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The current study attempts to quantify the quadratic nexus between income distribution and business competitiveness. It also adds the interaction term of development expenditure with business competitiveness to examine their impact on income inequality. Yearly panel data from 2008 to 2018 for 27 lower-middle-income economies was used. The analysis was based on Quantile Regression for Panel Data (QRPD). The findings revealed a Ushaped pattern between business competitiveness and income inequality. Further, an insignificant negative impact of development expenditure on income inequality was observed. However, if lower-middle-income economies take into account development expenditure with business competitiveness, then their impact on income inequality becomes significant with the same sign. The variable 'urban population' is significant and decreases income inequality, while broad money, trade, and rule of law have a significant role in increasing income inequality. The study suggests that development expenditure and business competitiveness may increase simultaneously for a more equal distribution of income. Moreover, the standardization of the rule of law in lower-middle-income economies is also very important for an equal distribution of income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to analyze the impact of the use of punishment policies in controlling crime in Pakistan. The study uses ARDL approach on annual time series data for the period 1981-2016. The results of the study reveal that punishment policies particularly the use of torture, extra judicial killings and disappearances incite more crime rather than controlling them. Furthermore, political imprisonments are found to be helpful in reducing crime and judiciary has no significant impact on crime in Pakistan. This brings up the need to address the root cause rather than symptoms of crime. The study suggests that the accountability of politicians and reforms of judicial system may be helpful in reducing crimes in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the silent ischemic changes in diabetics presented to a tertiary care hospital and to know its association with different variables. Methodology: A cross sectional study done at Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH) Abbottabad, from 16th July 2016 to 14th November 2016. Data was collected by filling preformed questionnaire, examining the patients and seeing ECG by interviewers and analyzed using SPSS 23. Results: Our results shows that out of total 246 patients 45.1% were males with mean age of 51.62±11.3 years. Of them 11% were type 1 while 89% were type 2 diabetics. About 129(52.4%) of patients had ischemic changes on ECG,19.6% were smokers, 26.8% had family history of DM, 21(8.5%) of hypertension, 99(40.2%) had family history of both DM and hypertension. Among patients 66.3% had raised HbA1C level, 43.1% had dyslipidemia, 7.3% had proteinurea, 22.7% had glycosuria and 18.7% had both proteinuria and glycosuria. Patients having ischemic changes on ECG, 127 patients aged more than 30 years and regarding duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) 44 had <5years, 47 had 5-10 years, 16 had 10-15years, 17 had 15-20years while 5 had>20years duration of DM. Conclusion: Ischemic changes were positively associated with age of patients, duration of diabetes, hypertension, raised HbA1C level and hyperlipidemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]