Potential Expansion Research Articles

MAPPING CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY LITERATURE: LESSONS FOR GOVERNMENTS AND RESEARCH

CBDC has gained popularity in many countries as a result of technological development. Central banks in a number of nations have been experimenting, piloting, launching, and promoting CBDC. Therefore, this study maps CBDC-related literature using a bibliometric approach and content analysis of the Scopus database. The Biblioshiny R Package was used in this study to analyse 190 documents with the keywords “central bank digital currency”. The analysis focuses on the main information about all documents, analysis of scientific production by areas (journals, authors, and countries), document and keyword analysis, and policy recommendations from the previous literature. The results show that CBDCs have had profound effects on monetary and payment systems, and their development could set the stage for a global central bank. The review also addresses the motivations and advantages of issuing a CBDC, including increasing financial inclusion, enhancing monetary policy, andpromoting efficient digital payments. The analysis also reveals that numerous central banks are investigating the possibility of issuing CBDCs due to the numerous advantages of this form of money. There is a lot of potential for theoretical expansion, contextual coverage, and methodological contributions. Furthermore, some policy recommendations from previous literature and directions for future studies are provided in this study.

Risk of spread of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in Ghana.

The impact of invasive species on biodiversity, food security and economy is increasingly noticeable in various regions of the globe as a consequence of climate change. Yet, there is limited research on how climate change affects the distribution of the invasive Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera:Liviidae) in Ghana. Using maxnet package to fit the Maxent model in R software, we answered the following questions; (i) what are the main drivers for D. citri distribution, (ii) what are the D. citri-specific habitat requirements and (iii) how well do the risk maps fit with what we know to be correctly based on the available evidence?. We found that temperature seasonality (Bio04), mean temperature of warmest quarter (Bio10), precipitation of driest quarter (Bio17), moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer land cover and precipitation seasonality (Bio15), were the most important drivers of D. citri distribution. The results follow the known distribution records of the pest with potential expansion of habitat suitability in the future. Because many invasive species, including D. citri, can adapt to the changing climates, our findings can serve as a guide for surveillance, tracking and prevention of D. citri spread in Ghana.

Abstract PO2-03-01: Personalized 3D tumor models drive shared decision-making in early breast cancer

Abstract Background: Decision-making for early (Stages 1-3) breast cancer (eBC) care is complex and highly personal, requiring discussions between patients and multiple physicians. Shared decision-making (SDM) is an accepted process that combines input from both patients and physicians, although its overall use is low due to a lack of time and incentives, complicated application techniques, and few communication tools. Reviews show that SDM results in “improved affective-cognitive outcomes” but evidence linking to patient outcomes is sparse. Consequently, patients often receive mixed messages and feel anxious when making treatment decisions. SimBioSys (SBS) developed the TumorSight(TM) platform for individualized treatment planning, coordinated care, and SDM. The first application on this platform, TumorSight Viz, rapidly builds 3D computational models from standard breast MRI data, and further integrates deep learning, genomic/genetic testing, metabolomics, and clinical and demographic data to tailor these models for each individual diagnosed with eBC. The platform can also transform acquired data (e.g., prone) to surgical position (e.g., supine) to create realistic images for precision surgical planning and tools for better SDM with eBC patients. We are assessing how surgeons and patient advocates (PA) perceive TumorSight, and how it may support better SDM and treatment implementation. Methods: SBS conducted an exploratory survey with 31 eBC surgeons to assess the utility of TumorSight Viz visualizations across a range of didactic and planning applications and to query preferences for future components like predicted response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Questions were developed with input from breast surgeon advisors. More exploration on TumorSight Viz utility is planned with semi-structured qualitative interviews to assess patient advocates’ perceptions of 3D visualizations, surgical planning, and ability to support decision making. PAs will represent geographic, experience, and race/ethnicity diversity. Questions to elicit patient needs, perception of SBS tools, and quality-of-life are being finalized with academic advisors. These will also be used to develop a future eBC patient survey. Results: The SBS surgeon survey revealed that 96% of breast surgeons find visualization important to surgical planning, and these depictions were considered to be critical by a third of breast surgeons surveyed. 96% also listed the conversion of prone to supine visualizations as important (45% critical, 35% valuable, 16% nice to have, 0% not important) for surgical planning value. Surgeons also assigned strong utility for: Graphical 3D rotation to determine tumor shape, size, location, positioning, and landmarks relative to other breast structures – 100% Ability to instantly provide tumor-to-breast volume determination with high accuracy – 96% Ability to instantly provide anticipated tumor extirpation volume to breast volume with high accuracy – 96% Automatic tumor-to-landmark structures measurements (nipple, chest, skin) – 96% Visualization of tumor in the context of other anatomical structures (e.g., skin, blood vessels, chest, heart) – 87% Initial PA discussions (n=3) listed the importance of individualized treatment based on evidence instead of hunches; reasons to avoid prophylactic mastectomies; and ways to lower patient anxiety. Conclusions: Survey-based feedback shows value to eBC surgeons and patients to coordinate care and personalize approaches for optimal outcomes. Computational tools can facilitate patient understanding and patient-tailored treatment. Additional surveys are planned with patients and eBC patient advocacy groups to assess the utility and potential expansion of patient-specific 3D tumor visualizations, both of which will be further discussed. Citation Format: Deborah Collyar, Matthew Biancalana, Anuja Antony, Nicole Liadis, Jyoti Palaniappan, Rebecca Seago-Coyle. Personalized 3D tumor models drive shared decision-making in early breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-03-01.

Formulating a Descriptive Framework and Tagging system for Design Futures Practice Cases: Enabling Heuristic Tool Development for Design Education and Creative Inspiration

There has been a growing trend to extend the domain of futures studies into practical realms by integrating materials, methodologies, and perspectives from design and the arts. “Design Futures” is an emerging field that arises from the interaction between design and foresight, holding great potential for expansion and development. However, there is still a lack of heuristic design tools to empower the creation of practice cases in design futures. Due to the intricacies of the sub-genres of Design Futures practice cases, our prior work included the development of a universal case description framework with a quantitative tagging system to place the different genres of cases on a common ground for study. Firstly, the study established a global descriptive framework and tagging system (4 segments, 7 primary labels, and 36 secondary labels) around 5 Design Futures sub-types through a qualitative approach. Secondly, the study invited 109 participants from five different subjects areas to conduct an empirical study to validate the proposed framework and quantify the tagging system. The results show that the rationality of the framework is preliminarily confirmed; the strength of the correlation between genres and labels is weak; in terms of the quantification of labels, the study produces 62 valid secondary labels (positive 29, negative 33), accompanied by quantitative data as the basis for recommendation, forming a creativity-enabling, content-rich labelling system that can reflect the characteristics and differences between the many genres of Design Futures. Finally, the study proposes three modes of heuristic design (confirmatory, constructive and open-ended), which provide rules to guide the use and collocation of the tagging system. The results of this research have deepened the understanding of the concepts and structures of knowledge in the field of Design Futures, which will play a more extensive role in design pedagogy and creative inspiration contexts.

Ecological niche divergence or ecological niche partitioning in a widespread Neotropical bird lineage.

Ecological niche divergence is generally considered to be a facet of evolution that may accompany geographic isolation and diversification in allopatry, contributing to species' evolutionary distinctiveness through time. The null expectation for any two diverging species in geographic isolation is that of niche conservatism, wherein populations do not rapidly shift to or adapt to novel environments. Here, I test ecological niche divergence for a widespread, pan-American lineage, the avian genus of martins (Progne). The genus Progne includes migrant and resident species, as well as geographically restricted taxa and widespread, intercontinentally distributed taxa, thus providing an ideal group in which to study the nature of niche divergence within a broad geographic mosaic. I obtained distributional information for the genus from publicly available databases and created ecological niche models for each species to create pairwise comparisons of environmental space. I combined these data with the most up-to-date phylogeny of Progne currently available to examine the patterns of niche evolution within the genus. I found limited evidence for niche divergence across the breeding distributions of Progne, and much stronger support for niche conservatism with patterns of niche partitioning. The ancestral Progne had a relatively broad ecological niche, like extant basal Progne lineages, and several geographically localized descendant species occupy only portions of this larger ancestral niche. I recovered strong evidence of breeding niche divergence for four of 36 taxon pairs but only one of these divergent pairs involved two widespread species (Southern Martin P. elegans vs. Gray-breasted Martin P. chalybea). Potential niche expansion from the ancestral species was observed in the most wide-ranging present-day species, namely the North American Purple Martin P. subis and P. chalybea. I analyzed populations of P. subis separately, as a microcosm of Progne evolution, and again found only limited evidence of niche divergence. This study adds to the mounting evidence for niche conservatism as a dominant feature of diversifying lineages, and sheds light on the ways in which apparently divergent niches may arise through allopatry while not involving any true niche shifts through evolutionary time. Even taxa that appear unique in terms of habitat or behavior may not be diversifying with respect to their ecological niches, but merely partitioning ancestral niches among descendant taxa.

A geospatial analysis of flood risk zones in Cyprus: insights from statistical and multi-criteria decision analysis methods.

Over the past few decades, flood disasters have emerged as the predominant natural hazard in Cyprus, primarily driven by the escalating influence of climate change in the Mediterranean region. In view of this, the objective of this study is to develop a geospatial flood risk map for the island of Cyprus by considering 14 flood hazard factors and five flood vulnerability factors, utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and remotely sensed datasets. A comparative assessment was conducted for hazard mapping, employing statistical methods of frequency ratio (FR) and FR Shannon's entropy (FR-SE), and multi-criteria decision analysis method of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (F-AHP). The main findings indicated that the FR method exhibited the highest predictive capability, establishing it as the most suitable approach for flood hazard mapping. Additionally, vulnerability factors were aggregated using F-AHP to generate the vulnerability map. The resulting flood risk map, which is the product of flood hazard and flood vulnerability, revealed that 9% of the island was located within highly risky regions, while 13.2% was classified as moderate risk zones. Spatial analysis of these high-risk areas indicated their concentration in the primary city districts of the island. Therefore, to mitigate future risks within these cities, an analysis of potential expansion zones was conducted, identifying the best-suited zone exhibiting the lowest risk. The generated flood risk map can serve as a valuable resource for decision-makers on the island, facilitating the integration of flood risk analysis into urban management plans.

OCR Based Facilitator for the Visually Challenged

Your proposal for an OCR-based smart book reader catering to the visually challenged fills a crucial need for affordable accessibility solutions, particularly given the global population of approximately 285 million visually impaired individuals, with a majority residing in developing countries. Leveraging a Raspberry Pi 3 board and Tesseract OCR technology, your device converts printed or handwritten text into machine-encoded text, enhanced by Computer Vision libraries like OpenCV for image preprocessing. Beyond text conversion, features such as obstacle detection via a smart stick and an emergency help button exhibit a comprehensive approach to addressing user needs. Integration with an Android app for location tracking adds an extra layer of safety. Challenges in optimizing OCR for handwritten text and potential expansions like language translation or cloud integration hold promise for further enhancing functionality. Overall, your project stands to significantly enhance access to information and safety for visually impaired individuals, particularly in underserved communities. Key Words: OCR-based smart book reader, Visually Challenged accessibility, Raspberry Pi integration, Tesseract OCR technology Computer vision

The Impact of Mobility solution on logistics and supply chain

The emergence of mobility solutions, which include changes in customer expectations and technological advancements, is driving a substantial transformation in the transportation and logistics sector. These technologies, which include blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), have the revolutionary potential to update conventional wisdom and improve productivity, sustainability, and creativity all the way up the supply chain. However, there are some obstacles and difficulties in the way of their general acceptance. Seamless integration is impeded by regulatory complications, which are typified by inconsistent regulations and uncertainty surrounding emerging technology. Scalability and efficacy are hindered by infrastructure constraints, which might range from insufficient digital connectivity to differences in urban-rural areas. Adoption attempts are further hampered by technology limitations including cybersecurity threats and interoperability problems. Policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers must work together to develop collaborative solutions in order to overcome these obstacles and enable widespread adoption. Streamlining regulations, establishing standards, investing in infrastructure, promoting open standards, offering financial incentives, interacting with the community, and attending to social and ethical issues are a few of these. By putting these tactics into practice, the transportation and logistics industry can realize the full potential of mobility solutions and spur expansion, sustainability, and competitiveness. Stakeholders can overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and clear the path for a transportation ecosystem that is more effective, robust, and inclusive by embracing innovation and teamwork.

Shear Strength and Durability of Expansive Soil Treated with Recycled Gypsum and Rice Husk Ash

Expansive soil underlying structures pose a significant risk to the integrity of superstructures. Chemical soil stabilization can be used to strengthen soils due to the cost and impracticality of mechanical approaches. Waste materials such as recycled gypsum and rice husk ash have been considered alternatives because of their sustainable and economic advantages. A combination of these additives was used to address the high absorption of gypsum and the lack of cohesion of the pozzolan. The study assessed the short-term and long-term performance of expansive soil treated with recycled gypsum and rice husk ash under normal and fluctuating moisture conditions. Direct shear tests indicated ductile and compressive soil behavior with improved shear strength. A good approximation of stress–strain response was made with a modified hyperbolic model for treated soils that exhibited strain hardening and compressive volumetric strain. Durability and water immersion tests were performed for samples after varying curing periods and cycles of capillary soaking to assess the behavior when exposed to varied environmental conditions. Samples under the modified durability test experienced significant strength loss, with decreasing compressive strength as curing durations increased. Specimens in the modified water immersion test experienced significant strength loss; however, it was determined that curing durations did not contribute to the change in the strength of the sample. Expansion index tests also determined that the treatment effectively mitigated expansivity and collapsibility in all samples. Despite improvement in shear strength and expansion potential, further investigation is needed to enhance the durability of soil treated with gypsum and rice husk ash.

Determining environmental drivers of global mud snail invasions using climate and hydroclimate models

AbstractClimate change and invasive species represent two intertwined global environmental challenges profoundly affecting freshwater ecosystems. This study uses Ecological Niche Modeling along with risk screening to delve into the preferences and potential distribution of Potamopyrgus antipodarum, an invasive species, in relation to climate zones and habitat types, shedding light on the critical importance of coastal wetlands and high soil organic carbon content in shaping habitat suitability. Our findings underscore that P. antipodarum exhibits a distinct affinity for cool temperate, moist climates, as well as temperate floodplain rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas. Notably, coastal wetlands, endowed with elevated soil organic carbon levels, emerged as pivotal habitats for this species. Projections indicated a significant expansion in North America, potentially extending into South America. Türkiye reveals an intriguing alignment between its habitat and the natural distribution areas of P. antipodarum, presenting potential for habitat contraction while still retaining a broader range compared to other regions. These potential expansions were predominantly driven by climate suitability, playing a pivotal role in the invasiveness of P. antipodarum, with anticipated future climate regimes exerting substantial influence on its dispersal capabilities.

Comprehensive characterisation and cryopreservation optimisation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Over half of the world's buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) inhabit India, and buffaloes frequently encounter health challenges that resist conventional treatments, prompting the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies. One promising approach is stem cell therapy, particularly multipotent mesenchymal/stromal stem cells (MSCs). These cells have shown significant efficacy in addressing various diseases in livestock that exhibit resistance to conventional therapies. Adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ADSCs) have garnered attention due to their accessibility and robust expansion potential. The current study comprehensively characterises buffalo ADSCs (bADSCs), confirming their identity as MSCs capable of differentiating into diverse cell lineages—the identified characteristics position bADSCs as promising candidates for applications in regenerative medicine, applicable in veterinary contexts. Notably, the study established that a cryoprotective solution comprising 10 % dimethyl sulfoxide and 90 % fetal bovine serum is optimal for preserving bADSCs. This cryoprotective solution maintains vital parameters, including viability, apoptosis, senescence, cell adherence, adherent cell viability, metabolic and clonogenic efficiency, and the activity of reactive oxygen species and trilineage differentiation potential following thawing. These findings lay the foundation for developing a cryo-banking system for bADSCs. Subsequent research efforts are focused on exploring the therapeutic potential of bADSCs in specific disease models and clinical settings. The outcomes of such investigations may pave the way for innovative and effective treatments, further enhancing our understanding of the regenerative capabilities of bADSCs.

International trademark protection strength: 1990–2020

AbstractThis paper presents a pioneering study that addresses the insufficient attention given to trademark rights in current indices that evaluate the protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs). Our study sets itself apart from previous measures by defining the strength of trademark protection as the level of applicant friendliness within a country's trademark system. We introduce the innovative trademark protection strength (TPS) index, which focuses on 78 countries spanning from 1990 to 2020. Drawing on established theoretical components of the patent system, we deconstruct the TPS index into four distinct dimensions: international mechanisms, legislation, enforcement and administration. Our findings reveal the growth and subsequent stabilisation of global trademark protection strength, with reduced disparities observed after 2005. Importantly, we identify variations in improvement rates among countries with different income levels, thereby highlighting the influence of economic factors. By providing a detailed methodology and transparent construction of the TPS index, we ensure its replicability and potential for future expansion. The index's objective data and extended coverage facilitate the examination of various configurations of IPR systems, policy designs and their impact on the global economy.

Wave scattering by [formula omitted]-shaped breakwaters in finite depth water

This article illustrates surface gravity wave scattering by ⊓-shaped and inverse ⊓-shaped breakwaters in water of finite depth. The ⊓-shaped breakwater consists of a thick rectangular structure with two thin vertical plates protruding vertically downward when it is floating on the free surface. An inverse ⊓-shaped breakwater is a bottom-standing structure with two thin plates protruding upwards. The breakwater’s geometrical symmetry is used to simplify the wave scattering problems. Using Havelock expansion of water wave potentials, integral equations of Fredholm type are developed for the horizontal component of fluid velocity across the gap below or above the thin plates. The analysis presents the reflection and transmission coefficients in terms of integrals involving the unknown function of the integral equations. A Galerkin expansion with a collocation method is used to solve the integral equations approximately. The developed method produces the known numerical results for a rectangular breakwater without thin plates. The ⊓-shaped breakwater shows lower wave transmission than a traditional rectangular breakwater. Furthermore, increasing plate length makes the wave transmission even less. Fluid velocity is high in the vicinity of plate edge. By the present method, it is shown that the ⊓-shaped breakwaters offer higher reflection and lower transmission. Thus, attaching thin plates to a traditional rectangular breakwater enhances its performance in wave scattering.

A Systematic Review of Statins for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Safety, Efficacy, and Mechanism of Action.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the liver component of a cluster of conditions, while its subtype, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), emerges as a potentially progressive liver disorder that harbors the risk of evolving into cirrhosis and culminating in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have common risk factors, but compared to liver-related causes, the most common cause of death in NASH patients is CVD. Within the pharmacological armamentarium, statins, celebrated for their lipid-modulating prowess, have now garnered attention for their expansive therapeutic potential in NASH. Evidence from a plethora of studies suggests that statins not only manifest anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties but also impart a multifaceted beneficial impact on hepatic health. In this review, we used "statin", "NAFLD", "NASH", and "CVD" as the major keywords and conducted a literature search using the PubMed and Web of Science databases to determine the safety and efficacy of statins in patients and animals with NASH and NAFLD, and the mechanism of statin therapy for NASH. Simultaneously, we reviewed the important role of the intestinal microbiota in statin therapy for NASH, as it is hoped that statins will provide new insights into modulating the harmful inflammatory microbiota in the gut and reducing systemic inflammation in NASH patients.

Situation Analysis of Female Academics' Career Advancement in Higher Education in Syria

This research examines factors which may be influencing female academics career advancement at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Syria. The paper conducts situation analysis on academic environment at HEI in Syria, exploring factors which may be impacting female academics experience and career progression and lack of academic representation at senior management levels. The paper examines a private HEIs investigating the environment in Syria highlighting the situation after 2011. The methodology applied in diagnosing the situation, is based on data collected from a capacity building in higher education project (CBHE), funded by Erasmus+. The methodology employs the design of questionnaire survey administered at the research target group. A one-way translation from English to Arabic is performed by expert academics and verified by linguistic experts. The sample design employs nonprobability sampling techniques. The size of the sample is 47 observations for academics. The findings of the analysis are reported across individual, and institutional levels. The research results signify that interest in research is a strong motivator; while career satisfaction still reveals an area of future development. There is still little awareness on gender issues topics, as well as little research works being performed in the scope gender research issues. The concept of gender equality has a high potential for evolution and expansion on the intermediate and long term at the institutional and socio cultural contests in Syria. The future direction of this research emphasizes developing a conceptual framework on the factors which may be affecting female academics experience and career advancement in HEIs in Syria. Furthermore, future research recommends the development of institutional and national policies in the scope of gender equality, which could be reflected at human resources practices, environment of the workplace, infusion of gender at university mission and planning, curriculum, research, and university governance.

Transforming stereolithographic prototypes into metal or ceramic models by polymer substitution with titanium powder

The presented paper experimentally demonstrates the potential expansion of stereolithographic prototype utilization. Two methods for manufacturing plastic prototypes are proposed, enabling the subsequent substitution of the polymer material with either metal or ceramics. The first method involves additional actions by the prototype designer during the modeling stage. The second method necessitates alterations in the technological processes of model preparation and prototype manufacturing using a stereolithography apparatus. Material substitution occurs in two stages. Initially, cavities in the prototype are filled with powder material or a mixture of powder and water. Although titanium powder was chosen as the test material, the proposed technology permits the utilization of a broad spectrum of powder materials, encompassing both metallic and ceramic options. The subsequent stage involves heat treatment, where the polymer is eliminated, and the metal powder is sintered while retaining the original shape and dimensions of the prototype. Heat treatment of the acquired prototypes was conducted in both argon and atmospheric air environments. The utilization of different gas media might induce chemical transformations in the material filling the prototype. The experiments lead to the conclusion that the proposed approaches show promise and merit further development. Additionally, we contemplate amalgamating the two methods in the future to attain an optimized final outcome. The data we have gathered could significantly contribute to broadening the scope of stereolithography applications, given that this technology presently represents one of the most precise, widespread, and accessible additive manufacturing methods.

Expansion of Toxic Algal Blooms in Coastal and Marine Areas in the Philippines and Malaysia: Is It Climate Change Related?

This paper provides a review of toxic algal blooms in the Philippine and Malaysian coastal and marine systems, considering relevant available knowledge, including climate change dimension/s in the assessment of their recorded recent expansion. The first record of human toxicity in the Philippines associated with HABs/toxic algal blooms specifically was during the bloom of Pyrodinium bahamense in the Sorsogon, Samar, and Leyte waters in 1983. Since then, the species has been identified to occur and cause blooms in about 44 sites/areas in the country. Recent government reports, i.e., 2021, 2022, and 2023, have also identified other paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) causative organisms (Gymnodinium catenatum, Alexandrium spp.) in the country. New records indicate that the presence of PSP causative species has been reported almost year-round in the Philippines. In Malaysia, PSP caused by P. bahamense was initially confined in 1981 to the state of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo, but since then, blooms of this species have been reported almost annually at different scales across the coastal waters of Sabah. P. bahamense and other cyst-forming dinoflagellates could be transported naturally or through human activities. Other eco-physiological and environment factors from the field and the laboratory have been used to study the bloom dynamics and transport of PSP causative species in several areas in the Philippines and Malaysia. More recently, plastics and other marine litter have been considered potential vectors of invasion/transport or expansion of dinoflagellates with other microorganisms. ENSO events have been observed to be stronger since 1950 compared with those recorded from 1850 to 1950. The extreme phases of the ENSO phenomenon have a strong modulating effect based on seasonal rainfall in the Philippines, with extreme ENSO warm events (El Niño) often associated with drought and stresses on water resources and agriculture/aquaculture. In contrast, cold events (La Niña) often result in excessive rainfall. The La Nina Advisories from 2021 to 2023 (18 advisories) showed the persistence of this part of ENSO, particularly in regions with recurrent and new records of HABs/toxic algal blooms. More studies and monitoring of another type of toxic algal bloom, Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP), are recommended in tropical countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia, which have extensive reef areas that harvest and culture marine fish for local and export purposes, as accelerating reports of this type of poisoning have apparently increased and causative organisms have been identified in several areas. There is an urgent need to enhance HAB/toxic algal bloom research and monitoring, particularly those related to climate change, which has apparently impacted these blooms/occurrences directly or indirectly. Local researchers and managers should be made aware of the knowledge and tools already available for their utilization and enhancement to meet local conditions and challenges for potential recurrence and expansion of HABs/toxic algal blooms. Regional and international HAB research and collaboration should be further advanced for the protection of public health and marine resources.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN MODERN EDUCATION IN THE PROCESS OF FORMING LEADERSHIP COMPETENCE OF STUDENTS IN PPOFESSIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

The article considers the peculiarities of application and potential opportunities of information and communication technologies in the process of formation of leadership competence of students of professional higher education institutions at the present stage. It is indicated that in modern conditions information and communication technologies are an integral part of the education system in Ukraine. It is proved that they play a significant role in the formation of leadership competence of students, as they contribute to the disclosure and development of their creative and leadership potential, develop critical thinking, activate cognitive processes, form skills of independent activity, self-presentation, etc. In addition, it is found that the use of information and communication technologies in the educational process contributes to the development of social, communication and organisational skills, selfpresentation skills, etc. It has been found that information and communication technologies also contribute to the development of the personal potential of students, developing their confidence, responsibility, self-discipline, readiness for continuous self-development and self-improvement, perspective vision, willingness to take risks and make responsible decisions. It is noted that information and communication technologies play a significant role in the educational work with students of professional higher education institutions, as they make it possible to optimise the educational process and actively involve young people in it. It is noted that the effectiveness of the use of information and communication technologies for the formation of leadership competence in institutions of professional higher education largely depends on a clear understanding of the place they should occupy in the educational process. It is concluded that the use of information and communication technologies in the training and education of students creates all the prerequisites for the active formation of leadership competence, development of leadership abilities and qualities, and expansion of leadership potential.

Improving the sampling of red Noctiluca scintillans to understand its impact on coastal ecosystem dynamics

Abstract Recently, natural and anthropogenic pressures caused an apparent increase in the frequency and spread of red Noctiluca scintillans (RNS) blooms. Here, we describe this potential expansion and the associated environmental factors based on an extensive literature review (1857–2023). Our analysis suggests that Noctiluca increased over time in several Australian, Chinese and European coastal regions. We point to eutrophication, ocean warming and deoxygenation as possible drivers of these intensifications. Moreover, we demonstrate Noctiluca’s importance for coastal ecosystems: with competitive advantages causing fast and intense blooms, Noctiluca has the potential to alter plankton communities, influencing productivity in affected areas. Throughout our analysis, we identified major knowledge gaps that are relevant to assess Noctiluca: (i) challenges in determining its spatiotemporal evolution; (ii) limited knowledge about drivers triggering and ending blooms; (iii) scarce information about feeding, reproduction and interaction in situ and (iv) uncertainty regarding its contribution to carbon export. We hypothesize that these gaps are related to limitations in traditional sampling techniques, and we highlight the need for a holistic approach combining traditional with novel techniques like remote sensing and underwater cameras. Our suggested approach could help filling the identified gaps and facilitate predictions of bloom dynamics and impacts under future climate conditions.

Repair and Reuse or Recycle: What Is Best for Small WEEE in Australia?

The global and Australian trends indicate a steady increase in the generation of small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), constituting 30% of global WEEE in 2019 with an expected 90% increase in Australia over the next 25 years. Given this fact, identifying the most suitable circular economy strategy is vital in managing this waste stream. Hence, followed by a review of the literature, a model was developed to assess the suitability of repair, reuse, and recycling of small electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) by considering the lifespan and products put on the market (PoM) as critical variables. Findings indicate that solely repairing and reusing products, without reducing PoM small EEE, minimally affects short-term waste reduction. A synergistic approach, combining high product reuse with reduced PoM small EEE, is essential to decrease small WEEE generation significantly. Regardless of lifespan changes, the study indicates a proportional relationship between small WEEE generation rates and PoM small EEE changes, emphasising the need for a holistic strategy. Considering this, within stewardship schemes, the primary focus should initially lie on repairing and repurposing small EEE, with the potential for expansion into recycling once sufficient infrastructure and achievable recovery goals are established. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must shoulder substantial accountability, with a firm commitment to extended producer responsibility (EPR) even for historical products. The initial rollout could target four specific categories: toys, food preparation equipment, vacuum cleaners, and household tools, with the scope widening to encompass all categories following successful implementation.