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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether capital structure affects accruals and real earnings management (AEM and REM) of nonfinancial firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Moreover, to investigate whether institutional development (ID) moderates the relation between capital structure and earnings management (EM). Design/methodology/approach: Data were taken from annual reports of nonfinancial firms listed on the PSX during 2012–2019. Data of 150 firms for a period of eight years were found completed with respect to the variables used in this study. The generalized moments of methods estimator is used to estimate the effects of explanatory variables on earning management. Furthermore, fixed and random effects methods were used to estimate the impact of capital structure on AEM and REM. Findings: Results show that all three measures of capital structure (i.e. total debt ratio, long-term debt ratio and short-term debt ratios) are inversely related to AEM. In contrast, all measures of capital structure are positively related to abnormal cash flow from operations. Total debt ratio and long-term debt ratio are negatively while short-term debt ratio is positively related to abnormal discretionary expenses. Total debt ratio and short-term debt ratio are significant and negatively related to abnormal production cost. Additionally, interaction terms of ID (i.e. rule of law and regulatory quality) significantly moderate the controlling role of debt on discretionary accruals. In sum, results show that the use of debt induces lender's monitoring. Consequently, managers move toward REM because of lower probability of being exposed. Practical implications: Findings of this study have significant implications for managers and regulatory authorities. For instance, the use of debt increases the lender's influence which restricts the managers to be involved in EM practices. Moreover, regulatory authorities are required to address the loopholes in regulations to refrain the managers to be engaged in EM. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study in Pakistan that has explored the impact of capital structure on AEM and REM. More importantly, a careful review of the literature affirms that this study is among the few studies that have used ID as a moderating variable to explain the relation between capital structure and EM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) is the most prevalent type of epilepsy with genetic origin. Mutations in ion channel genes have been identified as a common cause of IGE. Several studies have reported various epilepsy risk variants of GABRG2 (gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit gamma2 subunit) gene in different ethnic groups, but the results are inconsistent. The purpose of this case-control research is to determine if GABRG2 polymorphisms contribute to IGE susceptibility and antiepileptic drug resistance in Pakistani population. For this purpose, we genotyped exon2, exon5 (C540T and C588T), exon7 (T813C), exon8 (K289M), and exon9 of GABRG2 gene by restriction fragment length polymorphism and Sanger's sequencing in 87 drug-responsive idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients, 55 drug-resistant epilepsy patients, and 83 healthy controls. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing results indicated only C588T polymorphism in the studied subjects. The comparison of genotypic and allelic frequencies showed significant differences between IGE patients and control groups (P = 0.008 and odds ratio = 4.2) and nonsignificant association of C588T polymorphism in antiseizure medication-resistant patients (P = 0.9). Our findings showed that C588T polymorphism of GABRG2 is a risk variant for IGE in Pakistani population. Further studies are required to validate the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of firm-specific (i.e. firm size, profitability, leverage, dividend, growth opportunities, management quality and firm age) and country-specific (i.e., gross domestic product [GDP] growth) variables on compensation/remuneration offered to chief executive officers (CEOs) working in different industries of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: Panel data techniques, namely, pooled ordinary least squares, fixed effects and random effects methods are used to estimate the results. Moreover, Hausman test is used to choose which estimation method, either fixed effects or random effects, is better to explain the results. Findings: Firm size, profitability, leverage, growth opportunities and age are some important firm-specific factors that have mixed (i.e. positive/negative) impact on CEO compensation in different industries. Variations in results are due to industry dynamics. However, it is important to mention that three key variables, namely, dividend, management quality and GDP growth have shown consistent positive impact on CEO compensation in most of the industries. In sum, results show that firm-specific and country-specific variables have material effects on CEO compensation. Moreover, results are found consistent with the predictions of agency theory and human capital theory. Practical implications: The authors are sure that findings of this study provide some support to the board of directors to determine the pay slice for CEOs. Moreover, findings provide support to the regulatory authorities in formulating mechanisms to determine the compensation package for CEOs working in different industries and to improve the Code of Corporate Governance. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, no empirical study in Pakistan has yet estimated the effects of firm-specific and country-specific variables on compensation offered to CEOs working in different industries. Thus, industry-wise analysis provides some new insights to the decision-makers and lays some foundation upon which a more detail analysis could be based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar thermal collectors such as flat plate and evacuated tube collectors are used for maximum of 60-80 ℃ temperature and parabolic trough collectors are used for 700-900 ℃ temperature ranges. It is needed to develop and analyse solar collector, such as compound parabolic collectors (CPC) which can operate for intermediate temperature range from 50-300 ℃ for industrial and domestic applications. However, optical and thermal performance of CPC is strongly influenced by concentration ratio. The current study presents a comparative optical and thermal analysis of CPC with fixed (4.58) and variable (4.58 to 5.87) concentration ratio by using model-based transient simulation approach. Two profiles of compound parabolic collector are analysed with fixed and variable concentration ratio for the subtropical climate of Taxila, Pakistan. 2D profiles of both collectors are modelled and designed in MATLAB and are then analysed optically by using Monte Carlo ray tracing technique through TracePro. In addition, thermal analysis of both profiles is also performed through ANSYS. The resulted optical efficiency with fixed and variable concentration is 91 % and 96 %, respectively at a given tilt angle. Whereas maximum temperature achieved with both profiles is 5°C and 7°C, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that performance of CPC with variable concentration ratio is much better compared to fixed value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy-environmental planning for road transportation involves a vast investigation of vehicles' technologies and electricity production. However, in developing countries where the public transportation sector is growing quickly, energy-environmental planning is urgently needed. This paper evaluates the future electricity demand, as well as fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduction, due to the operation of an expected increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan. The planning of EVs up to 2040 is performed with the ePop simulator that calculates the future EVs' electricity demand, while EnergyPLAN® assesses the expected new power capacities. Two scenarios are investigated by penetrating 30% and 90% of 2/3 electric wheelers and cars by 2030 and 2040 compared to 2020, respectively. To fulfill the expected energy demand, PV in the daytime and the national electric grid at nighttime are here considered. Finally, a 9 GW of PV capacity is needed to satisfy the EVs' electricity demand of 14.7 TWh/year, and a 0.7 GW power plants capacity is needed to fulfill 4.7 TWh/year by 2040. Consequently, EVs' charging scenarios at daytime and nighttime are assessed. Results indicated a total reduction of 10.4 Mtonnes of CO2 emissions and 9.1 Mtoe of fuel consumption by 2040 in the transportation sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy is a major global issue. Epilepsy patients are treated with AED (antiepileptic drugs). Interindividual variability in drug response has been documented in several studies. The resistance to drug response may be attributed to genetic polymorphism. The current study was undertaken to investigate the CYP2C9 gene polymorphism associated with antiepileptic drug (AED) resistance in the Pakistani population. The current study included 337 individuals including 100 control subjects, 110 drug-resistant subjects, and 127 drug responders. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood, and amplification of rs1799853 (430C > T) and rs1057910 was carried out by polymerase chain reaction. Genotypes of CYP2C9 SNPs were determined by Sanger's sequencing. Astounding results were observed in the current study that none of the well-known reported SNPs of CYP2C9 was found in our Pakistani cohorts. However, a novel missense variant (c.374G > A) was found only in drug-resistant patients of the current study. According to the in silico analysis performed by PolyPhen-2, it was observed that this nonsynonymous substitution is likely to be pathogenic. The results of our study demonstrated that rs1799853 and rs1057910 may be involved in drug resistance in the Pakistani population. However, some other variants on CYP2C9 may play a critical role in AED resistance that needs to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy affects millions of people worldwide. Although antiepileptic drugs work for the majority of epileptic patients, these drugs do not work for some of the patients, subjecting them to drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Voltage-gated sodium channels act as targets for a number of antiepileptic drugs, and the genes encoding these channels can play a crucial role in developing drug-resistant epilepsy. This case-control (100 control: 101patients) study evaluated the association of sodium channel genes SCN1A and SCN2A with drug-resistant epilepsy. The cases were further accounted in two categories, drug-resistant and drug-responsive epileptic patients. The polymorphic sites rs794726754, rs1057518252, rs121918809, rs12191792, rs121917932, c.730 G > T, c.735 G > T, c.736 A > T, rs10167228, and rs2298771 of the SCN1A gene and rs17183814 of SCN2A gene were selected for mutational analysis. The DNA was isolated, amplified by PCR, and then, was run through 1% agarose gel. The sequencing was performed, and the sequences were observed through BioEdit software for any change in DNA sequence. In our study, no polymorphism was observed in the studied SNPs except for rs2298771. For rs2298771, a significant difference existed in the distribution of genotypic and allelic frequencies (p  < 0.01) among the case and control group. Furthermore, the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the two categories of cases (drug responder drug resistant) were calculated. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of drug-responsive and drug-resistant epileptic patients did not differ significantly (p  > 0.01). Our study indicated that the rs2298771 polymorphism of SCN1A may not be associated with chance of developing DRE in the Pakistani population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most prevalent and genetically heterogeneous form of epilepsy and accounts for 10–30% of all the cases worldwide. Ef-hand domain- (c-terminal-) containing protein 1 (EFHC1) encodes for a nonion channel protein and mutations in this gene have been extensively reported in different populations to play a causative role in JME. Linkage between JME and 6p11-12 locus has already been confirmed in Mexican and Dutch families. A case-control study was conducted on Pakistani JME patients for the first time, aimed at finding out EFHC1 mutations that have been reported in different populations. For this purpose, 66 clinically diagnosed JME patients and 108 control subjects were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from all the participants, and DNA was isolated from the lymphocytes by the modified organic method. Total 3 exons of EFHC1, harboring extensively reported mutations, were selected for genotypic analysis. We identified three heterozygous variants, R159W, V460A, P436P, and one insertion in the current study. V460A, an uncommon variant identified herein, has recently been reported in public databases in an unphenotyped American individual. This missense variant was found in 3 Pakistani JME patients from 2 unrelated families. However, in silico analysis showed that V460A may possibly be a neutral variant. While the absence of a majority of previously reported mutations in our population suggests that most of the mutations of EFHC1 are confined to particular ethnicities and are not evenly distributed across the world. However, to imply the causation, the whole gene and larger number of JME patients should be screened in this understudied population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Otitis media with effusion is widespread in pre-school and schoolgoing children. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) in normal versus mentally handicapped children in perspective of seasonal variation. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Pakistan Air Force Hospital Masroor, Karachi. Period: January 2015 till August 2016. Material & Methods: 208 children between 3-8 years of age were divided into ‘Mentally Normal’ and ‘Mentally Handicapped’ groups based on a cut off intelligence quotient score of 70. Results: Otitis media with effusion uniformly affected all school children. Tympanometric pressures from middle ears of both study groups responded indifferently from each other (p value 0.467 and 0.365 for right middle ear, and 0.708 and 0.920 for left middle ears, in summer and winter, respectively). However, most caregivers of mentally handicapped children exhibited greater concerns about complications associated with otitis media with effusion in winters (p value 0.002). Conclusion: Otitis media with effusion is an insidious condition which remains under diagnosed and adversely affects auditory function and speech. Children may develop this condition regardless of their intellectual status. However craniofacial dysmorphism puts a child at a greater risk of otitis media with effusion. Awareness at primary education and healthcare level, a high index of suspicion in these children, careful examination and prompt referral for expert otologic intervention is pivotal in avoiding complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C is a global public health problem, and Pakistan is the second largest country in the globe with highest prevalence rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Until 2014, pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) has been the standard therapy for HCV, however, owing to its adverse side effects and very low sustained virologic response (SVR) rates therapeutics trend is shifted toward direct‐acting antivirals. Tripartite motif containing 22 (TRIM22) is a dynamic antiviral protein that can inhibit multiple viruses in vivo. Expression of TRIM22 mRNA has been linked to outcome of PEG‐IFN and ribavirin therapy, where its higher expression leads to rapid virus clearance. However, in terms of therapy with direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) or double DAA, impact of TRIM22 expression is largely unknown. These new drugs show more than 90% of SVR rates and lesser side effects and have proven to be better than IFN therapy. Endogenous IFN system suppresses various pathogens through the induction of antiviral effectors termed as interferon‐stimulating genes (ISGs). We have studied the expression levels of one of these antiviral effectors, TRIM22 in response to sofosbuvir (SOF) and daclatasvir (DAC) in combination with RBV, using quantitative PCR in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HCV‐infected patients. We have observed sustained virus clearance in more than 90% of patients treated with DAA and double DAA and have seen the expression of TRIM22 to be higher in patients who attained SVR as compared to the untreated patients. We have also observed downregulation of TRIM22 in patients who failed to attain rapid virus clearance, and upregulation in those who achieved rapid clearance of virus. Genetic factors that determine the lower TRIM22 expression in these patients are needed to be explored that may also play a role in lower response to anti‐HCV therapy. Endogenous IFN system and effects of antiviral proteins in response to DAA therapy is needed to be studied in order to better understand the host response toward these drugs to make them more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how conventional and Islamic commercial banks in Pakistan choose their capital structure and what are the most significant factors that affect their choice of capital structure.Design/methodology/approach The authors collected the data from the annual reports of commercial banks listed on Karachi Stock Exchange Pakistan during 2004-2014. Panel data techniques, namely, pooled ordinary least squares, fixed effects and random effects, were used to estimate the relationship between book leverage and bank-specific variables such as profitability, size, growth, tangibility and earnings volatility.Findings Descriptive statistics indicate that conventional commercial banks are more levered than Islamic commercial banks. Moreover, conventional commercial banks are larger, profitable and have relatively safe earnings than Islamic commercial banks. In contrast, Islamic commercial banks have relatively more fixed operating assets and growth in total assets compared to the conventional commercial banks. Regression results indicate that profitability, growth and tangibility are negatively, whereas bank size and earnings volatility are positively, related to book leverage of conventional commercial banks. On the other hand, only three variables, namely, profitability, bank size and tangibility, have material effects on capital structure choice of Islamic commercial banks. Profitability and tangibility are negatively while bank size is positively related to book leverage of the Islamic banks. In sum, results of the study indicate that Islamic and conventional commercial banks have their own way to choose the capital structure than the non-financial firms; however, their choice is affected by the similar variables as identified for non-financial firms in Pakistan.Practical implications Results of this study provide support to bank managers to understand the effects of bank-specific variables on capital structure and make them able to determine a balanced capital structure considering the regulations framed by the central bank of the country.Originality/value This is the first study that investigates the factors that affect the capital structure of conventional and Islamic commercial banks in Pakistan. Moreover, findings of this study lay some foundation upon which a more detail analysis of capital structure of banks could be based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan is among the last three countries along with Afghanistan and Nigeria, where polio virus is still endemic. More or less, with some fluctuations, numbers of reported cases in the past few years have shown a rising trend. Year 2014 pushed the country into the deep sea of difficulties, as number of cases rose to red alert level of 328. Security situation has adversely affected the whole immunization coverage campaign. In a country where 40 polio vaccinators have been killed since 2012, such a big number of cases is not a surprising outcome. Worse perception of parents about polio vaccine as in Karachi and FATA, the high risk zones, makes 100% coverage a dream. Minor and perhaps delayed payments to polio workers make them frustrated, resulting in decline of trained manpower for vaccination. Strong implementation of policies is required and those found guilty of attack on polio workers need to be punished. Targeted community awareness programme, strong surveillance network, and involvement of influential religious entities can help to root out polio disease from country. Present review is aimed at analyzing all barriers on the road to success in eradication of polio from Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major objective of the paper is to explore the effects of internal governance indicators on performance of listed commercial banks in Pakistan during 2004-2013. Multiple regression analysis is used to estimate the relationship between internal governance indicators (i.e. board size, board composition, CEO duality, managerial ownership, institutional ownership, and ownership concentration) and performance measures (i.e. ROA, ROE, EPS and MBR). Regression results show that that board size is significant and positively related to ROA, ROE and MBR. Notably, board composition is positively related to ROA, ROE and EPS while negatively related to MBR. CEO duality and managerial ownership are significant and positively related to EPS. Institutional ownership is significant and positively related to ROE and EPS. Finally, ownership concentration is negatively related to EPS. Leverage is inversely while bank size is positively related to ROA, ROE and EPS. Finally, loan ratio is positively related to ROA and MBR. In sum, despite weak corporate governance in the country internal governance indicators still have substantial effects on performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to investigate whether corporate income taxes affect the capital structure of nonfinancial firms listed on Karachi Stock Exchange Pakistan during 1972–2010. Empirical results suggest that taxes are positively related to total debt ratio and short-term debt ratio, whereas they are negatively related to long-term debt ratio. The negative relationship between taxes and long-term debt ratio appears illogical considering the tax advantage of debt in the presence of the corporate income tax. However, the observed crowding-out of corporate debt financing due to the presence of nondebt tax shields provides some logic on the demand side. While on the supply side the banks shy away from long-term debt in peculiar socioeconomic realities of Pakistan. The mixed relationships of corporate income tax with different measures of capital structure partially confirm the prophecy of trade-off theory in Pakistan. In addition, we find that other firm-specific variables which appear to significantly influence the capital structure choice of firms are profitability, collateral value of assets and firm size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether internal attributes of corporate governance such as board size, outside directors, CEO duality, managerial ownership, and ownership concentration affect the performance of Pakistani firms. Design/methodology/approach – Panel econometric technique namely pooled ordinary least squares is used to estimate the relationship between internal governance mechanisms and performance measures (i.e., return on assets, return on equity, earnings per share, and market-to-book ratio) using the data of non-financial firms listed on the Karachi stock exchange Pakistan during 2004-2008. Findings – The empirical results indicate that board size is positively, whereas outside directors and managerial ownership are negatively related to the return on assets, earnings per share, and market-to-book ratio. Ownership concentration is positively related to all measures of performance used in this study. CEO duality is positively related to earnings per share only. As far as control variables are concerned, leverage is negatively related to the return on assets, return on equity, and earnings per share. Alternatively, firm size is positively related to all measures of performance. In sum, empirical results indicate that internal governance mechanisms have material effects on firm performance. Practical implications – Empirical results provide support to managers to understand how internal governance mechanisms affect the firm performance. Moreover, results provide support to regulatory authorities for enacting laws to make internal governance mechanisms work more effectively in the country. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the effects of internal governance mechanisms on firm performance using the data of Pakistani firms. Moreover, empirical findings somehow proceed to confirm that theories of corporate governance surely provide some support to explain the relationship between internal governance mechanisms and firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: The objective was to evaluate the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and IgM antibodies to hepatitis core antigen in Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Design of the study: A cross-sectional, population-based study. Place and time of the study: The study was conducted in Balochistan from 1st January 2004 to 31st December, 2008. The screening areas included Barkhan, Eashani, Khuzdar, Kodi Zikriani, Kohlu, Rakhni and Turbat. Materials and Methods: A total of 15,260 subjects were enrolled; 11,900 (78%) agreed to undergo screening. Fresh serum samples were tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and IgM antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. Results: HBsAg was detected in 1166 (9.8%) while anti-HBc IgM was found in 117 (10.0%). HBsAg positivity was seen in 875 (12.7%) males and 291 (5.8%) females. The prevalence of hepatitis B in Balochistan varies from 3.3% in Khuzdar to 17.0% in Kodi Zikriani. Conclusions: It is utmost important to educate the public, to take proper measures to control the spread of infection and vaccination in order to interrupt transmission of this threatening public health problem in Balochistan province of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insertion–deletion polymorphism (Indels) is valuable diallelic markers for forensic as well as parentage analysis. The Investigator DIPplex Kit (Qiagen) contains thirty autosomal Indels markers along with amelogenin. These thirty markers were tested in the Pakistani Punjabi Population but no significant deviations were observed from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium rule expectations (Bonferroni corrected) except HLD58, HLD56, HLD99, and HLD40. The mean expected and observed heterozygosity was found 0.4701 and 0.4667 respectively; combined matching probability was computed as 7.31867 × 10−13. However, the use of the 30 Indels markers proved to be a good supplementary tool in forensic casework, particularly when evidence sample is highly degraded. The significant genetic differences were also observed between the Punjabi and other populations of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water desalination presents a need to address the growing water-energy nexus. In this work, a literature survey is carried out, along an application of a mathematical model is presented to enhance the freshwater productivity rate of a solar-assisted humidification-dehumidification (HDH) type of desalination system. The prime novelty of this work is to recover the waste heat by reusing the feedwater at the exit of the condenser in the brackish water storage tank and to carry out the analysis of its effectiveness in terms of the system's yearly thermoeconomics. The developed mathematical model for each of the components of the plant is solved through an iterative procedure. In a parametric study, the influence of mass flow rates (MFRs) of inlet air, saline water, feedwater, and air temperature on the freshwater productivity is shown with and without the waste heat recovery from the condensing coil. It is reported that the production rate of water is increased to a maximum of 15% by recovering the waste heat. Furthermore, yearly analysis has shown that the production rate of water is increased to a maximum of 16% for June in the location of Taxila, Pakistan. An analysis is also carried out on the economics of the proposed modification, which shows that the cost per litre of the desalinated water is reduced by ~13%. It is concluded that the water productivity of an HDH solar desalination plant can be significantly increased by recovering the waste heat from the condensing coil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that led to an unprecedented crisis with significant health, social, and economic repercussions presented more serious concerns for those living with some chronic conditions such as epilepsy. This study was aimed to find out impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on management of epilepsy. A cross-sectional study was conducted through telephone interviews, targeting 213 caregivers of pediatric patients with epilepsy, belonging to underserved areas of Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. A simple questionnaire was designed to record the responses of participants relevant to the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 pandemic and their knowledge about possible ways that can be accessed for the management of epilepsy during an ongoing pandemic. The current study, which holds 77% of the respondents from rural areas and 23% from urban settings, showed that partial measures of lockdown taken to stop or slow the spread of COVID-19 resulted in adverse economic and health outcomes in the said population including cancelation of follow-up visits, worsening of seizures, job loss, burden of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) costs, and discontinuation of medicines. Furthermore, knowledge about alternative ways to access health facilities was found very poor among caregivers. Income sources of poor people disrupted by lockdown can lead to unintentional nonadherence to medication, which is a clear picture of inequitable distribution of resources. This study highlights the major issues faced by the caregivers during this ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. • This study highlights the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the management of epilepsy in resource-limited areas • Majority of the caregivers of pediatric epilepsy patients were not familiar with the concept of telemedicine • Potential adverse effect of dreadful pandemic was treatment discontinuation linked to disruption of income sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heating demands are currently fulfilled through conventional technologies based on fossil fuels. However, due to rapid depletion and environmental hazards of fossil fuels, the focus has shifted to harness the heat energy from renewable energy resources such as solar energy. In general, flat plate and evacuated tubes collectors are used for water heating yet there is another technology known as solar thermal tower (STT) which can be used for heating applications. The current study is focussed on real time performance analysis of solar thermal tower water heating system under climate conditions of Taxila, Pakistan. Initially, a mathematical model is developed to design a small capacity solar thermal tower system. The system is simulated using MATLAB for five different climate conditions of Pakistan i.e. Peshawar, Taxila, Multan, Karachi, and Lahore for potential assessment. Afterwards, an experimental setup is developed at Taxila consisting of a cavity type receiver made of stainless tubes, heliostats made of mirror and complete instrumentation for data measurements. The performance analysis is presented in terms of temperature difference (Δ T ), absorbed heat ( Q abs ), and efficiency ( η ) with fixed and variable positions of heliostats for 12 selected days between September and February. The results showed that the maximum temperature difference with fixed heliostats position was 3 °C, Q abs was 27 W and the maximum efficiency was 30%. However, with variable heliostats positions, the maximum value of temperature difference achieved was 16 °C that resulted Q abs 170 W and efficiency 34%. Finally, a reasonable agreement between simulated and experimental results was obtained for climate conditions of Taxila. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective:: To determine the peak time of outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and to highlight the disease-specific areas in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. Design:: A hospital-based case-series study. Place and Duration:: A five-year study was conducted by the Department of Pathology in collaboration with the Department of Medicine, Sandeman Provincial Teaching Hospital, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, from 1 March 1997 to 28 February 2002. Patients and methods:: A total of 135 cases were included in the study based on a high index of suspicion of CCHF. The mean age was 33.5±18.7 years. Two sets of blood samples were drawn on admission; one set was sent for urgent routine investigations while the other was sent to CDC, Atlanta, USA, for confirmation. Results:: The study showed that CCHF was more common between March and May and again, between August and October, depicting a bi-annual surge. Out of 135 suspected cases, 83 (61.4%) were confirmed to have CCHF and were given platelet concentrate and ribavirin. It was observed that CCHF was more common in specific areas of the province. Conclusions:: It is essential to raise the level of knowledge regarding CCHF, especially in disease-specific areas, focussing on the peak outbreak periods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]