The Crisis of Unity in the 21st Century: The Unrealized Dream of Pan-Africanism in Cameroon

The following is an analysis of how the sentiments of pan-Africanism, a notion formulated in the early 20th century, have failed to proliferate in Cameroonian society. As a concept based in the social, economic, and political solidarity of the African continent, the pan-African movement has often been a point of reference for intellectuals searching for a solution to the problems Africa currently faces, some of which include lack of political agency and stagnating economic growth. The beliefs promoted by pan-Africanists is that by joining together the collective potentials of all African people, the continent can become a global force, leaving behind its past of enslavement and colonialism. The findings of this study reveal, however that though Cameroonian informants agree with the sentiments advocated by the pan-African movement, aspects of their society have not been conducive to the success of this concept. In looking at the social institutions of Cameroon’s education system, regional differences and political leadership, this study aims to discover why pan-Africanism has failed and what Cameroonians, and Africans in general, can do to weave its teachings back into their society

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Association between a longer duration of illness, age and lower frontal lobe grey matter volume in schizophrenia

The frontal lobe has an extended maturation period and may be vulnerable to the long-term effects of schizophrenia. We tested this hypothesis by studying the relationship between duration of illness (DoI), grey matter (GM) and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) volume across the whole brain. Sixty-four patients with schizophrenia and 25 healthy controls underwent structural MRI scanning and neuropsychological assessment. We performed regression analyses in patients to examine the relationship between DoI and GM and CSF volumes across the whole brain, and correlations in controls between age and GM or CSF volume of the regions where GM or CSF volumes were associated with DoI in patients. Correlations were also performed between GM volume in the regions associated with DoI and neuropsychological performance. A longer DoI was associated with lower GM volume in the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (PFC), right middle frontal cortex, left fusiform gyrus (FG) and left cerebellum (lobule III). Additionally, age was inversely associated with GM volume in the left dorsomedial PFC in patients, and in the left FG and CSF excess near the left cerebellum in healthy controls. Greater GM volume in the left dorsomedial PFC was associated with better working memory, attention and psychomotor speed in patients. Our findings suggest that the right middle frontal cortex is particularly vulnerable to the long-term effect of schizophrenia illness whereas the dorsomedial PFC, FG and cerebellum are affected by both a long DoI and aging. The effect of illness chronicity on GM volume in the left dorsomedial PFC may be extended to brain structure–neuropsychological function relationships

Pengaruh PER, DER, dan ROA terhadap Harga Saham Sektor Food And Beverages Sebelum Krisis dan Pada Saat Krisis Akibat Pandemi Covid-19

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh PER, ROA, dan DER terhadap harga saham sektor food and beverages tahun 2018-2019, dan mengetahui pengaruh PER, ROA, dan DER terhadap harga saham sektor food and beverages tahun 2020-2021. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh perusahaan sektor food and beverages yang terdaftar di BEI periode 2018-2021 yang berjumlah 112 perusahaan, sementara sampelnya berjumlah 96 perusahaan yang diperoleh dengan menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah regresi linier berganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, pengaruh PER terhadap harga saham pada saat krisis pandemi Covid-19 (tahun 2020-2021) lebih besar dibanding pengaruh PER terhadap harga saham sebelum krisis (tahun 2018-2019). Hasil penelitian juga menunjukkan DER tidak berpengaruh terhadap harga saham perusahaan food & baverage pada saat krisis pandemi Covid-19 maupun sebelum krisis. Selain itu, hasil penelitian juga menunjukkan pengaruh ROA terhadap harga saham pada saat krisis pandemi Covid-19 lebih besar dibanding pengauh PER terhadap harga saham sebelum krisis

EFEKTIVITAS ANTIBAKTERI EKSTRAK DAUN PACAR AIR (Impatiens balsamina L.) TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN Porphyromonas gingivalis

EFEKTIVITAS ANTIBAKTERI EKSTRAK DAUN PACAR AIR (Impatiens balsamina L.) TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN Porphyromonas gingivalis Thresia U. Sapara1), Olivia Waworuntu1), Juliatri1) 1) Program Studi Pendidikan Dokter Gigi Fakultas Kedokteran UNSRAT Manado, 95115   ABSTRACT Chronic Periodontitis is an infection of the periodontal tissue that usually slow. The main cause of this disease periodontitis is Porphyromonas gingivalis which is a Gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria colonize in the mouth tissue. Resistance of Porphyromonas gingivalis against antibiotics allows the use of herbal medicines from natural materials into one of the alternatives in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Garden balsam is one of natural compounds in Indonesia and used as a medicinal herb. The leaves of garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina L.) is believed to have a pharmacological effect, because it contains flavonoids, steroids, saponins, tannins, and quinones as antibacterial. This study aims to determine the antibacterial effect of garden balsam leaves extract in inhibiting Porphyromonas gingivalis growth and how strong the effect of the extract refers on inhibiting zone. This experimental study was done by a modified Kirby-bauer method using sinks. The leaves of garden balsam were taken from Perkamil, Paal Dua Manado then they were extracted with maceration method using 96% ethanol. Porphyromonas gingivalis were taken from a pure stock of Microbiology Laboratory on Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar and cultured in the Pharmacy Laboratory on Faculty of Science Sam Ratulangi University. The results showed an total diameter of inhibition zone of garden balsam leaves extract against Porphyromonas gingivalis is 59,5 mm with average 11,9 mm. In conclusion, the leaves of garden balsam extract have an antibacterial effect in inhibiting Porphyromonas gingivalis. Inhibition zone of garden balsam leaves extract against Porphyromonas gingivalis is 11,9 mm. Keywords: garden balsam leaves (Impatiens balsamina L.), Porphyromonas gingivalis, antibacterial ABSTRAK Periodontitis kronis merupakan infeksi pada jaringan periodontal yang biasanya berjalan lambat. Penyebab utama penyakit periodontitis ini ialah bakteri Porphyromonas gingivalis yang merupakan bakteri anaerob Gram negatif dan berkoloni dalam jaringan mulut. Resistennya Porphyromonas gingivalis terhadap obat antibiotik memungkinkan penggunaan obat herbal dari bahan alam menjadi salah satu alternatif dalam perawatan periodontitis kronis. Tanaman pacar air merupakan salah satu bahan alam di Indonesia yang digunakan sebagai obat herbal. Daun pacar air (Impatiens balsamina L.) dipercaya memiliki efek farmakologis, karena mengandung senyawa flavonoid, steroid, saponin, tanin, dan kuinon yang bersifat antibakteri. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas antibakteri ekstrak daun pacar air dalam menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri Porphyromonas gingivalis serta menilai besar daya hambat ekstrak daun pacar air terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri Porphyromonas gingivalis dilihat dari zona hambatnya. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimental dengan metode modifikasi Kirby-bauer menggunakan sumuran. Sampel daun pacar air diambil dari daerah Perkamil Kecamatan Paal Dua Manado kemudian diekstraksi dengan metode maserasi menggunakan pelarut etanol 96%. Bakteri Porphyromonas gingivalis diambil dari stok bakteri murni Laboratorium Mikrobiologi Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Hasanuddin Makasar dan dikultur di Laboratorium Farmasi Fakultas MIPA Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan total diameter zona hambat ekstrak daun pacar air terhadap Porphyromonas gingivalis sebesar 59,5 mm dengan nilai rata-rata sebesar 11,9 mm. Berdasarkan penelitian ini dapat disimpulkan ekstrak daun pacar air memiliki efek antibakteri dalam menghambat pertumbuhan Porphyromonas gingivalis. Zona hambat ekstrak daun pacar air terhadap pertumbuhan Porphyromonas gingivalis sebesar 11,9 mm.   Kata kunci: Daun pacar air (Impatiens balsamina L.), Porphyromonas gingivalis, antibakter

Implementasi kebijakan pertemuan tatap muka terbatas pada masa pandemi Covid-19 : Studi kasus Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Sumedang

Pendidikan di Indonesia saat ini mengkhawatirkan sejak merebaknya Covid-19. Karena pendidikan merupakan aset suatu bangsa. Oleh karena itu, pemerintah melakukan inisiatif untuk pendidikan terus survive di masa pandemi covid-19 sesuai perkembangannya yaitu dengan merevisi SKB 4 Menteri, ditindaklanjuti oleh Bupati Sumedang dan Dinas Pendidikan Kab. Sumedang dalam teknis pelaksanaan kebijakan Pertemuan Tatap Muka Terbatas. Pada kebijakan ini ternyata hanya 14,3% SD yang pada minggu pertama langsung melaksanakannya. Selain itu, permasalahan tiap daerah bervariasi salah satunya belum merata vaksin tenaga kependidikan, dan materi yang disampaikan berupa materi esensial saja karena keterbatasan waktu. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui implementasi kebijakan pertemuan tatap muka terbatas menggunakan teori Richard Matland yaitu melihat ketepatan kebijakan, ketepatan pelaksanaan, ketepatan target, dan ketepatan pelaksanaan, serta melihat dukunan politik, strategi, dan teknisnya. Metode penelitian yang digunakan yaitu pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian deskriptif. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan observasi, wawancara, dokumentasi, dan triangulasi data. Serta teknik analisis data mulai dari reduksi data, penyajian data, dan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitiannya yaitu peran Dinas Pendidikan dalam Impelentasi Kebijakan Pertemuan Tatap Muka Terbatas pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19 dapat dikatakan sudah baik. Berdasarkan teori Richard Matland yang mengatakan “4 tepat” dalam implementasi kebijakan, kebijakan pertemuan tatap muka pada masa pandemi Covid-19 di Dinas Pendidikan Kab. Sumedang ini keempat ketepatannya sudah sesuai dalam teori

Noticing Grief in the Body

In this time of political uncertainty, many of us are striving to create ways of being that will generate more care, compassion and equity in the collective. However, it can be hard to sustain this work when we are weighed down by untended grief. In the West, numbing or distracting ourselves when we feel discomfort or grief is very common. How can we reclaim our ability to be with grief, as part of the rhythm of our lives? I sense that we must re-learn to identify where our bodies are holding grief, to make space to be with it, when this feels supportive for us. Once we can notice where grief is sitting within our bodies, we can choose how to respond. This is a practice, not a one-time event. Grief is not limited to the death of a loved one; we can grieve the loss of our homelands, the loss of former versions of ourselves or the pain of war and state violence. Untended grief can linger, smothering our creative capacity and ability to vision, until we give it space to be acknowledged. This exercise may support you to touch into grief that might be present in your body. After the practice, you can decide how you want to be in relationship to what arises

Pituitary volume reduction in schizophrenia following cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for psychosis (CBTp) aims to lower the stress of psychotic symptoms. Given that the pituitary is involved in stress regulation, CBT-led stress reduction may be accompanied by a change in pituitary volume. This study aimed to determine whether CBTp reduces pituitary volume in schizophrenia. The relation between pre-therapy memory and CBTp-led pituitary volume change was also examined given that poor memory relates to a blunted cortisol awakening response, denoting impaired stress response, in schizophre- nia. Pituitary volume was measured at baseline in 40 schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder patients and 30 healthy participants before therapy. Pituitary volume was measured again 6–9 months after patients had either received CBTp in addition to standard care (CBTp + SC, n = 24), or continued with standard care alone (SC, n = 16). CBTp + SC and SC groups were compared on pituitary volume change from baseline to follow-up. Pre-ther- apy memory performance (Hopkins Verbal Learning and Wechsler Memory Scale – Logical memory) was corre- lated with baseline-to-follow-up pituitary volume change. Pituitary volume reduced over time in CBTp + SC patients. Additionally, pre-therapy verbal learning correlated more strongly with longitudinal pituitary volume reduction in the CBTp + SC group than the SC group. To conclude, CBTp reduces pituitary volume in schizophre- nia most likely by enhancing stress regulation and lowering the distress due to psychotic symptoms

ANALISIS iPREFERENSI iKONSUMEN iDALAM iPEMBELIAN iBUAH MANGGAi GEDONGi GINCUi DIi PASARi TRADISIONALi KADIPATEN KABUPATEN MAJALENGKA

Gedong gincu mango is one of tropical fruit plants produced in Majalengka Regency. Kadipaten traditional market in Majalengka Regency is the center of Gedong gincu mango commodity. During the decision-makingaprocess, consumersawill choose fruits according toatheir preferences.aTherefore, itais necessaryato conductaresearch toadetermine theacharacteristicsaof consumerapreferences and to analyzeathe extentato whichathese preferencesaaffectapurchasing decision for Gedongagincu mango. This study aimed to: (1) identify the attributes most considered by consumers in purchasing decision for Gedong gincu mango at the Kadipaten market and (2) identify the attributes that become preferences in purchasing decision for Gedong gincu mango at the Kadipaten Market. The research was conducted at the Kadipaten traditional market, Majalengka Regency from October to November 2022. Sampling was carried out using the Accidental Sampling technique with the total of 100 respondents. Data analysis used were Cochran test and conjoint test. The results of the Cochran analysis showed that the attributes considered in purchasing Gedong gincu mango were taste, skin color, and price, while the Conjoint analysis showed that consumer preferences for the attributes and sub-attributes of Gedong gincu mango were yellow redness skin color, sweet and sour taste, and the price of Rp. 20,000 per kg - Rp.25000 per kg

Gene editing tool kit in millets: present status and future directions

Millets, the sixth most-grown group of crops in the drylands, support the livelihood of many small-holder farmers in the region. Being one of the most nutritious groups of crops, their production has been increasing since the last decade to meet the demands of the world’s ever-increasing population. Since its discovery, CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing technology has revolutionized trait improvement in numerous crops by enabling targeted insertions and deletions at specific gene sequences. With advancements like base editing and prime editing, which offer precise modifications at the nucleotide level, this technology holds great promise for enhancing millets by targeting genes responsible for key traits. The updated sequence information in the public domain makes it possible to modify certain genic regions using the CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing technology to develop millet crops with improved agronomical properties. The review explores each component of the editing toolbox in millets, including the gRNA designing tools, types of Cas nucleases, and promoters to be considered for enhanced and efficient gene editing in millets. We have discussed fundamental information available to successfully employ CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing in millets, such as the availability of genomic information and plant transformation methods. Finally, we have highlighted the limitations of employing this novel technology in millet crops by providing future directions and immediate candidate genes that could be targeted to improve various traits in millet crops