Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports
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Adoption of Crowdfunding by Startup Entrepreneurs in Developing Context: UTAUT Model Application in Sri Lanka
No full textAim: Crowdfunding is a relatively new source of financing that enables an entrepreneur or a startup to obtain capital from many people, often through the Internet. This innovative financing method can democratize access to capital, allowing entrepreneurs in developing nations to bypass traditional gatekeepers and connect directly with potential investors or supporters. The appeal of crowdfunding for startup entrepreneurs in developing countries lies in its ability to democratize access to capital, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and connecting directly with potential investors or supporters. Despite its potential, the adoption and effectiveness of crowdfunding in developing countries like Sri Lanka are not yet fully understood. The objective of this research is to identify and analyze the key determinants of crowdfunding adoption intentions among Sri Lankan startup entrepreneurs.
Design: Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model used to develop conceptual framework of the study. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions and perceived risk included as the variables. The target population of this study was the individual startup entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. 384 startup entrepreneurs were selected based on the industry they belong; including technology, agriculture, manufacturing and services. Multiple regression analysis used to test the hypotheses.
Findings: Out of 384, a disproportionate split exists between males and females as startup entrepreneurs. The overwhelming majority, 93% (n=357), were male, and 7% (n=27) were female. The largest group (41.1%, n = 158) described their ventures as early, focusing on product development or market validation. This was followed by 32% (n = 123) in the idea stage, 20.1% (n = 77) in the growth stage, and 6.8% (n = 26) in the scaling stage. E-commerce dominates the sample, representing 51.8% (n = 199) of the startups. Interestingly, 53.1% (n = 204) have considered but not used crowdfunding, while 33.6% (n = 129) have used it. Among the predictors, effort expectancy emerges as the strongest predictor (β = 0.301, t = 6.638, p < 0.001), followed by facilitating conditions (β = 0.285, t = 7.295, p < 0.001), performance expectancy (β = 0.261, t = 6.383, p < 0.001), and social Influence (β = 0.151, t = 3.536, p < 0.001).
Implication: Given the strong influence of effort expectancy, platform developers should prioritise user-friendly interfaces and simplified processes. Policymakers can use these insights to develop supportive regulatory frameworks that enhance the facilitating conditions for crowdfunding adoption.
Limitation and Future Research Suggestions: The findings can potentially be urban-biased and may not be generalisable to the Sri Lankan entrepreneurial ecosystem. Deeper insights could be obtained from research incorporating qualitative methods on entrepreneurs\u27 decision-making process. A deeper understanding of cultural influences would be gained through cross-cultural studies that compare crowdfunding adoption factors in different developing economies
Proteins: The Ingenious Workhorse Molecules
No full textProteins are the most common macromolecules in humans. Proteins are formed from amino acid units following the template of the genetic code in the protein coding regions of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). It has protean structure and function throughout the human body.
The amino acid sequence of a protein constitutes its fundamental or (primary) structure. Proteins\u27 secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures are determined by their basic structure, which represents non-covalent protein folds containing domains and motifs. Protein post-translational modification adds chemical groups to one or more amino acid units, diversifying protein structure and activities. These dictate protein characteristics and activities. Protein structure is studied via x-ray crystallography and magnetic resonance imaging. There are various bioinformatics websites and online databases that focus on proteins, protein domains, motifs, and folds, as well as their identification, annotation, classification, and structural alignment. This paper presents amino acid composition, structure, classification, physicochemical properties, domains and folds and motifs of proteins. It also explains the synthesis, post translational modification and other related characteristics of proteins. Research into proteins has aided the understanding of the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in humans such as cancer, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. It has also led to the discovery of drug targets and disease biomarkers. This overview aims to increase these readers\u27 understanding of proteins by deconstructing some of the most common protein-related subjects and titles. It has provided both classical and contemporary knowledge on the subject. This shall be of immense benefits to early career researchers and both undergraduate and post graduate students of molecular biology, biochemistry other life sciences and even non-life science disciplines
Comparative Analysis of Oilfield Chemical Operations Using Deterministic and Stochastic Models
No full textEfficient management of oilfield chemical operations is paramount for enhancing production, minimizing risks, and maximizing profitability in the oil and gas industry. This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of deterministic and stochastic modeling techniques to optimize oilfield chemical operations. Focusing on demulsifying and matrix acidizing operations in Nigeria, the research employed deterministic (Critical Path Method - CPM) and stochastic (Program Evaluation and Review Technique - PERT) models for analysis. Results demonstrate the deterministic model\u27s ability to provide precise completion time estimates, while the stochastic model factors in uncertainties and variability, yielding slightly different but more flexible completion time predictions. Both models identify the Critical Path, yet the stochastic model offers probabilistic estimates, enhancing risk assessment and mitigation capabilities. Despite potentially longer completion times, the stochastic model emerges as the preferred option due to its adaptive approach and ability to incorporate uncertainties, ultimately improving project planning and risk management in oilfield operations. This study contributes to advancing optimization strategies in the industry, providing decision-makers with evidence-based insights to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. By understanding the strengths and limitations of both modeling techniques, project managers can leverage the probabilistic insights offered by stochastic models to optimize project outcomes and effectively manage uncertainties in oilfield operations, contributing to improved operational efficiency, cost reduction, and enhanced productivity in the oil and gas industry
Autophagy: A Critical Review of Cellular Homeostasis and Pathophysiology
No full textAutophagy, a conserved cellular process, is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis by degrading and recycling damaged organelles and misfolded proteins. It has garnered significant attention due to its dual role in health and disease. This review explores the mechanisms of autophagy, its regulation, and its implications in various physiological and pathological contexts, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and immunity. Further research is essential to unravel the complexities of autophagy, particularly regarding its role in different tissues and organs under various physiological and pathological conditions. As we move forward, the integration of cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches will be key to translating our understanding of autophagy into effective clinical interventions that can be tailored to individual patient needs
Assessing Financial Literacy among Teachers in Flora District, Philippines
No full textPurpose: This study explores the level of financial literacy, financial behavior, and teaching performance of elementary teachers in the Flora District. It aims to understand how teachers\u27 financial knowledge and practices affect their professional capabilities and overall effectiveness in education.
Methods: The study employed a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach, utilizing a structured self-administered questionnaire to gather data from elementary teachers in the Flora District. The instrument encompassed various sections, including socio-demographic data, financial literacy assessment, and teaching performance metrics. Complete enumeration of all elementary teachers in the district was conducted to ensure reliable data collection.
Results and Discussion: A high level of financial literacy among respondents, with a mean score reflecting above-average knowledge in savings, budgeting, and credit management. Teaching performance ratings indicated that most teachers fell into the "Very Satisfactory" category. There is a statistically significant relationship between teachers\u27 financial literacy and specific aspects of their financial behavior, although financial literacy showed no significant correlation with overall teaching performance. This study aimed to assess the levels of financial literacy, financial behavior, and teaching performance of elementary teachers in the Flora District. The findings indicate that the teachers possess a solid understanding of financial principles and demonstrate positive financial behaviors, including regular expense tracking and a proactive approach towards saving. The analysis reveals that while most teachers have demonstrated commendable financial literacy, certain areas such as investment and budgeting require further attention. The positive correlation between financial literacy and responsible financial behavior emphasizes the need for continuous financial education, which can significantly enhance their overall financial decision-making processes.
Conclusions: The study showcased a very satisfactory level of teaching performance among the teachers surveyed. However, the relationship between financial literacy and teaching performance was not statistically significant, suggesting that while financial knowledge is crucial, teaching efficacy may depend on various other factors, including pedagogical skills and classroom management. Considering these findings, it is recommended that targeted professional development programs focusing on financial literacy be implemented. Such programs should not only enhance teachers’ personal financial management skills but also equip them with the tools to impart financial knowledge to their students effectively, thereby fostering a more financially literate generation. By investing in the financial education of teachers, we can create a ripple effect that benefits not only the educators themselves but also their students and the wider community. Future research could expand beyond the Flora District to assess financial literacy and behavior among educators in different contexts, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of these relationships
Study of Incidence of Hypertension in Type II Diabetes and It’s Correlation
No full textAims: to evaluate the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients and the incidence of hypertension at the Indonesian Christian University Hospital from 2020-2022.
Study Design: The design used in this study was analytical and observational. The approach is cross-sectional, data collection uses medical records of patients registered at the Indonesian Christian University RSU in 2020-2022.
Place and Duration of Study: The location of data collection was carried out at the Christian University RSU Indonesia which will be held in May 2024.
Methodology: The population in this study were all diabetes mellitus patients with either outpatient or inpatient status hospitalized at the Indonesian Christian University General Hospital 2020–2022, while samples were taken using a total sampling technique with a total sample of 112 patients. Data collection took the form of secondary data, namely medical records of T2DM patients at the Indonesian Christian University General Hospital for the period 2020-2022.
Results: The results showed that 80.4% of patients suffered from T2DM, while 19.6% did not suffer from DM. The highest prevalence of hypertension patients was in grade 1 hypertension, which was 63.4%. In addition, the age group ≥ 66 years has the highest prevalence of hypertension at 40,7%, and female gender dominates with 66,3% of hypertensive patients. Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test showed a significant relationship between T2DM and hypertension (p = 0.000). However, 71,4% of the T2DM patient group experienced more hypertension than Non-DM patients.
Conclusion: Based on these results, although there is a statistical relationship between T2DM and the incidence of hypertension, age, and gender factors still have a significant effect on the prevalence of hypertension. That indicates the need for further monitoring of high-risk patients with hypertension, especially among T2DM patients
Analysis of Chronic Tonsillitis: A Case Study
No full textBackground: Tonsillitis is the third most infectious ear, nose, and throat disease after rhinopharyngitis and otitis. Tonsillitis can have local or general complications. Tonsillitis is a health problem in society because of its incidence, frequency, and many socioeconomic impacts. Tonsillitis and its complications are important pathologies in ENT. Tonsillitis occurs in most cases in children and young adults, especially between the ages of 20 and 30 years, with a slight predominance in women. Case Report: The patient is a 20-year-old female who came to the ENT Polyclinic at Jakarta Harbor Hospital complaining of difficulty swallowing for two months. Complaints are felt continuously, such as discomfort when swallowing, increased difficulty swallowing, pain when swallowing, and decreased appetite. Complaints worsen and recur when the patient drinks cold drinks such as ice. The patient complained that he was often restless while sleeping, so the patient often woke up at night. Patients complain that they often experience shortness of breath and are more comfortable when breathing through their mouths. Complaints of fever were felt to have been intermittent for the previous two months, the last fever was two days before his arrival at the polyclinic with a measured temperature of 38.9℃. Fever occurs two times a week. The patient recovered and was stable after treatment in the form of analgesic therapy through the administration of ibuprofen or paracetamol, corticosteroid therapy through administration of a dose of corticosteroid as an anti-inflammatory, 3x1 prednisone tablet for three days, mouthwash therapy via antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine or benzydamine can reduce complaints of sore throat and improve symptoms; antibiotic therapy by administering oral Amoxicillin 50 mg/kg BW once a day or 25 mg/kg BW twice a day for ten days, first-generation cephalosporins such as cephalexin (orally 20 mg/kg BW twice a day) and cefadroxil (orally 30 mg/kg BW once a day) given for ten days, Clindamycin orally 7mg/kg BW, three times a day, Azithromycin orally 12 mg/kg BW once a day, Oral clarithromycin 7.5 mg/kg BW two times a day
Intelligent Applications and Practical Research of GPT-4o in Self-Guided Tour Route Planning
No full textThe rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed the tourism industry, particularly in self-guided tour planning. This study explores the application of GPT-4o, an advanced AI model, in designing intelligent and adaptive travel itineraries. Traditional itinerary planning faces several challenges, including time-consuming research, lack of flexibility, and overwhelming information overload. AI-powered solutions, particularly GPT-4o, offer a transformative alternative by integrating real-time data analysis, multimodal processing, and personalized recommendations to enhance self-guided travel experiences.
This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for AI-driven itinerary generation, detailing the integration of GPT-4o with travel APIs (Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Booking.com, and real-time transport data) to optimize route planning dynamically. A case study in Kyoto, Japan was conducted, comparing AI-generated itineraries with human-crafted travel plans across four distinct traveler personas: budget traveler, cultural explorer, food enthusiast, and adventure seeker. The results highlight GPT-4o’s efficiency, adaptability, and personalization capabilities, while also acknowledging limitations in local cultural insights and spontaneous human decision-making.
Future prospects of AI-driven tourism are explored, including the integration of AR/VR previews, smart city applications, and AI-based crowd management to enhance sustainable tourism practices. Ethical concerns, such as data privacy, algorithmic biases, and AI’s impact on travel spontaneity, are also discussed. The findings indicate that GPT-4o significantly improves travel planning efficiency and adaptability, positioning AI as a cornerstone for the next generation of smart tourism
Next Generation Fleet Fuel Fraud Prevention: Application of CAR PAY Framework
No full textThe global fuel card market size is valued at USD 690.48 billion and is expected to keep growing at the annual compounded rate of 9.8 percent between 2023 and 2030. Growth is expected by a direct relational increase in the adoption of fuel fleet cards to manage vehicle expenses such as servicing, fueling, upkeep, and others. There are a lot of points and fraudulent threats to this traditional approach of using fuel cards, such as stolen cards and the cost of physical cards that create ambiguity and significant delays in fleet operations. In this research paper, the noble approach of leveraging vehicles as authenticators instead of physical cards to connect directly with merchants, specifically fuel stations, was discussed. Major banks use KYC (i.e., Know Your Customer) for every card payment, and the idea behind this approach is to use the car as a payment solution to pay merchants for fuel. The physical card business accounts for USD 400 million annually in North America alone. Additionally, 18 percent of fleet managers report lost/stolen cards, and unauthorized purchases also account for 12 percent of total fuel expenses in the fleets that are handled poorly. The ultimate goal of the paper is to demonstrate a noble “CAR PAY” approach to replacing the use of physical cards as fuel cards. The discovery of the CAR PAY solution at TransFleet Logistics showcases the notable operational, financial, and regulatory benefits of switching from physical fuel cards to vehicle-based authentication. The return on investment for the system was 9.3 months, but this could vary according to the size of the fleet and the willingness of the organization to embrace change. On the basis of the research study analysis of CAY PAY implementation across different fleet sizes, it was estimated that the breakeven timeline is approximately 3.1 months for large fleets over 200 vehicles, 3.9 months for med- sized fleets between 50 to 200 vehicles, and 5.5 months for small fleets between 10 to 50 vehicles. It was observed that the time spent at the fuel station during the transactions was significantly reduced by 37 percent from an average of 4.8 minutes to 3 minutes per event of fueling. The efficiency gains trans- late to 28 hours per annum for traditional small fleet operations
Characteristics of Patients with a Diagnosis of Herniated Nucleus Pulposus
No full textHerniated nucleus pulposus is a disorder in which the spinal disc moves and protrudes, pressing on the spinal nerves. It can occur in several places, including the back of the neck, upper back, and lower back. According to PERDOSSI (Indonesian Neurologists Association), findings show that 819 people (18.37%) suffer from HNP. LBP is 18% common in Indonesia, according to the Ministry of Health. Herniated Nucleus Pulposus is still largely unknown, which causes people to start treatment late and accelerates the progression of the disease. This study was conducted to identify the profile of patients with herniated nucleus pulposus. The design of this study was a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study by examining the medical records of patients at the Indonesian Christian University General Hospital for the period January 2018 to January 2022. In this study, there were 71 patients as samples. The results of this study showed that 52 female patients (73.2%) and 18 male patients (25.3%). The dominant age group was 61-70 years old with a total of 26 patients (37.1%). It was found that the patients with the most jobs were housewives with a total of 32 patients (45.7%). The classification of HNP based on the location of the lesion was dominated by patients with a diagnosis of Lumbar HNP, with a total of 51 patients (72.9%). The body mass index of patients was dominated by patients who had a BMI of 25-29.9 (Obesity I) with a total of 26 patients (37.1%). The history of trauma in this study was less with a total of 7 patients (10%). Patients with smoking habits in this study were more numerous than patients who did not smoke with a total of 36 people (51.4%). it can be concluded the following: 1) Women are more at risk of HNP than men; 2) The age group of 61-70 years is more at risk of HNP; 3) Body Mass Index Value of 25-29.9 (Obesity I) is more at risk of HNP than other values; 4) Housewives are more at risk of HNP than other types of work; 5) The most common location of HNP is lumbar HNP; 6) HNP incidents are more frequent with non-trauma history; 7) Smoking can increase the risk of HNP