Contribution of Onion Seed Production to Poverty Reduction: A Case Study of Malakand Division, Pakistan

According to the latest estimates, roughly one-third of the total population of the developing countries live in poverty, majority of which are rural inhabitants (as reported 35 percent of the Pakistani rural mass). In Pakistan, the income distribution has worsened in the rural areas while it has marginally improved in urban areas during the period 1979 through 1996-97 [Pakistan (2001)]. The rural poverty is continuously feeding unemployment through migration of unskilled people to the urban areas. Poverty reduction is a priority area for Pakistan. The government is taking measures for addressing problems of the poor who are the most vulnerable amongst the different socioeconomic groups. Poverty alleviation is the main focus of the government in addition to develop physical infrastructure in rural areas and remove income disparities between income groups and regions. The government of Pakistan has initiated measures to poverty reduction through establishing number of institutions namely Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Micro-credit Bank (Khushali Bank), Pakistan Baitual Mal, Income Safety Nets, and launching Khushal Pakistan Programme and Food Support Programme. All these programmes are aiming at helping poor and hungry people by providing them food for temporary relief and micro credit for initiating sustainable economic activities. Since the majority of our population is living in rural areas, so the government is diverting more resources to improve the access for rural services and encourage greater participation in economic activities through creating employment opportunities. The programmes in education, health and population sectors have been specifically designed to extend socioeconomic opportunities to rural poor.

Voluntary Tax Compliance and the Slippery Slope Framework

Purpose__ The research provides an insight in to the most popular debate around the globe about tax compliance. The research focusses on SMEs in premises of Bahawalpur division, Pakistan, by proposing a reliable solution for interstitial gaps existing between tax authorities and compliance behavior of taxpayers. It expands the Fisher model of compliance (1992) and deploys it as a base by adding new variables namely Power of authority, Tax audit and Electronic filing. The data has been statistically analyzed by using SPSS through running test of correlation and regression. Positive correlation and causation were established among variable leads to analysis of data through Ordinary Least Square (OLS), which ratify the role of attitude and perception as moderator in overall relationship. Results show that Power of authority directly influence compliance behavior while other two variables indirectly effects the relationship through moderator, thus nurturing the voluntary behavior of taxpayer. Design/Methodology/Approach___ A research framework has been developed for identifying the effect of different factors which may in boosting up compliance behavior of taxpayers. Quantitative approach was used and data has been collected through Questionnaire from almost 50 SMEs of Bahawalpur Division. Implications___ Policy makers may use the findings of the study to encourage voluntary compliance from the non-tax paying SME. Further study can be expanded by increasing sample size and by gathering detailed information for tax authorities. Originality/Value___ The proposed Model and findings may contribute in paving path for increasing voluntary compliance. Research also emphasize on other factors which should be focused for improvement and could play a  crucial role in compliance

Contribution of Onion Seed Production to Poverty Reduction: A Case Study of Malakand Division, Pakistan

According to the latest estimates, roughly one-third of the total population of the developing countries live in poverty, majority of which are rural inhabitants (as reported 35 percent of the Pakistani rural mass). In Pakistan, the income distribution has worsened in the rural areas while it has marginally improved in urban areas during the period 1979 through 1996-97 [Pakistan (2001)]. The rural poverty is continuously feeding unemployment through migration of unskilled people to the urban areas. Poverty reduction is a priority area for Pakistan. The government is taking measures for addressing problems of the poor who are the most vulnerable amongst the different socioeconomic groups. Poverty alleviation is the main focus of the government in addition to develop physical infrastructure in rural areas and remove income disparities between income groups and regions

Credit Risk in Asset Based Sukuk

Purpose: This study is intended to find the credit risks in Asset based Sukuk. The risk of default of Sukuk is called a credit risk. Various risks regarding the Sukuk have been identified. Limitations/Implications: The study focuses on the Sukuk issuances of Pakistan. In the current scenario of Pakistan and the need to finance the Diameer Bahasha Dam and Naya Pakistan Housing Program Sukuk is an attractive option. Pakistan has yet not overcome the energy shortfall, and the environment of Pakistan has been effected by the global changes so for the adoption of cleantech green Sukuk is a most appropriate option. Originality/ Value: There has been a significant contribution of Pakistan in the issuance of Sukuk activity and there are Sukuk defaults too. Yet, in Pakistan the research on Sukuk has not been done. So this study shall add to the literature in Pakistan

Maternal inflammatory bowel disease, racial diversity and adverse birth outcomes

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe two conditions, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), that currently have no definite cure. The incidence of IBD worldwide has increased, frequently affecting women during their reproductive years. Objectives: This study examines the association of Crohn\u27s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) with adverse pregnancy outcomes and looks at the interactions of race/ethnicity on these associations. Study Design: We examined hospital birth records in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data sets in 2011 and 2012. We identified maternal demographics and clinical characteristics using international classification of disease-9 codes. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to examine associations and logistic regression models were used to control for confounders. Results: Crohn\u27s disease is associated with small for gestational age, aOR 1.70(CI:1.53-1.89,p<0.001) but not premature delivery, whereas UC was associated with prematurity, aOR 1.5(CI:1.36-1.66,p<0.001) to a greater extent than with SGA. Analyses by race/ethnicity showed Crohn’s disease to be associated with SGA among newborns of all racial groups, but most evident among African Americans, aOR 2.55(CI:2.06-3.15,p<.001). Crohn’s disease was associated with prematurity only in Caucasian women, aOR 1.21(CI:1.10-1.34,p<.001). UC was associated with SGA newborns only in Hispanic mothers, aOR 3.40(CI:2.24-5.15,p<0.001), and with premature delivery only among Caucasian mothers, aOR 1.60(CI:1.42-1.80,p<.001). Conclusion: Both Crohn\u27s disease and ulcerative colitis are associated with prematurity and small for gestational age in a way that is significantly affected by maternal race. Qualitative studies are needed to understand mechanisms for these associations and the role of race/ethnicity

Size or the Number of Portal Tracts: Which Matters in a Liver Biopsy Core in Chronic Hepatitis C?

Liver biopsy has an important role in staging of fibrosis (SoF) and grading of inflammation (GoI) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. The effect of size and number of portal tracts (NoP) on grading and staging of liver biopsy was evaluated. A total of 150 consecutive liver biopsy core (LBC) of patients with CHC were obtained. There were 98 (65.3%) males. Mean length of LBC was 1.45 ± 0.48 cm. Mean number of portal tracts (NoP) was 11±4.6. Mean length of LBC was greater (1.60±0.45 cm) in stage 4 (n=41; 27.3%) and lesser (1.28+0.39) in stage 1 (n=23; 15%, p=0.04). The mean NoP were 8.5, 10.6 and 13.1 in GoI 1, 2 and 3 respectively (p \u3c 0.001). The mean NoP were 7.6, 11.1, 11.3 and 14.5 in SoF 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively (p \u3c 0.0001). There was a good correlation between number of portal tracts and length of LBC (r2=0.56)

Knowledge, Attitude & Behaviors Related to Oral Health among Students & Faculty of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the knowledge, attitude and practices of medical students and faculty related to oral health. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad Pakistan comprising of medical students and their teaching faculty. The participants out of total 400 distributed data forms responded 330 questionnaires positively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 25.0 (using descriptive analysis and Chi Square test). P value of less than 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: The survey revealed that the high proportion (96.6%) of teachers knew about dental caries, which was significantly higher than students (p-value 0.031).  High percentage of teachers had habit of brushing twice daily as compared to students (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Within limitations of this survey, teaching faculty possessed better knowledge, attitude and behavior related to oral health as compared to medical students

The clinical, endoscopic and histological spectrum of the solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: a single-center experience of 116 cases

Background Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is an uncommon although benign defecation disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variable endoscopic manifestations of SRUS and its association with other diseases. Methods All the patients diagnosed with SRUS histologically from January 1990 to February 2011 at The Aga Khan University, Karachi were included in the study. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate the clinical spectrum of the patients along with the endoscopic and histological findings. Results A total of 116 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 37.4 ± 16.6 (range: 13–80) years, 61 (53%) of the patients were male. Bleeding per rectum was present in 82%, abdominal pain in 49%, constipation in 23% and diarrhea in 22%. Endoscopically, solitary and multiple lesions were present in 79 (68%) and 33 (28%) patients respectively; ulcerative lesions in 90 (78%), polypoidal in 29 (25%), erythematous patches in 3 (2.5%) and petechial spots in one patient. Associated underlying conditions were hemorrhoids in 7 (6%), hyperplastic polyps in 4 (3.5%), adenomatous polyps in 2(2%), history of ulcerative colitis in 3 (2.5%) while adenocarcinoma of colon was observed in two patients. One patient had previous surgery for colonic carcinoma. Conclusion SRUS may manifest on endoscopy as multiple ulcers, polypoidal growth and erythematous patches and has shown to share clinicopathological features with rectal prolapse, proctitis cystica profunda (PCP) and inflammatory cloacogenic polyp; therefore collectively grouped as mucosal prolapse syndrome. This may be associated with underlying conditions such as polyps, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids and malignancy. High index of suspicion is required to diagnose potentially serious disease by repeated endoscopies with biopsies to look for potentially serious underlying conditions associated with SRUS

Primary Hepatic Carcinoid Tumor with Poor Outcome

Primary Hepatic Carcinoid Tumor (PHCT) represents an extremely rare clinical entity with only a few cases reported to date. These tumors are rarely associated with metastasis and surgical resection is usually curative. Herein, we report two cases of PHCT associated with poor outcomes due to late diagnosis. Both cases presented late with non-specific symptoms. One patient presented after a 2-week history of symptoms and the second case had a longstanding two years symptomatic interval during which he remained undiagnosed and not properly worked up. Both these cases were diagnosed with hepatic carcinoid tumor, which originates from neuroendocrine cells. Case 1 opted for palliative care and expired in one month’s time. Surgical resection was advised to the second case, but he left against medical advice