Does social development increase the happiness level? Evidence from global panel data

Abctract. This study attempts to examine the links between social development and happiness. Social development plays a very important role in increasing the level of happiness. Social development leads to better education, health and more economic growth. The analysis is captured by employing panel data of 125 countries over the period 2014-2018. The empirical analysis is based on Fixed Effects Method (FEM), Random Effects Method (REM), Instrumental Variable Fixed Effects Method (IVFE), Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and Driscoll-Kraay Standard Errors. The empirical analysis demonstrates that social development has a positive impact on happiness. The study suggests that government should encourage such projects, which enhance the level of social development.Keywords. Happiness, Social development.JEL. D63, I30, I31

Relationship between Narcissism and Selfie Posting Behavior; Mediating Role of Loneliness and Self-esteem among Adolescents

Narcissism is characterized by an abnormally high sense of self-importance that leads to different mental health issues. The current study was aimed at observing the mediating role of loneliness and self-esteem between narcissism and selfie-posting behavior among adolescents. To examine the psychometric properties of scales, a sample of 300 students was collected and further divided into two groups of male (n = 193) and female (n = 107) participants by using a convenient sampling strategy. The age range of participants was from 18 to 35 years old. Urdu-translated versions of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory by Raskin and Hall (1988), the Selfitis Scale by Amna Amjad (2017), the UCLA Loneliness Scale by Russell, Peplau, and Cutrona (1980), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale by Rosenberg (1965) were used to analyze the constructs of this study. The findings of the current study show a significant relationship between variables such as narcissism that is positively correlated with selfie-posting behavior, loneliness, and self-esteem. Regression analysis revealed that narcissism significantly predicts selfie-posting behavior. Mediation analysis shows the significant mediation of loneliness between narcissism and selfie-posting behavior. Mediation results are non-significant in the case of self-esteem. The implications of the current study suggest the need for interventions to deal with loneliness and alleviate the potentially detrimental effects of narcissism on the behaviors associated with selfie posting. These interventions may encourage healthy online behaviors among adolescents by encouraging social bonds and lowering loneliness. Further limitations of the study are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided

Assessment of the Flexural Strength of Binary Blended Concrete with Recycled Coarse Aggregates and Fly Ash

This study investigated the effect of blending fly ash and recycled aggregates as replacements for cement and conventional coarse aggregates, respectively. Recycled concrete helps to reduce waste management issues and protect the environment. Fly ash was used in percentages from 0% to 10% with an increment of 2.5%, whereas demolition debris was used in a proportion of 50% with conventional aggregates. The 1:2:4 mix with a 0.5 w/c ratio was used to make six concrete mixtures, one of them made entirely of congenital aggregates. Slump tests were performed for all mixtures. A total of 30 prisms of size 500×100×100mm were made and cured for 7 and 28 days. The flexural strength of the specimens was assessed under a two-point bending test till failure. The 5% fly ash and 50% Recycled Coarse Aggregates (RCA) mixture produced better results than the other mixes, showing a decrease in flexural strength of 10.74% and 15.75% after 7 and 28 days of curing, respectively. The small reduction in flexural strength compared to preserving conventional deposits and reducing the hazardous environmental impact of cement production and debris waste makes this mix suitable for use in structural members

HEMATOLOGICAL VARIATIONS AND ASSESMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN SINDH SPARROW (PASSER PYRRHONOTUS) AS A BIOINDICATOR IN PUNJAB AREAS OF PAKISTAN

Sindh sparrows, prevalent in Sindh region of Pakistan, are non-migratory birds abundant in human-inhabited areas globally, except Antarctica. Given their close association with human settlements, these birds serve as crucial indicators for biological monitoring in regions affected by pollution. This study focused on assessing the hematological parameters and heavy metal concentrations in various organs of Sindh sparrows in the Punjab regions of Pakistan. The collected blood samples underwent analysis for hematological indices and heavy metal concentrations. The results indicated variability in hematological analysis of sparrows. Fluctuations were observed in the concentrations of different heavy metals, with significant differences in zinc and iron, while chromium, cadmium, and nickel concentrations showed non-significant differences. The patterns of heavy metal accumulation revealed higher concentrations of chromium, nickel, and iron in the liver, contrasting with the cadmium and zinc in kidneys. In conclusion, significant correlations were observed among the concentrations of Zinc, Chromium, Cadmium, Nickel, and Iron in kidney, liver, and muscles of both male and female Sindh sparrows. The findings underscore the need for further comprehensive studies to assess heavy metal accumulation in birds, highlighting the urgency to address environmental pollution that poses risks to avian species and human populations worldwide

Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in COVID-19.

Host-mediated lung inflammation is present1, and drives mortality2, in the critical illness caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Host genetic variants associated with critical illness may identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic development3. Here we report the results of the GenOMICC (Genetics Of Mortality In Critical Care) genome-wide association study in 2,244 critically ill patients with COVID-19 from 208 UK intensive care units. We have identified and replicated the following new genome-wide significant associations: on chromosome 12q24.13 (rs10735079, P = 1.65 × 10-8) in a gene cluster that encodes antiviral restriction enzyme activators (OAS1, OAS2 and OAS3); on chromosome 19p13.2 (rs74956615, P = 2.3 × 10-8) near the gene that encodes tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2); on chromosome 19p13.3 (rs2109069, P = 3.98 ×  10-12) within the gene that encodes dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9); and on chromosome 21q22.1 (rs2236757, P = 4.99 × 10-8) in the interferon receptor gene IFNAR2. We identified potential targets for repurposing of licensed medications: using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that low expression of IFNAR2, or high expression of TYK2, are associated with life-threatening disease; and transcriptome-wide association in lung tissue revealed that high expression of the monocyte-macrophage chemotactic receptor CCR2 is associated with severe COVID-19. Our results identify robust genetic signals relating to key host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage in COVID-19. Both mechanisms may be amenable to targeted treatment with existing drugs. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials will be essential before any change to clinical practice

Molecular diagnostic assays detection of crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever virus

Viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Congo-Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) and dengue virus is endemic in Pakistan. Both CCHF and dengue can occur simultaneously and this poses a problem in patient placement and management in the hospital. Rapid molecular based diagnosis of CCHF based on a reverse-transcription based polymerase chain (RT-PCR) assay is described. The study describes both a nested- conventional PCR based assay for CCHF detection which has a turn-around time of 24- 48 h and also a real-time PCR based assay which has a turn-around time of 4 h. The utility of these tests in diagnosing and managing CCHF infections is reviewed. Rapid identification of positive cases together with screening out of suspected CCHF cases which are CCHF negative have implications for management in the hospital in terms of risk of transmission, nursing, infection control and also costs of treatment

OBLIQUE AGREEMENT FEATURE AND OBLIQUE ADJUNCT PHRASE

In Urdu phrases, a very small feature [e] that marks certain nouns plays astonishingly complex and extensive role. Until now it has been just taken for granted. It used to be described merely as a link between a noun and its case marker called oblique marker. But when the researchers focused it closely, we came to know it is not simply a linking feature. It plays an important role in binding the constituents of a DP, and also in its recurrence. It also transforms different word classes into nominals, and often it functions as a postposition. Different researchers like Schmidt, Mohanan, Butt have described Urdu postpositions differently, but exploration of this particle has enabled the researchers to synthesize their theories, and differentiate the functions of case markers from postposition

Evaluating Future Climate Projections in Upper Indus Basin through GFDL-ESM2M Model

This study aims to examine the future climate projections in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB). The Global Climate Model (GFDL-ESM2M) data was utilized to analyze two variables, namely precipitation and temperatures. The study focused on three distinct time periods: near century (2020-2040), mid-century (2041-2070), and end of century (2071-2099). This process involved the utilization of a downscaling technique that relied on the RCP4.5 scenario. The Mann-Kendall (MK) and Sen's slope estimate test will be employed to analyze the parameters of temperature and precipitation, enabling the identification of yearly, seasonal, and monthly patterns. The application of the MK and Sen's slope estimate approaches revealed a lack of statistical significance in the observed upward trend in yearly precipitation and temperature. Over the course of nearly a century, the average Coefficient of Variation for temperature exhibited a range of -67.5% to 308.9%. During the midcentury period, there was observed variation in the mean monthly rainfall across all months. Notably, the month of March exhibited the highest average rainfall of 274.2mm, while September had the lowest average rainfall of 31.9mm. The data exhibited a positive skewness, suggesting that there was a tendency for higher levels of rainfall towards the end of each month compared to the beginning. The data indicates that there is an upward trend in precipitation throughout the mid-century period in comparison to the near century, but a downward trend is observed towards the conclusion of the century. The temperature readings exhibit a constant upward trend from the early part of the century to the middle of the century, followed by a subsequent increase from the middle of the century to the end of the century. Furthermore, the data revealed that the highest amount of precipitation is experienced during the spring season, whereas the lowest amount of rainfall is recorded during autumn throughout all temporal intervals

Evaluating Future Climate Projections in Upper Indus Basin through GFDL-ESM2M Model

This study aims to examine the future climate projections in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB). The Global Climate Model (GFDL-ESM2M) data was utilized to analyze two variables, namely precipitation and temperatures. The study focused on three distinct time periods: near century (2020-2040), mid-century (2041-2070), and end of century (2071-2099). This process involved the utilization of a downscaling technique that relied on the RCP4.5 scenario. The Mann-Kendall (MK) and Sen's slope estimate test will be employed to analyze the parameters of temperature and precipitation, enabling the identification of yearly, seasonal, and monthly patterns. The application of the MK and Sen's slope estimate approaches revealed a lack of statistical significance in the observed upward trend in yearly precipitation and temperature. Over the course of nearly a century, the average Coefficient of Variation for temperature exhibited a range of -67.5% to 308.9%. During the midcentury period, there was observed variation in the mean monthly rainfall across all months. Notably, the month of March exhibited the highest average rainfall of 274.2mm, while September had the lowest average rainfall of 31.9mm. The data exhibited a positive skewness, suggesting that there was a tendency for higher levels of rainfall towards the end of each month compared to the beginning. The data indicates that there is an upward trend in precipitation throughout the mid-century period in comparison to the near century, but a downward trend is observed towards the conclusion of the century. The temperature readings exhibit a constant upward trend from the early part of the century to the middle of the century, followed by a subsequent increase from the middle of the century to the end of the century. Furthermore, the data revealed that the highest amount of precipitation is experienced during the spring season, whereas the lowest amount of rainfall is recorded during autumn throughout all temporal intervals

Efficient Synthesis of Novel Pyridine-Based Derivatives via Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction of Commercially Available 5-Bromo-2-methylpyridin-3-amine: Quantum Mechanical Investigations and Biological Activities

The present study describes palladium-catalyzed one pot Suzuki cross-coupling reaction to synthesize a series of novel pyridine derivatives 2a–2i, 4a–4i. In brief, Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of 5-bromo-2-methylpyridin-3-amine (1) directly or via N-[5-bromo-2-methylpyridine-3-yl]acetamide (3) with several arylboronic acids produced these novel pyridine derivatives in moderate to good yield. Density functional theory (DFT) studies were carried out for the pyridine derivatives 2a–2i and 4a–4i by using B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) basis with the help of GAUSSIAN 09 suite programme. The frontier molecular orbitals analysis, reactivity indices, molecular electrostatic potential and dipole measurements with the help of DFT methods, described the possible reaction pathways and potential candidates as chiral dopants for liquid crystals. The anti-thrombolytic, biofilm inhibition and haemolytic activities of pyridine derivatives were also investigated. In particular, the compound 4b exhibited the highest percentage lysis value (41.32%) against clot formation in human blood among all newly synthesized compounds. In addition, the compound 4f was found to be the most potent against Escherichia coli with an inhibition value of 91.95%. The rest of the pyridine derivatives displayed moderate biological activities