Trends of Income Inequality and Polarisation in Pakistan for the Period 1990-2008

Trends of income inequality and polarisation previously were calculated by Arshad, et al. (2008) in Pakistan for the period of 04 years from 1992-93 to 2001-02, using Gini-coefficient and Bossert and Schworm (2006) measures respectively. Empirical analysis of polarisation has huge importance in the economic policy making. However, polarisation has been less probed, rather un-explored phenomenon. So far only a handful studies have been conducted on this topic and most of the covered western countries with an exception of India. This research area appears to be unexplored in Pakistan, except for a few studies which led to the foundation for the present study

Flow-Aware Elephant Flow Detection for Software-Defined Networks

Software-defined networking (SDN) separates the network control plane from the packet forwarding plane, which provides comprehensive network-state visibility for better network management and resilience. Traffic classification, particularly for elephant flow detection, can lead to improved flow control and resource provisioning in SDN networks. Existing elephant flow detection techniques use pre-set thresholds that cannot scale with the changes in the traffic concept and distribution. This paper proposes a flow-aware elephant flow detection applied to SDN. The proposed technique employs two classifiers, each respectively on SDN switches and controller, to achieve accurate elephant flow detection efficiently. Moreover, this technique allows sharing the elephant flow classification tasks between the controller and switches. Hence, most mice flows can be filtered in the switches, thus avoiding the need to send large numbers of classification requests and signaling messages to the controller. Experimental findings reveal that the proposed technique outperforms contemporary methods in terms of the running time, accuracy, F-measure, and recall

Association of particles of lipoprotein subclasses with arterial stiffness in a high-risk working population: the Baptist Employee Healthy Heart Study (BEHHS)

Background: Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. A risk factor-independent association of arterial stiffness with traditional lipids has been described extensively, but it is still unclear whether an independent relationship exists between arterial stiffness and particles of lipoprotein subclasses. Methods: The Baptist Employee Healthy Heart Study (BEHHS) is a lifestyle intervention study examining the effects of web-based programs on reducing CVD risk in high-risk persons. Participants had their brachial arterial augmentation index (AI, a measure arterial stiffness) assessed using the EndoPAT 2000 device. Cardio IQ™ ion mobility lipoprotein fractionation was utilized for measurement of particles of lipoprotein subclasses. Results: The population consisted of 182 participants, (74% women, 49% Hispanic) with a mean age of 52 ± 9 years. There was a significant trend association between quartiles of AI and total cholesterol, HDL-c, large LDL-p, small IDL-p, large IDL-p, and all subclasses of HDL particles (total HDL-p, small HDL-p, and large HDL-p). In logistic regression analysis, only HDL-c, total LDL-p, large LDL-p, small IDL-p, large IDL-p, total HDL-p, small HDL-p, and large HDL-p demonstrated significant independent association with AI. Conclusion: Several lipoprotein subclasses demonstrate independent significant associations with arterial stiffness. A safe and relatively inexpensive blood test may be useful in identifying subclinical atherosclerosis process in a relatively young high CVD risk population

A Conceptual Paper Approach on the Effects of Psychological Contract Breach Among University Employees in Pakistan: Moderating Role of Perceived Organisational Support

Psychological contract breach (PCB), which is an unwritten expectations-based contract between an employee and an employer, leads to negative attitudes and behaviours. PCB may be avoided by a number of ways. This paper argues that perceived organisational support (POS) may be used to mitigate the negative effects of PCB towards turnover intention (TI), job dissatisfaction (JS) and counterproductive work behaviours (CWB). This study proposes that PCB may be investigated using different samples so that results may be compared within and outside Pakistan. This paper is also presented as a proposed conceptual framework for future research based on theoretical triangulation from previous seminal studies in the international, the Asian and the Pakistani context. Keywords:Psychological Contract Breach, Job Satisfaction, Turnover Intention, Counterproductive Work Behaviour, Perceived Organisational Support

Echocardiography role in syncope Patients

Methods: We did a retrospective chart review of 138 patients admitted to observation floor with diagnosis of syncope.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/patientsafetyposters/1054/thumbnail.jp

Bismuth-graphene nanohybrids: synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and photocatalytic applications - a review

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this record. Photocatalysis is a classical solution to energy conversion and environmental pollution control problems. In photocatalysis, the development and exploration of new visible light catalysts and their synthesis and modification strategies are crucial. It is also essential to understand the mechanism of these reactions in the various reaction media. Recently, bismuth and graphene’s unique geometrical and electronic properties have attracted considerable attention in photocatalysis. This review summarizes bismuth-graphene nanohybrids’ synthetic processes with various design considerations, fundamental mechanisms of action, heterogeneous photocatalysis, benefits, and challenges. Some key applications in energy conversion and environmental pollution control are discussed, such as CO2 reduction, water splitting, pollutant degradation, disinfection, and organic transformations. The detailed perspective of bismuth-graphene nanohybrids’ applications in various research fields presented herein should be of equal interest to academic and industrial scientists.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)Saudi Aramco Chair Programm

Preparation, Functionalization, Modification, and Applications of Nanostructured Gold: A Critical Review

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this recordGold nanoparticles (Au NPs) play a significant role in science and technology because of their unique size, shape, properties and broad range of potential applications. This review focuses on the various approaches employed for the synthesis, modification and functionalization of nanostructured Au. The potential catalytic applications and their enhancement upon modification of Au nanostructures have also been discussed in detail. The present analysis also offers brief summaries of the major Au nanomaterials synthetic procedures, such as hydrothermal, solvothermal, sol-gel, direct oxidation, chemical vapor deposition, sonochemical deposition, electrochemical deposition, microwave and laser pyrolysis. Among the various strategies used for improving the catalytic performance of nanostructured Au, the modification and functionalization of nanostructured Au produced better results. Therefore, various synthesis, modification and functionalization methods employed for better catalytic outcomes of nanostructured Au have been summarized in this review.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)Saudi Aramco Chair Programm

Structural characteristics and environmental applications of covalent organic frameworks

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this record. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are emerging crystalline polymeric materials with highly ordered intrinsic and uniform pores. Their synthesis involves reticular chemistry, which offers the freedom of choosing building precursors from a large bank with distinct geometries and functionalities. The pore sizes of COFs, as well as their geometry and functionalities, can be pre-designed, giving them an immense opportunity in various fields. In this mini-review, we will focus on the use of COFs in the removal of environmentally hazardous metal ions and chemicals through adsorption and separation. The review will introduce basic aspects of COFs and their advantages over other purification materials. Various fabrication strategies of COFs will be introduced in relation to the separation field. Finally, the challenges of COFs and their future perspectives in this field will be briefly outlined.Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)Saudi Aramco Chair Programm

A Review of Supercapacitors: Materials Design, Modification, and Applications

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this recordSupercapacitors (SCs) have received much interest due to their enhanced electrochemical performance, superior cycling life, excellent specific power, and fast charging–discharging rate. The energy density of SCs is comparable to batteries; however, their power density and cyclability are higher by several orders of magnitude relative to batteries, making them a flexible and compromis-ing energy storage alternative, provided a proper design and efficient materials are used. This review emphasizes various types of SCs, such as electrochemical double-layer capacitors, hybrid su-percapacitors, and pseudo-supercapacitors. Furthermore, various synthesis strategies, including sol-gel, electro-polymerization, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, chemical vapor deposition, direct coating, vacuum filtration, de-alloying, microwave auxiliary, in situ polymerization, electro-spin-ning, silar, carbonization, dipping, and drying methods, are discussed. Furthermore, various func-tionalizations of SC electrode materials are summarized. In addition to their potential applications, brief insights into the recent advances and associated problems are provided, along with conclu-sions. This review is a noteworthy addition because of its simplicity and conciseness with regard to SCs, which can be helpful for researchers who are not directly involved in electrochemical energy storage.Saudi Aramco Chair ProgrammeEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC