Some properties of meromorphic alpha-convex functions and its applications

The aim of the present paper is to obtain sufficient condition for the class of meromorphic alpha convex functions of order ζ and then to study mapping properties of an integral operator. Many known results apear as special consequences ofour wor

Women Empowerment through Microcredit: The Role of HSBC Bank (UK) in Foreign Market

Women empowerment is one of the leading issues of concern and interest of practitioners and researchers. Many institutions specifically those which are well established and are looking for opportunities of growth see the microcredit market in the developing countries as a potential market to target for profit through development. The current study elaborates the role of HSBC (UK) in Indian market of microcredit. HSBC (UK) works in collaboration with Mann Deshi Mahila Bank in India to target women empowerment through microcredit. The study analyzed the role of microcredit in empowering women in order to see whether developed institutions (mostly in developed countries such as UK, USA etc.) have the potential to aim for microcredit market in developing countries. The results of the study are generated by analyzing the primary data collected from the women microcredit clients of Mann Deshi Mahila Bank (India). The results of the percentage and regression analysis done on the primary data reveal that the women who use microcredit reach a better level of empowerment and many empowerment signs become evident in them after the use of microcredit. Therefore, HSBC (UK) is successfully targeting women empowerment through provision of microcredit in India while working in collaboration with Mann Deshi Mahila Bank (India). Key words: women empowerment, microcredit, developing, foreign market, influenc

Effect of stem cell and vitamin E for the reduction of liver fibrosis

Liver disease is seventh leading cause of death worldwide. In the past, liver transplantation was thought to be the only treatment for the last stage liver disease but currently stem cells therapy is an alternative method for the treatment of liver disease. So mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation is one of the best tool for treatment of liver disease. The aim of the current study was to investigate the combined effect of vitamin E (Vit E) and MSCs on liver fibrosis. Liver damage was induced in male albino mice intraperitoneally with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) twice a week for six weeks. Mice bone marrow derived MSC was cultured in vitro and then transplanted to CCl4 injured mice through their tail vain injection. Two weeks after MSCs transplantation, all group of mice were examined. The morphological result showed that the combined therapy of Vit E (orally) and MSCs transplantation have significant therapeutic effect on CCl4 injured mice as compared to Vit E and MSCs individually. Biochemical data also showed that serum ALT and bilirubin level were found to be significantly decreased by the combined treatment of Vit E and MSCs as compared to those mice which received MSCs and Vit E separately. MSCs and Vit E treated mice combined showed a significant decrease in liver weight, closely to normal. Reverse transcriptase PCR result also confirmed a significant anti fibrotic effect of Vit E combined with MSCs transplanted mice on liver fibrosis as showed by down-regulating apoptotic marker (Bax) expression and increasing the expression of antiapoptotic marker (Bcl-xl). Therefore Vit E along with MSCs have strong therapeutic potential on liver fibrosis in CCl4 injured mice

Profit based unit commitment and economic dispatch of IPPs with new technique

a b s t r a c t Each generation company may have number of generating units of different fuel consumption characteristics, some generating units consume more fuel as compared to other units this directly effects the production cost and profit of the company. Production cost and profit of the company is also affected by unit commitment and economic dispatch. Each and every power generation company wants to maximize/ increase profit, same is the case for independent power producers (IPPs). Profit can be maximized by changing the unit commitment and economic dispatch strategy. Previously it was achieved in such a way that production cost goes to minimum level. But as the competition in power market is going to increase day by day IPPs trend of UC solution is toward achieving maximum profit. Previously achieved solution by LR-PBUC is slow and may face convergence problem. In this paper, we will see the way how a GENCO or IPP can earn more by UC on the base of profit, with minimum computational time and always with some final solution. Hamiltonian method has been used for ED. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the PBUC achieved and Hamiltonian economic dispatch, it will be tested on two test cases. Profit and computational time comparison of proposed technique with already available/techniques for evaluation of performance are also presented

Prevalence of hamstrings tightness and its impact on lower extremity function in asymptomatic individuals with prolonged standing hours

Background: Hamstrings undergo adaptive shortening. It is common in healthy individuals to have a sedentary lifestyle affecting males (91.8%) more than females (78.7%). Hamstring tightness can interrupt ADL’s predisposing the person to further health problems i.e. plantar fasciitis, sacroiliac joint pain, decreased lumbar lordosis, knee pain, quadriceps malfunction, postural disturbances, overstretched lumbar ligaments, reduced muscle strength. Aims and Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of hamstring tightness and its effects on lower extremity function in individuals with prolonged standing. Materials and Methods: 65 participants were chosen for this cross-sectional study by convenient sampling; all were female nurses. The hamstring tightness was measured by the data collection tools i.e. lower limb task questionnaire, straight leg raise test, and active knee extension test after having the consent forms signed by the participants. The data was collected from three big hospitals in the city. Results: The results of the study conducted to see the prevalence of hamstrings tightness and its impact on lower extremity function in asymptomatic individuals with prolonged standing hours showed that only 15.38% of the sample (n=65) with a mean age of 31-35 years were found with bilateral hamstrings tightness while 84.62% were found with no hamstrings tightness. Conclusion: The prevalence of hamstring tightness in asymptomatic individuals with prolonged standing hours is low

Islamic Religious Identity in Contemporary Kyrgyzstan

This paper assesses the state of Islam in Post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan. It examines the challenges Islam faces due to the diversity of ideologies bequeathed by the Soviet Union. Although Islam emerged as a dominant religious belief in post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan, due to the internal elements of secularism, Tengrism, and other indigenous ideologies, and the interpretation of Islamic lore coupled with the Soviet ideology of atheism, Islam remains syncretic with some loose extremism fuelled by home-grown socio-political factors and imported fundamentalism. It, therefore, concludes that the challenge to Islam and Islamic religious identity in contemporary Kyrgyzstan is a sort of ‘Muslimo-phobia’ rather than ‘Islamo-phobia’ because the challenge to Islam is clearly unleashed by the Muslims themselves and not the minority non-Muslim population

Kashmiri refugees at the verge of hepatitis B and C epidemic in the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C among immigrants residing refugee camps in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, and to identify possible risk factors for HBV and HCV transmission. METHODS: Around 1,225 individuals inhabiting Muzaffarabad refugee camps, participated in the study. A qualitative Immuno-Chromatographic Technique was used for initial screening and PCR test was used for detection of HBV and HCV in participants. The major risk factors for HBV and HCV transmission were assessed using a questionnaire approach. RESULTS: Around 86 (7.0%) individuals were observed for HBsAg presence, and 215 (17.5%) individuals were found positive for Anti-HCV. Only 32 (2.6%) individuals were confirmed for HBV DNA and 126 (10.3%) individuals were positive for HCV RNA after PCR. Demographically, both HBsAg and Anti-HCV were found more prevalent in female (4.4% HBsAg and 10.8% Anti-HCV) population as compared to male (2.6% HBsAg and 6.7% Anti-HCV) population. Surprisingly, the HBsAg (23.5%) and Anti-HCV (41.1%) appeared to be more frequent in the age group 62–75 years. Previous history of hepatitis in the family (p < 0.0001), blood transfusion (p = 0.0197) dental treatment (p < 0.0001) and tattooing or piercing on any part of the body (p = 0.0028) were assessed as significant risk factors in HBV and HCV transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of 7.0% HBsAg and 17.5% Anti-HCV in a small fragment of the migrant population cannot be overlooked. Lack of awareness among people and negligence of health department could escalate the situation

Surgical Outcome of Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy and Radiculopathy in Terms of Improvement of Pain

Objective: Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative condition leading to compression of nerve roots or spinal cord, causing radiculopathy or myelopathy. Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) techniques are commonly recognized procedures in treating axial cervical spine pain and upper extremity radicular discomfort. The study analyzed the surgical outcome of anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and radiculopathy patients in terms of pain improvement. Material and Methods: This descriptive case series analysis was performed at the Neuro Surgery department, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. A total of 146 patients between age 18 – 65 years meeting the inclusion criteria underwent anterior decompression &post-procedure improvement in pain of neck and arm/shoulder was determined using patient reported outcome (PRO) measure, namely visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-10 and a final outcome that is an improvement of pain, i.e., Mild to no pain (VAS score ≤3) was considered after 12 months. Results: The mean age was 52 years ± 8.273. As regards gender distribution, 78% of patients were male, while 22% were female. The mean baseline VAS score was 6.5 ± 2.37, mean postoperative VAS score was 3.5 ± 1.161 with a mean point improvement in pain of 3.0 points (p-value < 0.05). 80% of patients had shown improvement in reducing pain, while 20% did not have shown any improvement. Conclusion: This study revealed that independent of symptoms duration and presentation, patients reported dramatic improvements in neck and arm pain after ACDF

Immediate postoperative complications of sellar suprasellar lesions operated via pterional approach

Objective:  In neurosurgical facilities, lesions that occur in the sella turcica and suprasellar area are frequently encountered. Different complications have been documented in the past studies following surgical management of sellar suprasellar lesions. This study's rationale was to get data from our local population on complications related to the transcranial approach for sellar suprasellar lesions. The study aimed to determine the immediate (within one week) postoperative complications of sellar suprasellar lesions operated via a pterional approach Material and Methods:  This descriptive case series study was conducted from June 2019 to June 2020 at the neurosurgical facility lady reading hospital Peshawar. A total of 117 patients, meeting inclusion criteria irrespective of gender, diagnosed with the sellar suprasellar lesion between 18 to 60 years of age operated through a pterional approach. Post-op patients were followed for seven days to access main outcome measures such as CSF leak and diabetes insipidus. Results:  CSF leak found in 7.7% (n = 9) of patients while diabetes insipidus was detected in 14.5% (n = 17) patients. Gender and age-based stratification showed no statistically significant difference for both postoperative complications. Conclusion:  Diabetes insipidus was a more frequent postoperative complication in patients undergoing the pterional approach for sellar suprasellar lesions followed by CSF leak. However, no statistically significant correlation was observed between different age groups and gender for all these complications

Status of the differential transformation method

Further to a recent controversy on whether the differential transformation method (DTM) for solving a differential equation is purely and solely the traditional Taylor series method, it is emphasized that the DTM is currently used, often only, as a technique for (analytically) calculating the power series of the solution (in terms of the initial value parameters). Sometimes, a piecewise analytic continuation process is implemented either in a numerical routine (e.g., within a shooting method) or in a semi-analytical procedure (e.g., to solve a boundary value problem). Emphasized also is the fact that, at the time of its invention, the currently-used basic ingredients of the DTM (that transform a differential equation into a difference equation of same order that is iteratively solvable) were already known for a long time by the "traditional"-Taylor-method users (notably in the elaboration of software packages --numerical routines-- for automatically solving ordinary differential equations). At now, the defenders of the DTM still ignore the, though much better developed, studies of the "traditional"-Taylor-method users who, in turn, seem to ignore similarly the existence of the DTM. The DTM has been given an apparent strong formalization (set on the same footing as the Fourier, Laplace or Mellin transformations). Though often used trivially, it is easily attainable and easily adaptable to different kinds of differentiation procedures. That has made it very attractive. Hence applications to various problems of the Taylor method, and more generally of the power series method (including noninteger powers) has been sketched. It seems that its potential has not been exploited as it could be. After a discussion on the reasons of the "misunderstandings" which have caused the controversy, the preceding topics are concretely illustrated.Comment: To appear in Applied Mathematics and Computation, 29 pages, references and further considerations adde