Exogenous Shocks and Exchange Rate Management in Developing Countries

Even though globalization benefits less developed countries (LDCs), it also makes them more vulnerable to the exogenous shocks to the economies. Many LDCs rely on imported technologies and intermediate inputs to compete in the international export markets with better quality and cost efficient products. In this regard, exchange rate policies in respective countries have a direct bearing on the cost of production. This paper examines alternative exchange rate regimes to suggest an appropriate exchange rate policy in the context of developing countries. The paper utilizes a small open economy model involving direct supply-side effects of exchange rate and expectations of key economic variables and considers four possible exchange rate policies, e.g., fixed exchange rate, perfectly flexible exchange rate, leaning against the wind, and leaning with the wind. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, the paper finds that in the event of a shock, leaning against the wind is likely to be the most appropriate exchange rate policy. Moreover, in the event of rigid wages, a fixed exchange rate policy is advisable.globalization, exchange rate regimes, exchange rate policy

STR-920: STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOUR OF REINFORCED HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE COLUMNS SUBJECTED TO MONOTONIC AXIAL LOADING

This paper presents the results of experimental and analytical investigations on the structural performance of high performance reinforced concrete (HPC) columns subjected to monotonic axial loading. Reinforced columns made of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), engineered cementitious composite (ECC) and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) were tested to failure under axial loading. The test variables included concrete strength and length/slenderness of columns (classified as short and long columns). The UHPC and ECC columns demonstrated excellent ductility and higher energy absorbing capacity compared to their SCC counterparts. UHPC columns also illustrated higher ultimate load capacity compared to both ECC and SCC columns. The efficiency of UHPC and ECC columns was also judged based on strength and ductility ratio compared to their SCC counterparts. Existing models and other Code based equations were used to predict the axial load capacity as a part of analytical investigation. The predictions suggested the need for the modification of existing models/Code based equations for UHPC and ECC columns

DO NOT FALL to the VAPE TRAP!

© 2020 The Author(s) Introduction: Whilst the use of combustible tobacco products continues to decline in the United States, the use of e-cigarettes has seen an explosive rise in recent years. In 2019 an outbreak on EVALI was seen across the country, highlighting the fact that e-cigarettes may not be as harmless as previously perceived. Case description: A 22-year-old male came to the emergency department complaining of vomiting and shortness of breath. Patient reported using a “pod” a day of a “JUUL” e-cigarette. Patient\u27s oxygen requirement continued to increase and was eventually shifted to the intensive care unit and mechanically ventilated. After a course of intravenous glucocorticoids, the patient was successfully weaned off the mechanical ventilation to oral glucocorticoids and discharged. Discussion: Our patient\u27s clinical course can be described as a “classic” case of EVALI. But in contrast to previously reported cases, our patient did not use e-cigarettes known to contain vitamin E acetate or THC two common substances implicated in EVALI. Our patient exclusively used a JUUL e-cigarette at a rate much higher than the typical user. The widespread use of JUUL and e-cigarettes especially amongst the younger demographics is especially concerning. Conclusion: Research efforts must be directed towards the substances utilized in e-cigarettes, and their use should be actively discouraged

PERBEDAAN INTENSITAS PEMAKAIAN INSEKTISIDA RUMAH TANGGA DENGAN RESISTENSI NYAMUK Aedes aegypti TERHADAP GOLONGAN PIRETROID DI KOTA SEMARANG

Latar Belakang : Nyamuk Aedes aegypti merupakan vektor utama Demam Berdarah dengue (DBD) yang menjadi masalah utama kesehatan masyarakat di Indonesia. Obat dan vaksin belum ada yang direkomendasikan sehingga masyarakat lebih memilih penggunaan insektisida termasuk insektisida rumah tangga dalam pemberantasan Aedes aegypti. Dampak penggunaan insektisida rumah tangga dengan resistensi belum diketahui. Tujuan : Mengetahui perbedaan intensitas pemakaian insektisida rumah tanggadengan resistensi nyamuk Aedes aegypti terhadap golongan piretroid di kota Semarang. Metode : Lokasi penelitian di Sendangmulyo, Petompon, Wonosari, Kalipancur, Candisari, dan Kedungmundu. Survei larva dilakukan dirumah penderita DBD dan rumah sekitar penderita dengan radius 100 m. Larva yang terkumpul dipelihara sampai menjadi nyamuk. Nyamuk yang berumur 3-5 hari dijadikan sampel untuk uji susceptibility dengan impragnated paper. Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan uji oneway Anova . Hasil : rata-rata jumlah nyamuk mati setelah holding 24 jam dengan insektisida deltametrin dan lamdasihalotrin pada kelurahan Sendangmulyo 10,7% dan 6,7%, Petompon 37,3% dan 32%, Wonosari 21,3% dan 36%, Kalipancur 12% dan 45,3%, Candisari 29,3% dan 37,3%, Kedungmundu 9,3% dan 1,3%. Simpulan : Kematian nyamuk dengan insektisida deltametrin berkisar antara 9,3-27,3% (resisten), sedangkan dengan insektisida lamdasihalotrin berkisar antara 1,3-45,3% (resisten)Kata kunci : pemakaian insektisida rumah tangga, resistensi, Aedes aegypti, golongan piretroi

Psychiatric morbidity: prevalence, associated factors and significance

A cross-sectional observational systematic study was carried out on ambulatory patients at a tertiary care hospital to determine the probable prevalence, associated factors and significance of psychiatric morbidity by using an Urdu translation of the hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale over a period of 6 days in a week. Results showed a prevalence of 38.4% which is slightly higher than what has been generally reported (30%). Two variables, i.e., female sex and being a housewife were significantly related with the outcome. An attempt has been made to identify the probable reasons for this and some suggestions laid down for further work

Types of Non-Acute Headache and Neuroimaging in the Evaluation of Patients with this Type of Headache

The aim of this study was to find the type of non-acute headache and to estimate the frequency of significant intracranial lesions in this type of headache. Non-acute headache was defined as any type of headache that had begun at least four weeks before. All the patients aged > 15 years attending the neurology and neurosurgery clinics of Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) Peshawar with non-acute headache were included in the study. The pregnant women and patients with facial pain alone were excluded from the study. They were followed prospectively for over a year. Detailed history and through neurlogic exami-nation was performed. The headache was classified according to the International Classification of Headache Disorder (ICHD) second edition of the International Headache Society (IHS). Every patient was investigated by neuroimaging studies. The computed tomography (CT) was done in all patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done in 86 patients to improve their diagnosis. Neuroimaging results were classified as “significant abnormalities”, “non-significant abnormalities” or “normal”. Significant abnormalities included neoplastic disease, hydrocephalus, vascular malformations, chiari malformation, large aracnoid cysts, intracranial hemorrhage and acute cerebral infarcts. The total number of patients was 1200; 795 women and 405 men. Their mean age was 38 years (15-75 years). Neuroimaging studies detected significant lesions in 18 patients (1.5%). The proportion of patients with headache and intracranial lesions is relatively small but neither neurological examination nor the features in the clinical history permit us to rule out such abnormalities

Anti-hypertensive Herbs and their Mechanisms of Action: Part I

The use of herbal therapies for treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is increasing. Plants contain a bounty of phytochemicals that have proven to be protective by reducing the risk of various ailments and diseases. Indeed, accumulating literature provides the scientific evidence and hence reason d'etre for the application of herbal therapy in relation to CVDs. Slowly, but absolutely, herbal remedies are being entrenched into evidence-based medical practice. This is partly due to the supporting clinical trials and epidemiological studies. The rationale for this expanding interest and use of plant based treatments being that a significant proportion of hypertensive patients do not respond to Modern therapeutic medication. Other elements to this equation are the cost of medication, side-effects, accessibility, and availability of drugs. Therefore, we believe it is pertinent to review the literature on the beneficial effects of herbs and their isolated compounds as medication for treatment of hypertension, a prevalent risk factor for CVDs. Our search utilized the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases, and the criterion for inclusion was based on the following keywords and phrases: hypertension, high blood pressure, herbal medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), nitric oxide, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, hydrogen sulfide, nuclear factor kappa-B, oxidative stress, and epigenetics/epigenomics. Each of the aforementioned keywords was co-joined with herb in question, and where possible with its constituent molecule(s). In this first of a two-part review, we provide a brief introduction of hypertension, followed by a discussion of the molecular and cellular mechanisms. We then present and discuss the plants that are most commonly used in the treatment and management of hypertension.NPRP# 4-571-3-171 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation)

Economical and Reliable Expansion Alternative of Composite Power System under Restructuring

The paper intends to select the most economical and reliable expansion alternative of a composite power system to meet the expected future load growth. In order to reduce time computational quantity, a heuristic algorithm is adopted for composite power system reliability evaluation is proposed. The proposed algorithm is based on Monte-Carlo simulation method. The reliability indices are estimated for system base case and for the case of adding peaking generation units. The least cost reserve margin for the addition of five 20MW generating units sequentially is determined. Using the proposed algorithm an increment comparison approach used to illustrate the effect of the added units on the interruption and on the annual net gain costs. A flow chart introduced to explain the basic methodology to have an adequate assessment of a power system using Monte Carlo Simulation. The IEEE RTS (24-bus, 38-line) and The Jordanian Electrical Power System (46-bus and 92-line) were examined to illustrate how to make decisions in power system planning and expansions

Saudi SCD patients’ symptoms and quality of life relative to the number of ED visits

Background Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) have significantly increased emergency department (ED) use compared to the general population. In Saudi Arabia, health care is free for all individuals and therefore has no bearing on increased ED visits. However, little is known about the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and frequency of acute care utilization in this patient population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 patients with SCD who attended the outpatient department at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through self-administered surveys, which included: demographics, SCD-related ED visits, clinical issues, and QoL levels. We assessed the ED use by asking for the number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month period. Results The self-report survey of ED visits was completed by 308 SCD patients. The median number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month time period (IQR) was four (2-7 visits). According to the unadjusted negative binomial model, the rate of SCD-related ED visits increased by (46, 39.3, 40, and 53.5 %) for patients with fever, skin redness with itching, swelling, and blood transfusion, respectively. Poor QoL tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education and poor general health positively influenced the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits by 50.2 %. The rate of SCD-related ED visits decreased by 1.4 % for every point increase in general health. Conclusion Saudi patients with sickle cell disease reported a wide range of SCD-related ED visits. It was estimated that six of 10 SCD patients had at least three ED visits within a 6-month period. Well education and poor general health resulted in an increase in the rate of SCD-related ED visits

Aflatoxins and Hepatitis B, C Viral Associated Hepatocarcinogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a serious human disease with fatal consequences. The most distressing aspect of hepatocellular carcinoma is the limited improvement in mortality (mortality rate of more than 90%). At present, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood and treatment options are often of limited efficacy. This review presents our current understanding of the burden of hepatocellular carcinoma on human health, pathogenesis and pathophysiology, and molecular mechanisms associated with the disease, as well as our knowledge of the physical barriers, cellular mechanisms and molecular elements that may be targets for therapeutic interventions and/ or the development of preventative measures. As the proposed findings present a major risk to public health, it is hoped that robust intervention measures will be introduced for aflatoxins monitoring and reduction in diet