Money Supply, Deficit, and Inflation in Pakistan

Inflation is a burning issue in Pakistan. It is generally felt that for several years Pakistan has had a double-digit inflation. The public sector has used a mix of policies to control inflation, and it is also held responsible for its creation. The consumer price index (CPI) increased over 11 percent in 1981-82, and over 12 percent in 1990-91. Similarly, sensitive price index (SPI) increased over 15 percent in 1981-82, and over 12 percent in 1990-91. The GDP deflator was also double-digit for several years. Inflation not only affects sectoral allocation and distribution of income but also generates poverty. A prescription might not be appropriate until the roots of the disease are carefully investigated, which is the very reason for carrying out this study. Studies by Hossain (1990) several others concluded that inflation is a monetary phenomenon in Pakistan, while Bilquees (1988) showed that structural factors explained the inflationary process in Pakistan. It is widely disagreed whether money supply is exogenous or endogenous. Vogel (1974), criticising the monetarist approach, argued that further research is needed on the determination of money supply. Given this background, this study is intended to identify the variables leading to inflation; the nature of money supply, endogenous or exogenous, is also analysed. Section 2 of the study provides a brief review of the literature. A model is developed to study the relationship among fiscal deficit, money supply, and inflation. Section 3 contains a description of the empirical results. Section 4 provides the conclusion and policy implications

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation 2.3-year follow-up of the PROTECT AF (Watchman Left Atrial Appendage System for Embolic Protection In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) trial Vivek Y.ReddyShephal K.DoshiHorstSievertMauriceBuchbinderPetrNeuzilKennethHuberJonathan L.HalperinDavidHolmeson behalf of the PROTECT AF InvestigatorPercutaneous left atrial appendage closure for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation 2.3-year follow-up of the PROTECT AF (Watchman Left Atrial Appendage System for Embolic Protection In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) trialCirculation1272013720729

Unknow

Influence of additives (inorganic/organic) on the clouding behavior of amphiphilic drug solutions: Some thermodynamic studies

AbstractHerein we provide a detailed result about the effect of various additives, viz. inorganic salts, quaternary ammonium bromides (QABs) and amino acids on clouding behavior of amphiphilic drug amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT). The continuous increase in the cloud point (CP) of drug by increase in inorganic salt concentration and the magnitude of increases rely upon the position of the salts in Hofmeister series and hydrated radii. The QABs also influence continuous increase in the CP, which is illustrated in terms of the alkyl chain length of peculiar QAB. The effect of amino acids on CP of the drug solution is dependent upon the characteristics (acidic, basic, polar or nonpolar) of particular amino acids. The overall behavior of additives has been analyzed and discussed on the basis of electrostatic repulsion or interaction, micellar growth, and mixed micelle formation between the ingredients. In addition to this, thermodynamic parameters are also evaluated

Acetone sensor based on solvothermally prepared ZnO doped with Co3O4 nanorods

This paper describes a reliable and sensitive method for sensing dissolved acetone using doped nanomaterials. Large-scale synthesis of ZnO nanorods (NRs) doped with Co(3)O(4) was accomplished by a solvothermal method at low temperature. The doped NRs were characterized in terms of their morphological, structural, and optical properties by using field-emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive system, UV-Vis., Fourier transform IR, X-ray diffraction, and Xray photoelectron spectroscopy. The calcinated (at 400 °C) doped NRs are shown to be an attractive semiconductor nanomaterial for detecting acetone in aqueous solution using silver electrodes. The sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity, stability and reproducibility. The calibration plot is linear over a large concentration range (66.8 μM to 0.133 mM), displays high sensitivity (~3.58 μA cm(−2) mM(−1)) and a low detection limit (~14.7 ± 0.2 μM; at SNR of 3). [Figure: see text

Prevalence of sustained hypertension and obesity among urban and rural adolescents: a school-based, cross-sectional study in North India.

OBJECTIVE: Recent data on sustained hypertension and obesity among school-going children and adolescents in India are limited. This study evaluates the prevalence of sustained hypertension and obesity and their risk factors among urban and rural adolescents in northern India. SETTING: A school-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in the urban and rural areas of Ludhiana, Punjab, India using standardised measurement tools. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1959 participants aged 11-17 years (urban: 849; rural: 1110) were included in this school-based survey. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: To measure sustained hypertension among school children, two distinct blood pressure (BP) measurements were recorded at an interval of 1 week. High BP was defined and classified into three groups as recommended by international guidelines: (1) normal BP: 95th percentile. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics classification was used to define underweight, normal, overweight and obesity as per the body mass index (BMI) for specific age groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of sustained hypertension among rural and urban areas was 5.7% and 8.4%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity in rural and urban school children was 2.7% and 11.0%, respectively. The adjusted multiple regression model found that urban area (relative risk ratio (RRR): 1.7, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.93), hypertension (RRR: 7.4, 95% CI 4.21 to 13.16) and high socioeconomic status (RRR: 38.6, 95% CI 16.54 to 90.22) were significantly associated with an increased risk of obesity. However, self-reported regular physical activity had a protective effect on the risk of obesity among adolescents (RRR: 0.4, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.62). Adolescents who were overweight (RRR: 2.66, 95% CI 1.49 to 4.40) or obese (RRR: 7.21, 95% CI 4.09 to 12.70) and reported added salt intake in their diet (RRR: 4.90, 95% CI 2.83 to 8.48) were at higher risk of hypertension. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of sustained hypertension and obesity was found among urban school children and adolescents in a northern state in India. Hypertension among adolescents was positively associated with overweight and obesity (high BMI). Prevention and early detection of childhood obesity and high BP should be strengthened to prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adults

Transesophageal Echocardiography and the Anaesthesiologist

Since the first transesophageal echocardiography examination in 1975 using M-mode imaging with mechanical scanner contained in oil bag having limited control of direction; there have been a lot of modifications and technical advances in the equipment

Escalating diuretic strategy beats ultrafiltration in decompensated heart failure

Unknow

Hepatic vascular injury: Clinical profile, endovascular management and outcomes

Background: Endovascular management using angiographic embolization (AE) has been widely used with success as non operative management (NOM) in blunt hepatic trauma. We, in a tertiary care hospital in North of India, assess our use of endovascular management in patients of blunt and post operative trauma with active hepatic vascular bleeding and unstable hemodynamics in controlling bleeding. Methods: A retrospective review of inpatients from January 2006 to July 2012 requiring transarterial embolization/stenting for active hepatic vascular bleeding was done. All patients had evidence of ongoing hemorrhage as proved by clinical, laboratory and radiological findings in emergency settings. Angiographic intervention in an interventional suite with ongoing resuscitation was performed following which patients were monitored for morbidity and mortality benefits on intermediate follow up. Results: 10 adults and 3 children underwent AE with polyvinyl alcohol particle (PVA)/soft metal coil whereas 1 adult underwent revascularization with a covered stent for arterial bleeding. The mean age of case series was 36.18 ± 20.90 years with a mean liver injury computed tomography (CT) grade of 3.8 ± 0.83 in blunt trauma patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 9.62 ± 7.83 days and the mean follow up period of the group was 25.25 ± 21.02 months. All patients showed significant clinical improvement with prompt endovascular management resulting in no procedure related mortality. Conclusion: Prompt endovascular management is the modality of choice in comparison to NOM without AE in both pediatric and adult patients with hemodynamically compromised inaccessible intra hepatic vascular trauma