CAPM based Quantification of Bankruptcy Risk: A Heuristic Approach

This paper builds on Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and its ability to validate market and firm specific risk. The effort is aimed at ascertaining the role of bankruptcy risk in determining the cost of capital in firms and its impact on corporate valuation. We also attempt to replace and analyze disparity of systematic and unsystematic components of risk with bankruptcy and risk of future liquidity. A similar study has recently been carried out in Indian market by Shirur (2013) for checking the validity of beta and cumulative risk measurement for identifying the presence of bankruptcy risk. This research may be the first attempt at analyzing such semantics with data from Pakistan. Therefore, the current study attempts to investigate the role of bankruptcy risk in determining the cost of capital in corporate valuation and the need of segregating systematic risk and unsystematic risk into liquidity risk and bankruptcy risk. The findings of this study suggest that unsystematic risk shall be eluded while investing in a well-diversified portfolio, but after investing in a specific firm, the unsystematic risk needs to be incorporated in total corporate valuation

Disease Pattern and Outcome among Neonates in Pediatric Ward of POF Hospital, Wah

Background: Neonatal period is the duration between 0-28 days of birth and it is the most susceptible period of life because of the large number of problems and diseases which a neonate is likely to face. The objective of the study was to determine the disease pattern and outcome among neonates in Pediatric ward of POF Hospital.Material and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out at Pediatric ward of POF Hospital Wah Cantt. Retrospective data regarding age, sex, reasons for admission, outcome and mode of delivery (from hospital record) was collected for all neonates admitted during the year 2016 from 1st January to 31st December. The data was analyzed by using SPSS V-19.Results: Among total neonates (n=887) admitted during the year, 63.2% were males and 36.8% were females. Mean weight of neonates was 2.54 + 0.75 kg while mean age was 2.39 + 5.8 days. Most common diseases were Prematurity, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Seizures and Sepsis. Overall, 82.64% recovered from their illness while 17.02% expired.Conclusions: Prematurity, respiratory distress syndrome, seizures and sepsis were the major causes of neonatal admission in this study.Key words: Diagnostic value, Immature-to-total neutrophil ratio, Neonatal sepsi

Repositioning of Guanabenz in Conjugation with Gold and Silver Nanoparticles against Pathogenic Amoebae Acanthamoeba castellanii and Naegleria fowleri

Brain-eating amoebae cause devastating infections in the central nervous system of humans, resulting in a mortality rate of 95%. There are limited effective therapeutic options available clinically for treating granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Acanthamoeba castellanii (A. castellanii) and Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri), respectively. Here, we report for the first time that guanabenz conjugated to gold and silver nanoparticles has significant antiamoebic activity against both A. castellanii and N. fowleri. Gold and silver conjugated guanabenz nanoparticles were synthesized by the one-phase reduction method and were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry and atomic force microscopy. Both metals were facilely stabilized by the coating of guanabenz, which was examined by surface plasmon resonance determination. The average size of gold nanoconjugated guanabenz was found to be 60 nm, whereas silver nanoparticles were produced in a larger size distribution with the average diameter of around 100 nm. Guanabenz and its noble metal nanoconjugates exhibited potent antiamoebic effects in the range of 2.5 to 100 μM against both amoebae. Nanoparticle conjugation enhanced the antiamoebic effects of guanabenz, as more potent activity was observed at a lower effective concentration (2.5 and 5 μM) compared to the drug alone. Moreover, encystation and excystation assays revealed that guanabenz inhibits the interconversion between the trophozoite and cyst forms of A. castellanii. Cysticdal effects against N. fowleri were also observed. Notably, pretreatment of A. castellanii with guanabenz and its nanoconjugates exhibited a significant reduction in the host cell cytopathogenicity from 65% to 38% and 2% in case of gold and silver nanoconjugates, respectively. Moreover, the cytotoxic evaluation of guanabenz and its nanoconjugates revealed negligible cytotoxicity against human cells. Guanabenz is already approved for hypertension and crosses the blood–brain barrier; the results of our current study suggest that guanabenz and its conjugated gold and silver nanoparticles can be repurposed as a potential drug for treating brain-eating amoebic infections

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

THE IMPACT OF TRANSPARENCY AND DISCLOSURE ON STOCK MARKET CAPITALIZATION THROUGH THE DIVIDEND YIELD EIDOLON: Areeba Khan, Sulaman Hafeez Siddiqui, Ayusha Fayyaz

Purpose: The paper aims to access the impact of financial transparency and disclosure on stock market capitalization. The financial transparency and disclosure measure the extent to which the firms have open firm-specific information for the investors. More transparency leads to strong investor protection. Design/methodology: The study has been conducted on the Pakistan Stock Exchange from period 2008 to 2017. Descriptive Statistics, Correlation, and Regression Analysis have been used to find out the impact of the above-mentioned variables on the Stock market Capitalization.  Findings: The results support our hypothesis that information disclosure and strength of investor protection has a positive significant impact on market capitalization. Research Limitation: While our study focuses on the significance of information disclosure and transparency, it does not measure the quality and accuracy of the information disclosed. Practical Implication: The results might be of interest to potential investors who will be able to diversify their investment in a way that minimizes risks based on the disclosure practices of the firms.  Originality/value: The research contributes to the finance literature by finding out the impact of information disclosure on stock market capitalization in the Pakistan Stock Exchange on recent data

Kartagener’s Syndrome Complicated by Bronchiectasis with Tricuspid and Mitral Valve Regurgitation: A Case Report

Background: Kartagener’s syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder, is characterized by primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), resulting in defective cilia function in the respiratory tract and fallopian tubes. Case presentation: This case report discusses a 23-year-old female with Kartagener’s syndrome, bronchiectasis, and cardiac involvement, who presented with shortness of breath, cough, and syncope. Notably, she received home oxygen therapy but became exhausted, leading to loss of consciousness. Clinical examination revealed prominent heart sounds and abnormal lung findings. Laboratory results indicated leukocytosis, and an ECG confirmed dextrocardia and cardiac abnormalities. Doppler studies identified mitral and tricuspid regurgitation along with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Antibiotics were administered for coagulase-negative Staphylococcus infection. The patient improved with a treatment regimen, including oxygenation and nebulization. Regular follow-up and patient education were emphasized. Conclusion: This case underscores the complexity of Kartagener’s syndrome and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing its respiratory and cardiac manifestations

Whole Organism Model to Study Molecular Mechanisms of Differentiation and Dedifferentiation

Cancer recurrence has remained a significant challenge, despite advances in therapeutic approaches. In part, this is due to our incomplete understanding of the biology of cancer stem cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The phenomenon of differentiation and dedifferentiation (phenotypic switching) is not only unique to stem cells but it is also observed in several other organisms, as well as evolutionary-related microbes. Here, we propose the use of a primitive eukaryotic unicellular organism, Acanthamoeba castellanii, as a model to study the molecular mechanisms of cellular differentiation and dedifferentiation

Whole Organism Model to Study Molecular Mechanisms of Differentiation and Dedifferentiation

Cancer recurrence has remained a significant challenge, despite advances in therapeutic approaches. In part, this is due to our incomplete understanding of the biology of cancer stem cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The phenomenon of differentiation and dedifferentiation(phenotypic switching) is not only unique to stem cells but it is also observed in several other organisms, as well as evolutionary-related microbes. Here, we propose the use of a primitive eukaryotic unicellular organism, Acanthamoeba castellanii, as a model to study the molecular mechanisms of cellular differentiation and dedifferentiation

Role of Information and Communication Technology, Foreign Direct Investment and Trade Openness in Environmental Sustainability

Purpose: The benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in environmental resource management has been a topic of hot discussion for the policymakers across the world.  For the purpose, the government of Pakistan took initiative in 2018 to use technology for the country’s social welfare, financial benefits and to enhance environmental sustainability and named it as “Digital Pakistan Initiative”.Design/Methodology/Approach: For analysis, this study took CO2 emissions as the dependent variable and ICT, FDI inflows, and Trade Openness as independent variables. Data were collected on bimonthly basis from 2004 through 2019, and analyzed employing ARDL approach. Main purpose of the study was to examine the short-run and long-run relationship among carbon emissions and ICT, FDI Inflows and Trade Openness.Findings: The findings show that there exists a short-run relationship among all the variables; however, FDI inflows and trade openness have a significant relationship with CO2 emissions. The results also exhibit that there is no long-run relationship between CO2 emissions, FDI inflows, and Trade openness while ICT has an insignificant long-run relationship with CO2 emissions. With the increase of information and communication, the country’s environmental sustainability is also increased. Implications/Originality/Value: The current study was based on least considered variables and the pioneer in testing the complex relationship through VAR estimation

Individually Perceived Stress as a Mediator Between High Accomplishment Work Practices and Firm Performance

This research paper investigates the mediatory effect of Individually Perceived Stress in the direct relationship of high accomplishment work practices and financial performance of Firm. This research narrates different mechanisms and procedure through which work practices enhances firm performance. Cross Sectional research design is opted for data collection purpose. Data is collected from 500 employees of banking industry and analysis of data is done through Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Multiple Regression Analysis. The analysis of collected data shows that Individually Perceived Stress significantly affects the direct relationship of High-Performance Work Practices and Firm Financial Performance. Stress changes the direction of implemented practices in opposite direction due to which resultant results doesn’t match with the desired results. This paper contributes to literature by responding to the long waiting call for explaining importance of stress in high performance work practices and firm performance linkage. This paper also strengthens the literature by adding individual effect of four constructs of   High Performance Work Practices. Current research also holds important and valuable implications for governing bodies or managing authorities of institutions