Sensitivity Analysis of Basins of Attraction for Nelder-Mead

The Nelder-Mead optimization method is a numerical method used to find the minimum of an objective function in a multidimensional space. In this paper, we use this method to study functions - specifically functions with three-dimensional graphs - and create images of the basin of attraction of the function. Three different methods are used to create these images named the systematic point method, randomized centroid method, and systemized centroid method. This paper applies these methods to different functions. The first function has two minima with an equivalent function value. The second function has one global minimum and one local minimum. The last function studied has several minima of different function values. The systematic point method is a reliable method in particular scenarios but is extremely sensitive to changes in the initial simplex. The randomized centroid method was not found to be useful as the basin of attraction images are difficult to understand. This made it particularly troublesome to know when the method was working effectively and when it was not. The systemized centroid method appears to be the most precise and effective method at creating the basin of attraction in most cases. This method rarely fails to find a minimum and is particularly adept at finding global minima more effectively compared to local minima. It is important to remember that these conclusions are simply based off the results of the methods and functions studied and that more effective methods may exist

Personalized Normative Feedback for College Student Condom Use

Personalized normative feedback (PNF) interventions provide corrective normative feedback and have been found to successfully elicit behavior change (e.g., related to alcohol consumption, gambling). There are no known PNF interventions that explicitly target risky sexual behavior (RSB). PNF interventions have demonstrated significant reductions on drinking outcomes and normative perceptions, highlighting the potential utility of a PNF intervention specifically for RSB. The current study tested the utility of a web-based PNF intervention to correct normative perceptions regarding condom use as well as to increase condom use among college students. A sample of 189 undergraduate students (80.6% female, 62.2% non-Hispanic Caucasian) who reported engaging in intercourse over the past month completed the study online and were randomized to one of two conditions: (1) PNF (n = 95) or (2) attention-control (n = 94). At a one-month follow-up, students reported on their condom use and perception of other students’ condom use. At follow-up, conditions did not significantly differ on norms or condom use. In the PNF condition, students who endorsed lower baseline perceived normative beliefs exhibited significantly greater normative beliefs at follow-up, however students who endorsed lower baseline condom use did not exhibit greater condom use at follow-up. Potential for an iatrogenic effect of the PNF intervention (i.e., a decrease in condom use among individuals whose baseline use was higher than the norm) was evaluated; the overall effect was nonsignificant. Continued research efforts in this area are necessary to identify intervention strategies to best target college student condom use

Development and validation of dissolution method for carvedilol compression-coated tablets

The present study describes the development and validation of a dissolution method for carvedilol compression-coated tablets. Dissolution test was performed using a TDT-06T dissolution apparatus. Based on the physiological conditions of the body, 0.1N hydrochloric acid was used as dissolution medium and release was monitored for 2 hours to verify the immediate release pattern of the drug in acidic pH, followed by pH 6.8 in citric-phosphate buffer for 22 hours, to simulate a sustained release pattern in the intestine. Influences of rotation speed and surfactant concentration in medium were evaluated. Samples were analysed by validated UV visible spectrophotometric method at 286 nm. 1% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) was found to be optimum for improving carvedilol solubility in pH 6.8 citric-phosphate buffer. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference between the results obtained at 50 and 100 rpm. The discriminating dissolution method was successfully developed for carvedilol compression-coated tablets. The conditions that allowed dissolution determination were USP type I apparatus at 100 rpm, containing 1000 ml of 0.1N HCl for 2 hours, followed by pH 6.8 citric-phosphate buffer with 1% SLS for 22 hours at 37.0 ± 0.5 ºC. Samples were analysed by UV spectrophotometric method and validated as per ICH guidelines.O presente estudo descreve o desenvolvimento e a validação de método de dissolução para comprimidos revestidos de carvedilol. O teste de dissolução foi efetuado utilizando-se o aparelho para dissolução TDT-06T. Com base nas condições fisiológicas do organismo, utilizou-se ácido clorídrico 0,1 N como meio de dissolução e a liberação foi monitorada por 2 horas para se verificar o padrão de liberação imediata do fármaco em condições de pH baixo, seguidas por pH 6,8 em tampão cítrico-fosfato por 22 horas, para simular o padrão de liberação controlada no intestino. Avaliou-se a influência da velocidade de rotação e a concentração de tensoativo no meio. As amostras foram analisadas por método espectrofotométrico UV-visível validado, em 286 nm. O laurilsulfato sódico a 1% (SLS) mostrou-se ótimo para aumentar a solubilidade do carvedilol em pH 6,8 em tampão cítrico-fosfato. A análise da variância não mostrou diferença significativa entre os resultados obtidos a 50 e a 100 rpm. O método da dissolução discriminante foi desenvolvido com sucesso para os comprimidos revestidos de carvedilol. As condições que permitiram a determinação da dissolução foram: aparelho USP tipo I a 100 rpm, contendo 1000 mL de HCL 0,1 N por 2 horas, seguido de pH 6,8 com tampão cítrico-fosfato, com 1% de SLS por 22 horas a 37,0 ± 0,5 ºC. Amostras foram analisadas por método espectrofotométrico e validadas pelas normas ICH

An Empirical Analysis of the Linder

This paper presents empirical evidence in support of the Linder theory of international trade for three of the South Asian countries, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. This finding implies that these countries trade more intensively with countries of other regions, which may have similar per capita income levels, as predicted by Linder in his hypothesis. The contribution of this research is threefold: first, there is new information on the Linder hypothesis by focusing on South Asian countries; second, this is one of very few analyses to capture both time-series and cross-section elements of the trade relationship by employing a panel data set; third, the empirical methodology used in this analysis corrects a major shortcoming in the existing literature by using a censored dependent variable in estimation.

Internal Barriers to Customer Relationship Management Implementation

The masters’ thesis analyzed the internal barriers in the success of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in an organization. CRM is not a new thought in business environment and this strategy of managing and retaining existing customers is in use well before the advents of IT. However the need for CRM enhanced due to intense competitive business around the globe and organizations have realized that tremendous cost saving can result from such strategy. Although all things are not rosy and CRM implementation takes a lot of tears and blood as success rate for CRM is not appropriate. Behind the low success rate there are few internal barriers that restricts organizations getting best out of it. These internal barriers include, lack of CRM vision, cultural resistance, lack of ROI calculations and lack of professionalism for CRM. I infer that CRM impacted businesses positively and it has a key to success but a managed approach to CRM implementation, highly committed top management, proper mix of organizational and functional breadth and a vision to evaluate ROI from CRM may be some ways to get best out of it and lacking in all these areas will be a drastic failure

MAPPING THE LINK BETWEEN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AYUBIA NATIONAL PARK KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PAKISTAN

The notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development (SD) has recently gained increased attention in the business and management literature. There has been a growing realization that businesses may contribute to sustainable development by adopting socially responsible practices into their core operations. However, very few studies have explored the relationship between corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in the national parks context, and thus, it lacks empirical validity. To bridge up this knowledge-gap, the current study endeavors to explore the prevailing perceptions of CSR and the relationship between CSR and sustainable development by capitalizing on the Carroll’s (1991) model and Sustainability theory in the context of Ayubia National Park Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews from key stakeholders including wildlife management, local community and tourists. The data was then analyzed through capitalizing on thematic analysis as suggested by Braun and Clarke (2006). The findings revealed that the very conceptualization of CSR is relatively at infant level within the context of Ayubia national Park Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Most of the respondents highlighted the importance of economic and legal responsibilities whereas the ethical and philanthropic responsibilities were ignored. However, in relation to sustainability most of the respondents mentioned that CSR is indeed a significant tool which may lead to sustainable development of the Ayubia National Park. The study nevertheless provides important managerial as well as practical implications for the future endeavors

WORK-LIFE CONFLICT AND FEMALE STAFF TURNOVER INTENTIONS: A CASE OF BANKING INDUSTRY OF PESHAWAR PAKISTAN

Employees’ turnover is a substantial challenge faced by every organization and that of the banking industry is of no exemption. Previous researches primarily focused on investigating the single-level analysis of employees’ turnover intentions in the banking industry of Pakistan, but this study seeks to investigate the multi-dimensional work-life conflict effect on turnover intentions particularly amongst females working at banks of Peshawar. The data gathered through structured questionnaires from a total of one fifty female staff primarily working at private, public, and foreign banks of Peshawar, Pakistan. The study concludes that an increased multi-dimensional effect in terms of social, family and personal life and work-life conflict ultimately leads to the greater female staff’s turnover intentions in banking industry Peshawar. This study proposes some valuable recommendations for human resource managers and policymakers to retain female workers in banks. Â

DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF BUCCOADHESIVE CONTROLLED RELEASE FORMULATIONS OF PROCHLORPERAZINE MALEATE

Objective: The Purpose of this work was to design mucoadhesive tablets of prochlorperazine maleate to release the drug in buccal cavity for an extended period of time in order to avoid the first-pass metabolism.Methods: Six formulations were prepared using different polymer like Xanthan gum, Locust bean gum, Carbopol 974P NF, HPMC K100MCR, Polyox-WSR301 and Gantrez AN139 as a mucoadhesive and controlled release agents. The formulations were tested for content uniformity, thickness, weight variation, friability, in vitro drug release, in-vitro bio-adhesion, swelling index and residence time.Results: Drug excipient compatibility studies performed using DSC. The DSC studies revealed endothermic peak at 200o–205oC for Prochlorperazine maleate. Similarly endothermic peaks were obtained for separate excipient when heated in the range of 50-300 °C indicating their melting points. There was no separate peak observed when the drug was mixed with the different polymers like Xanthan gum, locust bean gum, Carbopol 974 P, HPMC K100 MCR, Gantrez AN139 and Polyox-WSR301 in ratio (1:1) indicating that no interaction took place between drug and polymers used in the study. Dissolution studies of the tablets of the optimized batch (BDS-6) containing Carbopol 974P (CP) and HPMC K100 MCR showed extended release 90.65% up to 24 hr. The bioadhesive force of optimized formulation is 12.18±.011 gm and the maximum swelling index was observed in 3.87±.0057 h.Conclusion: From the study it can be concluded that formulation BDS-6 containing Carbopol and HPMC K100 MCR give a promising result for sustained release action of PrM. Â