A spatial analysis of the role of entrepreneurship in the economic development in Northeast region of the United States

Increasing population and very modest economic growth are major concerns in regional economic development. There have been many fluctuations and inconsistencies in regional economic growth since the Second World War. Policy makers started to pay attention to the possibility of increasing entrepreneurial activities in the Northeast region after realizing that manufacturing firms alone cannot meet the employment needs of local residents. The United States has focused on providing more support to entrepreneurs to have a competitive economy. Entrepreneurship is important for economic activities such as employed resources, labor and capital goods pricing, organizing production, and marketing goods. This study develops relationships among population density, employment, per capita income, and new firm formation and self-employment as measures of entrepreneurship, assuming that these variables can be determined jointly.;The main objective of the study is to identify and estimate the impacts of entrepreneurship in the economic development of the Northeast region. A theoretical model is developed using endogenous growth theory. This model\u27s emphasis is on the role of entrepreneurship in economic growth. In a theoretical conclusion the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth can be seen in two ways: entrepreneurial effect and production effect. At a social optimum, the entrepreneurial effect is stronger than the production effect and shows an increase in economic growth as entrepreneurship increases. For empirical analysis, two methods are used: non-spatial model and spatial model. The non-spatial model of this study is derived from the three-equation simultaneous model of Deller et al. (2001).The spatial model is derived from a Spatial Durbin Model with four equations. The study used the non-spatial simultaneous equations model to estimate the relationship using Three-Stage Least Squares (3SLS).;The empirical results of this study on the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic development are an extension that incorporates the simultaneous relationship of new firm formation and self-employment in the economic development of the region. Another contribution of this study is using the spatial Durbin model technique. New firm formation as a measure of entrepreneurship plays a significant role in the economic development of the Northeast region of the Unites States. Although, self-employment also contributes in the process of economic development, new firm formation has stronger impact on economic development than self-employment. The results of self-employment growth are weak in the empirical models. Basically, it is possible that entrepreneurship can enhance regional economic development

The Deleterious Effects of Workplace Bullying on Employee's Job Strains in Pakistan

This study attempts to expand the broader literature on aggression by examining how workplace bullying as a stressor creates job strains. We hypothesize that individuals who experience workplace bullying are more likely to exhibit disastrous consequences in the form of higher Job Stress, Job Burnout, Turnover Intensions and Psychological strain. Utilizing a field sample of 280 employees working in the service sector of Pakistan we tested our proposed model using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Analysis. The results of SEM model rendered support for the full measurement model and hypothesized structural model indicating that workplace bullying significantly and positively predicted job stress, job burnout, turnover intensions and psychological strain. Our results contribute to the latest stream on workplace bullying and promote research and practice in the area of bullying. The findings of the study also highlight deleterious consequences for victims of abusive and maltreatment behaviors at the workplace in a newer cultural context such as Pakistan. Keywords: Workplace Bullying, Job Stress, Job Burnout, Turnover Intensions, Psychological Strain

Efficacy of memantine on cognitive functions of patients with moderate vascular dementia

Introduction: Vascular dementia is a common condition for which there is no effective approved pharmacological treatment available. Absence of effective treatment creates a difficult situation for those suffering from the disease, their caregivers, and healthcare providers. The objective of this study is todetermine the Efficacy of Memantine on cognitive functions in patients with Moderate vascular dementia. Material and methods: This Case series study was carried out inthe Neurology Section of department of Medicine Ziauddin University and Hospitals North Nazimabad campus, Karachifrom 12th March 2010 to 11th March 2011.90 patients were included, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria after taking an informed consent. The SPSS version 11 was applied to the data. Results: There were 55 (59.1%) males and 38 (40.9%) females. Mean ± standard deviation age 69.7 ± 6.6 years, mean duration of symptoms was 1.76 ± 1.1 years. Baseline minimental examination score was 15.14 ± 3.1. Minimental score after 24 weeks of drug therapy was 17.14 ± 4.1. Efficiency was found in 62 (66.7%) patients. Conclusion: Memantine produced only a small benefit in cognition (of uncertain clinical significance) in patients with moderate vascular dementia. Data is insufficient to support widespread use of this drug in vascular dementia. Individual patient analysis is needed to identify subgroups of patients with vascular dementia who might benefit

A literature review about effectiveness of massage therapy for cancer pain.

This literature review explores the effectiveness of massage therapy to reduce cancer pain. As part of the review, systematic literature search was carried out on various electronic databases and specialised journals. Included are 19 research-based articles and 8 review articles. The review suggests that cancer has become a common health problem in the world and most of the cancer patients are going through intense and unbearable pain. Studies have reported that most of the cancer patients\u27 pain reduced with therapeutic massage. Seventy-three per cent of cancer patients use massage therapy in the USA. Few studies are available in the context of the developing world related to massage therapy and we could not find any study in the Pakistani context. There is a need to conduct an interventional study about the effectiveness of massage therapy to control cancer pain in developing countries such as Pakistan

An Analysis of the Role of Self-employment in the Economic Development of the Rural Northeastern United States

Generating employment and alleviating poverty are the biggest challenges for regional economic growth in rural areas of the Northeastern United States. Despite the revival of the economy in much of the nation‟s heartland, rural areas are still suffering from high poverty and unemployment rates. Self-employment, a measure of entrepreneurship, indicates an opportunity for rural communities to improve quality of life and accelerate regional economic development. Taking into consideration the problem of unemployment in rural communities, there is a need to focus on generating self-employment opportunities at micro level to enhance economic growth and reduce the per capita income „gap‟ between rural and urban areas. The overall objective of the study is to identify and estimate the impacts of self-employment in the economic development of the Northeastern United States. The empirical model of this study is derived from the three-equation simultaneous model of Deller et al., (2001). The study estimated the relationship of employment, population and per capita income to self-employment. Research findings show that employment and population have a positive relationship to self-employment indicating positive contribution of self-employment to regional economic developmen

Role of Prenatal Diagnosis in Thalassaemia Prevention

To determine the role of chorionic villi examination in the prenatal diagnosis of ß- thalassaemiaMethods: In this descriptive study couples requesting prenatal diagnosis (PND) for ß- thalassaemia were registered for chorionic villous sampling after 10 weeks of gestation. After appropriate counseling placental sample was taken under local analgesics with suction cannula by trans-abdominal approach. The sampling system was then withdrawn under negative pressure .Placental villi were proceeded for further DNA analysis. Each PND was carried out by including the parents DNA, fetal DNA for the mutation, as well as the normal gene, appropriate negative and positive controls and reagent blanks.Results: Six hundred and twenty females underwent chorionic villi sampling. Most patients (82.25%) , who requested for PND, already had an affected child. Consanguineous marriages were present in 83.20% ..The average reporting time for identification of the mutation was 7 to 10 days. Thalassaemia major was found in 25.48%. In the case of ß- thalassaemia major, majority (98.73) opted for termination of pregnancy. Spontaneous abortion, after the procedure was found in one case .Two cases turned out false negative. The commonest mutations were Fr8-9 (40.85% ) and IVS 1-5(25.70%) .Conclusion: Pre natal diagnosis for ß- thalassaemia by chorionic villi examination is a safe and cost effective procedure

HYBRID BONE SCINTIGRAPHY IN GASTROINTESTINAL MALIGNANCIES – INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Objective: Bone metastases in gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies are uncommon and known to be predominantly lytic thus rendering a limited role for conventional bone scintigraphy. The aim of the study is to review Tc99m MDP bone scans performed in patients with known GI malignancy and the utility of Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT in characterization of bone lesions.Methods: Retrospective review of bone scans was done from June 2014 to December 2016 in patients with known GI malignancy, using electronic Hospital Information System.Results: A total of 110 patients (60 males, 50 females; Age range: 22–84 years, Mean Age 51.4 years with SD of 14.8) had bone scan over a period of 30 months. The commonest indications for referral were suspected bone metastasis on other imaging modalities including [CT (n = 56), Magnetic resonance imaging (n = 10), Positron emission tomography/CT (n = 6)], musculoskeletal pain (n = 37), pathological fracture (n = 1), neurological symptoms (n = 1), hypercalcemia (n = 1) and others (n =14) including restaging workup etc. Metastatic lesions were identified in 32 (29%) patients whereas 78 (71%) patients had benign non-aggressive lesions leading to normal bone scans. Among 32 patients with osseous metastasis, 8 (25%) patients had unifocal lesion; axial skeleton (n = 2) appendicular skeleton (n = 6), 24 (75%) patients had multifocal lesions; axial skeleton (n = 6), appendicular skeleton (n = 6) and both axial + appendicular (n = 12). Four (12%) patients had concurrent visceral metastases. In our cohort, based on the location of primary tumour, the frequencies of osseous metastasis were; esophagus = 15 out of 43 (35%), gastric = 7 out of 18 (39 %), gastro-esophageal junction = 1 out of 8 (1.5%) and colorectal = 9 out of 40 (22.5). SPECT/CT was acquired in 29 out of 110 patients, which characterized metastatic lesions (n = 12) and benign looking non-aggressive entities (n =17). Overall, bone scan upstaged disease in 31% and down staged 15% patients.Conclusion: Bone metastases in GI malignancies, though uncommon, show an aggressive pattern, with axial and appendicular involvement, and can be readily identified with hybrid bone scintigraphy in symptomatic patients. Key words: Hybrid imaging, Tc99m MDP, bone metastases, gastrointestinal malignancie

Compromising with Expensive NPK Fertilizer by Cheapest Farmyard Manure with respect to the Yield Components of Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) Hepper

A laboratory experiment was conducted in Jinnah University for women, Karachi to evaluate the manural potential of farmyard manure (FYM), vis-a-vis 25%, 50% and 100% doses of commercial rate NPK (i.e 120:60:30) to find out the most productive cropping system at various strength of chemical fertilizers and organic manures with respect to the growth of black gram (Vigna mungo L.). Experiment comprised NPK @ 120:60:30 kg ha-1, and NPK @ 100:50:50 kg ha-1 along with FYM @ 5 t ha-1. NH4NO3, CaHPO4. 2H2O, KCL were used as sources of N, P2O5 and K2O respectively. All the growth parameters including Shoot length, Root length, Shoot fresh weight, Shoot dry weight, Root fresh weight and Root dry weight of Black gram was recorded highest at 25% NPK (1/4th strength). Application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 was favored at both strength 1/4th and 1/2th NPK and produced significantly higher growth than all the other single treatments. Therefore, it has been realized that the integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers could produced sustainability in intensive production system and improve crop yield and productivity

Thirty Years of Consanguineous Marriages in Pakistan

Almost half of all marriages in Pakistan are consanguineous. Despite its high prevalence, little is known about the change over time in consanguineous unions in Pakistan. Examining the patterns of the cousin marriages is particularly important given the substantial improvement in women’s education which is often associated with the decline in consanguineous unions across the world. Our analysis, based on four waves of nationally representative Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys - PDHS (1990-91, 2006-07, 2012-13, and 2017-18), shows that the prevalence of consanguineous unions remains stable over time. Further, women’s education is negatively associated with cousin marriages. Hypergamous (husband is more educated than her wife) unions are more prevalent, but a consistent rise in educational hypogamy (wife is more educated than her husband) is observed during this time. The results show that consanguineous marriages are more likely to be hypogamous than non-consanguineous marriages. Moreover, contraceptive use is lower among women in consanguineous unions. An inverse relationship has been found between the mean fertility and cousin marriages. Women in consanguineous marriages are likely to have fewer children than women in non-consanguineous marriages. Overall, the results show that consanguinity patterns are stable, and there is no evidence that the societal changes such as improvement in women’s education and urbanization over time have led to a decline in cousin marriages in Pakistan

Studies on bronchodilator and cardiac stimulant activities of Urginea indica

This study was designed to evaluate bronchodilator and cardio-tonic effects of Urginea indica to provide rational for these medicinal uses. U. indica bulb extract was studied on rabbit tracheal and guinea-pig atrial preparations mounted in tissue baths under simulated physiological conditions. U. indica inhibited carbachol (1 µM) and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in rabbit trachea, similar to dicyclomine, suggesting the presence of anticholinergic and calcium channel blocking (CCB) mechanisms in U. indica. Anticholinergic and CCB effects of U. indica were respectively confirmed when it shifted the carbachol and Ca2+ concentration-response curves rightwards, similar to dicyclomine. U. indica (0.01-1 mg/mL) increased force of guinea-pig atrial contractions without significantly affecting the rate. These data, indicating that U. indica possesses the bronchodilator activity possibly mediated through a combination of anticholinergic and Ca2+ antagonist mechanisms together with selective positive inotropic effect, provide rational for medicinal applications of U. indica in airways and cardiac disorders