Double Helix Structure and Finite Persisting Sphere Genetic Algorithm in Designing Digital Circuit Structure

This paper proposes a new approach of chromosome representation in digital circuit design which is Double Helix Structure (DHS). The idea of DHS in chromosome representation is inspired from the nature of the DNA\u27s structure that built up the formation of the chromosomes. DHS is an uncomplicated design method. It uses short chromosome string to represent the circuit structure. This new structure representation is flexible in size where it is not restricted by the conventional matrix structure representation. There are some advantages of the proposed method such as convenience to apply due to the simple formation and flexible structure, less requirement of memory allocation and faster processing time due to the short chromosomes representation. In this paper, DHS is combined with Finite Persisting Sphere Genetic Algorithm (FPSGA) to optimal the digital circuit structure design. The experimental results prove that DHS uses short chromosome string to produce the flexible digital circuit structure and FPSGA further optimal the number of gates used in the structure. The proposed method has better performance compared to other methods

Analysis on the voltage stability on transmission network with PV interconnection

Voltage stability means the ability of the power system network to maintain steady-state voltage value at all buses in the system under normal condition and after being subjected to a disturbance. This research highlights the effect of solar photovoltaic (PV) as the subject of disturbance to the network system as this kind of energy source has emerged towards higher level of integration into the national grid. High penetration of solar PV into the grid may cause several issues of stability and security to the system particularly effecting the normal voltage and line overloading. This research is focused on the simulation of power flow to study the transmission network behavior with and without the solar PV interconnection. To accomplish the research objectives, the network system will be modelled in a software known as Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSSE). The simulation result will be discussed and analyzed using Voltage Stability Indices (VSI) to prove and strengthen the theory behind the literature review

Types and costs of medications returned by outpatients at a Malaysian teachinghHospital: a one-year cross-sectional study

Introduction: Medication wastage is attributable to various factors, including therapeutic failure, over-prescription, and poor compliance. Data regarding the cost and types of returned medications are essential to estimate the financial burden that can be reduced locally through targeted intervention. This study aimed to investigate the types and cost of medications returned by outpatients at a teaching hospital in Kuantan, Pahang. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from the electronic medical record based on the list of returned medications at the outpatient pharmacy department at Sultan Ahmad Shah medical Centre (SASMEC) @IIUM between January and December 2021. All medications with SASMEC patients' label were included. The medications were classified according to the classification index based on the British National Formulary. The data were analysed using Microsoft Excel version 16.52. The cost associated with returned medications was calculated, referring to the latest cost price of the respective medications. Results: A total of 134 patients returned their medications in 2021 (mean ± SD age: 63 ± 13 years), with 52% females. The total quantities of returned medications were 11,054 units. These included pills, devices (inhalers, insulin pens), bottles, and plastic containers. The overall cost of these medications was Ringgit Malaysia (RM) 13,594.90 (mean per patient: RM 101.45). The highest number of returned medications was from the cardiovascular group (32.5%), followed by the endocrine group (26%) and musculoskeletal group (11.9%). The highest cost for returned medications was the endocrine group (49%), followed by the cardiovascular group (20%) and the musculoskeletal group (10%). Conclusion: Medications used for cardiovascular diseases were the most frequently returned at outpatient pharmacy, whereas those for endocrine diseases contributed to the highest cost. Future research could focus on identifying modifiable factors that can contribute to the sustainability of health resources by reducing the cost of returned medications

Knowledge and practices of medication usage, storage and disposal among outpatients in a Malaysian teaching hospital: a qualitative study

Introduction: Improper storage and disposal of medications can cause pollution in the environment. Developing effective interventions tailored to local practices is important to reduce pharmaceutical wastage. Little is known concerning how Malaysian outpatients use, store, and dispose medicines. This study aimed to explore the experiences, challenges, and reflections perceived by outpatients addressing these issues. Materials and methods: A qualitative methodology was adopted by using a semi-structured interview guide to explore patients’ experiences related to their knowledge and practices of medication usage, storage, and disposal. A total of 15 patients and five caregivers were recruited at a teaching hospital in Kuantan, Pahang, for in-depth interview sessions. Each interview was recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Data were sorted and coded using NVivo Release 1.5.1 software and subjected to thematic analysis. Results: The following themes were identified from the interviews, which were 1) incomplete labelling and instructions 2) scepticism about returning unused medications 3) lack of knowledge with varying practices 4) role of pharmacists to improve patient’s medication literacy 5) lack of accessibility to return unused medications, 6) needs of educational programmes /campaigns 7) required information on medicine prices. Conclusion: Management of medication usage, storage, and disposal seems to be multifactorial. Therefore, it is important to develop contextual strategies and effective interventions to improve patients’ knowledge and practices regarding medication usage, storage, and disposal. Future research is needed to develop and test the intervention of these components to reduce pharmaceutical wastage in the environment through best practices at all levels

A Note: Debt Selling and Their Impact on Islamic Bank Value

This paper shows how a risk management mechanism through selling debt can affect the value of Islamic banks. Islamic banks are able to maximize their value from the sale of murabahah on housing debt in order to manage their risk arising from fluctuations in interest rates. A tractable theoretical model is developed to maximize the Islamic banks’ values from the sale of housing debt financing in order to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates. Our findings showed that Islamic banks could improve their earnings and rectify the problem in aligning their assets and liabilities through the benefits of debt selling. A rise in the market interest rates leads to an increase in the base financing rate and the mark-up rate in Islamic banks, since market interest rates serve as benchmarks in determining profits or mark-ups. If the Islamic banks engage in debt selling to decrease their risk exposure, their earnings or value may be amplified since they have the opportunity to undertake other positive NPV projects from the payoffs on the murabahah debt selling

Multi-choice goal programming model for optimal financial resources in Islamic bank

As the primary operational tool in the Islamic economics system, Islamic banking is assumed to run on the broader perspective of multi-dimensional objectives based on the foundation of shariah principles. This paper explicitly develops a multi-choice goal programming (MCGP) model of an Islamic bank for the optimal allocations of financial resources that satisfy both economic and social goals. The optimization model is verified using data from one of the premier Islamic banks in Malaysia as a sample model in determining the patterns and strategies taken in the allocations of financial resources. The veracity of the model is tested in terms of its ability to meet the specified target goals with minimum total deviations and to project the optimum allocation of asset and liability composition for a one-year time horizon. Results showed that the model could generate optimal financial resources that meet the specified target goals for economic and social objectives. A simulation analysis has been successfully performed to see the impact of changing the priority weight of management goals on the composition of financial resources. Thus, the model would be beneficial to the policymakers at Islamic banks for decision support and planning in view of its ability to incorporate economic and social objectives. Additionally, the proposed MCGP model offers flexibility to decision-makers in setting management target goals in the form of interval values to avoid error estimation of the decision

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF A FIRM: DEBT-BASED OR EQUITY-BASED FINANCING TO PURSUE?

This study examines the potential of utilizing equity-based financing by companies in achieving financial sustainability as compared to debt-based financing. To this end, a conceptual framework of equity-based financing over debt-based financing is developed to provide an understanding of the concept of equity-based financing. Subsequently, this study analyses the credit risk exposure between equity and debt for selected sectors in Malaysia.  More specifically, a Monte Carlo method is employed to examine the feasibility of the equity-based financing model in fostering the financial sustainability of companies through simulation of equity-based and debt-based financing models from the global financial crisis (GFC) period to the Covid-19 phase. This study finds that equity-based financing can reduce credit risk exposure when returns are tied to the company’s performance. The findings also show that equity-based financing can achieve financial sustainability regardless of any economic events. To conclude, equity-based financing can thus be a viable capital financing option for companies because it can contribute to long-term financial sustainability

The subprime mortgages crisis and Islamic securitization

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight of Islamic securitization based on sukuk structures. Design/methodology/approach – Descriptive, analytical, and comparative analyses are used to discuss the risk-sharing behaviour in Islamic securitization through different structures of mudharabah and musharakah sukuk derived from asset securitization. Findings – The paper reveals that although sukuk are structured in a similar way to conventional asset-backed securities, they can have significantly different underlying structures, provisions and shariah-compliant. In particular, it prohibits the receipt and payment of interest and stipulates that income must be derived from an underlying real business risk rather than as a guaranteed return from interest. With regards to sukuk securitization, an asset is one of the vital elements that should exist as an evidence to support the process and make it permissible in Islam. In terms of Islamic securitization mechanism, it can be divided into two principles, namely, debt based and partnership. This paper further emphasizes that sukuk structures based on partnership principle is regarded as risk sharing rather than risk shifting, where it works by combining risk-exposures in such a way that they offset one another to some degree. Accordingly, overall risk will be less than total risks on individual basis. Practical implications – This paper has important implication for the understanding of risk management practices particularly in structuring sukuk. Banks as originators and special purpose vehicles (SPV) as issuers, might consider more sukuk on partnership principles since it directed towards risk-sharing concept that could lead to increase mobilization of savings and investment. As for the investors or sukuk holders, the partnership principle could generate the wealth creation, which to be shared between both investors (fund providers) and issuers (fund users), while both bear the risks involved and the resulting loss. Originality/value – The paper will fill the gap in the existing literature of Islamic finance by showing that Islamic securitization via sukuk is a viable source of funds that could help stabilize the securities market, and as solution to the current subprime mortgages financial crisis.Finance, Islam, Risk management, Securities