Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) represent a vital element in our economy in terms of addressing unemployment and the gross domestic product (GDP) of our country. Improving the success rate of SMMEs would save a lot of financial resources, thus understanding the financing options that complement success at different phases of the business is very important. This research sought to examine the extent to which the financing options chosen by entrepreneurs will have an impact on business success. The investigators adopted the progression of the ventures along the business life cycle stages as a benchmark for assessing success. The study focused primarily on SMMEs in the Eastern Cape Information Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. Data was obtained using an online survey which reached 50 small business owners/ business representative within the ICT sector in the Eastern Cape Province. The research study showed the role that internal financing options, such as personal savings, family, relatives and friends' financing, retained earnings, sale of existing assets and cutting down stock levels, play in the achievement of ICT SMME success. Moreover, examined external financing options such as Broad-Based Black Economic empowerment (B-BBEE) financing, bank loans, equity financing, government grants, trade credit, to SMME success. Key results revealed that the financial support of B-BBEE and personal savings have played a key role in the success of ICT SMMEs throughout the business life cycle phases. This occurs after an ICT SMME has advanced successfully over the start-up stage and aims for success in the development phase. The finding revealed that for these SMMEs to attain success at the development stage, they should finance their business investment projects utilising credit trade, bank loans, families, relatives and friends. The abovementioned financing options are only substantially linked to good advancement from the development phase onto the expansion phase. Also, suggestions have been made to the ICT SMME management to include B-BBEE finance, personal savings, bank loans, families, relatives and friends and trade credit as suitable funding choices for the ICT SMME's life cycle

Luyolo mahlangabeza

Background: Epilepsy and cerebral palsy (CP) are reported as the two most common indications for electroencephalogram (EEG) requests in children in Nigeria. Although several studies have examined epilepsy and EEG findings in the country, most have not documented the conditions under which EEG recordings were performed—whether during wakefulness, natural sleep, sleep deprivation, or drug-induced sleep. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of sleep deprivation and the use of melatonin in achieving sleep EEG recordings in children with epilepsy and CP versus those with epilepsy without CP, at the Pediatric Neurology Clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study involving children aged 6 months to 15 years, conducted between March 2022 and February 2023. A total of 121 subjects with epilepsy associated with CP (Group 1) and 124 subjects with epilepsy not associated with CP (Group 2) were consecutively recruited. Conventional inter-ictal sleep EEG recordings were performed using an EEG machine (Model: Satellite P200-132, Toshiba Europe GmbH, DC 19V, 3.4A). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the subjects with epilepsy and CP (Group 1), 67 (55.4%) achieved sleep EEG recordings following sleep deprivation, while 54 (44.6%) required sleep induction with melatonin. Among subjects with epilepsy without CP, 107 (86.3%) attained sleep EEG recordings after sleep deprivation, whereas 17 (13.7%) required melatonin-induced sleep. The difference between the two groups regarding the need for melatonin to induce sleep was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Sleep deprivation was more effective in achieving sleep EEG recordings in children with epilepsy who did not have CP.

Karishma

Fragaria nubicola (Hoof. f) Linn. (Rosaceae) is a medicinally important plant commonly called Wild strawberry. Traditionally, it has been used to treat different diseases. The study was carried out to compile all the previous data in review form based on its distribution, traditional medicinal uses, pharmacology and phytochemistry

Dr. salman ahmed

Tidal and riverine flows are viable energy sources for consistent energy production. Installing and operating marine hydrokinetic (MHK) turbines requires assessing any potential impact of debris accumulation on turbine performance and sediment transport. More specifically, MHK devices may alter the natural sediment transport processes and cause debris accumulation, disrupting the natural sediment dynamic. In turn, these processes could affect the turbine’s performance. We carried out a series of large-eddy simulations coupled with bed morphodynamics, introducing various debris loads lodged on the upstream face of a utility-scale turbine tower. The objective is to systematically investigate the impact of debris accumulation on the performance and hydro-and morpho-dynamics interactions of the horizontal-axis MHK turbine under rigid and mobile bed conditions. To that end, we (1) employed the actuator line and surface methods for modeling turbine blades and the nacelle, respectively,(2) directly resolved individual logs, and (3) solved the Exner equation to obtain the instantaneous bed deformation of the mobile bed. Our analysis revealed that while the spinning rotor amplifies scour around the pile, debris accumulation modifies the sediment dynamics of the system. Also, it found that morphodynamic processes accelerate the wake recovery, slightly enhancing the turbine's performance.

Hossein seyedzadeh

Motherhood has true nobility and unique capacities. Pregnancy and childbirth are special events in women’s lives. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Infra-red radiation therapy on pain perception and wound healing among primi postnatal women with episiotomy in Christian mission hospital, Madurai. The study was conducted among 60 postnatal women, 30 in experimental group and 30 in control group, who were selected by using purposive sampling technique. Data collection was done as planned 6 weeks were taken for data collection procedure. The data gathered were analyzed and the interpretation was made on the study objectives. The paired‘t’ test and independent‘t’ test were used to find out the effectiveness of infrared radiation therapy. Comparison of pain perception and wound healing status values between pre-test and post-test, experimental and control group showed a significant difference at 0.05 levels. The study concluded that the infrared radiation therapy was effective in reducing episiotomy pain and wound healing. Therefore, infra-red radiation therapy should be used to augment the therapy of episiotomy. Keywords: Pain perception, Wound healing, Episiotomy, Infrared lamp

Elsi queen

Establishing a realistic working profile of soil properties has been, and is still, one of the most challenging problems facing Geo-technical engineers, especially for CBR results. In the present study a neural-network approach is used to tackle this problem. Source data of a series of California Bearing Ratio Tests (CBR) performed at the Laboratory and Geo-technical Experimental Site. This will be useful for training and testing an artificial neural network. The developed neural network will be showing the prediction of CBR values of the site studied. Data are then generated for constructing the profiles of the CBR values using the trained neural network. This study might be useful for the future as this process will reduce the work on procedure and graphical calculations.

Mayura

A new reliable high throughput NOC router design is proposed with FSM based smart arbiter module for 4X4 Mesh architecture. This design is based the XY routing algorithm with prioritized round robin arbitration and synthesis of the proposed design is done on Spartan III FPGA. An enhanced work is also done in this paper to explore the drawbacks of the exceptional techniques of the existing generation and to research the scope for overall performance improvisation of the NoC designing

Trupti patil

Hypertension is a public health issue that significantly increases the risk of health problems and decreases health quality of life of the patients. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are used to control hypertension by preventing production of angiotensin II in turn decrease blood pressure, thus it may enhance the quality of life. This study aims to assess the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on the quality of life of patients with hypertensive aging 40 years or older in Benghazi city in comparison with other classes of hypertension medications. A case control observational study was conducted, adopting the structured face-to-face interviewing survey technique. Over 150 patients who visited Benghazi medical center during the study period (November, 2019 to March, 2020), to follow up their chronic disease. The investigators used a pre-validated, pre-piloted questionnaire that has been adopted from SF 36 and modified according to the updated literature review; responses to each question were coded and analyzed. The results display that antihypertensive medications were found to be significantly related to the limitation on the physical activity domain and found that medications decrease the limitation on the activity with about 20% of the patients who taking angiotensin receptor blockers (20%) and 30% of the patients taking angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, 40% of the patients had no limitations on bending kneeling and stooping. Moreover, on the limitations on walking more than one kilometre, the results were about 15% of the patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers and 30% of the patients taking angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors had a slightly or no limitation on walking more than a kilometre. Thus, the findings indicate that antihypertensive medications have a positive effect on quality of life of the patient in limitation on activity domain but no conclusive difference was found between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers medications.

Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Anemia, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are common blood disorders. The role of vitamin D was agreed to be regulating in calcium and phosphate absorption and bone metabolism and its deficiency is observed as a crucial nutritional problem. Vitamin D is created under the skin by ultraviolet light. It is usually get vitamins from the food; however, in the case of vitamin D, there simply are not enough rich food sources for people to get adequate amounts in their diet. Its effects on the prevention of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and anemia has received much attention recently. To get sufficient vitamin D, need to be exposed to sunshine or use supplements. Vitamin D3 was found in the largest population as a deficiency. With regard to hemoglobin was the subject whom has less normal range of hemoglobin (19.05%) than international normal range, and in ferritin the low population number was the subject whom has less normal range of ferritin than WHO normal range. The population who has low ferritin also has low vitamin D3 and variable hemoglobin. According international guidelines, optimizing nutrition with daily or intermittent (1 to 3 times per week) iron supplementation, should be considered a first-line intervention in high-risk or high-prevalence groups. Although it is probably less effective than daily iron supplementation, intermittent iron appears to be a useful and cost effective way of controlling anemia and iron deficiency anemia. This may indicate that a positive relation between the low concentration parameter of vitamin D3 and ferritin level but no significant correlation with hemoglobin.

Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

This study aims to determine the functional literacy acquisition of Alternative Learning System learners and make a sound basis for strategic planning and pedagogical intervention that will help promote and develop the said program. The descriptive-evaluative method of research was used in the study. The descriptive method was used to identify the respondents' profile based on (a) age, (b) gender, (c) civil status, and (d) employment status. The evaluative method was used to determine the respondents' functional literacy acquisition in (a) communication skills, (b) scientific and critical thinking skills, (c) mathematical and problem solving skills, (d) life and career skills, (e) understanding the self and society, and (f) digital citizenship (formerly digital literacy). Frequency Count and Percentage Technique was used to describe the functional literacy acquisition of the respondents. Meanwhile, a modified survey questionnaire based on the functional literacy, education and mass media survey ("National Profile of Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills," 2004, p. 91) was used as the primary tool to gather the data. The respondents in this study were the students enrolled in ALS-Sipocot (North and South District), the school year 2019-2020. Due to COVID restrictions, other ALS learners from other municipalities were not covered as part of the study. Findings revealed that ALS learners do not yet manifest the complete acquisition of functional literacy needed to face the globalized world's challenges because their attainment of the required functional literacy skills is generally low. Moreover, the study disclosed that sex, age, civil status, and employment status affect the acquisition of functional literacy skills among ALS learners in Sipocot, Camarines Sur. Based on the results, the researcher developed an extension activity to help the ALS learners improve their functional literacy, particularly in the digital citizenship area, where they got the lowest score.

Darrel ocampo

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.

Dr.a.shaji george

The present review shares an updated data on the botany, distribution, traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Phaseolus lunatus L. All provided information was obtained through Google Scholar, Pubmed, Sci Finder, Scirus, Web of Science and library search.

Dr. salman ahmed

All the people who need loan may turn to their local banks, credit unions or peer to peer lenders. Every lending institution has its own advantages and drawbacks. In this scenario credit risk management becomes increasingly important element as the same is concerned with managing the financial debts and safeguarding the interest of the banks. The purpose of credits given by banks is to earn interest and make profits. The important function of credit management is to decide how much credit should be given to the borrower and ensuring compliances with the credit terms of repayment and avoid Non-Performing Assets (NPA) to the banks. Credit risk is the biggest risk the bank faces by the virtue of nature of business, inherits. The ability of commercial banks to formulate and adhere to policies and procedures that promote credit quality and curtail non-performing loans is the means to survive in the stiff competition. Inability to create and build up quality loans and credit worthy customers leads to default risk and bankruptcy as well as hamper the economic growth of the country

Shaila kamath

In some countries, a high percentage of the population relies on traditional plants for treating certain diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of G. alypum extract (GAE) and Alhagj marorum extract (AME) on lipid profiles in experimentally induced hypercholesteremic rats and on the blood pressure of experimentally induced hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 200 - 300 g were divided into five groups: group 1 received a normal diet (negative control), group 2 received a high lipid diet containing coconut oil (10 g/kg/day), cholesterol (4 g/kg/day) and cholic acid (0.20 g/kg/day) (positive control), group 3 received a high lipid diet together with clofibrate (50 mg/kg/day), group 4 received a high lipid diet together with AME (200 mg/kg/day) and group 5 received GAE (200 mg/kg/day). The experiment continued for two weeks, then the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for estimation of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. To induce hypertension, rats were divided into two groups (n = 8 in each group). Group 1 received normal saline (control) and Group 2 received dexamethasone (0.40 mg/kg, i.p.) for seven consecutive days. Later, the rats were anesthetized using thiopental and the carotid artery was cannulated for recording blood pressure. AME (40 mg/kg) or GAE (40 mg/kg) were injected through a cannula placed into the internal jugular vein at a dose volume of 0.1 ml. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured before and after plant extract administration. The results showed that clofibrate GAE extract and ANE extract significantly decreased cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein as compared to high-lipid diet-treated rats. Data also indicated that administration of GAE or AME extract significantly decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure in experimentally induced hypertensive rats. In conclusion, GAE and AME have antihyperlipidemic and antihypertensive activities and further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanism of these effects.

Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Market trends indicate that natural health products are being used to maintain health as well as prevent and treat many medical conditions. A recent Canadian survey showed that 71% of the Canadian population have used a natural health product. Among these, many reports that they take natural health products on a daily basis. This review emphasizes on Canadian post-market surveillance system that apply to natural health products for human use. The public's perception is that the natural health products are all-natural, safe and effective, but there is still a wide variety of harms linked with these products. The post-market surveillance system is the monitoring window to observe and control the adverse effects of using natural health products. There are many activities involved in the post-surveillance to ensure the quality of the approved natural health products. Despite the fact that post-market surveillance plays a very important role in eliminating and/or reduce the risk of using natural health products, there are still some challenges and more work to be done to improve the outcome of the post-market surveillance of the natural health products.

Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern affecting many individuals as it is highly prevalent in all parts of the world. Recent studies have reported an association of vitamin D deficiency with cardiometabolic alterations such as dyslipidemia. The study aimed to evaluate vitamin D and lipid profile levels among the Libyan adult population and investigate the correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the alteration of lipid profile levels. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Janzour Hospital among 193 subjects (107 males and 86 females) whose ages ranged between 20 and 50 years over three months from Sept to Dec 2023. Vitamin D, cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein levels were estimated. The total mean vitamin D levels were 8.31±4.74, 23.83±2.78, and 42.67±7.95 ng/dl for deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency, respectively. The findings revealed significant alterations in cholesterol (increase), triglyceride (increase), LDL-cholesterol (increase), and HDL-cholesterol (decrease) among subjects who had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency as compared to subjects having vitamin D sufficiency. Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol, and they were positively associated with HDL cholesterol. The incidence of dyslipidemia is higher in the vitamin D deficiency group than in the insufficiency and sufficiency groups. It is essential to frequently monitor lipid profiles among vitamin D-deficient individuals to avoid subsequent disorders or damages associated with the alterations of lipid profile patterns.

Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

The increasing prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in creating content signifies a notable change in the digital communication landscape. While the broader effects on widespread media platforms have been extensively discussed, the specific consequences within specialized online communities remain less explored. These communities, frequently founded and established on shared interests, mutual confidence, and perceived genuineness, are particularly susceptible to alterations in the origin and trustworthiness of content. This paper challenges three questions: (1) How AI content affects credibility perceptions, (2) Verification methods used by communities, (3) Consequences for trust dynamics. A hypothetical framework would be used to investigate the potential impact of AI-produced content on the dynamics of trust and credibility within these focused digital environments. By drawing upon existing academic work in media studies, the behavior of online communities, and the concept of source credibility, a theoretical model and outline a potential research strategy were encouraged to examine how the presence, identification, and interpretation of content authored by AI might modify member interactions, processes for verifying information, and the overall unity of the community. The hypothetical outcome suggests that the subtle integration of AI content could diminish perceived authenticity, complicate established indicators of trust, and potentially lead to the fragmentation or decline of communities that depend on authentic human connection and collective expertise. The article concludes by considering the ramifications for those who manage communities, design platforms, and participate as members, stressing the importance of greater openness and digital literacy in navigating the evolving digital media landscape.

Mostafa eissa

The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents an unprecedented challenge to identify effective drugs in the prevention and treatment process. At present, there is no proven therapy for this disease, although therapeutic approaches continue to be carried out using traditional medicines (herbal) and pharmacological therapy. Information about SARS-CoV-2 virology has rapidly developed and scientists try to provide a number of potential drugs. Remdesivir has strong in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2. Several potential drugs are currently underway in a clinical trial. Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and oseltamivir have not been proven to have efficacy, and the benefits of corticosteroids are still diverse. Current clinical evidence does not support the termination of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, coagulation therapy in patients with COVID-19 concomitant with comorbidities.

Syahrul tuba

Background and Purpose: We aimed to investigate the effect of smoking on the risk of intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture (IAR), specifically relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) or smoking index and the risk of IAR. Materials and Methods: We performed a single-center case–control study of consecutive patients evaluated or treated for IA at our institution from June 2017 to July 2018. Cases were patients with a ruptured IA. Two age- and sex-matched controls with an unruptured IA were included per case. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between both the CPD and smoking index (CPD x years of smoking) and IAR. Results: The study population included 300 cases of IAR and 300 controls. The higher IAR risk was associated with cigarette smoking. Our subgroup analysis of smokers revealed a significant association between IAR risk and current smoking (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2–6.3; P = 0.012), current heavy smoking (CPD>20) (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.4–11.0; P = 0.007), and a smoking index >800 (OR, 11.4; 95% CI, 2.3–24.5; P= 0.003). Conclusion: A dose–response relationship has been noted for intensity and duration of smoking consumption and increased risk of IAR. As smoking is modifiable, this finding is important to managing patients with IAs to quit or reduce smoking prior to life-threatening subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Kamal singh

Postpartum depression is a major maternal health problem after childbirth. It can start at any time within the first year after delivery and continue for several years. It is characterized by an inability to experience pleasure, anxiety symptoms, panic attacks, spontaneous crying and depressed mood. Some women with postpartum depression even have thoughts of harming their child and self-harm. The aim of this study is to find out the status of postpartum depression and the associated factors among postnatal mothers at first-, fourth- and sixth-month. This study is a prospective descriptive study, carried out in three major health facilities in Misurata. This study consists of three-part questionnaire. Part 1 covers demographic characteristics of the participants, while part 2 explores the associated risk factors according to the variables used. Part 3 constitutes for the psychological evaluation of the participants. Hundred mothers (age are between 15 and 43 years) were enrolled in this study. The findings revealed that prevalence of depression is 60% and 22% are suffering from borderline depression. Development of depression was strongly correlated with the sleeping disturbances, state of the neonate after birth, excess consumption of stimulants, less weight acceptance by mothers during pregnancy and infant illness. There was a weak relation between depression and delivery state, maternal admission to hospital during current pregnancy, and infant gender dissatisfaction. No correlation was found with development of depression regarding miscarriage, maternal medical problems after delivery, previous child sex, maternal age, education, parity or neonate weight. Thus, this study shows that a chance of having miscarriage and unhealthy neonate increases with advanced maternal age. It also shows that caesarean section is associated with bad neonatal outcomes, more weight gain and having gestational diabetes or preeclampsia during pregnancy. Maternal sleeping problems are more pronounced in the first month, attributing for the baby care, compared with fourth and sixth months. The study indicates that depression is a common state of psychiatric disorders among Libyan women and should have an appropriate attention by physicians and gynecologists.

Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences