Would you mind your language, please? Consumer incivility on social media platforms

Consumer incivility on social media platforms has recently gained the attention of academic researchers. However, few studies have presented the role that consumer incivility plays in forming social media perspectives (e.g. experiencing uncivil comments or rude replies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Using the stimulus-organism-response theory, this study investigated the impacts of consumer incivility on social media brand representatives’ efforts to deal with it, social media brand community participation and social media brand trust. The study also investigated the influence of social media brand representatives’ efforts to deal with consumer incivility on social media brand community participation and examined the relationships of these two factors with social media brand trust. Two hundred and forty social media consumers who had witnessed the effect of consumer incivility on social media community platforms completed the study questionnaires. SPSS 23 and SmartPLS-SEM (v. 3.3.7) were used to analyse the data obtained and to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that consumer incivility was significantly inversely associated with the causal constructs. The present study provided novel insights for high-tech social media industries, including digital marketers and community developers

Possibilities of Regional Trade Expansion: A Link Model for Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Econometric models are generally constructed for a specific country on the assumption that national economies are independent. In reality, this is not the case. In this paper, we have constructed prototype linkage econometric models for Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, These models are linked to each other through foreign-trade equations to explore possibilities of fruitful economic cooperation among these four countries Policy simulations, carried out to highlight the pay-off of specific policies in terms of the stated objective, show that, given the resolve of these countries to extend the area of collaboration, the prospects are by no means dim. There is also the extra bonus that the growth of GNP in the region will also be helped by mutual economic co-operation. The need for conscious policy decisions to this effect has been underscored

Human–Carnivore Conflicts in a Recently Established Pakistani National Park

Human–carnivore conflicts (HCCs) are increasing globally. These conflicts may encompass competition for food resources, crop and livestock depredations, and attacks on humans. Concerns over conflicts may result in retaliatory killings of carnivores and negative views of wildlife or landscape conservation. Yet, despite the economic and conservation implications of HCCs, data regarding the magnitude and severity of the conflicts may be lacking because many incidents are unreported. To better inform this issue, we compared HCC data for 2016 to 2018 obtained from official records of the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department for a newly established national park in the Punjab Region of Pakistan to data we obtained regarding HCCs based on a survey of 200 households from 25 villages abutting the park. The households surveyed reported 250 incidents of livestock lost to leopards (Panthera pardus), jackals (Canis aureus), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) during the study period. Most of the losses (83%) were attributed to leopards. In contrast, official data reported 42 animals lost for the villages studied, with most losses attributed to leopards. Thus, official agency records underreported depredation losses by \u3e80%. Because of HCC, 19% of households supported eliminating leopards from the park, and 25% of households supported fencing the park to prevent leopards from entering human settlements. However, 47% of the households also supported increasing programs focused on improving herding practices and enhanced livestock infrastructure that might prevent attacks. Our results suggested new opportunities for wildlife officials to help residents mitigate HCCs while enhancing local support of carnivore conservation

Clinical Efficacy and Safety Profile of Prucalopride in Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) can be defined as bowel movements that are difficult to pass, are not occurring frequently, or have incomplete evacuation during defecation. A high-fiber diet and laxatives are the commonly used treatments, but in many cases, they do not produce satisfactory results. The first line of treatment is osmotic laxatives. If there is no improvement, the second line is guanylate cyclase-C (GCC) agonists like linaclotide or prokinetic agents such as prucalopride. On December 14, 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approved prucalopride for treating chronic idiopathic constipation. Prucalopride is a prokinetic agent which works at the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 (5-HT4) as an agonist with greater receptor selectivity. Patients on prucalopride reported improved symptoms, quality of life and satisfaction. The most frequent adverse events were headaches and problems related to the gastrointestinal tract. Caution should be taken when using prucalopride in patients with impaired liver and renal function. In Canada, prucalopride has been approved for treatment of female patients with chronic idiopathic constipation who have failed therapy with at least two laxatives from different classes over a six-month period.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Use of population input functions for reduced scan duration whole-body Patlak F-18-FDG PET imaging

Abstract: Whole-body Patlak images can be obtained from an acquisition of first 6 min of dynamic imaging over the heart to obtain the arterial input function (IF), followed by multiple whole-body sweeps up to 60 min pi. The use of a population-averaged IF (PIF) could exclude the first dynamic scan and minimize whole-body sweeps to 30–60 min pi. Here, the effects of (incorrect) PIFs on the accuracy of the proposed Patlak method were assessed. In addition, the extent of mitigating these biases through rescaling of the PIF to image-derived IF values at 30–60 min pi was evaluated. Methods: Using a representative IF and rate constants from the literature, various tumour time-activity curves (TACs) were simulated. Variations included multiplication of the IF with a positive and negative gradual linear bias over 60 min of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% (generating TACs using an IF different from the PIF); use of rate constants (K 1, k 3, and both K 1 and k 2) multiplied by 2, 1.5, and 0.75; and addition of noise (μ = 0 and σ = 5, 10 and 15%). Subsequent Patlak analysis using the original IF (representing the PIF) was used to obtain the influx constant (K i) for the differently simulated TACs. Next, the PIF was scaled towards the (simulated) IF value using the 30–60-min pi time interval, simulating scaling of the PIF to image-derived values. Influence of variabilities in IF and rate constants, and rescaling the PIF on bias in K i was evaluated. Results: Percentage bias in K i observed using simulated modified IFs varied from − 16 to 16% depending on the simulated amplitude and direction of the IF modifications. Subsequent scaling of the PIF reduced these K i biases in most cases (287 out of 290) to < 5%. Conclusions: Simulations suggest that scaling of a (possibly incorrect) PIF to IF values seen in whole-body dynamic imaging from 30 to 60 min pi can provide accurate Ki estimates. Consequently, dynamic Patlak imaging protocols may be performed for 30–60 min pi making whole-body Patlak imaging clinically feasible

Prescription pattern of benzodiazepines for inpatients at a tertiary care university hospital in Pakistan

Objective: To determine the point prevalence of benzodiazepine prescriptions for inpatients at a tertiary care university hospital in Pakistan and to correlate it with prescription patterns of various specialties, indications and demographic variables of the patients.Methods: This 24-hours point prevalence study was done at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. By convenient random sampling, 208 inpatients were interviewed. Patients\u27 files were also studied to record the drugs administered. Data was entered into questionnaires and analyzed by SPSS 10.0.Results: The point prevalence of the benzodiazepines was 21.2%. It was higher among males than females and among surgical than non-surgical patients. Midazolam was the most commonly used benzodiazepine, followed by Alprazolam and Lorazepam. Pre-anesthesia and psychiatric symptoms were the two most common indications. Oral route was used in 84% patients for drug administration and mean Valium equivalent dosage was 4.86 mg/day. Mean length of prescription was 3 days. Longer duration of hospitalization was a significant predictor of the requirement of benzodiazepine prescription (p-value = 0.020).CONCLUSION: Prescription pattern of benzodiazepines at a tertiary care university hospital is similar to that reported in the developed countries through monitoring at various levels by physicians, clinical pharmacist and nursing staff. Data regarding the prescription pattern of benzodiazepines is scarce, and it needs to be expanded to formulate clear guidelines regarding their prescription

Parametric Study and Optimization of Ceiling Fan Blades for Improved Aerodynamic Performance

This paper includes parametric study and optimization of non-linear ceiling fan blades by combining the techniques of Design of Experiments (DOE), Response Surface Methods (RSM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Specifically, the nonlinear (elliptical) planform shape of ceiling fan blade is investigated in conjunction with blade tip width, root and tip angle of attack. Sixteen cases are designed for three blade ceiling fan using two level full factorial model. The flow field is modeled using Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes approach. The performance variables used to formulate a multi-objective optimization problem are volumetric flow rate, torque and energy efficiency. Response Surface Method is used to generate the optimized design for non-linear ceiling fan blade profile. The results reveal that the interactions between the design variables play a significant role in determining the performance. It is concluded that the nonlinear forward sweep has a moderate effect on response parameters

Heavy Metal Levels in Vegetables and Soil Cultivated with Industrial Wastewater from Different Sites of Chunian and Jamber, District, Kasur

In human diet, vegetables play important role to maintain the physiological conditions. Due to anthropogenic activities and pollution, the food items become contaminated. The present study was performed to evaluate the level of heavy metals in the vegetables irrigated with wastewater across Chunian and Jamber, district, Kasur. Level of heavy metals from the study area like Zinc, Lead and chromium in the soil, water and vegetables was compared. The four sites of each city and 10 vegetables e.g. potato, radish, carrot, fenugreek, spinach, tomato, Onion, Turnip, Cauliflower, Pangalo were selected to conduct the experiment. The vegetables were irrigated with industrial wastewater and the concentration of heavy metals was measured by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). We concluded that the level of heavy metals was beyond the FAO limits in irrigated water due to industrial waste. In Jamber and Chunian, the level of Zn and Pb was high and beyond the FAO safe limits in the all water sample, the level of Cr was much higher only in the water sample of one site from Jamber. The concentration of zinc was higher in soil samples as compared to lead and chromium. Zn and Pb in vegetables of study area were labeled as priority pollutants but this concentration was within the safe limits set by FAO. However, constant inspection of heavy metals is recommended to avoid accumulation in the food chain and thus avoid human health risks. Keywords: Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Heavy metals, Industrial wastewater, Vegetables

Invasive Versus Conservative Strategy in Elderly Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Management of non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has evolved over the years, but most published data are from younger patients. Data on the NSTEMI management in elderly patients remains limited. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the long-term outcomes of invasive vs conservative strategies in elderly patients with NSTEMI. Results: Of 1,550 reports searched, 4 RCTs (1,126 patients) were included in the analysis with a median follow-up of 1.25 years (range: 1 to 2.5 years). The median age of included patients was 83.6 (IQR 2.8 years). The invasive strategy was associated with significantly lower risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) [OR 0.60 (95% CI 0.40-0.91); I2 =54%; 3 trials] and unplanned revascularization [OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.15-0.64); I2 = 1.7%; 3 trials] compared with the conservative strategy. There was no difference in all-cause mortality [OR= 0.88 (95% CI 0.65-1.18); I2 = 0%; 4 trials], myocardial infarction (MI) [OR= 0.70 (95% CI 0.42-1.19); I2 = 54.7%; 4 trials], or bleeding [OR= 0.87 (95% C: 0.39-1.93); I2 = 0%; 3 trials] between both strategies. Conclusion: The use of initial invasive strategy in elderly patients presenting with NSTEMI was associated with a significantly lower risk of MACCE and unplanned revascularization compared with the initial conservative strategy without increased bleeding. Categories: CORONARY: Acute Coronary Syndrome