Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) was introduced to Mexico in 1959. Currently there is an estimated planted area of 835.96 ha and a production of 8,730.27 tons. The fruit is mainly consumed fresh, but quickly loses its external appearance due to dehydration and browning, which limits its commercialization, an alternative may be minimal processing and adjuvant treatments that extend the shelf life. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of coating with cactus mucilage (Opuntia ficus-indica), in the preservation of minimally processed rambutan stored at 5 °C, in two types of packaging. The rambutan was sanitized with chlorinated water (80 ppm), the epicarp was removed and batches were formed for each treatment. The factors were type of container (polyethylene bag and polystyrene container), coating (with and without coating) and time (0, 3, 6, 6, 10 and 12 d). The coating consisted of mucilage obtained from developing cladodes (15–21 cm), applied by dipping. All treatments were stored at 5 ℃. Total soluble solids (TSS), firmness (N) and color (L*, a*, b*, chroma and hue angle) were evaluated at each storage period. Also, 40 untrained judges (47% male and 53% female) evaluated sensory acceptability, consumption intention and acceptance/rejection. The results showed significant effect (p ≤ 0.05) of package type on firmness, chroma and hue angle. Coating had an effect on L* value and product acceptability. Consumption intention was higher, and was maintained for 10 days, in fruits with coating and packaged in polyethylene bags, stored at 5 ℃.

The use of bioproducts, economically viable, are of extreme importance in the protection and stimulation of germination in vegetable crops. This work evaluated the effect of the microorganisms Azospirillum brasiliense, Bacillus sub-tilis, Trichoderma harzianum and the commercial seed treatment product (Fipronil + Pilaclostrobin and Methyl Thiophanate) on seeds and seedlings of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), carrot (Daucus carota) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The seeds were inoculated before being submitted to the germination test. The chemical treatment proved ineffective in protecting the seed of all crops and stimulating germination. T. harzianum increased the germination index of lettuce seeds, had better values in root system size in tomato crop and stimulated radicle emission in carrot. B. subtilis stood out in dry matter accumulation in tomato crop. The microorganisms B. subtilis and T. harzianum present potential for vegetable seed treatment.

This article emphasizes the importance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and large companies in driving economic growth. SMEs are labour-intensive and agile, creating more jobs, while large companies are capital-intensive and rely on technology, having more resources for research and development. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, SMEs contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and job opportunities, while large companies dominate specific sectors. The research employs a multidisciplinary approach using an extensive literature review to summarize the current literature, highlight the economic impact of SMEs and large companies in GCC, and highlight the importance of large companies in developing local citizens. Policy-makers must consider these differences to integrate these dynamic changes for effective support policies. This study examines the economic impact of SMEs and large companies in the GCC region, providing recommendations to support large businesses. It addresses challenges and opportunities related to employment, household earnings, economic output, and value addition. Promoting the economic impact of SMEs and large companies can lead to sustainable economic growth and development in the GCC region. Also, this article pointed out the importance of large companies and their economic impact in the GCC region; policy recommendations will help the governing bodies in decision-making towards promoting sustainable economic growth.

The health of employees is so paramount for employee productivity. While emphasis is often placed on the physical health of employees, less emphasis is placed on the psychological or mental health of the employees. Similarly, it seems as if health challenges are more occurring in manufacturing industries, but the service organizations employees are as well susceptible to mental health challenges. Understanding the predictive factors to mental health challenges therefore becomes imperative. It is on this note that the present research examines how employee mental health is predicted by work safety measures like perceived workplace safety, work overload and pay satisfaction. The workplace safety variables include perception of job, co-worker, supervisor, management, and safety programs. A cross sectional survey method was adopted, using ex-post-facto research design. Data were gathered from 258 employees, including 150 (58.1%) females and 108 (41.9%) males of a non-governmental organization. Correlation and regression analyses were used to analyze data obtained from the standardized psychological scales that were administered. The results showed that mental health correlated positively with perceived job safety, but negatively with perceived co-worker, supervisor, management, safety programs and pay satisfaction. Workplace safety variables jointly predicted mental health, accounting for 23% variance, but only perceived job safety and supervisor safety were significant. The higher employees perceived job safety, the lower their mental health challenges. Similarly, the higher they perceived supervisor safety, the lower their mental health issues. Pay satisfaction accounted for 3% variance in mental health, and the higher the pay satisfaction, the lower the level of employee mental health issues. It is implied that the human resource unit of service organizations should intermittently examine their organizations to identify and prevent possible job and supervisor safety threats. Supervisors should be trained on how to be discrete in communicating safety measures to subordinates so that it will not boomerang to hamper mental health. The human resources unit should also intermittently organize workshop, training, and employee-assisted programs for younger and lower grade employees on adaptive mechanisms for reducing mental health challenges.

This research addresses environmental, ethical, and health concerns related to high meat consumption, and aims to identify key predictors that encourage a shift towards sustainable diets among young adults. A cross-sectional survey involving 340 students from ten Malaysian universities was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and personal norms significantly predict the intention to adopt plant-based diets. These results have practical implications, suggesting that policymakers, educators, and health professionals should create supportive environments and educational programs that emphasize the benefits of plant-based diets and equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills. Theoretically, the study reinforces the TPB framework’s applicability in understanding dietary behaviors and underscores the importance of personal and social factors in shaping dietary intentions. Ultimately, promoting plant-based diets among university students necessitates a comprehensive approach and strategy addressing attitudes, social norms, perceived control, and personal values. By leveraging these insights, stakeholders can foster sustainable and healthy eating practices among young adults, contributing to broader environmental and public health objectives for sustainable development.

Public recreation hubs play an important role in enhancing physical activities, social contacts, and the health status of a community. The quality of the experience in such a setting influences user satisfaction and dedication; however, there are limited studies that can adapt well-advanced conceptual frameworks to capture unique characteristics of the public recreation feature. This study investigates user expectations and perceptions of service quality within public recreation hubs in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data collection was obtained through a cross-section of 385 respondents using a SERVQUAL instrument from 22 recreational hubs. Various statistical analyses were performed, of which the EFA produced a nine-factor solution and not the customary five SERVQUAL dimensions. Important findings include the emergence of an intersection of the constructs of empathy and assurance, thereby suggesting that the dimensions are perceived as connected in the context of relational services. In addition, program quality and community engagement came out as two other important dimensions, representing the expectation for pluralism in provision, or inclusiveness and participation. Demographic differences were significant, gender differences existed in the perception of tangibles and reliability. It provides useful recommendations for managers of recreational hubs and policymakers. It could improve tangible factors with standard maintenance activities, improved infrastructure, and coordinated operational routines that improve its reliability. Targeted training among the staff for empathy and reassurance, and programming targeted to meet demographic needs, can be helpful in serving the various needs. Community building strategies, such as participatory planning and outreach programs, help make the people who feel included in them and loyal to facilities stay. It will not only help in offering better service delivery but also ensure that facilities within such public recreation hubs last long. This work contributes to service quality theory because it applies the SERVQUAL framework in a community-based recreational environment and shows its practical benefit in service delivery improvement of public services. Further work should adopt longitudinal methods and multi-regional analyses in the development and refinement of such findings to enhance generalisability across settings. Results have important implications for the development of user-focused, sustainable public recreation services compatible with changing community needs.