The impact of demographic trends on economic growth ? productivity in Pakistan (1980-2007)

This paper seeks to examine the impact of demographic variables on economic growth in Pakistan. A long-run relationship between the variables has been found by applying Johanson?s Co-integration Technique after finding the series I(1). The Error Correction Model (ECM) has been applied to streamline the short-run and long- run impacts of the variables on economic growth. Population has a positive but decreasing impact on economic growth in the long run. Trade liberalisation and Human Capital Formation have a negative impact on globalisation in the long run and an insignificant impact in the short run. As a result of an increase in unemployment in the labour market in the short run, Life Expectancy, Labour Productivity Per Capita and Population Growth Rate have a negative impact on economic growth. This analysis will help decision makers in developing strategies and policies to accelerate economic growth, human capital formation and trade liberalisation in Pakistan

Evaluating the impact of baby-friendly Hospitals on mother’s knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding in Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction: Breastfeeding is a natural way of feeding to a new born baby. World Health Organization launched a Baby Friendly Hospital initiative in 1992, to strengthen maternity practices to support breast-feedings. Currently, about 19250 hospitals world wide have achieved Baby Friendly Status. To evaluate the role of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative on feeding and weaning practices of mothers in improving health status of children under five years of age Methodology: Cross sectional comparative study was done at baby friendly hospital (BFHI) and non-baby friendly hospital (Non BFHI) Karachi. A total of 784 mothers were selected through convenient sampling and grouped according to place of birth. Results: Feeding practices in BFHI group was better in some respects. Among them 81% mothers did not give any pre-lacteal feeds, 79% mothers reported that their babies were exclusively breast fed up to four months of age and 31% reported that they initiated breast feeding within one hour after the delivery. Conclusions: Baby Friendly Hospital initiative has a beneficial effect on feeding practices of mothers and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. But some areas of optimal breastfeeding practices are not taken care well. Initiation of breastfeeding within ½ to 1 hour needs attention.   Key words: Breast feeding, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, weaning, exclusive breast feedin

Antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activities of adiantum capillus-veneris are predominantly mediated through ATP-dependent K+ channels activation

The study was tempted to explore the scientific basis for the medicinal use of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. in diarrhea using the in vivo and in vitro assays. The crude extract of dried leaves of A. capillus-veneris exhibited antidiarrheal effect against castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice at 300 and 500 mg/kg, similar to the effect loperamide. It was also found safe up to administered dose of 7 g/kg in mice. In isolated rabbit jejunum, extract of A. capillus-veneris showed a concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous and low K+ (25 mM)-induced contractions and had weak inhibitory effect on high K+ (80 mM), similar to the activity pattern of cromakalim, an ATP-dependent K+ channel opener. Interestingly, its inhibitory effect on spontaneous contractions was potentiated in the presence of atropine. These data demonstrates that A. capillus-veneris possesses antidiarrheal and antispasmodic properties mediated possibly through ATP-dependent K+ channels activation, thus providing scientific basis to its folk use in abdominal colic and diarrhea

Recent progress of fabrication, characterization, and applications of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane: A review

The progress of membrane technology with the development of membranes with controlled parameters led to porous membranes. These membranes can be formed using different methods and have numerous applications in science and technology. Anodization of aluminum in this aspect is an electro-synthetic process that changes the surface of the metal through oxidation to deliver an anodic oxide layer. This process results in a self-coordinated, exceptional cluster of round and hollow formed pores with controllable pore widths, periodicity, and thickness. After the initial introduction, the paper proceeds with a brief overview of anodizing process. That engages anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) layers to be used as formats in various nanotechnology applications without the necessity for expensive lithographical systems. This review article surveys the current status of the investigation on AAO membranes. A comprehensive analysis is performed on AAO membranes in applications; filtration, sensors, drug delivery, template-assisted growth of various nanostructures. Their multiple usages in nanotechnology have also been discussed to gather nanomaterials and devices or unite them into specific applications, such as nano-electronic gadgets, channel layers, and clinical platforms tissue designing. From this review, the fact that the specified enhancement of properties of AAO can be done by varying geometric parameters of AAO has been highlighted. No review paper focused on a detailed discussion of applications of AAO with prospects and challenges. This review paper represents the formation, properties, applications with objective consideration of the prospects and challenges of AAO applications. The prospects may appeal to researchers to promote the development of unique membranes with functionalization and controlled geometric parameters and check the feasibility of the AAO membranes in nano-devices.Comment: 36 pages, 19 figures, 8 table

CONSTITUTIVE MODELLING OF SANDS UNDER MONOTONIC LOADING

This paper presents the drained and undrained behavior of soils using a modified version of the original cam clay constitutive model. The strain hardening behavior of soils is one of the major challenges in geotechnical engineering. The constitutive equations are numerically integrated over fixed time steps to apply effective stress to the derived elastoplastic soil model. Convergence of solution is controlled by a constitutive relation, namely the associated flow rule. This study provides step by step Python and octave programs to solve for q"-" p by solving the associated non-linear system. The problem is formulated by assuming small strains in the elastic region and large strains in the plastic region. The transition from over-consolidated to normally consolidated states is predicted to be smooth by this elastoplastic model. The model is recognized and solved as a boundary value problem with only two effective stress variables namely q"-" p which is an approximation of three-dimensional invariants

Recent Advances and Innovation in Meat with Reference to Processing Technologies

This chapter discusses the recent advance in meat. Meat is usually a rich source of protein and is also composed of fats, vitamins, and minerals. The composition of these nutrients is different depending on the type of meat. Meat is basically divided into two categories: red and white. Due to high protein and fat content, the chances of oxidation are increased. The oxidation process causes meat spoilage. To protect the meat from spoilage, recent technologies and natural antioxidants are being used. Non-thermal processing techniques including gamma irradiation, e-beam irradiation, high-pressure processing, and pulsed electric field produce safe and quality meat because in recent technologies, conditions can be controlled. Conclusively, recent advances in meat and meat products play a role in improving product life and human health

Comparative effects of mulligan’s mobilization and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique on pain and disability in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of Mulligan’s Movement of Mobilization and contract- relax technique on pain and disability in patients suffering from sacroiliac joint Dysfunction. Method: A randomized clinical trial was done at DHQ hospital Jhang. 38 persons including both genders old enough 20-35 years were associated with this review who meet the inclusion criteria were recruited by consecutive sampling technique and allocated to the groups by simple random sampling process and by sealed opaque enveloped labeled as 0 for group A and 1 for group B and indiscriminately allocated into two sets. One set A was specified to mulligan mobilization technique and the second set B was specified to contract-relax technique for 6 weeks as three sessions per week. Baseline treatment of hot pack and ultrasound was given to both groups. All the patients were assessed for pain with NPRS and for disability with MOPDQ before and after treatment. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: After treatment, both groups significantly improved in terms of pain and disability. Mean value of NPRS was reduced from 6.89±1.15 to 1.68±.58 in MWM Group while in Contract-Relax from 6.78±1.18 to 2.57±.90. Mean Value of MOPDQ improved from 31.00±6.24 to 2.95±.911 and 32.26±7.14 to 4.31±1.20 in MWM and Contract-Relax group. However, group that received mulligan technique had significantly better improved NPRS and MOPDQ values than contract-relax group in patients with Sacro-iliac dysfunction (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the management of sacroiliac joint dysfunction, Mulligan mobilization is more efficient than contract-relax approach

Improved flood mapping for efficient policy design by fusion of Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Landsat-9 imagery to identify population and infrastructure exposed to floods

A reliable yet inexpensive tool for the estimation of flood water spread is conducive for efficient disaster management. The application of optical and SAR imagery in tandem provides a means of extended availability and enhanced reliability of flood mapping. We propose a methodology to merge these two types of imagery into a common data space and demonstrate its use in the identification of affected populations and infrastructure for the 2022 floods in Pakistan. The merging of optical and SAR data provides us with improved observations in cloud-prone regions; that is then used to gain additional insights into flood mapping applications. The use of open source datasets from WorldPop and OSM for population and roads respectively makes the exercise globally replicable. The integration of flood maps with spatial data on population and infrastructure facilitates informed policy design. We have shown that within the top five flood-affected districts in Sindh province, Pakistan, the affected population accounts for 31 %, while the length of affected roads measures 1410.25 km out of a total of 7537.96 km.Comment: IEEE IGARSS 202

Impact of Gamma Irradiation and Kale Leaf Powder on Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Profiles of Chicken Meat under Different Storage Intervals

he present study was planned to determine the effect of kale leaf powder and gamma rays on variations in the pH, amino acid and fatty acid profiles of chicken meat at different storage intervals. Significant changes (p ≤ 0.05) in the pH, amino acid and fatty acid profiles of chicken meat following different treatments (KLP (1% and 2%) and gamma irradiation (3k Gy)) were reported at 0, 7 and 14 days of storage. The pH value of the chicken meat sample decreased with the addition of kale leaf powder, whereas the value increased following a gamma irradiation dose of 3 kGy and with the passage of time. During different storage intervals, the minimum reduction in the amino acid and fatty acid quantities in the chicken meat samples was reported after gamma irradiation treatment. However, with the addition of KLP, the amount of amino acids and fatty acids in the chicken meat samples increased. Conclusively, the pH was observed to be reduced in the meat following combined treatment (irradiation + KLP), whereas the 2% KLP treatment improved the amino acid and fatty acid profiles of the chicken samples.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio