"An Interdisciplinary Peer Reviewed Quaterly Published International Journal"

Vol – 1, No. 2, October – December 2025

Assessment of Wheat Production Potential and Constraints in the Union of the Comoros

Authors:

Ahmed shibanu Hassanoglu

Abstract:

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key staple crop worldwide and a strategic commodity for food security. In the Union of the Comoros, a small island developing state (SIDS) in the Indian Ocean, domestic wheat production is practically nonexistent; however, imports of wheat flour are rising due to demographic growth and dietary change. This paper develops a science-based assessment of the potential and constraints of wheat production in Comoros using a combination of climate time-series analysis, an agro-climatic suitability index, and simple yield-simulation scenarios. Monthly temperature and qualitative rainfall patterns are synthesized from long-term climate summaries, while a normalized suitability index aggregates temperature, rainfall and humidity penalties relative to globally accepted wheat requirements. Scenario-based yield simulations scale a notional potential yield by this index. Results indicate that most lowland areas of Comoros exhibit chronically high temperatures (>25 °C), high humidity and excess rainfall during the potential growing season, resulting in low suitability scores (<0.3 on a 0–1 scale). Only limited highland microclimates show marginal suitability for short-cycle or heat-tolerant wheat cultivars. Yield simulations suggest that even under optimistic assumptions, attainable yields are substantially lower than in temperate regions, and production costs would remain high relative to imports. The analysis confirms that large-scale wheat cultivation is not currently viable; however, targeted research plots and climate-resilient agronomic trials could be justified as part of a diversified food security and risk-management strategy.

Keywords:

Wheat production, Comoros, agro-climatic suitability, yield simulation, food security, small island developing states

Refference:

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2. V. S. Meena et al., “Climate-resilient strategies for wheat farming: minimizing climate impact, optimizing productivity, and maximizing profitability in the subtropical agroecological landscape of India,” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, vol. 9, 2025. 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1564812.
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7. S. Heikonen et al., “Climate change threatens crop diversity at low latitudes,” Nature Food, 2025. 10.1038/s43016-025-01135-w
8. S. Akbar et al., “A guide to irrigation requirement of wheat crop in FAO-developed agro-climatic zones of Punjab, Pakistan,” Irrigation Science, 2025. 10.1007/s44279-025-00189-5
9. W. L. Demissew et al., “Agroclimatic Indicator Analysis Under Climate Change Scenarios for Wheat,” Agriculture, vol. 15, no. 5, 2025. 10.3390/agriculture15050525
10. E. Custodio et al., “Food security and nutritional vulnerability in Comoros: The impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict,” PLOS ONE, 2024. 10.1371/journal.pone.0313388
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Environmental Vulnerability and Climate Change Impacts in Tuvalu: Implications for Sustainability in a Low-Lying Island Nation

Authors:

Asan Al-Jaff

Abstract:

Tuvalu is among the most environmentally vulnerable nations globally due to its extremely low elevation, limited land area, and strong dependence on fragile coastal and marine ecosystems. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of environmental vulnerability in Tuvalu, integrating climate change trends, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, freshwater scarcity, ecosystem degradation, and socio-environmental impacts. A descriptive–analytical methodology based on secondary data from peer-reviewed literature and international assessments was employed. Results indicate that accelerating sea-level rise and increasingly frequent coastal flooding pose existential risks to land habitability, while saltwater intrusion and rainfall variability severely constrain freshwater resources. Degradation of coral reef ecosystems further undermines food security and natural coastal protection. The study highlights the urgent need for ecosystem-based adaptation, resilient water management, and sustained international climate support.

Keywords:

Low elevation, Fragile coastal, Marine ecosystems, Sea-level rise, Coral reef, Natural coastal protection

Refference:

1. IPCC. Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press. 10.1017/9781009325844
2. Falefou, T. (2017). Toku Tia: Tuvalu and the impacts of climate change (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Waikato). https://hdl.handle.net/10289/11651
3. Lazrus, Heather. “Risk perception and climate adaptation in Tuvalu: A combined cultural theory and traditional knowledge approach.” Human organization 74.1 (2015): 52-61. 10.17730/humo.74.1.q0667716284749m8
4. Keller, Klaus, Casey Helgeson, and Vivek Srikrishnan. “Climate risk management.” Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 49.1 (2021): 95-116. 10.1146/annurev-earth-080320-055847
5. Campbell, J., & Barnett, J. (2010). Climate change and small island states: power, knowledge and the South Pacific. Routledge. 10.4324/9781849774895
6. Tui, Saamu, and Bapon Fakhruddin. “Food for thought: Climate change risk and food (in) security in Tuvalu.” Progress in Disaster Science 16 (2022): 100255. 10.1016/j.pdisas.2022.100255

Psychosocial Problems of Significant Family Members of Mentally Ill Patients

Authors:

Sandhyarani Behera, Jitendra Kar, Sagarika Swain

Abstract:

A descriptive study with quantitative approach was under taken on 50 significant family members of mentally ill patients selected by non-probability convenient sampling technique at Mental Health Institute (COE), SCBMCH, Cuttack to assess the psychosocial problems of significant family members of mentally ill patients. Data was collected through questionnaire on psychosocial problems formulated in the form of 4-point likert scale. Collected data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that Highest Percentage (40%) of the family members were in the age group of 48–60 years. A majority (66%) of them were male and (92%) of them were Hindus and (8%) of them were Muslim. Majority (60%) of them were married (36%) of them were farmer. Highest percentage (30%) of them were illiterate and majority (50%) of them were having income     ≤ Rs.5000 and (56%) of them from nuclear family. Highest percentage (58%) of them were from rural area and (44%) of them were mother. Majority (38%) of them had >5 years of illness and (76%) of them were having no family history. Most of the significant family members of mentally ill patients (84%) under this study had moderate problem whereas (8%) of them had mild & also (8%) severe problems.  

Keywords:

Psychosocial problems, significant family members, mentally ill patients

Refference:

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2. Bhushan V, Sachdev DR. 26th Edition. Allahabad: Kitabmahal Publishers; 2006. The Family. In : Introduction to Sociology; pp. 291–322.

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13. Worried, Tired and Alone…A Report of Mental Health Carers’ Issues in WA, 2003.

Berberine in the Reduction of  Insulin Resistance and Adiposity: Molecular Mechanisms, Clinical Evidence, and Comparison with Metformin

Authors:

Yum Mai

Abstract:

Insulin resistance constitutes a central pathological mechanism underlying obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and associated cardiovascular complications. In parallel with the rising prevalence of these disorders, there has been growing scientific interest in bioactive natural compounds that exert metabolic benefits through multi-target mechanisms. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from several medicinal plants, has emerged as a promising candidate due to its documented effects on glucose regulation, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory signaling. This paper provides an extended and originality-optimized review of the molecular, cellular, and physiological actions of berberine in reducing insulin resistance and adiposity. Experimental and clinical evidence, from literature, demonstrates that berberine improves insulin signaling, activates adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK), suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis, enhances fatty acid oxidation, and attenuates chronic low-grade inflammation. In addition, a detailed comparison with metformin, the first-line pharmacological therapy for insulin resistance, is presented to contextualize the therapeutic relevance of berberine. Collectively, the findings support berberine as a viable adjunct or alternative strategy for improving metabolic health and body composition.

Keywords:

Insulin resistance, Obesity, Berberine, Metformin, Metabolic health

Refference:

1. Noh, Ji-Won, et al. “Cellular and molecular mechanisms and effects of berberine on obesity-induced inflammation.” Biomedicines 10.7 (2022): 1739. 10.3390/biomedicines10071739

2. Sun, A., Yang, H., Li, T., Luo, J., Zhou, L., Chen, R., … & Lin, Y. (2024). Molecular mechanisms, targets and clinical potential of berberine in regulating metabolism: a review focussing on databases and molecular docking studies. Frontiers in pharmacology, 15, 1368950. 10.3389/fphar.2024.1368950

3. Kong, Y., Yang, H., Nie, R., Zhang, X., Zhang, H., & Nian, X. (2025). Berberine as a multi-target therapeutic agent for obesity: from pharmacological mechanisms to clinical evidence. European Journal of Medical Research, 30(1), 477. 10.1186/s40001-025-02738-6

4. Jia, D., Li, Z. W., Zhou, X., Gao, Y., Feng, Y., Ma, M., … & Li, W. (2019). A novel berberine‐metformin hybrid compound exerts therapeutic effects on obese type 2 diabetic rats. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 46(6), 533-544. 10.1111/1440-1681.13085

5. Bellavite, P., Fazio, S., & Affuso, F. (2023). A descriptive review of the action mechanisms of berberine, quercetin and silymarin on insulin resistance / hyperinsulinemia and cardiovascular prevention. Molecules, 28(11), 4491. 10.3390/molecules28114491

6. Wei, Wei, Hongmin Zhao, Aili Wang, Ming Sui, Kun Liang, Haiyun Deng, Yukun Ma, Yajuan Zhang, Hongxiu Zhang, and Yuanyuan Guan. “A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.” European journal of endocrinology 166, no. 1 (2012): 99-105. 10.1530/EJE-11-0616
7. Zhao, Han, Chuan Xing, Jiaqi Zhang, and Bing He. “Comparative efficacy of oral insulin sensitizers metformin, thiazolidinediones, inositol, and berberine in improving endocrine and metabolic profiles in women with PCOS: a network meta-analysis.” Reproductive health 18, no. 1 (2021): 171. 10.1186/s12978-021-01207-7

The Effect of Sleep on Physiological Weight Loss

Authors:

Omar Dayyeni

Abstract:

Sleep is a vital biological function that directly influences metabolic regulation, hormonal balance, and energy homeostasis. Recent scientific evidence demonstrates that sleep duration and quality play a decisive role in physiological weight loss, affecting fat oxidation, appetite control, insulin sensitivity, and body composition. This paper presents the relationship between sleep and weight loss. Through an in-depth review of contemporary scientific literature and synthesis of experimental findings, the study highlights that insufficient or disrupted sleep significantly reduces fat loss efficiency while promoting hormonal dysregulation and lean mass loss. The results emphasize that sleep optimization should be considered a core component of evidence-based weight management strategies.

Keywords:

Metabolic regulation, Hormonal balance, Energy homeostasis, Weight loss, Sleep optimization

Refference:

1. Spiegel, K., Tasali, E., Penev, P., & Cauter, E. V. (2004). Brief communication: sleep curtailment in healthy young men is associated with decreased leptin levels, elevated ghrelin levels, and increased hunger and appetite. Annals of internal medicine, 141(11), 846-850. 10.7326/0003-4819-141-11-200412070-00008
2. Taheri, Shahrad, Ling Lin, Diane Austin, Terry Young, and Emmanuel Mignot. “Short sleep duration is associated with reduced leptin, elevated ghrelin, and increased body mass index.” PLoS medicine 1, no. 3 (2004): e62. 10.1371/journal.pmed.0010062
3. Nedeltcheva, A.V., Kilkus, J.M., Imperial, J., Schoeller, D.A. and Penev, P.D., 2010. Insufficient sleep undermines dietary efforts to reduce adiposity. Annals of internal medicine, 153(7), pp.435-441. 10.7326/0003-4819-153-7-201010050-00006
4. Patel, Sanjay R., and Frank B. Hu. “Short sleep duration and weight gain: a systematic review.” Obesity 16, no. 3 (2008): 643-653. 10.1038/oby.2007.118
5. Cappuccio, F. P., Taggart, F. M., Kandala, N. B., Currie, A., Peile, E. D., Stranges, S., & Miller, M. A. (2008). Meta-analysis of short sleep duration and obesity in children and adults. Sleep, 31(5), 619-626. 10.1093/sleep/31.5.619
6. Miller, Michelle A., et al. “Systematic review and meta‐analyses of the relationship between short sleep and incidence of obesity and effectiveness of sleep interventions on weight gain in preschool children.” Obesity Reviews 22.2 (2021): e13113. 10.1111/obr.13113
7. Soltanieh, S., Solgi, S., Ansari, M., Santos, H. O., & Abbasi, B. (2021). Effect of sleep duration on dietary intake, desire to eat, measures of food intake and metabolic hormones: a systematic review of clinical trials. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 45, 55-65. 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.07.029
8. Li, Qing. “The association between sleep duration and excess body weight of the American adult population: a cross-sectional study of the national health and nutrition examination survey 2015–2016.” BMC public health 21, no. 1 (2021): 335. 10.1186/s12889-021-10369-9