Planning of rural development centres in Pakistan

Rapid advances in technology and the multiplication of functional responsibilities demand proper planning and control of projects. In developing countries, in particular, managers and engineers cannot plan and control projects using only experience or conventional project management methods that demand their presence at critial moments. The problem of setting up rural development centres in the Punjab, Pakistan, is presented. The choice of method used to ensure that these centres were available in a specified time and that the system was adopted is discussed, together with the problems of impementation. The results of the methods used are presented and overall conclusions are drawn.     

Islamic home financing in Pakistan: a SEM-based approach using modified TPB model

The present study attempts to examine the Islamic home financing using the modified theory of planned behavior model (TPB). Sample data of 375 are conveniently drawn from walk-in customers of Islamic banks located in the biggest city Karachi. This study employed both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to confirm the validity and reliability of the measurement model. The modified theoretical framework was examined by applying the structural equation modeling using frequently reported goodness-of-fit indices. The findings indicate that the original constructs of TPB model, attitude (ATT), subjective norm (SN) and perceived behavioral control has a positive and significant impact on the customer intention to use Islamic home financing. Furthermore, ATT is found to be the most influential factor in determining the customer intention toward Islamic home financing. On the other hand, we introduced two new factors, pricing on home financing (PHF) and religious belief (RB), which proved their presence in the TPB model by showing a significant impact on the customer intention to use the facility of home financing. In addition, PHF has a negative impact while religious belief has a positive relationship with the customer intention to use Islamic home financing in Pakistan. This study also suggests that the standard TPB model is successfully modified by introducing PHF and RB factors. Therefore, Islamic bank managers should consider this study to promote the Islamic home financing facility in Pakistan.     

Analytical characterization of hemp (Cannabis sativa) seed oil from different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan

Cold-pressed oil content of Cannabis sativa (hemp) seeds from three different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan ranged from 26.90 to 31.50%. Protein, fiber, ash, and moisture content were found to be 23.00–26.50, 17.00–20.52, 5.00–7.60, and 5.60–8.50%, respectively. Results of some other physical and chemical parameters of the oil were as follows: iodine value, 154.00–165.00; refractive index (40°C), 1.4698–1.4750; density (24°C), 0.9180–0.9270 mg ml⁻¹; saponification value, 184.00–190.00; unsaponifiable matter, 0.70–1.25%; and color (1-in cell), 0.50–0.80 R+27.00–32.00 Y. The induction period (Rancimat, 20 L h⁻¹, 120°C) of the nondegummed and degummed oils ranged from 1.35 to 1.72 h and from 1.20 to 1.49 h, respectively. Specific extinctions at 232 and 270 nm were 3.50–4.18 and 0.95–1.43, respectively. The hemp oils investigated were found to contain high levels of linoleic acid, 56.50–60.50%, followed by α-linolenic, oleic, palmitic, stearic, and γ-linolenic acids: 16.85–20.00, 10.17–14.03, 5.75–8.27, 2.19–2.79, and 0.63–1.65%, respectively. Tocopherols (α, γ, and δ) in the nondegummed oils were found to be 54.02–60.40, 600.00–745.00, 35.00–45.60, respectively, and were reduced to 29.90–50.00, 590.00–640.00, and 30.40–39.50 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, after degumming. The results of the present analytical study, compared with those found in the typical literature on hempseed oils, showed C. sativa indigenous to Pakistan to be a potentially valuable nonconventional oilseed crop of comparable quality.     

Distribution and circumstances of injuries in squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVES: This research was conducted to study incidence, distribution, type, causes, severity and circumstances of injuries among people living in squatter settlements in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: Trained interviewers sought a 2 weeks recall for minor injuries for which no health care was sought, 2 months recall for major injuries for which a health provider was consulted and 1 year recall for hospitalization, disability and death from every third household in five squatter settlements in Karachi between May and August 1995. For understanding the injury circumstances 250 in-depth interviews of the injured or the close relatives were also conducted. RESULTS: Among 1182 households, having 9891 residents, 84 minor, 42 major injury episodes, 7 hospitalizations, 0.6 permanent disabilities and 0.3 deaths per 1000 person years were reported. Including all injury episodes, the common types of injury were cutting or piercing (n = 532), falls (n = 382) and burns (n = 235) estimating to 54, 38 and 23 injury episodes per 1000 person years. Injury mainly resulted from a piece of glass (n = 367), falling from height (n = 98) and knife (n = 97) estimating to 37, 10 and 10 injury episodes per 1000 person years, respectively. Fall (n = 32, 3.2/1000 person years) was the major reason for hospitalizations and all permanent disabilities resulted from closed injuries. Medically trained providers were mostly contacted (n = 339, 34/1000 person years), but traditional healers were preferred in bone injury. CONCLUSION: Injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Pakistan and the national health and development agenda should include assessment and prevention of injuries.     

Strongly correlated intermetallic rare-earth monoaurides (Ln-Au): Ab-initio study

In this paper, we explored the structural, elastic and mechanical properties of the strongly correlated electron systems, intermetallic Ln-Au (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) in cubic structure, using PF-LAPW method within the density functional theory. Structural properties of these intermetallics were investigated by treating the exchange-correlation potential with the GGA-PBE, GGA-PBEsol and GGA + U. The effectiveness of the U for the structural properties as compared to other methods confirms the strong correlated nature of these compounds and the calculated lattice constants endorse the divalency of Yb. The results demonstrate the stable cubic CsCl structure of these compounds. Bulk modulus, Young's modulus, shear modulus, B/G ratio, Cauchy pressure, Poisson's ratio, anisotropic ratio, Kleinman parameters and Lame's coefficients were studied using the PBEsol to evaluate their importance in various types of engineering applications. The most prominent features of these compounds are their ductility, very high melting points, resistance to corrosion, and anisotropic nature.     

Mobile banking in the government-to-person payment sector for financial inclusion in Pakistan*

ABSTRACT

Whilst there have been growing interest and efforts by governments in developing countries to disburse digital government-to-person (G2P) payments to promote financial inclusion, the role of mobile banking in the receipt of social cash remains under-researched. Through an interpretive case study of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in Pakistan, this paper applies Orlikowski’s Duality of Technology that critically examines mobile banking usage by women beneficiaries and technology's effects on the institutional properties of their households. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews from participants located in Pakistan. The findings highlighted that mobile banking enabled women to receive the full amount of grants, securely and conveniently, from agents. However, mobile banking imposed human, socio-economic and technological constraints which restricted women's access to and usage of financial services that limited financial inclusion. Women were socially and politically empowered, thereby, social inclusion was transformative. This paper theoretically contributes to the Duality of Technology framework that was deterministic for women beneficiaries. The study accentuates the redesign of mobile banking to match women's capabilities, and imparting financial and digital training to them. Also, the provision of a range of financial resources to beneficiaries may steer micro-entrepreneurial activities to advance the inclusion agenda in Pakistan.     

Morphological characterization of Hypnaceae (Bryopsida,Hypnales): Investigating four genera from Western Himalayas by using LM and SEM techniques

The Hypnaceae is one of the largest and diversified family among the pleurocarpous mosses which consists of nearly 60 genera and 1,000 species around the world. In Pakistan, it is represented by 15 species and 8 genera. The current research article provides the detail morphological investigation of four different species (genera) of the family Hypnaceae that is, Gollania clarescens, Hypnum revolutum, Homomallium andoi, and Taxiphyllum taxirameum in the Western Himalayas, Pakistan. The research article reports the first SEM study of the leaf surfaces of the studied taxa, along with comprehensive morphological characters of the four species. The main objective of the research project is to present the comparative light and scanning electron microscopic study to discuss the morphology in detail because previously the family is just reported in different bryophyte checklists of the Western Himalayas. Based on results, morphological characters, micromorphological observations, qualitative and quantitative attributes, taxonomic keys for the studied taxa, distribution, and habitat are described. Stereoscope was used to analyze different qualitative characters, and light microscope was used to observe and measure the laminal and alar cells of the leaf. The SEM study reveals many important surface features like cell shape and cell wall. The laminal cells were mostly linear and elongated with thin cell walls. The specimens used for the SEM were air dried, so the laminal cells were somewhat constricted and concaved. The current study project will help to make the contribution in the taxonomy and morphology of this family.     

Acceptance of online banking information systems: an empirical case in a developing economy

This paper proposes an extended model of technology acceptance to understand potential users’ acceptance of online banking information systems (OBIS). The proposed model integrates key constructs from information systems and e-commerce acceptance research streams into the theoretical frame of the technology acceptance model. The model was tested on a sample of 353 Internet banking users in Pakistan. Using structural equation modelling with Analysis of Moment Structures software, data analysis showed considerable support for the extended hypothesised model. The results suggested that, in order of importance: perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU) and trust explained 45.7% of the variance in intended acceptance behaviour. Trust and technological self-efficacy (TSE) predicted 28.1% of the variance in PU. While in PEOU 21.8% of the variance was predicted by TSE, accessibility and terminology clarity. This study produced valuable insights into the factors that influence acceptance of OBIS by intended users and offers new ideas in understanding the acceptance of technology, especially in developing countries.     

The impact of water users’ associations on the productivity of irrigated agriculture in Pakistani Punjab

This paper finds productivity-enhancing effects of watercourse-level water users’ associations for farms at the tail of a watercourse and for those that rely exclusively on groundwater – two groups that are marginalized from surface water use and more likely to rely increasingly on groundwater. Yet, heavy reliance on groundwater consumes vast energy resources and leads to environmental degradation through overdraft and groundwater salinization. Improving the management of surface water through functioning watercourse-level institutions can increase use efficiency across water, energy and land resources through increasing agricultural productivity of those now least able to access fresh surface water resources.     

巴基斯坦水电开发市场刍议

阐述了巴基斯坦电力市场电力系统分布、装机容量、电力供需缺口、水电资源分布等方面情况,给出了中国水电设备制造和建筑施工企业开发巴基斯坦水电市场的建议。