Globalisation, Liberalisation, and Equitable Growth: Lessons from Contemporary Asian Experience

Since the beginning of the 1980s the less developed countries (LDCs) have been getting integrated with the global economy at a rapidly accelerating rate. The impetus for the process came from the need to make adjustment in the unsustainable imbalance in the external account that most of these countries experienced in the aftermath of the oil shocks of the 1970s and the declining demand for their exports due to the recession in the OECD countries during the 1980s. Many of these countries had to subject themselves to structural adjustment programmes at the behest of the multilateral donor agencies, led by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, who emphasised the urgency of reforming the protectionist trade regimes of these countries. Simultaneously, these countries came to realise the inefficiency of resource use fostered by their past strategy of import-substituting industrialisation (ISI) characterised by a trade and investment regime that enshrined overvalued exchange rates, quantitative import controls, high and non-uniform rates of effective protection, discrimination against export and strong impediments to foreign direct investment. The reform programme that these countries gradually implemented during the 1980s and the early 1990s dismantled many of the components of the ISI strategy. The extent of dependence on quantitative import controls was sharply curtailed. The exchange rate came to be increasingly determined by market forces. The rates of tariff were brought down. The discrimination against exports, relative to import substitutes, was reduced. There was also a sharp reduction in restrictions to which foreign direct investment had been subjected in the past.

Prediction distribution for linear regression model with multivariate Student-t errors under the Bayesian approach

[Abstract]: Prediction distribution is a basis for predictive inferences applied in many real world situations. It is a distribution of the unobserved future response(s) conditional on a set of realized responses from an informative experiment. Various statistical approaches can be used to obtain prediction distributions for different models. This study derives the prediction distribution(s) for multiple linear regression model using the Bayesian method when the error components of both the performed and future models have a multivariate Student-t distribution. The study observes that the prediction distribution(s) of future response(s) has a multivariate Student-t distribution whose degrees of freedom depends on the size of the realized sample and the dimension of the regression parameters’ vector but does not depend on the degrees of freedom of the errors distribution

Globalisation, Liberalisation, and Equitable Growth: Lessons from Contemporary Asian Experience

Since the beginning of the 1980s the less developed countries (LDCs) have been getting integrated with the global economy at a rapidly accelerating rate. The impetus for the process came from the need to make adjustment in the unsustainable imbalance in the external account that most of these countries experienced in the aftermath of the oil shocks of the 1970s and the declining demand for their exports due to the recession in the OECD countries during the 1980s. Many of these countries had to subject themselves to structural adjustment programmes at the behest of the multilateral donor agencies, led by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, who emphasised the urgency of reforming the protectionist trade regimes of these countries. Simultaneously, these countries came to realise the inefficiency of resource use fostered by their past strategy of import-substituting industrialisation (ISI) characterised by a trade and investment regime that enshrined overvalued exchange rates, quantitative import controls, high and non-uniform rates of effective protection, discrimination against export and strong impediments to foreign direct investment

Plastic Antibodies for the detection of Bacterial Proteins and Microorganisms

El diagnosi de moltes malalties és de vital importància per proporcionar el tractament adequat i per tant per controlar les necessitats de salut públiques. Els mètodes estàndard que es fan servir per confirmar la presència de microorganismes consisteixen típicament en l’ús de mètodes de cultiu específics per multiplicar, separar, identificar i comptar les bactèries. La durada d’aquests processos depèn del microorganisme en concret, però en molts casos un resultat confirmatori pot tardar entre uns pocs dies o inclús vàries setmanes. Un dels principals objectius en aquesta àrea és la detecció ràpida de microorganismes, d’una forma acurada i barata. Els polímers d’impremta molecular (PIMs) ofereixen una alternativa robusta i econòmica als anticossos naturals, però encara es requereix el seu desenvolupament pel reconeixement de molècules de gran mida. En aquesta tesi presentem diferents polímers d’impremta molecular amb l’objectiu de desenvolupar una nova aproximació per detectar proteïnes de la superfície de bactèries i microorganismes, aproximació basada en anticossos artificials utilitzats en la construcció de dispositius portàtils i econòmics. Aquests objectius generals s’assoleixen implementant una sèrie d’objectius específics: i. desenvolupament d’un camí simple per la construcció d’anticossos artificials utilitzant processos d’impremta molecular, ii. aplicació d’impedimetria, voltametria d’ona quadrada i potenciometria com a tècniques de detecció conjuntament amb una capa sensora formada per polímers d’impremta molecular, iii. ús d’elèctrodes comercials i de fabricació casolana per la detecció electroquímica en la cerca de dispositius portables i d’un sol ús, iv. impressió molecular i detecció de proteïnes de superfície de bactèries i/o microorganismes.La diagnosis de muchas enfermedades es de vital importancia para proporcionar el tratamiento adecuado y por lo tanto para el control de las necesidades de salud públicas. Los métodos estándar utilizados en la confirmación de la presencia de microorganismos consisten típicamente en el uso de métodos de cultivo específicos para multiplicar, separar, identificar y contar las bacterias. La durada de estos procesos depende del microorganismo en concreto, pero en muchos casos se necesitan entre pocos días o incluso varias semanas para tener una confirmación del resultado. Uno de los principales objetivos en esta área es la detección rápida de microorganismos, de una forma fiable y barata. Los polímeros de impronta molecular (PIMs) ofrecen una alternativa robusta y económica a los anticuerpos naturales, pero aún se requiere su desarrollo para el reconocimiento de moléculas de elevado tamaño. En esta tesis presentamos diferentes polímeros de impronta molecular con el objetivo de desarrollar una nueva aplicación para detectar proteínas de la superficie de bacterias y microorganismos, aproximación basada en anticuerpos artificiales utilizados en la construcción de dispositivos portátiles y económicos. Estos objetivos generales se consiguen implementando una serie de objetivos específicos: i. desarrollo de un camino simple para la construcción de anticuerpos artificiales utilizando procesos de impronta molecular, ii. aplicación de impedimetría, voltamperometría de onda cuadrada y potenciometría como técnicas de detección conjuntamente con una capa sensora formada por polímeros de impronta molecular, iii. uso de electrodos comerciales y de fabricación casera para la detección electroquímica en la búsqueda de dispositivos portátiles y de un solo uso, iv. impresión molecular y detección de proteínas de superficie de bacterias y/o microorganismos.The diagnosis of most illnesses is of vital importance for providing the appropriate cure and hence controlling public health concerns. The standard methods that are used to confirm the presence of microorganisms typically consist of specific enrichment media to multiply, separate, identify and count bacterial cells. The duration of the process depends on the microorganism, but in most cases a confirmatory result can take from a few days to even weeks. One of the major objectives in this area is to detect microorganisms quickly, accurately and cheaply. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer in principle a robust, cost-efficient alternative to natural antibodies, but it is still a challenge to develop such materials for large molecule recognition. In this thesis we present a variety of molecular imprinting approaches with an aim to develop a new approach for detecting bacterial surface proteins and microorganisms based on artificial antibodies for the construction of label-free and cost-effective portable devices. These general objectives are achieved by implementing a series of specific objectives: i. development of an easy pathway to make artificial antibodies by molecular imprinting process, ii. application of impedimetry, square wave voltammetry and potentiometry as detection techniques using molecularly imprinting polymers as the sensing layer, iii. use of homemade and commercially available screen-printed electrodes for the electrochemical detection of targets in the search for disposable and portable devices iv. electrochemical imprinting and detection of bacterial surface proteins and/or microorganisms

A SHORT REVIEW OF URINARY SYMPTOMATOLOGY- GRECO ARAB MEDICINE

Greco Arab physicians have explained diseases as well as their signs and symptoms. They have documented the importance of urinary Symptomatology in diagnosis of disease and other conditions of body. They have classified the symptoms on the basis of time period, temporary or permanent etc. They discussed the factors affecting the urine presentation related to urinary tract condition. Symptomatology related to urine available in the Greco Arab classical books were being surveyed. After extensive review of literature, it was found that; Unani physicians were very much familiar to diseases of urinary tract and their signs and symptoms. Urine Symptomatology is very important aspect of medical science; every physician must know the presentation of diseases to make good differential diagnosis, right diagnosis and treatment.                                 Peer Review History: Received 31 December 2019;   Revised 22 January; Accepted 3 March, Available online 15 March 2020 Academic Editor: Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia,  Indonesia, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 4.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Adebayo Gege Grace Iyabo, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, [email protected] Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, [email protected] Similar Articles: BIOFILM FORMATION AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF UROPATHOGENS IN PATIENTS WITH CATHETER ASSOCIATED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN IBB CITY -YEME

Comparison of Crushed-Zone Skin Factor for Cased and Perforated Wells Calculated with and without including a Tip-Crushed Zone Effect

A number of different factors can affect flow performance in perforated completions, such as perforation density, perforation damage, and tunnel geometry. In perforation damage, any compaction at the perforation tunnels will lead to reduced permeability, more significant pressure drop, and lower productivity of the reservoir. The reduced permeability of the crushed zone around the perforation can be formulated as a crushed-zone skin factor. For reservoir flow, earlier research studies show how crushed (compacted) zones cause heightened resistance in radially converging vertical and horizontal flow entering perforations. However, the effects related to crushed zones on the total skin factor are still a moot point, especially for horizontal flows in perforations. Therefore, the present study will look into the varied effects occurring in the crushed zone in relation to the vertical and horizontal flows. The experimental test was carried out using a geotechnical radial flow set-up to measure the differential pressure in the perforation tunnel with a crushed zone. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software was used for simulating pressure gradient in a cylindrical perforation tunnel. The single-phase water was radially injected into the core sample with the same flow boundary conditions in the experimental and numerical procedures. In this work, two crushed zone configuration scenarios were applied in conjunction with different perforation parameters, perforation length, crushed zone radius, and crushed zone permeability. In the initial scenario, the crushed zone is assumed to be located at the perforation tunnel’s side only, while in the second scenario, the crushed zone is assumed to be located at a side and the tip of perforation (a tip-crushed zone). The simulated results indicate a good comparison with regard to the two scenarios’ pressure gradients. Furthermore, the simulations’ comparison reveals another pressure drop caused by the tip crushed zone related to the horizontal or plane flow in the perforations. The differences between the two simulations’ results show that currently available models for estimating the skin factor for vertical perforated completions need to be improved based on which of the two cases is closer to reality. This study has presented a better understanding of crushed zone characteristics by employing a different approach to the composition and shape of the crushed zone and permeability reduction levels for the crushed zone in the axial direction of the perforation

Bromelain capped gold nanoparticles as the novel drug delivery carriers to aggrandize effect of the antibiotic levofloxacin

To develop bromelain capped gold nanoparticles (BRN capped Au-NPs) as the effective drug delivery carriers of the antibiotic levofloxacin (LvN) and evaluate antibacterial potential of its bioconjugated form compared to pure LvN. BRN capped Au-NPs were synthesized by in vitro method and bioconjugated to LvN using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-carbodiimide as activator to form Au-BRN-LvN-NPs. These were characterized for mean particle size by dynamic light scattering analysis, zeta potential by Zetasizer nanosystem analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on carbon coated TEM copper grids by TEM respectively. Drug loading efficiency of LvN was calculated using UV-visible spectroscopy by standard curve of pure LvN. Antibacterial efficacy of Au-BRN-LvN-NPs and pure LvN was determined by evaluating minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus and Eschereschia coli.Two peaks were observed in Au-BRN-LvNNPs spectrum one at 307 nm and other at 526 nm while one peak in BRN capped Au-NPs at 522 nm during UV spectroscopy suggesting red shift. The drug loading efficiency of LvN was found to be 84.8 ± 2.41 %. The diameter of Au-BRN-LvN-NPs and BRN capped Au-NPs were found to be (58.65 ± 2 nm, 38.11 ± 2 nm), zeta potential (-9.01 mV, -13.8 mV) and surface morphology (~13.2 nm, 11.4 nm) respectively. The MICs against S. aureus and E. coli were found to be (0.128 μg/mL, 1.10 μg/mL) for Au-BRN-LvN-NPs and (0.547 μg/mL, 1.96μg/mL) for pure LvN. The results suggested that BRN capped Au-NPs can be used as effective drug delivery carriers of the antibiotic LvN. The Au-BRN-LvN-NPs exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity compared to pure LvN alone

Visual Twin for Pipeline Leak Detection

We describe a visual digital twin system to allow for both operation and training of a data-driven pipeline leak detection system. We show system design in terms of its data inputs and the software system which incorporates this data in real time. This system allows visualization of pipeline data and machine learning-driven leak detection in a pipeline sitting in a subsea context. The intended purpose of the system is to both train operators of the leak detection system in its use and also provide high situational awareness to those tasked with monitoring pipeline deployments. The visual digital twin system uses gaming engine technology to achieve high visual quality. We also construct a novel software system enhancement to incorporate live data streams into the gaming engine environment. This allows real-time driving of gaming engine visualization elements with which we may augment the gaming engine environment. In terms of visualization, we focus on addressing problems of large ranges of multiple scales and providing high situational awareness which minimize operator fatigue and cognitive load. We show how multiple camera views in combination with a convenient user interface can help to address these issues. We demonstrate a digital twin system for leak detection. We show its realtime operation in a gaming engine environment with the ability to instantaneously incorporate outside data sources into the visualizations. We demonstrate using simulated pipeline flow data from sensors such as pressure, temperature, etc. This is visualized in the context of a subsea pipeline on a sea floor. Given the large range of scales, we demonstrate how we can view both the full kilometer scale pipeline and smaller subsections in the context of specific sensor data streams. The overall system demonstrates a novel combination of advanced software systems which incorporates real-time data stream with visualization using a high-fidelity gaming engine. The data used represents a leak detection scenario where both operator training and situational awareness are key desired outcomes