A Pragmatic Study of Congratulation Strategies of Pakistani ESL Learners and British English Speakers

People usually express their feelings and emotions positively to others when they have happy occasions. However, the ways of expressing congratulation may vary because the expressive speech act “congratulations” is not the only way to express happiness and share others their happy news. The present study investigates the congratulation strategies of Pakistani ESL learners and British English speakers under the influence of social distance variable. For this purpose, 120 participants were recruited, and who were further divided into four different groups: 30 British English speakers, 30 Pakistani ESL learners in the elite class, 30 Pakistani ESL learners of the middle class, and 30 Pakistani ESL learners in the lower class. For data collection, a Discourse completion test (DCT) was used as a tool. The findings reveal that the most frequently used types of congratulation strategy are IFID followed by overlapped strategies (a combination of two), an offer of a good wish, expression of happiness, request for information, encouragement, expression of surprise, and suggestion of celebration, while other types of strategies are not used by the participants. The study reveals the existence of positive and negative pragmatic transfer in the use of congratulations by Pakistani ESL learners. The findings further show how the middle and lower class of Pakistani ESL learners use a more elaborated form of CRs as compared to Pakistani ESL learners of elite and British English speakers. The findings may help in understanding the pragmalinguistic and sociopragmatic aspects of Pakistani ESL learners as compared to British English speakers.

EFFECT OF ACCUPRESSURE PEN ON DISTANCE VARIABLE IN SCIATICA PATIENTS -A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

Background: Sciatica is a radiating pain which is treated with manual accupressure and after a time electro accupressure came into introduction. Aim And Objective: Aim: To nd out the effectiveness of accupressure pen to improve the distance variable To nd out the effect of Objective: accupressure pen on pain and distance variable in sciatica patient To compare the experimental group to the control group On the basis of Method: inclusion and exclusion criteria 30 participants were selected. They were treated with electro accupressure pen for 3 alternative days / week for 3 weeks, after that re-assessment was taken with NPRS, Slump and Distance variables. The data was analyzed using SPSS Version Results: 21.Parametric test was used .In Group A improvement was seen Accupressure Conclusions: pen is effective to reduce pain and improve step length and stride length in Sciatica Patients

Trade flow of manufacturing sector and foreign direct investment in ASEAN economic integration: the gravity model of trade

This study aims to determine the effects of ASEAN economic integration on the manufacturing sector's trade flow and foreign direct investment. This study using panel data regression. The results show that ASEAN economic integration affects trade in the manufacturing sector and foreign direct investment (FDI) in ASEAN member countries. The tariff elimination policy increased trade flows in the manufacturing sector and foreign direct investment. The variable of GDP has a positive and significant effect on the manufacturing sector's trade flows and foreign direct investment. Exchange rate variables have a negative and significant effect on trade flows in the manufacturing sector and foreign direct investment. Meanwhile, the distance variable negatively affects trade in the manufacturing sector, but it does not affect foreign direct investment.

Curve fitting the hydrodynamic and dispersion characteristics of pollutant released in an inland water system

The research study was performed by estimating the longitudinal dispersion coefficient for Dor Nwezor section of Bodo-Bonny River and conducting a tracer experiment using the constant distance variable time method. Eleven empirical models for the prediction of longitudinal dispersion coefficients were considered and analyzed using the hydraulic and geometric parameters of the river. The empirical and experimental results were analysed and compared statistically with Deng et al model yielded the most reliable method of predicting the longitudinal coefficient of dispersion of Dor Nwezor section of Bodo-Bonny River with the least root mean square value of 0.1221, mean absolute value of 0.0617 close to zero and discrepancy ratio of -0.2303 that falls within the accepted accuracy range of -0.3 to 0.3.

Designing Evacuation Routes and Assembly Point in Schools for Students With Disabilities: A Case Study of YPAB School in Surabaya, Indonesia

Assembly points and evacuations can be a tremendous support for students with dis-abilities (SWDs) during disaster events. This paper presents a method for designing assembly points and evacuation routes in areas prone to earthquakes. As a case study, it uses a school for students with disabilities in Surabaya. The study employs a range of participatory methods, i.e., in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and field observations. The paper uses five key variables to determine the location of suitable assembly points: minimum area, safety from falling trees, safety from other hazards, access to the assembly point, and surface conditions. The study found two suitable assembly points that must be modified to ensure a minimum area of 21 m2 to accommodate the school population. Evacuation routes to the two assembly points are defined using the nearest distance variable from 22 locations of origin. The routes vary in length from 4 to 58 meters. Lastly, the paper presents some strategies to in-crease the suitability and accessibility of evacuation routes and assembly points for SWDs. Four strategies are to familiarize SWDs with the assembly point locations, playing unique sounds at the assembly points, placing guiding blocks along the routes, and using a variety of bright colors to mark the assembly points, evacuation routes, and other relevant facilities.

TURKEY’S AGRICULTURAL EXPORT: AN APPLICATION OF THE GRAVITY MODEL

The aim of this study is to determine the agricultural export structure of Turkey with the gravity model method and discuss possible policy proposals. In line with this aim an annual panel data of 16 selected countries Turkey export to for the period 2001-2030 has been used in the gravity model. According to the estimation results, GDP and population of the countries that Turkey export to are related to the agricultural exports positively while the distance variable is negatively. As the per capita animal protein consumption ratio increase, it can be said that new agricultural export areas can be opened for Turkey. At this point, it has been determined that Turkey needs to follow increasing domestic consumption trends and emerging markets. As a result, it is important for policy makers to take into account the relevant determinations of the export strategy of agricultural products.

Gravity Model Approach using Vector Autoregression in Indonesian Plywood Exports

This study aims to detect the determinants of plywood exports in Indonesia based on the Gravity model. Problems that occur are related to inefficient and effective exports. The analytical method uses Vector Autoregression with a single equation using a gravity model to analyze the factors that influence the flow of Indonesian plywood trade. The assumption results using Vector Autoregression (VAR), shows the results of the relationship between GDP, POP, ER, P, Dt and Vol with lag 1, this can be concluded that by observing the t-statistics of each coefficient, the reciprocal relationship between the variables GDP, POP, ER, P, Dt and Vol are statistically significant. Another variable besides the variable itself that has the most significant contribution to GDP is the distance t-1. The variable that has the most significant contribution to the population other than the population itself is Price (P) t-1. The variable that has the most significant contribution to ER besides the ER variable itself is Population. The variable that has the most significant contribution to Price (P) is the GDP variable. Other variables that have the most significant contribution to Distance (Dt) other than the Distance variable itself are variables of Indonesian Plywood Export Volume. Other variables that have the most significant contribution to Indonesia Plywood Export Volume in addition to the Indonesian Lapis Wood Export Volume variable itself are Population.

Exploring the Structure and Performance of Petroleum Retail Outlets in Pakistan

The petroleum retail industry is one of the least researched industries in Pakistan due to, perhaps, unavailability of the relevant data. This paper aims to fill this gap. Specifically, the present paper examines the structure and performance of petrol pumps in Pakistan, using primary survey data. Analysis of the data reveals that operating a petrol pump is a profitable venture and both location and non-locational variables are important in contributing to the profitability of a petrol pump. The exploratory analysis shows that the petrol pumps in urban areas and those on highways have higher sales, indicating that the geographical location of a petrol pump is important in explaining a petrol pump’s performance. According to the regression results, as the size of a petrol pump increases, its profitability increases and there is a non-linear relation between the distance variable and profitability of a petrol pump. The non-linearity implies that there exists optimal distance between two petrol pumps that maximises profits. This optimal distance is shorter for urban and non-highway petrol pumps, compared with rural and highway petrol pumps. JEL Classification: D24, L81, R3 Keywords: Cost, Retail Business, Firm Location, Petrol Pumps

Patterns and Determinants of Intra-Industry Trade between Indonesia and Trading Partner Countries

This study discussed about the patterns and determinants that influenced the intra-industry trade between Indonesia and its trading partner countries, such as China, Japan, USA, South Korea and Singapore during 2004 to 2014. This study used an index of Grubel-Lloyd from four categories of manufacturing industry SITC 5-8 Rev. 3, 2 digits. In addition, this study also examined the determinants of IIT using panel data regression. Cross section in this study was between Indonesia with each trading partner countries (China, Japan, USA, South Korea and Singapore) and with its time series is 2004 to 2014. The results showed that IIT between Indonesia with each trading partner countries is high. Japan has the highest IIT among the other trading partner countries. The distance variable and the difference in GDP per capita did not affect the IIT. The average GDP variable has a positive and significant effect on the IIT, while the differences in value added per establishment at industry level has a negative effect on IIT.