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This work aims to examines the effect of Chinese outward foreign direct investment (CoFDI), renewable energy, and energy intensity on CO2 emissions in 46 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) nations divided into: Panel A, consisting of 16 European countries, and Panel B, comprising 30 Asian and MENA countries. This analysis used data from 2005 to 2018, applying second-generation econometric techniques. The empirical outcomes, obtained using Driscoll–Kraay methods, confirmed the pollution halo effect in Panel A, suggesting that FDI flows in these countries are environmentally friendly. In contrast, the results indicated a positive impact of CoFDI on CO2e in Panel B, supporting the pollution haven hypothesis that FDI may add to pollution. In addition, the study found an inverted-U-shaped association between per capita income and CO2e, validating the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in both panels. The findings also revealed that energy intensity positively affects CO2e, whereas renewable energy has a significant negative effect in both panels, while the interaction terms of renewable and energy intensity are heterogenous in both panels. Based on these findings, the study recommends policy makers of these countries to attract clean FDI, particularly in renewable sectors, and shift from fossil fuel-based energy to renewable sources to control pollution by enacting energy-saving initiatives via lowering energy intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment on the effect of zinc and molybdenum application on the yield of lentil was carried out at The University of Agriculture Peshawar during the Rabi season of 2021. The experiment was carried out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Four levels of molybdenum (0, 1, 2 and 3 kg ha-1) and 0.5% zinc foliar spray at different intervals of lentil crop (control, 50 days after sowing, 100 days after sowing, 50 days after sowing + 100 days after sowing) were tested in the experiment. The results revealed that 3 kg ha-1 of molybdenum enhanced plant height (55 cm), nodules plant-1 (25), branches plant-1 (7), days to flowering (107) and maturity (159), dry matter of leaves at the flowering stage (64 g m-2), dry matter of leaves at the maturity stage (113 g m-2), dry matter of branches at the physiological maturity stage (304 g m-2), dry matter of pods at the maturity stage (439 g m-2), pods plant-1 (92), seeds pod-1 (2.0), 1000-seed weight (31 g), biological yield (3207 kg ha-1), and seed yield (1002 kg ha-1). Zinc foliar spray (0.5%) at 50 days after sowing + 100 days after sowing of lentil crop improved the dry matter of leaves at the flowering stage (62 g m-2), days to first flowering (109), days to physiological maturity (157), dry matter of leaves at the physiological maturity stage (111 g m-2), dry matter of pods at the physiological maturity stage (435 g m-2), pods plant-1 (91), 1000 seed weight (32 g), biological yield (3236 kg ha-1) and seed yield (1026 kg ha-1). Lastly, scatterplots revealed a significant correlation of grain and biological yield with their components. It is concluded that molybdenum application at a rate of 3 kg ha-1 and 0.5% zinc foliar spray at 50 days after sowing + 100 days after sowing of the lentil crop increased seed yield and is thus recommended for the Peshawar region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in four districts (Malakand, Swat, Bajaur and Shangla) of Northern Pakistan to investigate the prevalence, associated risk factors and phylogenetic analyses of Theileria and Anaplasma species in small ruminants. A total of 800 blood samples, 200 from each district, were collected from apparently healthy animals. PCR assays were performed using generic primers for Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. as well as species specific primers for A. ovis and T. ovis. Overall infection prevalence was 361/800 (45.1%). Theileria spp. infection prevalence (187/800, 23.3%) was higher than Anaplasma spp. (174/800, 21.7%). Amplified partial 18S rRNA genes were sequenced and enrolled animals were found to be infected by T. ovis (115/800, 14.3%), and at least two more Theileria species (72/800, 9%) were present (T. lestoquardi and T. annulata). All blood samples that were found to be positive for Anaplasma spp. were also positive for A. ovis. Infection prevalence was higher in sheep (227/361, 28.3%) compared to goats (134/361, 16.6%) (p

Background: This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of a urine dipstick to detect urinary tract infection (UTI) in children and to correlate it with the urine culture. Methods: A prospective laboratory descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics at Government General Hospital, Kadapa, from February 2022 to September 2023. Urine samples from 250 children of 2 and 12 years of age with UTI symptoms were analyzed using urine dipstick and other clinical/laboratory variables. Results: The urine culture was positive in 38.4% (n=96) of the children and negative in 61.6% (n=154) of the children using the dipstick. Urinary tract infection was more common among female than male children. It was common in children aged 6 to 10 years, accounting for 41.42%. The most prevalent organism isolated was Escherichia coli (24.8%), followed by Klebsiella (8.8%) and other Gram-negative bacilli (5.6%). Urine microscopy for pus cells revealed that 158 (63.2%) samples had no pus cells, 49 (19.6%) had up to 5 pus cells, 35 (14%) had 5-10 pus cells, and 8 (3.2%) had >10 pus cells. Pyuria was found in 56 of the 96 children in the culture-positive group, leukocyte esterase was positive in 123 cases, leukocyte esterase was negative in 88 cases, and the nitrite test was positive in 9 cases. However, the combined dipstick was positive in 121 (48.4%) of all cases. Among the culture-positive group, the combined dipstick was positive in 39 cases and negative in 3 cases. Among the culture-negative cases, the combined dipstick was positive in 28 cases and negative in 126 cases. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of leucocyte esterase and nitrite were 65%, 80%, 69%, and 78% for diagnosing UTI in our study, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the combined dipstick compared with urine culture were 95.5%, 80%, 74.9%, and 95.9%, respectively. Conclusion: The combined dipstick + nitrite and leukocyte esterase show higher sensitivity and specificity, making it superior to leukocyte esterase or nitrite alone in diagnosing UTI. When compared to the urine culture, the combined dipstick has higher sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Therefore, the combined dipstick can be used consistently as a quick screening tool for UTIs when culture facilities are not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve organization performance and earnings management, the Chief Executive Officer appears to be the most influential member of the organization as they exercise authority over corporate policies such as financial statement, board structure, and organizational performance. To accomplish the linkage of CEOs characteristics on earnings management in non-financial firms, listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and use the independence of audit committee as a moderator to capture the influence on the firm's performance. To accomplish the objective, selected firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange were employed with the span 2010 to 2018. To assess the linkage between the characteristics of the CEOs and earnings management, the GMM model was utilized. The results of the GMM elaborates that CEO tenure and presence of independence of audit committee have a positive and significant impact on earning management. While, CEO duality have a positively and significantly linked with earning management. The presense of the audit commettie improve the performance and earning management of the firm. While employing the more CEO's attributes of the can also influence the performance and earning management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pakistan sugarcane is an important cash crop, a source of income and employment for the farming community. The environmental degradation results in the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events has significant consequences for sugarcane production in the world, especially in the developing countries like Pakistan, because of relatively low adaptive capacity, high vulnerability to natural hazards, and weak forecasting systems and mitigating strategies. This paper is an attempt to analyze the impact of environmental change on sugarcane production in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Qualitative and quantitative data approach were adopted for the analysis and the data are collected through exploratory design, case study, and survey design. The sample consists of sugarcane growers, that is, landowner farmers, ex‐farmers, and employed farmers. The results based on multiple regression model indicate that only three factors (rainfall, soil conditions, and irrigation) have a significant effect on the production of sugarcane. Some suggestions and implications are mentioned based on empirical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pathogenic variants of GNB5 encoding the β5 subunit of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein cause IDDCA syndrome, an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder associated with cognitive disability and cardiac arrhythmia, particularly severe bradycardia. Methods We used echocardiography and telemetric ECG recordings to investigate consequences of Gnb5 loss in mouse. Results We delineated a key role of Gnb5 in heart sinus conduction and showed that Gnb5-inhibitory signalling is essential for parasympathetic control of heart rate (HR) and maintenance of the sympathovagal balance. Gnb5-/- mice were smaller and had a smaller heart than Gnb5+/+ and Gnb5+/-, but exhibited better cardiac function. Lower autonomic nervous system modulation through diminished parasympathetic control and greater sympathetic regulation resulted in a higher baseline HR in Gnb5-/- mice. In contrast, Gnb5-/- mice exhibited profound bradycardia on treatment with carbachol, while sympathetic modulation of the cardiac stimulation was not altered. Concordantly, transcriptome study pinpointed altered expression of genes involved in cardiac muscle contractility in atria and ventricles of knocked-out mice. Homozygous Gnb5 loss resulted in significantly higher frequencies of sinus arrhythmias. Moreover, we described 13 affected individuals, increasing the IDDCA cohort to 44 patients. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that loss of negative regulation of the inhibitory G-protein signalling causes HR perturbations in Gnb5-/- mice, an effect mainly driven by impaired parasympathetic activity. We anticipate that unravelling the mechanism of Gnb5 signalling in the autonomic control of the heart will pave the way for future drug screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines energy choice, consumption pattern and household energy expenditure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) using the Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (LA‐AIDS). The study used micro‐level data to estimate the price and expenditure elasticities by employing (SUR) methodology. Empirical findings showed that energy choice, consumption patterns, and demand are different for urban‐rural households in the province. Each household living in KPK spent 1838.81 Rupees (9.92%) on energy purchases out of its total average monthly expenditure of Rs. 18,542.79. Compared to urban households, households living in rural areas spend more on energy consumption in a proportionate manner. The expenditure elasticities estimated for all energy sources are positive and statistically significant. Furthermore, the result showed that expenditure elasticities estimated for urban and rural households are less than one, suggesting that all the sources of energy are necessities. Natural gas and electricity are the main energy sources for urban households, while firewood and electricity are key energy sources for rural households in the province. The study suggested that rural households need to switch from conventional energy sources to modern and renewable energy sources, which would reduce the cost of energy use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is the preferred and established mode of treatment in ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Exact data on procedural outcome in patient undergoing primary PCI in our population is not well documented. Therefore, we have carried out this study to see the prognosis, in-hospital, and 12-month survival outcome of our patients. Methods: Patients were enrolled in the observational non-randomized prospective cohort between November 2017-Mar 2020, who were presented into our emergency department with acute onset of severe chest pain or angina with ECG evidenced acute ST elevated myocardial infarction. Total 182 patient (F 14; Male 168) were enrolled in this study. Results: Out of 182 patients, female: 14 (7.7%) vs. Male: 168 (92.3%). Among, these patient females were more obese (BMI: Female 27.1 ± 2.1 vs. male 25.8 ± 4.1) and developed CAD in advance age (Female 59.1 ± 13.5 vs. Male 53.7 ± 10.5). Anterior MI were 47.8% (n=87) and Inferior MI 50.5% (n=92) and Lateral MI 1.6% (n=3). At presentation 10.4% (n=19) patents were in cardiogenic shock with STEMI, 42.1%(n=8) patients with Ant MI, 57.9%(n=11) in Inf MI group. Total, 15 (8.2%) patients died; 93.3%(n=14) within 1 week of pPCI due shock and poor LV function and subsequent development of LVF with arrhythmia and 6.7%(n=1) patient died 6 months after pPCI due to other cause. Death was more in Ant Wall STEMI than Inferior wall STEMI, though Cardiogenic shock at presentation were more in Inf MI STEMI than Ant wall STEMI. Conclusion: We may conclude from our observational study on STEMI PCI that the territory wise involvement of myocardium, baseline serum Troponin-I level, infarcted vessel, time to presentation, duration of anginal chest pain and door to balloon time may be the key determinant of better in hospital outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes from sewerage system, bottles, credit cards etc. is a non-biodegradable material and adds to the quantity of solid wastes on annual basis. This study aims at its useful deployment as an additive to the bitumen which is used to construct pavements. Waste PVC pipes when used as a modifier in bituminous mixtures, satisfied the requirements as per the standards as indicated by the results. The properties of bitumen mixed with PVC were studied and compared with those of the ordinary bitumen. The performance characteristics of the conventional and modified bituminous mixes were investigated and comparative study was carried out. It was shown by the results that waste PVC has got no issue when utilized in road construction. Flow and Stability of the mix was found to be within the acceptable limits after the PVC waste pipes have been incorporated. On the basis of experimental work it is concluded that the asphalt mixtures with waste PVC modifier can be used up conveniently in the construction of flexible pavement in hotter regions regarding their stability and flow characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]