Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports
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A Review on the Description, Biology, Chemistry, Insecticidal Activities and Economic Importance of Zanthoxylumarmatum(Timur)
No full textZanthoxylumarmatumDc, also known as "Timur" or "Toothache tree," is a medicinal plant from the Rutaceae family that is native to the subtropical areas of the Himalayas and South-East Asia. It is highly valued for its cultural, economic, and medicinal significance in its native regions, particularly in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China. This detailed review sinks into the botanical characteristics, reproductive biology, chemistry, insecticidal activities and the economic importance of its medicinal and culinary applications. This versatile plant has garnered attention due to its essential oils, alkaloids, and other bioactive compounds, which have displayed pharmacological effects, making it valuable for traditional medicine, culinary uses, and agroforestry systems. Insecticidal properties are demonstrated by the natural bioactive compounds of Zanthoxylumarmatum (Rutaceae). The essential oil extracted from the twigs of this plant was discovered to have strong insecticidal properties against Lasiodermaserricorne and Triboliumcastaneum, two stored-product insects. The review thoroughly examines the description, biological traits, chemical makeup,insecticidal activities and economic importance of Zanthoxylumarmatum, emphasizing its potential for sustainable cultivation and preservation
Loan Performance for Commercial Banks’ Sustainability: A Systematic Review Following PRISMA Guidelines
No full textThe loan performance of commercial banks serves as a critical barometer of financial stability and economic health. This paper conducts a systematic review of existing literature on loan performance, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The objective is to synthesize findings from various studies to identify key determinants of loan performance, methodologies employed, and gaps in current research. The review focuses on studies published in top Scopus-indexed journals, ensuring the inclusion of high-quality, peer-reviewed research. Findings reveal that macroeconomic conditions, bank-specific characteristics, and regulatory environments significantly influence loan performance. Additionally, the review underscores the need for more robust methodologies and exploration of under-researched regions. This paper offers valuable insights for policymakers, bank managers, and researchers aiming to enhance loan performance and overall financial stability
Economic Barriers to the Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture in Tharaka-Nithi County of Kenya
No full textThe ballooning world human population, coupled with challenges of climate change, have extensively compromised global food security and sufficiency. This has led to unsustainable intensification of agricultural activities in an effort to meet this growing demand for food. This has in turn resulted to the degradation of natural ecosystems that support agriculture and to social economic challenges such as a rise in unemployment and poverty levels. The adoption of sustainable agriculture however has the potential to mitigate this situation. However, dopting sustainable agriculture faces numerous handles among them some economic factors facing the farmers. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the economic factors that affect the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by the small scale farmers in Tharaka - Nithi county of Kenya. It was a descriptive survey where data was collected from the residents using semi structured questionnaires and interview schedules. Secondary data was collected from journal articles, dissertations, thesis, books and conference papers. It was organized and analysed using SPSS version 24. The study revealed that economic factors such as lack of access to credit, high cost of farm inputs, low returns on the farm produce, inefficient markets for the produce and land rights dynamics affected the adoption of sustainable agriculture by the farmers in this area
Comparative Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Massage on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in Amateur Athletes in the University of Port Harcourt
No full textAim: This study investigated the comparative effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and massage on delayed onset muscular soreness at the University of Port Harcourt.
Methods: This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design to examine the comparative effects of TENS and massage on delayed onset muscular soreness amongst 40 amateur athletes (twenty males and twenty females) within the ages of 20 to 22, whose heights were within 1.58 to 1.62 meters and weight of 60 to 65 kilograms. They were classified into 3 groups whose biceps muscle were subjected to eccentric exercises to exhaustion. Treatment modalities were administered and their effects monitored 2 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours post- exercise respectively. Numerical Pain Rating Scale was used to assess variations in soreness. Data were collected through documented evidence as well as questionnaires and were subjected to mean, standard deviation, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis.
Results: The results indicate that massage is more effective than TENS in the treatment of DOMS from the comparative analysis.
Conclusion: The study concluded that massage is more effective than transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in managing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), as it promotes blood flow that helps repair damaged muscle fibers. Massage was recommended for reducing inflammation and aiding recovery by decreasing the active range of motion, while TENS was suggested specifically for alleviating pain and the inflammatory response linked to DOMS
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Candida Species Isolated from HIV Patients with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Niamey Republic of Niger
No full textAims: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent fungal infection. This study aimed to identify the Candida species causing VVC in HIV-positive women in Niamey, Niger Republic, and assess their susceptibility to antifungal treatments.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Three tertiary care hospitals of HIV management in Niamey, Niger, from March 2023 to April 2024.
Methodology: It is a Cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at Department of Microbiology, Nassarawa State University, Keffi, and tree tertiary hospitals of HIV management in Niamey, Niger, from March 2023 to April 2024. A standardised questionnaire was administered to each participant to gather data on patient demographics and clinical manifestations. Vaginal swabs from 333 women infected with HIV were cultured, and Candida species were isolated and identified using chromatic TM candida and Vitek Antifungal susceptibility testing was done using Vitek 2.
Results: The prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was 26.12% (n=87) among women living with HIV. The main Candida species isolated were C. albicans (31.03%; n=27), followed by C. krusei (21.83%; n=19), C. glabrata (18.39%; n=16), C. tropicalis (9.19%; n=8), and C. guilliermondii (8.16%; n=3). Most isolates were sensitive to voriconazole (98.61%), micafungin (95.83%), caspofungin, and amphotericin B (91.66%). However, isolates showed lower sensitivity to fluconazole (81.94%) and flucytosine (70.83%). C. glabrata and C. krusei were highly resistant to fluconazole and flucytosine.
Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence of VVC among HIV-positive women in Niamey, Niger, with C. albicans being the most common. Most Candida species were resistant to fluconazole and flucytosine. Overall, this study provided insights for enhancing the management and treatment of VVC in Niger Republic. Therefore, there is a need for routine susceptibility testing, targeted health education, and tailored interventions
Morphological, Elemental and Optical, Properties of Sphalerite Nanoparticle (ZnS) Doped with Neem Leaf Extract
No full textThis study investigated the properties of undoped Sphalerite nanoparticles and Neem leaf extract doped Sphalerite nanoparticles. The Sphalerite nanoparticle were prepared by ball milling technique and was doped with the Neem leaf extract using Doctors Blades method. The Morphological, elemental and optical properties of the nanoparticles were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersed X-ray analysis (EDX), and UV spectrophotometer respectively. The SEM micrograph revealed significant change in the morphological structure of the Sphalerite nanaoparticle from being coarse, densely packed, well-formed flakes with uneven edged crystalline-structured to coarse, dispersed, grain-like crystalline structure after doping with Neem leaf extract. The EDX confirmed the presence of zinc, sulphide, calcium, phosphorous, iron, chromium, and selenium and trace of other elements. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that the transmittance of both the doped and undoped Sphalerite increased as the spectrum wavelength moved from ultraviolet region to visible region at 94% and 88% respectively at the near-infrared region. The photon energy with respect to refractive index of both doped and the undoped Sphalerite was found to be 1.66eV – 2.64eV and 1.38eV to 2.45eV respectively which revealed that the doped Sphalerite nanoparticle is beneficial for higher non linear optical response for optoelectronic devices. The Bang gap of the doped Sphalerite nanoparticles was 2.52eV which is significantly better than 3.63eV obtained in undoped Sphalerite. This suggested that the Neem leaf extract introduced necessary impurities which enhanced the optoelectronic properties of the Sphalerite nanoparticles. Hence, Neem leaf-doped Sphalerite nanoparticles can be a potential enhanced material for optoelectronic devices with excellent performance in photovoltaic applications
Long-term Trends in PM2.5 Levels in Delhi: A Statistical Approach (2010-2024)
No full textAir pollution has now been recognized as a global health risk, with Delhi being one of the most severely affected cities worldwide. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), largely emitted from vehicle exhausts, industrial emissions, and biomass burning, remains a critical concern across Indian cities. Delhi has consistently been ranked among the most polluted cities globally, with pollution episodes particularly severe during winter months mainly due to temperature inversions and seasonal crop residue burning. This study aims to assess the long-term trends in PM2.5 from 2010 to 2024 using statistical and time series analysis methods. Annual averages were analysed using descriptive statistics, the non-parametric Mann–Kendall test, Sen’s slope, simple linear regression analysis, and ARIMA forecasting. The annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 over the study period were 118.03 µg/m³, which is approximately 23 percent higher than the WHO standards of 5 µg/m³. The results of the Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope observed a declining trend of 3.38 µg/m³/year (τ = –0.702, p < 0.001). The AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model predicts a continuous yet gradual decline in PM2.5 levels. The observed trend shows a modest decline in PM2.5 levels over the study period, yet concentrations remain well above safe limits that pose significant health risks. There is a need to improve the existing policies to bring noticeable changes in pollution levels. Also, in the future, empirical studies should focus on developing more detailed and refined models that incorporate meteorological factors, spatial heterogeneity, and more detailed information on the sources of emission
Perspectives of Agriculture Employers on Agricultural Crop Production Trainees: The Case of Davao Del Norte
No full textThe Technical Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) track is part of the K-12 program, which was implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2013. The track aims to help students transition into the workforce after graduation or continue their education and skill development. However, some studies claimed a common mismatch between education and employment in TVL graduates. This research explores the experiences of Agriculture Industries, mainly the skills, knowledge, and attitude of on-the-job trainees, as they house Technical Vocational and Livelihood (TVL), specifically, those taking Agriculture Crop Production (ACP). This study gathers the agriculture industry perspective mainly from three agricultural firms in Davao del Norte—TADECO, Marsman Estate Plantation Inc., and the City Agriculture Office (CAGRO) to provide insight into developing innovative strategies to address the existing gap. The study follows a qualitative case study methodology, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with three participants from the agriculture industry. The gathered data were systematically coded, analyzed, and interpreted using thematic analysis. The process involved familiarization with the data, initial code generation, theme development, reviewing and refining themes, and defining and naming final themes. The study resulted in five major themes: Agriculture knowledge and specialized skills, positive work ethic and attitudes, skill and experience gap, professionalism and work readiness, and curriculum innovation through industry insight. This study fills a significant gap in the literature on workforce development by capturing the firsthand viewpoint of employers in the agriculture industry on trainees involved in crop production. The study makes it clear that strengthening curriculum enhancement and hands-on integration in courses is necessary to bolster the data supporting better school-to-work transitions in the agriculture sector, especially in emerging nations
The Rice Bran Oil Chain Analysis: Current Landscape, Key Challenges and its Emerging Outlook
No full textThis paper focuses on the rice bran oil (RBO) industry chain, providing a comprehensive exploration of its fundamental theory, current status, technological progress, challenges, and future prospects. The fundamental theory section elaborates on the chemical composition, nutritional value, historical evolution of production processes, and economic foundations of RBO. The current status analysis covers the global market, production mechanisms, technological bottlenecks, and quality control. Technological progress introduces advancements in extraction and refining, product innovation, and digital management technologies. Nutritional practices discuss the applications of RBO in healthy diets, chronic disease prevention and treatment, and drug development. Controversies and challenges involve environmental impact, market price volatility, and policy regulation. Future prospects analyze trends in technological innovation, globalization, and sustainable development strategies. In 2024, the annual rice cultivation area in Liaoning Province, China reached 7.334 million hectares, yielding abundant potential rice bran resources. However, the actual utilization rate remains below 30%. By integrating relevant research, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive theoretical basis and practical guidance for the further development of the RBO industry chain
Advances in Statistical Modelling of Epidemics: Estimation and Innovations
No full textStatistical modelling plays a central role in understanding, forecasting, and mitigating infectious disease epidemics. This systematic review synthesizes major statistical frameworks used in epidemic modelling, including deterministic and stochastic models, Bayesian inference, machine learning techniques, and intervention analysis. A structured search strategy was employed using combinations of key terms such as “epidemic modelling”, “statistical estimation”, “infectious disease forecasting”, “Bayesian inference”, “machine learning”, “R₀ estimation”, “intervention impact”, and “stochastic epidemic models”. To ensure methodological rigor and contextual relevance, only studies meeting predefined quality and applicability criteria were included. Out of 285 unique records screened, 75 high-quality studies were selected for final analysis. The review begins by comparing deterministic models—based on differential equations and fixed population assumptions—with stochastic models that incorporate randomness to better capture real-world variability. Bayesian approaches are discussed for their strengths in uncertainty quantification, real-time updating, and parameter estimation using methods such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and Gaussian processes. The review also examines sub-epidemic decomposition models that capture overlapping waves, and network-based models that reflect spatial structure and contact heterogeneity. Forecasting approaches—both mechanistic and data-driven—are critically assessed, alongside methods for estimating key epidemiological parameters such as the basic reproduction number (R0) and time-varying transmission rates. The integration of machine learning and hybrid models is highlighted for their growing potential in real-time surveillance and scenario analysis. The review concludes with an overview of intervention modelling, optimization strategies, and visualization tools, offering practical guidance for researchers and decision-makers while outlining challenges and future directions in epidemic modelling