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The existing studies on innovation extensively focused on such economic factors as foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, trade openness, and R&D investments. Contrastingly, non-economic factors have received less research attention in the innovation literature. Lousy governance may lead to political and institutional ineffectiveness. Widespread corruption weakens the accountability practices and rule of law and may consequently hamper innovation. Similarly, terrorism deters flows of investment, increases unproductive costs, causes brain drains, decreases R&D investment and entrepreneurial activities and finally inhibits rates of innovation. This study empirically investigates the impacts of governance structure, terrorism, FDI inflows, and trade openness upon innovation in a laggard country: Pakistan. The findings via the ARDL co-integration approach show that lousy governance, terrorism and FDI inflows have adverse impacts on innovation. Trade openness positively influences innovation, but only in the long run. The results across several robust checks remain the same. Policy implications are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this present study was to explore antioxidant and bioactive profile of ginger and turmeric. For the purpose, turmeric and ginger (Haldi and Adric) were procured from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Punjab-Pakistan. The study was comprised of different phases. Both of the spices were characterized for their chemical composition and mineral profile. Bioactive compound was extracted by using solvent followed by quantification through the high-pressure liquid chromatography. Furthermore, antioxidant potential including total phenolics content, free radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power test (FRAP assay) was analyzed. Results revealed that the antioxidant profile including free radical scavenging activity (47.67 ± 0.19 mg/100 g) and DPPH (80.16 ± 0.23%) of turmeric ginger powder extract was much higher than turmeric and ginger powder extract. Similarly, total phenolics content (103.39 ± 0.58 mg of GAE/g) and flavonoids (4.27 ± 0.05 mg CE/100 g) were much higher in turmeric ginger powder as compared to turmeric powder and ginger powder, respectively. Conclusively, turmeric ginger powder showed higher antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field survey was conducted for the sampling of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor resistance littleseed canarygrass, a major weed of wheat, from Punjab, Pakistan in 2014 for confirmation of resistance. The surveyed regions encompassed four different cropping systems including rice–wheat, maize–wheat, cotton–wheat and mixed cropping. Dose–response assay was conducted for confirmation of resistance. Efficacy of herbicide mixtures including clodinafop–propargyl, metribuzin, pinoxaden and sulfosulfuron at a range of doses was investigated to manage littleseed canarygrass. Results revealed that all populations were resistant to fenoxaprop except PM-BWL-2. The higher level resistance (6.5) was found in populations collected from rice–wheat cropping system. The tested herbicide mixtures at 75% and 100% of the recommended dose of each mixture component provided the effective control of resistant littleseed canarygrass. Mixtures at 50% provided more than 80% control and reduced growth and seed production potential of surviving plants. The confirmation of ACCase inhibitor resistance as the first case of herbicide resistance in Pakistan, leads us to discourage use of ACCase inhibitor herbicides alone. However, herbicide mixtures at 75% and 100% of the recommended dose are suggested to manage this weed for sustainable wheat production in the surveyed cropping systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to find out the association between self-care behaviors and glycemic control in older Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Multan, Pakistan. Data were collected from respondents registered in the Diabetic Clinic of Nishtar College and Hospital Multan from October 2018 to November 2018 through a self-administrative questionnaire. The simple random sample method was used, and a total of 154 Type 2 patients were selected randomly. The inclusion criteria were (a) respondents having Type 2 diabetes at least 6 months prior; (b) respondents being 60 years of age or above; (c) respondents registered in hospital diabetic clinic and (d) respondents belonging to low-income families having monthly income less than PKR 15000. The exclusion criteria were respondents having any physical disability and being dependent on others in physical movement and Type 1 diabetes mellitus patients. Descriptive and simple binary logistic regression was used to analyze the data through SPSS. The results of the study showed that mean glycemic control of respondents was (HbA1c, 8.47%), and only 48 (31.2%) respondents had better glycemic control. The respondent's level of education, Body Mass Index, hypertension, comorbidities, knowledge about diabetes and self-care behaviors (exercise, monitor glucose, medicine adherence, and diet plan) were significantly associated with glycemic level (P <.05). Bivariate logistic regression showed respondents, who performed self-care behaviors (to exercise daily 30 minutes, to monitor glucose two times in a week, regular medicine adherence, and to manage diet plan daily) had better glycemic control. The study concluded that few older Type 2 patients managed their better glycemic control in low economic status. The doctors and educationists must provide Type 2 self-care guidelines to older patients so that they may manage their glycemic control better and reduce the diabetes-related complications and treatment costs in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trachoma is a sight-threatening process triggered by infection of the conjunctiva with Chlamydiae. When this infection becomes chronic and is associated with poverty it triggers trachoma, the prime cause of infectious blindness in the world. Since the 1958 report indicating that the highest incidence of trachoma in Pakistan was found in the province of Punjab, no new trials have been published. In the present study, we assessed the prevalence of trachoma in 3968 children living in 11 rural villages in the district of Attock, Punjab, Pakistan. The children with trachoma were sampled to detect C. trachomatis by PCR. Methods: Children in rural villages in the district of Attock were examined for trachoma in February 2004. Samples were obtained by scraping, and DNA was extracted (MagnaPure-LC Robot) and amplified to detect C. trachomatis (Amplicor-Roche). The quality of sampling was assessed by quantifying the number of cells by real-time PCR. Results: The prevalence of trachoma was 3.7% (0 to 6.2%). PCR was positive in 20% of samples from trachomatous children and the number of cells was always >100/sample. The income levels, illiteracy, use of latrines, water supply, and the presence of animals close to dwellings were similar in all the villages. In Sujjenda, the prevalence was doubled in the warmest season. Conclusions: Trachoma was diagnosed in 3.7% of the children aged <10 years. The low rates for positive PCR may be due to loss of the plasmid, the involvement of other Chlamydiae, or their absence in chronic infections. The results obtained here underestimate the prevalence of trachoma because most of the mothers (and babies) were not tested in the district of Attock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide gap exists between production and consumption of vegetable oils in Pakistan. Thereby, a significant proportion (2.28 million tons) of vegetable oils is being imported at the cost of 2257 million US$. Therefore, the present study was conducted to quantify the comparative performance of various sunflower hybrids as influenced by various levels of nitrogen (N) fertilizer under different agro-environments. The experimental treatments consisted of three sunflower hybrids (Hysun33, Hysun38, and Pioneer-64A93) and five levels of N fertilizer (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 kg N ha−1), arranged in a randomized complete block design in a split plot with four replications. The field trials were conducted for two consecutive crop seasons under three different agro-ecologies (arid, semi-arid, and sub-humid) in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The results of the study demonstrated that the productivity of sunflower hybrids varied greatly in response to N fertilization and different ecologies. Maximum achene yield of 3177 kg ha−1 was harvested under sub-humid environment, followed by the semi-arid one. Among the hybrids, Hysun38 excelled the other two hybrids with a production of 3083 kg ha−1 and 41% oil contents. Generally, the productivity of hybrids increased with the increasing doses of N fertilizer. Maximum achene yield was obtained by addition of 180 kg N ha−1. The findings of the study revealed that yield potential of Hysun-38 could be exploited by addition of N fertilizer at the rate of 180 kg N ha−1 under sub-humid environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]