Parameters\u27 analysis of 3D random stacking palletization

Palletization is a very important element of production, distribution and warehousing activities. The 3D random stacking palletization method is based on volume utilization instead of surface area optimization. Random stacking provides interlocking among the boxes and hence it improves the stability of the pallet load. Volumetric Pallet Utilization is normally the prime concern of any palletization process, with Work in Process and Palletization time being also important. This research uses data generated from a previous heuristic to establish mathematical relationships between the three mentioned performance indices and also three additional indirect variables, namely: Total Number of Sub Volumes, Partitioned Remaining Volume Load Capacity and Total Zero Count. An Estimation method for Volumetric Pallet Utilization is also developed by using the established mathematical relationships

Development, growth and challenges of Islamic capital markets: comparative insights from the Malaysian, Indonesian, United Arab Emirates and Brunei Markets / Syed Faiq Najeeb and Mirza Vejzagic.

Despite initiatives and discussions in many countries to introduce Islamic capital markets, the share of non-banking assets in the global Islamic finance industry remains small. Islamic banking continues to dominate the Islamic finance portfolio with a gigantic 80.9% contribution towards the total Islamic finance assets as at year end 2011. Based on such statistical reality, one may wonder, what are the current growth and development trends of Islamic Capital Markets (ICMs)? To this end, this paper assesses the development, growth and challenges of Islamic Capital Markets in Malaysia, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, and Brunei and critically analyses the fundamental factors that contribute towards the liquidity, volume and trends of the Islamic Capital Markets in these countries. Using Malaysia as a benchmark, this paper provides a comparative analysis on the performance of the various sectors of Islamic capital markets such as equity markets, debt markets, fund management markets, liquidity markets, etc. amongst the four sample countries. In addition, the paper examines the local authorities‟ initiatives‟ and future plans for firmly establishing Islamic Capital Markets in their jurisdictions and further recommends potential policies that could be introduced to maximize economic gains and societal welfare from Islamic Capital Markets for the Muslim population in general. Overall, the findings from the paper are expected to attract significant interest from Islamic finance stakeholders, in particular to understand how local authorities and other players could possibly be instrumental in shaping the development of Islamic Capital Markets

HIV MORTALITY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE WOMEN

OBJECTIVE In the United States, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be among the top 10 leading causes of mortality for black women between the ages of 20 and 54¹, but does not rank among the top 10 leading causes of death for white women amongst all age groups². This study describes the HIV mortality difference between black and white women and formulate hypotheses that may reduce or eliminate disparities. METHODS Information was accessed through public data, the US Census, and the US Compressed Mortality File. RESULTS In these descriptive data from 1987 through 2015, including reliable HIV mortality rates of both black and white females aged 25 to 64, the HIV mortality difference in black women is 8.2 times greater than that of their white counterparts. The mortality rate of black: white females is 8.7, a number comparable to that of 1997(13.39) a year after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Although the data indicates a decline in the age adjusted mortality rate in HIV among black females, the current rate for black females is at a greater level than that for white female at any point of the epidemic. CONCLUSION These descriptive data demonstrate a large HIV mortality difference between black and white women. The data also demonstrate a small number of communities with low HIV mortality differences among black/African American women. Their characteristics may provide clinical and public health insights to reduce these higher mortality differences in the black female population of the United States. Analytic epidemiologic studies are necessary to test these hypotheses

Does a held-to-maturity strategy impede effective portfolio diversification for Islamic bond (sukuk) portfolios? A multi-scale continuous wavelet correlation analysis

The Islamic bonds or sukuk market is one of the fastest growing segments of the nearly US$2trillion global Islamic finance industry. However, lack of trading in secondary sukuk markets is a peculiar feature in this sector and both institutional and retail sukuk investors are known to adopt a held-to-maturity investment strategy. Consequently, there is a critical gap in literature in studying the portfolio diversification opportunities available to sukuk investors and evaluating these in the light of held-to-maturity strategies. This paper (using recently available data and continuous wavelet transform methodologies) has made an initial attempt to study the portfolio diversification strategies for Islamic bond (sukuk) portfolios across heterogeneous investment horizons using the Malaysian and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sukuk markets as a case study. Our findings critically indicate that returns between local currency sukuk in different markets have low levels of long-term correlations, thus enabling portfolio diversification benefits. However, international currency sukuk issued in different markets exhibit high levels of long-term correlations which impede portfolio diversification benefits for held-to-maturity investments. A similar impediment is also witnessed in the domestic market context where diversification is intended by investing in different types of domestic sukuk. Overall, our findings critically highlight the feasibility of held-to-maturity sukuk investment strategies from a portfolio diversification perspective

Does a held-to-maturity strategy impede effective portfolio diversification for Islamic bond (sukuk) portfolios? A multi-scale continuous wavelet correlation analysis

The Islamic bonds or sukuk market is one of the fastest growing segments of the nearly US$2trillion global Islamic finance industry. However, lack of trading in secondary sukuk markets is a peculiar feature in this sector and both institutional and retail sukuk investors are known to adopt a held-to-maturity investment strategy. Consequently, there is a critical gap in literature in studying the portfolio diversification opportunities available to sukuk investors and evaluating these in the light of held-to-maturity strategies. This paper (using recently available data and continuous wavelet transform methodologies) has made an initial attempt to study the portfolio diversification strategies for Islamic bond (sukuk) portfolios across heterogeneous investment horizons using the Malaysian and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sukuk markets as a case study. Our findings critically indicate that returns between local currency sukuk in different markets have low levels of long-term correlations, thus enabling portfolio diversification benefits. However, international currency sukuk issued in different markets exhibit high levels of long-term correlations which impede portfolio diversification benefits for held-to-maturity investments. A similar impediment is also witnessed in the domestic market context where diversification is intended by investing in different types of domestic sukuk. Overall, our findings critically highlight the feasibility of held-to-maturity sukuk investment strategies from a portfolio diversification perspective

Anti-hyperglycemic activity of Heliotropium strigosum (Boraginaecae) whole plant extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

Purpose: To investigate Heliotropium strigosum whole plant extract for its potential to reduce the blood glucose level of alloxan-induced diabetic mice.Methods: Preliminary phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard  procedures. Diabetes was induced in Balb/c mice by injecting alloxan (200 mg/kg i.p.). The crude methanol extract of Heliotropium strigosum (Hs.Cr, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg doses) was administered daily to alloxan-induced diabetic mice for 15 days and its effect on fasting blood glucose levels, body weight and oral glucose tolerancewas evaluated. Two control groups (non-diabetic control and diabetic control)  received normal saline (0.2 ml). Metformin (500 mg/kg) was used as reference standard.Results: Heliotropium strigosum showed positive for the presence of alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids. The extract (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) caused significant reduction in the fasting blood glucose level of alloxan-induced diabetic mice on days 5, 10 and 15 compared to diabetic control (p < 0.001). In this regard, the  anti-hyperglycemic effect compared to the reference (metformin). The extract also timedependently decreased the body weight of the treated animals as well as improved tolerance of the oral glucose overload.Conclusion: These results indicate that Heliotropium strigosum possesses  anti-hyperglycemic effect, reduces body weight and enhances the tolerance of  glucose overload in mice. Further studies are therefore required to determine its  feasiilty as an alternate herbal medicine in the management of diabetes in humans.Keywords: Heliotropium strigosum, Anti-hyperglycemic, Alloxan-induced diabetic mice, Blood glucose, Oral glucose tolerance, Body weigh

Perception and Facts Regarding Electroconvulsive Therapy at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a treatment method based on the induction of a generalized convulsion in patients after stimulation of the brain tissue with an electric current. ECT is widely used in United States as endorsed by American Psychiatric Association (APA, 2009) and has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for certain psychiatric disorders (APA, 2001). ECT is demonstrated to have a property of mood stabilization that is considered superior to pharmacotherapy in the management of several psychiatric disorders such as depressive episode, manic episode as well as mixed episode in bipolar affective disorder (Medda, Tony & Perugi, 2014). Administration of ECT provides a quick therapeutic response as compared to psychotropic medications. Neuroplastic changes are visible even after a single electroconvulsive stimulation (Sadock & Ruiz, 2009). About each neurotransmitter system is influenced by ECT comprising serotonergic, muscarinic, adrenergic, dopaminergic and cholinergic systems (Anttila et al., 2008).   Administration of ECT Appropriate equipment to monitor vital signs of the patient and to provide initial medical emergency cover are available at the areas of ECT treatment and recovery. Any optimal site of treatment has separate facilities of waiting area to have ECT done, treatment area where ECT is conducted and recovery area where post-treatment monitoring is done (APA, 2001). Some important equipment includes stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, pulse oximetry, electrocardiographic device and system of oxygen delivery in the vicinity of treatment area where ECT is delivered (McCall, Andrade & Sienaert, 2014). None of the patients is treated with ECT without his or her written informed consent that includes the understanding of patient about the process and effectiveness of ECT as well as his or her commitment on compliance (Mankad, 2015). Besides the informed consent, vital stability and fundoscopy of the patient are some of the prerequisites to be ensured before the administration of ECT.   Previous research indicates that a combination of ECT and the maintenance medication is highly effective as compared to medication alone (McCall, 2018). For the treatment of residual symptoms of the patient, to help him or her cope with stress effectively and to encourage the patient to return to his or her normal life, psychotherapy is quite helpful including individual therapy, family therapy or group therapy (Sackeim, 2001).     Mechanism of ECT The treatment of certain psychiatric disorders by using Electroconvulsive Therapy was introduced in 1938 for the first time (UKECTRG, 2003). Since then, it has been considered as an effective treatment for certain psychiatric disorders (Pagnin et al, 2004) as evidenced by extensive research (Kho et al, 2003). Ladislas Meduna is recognized as the inventor of ECT (Meduna, 1935). During the course of ECT, certain changes in chemical composition of the brain takes place that helps in treatment of certain psychiatric disorders (Meduna, 1936). Many theories regarding the mechanism of ECT has been devised over 75 years of research on ECT (Rasmussen, 2009). In a study of 1979, these theories about mechanism of action in ECT were categorized into structural, psychological, electrophysiological and biochemical domains (Fink, 1979). Recent concept about mechanism of ECT include advanced technologies to investigate morphological changes at cellular level termed as ‘neuroplasticity’ for animal studies and ‘neural connectivity’ for human studies (Bouckaert, 2014).   &nbsp

Mucosal genomics implicate lymphocyte activation and lipid metabolism in refractory environmental enteric dysfunction

Background & aims: Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) limits the Sustainable Development Goals of improved childhood growth and survival. We applied mucosal genomics to advance our understanding of EED.Methods: The Study of Environmental Enteropathy and Malnutrition (SEEM) followed 416 children from birth to 24 months in a rural district in Pakistan. Biomarkers were measured at 9 months and tested for association with growth at 24 months. The duodenal methylome and transcriptome was determined in 52 undernourished SEEM participants and 42 North American controls and celiac disease patients.Results: After accounting for growth at study entry, circulating IGF-1 and ferritin predicted linear growth, whereas leptin correlated with future weight gain. The EED transcriptome exhibited suppression of antioxidant, detoxification, and lipid metabolism genes, and induction of anti-microbial response, interferon, and lymphocyte activation genes. Relative to celiac disease, suppression of antioxidant and detoxification genes and induction of anti-microbial response genes were EED-specific. At the epigenetic level, EED showed hyper-methylation of epithelial metabolism and barrier function genes, and hypo-methylation of immune response and cell proliferation genes. Duodenal co-expression modules showed association between lymphocyte proliferation and epithelial metabolic genes and histologic severity, fecal energy loss, and wasting (weight-for-length/height Z\u3c-2.0). Leptin was associated with expression of epithelial carbohydrate metabolism and stem cell renewal genes. Immune response genes were attenuated by giardia colonization.Conclusions: Children with reduced circulating IGF-1 are more likely to experience stunting. Leptin and a gene signature for lymphocyte activation and dysregulated lipid metabolism are implicated in wasting, suggesting new approaches for EED refractory to nutritional intervention

Machine learning model demonstrates stunting at birth and systemic inflammatory biomarkers as predictors of subsequent infant growth - A four-year prospective study

Background: Stunting affects up to one-third of the children in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs) and has been correlated with decline in cognitive capacity and vaccine immunogenicity. Early identification of infants at risk is critical for early intervention and prevention of morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate patterns of growth in infants up through 48 months of age to assess whether the growth of infants with stunting eventually improved as well as the potential predictors of growth.Methods: Height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) of children from Matiari (rural site, Pakistan) at birth, 18 months, and 48 months were obtained. Results of serum-based biomarkers collected at 6 and 9 months were recorded. A descriptive analysis of the population was followed by assessment of growth predictors via traditional machine learning random forest models.Results: Of the 107 children who were followed up till 48 months of age, 51% were stunted (HAZ \u3c - 2) at birth which increased to 54% by 48 months of age. Stunting status for the majority of children at 48 months was found to be the same as at 18 months. Most children with large gains started off stunted or severely stunted, while all of those with notably large losses were not stunted at birth. Random forest models identified HAZ at birth as the most important feature in predicting HAZ at 18 months. Of the biomarkers, AGP (Alpha- 1-acid Glycoprotein), CRP (C-Reactive Protein), and IL1 (interleukin-1) were identified as strong subsequent growth predictors across both the classification and regressor models.Conclusion: We demonstrated that children most children with stunting at birth remained stunted at 48 months of age. Value was added for predicting growth outcomes with the use of traditional machine learning random forest models. HAZ at birth was found to be a strong predictor of subsequent growth in infants up through 48 months of age. Biomarkers of systemic inflammation, AGP, CRP, IL1, were also strong predictors of growth outcomes. These findings provide support for continued focus on interventions prenatally, at birth, and early infancy in children at risk for stunting who live in resource-constrained regions of the world

Promising biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction: a prospective cohort study in Pakistani children.

Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED), a syndrome characterized by chronic gut inflammation, contributes towards stunting and poor response to enteric vaccines in children in developing countries. In this study, we evaluated major putative biomarkers of EED using growth faltering as its clinical proxy. Newborns (n = 380) were enrolled and followed till 18 months with monthly anthropometry. Biomarkersassociated with gut and systemic inflammation were assessed at 6 and 9 months. Linear mixed effects model was used to determine the associations of these biomarkers with growth faltering between birth and 18 months. Fecal myeloperoxidase (neutrophil activation marker) at 6 months [β = -0.207, p = 0.005], and serum GLP 2 (enterocyte proliferation marker) at 6 and 9 months [6M: β = -0.271, p = 0.035; 9M: β = -0.267, p = 0.045] were associated with decreasing LAZ score. Ferritin at 6 and 9 months was associated with decreasing LAZ score [6M: β = -0.882, p \u3c 0.0001; 9M: β = -0.714, p \u3c 0.0001] and so was CRP [β = -0.451, p = 0.039] and AGP [β = -0.443, p = 0.012] at 9 months. Both gut specific and systemic biomarkers correlated negatively with IGF-1, but only weakly correlated, if at all with each other. We therefore conclude that EED may be contributing directly towards growth faltering, and this pathway is not entirely through the pathway of systemic inflammation