Somatization: A Riddle Wrapped Up in an Enigma

A propensity to experience psychological distress and their expression in the form of somatic symptoms and to seek medical help for them is called Somatization. It is basically an inception of some psychiatric conditions like Affective Disorders (anxiety and depression) and Somatoform Disorders. A Somatoform Disorder is a category of mental disorder in which physical symptoms that suggest physical condition or injury cannot be explained fully by a general medical condition. This possibility must always be considered when patient has recurring somatic complaints for at least six months. Depression and Somatic Symptoms Disorder can easily be recognized when they present separately or in association with each other. But the main hurdle is to develop a holistic approach and strategy to not be misguided by the intimidating nature of presenting physical symptoms. For that detailed evaluation should be carried out and every single possibility along with somatization should be kept under consideration, which would enable to recognize and treat the illness earlier and save considerable amount of time and resources as well

EVALUATION OF VISUALLY INDUCED MOTION SICKNESS CAUSED BY VIEWING OF 3D STEREOSCOPY USING ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE

The 3D movies are attracting the viewers as they see objects flying out of the screen. However, many viewers reportof problems that they face after watching 3D movies. Visual fatigue, eye strain, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision or in other words, Visually Induced Motion Sickness (VIMS) are reported by viewers of 3D movies. In this thesis, we aim to compare a 3D passive technology with a conventional 2D technology to find whether 3D is causing trouble in the viewers or not

Neuroimmunology diagnostics

Neuroimmunology has led to advanced diagnostics of previously cryptic disorders, using autoantibody testing against neurological targets. Neuropsychiatric syndromes and autoimmune encephalitis can now be routinely diagnosed using specialized antibody tests such as immunofluorescence and immunoblot assays in specialized laboratories. This helps in early and accurate diagnosis, leading to favorable patient prognosis. Here, we briefly review the diagnostics for Neuroimmunologic and related disorders including autoimmune encephalitis, demyelinating diseases, neuropathies, paraneoplastic syndromes, stiffperson syndrome, inflammatory myopathies as well as Alzheimer’s disease

Families of Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan Their Paramount Support or Dreadful Obstacle

Purpose: This research aims to identify some female entrepreneurs and their relationship profiles with their families, which are categorized by families having a prominent part in influencing their decisions, activities, and behavior. Methodology: The qualitative technique was used as it is well suited to examining the experiences of different people. Open-ended Interviews with Pakistani female entrepreneurs using a semi-structured questionnaire were used to obtain data. The research allowed us to focus on one of the most pressing concerns affecting female entrepreneurs: integrating life with family, work, and their goals related to their profession. Findings: Evidently, knowing and understanding the importance of the household in the entrepreneurial experiences of women is critical to deciphering the reasons why enterprises that are owned by women thrive or crash, as family relations will invariably influence their performance. Conclusion: The research revealed that female entrepreneurs and their families have a significant linkage with their entrepreneurial experiences i.e., individual decisions of women to become entrepreneurs and the features of their businesses cannot be fully comprehended unless the family dimension is also considered

Does e-government control corruption? Evidence from South Asian countries

Purpose – This study aims to examine the relationship between e-government and corruption in selected South Asian countries (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). Design/methodology/approach – The sample data were gathered from reliable secondary sources over a sample period of 2003–2018. Additionally, this study incorporated other potential determinants or corruption, such as government effectiveness, press freedom, education and economy. To assess sample data, this study used panel data econometric procedures. Findings – Results indicated that e-government had a positive and significant impact on corruption. Similarly, government effectiveness and education had a positive and significant influence on corruption. However, press freedom and the economy showed a negative and insignificant impact on corruption. This study further found the robustness of the results through sensitivity analysis. Overall, it was concluded that egovernment plays a significant role to reduce corruption. Originality/value – The governments should implement the e-governance system and provide a transparent and accountable environment to eliminate corruption

Severity of Stress in Nurses Everyday Life in Karachi, Pakistan

INTRODUCTION: Stress has been recognized as serious health problem among nurses. It declines the quality and standard of living with a great deterrence in health of its victims. OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence, severity and various stressors related to nurses everyday life. METHODS: Hospital based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2015 in two tertiary care teaching hospitals of Karachi. The study was carried out on 265 registered nurses, having valid license by Pakistan Nursing Council. The subjects were approached by convenient nonprobability method. After taking written consent, semi-structured and pre-tested occupational stress questionnaire was used to obtain the data about various stressors related directly to nurse’s everyday life. Significant level was considered at a p value of 0.05. RESULTS: The study results revealed that majority of studied nurses 160(60.4%) were female and 148 (55.8%) were married. 201(75.8%) had completed the diploma in nursing while 62(23.4%) had graduated their Post RN BSN. Out of total sample, 26 (9.8%) nurses were working as a head nurse while 239 (90%) as staff nurse. The study reveals through the participants’ data that everyday life stress falls into three dimensions with their varying percentages as mild stress was found in 25.3%, moderate in 39.6% and severe stress in 35.1% of the participants CONCLUSION: The study result concluded that majority of nurses irrespective of their demographic characteristic have moderate or severe everyday life stress which may put negative effects on their both personal and professional responsibilities

Fracture toughness and failure mechanism of high performance concrete incorporating carbon nanotubes

Cement and concrete composites are inherently brittle and exhibit very less tensile/flexural strength capacity as compared to their compressive strength. Use of thoroughly dispersed carbon nanotubes in the concrete matrix is one of the possible solution for enhancing mechanical properties in tension/flexure. In the present research work, small fractions of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) i.e. 0.05 and 0.10 wt% of cement have been integrated into the cement concrete to study their effect on the mechanical properties of the resultant concrete mixtures. The enhanced performance of the whole mix lies on a single point that MWCNTs must be thoroughly disperse in the mixture. Hence, special arrangement through usage of high energy sonication along with amended acrylic based polymer (performing as a surfactant) was made to have a uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the concrete mix. The testing of concrete samples includes i.e., flexure, splitting tensile and compressive strengths after 3, 7, 28 and 56 days of curing. After having comparison with the control mix cured for 28 days, it was observed that the addition of 0.05 wt% MWCNTs increased the splitting tensile strength by 20.58%, flexural strength by 26.29% and compressive strength by 15.60%. Through above results, which verify the increase in concrete mix strength after adding MWCNTs, these MWCNTs may be incorporated in the treatment of Nano/micro cracks completed through process of connecting, branching and pinning. Similarly, as proved in threepoint bending tests, MWCNTs also enhances the breaking strains as well as the fracture energy of the concrete mixes, besides, imparting increase to the strength. The investigations have shown that incorporating lesser amounts of MWCNTs i.e., 0.05 and 0.10 wt% of cement to the concrete mixes after insuring there complete dispersion, unusually improve their properties like mechanical strengths and fracture behavio