Foundational Knowledge Research Articles

The online educational tool "Roadmap to EEGs" significantly improved trainee performance in recognizing EEG patterns.

We created a framework to assess the competency-based EEG curriculum, outlined by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) through a video-based online educational resource ("Roadmap to EEGs") and assessed its effectiveness and feasibility in improving trainees' knowledge. Ten video-based e-learning modules addressed seven key topics in EEG and epileptology (normal EEG, normal variants, EEG artifacts, interictal epileptiform discharges (IED), focal seizures, idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), and developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE)). We posted the educational videos on YouTube for free access. Pre- and post-tests, each comprising 20 multiple-choice questions, were distributed to institution leadership and advertised on social media platforms to reach a global audience. The tests were administered online to assess the participants' knowledge. Pre- and post-test questions showed different EEG samples to avoid memorization and immediate recall. After completing the post-test, participants were asked to respond to 7 additional questions assessing their confidence levels and recommendations for improvement. A total of 52 complete and matched pre- and post-test responses were collected. The probability of a correct response was 73% before teaching (95% CI: 70%-77%) and 81% after teaching (95% CI: 78%-84%). The odds of a correct response increased significantly by 59% (95% CI: 28%-98%, p < .001). For participants having >4 weeks of EEG training, the probability of a correct response was 76% (95% CI: .72-.79) and 81% after teaching (95% CI: .78-.84). The odds of answering correctly increased by 44% (95% CI: 15%-80%, p = .001). Participants felt completely confident in independently interpreting and identifying EEG findings after completing the teaching modules (17.1% before vs. 37.8% after, p-value < .0001). 86.5% of participants expressed a high likelihood of recommending the module to other trainees. The video-based online educational resource allows participants to acquire foundational knowledge in EEG/epilepsy, and participants to review previously learned EEG/epilepsy information.

The Rise of Developing Economies

Abstract: This research delves into the transformative shifts in the global economic landscape, spotlighting the ascending influence of developing economies, notably China and India. Contrary to projections by international financial institutions, the study contends that India's pro-market reforms position it as a potential economic giant in the 21st century. Analyzing the economic transformations since China's 1978 reforms and India's 1991 reforms, the study emphasizes the significance of these economies' growth and diversification due to their demographic and economic resources. China's earlier reforms during the Cold War allowed advantageous dealings for domestic businesses, facilitated by a well-equipped administration. Both countries, however, exhibit growth reliant on unsustainable credit booms, rendering them financially vulnerable. As global market leaders, China and India's economic success reshaped global markets, trade patterns, and investment strategies. This chapter aims to furnish essential insights into the evolution of these economic giants, offering foundational knowledge for investment and business opportunities in India and China

The perceived influence of a physical activity intervention on the intentions of parents of autistic children towards physical activities

BackgroundAutistic children can derive numerous benefits from engaging in physical activity (PA), necessitating parental support for active participation. However, parents often lack the foundational knowledge to effectively facilitate PA for their children. Despite the significance of this issue, limited research has explored the outcomes of parent-mediated PA interventions for autistic children. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes and intentions of parents to include their autistic children in PA after participating in a 12-week PA intervention. MethodsEmploying the Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework, we conducted a descriptive-qualitative investigation. Fifteen parents participated in semi-structured interviews, with the data transcribed and analyzed using thematic line-by-line analysis. ResultsThree themes emerged, elucidating how parents fostered PA opportunities for their autistic children were constructed: (a) Awareness and reinforcement of PA benefits, (b) Keep the momentum going, and (c) From intentions to behaviors. ConclusionsThe study findings indicate a positive impact on parental attitudes and intentions toward engaging in PA with their autistic children after participating in the intervention. his study highlights the significance of parent-mediated interventions in fostering PA for autistic children and suggests avenues for future research and interventions.

Halal tourism and ChatGPT: an overview of current trends and future research directions

Purpose The huge Muslim population has increased the demand for halal tourism products and destination factors in this niche tourism segment. Despite the growing body of research conducted regarding ChatGPT’s revolutionary impact on the tourism industry, the use of such an artificial intelligence (AI) tool in halal tourism needs more attention. This study aims to provide a comprehensive an overview of using ChatGPT in the tourism industry, specifically in halal tourism, and offer an agenda for further essential research questions exploration. Design/methodology/approach Through the intensive examination of the tourism literature dealing with AI and halal tourism, this review identifies the implications related to the use of ChatGPT for Muslim travelers and future trends in halal tourism. Findings This paper identified the possible utilization of ChatGPT in assisting Muslim travelers across various stages of their journey, encompassing pre-trip, staying and post-trip phases. Subsequently, this paper identified the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing ChatGPT in the context of halal tourism. Finally, the paper delves into potential avenues for future research. Practical implications The findings serve as crucial implications, contributing to the theory of halal tourism development and the applications of ChatGPT in halal tourism. Originality/value This paper provides essential foundational knowledge for upcoming research on halal tourism theory, ChatGPT and the development of halal tourism sector.

Teaching Reform of Basic Medicine Curriculum by Integrating the Perspective of Curriculum Civics and Politics in the Context of Healthy China

Basic medicine is the foundation of basic knowledge of medical science, life science, and natural science, and is the basis for training medical talents. It can help students correctly understand the relationship between disease and health, and is of great significance under the perspective of the Healthy China strategy. However, there are still some deficiencies in the current teaching, and insufficient attention has been paid to civics and politics. Thus, it is necessary to carry out curriculum reform in order to enable students to better understand medical knowledge and master medical skills, to ensure the development of medical education, and to play an important role in basic medicine. This study combines the necessity of curriculum reform under the perspective of civics and politics and puts forward a teaching reform strategy suitable for the development of contemporary medicine to provide a direction for the educational development of basic medicine.

Identifying online sports betting motivations associated with betting intention

PurposeTo extend research into sport consumer behaviors related to online sports betting, this study is designed to identify and examine the relationship between online sports betting motivations and online sports betting intentions. By applying a push-pull framework from online sport consumption and gambling studies, nine motivations to engage in online sports betting were identified. These motivations were hypothesized to motivate online sports betting intentions.Design/methodology/approachA quota sampling technique based on the sports bettor demographics available in the American Gaming Association (AGA, 2019) and the Pew Research Center (2022) obtained a total of 550 completed surveys that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. For data analyses, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine the measurement model and the hypothesized model, respectively.FindingsThe results revealed that four motivations (i.e. monetary gain, excitement, convenience and negative technology-readiness) were related to online sports betting intention, while five motivations (i.e. sport fandom, positive technology-readiness, impulsivity, socialization and promotion) were not.Originality/valueThe results provide foundational theoretical knowledge of what motivates sports fans to participate in online sports betting. Furthermore, the findings assist practitioners in their allocation of resources by enhancing their understanding of online sports betting motivations.

Digital literacy in undergraduate pharmacy education: a scoping review

Abstract Introduction Digital health technologies (DHTs) play a crucial role in enhancing patient care and have become an integral part of pharmacy practice. However, to fully harness the benefits of digital health, it is imperative to have a digitally literate pharmacy workforce. Despite ongoing efforts to promote digital literacy, there remains a gap in digital health education within many pharmacy schools. Aim To explore strategies used in the education, training, and assessment of digital literacy among undergraduate pharmacy students and trainees. Methods Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and guided by a registered protocol. Five electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE [Ovid], PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL), using specific keywords and index terms. The eligibility criteria included: Participants (undergraduate pharmacy students and trainees), Concept (digital literacy in terms of curriculum development, training approaches, assessment methods, and evaluation), Context (worldwide studies), and Types of Sources (all study types published in English between 1995 and 2022). Three independent reviewers performed study selection in two phases (titles/abstracts and full text), resolving any discrepancies through discussion with two additional reviewers. Data were extracted by two reviewers using a predefined table. The extracted data were thematically analysed, examining patterns and themes across the studies, using the Health Education England (HEE) capability framework as an initial thematic framework.[1] The Constructive alignment theory was applied to assess the alignment between taught material and assessment approaches in the reviewed studies.[2] Results We identified 624 articles and included a total of 57 studies in our scoping review. Four main themes were generated: (1) competencies, skills, and learning objectives, (2) delivery methods, (3) assessment methods, and (4) course development. The studies identified three categories of learning objectives for digital literacy: theoretical understanding of health informatics, familiarity with various DHTs, and applied informatics for patient-centred care and interprofessional collaboration. The review found a variety of delivery methods, with blended approaches being the most commonly used. Various assessment strategies were employed, including retrieving data from DHTs for patient plan presentations, live evaluations of DHT skills, critical appraisal of DHTs, and quizzes/written exams. Multiple strategies were also utilised for course development, including literature reviews, evaluations of existing courses, piloting, and collaboration with organisations, experts, companies, and schools to develop digital health courses at undergraduate pharmacy schools. Conclusion This scoping review is the first study to focus on incorporating digital literacy education into undergraduate pharmacy programmes, emphasising its significance. It identifies learning objectives, skills, competencies, teaching and assessment method to achieve this goal. Recommendations include prioritising foundational knowledge, keeping pace with the developing technology, using standardised guidelines for reporting educational interventions, and partnering with stakeholders to facilitate the development of digital literacy courses. While providing a valuable overview and practical suggestions for enhancing digital literacy education, our study acknowledges limitations, such as the potential oversight of relevant unpublished studies and a lack of detail in some reviewed studies. Nevertheless, it offers essential insights and a foundation for future research and collaborative efforts to prepare future pharmacists for the evolving landscape of digital health.

Gamifying cell culture training: The ‘Seru-Otchi’ experience for undergraduates

Working in a stem cell laboratory necessitates a thorough understanding of complex cell culture protocols, the operation of sensitive scientific equipment, adherence to safety standards, and general laboratory etiquette. For novice student researchers, acquiring the necessary specialized knowledge before their initial laboratory experience can be a formidable task. Similarly, for experienced laboratory personnel, efficiently and uniformly training new trainees to a rigorous standard presents a significant challenge. In response to these issues, we have developed an educational and interactive virtual cell culture environment. This interactive virtual lab aims to equip students with foundational knowledge in maintaining cortical brain organoids and to instill an understanding of pertinent safety procedures and laboratory etiquette. The gamification of this training process seeks to provide laboratory supervisors in highly specialized fields with an effective tool to integrate students into their work environments more rapidly and safely.

Additive Manufacturing of Electrically Conductive Multi-Layered Nanocopper in an Air Environment.

The additive manufacturing (AM) of functional copper (Cu) parts is a major goal for many industries, from aerospace to automotive to electronics, because Cu has a high thermal and electrical conductivity as well as being ~10× cheaper than silver. Previous studies on AM of Cu have concentrated mainly on high-energy manufacturing processes such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Electron Beam Melting, and Binder Jetting. These processes all require high-temperature heat treatment in an oxygen-free environment. This paper shows an AM route to multi-layered microparts from novel nanoparticle (NP) Cu feedstocks, performed in an air environment, employing a low-power (<10 W) laser sintering process. Cu NP ink was deposited using two mechanisms, inkjet printing, and bar coating, followed by low-power laser exposure to induce particle consolidation. Initial parts were manufactured to a height of approximately 100 µm, which was achieved by multi-layer printing of 15 (bar-coated) to 300 (inkjetted) layers. There was no evidence of oxidised copper in the sintered material, but they were found to be low-density, porous structures. Nonetheless, electrical resistivity of ~28 × 10-8 Ω m was achieved. Overall, the aim of this study is to offer foundational knowledge for upscaling the process to additively manufacture Cu 3D parts of significant size via sequential nanometal ink deposition and low-power laser processing.

Evaluation of ChatGPT and Gemini large language models for pharmacometrics with NONMEM.

To assess ChatGPT 4.0 (ChatGPT) and Gemini Ultra 1.0 (Gemini) large language models on NONMEM coding tasks relevant to pharmacometrics and clinical pharmacology. ChatGPT and Gemini were assessed on tasks mimicking real-world applications of NONMEM. The tasks ranged from providing a curriculum for learning NONMEM, an overview of NONMEM code structure to generating code. Prompts in lay language to elicit NONMEM code for a linear pharmacokinetic (PK) model with oral administration and a more complex model with two parallel first-order absorption mechanisms were investigated. Reproducibility and the impact of "temperature" hyperparameter settings were assessed. The code was reviewed by two NONMEM experts. ChatGPT and Gemini provided NONMEM curriculum structures combining foundational knowledge with advanced concepts (e.g., covariate modeling and Bayesian approaches) and practical skills including NONMEM code structure and syntax. ChatGPT provided an informative summary of the NONMEM control stream structure and outlined the key NONMEM Translator (NM-TRAN) records needed. ChatGPT and Gemini were able to generate code blocks for the NONMEM control stream from the lay language prompts for the two coding tasks. The control streams contained focal structural and syntax errors that required revision before they could be executed without errors and warnings. The code output from ChatGPT and Gemini was not reproducible, and varying the temperature hyperparameter did not reduce the errors and omissions substantively. Large language models may be useful in pharmacometrics for efficiently generating an initial coding template for modeling projects. However, the output can contain errors and omissions that require correction.

Foundations in Hazards and Disasters for Undergraduate Students

A new textbook for undergraduates explores different types of natural hazards and disasters through foundational scientific knowledge, engaging case studies, and mitigation strategies.

Topographical gradient of the structure and diversity of a woody plant community in a seasonally dry tropical forest in northwestern Madagascar

AbstractFew studies have evaluated the structure and dynamics of forests in Madagascar with high levels of endemism. Ankarafantsika National Park holds the largest of the remaining primary dry forests in northwestern Madagascar, where most of the forests have been lost or degraded by fire and other human activities. In this primary forest, we established a 15‐ha forest dynamics monitoring plot and mapped and identified all woody stems with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥5 cm. The forest stand was characterized by small‐sized individuals (75% of stems with DBH &lt;10 cm, with 99% of trees with height &lt;15 m), encompassing 35,758 tree and 513 liana individuals belonging to 160 species in 53 families (including 20 species of lianas accounting for 1.4% of the stems). Most species‐rich families were Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Malvaceae, which together encompassed 43 tree species and 23% of all tree individuals. The plot was located on a hill consisting of white sand at elevations from 150 to 200 m, with a gentle slope down from southwest to northeast. Over this elevation gradient, stem density and species diversity increased with elevation, while tree height and diameter decreased. The most abundant two species, Drypetes perrieri (Putranjivaceae) and Noronhia alleizettei (Oleaceae) are evergreen, suggesting the importance of a nutrient conservation strategy. These results provide the foundational knowledge necessary for the conservation and restoration of natural semi‐deciduous dry forests that used to cover large areas in northwestern Madagascar until recently.

The plant checklist: Building the foundation of botanical knowledge in South Africa

AbstractTaxonomic research and resultant checklists play a crucial role in underpinning all biodiversity research. Compiling an inventory of plants that occur in a region or country is a complicated task that can be subject to errors and incompleteness, which in turn can hinder other fields of botanical research. South Africa has put in place a rigorous and defensible method of compiling and updating a national checklist, which can serve as a guide to any country in the process of doing so. The process of creating the checklist and significance of this is presented, and the governance, including the choice of classification followed and use of common names, is discussed. Methods for compilation and dissemination of the checklist are described.

Molecular mechanism of apoptosis induced by 4-tBP in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) head kidneys was explored from various angles: Hippo pathway, miR-203a, oxidative stress, ER stress, and mitochondrial pathway

4-tert butylphenol (4-tBP), a toxic environmental pollutant estrogen, received widespread attention due to its widespread presence, environmental persistence, and toxic effect. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is the most important freshwater economic animal in China and is also a model animal for the study on molecular mechanisms of poisoning. Head kidney is a target organ attacked by environmental pollutants. Here, we established a common carp 4-tBP poisoning model. The results showed that exposure to 4-tBP resulted in mitochondrial damage, endoplasmic reticulum damage, and apoptotic damage in head kidneys of common carps using microstructure and ultrastructure observations, as well as TUNEL kit methods. Furthermore, we found at transcriptional level from three perspectives that 4-tBP induced apoptosis in common carp head kidney cells: Hippo pathway, mitochondrial pathway, and ER stress. Hippo pathway formed a complex network, in which LATS1 was a core gene. It's noteworthy that Hippo pathway triggered mitochondrial pathway through YAP/NR4A1/Bcl-2 and YAP/BIRC5/Caspase-9 pathways under 4-tBP-induced apoptosis. PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-Caspase-3 pathway was involved in 4-tBP-induced apoptosis via ER stress. Moreover, miR-203a mediated 4-tBP-induced apoptosis through targeting MST1, MAP4K4, and NR4A1. In addition, 4-tBP disrupted balance between oxidants and antioxidants, and caused oxidative stress, and oxidative stress mediated ER stress under 4-tBP-caused apoptosis via via H2O2-PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-Caspase-3 pathway. miR-203a and oxidative stress participated in 4-tBP-induced apoptosis in common carp head kidney cells. For the first time, we found that Hippo pathway took part in molecular mechanism of fish poisoning, which needs to be investigated in the future. Our research provided foundational knowledge for exploring toxic effects of estrogen on fish and provided new insights into a theoretical basis for safety risk assessment for humans and fish, which deserves further profound exploration in the future. Moreover, the insights we generated help inform new strategies for preventing toxic injury in fish.

Causes and outcomes of at-risk underperforming pharmacy students: implications for policy and practice

ObjectiveThis study aimed to understand the key determinants for poor academic performance of students completing a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm), Bachelor of Pharmacy and Management (BPharmMgmt), or Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree.MethodsData were collected on pharmacy students who had not met academic progression requirements between 2008 and 2018 at The University of Sydney, Australia. This included: age at the start of pharmacy degree; gender; whether they transferred from another university; whether they were a domestic or international student; Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank upon entry, previous studies in biology, chemistry, or mathematics; show cause triggers (units of study failed); number of show causes; students’ written show cause responses; weighted average mark at last show cause or graduation; whether they graduated and were a registered pharmacist; and, the number of years they spent studying the degree. Descriptive studies were used to analyse student characteristics using SPSS software, and student self-reported reasons for poor performance were analysed reflexively using thematic analysis procedures using NVivo.ResultsThis study included 164 pharmacy students enrolled in a BPharm (79.3%, n = 130), BPharmMgmt (1.2%, n = 2), or MPharm (19.5%, n = 32). Of the students, 54% (n = 88) were men, 81% (n = 133) were domestic students, 15% (n = 24) transferred from another degree program, and 38% (n = 62) graduated from the course. Show cause students were less likely to graduate if they transferred from another degree program (P = 0.0002) or failed more than three units of study (UoS; P < 0.0001). The most commonly failed UoS were related to organic or pharmaceutical chemistry, and the top student self-reported reasons for poor performance was stress/anxiety, physical health, and depression.ConclusionPharmacy schools should aim to address student foundational knowledge in chemistry, identify at-risk students early using pre-subject testing, and provide better services to address student mental health.

Using machine learning to identify key subject categories predicting the pre-clerkship and clerkship performance: 8-year cohort study.

Medical students need to build a solid foundation of knowledge to become physicians. Clerkship is often considered the first transition point, and clerkship performance is essential for their development. We hope to identify subjects that could predict the clerkship performance, thus helping medical students learn more efficiently to achieve high clerkship performance. This cohort study collected background and academic data from medical students who graduated between 2011 and 2019. Prediction models were developed by machine learning techniques to identify the affecting features in predicting the pre-clerkship performance and clerkship performance. Following serial processes of data collection, data preprocessing before machine learning, and techniques and performance of machine learning, different machine learning models were trained and validated using the 10-fold cross-validation method. Thirteen subjects from the pre-med stage and 10 subjects from the basic medical science stage with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) >0.7 for either pre-clerkship performance or clerkship performance were found. In each subject category, medical humanities and sociology in social science, chemistry, and physician scientist-related training in basic science, and pharmacology, immunology-microbiology, and histology in basic medical science have predictive abilities for clerkship performance above the top tertile. Using a machine learning technique based on random forest, the prediction model predicted clerkship performance with 95% accuracy and 88% AUC. Clerkship performance was predicted by selected subjects or combination of different subject categories in the pre-med and basic medical science stages. The demonstrated predictive ability of subjects or categories in the medical program may facilitate students' understanding of how these subjects or categories of the medical program relate to their performance in the clerkship to enhance their preparedness for the clerkship.

Elucidating the Role of Transcriptomic Networks and DNA Methylation in Collagen Deposition of Dezhou Donkey Skin.

DNA methylation represents a predominant epigenetic modification with broad implications in various biological functions. Its role is particularly significant in the process of collagen deposition, a fundamental aspect of dermal development in donkeys. Despite its critical involvement, the mechanistic insights into how DNA methylation influences collagen deposition in donkey skin remain limited. In this study, we employed whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate the epigenetic landscape and gene expression profiles in the dorsal skin tissues of Dezhou donkeys across three developmental stages: embryonic (YD), juvenile (2-year-old, MD), and mature (8-year-old, OD). Our analysis identified numerous differentially methylated genes that play pivotal roles in skin collagen deposition and overall skin maturation, including but not limited to COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL4A1, COL4A2, GLUL, SFRP2, FOSL1, SERPINE1, MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, and MMP13. Notably, we observed an inverse relationship between gene expression and DNA methylation proximal to transcription start sites (TSSs), whereas a direct correlation was detected in regions close to transcription termination sites (TTSs). Detailed bisulfite sequencing analyses of the COL1A1 promoter region revealed a low methylation status during the embryonic stage, correlating with elevated transcriptional activity and gene expression levels. Collectively, our findings elucidate key genetic markers associated with collagen deposition in the skin of Dezhou donkeys, underscoring the significant regulatory role of DNA methylation. This research work contributes to the foundational knowledge necessary for the genetic improvement and selective breeding of Dezhou donkeys, aiming to enhance skin quality attributes.

A primer to vascular anatomy of the brain: an overview on anterior compartment

PurposeKnowledge of neurovascular anatomy is vital for neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuro-radiologists and anatomy students, amongst others, to fully comprehend the brain’s anatomy with utmost depth. This paper aims to enhance the foundational knowledge of novice physicians in this area.MethodA comprehensive literature review was carried out by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using primary keywords related to brain vasculature, without date restrictions. The identified literature was meticulously examined and scrutinized. In the process of screening pertinent papers, further articles and book chapters were obtained through analysis and additional assessing of the reference lists. Additionally, four formalin-fixed, color latex-injected cadaveric specimens preserved in 70% ethanol solution were dissected under surgical microscope (Leica Microsystems Inc, 1700 Leider Ln, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 USA). Using microneurosurgical as well as standard instruments, and a high-speed surgical drill (Stryker Instruments 1941 Stryker Way Portage, MI 49002 USA). Ulterior anatomical dissection was documented in microscopic images.ResultsEncephalic circulation functions as a complex network of intertwined vessels. The Internal Carotid Arteries (ICAs) and the Vertebral Arteries (VAs), form the anterior and posterior arterial circulations, respectively. This work provides a detailed exploration of the neurovascular anatomy of the anterior circulation and its key structures, such as the Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA) and the Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA). Embryology is also briefly covered, offering insights into the early development of the vascular structures of the central nervous system. Cerebral venous system was detailed, highlighting the major veins and tributaries involved in the drainage of blood from the intracranial compartment, with a focus on the role of the Internal Jugular Veins (IJVs) as the primary, although not exclusive, deoxygenated blood outflow pathway.ConclusionThis work serves as initial guide, providing essential knowledge on neurovascular anatomy, hoping to reduce the initial impact when tackling the subject, albeit the intricate vasculature of the brain will necessitate further efforts to be conquered, that being crucial for neurosurgical and neurology related practice and clinical decision-making.

A Comprehensive Review of Advancement in Speech-Based Approach for Alzheimer Disease Detection in India

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), accounting for 60%-70% of dementia cases, is poised to afflict India as the second-largest country by mid-century, as indicated by a recent World Health Organization (WHO) study. The socio-economic landscape in India presents unique challenges, with a population that may not be adequately educated on allocating resources for healthcare beyond the age of 60, especially for conditions like Alzheimer's, which currently lacks a definitive cure. Addressing this impending health crisis necessitates innovative, early diagnosis and cost-effective solutions. This comprehensive review paper explores the potential of utilizing speech data analysis for the early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), offering a pragmatic approach to mitigate the severity of cases. By harnessing speech data, the aim is to diagnose the condition in its early stages, minimizing costs and enabling timely interventions to impede its progression. Early diagnosis is paramount, as it opens doors to effective treatments and preventative measures. The paper systematically reviews various processes involved in developing a mathematical model for the early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). It delves into key aspects such as data collection methodologies, pre-processing techniques, feature extraction methods, and diverse classifiers. The intention is to provide a thorough understanding of the intricacies involved in creating an accurate and reliable model for early Alzheimer's detection. In light of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) representing a substantial majority of dementia cases, this review paper serves as a valuable resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. It fosters a deeper comprehension of potential avenues for leveraging speech data specifically in the context of Alzheimer's. As we confront the impending surge in Alzheimer's cases in India, this comprehensive review work contributes to the foundation of knowledge needed to develop scalable and accessible solutions, making a substantial impact on public health.

The Global Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Chapter: South West Asia and Africa Extracorporeal Life Support Organization in 2024

In early 2024, we can take a moment to acknowledge the journey we have been on in critical care, especially in the region that comprises Extracorporeal Life Support Organizations (ELSO’s) South West Asia and Africa Continent (SWAAC) Chapter. ELSO has been able to develop a global standard in foundational educational knowledge for adults. This is only possible with the participation of experts in every region. The process for developing this standard has now been published. ELSO is using this same process to develop the foundational knowledge for neonatal and pediatric education. We are grateful to many in the SWAACELSO region for your assistance in the development of a global standard in education and training. The SWAACELSO region has achieved so much in the recent past. Participation in all facets of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and ELSO globally continues to advance how we work together and what is available for patients in communities everywhere. This region will continue to help lead in creating resiliency and innovation in the coming years. Personally, I am grateful for the dedication and commitment to improving life support that this region continues to advance.