Descriptive Statistical Methods Research Articles

Public Funds as a Source of Financing Revalorization of Sacral Historical Monuments: The Example of Poland

Public Funds as a Source of Financing Revalorization of Sacral Historical Monuments: The Example of Poland

The Effect of Dynamic Marketing Capabilities on Organizational Reputation: An Analytical Research in General Company Diyala

The current research aims to determine the extent of the impact of dynamic marketing capabilities in its dimensions (product development, market knowledge, customer relationship management) as an explanatory variable on organizational reputation in its dimensions (social responsibility, service quality, creativity) as a response variable to arrive at appropriate mechanisms that enable General Diyala Company By exploiting its dynamic marketing capabilities to achieve its organizational reputation. For this purpose, several hypotheses formulated, the most important of which is finding the influence relationship. To test the research hypotheses, the researcher chose Diyala Company, and relied on the descriptive-analytical method. Data collected from various levels of management and departments. The data included managers, agents, marketing, media, communications, and relations departments. The sample number was (115) individuals, and the questionnaire was relied upon to collect data, in addition to the researcher's use of personal interviews with the company's general manager and department managers to enhance the questionnaire's results. The researcher relied on SPSS, Amos, and Excel programs to process and analyze the questionnaires. He also used descriptive statistics methods (arithmetic mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, coefficient of determination, R2, relative importance), and the most prominent conclusions were the interest in creative people and the adoption of rules and instructions that suit their needs and skills, which reflects a strategic vision to support and encourage creativity within the company. Research paper.

Adaptive Capacity of Fishermen in Facing Tidal Floods with Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Approach

Tambakrejo’s small-scale fishing households have low socio-economic capabilities and must face the problem of tidal flooding. Therefore, this research has the following objectives: 1) To identify the vulnerability of fishing households in Tambakrejo Fishermen Village to social-ecological changes due to tidal flooding. 2) To investigate the adaptive responses of fishermen households in facing socio-ecological changes due to tidal flooding. This research uses primary data by using semi-structured interviews. The number of respondents in the study was 60, determined by the snowball sampling technique. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The results of the research show that the community is vulnerable to both natural and institutional aspects. Adaptive responses shape community resilience through increased collaboration capacity and community learning capacity. This research contributes to the government's ability to distribute assistance to the community, especially fishing households affected by tidal flooding.

The Impact of Business Process Reengineering on the Quality of Banking Service: An Analytical Study in Public Commercial Banks in Iraq

The current research aims to test the impact of business process reengineering on the quality of banking services in public commercial banks owned by the state in Iraq. It also aims to identify the level of interest of AL- Rafidain Bank, Rashid Bank, and Trade Bank of Iraq in the research variables, in an attempt to provide a set of recommendations to contribute to improving managerial practices. The research adopted a descriptive-analytical approach in completing its chapters and sections. The study was conducted in public commercial banks in Iraq, which constituted the research population. The purposive stratified sample consisted of 170 respondents from the leadership positions of the three banks (branch managers, department managers, assistant general managers, and general managers). They were given the research instrument "questionnaire," of which 150 were valid. The questionnaire was supplemented with interviews and additional data. The researchers analyze the preliminary data, relying on descriptive and analytical statistical methods. The statistical tests included normality tests, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, validity and reliability tests, mean, coefficient of variation, standard deviation, simple linear regression, and multiple regression to test the hypotheses representing the main research questions. The research findings showed a statistically significant impact of business process reengineering on the quality of banking services. Paper type: Research paper.

DIGITAL EDUCATION AT EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Objective. The objective of this study was to identify and interpret state-of-the-play of the implementation of digital education (DE) in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the field of library and information science (LIS) during COVID-19 pandemic. Approach/Methodology/Design. In order to collect data, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted. A survey for the study's target audience - the heads/directors of LIS schools/departments in Europe - was created and disseminated. The collected data were analyzed using the method of descriptive statistics. Results. The survey was completed by the heads/directors of 56 LIS schools/departments in 23 European countries. The results indicate that DE presents a positive disruptive force that transforms the teaching and learning process and widens access to education, especially in crisis situations. It also indicates that despite the need for emergency response, almost all aspects of DE were deliberately and successfully implemented in most of the LIS higher education institutions. Further analysis of core topic areas (through interviews and focus groups) will provide a deeper insight into teachers' and students' practices and their overall appraisal of DE during the pandemic. Limitations. Limitations include the methods used to collect data and the lack of clarity and understanding of certain terms and concepts by a small number of participants. Originality/value. This paper offers an in-depth understanding of the role of DE in crisis situations within the field of LIS. It underlines the necessity for consistent monitoring and evaluation of DE to guarantee its quality. Consequently, this paper may contribute to more effective policy and decision-making processes concerning DE. Moreover, it aims to help create frameworks and guidelines that facilitate simpler, more sustainable, and broader implementation of DE in LIS HEIs.

Exploring Contextual Factors Affecting Student Performance in Mathematics: A Sequential Explanatory Research

This study aimed to explore and characterize the contextual factors that affect academic performance in learning mathematics among high school students. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed method research design, and primary data were collected with the aid of the adopted questionnaire for quantitative data, and the interview was done for qualitative data. The study used descriptive and inferential statistical methods in analyzing and interpreting the gathered data. In addition, qualitative data were analyzed through a thematic analysis approach. Results showed that the performance of students in mathematics is influenced by different factors such as students' attitudes towards mathematics, self-efficacy, parental support, and the learning environment. In addition, a thematized interview with the students supports the quantitative analysis that their performance in mathematics was governed by the said factors. Conclusively, students must be supported in their learning by providing doable tasks and exciting problems in mathematics to boost their attitude and self-efficacy. Parents are also advised to give them the appropriate support to motivate them in their studies. Moreover, teachers must integrate welfare and positive attitudes towards students to have a conducive learning experience.

Can pharmacogenetics impact the therapeutic effect of cytarabine and anthracyclines in adult acute myeloid leukaemia patients? A Serbian experience

Background. Cytarabine-anthracycline based induction chemotherapy remains the standard of care for remission induction among patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). There are remarkable differences in therapy response among AML patients. This fact could be partly explained by the patients’ genetic variability related to metabolic paths of cytarabine and anthracyclines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of variants in pharmacogenes SLC29A1, DCK, ABCB1, GSTM1 and GSTT1, as well as laboratory and AML-related parameters on clinical outcome in adult AML patients. Methods. A total of 100 AML patients were included in the study. Pharmacogenetic variants SLC29A1 rs9394992, DCK rs12648166, ABCB1 rs2032582 and GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions were detected by methodology based on PCR, fragment analysis and direct sequencing. The methods of descriptive and analytic statistics were used. Survival analysis was done by the Kaplan-Meier method using the Log-Rank test. Results. This is the first study of adult AML pharmacogenetics in Serbian population. Clinical outcomes in our cohort of AML patients were not impacted by analysed variants in SLC29A1, DCK, ABCB1and GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes, independently or in combinations. Achievement of complete remission was identified as an independent prognostic indicator of clinical outcome. Conclusions. The population specific genomic profile has to be considered in pharmacogenetics. Since the data on AML pharmacogenetics in European populations is limited, our results contribute to knowledge in this field and strongly indicate that high-throughput approach has to be applied in order to find particular pharmacogenetic markers of AML in European population.

Exploring the Nexus: Economics of Happiness and Quality of Life in College Students

A happy person will have a more active lifestyle, better career opportunities, and promote a more productive, cohesive, and lasting sustainable society. India is noted for having one of the world’s youngest populations. India has more than fifty percent of the population under 25. The primary objective of this study is to explore the levels of happiness and quality of life among college students in rural and urban areas of Karnataka. The sample comprises college students aged 18 to 25, drawn from different rural and urban colleges in Karnataka using a stratified random sampling method: the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and the Quality-of-Life Questionnaire for data collection. The collected data underwent analysis using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. It was observed in the present study that there was no significant difference between rural and urban students in Physical and Psychological quality of life. Results also indicate that in Social and Environmental domains urban students are better than rural students. The study revealed a significant relationship between happiness and different quality of life domains among urban and rural college students

Ethnobotanical study of twenty species in the family Asteraceae in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Ethnobotanical study was conducted on 20 plants belonging to 18 genera of the Asteraceae family. The aims of this research were to explore the current ethnobotanical status of the identified plant species, document their indigenous utilization for diverse purposes within the specific research area and assess the extent of Asteraceae plant usage by the local population. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and open-ended interview techniques with different categories of informants in the Ife Central Local Government Area of IleIfe, Osun State, Nigeria. Demographic data of respondents were analyzed using a descriptive statistical method, providing understandings into their characteristics. The ethnobotanical survey results were subjected to quantitative analysis employing several parameters. The Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) was utilized to determine the prominence of plant species in terms of citations. The Use Value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were employed to assess plant importance, therapeutic efficacy, and consensus among informants, respectively. Ethnobotanical study of the selected Asteraceae plants revealed the traditional uses of these plants for diverse purposes for both humans and livestock. The average ICF value was 0.92, indicating a relatively high consensus among the respondents. Ageratum conyzoides, Tithonia diversifolia, Aspilia africana, Launaea taraxacifolia and Tridax procumbens were the most cited of all the species, hence their high RFC values. Fidelity Level (FL) had the highest value in Aspilia africana, Tithonia diversifolia and Ageratum conyzoides while Acmella radicans had the lowest FL value. According to this study, Ageratum conyzoides (0.10) and Launaea taraxacifolia (0.10) had the highest use value. The study concluded that the Asteraceae species have several edible, ornamental and medicinal uses, which have not been explored extensively in the study area.

Promoting beef cattle raising in the concentrated farming areas of Hanoi city

The study was conducted in concentrated beef cattle farming areas of Hanoi city. The authors used the quantitative research method by taking steps such as directly investigating information through questionnaires in 6 communes and 210 beef cattle raising households in concentrated farming areas, processing information by Excel software, analysing information using descriptive statistical and comparative methods. The research results showed that although the number of beef cattle has not increased, the output, quality, and structure of the beef cattle herd have been significantly improved. However, beef cattle farming in concentrated areas of Hanoi city still has many inadequacies in scale, technical process, linkage, supply, and consumption. That leads to uncontrolled quality, no biosafety certification, and planned slaughterhouses not buying cows from Hanoi farmers. In order to promote beef cattle farming in concentrated areas of Hanoi city, the study recommends the following: increase the scale of livestock production associated with the development of high-quality beef cattle; promote biosecurity in beef farming; develop links between raising and consuming beef cattle; increase support from the city’ budget for beef cattle farming.

Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Vitiligo Among Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre of North-East India.

Objectives Vitiligo is a widespread cutaneous disorder. The present study aims to evaluate the epidemiologic profile of vitiligo and investigate its different clinical forms, disease activity, hereditary associations, triggering factors, and probable association with other diseases. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted over one year, from 2019 to 2020, and included 120 cases demonstrating definite clinical evidence of vitiligo. All selected patients underwent a detailed medical history interview. Specific enquiries were made regarding precipitating factors, clinical features of the disease, histories of other autoimmune diseases, and family histories. Thorough clinical, laboratory, and cutaneous examinations were performed on all patients. Descriptive statistical methods and diagrams were used to summarise the data. Results The age at presentation (31 patients, 25.8%) and the onset of the disease (32 patients, 26.6%) was predominantly in the second decade of life. The condition was usually progressive, with vitiligo vulgaris being the most prevalent type (56 cases, 46.7%). Disease onset (37 individuals, 30.8%) and the prevalence of lesions were higher in the lower leg. Body surface area involvement was ≤1% in 72 (60.0%) patients. Itching and trauma were the typical initiating factors. Leukotrichia in 38 (31.7%) cases, Koebner's phenomena in 23 (19.1%) cases, and a positive family history in 26 (21.7%) cases were observed. Thyroid dysfunction, hypertension, and various skin conditions are associated with the disease. Conclusion Vitiligo is more common in the young population. The condition is often progressive, with vitiligo vulgaris being the most common type. Itching and trauma are frequent initiating factors. Monitoring patients for associated diseases may be crucial for diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

The effect of work readiness on work well-being for newly graduated nurses: The mediating role of emotional labor and psychological capital.

To investigate the relationship between work readiness and work well-being for newly graduated nurses and the mediating role of emotional labor and psychological capital in this relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in mainland China. A total of 478 newly graduated nurses completed the Work Readiness Scale, Emotional Labour Scale, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and Work Well-being Scale. Descriptive statistical methods, Pearson correlation analysis, and a structural equation model were used to analyze the available data. Newly graduated nurses' work readiness was significantly positively correlated with work well-being (r = 0.21, p < 0.01), deep acting (r = 0.11, p < 0.05), and psychological capital (r = 0.18, p < 0.01). Emotional labor and psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between work readiness and work well-being. Additionally, emotional labor and psychological capital had a chain-mediating effect on the association. Work readiness not only affects newly graduated nurses' work well-being directly but also indirectly through emotional labor and psychological capital. These results provide theoretical support and guidance for the study and improvement of newly graduated nurses' work well-being and emphasize the importance of intervention measures to improve work readiness and psychological capital and the adoption of deep-acting emotional-labor strategies.

Consolidation and Reconsolidation of Auditory-Verbal Memory in Parkinson’s Disease

The paper describes the processes of consolidation and reconsolidation of auditory-verbal memory in patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (G20, ICD-10) in comparison with cerebrovascular pathologies of a chronic and acute nature. The research objective was to identify the specifics of consolidation and reconsolidation of auditory-verbal memory in patients of this nosological group. The methods involved an experiment in F. Bartlett’s schema reconstruction, as well as methods of descriptive and comparative statistics. The experiment involved 104 people (67.5 ± 4.5, 21% male), including 30 patients with Parkinson’s disease (G20) (67.8 ± 4.8, 24% male), 34 patients diagnosed with sequelae of cerebral infarction (I69.3) (67.4 ± 4.4, 20% male), and 40 patients with other specified lesions of cerebral vessels on a model of chronic cerebral ischemia (CICI) (I67.8 67.6 ± 4.4, 24% male). All codes were indicated in accordance with ICD-10. The research revealed reliably significant features of consolidation and reconsolidation of auditoryverbal memory in Parkinson’s disease. The greatest number of differences belonged to the comparative analysis with the patients with chronic cerebral ischemia. This nosology was characterized by a greater number of distortion errors but few additions and sequence violations. In Parkinson’s disease, information underwent transformations already at the storing stage, which led to impairment of short-term and long-term memory. Distortion errors were more numerous than consistency errors, which casts doubt on the kinetic factor as the key one.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF RECEIVING SOCIAL INSURANCE ONCE IN VIETNAM

Objective: Social insurance policies have played a crucial role as a cornerstone in the social security system, contributing positively to social stability and the realization of goals for a prosperous, strong, fair, democratic, and civilized society. The current legal framework on social insurance in Vietnam stipulates provisions to ensure the rights of workers in all cases, including regulations regarding one-time social insurance cases. Although the significance of receiving one-time social insurance aligns with the legal provisions for each case, the lack of understanding among workers regarding the significance of social insurance policies or their deliberate acceptance of one-time social insurance can have unpredictable consequences for society, the social insurance system, and the workers themselves... The study builds on the situation of receiving social insurance in Vietnam and makes a case study of consequences for once workers receive social insurance suggesting solutions to mitigate the situation. Method: The study is based on a method to collect secondary data on the status of social insurance once received in Vietnam through data channels. This data is presented and analyzed by the descriptive statistical method (mainly in the form of tables and charts) that will see the situation for receiving social insurance once in Vietnam over time. In order to conduct the research, the method applied in this article is a qualitative method including: The systematic approach to the research materials, legal regulations related to the research; The integrated analysis method is used to analyze and synthesize the situation of receiving social insurance once in Vietnam; The objective methodology is used by the author to argue, the views of the individual, along with the combination of perspectives of other studies of nature to make a broad consensus about a particular problem. Results: The results of the study show that although social insurance policies were established to protect workers from income risk, they can lead a stable future life. Rules on one-off social insurance regimes can help resolve many special cases of workers. However, research shows that the number of people who choose to receive social insurance in Vietnam in the period of 2014-2023 has increased greatly. The increase of the number of people who receive social insurance once means the increase in the number of people leaving the system, making it difficult to achieve the goal of universal social insurance coverage in the spirit of resolution No. 28-NQ/TW of the XII Central Committee. Actual data suggest that on average 1 new person is entering social insurance, there is 1 old person leaving the system. The number of people withdrawn the following year was always higher than the previous year with an average annual increase of about 10%. The proportion of workers that have returned from social insurance benefits to continue their low participation in social insurance. In the period of 2016-2022, the country had more than 4.8 million workers requesting and resolving social insurance once. After receiving social insurance coverage once, approximately 1.3 million people returned to continue the social insurance penetration. Thus, the proportion of workers who have been remarried to social insurance benefits is 26%, and the remaining 74% of those who have received social insurance benefits once, corresponding to about 3.5 million who do not return to social insurance contributions, meaning that they are not guaranteed short-term benefits in the process of continuing labor such as sickness, maternity, occupational accidents, unemployment and long-term retirement. Conclusion: Receiving one-time social insurance benefits of workers will have some consequences for the social insurance system, for Society and Workers in the current context of Vietnam population aging trends lead to the number of people who do not have a monthly pension in Vietnam accounting for a large proportion of approximately 10 million people, this shows that the lack of sustainability of the Social Security system in general creates pressure for the community and the workers themselves will not be protected from the immediate benefits and long-term social insurance system.

Characteristic Features of Dietary Patterns and Physical Activity among Medical Students

Introduction This paper deals with the investigation of controlled risk factors associated with body weight disorders of young people with overweight and obesity. Authors are convinced that the formation of a conscious attitude to health in youth and early diagnosis of any abnormalities through the dynamic monitoring of adolescents and young people with excess body weight could help in the solution to this problem. Methods Statistical and sociological methods were used during the investigation. 80 students from a medical university participated in this research. In the survey, Google Forms online application were used. The authors followed all the principles of bioethics and medical deontology in conformity with the requirements of the Helsinki Declaration. The questionnaire contained points about the diet, food habits and preferences, socio-economic status of the respondent’s family, the level of their physical activity, knowledge about a healthy lifestyle, and relationships in the group. Results The primary processing of the obtained data was carried out using the methods of descriptive and analytical statistics with the provision of results in the form of relative indicators (Р, %) with an error (m, p). The specificity of the eating behavior of youth was connected with the absence of a food regime, the multiplicity of meals, and the low level of eating culture (lack of a permanent place to eat or eating in front of a computer or TV). Moreover, such habits, like eating before going to bed, eating under stress, or frequently visiting fast food restaurants, were typical for this group of population. A large number of young people were found to be prone to use advertised products. Conclusion Young people’s awareness of healthy nutrition has been found to be insufficient, and the level of physical activity in the studied group as unsatisfactory. Significant features of physical activity associated with maladaptive eating behavior have been observed to be a lack of physical activity on weekdays, absence of morning gymnastics, failure to comply with the norms of rational nutrition in the family, or low level of information about healthy nutrition.

Comparative Study on Current Fishing Status of Paalameenmadu and Kallar Barmouths in Batticaloa District,

Batticaloa lagoon is one of the productive estuaries on the East coast of Sri Lanka and is connected to the sea at two points, Paalameenmadu and Kallar barmouths. The entire dynamics of the lagoon is based on the seasonal opening and closing of the above barmouths which influences the fish catch composition in nearby fishing areas. This study collects information on current fishing practices, species composition of the catch, and seasonal catch species composition, the level of awareness on fishing regulation and sustainable fishery using semi-structured questionnaire. Fisheries data were collected from 10 major barmouth fishery landing sites from January to April 2021. 210 respondents were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect responses after a pre-test and analysed with descriptive statistics method using SPSS. The study revealed that Paalameenmadu barmouth was opened annually and Kallar barmouth has been closed for the last five years. The most practiced crafts in Paalameenmadu are outboard Fiber Reinforced Plastic boats (OFRP) by 35.26% of fishers and small lagoon canoes by 87.04% fishers in Kallar. A total of seven types of fishing gears are used, among them hook and line, cast net, and dragnet were identified as major fishing gears operated. 30 aquatic species have been recorded in the catch, representing 17 families. Among them, dominant fish families are Scombridae 17.11% and Penaeidae 14.81% in Paalameenmadu. In the Kallar, family Penaeidae 18.75% and Gerreidae 16.32% have been recorded. Barmouth opening is favourable for fishing and 38.57% Penaeidae species were caught during barmouth opening period. Community response that Irregular and early barmouth opening have caused a reduction in fish production which impacts on economic activities. Fishermen have good awareness on importance of fishery resources sustainability and these resources need to be preserved for future generations through proper management practices.

Changes in the avids of IgG antibodies to the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 after coronavirus infection in medical workers of a temporary infections hospital

BACKGROUND: The effector capabilities of humoral immunity are determined not only by the amount of specific antibodies produced in response to an antigenic effect, but also by their qualitative characteristics, which include avidity ― the total strength of binding to the antigen, which determines the duration and effectiveness of post-infectious immunity to SARS-CoV-2.&#x0D; AIM: Is a selective study of the quantity and avidity of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 over time among medical workers of a temporary infectious diseases hospital in Kazan ― convalescents of COVID-19, during the period from July 2020 to July 2021.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: Determination of IgG to the S antigen of SARS-CoV-2 by ELISA was carried out using the test system SARS-CoV-2-IgG quantitative-ELISA-BEST (Vector-Best, Russia) and expressed in BAU/ml (binding antibody units). Antibody avidity was determined using a 4.0 M urea solution and expressed as avidity indices. 1, 4 and 7 months after COVID-19 asymptomatic (n=34); mild severity (n=42); moderate severity (n=29); reinfected (n=34). When statistically processing the data, descriptive statistics methods and the Wilcoxon matched data test were used. Differences were considered significant at p 0.05.&#x0D; RESULTS: IgG avidity to SARS-CoV-2 depended on the severity of COVID-19. The highest rates of avidity indices were found in the group of those who had a moderate form of COVID-19. If in mild and asymptomatic forms there was a parallel decrease in avidity indices and IgG titer, then in moderate forms an increase in antibody titer was accompanied by a decrease in their avidity 4 months after the infection. 7 months after seroconversion, the IgG level decreased almost twofold, both in mild, asymptomatic and moderate forms. In the group of medical workers who had COVID-19 repeatedly, the initially low levels of avidity indices and antibody titers increased in parallel, while avidity indices after 7 months did not decrease, but remained high. Differences in avidity indices determined the subsequent formation of different trends in the development of the humoral immune response, which were mainly characterized by an uneven decrease in IgG and persistence of IgM antibodies for more than 1 month.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: The research results expand the understanding of the mechanisms of formation of the humoral immune response and the avidity of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the risk group ― medical workers. The level of humoral immunity decreases in the first six months and varies depending on the severity of COVID-19. The data obtained can be used to identify categories of increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers, make decisions about immunorehabilitation and revaccination against COVID-19.

Investigating the level of vitamin D receptor gene expression in two tumoral and healthy breast tissues in breast cancer patients and its association with prognostic factors.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers known among women. This study aimed to investigate the level of vitamin D receptor gene expression in two tumoral and healthy breast tissues in breast cancer patients and its association with prognostic factors. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 on 50 patients with high suspicion of breast cancer who were candidates for mastectomy and lumpectomy in a learning hospital. From the patients, two tissue samples were prepared, and there was a total of 100 samples. The samples were subjected to H/E staining and evaluated by a pathologist. The presence or absence of malignancy in each sample was confirmed by two pathologists, and HER2/ER/PR indices were determined. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods and SPSS version 22 software were used. The average age of the patients was 51.60 ± 11.22 years old, and the average tumor size was 3.17 ± 1.28. Most tumors were grade 2 (48%). The expression of HER2, ER, and PR was positive in 24, 64, and 54%, respectively. The largest number of cases were in stage 2A. The expression level of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene in healthy tissue (2.08 ± 1.01) was higher than tumoral tissue (0.25 ± 1.38) (P = 0.001). In tumoral and healthy tissue, VDR expression was not significant according to tumor grade, HER2, ER, PR, LVI, LN, disease stage, age, and tumor size. The expression level of VDR in healthy tissue was significantly higher than tumoral tissue. However, there was no significant relationship between VDR and tumor grade, HER2, ER, PR, LVI, LN, disease stage, age, and tumor size.

An investigation of academic resilience, resilience, and empathy in pharmacy students: Implications for pharmacy education

Background: Resilience supports pharmacists and students in thriving in challenging healthcare and academic environments. Empathy is necessary to provide patient-centred care. Knowledge of how these attributes influence pharmacy students is limited, and correlations between academic resilience, empathy, and academic success continue to be explored. Methods: This study explores the relationships between levels of academic resilience, resilience, and empathy with the academic achievements of pharmacy students at a Malaysian university. Participants were pharmacy students enrolled from 2020/2021 to 2022/2023. Academic resilience was assessed using the Academic-Pharmacy-Resilience-Scale-16, resilience through the Brief-Resilience-Scale, and empathy with the Kiersma-Chen Empathy-Scale. Scores were related to students’ academic grades. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were utilised to analyse associations among variables. Results: Responses were received from 359 students. The levels of resilience of students were deemed to be moderate. Small, statistically significant variations were found in academic resilience scores across cohorts, resilience scores, and empathy scores in relation to gender. Academic resilience showed a correlation to academic grades. Conclusion: Academic resilience positively correlated with academic success and was positively influenced by work experience. Strengthening students’ resilience in pharmacy education may support their academic achievement, particularly during times of change like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of the challenges facing small and medium-scale building contractors in Nigeria

In this study, the challenges associated with the operations of small and mediumscale building contractors in Nigeria were considered. Globally, the construction industry is faced with several notable challenges in terms of technological advancement, development of operational processes and mechanisms, and keeping up to date with the prevailing business trends. The main objective of this study is to examine the problems that are facing small and medium-scale building contractors in Nigeria. The study employed a questionnaire survey as a data collection instrument. A total of 317 closed-ended questionnaires were administered to small and medium-sized contractors in Akure Nigeria. However, only one hundred and seventy-two (172) returned questionnaires were found valid for analysis. The data was analyzed using the simple descriptive statistical method of percentage and weighted mean score (WMS). Findings revealed that inadequate startup capital for contractors was the major problem facing small and medium-scale building contractors in the study area given its highest mean score of 4.0697. In light of the above, the study recommends that the government being the major player in the building industry should endeavour to initiate, create, and implement policies such as grants and aids for small and medium-sized contractors to enable them to remain in business no matter the state of the economy. It is concluded that the ineffectiveness of the small and medium-sized contractors in the study area is influenced by the un-availability of startup capital, lack of political will in implementing policies that assist small and medium-sized contractors, delayed payment, high-interest rates on loan facilities, and difficulty in getting guarantors for the loan facility.