Economic Growth and Income Inequality Relationship: Role of Credit Market Imperfection

This paper examines the empirical relationship between economic growth and income inequality both at aggregate and regional level using more comparable data set for 69 developing countries over the period 1965-2003. The study identifies credit market imperfection in low-income developing countries as the likely reason for a strong negative relationship between income inequality and economic growth. While in short run the relationship between growth and income inequality might be positive but over time more income inequalities reduces economic growth. Moreover, this paper finds evidence that more physical and human capital investment, openness to trade and higher government spending have statistically significant impact on enhancing economic growth and reducing inequality.Economic Growth, Income Inequality, Poverty, Credit Market Imperfection, Trade Openness

EFFECT OF FIRST LOW WAGES’ JOB ON THE SELF-ESTEEM OF PAKISTANI MIDDLE-CLASS FRESH GRADUATES

In Pakistan, the number of educated people at graduate level is quite high but according to that number employments are limited. This causes job dissatisfaction and also abolishes the relationship with the co-workers (Farooq, Ahmad, & Ali, 2008). This study aimed to explore the effect of first low wages’ job on self-esteem of Pakistani fresh graduates in terms of satisfaction level, hope level, productivity and wellbeing using a constructivist grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2014). In this study qualitative approach is used. For data collection, purposive sampling technique was used along with the semi structured interviewing from local private schools. Four female teachers with an age range of 20- 25 years were the sample of the study. One-to-one interviews with the participants were conducted after taking their permission to participate voluntarily in the research, and tape recording of their interviews for transcription of data. Grounded theory approach was used to analyze collected data as no work has been done in Pakistan in this context and I want to develop theory which will be helpful in employer’s context and working satisfaction. For reliability check, triangulation method was used. The theory of self-esteem grounded here suggested that first low wages’ job for the Pakistani fresh graduates has negative effect on the level of hope and satisfaction whereas their productivity and wellbeing has positive effect on them

AN ASSESSMENT OF M-HEALTH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES USING TASK TECHNOLOGY FIT MODEL

Health challenges present arguably the most significant barrier to sustainable global development. The introduction of ICT inhealthcare, especially the application of mobile communications, has created the potential to transform healthcare delivery bymaking it more accessible, affordable and effective across the developing world. However, current research into theassessment of mHealth from the perspective of developing countries particularly with community Health workers (CHWs) asprimary users continues to be limited. The aim of this study is to analyze the contribution of mHealth in enhancing theperformance of the health workers and its alignment with existing workflows to guide its utilization. The proposed researchtakes into account this consideration and aims to examine the task-technology alignment of mHealth for CHWs drawing uponthe task technology fit as the theoretical foundation

Economic Growth and Income Inequality Relationship: Role of Credit Market Imperfection

The 20th century has witnessed unequalled success in improving the living standard of people in most part of the world. According to World Bank annual Statistical reports, poverty has declined significantly in developing countries over the past twenty years but the progress has been uneven. The number of people living in poverty fell from 1.5 billion in 1981 to 1.1 billion in 2001. However, many low-income developing countries are still trapped in vicious circle of poverty. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of poor rose from 41 percent to 46 percent between 1981 to 2001.While in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the numbers of poor people have risen to around 20 percent in 2001.1 Therefore; reduction of widely scattered poverty is the most challenging goal for low income developing countries. Economic growth is considered to be a powerful force for reducing poverty. High and sustained economic growth increases the labor demand and wages which in return will reduce poverty. Similarly, better earnings as a result of reduction in poverty lead to increase productivity and growth. But the extent of poverty reduction as a result of economic growth depends on how the distribution of income changes with economic growth and on initial Inequalities in income. If income inequality increases, then economic growth does not lead to a significant poverty reduction. Many developing countries achieved high growth rates in different periods but poverty does not reduce significantly in these periods due to increase in income inequalities. Most South and East Asian economies grew at higher per capita rates since early 1970 along with rise in income inequality over time. In contrast, Latin American countries grew by less than the half of average growth rates in South and East Asia while maintaining high income inequality.2 The differences in income inequality at a given rate of growth require that efforts to reduce poverty by stimulating growth are not sufficient and need to be complemented by efforts to reduce income inequalities

mHealth Innovation in Asia: Grassroots Challenges and Practical Interventions

This book offers a detailed account of a range of mHealth initiatives across South, Southeast and East Asia. It provides readers with deep insights into the challenges such initiatives face on the ground, and a view of the diverse cultural contexts shaping strategies for overcoming these challenges. The book brings together various discussions on the broader mHealth literature, and demonstrates how a research focus on diverse Asian contexts influences the success and/or failure of current mHealth initiatives. It also highlights the important roles social scientists can play in advancing theoretical approaches, as well as planning, implementing and evaluating mHealth initiatives. The book is a valuable resource for project planners, policy developers in NGOs and government institutions, as well as academics, researchers and students in the fields of public health, communications and development studies

Microwave Assisted Extraction of Phenolics from \u3cem\u3eTrachyspermum ammi\u3c/em\u3e (L.) Sprague

Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family Apiaceae and is mostly administered for stomach disorders. During the present research work, cold maceration and Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) of T. ammi Sprague was done by using methanol, dichloromethane and n-hexane separately as extracting solvents. For cold maceration, 2, 4, 6, 18 and 24 hours of time durations were used for each solvent. Maximum extract (50mg/g) was obtained at 18 hours of cold maceration with methanol, while maximum phenolics were also obtained from the same extract, which were calculated to be 170.89μg/g equivalent of Gallic acid. For Microwave Assisted Extraction, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180seconds of time durations for microwaves irradiations were used at power levels 200W, 500W, 800W and 1000W. Maximum extract (35mg/g) was obtained at 90 seconds with methanol at power level 800W, while maximum phenolics were obtained after 30 seconds of MAE in methanol (196.90μg/g). Hence, it is concluded that cold maceration has better extraction efficiency for extracts of T. ammi than MAE. It was also concluded that the amount of phenolics were obtained in a higher quantity by MAE of T. ammi, as compared to the cold maceration in the lesser time of extraction

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Acromioaxillosuprasternal Notch Index For Prediction Of Difficult Airway Taking Cormack And Lehane Grading System As Gold Standard

Background: General anesthesia is still needed for several surgical interventions and requires endotracheal intubation. The difficult airway is a well-known entity, and a long list of predicting scores is present, yet a high degree of diagnostic accuracy still needs to be improved. Acromioaxillosuprasternal notch index (AASI) has shown some excellent results in recent times. Objective: Its objective is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of acromioaxillosuprasternal notch index for predicting difficult airways and to take the Cormack and Lehane grading system as the gold standard. Methodology:   In this study, adults of both genders aged 20 to 70 years undergoing any surgery under general anesthesia having ASA class I to IV were included. AASI score of equal or less than 0.49 was taken as difficult airway while on Cormack and Lehane grade; it was labeled as yes where grade III or IV was seen. Results: The total number of cases were 350 cases, out of which 218 (62.29%) were males, and 132 (37.71%) were females. The mean age was 40.20±12.86 years, and the mean BMI was 24.71±3.13 (table 17). There were 294 (84%) cases in ASA Class I and II and 56 (14%) in class III and IV. Difficult intubation on AASI was seen in 54 (15.43%) and 57 (16.29%) cases on Cormack and Lehane grading.  The diagnostic accuracy of AASI for prediction of difficult intubating a difficult was 96.29% with sensitivity of 90.74%, specificity of 97.30%, PPV of 85.96%, NPV of 98.29% with p= 0.001. This difference was also statistically significant with all the confounding variables like age, gender, ASA class, and BMI.  Conclusion: The acromioaxillosuprasternal notch index is a significant predictor for tubing a difficult airway and taking Cormack and Lehane's grading as the gold standard. This difference is considerably better regarding age, gender, BMI, and ASA class.&nbsp

E-Government, Financial Development and Economic Growth

The growing importance of e-government and financial development has captured the attention of policy makers who are determined to enhance the per capita income of a country. This study aims to present new findings of the impacts of e-government and financial development on economic growth, using a cross sectional multi-year average dataset of 147 economies across the globe. To the best of the knowledge of authors, this is the first empirical research work which determines relationship between the economic growth and e-government, with particular focus on the role of financial development in shaping this relationship. The possible problem of endogeneity using both the internal and external instruments is also addressed in this study. Empirical findings suggest that growth impact of e-government is positive and significant while the direct growth impact of financial development turns out to be insignificant. However, the positive impact of financial development is explained thorough implementation of e-government as interactive term of financial development and the e-government which turns out to be positive and significant in all regressions. Findings of this study are not sensitive to control additional variables. The study concludes that economies of the world can significantly benefit from financial development if satisfactory quality of e-government can be assured

Peripheral Neuropathy among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Use of Douleur Neuropathic Questionnaire

Objective: To find out the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methodology: It was an observational study conducted on a sample of 150 subjects who were enrolled by a convenient random sampling technique. Patients with a history of diabetes for more than 5 years and of 30-85 years of age from both genders were included. Patients with a history of surgery, frozen shoulder psychological issues, and kidney problems were excluded. Data were collected from Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital & Islam Central hospital, Sialkot using Douleur neuropathic DN 4 questionnaire, and questions about age, lifestyle, glucose level, hypoesthesia, and gender were added. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20. Results: Out of 150 patients with DM, 49 were males and 101 were females. Active lifestyle was found in 53.33% and 46.67% were physically inactive. Higher glucose levels were found in 53.33% of males and 46.67% of females. In 38 (25.3%) individual's upper limb was involved and in 112 (74.7%) lower limb was involved. Out of 150 subjects, 138 (92%) had a score above 4.0 and thus had peripheral neuropathy. A positive correlation between lifestyle and peripheral neuropathy was found by applying Pearson chi-square and the p-value was 0.000