In

No abstract

In the current era of globalization and competitive edge, the survival of newly established ventures has become a big challenge. Numerous studies have been carried out to discover factors that are essential for newly initiated ventures but the results are still fragmented. This study focuses on measuring the effect of entrepreneurial strategy, network ties, human capital and financial capital on new venture performance. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 196 registered firms located in the emerging market Pakistan. The results indicate that entrepreneurial strategy, network ties and financial capital have a significant positive effect, while human capital showed an insignificant effect on new venture performance. This research recommends owners and managers of new firms build effective entrepreneurial strategies, expand their networks with external bodies (other firms, government and financial institutions) to acquire useful resources that in turn can spur their performance. Further implications are discussed. Policy makers and responsible authorities are advised to encourage and support new ventures which in turn can contribute to GDP and economic development. Practical implications and suggestions are also discussed.

This study investigated the extent of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychiatric comorbidity among the 2010 flood victims in Pakistan and its relationship with disaster exposure characteristics, cognitive distortions, and emotional suppression. One hundred and thirty-one (F = 89, M = 42) flood victims were assessed using the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, the General Health Questionnaire-28, the Cognitive Distortion Scales, and the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale. The results showed that all victims met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and scored above the cut-off for psychiatric caseness. Partial least squares modelling showed that disaster exposure characteristics were significantly correlated with PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity. Disaster exposure characteristics were also significantly associated with cognitive distortions which in turn were also significantly associated with PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity. Cognitive distortions were also correlated with emotional suppression which, however, was not associated with PTSD or psychiatric comorbidity. To conclude, the flood victims reported PTSD and psychiatric comorbid symptoms which were related to their subjective exposure to the flood. Such exposure led to the development of dysfunctional thinking patterns which in turn influenced distress symptoms.

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease, caused by blood borne pathogen; the Hepatitis C Virus. In this study we analyzed blood samples collected from various risk groups for the prevalence of anti-HCV and active HCV infection with the help of Immunochromtographic tests and nested PCR. The prevalence of active HCV infection among the high risk groups was 15.57% (26/167). The prevalence of HCV in individual risk groups was 15%, 28%, 8%, 14.28% and 14.28% in the case of thalassemics, dialysis, major surgery group, dental surgery group and injection drug users respectively. Our analysis reveals the fact that health care facilities in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan are contributing a great deal towards the spread of HCV infection.