A review of youth violence theories: developing interventions to promote sustainable peace in Ilorin, Nigeria

Ilorin is located in North Central Nigeria with an estimated population above two million people. For some time now, Ilorin has been regarded as the most “peaceful” State Capital in the North Central geo-political zone; due to rare outburst of violence and criminality. However, in the recent past, the peaceful atmosphere of the State Capital has been under serious threat owing to frequent outburst of youth violence, particularly in socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods (SDNs). Consequently, youth violence has attracted the attention of policy makers and stakeholders in the State Capital, thereby occupying an important space in local discourses. In this paper, we undertake a review of theories of violence to understand the etiology of youth violence in Ilorin in particular and Nigeria as a whole, and assess the implications of these theories for developing strategies and policy frameworks for promoting long-lasting, sustainable peace.Keywords: Youth violence; Relative deprivation; Social disorganisation; Broken window; Ilori

The lived experiences of postgraduate female students at the University of Kwazulu Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract: Gender and educational equality have been extensively debated by scholars in South Africa, researchers have failed to capitalize on why enthusiastic postgraduate female students have a higher dropout rate than their male counterparts. This study has capitalized on this vacuity, via a phenomenological lens, to examine the challenges experienced by female postgraduate students at University of KwaZulu-Natal. This study presents the lived ex- periences of ten female postgraduate honours students from University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2017. The study sought to research the learner's impetus to pursue postgraduate studies and the limitations eminent during the process. The ostensive constraints acknowledged by participants have seeped in socio-cultural beliefs rooted in traditional and religious affirmations, financial impediments and balancing their educational pursuit with traditional role expectations within their gendered familial domain. This study advances the requirement to critique the socio-cultural principles that impede females' succession in postgraduate studies while simultaneously engaging in discourse on the concealed practices in higher educational institutions separating students based on gender

LEVERAGING STRATEGIC MANEUVERABILITY TO AUGMENT BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE DURING ENVIRONMENTAL TURBULENCE

ABSTRACT   Purpose: Ensuring that businesses thrive in turbulent environments is as challenging as navigating the proverbial stormy waters. Drawing upon attention-based and action-based views of firms’ dynamic capabilities, we examined whether firms with high strategic maneuverability can gain a competitive advantage in turbulent environments by adopting business model innovation

Coverage of Cancer News in Pakistani Print Media: A Content Analysis Study of Daily Pahenji Akhbar – A Sindhi Language Newspaper

Background: Newspaper coverage is a key source of cancer information. Although it was of profound significance to understand how the local newspapers of Pakistan cover the cancer news. Aims and Objectives: To counter this, the present study was aimed to examine the cancer news coverage of the last year 2020. Materials and Methods: Using content analysis technique, the whole year coverage in daily Pehnji Akhbar was investigated to determine which topic and the type of cancer were most frequently mentioned in the news, and what was the locality the cancer news was most frequently reported from. Results: In total, 90 cancer-related news were generated, out of which 7.5% of news were found as an average in each month during the whole year of 2020. Death was the topic of the majority (90%) of the news (contributing to 74% male deaths and 15% female deaths). However, blood, liver, throat, and mouth cancers were the most frequently mentioned-types in the news related to male victims. In terms of localities, the rural areas were the highest contributors of the 57 cancer news (contributing to 48% male victims and 14% female victims). Conclusion: It was found that cancer is increasing at an alarming rate in the rural areas of Sindh. Recommendations: Keeping in view the significance of the newspapers, it would help proffer the public with adequate information on cancer by increasing the mentions of particular types of common cancer. Also, it would be beneficial if the newspapers consider relating the news to the profiles of the victims. Keywords: Cancer, mortality, news reporting, print media, public healt

Significant Analysis for Financial Statements: An Empirical Study of National and Unilever Foods

Choosing vital, reliable and hustle free analysis is a bit difficult situation for most of the financiers and managers as there are so many analyses. This study focuses on most significant analyses to perform on financial statements. To accomplish this study, financial statements of two companies, Unilever foods and National foods has selected to perform analysis. Results show that vertical analysis can be a suspicious analysis as it total assets and sales fluctuate gradually. Horizontal analysis is somehow better analysis than vertical analysis as it shows negative or positive trend of variables. DuPont analysis is a reliable analysis but it taken into consideration only two years. However, ratio analysis is seems to be best analysis as it gives concise and paramount review of firm’s performance. According to these analyses, Unilever Foods is better corporate than National Foods. Further results are discussed in the light of these analyses. Keywords: Vertical analysis, Horizontal analysis, DuPont analysis, Ratio analysi

Dynamic Capabilities, Innovation, and Sustainable Competitive Advantage under Environmental Uncertainty in Textile Industry

This study examined the relationship between dynamic capabilities and sustainable competitive advantage through technological and non-technological innovation under environmental uncertainty.  The proposed interactive model has been explained using the dynamic capabilities theory. Data were collected from 246 managers in the textile manufacturing industries in Pakistan through a two-point survey. The measurement model showed excellent psychometric qualities for all variable measures. Findings provide that dynamic capabilities have a significant positive relationship with sustainable competitive advantage mediated by technological and non-technological innovations in parallel and serial ways. Environmental uncertainty accelerated the positive impact of dynamic capabilities on both these forms of innovation, leading to sustainable competitive advantage. Findings emphasize the importance of dynamic capabilities in the manufacturing industry and support investment in developing such capabilities, which enhance industry innovation and competitiveness

Clinicopathologic features of invasive metaplastic and micropapillary breast carcinoma: comparison with invasive ductal carcinoma of breast

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of metaplastic breast carcinoma and invasive micropapillary carcinoma in our population and also to compare the clinico-pathologic features of metaplastic breast carcinoma and invasive micropapillary carcinoma with invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified (IDC, NOS).Result: 86.9% of the cases were identified as ductal carcinoma, NOS, while 2.2% were metaplastic and 0.76% cases were micropapillary carcinoma. Metaplastic carcinomas were found to be of higher grade as compared to IDC, NOS as 81% of metaplastic carcinoma were grade III compared to 35% IDC, NOS. 79% of metaplastic carcinoma were ER negative and 86% were PR negative, respectively as compared to ductal carcinoma NOS, which were 40% ER negative and 54% were PR. Similarly, 86.7% micropapillary cancers were ER positive and 73.3% were PR positive. Moreover, 66.7% micropapillary carcinoma showed nodal metastasis and 77.8% showed lymphovascular invasion, which was significantly higher than that of IDC, NOS micropapillary and metaplastic carcinomas accounts for less than 2 and 1% of the breast cancer burden in our population and highly correlates with poor prognosis parameters therefore, require more intensive management in our population

Immersive horizons: navigating ethical terrain and practical boundaries in the use of virtual reality for cancer symptom management – a comprehensive narrative review

Cancer is a significant healthcare problem. However, advancements in diagnostic procedures and therapeutic modalities have led to a decline in cancer mortality rates by 1% annually in most countries. Cancer patients often experience symptoms such as pain, cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, and lymphedema. To counter these side effects, there have been tremendous efforts. One such effort is the use of virtual reality (VR) technology, which is an interactive technology. VR has played a significant role in managing disorders such as phobias and anxiety disorders, and support for patients with cognitive and physical rehabilitation, acute and chronic pain management, and emotional support in different settings such as during hospitalizations. Our team conducted an extensive search for electronic literature on virtual reality in various databases, such as Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Psych INFO, up to July 2023. We used keywords like "virtual reality," "cancer care," "depression," "cognition," "pain," "telemedicine," "rehabilitation care," "physical therapy," "radiotherapy," "telerehabilitation," "avatar," "video games," and "visual aid" as our search criteria. VR interventions for cancer patients include exposure therapy, psycho-education, and relaxation techniques, which have been shown to reduce symptoms significantly. VR distraction can also mitigate pain during medical procedures. Studies suggest that VR holds promise in rehabilitation and oncologic treatment, as it can improve function metrics, range of motion, and motivation for treatment. The review scrutinizes the use of digital information and virtual reality technology to alleviate cancer-related distress by providing remote care.

Genomic and Functional Characterization of Enterococcus mundtii QAUEM2808, Isolated From Artisanal Fermented Milk Product Dahi

Microbial strains with a unique combination of technological and bioactive properties are preferred for industrial applications. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential use of Enterococcus mundtii QAUEM2808 (NCBI Accession Number: LSMC00000000) in milk fermentation. This strain was isolated from Dahi, an indigenous fermented milk product of South-East Asia. The in vitro study confirmed the acidification ability as well as the proteolytic, cellulolytic, and amylolytic enzyme activities of this strain. It also produced a substantial amount of the folate in laboratory media and no physiological dysfunctions in laboratory animals was observed in feeding trials. All these properties were confirmed by in silico genome analysis. The Enterococcus mundtii QAUEM2808 genome consisted of a single, circular chromosome comprising 2,957,300-bp, 2,587 genes with GC content of 38.5%. Moreover, 16t RNAs, 1, 3 (16S, 23S) rRNAs, 4 ncRNAs, and 91 pseudo genes were also predicted. The majority of genome encode genes for protein, amino acids, carbohydrate, cell wall DNA and RNA metabolisms including all genes required for conversion of lactose to lactic acid. It also exhibited antimicrobial activity against E. coli ATCC 10536, S. aureus ATCC 6538, P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027, and L. monocytogenes ATCC 13932 and was found to be sensitive to commonly used antibiotics. The in silico analysis revealed the presence of genes for mundaticin and enterocin production, and CRISPER regions, however, the genes for antibiotic resistance were absent. No genes related to the pathogenicity island and prophages were detected by genome mining. Therefore, it could be inferened that Enterococcus mundtii QAUEM2808 has the potential to be used in milk fermentation as adjunct culture