This study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Landmark University, Omu-Aran. Treatments consisted of 3 levels of cocoa pod husk ash (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHA ha-1), 3 levels of cocoa pod husk powder (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHP ha-1), NPK and the control. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated four times. The following parameters were taken plant height, number of leaves (at 2, 3, and 4 weeks after sowing), total plant weight, root weight, leaf weight, roots girth and roots length. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Using S.A.S, 2000. Treatment means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 0.05 level of probability. Results showed that chemical analysis of cocoa pod ash and powder contained plant nutrients as N, P, K, Ca, Mg and some other micronutrients in varying proportions. Application of CPHA 4 + CPHP 2 gave higher values for all the vegetative parameters. The implication of this study is that high level of cocoa pod husk powder in combination with high level of cocoa pod husk ash is detrimental to radish cultivation. In the same vein, the nutrition of radish was incomplete when NPK fertilizer was applied. It can therefore be recommended that the use of combined application of cocoa pod ash and cocoa pod powder at CPHA4 + CPHP2 was sufficient for the cultivation of radish (Raphanus sativus) in the study area as it compete favorably with application of NPK fertilizer.
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.
Eucalyptus is an important source of cellulose and a widely cultivated plant. Biotechnology tools can save time spent in breeding and transcriptomic approaches generate a gene profile that allows the identification of candidates involved in processes of interest. RNA-seq is a commonly used technology for transcript analysis and it provides an overview of regulatory pathways. Here, we selected two contrasting Eucalyptus species for cold acclimatization and focused in responsive genes under cold condition aiming woody properties – lignin and cellulose. The number of differentially expressed genes identified in stem sections were 3.300 in Eucalyptus globulus and 1370 in Eucalyptus urograndis. We listed genes with expression higher than 10 times including NAC, MYB and DUF family members. The GO analysis indicates increased oxidative process for E. urograndis. This data can provide information for more detailed analyses for breeding, especially in perennial plants.
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.
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