Bank sector crisis across the globe is largely blamed on the joint effort of bank liquidity and bank credit risks. And so, the twin concepts of liquidity and credit risks have come under keen academic scrutiny, especially in investment finance. Contributing to the extant literature on these developments, secondary data were obtained from the websites of nine banks in Ghana, spanning 2008 to 2018, to determine how liquidity and credit risks separately and interactively impact bank stability in Ghana. Analysis of data was done using a panel regression through the fixed effects model after running the Hausman Test. The study confirms an inverse liquidity risk-bank stability relationship, emphasising the need to channel idle funds into interest-earning securities to consolidate bank profits. Although a further revelation suggests an insignificant negative relationship between credit risk and bank stability, it re-echoes the need to implement policy recommendations made by the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions’ ACT 2016 (ACT 930), section 62 of Ghana, on the threshold to lend funds to clients. The bank-size-stability relationship was positive. Increasing bank size through establishing more branches nationwide is encouraged but to a precautionary level since banks tend to suffer diseconomies of large scale operations due to unregulated expansion. There is the need to observe the Basel III provisions on maintenance of a 30-day optimum liquidity threshold of up to 100% and above. Besides, banks should tighten up their credit requirements and also ensure loan repayments history is monitored to benefit clients who are in good standing.
Urolithiasis has been a common problem for centuries and has a high recurrence. This review covers the forty-nine (49) antiurolithiatic plants of the family Lamiaceae used in 11 countries. Hopefully, this review will be helpful for the general public and attract the scientific world for antiurolithiatic drug discovery.
In April 2020, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested immediate withdrawal of all prescription and over the counter ranitidine products. Ranitidine recalled due to the presence of unacceptable level of carcinogenic substance N-nitosodimethylamine (NDMA). Several pharmaceutical manufacturers have issued ranitidine product recalls including brand and generic ranitidine. FDA alerts patients to stop using ranitidine and advised to talk with their health care professional about alternative treatments. In Libya, limited studies have been conducted to address people awareness and knowledge in this regard. The objective of this study was to assess people's awareness and behavior towards ranitidine recall and related issues. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Zawia city for two months. Online questionnaire was distributed to 300 participants. Descriptive statistics analysis using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was used. The study found that more than half of the participants and their family member were likely to utilize ranitidine inappropriately. They seem to consume ranitidine more often without medical consultation. The findings also showed that 82.5% of the participants that were using ranitidine obtained the drug from pharmacies after the date of announcing ranitidine withdrawal from the market by FDA. Furthermore, the vast majority of the participants were poorly informed or even they had no information about ranitidine toxicity and their perception of the dangers of continue use of this drug is limited. The participants argued that pharmacists do not provide slightly information about dispensed ranitidine. In conclusion, all results reported as benefits of the participants in the study whereas the participant's perception and awareness increased when a brief notification regarding the reason of ranitidine toxicity was provided.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
The application of clinical pharmacokinetic is the responsibility of all pharmacists providing pharmaceutical care. An appropriately applied clinical pharmacokinetic is expected to result in improved patient outcomes: decreased mortality, reduced length of treatment, reduced length of hospital stays and cost-savings. Data on the extend of pharmacokinetic application in Libyan hospitals remain scarce but available subjective evidence suggests that services related to clinical pharmacokinetic are mostly provided and performed by professionals other than clinical pharmacists. To explore the training background and perceptions of pharmacists on the pharmacokinetic course contents they received during their undergraduate pharmacy programs. Also, to determine the attitudes and barriers experienced by the pharmacists when applying pharmacokinetic principles in their current practice. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study that was conducted between July 2018 and November 2019 using a self-administered survey. The study targeted hospital pharmacists practicing in different hospitals in Libya. A total of 104 pharmacists completed the questionnaire and submitted it back. The majority of participants learned pharmacokinetic courses as a mandatory course during undergraduate courses 81.0% with 37.0% selecting that course was taught as a separate course or courses. Around 80.0% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that pharmacokinetic courses received in undergraduate studies are useful in pharmacy practice with over 75.0% of the participants agreeing or strongly agreeing on relevance of those course to their current clinical practice. About 40.0% of the participants described their current skills in allowing optimal patient care as can be better. Different barriers were highlighted by the participants to allow sufficient clinical pharmacokinetic practice including lack of sufficient information, lack of awareness of pharmacists’ role and skills in applying clinical pharmacokinetic by other pharmacists and by other health care providers. Thus, this study shows that most practicing pharmacists showed a positive attitude of current pharmacokinetic practice and to the impact of their undergraduate studies on their successful practice. However, they have clearly addressed the room for improvement.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
The Cellular Manufacturing is adopted in batch type manufacturing industries nowadays for their production with increased productivity, less cost and time with effective control. The proposed optimization model is used to determine the cost of machine cells, i.e., machine duplication, part subcontract, inter intra cellular movements cost and cost of production associated with machine cell, such as machine reconfiguration and part inventory considering machine flexibility for various time periods. Initially, a mathematical model is proposed to calculate machine cell cost with and without considering machine flexibility, and then another lpp integer model is proposed to calculate the machine cell production and associated cost for the changes in the time period, part type, and volume considering machine flexibility. The manufacturing data in the incidence matrix and machine cell, and part family data in the block diagonal form are given as input to the optimization programming language Cplex and the output is given for the two mathematical models. The data relating to machine duplication, part subcontract, inter intracellular movement; machine reconfiguration, and part inventory are given. Two-dimensional shop floor layouts are presented in rectilinear coordinates for all the problems for easy analysis of material movement length and shop floor area
A short review on the multi-use of this ancient herb, German Chamomille. Presented is a synthetic route to azulene, its most bioactive principle (antioxidant, disinfectant, wound-healing, antibacterial).
The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacovigilance by healthcare professionals in Benghazi. A structured questionnaire adapted from a previous validated study. One hundred questionnaires were distributed in August 2019 and filled by healthcare providers working at different hospitals in Benghazi, Libya. Participants were 57% physicians and 43% pharmacists (age average 31-40 years). 47% had correctly defined Pharmacovigilance while 19% know what is meant by adverse drug reactions. Moreover, 61% of the participants did not share information about raising adverse drug reactions in some patients with other healthcare professionals. 35% of them did not know about the adverse drug reactions reporting system in Libya. Whereas, 42% have strongly agreed that reporting adverse drug reactions is essential. 41% and 45% of participants believed that reporting adverse drug reactions is not time-consuming and increases patient safety, respectively. In conclusion, educational programs and training courses about the importance of Pharmacovigilance for physicians and pharmacists in Benghazi are needed.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Anemia, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are common blood disorders. The role of vitamin D was agreed to be regulating in calcium and phosphate absorption and bone metabolism and its deficiency is observed as a crucial nutritional problem. Vitamin D is created under the skin by ultraviolet light. It is usually get vitamins from the food; however, in the case of vitamin D, there simply are not enough rich food sources for people to get adequate amounts in their diet. Its effects on the prevention of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and anemia has received much attention recently. To get sufficient vitamin D, need to be exposed to sunshine or use supplements. Vitamin D3 was found in the largest population as a deficiency. With regard to hemoglobin was the subject whom has less normal range of hemoglobin (19.05%) than international normal range, and in ferritin the low population number was the subject whom has less normal range of ferritin than WHO normal range. The population who has low ferritin also has low vitamin D3 and variable hemoglobin. According international guidelines, optimizing nutrition with daily or intermittent (1 to 3 times per week) iron supplementation, should be considered a first-line intervention in high-risk or high-prevalence groups. Although it is probably less effective than daily iron supplementation, intermittent iron appears to be a useful and cost effective way of controlling anemia and iron deficiency anemia. This may indicate that a positive relation between the low concentration parameter of vitamin D3 and ferritin level but no significant correlation with hemoglobin.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Abstract Abundant solar energy is freely available almost round the year in India. As per the current scenario of global warming and climatic change, solar energy is the cleanest source in nature. Concentrated solar power (CSP)has hardly contributed to the overall installed solar power capacity in the country. CSP technologies are Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC), Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR), Paraboloid Dish and Solar Power Tower. This paper presents a review of CSP in solar parabolic dish concentrator to understand thermal aspect like thermal efficiency, optical efficiency, useful heat gain, heat losses, solar irradiation, etc. for various applications and current development. The current scenario of global CSP is discussed to meet the future challenges and need of the society.
The motto behind the keenness of urban areas has become unmistakable in current cities because of the rise of installed and associated shrewd gadgets, frameworks, and innovations. It is possible to connect every object to the Internet. As a result, in the impending Internet of Things era, the “Internet of Vehicles-IoV” will play a critical role in newly developed dazzling urban communities. The IoV can possibly address different traffic and street wellbeing issues successfully to forestall deadly crashes. In any case, a specific test of IoV, particularly in “Vehicle-to-Vehicle” as well as “Vehicle-to-Infrastructure” communications, guarantees quick, in order to transmit securely and exact performance of the information. The above effort is modifying Blockchain innovation for continuous application called RTA to meet “Vehicle-to-Every thing-V2x” communications problems in order to overcome these challenges. As a result, the main goal of the study is to develop a Blockchain-based IoT framework for establishing communication security and creating a completely decentralized computing platform. Research methodology used here is divided into two major sections. In the part 1 presented below, authors discuss the traceability and optimization over Merkle trees. The second section deals with implementing an actual blockchain with our optimized Merkle tree as the underlying technology to represent a distributed trust based ledger.
This paper aims to explore the supporting and inhibiting factors in the effort to integrate character education in akidah akhlak subjects at MIN 11 Aceh Tenggara. This study uses a qualitative method with a narrative approach and data collection techniques of interview, observation, and documentation; then, the data is analyzed using the methods developed by Miles and Huberman, namely data reduction, data presentation, and data verification. This study shows that the supporting factor for integrating character education in aqidah moral learning at MIN 11 Aceh Tenggara is the availability of learning media in the form of focus and Madrasah residents who work together to supervise all students, both outside and inside the Madrasah environment. The inhibiting factors are the limitations of Madrasah infrastructure in the form of no mosque or prayer room, family support, and social media and games that have an influence on student character.
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared by the World Health Organization as a pandemic on 11th March, 2020 which spread rapidly all over the world. COVID-19 disease has different clinical presentations, ranging from asymptomatic to severe symptoms. Laboratory findings are important in determining which therapeutic strategies to seek and to identify severe cases initially. In this study, we compared the results of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, blood electrolytes and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration between survivors and non-survivors of 22 Libyan patients with COVID-19 present in the intensive care unit at Maitika Isolation Center (Tripoli, Libya) in the period of January to June 2021. We could not detect any significant difference in C-reactive protein between survivors and non-survivors but a significant difference in D-dimer level was observed. Non-survivor COVID-19 patients have a higher level of D-dimer. Moreover, a statistical significant difference in chloride and sodium levels but not in potassium level were detected. A marked lower of mean corpuscular hemoglobin in non-survivor than survivor COVID-19 patients was shown. Thus, these parameters could act as biomarkers for COVID-19 patients.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
When mental health experts provide information to courts on the results of a risk assessment conducted on a defendant or patient, they engage in “risk communication.” We examined the effects of four different forms of risk communication (prediction, categorical, risk factors/risk management, or hybrid) on judges’ (n = 253) perceptions of risk assessment evidence introduced in a case where they must decide whether to release from the hospital an individual found not guilty by reason of insanity. Judges who received information in the risk factors/risk management form were more likely to release the patient than were those who received prediction-based or categorical risk information. Judges with greater experience hearing cases involving risk assessment evidence were also more likely to release. Moreover, judges who had positive attitudes towards risk assessment and social science evidence in general, were more likely to find the risk assessment evidence introduced in the particular case to be understandable, relevant, and dispositive. Implications of the results for how mental health experts communicate risk information to the courts are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
During the last two decades, the concept of Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) has been evolved to find solution to the requirement of improving mechanical properties and reducing structural weight of elemental components of aircraft structures. In this work FML is prepared using Al 2024 by placing alternately with glass/carbon/aramid Fibres. From experimental results of FML shows greater advantage in mechanical properties then aluminium monolithic layer and this composite fibre laminates individual. The FMLs tested in this work were made of 3 layers of 2024 T3 aluminium alloy 0.28 mm thickness and fibre mats. The 5-3/2 laminates of size 300x300 mm with 3 mm thick were prepared using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) in cold compaction and test specimen were cut by using abrasive water jet machining as per ASTM Standards. The adhesion between fibre and metal layer will play a major role in strength of FML. By keeping this in consideration FMLs were prepared without blow holes and capable of withstanding delamination while preparing specimens through water jet and during various tests employed. The fracture surfaces of destructed specimens are studied with help Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image. Similarly, the numerical simulation of all the tests were done using Ansys APDL 10.0 Software. It is observed that aramid FML have substantially stronger in longitudinal directions. Hence, more priority given in this paper to investigate tensile strength and fatigue life of aramid FML.
The purpose of the study was explored to find out the land and aquatic plyometric training on vital capacity among college men athletes. For the purpose of the study, forty five (n=45) men college athletes from Pudukkottai, Tamilnadu, India during the year 2019-2020 were selected as subjects. Their ages were from 18 to 21 years. The selected participants were divided at random into three groups of fifteen each (n=15). Group-I underwent land plyometric training, group-II aquatic plyometric training, and group-II acted as control group. The duration of the training period was restricted to eight weeks and the number of sessions per week was confined to five. The selected variable vital capacity was assessed by wet spirometer. The data were collected prior to and immediately after the training period of twelve weeks. The data obtained from the experimental groups before and after the experimental period were statistically analyzed with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Whenever the ‘f’ ratio for adjusted post test means was found to be significant, the scheffe’s post hoc test was applied to determine the paired mean differences. The level of confidence was fixed at 0.05 level for all the cases. The results of the study showed that aquatic plyometric training group is better than land plyometric training group and control group on improving vital capacity.
The most important factor that affects the crop production in terms of nutritional content of foliar plants is the global climate change. Herbivore’s growth, development, survival and geographical distribution all are determined by elevated CO2 and temperature. The interactions between herbivores and plants have changed due to increasing level of CO2 and temperature. The effect of high CO2 and temperature on grain legume plant which change in to plant physiology (e.g., nutritional content, foliage biomass) and how it change in herbivory metabolism rate and food consumption rate. Plant injury is determined by two factors viz. resistance and tolerance and both are influenced by greater CO2 and temperature. Legumes are an important source of food and feed in the form of proteins and also improve the soil environment. The repercussions of the abiotic factors mentioned above needs discussion among the scientific community. We may able to limit the negative repercussions of stated factors in future breeding projects by harnessing the practical favourable impacts and by including such influences of elevated CO2 and temperature on pulses productivity. The extensive research is necessary to overcome the negative effects of high CO2 and temperature on insect-plant interaction
Lycium schweinfurthii is a shrub belonging to the Solanaceae family which widely grows in North Africa and Mediterranean regions. The plant leaves have traditionally been used for gastrointestinal diseases as peptic ulcer in Libya. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Lycium schweinfurthii extract on the central nervous system in mice including anticonvulsant, antidepressant and muscle relaxant activities. The methanolic extract was prepared by fractionation technique. Albino male mice weighing 22 ± 2.0 gm were used and equally divided into equal number and weight for each experiment (n = 6). The best effective pharmacologically dose of 400 mg/kg, i.p. of the methanolic extract was selected to explore the anticonvulsant activity for picrotoxin-induced convulsion in mice (5.0 mg/kg), antidepressant activity of forced swimming test of depression and muscle relaxant action by motor coordination test of hanging wire. Fluoxetine (10.0 mg/kg), imipramine (15.0 mg/kg) and diazepam (5.0 mg/kg) were used as reference compounds. Lycium schweinfurthii extract exhibited a significant prolonged delay in the onset time of induced convulsion and significant decrease in the frequency of convulsion as well as a significant decrease in the duration time of attacks. Pretreatment with flumazenil (2.0 mg/kg) was found to increase the frequency and duration of convulsions without profound change in the onset time produced by Lycium schweinfurthii. For antidepressant activity, the plant leave extract significantly decreased immobility time duration without a muscle relaxant effect. The results suggest that the methanolic extract of Lycium schweinfurthii leave has anticonvulsant and antidepressant-like activities without any muscle relaxant effect in mice. Thus, Lycium schweinfurthii may have a neuropharmacological potential use in human.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a microangiopathic thrombotic disease, which is classified into atypical, typical, and secondary types. Thrombocytopenia, acute kidney failure, and hemolysis are the main features of HUS regardless of its type. Infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli causes typical HUS, and gene mutations trigger atypical HUS, while secondary HUS is associated with bone marrow transplantation, autoimmunity, cancer, and other diseases. New insights into the pathogenesis of HUS have emerged over the past decades, suggesting an important role of the complement system in disease pathogenesis, which has been reinforced by the efficacy of plasma exchange and monoclonal antibodies in its treatment. In this review, we performed an updated review of HUS with a focus on understanding its pathogenesis.
Postpartum depression is a major maternal health problem after childbirth. It can start at any time within the first year after delivery and continue for several years. It is characterized by an inability to experience pleasure, anxiety symptoms, panic attacks, spontaneous crying and depressed mood. Some women with postpartum depression even have thoughts of harming their child and self-harm. The aim of this study is to find out the status of postpartum depression and the associated factors among postnatal mothers at first-, fourth- and sixth-month. This study is a prospective descriptive study, carried out in three major health facilities in Misurata. This study consists of three-part questionnaire. Part 1 covers demographic characteristics of the participants, while part 2 explores the associated risk factors according to the variables used. Part 3 constitutes for the psychological evaluation of the participants. Hundred mothers (age are between 15 and 43 years) were enrolled in this study. The findings revealed that prevalence of depression is 60% and 22% are suffering from borderline depression. Development of depression was strongly correlated with the sleeping disturbances, state of the neonate after birth, excess consumption of stimulants, less weight acceptance by mothers during pregnancy and infant illness. There was a weak relation between depression and delivery state, maternal admission to hospital during current pregnancy, and infant gender dissatisfaction. No correlation was found with development of depression regarding miscarriage, maternal medical problems after delivery, previous child sex, maternal age, education, parity or neonate weight. Thus, this study shows that a chance of having miscarriage and unhealthy neonate increases with advanced maternal age. It also shows that caesarean section is associated with bad neonatal outcomes, more weight gain and having gestational diabetes or preeclampsia during pregnancy. Maternal sleeping problems are more pronounced in the first month, attributing for the baby care, compared with fourth and sixth months. The study indicates that depression is a common state of psychiatric disorders among Libyan women and should have an appropriate attention by physicians and gynecologists.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Ketorolac tromethamine, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was formulated into mucoadhesive films to overcome the limitations in the currently available dosage and routes of administration which in sequence will increase patients’ compliance. Films were cast from organic and aqueous solvents using various bioadhesive polymers namely: HPMC E-15, Eudragit RLPO, Eudragit RSPO, Carbopol 934P. The prepared films were subjected to investigation for their physical and mechanical properties, swelling behaviors, in vitro bioadhesion, drug permeation via bovine buccal mucosa, and in vitro drug release. These properties were found to vary significantly depending on the preparation methods, the type of the polymers, and the ratio of addition of both plasticizers (i.e. polyethylene glycol and film forming agent. Formulation F4 is selected for best formulation because it shows the 98.85% drug release at time 6 hr. In addition, this film was subjected to in vitro and in vivo release. The obtained results indicate that the concentration of ketorolac in the oral cavity was maintained above 4.0 µg/ml for a period of at least 6 h. This film shows promising results for using the ketorolac mucoadhesive route of administration topically and systemically, and thus it will be subjected to clinical evaluation in future work.
Université Nazi Boni
Central Council For Research In Unani Medicine, Ministry Of Ayush, Government Of India, New Delhi