This paper investigates whether a country’s level of income matters to the effectiveness of insti... more This paper investigates whether a country’s level of income matters to the effectiveness of institutions in fostering economic growth. The institutional variables are represented by democracy, corruption levels, and armed conflicts. The countries in the data-set are divided into high-, middle- and low-income countries based on the World Bank criteria. The overall results indicate that institutional variables have offsetting effects on economic growth. The performance of these variables appears to have been influenced by the countries’ level of income. Labour, capital and human capital are found to be positive and significant variables for economic growth, irrespective of whether the countries are in high-, middle- and low-income groups. On the contrary, corruption affects GDP negatively in high- and middle-income groups, but positive, although insignificant in low-income countries. Democracy has a mixed effect on economic growth and largely negative in high- and low-income countries...
This paper investigates the relationship between fiscal and external deficits in five European Un... more This paper investigates the relationship between fiscal and external deficits in five European Union countries (Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) using quarterly data for the period 1980:1–2020:1. Literature on the relationship between these series used linear techniques, but generally reported inconclusive results. Nonlinearity has been overlooked even though fiscal policy is likely to exhibit nonlinearity due to its sensitivity to political decisions. To capture this nonlinearity behaviour, nonlinear causality techniques are applied here in addition to the usual linear techniques used in the extant literature. The results show that there is evidence of unidirectional nonlinear causality from trade balances to government deficits in Greece and Italy, and a nonlinear unidirectional causality from government deficits to trade balance in Portugal. The results also indicate evidence of a nonlinear bi-directional causality between the trade and government balances in Ireland ...
Survey literature on mobile money and its contribution in promoting financial inclusion and devel... more Survey literature on mobile money and its contribution in promoting financial inclusion and development, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. We use taxonomic, descriptive and analytical methods to evaluate the state of knowledge in the area. We analyse how mobile technology in general may contribute to economic development and financial inclusion in theory and practise. We explain the mechanics of mobile money using Kenya's M-Pesa as a canonical example; and consider whether the literature has fully established the potential economic impact of mobile money especially its contribution to financial inclusion. We also consider market structure, pricing and regulatory implications of mobile money. We conclude by highlighting issues that require further investigation: the take-up of mobile money; mobile money and financial inclusion; substitutability between mobile money and conventional finance; and regulatory structures for institutions providing mobile money services.
The Nigerian Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 2020
Corruption is a complex and multifaceted challenge of global concern. The correctional setting in... more Corruption is a complex and multifaceted challenge of global concern. The correctional setting in Nigeria is not exempted from the more general context of this issue. Nigeria has a poorly structured service for correctional healthcare system driven by a collection of socioeconomic and legal factors especially corruption. One of the pressing challenges in Nigerian public health is to provide services to those who need them the most, particularly those behind bars and therefore hard to reach. Yet, it remains obvious that, a significant majority of those with health problems are incarcerated in the correctional centers of Nigeria. This study which is anchored on Economic Theory of Corruption examined corrupt practices associated with healthcare delivery in Kano Central and Goron Dutse Correctional Centers. The study utilized quantitative and qualitative methods in eliciting data from convicted and awaiting trial inmates and healthcare providers. Thus, a total of 350 inmates were sample...
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a routine hematologic parameter that is a predictor of... more Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a routine hematologic parameter that is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and is independent of combined traditional risk factor scoring systems. The RDW has also been associated with rheumatic disease activity. Whether RDW is associated with traditional CVD risk factors or Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) 10-year CVD risk score in patients with seronegative spondyloarthritis with axial or peripheral disease has not been previously determined. We performed a retrospective, chart review study evaluating the relationship between RDW, albumin, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), and ASCVD scoring parameters [age, hypertension status, diabetes mellitus (DM) status, lipid profile, and smoking status] in a cohort of spondyloarthritis patients, taking into consideration their HLA-B27 status, race, and treatment status. RDW was found to positively correlate with ASCVD 10-year score a...
Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Jan 15, 2018
To determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to establ... more To determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to establish the lack of vascularity in a mass. This work was an Institutional Review Board-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant retrospective study. Acquisition of consent was waived. We included all CEUS examinations performed for tissue characterization between 2004 and 2014 that reported showing no vascularity in a mass. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings were considered true-negative when there was stability on imaging for at least 1 year or no evidence of a solid mass, if biopsied, and false-negative if there was lesion growth on imaging within 12 months or an indication of a solid mass on the pathologic examination, if biopsied. One author reviewed all of the reports and follow-up examinations. We conducted a consensus review of all false-negative findings mixed with an equal number of true-negative findings by 2 reviewers, who were blinded to the fina...
To describe perifoveal microvascular changes occurring in X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) ... more To describe perifoveal microvascular changes occurring in X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) using swept source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS OCTA). This is a serial case report of three patients. Retrospective data of patients affected by XLRS were collected. Structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and color fundus photography (CFPh) were carried out with Topcon® OCT 2000 3D OCT as part of the standard care. Two patients were imaged on Topcon Atlantis® SS OCTA and one on Topcon Triton® SS OCTA. SS OCTA images were acquired using the 3 × 3 mm fovea-centered cubes scanning protocol. Analysis of both perifoveal superficial vascular plexus (pSVP) and perifoveal deep vascular plexus (pDVP) was performed by two observers after automated segmentation. Four eyes of three males (mean age 14 ± 3.8 years) were analyzed. All eyes showed foveoschisis on CFPh images. OCT B-scans of three eyes showed schistic cysts in the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer (INL) and...
This paper addresses the extent to which the ECB rate setting responded to inflation and monetary... more This paper addresses the extent to which the ECB rate setting responded to inflation and monetary growth in the run up to, and during, the financial crisis of the late 2000s. The analysis covers the period between 1999:01 and 2013:12, split into pre-crisis and financial crisis periods using a structural break test. In addition, a number of specifications are examined, including those in which only positive or negative policy rate changes are used as the dependent variable. An ordered probit model is used as it is deemed more appropriate for modelling discrete economic behaviour, such as policy rate changes, than continuous time series methods. The results from the pre-crisis period show that, although the monetary aggregate was significant in models that incorporate all the policy changes, but when considering just positive policy rate changes, the coefficient for monetary growth is not only small, but also statistically insignificant. Hence, this casts doubt on the extent to which monetary growth influenced the ECB policy rate decisions prior to the financial crisis. The monetary growth coefficients for the crisis period are also found to be insignificant. However, unlike during the pre-crisis period, the coefficient for inflation is found to be both positive and statistically significant, thus confirming qualitative perceptions that the ECB prioritised its price-stability mandate over concerns that the Euro Area sovereign debt crisis.
Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, 2016
This paper investigates whether there are benefits in terms of higher economic stability from inc... more This paper investigates whether there are benefits in terms of higher economic stability from incorporating stock prices into the price index targeted by the central banks. It also looks into the question of whether central banks should use stock prices as a component of the output stability index and how the index can be constructed. An optimization technique is employed to estimate weights for the various sectoral prices. The obtained weights, which depend on sectoral parameters, differ from those used in the construction of the consumer price index, CPI. Using data from the UK and the US, our analysis demonstrates that in comparison to the CPI, our measure of inflation leads to higher output stability. Thus, in an inflation-targeting monetary policy environment, it is important to adopt a broader inflation benchmark than the CPI for the general macroeconomic stability.
Interpreting body MRI cases can seem overwhelming to an uninitiated radiologist. The standard stu... more Interpreting body MRI cases can seem overwhelming to an uninitiated radiologist. The standard study includes a variety of pulse sequences, the names of which vary depending on the MR vendor. Pulse sequences may be displayed haphazardly on the picture archiving and communication system (PACS), frequently not synchronized with the imaging protocol. Adding to the complexity is the use of different gadolinium-based contrast agents, which may affect the timing and diagnostic yield of each sequence. The following introductory primer for interpreting body MRI cases is meant to create a basic framework for efficiently reviewing body MRI cases to provide high quality interpretations, fully utilizing the diagnostic information of the modality. There are 4 components that need to be mastered when interpreting body MRI cases including: (1) recognizing the key sequences in a basic body MRI protocol, (2) learning how to best display the key pulse sequences on PACS, (3) understanding the technique...
Journal of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, 2013
The trends of incidence, morbidity and mortality of tuberculosis in children have always remained... more The trends of incidence, morbidity and mortality of tuberculosis in children have always remained unclear because of lack of a definitive diagnostic tool in mostly cases. The diagnosis of tuberculosis in children remains a major challenge as it is seldom confirmed and is mostly based on clinical signs, symptoms and special investigations e. g. TST, chest X-ray and sputum smear microscopy. Sputum smear microscopy is positive in less than 10-15% of children with TB and culture yields are nearly about 30-40%. In low burden countries, the triad of (a) known contact with an infectious source case, (b) a positive tuberculin skin test and (c) a suggestive CXR is usually used to establish a diagnosis of childhood TB. The research on childhood tuberculosis is often neglected due to technical difficulties like slow growth in culture, the difficulty of obtaining specimens and the diverse and relatively nonspecific clinical presentation of tuberculosis in this age group. The complexity in making an exact diagnosis of tuberculosis in children have led to the development of several diagnostic approaches like point scoring systems, diagnostic classifications and diagnostic algorithms. The aim of this study was to review and analyse the different diagnostic approaches to childhood tuberculosis. In this paper, the mostly used techniques like culture methods as well as the non-culture methods including serology, biochemistry and polymerase chain reaction and DNA fingerprinting for the diagnosis of tuberculosis will be discussed.
Persistent international current account imbalances and real exchange rate movements have become ... more Persistent international current account imbalances and real exchange rate movements have become a permanent feature of the world economy. This paper, therefore, sets out to investigate the relationship between the real exchange rate and current account dynamics of eleven African countries, using data from 1980 to 2008, based on a stochastic Mundell-Fleming model in which shocks to real exchange rates and current account have been identified as permanent and temporary. Using a bi-variate structural VAR approach, the results are in consonant with the theoretical model, with permanent shocks having permanent and positive effects on both the current account and the real exchange rates. On the other hand, while temporary shocks have insignificant effects on the real exchange rates, they have very different effects on the current accounts of different countries.
The thyroglossal duct fails to involute in up to 7% of adults, creating a thyroglossal duct remna... more The thyroglossal duct fails to involute in up to 7% of adults, creating a thyroglossal duct remnant (TGDR) attached to the hyoid bone. Thyroid malignancies have been reported in approximately 1% of TGDRs. In previous reports of TGDR carcinoma, patients had radiographic evidence of a TGDR at initial clinical presentation. Alternatively, hypertrophy of a TGDR is well described in patients with hypothyroidism because of the growth of functional ectopic thyroid tissue. We present the case of a patient who had no radiographic evidence of a TGDR prior to thyroidectomy but presented 14 months after surgery with a recurrent cervical mass. A 58-year-old female underwent total thyroidectomy for micropapillary thyroid cancer. Fourteen months later, she presented with an enlarging cervical mass. She underwent a Sistrunk procedure, and surgical pathology revealed a TGDR with compensatory glandular hypertrophy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a TGDR follicular adenoma initially appe...
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global public health problem, based on it being the fifth mos... more Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global public health problem, based on it being the fifth most common cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The approved conventional treatment methods for HCC have shown life-threatening side effects with limited or negligible success, especially in multifocal HCC. As a consequence, new therapeutic approaches are being explored, including immunoregulatory molecules that may have the potential to treat or delay the progression of HCC. A novel pharmaceutical botanical drug-Ambovex ® , an immune-modulator molecule-was tested to treat or delay the progress of HCC. We conducted a 6-month randomized clinical trial with an additional 3-month washing period (no treatment) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose Ambovex oral spray in treating patients with HCC. The clinical study involved a total of 40 patients, with 33 in the treatment group and seven in the control group. The α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were measured every month and ultrasound scans were performed at time zero and every 2 months thereafter. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for patients in the treatment group. Ambovex proved to be safe, as there were no significant side effects although some patients found that the drug has unpleasant taste. AFP analysis showed a significant decrease in its level (α=0.05; 95% confidence interval) in the treatment group when compared to the control group at 3 months (P=0.0031) and at 6 months (P=0.007). The ultrasound results showed improvement in the treated group, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the lesion numbers and sizes. The lesions in 38% of treated patients decreased from multiple to single with major improvements; 35% of patients exhibited a decrease from multiple lesions to multiple lesions with minor improvements, whereas 27% had stabilized lesions. CT scans in the treated group showed significant improvement, as there was complete disappearance of the lesions after 6 months of treatment with Ambovex in two patients. This clinical study showed the effective and promising results of Ambovex as an immunological modulator in treating HCC. Further exploration of Ambovex is recommended.
The objectives of the study were to determine the rate of hepatic hemangiomas in infants with cut... more The objectives of the study were to determine the rate of hepatic hemangiomas in infants with cutaneous infantile hemangiomas that were screened by abdominal ultrasound; identify morphological subtypes and number of cutaneous infantile hemangiomas that are likely to suggest the presence of hepatic hemangiomas; and identify clinical history, physical findings, or laboratory abnormalities that may predict hepatic involvement. A retrospective study was conducted between 2000 and 2007 on 37 infants with cutaneous hemangiomas who underwent abdominal ultrasound for hepatic hemangiomas. Infants were classified into subgroups based upon the morphology of their cutaneous hemangioma(s). Data collected included clinical history, physical examination findings, sonographic findings, laboratory results, treatment(s) rendered, and clinical outcome. Eight of 37 infants (22%) had hepatic hemangiomas. Infants with miliary (30-100 pinpoint/small cutaneous hemangiomas), six or more small cutaneous hema...
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 2015
In the present study, we discuss the electrospinning of medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane ™ ... more In the present study, we discuss the electrospinning of medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane ™ 3575A) nanofibers containing multi-walled-carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs). A simple method that does not depend on additional foreign chemicals has been employed to disperse MWCNTs through high intensity sonication. Typically, a polymer solution consisting of polymer/MWCNTs has been electrospun to form nanofibers. Physiochemical aspects of prepared nanofibers were evaluated by SEM, TEM, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, confirming nanofibers containing MWCNTs. The biocompatibility and cell attachment of the produced nanofiber mats were investigated while culturing them in the presence of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The results from these tests indicated non-toxic behavior of the prepared nanofiber mats and had a significant attachment of cells towards nanofibers. The incorporation of MWCNTs into polymeric nanofibers led to an improvement in tensile stress from 11.40 ± 0.9 to 51.25 ± 5.5 MPa. Furthermore, complete alignment of the nanofibers resulted in an enhancement on tensile stress to 72.78 ± 5.5 MPa. Displaying these attributes of high mechanical properties and non-toxic nature of nanofibers are recommended for an ideal candidate for future tendon and ligament grafts.
The spread and perpetuation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa has hindered the country's s... more The spread and perpetuation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa has hindered the country's social and economic growth after apartheid. This paper documents my experiences while working with the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office and specifically my interactions with the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), an organization which has taken a multidimensional approach in order to educate people about HIV/AIDS and attempt to provide access to medicines for millions of South Africans afflicted with the disease. I discuss how TAC has used both traditional and non-traditional methods of advocacy to combat the epidemic and equate access to health care to a social justice issue by empowering marginalized communities. The paper's dual purpose is to applaud TAC's continuous success in combating HIV/AIDS with such a multidimensional approach and illustrate how other organizations can utilize such an approach in order to affect social change. To illustrate TAC's approach, I utilize Lucie White's three dimensions of lawyering and equate TAC to a single cause lawyer, signifying that White's characterization of multi-dimensional activism is not limited to individuals, but can rather be applied at the firm level. White's three dimensions include: (a) advocacy through litigation, (b) advocacy in stimulating progressive change, and (c) advocacy as a pedagogic process. From this analysis, I conclude that TAC's multi-dimensional approach and specifically its inherent practice of White's three dimensions has been the root of its success in educating millions about the virus and advocating for access to medicines for those who have contracted HIV. TAC's innovative advocacy has also mobilized a new generation of South African activists who have helped TAC grow into a vibrant and integral organization within the country's post-apartheid culture. Such an example can serve as a framework for future organizations who wish to tackle other challenges that face the country.
This paper explores systemic inequalities present within the two-tier South African health care s... more This paper explores systemic inequalities present within the two-tier South African health care system and its role in perpetuating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country post-apartheid. The paper delves into the legal and societal origins in perpetuating the epidemic, especially among poorer subsections within South African society that were historically marginalized during the apartheid era.
Infant abandonment and infanticide are poorly understood in Malaysia. The information available i... more Infant abandonment and infanticide are poorly understood in Malaysia. The information available in the public arena comes predominantly from anecdotal sources. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of infanticide and illegal infant abandonment in Malaysia and to estimate annual rates for the most recent decade. Summaries of data about infanticide and illegal infant abandonment were gathered from police records; the annual number of live births was ascertained from the national registry. The estimated inferred infanticide rates for Malaysia were compared with the infanticide rates among countries of very high, high, medium, and low rankings on the Human Development, Gender Inequality, and Gini indices. From 1999 to 2011, 1,069 cases of illegal infant abandonment were recorded and 1,147 people were arrested as suspected perpetrators. The estimated inferred infanticide rate fluctuated between 4.82 and 9.11 per 100,000 live births, a moderate rate relative to the infanticide rates of other countries. There are substantial missing data, with details undocumented for about 78-87% of cases and suspected perpetrators. Of the documented cases, it appeared that more boys than girls were victims and that suspected perpetrators were predominantly Malays who were women, usually mothers of the victim; the possibility of arrest bias must be acknowledged. Economic and social inequality, particularly gender inequality, might contribute to the phenomena of infanticide and abandonment. Strategies to reduce rates of infanticide and illegal infant abandonment in Malaysia will require strengthening of the surveillance system and attention to the gender-based inequalities that underpin human development.
This paper investigates whether a country’s level of income matters to the effectiveness of insti... more This paper investigates whether a country’s level of income matters to the effectiveness of institutions in fostering economic growth. The institutional variables are represented by democracy, corruption levels, and armed conflicts. The countries in the data-set are divided into high-, middle- and low-income countries based on the World Bank criteria. The overall results indicate that institutional variables have offsetting effects on economic growth. The performance of these variables appears to have been influenced by the countries’ level of income. Labour, capital and human capital are found to be positive and significant variables for economic growth, irrespective of whether the countries are in high-, middle- and low-income groups. On the contrary, corruption affects GDP negatively in high- and middle-income groups, but positive, although insignificant in low-income countries. Democracy has a mixed effect on economic growth and largely negative in high- and low-income countries...
This paper investigates the relationship between fiscal and external deficits in five European Un... more This paper investigates the relationship between fiscal and external deficits in five European Union countries (Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) using quarterly data for the period 1980:1–2020:1. Literature on the relationship between these series used linear techniques, but generally reported inconclusive results. Nonlinearity has been overlooked even though fiscal policy is likely to exhibit nonlinearity due to its sensitivity to political decisions. To capture this nonlinearity behaviour, nonlinear causality techniques are applied here in addition to the usual linear techniques used in the extant literature. The results show that there is evidence of unidirectional nonlinear causality from trade balances to government deficits in Greece and Italy, and a nonlinear unidirectional causality from government deficits to trade balance in Portugal. The results also indicate evidence of a nonlinear bi-directional causality between the trade and government balances in Ireland ...
Survey literature on mobile money and its contribution in promoting financial inclusion and devel... more Survey literature on mobile money and its contribution in promoting financial inclusion and development, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. We use taxonomic, descriptive and analytical methods to evaluate the state of knowledge in the area. We analyse how mobile technology in general may contribute to economic development and financial inclusion in theory and practise. We explain the mechanics of mobile money using Kenya's M-Pesa as a canonical example; and consider whether the literature has fully established the potential economic impact of mobile money especially its contribution to financial inclusion. We also consider market structure, pricing and regulatory implications of mobile money. We conclude by highlighting issues that require further investigation: the take-up of mobile money; mobile money and financial inclusion; substitutability between mobile money and conventional finance; and regulatory structures for institutions providing mobile money services.
The Nigerian Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 2020
Corruption is a complex and multifaceted challenge of global concern. The correctional setting in... more Corruption is a complex and multifaceted challenge of global concern. The correctional setting in Nigeria is not exempted from the more general context of this issue. Nigeria has a poorly structured service for correctional healthcare system driven by a collection of socioeconomic and legal factors especially corruption. One of the pressing challenges in Nigerian public health is to provide services to those who need them the most, particularly those behind bars and therefore hard to reach. Yet, it remains obvious that, a significant majority of those with health problems are incarcerated in the correctional centers of Nigeria. This study which is anchored on Economic Theory of Corruption examined corrupt practices associated with healthcare delivery in Kano Central and Goron Dutse Correctional Centers. The study utilized quantitative and qualitative methods in eliciting data from convicted and awaiting trial inmates and healthcare providers. Thus, a total of 350 inmates were sample...
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a routine hematologic parameter that is a predictor of... more Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a routine hematologic parameter that is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and is independent of combined traditional risk factor scoring systems. The RDW has also been associated with rheumatic disease activity. Whether RDW is associated with traditional CVD risk factors or Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) 10-year CVD risk score in patients with seronegative spondyloarthritis with axial or peripheral disease has not been previously determined. We performed a retrospective, chart review study evaluating the relationship between RDW, albumin, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), and ASCVD scoring parameters [age, hypertension status, diabetes mellitus (DM) status, lipid profile, and smoking status] in a cohort of spondyloarthritis patients, taking into consideration their HLA-B27 status, race, and treatment status. RDW was found to positively correlate with ASCVD 10-year score a...
Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Jan 15, 2018
To determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to establ... more To determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to establish the lack of vascularity in a mass. This work was an Institutional Review Board-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant retrospective study. Acquisition of consent was waived. We included all CEUS examinations performed for tissue characterization between 2004 and 2014 that reported showing no vascularity in a mass. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings were considered true-negative when there was stability on imaging for at least 1 year or no evidence of a solid mass, if biopsied, and false-negative if there was lesion growth on imaging within 12 months or an indication of a solid mass on the pathologic examination, if biopsied. One author reviewed all of the reports and follow-up examinations. We conducted a consensus review of all false-negative findings mixed with an equal number of true-negative findings by 2 reviewers, who were blinded to the fina...
To describe perifoveal microvascular changes occurring in X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) ... more To describe perifoveal microvascular changes occurring in X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) using swept source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS OCTA). This is a serial case report of three patients. Retrospective data of patients affected by XLRS were collected. Structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and color fundus photography (CFPh) were carried out with Topcon® OCT 2000 3D OCT as part of the standard care. Two patients were imaged on Topcon Atlantis® SS OCTA and one on Topcon Triton® SS OCTA. SS OCTA images were acquired using the 3 × 3 mm fovea-centered cubes scanning protocol. Analysis of both perifoveal superficial vascular plexus (pSVP) and perifoveal deep vascular plexus (pDVP) was performed by two observers after automated segmentation. Four eyes of three males (mean age 14 ± 3.8 years) were analyzed. All eyes showed foveoschisis on CFPh images. OCT B-scans of three eyes showed schistic cysts in the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer (INL) and...
This paper addresses the extent to which the ECB rate setting responded to inflation and monetary... more This paper addresses the extent to which the ECB rate setting responded to inflation and monetary growth in the run up to, and during, the financial crisis of the late 2000s. The analysis covers the period between 1999:01 and 2013:12, split into pre-crisis and financial crisis periods using a structural break test. In addition, a number of specifications are examined, including those in which only positive or negative policy rate changes are used as the dependent variable. An ordered probit model is used as it is deemed more appropriate for modelling discrete economic behaviour, such as policy rate changes, than continuous time series methods. The results from the pre-crisis period show that, although the monetary aggregate was significant in models that incorporate all the policy changes, but when considering just positive policy rate changes, the coefficient for monetary growth is not only small, but also statistically insignificant. Hence, this casts doubt on the extent to which monetary growth influenced the ECB policy rate decisions prior to the financial crisis. The monetary growth coefficients for the crisis period are also found to be insignificant. However, unlike during the pre-crisis period, the coefficient for inflation is found to be both positive and statistically significant, thus confirming qualitative perceptions that the ECB prioritised its price-stability mandate over concerns that the Euro Area sovereign debt crisis.
Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, 2016
This paper investigates whether there are benefits in terms of higher economic stability from inc... more This paper investigates whether there are benefits in terms of higher economic stability from incorporating stock prices into the price index targeted by the central banks. It also looks into the question of whether central banks should use stock prices as a component of the output stability index and how the index can be constructed. An optimization technique is employed to estimate weights for the various sectoral prices. The obtained weights, which depend on sectoral parameters, differ from those used in the construction of the consumer price index, CPI. Using data from the UK and the US, our analysis demonstrates that in comparison to the CPI, our measure of inflation leads to higher output stability. Thus, in an inflation-targeting monetary policy environment, it is important to adopt a broader inflation benchmark than the CPI for the general macroeconomic stability.
Interpreting body MRI cases can seem overwhelming to an uninitiated radiologist. The standard stu... more Interpreting body MRI cases can seem overwhelming to an uninitiated radiologist. The standard study includes a variety of pulse sequences, the names of which vary depending on the MR vendor. Pulse sequences may be displayed haphazardly on the picture archiving and communication system (PACS), frequently not synchronized with the imaging protocol. Adding to the complexity is the use of different gadolinium-based contrast agents, which may affect the timing and diagnostic yield of each sequence. The following introductory primer for interpreting body MRI cases is meant to create a basic framework for efficiently reviewing body MRI cases to provide high quality interpretations, fully utilizing the diagnostic information of the modality. There are 4 components that need to be mastered when interpreting body MRI cases including: (1) recognizing the key sequences in a basic body MRI protocol, (2) learning how to best display the key pulse sequences on PACS, (3) understanding the technique...
Journal of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, 2013
The trends of incidence, morbidity and mortality of tuberculosis in children have always remained... more The trends of incidence, morbidity and mortality of tuberculosis in children have always remained unclear because of lack of a definitive diagnostic tool in mostly cases. The diagnosis of tuberculosis in children remains a major challenge as it is seldom confirmed and is mostly based on clinical signs, symptoms and special investigations e. g. TST, chest X-ray and sputum smear microscopy. Sputum smear microscopy is positive in less than 10-15% of children with TB and culture yields are nearly about 30-40%. In low burden countries, the triad of (a) known contact with an infectious source case, (b) a positive tuberculin skin test and (c) a suggestive CXR is usually used to establish a diagnosis of childhood TB. The research on childhood tuberculosis is often neglected due to technical difficulties like slow growth in culture, the difficulty of obtaining specimens and the diverse and relatively nonspecific clinical presentation of tuberculosis in this age group. The complexity in making an exact diagnosis of tuberculosis in children have led to the development of several diagnostic approaches like point scoring systems, diagnostic classifications and diagnostic algorithms. The aim of this study was to review and analyse the different diagnostic approaches to childhood tuberculosis. In this paper, the mostly used techniques like culture methods as well as the non-culture methods including serology, biochemistry and polymerase chain reaction and DNA fingerprinting for the diagnosis of tuberculosis will be discussed.
Persistent international current account imbalances and real exchange rate movements have become ... more Persistent international current account imbalances and real exchange rate movements have become a permanent feature of the world economy. This paper, therefore, sets out to investigate the relationship between the real exchange rate and current account dynamics of eleven African countries, using data from 1980 to 2008, based on a stochastic Mundell-Fleming model in which shocks to real exchange rates and current account have been identified as permanent and temporary. Using a bi-variate structural VAR approach, the results are in consonant with the theoretical model, with permanent shocks having permanent and positive effects on both the current account and the real exchange rates. On the other hand, while temporary shocks have insignificant effects on the real exchange rates, they have very different effects on the current accounts of different countries.
The thyroglossal duct fails to involute in up to 7% of adults, creating a thyroglossal duct remna... more The thyroglossal duct fails to involute in up to 7% of adults, creating a thyroglossal duct remnant (TGDR) attached to the hyoid bone. Thyroid malignancies have been reported in approximately 1% of TGDRs. In previous reports of TGDR carcinoma, patients had radiographic evidence of a TGDR at initial clinical presentation. Alternatively, hypertrophy of a TGDR is well described in patients with hypothyroidism because of the growth of functional ectopic thyroid tissue. We present the case of a patient who had no radiographic evidence of a TGDR prior to thyroidectomy but presented 14 months after surgery with a recurrent cervical mass. A 58-year-old female underwent total thyroidectomy for micropapillary thyroid cancer. Fourteen months later, she presented with an enlarging cervical mass. She underwent a Sistrunk procedure, and surgical pathology revealed a TGDR with compensatory glandular hypertrophy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a TGDR follicular adenoma initially appe...
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global public health problem, based on it being the fifth mos... more Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global public health problem, based on it being the fifth most common cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The approved conventional treatment methods for HCC have shown life-threatening side effects with limited or negligible success, especially in multifocal HCC. As a consequence, new therapeutic approaches are being explored, including immunoregulatory molecules that may have the potential to treat or delay the progression of HCC. A novel pharmaceutical botanical drug-Ambovex ® , an immune-modulator molecule-was tested to treat or delay the progress of HCC. We conducted a 6-month randomized clinical trial with an additional 3-month washing period (no treatment) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose Ambovex oral spray in treating patients with HCC. The clinical study involved a total of 40 patients, with 33 in the treatment group and seven in the control group. The α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were measured every month and ultrasound scans were performed at time zero and every 2 months thereafter. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for patients in the treatment group. Ambovex proved to be safe, as there were no significant side effects although some patients found that the drug has unpleasant taste. AFP analysis showed a significant decrease in its level (α=0.05; 95% confidence interval) in the treatment group when compared to the control group at 3 months (P=0.0031) and at 6 months (P=0.007). The ultrasound results showed improvement in the treated group, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the lesion numbers and sizes. The lesions in 38% of treated patients decreased from multiple to single with major improvements; 35% of patients exhibited a decrease from multiple lesions to multiple lesions with minor improvements, whereas 27% had stabilized lesions. CT scans in the treated group showed significant improvement, as there was complete disappearance of the lesions after 6 months of treatment with Ambovex in two patients. This clinical study showed the effective and promising results of Ambovex as an immunological modulator in treating HCC. Further exploration of Ambovex is recommended.
The objectives of the study were to determine the rate of hepatic hemangiomas in infants with cut... more The objectives of the study were to determine the rate of hepatic hemangiomas in infants with cutaneous infantile hemangiomas that were screened by abdominal ultrasound; identify morphological subtypes and number of cutaneous infantile hemangiomas that are likely to suggest the presence of hepatic hemangiomas; and identify clinical history, physical findings, or laboratory abnormalities that may predict hepatic involvement. A retrospective study was conducted between 2000 and 2007 on 37 infants with cutaneous hemangiomas who underwent abdominal ultrasound for hepatic hemangiomas. Infants were classified into subgroups based upon the morphology of their cutaneous hemangioma(s). Data collected included clinical history, physical examination findings, sonographic findings, laboratory results, treatment(s) rendered, and clinical outcome. Eight of 37 infants (22%) had hepatic hemangiomas. Infants with miliary (30-100 pinpoint/small cutaneous hemangiomas), six or more small cutaneous hema...
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 2015
In the present study, we discuss the electrospinning of medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane ™ ... more In the present study, we discuss the electrospinning of medical grade polyurethane (Carbothane ™ 3575A) nanofibers containing multi-walled-carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs). A simple method that does not depend on additional foreign chemicals has been employed to disperse MWCNTs through high intensity sonication. Typically, a polymer solution consisting of polymer/MWCNTs has been electrospun to form nanofibers. Physiochemical aspects of prepared nanofibers were evaluated by SEM, TEM, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, confirming nanofibers containing MWCNTs. The biocompatibility and cell attachment of the produced nanofiber mats were investigated while culturing them in the presence of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The results from these tests indicated non-toxic behavior of the prepared nanofiber mats and had a significant attachment of cells towards nanofibers. The incorporation of MWCNTs into polymeric nanofibers led to an improvement in tensile stress from 11.40 ± 0.9 to 51.25 ± 5.5 MPa. Furthermore, complete alignment of the nanofibers resulted in an enhancement on tensile stress to 72.78 ± 5.5 MPa. Displaying these attributes of high mechanical properties and non-toxic nature of nanofibers are recommended for an ideal candidate for future tendon and ligament grafts.
The spread and perpetuation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa has hindered the country's s... more The spread and perpetuation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa has hindered the country's social and economic growth after apartheid. This paper documents my experiences while working with the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office and specifically my interactions with the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), an organization which has taken a multidimensional approach in order to educate people about HIV/AIDS and attempt to provide access to medicines for millions of South Africans afflicted with the disease. I discuss how TAC has used both traditional and non-traditional methods of advocacy to combat the epidemic and equate access to health care to a social justice issue by empowering marginalized communities. The paper's dual purpose is to applaud TAC's continuous success in combating HIV/AIDS with such a multidimensional approach and illustrate how other organizations can utilize such an approach in order to affect social change. To illustrate TAC's approach, I utilize Lucie White's three dimensions of lawyering and equate TAC to a single cause lawyer, signifying that White's characterization of multi-dimensional activism is not limited to individuals, but can rather be applied at the firm level. White's three dimensions include: (a) advocacy through litigation, (b) advocacy in stimulating progressive change, and (c) advocacy as a pedagogic process. From this analysis, I conclude that TAC's multi-dimensional approach and specifically its inherent practice of White's three dimensions has been the root of its success in educating millions about the virus and advocating for access to medicines for those who have contracted HIV. TAC's innovative advocacy has also mobilized a new generation of South African activists who have helped TAC grow into a vibrant and integral organization within the country's post-apartheid culture. Such an example can serve as a framework for future organizations who wish to tackle other challenges that face the country.
This paper explores systemic inequalities present within the two-tier South African health care s... more This paper explores systemic inequalities present within the two-tier South African health care system and its role in perpetuating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country post-apartheid. The paper delves into the legal and societal origins in perpetuating the epidemic, especially among poorer subsections within South African society that were historically marginalized during the apartheid era.
Infant abandonment and infanticide are poorly understood in Malaysia. The information available i... more Infant abandonment and infanticide are poorly understood in Malaysia. The information available in the public arena comes predominantly from anecdotal sources. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of infanticide and illegal infant abandonment in Malaysia and to estimate annual rates for the most recent decade. Summaries of data about infanticide and illegal infant abandonment were gathered from police records; the annual number of live births was ascertained from the national registry. The estimated inferred infanticide rates for Malaysia were compared with the infanticide rates among countries of very high, high, medium, and low rankings on the Human Development, Gender Inequality, and Gini indices. From 1999 to 2011, 1,069 cases of illegal infant abandonment were recorded and 1,147 people were arrested as suspected perpetrators. The estimated inferred infanticide rate fluctuated between 4.82 and 9.11 per 100,000 live births, a moderate rate relative to the infanticide rates of other countries. There are substantial missing data, with details undocumented for about 78-87% of cases and suspected perpetrators. Of the documented cases, it appeared that more boys than girls were victims and that suspected perpetrators were predominantly Malays who were women, usually mothers of the victim; the possibility of arrest bias must be acknowledged. Economic and social inequality, particularly gender inequality, might contribute to the phenomena of infanticide and abandonment. Strategies to reduce rates of infanticide and illegal infant abandonment in Malaysia will require strengthening of the surveillance system and attention to the gender-based inequalities that underpin human development.
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Papers by Hassan Ahmad