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Abstract: Studies have demonstrated positive results for people who practice traditional yoga, specifically in body mass index, depression, cancer, sleeping patterns, and diabetes. Most forms of traditional yoga are held in a temperate climate between 293 Kelvin (K) to 295 K; a temperature that is calming and places little stress on the body. Bikram yoga, however, is a more intense form of yoga performed in a hotter climate, typically at 314 K with 40% humidity. The purpose of this study was to determine how Bikram yoga affected blood pressure, body composition, and sleep patterns in beginner and intermediate/experienced practitioners. Participants (N=16) completed 8 weeks of sessions, ranging between 2 to 7 classes per week in a local Bikram yoga program conducted by certified instructors. All participants were assessed prior to the study and again at the end of the eight weeks. A BOD POD (an air displacement plethysmography) was used for body composition assessments, while a digital blood pressure cuff was used to assess blood pressure. In addition, participants were also surveyed on sleep parameters pre and post yoga participation. In combining all subjects, results showed there was a significant improvement (p=0.054) in faster time to fall asleep (27.66 min pre and 23.967 min post), and a trend (p=0.057) towards improved mean arterial pressure (92.20 mmHg pre and 88.33 mm Hg post). There were no differences in weight loss or percent body fat in subjects. This study indicates that there is a trend towards improved blood pressure and significant improvement in sleep parameters after 8 weeks of Bikram yoga for both intermediate/experienced and beginners, but no differences in body composition. Keywords: Bikram yoga, body composition, blood pressure, sleep, BOD POD. Download Full Article |
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Abstract: The present paper is based on a literature review and a pilot study that observed a small group of participants in a bi-weekly substance abuse treatment program that employs mindfulness training to help subjects avoid relapse into substance abuse. “Mindfulness” is defined as a state of non-judgemental self-awareness. The program that we propose combines three treatment modalities: 1) yoga practice, 2) silent meditation practice, and 3) self-reflection, a peer-led discussion on issues affecting recovery from substance abuse. Discussion of issues affecting substance abuse employs “cognitive disciplines” derived from the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and Buddhist teachings on “mindfulness” and “relief from suffering”. The pilot study examines the effect of combining stress reduction and mindfulness of the body, induced by yoga practice; mindfulness of mental processes, aided by silent meditation, and self-awareness of one’s emotional and behavioural responses to stress, learned using the “cognitive disciplines”. This multi-disciplinary process is applied to influence one’s experience of stress and addictive patterns of behaviour. The present case study examines whether the combination of the three treatment modalities improves the participants’ ability to avoid relapse into substance abuse. This study follows an approach similar to the one used by Bryan and Zipp (2014) in their research involving the effects of mindfulness meditation during yoga and cycling from a physical-behavioural perspective and Groves’ (2014) approach to mental wellness. Our preliminary findings of the participants’ observations resulting from the pilot study and our literature review were combined into a theoretical framework which is comprised of a Three Pronged Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TPCBT) for addiction recovery. Keywords: Mindfulness as a non-pharmacological method; transcendental meditation and yoga; addiction, recovery and relapse; cognitive discipline; 12-step recovery and spirituality/religiousness. Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Knowledge management is gaining more and more attention from business management with a consideration of knowledge as a critical intellectual resource for organization in getting successful competitive advantage. The aim of integrating of KM processes with business processes is to add value, provide supports and increase productivity. The role of technology for knowledge management processes, i.e., capture, codification, dissemination, is very important. Organization are readily adapting e-commerce and shifting business activities over web to maintain competitive advantage and building strong relationship with suppliers, employees, and customers. E-retailing emerged as a new way of shopping; people search/browse products online, compare and purchase with great convenience. It also eliminates barriers that disabled persons encounter when they visit shopping stores such as inaccessible entrance for wheelchair shoppers. However, still there is a significant part of disabled population is neglected from getting benefits of online shopping because of lack of accessibility features in websites. Understanding the knowledge about them can lead business managers to better facilitate in online shopping. This paper proposed a model based on the Nonaka Knowledge Spiral model to support business managers to capture knowledge about disabled person’s online shopping behaviors; supplement this knowledge into their website to support disabled persons. This also helps business managers to capture the un-attended population in their business net. Keywords: Knowledge management, Nonaka SECI model, disability support, e-commerce. Download Full Article |
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Abstract: The mega city of Karachi is still mainly dependent on conventional sources of energy to cater its daily electricity requirements. Dependence on conventional sources of energy for power production results in environmental degradation and depletion of fossil fuel resources. In particular, it also highlights an immense need of alternate sustainable solution for current electricity generation scenario. In this research work, an innovative methodology has been proposed to identify bright rooftops using open source geographic information system (GIS) tools which may be utilized for sustainable power generation in Karachi metropolis. First, bright rooftops have been extracted using open source Quantum GIS (QGIS) software. Edge extraction technique using gradient filter; an open source algorithm of QGIS has been utilized. Furthermore, image processing techniques have been used to extract and refine building rooftops. Then, rooftops have been polygonized and their area has been calculated using Measure Area function of QGIS. To assess the accuracy of the extracted rooftops, field validation work has been performed and sample rooftops have been physically measured. A comparison of extracted and physically measured sample rooftops yielded 90.45% accuracy. Reduction in total roof area has been made considering different roof uses and shading effect from nearby trees and buildings. Then, unshaded bright rooftops area of 4,626 m2 has been calculated which can be used for solar photovoltaic (PV) applications in Creek Lanes, DHA Phase 7 Karachi. An annual energy output of 2.1 MWh has been estimated using Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) solar PV panel and available rooftop area. The methodology adopted can be extrapolated to macro-scale as well. However, challenges and limitations for extrapolation of methodology have also been highlighted. Solar radiation studies that demonstrate the use of open source GIS tools for sustainable power generation for this region have been scarce. Thus, this study is a preliminary research work to highlight an immense solar electricity potential that exists for Karachi metropolis. Keywords: Solar PV, QGIS, Karachi, electricity generation, rooftops. Download Full Article |
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Abstract: The urban clusters serve as powerful magnets of economic opportunities and facilities for a large number of population. The only space they are able to grab are shanty town which are either very closely located or adjacent to major industrial zones in large cities of the world including Pakistan. Certainly these industrial estates capture the labor markets located nearby. These shanty towns have emerged as a result of in-migrant influx from the interior of the country and provinces. The clusters are geographical and sector wise concentration of numerous producers and ancillary agents, engaged in production, supply or trade activities. These are directly associated with the manufacturing of a specific product or set of products hence clusters constitute the core of industrial districts. An industrial district can now be defined as a geographical and spatial concentration of firms whose organization of products is marked by a dense network of local inter-firm relations. In order to investigate the urban development and geo-spatial agglomeration in Pakistan PCA has been run using eleven variables representing urban industrial infrastructure. The results reveal the significant role played by large industrial clusters contained in various urban centers of the country. This role is well reflected in the population potential of each of these urban centers. Keywords: Geo-spatial agglomeration, industrial clusters, PCA and population potential. Download Full Article |