Technical efficiency analysis of banks in major oil exporting Middle East countries

This paper investigates efficiency performance of thirty six banks operating in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during the period 2006-2008 . Our results indicate in general GCC banks showed considerable pure technical efficiency in the past three years with the year 2007 exhibit the most efficient year, as the number of pure technical efficient banks reached 33 percent of the total banks compared to 25 percent in 2008. The fall in technical efficiency in 2008 is due to simultaneous fall in pure technical efficiency and the scale efficiency. The output loss caused by scale inefficiency (fall of scale operations below optimum level) in 2008 is estimated 16 percent compared to 5 percent in 2007. Our results also indicate scale efficiency is inversely related to banks' size implying a major source of scale inefficiency in GCC banks is due to sub-optimal size of operations. It is also indicated in the paper that scale efficiency is inversely related to risk, implying effective risk management policies may also enhance scale efficiency.technical efficiency;scale efficiency;DEA

Scale and Technical Efficiency of Islamic Banks in Sudan: Data Envelopment Analysis

This paper employs several efficiency measures and productivity changes using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to investigate efficiency performance of Islamic banks in Sudan. Our results indicate, among twelve banks included in our sample only two banks, (the largest bank in the group which is government owned, and middle sized, private bank), score technical efficiency level (i.e. scale and pure technical efficiency). While the smallest bank in the group (private owned), score pure technical efficiency (i.e., managerial efficiency), but scale inefficient. This result adds additional evidence to the existing literature that ownership (government versus private) is not a constraint of managerial and scale efficiency but bank’s size is important factor for scale efficiency.DEA;Banks efficiency;scale efficiency

Weighted projective lines as fine moduli spaces of quiver representations

We describe weighted projective lines in the sense of Geigle and Lenzing by a moduli problem on the canonical algebra of Ringel. We then go on to study generators of the derived categories of coherent sheaves on the total spaces of their canonical bundles, and show that they are rarely tilting. We also give a moduli construction for these total spaces for weighted projective lines with three orbifold points.Comment: 14 pages. To appear in Communications in Algebr

Development of a Tractor Mounted Peanut Harvesting Equipment

A peanut harvesting equipment suitable for operation by a 35hp tractor has been designed, developed and tested at the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, UPM, Malaysia. The equipment consists of adjustable V-shaped digging blade where the angle of penetration can be easily adjusted with the help of bolts and nuts. Double discs lifter for gripping the loosened plant above the soil surface follows the digging blade. The loosened plant enters into a threshing mechanism, which consists of two cylinders with different number of fingers to achieve the stripping operation without dragging and clogging the pods then transfers them to the tank at the end of the equipment via a conveyor. Light weight and durable materials were chosen to fabricate most of the peanut harvesting equipment parts. Therefore, in terms of weight, the equipment was lighter (about 315kg) compared with other existing machines (400kg). This facilitates easy hitching and transporting. Overall the peanut harvesting equipment was designed, fabricated, utilised and maintained using local resources and skill, with initial and fabrication cost of about US$1455. Soil moisture content was significant parameter' for harvesting peanut crop in a single operation. This new equipment was designed for higher soil moisture content. The previous machines were operated below 30% soil moisture content. It was also found suitable and efficient for harvesting peanut in rainy season. During the tests the clay soil cause digging, stripping and cleaning problems. Hence the new peanut harvesting equipment was designed to provide proper and efficient digging blade (V-shaped) with the following added features: Suitable clearance between cylinders and their concave (35 mm), suitable spacing between concave bars (25 mm) and conveyor wire mesh (20 mm). Equipment performance test achieved good results on clayey soil (Serdang Series Soils). Results from the field test show that the equipment is suitable for harvesting peanut in a single operation. The total power requirement of a single row equipment was about 15kW (20hp). The losses during digging, lifting, stripping and conveying were 6.23%, 8.65%, 5.06% and 1.96% respectively. Other peanut harvesters had higher digging and stripping losses (15% and % 9.3% respectively). The equipment pods breakage scored lower percentage at 1.91 % compared with the previous designed machines (about 8.9 %). Overall efficiency was 78.1%, considered high compared with other combines efficiencies. The peanut harvesting equipment had an average capacity of 324.9kg/h. The maximum capacity reached by the equipment was about 377.3kglh, while the previous designed harvester had a maximum capacity of337 kg/h

Assessment of Critical Control Point in Dairy Farms in Khartoum State, Sudan

An attempt was made to apply Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in dairy farms in Khartoum State and to suggest control limits based on the international standard. World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization recommended the HACCP system as a modern tool for disease prevention. Critical points were investigated in 150 farms using California Mastitis Test and Rose Bengal Plate Test for detection of bovine mastitis and brucellosis, respectively. The results revealed that the overall prevalence rates of bovine mastitis and brucellosis were 69.3% and 36%, respectively. Other critical points were obtained from the owners of the dairy farms by a questionnaire, using non-probability sampling method or willingness of the owners for interview. Tick infestation was found in 94% of the farms which could be a risk factor and the application of the odds ratio (OR) was 1.694. The use of antibiotics for treatment of animals was, also, practiced in 54.7% of the farms. The critical points associated with environment in dairy farms and distribution of milk in Khartoum State was investigated, using a questionnaire survey and non probability sampling method. The condition of beddings was poor in 70% of the dairy farms. Absence of cleaning and disinfection of the teats were recorded in 108 and 104 farms, respectively. Furthermore, distribution of the milk depended on either vehicle without chilling (50.7%) or donkey carts (49.3%). Quantification of the risk indicated that hand washing of the milkers could be a risk factor (OR = 2.574), while the condition of the housing as well as the distribution of the milk could be a protective factor (OR=0.383 and 0.278, respectively). In conclusion, many critical points associated with animals or environment were observed in dairy farms in Khartoum State. Diseases of animals included infectious and zoonotic disease, flies and tick infestation, use of antibiotics for treatment and absence of veterinary care. The critical points associated with environment were poor hygiene during handling, storage and distribution of the milk. Moreover, the control limits for all mentioned critical points were as follow: Access to veterinary service, vectors control, improvement of general hygiene in the dairy farms during different practices taking in consideration the low temperature during storage and distribution of the milk

Melatonin for the management of sleep problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders have a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances. Currently there is variation in the use of melatonin; hence, an up-to-date systematic review is indicated to summarise the current available evidence. To determine the efficacy and safety of melatonin as therapy for sleep problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. PubMed, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception up to January 2018. Two reviewers performed data assessment and extraction. We assessed randomised controlled trials that compared melatonin with placebo or other intervention for the management of sleep disorders in children (<18 years) with neurodevelopmental disorders. We identified 3262 citations and included 13 studies in this meta-analysis. Main outcomes included total sleep time, sleep onset latency, frequency of nocturnal awakenings and adverse events. Thirteen randomised controlled trials (n=682) met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of nine studies (n=541) showed that melatonin significantly improved total sleep time compared with placebo (mean difference (MD)=48.26 min, 95% CI 36.78 to 59.73, I =31%). In 11 studies (n=581), sleep onset latency improved significantly with melatonin use (MD=-28.97, 95% CI -39.78 to -18.17). No difference was noted in the frequency of nocturnal awakenings (MD=-0.49, 95% CI -1.71 to 0.73). No medication-related serious adverse event was reported. Melatonin appeared safe and effective in improving sleep in the studied children. The overall quality of the evidence is limited due to heterogeneity and inconsistency. Further research is needed. [Abstract copyright: © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Estimating the undegradable intake protein content of two forages by different commercial proteases

We evaluated the potential of several commercially available proteases for use in predicting the undegradable intake protein (UIP) concentrations o f alfalfa and prairie hay. Protease s differed in their estimates o f the rate of forage protein breakdown an d the amounts of different forage protein fractions . At least one protease appeared to yield acceptable predictions of UIP via a short-term, single time-point assay. Assays of this type deserve further consideration for commercial application