A Review on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Constructs and Theoretical Debate in Pakistan

The purpose of this research paper is to review the complete CSR literature laying emphasis on CSR constructs and the theoretical perspectives in Pakistan. Collation of existing empirical and exploratory research has been used to make arguments about current status of academic CSR research. A total of sixty-five published articles on CSR from 2000 to 2021 have been reviewed. A thorough overview of CSR constructs highlighted that overall, the CSR constructs are not properly developed, and theoretical foundations are lacking. Corporate donations and philanthropy captured as CSR construct are still familiar among the researchers. It has been observed that the most recent literature is approaching towards maturity. The findings suggest that the lack of adequate explanation of theoretical foundations mislead the interpretation of results. There is partial support in the literature that CSR pays to the firms, as is depicted by the positive relationship between CSR and the facets investigated by the researchers but thorough emphasis is required on CSR measurement. The research can serve as basis for the beginning of an extensive exploration of CSR through the lens of theoretical perspectives and the strong theoretical foundations can result in a mature CSR construct and major contribution in the body of literature

Grading complication following radical cystectomy and ileal conduit for bladder cancer using clavien grading system

Objective: To determine the 30-day complication rate of radical cystectomy and urinary diversion using a validated system.Study Design: An analytical descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from 1990 to 2010.Methodology: Patients who had undergone ileal conduit (IC) formation, following radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma, were studied, using a prospectively maintained data base. Basic details were determined, complications were noted and graded according to the modified Clavien grading system (CG). Results were presented using descriptive statistics. Results: Of all the RC performed at this hospital 89 patients received IC. Of them 75 were male and 14 female. Mean age was 60 years. Mean duration of hospital stay was 14 days. Ten patients each received pre-operative chemotherapy and radiotherapy, respectively. Mean duration of surgery was 8.2 hours, with mean estimated blood loss of 1334 ml. Preoperative radiotherapy was associated with more complications. No other factor like ASA, co-morbidities, blood loss or duration of stay influenced the complications. Fifty patients (56.2%) did not have any complications. Most common complication of wound infection was seen in 7 patients (CG-2), followed by uretero-ileal leakage in 5, requiring percutaneous intervention under local anaesthesia (GC-3a). Mortality rate was 4.5%, classified as CG-V. Conclusion: Radical cystectomy with Ileal conduit is a major procedure with a good safety profile at this institute. Longterm follow up is still needed to evaluate delayed complications and quality of life

Islamic venture capital – issues in practice

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the structure and underlying contracts of Islamic venture capital (IVC) and to evaluate its prospects. VC can be perceived as an investment vehicle possessing most of the desirable attributes of a Sharīʿah-compliant investment vehicle. There are certain issues involved in the formation, operations and exit strategies of these investments that are discussed in detail in this paper. Design/methodology/approach – A detailed review of relevant literature is performed to identify how IVC investments can bemade and how related issues may be resolved. Findings – IVC investment has potential of incorporating Sharīʿah-compliant investment modes. Additionally, it may offer higher than average returns. These attributes can be desirable for Islamic finance industry that is currently in need of equity-based financing products. The major causes of lesser growth of IVC investments are lack of awareness among the investors and the absence of viable investment opportunities for small- and medium-scale investors. IVC may attract general public if established after extensive research aimed at introducing innovative products. Originality/value – This paper provides an overview of a truly Sharīʿah-compliant investment vehicle, furnishes a synthesis of various suggestions made by industry and academia and suggests viable solutions for valuation, risk management and exit strategies

Predictors of lymph node involvement in bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy

Objective: To identify the clinical variables associated with prevalence of lymph node metastasis in patients with bladder cancer treated by radical cystectomy and lymphadenectomy for primary bladder cancer. Methods: Review of records of Ninety-five patients who underwent radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node (LN) dissection during the period of 1995-2008 from a prospectively maintained database. Eighteen patients were excluded due to lack of data on the nodal status, leaving 77 evaluable patients. Associations between LN metastasis and age, gender, duration of disease, number of transurethral resection (TUR) prior to cystectomy, pathological grade and tumour stage was analyzed. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software, version 15. Statistical tests applied were independent sample t test or the Mann Whitney U test, the chi-square test and the Fischer exact test. Results: The median age of the patients was 58 years in lymph node negative group and 63 years in lymph node positive group. There were 87% males and 13% females. LN metastasis was detected in 19 (25%) patients. Mean duration of disease in LN negative patients was 537 +/- 997 days compared to 509 +/- 708 days in LN positive patients. Mean number of TUR were same in both the groups, pathological grade was not found significantly different in both groups, where as primary tumour stage was found to be significantly (p \u3c 0.05) higher in LN positive patients. Conclusions: Higher primary tumour stage at radical cystectomy is associated with higher prevalence of lymph node metastasis

Patient\u27s outcome of bladder cancer managed by radical cystectomy with lymphadenectomy at a university hospital

Objective: To study the impact of tumour staging and nodal metastases in predicting 5- year\u27s survival after radical cystectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for primary bladder cancer. Methods: During the period 1995 to 2005, 58 patients underwent radical cystectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion at a University hospital. Patients were identified using medical indexing coding system (ICD 9CM) using standard key words. The patient records were analyzed and follow up data updated. Disease specific survival, death or recurrence was taken as end point.Results: Out of 58 patients, 50 (86%) were males and 8 (14%) females with a mean age of 61 +/- 13.1 years (range from 27 to 87 years). Of 58 patients, 11 (23%) were excluded from the study because of in adequate follow up. The mean follow up was 5.7 years (range, 7 months to 11 years). The overall 5 years survival was 55% with disease specific survival being 66%. Patients with pathological stage TO at cystectomy have 87% 5 years disease specific survival compared to 60%, in patients with pT4 (p = 0.705). The 5-year survival for node positive patients was 16%, compared to 60% for node negative patients (p \u3c 0.01). Conclusions: Radical cystectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is the standard treatment for muscle invasive and high grade T1 cancers, and as salvage for recurrent cancers. Lymphadenectomy has a potential therapeutic benefit. The pathological stage at cystectomy and nodal status are predictors of 5 years survival

Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance in helicobacter pylori isolates: An experience at a tertiary care centre in Pakistan

Objective: To assess fluoroquinolone and clarithromycin susceptibility pattern along with the types of genomic mutations involved in the resistance of Helicobacter pylori isolates.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from June 2009 to July 2010, and comprised 162 gastric biopsy samples which were tested with GenoTypeHelicoDR (Hain Lifescience GmbH, Germany), a reverse hybridisation multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) line probe assay (LiPA). Also, 23S rRNA (ribosomal ribonucleic acid) gene was analysed with three-point mutations at A2146G, A2146C and A2147G for clarithromycin, and gyrA gene was analyzed at two codon positions 87 and 91 for fluoroquinolone susceptibility testing. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analyses.Results: Clarithromycin resistance was seen in 60 (37.0%) of the isolates mainly involving mutation at A2147G (85%) followed by A2146G (n=35; 21.6%) and A2146C (n=19; 11.6%). Fluoroquinolone resistance was noted in 101(62.3%) isolates, while gyrA mutations at codon 87 was seen in 64 (39.6%) and at codon 91 in 66 (40.6%). Isolates showing combined resistance to both antibiotics were 44 (26.9%).Conclusion: High rate of resistance to fluoroquinolones was seen despite the fact that the drug was not part of the first-line anti-helicobacter therapy. There was moderate increase of clarithromycin resistance beyond the cutoff rates where empirical use of this antibiotic is abandoned. The findings warrant the need for pre-treatment susceptibility testing in Helicobacter pylori infections, especially in Pakistan where burden of disease is high and very limited data is available, to improve patient care by providing targeted therapy

Line probe assay for detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistant tuberculosis in Pakistan

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a line-probe assay delta (LiPA) as rapid diagnostic test for early detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis compared to conventional susceptibility methods in Pakistan.Methods: Resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) in 108 smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis samples was detected using a line-probe assay [GenoType MTBDRplus (Hain Lifescience, GmbH, Nehren, Germany)] at the clinical microbiology laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital in May, 2009. Results were compared with susceptibilities performed while using agar proportion.Results: In comparison to the agar proportion method, the detection rate and specificity of resistance using MTBDR plus was 92.5% and 98.2% for rifampicin, and 76.3% and 100% for isoniazid. Mutations in codons 531 and 533 of rpoB gene (62%S531L) were responsible for 67.9% of rifampicin resistance. S315T mutation of katG gene was detected in 55.9% and inhA promoter mutation at positions -15 (C15T) in 11.9% of isoniazid resistant isolates. Four phenotypically rifampicin-resistant and 14 isoniazid-resistant strains were not detected by MTBDRplus. Sequencing these strains revealed mutations in 4 strains; 2 in rpoB gene S531W, del518 and 2 in katG genesW300L, S315N. Hence, two phenotypic rifampicin-resistant and 13 phenotypic isoniazid-resistant strains were not detected by the commercial line probe assay.Conclusion: The study showed that MTBDRplus had a high detection rate for rifampicin resistance. However, additional probes need to be included in the assay to improve the detection of isoniazid-resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in Pakistan

Electric Supply Substation Simulation using ETAP Software

Electric supply substations are vital component of electrical power system that delivers electrical power from generating stations to consumers. Electric supply substation generally deals with high voltage and current ratings, proper analysis and protection is essential for safety of operating staff lives and electrical equipment installed in the vicinity. Malfunctioning of electric supply substation has two drastic effects; one is cost for the replacement of equipment and second is the cost of entire down-time. Analysis and protection of electric supply substation using “Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP)” is presented in this paper. A 132kV electric supply substation was simulated; fault analysis, load flow study and protection scheme was designed that can enhance the performance of Pakistan’s electrical power system

Robust estimation based nonlinear higher order sliding mode control strategies for PMSG-WECS

The wind energy conversion systems (WECS) suffer from an intermittent nature of source (wind) and the resulting disparity between power generation and electricity demand. Thus, WECS are required to be operated at maximum power point (MPP). This research paper addresses a sophisticated MPP tracking (MPPT) strategy to ensure optimum (maximum) power out of the WECS despite environmental (wind) variations. This study considers a WECS (fixed pitch, 3KW, variable speed) coupled with a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and proposes three sliding mode control (SMC) based MPPT schemes, a conventional first order SMC (FOSMC), an integral back-stepping-based SMC (IBSMC) and a super-twisting reachability-based SMC, for maximizing the power output. However, the efficacy of MPPT/control schemes rely on availability of system parameters especially, uncertain/nonlinear dynamics and aerodynamic terms, which are not commonly accessible in practice. As a remedy, an off-line artificial function-fitting neural network (ANN) based on Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is employed to enhance the performance and robustness of MPPT/control scheme by effectively imitating the uncertain/nonlinear drift terms in the control input pathways. Furthermore, the speed and missing derivative of a generator shaft are determined using a high-gain observer (HGO). Finally, a comparison is made among the stated strategies subjected to stochastic and deterministic wind speed profiles. Extensive MATLAB/Simulink simulations assess the effectiveness of the suggested approaches

The Internationalization of Chinese Entrepreneurial Firms

This article uses the resource-based and internationalization theories to explain the export behavior of Chinese entrepreneurial firms. Based on multi-year data on Chinese firms from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), we show that contextualized resource-based theory can adequately explain some of the variation in export behavior among young Chinese firms. Exports by small Chinese firms are driven by the social and intellectual capital of the entrepreneur and their entrepreneurial proclivity, and the innovativeness/uniqueness of the product/offering