Determination of sun protection factor and physical remanence of dermocosmetic emulgels formulated with Manilkara zapota (L.) fruit extract

Purpose: To develop a stable emulgel formulation from Manilkara zapota fruit extract (MZFE) and evaluate its sun-protective factor (SPF) and its physical retention on facial skin. Methods: Active test formulations containing MZFE and placebo (containing no active ingredients) were prepared by dispersing the primary emulsion into a gel phase. Both test and placebo emulgel formulations were subjected to physicochemical evaluation, stability studies, and assessment of possible photo-protective properties. The sun-protective factor (SPF) was determined in vitro by spectrophotometric analysis. Non-invasive in vivo skin bioengineering technique was used to assess the UV-quenching effects of the test and placebo emulgel formulations. Results: A stable and cosmetically acceptable emulgel formulation loaded with MZFE was obtained. The formulation and control exhibited optimum physicochemical stability in stress stability tests. The formulation exhibited promising photo-protective effects both in vitro (SPF = 14.215 ± 0.140) and in vivo (lasted for approximately 120 min). Conclusion: The developed MZFE-loaded test emulgel formulation possesses suitable photoprotection capability in vitro, and displays quenching effects against specific wavelengths of UV light, indicating a UV-filtering propert

Transformation of the Forest-based Bioeconomy by Embracing Digital Solutions

This paper attempts to explore a new insight to both industrialized and growing economies by demonstrating a digital-driven creative disruption in the forest-based bioeconomy which is beginning to replace its conventional and narrow concept of a forest-blinded economy. Notwithstanding the potential broad cross-sectoral benefits to both industrialized and growing economies, natural environments and locality constraints and the incessant challenge of distance have impeded balanced development of this economy. However, driven by digital solutions the economy has taken big steps forward in recent years. Digitalization has enabled real-time end-to-end supply chain visibility, improved delivery accuracy, stock level optimization and alignment with demand planning. These have led to digital ecosystem collaboration and a transparency crossover industrialized and growing economies worldwide. Thus, creative disruptive platform has emerged by embracing digital solutions. By means of an empirical analysis focusing on the noteworthy business activities at the forefront of both upstream and downstream of the chain, this paper demonstrates a transforming stream observed in the forefront of a forest-based bioeconomy chain. This research thus explores a new insight common to both industrialized and growing economies in constructing a creative disruption platform by embracing digital solutions

Co-evolution between Trust in Teachers and Higher Education Enabled by ICT Advancement – A Suggestion to ICT Growing Economies

In light of the increasing significance of trust-based higher education towards digitally-rich learning environments, co-evolution dynamism between trust in teachers and higher education enabled by ICT advancement was analyzed. Using the rate of trust in teachers for good education in the Global Teacher Status Index, together with statistics on higher education level and ICT advancement, an empirical numerical analysis of 20 countries was attempted. It was identified that while ICT advanced countries have constructed a co-evolution between ICT, higher education and trust, ICT growing countries have not succeeded due to a vicious cycle between ICT and trust. Finland’s educational success can be attributed to this co-evolution while an education productivity paradox can be attributed to a disengagement. It is suggested that steady ICT advancement by making full utilization of external resources in digitally-rich learning environments can be essential to ICT growing countries for their higher education. A new approach for constructing the foregoing co-evolution in a systematic way was thus explored

Harnessing Women’s Potential as a Soft Engine for Growth – Lessons from Contrasting Trajectories between Finland and Japan for Growing Economies

Harnessing the vigor of women’s potential is essential for inclusive economic growth in a digital economy moving toward aging society. This can be a soft engine for sustainable growth substitutable for costly hard investment. While there exists explicit evidence of a virtual cycle between economic growth and gender balance improvement, emerging countries cannot afford to overcome the constraints of low income. Given the foregoing, this paper analyzed possible co-evolution between economic growth, gender balance improvement and digital innovation initiated by information and communication technology (ICT) advancement. Using a unique dataset representing the state of gender balance improvement in the function of economic growth and ICT advancement, an empirical numerical analysis of 44 countries was attempted. These countries were classified as emerging, industrialized and with a specific culture. It was found that while industrialized countries, typically Finland, have realized high performance in co-evolution, emerging countries have been constrained by low ICT advancement, and countries with a specific culture have, notwithstanding their high economic level, also been constrained by a traditional male-dominated culture. Japan is a typical case. Based on these findings, lessons from contrasting trajectories between Finland and Japan for emerging countries were analyzed. It is suggested that advancement of ICT, not only quantitatively but also qualitatively in such a way as constructing a self-propagating system, is crucial for emerging countries. A new practical approach for harnessing the potential resources for sustainable growth was thus explored

Institutional Sources of Resilience in Global ICT Leaders - Harness the Vigor of Emerging Power

In light of the significant impacts on global economy both nations and firms witnessed a dramatic advancement of information and communication technology (ICT). There was particularly bi-polarization between ICT advanced and growing economies compelling a vicious cycle between ICT advancement and its productivity decline in these economies. The institutional sources of resilience were analyzed. On the basis of an empirical analysis comparing technopreneurial performance in world top 500 ICT firms by market value, sales and profit over the last decade, resilient firms maintaining world top 100 position by all three values over the whole period were identified. Institutional sources enabling resilient firms maintain leading position can largely be attributed to co-evolutionary acclimatization ability, which harnesses the vigor of emerging power of counterparts both in home countries and in advanced countries as well as growing economies in a co-evolutional way. Such ability maximizes synergy between efficiency and resilience in their technopreneurial management. Contrasting business model in global ICT firms with and without resilience structure suggests the sources of emerging trap due to ICT advancement and endorsed the significance of co-evolutionary acclimatization. This suggests the significance of institutional co-evolution between ICT advanced and growing economies that enables both economies to harness the vigor of partners for global sustainability

A Multi-faceted Semi-Synthetic Dataset for Automated Cyberbullying Detection

In recent years, the rising use of social media has propelled automated cyberbullying detection into a prominent research domain. However, challenges persist due to the absence of a standardized definition and universally accepted datasets. Many researchers now view cyberbullying as a facet of cyberaggression, encompassing factors like repetition, peer relationships, and harmful intent in addition to online aggression. Acquiring comprehensive data reflective of all cyberbullying components from social media networks proves to be a complex task. This paper provides a description of an extensive semi-synthetic cyberbullying dataset that incorporates all of the essential aspects of cyberbullying, including aggression, repetition, peer relationships, and intent to harm. The method of creating the dataset is succinctly outlined, and a detailed overview of the publicly accessible dataset is additionally presented. This accompanying data article provides an in-depth look at the dataset, increasing transparency and enabling replication. It also aids in a deeper understanding of the data, supporting broader research use

Factors Affecting the Corporate Governance Disclosure: An Analysis of Manufacturing Firms of Pakistan

This study analyzes the impact of different governance related variables on the corporate governance disclosure level of Pakistani manufacturing firms. The study period is one year i.e. 2014 and it used a sample of 50 manufacturing firms which are classified into five different categories. The analyses are done through OLS regression. A comprehensive disclosure index consisting the thirty different disclosure items is developed which served as dependent variable. Thirty disclosure items are included in the index according to the disclosure requirements of SECP code of corporate governance. Board independence, managerial ownership, foreign ownership, block holdings and audit firm status are used as corporate governance related independent variables. The results indicate that the CG disclosure level of selected manufacturing firms is positively influenced by board independence, foreign ownership, block holding ownership and audit firm status. However the results of managerial ownership variable are not statically significant and the hypothesis regarding to this variable is rejected. The study found that all the independent variables except managerial ownership are the important determinants of CG disclosure. Keywords: CGD, INDE’s, SEC

Association between circulating adiponectin levels and polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Low adiponectin levels in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have been largely attributed to obesity which is common among these patients. In addition, evidence also suggests that low adiponectin in PCOS may be related to insulin resistance (IR) in these women. However, studies on the role of adiponectin in younger and lean patients are limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the association of adiponectin levels in young and lean women with PCOS.<p></p> Methods: A case–control study was conducted at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Cases were 75 patients of PCOS with Body Mass Index (BMI) &23 aged 16–35 years and 75 healthy age and BMI matched controls were selected from family and friends of the cases. Demographic details, family history and past medical history were obtained through interview by a physician. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height of the participants. Fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin, adiponectin, and androgen levels were determined. IR was calculated using homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between adiponectin and PCOS after adjusting for co-variates.<p></p> Results: On multivariable analysis, PCOS cases were 3.2 times more likely to have low adiponectin level (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.49-6.90, p-value 0.003) compared to the controls after adjustment for age, BMI, family history, marital status, total cholesterol, HDL level and IR. Females with a family history of PCOS were significantly more likely to have lower adiponectin (OR = 3.32, 95% CI 1.27-8.67, p-value 0.014) compared to those who did not have a family history of PCOS. The associations of IR and family history with low adiponectin level also remained statistically significant after adjustments for covariates.<p></p> Conclusion: Serum adiponectin levels are independently associated with PCOS and are only partly explained by IR. Adiponectin level may serve as a potential independent biomarker for diagnosis of PCOS in young and lean women with fewer symptoms, or women with a family history of PCOS

Effect of Leadership Styles in Employee Performance During COVID Pandemic: Evidence from the Banking Sector of Pakistan

The Covid-19 epidemic is harming the world economy. Due to the economic domino effect, practically all business sectors are affected. Because of the economic slump and modification in client transaction penchants, COVID-19 had a considerable sway on the banking industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic in the banking industry, this paper intends to determine and evaluate the direct and indirect possessions of transformational, transactional leadership, and laissez-faire leadership on employee performance because of the indirect influence mediated by work engagement. The findings revealed that transformational leadership has a progressive but little influence on employee performance, but transactional management has a positive and considerable influence. Furthermore, through mediating the influence of work engagement, transformational leadership's influence on employee performance became positive and substantial. Meanwhile, in the appearance of the COVID-19 Pandemic, work engagement was much higher, bolstering the influence of transactional leadership on employee performance in the banking industry

A Descriptive Study: Integration of Technology Bring Flexibility to Distance Education in Pakistan

Due to the ability to learn, think and decide, Human is declared as “Better” in whole living creation in the universe. Education is encouraged in all the religions including Islam. As the First word in the Quran is “Iqra” means Read. From the books of Hadith and the example of Battle of Badar, the importance of education can be found. In the world, normally two types of education sectors are exists, one is regular education with physically existence of classes and second is distance education. In this research, focus of the research team is on Distance Education and Technological Integration in Distance Education along with the flexibility that technology brings to Distance Education in Pakistan. For this descriptive study the data used is gathered from secondary sources such as web sites of distance education universities in Pakistan, head offices and university magazines. For this research, two major distance education universities are discussed which are Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University of Pakistan. The Research describes that Distance Education Starts in 1974 in Pakistan and Pakistan has the honor to be the first country in Asia who introduce Open University concept and distance education and 2nd in the World. Allama Iqbal Open University started its distance education initially by hiring the tutors in the different institutions for its student nationwide. However, with IET development the teaching method converted from traditional tutor system to the tutoring broadcast on television and radio network. But the examination system remains as traditional which was paper based examination system along with the paper based assignments for evaluating the student. In 2002, First IT Based University “Virtual University of Pakistan” came into being and developed VULMS Virtual University learning management system. Virtual University of Pakistan is the first IT Based and totally equipped with modern information and communication technology. VULMS contains virtual class room which can be accessed by the student by providing unique student ID and password. VULMS contains video lectures of the student having revise listening option which is better than television broadcast. VULMS allow the student to download their assignment through internet from anywhere and also submit them. It also has the complete section of student Fee record, result record and other services like paper rechecking, freeze and unfreeze the semesters, apply for degree and result card etc. In 2008, Virtual University introduced online examination system which replace traditional paper system in distance education and with online system of education the next step of Virtual University was to introduce the facility of making own date sheet option for the students. By realizing that majority of the students in distance education are professional so this service was given to students. While remaining in the announced exam timing students can select dates, timing and exam city on their own for examination as per their availability. This research describe all the phases of these technological integration one by one phase wise and discuss the impact of these integration in term of brining flexibility for the students of distance education in Pakistan. Keyword: Education, Distance Education, Technology in Education, Education in Pakista