The pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba infections: current status and future implications

Acanthamoeba are opportunistic protozoan parasites that can cause painful, visionthreatening keratitis. However the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Acanthamoeba keratitis remain incompletely understood. Most cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis develop as a result of poor hygiene in contact lens care but it is unclear how amoebae transmigrate from the environment into the cornea leading to inflammation, photophobia and blindness. Acanthamoeba keratitis has become increasingly important in the past few decades due to increasing populations of contact lens users. The mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba are highly complex, depending on the virulence properties of the parasite, host susceptibility and the environmental conditions. Complete understanding of Acanthamoeba pathogenesis and its associated risks factors should allow us to design strategies for disease prevention and for the rational development of therapeutic interventions against these devastating infections. Acanthamoeba keratitis has become a significant problem in recent years, especially in contact lens wearers exposed to contaminated water

Terrorism affected regions : the impact of different supply chain risk management strategies on financial performance

Purpose: Current geo-political events, such as terrorism and climatologic adversities, have highlighted the potential risks to supply chains (SCs), and their disastrous financial impacts on supply chains. Within supply chains, risk management plays a major role in successfully managing business processes in a proactive manner and ensuring the business continuity and financial performance (FP). The purpose of this study is to explore the supply chain risks and strategies in a terrorism-affected region (TAR), and to examine supply chain risk management (SCRM) strategies and their impacts on FP, including the war on terror (WoT) and its impacts on the local logistics industry. In addition, this study investigates the knowledge gaps in the published research on terrorism-related risk in supply chains, and develops a framework of strategies and effective decision-making to enable practitioners to address terrorism-related risks for SCRM.Methodology: The study initially adopts a novel combination of triangulated methods comprising a systematic literature review, text mining, and network analysis. Additionally, risk identification, risk analysis and strategies scrutiny are conducted by using semi-structured interviews and Qualitative Content Analysis in a TAR. A model of strategies was developed from a review of existing studies and interviews. The model is empirically tested with survey data of 80 firms using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA).Findings: This study reveals a number of key themes in the field of SCRM linked with terrorism. It identifies relevant mitigation strategies and practices for effective strategic decision-making. This subsequently leads to development of a strategic framework, consisting of strategies and effective-decision making practices to address terrorism-related risks that affect SCRM. It also identifies key the knowledge gaps in the literature and explores the main contributions by disciplines (e.g., business schools, engineering, and maritime institutions) and countries.Further, it identifies the SC risks in a TAR, which consist of value streams: disruption risks, operational risks and financial risks. Among these, the emerging risks emcompass terrorist groups’ demand for protection money, smog, paedophilia and the use of containers to block protesters. To mitigate these risks, firms frequently implemented the following strategies: information sharing, SC coordination, risk sharing, SC finance, SC security and facilitation payment. Five strategies out of the six (except facilitation payment) are able to lead to FP, confirmed quantitatively as well. There are various equifinal configurations of SCRM strategies leading to FP. In addition, information sharing acts as a moderator in the relationship between SC security and FP. SC coordination has a mediating role in the relationship between information sharing and SC security capabilities and FP.Research limitations/Contribution: The sample size a limitation of the study, meaning that the findings should be generalized with caution. The most valuable implications is the identification of configurations of strategies that can help managers and policymakers in implementing those findings.Originality/value: No empirical study was found in the SCRM literature that specifically investigates the relationships between the identified strategies and FP with fsQCA, in particular in a TAR context; this study thus fills an important gap in the SCRM literature and contributes empirically

Human Resource Practices in SME Sector: An Exploratory Case Study of Pakistan

The role of human resource practices (HRP) at its significance in small and medium enterprises (SME) become an emerging topic, especially in developing countries. This study aims to gauge the level of HR practice being exercise in SME. Quantitative approach has been followed and data was collected from 195 SMEs, operating in Karachi, through a structure questionnaire. Findings suggested that SME are performing moderate level of HR practices and owner/managers are aware with the importance of HR practices in their organizations. Moreover, compensation is the most significant factor of HR practices followed by employee performance, recruitment and selection and training and development. HR function has been substantially implemented and HR practices are being carried out in number of SME and is contributes at all phases of organization’s functions. The globalization and dynamic milieu is forcing the SME sector to switch informal functions to formal manner. However more coherent approach is required to replace the traditional way of practicing HR functions. This study validates the implementation of HR practices in SME as documented in the literature. It further provides a reference for academicians and practitioner to build upon a contention for future research

IMPACT OF SERVICE QUALITY ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: EVIDENCES FROM THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IN PAKISTAN

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the literature of service quality importance in restaurant industry. The study has been based upon the Servqual technique and Dineserv tool of improving the quality by the service providing organizations. The study is undertaken from the perspective of Pakistani Restaurant Industry and the customers' perceptions vis-à-vis restaurant dining. Two variables of Servqual, i.e. Tangibles and Responsiveness, have been examined to demonstrate the significance of service quality on customer satisfaction. The results endorse the importance of enhanced complementary service standards in restaurant industry. Finally, the findings provide an insight for the Pakistani restaurant service providing establishments and suggestion have been made for the caretakers of the industry on ways to improve service quality.marketing; restaurants; servqual; customer satisfaction

Progress Under Scrutiny: Poverty Reduction in Pakistan

Consumption-based poverty in Pakistan fell sharply between 1990 and 2010, according to official poverty data. Nonetheless the mainstream narrative on poverty reduction in the country remains highly contested. Key sources of evidence show improvements that are commensurate with a decrease in poverty, while others raise doubts over this decrease. The policy space in which poverty reduction is debated is also highly polarised, as revealed in the positions of multiple stakeholders involved in policy, research and civil society in Pakistan. An analysis of official poverty data shows how the estimates may be biased -- both owing to technical flaws and to the politics of measurement. As a result, it is surprisingly difficult to reach a definitive conclusion as to whether poverty reduced between 1990 and 2010 and if the stated progress is real. We discuss the implications of the high levels of contestation over official poverty data as well as the need to understand better the types of evidence that the government must produce to defend its policies to alleviate poverty, and for key stakeholders to accept these as credible. We also discuss the steps that the country is taking to depoliticise the measurement and analysis of poverty -- in and of themselves signs of progress

The Impact of Corporate Governance on Firm’s Financial Distress: A Case Study of The UK-based firms

Purpose: The study aims to assess the potential impacts that the different attributes of corporate governance like the ownership structure and composition of the board on the probability of the listed firms in the UK falling into financial distress. Approach/Methodology/Design: A quantitative methodology with a positivist paradigm and deductive reasoning were employed to collect data from 100 UK-based listed incorporation using FAME-A and BoardEx databases. Moreover, a longitudinal approach was used to collect data from 2014-2019 and sort it into a panel dataset, which was then analyzed using different statistical analysis approaches including pool ordinary least square regression analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and descriptive statistics by using STATA statistical analysis tool. Findings: The findings indicate that certain components of the composition of the board have a substantial effect on a company’s probability to fall into financial distress; for instance, the board size, the board size, board independence, and the independence of the audit committee have a significant negative implication on the selected companies’ probability to fall into financial distress. Similarly, some ownership structure components like institutional ownership and shareholder’s ownership have significant negative implications on the firm’s likelihood of financial distress, while audit committee size and the extent of ownership held by the management show an insignificant implication on the selected companies’ probability to fall into financial distress. Originality/value: The study also highlighted certain limitations and provided recommendations to future researchers to overcome these limitations in the future and reach more informed findings

Organizational Factors, Teachers’ Professional Development and Teaching Practices: Findings from Female Elementary School Teachers

Development of teaching competencies has always considered the most prolific dimension in teaching education. It assists teachers in teaching and in preparing to adopt more functional orientation practices beneficial towards teaching practice. This study aimed to investigate the antecedents of teachers’ teaching practices. Primary data through survey was collected from 377 female elementary school teachers from private sector schools based in Karachi. Smart PLS was used for data analysis. Findings of this study revealed a significant relationship among organizational factors, teachers’ professional development and teachers’ teaching practices. This paper contributes to existing knowledge by reporting new empirical evidences from female elementary school teachers. Hence, this research provides practitioners and policy makers with better insights into some practices that could improve teaching practices.