Phenotypic plasticity, clonal architecture and biomass partitioning in Myriophyllum spicatum L. across different lentic and lotic ecosystems of Kashmir

During the present study we measured plastic adjustments in morphological traits, clonal architecture and biomass partitioning for an aquatic clonal species (Myriophyllum spicatum) under two contrasting conditions in the field that is, standing vs. running waters. A significant difference in morphological traits, clonal architecture and biomass partitioning to different plant parts was observed between standing and running water populations. The species produces longer and narrower leaves in running water but smaller and broader ones in standing water populations. Spike and peduncle length, number of spikes and flowers per ramet were significantly higher in standing water populations. Moreover, a high seed set was observed in standing water populations while as running water populations did not produce any seeds. Total length of rhizome, branching of ramets, spacer length and average length of ramets per plant were highest in standing water populations. However, number of ramets per plant and number of branches per rhizome were highest in running water populations. The percentage dry mass allocation was highest to shoots followed by seeds and spikes and much less was allocated to under sediment parts in standing water populations, whereas, in running water populations allocation was highest to shoots followed by under sediment and spikes. The reduction in size, higher biomass allocations to belowground organs and a more compact growth form (reduced spacer lengths) in case of running water populations as compared to standing water populations contributed to reduce the damage risk in running water populations due to mechanical stress caused by the flow of running water.Keywords: Plant architecture, resource allocation, standing water, running water, ramet, spacer lengthAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(19), pp. 2618-262

Karo Kari : the murder of honour in Sindh Pakistan : an ethnographic study

This paper aims to discuss the wider context, in which honour murders occur, the social structures which contribute to the occurrence and perpetuation of the practice of honour murders. An ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in Jacobabad Sindh, Pakistan. The study found that honour murders were not solely driven by customs and traditions, but also by a feudal culture, male-dominated social structures, the complicit role of state institutions and law enforcement agencies and a web of vested interests. Therefore, honour murders may be prevented by reducing the influence and interference of feudal lords on state institutions, in particular law enforcement agencies, and by promoting education that challenges a patriarchal and feudal mind-set in the community

LpL_{p} inequalities for the growth of polynomials with restricted zeros

summary:Let $P(z)=\sum _{\nu =0}^{n}a_{\nu }z^{\nu }$ be a polynomial of degree at most $n$ which does not vanish in the disk $|z|1$, Boas and Rahman proved $$\left\Vert P(Rz)\right\Vert _{p}\le \big (\left\Vert R^{n}+z\right\Vert_{p}/\left\Vert1+z\right\Vert_{p}\big )\left\Vert P\right\Vert _{p}.$$ In this paper, we improve the above inequality for $0\le p 1$ is also given

Studies on mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

A comparative study on effect of different dose/concentration of gamma rays, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and sodium azide (SA) on various biological parameters (seed germination, seedling height, plant survival, pollen fertility and chromosomal aberrations) in M1 generation and spectrum and frequency of macro-mutations (chlorophyll and other morphological mutations) induced in the M2 generation was carried out in fenugreek in the present investigation. Mutagenic effectiveness decreased with the increase in dose/concentration of the mutagen where as the efficiency of mutagens showed variable trend depending on the criteria selected for its calculation. The lower or intermediate treatments of all the mutagens were found more efficient in causing less biological damage and inducing maximum macro-mutations. The order of mutagenic efficiency was EMS > SA > ϒ- rays.Keywords: Fenugreek, biological damage, morphological mutations, gamma rays, EMS, SAAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(18), pp. 2437-244

Digital innovation & enterprise in the sharing economy: An action research agenda

In this digital era, Digital Innovation & Enterprise have emerged as a possible prescription in the sharing economy. Scholars have noted that digital innovation is transforming the technological landscape, entrepreneurial practices, and the behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs of consumers across the globe. This research note serves three purposes. First, it introduces digital innovation and enterprise as a fruitful area of research in the sharing economy. Second, it extends the agenda set by Yoo, Henfridsson, and Lyytinen (2010) on “new organising logics of Digital Innovation” to propose contemporary research questions for scholarly collaboration. Third, it attempts to move forward research in digital business from B2B, B2C, mobile-social contexts to emerging eco-systems that address current socio-economic trends. In proposing such a digital business research agenda, the authors reason why Action Design Research studies may be particularly suited for the iterative development, replication and sharing of findings in the form of artefacts such as use-cases

Advancing equity in challenging times: A qualitative study of telehealth expansion and changing patient–provider relationships in primary care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective The patient–provider relationship is critical for achieving high-quality care and better health outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care practices rapidly transitioned to telehealth. While telehealth provided critical access to services for many, not all patients could optimally utilize it, raising concerns about its potential to exacerbate inequities in patient–provider relationships. We investigated technical and workforce-related barriers to accessing telehealth and the impacts on patient–provider relationships for vulnerable populations. Methods Qualitative, semi-structured interviews from May 2021 to August 2021 with 31 individuals (medical directors, physicians, and medical assistants) working at 20 primary care practices in Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Texas. Thematic analysis to better understand how barriers to using telehealth complicated patient–provider relationships. Results Interviewees shared challenges for providers and patients that had a negative effect on patient–provider relationships, particularly for vulnerable patients, including older adults, lower socio-economic status patients, and those with limited English proficiency. Providers faced logistical challenges and disruptions in team-based care, reducing care coordination. Patients experienced technological challenges that made accessing and engaging in telehealth difficult. Interviewees shared challenges for patient–provider relationships as commonly used telephone-only telehealth reduced channels for non-verbal communication. Conclusion This study indicates that barriers to virtual interaction with patients compared to in-person care likely led to weaker personal relationships that may have longer-term effects on engagement with and trust in the healthcare system, particularly among vulnerable patient groups. Additional support and resources should be available to primary care providers to optimize telehealth utilization

EUS-FNA for the Diagnosis of Retroperitoneal Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a rare “small round blue cell tumor” that is diagnosed by open biopsy or percutaneous biopsy of the lesion under radiologic guidance. In this case report, we present a novel approach to the diagnosis of a retroperitoneal PNET by endoscopic ultrasound- (EUS-) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA). A 35-year-old man presented with the history of left-sided flank pain and swelling of 3-weeks duration. Computerized tomography (CT) scan of his abdomen revealed a 12.8 × 13 × 12.5 cm cystic and solid mass arising from the retroperitoneum and displacing the third and fourth portions of the duodenum. He underwent EUS which revealed a well-circumscribed heterogeneous mass abutting the inferior portion of the stomach. EUS-FNA of the mass revealed malignant cells consistent with primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET)/Ewing's sarcoma. EUS-guided FNA is an appropriate technique for diagnosing retroperitoneal PNET/Ewing's sarcoma

Would you mind your language, please? Consumer incivility on social media platforms

Consumer incivility on social media platforms has recently gained the attention of academic researchers. However, few studies have presented the role that consumer incivility plays in forming social media perspectives (e.g. experiencing uncivil comments or rude replies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Using the stimulus-organism-response theory, this study investigated the impacts of consumer incivility on social media brand representatives’ efforts to deal with it, social media brand community participation and social media brand trust. The study also investigated the influence of social media brand representatives’ efforts to deal with consumer incivility on social media brand community participation and examined the relationships of these two factors with social media brand trust. Two hundred and forty social media consumers who had witnessed the effect of consumer incivility on social media community platforms completed the study questionnaires. SPSS 23 and SmartPLS-SEM (v. 3.3.7) were used to analyse the data obtained and to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that consumer incivility was significantly inversely associated with the causal constructs. The present study provided novel insights for high-tech social media industries, including digital marketers and community developers

What drives customer satisfaction and well-being in ridesharing? A developing country perspective

This study examines ridesharing services from the customer perspective in a developing country context and investigates two significant post-adoption and marketing consequences: satisfaction and well-being. Using a purposeful sampling technique, six semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted in Sindh province, Pakistan. Among the major findings are that customers’ awareness of the services and how to use the mobile application, convenience of use, high perceived value, the quality of information available in the ridesharing mobile app, real-time location services, and an effective complaint resolution mechanism promote customer satisfaction and well-being. This study includes implications and an agenda for future research