One of today’s most critical challenges is ensuring a sufficient food production and supply for the ever-expanding global population. Recently, many countries around the world, particularly those in Africa, grapple with severe hunger and food insecurity, frequently exacerbated by escalating global prices, persistent insecurity, and the repercussion of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this study undertook an extensive review of the prevalence and severity of hunger and food insecurity across diverse countries and regions. The review utilised several metrics, including Global Hunger Index (GHI) scores, Global Food Security index (GFSI) scores, 2023 data (related to two Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) target) from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other pertinent sources to assess the current status of the countries included in this study. The 20 countries with 2023 GHI scores below 5 were collectively ranked from 1 to 20, signifying low hunger levels. However, Central African Republic (CAR) received the lowest ranking at 125 out of 125, with a score of 42.3, indicating an alarming level of hunger. Finland achieved the highest GFSI score of 83.7, with Oman showing the most notable GFSI improvement at +13.8, while Syria experienced a significant decline in GFSI score by -10.5. Over time, many countries, particularly the developed ones, witnessed significant improvement in their GHI and GFSI scores. Meanwhile, most countries in sub-Saharan Africa experienced the most deterioration in their GFSI scores and notable increases in their GHI scores. The review documented the significant progress made by countries and regions in reducing levels of hunger and food insecurity, while highlighting the substantial burden borne by sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in combating global hunger and food insecurity.

This article examines illicit financial flows (IFFs) perpetuated in financial statements to develop a framework to curb IFFs. IFFs create opacity, impeding economic progress through investment deterrents and financial uncertainty. Through a comprehensive literature review and the synthesis of sets of qualitative propositions, the researchers previously developed a conceptual framework to address IFFs, and the purpose of the present article is to strengthen and validate the framework among stakeholders in the financial and audit sectors. Following a mixed inductive and deductive research approach and a qualitative methodological choice, the researchers conducted interviews among practitioners to enhance the framework, followed by a focus group to validate the framework. IFF challenges that emerged are tax evasion, for example, investments in untraceable offshore accounts, harming the economy, bitcoins not being subject to regulation everywhere in the world and being used by cryptocurrency criminals to transfer IFFs to nations with lax regulations. Internationally, IFF risks are also determined by geographical position, trade links and porous borders among countries emerged as further challenges, calling for entities to execute existing policies, improve tax enforcement methods, apply cross-border coordination, and practice financial reporting transparency aimed at combatting IFF practices. On the strength of these, the industry surveys significantly enhanced the conceptual framework.

Carotenoids are common and diverse organic compounds with various functional roles in ani-mals. Except for certain aphids, mites, and gall midges, all animals acquire necessary carotenoids only through their diet. The House fly (Musca domestica) is a cosmopolitan pest insect that populates diverse habitats. Its larvae feed on organic substrates that may vary in carotenoid composition according to their specific content. We hypothesized that the carotenoid composition in the adult House fly’s body would reflect its composition in the larval feed. We reared house fly larvae on substrates that differed in carotenoid composition and characterized the carotenoid composition of the emerging adults. Our results indicate that the carotenoid composition of adult House flies is related to the carotenoid composition in its natal substrate, but does not directly reflect it. We suggest that these findings may be developed to identify sources of House fly in-festations. We also recommend that care should be taken when considering the rearing substrates of House fly larvae used for animal feed.

Simulated (sim) racing is an emerging esport that has garnered much interest in recent years and has been a relatively under-researched field in terms of expertise and performance. When examining expertise, visual attention has been of particular interest to researchers, with eye tracking technology commonly used to assess visual attention. In this study, we examined the visual attention allocation of high and low skilled sim racers during a time trial task using Tobii 3 glasses. Participants were allocated to either group according to their fastest lap times. Our results indicate that when eye tracking metrics were normalised to lap time, there was no difference in the relative length of attention allocation (fixation behaviour), although lower skilled racers did have significantly greater fixation counts and durations across laps overall. Interestingly, high and low skilled sim racers differed in where they allocated their attention during the task, with high skilled sim racers allocating significantly less attention to the track relative to other areas of the display. This would allow higher skilled racers to obtain relatively more information from heads-up display elements in-game, all whilst driving at faster speeds. This study provides evidence that high and low skilled sim racers show similar lap time-corrected fixation behaviour, but how they allocate attention while driving differs.

Generative artificial intelligence tools are flourishing across various sciences, particularly in the educational domain. ChatGPT, with its versions 3.5 and 4.0, stands out for its multilingual capabilities, catering to both students and educators. This research aimed to evaluate the performance differences between these versions, and importantly, to compare the accuracy of ChatGPT's responses in English versus Arabic. In our study, we presented ChatGPT with 39 chemistry problems related to 6th-7th grade curriculum, including twenty-five open questions and fourteen multiple-choice questions. Each response was categorized as accurate, partially accurate, or inaccurate. Our analysis, focused on trends across versions and languages, revealed significant enhancements in version 4.0, particularly in its ability to process Arabic. However, despite these improvements, our findings indicate that responses in English consistently outperformed those in Arabic in terms of accuracy. In light of this discrepancy, we suggest that ChatGPT either incorporates additional Arabic databases into its training regimen or develops a code that adopts the following strategy to ensure more accurate responses in science education: questions should first be translated from Arabic to English, addressed, and then retranslated into Arabic before being presented to the user. This approach takes advantage of the greater accuracy of responses in English to benefit Arabic-speaking users, and it may also improve outcomes for speakers of other languages who experience less precise answers in the fields of chemistry or science education.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most sexually transmitted infection associated with the development of cervical cancer. This study investigated cervical HPV prevalence, characteristics and distribution according to age and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among women attending public community health facility in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 325 participants (aged 18 to 60) visiting a community health facility for any reason were recruited. Cervical HPV infection was detected using the Seegene Anyplex™ II HPV28 assay. Overall HPV prevalence was 65.2% (95% CI: 59.9–70.2%), with the highest prevalence of 80.9% (95% CI: 67.2–89.8%) observed in the 18–25 years age group and lowest prevalence of 46.3% (95% CI: 35.8–57.1%) in 46–60 years of age. HR-HPV infection was found to decrease with increasing age among women who were HPV infected by any type (p=0.02), but not when stratified according to HIV status. A proportion of 12.9% (42/325) were infected with one or more HPV types covered by the Cervarix® HPV vaccine (HPV-16 and/or -18), 18.8% (61/325) by those covered by Gardasil®4 (HPV-6, -11, -16 and/or -18) and 42.2% (137/325) by those covered by Gardasil®9 (HPV-6, -11, -16, -18, -31, -33, -45, -52 and/or -58). Alpha-9 HPV species were the most dominant species (40.6%, 132/325), followed by alpha-7 species (29.8%, 97/325). In the overall population, alpha-9 HPV species were always part of the most dominant HPV alpha species co-infection, which were alpha-9 and -7 species (17.5%, 57/325), alpha-9 and -5 species (9.8%, 32/325), and alpha-9 and -6 species (9.5%, 31/325). High overall HPV, HR-HPV, and alpha-9 species prevalence were observed among women attending the public health facility. These findings contribute to the limited HPV distribution data among Eastern Cape women, which could be used to improve HPV-related policy and assess the effectiveness of the HPV vaccination.

Strategic intelligence covers the examination of what impacts and influences the business and the related SWOT analysis, (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats mapping). Through this research, leaders will be able to properly allocate and re-route resources, identify areas of improvement, and ensure that strategic initiatives are aligned with the organization's mission. Strategic intelligence is, therefore, effective through the use of critical thought and data-driven decisions and seeing the outcomes of different positioned alternatives. It must also form and support a culture of cooperation and open communication within the organizations, stimulating employees' inputs and learning curves. The article's subject is the necessity for strategic intelligence, a crucial competence for leaders, managers, and companies striving to remain competitive, to be utilized and best leveraged in today's volatile and dynamic business contexts. It helps the leadership turn proactive, foresee trends, and make correct, agile decisions that enforce companies' long-term growth and success. This study follows a research design that includes a thorough literature review and bibliometric research, executed via VoSViewer, illustrating the concept of strategic intelligence from a leadership point of view as a driver of competitive advantage. Further, the article points out that the limitations are acknowledged because the literature on the matter is limited, as strategic intelligence is relatively new to the business sector; moreover, more research is required to fully understand and use the potential of strategic intelligence in business growth. By overcoming these limitations and continuing to study this concept, businesses can gain a competitive edge and make informed decisions that fuel their success in an ever-evolving market. As a result, this study contributes to developing strategic intelligence in leadership and business and paves the road for further research and applications of strategic intelligence theories in organizational contexts.

An optical fiber scale sensor based on the detection principle of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was developed for the rapid, high-sensitivity real-time evaluation of scale precipitation from geothermal fluids. The optical fiber SPR scale sensor was fabricated by depositing a gold thin film on the surface of an optical fiber with an exposed core. The optimal gold film thickness of the sensor was determined to be 30 nm, which achieved a refractive index sensitivity of 2140 nm per refractive index unit. A field test was conducted using geothermal brine from the Obama Binary Geothermal Power Plant in Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture. A conventional optical fiber scale sensor and the SPR sensor were simultaneously assessed using raw and pH-adjusted brines. For the SPR sensor, a peak shift of 0.27 nm/min was observed at a response time of 1 min, whereas no change in transmittance was observed for the conventional sensor until 180 min. After the experiments, scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis was conducted on the sensors, and findings showed that the deposition of Mg–SiO2 scale did not significantly differ between the two sensors. The developed SPR sensor achieved faster scale precipitation detection (tens of minutes to hours) than the conventional sensor.

Introduction: The academic landscape is increasingly recognizing the complex interplay of personal and professional responsibilities on scholarly productivity. For women scholars, particularly those with significant parenting duties, this balance is even more precarious. This study aims to explore how family responsibilities, personal vulnerabilities, and motivational theories such as Imposter Syndrome and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) influence the motivation to publish scholarly work. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing supportive mechanisms that can enhance academic productivity and personal fulfilment. Methods: Utilizing a Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) framework, this study will systematically review and synthesize qualitative research on women scholars' experiences in academia, focusing on the challenges and motivators related to publishing. Data sources will include academic databases, grey literature, and first-hand narratives. Thematic analysis will be employed to identify key themes and patterns across the collected data. Results/Findings: Preliminary findings suggest that the dual demands of parenting—especially in extreme cases such as assuming responsibility for seven children—and academic work significantly impact women scholars' publishing activities. Personal vulnerabilities, including imposter syndrome and low self-efficacy, further exacerbate these challenges. However, the data also highlight resilience strategies and the potential for intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors to mitigate these effects. Discussion: The study underscores the nuanced impact of familial and personal factors on academic motivation. The preliminary findings suggest that addressing imposter syndrome and enhancing self-determination could be pivotal in supporting women scholars. The role of institutional policies and academic culture in either exacerbating or alleviating these challenges is also discussed. Significance: By elucidating the specific challenges and motivators for women scholars in publishing, this study will contribute to the development of targeted interventions and policies that support work-life integration and promote academic productivity. The insights that will be gained could inform mentorship programs, institutional support systems, and policy reforms aimed at fostering a more inclusive and supportive academic environment.

An electrochemical bioassay based on the rotating droplet electrochemistry by using electron transfer mediator was developed for the evaluation of a wide variety of pollutants such as antibiotics, heavy metals and pesticides in the water environment. Ferricyanide was used as electron transfer mediator for obtaining the catalytic response of Escherichia coli. The electrochemical response of E.coli was measured via hydrodynamic chronoamperometry in a microdroplet on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The constructed electrode system successfully evaluate the catalytic response of E.coli solution in presence of ferricyanide. The assay for antibiotic toxicity on E.coli was carried out. The EC50 for ampicillin, sulfamonomethoxine, chlorotetracycline, tetracycline and oxytetracycline valuated by the pre-incubation method were 0.26, 0.77, 5.25, 18.5, 19.0 µM, respectively. The toxicity order was ampicillin > sulfamonomethoxine > chlorotetracycline > tetracycline>oxytetracycline. The proposed method can be used to evaluate the antibiotic toxicities in different real sample, such as pond water, powder and raw milk. Recoveries were found in the range 90 and 99%. The developed methods do not require additional incubation time to evaluate toxicity.

Adverse medical events not only harm patients and families, but also cause significant negative impact on healthcare providers, with potential to compromise future professional functioning. These “second victims” may need organizational support and rehabilitation to return to functionality. We analyzed the validity of an adapted tool, the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST), to a population in Israel, H-SVEST. The H-SVEST was completed by 172 nurse participants working in a variety of patient care settings. The H-SVEST was assessed for content validity, internal consistency, and construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The CFA run on the initial model with 10 factors and 36 items did not meet criteria for goodness of fit. After removing five items based on their low factor loadings and the correlation, The model fit significantly improved with acceptable CFI, TLI, RMSEA, and SRMR; χ2(389) =626.939, p<.001; χ2/df=1.61; TLI=0.901; CFI=0.917; RMSEA [90% CI]=0.060 [0.051, 0.068]; SRMR=0.064. The final version included 31 items and 10 factors with Cronbach α values ranging from 0.66 to 0.94. The H-SVEST demonstrates robust psychometric properties and valuable insights into the second victim experience in the Israeli context. Comparative analysis with other versions highlights potential cultural influences and areas for further investigation. Implementing this tool and developing evidence-based interventions based on its results can significantly improve well-being and resilience of healthcare providers in Israel and other countries with diverse cultural populations. This study was not registered.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pregnant women are under more psychological stress than healthy pregnant women. The objectives of the current study were to examine: (1) The differences in anxiety, depression, stress, and somatization levels between women diagnosed with GDM and healthy pregnant women. (2) The differences in anxiety, depression, stress, and somatization levels among women with well-controlled blood sugar levels compared to those who are not well-controlled. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 103 women who had been pregnant at least once, including 40 women diagnosed with GDM and 63 healthy pregnant women. An online questionnaire was distributed and included three parts: a socio-demographic parameters, the DASS-21 questionnaire assessing anxiety, depression, and stress, and the BSI (Brief Symptom Inventory) questionnaire assessing somatization. Results: Differences in anxiety (t=14.470, <.001), depression (t=8.17, <.001), stress (t=16.354, <.001), and somatization (t=13.679, <.001) levels between women diagnosed with GDM and healthy pregnant women were found. Women diagnosed with GDM reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and somatization compared to those without GDM. Additionally, Women with better blood sugar control, indicated by lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, reported lower levels of anxiety. (t (38) = -2.04, p<0.05), depression (t(38)= -2.88, p<0.01), stress (t(38)= -1.88, p<0.05), and somatization (t(38)= -1.88, p<0.05) compared to women with poorer blood sugar control. Conclusion: Pregnant women diagnosed with GDM report higher levels of negative personality traits such as anxiety, depression, stress, and somatization compared to healthy pregnant women.

Fluoride (iF) is important inorganic pollutant in groundwater in central México. The aim of this study was estimated environmental risk exposure of iF in residents of Jerez Zacatecas México. Fifty-five tap water samples were collected from households to determine iF concentrations using the ion-selective electrode method. Based on these environmental values, the Hazard Quotient (HQ) was estimated following the methodology of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Subsequently, risk maps were generated from these values to visualize the spatial distribution of high-risk areas within the city. iF in tap water ranger in concentration from 1.3 – 7.3 mg/L (ppm). We estimated HQ in a range of 0.63 to 3.73. iF ex-posure in tap water is a health problem that must be addressed, carrying out risk communication actions that allow the population to take care of their health through simple actions, avoiding future health costs.

Leadership and sustainability have been researched and examined concurrently. We know much about sustainable, sustainability and environmental leadership as separate areas of research and the leadership behaviours and practices that facilitate achievement of sustainability outcomes. Whilst these research streams have developed alongside each other, we know little about the similarities and differences of each of these three leadership approaches. The purpose of this paper is to review and compare which sustainable, sustainability and environmental leadership approaches are predictive of improved organizational performance with a view to understanding leadership towards sustainability. Through a comprehensive review of the extant literature, we integrate the three leadership approaches and highlight areas of similarity and difference. From a theoretical perspective, this paper seeks to make a significant contribution to the scholarly literature by building on current knowledge and developing a unified framework that combines our findings on leadership practices and behaviours in terms of the types of leadership required for achieving sustainability outcomes. By unifying existing frameworks and clarifying points of integration and differentiation under the umbrella of ‘leadership towards sustainability’, this paper seeks to advance research on leadership approaches. From a practical perspective, a cohesive set of leadership behaviours and practices will be emphasized so that leaders can adapt these to suit the context of their organization, thus helping leaders make sense of the literature to inform their practice and reach sustainability goals. Thus, the main goal of this paper is to identify a range of leadership behaviours and practices that are required to improve the performance of sustainability in organizations thus informing the broader leadership field.

Background: This qualitative systematic review protocol aims to explore the experiences of African customers in white-owned restaurants and hotels in post-apartheid South Africa, focusing on the dynamics of service interactions and their implications for racial relations within the hospitality industry. Despite the end of apartheid in 1994, the echoes of historical racial disparities and power imbalances persist, potentially influencing customer experiences in this sector, particularly in establishments owned by individuals of European descent. In view of above, the research question for this study is “How do African customers in white-owned restaurants and hotels in post-apartheid South Africa perceive and experience service interactions, and what are the underlying factors influencing these perceptions, considering historical power imbalances, societal perceptions, lingering effects of apartheid, inclusive practices, and the varied experiences across different hospitality establishments? Study Objectives: Objectives include examining the dynamics of service interactions, identifying factors influencing perceptions and experiences, evaluating alignment with inclusive practices and post-apartheid ideals, and describing African customers' experiences regarding service. Methods: The study will employ the SPIDER Framework to craft a nuanced research question that seeks to understand how African customers perceive and experience service interactions in these settings, considering historical power imbalances, societal perceptions, the lingering effects of apartheid, inclusive practices, and varied experiences across different types of hospitality establishments. This approach aims to dissect the intricate interplay of historical, societal, and economic factors that shape these experiences, providing insights into the complexities of achieving a truly inclusive and equitable hospitality landscape in post-apartheid South Africa. Expected Contribution to knowledge and practice: This review will contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the hospitality industry in fostering environments that reflect the nation's diversity and commitment to reconciliation and social cohesion. By highlighting the lived experiences of African customers and examining the extent to which white-owned establishments embody post-apartheid ideals, this study aims to offer valuable recommendations for industry practitioners and policymakers to promote cultural sensitivity, equity, and inclusivity, thus enhancing the role of the hospitality industry in South Africa's broader societal transformation.

Background: Visual acuity (VA) assessments are crucial in ophthalmology but traditionally rely on in-clinic evaluations. The emergence of telemedicine has spurred interest in creating dependable self-administered VA tests for use beyond standard clinical environments. This study evaluates the practicality and validity of a self-administered Near VA card test against traditional Snellen and Rosenbaum Pocket Vision Screener (RPVS) methods for home monitoring and enhancing clinical workflow. Methods: In a cross-sectional study a near VA card (Hadassah Self-Visual Acuity Screener-HSVA) was developed with written and videotaped instructions for self-use. Patients with a minimal best corrected VA (BCVA) of 1.0 LogMAR in at least one eye were recruited from Ophthalmology and Optometry clinics. Outcomes included mean BCVA difference between the self-administered and those obtained by the examiner, and correlations among BCVA values obtained by Snellen, RPVS, HSVA and previous distance BCVA according to the patient electronic medical records. Results: A total of 275 participants (mean age: 42.5±19.4 years, range: 18-89 years, 47% female) were included. Test-retest reliability analysis for the HSVA demonstrated very good correlation and repeatability (n=38 patients.; Rs=1.0, P

Aims: This study aimed at examining coach-athlete violence based on the retrospective reports of adults who had been athletes as children and adolescents; predict variables that contribute to the existence of such violence; describe difficulties that the participants encountered as young athletes following such violence; and reveal the outcomes of such violence on their emotions and behaviors, in the past and present. Methodology: The applied mixed-methods comprised quantitative self-reporting questionnaires and qualitative interviews. The former included 440 participants (mean age 27.6) who had trained for at least one year in a sports union youth department; the latter included 14 participants (aged 23-37). These competitive athletes came from eight branches of sports. The interviews were analyzed based on the Narrative Approach. Results: According to the quantitative study, all participants had experienced coach violence at least once during their career, mainly psychological violence and neglect, followed by physical violence. Sexual violence was least reported. The age of their retirement from sports and the number of coaches that they had had were significant predictors of violence. Thematic analysis of the qualitative interviews resulted in six types of coach-athlete violence: (1) psychological violence; (2) verbal violence; (3) starvation and food fattening; (4) non-proportional punishing; (5) physical violence; and (6) sexual violence. Conclusions: It is vital that coach-athlete violence is addressed in public discourse, that the topic of of young athletes’ safety is introduced into coaching education, and that a position holder is nominated to be in charge of such safety in all sports organizations.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition marked by recurrent intrusive thoughts or sensations that compel individuals to perform repetitive behaviors or mental acts. Obsessions and compulsions significantly disrupt daily life and cause considerable distress. Early identification and intervention improve long-term outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of four advanced artificial intelligence models (ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4, Claude, and Bard) to accurately recognize OCD compared to human professionals and to assess recommended therapies and stigma attributions. This study was conducted during March 2024 utilizing 12 vi-gnettes. Each vignette depicted a client, either a young adult or a middle-aged male or female, attending an initial therapy session. Each vignette was evaluated ten times, resulting in 480 evaluations. The results were compared with those of a human sample of 514 psychotherapists, as reported by Canavan. Significant differences were found. AI models demonstrated higher OCD recognition rates and confidence levels than human professionals and showed 100% confidence in recognition, compared to 87% among psychotherapists. AI models also recommended evi-dence-based interventions more frequently, with ChatGPT-3.5 and Claude at 100%, ChatGPT-4 at 90%, and Bard at 60%, compared to 61.9% among psychotherapists. Additionally, AI models ex-hibited significantly lower stigma and danger estimations, though both AI and psychotherapists demonstrated high willingness to treat the described cases. The findings suggest that AI models surpass human professionals in recognizing OCD and recommending evidence-based treatments while also demonstrating lower stigma. These results highlight the potential of AI tools to enhance OCD diagnosis and treatment in clinical settings.

The study examines academic burnout syndrome and its relation to personal and academic variables among university students in nursing and early childhood education programs in Spain. A total of 606 university students (Primary Education: 49.7%; Nursing: 49.7%) of both sexes (71.5% female), and average age 20.68 years (SD = 1.65) participated. An ex post facto retrospective single-group design was planned. The instruments used were the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Nursing students, who showed more study hours, less sleep, and lower grades, had higher academic burnout scores. Linear regression models were proposed to analyze the relationship between academic burnout, personality, and sociodemographic variables. Nursing students scored higher in emotional exhaustion and lower in cynicism, and they scored higher in neuroticism and openness. Furthermore, 16.1% of the variance in academic burnout was explained by personality variables as degree, course and study hours. These findings suggest the importance of considering both academic and personality variables in understanding academic burnout in university students.

This paper is intended to correlate the impact of leadership skills on organizations' performance, all organizations grow differently, and their growth depends mostly on positive performance from one year to another which has direct correlations to the leadership dreams, visions, foresight and aspirations for the organization. There is one thing for the leader to have vision, but the leader needs to have followership to assist in implementing their vision to make it goals which translate to performance in the organization and growth. The leadership style or management skills greatly influence how they command and motivate followership to actualize their dreams or the organizational visions and mission which results in the organization's performance. A positive leadership influence produces or actualizes a positive organisational performance that will move the organization towards the vision of the organization. Knowing the difference between a manager and a leader is pertinent in explaining the correlation between leadership and organizational performance. The understanding of these two roles provides credence to the correlation between effective leadership and organisational performance, and the understanding of the term, the use and the importance of strategic management to leadership and organizational performance. There is a wide difference between managers and leaders, which is based on personality and their approach to the resolution of challenges they are confronted with.

Women have been leading organizations and communities for centuries, but their journeys in leadership have sometimes been challenging. This paper aims to reflect on women's positive and negative experiences in leadership roles and understand the factors contributing to their successes and challenges.To explore these issues, we will draw on various academic literature, including studies on gender and leadership and case studies of women in leadership positions. We will also examine the cultural and social factors that affect women's experiences in leadership, including bias and discrimination, societal expectations, and work-life balance challenges.One key theme from this analysis is the importance of role models and support networks in helping women succeed in leadership roles. Women with access to mentorship, sponsorship, and peer networks are more likely to thrive in their roles and overcome the challenges they may face. However, lacking female role models and mentors can make it difficult for women to advance in their careers and contribute to feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome.Another important theme is the need for organizations and society to address systemic biases and discrimination that prevent women from reaching their full potential. This can include initiatives such as unconscious bias training, flexible work arrangements, and policies that support gender diversity and inclusion.In conclusion, this paper highlights women's positive and negative experiences in leadership roles and emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to support and empower women in leadership. By addressing the challenges women face and building a culture of inclusion and support, organizations and society can help unlock the full potential of women leaders and create a more equitable and just world.

Background: The loss of a co-worker always evokes complex emotions. Such a loss is particularly challenging for those who spend many hours at work and develop close interpersonal relationships with their colleagues. While many studies have examined how losing colleagues affects employees in various organizations, no research has specifically examined this topic in the school environment. Methods: This qualitative study explored the experiences of school counsellors facing the loss of colleagues from their school educational team. Twenty-one school counselors ranging in age from 28 to 61 who had lost a colleague within the past five years were examined by semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged from the data: (1) “From Shock to Action”: School Counsellors’ Reactions to Colleague Loss; (2) “From Friendship to Conflict”: School Counsellors' Diverse Experiences with Colleague Loss; and (3) “The Burden of Care”: Coping Mechanisms for School Counsellors Facing Colleague Loss. Conclusion: This study highlights the complex experiences of school counsellors in dealing with the death of colleagues. It underscores the importance of providing long-term emotional support for counsellors throughout their careers, particularly when coping with crises and emergencies.

Given the conceptual confusion between resilience and sustainability in organizations in the literature, the present study reviews the 27-year global literature on resilience and sustainability in organizations to clarify the relationship between the two, and derive a framework as cutting-edge knowledge on how to ensure resilience and sustainability in organizations. Findings uncover five schools of thought: Sustainable Business Strategy, Predictive Analytics, Sustainable Supply Chain, Ecological Resilience and Sustainable Leadership. A cutting-edge framework, comprising sustainability practices, sustainability outputs, sustainability and resilience outcomes, is derived to guide future research and inform practitioners on how to ensure resilience and sustainability in their organizations.

Field of Research This research study investigates the role of distributed leadership and culture within small enterprises in Malta, an area in which there has been very limited research. It focuses on the interaction between these two elements and their impact on organizational behaviour and effectiveness. Several studies (Jardon et al 2019; Cope et al., 2011; de Oliveira et al., 2015; Mohanty et al., 2012;) suggest that effective leadership and culture are vital elements in the successful endeavours of small organizations. Schein (2006) further asserts that they are two different faces on the same coin and the dyadic interaction characterizes “how leaders create culture and how culture defines and creates leaders”. Distributed Leadership is a systematic practice of interactions and synergies between leaders, followers, and the situation (Spillane 2013). It is different from traditional leadership, which involves top-down management because it tends to be more democratic and participatory, whereby influence and decision-making are shared among multiple individuals rather than being controlled by a single leader. (Xhemajli et al. 2022) Methodology Adopting a naturalistic approach and guided by an interpretivist, constructivist epistemological stance, this research delves into the intricate interplay between leadership and culture within small businesses. The chosen research methodology employs Grounded Theory, recognized for its robust and systematic process facilitating the observation of patterns through intensive iterative and highly analytical procedures (Charmaz, 2015).In the initial stages of field research, characterized by 'responsive interviewing' (Rubin and Rubin, 2012), data sampling commenced with convenience sampling. This initial phase gradually evolved into a refined strategy incorporating selective sampling and theoretical sampling (Corbin and Strauss, 2015). The shift in sampling approaches reflects a deliberate focus on collecting data based on its specific contribution to the development and comprehension of the dimensions, properties, and characteristics of key concepts.The induction of theory is a product of successive comparative analyses, involving the systematic comparison of data points to identify both similarities and variations. Abductive reasoning is integral throughout the analytical process, with particular emphasis during constant comparative analysis of categories, leading to theoretical integration (Charmaz, 2006). This meticulous approach aligns with the assertion of Strauss and Corbin (2015) that grounding theory in data enhances the likelihood of deriving theories that authentically reflect reality.The key advantage of using this approach is that the analysis carried out goes beyond deep exploration and rich description and actually develops a framework that explains the phenomena observed (Parker and Roffey, 1997, p.218). This is very important if the findings are to contribute to the knowledge enhancement of any field of practiceThe culmination of this research effort is the presentation of a set of interconnected concepts, intricately woven together into an emergent parsimonious model (Corbin and Strauss, 2015). This model serves to explain the dynamic interplay between leadership and culture, elucidating its tangible impact on the effectiveness of small enterprises. Research Contribution:Implications for Practice This research contributes to the literature on leadership and organizational culture in small enterprises, particularly in the context of Malta where such studies are scarce. By providing an initial exploration of these phenomena and their impact on organizational behavior, this paper lays the groundwork for further inquiry into this important area. Furthermore, the study offers practical insights for leaders of small enterprises by elucidating leadership behaviors observed in established organizations. Through applied cases, it demonstrates how the abstract concept of culture can be translated into a practical instrument that supports leadership and organizational development. This not only enriches the understanding of leadership dynamics but also provides tangible strategies for implementation. Moreover, the research contributes empirical evidence on the development of leadership functions within small enterprises, emphasizing the potential of shared and distributed leadership models. By grounding its findings in data, the study equips leaders with a deeper understanding of how these leadership approaches can shape organizational development, fostering more effective management practices in small businesses. Methodologically, the adoption of Grounded Theory methodology showcases its efficacy in exploring complex management phenomena. By employing this approach, the researchers were able to gather rich descriptions and develop an explanatory framework, highlighting its applicability in studying nuanced organizational dynamics. Implications for Policy and Theory This research also holds significant implications for policymakers, academic researchers and institutions involved in supporting small businesses. By providing insights into distributed leadership and cultural influences on organizational effectiveness, it offers a basis for informed policy formulation and support mechanisms. The conceptual model emerging from this study serves as a foundation for designing more targeted policies that cater to the unique needs of small enterprises. By understanding the intricacies of leadership dynamics and cultural contexts, policymakers can develop interventions that foster a conducive environment for small business growth and sustainability. Additionally, academic researchers can use these findings to further refine theoretical frameworks and empirical studies in the field, contributing to ongoing scholarly dialogue and knowledge advancement.

Self-administered pre-participation screening for physical activity (PA) requires an instrument that should be easily used and identify individuals at high risk. The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) has been used for many years. Its ease of use and ability to identify those not fit to undergo PA has not been assessed. This study was to determine the rates of the PAR-Q+ in identifying adults who may not be fit for moderate or intense PA and obtain feedback on the use of this tool. A public on-line voluntary survey on the PAR-Q+ was carried out obtaining participants’ bio-characteristics, them completing the PAR-Q+ form and providing feedback. With 1019 participants, about 57.8% engaged in at least 150 minutes of PA weekly. This decreased with increasing number of co-morbidities. Increasing age was associated with more co-morbidities. About 33.1% of the participants using the PARQ+ would have required further medical evaluation. Only 3 of the 7 main PAR-Q+ questions were easily understood. Difficulties were encountered with 39 of the 44 follow-up questions, especially amongst those with co-morbidities. The large number of technical terms was also a source of concern. The PAR-Q+ would need extensive simplification before it may be recommended for use.

A suitable waste management strategy is crucial for a sustainable and efficient circular economy in the construction sector, and requires precise data on the volume of demolition waste (DW) gen-erated. Therefore, we developed an optimal machine learning (ML) model to forecast the quantity of recycling and landfill waste based on the characteristics of DW. A dataset comprising infor-mation on the characteristics of 150 buildings, demolition equipment utilized, and volume of five waste types generated (i.e., recyclable mineral, recyclable combustible, landfill specified, and landfill mix waste, and recyclable minerals) was constructed. ML models were developed to predict the quantities of such waste. Artificial neural network, decision tree, gradient boosting machine, k-nearest neighbors, linear regression, random forest (RF), and support vector regression were applied, and optimal models were derived via hyperparameter tuning. The RF model demonstrated superior performance. In both validation and test phases, the “recyclable mineral waste” and “recyclable combustible waste” models achieved accuracies of of 0.987 and 0.972, re-spectively. The “recyclable metals” and “landfill specified waste” models achieved accuracies of 0.953 and 0.858 or higher, respectively. Moreover, the “landfill mix waste” model exhibited an accuracy of 0.984 or higher. SHapley Additive exPlanations analysis highlighted floor area as the primary input variable influencing model performance. The type of equipment employed in demolition emerged as another crucial input variable impacting the volume of recycling and landfill wastes generated. The developed model can provide precise data on waste management, thereby facilitating the decision-making process for industry professionals.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a current trend in computer science, which extends itself its amazing capacities to other technologies such as mechatronics and robotics. Going beyond technological applications, the philosophy behind AI is that there is a vague and potential convergence of artificial manufacture and natural world although the limiting approach may be still very far away, but why? The implicit problem is that Darwin theory of evolution focuses on natural world where breeding conservation is the cornerstone of the existence of creature world but there is no similar concept of breeding conservation in artificial world whose things are created by human. However, after developing for a long time until now, AI issues an interesting concept of generation in which artifacts created by computer science can derive their new generations inheriting their aspects / characteristics. Such generated artifacts make us look back on offsprings by the process of breeding conservation in natural world. Therefore, it is possible to think that AI generation, which is a recent subject of AI, is a significant development in computer science as well as high-tech domain. AI generation does not help us to reach near biological evolution even in the case that AI can combine with biological technology but, AI generation can help us to extend our viewpoint about Darwin theory of evolution as well as there may exist some uncertain relationship between man-made world and natural world. Anyhow AI generation is a current important subject in AI and there are two main generative models in computer science: 1) generative model that applies large language model into generating natural language texts understandable by human and 2) generative model that applies deep neural network into generating digital content such as sound, image, and video. This technical report focuses on deep generative model (DGM) for digital content generation, which is a short summary of approaches to implement DGMs. Researchers can read this work as an introduction to DGM with easily understandable explanations.

One of the major areas of research in a business setting has been the effect of the transformational leadership style on workplace engagement. Much debate has taken place on the definitions of both constructs but in recent years, general agreement appears to have been reached on the Multi-Factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) (Avolio and Bass, 2004) as the measure of transformational leadership, and on workplace engagement measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) (Schaufeli et al, 2006). However, in the education setting, there is much less agreement on the definition of transformational leadership. Furthermore, there is less of a focus on workplace engagement than in the business field even though available evidence suggests that workplace engagement worldwide is in crisis. This study sought to address both the lack of agreement on the transformational leadership definition and the lack of focus on workplace engagement in educational research by means of a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis resulted in a significant pooled effect size although due recognition is given to the endogeneity problem in causal studies. The endogeneity issue together with the results of the meta-analysis are discussed with a view to furthering educational leadership research.

Students studying dentistry and nursing experience anxiety daily, which affects both their general well-being and academic achievement. Anxiety is exacerbated by several circumstances, such as stressors in one's personal life, clinical environment exposure, and academic expectations. To effectively regulate anxiety and support students' achievement, treatments that take these elements into account must be designed. In this study, 271 students from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece's departments of dentistry and nursing were polled. Being the following resources, participants filled out an electronic questionnaire that was uploaded to Google Forms and assessed their levels of stress, anxiety, depression, resilience, hope, and spiritual well-being: a) the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21), b) the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-12), c) the Adult Hope Scale (AHS), d) the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ8), and e) the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Additionally, demographic data was gathered, such as gender, educational attainment, family income, and country of origin. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate the relationships between the variables, including hierarchical multiple linear regression and t-tests. The sample consisted of 271 students from the Department of Nursing (n=126, 46.5%) and Dentistry (n=145, 53.5%), with 68.60% of them being female, 80.10% being undergraduate students, and 48.30% being from Athens, the country's capital. Comparatively speaking, 74.50 percent of nursing students were female, while 62.80% of dental students were. Compared to dental students (2.10%), nurses (40.50%) participated in postgraduate studies at a higher rate. Compared to dental students (44.80%), nursing students reported a household income of just 13.90%, which is much less than €35,000. Anxiety was reported by 51.30% of participants overall, with dental students reporting higher anxiety than nursing students. Higher family wealth was associated with reduced stress levels, while female undergraduate students reported higher levels of anxiety than their male counterparts. Hope was a strong predictor of resilience, but stress and worry had a negative correlation. Promoting students' well-being and academic success requires effective stress-reduction and resilience-building techniques aimed to not only improve student performance but also support future healthcare professionals' personal sustainability and holistic growth.

This paper introduces a quantitative methodology for assessing drone pilot performance, aiming to reduce drone-related incidents by understanding the human factors influencing performance. The challenge lies in balancing evaluations in operationally relevant environments with those in a standardized test environment for statistical relevance. The proposed methodology employs a novel virtual test environment that records not only basic flight metrics but also complex mission performance metrics, such as the video quality from a target. A group of Belgian Defence drone pilots were trained using this simulator system, yielding several practical results. These include a human performance model linking human factors to pilot performance, an AI co-pilot providing real-time flight performance guidance, a tool for generating optimal flight trajectories, a mission planning tool for ideal pilot assignment, and a method for iterative training improvement based on quantitative input. The training results with real pilots demonstrate the methodology’s effectiveness in evaluating pilot performance for complex military missions, suggesting its potential as a valuable addition to new pilot training programs.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is one of the most commonly found types of myeloproliferative neoplasms, characterized by increased proliferation of granulocytic cells without losing their differentiation ability. Imatinib, a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI), can be effectively used as therapy for CML. However, imatinib can affect bone turnover, thus having clinical implications on the bones of CML patients undergoing long-term imatinib therapy. However, parameters that can accurately describe the bone condition in CML patients receiving imatinib still need further study. A combination of imaging techniques such as Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and bone turnover activity markers such as C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1) and Osteocalcin has the potential to be used as monitoring parameters for bone density abnormalities in CML patients receiving imatinib. This article explains the rationale for using BMD, CTX-1, and Osteocalcin as monitoring parameters of bone remodeling in CML patients receiving imatinib. First, the physiological process of bone turnover will be explained. Then, we describe the role of tyrosine kinase in bone metabolism. Next, the impact of imatinib on BMD, CTX-1, and Osteocalcin will be explained. In conclusion, the assessment of bone health of CML patients on Imatinib should include both BMD tests and bone turnover marker assays such as CTX-1 and Osteocalcin.

Vaccines decrease morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, their benefits depend on public response. During COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy and refusal were rampant, threatening public health. A thorough understand-ing of opponents' arguments is required to address the diffusion of unreliable information on social media and prevent vaccine hesitancy from developing into vaccine refusal. Accordingly, the article examines vac-cine opponents' justifications on social media. Textual content analysis of reader comments on three health-related Israeli Facebook pages was conducted. Data collection encompassed the Israeli COVID-19 vaccination period from October 2020 to May 2022. The comments were analyzed according to the health beliefs model (HBM). We found that vaccine opponents were characterized by low perceptions of the severity of the disease combined with high perceptions of the damages of the vaccine; low perceived benefits of vac-cine compliance; vaccine hesitancy and fear along with public distrust as barriers to change; and call for ac-tion to resist the vaccine and spread related anti-establishment views on the web. As vaccination hesitancy was found to develop into public distrust in the state systems and escalate into conspiracy beliefs and an-ti-vaccination activism, its early detection may prevent future vaccine resistance.

Leaders are essential in encouraging and facilitating creative thinking among members of a group or organization. A leader must also monitor the group's initiatives to encourage innovation and fresh thinking. In this article, we take a look at the circumstances under which there is a link between leadership and original problem-solving. Thirty separate studies served as the basis for this sample. Many of these analyses see leadership independently from the concept of innovation. Both moderating and mediating factors were discussed, and two additional factors were identified for which no firm conclusions could be drawn. This investigation reveals three new potential mediators or moderators of the connection between leadership and inventiveness.

The aim of this work is to compare two softwares (MAUD and TOPAS) based on the Rietveld algorithm and to test the concept of tolerance factor using the dissolution at high temperature of yttrium into BaTiO₃. In general, both softwares give up different values of the crystalline parameters however the trends are similar in most cases but the analysis of the strain and crystallite size in the BaTiO₃ crystals suggests that, in this particular case, MAUD offered results more consistent with the expected behavior. Using the crystalline parameters calculated by Rietveld, the tolerance factor values were obtained and these data suggest even better stability in the crystalline structure than that expected using theoretical parameters. Tolerance factor concept also indicates that Ti⁴⁺ should be preferred.

Chronic stress is a pervasive issue that significantly impacts both physical and mental health. Unlike acute stress, which is short-lived and can be beneficial, chronic stress persists over extended periods, leading to a range of adverse health outcomes. This paper explores the myriad physical, mental, and behavioral consequences of chronic stress, emphasizing the underlying physiological mechanisms and potential long-term health implications. Through a comprehensive literature review and data analysis utilizing Python, we aim to provide an in-depth understanding of chronic stress and its effects. Key findings include the critical roles of cortisol and other stress-related chemicals in exacerbating health issues, and the potential for the normalization of high stress levels as an adaptive yet harmful response.

Psoriasis is a lifelong, systemic, immune mediated inflammatory skin condition, affecting 1-3% of the world’s population, with an impact on quality of life similar to diseases like cancer or diabetes. Genetics are the single largest risk factor in psoriasis, with GWAS studies showing that many psoriasis risk genes lie along the IL23/Th17 axis. Potential psoriasis risk genes determined through GWAS can be annotated and characterised using functional genomics, allowing the identification of novel drug targets and the repurposing of existing drugs. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is complex and focusing on the IL23/Th17 axis can provide insight into key cell types, cytokines and intracellular signaling pathways involved. Examination of currently available biological treatments, time to relapse post drug withdrawal and rates of drug primary/secondary drug failure show the need for greater understanding of the underlying genetic mechanisms of psoriasis and how they can impact treatment. This could allow for patient stratification towards the treatment most likely reduce dis-ease burden for the longest period possible.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the differential impacts of transformational and transactional leadership styles on employee performance during change initiatives within commercial banks in Sierra Leone. The research study utilised a cross-sectional survey design, and data was collected from 903 participants employed in the banking industry. The study used the structural equation model as the investigative instrument to examine the hypotheses. The findings reveal that transformational and transactional leadership styles demonstrate a strong bearing on employee performance, with the latter having a bigger influence. Organisational citizenship behaviour has a mediating effect between leadership styles and employee performance, while employee commitment does not act as a mediator between transformational leadership and employee performance, but it acts as a mediator between transactional leadership and employee performance. Commercial banks need to devise training programmes that will advance both leadership styles to arouse, energise, or inspire followers to display favourable behaviour and commitment to attain organisational. The paper makes an insightful contribution to the existing leadership literature by ascertaining the significance of leadership styles on performance and the role of commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour as mediators of the nexus between leadership styles and performance in the Sierra Leone banking industry.

Background: Early risk stratification tools for COVID-19 patients were indicated but little is known about their ability to effectively detect clinical deterioration among COVID-19 patients. Objectives: To assess the prognostic accuracy of NEWS2 in predicting severe morbidity and mortality in hospitalization for COVID-19 patients. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed among adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 who were admitted to the inpatient units at COVID-19 Martyrs Medical Military Complex and Palestinian Red Crescent Society Hospital, located at Nablus, Palestinian Authority. NEWS2 scores were measured at admission, on 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after their admission to the hospital using Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves (ROC). Results: Overall, 192 adult COVID-19 patients aged 25-94 years (mean=62.1, SD=13.9) were enrolled. Of those, 49.0% were males, 47.4% were vaccinated, and 53.6% were with diabetes. The mean NEWS scores during the patient’s hospital stay were excellent predictors of mechanical ventilation, admission to the ICU, and mortality, as indicated by an AUROC of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88-1.00, P<0.001), 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87-0.96, P<0.001) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92-1.00, P<0.001), respectively. The classification of 192 patients into NEWS score categories indicated that 12.5% were classified as high-risk at admission. Conclusion: The NEWS2 had moderate sensitivity and specificity in predicting the deterioration of patients with COVID-19. Our findings support the utility of NEWS2 monitoring as a sensitive approach for initially assessing COVID-19 patients. It could be helpful to improve predictive performance by supplementing the score parameters with additional measures besides the clinical judgment.

This study explores the barriers and opportunities faced by women in supply chain leadership, a field traditionally dominated by men. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, it uncovers the pervasive cultural and societal biases that undermine women's perceived competence and suitability for leadership roles. These biases, often rooted in deep-seated stereotypes, influence hiring and promotion decisions, creating significant obstacles for women. Structural and organizational barriers, such as the lack of formal diversity policies, flexible working arrangements, and adequate mentorship, further hinder women's career progression. The dual burden of professional and domestic responsibilities also disproportionately affects women, limiting their availability for work-related travel and extended hours, which are often required in supply chain roles. Despite these challenges, the study identifies several pathways to promote gender diversity in supply chain leadership. Organizational commitment to diversity and inclusion, flexible working policies, and comprehensive mentorship programs are crucial in supporting women's advancement. Education and professional development opportunities are essential in equipping women with the necessary skills for leadership roles. Additionally, fostering an inclusive corporate culture that values diverse perspectives and addresses discrimination is vital for creating a supportive environment. Broader societal and policy-level changes, such as government and industry initiatives promoting gender diversity, are also necessary. The integration of emerging areas like sustainability, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, marketing, and supplier relationship management offers new opportunities for women to contribute to the industry's evolution. By addressing these barriers and leveraging the identified opportunities, it is possible to create a more inclusive and equitable supply chain industry, benefiting both the industry and society.

With the advent of microservice-based software architectures, an increasing number of modern cloud environments and enterprises use operating system level virtualization, often referred to as containers. Docker Swarm is one of the most popular container orchestration infrastructures, providing high availability and fault tolerance. Occasionally discovered container escape vulnerabilities allow adversaries to execute code on the host operating system and operate within the cloud infrastructure. We show that docker swarm is currently not secured against misbehaving manager nodes and allows a high impact, high probability privilege escalation attack that we refer to as leadership hijacking. Cloud lateral movement and defense evasion payloads allow an adversary to leverage the docker swarm functionality to control each and every host in the underlying cluster. We demonstrate an end-to-end attack, in which an adversary with access to an application running on the cluster achieves full control of the cluster. To reduce the probability of a successful high impact attack, container orchestration infrastructures must reduce the trust level of participating nodes and in particular, incorporate adversary immune leader election algorithms.

(1) Background: This study aims to investigate differences in the perspectives of exercise intensity for resistance exercise of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and adults living with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Asian countries. Also, it verifies the appropriateness of the conventional indicators for resistance exercise intensity in an Asian context; (2) Methods: 121 certified HCPs and 107 adults with SCI participated in a survey conducted in Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Thai languages. The survey asked what principles are important for prescribing resistance exercise, and if ‘moderate’ and ‘vigorous’ were appropriate terms for indicating an intensity level. Perspective differences were examined between both groups and, further, between countries from a psychosocial perspective; (3) Results: Of the HCPs, 92% perceived that resistance exercise intensity was far more important than frequency, time or type of exercise while frequency (61%) followed by intensity (58%) was perceived as important by respondents with SCI. Only Japanese respondents with SCI agreed with HCP’s perception of intensity. Both HCPs and respondents with SCI showed unfavorable responses on the usage of ‘moderate’ and ‘vigorous’ for describing resistance exercise intensity, especially Japanese HCP and respondents with SCI from Indonesia; (4) Conclusion: Our findings suggest that non-HCPs must improve their perceptions of exercise intensity. Findings also suggest the need for more explicit and user-friendly terms or expressions indicating the level of intensity in a local (Asian) context.

Dye-based angiography is the main imaging modality in evaluating the vasculature of the eye. Although most commonly used to assess retinal vasculature, it can also delineate normal and abnormal blood vessels in the anterior segment diseases – but is limited due to its invasive, time-consuming methods. Thus, anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA) is a useful non-invasive modality capable of producing high-resolution images to evaluate the cornea and ocular surface vasculature. AS-OCTA has demonstrated the potential to detect and delineate blood vessels in the anterior segment with quality images comparable to dye-based angiography. AS-OCTA has a diverse range of applications for the cornea and ocular surface, such as objective assessment of corneal neovascularization and response to various treatments; diagnosis and evaluation of ocular surface squamous neoplasia; and evaluation of ocular surface disease including limbal stem cell deficiency and ischemia. Our review aims to summarize the new developments and clinical applications of AS-OCTA for the cornea and ocular surface.

Recent research emphasises the importance of Artificial Intelligence applications as supporting tools for students in higher education. Simultaneously, an intensive exchange of views has started in the public debate in the international educational community. However, for a more proper use of these applications, it is necessary to investigate the factors that explain their intention and actual use in the future. With the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) model, this work analyses the factors influencing students' use and intention to use artificial intelligence technology. For this purpose, a sample of 199 Greek students at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences from the University of Patras participated in a survey. The findings highlight that expected performance, habit, and enjoyment of these Artificial Intelligence applications are key determinants influencing teachers' intentions to use them. Moreover, behavioural intention, habit, and facilitating conditions explain the usage of these Artificial Intelligence applications. The study did not reveal any moderating effects. The limitations, practical implications, and proposed directions for future research based on these results are discussed.

Background: We prepared reference materials of fentanyl and amphetamines in hair, and established methods for the certification of reference materials of fentanyl and amphetamines in hair samples. Methods: Hair samples containing 15 drugs were prepared by immersion method (water-dimethylsulfoxide). On the basis of single-factor experiment, Box-Behnken design-response surface was used to optimize the pre-treatment conditions of samples. In MRM/SIM mode, 15 drugs were quantitatively analyzed by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS methods. Results: The contents of 15 drugs in the mixed hair samples were: 1.050 ng mg-1~7.771 ng mg-1, RSDs&lt;7%(n=11). The results showed that the two analytical methods developed were highly sensitive (LODs as low as 0.05 pg mg-1), reproducible (intra-day and inter-day precision RSDs were&lt;10%) and accurate. F-test was performed on the prepared hair samples and the results showed that the homogeneity of the prepared hair samples was good. Conclusions: The established methods were used for the detection of fentanyl and amphetamine drugs in human hair, with high sensitivity, accuracy and specificity. It can be used as a certified method for the development of fentanyl and amphetamine matrix certified reference materials. The developed hair reference materials are expected to be applied in forensic drug abuse detection and laboratory quality control.

In 2015, the Self-Action Leadership Theory—a qualitative, nomological expansion of self-leadership theory rooted in atmospheric and astronomical metaphor aimed at expanding the personal freedom of individuals, organizations, and nations by bolstering the existential growth of individuals through a series of Maslow-esque stages of holistic, personal development. This article introduces an accompanying, practitioner-based Model of Self-Action Leadership (SAL) aimed at the implicit enhancement of a holistic range of administrative processes through explicit training, mentoring, and coaching in the model’s general and universally-applicable principles and practices. The SAL model produces an original construct of personal leadership practice that builds upon the extant self-leadership academic canon, which dates back to 1983 (Manz, 1983). It also provides an analogue to four of the five core processes of Project Management by positioning a self-action leader (an individual) as the ongoing “project” at hand. The SAL Model is rooted in action research and was developed through a variety of self-oriented, action research projects in conjunction with a comprehensive, qualitative, analytical autoethnographic study of a scholar’s life experiences.

Perceived peer support is a critical factor in the academic adjustment of higher vocational college students. While previous studies have explored this relationship, few studies have delved into the underlying mechanisms. This study surveyed 9782 students from 35 higher vocational colleges in 13 provinces and cities in China to explore the relationship and mechanisms between perceived peer support and academic adjustment. Drawing on Conservation of Resources theory and Social Support Resource theory, the findings revealed that perceived peer support not only directly predicted the academic adjustment of higher vocational college students, but also indirectly through the independent mediating effect of academic hope and professional identity, as well as the chain-mediating effect of academic hope to professional identity. Additionally, students from vocational high schools showed a more significant increase in academic hope due to perceived peer support compared to those from general high schools, highlighting the moderating effect of educational background. The study provided a new theoretical perspective for understanding the complex mechanisms of academic adjustment in students and offers valuable guidance for educational practice, emphasizing the importance of fostering perceived peer support, academic hope, and professional identity in higher vocational education.

Abstract: Imaging of low (LGG) to high (HGG) grade gliomas is conventionally performed with MRI, which is the non-invasive gold-standard imaging modality to derive data. Gliomas (Grade 1,2,3,4) are lethal and demonstate poor outcomes despite novel therapies. Integrins compose of heterodimeric parasympathetic nervous system; the aVb3 (RGD i.e. Galacto-Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid) have been displayed as a potential biomarker that can be imaged via PET in order to trace the angiogenetic pathway. Gliomas are common primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours which are often pose a diagnostic challenge, even to stage and manage because of their heterogeneity in molecular aberrations. Several core mutational core hallmarks of gliomas are inducing/accessing vasculature, tumour promoting inflamation, polymorphic microbes and avoiding/resisting cell death; these ultimately lead to poor prognosis. In 2007, the classification of diffuse gliomas was based on the histopathology and subtype e.g. Pilocytic astrocytoma and low cell proliferation, in 2016, the classification of diffuse gliomas was based on the IDH status, 1p/19q codeletion, subtype and grade; then in 2021, the IDH status (wild-type or mutant), molecular profile, subtype and grade were added in order to improve the classification of diffuse gliomas. Imaging (MRI) techniques progress stalled despite the imperfections in MRI e.g distinguishing RN (radionecrosis) and PsP (Pseudoprogression) hence the exploration of PET probes that detect important hallmarks of gliomas e.g. techniques such as [68Ga]68Ga-RGD positron emission tomography (PET) to be utilised to assess vasculature. This case report aimed to determine the potential clinical utility of molecular imaging with 68Ga-RGD PET used in complementary to traditional MRI techniques.

Chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), arterial hypertension (HTN), and obesity are major global health issues, causing significant morbidity and mortality. In Latin America, these conditions contribute to millions of premature deaths annually, posing challenges exacerbated by limited healthcare access and poor primary care quality, particularly in Mexico. Complementary medicine presents a potential solution, offering minimally invasive techniques to improve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Effective treatment adherence, crucial for positive outcomes, is influenced by self-efficacy, the ability to manage one's behavior in response to medical conditions. However, treatment adherence rates remain low, indicating a pressing public health concern. This study aimed to explore how perception of complementary medicine and treatment adherence predict self-efficacy among individuals with chronic conditions in Mexico. Analyzing data from 113 participants revealed significant correlations between variables, with treatment adherence positively associated with self-efficacy and perception of holistic medicine negatively correlated with self-efficacy. Regression analysis showed that incorporating perception of complementary medicine and treatment adherence significantly explained self-efficacy levels, suggesting the potential of complementary therapies in holistic healthcare approaches. However, collinearity between variables highlights the need for further research to better understand these relationships and their implications for improving healthcare outcomes in Mexico. Integrating complementary therapies with conventional treatments could enhance overall well-being and treatment adherence, offering promising avenues for addressing chronic conditions in the region. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive healthcare approaches that integrate both conventional and complementary modalities to optimize health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with chronic conditions in Mexico and beyond.

A considerable body of research exists on women in leadership and likewise on women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields. However, the intersection of the two is terra incognita: women in leadership in STEM. At the most fundamental level, we don’t even have a solid idea of how many women hold leadership positions in STEM. This study determined the proportion of women in leadership positions in several academic STEM areas via a sampling of institutions across the United States and other countries. In every area studied, women held fewer leadership positions than the proportion of female PhDs in those fields. The proportion of women in non-STEM specific top academic leadership roles was also examined to see what proportion of those individuals leading academic institutions might have background in a STEM discipline and how that compares to men in the same positions. This study opens the door to exploring the experiences of women who lead in STEM, which is likely to promote women’s participation in these fields.

Education is an imperative key to driving sustainability and gender equity. In addition to addressing well-known female deficiencies in leadership training, it is really important to develop initiatives in sustainable leadership education for women to acquire skills, competencies and tools on leadership and to increase their self-perceptions. The purpose of this study is to assess a Women’s Leadership Program for university students. The sample consisted of 50 students enrolled in the program. A mixed-method approach was applied. Quantitative methods with a survey were conducted to evaluate the training and the achievement of leadership skills. In the data analysis, a descriptive statistics variance analysis, using a Welch statistic and T2 Dunnett test, was applied. Qualitative research methods were conducted through three focus groups to evaluate personal changes in their own-perceptions and self-confidence. Results suggest that the female students in the program reached a level of leadership knowledge with practical tools for their future. The program inspired them and confirmed changes in their personal capacities or self-confidence, including reflection about facing challenges in the work environment. The findings support the effectiveness of the specific education in breaking two barriers shown by the literature for women to getting a managerial position: lack of training and female self-confidence.

Mistreatment can adversely affect students’ academic performance and mental health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of mistreatment and its association with academic motivation among Thai medical students in clinical years. A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students throughout Thailand using the Composite Questionnaire of Mistreatment and Academic Motivation Scale (AMS). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlations, and regression analyses were conducted. A p-value &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The sample included 399 students, with mean age of 23 ± 1.29 years old, and 61.5% were female. A total of 81% of participants experienced mistreatment. Twenty-nine percents of students thought that mistreatment occurred because the maltreaters did not consider mistreatment as inappropriate or serious. Students who experienced mistreatment exhibited lower AMS (B = -9.16, 95% CI: -15.37 to -2.95, p-value = 0.004) than those who did not. Moreover, students who experienced academic mistreatment exhibited a higher amotivation score (B = 1.50, 95% CI: 0.16 to 2.85, p-value = 0.029) than those who did not. The prevalence of mistreatment was unexpectedly high, and it associated with students' motivation to study. Educational institutions should prioritize addressing this issue and developing strategies to provide assistance, including the enhancement of reporting systems.

Effective leadership is reflected by evidence-based attributes, competencies, and behaviors. The Future of Nursing Report (2011) identified a gap in leadership knowledge, recommending development of creative and innovative strategies to strengthen nursing leadership curricula. These results provided an impetus and charge for nursing education to reexamine and revise leadership content. This mixed methods study analyzed baccalaureate and masters nursing students’ development of their leadership knowledge and skills. Through reflections, undergraduate (n=60) and master’s (n=52) students identified their perceived priorities and tips for success for nursing leaders across the healthcare continuum. Qualitative content analysis aligned students’ comments with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nurse Executive Competencies (2015). Descriptive data provided the summaries of which leadership competencies were represented. Alignment to the competencies varied, commensurate with the level of educational program: BSN-level management skills vs. MS-level executive skills. Common responses across both programs prioritized communication, professionalism, and leadership behaviors. The results provide an opportunity for students’ synthesis of leadership skills and practices, may guide educators in the design of multi-level leadership curricula, and support development of clinical leaders in practice. This study was prospectively registered with the Campus Institutional Review Board on January 23, 2023, protocol code: 0086-001.

Many pigments and dyes are not only valuable molecules in manufacturing, but also pollutants. Science has certainly been producing sustainable alternatives to counter the issue of dyes, but this is not enough. There is also a need for change in the business attitude and leadership approach of the organizations that operate in the industry. Only through the successful combination of new technologies and forward-looking decision making, it will be possible to alter the status quo and deal with the multiple environmental and supply chain challenges that these businesses are and will be facing. With a focus on colorants, this critical review article will reflect on the importance of both a biotechnological approaches and sustainable leadership to achieve a sustainable, forward-looking fashion industry.

Despite the increase of seminary training, Black clergywomen continuously undergo subjugation, degradation, and humiliation in ministry leadership due to gender and race bias (Leslie, 2013) by clergymen. This article reports the findings of a qualitative study that examined the experiences of Black clergywomen regarding obstacles in ministry leadership and how these clergywomen ascribed meaning to their experiences. The two primary research questions were, “What are the experiences of Black clergywomen regarding obstacles in ministry leadership?” and “How do Black clergywomen attribute meaning to their experiences regarding obstacles in ministry leadership?” The results of the study indicated that bias of gender and inequality exists among clergymen; however, the Black clergywomen learned to embrace the experiences and learned from them. The conclusion of this article includes a discussion regarding practical implications of the education of clergy; and the re-evaluation of the perception of Black clergywomen and their experiences. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of Black clergywomen pertaining to challenges in clergy leadership and to explore how Black clergywomen attributed meaning to their experiences regarding challenges in ministry leadership.

This article integrates existing theory from distributed computing and cryptology with anecdotal material from the cryptocurrency industry, to provide a comprehensive description of the minimum requirements of the hypothetical academic blockchain. The paper argues that such a community could significantly reduce the biases and misconduct that now exist in the academic peer review process. Theory suggests such a system could operate effectively as a distributed encrypted telecommunications network where nodes are anonymous, do not trust each other, and there is minimal central authority. To incentivize the academic community to join such a proposed community, the paper proposes a pseudo-cryptocurrency called litcoin (literature coin). This litcoin-based system would create economic scarcity based on proof of knowledge (POK), which is a synthesis of the proof of work (POW) mechanism used in bitcoin, and the proof of stake (POS) mechanism used in various altcoin communities. The paper argues that the proposed POK system would enable the academic community to more effectively develop the research it finds valuable.

Plasma being the fourth and most abundant form of matter extensively exists in the universe in the inter-galactic regions. It provides an electrically neutral medium of unbound negative and positive charged particles, which has been produced by subjecting air and various other gaseous mixtures to strengthen the electromagnetic field and by heating compressed air or inert gasses for creating negative and positive charged particles known as ions. Nowadays, many researchers are paying attention to the formation of artificial Plasma and its potential benefits for mankind. The literature is sparsely populated with the applications of Plasma. This paper presents specific methods of generation and applications of Plasma, which benefits humankind in various fields, such as in electrical, mechanical, chemical and medical fields. These applications include hydrogen production from alcohol, copper bonding, semiconductor processing, surface treatment, Plasma polymerization, coating, Plasma display panels, antenna beam forming, nanotechnology, Plasma Torch, Plasma pencils, low-current non-thermal Plasmatron, treatment of prostate cancer, Plasma source ion implantation, cutting by Plasma, Plasma etching, pollution control, neutralization of liquid radioactive waste, etc. Resultantly, worth of Plasma technology in the medical industry is increasing exponentially that is closing the gap between its benefits and cost of equipment used for generating and controlling it.

This research examines sustainable approaches in academic career development by analyzing the interactions between job satisfaction, professional commitment, and research performance among early-career researchers in Romanian institutions. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 96 individuals classified as R1 and R2 by the European Commission. A detailed questionnaire and Web-Assisted Personal Interviewing (WAPI) identified key relationships. Findings show a significant positive correlation between job satisfaction and research perfor-mance, underscoring the role of professional satisfaction in fostering sustainable academic ex-cellence. Professional commitment is also a crucial predictor of research performance, aligning with existing studies and highlighting the importance of sustainable career practices. Statistical analysis via SPSS version 23.0 validated the initial hypotheses, emphasizing each dimension's significance in a sustainable academic career. Results reflect Romania's research environment, emphasizing the need for sustainable working conditions, effective research evaluation, sup-portive career frameworks, and strong professional commitment to motivate young researchers. This research proposes innovative, sustainable practices for enhancing academic performance and career management, advocating clear objectives, leadership development, continuous competency improvement, and a collaborative, inclusive work environment. Understanding these factors aids individuals and institutions in making informed decisions that support sustainable academic career trajectories and professional growth.

Educational institutions must identify students who are academically struggling to provide them with necessary support to improve their performance. In this context, recommendation systems powered by deep learning techniques are vital for detecting and categorizing such students. These systems help students plan their future by uncovering patterns in their historical academic data. This study introduces a new deep learning model designed to classify academically underperforming students in educational settings. The model incorporates a Gated Recurrent Neural Network (GRU) and includes specific neural network features like a dense layer, max-pooling layer, and the ADAM optimization algorithm. The model's training and evaluation were conducted using a dataset comprising 15,165 student assessment records from various academic institutions. The performance of the developed GRU model was benchmarked against other educational recommendation systems, including Recurrent Neural Network models, AdaBoost, and the Artificial Immune Recognition System v2. The proposed GRU model demonstrated remarkable accuracy, achieving an overall rate of 99.70%.

Framed in a context with an emerging economy and with a high percentage of school failure, this study aimed to identify the factors that turn students with socioeconomic disadvantages into resilient students. Two questions guided the research: Can resilience be supported in students in adverse socioeconomic situations? What factors influence building resilient students? A cross-sectional study was carried out from 2011 to 2015 in Chile, using a multilevel logistic regression model with three levels, considering the hierarchical data structure. The behavior of 63100 to 76400 sampled students was analyzed. Results show five relevant factors in building resilience: self-efficacy in language, minor aggressions and violence perceived by students, norms and values of the establishment, interest in study, and self-efficacy. Some risk factors identified were an atmosphere of less respect and trust, engagement in physical education activities and good performance in carrying them out. These results could orient educational leaders interested in supporting the educational community in order to improve the academic success of disadvantaged students.

Individuals and their leadership competencies have been the sole focus of project leadership research, rather than the project leadership's behaviour and functions in project and organizational settings. As a result, this study investigates the project leadership functions and behaviours required for various project and organizational situations in order to propose a project leadership model that will be effective in all project and organizational situations. The model that was developed and tested in this study theorized on the project leadership function that project leaders are expected to perform as a result of their positions. It also described how project leaders could tailor their leadership functions and behaviours to address issues related to positions, organizational situations, and project situations. Three hypotheses were developed and tested using structural equation modelling to validate the model. The model's perceptive power demonstrates adequate validity. The model's validity implies that there are appropriate project leadership functions for different leadership levels and circumstances. The model's validity also implies that each project leadership behaviour has its own value, as conditions and necessities dictate. The study assumes that a project leader can embrace project leadership by combining a few different project leadership functions and behaviours.

Recent years have seen organizations increasingly shift towards the development of a mentoring culture, as opposed to the imposition of formalized mentoring programs. This original research paper set out to explore the utility of fostering mentoring cultures within higher education settings with a particular emphasis placed on the ways in which a mentoring culture may support the nurturing of leadership potential and serve underrepresented minority faculty and staff members. Primary data was gathered using an open-ended qualitative survey, which was followed up by semi-structured interviews. One hundred faculty members in diverse academic and administrative leadership roles across the United States were sent online surveys, with 18 individuals expressing interest in participating in a semi-structured interview. Those who responded affirmatively were then contacted via telephone to follow up with further questions. Analysis of their insights, in conjunction with analysis of other literature, suggests that the cultivation of a mentoring culture offers diverse benefits for mentees advancing into leadership positions; for mentors; and for the institution as a whole. Overall, the development of a mentoring culture characterized by informal, spontaneous exchanges, and tailored to the needs of underrepresented minority faculty members, appears to be a useful tool in enhancing leadership potential in higher education contexts.

Several studies have highlighted the importance and evolution of process safety leadership and culture in various industries. However, none has focused on the palm oil milling industry yet. This paper critically reviews the latest developments in the palm oil milling process and unit operations leading to process safety concerns. It also discusses the Principle of 3C that is applied to explain repeat accidents and the four-level safety culture in the palm oil milling industry. For this purpose, the author presents case studies of two key palm oil companies in Malaysia. Overall, this paper offers guidelines to leaders in the palm oil milling industry about the required process safety leadership and culture to be understood in order to improve their safety outcomes.

Telecommuting is a flexible form of work that has progressively spread over the last 40 years and which has been strongly encouraged by the measures to limit the Covid19 pandemic. There is still limited evi-dence on the effects it has on workers' health. In this survey we invited 905 workers of companies that made a limited use of telework to fill out a questionnaire to evaluate: Intrusive leadership of managers (IL), the request for work outside traditional hours (OFF-TAJD), workaholism (BWAS), effort / reward imbalance (ERI), happiness and common mental issues (CMIs), anxiety and depression, assessed by the Goldberg scale (GADS). The interaction between these variables has been studied by structural equation modeling (SEM). Intrusive leadership and working after hours were significantly associated with occu-pational stress. Workaholism is a relevant moderator of this interaction: intrusive leadership significantly increased the stress of workaholic workers. Intrusive leadership and overtime work were associated with reduced happiness, anxiety and depression. These results indicate the need to guarantee the right to disconnect, to limit the effect of the OFF-TAJD. In addition to this, companies should implement policies to prevent intrusive leadership and workaholism.

We argue for reconsidering leadership development based on systems design principles. A primary advantage of systems thinking is that it encourages holistic approaches to development and avoids episodic program-based training and piecemeal thinking. The latter approaches are both limited and limiting yet tend to be the preferred approach to leadership development in organizations. Systems approaches to development offer numerous advantages both conceptually and pragmatically, especially through the incorporation of ongoing feedback cycles. Core practices that define a leadership development system are presented and implications are discussed.

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most aggressive and prevalent glioma within the Central Nervous System. GB exhibit a dismal 5-year survival rate (~6%) due to unfavorable prognosis and lack of viable treatment options. Therefore, novel therapies with plant-derived compounds emerge as very promising. This study aims to investigate the antitumor activity of 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone (Roy) in GB cell lines. Roy was isolated from Plectranthus hadiensis Schweinf. and its antitumor mechanism was assessed in a panel of five GB cell lines to mimic tumor heterogeneity. Metabolic activity was evaluated by Alamar Blue® assay, while cell death, cell cycle regulation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and activated caspase-3 were evaluated by flow cytometry. mRNA levels of target genes were measured by qPCR and protein expression was assessed by Western blotting. Cell uptake and impact on mitochondrial morphology were evaluated by confocal microscopy. Roy induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial fragmentation, and apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and increasing activated caspase-3 levels with concentration 6-9 fold lower than those of temozolomide, the first-line treatment. Roy demonstrated a robust antitumor activity against GB cells, without affecting non tumoral cells (microglia and astrocytes), being a promising natural lead compound for the development of novel chemotherapeutic approaches.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of academic advising on changing or maintaining majors in university degrees. It is also a goal of the study to determine which semester of the course study is most likely or less likely witness the change of major and whether advising contributes to that change. Through this correlational study, the researchers explored students’ perceptions about the academic advising they received and the relationship of its absence on students’ major change. The participants were 1725 undergraduate students from all year levels. One survey is used to collect the data for this study: Influences on Choice of Major Survey. Based on the findings, it is found that university advisors have a very poor effect on students' decisions to select their majors as 45.6% of the 1725 participants indicate NO influence of advising in their survey answers. Whereas career advancement opportunities, students' interests, and job opportunities indicate a strong effect on their majors’ selections as they score the highest means of 3.76, 3.73, 3.64 respectively. In addition, findings show that students are most likely changing their majors in their second year and specifically in the second semester. Second year major change scored 36.9% in the second semester and 30.9% in the first semester. More importantly, results indicate that there is a positive significant correlation between college advisor and change major in the second year (p = 0.000). It is to researchers understanding based on the findings that when students receive enough academic advising in the first year of study and continues steadily to the next year, the possibilities of students changing their majors decreases greatly.

For doctoral students, publishing in peer reviewed journals is a task many face with anxiety and trepidation. The world of publishing, from choosing a journal, negotiating editors and navigating reviewers’ responses is a bewildering place. Looking in from the outside, it seems that successful and productive academic writers have knowledge that is inaccessible to novice scholars. While there is a growing literature on writing for scholarly publication, many of these publications promote writing and publishing as a straight-forward activity that anyone can achieve if they follow the rules. We argue that the specific and situated contexts in which academic writers negotiate publishing practices is more complicated and messy. In this paper, we attempt to make explicit our publishing processes to highlight the complex nature of publishing. We use autoethnographic narratives to provide discussion points and insights into the challenges of publishing peer reviewed articles. One narrative is by a doctoral student at the beginning of her publishing career, who expresses her desires, concerns and anxieties about writing for publication. The other narrative focuses on the publishing practices of a more experienced academic writer. Both are international scholars working in the Canadian context. The purpose of this paper is to explore academic publishing through the juxtaposition of these two narratives to make explicit some of the more implicit processes. Four key themes emerge from these narratives. To publish successfully, academic writers need: 1) to be discourse analysts; 2) to have a critical competence; and 3) to have writing fluency and 4) to be emotionally intelligent.

This work proposes a conceptual design for a process for recovering Polystyrene (PS) using solvents of agro-industrial origin. The literature describes the dilution of Expanded Polyestyrene (EPS) in limonene, followed by its insolubilization with alcohols for recovery. However, there is no information on the solubility limit for the PS + limonene + alcohol system, which is critical for the process design. To determine the solubility limit, we diluted the waste EPS in D-limonene, mixed it with ethanol to form a precipitate, and used a gravimetric method to measure the mass of the compounds. These results allowed for the conceptual design of an EPS recycling process using a chemical process simulator, which includes a separator, a distillation column, and auxiliary equipment such as heaters, coolers, and pumps. An empirical correlation was obtained for the solubility limit, which enabled the design of a process for the treatment of 52 kg/s of PS using 0.75 kg /s of ethanol and 2.4 kg / s of D-limonene once the stationary state had been reached. The distillation column is six-stage, with a reflux ratio of 1.5 and duties of 30 000 kW and -25 847 kW for the condenser and reboiler, respectively.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Brief-COPE Inventory and to determine its concurrent validity by exploring its association with perceived stress in Peruvian nurses. Methods: Psychometric study carried out in 434 Peruvian nurses to determine the psychometric properties by confirmatory factor analysis. Three stepwise variable selection regression models were implemented. Results: The three-factor of the Brief-COPE Inventory reported adequate fit (root mean square error of approximation = 0.052, standardized root mean square = 0.068, and both the comparative fit index and the Tucker–Lewis index = 0.95). Likewise, we found that its factors are correlated (p &lt; 0.001) and that there is adequate reliability (ω= 0.90). Moreover, nurses showed a medium level of perceived stress and the following associated factors: sex, having received stress management training, fear of COVID-19, and problem-focused coping strategies (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study proved that Brief-COPE Inventory is a valid tool for measuring coping strategies in Peruvian nurses because it has a good fit to the model, excellent reliability, and concurrent validity with perceived stress. However, further studies are required to evaluate its validity according to the nursing professionals’ perceived areas of performance.

Spectral characteristics of CDOM in water column are a key parameter for bio-optical modeling. Knowledge of CDOM optical properties and spatial discrepancy based on the relationship between water quality and spectral parameters in Yinma River watershed with in situ data collected highly-polluted waters are exhibited in this study. Seasonal field data sets collected over a period of 2 months in 2015 in Yinma River Watershed. Based on the comprehensive index method, the riverine waters showed serious contamination, especially the COD, Fe, Mn, Hg and DO were out of range contamination warning. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total suspended matter (TSM) with prominent non-homogenizing were significantly high in the riverine waters, but chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) was opposite. Ternary phase diagram showed that non-algal paritcles absorption played an important role in total non-water light absorption (>50%) in most sampling locations, and mean contribution of CDOM were 13% and 22% in summer and autumn respectively. Analysis of ratio of absorption at 250-365 nm (E_250:365) and spectral slope (S_275-295) indicated that CDOM had higher aromaticity and molecular weight in autumn than in summer, is consistent with the results of water quality and relative contribution. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that the environmental variables OSM had a strong correlation with CDOM absorption, followed by heavy metal, e.g., Mn, Hg and Cr⁶⁺. However, for the specific UV absorbance (SUVA₂₅₄), the seasonal values showed opposite results compared with the reported literature. The potential reasons were the more UDOM (uncolored Dissolved Organic Matter) from human source (wastewater effluent) existed in waters. Terrigenous inputs simultaneously are in relation to the a_CDOM(440)-DOC relationship with the correlation coefficient was 0.90 in summer (2-tailed, p<0.01), and 0.58 in autumn (2-tailed, p<0.05). Spatial distribution of CDOM parameters exhibited that the downstream regions focused on dry land have high CDOM molecular weight and aromatic hydrocarbon. Partial sampling locations around the cities or countries generally showed abnormal values due to terrigenous inputs. As a bio-optical model parameter, spectral characteristic of CDOM is helpful in adjusting the derived algorithms in highly-polluted environments. The study on organic carbon and pollutants in highly-polluted waters had an important contribution to global carbon balance estimation and water environment protection.

This paper explores strategies for fostering efficient vocal communication and collaboration between human workers and collaborative robots (cobots) in assembly processes. Vocal communication enables division of attention of the worker, as it frees the visual attention, and the worker’s hands, dedicated to the task at hand. Speech generation and speech recognition are pre-requisites for effective vocal communication. The study focuses on cobot assistive tasks, where the human is in charge of the work and performs the main tasks while the cobot assists the worker in various peripheral jobs, such as bringing tools, parts, or materials, and returning them, or disposing them; or screwing or packaging the products. A nuanced understanding is necessary for understanding how human-robot interactions can be optimized to enhance overall productivity and safety. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature and empirical studies, this manuscript identifies key factors influencing successful vocal communication, and proposes practical strategies for implementation.

The risk factors and positive factors of teleworking have been widely analyzed. Emotional exhaustion has been one of the most studied among them. However, the impact of ethical leadership in virtual environments has remained completely unnoticed. There is no clear answer to whether the ethical leader is a factor that buffers or accelerates stress-related processes in teleworking. Furthermore, the role of perceived work autonomy as a theoretical mechanism that protects against specific adverse psychological outcomes requires more scientific evidence because the results obtained so far are confusing and contradictory. Therefore, this study explores how and when ethical leadership influences emotional exhaustion through work autonomy and teleworking intensity (TI). The sample consisted of 448 professionals from six organizations in the Colombian electricity sector. The mediation effect was evaluated through a four-step procedure, and the moderated mediation model was analyzed using statistical tools such as PROCESS and AMOS macros for SPSS. Surprisingly, our results revealed a positive relationship between ethical leadership and emotional exhaustion, with work autonomy potentially mediating this relationship. However, teleworking intensity (TI) was found to moderate this mediation process. Specifically, the negative impact of ethical leadership on emotional exhaustion was nullified when TI was high. Moreover, a high level of TI strengthened the relationship between ethical leadership and work autonomy, while weakening the positive relationship between work autonomy and emotional exhaustion. In conclusion, our study suggests a potential positive relationship between ethical leadership and emotional exhaustion from the follower's perspective. However, the number of teleworking days can influence this trend, potentially even reversing it. In other words, teleworking intensity (TI) is a resource as its intensity increases, and it can alter the direction of work autonomy and reconfigure the relationship between ethical leadership and emotional exhaustion. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to analyze these variables, significantly contributing to our understanding of the attributes of ethical leadership and its impact on employee well-being.

This qualitative research study explores the experiences of three Emirati women who have achieved significant success in their higher education institutes in the (UAE). The study aims to understand how childhood and adolescent experiences shape the leadership development of these women, both positively and negatively. The study also includes interviews with family members and close colleagues of the participants to gain additional perspectives. The findings the importance of family support, role models, and mentors in shaping the leadership development of women in the UAE. The study also sheds light on the challenges and barriers that women face in leadership positions, including gender bias and discrimination. Overall, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the experiences of Emirati women in leadership positions and provides insights into how to support their leadership development.

Global and human development and freedoms increasingly thrive on robust and policy-oriented research and related activities. Yet, the African research landscape faces a myriad of challenges, resulting in a very unequal continent in terms of research and research capacity. The prevailing research inequities and challenges in Africa are even more pronounced in the social sciences, humanities, arts, and related fields (SSHA). Here, the strengths and impact of scholarship in SSHA fields are often overshadowed by deficits and apparent preferential investment in research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields. In response, the African Academy of Sciences commissioned a study in 2020 to generate evidence on the SSHA research support landscape in Africa. This paper summarizes findings from the literature review, key informant interviews, a bibliometric analysis, a survey with a sample of 670 respondents from SSHA communities in Africa, and a series of focus group discussions. We highlight key messages and make recommendations focussing on lessons learnt opportunities, and priorities for intervention to enhance significant SSHA research leadership capacity strengthening and, ultimately, minimize research inequalities in Africa.

Spiritual intelligence had an impact on different biblical leaders, and in this text, we see some cases to serve as a sample (Joseph, Bezalel, and Daniel). In the Bible, this impact is demonstrated in innovations introduced by Joseph in Egypt, Bezalel the manager of the macro project of building in crisis time, Daniel the politician. It is the supreme intelligence and leaders are invited to make a shift from rationality to spirituality. The more leaders of organizations will use spiritual intelligence, the more leaders and followers will experience satisfaction, joy, accomplishment.

Energy drink (ED) consumption among Israeli-Arab adolescents is widespread. This study aimed to investigate the acute glycemic and insulin effects of EDs in healthy adolescents. Seventy-one Israeli-Arab adolescents (56% girls, average age 16.04±1.03 years) participated in a non-randomized, case-controlled, open-label study. Participants consumed ED (n=36) or a volume- and carbohydrate-matched non-caffeinated soft drink (SD, n=35), followed by a 2 h glucose tolerance test. Blood glucose was measured at baseline and 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-consumption (T0, T15, T30, T60 and T120, respectively). Serum insulin concentration and caffeine relative intensity were determined 45 minutes post-consumption (T45). Blood glucose levels peaked significantly at T15 and remained significantly higher at T30 in the ED group compared to the SD group (p=0.005, p=0.017, respectively). Insulin concentrations were substantially higher at T45 in the ED group (t[64]=2.794, p=0.001). This pattern was especially prominent in heavy ED consumers. A positive correlation emerged between the amount of caffeine consumed (mg/kg), blood glucose levels at T15 and T30, and insulin concentration at T45. This study is the first to demonstrate the glycemic and insulin responses to ED consumption in adolescents, suggesting that regulatory measures limiting ED sales to adolescents could improve their health.

Precision medicine (PM), also termed stratified, individualised, targeted or personalised medicine, embraces a rapidly expanding area of research, knowledge, and practice. It brings together two emerging health technologies to deliver better individualised care: the many “-omics” arising from increased capacity to understand the human genome; and “big data” and data analytics including Artificial Intelligence (AI). PM has the potential to transform an individual’s health, moving from population-based disease prevention to more personalised management. There is however a tension between the two, with a real risk that this will exacerbate health inequalities and divert funds and attention from basic healthcare requirements leading to worse health outcomes for many. All areas of medicine should consider how this will affect their practice, with PM now strongly encouraged and supported by government initiatives and research funding. In this review we discuss examples of PM in current practice and its emerging applications in primary care, such as clinical prediction tools that incorporate genomic markers and pharmacogenomic testing. We look towards potential future applications and consider some key questions for PM including evidence of real-world impact, its affordability, the risk of exacerbating health inequalities, and the computational and storage challenges of applying PM technologies at scale.

Education setting evolved from historical open learning system to traditional classroom set-up to distance learning modality. Teaching-Learning practice is transformed with an evolution of teaching-learning materials. With technological advancement in progressive manner and it’s increasing use in academic setting, distance learning has been the on-demand and on-debate topic in current educational discourse. Comparatively fresh topic in Nepali academic setting, this paper intended to analyze the perception of Nepali students towards online modality in Nepali academic setting. This paper further analyzed the student’s preference towards distance learning in current Nepali academic setting. Research findings were analyzed based on data collected through literature review, interview with students and professor and quantitative data collection through use of google form. Study identified opportunities as revenue generation; continuation of academic career from any part of country; increase learning outcome among jobholders. Study identified challenges as unequal access and quality of internet facilities; affordability of laptops/computers; limited interaction; and frequent disturbances. Seeing the better prospects, study strongly supported the need of shift in academic shift from traditional setting to non-traditional setting in Nepali context to meet the global needs of competitive and quality education.

This study presents the validation process of the Questionnaire on Academic Stress in Secondary Education –QASSE-, designed to assess the wide variety of school sources and situations related to academic stress in adolescence, and their relationship with students’ physical and psychological well-being. Participants were 860 Spanish high school students (52.9% girls) with an average age of 14.62 years (SD = 1.8). Through a cross-validation process, EFA and CFA supported QASSE multifactorial structure with four first-order factors -academic overload, interaction with classmates, family pressure, and future-oriented perspective- and a second-order factor of academic stress, showing a significant and intense relationship with adolescents’ psychological and physical well-being. Results also highlight the effects of the gender*educational level interaction on the students’ stress, with girls showing higher levels of stress in the transition courses between educational phases (sophomore and junior years). The QASSE demonstrates good validity and reliability, showing potential for both research and educational application. The results show the high impact of the QASSE dimensions on psychological and physical well-being in adolescence, highlighting its special usefulness for designing and adjusting educational prevention and intervention actions in this area to the students’ specific characteristics and needs

Healthcare crises occur occasionally are very disruptive and resource consuming. The Covid-19 pandemic provided an example of inefficient wasteful resource management that would be unsustainable in the long term. This paper presents a framework for sustainable crisis management that will be applicable for future crises. The methodology is also applicable to other pandemics, wars, multi-casualty natural disasters, industrial disasters, etc. Attention focuses on rapid crisis resolution such as lockdowns. Despite unprecedented investments in healthcare, lack of capacity and timeliness are still problems affecting every country, even the wealthier ones. During the Covid19 pandemic, some healthcare systems around the world have collapsed. For example, Brazil, Spain, Italy, and more. This is due to the lack of a clear methodology for handling such crises. This paper presents a resource-based methodology to cope with healthcare crises considering three scenarios: “Peace”, “War” and “Tsunami”. The paper outlines a methodology for identifying the system bottlenecks for coping with the crisis in each scenario by using established simple tools. These tools assure significant resource frugality that will enhance sustainability. The paper also analyses where the system constraint should be and prescribes how to prepare for such scenarios. A large medical center case study demonstrates our approach. During “peace” times, evolutionary strategies should be used exclusively. During “war” times, a hybrid – evolutionary/disruptive (revolutionary) strategy. During the “Tsunami” scenario, one should rely only on the disruptive (revolutionary) strategy. This methodology can be extended to other scenarios and other lines of research.

The existing environmental imbalances and the need to promote actions that minimize the impact and promote awareness and behavior change is now a primary need. This paper aims to show how the activities developed under FISU's Healthy Campus (HC) program can be an asset in promoting the environment, sustainability and social responsibility in Higher Education Institutions. The methodology used includes (1) diagnosis, (2) drawing up the action plan and (3) preparation, development and monitoring of activities. The methodology approach adopted to analyze the activities uses: (1) mentimiter tool; (2) mind map and (3) SWOT analysis. Results show that when activities are designed in a collaborative and participatory way, they end up towards the aspirations of the participants, allowing for greater involvement of people and growth of the institution in the aspects of the environment, sustainability, and social responsibility. The HC program is an asset program to align, HC requirements, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), integrated and transdisciplinary approach, and people's environmental awareness and sustainable mindset.

In response to a perceived epidemic of coronary heart disease, Ancel Keys introduced the lipid-heart hypothesis in 1953 which asserted that high intakes of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol lead to atherosclerosis and that consuming less fat and cholesterol, and replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat, would reduce serum cholesterol and consequently the risk of heart disease. Keys proposed an equation that would predict the concentration of serum cholesterol (DChol.) from consumption of saturated fat (DS), polyunsaturated fat (DP), and cholesterol (DZ): ΔChol. = 1.2(2ΔS − ΔP) + 1.5ΔZ. However, the Keys equation conflated natural saturated fat and industrial trans-fat into a single parameter and considered only linoleic acid as the polyunsaturated fat. This ignored the widespread consumption of trans-fat and its effects on serum cholesterol and promoted an imbalance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. Numerous observational, epidemiological, interventional, and autopsy studies have failed to validate the Keys equation and the lipid-heart hypothesis. Nevertheless, these have been the cornerstone of national and international dietary guidelines which have focused disproportionately on heart disease and much less so on cancer and metabolic disorders, which have steadily increased since the adoption of this hypothesis.

Background University students’ psychological health is linked to their academic satisfaction. This study aimed to investigate students’ psychological health and academic satisfaction in the context of COVID-19 and academic year-end stress. Methods Standardized self-filled scales for anxiety, depression, stress, psychological well-being, and an ad-hoc COVID-19 stress scale were used in this cross-sectional study. Participants were first- to third-year students of eight different health-related tracks in Geneva, Switzerland. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analyses were applied. Results In June 2020, out of 2835 invited students, 433 (15%) completed the survey. Academic satisfaction was a stronger mental health predictor than COVID-19, which mainly predicted stress and anxiety. Lower academic satisfaction scores were significantly associated with stress (β = -.53, p < .001), depression (β = -.26, p < .001), anxiety (β = -.20, p < .001), while higher scores with psychological well-being (β = .48, p < .001). Being female was strongly associated with anxiety and stress but not with depression or psychological well-being. Lower age was associated with stress only. The nature of the academic training had a lesser impact on mental health and the academic year none. Compared to students starting the academic year, year-end students reported significantly lower academic satisfaction, higher depression, and particularly higher anxiety and stress. There was, however, no difference in psychological well-being. Conclusion Students suffer more from anxiety, stress, depression, and lower satisfaction with studies at the end of the academic year than at the beginning. Academic satisfaction plays a more substantial role than COVID-19 in predicting students’ overall mental health status. Training institutions should address the underlying factors that can enhance students’ academic satisfaction, especially during the COVID-19 period, in addition to ensuring that they have a continuous and adequate learning experience, as well as access to psychosocial services that help them cope with mental distress and enhance their psychological well-being.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way historical data is interpreted, uncovering previously unseen trends and fundamentally altering modern management practices. This shift has significantly impacted the analysis of business history and leadership studies. However, there is still a notable gap in research regarding the effects of AI-driven reinterpretations of historical events on contemporary business strategies, leadership frameworks, and ethical considerations. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the methodologies and implications of AI in business history analysis, focusing on case studies of Walmart and JPMorgan Chase. Integrating foundational theories such as evolutionary theory, path dependency, transformational, and authentic leadership reveals how AI-driven insights can refine strategic planning, advance leadership development, and promote equitable management practices. It also highlights the ethical challenges in using AI for historical analysis, particularly the risks of perpetuating existing biases. Findings indicate that AI's capacity to analyze large volumes of historical data significantly reshapes our understanding of business evolution and leadership effectiveness. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for adopting ethical AI practices, outlining future research directions, including developing AI models for contextual analysis and exploring AI’s role in promoting diverse leadership models. This research advances academic discourse by providing a theory-driven framework for leveraging AI in business history and leadership studies. It underscores AI's transformative potential and complex implications for future business practices.

This research paper aimed to explore the impact of childhood and adolescent experiences on the leadership development of Emirati women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Using a qualitative research methodology, the study utilized in-depth narrative semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and diary writing to understand the complex issue of leadership development. Findings indicate that childhood and adolescent experiences, including family upbringing, education, culture, and societal expectations, have significant impacts on the leadership development of Emirati women. Specifically, family upbringing and cultural values shape Emirati women's leadership aspirations and behaviors, while education and societal expectations provide opportunities and barriers for women's leadership development. The implications of these findings for policymakers and practitioners seeking to promote women's leadership development in the UAE are discussed.

Abstract: The present study seeks to investigate MNOs leadership style and how it influences their compassion competence and their personal level of compassion at work. This is a cross-sectional study carried out from December 2019 to May 2020 using the method of convenience sampling. The study involved 235 MNOs serving in Greek Military Hospitals. A single questionnaire containing Compassion at Work index, Compassion competence scale, and Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X), and socio-demographic and professional data, was used for data collection. A total of 400 printed questionnaires were distributed with a response rate of 58.75%. Data analysis was performed using the statistical package SPSS 22.0. The research showed that the transformational and transactional leadership styles coexist in the Nursing Corps of the Armed Forces with an average value of 2.72(SD=0.70)-2.95(SD=0.54) points and 2.47(SD=0.69)-2.74(SD=0.63) points respectively, while the passive style represented a very small percentage with an average subscale value of 0.88(SD=0.61)-0.94(SD=0.63) points. It was also found that both actual compassion at work and compassion ability had improved with the increase of transformational or transactional leadership style characteristics and amelioration of leadership outcome criteria. On the other side, a deterioration of these was observed with the increase of the passive leadership. Specifically, a higher score in the «Intellectual Stimulation» scale was associated with a higher level of compassion at work in the dimension «Experiencing the suffering of others» (p=0.010/SD=0.14), while higher values on the «Laissez-Faire Leadership» scale were associated with less compassion at work in the same dimension (p<0.001/SD=0.13). Also, a higher score on the «Contingent Reward» scale was associated with more compassion at work in the dimension «Takes appropriate action» (p=0.023/SD=0.16). Furthermore, higher values observed in the «Inspirational Motivation», «Individual Consideration» and «Extra Effort» scales were associated with a better communication ability (p=0.035/SD=0.09, p=0.022/SD=0.12, and p=0.042/SD=0.08 accordingly). Finally, a higher score on the «Effectiveness» scale was associated with higher sensitivity (p=0.049/SD=0.08). Teaching appropriate leadership behavior, promoting a culture of compassion, and continuing to train nurses to manage their emotions should be included in the infrastructure of nursing science.

While obesity is recognized as a key global public health issue, there has been no research to date on the perceptions of care for people with this condition held by individuals in positions of organizational power. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the perceptions and experiences of clinical leaders and managers of providing care to inpatients with obesity at a metropolitan public health service. This study applied an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach to qualitative research, conducting interviews with 17 participants. Their perceptions of care for inpatients with obesity encompassed both their personal understanding as an individual, and their observations about the organizational, patient and carer perspectives. Three overall themes were identified: 1) The problem of inpatients with obesity, 2) Inpatients with obesity as sources of risk and 3) Personal and professional perceptions of inpatients with obesity. While clinical leaders and managers were aware of potential impact of stigma and weight bias on the care given to this cohort, elements of implicit bias, stereotyping, ‘othering’ and ambivalence were frequently present in the data. Ongoing efforts to improve care for patients with obesity must therefore include efforts to address perceptions and attitudes at all organisational levels of the workforce.

This current research follows up on Greenleaf’s oft-quoted best test of servant leadership that calls for employees to be better off financially, emotionally, physically, psychologically, etc. because of the time spent with the servant leader. While oft-quoted, little empirical work exists to see if this is true. In this study, 170 participants provided their perception of their supervisors’ level of servant leadership, their perception of the organization’s support, and their self-report of their general well-being. Gender and age bracket information described the participants, and there were no significant differences between gender or age brackets for participants’ perception of their supervisors’ servant leadership. The analysis showed that there was a moderate positive correlation between servant leadership, perceived organizational support, and general well-being. A modification of an existing general well-being instrument provided a new eight-item general well-being scale with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.956.

Transdisciplinary research approach requires that different scientists with their discipline-specific theories, concepts and methods find ways to work together with other societal players to solve a real-life problem. In order to put this into practice, Trans-disciplinary Action Research (TDR) approach was applied in this study using Push pull technology (PPT) as a boundary object. The study was conducted in Bako Tibe, Jimma arjo and Yayu Woredas (Districts) in the Oromia region of Ethiopia from August 2014 to April 2015. PPT is a biological based mechanism developed by researchers for stemborer pest control in maize. It involves inter-cropping maize with a stemborer moth-repellent silverleaf or Greenleaf Desmodium (push), and planting an attractive trap crop, Napier or Brachiaria grass (pull), around the maize crop. On farm PPT implementation was used to provide an opportunity for collaboration, interaction and learning among heterogeneous set of stakeholders comprising of researchers from Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural research and the practitioners from the ministry of agriculture and smallholder farmers/traders. The data was collected using mixed methods approach comprising of key informant interviews, Focus Group discussions, workshops, on-farm practical demonstrations and participant observations. The findings shows that; collaborative leadership provides a chance for the stakeholders to participate in the technology learning and decision making by enabling them to jointly contribute skills towards development, refinement and adaptation of PPT. In situations where there are conflicts, they are embraced and become opportunities for in-depth learning, finding solutions and adaptation rather than being sources of contradictions or misunderstandings. Leadership roles taken by farmers play a key role in terms of ability to reflect on their own practices and drawing on scientific explanations from researchers. It also enables them take lead in new technology implementation and information sharing in free and easy manner with fellow farmers and other stakeholders. Although PPT perennial nature of cropping provides opportunities for continuous stakeholder interaction and learning, it requires a personally committed leadership and formal institutional engagements for the sustainability of its activities spanning over several cropping seasons. Market forces and the involvement of private sector players also has a role to achieve this as shown from the involvement of individual farmers and traders in Desmodium and Brachiaria seed production, collection and distribution.

Clopidogrel; a prescription drug to reduce ischemic events in cardiovascular patients; has been extensively studied in mostly European individuals but not among Caribbean Hispanics. This study evaluated the low abundance and reduced activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) in clopidogrel-resistant patients as a predictive risk biomarker of poor responders and disease severity in this population. Thirty-six patients on clopidogrel (cases; divided into poor and normal responders) were enrolled along with 11 cardiovascular patients with no clopidogrel indications (positive control) and 13 healthy volunteers (negative control). Residual on-treatment platelet function (PRU); PON1 abundance by western blotting and PON1 activity by enzymatic assays were measured. PON1 genotyping and computational haplotype phasing were performed on 512 DNA specimens for two genetic loci (rs662 and rs854560). No statistical differences in mean relative PON1 abundance were found among the groups (p> 0.05). However; a significantly lower enzymatic activity was found in poor responders (10.57 ± 6.79 µU/mL) when compared to controls (22.66 ± 8.30 µU/mL and 22.21 ± 9.66 µU/mL; p= 0.004). PON1 activity among carriers of the most prevalent PON1 haplotype (AA|AA) was significantly lower than in wild-types (7.90 µU/mL vs 22.03 µU/mL; p= 0.005). Our findings suggested that PON1 is a potential biomarker of cardiovascular disease severity in Caribbean Hispanics.

Scientific and technological advances in telecommunications and onboard electronics, and advances in sustainability standards, dictated major changes to various industrial sectors, including the automotive industry, where hard and soft approaches to manufacturing are vying for market dominance. This work presents a prospective analysis of the autonomous vehicle (AV) market, analyzing three of the main US AV technology firms, Tesla, Waymo and Apple. Their designs and solutions are compared, and prospective scenarios were constructed based on an analysis of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). The results suggest that Tesla currently exhibits the greatest market leadership in the group studied. However, it was concluded that in the medium term, Waymo would surpass Tesla and assume market leadership. In the long run, it was concluded that Apple will overcome its rivals and dominate this market.

Leadership performance by village leaders is essential to promote sustainable life among rural communities, especially fisheries community who living along coastal villages. Otherwise, previous studies found that performance issues among village’s leaders remain as serious problems, and need to find the best solution. This study was conducted to profile the job performance among village leaders based on demographic factors such as educational level, age and experiences as village leader. The data of this cross-sectional survey were collected by questionnaires on 300 respondents consist of members of village organization through stratified sampling’s technique, while the data was analysed by SPSS using items of mean, standard deviation, independent-sample t-test and anova. The finding shown that there were differences in job performance among village leaders on educational level, age and experiences. Interestingly, the finding told the best on job performance among village leaders are (i) the age between 41 to 50 years old; (iii) the experience between 11 to 20 years; and (iii) the higher educational level the higher job performance among them. This result can be using by government or any responsible parties to improve job performance among village leaders, especially for recruitment selection and for in-service training.

Academic entrepreneurship focuses on commercialization of research. Even though it is practiced worldwide for decades, Bangladesh is a newcomer in this segment. In Bangladesh only 2 Universities have Technology Transfer Offices or TTOs which are established with the sole focus of commercialization of researches of the students and the faculty members of the Universities. This article focuses on worldwide practices of technology transfer and academic entrepreneurial activities and also explores the opportunities and challenges of such entrepreneurs through detail investigation of the existing body of knowledge. Apart from exploring the problems and prospect of academic entrepreneurship in Bangladesh, this article also introduces the concept of Full-Service Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO), which existing literatures do not offer. The authors believe that by establishing such KTOs as a self-sustaining body, it is possible for an academic entrepreneur to stimulate, support and sustain their activities in Bangladesh. The concept of full service KTOs can also become models for other nations, specially the developing ones, to establish and nurture a culture of academic entrepreneurship.

The main objective of this study was to compare the removal efficiency of nutrients using Lactuca sativa, Medicago sativa and Phragmites australis in subsurface flow constructed wetlands with horizontal flow. In order to test water quality, fabricated reactors designed and the plants cultivated in the soil while their root were inside the wastewater. A long time study carried out from spring till end of autumn (9 months) in order to evaluate the difference in removal rate based on the seasonal changes. The highest removal rate was during summer which followed by spring and autumn. Thus, the effect of plants on the removal efficiency of organic matter (COD, BOD), TSS and nutrient (P and TN) appeared to be dependent on the seasonal growth. Phragmites australis the most sensitive species in order the removal of nutrient from wastewater.

Cold plasma (CP) is an ionised gas containing excited molecules and ions, radicals, free electrons, and emits electric fields and UV radiation. CP is potently antimicrobial and can be applied safely to biological tissue, birthing the field of plasma medicine. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) produced by CP affect biological processes directly or indirectly via the modification of cellular lipids, proteins, DNA, and intracellular signalling pathways. CP can be applied at lower levels for oxidative eustress to activate cell proliferation, motility, migration, and antioxidant production in normal cells, mainly potentiated by the unfolded protein response, Nrf2-activated antioxidant response element and PI3K/Akt pathway, which also activates NFκB. At higher CP exposures, inactivation, apoptosis and autophagy of malignant cells can occur via degradation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK-dependent and -independent activation of the master tumour suppressor p53, leading to caspase-mediated cell death. These opposing responses validate a hormesis approach to plasma medicine. Clinical applications of CP are becoming increasingly realised in wound healing, while clinical effectiveness in tumours is currently coming to light. This review will outline advances in plasma medicine and compare the main redox and intracellular signalling responses to CP in wound healing and cancer.

Self-esteem and student engagement play critical roles in shaping academic performance, particularly in the context of distance education, where direct classroom interaction is limited. This preliminary study examines the relationships between self-esteem, student engagement, and academic performance among 1,479 students at an Indonesia's open university, Universitas Terbuka. Using a cross-sectional survey design, the study employed multiple validated scales, including the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Student Engagement Scale, and self-reported academic performance measures, to explore how these variables interact. The results show that self-esteem alone does not significantly predict academic performance (F = 2.31, p = 0.071), but student engagement plays a moderating role, significantly enhancing the effect of self-esteem on academic outcomes (interaction term: B = 0.25, p = 0.010). Additionally, students from matrilineal family systems reported significantly higher self-esteem (M = 3.92, SD = 0.569, p = 0.014) and academic engagement (M = 3.93, SD = 0.870, p < 0.001) compared to their patrilineal counterparts. These preliminary findings highlight psychological and cultural factors in online education, with ongoing qualitative analyses in a broader mixed-method study set to deepen insights into technology challenges and further contribute to distance learning research.

Aim/Purpose: This study aims to assess the influence of integrating ChatGPT on enhancing the academic writing performance and engagement of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) undergraduate students at Delhi, India, who are enrolled in Academic Writing during the first semester of the academic year 2024/2025. Given the unique challenges within the Indian undergraduate education system, innovative technological interventions are essential to improve writing skills and increase engagement among EFL learners.

Some evidence suggests that personality types are a useful construct to understand stress and coping. However, further research is needed, especially on academic stress. Our aim was to explore how personality types and gender relate to coping strategies for academic stress and perceived coping efficacy. A total of 810 university psychology students completed the NEO-FFI Inventory and the Coping Strategies Inventory. Post-hoc tests for MANOVA and ANOVA were performed, where personality types and gender were treated as predictors and use of coping strategies and perceived coping efficacy as criteria. Finally, a one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc comparisons was performed to analyse the associations between personality types and perceived coping efficacy. Those with personality types combining low neuroticism with high conscientiousness chose the most adaptive coping strategies and showed the highest levels of perceived coping efficacy, while those whose personality types combined high neuroticism with low conscientiousness opted for maladaptive coping strategies and presented the lowest level of perceived coping efficacy. As for gender, women chose emotional expression more frequently. The personality type classification provided useful information on individual differences in coping with academic stress, which can help guide specific strategies to manage it.

Academic researchers publish their work in various formats, such as papers, patents, and research reports, on different academic sites. When searching for a particular researcher's work, it can be challenging to pinpoint the right individual, especially when there are multiple researchers with the same name. In order to handle this issue, we propose a name disambiguation scheme of researchers with the same name based on heterogeneous academic sites. The proposed scheme collects and integrates research results from these varied academic sites, focusing on attributes crucial for disambiguation. It then employs clustering techniques to identify individuals who share the same name. Additionally, the proposed rule-based algorithm name disambiguation method and the existing deep learning-based identification method. This approach allows for the selection of the most accurate disambiguation scheme, taking into account the metadata available in the academic sites, using a multiclass classification approach. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, we conduct various performance evaluations, measuring accuracy, recall, and the F1-measure, highlighting the scheme's superior performance in the name disambiguation.

With the exponential growth in today’s technology and its expanding areas of application it has become vital to incorporate it in education. One such application is Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) which is a subset of data mining. KDD deals with extracting useful information and meaningful patterns from the database that were not known before. This study is a detailed application of KDD and focuses on analyzing why a particular set of students performed better than others and what factors influenced the results. The study is conducted on a dataset of 480 students and across 16 different features. The authors implemented 4 major classification techniques namely Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest and XGB classifier. Obtaining the key features from the top performing ML algorithms that have a major impact on the performance of the student, the study takes these features as a baseline for further analysis. Further data analysis highlights patterns in the data. The study concludes that there are a lot of non-academic factors that influence the overall performance of a student and should be taken into consideration by universities and other relevant bodies.