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Assessment of benefits and challenges: Gender analysis of REDD+ pilot sites, Cross River State, Nigeria
Get PDFClimate change impacts and its associated injustice have been identified as one of the major challenges to the actualization of gender livelihood and resilience, particularly among vulnerable groups in rural areas. This study assessed genders’ benefits and challenges distribution measures in REDD+ (Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+) pilot sites in Cross River State, Nigeria. The assessment adopted the sustainable livelihood approach of the REDD+ pilot sites (Afi Mbe, Ekuri, and Mangrove). Data were proportionately collected from selected 204 respondents at gender disaggregated levels using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS Window (version 25). The Z-proportion test showed the existence of unequal benefit sharing that skewed in favour of men (livestock production (67%), livelihood enhancement (70%), distribution of seedlings to plants (100%), and distribution of REDD+ shirts (100%), among others. The challenges encountered, particularly for women, ranged from a lower percentage of accessibility (22%), participation (13%), benefits sharing (6%), no idea about the REDD+ (92%), no benefits from the REDD+ (90%), and no knowledge about the REDD+ (95%), among others, were statistically significant at p = 0.005. The benefit sharing of REDD+ projects, which formed the basis of fair distribution with few challenges, was statistically significant at the 95% level. Independent z-test (p < 0.005) showed that men benefited (livestock production, livelihood enhancement, distribution of seedlings to plant, and distribution of REDD+ shirts) more from the REDD+ project than women. This indicates that the project has been mundaned and considered as men’s affairs, while gender mainstreaming during the designing and implementation of the programs has been neglected. Infrastructure, employment, and alternative livelihoods, among others, were promising institutional frameworks that indicated gender resilience in the study area. The study recommends adoption of strategies that would circumvent both existing and future challenges for successive initiatives programs such as REDD+, particularly for women
Environmental finance under ESG: A literature review and synthesis
Get PDFThis paper aims to review the literature on ESG (environment, social, and governance) finance based on the Scopus database and synthesize the review. Three advantages of embracing ESG in corporate finance are identified based on the literature reviewed. First, this positively influences financial investment decisions; second, it can leverage advancements in technology and innovations; and third, it can create proactive risk management. Overall, it is still believed and conceptually accepted that integrating ESG criteria within the investment decision-making process brings a consolidated approach to the investment strategy, aligning social and environmental benefits with financial returns and driving positive performance and shareholder value in the long run
FIKR (Facet, Insight, Knowledge, and Resilience) personality profile for employee development: Literature emphasizes personality characteristic evaluation
Get PDFThis short note aims to review all the available literature using the keywords ‘Employee Development’ in the Scopus database and identify the personality traits that are supported by the FIKR (Facet, Insight, Knowledge, and Resilience) personality profiling assessment. Our research on 21 May 2024 involved a comprehensive search using the Scopus database and the keywords ‘Employee Development’ in the article title. We meticulously analyzed the bibliometric data using VOSviewer, a tool that generates clear graphical representations of bibliometric maps, to ensure the comprehensiveness and accuracy of our findings. This rigorous approach enhances the credibility of our research. A total of 1366 papers were reached using the Scopus database search, which had high relevancy. Based on the visualization of the paper network confirming the main research themes, from 1932 to 2024, there were 115 items, separating into six clusters. In the first cluster, ‘Knowledge Management’ was found. Interestingly, the only personality trait highlighted was ‘self-concept’ in the second cluster. Therefore, the present study highlights knowledge as an important FIKR personality profiling assessment. At the same time, ‘self-conceptual,’ one of the 20 PTs in the Humanology FIKR personality profiling inventory, is well-supported in the literature on employee development in an organization. The literature review provides a rationale for supporting and highlighting the use of knowledge and self-conceptual traits, among other things, under the FIKR personality profiling assessment in an organization’s employee development
Analysis of gender and institutional level of arrangement in REDD+ pilot sites, Cross River State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study assessed genders’ institutional level of arrangement in REDD+ pilot sites, Cross River State, Nigeria. Data were collected through literature and policy document review and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The total number of 270 documents with three, Level 1: Non-substantive inclusion, Level 2: Superficial inclusion and Level 3: Integrated inclusion. The gender were classified as Men and Women for the search engine. The results showed that only 95 of the 270 REDD+ related documents mentioned gender (representing 51% of the total documents). Nearly half of the texts that include the crucial phrases were categorized at Level 1, which means that gender concerns were not material. Regardless of how it is seen, the meager inclusion of gender mainstreaming discussion can only be found in Level 3. This 7% translated to only 12 out of the 270 documents which truly and fully understood the gender mainstreaming ideas. The study concluded that communities’ policy interventions such as REDD+ still exhibit non-compliance of gender mainstreaming and institutional level of arrangement, therefore, this study recommend that “sincerity” of gender mainstreaming from the government and other stakeholders is a panacea for the success of any climate change adaptation programme such as REDD+
Factors that influence choice of residence by urban informal settlement dwellers in an intermediate city: A case study of Enugu, Nigeria
Get PDFThe consequences of urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa are poverty, insecurity, and the growth of informal settlements. These settlements are characterized by overcrowding, tenure insecurity, a lack of basic services and amenities, and many other deprivations. The current study looks at the social and environmental problems faced by residents and the factors responsible for their choice to reside in an informal settlement in Enugu using the survey research method. Primary and secondary data were utilized in the study. Whereas the former source includes a structured questionnaire and observations, the latter source comprises relevant literature. A total of 111 questionnaires were distributed to household heads in five selected informal settlements in Enugu. The data set was collated and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Principal component analysis was used to classify and determine the factors influencing the choice to reside in an informal settlement. The study revealed that six factors influence the choice of residence in informal settlements: government/political influence, social integration/services, housing/employment, infrastructure accessibility, livelihood costs and security/economy. The factors accounted for 72.11 percent of the factors influencing the choice to reside in an informal settlement. The major social challenges faced by residents are gambling, drug abuse, and overcrowding. The study recommends that low-cost housing that is affordable should be provided for the low-income group that characterizes informal settlements in Enugu metropolis
A review of different structures of power amplifiers to improve linearity and efficiency
Get PDFThis review paper presents a comprehensive study of commonly used power amplifier (PA) structures. In recent years, with the development of modern wireless telecommunications and their dramatic challenges, new requirements are needed. In addition, some applications, like cell phones and tablets, for example, need new considerations, especially in terms of power consumption. Also, linearity is another major factor in designing a PA. Furthermore, fabrication technologies such as complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS), silicon on insulators (SOI), gallium nitride (GaN), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc. play a crucial role in terms of power consumption. Therefore, it is necessary for PAs to meet these considerations. This paper reviews design considerations, fabrication technologies, and common PA structures, including envelope tracking (ET), envelope elimination and restoration (EER), Doherty, linear amplification with nonlinear components (LINC), feedback, and feedforward linearization techniques with their pros and cons. This review focuses on the significant achievements, techniques, structures, and characteristics of each. Also, this review focuses on the significant achievements, techniques, structures, and characteristics of each. Also, this paper tries to provide a brief overview of the various methods with the advantages and disadvantages of each. This review paper tries to make readers familiar with common structures so that readers know the advantages and disadvantages of each and choose the desired structure based on their priorities
AI and machine learning applications in wearable health devices
Get PDFBy enabling real-time monitoring, early diagnosis, and tailored therapies, wearable health technology combining artificial intelligence and machine learning has transformed healthcare. Wearables combine Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) using algorithms to monitor vital signs, including heart rate, blood glucose levels, and oxygen saturation. This enables predictive insights into health conditions, maximizes therapies, and supports remote healthcare options. Even if their potential use is rather high, data privacy, model generalization, regulatory validation, and accessibility remain issues. Generative artificial intelligence and federated learning both help privacy and performance. Predictive modeling, AR/VR, and blockchain technology will drive wearable health devices forward. Artificial intelligence-powered wearables impact world health since they provide competitively priced, scalable solutions for poor populations. By means of overcoming obstacles, multidisciplinary teamwork provides fair, safe, and changing healthcare service
Impact of CSE and THC on the Respiratory System Mucosa: Insights on Novel Experimental Models
No full textThe significant role of tobacco smoking as a primary risk factor for respiratory diseases has been extensively substantiated. In addition, cannabis use has been linked to persistent respiratory symptoms and numerous lung disorders in several case studies. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active principle in all cannabis products, exerts its effects by binding to cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors and, to a lesser extent, cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptors, which are differentially expressed in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as other anatomical systems, including the respiratory one. Research conducted to date has enabled a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved in cigarette smoking and its role in the development of chronic respiratory conditions. Recent investigations have also postulated that smoking cannabis may increase the risk of airway obstruction. This review focuses on fully understanding the impact of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and THC on the human respiratory mucosa by using a methodological approach to assess the administration techniques and experimental models used in this field. Traditional single-layer cell cultures are a cost-effective research solution. However, they fail to replicate the complex structure and function of human organs microenvironments in vivo. Therefore, after analysing various experimental models proposed in the literature, we concluded that the three-dimensional ex vivo culture model could be considered the most suitable one for studying the effects of CSE and THC on the respiratory mucosa
Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Promotes Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Induced Apoptosis in Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Leukemia Cells by Regulating the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway
No full textBackground: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been used as first-line therapy drugs for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemia, although some patients develop drug resistance. The present study investigates the role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in Ph+ leukemia cells treated with TKIs. Methods: K562 and Ku812 leukemia cells were treated with TKIs (imatinib or dasatinib) and GSK3 inhibitors (SB216763 and lithium chloride). The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was employed to evaluate cell viability, while cell apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptotic proteins was assessed using Western blot. The expressions of GSK3α and GSK3β in K562 cells were knocked down using lentivirus plasmids. TOP/FOP flash assay was performed to detect the transcriptional activity of Wnt/β-catenin. Results: SB216763 and lithium chloride increased cell viability and decreased cell apoptosis induced by imatinib (IM) and dasatinib (DA) in K562 and Ku812 cells. Knockdown of GSK3α and GSK3β inhibited apoptosis and promoted the viability of K562 cells induced by TKIs. Knockdown of GSK3α and GSK3β also reversed the decrease in TOP/FOP ratio induced by IM and DA. Conclusion: GSK3 promotes TKI-induced apoptosis in Ph+ leukemia cells, and may be related to the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. GSK3α and GSK3β were both involved in Ph+ leukemia, indicating that GSK3 is a tumor suppressor
CLEC3B Inhibits Invasion and Metastasis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating Cellular Inflammation, DNA Damage and Cell Cycle
No full textBackground: Many malignancies are associated with C-Type Lectin Domain Family 3 Member B (CLEC3B), but the mechanism by which it affects esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells is unclear. This study will investigate the changes of CLEC3 on invasion, migration, and cell cycle of ESCC. The effect of CLEC3 on the growth of Besophageal squamous cell carcinoma was also verified through transplanted tumors. Methods: Differences in CLEC3B expression were explored by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR (real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction). Effects of overexpression of CLEC3B on ESCC cell behavior were observed in vitro. ESCC cells were divided into ov-NC (negative control) and ov-CLEC3B groups. The effect of CLEC3B on the proliferative activity and invasive metastasis of ESCC cells was investigated. The transcriptome of human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells-30 (KYSE-30) was sequenced. The molecular mechanism of CLEC3B action on ESCC cells was verified by ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry and western blot. The effect of CLEC3B overexpression on ESCC growth was measured in vitro. BALB/c nude mice were injected with adenovirus in subcutaneous tumor xenograft experiments. The size and weight of xenograft tumors were measured. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect ki67. CLEC3B expression was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Results: CLEC3B expression was decreased in ESCC tissues and cells compared to normal tissues and cells. Esophageal cancer cells overexpressing CLEC3B showed reduced proliferative activity, metastasis and invasive ability. Overexpression of CLEC3B increased the level of inflammation in esophageal cancer cells, exacerbated the degree of DNA damage, resulting in cell cycle halt in the G1 phase. Possible pathways through which CLEC3B exerts these effects include the MAPK (Mitogen-activated protein kinases) pathway, NOD-like receptors pathway and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-B) pathway. Overexpression of CLEC3B inhibited the proliferation of subcutaneous xenograft tumors and increased the expression of CLEC3B. Conclusions: CLEC3B suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell growth, invasion, and metastasis by raising inflammation, increasing cellular DNA damage, and triggering cell cycle arrest