Fresh water crab was exposed in fluoride water at 96h the rate of oxygen uptake was higher in gills followed by hepatopancreas and muscle. On exposure to fluoride water, tissue respiratory rates decreased, effect on gill tissue appeared to be more pronounced than other tissues under the study. The rate of oxygen uptake in male was higher tha control animal. Rate of oxygen consumption showed a significant decrease in both sexes with increase in duration of exposure to fluoride.
Nine fruit morphological traits were studied in ten stands of Jatropha curcas spread in eight forest divisions of Uttarakhand. Variation was examined at stand level as well as at tree level. Significant differences were found among stands for fruit length, fruit diameter, pericarp weight per fruit, seed: fruit weight ratio, kernel: fruit weight ratio and pericarp: fruit weight ratio traits while all morphological traits showed significant differences among trees within stands. The estimation of the variance components, however, revealed that the fruit traits, especially weight traits viz. fruit weight, total seed weight per fruit and total kernel weight per fruit have negligible contribution from stands and small contribution from trees. Maximum variation was found among fruits within trees (i.e. at fruit level or error). Pericarp weight per fruit and fruit ratio traits (i.e. seed: fruit weight ratio, kernel: fruit weight ratio and pericarp: fruit weight ratio) were affected to small extent by stand per se. The repeatability of all fruit traits at tree level were also low to moderate (0.105 to 0.278)
Front line demonstration is an appropriate means for demonstration as well as transfer of improved agricultural innovations to the farming community. Under centrally sponsored schemes on oilseed production technology under NFSM schemes, KVK Athiyasan, Nagaur-I conducted 425demonstrations on mustard covering 180 ha areaduring Rabi, 2015-16to 2019-20. The critical inputs were identified in existing production technology through discussion with farmers and on the basis of soil sampling. Lack of plant protection measures were the predominant identified causes of low productivity of oilseed crop in district Nagaur. In the same sequence the other parameters like technological impact, economical impact and extension gap were analyzed for impact assessment of frontline demonstration (FLDs) on mustard crop. The results of five consecutive years study revealed that the demonstration plots produced on an average 1954 kg/ha mustard grain yield, which was 22.51% higher compared to prevailing farmers practice (1597 kg/ha). The average increase in gross return, net return and cost of cultivation was in the tune of 22.36, 31.08 and 6.43 per cent, respectively. Further, data indicated that the average additional cost of cultivation (Rs. 1435/ha) under integrated crop management demonstrations and has fetched additional net returns of Rs. 12659 per hectare with incremental benefit: cost ratio of 0.41. The average technology gap, extension gap & technological index were found 636kg/ha, 356kg/ha and 24.44percent, respectively. The results clearly indicate the positive effect of FLDs over the existing practices.
Object: In the competitive world of the market economy, every economic unit tries organizing everyday activities. Creating a set of suitable and cost-efficient organizational structures and making competitive products and services, top managers should find the mechanisms of building alternative ways of organizational structures. Methods: This paper presents the traditional and modern management structures, their historical steps, and developed methods. In this footfall of the market economy, companies in developing countries should build their management system’s organizational structure. They should advance a management system, managerial behaviours, and new management styles of developed ones. For this purpose in this research has learned organizational structures of developed companies. The investigation discusses the emergence, formation, and modern appearance of management structures that evaluate organizational structures’ importance in enterprises and companies’ activities, using vivid examples. Findings: Then, it has shown some forms of developed organizational structures of companies with the assessment of their highest role in management. In the conclusions and recommendations, we offer our approaches to solving existing organizational problems using the historical period of development to this day.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate activities of the corporate citizens in Tanzania and find the best way of aligning CSR initiatives to attain mutual benefits between the organizations and general public. A total of 45 organizations, both for profit and not for profit, were engaged in this study from four different industries. The study used semi-structured interview guide to collect data and a focused group discussion was organized. Contents analysis was used to categorize the responses into five major themes, as discussed in the main document. The findings reveal that CSR is still at its initial stage and much has to be done for the corporations to draw the best out it. Keywords Strategic CSR Value Organization and Society
The international opioid crisis highlights the important role of pharmacists in prevention, using their availability and drug knowledge to prevent abuse. In this study, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Mangalore pharmacists towards preventing opioid abuse were assessed. From February to March 2025, a cross-sectional survey was done among 203 pharmacists aged 18-46 years in Mangalore using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, and thematic analysis of qualitative feedback. Pharmacists showed high knowledge, with 93.6% identifying opioids' mechanism as binding to CNS receptors correctly, 78.8% identifying naloxone's role in reversing overdose, and 70.0% knowing prescription drug monitoring programs' usefulness. Attitudes were optimistic, with 92.6% considering patient education a primary responsibility, 92.1% identifying multiple visits to the pharmacy as misuse, and 93.1% supporting medication-assisted treatment. The practice was active, with 93.1% checking prescription drug monitoring programs for suspected misuse and 69.0% advising take-back programs, but 43.8% associated early refills with misuse. Mangalore pharmacists show strong knowledge, attitudes, and practice against opioid abuse, being very strong in education and medication-assisted treatment support but having voids in misuse detection (for example, recognition of early refill) and naloxone confidence. Stronger training, better prescription drug monitoring program access, and policy adjustments can enhance their role in India's opioid strategy. Pharmacists are presented as front-line champions of opioid misuse prevention in this study, with implications for localized harm reduction.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Oxalate is widely distributed in plant foods as potassium, sodium and ammonium oxalates (water-soluble form) and as insoluble calcium oxalates. Oxalate forms strong chelates with dietary calcium, thus rendering the complex unavailable for absorption and assimilation. It precipitates as insoluble salts accumulating in the renal glomeruli and contributes to the development of renal disorders. The seed flours of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn. were investigated for their total, soluble and insoluble oxalate contents by HPLC. The total oxalate content of M. uniflorum, P. lunatus and P. vulgaris was 1.24, 1.77 and 1.71 mg/ g, respectively. The %age of soluble oxalate were M. uniflorum (19.50), P. lunatus (15.08) and P. vulgaris (15.88). Only soluble oxalate is responsible for oxalate absorption (bioavailability) and its excretion. Overall, the total oxalate content is high in legume flour of M. uniflorum, P. lunatus, and P. vulgaris, but the soluble oxalates are very low. Therefore, all these three legumes don't have the adverse effects of oxalate on minerals bioavailability and risk of urolithiasis.
The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of thermal processing treatments on nutrient and antinutrient contents of African yam bean seed flours. The African yam bean seeds were sorted, cleaned and divided into five equal lots of one kilogram each. Four lots were processed into boiled, blanched, roasted and autoclaved African yam bean flours, while the last lot was processed raw and used as control. The flour samples obtained were analysed for proximate, mineral, vitamin and antinutrient contents using standard methods. The proximate composition of the samples revealed that the flours had a range of 6.14-11.24% moisture, 8.18-14.37% crude protein, 3.06-4.61% fat, 2.04–3.32% ash, 3.18–3.56% crude fibre, 62.90–76.98% carbohydrate and 350.57–368.50 kJ/100g energy, respectively. The mineral composition of the samples showed that the flours contained 128.81–174.16 mg/100g calcium, 88.86–212.20 mg/100g, potassium, 134.71–166.77 mg/100g phosphorus, 89.17 – 122.76 mg/100g, magnesium, 14.28–18-11 mg/100g iron and 3.24–5.59 mg/100g zinc, respectively. The vitamin composition of the flours were 1.15–1.37 mg/100g ascorbic acid, 1.15–135 mg/100g thiamine, 1.19–1.55 mg/100g niacin, 1.34–1.85 mg/100g riboflavin, 1.09–1.29 mg/100g folic acid, 1.37–1.95 mg /100g vitamin A and 1.27–1.66 mg/100g vitamin E, respectively. The results showed that the roasted and autoclaved African yam bean flours generally had higher crude protein, fat, ash, crude fibre, mineral and vitamin contents than the boiled and blanched flour samples compared to the raw sample. The antinutrient composition of the flours also showed that the levels of trypsin inhibitor activity, tannin, phytate, oxalate, saponin and haemagglutinin of the samples were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by boiling, autoclaving roasting and blanching treatments compared to the raw sample. However, the study revealed that the processed African yam bean flours have the potentials to be used as nutrient dense ingredients in the preparation of a wide range of food products than the raw sample especially in both underdeveloped and developing countries where the problems of protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrients deficiencies are prevalent.
Is open theological education reducing barriers and increasing access to theological training? Has the use of digital technologies in accessing theological training deviated from or complied with the training criteria? This paper highlights the seminarians’ borderless access to theological education and its benefits. Several persons frowned on open education a few years ago, but from March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen many institutions adopting elearning. Is it a wake-up call for theological education? The study discovered that theological education without barriers enhances theological training, research writing, scholarship, and academic honesty. The accreditation criteria for open theological learning does not alter contents but ensures that the greater populace can access a high standard of delivery of theological training equal to the on-campus programmes.
In the context of emerging sustainability challenges, demarketing has continued to draw the attention of academicians and practitioners globally over the past few years. It is interesting to note that demarketing is as old as marketing itself, yet its application and scope have grown from the past two decades only. Kotler and Levy, (1971) has defined demarketing as “that aspect of marketing which deals with discouraging customers in general or a certain class of customers in particular on a temporary or permanent basis”. This systematic literature review attempts to enrich the discussion on demarketing research through a systematic and comprehensive review of 64 articles published between 2000 and 2022. Using TCCM framework, we present relevant theories, research contexts, study characteristics, and methodologies used in demarketing research. Our review (1) Presents a systematic and comprehensive overview of the research in demarketing over the last two decades (2) Examines studies in demarketing within the framework of ‘triple bottom line’ approach for sustainability (3) Suggests a suitable definition of demarketing considering its exorbitant application within the sustainability context (4) Identify gaps and sets agenda for future research. Our systematic literature review found that research in demarketing has been growing considerably over the past two decades, twice as much in the last decade compared to the previous decade with spill-over to new sectors. The literature review, through the lens of ‘triple bottom line’ approach, is able to establish that demarketing can be employed to effectively address the sustainability challenges encountered by policymakers and practitioners.
Bauhinia racemosa Lam. is a tall tree growing throughout Sri Lanka, China, India, and Pakistan. Various parts of the plant have great medicinal potential in folklore medicine and are used for diarrhoea, fever, skin diseases, cough, malaria, etc. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antiulcer, cytotoxicity and hypotensive activities of Bauhinia racemosa have been reported. Different parts of this plant contain β-amyrin, β-sitosterol, kaempferol, quercetin, scopoletin, scopolin and tannins
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.
The coexistence of Moyamoya syndrome (MMS) and Graves’ disease (GD) is uncommon. Here, we report a case of a 41-year-old Filipino female, who presented with thyrotoxicosis and acute ischemic stroke. Based on her clinical presentation, cerebral computed tomography angiography, and thyroid function tests, she was diagnosed with MMS and GD. Her Burch-Wartofsky point scale score was 30, suggesting an impending thyroid storm. Antithyroid therapy was started with her neurological status deterioration initially, but after controlling the thyroid storm, the patient’s neurological status stabilized. She remained stable till she travelled to her country. We hypothesized that MMS in a patient with GD is mediated through anti-dsDNA antibodies, by altering key biological mechanisms, that is, inflammation, neutrophil extracellular traps, and apoptosis that drive a distinctive and coordinated immune and vascular activation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of MMS associated with GD reported in Qatar.
Efforts to understand the causes of poverty, how poverty is perceived have become important in the fight to mitigate poverty. In Vietnam, studies on the attitudes of poverty in specific populations, such as Vietnamese students, are rare. Thus, this dataset reports the results collected from 180 social work students and non-social work students of Ho Chi Minh City Open University through attitudes toward poverty and poor people in Vietnam. The Attitude toward Poverty Short Form 21-item scale, developed by Yun & Weaver, was used for the data collection. The survey results showed that when looking for causes of poverty, social work students and non-social work students put the most emphasis on structural factors of poverty. However, social work students, compared with non-social work students, consider personal deficiency and stigma more important. In future, this dataset can serve as a reference source for comparative studies on student’ attitudes toward poverty and impoverished persons and for social work education
Background: Acute and chronic heart or kidney failure affect each other in cardiorenal syndromes (CRS). In CRS, hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic changes occur, causing acute or progressive renal and cardiac failures. CRS is classified into five types based on the first organ failure and causes failure of the other organ. We believe that the current CRS classification is not the correct one that effectively describes the underlying cause of CRS. Hence, we consider it better to be classified into three categories (cardiorenal, renocardiac, and cardio-reno-cardiac syndrome) and then subdivided into acute and chronic types or types 1 and 2 (respectively, according to the onset of the underlying type of failure (i.e., acute or chronic). Other subtypes that occur inthe heart and dysfunction occur simultaneously are acute cardio-reno-cardiac syndrome (type 5) and Chronic cardio-reno-cardiac syndrome (type 6). Aim: In Part 1 of the review series, the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical and therapeutic applications of all types of CRS will be narratively discussed and updated. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive review of diagnostic biomarkers and their clinical significance in the identification, outcome prediction, and treatment of all CRS types. Method: An extensive search of PubMed, Google, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted for review articles, original articles, and commentaries published between Jan 2010 and Aug 2024 using different phrases, texts, and keywords, such as CRS, renocardiac syndrome, and CRS. The topics included secondary CRS, CRS pathogenesis, CRS therapy, SLGT inhibitor use in CRS, novel therapy in CRS types, and prevention of CRSs. Conclusion: Renal and cardiac failure in patients with CRS seem to have different pathophysiological mechanisms. Early detection and treatment can improve the outcomes of CRS. Clinical manifestations and therapy protocols vary according to pathophysiology. Hence, new guidelines and research on universal diagnostic and treatment techniques are urgently required. Moreover, the current nomenclature for CRS is confusing; therefore, we believe that a new nomenclature system should be introduced, reducing confusion and making differentiation between CRS types easier and less confusing.
On 18 March 2020, all South African universities and colleges were closed due to the COVID-19 virus. By early April, 10 universities announced that they were planning to resume teaching and learning online, including the University of the Witwatersrand (i.e., Wits University), Johannesburg, which is the joint highest ranked university in Africa. Therefore, the purpose of this editorial was to examine the perceptions and attitudes of these students regarding online learning in an era of disruption of COVID-19, uniquely using both multi-mixed methods research approaches (i.e., involving the partial integration of multiple methods research approaches and mixed methods research approaches) and meta-methods study approaches (i.e., involving the full[er] integration of multiple methods research approaches and mixed methods research approaches). A total of 4,419 Wits University students completed an online survey. A principal components analysis of one of survey’s scales, namely, the Attitude of Students Towards COVID-19 and its Impact on Higher Education scale, revealed 2 subscales, namely, Students’ Self-regulation Towards COVID-19-Based Higher Education and Attitudes Toward Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in COVID-19-Based Higher Education. Nonparametric analyses revealed that scores on these measures discriminated gender, age group, level of student (i.e., undergraduate vs. postgraduate), locality status (i.e., local vs. international student), and registration status (i.e., full-time vs. part-time). A multiple analysis of the open-ended responses by the VOSviewer 1.6.14 text mining software program led to the identification of 6 metathemes. Similarly, WordStat 8.0.29 topic modeling yielded 5 metathemes that mapped onto VOSviewer’s 6 metathemes, indicating triangulation of findings. A sentiment analysis revealed negative sentiments that identified not only the biggest challenges for students but also the characteristics of students who experience these challenges. Finally, a cluster analysis, combined with chi-square analyses, led to the identification of 4 clusters of students who differed with respect to their attitudes and online experiences. Implications of these findings are discussed.
The aim of this study was to examine university students’ fear of success from the perspective of positive psychology. Two objectives were addressed: first, analyzing the relation between fear of success, optimism, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and search for meaning in life; second, exploring the variance of the fear of success, taking into account the affective dimension of the self (self-esteem) and search for meaning in life. The results confirmed that fear of success was positively related to search for meaning, and negatively to optimism, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. The variance of the fear of success was explained by the self-esteem and search for meaning in life. Implications for school psychologists were discussed.
This study was conducted to proposea hierarchical temporal memory (HTM) approach for fault detection in the Onitsha-Alaoji transmission line in Nigeria. Using a mixed research method, the study employed the Hawkins HTM model with two objectives and their corresponding research questions. The study gathered primary and secondary data to detect and evaluate faults in the Onitsha-Alaoji transmission line in Nigeria using HTM and compares its efficacy to current fault detection methods. With the use of simulation and descriptive methods of data analysis, results showed that partial discharge (PD) is the fault type that is being detected and it is commonly found as a fault leading to transmission line errors. More so, fault detection simulations were conducted at 40 km using typical power spectral density analysis. The first fundamental shifted from about 10 kHz to roughly 13 kHz during a fault. The HTM model outperformed sequence learning methods, resulting in a 90% mean test classification accuracy (CA) over extreme learning machine(ELM) and online sequential learning–extreme learning machine (OS-ELM), with OS-ELM performing poorly.The study concluded and recommended that the proposed HTM model be used to identify various PD fault types that plague the Onitsha-Alaoji transmission line in Nigeria. With the increased efficacy and reliability of the proposed model compared to existing methods, it is recommended for future implementation in this transmission line and potentially other fault-prone power transmission lines in Nigeria.
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.
Political participation of women is essential for the functioning and vitality of any democracy. In India, despite constitutional provisions and various initiatives, women's participation in politics remains significantly lower than that of men. This study aims to delve into the factors influencing women's political participation in Indian democracy and explore avenues for their empowerment in the political sphere. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, data, and case studies, this article examines socio-cultural, economic, and institutional barriers that hinder women's entry into politics. Additionally, it highlights successful initiatives and policy measures undertaken at various levels to enhance women's political participation. The study underscores the importance of addressing structural inequalities, promoting gender sensitive policies, and fostering a conducive environment for women's engagement in politics. By advocating for inclusive and equitable political representation, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on women's empowerment and democratic governance in India.