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Abstract This study examined perspectives of distance education students on online learning based on their access gadgets (availability and functionality), online presentation or teaching methods, actual use of online learning coupled with its challenges. A quantitative approach and descriptive survey design were adopted for the study. A sample of 1061 was drawn from a study population of 44,134 distance learners across sixteen administrative regions and data collected using a questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the hypotheses of the study, and descriptive statistics were deployed to analyse students perceived challenges. The study found a statistically significant relationship between the availability and functionality of online gadgets, availability of online gadgets and online presentation methods, functionality and online presentation methods and functionality and online learning usage. Thus, these factors are necessary for successful online learning. Four main perceived challenges identified were unreliable power/electricity and internet connectivity, lack of collaboration and motivation during online learning. Therefore, it was recommended that steps are taken to resolve the perceived challenges while adopting the blended approach comprising face-to-face and online learning. The blended learning approach would enable students to adjust better and appreciate its usefulness in distance education.

Currently, digital transformation has become one of the global technological trends. For the effective development of the mineral resource base and the implementation of planned projects, it is necessary to update technological solutions in order to optimize business processes along the entire value chain of the product. This topic is especially relevant for the national oil and gas complex. The existing problems associated with the depletion of traditional hydrocarbon reserves, the complication of mining and geological conditions and the need to search for new sources of resource development require fundamentally new technological solutions. Modern conditions for the functioning of energy markets, associated with a high degree of uncertainty in macroeconomic parameters, the activation of “green” trends and the development of approaches to responsible financing, also form new requirements for the industry and the oil and gas companies themselves. Today, the introduction of digital technologies is one of the most important areas for the development of the oil and gas sector. The purpose of the work is to study and justify new challenges and opportunities for digital transformation of the oil and gas complex in the Arctic. The paper defines the role of digital transformation for the mineral resource complex (MCC), explores the key areas, dynamics and development trends of this process. The analysis of the existing experience of domestic and foreign companies in the framework of the introduction of digital technologies in the oil and gas sector was carried out. The decomposition of the tasks of digital transformation of oil and gas companies is given. The role of the digital transformation of the Arctic oil and gas complex is substantiated by systematizing key external and internal challenges. A list of technologies relevant for implementation in the development of hydrocarbon resource potential in the Arctic has been developed, the main effects of digitalization have been systematized, and potential difficulties in implementing this process in the current conditions have been identified.

Currently, the whole world is confronted with a geometric increase in the human population without a corresponding increase in the agricultural land resource to meet the human demands for food and clothing which are primarily sourced from agricultural industry. Therefore, it is needful for every country to search the importance of agroforestry and make haste to adopt it as it is the only option and panacea with which to combat the world ever increasing human population with limited and dwindling agricultural land resource. Agroforestry is more intentional, intensive, interactive and integrated than agriculture per se. Improved agro-forestry practice is eco-friendly, job creative and lucrative. It also promotes wider biodiversity and high yields of crops and livestock through proper soil management. Agroforestry is a multidisciplinary science encompassing agronomy, physiology, horticulture, apiculture, soil management, ecology, agrisilviculture, silvopasture, agrosilvopasture, and apisilvoculture have made it more comprehensive than other farming systems. The most glaring importance of agroforestry is centered on its ability to adapt to climate change, especially now it has become a case study in the world as its adverse effects on both living and non-living things cannot be neglected. So, this review paper is aimed at sensitizing and encouraging worldwide farmers and non-farmers to adopt the modern agro-forestry practices as improved means for promoting food security and checking deforestation with its associated adverse effects in the world. However, there are numerous challenges confronting the establishment of agroforestry and basically among them are - scarcity of land, improved seeds/seedlings, and conservative attitudes of the farmers.

Homestead agroforestry is one of the recognized agroforestry practices in Bangladesh. While the monoculture cropping system is enormously intensified, homestead agroforestry has added dimension to rapid economic growth. But despite having significance, homestead agroforestry is not gaining concern in further development. The study was done to bring this topic into focus by compiling the prospects of homestead agroforestry in Bangladesh by highlighting the significance and necessity. A secondary analysis was done by reviewing the findings to do this research. To collect paper keywords, “Bangladesh homestead agroforestry”, “Homestead agroforestry practices”, “Homestead agroforestry status”, “Homestead biodiversity’', “Homestead and SDGs,” “Dominant species,” and “Home garden agroforestry system” were entered. Following the PRISMA framework, 337 papers were collected, among which 113 met the inclusion or eligibility criteria. The interrelated publications of homestead agroforestry with SDGs were assessed from the 113 shortlisted articles. The interrelated publications assessment on homestead agroforestry in the context of Sustainable Development Goals figured out that major research output was oriented towards no poverty (44%), decent work and economic growth (27%), zero hunger (20%), indicating its link to achieve SDGs from Bangladesh perspectives. The shortlisted articles were reviewed in the context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), food security, livelihood improvement, environmental resources conservation, and dominant species coverage. Consequently, the dominant species were tabulated along with their respective coverages according to their uses. The study identified that in all localities of Bangladesh, Mango, Areca, Coconut, and Mahogany are the highly preferred dominant species, while Jackfruit, Acacia, and Banana also prevailed. Hence, the study concluded that homestead agroforestry has significant prospects in food security, livelihood improvement, and environmental resources conservation, and its contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals cannot be ignored. But homestead agroforestry system is exposed to vulnerability due to constraints. The systematic elimination of prevailing constraints can help in successfully executing sustainable development goals, and fruitful consequences can be derived by imposing potential concerns on this sector.

Effective Electric Power Generation and Distribution result in the overall increase in efficiency in an economy. Nigeria generates 4500 MW for a population of 200 million people; hence, more than 50% of the population has no electricity access, and those with access experience power outages. Inasmuch as Nigeria is blessed with a vast amount of renewable energy sources, the country heavily relies on Natural Gas for power Generation. With regards to Power Generation, it is seen that the Power Generated is not evacuated efficiently. The purpose of this study is to access the growth of the Nigerian Power Sector from 1898 till date. This is achieved by evaluating the Power Sector Reforms enacted by different government to analyze their effectiveness. Furthermore, the study reviews strategically research that have discussed the strengths and weakness of the Nigerian Power Sector to be able to suggest hidden opportunities and reveal threats to the attainment of sustainable energy for all in 2030. Some of the Challenges discovered were energy user challenges, financial challenges, and energy losses. Some solutions and opportunities are the use of distributed generation, smart meters and the implemented of a smart grid system. In the long run, the authors propose that viable renewable energy sources in each State of the federation be tapped for Power Generation this would enable each State to the self-reliant and contributors to the Nigerian Power Generation Pool. It is believed that this actions would promote economic, social and technological benefits for the every stakeholder.

The global quest to fight terror worldwide cannot be over emphasised as extremists and non -state actors continue to ravage the ungoverned spaces opening up around the globe. Consequently this work is an evaluation of the use of ICT in counter terrorism efforts in Nigeria as a fledgling democracy. The study reviewed the challenges and prospects of the application of ICT to counter terror in a country where Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other militant groups have continue to challenge the legitimacy and territorial integrity of the Nigerian state. The work used the mixed method –comprising qualitative and quantitative analytical efforts and found out that for the Nigerian State to make sustainable impacts in her counter terrorism efforts ICT should be the pivot. In the same vein, the study advocated adequate training and sustainable Information Technology policy and culture that will encourage the development of substantial capacity to drive an ICT-driven counter terrorism in a world full of rapidly mutating terrorism.

Achieving the strategic goals of social development in Bulgaria, as well as solving the pressing social and economic problems of the state, is possible provided that the effective work of public bodies is ensured. The professional development of civil servants in the civil service in many ways leads to high level of efficiency of their activity. In turn, their professional development is ensured mainly by the functioning of their additional vocational education system. The existing system at the moment practically does not fully improve the level of professionalism of civil servants and the efficiency of their professional activities in accordance with the requirements of society and time. It is not an exaggeration to say that the level of professionalism of a significant part of civil servants in Bulgaria is not high enough. In this regard, one of the key aspects of improving the quality of the public services provided is the improvement of the professionalism of the employees of the public bodies. The need for successful solutions to this problem urgently requires a study of the role of additional professional education in the professional development of civil servants. Currently, insufficient scientific understanding of the role and its place in the professional development of civil servants is a serious obstacle to the scientific justification of the orientation, content, educational results and principles of building additional professional programs. As a result, the opportunities for additional professional education in the formation of civil servants as professionals are not fully realized. At the same time, scientific research is complicated by the lack of generally accepted professional standards in this field and uniform approaches to understanding the civil servant as a professional. The purpose of this article is to examine the state and problems facing the additional professional education of civil servants in Bulgaria and to point out the prospects for its development. In order to achieve the goal, good practices from selected countries of the European Union have been studied. Empirical research done in Bulgaria on the issue in question is also summarized. From a theoretical point of view, the systemic approach to the analysis of additional professional education has been adopted, presenting it as a social system whose structural elements actively interact with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article's purpose is to evaluate empirical evidence of the main threats to organic agriculture formation and provide the argumentation of its development prospects in Azerbaijan's current conditions. Questioning of agricultural business owners identified threats and prospects for developing organic agriculture in Azerbaijan. The opportunities and threats for developing organic agriculture are determined and differentiated by groups of entrepreneurs doing business in traditional/organic agriculture. Based on the results of the clustering of the agricultural enterprises depending on the level, the priority of threats, and prospects for development, the strategies for developing organic agriculture in Azerbaijan have been determined: educational strategy of financial accessibility, innovative growth, and infrastructure development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is a disastrous condition, which can be caused by a wide range of diseases, such as pneumonia, sepsis, traumas, and the most recent, COVID-19. Even though we have gained an improved understanding of acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome pathogenesis and treatment mechanism, there is still no effective treatment for acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is partly responsible for the unacceptable mortality rate. In the pathogenesis of acute lung injury, the inflammatory storm is the main pathological feature. More and more evidences show that immune cells and cytokines secreted by immune cells play an irreplaceable role in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury. Therefore, here we mainly reviewed the role of various immune cells in acute lung injury from the perspective of immunotherapy, and elaborated the crosstalk of immune cells and cytokines, aiming to provide novel ideas and targets for the treatment of acute lung injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogen economy is one of the possible directions of development for the European Union economy, which in the perspective of 2050, can ensure climate neutrality for the member states. The use of hydrogen in the economy on a larger scale requires the creation of a storage system. Due to the necessary volumes, the best sites for storage are geological structures (salt caverns, oil and gas deposits or aquifers). This article presents an analysis of prospects for large-scale underground hydrogen storage in geological structures. The political conditions for the implementation of the hydrogen economy in the EU Member States were analysed. The European Commission in its documents (e.g., Green Deal) indicates hydrogen as one of the important elements enabling the implementation of a climate-neutral economy. From the perspective of 2050, the analysis of changes and the forecast of energy consumption in the EU indicate an increase in electricity consumption. The expected increase in the production of energy from renewable sources may contribute to an increase in the production of hydrogen and its role in the economy. From the perspective of 2050, discussed gas should replace natural gas in the chemical, metallurgical and transport industries. In the longer term, the same process will also be observed in the aviation and maritime sectors. Growing charges for CO2 emissions will also contribute to the development of underground hydrogen storage technology. Geological conditions, especially wide-spread aquifers and salt deposits allow the development of underground hydrogen storage in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meridianins are a family of indole alkaloids derived from Antarctic tunicates with extensive pharmacological activities. A series of meridianin derivatives had been synthesized by drug researchers. This article reviews the extraction and purification methods, biological activities and pharmacological applications, pharmacokinetic characters and chemical synthesis of meridianins and their derivatives. And prospects on discovering new bioactivities of meridianins and optimizing their structure for the improvement of the ADMET properties are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the emerging roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the regulation of the physiology of aquaculture animals raises the possibility of potential applications of ncRNAs for the advancement of aquaculture. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), like other ncRNAs do not encode proteins. However, by interacting directly with RNAs, DNAs or proteins lncRNAs participate in the regulation of target genes at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and epigenetic levels. A number of studies have shown that lncRNAs play a key role in multiple aspects of animal physiology, including reproduction, development, growth, metabolism, stress response, immunity and rhythmicity. However, application of lncRNAs knowledge to aquaculture is still limited and dispersed. This review updated the status of lncRNAs research and suggested future directions that may contribute to development of potential applications of lncRNAs to the improvement of farmed aquatic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible oil is an integral part of everyday cooking, due to remarkable gain in vegetable oil consumption in India over the past few decades. Accomplishing edible oil requirement of the ever-growing population is a formidable task before the country. On the contrary, annual compound growth rate of major edible oilseeds in India is declining. This phenomenal disparity in demand and supply of vegetable oil in the country is tending to bother through profuse investment on overseas purchase. At this point of time, in order to meet on-growing demand of edible oil, rice bran oil can be the available option before the country. India being the major producer of rice, yields significant amount of bran which contain upto 24% edible grade superior quality vegetable oil. It essentially contains 48.48% oleic acid, 35.26% linoleic acid, 14.54% palmitic acid, 8.15% free fatty acid besides contain good number of antioxidants such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and oryzanol. Therefore, rice bran oil became the integral part of oil market in India and abroad. Inspite of its benefits, it has not been fully exploited. If its potentiality is harnessed completely, rice bran oil could emerge as silver lining of Indian edible oil economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welding is one of basic technologies of industrial economy, used to generate a considerable fraction of GNP in industrialized countries. Such countries are characterized by sustainable development of welding production that is determined by growth in consumption of structural materials and welding equipment, and emergence of new welding materials, technologies and equipment in the market. World market of welding equipment, the main segments of which are welding equipment and materials has a stable growth dynamics with an annual rate of more than 7%, which according to experts, is equal to almost 30 bln. USD. Its main drivers are construction, automotive industry, power engineering, shipbuilding and aerospace industry. Rapid development of industrial technologies of the fourth industrial revolution is aimed at full automation of production, when management of all the processes is carried out in real time, taking into account changes in external conditions and the interaction of people and equipment, and mutual interaction of equipment without human intervention, using technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of things (IoT), 3D-printing, cloud computing, mobile devices, big data processing, etc. 11 Ref., 1 Tabl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expectation was a crucial element in the decision-making process about migration, so this study analyzed the impact of economic prospects on international labor migration on Java Island. The data sourced from the Indonesian Statistics includes international labor migration, economic prospects, unemployment, wage difference, and poverty in six provinces on Java Island from 2011 to 2020. This study utilized regression analysis based on the Panel Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) and the Panel Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS). This method was complemented by expert judgments summarized in the Delphi analysis to identify the causes of international labor migration. The result shows that improving economic prospects negatively affects international labor migration. The better economic prospects would be followed by lower international labor migration. Meanwhile, increased unemployment and poverty rates lead to a rise in international labor migration. However, the wage difference has no impact on international labor migration. The Delphi analysis revealed that international labor migration is associated with some causes, such as vacancies in the home country, poverty, economic prospects in the home province, language similarity with the home country, distance to the destination country, and living costs in the destination country. Nevertheless, the wage difference between the wage rate in home country and the destination countries unrelated to international labor migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of provision of the Russian high-tech industry with critical minerals is becoming more drastic every year due to the steady reduction of rich and relatively accessible deposits in technical and economic terms and the instability of its import delivery from producer countries due to political instability in the world. Domestic and global trends in the development of the mineral-resource base of high-tech industry and energy are shown. Having applied spatial statistics of geoinformational analysis, the maps of the locations of the main deposits and promising ore occurrences of high-tech metals (HTMs) in Russia were compiled. The degree of criticality of strategic and high-tech mineral raw materials for Russia was assessed. It is noted that the share of Russian HTM production in the world structure of their output is extremely small, despite the available reserves. Many domestic complex HTM-bearing deposits are not developed. Most HTMs necessary for the Russian industry are imported. The analysis has shown that Russia can increase the production of two HTM groups critical for green technologies—"battery" metals (Ni, Co, Li, Pt, Pd, Ro, and REE) and components for "photovoltaics" (Cd, Se, Te, Ge, Ga, and In). In recent years, the mineral-resource base of HTMs in Russia has been showing positive growth, and the development of a number of deposits is planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocardiology is an emerging field that studies the interaction between the brain and the heart, namely the effects of heart injury on the brain and the effects of brain damage on the heart. Acute ischemic stroke has long been known to induce heart damage. Most post-stroke deaths are attributed to nerve damage, and cardiac complications are the second leading cause of death after stroke. In clinical practice, the proper interpretation and optimal treatment for the patients with heart injury complicated by acute ischemic stroke, recently described as stroke-heart syndrome (SHS), are still unclear. Here, We describe a wide range of clinical features and potential mechanisms of cardiac complications after ischemic stroke. Autonomic dysfunction, microvascular dysfunction and coronary ischemia process are interdependent and play an important role in the process of cardiac complications caused by stroke. As a unique comprehensive view, SHS can provide theoretical basis for research and clinical diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The growth of solar energy usage and solar power generated in India is exponential. • Theoretical and experimental research efforts in India on solar ponds are elaborated. • The possible scopes of applications of solar ponds in India are detailed. • Problems faced by the solar pond researchers are discussed. • Future of solar pond research in India is illustrated. Solar pond is generally a shallow artificial pool of water in which considerable temperature can be established within its lower layers by suppression of convective transport. Generally, for prevention of convection, some suitable salt solution is used. In this paper, various aspects of solar pond, in terms of both simulation and experimental research advances, practical applications, economic features, challenges faced and future prospects, particularly with respect to Indian context have been reviewed. In general, the importance and the position of India at global level in terms of solar energy harvesting potential have been discussed. Apart from conventional uses of solar ponds in process heating and salt production, their applications in water distillation and thermoelectric power generation are also highlighted. Besides, stability aspect and its importance are revisited from simulations and experimental observations. Important identified areas requiring future research and development to recognize more technically feasible solar pond-based systems include organic Rankine cycle for electrical power production, crop drying, building cooling and air-conditioning based on absorption systems, thermoelectric cooling, and integration of solar ponds with other renewable energy resources. The present literature is proposed to offer guidelines in policy making aimed at addressing various societal requirements in a sustainable and affordable manner by utilizing available natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Selenium (Se) is a nutrient related to human physiological processes and an essential trace element that has attracted considerable attention because of its antioxidant, immune and other functions. Se deficiency can cause all sorts of diseases and dysfunctions in the human tissues, but excessive intake of Se can also cause poisoning and injury. With lower toxicity and higher utilisation than inorganic Se, organic Se is recommended in the framework of a balanced diet. Compared with pharmaceutical supplementation, dietary Se supplementation is more acceptable to the masses. Thus, Se‐rich foods and selenoproteins enriched with organic Se have become a hot spot for current research. In living organisms, Se often exists in the form of selenoproteins (more than 25); for example, selenocysteine and selenomethionine are the common chemical forms of Se amino acids. And most of Se's physiological functions depend on the participation of selenoproteins. This paper reviews the physiological processes of Se, the development and utilisation of Se‐enriched foods, and the research on the properties of selenoproteins. Some suggestions and prospects for developing Se‐rich food in the future are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Handicraft industry plays a significant and pivotal role in the country's economy. It employs a significant number of artisans in rural and semiurban areas and generates significant foreign exchange for the country, all while preserving the cultural heritage. In the Indian context, geographical indication (GI) has recently emerged as a substantial form of intellectual property rights. It is a powerful instrument for safeguarding and rewarding not only the commercial potential of exclusive products but also the traditional knowledge that accompanies them. GI has the potential to revitalize the handicraft sector, but if it is merely seen as intellectual property, the industry's interests are jeopardized. Handicraft products account for over 55% of all GI‐registered products in India, followed by agricultural products (31%). The predicament of the Artisans has deteriorated over time. One of several main reasons for the deterioration of Uttar Pradesh's handicraft industry is that artisans in the region still do not fully understand GI. The present study gives an overview of the current status of registered GIs in Uttar Pradesh. More importantly, this will also highlight the major challenges of GI implementation in the traditional handicraft sector in Uttar Pradesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Central Asian Economic Review is the property of Narxoz University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Central Asian Economic Review is the property of Narxoz University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article provides a philosophical analysis of the role of the synergetic paradigm in the foresight of social processes. The necessity of taking into account the factor of chance, which is a key factor in development, is revealed. The article notes that in the cognition of any developing system, especially a historical one, the need to include a time parameter in the study is required. The article draws attention to the fact that the social system is an ordered, self-governing integrity of a variety of social relations, the bearer of which is the individual and the social groups in which he is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research around sport-related concussion (SRC) has made great advances during the twenty-first century. However, few studies have systematically analyzed the published SRC research. A bibliometric analysis was conducted of data from articles from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze publication trends, most productive countries, institutions, authors, journals, research fields, and references with the highest citation number. VOSviewer software was used to perform network visualization and keywords co-occurrence analysis. CiteSpace software was used to perform reference co-citation analysis. 1) The number of publications and number of citations of research in SRC progressively increased between 2000 and 2021; 2) the United States was the leading country in research in SRC; 3) extensive cooperation among countries, institutions, and investigators was prevalent in SRC research; 4) P. McCrory, M. McCrea, and K.M. Guskiewicz were the 3 most prolific and influential authors; 5) research in SRC involved multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches; 6) research in SRC mainly covered aspects of primary prevention, diagnosis, and management, and the latter two have gained more attention in recent years; and 7) specific questions about "education," "predictors," "youth," "exercise," "reliability," "validity," and "baseline" were the research frontiers of SRC. Attention to research in SRC has rapidly increased in recent years. Our work is a holistic overview that summarizes the hotspots, frontiers, and prospects of SRC, thus providing valuable information and guidance concerning research directions for those who are interested in or are dedicated to SRC research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English language is the official language of Nigerian university students, the study of the literature of the English people is of utmost paramount. By literary categorization, Non-African literature will cover the students desire in learning the literature of the non Africans. These non Africans cuts across the earliest beginings of English literature to the present. Our research have surveyed the prospects as well as the impending challenges as problems thriving and stagnating alike the study of non African literature in Nigerian universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article briefly describes the concepts of immersive virtual reality (immersive VR) and non‐immersive virtual reality (non‐immersive VR), and outlines the characteristics of immersive VR and its application status in emergency rescue training. The advantages and characteristics of VR and its application in the field of simulating and responding to emergencies of violent terrorist attacks, in the rescue work and medical security work of rescue personnel at the scene of violent terrorist attacks, discussed how immersive VR can simulate and respond to emergencies The advantages and disadvantages and their application prospects are of great significance to the study of simulation training for emergency rescue in the VR environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contract farming (CF) is considered a relevant measure to tackle the challenges to sustainable development from the serious effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the positive effects of CF, low participation and frequent breaching of contracts remain challenges. Several studies have mentioned the advantages and disadvantages of CF but little is known about their rankings and perceptions of CF from the involved stakeholders. To address these evidence gaps, this study surveys stakeholders, ranks the perceived advantages and disadvantages of CF, and investigates the problems and prospects of CF. The study utilizes data triangulation from three stakeholders: farmers, contractors, and government policymakers. Data include twenty-seven key informant interviews (KIIs), seven focus group discussions (FGDs), and two participant observations (POs). Data are analyzed by a mixed method approach with methods of constant comparison, content analysis, and Rank Based Quotient (RBQ). The results indicate that while the main perceived advantage of CF relates to the outputs, the top three disadvantages of CF relate to issues likely to cause a breach of contract. The results also reveal that there seems to be a difference in the perception of CF's advantages and disadvantages among the stakeholders. Despite the problems such as breaching several contract terms, mistrust, or market manipulation from the local collectors, CF in Vietnam is overall promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting the inception of the 2010s, Ethiopia's relations with Egypt have been experiencing one of the deepest crises in the relationship of the two countries' history. Ethiopia, one of the upper riparian states of the Nile River not only theoretically challenged the exclusive veto power of Egypt over the Nile River but also practically start constructing one of Africa's largest hydropower dams on the Blue Nile since 2011. The challenging behavior of Ethiopia over the Nile River worried the long-standing regional hegemon, Egypt. Against this background, this paper aims to forward a new insight into how and why Ethiopia challenged the long-standing superior-subordinate Egypt-led order over the Nile River. Moreover, in its discussion, the paper tries to address key drives, challenges, and prospects of Ethiopia-Egypt water diplomacy. The paper also illustrates how and why the Ethio-Egypt water diplomacy strain becomes a cross-cut on the two nation's foreign policy matters. The paper has also attempted to understand how the superior-subordinate power duality approach works over the Nile River against the new balancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sustainability is a crucial social issue. In recent years, many scholars have suggested that the issue should be tackled at universities because they act as leaders in education, research and innovation. Universities are in a good position to foster progressive action towards global issues within current and future generations. As universities seek to create sustainable campuses, the green campus approach can create opportunities for a cultural paradigm shift, where universities become global leaders in sustainability. There have been various studies related to sustainability issues that include how universities can seek to create sustainable campuses. However, there are some gaps in the research on the “green campus approach” as a way to create sustainable campuses. This paper intends to examine the problems and prospects of creating a green campus university. Methods: Data collection was conducted using the qualitative method. Structured interviews and observations were conducted via visits to the selected case-study universities as well as panels and discussions with experts in respective ministry and government agencies. All collected data were transcribed before being analysed using the NVivo software and thematic coding. Results: Most universities in Malaysia have plans toward sustainability and the green campus approach. The awareness of going green and creating sustainability on university campuses has gradually increased. A strategic framework is needed as a guideline for creating green campuses in the higher education setting of Malaysia. Conclusions: This study offers new insights into creating green campus universities in Malaysia as a means to create sustainability in higher education settings. The study involved three of the oldest universities in Malaysia. Future research may expand into other universities in Malaysia or internationally.

The safety of nuclear energy, as a low-carbon energy source, has received widespread attention. One of the concerns is the appropriate handling of volatile radioactive elements (e.g., 129 I and 131 I) generated during the operation of nuclear reactors. These radioactive iodine isotopes are potentially hazardous to the environment and human health, so their effective removal is essential. Adsorption has become a popular method for capturing radioiodine due to its simplicity and low cost, which eliminates the need for highly corrosive solutions. Porous solid adsorbents have been widely studied and applied in practice for the efficient removal of radioactive iodine elements. However, most of these adsorbents are expensive, have limited capture capacity, and can burden the environment. Currently, researchers have now begun to experiment with the use of lignin as a substrate to develop new green and inexpensive adsorbents to enhance the capture efficiency of radioactive iodine. This review article begins by discussing the design of lignin-based iodine capture materials, detailing their application in iodine capture, and analyzing their performance, mechanisms, and practical application cases. Considering the challenges and opportunities in the field of radioactive iodine capture, it is hoped that this work can provide a reference point for future research., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing veterinary medicine, particularly in the domain of veterinary anatomy. At present, there is no existing review article in the literature that examines the prospects and challenges associated with the use of AI in animal anatomy education., Study Design: Narrative review., Objective: This review article explores the prospects and drawbacks of AI applications in veterinary anatomy. Anatomy and AI-powered diagnostic systems enhance clinical examination, diagnosis, and treatment by analyzing vast datasets, improving accuracy, and detecting subtle anomalies., Methods: We reviewed and analyzed recent literature on AI applications in veterinary anatomy education, emphasizing their potential, limitations, and future directions.., Conclusion: In veterinary anatomy education, AI integrates advanced tools like three-dimensional (3D) models, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), offering dynamic and interactive learning experiences to students as well as the faculty of veterinary institutions across the globe. Despite these advantages, AI faces challenges such as the need for extensive, high-quality data, potential biases, and issues with algorithmic transparency. Additionally, virtual dissection and educational tools may impact hands-on learning and ethical and legal concerns regarding data privacy must be addressed. Balancing AI integration with traditional skills and addressing these challenges will maximize AI's benefits in veterinary anatomy and ensure comprehensive veterinary care., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests. Dr. Om Prakash Choudhary reports administrative support was provided by Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

This study investigates the transformative effects of digital intelligence on translator education through a theoretical and exploratory approach, employing both bibliometric and content analysis to derive its findings. It systematically examines the evolution of translator training methodologies through the integration of AI, ChatGPT, large language models (LLMs), and 5G, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding these changes. Key findings reveal that personalized learning, supported by digital tools, significantly enhances student engagement and skill acquisition. However, challenges such as ensuring data quality, mitigating excessive dependence on technology, and maintaining ethical standards persist. The study underscores the critical necessity of developing advanced training platforms and strategies that foster effective teacher-student interactions and uphold academic integrity. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation in educational practices to equip future translators for the demands of a digital and highly connected world. These insights offer valuable guidance for educators and policymakers in crafting curricula that are both forward-thinking and resilient., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author.)

Competing Interests: The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

The article examines current trends and challenges related to the export of medical education in the global educational services market. The analysis of the data on the number of foreign students at medical universities leading exporting countries, including USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Russia and China. The factors influencing the choice of a country for study, such as the quality of educational programs, tuition fees, and the availability of visa and immigration procedures, are highlighted. Special attention is paid to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the growth of online education on international student mobility and accreditation of medical programs. In conclusion, recommendations are proposed for exporting countries to strengthen their positions in the global medical education market.