitment, motivation, social system, communication, information, and services for the students. The sample consisted of 121 students, specially recruited by the Ministry of Youths and Sports, and 16 coaches/assistants randomly selected. The data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and documents, and were analyzed using the descriptive technique. The results show that the school is still needed in accordance with the needs for the sports development in the country, it has not possessed a clear institutional management system, and it is necessary to make new agreements in the form of MOU to regulate the school management by involving relevant institutions

Efficacy of Non-thermal Ultrasound in the Management of Breast Engorgement in Post-partum Women: A randomized controlled trial

Breast engorgement is one of the main reasons why women throughout the world stop or reduce the duration of breast feeding. The objective of the study, was to determine the efficacy of non-thermal ultrasound in the management of breast engorgement. Fifty-two postpartum women with breast engorgement were included in the study and were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group of 26 participants each. Pain and breast engorgement were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the six-point engorgement scale (SPES), pre- and post-intervention in both groups. The experimental group received non-thermal therapeutic ultrasound therapy along with conventional treatment interventions for two days while the control group only received conventional treatment for two days. The control group received massage, advice on proper latching technique and the use of bra. Results indicate a significant (P<0.05) difference in symptoms of breast engorgement between pre-intervention and post-intervention in both groups, with greater reduction in symptoms in the experimental group. Also, a maximum of two days was found to be effective in the management of breast engorgement in the experimental group. The use of therapeutic non-thermal ultrasound for 3 treatment sessions in two successive days was effective in the management of breast engorgement and is recommended for use in physiotherapy clinical settings.KEY WORDS: breast engorgement, non-thermal ultrasound, postpartum, pai

Influence of Menstrual Cycle on Maximal Aerobic Power of Young Female Adults

The purpose of this study was to determine the exercise response to various stages of the menstrual cycle in young female African adults. Fifteen volunteer, sedentary young female adults with a regular 28-day menstrual cycle and no history of premenstrual syndrome or abnormality participated in this study. A repeated measure and three counter balanced cross over order design was used in data collection. The subjects engaged in a 20-metre shuttle run test (20-MST) at the 3rd (early follicular phase), 14th (ovulation) and 26th (late luteal phase) days of their menstrual 2 cycle. Maximal aerobic endurance performance indexes (VO2 max, run time & number of exercise laps) were recorded. One way ANOVA with repeated measures was used in data analysis. 2 The result revealed no significant differences in the short maximum endurance performance (VO2 max) [F=.554, p=0.581], run laps [F=.483, p=0.622], and run time [F=.554, p=0.581]) recorded in the various phases of the menstrual cycle at

Designing a web-application to support home-based care of childhood CKD stages 3-5: Qualitative study of family and professional preferences

Background: There is a lack of online, evidence-based information and resources to support home-based care of childhood CKD stages 3-5. Methods. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with parents, patients and professionals to explore their views on content of the proposed online parent information and support (OPIS) web-application. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis, guided by the concept of Self-efficacy. Results: 32 parents, 26 patients and 12 professionals were interviewed. All groups wanted an application that explains, demonstrates, and enables parental clinical care-giving, with condition-specific, continously available, reliable, accessible material and a closed communication system to enable contact between families living with CKD. Professionals advocated a regularly updated application to empower parents to make informed health-care decisions. To address these requirements, key web-application components were defined as: (i) Clinical care-giving support (information on treatment regimens, video-learning tools, condition-specific cartoons/puzzles, and a question and answer area) and (ii) Psychosocial support for care-giving (social-networking, case studies, managing stress, and enhancing families' health-care experiences). Conclusions: Developing a web-application that meets parents' information and support needs will maximise its utility, thereby augmenting parents' self-efficacy for CKD caregiving, and optimising outcomes. Self-efficacy theory provides a schema for how parents' self-efficacy beliefs about management of their child's CKD could potentially be promoted by OPIS. © 2014 Swallow et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Dichromacy: Color Vision Impairment and Consanguinity in Heterogenous Population of Pakistan

Background and Objectives: Dichromacy, an X-linked recessive disorder is identified worldwide, more in males than females. In European Caucasians, its incidence is 8% in males and 0.5% in females. In India, it is 8.73% in males and 1.69% in females, and in Iran, it is 8.18% in males and 0.43% in females. Population based epidemiological data about dichromacy in different ethnic groups in Pakistan is not available. The aim of this study was to find out the population prevalence of inherited red-green dichromacy in a heterogenous population of the district of Chiniot, Punjab, Pakistan, and to determine the impact of consanguinity and ethnicity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, boys and girls of the higher secondary schools were examined in the three tehsils of district Chiniot. Pseudoisochromatic Ishihara Test has been employed for detection of dichromacy in the study population. The sample size was calculated statistically as 260, which was expanded to 705 and divided by population density of the three tehsils. Results: Screening of 359 males and 346 females revealed 19 (5.29%) dichromat males and only 2 (0.58%) females. The study population belonged to 23 castes / isonym groups. The consanguinity found in the district of Chiniot is 84.82% and in the dichromat families, it is 85.71%, of which 52.37% are first cousin. Interpretation & Conclusion: The study has shown that the incidence of dichromacy could be reduced through genetic counselin