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COVID-19 has affected the lives of entire populations across the globe. Different sections of the society have been impacted, some more than others. In the context of India, which has a sizeable nu...

Limited information is known from studies regarding traditional, religious, and cultural perspectives on mental illness and the use of traditional and alternative therapies by mentally ill people in Indonesia. This study explored traditional, religious, and cultural beliefs about causes of mental illness and the use of traditional/alternative treatments for mentally ill patients.We adopted a qualitative content analysis method as proposed by Schreier. This study was conducted at a mental Hospital in Indonesia. We interviewed 15 nurses and 15 patients. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis method.Five discrete but interrelated themes emerged: 1) Possessed illness and belief in supernatural forces; 2) Sinful or cursed illness; 3) Witchcraft or human-made illness; 4) traditional/alternative treatments; and 5) Barriers to treatment of mental illness.Traditional/alternative treatments play an important role in meeting the need for mental health treatment. The findings are relevant for mental health nurses who provide direct to their patients, and for other areas of mental health practice. We also found a lack of knowledge about the causes of mental illness among patients and families. Education should be at the heart of mental health promotion to raise the level of mental health literacy in Indonesia.

This study aims to identify the factors affecting students’ satisfaction with online learning, examine the relationship between satisfaction and continuance usage intention, and explore the direct ...

The biosorption potential of cost-effective and agricultural residue, Ipomoea carnea wood (ICW) was examined by the removal of cationic dye, methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The surface m...

In this work, two parameters Weibull distribution method and Rayleigh distribution method have been used to estimate the wind energy potential at Imphal, Manipur located in northeast India with the...

The world is now in human palms due to the rapid proliferation of technology e.g. mobile money transferring. Consequently, the information technology has been sensed as a tool for development which...

There are disagreements surrounding the role of government and non-government organizations (NGOs) on the micro-entrepreneurship business success particularly in the developing countries. Thus, thi...

This study examines the relationship between value co-creation process, idea generation and new service development performance from the perspective of telecommunication companies. Two dimensions of idea generation tested in this framework are internal and external idea generation, and the probable relationship between these two dimensions is further investigated. The data were collected from 78 marketing managers and were statistically analyzed. The findings show that value co-creation crucially influences both external idea generation and internal idea generation, however, the new service development performance can be enhanced through internal idea generation. Nonetheless, the results show that the external idea generation is vital to influence internal idea generation. This study extends theoretical understanding of how to leverage the value co-creation process for idea generation happenings, while the practical contribution of the research is to realize that new service development performanc...

Bangladesh was designated a low middle-income country (LMIC) in 2014. The country has experienced a significant reduction in poverty and improvements in social indicators but there are still pockets of poverty. Governance remains a challenge, as do environmental concerns. For external donors, the use of only low-income country instruments like targeted poverty reduction will no longer be appropriate in Bangladesh. Appropriate external partnerships could include innovative and knowledge-based initiatives to share best practices, skills and expertise.

The Global South has changed dramatically since donors started providing aid. There are now more middle-income countries (MICs) than low-income countries. They have access to more domestic resource...

Orthogonal polynomials (OPs) are beneficial for image processing. OPs are used to reflect an image or a scene to a moment domain, and moments are subsequently used to extract object contours utilised in various applications. In this study, OP-based edge detection operators are introduced to replace traditional convolution-based and block processing methods with direct matrix multiplication. A mathematical model with empirical study results is established to investigate the performance of the proposed detectors compared with that of traditional algorithms, such as Sobel and Canny operators. The proposed operators are then evaluated by using entire images from a well-known data set. Experimental results reveal that the proposed operator achieves a more favourable interpretation, especially for images distorted by motion effects, than traditional methods do.

The article presents an experimental study on multiclass Support Vector Machine SVM methods over a cardiac arrhythmia dataset that has missing attribute values for electrocardiogram ECG diagnostic application. The presence of an incomplete dataset and high data dimensionality can affect the performance of classifiers. Imputation of missing data and discriminant analysis are commonly used as preprocessing techniques in such large datasets. The article proposes experiments to evaluate performance of One-Against-All OAA and One-Against-One OAO approaches in kernel multiclass SVM for a heartbeat classification problem with imputation and dimension reduction techniques. The results indicate that the OAA approach has superiority over OAO in multiclass SVM for ECG data analysis with missing values.

Increased extent of lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant defense has been postulated as a major contributor to the development of preeclampsia. The present study was conducted to determine the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin C in these patients.This research was conducted as a case-control study to assess the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in 150 preeclampsia patients and 174 healthy pregnant women. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring serum MDA level, and antioxidant defense was evaluated for serum vitamin C by UV spectrophotometric method. Independent sample t test and Pearson's correlation test were used for the statistical analysis with statistical software package SPSS, version 16.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL).Our study found significantly higher level of MDA (p 0.05) and significantly lower level of vitamin C (p 0.05) in preeclampsia patients in comparison to the control subjects. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that there was negative correlation between the serum level of MDA and vitamin C for both patient (r = -0.057, p = 0.669) and control groups (r = -0.128, p = 0.487). Analysis of socio-economic data revealed that preeclampsia was more prevalent among the rural pregnant than the urban pregnant women (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.665-3.14, p = 0.352). It was also observed that primigravida pregnant were at higher risk for the development of preeclampsia than the multigravida pregnant women (OR 1.87, 95% CI 0.868-4.04, p = 0.108).Elevated serum MDA and depleted serum vitamin C may be associated with the development of preeclampsia.

Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries lack sufficient funds to combat climate change. The growth of projects under the clean development mechanism (CDM) is not consistent in the region and the relation of that growth to national GDP is not equivalent either. The disbursement of climate funds promised by different countries and donor organisations to different countries in GMS region is very low. A few countries have relied more on external funds to combat climate change, while some have developed their own funds. A strong database and involvement of civil societies might help the region better utilise these climate funds.

The energy sector is the main contributor to GHG emissions in Saudi Arabia. The tremendous growth of GHG emissions poses serious challenges for the Kingdom in terms of their reduction targets, and also the mitigation of the associated climate changes. The rising trend of population and urbanization affects the energy demand, which results in a faster rate of increase in GHG emissions. The major energy sector sources that contribute to GHG emissions include the electricity generation, road transport, desalination plants, petroleum refining, petrochemical, cement, iron and steel, and fertilizer industries. In recent years, the energy sector has become the major source, accounting for more than 90% of national CO2 emissions. Although a substantial amount of research has been conducted on renewable energy resources, a sustainable shift from petroleum resources is yet to be achieved. Public awareness, access to energy-efficient technology, and the development and implementation of a legislative framework, ener...

Flood and riverbank erosion, two common hazards in Bangladesh, harshly affect many peoples' daily lives and damage their livelihoods. Livelihood resources (natural, physical, financial, human and social) can help cope with shocks and hazards. The objectives of the study were to identify which coping strategies and which livelihood resources were used in response to flood and erosion, and to judge how effective these strategies were. The area of study was the Sirajganj district of the Rajshahi division, across which runs the Brahmaputra river. Participatory Rapid Appraisal tools were used to collect data through a structured questionnaire survey. The data were processed by CRiSTAL software and analysed by Rep IV software. The data showed that riverbank erosion has a higher impact on people than flooding. The main strategies people use to cope with hazards include part-time work, rebuilding houses on an emergency basis, treating disease, taking temporary shelter on embankments and changing professions. The ...

Soft starters are used in electrical drives for the smooth starting of blowers, fans, mixers, crushers, grinders, and pumps, as well as in many other modern industrial applications. This article presents a soft starter that reduces energy losses during the start-up process of an induction motor. A sensor-less technique has been used to enhance the response of the system. The artificial neural networks, used in the soft starter, have been compared for the estimation of different parameters. The adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system has been developed to control the speed and torque of the motor with the constraint of “reduction in energy losses” during the start-up process. A neural network implements the feedback estimator, thus eliminating the need for slow mechanical sensors, while the adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system with the help of artificial neural network estimators adjusts the firing angles of the thyristors (of an AC voltage controller) under different loading conditions. The contro...

The leaves of Cinnamomum iners (Reinw. ex Blume-Lauraceae) have been refluxed successively with chloroform and alcohol to get chloroform extract and alcoholic extract. Both the extracts have been assayed for cytotoxicity against human colorectal tumour cells. The chloroform extract exhibited significant cytotoxicity with IC(50) 31 µg mL(-1) (p 0.01). However, ethanol extract was found to be much less cytotoxic with IC(50) 200 µg mL(-1). The chloroform extract has been further proceeded for chemical analysis by GC-TOFMS and 178 components were identified including acids, amines, amides, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, benzene derivatives, bicyclic compounds, terpenes, hydrocarbons, naphthalene derivatives, furan derivatives, azulenes, etc. Nine components representing 51.73% of the total chloroform extract were detected as major components. Caryophyllene (14.41%) and Eicosanoic acid ethyl ester (12.17%) are the most prominent components of the chloroform extract. β-Caryophyllene (14.41%) as most abundant compound supports potent cytotoxicity as shown by chloroform extract.

Simulation of power electronics circuits is a useful educational tool as it ensures the feasibility and reliability of design, and at the same time it is cost effective and time saving. Simulation at educational level helps to grip concepts and gives a good understanding of inside the circuit. It's very useful as a diagnostic tool as well. This paper presents the simulation as an educational tool using different packages. Results obtained from simulation packages are found to be satisfactory with respect to practical evolution of the design. Simulations enhance students' capabilities of learning and griping concepts, with increased aptitude of analysis and design. Independent thinking, learning, self assessment towards design analysis and diagnosing is achieved by software tools that provide a student focused approach.

This research was conducted in six typical villages of Northern Bangladesh. A sample of 170 farmers was selected. Research indicates that the farmers practising agroforestry own small farms and the income of agroforestry helps them to reduce their poverty, maintain their socio-economic needs and sustain their livelihoods. Agroforestry is not a new concept in the study area. The people have been practicing agroforestry traditionally in the form of home gardens, hedgerows and alley cropping. Homestead agroforestry is an age old practice. Alley cropping and hedgerow agroforestry systems are comparatively new. Yet alley cropping is now most popular and is widely accepted in the study area because of its socio-economic advantages and environmental sustainability.

This paper introduces and critically reviews the Saudi education and unemployment situation. It sets out the specialized nature of issues regarding education and unemployment which are seldom found in other countries. The governmental efforts and subsequent results in the employment sectors are investigated to illustrate the reasons behind prevailing and expected future graduate unemployment. In addition, this paper proposes the application of a combination of a rational planning model and the concept of communicative rationality in solving the problem of graduate unemployment in Saudi Arabia. It asserts the need for comprehensive data on the nature and magnitude of unemployment, and adequate consultation with all the stakeholders including the private sector. A brief survey conducted among the graduates of King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) reveals that, while they are competent and easily absorbed into the market, the scenario is not the same for other educational institutions...

This paper introduces the concept of Saudization and critically reviews its existing and potential impacts and consequences. It identifies that Saudization has positively contributed to reducing the overall percentage of foreign labor. However, there have been some difficulties, such as a decline in competitiveness among regional business companies with respect to a business friendly environment, and reduced direct foreign investment, which influenced the reduction of the tax on foreign investors. Saudization should place importance on skill development among Saudi nationals by strengthening educational and vocational training, and providing time-specific incentives, rather than relying only on a quota system. Saudization should be implemented more through market forces and incentives. Collecting comprehensive information on the nature and magnitude of Saudi unemployment could be a first step in developing appropriate Saudization policies. This paper suggests appropriate coordination and consulta...

Multimedia is promoted as the technology for the future from the perspective of applications and its role in improving enterprise integration and management effectiveness. As yet few useful applications are found in business and manufacturing. Nevertheless, a growing number of businesses are looking to multimedia for real-life business solutions. Computerized production management systems have enjoyed the same growth and popularity as the personal computers and workstations on which they run. The application of multimedia in various functional areas of manufacturing such as marketing, design and engineering, production and distribution has tremendous potential, taking into account its capacity to integrate text, drawings, full-vector graphics, and full-motion video. Multimedia can also be used as an open development framework for manufacturing applications, especially in CAD, CAE and CAM, by providing users with tools to re-engineer and integrate product and process information. Advances in telec...