Volume 13, Issue 1, January 2025 Edition - GSJ Journal Publication


Essai d’une Ontologie du Panafricanisme. Pour une nouvelle Requalification. []


For many people, Pan-Africanism is a movement or an ideology. But it is more than that, because it releases a whole philosophy or an entire ontology. This starts from the vision that the Pan-Africanist fathers had when launching the movement in a particularly racial, racist and racialist historical context. It was believed that race was the criterion for determining the humanness of individuals. Hence, the ideology of pigmentation which gave rise not only to the hierarchy of races, but also to their separation. Pan-Africanism translates the ontological faith according to which there is no race, but only the human to be seen in individuals. - Keywords: Being black-ontological degradation-reaffirmation-requalification.

PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND KINETIC DEGRADATION MODELLING OF POLYIMIDE-NICKEL NANOCOMPOSITE SERIES. []


In situ prepared polyimide series with incorporated nickel nanoparticles were fabricated by a solution blending technique. The chemical structure of the polyimide-nickel nanocomposites was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Proton-Nuclear Magnetic spectroscopy (H-NMR). The morphology of the polyimide-nickel series was verified by Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM). The non-isothermal kinetic behavior of the fabricated BPADA-BAPP-PINiNCs series was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in a nitrogen atmosphere at heating rates (β) of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25oC/min. This study is an attempted to clarify the effects of nickel nano particles (NiNPs) on the non-isothermal degradation kinetics using Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Kissinger models of thermal degradation analysis. The derived apparent activation energies (Ea) were found to fit well with each other (showing the same trend) thereby justifying the models used for the studies. The Ea showed significant differences at conversion (α) > 0.7, which indicates the role of Ni loading towards degradation behavior. Based on the analysis of the results, the lifetime prediction at 5% mass loss was found to decreases in the following order: 1% > 5% > 10% directly related to the mobility of BPADA-BAPP PI backbone chain. Therefore, the presence of various nickel nanoparticle loading reveals their contributions towards thermal degradation and stability of the fabricated polyimide-nickel nanocomposites.

CHANGES IN HORTICULTURE CROPS PRODUCTIVITY IN INDAPUR TEHSIL, PUNE DISTRICT IN MAHARASHTRA []


The present study is an attempt to identify horticulture crop productivity region of Indapur tehsil for its better land use planning. Horticultural sector are including several crops, fruits, vegetables, spices and medicinal crops, ornamental crops etc. However, in agriculture sector horticulture sector has fastly emerged in India because of the Govt. policies and use of the technology. About 2/3rd population is involved in agriculture sector in India. Now, India has a surplus production in horticulture and agriculture crops production. The India has wide topographical ranges and variations in climate. While the first few Five-Year Plan assigned priority to achieving self-sufficiency in food grain production, over the years, horticulture has emerged as an indispensable part of agriculture, offering a wide range of choices to the farmers for crop diversification.

Harnessing the Power of AI: A Case Study of Digital Transformation in the Banking Sector []


The banking industry in Oman, has a strategic path of digital transformation through the integration of Artificial Intelligence AI across its operations. This AI transformation aims to address several crucial challenges such as the outdated systems that are no longer sufficient to provide modern banking needs, the growing demand for the personalized customer services, and the possible issues that might accrue as financial frauds (Noreen, Shafique, 2023, P27).Banking sectors digital transformation projects is one of the most important projects in the meantime, and modernising its legacy the IT systems have one of the key goals of the banking systems. Yet those outdated systems are just getting in the way of the banks processes of scaling the digital offerings and falling short of customers’ expectations for easy applications, zero conflicts, and instant services. Banks are aiming to increase the operational efficiency by adopting AI automated automation to handle repetitive duties, for example, document verification, transaction processing and onboarding on customers repetitive demands; where the aim of this automation will reduce the processing times significantly, cut down on human errors and improving services delivery (Aithal, P.S, 2023, P27). As a major entity in the financial world of Oman, Bank Muscat is taking a step forward in a new, advanced era by using the AI Transformation Plan in getting ahead in the changing digital scenario; Where the bank might be struggling with failing systems that make it inefficient and demands state of the art advanced personalised customer service (Janamolla, K.R, 2024, P27). Banks are aiming to modernise itself to provide the services customers expect, such as efficiency, security, and personalisation; and it also aims to protect itself against rising threats related to financial fraud and deals with measuring it on integration issues involving its legacy systems. This research paper seeks to evaluate the effects of AI on aiding operational efficiency, customer experience, as well as fraud detection methods in banks. Furthermore, it aims to shed light on how AI can be used to enable the bank’s strategic support to its long-term digital transformation goals. Literature review, case studies, survey, interviews, and secondary data analysis will be used, where those methods will show how AI can help in finding cost saving methods, enhancing customer satisfaction, and increasing the operational efficiency procedures.The main focus of analysis will be on processing time, cost savings, return of investment, and customer satisfaction levels, to measure how well an AI implementation will be. Where surveys and interviews will provide some qualitative data of employees and customer perspective on AI adoption. The preliminary results and finding will lead that AI has the potential to enhance the operational efficiency, customer services engagements, and reduces fraud potential issues. Nevertheless, system compatibility, regulatory compliance and staff adaptation might be the major challenges. Focusing on results and findings, the research will make strategic recommendations for AI integration optimisation towards fraud detection, personalised customer services, and fighting against internal resistance in coordination with banks digital transformation aspirations.

Destination Motivators and Destination Attachment: The mediating and moderating role of attitude towards destination and spiritual stimuli []


Abstract Purpose: The study aims to investigate the interplay between the mediating and moderating role of attitude towards destination and spiritual stimuli on the relationship between Destination motivators and destination attachment. Method: Data collection precisely employed a convenience sampling method, targeting 450 tourists. The study utilized a adapted questionnaire featuring a rigorous seven-point Likert scale. Likewise, a descriptive and causal comparative research design was employed, complemented by a comprehensive array of statistical measures, including Mean, Standard Deviation, Correlation, and Regression, Independent T-test, One way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis H Test, Mediating Effect, and Moderating Effect. Findings: The study revealed that Attitude towards destination fully mediates the relationship between Destination Motivators and Destination Attachment. Likewise, it has been also found that Spiritual Stimuli do not moderates the relationship between Attitude towards destination and Destination Attachment. Implications: Understanding that attitudes toward a destination significantly influence attachment suggests that destination marketers should focus on shaping positive perceptions to enhance visitor attachment, irrespective of spiritual stimuli involvement. Keywords: Destination motivators, Destination Attachment; Attitude towards destination; Destination Branding; Tourist satisfaction; Tourism marketing, Lumbini.

Hydroponics and its role in Vertical Farming: Opportunities and Challenges in Pakistan []


The rise in global population and change in climate require innovative agricultural solutions to meet the demand of organic and nutritious food. Vertical farming based on hydroponic systems propose a promising solution to sustainable agriculture by optimizing spatial usage, maximizing resource efficiency and ensuring year-round production of crops. In this review, the synergies of hydroponics and vertical farming are highlighted, the potential of vertical farming to address the challenges of agriculture sector of Pakistan such as water scarcity, climate change and rapid urbanization have been underlined and the opportunities and constrains of implementing them have been explored. The paper also represents global case studies and policy recommendations to promote the adoption of such innovation to ensure food safety and security.

Impact of yellow rust on different varieties of bread wheat in Agro-ecological zone of Gujranwala []


Wheat is the major crop cultivated from ancient times. The most of the area cultivated in wheat crop in Pakistan. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of yellow rust on different varieties of bread wheat in field conditions at Adaptive Research Farm, Gujranwala, Punjab-Pakistan during 2020-2022. In the present experiment wheat varieties Faisalabad-08, Anaj, Zincol, Borlog, Ujala, Fakhar e Bakhar, Bhakar Star & Akbar were selected. The data of climatic factors like maximum & minimum temperature (°C), relative humidity (%) & rainfall (mm) were collected during the January, February & March each year. Maximum disease incidence (86.67%) of yellow rust (YR) was recorded in Ujala followed by FSD-08 (80%) & Borlog (73.33%) and Anaj (46.67%) during 2020. Maximum disease incidence of YR was recorded by FSD (53.33%) followed by Akbar (33.33%) during 2021. Maximum disease incidence was recorded by FSD (66.67%) > Ujala (53.33%) > Borlog (46.47%) during 2022. Almost similar number of tillers m-2 were recorded by Borlog (346 tillersm-2) & Ujala (343 tillers m-2) and Anaj (337 tillers m-2) during 2021 and Ujala recorded maximum (333 tilersm-2) during 2022 which differed with number of tillers m-2 during three successive seasons. Maximum 1000 grain weight was found by Fakhar e Bhakkar (43.00g) during 2021 followed by Fakhar e Bhakkar (42.6g) during 2020. The low grain weight was recorded by Zincol (35g) during 2022. Maximum rust severity was found by FSD (21.33%) followed by Ujala (6.66%) during 2021. The minimum rust severity was found in Anaj (0.66%), Fakhar e Bhakkar (in traces), however, the noYR was recorded in Bhakkar Star during 2021. Maximum severity was found by FSD (29.33%) followed by Ujala (10.67%)>Akbar (8.67%). Fakhar e Bakhar recorded YR in traces; however no YR recorded in Bhakkar Star during 3rd observations during 2022. At the end it was concluded that the overall climatic condition played a significant role in flourishing the disease incidence (%) of rust. The increase in RF (mm) and RH (85%) with concise of Maximum Temperature (MaxT) range during January, February & March may increase in Disease Incidence (%) & Disease severity (%) of rust. The correlation regarding gap of MaxT during January-March beyond each other may lower the Disease Incidence with high RH and low RF (mm). However, the high temperature average during the three months fluctuates in maximum reduced the disease incidence & severity. The rust severity and disease incidence was gradually increased from 1st <2nd <3rd observations.

Immunological Factors in Cerebral Malaria []


Cerebral malaria (CM) is the most severe and fatal complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, with a near 100% mortality rate if untreated. The pathogenic mechanisms of CM, which involve both host and parasite factors, remain incompletely understood. This review examines the pathophysiology of CM, emphasizing the diverse factors implicated in its development. Current evidence indicates that CM involves endothelial cell activation, disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and dysregulated cytokine production. Key contributors include red blood cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, cytokines such as IFNγ, TNFα, and LTα, as well as nitric oxide (NO), ICAM-1, heme, and parasite-derived molecules such as PfEMP1, PfHRPII and EPCR. These factors collectively compromise BBB integrity, promote endothelial activation, and drive the clinical manifestations of CM, thereby increasing its lethality.