Archives-August 2020

Substance use disorders include substance abuse and substance dependence. Abuse refers to a maladaptive pattern of substance use not amounting to dependence, but lending to harmful consequences in personal, situational, social and interpersonal areas. The term substance dependence is related to physiological and behavioral symptoms of substance use. It is a cluster of physiological, behavioral and cognitive phenomena in which the use of a substance or a class of substances takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviors that once had greater value. Substance abuse may lead to addiction or substance dependence. Dependence almost always implies abuse, but abuse frequently occurs without dependence, particularly when an individual first begins to abuse a substance. Dependence involves physiological processes while substance abuse reflects a complex interaction between the individual, the abused substance and society. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of general self-efficacy, stressful events, style of coping and perceived support in a group of treated alcohol dependents but currently having a relapse to determine whether or not they differ from non-relapsed, on any of the measures. In sample, one group consists of forty patients who were diagnosed as ADS according to ICD – 10 criteria and currently either admitted at Alcohol De-addiction Centers, or seen at the OP Clinic for a relapse formed the experimental group (RLPS Group). In second group of forty patients who were met ADS criteria and currently abstinent for more than one year formed the control group (N-RLPS Group). The tools used in this study are Michigan Alcohol Screening Test, The General Self-Efficacy Scale, Presumptive stressful life events scale, Ways of Coping scale (revised) and Multi dimensional Scale of perceived social support were used for both the groups. The results indicated that, statistically significant positive correlation found between social support on self efficacy and significant negative correlation found between social support and stressful life events. It provided further evidence in support of the importance of certain clinical and psychosocial factors in relapse in substance dependence.

The current situation has caused the consumers, a great deal of either self-restrained or government restrained spending situation. The paper is aimed at tapping the pulse of millennial consumer’s on spending. Around 150 millennials were surveyed and we found out that consumers are still unwilling to spend on purchase of non-essentials commodities despite the lockdown easing. They are buying essential goods at kirana stores. Forced savings have occurred and Revenge buying is expected in the current normal situation

Due to ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, higher educational institutions around the world have moved towards e-learning system. Determining the positive attitudes and difficulties facing students during the use of e-learning in times of crisis, helps teachers and the institution in taking new steps appropriate to the needs of students in such difficult circumstances. So, this study aimed to analyse the attitudes and challenges facing Al-Istiqlal University (PASS) students towards e-learning. Samples of this study consisted of 280 students who were chosen in a simple random method from PASS students between April and June of 2020. Descriptive study method was adopted, and a well-designed and pre-tested online questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Results indicated that PASS participants own a positive attitude towards e-learning and their attitude results are significantly deferent with their gender, level of computer skills, academic grade, collage and availability of computer with permanent internet. Furthermore, students face a number of challenges while using the e-learning system, and a significant difference was found between the challenges of computer skills level, gender, computer availability with permanent internet connection and academic grade of the participant students. The study showed that the learners’ perception on e-learning reveals that it is valid in the time of COVID-19 pandemic and they understood that e-learning is very useful during crisis. In light of these findings, the study came up with a number of recommendations and suitable suggestions are given to overcome students’ challenges towards e-learning system.

The review aimed at identifying the gaps left out in the studies on how landuse influences ecosystem health of adjacent rivers in East and Southern Africa. These gaps left have affected both interpretation of results and rendered the studies incomplete. The gaps of interest here were three including; sampling procedure, relationship between river size and land use size as well as limited full ecosystem health components consideration. In our discussion, we have highlighted what the researchers should have done to seal the gaps and complete the ecosystem health assessment. The works reviewed in this paper include 22 peer reviewed papers in various journals, 3 technical ecological reports and 6 academic theses. The time frame of the works reviewed range between 2001 – 2019. It was concluded that a standard protocol be set for all researchers about the elements that must constitute a complete ecological health study such that if an element is left out, the study is not recognized as a complete ecological study. Sampling procedure should follow the before, in and after a stressor or landuse.

Abstract The development of nanotechnology is making the interest of researchers towards the synthesis of nanoparticles for the bioapplication. Metal oxides such as ZnO have received increasing attention as antibacterial materials in recent years because of their stability under harsh processing conditions, and also because they are generally regarded as safe materials for human beings and animals. Zinc activates 300 enzymes, and it plays a role in many another phenomenons like growth, membrane stability, bone mineralization, tissue growth, and repair, wound healing and cell signaling. Many studies have shown that ZnO nanoparticles have enhanced antibacterial activity. Use of plant and plant materials for the synthesis of Zinc nanoparticles is relatively new and exciting research field. Various plants were used for the synthesis of nanoparticles using green synthesis method

Mature teratomas are benign ovarian tumors, which are generally asymptomatic. They rarely cause ovarian torsion. A typical clinical picture associates an abdominal pain with adnexal sensitivity and palpable mass. The imaging aspect of mature teratoma or dermoid cyst is typical. The ultrasound, CT scan, and the MRI play a crucial role in the diagnosis of adnexal torsion with the ovarian teratoma.

Benign tracheoesophageal fistula is a rare clinical entity and a rare complication of prolonged intubation and tracheostomy, we report the case of 20-year-old woman with a tracheoesophageal fistula secondary to mechanical ventilation. Ventilation difficulties and the recurrent lung infections were the mean symptoms, Early diagnosis was confirmed by bronchoscopy then the patient underwent a surgical repair of the fistula and interposition of a muscle flap. Acquired nonmalignant tracheoesophageal fistula is a preventable disease but this complication can still occur. The surgical treatment remains the best option.

Toda embroidery is a genetic specialty which is set apart by its geometric themes and delightful completion, it seems like a woven material; however, in the specific structure, it is weaving that is performed on cotton fabric with red and dark woolen threads. This particular style of weaving is privately known as "Pugur" or "Pukhoor. The reason for this work is to revive and report the weaving of Toda. In India Toda is found in Nilgiri area in Tamilnadu state. Toda clans are acclaimed for their conventional weaving called Toda weaving, which is less notable as an art for the outside world. This study was conducted with the aim of studying toda's fine artistic values, studying the relationship between toda, fabric structure, the revival and documentation of embroidery Toda to excute fashion accessories. This study will be a stage forward to carry new measurements to the world of fashion design.

In this paper, a helical coil tube in tube heat exchanger was designed and used in carbon dioxide solar assisted heat pump system (SAHP) to provide hot water for domestic applications and to operate an air gap membrane desalination (AGMD) unit. Both theoretical and experimental studies to investigate the performance of the gas cooler with Glycol Ethylene 50% and water as coolants were performed. The experimental part to study the behavior of the carbon dioxide in the supercritical region was conducted on the R744 heat pump test rig located at Department of Energy and Process Engineering – NTNU. On the other hand, FEA using ANSYS Fluent 18.1 was used to conduct the theoretical analysis. The study includes effect of inlet temperature of both coolants, effect of discharge pressure, effect of mass flow rate of water, and logarithmic mean temperature difference (LMTD). Good agreements between Experimental and simulation results were achieved. Results showed that the outlet temperature of the refrigerant from the gas cooler decreased from 81 oC to 40 oC, with 0.085 bar average pressure drop due to the heat rejection process. The outlet temperature of the refrigerant from the gas cooler in case of water is 8 oC lower than with ethylene glycol 50%. The outlet temperature of water reached 57 oC which is enough for domestic applications and to operate the AGMD unit to produce fresh water. It is observed that the pressure drop in the refrigerant by using water as coolant is higher by 0.2 bar than when ethylene glycol 50% used. Results also revealed that the value of LMTD of the gas cooler using ethylene glycol 50% is 24.3 % higher than the LMTD value when using water.

The study investigated the relationship between personal attitude and academic performance of self-sponsored education students at Africa International University. The study focused on the personal attitude of self-sponsored education student towards the learning environment, the commitment of teachers to teaching, university social life and the joy that a student derives from the learning experience. Descriptive research design was employed for the study. The population of the study comprised of 28 undergraduate education students who were subjected to census sampling because their number was manageable. Data collection was done using a close-ended questionnaire while data analysis was done using descriptive statistics such as a table and percentage rating. The findings show that students’ attitude towards the learning environment, the commitment of teachers to teaching, university social life, and personal interest in learning experience significantly relate to academic performance.