Macroeconomic and bank specific determinants of non-performing loans in UAE conventional bank

This paper uses panel data methodology including Random Effects model to identify the bank-specific determinants and macroeconomic determinants of non-performing loans in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) conventional banks for the period 2008-2015. Among the bank-specific determinants, non-performing loans (NPL, t-1) indicate a significant positive relationship with NPL and liquidity ratio indicate a significant negative relationship with NPL, whereas capital adequacy ratio and return on assets was found to have an insignificant relationship due to the robust banking regulations in UAE. All the macroeconomic determinants, namely, gross domestic product, growth, inflation, domestic credit to private sector, unemployment and government debt appeared to be insignificant in determining the level of NPLs, suggesting that the crisis is more intrinsic to internal issues within the corporates and not related to macroeconomic factors

Performance evaluation of an IEEE 802.15.4 sensor network with a star topology

One class of applications envisaged for the IEEE 802.15.4 LR-WPAN (low data rate-wireless personal area network) standard is wireless sensor networks for monitoring and control applications. In this paper we provide an analytical performance model for a network in which the sensors are at the tips of a star topology, and the sensors need to transmit their measurements to the hub node so that certain objectives for packet delay and packet discard are met. We first carry out a saturation throughput analysis of the system; i.e., it is assumed that each sensor has an infinite backlog of packets and the throughput of the system is sought. After a careful analysis of the CSMA/CA MAC that is employed in the standard, and after making a certain decoupling approximation, we identify an embedded Markov renewal process, whose analysis yields a fixed point equation, from whose solution the saturation throughput can be calculated. We validate our model against ns2 simulations (using an IEEE 802.15.4 module developed by Zheng [14]). We find that with the default back-off parameters the saturation throughput decreases sharply with increasing number of nodes. We use our analytical model to study the problem and we propose alternative back-off parameters that prevent the drop in throughput. We then show how the saturation analysis can be used to obtain an analytical model for the finite arrival rate case. This finite load model captures very well the qualitative behavior of the system, and also provides a good approximation to the packet discard probability, and the throughput. For the default parameters, the finite load throughput is found to first increase and then decrease with increasing load. We find that for typical performance objectives (mean delay and packet discard) the packet discard probability would constrain the system capacity. Finally, we show how to derive a node lifetime analysis using various rates and probabilities obtained from our performance analysis model

A study on evaluation of ASHAs for their knowledge, attitude and practice towards newborn care in Howrah district of West Bengal

Background: : Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) is a trained female community health activist. ASHAs are local women trained to act as facilitator and promoters of health care in their communities. ASHA is trained to work as an interface between the community and the public health system. ASHA play an important role in newborn care to reduce their morbidity and mortality.Methods: Data were collected from ASHAs working in Shibbur area of Howrah District, west Bengal. The study sample consisted of 70 ASHAs working in the Shibpur area that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A predesigned pretested questionnaire of ASHA was used to collect data in the study.Results: The mean age of ASHAs was 35.74 years. Only 32 (45.71%) had received middle level (class VIII) education. Only 45.71 % of ASHAs had good knowledge and practice regarding hypothermia and its complication and the procedure of providing warmth the baby after delivery. Only 57.1% of ASHA had good knowledge regarding counseling and problem solving on breast feeding. Only 38.57% had good knowledge and practices on identification and basic skill on management of Low Birth Weight (LBW) having birth weight of <2.5kg and pre-term baby (<37 weeks of gestation).Conclusions: In the present study, we found that Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of ASHAs were inadequate in some aspects of newborn care. This gap of knowledge should be taken seriously during training procedures so that effective knowledge and essential skill for newborn care can be imparted. During recruitment of ASHAs higher literally status should be given preferences

Pharmacological evaluation of substituted 4, 5-diphenyl furan-3-carboxamide compound for antidepressant activity in mice

Background: Depressive disorder is a prevalent psychiatric disorder, which affects 21% of the world population. Many drugs are available as effective antidepressants. But still there is necessity of developing novel compounds with minimized side effects. Hence this study was aimed to investigate the antidepressant activity of novel furan compound in albino mice.Methods: Antidepressant activity of novel furan compound was investigated by using forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) models. Fluoxetine was used as standard drug in this study.Results: It has been observed from our study that medium dose of test compound (10 mg/kg) reduced duration of immobility time to 35 seconds when compared to control group (147 seconds) in FST model. In TST model, the test compound of medium dose (10 mg/kg) had produced 83% protection against passive behaviour which is almost similar to standard drug fluoxetine (100%).Conclusions: The results of the specifies that compared to other two doses of test compound (5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg), medium dose of test compound found as an effective dose for treating depression produced due to stress. However, further expansion of the study is needed for this compound to prove as a novel effective antidepressant compared to other drugs available for treating depression

Trends in the profile of non hodgkins lymphoma in North and South India: a study from two tertiary care hospitals in India

Background: A number of environmental and chemical factors have been thought to been implicated in the occurrence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (NHLs).To fill the knowledge gap in various aspect of the disease, this study was undertaken at this tertiary care centre in Delhi and Bangalore.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in two defenses medical centre in India among patients of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, registered at Command hospital Airforce Bangalore and Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi, between March 2016 and March 2019.Results: The disease showed a bimodal onset in both centres with 26 (26%) and 24 (24%) cases occurring in the age group of 31-40 years and 24 (24%) and 25 (25%) cases occurring in the age group of >60 years at CHAF (B) and AH (RR) respectively. B cell Lymphoma was the most common type of NHL seen in 85% and 89% patients, whereas T-cell lymphomas constituted 13% and 11% at CHAF (B) and AH (RR).  32(32%) patients presented with an Ann Arbor Stage 1 or 2 disease whereas 68(68%) patients were with Stage 3 or 4 disease at both the centers. IPI score was ≥3 in 45 % and 43% patients.Conclusions: NHL in India is a homogeneous and uniform disease. But there was increased detection of hepatosplenomegaly and associated hepatitis B/C in the southern part of India. Also, the occurrence of Cutaneous T cell lymphoma was only seen in the south India centre. The early stage NHLs has better survival and increase chance of complete response

IMPACT OF ALCOHOL ON PANCREAS IN ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS

Objective: Prolonged hazardous drinking can result in progressive and irreversible damage to the pancreas gland. This occurs on the background of pancreatic inflammation, acinar atrophy and, ultimately, fibrosis and can result in significant exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. Withdrawal of alcohol at an early stage may arrest the process and, even when the condition is established, may reduce the number of inflammatory episodes and allow for better control of both exocrine and endocrine insufficiencies. This study is aimed to identify the impact of alcohol on the pancreas and to educate the patient about the importance of alcohol cessation. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a multispecialty clinic in the gastroenterology department for a period of one month. 60 patients were involved in the study who were diagnosed with pancreatitis (acute or chronic). The data was obtained by directly communicating with the patients which consisted of demographics and social habits. Results: Among 60 patients, the male was dominant (85%) than female (15%). Majority of the patients were in the age group of 41-60 y (65%) followed by patients 2140 y of age (25%) and patients above 60 y of age (10%). Epigastric pain was the most common presenting complaint in all patients (67%) followed by vomiting (33%). Majority of the patients involved are alcoholics (60%). Conclusion: Proper attention to the health at the time of diagnosis of disease by alcohol cessation can prevent the progression of the disease and helps the patient to lead a healthy life

Comparison of feeding methods in neonates - A retrospective cohort study from India

Background: Preterm babies who are unable to breastfeed but are able to swallow are commenced on cup or paladai or bottle as&nbsp;alternative feeding methods. Although the World Health Organization recommends the use of cup owing to reduced infection risk,&nbsp;many neonatal units use the bottle for feeding. Objectives: The aim was to compare the two groups with regard to time taken to&nbsp;commence oral feeds, breastfeeds, achieve full oral feeds, complications, gestational age at discharge, discharge weight, and infant&nbsp;formula use at discharge. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed to compare two cohorts ofpreterm babies who were fed either by bottle or paladai (small feeding cup with a long spout traditionally used in India) during their&nbsp;transition from tube to breastfeeding. Results: During the study period, there were 68 babies in Center 1 where paladai was used&nbsp;and 71 in Center 2 where bottle was used. The gestational age at which oral feeding was commenced, full oral feeds, gestational&nbsp;age at discharge, and discharge weight were similar in both the groups. Breastfeeding was commenced significantly earlier in the&nbsp;bottle-fed group (p&lt;0.05). The use of infant formula was also significantly more in this group. One baby aspirated in the paladaigroup. Conclusion: With adequate training and attention to hygiene, paladai or feeding bottles could be equally safe methods of&nbsp;feeding in hospitalized preterm neonates