Comparative Analysis of The Impact of Pollution on Human Development Index : High vs. Low Pollution Countries

This study explores the complex relationship between pollution sources and human development over a 30-year timespan, to yield comparative results between ‘high’ and ‘low’ level pollution emission countries. The four independent variables used in this study is namely, GHG emissions, air pollution, water pollution, and urbanization. The dependent variable applied is the three key components of Human Development Index (HDI), GNI per capita, education, and life expectancy. A panel data of 34 countries, where stratification is performed to divide the countries accordingly into groups of 17 ‘high’ and 17 ‘low’ emissions polluting countries. Multivariate multiple regression analysis and Toda- Yamamoto Causative Analysis were used to generate results to answer the developed research questions and hypothesis. The revealed outcomes found that GHG emissions, air pollution, and urbanization is positively associated to the HDI components for ‘high’ polluting countries, whereas water pollution is negatively associated. Alternatively, all the environmental factors (GHG emissions, air pollution, water pollution) are negatively associated to the HDI components for ‘low’ polluting countries, whereas urbanization is positively associated. The findings reinforced our theoretical idea on Environmental Kuznets Curve and Public Goods Theory, underscoring the complex yet imperative dynamics between pollution and human development on different polluting level countries. Nonetheless, this study provides a foundation for understanding pollution's impact on human development and informs sustainable policymaking

Alterations In Vitamin D Metabolism With Chronic Inflammation: Potential Implications In Inflammation-Induced Bone Loss

Inflammatory conditions are often associated with compromised serum 25-(OH)D3 status and previous in vitro studies have shown that inflammatory cytokines may be involved. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of low dose LPS in vivo on inflammatory mediators and gene expression of VDR and hydroxylation enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism. In experiment 1, 12-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=12/group) were randomly assigned to LPS (0, 0.01, and 0.1 mg/kg bw/d) delivered by slow release pellets over 30 and 90 days. In experiment 2, 16-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=10/group) were administered (i.p.) LPS (0, 0.1, 0.2 mg/kg bw/d) for 14 days. Body weight was not altered during either study. Low dose LPS increased hepatic TLR4, CD14, and IL-10 after 14 days. No alterations were observed in hepatic genes of interest after 30 days, but IL-10 and IL-1?; were decreased after 90 days. Splenic IL-1?; tended to increase (p = 0.05) after 14 days and IL-6 was increased in low dose LPS after 90 days. Hepatic CYP27A1 gene expression was decreased after 90 days, but not after 14 and 30 days. High dose LPS tended to decrease (p=0.08) splenic VDR after 14 days, and decreased CYP27B1 after 90 days. Renal CYP27B1 was decreased and CYP24A1 was increased after 14 days. A significant increased in plasma 25-(OH)D 3 was observed after 14 days, but not 30 days. Our data suggest that chronic low dose LPS has modest effects on VDR, decreases renal CYP27B1, and increases renal CYP24A1. Further studies should further explore how LPS alters renal gene expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism over time.Department of Nutritional Science

Interactive English Phonics Learning for Kindergarten Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) Word Using Augmented Reality

This paper is described about Interactive English Phonics Learning in Kindergarten Consonant-VowelConsonant (CVC) Word using Augmented Reality (AR) Technology with aims to make phonics learning more interesting, interactive, and effective. The image marker based technique of Augmented Reality technology allowed children to interact with virtual phonics content through physical manipulation. With this courseware, children are allowed to learn the phonics sound and CVC word matching through phonics card matching. Phonics card here is the image marker. This interaction method provides a better learning experience for children

Effect of splash block using Lidocaine in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Twelve dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy were randomly assigned to receive either 8 mg/kg of lidocaine 1% or an equal volume of NaCl 0.9% as the splash block. Following celiotomy and prior to manipulation of ovarian pedicles, lidocaine or 0.9% NaCl was instilled onto the mesovarium by using a dog urinary catheter. Pulse rates, respiratory rates, systemic arterial pressures and oxihemoglobin saturation levels were measured throughout the surgery at pre-determined time points. Ketamine-diazepam supplemental boluses (0.05 mL/kg, intravenously) were administered when there were movements, vocalization, increased in palpebral reflexes and jaw tones. There was no difference between the lidocaine-treated and the control group in the cardiopulmonary parameters. All animals recovered and were returned to their owners without complications. Only 2 dogs in the lidocaine group, compared to 5 dogs in the control group required supplementary dose of ketamine-diazepam to complete surgery. The use of 8 mg/kg lidocaine 1% as splash block in addition to the routine anesthetic protocol was safe and did not cause suppression to the cardiopulmonary parameters. It significantly reduced the need for supplementary dose of ketamine-diazepam

Consumer adoption of on-demand digital platforms: An integrated model

On-demand digital platforms are omnipresent in the contemporary marketplace of the digital era. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing consumers’ intention to adopt on-demand digital platforms in the context of a developing country. Based on a modified integration of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the social influence theory, this study contended that electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) about on-demand digital platforms shapes consumers’ perceived risk and subjective norms, which, along with the other elements of UTAUT, influence their intention to use OnDemand digital platforms. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and distributed online, yielding a total of 226 responses, which were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The findings revealed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, subjective norms, and perceived risk significantly affect consumers’ intention, wherein eWOM reduces perceived risk and shapes subjective norms to adopt on-demand digital platforms. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature on consumer adoption of new-age digital products, and in this case, on-demand digital platforms, with implications for theory and practice in this space

Production of biochar from rice straw and its application for wastewater remediation − An overview

The valorization of biochar as a green and low-cost adsorbent provides a sustainable alternative to commercial wastewater treatment technologies that are usually chemical intensive and expensive. This review presents an in-depth analysis focusing on the rice straw-derived biochar (RSB) for removal of various types of contaminants in wastewater remediation. Pyrolysis is to date the most established technology to produce biochar. Subsequently, biochar is upgraded via physical, chemical or hybrid activation/modification techniques to enhance its adsorption capacity and robustness. Thus far, acid-modified RSB is able to remove metal ions and organic compounds, while magnetic biochar and electrochemical deposition have emerged as potential biochar modification techniques. Besides, temperature and pH are the two main parameters that affect the efficiency of contaminants removal by RSB. Lastly, the limitations of RSB in wastewater remediation are elucidated based on the current advancements of the field, and future research directions are proposed

An adaptive ant colony optimization framework for scheduling environmental flow management alternatives under varied environmental water availability conditions

Human water use is increasing and, as such, water for the environment is limited and needs to be managed efficiently. One method for achieving this is the scheduling of environmental flow management alternatives (EFMAs) (e.g., releases, wetland regulators), with these schedules generally developed over a number of years. However, the availability of environmental water changes annually as a result of natural variability (e.g., drought, wet years). To incorporate this variation and schedule EFMAs in a operational setting, a previously formulated multiobjective optimization approach for EFMA schedule development used for long-term planning has been modified and incorporated into an adaptive framework. As part of this approach, optimal schedules are updated at regular intervals during the planning horizon based on environmental water allocation forecasts, which are obtained using artificial neural networks. In addition, the changes between current and updated schedules can be minimized to reduce any disruptions to longterm planning. The utility of the approach is assessed by applying it to an 89km section of the River Murray in South Australia. Results indicate that the approach is beneficial under a range of hydrological conditions and an improved ecological response is obtained in a operational setting compared with previous longterm approaches. Also, it successfully produces trade-offs between the number of disruptions to schedules and the ecological response, with results suggesting that ecological response increases with minimal alterations required to existing schedules. Overall, the results indicate that the information obtained using the proposed approach potentially aides managers in the efficient management of environmental water.J. M. Szemis, H. R. Maier, and G. C. Dand

Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccination Intention among University Students : A Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia

Vaccination is crucial in controlling the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that triggered the pandemic, but herd immunity can only work with high vaccination coverage in the population. This study aims to measure the COVID-19 knowledge level and determine the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intention among university students in Malaysia. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out with 1,274 Malaysian university students in July 2021. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to examine the relationships between the study variables. Results showed that the majority of university students had an acceptable level of knowledge of COVID-19. The knowledge, risk perception of COVID-19, social norms, and perceived benefit of COVID-19 vaccination were positively associated with vaccination intention. However, perceived trust in information sources of COVID-19 vaccination and the government's response to COVID-19 did not affect the university students’ desire to receive the vaccination. These findings are essential for health policymakers and healthcare providers to implement evidence-based interventions to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake among university students