Monetary Policy, Business Cycles and Sectoral Response in Pakistan

The study takes a first step in investigating the monetary transmission mechanism in Pakistan at a sectoral level in relation with business cycles. The key objective of the study is to empirically investigate the impact of monetary shocks on output of major sectors. Using VAR approach on quarterly data spanning from 1990:1 to 2012:4, we examine whether monetary policy shocks have different sectoral effects. We also incorporated business cycles to analyze weather sectoral effects of monetary policy undergone any changes during different phases of business cycles. Results obtained from VAR framework confirm the presence of sector-specific variation in the real effects of monetary policy. Our results also suggest that variation in output is more interest sensitive in recovery as compared to recessionary time periods. The results, therefore, seem to confirm potential disparities in the effect of monetary policy on real sectoral activities. It is a very unique contribution in empirical literature while at the same time it is a valuable input for accessing monetary policy implications for real sector growth in Pakistan.&nbsp

GAMBARAN FAKTOR RISIKO PENYAKIT JANTUNG KORONER PADA USIA MUDA DI RSUP DR. M. DJAMIL PADANG TAHUN 2017-2019

Penyakit jantung koroner (PJK) adalah penyakit aterosklerotik koroner yang mengacu pada proses patologis yang memengaruhi arteri koroner. Secara umum terdapat dua jenis faktor risiko penyakit jantung koroner, yaitu faktor risiko yang tidak dapat dimodifikasi dan faktor risiko yang dapat dimodifikasi. Faktor risiko yang tidak dapat dimodifikasi adalah usia, jenis kelamin, dan genetik. Faktor risiko yang dapat dimodifikasi adalah hipertensi, hiperkolesterolemia, hipertrigliserida, diabetes melitus, merokok, obesitas, kurang aktivitas, dan stres. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui gambaran faktor risiko penyakit jantung koroner pada usia muda. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian deskriptif dengan menggunakan metode studi potong lintang (cross sectional study) dari data sekunder rekam medik pasien penyakit jantung koroner di RSUP Dr. M. Djamil Padang tahun 2017-2019 dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 61 orang Hasil penelitian didapatkan pasien laki laki sebanyak 47 orang (77,05%) dan perempuan sebanyak 14 orang (22,95%). Untuk pasien yang memiliki faktor risiko riwayat keluarga sebanyak 3 orang (4,9%), hipertensi sebanyak 30 orang (49,18%), hiperkolesterol sebanyak 12 orang (19,67%), hipertrigliserida sebanyak 10 orang (16,39%), diabetes melitus sebanyak 10 orang (16,39%), obesitas sebanyak 5 orang (8,2%), dan merokok sebanyak 16 orang (26,23%). Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah pasien penderita PJK pada usia muda sebanyak 61 orang pada tahun 2017-2019, faktor risiko pasien PJK pada usia muda terbanyak ada pada usia 26-45 tahun diikuti oleh jenis kelamin laki-laki, faktor risiko hipertensi, faktor risiko merokok, faktor risiko hiperkolesterol, faktor risiko hipertrigliserida, faktor risiko diabetes melitus, faktor risiko obesitas, dan faktor risiko riwayat keluarg

Analysis of Correlation Between Indonesian Composite Index and Economic Growth in Indonesia

This study aims to analyze the correlation between the Indonesia Composite Index (ICI) and Economic Growth in Indonesia. This study uses time series data for the period 2001 – 2018, the secondary data have been obtained from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency and Bank Indonesia (BI). The data analysis method uses “Two stage lest square simultaneous equation model” to explain the reciprocal correclation between the Indonesian Composite Index (ICI) and economic growth, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Indonesia. The analysis shows that both variables have a positive and significant feedback effect in the long term. Keywords: Indonesia Composite Index, Economic Growth, Two stage lest square DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-8-07 Publication date:March 31st 202

Vulnerability of Environmental Resources in Indus Basin after the Development of Irrigation System

The climatic and topographic characteristics of Indus Basin provided an excellent condition for the development of irrigation system. Archaeological remains of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro indicated that several canals were constructed in this region. The Indus River System (IRS) was developed into a complex network of canals, and 74% of its water was utilized for irrigation after Indus Water Treaty. After 1947, Indus irrigation network was extended, and cropland area was increased from 8.5 to 18.2 MH in Pakistan and 2.02 to 8.5 MH in India. Construction of dams, barrages, and canals to divert the maximum river water for irrigation resulted in drying up the natural pathways of the rivers, except during monsoon season. The aquifer in the irrigated areas became high and created problems of waterlogging and salinity, but due to extensive groundwater extraction, water table near urban centers is lowered now. Water quality was degraded due to addition of fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, municipal sewage, and industrial effluents. Due to climate change, the glaciers in the upper catchment areas are continuously retreating and the frequency of floods and droughts is increasing. The objective of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive review of irrigation system developments in Indus Basin and its implications on environmental resources

Non-Local Deformation of a Supersymmetric Field Theory

In this paper, we will analyse a supersymmetric field theory deformed by generalized uncertainty principle and Lifshitz scaling. It will be observed that this deformed supersymmetric field theory contains non-local fractional derivative terms. In order to construct such deformed N=1 supersymmetric theory, a harmonic extension of functions will be used. However, the supersymmetry will be only preserved for a free theory and will be broken by the inclusion of interaction terms.Comment: 12 pages, pulished versio

Identification of Viral Hepatitis by Real Time PCR and its Gender Association in Punjab, Pakistan

In the developing countries including Pakistan, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) cause serious health problems. A range of risk factors are responsible for this infectious diseas

Elevated ex vivo monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (CCL2) in pulmonary as compared with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis causes 3 million deaths annually. The most common site of tuberculosis is pulmonary however; extra-pulmonary forms of the disease also remain prevalent. Restriction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis depends on effective recruitment and subsequent activation of T lymphocytes, mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells to the site of infection. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is essential for granuloma formation and is a potent activator of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1, CCL2). CCL2 is essential for recruitment of monocytes and T cells and has been shown to play a role in protection against tuberculosis. Interleukin -8 (CXCL8) is a potent activator of neutrophils. Increased levels of CCL2, CXCL8 and TNFα are reported in tuberculosis but their significance in different forms of tuberculosis is as yet unclear. We have used an ex vivo assay to investigate differences in immune parameters in patients with either pulmonary or extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: Serum levels of CCL2, CXCL8 and TNFα were measured in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (N = 12), extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (N = 8) and BCG-vaccinated healthy volunteers (N = 12). Whole blood cells were stimulated with non-pathogenic Mycobacterium bovis bacille-Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine strain or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cyto/chemokines were monitored in supernatants. RESULTS: Circulating serum levels of CXCL8 and TNFα were raised in all tuberculosis patients, while CCL2 levels were not. There was no difference in spontaneous cytokine secretion from whole blood cells between patients and controls. M. bovis BCG-induced ex vivo CCL2 secretion was significantly greater in pulmonary as compared with both extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients and endemic controls. In response to LPS stimulation, patients with pulmonary tuberculosis showed increased CCL2 and TNFα responses as compared with the extra-pulmonary group. BCG-, and LPS-induced CXCL8 secretion was comparable between patients and controls. CONCLUSION: CCL2 is activated by TNFα and is essential for recruitment of monocytes and T cells to the site of mycobacterial infection. Increased CCL2 activation in pulmonary tuberculosis may result in a stronger cellular response as compared with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and this may contribute to the localization of infection to the pulmonary site

Evaluation of Energy Production and Energy Yield Assessment Based on Feasibility, Design, and Execution of 3 × 50 MW Grid-Connected Solar PV Pilot Project in Nooriabad

The installation of 3 × 50 MW (150 MW DC) large utility scale solar power plant is ground based using ventilated polycrystalline module technology with fixed tilt angle of 28° in a 750-acre land, and the site is located about 115 km northeast of Karachi, Pakistan, near the town of ThanoBula Khan, Nooriabad, Sindh. This plant will be connected to the utility distribution system through a national grid of 220 kV outgoing double-loop transmission line. The 3 × 50 MW solar PV will be one of the largest tied grid-connected power projects as the site is receiving a rich average solar radiation of 158.7 kW/h/m2/month and an annual average temperature of about of 27°C. The analysis highlights the preliminary design of the case project such as feasibility study and PV solar design aspects and is based on a simulation study of energy yield assessment which has all been illustrated. The annual energy production and energy yield assessment values of the plant are computed using the PVSYST software. The assumptions and results of energy losses, annual performance ratio (PR) 74.73%, annual capacity factor 17.7%, and annual energy production of the plant at 232,518 MWh/year are recorded accordingly. Bear in mind that reference recorded data indicates a good agreement over the performance of the proposed PV power plant

The functional outcome of direct lateral approach for fixation of proximal humeral fractures: A case series from a tertiary care hospital

Displaced proximal humeral fractures warrant surgical fixation for early rehabilitation and better functional outcome. These fractures are traditionally fixed by delto pectoral surgical approach. Direct lateral approach has recently gained interest as it involves less soft tissue dissection and is particularly helpful in certain fracture patterns. However, there have been concerns of axillary nerve damage with this approach. We report a case series of proximal humerus fractures fixed by direct lateral approach from our institution. All displaced Type 2 and 3 fractures were included in our study. Pathological and comminuted Type 4 fractures and fractures with ipsilateral clavicle or elbow fractures were excluded. Oxford Shoulder Score was done at regular intervals for assessment of functional outcome. We did not observe any axillary nerve damage in our case series and the outcomes of 70.5% of our patients were excellent while in 29.5% it was good. We recommend direct lateral approach for specific pattern of proximal humerus fractures