The Impact of Social Media on The Success of Crowdfunding in Developing Countries

The use of online communities to garner monetary support for charitable organisations, cultural endeavours, innovative products, and business ideas is quickly becoming more widespread. However, empirical research on the main dynamics of crowdfunding is limited. To increase the number of funds for crowdfunding campaigns, it is crucial to promote and publicise them on social media platforms. This study investigates the impact of communication and connectivity on crowdfunding success. Despite the recent study that has been conducted on crowdfunding, there is still a knowledge vacuum on the aspects that contribute to the success of crowdfunding models. The research framework that was built as part of this study offers an in-depth analysis of the donation-based crowdfunding model as well as the aspects that contribute to its success. This study also provides guidance for fundraisers and policymakers to consider success factors when creating their funding comparing

Alleviation of drought stress through foliar application of thiamine in two varieties of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Drought stress poorly impacts many morphological and physio-biochemical processes in plants. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants are highly nutritious crops destined for human consumption; however, their productivity is threatened under drought stress. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is well-known essential micronutrient, acting as a cofactor in key metabolic processes. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the protective effect of foliar application of thiamine (0, 250, and 500 ppm) on two varieties of pea plants under drought stress. Here, we conducted the pot experiment at the Government College Women University, Faisalabad, to investigate the physio-biochemical and morphological traits of two pea varieties (sarsabz and metior) grown under drought stress and thiamine treatment. Drought stress was applied to plants after germination period of 1 month. Results showed that root fresh and dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight, number of pods, leaf area, total soluble sugars, total phenolics, total protein contents, catalase, peroxidase, and mineral ions were reduced against drought stress. However, the application of thiamine (both 250 and 500 ppm) overcome the stress and also enhances these parameters, and significantly increases the antioxidant activities (catalase and peroxidase). Moreover, the performance of sarsabz was better under control and drought stress conditions than metior variety. In conclusion, the exogenous application of thiamine enabled the plants to withstand drought stress conditions by regulating several physiological and biochemical mechanisms. In agriculture, it is a great latent to alleviate the antagonistic impact of drought stress on crops through the foliar application of thiamine

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Self-Silence and Life satisfaction among Females with Teenage Marriages: Is Rejection Sensitivity Mediate?

The present study aims to examine the relationship between self-silence and life satisfaction among females with teenage marriages. A correlational study was designed, and 127 young women with teenage marriages were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected from three main cities in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, and Faisalabad. Three different scales were used: The Silencing the Self Scale, Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, and Riverside Life Satisfaction Scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-28. The correlation results indicated a negative correlation between self-silence and life satisfaction among females with teenage marriages. Furthermore, the study found that self-silence has a significant effect on rejection sensitivity and life satisfaction. Utilizing the Process Macro by Hayes, mediation analysis was conducted, revealing that rejection sensitivity significantly serves as a mediator between self-silence and life satisfaction among females with teenage marriages. In conclusion, this research suggests that when young women get married as teenagers and choose to keep quiet about their thoughts and feelings (self-silence), it is associated with heightened sensitivity to rejection and, consequently, lower life satisfaction

Stock Price Natural Disaster: A Case of Pakistan Cement Sector

Current The aim of current study is to investigate the impact of natural disaster on stock market in case cement sector of Pakistan. The approach of current study is to explore the effect of natural disaster on change in stock price in a given index. The study has used event study methodology to explore the relationship.  Stock markets react differently from certain natural disaster events. The natural events, flood, earthquake, extreme temperature, land sliding, has significant effect on stock prices and its effect on share price volatility. All evidence provide from Pakistan stock exchange

Role of Information and Communication Technology, Foreign Direct Investment and Trade Openness in Environmental Sustainability

Purpose: The benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in environmental resource management has been a topic of hot discussion for the policymakers across the world.  For the purpose, the government of Pakistan took initiative in 2018 to use technology for the country’s social welfare, financial benefits and to enhance environmental sustainability and named it as “Digital Pakistan Initiative”.Design/Methodology/Approach: For analysis, this study took CO2 emissions as the dependent variable and ICT, FDI inflows, and Trade Openness as independent variables. Data were collected on bimonthly basis from 2004 through 2019, and analyzed employing ARDL approach. Main purpose of the study was to examine the short-run and long-run relationship among carbon emissions and ICT, FDI Inflows and Trade Openness.Findings: The findings show that there exists a short-run relationship among all the variables; however, FDI inflows and trade openness have a significant relationship with CO2 emissions. The results also exhibit that there is no long-run relationship between CO2 emissions, FDI inflows, and Trade openness while ICT has an insignificant long-run relationship with CO2 emissions. With the increase of information and communication, the country’s environmental sustainability is also increased. Implications/Originality/Value: The current study was based on least considered variables and the pioneer in testing the complex relationship through VAR estimation

Relationship between market orientation, organizational learning, organizational culture and organizational performance: Mediating impact of innovation

This paper explores the relationship between market orientation, organizational culture, organizational learning, innovation and performance.On the basis of extensive literature, a model of relationship of variables has been developed.This paper has discussed four types of organizational culture by presenting competing value framework model of organizational culture proposed by Cameron and Quinn (1999).This paper provides useful information to the organizations aiming to increase their performance.The major contribution of this paper is to explore the mediating impact of innovation on the relationship between market orientation, organizational culture and organizational learning relating to organizational performance in developing economies.The originality of this paper is that it provides useful implication for different types of organizations to understand the relationship of market orientation, organizational learning, organizational culture and innovation to improve their interfunctional coordination, to introduce innovative products and processes and to improve their cultural elements as well as resulting in high performanc

Mediating impact of innovation on relationship between market orientation, organizational learning,organizational culture and organizational performance

This paper explores the relationship between market orientation, organizational culture, organizational learning, innovation and performance.On the basis of extensive literature, a model of relationship of variables has been developed.This paper has discussed four types of organizational culture by presenting competing value framework model of organizational culture proposed by Cameron and Quinn (1999).This paper provides useful information to the organizations aiming to increase their performance.The major contribution of this paper is to explore the mediating impact of innovation on the relationship between market orientation, organizational culture and organizational learning relating to organizational performance in developing economies.The originality of this paper is that it provides useful implication for different types of organizations to understand the relationship of market orientation, organizational learning, organizational culture and innovation to improve their inter functional coordination, to introduce innovative products and processes and to improve their cultural elements as well as resulting in high performance

Role of HRCT for Rapid Triage of Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background:   To assess the diagnostic performances of HRCT for COVID 19 pneumonia for efficient triage of patients, in comparison with RT-PCR reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test.   Method:   It is retrospective comparative study conducted in Benazir Bhutto hospital affiliated with Rawalpindi medical university from March 25th to April 25th, 2021.  HRCT of 500 patients were selected from central computer server and their RT-PCR results were also obtained from the HMS system of the hospital. HRCT were reported as “Definitely COVID positive”, “Possible COVID positive” or “COVID negative” by experienced radiologists. Sensitivity, Specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated using the final RT-PCR test as standard of reference. Results:   RT-PCR test of 207 patients was positive, whereas 293 were reported negative. HRCT was reported as “Definitely COVID positive” in 222 cases (44.4 %), “Possible COVID positive” in 24 cases (4.8%) and “COVID negative” in 254 cases (50.8%). Comparing only Definitely COVID positive category with RT-PCR results sensitivity, specificity. PPV and NPV were 90.3%, 88%,84.2% and 92.8%   Conclusion:   CT chest is the most reliable, sensitive and rapid tool for triaging of patients as COVID positive or negative in busy emergency departments as compared to RT-PCR which is time consuming and has limitations such as faulty sampling technique, limited kits and variable sensitivit