Marketing Constraints and Price Perspectives for Onion in Khost Province, Afghanistan

The study was undertaken in the three districts of Yaqubi and Sabari, Mando Zayi and Bak of Khost province, Afghanistan, with the aim of evaluating marketing constraints, marketable surplus, intermediaries, and consumer perceptions regarding the price of onions. Despite its substantial influence on the economy and people\u27s livelihoods, Afghanistan\u27s onion marketing system has gotten insufficient attention. Onion prices in Afghanistan were volatile, which has a huge influence on the economy and people\u27s capacity to buy basic foods. Data was collected from 120 farmers, 120 consumers, 30 wholesalers, and 30 retailers across the province. The study\u27s main constraints faced by farmers in marketing onions included the majority of farmers 71.70 percent agreed that storage facilities were perceived to be expensive. 87.5 percent of respondents strongly agree that the lack of storage facilities was a major issue. Price changes were the biggest issue for customers, as 84.20 percent of respondents agreed. Limited market access was cited as a problem by 71.70 percent of respondents. The main constraint for wholesalers was the absence of facilities for grading onions, with 60.70 Lack of storage facilities was another key obstacle, resulting in 63.30 percent and No organizations (Councils) being available; 86.70 percent was a similar result for retailers too. The average onion production per Jerib of land was found to be 2386.16 kg/Jerib. Only 9.96% of the onion yield was used for domestic consumption, leaving the producers with a marketable surplus of 90.03%. Fluctuations in onion prices throughout different seasons were primarily attributed to the absence of proper storage facilities. The study has indicated that consumers tend to perceive the selling price of onions during the off-season as significantly higher than its on-season average price. The average price of onions during the off-season was 66.33 Afghanis per kilogram, whereas it was 22.16 Afghanis during the on-season. This indicated a significant price difference between the two seasons

The higher education management in medical universities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The use of electronic technology plays a key role in the change in higher education management. This study aimed to assess the necessity of adaptation of electronic learning systems management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The present study was mixed research. Its statistical population in the qualitative section included 50 experts in higher education management of medical universities. The statistical population in the quantitative section included 242 department heads of 65 medical universities selected according to Morgan's table. Purposeful sampling was used in the qualitative section and cluster random in the quantitative section. The interview was used in the qualitative section and a researcher-made questionnaire was used in the quantitative section. Qualitative data analysis was performed with MAXQDA 2019 software and quantitative data analysis was performed with SPSS software. Results: In the qualitative section, 9 general categories were obtained. In the quantitative section, the results of the one-sample t-test in the dimensions of development of technology and electronic service, expansion of virtual and integrated education, enhancing the quality of learning, expanding research, access to scientific resources, the efficiency of the educational system and optimization of capital and financial affairs of the current status of higher education management in medical universities were determined. Conclusion: For the development of e-learning at the university level during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to know the motivating factors and barriers well and use the gained experience to select appropriate strategies to accelerate the development process of e-learning

Marketing Issues Faced by Potato Growers and Intermediaries in Parwan, Afghanistan

This research paper investigated the marketing challenges faced by potatoes growers and market intermediaries in Parwan province, Afghanistan. The study analysed the field level problems of farmers, consumers, wholesalers, and retailers. The study revealed that farmers encounter various obstacles in potato marketing, with the far-off location of selling markets 40.80 percent , lack of grading facilities 35.80 percent , and transportation issues 35.00 percent strongly agree, and that were being prominent concerns. Additionally, market information gaps 26.70 percent and malpractices by buyers 30.80 percent impact the marketing process. The study also examined consumers\u27 difficulties in purchasing potatoes, indicating issues with timely product availability 18.80 percent strongly agree. Price fluctuations 37.50 percent strongly agree, and inadequate packaging 18.80 percent strongly agreed. Furthermore, consumers expressed concern about potato grading 37.50 percent agreed and quality 37.50 percent strongly agree. Another aspect of the study investigated wholesalers\u27 challenges, identifying the absence of grading facilities 80.00 percent strongly agree. Storage 80.00 percent strongly agreed, and transportation issues 60.00 percent strongly agreed, as key constraints. Wide price fluctuations 70.00 percent strongly agreed, and inaccurate weighing 80.00 percent. Lastly, the research explored retailers\u27 obstacles in potato marketing, highlighted issues with grading facilities 90.00 percent strongly agreed, storage 80.00 percent strongly agreed, and transportation 70.00 percent strongly agreed. Additionally, retailers face challenges with price fluctuations 80.00 percent strongly agree, and selling lower-grade potatoes 70.00 percent strongly agree

Confidence and Use of Communication Skills in Medical Students

Background: Well-designed interventions can improve the communication skills of physicians. Since the understanding of the current situation is essential for designing effective interventions, this study was performed to determine medical interns’ confidence and use of communication skills.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed in spring 2013 within 3 branches of Islamic Azad University (Tehran, Mashhad, and Yazd), on 327 randomly selected interns. Data gathering instrument was a questionnaire with 14 items for confidence and 17 items for use of communication skills. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics as well as Spearman and Mann- Whitney U tests.Results: Students’ confidence and use of communication skills was evaluated moderate. There was a significant positive correlation between students’ confidence and use of communication skills (r=0.42, p=0.001). Male students reported higher scores for confidence and use of communication skills compared to female, but this was not significant (p=0.055 and p=0.292, respectively).Conclusion: Considering significant correlation between confidence and use of communication skills, designing educational interventions is recommended for development of confidence and resulting use of communication skills in medical students

Potatoes Storage, Price Spread through Various Channels and Marketing Efficiency in Parwan Province, Afghanistan

This research paper examined the factors influenced farmers\u27 immediate selling of potatoes after harvest and their storage practices, various factors and limitations affected their selling and storage capacity has been identified and the ground conditions as realistic discussed as well as the price spread and marketing efficiency in the three districts Siyagard, Ghorband, and Shinwari of Parwan province, Afghanistan. The study conducted revealed that farmers primarily sold potatoes to pay for household expenses 57.50 percent and finance agricultural inputs 55.00 percent. Moreover, sold for loan repayment 45.00 percent and limited storage space 52.50 percent play significant roles in immediate selling decisions. The study also showed that farmers stored potatoes for various reasons, such as personal consumption 23.3 percent, anticipating higher prices 24.20 percent, meeting off-season demand 23.3 percent, and exploiting competitive prices 23.3 percent. The study provide insights into the price spread in different market channels, indicating varying profit margins for farmers and intermediaries. Finally, the study highlighted the marketing efficiency under different channels, with Channel III showed the highest efficiency 47 percent in direct distribution, followed by Channel II 32 percent and Channel I 29 percent. These findings highlight the complexities of potato marketing in the Parwan province, Afghanistan which can help policymakers to develop a sustainable approach to inform strategies to improve farmers\u27 income and market efficiency

INVESTIGATION OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY POTENTIAL USING ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY SURVEY AND CHEMICAL GEOTHERMOMETERS: A STUDY OF THE MANGHOPIR HOT SPRING KARACHI, SINDH PAKISTAN

Electrical resistivity survey and chemical geothermometers methods were used to find the geothermal gradient energy potential of the Manghopir hot spring which is located in Karachi, Sindh. Schlumberger electrode configurations were used to demarcate the two shallow potential subsurface aquifers. At various depths, three lithological units were encountered: alluvium, sandstone, and shale. The first thermal water aquifer lies below at the average depth of 10m and average thickness of 9 m lies in sandstone lithology of Nari Formation of Oligocene age. The second thermal water aquifer encountered at the average depth of 68 m and the average thickness of aquifer was 40.5m in sandstone lithology of Nari Formation. The surface water temperature was calculated with digital thermometer which shows the range in between 48 °C to 50 °C and subsurface temperature was calculated with the help of chemical geothermometers. The Na–K geothermometers indicate the subsurface equilibrium reservoir temperature in the range of 135.52 °C,125.54 °C, 172.964 °C and 184.08°C and the Na-K-Ca chemical geothermometers indicate the subsurface reservoir temperature 148.493°C. The Na-K-Ca geothermometers show a high temperature, but the reservoir temperature appears to be lower due to the mixing of sea water with the chemical composition of hot spring water within the subsurface aquifers

Exploration of Shallow Geothermal Energy Aquifers by Using Electrical Resistivity Survey in Laki Range Jamshoro district Sindh, Pakistan

Geothermal water is increasingly used around the world for its exploitation. Bulk electrical resistivity differences can bring significant information on variation of subsurface geothermal aquifer characteristics. The electrical resistivity survey was carried out in Laki range in lower Indus basin in the study area to explore the subsurface geothermal aquifers. The Schlumberger electrode configuration with range from 2 m to 220 m depth was applied. Three prominent locations of hot springs were selected including Laki Shah Saddar, Lalbagh and Kai hot spring near Sehwan city. After processing resistivity image data, two hot water geothermal aquifers were delineated at Laki Shah Sadder hot springs. The depth of first aquifer was 56 m and its thickness 38 m in the limestones. The depth of second aquifer of 190 m and with thickness of 96 m hosted in limestone. In Lalbagh hot springs two geothermal aquifers were delineated on the basis of apparent resistivity contrast, the depth of first aquifer zone in sandstone was in sandstone 15 m and thickness 12 m, while the depth of second aquifer was 61m and thickness was 35m. In Kai hot springs two hot water geothermal aquifers were delineated. The depth of first geothermal aquifer was 21m and thickness was 18 m and the depth of second aquifer was 105 m and thickness was 61m present in sandstone lithology. Present work demonstrates the capability of electrical resistivity images to study the potential of geothermal energy in shallow aquifers. These outcomes could potentially lead to a number of practical applications, such as the monitoring or the design of shallow geothermal systems

Exploring perceptions of advertising ethics: an informant-derived approach

Whilst considerable research exists on determining consumer responses to pre-determined statements within numerous ad ethics contexts, our understanding of consumer thoughts regarding ad ethics in general remains lacking. The purpose of our study therefore is to provide a first illustration of an emic and informant-based derivation of perceived ad ethics. The authors use multi-dimensional scaling as an approach enabling the emic, or locally derived deconstruction of perceived ad ethics. Given recent calls to develop our understanding of ad ethics in different cultural contexts, and in particular within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, we use Lebanon—the most ethically charged advertising environment within MENA—as an illustrative context for our study. Results confirm the multi-faceted and pluralistic nature of ad ethics as comprising a number of dimensional themes already salient in the existing literature but in addition, we also find evidence for a bipolar relationship between individual themes. The specific pattern of inductively derived relationships is culturally bound. Implications of the findings are discussed, followed by limitations of the study and recommendations for further research

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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Prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Signs and Symptoms and its Related Factors in Tehran Adolescents During Years of 2005-2006

Objective: With respect to the importance of Mental health and Passing school years where such mental bealth develops. We decided to study such prevalence of obsessive – compulsive disorder (OCD) in the adolescents of middle school stage as the situational analysis as one of their the most important indicator of their mental health. Also we studied such relating variables of factors a age, gender, educational status of parents, number of siblings and birth order. Meterials & Methods: In this cross – sectional study Six hundreds seventy two (672) students of middle school of Tehran (369 girls and 303 boys) withing age range of 11-15 yrs old were selected. With multi-stage sampling method we considered four regions of educational offices of Tehran in North, South, West and East. Each regions were selected to have two middle schools (one for girls and the other for boys) and in each of schools we selected two or more classes from different stages. Finally the students of each classes answered the SCL-90R questionnair which subsequently data were gathered.  Results: Considering mean score of questions related to OCD in SCL-90R questionnair, the prevalence of OCD found to be 10.8% (CI 95%: 8.3%-13.2%). There were not a significant difference between boys (8.7%) and girls (12.3%). Age and geographic region of school had significant correlation with prevalence of OCD. With increasing the age, the prevalence of OCD also increased East and South regions, The prevalences were more than the other regions. The most co-morbidty comorbidity was generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Value of P<0.05 was found as the significance of differences in all measurments. Conclusion: The relatively high prevalence of OCD in this study lead us to increase attention to mental health programs at schools, especially training the students and teachers to promote their referrals while facing new susbpected cases. This will ease further early propper diagnosis and firmative Treatments