Phytochemical and antioxidant analysis of some varieties of Capsicum was evaluated. Mature Capsicum varieties were collected across the State. The seeds were removed, sun-dried for 3 days, stored for 2 weeks at 15 ºC–25 ºC in polythene bags before planting. Saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were present in abundant, moderate and trace amounts. Combined anthraquinones were absent in all varieties. Yellow (0.810 ± 0.0006 µg/mL), red long dry (0.211 ± 0.0006 µg/mL) and round peppers (2.527 ± 0.0003 µg/mL) had the largest values for total phenol, flavonoids and tannins. Shombo and yellow peppers had the largest (0.270 ± 0.002 µg/mL) and least (0.102 ± 0.001 µg/mL) capsaicin content. The antioxidant activities varied across the varieties. At 100 µg/mL of methanol, yellow (45%) and round peppers (45%) had largest mean absorbances for 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Radical Scavenging Activity while sub-shombo pepper (23%) had the least. For Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), yellow (0.63 ± 0.001 µg/mL) and sub-shombo peppers (0.55 ± 0.001µg/mL) had the largest and least values at 100 µg/mL of methanol. At 100 µg/mL of methanol, red long dry (0.112 ± 0.001) and shombo peppers (0.101 ± 0.001) had the largest and least values for the nitric oxide scavenging activity. This study shows that Capsicum varieties exhibit bioactive componds similarities and variations with implications in hybridization, taxonomy and conservation.
The exploitation of timber has had a profound impact on tropical forest areas and their structures. This study assessed the effect of selective logging on natural regeneration and soil characteristics in post-loading bay sites at the Pra-Anum forest reserve in Ghana, West Africa. The results showed no difference in the number of species enumerated in the loading bays and the undisturbed area. More trees were observed in the RAT and RNT plots than in the undisturbed area. Relative to the RAT plot, species on the RNT and the undisturbed area were less diverse and less evenly distributed. Mean tree height, diameter, and basal area were higher in the RAT and RNT plots than in the undisturbed plots. Soil bulk density was lower in the RAT and undisturbed plot than in the RAT plot and increased with increased depth. Soil organic matter was 44% and 27% more in the undisturbed and RAT plots, respectively, than in the RNT plot and accounted for 84.75%, 83.97% and 45.33% of variations in soil bulk density, pH, and CEC. The study provides insight into the need to rehabilitate highly disturbed areas in forests, particularly the addition of topsoil on loading bays, skid trails, roads, and gaps after logging to improve the productivity of the forest soils.
Purpose: This research aims to investigate the impact of technological challenges, including techno-overload, techno-complexity, and techno-insecurity, on employee job satisfaction within the banking sector of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the study examines the mediating roles of supervisor support and job clarity in buffering the effects of technological challenges on job satisfaction. Method: The study employs a quantitative research design, utilizing an online questionnaire to collect data from banking employees in Saudi Arabia. The sample size of 135 participants was determined using the rule of thumb technique. Random sampling was utilized to ensure representativeness. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to explore the relationships between technological challenges, supervisor support, job clarity, and employee job satisfaction. Findings: The findings of the study reveal a significant negative impact of techno-overload, techno-complexity, and techno-insecurity on employee job satisfaction within the banking sector of Saudi Arabia. Moreover, supervisor support and job clarity were found to mediate these relationships, highlighting their importance in mitigating the adverse effects of technological challenges on job satisfaction. Originality/Significance: This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the relationships between technological challenges, supervisor support, job clarity, and employee job satisfaction within the specific context of Saudi Arabian banks. The findings have significant implications for organizational leaders and managers in developing evidence-based strategies to manage technological challenges and promote employee well-being in the banking sector of Saudi Arabia.
Sustainable hybrid education is an educational approach that combines multiple kinds of instruction. Online education and traditional face-to-face education will be implemented in tandem to propel the educational process towards contemporary approaches, with the aim of achieving high-quality outcomes and staying abreast of scientific and technical advancements. The objective of this study is to determine the correlation between hybrid education, which is a sustainable model, and the academic performance of graduate students in select Egyptian universities, based on international quality criteria. The study employed a descriptive analytical methodology, and data was collected using a meticulously designed computerized questionnaire, whose validity and reliability were verified using proper statistical techniques. The study sample comprised 2235 postgraduate students enrolled in Egyptian universities, specifically Cairo, Helwan, and Ain Shams. The study’s findings determined that the extent of hybrid education and the efficacy of the procedure. The sample members possess a high level of education, and hybrid education has a significant positive influence on the quality of the educational process. Hybrid education mostly impacts the academic components, and there are variations among universities in implementing hybrid education, with Ain Shams University being particularly favorable towards it. The study proposed enhancing the university’s human resources for students, faculty, and staff, as well as assuring the availability of diverse gadgets and resources utilized in the hybrid education setting.
Using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), this study investigated the effect of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, facilitating condition, lifestyle compatibility, and perceived trust on both the intention to use and adoption of an e-wallet among adults. This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional research technique to collect data from 501 respondents via Google Form. The acquired data was assessed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Therefore, perceived usefulness, perceived simplicity of use, social influence, lifestyle compatibility, and perceived trust all had a strong positive impact on both intentions to use and adoption of an e-wallet. This study demonstrated that the intention to use an e-wallet mediated the links between predictors and e-wallet adoption. Respondents’ age and gender moderated the effect of lifestyle compatibility on their intention to use an e-wallet. The study’s findings can assist managers and policymakers establish successful ways that capture customers’ intention to use and experience with employing an e-wallet amid a tumultuous market. Finally, such well-crafted policies may stimulate the digital platform and web-based apps, as well as raise e-wallet acceptance rates in undeveloped countries.
Climate Compatible Development (CCD), which aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic growth while adjusting to the effects of climate change, necessitates integrated policy approaches across several sectors. However, little attention has been given to the types of institutional structures collaborating and competing in conceptualizing CCD and understanding its functioning. This paper develops and applies a qualitative analysis to determine the compatibility of national and local policies and multi-stakeholder roles with the aims of the three dimensions of CCD (development, climate adaptation, and climate mitigation) using the mangrove governance case. Results indicate that mangrove governance policies currently support shifts towards CCD, especially by national governments. The existence of Ministry of Development National Planning that play roles in formulating climate change policy and development planning in Indonesia proved beneficial for CCD attainment. However, several regulations showed that political intervention and sectoral interests were present in multilevel governance toward CCD. Institutional challenges in this context were described, particularly in the existence of a hierarchy of statutory powers in Indonesia.
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