Exploring Resource-Based Actor Engagement in Microfinance Institutions: The Service-Dominant Logic Perspective

Actor engagement is an emerging area of research in service-dominant logic yet equated with the traditional view of customer engagement. The narrow explanation of cognitive and emotional perspectives obstructs the theory building to further understand the resource-based perspective of actor engagement, thus warranting an inductive inquiry. The interrelated categorization is also a missing link in the literature, and this study fills this gap.  This qualitative study explores antecedents of actor engagement with a resource-based perspective at pre, core, and post-service encounters. While adopting the qualitative Gioia methodology, twenty-five customers of microfinance institutions were interviewed to explore the phenomenon. Our study reveals that in the pre-resource integration phase, the value fit and actors\u27 dexterity are the antecedents that bring actor engagement. The alignment of integrated resources and service interaction disposition ensures engagement at the resource-integration phase, whereas, in the post-integration phase, actor engagement is affected by the service outcome. Furthermore, the actors\u27 association with networks influences the engagement, and information gateways interconnect all three phases. This study offers four unique propositions to explain interrelated resource-based actor engagement. Microfinance institutions moving towards digital banking can adopt the study findings to redesign engaging strategies at an actor-to-actor level to ensure brand loyalty and commitment. Researchers can quantitatively test the proposed propositions for further conceptual advancement

Salt-induced regulation of photosynthetic capacity and ion accumulation in some genetically diverse cultivars of radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Salt-induced changes in growth, various gas exchange characteristics, and ion accumulation were examined during a greenhouse experiment on six radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cultivars i.e., Radish Red Neck, Radish Lal Pari, Radish Mino Japani, Radish 40 Days, Mannu Early and Desi. Varying levels of salt (0, 80, and 160 mM NaCl) of the growth medium markedly decreased the shoot and root dry weights, relative water contents, osmotic potential, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, substomatal CO2 concentration, Ci /Ca ratio, water use effi ciency, leaf and root K+ and Ca2+, while increasing the leaf and root Na+ and Cl- of all six radish cultivars. Of all cultivars, Mannu Early and Desi were higher in shoot and root dry weights than the other cultivars, and thus, they were ranked as relatively salt tolerant. However, none of the earlier mentioned physiological attributes was found to be an effective criterion in discriminating the six radish cultivars. Overall, the response of each cultivar to salt stress appraised using various physiological attributes was specific

Myocarditis complicating Plasmodium vivax malaria.

Myocarditis complicating Plasmodium vivax malaria is an extremely rare complication. We report this development in a young girl who was diagnosed to have P. vivax malaria on the basis of peripheral smear. While undergoing antimalarial treatment, she developed respiratory distress requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and inotropic support due to cardiogenic shock secondary to myocarditis. Cardiovascular complications are well recognized with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Nevertheless, a high index of suspicion should be maintained for the same in Plasmodium vivax infection especially if symptoms of heart failure develop in a young patient

EFFECT OF SOYBEAN MEAL, MAIZE GLUTEN 30% AND FEATHER MEAL ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND FEED CONVERSION RATIO OF HYBRID (LABEO ROHITA X CATLA CATLA) FINGERLINGS

Growth performance and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of hybrid (Labeo rohita x Catla catla) fingerlings fed for six weeks on soybean meal, maize gluten 30% and feather meal were evaluated. The feed trails were replicated for each of the ingredients. The feed was supplied at the rate of 4% of wet body weight of fingerlings twice a day. The hybrid (Labeo rohita x Catla catla) fingerlings gained highest body weight (2.07 ± 0.01g) on maize gluten 30%, followed by feather meal (1.88 ± 0.04g) and soybean meal (1.66 ± 0.01g) and these values were significantly different from each other (p<0.05). The growth measured in terms of total length was significantly higher on maize gluten 30% (6.85 ± 0.04 cm) than feather meal (6.20 ± 0.05 cm) and soybean meal (6.15 ± 0.04 cm). The difference between the latter two groups was, however, non significant. FCR calculated for three ingredients was lower (better) on maize gluten 30% (1.90 ± 0.06), followed by feather meal (1.97 ± 0.04) and soybean meal (2.06 ± 0.08). The FCR value on maize gluten 30% was significantly better than soybean meal but non significantly different from feather meal. It was concluded that maize gluten 30% could be included in the feed formulation for fingerling hybrids

Jatropha curcas L. and Pongamia pinnata L. exhibited differential growth and bioaccumulation pattern irrigated with wastewater

Pakistan currently faces an acute shortage of water, which has increasingly been devastating for the past few decades. In order to mitigate water scarcity, agriculture sector of the country started using wastewater discharged from various industries. The present study aims to assess the impact of fertilizer industry effluent on Jatropha curcas L. and Pongamia pinnata L., which are popular biofuel tree species. Initially, one-year-old saplings were acclimatized in pots, then wastewater was applied in diluted concentrations of effluent using 20 and 40 mL L-1 to the treatment group while control plants were irrigated with tap water. The physico-chemical properties of the effluent showed high values 179 mg L-1 for biological oxygen demand (BOD), 257 mg L-1 for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 1200 mg L-1 for total dissolved solid (TDS), respectively. Surprisingly, high concentrations of arsenic (15 µg L-1) and cadmium (0.78 mg L-1) were present but chromium (Cr) concentration was found within permissible limit to WHO. The levels applied caused a significant (p≤0.05) increase in plant growth and biomass. The extent of membrane damage assessed via malondialdehyde (MDA) production was also greater in the roots of P. pinnata while reverse was true for shoots of J. curcas. A more profound (p≤0.05) reduction in photosynthetic pigments and carotenoids was observed in P. pinnata at concentrated level of effluent. Overall, the study signifies a 2-folds potential of biofuel tree species for efficient reuse of wastewater, as well as for remediation of metals from wastewater and soil

Alleviation of drought stress through foliar application of thiamine in two varieties of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Drought stress poorly impacts many morphological and physio-biochemical processes in plants. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants are highly nutritious crops destined for human consumption; however, their productivity is threatened under drought stress. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is well-known essential micronutrient, acting as a cofactor in key metabolic processes. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the protective effect of foliar application of thiamine (0, 250, and 500 ppm) on two varieties of pea plants under drought stress. Here, we conducted the pot experiment at the Government College Women University, Faisalabad, to investigate the physio-biochemical and morphological traits of two pea varieties (sarsabz and metior) grown under drought stress and thiamine treatment. Drought stress was applied to plants after germination period of 1 month. Results showed that root fresh and dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight, number of pods, leaf area, total soluble sugars, total phenolics, total protein contents, catalase, peroxidase, and mineral ions were reduced against drought stress. However, the application of thiamine (both 250 and 500 ppm) overcome the stress and also enhances these parameters, and significantly increases the antioxidant activities (catalase and peroxidase). Moreover, the performance of sarsabz was better under control and drought stress conditions than metior variety. In conclusion, the exogenous application of thiamine enabled the plants to withstand drought stress conditions by regulating several physiological and biochemical mechanisms. In agriculture, it is a great latent to alleviate the antagonistic impact of drought stress on crops through the foliar application of thiamine

Role of foliar spray of plant growth regulators in improving photosynthetic pigments and metabolites in Plantago ovata (Psyllium) under salt stress – A field appraisal

Salinity is one of the major abiotic factors that limit the growth and productivity of plants. Foliar application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) may help plants ameliorate the negative impacts of salinity. Thus, a field experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden University of Balochistan, Quetta, to explore the potential role of PGRs, i.e., moringa leaf extract (MLE; 10%), proline (PRO; 1 µM), salicylic acid (SA; 250 µM), and thiourea (TU; 10 mM) in ameliorating the impacts of salinity (120 mM) on Plantago ovata, an important medicinal plant. Salinity hampered plant photosynthetic pigments and metabolites but elevated oxidative parameters. However, foliar application of PGRs enhanced photosynthetic pigments, including Chl b (21.11%), carotenoids (57.87%) except Chl a, activated the defense mechanisms by restoring and enhancing the metabolites, i.e., soluble sugars (49.68%), soluble phenolics (33.34%), and proline (31.47%), significantly under salinity stress. Furthermore, foliar supplementation of PGRs under salt stress led to a decrease of about 43.02% and 43.27% in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content, respectively. Thus, PGRs can be recommended for improved photosynthetic efficiency and metabolite content that can help to get better yield under salt stress, with the best and most effective treatments being those of PRO and MLE to predominately ameliorate the harsh impacts of salinity

The impact of reduced routine community mental healthcare on people from minority ethnic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic : qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives

Background: Enduring ethnic inequalities exist in mental healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic has widened these. Aims: To explore stakeholder perspectives on how the COVID-19 pandemic has increased ethnic inequalities in mental healthcare. Method: A qualitative interview study of four areas in England with 34 patients, 15 carers and 39 mental health professionals from National Health Service (NHS) and community organisations (July 2021 to July 2022). Framework analysis was used to develop a logic model of inter-relationships between pre-pandemic barriers and COVID-19 impacts. Results: Impacts were largely similar across sites, with some small variations (e.g. positive service impacts of higher ethnic diversity in area 2). Pre-pandemic barriers at individual level included mistrust and thus avoidance of services and at a service level included the dominance of a monocultural model, leading to poor communication, disengagement and alienation. During the pandemic remote service delivery, closure of community organisations and media scapegoating exacerbated existing barriers by worsening alienation and communication barriers, fuelling prejudice and division, and increasing mistrust in services. Some minority ethnic patients reported positive developments, experiencing empowerment through self-determination and creative activities. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic some patients showed resilience and developed adaptations that could be nurtured by services. However, there has been a reduction in the availability of group-specific NHS and third-sector services in the community, exacerbating pre-existing barriers. As these developments are likely to have long-term consequences for minority ethnic groups’ engagement with mental healthcare, they need to be addressed as a priority by the NHS and its partners

Clinical Sequencing Exploratory Research Consortium: Accelerating Evidence-Based Practice of Genomic Medicine

Despite rapid technical progress and demonstrable effectiveness for some types of diagnosis and therapy, much remains to be learned about clinical genome and exome sequencing (CGES) and its role within the practice of medicine. The Clinical Sequencing Exploratory Research (CSER) consortium includes 18 extramural research projects, one National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) intramural project, and a coordinating center funded by the NHGRI and National Cancer Institute. The consortium is exploring analytic and clinical validity and utility, as well as the ethical, legal, and social implications of sequencing via multidisciplinary approaches; it has thus far recruited 5,577 participants across a spectrum of symptomatic and healthy children and adults by utilizing both germline and cancer sequencing. The CSER consortium is analyzing data and creating publically available procedures and tools related to participant preferences and consent, variant classification, disclosure and management of primary and secondary findings, health outcomes, and integration with electronic health records. Future research directions will refine measures of clinical utility of CGES in both germline and somatic testing, evaluate the use of CGES for screening in healthy individuals, explore the penetrance of pathogenic variants through extensive phenotyping, reduce discordances in public databases of genes and variants, examine social and ethnic disparities in the provision of genomics services, explore regulatory issues, and estimate the value and downstream costs of sequencing. The CSER consortium has established a shared community of research sites by using diverse approaches to pursue the evidence-based development of best practices in genomic medicine

Effects of antibiotic resistance, drug target attainment, bacterial pathogenicity and virulence, and antibiotic access and affordability on outcomes in neonatal sepsis: an international microbiology and drug evaluation prospective substudy (BARNARDS)

Background Sepsis is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO advocates ampicillin–gentamicin as first-line therapy for the management of neonatal sepsis. In the BARNARDS observational cohort study of neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in LMICs, common sepsis pathogens were characterised via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial resistance profiles. In this substudy of BARNARDS, we aimed to assess the use and efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapies commonly used in LMICs for neonatal sepsis. Methods In BARNARDS, consenting mother–neonates aged 0–60 days dyads were enrolled on delivery or neonatal presentation with suspected sepsis at 12 BARNARDS clinical sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Stillborn babies were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected from neonates presenting with clinical signs of sepsis, and WGS and minimum inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic treatment were determined for bacterial isolates from culture-confirmed sepsis. Neonatal outcome data were collected following enrolment until 60 days of life. Antibiotic usage and neonatal outcome data were assessed. Survival analyses were adjusted to take into account potential clinical confounding variables related to the birth and pathogen. Additionally, resistance profiles, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic probability of target attainment, and frequency of resistance (ie, resistance defined by in-vitro growth of isolates when challenged by antibiotics) were assessed. Questionnaires on health structures and antibiotic costs evaluated accessibility and affordability. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015, and Feb 1, 2018, 36 285 neonates were enrolled into the main BARNARDS study, of whom 9874 had clinically diagnosed sepsis and 5749 had available antibiotic data. The four most commonly prescribed antibiotic combinations given to 4451 neonates (77·42%) of 5749 were ampicillin–gentamicin, ceftazidime–amikacin, piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin, and amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin. This dataset assessed 476 prescriptions for 442 neonates treated with one of these antibiotic combinations with WGS data (all BARNARDS countries were represented in this subset except India). Multiple pathogens were isolated, totalling 457 isolates. Reported mortality was lower for neonates treated with ceftazidime–amikacin than for neonates treated with ampicillin–gentamicin (hazard ratio [adjusted for clinical variables considered potential confounders to outcomes] 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·72; p=0·0060). Of 390 Gram-negative isolates, 379 (97·2%) were resistant to ampicillin and 274 (70·3%) were resistant to gentamicin. Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to at least one antibiotic in a treatment combination was noted in 111 (28·5%) to ampicillin–gentamicin; 286 (73·3%) to amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 301 (77·2%) to ceftazidime–amikacin; and 312 (80·0%) to piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. A probability of target attainment of 80% or more was noted in 26 neonates (33·7% [SD 0·59]) of 78 with ampicillin–gentamicin; 15 (68·0% [3·84]) of 27 with amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 93 (92·7% [0·24]) of 109 with ceftazidime–amikacin; and 70 (85·3% [0·47]) of 76 with piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. However, antibiotic and country effects could not be distinguished. Frequency of resistance was recorded most frequently with fosfomycin (in 78 isolates [68·4%] of 114), followed by colistin (55 isolates [57·3%] of 96), and gentamicin (62 isolates [53·0%] of 117). Sites in six of the seven countries (excluding South Africa) stated that the cost of antibiotics would influence treatment of neonatal sepsis