Rhesus and kell phenotyping of voluntary blood donors: foundation of a donor data bank

OBJECTIVE: To assess the Rhesus (Rh) and Kell (K) phenotype of voluntary blood donors and lay foundation of a data bank of voluntary blood donors. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Blood Bank, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, in the year 2014. METHODOLOGY: Voluntary blood donors were inducted after taking written informed consent. Three -5cc of EDTA anticoagulated blood sample was taken to phenotype red cells for C, c, E, e, and Kell antigens using antisera. [DiaMedSwitzerland]. RESULTS: Hundred blood donors were included in the study. ABO blood groups of the donors were: O [37%], B [31%], A [21%] and AB [11%]. Ninety-seven percent were Rh D positive while 3% were Rh D negative; \u27e\u27 antigen had the highest frequency [99%], while \u27E\u27 antigen was the least frequent [19%]. The most common probable Rh phenotype was R1R1 ((DCe/DCe) in 44 [44%]. In the Kell system, all the donors [100%] had phenotype of K-k+. CONCLUSION: The most common blood group was O +ve. The pattern of Rhesus antigen expression and phenotype found in this study was concordant to that reported previously from Asia. However, there was a much lower frequency of K antigen

Towards more general constitutive relations for metamaterials: A checklist for consistent formulations

When the period of unit-cells constituting metamaterials is no longer much smaller than the wavelength but only smaller, local material laws fail to describe the propagation of light in such composite media when considered at the effective level. Instead, nonlocal material laws are required. They have to be derived by approximating a general response function of the electric field in the metamaterial at the effective level that is accurate but cannot be handled practically. But how to perform this approximation is not obvious at all. Indeed many approximations can be perceived and one should be able to decide as quick as possible which of these possible material laws are mathematically and physically meaningful at all. Here, at the example of a second order Padé approximation of the general response function of the electric field, we present a checklist each possible constitutive relation has to pass in order to be physically and mathematically liable. As will be shown, only one out of these nine Padé approximations passes the checklist. The work is meant to be a guideline applicable to decide which constitutive relation makes actually sense at all. It is an essential ingredient for future research on composite media as any possible constitutive relation to be discussed should pass it

IMPACT OF INSTANTANEOUS CONTROLLED PRESSURE PROP (DIC) TECHNOLOGY ON EXTRACTION OF TOTAL PHENOLS OF MOROCCAN SALVIA OFFICINALIS

The main objective of this study was to intensify the extraction of total phenols from Salvia officinalis L. using instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) as a texturing pre-treatment. The effect of solvent type on Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was also studied. TPC was determined using spectrophotometric Folin-Ciocalteau method and external calibration with Gallic acid. The obtained results showed that water was the most efficient solvent to extract total phenols from Salvia officinalis L. Moreover, texturing and expansion by DIC pretreatment had a great impact on polyphenol yields and revealed greater extraction kinetics. Likewise, drying kinetics of DIC-treated sage was enhanced compared to the raw material. DIC-assisted extraction can be considered as a promising technology to use in the case of the Moroccan Salvia officinalis L. as an important Mediterranean source of natural phenols

Risk Factors Leading to Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to find out the risk factors leading to meconium aspiration syndrome in patients having meconium-stained amniotic fluid. METHODOLOGY This comparative study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Hayatabad Medical Complex from January 2022- June 2022. All patients admitted to the labour ward with the diagnosis of meconium-stained liquor (MSL) were included in the study through a convenient sampling technique. Patients were divided into two groups, group 1 having only meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) without meconium aspiration syndrome while group 2 having babies with the diagnosis of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Both groups were compared for different risk factors for the development of MAS. Differences in the risk factors between the two groups were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation with a p-value of <0.05 considered significant. SPSS vs 20 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS 84 patients were included in the study, i.e., 61 in group 1 and 23 in group 2. The mean age of the patients was 25± 3.45. The frequency of meconium-stained amniotic fluid was 3.83%. Meconium aspiration syndrome developed in 23 babies out of 84 MSAF deliveries (27.38%). Low APGAR score (< 0.00), patients handled outside the hospital (<0.001) and prolonged second stage (0.003) were significant risk factors for the development of MAS. CONCLUSION In the prolonged second stage, patients handled outside the hospital by unauthorized personnel and low APGAR score at birth were statistically significant risk factors for developing meconium aspiration syndrome

L'influence de l'innovation managériale sur l'adoption des pratiques socialement responsables : Cas des entreprises du Maroc

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become crucial for companies amidst changing societal expectations. The increasing social and environmental concerns have pushed businesses to integrate sustainability into their managerial innovation processes. As companies face this challenge, researchers must focus on exploring the influence of managerial innovation on business performance, competitiveness, and meeting CSR and sustainability norms. Managerial innovation has emerged as a differentiator for companies, enabling them to outperform their peers in an increasingly competitive environment. It is crucial to develop innovative practices that can help companies to improve their long-term competitiveness and performance. However, the literature often neglects the link between managerial innovation and CSR. According to certain research results, managers need to take responsibility for managing human resources and innovators' developments to establish desirable CSR behaviors. Our study evaluated the influence of managerial innovation on CSR practices in 46 Moroccan companies. The researchers have confirmed that managerial innovation is positively correlated with implementing multiple pillars of CSR. Therefore, companies that promote an innovative and responsible culture have a higher chance of implementing CSR practices. It is worth noting that companies must realize the positive influence of managerial innovation on their long-term competitiveness and performance, and it plays a vital role in meeting society's expectations for CSR and sustainability. Accordingly, companies must integrate CSR practices into their overall strategy, considering the potential influence on their business operations and reputation. CSR practices and innovation can be instrumental in increasing business resilience, creating new revenue streams, and attracting more socially responsible consumers. Emphasizing managerial innovation can help companies create a competitive edge over their peers and emerge as sustainability and social responsibility leaders.   Keywords: Managerial innovation, CSR, CSR approach JEL Classification : M14, O35, Q56. Paper type: Empirical researchLe monde change, tout comme les attentes de la société envers les entreprises. Acceptant ce nouveau défi, les entreprises doivent incorporer des considérations sociales et environnementales dans leurs processus d'innovation managériale pour satisfaire aux exigences de durabilité. C'est la raison pour laquelle, les chercheurs doivent se concentrer davantage sur l'innovation managériale. Ils doivent explorer son influence sur la performance, la compétitivité des entreprises, ainsi que leur capacité à répondre aux exigences sociales en matière de RSE et de durabilité. L'innovation managériale est un facteur de différenciation pour les entreprises dans un contexte de plus en plus concurrentiel. Les entreprises qui réussissent à développer des pratiques innovantes peuvent améliorer leur performance et leur compétitivité à long terme. Bien que cruciale pour les entreprises, son lien avec la RSE est souvent ignoré dans la littérature. Cependant, selon les résultats de certaines recherches, elle peut être associée à des comportements de RSE grâce à une gestion responsable des ressources humaines et la protection des avancements des innovateurs. Cette étude se focalise sur l'évaluation de l'influence de l'innovation managériale sur l'adoption des pratiques socialement responsables des entreprises du Maroc. En analysant les données recueillies auprès de 46 entreprises marocaines, les chercheurs ont confirmé que l'innovation managériale était corrélée avec la mise en place de nombreux piliers RSE. Cela signifie que plus une entreprise a une culture d'innovation managériale, plus elle a de chances de mettre en place de pratiques RSE. Finalement, il est important que les entreprises prennent conscience de l'influence positive que peut avoir l'innovation managériale sur leur performance et leur compétitivité, ainsi que son rôle dans la satisfaction des attentes de la société en matière de RSE et de durabilité.   Mots clés : Innovation managériale, RSE, démarche RSE Classification JEL :  M14, O35, Q56. Type de l’article : Recherche appliqué

Prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence among females after normal vaginal delivery

Background: Urinary Incontinence is the most common disorder associated with women after vaginal delivery due to the weakening of pelvic floor muscles. More than 50% of females experience urinary incontinence. It is defined as the involuntary leakage of urine. The condition is common not only in older women but also in young nulliparous women. Objective: The key objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of Urinary Incontinence after normal vaginal delivery. Method: The study was Cross-sectional and there were 160 participants in the study. The study was conducted at the Physical Therapy department and Gynaecology Ward of Fauji Foundation and Geo hospital Lahore. The data was collected from women who had delivered between the ages of 20-40 years. The data collection was done by using Incontinence Severity Index that was used as primary outcome measure. Results: A total of 160 responses were received, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among respondents, females in the age group of 20-25 had a rate of urinary incontinence with 31.3 percent. Results showed that females in the age group of 25-30 had high BMI and had a high rate of urinary incontinence with the range of 61.3 percent. As result, there was a positive correlation of urinary incontinence between age and score that ranged from 0.185. There was a positive correlation of urinary incontinence between the score and BMI that ranged between 0.174. Conclusion: This analysis revealed that there was a high prevalence rate of urinary incontinence among females after delivery that had a correlation with age

Sectoral CO2 emissions in China: asymmetric and time-varying analysis

Today, China is the second-largest, fastest -growing economy in the world. This study analyzes asymmetric and time-varying impact of world energy prices (including world energy prices index, world coal prices, world crude oil prices and world natural gas prices) on China’s CO2 emissions. We used a non-linear ARDL (NARDL) model and wavelet analysis using monthly data from 1992 to 2017. The results based on the NARDL estimate show that world energy prices have an asymmetric impact on CO2 emissions. However, the results of wavelet pairwise correlation and wavelet-transform coherence suggest that the relationship between world energy prices and CO2 emissions differs over time and across sectors (i.e. short-term, medium-term, long-term and very long-term). Evidence suggests that ignoring fundamental non-linearities can lead to misleading outcomes. Such empirical results are expected to have a high importance for the efficient design and implementation of world energy prices and Chinese environmental policies

Patient with Purulent Pericardial Effusion Revealing Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma

Bacterial pericarditis is a rapidly progressive infection sown with heavy mortality. It usually occurs as a secondary infection to either a contiguous or hematogenous spread from a distant focus of infection. The primary involvement of the pericardium without evidence of underlying infection disease elsewhere, is sporadic. We present a unique case of a 69 -year-old patient who was diagnosed as having purulent acute bacterial pericarditis caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, revealing an underlying squamous cell lung carcinoma in the cardiology department of IBN ROCHD University hospital of Casablanca