International Journal of Advanced Research
The International Journal of Advanced Research (ISSN Online: 3106-7980; ISSN Print: 3106-7972) is a multidisciplinary, open-access, quarterly publication that follows a rigorous double-blind peer-review process. The Journal endeavors to complete the review process within one (01) month of manuscript submission and to formally notify the author(s) of the editorial decision within this timeframe. Committed to upholding the highest standards of academic rigor and integrity, the Editorial Board strives to provide timely, constructive, and transparent feedback, thereby ensuring an efficient and credible publication process. The Journal is published under the auspices of the Institute for Excellence in Education and Research (IEER), a legally incorporated entity registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) under Registration No. 0224595.
Institute for Excellence in Education and Research (SMC-Private) Limited
TARIFFS, SANCTIONS, AND ECONOMIC STATECRAFT: A LAW-AND-ECONOMICS ANALYSIS OF THE NEW WEAPONIZATION OF TRADE
International trade law was built upon a paradox that has become impossible to ignore: the legal architecture designed to separate commerce from politics has become the very infrastructure through which states increasingly exercise political power. Tariffs, sanctions, export controls, financial restrictions, and customs measures are no longer exceptional departures from economic governance; they have become central instruments of strategic competition. This Article develops a law-and-economics theory of Strategic Economic Statecraft to explain this transformation. It argues that existing frameworks of trade law, welfare economics, and coercive diplomacy fail to capture a fundamental shift in governmental objectives: states no longer maximize economic efficiency alone but strategic utility, incorporating security, technological dominance, financial influence, and resilience. By reconceptualizing trade regulation as an architecture for governing strategic interdependence, this Article provides a new theoretical account of how law has become a mechanism through which economic power is created, organized, and deployed in the contemporary international order.
SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES, EDUCATION, BUSINESS, ECONOMICS, AND LAW
IMPACT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ON DIVIDEND POLICY IN THE PAKISTAN PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR
This empirical paper examines how internal board governance shape corporate dividend policy within the pharmaceutical sector of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Drawing on a balanced panel of 7 listed pharmaceutical companies spanning 2015 to 2024 (N = 70 firm-year observations), the analysis models the Dividend Payout Ratio (DPR) against three core governance metrics Board Size (BOARD_SIZE), Board Independence (BOARD_IND), and Ownership Concentration (OWNERSHIP) while controlling variable as Firm Size (LOG_FIRM_SIZE), Financial Leverage (LEVERAGE), and Return on Assets (ROA). The diagnostic framework incorporated panel unit root tests, Pearson pairwise correlation analysis, and residual cross-sectional dependence evaluations. Selecting the optimal panel estimator relied on the Hausman specification test, which yielded a Chi-Square value of 30.9288 (p = 0.0000), rejecting the Random Effects specification in favor of a Cross-Section Fixed Effects model. The fitted Fixed Effects model accounts for roughly 54.67% of the total variance in dividend payout distributions (R-squared = 0.5467, Adjusted R-squared = 0.4512, F-statistic = 5.7282, p = 0.000002). The empirical results indicate that operating profitability acts as the sole statistically significant positive driver of corporate distributions across PSX-listed pharmaceutical firms. Precisely, Return on Assets (ROA) recorded positive coefficients across both model specifications (Beta = 0.7842, p = 0.0859 under Fixed Effects; Beta = 1.4702, p = 0.0001 under Random Effects). In contrast, structural governance attributes like board size, board independence, and ownership concentration alongside control variables such as firm size and leverage, exhibited no direct significant influence on dividend decisions. These outcomes highlight a critical economic reality within regulated emerging market sectors. In an industry constrained by Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) price controls, persistent currency devaluation, and heavy reliance on imported raw materials, dividend distributions depend strictly on actual asset returns and cash liquidity rather than board structure. Internal governance mechanics primarily fulfill procedural compliance mandates established by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) instead of actively directing dividend strategy. Thus, capital market investors should prioritize fundamental operating profitability over governance metrics when building dividend portfolios, while regulatory bodies must reform price-setting mechanisms to support firm operational cash sustainability.
SOCIO-CULTURAL BELIEFS AND UNREALISTIC MARITAL EXPECTATIONS: EFFECTS ON MARITAL SATISFACTION AND MENTAL HEALTH IN PAKISTANI SOCIETY
This research focuses on the role of cultural beliefs and norms in relation to marital satisfaction and mental health issues in Pakistan and how idealistic views of marriage lead to mental health problems. Using self-discrepancy theory, it aims to explain how contrasts between the desired and real marital expectations influence mental well-being. The study reveals that cultural beliefs and family pressures affect marital happiness and, in turn, cause mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Financial instability worsens these problems since financial stress increases marital disagreements and leads to psychological problems. Cultural and societal images of marriage that are unrealistic lead to marital discrepancies between expectations and realities, thus causing marital dissatisfaction and anxiety due to unmet expectations. The study highlights the need to consider cultural and economic factors in marital counselling and mental health interventions. Future work should extend these findings to other samples and at different times to reveal the long-term implications for marital satisfaction and mental health.
INFLUENCE OF PHARMACIST-NURSE COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE, COMMUNICATION QUALITY, AND CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING ON MEDICATION SAFETY AND PATIENT OUTCOMES
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ANALYTICAL STUDY FOR DETECTING VPN-BASED FIREWALL BYPASS IN ENTERPRISE NETWORKS: A TRAFFIC FLOW INVESTIGATION USING UNIFI UDM PRO
A firewall is a device that we use to protect our network and devices from unauthorized access. It controls user access to different platforms (Websites/Applications) by applying security policies. On the other hands VPN (Virtual Private Networks) are commonly used to create secure transmission through encrypted tunnels. However, the use of VPNs introduces significant challenges for network administrators and firewall systems. When a client activates a Public/Third-party VPN connection, network traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel. And it will limit the visibility of the firewall and bypass the firewall policies. As a result, traditional firewall mechanisms may fail to enforce security policies effectively. This study analyses the limitations of firewall visibility under VPN traffic tunnelling by Third-Party VPNs. A real-world experimental setup is implemented using the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro, where security policies are configured, and system behaviour is observed before and after VPN activation. Based on the findings, we propose a layered base detection approach that identifies firewall blind spots and detects VPN traffic. An allow-list is used to make sure that trusted business VPN traffic is not identified as unauthorized VPN traffic.
RELATIONSHIP QUALITY AS A PREDICTOR OF COGNITIVE FAILURE AND PERCEIVED STRESS IN MARRIED WOMEN WITH OVERSEAS-MIGRANT HUSBANDS
The phenomenon of transnational marriage is taking root in many devel-oping countries. Nonetheless, only few studies have addressed the subject of the impact of marital quality on the cognitive abilities and emotional health of the wives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the rela-tionship between relationship quality's positive and negative dimensions in prediction of cognitive failures and perceived stress in married women with husbands working abroad and to determine whether there are differ-ential effects of each of the two dimensions. The design of the study was cross sectional quantitative and sample consisted 300 married women from Gujrat (Pakistan) with husbands who were working abroad. The Positive and Negative Relationship Quality Scale (PN-RQ), the Cogni-tive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ-15) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were all completed by the participants. Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were applied to analyze data. Results indicat-ed that positive relationship quality was a significant negative predictor of both cognitive failures (p < .001, β = -.556) and perceived stress (p < .001, β = -.693), and negative relationship quality was a significant positive predictor of both (p < .001, β = .386 for cognitive failures; β = .233 for perceived stress), with models accounting for 87.5% and 84.9% variance respectively. Positive relationship quality was found to be a bet-ter predictor of both outcomes. Perceived stress had a strong positive corre-lation with cognitive failures (r = .927, p< .001). Overall, these results suggest that relationship quality, especially positive aspects—warmth, emo-tional support and intimacy—is an important protective factor regarding women's cognitive and emotional functioning in transnational marriage. The study demonstrates the need to strengthen the relationship of the left-behind wives in migration affected families with relationship strengthen-ing interventions and supportive policies.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE: RESEARCH GAPS AND ADAPTATION PATHWAYS FOR CLIMATE-RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE
This paper presents the review of climate change impacts on civil infrastructure of Pakistan. Pakistan has faced climate hazards driven by rising temperatures, melting glaciers and erratic monsoon patterns. These hazard including floods, heatwaves, droughts and water scarcity, and sea level rise have directly affected the structural integrity and service quality of civil infrastructure. Several studies have documented the impact of climate change on the occurrence frequency of natural hazard. However, limited studies have identified the vulnerability of existing civil infrastructure towards these hazards. Therefore, this study is designed to review the literature on climate change impacts to identify the research gaps and vulnerabilities in existing planning, design, construction and operation practices of civil infrastructures and housing units towards climate hazards. Identified research gaps are used to determine engineering priorities for adaptation pathways leading towards climate resilient infrastructure. Analysis of reported damages revealed that climate hazards has severely impacted communication infrastructure, houses, hydraulic structures, WASH projects etc. in the past decades. The vulnerabilities of civil infrastructure against natural disasters were found in various fields of civil engineering such as geotechnical, structural, material, hydraulics and hydrological domains. A review of upgraded design codes and policies to cope the adverse impacts of climate change revealed that the updates are limited in scope to address multifaceted climate hazards. Therefore, engineering priority is required to address the research gaps in developing: flood risk assessment maps, multilevel governance framework, protocols for climate risk knowledge into enforceable practice, real time decision framework, construction with durable materials, climate smart infrastructure. Addressing these research gaps will lead towards adaptation pathway resulting in improved hazard maps with asset inventories, climate informed design standards, integrated planning and implementation across building, water and transport for disaster risk reduction. A climate-resilient infrastructure in Pakistan requires action across the full infrastructure lifecycle.
ENERGY POLITICS AND GLOBAL POWER DYNAMICS
In the contemporary landscape of globalization, energy politics emerges as a pivotal determinant in the formulation of international relations and the dynamics of global power. This thesis undertakes a compressive analysis of the impact of energy resources on diplomatic interaction and inter-state conflicts, with a particular emphasis on the complex interplay between energy dependency, national interests and geopolitical strategies. Employing a multi method qualitative framework that integrates semi-structured interviews, case studies, and content analysis, this research seeks to fulfill three primary objectives: to assess the ramification of energy dependency on national security to investigate the role of energy resources in the configuration of geopolitical alliances, and to evaluate the implications of the transition towards renewable energy sources. By engaging with policymakers and industry experts, this study garners rich contextual data that elucidates the underlying motivations driving energy related decisions. The findings indicate that energy dependency not only shapes strategic alliances among nations but also exacerbates tensions in regions abundant in energy resources. This research contributes significantly to the understanding of energy politics within the context of global governance and posits that future inquiries should explore the effects of renewable energy on traditional power dynamics and the evolving roles of emerging economies in the global energy landscape.
PERCEIVED PARENTAL AUTONOMY SUPPORT, EMOTION REGULATION DIFFICULTIES, AND DYSFUNCTIONAL ATTITUDES IN PAKISTANI YOUNG ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the correlation between perceived parental autonomy support (PAS), emotion regulation difficulties (ERD) and dysfunctional attitudes (DA) in young adults of Lahore, Pakistan. From an initial recruitment of (N = 201), 16 participants were excluded due to incomplete data, resulting in a final sample of (N = 185; n = 96 males, n = 89 females) aged 18–25 years. Participants filled out Urdu translated versions of Perceived Parental Autonomy Support Scale (PPASS), Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). The study investigated the "autonomy paradox" in a collectivist culture where autonomy support is juxtaposed with traditional family hierarchy and the concept of "izzat" (honor). Results showed that maternal and paternal autonomy support were significantly and negatively related to total ERD, and the final hierarchical model explained 42% of the variance (R² = .42). Preliminary evidence of the autonomy paradox was found in a small but significant positive correlation (r = .15) between maternal autonomy support and dysfunctional attitudes. The results of the mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between total PAS and DA was fully mediated by ERD (indirect effect = .539, 95% CI [.171, .897]), suggesting that the autonomy paradox works through emotion regulation pathways. There were significant gender differences as males had higher father-specific autonomy support and higher overall emotional regulation difficulties and females had higher dysfunctional attitudes. Results from psychometric analysis showed that the lack of emotional awareness (α = .62) and adaptive attitude (α = .65) subscales were marginally reliable and more culturally refined measurement tools are needed. The results indicate the intricate relationship between parenting, emotion regulation, and cognitive schemas in Pakistani young adults.
ASSESMENT OF THE NON-TOXIC BEHAVIOUR OF CHEMICALLY MODIFIED PLANT SEED MUCILAGE USING RATE AS MODEL RODENT SPECIE
Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are vital to the drug development process. APIs can be authorized for use in pharmaceuticals, opening the door to novel treatments, after undergoing extensive testing to guarantee their safety and effectiveness. OECD 402 and 420 criteria were followed while evaluating the acute oral and dermal toxicity of a composite hydrogel made from acrylamide and Salvia spinosa seed mucilage. Four different groups of rats were used as experimental animals. Animals in categories B, C, and D received one dose of composite hydrogel, while animals in category A served as controls and received no treatment. All of the animals remained alive during the 14-day toxicity research period, and no notable negative effects were seen in the animals. The blood analysis and biochemical test were carried out after 14 days. Together, the results demonstrate that the produced composite hydrogel is a safe substance that shows promise as a non-toxic excipient in drug delivery systems.
OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ISLAMABAD CAPITAL TERRITORY (ICT): TRENDS, DETERMINANTS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Out-of-school children (OOSC) remain a major educational challenge in Pakistan despite improvements in literacy, educational infrastructure, and policy initiatives aimed at expanding access to schooling. This study is designed to examine the patterns, causes, and policy dimensions of educational exclusion in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) by analysing the secondary data obtained from different national and international resources. The study reveals that although ICT performs comparatively better than most provinces/areas of Pakistan in terms of literacy rates, school enrollment, and educational facilities, approximately 90,000 children—around 15% percent of the school-age population—remain outside the formal education system. This indicates that educational exclusion persists even within the country’s most developed administrative territory. The research further highlights the demographic transformation of ICT, where rapid population growth from 340,286 in 1981 to more than 2.3 million in 2023 has placed increasing pressure on educational infrastructure and public service delivery. The findings identify poverty, migration, parental education, and rural–urban disparities as major determinants of OOSC in ICT. Peri-urban and rural areas such as Bhara Kahu, Tarnol, Nilore, and Sihala show comparatively higher educational vulnerability due to weaker infrastructure, transportation barriers, and limited digital access. In addition, migration from other provinces has led to the growth of informal settlements and katchi abadis where children are more likely to remain out of school because of poverty, overcrowding, unstable living conditions, and lack of documentation. Gender-related barriers, including safety concerns, mobility restrictions, cultural norms, limited access and domestic responsibilities, also continue to affect girls’ educational participation, although the gender gap in ICT is narrower than in many other regions/areas of Pakistan. The study concludes that despite stronger educational indicators in ICT, structural inequalities and uneven urban development continue to sustain educational exclusion. It emphasizes the need for targeted policy interventions focusing on underserved peri-urban areas, secluded communities, migrant populations, girls’ education, school quality, and non-formal education pathways in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education for All.
STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF DIFFERENT TICK SPECIES IN CATTLE, SHEEP AND GOAT OF SINDH
In our study the prevalence % species composition and attachment sites of hard ticks for domestic ruminants were studied in Sindh, province of Pakistan. There were 780 animals including 420 cattle, 210 sheep and 150 goats examined for ticks. The overall prevalence % of ticks were 43.8% on cattle, 24.8% on sheep and 50.7% on goats. Goats had highest prevalence % of ticks of all animals. The five species of hard ticks belonging to three genera were identified, such as Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma inermis anatolicum, Rhicephalus sanguines and Rhicipicephalus bursa. The Hyalomma anatolicum was the most prevalent species 69.8% for cattle, while Rhipicephalus bursa 43.8% were most prevalent for sheep and goats, respectively. Tick distribution on the host was different for different animal species. For cattle preferred place of attachment was udder 35% and head and neck 29%. The ears were the most heavily infested parts of the body, in sheep and goats, respectively, accounting for 40% and 61% of tick attached to them. The results indicate that there is high level of variation in tick prevalence, species distribution and tick attachment preference among domestic ruminants. Economically significant tick species predominantly in the study have pointed towards possible risk of tick borne disease and should urge for integrated surveillance of ricks, strategic application of acaridies and better management practices to minimize losses in production and reduce disease transmission in Sindh, province of Pakistan
EXPLORING MARITAL FACTORS OF WORK–FAMILY CONFLICT IN WORKING WOMEN
Work-family conflict is becoming more of a challenge for women in the work force, particularly in the balancing of the demands of their profession and the expectations of marriage. The present study qualitatively examines marital factors contributing to work-family conflict among working women. The study aims to explore the impact of marital relationships, spousal expectations, communication patterns, household responsibilities, emotional support, and family dynamics on the experiences of work-family conflict. The qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews to collect rich, detailed experiences of working women. The participants were selected through purposive sampling techniques for getting the relevance of their experience in marriage and employment. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes that emerged from the participants’ narratives. The findings highlighted various significant marital factors that contribute to work-family conflict. These consist of imbalanced distribution of domestic duties, absence of partner support, conventional gender role norms, marital conversation differences, childcare obligations and psychological strain due to conflicting priorities. The study highlights the importance of marital understanding and shared responsibility in enhancing women's capability to balance work and family life. The study contributes to a better understanding of the marital aspects of work–family conflict and provides implications for social work practice, policy development and future research.
DYNAMIC APPROACHES TO MACHINE LEARNING ETHICS IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING: A COMPARATIVE EXPLORATION OF PAKISTAN AND SAUDI ARABIA
The increasing integration of machine learning (ML) into software engineering has transformed software development while intensifying ethical concerns related to fairness, transparency, accountability, and governance. Grounded in Socio-Technical Systems (STS) Theory and the Responsible AI Framework, this study explores how software professionals operationalize ethical principles throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. A qualitative comparative design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 16 software engineers, AI engineers, machine learning specialists, software architects, and technology managers from organizations actively developing or deploying ML-enabled software. The interview data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. Five interrelated themes emerged: ethical awareness in machine learning development, fairness and bias mitigation, transparency and explainability, organizational governance and regulatory compliance, and cross-cultural perspectives on responsible AI implementation. The findings reveal that ethical machine learning is fundamentally a socio-technical process shaped by interactions among technical practices, organizational governance, professional expertise, and institutional environments. The study extends the application of STS Theory to software engineering, operationalizes the Responsible AI Framework within the SDLC, and proposes a Socio-Technical Ethical Governance Framework to support trustworthy machine learning development across emerging digital economies.
EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF A PLANT SEED BASED CHEMICALLY MODIFIED HYDROGEL AS A PRECURSOR FOR FUTURE DRUG DELIVERY APPLICATIONS
Hydrogels derived from natural polymers have emerged as promising biomaterials for biomedical and drug delivery applications owing to their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. In the present study, a chemically modified plant seed-based hydrogel was evaluated for its antioxidant potential using an in vitro free radical scavenging assay. The hydrogel was synthesized through chemical modification to improve its functional and biological properties. Antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring its ability to neutralize free radicals at different concentrations. The results demonstrated a concentration-dependent increase in radical scavenging activity, indicating the presence of effective antioxidant functional groups within the hydrogel network. The enhanced antioxidant performance may be attributed to the synergistic effect of the plant-derived biopolymer and the introduced chemical functionalities. Such antioxidant behavior can protect therapeutic agents from oxidative degradation while reducing oxidative stress at the target site. These findings suggest that the modified hydrogel possesses favorable biological characteristics for pharmaceutical applications. Therefore, the developed plant seed-based hydrogel represents a promising candidate for future antioxidant-assisted drug delivery systems.
STATUS EPILEPTICUS IN TERTIARY CARE SETTINGS: A REVIEW OF UPDATED DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA, EVIDENCE-BASED ACUTE MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS, AND PROGNOSTIC FACTORS
Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most dangerous neurological emergencies, necessitating prompt diagnosis and treatment to avoid irreparable neuronal damage, long-term neurological disability, and death. Despite significant breakthroughs in neurocritical care and antiseizure medicines, SE remains a significant clinical and healthcare burden, particularly for critically ill and elderly patients. Objective: This review summarizes current data on revised diagnostic criteria, evidence-based acute management options, and prognostic predictors of status epilepticus in tertiary care settings, with a focus on new recommendations from international clinical practice guidelines. Methods: A systematic literature review was undertaken in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 standards. We searched electronic databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for papers published between January 2015 and June 2026. Seventy-five suitable research, including randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and international clinical guidelines, were critically examined and narratively synthesized. Methodological quality was examined using validated instruments such as the RoB 2, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, AMSTAR-2, and AGREE II. Results: The synthesized evidence shows that rapid recognition and protocol-driven treatment significantly improve seizure termination and neurological recovery. Current international guidelines propose starting therapy at the operational time point (t1 = 5 min), using intravenous benzodiazepines first, followed by levetiracetam, valproate, or fosphenytoin if seizures persist. Continuous electroencephalographic monitoring is essential for detecting non-convulsive status epilepticus and directing treatment in refractory instances. Patients with refractory and super-refractory SE typically require intensive care unit hospitalization, continuous anaesthetic infusions, mechanical ventilation, and adjuvant medications such as ketamine or immunotherapy. Advanced age, increased seizure duration, delayed therapy, acute symptomatic aetiologies, and refractory disease were consistently identified as the biggest predictors of worse neurological outcomes and mortality. Early treatment escalation, standardized management algorithms, and multidisciplinary neurocritical care have all been linked to better survival and functional recovery according to worldwide recommendations. Conclusion: Contemporary evidence reinforces that rapid diagnosis, immediate evidence-based treatment, continuous EEG surveillance, and early escalation to specialized neurocritical care remain the cornerstones of successful status epilepticus management. Future multicenter clinical trials integrating precision medicine, artificial intelligence-assisted EEG interpretation, and novel therapeutic approaches are warranted to optimize individualized treatment strategies and further improve long-term neurological outcomes.
ASSOCIATION OF SERUM ALBUMIN LEVELS WITH RECOVERY OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN WITH SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION
Background: Especially in developing nations, severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five. Children with SAM often have hypoalbuminemia, which may have an impact on recovery because it reflects poor nutritional status and the severity of the illness. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether serum albumin levels and recovery outcomes in children suffering from severe acute malnutrition were related. Methodology: The Department of Pediatrics at Chandka Medical College Hospital conducted a prospective observational study involving 150 children aged 6 to 59 months with severe acute malnutrition. Blood samples were collected at hospital admission and after nutritional rehabilitation for serum albumin measurement using an automated biochemistry analyzer. Recovery outcomes, anthropometric measurements, and clinical data were documented, with statistical significance set at *p* < 0.05, and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: A study of 150 children with severe acute malnutrition revealed an average age of 22.8 months and a male predominance of 57.3%. Nutritional rehabilitation significantly improved body weight, MUAC, weight-for-height Z-score, and serum albumin levels, which increased from 2.58 g/dL to 3.61 g/dL (p < 0.001). Lower admission serum albumin was associated with poorer recovery, while higher values correlated with weight gain, MUAC improvement, and shorter hospital stays (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: In children with severe acute malnutrition, serum albumin is a useful and affordable biomarker for predicting recovery outcomes. In healthcare settings with limited resources, routine serum albumin testing can help identify high-risk patients, direct nutritional management, and enhance treatment outcomes.
THE INFLUENCE OF SELF-EXPRESSIVE BRAND PRACTICES ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY A MEDIATION ANALYSIS OF BRAND LOVE AMONG PAKISTANI CONSUMERS
The aim of the paper is to look into the elements of emotional and relational process of the self expressive brand practice for building brand loyalty. The study explored emotions as the mediators and brand love as the mediators between the two variables, and the moderating effect of age in the relationship between brand love and brand loyalty. The quantitative research methodology was adopted and structured questionnaire to the consumers with previous experience in using the branded products and services were used for data collection. The scales of measurement were modified on existing researches and were measured under a five point Likert scale. The PLS-SEM analysis proved that the practice of self expressive brand plays an important role in affecting consumers' emotions, which in turn affects the formation of brand love. The brand love was determined to have a strong positive influence on brand loyalty. The results further indicate that the effect of age as a moderator variable in the equation of brand loyalty exists between brand love. The paper contributes to the literature on brand relationship by developing a clear understanding of the role of the emotional nature of the relationship with the brand in creating long term loyalty as a result of brand identity-based branding strategies.
EXPLAINABLE AI-BASED DYNAMIC PORTFOLIO OPTIMIZATION OF ISLAMIC EQUITIES, GREEN AND CONVENTIONAL CRYPTOCURRENCIES, GOLD, AND CRUDE OIL: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN AND MALAYSIA
The increasing integration of digital assets, sustainable investments, and Islamic financial markets has created new opportunities and challenges for portfolio management. While cryptocurrencies offer high return potential, their significant volatility necessitates advanced risk management techniques. At the same time, Islamic equities and green cryptocurrencies have emerged as attractive investment alternatives for investors seeking ethical and sustainable portfolios. Traditional commodities, such as gold and crude oil, continue to serve as important hedging and diversification instruments during periods of market uncertainty. Despite these developments, limited research has integrated these asset classes within an Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI)-based dynamic portfolio optimization framework, particularly in emerging Islamic financial markets. This study addresses this gap by developing an XAI-driven portfolio optimization model that combines Islamic equities, green and conventional cryptocurrencies, gold, and crude oil for Pakistan and Malaysia. Daily price data are analyzed using the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) optimization approach to minimize downside risk while maximizing risk-adjusted returns. Explainable AI enhances model transparency by providing interpretable insights into portfolio allocation decisions and asset contributions. The findings demonstrate that integrating diverse asset classes improves portfolio diversification and resilience under volatile market conditions. Furthermore, differences in optimal asset allocations between Pakistan and Malaysia highlight the importance of country-specific investment strategies. This study contributes to the literature on intelligent portfolio management, sustainable finance, and Islamic investment by providing a transparent and adaptive framework for informed investment decision-making.
EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE ON DEVICE SPECIFIC RESPONSE TO POSTURE CORRECTION EXERCISES
Background: Abnormal head posture specifically forward Head Posture, commonly assessed via the Craniovertebral Angle (CVA), is a prevalent postural dysfunction linked to prolonged smartphone and laptop use, often resulting in neck pain and disability. Objective: This study compared the effectiveness of posture correction exercises versus strengthening/stretching exercises on CVA, neck pain, disability, and deep neck flexor endurance in device users. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 58 university students with FHP were allocated to Group A (posture correction exercises, n=29) or Group B (strengthening/stretching exercises, n=29). Both groups performed supervised sessions three times weekly for six weeks. Outcomes (CVA, pain, disability, endurance) were measured at baseline, week 3, and week 6. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). Both interventions produced statistically significant improvements across all outcome variables over time. However, Group A demonstrated a markedly greater enhancement in craniovertebral angle at both the mid-intervention and post-intervention assessments compared to Group B (p < 0.05), indicating superior correction of forward head posture. Significant reductions in neck pain intensity and neck disability were observed in both groups, although the magnitude of improvement was consistently higher in Group A (p < 0.05). Deep neck flexor endurance also improved significantly in both groups, with Group A showing a more pronounced increase. Conclusion: Posture correction exercises demonstrated superior outcomes, particularly in improving craniovertebral angle and functional measures. However, both posture correction exercises and strengthening and stretching exercises are effective in improving forward head posture, reducing neck pain, decreasing disability, and enhancing deep neck flexor endurance among smartphone and laptop users. These findings support the use of posture-focused motor control exercises as a preferred intervention for managing forward head posture in young adult digital device users.
PERCEPTION OF WORKING WOMEN ABOUT GENDER DISPARITY IN UNIVERSITIES OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
Gender disparity is a serious issue in higher education systems, which has an impact on workplace experiences and opportunities. The current study explored the perceptions of working women about gender disparity in public and private universities of Punjab, Pakistan. The research design used was quantitative approach with cross sectional design. The sample consisted of 341 respondents who were interviewed using a pre-coded interview schedule and the data were analyzed by SPSS Version 27 with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that there were significant relationships between all the variables studied. The Awareness of Government Initiatives had a strong negative relationship (r = -0.726, p < 0.001) while the Working Women Behavior and Attitude towards Gender Disparity (r = 0.433, p < 0.001) and Social, Cultural and Religious Factors (r = 0.600, p < 0.001) had a significant positive relationship. In the regression model, Perception of Gender Disparity at Workplace (R² = 0.734) accounted for 73.4% of the variance. Awareness of Government Initiatives was found to be the most powerful predictor (β = -0.558, p < 0.001) followed by Social, Cultural and Religious Factors (β = 0.410, p < 0.001) and Working Women Behavior and Attitude towards Gender Disparity (β = 0.192, p < 0.001). The study results indicate that institutional awareness, workplace experiences and socio-cultural factors play a considerable role in perceptions of workplace gender disparity. The results confirm the need to raise awareness and ensure equitable practices in the workplace to foster gender inclusive universities.
POSTSTROKE EPILEPSY IN ADULT PATIENTS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF INCIDENCE, PREDICTORS, PROPHYLACTIC STRATEGIES, AND LONG-TERM NEUROLOGICAL OUTCOMES
Background: The principal cause of new-onset epilepsy in older persons is poststroke epilepsy (PSE), one of the most prevalent long-term neurological sequelae after stroke. The increasing number of stroke survivors has increased the burden of epilepsy, leading to impaired functional recovery, cognitive decline, and a lower quality of life, even though improvements in acute stroke therapy have improved survival. Improving long-term neurological outcomes requires a thorough understanding of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, and preventive techniques of PSE. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 principles. The electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for publications between January 2000 and June 2025. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were all considered if they investigated the incidence, risk factors, pathophysiological mechanisms, and neurological outcomes of poststroke epilepsy in an adult population. The Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale, Cochrane Risk of Bias 2, and AMSTAR 2 checklist were used to assess methodological quality. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the results. Poststroke epilepsy occurred in approximately 7-10% of adult stroke survivors and was significantly more common after hemorrhagic stroke (12-18%) than ischemic stroke (5-8%). The majority of epilepsy cases develop during the first 6-24 months following stroke. The major pathways implicated in the epileptogenic process were neuroinflammation, blood‒brain barrier disruption, gliosis, oxidative stress, and synaptic remodelling. Early poststroke seizures, severe neurological deficits, cortical involvement, younger age, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and alcohol consumption were consistently identified as important predictors. The SeLECT, SeLECT-S, CAVE, and CAVE-S models had good predictive ability when identifying high-risk patients. Levetiracetam had the best safety profile of any antiseizure drug, but there is no current evidence to recommend routine use of antiseizure drugs for all patients with stroke, highlighting the need for physician selection based on individual patient risk profiles. Conclusion: Epilepsy continues to be an important lasting morbidity after cerebrovascular disease. At this time, there is support for the use of validated clinical prediction models for comprehensive risk stratification instead of universal prophylactic antiseizure therapy. Future studies are needed to validate biomarkers, improve prediction models, and identify disease-modifying treatments to prevent the establishment of seizures. These improvements could significantly enhance the recovery of neurological functions, independence and quality of life for people who have had a stroke.
THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA POLITICAL CONTENT ON POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF POLITICAL AWARENESS
The rapid expansion of social media has fundamentally transformed political communication by enabling citizens to access, share, and engage with political information in real time. This study examines the effect of social media political content on political participation, with political awareness as a mediating variable. Drawing upon Uses and Gratifications Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and Cognitive Mobilization Theory, the study proposes that exposure to political content on social media enhances political awareness, which subsequently leads to increased political participation. A quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey was employed, and data were analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with bootstrapping (5,000 resamples) to test direct and indirect relationships among variables. The findings reveal that social media political content has a significant positive effect on political awareness (β = 0.52) and political participation (β = 0.28). Political awareness also significantly influences political participation (β = 0.41). Mediation analysis confirms that political awareness partially mediates the relationship between social media political content and political participation (indirect effect β = 0.21, p < 0.001). The model explains a moderate to substantial proportion of variance in political participation (R² = 0.42). Effect size analysis further indicates that social media political content has a large effect on political awareness, while political awareness has a medium effect on political participation. Overall, the study demonstrates that social media political content influences political participation both directly and indirectly through the enhancement of political awareness. The findings highlight political awareness as a key cognitive mechanism linking digital media exposure to democratic engagement. The study contributes to theoretical advancement by integrating Uses and Gratifications Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and Cognitive Mobilization Theory into a unified framework. Practically, it offers implications for policymakers, educators, media organizations, and political actors aiming to promote informed and meaningful civic participation in the digital era.
FROM EXPOSURE TO TRAVEL BEHAVIOR: EXPLAINING ANIME TOURISM DRIVERS THROUGH A PROCESS-BASED SEQUENTIAL MEDIATION FRAMEWORK IN PAKISTAN
“Anime Tourism” has emerged as a growing niche, within the cultural tourism context, through which media consumption may convert into tourism intention. In spite of the global expansion of “Anime Culture”, little exploration has investigated its potential to tourism development in developing countries such as Pakistan. While considering it, present study’s object is to explore the key behavioral drivers of anime tourism through a process-based sequential mediation conceptual framework, linking: anime watching frequency, event participation, cultural perception, and emotional attachment towards tourism intent. To rationalize the proposed framework, an exploratory secondary data is employed, publicly available “Anime Dataset 2022” containing 18,495 explanations from the “Anime Planet” platform against 17 variables at Kaggle and adopts an exploratory analytical perspective to interpret anime industry trends in relation to tourism behavior. The use of non-experimental quantitative research designs (Descriptive, comparative, and correlational) was adopted to analyze tendencies in anime productions, consumption by audience, media formats used, and thematic multiplicity. According to the results, there is a significant increase in the production of anime globally; at the same time, audience positively perceive episodic formats and broad themes. Such engagement suggests favorable conditions for repeated exposure, fan involvement, and emotional connection. These patterns provide contextual support for the proposed pathway, sequential mediation framework, through which anime consumption may translate into tourism intention. The contribution of the present study is the identification of anime tourism beyond the traditional one and introducing a process-based framework relevant to emerging tourism markets. While practically implementing its findings offers strategic insight for policymakers and tourism stakeholders seeking to leverage anime related cultural tourism in Pakistan.
EXPLORE THE ROMANTIC LOSS, PERSONALITY TRAITS, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG ADULTS
Although romantic loss is a significant psychosocial stressor during emerging adulthood, its psychological effects remain understudied in the South Asian context. This study examined the relationships among romantic loss, Big Five personality traits, emotion regulation, and psychological distress among young adults in Pakistan; tested whether romantic loss and personality traits predicted emotion regulation and psychological distress; compared these variables across gender; and examined whether emotion regulation mediated the effects of romantic loss and personality traits on psychological distress. A cross-sectional correlational design was used with 200 university students aged 18–30, recruited from private institutions in Lahore using purposive and convenience sampling. Four psychometrically sound measures were administered: the Breakup Distress Scale, Big Five Inventory, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. Correlational analyses revealed significant relationships among most study variables, with agreeableness the only personality dimension directly associated with breakup distress severity (r = .48, p < .01). Regression analyses showed that romantic loss and personality traits each independently predicted emotion regulation, with personality traits contributing more strongly (β = .44 vs. β = .34, ps < .001), and together significantly predicted psychological distress, though the effect size was modest (R² = .07). Gender differences were largely non-significant, except that women reported significantly higher emotion regulation than men (p = .021), potentially reflecting culturally patterned differences in emotional expression rather than a fixed psychological difference. Contrary to expectations, bootstrapped mediation analyses indicated that emotion regulation did not significantly mediate the relationship between romantic loss and psychological distress, or between personality traits and psychological distress, as both indirect effects' confidence intervals included zero, suggesting that romantic loss affects distress through pathways beyond emotion regulation alone. These findings underscore the need for culturally responsive, emotion-focused interventions, while highlighting unmeasured factors such as social support and resilience as likely contributors to post-loss psychological adjustment
ISOLATION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LYTIC BACTERIOPHAGES AGAINST MULTI-DRUG-RESISTANT PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA FROM HOSPITAL SEWAGE SAMPLE
The rapid emergence of antibiotics resistance has become one of the most pressing global health challenges with Pseudomonas aeruginosa recognized as leading cause of health care associated infections and multi-drug resistant bacterial infections. Bacteriophages have gained attention as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics. This study aimed to isolate and characterize lytic bacteriophages against MDR P. aeruginosa from hospital sewage samples (n=25), were collected from Okara and Sahiwal region, Pakistan. Two isolated bacteriophages designated as P. a Ø and P. a Ø1 were selected for characterization. The phages exhibited titer of 3×1012 PFU/mL and 2×1010 PFU/mL, respectively, and produced a clear plaque measuring 1.2 - 1.5 mm in diameter. Host range analysis demonstrated that both the phages were highly specific to MDR P. aeruginosa. Latent period of isolated phages P. a Ø and P. a Ø1 were approximately 25 minutes and the burst size of 154 PFU/infected cell and 118 virus particles released per infected cell. Physicochemical characterization showed that both the phages remain stable over a pH range of 3-11 and temperature range of 70°C while reduced viability or complete inactivation at 80°C. No detectable activity was found against the ethanol exposure (63%) and acetone (90%). A decreased stability was observed against normal saline and chloroform (70%). In addition, both the bacteriophages retained viability during storage at 4°C and -20°C for time up to three months, although the gradual decline in the titer was observed. The findings of this study provide foundation for in vitro and in vivo investigations to evaluate the therapeutically potential of these bacteriophages against multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa.
PERCEIVED DIFFICULTIES OF PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Objective: The clinical practice refers to the practical application of physiotherapy knowledge and skill in real world setting but throughout journey of clinical practice physical therapy students face many difficulties during clinical practice.By tackling and effectively addressing these challenges has potential to significantly enhance quality of physiotherapy education and training. Methodology: This was Cross sectional study. Participated included physiotherapy 4th and final year students. Data were collected through well-structured questionnaire taken from research study conducted by Masae Shinozaki et al on a questionnaire survey of difficulties in clinical practice perceived by physical therapy students. The data was analyzed using descriptive chats and frequencies via SPSS version 23. Results: Data were collected related to habitual snoring, contains pattern of sleep and sleep-related disturbances. A low prevalence in the high school children was found. The overall prevalence of habitual snoring was 44.0% in the children. There was no any association of habitual snoring with the sleep-related problems and the habitual snoring does not affect the school performance of the children. Conclusion: Habitual snoring in children may be associated with sleep related problems and also with daytime sleepiness and tiredness. This study shown that the sleep related disorders are not common in the children. However, there is no correlation between habitual snoring and sleep related disorders. There is also no any relation of habitual snoring and the school performance of the children
IMPACT OF POLITICAL STABILITY AND MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES ON FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN PAKISTAN
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is one of the most important sources of external finance for developing and emerging economies. It supports capital formation, technology transfer, employment creation, export expansion, managerial learning, and long-term productive capacity. Pakistan has repeatedly attempted to attract foreign investment through liberalization, investment facilitation, special economic zones, tax incentives, and sector-specific policies. However, FDI inflows have remained volatile and below potential. Political instability, macroeconomic uncertainty, inflation, exchange rate volatility, policy inconsistency, institutional weaknesses, and security concerns are frequently identified as barriers to sustained foreign investment.This thesis examines the impact of political stability and selected macroeconomic variables on FDI inflows in Pakistan. The dependent variable is FDI inflows measured in US$ billion. The independent variables are Political Stability, GDP Growth, Inflation, and Exchange Rate. The study uses annual data from 2012 to 2024 and applies descriptive statistics, trend analysis, correlation analysis, multiple Ordinary Least Squares regression, diagnostic tests, VIF multicollinearity analysis, and Augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root tests. The regression results indicate that political stability and GDP growth have positive coefficients, inflation has a negative coefficient, and exchange rate has a very small positive coefficient. The R-squared is 0.3566, meaning that the model explains approximately 35.66% of variation in FDI inflows. However, none of the independent variables is statistically significant at the 5 percent level. The results are therefore interpreted as meaningful associations rather than conclusive causal effects.The study concludes that political stability and macroeconomic stability are important components of Pakistan’s investment climate, but FDI decisions also depend on sector-specific opportunities, global capital flows, investor perceptions, governance quality, energy reliability, infrastructure, and security conditions. The thesis recommends strengthening political continuity, controlling inflation, improving exchange rate predictability, protecting investor rights, enhancing contract enforcement, improving governance, and developing sector-specific FDI strategies
IMPACT OF DIGITAL BANKING ADOPTION ON BANK PROFITABILITY IN PAKISTAN
This study investigates the impact of digital banking adoption on bank profitability in Pakistan by examining how transaction-based digitalization influences financial performance over the period 2013–2022. Digitalization has transformed banking operations globally, and Pakistan has experienced strong growth in digital payments through mobile and internet banking channels, supported by regulatory reforms and the expansion of digital infrastructure. For instance, SBP’s payment system reviews document sustained growth in internet and mobile banking users and increasing shares of digital transactions within the national payment ecosystem. [sbp.org.pk], [sbp.org.pk] Using annual time-series data (2013–2022), this study models profitability using three dependent variables: Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Net Profit Margin (NPM). Digital banking adoption is proxied using Internet Banking (%), Log Mobile Transactions, and Digital Users (Million) derived from the study’s compiled dataset. The study employs Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to estimate the relationship between digital adoption and profitability. This approach is aligned with the broader empirical literature on digitalization and financial performance in Pakistan, including work that emphasizes digital channels and bank performance linkages. Empirical findings indicate that mobile transaction intensity (log mobile transactions) demonstrates a positive and statistically significant association with profitability measures, implying that the depth of digital usage matters more than simple access or user counts. In contrast, internet banking penetration and digital user growth show positive but statistically weaker relationships, suggesting that profitability gains are driven primarily through transaction volume and frequency, rather than adoption breadth alone. These results are consistent with Pakistan-focused digitalization studies that emphasize channel effectiveness and usage depth. [pdfs.seman...cholar.org], [sbp.org.pk] The study concludes that Pakistani banks can improve profitability by strengthening mobile banking ecosystems, increasing customer engagement, enhancing service quality in digital channels, and promoting high-frequency digital transactions. The findings also provide policy implications aligned with SBP’s ongoing efforts to deepen digital payments and reduce reliance on cash-based transactions. [sbp.org.pk], [sbp.org.pk]
FRAMING PAKISTAN AS A MEDIATOR STATE: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE STUDY OF GLOBAL LEADERS' RESPONSES TO THE 2026 US-IRAN CEASEFIRE
The 2026 US-Iran ceasefire is a crucial geopolitical event that caught the international community's attention with regards to Pakistan's role in facilitating dialogue and mediation in the “Islamabad Peace Talks”. As digital diplomacy continued to expand, political narratives were being built and international perceptions formed through social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) by world leaders in a public manner. The purpose of this study is to analyze the discursive representation of Pakistan as a mediator by global leaders in their tweets and the underlying meanings of these representations in the context of the ideology and geopolitics. The study is qualitative in nature and employed Norman Fairclough’s three-dimensional model of CDA to the purposively selected tweets of international political leaders and official spokespersons from their verified X/Twitter accounts, posted on 7th & 8th April, 2026. The findings reveal that Pakistan is consistently built with positive evaluative language that is connected to mediation, peace and diplomacy and is intertextually repeated, collectively affirmed and institutionally supported by various global actors. The study concludes that these tweets create a coherent discourse that validates the emerging role of Pakistan as a mediator, thereby highlighting the role of social media’s diplomacy in influencing world perceptions and providing an insight into the underlying power and ideology perspective in the global political discourse.