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Educational institutions are creating a considerable amount of data regarding students, faculty and related organs. This data is an essential asset for academic institutions as it has valuable insights, knowledge and intelligence for the policymakers. Students are the fundamental entities and primary source of data creation in any educational environment. The educational institutions need to distinguish students who are weak in their studies and require special attention and monitoring to improve their learning behaviours, future academic performances and factors that can affect their interpretation. This paper adopted a hybrid classification model using Decision tree and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms to predict students' academic performance. We statistically analyzed and identified factors that can affect students' academic performance. The dataset used is collected from Bachelor students of the City University of Science and Information Technology (CUSIT). The experimental results revealed 71.79%, 74.04% and 78.85% for decision tree, and 69.87%, 74.04% and 71.15% accuracy for SVM models respectively for different splits. The study identified seven different factors that can directly affect the students' performance associated with educational institutions and social networks. Factors like "time spent on social networks," "type of games playing on mobiles," and "time spent on playing mobile games" significantly affect students' performance.

Over the past three decades, global economic development patterns have considerably affected the natural environment, and economies have endured a plethora of environmental concerns as a result of the negative effects of climate change. Among them, Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country, and climate change has harmfully affected the ecological and socio-economic conditions of the country. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the role of green energy consumption, eco-innovation, and urbanization while explaining the dream of low-carbon economy and environmental sustainability in the context of Pakistan using annual time series dataset spanning from 1990 to 2020. The short-run and long-run associations among explained and explanatory variables were investigated using the symmetric, asymmetric, and quantile autoregressive distributed lag models. The findings of the study demonstrated that low-carbon economy, green energy consumption, ecological innovation, urbanization, GDP per capita, and labor force are cointegrated for the long-term association in symmetric, asymmetric, and quantile autoregressive distributed lag models. Furthermore, green energy consumption and effective eco-innovation are the most important paths to ensure environmental sustainability, while urbanization, GDP per capita, and labor force contribute negatively to the low-carbon economy. The findings of the study provide a policy framework for the development of a comprehensive strategy to promote environmental sustainability in Pakistan by emphasizing green energy consumption, ecological innovation, and controlled urbanization, as well as the incorporation of environment friendly policies into economic development policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effect of institutional quality on district-level multidimensional poverty and human development by using the spatial autoregressive approach. The spatial autoregressive model also decomposes the direct and indirect effects of institutional quality on district-level multidimensional poverty and human development. Regarding multidimensional poverty, outcomes suggest that institutional quality, tertiary education, road length, and district level demographic factors have both direct and indirect impacts on district-level multidimensional poverty. Similarly, human development outcomes suggest that institutional quality, road length, health institutions, school infrastructure, urbanization, and population density are significant spatial factors to show both the direct and indirect impacts on district levels. These findings also imply that the spillover effects of institutional quality have a significant role in determining the wellbeing of neighboring districts as well. Although improvements in governance, rule of law, and political participation appear to decrease district-level multidimensional poverty and increase human development. A policy implication of the study may prove an innovative delivery strategy to achieve the target of sustainable development goal-1 (SDG-1) for Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional electricity networks are replaced by smart grids to increase efficiency at a low cost. Several energy projects in Pakistan have been developed, while others are currently in the planning stages. To assess the performance of the smart grids in Pakistan, this article employs a multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) strategy based on power Maclaurin symmetric mean (PMSM) operators. We proposed a T-spherical fuzzy (TSF) power MSM (TSFPMSM), and a weighted TSFPMSM (WTSFPMSM) operator. The proposed work aims to analyze the problem involving smart grids in an uncertain environment by covering four aspects of uncertain information. The idempotency, boundedness, and monotonicity features of the proposed TSFPMSM are investigated. In order to assess Pakistan's smart grid networks based on the suggested TSFPMSM operators, a MAGDM algorithm has been developed. The sensitivity analysis of the proposed numerical example is analyzed based on observing the reaction of the variation of the sensitive parameters, followed by a comprehensive comparative study. The comparison results show the superiority of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of global warming, organizations are coming under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste, and generally become more responsible in their practices. To this backdrop, researchers argue that organizational HR practices have significant potential in shaping human behaviors. Therefore, by investigating the employment of a subordinate-supervisor dyad (N = 378 (subordinates), and 141 (supervisors)), this empirical study contributes to the growing literature on Green Human Resource Management (green HRM) and its impacts on employees' green outcomes. In particular, this study tested a novel model to explore the impact of green HRM on Green Creativity (GC) of employees in mediating the role of Pro-Environmental Behaviors (PEBs) and moderating the role of Ethical Leadership Style (ELS). Data were collected from organizations in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region of Pakistan. For testing the results of the proposed hypotheses, structural equation modelling technique using SMART PLS 3 was employed. The results indicate that green HRM has a positive impact on employees' GC. Furthermore, partial mediating role of PEBs was also found. Finally, it was found that the ELS moderates the relationship between green HRM and GC and between green HRM and PEBs. Several theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dombi t-norm (DTN) and t-conorm (TCN) are among the most effective triangular norms in fuzzy systems for aggregation purposes. The environment of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) set gives us precision in expressing uncertain information by using a membership grade (MG) and non-membership grade (NMG) in the form of closed subintervals of 0 ,   1 . The goal of this paper is to introduce DTN-based aggregation operators (AOs) for IVIF numbers (IVIFNs) and study their performance in the evaluation of the worth of energy recourses to be opted in Pakistan to deal with the energy crises situation. We first introduced some DTN and TCN-based operations for IVIFNs and developed two new AOs known as IVIF Dombi weighted averaging (IVIFDWA) and IVIF Dombi weighted geometric (IVIFDWG) operators. The validity and fitness of the proposed operators are tested. A case study is presented where the energy resources of Pakistan are discussed and the problem of the selection of sustainable energy resources in the context of Pakistan is investigated. The sensitivity analysis of the proposed IVIFDWA and IVIFDWG operators is studied and a comparative analysis of the current work with previous studies is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers a detail overview of technology enhanced learning implementation vis a vis ITC business opportunities for shake hand in (FATA) Pakistan. An effort has been made to use technology enhanced learning in FATA Pakistan for provision of quality and affordable education to male and female (equally) students of higher education, in a view to eliminate gender discrimination. At the same time business opportunities have been explored and identified in information and telecommunication technology sector, analysis of the opportunity and identification of the vacuum available in telecomm sector for good return on investment (ROI). For this purpose SWOT analysis and a test, pilot project has been carried out in village Bagan of lower Kurram Agency FATA Pakistan, to calculate the potential of opportunities in the area and acceptance of technology enhance learning in hostile local unfriendly education culture and traditional environment. For which E-learning Facilitation Centre (EFC) has been established and ICT tools have been used to communicate, learn and access to quality, affordable educational contents. Various e-learning aids and e-learning framework have been developed to fulfil the requirement of local students of FATA. The paper identified number of limitation with regards to social, cultural and economic aspects. The limitation approaches through effective technology enhance learning tools for the desirable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional knowledge of indigenous plants is pivotal in developing strategies to feed livestock sustainably in low input systems. Likewise, in Pakistan the indigenous people of Central Punjab have been using their regional grasses as a ruminant fodder for centuries. This study evaluated the indigenous traditional knowledge to ascertain the value of various fodder grasses to optimise their use to feed livestock in Central Punjab. Methods: The snowball technique was employed to identify key informants who had relevant knowledge about different grasses in the study area. Semi-structured questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and site visits were used for describing the fodder grasses. The data were then analysed by using relative frequency citation and pairwise comparison methods to determine the order of priority among the listed fodder grasses. Furthermore, SPSS 22 software was used for descriptive statistics and interpretation of associations among studied parameters. Microsoft Excel was used to present data as % values and graphs. Results: Overall, 53 grasses were described with ethnobotanical information regarding their uses for fodder, ethnoveterinary and other purposes. All these grasses belonged to the family Poaceae where the subfamily Panicoideae had the maximum number of 30 grasses. We categorized these grasses into high (A), medium (B) and low priority (C) groups where the group A grasses were reported as not only the most abundant but also the most palatable forages to all ruminants. Their higher demand was reflected by the feeding systems of both ad libitum grazing and feeding after cutting and mixing with other feeds. The study also revealed 37 previously unreported ethnoveterinary uses of these grasses. Conclusions: The results have reinforced the value of conserving ethnobotanical knowledge, being poorly documented previously, in developing strategies to feed livestock. It indicated the preferred fodder grasses as well as the possible reasons of their preference. The reported data need to be validated for nutritional and health benefits. This information could help the smallholder farmers in association with regional governments to propagate suitable fodder grasses for their use in sustainable livestock feeding to produce safe and healthy food for indigenous communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working capital management plays an important role in success and failure of firm in business because of its effect on firm's profitability as well as on liquidity. Working capital consists of investments in current assets, which includes shortterm assets - cash and, inventories, receivable and marketable securities. The universe of the study is textile industry, which is one of the oldest and at one time the fast developing industry in the large scale sector of Pakistan. The study is based on secondary data collected from listed firms in Karachi stock exchange for the period of 2001-2006 with an attempt to investigate relationship between profitability, and working capital management components. The effect of working capital management on profitability is tested using the panel data methodology. Based on correlation and regression analysis our findings show that there is a strong positive relationship between profitability and cash, accounts receivable and, inventory while there is a negative relationship between profitability and accounts payable. This means that increase in cash, inventory and credit sales will lead to increase profitability of firm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women consist almost half of the total population in Pakistan and majority of them are living in remote rural areas facing heavy burden of poverty. They are the most vulnerable and deprived segment of the society. For meaningful and sustainable economic development women participation in economic activities is equally important as men. Availability of economic opportunities for women are limited in rural area as a result their participation in integrated economic development is also limited. To make them active participant of development there is need of proper initiatives. The First Microfinance Bank (FMB) is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) which has been running a successful microfinance and integrated rural development program in the remote and isolated Northern areas of Pakistan since 1982. The major objective of the bank is to increase the outreach of financial services to those sections of the society that are often neglected by the traditional banking sector. Empowerment of women is the top priority of the bank and the governing principle of the bank is to reduce the vulnerability of poor women and increase their standing in society. We analyze the impact of VGFS by the First Microfinance Bank on poverty reduction and women empowerment in rural area of district Gilgit. A field survey questionnaire was designed to assess the impact of Microfinance on the women empowerment in Gilgit. A total of 200 female respondents were selected through multi-stage, disproportionate, stratified sampling technique, wherein 100 respondents of treatment group are selected on random basis and the rest 100 respondents of control group were selected using score matching technique. Using Mean Difference model of impact evaluation, the study results show that microfinance services of (FMFB) has significantly contributed towards women's empowerment by influencing women's decision-making power and enhancing their overall socio-economic status. Results also show that VGFS by FMFB help in reducing poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhood vaccination is widely recognized as the most effective means to prevent various diseases. However, a considerable amount of children still miss out on their vaccination schedules. Therefore, this study explores the reasons for defaulting from the expanded program on immunization in district Swat, Pakistan., Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used. Data collection took place from March to September 2022. Thirty-six in-depth interviews were conducted with participants who had defaulter children. The collected qualitative data were analysed thematically to identify key patterns and themes related to the reasons for defaulting from childhood vaccination schedules., Results: Six themes emerged, i.e., illness of the defaulter child at the scheduled time, perceived side effects of the vaccination, factors related to caregivers, myths and misconceptions, vaccinators attitudes and crowed vaccination centres, as well as poor immunization service arrangements. Four subthemes arose related to caregivers, such as lack of clear understanding about completion of vaccination, least priority for child's vaccination, cultural restriction on mothers, and the loss of vaccination card., Conclusion: According to the study's findings, caregivers have their own perceptions regarding the non-completion of their children's vaccination schedule. The childhood immunization defaulting arises from various factors including child illness, Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) concerns, misconceptions, improper injection techniques, and negative vaccinator attitudes. The vaccination completion rate may be increased if the concerns of the caregivers are appropriately addressed., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A family of Pakistani origin, segregating polydactyly, and phalangeal synostosis in an autosomal dominant manner, has been investigated and presented in the present report. Whole-exome sequencing (WES), followed by segregation analysis using Sanger sequencing, revealed a heterozygous missense variant [c.G1696A, p.(Gly566Ser)] in the LRP4 gene located on human chromosome 11p11.2. Homology protein modeling revealed the mutant Ser566 generated new interactions with at least four other amino acids and disrupted protein folding and function. Our findings demonstrated the first direct evidence of involvement of LRP4 in causing polydactyly and phalangeal synostosis in the same family. This study highlighted the importance of inclusion of LRP4 gene in screening individuals presenting polydactyly in hands and feet, and phalangeal synostosis in the same family., (© 2023 Japanese Teratology Society.)

Background: Proposal writing before starting research study is the key component of the any research project and quality of the research depends upon how the proposal was designed and planned. Objectives of this study was to determine the frequency of most common errors in proposal writing by post graduate medical residents of College of physician and surgery of Pakistan (CPSP) at Peshawar., Methods: A cross sectional study was carried at Khyber College of Dentistry (KCD) Peshawar from August 2017 to May 2018. We conducted the reviewed of Form "S" of 43 proposals through convenience sampling. Each Form S consists of 34 questions. All the questions were dichotomous which were presented in the form of frequency and percentages. Data were analysed by SPSS-22., Results: Out of 43 proposal, the result shows that 53.5% (n=23) of the candidates have not explained the introduction in their own words while suitable statistical tests were not mentioned in more than half of the 67.4% (n=29) proposal. References were not written in Vancouver style 51.2% (n=22) as well as hypothesis was not applicable in 62.8% (n=27) of the studies. However only 39.5% (n=60.5) of the trainees phrased the hypothesis properly., Conclusions: Majority of the candidates were unable to write the proposal according to the recommended guidelines. Application of the appropriate statistical measures was found as a challenge for the candidates. Similarly, objectives were not clearly defined in terms of SMART concept.

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Seventy-two patients with CKD stage 3 or above were included in this study. Blood samples were taken from each patient to determine complete blood counts, serum albumin, electrolytes, lipid profile and blood sugar random/fasting. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with the Cockcroft-Gault formula. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was determined to identify the presence of PVD. A standardized Doppler ultrasound device was used. ABI of <0.90 was considered diagnostic of PVD. The mean age of the patients was 53.22 ± 12.8 years. Forty-six patients (63.9%) were male. Twenty-five patients (34.7%) were in stage 3 CKD, 20 patients (27.8%) were in stage 4 CKD and 27 patients (37.5%) were in stage 5 CKD. Twenty patients (27.8%) had an ABI <0.9 and hence had PVD. Of these patients, 13 (18.1%) had mild to moderate PVD with ABI of 0.41-0.90 and seven (9.7%) had severe PVD with ABI of 0.00-0.40. All the baseline parameters including systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, height, weight, body mass index, GFR, hemoglobin, total blood count, platelets, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and uric acid were not significantly different between patients with and without PVD (P >0.05). However, the mean total cholesterol was significantly higher among patients with PVD. The prevalence of PVD was significantly high in patients with stage 5 CKD (P <0.05). PVD is frequent among patients with CKD based on the ABI as measured by Doppler ultrasound.