What is Hidden, in the Hidden Economy of Pakistan? Size, Causes, Issues and Implications

There is a worldwide contemporary debate about the role of the hidden economy in achieving the goal of sustained and inclusive economic growth and development, especially in the context of its spillover effects on the formal economy. For this purpose, policy makers and academicians have made concerted efforts to estimate the size of the hidden economy and to analyze its causes, issues and implications on key macroeconomic variables. However, there is a consensus among the policy makers that a better macroeconomic policy formulation and its true implementation are subject to the proper management of the associated issues of the hidden economy with suitable policy measures. In Pakistan, it is generally assumed that the hidden economy contributes about 30% to 50% to the overall GDP. The purpose of this paper is to estimate more precisely the size of the hidden economy with the determination of its potential causes and implications. Five statistical and structural modeling approaches namely; simple monetary approach, modified monetary approach using dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS), multiple-indicators multiple-causes (MIMIC) approach, electricity consumption approach and labor market survey based approach are used to estimate the size of the hidden economy and to analyze the characteristic nature of its growth over the period. The study also investigates the potential determinants of the hidden economy and various interrelated socio-economic issues in perspective of achieving national goal of inclusive growth and development. Finally, policy implications are provided consistent with pervading facts of the hidden economy in Pakistan especially in the context of the 18th Amendment and the 7th NFC Award.Hidden Economy, Size, Causes, Socio-Economic Implications, Inclusive Growth and Development, 18th Amendment and 7th NFC Award of Pakistan

Estimating the Black Economy through Monetary Approach: A Case Study of Pakistan

In the recent years, the ‘black economy’ has held enormous appeal for policy makers. Presence of black economy creates critical misrepresentation of macroeconomic variables in official estimates that lead to the false determination and delusional impact of economic policies. Similarly, black economy represents the unrecorded potential of the economy vis-à-vis resource generation and mobilization. The Economy of Pakistan underwent several minor tax reforms since 1960’s. However, the tax and tariff reform of 1990’s, committed under international pressure, was the first comprehensive exercise and therefore it becomes highly desirable to gauge its impact on the black economy and tax evasion practices. This paper, with some modifications, uses the standard monetary approach to obtain the latest estimates of the size of black economy and its macroeconomic implications thereof.

GIS and genetic algorithm based integrated optimization for rail transit system planning

The planning of a rail transit system is a complex process involving the determination of station locations and the rail line alignments connecting the stations. There are many requirements and constraints to be considered in the planning process, with complex correlations and interactions, necessitating the application of optimization models in order to realize optimal (i.e. reliable and cost-effective) rail transit systems. Although various optimization models have been developed to address the rail transit system planning problem, they focus mainly on the planning of a single rail line and are therefore, not appropriate in the context of a multi-line rail network. In addition, these models largely neglect the complex interactions between station locations and associated rail lines by treating them in separate optimization processes. This thesis addresses these limitations in the current models by developing an optimal planning method for multiple lines, taking into account the relevant influencing factors, in a single integrated process using a geographic information system (GIS) and a genetic algorithm (GA). The new method considers local factors and the multiple planning requirements that arise from passengers, operators and the community, to simultaneously optimize the locations of stations and the associated line network linking them. The new method consists of three main levels of analysis and decision-making. Level I identifies the requirements that must be accounted for in rail transit system planning. This involves the consideration of the passenger level of service, operator productivity and potential benefits for the community. The analysis and decision making process at level II translates these requirements into effective criteria that can be used to evaluate and compare alternative solutions. Level III formulates mathematical functions for these criteria, and incorporates them into a single planning platform within the context of an integrated optimization model to achieve a rail transit system that best fits the desired requirements identified at level I. This is undertaken in two main stages. Firstly, the development of a GIS based algorithm to screen the study area for a set of feasible station locations. Secondly, the use of a heuristic optimization algorithm, based on GA to identify an optimum set of station locations from the pool of feasible stations, and, together with the GIS system, to generate the line network connecting these stations. The optimization algorithm resolves the essential trade-off between an effective rail system that provides high service quality and benefits for both the passenger and the whole community, and an economically efficient system with acceptable capital and operational costs. The proposed integrated optimization model is applied to a real world case study of the City of Leicester in the UK. The results show that it can generate optimal station locations and the related line network alignment that satisfy the various stakeholder requirements and constraints.Open Acces

Production of Acidic protease using Submerged Fermentation by Rhizopus arrhizus

The study is concerned with utilize whey of milk factory as a carbon source for the production of protease. The project was planned to produce maximum protease from whey by Rhizopus arrhizus at pH 4 and 37 °C temperature. Growth media employed to culture Rhizopus arrhizus for the production of enzyme were developed and fermentation conditions was optimized through various trials. Substrate water ratio, different nitrogen sources and concentration of nitrogen source were optimized. The fermented materials were harvested after 72 hours. These were filtered and centrifuged at 10,000 rpm at -10 °C. The filtrates were subjected to enzyme assay. Absorbance of the enzyme sample was determined at 700 nm on spectrophotometer. It was observed that 90% Whey and 2.5% cotton seed meal enhanced the production of protease by Rhizopus arrhizus. Maximum enzyme activity was observed (149.26 IU/ml/min) in flask level at pH 4 and 37 °C temperature. These optimized conditions of growth media was again used in Air-Lift fermenter and determined the activity (169.78 IU/ml/min) that is greater than flask level. This is due to proper aeration and proper temperature in Air-lift fermenter.   Keywords: Acidic protease, Air-lift fermentor, submerged fermentation and Rhizopus arrhizus

Does a Preoperative Carbohydrate Drink Reduce Postoperative Inflammation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Since 1995, it has been known that carbohydrate drinks (CHDs) can be safely consumed two to three hours (2–3 h) preoperatively. Furthermore, preoperative CHDs significantly benefit many outcomes, such as thirst, hunger, and insulin resistance. Patients, however, still fast excessively. This study aimed to determine if a CHD, consumed 2–3 h preoperatively, impacts postoperative inflammation compared to a placebo drink or fasting. This was achieved through analysing the levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive peptide, and serum albumin 10–24 h postoperatively. We conducted a systematic review of randomised control trials. We comprehensively searched the Embase, MEDLINE and Web of Science databases, identified 473 studies, and, after screening, were left with 10 randomised control trials. Our meta-analyses found a significantly lower mean interleukin-6 level of −21.26 pg/mL ((95% CI −33.37, −9.15); p = 0.0006) postoperatively in patients given a preoperative CHD compared to fasting and a significantly higher mean serum albumin level of 2.56 g/L ((95% CI 1.41, 3.71); p < 0.0001) postoperatively in patients given a preoperative CHD compared to a placebo. Our results therefore show that a CHD, consumed 2–3 h preoperatively, lowers proinflammatory cytokine levels and increases serum albumin levels. Thus, our study reinforces guideline recommendations to give patients a CHD 2–3 h preoperatively for improved outcomes

Evaluation of High Speed Hardware Multipliers - Fixed Point and Floating point

There is a huge demand in high speed arithmetic blocks, due to increased performance of processing units. For higher frequency clocks of the system, the arithmetic blocks must keep pace with greater requirement of more computational power. Area and speed are usually conflicting constraints so that improving speed results mostly in larger areas. In our research we will try to determine the best solution to this problem by comparing the results of different multipliers. Different sized of two algorithms for high speed hardware multipliers were studied and implemented ie. Parallel multiplier, Bit serial multiplier. The workings of these two multipliers were compared by implementing each of them separately in VHDL. A number of high speed adder designs are developed and algorithm and design of these adders are discussed. The result of this research will help us to choose the better option between serial and parallel multipliers for both fixed point and floating point multipliers to fabricate in different systems. As multipliers form one of the most important components of many systems, analysing different multipliers will help us to frame a better system with area and better speed.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v3i6.418

SAW Filter Modelling in Matlab for GNSS Receivers

Satellite navigation has enabled a great amount of new application for many users, but a lot of limitations have been observed regarding precision and integrity of navigation signals. Overall signals of different navigation systems (GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS signals) compose Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Signal. Each of the satellite system has separate signal characteristics, but each signal needs to be compatible with the others to prevent interferences and attenuations between signals. The processing of all the signals is performed in same receiver. Hence, complex receiver design is required. In GNSS signals different frequencies are used for different satellite navigation systems such as GPS, Galileo and Glonass. When the group delay response is observed in SAW filters it shows that the signals lie on different frequencies have different delays. Manufacturers carried out measurements with respect to carrier wave but they have ignored the spreading codes or modulation. In this research, we will design a model for GNSS SAW filter in Matlab. This model can be use to obserce the delay of the signals. This model will allow the manufacturers to address these problems in the SAW filter software to optimise slope and magnitude of the design which will benefit the users of GNSS all over the world to get more precise positioning.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v3i5.364

Exploring diet, exercise, chronic illnesses, occupational stressors and mental well-being of healthcare professionals in Punjab, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: This data set was compiled to assess mental well-being, dietary pattern and physical health parameters of health care professionals in Pakistan. DATA DESCRIPTION: The Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale was first evaluated for the Pakistani population then used, along with other measures like body mass index, exercise and dietary habits to assess health and wellbeing of health care providers. The importance of the data lies in the fact that no previous records or data exists in our knowledge that used a subjective index to assess wellbeing in Pakistani population. Furthermore, this data may be used as part of a global analysis to find differences in well-being and health habits of health care providers in developing countries as opposed to developed countrie