Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health from a Psychological Perspective: A Review of the Contemporary Literature

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Social media has become deeply embedded in society, with most individuals spending several hours on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter each day. While social media provides opportunities for connection, entertainment, and information, increasing research indicates use can negatively impact mental health. This paper reviews literature examining the psychological effects of social media on wellbeing. Key areas explored include social comparison and its links to depression and anxiety, exposure to idealized self-representation and impacts on body image, online harassment and cyberbullying, associations between social media addiction and mental distress, fear of missing out (FOMO), and sleep issues. The complex bi-directional relationship between social media and mental health is discussed, acknowledging both potential benefits and drawbacks. Recommendations are provided for individuals aiming to use social media in a psychologically healthy way, as well as areas needing further research. Ultimately, moderate usage paired with conscious digital habits may allow society to harness social media’s upsides while minimizing its risks to well-being.

The Influence of Human Resource Competence, Use of Information Technology, And Leadership Commitment to Budget Absorption in Regional Apparatus in Simeulue Regency, Aceh Province

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The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of Human Resource Competence, Use of Information Technology, and Leadership Commitment to Budget Absorption in Regional Apparatus in Simeulue Regency, Aceh Province. The population in this study is all Regional Apparatus in Simeulue Regency which amounts to 45 offices with a total of 135 respondents. Data analysis in this study used multiple linear regression which was processed with the SPSS (Statistical Package For Social Science) program. The results showed that the Human Resource Competence, Use of Information Technology, and Leadership Commitment had a positive and significant effect on the Budget Absorption of Regional Apparatus in Simeulue Regency. The Human Resource Competence has a positive effect on the Budget Absorption of Regional Apparatus in Simeulue Regency, Use of Information Technology has a positive effect on the Budget Absorption of Regional Apparatus in Simeulue Regency and the Leadership Commitment has a positive effect on the Budget Absorption of Regional Apparatus in Simeulue Regency. The implications of the results of this study are expected to be the evaluation for policy makers in increasing the Budget Absorption, and can be used as a practical guide for each policy maker in managing the budget.

Marketing Strategies in the Implementation of Product Sells in Small Company: Cases Studies in Company Amaaraa.Id

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This study attempts to determine the best marketing plan for boosting product sales turnover at the Amaaraa.id company in Makassar City. Observations, interviews, and documentation of research objects are utilized as data gathering techniques in the qualitative descriptive research approach. The data is then analysed using SWOT analysis. According to the research’s findings, the Amaaraa.id Enterprise’s turn-around plan in the city of Makassar is based on SWOT assessments that are in Quadrant III. Companies have good prospects, but they also have internal flaws that they can address by changing their tactics. Thus, this approach enables continued expansion, increased growth, and maximal advancement.

Assessment of Physico-chemical Parameters of water quality of Ground Water, Almanagil town, Gezira State, Sudan

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The current study was conducted to  evaluate physical and chemical parameters of water quality taken from some of ground wells  in Almanagil town, Gezira State, Sudan. The efforts, in this work, included a collection of different groundwater samples from Managil town. Many groundwater samples were collected from different wells distributed throughout the area of study. From all these groundwater samples, only eight samples were selected, to exclude repetition, and subjected to physico-chemical analysis. The physical characteristics including: conductivity (EC) of the collected samples were determined. The values of different chemical parameters as: pH, total dissolved salts (TDS) were measured according to the standard methods of analysis. In addition, the concentration of many anions (chloride, nitrite, nitrate) were determined. Results showed that EC between 440 -601 (ppm), GH 1000 (mg/L) all, NO3 and NO2  0.00 (mg/L) , Cl2 range between  0.7-3.58 (mg/L) ,KH 120- 362.667 (mg/L) ,salts 18.0-20.0 % ,  pH has values ranged from 8.0 – 8.5 while the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS (mg/L)) between 6.67 – 12.0 (mg/L) whereas (TDS (ppm)) between524.33- 653.67 . The results revealed significant different at (P≤ 0.01) with exception of (NO3) value zero so (NO2) and GH (1000mg/L) were not significant at P> 0.05). The findings show validity of certain samples for human uses.

Considerations in the Adoption of Solar Home System Technology in Indonesia

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The high potential for solar energy in Indonesia has prompted the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia to aim for solar energy utilization. Unfortunately, since it was planned in 2010, the target has not been achieved due to the low interest of society to purchase and use solar home systems.

Using the Technology-Personal-Environment (TPE) framework, this study aims to identify the factors that are being considered in the adoption of solar home system technology and understand the interest of the Indonesian people in repurchasing it. The data for the study were obtained through in-depth interviews with eight participants.

The study found that most participants do not consider perceived simplicity, but they consider perceived compatibility, regulations, technology support providers, performance expectations, and personal innovation. It was found that trust is also considered by participants. Additionally, they consider Regulations, Need/Urgency, Price, Technology Specifications, and Maintenance in repurchasing solar home systems. A new model proposed which exchange the perceived simplicity from technology context by trust in personal context.

It is recommended that renewable energy companies disseminate information about solar home systems through targeted websites, social media, and advertisements. Moreover, it is recommended that the government enact regulations that can support the use of solar home systems, such as providing incentives, subsidizing its materials, and building domestic factories that can produce the materials. Finally, it is recommended that further studies use other research methods, test new variables, and us the proposed models.

A Study on Effects of Anthropological Noise on Marine Life

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Out of all type of pollutions that exist, noise is considered as the most annoying one. Ambient noise has increasingly posed a problem to marine beings over the decades. Modern day humans have infested oceans with noise pollution. Noise can easily blanket a vast area below the surface of water and have underlying effects as a result. Whales and a few other cetacean species use a combination of sounds to create vocalizations. The use of SONAR and seismic guns underwater has caused a major hearing loss issue in cetaceans and altered their unique calls. Invertebrates; that consist of gastropods, annelids, cephalopods, etc.; too are affected by deep sea noise. Marine animals have found it difficult to sense their prey or predator, communicate with their species or even navigate through the oceans due to deep sea noise. The alienating noise creates a bubble around the ecosystem it travels through causing the habitants to experience a sudden parasympathetic surge and force them to flee.

 

A Literary Review of Pattern Matching Techniques in Network Intrusion Detection

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With the exponential growth in devices and services being added to networks, we are also witnessing an increase in the volume and complexity of threats, urging an increased efficiency in network intrusion detection systems which primarily rely on pattern matching to identify malicious activity on the network. In this literary review of pattern matching techniques in network intrusion detection, we explore the limitations and the research carried out in both signature-based and anomaly-based intrusion detection systems to overcome them. It focuses on the performance improvements in signature-based intrusion detection systems achieved through methodologies and technologies like regular expressions, Hyperscan, RE2, Flashtext, a generalized Aho-Corasick algorithm, usage of Bloom filters and payload sampling. It also covers the usage of machine learning techniques, including genetic algorithms, Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Improved Self-Adaptive Bayesian Algorithm (ISABA), which are used to detect anomalous behavior and identify potential threats in a network in anomaly-based network intrusion detection to assist the security analysts carry out their job functions. Additionally, this review explores the integration of the MITRE ATT&CK framework and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems in network intrusion detection as this framework provides a structured and standardized approach for analyzing the tactics and techniques used by attackers to classify them, while SIEM systems enable the correlation of threat activity across multiple sources, allowing for a more comprehensive and accurate view of the network security. Overall, this literary review provides insights into the state-of-the-art techniques and frameworks used in Network Intrusion Detection based on Pattern Matching, highlighting the significant improvements in performance and detection capabilities.

Perceptive Influence of Purchasing Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy from Non-regulated Firms on the Performance of Insurance Industry in Nigeria: A Customer-Based Sentiment Analysis

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This study examined Customers’ perception on the influence of purchasing motor vehicle insurance policy from non-regulated firms on the performance of insurance industry in Nigeria. Specifically, the influence of purchasing fake insurance policy and non-renewal of expired policy bought from the regulated insurance firms on the performance of insurance industry in Nigeria were accessed.  Primary data collected through the use of structured questionnaire from 92 vehicle owners in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, that were selected through convenience sampling technique, was used in the study. Sentiment analysis was applied as the method of data analysis in the study. The result of the analysis indicated a neutral sentiment level of the respondents to both the influence of purchasing fake motor vehicle insurance policy and impact of non-renewal of expired motor vehicle insurance policy bought from regulated insurance firms on the performance of insurance industry in Nigeria. These findings implied a neutral perception of the effect of purchasing motor vehicle insurance policy from non-regulated insurance firms on the performance of insurance industry in Nigeria by the motor vehicle owners. The neutral perception found explains the below expectation performance of the insurance industry in Nigeria due to poor patronage. To enhance public perception in the insurance industry in Nigeria, targeted product features and benefits awareness campaigns as well as payment of genuine claims to deepen public trust in the industry were recommended.

First report of Pink Disease of Ficus benghalensis L. caused by Erythricium salmonicolor (Berk. & Broome) Burds. (Corticiaceae) from India.

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Erythricium salmonicolor (Berk. & Broome) Burds. causes a canker and die-back disease, commonly known as pink disease,  on  many  tree  species.  During the field survey, typical symptoms of pink disease were observed on the dead branches of Ficus benghalensis L. trees. The pathogen isolated from host tree and identified as Erythricium salmonicolor (Berk. & Broome) Burds. was confirmed on the basis of macro-micro morphological analysis. To our knowledge, this is First report of Pink Disease of Ficus benghalensis L. caused by Erythricium salmonicolor (Berk. & Broome) Burds. from India.

Effect of Turmeric Herbal on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that is increasingly affecting women in the reproductive age group. Women commonly experience menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, weight gain, and acne, as well as the development of a complex endocrine disorder that presents with oligomenorrhea, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Herbal medicine is a complex intervention with the potential for synergistic and antagonistic interactions between compounds. These drugs are essential for the treatment of PCOS and have fewer side effects compared to allopathic drugs. One of the herbal medicines to treat PCOS is turmeric or curcumin, curcumin has various biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects involving various mechanisms. Curcumin can stimulate insulin-mediated glucose uptake via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinsase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, which, in turn, upregulates glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in adipocytes and skeletal muscle, leading to increased glucose levels. Curcumin supplementation improves glycemic control and lipid metabolism, and reduces oxygen radical species in PCOS patients. Curcumin is a diarylheptanoid derived from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, which functions as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant which is very important in the treatment of PCOS. In addition, nearly half of patients with PCOS develop metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, and are associated with a much higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.