The Determinants of Food Prices: A Case Study of Pakistan

Controlling prices is one of the major tasks for the macroeconomic policy-makers. The recent oil price hike that shifted the policy towards biofuels and some natural calamities increased food prices around the world. This paper analyses the demand- and supply-side factors that affect food prices in Pakistan. Long-run relationship is analysed using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) for the period 1970 to 2008. The result indicates that supplyside factors (subsidies and world food prices) have a significant impact on food prices , whereas demand-side factors, such as money supply, are the main cause of the increase in food prices in the short as well as the long run. The error correction is statistically significant and shows that market forces play an active role to restore the long-run equilibrium.Food Prices, ARDL Approach, Pakistan

Impact of Violent Cartoons on the Behaviour of Children: A Case Study of South Punjab

Basically, this is a survey research that investigates the impact of violent cartoons on the behaviour of children. Children often draw strong social or anti-social ideas from children’s movies and cartoons. Television is the most popular medium in which the children are exposed. The media is constantly creating new cartoons with increased violence and children do not realize how harmful this is to them. The study investigates that how children are being exposed to anti-social content and what impact is done on their behavior. Cartoons have much value in personality construction of children especially in very early age. Children try to become like their favorite cartoon character. They try to mimic and copy the actions performed by their favorite cartoon hero. The environment in which the children watch horror or violent cartoons is also very important. They may develop fears or anti-social behavior in the absence of parental guidance

Turnover Intention and Perceived Organizational Support; Mediating Role of Work Engagement and Organizational Commitment

The purpose of this research is to address practical issues regarding the prediction and prevention of turnover intentions of highly skilled employees by focusing on Perceived Organizational Support and two of its outcomes i.e. Organizational Commitment and Work Engagement. Data was collected from different banks of Lahore i.e; Bank of Punjab, Habib Bank Ltd., Meezan Bank, Alfalah Bank, Standard Chartered, UBL, and MCB were visited. This cross-sectional study has used a quantitative technique in order to collect data from a sample size of 300 respondents. In this study, item response theory is used to select the sample size. To collect the data, the questionnaires were distributed among bankers. The response rate was 93% (i.e. 280 out of 300). Results show that Perceived Organizational support has a high impact on turnover intention whereas the organizational commitment and work engagement both can support the Perceived organizational support. Whereas if Perceived organizational support is increased with the help of Organizational Commitment and Work Engagement there will be less turn over intentions in the Organization

Antecedents and Mediating Role of Green Buying Behavior

Sustainability of the environment is one of the major issues both in developed and developing countries. There is an abundance of studies on green buying behavior. However, a few have studied the mediating role of green buying behavior. Thus, we have developed a new model that has five direct and three mediating relationships. This empirical research has used a snowball sampling technique for collecting the data. We distributed 400 questionnaires and received 377 valid responses. The study has used Smart PLS software for data analysis, including reliability, validity, and generating measurement and structural models. We found that green brands, green identification, and social influence are significant predictors of green buying behavior. Further, we find that the green brand image and green buying behavior promote green satisfaction. The results also suggest that green buying behavior mediates (1) green image and green satisfaction, (2) social influence and green buying behavior, (3) self-identification, and green satisfaction. We also found that consumers have a favorable attitude towards green buying behavior. However, there is a huge gap in consumers’ attitudes and actual buying behavior. Thus, marketers and practitioners need to develop strategies that would translate a favorable attitude toward actual buying behavior

Cost Analysis of Telepharmacy Programs for Diabetes Mellitus Patients at Pharmacy

Diabetes mellitus is silent killer with an increasing prevalence every year. This study aims to analyze the cost of telepharmacy services among patients with diabetes mellitus at the pharmacy using the ABC method of observational research calculated based on the activities carried out and BEP to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the pharmacy. The calculation results using the activity-based costing (ABC) method, the average cost for telepharmacy service costs was Rp. 12,612.- and the average cost incurred to run a telepharmacy services program were Rp. 124,574.- After being analyzed the pharmacy that have provided telepharmacy services, most of them still experience losses, this is because pharmacy have not been able to cover all operational costs

Agro-Morphological, Yield and Quality Traits and Interrelationship with Yield Stability in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Genotypes under Saline Marginal Environment

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a halophytic crop that shows resistance to multiple abiotic stresses, including salinity. In this study we investigated the salinity tolerance mechanisms of six contrasting quinoa cultivars belonging to the coastal region of Chile using agro-physiological parameters (plant height (PH), number of branches/plant (BN), number of panicles/plant (PN), panicle length (PL), biochemical traits (leaf C%, leaf N%, grain protein contents); harvest index and yield (seed yield and plant dry biomass (PDM) under three salinity levels (0, 10, and 20 d Sm-1 NaCl). The yield stability was evaluated through comparision of seed yield characteristics [(static environmental variance (S-2) and dynamic Wricke's ecovalence (W-2)]. Results showed that significant variations existed in agro-morphological and yield attributes. With increasing salinity levels, yield contributing parameters (number of panicles and panicle length) decreased. Salt stress reduced the leaf carbon and nitrogen contents. Genotypes Q21, and AMES13761 showed higher seed yield (2.30 t ha(-1)), more productivity and stability at various salinities as compared to the other genotypes. Salinity reduced seed yield to 44.48% and 60% at lower (10 dS m(-1)) and higher salinity (20 dS m(-1)), respectively. Grain protein content was highest in NSL106398 and lowest in Q29 when treated with saline water. Seed yield was positively correlated with PH, TB, HI, and C%. Significant and negative correlations were observed between N%, protein contents and seed yield. PH showed significant positive correlation with APL, HI, C% and C:N ratio. HI displayed positive correlations with C%, N% and protein content., All measured plant traits, except for C:N ratio, responded to salt in a genotype-specific way. Our results indicate that the genotypes (Q21 and AMES13761) proved their suitability under sandy desert soils of Dubai, UAE as they exhibited higher seed yield while NSL106398 showed an higher seed protein content. The present research highlights the need to preserve quinoa biodiversity for a better seedling establishment, survival and stable yield in the sandy desertic UAE environment

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: It’s Not Just Infertility

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine issue described by unpredictable menses, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries (PCO). The commonness of PCOS changes relying upon which measures are utilized to conclude yet is just about as high as 15–20% when the European culture for human propagation and embryology/American culture for regenerative medication rules are utilized. Clinical signs incorporated grown-ups incorporate sort 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Insulin opposition influences half 70% of ladies with PCOS prompting a few comorbidities including metabolic condition, hypertension, dyslipidemia, glucose narrow-mindedness, and diabetes. Studies show that ladies with PCOS are bound to have expanded coronary corridor calcium scores and expanded carotid intima-media thickness. Psychological wellness problems including despondency, uneasiness, bipolar turmoil, and voraciously consuming food issues additionally happen all the more habitually in ladies with PCOS. Weight reduction works on feminine abnormalities, indications of androgen abundance, and barrenness the board of clinical appearances of PCOS incorporates oral contraceptives for feminine inconsistencies and hirsutism. Spironolactone and finasteride are utilized to treat indications of androgen overabundance

Salivary oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in smokeless tobacco (Naswar) users

Naswar, a smokeless tobacco product, commonly consumed in Pakistan, is associated with a 10-fold increase in the risk of oral cancer. However, little is known about Naswar's underlying toxicity mechanisms. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of Naswar use on oral health and salivary parameters. A case-control study was conducted among Naswar users ( =42) and age-matched healthy controls ( =42) in Pakistan in 2019. Participant data were collected using questionnaires. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) scores were computed during clinical examinations. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected to assess salivary flow rate, pH, and salivary total oxidative stress (TOS)/total antioxidant capacity (TAC) using commercially available kits. Participants' oral health parameters were compared between cases and controls using ANOVA. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, oral health, and hygiene practices and mean DMFT score. Mean salivary pH and the salivary flow rate was significantly ( <0.001) higher in Naswar users (7.7 and 0.71 mL/minute, respectively) than in non-users (6.95 and 0.52 mL/minute, respectively). Although TOS and TAC were not significantly different between the groups, Naswar users generally had a higher TOS (51.6±42 µmol/L) and lower TAC (0.55±0.18 mmol/L) than non-users (TOS 45.5±38.2 µmol/L and TAC 0.57±0.17 mmol/L). Correlational analysis also revealed a significant positive correlation between DMFT score and Naswar use duration ( =0.796, <0.001) and the number of dips/units consumed each day ( =0.515; <0.001). Habitual Naswar use is associated with increased salivary flow rate, pH, and TOS, and reduced TAC levels in Pakistani adults compared to non-users. The pro-oxidant changes may contribute toward deleterious effects of Naswar use including oral cancer

Agro-techniques for lodging stress management in maize-soybean intercropping system—A review

Lodging is one of the most chronic restraints of the maize-soybean intercropping system, which causes a serious threat to agriculture development and sustainability. In the maize-soybean intercropping system, shade is a major causative agent that is triggered by the higher stem length of a maize plant. Many morphological and anatomical characteristics are involved in the lodging phenomenon, along with the chemical configuration of the stem. Due to maize shading, soybean stem evolves the shade avoidance response and resulting in the stem elongation that leads to severe lodging stress. However, the major agro-techniques that are required to explore the lodging stress in the maize-soybean intercropping system for sustainable agriculture have not been precisely elucidated yet. Therefore, the present review is tempted to compare the conceptual insights with preceding published researches and proposed the important techniques which could be applied to overcome the devastating effects of lodging. We further explored that, lodging stress management is dependent on multiple approaches such as agronomical, chemical and genetics which could be helpful to reduce the lodging threats in the maize-soybean intercropping system. Nonetheless, many queries needed to explicate the complex phenomenon of lodging. Henceforth, the agronomists, physiologists, molecular actors and breeders require further exploration to fix this challenging problem.National Key Research and Development Program of China | Ref. 2018YFD1000905Sichuan Innovation Team Project of National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System | Ref. SCCXTD−2020−2

Prevalence of Arsenic Exposure from Drinking Water and Awareness of Its Health Risks in a Bangladeshi Population: Results from a Large Population-Based Study

We conducted a population-based prevalence survey in Araihazar, Bangladesh, to describe the distribution of arsenic exposure in a rural Bangladeshi population and to assess the population’s awareness to this problem as well as to possible remediation options. Water samples from 5,967 contiguous tube wells in a defined geographic area were tested using laboratory-based methods. Additionally, for each well, the owner/caretaker (or a close relative) was interviewed regarding his or her awareness of the health consequences of As exposure. Arsenic exposure data and demographic characteristics for the 65,876 users of these wells were also collected from the 5,967 respondents. Among the 65,876 residents, more than half (54%) regularly consumed well water with an As concentration ≥ 50 μg/L—above the acceptable government standard in Bangladesh. Respondents were 15–92 years of age, with an average age of 42 years, and 43% were male. Presence of awareness was significantly related to male sex, nonlabor head of household occupation, better housing, and having had the well tested for As concentration. Most respondents (92%) expressed a willingness to take steps to reduce their exposure, with switching to a safe well the most favored option (46.2%). Willingness to reduce exposure was positively related to awareness of the health risks of As. However, the association between awareness and switching to a safe well [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.54] was no stronger than the associations between awareness and using surface water (with or without treatments) (OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.22–1.95) or using an existing well after treatment or increasing the depth (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.08–1.67). These findings suggest that health education programs may need to target individuals with lower socioeconomic status and that well switching should be encouraged with more appropriate health education. Increasing knowledge of the health consequences of As may be an important element in facilitating remediation