Research Output Research Articles

Obesity and Depression: Common Link and Possible Targets.

Depression is among the main causes of disability, and its protracted manifestations could make it even harder to treat metabolic diseases. Obesity is linked to episodes of depression, which is closely correlated to abdominal adiposity and impaired food quality. The present review is aimed at studying possible links between obesity and depression along with targets to disrupt it. Research output in Pubmed and Scopus were referred for writing this manuscript. Obesity and depression are related, with the greater propensity of depressed people to gain weight, resulting in poor dietary decisions and a sedentary lifestyle. Adipokines, which include adiponectin, resistin, and leptin are secretory products of the adipose tissue. These adipokines are now being studied to learn more about the connection underlying obesity and depression. Ghrelin, a gut hormone, controls both obesity and depression. Additionally, elevated ghrelin levels result in anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects. The gut microbiota influences the metabolic functionalities of a person, like caloric processing from indigestible nutritional compounds and storage in fatty tissue, that exposes an individual to obesity, and gut microorganisms might connect to the CNS through interconnecting pathways, including neurological, endocrine, and immunological signalling systems. The alteration of brain activity caused by gut bacteria has been related to depressive episodes. Monoamines, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, have been widely believed to have a function in emotions and appetite control. Emotional signals stimulate arcuate neurons in the hypothalamus that are directly implicated in mood regulation and eating. The peptide hormone GLP-1(glucagon-like peptide- 1) seems to have a beneficial role as a medical regulator of defective neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, synaptic dysfunction, and neurotransmitter secretion discrepancy in the depressive brain. The gut microbiota might have its action in mood and cognition regulation, in addition to its traditional involvement in GI function regulation. This review addressed the concept that obesity-related low-grade mild inflammation in the brain contributes to chronic depression and cognitive impairments.

Global Perspectives on Healthcare Waste Management and Bibliographic Mapping during the Crises of COVID-19

The lack of proper waste management of health care facilities can have a significant negative health impact on the global population. This study provides a critical view on the current state of the existing healthcare waste management practices used in healthcare facilities around the world during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. The increasing amount of COVID-related healthcare waste was analyzed and classified to provide justification for the urgent need to develop waste management standards that ensure safe containment and diversion of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes through recycling, reuse and repurposing. The waste handling, treatment, and disposal management of healthcare waste from various COVID-infected locations such as homes, quarantine centers, camps, and hospitals have been reviewed. A total of 100 documents on COVID-19 related healthcare waste were published on the Web of Science database over the 2020-2022 period. Innovative solutions for effective waste treatment and disposal, related government policies and regulations, and literature survey supported by VOSviewer-aided detailed bibliographic analysis are presented and critically discussed. Thus, the present research output advocates for a paradigm shift towards circular economy principles in healthcare waste management, emphasizing waste reduction, recycling, and recovery, and encourages global cooperation to develop resilient, crisis-responsive waste management systems.

Unveiling Trends, Themes and Collaborative Networks of Research on Sustainable Development Goals in India: A Bibliometric Analysis

The goal of global sustainability has acquired substantial attention as a result of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serves as a comprehensive framework for addressing major societal and environmental concerns. This study applies bibliometric analysis to assess the landscape of research articles on the SDGs. The study aims to uncover significant trends, thematic areas, influential authors, and collaborative networks within the discipline through a comprehensive examination of an extensive body of scholarly literature. The analysis entailed gathering data from prominent academic database Scopus, spanning a specific time frame. Utilizing bibliometric technique, the study assesses patterns in publication, citation, and collaboration to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research landscape. The analysis dives into the frequency of SDG-related research outputs, identifies theme clusters and goal’s interconnections, and identifies significant works affecting the conversation. The results of this bibliometric investigation reveal evolving trends in SDGs research, identify emergent and established focal points, and shed light on the changing environment of research collaboration. The analysis focused on the progress made in tackling the SDGs across several academic disciplines, while also revealing gaps and potential for future research. The findings of this bibliometric analysis have significance for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working to advance sustainable development efforts and strengthen the collective knowledge base in support of the SDGs.

Completion and reporting of COVID-19 clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov during the first 6 months of the pandemic: cohort study

BackgroundEarly in the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous clinical trials were initiated. Although concerns were raised regarding the quality of the trials, the eventual research output yielded from the trials remains unknown....

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Direct Leadership in the Army of the Czech Republic

The article deals with application of emotional intelligence for leaders of direct leadership in the Army of the Czech Republic and its connection with the social climate of their units. Emotional intelligence leadership and social climate is a connection that is currently appearing in research activity and doctrinal army documents and explores. The authors try to find and evaluate the benefits and limits of EI in the field of preparation military personnel. From the currently available research, it is precisely the construct of emotional intelligence that appears as one of the possible ways to develop the necessary skills of commanders to facilitate their work with subordinates. Emotional intelligence involves the ability to correctly identify emotions in oneself and in others, to understand emotions and their language, to manage emotions in oneself and in others and use emotions to support cognitive activities and to motivate adaptive behaviour. Direct leadership is the level where leading people is face to face. These are units, where subordinates are used to seeing their commanders every day. For these functions it is still possible and important to create strong relationships, close cooperation and mutual knowledge of all members of the unit. Commanders facing high decision-making demands in an unstable environment. They build working one’s teams with a favourable social climate and support their psychological resilience subordinates. These aspects are decisive for ensuring the tasks of the unit. The main method is quantitative research, which is carried out using a standardized test MSCEIT emotional intelligence in selected commanders of six units and a non-standardized questionnaire "social climate on the units" in their subordinates. Based on obtained results is submitted methodology of development of emotional intelligence for leaders of a platoon. It contains standard parameters. The thesis also formulates recommendation for pedagogical and research activities and output of doctrine leadership.

Emerging trends and key themes in public financial management: A bibliometric analysis from 1977 to 2024

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on public financial management (PFM), aiming to identify key trends, influential publications, and emerging themes. Using data from Web of Science and Scopus, the study examines the evolution of PFM research from 1977 to 2024. The findings reveal a significant increase in PFM research output, particularly after 2010, with countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and China contributing the most publications. Central themes such as financial management, transparency, and accountability remain prominent while emerging topics like gender budgeting, health insurance, and blockchain technology reflect shifting priorities in the field. The study employed performance analysis and science mapping techniques to assess the structure and dynamics of PFM research. The analysis highlights key focus areas, including fiscal decentralization and sector-specific management, and identifies gaps in the existing literature, particularly regarding interdisciplinary and international collaboration. The results suggest that while PFM remains rooted in traditional governance and financial control, there is a growing emphasis on modern, innovative solutions to address contemporary challenges. This study’s insights provide a roadmap for future research, emphasizing the importance of transparency, technological integration, and inclusive financial policies. In conclusion, this bibliometric analysis contributes to understanding PFM’s evolving landscape, offering scholars and policymakers a clearer perspective on current trends and future directions in the field. Future research should focus on expanding interdisciplinary approaches and exploring the practical impacts of emerging PFM trends across different regions.

Policy impact of the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team: global perspective and United Kingdom case study.

Mathematical models and advanced analytics play an important role in policy decision making and mobilizing action. The Imperial College Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response Team (ICCRT) provided continuous, timely and robust epidemiological analyses to inform the policy responses of governments and public health agencies around the world. This study aims to quantify the policy impact of ICCRT outputs, and understand which evidence was considered policy-relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collated all outputs published by the ICCRT between 01-01-2020 and 24-02-2022 and conducted inductive thematic analysis. A systematic search of the Overton database identified policy document references, as an indicator of policy impact. We identified 620 outputs including preprints (16%), reports (29%), journal articles (37%) and news items (18%). More than half (56%) of all reports and preprints were subsequently peer-reviewed and published as a journal article after 202days on average. Reports and preprints were crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic to the timely distribution of important research findings. One-fifth of ICCRT outputs (21%) were available to or considered by United Kingdom government meetings. Policy documents from 41 countries in 26 different languages referenced 43% of ICCRT outputs, with a mean time between publication and reference in the policy document of 256days. We analysed a total of 1746 policy document references. Two-thirds (61%) of journal articles, 39% of preprints, 31% of reports and 16% of news items were referenced in one or more policy documents (these 217 outputs had a mean of 8 policy document references per output). The most frequent themes of the evidence produced by the ICCRT reflected the evidence-need for policy decision making, and evolved accordingly from the pre-vaccination phase [severity, healthcare demand and capacity, and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)] to the vaccination phase of the epidemic (variants and genomics). The work produced by the ICCRT affected global and domestic policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of evidence produced by the ICCRT corresponded with changing policy needs over time. The policy impact from ICCRT news items highlights the effectiveness of this unique communication strategy in addition to traditional research outputs, ensuring research informs policy decisions more effectively.

Faculty Members’ Perspective on the Internationalization of Higher Education in Taiwan

AbstractFaculty members are a key stakeholder group in the internationalization of higher education. However, there is scant research on faculty in higher education internationalization, especially in the non-English-speaking world. Taking Taiwan as a case study, this study examines faculty’s perspective on and role in internationalization. Based on the data collected through in-depth interviews with faculty members and participant observation at four universities, the study shows that while faculty unanimously agreed on internationalizing higher education, they held divergent imaginaries on internationalization and different perspectives on internationalization strategies. Furthermore, university internationalization affected faculty’s work lives through performancism in faculty evaluations, the emphasis on international publications for research output, and using English as a medium of instruction (EMI). In response, faculty either took an active role in internationalization by embracing the changes, or a passive role by avoiding, questioning, or resisting internationalization initiatives. Faculty’s imaginaries of internationalization and seniority ranking were crucial in shaping their responses to and roles taken in the internationalization of higher education. This study discusses the impact of higher education internationalization on faculty’s academic profession and illuminates the challenges that universities and faculty face in non-English-speaking countries that aspire to compete in the global market of higher education.

Global Research Trends in Green Finance: A Systematic Literature Review of Regional Contributions (2001-2024)

This study presents the systematic analysis of existing literature on global research trends in green finance, focusing on regional contributions from 2001 to 2024. Using data from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, this analysis identifies patterns in publication volume, regional leadership, and thematic evolution in green finance research. The findings reveal a substantial increase in scholarly output, particularly in response to climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Notably, countries like China, the United Kingdom, and emerging contributors, including Pakistan, are leading in research output. The study underscores a shift from foundational studies on sustainable finance to specific applications in green bonds, ESG criteria, and climate finance. Additionally, it highlights strong international co-authorship networks, especially among researchers in Europe, North America, and Asia, which facilitate cross-border collaboration and knowledge dissemination.

Bibliometric Insights into Microplastic Pollution in Freshwater Ecosystems

Microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems has emerged as a significant environmental concern, warranting comprehensive investigation, and understanding. This study employs bibliometric analysis to systematically review and synthesize the existing literature on microplastic pollution in freshwater environments from 2013 to 2023. The exponential growth in research output was uncovered by analyzing 885 documents sourced from the Web of Science database, with an average annual growth rate of 73.13% and an average document citation of 30.17. Our findings highlight the dominance of primary and secondary microplastics as pollutants, their ecological consequences, and the resultant socio-economic implications. Notably, the Science of the Total Environment and Environmental Pollution journals emerge as leading publication venues, while China, Germany, and the USA lead in research contributions, underlining the global nature of microplastic pollution research. The analysis further outlines the most commonly cited works, identifying pivotal studies that have shaped current understanding and future research directions. This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the research landscape on microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems, helping researchers to identify knowledge gaps and emerging trends. These insights can guide future research directions and inform policymakers and stakeholders on where scientific efforts should be concentrated to better understand and address the impacts of microplastic pollution.

Postdoctoral struggles in the Global South: insights from India.

The global postdoctoral community faces many challenges including low pay, irregular benefits, little job security amid cost-of-living hikes, challenges to mental health, and power imbalances. Conclusions from the 2020 and 2023 global postdoctoral surveys by Nature highlighting these struggles are highly skewed towards respondents from the Global North, underrepresenting the Global South. Here, we address the postdoctoral struggles of scholars in the Global South who are more vulnerable due to low-income economy and patriarchal society that discriminates against women. We argue that neglecting postdoctoral researchers in basic science fields, women and scholars from local and regional universities will affect global academic and research outputs. We recommend sustainable, long-term solutions such as "Postdoc Representative Body" ensuring just and wider postdoctoral benefits at country level to secure postdoctoral benefits in the Global South.

Exploring the impact of publication limits on academic freedom and productivity: a qualitative study of Vietnamese EFL lecturers

ABSTRACT This qualitative study investigates the effects of a publication limit policy on the research productivity and academic freedom of Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) lecturers. Amidst growing concerns over research quality and output, the Vietnamese academic sector has implemented a policy restricting the number of publications an academic can produce annually. This study aims to explore the ramifications of this policy from the perspectives of those directly affected – the lecturers themselves. Employing semi-structured interviews, the study engaged nine Vietnamese EFL lecturers from two institutions, representing three career stages: novice, mid-career, and near-retirement. The interpretivist paradigm guided the research, enabling an in-depth exploration of the participants’ subjective experiences and perceptions. Key findings revealed diverse impacts across career stages. Themes such as the perception of academic freedom, impact on research productivity, professional growth, research quality, methodology, and personal well-being emerged. The study found that while the policy aimed at enhancing research quality, it also posed challenges such as narrowed research focus, heightened stress, and the need for strategic adaptation in research practices. This research contributes to the discourse on academic policies, highlighting the need for flexible, supportive approaches that consider the diverse needs of the academic community.

Nationwide Assessment of Solar PV Power Potential Using Geospatial Data and Collaborative Research with Higher Education Institutions: Case of the Philippines

Abstract. Geospatial technologies present a significant opportunity to assess solar photovoltaic (PV) power potential through remote sensing techniques and geospatial analysis. This aligns with the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy, one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that the Philippine National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) aims to achieve. In support of the said SDG, a research project, called Project SINAG, has developed a method for estimating solar PV power resources utilizing high-temporal remotely-sensed data. The primary objectives of this study are twofold: first, to develop a webGIS platform for solar energy resource information access and decision support; second, to conduct information dissemination and capacitybuilding activities for various stakeholders in the solar energy sector. The localized assessment of solar PV power potential incorporates meteorological and geomorphological factors such as high temperature, dust deposition, and slope. Collaboration with academic institutions, government agencies, and the solar energy industry has been instrumental in providing capacity-building through training workshops, internships, and on-the-job training. Moreover, the project has produced information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, launched a webGIS portal, and supported data requests and student research. The webGIS platform serves as the primary information dissemination tool for the project, enabling rapid sharing of research outputs with end-users. To enhance the platform, future developments may include additional functionalities such as community forums, client feedback mechanisms, mobile application development, and the integration of real-time data for map layers and forecasting tools.

Service evaluation of the research outputs for 23/24 at a large London teaching hospital

Abstract Introduction The recent report of a UK survey of pharmacy professionals’ involvement in research1 found only small numbers of the pharmacy workforce are currently undertaking research. A number of reasons for this are identified and the report contains a list of recommendations to support the embedding of research into pharmacy careers.1 Within the pharmacy department at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KCH) all research proposals are presented at the pharmacy research and audit group and a log is kept of department research outputs by the clinical academic research lead. The analysis of this data will provide a benchmark. For the purposes of this study, research encompasses audit, service evaluation and research studies as defined by the Health Research Authority defining research table.2 Aim To identify, over the financial year 23/24, the frequency of different types of research outputs from the pharmacy department at KCH broken down by output type, specialty and role. Methods Regular emails were sent April 23 – March 24 to remind staff to identify and share research outputs with the clinical academic research lead. Outputs received were circulated by newsletter to encourage and motivate others. The clinical academic research lead engaged with individual pharmacy teams throughout the year to encourage and support research outputs. Research output data was collected, April 23 – March 24, on an Excel spreadsheet including staff name, role, specialty, type of research output and date the output was completed. Research outputs were categorised into published articles, published abstracts, attendance at conference, abstracts presented at conference and presentations at conference or national webinar. Ethics was not required as the study is defined as a service evaluation. Results There were a total of 89 research outputs by the pharmacy department across the year. These were broken down into published articles (20), published abstracts (16), attendance at conference (24), abstracts presented at conference (26) and presentations at conference or national webinar (3). The two specialty teams who produced or took part in the most research outputs over the year were critical care (15) and liver (11). Consultants pharmacists were involved in the most research activity (32) followed closely by principal pharmacists (26), specialist pharmacists (25) and the deputy chief pharmacists (19). Pharmacy technicians, pharmacists taking part in the STEP programme and non-registered pharmacy staff scored the least in terms of research activity relative to size of staff group. Consultant pharmacists and principle pharmacists were the groups that published the most articles (8 each). Discussion and conclusion The trust implemented a new electronic patient record system during the year which may have impacted the number of research outputs. A limitation to this study is that there are likely to be unrecorded research outputs. The data broken down by specialty and role will allow the pharmacy management group and clinical academic research lead to support, engage and motivate in those areas to allow staff to have the time, skills and guidance to carry out research activities. The results can be used by other healthcare organisations to benchmark against.

Challenges and Support Frameworks for Producing High Quality Business Research: A Case Study of Lebanese Scholars

AbstractThis paper aims at exploring the contexts of academic research outputs faced by Lebanese researchers at four major Lebanese business schools. It analyzes both challenges and support mechanisms at these institutions to suggest improvements to the existing framework considering the researchers’ perspectives and opinions. A multiple case study was carried out at four major Lebanese business schools in which 14 individuals involved in research were interviewed. Thematic analysis was carried out to explore the host of challenges faced in the sphere of research output. This study may provide other institutions and researchers in the region and the developing world with a greater insight into necessary alterations to their own research challenges and approaches.

Appraising the potentials of reusing plastic bottles as building blocks for housing construction at Paipe village Abuja Nigeria

Plastic bottles package a multitude of commodities consumed worldwide. Upon consumption of the commodity, the disposed plastic bottles accumulate as waste, having impacts on both the aquatic and terrestrial environment. In a bid to convert such waste to wealth, plastic bottles are creatively reused for different applications, such as pedestrian bridge boats and street furniture, amongst others. Another application of reusing plastic bottles is their serving as building blocks for housing construction. Reports and research in Nigeria confirm the proliferation of plastic bottles littering the environment, which if reused in housing construction has the potential to contribute to achieving both UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11 (making human settlements sustainable) and 12 (ensuring sustainable consumption and production). Although Nigeria is traced to being the first country in Africa to reuse plastic bottles in housing construction, not much research output exists from practitioners’ experience on the potentials of reusing plastic bottles as a sustainable construction material as practiced in countries like Vietnam, India, and the Philippines, among others. As such, this study investigates the potential factors driving the practice of reusing plastic bottles in Nigeria with a view to ascertaining the satisfaction derived from the practice for sustainable housing construction. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire from 41 respondents identified as having experience in using plastic bottles in construction (5 staffs of Awonto Konsult as well as 36 staffs of Brains and Hammers Construction). Data was analysed descriptively using both IBM SPSS Statistics 23 as well as MS Excel to compute the Mean Score as well as the Relative Satisfaction Index (RSI). Only 30 questionnaires were successfully retrieved and fully answered. Amongst the 10 potential factors studied driving reusing plastic bottles, results show that almost all respondents tend to be ‘satisfied’ with both ‘strength and stability’ (having a Mean Value of 4.70 and RSI of 0.94) as well as ‘durability’ (having a Mean Value of 4.50; RSI of 0.90) of buildings built with plastic bottles. These two factors recorded the highest ‘satisfaction’ ratings, leaning towards ‘very satisfied’. Regarding the factor ‘fire resistance’ of buildings built with plastic bottles (having a Mean Value of 3.40; RSI of 0.68), results reveal that 50 percent of the respondents are ‘unsure’ if it is a satisfactory factor driving reusing plastic bottles or not. The study found that the satisfaction ratings of technical and environmental factors have higher appeal to respondents compared to health and safety and also financial factors. It is recommended that Awonto Konsult and also Brains and Hammers Construction invest more in information related to the fire resistance of plastic bottles used in construction because fire outbreaks pose great threats to buildings. Equally, wider empirical research on plastic bottle wastes, if undertaken, could support the development of policies for waste management, particularly in developing countries. This research has the potential to convert waste into wealth in a bid to minimising environmental impacts of disposed plastic bottles as well as contribute to sustainable materials, particularly for rural housing. Since this study was based on a survey, experimental studies of potentials driving the reuse of plastic bottles in housing construction will reveal results that could enable more sustainable housing construction in Nigeria.

Dandy walker syndrome: A bibliometric analysis of the most 100 cited articles

Introduction: Dandy-Walker Syndrome (DWS), a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, has intrigued clinicians and researchers since its description by physicians Walter Dandy and Arthur Walker. Despite its recognition for nearly a century, understanding its etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations remains elusive. This bibliometric analysis aims to elucidate influential academic works on DWS. Methods: In January 2024, we conducted a Scopus search for articles on DWS and identified the top 100 referenced publications. The Harzing Publish or Perish search engine was utilized with relevant terms, including “Dandy-Walker,” “Dandy-Walker Syndrome,” and “Dandy-Walker Malformation.” Data from Scopus, including publication details and citation counts, were compiled and organized using Microsoft Excel. Statistical analysis and data visualization were performed using Python, with Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, and NetworkX libraries employed for this purpose. Results: The bibliometric analysis of DWS research revealed key insights. Significant research output was noted in the 2000-2009 and 1990-1999 decades. The cumulative citations totaled 6,059, with an average of 2.60 citations per year per article. Leading authors included W B Dobyns, Kathleen J Millen, and G Pilu. Institutions such as the University of California and Harvard Medical School were prominent, with the United States being the predominant contributor. Major journals like the American Journal of Medical Genetics played significant roles. Conclusion: This bibliometric study summarizes the most-cited articles on DWS, providing light on the field and its seminal works that have shaped both present-day clinical treatment and the trajectory of future research.

Examining the interface factors affecting research output of accounting academics in African universities of technology

Examining the interface factors affecting research output of accounting academics in African universities of technology

Perceived employability of international doctoral students in the UK: applying Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory

ABSTRACT The quality of the UK’s doctorate training system plays a fundamental role in fostering vibrant research outputs and attracting global talent. However, while maintaining a consistently high standard of quality remains static and challenging, little is known about how the employability of international doctorate students is shaped and at what juncture it is opportune to support their employability during their research studies. This paper aims to understand the employability of international doctoral students within business schools at British universities, drawing on Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as a framework. The qualitative study involves 15 international doctoral students from 9 business schools. The findings uncover various environmental systems impacting their employability. In addition, this study theoretically extends employability research by applying Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to provide a multi-layered understanding of international doctorate employability, offering a novel framework for targeted career support interventions. Further, the implications highlight the urgent need for tailored support to build industrial connections, promote departmental collaboration to scaffold a dynamic research environment, proffer multiple resource channels, and create employment opportunities both inside and outside of the university.

Factors Influencing Dissemination of Research Outputs to Utilisers among Agricultural Research Institutes in Oyo State Nigeria

Factors Influencing Dissemination of Research Outputs to Utilisers among Agricultural Research Institutes in Oyo State Nigeria