The Influence of Sambiloto Leaf Extract (Andrographis Paniculata Nees) on Histopathologic Imaging of The Liver of Male Wistar Rats ( Rattus Novergicus) on a High Cholesterol Diet

/in /by

Elevated cholesterol levels can lead to various diseases and reduce quality of life, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which poses a growing global health concern. Andrographis paniculata (sambiloto) contains andrographolide, a bioactive compound known to inhibit cholesterol synthesis, suggesting its potential as a herbal alternative to manage hypercholesterolemia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sambiloto leaf extract (Andrographis paniculata Nees) on the liver histopathology of male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) fed a high-cholesterol diet. This true experimental laboratory study used a post-test control group design with randomized probability sampling. Rats were divided into six groups: normal control, negative control, positive control (atorvastatin), and three treatment groups receiving sambiloto extract at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kgBW. Liver histopathology was assessed using the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS), and data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by post hoc LSD analysis. The results showed a significant effect of sambiloto extract on liver histopathological changes (p = 0.028, p < 0.05), although no significant differences were observed among the different dosage groups. In conclusion, sambiloto leaf extract has a significant influence on improving liver histopathological profiles in male Wistar rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.

Enhancing Corporate Financial Performance through Sustainability Balanced Scorecards: A Systematic Literature Review

/in /by

This study explores the extent to which the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard (SBSC) serves as an effective tool for enhancing corporate financial performance. Through a systematic literature review (SLR) of 18 peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2024, the research highlights how SBSC facilitates the integration of sustainability into organizational strategy across four key dimensions: financial, customer, operational workflows, and knowledge and development. The review reveals that the adoption of SBSC contributes to improved profitability, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as enhanced employee innovation and capability development. Key enablers of successful SBSC implementation include strong management commitment, a culture of innovation, and strategic use of information technology. Furthermore, the findings underscore the value of SBSC for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across diverse sectors, particularly in manufacturing and services, positioning it as a strategic framework for sustainable financial growth.

Strategic Talent Management in UAE Industries: Comparative Insights into Attraction and Retention Across Aviation, Oil & Gas, Banking, and Retail Sectors

/in /by

Talent management has emerged as a critical strategic imperative for organizations operating in the competitive landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This comprehensive study examines the strategic talent management practices employed by leading corporations across four key economic sectors: aviation, oil & gas, banking & finance, and retail & e-commerce. Through a multi-theoretical lens incorporating Resource-Based View (RBV), Human Capital Theory, and Social Exchange Theory, this research analyzes how organizations attract, develop, and retain talent in alignment with UAE’s Vision 2031 and Emiratization objectives. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of talent management effectiveness with qualitative insights from corporate case studies of Emirates Airlines, ADNOC, Emirates NBD, and Noon.com. Findings reveal that while compensation and career development remain fundamental retention drivers, contemporary talent strategies increasingly emphasize employer branding, diversity and inclusion (D&I), sustainability initiatives, and technology-driven HR analytics. The research demonstrates significant sector-specific variations: aviation prioritizes global branding and service excellence, oil & gas focuses on Emiratization and technical skill development, banking emphasizes digital innovation and ESG-driven practices, while retail leverages flexibility and customer-centric cultures. The study contributes to strategic human resource management literature by providing empirical evidence of talent management effectiveness in a rapidly developing economy and offers practical insights for HR practitioners navigating the complexities of multicultural workforce management in the Gulf region.

Geospatial Assessment of Three Decades of Shoreline Shifts and Two Decades of Vegetation Change in the Grand Saloum Transboundary Wetland Complex, Senegal-The Gambia

/in /by

Coastal wetlands at the land–sea interface are on the frontline of climate change, yet integrated evidence on geomorphic and ecological responses remains limited in West Africa. We quantified shoreline trajectories (1990–2020) and land-cover dynamics (2000–2020) across the transboundary Grand Saloum complex (Senegal–The Gambia) using Landsat surface-reflectance time series, spectral indices (NDVI, NDWI, NDBI), and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). Shorelines were extracted from NDWI-based water masks, filtered and vectorized, then analyzed in DSAS with End Point Rate statistics. Vegetation was mapped in Google Earth Engine with a Random Forest classifier (mangrove, other vegetation, built/bare, water). The coastline is dominated by erosion (mean −2.44 m·yr⁻¹) interspersed with localized accretion (mean +1.84 m·yr⁻¹). Erosion hotspots concentrate in central sectors, whereas mixed erosion–accretion patterns occur near the northern and southern mouths. Concurrently, mangrove cover expanded from 57,867.61 ha in 2000 to 66,840.17 ha in 2020 (~+15.5%), while other vegetation declined from 23,483.18 ha to 16,146.11 ha (~−31.3%). Within a 1-km coastal buffer, mangroves remained broadly stable to slightly increasing (16.43%→16.81%). These findings depict a dynamic yet resilient system where mangrove gains coexist with heterogeneous shoreline retreat and conversion of non-mangrove covers to bare substrates and water. Management should safeguard landward migration corridors, target erosion-prone reaches with nature-based measures, and institutionalize a transboundary monitoring, reporting, and verification framework that updates DSAS and satellite products at 2–3-year intervals while integrating in-situ elevation, salinity, and sediment data. Our workflow provides transferable, decision-relevant evidence for coastal adaptation and blue-carbon planning in data-limited deltas and policy design.

Digital Governance and E-Government Transformation in Public Service Delivery in Nigeria

/in /by

The integration of digital governance and e-government transformation has become a cornerstone of public administration reform globally, particularly in improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public service delivery. This study examines the impact of digital governance initiatives in Nigeria, focusing on their role in enhancing efficiency, promoting accountability, and identifying key challenges that hinder their effectiveness. The study adopted the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework as its theoretical foundation. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 300 respondents drawn from three key federal ministries and citizens interacting with e-government platforms. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression, while qualitative insights were obtained through key informant interviews. The findings reveal that digital governance initiatives have significantly improved efficiency and transparency, particularly through platforms such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS). However, the results also show that systemic barriers including weak ICT infrastructure, low digital literacy, and entrenched corruption continue to undermine full-scale transformation. The study concludes that while Nigeria has made notable progress, sustainable digital governance requires stronger infrastructure investment, enhanced digital literacy, policy consistency, and deeper citizen inclusiveness.

Exploring Business Cultural Elements in A College-Level English Textbook

/in /by

English textbooks are regarded as the “tangible heart” of any ELT program, so effective communication may require learners to develop intercultural understanding. This study aims to explore the way cultural elements are represented through different aspects in the textbook Business Plus 1 (Helliwell, 2014). A detailed analysis of the cultural content was conducted based on the theoretical framework of Cortazzi & Jin (1999), while also being examined through Kachru’s (1992) model. The findings indicate that international culture appears most frequently – particularly Asian culture – followed by target culture, and least of all, learners’ source culture. Furthermore, countries in the Expanding Circle dominate the textbook, conveying the message that local culture is not given primacy, unlike the tradition of many foreign language teaching (FLT) materials.

Contribution of Remote Sensing in The Study of The Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Classified Forests: Case of The Classified Forest of Irobo (Southern Ivory Coast)

/in /by

This study was carried out in the south of the Ivory Coast as part of our master’s thesis. This study aims to highlight the improvement in knowledge on the phenomenon of degradation in the Irobo classified forest and to provide managers with essential elements for the establishment of a sustainable forest management policy. Concretely, it was a question of (1) characterizing the different types of land use of the Irobo classified forest, (2) mapping the vegetation cover of the classified forest of Irobo from the Landsat images of 1988, 2005 and 2020, (3) evaluating the forest dynamics between 1988 and 2020. To this end, the characterization of the types of land use, the mapping of the dynamics and the evaluation of the forest dynamics between 1988 and 2020 were carried out using cartographic methods on the one hand and area calculations on the other. The results indicate that there are nine types of land use. These are forests, reforestation plots, perennial crops, annual crops, fallows, bare soils and habitats. Regarding the assessment of forest dynamics, it appears that forest cover has lost 11,993.3 ha between 1988 and 2020, which means a decrease of 2.07% per year in favour of agricultural holdings (26,838.9 ha in 2020).

Culture and Governance: Promoting sustainable social change, case study: Cámara Popular del jirón Amazonas in the city of Lima-2024

/in /by

The objective of this study was to determine how cultural innovation and governance are related in promoting sustainable social change in the Popular Chamber of Jirón Amazonas, Lima–2024. The problem posed was: How are cultural innovation and governance related in this context? The general hypothesis established that cultural innovation is positively related to governance. The research was conducted using a basic quantitative paradigm with a bivariate correlational design. The population consisted of 201 entrepreneurs, from which a sample of 130 was obtained. The results showed that cultural innovation is positively related to governance, presenting a high and significant correlation. It is concluded that cultural innovation is a key factor in strengthening governance and promoting sustainable social change in urban communities.

Pets as Healers: The Role of Pets in Promoting Owners’ Mental Well-being among Adults in Bangkok, Thailand

/in /by

This study aims to investigate the relationship between pet ownership, pet attachment, and mental well-being among adults in Bangkok, Thailand. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, collecting quantitative data through standardized self-report questionnaires and demographic information. A total of 61 participants completed the survey, including both pet owners and non-owners. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, independent sample t-tests, and multiple regression analyses will be used to examine whether pet attachment significantly predicts mental well-being outcomes. Preliminary descriptive results suggest that most participants own dogs and cats, report moderate-to-high levels of pet attachment, and perceive psychological benefits such as reduced loneliness and emotional comfort. The findings are expected to provide evidence on the psychological benefits of pet companionship and inform future mental health interventions.

Behavioral Finance: The Role of Self-Efficacy and Goal-Setting of Motivation in Financial Literacy among Small Rice Farmers

/in /by

This research focused on understanding financial literacy alongside self-efficacy and goal-setting motivation behaviors within small-scale rice farmers in Daet, Camarines Norte. An integrated approach was conducted through a combination of a survey with 71 farmers, and a focus group with 10 farmers. For the quantitative component, descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses were used, while qualitative responses were organized through thematic analysis. The research found farmers had high motivational and selective self-efficacy in terms of income diversification and financial task prioritization. However, weak adaptability to financial shocks, high-order decision-making, and advanced task prioritization were noted. Self-efficacy, and goal-setting of motivation were found to be strong predictors of financial literacy, accounting for 79.3% of the explained variance. Financially competent farmers had proactive planning, disciplined cash control and goal-directed behaviors correlating to the competencies of financial structuring and cash control. Major self-directed activities reported were seasonal cash planning, digital financial tools, and cash management within families. The need to address behavioral aspects of finance in capacity-building programs was clearly established within the findings. Guides to policy and program design that enhances the socio-economic status and financial resilience of smallholder farmers will be improved with this focus on self-efficacy and goal-setting as primary motivators.