Duality of formal and informal institutions and women's entrepreneurship in rural areas

This paper examines the influence of formal and informal institutions on female entrepreneurship in rural areas, using Douglass North's institutional theory (1990). Formal institutions, such as public policies and legal infrastructures, and informal institutions, including cultural norms and patriarchal traditions, are analyzed to understand their impact on the entrepreneurial intentions of rural Moroccan women. The study is based on a Logit model applied to a sample of 306 rural women who have benefited from public entrepreneurship training programs. The results show that socio-cultural norms and traditions have a significant negative effect on women’s entrepreneurial intentions by limiting their access to essential resources such as credit, professional networks, and tailored training. Conversely, access to adequate legal and economic infrastructures has a positive impact on their entrepreneurial engagement. However, public policies appear to be ineffective due to insufficient implementation or their misalignment with local realities. The interaction between formal and informal institutions proves to be important: better alignment between these two types of institutions promotes female entrepreneurship, whereas their misalignment exacerbates barriers. These findings highlight the need for an integrated approach combining institutional reforms, community initiatives, and awareness campaigns to overcome socio-cultural constraints and enhance the effectiveness of public policies

Optimized fuzzy PI controller for variable speed wind turbine using DE algorithm

To design an optimal fuzzy proportional-integral (PI) controller for the variable speed wind turbine systems, a new differential evolution (DE) algorithm approach is developed in this paper. We have investigated a fuzzy PI controller, in which fuzzy rules are applied to adapt the parameters of the PI controller founded on the error and its first-time derivative. The fuzzy PI controller's inputs and outputs are tuned using the DE optimization method. The superiority of the suggested (DE fuzzy PI) controller has been proved by comparing the results with (fuzzy PI) and only the PI controller applied to the wind turbine system. In comparison to a fuzzy controller with parameters selected by a human operator, the numerical validation results of the suggested approach (DE fuzzy PI) have shown good performance in terms of robustness, pursuit, and response time

Efficience Informationnelle faible des Marchés Boursiers Africains

In order to study the performance capacity of African countries markets, it is necessary to analyze the daily results of stock indices. For a period of six years, and based on four types of tests namely: Autocorrelation tests, runs tests, unit root and normality tests, the results obtained in a period of 1674days (from03/04/2013 to 18/12/2020) have shown and reported a mixed production of different indications. On the other hand, and at the level of the weak sense of efficiency, the African market return series indicate the low efficiency of the market. Overall, it is inferred that in African countries, daily stock index results do not follow a random walk; So it is concluded that due to the inefficiency of the market, insiders can get profit streams from arbitrage. On the other side, the concept of efficiency designates the right foot of the theory of modern finance; As a result, one can only confirm the existence of efficiency in the market if it deciphers and manifests all the information available and translated by each financial asset; in other words, the presence of efficiency expresses the capacity of the market to reconstitute its equilibrium and its persistence while allowing a better allocation of resources to investors. In other words, the presence of efficiency expresses the capacity of the market to reconstitute its equilibrium and persistence while allowing a better allocation of resources to investors. It is in the interest of explaining the doubt of the speed of information reflected in each stock exchange price that FAMA (1970) proceeded to the deconstruction of the efficiency in three sub-forms, namely: the weak form of the efficiency, the semi-strong form and finally the strong formAfin d’étudier la capacité de rendement des marchés des pays africains, il faut procéder à l’analyse des rendements quotidiens des indices boursiers. Pour une période de six ans, et en s’appuyant sur quatre types de tests à savoir : Les tests d’autocorrélation, les Runs tests, les tests de racine unitaire et les tests de normalité, les résultats obtenus pour un nombre d’observations de 1674 jours (du03/04/2013 au 18/12/2020) ont indiqués et signalés une production mixte pour différents indices. En revanche, et au niveau du sens faible de l’efficience, les séries des rendements des marchés africains indiquent l’absence d’efficience du marché. Dans l’ensemble, il est déduit que dans les pays de l’Afrique, les rendements quotidiens des indices boursiers ne suivent pas une marche au hasard (marche aléatoire) ; Alors qu’il est conclu qu’en raison de l’inefficience du marché, les initiés peuvent obtenir des flux de bénéfices d’arbitrages. Dans un autre point de vue, la conception de l’efficience désigne le pied -droit de la théorie de la finance moderne ; Du coup, on ne peut confirmer l’existence d’efficience dans un marché que s’il déchiffre et manifeste toute l’information disponible et traduite par chaque actif financier ; En d’autres termes, la présence de l’efficience exprime la capacité du marché à reconstituer son équilibre et sa persistance tout en permettant une meilleure allocation des ressources aux investisseurs. C’est dans l’intérêt d’expliquer le doute de la rapidité d’informations reflétées dans chaque cours boursier que FAMA (1970) a procédé à la décortication de l’efficience en trois sous-formes à savoir : la forme faible de l’efficience, la forme semi-forte et finalement la forme forte

Untreated Atypical Left Femoral Shaft Fracture: A Case Report of Its Complication

Background: Bisphosphonate therapy is used to manage osteoporosis and decrease the risk of vertebral and hip fractures. These drugs act by suppressing osteoclast activity by inducing the inhibition of bone resorption and increasing bone mineral density. It has been shown that long-term use of bisphosphonate is correlated to a higher incidence of atypical femoral fractures. Case report: This is a case report of an 81-year-old female, on bisphosphonate therapy for 12 years and with chronic left thigh pain for two and a half years who developed an incomplete atypical left femur fracture. What’s special about this case is that the fracture was ignored and then progressed after three months into a complete displaced spiral fracture that required surgical fixation. Conclusion: The benefits of bisphosphonate treatment in preventing osteoporotic fractures outweigh the risk of the occurrence of these atypical fractures. Orthopedic surgeons as well as primary care physicians must keep atypical fractures in their differential diagnosis in patients presenting with prodromal symptoms and who are on long-term bisphosphonate therap

Trade openness, institutional quality and FDI: what impact on trade balances of North African countries? An analysis of panel data

This study examines the impact of trade openness, foreign direct investment, and institutional quality on the trade balance of North African countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt) from 2000 to 2018. Using an econometric methodology based on panel data, the analysis explores both the direct effects of these dimensions and their combined interactions, employing robust least squares (RLS) regression. The results show that, in isolation, trade openness does not have a significant effect on the trade balance, indicating that its effectiveness depends on the support of complementary policies and a favorable institutional environment. In contrast, FDI has a positive direct effect, enhancing exports and integration into global value chains. Institutional quality plays a central role in amplifying the positive effects of both trade openness and FDI, through better governance, increased transparency, and political stability. The interactions between these dimensions reveal significant synergies. The tripartite interaction between trade openness, FDI, and institutional quality has a significant and positive combined effect, highlighting the need for integrated public policies to maximize the benefits of these levers. This research highlights the limitations of fragmented approaches and advocates for the strategic coordination of trade, FDI attraction, and institutional reform policies

Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease: A Comparison of Methods of Delivery

The field of myocardial regeneration utilizing novel cell-based therapies, gene transfer, and growth factors may prove to play an important role in the future management of ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy. Phases I and II clinical trials have been published for a variety of biologics utilizing four methods of delivery: systemic infusion, intracoronary infusion, transvenous coronary sinus, and intramyocardial. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the delivery approaches above

Anti-angiogenesis therapy and gap junction inhibition reduce MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo

Cancer cells secrete VEGF, which plays a key role in their growth, invasion, extravasation and metastasis. Direct cancer cell-endothelial cell interaction, mediated by gap junctions, is of critical importance in the extravasation process. In this study, we evaluated avastin (Av), an anti-VEGF antibody; and oleamide (OL), a gap junction inhibitor, using MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells in vitro and a xenograft murine model in vivo. Results showed that Av/OL significantly decreased proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest and decreased migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. In addition, Av/OL significantly decreased homo and hetero-cellular communication interaction between MDA-MDA and MDA-endothelial cells, respectively. The expression levels of several factors including VEGF, HIF1α, CXCR4, Cx26, Cx43, and MMP9 were attenuated upon Av/OL treatment in vitro. On the other hand, avastin, but not oleamide, reduced tumor size of NSG mice injected subdermally (s.d.) with MDA-MB-231 cells, which was also associated with increased survival. Furthermore, Av but also OL, separately, significantly increased the survival rate, and reduced pulmonary and hepatic metastatic foci, of intravenously (i.v.) injected mice. Finally, OL reduced MMP9 protein expression levels, better than Av and in comparisons to control, in the lungs of MDA-MB-231 i.v. injected NSG mice. In conclusion, while avastin has anti-angiogenic, anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activities, oleamide has anti-metastatic activity, presumably at the extravasation level, providing further evidence for the role of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in cancer cell extravasation

REALM-DCM: A Phase 3, Multinational, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of ARRY-371797 in Patients With Symptomatic LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND LMNA (lamin A/C)-related dilated cardiomyopathy is a rare genetic cause of heart failure. In a phase 2 trial and long-term extension, the selective p38 alpha MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) inhibitor, ARRY-371797 (PF-07265803), was associated with an improved 6-minute walk test at 12 weeks, which was preserved over 144 weeks. METHODS REALM-DCM (NCT03439514) was a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with symptomatic LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy. Patients with confirmed LMNA variants, New York Heart Association class II/III symptoms, left ventricular ejection fraction <= 50%, implanted cardioverter-defibrillator, and reduced 6-minute walk test distance were randomized to ARRY-371797 400 mg twice daily or placebo. The primary outcome was a change from baseline at week 24 in the 6-minute walk test distance using stratified Hodges-Lehmann estimation and the van Elteren test. Secondary outcomes using similar methodology included change from baseline at week 24 in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-physical limitation and total symptom scores, and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) concentration. Time to a composite outcome of worsening heart failure or all-cause mortality and overall survival were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses. RESULTS REALM-DCM was terminated after a planned interim analysis suggested futility. Between April 2018 and October 2022, 77 patients (aged 23-72 years) received ARRY-371797 (n=40) or placebo (n=37). No significant differences (P>0.05) between groups were observed in the change from baseline at week 24 for all outcomes: 6-minute walk test distance (median difference, 4.9 m [95% CI, -24.2 to 34.1]; P=0.82); Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-physical limitation score (2.4 [95% CI, -6.4 to 11.2]; P=0.54); Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-total symptom score (5.3 [95% CI, -4.3 to 14.9]; P=0.48); and NT-proBNP concentration (-339.4 pg/mL [95% CI, -1131.6 to 452.7]; P=0.17). The composite outcome of worsening heart failure or all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.11-1.74]; P=0.23) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.19 [95% CI, 0.23-6.02]; P=0.84) were similar between groups. No new safety findings were observed. CONCLUSIONS Findings from REALM-DCM demonstrated futility without safety concerns. An unmet treatment need remains among patients with LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

STEM CELL YHERAPY AND TISSUE ENGINEERING FOR CARDIOVASCULAR REPAIR

xv, 323 hlm ; 15,5 x 23 c