Surveillance, authoritarianism and “imperial effects" in Pakistan

To speak of ‘Surveillance and the Global Turn to Authoritarianism’ presupposes a moment with little connection to that which has gone before, or places outside of North America and Europe. While Trump and Brexit inaugurate a consequential shift, even rupture, in the political terrain, we must not lose sight of places and peoples where American Wars – with European support – were overtly and covertly waged in the decades preceding this ‘global turn’, nor the fate of these places today. We argue that the sustained transfer of sophisticated surveillance technologies, as part and parcel of both direct military assault and more expansive support for security states, has had lasting imperial effects outside imperial centres that reverberate today. We take our point of departure in Pakistan – the site of hundreds of drone bombardments under Obama, one of the top recipients of US military aid, and the largest known recipient of funding from the National Security Agency (NSA) – to argue that ’global turns’ must not forget the rest of the world, and Surveillance Studies may have far to go before it fully addresses its Eurocentrism

Bio-conjugated silver nano-materials and shape-directing role of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

Conventional UV-visible spectrophotometric and transmission electron microscopic technique were used to determine the morphology of silver nanoplates (AgNP) using Alstonia scholaris aqueous leaves extract for the first time. The visible spectra showed the presence of three well defined surface plasmon absorption (SRP) bands at 500, 550 and 675 nm which attributed to the anisotropic growth of Ag-nanoplates. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis of AgNP showed formation of truncated triangular, polyhedral with some irregular shapes nanoplates in the size range 7-20 nm. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) has no significant effect on the shape of the spectra, position of SRP bands, size and the size distribution of AgNP. Effects of various [CTAB] were also discussed in the green extra-cellular synthesis of AgNP using Alstonia scholaris leaves extract

Media ethics and students’ perceptions: A study of the use of freedom of expression by anchor persons in the light of individualism

This research aims at integrating the concept of individualism with theelectronic media to explain the condition of media ethics with referenceto the freedom of expression; which is the expression of the individualautonomy. It is hypothesized that the freedom of expression is not thelicense of media ethics violation. Students' perceptions about theexercise of freedom of expression by anchorpersons in political talkshows are examined in the perspective of media ethics violations.Survey method is applied and forty respondents are selected throughthe convenience sampling technique. The sample consists of both maleand female respondents to determine if any relationship exists betweenanchorpersons' freedom of expression and the underlying situation ofmedia ethics in talk shows. The overwhelming majority of respondentssuggested that the anchorpersons are misusing the freedom ofexpression and hence violate the media ethics

Pengaruh Metode Pemecahan Masalah (Problem Solving) Terhadap Minat Belajar PKn

Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kuantitatif. Penelitian yang bermaksud untuk memahami fenomena tentang apa yang dialami oleh subjek penelitian misalnya perilaku, cara deskripsi dalam bentuk kata-kata dan bahasa, pada suatu konteks khusus yang alamiah dan dengan memanfaatkan berbagai metode alamiah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana penerapan metode pemecahan masalah (problem solving) terhadap minat belajar PPKn di kelas IV SD Inpres 13 Kumurkek Kabupaten Maybrat. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa di SD Inpres 13 Kumurkek Kabupaten Maybrat. Sampel dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 17 siswa. Instrument penelitian ini menggunakan angket, observasi aktivitas siswa  dan dokumentasi, dengan menggunakan soal angket belajar pretest yang berjumlah 20 pernyataan yang dibagikan kepada seluruh sampel penelitian. diperolah thitung = 14.506 dan harga ttabel dengan  = 0,05 dan dk = (23+23-2) = 44 adalah 1,68. Karena thitung > ttabel (14.506  > 1,68) maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa Ho ditolak. Jadi minat belajar siswa yang diajar menggunakan metode pemecahan masalah (problem solving) lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan minat belajar siswa yang tidak diajar menggunakan metode pemecahan masalah (problem solving), ini berarti bahwa penerapan metode pemecahan masalah (problem solving) berpengaruh terhadap minat belajar PPKn Kelas IV SD Inpres 13 Kumurkek Kabupaten Maybrat

Frequency of Acute and Late Reaction of Non-Ionic Iodinated Contrast Media in Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography

Introduction: A contrast agent is a substance used to increase the contrast of structures or fluids within the body in medical imaging. Contrast agents absorb or alter external electromagnetism or ultrasound, and enhance the radio density in a target tissue or structure. Contrast agents are commonly used to improve the visibility of blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract. Several types of contrast agent are in use in medical imaging and they can roughly be classified based on the imaging modalities where they are used and the purposes of this study to find out the frequency of adverse reactions of non-ionic iodinated contrast media in contrast enhanced Computed Tomography. Material Methods: It was cross-sectional observational study conducted on 133 patients who visited Al-Razi healthcare hospital, Lahore for a CT (computed Tomography) scan.  36 of them got adverse reactions to the non-ionic contrast media. The frequency of adverse reactions happening with the non-ionic contrast usage was determinedResults: In this study, one hundred and thirty-three patients who fulfilled the criteria were included in the study. 36 of the patients had adverse reactions to the non-ionic contrast media which included shivering, fatigue, headache, nausea and rashes. All of the patients had no previous history of allergies or contrast reactions. The mean age of patients ranged from 51.49 ± 16.19years. Conclusion: In conclusion, the use of non-ionic contrast media as a CT contrast agent has a safety profile. It is concluded that a non-ionic iodinated contrast media reaction rarely results in long-term sequelae as it is less severe and easily treatable. Keywords: Non-Ionic Iodine Contrast Media, Computed Tomography, Adverse Reactions DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/88-05 Publication date: April 30th 202

Nutritional Composition of Meat

Meat ranks among one of the most significant, nutritious and favored food item available to masses, which aids in fulfilling most of their body requirements. It has played a vital role in human evolution and is an imperative constituent of a well-balanced diet. It is a good source of proteins, zinc, iron, selenium, and phosphorus followed by vitamin A and B-complex vitamins. Average value of meat protein is about 23% that varies from higher to lower value according to the type of meat source. Meat fat and its fatty acid profile is point to worry, with respect to its consumption, but its moderate usage is always advised by doctors and nutritionists, in order to lead a healthy life. Fat content of animal carcasses ranges between 8 and 20%. Quality traits of meat along with its nutritional composition become dependent upon animal breed type, feeding source (grains, pasture and grass), genetics of animal and post mortem techniques. This chapter will mainly focus on the variant aspects of nutritional constituents of meat including proteins and essential amino acids, fats and fatty acid profile, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals along with their health benefits to human health

Relapse Rate after Opioid Detoxification in Drug Addict Patients

Background: Drug addiction is widely regarded as a pathological condition that involves the continued abuse of drugs in the development of drug-seeking behavior and a decrease in the ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli. Objective: To determine the frequency of relapse after opioid detoxification in drug addict patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed in psychiatry department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, PIMS, Islamabad, from October 2017 to April 2018. All adult patients who were using cannabis for at least 1 year, irrespective of gender ages between 18 to 60 years were included in the study. For drug use characteristics about preferred choice of drugs and injection-related risk behaviors were noted and analyzed. All findings were entered in a structured Proforma. Data was entered in SPSS version 21 and analyzed. Effects modifiers like age, gender, marital status, types of drugs, etc., were controlled by stratification. Post stratification chi square test was applied. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total 310 patients were included; 83% patients were male and 17% were females. The mean age of the patients was 39.02±21.42 years. 70% patients had relapse after opioid detoxification while 30% patients had NO relapse. The relapse rate after detoxification was more common in first month of detoxification (56%). After 3 months the relapse rate after detoxification was 12.5%. The statistical analysis showed that there was a very significant association between types of drugs, ages of patients, marital status and relapse rate (p ≤ 0.05). There was an insignificant association between gender and relapse rate (p ≥ 0.5). Conclusion: The study concluded that the relapse within six months of opioid detoxification in drug addicts is very common. Many factors contribute in relapse rate

Relapse Rate after Opioid Detoxification in Drug Addict Patients

Background: Drug addiction is widely regarded as a pathological condition that involves the continued abuse of drugs in the development of drug-seeking behavior and a decrease in the ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli. Objective: To determine the frequency of relapse after opioid detoxification in drug addict patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed in psychiatry department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, PIMS, Islamabad, from October 2017 to April 2018. All adult patients who were using cannabis for at least 1 year, irrespective of gender ages between 18 to 60 years were included in the study. For drug use characteristics about preferred choice of drugs and injection-related risk behaviors were noted and analyzed. All findings were entered in a structured Proforma. Data was entered in SPSS version 21 and analyzed. Effects modifiers like age, gender, marital status, types of drugs, etc., were controlled by stratification. Post stratification chi square test was applied. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total 310 patients were included; 83% patients were male and 17% were females. The mean age of the patients was 39.02±21.42 years. 70% patients had relapse after opioid detoxification while 30% patients had NO relapse. The relapse rate after detoxification was more common in first month of detoxification (56%). After 3 months the relapse rate after detoxification was 12.5%. The statistical analysis showed that there was a very significant association between types of drugs, ages of patients, marital status and relapse rate (p ≤ 0.05). There was an insignificant association between gender and relapse rate (p ≥ 0.5). Conclusion: The study concluded that the relapse within six months of opioid detoxification in drug addicts is very common. Many factors contribute in relapse rate

Examining the Relationship between Relational e-HRM and Organizational Performance: A Study of the Banks of Lahore during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The current study empirically investigated the implementation of relational e-HRM practices in banks and examined their relationship with the overall organizational performance of the banks in Lahore during COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlighted the issues that managers face during the implementation of relational e-HRM practices. The mixed method approach was adopted to conduct this cross-sectional study. Commercial banks with their head offices in Lahore were chosen and 171 branches were selected randomly. The purposive sampling technique was used to collect qualitative data and semi-structured interviews of sixteen (16) branch managers were carried out online. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically while covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was used to understand the effect of e-HRM practices on organizational performance. Most of the banks were found to have implemented all the relational e-HRM practices except e-selection which was implemented only in two branches. Relational e-HRM practices showed a positive effect on the overall performance of banks during COVID-19 pandemic. Centralized decision- making, limited autonomy of bank branches, presence of senior, computer illiterate employees, and inadequate financial resources were found to obstruct the implementation of e-HRM practices. The current research added to the e-HRM literature and examined the association between relational e-HRM practices and overall organizational performance in the context of banks operating in Lahore which apparently was never done before. Only the top commercial banks operating in Lahore, one of the largest metropolitans in Pakistan, were included in this study. The generalizability of findings may be enhanced with further studies