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In this research, we propose an energy-management scheme for domestic users, which uses the load-shifting strategy of demand-side management (DSM). The research demonstrates that the energy sector's circular debt problem from the viewpoint of a developing country can be solved by incorporating DSM. Circular debt is a chain reaction that arises when the balance between cost and energy supply collapses. Circular debt is an ongoing problem in Pakistan, where economic crises are continuously posing a threat to the energy sector. DSM is envisioned to address these concerns in a dynamic way thoroughly: introducing DSM can minimize circular debt, increase grid reliability, and smooth the supply–demand operation. Circular debt is directly linked with the subsidy offered by the government of Pakistan. As the cost of energy utilized by consumers increases, the subsidy also increases due to the direct link between the two entities. Therefore, the subsidy can be controlled by energy-consumption management with the adoption of DSM. This study addresses that by incorporating optimized cost solutions, circular debt can be regulated to improve the economy of the energy sector. A genetic algorithm is used as an optimization tool to manage demand and generate an optimal schedule under a dynamic electricity pricing signal. To support the utility, a solar system is used as a secondary energy source. Finally, the results show a curtailment in the payable costs at both the consumer and government ends, thus reducing the circular debt in the bigger picture. The reduction is 18% without and 41% with renewable energy support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves deeply into the intricate interplay among technology innovation, green finance, foreign direct investment (FDI), GDP, and their collective impact on the environment. Employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model over the timeframe spanning 1990 to 2021, the study aims to unveil nuanced insights into the intricate relationships that shape the environmental landscape. The study's findings offer an insightful perspective on the connections between these pivotal variables and their repercussions on environmental metrics. Specifically, the outcomes reveal a negative correlation between technology innovation, green finance, and CO2 emissions, as well as ecological footprints. This suggests a noteworthy linkage between technological advancements and the adoption of sustainable financial mechanisms with reduced carbon emissions and a less burdensome ecological footprint. These trends underline their potential to contribute positively to the well-being of the environment. In contrast, the study uncovers a positive correlation between FDI, GDP, and both CO2 emissions and ecological footprints. This observation underscores the intricate dynamics at play, wherein foreign direct investment and economic growth appear to exert pressures that escalate carbon emissions and environmental impact. This intricate relationship brings into focus the potential trade-offs between advancing economic development and preserving the environment, necessitating a thoughtful equilibrium for sustainable progress. The implications of these revelations hold substantial weight for policymakers and government officials in Pakistan. By illuminating the nuanced interconnections among technology innovation, green finance, FDI, and environmental indicators, this research equips decision-makers with invaluable insights to formulate effective policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important fiber crop in Pakistan with significant economic importance. Transgenic, insect-resistant cotton (carrying a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)) was inducted in the cotton-based cropping systems of Pakistan during 2002, and is now sown in >90% of cotton fields in the country. However, concerns are rising that Bt cotton would decrease the productivity of winter crops (sown after cotton), leading to decreased system productivity. This two-year field study determined the impacts of transgenic (Bt) and non-transgenic (non-Bt) cotton genotypes on the productivities of winter crops (i.e., wheat, Egyptian clover, and canola), and the overall productivities of the cropping systems including these crops. Four cotton genotypes (two Bt and two non-Bt) and three winter crops (i.e., wheat, Egyptian clover, and canola) were included in the study. Nutrient availability was assessed after the harvest of cotton and winter crops. Similarly, the yield-related traits of cotton and winter crops were recorded at their harvest. The productivities of the winter crops were converted to net economic returns, and the overall economic returns of the cropping systems with winter crops were computed. The results revealed that Bt and non-Bt cotton genotypes significantly (p < 0.05) altered nutrient availability (N, P, K, B, Zn, and Fe). However, the yield-related attributes of winter crops were not affected by cotton genotypes, whereas the overall profitability of the cropping systems varied among the cotton genotypes. Economic analyses indicated that the Bt cotton–wheat cropping system was the most profitable, with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.55 in the semi-arid region of Pakistan. It is concluded that Bt cotton could be successfully inducted into the existing cropping systems of Pakistan without any decrease to the overall productivity of the cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Asia, Pakistan is contributing to the highest childhood mortality, including infant mortality. Child mortality has been declined globally, but Pakistan is still struggling and far behind the targets of Sustainable Development Goals. There are several reasons behind high childhood mortality, including socioeconomic determinants and a lack of effective implementation of health-related policies, particularly in primary health care settings. In the present study, we use the stochastic univariate models to uncover the trend of infant mortality by using more than half of the century data from 1960-2017. The secondary data on infant mortality rate from 1960 to 2017 was extracted from World Bank Dataset. Descriptive and time series analysis were applied by using the programming language R. The median infant mortality rate was 109 per 1,000 live births, whereas a higher mortality rate (189.8/1000) was reported in 1960. A gradual decline in infant mortality rates is experienced every year. The mortality rate went down below 100/1,000 live births from 1993 and remained 61.2/1,000 in 2017. ARIMA (1, 2, 2) is an adequate forecasting model selected by using the Auto ARIMA function with a root mean square error is 0.1006. Five years ahead forecast is obtained and yielded that infant mortality rate is expected to remain in 2018 [59.54, C.I (59.34 - 59.73)], 2019 [57.93, C.I (57.47 - 58.40)], 2020 [56.39, C.I (55.48 - 57.30)], 2021 [54.90, C.I (53.35 - 56.45)] and 2022 [53.47, C.I (51.05 - 55.88)]. The decreasing trend is expected in the infant mortality rate in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Statistical models play a significant role in understanding the trend, level and trajectory of infectious diseases and provide the foundation to formulate effective policies and timely intervention, so that the morbidity and mortality due to these diseases can be declined. This study aimed to uncover the trend and proposing a forecasting model for daily expected outbreaks due to COVID-19 of fourth spike in Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: This study is primarily based on a secondary data of COVID-19 daily confirmed outbreaks. The twomonth (1st June to 31st July 2021) time series data is recorded and available from COVID-19 health advisory platform by Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination official website. Descriptive and time series analysis (ARIMA, exponential smoothing models) were applied. The analysis was carried out using R programming language. RESULTS: The highest (5026) and the lowest (663), COVID-19 confirm cases reported on 31 July 2021 and 21 June 2021 respective, whereas the average confirmed cases were 1830 [762-2898] per day. Four different time series models are executed namely ARIMA, Brown, Holt and Winter. Among competitive models, ARIMA (0, 2, 1) is found to be an optimum forecasting model, selected by using auto ARIMA function with least root mean square error. A day ahead forecast is obtained under the selected ARIMA model and yielded that COVID-19 confirmed outbreaks is expected to increase about 3.1% per day. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 outbreaks are expected to rise in Pakistan and ARIMA (0, 2, 1) is an optimum forecasting model for daily COVID-19 outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anxiety and depression (A&D) are commonly reported among pregnant women from all over the world; however, there is a paucity of workable data from the developing countries including Pakistan. The current study, therefore, aims to find out the frequency and predictors of A&D among pregnant women attending a tertiary healthcare institutes in the city of Quetta, in the Balochistan province, Pakistan.Methods: A questionnaire based, cross-sectional survey was conducted. The pre-validated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to assess the frequency of A&D among study respondents. Anxiety and depression scores were calculated via standard scoring procedures while logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of A&D. SPSS v. 20 was used for data analysis and p < 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: Seven hundred and fifty pregnant women responded to the survey. The majority of the respondents belonged to age group of 26-35 year (424, 56.4%) and had no formal education (283, 37.6%). Furthermore, 612 (81.4%) of the respondents were unemployed and had urban residencies (651, 86.6%). The mean anxiety score was 10.08 ± 2.52; the mean depression score was 9.51 ± 2.55 and the total HADS score was 19.23 ± 3.91 indicating moderate A&D among the current cohort. Logistic regression analysis reported significant goodness of fit (Chi square = 17.63, p = 0.030, DF = 3), indicating that the model was advisable. Among all variables, age had a significant association when compared with HADS scores [adjusted OR (odds ratios) = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.13-1.62, p < 0.001].Conclusion: Moderate A&D was reported among the study respondents. Furthermore, age was highlighted as a predictor of A&D. The evidence from this study provides a motion of support programs for anxious and depressed pregnant women. The benefits of implementing good mental health in antenatal care have long-lasting benefits for both mother and infant. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate A&D screening in the existing antenatal programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the randomized controlled trial that explores on the effectiveness of pharmacist intervention in improving the understanding on hypertension, enhancing medication adherence, and improving the quality of life of patients with hypertension. The topics discussed include the effectiveness of pharmacist intervention in lowering the diastolic and systolic blood pressure levels of hypertensive patients and the disability and mortality caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Objective: To know the status of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children admitted in Pediatric ward of Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and duration of study: Pediatric unit-1 Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur over a period of 2 months and 15 days. Material and methods: This study was conducted over 500 children admitted in children ward-1 of Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. Children of 1-15 years of age were included in the study. The blood samples of these children were taken at the time of admission and serum was tested for HCV with ICT method and later on confirmed by ELISA. Children having HCV infection were tested for SGPT level. Different risk factors for transmission of HCV infection were also studied. Results: Out of 500 children 43 were HCV positive by ICT method. Out of these 43 ICT positive children 38 were confirmed by ELISA. In this way 7.6% children were found positive for HCV. In 23 cases (60.5%) SGPT was raised (>40). Statistically significant risk factors for transmission of HCV infection found in this study were past history of blood transfusion and history of injections in past. Conclusions: HCV infection is quite common in children. Safe blood transfusions and use of disposable and sterilized syringes is important for prevention of this infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rainfall–runoff modelling has been at the essence of research in hydrology for a long time. Every modern technique found its way to uncover the dynamics of rainfall–runoff relation for different basins of the world. Different techniques of machine learning have been extensively applied to understand this hydrological phenomenon. However, the literature is still scarce in cases of extensive research work on the comparison of streamline machine learning (ML) techniques and impact of wavelet pre-processing on their performance. Therefore, this study compares the performance of single decision tree (SDT), tree boost (TB), decision tree forest (DTF), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and gene expression programming (GEP) in rainfall–runoff modelling of the Soan River basin, Pakistan. Additionally, the impact of wavelet pre-processing through maximal overlap discrete wavelet transformation (MODWT) on the model performance has been assessed. Through a comprehensive comparative analysis of 110 model settings, we concluded that the MODWT-based DTF model has yielded higher Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of 0.90 at lag order (Lo4). The coefficient of determination for the model was also highest among all the models while least root mean square error (RMSE) value of 23.79 m3/s was also produced by MODWT-DTF at Lo4. The study also draws inter-technique comparison of the model performance as well as intra-technique differentiation of modelling accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides insights into the feasibility of a desiccant dehumidification-based Maisotsenko cycle evaporative cooling (M-DAC) system for greenhouse air-conditioning application. Conventional cooling techniques include direct evaporative cooling, refrigeration systems, and passive/active ventilation. which are commonly used in Pakistan; however, they are either not feasible due to their energy cost, or they cannot efficiently provide an optimum microclimate depending on the regions, the growing seasons, and the crop being cultivated. The M-DAC system was therefore proposed and evaluated as an alternative solution for air conditioning to achieve optimum levels of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) for greenhouse crop production. The objective of this study was to investigate the thermodynamic performance of the proposed system from the viewpoints of the temperature gradient, relative humidity level, VPD, and dehumidification gradient. Results showed that the standalone desiccant air-conditioning (DAC) system created maximum dehumidification gradient (i.e., 16.8 g/kg) and maximum temperature gradient (i.e., 8.4 °C) at 24.3 g/kg and 38.6 °C ambient air conditions, respectively. The DAC coupled with a heat exchanger (DAC+HX) created a temperature gradient nearly equal to ambient air conditions, which is not in the optimal range for greenhouse growing conditions. Analysis of the M-DAC system showed that a maximum air temperature gradient, i.e., 21.9 °C at 39.2 °C ambient air condition, can be achieved, and is considered optimal for most greenhouse crops. Results were validated with two microclimate models (OptDeg and Cft) by taking into account the optimality of VPD at different growth stages of tomato plants. This study suggests that the M-DAC system is a feasible method to be considered as an efficient solution for greenhouse air-conditioning under the climate conditions of Multan (Pakistan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to quantify phenolic acids and flavonoids from Citrullus colocynthis roots (CCR), leaves (CCL) fruits (CCF) and compare the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of their extracts and major compounds. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of phenolic acids and flavonoids from ethanol and hexane extracts of CCR, CCL and CCF. The antioxidant activity of CCR, CCL and CCF extracts was investigated by measuring total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation and reducing power. The RP-HPLC analysis of C. colocynthis extracts revealed the presence of ferulic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumeric acid, gallic acid, p-hydroxy benzoic acid and chlorogenic acid being the major phenolic acids and quercetin, myricetin and catechin being the most prominent flavonoids compounds. The amounts of TP (3.07–18.6mg/g of dry plant material, measured as gallic acid equivalent) and TF (0.51–13.9mg/g of dry plant material, measured as catechin equivalent) were higher in ethanol extracts of CCL, followed by CCR and CCF. Ethanol extract of CCL exhibited the highest antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activities followed by ethanol extracts of CCR and CCF. However, only hexane extract of CCF showed considerable DPPH radical scavenging activity. The results suggested that CCR, CCL and CCF extracts showed a wide variability of their phenolic acids and flavonoids composition and antioxidant activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In today's corporate world, a company's long-term viability and prosperity depend on its corporate governance practices. The present study investigates the interplay between financial misrepresentation, earnings management, and corporate governance within the context of Pakistan. To estimate the financial data of enterprises obtained from non-financial organizations listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange a panel regression analysis was conducted. The analysis covered the time from 2009 to 2020 and employed quantitative data. The findings of the study show that the different aspects of corporate governance mechanisms have varying levels of influence. Specifically, remuneration paid to directors had a significant impact on financial misstatement, while the size of the board strongly impacts the earning management. The financial misstatement was also found affected by the earning management. The M score (statistical model used to predict the probability of financial misstatement) positively influenced when board diligence was incorporated in the mediation of earning management. It is important to note that this study only considers the internal governance mechanisms of firms, suggesting that future research could benefit from the inclusion of external governance mechanisms for a more holistic model. This study is aligned with the ESG's governance aspects and SDG-17, providing valuable insights for specialists, financial backers, policymakers, and experts. The results of this study catalyze further research in this area and can aid in achieving SDG 17 by raising awareness of the significance of good governance practices, ethical reporting that leads to sustainable firm performance, and ensuring long-term economic growth and development., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in breast lesion with gold standard of histopathological diagnosis., Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Pathology department of Bannu Medical College in collaboration with Surgery Department of Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital Bannu as well as other private surgical hospitals of the territory. A total of 88 FNAC of palpable breast lesions were performed and compared with their corresponding histopathological reports. Patients age, location of lesion in breast, and other necessary findings were recorded on predesigned proforma, FNAC performed by using 10 ml syringes. Slides prepared and processed for cytological staining and reported by cytopathologist. Corresponding biopsies were processed for histopathological examination and diagnosis. All female patients of any age with breast lesions were included, and those breast lesions for which no histopathological report was available were excluded. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used for calculation of frequencies with percentages and mean with standard deviation. Also, specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated by using formulas., Results: In this study the mean age was 34.44±21.57 years and age range was from 16 to 80 years. The most common age group was 26-35 years followed by 36-45 years. In this study sensitivity was (83.33%), specificity was (100 %), positive predictive value was (100 %), negative predictive value was (99.27%) and diagnostic accuracy was 99.30%., Conclusions: FNAC breast is an easily approachable, less invasive, cheap, rapid and almost accurate diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of palpable as well as non palpable breast lesions.

Background: Measles is the most common and the most infectious of the viral infections of childhood. It can cause severe pneumonia, diarrhoea, encephalitis, and death. A significant proportion of deaths due to measles in young children worldwide are attributable to low weight for age To compare the measles complications in well-nourished and mal-nourished children, this cross-sectional study was conducted at Paediatric out-patient department and paediatric unit 1 Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur., Methods: Total 120 patients were included in the study. All patients presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of measles according to WHO criteria. These patients were divided into well-nourished and malnourished according to the modified Gomez classification. Both groups were evaluated for measles complications like pneumonia, diarrhoea, encephalitis, corneal ulceration, thrombocytopenia, otitis media and myocarditis by detailed history and complete physical examination, and statistically analysed., Results: In the studied patients, 75 were males and 45 were females. Mean age was 23 months. Fifty-nine (49.2%) patients were well-nourished and 61 (50.8%) were undernourished. Fifty-two (43.3%) patients were having pneumonia. Fifty-three (44.2%) patients were having diarrhoea. Twenty-six (21.7%) patients were having encephalitis. Corneal ulceration was found in 9 (7.5%) patients. Thrombocytopenia and otitis media was present in 1 patient in each group. Fourteen patients expired., Conclusion: Measles is a global epidemic problem having many serious complications, including pneumonia, diarrhoea, encephalitis, corneal ulcerations etc. Moreover these complications are more frequent in under nourished children. Efforts should be made to improve the nutritional status of the children and to eradicate this disease by effective vaccination.