Empirical and theoretical Analysis of Digital and Islamic Banks of Pakistan

This paper undertakes empirical and theoretical research on the functioning of digital and Islamic banks in Pakistan, focusing on the growth, models, customer satisfaction, and performance indicators. Islamic banks that operate in line with Shariah laws incorporate some profit-loss sharing mechanisms and have garnered immense growth the world over. On the other hand, digital banks operate strictly online and provide ease and efficiency through easy and fast services to their customers. This study gauges the efficacy of these banking modes in Pakistan based on metrics that include efficiency, liquidity, asset quality, and leverage ratios. The study further collected data from 293 respondents in major Pakistani cities through a well-structured questionnaire that gathered their banking experience. These results give insights into levels of customer satisfaction with the Islamic banks posting impressive performances in many aspects. The paper assumes significance in the continued study of both Islamic and digital banking systems as they affect consumer behavior and the financial sector, with the importance of addressing more current issues arising within the limited sample size and data collection techniques. Islamic banking in Pakistan has seen the light of the day, and in countries with Islamic dominance, further innovation and growth should be nurtured, perhaps to match consumer demand and upcoming challenges in regulation. Islamic banks can further their competitive advantage with strides in technology, openness, and innovation in their services

Identification and characterizations of a few species of Fusarium infecting cucumber in greenhouse conditions

One of the most problematic and devastating diseases affecting cucumber production is Fusarium wilt (Cucumis sativus L.). The present study aimed to characterize Fusarium species isolated from three different regions of cucumber fields in Babylon province, Iraq and identify them based on morphological features and phylogenetic analyses. This study showed the presence of Fusarium incarnatum, F. solani and F. oxysporum in cucumber roots. Fusarium species were phylogenetically analyzed based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. All Fusarium isolates were pathogenic to cucumber cultivars but varied significantly in their growth and pathogenicity toward cucumber seeds during the experiment.  F. solani-2 was greater in growth and pathogenicity than all other Fusarium species. In contrast, F. solani-1 was the lowest. The data obtained from morphological and molecular studies sufficiently supported each other, and the phylogenetic trees based on ITS were distinguished. Closely related species and distinctly separated all morphological taxa. These findings are reported for the first time for the cucumber plant in Babylon province. All these ITS sequences showed homologous to those of Fusarium species isolates in the GenBank database with a similarity percentage of 99%. To the best of present knowledge, this is the first molecular record of F. incarnatum on the cucumber plants in Iraq. The study concluded that F. incarnatum was reported for the first time in Iraq and worldwide as a causal agent of wilt disease in cucumber plants. The three species of Fusarium have different pathogenic abilities, highlighting their disease incidence, growth, and pathogenicity. 

Control of the Output Voltage of the PV System Based DC-DC Boost Converter Using Arduino microcontroller

The main object of this paper is to design and implement a DC-to-DC boost converter that regulates output voltage to a desired value and can be used in Photovoltaic system appliances or other unregulated sources. To regulate the output voltage of the boost, a feedback loop with Proportional-Integral-Differentiator (PID) controller is employed. The duty cycle is controlled to produce constant output voltage using voltage mode control technique. A simulation of the boost converter is done in MATLAB/Simulink. Also a practical implementation with the help of Arduino microcontroller is confirmed the validity of the control algorithm. Simulation and practical results have been proven that the proposed design is able to produce a regulated output voltage successfully against variation of input voltage and load

Peer Assisted Learning; The Perspective of Peer Tutors

Objective: To determine the perspective of PAL tutors regarding the effectiveness of PAL in promoting knowledge and skills among the undergraduate students using small group discussions in an integrated module. Methodology:  A prospective qualitative method study was conducted at Rawal Dental College, Islamabad, from April to June, 2021, for 12 weeks. Students from the second year of BDS (n = 50) were divided into five small groups. Five students’ volunteers were chosen from those who completed the previous units with more than 80% summative assessment score and with good communication skills. The group discussion centered on the application of core knowledge and skills in pathology. Responses from the tutors for the qualitative data were obtained using in depth one-on-one semi-structured interviews with audio recorded. The verbatim in the form of audio and notes were transcribed, and the qualitative analysis was performed by two independent investigators, generating codes, themes, and subthemes. Results: The results showed the comprehensive understanding of the insights of tutors and the motivational elements for achieving academic goals and improving teamwork and teaching skills. Many factors encouraged their participation as tutors, including the acquisition of knowledge and leadership skills. The students felt that their compassionate attitude encouraged active participation by the fellow students, increasing their confidence and learning. The students perceived that they had attained essential attributes that would benefit them in professional life in the future. Conclusion: The students enjoyed the Peer-assisted learning experience and recognized its importance for their academic and professional development. While learning in a relaxed environment, the students achieved their basic learning goals, developed leadership skills, improved communication skills, and gained confidence. Keywords: Peer Group, Integrated curriculum, Near-Peer tutoring.

Comparison of chest HRCT severity score in PCR positive and PCR negative clinically suspected COVID-19 Patients

Background: The limitations and false-negative results of Real-time Polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) in diagnosing COVID-19 infection demand the need for imaging modalities such as chest HRCT to improve the diagnostic accuracy andassess the severity of the infection. Objectives: The study aimed to compare the chest HRCT severity scores in RT-PCR positive and negative cases of COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 clinically suspected COVID-19 patients. Chest HRCT and PCR testing of all 50 patients were done and the chest HRCT severity scores for each lung and bronchopulmonary segments were compared in patients with positive and negative PCR results. Chi-square and Mann Whitney U test were used to assess differences among study variables. Results: Chest HRCT severity score was more in PCR negative patients than in those with PCR positive results . However, the difference was not significant (p=0.11). There was a significant association in severity scores of the anterior basal segment of the left lung (p=0.022) and posterior segment upper lobe of right lung (p=0.035) with PCR results. This association was insignificantfor other bronchopulmonary segments (p>0.05). Conclusion: CR negativity does not rule out infection in clinically suspected COVID-19 patients. The use of chest HRCT helps to determine the extent of lung damage in clinically suspected patients irrespective of PCR results. Guidelines that consider clinical symptoms, chest HRCT severity score and PCR results for a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 in suspected patientsare needed. Keywords: Chest High resolution computed tomography (HRCT); COVID-19; Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Land Use / Land Cover in Swat, Pakistan Using Supervised Classification in Remote Sensing: 2000 to 2015

Changes in land use and land cover affect the social, economic and natural aspects of any area. Mostly land use and land cover (LULC) changes are the result of population growth and human activities in the form of urban agglomerations and industrialization etc. Physical factors like soil structure and type, slope condition, topography are main aspects. Land use change defines the historical pattern that how people used that specific land which depends on the availability of resources and economic conditions. LULC changes may trigger the detrimental effects like increase in natural hazard events and changes in climatic patterns. Climatic pattern directly affects the precipitation, groundwater recharge, the amount of evapotranspiration and runoff generation. On regional and local scale, LULC change is a far-reaching issue because environment and climate condition depend on i

The Outcome of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in terms of Olfaction in Patients of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Polyps

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of functional endoscopies sinus surgery in improving olfaction in patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, as measured by changes in Sniffin’s Stick scores and olfaction scores pre and post operatively. Methodology: The clinical observational study was conducted at the ENT department, Services Hospital, Lahore for 6 months from 01-03-2022 to 31-08- 2022. Sixty-six patients (66) diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps were enrolled, and evaluated by using Sniffin’s Stick score and olfaction baseline score. The inclusion criteria were patients aged 10-60 years of age diagnosed with this condition and willing to undergo surgery. Operative time was noted. After surgery, patients were discharged and were followed-up in OPD for 3 months. After 3 months, patients were re-evaluated for Sniffin’s Stick score and olfaction score. Results: The mean age of the patients was 36.18±13.87 years, 49(74.24%) patients were male. On pre-op evaluation the mean Sniffin’s Stick score of the patients was 6.14±0.41 which improved to 7.34±0.41 on postop evaluation. Similarly on pre-op evaluation the mean olfaction score of the patients was 8.30±5.84 which improved to 21.12±5.95 on post-op evaluation. Conclusion: There is significant improved outcome observed in terms snuffiness and olfaction score for functional endoscopic sinus surgery in patents of chronic rhino-sinusitis with nasal polyp

use of dietary supplement in Iraq

Background: Dietary supplementation is a common strategy to achieve a specific health status or performance benefit. The aim of this study was to describe the use of dietary supplement in Iraqi genders. Patients and Methods:  several questions on dietary supplement use were asked as a part of single performed on 112 female and 247 women aged 35–74 years in 2021 .n = 359) ,reported the frequency and prevalence of supplement use by sex and type of supplement . Results: the mean percentage of dietary supplement use varied among female and men. Use was higher in women than in men. Vitamins, minerals were the predominant types of supplements reported, but there were striking differences between genders. Vitamins, particularly D, C, were the most frequently used ingredients by both genders. Herbals use in female more than male. Conclusions: This study indicates that there are wide variations in supplement use in Iraq, which may affect individual and population nutrient intakes. The results underline the need to monitor consumption of dietary supplements, as well as to evaluate the risks and benefits. Keywords: Abstract Background: Dietary supplementation is a common strategy to achieve a specific health status or performance benefit. The aim of this study was to describe the use of dietary supplement in Iraqi genders. Patients and Methods:  several questions on dietary supplement use were asked as a part of single performed on 112 female and 247 women aged 35–74 years in 2021 .n = 359) ,reported the frequency and prevalence of supplement use by sex and type of supplement . Results: the mean percentage of dietary supplement use varied among female and men. Use was higher in women than in men. Vitamins, minerals were the predominant types of supplements reported, but there were striking differences between genders. Vitamins, particularly D, C, were the most frequently used ingredients by both genders. Herbals use in female more than male. Conclusions: This study indicates that there are wide variations in supplement use in Iraq, which may affect individual and population nutrient intakes. The results underline the need to monitor consumption of dietary supplements, as well as to evaluate the risks and benefits. Keywords: Dietary supplements type; Iraq; vitamins; minerals, herbals

Selenium and Salt Interactions in Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.): Ion Uptake, Antioxidant Defense System, and Photochemistry Efficiency

Salinity is a major abiotic stress which limits crop production, especially under rainfed conditions. Selenium (Se), as an important micronutrient, plays a vital role in mitigating detrimental effects of different abiotic stresses. The objective of this research was to examine the effect of Se fertilization on black gram (Vigna mungo) under salt stress. Our results showed that salt stress (100 mM NaCl) in leaves significantly induced oxidative damage and caused a decline in relative water content, chlorophyll (Chl), stomatal conductance (gs), photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), sucrose, and reducing sugars. A low dose of Se (1.5 ppm) significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide content, malondialdehyde formation, cell membrane damage, and also improved antioxidative enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase under salt stress. Se-treated plants exhibited higher Chl, gs, Fv/Fm, sucrose, and reducing sugars than untreated plants in response to salt stress. In addition, Se application enhanced Se uptake and reduced Na+ uptake, but Cl remained unaffected. Our results indicated that a low dose of Se effectively alleviated salt damage via inhibition of Na+ uptake and enhanced antioxidant defense resulting in a significant decrease in oxidative damage, and maintained gaseous exchange and PS II function for sucrose and reducing sugars accumulation in black gram