Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports
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Development of Participatory Training Module on Value-addition of Mango: Empowering Rural Women towards Sustainable Livelihoods
No full textWomen in rural areas play a vital role in agricultural activities. They are involved in various aspects of agricultural production, including main crop production, livestock production, horticulture, post-harvesting operations and agro /social forestry. However, the potential for economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods remains largely untapped. This research paper focuses on developing a participatory training module on the value-addition of mango for rural women. The present study was conducted in Banswara district of Rajasthan, India in 2022-23 and the data were collected in May-June 2022. Training was conducted with a sample of 30 randomly selected rural women from Talwara and Deoliya villages of Banswara Panchayat Samiti. The paper explores the development and effectiveness of the training module in terms of knowledge and skill gain among the respondents. The developed training module was evaluated by a panel of experts and scored high for all the evaluation criteria emphasising the module\u27s robustness and efficacy in equipping the respondents with essential competencies. Result of the paired t-test show that gain in knowledge and skill scores of the respondents before and after exposure to the participatory training module, was highly significant at 1 per cent level of significance. The research contributes to the broader discourse on gender equality, agricultural development, and poverty alleviation, highlighting the transformative potential of empowering rural women through knowledge and skill development in the value-addition of mango
The National Mental Health Act 2021 and Rights of Persons with Mental Illness in Nigeria
No full textThe Mental Health Act 2021 in Nigeria marks a pivotal development in the country\u27s efforts to address the complex challenges surrounding mental health care. This article provided a comprehensive appraisal of the Act, focusing on its challenges and prospect and comparing with the international standard set for mental healthcare. Using the doctrinal research, it offers valuable insights into the current state of mental health governance in Nigeria which is complemented by analytical and comparative research to provide a comprehensive understanding of legal phenomena. Our findings showed that there are crucial provisions of the Act that safeguard the rights of persons with mental illness and enhanced their access to mental health services. These provisions of the Act aligned with international standards. But the Act faces challenges like the effective implementation of the Mental Health Act 2021. Amongst these challenges are inadequate funding, shortage of trained mental health professionals, infrastructure deficiencies, stigma, and cultural barriers to seeking help. Despite these challenges, the Act presents promising prospects for improving mental health care in Nigeria. It provides a legal framework for protecting the rights of individuals with mental illness, promoting community-based care, and integrating mental health services into the broader healthcare system. The research recommendations include increasing funding for mental health services, strengthening the mental health workforce, enhancing infrastructure, combating stigma, fostering multi-sectoral collaboration, and conducting ongoing evaluation and research amongst others
Mastication Meets Medicine: The Evolution of Biodegradable Gum as a Therapeutic Delivery Platform
No full textOver time, the unique characteristics of chewing gum have transformed it into an attractive novel therapeutic delivery system with slow-release mechanisms that serve effective local and systemic action. This review highlights the remarkable opportunity that medicinal chewing gums (MCGs) deposit in drug delivery of different bioactive agents indicated for a variety of therapeutic purposes such as treatment of motion sickness, management of pain, relief of smoking addiction, dental hygiene, gastrointestinal disorders, oral fungal infections, and inflammatory disorders. MCGs provide numerous benefits, including gastric acid and enzyme protection, reduced first-pass metabolism, and increased cognitive function, and are becoming increasingly appealing to consumers for therapeutic use. Currently, the chewing gum industry is under a lot of scrutiny for its contribution to plastic pollution due to its use of synthetic gum bases that are not biodegradable. Consequently, a greater need has emerged for more non-plastic options that provide functionality while still being biodegradable. Innovation possibility -development of natural gum bases to replace synthetic components these biodegradable formulations are eco-friendly and appeal to a growing sustainability-conscious market. This article encourages the implementation of zero-waste technologies and the development of biodegradable gums that remain intact in the mouth during mastication but can be degraded and assimilated by colonic microorganisms after being swallowed. In this way, chewing gum producers can meet the environmental standards of the modern world through advances in knowledge while also best utilizing the potential therapeutic effects of the MCGs
A Study On Gaussian Generalized Edouard Numbers
No full textThis paper examines the properties and applications of Gaussian Generalized Edouard numbers, aiming to enrich the theoretical framework of number sequences. Utilizing analytical and algebraic techniques, we derive novel recurrence relations, sum formulas, and various representations for these sequences. In particular, we establish Binet’s formula, explore generating functions and matrix representations, and present Simson’s formula as an alternative approach. Moreover, we analyze two special cases namely, Gaussian Edouard numbers and Gaussian Edouard-Lucas numbers to emphasize their unique structural characteristics. Our results reveal that these sequences possess distinct combinatorial properties that render them applicable in such as, coding theory. Given the broad applicability of number sequences, it is crucial to differentiate this sequence from others based on its unique attributes. Future research will focus on further investigating its structural uniqueness and exploring additional practical implementations
Glyphosate-Induced Changes in Hematological Indices of Male and Female Wistar Rats
No full textGlyphosate, a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide, is extensively utilized in agricultural and non-agricultural settings for weed management, owing to its cost-effectiveness and potent efficacy. Recent concerns have emerged regarding its adverse impacts on non-target mammalian species, including haematological alterations indicative of systemic toxicity, immunosuppression, and oxidative stress. This study investigated sex-specific and dose-dependent hematotoxin and behavioural effects of glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) in Wistar rats. A total number of 120 rats (60 males, 60 females) was orally administered GBH at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.9 mg/kg over 28 days. The 120 Wistar rats (60 male and 60 female) were divided randomly among twelve plastic cages, with ten rats per cage and six cages per sex. The rats were also divided further into six treatment groups per sex (Groups A–F), with ten animals per group. Experimental treatment was the daily oral intake of a locally used herbicide (Force Up) based on glyphosate with different dosages for 28 subsequent days. Groups A to E were specifically treated with 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9 dosages of diluted glyphosate, respectively, while Group F was the control and was treated with normal saline. All the treatments were given once daily via a cannula in order to investigate the dose-dependent impacts of glyphosate exposure in both male and female rats. Haematological analysis evaluated parameters including erythrocyte (RBC), leukocyte (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (HCT), platelet counts, and erythrocyte indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC). Treated groups exhibited significant reductions in RBC, WBC, Hb, HCT, and platelets, suggesting anaemia, immunosuppression, and potential bone marrow suppression. Elevated MCV and MCH values indicated incipient macrocytic anaemia. Behavioural assays corroborated systemic toxicity, manifesting as lethargy, reduced motor activity, reproductive dysfunction, and mortality at higher doses. Notably, sexually dimorphic responses were observed: females demonstrated heightened reproductive anomalies and alopecic manifestations, while males exhibited pronounced testicular degeneration. These findings underscore GBH’s capacity to induce sex-specific toxicodynamic profiles. The study provides critical evidence of glyphosate’s hematotoxic potential and underscores public health concerns associated with chronic low-dose exposure. It advocates for gender-sensitive toxicological risk assessments and stringent regulatory oversight of herbicide applications
Reducing Anxiety in Left-behind Children: A Study on the Effectiveness of Video Games as a Therapeutic Intervention" in Rural Province of China
No full textPurpose: The study aimed to find out the effect of video games on the level anxiety of school-age children who are left behind by their parents in the rural province of China.
Background: The school-age children who have been left behind are facing a significant increase in vulnerability to anxiety symptoms. The commercial, 3d Video Games have shown potential applications in preventive and therapeutic medicine. The researcher intended to determine the potential benefits of video on the level of anxiety of school-age LBC in the rural province of China.
Methods: A Quantitative research approach, particularly quasi pre-test and post-test design used to carry out the study. Fifty-eight (58) school-age children were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned the twenty-four (24) participants to experimental, twenty-four (24) participants to comparison groups, and ten (10) participants to pilot study thru the fishbowl technique. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was used to assess the levels of anxiety of the two groups before and after treatment.
The MiNi World 3D video games administered to the experimental group for 20 minutes daily in 14 days as an intervention. Whereas the comparison group played the school play activities of grabbing stones and kicking sandboxes for 20 minutes in 14 days as a treatment. Data subjected to the statistical treatment of frequency, percentage, mean score, SD, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Results: All participants or 100% (24=n) of the experimental group were at a low level of the anxiety after treatment. There is no significant difference in the level of anxiety of the comparison group and experiment group in the pretest with a p-value of 0.060. There is a significant difference in the level of anxiety of pretest and post-test of the experimental group with a p-value of <0.0005) after 14 days of the intervention of video games.
Conclusions: The video games of MiNi World (3D Video Games) have a positive effect on the levels of anxiety among school-age children who left behind by their parents in rural province China
Analysis on Determinants of Loan Repayment among Rice Farmers in North-West Agricultural Zone of Benue State, Nigeria
No full textIn developing countries, the role of agricultural credit is closely related to providing the needed resources which farmers cannot source from their own available capital. Little or none of these studies examined the influence of socio-economic factors on loan repayment ability among rice farmers in the North-West agricultural zone of Benue State, Nigeria. This study is therefore intended to fill the existing gaps through investigating factors affecting loan repayment of rice farmers in the study area, as well as ascertaining which of these factors significantly influence loan repayment in the study area. Several reasons have been advanced for low repayment ability among farmers in less developed countries (LDC). Reasons have ranged from deliberate refusal to pay by some farmers to non-repayment of loans arising from loss of income due to the devastating effects of crop failure and ill health. This study investigated the determinants of loan repayment by rice farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. The study focused on analysing socio-economic characteristics, loan performance, credit adequacy and the key factors affecting repayment: describe the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, assess the factors that affect loan repayment among rice farmers, examine the level of loan repayment performance and ascertain the credit adequacy of the respondents in the study area. The study was conducted in the North-West agricultural zone of Benue State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire from 424 randomly selected rice farmers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, credit adequacy ratio (CAR), loan repayment index (LRI) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). Data covering socio-economic characteristics such as age, farm size, farming experience with credit use, amount of loan obtained, amount of loan repaid, income earned, etc., were elicited from respondents through the use of a well-structured questionnaire. Results showed that males were dominant (75.47%) in rice production, and the majority (42.45%) were between 41-50 years, with most (48.35%) farmers accessing loans exclusively from informal sources. Also, the result found that the majority (76.65%) of the sampled rice farmers indulged in loan diversion to family uses. Loan performance indices estimated showed that only 25.94% of the borrowed amount was repaid as due. This repayment rate is significantly below optimal levels, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the existing loan mechanism. This situation indicated a low repayment performance of the farmers in the study area. Empirical results from regression analysis showed that the sex of the respondents, loan from other sources, collateral value, amount of money borrowed and total income of the farmers were the significant factors that influenced loan repayment. It was concluded that low repayment limited effective loan administration in the study area. It was recommended that regular monitoring by lenders should be heightened to ensure prompt repayment
Artificial Intelligence in Digital Learning Platforms in Education: Impact, Benefits, Limitations and Future Prospects
No full textEducation is experiencing a major shift driven by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital learning systems. AI is reshaping the way learners receive personalized instruction, how assessments are conducted, and how administrative tasks are managed. Meanwhile, digital platforms are making learning more accessible, flexible, and inclusive for diverse groups of students. This paper investigates the effects of AI and digital education tools on modern learning environments, outlining their key advantages, potential challenges, and future prospects. Grounded in current technological trends and scholarly research, this study presents a new outlook on how these innovations are transforming both teaching methods and educational experiences
Quality Management Practices and Curriculum Compliance of Public Elementary School Teachers
No full textThis study aimed to determine the significant relationship between quality management practices and curriculum compliance among public elementary school teachers. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, with a sample of 183 public elementary school teachers from Caraga North District, Division of Davao Oriental, Philippines. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires and analyzed using mean, standard deviation (SD), Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple linear regression. The findings revealed that both quality management practices and curriculum compliance were at very extensive levels. Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between quality management practices and curriculum compliance. Further analysis identified that the domains of quality management practices significantly influence curriculum compliance. Based on these findings, it is recommended that school administrators enhance leadership development, strengthen teacher training programs, and implement structured monitoring mechanisms to sustain curriculum compliance. Improving these management practices may further ensure that public elementary schools maintain high educational standards and meet institutional and national requirements
The Travel and Tour Business in Ghana: Perspectives, Prospects, Barriers
No full textOver the past six decades, travel and tourism have experienced continued expansion and diversification, becoming one of the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors in the world. The travel and tour facets of the tourism industry are still undergoing development in Ghana. Nonetheless, little research attention has been given to the prospects, challenges and barriers to business growth of the sector. The purpose of this paper is to assess the travel and tourism business in Ghana to identify its perspectives, prospects, barriers and success factors. The study relied on descriptive research design and a qualitative research approach where data were gathered from 20 managers of travel and tour agencies in Accra and Kumasi through semi-structured interviews. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the results by developing similarities in the responses to form the basis of the findings. The study is based on certain theoretical foundations, including the Institutional Theory and Theory of Change. The Institutional Theory assumes that firms require best practices, policies and strategies to succeed when there are new waves and changes in the business environment. The Theory of Change emphasises that traditionally, firms in the industry plan, design, and market tourism products and services for tourists and travellers to purchase. Nonetheless, current trends have caused significant changes in how tourism and hospitality products and services are accessed by travellers and tourists. The study showed that conventional business models of travel and tour businesses still revolve around travel arrangements (airline ticketing, hotel reservation, visa assistance, etc.). Nonetheless, the study observed that some travel and tour firms have added car rentals as part of their core business models as a means of diversifying the revenue generation streams. The study also showed that key prospects for business growth in the travel and tour sector include: new digital marketing streams, new markets such as travel and work abroad and the emergence of new destinations in Middle Eastern countries. Major challenges that undermine the growth of the travel and tourism business include: the emergence of armchair tourism, a lack of a technologically savvy workforce and an unfavourable macroeconomic environment. Balancing demand and supply in current times requires firms in the industry to build strategic partnerships and support. The study recommended that firms collaborate and build partnerships to ensure business continuity. Partnership in this context will enhance the flow of supply to service providers, thereby ensuring continuous performance. Again, a strategic partnership between airlines and travel and tour companies will ensure a consistent flow of clients, which in turn will boost business continuity