Assessment of Psychology, Behaviour and Self-Medication Potential Among Indian People During CovID-19 Pandemic

Aim: This research work was done during the Indian festive season of 2020 to assess the attitude, mentality and psychological pattern of Indians. Also, the effect of yoga and meditation in combating the Covid-19 pandemic related stress was analyzed in the present research work. As Paracetamol and Diclofenac are OTC medications which are widely available without doctor’s prescription, the potential of self-medication for these drugs amidst the pandemic need to be studied, this study further attempted to analyze the rate and extent of self-medication of these drugs among Indians. Materials and Methods: An e-questionnaire survey bearing questions on pandemic-related mental stress, sleep duration, yoga, meditation practice, and extent of self-medication in combating the pandemic was floated to the residents of Bengaluru to collect their response. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 17. Results: A mixed response regarding their stress, anxiety, and fear expressed on a higher scale was the same before or during Covid could be perceived. The sleep pattern before and during CoVid had no significant variation (p>0.05) and appeared the same. All the respondents agreed that they spend considerable time with electronic gadgets during the Covid lockdown period. Most of the respondents (60%) practice yoga and meditation occasionally or daily. The high rate of self-medication with Paracetamol and Diclofenac drugs among Indian people in the current pandemic situation shows they are OTC and readily available. The self-medication practice is of real concern as it may cause a long-term impact on the consumers.

Fractals as Julia Sets of Complex Sine Function via Fixed Point Iterations

We explore some new variants of the Julia set by developing the escape criteria for a function sin(zn)+az+c, where a,c∈C, n≥2, and z is a complex variable, utilizing four distinct fixed point iterative methods. Furthermore, we examine the impact of parameters on the deviation of dynamics, color, and appearance of fractals. Some of these fractals represent the stunning art on glass, and Rangoli (made in different parts of India, especially during the festive season) which are useful in interior decoration. Some fractals are similar to beautiful objects found in our surroundings like flowers (to be specific Hibiscus and Catharanthus Roseus), and ants.

Attitudes towards migrant workers in South Africa: A critical discourse analysis

Background: The influx of migrants from neighbouring countries has contributed to diversity in South Africa. This has caused on-going clashes between local residents and migrants. This article explores the role of discourse towards enabling a cohesive society. There has been much focus on migrants working in South Africa over the 2020 December festive season as many faced challenges in travelling to their respective countries because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This limelight exposed the underlying discrimination towards migrants in South Africa remain regardless of the South African progressive Constitution that values and respects individuals as well as protecting them from discrimination.Aim: This article adopts threat theory and uses critical discourse analysis to highlight the existing and continued discrimination towards migrant workers. The article exposes the causes of social inequalities, which can assist the government in decision-making towards reducing the inequality gap in service delivery.Setting: Public viewer comments on the news updates on migrants’ travel that were posted on the national news websites over the 2020 festive season were analysed.Methods: Critical Discourse analysis (CDA) was employed as a method of analysis in this article.Results and conclusion: The article intends to add to the existing body of knowledge and to also inform local government towards canvasing agenda that incorporate all human rights and enable a cohesive society by considering the role of discourse as an enabler of the problems experienced in societies. The results show that discourse contributes to negative attitudes, hate speech, discrimination and stereotyping towards migrants in South Africa.

Current Evaluation on Generation, Storage, And Disposal of Solid Waste from Tourist Lodging Places in Mokokchung Town : A Case Study of Metsuben, Whispering Wind and Marvel Guest House

Rapid urbanization, population growth and changing consumption patterns in Mokokchung Town contribute significantly to the growing volumes of solid waste. The rate of tourist inflow in Mokokchung Town increases especially during the festive season owing to its culture, religion, history and aesthetic character of the town. Growth in the tourism industry along with ineffective solid waste management practises in the accommodation places and the town has resulted in increasing rates of solid waste production. The present study aims to analyse the inflow rate of tourists and to evaluate the current rate of generation, storage, and disposal of solid waste through empirical study. The study finds out that Mokokchung Town generates 14600 metric tons per year out of this, solid waste generated from tourist accommodation in town accounted for 4088 kg per year i.e., 4.08 Metric tons per year. The study suggests alternative storage and disposal options for tourist accommodation places.

DETERMINING TOURIST’S CARRYING CAPACITY BASED ON ECOLOGICAL APPROACH IN TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN PARK, MALAYSIA

ARTICLE INFO Article History: Received: 9/3/21 Accepted: 19/4/21 Published: 31 Dec 21 Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP) is a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and a famous tourist destination in Sabah. The possible long-term negative impacts on the ecology and sustainability of the Park due to the very high number of tourists is of much concern to the Park management authority. This study was conducted to determine the ecological and tourism carrying capacity in three islands in TARP, Manukan, Mamutik and Sapi islands. The Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC) concept is applied in this study, in which the results are expected to provide the Park Authority with data and effective management actions. Calculation of carrying capacity in this study was based on three distinct visiting patterns or seasons: i) Regular season; ii) High season, and iii) Festive season in order to ensure optimal tourists' satisfaction and revenue, while still maintaining ecological sustainability. ECC was calculated after considering the various limitations imposed by physical, climate, ecological, and management capabilities. Land and ocean areas were considered and calculated separately as they occupied different variables. Our findings showed that Manukan island recorded the highest ECC, while Mamutik and Sapi island shared almost similar ECC value. Optimization of Carrying Capacity (CC) in different seasons was also achieved with a few Correction Factor (CF) adjustments. It shows that Festive season recorded the highest ECC, followed by High Season and Regular Season. The ECC obtained was suggested to be implemented to TARP management as to preserve and sustain the ecological value of the Park.

Incidence of foetal wastage in goats in Umuahia, Abia state Nigeria

This study investigated the indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant goats and the incidence of foetal wastage at Ahiaeke goat slaughter slab in Umuahia, Abia State for a period of 7 months (March – September 2018). A total of 518 goats were slaughtered during the period of study comprising 311 (60.03 %) males and 207 (39.96 %) females. The study revealed that majority (76%) of the goats slaughtered within the study period were not inspected ante mortem while only 24% of the total goats were inspected prior to slaughter. In the course of the investigation, it was observed that out of the 207 does slaughtered, 130 (62.80%) does were pregnant while 77 (37.19%) were not. A total of 182 foetuses (109 males and 73 females) were recovered from the 130 pregnant does slaughtered. The highest number of slaughtered pregnant does was recorded during the traditional festive season, in August, resulting in high percentage (21.41%) of foetal wastage during the study. Averagely, a monthly slaughter of 30 (14.31 %) gravid does was obtained. The slightly high rate of foetal wastage recorded in this study may be due to the very low coverage of ante-mortem inspection. Given the findings from this study, it can be inferred that poor ante-mortem inspection, ignorance on the part of farmers, butchers, and policy makers on proper management of pregnant animals in markets/slaughter slabs may have contributed to the foetal wastage and the slaughter of pregnant does.

Twelfth Night and Epiphany

This chapter explores William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Beyond any reasonable doubt, Twelfth Night is pervasively an Epiphany play; it calls for a set positively festooned with holly. Twelfth Night marks the end of a festive season in which there were other occasions alluded to by Shakespeare rather than Twelfth Night. But the correlations with Twelfth Night itself are salient: its customary activities provide plot material, and its emotional tone, as the last of festivity, can be sensed in the melancholy atmosphere of transience. Viewed as a seasonal mélange, the themes of Twelfth Night fall into place and gain coherence. The chapter then looks at the Platonic and Pythagorean content of Twelfth Night. Meanwhile, in Shakespeare’s unfolding of true love, narrative motifs are not the only resource; others range from implicit emblem to rhetorical explication. If Twelfth Night presents a philosophy of love, and traces the moderating of various erotic passions, there is nevertheless a focus on one excess in particular: love melancholy.

An Analysis of Cultural Elements in Selected Festive Advertisements

Cultural knowledge and understanding are fundamental in a multiracial society like Malaysia. One of the ways to foster a good relationship between people of different cultural backgrounds can be achieved through the use of media. One of the means of such a message that could be disseminated to the public is through festive advertisements. Previous studies have shown that the portrayal of culture in ads is a pivotal element that should be considered by all advertisers in producing festive advertisements. This study aims to explore whether the content of festive advertisements in Malaysia portray and deliver messages that could potentially assist in fostering a good relationship between races in Malaysia. A quantitative content analysis was done on ten festive ads. These ads were selected based on pre-determined criteria – 1) ads have to be produced by a local company, 2) uploaded on YouTube, and 3) related to the festive season. For this research, a festive ad is defined as advertisements related to festivals celebrated by the Malaysian community. Research results revealed that the majority of the selected festive ads for this study portrayed positive values that could assist in fostering good relations among people of different cultural backgrounds. The element of togetherness has been used across different festive ads to intensify the need for cross-cultural understanding, especially during festive seasons. Keywords: Festive advertisements, content analysis, cultural elements, Malaysia.

An Analysis of Cultural Elements in Selected Festive Advertisements

Cultural knowledge and understanding are fundamental in a multiracial society like Malaysia. One of the ways to foster a good relationship between people of different cultural backgrounds can be achieved through the use of media. One of the means of such a message that could be disseminated to the public is through festive advertisements. Previous studies have shown that the portrayal of culture in ads is a pivotal element that should be considered by all advertisers in producing festive advertisements. This study aims to explore whether the content of festive advertisements in Malaysia portray and deliver messages that could potentially assist in fostering a good relationship between races in Malaysia. A quantitative content analysis was done on ten festive ads. These ads were selected based on pre-determined criteria – 1) ads have to be produced by a local company, 2) uploaded on YouTube, and 3) related to the festive season. For this research, a festive ad is defined as advertisements related to festivals celebrated by the Malaysian community. Research results revealed that the majority of the selected festive ads for this study portrayed positive values that could assist in fostering good relations among people of different cultural backgrounds. The element of togetherness has been used across different festive ads to intensify the need for cross-cultural understanding, especially during festive seasons. Keywords: Festive advertisements, content analysis, cultural elements, Malaysia.

Altering Intention to Mudik during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Salient Cue and Simple Reminder Nudge

Mudik is a unique exodus in Indonesia where people travel to hometown during Eid festive season. It posed a challenge for the government to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Several reports have identified that people still stick with their plan to Mudik amidst the latest Mudik ban. Thus, a scientific nudge campaign is pivotal to influence Mudik behaviour. The present study designed and tested five visual campaigns to identify key elements which can reduce Mudik intention. A pre-post field experiment used six between-subject groups designed on Qualtrics collected 767 responses measuring intention to Mudik. We asked participants respective Mudik ban institution in anticipating the latest nation-wide Mudik ban. Mother visual and a lethal virus for elderly reminder are of which sufficient reducing Mudik intention. The treatment effect holds in certain people conditions. The study yielded an initially worked nudge campaign to support government Mudik ban policy.