bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The determinants of foreign direct investment in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Adams S. Adams
Published: April 2024

The study examined the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sub Saharan Africa between 1970 and 2000. Results indicate that trade liberalization has been the main determinant of FDI over the three decades. However, the low level of FDI inflows to the region, suggest that liberalization policies are necessary but insufficient in attracting FDI. Policy makers in the region should therefore focus on institutional reforms and improve the business climate to enhance the region's chances of attracting more FDI. On the other hand, multinational enterprises could exploit the favorable FDI policy environment to negotiate favorable terms of entry and reap the benefits of beingfirst-movers.
Love and justice: Opposed or complementary?
Authors: Apea E. Apea
Published: April 2024

This article was prompted by two incidents; one domestic, the other, political. The domestic one was the concern resulting from diametrically opposing views on "fairness", implicit in the motives underlying behaviours expressed simultaneously by a child and his mother. The political event was the worldwide, diverse reactions that supporters and opponents exhibited in the aftermath of the execution of Iraq's former president, the late Saddam Hussein. These incidents moved the writer to strive to examine his worldview of love and justice vis a vis God's display of love toward humankind, beginning from Old Testament times, to date. The complexity of the words "love" and "justice" which we use so freely in our day-to-day conversations, is evident. The human virtues, love and justice, appear to represent two sides of a coin; one without the other makes life incomplete. However, it is shown in this article that sometimes love and justice are complementary and at other times, they are not. Justice is more important in organisational matters whereas love operates best in personal relations. Having said this, it is also very evident that in certain unique situations, justice appears to be the tough side of love. In this essay, the writer begins by exploring the meaning of love, followed by a discussion of what justice is. Next, he discusses possible ways in which the two virtues complement or oppose each other. The writer ends by demonstrating that a definite relationship exists between the two virtues; love and justice do indeed represent the two sides of the same coin.
Business support schemes in Ghana: An assessment
Authors: Marfo-Yiadom E. Marfo-Yiadom , Obeng Acquah B. Obeng Acquah
Published: April 2024

Business support schemes are necessary for the growth of private enterprises. Ghana has had a number of initiatives under various regimes from independence to date, aimed at ensuring vibrant business support schemes but the country is far from reaching the goal. This is because there is lack a of clear policy direction as well as weak collaboration among the few public and private business support organisations. This paper highlights two prominent institutions, the National Board for Small Scale Industries and Empretec Ghana Foundation and establishes that the institutions need financial support and more qualified personnel to carry out their mandate. There is also the need to consolidate the fragmented support services especially in the private sector to avoid duplication.
E-commerce in Ghana
Authors: Andoh C. B. Andoh , Ebenezer E. E. S.Ebenezer , Afriyie A. A. Afriyie , Tachie-Menson H. W. Tachie-Menson
Published: April 2024

In this study, the main focus is on e-commerce in Ghana with emphasis on e-commerce sites and their implications go the customer. Other issues such as factors that encouraged and/or discouraged the adoption and implementation of e-commerce were also studied. Observation and interview methods were employed to collect data. 100 websites of business entities were examined to know the website interface for features that attract customers to initiate a transaction and information that aids customers in making choices as well as the kind of applications used in the initiation of a transaction and how difficult these applications ore. In all a total of 300 people were interviewed comprising 100 owners/managers, 200 internet users randomly selected to find out if they had adopted e-commerce in their areas of endeavor. Descriptive statistics was used to present data. The results of the research revealed two levels of e-commerce websites. Level 1-sites had information on products and services, prices/charges, company profile and link to other sources. Level 2-sites allowed online ordering, online payment, online auctions, product referencing/customization and privacy laws.
Factors influencing the recruitement and retention of nurses in the Nzema East District
Authors: Bilson S. A. Bilson
Published: April 2024

Recruitment and retention of nurses is very crucial in the human resources and development of the Ghana Ministry of Health. The exodus of Ghanaian nurses to seek greener pastures has created a lot of problems in the area of staff recruitment and retention. This article examines (a) the factors that attract nurses to the Nzema East District (NED); (b) reasons nurses give for accepting to go on transfer to NED; (c) factors that militate against the continuous stay of nurses in the NED; (d) factors that enhance the continued stay of nurses' of NED; (e) the motivating factors nurses recommend for their retention. The outcome of the research were as follows: (o)Marrioge formed the greatest retentive factor for nurses in NED; (b) nurses aged above 45 years preferred working in their own districts, but younger nurses preferred working in places away from their home towns; (c) midwives formed the largest grade and were most highly retained nurses in NED. Push factors for nurses in NED were identified as; (a) lock of transportation to implement outreach programmes; (b) lack of opportunity in the district for further education; (c) lack of accommodation and (d) dissatisfaction with Additional Duty Hours Allowance (ADHA). The research was done in 2004 for a Dissertation, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the MA Degree in Educational Administration, University of Cape Coast.
The dynamics of control and resistance: Micro-level theorizing of professional resistance under new public management
Authors: Tengey S. Tengey
Published: April 2024

This research seeks to analyze the impact of Information Security breaches prone to selected Ghanaian banking institutions from the year 2000 to 2009. The results of this work were obtained through the review of related literature, questionnaires and observation. The results obtained are analyzed using the evaluative reporting of the data, supported by tables and charts where applicable. Recommendations are subsequently made to address the security breaches identified. The outcome of the research tends to place the findings in context by elaborating on how the research findings and results contribute to the field of Information Security in general and what sort of broader implications these may have. This will a I low for greater understanding of Information Security issues within the banking sector and hopefully prompt for further in-depth research into its impact on the institutions and customers as a whole. A recommendation is made to banks to define the Information Security policy and effectively implement the policies by educating all staff on acceptable and best practices.
Ghanaian women and entrepreneurship
Authors: Dzisi S.Dzisi
Published: April 2024

Little is known about the factors which influence women entrepreneurs in developing countries (especially Ghana) to go into business even though majority of women in these countries are entrepreneurs. The 'Push and Puli'factor theory is used as a theoretical framework to study the motivations of women entrepreneurs in Ghana and to find out whether these motivations are similar to those of women entrepreneurs in developed countries. Interviews with 150 Ghanaian women entrepreneurs reveal that the major motivations for business ownership by Ghanaian women entrepreneurs are financial and the need for flexible hours to suit family life. The study further finds that while some of the motivational factors for women entrepreneurs in Ghana are similar to the motivations of their counterparts in developed countries, the 'push' motivational factors for the women in Africa are 'puli' factors for their counterparts in developed countries and vice versa. This paper therefore suggests that research findings regarding women entrepreneurs in developed countries need to be carefully examined before being applied to developing countries.
Internet and online shopping in an emerging economy: The Ghanaian perspective
Authors: Andoh-Quainoo L.Andoh-Quainoo , Atuobi-Yiadom N. Atuobi-Yiadom
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the uses of the internet and find out whether online shopping has been adopted by Ghanaian consumers. The study also examined the relationship between internet usage and online shopping. Since its discovery, the internet technology has benefited both consumers and business; a number of researches conducted indicate its high patronage by consumers or users. Using a sample of 200 respondents, structured survey questionnaire on the internet usage and online shopping was used to collect empirical data from the Accra Metropolis. The findings suggest that the level of internet knowledge is very high and the internet is used for so many activities including e-mailing, information searching, and chatting. The study also found three types of internet users in Ghana i. e, occasional users, frequent and regular users. Adoption of online shopping on the other hand was found to be very low although respondents indicated the willingness and desire to shop online. This low patronage is attributed to a number of factors. With these findings Businesses migrating to the internet should consider other services that can be offered, and consider actual selling more strategically.
The financial mechanism for the poor: Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Onyina P. A. Onyina
Published: April 2024

Traditionally, it is assumed without empirical evidence, that poor people are too poor to save hence hove been ignored by formal financial institutions. However, there exists a body of evidence showing the saving powers of the poor when given the chance. This paper presents some of the financial instruments used by poor people and gives brief discussions on the types of savings tools poor people use. These tools, the Rotating Saving Credit Associations (ROSCAs) and the Susu system, are traced to their historical roots. We then use data to show that clients of a microfinance institution actively use these savings instruments to raise lump sum. The data show that clients use several saving instruments in addition to the institutions compulsory dues. These savings tools, ignored by the financial sector could be used to mobilize deposits from the poor people by the sector. It is envisaged that both the formol and informal financial sectors would learn from such ancient savings institutions to mobilize deposits from poor households.
Cashflow forecasting in the construction industry: The case of Ghana
Authors: Buertey J. I. T. Buertey , Adjei-Kumi T. A. Kumi
Published: April 2024

Research has shown that only one out of eight projects in the USA is successful (David and Trevor, 2011). Park, Seung and Rusells (2005) quoted Russell (1991) who found that more than 60% of construction contractor's failure is due to economic factors. Thus, when planning funding requirements of a business, it is more important to manage the likely cash requirements than to merely project profitability. Whilst profit is a vital indicator of the performance of a project, the generation of profit does not necessarily guarantee its realization development, or even survival. It is imperative to note that more businesses fail for lack of cashflow than for want of profit. This paper discusses and highlights the results of a study conducted to determine, rate, and rank the significant factors that affect the cash flow of contractors in Ghana. The District Assembly Common Funded (DACF) project was used as a cose study. The paper adopted the qualitative and quantitative research methods. In terms of quantitative methods, primary data was gathered through structured questionnaires distributed to contractors, consultants, district assemblies (clients) in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana. The sample size was drawn using the Kish (1965) method. In total, 123 out of 152 questionnaires were retrieved indicating 81 % response rate. Statistical analysis, using relative importance indices, significance testing and concordance testing revealed that 15 factors significantly affect the cash flow status of a contractor during the currency of construction projects. These factors were further categorised into either endogenous or exogenous groupings, based on the source of the factor and its effect on the construction firm. It was further revealed that cash flow factors could be considered to have contractor inclination or contractual influence depending on the extent of skewness of these factors to the former. The paper recommends that, to enhance effective productivity through cash flow systems, there must be a balance between the exogenous and endogenous factors, with the diligently undertaking risk analysis for the prospects of the project and the client making conscious effort not to violate the contractual factors.
The application of information and communications technology in hospitals and clinics in the Accra Metropolis
Authors: Afari-Kumah E. Afari-Kumah
Published: April 2024

Ghana has witnessed a proliferation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) since 1990. There is now mounting evidence that ICT can be used to facilitate various aspects of socio-economic development process in the world. Ghana adopted an ICT policy in 2003 that acknowledges the social and economic issues affecting the various sectors of the country. / The study covered both public and quasigovernment facilities in the 13 submetropolitan areas of the Accra Metropolitan area in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Data was collected mainly through the use of questionnaires (Questionnaire of Dakubu, and Adomako-Owusu (2002) were modified) which elicited from the Hospital Managers, Administrators and Medical Officers-in-Charge of the selected hospitals and clinics the state, use and application of ICT in their various facilities. The questionnaires were pre-tested before administration. The data was analyzed using SPSS Ver. 11. The study revealed that the Health facilities are not yet completely committed to the deployment of ICT. There are no strategic plans in place in most of the facilities for the deployment of ICT; even those facilities that have deployed ICT have not aligned it with theirbusiness strategies. The study also revealed that budgetary allocation for ICT in most facilities is below 10% of their total expenditure. ICT has made some impact in the facilities in which it has been deployed. Some recommendations were given.
Sexual harassment in the workplace: A literature review
Authors: Dei R. Dei
Published: April 2024

Sexual Harassment (SH) is one of the challenging human resource management problems in the work environment. It usually has a great impact on individuals and affects the image and profitability of the organisations. It can be classified into two; the quid pro quo and hostile environment sexual harassment. Apart from its effect on the victim's psychological, economic, and physical stability which influences their ability to work effectively, it also causes incalculable harm to their families. Although the majority of sexual harassment complaints come from women, the number of complaints filed by men is swiftly increasing. In order to mitigate SH in the Ghanaian work environment, clearer policies and laws should be formulated and enacted so that perpetrators and victims alike will know what constitutes SH, and the corresponding punishments. Both employer and employees have a role to play to curb its effect; while the onus lies on employers to draw SH policies, employees must acquaint themselves with it, and discourage the act immediately it starts. This paper discusses sexual harassment in the work environment from the literature review perspective and provides an in depth review of the issue from different countries and institutions. It also examines some trends in the issue, and explores some causes of SH in Ghana. In addition, the paper provides precautionary measures that can be adopted by both victims and organisations to curb the menace and enhance stability and growth in organisations.
Intrucciones para los autores. Autorizaciones. Guía de evaluación
Authors: Da Silva José Luis
Published: April 2024

Intrucciones para los autores. Autorizaciones. Guía de evaluación
Review of Digital Literacy for Educational Advancement
Authors: Imamudiroyah Mohammad Khoyyinudin , Rahmah Manzilatur , Fathul Sri Wahyu Hidayati Umi
Published: April 2024

Digital Literacy has a strategic role in advancing education. This research aims to conduct a review of Digital Literacy for Educational Progress. This research uses qualitative methods. The approach to this research uses descriptive and literature studies. Data was obtained from reference literature on the open-access platform. This research shows that Digital Literacy plays a vital role in educational progress. The government and education stakeholders need to pay attention to digital literacy, which is beneficial for educational progress.
Toxins in plant pathogenesis: Understanding the role of toxins in host-pathogen interaction
Authors: Srivastava Seweta , Chandrapati Akhilesh , Gupta Aakash , Rana Meenakshi , Karnwal Arun , Siva Katyayani Kanuri Komala , Manda Raghavendra Reddy , Kaushik Dipshikha , Bhattacharjee Shaptadvipa , Kumar Ravindra
Published: April 2024

The present-day concept of toxins in pathogenesis has acquired an important place in the arena of plant pathology. Because once the toxic metabolite of the pathogen is identified and characterized, it opens up many ways for combating the pathogen. Microbes use toxins as a weapon to cause damage and eventually destroy host cells. Plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi damage their host by producing diffusible toxins. These toxins induce several symptoms such as chlorosis, necrosis, water soaking, and wilting, which lead to the death of the plants. These toxins (secondary metabolites) are dangerous to the plants even in minute concentrations, and many of the toxins reproduce at least a few symptoms of relevant fungal or bacterial diseases. Plant pathogens use toxins as weapons to infect susceptible hosts. There has been significant progress in understanding these microbial toxins’ nature, structure, and their mode of action, which is discussed in this article. In addition to being employed to determine plant disease resistance, screening for disease-resistant mutants, and managing disease, studying pathogenic toxins and their underlying mechanisms for pathogenicity is crucial to understand the host-pathogen interactions.
Probiotic formulations for human health: Current research and future perspective
Authors: Jan Tawseefa , Negi Rajeshwari , Sharma Babita , Singh Sangram , Kumar Sanjeev , Rustagi Sarvesh , Shreaz Sheikh , Rai Ashutosh Kumar , Rai Pankaj Kumar , Sheikh Mohd Aaqib , Kumar Krishan , Ahmed Naseer , Yadav Ajar Nath
Published: April 2024

Probiotics are living microorganisms known for their beneficial properties and have been extensively researched and utilized in various products worldwide. These microorganisms have essential nutritional needs and exhibit significant functional qualities. Probiotics have been employed to enhance the well-being of both animals and humans by influencing the balance of microorganisms in the intestines. Several probiotic strains, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilli, became identified and studied for their potential to mitigate the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) infections or as a therapeutic approach for treating such infections. With the rise of microbiota displaying resistance and tolerance to traditional medications and antibiotics, the effectiveness of drugs has diminished. Several probiotic strains have been identified to possess notable properties, including potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. Consequently, introducing beneficial bacterial species into the GI tract offers an appealing approach to restoring microbial balance and preventing diseases. Furthermore, probiotics have demonstrated the capacity to inhibit the action of intestinal bacterial enzymes responsible being synthesizing colonic carcinogens. Probiotics offer a promising preventive and therapeutic advancement, but further research is required to better understand their specific impact on intestinal health. Probiotics can also exert a direct influence on other microorganisms, including pathogens, which is crucial in preventing and treating infections and restoring the balance of microorganisms in the GI tract. The present review deals with probiotic formulations, their mechanisms, and their role in human health.
Credo, sentido y organización social en la imaginería cristiana de Tunja, Colombia
Authors: Ospina Enciso Andrés Felipe , Cruz Fajardo Marley
Published: April 2024

In this article, we delve into the role of religious images in the doctrine, worship, and social fabric of Catholic faithful in Tunja, Colombia. As a city steeped in colonial heritage, Christianity has become deeply ingrained in both spiritual and cultural aspects of life. The text explores the intricate relationships between believers and sacred images, reflecting on how the imagery encapsulates, while representing, forms of cohesion and social identification mediated by devotional and organizational experiences. It also presents ethnographic and historical references focusing on the experiences of devotion of members of brotherhoods and devotional groups, particularly their involvement in processions and religious celebrations within the city's historic center. As a result of these public activities with the images, there is a binding association between believers and imagery that extends beyond the religious realm, influencing various aspects of collective life. The article discusses two key processes: the borrowing and extraction of images from religious sites, and the significance attributed to these images by believers outside the ecclesiastical institution, extending their value and meaning to guild and organizational processes that are also part of the faithful’s lives and social values.
Tissue-specific O-GlcNAcylation profiling identifies substrates in translational machinery in Drosophila mushroom body contributing to olfactory learning
Authors: Yu Haibin , Liu Dandan , Zhang Yaowen , Tang Ruijun , Fan Xunan , Mao Song , Lv Lu , Chen Fang , Qin Hongtao , Zhang Zhuohua , van Aalten Daan MF , Yang Bing , Yuan Kai
Published: April 2024

O-GlcNAcylation is a dynamic post-translational modification that diversifies the proteome. Its dysregulation is associated with neurological disorders that impair cognitive function, and yet identification of phenotype-relevant candidate substrates in a brain-region specific manner remains unfeasible. By combining an O-GlcNAc binding activity derived from Clostridium perfringens OGA (CpOGA) with TurboID proximity labeling in Drosophila, we developed an O-GlcNAcylation profiling tool that translates O-GlcNAc modification into biotin conjugation for tissue-specific candidate substrates enrichment. We mapped the O-GlcNAc interactome in major brain regions of Drosophila and found that components of the translational machinery, particularly ribosomal subunits, were abundantly O-GlcNAcylated in the mushroom body of Drosophila brain. Hypo-O-GlcNAcylation induced by ectopic expression of active CpOGA in the mushroom body decreased local translational activity, leading to olfactory learning deficits that could be rescued by dMyc overexpression-induced increase of protein synthesis. Our study provides a useful tool for future dissection of tissue-specific functions of O-GlcNAcylation in Drosophila, and suggests a possibility that O-GlcNAcylation impacts cognitive function via regulating regional translational activity in the brain.
Early recovery of proteasome activity in cells pulse-treated with proteasome inhibitors is independent of DDI2
Authors: Ibtisam Ibtisam , Kisselev Alexei F
Published: April 2024

Rapid recovery of proteasome activity may contribute to intrinsic and acquired resistance to FDA-approved proteasome inhibitors. Previous studies have demonstrated that the expression of proteasome genes in cells treated with sub-lethal concentrations of proteasome inhibitors is upregulated by the transcription factor Nrf1 (NFE2L1), which is activated by a DDI2 protease. Here, we demonstrate that the recovery of proteasome activity is DDI2-independent and occurs before transcription of proteasomal genes is upregulated but requires protein translation. Thus, mammalian cells possess an additional DDI2 and transcription-independent pathway for the rapid recovery of proteasome activity after proteasome inhibition.
Improving prediction of maternal health risks using PCA features and TreeNet model
Authors: Jamel Leila , Umer Muhammad , Saidani Oumaima , Alabduallah Bayan , Alsubai Shtwai , Ishmanov Farruh , Kim Tai-hoon , Ashraf Imran
Published: April 2024

Maternal healthcare is a critical aspect of public health that focuses on the well-being of pregnant women before, during, and after childbirth. It encompasses a range of services aimed at ensuring the optimal health of both the mother and the developing fetus. During pregnancy and in the postpartum period, the mother’s health is susceptible to several complications and risks, and timely detection of such risks can play a vital role in women’s safety. This study proposes an approach to predict risks associated with maternal health. The first step of the approach involves utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) to extract significant features from the dataset. Following that, this study employs a stacked ensemble voting classifier which combines one machine learning and one deep learning model to achieve high performance. The performance of the proposed approach is compared to six machine learning algorithms and one deep learning algorithm. Two scenarios are considered for the experiments: one utilizing all features and the other using PCA features. By utilizing PCA-based features, the proposed model achieves an accuracy of 98.25%, precision of 99.17%, recall of 99.16%, and an F1 score of 99.16%. The effectiveness of the proposed model is further confirmed by comparing it to existing state of-the-art approaches.
Cross-sectional association between 24-hour movement guidelines and depressive symptoms in Chinese university students
Authors: Zhang Yanqing , Chi Xinli , Huang Liuyue , Yang Xingyi , Chen Sitong
Published: April 2024

Background

The world’s first 24-h movement guidelines for adults were released on 15 October 2020 in Canada, though evidence of their associations with health indicators in young adults is sparse. This study aimed to report the prevalence of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and associations with depressive symptoms in a sample of Chinese university students.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from 1,793 Chinese university students (mean age = 20.7 years, 63.6% female) were used. Sociodemographic information, movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep duration), and depressive symptoms were collected using a self-reported questionnaire.

Results

The prevalence of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines was 27.8% in Chinese university students. Logistic regression results show that compared to those who met the 24-h movement guidelines, odds ratio (OR) for depressive symptoms in those who met fewer recommendations contained in the 24-h movement guidelines were significantly higher (OR for none = 3.4, 95% CI [2.1–5.5], p < 0.001; OR for one = 2.7, 95% CI [2.0–3.8], p < 0.001; OR for two = 1.5, 95% CI [1.1–2.1], p = 0.013).

Conclusion

The prevalence of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines in Chinese university students was relatively low and should be enhanced through multiple strategies. Meeting the 24-h movement guidelines was associated with lower risk for depression in Chinese young adults. It is suggested that moving more, sitting less and sleeping well in this population may reduce the occurrence of depression.
Soil organic nitrogen variation shaped by diverse agroecosystems in a typical karst area: evidence from isotopic geochemistry
Authors: Han Ruiyin , Zhang Qian , Xu Zhifang
Published: April 2024

Background

Soil organic nitrogen (SON) levels can respond effectively to crop metabolism and are directly related to soil productivity. However, simultaneous comparisons of SON dynamics using isotopic tracing in diverse agroecosystems are lacking, especially in karst areas with fragile ecology.

Methods

To better understand the response of SON dynamics to environmental changes under the coupling of natural and anthropogenic disturbances, SON contents and their stable N isotope (δ15NSON) compositions were determined in abandoned cropland (AC, n = 16), grazing shrubland (GS, n = 11), and secondary forest land (SF, n = 20) from a typical karst area in southwest China.

Results

The SON contents in the SF (mean: 0.09%) and AC (mean: 0.10%) profiles were obviously lower than those in the GS profile (mean: 0.31%). The δ15NSON values ranged from 4.35‰–7.59‰, 3.79‰–7.23‰, and 1.87‰–7.08‰ for the SF, AC, and GS profiles, respectively. Decomposition of organic matter controlled the SON variations in the secondary forest land by the covered vegetation, and that in the grazing shrubland by goat excreta. δ15NSON ranges were controlled by the covered vegetation, and the δ15NSON fractionations during SON transformation were influenced by microorganisms in all surface soil.

Conclusions

The excreta of goats that contained 15N-enriched SON induced a heavier δ15NSON composition in the grazed shrubland. Long-term cultivation consumes SON, whereas moderate grazing increases SON content to reduce the risk of soil degradation. This study suggests that optimized crop-livestock production may benefit the sustainable development of agroecosystems in karst regions.
Clinical Efficacy of Ambu AuraGainTM and i-gel® in Patients Undergoing Elective Gynaecological Laparoscopic Surgeries Under General Anaesthesia: A Randomised Clinical Study
Authors: Aarumulla Shiny Priyadarshini , Devaram Vijetha , Medithala N Jayanth , Adini Hrudayesh , Ravipati Prabhavathi , Kandukuri Krishna Chaitanya
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Second-generation supraglottic airway devices that provide high seal pressures are found to be suitable for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery, as they have a separate port for gastric tube insertion, effectively separating the airway and the oesophagus. The present study compares the usage of two such second-generation supraglottic devices-AuraGain™ and i-gel® in patients undergoing gynaecological laparoscopic surgeries. Aim: To compare the Oropharyngeal Leak Pressure (OLP) and airway pressures achieved by the i-gel® and Ambu AuraGain™ after insertion in the supine position and during laparoscopic carbon dioxide peritoneum in the Trendelenburg position. Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical, singleblinded study conducted at the Department of Anaesthesiology, Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra pradesh, India involved 100 female patients undergoing elective gynaecological laparoscopic surgeries under general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation. The primary objective was to compare the clinical performance of Ambu AuraGain™ (Group-A) and i-gel® (Group-I) concerning their oropharyngeal seal pressures and airway pressures in gynaecological laparoscopic surgeries. The secondary outcomes measured included the time taken for insertion, ease of insertion of the device, effects on postinsertion haemodynamic parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, ease of gastric tube insertion, and fibreoptic bronchoscopic grading of the visualised glottic structures after device placement, as well as postoperative side effects like blood staining upon removal of the device and sore throat. Data were analysed using Student’s t-test and chi-square test. Results: The mean age in Group-A was 39.62±4.085 years, and in Group-I, it was 39.48±2.468 years. The mean peak inspiratory pressures after device insertion were 14.34 mmHg in Group-A and 16.66 mmHg in Group-I. Haemodynamic parameters postinsertion were similar in both groups {Group-A: Mean Heart Rate (HR) 87.22 bpm, Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) 89.72 mmHg, Oxygen Saturation (SpO2 ) 99.58%; Group-I: Mean HR 87.50 bpm, MAP 89.72 mmHg, SpO2 99.72%). Fibreoptic bronchoscopic grading in Group-A was 0/0/9/41, and in Group-I, it was 0/0/11/39. Blood staining upon removal was noted in four patients (8%) in Group-A and in 3 patients (6%) in Group-I. Sore throat in the postoperative period was noted in 14% of patients in Group-A and 8% in Group-I. Conclusion: Ambu AuraGain™ was found to provide a better seal and higher OLP compared to the i-gel® in gynaecological laparoscopic surgeries and therefore provide safer and more effective ventilation for patients undergoing such surgeries. I-gel® was found to be easier and quicker to insert than the AuraGain™.
Anaesthetic Considerations in the Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Excision of Pulmonary Aspergilloma: A Case Report
Authors: Sharma Vipul Krishen , Singh Chandi Priya
Published: April 2024

Video-assisted Thoracoscopy (VATS) is often used for diverse chest and lung ailments, which requires one-lung ventilation utilising a double-lumen tube. It involves small incisions and real-time imaging, resulting in enhanced postoperative recovery. A dry field allows the surgeon better visualisation of the thoracic cavity. To ensure that the patient is fit for prolonged single-lung ventilation, preoperative assessment is vital. While there are advantages and disadvantages to minimally invasive procedures, anaesthesia management and single-lung ventilation are key steps in a successful VATS procedure. Care must be taken to avoid elevated peak pressures intraoperatively. Hereby, the authors present a case report of a 49-year-old smoker with cough, fever, a known treated case of pulmonary Koch’s, and chronic lung disease. After a thorough clinical examination and imaging, he was diagnosed to have a cavitary lesion in the lung, suggestive of Aspergilloma. Authors performed thorough preoperative evaluation prior to surgery, which included pulmonary function tests to help identify the performance of the residual lung. For this patient, VATS was employed to resect the cavitary lesion along with the fungal ball. Single-lung ventilation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube was utilised to collapse the right lung and provide a better operative field. The surgery was uneventful with minimal blood loss, and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. Due to the minimal access route, the duration of ventilation and recovery is hastened. Appropriate antibiotic/antifungal support, along with aggressive chest physiotherapy and incentive spirometry, is initiated early in such patients, as the pain following VATS is bearable.
Petroleum Products Pricing and Price Stability in Nigeria: An ARDL Investigation
Authors: Abdullahi Ibrahim Alhaji , Alwell Nteegah, , Ijeoma Kalu,
Published: April 2024

This study employed the Autoregressive Distributed lag (ARDL) technique to investigate the effect of petroleum products pricing on price level in Nigeria over the period 1990 – 2022. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, data on inflation rate, price of premium motor spirit, price of automotive gas oil, price of household kerosene, price of compressed natural gas and price of crude oil were sourced from secondary source.  The results of our analysis revealed that: in the long run, prices of Premium motor spirit and compressed natural gas retarded inflation level marginally while prices of automotive gas oil, dual purpose kerosene and crude oil spurred general price level marginally. Prices of premium motor spirit and compressed natural gas fueled inflation in the short run significantly while prices of automotive gas oil and crude retarded general price level. Price of dual-purpose kerosene had mixed but significant effect on price level. The study also found that a long run nexus existed between petroleum product prices and price level in Nigeria. Petroleum product prices had serious implications on the Nigeria’s economy in the short run than long run. Based on this conclusion, the study recommended Increase investment in the downstream petroleum sector and strengthening existing policies in the oil and gas sector as possible measures towards stabilizing price level in Nigeria.
Optimizing Queue Management in Healthcare Settings: Enhancing Patient Satisfaction through Strategic Approaches
Authors: T. Prabaharan , B. Thishopana
Published: April 2024

This study aims to investigate the interplay between queue management aspects (service quality, waiting time, waiting environment, queue discipline), and patient satisfaction within the healthcare context, while also assessing the impact of these factors on patient satisfaction levels. Employing a deductive approach, hypotheses were formulated and tested based on empirical data collected through a survey conducted in five hospitals across the Ampara district of Sri Lanka. A quantitative research design was adopted, utilizing a self-administered questionnaire distributed among 392 patients. Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation and regression analysis, were conducted using SPSS 22nd version. The findings reveal significant correlations between queue management aspects and patient satisfaction, with service quality, waiting time, waiting environment, and queue discipline playing crucial roles. These insights contribute to a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing patient satisfaction in healthcare settings, informing targeted interventions for improving service delivery and patient experiences.
Chemical Quality of Chhana Spread Prepared from Cow Milk Using Herbal Coagulants
Authors: Verma Vikash Kumar , Gupta Ramjee , Kumar Vikash , Tiwari Rahul , Kuldeep . , Kumar Sandeep
Published: April 2024

The current study was carried out at the C.S.A. University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur's department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Dairy Technology). Chhana spread is a popular acid coagulated milk product has fairly high nutritional value. Its mild acidic flavour, soft body and smooth texture make it highly suitable for consumption. In the experiment, chhana spread was made with cow milk with three different coagulant agents (aonla extract, lemon extract, and ginger extract), two different water-herbal coagulant ratios (90:10 and 80:20), and two different storage periods (0 and 10 days) at 5°C refrigeration temperature. Moisture, Fat, Protein, Lactose, and Ash are five chemical characteristics. The chemical quality of chhana spread made from cow milk utilising herbal coagulants was shown to be better than other spreads after a fresh day storage period, according to the study.
Millets as Nutricereal Climate Resilient Smart Crop: A Review
Authors: Bezbaruah R. , Singh A.K.
Published: April 2024

Worldwide climate change and extreme weather variations are the most threatening challenge to agriculture and allied activities. The entire food production system has faced serious challenges due to increase in average temperature, intensity and frequency of drought and flood, aberration of rainfall patterns, and elevation in CO2 concentration. In today’s world climate change is a major concern. Review of different literature from different reports and studies for different nutritional benefit of millets and how it can thrive in climate change conditions are important. Different literature have been searched from different sources and complied. Millets are considered highly nutrition-rich and climate-resilient coarse grain cereals and it can enhance income as well as improve food and nutrition security. Millets have climate-resilient features and that’ s why they can thrive in adjust to a vast changing ecological conditions, less water requirements, low nutrient input conditions and also they have more resistance to environmental hassels. In comparison to cereals, millets have more dietary fibres, resistant starches and are nutritionally superior. Millet require less time to complete its life cycle than rice and wheat, so they have the capacity to escape the stresses. Millets also provide several health benefits as they have nutritious. The cost of cultivation is also less compare to other cereals. As population growth increases and climate is changing day by day so millets are the alternative choice for today’s world. In Karnataka most of the farmers already have started to cultivate drought resistant millets than more water required crop like rice, sugarcane, and maize to due to climate change. They commonly grown millets from domestic purposes are sorghum, pearl millet, finger - millet, barnyard, foxtail, kodo, proso and Little millet.
Histopathological and Biochemical Assessment of Annona muricata and Allium sativum Pooled Extract on Testosterone Induced Prostate Hyperplasia in Albino Rats
Authors: Bernardine Okpukpara O. , Peter Achukwu U. , Bernard Kafor N.
Published: April 2024

Aims: To investigate the effect of pooled extract of Annona muricata (A. muricata) and Allium sativum (A. sativum) on testosterone-induced prostate hyperplasia in male albino rats.

Experimental Procedure: Male albino rats for the study were divided into seven groups identified as A-G groups. Group A and G were used as negative and positive controls with 12 and 5 rats respectively. Male rats in group B-G were induced with 3mg/kg body weight of testosterone propionate injection subcutaneously for 28 days. Animals in group B and C received 100mg/kg body weight of individual Annona muricata and Allium sativum extract respectively, while animals in group D-F received 100mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 600mg/kg body weight of the pooled extracts. We evaluated relative prostate weight(PI),serum prostate specific antigen(PSA),interleukins-6(IL-6), total protein, and histological changes including KI 67  and BCL2 expressions.

Results and Conclusion: The study revealed that pooled extracts of A. muricata and A. sativum significantly inhibited prostatic hyperplasia; decreased PI,serum PSA,IL-6, total protein, and expression of KI 67, far better than the any of the single plant extract in this study. This suggests that pooled extract of A, muricata and A, sativum may be used as a therapeutic agent for prostatic hyperplasia, as a result of the influence of the phytochemical constituents.
Potential of Tax Avoidance Based on Fraud Hexagon in Manufacturing Companies in BEI in Tax Avoidance Practice
Authors: Wahyuni Dwi Sri , Pramiana Omi
Published: April 2024

This research aims to determine the influence of pressure, opportunity, rationalization, competence, arrogance and collusion on tax avoidance in manufacturing companies on the IDX in carrying out tax avoidance practices in 2021-2022. This research uses a quantitative descriptive method, with a total of 27 companies as a sample with 54 data used obtained through company annual reports. The results of this study show that the pressure variable proxied by ROA has an effect on tax avoidance, the opportunity variable proxied by the proportion of independent board of commissioners (BDOUT) has no effect on tax avoidance, the rationalization variable proxied by audit opinion has an effect on tax avoidance, the competency variable which is proxied with changes in directors having no effect on tax avoidance, the arrogance variable which is proxied by CEO narcissism has no effect on tax avoidance, the collusion variable which is proxied by political connections has an effect on tax avoidance.
Ionic liquid‐mediated selective extraction of lignin from wood leading to enhanced enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis
Authors: Lee Sang Hyun , Doherty Thomas V. , Linhardt Robert J. , Dordick Jonathan S.
Published: October 2008

Lignocellulose represents a key sustainable source of biomass for transformation into biofuels and bio‐based products. Unfortunately, lignocellulosic biomass is highly recalcitrant to biotransformation, both microbial and enzymatic, which limits its use and prevents economically viable conversion into value‐added products. As a result, effective pretreatment strategies are necessary, which invariably involves high energy processing or results in the degradation of key components of lignocellulose. In this work, the ionic liquid, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][CH3COO]), was used as a pretreatment solvent to extract lignin from wood flour. The cellulose in the pretreated wood flour becomes far less crystalline without undergoing solubilization. When 40% of the lignin was removed, the cellulose crystallinity index dropped below 45, resulting in >90% of the cellulose in wood flour to be hydrolyzed by Trichoderma viride cellulase. [Emim] [CH3COO] was easily reused, thereby resulting in a highly concentrated solution of chemically unmodified lignin, which may serve as a valuable source of a polyaromatic material as a value‐added product. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1368–1376. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of metabolic pathways and fluxes in a newly discovered thermophilic and ethanol‐tolerant Geobacillus strain
Authors: Tang Yinjie J. , Sapra Rajat , Joyner Dominique , Hazen Terry C. , Myers Samuel , Reichmuth David , Blanch Harvey , Keasling Jay D.
Published: October 2008

A recently discovered thermophilic bacterium, Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius M10EXG, ferments a range of C5 (e.g., xylose) and C6 sugars (e.g., glucose) and is tolerant to high ethanol concentrations (10%, v/v). We have investigated the central metabolism of this bacterium using both in vitro enzyme assays and 13C‐based flux analysis to provide insights into the physiological properties of this extremophile and explore its metabolism for bio‐ethanol or other bioprocess applications. Our findings show that glucose metabolism in G. thermoglucosidasius M10EXG proceeds via glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the TCA cycle; the Entner–Doudoroff pathway and transhydrogenase activity were not detected. Anaplerotic reactions (including the glyoxylate shunt, pyruvate carboxylase, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) were active, but fluxes through those pathways could not be accurately determined using amino acid labeling. When growth conditions were switched from aerobic to micro‐aerobic conditions, fluxes (based on a normalized glucose uptake rate of 100 units (g DCW)−1 h−1) through the TCA cycle and oxidative pentose phosphate pathway were reduced from 64 ± 3 to 25 ± 2 and from 30 ± 2 to 19 ± 2, respectively. The carbon flux under micro‐aerobic growth was directed to ethanol, L‐lactate (>99% optical purity), acetate, and formate. Under fully anerobic conditions, G. thermoglucosidasius M10EXG used a mixed acid fermentation process and exhibited a maximum ethanol yield of 0.38 ± 0.07 mol mol−1 glucose. In silico flux balance modeling demonstrates that lactate and acetate production from G. thermoglucosidasius M10EXG reduces the maximum ethanol yield by approximately threefold, thus indicating that both pathways should be modified to maximize ethanol production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1377–1386. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.