bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-reported Myopia in Trinidad and Tobago: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ezinne Ngozika Esther , Kwarteng Michael Agyemang , Tagoh Selassie , Jagroo Arian , Martin Darnell
Published: December 2024

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported myopia in Trinidad and Tobago.

Materials and Methods:

This study was a cross-sectional design, and data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire from January to April 2024. Systematic random sampling was used to select participants aged 15 and above to participate. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the variables and the Chi-square test was used to assess for associations (P < 0.05).

Results:

A total of 350 participated in the study giving a response rate of 91.15%. Majority of the participants were female (n = 197, 56.3%), mixed race (n = 126, 36%), resided in urban areas (n = 172, 49.4%) and aged 18–35 years (n = 168, 48.3%). The prevalence of myopia was 40.9% and the prevalence was significantly associated with age group, ethnicity, level of education and religion (P < 0.05). Myopia was associated with family history, lifestyle, use of spectacles, daily use of computers, near work, outdoor activities, sleeping and having a father or mother with myopia (All P < 0.05). In addition, ocular diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma were among the most frequent reported conditions.

Conclusion:

The myopia prevalence observed in our study validates age-related trends, offers estimates across diverse age groups, and reveals a significant association between myopia rates and family history, with a self-reported myopia rate higher than clinical testing surveys but in line with global prevalence reports.
Domestic Resource Mobilisation for Sustainable Healthcare Financing in Nigeria: A Review
Authors: Bello Amina Idris , Jimoh Maryam Abimbola , Tijani Abdul-Rasheed Olalekan , Ameen Hafsat Abolore
Published: December 2024

Domestic resource mobilisation (DRM) is vital for achieving sustainable healthcare financing in Nigeria, where dependence on external funding and oil revenues has long hindered health sector progress. The Nigerian healthcare system faces persistent challenges, including inadequate funding, inefficiencies and limited access to essential services, particularly in rural areas. This paper explores the challenges and prospects of DRM as a means of financing healthcare in Nigeria. A Medline search and a search of other internet search engines were carried out for published studies on healthcare financing in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide, we also examined policy documents and healthcare financing data to analyse the potential of DRM in Nigeria. A total of 38 publications were reviewed revealing that mechanisms such as general tax revenue, social insurance systems and community-based health insurance are central to DRM efforts. However, challenges such as inadequate budgetary allocations, corruption, poor database management and the emigration of health workers persist. Despite these obstacles, there are promising prospects, including increased tax revenue, development of the domestic capital market and the potential for sustainable and equitable healthcare financing through public–private partnerships. To harness these opportunities, the Nigerian government must implement effective policies, strengthen governance structures and promote transparency and accountability. DRM offers a promising path towards reducing dependency on external aid and achieving a more resilient and equitable healthcare system in Nigeria.
Assessment of the Prevalence and Patterns of Violence against Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: A Multicentre Study
Authors: Isara Alphonsus Rukevwe , Wudiri Zara William , Agbo Hadiza Abigail , Lar Luret Albert , Aigbokhaode Adesuwa Queen , Awunor Nyemike Simeon ,   For Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria
Published: December 2024

Background:

In Nigeria, violence against healthcare has adversely affected the access to and delivery of healthcare services with serious consequences for healthcare workers (HCWs). This study assessed the prevalence and patterns of violence against HCWs in areas of armed conflict, areas of other situation of violence and areas not affected by conflict in Nigeria.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study utilising a mixed method approach comprising both quantitative survey and qualitative data collection methods. All the categories of HCWs in public healthcare facilities participated in the study. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the respective Health and Research Ethics Committees of the respective study sites.

Results:

A total of 1,218 HCWs comprising Borno State, 407 (33.4%), Plateau State, 401 (32.9%) and the Federal Capital Territory 410 (43.7%) were interviewed. The overall prevalence of physical and psychological violence was 16.7% and 62.4%, respectively. Pushing and slapping were the predominant forms of physical violence. Weaponized violence with weapon was the highest in conflict areas. Verbal abuse, threats, bullying and harassment were the predominant forms of psychological violence. The major consequences of violent attacks on the HCWs were lack of job satisfaction, loss of confidence, low self-esteem, decreased productivity and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions:

The overall prevalence of violent attacks on HCWs was high. The perpetrators of violent attacks were mainly patient relatives and patients/clients. The factors predisposing to violent attacks were patients-related issues, service delivery, working conditions of the hospitals, expectations of patient relatives and impatience of hospital staff.
Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injury at a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria
Authors: Ojo Omotayo Abimbola , Okei Jennifer Chukwuamaka , Adaramola OyinOluwa Gloria , Olajide Shakiru Olabisi , Awofeso Opeyemi Mercy , Agbarakwe Chukwuemeka Abraham , Arekhandia Bruno Jeneru , Owolabi Bukola Samuel , Ashimi Abidat Adedamola , Solahudeen Zaynab Oyindamola
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is devastating to the victims, and an understanding of its prevalence, the demography and the causes help reduce the incidence and outcome. Adequate knowledge of such helps in developing preventive and management protocols in the region. The study aims to document the presentation and challenges of TBI in our centre.

Methods:

A cross-sectional design was conducted at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Only adult (≥18 years) patients were recruited consecutively from the emergency room following a diagnosis of TBI. Data were obtained with the aid of a study pro forma which recorded participants’ sociodemographic information, pre-hospital indices and clinical examination/investigations. Imaging findings, surgical information and follow-up findings were also recorded. Data obtained were analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics.

Results:

A total of 125 TBI patients with male:female of 8:1 were recruited over 12 months. The mean age was 40.8 years standard deviation ± 16.86. Only 9 patients (7.2%) had health insurance. Eighty-four (67.2%) patients had TBI from road traffic accidents (RTAs). Fall from heights, assaults, industrial accidents and gunshots contributed 16%, 9.6%, 5.6% and 1.6% of patients’ injuries respectively. One hundred and fourteen (91.2%) were brought to the hospital by non-healthcare workers.

Conclusion:

RTAs remain the most common cause of TBI. Majority of the populace cannot afford the cost of TBI management. The scope of national health insurance needs to be broadened to help victims at the points of need.
Utility of multimodal imaging in the clinical diagnosis of inherited retinal degenerations
Authors: Lee Brian J. H. , Sun Christopher Z. Y. , Ong Charles J. T. , Jain Kanika , Tan Tien-En , Chan Choi Mun , Mathur Ranjana S. , Tang Rachael W. C. , Bylstra Yasmin , Kam Sylvia P. R. , Lim Weng Khong , Fenner Beau J.
Published: December 2024

Inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders of variable onset and severity, with vision loss being a common endpoint in most cases. More than 50 distinct IRD phenotypes and over 280 causative genes have been described. Establishing a clinical phenotype for patients with IRD is particularly challenging due to clinical variability even among patients with similar genotypes. Clinical phenotyping provides a foundation for understanding disease progression and informing subsequent genetic investigations. Establishing a clear clinical phenotype for IRD cases is required to corroborate the data obtained from exome and genome sequencing, which often yields numerous variants in genes associated with IRD. In the current work, we review the use of contemporary retinal imaging modalities, including ultra-widefield and autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, and multispectral imaging, in the diagnosis of IRD.
Considering Transformative Leadership from a Christian Vantage Point
Authors: Nicolaides A , Naidoo G.M.
Published: December 2024

Theological writing in an advocatory modality seeks to advance a given position through reasoned argumentation designed to persuade a reader of its veracity. This paper exploits a conceptual analysis technique to interrogate the notion of transformative leadership from a Christian perspective considering three key denominations, namely Orthodoxy and Pentecostalism. A literature review methodology was used and we applied an interpretivistic paradigm to arrive at conclusions relating to the important notion of Christian transformative leadership. Using Christian teachings as a hermeneutic key we argue that they have a vital role to play in contributing to the responses made by Churches of all denominations relating to issues of transformational leadership and challenges posed in modern society. The Christian churches irrespective of denomination, are facing mega challenges requiring critical thinking based on Holy Scripture to employ in their operational spaces and also in their activities, and policy formulation relating to the issue of especially leadership. Inventive approaches are required for leaders in organisations to be truly transformational in their approaches. Transformative Church leaders need to be able to guide their congregations to feel free to explore new ideas and prospects that can promote a truly Christian ethos. They should also seek to engender an ethos of value in the Church in which there is a strong sense of purpose in what believers undertake. This paper contends that a transformational Church leader needs to be a true servant of God first and then the Ecclesia. The Transformative Church leader requires a firm mentorship style to assist believers to arrive at the point where they can make a valuable contribution to the House of the Lord and to society at large. Christian Transformational Leadership is today, as was the case millennia ago, one of the main leadership theories through which a Christian leader, strives to transform and influence their followers by expounding on their expected Christian vision and character.
Sepet Örgü Yapım Tekniği ve Özgün Bir Örnek Olarak Huğ Evleri Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme
Authors: Elmas Hatice , Altın Şule Nur
Published: December 2024

Bu çalışmada, Anadolu'nun çeşitli bölgelerinde uzun yıllar boyunca varlığını sürdüren ve "huğ evleri”, "dal örgü”, "çiteme huğ” veya "çit evler” olarak da bilinen geleneksel konut mimarisinin temel yapım tekniği olan sepet örgü tekniği ayrıntılı olarak incelenmektedir. Sepet örgü tekniği, Anadolu'nun kırsal ve yerel mimarisinde önemli bir yer tutmakta olup, bu teknikle inşa edilen yapılar, bölgenin kültürel ve tarihsel mirasının bir parçası olarak günümüze kadar gelmiştir. Ancak, yapılan araştırmalar sonucunda, bu yapıların restorasyonu için gerekli olan teknik bilgilerin ve malzeme detaylarının mevcut literatürde dağınık ve sınırlı bir şekilde yer aldığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışma, sepet örgü tekniğiyle inşa edilen yapılar için gerekli olan restorasyon süreçlerine rehberlik edebilecek bir literatür derlemesi sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, sepet örgü yapım tekniğinin detayları, kullanılan malzemelerin özellikleri ve yapım sürecine ilişkin bilgi eksiklikleri giderilmeye çalışılmıştır. Aynı zamanda, bu çalışma, sepet örgü tekniğiyle ilgili mevcut kaynakları bir araya getirerek, bu alanda çalışan araştırmacılar ve restorasyon uzmanları için kapsamlı bir referans kaynağı oluşturmayı hedeflemektedir.
University and Quality Systems. Evaluating faculty performance in face-to-face and online programs
Authors: Matosas-López Luis , Leguey-Galán Sonsoles , Ballesteros Regaña Cristóbal , Pelicano Piris Noelia
Published: December 2024

The assessment of faculty or teaching staff performance is key in quality systems in the university context. This assessment is usually done through student satisfaction surveys that use Likert or BARS (Behavioral Anchored Rating Scales) instruments to measure student perceptions of teaching staff effectiveness. This paper examines the ambiguity, clarity, and precision of these two types of instruments. The authors, using an experimental methodology and with the participation of 2,223 students from four Spanish universities, during six academic years (between 2019 and 2024), analyze the three aspects mentioned (ambiguity, clarity, and precision) in both types of questionnaires. The results confirm the existence of significant differences between the instruments. The results also show that although doubts about the ambiguity, lack of clarity and precision of Likert-type questionnaires are justified, these aspects can be improved by BARS-type instruments. The conclusions drawn invite administrators and policymakers, quality agencies, and university managers to consider which of these two instruments is more appropriate for gathering the information they need to make better decisions about faculty promotion.
good taste of culture and art: a cause-related marketing strategy
Authors: Arboleda Ana M. , Alonso Julio C.
Published: December 2024

Package claims influence product perceptions. Specifically, prosocial information concerning sustainable organisational practices improves product evaluation. This research evaluates the effect of supporting cultural and artistic activities as a claim that influences taste evaluations. Taste is a metaphor for an emotional response to products. We conducted a mixed model experiment: The claim “Supports cultural/artistic activities” is the between-group variable, and four fruits are the within-subject variable (i.e., guava, pineapple, red apple, and green grapes). Descriptive statistics and a MANOVA analysis show that the sweet and umami taste is enhanced when fruits hold the cultural/artistic claim. This effect is not observed for the sour and bitter taste. Therefore, the results confirm the taste metaphor. Within the cause-related marketing literature, it is possible to interpret that supporting the culture/arts industry has a symbolic meaning for the consumer.
Capacidades dinámicas: respuesta empresarial ante entornos contingentes
Authors: Demuner Flores María del Rosario
Published: December 2024

El enfoque al comportamiento holístico de las capacidades dinámicas ha llevado a las empresas a responder para sobrevivir y mejorar ante el reto post pandemia. El objetivo fue analizar el efecto que la orientación al mercado, orientación al aprendizaje y la innovación, ejercen en la resiliencia empresarial. La investigación es cuantitativa de alcance explicativo desarrollada en una muestra de 403 empresas mexicanas. Con la modelación de ecuaciones estructurales con mínimos cuadrados usando PLS-SEM, se demostró que el dinamismo ambiental fortaleció significativamente las relaciones de la orientación al mercado, orientación al aprendizaje y la innovación con una respuesta resiliente ante los efectos causados. Se comprobó el efecto indirecto que ejerce la innovación como variable mediadora; el desarrollo del aprendizaje y el enfoque al cliente promueven prácticas creativas que apalancan respuestas resilientes para que las empresas se adapten a situaciones contingentes y migren más fortalecidas a escenarios de reconfiguración.  Se contribuye teóricamente al estudio de las capacidades de orden superior como principal mecanismo de gestión en contextos emergentes. La contribución empírica retroalimenta el conocimiento sobre las acciones que las empresas realizan ante eventos cambiantes; y sugiere a las empresas continuar apuntalado sus actividades de orden superior y poner en práctica habilidades proactivas para su sostenimiento en el largo plazo.
Techno-Economic Analysis of the Wind Farm Project
Authors:   University of Belgrade, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia, Ječmenica Miloš , Lazović Đorđe ,   University of Belgrade, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia
Published: December 2024

In addition to fulfilling the conditions for choosing the optimal location, such as geographical location, meteorological parameters, as well as conditions for connection to the power grid, the techno-economic analysis represents an important aspect when planning, developing and exploiting projects in the field of renewable energy sources. Concretely, on the example of a wind park in the Republic of Serbia, a techno-economic analysis with basic indicators of the profitability and justification of the investment is presented. Through these indicators, an investment analysis of a wind park with a total installed capacity of 150 MW connected to the transmission network was carried out. The goal of the conducted analysis is to obtain basic financial indicators that can be important when choosing a location, planning an investment and sustainable exploitation of this and similar power projects.
NATURAL OSCILLATIONS OF CIRCULAR SANDWICH PLATES IN THE TEMPERATURE FIELD
Authors:   —, PLESKACHEVSKY Yuriy M. , STAROVOITOV Eduard I. ,   Belarusian State University of Transport, LEONENKO Denis V. ,   Belarusian State University of Transport
Published: December 2024

The effect of a homogeneous temperature field on the frequencies of natural oscillations of a circular sandwich plate is investigated. The hypothesis of a broken line is used as a kinematic one: for identical high-strength thin load-bearing layers, the Kirchhoff hypothesis; for a light incompressible thicker filler, the Timoshenko hypothesis on the straightness and incompressibility of a deformed normal. The differential equations of the transverse vibrations of the plate are obtained by the variational method. The desired functions are plate deflection and displacement in the filler. The analytical solution of the initial boundary value problem is constructed by decomposing into a series according to a system of proper orthonormal functions with hinged support or sealing of the plate contour. Calculation formulas for displacements are given. A numerical parametric analysis is carried out for the dependence of the oscillation frequencies of the plate on the materials of the bearing layers and temperature.
Translation of Russian Business Slang Phraseology in Italian: Focus on Intermediary Language to Avoid Ambiguities
Authors: Marabini Alessandra
Published: December 2024

In recent years Russia has changed rapidly from a socio-economic point of view. The economic changes have led to the development of slang phraseological units (herefrom, PUs) in the business communication. The Russian jargon PUs are taken from the dictionary Pochti seryoznyj slovar’ delovogo obscheniya (Pogrebnyak: 2007) and are translated into Italian, mostly via English, functioning as Intermediary Language (herefrom, IL). The materials consist in Russian slang PUs that are ambiguous, as it appears hard to understand, whether they are calques from IL or properly Russian expressions. The study underlines the importance of the IL to avoid ambiguity and of the idiomatic translation to both understand business culture and language. The functional equivalence is also taken into account as an interlinguistic equivalence strategy needed to find a communicative coincidence between Source Language (herefrom, SL) and Target Language (herefrom, TL) contexts. To conclude, the work attempts to facilitate informal business communication between Russian and Italian partners and to mitigate misunderstandings that may arise in the presence of cultural differences between the two countries.
Categories of Shifts in the Translation of the English Holy Bible (New International Version) into Dholuo Bible: Muma Maler Mar Nyasaye (1976)
Authors: Akoth Owino Colleta , Mudogo Benard , Barasa David , Auma Rose
Published: December 2024

This paper describes the categories of shifts in the translation of the English Holy Bible; New International Version (NIV) into Dholuo Bible Muma Maler mar Nyasaye (1976). The aim is to evaluate the relevance of the translator’s style in rendering a religious text into the target language and the overall implication on the translation theory and practice. The data is collected through document analysis and Focus Group Discussions. We analyzed forty rank shifted segments purposively from six books from the source and target text based on the Relevance Theory by Sperber & Wilson (1986). The analysis is limited to rank-shifting at the level of clauses utilized in the source language which is translated into the target language. The data is analyzed using content analysis and descriptive method. The following categories of shifts are identified; structure shifts, unit shifts, class shifts and intra-system shifts. This study offers insight to bible translators to understand that since shifts are unavoidable in translation, they should aim to produce a target text that is as accurate and precise as possible to guard against loss of meaning. To do this, translators must understand the original source text and transfer it faithfully and accurately. Moreover, bible translators must understand the context of both the source text and the target text since context plays a great role in rendering translation.
Sight Translation as a Pedagogical Tool in Teaching Interpretation of Political Texts
Authors: Matalu Kulwa
Published: December 2024

In translation teaching, sight translation has been used, for decades, as a pedagogical tool to enhance students’ interpreting skills in a myriad text genres. In this study, sight translation was used as a pedagogical tool to teach translation and interpretation of political texts to 37 undergraduate third year students of the academic year 2022/2023 at the university of Dodoma, Tanzania. The 3 collected English political speeches were chunked and organized in PowerPoint form to be sight translated into Kiswahili. The student sight translator displayed its content on the wall through a projector which was connected to a personal computer. When sight translating, the other students were comparing his/her verbal renditions into the target language with the content in the source language which was displayed on the wall through a projector. The study revealed that some English political expressions that refer to the address forms of the heads of state and government, the official residence of the heads of state and government, titles of foreign dignitaries, the etiquette of recognizing meeting attendees, and the capital city when used to denote a government or country could not be easily sight translated into Kiswahili for a number of reasons. Despite the challenges that sight translation may encounter during implementation, it remains a friendliest, adaptable, and inclusive pedagogical tool in translation and interpretation classes in all levels of learning.
Problems of Mediated Translation in Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe
Authors: Harutyunyan Nona
Published: December 2024

Mediated translation as a linguistic and literary phenomenon is of great interest in terms of studying the linguistic, structural, and linguo-cultural aspects of languages involved in the translation process. Despite the ambiguous attitudes of translation studies theorists and practitioners, translation through an intermediate language remains significant for the representation of distinct literatures from the perspective of different cultures. In fact, mediated translation seeks to understand the dynamics between the source and target languages, cultures, and communicative contexts, and how they can influence the translation process. Overall, the main goal is to gain insights into the translation process and its implications for communication and understanding between different languages and cultures. In recent years mediated translation has become a more popular concept in translation studies research field. This growing popularity is evident from the noticeable increase in the number of academic events and scientific publications on the topic. The current study aims at conducting a comparative analysis of the mediated translations of the novel Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe in English, Russian, and Armenian. An attempt has been made to illustrate the influence of intermediary language on the adequacy and equivalence of the translation of the abovementioned work highlighting the inconsistencies in the translation process. Basing on the research several conclusions have been drawn.
Financial Performance of Emerging Circular Economy Enterprises in Rural Areas of South Punjab
Authors: Anjum Sadia , Farooq Muhammad Umar , Hayyat Faisal , Abdullah Nafeesa
Published: December 2024

Financial performance of emerging Circular Economy (CE) enterprises in rural South Punjab is examined from the standpoint of CE practices impact on revenue growth, profitability, cost savings and financial sustainability. Structured surveys and financial records were obtained from 150 small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) from across sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, and manufacturing. It shows that most enterprises implementing Circular Economy practices with waste reduction/recycling and renewable energy among the most widely adopted practices report positive financial outcomes from the adoption. In particular, 60% of enterprises had revenue growth, 55% increased profitability and 45% generated cost savings of 20–25%. Circular Economy adoption is shown through regression analysis to be significantly positively related to improved financial performance, with the most effective drivers being waste reduction and renewable energy use. However, limited access to capital, poor technical expertise, and weak waste management infrastructure remain key barriers. However, there are also opportunities including access to local agricultural waste, lower labor costs and increasing demand for sustainable products which can be strong inducements for more Circular Economy adoption. The ability of Circular Economy practices to improve the financial sustainability of rural enterprises in tandem with environmental and economic resilience is underlined in the study.
Using IT in Area Suitability Modeling To Plan Urban Areas: Case of Kabul City, Afghanistan
Authors:   Department of Computer, Faculty of Education, Paktika University, AFGHANISTAN., Wahdaty Hazrat Mohammad , Mohammadi Hameedullah ,   Department of Computer, Faculty of Education, Paktika University, AFGHANISTAN.
Published: December 2024

The goal of this work was to determine the optimal locations for urban growth in Kabul city using an integrated GIS-AHP model and Land Suitability Analysis (LSA). The study’s findings demonstrated that GIS-AHP is a useful approach for urban planning and ecological management. Maps were normalized using the pairwise comparison matrix technique using the generated criteria. Each model’s weights were created by comparing them according to their relative importance. Weight Age Average (OWA) and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) were used to combine criteria weights and maps. To assess if a piece of land is suitable for urban development to determine which area was suitable for urban development, six thematic layers—slope, road, land use, river, settlement, and elevation—were used. AHP calculated their weighted scores based on the pairwise comparison.

The linear combination approach was used to multiply each factor’s weight and score, and the outcome was then multiplied to make the urban development appropriate. 45.3 square kilometers of land were deemed highly suitable, 191.77 square kilometers were deemed fairly acceptable, 72.14 square kilometers were deemed marginally suitable, and 0.79 square kilometers were deemed unsuitable.
Mergers & Acquisitions of Banking Institutions and Customer Satisfaction in Rwanda: A Case of KCB Rwanda & BPR
Authors: Sindambiwe Amos , Osiemo Athanas
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The core aim of this research was to analyse the impact of mergers and acquisitions on consolidated banks’ service quality, by applying modified SERVQUAL model that served as a tool to show the change reflected in the service quality matrix after M&A through service quality demands grouped in dimensions of tangibility, assurance, responsiveness, empathy, employee skills, convenience, reliability, access, and financial aspect in the context of Rwandan banks.
Methodology: The target population is composed of 428,000 clients of the two banks at the time of their merger while the sample is 385 clients, number arrived at by using the formula by Mugenda and Mugenda. A descriptive case and explanatory study strategy was utilized as the research sake to define client perception of the quality of service and further aimed to clarify the link between M&A and the quality of service and how it impacts client satisfaction.
Findings: The findings from the research revealed that service quality demands are satisfactorily responded in both situations of before and after M&A given that in each situation clients’ expectation is generally met, in the range from 63% to 75% before M&A and 58% to 88% after M&A. The t-tests and ANOVA methods were used to examine the field data gathered with emphasis on statistical significance. The research results then provided the extent of the impact of mergers and acquisitions on the overall quality of service and therefore on clients approval. The analysis shows that M&A exercise allowed the increase of overall clients’ satisfaction from the pre-merger positive overall gap of 0.021 to a post-merger positive gap of 0.135. This positive variation was due to improvement of 8 service quality dimensions in the order of Tangibility for 0.207, Empathy for 0.203, Reliability for 0.194, Assurance for 0.171, Employee Competences for 0.149, Convenience for 0.114, and Financial Aspects and Access for 0.031 each. The decrease of satisfaction was observed only on one quality dimension of Responsiveness for -0.073. For the client satisfaction benefit, the research identified “Promptness” as an area of service quality attributes to improve post-2021 mergers and acquisitions at BPR Bank. 
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: We recommend that during the exercise of M&A, new banking institutions strive to put in place measures for respecting the promised timing of service delivery.
Современные инструменты повышения качества научно-технологических прогнозов
Authors: Голубев С.С. , Губин А.М. , Романенко Н.Ю.
Published: December 2024

Современное развитие экономики и общества характеризуется все возрастающей сложностью, высоким уровнем неопределенности и скорости происходящих процессов, ключевую роль в которых играет наука и технологии. В этих условиях цена ошибок при принятии стратегических решений значительно возрастает, что приводит к необходимости формирования адекватных представлений о развитии отдельных секторов экономики, науки, техники и технологий. Одним из наиболее эффективных инструментов решения этих задач является разработка долгосрочных прогнозов научно-технологического развития. Результаты пронозов используются в качестве основы для принятия стратегических решений на национальном, отраслевом и корпоративном уровнях. В связи с этим резко возрастает актуальность повышения качества прогнозной информации, которая в конечном счете определяет эффективность её практического применения.

Авторами поставлена цель научно обосновать влияние качества научно-технологических прогнозов на эффективность их применения, определить наиболее современные и перспективные методы повышения качества научно-технологических прогнозов в условиях долгосрочных санкций, неопределенности и скорости происходящих изменений внешней и внутренней среды прогнозирования. Для этого авторы используют комплексный и системный подход к анализу существующей проблемы.

Комплексность заключается во всестороннем анализе факторов влияния на результаты прогноза, а предложения сформированы на основе системного учета составляющих показателей качества прогнозов и взаимных связей. В работе представлены предложения по повышению качества прогнозов развития науки, техники и технологий с точки зрения их влияния на эффективность применения прогнозной информации, а также раскрыты направления применения разработанных рекомендаций участниками формируемых долгосрочных прогнозов развития науки, технологий и техники.

Новизна статьи заключается в том, что авторами на основе применения системного и комплексного подходов доказана прямая связь качества прогнозов развития науки, техники и технологий с эффективностью их применения, а также предложены наиболее перспективные и современные подходы к повышению качества прогнозной информации.

Это будет способствовать повышению качественных характеристик научно-технологических прогнозов, формированию научно-технологического задела для производства современной техники и образцов, не уступающих по техническим параметрам зарубежному уровню, обеспечению технологической независимости государства и эффективному расходованию бюджетных средств на финансирование новых проектов, формируемых на основе результатов прогнозирования.
A case of apraxia of eyelid opening associated with benign essential blepharospasm in Bhutan
Authors: Dorji Samten , Dorji Phuntsho , Dukpa Mendu
Published: December 2024

Apraxia of eyelid opening (AEO) is a non-paralytic motor abnormality characterized by difficulty in eyelid opening bilaterally. This is due to the inability of voluntary opening of the eyes in the absence of visible contraction of the orbicularis oculi despite sustained willful frontalis contraction. We present you a case of a 60-year-old woman with AEO associated with benign essential blepharospasm who suffered marked limitation in daily activities due to functional blindness. She was treated with botulinum toxin type A injections following which she had adequate eyelid opening in both eyes during 1 week follow up. It is essential for physicians and patients to be aware of this condition for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Towards transknowledging:
Authors: Ennser-Kananen Johanna , Riuttanen Sanna , Ortega Yecid
Published: December 2024

In this article, we review literature on epistemic oppression and justice for colleagues in the area of applied language studies. Based on this, we develop the concept of transknowledging as an entry point for epistemic justice. We draw from personal accounts and experiences as language scholars to consider an epistemic ecosystem of knowledges that challenges monolithic conceptualizations of how knowledge is created, engaged, and shared. In this process, we argue for more horizontal forms of embracing and celebrating knowledge while disobeying, dismantling, and decolonizing currently dominant modes of thinking. Transknowledging, for us, points to a praxis-oriented, transdisciplinary, and transformative understanding of knowledge processes. We consider the ethical, social, and linguistic dimensions of knowledge, keeping in mind that knowledging is not a neutral endeavor but rather influenced by power dynamics and social structures throughout times and places. We envision transknowledging as the process of acquiring and negotiating knowledge by actively transgressing disciplinary boundaries, subverting colonial knowledge frameworks, and working towards societal transformation in the pursuit of a holistic understanding of diverse beings in relation to others and the space we share.
Avances de la administración colombiana en la era digital
Authors: Becerra Augusto Hernández
Published: December 2024

El estudio expone la forma como las políticas de modernización informática en la administración pública colombiana se han extendido a dominios tan diversos como la seguridad y privacidad de los datos, la automatización de trámites en línea, la gestión documental y de los contratos estatales, el control de las transacciones y la administración de los impuestos. Inicialmente se refieren los principales hitos de la digitalización de la administración en Colombia, y posteriormente se analiza cómo la digitalización ha conducido a la administración hacia las fronteras de la inteligencia artificial. La recolección de fuentes acude a la investigación de tipo bibliográfico, en la cual se registran fuentes normativas nacionales y literatura nacional e internacional sobre administración pública y digitalización de las organizaciones. Se concluye que en Colombia se han dado grandes pasos para avanzar hacia el gobierno digital, y se previene sobre los riesgos de la aplicación de la inteligencia artificial en los procedimientos administrativos cuando se trata de decidir sobre derechos humanos.
Seeking empathy: mediators for an automated administration
Authors: Expósito-López Oscar
Published: December 2024

Technological advancements in the field of artificial intelligence are increasingly bringing us closer to the possibility of incorporating automation in administrative decision-making. This tool would yield significant benefits in key areas such as efficiency and improvement of public services. However, it also poses risks, such as the potential loss of empathy that public workers contribute to decision-making and even the displacement of administrative personnel engaged in the processing of files. This study aims to delve into the aspects where the implementation of automated administration would be feasible, distinguishing between rule-based and discretionary decisions. Administrative mediation and artificial intelligence have distinct but teleologically complementary scopes of applicability within these powers. Consequently, we will explore how the role of the administrative mediator can represent a new administrative employment opportunity resulting from these new technological advancements, in search of the empathy and humanity compromised by the purely objective and amoral actions of any form of artificial intelligence.
La gobernanza internacional de la Inteligencia Artificial y el “efecto Bruselas"
Authors: Moreno-Rebato Mar
Published: December 2024

Estados y organizaciones supranacionales empiezan a posicionarse a favor de establecer un marco jurídico aplicable a escala mundial de regulación de la inteligencia artificial; también son partidarios de realizar una cooperación internacional para abordar los peligros de esta tecnología. Se aborda, igualmente, el debate de la regulación o autorregulación de la inteligencia artificial, los principios éticos y el posible efecto que, en un contexto de globalización normativa, va a causar el Reglamento de la Unión Europea sobre la inteligencia artificial.
Nuevas tecnologías, Derecho Administrativo y dignidad de las personas
Authors: Rodríguez-Arana Jaime
Published: December 2024

La permanente y nunca acabada reforma de las administraciones públicas pasa, en los tiempos actuales, por el uso inteligente de las nuevas tecnologías al servicio de los ciudadanos. Las nuevas tecnologías son un instrumento al servicio del pueblo. No son un fin en sí mismas. La administración pública en la dimensión electrónica debe ser un entorno de entendimiento, y un marco de humanización de la realidad que fomente el objetivo constitucional central: “la dignidad de la persona, los derechos inviolables que le son inherentes, el libre desarrollo de la personalidad, el respeto a la ley y a los derechos de los demás” tal y como en España dispone el artículo 10.1 de la Constitución Española.
La convergencia entre la inteligencia artificial y el derecho: desafíos y oportunidades
Authors: Cárdenas Erick Rincón
Published: December 2024

La inteligencia artificial es una herramienta que cada vez se encuentra más presente en el desarrollo de las actividades cotidianas realizadas por los seres humanos, en esta medida, se busca aplicarla en diferentes sectores como lo es el campo del derecho, principalmente en lo relacionado con las decisiones judiciales. Es de esta forma que se generan innumerables cuestionamientos sobre la posible articulación entre el derecho y la inteligencia artificial que van dirigidas a determinar si dicha convergencia genera utilidad, si es factible y las posibles consecuencias de su implementación. La innovación legal es un destino al cual se debe llegar, pero es necesario abordar ciertos desafíos que surgen como producto de la evolución y el desarrollo.
From data to information: a meta-legal framework to political-juridical analysis of digital transformation
Authors: Viana Ana Cristina Aguilar
Published: December 2024

The digital revolution has brought about challenges for the legal domain. Traditional legal frameworks struggle to address issues such as data privacy and security in the online environment. One problematic can be found in the limitation of the analysis of cyberspace, as well as the nature of the elements that compose it, as these are limited to binary classifications. This essay argues that a deeper understanding of the digital world, including the nature of data, information, and knowledge, is crucial for effective legal and policy analysis. By drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives, the essay proposes a richer and more nuanced approach to data governance, moving beyond the binary limitations of traditional legal frameworks. It highlights the importance of recognizing data as a relational and socio-technical value, with implications for both public and private actors.
Los sistemas algorítmicos en las Administraciones Públicas
Authors: Zunino Pablo Leiza
Published: December 2024

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Seroprevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women in Tlemcen, Algeria
Authors: Badla Yamina
Published: December 2024

Introduction. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection affects all countries of
the world but is particularly specific in developing countries. Algeria is a country with
low prevalence (0.1%), the epidemic is concentrated in key populations with a
tendency towards feminization. The elimination of mother-to-child transmission
(EMTCT) is a crucial pillar of any strategy to combat HIV. HIV / AIDS infection,
Screening is the access point for the pregnant woman who has tested positive for her
care. For these reasons, it seems necessary to us to carry out a prospective study
whose objective was to measure the seroprevalence of HIV infection in pregnant
women in Tlemcen. Methods. This is a prospective study on the screening of HIV
infection in pregnant women in the wilaya of Tlemcen, the study took place over a
period of four years from June 2016 to May 31, 2020. The screening test was offered
to all pregnant women coming to the prenatal consultation after their free and informed
consent. was done by rapid blood test. We used Excel 3 in the expression of our
results. Results. We were able to capture and sensitize 3845 pregnant women (PW)
among 5235 coming to their first prenatal consultation (PNC1), 3053 PW (79.14%)
accepted the test, with a seroprevalence rate of 0.624% (19 women). The causes of
refusal of screening were the absence of risk factor in (49.89%) followed by the
agreement of the spouse (20.06%), and the fear of the discovery of HIV infection
during pregnancy (17.58%). It was noted that 94.73% (18/19) mothers were retained
in care
Management of generalized acute peritonitis in a limited resource environment in sub-Saharan Africa: Cross-sectional study at General reference Hospital of Oicha in the East of Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Bakwanamaha Maha Alain
Published: December 2024

Introduction. Acute generalized peritonitis is a life-threatening emergency that
requires urgent and appropriate medical and surgical management. The objective was
to determine the frequency, etiologies, clinical presentation and outcome of peritonitis
at the General Reference Hospital of Oicha. Material and methods. This was a
descriptive retrospective study of 15 months, from January 01, 2022 to March 31,
2023, on 55 patients who underwent laparotomy for acute generalized peritonitis at
the General Reference Hospital of Oicha. Data processing was performed with SPSS
21.0. Results. The frequency of peritonitis is 23.8%. The average age of patients was
33,381.85 years, with extremes of 10 and 75 years. The female sex is frequent at
61.8%. All patients consulted for abdominal pain, contracture of the abdominal wall
and the cry of the umbilicus. Intestinal, gastric and appendicular perforations
accounted for 80.0%. Repair (Repair, resection and: anastomosis, appendectomy,
etc.), washing and drainage was the most common procedure. The morbidity rate was
34.5%, marked by surgical site infection (16.4%). The mortality rate was 16.4%.
Conclusion. Peritonitis is a common abdominal emergency at Oicha General Referral
Hospital. Morbidity and mortality remain very high. Prevention involves strengthening
hygiene measures, avoiding late consultation and self-medication.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of dose adjustments based on beta-blockers in the management of infantile hemangioma
Authors: NEHAL Chahinez
Published: December 2024

Introduction. Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are benign vascular tumors most frequently
encountered in infants and in early childhood. Most of them regress spontaneously, but some
require treatment, given their complications or serious forms. Pathophysiology is still
controversial. Therapeutic management of high-risk IH is based on oral beta-blockers, which
have revolutionized first-line treatment based on corticosteroid therapy. The objective of the
study is to evaluate the effectiveness of dose adjustments based on beta-blockers in the
management of IH and to identify the occurrence of adverse effects. Materials and methods.
This is a retrospective, descriptive study of dose reductions of beta-blockers presented in
capsule form. This study is carried out at the preparatory level of the Mother – Child
laboratory of the Beni Messous University Hospital, Algeria from January 1st, 2020 to
December 31th, 2021, using the register of dose reduction requests. Monitoring the
effectiveness of dose adaptations for patients suffering from IH of all types was carried out
at the ophthalmology department of Beni Messous University Hospital and the dermatology
department of the Mustapha Pacha University Hospital based on medical files and health
records. Results. The number of dose adaptations carried out is 9246 including 691 (10%)
preparations based on beta-blockers; these included 476 (68%) propranolol and 50 (7%)
atenolol. The cohort of 40 patients with IH showed a female predominance with a sex ratio
of 0.14, the most frequent location of which was the head (52.5%). The age of onset of the
tumor was after the first month of birth (60%) while the average age of initiation of treatment
was estimated at 6 months. The average duration of oral treatment was 5.7 months. The
effectiveness of the treatment was observed in 60% of cases; however, adverse effects were
reported in 20% of patients. Conclusion. Oral beta-blockers made a therapeutic revolution in
the treatment of IH. The development of more adapted dosage forms to the location of the
tumor and better tolerated by the pediatric population is essential for the benefit of children.