Application of the cascaded multilevel inverter as a shunt active power filter

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Effects of Foreign Banks Presence on Emerging Economies: Evidence from Tanzania

Foreign banks presence has increased rapidly since 1990 where emerging economies lifted restrictions in their financial systems. Currently the ownership of foreign banks in many developing countries is more than 50%. Academically the positive effects of foreign banks participation are widely accepted in these emerging markets. However unlike studies of foreign investment in real sectors, little has been done to understand the negative effects from foreign banks to domestic banks and society in general. The importance of such understanding is crucial, especially after the break out of the global financial crisis and pandemic Covid 19 which raises certain concerns regarding the market – driven model of these emerging markets. The paper highlights this trend and survey the existing literature in order to explore the effects of foreign banks presence in emerging economies paying particular attention to Tanzania banking sector. It has been observed that; Competition and efficiency, stability and access to credits are among the effects that have been influenced by foreign banks participation. The descriptive results also revealed that foreign banks perform better in term of ROA and ROE than domestic banks in Tanzania during 2017 – 2021, but the performance of foreign banks is unstable and risky as compared to domestic banks. Keywords: Foreign banks presence, Domestic banks, Emerging Economies, Return on Asset, Return on Equity. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/14-12-04 Publication date:June 30th 202

THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS ON THE INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING IN THE LIBYAN BANKING SECTOR: MODERATING EFFECT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

For several decades, a lot of research has been carried out on the quality, methods and significance of internet financial reporting. However, most of the prior studies on IFR were declined towards exploratory and descriptive methods. Hence, the studies failed to explained technology factors empirically in terms of technology resources, human resources and users’ readiness towards IFR. Therefore, this study empirically examines the influence of technological factors on the IFR with the moderating effect of corporate governance. Data were collected from the users of internet financial reporting using clustered and simple random sampling. Meanwhile, 212 questionnaires were retrieved that represent 53% response rate. The data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings showed that technology factors (users’ readiness, technology and human resources) have statistically significant relationship with internet financial reporting of Libyan Banking Sector. This indicates that users’ readiness, human resources and technology resources are the predictor for internet financial reporting. Base on the moderating effect, it was revealed that corporate governance only moderates the relationship between users’ readiness and internet financial reporting. The results of our survey indicate continued progress in the area of corporate reporting over the Internet. Almost all the companies considered in this study have a section within their Website, which is used to present financial information. The study recommend that stakeholders must consider the factors analyzed in this study for more effective use of internet financial reporting most especially in Libyan Banking Sector.JEL: G21; O14; O15  Article visualizations

CFD Simulations and Experimental Observation for Air-Water Two-phase Flow in a Vertical Pipe

Air-water two-phase flow development in a vertical pipe has been investigated through service of experiments and simulations in this research. Differential Pressure Transducers (DPTs) and Wire Mesh sensors (WMSs) are used to monitor the two-phase flow in a vertical pipe of 67 mm inlet diameter and 7000 mm length. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) is used to evaluate the experiments of the air-water flow in the vertical pipe using a volume of fluid (VOF) model. The operating conditions cover a range of inlet air superficial velocities from 0.05 to 5 m/s. The inlet water superficial velocity remains constant at 0.2m/s and 0.4 m/s for all experiments. The results show that the bubbly flow is noted at low superficial velocities of gas, slug flow is observed at the moderate flow rates of gas, while the churn flow pattern is observed at high rates of gas. There is no significant effect when the Usl changed from 0.2 m/s to 0.4 m/s on the vertical flow lines. Pressure drop is recorded and compared with the CFD simulations. The CFD results are over estimation compared with the experimental pressured drop with maximum absolute error of 21% at Usl of 0.2 m/s and 25% at Usl 0.4 m/s

Epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis in the Middle East and north Africa: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis in the Middle East and north Africa is poorly understood. We aimed to provide a comprehensive epidemiological assessment of C trachomatis infection in the Middle East and north Africa. METHODS: We did a systematic review of C trachomatis infection as well as a meta-analysis and meta-regression of C trachomatis prevalence. We searched PubMed and Embase, as well as regional and national databases up to March 13, 2019, using broad search terms with no language or year restrictions. Any document or report including biological measures for C trachomatis prevalence or incidence was eligible for inclusion. We extracted all measures of current (genital or rectal), recent, and ever infection with C trachomatis. We estimated pooled average prevalence in different populations using random-effects meta-analysis. Factors associated with prevalence and sources of between-study heterogeneity were determined using meta-regression. FINDINGS: We identified a total of 1531 citations, of which 255 reports contributed to 552 C trachomatis prevalence measures from 20 countries. No incidence measures were identified. Pooled prevalence of current genital infection was 3·0% (95% CI 2·3-3·8) in general populations, 2·8% (1·0-5·2) in intermediate-risk populations, 13·2% (7·2-20·7) in female sex workers, 11·3% (9·0-13·7) in infertility clinic attendees, 12·4% (7·9-17·7) in women with miscarriage, 12·4% (9·4-15·7) in symptomatic women, and 17·4% (12·5-22·8) in symptomatic men. Pooled prevalence of current rectal infection was 7·7% (4·2-12·0) in men who have sex with men. Substantial between-study heterogeneity was found. Multivariable meta-regression explained 29·0% of variation. Population type was most strongly associated with prevalence. Additional associations were found with assay type, sample size, country, and sex, but not with sampling methodology or response rate (about 90% of studies used convenience sampling and >75% had unclear response rate). There was no evidence for temporal variation in prevalence between 1982 and 2018. INTERPRETATION: C trachomatis prevalence in the Middle East and north Africa is similar to other regions, but higher than expected given its sexually conservative norms. High prevalence in infertility clinic attendees and in women with miscarriage suggests a potential role for C trachomatis in poor reproductive health outcomes in this region. FUNDING: National Priorities Research Program from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation)

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

HAVE THE AUDITORS’ POLICIES AND PRACTICES AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INFLUENCED THE INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING? - AN INSIGHT FROM LIBYAN BANKING SECTOR

The use of internet for financial reporting has grown increasingly to the extent that many firms have designed a website for publication of their financial data. Many organizations have accepted the internet as a useful tool for informing prospective and existing investors of the financial performance of the companies. However, it has been reported that the internet financial reporting creates several challenges for the companies and their auditors as well as the regulators. Therefore, this study examines the impact of auditors’ policies and practice factor; corporate governance practices and technology factors towards internet financial reporting in the Libyan banking sectors. Data were collected from the users of internet financial reporting using systematic random sampling. Meanwhile, 194 questionnaires were used for further analysis represent 65% response rate. The data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM). The findings indicated that auditors’ policies and practices; technology factors and corporate governance have statistically significant influence on internet financial reporting of Libyan Banking Sector. This indicates that auditors’ policies and practices; corporate governance and technology factors are the predictor for internet financial reporting. The results of study also indicate continued progress in the area of corporate reporting over the Internet. Almost all the companies considered in this study have a section within their website, which is used to present financial information. The study also recommended that the required expertise from the company needed to keep information updated to be of use with adequate security of information on the website. Finally, Libyan auditors should face the challenges of internet financial reporting as soon as possible, because their clients use the internet for their financial reporting purposely to serve the stakeholder interest. JEL: M40; G34; G21  Article visualizations