Heterogeneous effects of emigration on labor market activity and investment decisions in Punjab, Pakistan.

We investigate the impacts of emigration on the labor market and investment decisions of migrant-sending households in Pakistan by constructing a large individual-level dataset, using several rounds of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted between 2003 and 2014. We add to the literature by introducing a new time-varying instrumental variable to control for endogenous migration decisions, constructed as a composite of three variables that represent opportunities to work abroad: (i) the household's number of adult males, (ii) historic diaspora rates, and (iii) deviations of nighttime light intensity from its trend in migrant-receiving countries. We find a significant shift in domestic labor market activity from lower-status employment categories (not working at all, unpaid family work and manual labor) toward higher-status activities and entrepreneurship such as self-employment and becoming an employer within migrant-sending households. We also find higher investment in property, bank deposits, agricultural land, livestock, poultry and fisheries by individuals in migrant-sending households. The results are stronger for vulnerable groups, implying that migration can be a force for good for rural development, the welfare of women, and less-educated individuals.

Empowered mothers and co-resident grandmothers: Two fundamental roles of women impacting child health outcomes in Punjab, Pakistan.

We show that i) empowered mothers and ii) coresident grandmothers each benefit children's nutritional health measured by height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) and weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) for age groups 5 years and less. First, using cross-sectional data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) for the year 2017-18, we estimate the impact of empowered mothers on child health outcomes using an instrumental variable approach to correct for endogeneity. Empowerment is measured by two indices: as a sum of the questions that gauge both attitudinal and behavioral dimensions of female agency and also and using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) for these same questions. Second, we use a fuzzy regression discontinuity design (FRDD) to measure the causal impact of coresident grandmothers on the health outcomes of the children using multiple rounds of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) from the years 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2018. The difference between the actual ages of the grandmother from the Potential Retirement Eligibility Criteria (PREC) has been used to correct for potential endogeneity. The results show that on average, the weight for age z-scores (WFA) for children under five increases by 0.28 SD with a one-index point increase in mother's empowerment. Similarly, on average, WFA increases by 0.098 SD when grandmothers are present in a household. Finally, we explore heterogeneity in the average effects stated above based upon the gender of the child as well as the wealth and geographic location of the household. The benefits of mothers' empowerment are largely driven by improvements in girls' nutrition as well as children living in rural areas while the presence of grandmothers primarily improves the nutrition of boys, children in rural areas, and children belonging to poor families.

Study of the self-assembly of a gemini surfactant induced by anionic QDs in aqueous solution.

The interaction of anionic quantum dots (QDs) with a gemini surfactant (1,1'-(propane-1,3-diyl-2-ol)bis(3-hexadecyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium)) bromide [C16Im-3OH-ImC16]Br2 in water has been investigated, yielding a unique class of luminescent self-assemblies. Instead of engaging with the QDs directly, the dimeric surfactant self-associates into micelles first. After adding [C16Im-3OH-ImC16]Br2 to aqueous solutions containing QDs, two types of structural formations, supramolecular and vesicles, were confirmed. A variety of intermediary structures, including cylindrical and oligomers of vesicles are found to be present. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to investigate the luminescent and morphological properties of the self-assembled nanostructures in the first turbid (Ti) and second turbid (Tf) regions. FESEM images show discrete spherical vesicles in the mixture's Ti and Tf regions. The presence of self-assembled QDs in these spherical vesicles makes them naturally luminescent, according to CLSM data. Because the QDs are equally distributed in the micelles, their self-quenching is greatly reduced and their luminescence is effectively sustained. We have also demonstrated the successful encapsulation of dye rhodamine B (RhB) into these self-assembled vesicles using CLSM without any structural disturbance. The discovery of luminescent self-assembled vesicles from a QD-[C16Im-3OH-ImC16]Br2 combination might lead to new potential in controlled release drug delivery and sensing.

Synthesis, aggregation behavior and drug-binding interactions of fatty acid-imidazolium-based surface-active ionic liquids.

The renewable fatty acid-based surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs) containing ethyl-substituted imidazolium head groups were prepared and structurally analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1HNMR and 13CNMR spectroscopy. The products were named as; 3-ethyl-1-(2-dodecanoyl oxy) ethylimidazolium bromide [C12Eeim]Br, 3-ethyl-1-(2-tetradecanoyl oxy) ethylimidazolium bromide [C14Eeim]Br and 3-ethyl-1-(2-hexadecanoyl oxy) ethylimidazolium bromide [C16Eeim]Br. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) values of the three SAILs have been evaluated using conductivity measurements, probe-less UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The obtained cmc values were compared with the earlier reported non-functionalized SAILs such as [Cnmim]Br and [Cneim]Br where n = 12, 14, 16. The values were found to be 3-9 times lower mainly due to the presence of ester chain and also ethyl substituted imidazole ring. Thermodynamic parameters were evaluated by conductivity data at three different temperatures. Further, the aggregation behavior of SAILs with anesthetic drug, lidocaine hydrochloride (LC) has been studied using fluorescence. The fluorescence and UV-visible studies showed strong synergistic interactions operating between SAILs and drug molecules involving H bonding and cation-π interactions. The interactions grew stronger with the elongation of SAIL-chain length (12-16C). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements suggested the formation of vesicles in SAIL-LC mixtures. These studies may thus offer an effective candidate which would serve as vectors for drug molecules in terms of their enhanced solubilization, permeability and target-specific delivery.

Novel Ergot Alkaloids Production from Penicillium citrinum Employing Response Surface Methodology Technique.

Ergot alkaloids are novel pharmaceutical and therapeutic agents synthesized in this study using fungal species Penicillium citrinum. To get the maximum yield of ergot alkaloids a statistical process of response surface methodology was employed using surface culture fermentation technique. Initially, the strain of Penicillium was improved using physical (ultraviolet (UV) and chemical (ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) treatments to get the maximum yield of ergot alkaloids through surface culture fermentation technique. After improving the strain, survival rate of colonies of Penicillium citrinum treated with UV and EMS was observed. Only 2.04% living colonies were observed after 150 min of exposure of Penicillium citrinum in UV light and 3.2% living colonies were observed after 20 min of the exposure in EMS. The mutated strains of Penicillium citrinum were screened for their production of ergot alkaloids and after fermentation experiments, maximum yield was obtained from PCUV-4 and PCEMS-1 strains. After strain improvement, Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and Box-Behnken design (BBD) of RSM were employed and 10-fold yield enhancement (35.60 mg/100 mL) of ergot alkaloids was achieved. This enhancement in yield of ergot alkaloids proved the positive impacts of RSM and UV on the yield of ergot alkaloids. The study provides a cost effective, economical and sustainable process to produce medically important ergot alkaloids which can be used in various pharmaceutical formulations to treat human diseases.

Retrospective evaluation of the clinical performance and longevity of porcelain laminate veneers 7 to 14 years after cementation.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Studies on the long-term clinical assessment and longevity of porcelain laminate veneers (PLVs) are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to assess the clinical performance and longevity of PLVs after 7 to 14 years of clinical service. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with PLVs placed 7 to 14 years earlier were recalled for clinical evaluation. At the recall visit, clinical parameters such as margin integrity, margin discoloration, porcelain surface, anatomic form, and secondary caries were evaluated according to the Ryge criteria. Standardized photographs of veneers were made for each participant. Data were tabulated for all descriptive criteria and analyzed statistically. The Cohen Kappa assessment was carried out to determine interrater agreement, the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for survival probability, and the Cox regression for significance between the arches. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen veneers (83 maxillary and 31 mandibular) were evaluated in 26 participants, including 19 women restored with 87 veneers and 7 men restored with 27 veneers. Distribution of the veneers included 37 central incisors, 41 laterals, and 36 canines. The Alfa ratings for the veneers were as follows: porcelain surface (85%), anatomic form (87%), and secondary caries (96%). For margin integrity, 37% rated Alfa, 60% Bravo, and 3% Charlie. For margin discoloration, 56% rated Alfa and 44% Bravo. The overall Cohen Kappa interrater agreement was 0.7023 with an agreement rate of 88.3%. Clinical deficiencies included fracture rate of 4.35% (n=5); porcelain chipping 5.26% (n=6); caries 4% (n=4); debonding 2% (n=2); crack/craze lines 5.26% (n=6); loss of vitality 2% (n=2); and replaced veneers 4.38% (n=5). The main reason for failure was porcelain fracture. The survival rate for the veneers was 98%. The Kaplan-Meier success probability was 0.976 at 7 years and 0.882 at 14 years. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this clinical study, PLVs exhibited an estimated survival probability of 0.976 over 7 years and 0.882 over 14 years, a high survival rate of 98%, and a low failure rate of 4.38%.

In vitro color stainability and relative translucency of CAD-CAM restorative materials used for laminate veneers and complete crowns.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Assessing the long-term stainability and durability of restorative materials is an important parameter for determining clinical success and longevity. Information remains limited regarding the color stainability and translucency of the recently introduced ceramic materials for restorative treatment. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the effect of cyclic immersion in hot and cold coffee on the color stainability and translucency of 6 computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) restorative materials at thicknesses which represent a laminate veneer and a complete crown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CAD-CAM restorative materials including zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (Celtra Duo), lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (IPS e.max CAD), polymerized resin nanoceramic (Lava Ultimate), integrated ceramic and acrylate polymer network material (VITA ENAMIC), zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (VITA SUPRINITY), and zirconia (VITA YZ HT) were studied in 2 thicknesses for laminate veneer (0.7 mm) and complete crown application (1.3 mm to 1.5 mm). For each specimen, color difference on a gray backing was calculated using a spectroradiometer between its baseline color and after 6000 cycles of coffee thermocycling. The colors of the specimens on the black and white backings were used to calculate the relative translucency parameter from the CIEDE2000 color difference formula. An ANOVA and the Bonferroni-corrected Student t tests were used for testing statistical significance (α=.05). RESULTS: No difference was found among the means of color change after coffee thermocycling between any 2 materials for the crown thickness (P>.999), and no difference was found among the means of color change between the 2 thickness groups within each material (P≥.187). However, the mean color change of the resin nanoceramic material in laminate veneer application (0.7 mm) was greater than that of every other material in the veneer thickness group (P<.001), and the mean color change of the integrated ceramic and acrylate polymer network material was greater than that of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic material studied at the veneer thickness (P=.014). Translucency was found to be lower for complete crown thickness compared with laminate veneer thickness within each combination of material and coffee thermocycling (P<.001). The translucency of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic material studied at the laminate veneer thickness was also found to be higher after coffee thermocycling (P=.033). Furthermore, several differences among materials were found for each combination of thickness and coffee. CONCLUSIONS: Color change after coffee thermocycling of the resin nanoceramic material was beyond the acceptability threshold. The lower translucency found for crown thickness compared with veneer thickness was verified.

Effect of metal opaquer on the final color of 3 ceramic crown types on 3 abutment configurations.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The effect of a recently introduced metal opaquer when used to mask the color of a titanium abutment under ceramic crown systems is unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the color coordinates of 3 ceramic crown types-characterized monolithic lithium disilicate (LDC) (IPS e.max; Ivoclar Vivadent AG), layered lithium disilicate (LDL) (IPS e.max; Ivoclar Vivadent AG), and layered zirconia (ZL) (H.C. Starck)-on 3 abutment configurations, nonopaqued titanium (Ti), resin opaqued titanium (Op), and zirconia (Zir). In addition, the color differences (CIEDE2000) were evaluated among the 3 crown types on 3 different abutment substrates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten Ti disks (10×1 mm) were fabricated with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) to represent the Ti abutments. Five Ti specimens were opaqued (Op) (whiteMetal Opaquer wMO; Blue Sky Bio), and 5 were not opaqued (Ti). Ten zirconia disks were fabricated with CAD-CAM and sintered (10×1.2 mm). Five disks were used as backings to represent Zir abutments, and 5 disks were layered with 1 mm of porcelain (B1, IPS e.Max Ceram; Ivoclar Vivadent AG) to represent layered zirconia crowns (ZL). Ten lithium disilicate plates (14×14×1.2 mm) were sectioned from CAD blocks (B1 IPS e.Max CAD; Ivoclar Vivadent AG). Five plates were layered with the same porcelain (B1, 1 mm), and 5 plates were surface characterized and glazed. An LDL crown on a Zir abutment configuration was used as the control. The 3 simulated crown types (n=5) were optically connected to each of the 3 abutment types, and the color of the 9 groups was measured using a spectroradiometer. Measured data were reported in CIELab coordinates. CIELab data were used to calculate color differences between the control and the 8 experimental groups. Color data were summarized for each group, and analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA. For pairwise comparisons, a Bonferroni correction of t tests was used, and for interpretive analysis of resulting color difference data, a 1-way ANOVA and subsequent Tukey testing for pairwise comparisons were used. RESULTS: The statistical significance of the analysis of color coordinates was found to be P≤.002. Although 3-way interaction was not found to be significant (P=.335), all three 2-way interactions of the main effects were found to be significant (P≤.002). All crown types on the Zir abutment revealed color differences from the control group. The color differences of the crown types on the Op and Zir abutment configurations compared with the control (LDL/Zir) were not (P>.05) statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: Colors of tested crown systems on Ti backing were each unacceptably different from the control group. Colors of these systems on zirconia backing were not perceivably different. Use of opaquer on titanium backing resulted in a small color difference from the control group (P>.05) for each crown system, demonstrating that it may be used to prevent the unfavorable metal show-through that can influence the final color of all ceramic crown systems tested.

Genetic Variation and Its Reflection on Posttranslational Modifications in Frequency Clock and Mating Type a-1 Proteins in Sordaria fimicola.

Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) occur in all essential proteins taking command of their functions. There are many domains inside proteins where modifications take place on side-chains of amino acids through various enzymes to generate different species of proteins. In this manuscript we have, for the first time, predicted posttranslational modifications of frequency clock and mating type a-1 proteins in Sordaria fimicola collected from different sites to see the effect of environment on proteins or various amino acids pickings and their ultimate impact on consensus sequences present in mating type proteins using bioinformatics tools. Furthermore, we have also measured and walked through genomic DNA of various Sordaria strains to determine genetic diversity by genotyping the short sequence repeats (SSRs) of wild strains of S. fimicola collected from contrasting environments of two opposing slopes (harsh and xeric south facing slope and mild north facing slope) of Evolution Canyon (EC), Israel. Based on the whole genome sequence of S. macrospora, we targeted 20 genomic regions in S. fimicola which contain short sequence repeats (SSRs). Our data revealed genetic variations in strains from south facing slope and these findings assist in the hypothesis that genetic variations caused by stressful environments lead to evolution.