During Movement Control Order (MCO) of COVID-19, many information has been disseminated through both traditional and social media. Some of that information was credible and came from reliable sources while other information was fake and included misinformation, disinformation, and infodemic. The people needed credible information rather than fake one in this critical time. This study aimed to explore the credibility of media, information sources, the main issues, and preferred communication patterns and method of works perceived by Malaysians during MCO. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed, and 210 were returned. The results of this study showed that the majority of respondents 69% relied on new media as their main source of information compared to 30.9% who relied on traditional media. However, a total of 64.8% of respondents considered traditional media as more credible and accurate compared to 35.2% for new media. Additionally, the main concerns and issues followed by respondents on media were health, economic, social, education and others. Finally, a total of 55.7% preferred face to face communication compared to 44.3% who preferred online communication. A total of 51% of respondents preferred to work from the workplace or office compared to 49% who preferred to work from home. Television played a significant role during the pandemic period due to its high credibility as perceived by Malaysians. The main intriguing implication of this study is considering the traditional media as more credible than social media by the Malaysians although the social media was their main source of information.
The % age elemental composition (ash, crude fat, crude protein, moisture and total carbohydrates) was determined in the Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn., legume flours. M. uniflorum contained moisture (8.9), ash (3.34), crude fat (1.30), crude protein (18.15) and total carbohydrate (68.31). Similarly, moisture (9.14), ash (3.73), crude fat (1.78), crude protein (22.64) and total carbohydrate (62.71) were estimated in P. lunatus. Meanwhile, P. vulgaris contained moisture (9.43), ash (3.61), crude fat (3.49), crude protein (19.46) and total carbohydrate (64.01). The gross, ash free, moisture and ash free calorific values were also determined. P. vulgaris showed the highest(3.91) and P. lunatus lowest (3.84), whereas M. uniflorum (3.86) caloric values (kcal/g), respectively. The elemental composition and caloric values of tested legume flours justify them as good sources of nutrition and energy.
Brilliant Grid is intended to incorporate progressed correspondence/organizing innovations into electrical power frameworks to make them ''more intelligent''. The current circumstance is that a large portion of the power outages and voltage lists could be forestalled in the event that we have better and quicker specialized gadgets and advancements for the electrical matrix. To make the flow electrical force lattice a Smart Grid, the plan and execution of another correspondence framework for the lattice are two significant fields of examination. Be that as it may, Brilliant Grid projects have just been proposed as of late and a couple of recommendations for forward-looking necessities and starting exploration work have been offered in this field. No efficient audits of correspondence/organizing in Smart Grids have been led at this point. In this manner, we direct an orderly survey of correspondence/organizing innovations in Smart Grid in this paper, including correspondence/organizing engineering, distinctive correspondence innovations that would be utilized into this design, nature of administration (QoS), upgrading the use of resources, control and the board, and so forth.
This study aims at classifing hotels in Jordan into groups based on their Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation. Using a survey methodology, the TQM questionnaire was designed to measure the level of TQM implementation throughout Critical Success Factors (CSFs) which are necessary for TQM implementation. A total of 345 TQM questionnaires were distributed to managers, working in 17 four- and five-star Jordanian hotels. The researcher obtained 227 usable TQM questionnaires. The results classified Jordanian hotels based on the CSFs for TQM implementation. More specifically, using cluster analysis on the CSFs of TQM resulted in two groups of hotels: ‘low TQM adopters’ and ‘high TQM adopters’. These two groups showed significant differences across the TQM CSFs
Every year, tax laws are updated to create a more straightforward tax system for every Indian taxpayer. It was determined to provide new voluntary taxation to individual assesses in the union budget under section 115BAC of income tax act 1961. This essay discusses the new optional tax system, a comparison to the previous tax system, and the applicability of optional tax in the current context. Understanding tax payers' attitudes towards optional tax and educating them about the new regime, the drawbacks of optional tax, and its implications for the upcoming fiscal year are among the objectives of this research. Data is generally gathered through questionnaires for this purpose, and various research papers and journals are read to provide better analysis. According to survey results, individuals will continue to use the old tax system because there are no deductions available under the new tax law. However, the majority of respondents concurred that the new plan is superior to the previous one since it is completely dependent on the degree of income and investment of the individual. Overall, it can be said that, if you set aside a few of the new tax scheme's flaws, it is the correct step towards becoming a significant tax reform in recent memory. Keywords: Section 115 BAC Optional tax regime, Old tax structure, Relevance.
“Phyllanthus emblica” known to be amla has role in the skin aging influences the changes in skin, including skin dryness, wrinkle, and irregular pigmentation. Initially the 6 day observation has been taken for the ageing activity to be track to study the TREM2 pathway of “Phyllanthus emblica”. Cellular observation and pathway consideration: The environmental impact of pH, Temperature, Humidity and stability of amla fruits is important for the ageing of cells in neuronal cascade of TREM2 Pathway, while studying the fruits cell cycle. The melanin suppression through inhibition of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-2 activities, the strong antioxidant, and the potent matrix metalloproteinase-2 in cellular observation of tyrosinase pathway. The study aimed to evaluate the anti-skin aging efficacy of amla.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by an interruption of action potentials in the brain and spinal cord due to areas of inflammation, demyelination and axonal degeneration. Most people with Multiple Sclerosis (PWMS) complain of physical activity limitations due to fatigue and reduced Exercise Tolerance that leads to reduction in Functional Independence. Till date, there is a limited published evidence of the efficacy of aerobic training on Exercise Tolerance and Functional Independence in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, although some studies that incorporate aerobic training into rehabilitation programs report positive outcomes with no harmful effects. This was an effort to study the effect of aerobic training on exercise tolerance and functional independence in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. 12 Subjects were selected for the study on the basis of convenient Sampling method. Subjects who were independently mobile with Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 2 and 6.5 and medically stable were included for the study. The parameters of Exercise Tolerance and Functional Independence were assessed with six min walk test distance (6MWTD) and FIMTM+FAM respectively as Pre test measurement. All the subjects were given Aerobic training(AT) with Elliptical trainer and the intensity of the exercise was individualized according to their tolerance with initial stage incline of 0 (no incline) and a resistance of 1 (lowest possible resistance) was fixed. Training was done in a well ventilated training setup and subject was provided with cool water to minimize the effect of heat on activity. Subjects were monitored during the exercise training via heart rate monitor fixed to the machine; heart rate was taken every 3 minutes. The subjects were advised to perform the exercise in their own pace throughout training session for 30 min with breaks as many as they require. Progression of exercise intensity was achieved by increasing the resistance level of the Elliptical machine and/or by increasing the subject's steps per minute (stepping speed was controlled by the subject and not the elliptical machine).To ensure the progress of exercise protocol, the exercise intensity increased every 3 to 4 sessions. Totally 15 sessions were given in 6 weeks period. After 15 session of training Post test measurement for Exercise Tolerance and Functional Independence were taken. The Significance of the Pre test Post test difference were analyzed statistically using student paired “t‟ test . After 6 weeks (15 sessions) of Aerobic training with Elliptical trainer the subjects improved in Exercise Tolerance and level of Functional Independence as compared with the base line conditions. This was indicated by the changes in the Distance covered in 6 MWT and the FIMTM+ FAM score with P value <0.001. In all the subjects who were participated in this study showed greater improvement in the 6 Minute walk test distance and FIMTM+FAM scores. It implies that Aerobic training by Elliptical Trainer is effective for improving Exercise Tolerance and Functional Independence in PWMS.
Rhizosphere actinomycetes are promising biocontrol agents for use in agriculture and have been isolated from various plant species. In the present investigation, actinomycetes were isolated from rhizospheric soil of maize to test antagonistic activity against Fusarium verticillioides and fungal strain (T. viride) were procured from National fungal culture collection of India (NFCCI), T. harzianum and A. niger were isolated from soil to test their antagonistic effects against Fusarium verticillioides. In the present study bio-control dual inoculum method were followed to evaluate the bacterial and fungal strains against the pathogen and reveals that Single Bacterial Inoculum (SBI) of S. cinereus shows more effective in controlling the growth of Fusarium verticillioides (28 mm in treated plate) compare to control (45 mm fungal growth). But in Dual Bacterial Inoculum (DBI), the combination of S. albosporous and S. cinereus shows more effective (08 mm fungal growth in treated plate) compare to control (52 mm fungal growth). Similarly, in Single Fungal Inoculum (SFI), T. harzianum were more effective (18.8 mm fungal growth) and in Dual Fungal Inoculum (DFI), T. viridae and T. harzianum act as a more effective (2.5 mm fungal growth) against Fusarium verticillioides compare to controls (60 mm and 52 mm fungal growth respectively). Overall interpretation of the present work reveals that DBI and DFI were more effective than SBI and SFI against Fusarium verticillioides.
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea have long been one of the most critical and complex issues of security between south-east Asian states and China. The competition for maritime rights has emerged as the most important security issue in the east Asia. The powerful states have a tendency for domination. The smaller states may not show their dominating behavior over other states, but they have tendency to maximize their relative power by making alliance with great power or by other means. Since the smaller states are not capable enough individually to ensure their own security or to use military force against threatening power, they have tendencies to join in alliances or in other words to create balance of power to ensure their own security. This study attempts to analyze the behavior of small states and to find out which theory matches with the behavior. The behavior of small states like Vietnam and the Philippines cannot be well-explained by the realist approach. They behave to make their existent clear and safeguard themselves only. Making allies with great powers as well as economic ties simultaneously with other economic powers render their behavior of having peaceful coexistent with everyone.
Background: Pre-eclampsia remains a significant contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Research into changes associated with the disease offers some hope into identifying predictive and prognostic factors. In recent times, serum leptin has attracted interest as a possible marker for the disease. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the serum leptin levels in normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a prospective case-control study design at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Nigeria in which sixty three pregnant women who received antenatal care and developed pre-eclampsia were recruited into the study. For each selected pre-eclamptic, a matched normotensive was selected as control. Serum leptin level was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) ELISA. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in mean serum leptin levels between the normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant patients 15.11±4.81 ng/dl vs 38.98±8.66 ng/dl; p<0.001. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference in mean leptin levels between mild and severe pre-eclampsia; 16.49±8.22 ng/dl vs 39.03±8.58 ng/dl;p<0.001.Conclusion: This study revealed an association between serum leptin level and pre-eclampsia. Serum leptin may be a potential marker for pre-eclampsia and deserves further investigation.
Dengue is an acute infection disease caused by a flavi virus (species Dengue virus of the genus Flavi virus), transmitted by female mosquito aedes mosquito, infection has globally become a major public health concern since the incidence of the dengue fever has increased more than 30-fold over the last decades. The dengue fever has been a most important public health problems since many years and the various outbreak of the dengue cases has been seen time to time. One of the reasons for the increasing and time to time outbreak of the dengue may be the reason of climate change, global warming, lack of knowledge about signs, symptoms, transmission, preventive measure and lack of ignorance or lack of the preventive practice of the dengue fever. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional study on 192 head of household's was study population residing in Kanchan RM, Rupandehi Respondent was selected using Non probability judgmental sampling techniques by face-to-face interview was used. Result shows 58.3% good knowledge and 62% good practice. Knowledge was found to be associated with Age, Types of family, Size of family, educational level and Family suffered from dengue. Preventive practice was found to be associated with the Ever heard from health professional. Study will contribute towards development of appropriate policy strategies at local level that will tackle the problem associated with the knowledge and preventive practice of DF and provide a basis for future research on this area. Inferential analysis shows that there is significant association between the level of knowledge with age, types of family, size of family, educational level and family suffered from dengue and the level of preventive practice was associated with the ever heard from health professional.
Natural products have played an essential role in treating human diseases for thousands of years. According to WHO, 80% of the world’s population relies on traditional medicines to cure and prevent ailments. Numerous plants have been reported to have antitussive activity. Our present study aimed to evaluate the antitussive effect of aerial parts of ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Caesalpiniaceae) at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses in healthy albino rats. Caesalpinia pulcherrima is an ornamental plant, usually 3.7-4.3 m in height, known as Peacock flower and is used traditionally to treat cough, bronchitis and asthma. Cough significantly affects human health and is the most common reason to visit physicians. Cough may be produced due to disease, allergens, pollutants and respiratory infections. Any mechanical or inflammatory change provokes the afferent or sensory nerves in the larynx and tracheobronchial, resulting in a cough. In this study, cough was induced by using the sulphur dioxide induction method. Animals were divided into four groups of 7 animals each, and all the drugs were administered orally. Group I was a control group, while group II was a standard taking Prospane. The extract showed highly significant results at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses compared to the control. So, it proves and supports the traditional use of Caesalpinia pulcherrima to relieve cough.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are interconnected metabolic disorders with significant health implications. However, a comprehensive understanding of the extent of their co-occurrence in Africa is lacking. The aim of this review was to determine the prevalence of MAFLD and its association with glycemic control (HbA1c) in persons with T2D in Africa. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, Global Health, and Web of Science from their inception to December 6, 2023. Data on MAFLD prevalence and correlation coefficients regarding its association with glycemic control were pooled through random effect meta-analyses. Potential sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. A total of 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis of MAFLD prevalence, while 2 were incorporated in the analysis of the association between MAFLD and glycemic control. The pooled prevalence of MAFLD in persons with T2D was 48.1% (95% CI: 36.1–60.3). The subgroup analysis revealed regional variations in MAFLD prevalence, with rates of 44.7% (95% CI: 28.7–62.0) in sub-Saharan Africa and 55.3% (95% CI: 36.2–73.0) in Northern Africa. Additionally, we observed an increasing trend in MAFLD prevalence, recording 55.1% (95% CI: 43.6–66.1) in the recent five years. There was a weak positive correlation between MAFLD and HbA1c (r = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.18–0.47). The findings of this study highlight a high prevalence of MAFLD in persons with T2D in Africa, with a suggested link between MAFLD and suboptimal glycemic control. Therefore, healthcare providers should prioritize the screening and management of MAFLD in individuals with T2D to enhance their metabolic health.
The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) aims to modernize India's higher education system by prioritizing the learner, increasing accessibility, and fostering inclusivity. It emphasizes the importance of libraries as information hubs and libraries, with the policy focusing on their resources and facilities. The policy requires sufficient library employees to manage facilities, create suitable career courses, and foster cooperation between educational institutions and libraries. Infrastructures for libraries are crucial for adult education, lifelong learning, and study. Schools, school complexes, and public library locations should be well-designed and equipped with information and communication technology. Central and state governments are responsible for creating and funding libraries, ensuring they are available and reasonably priced for everyone in the nation. Digital libraries and online resources are included in the NEP 2020, with efforts to improve accessibility online and expand the reach of digital libraries. The policy also includes provisions for enhancing all current libraries, establishing reading rooms and rural libraries in underprivileged areas, making reading materials in Indian languages widely accessible, opening child-friendly and transportable libraries, creating social literary societies, and promoting better partnerships between educational institutions and libraries. The government is focusing on providing top-notch online resources for education, including digital resources, online courses, applications, satellite TV channels, online books, and IT-equipped libraries and Adult Education Centers across India. The policy has significantly raised the standard of instruction in India's higher education establishments, providing students with a more comprehensive and holistic education. Preliminary findings suggest that the policy has had positive effects, but significant human, material, and technological resources are needed for its success. The policy also seeks to increase diversity in higher education by providing financial aid and scholarships to underrepresented groups.
Celiac disease (CeD) is a complex disorder characterized by gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms as well as extraintestinal manifestations, sometimes difficult to diagnose. Commonly referred to as a childhood disease, adult CeD is a well-known entity that should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea or malabsorption syndrome. The pathogenesis involves a genetically mediated autoimmune pathway. In individuals with genetic susceptibility, the mucosa of the small intestine is damaged in response to foods containing gluten. The clinical presentation is variable and ranges from typical GI symptoms to extra-intestinal and systemic manifestations. Clinical improvement and restoration of the intestinal mucosa occur simply by eliminating gluten from the diet. We reported a case of CeD in a young man after 6 years of iron deficiency anemia (IDA), without asserting a clear etiology during this time. In our country, the search for CeD in patients with IDA is usually forgotten and we hereby put it in the spotlight.
Micro-level assessment of vulnerability to climate change creates basis for policy formulation. The study specifically ascertained the levels and determinants of vulnerability to climate change among selected food crop farmers. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression analysis. The result revealed that 15.95%, 68.97% and 15.08% of the households were highly vulnerable, moderately vulnerable and less vulnerable to climate change respectively. This implies a varied effect on crop farmers. The result also showed that amount saved, extension contacts, household expenditure and value of crop were significant at 1% level. The study recommended the provision of basic amenities and soft loans to farmers as well as an improvement in extension services. It also advocated the introduction of effective climate change mitigation and adaptive measures to boost agricultural output in their area.
Customer satisfaction and profit making are the two motives that define software quality; therefore, software industry uses new technologies like component-based software engineering, re-engineering, etc., to make their software production more profitable. The proposed mathematical model is executed under ISO/IEC 9126 quality assurance model and justifies the definition of software quality given by IEEE 1061(1998). The model calculates the degree of stakeholder satisfaction (Q) by combining the quality attributes and it is validated using Shuffled Frog-Leaping Algorithm (SFLA) which improved the result by 2.46%
Oxidative stress is due to altered levels of prooxidants and anti-oxidants in the body. This can lead to tissue damage especially the central nervous system. Oxidative damage has been implicated in several disorders including some psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. Uric acid is an anti-oxidant which prevents tissue damage caused by oxidative stress. In this review, the reduced levels of serum uric acid in schizophrenia and depression are discussed. The effect of treatment in these disorders leading to increased serum uric acid levels are also reviewed.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Dignity therapy (DT) is an evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach originally designed to alleviate emotional and existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses. While dignity therapy has been well documented in palliative care, emerging perspectives suggest that its principles such as promoting autonomy, meaning, and self-worth can be beneficial for persons with severe mental illness (SMI) who often experience stigma, identity loss, and existential suffering. Although severe mental illness and terminal illness are distinct conditions both may involve the profound psychological and existential challenges that affect personal dignity. This paper explores the philosophical foundations and therapeutic benefits of dignity therapy, with a particular focus on its potential application in mental health settings. It highlights the significance of preserving dignity in psychiatric care and emphasizes the need for compassionate, personcentered mental health support tailored to the lived experiences of the person with severe mental illness.
Viral hepatitis is one of the main public health concerns around the world. Even though infection management techniques have been implemented over the last few decades, eradication or significant reduction has remained a mystery. The purpose of this study is to look into the prevalence of acute infectious hepatitis in the East of Libya and how the type of virus, age, gender, clinical manifestations, and outcome are related. This is a hospital-based retrospective study. The data on the frequency and distribution of viral hepatitis based on age, gender, seasonal, clinical, and ultrasound findings, and the outcomes during a period of two years from January 2020 to December 2021 were collected and analyzed. Of the 0.39% (72 cases) of total hospital admissions (18340) under the age of 15 years old for acute infectious hepatitis patients, the most common age group was 5-12 years (79.6%). Winter accounted for 41.6% of all the cases. Females made up 65.3% of the cases. Jaundice was the most prevalent presentation (87.5%). Hepatomegaly was seen in 83.3% of the patients. Most of the cases have mild hyperbilirubinemia (5-9 mg/dL, 75.0%). Approximately 1/5th of the patients' serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGPT), and nearly 1/3rd of the patients' SGPT levels were in the range of 1000-2000. One patient's hepatitis C was positive, one patient's hepatitis B was positive, and 97.2% were positive for hepatitis A. 88.8% of the individuals recovered without complications, whereas 11.1% showed symptoms of hepatic failure but recovered. The present study indicates that acute hepatitis A is more prevalent, especially in the winter. Those who are females and 5-12 years of age were more affected by acute viral hepatitis in Libya.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences