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Traditional Knowledge Evolution over Half of a Century: Local Herbal Resources and Their Changes in the Upper Susa Valley of Northwest Italy
Get PDFSusa Valley, located in the Italian Western Alps, has served as a meeting point for cultural, spiritual, and commercial exchange for a long period of history. The valley’s role as one of the main connecting routes between south and southwestern Europe resulted in its acquisition of a rich traditional ecological knowledge. However, like other Italian mountainous valleys, this valley has suffered from abandonment and depopulation in the past 50 years. Our study aims to investigate the current ethnobotanical medicinal knowledge in the valley and to compare our findings with a study conducted over 50 years ago in the same area. In 2018, we conducted 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews on medicinal plants and food-medicines used in the Susa Valley. We documented 36 species, of which 21 species were used for medical purposes and 15 species were used as food-medicine. The comparison with the previous study on medicinal herbs conducted in 1970 in the valley demonstrated a significant decrease in both the knowledge and use of medicinal plants, which could be attributed to socioeconomic, cultural, and possibly environmental changes that occurred in the past half-century. Our study highlights several promising species for future use as nutraceuticals, food, and medicinal products, such as Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica, and Artemisia genipi
Mechanistic QSAR analysis to predict the binding affinity of diverse heterocycles as selective cannabinoid 2 receptor inhibitor
Get PDFCB2R are fascinating targets for neuropathic pain and mood disorders because of their improved biological characteristics. Experimental data on 1296 cannabinoid-2 receptor inhibitors with different structural properties were used to develop a QSAR model following OECD guidelines. This study selected the best-predicted model (80:20 splitting ratio) with fitting parameters, such as R2:0.78; F:623.6, Internal validation parameters, such as Q2Loo:0.78; CCCcv: 0.87 and external validation parameters, such as R2ext:0.77; Q2F1:0.7730; Q2F2:0.7730; Q2F3:0.76; CCCext:0.87. Following this, another QSAR model was developed by using a 50:50 split ratio for thetraining and the prediction sets, which were then swapped to evaluate the robustness of the built QSAR model by the 50:50 ratio, which also gives a deeper understanding of the chemical space. In addition, we have confirmed the QSAR result with pharmacophore modelling, and supported by molecular docking, MD simulation, MMGBSA and ADME studies. Thus, this work may enable cannabinoid 2 receptor inhibsitor development
The Effects of Ecology-Oriented Instruction on Enhancing EFL Learner’s Writing Competence
Get PDFThe twenty-first century has witnessed an unprecedented pace of environmental issues with catastrophic consequences. Accordingly, an increasing number of initiatives have been seized to solve ecological problems in cooperation. In this regard, integrating eco-friendly practices into EFL classes has received considerable attention globally. However, the effects of ecology-oriented writing instruction have not been explored thoroughly in the Iraq context. Thus, this study was carried out to fill this gap in the literature with 30 EFL learners who studied at a language preparatory school of a private university in the spring semester of the 2022-2023 Academic Year in Erbil. Participants, whose ages were between 18 and 24, were chosen through the convenience sampling method. The study lasted eight weeks when data were gathered via writing exams and interviews in this explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design study. Control group students were exposed to traditional instruction, while experimental group students’ lessons were enriched by ecology-oriented writing topics. The in-depth analysis was performed through SPSS 27 and NVivo. The former revealed that experimental group students increased their writing competence more substantially than the control group students. Likewise, interview findings unearthed that students’ awareness about ecological problems increased dramatically in the experimental group, while the difference was not significant in the control group. The findings of this study may drive authorized bodies to integrate eco-friendly approaches into academic writing lessons on a global scale
The Students’ Perception towards the Use of Icebreakers, Warmers, and Energizers in EFL Classrooms: A Tertiary Study
Get PDFThis study examines first-year students’ perceptions in the English Language Teaching Department at Tishk International University regarding using icebreakers, warmers, and energizers in the classroom. The research aims to assess the effectiveness of these activities in enhancing student engagement and participation, as well as their impact on the overall learning experience. The study contributes valuable insights into the practical applicability of these techniques in an educational setting. Additionally, the positive perceptions of the students underscore the potential of these activities in establishing a favorable and comfortable learning environment. Data were collected through surveys and interviews, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. For the quantitative aspect, 32 participants (10 males & 22 females) were surveyed, while the qualitative segment involved interviews with 10 students (five males & five females) at Tishk International University. The study’s results indicate that the overwhelming majority of students hold a positive perception of the use of these activities. They view them as beneficial for creating a relaxed and comfortable learning atmosphere, fostering interaction and collaboration among classmates, and boosting motivation and interest in the language. The study suggests that incorporating these activities into EFL classrooms can significantly enhance the overall student learning experience and contribute to a more dynamic and interactive classroom environment. The findings are consistent with existing literature in the field
Attitudes towards induced abortion among gynecologists in Kurdistan region of Iraq
Get PDFBackground
Unsafe abortion is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in countries where induced abortion is restricted. In Kurdistan Region of Iraq, induced abortion is strictly forbidden except for life-threatening situations, increasing the risk of seeking unsafe abortions. Attitudes among healthcare professionals who directly encounter cases and consequences of induced abortion can be studied to improve women’s access to safe abortion. This study aimed to examine attitudes towards induced abortion among gynecologists in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Methods
This cross-sectional facility-based study was conducted in the first quarter of 2022 in Kurdistan Region of Iraq in the cities of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok. Convenient sampling was used to invite 330 gynecologists to participate, with 171 ultimately completing the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 53%. Questionaries using the Taylor and Whitehead abortion attitude scale were sent in person or digitally. The data was then analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests to determine the independence of attitudes and associations between attitudes and sociodemographic factors.
Results
Among 171 gynecologists, 25% of the gynecologists agreed that induced abortion is unacceptable under any circumstances. Most (71%) disagreed that a woman has the right to choose to have an induced abortion. Around 51% considered induced abortion murder, and 41% agreed that induced abortion goes against all morals. Around 57% disagreed with the legalization of induced abortion, while 43% agreed. Gynecologists who were unmarried (P = 0.025), under the age of 40 (P = 0.044), and with less than 10 years of clinical experience (P = 0.043) were more likely to support the legalization of induced abortion in Kurdistan Region. None of the variables was found to be independently associated with attitudes towards abortion legalization.
Conclusions
Despite some younger gynecologists having more favorable attitudes towards induced abortion, most gynecologists in Kurdistan Region had less favorable views. Most gynecologists were willing to provide post-abortion care regardless of their legal status. We recommend conducting more studies to investigate the consequences of current abortion legislation among women in need of induced abortion in Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Paradigm Shift in Gastric Cancer Prevention: Harnessing the Potential of Aristolochia olivieri Extract
Get PDFGastric cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, is a significant global health concern. Environmental risk factors, such as Helicobacter pylori infection and diet, play a role in its development. This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition and evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antitumor activities of an Aristolochia olivieri Colleg. ex Boiss. Leaves’ methanolic extract (AOME). Additionally, morphological changes in gastric cancer cell lines were analyzed. AOME was analyzed using HPLC-MS/MS, and its antibacterial activity against H. pylori was assessed using the broth microdilution method. MIC and MBC values were determined, and positive and negative controls were included in the evaluation. Anticancer effects were assessed through in vitro experiments using AGS, KATO-III, and SNU-1 cancer cell lines. The morphological changes were examined through SEM and TEM analyses. AOME contained several compounds, including caffeic acid, rutin, and hyperoside. The extract displayed significant antimicrobial effects against H. pylori, with consistent MIC and MBC values of 3.70 ± 0.09 mg/mL. AOME reduced cell viability in all gastric cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Morphological analyses revealed significant ultrastructural changes in all tumor cell lines, suggesting the occurrence of cellular apoptosis. This study demonstrated that AOME possesses antimicrobial activity against H. pylori and potent antineoplastic properties in gastric cancer cell lines. AOME holds promise as a natural resource for innovative nutraceutical approaches in gastric cancer management. Further research and in vivo studies are warranted to validate its potential clinical applications
Keeping their own and integrating the other: medicinal plant use among Ormurs and Pathans in South Waziristan, Pakistan
Get PDFackground
In multicultural societies, traditional knowledge among minorities faces several challenges. Minority groups often face difficult situations living in specific peripheral geographies and striving to retain their biocultural heritage, including medicinal plant knowledge and practices. Folk medicinal plant knowledge is a dynamic eco-cultural complex influenced by various environmental, socio-cultural, and political factors. Examining medicinal plant knowledge among minorities has been an increasingly popular topic in cross-cultural ethnobiology. It also helps understand the dynamics of local/traditional ecological knowledge (LEK/TEK) change within a given community. The current study was designed to investigate the status of medicinal plant knowledge among two linguistic groups, i.e. Ormurs and Pathans, living in a remote valley of West Pakistan.
Methods
We recruited 70 male study participants from the studied groups for semi-structured interviews to record the medicinal plant use of their communities. Data were compared among the two studied communities using the stacked charts employing the presence or absence of data with Past 4.03 and Venn diagrams. Use reports (URs) were counted for each recorded taxon.
Results and Discussion
A total of seventy-four medicinal plants were quoted as used as ethnomedicines by the researched communities. Most of the reported plants were used to treat digestive and liver problems. The cross-cultural comparison revealed a considerable homogeneity of medicinal plant knowledge (the two groups commonly used more than seventy plants); however, comparing uses recorded for the widely utilised medicinal plants showed numerous idiosyncratic uses among Ormurs but very few among Pathans. Ormurs reported a higher number of cultivated, wild, and imported plant uses than did Pathans. These results indicate that, compared to Pathans, the Ormur linguistic minority retain more folk medicinal plant knowledge, which may be explained by the fact that they have incorporated different folk remedies: their “own knowledge” plus that of Pathans, with whom they have lived together for centuries. Moreover, the local plant nomenclature among Ormurs was highly affected by the plant nomenclature of Pathans.
Conclusion
The current study revealed that living together for a few centuries has not implied sharing plant knowledge (as the Pathans do not seem to have learnt from the Ormurs) or, in other words, that plant knowledge exchanges have been unidirectional. The findings show that the Pashto dominant culture may have possibly put pressure on the minority groups and affected local plant-centred cultural practices, as we see in the case of local plant nomenclature hybridisation among Omuri speakers. Hence, it is imperative to employ diverse educational strategies to revitalise the decline of medicinal plant knowledge in the studied communities, especially among Ormurs, who need more attention as they face more challenges than the other group. Locally based strategies should be devised to restore the fading connection with nature, which will be advantageous for revitalising plant knowledge
An Examination of Relevant Market Definition in the Digital Platform under the Nigerian Competition Legal Framework
Get PDFRelevant market definition is key to any determination by the court or competition authority when ascertaining the level of competition in an industry or the likelihood of anti-competition conducts by the players in an industry. Using doctrinal method of research, this paper examines the provision of the Act in line with the peculiar nature of the digital market which operates on zero pricing with no possibility of price increase. The paper finds inter alia that the pricing criterion for relevant market definition does not fit digital market. The theory of harm introduced by the Act as an omnibus criterion for relevant market definition is not either very much helpful. The paper recommends the adoption of a modified Small but Insignificant Non-Transitory Increase in Cost (SSNIC) test. When using this test, the cost should be defined as consumer’s attention that amounts to the 5% to 10 % of the digital content
Effects of A New Recorded Variety of Sumac (rhus Coriaria Var. Zebaria) As Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Composition And Blood Parameters of Common Carp (cyprinus Carpio L.) Juveniles
Get PDFThis experiment aimed to study the effect of dietary supplement of a new variety Sumac fruit powder (Rhus coriaria var. zebaria) with different concentrations on growth performance, serum biochemistry and blood parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) juveniles. A total of 128 fish juveniles with initial weight (39.38± 0.04 g) stocked randomly distributed into 16 tanks (70 L) at a density of 8 fish for each tank. Fish in 16 tanks were treated with experimental diets at three different concentrations (SFP 0.3%, SFP 0.6%, SFP 0.9%) for 10 weeks. Supplementation SFP 0.3% to the diet significantly (P <0.05) improved most of the studied growth performance traits like weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate (SGR %) and final body weight with comparing to other groups. However, the lowest value of these parameters recorded in control group. The significant increases in WBC, lymphocytes and monocytes counts observed in SFP 0.3% group (P <0.05). And dietary SFP 0.6% supplementation, significantly (P < 0.05) increased RBC and Hemoglobin. The SFP 0.3% and SFP 0.6% diet received fish, resulted significant (P <0.05) decreases in glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
Trend Analysis, Modeling And Interpolation of Reference Evapotranspiration Time Series in The Semi Arid Region of Duhok Governorate
Get PDFReference Evapotranspiration (ETo) is one of the most important components of the hydrologic cycle. Its assessment, forecasting, spatial interpolation besides climate change effects on this variable are supportive in applying management techniques to water resources and in determining appropriate adaptation strategies. Hence, this study was initiated to forecast, detect changes and generate surface maps for ETo time series at different time scales. The datasets for this investigation encompassed the input climatic parameters from 12 stations within Duhok governorate for a time span varied from 18 to 20 years for estimating reference evapotranspiration according to penman-Monteith formula. The results indicated that about 17% of stations exhibited increasing trend in annual ET, while the remaining station exhibited significant and non-significant decreasing trends. Spearman rank test Sen’s slope and linear regression analysis offered slopes of similar signs but of different magnitudes. Seasonal ARIMA model denoted as (1, 1, 1)(0, 1, 1)12 was the most appropriate model for predicting monthly ETo time series at more than 90% of study stations. The indicated model predicted the monthly ETo with a reasonable accuracy for the coming 36 months. Further, the results indicated that in general, the IDW and spline schemes method exhibited highest and lowest accuracy in most cases. Judging from several performance indicators, it can be inferred IDW, OK and UK methods yielded comparable results