Factors Affecting Dividend Policy: An Empirical Investigation of Food Sector of Pakistan

Dividend policy is considered to be one of the paramount important areas of corporate finance and its real consequences for all the companies and stakeholder. Dividend decision is get affected multiple factors like Leverage, Profitability, Business Risk, Liquidity, Growth Opportunities and other micro and Macro economies variables. On this premise, this study investigates factors affecting dividend policy of non-financial food firms listed in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE) by analyzing panel data of 20 non-financial firms for the period of 2011 to 2016. The results from fixed effect model estimation revealed (E-views) that the variables profitability, liquidity and leverage are positively and significantly related to the dividend payout, whereas business risk and growth opportunity are negatively and significantly related to the dividend payout. Therefore, it can be argued that increasing the profitability, liquidity and leverage of the firm ultimately they also increase the dividend payment to shareholder. The study provides valuable information to the Board of Directors for formulating and reviewing the dividend policy, taking into account the factors that have been shown to have a significant impact on the dividend payout. In particular, if the Board of Directors considers increasing the dividend payment to shareholders, the factors of profitability, leverage, liquidity, growth opportunity and business risk must be carefully considered. Keywords: Dividend Payout, Profitability, Liquidity, Leverage, Fixed Effect Model DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-5-02 Publication date:March 31st 201

The role of greulich and pyle method in age estimation from left hand plain x-rays

Objective: To determine whether the Greulich and Pyle (G&P) atlas is applicable to populations of different ethnicity.Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Institute Rehabilitation Medicine during 2017.  Total 100 left hand and wrist radiographs were assessed using GP atlas for age estimation using non-probability consecutive sampling technique.ean Chronological age (CA) and Skeletal age (SA) were calculated for each group and any significant differences between the two were established through two- tailed, paired t-test. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.Results: Total of 100 patients with left hand and wrist x-rays were included (50 males, 50 females). Analysis showed a strong correlation between Chronological age (CA) and Estimated age (skeletal age) with a p <0.001. The mean difference between chronological age and skeletal age was .31050 years and std. Deviation 1.06866 respectively; p-values < 0.001. However, a strong significant positive correlation (r = .980; p-values, 0.001) was noted between chronological age and skeletal age in both the genders.Conclusion: GP atlas can be used for age estimation to Islamabad Rawalpindi population but would recommend that differences highlighted are to be taken in to consideration for over- and under-aging

Macroscopic distant magnon modes entanglement via a squeezed drive

The generation of robust entanglement in quantum system arrays is a crucial aspect of realizing efficient quantum information processing. Recently, the field of quantum magnonics has garnered significant attention as a promising platform for advancing in this direction. In our proposed scheme, we utilize a one-dimensional array of coupled cavities, with each cavity housing a single yttrium iron garnet (YIG) sphere coupled to the cavity mode through magnetic dipole interaction. To induce entanglement between YIGs, we employ a squeezed vacuum drive, providing the necessary nonlinearity. Our results demonstrate the successful generation of bipartite and tripartite entanglement between distant magnon modes across the entire array, all achieved through a single control drive. Furthermore, the steady-state entanglement between magnon modes is robust against magnon dissipation rates and environment temperature. Our results may find applications of cavity-magnon arrays in quantum information processing and quantum communication systems.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Safety of Supracostal Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Paediatric Population: A Single Centre Experience

Objective The objective of this study is assessment of safety and efficacy of supracostal mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy in pediatric patients. Methodology This is prospective study of patients whose kidney stones were treated with mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy through supracostal approach between February 2019 and Dec 2020.These patients were selected for supracostal puncture based on preoperative ultrasound and CT KUB findings and peroperative assessment of stone burden, stone location and anatomy of pelvicalyceal system. Results Of 80 patients 72(90%) were treated with only one supracostal puncture while additional 2nd puncture was used for 8(10%) patients. Overall stone clearance is 85% only with percutaneous nephrolithotomy and the stone clearance has reached to 95% with ancillary procedures.13% of patient had hydrothorax , 3.75% had urosepsis, 2.75% had bleeding and 1.25 % had perinephric fluid collection. Conclusion This study concludes that the safety and efficacy of supracostal percutaneous nephrolithotomy is same as subcostal pcnl if surgical boundaries are not violated

Nigella sativa provides protection against metabolic syndrome

The seeds of Nigella sativa have been used in folk medicine all over the world. The plant has been of interest due to its low degree of toxicity and beneficial pharmacological properties like antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, antioxidant, along with significant anti-neuplastic activities. The present clinical study was undertaken to ascertain the adjuvant effect of Nigella seeds on various clinical and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome. After final diagnosis and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, one hundred and fifty nine patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups. In Group I (standard group), patients were advised to take simvastatin 10 mg once a day, metformin 500 mg twice a day, Enalapril 10 mg once a day, Atenolol 50 mg once a day and clopidagrel 75 mg once a day for a period of six weeks. In Group II (Nigella seeds group), patients were advised the above standard medication plus Nigella seeds 250 mg twice daily for a period of six weeks. Blood sugar both fasting and postprandial, fasting lipid profile and different parameters of obesity were recorded before therapy and after completion of therapy. It was found that the addition of Nigella seeds provide beneficial effects in all the clinical and biochemical parameters for the adult’s treatment panel-III of metabolic disorders especially in fasting blood sugar, low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins. No sign of toxicity of the plant appeared in the Group II. Improvement in all other parameters like blood pressure, circumference of waist and serum triglyceride was also observed. Thus, Nigella seeds were found to be effective as an adjuvant therapy in patients of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia.Keywords: Nigella sativa, toxicity, hyperglycemia, adjuvant, antihistaminic, antioxidant, patient

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DENGUE VIRUS RELATED COMPLICATIONS AND PATIENTS’ DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between observed complications in patients diagnosed with dengue fever and patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis of data collected from prospective study conducted in a private hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan and comprised data of dengue patients admitted from June 2018 to December 2019. Laboratory parameters and clinical outcomes were studied. STATA 16 was used for data management and analysis. RESULTS: Out of 200 diagnosed patients of Dengue fever, 135 (67.5%) were males and 65 (32.5%) were females. The median age of diagnosis was 36 years and 67.5% were males. Only 6 (3.0%) patients were diagnosed with severe dengue disease. Forty-two (29.0%) patients experienced one or more complication(s). Most common complications observed were coagulopathy (n=16; 8%), dengue shock syndrome (n=15; 7.5%) and sepsis with infection (n=6; 3%). Median (interquartile range-IQR) of platelet count (x10^12/l) was 72.9 (41.1-129.9) and 144.0 (100.4-205.0) in patients with and without complications respectively (p<0.001). Platelet transfusion was done in 27 (13.5%) and folic acid supplementation was given to 171 (85.5%) patients. Median (IQR) duration of hospital stay was 4 (3–6) and 3(2–4) days in patient with and without complications (<0.001). Overall mortality rate was 2.0% (n=4/200). There was a statistical difference in proportion of platelet transfusion, duration of hospital stay (number of day) and survival between those who had complications and those who didn’t (p=<0.001). CONCLUSION: Platelet transfusion and duration of hospital stay in the hospital were significantly associated with higher risk of dengue complications