Obstacles to the globalisation of corporate research and development in technologically underdeveloped countries

Over two decades, the globalisation of research and development (R&D) has become a subject of considerable academic interests. The majority of studies concerning it describe this phenomenon in developed countries. Little is known about it in technologically underdeveloped countries. No study has systematically identified the possible obstacles to the R&D globalisation process in these countries. This suggests that this research topic is a distinctive topic for study. This study takes Libya as an example of a technologically underdeveloped country and aims to investigate the obstacles to the R&D globalisation process in Libya. To achieve this aim and in fulfilling the research objectives, the thesis utilises both qualitative and quantitative approaches. They were conducted through case studies of two transnational corporations (TNCs) working in Libya and an interview-based survey with three R&D related managers located in their offices there. Additionally, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 30 R&D related managers at 10 Libyan organisations. These methods are complemented by an archival analysis of several sources, related to both TNCs selected and the Libyan business environment

Characterization of partially purified catalase from camel (Camelus dromedarius) liver

The liver of camel has high level of catalase (32,225 units/g tissue) as commercially used bovine liver catalase. For the establishment of the enzyme, the rate of catalase activity was linearly increased with increase of the catalase concentration and incubation time. The procedure of partial purification of catalase from camel liver included preparation of crude extract, ammonium sulphate precipitation and chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose (DEAE)-Sepharose. One peak catalase activity was obtained from the chromatography. The enzyme had optimum pH of 7.0. Camel liver catalase had broad optimum temperature between 25 and 40°C and was stable up to 25°C. The Km and Vmax values were found to be 22.7 mM H2O2/ml and 7.9 units/ml, respectively. All metal cations partially inhibited camel liver catalase with the exception of Hg2+ which had strong inhibitory effect, whereas 95% of its activity was lost at 1.0 mM. In conclusion, camel liver catalase can be used as an alternative commercial bovine liver catalase.Key words: Camel, liver, catalase, purification, characterization

Update on the Management of Diabetes during Ramadan Fast for Healthcare Practitioners

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, a recurring annual ritual, which is passionately practiced by most Muslims across the world. It is obligatory on every healthy Muslim; however, the Qur’an and Islamic teachings specifically exempt people with acute or chronic illnesses from this duty, especially if it might have harmful consequences. Muslims with diabetes are exempted from fasting, but many of them still fast during Ramadan, for their personal convictions as revealed by EPIDIAR study which showed that 43% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 79% with type 2 diabetes fasted during Ramadan. Muslims constitute about a quarter of the world’s population who are spread all over the globe. It is inevitable that health care issues peculiar to them will be encountered worldwide and health care providers will have to counsel them regarding medications and whether it is safe to undertake the fast. This paper is an update on the management of Ramadan fasting based on current evidence from published literature and expert opinions

Reaction rates and transport in neutron stars

Understanding signals from neutron stars requires knowledge about the transport inside the star. We review the transport properties and the underlying reaction rates of dense hadronic and quark matter in the crust and the core of neutron stars and point out open problems and future directions.Comment: 74 pages; commissioned for the book "Physics and Astrophysics of Neutron Stars", NewCompStar COST Action MP1304; version 3: minor changes, references updated, overview graphic added in the introduction, improvements in Sec IV.A.

System protection for lithium-ion batteries management system: a review

Robustness of a battery management system (BMS) is a crucial issue especially in critical application such as medical or military. Failure of BMS will lead to more serious safety issues such as overheating, overcharging, over discharging, cell unbalance or even fire and explosion. BMS consists of plenty sensitive electronic components and connected directly to battery cell terminal. Consequently, BMS exposed to high voltage potential across the BMS terminal if a faulty cell occurs in a pack of Li-ion battery. Thus, many protection techniques have been proposed since last three decades to protect the BMS from fault such as open cell voltage fault, faulty cell, internal short circuit etc. This paper presents a review of a BMS focuses on the protection technique proposed by previous researcher. The comparison has been carried out based on circuit topology and fault detection techniqu

The role of the right inferior frontal gyrus in the pathogenesis of post-stroke psychosis.

Psychotic symptoms have previously been reported following right hemisphere brain injury. We sought to identify the specific neuroanatomical basis of delusions following stroke by studying a series of patients with post-stroke psychosis. Lesion overlap analysis was conducted on three individuals with delusions following right hemisphere stroke. These cases were compared with a control group of patients with similar anatomical damage. The main outcome measures were presence of delusions and presence of behavioural susceptibility. The right inferior frontal gyrus and underlying white matter, including the superior longitudinal fasciculus and anterior corona radiata, were involved in all three cases. All three had a preexisting untreated psychiatric disorder. In contrast, only one of nine control cases with equivalent lesions had evidence of previous psychiatric disorder (p = 0.0182, Fisher’s exact test), and this was being treated at the time of stroke. We provide clinical evidence from patients with structural brain lesions implicating damage to the right inferior frontal lobe in the generation of persistent psychosis following stroke. We suggest that preexisting psychiatric disease provided a behavioural susceptibility to develop delusions in these individuals. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00415-014-7242-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Comparison of Bioavailability Between the Most Available Generic Tablet Formulation Containing Artemether and Lumefantrine on the Tanzanian Market and the Innovator's Product.

Existence of anti-malarial generic drugs with low bioavailability marketed on sub-Saharan Africa has raised a concern on patients achieving therapeutic concentrations after intake of these products. This work compared bioavailability of one generic tablet formulation with innovator's product. Both were fixed dose combination tablet formulations containing artemether and lumefantrine.MethodologyThe study was conducted in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, in which a survey of the most abundant generic containing artemether-lumefantrine tablet formulation was carried out in retail pharmacies. The most widely available generic (Artefan(R), Ajanta Pharma Ltd, Maharashtra, India) was sampled for bioavailability comparison with Coartem(R) (Novartis Pharma, Basel, Switzerland) - the innovator's product. A randomized, two-treatment cross-over study was conducted in 18 healthy Tanzanian black male volunteers. Each volunteer received Artefan(R) (test) and Coartem(R) (as reference) formulation separated by 42 days of drug-free washout period. Serial blood samples were collected up to 168 hours after oral administration of a single dose of each treatment. Quantitation of lumefantrine plasma levels was done using HPLC with UV detection. Bioequivalence of the two products was assessed in accordance with the US Food and Drug Authority (FDA) guidelines. The most widely available generic in pharmacies was Artefan(R) from India. All eighteen enrolled volunteers completed the study and both test and reference tablet formulations were well tolerated. It was possible to quantify lumefantrine alone, therefore, the pharmacokinetic parameters reported herein are for lumefantrine. The geometric mean ratios for Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-[infinity] were 84% in all cases and within FDA recommended bioequivalence limits of 80% -- 125%, but the 90% confidence intervals were outside FDA recommended limits (CI 49--143%, 53 - 137%, 52 - 135% respectively). There were no statistical significant differences between the two formulations with regard to PK parameters (P > 0.05). Although the ratios of AUCs and Cmax were within the acceptable FDA range, bioequivalence between Artefan(R) and Coartem(R) tablet formulations was not demonstrated due to failure to comply with the FDA 90 % confidence interval criteria. Based on the observed total drug exposure (AUCs), Artefan(R) is likely to produce a similar therapeutic response as Coartem(R)

Living in Rural Areas of Peninsular Malaysia: Risk Factor for Goitre

Introduction: Thyroid disorders are among common medical conditions encountered in clinical practice. However, the disease burden among Malaysian population has not been established. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of goitre and its associated factors among adult population in Peninsular Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 5 pre-assigned regions in Peninsular Malaysia. Participants’ sociodemographic profile and medical history were recorded. Physical examinations were done looking for abnormalities of the thyroid gland and signs of thyroid dysfunctions. The diagnosis of goitre was made by palpation and corroborated by the repeat examination by another investigator. The World Health Organization (WHO) goitre grading system was used. Fifteen millilitre of blood were withdrawn and analysed at a central laboratory. Results: Among 2190 respondents, the prevalence of goitre was 9.3%. Goitre was associated with positive anti-thyroperoxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. Females were at higher risk of goitre (adjusted OR = 2.4; 95% CI 1.6–3.5; p<0.001). The other risk factors of goitre were Indian ethnicity (adjusted OR=2.0; 95%CI 1.2–3.3; p=0.006), positive anti-thyroperoxidase (adjusted OR=1.8; 95% CI 1.1-3.1; p=0.024) and living in rural area (adjusted OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.2–2.5; p=0.002). These areas had been shown to suffer from some degree of iodine insufficiency in the past. Conclusions: The prevalence of goitre in Peninsular Malaysia was comparable with other studies. The main predictors of thyroid disorders are female gender and thyroid antibodies. Living in rural areas was associated with goitre. ><0.001). The other risk factors of goitre were Indian ethnicity (adjusted OR=2.0; 95%CI 1.2–3.3; p=0.006), positive anti-thyroperoxidase (adjusted OR=1.8; 95% CI 1.1-3.1; p=0.024) and living in rural area (adjusted OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.2–2.5; p=0.002). These areas had been shown to suffer from some degree of iodine insufficiency in the past. Conclusions: The prevalence of goitre in Peninsular Malaysia was comparable with other studies. The main predictors of thyroid disorders are female gender and thyroid antibodies. Living in rural areas was associated with goitre

High Prevalence of Thyroid Antibodies in Urban Population of Peninsular Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid antibodies are closely related to autoimmune thyroid disorders. To date, there are no data on the prevalence of these antibodies among the Malaysian population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid antibodies; and the factors associated with thyroid antibodies in the Malaysian adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 5 preassigned regions in Peninsular Malaysia. Participants’ sociodemographic profile and medical history were recorded. Physical examinations were done looking for abnormalities of the thyroid gland and signs of thyroid dysfunctions. Fifteen mils of blood were withdrawn and analysed for thyroid function, anti-thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibodies at a central laboratory. RESULTS: Among the total of 2190 respondents, the overall prevalence of positive anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies were 12.2% and 12.1%, respectively; mainly found in urban and coastal areas. Only 7% to 9% of those with positive anti-TPO or antiTG antibodies had either hypo- or hyperthyroidism. The predictors for positive anti-TPO antibody were female [adjusted OR 1.7 (95%CI: 1.2–2.4); p=0.001], Indian [adjusted OR 1.9 (95%CI: 1.1–3.1); p=0.020], and having a goitre [adjusted OR 1.8 (95%CI: 1.2–2.8), p=0.004]. The predictors of positive anti-TG antibody was female [adjusted OR 2.3 (95%CI: 1.6–3.3); p<0.001], and having a goitre [adjusted OR 2.0 (95%CI: 1.3–3.4), p=0.001]. Those living in rural areas had 38% lower risk of having positive anti-TG. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of positive anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies were 12.2% and 12.1%, respectively; were higher among the urban and coastal populations. Those living in rural areas had lower risks of anti-TG antibody