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AbstractDue to the increasing need for food security across the world, it has become urgent to develop a combination of different agricultural inputs that can enhance higher crop productivity under plant growth limiting environment. Thus, the effects of a cellulose decomposing bacterium (Geobacillus stearothermophilus SSK-2018), humic acid, and wheat straw were evaluated on the growth of Cucurbita pepo L. (squash) under an arid land condition during a two-year (2020 and 2021) field trials. Laboratory analysis revealed that G. stearothermophilus SSK-2018 was a gram-positive bacterium capable of promoting plant growth by producing indole-3-acetic acid as well as enzymatic activities including cellulase, amylase, protease, gelatinase, and phosphatase. Consequently, the inoculation of SSK-2018 significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) squash’s fresh stem, leaf, and root weights by 14.70%, 18.63% and 11.13%, respectively, compared to the uninoculated control. Humic acid significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased fresh stem, leaf, and root weights by 78.78%, 62.5% and 63.74%, respectively, compared to the control. Wheat straw also significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) fresh stem, leaf, and root weights by 52.68%, 30.32% and 42.30%, respectively, compared to the control. Furthermore, the combinations of the treatments, including humic acid and straw, SSK-2018 and straw, and humic acid, SSK-2018 and straw, significantly increased the growth of squash. Soil properties including bulk density, moisture content, and basic cations were also significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved by humic acid, SSK-2018 and wheat straw. This study suggests that like NPK, bio-organic treatments including SSK-2018, humic acid and straw, can equally improve plant’s fresh stem, leaf, and root weights as well as soil’s bulk density, moisture content, and basic cations (K+, Ca2+, Na+, and Mg2+). Therefore, the present study recommends the continuous use of bio-organic amendments to achieve a sustainable improvement in plant growth and soil properties under arid land conditions. However, the continuous use of soil bio-organic amendments should be regularly monitored for potential increase in greenhouse gas emissions that may be at par with that of N fertilizers.

The importance of inorganic fertilizers in squash crop productivity is enormous. However, the continuous use of inorganic fertilizers constitutes a serious problem to the environment and human health due to nitrate accumulation. Thus, two seasons (2020 and 2021) of field trials were carried out to investigate the effects of bio-organic amendments on squash under arid land conditions in Saudi Arabia. The bio-organic amendments were comprised of humic acid (HA) at three levels (0, 50 and 100 L/ha), inoculation of a cellulose-decomposing bacterium (CDB; Geobacillus stearothermophilus SSK-2018) and wheat straw at four levels (0, 20 and 30 t/ha and NPK 20:20:20 at 600 kg/ha as a positive control). A randomized split-split plot design replicated three times was used in laying out the field trials. The independent application of HA, CDB and wheat straw significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved squash growth, yield and water-use efficiency in both seasons. Furthermore, HA significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced fruits’ nitrate content. HA (100 L/ha) reduced nitrate content in squash fruits by 87% and 71.6% compared to the control in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The application of 20 t/ha of wheat straw significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced nitrate accumulation in fruits compared to the positive control (NPK) by 5.9% and 13.6% in 2019/20 and 2020/21, respectively. Regression analysis shows that increased nitrate accumulation in fruits results in decreased squash growth and fruit yield. This study demonstrates the significance of bio-organic amendments in improving squash growth and yield while reducing nitrate accumulation in fruits.

Salinity impedes soil and crop productivity in over 900 million ha of arable lands worldwide due to the excessive accumulation of salt (NaCl). To utilize saline soils in agriculture, halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) are commonly cultivated. However, most food crops are glycophytes (salt-sensitive). Thus, to enhance the productivity of saline soils, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) as well as bio-organic (combined use of organic materials, such as compost and straw with the inoculation of beneficial microbes) amendments have been continuously recognized to improve the biological, physical and chemical properties of saline soils. CaSO4·2H2O regulates the exchange of sodium (Na+) for calcium (Ca2+) on the clay surfaces, thereby increasing the Ca2+/Na+ ratio in the soil solution. Intracellularly, Ca2+ also promotes a higher K+/Na+ ratio. Simultaneously, gypsum furnishes crops with sulfur (S) for enhanced growth and yield through the increased production of phytohormones, amino acids, glutathione and osmoprotectants, which are vital elicitors in plants’ responses to salinity stress. Likewise, bio-organic amendments improve the organic matter and carbon content, nutrient cycling, porosity, water holding capacity, soil enzyme activities and biodiversity in saline soils. Overall, the integrated application of gypsum and bio-organic amendments in cultivating glycophytes and halophytes is a highly promising strategy in enhancing the productivity of saline soils.

Background. Global nursing shortages have led to the recruitment of culturally and linguistically diverse nurses from various countries. However, nurses face integration challenges in their host countries. Objective. This systematic review aimed to find the most recent evidence of factors associated with integrational strategies and models to support the transition and adaptation of culturally and linguistically diverse nurses to the professional workforce in healthcare settings. Methods. This systematic review used the population, exposure, outcome framework to select studies according to JBI guidelines. Original peer‐reviewed quantitative studies published between 2000 and 2021 were identified. Two researchers independently screened the studies based on eligibility criteria using title, abstract, and full text. The JBI critical appraisal tool assessed the methodology's quality for analytical cross‐sectional studies. Data were extracted, tabulated, and analysed narratively. PRISMA checklist was used in reporting. Data Sources. CINAHL (Ebsco), PubMed, Medic, ERIC (ProQuest), and Scopus. Results. The systematic review encompassed 19 articles and identified multiple factors associated with successful integration. These factors were classified into the following six categories: sociodemographic characteristics, discrimination, social support, organisational support, workplace environment, and acculturation. Conclusions. Comprehensive cultural competency training for healthcare staff, including managers, enhances cultural proficiency in work environments. Clear guidelines addressing bias and discrimination create a supportive environment where culturally and linguistically diverse nurses feel valued and respected, facilitating their adaptation and integration. Relevance to Clinical Practice. Patient care quality can be improved by ensuring sustainable culturally and linguistically diverse nurses' integration into healthcare organisations. Cultural diversity is a unique opportunity to bring a diverse range and experience to clinical settings. The diversity can also help enhance the cultural competence of healthcare staff, allowing them to better understand and cater to the needs of culturally diverse patients. Patient or Public Contribution. Not required for study design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa oleifera and Musa sapientum are ethno-medicinal plants, while 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a] anthracene is a carcinogen. This study evaluated anticancer potentials of MOF6 (extracted from Moringa oleifera leaves) and MSF1 (extracted from Musa sapientum suckers) in 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mutagenesis in rats. Forty-five adult male rats were randomly divided into 9 groups (n = 5). Group 1 was Control. Groups 2 - 6 received single intra-peritoneal administration of 15 mg/Kg bodyweight of Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene on Day 1. Groups 3 - 6 were post-treated with 15 and 30 mg/Kg bodyweight MOF6 (Days 15 - 56), 10 mg/Kg bodyweight MSF1 (Days 15-56) and Doxorubicin/Cisplatin-dose (Days 15 - 29) respectively. Groups 7 - 9 received only MOF6-doses and MSF1-dose respectively. Doses of 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and extracts were administered orally. Skin histo-pathology (Haematoxylin and Eosin), thiobarbituric acid assay of Malondialdehyde (in Liver homogenates), and ELISA concentrations of sera TNFα and Liver homogenates' p53 were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed (p≤0.05). Histopathological evaluations showed normal skin histology in Groups 1, 4, 8 and 9. Significant skin histo-alteration was observed in Group 2. Mild skin histo-alterations were observed in Groups 5 and 6. Statistical analyses showed decreased levels of TNF-alpha, Malondialdehyde and p53 in Groups 3 - 9 compared with Group 2. Overall, MOF6 and MSF1 ameliorated 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced skin histo-pathology, inflammation, hepatic oxidative stress and mutagenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Inadequate care within Tanzania’s primary health system contributes to thousands of preventable maternal and child deaths, and unwanted pregnancies each year. A key contributor is lack of coordination between three primary healthcare actors: public sector Community Health Workers (CHWs) and health facilities, and private sector Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs). The Afya-Tek program aims to improve the continuity of care amongst these actors in Kibaha district, through a mobile-application based digital referral system that focuses on improving maternal, child and adolescent health. The digital system called Afya-Tek was co-created with users and beneficiaries, and utilises open-source technology in-line with existing government systems. The system guides healthcare actors with individualised decision support during client visits and recommends accurate next steps (education, treatment, or referral). From July 2020 to June 2023, a total of 241,000 individuals were enrolled in the Afya-Tek program covering 7,557 pregnant women, 6,582 postpartum women, 45,900 children, and 25,700 adolescents. CHWs have conducted a total of 626,000 home visits to provide health services, including screening clients for danger signs. This has resulted in 38,100 referrals to health facilities and 24,300 linkages to ADDOs. At the ADDO level, 48,552 clients self-presented; 33% of children with pneumonia symptoms received Amoxicillin; 34% of children with diarrhoea symptoms received ORS and zinc; and 4,203 referrals were made to nearest health facilities. Adolescents preferred services at ADDOs as a result of increased perceived privacy and confidentiality. In total, 89% of all referrals were attended by health facilities. As the first digital health program in Tanzania to demonstrate the linkage among public and private sector primary healthcare actors, Afya-Tek holds promise to improve maternal, child and adolescent health as well as for scale-up and sustainability, through incorporation of other disease conditions and integration with government’s Unified Community System (UCS).

Investigation on organic xenobiotics bioaccumulation/biodegradation in green algae is of great importance from environmental point of view because widespread distribution of these compounds in agricultural areas has become one of the major problems in aquatic ecosystem. Temperature, light intensity, amount and type of nutrients, amount of CO2, and pH are the key factors influencing algal growth. Collections of Wastewater Samples were done according standard method. BG-11 media was prepared for culture of microalgae. Identification and isolation of microalgae was done according standard method and haemocytometer were used for microalgae cell counting. The results indicated that temperature and photoperiod affect the activities of microalgae; temperature at 25°C provide with 12:12h light/dark photoperiods show more significant with increases the number of days for both of the species as well as mixed culture, when compared with the treatments at temperature of 10°C provide with 6/18h light/dark photoperiods. Furthermore, Chlorogonium sp. and Chlorella sorokiniana showed more response during treatments in increase with the number of weeks when compared with Microcystis earuginosa and mixed culture of the species. Therefore, temperature and photoperiod impacts potentials of microalgae in the remediation of wastewater effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waltheria indica Linn. root (WILR) is a multipurpose medicinal plant with abundance of phytochemical compounds. The optimal solvents for extraction of a particular bioactive compound depends not only on the yield of the compound but also on the toxic effect of the solvent used. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate solvent fractions of WILR in male Wistar rats. Three doses (200, 500, or 1000 µg/kg BW) of hexane, dichlorometh ane and ethyl acetate solvent fractions of WILR were used. Male Wistar rats (n=5) were administered with 200, 500, or 1000 µg/kg of hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate soluble extracts of WILR, while control received distilled water, daily for 15 days. The rats were thereafter sacrificed, blood samples were collected and serum separated. Haematological serum biochemical parameters were determined according to standard procedure. The result showed nonsignificant effect on relative organ weight and haematological parameters while the serum ALT was significantly increased by administration of hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate soluble extracts of WILR. Blood Urea Nitrogen was also increased significantly (p < 0.05) at 200 and 500 µg/kg of hexane and dichloromethane respectively. The ethyl acetate and hexane fraction also caused severe periportal cellular infiltration in the liver while the hexane fraction caused glomerular necrosis. The hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate soluble extracts of (WILR) have adverse effect on the integrity liver and kidney. Hence, these extracts should be used with caution in patient with hepatic and renal impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of inorganic fertilizers in squash crop productivity is enormous. However, the continuous use of inorganic fertilizers constitutes a serious problem to the environment and human health due to nitrate accumulation. Thus, two seasons (2020 and 2021) of field trials were carried out to investigate the effects of bio-organic amendments on squash under arid land conditions in Saudi Arabia. The bio-organic amendments were comprised of humic acid (HA) at three levels (0, 50 and 100 L/ha), inoculation of a cellulose-decomposing bacterium (CDB; Geobacillus stearothermophilus SSK-2018) and wheat straw at four levels (0, 20 and 30 t/ha and NPK 20:20:20 at 600 kg/ha as a positive control). A randomized split-split plot design replicated three times was used in laying out the field trials. The independent application of HA, CDB and wheat straw significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved squash growth, yield and water-use efficiency in both seasons. Furthermore, HA significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced fruits' nitrate content. HA (100 L/ha) reduced nitrate content in squash fruits by 87% and 71.6% compared to the control in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The application of 20 t/ha of wheat straw significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced nitrate accumulation in fruits compared to the positive control (NPK) by 5.9% and 13.6% in 2019/20 and 2020/21, respectively. Regression analysis shows that increased nitrate accumulation in fruits results in decreased squash growth and fruit yield. This study demonstrates the significance of bio-organic amendments in improving squash growth and yield while reducing nitrate accumulation in fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewage disposal has become a major ecological problem in metropolitan areas and semiurban communities, with effluents from both residential and industrial activities discharged directly into water bodies, constituting a major cause of water pollution. Twelve mesocosms were set up, each receiving approximately 15 liters of water containing algae. Weekly sampling for physical chemical parameters, phytoplankton biomass, and biochemical components was done for four weeks. The results revealed that 41 species of phytoplankton were identified throughout the course of four weeks, and that pH remained around neutral levels, with increases in dissolved oxygen (DO) as the number of weeks increased. Furthermore, the physico-chemical indicators showed a decrease with an increase in the number of weeks (total dissolved solids, 70.50 %, nitrate 97.44 %, phosphorus 100%, ammonium 92.26%, potassium 91.35%, zinc 96.52%, manganese 98.63%, iron 92.90%, copper 97.56%, nickel 98.66%). While biological components such as fat, glucose, and protein had increased with number of days. These findings prove mesocosm as the optimum and cost-efficient method of wastewater treatment for enterprises before the release of effluents into water bodies that eventually join rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of an empirical analysis of the determinants of e-business activity across a sample of 26 developed countries and 52 emerging markets. Several 'e-readiness' indicators predict actual e-business activity, including Internet infrastructure, computer infrastructure, affordable telephone service, literacy rates, English language capabilities, and logistics infrastructure. No support was found for a linkage between e-business and institutional factors (i.e., country risk, economic freedom, and transparency) or payment infrastructure. Moreover, evidence of path dependence suggests that sustainable first-mover advantages are conveyed upon early adopters of Internet technologies. Important regional differences also exist, with Asia leading other emerging markets and Eastern Europe lagging. Finally, analysis of a subsample of countries suggests that entrepreneurship rates drive e-business activity. The results document the persistence of the global digital divide and support a broad view of e-readiness, whereby a country's e-business activity depends not only upon information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure but also upon human capital and logistics infrastructure. The absence of a link between institutional factors and e-business suggests that e-business arises not only when supporting economic institutions exist but also as a means of overcoming inadequate institutional conditions. Index Terms--Determinants of e-business activity, digital divide, e-business policy for countries, e-commerce issues, emerging markets, entrepreneurship and e-business, models of e-commerce usage, statistical analysis of e-commerce parameters.

The nature of disruptive and sustaining technologies is sufficiently different to require different activities for the commercialization of these technology categories. Few theorists have developed conceptual schemes about the different methods of commercializing these technologies. The authors take the first steps in investigating these differences by contrasting firms that commercialize disruptive technologies with those that commercialize sustaining technologies. They reveal major differences and analyze these in terms of four major commercialization components: product realization, revenue generation, research support, and market potential. Several hypotheses regarding size of the firm, its financial risk profile, and its R&D strategy are utilized. Index Terms--Disruptive technology, technology commercialization, technology management factor analysis.

Abstract Aim(s) To describe nurse leaders' perceptions of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) nurses' competence‐based management. Design A descriptive qualitative study of the competence‐based management of CALD nurses, from the perspectives of nurse leaders in three primary and specialised medical care organisations. This study followed the COREQ guidelines. Methods Qualitative semi‐structured individual interviews were conducted with 13 nurse leaders. Eligible interviewees were required to have management experience, and experience of working with or recruiting CALD nurses. Data were collected during November 2021–March 2022. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Results Competence‐based management was explored in terms of competence identification and assessment of CALD nurses, aspects which constrain and enable competence sharing with them, and aspects which support their continuous competence development. Competencies are identified during the recruitment process, and assessment is based primarily on feedback. Organisations' openness to external collaboration and work rotation supports competence sharing, as does mentoring. Nurse leaders have a key role in continuous competence development as they organise tailored induction and training, and can indirectly reinforce nurses' work commitment and wellbeing. Conclusion(s) Strategic competence‐based management would enable all organisational competencies potential to be utilised more productively. Competence sharing is a key process for the successful integration of CALD nurses. Relevance to Clinical Practice The results of this study can be utilised to develop and standardise competence‐based management in healthcare organisations. For nursing management, it is important to recognise and value nurses' competence. Impact The role of CALD nurses in the healthcare workforce is growing, and there is little research into the competence‐based management of such nurses. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.

Introduction: The economic importance of Nigerian local dogs as pet, for security, food and research cannot be over emphasized. The study aims to determine the effect of daytime on vital parameters of Nigerian local dogs. Methods: Five healthy local puppies weighing 2-4kg, comprising of both sexes, aged five months were used for the study. Rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded from each puppy every 2 hours [from 06:00h to 18:00h (GMT+1)]. Results: The highest value of RT, HR and RR were recorded at 18:00h with values of 37.6 ± 0.2°C, 48.3 ± 2.5 cycles/minute and 118.9 ± 3.9 breaths/minute, respectively while their respective lower values were recorded at 12:00h, 6:00h and 16:00h. The study did not show a clear diurnal variation especially in RT and HR values, but there was slight diurnal variation in RR. Further work of measuring the thermal environment parameters of ambient temperature and relative humidity can be conducted in order to observe their effects on other physiological parameters of the Nigerian local dog. Significance: The study did not show a clear diurnal variation especially in RT and HR values, but there was slight diurnal variation in RR. Further work of measuring the thermal environment parameters of ambient temperature and relative humidity can be conducted in order to observe their effects on other physiological parameters of the Nigerian local dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the terrestrial ecosystems component in Kano, Nigeria. The study employed direct digitization using latest Google Earth Image (version 10.3) and National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) land use map of the state. Simple descriptive statistics was also used to evaluate units of ecosystems indentified. The results revealed 16 ecosystems of land units within Kano terrestrial ecosystems. Mapping of the study area also revealed anthropogenic cultivation ecosystem Major category of 18,542km2 representing 89% while aquatic ecosystem covered a total 506 km² with altitude elevation of 480above the sea level (a.s.l.). Shelterbelts and wind breaks were 458 - 498 a.s.l. with >100 approximate number of patches. Results were discussed and concluded as Kano ecosystem land use attributes revealed an interdependence of units with major terrestrial and minor aquatic ecosystems with the serious anthropogenic interferences which result in systemic loss of valuable units of ecosystems, ecosystem services and biodiversity components. Therefore, government should embark on mass awareness campaign on proper land use and sustainable environmental policies framework in the state should be enacted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with two interrelated issues: technology commercialization and information technologies. The two are intertwined by the fact that 1) information technologies are a major contributor to new innovations that are commercialized and 2) information technologies can be used to facilitate the commercialization of all technologies. This paper explores the research questions that arise from these two issues and recommends a set of research questions that need to be answered by researchers. It also introduces the five papers that make up this special issue on information technologies and technology commercialization. Index Terms - Information technologies, technology commercialization, technology transfer.

Several acts of Congress and the resulting agency implementing orders have been designed to encourage entrepreneurial start-ups based on public-sector technology derived from federal laboratory research. In response, many of the federal laboratories have instituted programs to stimulate the entrepreneurial act. Few, if any, of these programs, which commit substantial resources, are implemented using formal methods to predict the likelihood of associated individuals' becoming successful entrepreneurs. A previous paper revealed significant differences in attitudes and perceptions of situational variables between inventors at federal laboratories and successful laboratory spin-off entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study is to develop an experimental technique that, if validated by future longitudinal surveys, could facilitate the prediction of the successful entrepreneurial act. If such a technique can be established, resources could be devoted to those predicted entrepreneurs. Using inventors employed at the national laboratories and laboratory spin-off entrepreneurs as samples, this paper investigates the possibility of building a model based on individual inventors' attitudinal, situational, and personal characteristics that, if valid, could be used to ascertain the likelihood that such inventors may become entrepreneurs. Laboratory inventors are identified by the issuance of a patent or pending patents for their work. Inventors who have previously left the laboratories to start their own companies were also identified, and both groups were surveyed. The predictions resulting from the application of this technique suggest that few inventors are likely to become entrepreneurs unless attitudes and supportive mechanisms are dramatically changed. Index Terms - Commercialization of technology, public-sector technology, technological entrepreneurship.

For more than 14 years, public law and policy have been advanced by Congress and policy makers intent on exploiting technology sponsored by the public sector. Efforts by Congress, such [...]

While there is little doubt that advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) radically change the nature of firms that adopt it, the difficulty of quantifying this change and attaching a monetary figure to it makes financial justification difficult. The majority of the researchers in the field subscribe to the idea of using a pattern of feasibility assessments and cost/benefit analyses to justify the conversion to AMT. But there are many difficulties in modeling the behavior of the proposed system and evaluating its costs and benefits, especially those of a strategic and long-term nature. This paper introduces the design of a decision support system (DSS) which helps the strategic planner in evaluating the effect of AMT on the performance of an organization and determining the parameters which affect the costs and benefits of such a system. The proposed DSS involves analysis and quantification of costs and benefits through the use of interacting accounting, simulation, and optimization modules. It enables the decision maker to perform sensitivity analyses by allowing consideration of various scenarios and different levels of various inputs. In this DSS, the decision maker is able to combine either traditional accounting techniques or activity-based costing with simulation and optimization in order to arrive at a decision as to the level of investment to make in an AMT system.

Welding fumes are composed of fine and ultrafine particles, which when it gained access to the body system either via inhalation or as food or water contaminants can elicit various haematological and biochemical changes. In order to determine the haematological changes elicited by welding fumes and it's mitigation by ascorbic acid, a total of fifteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (A, B and C) of five animals per group. Group A served as the control while group B were kept in enclosed welding environment for adequate inhalation of the welding fume. Group C were equally kept in the enclosed welding environment but were daily orally administered 100mg of ascorbic acid for two weeks. At the end of two weeks of exposure, blood samples were obtained for haematological analyses. It was observed that exposure to the welding fumes predisposes the rats to macrocytic hypochromic anaemia and stress with evidence of neutrophilia and lymphopenia. These observed haematological perturbations were reversed by ascorbic acid back similar to that of the control group. It can be concluded that haematological perturbation induced by welding fume can be mitigated effectively by ascorbic acid without any deleterious effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrolytes are of great importance in cell metabolism because they are important cofactors or coenzymes needed for normal functioning of cells. The disturbances of these electrolytes result in changes of cell pH and acid base balance. In order to determine the electrolytes changes following feed and water deprivation in male rats, a total of ten (n=10) male albino rats weighing (152 ± 3.50)g housed in metallic cage were used for this study. The rats were deprived of feed and water consecutively for six days. On the third and sixth days blood samples were obtained for electrolytes studies in the plasma and in the erythrocytes. There were significant increases (P<0.05) in plasma sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations in comparison to the basal parameters while significant decreases (P<0.05) in erythrocytes sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations in comparison to the basal parameters were observed. It can be concluded that deprivation of male albino rats of food and water for six consecutive days resulted in perturbation, stress, dehydration and redistribution of electrolytes in various compartments of the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background: Healthcare outcomes in child, adolescent and maternal in Tanzania are poor, and mostly characterised by fragmentary service provision. In order to address this weakness, digital technologies are sought to be integrated in the milieu of health as they present vast opportunities especially in the ability to improve health information management and coordination. Prior to the design and implementation of the Afya-Tek digital intervention, formative research was carried out to ensure that the solution meets the needs of the users. The formative research aimed to examine: the burden of disease and related health seeking behaviour; workflow procedures and challenges experiencing healthcare actors; adolescent health and health seeking behaviour; and lastly examine technological literacy and perceptions on the use of digital technologies in healthcare delivery. This paper therefore, presents findings from the formative research. Methods: The study employed exploratory design grounded in a qualitative approach. In-depth interview, focus group discussion, participant observation and documentary review methods were used for collecting data at different levels. The analysis was done thematically, whereby meaning was deduced behind the words which the participants used. Results: Findings suggest that the perceived burden of diseases and health seeking behaviour differ across age and social group. Multiple work-related challenges, such as lack of proper mechanism to track referrals and patient’s information were noted across healthcare actors. There was a keen interest in the use of technologies shown by all study participants to improve care coordination and health outcomes among health system actors. Participants shared their views on how they envision the digital system working. Conclusion: The formative research provided insightful background information with regard to the study objectives. The findings are used for informing the subsequent phases of the co-development and implementation of the Afya-Tek digital health intervention; with a view to making it relevant to the needs of those who will use it in the future. As such, the findings have to a large extent met the purpose of the current study by envisaging the best ways to design digital intervention tailored to meet the needs of those who will be using it.

Discusses importance of academic planning and describes a model-based decision support system for academic units in a university hierarchy. This system integrates macro-level decisions by examining individual departments' budgets to determine future plans. Quantitative techniques for forecasting change are reviewed, including use of spreadsheet software to look at different scenarios. (MBR)

Byline: Suleiman K. Kassicieh, Steven T. Walsh The commercialisation of disruptive technology requires models that are different from ones for sustaining or incremental technologies. In this paper, we define disruptive technologies and discontinuous innovations, contrast their commercialisation with that of incremental technologies and propose a set of models that will enhance the success of commercialising disruptive technologies. These models are then explained in terms of a suggested plan of action for successful technology transfer activities.

The present paper deals with the mean time to failure and cost benefit comparison between dissimilar network flow systems. Five probabilistic models are discussed. It is assumed that failure and repair time of all units are assumed to be exponentially distributed. Explicit expressions for the mean time to failure are derived, examined and compared. The configurations are ranked based on their mean time to failure (MTTF). Numerical results for the mean time to failure and cost/benefit measure have been obtained for all configurations, where the benefit is mean time to failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the impact of the Iran-Iraq War on the neighboring countries and MNCs that conduct business in the region. It identifies the political pressures exerted on the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates) and discusses the changes that these countries undertook to guard against the possible spillover of military and revolutionary operations. Sales, investments, and contracts in these countries were statistically tested for significant effects on MNCs. This article also explains the historical roots of the Iran-Iraq War and the underlying political risks faced by governments in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the effects of the recent developments in Iran--namely, the Iranian Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War--on the activities of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the Arab oil-producing countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. The level of sales, contracts, and investments by MNCs reflect the perceived spill-over effect of revolution and war and therefore the perceived increase in the risk of losses due to political instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]