Suchergebnisse

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of trans-abdominal ultrasonography in urolithiasis, keeping CT KUB as gold standard.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional validation study was conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Radiology and Imaging, Military Hospital (MH) Rawalpindi from 15 July 2015 to 14 July 2016. In total 115 patients with expected urolithiasis were evaluated with transabdominal ultrasonography and the findings were documented. CT KUB of these patients was carried out. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of transabdominal ultrasonography were calculated, keeping findings of CT KUB as gold standard.Results: Among total of 115 patients, 54.78% (n=63) were males and 45.22% (n=52) were females. Mean age was 35.69 ± 5.91 years. Frequency of urolithiasis on CT KUB was recorded in 62.61% (n=72). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of transabdominal ultrasonography in urolithiasis was calculated as 65.27%, 72.09%, 79.66%, 55.36% and 67.83% respectively.Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of trans-abdominal ultrasonography in urolithiasis is acceptable for diagnosing urolithiasis and hence it may serve as an alternative in case of unavailability or contraindication to CT scan.

The aim of this study is to focus on victimization, discrimination, stigmatization and marginalization of transgenders in heteronormative Pakistani society. Transgenders are socially ostracized individuals in Pakistan. This paper is an effort to examine the representation of a transgender protagonist Bhanggi in Faiqa Mansab's novel This House of Clay and Water (2017). The paper uses the conceptual framework of Judith Butler`s queer theory and argues that Bhanggi is victimatized and stigmatized throughout his life due to his gender. The paper further reflects on real life stories of transgenders and demonstrates how they face different kinds of victimizations in Pakistani society.

Purpose
The board structure (BS) is pivotal in modern corporate governance (CG). This study aims to investigate BS variables (BSIZE, BIND and chief executive officer [CEO] duality) and their correlation with risk-taking behavior indicators, enriching the understanding of how CG shapes financial institutions' (FIs) decision-making in Pakistan.


Design/methodology/approach
By scrutinizing data from 67 financial entities listed on the Stock Exchange of Pakistan spanning from 2011 to 2022 through panel data regression techniques, the research emphasizes that BS holds a substantial influence over the risk tendencies exhibited by these firms.


Findings
Key findings suggest that board size has a positive influence, aligned with previous CG research. Smaller boards perform better and avoid excessive risk-taking, contrasting some negative relationship claims. More independent directors are recommended to curtail risk and financial disruption. Holding both CEO and chair roles reduces risk exposure, resonating with reputational and employment risk theory. It is essential to recognize that BS's impact on risk-taking is nuanced and context-dependent.


Practical implications
Policymakers, scholars, practitioners and investors working in the market for financial companies might greatly benefit from the empirical findings of this study. Imposing mandates on FIs to uphold adequate capital reserves functions as a safeguard against unforeseen losses, thereby diminishing the probability of unwarranted risk-taking.


Originality/value
Prior studies in this domain predominantly focus on nonfinancial sectors. In addition, existing research often explores the relationship between BS and firm risk-taking solely within the banking sector, overlooking other FIs. This study contributes by using a comprehensive data set encompassing all types of FIs, thus extending the existing literature.