This paper aims to investigate the trend of human resource disclosure (HRD) quality based on publicly disclosed annual reports of 235 Malaysian listed companies. The data was collected through content analysis method using HRD index. The results reveal that there is an increasing trend of HRD quality from 2010 to 2014. However the significant increase is only between 2012 and 2013. This study provides empirical support for Institutional theory’s coercive isomorphism, through its findings on quality of HRD. This is because, the related disclosure regulations and the Malaysian government policy through Malaysia Plan may have significantly influenced firms to increase HRD quality in their annual reports.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent invasive form of cancer in females and poses a significant challenge to overcoming the disease burden. The growth in global cancer deaths mandates the discovery of new efficacious natural anti-tumor treatments. In this regard, aquatic species offer a rich supply of possible drugs. Studies have shown that several marine peptides damage cancer cells by a broad range of pathways, including apoptosis, microtubule balance disturbances, and suppression of angiogenesis. Many side effects, including immune response suppression, characterise traditional chemotherapeutic agents. The discovery of novel putative anti-cancer peptides with lesser toxicity is therefore necessary and timely, especially those able to thwart multi-drug resistance (MDR). This review addresses marine anti-cancer peptides for the treatment of breast cancer.
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.
In today's globalized world, the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in shaping higher education cannot be overstated. This paper explores the multifaceted impact of FDI on higher education institutions worldwide, delving into its influence on academic programs, research endeavors, institutional infrastructure, and student experiences. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of scholarly literature, policy documents, and case studies, this paper elucidates the ways in which FDI contributes to the expansion and transformation of higher education systems across the globe. The analysis begins by examining the motivations driving foreign investors to engage with higher education, including economic imperatives, strategic partnerships, and knowledge transfer objectives. It then explores the diverse forms that FDI takes in the higher education sector, ranging from institutional partnerships and joint ventures to the establishment of branch campuses and research collaborations. By analyzing specific examples from different regions, this paper illustrates how FDI shapes the academic landscape, fosters innovation, and enhances internationalization efforts within higher education institutions.
Strain improvement studies were conducted for the production of L-asparaginase from a marine fungus Beauveriabassiana SS18/14 by employing physical and chemical mutagens, in a systemic manner to obtain mutants that have higher L-asparaginase production. The wild strain produced 6.32 IU/mL of L-asparaginase activity while the UV mutant UVF-4 yielded 8.34 IU/mL and nitrous acid mutant UVF4-N-2 exhibited 10.44 IU/mL enzyme activity. The overall strain improvement programme increased L-asparaginase activity 1.65 times with respect to the parent wild strain.
Background: Dilation of pupil in Ophthalmic OPD is a routine procedure. Whether a sympathomimetic agent like phenylephrine should be used in hypertensive patients is still a question to be answered. This study tries to resolve the issue. Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular effects of combination of topical 5% phenylephrine and 0.8% Tropicamide. Method: Total 150 patients were subjected for this study (male and female) between 30-80 years of age. Combination of 5% phenylephrine and 0.8% tropicamide eye drops was instilled at an interval of 15 minutes thrice in the eyes of each patient. Any change in BP or HR was recorded Result: The data was collected and subjected to appropriate statistical method using R software version 4.2.1. This study has shown no significant increase in Blood Pressure and Heart Rate after instillation of 5% Phenylephrine and 0.8% Tropicamide eye drops except in one case. Conclusion: We conclude that combination of 5% Phenylephrine and 0.8% Tropicamide can be safely used in all patients who come for ocular examination but precautionary measures should be taken in hypertensive patients.
Due to the rapid growth in the field of science and technology, IoT (Internet of Things) has become emerging technique for connecting heterogeneous technologies related to our daily needs that can affect our lives tremendously. It allows the devices to be connected to each other and controlled or monitored through handheld devices. The IoT network is a heterogeneous network that links several small hardware restriction devices, and where conventional security architectures and techniques cannot be used. So, providing protection to the IoT network involves a diverse range of specialized techniques and architectures. This paper focuses on the requirements of defense, current state of the art and future directions in the field of IoT.
The current study seeks to develop and validate a high-performance liquid chromatography method for atorvastatin diastereomer separation and analysis. In particular, we wish to identify the many diastereomers in atorvastatin, which can help us to better understand their pharmacological properties and provide significant information for pharmaceutical applications. Atorvastatin was chromatographed on a Chiralcel® OD-RH column and n-hexan-2-propanol (95:05 v/v) as the mobile phase, with an injection volume of 10 µL. The solution was pumped at a continuous flow rate of 1 mL/min, with a detection wavelength of 260 nm. The investigation found two peaks with retention times of 3.23 and 3.85 min, respectively. The resolution, capacity, and selectivity factors obtained were Rs = 1.2, k′1 = 3.50, k′2 = 4.37, and α = 1.24.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Corporate social responsibility is a self-equipped business approach that helps an organization be socially responsible to its stakeholders and the overall public. Through the practice of CSR, companies are conscious and aware of the impacts they have on all aspects of society, including economic, social, and environmental (Goel and Ramanathan, 2014, p. 51). A case study scenario, in this case, is of StanBed Tours Ky, the impact of CSR on consumer loyalty, stating that the increase of CSR has resulted in the society's satisfaction with the business (Bediako, 2017, p. 1). CSR influences the people affected by it in various intensities and means. Such as, employees, who are part of the major stakeholders, are significantly affected by the organization's corporate social responsibility activities in marketing, which shape their logic, inspiration and lead to deeper commitments to achieving organizational goals and strategic plans (Makasi et al., 2014, p. 2600). Additionally, CSR investments in marketing significantly impact external shareholders such as consumers and the organization's image (Kaman, 2015, p. 7). CSR activities carried out by StanBed include tree planting exercises to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions resulting from flying airplanes, voluntary beach cleaning services to protect marine life, and providing educational services to children in the community of tours.
Objective: This study fills an important research gap by focusing on the effectiveness of low-impact exercise in Parkinson's disease (PD), taking into account the different challenges faced by people with varying degrees of disease severity. Motivation: Unlike generic investigations into exercise and PD, our research prioritizes low-impact activities, considering safety concerns related to balance deficits and coordination challenges in the PD population. The study aligns with a patient-centred approach, aiming to provide a safer alternative to traditional exercise modalities. Approach: Conducting a comprehensive literature review, we conducted an online literature search on various databases, specifically investigating about low-impact exercises on both motor and non motor symptoms in PD individuals. Review process involved capturing diverse intervention types, durations, frequencies, and intensities. Findings: The amalgamation of diverse outcome measures, including UPDRS, Berg Balance Scale, TUG, 6MWT, and PDQ-39, showcased the multifaceted impact of low-impact exercises on both movement related and non-movement related symptoms. Notably, aerobic exercises being treadmill walking, cycling, and group sessions, emerged as pivotal interventions, demonstrating improvements in gait, balance, flexibility, and overall quality of life for PD individuals. Conclusion: While acknowledging limitations, such as potential publication bias and a focus on aerobic exercises, this study provides meaningful decision making information for clinicians and researchers. Future research should diversify interventions and methodologies to enhance the evidence base and address nuanced aspects of low-impact exercises in PD management. The results of this review contribute to the existing body of knowledge regarding the nuanced benefits of personalized low-impact exercise for Parkinson's disease.
Capsicum has been an essential part of the diet for centuries and has been widely used traditionally for ailments. The objective of the present analysis was to determine the diuretic and antidiarrheal potentials of four variations of Capsicum annum L. fruits available in the local market of Karachi, Pakistan. It belongs to the family Solanaceae, and extracts were prepared in 95% ethanol and given in 200 and 400mg/kg doses. The activity correlated with commonly used diuretics and anti-diarrheal, reinforcing its conventional use. To confirm its activity, fruit extracts were evaluated for anti-diarrheal properties in castor-oil-induced diarrhoea. The diuretic activity of the 95% ethanolic extracts of Capsicum annum L. was assessed based on diuresis of 24 hr. collected through a metabolic cage. Urinary excretion of water and electrolytes (Na+ and K+) is significantly increased by the standard diuretic drug furosemide, which is comparable with the extract. The anti-diarrheal effects of 95% ethanolic extracts of Capsicum annum L. were examined by castor oil-induced diarrhoea. All varieties of Capsicum annum L. significantly inhibited the number of defecations.
This study examines the first occurrence of non-toxic dinoflagellate blooming of Gonyaulax polygramma and Chaetoceros sp in Ambon Bay that occurred for almost three weeks in January 2019 and it caused the watercolor became red brown. The objective of this study was to identified phytoplankton species and their abundance that cause red tide in the Inner Ambon bay. Phytoplankton samples were collected, temperature, salinity and Secchi depth were measured simultaneously on the 11th and 21st January 2019 (nortwest monsoon) at fifteen sampling stations in Inner Ambon Bay. The results show that the maximum abundance of G. polygramma, Chaetoceros affinis, C. danicus and C. decipiens were found in the greatest concentration up to 20×109, 9.0x106, 5.8x106 and 3.8x105 cells.L-1, respectively. They were found either in the form of a single cell or in chains. The very high abundance of cells of those species made the waters become red brown but there was no reports of fish killed during this red tide phenomena. This is the first time report of blooming phytoplankton Gonyaulax polygramma, Chaetoceros affinis, C. danicus and C. decipiens occurred in Ambon bay during the dry season where the recorded waters temperature and salinity ranged from 30-32ºC and 29-33 psu, respectively and the secchi depths ranged from 2 to 6m. These results show this is the first report of the red tide phenomena in the Inner Ambon bay during the dry season and it occurred for a long period caused by combination of the high abundance of G. polygramma Stein, Chaetoceros affinis, C. danicus and C. decipiens.
For thousands of years, lipid based Ayurvedic formulations have been made in India, and the craft has survived down the millennia up to the present time. Some of these deliciously potent phytonutrient preparations are very popular and have sustained the test of time pertaining to their efficacy. Recent researches on the role of phytonutrients in promoting cardio-pulmonary, brain and immune health substantially buttress the philosophy underlying the use of lipids in preparing these emulsions, since a large number of these bioactives are lipophilic. Being lipoidic, they are absorbed through the lacteals in the small intestine, and are then transported through the thoracic duct directly to the heart, bypassing the liver. The formulations utilizing ghee (clarified butter) or sesame oil as the carrier lipid, either while frying the myrobalams or as Anupana (adjuvant), have special significance in modulating bodily immunity, since the immune system is housed in lymphatics which are lipid rich. Amla and lipid based Ayurvedic rasayans (rejuvenating formulations) are a popular and highly palatable group of phytonutraceutical preparations. This group of polyherbal adaptogenic formulations is classified separately from other formulations in Ayurvedic therapeutics. Several of these healthpromoting rasayans are suitable to be consumed by all age-groups in the recommended season and dose. Current research on endothelial and immune cell receptor mediated uptake of lipoidic molecules, together with the knowledge of lipid absorption pathways, lends credence to the usefulness of rasayans in targeting the cardio-pulmonary and immune systems. An attempt has been made in this paper to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning the complex interplay between lipid delivered hydrophobic phyto-molecules, systemic lymphatics and the Immune system.
The utilization of traditional medicine (TM) is prevalent among the general population in Africa; however, its use among individuals with diabetes in the region remains underdocumented. This review aimed to synthesize the available literature to identify the prevalence and predictors of TM use among persons with diabetes in Africa. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and AMED, covering studies published from 2000 to April 2023. Of 1560 records identified, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of TM use varied significantly, ranging from 12.4% to 77.1%, with a median prevalence of 50%. TM was commonly used concurrently with conventional medicine (CM) (35.4–88.4%), with a majority (63.8–91.3%) not disclosing TM use to healthcare providers. Female gender, long diabetes duration, use of oral antiglycaemic medication and family history of diabetes emerged as the most common factors that predicted the use of TM. This review highlights the widespread use of TM among individuals with diabetes in Africa, often in conjunction with CM. The high prevalence of undisclosed TM use emphasizes the urgent need for healthcare providers to actively inquire about TM use during clinical consultations to address potential herb–drug interactions and adverse effects.
Climate variability also has the potential to worsen existing vulnerabilities such as Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. This study examined the effects of poverty diseases and adaptive capacities to climate change on farm income along river Niger in Edo and Kogi States, Nigeria. Questionnaires were collected from 358 respondents using multistage sampling techniques from Edo and Kogi States. Descriptive statistics and different functional forms of ordinary least squares (OLS) were used as analytical tools. The results revealed that increase in farm size and age will lead to 1.27% and 1.83% increase in farmers’ income respectively. The major constraints identified by the respondents were lack of funds and credit challenge (94.40%), distance to health centres (93.90%) and access to freshwater supplies (82.70%). It was concluded that the majority 83.80% of respondents had malaria diseases. The study recommends that to reduce the effect of poverty disease, there is a need for policy makers to engage communities when making decisions relating to their health.
In order to overcome the carcinogenic ‘polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon’ emission from aromatic oils, which are restricted in European countries since 2010, various efforts have been made to replace the aromatic oil in rubber-based compounds either fully or partially. The authors in the present work have used liquid isoprene rubber (LIR50 or LIR) as a reactive plasticizer in natural rubber (NR) compound at different loadings (2, 4, 6 and 8 phr) and have studied its effect on viscosity, curing characteristics and physico-mechanical properties. These results were compared with the control compound containing conventional aromatic oil as plasticizer. From the experimental data, it was noticed that, the minimum torque for control compound was 0.33 dNm and that for LIR based compounds ranged between 0.16 to 0.56 dNm. The LIR based compounds exhibited slightly higher Mooney viscosity but offers the same scorch safety. The study supports the utility of LIR as a promising alternative, as revealed by the comparable rheological and physico-mechanical properties attained with the usage of appropriate quantity of LIR, unlike the other alternatives of the previous investigations that usually showed a property difference. Keywords: aromatic oil, liquid rubber, reactive plasticizer, safe processing oil.
Treatment adherence is a critical component of epilepsy management. Antiepileptic drug side effects affect adherence and may result in the discontinuation of medication. This study aimed to investigate the association between antiepileptic drug side effects and medication adherence among Libyan patients with epilepsy while identifying predictors of adherence. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Tripoli University Hospital involving 200 adult epilepsy patients. Adherence was assessed via a self-report tool dichotomized as adherent/ non-adherent if patients stopped medication due to side effects. Side effects were evaluated using the Side Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs questionnaire. Logistic regression analyzed predictors of adherence, including antiepileptic drug use, therapy regimen, and side-effect profiles, with p<0.05 declared association. The overall adherence rate was 87.0%. Higher adherence was observed in older age groups, 95.8% in patients aged 51-60, 89.4% in married patients, and 91.0% in university-educated patients. Patients on monotherapy and those seizure-free in the preceding month demonstrated better adherence (88.4% and 93.0%, respectively). Valproate users had notably low adherence (52.6%) while carbamazepine and phenytoin users showed higher adherence (89.7% and 91.7%, respectively). Cognitive complaints significantly reduced adherence (76.1% vs. 79.6%), as did aggressive behavior (58.3% adherence). Logistic regression identified two independent predictors: patients on old-generation antiepileptic drugs had 2.7 times higher adherence (AOR=2.702, 95% CI: 1.168-6.249; p=0.02) while cognitive side effects reduced adherence by 86.4% (AOR=0.136, 95% CI: 0.031-0.596; p=0.008). Cognitive side effects predict non-adherence, necessitating routine monitoring. Paradoxically, older antiepileptic drugs correlated with better adherence. Integrating patient-reported metrics and addressing cognitive impacts could optimize epilepsy care, highlighting gaps in side-effect management and advocating personalized strategies in clinical settings.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Algae are used by human beings for food from ancient times, as they contain a wide range of elements. Using inexpensive, in-house bioassays for screening and monitoring of extracts where the aim of these bioassays is to provide a front-line screen that can be followed up by more specific and expensive bioassays. The phytochemical screening, assessment of toxicity and effects on growth parameters of Traticum sativum of ethanol and dichloromethane extracts of five macro-algal species (two green, two brown and one red) collected from Libyan coast were studied. The Brine shrimp lethality assay was conducted to determine the toxic effects of seaweed extracts on Artemia Salina nauplii larvae and this was to provide a front-line screen that can be backed up by specific and expensive bioassays once the active compounds have been isolated. The effect of seaweeds liquid fertilizer on growth parameters of Traticum sativum were examined using in vitro seed germination in petri dishes bioassay. Seed germination percentage, fresh and dry weight, shoots length and roots length were the parameters recorded in young seedlings post germination. Ethanolic and dichloromethane extracts of the five algae samples represented the presence of several chemical constituents. All extracts exhibited LC50 > 1000 μg per ml. In this study, all algal extracts are non-toxic according to Brine shrimp lethality assay so they may be considered as edible seaweeds. Different effects on growth parameters of Traticum sativum suggested the presence of micro-elements, macro-elements and different concentrations of plant growth hormones.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
The mobile adhoc network is a group of mobile nodes without having the fixed infrastructure. Due to the infrastructure less network and distributed nature, make mobile adhoc network susceptible to malicious attackers. So, we use an intrusion detection system called Enhanced Adaptive ACKnowledgement (EAACK) especially for mobile adhoc networks. Based on the digital signature algorithm (DSA) and RSA the EAACK is designed. To enhance the strength of the security in the mobile adhoc networks, we introduce an innovative approach called Hybrid Security Protocol that provides integrity, confidentiality and authentication. This Hybrid Security Protocol consists of Cryptography based on Elliptic curve, Dual-RSA algorithm and Message Digest MD5. Encryption is achieved by using Elliptic Curve Cryptography, Dual-RSA algorithm for authentication and MD-5 for integrity. By using a combination of both symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic techniques, we achieve better security with integrity.
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