Academic Journals Research Articles

Diagnostic Challenges in Hematological Malignancies in Nigeria and their Impact on Treatment Outcome

Haematological magnificence constitutes a major public health disease burden globally due to the degree of mortality and morbidity they cause. Aim: This review was aimed at exploring and reporting some of the difficulties that hinder early/accurate diagnosis and management of haematological malignancies in Nigeria emphasizing a single centre experience and to further highlight how they affect treatment outcome. Methodology: Google scholar, Pubmed and African Journals online sites were explored in July 2024. Relevant articles were selected. The most senior consultant haematologist in the single centre in South South Nigeria being studied was interviewed and account was documented. Results: The difficulties encountered in the prompt/proper diagnosis and management of haematological malignancies reported by the studies and the clinician interviewed include, visiting orthopaedic and other specialists as well as herbalists and spiritualists for several months before reporting to the haematology clinic, mis – and/or missed diagnosis due to inadequate diagnostic equipment and techniques like use of morphological studies alone for Rowmanawsky stained blood picture examination and histological diagnosis without cytogenetics, immunophenotyping, polymerase chain reaction fluorescent insitu hybridization, poverty, cultural and religious beliefs. Poor treatment outcome as a result of these challenges were also reported. Conclusion: Enlightenment campaigns on the benefits of early diagnosis and prompt presentation to the hospital should be encouraged. Provision of up-to-date advanced technologies for early/accurate diagnosis and sub classification of haematologiacl malignancies should be made in main health facilities across the country. Diagnosis and treatment of haematological malignancies should be built into the National Health Insurance scheme to strengthen the system in this regard.

Shaping National Character in Early Grade Elementary School Students Through Social Sciences Learning in the Medeka Curriculum Era

By looking at the Merdeka curriculum in primary schools, this research investigates the role of social studies education in fostering Indonesian character in primary school students. This curriculum aims to provide students with a strong, genuine understanding and respect for Indonesian culture while adhering to the values derived from Pancasila, which is the identity of the Indonesian nation. Social studies education becomes important in order to foster the character of students, including the cultivation of moral values in themselves both in the home, school and community environment. The data collected in this study were collected through surveys and analyzed through the literature study method. Data were obtained from various sources, including academic journals, student documents, and relevant research topics. This research found that social studies education can improve students' understanding of the daily life that must be carried out by applying the nation's values in their daily lives. It can also help them learn academically and support them in interacting and collaborating to solve everyday problems, which helps them in making the right choices for their brighter future.

Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its associated risk factors among adults in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment globally. Limited information existed on the epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy at the national level in Ethiopia. Thus, the objective of this review was to determine the pooled prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its associated risk factors in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using previous primary studies that were found in electronic databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, CINHAL, Google Scholar, and online African journals. We evaluated the quality of the included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Assessment Scale. The random-effects model was applied because heterogeneity was expected. I-Square and the Cochrane Q statistics were used to evaluate heterogeneity. Publication bias was examined using Egger's test and a funnel plot. A random-effect meta-analysis was applied to pool the odds ratios of risk factors to determine the association between the independent and dependent variables. After 598 articles were found, 22 studies that met the eligibility requirements were included. The pooled prevalence of retinopathy among patients with diabetes in Ethiopia was 24.35% (95% CI: 18.88-29.83), with considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 98.18%, p < 0.001). Ten years and longer with diabetes (AOR = 4.36, 95% CI: 1.71-7.01), hypertension (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.45-3.63), poor glycemic control (AOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.62-6.04), and positive proteinuria (AHR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.02-2.07) were risk factors for diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy affects one in four patients with diabetes. Diabetic patients with longer duration, hypertension, poor glycemic control, and positive proteinuria should receive special care.

Effect of different durations of preoperative computerised cognitive training on postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a study protocol for a prospective, randomised controlled trial

IntroductionPostoperative delirium (POD) is a common neurological complication after surgery among older patients, characterised by acute disturbances in consciousness, attention and cognition, usually occurring within 24–72 hours after surgery. POD...

Denominative variation in the terminological representation of Women's Health

Medical language is characterized by its veracity, precision and clarity (Navarro, 2003). However, due to the different communicative situations and contexts in which it is used, it is one of the special languages with more terminological variation (Bowker and Hawkins, 2006). From the point of view of terminology work, in any of its applications: language planning, standardization or translation, the first steps consist of structuring the subject area and accurately define the conceptual field (Cabré, 2005; ISO, 2022; Wright, 1997), and variation is usually an obstacle during this stage. This paper presents the findings of a study for the elaboration of terminological resources on Women’s Health from a corpus of specialized academic articles in English. Preliminary results reveal a lack of uniformity in the identification of the most representative lexical units regarding issues that specifically affect Women’s Health. This analysis offers a typology of denominative variation in the subject field of Women’s Health in academic journals in English prior to initiate the delimitation of the conceptual field in Spanish and standardize terminology equivalence in order to ensure efficient communication.

The pyroptosis and fibrotic diseases: a bibliometric analysis from 2010 to 2024.

Fibrosis is the ultimate, common pathological ending of most chronic inflammatory diseases and increases the chances of developing life-threatening illnesses. Pyroptosis, a newfound form of lytic programmed cell death initiated by the inflammasome, has received more and more attention because of its association with fibrotic diseases. Therefore, this study visualizes the connection between pyroptosis and fibrosis research through bibliometric methods, aimed at providing global research hits and tendencies in the field. We collected and analyzed the articles on pyroptosis and fibrosis from 2010 to 2024 via Web of Science. Visual data analysis was performed for countries, institutions, authors, references, and keywords in the field using VOSviewer, CiteSpace software, the "Bibliometrix" R package, the bibliometric website ( https://bibliometric.com/ ), and Excel software. We analyzed the data by utilizing the bibliometric review method. A total of 566 articles and reviews relating to pyroptosis and fibrosis were identified in the Web of Science. The number of publications in the domain has continued to grow since 2010. These scientific outputs were mainly from 129 countries/regions and 1919 institutions, particularly China (n = 423) and the USA (n = 83). More importantly, although China publishes a vast majority of articles, its centrality is lower than that of the USA (0.59 vs 0.61). Among the 3833 authors involved in this field, Feldstein, A. E. is the most prolific author. Shi, J. J. is the world's most-cited author among the 12,143 authors in these academic journals. Frontiers in Immunology was a prolific contributor, and Nature was the most frequently cited journal. After analysis, Cleavage of GSDMD by inflammatory caspases determines pyroptotic cell death were the top-cited articles. The analysis of keywords displayed that pyroptosis, fibrosis, and pathways were the main research hotspots and frontier directions in recent years. We analyzed the characteristics of published articles and drew a fundamental knowledge structure on pyroptosis and fibrosis research via bibliometric analysis. The potential mechanism between fibrosis and pyroptosis is deeply tied to the current moment. Our findings can help researchers make clear the research status and value of fibrosis and pyroptosis and provide new directions for future research as soon as possible.

The Influence of Social Change on Human Resource Management Strategies in the Digital Era

Social change in the digital era has had a significant impact on various aspects of life, including the world of work and human resource management (HR). This study aims to explore the influence of social change on HR management strategies in the digital era, as well as identify the challenges and opportunities that arise in the process of organizational adaptation. Using a qualitative approach and literature review method, this study analyzes the latest scientific literature from various trusted sources, including academic journals, textbooks, and industry reports. The results of the study indicate that social change has driven transformation in various aspects of HR management, including recruitment, retention, employee development, performance management, and organizational culture. Digitalization, shifting workforce demographics, and changing employee expectations are the main factors influencing HR strategies. Key findings include: (1) adoption of AI and big data technologies in the recruitment and selection process, (2) increased focus on work flexibility and work-life balance, (3) transformation of employee development programs towards a continuous learning and personalization model, (4) shift from traditional performance management to a more agile and real-time feedback-based approach, and (5) the importance of building an inclusive and adaptive organizational culture. The study also uncovers the ethical and social challenges that arise from the digitalization of HR practices, as well as the importance of bridging the digital divide in the workforce. In conclusion, successful organizations are those that are able to adapt their HR strategies to meet the challenges of the digital era, while maintaining a focus on the human factor as the core of effective HR management.

EPID-08. PATTERN OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF INTRACRANIAL NEOPLASMS IN NIGERIA FROM 1960: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND POOLED ANALYSIS

Abstract BACKGROUND Intracranial neoplasms, encompassing a range of benign and malignant tumors, pose significant health challenges worldwide. This study systematically reviews the epidemiological patterns of intracranial neoplasms in Nigeria from 1960 to the present, providing a comprehensive analysis of their distribution, demographic characteristics, and temporal trends. METHODS A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, encompassing studies published from 1960 onwards. Databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online were searched using relevant keywords. Eligible studies were those that reported on the incidence, prevalence, or demographic details of intracranial neoplasms in Nigeria. RESULTS A total of 45 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 3,517 cases of intracranial neoplasms. The pooled analysis revealed a significant increase in the incidence of intracranial neoplasms over the study period. The pooled prevalence between the year 1960 to presences is 3.22 (95% CI: 1.66 – 5.22), while the pooled 10-yearly incidence was 3.66(95% CI: 1.67 – 6.32), the incidence rose from 2.18% in 1960-1969 to 4.08% in 2000-2009, and eventually to 4.84% in 2010 – 2019. The most common types of intracranial neoplasms identified were gliomas, meningioma pituitary adenomas; meningioma was the leading type found in adults followed by glioma and pituitary adenoma, while in pediatric age group glioma was leading followed by medulloblastoma, and craniopharyngioma. The demographic analysis indicated a higher prevalence in males compared to females with male-to-female ratio of 1.17:1, with the majority of cases occurring in the fourth to sixth decades of life. Geographic distribution showed higher incidence rates in southern Nigeria especially south east and south west compared to Northern Nigeria, potentially reflecting disparities in diagnostic facilities and healthcare access. CONCLUSION This review highlights an increasing trend in the incidence of intracranial neoplasms in Nigeria, with distinct demographic and geographic patterns. The findings underscore the need for improved diagnostic capabilities, enhanced public health strategies, and targeted interventions to address the burden of intracranial neoplasms in Nigeria.

A HERMENEUTIC ANALYSIS OF FILM THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER

The relationship between past and present is a compelling theme in film, particularly in The Last Letter from Your Lover, which explores love, time, and memory across two eras—the 1960s and the modern day. This study aims to interpret The Last Letter from Your Lover using a qualitative approach, grounded in Gadamer’s hermeneutic theory, to uncover layered meanings that are not directly expressed within the film. The analysis draws on primary data from key film elements, including dialogue, character development, narration, and other cinematic techniques, to provide a nuanced interpretation. Secondary data from academic literature, journals, and articles on hermeneutics supplement the study, offering theoretical depth to the analysis. Findings reveal how themes of love, time, and memory manifest through Gadamer’s concepts of historically effected consciousness, pre-understanding, fusion of horizons, and application. This research aims to contribute to film studies by enhancing understanding of implied meaning through hermeneutic analysis, enriching perspectives on temporal and emotional connections within film narratives.

Comparative Study on Ground and Roof-Mounted Solar PV Systems

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are integral to sustainable energy solutions. The choice between ground-mounted and roof-mounted systems significantly impacts efficiency, cost, and installation feasibility. This study provides a comparative analysis of these two solar PV installation types to inform stakeholders and guide decision-making. This study aims to guide stakeholders, including policymakers, investors, and energy planners, in making informed decisions regarding solar PV system installations. By highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, this review contributes to the broader understanding of solar PV deployment strategies and their implications for sustainable energy development. A systematic literature review was conducted to gather data from various sources including academic journals, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, SpringerLink, Academia, and research gate. Key criteria for comparison included energy production efficiency, initial and ongoing costs, installation complexity, and long-term maintenance. The review revealed that ground-mounted systems generally offer higher energy production due to optimal tilt and orientation adjustments, and often result in lower maintenance costs due to easier access. Conversely, roof-mounted systems are usually less costly to install as they utilize existing infrastructure and may benefit from lower regulatory hurdles. However, they are constrained by roof space and orientation limitations and may face higher maintenance costs due to accessibility issues. Ground-mounted solar PV systems typically provide greater efficiency and easier maintenance but at higher installation costs. Roof-mounted systems are more cost-effective in terms of installation but may present limitations in energy production and maintenance. The choice between these systems should be guided by specific site conditions, budget constraints, and long-term energy goals.

Cultural Competence in Chinese Language Education: Discussing the Importance of Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language

Background and Aim: Cultural competence plays a significant role in successful language education. Studies have shown that culturally sensitive pedagogy enables teachers to connect language to an accurate cultural context, preventing misappropriate language use. This study examined the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. Materials and Methods: Data was collected using observation, interviews, and systematic reviews of academic journals. The classroom observation was selected because it provides first-hand data about how educators teach the Chinese language. The researchers also observed the impact of cultural awareness on teaching methods and outcomes. Interviews were conducted using open-ended questionnaires to obtain the benefits of cultural awareness and sensitivity in teaching the Chinese language. The systematic review helped in extracting data from the previous studies. The inductive and deductive thematic analyses were conducted based on the guidance from Byram’s intercultural competence framework. Results: The findings showed that cultural awareness and sensitivity are important in teaching the Chinese language because they improve critical cultural awareness, linguistic competency, and the ability of language educators to translate and communicate effectively. The various elements of linguistic competency that teachers demonstrate include comprehension, connotation, convention, and conditioning. Conclusion: Cultural awareness and sensitivity also help language educators empower learners and enhance their capacity to become better intercultural communicators. The paper suggests that Chinese language teachers should make regular visits to China to enhance their cultural awareness. Educators should also try various strategies, including double translation, comparison, and situational settings to integrate cultural awareness into their teachings.

Digital Piracy in Higher Education: Exploring Social Media Users and Chinese Postgraduate Students Motivations for Supporting ‘Academic Cybercrime’ by Shelving eBooks from Z-Library

Z-library, an electronic book (ebook) website, was shut down in November 2022 for cybercriminal activity. This created a milieu to investigate its educational significance in higher educational institutes. Adopting social representation theory, this article explores 134 comments in r/Z-Library a Reddit subforum populated across social media during the takedown. These users’ views are contextualised against opinions from 103 Higher Education (HE) postgraduate students in China, who were engaged in a qualitative study including a survey, focus group and ethnographic observation of a classroom debate. Analysis found an overlap between both groups and suggests that universities need to re-consider digital divides faced by socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Academic poverty, caused by the cost of academic literature and journals, was found to drive students and social media users towards piracy. The article concludes by recommending that universities must consider how to reduce piracy, as institutional libraries move into post-digital futures. These recommendations highlight, then, that if learners must resort to ‘academic cybercrime’ a rethink is needed about how universities enable a culture of lifelong learning.

Improving the Quality of Vietnamese Academic Journals on Social Sciences and Humanities: A Commentary on Current Status and Pathways to Internationalization

This study examines the present status and srategies to improve the quality of Vietnamese academic publications in the fields of social sciences and humanities. The study utilizes a descriptive qualitative design, sourcing data from a recent journal list of Vietnam State Professorships and the ISI/Scopus database while contrasting it with recent developments in regional academic journals across Southeast AsiaThis raises concerns regarding the scholarly publication, including traditional publishing methods, the quality of peer review, and issues relating publication formatting. I propose some solutions to address these problems, facilitating their entry into the international arena for social sciences and humanities. The proposed solutions encompass editorial management, targeting niche publications, publishing exclusively in English, adopting digitalization, and improving editorial awareness.

INCLUSÃO NO ENSINO SUPERIOR: O PAPEL DOS NÚCLEOS DE ACESSIBILIDADE E INCLUSÃO NO BRASIL

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Accessibility and Inclusion Centers (NAIs) in Brazilian universities through a bibliographic review. Inclusion in higher education is a growing demand, and NAIs play a fundamental role in promoting accessibility and retention of students with disabilities. A systematic review methodology was used, consulting the Google Scholar and CAPES Journal Portal databases, with a time frame from 2019 to 2024. For the article search, the following descriptors were refined: "Accessibility and Inclusion Center," "inclusion in higher education," and "disability in higher education." Five articles were analyzed, revealing that although NAIs have promoted advances in inclusion, challenges such as lack of resources and teacher training still undermine their effectiveness. It is concluded that, to improve inclusion in higher education, it is necessary to strengthen the work of NAIs, ensuring greater financial support and continuous training for the professionals involved.

Efektivitas Komunitas Belajar dalam Meningkatkan Kualitas Guru di Sekolah

Teacher learning communities are regarded as essential means to improve education quality through collaboration and professional development. However, implementation within formal school contexts faces challenges, such as time constraints, limited structural support, and low awareness of the benefits of learning communities. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of learning communities in enhancing teacher quality in schools and to identify factors influencing teacher participation. The research method employed is a literature review, encompassing analysis of 25 articles from various relevant academic journals. Thematic analysis highlights key topics, including effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities for the development of learning communities. Findings indicate that learning communities have a positive role in enhancing teacher competence and work motivation. However, significant obstacles remain, such as lack of support from school management and limited understanding. The study also emphasizes the potential for digital technology-based learning communities, which could increase teacher participation by providing more flexible access. This study concludes that stronger policy support and further research are needed to address implementation barriers and maximize the potential of learning communities to enhance teaching quality in schools.

Conflict Resolution in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Construction Industry

Purpose: The high incidence of conflicts within this sector has significant ramifications, such as project delays, exceeding budgeted costs, and project abandonment (Oyewunmi et al., 2018). Cultural and linguistic disparities, inadequate communication, and competing interests among stakeholders are some of the causes of these conflicts. These conflicts are made worse by the intricate contractual arrangements, weak conflict resolution procedures, and weak regulatory frameworks that characterize the sector. Even though Nigeria's economy greatly benefits from the oil and gas sector, the frequency of conflicts impedes the sector's expansion and stability. Materials and Methodology: The methodology adopted is by secondary data which entails the examination of pre-existing data from many sources, including academic journals, industry reports, and government papers. The quality of the secondary data used in these studies depended on the reliability and validity of the sources, the methodology used in data collection, and the rigor of the analysis. Findings: The ecological consequences of oil production are a significant cause for conflict in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Construction sector. It is critical for all parties involved to collaborate to reduce this impact and ensure the industry's long-term viability. Regional interests frequently influence the oil sector, particularly in areas with abundant oil resources. These interests may occasionally result in confrontations with other parties. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The research recommends that fairness and equity should be the watchword in distribution of the gains and pains of the economy so that no regions of the country will feel cheated. There should be transparent allocation of proceeds. The active participation of young individuals in the Niger Delta region in the formulation of policies that will directly impact their welfare is crucial and should be adopted.

The Beauty and Importance of Scientific Journals

For more than 300 years, academic journals have been the main means of communication in all disciplines to disseminate scientific discoveries and advances, both theoretical and methodological, through scientific article, since they have covered all the functions of knowledge generation. Writing articles is the highlight of the research process and through it we not only share ideas and foster the spirit of free and cooperative exchange of information, but also fuel the process of self-correction that makes science powerful. To be shared with the community, articles must go through a process of attribution of authorship, certification of validity, dissemination, distribution and archiving of knowledge. Throughout history, scientific journals have gone through different stages and through different problems inherent to the editorial process. In this essay on scientific publications, we will reflect on the nature of publications, their importance and usefulness both social and economic, their less luminous side as well as their role, as a systemic and almost irreplaceable mechanism, in the generation and transmission of scientific culture, of our knowledge and understanding about the world and about ourselves.

Enhancing the accessibility of science at The Lancet with native language abstracts

Today, 98% of peer-reviewed scientific publishing is in English, which is also the official language of most scientific events and international academic journals. UNESCO, through its Recommendation on Open Science, has called on scientific institutions to foster multilingualism in the practice of science, in scientific publications, and in academic communications. At The Lancet, we recognize the need to provide more equitable and inclusive access to scientific knowledge by providing abstracts translated into relevant languages. Following a pilot, a workflow for abstract translation was devised. I present here details of our abstract translation procedure and rollout.

Paper Mills and Intellectual Prostitution in Pakistani Research: A Challenge to Scientific Integrity

In recent years, the phenomenon of ‘paper mills’ has gained significant attention within the academic and scientific communities globally. A paper mill refers to an organization or individual producing research papers, often fabricated or plagiarized, for authors in exchange for financial incentives. This troubling practice has infiltrated various regions, including Pakistan, leading to a surge in research publications that lack genuine scientific merit. The underlying issue, particularly in Pakistan, is the growing tendency among academics to prioritize career advancement/promotions over contributing to knowledge or solving real-world problems. According to a report published in the leading journal ‘Nature’, thousands of publications in academic journals have been linked to paper mills in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. According to some estimates, the percentage of academic articles produced by paper mills is between 2 to 20%. In 2023 alone, 10,000 research articles were retracted as a result of fake research and unfortunately, Pakistan was included among the list of countries with highest number of retractions. There are serious repercussions for the authors, the journals, and eventually the country as a whole.

Bridging epistemologies: Indigenous Methodologies and Western Journal Practices

This editorial reflects on the role of academic journals in supporting and disseminating Indigenous research. It is inspired by Dr Paul Callaghan’s invited article published in this issue of Advancing Scholarship and Research in Higher Education (ASRHE) which extends on his keynote presentation at the 2024 HERDSA Conference. Callaghan outlines the fundamental differences between Western and Aboriginal culture, pedagogy, epistemology, ontology, and axiology, and suggests how universities can leverage their positions of influence to create improved wellbeing for Aboriginal people and the nation as a whole. The editorial explores prior literature, including the 2021 HERD Special Issue on Indigenous voices, and identifies challenges in reviewing Indigenous research using Western frameworks. It advocates for more flexible journal formats that allow Indigenous researchers to present their work authentically, without conforming to Western ways of researching and publishing. An ‘open’ article category, supported by an exegesis, is proposed, to facilitate a more inclusive and multifaceted understanding of research. The editorial calls for feedback and collaboration to shape a future where journal publishing truly embraces diverse research traditions.