Climate change is one of the environmental challenges that threatens any single aspect of development. Therefore, climate change poses both environmental and development problems. Salinization of freshwater and soil as a result of climate-induced sea-level rise in The Gambia is a growing concern for agriculture and ecosystems. This paper shed light on adaptation strategy response at the institutional level to saline-water intrusion in River Gambia and tributaries well-known for its ecological and livelihood delivery services such as rice cultivation in the lowlands. The study used stakeholder participation approach to gather data through a workshop in which 100 experts from four (04) different institutions intervening in saline-water intrusion adaptation were involved to discuss five themes relevant for institutional adaptation to saline-water intrusion in the country. Microsoft Excel 2013 was used to process and analyse the data at the end of the workshop. Results revealed that saline-water intrusion adaptation at the institutional level is poor performing in terms of capacity building, financial resources allocation for saline-water intrusion adaptation, available technology as well as collaboration among institutions. The study recommends an increase in budget allocation for saline-water intrusion adaptation in the targeted various institutions, capacity enhancement of staff in the monitoring of water salinity and provision of sophisticated equipment and technology to effectively address salinity in River Gambia and tributaries in the country.

The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the increasingly important topic of women empowerment which plays a determining role in the economic development of any nation. The paper is designed to study the empowerment of women through microfinance in the context of a developing nation like Pakistan. Pakistan is a largely patriarchal society where women face numerous challenges in terms of setting up and managing business ventures while respecting the cultural norms and practices deeply embedded in the society. This a review paper and the methodology used is desk research. A number of scholarly articles and reports have been reviewed to get an insight into this topic. The paper mainly attempts to identify the definition of empowerment, women empowerment; major challenges faced by women globally, Pakistani women in the labour market, the outreach of Microfinance Institutes to women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Last but not the least, it provides recommendations for the future on how to further increase women empowerment in Pakistan.

Software has frolicked an increasing significant role in methods acquisition, engineering, development, mainly for large complex systems. For such systems, accurate estimates of the software costs are a perilous part of effective software management. The preparation of forecasting the cost of the software has evolved, but it is far from perfect. Constructive cost model is the most widely used among all the models available. The proposed model focusses on data set obtained from 91 models nick named as “Maxwell”. The projected model is tested and the test results from the neural network are matched with that of COCOMO model. From the experimental results, it is concluded that the amalgamation of the proposed model for the “Maxwell” data has proved better than the existing COCOMO and another model as obtained from literature.

Tetracera rosiflora Gilg is a medicinal plant used in the Congolese pharmacopeia for the treatment of various diseases. The aim of this work was to achieve the micrographic analysis of the powder of leaves of T. rosiflora from Pumbu City (Kinshasa) and Lukala areas (Kongo Central), to determine their chemical composition and to evaluate the antioxidant activities of their different extracts. Extracts from leaves of this species were characterized for their chemical fingerprint by Thin Layer Chromatography and their in vitro antioxidant activities were evaluated using ABTS, DPPH assays. Microscopically leaves can be characterised by non-glandular trichomes, sinuous anticlinal epidermal cells, and parenchymal cells with cristal of calcium oxalate, polycytic stomata and spiraled vessels. Thin Layer Chromatography showed that leaves of Tetracera rosiflora contain varied phytochemicals such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, coumarins, iridoids, phenolic acid, tanins and the terpenes. All tested extracts (methanolic and dichloromethane) have exhibited high antiradical activities. The obtained results showed that the interesting bioactivities of T. rosiflora correlated with the chemical composition, which depends on several factors including climatic conditions. T. rosiflora is a phytogenetic resource of the Congolese pharmacopoeia with promising therapeutic potentials for the management of various pathologies associated with oxidative stress.

Gold is a safe haven asset especially in times of uncertainties and can provide long-term capital gain. The objective of this study is to investigate the causality relationship among the changes of the Malaysia stock price index (KLCI), US stock price index (DOJ), Malaysian currency exchange rate (EXR) and crude oil price (COP) on the gold price (POG) in the Malaysian Market. This study employs vector error correction method with co-integration analysis, Granger causality test, and model evaluation. Based on the findings, COP and the lagged of the gold price (POG) only have a significant short-term relationship, however, the KLCI, DOJ, EXR and COP has also a significant long-term relationship with the gold price. Moreover, POG granger causes KLCI and COP also granger causes POG, both are uni-directional causality. Furthermore, EXR granger causes POG with bi-directional causality. Evidently, EXR and COP changes are importantly affecting the gold price changes. Otherwise, the gold price changes are affecting also the changes of KLCI and EXR in the study. These findings are important for investors who are opportunities for investment in gold in Malaysia.

The experiment was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jamalpur under Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur-1701 during the period from December, 2015 to April, 2016 to observe the effect of nitrogen and zinc on the growth and yield of late sown wheat. The experiment comprised four nitrogen levels viz. (i) N0= Control (No nitrogen), (ii) N1=140 kg ha-1, (iii) N2=160 kg ha-1, (iv) N3=180 kg ha-1 and five zinc levels viz. (i) Zn0 = Control (No zinc), (ii) Zn1= 2 kg ha-1, (iii) Zn2 = 4 kg ha-1, (iv) Zn3=6 kg ha-1, and (v) Zn4=8 kg ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications assigning N-levels in the main plots and Zn-levels in the sub-plots. The interaction effect of N and Zn levels showed significant variation regarding grain yield and the highest grain yield (1.96 t ha-1) was found in N2Zn3 combination ascribed to the highest number of tiller (376.33 plant-1), grain (37.07 spike-1) and 1000-grain weight (36.26 g) significantly different from other combinations. Grain yield decreased significantly beyond the levels N2 and Zn3 due to their either individual effect or interaction effect. The lowest level, N0 and Zn0 gave significantly the lowest grain yield due to their either individual effect or interaction effect (0.69, 1.24 and 0.61 t ha-1 respectively).

In an attempt to maintain a stable exchange rate and price level in Thailand given shocks from the United States, China, Euro Area, and Japan; the top five trading partners of Thailand, this study employs the system equations of VAR model techniques. Results show that the interest rates, demand shocks, and foreign prices affect the stability of the Thailand exchange rates and price levels. More so, empirical evidences validate the existence of unidirectional causality between Thailand exchange rate and domestic (as well as foreign) price inflation.

Water samples of River Gwagwarwa and River Rafin Malam were subjected to liquid-liquid extraction and analyzed for organic pollutants. The organic parameters were determined using the standard methods of America Public health Agency (APHA) and was extracted and analyzed using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Ten different organic compounds were detected at different percentage values at River Gwagwarwa while only seven different compounds were detected in River Rafin Malam. The compounds fall within five classes of organic compounds, which include carboxylic acid, acid chloride, ester, aldehyde and acid anhydride. The distribution pattern of the organic pollutants at the two sampling stations depict the pattern; River Gwagwarwa > River Rafin Malam. The study shows that organochlorine was the predominant organic pollutant present in River Gwagwarwa sample which is a hazardous pollutant while River Rafin Malam has no toxic pollutant which is attributed to lack of activity of the River.

Brain tumors account for 85% to 90% of CNS tumors. In 20-40% of the patients suffering from brain tumor (BT), seizures are common during the commencement of the disease. The relationship between the onset of seizures and brain tumor is poorly understood. These patients show a complex therapeutic profile making selection of the drugs very tough. The quality of life of the patient is highly compromised due to brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE) as it is drug-resistant and poses the challenging risk factor for everlasting disability. Hence, there arise the need of unique and multidisciplinary approach of proper selection of medications with minimum side effects. Glioblastoma Multiforme is a grade IV highly malignant tumor attacking the glia, which provides nourishment and assist in signal transmission. Glioma cells secrete glutamate and choose neurotransmitter receptors for their invasive growth. Glutamate binds to ionotropic receptors, activate calcium release mediating excitatory neurotransmission. The alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors are the major mediators of glutamate-mediated excitatory neurotransmission and are critical for spread of epileptic activity. Glutamate is the main culprit for both the occurrence of seizures and glioma metastases. Hence there lies an opportunity to use the anti-epileptic drugs which targets calcium permeable AMPA receptors for the treatment of glioblastoma as well as BTRE. Topiramate (TPM), a derivative of D-fructose is a novel broad spectrum anti-epileptic drug which shows antagonistic effect on AMPA receptor. When treated with TPM a dose-dependent decrease in live cell number, increase in the number of apoptotic cells, decrease in the calcium influx, reduction in phosphorylation of Akt, Erk1/2 expression were observed. Also phosphorylation of AMPA receptor in presence of EGF was observed. The data suggests that topiramate lead to decrease in proliferation and survival by decreasing calcium influx and inhibiting mitogenic and survival signalling in U87MG cells.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most important causes of pelvic masses and is the fifth leading cause of cancer related mortality. As in all cancers, method of early diagnosis for ovarian cancer should be easily applicable, economically, has high safety and specificity. Our study included 155 cases that were operated due to adnexial masses at Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic of Trakya University. Inclusion criteria for the study were decision of surgery due to an adnexal mass and presence of preoperative evaluation for parameters examined in this study such as age, serum CA125 value, Ultrasound score, menopausal score and thrombocyte count. Risk of Malignancy Index was calculated. Localization and amount of vascular flows in adnexial masses were evaluated using Color Doppler USG. Ages of the cases ranged between 17-75 years. Histopathologically 122 benign, 6 borderline, 27 malignant masses were detected. As surgical approach to malignant tumours is similar to borderline tumours, they were assessed within malignant tumour group. Malignancy was suspected in 27 of 155 cases which were evaluated with RMI. Malignancy was suspected in 33 patients evaluated with CDUS and malignancy was suspected in 26 cases evaluated with thrombocyte count. Evaluation of RMI according to histopathological results revealed that there was no difference between the two assessment methods. Specificity of the RMI evaluation was 98.4% and its sensitivity was 75.8%. Thrombocyte count demonstrated malignancy in 16.8% of the cases. Evaluation of CDUS findings revealed that 122 cases diagnosed as malignant in pathology were also diagnosed as malignant in CDUS and the other cases were detected to be benign with Doppler. CA125 values were below 35 U/mL in 86.8% of the cases with benign adnexal masses and above 35 U/mL in 72.7% of the malignant cases. Better preoperative benign-malignant differentiation will enable performance of optimal surgery in experienced centres. RMI which can be used for early detection and differentiation of malignancy has opened the way for objective evaluation of adnexal masses.With use of parameters such as CDUS, thrombocyte count, and age together with RMI benign-malignant differentiation of adnexal masses can be made more effectively.

Water is one of the most natural resources in dry areas, as it controls the presence, distribution and density of plants, animals and humans. Water is scarce or non-existent on the surface of dry lands around the world, it is clearly characterized by the appearance of dry areas on the appearance of the adjacent rain areas, However, in order to utilize dry areas in grazing and in stable agriculture, in trade, in the utilization of mineral resources, and in the establishment of urban centers, water must be found in sufficient quantities that are reliable and have qualitative characteristics that allow for selected economic activity. The western Anbar Plateau (116,000), or 26.5% of Iraq's total area of 438,317 km2 and 84.2% of the Anbar region, is characterized by low water availability. It is therefore necessary to increase efforts and harness energies to discover new water sources which are represented by ground water that compensates for the shortage of surface water quantities, especially as its use (groundwater) began to increase in most countries of the world. Generally water is the source of life for all human creatures on the surface of this planet, In the near future; the conflict will also be over water rather than energy. Here the problem of the research appears which is identified by the following question: - Is there in the western plateau of Anbar, despite the large space occupied by the scarcity of water sources mature development projects rely primarily on the investment of groundwater reservoirs located therein, which contributes to the regular redistribution of the population. The hypothesis of the research was summarized as: - Defining the requirements of economic and social development that contribute to the foundations of human stability in that region by studying the groundwater and its areas of presence in the western plateau of Anbar.

Hand washing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, which together are responsible for the majority of child deaths. Routine Surveillance data shows increased morbidity from diseases of poor hygiene and environmental health in Kieni East sub-County, Nyeri County of Kenya. The objectives of the study were to assess hand hygiene, evaluate prevalence of diarrhea, find out relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and state of sanitation and evaluate relationship between hand washing practices and diarrhea diseases. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 household selected randomly between October and November 2017. Additional data was obtained from key informant interviews with facility in-charges and community resource persons. It was found that majority (78%) of the respondents washed their hands after visiting the toilet while 20% washed their hands before preparing food. Whereas toilet facilities had a high coverage (97%), coverage of hand washing facilities was lower (60%). Coverage of hand washing facilities with soap was very low (27%). There was a significant relationship between level of education (p=0.025) and availability of hand washing facilities with soap. Similarly, there was a significant relationship between occupation (p=0.019) and availability of hand washing facilities with soap. There was a significant relationship between households with hand washing facilities with soap (p=0.00) and diarrhea cases reported in the previous 4 weeks. The study concluded that there is poor hand hygiene among residents of Kieni East sub-County. Although majority of respondents recognized the importance of hand hygiene, hand washing was not frequently observed. A sensitization program is urgently required in Kieni East sub-County on hand washing and hand hygiene.

Rosuvastatin calcium is hypolipidemic drug and has low oral bioavailability of about 20% due to poor aqueous solubility and hepatic first-pass metabolism. These are major boundaries inefficient delivery of RC by oral route. Several delivery approaches are known to moderate the difficulties of solubility and increase the oral bioavailability of RC. Among numerous approaches, nanotechnology-based delivery of RC has prospective to overcome the challenges associated with the oral administration. This review focuses on various nano-based delivery systems such as nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, SEDDS and SNEDDS and tried for improving the aqueous solubility, dissolution and subsequently bioavailability of RC upon oral administration. Of all, solid lipid nanoparticles appear to be promising delivery system, based on current reported results, for delivery of RC, as this system improved the oral bioavailability and possessed prolonged pharmacodynamic effect.