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Fractional calculus and fractal theory remain significant tools in modeling complex real-world problems in biology and life science. In this study, we formulated a compartmental mathematical model using the Caputo fractional and fractal–fractional operators to study the dynamics and transmission of Nipah virus infection. Initially, the model is developed by a system of seven nonlinear ordinary differential equations that govern the dynamics of viral concentration, the flying fox, and the human populations. Furthermore, the model is restructured using more general modeling approaches based on fractional calculus and fractal theory to gain valuable insights into the dynamics of Nipah virus transmission. The necessary properties of the model, such as uniqueness and existence in both cases, were investigated, and possible equilibrium points with their existence were presented. The model parameters are estimated on the basis of the clinical epidemiology of the Nipah outbreak in Bangladesh, one of the most affected regions. The stability of the fractional model is studied by applying the Ulam–Hyers and Ulam–Hyers–Rassias stability conditions. Moreover, computational schemes for the model in fractional and fractal–fractional cases are developed using interpolation techniques. Finally, a detailed simulation was presented to validate the theoretical findings. We affirm that the present findings will help researchers incorporate advanced computational techniques in infectious disease modeling and control studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of the study were to measure the efficiency in trade and transport through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and to ascertain efficiency in trade and economic development through developed transport infrastructures. The present study was conducted in Peshawar, Pakistan. The data was collected from the relevant developing sectors and stakeholders through CPEC including investors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Peshawar Railway Station track employees. Majority of bi-variate analysis through chi-square test result showed that there was a strong and significant association between the project of CPEC and efficiency in trade and transport in terms of economy. Similarly, a strong and significant association was found between the development of transport routes through CPEC and smooth transportation of goods and services. Furthermore, a strong and significant association was found between CPEC project and improvement in travelling potential. Similarly, a significant association was found between development in transport infrastructure and fastness and reliability in business travelling. In the same way, a significant association was found between CPEC and increase in the geographical size of the labour market. As in the chain, a strong and significant association was found between the development of transport infrastructures through CPEC and increase in labour force productivity along with an increase in the range of choice of individual and firms. This could come true that CPEC as a project would ensure smooth efficiency transportation of trade goods and services in terms of reducing time distance and cost. CPEC as a project should not be only limited to economic activities, rather it should contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the region.

A nonlinear mathematical model of COVID-19 containing asymptomatic as well as symptomatic classes of infected individuals is considered and examined in the current paper. The largest eigenvalue of the next-generation matrix known as the reproductive number is obtained for the model, and serves as an epidemic indicator. To better understand the dynamic behavior of the continuous model, the unconditionally stable nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme is constructed. The aim of developing the NSFD scheme for differential equations is its dynamic reliability, which means discretizing the continuous model that retains important dynamic properties such as positivity of solutions and its convergence to equilibria of the continuous model for all finite step sizes. The Schur–Cohn criterion is used to address the local stability of disease-free and endemic equilibria for the NSFD scheme; however, global stability is determined by using Lyapunov function theory. We perform numerical simulations using various values of some key parameters to see more characteristics of the state variables and to support our theoretical findings. The numerical simulations confirm that the discrete NSFD scheme maintains all the dynamic features of the continuous model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxadiazole-based-thiourea analogs (1–18) were synthesized and evaluated for their β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity. All analogs showed extensive β-glucuronidase inhibitory potential ranging between (IC50 = 2.20 ± 0.01 µM) to (IC50 = 52.25 ± 1.20 µM) by comparing with the standard D-Saccharic acid 1,4-lactone (IC50 = 48.30 ± 1.25 µM). Among the series, analogue 7 having IC50 value (IC50 = 2.20 ± 0.01 µM)), 16 (IC50 = 4.40 ± 0.10 µM) and 4 (IC50 = 9.20 ± 0.20 µM) showed an excellent inhibitory potential greater than that of standard D-saccharic acid-1,4- lactone. Analogue 7 (IC50 = 2.20 ± 0.01 µM) of this series having flouro group at ortho-position of phenyl ring was recognized to be most active analogue due to involvement of flouro group in hydrogen bonding with the enzyme active site. In addition, all synthesized derivatives characterized by using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HR-MS), 13C-NMR and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-NMR proton). For better understanding of binding mode of interactions of these active analogs molecular docking study was performed. Structure Activity relationship (SAR) was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to locate the voice of the native African women in Okot p' Bitek's 'Song of Lawino: The Woman with Whom I Share my Husband'. This poem gives an outlet to the feelings of a native woman named Lawino who responds to her husband influenced by Western culture and education. Lawino becomes the voice of the native African women who are treated as lesser human beings along with their men by the Western people. Okot p' Bitek is successful in situating his work in postcolonial canon by aptly establishing a counter-narrative in his work that sufficiently dismantles the Western narrative about the natives of Africa, who are colonized by the West. As it is a great challenge for the writers from the colonized world to counter the narrative of colonizers, and they cannot often do justice in giving space to the voice of the colonized. This poem has been analyzed in light of the postcolonial theory that provides a powerful tool to de-structure colonial narrative. Textual analysis has been used to analyze the poem. The study shows that Okot p' Bitek's Lawino defends her culture and native people to the fullest extent by meaningfully situating her response against the Western narrative. Colonial literature has often represented the natives of Africa, in the African context, and people of Asia, in the Asian context, as uncultured, uncivilized, and backward people. Such (mis) representation of the natives has been so much popular that it was deemed to be true. As Said (1978) has termed such type of representation as to be the structure of lies that is far away from reality. Postcolonial writers and readers assume the responsibility of dismantling such representation, in the colonial texts, by bringing the voice of the suppressed/oppressed people whose voice is not given space in colonial texts that predominantly keep the narrative of the colonizers intact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main theme of this study is to investigate the information needs and seeking behavior of distance and regular Library and Information undergraduate students studying at different public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan. Quantitative research method was used to carry out this research study. Adopted questionnaire was used as data collection tool. A total of 299 questionnaires were distributed among the respondents and 213 questionnaires were received. It was depicted that lectures and course books were the prime needed information of both groups for their academic qualifications. The prime needed information of both groups was found as "Information on course of study", followed by Scholarships for onward education, job opportunities, postgraduate education and career development. It is recommended that with provision of course related information; some efforts should be made for provision of extra services like career development, job facilitation, scholarships searching and information for further education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debate on secular and religious education is very common in Pakistan. This dialogue has been an academic concern for all of those working in the field of sociology of education across the boundaries. This study mainly focuses to explore how and when the discourse of secular and religious education emerged in Pakistan. Besides, this investigation additionally means to uncover the significant explanations for this partition of training into mainstream and strict. Exploring the discourse of secularreligious education in Pakistan, this study uses the research philosophy of interpretivism which guides qualitative methodology. Using judgmental sampling technique, a sample of 60 respondents (comprises of 30 school/college/university teachers and 30 madrassa teachers/alims) was selected for data collection. Interview guide was used as tool of data collection for in depth interviews with the respondents from across the KP province. The key theoretical insights come for this study from post colonialism to explore the question: how and why the secular-religious discourse of education emerged and what are the major causes of this discourse. The study findings suggest that ideological differences, misunderstanding of modern education, political differentiation among Muslim scholars, and lack of interest to understand secular education have given birth to the secular-religious discourse of education in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of spirituality and social support along with its impact on health related quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 15th July to 31st August 2018 on 200 patients selected through purposive sampling. Pre-validated questionnaires were used to collect the data on spirituality, social support and QoL, which were analyzed using SPSS v.20.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied where needed. RESULTS: In 200 patients, 151 (75.5%) were male, majority (n=70; 35%) were from >48 to 58 years of age group, maximum (n=116; 58%) were unmarried, while majority had primary education (n=62; 31%). Laryngeal carcinoma (n=24; 12%), was the commonest clinical presentation followed by breast cancer (n=23; 11.5%). Majority (n=77; 38.5%) presented at Stage III, 140 (70%) reported it to be diagnosed at first evaluation, 161 (80.5%) had no family history, 109 (54.5%) reported to start spiritual treatment after diagnosis, and 117 (58.5%) reported family as their main support during the whole phase. In spirituality distinctiveness, 68 (34%) patients showed very high spiritual level, 72 (36%) reported to recite specific Quranic verses in religious practice, in which 112 (56%) reported to recite, واذا ﻣﺮﺿﺖ ﻓﻬﻮ ﻳﺸــــــــــــﻔﻴﻦ 168 (84%) leaned towards spiritual practices after diagnosis. In correlation, spirituality (2.42±0.596) and social support (2.19±0.568), both had a significant correlation with QoL (2.37±0.494) with values of r=0.289, p=0.000 and r=0.238, p=0.001 respectively. CONCLUSION: Spirituality and social support are the key coping mechanisms that have supportive influences on the patients' overall health-related QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]