Innovations

Abstract

Timely and accurate identification is crucial for effective treatment of brain tumor, which are a major health concern worldwide. Integrating cutting-edge machine learning methods with medical imaging technologies, this research demonstrates a state-of-the-art method for detecting brain tumors. To improve the accuracy and speed of tumor detection, the suggested technique uses deep learning algorithms and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). In this work a large dataset of brain pictures from different imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are used. After performing pre-processing, normalization operations on collected dataset, it is used to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture, which trains the model to recognize brain tumor by their detailed patterns and properties.Using both internal and external validation datasets, the model is tested on a full suite of metrics, including accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity. Our methodology shows promise for early and accurate diagnosis, with results showing a significant improvement in detection accuracy (96.66%) compared to standard methods.  

Abstract

The major goal of this study was to examine how credit management affected the viability of a few Lagos, Nigeria-based biomedical companies. Trade credit, a form of financing that enables customers to make purchases on credit terms, can help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) enhance their earnings. However, many small business owners have struggled with improper trade credit management. This study aims to fill this vacuum and investigate how credit management affects the viability of businesses. The issue found in this study is that small business owners lack strategies to become profitable within the first five years of starting up their companies as a result of poor trade credit management. One of the main causes of small business failure around the world has been a lack of liquidity brought on by bad debts and overdue customer payments. Prior studies have concentrated on financing and account payables. Selected biomedical companies in Lagos State were the focus of the inquiry. A descriptive study methodology was used, and a high response rate of 95.86% was achieved with the return of 162 out of 169 distributed questionnaires. To evaluate the gathered data and test various hypotheses, statistical analysis was used with tools like SEM-PLS (Structural Equation Model) and Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The research showed that credit management policies had a big influence on growth. According to the study's conclusions, it is advised that businesses should improve their credit management policies. By putting these suggestions into effect, businesses will be able to boost their credit management procedures, spur economic expansion, and increase sustainability overall.  

Abstract

Among other objectives, the study tries to ascertain if media habits detracted from the number and quality interpersonal/face-to-face communication among family in the South-East zone of Nigeria. Drawing from the Uses and Gratification theory and theory of Technological Determinism, this research work surveyed a sample of 500 residents of the South-East who were selected through multi-stage sampling. The findings of this study suggest that majority of the respondents use the digital media, especially the social media. Majority of the respondents confirmed that the use of digital media detracts from the number and quality of interpersonal communication in the family. Among other recommendations, the study suggested the control of the use of the social media at home, especially among children and adolescents. The study recommended that further studies should be conducted to ascertain how the individual media habits of adults, adolescents and children, affect interpersonal communication amongst family.  

Abstract

This comprehensive study explores the variances in corporate governance practices across G20 nations, analyzing data from Refinitiv's extensive database. Focusing on key governance dimensions like management quality, shareholder rights, and corporate social responsibility, the study employs ANCOVA to assess these practices in relation to the countries' legal and regulatory frameworks. Significant differences in governance outcomes are revealed, highlighting the influence of national institutional environments. The research contributes to the understanding of global corporate governance, offering insights for policymakers, investors, and corporations, and underscores the need for harmonized governance standards in an interconnected global economy.  

Abstract

In this modern era of global competition, factors such as customer expectation and customer satisfaction vitally contributes towards the success of any industry and the Indian banking industry is not an exception. The role of customers is the existing Indian banking landscape customers play a vital role. It is the responsibility of banks to satisfy the customers in order to retain them for their very survival and success. Customer’s expectations, customer satisfaction, and service quality are highly related. The banks should be able to minimize and eliminate the gap between perceived service quality of customers and the actual service provided. The study also attempted to ascertain the dimensions of service quality in banks. It is suggested to the banking sector that apart from ensuring the trust of customers, it should improve their operations in providing highly advanced technological services to the customers with easy access and instant delivery features. Thus, by providing enhanced quality in the banking services, the banks would be able to create a whole gamut of satisfied customers which would ultimately lead to further the efficiency and performance in the banking landscape. Banking sector, one of the core sectors of service economy is fiercely competitive. Service quality measure is based on modified version of SERVQUAL as proposed by which involve five dimensions of service quality namely Reliability, Responsiveness, Empathy, Assurance and Tangibles. The purpose of this study is to review the literature survey on service quality in banking sector. The customers expect a high level of service quality factors, which influences the performance of bank.  

Abstract

Background: It is a vector borne disease, vector borne diseases are transmitted through bite of infected female Aedes aegypti or aedes albopictus mosquitoes. In 2004 from the Indian ocean the disease spread to India and it infected almost 1.5 million people in India. Chikungunya infection occurs in two phases as acute and chronic phase in respect to symptoms. The acute phase is said to be less than 3 months. If the symptoms like polyarthralgia and musculoskeletal stiffness persist for more than three months, it is termed as chronic phase. If chronic phases persist for longer duration, there is a need to assess quality of life in post chikungunya. Objective: The objective of our study is to find the impact of joint pain and stiffness in quality of life among post chikungunya patients. Methodology: A cross – sectional study was conducted among 174 post chikungunya patients. Arthralgia was assessed using patient reported arthralgia inventory, Musculoskeletal Stiffness was assessed using musculoskeletal stiffness questionnaire and the quality of life was assessed using Short Form – 36 questionnaires. Result: Out of 174 participants 76 were male and 98 were female participants. Results of the study suggested that all the participants were having arthralgia following chikungunya. 74 % were having multiple joint involvement. 55.7 % of participants had experienced stiffness in many of their joints. Quality of life score was found to be 54.7. % in post chikungunya patients. Conclusion: It was concluded from the results that joint pain and stiffness has a significant impact on quality of life among post chikungunya patients.  

Abstract

India relies extensively on agriculture. Seasonality, economy, and organic variables all affect agricultural yields. Examining India's sugar output trends was the aim of this study. Time-series data on sugar production (91 years) from 1930–1931 to 2019–20 were used. Two models, such as the Artificial Neural Network and the Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average, were used to anticipate the sugar production in India. The outcomes for the two models were contrasted. The error measure results indicated that the ANN was the most adequate.

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a serious medical condition and can increase the risk of heart, brain, kidney and other diseases.. Physical activity plays an important role in controlling hypertension. Physical activity includes walking and all movements that increases energy use. Objectives: To assess the level of physical activity among adult   and  find  association between the level of physical activity among adult with their selected socio demographic variables Materials and methods - A quantitative research approach  and descriptive research design was adopted.50 participants   in the age group of 20  -60  years who fulfill the inclusion criteria were selected  by non probability convenient sampling technique  at rural section of the  Nellore ,Andhra Pradesh, India . Modified General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) , 4-level physical activity index (PAI) were used to collect data. The data was analyzed in terms of objectives of the study using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results :  Maximum of adults  between 41-60 years of age,  6(12%) are moderately inactive,  9(18%)  are moderately active and 35(70%) are active and none of the adult are inactive in routine activity . Mean level of physical activity in hypertensive adults is 6.1 and standard deviation is 1.89. There is no significant association between the socio demographic variables like marital status and diet. And there is significant association with age, gender, educational status, family income, occupation, and type of family. notably a significant association with age, gender, educational status, family income, occupation, and  type of family and  no significant association with marital status and diet. Conclusion:  Very few hypertensive adults, according to the current study, are aware of the importance of physical activity in  controlling blood pressure, but adults must be educated to understand the significance of compliance  of  regular physical activity like walking   .  

Abstract

Several theories have been proposed to elucidate the impact of transactional leadership on innovative work behavior across diverse cultures, professions, and organizational environments. The researcher investigated the influence of transactional leadership styles /contingent reward, management by exception active, and management by exception passive/ on innovative work behavior. The scholar used aone sample at one time point data collection/cross-sectional research design/quantitative data collection technique. Structural multi-variate equation /CB-SEM/ modeling and AMOS Ver-23 software used for data analysis under the study.  In the study (Krejcie & Morgan, 1970), sampling methods had employed to draw an efficient sample size for better representatives of a target population. Subsequently, the researcher used stratified and simple random sampling techniques, and 372 self-administered survey questionnaires were distributed. Among the distributed questionnaires, only 360 of the respondents completed and returned to the researcher for analysis, the other questionnaires were incomplete and uncollectible. Data collection instrument was using procedurally, which comprised of twelve questions relating to the transactional leadership constructs and nine questions relating to innovative work behavior constructs. Moreover, four questions were the respondents' demographic variables. The study contributes an additional understanding of the significant effects of transactional leadership styles/CR and MBEA) on innovative work behavior. The finding revealed that management by exception passive leadership has an insignificant effect on the innovative work behavior of academic staff members in Ethiopia's higher educational institutions. Thus, the study made a novel contribution by unboxing the limited understanding of the effect of transactional leadership styles on innovative work behavior.  

Abstract

Screen production enquiry is adopted as a creative practice research to investigate the design process of Table for Two - a multi-genre parallel interactive narrative in virtual reality. Creative practice research as an enquiry conducted to shape, document, theorize and contextualize an artwork. Considering a film as an artwork, filmmakers as researchers often use the methodology of practice as an expression and evidence of their research findings. Early novel examples of screen production enquiries can be found in the montage theory and the experiments by Normal McLaren. Cinematic virtual reality is an emerging medium that has challenged filmmakers in recent years with storytelling for 360-degree spatial experience .In cinematic virtual reality, the viewer can step inside the screen border and immerse themselves further intoa360-degree cinematic experience. In this study, the viewer is addressed as a navigator due to their active participation in a cinematic virtual reality experience. Several research on virtual reality aim to guide navigators to look at intended areas in the virtual reality environment; however, it is argued that this aspect limits the full potential of virtual reality. The active role of the navigator in cinematic virtual reality along with the freedom to choose their own viewing direction is further explored with parallel interactive narratives in virtual reality. Parallel interactive narratives in virtual reality encourage the navigator to teleport from one narrative to another through gaze selection of pinpoint areas in the virtual environment. As the navigator teleports, the remaining narratives continue to unfold in parallel, irrespective of the navigator’s presence. In parallel interactive narratives in virtual reality, the director decides the story world, whereas the navigator customizes the sequence of events in the story world as they both co-create the experience. This process of co-creation is further discussed with a creative arte fact Table for Two, a one-shot parallel interactive narrative in virtual reality that represents specific genres of romance, supernatural fiction, and drama in a café. These three genres are inter-connected through the diverse characters and events occurring in the café. This experience is designed to encourage the navigator to engage in multiple viewings of the same experience to fix the pieces of a narrative puzzle. This article discusses and reflects upon the significance of Screen Production Enquiry as a method to generate novel insights from the production process of Table for Two. This article aims to encourage more filmmakers to reflect upon their production processes through the lens of a practice-based researcher.  

Abstract

Problem: The search examines the integration of the supply chain (SC) and its impact on performance among retailers in Osogbo metropolis, Nigeria. Design/Methodology/Approach: The triangulation method was adopted for this study. This study investigated the relationship between supply chain integration and supply chain performance. We employed the simple linear regression analysis method and utilized the ordinary least square technique in SPSS Version 26 to estimate the model parameters. Findings: The findings suggest that supply chain integration significantly predicts performance in the context of fast-moving consumer goods retailers in Osogbo. The results of the study indicate that enhancing supply chain management practices can lead to improved efficiency and efficacy within the industry. This is because effective supply chain management facilitates the coordination of activities among value chain partners, thus enabling businesses to realize their objectives. Conclusion: The study reveals explicitly that the success of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) enterprises is directly correlated to the success of their retail partners, who serve as their primary distribution channels.  

Abstract

Background: -Smartphone addiction typically involves compulsive phone use and behaviour, such as repeatedly checking messages and excessive use of the deviceleading to dietary changes, affecting sleep, and impairing quality of life which leads to obesity. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between all the components Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 139 Housewivesaged18-75 years were participated in the study from Jaipur, using the convenience sampling method. Data was collected with the help of an online Google form. To assess the relationship between smartphone addiction on dietary behaviour,sleep quality,quality of life and obesity  among females  smartphone addiction Scale short version (SAS-SV), Dutch Eating Behaviour Scale (DEBQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), SF-36 for quality of life outcome measures were used for Obesity Body mass index were calculated by weight in kilogram divided by height square Result: Smartphone addiction showed a positive significant correlation with dietary behaviour, sleep quality,poor quality of life and obesity with p-value (0.03) Conclusion: The study shows a moderately significant relationship between smartphone 

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare physiological and morphological parameters of junior athletics projects. In this study, all male middle and long distance running athletes from Bokoji and Misha athletics projects were participated as samples. Hence, census sampling technique was applied. Data were collected from a total 12 variables: Body Mass Index (BMI), upper leg length (ULL), upper leg circumference (ULC), calf circumference (CC), Speed and Agility (AgSp), Waist Circumference (WC), Triceps (Trps), Sub Scapular (SbSc), Per Cent Body Fat (%BF), Maximum O2 Volume (Vo2max),Resting Heart Rate (RHR), and Maximum Heart Rate (MHR). SPSS version 20.0 was applied for data analysis. To see significance, independent samples T-test was used. Level of significance was set at 0.05. The results clearly indicated that there were no statistically significant difference found on all anthropometric, physical, body composition and physiological parameters (except Upper Leg Length for which mean difference was significant) between Athletes of Bokoji AP and Misha AP. Finally, it was concluded that Athletes had demonstrated similar athletic performance on all physical and physiological parameters and had similar characteristics of Morphological (Anthropometric) parameters with some exceptions. Further investigation should be conducted in the similar study area.  

Abstract

Training program is most important for the athletes due to their long term effect and several methods have been developed to get reliable information about the plyometric exercise and Anthropometric performances of short distance runners. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of selected plyometric exercises on agility, speed, power and strength of short distance female athletes aged 16.54 from shire city athletics project.  A total of30 female athletes were selected as a sample using census method. They were assigned in two groups, Experimental group and control group. Each group consisted of 15 subjects. Before training, both groups of 15 athletes has done pre-tests: TAT and IAT for agility, SBJT and VJT for power, SUPT and WST for strength, and 60M and 35M Dash for speed and recorded. The selected plyometric exercise were implemented on the EG four days per week, (50-70) Seconds per a day. After three months, post-test measurement on the same parameters was taken. The difference between the test were analyzed statistically, with paired sampling t-test at (p? 0.05) consequently it was observed that selected plyometric exercises implemented brought about significant improvements from pre-test and post-test results of agility in which duration to complete T-test and Illinois test was decreased by mean difference of (1.47 at p=.000 and 1.75 at p=.000) respectively. Power in which length and height of SBJ and VJ test results were increased by a mean difference of (0.204 at p=.000 and 9.93 at p=.000) respectively. Strength in which duration of sit-up and wall squat strength test result was increased by a mean difference of (15.46 rep/seconds at p=.000 and 13 seconds resist at p=.000) respectively, and speed in which duration to complete (35m and 60m dash) was decreased by a mean difference of (1.08 seconds at p= .000 and 1.o4 seconds at p= .000.) Thus it has been concluded that selected plyometric exercises training conducted for three months relatively improve agility, power, strength and speed of short distance athlete. The investigators recommended the incorporation of selected plyometric exercise program for athletes involved in short distance events.  

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess Practices, Trends, and Health Consequences of Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs and doping among Athletes of various sports.  For this study the target population was fourteen sports clubs in selected zones, South Nations and Nationalities People and Sidama Regions. Thus, primary data were collected using self-made questionnaire from football, athletics, and volleyballclubs participating in premier league and national athletics clubs championship. All athletes(N=303)were included in the study as samples, hence census sampling technique was applied. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 Statistics Software(descriptive statistic). Results were expressed in terms of percentages, graphs, means, and standard deviations. Finally, the findings of this study indicated   majority 177 (58.4%)) of the respondents had not experienced any health problem associated with prohibited drugs. But 48 reported health related problem. Majority (42.6%)of respondents didn’t know the type of drug they had been using while 75(24.8%) of Athletes used social drugs; Unlike social drugs, 49.5% and 31.6% Athletes had been using supplements either when needed or on regular basis. Of these supplements: Vitamin C (26.3%), Whey Protein (15.2%) and Multivitamins (13.2%) were frequently used supplements; Lack of knowledge about banned substances was main factor for 46.6% respondents; respondents(36.63%)preferred Media as a main source of information; male participants had better knowledge level about performance enhancing drugs and doping than female. Finally, less involvement of athletes in drug abuse observed except for some supplements. But further investigation needed.  

Abstract

The main objective of this systematic review is to identify the potential of wind power energy, utilization level challenges and opportunities in Ethiopia. Regarding the methodology ofutilization of the study, a systematic review was used to collect data. Data were collected from selected articles and journals based on inclusion and exclusion criteria; mainly based on their level of relevance to the topic under study. Hence, this paper was prepared by reviewing the findings of empirical research results which were conducted on wind energy utilization in different parts of Ethiopia. Literature was collected thoroughly from main scientific databases like the Web of Science, Journal of citation report, Scopus, Google Scholar, citation tracing and science direct. Those articles dealing with wind power energy utilisation have been considered for the selection process by using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The criteria employed to incorporate different related studies into a systematic review were the time of publication, similarity, type of publication and scope of the journal between 2010 and 2023 years. From the total of 127 articles assessed, only 11 were identified for this systematic review. Most of the articles included in the study were case studies and qualitative and mixed studies.  The analysis result of this research shows that increasing the participation of wind power energy in the renewable energy market requires raising awareness regarding its benefits; increasing the research and development of new technologies; implementing public policies and a program that will encourage wind power energy generation.  

Abstract

The gender constraint in mobility and accessibility to quality transport is often apparent in women more than men. It thus affects their ability to engage in meaningful economic activities.In Nigerian cities, transportation playsa contributory role in promoting trading activities and distribution of goods across the sub-region, and given the fact that women active participation intrading enhances the overall economic development of these regions, there is need for an efficient urban transport with gender sensitivity. Most researches of urbanmobility have been carried out in developed countries withlittleevidence on this subject indeveloping countries such as Nigeria. The aim of this paper is toexamine gender disparities in the accessibilityand mobility choices of traders in Osogbo, Nigeria by exploring the impact of traders’socio demographic factors on modal choices of traders. A systematic sampling was also used to administer 302 questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using simple chi square analysis and Binary Logistic regression. Results reveal thatmonthly income and driving status of female traders have significant effects on their modal choices and emphasized the need for a sustainable urban transport;it also highlighted the need to examine a gendered-based transportation planning and managementif the roles of women in our society are to be achieved.  

Abstract

The India population majorly from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir crosses border illegally with a dream to enter and settle in America. The illegal migration of the Indian population has increased swiftly over the years. They use the Donkey visa or flight to illegally enter the target country. The entry in the United States through the backdoor channels is the deadliest and the most dangerous journey in the world. They hire agentaka Donkers who charge 30- 50 lakhs and brain washes them to take to the destination and leave mid- way. Among a very few of them reach the destination because they have to face endless hurdles such as Mafia in jungles, Gang- violence, Gun- violence, all types of crimes, hunger, threat of forest animals, etc. After crossing the Mexico- US border, they surrender themselves to the border patrolling force of the United States, thereafter they apply for an asylum process through the lawyer which the agent makes them hire and fill asylum application. Among those, some people get deported and if lucky, get permanent asylum there. It is actually the process in which people are smuggled by the agents through the backdoor channels and routes to reach the target country. With a view to get a better quality of living with financial stability, people take visa- free- entries by back door entry. In this deadliest journey of donkey visa, many people die and disappear every year and their families back India are unaware whether they are alive. People take many routes to reach America as their agent suggests. Most popular route they reach through is south American corridor crossing Ecuador, Columbia, through Panama they reach Costa Rica then to the Mexico where they travel towards Tijuana Mexico- USA border and enter the United States. The other route which agents take through is via different flights and routes from India to Venezuela, Turkey, Dubai, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Argentina, they reach Panama and crosses El- Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and reach to cross the Mexican border. Some people even after reaching Canada legally, they illegally try to enter the United States with a dream to earn American dollars and settle there. The process is affecting the illegal immigrants and the native population both. It is both social as well as an economic burden for the native government in the era of scarce resources where governments plan and make policies for the judicious use and saving of resources for future use. This becomes a problem for the native government to make a balance between the rights of immigrants and citizens. Migrating flow of population in an illegal manner impacts both themselves by the violation of their human rights and the target country in a number of ways. Also, their data is difficult to be collected and tracked.  

Abstract

Multinational corporations play a pivotal role in shaping economies and societies, particularly in regions like South West Nigeria. Understanding how these corporations manage strategic issues and ensure economic sustainability is crucial for several reasons. Hence, this study investigated the relationship between strategic issues management (SIM) and economic sustainability of multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in South-West Nigeria. Using a cross sectional survey approach, the study collected data from 220 employees of MNCs. The study hypotheses were tested using partial least squares – structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with the aid of SmartPLS 3.2.9. The result showed that strategic issues management (capability development and strategic thinking) had a positive and significant effect on economic sustainability. Thus, indicating that strategic issues management is a pivotal factor that contributes to the overall sustainability and success of multinational corporations. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the multinational corporations should harness capability development as a tool to drive economic sustainability, by positioning themselves for long-term growth, profitability, and success. This can be achieved by designing training programmes that focus on building skills and competencies that align with strategic goals and economic sustainability. The study contributes to the literature on SIM and sustainability in the context of emerging economies such as Nigeria.  

Abstract

Problem: COVID-19 continued to mutate and spread in 2022 despite the introduction of safe, effective vaccines and medications. In India, rates of COVID-19 vaccination are gradually improving, albeit unevenly and moreover, evidence suggested that the humoral response to vaccination is substantially reduced within 6 months, necessitating additional doses (including boosters) to achieve adequate levels of protection. Methodology: This study has its main objective to evaluate the acceptance rate of COVID-19 booster vaccine among HCPs. The structured questionnaire draft was adapted from previous studies of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy which include demography, awareness about COVID-19 and variants, history of infection and vaccination, current threat about the infection and booster dose acceptance and hesitance. Findings: In this study, more than 72% of the participants accepted and they had better scientific knowledge about the importance of vaccines. On the other hand, 28% were hesitated to receive the vaccines predominantly due to the efficacy of the vaccine, as the vaccines were developed in the short duration and lesser trials done. Conclusion: This study has limitations including the questionnaire interviewed about general COVID-19 vaccine, whereas several COVID-19 vaccines, each with different efficacy results, are now being distributed.    

Abstract

This study attempts to standardize Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) endogenous growth measures that include profit, membership, share capital, dividends, savings, employee competence, and the number of employees - by performing principal component analysis on 42 SACCOs drawn from Lusaka Province of Zambia. Using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, panel data were collected and analysed. Qualitative textual data was analysed manually using hierarchical coding frames. Quantitative data was used to estimate through multivariate analysis the impact of capital structure on SACCO growth, while random effect regression was utilized to estimate the actual effect of the variables on the growth. The research used structured interviews, literature reviews, and questionnaire surveys. Data was generated by pooling a panel dataset of 42 SACCOs over a five-year timespan from 2017 to 2021.The results of the study established that for every 1percent increase in savings, SACCOs grew by 0.17/100 units, while a 1percent increase in share capital led to a growth of 0.09/100 units – while every 1percent increase in retained earnings, SACCOs reduced by 0.00/100 units. Suffice it to mention that the relationship was statistically significant (p-value <0.05).  

Abstract

Educators face the challenging task of designing a curriculum, assessment, and instruction that meets international, national, and school standards. The design and implementation are insufficientfor a responsive curriculum, assessment, and instruction, which is the focus of the study, to respond, resolve, and take action to further education. This study sought to determine the responsiveness of the curriculum, assessment, and instruction of basic education at the University of Baguio to 21st-century skills and Sustainable Development Goals integration. It utilized descriptive statistics to determine the level of responsiveness, and the contributing factors, they were drawn from the answers to open-ended questions included in the survey, in which they were coded and analyzed. From the results, a standards guide was formulated. Findings revealed that the University of Baguio's basic educationprogram is a progressive approach to education, integrating 21st-century competencies and Sustainable Development Goals into its hybrid learning framework. This approach equips students with skills for contemporary problems and fosters accountability for a sustainable future. The successful implementation of a responsive hybrid learning curriculum in a private senior high school requires stable internet resources, the integration of core subjects, and the selection of power competencies. With that, the Standards Compliance Guide, based on the Department of Education's K–12 Basic Education Program Policy Guidelines, aims to ensure teachers consistently adhere to required standards through document evaluation.  

Abstract

The SHG system is very beneficial to the tribal women's group. The Visakhapatnam district is devoid of SHG ties. When it comes to the factors that determine income by various independents, many studies, however, have more gaps than they fill and inadequate statistical methods for data analysis.  Programs that prioritize the development of indigenous women are desperately needed in undeveloped tribal lands.  Thus, this study aims to evaluate the SHG program in the selected mandals of Ananthagiri and Araku mandals in the Visakhapatnam district overall, as well as investigate the program's effects.Economists and politicians propose a unique income-generating strategy for women to further their development: they call these unorganized groups "self-help groupings" (SHGs). The SHG is one program designed to assist women in advancing socioeconomically. Research on the impact of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on members' living conditions and household income has been carried out in Andhra Pradesh. Few studies have, however, compared the performance of SHGs in tribal groups. Furthermore, there is a paucity of studies assessing the efficacy of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Visakhapatnam district that are affiliated with different tribal mandals. This study is an attempt to use that method.  

Abstract

Background –Body posture breakdown in and adolescents composes one of the most popular yet underestimated health problem. The alteration in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), lower vital capacity of the lungs, and low back pains, as well as the movement of the internal organs are just some of the results of untreated incorrect body posture. In adolescents with overweight generally seem to have prevalence of incorrect body posture. Method – A cross-sectional study was conducted among college going adolescents. Participants were included in the study who have aged between 11-19 years of age and both males and females were taken in consideration. A total sample of 380 adolescents was taken from NIMS College of Physiotherapy.  To assess rounded shoulder we have used Pectoralis minor index method, for cardiorespiratory assessment we have used 6 Minute walk test, and for psychosocial health we have used psychosocial health status questionnaire. Result -Results shows that rounded shoulder and psychosocial health status is negatively correlated with cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusion- Present study concludes that rounded shoulder, cardiorespiratory fitness, psychosocial health status are correlated with each other. Rounded shoulder and altered psychological status affects the respiratory muscles which will eventually lead to poorer cardiorespiratory health.  

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a cyclic phenomenon which is associated with behavioral, psychological and physical symptoms. It is caused by dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA axis) which leads to impaired mental status, high level of stress level among females. Physical activity is beneficial to improve PMS symptoms, so present study was conducted to find out the relationship of PMS with mental status, physical activity, stress level among college going females. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among college going females. Data was collected with online google form. Total 216 students age between 18-25 participated in the study. To assess physical activity, stress, mental state, and premenstrual symptoms, we employed standard questionnaires, including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and the Premenstrual syndrome scale questionnaire. Result : Results shows that PMS is significantly correlated with  stress level with p value of 0.030 and with mental status it is showing weak correlation with p value of 0.963. PMS is significantly correlated with physical activity with p value of 0.023. Conclusion- PMS is correlated with physical activity, stress level and mental status of college going females.  

Abstract

The strategic importance of a nation’s transport system to the country’s economic growth and the increasing threat that climate change poses to the world necessitates an environmental sustainability analysis of the double standard gauge railway transportation network in the Nigeria. Until recently commuting between Nigeria’s major cities, Lagos and Ibadan lacked a functioning rail system however following the revitalizations of rail transportation within these cities, the need arouse to assess the environmental sustainability of the rail transportation within the country. Previous researches on rail sustainability in Nigeria were done using secondary data but this research, adopted a mixed methods research approach to justify the formulated hypothesis that there is no significant difference in environmental sustainability of rail transport across selected rail stations. This was validated using One-way ANOVA and descriptive statistics. The result revealed the mean values of terminal locations, such that Ibadan had the highest value of (M=18.78, SD= 3.49), Lagos, (M=18.21, SD= 3.32) and Abeokuta (16.31, SD=3.65). The ANOVA indicated that railway terminal location had a significant influence on environmental sustainability with [F (2, 388) = 9.10, p < .01] hence confirmed the observed variance in derived mean values. Further Scheffe Post Hoc test showed the mean differences between Abeokuta and Ibadan at (MD=2.47, p < .05) and Abeokuta and Lagos at (MD=1.90, p < .05) were significant however, the mean difference between Ibadan and Lagos was not significant (MD =0.57, p > .05). Result showed that there was a significant difference in the indices of environmental sustainability across the stations [F (2, 388) = 9.10, p < .01] hence the formulated hypothesis is rejected. This study recommended the adoption of a holistic environmental sustainability policy in the construction and management of the ongoing railway revitalization project in the country. It is also advised that the operational efficiency of the rail system should be in line with the best global practices to maintain its competitiveness.  

Abstract

Theanalysis examines the short and long run properties of remittance on inflation in Bangladesh since 1981 to 2021, monitoringon structural breaks. Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) is employed to explore the connection between remittance and inflation. Results show that in the long run remittance has 74.3% expectant and substantialinfluence on inflation whereas consumption expenditure has 35.5% undesirable and considerableeffect on inflation.Conversely, in the short run consumption expenditure has 16.7% affirmative and suggestive impression on inflation in Bangladesh. The Error correction term (ECT) is 48% which indicates that in this speed the dependent variable returns to equilibrium. To encourage more remitting from the diaspora, the government of Bangladesh should work with banking institutions to lower the cost of remittance.The empirical results recommend a special interest rate for remittance beneficiaries so that the flow of money supply can be controlled in the economy.The research findings also suggest to invest in productive activity rather than spending for consumption purposes in order to lessen the impact of remittance inflows on inflation in Bangladesh.  

Abstract

In an era where healthcare is rapidly advancing, dentistry too is experiencing a transformative wave, particularly in the domain of tissue engineering. This comprehensive review elucidates the myriad applications of tissue engineering within dentistry, intersecting areas of molecular biology, materials science, and clinical practices. We offer a multi-faceted exploration of the current clinical applications, while also outlining a roadmap for future advancements. A Commitment to Excellence in meeting society's ever-changing needs is emphasized, as is the role of Dynamic Leadership in spearheading these innovations. From periodontal regeneration to the bio fabrication of dental implants, this review serves as an essential resource for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to seize the exponential opportunities tissue engineering brings to the dental field.  

Abstract

The study examined the analyze-phase of six sigma and performance of manufacturing firms in Southeast, Nigeria. The specific objectives were, to:(i) determine the nature of the relationship between being customer-centric and the profitability of manufacturing firms in Southeast, Nigeria; (ii) ascertain  the effect of improvement process on customers repurchase behavior for products of manufacturing firms in Southeast, Nigeria; (iii) examine the nature of the relationship between eliminating waste and the quality of products in manufacturing firms in Southeast, Nigeria; (iv) investigate the extent to which leader development contribute to the reduction of expenses in manufacturing firms in Southeast, Nigeria; and  (v) establish the nature of relationship between control processes and the output of manufacturing firms in Southeast, Nigeria.The population of the study was made up of 3565 members of staff comprising of management, senior and junior staff of the selected manufacturing firms in Southeast Nigeria. The sample size was three hundred and forth seven (347) respondents, which was determined using Freund and William’s statistical formula. However, a total of 274 duly completed and returned copies of the questionnaire were used for the analysis. The study adopted stratified sampling technique to reach out to different strata using a structured questionnaire. To allocate samples to various strata, Bowler’s (1976) proportional allocation formula for stratified sampling was used to ensure fair and equitable distribution of the sample. The research instrument was validated using face and content validity. Test retest method and Cronbach’s Alpha Statistic were used to test for reliability of the instrument, of which the results were all above 70%. The primary data collected were statistically tested using regression analysis at 5% level of significance with the aid of SPSS version 23. The study found the following: (i) being customer-centric positively has a significant effect on profitability of beverage manufacturing firms in Southeast Nigeria, (β = 0.685); (p < 0.05); (ii) continuous improvement process positively has a significant effect on customers repurchase behavior, (β = 0.983); (p < 0.05); (iii) elimination of waste has a significant positive effect on quality of products, (β = 0.960); (p < 0.05); (iv) leader development has a significant positive effect on reduction of expenses, (β = 0.951); (p < 0.05); and (v) control process has a significant positive effect on organisational output, (β = 0.901); (p < 0.05). Flowing from the findings, the study therefore concluded that Analyze-Phase of Six Sigma has a significant positive effect on the performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Southeast Nigeria. Thus, the study, inter alia, recommended that organisations should prioritize and enhance their customer-centric culture in order to maintain and boost profitability, this is because, implementing strategies that focus on understanding and meeting customer needs, improving customer satisfaction, and fostering long-term relationships will contribute to sustained financial success.  

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) technique and the performance of academic staff in federal universities situated in the South-East region of Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: ascertain the relationship between APER publication requirement and the number of journal articles of academic staff of universities; determine the relationship between APER teaching experience requirement and student performance; examine the relationship between APER requirement of punctuality and the quality of student advising/counseling; assess the relationship between APER feedback requirement and employee motivation and commitment; and determine the relationship between process of APER and career development and growth. The study used a cross sectional survey research design to collect data from academic staff in federal universities in South-East, Nigeria. The target population of this study comprises six thousand seven hundred and forty six (6,746) academic staff of the five federal universities in the five eastern states of Nigeria, while a sample size of 422 was determined using Cochran sample size formula. Data were gathered through surveys and analysis of academic staff records. The study’s hypotheses were tested using Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. The findings revealed that APER techniques had a significant and positive relationship with academic staff performance. Specifically, APER teaching requirements were found to positively influence student performance, APER punctuality requirements positively correlated with the quality of student advising and counseling, there was a significant relationship between APER Feedback Requirement and employee motivation and commitment. Lastly, the APER process was found to be positively associated with academic staff's career development and growth. The study concluded that the APER techniques were important for the continuous improvement of teaching, research, and service activities. It was recommended Universities should prioritize investments in faculty development programmes, teaching workshops, and innovative pedagogical approaches to help academic staff meet APER teaching requirements effectively. Also, support and reward teaching excellence, as it plays a vital role in enhancing student performance.  

Abstract

Potentially malignant disorders are the onesthat have a high chance of turning into a malignant lesion or condition. It is also necessary and important to diagnose and treat them at an early stage. Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF), Oral Lichen Planus, Leukoplakia, and Erythroplakia are some common potentially malignant disorders. The etiological factors vary from deleterious habits to immune-mediated conditions. Management depends upon the severity of dysplasia and the treatment optionsstart from habit cessation counseling, antioxidants, topical and systemic corticosteroids, intralesional injection of steroids, cryotherapy, and surgical excision. This article has been written to highlight the management of these potentially malignant disorders using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and discuss about its benefits.  

Abstract

The study examined the effects of Local Content Strategies and Sustainability of Pharmaceutical Industry in Southeast, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine the effect of domestic sourcing of raw materials on the sustainability of organisational productivity of pharmaceutical industry in Southeast, Nigeria; evaluate the effect of procurement of local materials on the maintaining costs of pharmaceutical industry in Southeast, Nigeria; establish the extent to which Investment in local content initiatives affect waste management of pharmaceutical industry in Southeast, Nigeria; ascertain the extent to which development of local production of goods affect personal health of workers of pharmaceutical industry in Southeast, Nigeria; assess the influence of labour creation on operational safety of pharmaceutical industry in Southeast, Nigeria; determine the extent to which transfer of skills influence quality of products of pharmaceutical industry in Southeast, Nigeria. The study was anchored on Resource-Based View theory. The study adopted survey research design with a total population of 3172. The sample size was 343 respondents gotten using Freund and William’s statistical formula, however, a total of 330 copies of duly completed and returned questionnaire were used for the analysis. The study also adopted stratified sampling technique to reach out to different strata using structured questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was measured using face and content validity. Cronbach’s Alpha Statistic was used to test the reliability of the instrument, of which the results were all above 70% required standard. The primary data collected were statistically tested using regression analysis with the aid of SPSS. The study found that Local Content Strategies have significant effect on Sustainability of Pharmaceutical Industry in Southeast, Nigeria. The study, therefore recommended, among others, that pharmaceutical companies actively strengthen partnerships with local suppliers; establish long-term agreements, foster collaboration with local raw material providers, and invest in initiatives that enhance the quality and reliability of domestically sourced materials.  

Abstract

The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is well recognized in modern times for its crucial role in providing information and digitizing agricultural companies. The focus of this study was to identify the obstacles encountered by young farmers, specifically those residing in rural regions of Haryana. A descriptive study was undertaken with an interview schedule including of both open-ended and close-ended inquiries. The study respondents were selected using a multistage probability (simple random) sampling procedure. Data was obtained from 480 young farmers who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. In order to obtain a dependable conclusion, the captured data was analysed via SPSS. The results indicated that most of the participants were mature and skilled agriculturalists with limited land ownership. The majority of respondents had a monthly family income that fell within the moderate category. Respondents extensively utilised a wide range of information sources. The farmers emphasised social limitations such as insufficient knowledge, communication obstacles, stereotyped conduct, and irrelevant content. The economic limitations revolve around inadequate information and communication technology infrastructure. The technical restrictions were the farmers' inability to utilise ICTs, restricted internet connectivity, doubts regarding the authenticity of information, and a deficiency of essential skills. The study suggests the creation of a durable ICT network to efficiently provide information to a larger percentage of the rural farming community. A policy framework consisting of four main elements is proposed to include rural farmers in agriculture through the use of ICTs.  

Abstract

Cultural relativism is the idea that the beliefs and practices of a culture should be understood within the context of that culture, rather than judged against the standards of another culture. This concept is particularly important when it comes to environmental justice, as different cultures have vastly different relationships with the natural world. By embracing cultural relativism, we can promote environmental justice for all communities, no matter where they are in the world. In this, we will explore the importance of cultural relativism in the context of environmental justice, and discuss some practical ways in which we can work towards a more equitable and sustainable global community. From understanding the cultural meanings attached to different natural resources to advocating for the rights of indigenous communities, join us in exploring the many ways in which cultural relativism can help us create a more just and sustainable world.  

Abstract

Studies on Queen Elizabeth II’s speech of April 5, 2020 on COVID-19 have not benchmarked the speech with a blend of Austinian speech acts with accommodation, trauma and audience design theories. The present study is an attempt at filling this gap. It is designed to use these eclectic theories to bring out the untapped linguistic resources in the speech. Findings indicated that the informing act has the highest frequency of 7 (33.2%). This is followed by predicting, 4(19%), assuring,4(19%), thanking/appreciating, 3 (14.4%). Meanwhile, describing, reminiscing and comparing have 1(4.8%) frequency each. Finally, the study indicated a preponderance of the deictic element of “we.” Thus, the Queen, as a concerned and experienced leader, was able to identify with the citizens, inform and communicate a message of sympathy/hope to them at the traumatic period. She was also able to foresee into the future with an assurance that the efforts of the frontliners would yield the expected result.  

Abstract

In the contemporary competitive landscape, effective advertising is crucial for organizations to capture the attention of consumers and shape their purchasing behavior. Marketers deploy various media strategies to engage target audiences, recognizing that advertisements have the power to influence consumer decisions by shaping self-concepts. This study focuses on investigating the impact of advertising on housewives in Malappuram District, drawing conclusions from primary data collected from 80 conveniently selected participants. Both descriptive and inferential statistics are employed to analyze the data, revealing a correlation between customers' age and the price of purchased products. Additionally, the study finds no significant relationship between customers' educational qualifications and the quality of products purchased. The research contributes valuable insights into the dynamics of advertising influence on the buying behavior of housewives in the specified region.  

Abstract

This study aims to identify child mortality in Bangladesh as a result of rising food prices from the data of 2000 – 2021.Secondary data collected from WDI is used in this study. To determine the desired results, numerous econometric time series analysis techniques have been applied, such as the Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Autoregressive Distributive Lag bounds tests. Both series are not integrated at level two, according to the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test, and the cointegration and short- and long-term relationships between the variables were demonstrated using the Autoregressive Distributive Lag Bounds testing method. These findings show that Food price inflation, fertility rate has opposingeffect on infant mortality in the long run. A 1% upsurge in food price inflation increases the infant mortality by about 0.0009442%. and a 1% increase in fertility rate increases the infant mortality by about .0033952%.The conclusions are all logically consistent, and conclusions are used to make policy recommendations. There should be increased effort by government of Bangladesh to reduce the negative correlation between rising food prices and infant mortality.  

Abstract

Objective: CSR act as hub of sustainable development goals formed by UN’s. The present research study aims to access the association of CSR initiatives and SDGs. This paper’s purpose is to evaluate how corporate sectors operating in Odisha are taking up various CSR initiatives to attainment of sustainable goal. Methodology: Researcher using content analysis techniques on evaluation of corporate social responsibility reports, corporate sustainability reports and ESG reports etc. This study is primarily based on secondary data. Researcher selecting 10 sample companies out of which 7 Public sector and 3 Private sector companies which have commercial operation in India. Result: This research paper outcome is that there is 50 percent positive association between CSR initiatives and SDGs achievement between corporate sectors to accumulate social, economical and environmental (natural) capital sustainability. The study provides suggestions to the govt. to make the CSR activities compulsory for all profitable public and private sector companies for attainment of sustainable development goal for well being of society. Therefore, Indian CSR initiatives need proper planning and strategy for achievement of SDGs. Research Practical and Social Implications: The study of CSR initiatives act as catalyst for SDGs is a gigantic issue in present scenario for sustainable development. This research study I hope immensely helpful in guiding, regulating and driving CSR practices for public & private sector companies towards attaining SDGs. Originality/value: The present research study CSR as a catalyst for achievement of SDGs have a universal importance for doing well and betterment of society. Adequate integration is essence between corporate CSR initiative and sustainable development goals with the aim of generating social, economic and environmental (natural) capital aspects as regards to all round development and sustainable of society.  

Abstract

The communication of health related information is fundamental for the well-being of man-kind. Media messages on exclusive breastfeeding practices as recommended by UNICEF is a major campaign that is targeted at influencing positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding among women of reproductive age across the globe. This study therefore, seeks to examine the level of awareness, extent of knowledge and attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding practice as well as how well media have promoted it and how media messages on breastfeeding have influenced its practice among women of reproductive age in South East Nigeria. The study used the Knowledge Gap theory and the Health Belief Model to explain the phenomenon under investigation. The study employed the survey research design and the questionnaire was the instrument used to elicit behavioural responses from a sample of  388 women of reproductive age in south east, Nigeria. Findings reveal among other things that women of reproductive age in South East Nigeria are “Strongly Aware” and knowledgeable to a “Very Large Extent” about feeding patterns peculiar to only the new-born (i.e. children between 0 – 8 months old). There was positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding practice and minimal level of compliance found among the respondents. Hence, the study concludes that the correlation between awareness and knowledge does not imply full compliance in practice as there are factors that hinder compliance. The researcher therefore recommends among other things that media messages on exclusive breastfeeding should include real time testimonies from women who have benefited from the practice to enhance credibility. .  

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has played a significant role in the development of neuroscience by aiding in the interpretation of sensitive neuroscientific data from the human brain. This paper initially elaborates on how these tools are potentially paving way for earlier and more accurate detection of brain disorders and how it helps in acquiring a comprehensive grasp of the intricacies of human brain. But what is more important is the convergence of AI and neuroscience to do this brain intervention in an unbiased way and to make sure the sensitive neurological data is not put into use for anything other than in a clinical context. The increase in the availability of such data raises the chance of escape of such uniquely sensitive information into unscrupulous hands that might lead to high ethical concerns. Neurotechnological mindreading, whether voluntary or involuntary, has a potential risk of violation of mental privacy. This paper aims to put an end to the debate of increasing regulations to deal with these concerns, in a way that it does not hamper unlocking new frontiers in cognitive science.  

Abstract

Problem: The plasmid mediated quinolone resistance genes have been identified in many bacteria within the Enterobactericeae family and they have not been frequently documented in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. The main objective of this study is to determine the plasmid mediated quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methodology: In this study, the identification was based on phenotypic characterization of P. aeruginosa, antibiotic resistance pattern and plasmid DNA profile. Processing the isolates and testing of antibiotic susceptibility was performed in Vitek2 Compact (Biomeriux, France) automated systems. DNA was isolated using the QIAamp DNA mini kit and quantified using Qubit. Genome data were analyzed and compared using the Plasmidfinder and pathogen.watch Database. Findings: Out of 157 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, 10 isolates were determined as multidrug resistant strains according to MDR indexing. All were screening for the presence of MDR plasmids where three P. aeruginosa MDR strains from pus samples, were detected with four plasmids. Plasmids were identified by restriction mapping and this map of restriction is recognizing the sites within a particular plasmid. Conclusions: Plasmid mediated quinolone resistance genes have not been reported in the study region from P. aeruginosa isolates which indicates the need of analysis of antibiotic resistance phenotypes combined with plasmid profiling for curtailing the spread of resistance in these bacteria.  

Abstract

The paper investigates the intricate interaction between justice and care orientation in moral reasoning, particularly within educational contexts. The study draws from Kohlberg’s and Gilligan’s theories, examining how individuals develop their moral reasoning and make ethical judgment. While Kohlberg’s model emphasizes justice-based moral reasoning, Gilligan posits a care-based moral reasoning. A systematic review was conducted to uncover the integration of care and justice orientations. e review revealed that recent meta-analyses indicate shared tendencies towards prosocial behaviors among genders, suggesting a common foundation for moral cognition. Disparities observed between genders tend to diminish with age, highlighting nuanced influences. This insight informs educational practices by encouraging tailored approaches that encompass care and justice perspectives, nurturing ethical awareness and moral identity among students. The paper underscores the need for inclusive theories and dynamic teaching strategies to foster morally responsible individuals.  

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of Igbo Apprenticeship Business Model on the Sustainability of SMEs in Southeast, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design with a total population of 10114 which was reduced to a sample size of 370 respondents using Freund and William’s statistical formula. The study also adopted stratified sampling technique to reach out to different strata using structured questionnaire. Cronbach’s Alpha Statistic was used to test the reliability of the instrument, of which the results were all above 70% respectively. The primary data collected were collated and subjected to statistical test using regression analysis with the aid of SPSS. The study found that Igbo Apprenticeship Business Model has a significant effect on the sustainability of SMEs in Southeast, Nigeria. Thus, the study, inter alia, recommended that Governments should begin to encourage initiatives that actively preserve and promote traditional crafts and trades in the region, providing incentives and recognition for artisans and craftsmen and also implement sociocultural education programmes in schools to ensure younger generations appreciate and understand the social, historical and cultural significance of these traditional trades and business customs and practices and the significant roles Igbo Apprenticeship Business Models plays in economic development of the region.  

Abstract

Khadi and village industries in India is a leading MSME which provides more that 50%of job opportunity when compare to the other MSME in India. However, in Khadi and village industries are the primary employers creating MSME sector in India but their average productivity levels are lower than those of other sectors of MSME. ILO in 2015 has put forward the concept of decent work under sustainable development goals to revive the sector and to increase the productivity of labourers and to increase its contribution to GVA. So, in the present study the researcher tries to analyse the condition of Khadi and village industries on the basis of the indicators put forward by ILO.    

Abstract

Understanding infiltration characteristics of soil is crucial for effective soil management and sustainable crop production process in sandy soil environment. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of crop cover types on infiltration pattern of granular soil. Soil samples were collected for laboratory determination of textural properties while infiltration pattern was determined with double ring infiltrometer for cumulative time of 180 minutes. Results of soil physical properties showed that they have monolithic textural characteristics with mean values of 76, 73, 75, 69 per cents sand; 11, 15, 11, 20, silt; 13, 8, 12, 11, clayfor cassava, maize, plantain and oil palm plots respectively. Results of cumulative intake of various ground cover types ranged between 0 - 44.50 (plantain), 0 - 43.20 (oil palm), 0 - 48.00 (cassava) and 0 - 46 (maize). Results showed that different crop cover types influence infiltration pattern differently. Similarly,  longer growth cycle of crops (plantain and oil palm plots) results in the production of litter falls/residues that influence inflow of water into the soil. The study recommends crops that promote the production of residues that have water holding capacity as well as interfere with excess water infiltration in granular soils.  

Abstract

Micro finance institutions are working towards for alleviation poverty and women empowerment by providing the micro credit the poor and rural people. The basic purpose of the study is to investigate major trends nonperforming assets of microfinance institutions in India. The trends of NPAs of Micro finance institutions are analysed in different segment like NPAs under women SHGs & NPAs under NRLM/SGSY.SIDBI AnnualReports on micro finance institutions for the last three years are collected and analysed and found the trends in non-performing assets of public sector commercial banks, Private Banks, regional banks and Cooperativebanks. Regional rural banks play a vital role in fulfilling the financial needs of the rural people. This paper also made an attempt to identify is there any difference in average NPA’s percentage in total advance by regional rural banks among the different regions of the country. Micro finance institutions need to come up with new financial products and services in this competitive era to fulfil the need of rural and poor people who can’t afford the services from the other financial organizations. Therefore it is is required to study the progress of such micro finance institutions in India.  

Abstract

The research focused on treasury single accounts and the performance of government-owned organizations in Northwest, Nigeria. The study's main objective was to examine the effect of treasury single accounts on the performance of government-owned organizations in Northwest, Nigeria. the study has five specific objectives which were in line with research questions and hypotheses. The study adopted a survey research design. The target population of this study consists of the management staff of the twelve selected government-owned organizations in seven (7) North-West states, in Nigeria, which totaled4,280. At the same time, a sample of 300 was determined using Cochran's (1977) sample size determination formula. Quantitative data for the study were collected through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using simple percentages and charts with the aid of the Statistic Package of Social Science (SPSS)version 29.0. In contrast, simple linear regression and Pearson Correlation were used to test the hypothetical relationship between the study variables with the help of Statistic Package of Social Science (SPSS)version 29.0 software. The results showed that treasury single accounts positively and significantly influenced the performance of government-owned organizations. It was suggested that government-owned organizations' staff should be trained and take over from System Specs in managing treasury single account, the government should go beyond the treasury single account policy and ensure possible loopholes in all revenue generation and policy enforcement agencies are blocked, the government should improve the working environments of government-owned organizations  

Abstract

Maxillary canine impactions are frequently encountered in orthodontic practice, with the maxillary permanent canines being the second most commonly impacted teeth after third molars. Several factors contribute to impaction, including genetic predisposition, insufficient space in the dental arch, abnormal eruption paths, and the presence of other dental anomalies. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to mitigate potential complications, such as malocclusion, root resorption, and soft tissue problems. Diagnostic tools like panoramic radiographs, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and clinical examination aid in precise localization, classification, and assessment of the impacted canines. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to mitigate potential complications, such as malocclusion, root resorption, and soft tissue problem. Management of canine impaction typically involves an interdisciplinary approach, with orthodontists, oral surgeons, and general dentists working collaboratively. Treatment options may include surgical exposure and orthodontic traction, guided eruption, or extraction with orthodontic space closure, depending on the specific case and patient age. This abstract provides a concise overview of the key aspects related to maxillary canine impactions, encompassing their prevalence, etiology, diagnosis, treatment planning, and management options.  

Abstract

Traditional payment has been found to have inherent failings or challenges like fraud, errors and corruption that hinders its operational effectiveness. In a bid to figure out how these challenges can be mitigated, reduced or eliminated, the e-payment introduction becomes eminent.  Expectations are high on e-payment ability to harness the shortcomings of the traditional payment and turn them up effectively and efficiently for improved payment in the country.  However, opinions and views hold suspect the ability of the e-payment to achieve the much desired objectives and this sets the study objectives with the main one being to examine electronic and traditional payment systems on payments in Nigeria a comparative analysis of methods and specific objectives being to determine impact or effects of the two payment systems in Nigeria to establish the more effective; also examine the more effective of their products like: POS and cash payment on spot purchases; IPPIS and bank schedules on effective salary administration and TSA and Multi-Treasury Account (MTA) on effective government financial management and accountability.  The questions guiding the study are: how effective is the e-payment and traditional payment systems on payments in the country? how effective is the POS and physical cash convenient in meeting on the spot payment for goods and services? to what degree is IPPIS and Bank Schedules effective on salary administration? and to what extent is TSA and MTA effective in government financial management and accountability? The research hypotheses are:  e-payment and traditional payments relatively are not effective as payment systems in Nigeria; IPPIS and Bank Schedules as both payments products are not effective; POS and Cash Payment for on the spot payment are not effective and TSA and MTA are not effective for government’s financial management and accountability.  The research methodology used is the survey type and data collected were both primary and secondary analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics substantially for evaluating responses from questionnaires with paired two sample means and t – test at 0.05 level of significance and p value at 0.00.  The theoretical framework is the new growth theory. However, empirical reviews and hypotheses tested showed that e-payment is effective since its introduction in 2015 hence, recommendations were made among which is, all government’s MDAs, Corporations and Parastatals should subscribe to it irrespective of its trust deficit by some organizations.  

Abstract

Women in general, women leaders in particular face multi-faceted gender based problems.  Women in leadership have faced gender based stereotypes which impact them while they exercise their leadership activities. Stereotypes and bias are among the leading obstacles to women’s leadership. Both domestic responsibilities and contemporary workplace cultures impact women and men in the domain of leadership Thus the purpose of this study is to explore the effects of gender based stereotype on women in leadership in some selected institutions in south Gondar zone .In exploring, gender based effects of stereotype, qualitative research approach and case study design was used. Effects of personality based stereotypes and performance based and coping mechanisms were the objectives of the study. To address these objectives, interview and focus group discussion data collection techniques were employed. The sources of data were women leaders, colleagues and service users. The findings of the study have revealed that women leaders have faced effects of gender based stereotypes such as frustration, lack of confidence, fear of competition from their employees and coordinators; lack of sincere appreciation, communication barriers, and negative performance appraisals. To cope up these challenges, women leaders used existing opportunities, attending training and setting role models as coping mechanisms. Since there is a shortage of literatures on effects of gender based stereotypes on women in leadership position, this study can serve as the source for the educators, trainers and future researchers.  

Abstract

Knee arthroplasty is a common approach for addressing arthritis and knee injuries. The utilization of knee prostheses in this context necessitates tailored sizing based on the population's specific characteristics. This study aims to conduct a morphometric analysis of the tibial plateau to contribute valuable insights to this sizing requirement. The study included 55 human tibia bones (24 left and 31 right). The mediolateral length, anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter and area of superior articular surface of both tibial condyles along with the anteroposterior length and transverse measurements of the intercondylar were noted with digital vernier calliper. The data was tabulated and analysed. The mean AP diameter of the right medial tibial condyle (39.25 ± 5.07) exceeds that of the left medial condyle (37.6 ± 4.26). The mean transverse measurement of the right tibial condyle (29.04 ± 4.38) is slightly more than the left medial tibial condyle (28.06 ± 3.93). The mean AP diameter of the intercondylar was found to be greater in males (44.49 ± 4.49) than in females (40.99 ± 5.95). These results have been compared with existing studies for comprehensive analysis. This study furnishes crucial data on the upper end of the tibia, aiding in the precise selection of knee prostheses based on observed measurements. Gender-wise and side-specific data enhance the longevity and mobility potential of knee prostheses, thereby enhancing post-knee replacement surgery lifestyles. The study concludes that conventional prostheses designed for caucasians may not be optimal for the South Indian population due to their smaller anatomical measurements. Adherence to these measurements and guidelines can pave the way for designing knee prostheses tailored to the South Indian demographic, ensuring prolonged utilization.  

Abstract

Introduction: Hanging stands out as one of the most prevalent methods of suicide in India, with the default assumption being that nearly all cases of hanging are suicides unless proven otherwise. The assessment of ligature marks plays a pivotal role in unraveling critical insights, particularly in distinguishing between antemortem and postmortem ligature marks. This investigation hinges on the comprehensive correlation of external, and internal findings, and microscopic examinations, all of which contribute significantly to establishing crucial facts in cases involving hanging. Objectives: 1.To study various patterns of ligature marks in case of hanging in comparison with age, sex, social status, mode of hanging, type of knot, and type of ligature material. 2.To study the histopathological changes in skin and subcutaneous tissue in case of hanging Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in the Departments of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College in Kolar, spanning from January 2021 to December 2021. The study encompassed 38 cases of asphyxial deaths attributed to hanging, and a thorough examination of the ligature marks, both externally and internally, was conducted in all cases. Results: The study included a total of 38 cases. A significant majority (35%) of cases fell within the 3rd decade of life (21-30 years). Males constituted the majority of victims, accounting for 60%. Complete hanging was the most common type, observed in 40% of cases, with rope being the predominant material used in 45% of cases. Single ligature marks were the most prevalent, occurring in 80% of cases. Gross examination identified soft tissue changes in 82.25% of cases. Microscopic examination revealed distinctive features, including wrinkling, breaking, and compression of the epidermis, cell flattening with hemorrhages, collagen condensation, and thinning of the stratified squamous epithelium. Conclusion: This study relies on a comprehensive analysis, encompassing circumstantial evidence, morphological features, and histopathological examinations of neck structures. The correlation of external, internal, and microscopic findings plays a pivotal role in distinguishing between antemortem and postmortem cases of hanging, ultimately aiding in the delineation of these two categories.  

Abstract

This paper has mapped the emergence of mixed methods research as a third methodological movement that has resulted from the tensions of the paradigm wars and is related to the philosophy of pragmatism and the notion of triangulation. This paper found that the terms quantitative and qualitative have been used in four different discourses in the literature. The first application relates to what is regarded to be the research paradigm. The second relates to what is referred to as methodology. The third refers to research design, and the last connotes the research methods. For clarity, the research paradigm is defined in this paper as a researcher’s philosophical orientation, perspective, thinking, school of thought, or set of shared beliefs that influence what should be studied? how it should be studied? and how the results of the study should be interpreted? The paradigm is composed of three elements, ontology, epistemology, and axiology. there are, four common paradigms identified in the paper positivism, interpretivism/constructivism, critical paradigm/theory, and pragmatic paradigm that may be used in social sciences research.  Methodology encompasses concepts such as design, strategies, procedures, and methods. Each research paradigm has different methodologies that flow appropriately from it.  

Abstract

The study examined the effect of economic recession on Manufacturing Sector Output in Nigeria for the period 1981 to 2021. The data used for the study was sourced from central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin and Annual Reports and Accounts of various issues. The dependent variable for the study was manufacturing sector output while the independents variables are inflation rate and government expenditure as proxies for economic recession. The variables used in the study were tested for stationarity using Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test and the Johanson co-integration test to establish the long-run relationship among the variables. Furthermore, the Error Convection Model (ECM) test was developed for long-run static model. The result from the study revealed that (a) inflation has a negative and significant impact on manufacturing output in Nigeria and (b) government expenditure has a positive and insignificant impact on manufacturing sector out-put in Nigeria. The study concluded that inflation influence manufacturing sector output in Nigeria negatively. The study recommended among others that (a) government should resuscitate the decayed infrastructure all over Nigeria especially power, railways etc to reduce the cost of doing business in Nigeria (b) credit squeeze by banks which put the government in competition for available loanable funds with genuine investors should be stopped.  

Abstract

This paper presents an empirical investigation into an emerging field of study which seeks to ascertain the nature of relationship or influence of eco-innovation on environmental sustainability, business profitability and viability. The failure of market-based tools and government command and control systems to prevent harmful environmental externalities and the undervaluation of natural resources due to the actions of profit-driven entrepreneurs leading to overexploitation and depletion as well as climate change make this study necessary and in high demand. This study adopted the descriptive survey design which allows for the collection of original data from the respondents of selected firms. The study discovered that eco-innovation significantly and favorably influences the profitability and viability of businesses studied and also has a positive and significant influence on environmental sustainability. The study also concludes that organizational practices of eco-innovation have led to high degree of customer’s loyalty to firm’s product and sustainability of the environment. The study concludes that Eco-innovation generates new technologies in product manufacturing and redesigns through eco-innovation practices and principles. The study also concludes by revealing that Eco-innovation generates new ideas and process that’s positively associated with customer’s satisfaction.    

Abstract

Nigeria aviation sector of the economy has witnessed some air mishaps in recent times hence the urgent need for this study. The study's main objective is to determine to what extent flight safety operations, firefighting, and rescue activities affect the Nigerian air transport Business. This research used a descriptive survey and quantitative approach to data gathering based on the evaluation of documents and materials in order to meet its goals.  200 employees of Federal Airport Authority Abuja were selected to make up the study's populace. The study's findings were drawn from the research work, which came to the conclusion that Nigeria's air transportation Business is positively and significantly impacted by air safety operations which showed a positive relationship.  The implication of this conclusion is that while the air safety operations and practices of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), other regulatory bodies, and air transport companies have significantly reduced the number of aircraft crashes in Nigeria, air safety operations still need to be strengthened. Additionally, the research found a significant and advantageous connection between Nigerian firefighting operations and the air transportation business. This result showed that in Nigeria, air operations are favorably and substantially correlated with firefighting operations. This indicates that while the firefighting effort is moving in the correct way, it still requires work. The finding recommends that government should encourage safety operations by equipping the federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and other regulatory agencies with state of arte safety equipment and gadgets for the safety of Nigeria air space. The air space government regulatory agencies should ensure that aircrafts that are outdated and obsolete should have no business with Nigerian airspace.  

Abstract

Water scarcity is a critical global challenge that demands innovative solutions. As populations grow and climate change intensifies, the need for efficient and sustainable water desalination technologies becomes increasingly pressing. In recent years, graphene-based membranes have emerged as a promising avenue for revolutionizing water desalination processes. This review article, titled "The Promise of Graphene: Advancing Water Desalination with Innovative Membranes," explores the vast potential of graphene-based membranes in addressing the world's freshwater shortage. Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, possesses remarkable properties, including exceptional mechanical strength, high thermal and electrical conductivity, and impermeability to gases and liquids. These attributes make it an ideal candidate for membrane materials. In the context of water desalination, graphene membranes offer several advantages over conventional materials, including enhanced water permeability, salt rejection, and durability. This comprehensive review begins by providing an overview of the global water crisis and its implications for human society and the environment. It underscores the urgency of developing sustainable desalination technologies to bridge the widening gap between water supply and demand. The review then delves into the fundamental principles of desalination, emphasizing the central role of membranes in the process. The article proceeds to elucidate the unique structural and chemical properties of graphene that render it a superior membrane material. It discusses the methods of graphene synthesis and fabrication, highlighting key advances in scalable production techniques. Moreover, the review evaluates the performance of graphene-based membranes in various desalination processes, including reverse osmosis and forward osmosis, offering insights into their effectiveness in reducing energy consumption and improving desalination efficiency. One of the major challenges in graphene membrane research lies in maintaining structural integrity and stability under real-world conditions. The review addresses this concern by exploring strategies to enhance membrane robustness, such as functionalization, composite materials, and nanopore engineering. These innovations not only bolster the mechanical properties of graphene membranes but also expand their applicability to diverse desalination scenarios. In addition to performance and durability, cost-effectiveness is a critical factor in the practical implementation of desalination technologies. This article examines the economic aspects of graphene-based membranes, considering production costs, scalability, and the potential for widespread adoption in both industrial and decentralized settings. The review also underscores the importance of addressing environmental and sustainability considerations in membrane technology development. It explores the eco-friendly aspects of graphene-based membranes, including their reduced energy requirements and potential for brine management. Moreover, it highlights the role of graphene in catalysis for the treatment of concentrated brine streams, reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, this review provides a glimpse into ongoing research and future directions in graphene membrane technology. It discusses emerging trends, such as 2D materials beyond graphene and advanced characterization techniques, which promise to further enhance the performance and applicability of graphene-based membranes in water desalination. "The Promise of Graphene: Advancing Water Desalination with Innovative Membranes" offers a comprehensive overview of the exciting developments in graphene membrane research and their potential to revolutionize water desalination. With its unique combination of properties, graphene holds the key to addressing the global freshwater scarcity crisis, paving the way for a more sustainable and water-secure future.  

Abstract

A hidden curriculum is an important part of a curriculum, together with an explicit curriculum constituting a complete curriculum system, which has a great impact on students’ learning. The hidden curriculum in English teaching is not planned, explicit, or sometimes even unconscious. Because of its potential and unexpectedness, it is easily overlooked by teachers. In China, the research on hidden curriculum is mainly based on theoretical research and campus culture construction, while the research on the implementation in college English teaching is rare. This paper selects the English teachers of a university in China as the survey object, conducts a questionnaire survey, interviews and classroom observation to learn about the teachers’ cognition about the hidden curriculum, analyse the current situation of the implementation of the hidden curriculum in College English Reading and Writing Course and thus put forward suggestions. The study intends to provide a reference for the implementation of an English hidden curriculum, promote the reform of college English courses, and explore an effective way for the development of college students’ comprehensive language ability.  

Abstract

Bangladesh is part of one of the six belt and road initiative (BRI) corridors, namely the ChinaMongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, New Eurasian Land Bridge, China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor, China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor. China plans to invest $4 trillion in the coming decades on BRI-related projects, asserting that Silk Road Economic Belt(SREB) and Maritime Silk Road(MSR) are economic initiatives. This paper explores that, if its policies are well-coordinated, Bangladesh can attract a significant amount of this investment for sustainable blue economic development.  Delineating in three parts, the first part identifies and analyses geographic, geostrategic and geo-economic profile of the Bay of Bengal, while elaborates the growing status of Bangladesh being apex country of the Bay. The second part discusses how the BRI has become one of the most important trade routes in the world and has the potential to impact the social, cultural, and economic scenario of the Eurasian region. It also explains how the SREB and the 21st century MSR converge at the coast of Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal, thereby enhancing her geopolitical significance. Third part summarizes the prospects and challenges Bangladesh has at the Bay of Bengal. The unique geostrategic location has unleashed blue economic development potentials with internal challenges of adequate policy, good governance, sustainable democracy and better management besides regional and international engagement challenges.  

Abstract

It is evident in the study area i.e.(Paderu and Kisimkota Mandals), that the rural credit delivery system has been strengthened with the inclusion of Self Help Groups (SHG) as one of the providers of rural credit. The data collected from the selected sample households makes it clear that the sample SHG members have borrowed considerable amount of money from the banks through SHG membership. An endeavour is made in this paper to break down the borrowings of the sample SHG individuals in the review region. The purpose for which the loan is taken is studied in relationship with the borrowings is examined in this paper.  

Abstract

Empowerment implies equipping "Women Power" by conscientising women of their huge potential and enabling them to pursue a predominant, more fair and satisfying way of life through assurance and competence. Empowerment is the surest approach to making women as "Accomplices in Development". In any case, empowerment isn't just a mechanical course of sharing dissemination or reallocation of force. Rather, it includes far more extensive changes in friendly and financial institutional arrangements. Currently, Self Help Groups are by and large used as an instrument to empower women socially and monetarily. When monetary reinforcing is achieved, it would showcase the overall headway the women made. The monetary responsibility of women has been associated with her work and status in the overall population. Money-related independence for women helps them advance or accomplish their goals which otherwise are difficult because they are women and development in women's financial status helps the family to flourish. Thus, improving the status of women, both economic and social through the advancement of Self Help Groups (SHGs) is a sensible pathway for fortifying women.  Hence in this context present paper focuses on how the Self –Help Groups are help of Empowerment of Women in two selected Mandals.  

Abstract

Background: For both industrialized and developing nations in the 21st Century, there is an increasing number of individuals are getting connected with electronic gadgets, including smart phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops, which are becoming more and more necessary for both daily life at home and at work. The manner in which that adults use their electronic devices varies. Increased internet accessibility and ownership have led to an increase in the amount of time that users of electronic devices spend using these devices. An increase in usage time of electronic devices is associated with an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal pain because there is a prolonged bending of the neck. Poor posture causes non-specific neck pain because it puts abnormal physiological loads on the neck over an extended period of time and reduces neck muscle strength as a result. 45 normal healthy adult students with age group between 18 to 30 years, from College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth meeting the inclusion criteria, were included in this pilot study. Clinical tests were used to measure the neck flexor endurance, and neck extensor endurance to assess the neck flexor and neck extensor muscle endurance. Independent t test was done to compare the two group of neck pain and no neck pain individuals to know the effect of neck muscles endurance on neck pain. Results showed that smartphone was found to be the mostly used electronic device in the sitting position.  1/3 rd of the participants experienced neck pain with the use of the electronic device with 13.3% having regular experience of neck pain. On comparing the values of Neck Extensor endurance in subjects with and without neck pain and also for the values of Neck Flexor endurance, no significant difference was found (p values being 0.275 and 0.174 respectively). The pilot study results also showed that there were no significant result differences found for both groups. Conclusion: The findings of this pilot study demonstrated that normal individuals using electronic devices and suffering from neck pain did not have statistically significant lower neck flexor and extensor muscle endurance when compared to those without neck pain.  

Abstract

Rural tourism is a form of tourism that is located in rural areas, is rural in its function, scale, and character, and represents a complex pattern of rural environment, economy, and history. It is managed and owned by the locals, for the community, in order to enable tourists to increase their awareness and learn about the community and local ways of life. This study aims to address the practices of rural tourism development and determine components of rural tourism. In order to get quantitative data, a census survey was applied to 76 direct participants in rural tourism development initiatives, and 153 foreign tourists were accidentally selected based on their existence at the attraction sites. Diversified qualitative data was also found through key informant interviews and field observations.The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data were used to validate and triangulate the quantitative analysis.  The study indicated that the area has great potential for an appealing ruraltourism product, but its major components are not well developed.  

Abstract

The creation of virtual communities has become a reality since the expansion of the worldwide network at an unprecedented pace and attendant advances in technology. It also has created new possibilities where individuals find new space for the projection of alternative identities in this virtual community. The discord rooms give life to these alternative identities where like-minded individuals interact and indulge in activities that range from recreation and entertainment to life-transforming personality changes.  Video games and internet communities were created to allow players to create a group among themselves, which is called a clan or a guild. These names are drawn from historically formed human collectivities. The members of these groups spend enormous amounts of time in these online communities, where communication among friends is simple. In an online game community, a player-created-clan makes members of the group share an emotional bond over a period of time and seek comfort. The community fosters a sense of belongingness and may act as a stress-buster. Membership, Influence, Integration, and Shared Emotional Connection are the essential components of a community. All these are found in online communities. In multiplayer online games like World of Warcraft, the players create an internet community, where the members create avatars of themselves, which are the virtual representations of their actual identities, to interact with other members. Virtual life consumes emotional energy like real life, and individuals may even lose track of their identities in their physical-social world while focusing on developing their online identities. In this paper, we shall interrogate how the internet communities influence the users’ personalities and how the vicarious may blur the real.    

Abstract

This paper tried to prove whether Africa is rising. To achieve our objective we used simple statistics like averages, multiples (folds), the catching up index to compare Africa's trends of economic growth relative to East Asian countries. We found in bold that Africa is not rising rather swinging back and forth. The total share of Africa from the world population is growing while its share from world GDP is declining over time. This means there is a lower tendency of improving the well-being of society. In 1960 SSA countries had a 2.26 percent share of world GDP. This figure declines to 2.18 percent in 2019. However, in East Asia and the pacific excluding high-income countries which have nearly the same GDP share in 1960, it increased to 16.9 percent in 2019 while its population share fall from 29.5 percent in 1960 to 27.3 percent in 2019. The catching up index shows no evidence of convergence in African countries and no falling back in East Asian countries. East Asian countries excluding high-income countries were able to increase their GDP and GDP per capita by over 62 and 23 folds between 1960 and 2019. Their GDP per person employed increased by 6 fold from 1991 to 2019. However, SSA countries have only increased GDP by 7 fold; GDP per capita increased by 49 percent, and GDP per person employed increasedby 35 percent over the same period time. Policy makers and researchers in Africa should identify the determinants of economic growth and evaluate the effectiveness of economic policies meticulously.  

Abstract

Background: Core muscle strengthening positively alters body's stability which in turn improves neuromuscular summations thereby lessening back and lower body pain, is also demanded in many sports and daily tasks. It is a crucial requirement. The complex of core muscles is made up of many muscles. For normal healthy individual, core strength training is a practical and safe training method that significantly improves health and skill-related aspects of physical fitness. An imbalance or weakness in the core muscles can lead to increased fatigue, a decreased ability to sustain sports injuries, and an increased risk of injury. For overall musculoskeletal health, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement, instability resistance training, or IRT, is widely used. Numerous equipments make an effort to create an unstable surface. Literature partially advises to perform strength training on unstable surfaces as opposed to stable ones. Thus the need of this study arises to see the impact of core strengthening exercises using stable and unstable surfaces in normal healthy individuals. Methodology: Participants from constituent colleges of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth will be approached and explained about the study. Those who meet the inclusion criteria and are willing to participate in the study will be requested to fill the informed consent form. Those participants who fall under the exclusion criteria will be excluded from the study. Participants will be randomly allocated to either to the Interventional group or the control group with the use of simple randomization. Once the assessment is completed the patient will be treated as per the treatment protocol devised for the Interventional group or control group respectively. Subjects in both the groups (Interventional group and control group) will receive 4 week treatment with a frequency 3days intervention/ week. Both primary and secondary outcome measures will be taken as per the schedule. Outcome Measures: Primary Outcome: Core muscle Strength assessment by pressure biofeedback, and Secondary Outcome: Core muscle Strength assessment by Plank Test Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics will be done by taking help of a Biostatistician. The latest version of SPSS software available with the Biostatistician will be used for doing the statistical analysis. Conclusion: This RCT study protocol will see the impact of core strengthening exercises using stable and unstable surface in improving core muscle strength in normal healthy individuals, the results will help in the decision making of the strength training protocols. Clinical Trial Registration: The study is registered with Clinical Trials Registry- India (CTRI), with the registration number for the trial being CTRI/2023/06/053533.  

Abstract

The research work assesses the influence of mass media non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the control of the COVID-19 Pandemic in South East, Nigeria. It investigates the extent of exposure to health information on COVID-19, the level of knowledge of the disease, perception of the susceptibility and perception of its severity, and relates them with exposure to mass media messages. It also looks at how health information on COVID-19 disease influences the perceived effectiveness of the NPIs, self-efficacy to adhere and adherence to the interventions, as well as factors associating adherence. Drawing from the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Agenda-Setting Theory, this research work undertook a survey of adult residents of the South-East zone for a period of one month. A sample size of 385 respondents was selected, using an online sample size calculator.  The study’s findings show high exposure to media information on COVID-19, with radio, television and social media as the leading sources of health information about the disease. Most of the respondents were exposed to different subject-matters about the disease. There was high knowledge of COVID-19 among respondents. Majority see themselves as vulnerable to the disease and see it as a very severe health condition. Majority believe in the effectiveness of the NPIs and their self-efficacy to adhere. Finally, majority adhered to the NPIs.  Among other recommendations, information around COVID-19 should be tailored towards lower income people and directly delivered to them, using various direct channels of communication. Also, stakeholders, including the government and the media, should strive towards combating the misinformation about COVID-19.  

Abstract

Abstract

Students’ online English learning engagement has a significant impact on English learning. Analyzing the factors of college students’ online English learning engagement is essential in improving the effect of college students’ English learning. This study focuses on the present situation of online English learning engagement among non-English majors, with a particular emphasis on factors such as individual, teacher, and peer aspects, using the online English learning engagement scale for college students and the questionnaire. Based on the data of 325 non-English major undergraduates in a university in China, it is found that the overall level of college students’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement in English online learning is low. A significant positive correlation exists between individual learners, teachers, peers, and all dimensions of learning engagement. In contrast, the correlation between source and environment and all dimensions of learning engagement does not reach a significant level. This study suggests how to promote the level of college students’ online English learning engagement from the perspectives of both learners and teachers.  

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of corporate life cycle on financial performance of publicly quoted non-finance firms in Nigeria using the ex-post facto research design. The stakeholder theory formed the theoretical anchorage of the study and secondary data were employed from the annual reports and accounts of the publicly quoted non-finance firms. The study population comprised one hundred and sixty-one (161) publicly quoted non-finance firms out of which a total of seventy-five (75) firms constituted the sample of the study. Data of corporate life cycle (growth and decline stages) and financial performance variables (return on assets and return on capital employed) were obtained for the sampled publicly quoted non-finance firms from 2012-2021. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, skewness, and kurtosis, factor, and correlation matrix) post-estimation statistics (variance inflation factor, heteroscedasticity, Ramsey RESET and Cameron and Trivedi’s decomposition of IM-test) and inferential statistics (panel least square regression, fixed and random effects regression and Hausman specification tests).  In specific, the fixed and random effects panel data regression results revealed that while corporate life cycle (growth and maturity stages) have significant effects on return on assets (Wald Ch2 of RE is = 15.81; p-value=0.0004 < 0.05) and return on capital employed (Wald Ch2 of RE is = 16.02; p-value=0.0003 < 0.05). On the basis of the findings, it was recommended among others that management of firms should encourage and strengthen the assets base, particularly when they attain maturity and decline stages in their corporate life cycle. Also, non-finance firms during the growth stage should focus more on long-term yielding investments while during decline stages, emphasis should be more on short-term yielding investments.  

Abstract

English plays a vital role in our daily life as the trend around the world is to enhance communication among each country. To Chinese college students, they are learning English well matters for their studies. However, there is limited time in class for all students to learn English better. During the pandemic, which lasted for almost three years, teachers and students had to adapt to how English was taught online. It is a big challenge but also an excellent chance for both to develop autonomous learning abilities and make full use of online resources. During the process, language learning strategies show their importance in influencing students' autonomous English learning ability. This paper aims to know what kinds of language learning strategies Chinese college students use and the factors that influence their online autonomous English learning ability, therefore, to find out available guidance to improve students’ autonomous English learning ability so they can learn English better and achieve their goals. The researcher used a quantitative design to conduct the thesis. The subjects of this study were undergraduate medicine students at Zhengzhou University, and the number of samples was 275.  

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the Comparative Analysis of sports Management Practices and Coaching Leadership styles of premier league football clubs in Ethiopia. To this end, descriptive survey method (comparative analysis) was employed. The data collected by Questionnaires from selected football club players and coaching /management staff. The target population of this study was all 14 Ethiopian primer league football club players and coaching/ management staff. Based on Ethiopian football federation rules and regulations 25 players registered for one-year computation 25x14(N=350) and coaching/management staff.  The researcher selected only 4(28.57%) top two and bottom two clubs from 2015/2016 computation year by using purposive sampling techniques. The total number of participants in this study was 4x25(N=100) players . The research applied for this study was a quantitative approach in nature.  Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data depending on the nature of the basic research questions, appropriate statistical techniques such as Independent-samples T-test were used for data analysis. The study to explore and focused on the comparative analysis between selected research variables. The level of significance is set at 0.05 alpha levels. The researcher assumption/hypothesis of this study was: There is no significant difference between top two and bottom two club players in their sports organizational management practices, perceive and prefer coaching leadership behaviour indices premier league football clubs in Ethiopia Finally, the study findings were indicated that: There was no significant difference between top two and bottom two club players in their sports organizational management practices and preferred coaching leadership behaviour but there was significant difference between top two and bottom two club players in their perceived coaching leadership behaviour.  

Abstract

Covid-19 has threatened socio-economic and recreational activities across the world and this have adversely affected the global trade, food production, socio-economic activities and indeed the tourism industry.This study is therefore carried out to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism industry across West African.The study utilized both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source involved the use of telephone survey to elicit information of perception and level of involvement in tourism activities within the study locations while the secondary source involved the use of documented information on the internet, journals, textbooks and bulletins. Six West African countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Cape Verde, Cote d’ivoire and Senegal) were purposively selected for the study based on their viability in terms of tourism facilities, event and activities. The study observed that there was a rapid reduction in the activities of the tourism industry due to the lock down in travels, business, socio-economic and recreational activities.The study advocates that there should be a gradual commencement of economic and recreational activities and that tourist should adhere strictly to the precautions of Covid-19 to ensure that the virus does not spread to avoid another lockdown.  

Abstract

This research work on Azadirachtaindica (neem) tries to explore qualitatively its economic potential (EP) in relation to organic farming. Neem contains various components, but few, such as Azadirachtin, Nimbin, Nimbidin, Salanin, Meliantriol, Quercetin, and a few others, are known to have insecticidal, herbicidal, or fertilizing properties that are relevant to organic farming. The local extraction methods for these components are simple, economical, and can be done using commonly available materials. The features found in EP for these components were summarized in variables such as growing demand, export potential, cost effectiveness, certification, and premium prices of its products. The EP of neem can be a cost-effective alternative to modern farming through its natural pest and weed control, organic fertilizing, and livestock care. The impact of the neem oil industry has provided insight into how economic and environmental impacts can be mitigated or managed by embracing sustainable production methods using organic inputs. Neem's therapeutic potential therefore deserves further investigation through scientific research. It is important to note that the use of neemoil and other natural remedies in animal health should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian or animal health professional to ensure appropriate dosing and avoid any potential adverse effects. Also, the possible fallouts of modern extraction methods, such as high cost, loss of traditional knowledge, and negative environmental impact, calls for further investigation on better sustainable practices and the integration of traditional knowledge alongside modern techniques.  

Abstract

The study examinedsupply chain management practices and distribution performance of distribution companies in Nigeria.  The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 16,370 employees of distribution companies into non-durable consumables in Nigeria. The valid sample size used was 202 respondents. The instrument for data collection was structured questionnaires. Data collected from the respondents was analyzed using statistical packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS-23.0). The statistical tools for data analysis were mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The study found that supply chain management practices operationalized by customer relationship management, quality information sharing, and level of information sharing among others had significant positive effect ondistribution performance.  The study recommends among others, that companies need toinvest substantial resources in increasing their level and quality of supply chain management practices so as to continue toincrease efficiency in distributionof goods and services.  

Abstract

Entrepreneurship, with its focus on opportunities, is often seen as one of the foundations of poverty alleviation. This paper, therefore, seeks to discuss entrepreneurship and small business as the bedrock in the global economy in recession. One of the factors that influence the economy of a nation, either directly or indirectly. It is a fact that entrepreneurship plays a significant part in shaping the landscape of a country’s economy. Economists and policy makers recognize this fact. Entrepreneurship is the engine of economic growth and it has come to be perceived as a catalytic agent for expansion and promotion of productive activities in every sphere of economic life all over the world. This research focus on finding out how entrepreneurship influences the global economy in recession. The main objective of this paper is to show the significant of small business impact on the global economy in recession. It is, thus, reasonable to contend that entrepreneurship is instrumental to unlocking economic growth, create employment and reduce poverty. The paper further examines some of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and small business to global economy in recession. Secondary source of information was adopted and a qualitative technique that focused on conceptual exploration, theory and critical analysis of empirical studies. Qualitative method that provides relevant information were used. Data were collected through books, journal and internet.  The paper concluded that SMEs are the largest employers of labor and wealth creation. SMEs provide employment, eradicate poverty and help in developing entrepreneurial activities. Lastly, recommendation has been offered to boost SMEs developments in economic recession.  

Abstract

Ever since the era of Sufism poetry and music has been the pattern of Punjab. Waris Shah, Shah Hussain, Bulle Shah and Kadar Yaar have been some of the most renowned Sufi poets of Punjab. Sufism has always remained foundation of Punjabi poetry. Though it was close to divinity but it used to be voice of the people until Aurangzeb and his decedents compelled Sufis to rush to forests in order to save their lives as the emperors considered it against the Islamic ethos. Punjabi lyrics found new lyricists and singers in 19th and 20th centuries. Prof. Mohan Singh, Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Dhani Ram Chatrik, Dev Thareeke Wala, Shamsher Sandhu and Surjit Patar may be counted among top class Punjabi lyricists who wrote about culture and traditions of Punjab. Surinder Kaur, Noor Jehan, Shamshad Begham, Asa Singh Mastana, Yamla Jatt, Kuldeep Manak and Gurmit bawa have been legendy Punjabi singers. But with the turn of century a new cult of lyricists and singers grabbed the centre stage that started glorification of violence, weapons, intoxicants and drugs in this land of peace and tranquility. Their craze among youth was such that the sensible singers and writers were sent to the back burner. This new cult of singers presented a deplorable, condemnable and notorious image of Punjab the world over as the singers are the ambassadors of culture. These singers would say that they sing such songs as the people demand for these types of songs. This study is aimed at gauging the opinion of Non Resident Indians regarding glorification of violence and intoxicants in Punjabi Music Video Albums. This study will lay bare the reality behind the tall claims of modern singers about the popularity of glorification and the opinion of Non Resident Indians whom they consider as their biggest followers.  

Abstract

Character study is an indispensable course for us to learn calligraphy, which is the soul of learning calligraphy and also the core of learning calligraphy. Each of the 157 institutions of higher learning in China offers a course in calligraphy textual studies, but the textual studies courses offered by each institution are different, and the professional level of their teachers also varies greatly. Under such circumstances, the study of philology has not been given more attention in the calligraphy courses. The researcher, through his own summary and experience of 12 years' study of calligraphy, has made some achievements in calligraphic literalism, and through his own summary and analysis, he reveals the very important influence that literalism has in the study of calligraphy.  

Abstract

The only applications for 3D Printing technologies in the 1980s were the creation of aesthetically pleasing or functional prototypes. In today's world, the arena of possibilities that 3D printing has to offer has been so vast, that the field of dentistry has also dabbled in the likes of it. Through this review, we attempt to explore the transformative impact of 3 dimensional printing in endodontics, revolutionising the field by enhancing precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes. The key utilizations of 3D printing in endodontics include fabrication of anatomically accurate models for preoperative planning, which is beneficial for preclinical studies. By utilising patient-specific 3D-printed models, endodontists can meticulously analyse complex root canal anatomy, identify potential challenges, and develop tailored treatment strategies, ultimately improving treatment success rates. The utilisation of patient-specific guides enhances accuracy during access cavity preparation, canal shaping, and obturation, reducing the risk of iatrogenic errors and promoting optimal treatment outcomes.  By drawing upon key studies from the literature, this review explores and discusses the plethora of applications provided to the field of Endodontics by 3D Printing.  

Abstract

Background: There are many influencing factors for diseases. Various diseases arise due to imbalance of blood pressure. ESR, R.B.C. Due to blood infection that increases the level of plasma in the blood due to which ESR. level increases and R.B.C. count is less, which is a major cause of low blood pressure.  There are several studies in medical field to find that increasement of ESR is the cause of several diseases. Yogic lifestyle (Asana, Pranayam, Mudra, Bandha, Shatkarma, Meditation and Yogic Diet) is preventive intervention for ESR, RBC, and Blood pressure. Objectives: “To study the Effect of Yogic Lifestyle on Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Red blood cells (RBC) and Blood Pressure among College going Girl Students. Methods: The study was an experimental study with single group pretest- posttest design, which was conducted on 30 girls’ participants with age group of 18-30 years in certificate course of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. all girls were practicing yogic lifestyle (Mantra, Asan, Pranayama, Mudra-Bandha, Shatkarma, Meditation and Yogic Diet) for a period of 3 month.‘t’ test was used for statistical analysis. Result: yogic lifestylewas positively affected the ESR, RBC and Blood Pressure at significant level of 0.01 Conclusion: the result suggests that the yogic lifestyle can be effective for ESR, RBC and Blood Pressure among College going Girl Students.  

Abstract

Problem: This study investigated the interaction between the socio-economic situation (SES) and supply chain integration (SCI) among retailers in Osogbo city. Design/Methodology/Approach: survey of 318 retailers of FMCG was undertaken in Osogbo, Kruskal-Willis, a non-parametric test technique was employed to test if the SES of the respondents predicted their readiness to be part of a functional SC. Findings: The result showed that the mean ranks of the identified SES (age, marital status, academic qualification, business experience, and financial capability) do not significantly predict their SCI (chi-square=8.8; p=0.065>0.05; chi-square=1.494; p=0.828>0.05; chi-square=1.226; p=0.747; 4.459 p=0.334>0.05 and 0.645 p=0.725) at 5% level respectively. It is observed that while there is a semblance of a principal-agent relationship between the brokers and retailers because of the fiduciary responsibility placed on the retailers, such a mutually benefiting relationship is absent among the retailers. Conclusion: The study advised that business managers should encourage the building of stronger horizontal and vertical alliances across the SC to increase the resilience of the SC ecosystem.  

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the effect of College Environment on Implementing Transformational Leadership in Government Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges of Sidama Regional State. To this end, the researchers employed quantitative research approach with explanatory research design. The primary data were collected through questionnaire in the form of five point Likert scale. The sample size of this research was 133 of which 110 respondents returned back the questionnaire with response rate of 82%. Both descriptive and inferential statistics analysis have been done using STATA 17. The multiple regression model result analysis showed that independent variables incorporated in the model all variables means academic staff competence, availability of resources, monitoring, conflict, and information technology utilization have positive effect on transformational leadership implementation. Recommendations for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges should give attention to implication of these variables in order to improve transformational leadership implementation.  

Abstract

The study examined the Business educators’ perceptions of the barriers associated with business education curriculum implementation in Nigeria. To direct the study and help it reach its goals, two research questions and two correspondence hypotheses were devised. The study used survey research as its methodology. One hundred and seventybusiness educators from federal and state universities in Cross River State made up the study's population. A sixteen-item questionnaire titled “Business Educators’ Perceptions of the Barriers Associated with Business Education Curriculum Implementation(BEPBABECI)”. was used for the study. 15 Business Educators in University of Uyowho were not involved in the study were used to test the instrument, and the results showed that the instrument was reliable for the purpose of the investigation with an overall coefficient of 0.86. The One hundred and seventyrespondents each received one of theone hundred and seventycopies of the questionnaire, and one hundred and seventycopies were returned, representing a 100% return rate. Descriptive statistics of frequency, mean, and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Meanwhile, the research hypothesis was tested using an independent t-test at the 0.05 level of significance. The result of the findings showed that the Business educators agree that the perceived barriers are the major consequences of business education curriculum implementation in Nigeria. It was recommended, among other things, that the welfare of Business educators should be looked into to enhance their job effectiveness for maximum productivity.  

Abstract

Missing data are common in predictive research in some reported data. This negatively affect the  inference from such data set. Some researchers do use values from available observed data to make an estimation of the missing data in a non-ignorable non responses survey. Missing data are issues occur in most researches in education and health sectors records. It could occur in survey and non-survey researches. In this research, we apply and examined the performance of some missing imputations approaches. A secondary data from a national Health Service data was used based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 -2012 website. This work is based on the use of iterative imputation approaches of the Least squared (LS) method, Expectation Maximization (EM) method and Multiple Imputations (MI) method. The efficiencies and performances of these approaches were evaluated via their absolute Raw Bias (RB), Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and variance through the use of R Software. The data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data set has 24 observations, each having 4 features – age, body mass index, hypertension status and cholesterol level. Our results showed that Multiple Imputations had the lowest MSE of value of 0.284353, which happened to be the best performance approach for the missing data. This was closely followed by EM approach with MSE value of 0.35637 and LS with MSE value of 0.6453678.  

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the effect of staff commitment on implementing transformational leadership in Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges of Sidama Regional State. To this end, the researchers employed quantitative research approach with correlational research design. The primary data were collected through questionnaire in the form of five point Likert scale. The sample size of this research was 303 of which 300respondents returned back the questionnaire with response rate of 97%. Both descriptive and inferential statistics analysis have been done. The ordered logistic regression model the result analysis showed that independent variables incorporated in the model all variables means affective staff commitment, continuance staff commitment and normative staff commitment have positive effect on transformational leadership implementation. Recommendations for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges should give attention to three domains of staff commitment such affective, continuance, and normative staff commitment in order to improve transformational leadership implementation by considering employees commitment as the seeping stone.  

Abstract

Critical media scholars from developing worlds argued that most Western media and communication theories and methodologies fail to suit the context of non-Western countries. Therefore, it has been six decades since mass communication research started in Nigeria. This study reflected on this long journey and collected the opinions of Nigerian media and communication researchers about the applicability of Western theories and models, the need and the effort put into developing indigenous theories and models. Surveys and in-depth interviews were used for the data collection. The study got 313 responses through the survey while eight senior media and communication scholars were interviewed. The results showed that Nigerian scholars believe that some Western theories, models and research methods are ineffective in some peculiar contexts, however, the study revealed a dearth of indigenous solutions that would supplement the unfilled gap of Western theories and models. Consequently, they agreed on the need for a paradigm shift to an Afrocentric approach to research. The study recommends establishing a proper behavioural campaign, funding, capacity building and supportive institutional policies for an effective paradigm shift to the Afrocentric approach.  

Abstract

Thoothukudi is a major port city in Tamil Nadu and home to much of the state's salt harvesting terrain. It is the second-largest producer of salt in India, next to Gujarat. Saltpans have been used for thousands of years, and they continue to be an important source of salt in many parts of the world. Most of the women are selected for the work in the saltpans for various reasons. But these women are facing a lot of challenges, and some of their rights have been violated. They were given minimum wages; there was no protection at work; there were no safety measures; etc. are some of the struggles they faced. In this democratic society, all should be treated equally. So, the government implements various laws, schemes, and policies for the welfare of women workers and to protect their rights. The present study aims at understanding whether the legislation, schemes, and policies introduced by the central and state governments protect the rights of the salt pan women workers. A small study has been conducted in the district of Thoothukudi in order to find out whether Indian legislation helps protect the rights of salt pan women workers. Through this research, the researchers point out the current position of salt pan women workers in welfare as well as the effectiveness of the schemes and policy decisions of the government.  

Abstract

The Bottleneck Assignment Problem (BAP) is a critical optimization challenge with a wide range of practical applications, including job scheduling, resource allocation, and network optimization. In this paper, we present a novel algorithm designed to efficiently address the BAP. The proposed algorithm leverages a dynamic approach that adapts to changing problem instances, allowing it to find optimal or near-optimal solutions even in complex scenarios. Our algorithm incorporates advanced techniques from linear programming and graph theory to iteratively identify bottleneck assignments while maintaining computational efficiency. By carefully managing assignment variables and exploiting problem-specific characteristics, our method minimizes the computational burden, making it suitable for real-time and large-scale applications. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm through extensive computational experiments on benchmark datasets and practical use cases. The results showcase its ability to consistently outperform existing methods in terms of solution quality and computational speed. Moreover, our algorithm's adaptability ensures robust performance across a variety of problem instances. In summary, our proposed algorithm represents a significant advancement in solving the Bottleneck Assignment Problem. Its dynamic nature, computational efficiency, and superior performance make it a valuable tool for optimizing resource allocation and decision-making in diverse domains.  

Abstract

The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 is the primary legislation which covers the various aspects of dispute resolution mechanisms inclusive of alternative dispute resolution mechanism and adjudicatory mechanism in the arena of industrial relations.  More than seven decades in India, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 promotes industrial harmony through several dispute resolution forums which is inclusive of preventive as well as curative by its features, like Conciliation Machinery, Labour Court, Industrial and National Tribunal and Arbitration.  The challenges posed by these dispute resolution forums are that these are disjointed and are with overlapping of powers for which reason the industrial laws of the territory is not fitting in the requirement of the current global scenario.  Any developing country aspiring for economic growth shall have its policy decisions both economic policies and industrial polices finetuned together for promoting industrial relations which would attract more foreign investments in order to boost the economic progress of the country.  The significance of recent developments in the global phase of industrialisation and in the wake of the new Economic Policy in the year 1991, India felt the need of reforming its labour law regime and after one decade and years of continuous efforts India was able to codify nearly 29 central laws of the territory into four Codes on the basis of the recommendation made by the Second National Commission of Labour. The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 consolidates and amends the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, Trade Unions Act, 1926 and the Industrial Employment Standing Orders Act, 1946 and is the concluding code of 4 code series.  The objective of the Industrial Relations Code is to consolidate and amend the laws relating to trade unions, conditions of employment in industrial establishment or undertaking, investigation and settlement of industrial disputes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.  The implementation of Industrial Relations Code, 2020 received the assent of the President on 28th September, 2020 and is yet to be notified in the territory.  In this paper the author wants to shed light on the significant impact of the transition from the old and existing labour law regime to the new labour law regime which is yet to be notified and implemented in the territory with respect to dispute resolution processes.  Since the new Code is yet to implemented, it is not possible to understand the challenges which may be posed by the new labour law regime when it is enforced in the territory, hence the author has critically compared and analysed only the legislative framework of both Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 and the new Industrial Relations Code, 2020 with respect to the industrial dispute resolution process to come out with the findings as to whether this transition from old labour regime to the new labour regime will take forward India in the graph of economic progress in tune with industrial relations.  

Abstract

The election process plays a crucial role in assessing the level of democratic quality inside a nation, therefore making it an essential component of democracy. The acknowledgment, endorsement, and regard for the entitlement to participate in elections and hold public office are therefore of paramount importance within a democratic framework. Since the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999, it is anticipated that the fundamental political rights of its populace are duly acknowledged and safeguarded. Elections in Nigeria, however, have been plagued by instances of malpractice and manipulation, resulting in a state of structural violence. This study employed a survey methodology to examine the presence of structural violence inside Nigeria's electoral system. The survey methodology involved the utilization of questionnaires and interviews as data collection tools. The study's findings indicate that the commonly held assumptions on the hindrances to democracy in Nigeria, such as gerrymandering, voter suppression, and unequal resource distribution, were not shown to have a direct impact on the functioning of democracy. Nevertheless, the study also revealed the existence of several noteworthy structural anomalies within the nation's election framework that could potentially influence the broader democratic environment.  

Abstract

 Due to the recent events of the COVID-19 pandemic, most institutions have shifted their mode of teaching from the physical classroom to a fully online mode. Realizing the shift to online learning must not be permanent, it was again shifted to a hybrid mode and finally to the fully offline classroom mode when the pandemic started to fade away. This study has been conducted to analyze the students’ experiences with respect to such rapid shifts in learning modes. Semi-structured interview method was used for data collection. The analysis revealed that such rapid shifts led to the development of various adjustment-related issues that impacted students with regard to their physical, cognitive, emotional, and socioeconomic domains. The present study concludes that such transition must demand psychosocial changes in this new environment of teaching-learning such as infrastructural development, providing continuous training to the employees to enable them to cope with the new crisis, organize psychological counseling for students and so on.  

Abstract

India is a land of villages with much of the population residing in rural areas. The father of the nation had rightly said that a nation progresses if villages are progressive. Punjab is an agrarian state and villages are its lifeline. The state shares not only its boundary with the Pakistan but some water bodies also.Out of the several districts in the state, a few of them comprising of several villages are situated close to theinternational border. Problem:Thisstudy has been undertaken with main focus on these border villages of Punjab in order to analyse their socio-economic status andassess the impact of remoteness and seclusion of these villages, on the life and lifestyle of the village dwellers.Methodology:For this purpose, a survey on some randomly selected villages from the border district of Gurdaspur was carried out. Group discussions and interviews as wellas a questionnaire were used to collect the relevant information & data. Findings:The results reveal that these villages being near the international border donot have any opportunities to upgrade their socio-economic status. There is lack of skill development, job avenues and industrial development. Although education and schools are available but poor infrastructure, lack of roads & other basic amenities, ineffective implementation of rural development initiatives (due to location) have been responsible for poor development of these villages. Conclusion:The state government should give special emphasis to the development of the villages present in the vicinity of international border in order to make them accessible and easily approachable. All developmental plans shouldwork in an integrated waywith a participatory approach for the effective implementation and the holistic development of these areas.  

Abstract

Evaluation of upper airway space is a routine procedure in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.  The two-dimensional representation of three-dimensional structures as afforded by the radiographic image in cephalometry provides limited diagnostic information. Cone Beam Computed Tomography was developed with the purpose of providing a superior imaging modality in dento-maxillofacial diagnosis. Objective: To review the limits, functions and anomalies of different areas that make up the upper airway, to provide information about specific methods most widely used by specialists for their evaluation, and to describe and evaluate the information level and diagnostic accuracy of methods such as lateral cephalometric analysis and Cone Beam CT (CBCT). Conclusions: It is essential to know upper airway assessment methods, which include a clinical examination, a radiographic evaluation and CBCT. These will indicate possible functional changes that could interfere with treatment.  

Abstract

The present study has been conducted to examine whether variables of subjective well-being are significantly related to the satisfaction in life for those individuals who practice hatayoga and those who practice gym and also to examine whether these two groups significantly differ in respect to such relationships. Selected 100 participants were both Bengali and Non-Bengali people of Kolkata having a minimum qualification of 12th standard with their age ranging from 18 to 50 years and belonged to the middle-income family group. Participants were administered with the Subjective Well-being Inventory and Satisfaction with Life Scale and after data collection results were analyzed using SPSS-23. Results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship for most of the variables of subjective well-being with satisfaction in life for those people who practice hatayoga whereas, for those who practice gym, a significant positive relationship was obtained only for the variables Expectation-achievement congruence and inadequate mental mastery. With respect to the differences between the two groups (hatayoga vs gym) which only significantly differed for the variables Family group support, General well-being- negative affect and Total. This present study concludes that in comparison to gym; hatayoga practices work more effectively on the whole system resulting in better overall functioning leading to add more effective contribution to the development of health, happiness and wellbeing.  

Abstract

Problem: This paper address the utility of Generalized Pareto Distribution in scheduling the production quantity and selling price of an inventory system. The stochastic inventory systems are useful for developing EPQ models in which the replenishment and life of the commodity are random. Methodology: Here it is assumed that the replenishment (production) as well as life time of the commodity follow Generalized Pareto Distributions with different parameters. The Generalized Pareto Distribution includes different types of production rates and deterioration rates. Findings: It is also assumed that the demand is a function of selling price. With suitable cost considerations and assuming shortages are allowed and fully backlogged the instantaneous state of inventory is derived.  Conclusion: By maximizing the total profit rate function the optimal ordering quantity, selling price and production up and down times are derived. The sensitivity analysis of the model reveals that the random production distribution and deterioration distribution parameters have significant influence on the optimal operating policies of the model. This model also includes some of the earlier Economic Production quantity Models as particular cases. This model also includes the models without shortages as a limiting case.  

Abstract

The Olacaceae and Lauraceae families are home to the genera Ximenia americana and Lindera communis. Traditional medicine makes extensive use of the herbs Ximenia americana and Lindera. Particularly notable phytochemicals include those found in the leaves, fruits, and roots of Lindera plants as well as the fruit of Ximenia americana. These phytochemicals include alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, phlobatannins, quinones, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. It is mostly found in tropical areas of Africa, Brazil, Brazil, India, New Zealand, Central America, and South America. A number of biological activities, including those that are antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, antineoplastic, antitrypanosomal, antirheumatic, antioxidant, analgesic, moluscicide, pesticidal, and that have hepatic and heamatological effects, have been demonstrated by the constituents of Ximenia americana and Lindera communis, according to studies conducted in recent years. We come to the conclusion that the plants Ximenia Americana and Lindera communis had potential therapeutic benefit and were significant in elaborating the different pharmacological actions, but the many traditional claims were not supported by scientific evidence.  

Abstract

To assess the hepatoprotective activity in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, the Extracts of Ximenia americana Linn and Lindera communis. According to the blood marker enzymes and liver tissues, the plant Extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) show ED a remarkable hepatoprotective efficacy against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. The amount of total protein was decreased whereas acetaminophen significantly increased the following enzymes: aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP). As comparison to acetaminophen-treated rats, treatment of rats with different doses of plant Extracts of Ximenia Americana and Lindera communis (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P 0.05) changed blood marker enzyme levels to normal. Standard liver samples and histopathological liver samples were compared (Silymarin treated). According to the findings of this investigation, Ximenia Americana and Lindera communis Extract exhibited strong liver-protective effects against acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in rats.