bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement Of Umbilical Venous Lactate Levels For Predicting Poor Neonatal Outcomes
Authors: Habib Maria , Qureshi Maliha Akhtar , Sohail Irum
Published: May 2024

Objectives: To determine the utility of umbilical venous lactate measurements for predicting poor neonatal outcomes.
Method: This observational study was conducted at Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) hospital, Islamabad from May 2019 to October 2019. Singleton pregnancies with no known fetal congenital anomalies and gestational age greater than 28 weeks were included. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the characteristics of study subjects and also composite neonatal outcomes. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated.
Result: Umbilical venous lactate levels were found to be highest in instrumental deliveries (48.7%) and lowest in those delivered by elective cesarean section (25.7%). Low APGAR score, need for initial resuscitation & neonatal intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation and neonatal morbidity were all associated with significantly higher lactate levels. Based on the maximal yield index, the optimal cut-off point for predicting neonatal morbidity was 46.5mg/dl (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.8). Based on this optimal cut-off point, it has a sensitivity of 62%, specificity of 92%, PPV 51% and NPV 94% for neonatal morbidity.
Conclusion: Umbilical venous lactate measurement is a good predictor of poor neonatal outcome especially in situations when umbilical arterial blood cannot be taken due to technical difficulty. Mode of delivery has a strong association with fetal hypoxia and raised umbilical lactate levels.
Keywords: lactate, neonatal outcomes, labour ward.
Gender-Based Motivational Factors For Choosing Dentistry As A Career By First Year Dental Students Of College Of Pakistan
Authors: Siddiqa Faiza , Tanvir Seemi , Fazal Ayesha , Naveed Ayesha , Sajjad Sadia , Manzoor Sadia
Published: May 2024

Objective: Dentistry, also known as “Dental Medicine” is opted for various reasons like prestige, socioeconomic status or personal desire. However, some join dentistry just to fulfil the wishes of their parents. Students who choose dentistry by their own choice excel better in this field. Another general impression is that mostly female students prefer it. To have a true picture of these impressions in our society, we planned this study to identify the reasons and motives of undergraduate dental surgeons for joining dentistry.
Methods: A cross-sectional study, was conducted on 278 students at Margalla College of Dentistry, from December 2020 to April 2021 after the approval of the Ethical review committee of the institute. - The probability judgmental sampling technique was used. Students who consented were included in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed using SPSS 21.
Results: In this study, about 48.4% of students selected dentistry as their first choice but out of these only 48.9% did prior career planning. Female students 76 (49.6%) opted for dentistry as compared to male students 12 (30.7%). However, there was an insignificant difference regarding career choice between both genders (p=0.591). Prominent motivating factors were flexible work patterns (63.5%), self-employment (63%), financial security (44.8%) and parents wish (25%).
Conclusion: Students chose Dentistry not only due to their interests but also because of flexible work patterns, financial security and self-employment. Both genders have more or less the same inclination towards dentistry.
Keywords: Career; Dental students; Factors; Pakistan; Undergraduate.
Incidence Of Acute Kidney Injury In Mild, Moderate And Severe Cases Of Coronavirus Disease
Authors: Mahmud Mahvesh , Kumar Ashok , Baqai Khurram
Published: May 2024

Objective: The purpose of this research was to determine the incidence of  Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in COVID-19-affected patients
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Ziauddin Hospital Clifton Campus from June to December 2020. Adult patients with AKI or acute-on-chronic kidney disease (ACKD) were included in a retrospective study. Patients infected with SARS-CoV2 and renal involvement were directed towards the ICU/Nephrology departments which have the expertise to perform laboratory analysis, radiography and institution of treatment. Supplemental oxygen use was documented. The research also assessed information about therapy (antivirals, immunomodulators, RRT) and results (renal function recovery or death).
Results:  After excluding patients with obstructive AKI, a total of 180 (mean age 50.1 years) of 104 males and 76 females were included in the research. 120 patients were found to have prerenal, and 60 had intrinsic AKI with significant differences between mild, moderate, and severe cases (p=0.004). Acute kidney injury (AKI) survivors had a complete recovery rate of 70%, a partial recovery rate of 22%, and a hemodialysis dependency rate of 8%.
Conclusion: Patients with severe COVID-19 infection often develop more severe AKI, and those in the severe or critical stages often exhibit proteinuria and dipstick hematuria. Long-term follow-up for COVID-19 patients should be done to evaluate its influence on renal outcome, and larger samples are required to elucidate the association between COVID-19 and renal damage.
Keywords: Coronavirus Disease, Renal Replacement Therapy, proteinuria, dipstick hematuria
The Effects Of Simvastatin On Islets Of Langerhans In The Pancreas Of Rats: A Histological And Biochemical Study
Authors: Qamar Abdullah , Khan Hammad Gul , Kundi Hina , Ali Ayesha , Bashir Sumyyia , Khurshid Tooba
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study explored the effect of simvastatin on the histomorphology of islets of Langerhans, glucose and insulin levels in rats.
Study Design: The study was a one-year laboratory-based experimental control trial.
Place and duration of study: It was conducted at Army Medical College Rawalpindi, in collaboration with the National Institute of Health Islamabad and Armed Force Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi.
Methods: A one-year, laboratory-based, two-group experimental control trial was conducted. Thirty rats were assigned to each group: a control group receiving saline injections, and a simvastatin group receiving a simvastatin 60 mg/kg/day. Histological analysis of pancreatic islets, and measurements of blood glucose and insulin levels were performed. Statistical analysis was conducted using independent sample t-tests, with significance set at p < 0.005.
Results: While simvastatin treatment did not affect the number of islets of Langerhans, The area of pancreatic islets of Langerhans was significantly higher in the simvastatin treatment group compared to control (52,664±38,871 μm2 vs 24,643±16,256 μm2, p=0.001). Serum insulin levels were also significantly elevated with simvastatin treatment (21.49±7.03 μIU/ml) compared to control (16.72±5.38 μIU/ml) (p=0.005). There were no significant differences in weekly fasting blood glucose levels at 4 or 12 weeks between groups (p>0.05). These findings suggest potential modulation of pancreatic islet function by simvastatin without affecting glycemic control in this model.
Conclusions:  These findings demonstrate that simvastatin treatment significantly impacts the morphology and function of pancreatic islets in rats, increasing insulin secretion without affecting blood glucose levels. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of these observations.
Keywords: Simvastatin, islets of Langerhans, Sprague-Dawley rats, insulin, glucose, pancreas.
Exploring The Influence Of Vitamin D In The Management Of Acne Vulgaris: A Pilot Study
Authors: Naheed Aqsa , Mughal Aashi , Zehra Tehzeeb , Aamir Rahila , Fida Samina , Naveed Taha
Published: May 2024

Objective: The study aimed to explore the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in improving acne severity.
Methods: This pilot study was carried out at HIT Hospital, Taxila. The study included nine female patients aged between 12 and 30 years, with acne vulgaris and having deficient serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) levels (<30 nmol/L). Exclusion criteria included the use of topical or oral treatments for acne, including retinoids, as well as those with a history of multivitamin or systemic steroid intake, and patients with any chronic disease. Global Acne Grading (GAG) score was used to assess the severity of acne vulgaris. Patients received a daily dosage of 1000 IU of vitamin D drops per day for 2 months so that vitamin D deficiency is corrected. After 2 months, the GAG score was re-calculated and documented. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 28.
Results: The mean age of the study participants was 18.33 years (SD= 3.3 Years). A statistically insignificant association (p=0.49) and weak positive correlation (r= 0.17, p=0.65) were observed between Vit D levels and acne Status and GAG-1 score on applying chi-square test and Pearson correlation respectively. A paired-sample t-test showed a significant difference in the GAG-1 Score (Mean=25.44, SD=7.6) and GAG-2 Score (M=15.1, SD=4.5) after Vit D supplementation. t (5.3), (p= 0.001).
Conclusion: The results suggest that correcting vitamin D deficiency through supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in acne severity.
Keywords: Acne vulgaris, Vitamin D, GAG score
Depression, Anxiety And Stress Among Medical And Allied Health Sciences Students At Sargodha Medical College
Authors: Raza Muhammad Saeed , Maqbool Ahsan , Zahid Sana , Malik Shoaib Ahmad , Yousaf Ayesha , Rauf Kashif
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study attempts to determine the frequency of depression, anxiety and stress and associated factors among medical and allied health sciences students of Sargodha Medical College. 
Methods: The nature of the study is cross-sectional, among 350 (175 each) medical and allied health sciences students of Sargodha Medical College. The students were recruited using convenient sampling. Socio-demographic information was recorded and depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 was used for data entry and analysis.
Results: The study shows that nearly half of medical students (53.1%) had depression, 69.7% had anxiety and 44% had stress; while among allied health sciences students, 60.6% were depressed, 73.7% had anxiety and 45.1% had reported stress. The mean depression score among medical students was 12.19 ± 9.98 and 13.29 ± 11.12 among allied health sciences students (p≤0.332).
Conclusion: Based on the results, it is recommended that various methods should be adapted and prioritized for enhancing the mental health of the students to support and improve academic learning among students.
Keywords: Depression, Anxiety, Stress, mental health, medical students, allied health students
A Comphrensive Review on Amoebiasis
Authors: Hari Chandana Tejomurtula , Shaheen Mohammad , Paturi Gayathri , P Rajashekar
Published: May 2024

With its wide range of dissemination, Entamoeba histolytica poses a serious threat in practically any nation where there is a regular barrier between human waste, food, and water sources. Except E. histolytica, at least eight distinct amoebas are thought to be commensals in the human intestinal lumen. As the second biggest cause of death from parasitic disease globally, the parasite poses a serious threat to public health in most regions of the world and has reemerged in several previously inactive locations. The majority of E. histolytica infections have very minor or no symptoms, however, colitis and liver abscesses brought on by amoebic infections are the most common clinical manifestations. Typically, a laboratory's diagnosis of amoebiasis is based on a microscope.
Study of Narcissism through Instagram Influencers
Authors: Thomas Paul , Singh Virendra
Published: May 2024

The use of social networking sites and especially Instagram use has grown rapidly. Saying this, anew breed of narcissism is practiced/seen in social media influencers. The new features introduced by Instagram has only facilitated Narcissism. The present study focuses on how the social media influencer affects its users and promotes traits of Narcissism and how various Instagram features like reels, story, filters have become an everyday aspect of the users.
Intelligent Waste Management System using IOT
Authors: Chandre Vaidehi , Gharat Om , Ghonge Raj , Kulkarni Shruti , Jadhav Vilas
Published: May 2024

The escalating population density in urban areas has fueled a surge in waste generation, underscoring the urgent need for effective waste management solutions. In response to this challenge this study proposes an innovative approach to waste management through the integration of IOT components. The system focuses on real-time monitoring and segregation of dry and wet waste using a network of sensors. The system also leverages platform to automate data logging and notification processes ,ensuring seamless oversight of waste collection operations. Our Proposed Intelligent Waste Management System employs IOT components such as sensors ,detectors, actuators to optimize waste collection and route planning. This integrated IOT-based approach represents a promising avenue for sustainable waste management in both large and small urban environments , paving the way for enhanced city livability and environmental stewardship.
Non-Acid GERC: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Ambedkar Kumar Yadav , Yu Li , Xu Xianghuai , Abishek Yadav , Dhananjay Yadav
Published: May 2024

Total Recent investigations have highlighted the pivotal influence of non-acid reflux in the etiology of chronic cough associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERC). Differentiation between acid and non- acid GERC is effectively achieved through esophageal pH monitoring, with non-acid reflux drawing attention for its linkage to non-standard symptoms and the intricacies involved in its management. The combination of multi-channel intraluminal impedance with pH monitoring (MII-PH) and its related metrics, including acid exposure time (AET), symptom association probability (SAP), and symptom index (SI), as well as the quantity, pH, nature of reflux, its spread, and acid clearance time, alongside innovative measures such as mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) and post- reflux induced peristaltic wave index (PSWPI), is pivotal in precisely delineating reflux patterns and identifying the temporal connection between non-acid reflux occurrences and episodes of coughing. The prevailing reliance on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for treatment has encountered constraints in effectively managing non-acid GERC, underscoring the necessity for personalized treatment modalities that confront the unique pathophysiology of non-acid GERC to ameliorate patient outcomes. As research continues to deepen our understanding and enhance treatment methods for this multifaceted condition, the pursuit of effective treatment strategies becomes crucial. Our review aims to delineate the spectrum of therapeutic options, advancements in diagnostics, and an improved grasp of the pathogenesis of non-acid GERD. The focus of this review is to further the advancement of patient care management and to inspire continued research in this intriguing domain of gastroenterology.
Development of a Blockchain System for Licensing Services for Nigerian Communications Commission
Authors: Iwuala Chibueze , Eze U. F. , Chukwudebe G. , Etus C.
Published: May 2024

Digital assets face threats like unauthorized duplication, breaching intellectual property rights. Software licensing safeguards developers' rights and users' interests. However, traditional methods encounter challenges such as fraud, piracy, and lack of transparency. This study aims to enhance licensing using blockchain. Blockchain's decentralized system ensures encrypted, secure, and transparent transactions, potentially improving efficiency and security. The research proposes a novel approach using the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a case study, comprising token-based, hash-based, and smart contracts-based licensing. NCC issues certificates for Telecom services, with each license identified by numbers. Smart contracts automate the licensing process, enforcing terms and conditions. The study examines blockchain's benefits and challenges, including decentralization and trust. It contributes to software license management by leveraging blockchain's advantages.
Morphological and Histological Features of Nephrectomy Materials: A Single-Center Experience and Short Review of the Literature
Authors: Aka Satar Deniz , Külahcı Özgür
Published: May 2024

Objective: To determine the demographic characteristics of patients undergoing nephrectomy at a tertiary care hospital and to analyze the spectrum of renal tumors based on histopathological findings of nephrectomy specimens by current literature.
Material and Method: The results of nephrectomy materials admitted to the pathology clinic between January 2019 and December 2023 were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of the included patients, presenting complaints, reasons for nephrectomy, surgical method, nephrectomy area, tumor dimension, and histopathological reports were recorded in a standard data form.
Results: A total of 325 nephrectomy materials were included in the study. 61.5% of the patients were male. The mean age of the patients was 54.5±20.2 years (min:3 max:91). The most common presenting complaints were flank pain (28.3%). The most commonly observed pathological malignancy was clear cell carcinoma (32%), and it was found to be significantly higher in male patients (38.5%) (p=0.001). The most frequently detected pathological TNM grade of the patients was grade 1, and the histological WHO/ISUP grade was 2. 28.9% of the patients (n:94) received a diagnosis incidentally. Among those incidentally diagnosed patients, 87.2% (n:82) were histopathologically malignant. When benign pathological diagnoses were examined, the most common diagnosis was pyelonephritis, followed by oncocytoma, benign cystic disease, and angiomyolipoma, respectively.
Conclusion: According to our study results, malignant tumors are more commonly observed than benign neoplasms. Despite advancements in imaging technologies, the histopathological diagnosis of renal masses cannot be determined preoperatively, and surgical intervention is required for diagnosis
Dracula’s Chivito: Discovery of a Large Edge-on Protoplanetary Disk with Pan-STARRS
Authors: Berghea Ciprian T. , Bayyari Ammar , Sitko Michael L. , Drake Jeremy J. , Mosquera Ana , Garraffo Cecilia , Petit Thomas , Russell Ray W. , Assani Korash D.
Published: May 2024

We report the serendipitous discovery of a large edge-on protoplanetary disk in Pan-STARRS (PS1) images. PS1 has five broadband filters designated as g
P1, r
P1, i
P1, z
P1, and y
P1 with mean wavelengths 4866, 6215, 7545, 8679, and 9633 Å, respectively. The disk’s apparent size in the PS1 images is ≈11″, making this one of the largest known disks on the sky. It is likely a young system, still surrounded by the envelope, which is very faint but still visible in the PS1 images in the northern part (alternatively this structure could be filaments from the disk itself). We use the PS1 magnitudes and other available photometric data to construct the spectral energy distribution of the disk. An optical spectrum indicates that the obscured star is hot, most likely of type late A. We adopt a distance of 300 pc for this object based on Gaia Data Release 3 extinctions. We model the system using the HOCHUNK3D radiative transfer software and find that the system is consistent with a hot star of effective temperature 8000 K surrounded by a disk of size 1650 au and mass 0.2 M
⊙ at inclination 82°.
Ejecta Blankets at Small Craters on the Moon
Authors: Austin Trevor , Robinson Mark , Mahanti Prasun
Published: May 2024

Impact-derived ejecta covers most of the lunar surface, originating from recent impacts through to the beginning of the geologic record. Despite how common ejecta is, accurate measurements of ejecta thickness are difficult to obtain, and existing estimates of ejecta thickness vary widely. This study uses excavation by meter-scale impacts on the fresh ejecta blankets of larger, kilometer-scale impacts to make point measurements of ejecta thickness. We estimate ejecta thickness at the rims of 73 lunar craters (0.1–4.8 km diameter) and create isopach maps of ejecta thickness for three craters. We derive an equation for ejecta thickness,

t
=
0.14
±
0.062

R

(
0.77
±
0.080
)

r

/

R

(
−
B
)

, where r is the horizontal distance from the center of the crater, R is the center-to-rim crater radius, and B describes the rate at which ejecta thickness decays with radial distance. Our average value for B (2.8 ± 0.1) is similar to previous work, though we observe that B can vary significantly within an ejecta blanket.
Aurantiochytrium sp. and Nannochloropsis spp. meals as substitutes for fish oil in practical diets for Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei
Authors: Guimarães Ariane Martins , Mattioni Bruna , Miranda Camilla Souza , Morais Ana Paula Mariane , Coelho Jaqueline Da Rosa , Fracalossi Débora Machado , Do Vale Pereira Gabriella , Vieira Felipe Do Nascimento
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the use of microalgae meal (Aurantiochytrium sp. and Nannochloropsis spp.) as a substitute for fish oil in the diet of shrimp Penaeus vannamei reared in a clear water system. In the diet of these animals, the concentration of fish oil decreased as microalgae meal was inserted, and these were used in five different substitutions: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The treatments were carried out in triplicate, and after 49 days of cultivation, the zootechnical parameters and the composition of fatty acids in the animals' muscles were analyzed. In zootechnical performance, the shrimp obtained an average final weight of 16.59 ± 0.3 g, and the growth was approximately 1.89 ± 0.30 g week-1. In addition, feed conversion was, on average, 1.47 ± 0.28, and survival was greater than 97%. However, no significant difference was observed in these parameters. Regardless of the levels of fish oil replacement by microalgae meal, the composition of fatty acids in the shrimp muscle was ensured, as well as their quantity within groups, such as n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus, with the results obtained in the present study, it is suggested that it is possible to formulate a high-performance diet without any ingredients of marine origin (fish oil or fish meal), contributing to aquaculture's sustainability.
Effect of the combination of fluoxymesterone and a commercial blend of additives on the sex proportion, growth, and survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry
Authors: Nieto Gómez José Guillermo , Rodríguez Estrada Uriel , Juárez Barrientos José Manuel , Alcántar Vázquez Juan Pablo , Ramírez Ochoa José Manuel , Sánchez José Julio Alberto
Published: May 2024

In the commercial culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), monosex, all-male populations obtained through steroid sex reversal is the most commercially used method to eliminate unwanted reproduction and increase final productive and economic yield. However, the rapid growth of Nile tilapia culture has led, in some regions, to an increase in infectious diseases and mortality in all stages of commercial culture. To reduce this, without the abuse of antibiotics or similar substances, feed additives are currently used in all stages, including the fry period, during the sex reversal process. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of synthetic steroid Fluoxymesterone (FM) at various concentrations in combination with a commercial Blend of additives (BA) on the percentage of males, growth, and survival of Nile tilapia fry. Five treatments (FM20, FM5+BA, FM10+BA, FM20+BA, and BA+FM20) and a control group were evaluated. Treatments differ in the order in which the commercial blend (2 g) was added and the FM concentration (5, 10, and 20 mg). The feeding trial lasted for 30 days using a sexually undifferentiated population of Nile tilapia. The results showed a decrease in the percentage of males in all treatments supplemented with the BA, compared to the FM20 treatment (containing 20 mg without BA). Growth and survival were positively affected by the inclusion of the BA in all treatments, showing higher values than those observed in the control group. Further studies are necessary to determine the FM-BA interaction.
Running to the sun: niche evolution of a global invasive shrub
Authors: Alves Ozorio do Nascimento Fellipe , Garcia Rodrigues Renato , Asth Matheus , Dudeque Zenni Rafael , Gomes de Moura-Júnior Edson
Published: May 2024

Climatic similarities between native and invaded areas are fundamental conditions for the establishment and dissemination of invasive alien species. Preventive measures to indicate potential areas for biological invasions are crucial for managing invasion risks. This measure assumes that species maintain their environmental conditions conserved between native and invaded areas. However, some species can quickly change their fundamental niche when exposed to previously unexperienced environmental conditions. Here, we distinguish between these types of changes in the climatic niche of the Nicotiana glauca, a global invasive species, employing multivariate analyses to compare niche overlap between the native (Argentina and Bolivia) and invaded areas (North America, Mediterranean, Northeast South America, Southern Africa and Australia). We found evidence that the climatic niche occupied by N. glauca in its native area does not overlap with the invaded area in the Caatinga (Northeast Brazil) and the Mediterranean region. The niche in these invaded areas exhibits both warmer climates with lower daily and annual temperature amplitude (Caatinga) and colder, drier climates (Mediterranean). A small portion of the climatic niche in the invaded area of N. glauca in the Mediterranean region expanded compared to the climatic space of the native area, suggesting that the species occupied part of the fundamental niche restricted by dispersal barriers. However, almost the entire climatic space occupied by N. glauca in the Caatinga expanded compared to the native area, suggesting the species enlarged its climatic niche in this invaded area. Therefore, N. glauca has the capability to inhabit niches across a diverse climatic range that cannot be solely predicted based on the native distribution, owing to the evolution of niche and the occupation of a previously unknown part of the fundamental niche. Thus, we suggest that when using predictive methods to identify potential areas for invasive non-native species, both invaded and native climatic spaces should be considered.
Mapping ecosystem service temporal trends: a case study of European wood potential, supply and demand between 2008 and 2018
Authors: Poturalska Anita , Alahuhta Janne , Kangas Katja , Ala-Hulkko Terhi
Published: May 2024

Wood is one of the key forest Ecosystem Services (ES) of growing ecological, social and economic importance; therefore, we need more precise information about its long-term usage. To achieve this, it is necessary to examine the spatio-temporal aspects of wood ES potential, supply and demand. In this study, we analyse spatio-temporal patterns of wood ES supply and demand at continental, national and regional scales to identify areas of increasing and decreasing supply and demand levels in Europe. In addition, we present background information about the potential of European forests to provide wood ES and its relationship to supply and demand. Our results showed that the overall European wood supply and demand as well as the wood ES potential were characterised by increasing trends. Furthermore, this increase was also regional, particularly in central and northern Europe. This study demonstrates not only the significance of spatio-temporal data in ES mapping, but also the importance of considering a broader range of components of the ES cascade model when assessing change. Our research has shown that potential, supply and demand can all increase in the same area, but also that low supply and demand do not guarantee wood potential growth. In addition, we found that a broad scale assessment helps to identify more general patterns and trends, but analysing data at a more accurate scale provides more comprehensive insights for identifying areas that may require targeted action for sustainable forest management.
Revision of pharmaceutical legislation in the context of antimicrobial resistance and challenges facing the introduction of innovative antimicrobial medical products in Europe
Authors: Toshev Atanas , Petkova-Gueorguieva Elina , Mihaylova Anna , Lebanova Hristina , Stoev Svetoslav , Balkanski Stefan , Peikova Lily , Syarova Svetlana , Madzharov Vasil , Gueorguiev Stanislav
Published: May 2024

The presented article provides a systematic review of the pharmaceutical legislation (EU Pharmaceutical Package) – the current proposal of the European Commission for a new Directive, repealing and replacing Directives and modifying Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council, incorporating the relevant parts of the Regulation concerning medicinal products for pediatrics, Regulation for orphan drugs and others, aiming at revision of the pharmaceutical legislation in the context of antimicrobial resistance and challenges facing the introduction of innovative antimicrobial medicines in Europe. It outlines a critical analysis on the impact of the changes in the context of introduction of innovative antimicrobial medicinal products with an emphasis on unsatisfied medical demands of the European population. The revision of the pharmaceutical legislation provides an argument to consider that the proposed Pharmaceutical Package could resolve some of the issues associated with the access to novel antibiotic medicines. It is necessary to find a consensus and a balance between, on the one hand, meeting the need for antibiotics for the citizens of the European Union and, on the other hand, providing timely access to generic medicines to meet the needs of the population.
g-frame generator sets for projective unitary representations
Authors: Liu Aifang , Wu Jian
Published: May 2024

Frames with special structures play a crucial role in various industrial applications, such as medical imaging, quantum communication, recognition and identification software, and so on. In this paper, we will discuss a more general setting, i.e., a g-frame induced by the projective unitary representation. We show some new results on the dilation property for g-frame generator sets for unitary groups and projective unitary representations. In particular, by using complete wandering operators, several properties of g-frame generators for projective unitary representations have been obtained. Moreover, we explore some characterizations of the g-frame generator dual pairs.
Encoding Multilingualism: Technical Affordances of Multilingual Publication from Manuscripts to Unicode and OpenType
Authors: Dombrowski Quinn , Goregaokar Manish , Joeng (Yang) Ben , Kamran Abeera
Published: May 2024

The landscape of publishing has undergone massive shifts, with new forms of technology increasing its speed and reach while imposing new or different constraints on layout, format, and style. In this paper, we look at the impact of technology – from the manuscript to social media – on multilingual publishing. While earlier epochs of text technologies are fairly well addressed in academic literature, particularly with regard to their use in Western Europe, the computer age continues to be under-studied, not least due to the ephemerality of primary source material. In this paper, we draw on the Unicode Archives, housed in Stanford University’s Special Collections. These archives include papers from Joe Becker, one of the founders of the Unicode standard, as well as Ken Whistler, Unicode Technical Director, the latter of whom preserved dozens of boxes of primary source materials that provide a first-hand look into the decisions that shaped modern multilingual computing. Using this archive, only made available to the public in the summer of 2023, we describe the rapidly changing computing environment and its role in putting small-scale multilingual publishing into the hands of individuals and small groups in ways that were not previously imaginable. However, the internet and global text transmission introduced a series of complications that ultimately necessitated the Unicode standard. The history and development of the Unicode standard are poorly documented in scholarly literature, existing primarily in the gray literature of corporate documents and in the memory of those who experienced it. We will attempt to briefly cover this history in an accessible way that makes clear the underlying need, the major challenges, as well as the global impact. We will describe the current landscape of technology as it interfaces with multilingual publishing, including in modern forms such as social media. In doing so, we will also describe the social landscape of Unicode: the interplay between Unicode as a non-profit organization, and the corporations that it depends on to implement its standard. Finally, we will reflect on what “publishers” – defined very capaciously – have gained and lost in these technical shifts, pointing towards recent work towards creative font and text-input developments that can bring us closer to reclaiming some of the affordances lost to the computer age.
Decolonization of Postgraduate Education Through Indigenous Two-Eyed Seeing Methodology
Authors: Acharibasam John Bosco , Datta Ranjan
Published: May 2024

This chapter outlines the fundamental principles and practices of the two-eyed seeing methodology and its potential to reshape postgraduate education. It explores the implications of decolonization, emphasizing the need to challenge existing Eurocentric frameworks and prioritize Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and methodologies. The chapter explores the potential for incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing, ethical research practices, land-based learning, and integrating Indigenous languages and worldviews. Through these efforts, postgraduate programs can contribute to revitalizing Indigenous cultures, support self-determination, and address the complex challenges of our time. By centring Indigenous perspectives and practices, postgraduate programs can contribute to the reconciliation process, promote social justice, and cultivate a generation of scholars equipped to address the urgent challenges of the future through a lens of cultural diversity and intercultural understanding.
Developing an Indigenous Graduate Research Supervision Culture in Open and Distance E-Learning Environments Using Ubuntu as a Framework
Authors: Kasozi Joseph Amooti , Gaotlhobogwe Michael , Mogalakwe Mmabaledi
Published: May 2024

Home-grown models and theories are imperative in resolving teaching and learning problems, particularly in open and distance learning (ODL) and open and distance e-learning (ODeL) environments. This chapter explores the place of Ubuntu as a philosophical framework to guide and inform the roles and responsibilities of a research supervisor and the supervisee in graduate research under ODL / ODeL. The recommendation to use Ubuntu philosophy is based on the realization of the influence the research supervisors' mindset has in relation to the outcomes of research and its impact on society and the economy.
Inter-Socio-Intercultural Entrepreneurship in Higher Education
Authors: Vargas-Hernandez José G. , Guerra Ernesto , Vargas-Gonzàlez Omar C.
Published: May 2024

This chapter aims to elaborate a critical assessment of socio-intercultural entrepreneurship. The study is supported on the assumption that culture and social entrepreneurship are limited and that is necessary a framework analysis that helps to improve the understanding of the socio-economic realities. Through a microethnographic study in the 2017-2021 generation of the postgraduate program in economics of an indigenous university, the main elements of the sociointercultural entreprenurship were found. It is concluded that socio-intercultural entrepreneurship presents a methodological frame that allows entreprenurs to have a major perception of global and local realities.
Knowledge Transmitted Through Language and Enacted Through Culture
Authors: Cakata Zethu
Published: May 2024

A people's self-definition is founded on their epistemologies, but since the imposition of Western education, African epistemologies have been marginalized and bastardized. This chapter will focus on the importance of centering African epistemologies in spaces of learning in order to ensure that what is taught especially at postgraduate level is in concurrence with how people know and experience themselves in society. The focus at postgraduate level is particularly important because this is where students are trained to produce knowledge. This chapter will explore the concept of ukuphilisana as the practicalisation of African psychology on the daily basis. It will be argued that ukuphilisana communicates the cultural embeddedness of the practice of psychology to indigenous Africans. Ukuphilisana also communicates reciprocity central in the philosophy of uBuntu. It is dependent upon everyone remaining ethical to reciprocity. This reciprocity will be explained as a way of being one another's healers.
Mathematics Education Indigenous Epistemologies and Applications in Postgraduate Research
Authors: Motseki Puleng Dorah , Jojo Zingiswa Mybert
Published: May 2024

Historically, the South African higher education curriculum for postgraduate studies is largely informed by Western pedagogies. In 2015, South African universities experienced student protests in which students demanded revised disciplinary knowledge, pedagogy, student support, transformative assessment, and the application of technology in teaching and learning. In essence, students and other stakeholders demanded wide access to higher education through the ‘fees-must-fall' movement which was a student-led protest movement that clamored for a decolonized curriculum and proper support for students. This chapter reviews the historical development and status of indigenous epistemologies and applications in mathematics education postgraduate research. The authors argue that in recognising the diverse nature of education, the need to incorporate Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in postgraduate studies cannot be meaningfully pursued without recognising African knowledge systems. The cognitive, epistemological, and other African frameworks are necessary for the transformation of postgraduate mathematics education. Using the anti-colonial theory, the authors review the progress that has been made in transforming the mathematics education postgraduate studies in South African Higher Education institutions. The authors conclude with recommendations to drive the transformative agenda in mathematics education postgraduate studies that infuses IKS in higher education.
Re-Thinking the African University Postgraduate Curriculum
Authors: Mawere Munyaradzi , Mapfumo Ericcson
Published: May 2024

African universities across the continent are all grappling with the idea of weaning themselves up from a Eurocentric curriculum, which is part of a colonial culture that is both oppressive and useless to the current realities of Africa. Given the mandate of universities to deliver and fulfill the promise of contributing to social justice, economic and social development, and democratic citizenship, postgraduate studies are strategically positioned to champion and challenge the Eurocentric dominance which continues troubling the political sanity and socio-economic development of Africa. That said, this paper discusses the topic of postgraduate studies in African universities, particularly its curriculum which remains gridlocked in the snarls of colonialism, when in fact postgraduate studies should provide space for independent and critical thinking while opening avenues for innovation and socio-economic development in Africa and elsewhere. It argues that re-thinking the African university postgraduate curriculum is critical and in fact peremptory to revolutionarise the postgraduate mind, change the narrative of Africa, relieve Africa of institutional capture, and improve the peoples of Africa's quality of life. The chapter concludes that Africa can only realise the practical benefits of postgraduate studies if and only if its African universities curricular are fully decolonised.
SDGs, Religion, and Women in Business
Authors: Reed-Thomson Renita Grace
Published: May 2024

Most people in the world adhere to a religion, which emphasizes flourishing for self, family, and community. However, many religions focus solely on spiritual aspects, neglecting physical components like work and the environment. Because of this, religion has had minimal impact on global development goals. There is a great opportunity for religions to call upon their members to work with excellence and integrity and integrate their faith in their work, yet the role of religion in fulfilling the SDG goals is minimal at best. Despite women comprising nearly half the world's population, their contribution to business has been limited. Women are capable business owners with a tendency to prioritize people over profit. In this chapter, the role of women and religion will be assessed in the light of Christian churches who took on workplace discipleship and the observed. The findings show that when religion takes on workplace discipleship, teaching wealth creation and wealth management in God's way benefits individuals, families, faith gatherings, the community, and the nation.
Acculturation and Immigrant African Adolescents' Experiences of Education in the Diaspora
Authors: Tshabangu Icarbord , Moyo Minenhele
Published: May 2024

Even though adolescents face challenges in adapting to the new environment in the diaspora, a lot of research focuses on adults, and the other partly deals with children left behind in heritage countries. Very minimal research focuses on children and adolescents in the diaspora, especially regarding the challenges they face in their psychosocial life and academic pursuits. This chapter adopted a qualitative research paradigm to investigate the acculturation experiences affecting adolescents' psychological and academic life both within the African and European contexts, in particular, Zimbabwean adolescents in the African diaspora, in Botswana and African adolescents in the European diaspora, in the United Kingdom. Findings show that adolescents in both the African and European diaspora suffer varied acculturation challenges which negatively impact their psychosocial and academic life in several ways.
Methodological Training for Global Competence
Authors: Pérez Bango María Jesús , Hauerwas Laura Boynton , Gómez-Barreto Isabel María , Martínez Cano Adrián Fermín , Martínez Teresa Rodríguez
Published: May 2024

This chapter delves into a virtual exchange project that took place between the Faculty of Education at the Albacete Campus of the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain, and the Faculty of Education at Providence College in Rhode Island, United States. This initiative followed the action lines and objectives established for collaborative online international learning (COIL) by UCLM as part of its internationalization mission according to the institutional proposal. In alignment with COIL, a global learning approach was implemented with the aim of promoting participant engagement in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and creating meaningful and relevant learning environments that lead to the use of foreign languages in real-life contexts and the development of intercultural competence (ICC).
Touristhmus in Reverse
Authors: de Vicente Luis Bouille
Published: May 2024

This research investigates the potential for global competence education in universities using the innovative educational experience Touristhmus in Reverse (TIR). The study focuses on a group of third-year degree in teachers for primary education students who engaged in an arts education project inspired by the works of Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Brugge. These artists create large-scale sculptures of everyday objects that symbolically reflect cultural aspects of their installation sites. By examining the artists' cultural backgrounds and the cultural contexts of the installation locations, the project activates a dialectic tension between different cultures. This dialectic is connected to the concept of travel as an intercultural tool, where interaction between the traveler's cultural baggage and host culture leads to personal growth. TIR involves these artistic, cultural, and epistemological dimensions, promoting the acquisition of global competence. This competence enables individuals to better understand and coexist with culturally diverse societies, demanded by globalization.
Teaching English From a Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Approach
Authors: Orcasitas-Vicandi María , de-Gamboa Andrea Perales-Fernandez
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores the transformative potential of culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogies in the multilingual context of the Basque Autonomous Community (BAC). The authors discuss how English as a Lingua Franca should become central in Basque schools, influenced by globalization and new educational policies. The authors delve into the integration of culturally sustaining pedagogies (CSP) and Translanguaging in English education, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing students' linguistic and cultural competencies. The authors review the most relevant literature on the topics and ground the current and future research on these studies. Finally, the authors address the challenges and opportunities of multilingual education in the BAC, emphasizing the importance of English as an equalizing language learning space in this diverse linguistic setting. Thus, we set the stage for future research directions in CSP and Translanguaging in the Basque context, aiming to foster inclusive and equitable English language education that respects and leverages students' diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Advertising
Authors: Budėnaitė Milda , Correia Ricardo F. , Venciūtė Dominyka
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores the profound influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on advertising, covering its historical context, current trends, and future implications. Initially, advertising relied on manual data analysis, but AI has shifted the landscape towards more targeted campaigns. AI's role began with predictive analytics for weather forecasting in the 1950s and evolved to include collaborative filtering by companies like Amazon. Current trends include hyper-personalization through predictive analytics, programmatic ad buying, and conversational AI. These AI-driven strategies enhance user experience and improve ad targeting. The future promises even greater personalization, with advancements in voice and visual search. However, ethical considerations regarding privacy and data security have also emerged. This analysis underscores the transformative impact of AI on advertising, from its inception to its current state, highlighting the continuous evolution and future prospects.