Reliability and validity estimation of Urdu version of Children Emotion Management Scales (CEMS) in Pakistan

Introduction

The present study aimed to translate and validate Children's Emotion Management Scales into Urdu, the national language of Pakistan.

Method

The current study comprised three different phases, i.e., phase I: Cross-language validation over a sample of (N = 169) school children, estimated at a 1-week interval.

Results

The results indicate a significant correlation (r = 0.846-0.891) at p < 0.01. In phase II, the internal consistency reliability (r = 0.808-0.904) and split-half reliability (r = 0.737-0.898) of the scale were assessed (N = 683) at p < 0.01. Furthermore, significant results for test-retest reliability analysis (N = 168) were obtained (r = 0.736-0.917 at p < 0.01), following the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (N = 1,083). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on the same sample chosen for CFA. EFA resulted in the retention of original inhibition (INH), dysregulated expression (DYS), and emotional coping (EMO) factors. CFA findings suggest a good model fit. In phase III, convergent validity and divergent validity were checked (N = 385, 255, and 213). Convergent validity of INH and DYS subscales and divergent validity of EMO subscales were established, with SBI (r = 0.217-0.609; 0.210-0.445; -0.026 to -0.553), SHS (r = 0.417-0.441; 0.480-0.546; -0.338 to -0.582), and suppression subscale of ERQ (r = 0.430-0.480; 0.468-0.522; -0.245 to -0.369) at p < 0.01. For divergent validity of INH and DYS subscales and convergent validity of EMO subscales, their scores were correlated with the SPS (r = -0.204 to -0.350; -0.318 to -0.459; 0.191-0.531), RSE Scale (r = -0.226 to -0.351; -0.279 to -0.352; 0.255-0.507), DTS (-0.290 to -0.617; -0.369 to -0.456; 0.246-0.680), and reappraisal subscale of ERQ (r = -0.456 to -0.541; -0.329 to -0.544; 0.446-0.601) at p < 0.01.

Discussion

It is concluded that the scale is reliable and valid with sound psychometric properties.

The Leading Role Of Evidence-Based Practices In The Treatment Of Patients With Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review

Objective

To explore the effectiveness of motivational interviewing, motivational enhancement therapy, and cognitive behaviour therapy for patients with substance use disorders, and to estimate the effect of such comparison in patient care setting.

METHODS

The systematic review was conducted from September 2021 to February 2022, and comprised search on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Clinical Trials.gov and OvidSP databases for experimental studies and randomised controlled trials related to substance use disorders published in peer-reviewed English-language journals between 2001 and 2021. Quality of the studies was assessed using the Modified Cochrane Collaboration risk of the bias assessment criteria.

RESULTS

Of the 314 studies initially identified, 41(13%) were subjected to full-text assessment, and, of them, 16(39%) were reviewed and analysed. There were 8(50%) studies done is the United States, 4(25%) in the United Kingdom, and 1(6.25%) each in Germany, Australia, South Korea and South Africa. All the 16(100%) studies were intervention-based, with 6(37.5%) being randomised controlled trials. There were 8(50%) studies using motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy, 5(31.25%) had significant results with a combination of motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy, 3(18.75%) supported motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy in combination, and 2(12.5%) studies combined motivational interviewing, motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy, reporting significant results while simultaneously addressing multiple patient variables.

Conclusion

All studies were heterogeneous. Motivational interviewing produced short-term treatment outcomes and played a supportive role in sustaining motivation. Motivational enhancement therapy was an effective therapeutic intervention that significantly addressed inadequate causes, and enhanced motivation for treatment. Cognitive behaviour therapy had a short-term impact and remained influential in the long term as well in handling cognitive and behavioural setbacks.

Brief cognitive behavior therapy for stigmatization, depression, quality of life, social support and adherence to treatment among patients with HIV/AIDS: a randomized control trial

OBJECTIVE

Individuals living with HIV/AIDs are at a high risk of many problems like depression, stigma, quality of life, decreased adherence to treatment, and lack of social support. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of brief-cognitive behavior therapy (B-CBT) on reducing depression and stigma and improving treatment adherence, quality of life, and social support among patients with HIV/AIDS attending antiretroviral therapy (ART).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized clinical trial was conducted at ART Clinic in the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Shahkot Nankana Sahib from July 2021 to October 2021. After baseline screening, 126 patients met the eligibility criteria and 63 were allocated to the experimental group (EXPg = 63) and 63 to waitlist-control group (WLCg = 63). Participants' age range was from 20 to 55 years. Participants who were taking ART treatment were enrolled for the CBT treatment. Before this, all the participants completed a baseline assessment to ensure a level of severity and diagnosis. A total of eight CBT based therapeutic sessions were conducted individually with EXPg. To assess the outcomes among patients receiving ART, we used Demographic form, Patient health questionnaire, HIV stigma scale, General medication adherence scale, Multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and WHOQOL BREF scale.

RESULTS

Findings suggest that B-CBT significantly reduced the level of depression (i.e. F (1, 78) = 101.38, p < .000, η2 = .599), and social stigma (i.e. F (1, 78) = 208.47, p < .000, η2 = .787) among patients with HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, CBT substantially improved the level of adherence to treatment (i.e. F(1,78) = 24.75, p < .000, η2 = .503), social support (i.e. F (1, 78) = 128.33, p < .000, η2 = .606), and quality of life (i.e. F (1, 78) = 373.39, p < .000, η2 = .837) among patients with HIV/AIDS. Significant mean difference M(SD) on PHQ at post-analysis in the EXPg vs. WLCg was seen 1.22(0.47) vs. 2.30(0.68) and similarly, on MPSS at a post-analysis in the EXPg vs. WLCg 2.85(0.36) vs. 1.70(0.51) which indicates sound therapeutic outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive behavioral therapy effectively decreases the level of depression and stigma and enhances the level of social support, quality of life, and adherence to treatment among HIV/AIDS patients. It is concluded that cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment approach for patients with HIV/AIDS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Thai clinical trial registry (i.e. TCTR =  TCTR20210702002 ).

Distress tolerance, anxiety-related symptoms, stress, and depression among dropout and non-dropout university students: a mediation analysis

This study explores the relationship between distress tolerance and depression with mediating role of anxiety-related symptoms and stress among dropout and non-dropout university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to December 2020. Participants' age ranged between 20-40 years. Data was collected using the Distress Tolerance Scale and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. Descriptive, t-test, and mediation analyses were performed to calculate the results. A sample of 500 respondents was recruited. A significant difference was noted between dropout and non-dropout students on CGPA (p<0.001), depression (p<.001), anxiety (p<0.001), stress (p<0.001), tolerance (p<.001), absorption (p<0.001), appraisal (p<0.001), and distress tolerance (p<0.001). Mediation analysis reveals that stress and anxiety significantly mediates between distress tolerance and depressive symptoms (i.e., F (498) = 31.14, p<0.001; F (498) =34.14, p<0.001; F (496) = 161.21, p<0.001). It is concluded that low distress tolerance increases stress and anxiety, triggering depressive symptoms.

Do crop diversity and livestock production improve smallholder intra-household dietary diversity, nutrition and sustainable food production? Empirical evidence from Pakistan

Crop diversification and livestock production is an important strategy to enhance nutrition, sustainable food production, and improve food security, especially at the smallholder household level. However, existing evidences are mixed and there are limited information about the relationship among agriculture crops, household income diversification (HID), and household dietary diversity (HDD) among smallholder farmers in developing country setting like Pakistan. Therefore, this study aims to understand the role of crop diversification (CD) on HDD, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture and food production in the context of smallholder households in Punjab, Pakistan. The study employed ordered probit regression and cross-sectional data from 450 households collected using 24-h recall method. Regression results indicate that crop diversity and intra-household dietary diversity are positively associated across adults, adolescents, and children in all the study districts. Moreover, annual income, key crops grown by the household and family education are also the significant drivers of dietary diversity. Greater travel distance between markets was the most crucial factor in all regions which significantly affect dietary diversity. The overall research findings indicated that crop diversification and livestock production in the selected areas is significantly contributing to improve nutrition and sustainable food production. Therefore this study recommends for promoting crop diversification and livestock production for sustainable agricultural development and improving nutrition in the context of developing countries like Pakistan.

Cognitive behavior therapy for diabetes distress, depression, health anxiety, quality of life and treatment adherence among patients with type-II diabetes mellitus: a randomized control trial

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes distress typically causes depressive symptoms; common comorbidity of diabetes unpleasantly affects patients' medical and psychological functions. Psychotherapeutic interventions are effective treatments to treat depressive symptoms and to improve the quality of life in many chronic diseases including diabetes. The present study investigated the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to treat depressive symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using experimental and waitlist control conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 130 diagnosed patients with T2DM were taken from outdoor patients services of different hospitals in Faisalabad. Ninety patients met the eligibility criteria and were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 45) and waitlist control (n = 45) conditions. All the patients completed clinical interviews and assessment measures at pre-and post-assessment stages (16 weeks intervals). Medical consultants at the respective hospitals diagnosed the patients on the base of their medical reports and then referred those patients to us. Then we used different scales to assess primary and secondary outcomes: Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) to assess primary outcomes, and a Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), a Revised Version of the Diabetes Quality of Life Questionnaire (DQLQ), and a General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) were used to investigate secondary outcomes. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze the results.

RESULTS

The findings indicated that patients who received CBT got a significant reduction in their diabetes distress F(1,60) = 222.710, P < 0.001, η² = .788), depressive symptoms F(1,60) = 94.436, P < 0.001, η² = .611), health anxiety F(1,60) = 201.915, P < .0.001, η² = 771), and a significant improvement in their quality of life F(1,60) = 83.352, P < 0.001, η² = .581), treatment adherence F(1,60) = 67.579, P < 0.001, η² = .566) and physical activity schedule F(1,60) = 164.245, P < .0.001, η² = .736 as compared to the patients in waitlist control condition.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that cognitive behavior therapy is an effective and promising intervention for depressive symptoms, diabetes distress, and health anxiety which also helps the person to promote quality of life, treatment adherence and physical activity.

Relationship of Muslim Religiosity and Death Anxiety with the Mediating Effect of Optimism and Depression Among Cancer Patients in Pakistan

Optimism and the practice of any religion are known to reduce depression and anxiety in cancer patients. In the present study, the specific role of Muslim religiosity, optimism, depression, and death anxiety in cancer patients has been explored. The sample of this study consisted of 200 cancer patients from different hospitals of the districts Faisalabad and Lahore (Pakistan). The sample's average age was 26.6 years. Parallel mediation findings show that optimism and depression are significant mediators between Muslim religiosity and death anxiety among cancer patients. Muslim religiosity is positively associated with optimism, and it helps to decrease the level of death anxiety, while depression is negatively associated with Muslim religiosity, and high depression increases the death anxiety level of cancer patients. In conclusion, Muslim religiosity and optimism play significant roles in managing depressive symptoms and death anxiety among cancer patients.

A clinical trial of cognitive behavior therapy for psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life with Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy (CPdC)

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a common worldwide illness; it evokes psychological distress at different stages, during chemotherapy patient perceives a variety of psychiatric symptoms due to various medication side-effects and psychological distress. Studies have shown a significant impact of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in the management of psychiatric symptoms during chemotherapy. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of CBT for depression, anxiety, stress, death anxiety, satisfaction with life, and self-esteem among cancer patients during chemotherapy (CPdC).

METHODS

Place and duration of the study: Department of Applied Psychology, Government College University Faisalabad in collaboration with Department of Oncology, Allied Hospital Faisalabad from November 20, 2020 and July 31, 2021. A total of 90 cancer patients were enrolled. 70 out of 90 met the eligibility criteria and 60 participants fulfilled all requirements. Participants were randomly allocated to four different groups. The pre-assessment screening was started along with the first trial of chemotherapy. The CBT-based treatment plan was formulated and one session per week was given to each patient for 3 to 4 months. Participants' age range was 18-65 years (M ± SD = 47.51 ± 12.36. Demographic form, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were administered. Descriptive, t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA statistics were used to investigate the findings.

RESULTS

Results indicated significant mean difference on the variable of depression, anxiety and stress across four conditions (i.e. F(2, 56) = 39.55, p < .000, η² = .679; F(2,56) = 73.32, p < .000, η² = .797; F(2,56) = 119.77, p < .000, η² = .865 respectively). On death anxiety significant difference across four conditions was found (F(2,56) = 22.71, p < .000, η² = .549) with large effect size. Furthermore, findings indicated significant mean difference on the variable of satisfaction with life and self-esteem across four conditions was found (F(2,56) = 22.05, p < .000, η² = .542; F(2,56) = 36.19, p < .000, η² = .660) with large effect size.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that CBT played a very effective role to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress-related psychiatric symptoms. CBT reduces the level of death anxiety and improving the quality of life and level of self-esteem among CPdC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study trial was registered in the Thai Clinical Trial Registry-TCTR ( TCTR20201113002 ).

Investigating the nexus among sulfur dioxide emission, energy consumption, and economic growth: empirical evidence from Pakistan

Developing countries like Pakistan majorly depend on fossil fuels for achieving higher economic growth but have sloppy environmental rules and regulations in order to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). As a result, energy consumption is considered the primary cause of environmental degradation. Besides CO₂ emission, environmental degradation is also associated with emission of sulfur dioxide (SO₂). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among SO₂ emissions, energy consumption, economic growth, and FDI in Pakistan. By applying the 3SLS method, study has estimated the scale effect, composition effect, and technique effect. The scale effect and technique effect findings indicated that capital stock, FDI, and SO₂ emissions all had a significant impact on GDP. When the capital accumulation effects of FDI were considered, the relationship between FDI and stock of capital was found to be positive. According to the technique effect results, FDI, population density, and energy consumption were all significantly related to SO₂ emissions. The study came to a conclusion with significant policy implications.

The inhibitory effect of Cannabis Sativa L. and Morus nigra L. against lipid peroxidation in goat liver and brain homogenates

The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential and inhibitory effect ofCannabis sativa and Morus nigra against lipid peroxidation in goat brain and liver homogenates. The formation of free radicals, highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) is a normal metabolic process for cellular signaling and countering the antigens. However, they may cause serious damage if they produced at amplified tolls. In addition, metabolic disorders also serve as sources of these reactive species. Although the issue can be addressed through supplements and other phytochemicals. In this study, two plant species were evaluated for their biological potential by employing a spectrum of antioxidant assays. The antioxidant activity was performed by lipid peroxidation assay. The water extract prepared from leaves of Cannabis sativa and Morus nigra showed significant (P<0.05) inhibition as compared to control i.e., 522.6±0.06 and 659.97±0.03 µg/mL against iron-induced lipid peroxidation in goat brain homogenate while the inhibitions were 273.54±0.04 and 309.18±0.05 µg/mL against nitroprusside induced lipid peroxidation of the brain. The iron and nitroprusside induced lipid peroxidation was also significantly inhibited by leaf extracts of Cannabis sativa and Morus nigra in liver homogenates such as 230.63±0.52 and 326.91±0.01 µg/mL (iron-induced) while 300.47±0.07 and 300.47±0.07 µg/mL (nitroprusside induced), respectively. The extracts of Cannabis sativa extract showed promising activity (96.04±0.060%) against DPPH radicals while Morus nigra showed a moderate activity (34.11±0.120%). The results suggest that different accessions ofCannabis sativa and Morus nigra are a potential source of antioxidants and have a therapeutic effect against disease induced by oxidative stress and hence can be used for novel drug discovery and development.

Elaborating the Iodine/Polyiodide Equilibrium Effects in Nanoporous Carbon-based Battery Electrode via Extreme Mass Asymmetry in Hybrid Cells

This article discusses the conversion of electrodeposited iodine to polyiodides within the nanopores of carbon electrodes that affect the performance of iodide electrolyte-based electrochemical cells. Here, carbon electrodes have been polarized in aqueous sodium iodide electrolyte to store charge in the form of solid iodine via highly reversible reaction (2I-⇌I2+2e-). The stored iodine within the pores interacts with free iodide ions present in the bulk electrolyte via comproportionation reactions leading to polyiodide (I3 - and I5 -) formations. By tuning the mass asymmetry of carbon electrodes in hybrid cells and using the in-situ Raman spectroscopy on positive battery electrode, we show the influence of iodine/polyiodides equilibrium shifts on the self-discharge and voltage rebounds during open circuit conditions. This study provides insights into the charging mechanisms of carbon electrodes for iodine-based hybrid supercapacitors and battery systems.

Role of religiosity, optimism, demographic characteristics and mental health problems among cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of religiosity, optimism, depression, death anxiety and differences in demographic characteristics among cancer patients.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2018 to July 2019 in three different hospitals of Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan, and comprised patients with diagnosed stage 1 and 2 cancer. Non-cancer subjects were enrolled as the control group. Data was collected using the Short Muslim Practice and Brief Scale, the Siddiqui-Shah Depression Scale, Death Anxiety Scale and the revised version of Life Orientation Test. One-way analysis of variance and other tests were used for data analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 400 subjects, 200(50%) each were cases and controls. Among the cases, 100(50%) each were males and females. There was a significant difference between cancer and non-cancer subjects on the variables of religiosity, optimism, depression and death anxiety (p<0.05). Significant gender differences were found on the variables of religiosity, depression and death anxiety (p<0.05), while the difference on the construct of optimism was non-significant among cancer patients (p>0.05). Cancer patients of rural and urban areas were significantly different on the variables of religiosity, depression and death anxiety (p<0.05), but the difference was non-significant on the optimism scale (p>0.05). Also, the differences on death anxiety scale were significantly related to the type of cancer (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a greater role of religiosity and optimism in controlling the level of depression and fear of death among cancer patients. Also, the role of gender, residential area and type of cancer was significant.

Individualised cognitive behaviour therapy in patients of substance use disorders: three case studies

The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of patients with substance use disorders. Three diagnosed patients with substance use disorders were recruited -i.e. 305.20 (F12.10) cannabis used disorder, 291.81 (FI0.239) alcohol withdrawal disorder and 292.0 (F11.23) opioid withdrawal disorder, respectively. The patients were detoxified and individual treatment plan was formulated on the basis of CBT. The CBT therapeutic outcomes were evaluated on the basis of pre- and post-assessment scores. Results indicate that CBT worked effectively in one-on-one session. CBT effectively worked to manage patients' anger, craving, stress, sleep hygiene and assertive behaviour. It is concluded that CBT is an effective approach to deal with patients' anger, stress, craving, sleep and assertive behaviour.

Dairy Production under Climatic Risks: Perception, Perceived Impacts and Adaptations in Punjab, Pakistan

The changing climatic conditions coupled with fodder availability have posed severe challenges and threats for the dairy sector in Pakistan. The current paper determines the influence of climate change on the dairy sector in Pakistan. Comprehensive data set was collected from 450 farmers. The majority of farmers experienced the climate change and its variability and explained that severity and frequency of climatic extreme events such as droughts, heat waves, floods, pests and diseases and humidity is increasing. The study found that farmers considered drought as one of the major climatic risks which severely affects all aspects of dairy production. Specifically, to estimate the perceived impacts of climatic extreme event on milk production, an ordered probit model was applied and identified that climate change had high adverse impact on milk quantity in the study area. Different adaptation practices, such as changing cropping pattern for fodder production, off-farm income activities, diversifying the farm and regular vaccination are mostly used by dairy farmers. The study recommends policy initiatives to be taken by government for long term developments in the dairy farming.

Pattern of positive, negative and general psychopathological symptoms among schizophrenia patients at primary care setting: A comparative study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the patterns of positive, negative and general psychopathology symptoms on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale among a variety of schizophrenia patients.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, in 2016-17, and comprised schizophrenia patients aged 18-52 years registered with the institute regardless of gender, socioeconomic class, marital status and severity of the diseases. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was administered after one month of psychotropic medication. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

:Of the 104 patients, 62(59.6%) were males; 42(40.4%) were single; 45(43.3%) were married; 17(16.3%) were divorced/separated; 31(29.8%), belonged to low social class; 35(33.7%) to middle; and 38(36.5%) to upper class. Patients' scores were significantly different between in door and out-door patients (p<0.05); between patients who had come with single or multiple episodes (p<0.05), and between patients with acute and chronic phases of illness (p<0.05) in terms of positive, negative and general psychopathology symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Out-door patients, those with multiples episodes and chronic illness were found more vulnerable compared to in-door patients, those with single episode and acute illness.

Finding Novel Anti-carcinomas Compounds by Targeting SFRP4 Through Molecular Modeling, Docking and Dynamic Simulation Studies

BACKGROUND

Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 4 (SFRP4) is a glycoprotein that acts as a competitor of both canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways. SFRP4 is mostly expressed in ovary and plays a significant role as a target molecule to cure ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

Multiple chemical agonists are being used to cure ovary melanoma. We are interested in theoretically analyzing the compounds through computational approaches for their potential inhibitory effects against SFRP4.

METHODS

Compounds were sketched in Chemsketch drawing tool and minimized through chimera tool. Because the crystal structure of SFRP4 is not available in Protein Data Bank, homology modeling approach was used to predict Three-Dimensional (3D) crystal structure of SFRP4. Moreover, multiple computational approaches such as molecular docking and Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations along with various online tools were employed to screen the best inhibitor against ovary melanoma.

RESULTS

The docking results showed that 1d and 1e compounds revealed significant binding energy values (-9.10 and -9.00 kcal/mol, respectively) compared with the standard drugs such as cis-platin and docetaxel (-3.30, -10.80 kcal/mol), respectively. Moreover, MD simulation results showed that 1d has little fluctuations throughout the simulation period as depicted by the root mean square deviation and root mean square fluctuation graphs.

CONCLUSION

The present in-silico study provides a deeper insight into the structural attributes of 1d compound and its overall molecular interactions against SFRP4 and gives a hypothetical gateway to use this compound as a potential inhibitor against ovarian carcinoma.

Temperature Dependent Characteristics of Activated Carbons from Walnut Shells for Improved Supercapacitor Performance

Activated carbons (ACs) have been prepared from chemical treatment of walnut shells (WS) precursor at various temperatures (400‒800 °C) by using phosphoric acid (H3PO4) as activating agent. Influence of activation temperature on the porosity development and capacitive properties of resulting carbons was investigated. Thermal post-treatment of carbons previously activated at moderate temperature, e.g. 400 °C allowed further structural and porosity modification. Then, these carbons were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electrochemical techniques and low temperature nitrogen adsorption exhibiting high BET specific surface area of approximately 2100 m2 g-1 and a total pore volume up to 1.3 cm3 g-1. Carbon material obtained through activation by H3PO4 at 400 °C and post-treated at 800 °C was used to make electrodes which were implemented to realize AC/AC capacitor using 1 mol L-1 Li2SO4. The electrochemical capacitor demonstrated high capacitance of 123 F g-1 per mass of one electrode, reduced cell resistance and stable capacitance for 5000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles at 1.0 A g-1.

Device-associated infections in a paediatric intensive care unit in Pakistan

This study assessed the effect of implementation of active infection control and surveillance on the occurrence of device-associated infections (DAIs) in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) from 2012 to 2015. There were 1378 patients, equating to 4632 patient-days, on the PICU, and 29 DAI episodes, giving an incidence rate of 2.1% and an incidence density rate of 6.26 per 1000 patient-days. The rates of central-line-associated bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-related urinary tract infections were 7/1000 central-line-days, 1.17/1000 ventilator-days and 0.24/1000 urinary-catheter-days, respectively. Despite the overall low rate of DAIs in the PICU, there was a relatively high rate of central-line-associated bloodstream infections.

Occupational hazards and health cost of women cotton pickers in Pakistani Punjab

Background

Farm workers and female cotton pickers are exposed to residual impacts of pesticide use in cotton production, in addition to dust, ultraviolet radiation, etc. Cotton picking causes various health hazards among cotton pickers with varied health cost. A soil bacterium known as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is incorporated in cotton seed through genetic modification and it has resistance against certain bollworms of cotton. So it is considered that Bt cotton fields have less pesticide exposure compared to non-Bt cotton fields. This study was designed to examine and compare the impacts and health cost of cotton picking among female cotton pickers working in Bt and non-Bt cotton fields.

Methods

The study used the data collected from Vehari district of Pakistani Punjab. Health hazards and associated health cost of the respondents involved in Bt cotton picking were compared with those who harvested non-Bt cotton. Comparative use of the personal protective measures among those respondents was also examined. Health cost function and its determinants were analyzed using ordinary least square method.

Results

Findings of the study showed that 61 % cotton pickers from Bt cotton households reported one or more health effects of pesticide during picking season whereas this percentage for non-Bt cotton households was 66 %. Health impacts included skin problems, headache, cough, flu/fever, eye irritation and sleeplessness, however, percentage of these health impacts was comparatively higher among non-Bt cotton households. Health cost from exposure to pesticide use in cotton was US$ 5.74 and 2.91 per season for non-Bt cotton and Bt cotton households, respectively. Education, picking in Bt cotton fields and preventive measures were significantly related with health cost.

Conclusion

Cotton pickers working in Bt cotton fields are found to have less occupational health hazards compared to those working in non-Bt cotton fields. Thus generating awareness among cotton pickers for adopting precautionary measures during harvesting and the use of Bt cotton seed can result in a decline in the ill-effects of cotton picking.

Closed loop auto control system software for Miniature Neutron Source Reactors (MNSRs)

A closed loop auto control system has been developed and implemented at the Pakistan Research Reactor-2 (PARR-2). For interfacing of the site signals with a computer, a data acquisition card was employed. The system utilizes nine signals and, on their basis, carries out continuous on-line analysis, maintaining safe operation. On-line reactivity measurement is included in this software. Also, it generates control signals for keeping the reactor at the desired power level in auto-mode round-the-clock without human intervention. In case of abnormal conditions for either power or temperature or radiation level, alarms are initiated and if their levels reach beyond prescribed safe operation regime, automatic shutdown sequence is initiated. The control system has been thoroughly tested for various postulated scenarios. The test results have been in good agreement with the expected response.