Historical Context Research Articles

Improving health outcomes in Cameroon through competency-based curricula and stakeholder engagement in accreditation

This review article explores the accreditation process for health personnel training in Cameroon, emphasizing its critical role in ensuring quality education and improving healthcare delivery. It begins with an overview of the current state of health education institutions and regulatory mechanisms, highlighting the need for robust national guidelines for accreditation. The review examines the importance of autonomous councils for each health specialty, emphasizing their role in establishing specialized standards, monitoring compliance, and promoting ethical values in training. It also discusses the historical context and evolution of accreditation, identifying past limitations and the necessity for updated standards. The strengths and challenges of the proposed guidelines are analyzed, focusing on their potential impact on the competence of health professionals. Comparative assessments with successful accreditation systems in other African nations, such as Nigeria and Ghana, provide valuable insights into best practices. The perspectives of various stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare providers, are examined. The article concludes with recommendations for enhancing accreditation processes, including capacity building and continuous stakeholder engagement, ultimately supporting the development of a competent healthcare workforce aligned with national health goals.

Depictions of Aging in a Self-Portrait by David Bailly (1584-1657).

I present a case involving a portrait of David Bailly, containing 2 images portraying changes over a period of ∼40 years, and I compare the facial features that illustrate the aging process. He was 67 years old when he painted "Self-Portraits With Vanitas Symbols" (1651). By juxtaposing past representations with present reality, the painting suggests that the young artist is contemplating his future aging. The young man, appearing so vividly within the painting's immediate reality, actually symbolizes a bygone era Compared with the young portrait, the older portrait exhibits a slightly drooped eyebrow tail, indicative of brow ptosis. In the young portrait, the lid margin is aligned with the upper border of the iris, whereas in the older portrait, it is aligned with the upper border of the pupil. The margin reflex distance 1 decreases with age. In addition, the older portrait shows baggy lower eyelids. The nasojugal groove is more pronounced, and the nasolabial fold is deeper. The beard and mustache are more extensive, and silver strands are interspersed among the black hairs. Presenting 2 images from a 40-year interval, the older portrait exhibits more pronounced signs of facial aging than the younger portrait. Portraits from that era, whether painted by western or eastern artists, demonstrate that the painters had an understanding of facial skin lines and the aging process. The process of creating portraits provides insights into historical contexts and remains significant in contemporary settings, particularly concerning perceptions and identity.

Natural Stones Used in the Cultural Heritage of Latvia: Historical Context, Stone Selection Criteria, Durability, and Conservation

Natural Stones Used in the Cultural Heritage of Latvia: Historical Context, Stone Selection Criteria, Durability, and Conservation

A perspective on restoration with foundation plants across anthropogenic dry forests of the Southern Cone and the Sahel

Rewilding is a flexible conservation approach that may be applicable to a wide variety of ecological, historical and socio-cultural contexts. We believe that comparative socio-ecological research on woodland habitat trajectories among contexts is an excellent opportunity to consider possible rewilding approaches. Here, we draw on a comparison between arid and seasonally dry woodlands of the Sahel region of Africa and the Southern Cone of South America. The two regions, while sharing a common Gondwanan floral origin, differ in terms of subsequent biogeographical processes and have different climatic gradients. Historically, both regions were colonised, although along different models, and the Southern Cone has experienced greater land-use change and agricultural modernisation. Culturally, both regions have indigenous populations with traditional management techniques and local ecological knowledge, although attention to these topics in research and conservation has had different emphases in each region. Rewilding, focusing on charismatic animals, has been proposed and implemented in some parts of the Southern Cone, but has hardly been mentioned for the Sahel. We discuss the applicability of potential rewilding models involving key plants for each region, and what a plant-focused rewilding practice could gain from a comparative approach in the two regions.

The role of governance in shaping health system reform: a case study of the design and implementation of new health regions in Ireland, 2018–2023

Abstract Background This study focuses on the development of new regional health structures in Ireland in the period 2018-2023, one part of a broader health system reform programme aimed at greater universalism, in order to scrutinise how aspects of governance impact on the reform process, from policy design through to implementation. Methods This qualitative, multi-method study draws on document analysis of official documents relevant to the reform process, as well as twelve semi-structured interviews with key informants from across the health sector. Interviews were analysed according to thematic analysis methodology. Conceiving governance as comprising five domains (Transparency, Accountability, Participation, Integrity, Capacity) the research uses the TAPIC framework for health governance as a conceptual starting point and as initial, deductive analytic categories for data analysis. Results The analysis reveals important lessons for policymakers across the five TAPIC domains of governance. These include deficiencies in accountability arrangements, poor transparency within the system and vis-à-vis external stakeholders and the public, and periods during which a lack of clarity in terms of roles and responsibilities for various process and key decisions related to the reform were identified. Inadequate resourcing of implementation capacity, competing policy visions and changing decision-making arrangements, among others, were found to have originated in and continuously reproduced a lack of trust between key institutional actors. Conclusions Large scale health system reform is a complex process and its governance presents distinct challenges and opportunities for stakeholders. To understand and be able to address these, and to move beyond formulaic prescriptions, critical analysis of the historical context surrounding the policy reform and the institutional relationships at its core are needed

Governance and health system reform: a case study of new health regions in Ireland, 2018-2023

Abstract Background While the significance of good governance is recognised within health systems research, its role in health system reform is underexplored. This research focuses on the establishment of new decentralised regional health structures in Ireland in the period 2018-2023, examining how aspects of governance impacted the decentralisation reform process, from policy design through to implementation. Methods The research applied a qualitative, multi-method approach involving analysis of official documents relevant to the regional decentralisation process, and 12 semi-structured interviews with key informants from across the health sector. The research applies the TAPIC framework for health governance as its analytic framework and the data is analysed using thematic analysis. Results Deficiencies in accountability arrangements, poor transparency within the system and vis-à-vis external stakeholders, and a lack of clarity of roles and responsibilities for various process and key decisions related to the reform were identified as undermining progress at various stages of Ireland’s decentralisation reform process. An underlying distrust between key institutional actors was identified. These findings are grounded in complex social, cultural, and political and institutional developments in Ireland’s history. Also of note is the interwovenness of the five TAPIC domains and the importance of engaging with the complexity and relationality intrinsic to health system reform processes to achieve the aim(s) of the reform in question. Conclusions Large scale health system reform is a complex process and its governance presents distinct challenges and opportunities for stakeholders. To understand and address these, critical analysis of the historical context surrounding the policy reform and the institutional relationships at its core are needed. Key messages • Governance plays a crucial if overlooked role in health systems reform. Effective governance arrangements are central to the successful design and implementation of reform initiatives. • Ensuring a strong link between policy design and implementation processes is crucial to the success of health systems reform.

Development and Validation of a New Approach to Assess the Seismic Vulnerability of Masonry Structures Based on the CARTIS Form

ABSTRACT Rapid methodologies for seismic vulnerability assessment are crucial for implementing effective seismic risk mitigation strategies over large areas. This paper addresses data accuracy and specificity uncertainties in vulnerability indices by introducing a novel rapid methodology built upon the CARTIS form. To transition from typology identification to vulnerability analysis, the study proposes a new Informed Vulnerability Index for Structures (In.V.I.S.) calibrated upon a hybrid vulnerability index formulation based on the GNDT II level approach, and specifically tailored to fit the main CARTIS form fields. Collaboration with local experts, as required by the CARTIS form, aids in identifying representative building typologies within urban centres, informed by historical data and expert knowledge. The In.V.I.S. is computed based on the distinctive characteristics of these building typologies to accurately reflect vulnerability levels. The feasibility of this approach is proved by its application to six municipalities in the Garfagnana area (Lucca, Italy). Finally, vulnerability and fragility curves are proposed for the main building typologies, as a demonstration of the potential applications of the proposed index. Overall, this research underscores the importance of integrating local expertise, historical context and rapid vulnerability assessment methodologies to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of seismic vulnerability assessments.

The Impact of Regulatory and Technological Advancements on the Indian Banking Sector: A Comparative Analysis of Leading Banks

Lending or investing in securities, for the purpose of lending or investment, and which is a scheduled bank. "Over the last decade, the Indian banking sector has witnessed several positive developments and notable improvements in regulation. The policymakers, including the Reserve Bank of India Ministry of Finance, and other relevant government and financial sector regulatory entities, have played a crucial role in these advancements. One of the significant achievements in the Indian banking sector is the improvement in key metrics such as growth, profitability, and the management of non-performing assets. The sector has witnessed steady growth, with banks expanding their operations and increasing their market presence. Profitability has also improved, with many banks reporting robust financial performance. Efforts have been made to address the issue of which are loans or assets that have become non-performing or in default. and the government have implemented various measures to enhance asset quality and reduce These include the introduction of mechanisms like asset quality reviews, prompt corrective actions, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to facilitate the resolution of stressed assets. Moreover, a few banks in India have achieved remarkable success in terms of innovation, growth, and value creation. These banks have demonstrated a strong commitment to customer-centric services, technological advancements, and the adoption of innovative banking practices Overall, the study's findings provide evidence that disinvestment and associated reforms can positively impact the performance and government control may not necessarily need to cease entirely to achieve this improvement. It appears that the statement is discussing the historical context of the Indian banking sector until. During this period, banks in India operated in a protected environment characterized by government control and regulatory restrictions. Administered interest rates, high reserve requirements, and directed credit were prevalent measures implemented by the government. These initiatives have helped them enhance their competitiveness and contribute to the overall growth of the sector. In conclusion, the Indian banking sector has experienced positive transformations over the last decade. The efforts of policymakers and regulatory entities have played a crucial role in improving regulation and promoting growth. The sector now compares favorably with banking sectors in the region in terms of metrics such as growth, profitability. Additionally, certain banks have emerged as leaders in innovation, growth, and value creation, setting a benchmark for others in the industry wider mandate to serve as the principal banking institution in the country. They have introduced digital banking solutions, expanded their product offerings, and implemented efficient risk management systems. Utility services refer to a range of non-core services provided by banks, such as facilitating utility bill payments, offering insurance products, selling mutual funds, providing account services, and other similar activities. These services are aimed at enhancing customer convenience and meeting their diverse financial needs. The history of banking in India dates back to the early when three Presidencies’ These banks were granted the power to issue banknotes. Taken as Alternative parameters for AXIS bank, HDFC bank, ICICI bank, KMB bank, FBL bank, IBL bank, RBL bank, DCB bank, SIBL bank” Evaluation parameter taken as PB Banks, Net profit margin %, Return on long-term fund %, Return on net worth %, Interest income to total funds %, Interest expended to total funds %, Operating expenses to total funds %. the first ranking training is obtained with the lowest quality of compensation.

A Review of Comprehensive Guidelines for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Validation in Solar Chimney Power Plants: Methodology and Manzanares Prototype Case Study

This review provides a comprehensive examination of CFD modeling procedures for SCPP, with an emphasis on the detailed methodologies and a case study of the Manzanares prototype in Spain. The introduction delineates the historical context and physical modeling principles of solar chimneys, while highlighting their potential in industrial applications. The governing equations are meticulously discussed, covering assumptions in both 2D and 3D CFD modeling, the continuity and momentum equations, and the selection and accuracy of turbulence models, particularly the k-ε equations. The review also delves into heat transfer modeling, encompassing the energy equation and radiation modeling. Analytical evaluations of turbine pressure drop ratios and performance metrics for power generation efficiency are critically analyzed. The establishment of boundary conditions in solar chimney applications, including sky temperature assessments and distinctions between 2D and 3D boundary conditions, is extensively explored. Mesh generation techniques for both 2D and 3D CFD models are presented, supported by case studies. Parametric studies and experimental investigations are scrutinized to elucidate their impact on the performance of solar chimneys. The temperature–entropy diagram for an idealized Brayton cycle is introduced as a conceptual framework for efficiency analysis. Validation of the CFD codes, both 2D and 3D, against experimental data is performed to ensure model accuracy. The review further examines energy balance approaches in modeling solar chimneys, presenting state-of-the-art CFD results and discussing their implications in both 2D and 3D contexts. The synthesis of these findings culminates in a comprehensive conclusion, offering insights into the future directions and potential advancements in the CFD modeling of solar chimneys. This work aims to serve as a definitive reference for researchers and practitioners in the field, providing a robust foundation for the development and optimization of SCPP technology.

A BRIEF GLIMPSE UPON THE "PARADIGM SHIFT" REGARDING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES - TALES OF CONSISTENCY

The article provides a detailed analysis of the paradigm shift introduced by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CRPD, adopted in 2006, is recognized as a significant human rights treaty that reaffirms the universal concept of human dignity, applying it to all individuals, including those with mental disabilities. The convention emphasizes the need for legal frameworks to evolve, ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy legal capacity on an equal basis with others. The historical context leading up to the CRPD is outlined, noting that earlier UN declarations and principles laid the groundwork by gradually recognizing rights of persons with disabilities. This development can be divided into three stages: the initial recognition of legal personality, the establishment of principles for mental health care, and finally, the CRPD's comprehensive approach to legal capacity. A key focus of the article is the controversy surrounding Article 12 of the CRPD, which grants persons with disabilities the right to legal capacity in all aspects of life. This provision challenges traditional systems of guardianship and substitute decision-making, which have historically been used to manage the affairs of individuals with mental disabilities. The article discusses the debates and misunderstandings among national legislators regarding the implementation of this "paradigm shift," particularly the move from substitute to supported decision-making. Overall, the article argues that the CRPD represents a culmination of decades of evolving legal principles aimed at ensuring equality and dignity for persons with disabilities. The author emphasizes the need for national laws to align with this new approach, ensuring that legal capacity is universally recognized, regardless of an individual's mental or physical condition.

Epilogue

Abstract In this text, we discuss the challenges of researching historical methods of teaching science and we emphasize the importance of scientific materials held in academic collections as sources for understanding past teaching practices. As a case study, the text presents the scientific exchange between Germany and Russia in the nineteenth century, in which scientific instruments played a crucial role in communicating research practices across language boundaries. Because it is impossible to access scientific materials in their historical contexts and written sources rarely describe them, we advocate an interactive approach, convinced that engaging with scientific materials opens deeper insights into historical learning settings. With this approach, we take up the central role of materiality in knowledge creation, which has become established in recent decades and has driven a shift from text-based studies to material-based studies in the history of science. We propose to incorporate this change into the practice of teaching history of science.

Historical insights at scale: A corpus-wide machine learning analysis of early modern astronomic tables.

Understanding the evolution and dissemination of human knowledge over time faces challenges due to the abundance of historical materials and limited specialist resources. However, the digitization of historical archives presents an opportunity for AI-supported analysis. This study advances historical analysis by using an atomization-recomposition method that relies on unsupervised machine learning and explainable AI techniques. Focusing on the "Sacrobosco Collection," consisting of 359 early modern printed editions of astronomy textbooks from European universities (1472-1650), totaling 76,000 pages, our analysis uncovers temporal and geographic patterns in knowledge transformation. We highlight the relevant role of astronomy textbooks in shaping a unified mathematical culture, driven by competition among educational institutions and market dynamics. This approach deepens our understanding by grounding insights in historical context, integrating with traditional methodologies. Case studies illustrate how communities embraced scientific advancements, reshaping astronomic and geographical views and exploring scientific roots amidst a changing world.

The Impact of Inflation on Commercial Banks in China

Abstract: Inflation is an important issue that affects the profitability and operational stability of commercial banks. Conducting an in-depth analysis of these influences while putting forward effective countermeasures can be beneficial to ensuring the stable operation of commercial banks. This paper focuses on the period from 1937 to 1949 where the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, which had contributed to severe inflation and disrupted the banking sector, and the formation of the modern Chinese banking system. This study critically examines the main causes behind inflation, evaluates their implications on the functioning of commercial banks. It also assesses both the positive and negative impacts on commercial banks, pointing out the challenges commercial banks face during different periods. For example, the market turmoil and policy changes in the 1940s have made it difficult for commercial banks to retain normal operation; therefore are suffering from making profits and inflation has made the situation even worse. In addition, this paper provides short-run and long-run strategies for reducing the negative effects of inflation, with consideration of Chinas unique economic structure and historical context. By integrating insights from historical and contemporary perspectives, this analysis aims to offer valuable views on the micro and macro impacts inflation could bring.

Drowning in Medicalization? Commentary on: Dang et al. "Taking a Deeper Dive Into OSFED Subtypes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis".

The study by Dang and colleagues in this issue is a timely reminder of the need for careful consideration when it comes to the inclusion of putative new diagnoses in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM). The authors conclude that findings from their systematic review and meta-analysis of recent literature bearing on the DSM-5 other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED) category "support the conceptualization of atypical AN, PD and NES as clinically significant EDs with similar severity to full-threshold EDs." This commentary attempts to provide some additional context, historical context in particular, that the author believes may be helpful when considering the potential implications of Dang and colleagues' findings. This is achieved through reference to the construct, well-known in the sociology and feminist literature, of medicalization and by highlighting certain issues relevant to the determination of "clinical significance." I hope that readers approaching Dang and colleagues' research from the currently dominant, medical-model perspective might be persuaded of the importance of considering alternative perspectives when interpreting findings from research of this kind.

Understanding internationalization variance within a sport brand: case study of the Sparta Prague ice hockey and football clubs

This article examines the internationalization of HC Sparta Prague (ice hockey) and AC Sparta Prague (football) by focusing on management decision-making. Using interviews with key personnel, it explores the varying levels of internationalization in these clubs, emphasizing their reliance on foreign players, the utility of foreign ownership, fan responses to foreign coaching, and marketing efforts toward foreigners. Football, being more global, is subject to ‘Europeanization,’ whereas ice hockey, centered in North America, is influenced by ‘Americanization’ and ‘eventification.’ Despite significant fan overlap and efforts at eventification, neither team has had success attracting Prague’s tourists and neither currently views it as an important market, instead focusing on the domestic Czech market. Both clubs have undergone various phases of ownership, from foreign investors to a return to Czech owners, reflecting broader social and economic changes in the region following the fall of communism. The article further discusses the influence of historical and cultural contexts on the acceptance and resistance to globalization influences, emphasizing the importance of preserving national identity and selectively integrating global elements within the modernization of sports. The study proposes that, despite the Sparta brand identity being heavily influenced by internationalization, it remains largely a Czech brand, and cultural sporting identity currently plays a more crucial role in resisting globalization than sport brand identity in Eastern Europe.

Organizational culture of professional’s personality: Features of modern content and formation in the context of digital development of the educational environment

Introduction. The authors examine the problem of forming a personality’s organizational culture with an emphasis on the becoming of a professional’s personality in modern conditions of social development.Purpose setting. The article purpose is to identify the features of the professional personality organizational culture in the context of digital development of the educational environment.Methodology and methods of the study. The study of the concept «organizational culture of professional’s personality» is based on the analysis and scientific generalization of publications problematizing the issues of formation of professional qualities of a modern personality that influence the formation of organizational components of its culture. The concept of organizational culture is considered in its general content with an emphasis on the totality of all cultural values created by an organization, determined by the historical and cultural context of the development of society as a whole.Results. Through the generalization of these sources, the features of the content of the concept of «organizational culture of professional’s personality» are revealed. Based on the study of the issues of formation of the organizational culture of professional’s personality in the context of current development of the digital educational environment, it is emphasized that in the context of modern problems of the development of society, its globalization and digitalization, the issues of organizational formation of professional’s personality acquire their own specifics. It is emphasized that the organizational principles of formation of the culture in modern conditions are directly mediated by the development of various forms of network interaction in the educational system. The need for the formation of the motivational component of the organizational culture of a professional in the modern conditions of the development of the digital educational space is emphasized.Conclusion. The contradictions between the challenges of an intensively evolving digital environment in modern conditions of development of the professional education and the personal values of professionals are reflected in the formation of the individual organizational culture, while the organizational component of personality’s general culture is called one of the most important for formation in the professional educational system. As a result, it is emphasized that one of the most important features is the mutual influence of the components of a professional’s digital culture on the components of his organizational culture in the process of becoming a person’s readiness for professional activity.

A comprehensive summary of eponymous awards and scholarships in sexual medicine.

Numerous eponymous awards and scholarships exist within sexual medicine. This comprehensive review is intended to summarize these awards and highlight the esteemed sexual medicine experts for whom these awards are named. To provide historical background and context for the various eponymous awards in sexual medicine. The websites of the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) and the regional affiliate societies, including the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA), International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH), and various regional societies were identified, and all awards associated with a member of note were documented. In cases where no awards were identified within a regional society and a contact person was available, inquiries were made regarding the existence of awards. Several documents on the history of the ISSM were utilized for background on awards. A comprehensive list of current awards and their history was compiled. This is the first comprehensive history of eponymous awards and scholarships available in sexual medicine.

A Langur from Sumatra

Abstract Researchers interested in the colonial provenance of European natural history collections find themselves currently in an ambiguous position. On one hand, there is a fast-growing amount of digital services that provide them with statistics, names and lists of objects that have been accumulated in former colonial areas and are now stored in natural history museums in the Global North. On the other hand, these digital collection services fail to provide researchers with archival information on historical collection contexts, local names and meanings of animals and plants, and the labour, knowledges, colonial infrastructure and (epistemic) violence that were necessary to move tens of millions of natural objects across the globe. By zooming in on the digital representation of a black-crested Sumatran langur collected on the island of Sumatra (Indonesia) in the 1830s, this short paper reflects on the impact of these data absences on the further development of large-scale data infrastructures in the field. Inspired by earlier problematization of the digital turn in collection-based biodiversity sciences, this paper argues for the more sustained use of archival evidence so as to rethink what it means to infrastructure ‘biodiversity heritage’ collections in a digital age.

Young Europeans’ Geo-Political Identities: A Poststructural Analysis

This study analyses the way young Europeans, aged between 10 and 20, construct their sense of identity with geo-political entities such as the nation, the state and the European Union; how these are expressed; and how young people manage the potential multiplicity of identities. It re-analyses earlier data, some 224 transcripts of young Europeans discussing their identities and sense of attachment to the geo-political entities of the state and the nation. This study looks specifically at how they discuss affiliations to a country or nation and does so within the historical context of the development of European nations in the 19th and 20th centuries and the ‘strict definition’ of nationality, as based on either birthplace or parentage. The young people’s discussions identify a wide range of reasons for attachment (or not) to one or more states: these include parentage, birthplace, passports, culture, language, residence, etc., many of which are incompatible with each other. Their response to this is often to profess multiple identities, switching to use that is most appropriate to a particular context or contingency. How does this behaviour meet the various models of identity formation, such as the psychosocial, the socio-cultural, and the poststructuralist? These young people also offer a range of qualities or values that they expect a state to uphold and deliver and are sometimes critical of states’ behaviour in this area. The combination of these attributes and qualities leads to a range of attitudes towards a polity or polities, ranging from acceptance of their status to indifference. The explanations suggested in this paper are that globalisation and migration have led to the realisation that the ‘strict definitions’ of nationality are no longer appropriate, and there are new potential attributes for identity, and secondly, that the development of supranational codification and the implementation of human rights are weakening the sovereignty of states. Together, these two factors reduce the perception of the requirement to develop a single overriding national identity. This combination of multiple identities and recognising the importance of human rights values is most commonly found amongst young people who have grown up in multicultural societies, often urban, and the corollary of this is that combination is least likely to be found among the older population in more rural, monocultural settlements.

A Brief Analysis of "On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People" and Its Contemporary Value

Mao Zedong's original theoretical contribution to Marxism has had a profound impact on the exploration and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This work plays an important role in providing theoretical guidance for national construction, covering a wide range of topics, including the differentiation and resolution of socialist contradictions, issues of political repression, and the relationship between the development of agriculture and industry in China. This paper aims to explore the historical context and core ideas of this article, as well as its historical significance and contemporary value in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.