Coseismic Folding During Ramp Failure at the Front of the Sulaiman Fold-and-Thrust Belt

The Sulaiman Fold Thrust (SFT) in Central Pakistan formed during the India-Eurasia collision in the late Cenozoic. However, the mechanics of shortening of the brittle crust at time scales of seismic cycles is still poorly understood. Here, we use radar interferometry to analyze the deformation associated with the 2015 magnitude (Mw) 5.7 Dajal blind earthquake at the eastern boundary of the SFT. We use kinematic inversions to determine the distribution of slip on the frontal ramp and of flexural slip along active axial surfaces for the forward- and backward-verging two end-member models: a double fault-bend-fold system and a fault-propagation-fold. In both models, a décollement branches into a shallow ramp at approximately 7.5 km depth with coseismic folding in the hanging wall. The Dajal earthquake ruptured the base of the Boundary Thrust buried under the sediment from the Indus-River floodplain, representing fault-bend or fault-propagation folding some 30 km off its nearest surface exposure

In-Vitro Synergy of Aqueous Garlic Extract with Ciprofloxacin Against Clinical Isolates of Salmonella Typhi

Objective: To detemine the emerging issue of treatment failures in typhoid by evaluating the activity of a new combination of aqueous garlic extract and ciprofloxacin. Study Place and Duration: Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan from April 2013-April 2014Methodology: Synergism of garlic with ciprofloxacin against   Typhi was assessed to solve the critical issue of treatment failure with the best known anti-typhoid drugs till now i-e fluoroquinolones. Twenty five ciprofloxacin susceptible Typhi isolates were selected. Aqueous garlic extract (AGE) was prepared and was screened for antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method which exhibited an inhibition zone of 25.36±1.60 mm against 1 tested isolate.Results: Minimum Inhibitory concentration 90 (MIC90) of ciprofloxacin and AGE was > 0.25µg/ml and > 20mg/ml respectively as determined by micro broth dilution method. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) was used as a reference strain. Synergism of the combination was assessed using microdilution checkerboard titration technique. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICIs) for all the isolates were >0.5 <4.Conclusion: Thus, ciprofloxacin and Aqueous garlic extract (AGE) showed significant antibacterial activity individually against Typhi but Cipro-AGE combination did not prove to be synergistic against Typhi nor against ATCC Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853.Keywords: , ,&nbsp

Managing Earnings V/S Strategizing Dividends: Sectoral Evidence from Pakistan Stock Exchange

This paper means to inspect the regression between the Price to Book ratio as a proxy for earning management and payout proportion as a proxy to dividend policy. This paper utilizes multivariate analysis to examine the relationship between the price to book ratio and dividend policy. Using 11 years’ annual data from 2006-2016, this paper delivers new confirmation demonstrating that timely payment of dividend has a positive impact on the reputation of the company in the market. Dividend payment boosts up investors’ confidence to invest in the company. This study helps the corporate superintendents and stock financial experts to focus on the relationship of the dividend. No past review has handled the issue of the contingent relationship between the price to book ratio and payout proportion in Pakistani Industry and specifically on cement, food and oil and gas sectors. Abstrak dalam Bahasa Indonesia : Tulisan ini bermaksud untuk meneliti regresi antara Price to Book Ratio sebagai proksi untuk manajemen penghasilan dan proporsi pembayaran sebagai proksi untuk kebijakan dividen.Penelitian ini menggunakan analisis multivariat untuk menguji hubungan antara Price to Book Ratio dan kebijakan dividen. Dengan menggunakan data tahunan selama 11 tahun dari 2006-2016, artikel ini memunculkan suatu konfirmasi yang menunjukkan bahwa pembayaran dividen tepat waktu memiliki dampak positif pada reputasi perusahaan di pasar. Pembayaran dividen meningkatkan kepercayaan investor untuk berinvestasi di perusahaan. Studi ini membantu pengawas perusahaan dan ahli keuangan saham untuk fokus pada hubungan dividen. Belum ada penelitian sebelumnya yang menangani masalah hubungan kontingen antara Price to Book Ratio dan proporsi pembayaran dalam Industri di Pakistan dan khususnya pada sektor semen, pangan dan minyak dan gas

Pattern of drugs of abuse identified in chemical samples

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of drugs of abuse in urine and blood samples processed at referral laboratory in Pakistan so that information on the type of drugs used can be identified and used for ready reference for future strategy. Study Design: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Clinical Laboratory of The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from July 2006 to March 2008. Methodology: Retrospective review of records were done for the common drugs that are used for screening at the Clinical Laboratory include alcohol, amphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine and opiates. Alcohol was tested in blood and others were identified using urine. Percentages of tests screened positive and negative for individual drugs were computed by using SPSS 16.0. The ratio between male and female users was also established. RESULTS: A total of 17,714 tests were performed for drugs. The mean age of the patients whose samples were processed was 30+/-14.84 years. Majority used benzodiazepines 520/1317 (39.5%) among the samples tested for drug of abuse, followed by cannabinoids 423/5450 (7.8%), alcohol 75/1302 (5.8%), barbiturates 32/1148 (2.8%), opiates 137/5640 (2.4%), cocaine 5/1655 (0.3%) and amphetamine 3/1202 (0.2%). In all, males 15411 (87%) were tested more frequently as compared to females 2303 (13%). CONCLUSION: Males were more frequently tested for drug abuse; however, drug abuse is increasingly seen among females. Benzodiazepines are the most frequently used. The same pattern of drugs abuse existed in different gender and age group. There is a need to explore the pattern and type of drug abuse on national scale

Comparison of surface defects in Protaper Next and Hyflex EDM files after single clinical use: A stereoscopic evaluation

Objective: To compare the surface defects created on the ProTaper Next files versus HyFlex Electrical Discharge Machining files after single clinical use in molars.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in the dental department of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from December 2018 to June 2019, and comprised Nickel-Titanium files belonging to HyFlex Electrical Discharge Machining and ProTaper Next to perform complete root canal treatment of molar teeth. The files were first visually examined and then analysed under 25.6x magnification using a stereomicroscope for the evaluation of surface defects. A photographic record was maintained and studied. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.0.Results: Of the 114 files, 38(33.3%) each were ProTaper Next X1, ProTaper Next X2 and HyFlex Electrical Discharge Machining. The number of files showing defects under microscopic evaluation were 17(14.9%). Deformation of the cutting edge was the most frequently seen defect type, found in 9(7.9%) files. The frequency of fractured files was 4(3.5%). The odds of microscopic defects in HyFlex Electrical Discharge Machining files was 2.64 times that of ProTaper Next files.Conclusion: Even after single clinical use, HyFlex Electrical Discharge Machining files were more likely to get microscopic defects on their surface compared to ProTaper files

Factors leading to delayed and challenging presentation of benign breast lumps in young females

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A delayed presentation of benign breast diseases may lead to a therapeutic challenge when they enlarge enormously or become multiple. Aim of this study was to evaluate the factors leading to delayed presentation of benign breast lumps. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Madinah Teaching Hospital and Allied Hospital, Faisalabad from January 2019 to October 2021. One hundred and forty five female patients were selected by non-probability purposive sampling. Patients with large size (>5cm) or multiple benign breast lumps were included. An interview was conducted using structured questionnaire translated in Urdu. Factors leading to delayed presentation and social impact scale for stigma were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 26.52 ± 6.90 years. The average delay of seeking medical care was 8.48 ± 8.41 months. Factors leading to delayed presentation were; lack of knowledge n=112 (77.2%) and parda (religious issues) n=112 (77.2%), followed by poverty n=109 (75.2%), and fear of cancer n=90 (62.1%). All the sub-scales of stigma, i.e., social rejection, financial insecurity, internalized shame and social isolation were high in late presenters, though, only financial insecurity was significantly high in late presenters (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Lack of awareness, socioeconomic factors and disease related stigma were the main factors related to delayed presentation in young females with benign breast diseases. Addressing these factors may improve timely diagnosis and management of delayed and challenging cases