Co-movement between Exchange Rate Fluctuations and Economic Factors in Pakistan’s Economy (1990-2013)

Prior to 1976, business community of the world followed gold as a stable standard exchange rate for international business. After flexible exchange rate system implemented in the world in 1976, different solutions for stabilizing the exchange rate system were introduced to reduce the effects of exchange rate fluctuations on business. Pakistan and US Economy relies on trade for improving its GDP, lowering inflation rate and enhancing the economy of the Country. However if the trade balance is sufficient but the exchange rate fluctuation is significant then GDP would decrease instead of increasing and the economy might be negatively affected. It is understandable that imports of Pakistan are more than its exports and if exchange rate also fluctuates between Pakistan and the imported country then the country economy would disturb. Due to this imbalance in import/export, Pakistan relies on different institutions like IMF, World Bank, etc. These loans many help in balance of payment, partial stability but on the same time depreciate the economy if Pakistan. These loans are in the form of US dollars and Pakistani rupees are mostly associated with US dollars. Pakistan economy suffers a setback when these loans are returned. This paper looks as to how exchange rate fluctuations between Pakistan and USA and affects Pakistan’s economy and what are the factors which are disturbed due to exchange rate fluctuations between the two countries

Supply Chain Strategy in Initial Public Offering in Malaysia: A Review of Long-Run Share Price Performance

Abstract- The paper examined the current status of research regarding the long-run share price performance of initial public offerings (IPO) in Malaysia. The review on previous ‎studies was divided into the followings: underwriter reputation, earnings management, and board variables‎. The paper found that ‎there was a noticeable poor long-run performance, and Malaysian IPOs were lesser than others from developed nations. The evidences of the long-run performance were inconsistent. This paper pinpointed significant factors that could ‎influence the ‎‎long-run share price performance in the Malaysian IPO market. New areas for future research were also suggested

Predictors of obesity among post graduate trainee doctors working in a tertiary care hospital of public sector in Karachi, Pakistan

Objectives: To identify the predictors of obesity among post graduate trainee doctors working in a tertiary care hospital of public sector at Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted at one of the tertiary care hospitals of public sector in Karachi. Information was collected from 117 post graduate trainee doctors via pre-tested self administered questionnaire and standard tools were used for height and weight measurement. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) \u3e or =23 by using South Asian cut-off points. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis, and logistic regression technique was applied to come up with predictors of obesity.Results: Frequency of overweight and obesity among doctors was 31.6% and 28.2% respectively. Nearly, 18% were using tobacco and family history of obesity was present in 44%. Approximately 64% doctors were taking lunch outside home, 76% were taking tea at least once a day, 59% were taking snacks between meals and 50% were physically inactive. Predictors of obesity among doctors include; taking lunch outside home OR = 7.11 (2.28-22.09), snacks between meals OR = 5.36 (1.51-19.03), tea OR = 7.85 (1.63-37.63), physical activity OR = 0.18 (0.05-0.57), increase duration of training OR = 1.7 (1.15-2.49), family history of obesity OR = 3.35 (1.11-10.08) and male gender OR = 3.83 (1.07-13.72).Conclusion: Frequency of overweight and obesity was high among post graduate trainee doctors. Taking lunch outside home, snacks and tea intake between meals, increase duration of training, family history of obesity, male gender and lack of physical activity were found to be predictors of obesity among doctors

Antimicrobial Activity and Some Physiochemical Properties of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seed oil

Pumpkin and squash plants grow in warm, humid regions,  cannot withstand frost. Most of the pumpkin consumed in Sudan was grown in Kordufan (western sudan).The use of plants and their extracts as remedies for curing many diseases have stimulate studies for investigating the presence of effective antimicrobial substances in them The present study was investigating the physiochemical and the biological activity of the different solvent extracts of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seed oil (hexane, ethanol, methanol, and water) against two fungi  (A. niger and P. italicum) and two bacteria (E.coli and Staph. aureus).The inhibition zone method  was used for bacterial tests and the mycelia weight method was used for the fungal study. The results of the physiochemical showed that the specific gravity of the oil was between 0.997–0.908. The Refractive index was between 1.46–1.470. The average iodine value was 117.97,  the free fatty acids was between 0.2 and 0.55. The peroxide value was in the normal range (5.92–9 and the average saponification value was about 188. The biological study showed that the fresh and the dry weights of mycelia were highly reduced, although the reduction was only statistically different at the higher concentrations (75-100%).The fresh weights for the higher concentrations were 1.65 and 1.0 and for the lower concentrations were 3.1 and 3.7 for both A. niger and P. italicum, respectively. The inhibition zone of growth of both bacteria was far greater than that of the control treatment. The results indicated that the pumpkin oil extracts are more effective against bacteria compared to fungi. The hexane extract  was giving a large  inhibition zone (about 26.5 mm diameter) while, the ethanol extract was giving a less inhibition zone (about 14.2.mm diameter). On the other hand both methanol and the aqueous extracts were giving very low inhibition zones (13.5 and 13.6 mm diameter, respectively). However, more physiochemical characterizations need to be done  and the antifungal and the antibacterial properties  should verified in any further  studies on the pumpkin seed oil

Nosocomial Transmission of SARS CoV-2 in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan

Objective The study aimed to determine the frequency of nosocomial transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) in a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. Methodology This cross sectional, analytical study was carried out in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan from 1st June 2021 to 31st August 2021. Consecutive patients aged 18 years and above admitted for conditions other than COVID-19 with a negative rapid antigen test for COVID-19 at admission were included. Patients with respiratory symptoms or those who were hospitalized for any reason in the preceding six weeks in any health care facility were excluded. The study protocol was completed by 90.9% of participants. The rapid antigen test was repeated for participants at the time of discharge or symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Patients with a positive rapid antigen test for COVID-19 either at the time of discharge or symptom onset were considered to have acquired nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21 for Windows was used for data analysis. Results The frequency of nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was 2.7% (13/482). Patients with nosocomial COVID-19 stayed longer in the hospital than those who tested negative (7.5±4.0 versus 4.8±3.6 days; p=0.006). Age (p=0.796), gender (p=0.453), department of inpatient stay (p=0.943), major surgery (p=0.678), minor surgery (p=0.576), and visit to the radiology department (p=0.707) did not affect nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion Nosocomial transmission of COVID-19 was infrequent, accounting for 2.7% of participants in this study

Nomophobia (No-mobile-phone Phobia) Among the Undergraduate Medical Students

Nomophobia (no-mobile-phone phobia) is the fear and anxiety of being without a mobile phone. This study pioneers the investigation of nomophobia in Afghanistan using the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), addressing a crucial gap in the field. We collected statistical data from 754 undergraduate medical students, comprising men (56.50%) and women (43.50%), and analyzed the dimensions of nomophobia. While results revealed that all but two participants were nomophobic, they identified three significant dimensions affecting the level of nomophobia among participants: (a) gender, (b) age, and (c) marital status. The study's contributions are precious, given the peculiarity of Afghan political turmoil, security, and human rights issues, especially for women. For example, the study's data collection was abruptly halted in December 2022 due to the Taliban regime's decision to make it illegal for women to enroll in universities as students. Therefore, while examining the characteristics of nomophobia across societies is imperative, it is also vital to investigate what is true of one society, Afghanistan, at one point in time and space. The study concludes by emphasizing the need to broaden participants' scope in future studies to better understand the prevalence of nomophobia across broader societal contexts and forces

Supply Chain Strategy in Initial Public Offering in Malaysia: A Review of Long-run Share Price Performance

The paper examined the current status of research regarding the long-run share price performance of initial public offerings (IPO) in Malaysia. The review on previous studies was divided into the followings: underwriter reputation, earnings management, and board variables .The paper found that there was a noticeable poor long-run performance, and Malaysian IPOs were lesser than others from developed nations. The evidences of the long-run performance were inconsistent. This paper pinpointed significant factors that could the influence long-run share price performance in the Malaysian IPO market. New areas for future research were also suggeste

Nomophobia (no-mobile-phone phobia) among the undergraduate medical students

Nomophobia (no-mobile-phone phobia) is the fear and anxiety of being without a mobile phone. This study pioneers the investigation of nomophobia in Afghanistan using the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), addressing a crucial gap in the field. We collected statistical data from 754 undergraduate medical students, comprising men (56.50 %) and women (43.50 %), and analyzed the dimensions of nomophobia. While results revealed that all but two participants were nomophobic, they identified three significant dimensions affecting the level of nomophobia among participants: (a) gender, (b) age, and (c) marital status. The study's contributions are precious, given the peculiarity of Afghan political turmoil, security, and human rights issues, especially for women. For example, the study's data collection was abruptly halted in December 2022 due to the Taliban regime's decision to make it illegal for women to enroll in universities as students. Therefore, while examining the characteristics of nomophobia across societies is imperative, it is also vital to investigate what is true of one society, Afghanistan, at one point in time and space. The study concludes by emphasizing the need to broaden participants' scope in future studies to better understand the prevalence of nomophobia across broader societal contexts and forces