Implementing an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) System in a Retail Organization

This project has been implemented to replace a legacy EDI translator in a large retail organization with a new EDI platform with enhanced functionality. The old system was outdated, sluggish and could not fully comply with the industry EDI best practices. The legacy system also had additional fail points for potential data loss, due to extensive customization. The main goals of this project were to create a standardized EDI environment that would limit manual intervention and labor costs, and provide better audit/monitoring capabilities for all EDI communication. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) refers to the use of telecommunication technologies to exchange data within and/or between organizations in a standardized format to promote data security while maintaining data integrity. Customizations to the EDI communication and translation system hampers data integrity as well as adding extraneous effort for the EDI operations and infrastructure resources to provide support

People’s definition and escape from poverty trap

Abstract. The traditional methods of poverty measurement include material or objective indicators such as income, expenditure, calorie intake, education or living standards. However, this study is aimed to identify whether people perceive poverty through these factors or not. The definitions of poverty given by study respondents have proven that although, poverty can be defined through objective indicators but its scope is not limited to them rather it includes various other indicators including no children or parents, lack of self-efforts, person’s laziness, sense of understanding things and mental stress. Through interviewing household heads, some coping strategies have been identified which are employed during economically difficult events. Apart from increasing income sources and reducing expenditure, the coping strategies also include living in joint family system, social networking and borrowing in form of general provident fund as the selected sample was from government sector, they utilize their funds at times of need which give rise to a self-perpetuating poverty. The people’s perceptions related to poverty determine the nature and extent to which society is encountering hardships and prevalence of poverty in it.Keywords. Poverty, Perceptions, Coping strategies.JEL. I32

Evaluation of micro leakage of root canals filled with different obturation techniques: an in vitro study

Background: Despite a plethora of studies done comparing different obturation techniques using gutta-percha, there is no consensus as to which obturation technique results in a \u27better\u27 sealing of root canal space. Aims of the study are to compare mean apical micro leakage in root canals of extracted teeth obturated with cold laterally compacted gutta-percha and thermoplasticised injectable gutta-percha using calcium hydroxide based sealer. Methods: It was an in-vitro experimental study carried out using extracted teeth. After access cavity preparation and canal preparation in 70 teeth, they were randomly divided into 2 groups and filled with two different obturation techniques using Sealapex sealer. Teeth were placed in 2.0% methylene blue solution, sectioned longitudinally, observed under microscope and images were captured using microscope attached camera. Amount of dye penetration was measured in millimetre from apex to most coronal part of dye penetration. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.0. Mean and standard deviation of continuous variables was computed. Independent Sample t- test was applied to compare micro leakage values in the two study groups. Level of significance was kept at 0.05. Results: According to the measurements, obturation with Obtura-II and Sealapex was leakier than the other group, with a mean dye penetration of 1.91±1.15 mm. There was a statistically significant difference in dye penetration among the two groups.. Conclusions: Cold lateral compaction plus Sealapex was the best combination for obturation as it exhibited least microleakage. Obtura IISealapex combination should be used with caution as it showed maximum microleakage. For obturation of single rooted teeth, we recommend cold lateral condensation with Sealapex sealer as it showed better sealability. Obtura-II and Sealapex should be used with caution in single rooted teeth as this group showed the maximum leakage.

Economic growth, foreign direct investment and governance oscillation: Empirical evidence from SAARC economies (1996-2015)

Abstract. Foreign direct investment (FDI) considered as one of the conventional determinant of Economic growth. Economies that are pursuing for better tomorrow must focus on attracting foreign direct Investments. FDI depends on a number of factors in a country such as market size, level of openness, natural resources, labor cost and productivity, economic growth rate, macroeconomic stability, technology level and so on. Beside these factors, Governance in the recipient economy is also an important pre-determinant of FDI. This study seeks to investigate the impact of FDI (inflows) on Economic growth via Governance through empirical evidence from SAARC economies by using Panel data technique. The data is cross-sectional time series for the period 1996-2015. GDP per capita growth has been used as a variable to assess Economic growth; foreign direct Investment (inflows) and governance data has obtained from World Bank, World Development Indicators. The results indicate that governance does not exert their impact on FDI (inflows) and fails to act as a mediating factor of FDI (inflows) in case of SAARC economies However the SAARC economies should focus on improving level of institutions for catalyzing domestic financial markets.Keywords. Foreign Direct investment (inflows), Governance, Economic Growth, Human Capital, Gross Capital Formation.JEL. F21

Evaluation of microleakage in single-rooted teeth obturated with thermoplasticized gutta-percha using various endodontic sealers: An in-vitro study

OBJECTIVE: To compare apical microleakage of extracted, single-rooted teeth obturated with thermoplasticized injectable gutta-percha using two different endodontic sealers (calcium-hydroxide and resin based). STUDY DESIGN: An experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Dental Clinics and Laboratory from June to September 2015. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted using extracted teeth. After access cavities were made, cleaning and shaping of root canals was done in 70 teeth. Teeth were randomly allocated into two groups and obturated with thermoplasticized injectable gutta-percha (Obtura II) using two sealers (Sealapex vs. AH plus). After immersing the teeth in 2.0% methylene blue, they were split longitudinally, viewed under light microscope (magnification X4) and images were taken by a camera connected to microscope. The extent of dye penetration was assessed from apex to its coronal part and recorded in millimeters. Independent sample t-test was used to compare microleakage in the two groups. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for inter-examiner reliability of dye penetration measurements. A p-value of \u3c0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: Teeth obturated with Obtura II gutta-percha with AH plus sealer had a mean dye penetration of 1.20 ±0.79 mm. This was significantly better than Obtura II with Sealapex sealer (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Obtura II-AH plus sealer was a better combination for obturation as it showed a lesser degree of microleakage. Obtura II with Sealapex group showed higher microleakage, so this combination should be avoided in single-rooted teet

Frequency of raised red cell distribution width in acute exacerbation of COPD patients

Objective: objective of our study is to investigate and establish the frequency of raised red cell distribution width in acute exacerbation of COPD patients. Study design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration of study: This study was conducted in pulmonology department of Nishtar Hospital Multan from January 2016 to December 2017. Methods: Total 384 patients were selected by non-probability consecutive sampling and approval of study was taken from ethical committee of the institution. Written permission of study was signed by every patient enrolled in study. Numerical variables like age, weight, white blood cells, platelets, MCV, hemoglobin (Hb) and duration of COPD were analyzed statically by taking their mean and standard deviation and t-test was applied to test their significance. Non numerical variables like gender, anemia, thrombocytopenia, income and area of living were statistically analyzed by taking their frequency and chi square test was applied to test their significance. While the outcome variable red cell distribution width was assessed by 3-part hematology chamber. Results: Overall, there were 100% (n=384) patients were included, in this study, both genders. There were 60.7% (n=233) males and 39.3% (n=151) females. 72.1% (n=277) patients belonged to urban areas while 27.9% (n=107) belonged to rural areas. 69% (n=265) had good income and 31% (n=119) had low income. The mean age and BMI of the patients was 65.22±6.45 years and 26.21±2.18 kg/m2 respectively. There were 26% (n=100) patients between 40-60 years while majority of the patients i.e. 74% (n=284) between 61-80 years of age. The distribution of BMI of the patients observed as; 39.3% (n=151) patients between 18-25 kg/m2 and 60.7% (n=233) patients between 26-32 kg/m2. The main outcome variable of this study was red cell distribution width. The Mean±S.D of red cell distribution width was 14.03±1.62%. While, red cell distribution width noted as normal and raised; 54.9% (n=211) and 45.1% (n=173) respectively. Conclusion: Study concluded that there was significant prevalence of raised red cell distribution width (RDW) in acute exacerbation of COPD patients. This easy, inexpensive and quick parameter should be investigated further. So it can be used as prognostic marker and predictor of mortality in acute exacerbation of COPD patients. Key words: Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), red cell distribution width (RDW), COPD, Inflammation

Frequency of different groove patterns seen on the occlusal surface of mandibular second premolars

Background: The Mandibular second premolar has commonly three different type traits depending on the occlusal groove patterns. In addition to that they are also recognized on the basis of number of cusps. The objectives of the study were to determine the frequency of different occlusal groove patterns of mandibular second premolars and to acquire base line data for future studies in this population and field of research.Material and Methods: This study was conducted in Islamabad Dental Hospital (IDH), from September 2017 to December 2017. A total of 600 patients (1200 teeth) with fully erupted mandibular second premolars of normal occlusal morphology, in age group of 15 years and above were screened in the Out Patient Department (OPD). Groove patterns on occlusal surfaces and their anatomical variations on both sides i.e. right and left, were observed and noted in a proforma. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.Results: Three different patterns of occlusal grooves (Y, U and H) were found in our study population. Y groove pattern was observed in 364 teeth (30.33%), U pattern in 447 teeth (37.25%) and H pattern was noted in 389 (32.41%) teeth. Among males, U pattern was predominant (43.84%) followed by H and then Y pattern. In females, H pattern grooves was found mostly (34.41%), followed by Y and U pattern.Conclusion: The most frequent occlusal groove pattern observed in our population was U followed by H and Y type