Microfinance as Business

We analyze microfinance institutions (MFIs) as businesses, asking how some succeed in covering costs, earning returns, attracting capital, and scaling up. We draw on existing literature and interviews with industry players and academics. Key microfinance business challenges include building volume, keeping loan repayment rates high, retaining customers, and minimizing scope for fraud. Since the 1970s, microfinance innovators have developed clever solutions to these problems. Some have built huge organizations that serve thousands or millions of clients and have demonstrated an impressive capacity for change—in countries, to boot, with weak infrastructure and human capital. The individual innovations have spread both through a Darwinian process of selection and through cultural diffu-sion. We examine three kinds of determinants of commercial success: product design, management, and environmental factors such as regulation. We conclude that much about how microfinance is de-livered can be understood as responses to business imperatives. Indeed, the discoveries of techniques for cost-effective microfinance delivery are the real genius of microfinance, rather than the "discovery" that the poor can repay that dominates its public image. But by Occam's razor (simpler explanations are more plausible), the power of commercial imperatives to explain so many product design choices weakens an alternative explanation for them, namely that they are made primarily to help clients. These doubts point up the need for more rigorous impact evaluations of microfinance.microfinance

Energy Conservation Techniques to Mitigate the Power Shortage Problem in Pakistan (Case Studies)

The main objective of this research paper is to show benefits of different energy conservation techniques. As a first case study, I performed analysis on University of Gujrat, electrical power system. This case study involves analysis of motors and tube lights installed at the pumping stations and in Engineering Block of UOG respectively, with the help of energy analyzer before and after the installation of required rating capacitors. Power system analysis also done which includes power distribution system losses for example line losses and copper losses of different rating transformers of UOG. Cost and payback period calculation had been done. Second case study is performed on 11 KV Ali Park and Rachna Town feeders to show fruitful results obtained by implementing rehabilitation techniques on the above said feeders. The results showed by adopting energy conservation techniques not only energy is conserved, it also brings other benefits

Implementation of Nanogrids for Future Power System

Microgrid is a new technology in power generation and this system is used to provide power and heat to its local area, such as cogeneration systems and renewable energy (wind turbines, photovoltaic cells, etc.). They are preferred for medium or high power applications. Nanogrid most likely to be used in small local loads for rural area as they will be more economic then the normal grid power system. Nano grids can operate independently or be connected to the mains and most likely the internal voltage can be utilized as ac or dc. In this research paper a small scale microgrid system is proposed for smart homes called "Nanogrid". Each houses have small electrical power system from them can be shared among houses. If it uses a DC system instead of a general AC system, it can reduce energy loss of inverter because each generator doesn’t need an inverter. Furthermore, it can continue to provide a power supply when blackout occurs in the bulk power system. A model of a nanogrid is developed to simulate the operation of the centralized power control. Finally a Simulink model is presented for small houses power range 90-285 KW

Effect of cooling on the performance of photovoltaic panel under enhanced illumination: A short review * Corresponding author;Prof

Abstract An attempt has been made to presents a short review of various cooling methods and their effects on the performances of the photovoltaic systems when these are exposed to enhanced illumination. It is generally observed that when the solar cells work under enhanced illumination (generally May and June month) it experiences both short term and long term degradation,(efficiency loss and irreversible damage respectively) because of far more increase in the operating temperature. This incremented temperature can be reduced by applying any one of the appropriate cooling method. Cells under high level of insolation need more efficient cooling system for the better performance. Cooling affects both electrical and thermal performances of the photovoltaic system. In this paper authors review different designs of hybrid PVT system and finds that further research is required for better design and the improvement in the efficiency of the system along with the reduction in the cost. Keywords: Enhanced illumination; photovoltaic; Active and Passive cooling system; Thermal and Electrical efficiencies. 1.Introduction Photovoltaic Cell converts incoming solar radiation into electricity, but full spectrum of solar radiation is not converted into electricity due to the band gap of solar cell materials (i.e. silicon poly-crystalline, amorphous).So the unwanted solar radiation(like UV and IR) enhanced the solar cell operating temperature, due to which the performance of solar cells affected considerably and electrical efficiency of the pv system falls down. To increase the efficiency of the pv system, it is necessary that the pv system should work at lower temperature, but it is not possible when it is exposed to concentrated sunlight so for the reduction of temperature, cooling of the pv system is required which can be done by coupling it with the heat extraction unit that is called as hybrid photovoltaic thermal system or PV/T system. The main purpose of the heat extraction unit is to extract heat from the photovoltaic system and lower its operating temperature. In PV/T system applications, the production of electricity is our priority, and it is found that a PV system in Southern India will have a maximum system voltage that is lower than the same system in northern India (with the same materials) because of the higher temperatures in southern India and PV panels are more efficient at lower temperatures. Extensive research has been carried out by various researchers in designing and optimizing hybrid photovoltaic system for its commercialization. H. Zondag, M. Jong and W. Helden[1] analyzed several concept of PVTs like sheet-and-tube constructions vs channel construction also added a secondary absorber beneath the PV. A. Hegazy[2] used air cooled PVT systems for evaluating and comparing the performances. He designed four models for extracting the heat in which air flow over the absorber (I), under the absorber (II), on both sides of the absorbers in a single pass (III) and double pass (IV) were included. It was observed that the efficiencies of models II-IV were very similar and better than model I. Arvind Tiwari, M.S. Sodha, Avinash[3] Chandra and J.C. Joshi.studied the performance of panel with an air duct. They found that the experimental results are similar to the predicted results. The results show that a flow rate of about 2m/s, a lenght of ~3 m and a duct depth of 0.03-0.06m produced the optimal efficiency. Kalogirou [4] has studied experimentally an unglazed hybrid PVT system under the force mode of operation for climatic condition of Cyprus. He observed an increase in the mea

Obstetric patients in intensive care unit: Perspective from a teaching hospital in Pakistan

Objective: Review of obstetric cases admitted to the intensive care unit.Design: Ten year retrospective review of individual patients\u27 medical records.Participants: Records of obstetric patients admitted from 2005-2014.Setting: Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi.Main outcome Measures: Diagnosis at the time of admission, associated risk factors, and intervention required aspects of management and rate of mortality.Findings: A total of 194 obstetric patients were admitted out of which 86.2% of patients had ventilator support. Mortality was not seen to be significantly associated with parity and antenatal/postnatal status. The median age of patients was 34 years, minimum length of stay was 24 hours and maximum stay was 53 days. Sixty one percent of patients were admitted to with organ system failure. The overall mortality rate was 21.64% (42/194). The mortality rate was five times more likely in patients who had gastro-intestinal complication {Odds Ratio=4.87; 95%CI: 1.65-14.36}. The largest group of patients {28.4%} presented with hematological diagnosis.Conclusion: When the intensive care unit admission became essential, primary diagnosis included: postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, sepsis and infectious diseases. An increased vigilance of high-risk pregnant women and a stabilization of their condition before intervention is administered, improves the outcome of these women

Gastroprotective effects of aquous solution: Acacia catechu on gastric mucosal injury in experimental albino rats model

Background: Around the globe, acid peptic disease and its potential complications are among the major cause of morbidity and is a significant burden on health system. Till now, the main stay of treatment are the pharmaceutical agents which decrease the secretion of acid. But these have potential complications and tolerability issues. Among such plants one is Acacia catechu commonly available in India and Pakistan.Methods: This experimental study involved 48 albino rats that were divided into four groups. Group A, B, C, and D were given water, 100mg aspirin, 100 mg aspirin+ 250 mg Acacia catechu and 100 mg aspirin+500 mg Aacacia catechu respectively, and were sacrificed on day 3, 7 and 14th day of study and observed for changes.Results: Difference between blood vessels in subgroup B1 and subgroup C1 with subgroup D1 was statistically significant (p=0.05) and (p=0.001). Group C1 and D1 had normal vessels in mucosa and submucosa. However, dilatation of blood vessels was noted in both groups receiving Acacia catechu along with ASA.Conclusions: Aqueous extracts of Acacia catechu stem and bark showed significant anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities by increasing blood flow to the stomach

Application of glucose oxidase for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation

The present study deals with the application of glucose oxidase (GOX) for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation method. It provides a method for the conversion of glucose into gluconic acid and its derivatives using the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOX). Due to the presence of calcium carbonate in fermentation medium the gluconic acid is converted into calcium gluconate. Conditions like concentration of substrate, temperature, pH, fermentation period and different phosphate sources were optimized during fermentation. The maximum GOX activity was observed at 35°C (pH 5.5) after 44 h of incubation at 100 rpm. At the maximum enzyme activity, the percentage yield of gluconates are also maximum; both go side by side. Sulphuric and oxalic acids method were employed for the production of gluconic acid. Derivatives of gluconic acid that is, calcium lactate gluconate, sodium gluconate, potassium gluconate, zinc gluconate and copper gluconate were formed by using double displacement and direct methods. The direct method gave the better yield. The percentage yields were 73, 89.63, 81.93, 92.86 and 81.53%, respectively. Keywords: Glucose oxidase (GOX), metal gluconate, double displacement

Wandering Spleen: A Rare Condition with Splenic Torsion and Infarction in an Elderly Patient

Ectopic spleen or wandering spleen is an uncommon presentation in which the spleen’s anatomical location is different from its fixed position in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, due to the absence of the typical peritoneal attachments; the spleen is more mobile inside the abdomen. Congenital or acquired conditions are the cause of this anomaly, which could ultimately result in torsion and splenic infarction. Less than 0.2% of wandering spleen cases are reported annually, making it a rare clinical manifestation. Splenic vascular pedicle torsion can result in complications that can cause symptoms of an acute abdomen as a result of ischemic necrosis of the spleen. Computed tomography and ultrasonography with Doppler or CEUS are essential for accurate diagnosis due to the vague clinical signs and potential complications. This case involves a 70-year-old elderly woman who complained of extreme abdominal pain and vomiting for three days. On physical examination, a tense right lower quadrant lump was palpated, when she visited the emergency room. An urgent CT scan was done for the acute abdomen which revealed torsion of the splenic pedicle in a wandering spleen

Analyzing molecular signatures in preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction: Identifying key genes, pathways, and therapeutic targets for preterm birth

Background:Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PE) are intricately linked with specific maternal health conditions, exhibit shared placental abnormalities, and play pivotal roles in precipitating preterm birth (PTB) incidences. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the association between PE and IUGR has not been determined. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the data of females with PE and those with PE + IUGR to identify the key gene(s), their molecular pathways, and potential therapeutic interactions.Methods:In this study, a comprehensive relationship analysis of both PE and PE + IUGR was conducted using RNA sequence datasets. Using two datasets (GSE148241 and GSE114691), differential gene expression analysis via DESeq2 through R-programming was performed. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed using ClusterProfiler, protein‒protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed, and cluster analyses were conducted using String and MCODE in Cytoscape. Functional enrichment analyses of the resulting subnetworks were performed using ClueGO software. The hub genes were identified under both conditions using the CytoHubba method. Finally, the most common hub protein was docked against a library of bioactive flavonoids and PTB drugs using the PyRx AutoDock tool, followed by molecular dynamic (MD) simulation analysis. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed to determine the ADMET properties of the compounds using pkCSM.Results:We identified eight hub genes highly expressed in the case of PE, namely, PTGS2, ENG, KIT, MME, CGA, GAPDH, GPX3, and P4HA1, and the network of the PE + IUGR gene set demonstrated that nine hub genes were overexpressed, namely, PTGS2, FGF7, FGF10, IL10, SPP1, MPO, THBS1, CYBB, and PF4. PTGS2 was the most common hub gene found under both conditions (PE and PEIUGR). Moreover, the greater (−9.1 kcal/mol) molecular binding of flavoxate to PTGS2 was found to have satisfactory pharmacokinetic properties compared with those of other compounds. The flavoxate-bound PTGS2 protein complex remained stable throughout the simulation; with a ligand fit to protein, i.e., a RMSD ranging from ∼2.0 to 4.0 Å and a RMSF ranging from ∼0.5 to 2.9 Å, was observed throughout the 100 ns analysis.Conclusion:The findings of this study may be useful for treating PE and IUGR in the management of PTB

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy