Foreign investment, government expenditure, and economic growth in Malaysia

This study uses the ordinary least squares technique to examine the effect of foreign investment and government expenditure on the growth in GDP per capita in Malaysia over the period 1978-2005. The regression results showed that the growth of export and ratio of government expenditure to GDP are the driving forces in enhancing the economic growth in Malaysia. Foreign investment and previous year real income per capita growth depict positive impact, whereas population growth exerts a negative impact on economic growth

The Role of Testosterone in the Etiology and Treatment of Obesity, the Metabolic Syndrome, and Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Obesity has become a major health problem. Testosterone plays a significant role in obesity, glucose homeostasis, and lipid metabolism. The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of risk factors predisposing to diabetes mellitus type 2, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The main components of the syndrome are visceral obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, raised blood pressure and dyslipidemia (elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and a proinflammatory and thrombogenic state. Cross-sectional epidemiological studies have reported a direct correlation between plasma testosterone and insulin sensitivity, and low testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, dramatically illustrated by androgen deprivation in men with prostate carcinoma. Lower total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) predict a higher incidence of the metabolic syndrome. Administration of testosterone to hypogonadal men reverses part of the unfavorable risk profile for the development of diabetes and atherosclerosis

France and oil: a contemporary economic study.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Alfred P. Sloan School of Management. Thesis. 1969. Ph.D.MICROFICHE COPY ALSO AVAILABLE IN DEWEY LIBRARY.Six unnumbered leaves inserted.Bibliography: leaves 286-288.Ph.D

Wind Farm Management using Artificial Intelligent Techniques

This paper presents a comparative study between genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization methods to determine the optimal proportional–integral (PI) controller parameters for a wind farm management algorithm. This study primarily aims to develop a rapid and stable system by tuning the PI controller, thus providing excellent monitoring for a wind farm system. The wind farm management system supervises the active and reactive power of the wind farm by sending references to each wind generator. This management system ensures that all wind generators achieve their required references. Furthermore, the entire management is included in the normal controlling power set points of the wind farm as designed by a central control system. The performance management of this study is tested through MATLAB/Simulink simulation results for the wind farm based on three doublyfed induction generator

Videocapsule retention: role of surgical treatment (a case report)

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a safe innovative tool for investigating obscure gastrointestinal diseases. The capsule is usually excreted with faeces within 24-48 h. Retention of capsule rarely occurs, and it usually  depends on the indication of VCE. Retention may long remain asymptomatic or manifest as subocclusif  syndrome. Acute complications of retention are very rare but can be life-threatening illness. Surgical approach is considered effective to retrieve the retained capsule, treat the pathology responsible and prevent acute  complications. We report the case of a 30 years old patient, followed for Crohn’s disease. She received during  the assessment reviewed by VCE that has been held for three months. The retention caused subocclusif  symptoms of which had needed surgically procedure. Treatment consisted of remove the VCE and repair of stenosis of small bowel by stricturoplasty

Interactive Real Time Deep Brain Stimulation System

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a developing therapeutic technique with a high potential to control and treat central nervous system diseases through neuromodulation. DBS utilizes through implanted electrodes that are inserted in the targeted brain structure. Being an emerging technology; neuromodulation introduces many challenges that are not yet comprehensively identified, characterized and resolved. The advancement of this technique requires qualitative and quantitative perception of the brain response to electrical stimulation which is controlled by the electric field distribution within the brain tissue. This can be realized by formulating the tissue-field interaction such that we will have a better understanding of the spatial extent and the direct effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on neurons activity. The focus of this research is to develop a model for encoding and decoding the neuron activity in the DBS region and to address all the parameters that affect this activity in order to have a complete understanding of the DBS problem and to develop a brain model that can be readily used in DBS analysis. Our goal is to study the immediate direct effects of the stimulating field and examine where the beneficial effects of DBS originate since the mechanism of DBS is not yet fully understand and hence an inclusive comprehensive performance study will be done for the DBS problem

Combined use of tracer tests and ground water

Geolog

Testosterone as Potential Effective Therapy in Treatment of Obesity in Men with Testosterone Deficiency: A Review

Objective: Obesity negatively affects human health. Limiting food intake, while producing some weight loss, results in reduction of lean body mass. Combined with moderate exercise it produces significant weight loss, maintains lean body mass and improves insulin sensitivity, but appears difficult to adhere to. Bariatric surgery is clinically effective for severely obese individuals compared with non-surgical interventions, but has limitations. Clinical and pre-clinical studies have implicated a role for testosterone (T) in the patho-physiology of obesity. Methods: Evidence Acquisition and Synthesis: A literature search in PubMed on the role of T in counteracting obesity and its complications. Results: Obesity per se impairs testicular T biosynthesis. Furthermore, lower-than-normal T levels increase accumulation of fat depots, particularly abdominal (visceral) fat. This fat distribution is associated with development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its sequels, namely type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). T treatment reverses fat accumulation with significant improvement in lean body mass, insulin sensitivity and biochemical profiles of cardiovascular risk. The contribution of T to combating obesity in hypogonadal men remains largely unknown to medical professionals managing patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Many physicians associate T treatment in men with risks for prostate malignancy and CVD. These beliefs are not supported by recent insights. Conclusion: While overall treatment of obesity is unsuccessful, T treatment of hypogonadal men may be effective, also because it improves mood, energy, reduces fatigue and may motivate men to adhere to diet and exercise regimens designed to combat obesity. © 2012 Bentham Science Publishers

ARE PULP SENSIBILITY TESTS STILL SENSIBLE?

Background: Electric and thermal tests are the most commonly employed methods for the diagnosis of pulp health status. The objectives of our study are to assess the validity, yield and accuracy of cold and electric pulp tests in determining pulp vitality of teeth requiring endodontic treatment. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at the Dental Clinic of Aga Khan University Hospital on 75 patients requiring endodontic treatment. Before commencement of endodontic treatment, a provisional diagnosis of pulp status was made using an electric pulp tester and cold test. The tooth was then labelled as either vital or necrotic. Then an access openings was made and tooth’s actual pulp status (vital/necrotic) was determined by observing bleeding in the pulp chamber. The validity, yield and accuracy were calculated on the basis of these findings. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value and accuracy of cold test were 84%, 88%, 93%, 73% respectively. The sensitivity & specificity of electric test were 82% and 88% respectively whereas the positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of electric test were 93% and 71% respectively. The accuracy of cold and electric pulp test were 85% and 84% respectively. Conclusion: Both cold test and EPT have similar sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values. Although vitality tests have a promising future in diagnosis of pulp health status but within limitation of this study we found that sensibility tests have satisfactory validity and accuracy values to be used routinely prior to endodontic and restorative treatments especially when used in conjunction with one each other

Journey from black to pink gums: management of melanin induced physiological gingival hyper pigmentation

Abstract Smile is an expression of happiness, self-confidence, kindness and beauty. Along with teeth and lips, gingiva is also a vital component of smile. Melanin induced gingival hyper pigmentation may appear un-aesthetic especially when it is associated with high smile line, upper anterior labial segment and is uneven in appearance. It affects individuals from all races. Generally, it is believed that melanin induced gingival hyper pigmentation is confined to individuals from dark races. But studies have shown that Iranian, Indian, Italian, Arabian, Greek. German, French, Japanese, Chinese, Jewish, Thai, Malaysian and other ethnic groups also display clinical gingival pigmentation.1 Gingival hyper pigmentation may result in psychological distress especially when the appearance is of utmost importance for the individuals. This article aims to focus on the physiology, clinical appearance and treatment options available for the melanin induced gingival hyper pigmentation along with the reported recurrence in the light of current literature