Polymer Hydrogels for Wastewater Treatment

The pollution of water resources turns into a worldwide problem because of the indiscriminate disposal of pollutants both organic and inorganic in nature. It stays hard to manner or control the purification of wastewater before it flows to water reservoirs. The growing interest in the improvement and application of novel hydrogels in wastewater remedy is due to its particular chemical characteristics along with hydrophilicity, sensitivity, and functionality. Hydrogels exhibit superior overall performance inside the adsorptive removal of a wide variety of aqueous pollutants along with heavy metals, nutrients, and toxic dyes. In this chapter, we are focusing on the behavior and importance of the hydrogels used so far for the removal of both organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater. With this contribution, we will be able to elaborate the answer for why these hydrogels are superior than other materials used for the same purpose. More attention is given to the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater using different hydrogel systems

CONCEPTUALISING THE ROLE OF INDIA IN NORTH KOREA`S DENUCLEARISATION

The US and its allies perceive North Korea's acquisition of nuclear weapons as a significant strategic challenge in the region. Diplomatic efforts have been made to persuade the Kim regime to abandon its nuclear programme, but they have failed. The DPRK considers nuclear weapons capability vital for deterrence against external threats and strategically crucial for national defence. India, a key US ally in containing China, has taken a stiffer stance towards Pyongyang's nuclear programme while enhancing its role in contributing to North Korea's denuclearisation. It represents itself as a staunch opponent of nuclear proliferation and the development of sophisticated weapons. This paper explores India's role in North Korea's perceived denuclearisation. It highlights that India has adopted a dual-standard approach to nuclear proliferation and sophisticated weapons and is also trying to create a technological nexus between Pakistan and North Korea, allegedly to achieve strategic ambitions in South Asia and assert pressure on Pakistan with the help of the US and its Western allies.   Bibliography Entry Kakar, Sher Ali and Muhammad Adil Khan. 2023. "Conceptualising the Role of India in North Korea’s Denuclearisation." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 166-175

Entropy-based financial asset pricing: Evidence from Pakistan

Entropy is an alternative measure to calculate the risk, simplify the portfolios and equity risk premium. It has higher explanatory power than capital asset price model (CAPM) beta. The comparison of Entropy and CAPM beta provide in depth analysis about the explanatory power of the model that in turn help investor to make right investment decisions that minimizes risk. In this context, this study aims to compare Shannon and Rennyi Entropies with the CAPM beta for measuring the risk. Ordinary Least square approach has been utilized using a dataset of 67 enterprises registered in Pakistan Stock exchange. The comparative analysis of CAPM beta and entropy has been carried out with the R2 parameters. The result indicates that entropy has more explanatory power as compare to CAPM beta’s explanatory power, and this turns out to be the best option to evaluate the risk performances. The result implies that an investor should make the best investment decision by choosing an enterprise that provide with good returns at minimum risk based on entropy technique.NationalSocialScienceFundofChina ; National Office for Philosophy and Social Science

High Involvement Management Practices and Employees’ OCBs in Banking Sector of Pakistan

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of high involvement HRM practices (HIHRP) on employees’ organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) in the context of banking sector of Pakistan. OCBs is considered as an important construct to evaluate the contextual performance of employees. In case of banking sector professionals, it is a highly desired behavior and top management has a greater interest in evaluating contextual performance in addition to the task performance of employees. This study differentiates itself from previous studies by focusing on HIHRP rather than traditional HRM practices. The data was collected from 396 officers working in top six private sector commercial banks of Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and all responses were recorded on Likert scale. The data was analyzed through correlation and regression analysis and demographic characteristics of the employees were also presented through descriptive statistical techniques. The results show that different types of HIHRP positively influences employees’ OCBs. This study has both theoretical and managerial contributions by empirically examining the relationship between high involvement HRM practices and OCBs in the context of banking sector of Pakistan. The results of this study will help the researchers to better understand the relationship between HRM practices employees’ positive behavioral outcomes like OCBs. In addition, it will also guide the decision makers in adjusting HRM practices to achieve desired behaviors

Effect of Area Ratio on Base Pressure in a Suddenly Expanded Duct for Under Expanded Flow ft Mach 1.87

The results of an experimental investigation carried out to control the base pressure in a suddenly expanded axi-symmetric passage is presented in this paper. An active control in the form of micro jets is employed to control the base pressure. Air injection at four locations at the base, symmetric to the nozzle axis is used as the active control. The jet Mach number studied and the area ratios are 1.87, and 2.56, 3.24, 4.84, and 6.25. The L/D ratio is varied from 10 to 1. The experiments are conducted at a fixed level of under expansion (i.e. Pe/Pa = 1.5). In addition to base pressure, wall pressure field along the duct was also measured. As high as 80 percent increase in base pressure was achieved for certain combination of parameters of the present study. The minimum Length-todiameter ratio of the duct required is L/D = 2 for area ratios 6.25 and 4.84. Whereas, this requirement is L/D = 1 for area ratios 2.56 and 3.24

INTERNAL FACTORS, EXTERNAL FACTORS AND BANK PROFITABILITY

A developed banking sector provides the impetus for the economy to grow. However, in order to maintain financial stability and sustain negative shocks, it is important to understand the factors that influence the profitability of banks. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of internal and external factors on the profitability of banks in Pakistan for the period 2007-2015. Fixed effects model was used to analyse the effect of internal and external factors on the profitability of banks in Pakistan. The findings of the study revealed that among internal factors only bank size and asset composition significantly influences the profitability of banks whereas in the external determinants only real interest rates and GDP growth rates has a significant effect on the profitability of banks

Case Series of Post Covid-19 Vaccine Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Objective: The objective of this case series reporting is to add cervical lymphadenopathy as one of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in the adult population presenting with neck swelling.Materials and Methods: This case series of twenty patients were collected at our facility over a period of six months, from March 2021 to the end of August 2021, with an age interval from 17 years to 52 years. The Post COVID Vaccine window to develop cervical lymphadenopathy was from the 3rd day till the 16th. All patients received their first dose of the COVID vaccine.Results: Out of all the patients, 16 were females and 4 were males. Six female and one male patient developed suppurative ipsilateral upper cervical lymphadenitis, which necessitated hospitalization and surgical intervention with incision and drainage, as well as IV medications.Five patients were admitted by internal medicine for workup and supportive care as they were having generalized symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache, myalgia, and inadequate oral intake. The OMFS department was called for evaluation and to rule out any oral infection. Four patients were diabetics with a mean HbA1C of 6.7% to 7.5%. All of these patients did not have any active dental or salivary gland infections.Eventually, all subjects fully recovered with no residual lymphadenopathy and were followed for a period of two weeks to two months, using ultrasound.Conclusion: Cervical Lymphadenopathy and suppurative lymphadenitis have become increasingly common in patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, it must be referenced for the differential diagnosis of neck swelling, especially during this time

Case Series of Post Covid-19 Vaccine Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Objective: The objective of this case series reporting is to add cervical lymphadenopathy as one of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in the adult population presenting with neck swelling.Materials and Methods: This case series of twenty patients were collected at our facility over a period of six months, from March 2021 to the end of August 2021, with an age interval from 17 years to 52 years. The Post COVID Vaccine window to develop cervical lymphadenopathy was from the 3rd day till the 16th. All patients received their first dose of the COVID vaccine.Results: Out of all the patients, 16 were females and 4 were males. Six female and one male patient developed suppurative ipsilateral upper cervical lymphadenitis, which necessitated hospitalization and surgical intervention with incision and drainage, as well as IV medications.Five patients were admitted by internal medicine for workup and supportive care as they were having generalized symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache, myalgia, and inadequate oral intake. The OMFS department was called for evaluation and to rule out any oral infection. Four patients were diabetics with a mean HbA1C of 6.7% to 7.5%. All of these patients did not have any active dental or salivary gland infections.Eventually, all subjects fully recovered with no residual lymphadenopathy and were followed for a period of two weeks to two months, using ultrasound.Conclusion: Cervical Lymphadenopathy and suppurative lymphadenitis have become increasingly common in patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, it must be referenced for the differential diagnosis of neck swelling, especially during this time

EFFECTS OF FUND ATTRIBUTES ON FUND RETURN: AN ANALYSIS OF CLOSE-END MUTUAL FUNDS OF PAKISTAN

Mutual funds have become an attractive investment option particularly for small investors to diversify their portfolio. The aim of this study is to explore the determinants of close ended mutual funds return in Pakistan. For this purpose secondary data is used from 2007-2013. Multiple regression analysis is carried out to measure the determinants (fund size, liquidity, expense ratio and fund turnover) of fund return. The findings of the study revealed that expense ratio and fund turnover significantly influences the return of the fund. Moreover, fund size is positively related to fund return whereas expense ratio, fund turnover and liquidity are inversely related to fund return

CFD analysis of CD nozzle and effect of nozzle pressure ratio on pressure and velocity for suddenly expanded flows

A numerical work was carried out to study the effectiveness of micro-jets to control base pressure in suddenly expanded two-dimensional planar duct. Two micro-jets of 1 mm orifice diameter located at 90° intervals along a pitch circle distance of 1.5 times the nozzle exit diameter in the base region were employed as active controls. The calibrated Mach numbers at the entry to suddenly expanded duct was 1.87. The length-to-diameter ratio (L/D) of suddenly expanded duct was 10. Nozzles generating the calibrated Mach numbers were operated with nozzle pressure ratio (NPR) 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. From the present investigation it is evident that for a given Mach number and effect of NPR will result in maximum increase/decrease of pressure and velocity. The convergent-divergent nozzle geometry has been modeled and simulated employing turbulence models: K-ε standard wall function turbulence model from the code was independently checked with the commercial computational fluid dynamics