Pattern of panic-buying and its psychosocial correlates among Pakistani adults during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, one bizarre yet ubiquitous human behavior has resurfaced. Globally, people have engaged in panic buying and hoarding (PBH). This irrational practice of panic buying is driven by deficient, manipulated news amid COVID-19 crisis.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with Pakistani adults (≤18 years). Data was collected through an anonymous self-reported online survey from 17th April 2020 (0800 hours) through 20th April 2020 (2200 hours) via social media platforms. The survey consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, questions regarding food/essential supplies PBH and its psychosocial correlates- attitudes about COVID-19 severity (CA), values related to social responsibility (SR), social trust (ST), and self-interest (SI). Data was entered and analyzed using IBM Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.Results: There were 786 participants in the survey; 59% were females. Mean age was 26.6±7.6 years. Mean PBH score was 2.31±0.85 (range: 1-5). Overall, 28.4% hoarded supplies a few times or more and 47% agreed to have bought more food/essential supplies due to COVID-19. Correlation analysis showed a 12.3% positive correlation of PBH with ST and 8.5% positive correlation with SI (p<0.05). In the multivariate regression model, PBH showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) positive impact on ST and SI.Conclusions: More than one-fourth of the individuals indulged in panic buying and hoarding during the COVID-19 in Pakistan. Fear of contracting the virus and uncertainty about the duration of lockdown was the common reasons behind PBH. Social trust and self-interest were significant psychosocial contributors to hoarding behavior.

Identifying Users with Wearable Sensors based on Activity Patterns

We live in a world where ubiquitous systems surround us in the form of automated homes, smart appliances and wearable devices. These ubiquitous systems not only enhance productivity but can also provide assistance given a variety of different scenarios. However, these systems are vulnerable to the risk of unauthorized access, hence the ability to authenticate the end-user seamlessly and securely is important. This paper presents an approach for user identification given the physical activity patterns captured using on-body wearable sensors, such as accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer. Three machine learning classifiers have been used to discover the activity patterns of users given the data captured from wearable sensors. The recognition results prove that the proposed scheme can effectively recognize a user’s identity based on his/her daily living physical activity patterns

First principles study of structural, electronic and optical properties of half-heusler alloys LIMGN, NaMGN and KMGN

In this study, we performed our calculations using the full-potential linearized-augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method as implemented in the WIEN2k code based on DFT. The generalized gradient functional with the Wu-Cohen (WC) parameterization was used to evaluate the structural, electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of the materials under this study. We have calculated the structural parameters and our obtained results are in good agreement with available experimental and previous theory calculations. The density of states and band structure figures have been calculated and analyzed. The optical properties that covered by dielectric function, absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient, reflectivity and energy-loss function have been calculated and analyzed in a range energy from 0eV to 30eV

Detecting fake news and disinformation using artificial intelligence and machine learning to avoid supply chain disruptions

Fake news and disinformation (FNaD) are increasingly being circulated through various online and social networking platforms, causing widespread disruptions and influencing decision-making perceptions. Despite the growing importance of detecting fake news in politics, relatively limited research efforts have been made to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) oriented FNaD detection models suited to minimize supply chain disruptions (SCDs). Using a combination of AI and ML, and case studies based on data collected from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, we developed a FNaD detection model aimed at preventing SCDs. This model based on multiple data sources has shown evidence of its effectiveness in managerial decision-making. Our study further contributes to the supply chain and AI-ML literature, provides practical insights, and points to future research directions

Oscillating Motion of an Oldroyd-B Fluid with Fractional Derivatives in a Circular Cylinder

The velocity field and tangential shear stress for unsteady flow of an Oldroyd-B fluid with Caputo fractional derivatives through an infinite long cylinder are evaluated. The fluid in the infinitely long cylinder is initially at rest and at t = 0+, due to shear, the fluid starts to oscillate longitudinally. We have solved the fractional model with the tool of Laplace and finite Hankel transformations. The solutions are in series form and are written in generalized G-function to avoid the entanglement. In limiting cases, the solutions of ordinary Oldroyd-B fluid, Maxwell fluid with fractional as well as ordinary and Newtonian fluid are derived. Finally, behavior of different physical parameters on fluid is illustrated by graphs

Pioneering the human development revolution: Analysing the trajectory of Mahbub ul Haq

Mahbub ul Haq's work to coordinate, establish and propagate the human development approach offers an example of effective leadership in promoting more ethical socio-economic development. This article reviews Pioneering the Human Development Revolution-An Intellectual Biography of Mahbub ul Haq (edited by Haq and Ponzio), and extends themes from the United Nations Intellectual History Project to examine Haq's contributions in terms of four aspects of leadership: articulating and applying values that combine depth with broad appeal; providing a fruitful and vivid way of seeing, a 'vision', that reflects the values; embodying the values and vision in workable practical proposals; and supporting and communicating the previous aspects through wide and relevant networks. It suggests that the human development approach may need to update its values and vision, including through better integration of human security thinking, if it is to retain the leadership role it acquired thanks to Haq

Socio-Economic Drivers of Renewable Energy: Empirical Evidence from BRICS

There is a need to implement efficient strategies to mitigate the challenges of climate change and income inequalities in developing countries. Several studies have been conducted to address the relationship among different econometric and environmental indicators of renewable energy (RE) but overlooked the relationship between RE and income inequalities. This study investigates the influence of the distribution of income on the RE in Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa (BRICS) between 1988 and 2017. The econometric (economic growth and trade), environmental, and institutional parameters are also integrated into the model. The outcomes reveal that reduced inequality in income distribution increases the consumption of RE. In contrast, CO2 emissions have a positive correlation with RE. The governments should implement environmentally friendly policies and increase the consumption of renewable energy in the future with regards to reducing environmental pollution. Furthermore, findings from the study indicate a positive effect on the reduction of corruption in renewable energy. This shows that institutional quality can affect the uptake of renewable energy. The study further identified that growth in a country’s economy decreases RE consumption, suggesting that these countries prefer fossil fuels to gain economic growth. The Granger causality results show that a bidirectional causality exists between income inequality and RE consumption. Bidirectional causality is observed between income distribution and CO2 emissions. The results from this study are important for policymakers to achieve sustainable development because fair income distribution and environmental quality are considered as two key factors for sustainable development. Strong institutions and control on corruption can bring sound social and economic gains. Therefore, fair distribution of income and strong institutional policies can increase RE consumption to achieve a clean environment. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Ab initio study of the structure, elastic, and electronic properties of Ti3(Al1−nSin)C2 layered ternary compounds

The MAX phase materials such as layered ternary carbides that simultaneously exhibit characteristics of metallic and ceramic materials have received substantial interest in recent years. Here, we present a systematic investigation of the electronic, structural stabilities, and elastic properties of Ti-3(Al1-nSin)C-2 (n=0,1) MAX phase materials using the ab initio method via a plane-wave pseudopotential approach within generalized-gradient-approximations. The computed electronic band structures and projected density of states show that both Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2 are metallic materials with a high density of states at the Fermi level emanating mainly from Ti-3d. Using the calculated elastic constants, the mechanical stability of the compounds was confirmed following the Born stability criteria for hexagonal structures. The Cauchy pressure and the Pugh's ratio values establish the brittle nature of the Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2 MAX phase materials. Due to their intriguing physical properties, these materials are expected to be suitable for applications such as thermal shock refractories and electrical contact coatings

Combinatorial nuclear level density by a Monte Carlo method

We present a new combinatorial method for the calculation of the nuclear level density. It is based on a Monte Carlo technique, in order to avoid a direct counting procedure which is generally impracticable for high-A nuclei. The Monte Carlo simulation, making use of the Metropolis sampling scheme, allows a computationally fast estimate of the level density for many fermion systems in large shell model spaces. We emphasize the advantages of this Monte Carlo approach, particularly concerning the prediction of the spin and parity distributions of the excited states, and compare our results with those derived from a traditional combinatorial or a statistical method. Such a Monte Carlo technique seems very promising to determine accurate level densities in a large energy range for nuclear reaction calculations.Comment: 30 pages, LaTex, 7 figures (6 Postscript figures included). Fig. 6 upon request to the autho

Increased prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in household contacts of children with community acquired disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To measure Methicillin-resistant <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>(MRSA) nasal colonization prevalence in household contacts of children with current community associated (CA)-MRSA infections (study group) in comparison with a group of household contacts of children without suspected <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>infection (a control group).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a cross sectional study. Cultures of the anterior nares were taken. Relatedness of isolated strains was tested using pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of MRSA colonization in the study group was significantly higher than in the control group (18/77 (23%) vs 3/77 (3.9%); p ≤ 0.001). The prevalence of SA colonization was 28/77 (36%) in the study group and 16/77 (21%) in the control group (p = 0.032). The prevalence of SA nasal colonization among patients was 6/24 (25%); one with methicillin-susceptible <it>S. aureus </it>(MSSA) and 5 with MRSA. In the study (patient) group, 14/24 (58%) families had at least one household member who was colonized with MRSA compared to 2/29 (6.9%) in the control group (p = 0.001). Of 69 total isolates tested by PFGE, 40 (58%) were related to USA300. Panton-Valetine leukocidin (PVL) genes were detected in 30/52 (58%) tested isolates. Among the families with ≥1 contact colonized with MRSA, similar PFGE profiles were found between the index patient and a contact in 10/14 families.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Prevalence of asymptomatic nasal carriage of MRSA is higher among household contacts of patients with CA-MRSA disease than control group. Decolonizing such carriers may help prevent recurrent CA-MRSA infections.</p