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This study investigates the influence of financial development on green finance and environmental sustainability over thirty years, from 1993 to 2023. It uses data from all countries and applies the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) approach. The study analysed the relationship between financial development indicators such as financial access, financial depth, financial efficiency, financial stability and measures of green finance. The researchers found that increased levels of financial development positively affect the adoption and implementation of green finance practices. Green finance initiatives around the world are successful in meeting environmental sustainability objectives. Governments and policymakers need to prioritise investments and policies that promote green finance to meet environmental sustainability globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The inadequate and stressful environment of COVID-19 pandemic affected and triggered the inappropriate vocal behavior with stressful tension of laryngeal muscles and scapular griddle region among many practicing speech pathologists. Objective: To determine voice changes among speech pathologists during COVID-19 pandemic. Study type, settings & duration: A cross sectional study was conducted among certified speech pathologist with specific specialties and experiences across country of Pakistan and abroad through an online valid and reliable self-assessment tool from May to October 2020. Methodology: Almost 150 Speech pathologists were approached through online medium, out of which only 70 Speech Pathologists responded on the research questionnaire. Formal ethical approval was taken from Riphah International University research ethical committee. After taking consent, the questionnaire link was shared with practicing speech pathologists. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: A total of 70 certified speech pathologists participated in the study, among them 7 (10%) were male and 63 (90%) were female. The preferred method of service delivery observed among speech pathologists was 34 (49.5%) hybrid service having both onsite and tele service. It was observed that 6 (8.6%) and 12 (17.1%) speech pathologists were facing with severe and moderate symptoms of vocal fatigue index, and 4 (5.7%),10 (14.3%) speech pathologists were with symptoms of severe and moderate voice use problems (pain in neck, throat etc.) respectively. It was also observed that with rest 58 (82.8%) speech pathologists were feeling extremely and moderately relieved from pain. Conclusion: The stressful and unusual environment during the first phase of COVID 19 pandemic, affected speech pathologists in presenting vocal fatigue symptoms and voice use problems like feeling of pain in laryngeal area etc. Higher proportion of speech pathologists presented vocal fatigue symptoms and other voice induced problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crucial to feminists studies concerning to degradation is the textual analysis of male world's domination over ecology and women on parallel level. Ecofeminism is a multidimensional term that has roots in different feminist practices and philosophies. These different perspectives reflect a variety of feminist approaches and mirror different understandings of nature and solution to burning environmental problems. I trace within Kamala Markandaya's Nectar in a Sieve that how women have been marginalized and devalued on a large scale since the very birth of colonization. Similarly, the other oppressed non-human body; environment has also been degraded, devalued and mistreated by the local domination of masculine regimes and by the colonizers. This text highlights how poor live under inhuman conditions in these male chauvinistic societies. In these patriarchal societies, particularly in the villages of third world countries women and nature are regarded as equal and same due to their nurturing and reproductive qualities. Gender discrimination and exploitation of these rural families and other evils are also at affinity. The arrival of white missionaries in these agrarian societies creates the problems for innocent village dwellers in the form of alienation and displacement. The study objective includes finding out not only women's relation to nature and society's treatment to nature but finding their place within class and gender discriminated patriarchal and capitalist societies also. It also aims at to trace the gender and class issues in the novel to ascertain a triangular relationship of the theory (ecofeminism, Marxism and post colonialism) by developing an intersectional medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at ascertaining psychogeography's magnetism on the phenomenon of identity formation. From its origin till the present time, the term 'psychogeography' has travelled in multi-directions but the present research takes the term from Guy Debord, the originator of this term. Psychcogeography, in his view, counts space and surroundings as its input to process individuals' social identities, marks their psyche streams, behavior, modes and often results into their multiple social identities. In postmodern era, psychogeography is the major factor that determines, develops and regulates the individuals' social identities within fixed strictures. This study uses postmodern psychoanalysis as its theoretical framework with the concepts of Guy Debord, William Treutt Anderson's self- a social entity and Sheldon Stryker's socialization of self. Further, this research uses analytical-cumdescriptive methodology. This paper critically analyzes the role of psychogeography in the scheme of identity formation and interprets the textual lines where individuals' identities are formed under its influence. This research reaches conclusion that Identity formation is no more the asset of racism or classism in the novel but the outcome of invoked sensations of land on the determiners' psyche pattern and land provides multiple identities to one individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background • It is estimated that 25% of the patients in Pakistan experience stroke resulting in problems with language. Among many of the conditions, problem with verbal expressive production (Broca’s Aphasia) is one of the main problem faced by people having stoke. Many traditional therapies are incorporated to treat symptoms of Aphasia including fluent and non- fluent Aphasia. Objectives • The primary objective of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of Verbal Expressive Skill Management Program in Urdu (VESMP-U) with convention speech therapy, Melodic Intonation therapy (MIT) in enhancing the verbal expressive skills in patients with severe Broca’s Aphasia. Another objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of Verbal Expressive Skill Management Program in Urdu (VESMP-U) with traditional therapy, as well as the quality of life of patients with severe Broca’s Aphasia. Methods • A randomized control trial (NCT03699605, clinicaltrials.gov) was conducted from November 2018 – June 2019 in Pakistan railway Hospital (PRH). Patients having a three-month history of severe Broca’s Aphasia, aged between 40-60 years, bilingual (Urdu and English language) and having the ability to use a smart phone were included in the study. Patients with cognitive impairments were excluded. Total of 77 patients were evaluated for eligibility criteria according to the G Power software for sample size. Out of 77, 54 individuals fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The participants were divided into 2 groups (27 each) through sealed envelope method. Patients of both groups were assessed pre and post intervention using the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BADE) battery (Primary outcome measure). Experimental group n = 25 received VESMP-U therapy and control group n = 25 (2 drop out in each group) received MIT for 16 weeks i.e. 4 days per week having 64 sessions altogether. Each intervention session lasted up to 30-45 minutes for both groups. Results • Within and between group analysis after intervention showed that the VESMP-U group had significantly improved BDAE scores (P = .001; 95% CI) than the MIT group for all variables (articulatory intelligibility, phrase length, grammatical form, prosody/intonation, spontaneous speech, word finding, repetition, and auditory comprehension). The BDAE scores of participants in experimental group having VESMP-U therapy pre- and post-intervention were statistically significant (P = .001; 95% CI), which indicates that participant’s communication skills were enhanced by use of VESMP-U. Conclusion • Android based application VESMP-U has been found to be effective in improving expression and quality of life of patients with severe Broca’s aphasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmentative and Alternative Communication is an aided or unaided means of communication which supports existing communication abilities of an individual or replaces natural speech due to any speech and language disorder. The deficit could be developmental or acquired such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, dysarthria, dyspraxia or due to any acquired neurological condition such as aphasia and other degenerative disorders. Furthermore, it may be due to surgical procedures such as laryngectomy. Alternate means of communication have also been successfully used with COVID-19 patients. These tools may include pictures, symbols, signs or voice output devices. Parents of children with special needs and medical professionals have been reluctant in implementing the approach due to certain misconceptions. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence for the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication with a range of disorders in relation to in relation to Pakistan.