bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OVERRIDING THE NON-PROLIFERATION PRIORITIES: AN ANALYSIS OF INDO-US CIVIL NUCLEAR DEAL
Authors: Sargana Tauqeer Hussain 
Published: August 2023

The study has reviewed a critical question of how great powers override non-proliferation priorities at times of strategic considerations by creating ease out of their international obligations. In 2008, the Bush Administration entered a strategic understanding with India to enhance cooperation in the nuclear field that paved the way for civilian nuclear trade with New Delhi and carefully crafted the power dynamics favouring India. This study finds out that the so-called ‘Non-proliferation Enhancement Act’ provided an undue advantage to India over Pakistan, thus forcing Islamabad to improve the effectiveness and outreach of her strategic assets to mitigate the apprehensive threshold. Although the nuclearisation of South Asia was implicated in the non-proliferation regime, it ensured strategic balance in the region and shall continue to do so in the national security calculations. The Indo-US nuclear cooperation continues to haunt the dynamics of nuclear parity that concurrently possess serious security implications for Pakistan by allowing India to manipulate the threshold. Therefore, this paper investigates the genesis of the Indo-US deal, the geostrategic and commercial interests of major powers underpinning this deal, implications for Pakistan, steps taken by Pakistan so far and the way forward. The study is deductive and has contested the assumption of the nuclear non-proliferation regime as a theoretical framework.

Bibliography Entry
Sargana, Tauqeer Hussain. 2023. "Strategic Considerations Overriding the Non-Proliferation Priorities: An Analysis of Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 40-52.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S NUCLEAR POSTURE REVIEW AND AMERICAN NUCLEAR POLICY: A CRITICAL OVERVIEW
Authors: Zeb Rizwan 
Published: August 2023

The US Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) has been an important document detailing the US administration's policy preferences since its first issuance in 1994. Biden administration released its NPR in October 2022, which identifies nuclear rivals and focus areas examining the role of nuclear weapons in overall US strategy. Using the historical research method and open-source information, the paper provides an overview of the US strategic calculus on nuclear weapons since 1945, focusing on post-Cold War developments and how its nuclear policy and strategy evolved. The paper argues that despite advocating for nuclear disarmament, US presidents stayed within lip service and kept enhancing the US nuclear stockpile. It also highlights that President Trump’s decisions adversely affected US nuclear weapons policy and global security and that President Biden’s NPR would follow the route rather than fulfil his campaign promises. The paper has three parts: the first deals with US nuclear policy during the Cold War; the second looks at the policy during the post-Cold War era from President Bush Senior to President Biden. The third and final part critically analyses the overall nuclear policy challenges faced by the Biden Administration and how it might address them.

Bibliography Entry
Zeb, Rizwan. 2023. "Biden Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review and American Nuclear Policy: A Critical Overview" Margalla Papers 27 (1): 53-66.
STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY, SECURITY DILEMMA AND THE INTERPLAY OF INTERESTS: RUSSIA, CHINA AND THE US IN THE ARCTIC REGION SINCE 2014
Authors: Mushtaq Shireen , Sharif Uswa , Fatima Rida 
Published: August 2023

The Northern Pole's polar ice is melting at an alarming rate due to climate change, significantly impacting the region's strategic landscape. The potential for economic growth and increasing security competition has led Russia, China and the US to ramp up their politico-military activities in the region. This research paper uses a qualitative method that explores the changing geopolitics of the region through a structural realist approach to examine the strategic interests and opportunities of these three countries in the Arctic. The study sheds light on how climate change has affected the region's geopolitical and geostrategic effects and how these countries compete for influence in the area, leading to mounting concerns and policy shifts. The paper shows how Russia takes a realist approach; China enhances its influence through a developmental approach, while the US tries to increase its power to counter the influence of Russia and China in the region. Additionally, the paper explains how the interplay of interests in the region is associated with the offence-defence balance and security dilemmas resulting from the neorealist behaviour of these states.

Bibliography Entry
Mushtaq, Shireen, Uswa Sharif and Rida Fatima. 2023. "Strategic Opportunity, Security Dilemma and the Interplay of Interests: Russia, China and the US in the Arctic Region Since 2014." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 67-81.
SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION AND AFGHANISTAN: INTERESTS AND LIMITATIONS
Authors: Khan Hameed Ullah , Shah Muhammad Farooq , Khan Muhammad Ilyas 
Published: August 2023

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has greater relevance in Afghanistan because of its strategic importance and geographic proximity. For years, the country has harboured numerous extremist groups and insurgents. It has remained a battleground for US-led coalition forces and the Taliban for about two decades. Despite efforts by the US and its allies, peace has yet to be restored in Afghanistan, and the responsibility now rests on regional countries. It is crucial for these states, especially Eurasian nations, to work together to stabilise the war-torn country and bring lasting peace to the region. Therefore, the study examines the push and pull factors of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s interests in Afghanistan and the challenges that come with implementing their peace plans. The data has been collected from various primary and secondary sources, including websites, newspapers and research articles. The paper also highlights two major concerns for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the economic crisis in Afghanistan and the international recognition of the Taliban government.

Bibliography Entry
Khan, Hameed Ullah, Muhammad Farooq Shah and Muhammad Ilyas Khan. 2023. "Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Afghanistan: Interests and Limitations." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 82-95.
US’ TAIWAN STRATEGY: AN INSTRUMENT TO CONTAIN CHINA
Authors: Farooq Muhammad 
Published: August 2023

The issue of Taiwan has become a major point of contention between the US and China, with visits by US officials resulting in strong criticism from China and military escalation in the region. Experts are concerned that a conflict between these two powers in the Asia-Pacific region could endanger global peace and stability, especially given the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. China maintains its claim over Taiwan under the 'One China Policy,’ considering it a lost province and advocating for its unification with the mainland. While recognising Taiwan as part of China under this policy, the US engages in diplomatic and military activities with Taiwan, which China considers interference in its internal affairs. In the post-Cold War era, the US adopted an ambiguous policy towards Taiwan as part of its containment strategy against China. Therefore, the US seeks to slow China's perpetual growth by promising enhanced defence for Taiwan. Recent US official visits to Taiwan reflect provocative measures in line with this strategy. This paper analyses the US' Taiwan policy as a containment instrument against China, recent measures adopted by the US administration to provoke China, Taiwan's strategic significance, and the US' long-standing commitment to Taiwan's security as essential for maintaining its leadership role in international affairs.

Bibliography Entry
Farooq, Muhammad. 2023. "US’ Taiwan Strategy: An Instrument to Contain China." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 96-108.
THE CHARM OFFENSIVE OF CHINA: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF DIGITAL SILK ROAD IN FOSTERING SINO-EU ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
Authors: Farhat Laraib 
Published: August 2023

Digital Silk Road, like Belt and Road Initiative, is an ambitious and all-encompassing inventiveness of the Chinese government, aiming to develop China as a global telecommunications network and infrastructure leader. The Global Digital order, since its inception, has been dominated by Western powers; however, with the initiation of the Digital Silk Road and China becoming a digital backbone globally, many Western powers have shown disregard for how this digital hegemony of China can be a threat to their national security. Nonetheless, besides the security implications, the Digital Silk Road brings many strategic opportunities. This paper, thus, looks into how China is advocating a softer image of itself through its Charm Offensive diplomacy and influencing actors involved in Digital Silk Road – specifically the EU – to cooperate with China vis-à-vis Digital Silk Road. This study uses qualitative and thematic analysis to determine how China and the EU can ward off the strategic implications and collaborate to build a more inclusive digital economy.

Bibliography Entry
Farhat, Laraib. 2023. "The Charm Offensive of China: Assessing the Role of Digital Silk Road in Fostering Sino-EU Economic Integration." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 109-122.
PAKISTAN-INDIA BILATERAL RELATIONS AND APPLICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PEACEBUILDING
Authors: Khan Omair Farooq 
Published: August 2023

The recent Pulwama incident has further strained the already tense relationship between India and Pakistan. India's violation of the UN resolution on Kashmir has exacerbated the situation, leaving both countries with seemingly no common ground or shared challenges to bring them to the dialogue table and build confidence and trust for a sustainable relationship. This paper proposes a peace-initiating process prioritising cooperation on common environmental challenges to improve bilateral relations between Pakistan and India. Environmental peacebuilding, which focuses on shared ecological challenges and provides a platform for dialogue and cooperation between rival states, has been explored for a couple of years. However, the cooperative dimensions of environmental peacebuilding have yet to be studied in bilateral relations between Pakistan and India. This paper provides a brief qualitative analysis of relations between two countries, highlights the potential for environmental peacebuilding to improve their relationship, and addresses challenges to successfully implementing this approach.

Bibliography Entry
Khan, Omair Farooq. 2023. "Pakistan-India Bilateral Relations and Application of Environmental Peacebuilding." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 155-165.
CONCEPTUALISING THE ROLE OF INDIA IN NORTH KOREA`S DENUCLEARISATION
Authors: Kakar Sher Ali , Khan Muhammad Adil 
Published: August 2023

The US and its allies perceive North Korea's acquisition of nuclear weapons as a significant strategic challenge in the region. Diplomatic efforts have been made to persuade the Kim regime to abandon its nuclear programme, but they have failed. The DPRK considers nuclear weapons capability vital for deterrence against external threats and strategically crucial for national defence. India, a key US ally in containing China, has taken a stiffer stance towards Pyongyang's nuclear programme while enhancing its role in contributing to North Korea's denuclearisation. It represents itself as a staunch opponent of nuclear proliferation and the development of sophisticated weapons. This paper explores India's role in North Korea's perceived denuclearisation. It highlights that India has adopted a dual-standard approach to nuclear proliferation and sophisticated weapons and is also trying to create a technological nexus between Pakistan and North Korea, allegedly to achieve strategic ambitions in South Asia and assert pressure on Pakistan with the help of the US and its Western allies.

Bibliography Entry
Kakar, Sher Ali and Muhammad Adil Khan. 2023. "Conceptualising the Role of India in North Korea’s Denuclearisation." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 166-175.
Preface: 4th International Conference on Education, Sport and Psychological Studies (ESPS 2023)
Authors: Chen Shan , Wu Xi 
Published: August 2023

This proceeding includes original and peer-reviewed research papers from the 4th International Conference on Education, Sport and Psychological Studies (ESPS 2023) held on May 30-31, 2023 in Hong Kong, China.
The aim of the conference is to provide an interactive platform for the academicians, R & D organizations, industries, innovators, entrepreneurs, government agencies and policy-makers etc., from both China and abroad to exchange ideas on recent researches and advances in the domain of Education, Sport and Psychological Studies with its prospective application in the various interdisciplinary domains of engineering. This two-day conference is being organized online in technical association with Research Center of Engineering and Science and will include invited keynote talks and oral paper presentations from both academia and industry to ignite our young minds, to initiate them in the field of meaningful research and thereby enrich their existing knowledge.
ESPS 2023 received 87 manuscripts. By submitting a paper to ESPS 2023, the authors agreed to the review process and understood that papers undergo a peer-review process. Manuscripts were reviewed by appropriately qualified experts in the field selected by the Conference Committee, who gave detailed comments and-if the submission was accepted the authors would submit a revised version that considered this feedback. All papers were reviewed using a double-blind review process: authors declared their names and affiliations in the manuscript for the reviewers to see, but reviewers did not know each other’s identities, nor did the authors receive information about who had reviewed their manuscript. The Committees of ESPS 2022 invested great efforts in reviewing the papers submitted to the conference and organizing the sessions to enable the participants to gain maximum benefit.
Shan Chen, Xi Wu
Conference Committees
Pelatihan Bahasa Inggris untuk Pemula dengan Menggunakan Game pada TPA AL Hakim Palembang
Authors: Permana Dio Resta 
Published: August 2023

Dalam upaya meningkatkan motivasi dan rasa percaya diri anak-anak dalam berbahasa Inggris, strategi belajar menggunakan Game ini dapat membantu anak-anak dalam belajar berbicara bahasa Inggris dengan mudah. Tujuan utama dari kegiatan pelatihan ini adalah untuk membantu anak-anak agar termotivasi untuk belajar bahasa Inggris dengan cara yang sederhana namun efektif. Pelatihan dilaksanakan sebanyak 8 pertemuan dan terdapat 10 orang sample dalam kegiatan ini. Pengunaan Test menjadi instrumen utama dalam mengukur tingkat keberhasilan dari kegiatan ini. Adapun komponen test yang diukur adalah cara pengucapan yang benar, artikulasi yang baik dan intonasi yang tepat. Hasil menunjukan bahwa penggunaan media Game dalam belajar bahasa Inggris menunjukan peningkatan angka yang signifikan dan peserta kegiatan mampu berbicara dan menggunakan bahasa Inggris dengan baik dan benar.
Diagnosis of Hunter Syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II) in a Resource­ Limited Setting: A Case Report from Zambia
Authors: Nchimba Lweendo , Mpabalwani Evans Mwila , Inambao Muleya , Kawatu Nfwama 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Hunter syndrome is one of the Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), type II. It is a rare genetic disorder due to a deficiency in the enzyme Iduronate 2-sulphatase. This deficiency leads to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) dermatan sulphate and heparan sulphate. The GAGs accumulate both intracellularly and extracellularly, leading to abnormalities in different organ systems in the body. The definitive diagnosis of Hunter syndrome requires biochemical methods which can be a challenge in resource-limited settings, Zambia included. Presented here is a case of Hunter Syndrome in a 12-year-old male child and highlight clinical acumen as the main ingredient in making the diagnosis and distinguishing different types.
Molluscum Contagiosum - A Therapeutic Challenge
Authors: Malumani Malan 
Published: August 2023

The emergence of the Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a massive strain on the already limping healthcare system in most developing or Lower Middle-Income countries.
Other infectious agents like Molluscum Contagiosum (MC) still ravage our communities. We discuss some challenges and old important pearls of its management.
Assessment of extended – spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) gene among gram-negative bacilli bacteria causing community acquired urinary tract infection among females in southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Ajani Tinuade Adesola , Elikwu Charles John , Ajani Mustapha Akanji , Anaedobe Chinenye Gloria , OlusesanOluwasola Timothy A. 
Published: August 2023

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) is commoner in females and mainly caused by Gram Negative bacilli. The emergence of Extended – spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) has made its treatment difficult especially in the community because of limited therapeutic options. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing Gram negative bacilli causing UTI among females in Babcock University Community; evaluate the associated risk factors and to determine the prevalence of the associated genes among the ESBL isolates.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of which 200 female participants with clinical UTI were recruited in Babcock University Community. Pretested interviewer–based structured questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic and risk factors. Mid-stream urine was also collected for evaluation of ESBL- producing Gram-negative bacilli. DNA extraction was done for ESBL positive isolates and SHV, TEM, CTX-M and OXA ESBL genes were detected by PCR. SPSS Version 23.0 was used for data analysis.
Results: The 200-urine samples tested from the participants yielded 33-Gram negative bacilli isolates. Out of these 33 isolates, 17/33(51.5%) were ESBL-producers giving prevalence rate of 8.5% among the participants. The distribution of the ESBL genes among the ESBL isolates was as follows: SHV 12/17(70.6%), TEM 4/17(23.5%), CTX-M 3/17(17.6%) and OXA 5/17(29.4%). No associated risk factors were found.
Conclusion: All the four types of ESBL genes evaluated were present among the participants. Routine screening for ESBL for Community acquired UTI is necessary to curb treatment failure.
Characteristics of pregnant women who seroconvert after an initial negative Human Immunodeficiency Virus test result at antenatal booking at selected hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia.
Authors: Nyirenda Muyereka , Kasonka Lackson , Vwalika Bellington 
Published: August 2023

Objectives: To examine the role of demographic, socio-economic, health and reproductive characteristics of pregnant women and study the impact of their utilization of health services in relation to seroconversion after an initial negative HIV test result in women attending ANC at selected hospitals in Lusaka.
Methods: This was a case control study conducted at the Women and Newborn Hospital and selected level 1 hospitals in Lusaka district between July 2018 and June 2019. Convenience sampling was used. Interviews were conducted using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire involving 47 women who seroconverted (as cases) and 140 women who did not seroconvert (as controls).
Results: The study found that monthly income, age at sexual debut, number of sexual partners in a lifetime, children with the same father, partners who did not test for HIV before ANC booking, partner perceived to be faithful, frequent travel in partner and less than four ANC visits were associated with HIV seroconversion. However, when these factors where adjusted in multivariate logistic regression for confounders, women who had sexual debut before the age of 16 years were seven times more likely to seroconvert (AOR=6.67, 95%CI=1.103-39.805, P=0.039), those whose partners tested for HIV before ANC booking were 72 percent less likely to seroconvert (AOR=0.278, 95%CI=0.089-0.865, P=0.027), those who partners travelled out of town frequently were three times more likely to seroconvert (AOR=3.250, 95%CI=1.063-9.935, P=0.039) and those who attended less than four ANC visits were three times more likely to seroconvert (AOR=3.378, 95%CI=1.018-11.210, P=0.047).
Conclusion: Pregnant women are at risk of seroconverting during pregnancy leading to MTCT of HIV. It is therefore imperative that HCT be strengthened during ANC and labour. Targeting adolescents with sexual and reproductive health education before they start engaging in sexual activities is key to keeping them HIV negative. Pre-exposure prophylaxis should be provided to pregnant women whose partners decline HCT or are HIV positive. Frequent travellers should be educated to practice safer sex. Lastly, there is need to implement the WHO 2016 ANC recommendation of at least 8 contacts during pregnancy.
Medical Imaging of Pentalogy of Cantrell: A Case Report from Zambia
Authors: Bwalya Mubanga , Chikasa Ndanji Ivy , Bwanga Osward , Makukula Ziche , Chanda Ngosa , Chanda Ernest , Chitamya Kelvin 
Published: August 2023

Medical imaging plays a significant role in the detection of foetal anomalies, such as the Pentalogy of Cantrell (POC). POC is a congenital anomaly involving five or fewer body malformations: ectopia cordis (EC), tetralogy of fallot (TOF), sternal defects, diaphragmatic defects, and abdominal wall defects. The commonly used imaging modality in the detection of POC during pregnancy is ultrasound because it uses non-ionising radiation, is cheap, and is available in most medical facilities. We report a rare case of POC from a medical imaging standpoint in Zambia. Two obstetric ultrasound scans were performed in the 3rd trimester. The initial scan revealed, among other things, unappreciated abdominal contents, while the second scan revealed a foetal heart sited partially external to the thoracic cavity, with external herniation of the liver and bowels. Our case was classified as incomplete POC because not all five main malformations were present. This case report highlights the importance of having well-organised obstetric ultrasound imaging services both in urban and rural parts of the country to improve antenatal care.