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The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a significant and inaugural project of the "Belt and Road" initiative which is considered as structure and manifesto for panoramic and fundamental collaboration between China and Pakistan. The CPEC project was initiated to develop economic growth and facilitate free trade between both countries. However, it has generated immense employment opportunities, education facilities, and improved quality of life for local citizens, specifically women, as well as international overreach. This study investigates and examines the benefits of CPEC project and its influence on women empowerment. Based on the background of the CPEC, this study has been carried out by applying a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods to fill the gap. Data was aggregated with the help of a survey questionnaire and interviews from the residents of the Thar region of Pakistan, which comes under CPEC route. In total, 306 samples were acquired and analysed using different statistical tools such as SPSS (Statistical package for social sciences) and PLS (Partial least squares) to formulate the study results. The findings revealed that the development of CPEC has remarkably improved the quality of life for women by providing enormous employment opportunities, education facilities, skills enhancement programs, and training facilities. The analyzed results will guide government policymakers and officials to promote operational activities in the region, develop new educational institutions, and create employment opportunities for the local community and women to obtain further development of CPEC projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A great number of studies have been conducted to examine the direct impact of corporate social responsibility on firm's financial performance, but this direct relationship seems to be spurious and imprecise. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the intervening role of corporate image and customer satisfaction on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance. Data is collected from 229 companies listed on Pakistan stock exchange using simple random sampling technique. Structural equation modelling has been used for the measurement model and for hypotheses testing. Results indicate that corporate image and customer satisfaction partially mediate the association between corporate social responsibility and financial performance. The study concludes that corporate social responsibility significantly affects the firm's financial performance by developing a positive image among the stakeholders and decreasing overall costs. This study will help management of organizations to realize the importance of corporate social responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of scaling and root planing (SRP) alone and SRP along with adjunctive probiotic containing Lactobacillus reuteri (L.reuteri) in the management of chronic periodontitis (CP) and comparing the efficacy of two treatment modalities. Methods: Twenty-eight systemically healthy participants, clinically diagnosed with CP on the bases of pocket depth were enrolled from the outpatient department of Periodontology, Ziauddin College of Dentistry, Ziauddin University, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan. After complete periodontal examination all clinical periodontal parameter i.e., Probing Pocket depth (PPD), Clinical attachment level (CAL), percentage sites for plaque accumulation (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were measured and recorded at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after therapy. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria underwent nonsurgical periodontal therapy i.e. SRP both with hand instruments and with ultrasonic scalers. After SRP oral hygiene measures were reassured and then participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups i.e., Probiotics (N=14) or Placebo (N=14). Both L. reuteri and placebo were given twice daily for 12 weeks and patients were recalled for assessment. Results: At baseline both groups were similar clinically. Intra-group comparison of clinical periodontal parameters showed improvement in the participants of both groups. Inter-group comparison showed greater reduction in PPD and BOP and more gain in CAL in probiotic group on each follow up visits and statistically significant difference was observed in two groups. Whereas for PI the difference between two groups at follow-up visit was insignificant i.e. both treatment strategies were equal in reducing percentage sites of plaque accumulation. Conclusion: The results of our study concludes L.reuteri containing probiotic along with SRP is superior when compared to SRP alone in terms of resolving inflammation and improving periodontal health. Probiotics can be used as a promising alternative adjunctive therapy with minimal or no side effects in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Road and transportation has a significant role in the prosperity, economic growth and development of a region. The main purpose of this study is to conduct an in-depth analysis of local residents’ attitude towards road and transport infrastructure (China–Pakistan economic corridor, CPEC) and the wider economic, social, cultural and environmental impact on local people.Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using a questionnaire survey from the local people. Factor analysis and structural equation modelling approach were used to test the relation between the observed and latent variables.Findings The result discovered that road infrastructure has significant socio-economic and cultural impacts that significantly affect the local people support for CPEC development. It also revealed that more promotion and awareness regarding benefits of the project for dwellers lead to more support of the local residents in the study area.Practical implications Information provided by this study will help policymakers to gain local resident support for the project and make policies accordingly for the future projects.Originality/value This study investigated the attitude and support of the local people based on the road infrastructure’s social, economic, cultural and environmental impact, which has never been examined in the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]