Preliminary Insights into Social Commerce Capability Development

The purpose of this paper is to explain how micro-entrepreneurs deploy, develop, and manage social media as a resource to create social commerce capabilities to achieve benefits. The paper uses a critical case sampling methodology to select a micro-entrepreneur who uses social media for advertising and retailing fashion items. Three findings emerge. First, in developing of social commerce capabilities, there is need to combine both technical and non-technical resources. Second, personal social capital is not immediately available for use in the development of social commerce capabilities especially when it is being translated for commercial purposes. Third, the level of social commerce capabilities developed is contingent on the affordances of the social media platform in use. This study uncovers the possibility of developing resources and capabilities concurrently i.e. resources do not necessarily have be inputs as identified in the theory. This paper is arguably one of the pioneering attempts at conceptualizing social commerce capabilities

Temporal expression of neurochemical markers in primary sensory neurones in traumatic and non-traumatic models of neuropathic pain

Introduction: Expression of neurochemical markers in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) has been shown to underlie nerve injury induced neuropathic pain and are usually examined once post injury in rodent models. Here I hypothesize that neurochemical markers are expressed differentially at various time points post nerve injury and that expression of these markers differ between traumatic and non-traumatic models of neuropathic pain, thus reflecting variations in pathophysiology. In two different rat models of neuropathic pain, namely, the tibial nerve transection (TNT) and the d4T (HIV antiretroviral drug) associated toxic neuropathy; immunohistochemical labelling was used to determine the expression of various neurochemical markers across time. Double labelling with peripherin or NF-200 (labels small and large neurons respectively) and a cell size analysis were conducted to validate cellular phenotype. Pain behaviour was measured in vivo using mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity assays. To confirm tibial nerve distribution in the DRGs, Fluorogold retrograde labelling was performed. I also explored the effect of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid dicosahexonoic acid (DHA) on TNT associated mechanical hypersensitivity and inflammation, as previous studies have shown DHA to be both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective in animal models of spinal cord injury and stroke, and therefore could be relevant in peripheral nerve injury. Results: [Table of results appears here. To view, please open pdf attachment] From day 7, TNT rats developed mechanical hypersensitivity (↓62% from baseline at peak, day 28). Rats injected with d4T exhibited bilateral hind paw mechanical hypersensitivity (↓~47% from baseline at peak, day 22), but failed to exhibit any neurochemical changes in the DRG such as that observed in TNT injury. Seven days following Fluorogold injection into the tibial nerve of naive rats, labelling was identified in the L4 (38.5%) and L5 (27.5%) DRGs. Since DHA did not alter TNT induced mechanical hypersensitivity, key neurochemical markers were not evaluated. Investigations examined the potential of DHA to modulate the DRG macrophage response, and revealed no differences compared to saline controls at day 28 post TNT injury. Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate completely different expression patterns of neurochemical markers following TNT injury and treatment with d4T, and highlight the mechanistic difference between nerve trauma and antiretroviral associated neuropathic pain

Managing State-Owned Enterprises: The Special Projects of Ghana

State-owned enterprise (SOE) failures continue to burden the government of Ghana. During the 5-year period ending in 2012, the profits from these equity investments dropped by 80%. This study was an exploratory case study of how top-down, board-directed governance structure impact the control and ethical structure of special projects. Sixteen participants, comprised of managers, technicians, and board members, were recruited from 4 separate special projects in northern, central, and southern Ghana. Agency theory formed the conceptual framework for this study. Data collected from the face-to-face interviews and supporting documents were processed and analyzed to discern emergent themes. Through methodological triangulation, 5 main themes emerged including board influence on management and operations, operational and financial controls, ethical values, quality assurance, and motivation. The implications for positive social change include helping to reduce poverty within the local communities of Ghana through the creation of competitive projects that can sustain a productive workforce

Decision making in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Ghana: exploring patient and clinician perspectives

Introduction This study was carried out in Ghana, where the incidence of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) is increasing in a context of limited treatment options. Understanding the issues patients with ESKD grapple with when diagnosed with this life-threatening condition is essential to improve healthcare policy and practice in such low- and middle-income settings. In the absence of evidence related to the African ESKD patient journey, this study aimed at exploring how decisions about ESKD management are being made, especially in under-resourced settings where specific treatment modalities are not always available. The study addresses an important gap in the literature concerning choice and decision making in an international context. The key research question for this study is, in terms of the context, does the problem of limited resources in low- and middle-income countries present different choices to the patient with ESKD facing decisions about their treatment? Methodology and Methods The study employed a qualitative research design, using grounded theory methodology. Twenty-seven participants in three renal centres, comprising twenty-two patients with ESKD and five clinicians, were selected using the theoretical sampling approach and interviewed for this study. Constant comparative analysis was employed in data analysis. Results A conceptual map depicting the ESKD patient journey and key phases of decision making was developed from this study. Ghanaian patients with ESKD are mostly unaware of the implications of their initial symptoms, and end up delaying seeking healthcare from a hospital. Some of those who seek care from hospitals are initially diagnosed with and treated for other conditions other than ESKD. Thus, many patients with ESKD in Ghana present late to a renal centre. Treatment for ESKD is initiated for various reasons, including, initially, the urgent need to avoid premature death. Many approach their condition in terms of hoping for a cure and do not always understand the chronic nature of their condition. Decisions on initiating haemodialysis (HD) are mostly shared between clinicians and patients and/or their families but the process is mainly driven by the need to ascertain patient and family’s ability to finance HD, rather than considering other aspects of treatment burden. The subject of death or conservative management is not openly discussed and, once this is brought up, patients usually do everything possible to opt for another form of treatment, including the simultaneous use of other non-RRT and traditional or faith-based healing approaches. Clinicians play vital roles in the decision making of patients with ESKD although they have general feelings of helplessness while supporting these patients. Convergence between individuals’ experiences of realities of living with and managing ESKD, and support from clinicians in the renal setting ultimately leads to a reconstruction of health expectations that commensurate management goals of ESKD. This sums up the substantive theory of ‘reconstructing health expectations’ that was generated from this study. Conclusions Financial and geographical inaccessibility of renal replacement therapy (RRT) as well as the relative lack of biomedical treatment choices make decision making daunting for the individual with ESKD in Ghana. Reluctance to discuss death as a potential outcome is a hindrance to the consideration of conservative management as a treatment option. Effective realignment of healthcare policies to address changing patterns of diseases is necessary to contribute to prevention, early detection and effective management of ESKD in the country. An improved approach to conservative management is urgently required, including training support for clinicians on shared decision making as well as sensitisation of patients on this modality

Comparative Analysis of Efficiency of Fibonacci Random Number Generator Algorithm and Gaussian Random Number Generator Algorithm in a Cryptographic System.

Random Numbers determine the security level of Cryptographic Applications as they are used to generate padding schemes in the encryption and decryption process as well as used to generate cryptographic keys. The more randomness in the numbers a generator generates the more effective the cryptographic algorithm, and the more secured it is to be used for protecting confidential data. Sometimes developers find it difficult to determine which Random Number Generators (RNGs) can provide a much secured Cryptographic System for secured enterprise application implementations. Two of such random number generators include the Fibonacci Random Number Generator and the Gaussian Random Generator. The researchers sought to determine, between these two, the better to be used for improving data security in cryptographic software systems. The researchers employed statistical tests like Frequency test, Chi-Square test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test on the first 100 random numbers between 0 and 1000 generated using the above generators. The research concluded that Fibonacci Random Number Generator is more efficient than the Gaussian Random Number Generator and therefore recommended the choice of Fibonacci Random Number Generator when choosing between the two for use in a cryptographic system for better data security. Keywords: Cryptographic Algorithms, Random Number Generators, encryption, decryptio

Evaluation of Cafeteria Diet in Experimental Animal with Plant Extract of Calotropis procera for Obesity Parameter

The function of obesity in an insulin-resistant syndrome associated with hyper insulinemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerotic diseased illness is vital. Hunger, body weight and lipid profile investigations thus assess Calotropis procera extract in animal models. Adult Wister rats (180-240g) 8 were used in each experimental group. The impact of Cactus Kalahari on hunger, body weight and profile of lipids. (A) Control in weight, (B) obesity and CP+ obesity. Control obesity caused by material of cafeteria cuisine (CD). (CP was induced at (100 mg/kg/day po. for 50 days). Every 10 days, the food give, animal body weight, blood glucose, serum lipids level examined—serum and term tests for Liver Function and Renal Function Tests were checked. Our research has demonstrated that following obesity induction CP pretreatment and administration at 100mg/kg/day p<0.05) have resulted in substantial reductions in food consumption, increased body weight and improved lipid profile, liver enzyme and kidney function tests. Cafeteria food rats also showed considerable growth in body weight gain, famine, lipid profile, hepatic enzymes, and kidney function tests. When administered with a protein-rich food at the same time, the Kalahari extract prevented and reduced body weight gain and profile of lipid alterations in experimental induced obesity(fats) in rats

Testing for Randomness in Pseudo Random Number Generators Algorithms in a Cryptographic Application

The most effective cryptographic algorithm has more randomness in the numbers a generator generates, and the more secured it is to be used for protecting confidential data. Sometimes developers find it difficult to determine which Random Number Generators (RNGs) can provide a much secured Cryptographic System for secured enterprise application implementations. This research aims to find an effective Pseudo Random Number Generator algorithm among Fibonacci Random Numbers Generator Algorithms, Gaussian Random Numbers Generator Algorithm, Specific Range Random Numbers Generator Algorithms, and Secure Random numbers Generators, which are the most common Pseudo Random Numbers Generators Algorithms, that can be used to improve the security of Cryptographic software systems. The researchers employed Chi-Square test on the first 100 random numbers between 0 to 1000 generated using the above generators and it concluded that, Fibonacci Random Numbers Generator Algorithms can provide a more secured cryptographic application. Keywords Pseudo Random Number Generators, Randomness, Cryptography, Softwar

Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty in the Post-Crisis Banking Sector of Ghana

The banking industry is immensely important to the socio-economic development of emerging economies by facilitating the exchange of money between depositors and borrowers. The banking industry in Ghana is facing corporate governance challenges, which has led to non-performance and subsequent withdrawal of operating licenses. The withdrawal of the licenses by the Bank of Ghana has impact on customer loyalty and satisfaction, which has not been significantly investigated in a post crisis banking sector of Ghana. This has resulted in many companies undertaking numerous product design and innovation to satisfy customers. This study therefore is aimed at investigating the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the post crisis banking sector of Ghana. The study adopts the positivist traditional stance with a quantitative approach. Participants were drawn from among the customers of universal banks in Ghana. The purposive sampling technique was used to administer 250 questionnaires to customers of universal banks in Ghana in which 170 usable questionnaires were retrieved for analysis with a response rate of 68 per cent. The investigation revealed that customer satisfaction variables have significantly influenced the loyalty of customers of banks involved in this study. The results indicated that tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy, and dimensions of service quality have positive influence on customer satisfaction.The investigation largely focused on quantitative analysis of results, hence; a further study adopting the qualitative approach would contribute to the body of knowledge on customer loyalty and satisfaction in the banking sector. This study provides a strong evidence for banks that have been negatively impacted by the banking crisis in Ghana and want to recover from the associated impacts on their customers to enhance their customer satisfaction by improving the tangibility and reliability of services to clients. It is recommended that Banks in Ghana focus on achieving high customer satisfaction by focusing on high quality services delivery based on the service quality dimensions. Keywords: Banking, Industry, Customer, Satisfaction, Loyalty DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/76-04 Publication date: February 28th 202

A Study of Various Medicinal Plants used in Ulcer Treatment: A Review

Many people suffer from ulcer, a disorder of the digestive tract. Simply put, it\u27s an inflamed break in the skin or the mucus membrane lining the digestive tract. Whenever there is a change in the equilibrium, such as increased aggression or decreased mucosal resistance, ulceration develops. Reasons for this could include drug use, poor diet, stress, and other similar factors. Peptic ulcers are a general term for any type of stomach or duodenal ulcer. To develop, peptic ulcers need mucosal defences to be compromised in addition to gastric juice acid and peptic activity. Ulcers can be treated with a variety of synthetic medications. However, compared to herbal remedies, these drugs are more costly and more likely to cause side effects. According to the research, many different ayurvedic doctors and traditional medicine practitioners use different medicinal plants and polyherbal formulations to treat ulcers. Peptic ulcer disease treatment should focus on symptom alleviation, ulcer healing, and preventing recurrence. In this article, we\u27ll take a look at some medicinal plants that have been studied for their potential use in peptic ulcer treatment and prevention, both in ayurveda and Western medicine