Conventional or Shariah Compliant Investment: Performance Evaluation of Mutual Funds in Pakistan

The current study was initiated to compare the performance of conventional and Shariah-compliant mutual funds in Pakistan, keeping in view the contradictory opinions found in the literature in this regard. The data utilized to conduct the analysis covered the time span 2013-2021. Assessment of risk and return tradeoff  was made with three ratios, namely Jenson’s alpha, Treynor ratio, and Sharpe ratio by evaluating the monthly returns of conventional and Shariah-compliant mutual funds. The findings revealed that Shariah-compliant mutual funds outperformed conventional funds in terms of absolute risk measure, higher Sharpe ratio, and low coefficient of variation. While, in terms of funds’ exposure to systematic risk, mixed results were obtained for both types of funds. The results produced sufficient information about the risks and returns associated with the two kinds of mutual funds which would enable fund managers and investors to make informed decisions while selecting the best mutual fund, thus generating maximum returns and with minimum risks

ORAL METHOTREXATE AS SECOND LINE CHEMOTHERAPY IN PLATINUM-REFRACTORY OR RELAPSED SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK

Purpose: Platinum-refractory or relapsed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is considered to have poor prognosis. Although cetuximab is currently recommended as category 1 in this group of patients, the use of it is hampered in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan due to nancial constraints. Further, majority of the population of these countries is unable to tolerate toxicity related to other intravenous chemotherapeutic agents due to lower socioeconomic background with poor nutrition status. The aim of this study is to evaluate the response rate and toxicity of oral methotrexate (MTX) in platinum-refractory or relapsed SCCHN. Methods: Between June 2008 and December 2012, 71 patients received palliative oral MTX either due to recurrent or persistent disease. With a median age of 51 years (range 22–75), there were 68% of males and 32% of females. Site distribution was as following; oral cavity 58%, nasopharynx 25%, hypopharynx 7%, paranasal sinuses 6%, larynx 3%, Oropharynx 1%. Patterns of recurrence; local 32%, regional 07%, loco regional 10%, distant 15% and persistent disease in 36% of the patients. All the patients received oral MTX 10 mg once a day, 4 days a week. To contain the possible side effects associated with MTX, folinic acid 15 mg per oral every 6 hourly on day 5 was prescribed. Response assessment was done on two monthly basis. Response, toxicity, mean response time and mean time to progression were determined. Results: Response to MTX was as following; complete response 3%, partial response 4%, stable disease 11% and progressive disease in 82% of the patients respectively. Toxicity related to oral MTX includes neutropenia Grade III in 1% while mucositis Grade III in 10% of the patients, respectively. None of the patient had Grade IV mucositis or haematological toxicity. Treatment was stopped in 13% of the patients due to poor compliance. Mean response time was 4 months (range 1 – 20) and mean time to progression was 5 months (range 1–23). Conclusion: Oral MTX is a simple, cost-effective and well-tolerated regimen to be used on outpatient basis for palliation in platinum refractory or relapsed SCCHN in LMICs and debilitated patients. This treatment merits further evaluation in large-scale clinical trials. Key words: Oral methotrexate, platinum refractory, relapsed squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck

HUBUNGAN POLA TIDUR DAN AKTIVITAS FISIK DENGAN PENINGKATAN TEKANAN DARAH PADA DEWASA MUDA

Background: Hypertension is still a big problem in the world according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). In Indonesia, the incidence of hypertension has reached young adults and can become a serious problem if it is not prevented early. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between sleep patterns and physical activity with increased blood pressure in young adults. Method: This research design used a cross-sectional approach with the Accidental Sampling technique on 88 Nursing Students Class of 2020, Muhammadiyah University of Malang. Data analysis used the Spearman rank correlation test. The instruments used to measure sleep patterns and physical activity are the Sleep Habits Questionnaire and The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Blood pressure was measured using a digital Sphygmomanometer. Results: It was found that 70.5% of students had poor sleep patterns, 43.1% of students had low physical activity, 3.4% of students were pre-hypertensive and 2.3% of students had Level 1 hypertension. Based on the Spearman correlation test, the results were significant or The p-value between sleep patterns and blood pressure is 0.139 (>0.05) with a correlation value (r) of 0.159. The significant value or p-value between physical activity and blood pressure is 0.391 (>0.05) with a correlation value (r) of 0.093. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is no relationship between sleep patterns and physical activity and increased blood pressure in young adult

Engineering amidases for peptide C-terminal modification

Peptide amidases are enzymes that convert C-terminal amides of amino acids or peptide into corresponding acids. We investigated amidases for making peptide esters from peptide amides that could be used for chemoenzymatic peptide synthesis. The strategy would enable cheaper and greener production of peptides. However, there are limitations for practical use of peptide amidases in this scheme. Amidases prefer to synthesize peptide acids instead of peptide esters in the presence of water and are very sensitive to alcohol when added to the reaction medium. Furthermore, they are not industrially suitable due to moderate thermostability and organic solvent tolerance. In this thesis, we cloned novel peptide amidase from soybean (SbPam). Then we genetically engineered thermostable variants of SbPam and another cloned peptide amidase (Pam). Both Pam and SbPam were improved to withstand higher temperatures and organic solvents in the reaction medium. We demonstrated that peptide amidases could be successfully used for the synthesis of activated peptide methyl esters in organic solvents with minimum amount of water present. The discovery enables us to use peptide amidase to provide activated precursors that can be used in chemoenzymatic peptide synthesis

ATM Service Quality and its Effect on Customer Retention: A Case from Pakistani Banks

The concept customer retention has received a considerable attention from a few decades in both areas as academic and industry. In the dynamic market environment, customer retention is seen as much important factor to compete in the market. Banks deals very closely to their customers, find, and fulfill their needs. Due to the technological advancement, banks are offering technology based services to the customers, the aim is to have a competitive advantage in satisfying their customer needs and hence to retain their customers. This research attempts to find the technology based ATM service quality, that how the customer are satisfied with it and hence being retained with the bank. The study will find the factor of ATM service quality that are helpful in retaining the customers. Data was collected from different banks of Pakistan and result depicts that the satisfaction of the bank customers with ATM service quality leads to retain the customer with the bank. Hence, the manger should need to focus on the quality ATM service to their customers, to retain their customers with the Banks

Fostering ICT Competencies in Blended Learning : Role of Curriculum Content, Material, and Teaching Strategies

The study examined the direct and indirect influence of information communication technology (ICT)-integrated curriculum content, material, and teaching strategies on ICT competencies of students in blended learning. The ICT-integrated teaching strategies were used as a mediator in between the relationships of curriculum content, material, and ICT competencies. We used a survey questionnaire containing 26 items on the variables of research in this study. The data were collected from six universities in the Hunan Province of China. The target population consisted of undergraduate students of blended learning. In total, 486 participants participated in the study. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to measure the relationships among variables. The results revealed that there were significant and positive relationships among ICT-integrated curriculum content, material, teaching strategies, and ICT competencies of students. Furthermore, it was also revealed that ICT-integrated teaching strategies in blended learning mediated the relationships in between ICT integrated curriculum content, material, and ICT competencies. It was concluded that the effective curriculum content, curriculum material, and teaching strategies are the critical predictors of ICT competencies. Moreover, teaching strategies worked as an intervening factor between the curriculum content, curriculum material, and ICT competencies. The practical implications and directions for future research are also presented in this study.Peer reviewe

PENGARUH HAMBATAN NONTARIF DI PASAR UNI EROPA TERHADAP EKSPOR KOMODITAS CPO INDONESIA

This research aims to analyze which trade barriers are implemented by European Union (EU) on Indonesian Crude Palm Oil (CPO) commodity and did the non-tariff barrier named “Report on Palm Oil and Deforestation of Rainforrest” which has been ratified by the European Comission (EC) have a significant effects on Indonesian CPO export or not. This research used literature study method with secondary and primary data obtained from BPS, Indonesian National Export Development Agency, Central Bank of Indonesia, Eurostat, WTO, FAO, PASPI, Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesian Ministry of Trade and Indonesian Palm Oil Assosiation (IPOA). The results of this research show that the EU has implemented non-tariff barriers on Indonesian CPO since 1905 with various kinds of issues such as health, social and environment. The non-tariff barrier which has been ratified in April 2017 by the European Comission did not significantly affect on Indonesian CPO export.Key words: CPO, European Union, Non-tariff Barriers