Panel Data Analysis of Press Freedom and Women Empowerment

More equal economic, social and political rights for women have long been part of civil and political right movements. It is widely believed that women’s rights are important for greater economic prosperity, good governance and social equality. However, women are still being discriminated in many parts of the world. How women’s rights can be protected? To answer this question, the literature has highlighted the importance of free media in promoting women’s rights. The extant literature on media and women rights, however, is largely limited to descriptive analysis and theoretical arguments. Moreover, the available evidence is confined to few case studies and anecdotal stories, which cannot be generalized globally. This study contributes in the literature by empirically investigating the relationship of press freedom with women empowerment using a large panel of 160 countries from 1996 to 2011. For empirical analysis, the ordered logit method is used. The empirical finding confirms that press freedom is an effective tool to empower women’s economic, political and social rights. Findings of the study are shown to be robust to different specifications, sub-samples, regional controls and different forms of women empowerment. JEL Classifications Codes: C23, J16, Z1

Panel Data Analysis of E-Government and Growth Performance in the Presence of Trade

For sustainable development, countries are taking measures that support sustainable growth. Among these measures, trade is a major factor affecting growth. With increasing trade liberalization, it has been a challenge for many economies to sustain growth through increasing trade and sustaining its benefit over the long run. Therefore, the present study examines how e-government enhances growth through the mediation of international trade. Panel analysis of 154 economies has been conducted and results of Pooled OLS, Fixed Effect, Random Effects, and System Generalized Method of Moments are reported. The results obtained from the “System Generalized Method of Moments” support higher growth resulting from trade enhanced through e-government. Trade supports economic growth around the globe based on the quality of e-government provided. The provision of online services also enhances economic growth

Abandoning Microfinance in Turkey: An Explanatory Study

Microfinance has brought a change in the economic life of the participants of the society by providing an opportunity to the financially disadvantaged individuals to be employed and be financially independent. Microfinance is a financial instrument that can be utilized to combat poverty and other challenges hindering the progress of countries. It has managed to impact the lives of thousands of families within Turkey and on a global level too. Recently, it has been observed that the number of clients of microfinance has decreased. Therefore, the objective of the research is to identify the reasons of dissatisfaction among microfinance borrowers which leads to their separation from the microfinance institution. A total of 150 drop-out clients from Turkish Grameen Microfinance Program have been considered through the random sampling method for the research via the survey method of face-to-face interviews. Change in income level of the drop-out clients was an important reference in the method of microfinance as an instrument against poverty. The recommendations of this research like repayment period and microcredit limit can be considered and these suggestions may contribute to better managerial strategies and organizational plans for the development of microfinance institutions

Incidence of Development of Hydrocephalus after Excision and Repair of Spina Bifida Aperta in Infants

Objective:  To find out the incidence of hydrocephalus after excision and repair in infants presenting with Spina Bifida Aperta. Materials & Methods:  This prospective cohort study was conducted at the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department, Children Hospital & The Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2021 to October 2021. A total of 62 infants of both genders presenting with spina bifida Aperta undergoing repair were included. Data of the patients, i.e., name, age, gender, head circumference, location, and width of the defect, accompanying bladder, limb anomalies, radiological, laboratory findings, and diagnosis (meningocele or meningomyelocele) were noted. Patients were followed postoperatively for 1-month, and the incidence of post-surgery hydrocephalus was noted. Results:  Out of 62 children, 36 (58.1%) were male and 24 (41.9%) female. The mean age was noted to be 138.82 days. Most children, 36 (58.1%), were found to have meningocele. The most frequent local meningocele/meningomyelocele was noted to be lumbosacral, 22 (35.5%). Post-surgery hydrocephalus was noted among 11 (17.1%) cases. No significant association of gender, age, head circumference, defect size, the maximum dimension, diagnosis (meningocele or meningomyelocele), or location was noted with post-surgery hydrocephalus among study cases (p > 0.05). No mortality was reported. Conclusion:  Meningomyelocele and lumbosacral location of the defect were among the prominent factors affecting the incidence of post-surgery hydrocephalus. Keywords:  Spina Bifida Aperta, Meningiocele, Myelomeningocele, hydrocephalus, lumbosacra

Selling Souls: An Empirical Analysis of Human Trafficking and Globalization

Purpose: This paper investigates the impact of globalization on human trafficking using a large panel data set of 169 countries from 2001 to 2011. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study explores the contribution of economic, social and political globalization in the trafficking of humans for forced prostitution, forced labor, debt bondages and child soldiers. Moreover, the study investigates the impact of globalization on source (supply) and destination (demand) of human trafficking. This study uses Probit and Oprobit models of panel data for empirical analysis. Findings: Findings of the study show that globalization facilitates human trafficking, particularly, forced prostitution, forced labor and debt bondages while it helps to suppress the demand and supply of child soldiers. The empirical analysis also reveals that these are the mostly poor countries which serve as source of human trafficking while the rich countries are destination of trafficked victims. Research Limitations: The data series over a long period are not available and therefore the sample size is small. Originality/Value: This research paper contributes into the literature on human trafficking and globalization by highlighting the heterogeneity of source and destiny economies in shaping the links of globalization with human trafficking. To the best of our knowledge, it is first study of its kind that provides an empirical analysis of source and destiny of human trafficking with globalization. Moreover, this study considers different dimensions of globalization and human trafficking. Implications: The main message of this research is that as globalization proceeds, human trafficking increases. Therefore, the governments of developing economies need to improve socioeconomic conditions to provide basic necessities of life at home country and the governments of developed countries need to implement strong rule of the law to discourage such practices. Our study is useful in offering insights to policy makers that how to avoid the perils of globalization

Forced Migration and Security Implications for Host Country: A Study of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

The purpose of this research is to understand forced migration which may lead to security implications for the host country. This study utilized the theory of Forced migration with the nexus of securitization, which causes the mass movement of people across the world borders, in the South Asian region. In order to authenticate the theory in South Asian region, situation ofAfghan Refugees in Pakistan has been analyzed to understand that to what extent and how do Afghan Refugees have been forced and cause security implications for Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province as well as what are other dimensions of these implications. Security concerns regarding refugees have been increased after the attack which has made researchers emphasize the impact of security concerns on the establishment of migration policy. The events of September 2011 did not initiate the insecurities, uncertainties, ambiguities, and complexities in regards to migration policy; rather they accelerated dynamics that were already deeply rooted in the Pakistan internal security regime. To analyze the current migration policy,migration patterns, and security threats, direct interviews have been conducted (specify the number of respondents) along with participatory observations. Triangulation is a validating strategy that is used in this research. Triangulation aided to add validity and confidence in order to draw and justify the conclusion of this study more than one source required for confirmation. Further, analysis of the responses and evidence from other sources suggest that Afghan refugeesare not responsible for deteriorating the security situation in Pakistan as well as they don‟t posit a security threat to the Country. However, there are some other extremist elements which have entered in Pakistan‟s territory causing security threats and have been using Afghan refugees as play card which need to be highlighted in future studies. There is no strong verification of Afghan migrants' association in such deplorable wrongdoings. Thus, security turns into an issueof guarding the trustworthiness of the state's regional space against perilous outside others

Ultrasonographic Comparison of Previous Caesarean Scar Thickness in Second and Third Trimester of Current Pregnancy

Background: The rate of caesarean section is increasing in the world. With which there is an increase in complications of pregnancy. There is risk of the uterine rupture if there is trial of the normal delivery. The aim of study is to determine and compare previous caesarean scar thickness in second and third trimester of pregnancy. Objective(s): To determine previous caesarean scar thickness in second and third trimester of current pregnancy. Methodology: An analytical study was conducted in the Saima medical center Shalimar link road Lahore. Sixty-two patients were enrolled in this study with convenient sampling. Toshiba nemio 10 ultrasound machines with convex transducer frequency range 3.5 MHz.patients with placenta previa and twin gestation were excluded from this study. Transabdominal technique was used in this study. Data were collected through data collection sheets and was tabulated and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS)version 24(SPSS, IBM, Armonk, NY, United States of America) Microsoft excel. Results: A total of 62 patient were examined in the study. The age incidence of the cases in this study varied between 22 years to 36 years. The mean age of the patients in the study was 27. 2903.The mean gestational age was 27.47. The mean scar thickness at 24-28 weeks was3.3925. parity varied patient to patient.16(25.8%) females had para 2.23(37.1%) had para 3 and 16(25.8%) had para 4.3(4.8%) females had para 5 and 4(6.5%) had para 6. In the current study out of sixty-two patients 13(21%) were gravida1,24(38.7%) was gravid 2,17(27.4) were gravid 3,4(6.5%) gravid 4 and (6.5) gravid. A statistical significance difference found in mean scar thickness at 24-28 weeks of gestation and at 32-36 weeks of gestation-value = 0.000 < α = 0.05. Conclusion(s): ultrasound is the useful modality for determining scar thickness. The scar thickness of previous c section in the current pregnancy. Keywords: Analytical study, cesarean scar thickness DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/93-02 Publication date:September 30th 202

Essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora: Physio-Chemical analysis, Formulation with Hand Sanitizer Gel and Antibacterial Activity

Background: The essential oil-bearing plants are extensively being used in traditional systems of medicine due to the occurrence of the diversity of phytochemical constituents. The emerging crisis of developing resistance to conventional drugs has increased public health awareness and reliance on natural compounds as safer alternatives.Methods: The essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus citriodora (Hook.) leaves was characterized for physicochemical attributes, formulated with hand sanitizer gel, tested for organoleptic parameters, and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.Results: E. citriodora essential oil (EEO) had a camphorous scent, and dark yellow coloration, while exhibiting 0.60% yield (v/w, 97% pure), 0.94 density, 1.47 refractive index, 11.10 viscosity, 0.92 specific gravity, 0.0-9.98º optical rotation, 11.20 acid number, 50.60 ester number, which satisfy the standards specified by ISO (The International Organization for Standardization). The chromatographic analysis of oil identified eucalyptol as the most abundant compound (80.08%) followed by α-terpinyl acetate, isopinocarveol, and globulol as the moderately abundant compounds (4.46-4.81%), while viridiflorol and terpinen-4-ol as less abundant compounds (3.06 and 2.69%, respectively). Formulated hand sanitizer with EEO exhibited physical and microbiological properties that were comparable with the market products. It also had a pleasant scent, was compatible with the skin, was easy to apply, and is acceptable to the users.Conclusion: The current study clearly shows that EEO could be utilized as a potential ingredient in alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer formulation for giving a pleasant smell, acceptable physical appearance and microbial quality parameters.Keywords: Essential oil; Eucalyptol; Hand sanitizer; Gel Formulation; Antimicrobial effect

Adaptation and Concurrent Validity of Screen for Children Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED)

The current study was designed to adapt and investigate the psychometric properties of SCARED (screening children for anxiety related emotional disorders) as the first anxiety related emotional disorder screening tool for Pakistani children. The sample consisted of 8 to 11-year-old (N=322, mean age= 9.48) primary class children, including 157 girls and 165 boys. The 41-item child version of SCARED was translated into Urdu language by following Brislin’s translation method. The convergent validity of this scale was determined by comparing it with DBDRS (Disruptive Behaviour Disorder Rating Scale). Cronbach’s alpha reliability of SCARED scale was 0.89 and its subscales demonstrated internal consistencies ranging from 0.68 to 0.76 i.e. moderate to high, except one subscale SH, 0.45. The total score of SCARED was positively correlated with conduct disorders (r= 0.16, p 0.05), inattention(χ2= 0.11, p > 0.05), hyperactivity/ impulsive(χ2= 0.23, p > 0.05), ODD (χ2= 0.05, p > 0.05) and with ADHD combined scores (χ2= 0.27, p > 0.05.The findings supported convergent validity for anxiety disorders with disruptive behaviours depicting the comorbidity of anxiety and disruptive behaviour. The study provides support for the convergent validity of SCARED with DBDRS

Controlled Morphology and Its Effects on the Thermoelectric Properties of SnSe2 Thin Films

In the last few years, the thermoelectric properties of tin selenide (SnSe) have been explored in much detail due to its high efficiency and green nature, being free of Te and Pb. In the same chalcogenide family, SnSe2 is also a layered structured material, but its thermoelectric potential has not been widely explored experimentally. Since SnSe2 has the layered structure, its electrical transport properties may strongly be affected by its microstructure and morphology. Here, we report the effect of reaction time on the structure, phase, and morphology of the SnSe2 during solvothermal synthesis process. We have studied four SnSe2 samples with different reaction times. The sample obtained after 16 h of reaction time was named as M1, for 20 h M2, similarly for 24 h was M3 and for 48 hours’ time, the sample was named as M4. We investigated its thermoelectric properties and found that phase purity and morphology can affect the thermoelectric performance of the synthesized samples. The peak power factor (PF) value along the ab plane was (0.69 μWcm−1K−2) for the M4 sample at 575 K, which was the highest among all the measured samples. The comparatively larger PF value of sample M4 can be related to the increase in its electrical conductivity due to increase in phase purity and band gap reduction