Water is one of the most important natural resources, as it is linked to numerous aspects from production of energy to agriculture, forestation, economic growth and livelihood, etc. South Asia is increasingly approaching water scarcity, which has resulted into the legacy of geo-political debates and consequences of intra and interstate interactions. Distribution of surface water has caused water shortage; to the downstream areas, for which many regions within South Asia has become water-stressed leading to verge of conflict between nations. Conflicts over water are on the rise in all forms. Due to vast natural resources, South Asian countries are highly gifted. It's a well-endowed location with good farmland, forests, animals, and access to fresh water. This article examines potential approaches to address and resolve these water distribution and conflicts as it has erupted in several regions of South Asian countries.

The study examined talent acquisition and retention as predictors of teachers’ job commitment in secondary schools in Bayelsa State. Two research questions were raised and two hypotheses tested in the study. Correlation survey design was adopted for the study. Population of the study consisted of 3,477 respondents while 490 respondents were drawn as sample for the study using random sampling technique. Instrument adopted for collection of data was questionnaire titled “Talent Acquisition and Retention Scale” (TARS) for the dependent variables and “Teachers Job Commitment Scale” (TJCS) for the independent variable. The two questionnaires titled TARS and TJCS were face and content validated by two experts in Measurement and Evaluation. Cronbach alpha statistics was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. The index of Talent Acquisition (TA) and Talent Retention (TR) were 0.91 and 0.92 respectively while TJCS was 0.90. There were 490 copies of questionnaire administered while 472 copies which were 96.3% were retrieved. Research questions were answered using simple regression analysis while the hypotheses were tested using t-test associated with simple regression at 0.05 level of significance. The relationship of talent acquisition and talent retention with teachers’ job commitment were high and positive as well as moderate and positive with values of r=0.61 and r=0.47 respectively. It was recommended that merit and competence should be considered above nepotism in the process of talent acquisition in secondary schools in Bayelsa State.

Coal is a great source of energy gifted by the nature. Main hazard in the use of coal is the production of sulphur oxides, sulphur dioxides, and nitrogen oxides which affect the climate severely. To protect environment from these hazardous oxides of sulphur, clean coal technology is being introduced and applied all over the world. Various desulphurization methods such as chemical, physical or biological have been used. In this study oxidative desulfurization using highly efficient deep eutectic solvent (DES) was carried out by ultra-sonication method. Choline chloride and ethylene glycol in 1: 2 ratios were used to prepare DES. Oxidative desulfurization process was utilized to treat coal samples using KOH as an oxidant. Oxidative desulphurization (of organic/inorganic sulphur forms) of coal was achieved by using deep eutectic solvent. ASTM methods were used to estimate different forms of sulphur in coal. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to estimate the amount of sulphur removed from three different coal samples.

The goal of this study was to look at the factors that influence real estate investment decisions in Zanzibar social security funds (ZSSF). The unit root test, co-integration, and vector error correction model (VECM) were used for estimation in the linear econometric model equation, which looked at four internal factors: member contribution (MC), benefit payment (BP), return on investment (ROI), and investment in government securities (IGS). The estimated result showed that there was presence of long-run relationship at equilibrium between real estate investment decisions (REID) in ZSSF and all tested factors that influence real estate investment decisions in social security funds. The results revealed that member’s contributions (MC), return on investment (ROI) and investment in government securities (IGS) had positive significant long run relationship with real estate investment decisions in ZSSF. But it was further revealed that the benefit payment (BP) had a negative relationship with REID at ZSSF, though they were statistically significant. The study then recommends among others, that management of ZSSF has to consider these factors when they make real estate investment decisions, this including maintaining the share of investment in Government security since it is the only investment avenue which has low risk and it give up predictable and stable return as result it increases real estate investment.

A kinetic study based on spectrophotometric and titrimetric techniques has been carried out for the formation of Rubazoic acid type derivative from 4-amino-1(4-sulphophenyl) 3-methyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (4-amino SPMP). Physico-chemical factors like effect of Time, pH, aeration and temperature on the formation of Rubazoic acid derivative have been studied in detail. The oxidizing and diazotizing property of nitrous acid has been evaluated for 4-amino-SPMP. Moreover the diazonium compound of SPMP was isolated and its stability in solid form has also been investigated.

Indicators of a financial liberalized and globalized economic system's impending collapse include frequent swings and financial crises. This results from the expert study and institutional introspection following previous catastrophes. It is possible to minimize the danger of financial system failure in critical periods by using indicators and results. They can be overcome. Minuscule failure chances and rapid recovery are the goals. Financial architects must have efficient and robust security and risk management systems to limit risk exposure. In the event of firm failure or bankruptcy, maximize stakeholder value. In South Asia, there are many countries. To create a good investment climate, retain public confidence in the business and financial sectors, and promote sustainable growth, developing healthy insolvency and risk management systems is essential. India, which opened its markets in 1991, now faces the enormous challenge of liberalization and, in the future, modernization of its legal system. Several parts of the legal and financial systems of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan have been reformed. Sri Lanka has recently embarked on a road of globalization and system reforms. There have been many bank changes and insolvency reforms in the region over the last decade. Many financial sector changes are being implemented to create an efficient, well-diversified, and competitive financial system. Banks are also trying to develop acceptable and comprehensive models for risk management, which will be integrated into their working systems. The insolvency risk for 73 Indian banks using Z-Index and the probabilistic prediction of their book value bankruptcy for three years has been analyzed from 2017 to 2020. The need of the hour is an efficient risk management system that includes risk identification, measurement and control, writes Ravi Agrawal. He says it is vital to handle these risks in a pre-emptive, proficient and cohesive manner to maintain sound financial health, banks can assess future losses and prepare for them.

The scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic and the existing care conditions are different in each country. The risk factors for contamination can directly affect health professionals, especially nursing professionals, causing a worsening of the pandemic at the time of their illness and death. To identify risk factors for COVID-19 infection in nursing professionals in the care of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. A protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis study has been developed, supported by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P), and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under number CRD42020178168. The research question was structured according to the PICO strategy, P – nursing professionals; I – any nursing care to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patient; C – nursing professionals without COVID-19 infection; O – nursing professionals with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Defined as follows: What are the risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection in nursing professionals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection? In order to better plan the use of electronic searches, the following databases were consulted given the specificities of each database, specific search strategies were chosen for each database. Once the inclusion and exclusion criteria have been applied, the quality of the evidence will be assessed by applying the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.T. Ethics and disclosure: review study with primary articles already published. Therefore, it does not require authorization from any Ethics Committee. Trial registration number: CRD42020178168 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020178168

This study investigated the potential use of eco-friendly material of organic classes to curb the menace of corrosion effect on reinforcing embedded in concrete structures and exposed to corrosive media. The obtained results of 36 concrete cubes; 12 controlled, 12 uncoated (corroded) and 12 exudates / resins coated cured for 360 days under freshwater and induced corrosion accelerated process as detailed in experimental procedures. From the computed results, the maximum obtained value of the corroded sample is -39.551% as against 78.562% and 82.183% of controlled and coated samples respectively. The results showed decreased failure bond load in corroded sample and an increase in coated judging from controlled sample as a standard for comparison. The results of bond strength maximum obtained values are corroded -29.789% against controlled 35.831% and 67.905%, enumerative results showed low and decreased bond strength of corroded samples resulted from the effect of corrosion damaged to the reinforcing surface and fibre. Higher bond strength obtained from coated samples resulting from the gummy and sticky exudates/resin that formed higher bonding with the rib. Results of slippage in controlled and coated samples showed higher values to failure as against lower slippage in coated. Results indicated that the diameter of uncoated decreased by maximum value of -1.293% and coated increased by 1.31%, results showed that reduction is attributed to the effect of corrosion on the surface modification through the formation of pits and unusual expansion, also similar factor is applicable on the cross - sectional area, corroded has maximum reduction value of (-7.414% and coated increased by 14.934%, weight loss and gain are corroded -28.567% decreased (loss) and coated 48.006% increase (gain). Summarized results showed the effect of affected the overall mechanical properties of reinforcing steel thereby reducing bond characteristics of steel and concrete by creating stresses in the surroundings and further weakened pullout bond resulting in diameter and cross – sectional area reduction and weight decreased. The effect of coating increased diameter and cross – sectional area and weight gain resulting from the varying thickness coated to reinforcing steel.

Dupilumab, an interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptor subunit blocking the function of T-helper 2 (Th2)-mediated cytokines is the first FDA biologic approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Several adverse effects have been associated with dupilumab with the emergence of case reports describing psoriasis and psoriasiform dermatitis as a potential side effect. Theories proposed in the pathogenesis of dupilumab induced psoriasis include a Th-1 overdrive based mechanism. Here, we report an additional case of psoriasiform dermatitis following dupilumab therapy in a young Middle Eastern male with a long-standing history of atopic nummular dermatitis.

The quest for green concrete is on the rise globally, due to the environmental hazards (emission of CO2 and particulate matters) usually associated with cement and coarse aggregate production. This study was carried to evaluate the possibility of enhancing the mechanical properties of wood shavings-concrete with cassava starch solution. Sets of concrete were produced with wood shavings at the rate of 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5% and 4% (by weight of the coarse aggregate). 2% (by weight of the cement) dried cassava starch was employed as organic admixture during the concrete production. Conventional mix ratio of 1:2:4, and water to cement ratio (w/c) of 0.6 was also adopted for the concrete production. The slump of the fresh mortar, and the density, compressive and flexural strengths of the hardened concrete were tested in accordance to ASTM International procedures. Results obtained from the laboratory tests revealed that the wood savings had negative impact on the mechanical properties of the concrete. The compressive and flexural strengths of the concrete decreased, as the quantity of the wood shavings increased from 0% to 4%. When compared to the results obtained from concrete produced without cassava starch, it was observed the cassava starch enhanced the compressive and flexural strengths of the concrete produced. Regression analysis of the obtained results affirmed that wood shavings and cassava starch can influenced the mechanical properties of concrete, as concrete produced with cassava starch had higher a Pearson correlation coefficient, than the concrete produced without cassava starch. Results obtained from this study showed the feasibility of producing lightweight green concrete, by using low volume of wood shavings and cassava starch as admixture.

The study examined ICT competencies needed by teachers for effective teaching of English language in Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted. Researchers’ constructed 23 items questionnaire was used to collect data from 54 English language teachers. The reliability coefficient of the instrument stood at 0.80. The data collected were analyzed using mean. Findings revealed among others that English language teachers in secondary schools in Awka South possess the basic computer operational skills which are usually for official use not basically for classroom. They do not have enough competence in the use of power-point which is the appropriate skill needed for classroom teaching and learning. The findings also revealed that English language teachers possess Interactive white board competence but their competence is inadequate for effective teaching and learning of English language and could not competently teach speaking skills of English language because they cannot draw English sounds with Interactive white board. It was recommended that State Ministry of Education should make it compulsory for teachers to teach with computers in all secondary schools.

This study aims to determine the effect of organizational culture, organizational structure, and top management commitment on the quality of accounting information systems and their implications for the quality of accounting information (Empirical Study at PT Pegadaian (Persero) West Jakarta). This study took the population and samples from the finance department of PT Pegadaian (Persero) in West Jakarta. The results of this study indicate that organizational culture has no significant effect on the implementation of the accounting information system (Y) at PT Pegadaian (Persero) Tbk while the organizational structure and Top Management commitment has a significant effect on the implementation of the accounting information system (Y) at PT Pegadaian (Persero) Tbk. Then the implementation of the accounting information system (Y) has a significant effect on the quality of accounting information (Z) at PT Pegadaian (Persero) Tbk.

All human activities are currently interconnected through many communication systems and technologies that are active in the global intensity of industry 4.0. Some technology-based disruptive companies will start and change the role of business in the context of the industrial revolution 4.0 by using social media such as Instagram or WhatsApp which do not require large funds as a scale of capital roles. This technological advancement emerged as a new communication system on information and engineering approaches that were oriented towards the future of the manufacturing industrial revolution 4.0 by involving Computer Information Technology (ICT). As the application of ICT to social life, for more than 10 years we have witnessed changes at all levels of society with new trends in consumer behavior and services accompanied by improvements in hardware and computer access. The ease of service and communication that is integrated by Industry 4.0 is based on mobile computing, cloud computing, and big data with the provision of services that can be accessed globally via the internet. The results show that as a development of the industrial 4.0 work concept, a positive image in this digital era can be concluded that media relations activities in the digital era are carried out by Public Relations practitioners by utilizing digital media such as the use of social media and the use of the organization's own website. The use of social media makes it easy for Public Relations practitioners to do public relations work, such as in disseminating and conveying information to the public. The role and activities of media relations itself in this digital era refers to information and communication technology that can integrate various applications, functions and content of digital media production by providing an efficient influence on interactivity between users. The technology group focuses more on those that have a significant impact on manufacturing, namely: (1) Data, computing power, and connectivity (wireless networks), (2) Analytics and Intelligence (artificial intelligence in objects (AI)), (3) Human-machine interaction (augmented reality (AR) solutions), (4) Digital to physical conversion.

Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) use among dental patients in Riyadh. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed dental patients attending King Saud University Dental Hospital in Riyadh, KSA. The questionnaire included a consent form, questions on demographics, patients’ medical status, CAM types used for medical and/or dental conditions, patients’ assessment of their effects, and patients’ opinion on CAM as a choice of treatment. Use of CAM was compared by gender and by health status. Results: There were 373 respondents. More than one-third had tried CAM, with a significant difference between the genders (P < 0.001), whereas 43.1% reported use of CAM by their friends and relatives. Statistical significance was found in individuals reporting poor health status with the use of both herbs and wet-cupping (Hejama) (P < 0.05). Use of CAM for dental/oral conditions was reported by 31.2%, mainly for dental pain. Use of CAM for oral conditions by males approached statistical significance (P = 0.056). Most (83.8%) agreed with the suggestion of combining CAM with conventional medicine in hospital settings. Conclusions: Thus, more than one-third of patients attending a university dental clinic used CAM for various reasons and agreed with the suggestion of combining CAM with conventional medicine in hospital settings. It is essential to raise the public’s awareness of CAM.

New trend sports are emerging which satisfy people’s hunger for fun, experience, adventure and enjoyment, but also address health concerns. A prime example of this development is fitness sports. All human addictions and cravings are concentrated in it: youth mania, personality development, self-expression, but also the striving to maintain and promote health. Findings from studies on motives in fitness sports can help, on the one hand, to take into account the special wishes of athletes in the design of offers and, on the other hand, to implement the marketing more effectively due to the more specific target group orientation. The present study provides an orientation framework for the field of fitness sports with regard to the exercise motivation of long-term participants. Members of a health-oriented fitness club in a large city were surveyed. The questionnaire consisted of 15 items that can be grouped into seven motivational domains. The questionnaires were available at the fitness club and could either be filled out directly on site or taken away and filled out at home. A total of 350 questionnaires were laid out, of which 278 were returned completed. The response rate was 79.4 %. The respondents were members who trained exclusively on equipment. The gender distribution is approximately equal with a slight surplus (just under 53%) of male respondents. The average age of respondents is 56.6 years with a spread around the mean of 13.1 years. Male respondents are, on average, slightly more than two years older than female respondents and the age distribution is slightly more homogeneous among males than females. Among respondents with membership of more than one year, the average duration of membership is 11.6 years (dispersion: 7.5 years). The results show demonstrable gender differences in motive mentions in only three of the 17 significance tests. In general, all gender differences are in the range of weak to very weak effect sizes, even for the highly significant differences. From a purely descriptive point of view, there are still further recognizable gender differences in the motive mentions. What is striking here is that, in general, women mention almost all motives more frequently and that the gender difference is mostly in a direction that is not expected? In detail, the following reliable gender differences can be found, which are not to be regarded as purely random effects of this specific sampling: a) Women name the motive "Continuous guidance and training control" more frequently than men (51.9% to 25.2%), b) Women name the motive "Bodybuilding" more frequently than men (52.7% to 35.4%) and c) Women name the motive "Special body shaping" more frequently than men (26.0% to 16.3%). Continuous support is obviously more important for women than for men. Women feel safer during training with professional advice, as they want to avoid mistakes when exercising. They attach importance to the conscientious and correct execution of the exercises, because they fear possible consequences of a wrongly executed training. Men also often have a longer sports biography than women, which is why they are more self-confident and have less fear of contact with the equipment. The results for women reflect society's expectations of today's women, who are expected to be slim, toned and fit. Being fit is in and those who are fit are also socially recognized. Fit, however, can hardly be separated from beautiful. Fitness is becoming a prerequisite for beauty. The results confirm that women place a high value on the status symbol of the body in order to find social acceptance.