bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Nutritional Status of Children in Nuclear and Joint Families: A Cross-Sectional Study in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Samrina Hafiza Syeda , Kalsoom Eiman , Rahoojo Riaz Hussain
Published: April 2024

Background: Child stunting and underweight are worldwide issues that may be connected to family structure. This research examined family type (nuclear vs. joint), women's empowerment, and child nutrition in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional research included 450 under-5s and their moms from healthcare settings. Child nutrition and mother empowerment were examined using standardized instruments. Nutritional outcomes, empowerment, and child stunting/underweight were examined across household types.

Results: Compared to children from nuclear families (stunting: 32.9%, 95% CI: 27.0-39.3; underweight: 15.6%, 95% CI: 10.9-21.4), children from joint families showed substantially reduced rates of underweight (32.9%, 95% CI: 27.0-39.3) and stunting (22.7%, 95% CI: 17.8-28.3) (p = 0.02 for both). In comparison to nuclear families (12.9%, 95% CI: 8.9-17.7), the slightly higher overweight prevalence in joint families (14.7%, 95% CI: 10.3-19.8) was not statistically significant (p = 0.51). Remarkably, greater maternal empowerment ratings were substantially linked to a decreased risk of stunting (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.98, p = 0.01) and underweight (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.98, p = 0.01) in children, independent of the type of household.

Conclusion: This research demonstrates that combined family structure may minimize stunting and underweight. Women's empowerment also improved child nutrition in both families. Further study is required to understand these results' mechanisms and long-term effects.

Keywords: Child malnutrition, Family structure, Women's empowerment, Nutritional status, Karachi, Pakistan
FEATURES OF DETERMINING THE CONVERSION OF ENERGY IN HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS
Authors:   National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sykorsky”, Kostiuk Dmytro , Nochnichenko Igor , Murashchenko Alona , Jakhno Oleg
Published: April 2024

The analysis of the processes of transformation of kinetic energy in various types of devices providing both stabilizations of the flow and partial damping of energy is carried out. In the analysis, the features of the flow of a viscous fluid in diffusers, pulsation dampers, and shock absorbers are considered. In addition, it has been shown that for electrically conductive liquids, the transverse magnetic field method can be used. The materials of the analysis can be used to describe energy transport phenomena in liquids.
Harnessing ICTs for Development in Ghana: A Research Agenda.
Authors: Kwame Boafo S.T.  Kwame Boafo
Published: April 2024

The revolutionary transformations, dispersion, and convergence of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the past few decades, especially since the 1990s, have generated radical changes in the methods of communication within countries and across international borders, in social interactions, and in doing business. The phenomenon has also had major impacts on the transmission and reception of news and information of diverse nature as well as on development processes, social, economic, political, and cultural change. Since the early 1990s, a considerable amount of attention has been devoted to the role and functions of ICTs in international, regional, and national discourses and conferences. The increasing prominence of ICTs in discourses on communication, socio-economic change, and development is also reflected in the increased number of research and publications on that topic in recent decades, particularly since the beginning of the 21st Century. It is in this context that the present paper examines the implications and applications of ICTs in socio-economic development process in Ghana. It briefly looks at the broad landscape of ICTs in Africa with a focus on Ghana. It highlights some initiatives in the ICT sector, including selected studies carried out on ICTs and their applications. The paper makes a case for more research to examine the contributions of ICT to Ghana’s socio-economic development, with a focus on ICT availability, accessibility and, utilization as a crucial and necessary enabler for development.
Community-Based Identification in Rural Banking.
Authors: Kwaa-Aidoo E. K. Kwaa-Aidoo
Published: April 2024

Identity deals with answering the question of “who am I?” or who are you?”. It answers the question of who or what a person or thing is and deals with the characteristics determining this. In commercial transactions, identity is very important and various mechanisms have been devised to deal with this question. The question that needs answering is whether these conventional mechanisms can work in all situations. Most businesses in the developing countries undeniably lag behind their counterparts in the developed countries in terms of technology. To catch up they often adopt information technologies and business practices that are already in use. Adoption of these technologies is however affected by the culture of the relevant communities (Liljander, Gillberg, Gummerus, & van Riel, 2006) and the structures to support implementation of the technologies. This paper looks at the protection of the digital identity and propose identity management techniques more suitable to rural Ghana. It proposes an alternative identity verification mechanism which focuses on identity as a social construct.
Community-Based Identification in Rural Banking
Authors: Kwaa-Aidoo E. K. Kwaa-Aidoo
Published: April 2024

Identity deals with answering the question of “who am I?” or who are you?”. It answers the question of who or what a person or thing is and deals with the characteristics determining this. In commercial transactions, identity is very important and various mechanisms have been devised to deal with this question. The question that needs answering is whether these conventional mechanisms can work in all situations. Most businesses in the developing countries lag behind their counterparts in the developed countries in terms of technology. To catch up they often adopt information technologies and business practices that are already in use. Adoption of these technologies is however affected by the culture of the relevant communities (Liljander, Gillberg, Gummerus, & van Riel, 2006) and the structures to support implementation of the technologies. This paper looks at the protection of the digital identity and propose identity management techniques more suitable to rural Ghana. It proposes an alternative identity verification mechanism which focuses on identity as a social construct.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Professional Training of Student Nurse from Universities in Ghana.
Authors: Arthur-Mensah R. Arthur-Mensah , Kyei A. A. Kyei
Published: April 2024

Introduction: On December 31, 2019, WHO was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in some patients in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China (WHO, 2020). Viral testing detected a novel coronavirus disease in these patients. Subsequently, the disease progressed into a global pandemic. To curb the spread of the disease in Ghana, the government announced a series of comprehensive measures, including the closure of all schools; Basic, Junior High, Senior High and Universities. The health care workforce-in-training have been affected by this move, including student nurses who were just about to write their licensure examinations and continuing students.

Objectives: This study therefore sought to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional training of student nurses from universities in Ghana.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study using a descriptive design was used to include student nurses from various universities in Ghana.

Results: The major impact of the pandemic on the student nurses was the online learning medium which was adopted as the means of teaching and learning in the period. The students said that the online medium of instruction was deficient of the standard method the nursing education program is to be tutored. Results showed a significant difference (P=0.014) of the impact of the pandemic among the student nurses from the various universities.

Conclusion: The nursing profession continues to attract those who strive to help mankind, even in its darkest hours. Student nurses are no exception, as evidenced by their choice and determination to study and practice nursing.
Patients’ Satisfaction with Male Nurses: Evidence from a Teaching Hospital in Ghana.
Authors: Arthur-Mensah R. Arthur-Mensah , Tsey F. E. Tsey , Adu-Gyamfi P. K. T. Adu-Gyamfi , Tetteh-Ahinakwa L. Tetteh-Ahinakwa , Kyei A. A. Kyei
Published: April 2024

Objectives: In an effort to contribute to the literature on improving nursing care and patient satisfaction, this study sought to evaluate patients’ satisfaction and identify their priorities among the service quality dimensions from the nursing care received from male versus female nurses in Ghana’s premier and largest tertiary teaching hospital, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).

Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research approach with a comparative study design. The study sites comprised of the accident and orthopaedic, chest, medical and surgical departments at KBTH. A total of 407 in-patients who had been on admission at these departments for at least 4 days and 4 nights were included in the study. The SERVQUAL model was adapted in measuring patient satisfaction.

Results: Patients were more satisfied with the health care they received from the male nurses than the female nurses. Overall aggregate score for male nurses was 860.00 with a mean (SD) of 4.20 (±0.57). Overall aggregate score for female nurses was 800.00 with a mean (SD) of 3.96 (±0.64). The independent sample t test showed a significant difference ( in the mean values from the two groups. CFA of the model showed in order of priority that, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, reliability and tangibility were significant contributors to patients’ satisfaction.

Conclusion: By integrating the dimensions of service quality into their services, hospitals in Africa could benefit from improved quality of service, patient retention and loyalty, market share and profitability.
The impact of good national governance on economic development
Authors: Kukubor K. B. Kukubor
Published: April 2024

This article is on good national governance. The twenty-first century has opened a new chapter in the administration of many countries, especially African countries. Democracy and good national governance have become the panacea or sure remedies that the western donors have prescribed to the ailing continent of Africa. It is generally believed that, good national governance coupled with donor aid or assistance would lead to economic growth of Africa. Consequently, most African governments are trying to major in the art of good (national) governance so as to benefit from conditions of the western economic and financial mandarins in an attempt to please them. However, good governance continues to elude a larger number of ordinary Africans. Politically, good national governance has been a subject of controversy for some time now. The question as to who, or which institutions or nation sets the parameters within which to measure good governance has been problematic. This is due to the fact that the meaning of good governance has been very subjective, and also influenced by the problems and goals of each country. It is therefore abundantly clear that good national governance has not been fully understood by the various governments and the governed. This is inhibiting the inherent potentials of the countries and citizenry. The effects of bad governance either by governments or corporate institutions can be devastating on a country's economy and development. The article reviews the fundamental tenets of good governance. This is done by critically reviewing the different understandings or meanings of good governance. In addition, weaknesses inherent in some of the definitions are examined. Critical pillars of good national governance are discussed vis-i-vis national economic development and growth. In effect, the article analyses good national governance from its essential pillars of corruption; information disclosure; development and individual rights; participation; the judiciary and legislative systems; corporate accountability; and global balance.
The ‘ABC’ of intercultural negotiations
Authors: Mengistu B. Mengistu , Adams S. Adams
Published: April 2024

Globalization of the world economy has resulted in an increased interdependence between nations around the world. Cross cultural skills have therefore become increasingly important as more and more people from different countries study, work, and live together. The paper examined two main aspects of culture; first, as a dynamic concept, and second, as both a barrier and a bridge in crosscultural negotiations. The discussion leads us to conclude that what is different is not necessarily inferior and what is familiar is not always the best. We argue that while the development of intercultural competence may be difficult to learn and apply, when we accept the boundedness of our rationality and awareness, we will be more willing to open ourselves to self discovery to minimize intercultural differences in negotiations.
The statutory audit- Understanding the legal duties and responsibilities of the auditor Part II
Authors: Omane-Antwi K, B. Omane-Antwi
Published: April 2024

Fundamental to the auditor's consideration of risk, is the fact that the auditor can be sued by the client under contract law (professional negligence, failure to spot a material fraud etc.) or by a third party in a tort. The auditor's liability springs from the general principle of law that where a person is under a legal duty to take such care, whether imposed by specific contract or otherwise, the failure to exercise reasonable standard of care will make that person responsible for any resultant damage or loss to those to whom the duty is owed. What conduct satisfies the standard of care required will, in any particular case, depend entirely upon the circumstances. The general degree of skill and diligence demanded of, and attained by auditors today is unprecedented. The question as to whether an auditor is or not guilty of negligence in any particular case, is largely determined by reference to the standard to which contemporary members of the profession conform. This part (Part 2) of this article makes compelling arguments for the need to understand auditor's legal duties and responsibilities as regards fraud. It provides concluding thoughts on the subject matter. We advance various arguments and proposals for enhancing the image of the statutory auditor.
Women in management: Gender inequality and the glass ceiling
Authors: Yarquah E. A. Yarquah
Published: April 2024

All through the corporate world, women have been instrumental in the drive for business success in many ways, yet there are social barriers and conceptions about their gender that tend to influence their place in management. This paper looks at major causes of gender inequality in our society the psychological and sociological factors. It is a reflective study based on the concept of the Glass Ceiling. It is drawn from a study done in 2007 using organisations in Ghana's Club 100 listing of 2005. The strongest common factor named as the cause of societal discrimination against women is that of social stereotyping. This influence cannot be overlooked, especially in light of the fact that societal stereotyping stems from physiological/natural characteristics of women.
Leaving sustainable competitive advantage through employee competency in the sawmill industry in Ghana
Authors: Opoku K. F. Opoku
Published: April 2024

The study was carried out to assess the role of organizational competency in leveraging sustainable competitive advantage for firms in the sawmill industry in Ghana. The main objective of the study was to determine whether firms in the sawmill industry can improve their competitive position on the international market by establishing and developing the individual and collective set of competencies available to the organization. A hypothesis test was carried out to examine the influence of organizational competency (the independent variable) on competitive advantage (the dependent variable). The chisquare statistical technique was used for the test at the significance level of 0.05. The result of the test indicated that the observed value of 38.3 was greater than the critical value of 26.3, meaning that competitive advantage varies directly with organizational competency.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of ‘live’ participatory drama in changing HIV/AIDS related behaviours in developing countries
Authors: Apea J. K. O Apea
Published: April 2024

Although a huge sums of money and resources have been utilised in the fight against HIV/AIDS worldwide, the pandemic continues to pose a serious threat to the global population. The case is especially severe in developing countries that report a disproportionate burden of HIV incidence and prevalence. In recent years, Entertainment- Education (EE) strategies (the strategic placement of educational content within entertainment messages such as theatre or drama) have been used to promote HIV/AIDS prevention in many countries, including India, Philippines, Tanzania, Nepal, and Peru. This review is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of HIV / AIDS themed 'live' participatory theatre (EE) in changing HIV - related behaviours in the developing world. Electronic databases were searched; reference lists were checked; experts and organisations, government bodies and charities were also contacted in a quest to locate relevant research. Inclusion in the study was limited to randomised controlled designs, which satisfied all of the following criteria: (1) present a form of theatre in which the audience interact with the actors through dialogue or debate during the performance; (2) present an intervention where the beneficiaries are in 'control' of the construction and acting out of the play, and (3) present on HIV intervention which is face- toface, rather than 'broadcast' (i.e. radio, TV, internet). Both published and unpublished studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. Studies had to present data from a developing country, and study participants had to be 13 years or older. In summary, studies are urgently needed to evaluate the effectiveness of 'live', participatory drama in changing HIV-related behaviour(s).
Towards a growing Ghanaian church
Authors: Foli R. Foli
Published: April 2024

Church growth is normally defined in purely numerically terms without taking into account other measurements of growth. This clearly does not present the full picture. This article therefore deals with general Church Growth Principles with a view to facilitating the total growth of the Ghanaian Church. It looks at a) The Church Growth Movement, b) The Meaning of "Growth", c) A Biblical Illustration of Growth, d) The Marks of Growth, and e) Examples of growing churches in Ghana.
The influence of ownership structure on performance of Ghanaian insurance and banking firms
Authors: Banor C. Banor , Odonkor T. A. Odonkor
Published: April 2024

As at 2005, Ghana diversified 351 state-owned enterprises (either fully or partially owned), which attracted a substantial foreign direct investment into the country. This was to introduce efficiency into the management of these public enterprises, hence, the belief that ownership and, in particular, specific type of composition of corporate ownership structure has an impact on a firm's performance. This paper examines the influence of ownership structure on firm performance in Ghana as one of the buoyant and emerging economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using data from a period of2000-2010, panel regression was employed to analyze the impact of three major types of ownership structure and the determinants of performance. The ownership structures that are employed in this study are: (1) foreign ownership, (2) Government ownership, and (3) Close corporations. Using two accounting-based measures of financial performance (i.e. return on equity (ROE) and return on asset (ROA), and based on the sample of banks and insurance firms the result showed that both closed corporations and government-owned firms did not perform better than the foreign owned firms. The study also found that inflation and exchange rate are the two main macroeconomic variables that influence firm performance.
Improving the strategic investment decisions: The essence of active decision support system
Authors: Zubairu I. Zubairu
Published: April 2024

Strategic investment decisions are both important cnnd difficult as they concern very serious issues /requiring a lot of investment in terms of finance and /manpower which is considered as important and • critical in any serious organisation. These strategic investment decisions are more easily understood and controlled than most of the other activities undertaken within the framework of strategic management. Traditional approaches to strategic investment appraisal have been criticised on a number of grounds among which are their narrow organisational perspective, exclusion of nonfinancial benefits, overemphasis on short-term, faulty assumptions about the status quo alternative, inconsistent treatment of inflation and promotion of non-value adding behaviour. Yet in spite of these apparent flaws with traditional investment appraisal techniques, businesses continue to rely upon them; as a consequence, there is a possibility not only for misguided investment decisions but also the possibility of a perversion of senior manager's business imperative: instead of investing in the company's long-term core business, senior managers become side-tracked and start investing for short-term cash flows. In the light of these criticisms, two basic approaches that can be taken to develop alternative investment appraisal techniques were proposed; with the first approach involving the modification of the traditional investment analysis framework to correct its various technical shortcomings such as inflation inconsistencies, the use of inappropriately high discountfactors and its narrow focus expanded to include commonly neglected benefits such as improvements in flexibility, improvements in information quality, timeliness etc. while the second approach involves reliance on analytical framework that represent significant departures from the traditional methods; such as strategic cost management, the multi-attribute decision model, value analysis, the analytical hierarchy method, uncertainty method etc. Beyond these available alternatives, this paper concludes that since Hyperknowledge, an active support systems have been used as problem solving and decision support environments for strategic management and for strategic decision making in a number of industries in recent years; it appears that the logic of a strategic investment decision is complex enough for a decision maker to benefit from the use of a hyperknowledge environment, and that a hyperknowledge support system could help a management team to control the problems with deciding, launching and following up on strategic investment projects.
The contextual model towards understanding information technology governance principles, structures and mechanisms
Authors: Yaokumah W.Yaokumah
Published: April 2024

Although top executives depend on IT (information technology) to achieve strategic and operational goals and to meet legal and regulatory compliance, IT governance is often not well understood by the board of directors and executive management. The intent of this paper is to provide guidelines and understanding of the context of IT governance to organizational leaders. The study employs a qualitative examination of peer-reviewed journals, published documents, and IT practitioner sources containing IT standards and frameworks to (1) classify and discuss the high-level view of the inter-related components of IT governance, and (2) develop a contextual model of IT governance. The contextual model integrates corporate governance theories, IT governance mechanisms, and IT governance domains. The strength of this model is its simplicity, which is devoid of complexities that normally confound the boards of directors and top executives when implementing IT governance. Therefore, the model will provide guidance to the top executives and IT leaders the choices to initiate IT governance according to governance principles, IT governance mechanisms, statutory and regulatory compliance, and standard IT governance practices.
Identification of the Impact of Online Game Addiction
Authors: Syahrul Fitriani F. , Bahri Efri Syamsul , Wiharjo Suyadi Murdi
Published: April 2024

Online Game Addiction in Indonesia reaches 14%, Asia's highest category. This study aims to identify the impact of online game addiction in Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative, descriptive approach and a literature study. The research data comes from journal articles related to online game addiction. The study results show that online game addiction negatively impacts nine dimensions: moral, educational, health, psychological, social, physical, financial, character, and spiritual. Therefore, government agencies must present policies to protect the younger generation from online game addiction. In addition, families are needed to prevent and reduce the impact of addiction to online games.
Does it pay to be good? An analysis of vice and virtue stock performance in the Eurozone
Authors:   University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, Poland, Vide Toni
Published: April 2024

This paper provides a performance analysis of vice and virtue stocks in the Eurozone for the period between January 2005 and December 2014. In order to do so, a vice index consisting of listed Eurozone companies operating in selected vice industries is created and subsequently matched with a corresponding virtue index, which for the purpose of this analysis is represented by the DJSI Eurozone. The tools used to conduct the performance evaluation are the Sharpe ratio, the capital asset pricing model and the Carhart four-factor model. The analysis indicates no consistent outperformance or underperformance of one or the other index, yet the realised performance over the whole period favours the vice index. Consequently, it can be concluded that from a statistical point of view, there is no substantial advantage or disadvantage in being “good” when investing into stocks, as such it is a matter of investor preference, with the note that historical returns do favour vice stocks.
Voluntary Disclosure and Relational Connectivity – The Case of the Polish Bond Market
Authors:   Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Poland, Hadro Dominika , Pauka Marek ,   Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Poland, Gemra Kamil ,   Warsaw School of Economics, Poland, Okoń Szymon ,   Warsaw School of Economics, Poland, Fijałkowska Justyna ,   University of Lodz, Poland
Published: April 2024

The purpose of our research is to evaluate the voluntary disclosure strategy and effective communication between issuers and investors on the Polish bond market Catalyst. We conducted a questionnaire among issuers on the Catalyst. To evaluate the data and find answers to the research questions, we used the Qualitative Comparative Analysis. As our analysis shows that management board engagement seems crucial for effective communication, we claim that in relatively smaller capital markets, personal engagement of board members in preparing voluntary disclosure should be considered a proxy of a high disclosure strategy quality. We prove that companies use dialogue with investors in private rather than in public to understand their communication expectations. This finding indicates the essential limitations of previous research evaluating relational connectivity through social media. We point out the existence of many paths to achieve a high level of companies’ perception of investors’ voluntary disclosure needs and companies’ relational connectivity regarding voluntary disclosure. We developed a new approach to measuring relational connectivity, which can be successfully applied to other markets and stock exchanges, allowing verification of previous findings and the development of a new approach to conducting research. We claim that it is necessary to put more pressure on the management board’s engagement in preparing the financial report as it is crucial for understanding investors’ voluntary disclosure needs. Our conclusions question the growing societal pressure on engaging in activity in social media as a key concept of effective communication.
How Do the Lengths of the Lead Lag Time between Stocks Evolve? Tick-by-tick Level Measurements across Two DecadesEvolve? Tick-by-tick Level Measurements across Two Decade
Authors:   California Polytechnic State University, USA, Anderson Bing
Published: April 2024

There has been an extraordinary decrease in order execution time on stock exchanges in the past two decades. A related question is whether there has been a similar reduction in orders of magnitude for the lengths of the lead lag time between stocks. If the answer is affirmative, and the lengths of the lead lag time have long fallen below the human reaction time, algorithms have taken over information diffusion from one stock to another. Otherwise, humans continue to be in authority. In this study, the lengths of the lead lag time within pairs of stocks of large US companies are estimated using the Hayashi-Yoshida estimator, for each year from 2000 to 2022. We first construct stock pairs, with each pair containing two stocks from the same industrial sector. The median length of the lead lag time for each year shows a general trend of decline over time. From 2000 to 2005, the median lengths are a few seconds. By 2021 and 2022, they are less than 10 milliseconds. We also study a second construct in which stock pairs are randomly formed, but each pair contains stocks from two different sectors. The median length of the lead lag time for each year shows a decline over time, similar to the first construct. Overall, the lengths of the lead lag time in the second construct are not remarkably longer than those in the first construct. This shows that being in the same sector, at the tick-by-tick level, is not an important factor in determining the length of the lead lag time between stocks.
Green synthetic photo-irradiated chitin-silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications
Authors: Tenkayala Navya Kumari , Krishna Kandala Laxman Vamshi , Sangubotla Roopkumar , Gundla Rambabu , Devaraju Subramani
Published: April 2024

The primary purpose of this study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) utilizing chitin extracted from shrimp shell waste by simple photo-irradiation in a single-pot biosynthesis without adding any toxic chemical substances. Glucose molecules in the chitin extract act as the reducing agent, while amino acids in chitin behave like proteins and are responsible for the production of AgNPs by acting as the particle-stabilizing agent. The synthesized chitin-AgNPs were thoroughly investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared analysis, and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. UV-visible spectroscopy revealed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 470 nm, confirming the formation of chitin-AgNPs. FTIR data confirmed the association between chitin and AgNPs. TEM studies showed that the synthesized chitin-AgNPs have a spherical shape with particle sizes ranging from 10 to 30 nm. The prepared chitin-AgNPs exhibited intense antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, as well as antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus niger. Reactive oxygen species and live and dead cell assays were performed to examine the chitin- AgNPs and the results were further found to be interesting and positive. The assays revealed that the prepared chitin- AgNPs exhibited significant antimicrobial potential against B. subtilis and A. niger, with a zone of inhibition measuring approximately 6.2 mm and 30 mm, respectively. The effects of the chitin-AgNPs were compared to those of commercial agents, such as ciprofloxacin (6.0 mm) and fluconazole (25 mm). Consequently, the chitin-AgNPs developed through a greener approach show promising potential as sustainable materials for antibacterial and antifungal activities.
Cytotoxicity, acute, and sub-chronic toxicity of the Arctium tomentosum Mill. root extract
Authors: Aitynova Arailym , Ibragimova Nailya , Shalakhmetova Tamara , Vassilyeva Karina , Issayeva Diana
Published: April 2024

Since ancient times people around the world used medicinal plants for their therapeutic potential. Some studies of the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects of the extracts from plants of the genus Arctium have been conducted. The extracts obtained from these plants are considered safe with low toxicities; however, little is known about the toxicity of the Arctium tomentosum Mill. extract. Therefore, our work aimed to study the toxic effect of a carbon dioxide extract from the A. tomentosum Mill. root through MTT assay, acute, and sub-chronic toxicity studies. In the MTT assay, a low cytotoxic effect was observed at concentrations between 0.078 mg/mL and 0.001 mg/mL. The IC50 value – 0.091 mg/mL was determined through non-linear regression analysis. The acute toxicity test demonstrated that the LD50 is >5000 mg/kg and in the sub-chronic toxicity test, a dose of 200 mg/kg did not induce the toxic effect. In this way, the present study can serve as a base for the further investigation of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effects of the A. tomentosum Mill—root extract.
Intercropping system: A climate-smart approach for sustaining food security
Authors: Sahoo Upasana , Malik Ganesh Chandra , Maitra Sagar , Banerjee Mahua , Masina Sairam , Nath Suprava , Suvadra J. S.
Published: April 2024

The present-day agriculture is facing a tremendous problem in achieving the global food security in the context of the climate change scenario with ever-increasing human population. To combat with the situation, there is an urgent need to adopt proven improved technologies that can ensure food and nutritional security as well as agricultural sustainability. In this regard, adoption of appropriate cropping system can play a vital role. The age-old practice of intercropping system has multifaceted benefits for the enhancement of gross productivity and farm income under a given time. Most of the earlier studies focused to assess the benefits of an intercropping system in the light of yield enhancement and monetary advantages spatially and temporally. Moreover, recent studies highlighted other advantages such as greater ecosystem services, efficient utilization of solar radiation and CO2, enhancement of water, and nutrient use efficiency in the mixed stand, However, in the current consequence of climate change, it is the need of the hour to re-investigate the intercropping system as a mitigation and adaptation option to encounter the ill effects of climate change in agriculture. In this regard, an attempt has been made in the review article to evaluate the potential of the intercropping system as a water, energy, nutrient, carbon, and climate-smart technology that can facilitate in achieving some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 15 (life on land).
Un imperio en movimiento: género, movilidad femenina y acllas en el Tahuantinsuyo (1400 - 1532 d. C.)
Authors: Chacaltana-Cortez Sofia , Mogrovejo Diana , Moralejo Reinaldo A.
Published: April 2024

Numerous studies have explored mobility along the Qhapaq Ñan. Most of them examine how the road influenced local, regional, and imperial dynamics by fostering exchange relationships and connecting societies, people, and territories. These investigations explicitly or implicitly assume that it was male individuals who mobilized to build the Tahuantinsuyo, while women remained within the domestic unit or were confined to imperial buildings. In this study, we seek to acknowledge potential patterns of women’s mobility as part of female collectives, including those identified as acllas (chosen ones) or mamaconas (matrons) within the Tahuantinsuyo territory, through a gender perspective. We do so by drawing on five cases supported by biogenetic data and published textile analysis, as well as ethnohistorical data from Inca llacta cemeteries and capacocha ritual events (a ritual of obligation to the Inca state where infants were offered). We identified modes of movement that consider the distance traveled, the age of female individuals, and the political motives framing each activity, and which, in turn, construct identity, Finally, our analysis indicates that the visualization and analysis of individuals’ mobility experiences are associated with types of movement related to local, regional, or imperial political interests that reveal certain logics of movement that have been hidden, in this case, those of female experiences within the Tahuantinsuyo.
“El embarazo está en la cabeza, no en el útero”: el oráculo del diloggún y el despertar de la fertilidad en la regla de ocha cubana
Authors: Rivera López Angélica María , Carrillo Guach Hans
Published: April 2024

Religions are often acknowledged for their ability to provoke social, psychological, and physiological transformation, prompting recurrent studies in social and human sciences. Within this analytical domain, understanding ailments and methods of healing through various practices —rituals, cosmologies, and divinations— has been extensively explored. However, research on female reproductive ailments and corresponding intervention methods remains nascent in certain religious denominations, such as African-derived religions like the Regla de Ocha (Santería) in Cuba. The purpose of this article is to shed light on the healing of female reproductive ailments through the diloggún oracle utilized in the Regla de Ocha. Conducted between December 2022 and January 2023 in Santa Marta, Cárdenas, Cuba, our research adopts an ethnographic and narrative approach, placing reflexivity on our experiences at the forefront of our discussions. The research, from which our arguments derive, was conducted between December 2022 and January 2023 in Santa Marta, Cárdenas, Cuba. Methodologically, it adopts an ethnographic and narrative approach, placing reflexivity on our experiences at the forefront of our discussions. Consequently, it not only delineates the processes inherent in the practice of this oracle and its socio-spiritual impacts concerning potential realms of well-being but also advocates for conceptual and theoretical-methodological enhancements regarding healing. The article contributes to the evolving the incipient understanding of the connections between female fertility and healing within the Regla de Ocha and the intricate relationships among well-being, discomfort, and spirituality intrinsic to this religious system.
Nanobody repertoire generated against the spike protein of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 remains efficacious against the rapidly evolving virus
Authors: Ketaren Natalia E. , Mast Fred D. , Fridy Peter C. , Olivier Jean Paul , Sanyal Tanmoy , Sali Andrej , Chait Brian T. , Rout Michael P. , Aitchison John D.
Published: April 2024

To date, all major modes of monoclonal antibody therapy targeting SARS-CoV-2 have lost significant efficacy against the latest circulating variants. As SARS-CoV-2 omicron sublineages account for over 90% of COVID-19 infections, evasion of immune responses generated by vaccination or exposure to previous variants poses a significant challenge. A compelling new therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 is that of single domain antibodies, termed nanobodies, which address certain limitations of monoclonal antibodies. Here we demonstrate that our high-affinity nanobody repertoire, generated against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (Mast, Fridy et al. 2021), remains effective against variants of concern, including omicron BA.4/BA.5; a subset is predicted to counter resistance in emerging XBB and BQ.1.1 sublineages. Furthermore, we reveal the synergistic potential of nanobody cocktails in neutralizing emerging variants. Our study highlights the power of nanobody technology as a versatile therapeutic and diagnostic tool to combat rapidly evolving infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2.
Distinct transcriptomic profile of satellite cells contributes to preservation of neuromuscular junctions in extraocular muscles of ALS mice
Authors: Li Ang , Yi Jianxun , Li Xuejun , Dong Li , Ostrow Lyle W. , Ma Jianjie , Zhou Jingsong
Published: April 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive weakness of almost all skeletal muscles, whereas extraocular muscles (EOMs) are comparatively spared. While hindlimb and diaphragm muscles of end-stage SOD1G93A (G93A) mice (a familial ALS mouse model) exhibit severe denervation and depletion of Pax7 + satellite cells (SCs), we found that the pool of SCs and the integrity of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are maintained in EOMs. In cell sorting profiles, SCs derived from hindlimb and diaphragm muscles of G93A mice exhibit denervation-related activation, whereas SCs from EOMs of G93A mice display spontaneous (non-denervation-related) activation, similar to SCs from wild-type mice. Specifically, cultured EOM SCs contain more abundant transcripts of axon guidance molecules, including Cxcl12 , along with more sustainable renewability than the diaphragm and hindlimb counterparts under differentiation pressure. In neuromuscular co-culture assays, AAV-delivery of Cxcl12 to G93A-hindlimb SC-derived myotubes enhances motor neuron axon extension and innervation, recapitulating the innervation capacity of EOM SC-derived myotubes. G93A mice fed with sodium butyrate (NaBu) supplementation exhibited less NMJ loss in hindlimb and diaphragm muscles. Additionally, SCs derived from G93A hindlimb and diaphragm muscles displayed elevated expression of Cxcl12 and improved renewability following NaBu treatment in vitro . Thus, the NaBu-induced transcriptomic changes resembling the patterns of EOM SCs may contribute to the beneficial effects observed in G93A mice. More broadly, the distinct transcriptomic profile of EOM SCs may offer novel therapeutic targets to slow progressive neuromuscular functional decay in ALS and provide possible "response biomarkers" in pre-clinical and clinical studies.
Targeting resident astrocytes attenuates neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury
Authors: Zhao Qing , Zhu Yanjing , Ren Yilong , Zhao Lijuan , Zhao Jingwei , Yin Shuai , Ni Haofei , Zhu Rongrong , Cheng Liming , Xie Ning
Published: April 2024

Astrocytes derive from different lineages and play a critical role in neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI). Whether selective eliminating these main origins of astrocytes in lumbar enlargement could attenuate SCI-induced neuropathic pain remains unclear. In this study, astrocytes in lumbar enlargement were lineage traced, targeted and selectively eliminated through transgenic mice injected with an adeno-associated virus vector and diphtheria toxin. Pain-related behaviors were measured with an electronic von Frey apparatus and a cold/hot plate after SCI. RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, molecular experiment and immunohistochemistry were used to explore the potential mechanisms after astrocyte elimination. Through lineage tracing, we concluded the resident astrocytes but not ependymal cells were the main origins of astrocytes-induced neuropathic pain. SCI induced mice to obtain significant pain symptoms and astrocyte activation in lumbar enlargement. Selective resident astrocytes elimination in lumbar enlargement could attenuate neuropathic pain and activate microglia. Interestingly, the type I interferons (IFNs) signal was significantly activated after astrocytes elimination, and the most activated Gene Ontology terms and pathways were associated with the type I IFNs signal which was mainly activated in microglia and further verified in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, different concentrations of interferon and Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist could activate the type I IFNs signal in microglia. Our results elucidate that selectively eliminating resident astrocytes attenuated neuropathic pain associated with type I IFNs signal activation in microglia. Targeting type I IFNs signal is proven to be an effective strategy for neuropathic pain treatment after SCI.
Promoting sustainable agriculture by exploiting plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to improve maize and cowpea crops
Authors: Agbodjato Nadège Adoukè , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: April 2024

Maize and cowpea are among the staple foods most consumed by most of the African population, and are of significant importance in food security, crop diversification, biodiversity preservation, and livelihoods. In order to satisfy the growing demand for agricultural products, fertilizers and pesticides have been extensively used to increase yields and protect plants against pathogens. However, the excessive use of these chemicals has harmful consequences on the environment and also on public health. These include soil acidification, loss of biodiversity, groundwater pollution, reduced soil fertility, contamination of crops by heavy metals, etc. Therefore, essential to find alternatives to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure the food and well-being of the people. Among these alternatives, agricultural techniques that offer sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions that reduce or eliminate the excessive use of agricultural inputs are increasingly attracting the attention of researchers. One such alternative is the use of beneficial soil microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR provides a variety of ecological services and can play an essential role as crop yield enhancers and biological control agents. They can promote root development in plants, increasing their capacity to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, increase stress tolerance, reduce disease and promote root development. Previous research has highlighted the benefits of using PGPRs to increase agricultural productivity. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of action of PGPRs and their exploitation as biofertilizers would present a promising prospect for increasing agricultural production, particularly in maize and cowpea, and for ensuring sustainable and prosperous agriculture, while contributing to food security and reducing the impact of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the environment. Looking ahead, PGPR research should continue to deepen our understanding of these microorganisms and their impact on crops, with a view to constantly improving sustainable agricultural practices. On the other hand, farmers and agricultural industry players need to be made aware of the benefits of PGPRs and encouraged to adopt them to promote sustainable agricultural practices.