CHANGING US WAR POLITICS IN SOUTHWEST ASIA AND REGIONAL COOPERATION THROUGH CPEC

The changing dynamics of international politics with US military withdrawal from Afghanistan have affected the Southwest Asian geopolitical landscape. While international players have their interests, they involve regional and neighbouring states in their actions frequently; thus, regional complexities arise. Pakistan was engaged in peaceful execution of the US exit strategy from Afghanistan; however, it demanded an overall shift in policy in a changing regional environment. Besides, Pakistan's strategic and economic cooperation with China through CPEC has further enforced its prospects to be a significant player in regional politics. Pakistan's challenges are countering India's regional hegemonic designs and aggressiveness in Indian illegally occupied Kashmir, maintaining a neutral stance over the Iranian front vis-a-vis Saudi Arabia, and addressing the TTP factor. Despite international players' competition, Pakistan has multiple options for attaining balance through CPEC and shifting from competition to cooperation. This paper, therefore, analyses international players' security interests in the region and suggests openings for Pakistan through CPEC considering Regional Security Complex theory.   Bibliography Entry Gul, Saima, and Shamaila Farooq. 2021. "Changing US War Politics in Southwest Asia and Regional Cooperation through CPEC." Margalla Papers 25 (2): 91-97

Antineutrino-induced charge current quasi-elastic neutral hyperon production in ArgoNeuT

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of PhysicsTimothy A. BoltonThis dissertation presents the first topological study of the charge current quasi-elastic (CCQE) neutral hyperon production induced by antineutrinos in the ArgoNeuT detector, a liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) at Fermilab, using 1.20 × 10²⁰ protons-on- target (POT), in the NuMI beam operating in the low energy antineutrino mode. The total cross section for the CCQE neutral hyperon production is reported at the mean production energy of 3.42 GeV. The event yield in data is consistent with the predicted cross section, σ = 2.7 × 10−40 cm²: σ(CCQE[subscript Λ0+Σ0] ) = (3.7 ± 1.9(stat.) ± 1.5 (sys.)) × 10⁻⁴⁰ cm². The study sets a 90% confidence level (C.L.) upper limit on the total cross section of CCQE neutral hyperon production: σ(CCQE[subscript Λ0+Σ0] ) < 7.3 ×10⁻⁴⁰ cm² at 90% C.L

Insight into COVID-19 responses and initiatives from Pakistan

The coronavirus pandemic is a rapidly evolving outbreak that has tremendously distressed people worldwide. The paper aims to present some key rapid responses and initiatives to COVID-19 undertaken in Pakistan. The information has been gathered by reviewing material and documents pertinent to COVID-19 in the context of Pakistan. The incidences of COVID-19 cases are gradually increasing; however, the case fatality rate is relatively lower in Pakistan as compared to developed countries. The government has taken massive actions, in terms of lockdowns, quarantine homes, testing facilities, closure of schools, and mass gatherings at places, to combat COVID-19. However, the measures seem to be insufficient due to the fear and stigma attached to it and the low socio-economic conditions. The government has launched initiatives, like Ehsaas cash dissemination programme, for the underprivileged families to address their basic needs; and philanthropic organisations are also coming forward to support these families. The spread of the pandemic is gradually increasing in Pakistan and we recommend strategies like increasing public awareness campaigns, improving screening capacity, and contact tracing to augment the efficiency of the current responses and initiatives

Laws of Consumption - An Economic Construal

Consumption is one of the important variables of macro economics.  It is that part of income of a house hold which is not saved.  It plays a vital role in the economy; this is the reason that, Quran has given special emphasis on it and gives some basic laws in this regard.  Quran has warned the human being that your consumption is under observation of God and on the Day of Judgment questions will be asked about that.  Moreover it is also ordered that, do not waste your wealth in any way and consume it in the optimum manner.  In addition gratitude of wealth is also compulsory.  The way of gratitude is the obedience of laws of God.  Keywords: Quran; Verses, Consumption, Wastage; Obedience

Management and Complications of Arnold Chiari Hydrocephalus at Tertiary Health Care Center

Objective:&nbsp;to investigate the role of CT and MRI in diagnosis of Arnold chiari malformation of hydrocephalus and its treatment with VP shunt along with complications. Study Design:&nbsp;Prospective study Place and duration:&nbsp;Department of Neurosurgery, DG Khan Medical College from May 4, 2018 to May 4, 2019. Methodology:&nbsp;Fifty patients of congenital hydrocephalus who were not treated previously were selected. Detailed history about disease and clinical examination of patients was performed. Follow ups were done at neurosurgery OPD. SPSS software for data analysis was used and mean ± SD, frequency and percentages were calculated for variables. P value ≤0.05 was considered as significant. Results:&nbsp;Treatment in case of congenital hydrocephalus as VP shunt, intra-aneurysmal coiling, excision of meningomyelocele with VP shunt and suboccipital craniectomy + upper cervical laminectomy (scucl) were observed as 10%, 6%, 8% and 8% respectively.&nbsp; Twelve percent of patients were not treated. Conclusion:&nbsp;CT and MRI are the main diagnostic tools for diagnosis of Arnold chiari malformation and VP shunt is the treatment of choice. Among complications of VP shunt infection of shunt and shunt block are the main complications

Association Of Raised Serum Triglycerides With Incidence Of Pre-Eclampsia

Background: Pre-eclampsia, a serious multi-systemic pregnancy complication is estimated to occur in 5-10% of pregnancies worldwide. Objective: To determine the frequency of pre-eclampsia in pregnant females with hyper-triglyceridemia and to study its associations. Methodology: This Cross-sectional study was conducted at Gynecology Dept. Poly Clinic Hospital, Islamabad (March - Sept. 2022). Pregnant females of age 15-40 years, gestational age 13-20th weeks and singleton pregnancy were included. Known hypertensives, receiving lipid-lowering or anti-hypertensives, chronic kidney or liver disease, teenage pregnancies, primigravida, history of CVA, IHD, epilepsy or endocrine disorders were excluded. After the detailed clinical evaluation, fasting serum triglyceride levels were checked. A total of 225 cases with elevated serum triglycerides were finally selected and evaluated for the presence of pre-eclampsia by monitoring the blood pressure, cardiovascular, gynaecological examination and urine for the presence of proteinuria. Patients were followed till the development of pre-eclampsia or completion of pregnancy.  Results: Among 225 pregnant females with raised serum triglycerides, the mean age was 24.28+5.5 years. Pre-eclampsia was observed in 47(20.89%) of patients.  The Chi-square tests of association between pre-eclampsia and each of parity, residential status, and socio-economic status were insignificant while BMI and Gestational age were significant.  Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women with hypertriglyceridemia. Serum triglyceride levels may predict the women at risk for pre-eclampsia. The risk of preeclampsia in women with hyper-triglyceridemia is independent of parity, and socioeconomic or residential status. Hypertriglyceridemia may predispose to pre-eclampsia even at lower BMI levels. The development of hypertriglyceridemia in early gestation may be an additional risk factor. Early screening of women at risk may lead to better outcomes

Mental health challenges and psycho-social interventions amid COVID-19 pandemic: A call to action for Pakistan

The increase in death and spread-related coronavirus (COVID-19) has shifted the world focus to the containment of the disease by emphasising measures to prevent spread in the general population. Such a complex, threatening, and unprecedented situation has left the psycho-social wellbeing needs of general public unaddressed. This paper aims to review the current COVID-19 scenario and its effects on the psycho-social wellbeing of people; and an attempt to shed some light on the aforementioned questions. Furthermore, the review will propose some recommendations for overcoming the mental illness issues, during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. We extracted information from reliable published international and national literature and reviewed anecdotes from media content from January to June 2020. The mental health implications of this outbreak will be long-lasting; however, by prioritising, investing diligently, and taking a collective approach, this challenge can be dealt with in a promising manner

Visible-light induced photocatalytic degradation of estrone (E1) with hexagonal copper selenide nanoflakes in water

Steroid hormones, being potent endocrine-disruptors, are a menace to human health and aquatic life. Herein, visible-light induced photocatalytic degradation of estrone (E1) by hexagonal copper selenide (CuSe) nanoflakes has been reported. CuSe was synthesised by a facile and low-temperature (100 oC) co-precipitation method and was characterised. The nanocrystals were of stoichiometric Cu:Se ratio with Se2- and Cu in the + 1/+ 2 mixed-valence state and exhibited laminar, flake-like morphology with a preferred hexagonal close-packed structure (P63/mmc) having average particle size and thickness of 0.229 ± 0.146 µm and 0.05 ± 0.02 µm, respectively. The adsorption isotherms of E1 were linear and the adsorption process was exothermic. The reactivity of E1 under aqueous suspensions of CuSe exposed to visible light exhibited pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant, k, that varied with initial E1 concentration, light power, catalyst dose, and pH. Particularly, k was almost constant over the range pH5–9 but substantially increased as pH rose to 11, while light power and catalyst dose increased k up to a maximum, and the initial concentration reduced k. Surprisingly, CuSe oxidised E1, even in the absence of light, and leached species that were identified and their time-dependency was determined. We concluded that the disappearance of E1 by CuSe is attributed to synergetic effects of adsorption, oxidation by CuSe, and photocatalytic degradation. Supported by liquid-mass spectrometry analysis and molecular chemistry calculations, we also suggested a possible mechanism for E1 degradation. Thus, hexagonal CuSe nanocrystals can be a promising candidate for the treatment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC)-contaminated wastewaters

Association of depression and resilience with fertility quality of life among patients presenting to the infertility centre for treatment in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: In Pakistan there is a dire need to explore the quality of life in infertile males and females and its undesirable psychological outcomes. This, study aimed to compare the quality of life (QoL) of males and females visiting an infertility centre for treatment and to assess its association with resilience, depression, and other socio-demographic factors.Methods: An Analytical Cross-Sectional study was conducted amongst infertile males and females at the Australian Concept Infertility Medical Centre (ACIMC), Karachi, Pakistan. The non-probability (purposive) sampling strategy was used to recruit the participants. The sample size was 668. Data was analysed using STATA version 12. FertiQoL tool, Beck II Depression Inventory Tool and Resilience Scale 14 (RS-14) were used for assessing the quality of life, depression and resilience respectively of infertile patients.Results: Total 668 infertile patients, 334 males and 334 females participated in the study. The mean age was 35.53 ± 6.72, among males, and 30.87 ± 6.12 among females. The mean resilience scores were significantly higher among males, (77.64 ± 8.56), as compared to females (76.19 ± 8.69) (95% CI; - 2.757, - 0.1347). However, a significantly higher proportion of females were depressed (13.8%) as compared to males (6%). The mean QoL scores for the general health domain, emotional domain, mind and body domain, and relational domain, and the total QoL were significantly higher in males as compared to females (p value\u3c 0.001); however, QoL for the social domain was not significantly different in both the groups. On multivariable linear regression resilience and depression among males had a significant association with QoL, after adjusting for the covariates educational status, monthly income, and number of friends. Similar association was observed among females after adjusting for the covariate monthly income only.Conclusion: Fertility related QoL of men and women has a significant association with no formal education, number of friends, income, depression and resilience. Therefore, health care professionals in the field of infertility must be adequately trained to respond to the needs of individuals going through these psychological problems

Climate Smart Crops for Food Security

After ensuring the food security for over 50 years, the green revolution is eventually reaching its biological limits which are very much reflected by the ongoing stagnancy in yield increased over the past few decades. Meeting the increasing food demands due to increasing population is the greatest challenge for today’s plant scientists. Changing climatic conditions are posing additional threats to crop growth, productivity and yield. After successfully deploying gene editing to modify simple traits, scientists are now embarked on more ambitious adventures in genomics to combat challenges of food security in the wake of increasing population and climate change adversaries. The chapter outlines use of new technologies in tailoring crops beyond simple traits aiming to harvest the desired diversity lost during domestication and manipulating complex traits, which evolved over evolutionary timescale with special emphasis on the development of climate smart crops