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Non thermal plasma (NTP) is a modern technology with wide spectrum applications in different biological, and medical approaches. By releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), it allows stimulation or inhibition of cellular processes in biological systems. This technology has been employed in the distinction of bacteria and viruses in food researches. HCV is a significant burden on the global healthcare system due to its rapid transmission and widespread distribution. We have endeavoured to minimise the viral burden in HCV patients in vitro using the NTP, anticipating its influence on serum samples. Meanwhile, the investigation examined oxidative stress in patients with HCV subsequent to NTP exposure through the quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHG) concentrations. Sixty serum samples were collected from patients infected with HCV and subjected to NTP for durations of 60 seconds and 240 seconds. The obtained outcomes were contrasted with those of ninety healthy controls and HCV patients who had not been exposed to radiation. A 240-second exposure to NTP significantly decreased viral load (P0.05), whereas a 60-second exposure did not yield a statistically significant decrease in viral load. Conversely, the concentrations of reactive oxygen species, nitrogen dioxide, pyridoxal-5-oxide, and 8-hydroxygen were significantly increased in patients with HCV when compared to the control group. Oxidative stress was significantly increased by 240 seconds of NTP exposure, as measured by increases in MDA, PC, and NO, but not ROS and 8-OHG. It was demonstrated that nitric oxide is the most dependable indicator for forecasting the prognosis of HCV patients. NTP can ultimately reduce the viral load associated with HCV infections in the laboratory, but it also increases oxidative stress, which may result in systemic oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High strength concrete (HSC) posses more problems, since it has less ductility in comparison with normal strength concrete (NSC). To overcome this problem was reinforced with fibers and hybrid fibers. The effects of fibers and hybrid fibers upon the properties of high-strength concrete mixtures containing superplasticizing admixtures have been investigated. The properties of fibrous high-strength concrete and high-strength concrete are compared. Results showed that decrease in workability of all concrete mixtures containing polypropylene, glass and hybrid fibers compared with control mix. It was found that the addition polypropylene fibers increase the suitable w/c ratio to save the workability from 0.24 to 0.26, 0.27 and 0.29 at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 volume fraction respectively. While the w/c ratio increased to 0.35 when the 0.4% glass fiber was added. HSC with 1.5% polypropylene fibers showed superior splitting and flexural strengths over the other concrete without or with fibers, compared with HSC without fibers the increasing were 30.76% and 25.61% respectively. At 28-day age, fibrous high-strength concrete showed higher compressive, splitting and flexural strengths than the high-strength concrete, depending upon the types and volume fraction of fibers. The results obtained demonstrate that the addition of the hybrid fibers to the high strength concrete showed that the ratio of (0.7% polypropylene+0.12% glass fibers) at volume fraction 0.82% gives better fresh and hardened properties than the ratio (0.3% polypropylene+0.28% glass fibers) at volume fraction 0.58%. The maximum increase in compressive strength, splitting strength and flexural strength of high strength concrete contains (0.7% polypropylene+0.12% glass fibers) were 9.57%, 15.38% and 14.04% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engagement with students during teaching and learning process is vital to ensure effective communication in virtual classes. However, students with limited internet access face problems in participating the sessions. While teachers are adapting to the new normal in education, creative approach to teaching has been introduce in class by using educational comics. A case study has been conducted on 30 respondents through trial usage of comics and questionnaire. The findings reveal the effectiveness in using educational comics as introductory material in weekly lessons. The employment of teachers-inspired characters in comics has also contributed to students' engagement during non-face-to-face classes. Additionally, teachers-inspired comics can help diversify learning tools used by lecturers as effective teaching/learning strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) is used as a new tool for various biological and medical applications. As plasma directly contact with organism, so the effect of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma that generated by Floating Electrode Dielectric Barrier Discharge (FE-DBD) would influence levels of triiodothronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) hormones in healthy adult male rats (Albino) / bulb c), which have been divided into groups according to time exposure of plasma (15, 30, 60, and 90 second) and control group (without plasma exposure), with different time intervals after exposure (1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 28 days).The concentration of T3, T4 and TSH hormones are measured by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Our observations show that T3, T4 and TSH are affected by plasma from the first day of exposure. More specifically, group of (30 sec) shows a significant increase in T3, T4 accompanied with a significant decrease in TSH and conserving in body weight (relative body weight retention) compared to the control. Consistently, there was a significant increase in T4, with a significant decrease in TSH and body weight in group of (60 sec), however, there was no significant change in the level of T3. Moreover, group (90 sec) shows a significant increase in T4 level starts from day one of exposure and reached to control value in the fourth week, with significant decrease in TSH and body weight. Furthermore, group (15 sec) shows slight different in T3 and T4 levels compared to control, with a significant decrease in TSH that concomitant with normal increase of body weight. This result indicates that the plasma effected is different depending on the time exposure, and the time exposure (30, 60, and 90 sec) areeffective with maintaining body weight, there is little increase compared to control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigerian employers face the challenge of recruiting and retaining competent workforces. Most college graduates cannot perform basic office tasks. The problem is that employers in service organizations need to adopt strategies to support Nigerian higher education institutions to enhance graduate employability. This qualitative single case study explored an employer in a service organization's strategy to support Nigerian higher education institutions in improving college graduate employability. The stakeholder theory underpinned this study. Using purposeful sampling, five managers and five graduate employees were interviewed in a service organization in Lagos, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using pattern-matching logic after triangulation of emerging themes from interviews and triangulating the themes with internal and external organizational artifacts. Research results showed that employers have yet to support higher education institutions in enhancing the employability of graduates. A potential positive social change was that its findings could help establish impactful collaboration between higher education institutions and employers in the service sector to boost graduate employability and minimize college graduates' unemployment. Keywords: Graduate employability, unemployment, employer strategy, higher educational institutions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Black women in America encounter double discrimination within the workforce, stemming from both their gender and race. They navigate the complexities of living with these intersecting identities while simultaneously confronting additional challenges associated with their gender and the color of their skin. This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study aimed to explore Black women's experiences of discrimination in the workforce based on gender and race. The conceptual frameworks that grounded this study were general systems theory and intersectionality theory. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants; data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 Black women who work in a large city in central Texas. Thematic analysis based on descriptive phenomenology was applied to reveal themes and explore participants' perceptions of their experiences in the workplace. Five themes were identified from analysis of the data collected through coding and journal notes: (a) Black women's work experiences and intersectionality; (b) the importance of workplace diversity; (c) glass/concrete ceiling and career advancement; (d) representation matters; and (e) coping, support systems, and resources. The results from this study could provide a framework for Black women to experience better work environments that support them on their career journeys. Removing barriers can assist in career advancement among this population, reducing emotional taxation and creating safe spaces, resulting in a positive social change. The study findings could promote positive social change by highlighting the experiences of Black women who face discrimination based on the intersection of race and gender and the coping mechanisms, support systems, and resources that are effective in helping Black women navigate the challenges and discrimination they face in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss the RF noise properties of SOI MOSFETs, and we present a suitable model for nanoscale fully-depleted SOI MOSFETs, which is derived from a compact quasi-static SOI MOSFET model by properly extending it to the high frequency regime, using the active line approach and taking into account all the extrinsic parameters. We have used a physically-based noise modeling which takes account diffusion related fluctuations; this allows to study fundamental noise parameters close to the current noise sources and to discuss the downscaling of these noise sources. Finally, we have extended our study to Double-Gate devices, using as a basis a quasi-static model recently presented. © 2005 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The purpose of the study: This phenomenon-based theorization aims to move towards a plausible theoretical reasoning by generating and evaluating explanations that render the Africanization of management theory development (AMTD) understandable. Study approach: We will use sensemaking in discussing decolonization, indigenous culture research methods, and cultural groups who use the African Ubuntu principles and values as a stable object in creating proximity for advancing the scholarly conversation about AMTD, offering one type of Africanizing theory development. The Discussions: The current conversations about Africanizing management theory development (AMTD) have offered us three common threads, being that of decolonization, indigenous culture research, and similar Ubuntu principles and values across Africa, which provide a possible pathway to Africanizing management theory. The Implications: By establishing some common attributes in Africanized management theories, the article could contribute to operationalizing new organizational dynamics and management guidelines suited for African management development by applying sensemaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]