Nanocluster mit pentagonal-bipyramidalen Strukturelementen : Synthese, Isolierung und Charakterisierung von neuen Polyoxometallaten

Shah SQN. Nanocluster mit pentagonal-bipyramidalen Strukturelementen : Synthese, Isolierung und Charakterisierung von neuen Polyoxometallaten. Bielefeld (Germany): Bielefeld University; 2002.In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden drei Themen bearbeitet: die gezielte Synthese und die Strukturaufklärung einiger neuartiger reduzierter Isopolyoxomolybdatcluster (a) sowie Heteropolyoxomolybdatcluster des Keplerattypes (b) und die ersten Studien an diesen Polyoxometallatclustern in der Gasphase (c). In Rahmen der Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass durch gezieltes Einstellen einzelner Reaktionsbedingungen wie Reduktionsgrad und/oder pH-Wert der Reaktionslösung systematisch verschiedene Molybdänblaucluster aus dem "Molybdänblau-Eintopf-Reaktionssystem" isolierbar sind

Effectiveness of transcutaneous bilirubin measurement in managing neonatal jaundice in postnatal ward of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan

Introduction: Neonatal jaundice is a common cause of concern in immediate newborn period for parents as well as for the caregivers. Babies with visible jaundice are identified by the healthcare provider, and blood samples are sent for confirmation. Clinical expertise varies from person to person and may lead to sending excessive blood sampling. Obtaining blood bilirubin samples is a painful procedure; it predisposes the baby to infections and requires skilled health personnel. Moreover, laboratory tests are costly and time consuming, leading to unnecessary delays in commencing phototherapy and discharge from hospital. Transcutaneous bilirubinometer has been in use for a long time as screening tool in postnatal wards. With passage of time, its accuracy and validity have improved tremendously.Methodology: We aim to implement a quality improvement initiative to reduce the number of blood bilirubin samples using transcutaneous bilirubin (TcBR) nomogram in full-term, low-risk babies who are born at our hospital and are admitted in postnatal ward after birth. Using preanalysis and postanalysis study design, this study will be performed in two phases of 6 months each. Data regarding total number of admissions in postnatal wards, demographics, serum bilirubin(TSBR) samplings and need for phototherapy will be recorded in both phases. TcBR will be done and recorded in postimplementation phase.Analysis And Results: Comparisons between the two groups will be made. Primary outcome will be reduction in blood bilirubin samples for TSBR after the implementation of TcBr protocol. The proportion of infants having TSBR performed in both periods will be compared. Crude sampling cost of TSBR will be obtained from laboratory, and cost comparison between two phases will be done to look for difference

The Relative Efficiency of Commercial Banks in Pakistan with Respect to Size and Ownership Structure During and After Global Financial Crisis

Purpose: This study has been carried out to find out the relative efficiency of the commercial banks in Pakistan over a five- year period from 2006 to year 2010 using Frontier Approach of efficiency. The commercial banks included in this research paper are public sector banks, privatized banks, domestic private banks, and foreign banks. In addition to overall efficiency comparison of the commercial banks, this study has also tested the effect of size and ownership structure of the commercial banks in Pakistan on their efficiency.  Data/Design/Methodology/Approach: Out of 44 banks, 21 commercial banks have been chosen, which, in terms of deposits, account for about 94 percent of total deposits of the banking sector (Rs.5,124,308 million) as on December, 2010. Secondary data of the banking firms have been gathered from their audited financial statements. Intermediation approach has been used by employing Data Envelopment Analysis. The relative efficiency of the commercial banks has been investigated in context of intermediation approach which transforms labor and capital into advances/loans and investments. Findings: Over all a very few commercial banks have achieved 100% efficiency. It is, however found that privatized and domestic private banks have shown better efficiency in terms of financial intermediation as compared to public sector and foreign banks. The size of the banks has a very slight effect on the relative efficiency of the banks. The global financial crisis has affected the efficiency of some of the commercial banks but for a small period of time. Originality: This paper is an attempt to find out the relative efficiency of the commercial banks during the mentioned period which lies during the Global Financial Crisis. Its findings would be of great value for every stratum of society including bankers, business community, academicians, and government and of course, the investors

A Compact Beam-Scanning Leaky-Wave Antenna With Improved Performance

A compact microstrip leaky-wave antenna (MLWA) with reduced sidelobe level and increased linear frequency-scanning capability is proposed in this letter. Symmetric Yagi-like elements are introduced, which reduce the sidelobe level by radiating the remaining power at the physical end of MLWA, and make the radiation plane (xz plane) symmetric. Defected ground plane is used to optimize the working of Yagi-like elements. Measured results show that the sidelobe is suppressed about 16 dB at 4.8 GHz. To further reduce the sidelobe level, improve frequency-scanning capability, and increase the gain, the leaky section of the antenna is tapered, and two slots of equal dimensions are introduced. The frequency beam scanning is improved compared with the conventional MLWAs by achieving a total beam scan of 78° (from broadside [12°] to endfire [90°]). The measurements performed on the fabricated prototype exhibit good agreement with simulations

Antimicrobial properties of extracts and compounds isolated from Berberis jaeschkeana

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti microbial properties of Berberis jaeschkeana Schneid Var. jaeschkeana for the first time. The screening of B. jaeschkeana for its phytochemical constituents showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, saponins reducing sugars and terpenoids. Crude ethanolic extract and different fractions showed good antimicrobial properties. Five compounds isolated for the first time from this plant also showed good antimicrobial properties. Columbamine was found to have excellent antimicrobial properties among all the compounds

Prognostic Significance of Admission CRP Levels as a Predictor of Mortality in Burn Patients

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate CRP's value as a biomarker of mortality in burn victims admitted to a burn unit. Method: This prospective longitudinal observational study investigates the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at admission and mortality in burn patients. Data were collected from 48 patients admitted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital between 16.02.2023 and 15.08.2023, focusing on demographics, burn characteristics, and laboratory findings. The study employed non-probability consecutive sampling and excluded individuals with certain medical histories. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and logistic regression were used to explore the relationship between CRP levels and mortality, considering potential confounders. Results: In a study of 48 burn patients, 87.5% survived, while 12.5% did not. Non-survivors had significantly higher total body surface area burned (41.3% vs 22.7%) and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at admission (23.5 mg/L vs 10.6 mg/L) compared to survivors. Electric and 4th-degree burns, fever at admission was higher, and hospital stays were shorter for non-survivors. No significant differences were found in age and gender. A strong positive correlation was observed between total burn surface area and CRP at admission. Logistic regression revealed significant predictors of mortality, with CRP at admission showing substantial significance (SE = 8.893, p = 0.012, Exp(B) = 1.657, 95% CI [.000, .000]). Conclusions: The results showed that CRP level at admission was a significant predictor of mortality among burn victims. This study concluded CRP levels might be a helpful biomarker for determining the severity of burns and projecting patient outcomes. Future research should address the identified limitations to strengthen the evidence base on CRP's prognostic value in burn injuries

Carbon-Free Energy and Sustainable Environment: The Role of Human Capital and Technological Revolutions in Attaining SDGs

During the time before the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are achieved, the international community has set goals to improve people’s lives worldwide. This is in line with the United Nations’ 2030 ambitions to strengthen and advance human society’s sustainable development. Goal number 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), goal number 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and goal number 13 (Climate Action) are highly correlated to each other. The current study investigates the role of human capital and technological innovation in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) through a carbon-free energy system. A 19-year dataset covering the years 2000−2018 for the G7 economies has been utilized by using the composite index, Multi-criteria decision analysis, and Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) methods. The study’s outcomes indicate that the human capital index and technological innovations contribute positively to SDGs in G7 economies. Both indicators also contribute positively to the carbon-free economy by contributing to carbon-free energy sources. The financial index and energy index results also indicate a positive association with the carbon-free economy in G7 nations. This study suggests policy guidelines for developed as well as for developing economies based on human capital and technological innovation to fulfill the SDGs