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Community genetic services were introduced in South Africa almost seven decades ago, with medical geneticists and genetic counsellors being formally recognized for the past 30 years. Initial training platforms were established at academic centres countrywide, and posts for relevant healthcare professionals, including medical geneticists and genetic counsellors were created in the public sector. Despite these early advances, the number of these specialists required to address the rising burden of congenital disorders in the country remains far below required targets established by the National Department of Health. The aim of this study was to analyse the retrospective, current and projected number of medical geneticists and genetic counsellors in South Africa. The results indicate the number of practicing medical geneticists (n = 13) and genetic counsellors (n = 28) are currently at 10% and 5% of capacity targets, respectively. There is unequal distribution of these specialists between the public and private healthcare sectors, and geographical maldistribution. An alarming trend of emigration is particularly prevalent among newly qualified genetic counsellors. With the proportion of congenital disorders expected to continue to rise in coming years, together with the increasing proportion of ageing South Africans, it is imperative that health workforce planning addresses the ever-widening gap between the supply, demand and unmet need for these crucial specialists in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the impact of Industry 4.0 and the role of law in enhancing women's involvement in Nigeria's construction sector. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted a systematic review of relevant literature from Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Science Direct, EBSCO, Emerald Insight, and Proquest Central between 2011 to 2023 on the various issues addressed in the research. A thematic analysis was adopted to discuss the findings from the reviewed articles in line with the study's objective. Findings: Industry 4.0 technologies enhance women's involvement in the construction industry by automating risky tasks, ensuring safety, and reducing working hours for family responsibilities. Limiting women's participation in construction results in unconstitutional gender-based discrimination and the law has not been fully explored in ensuring gender equality in the construction industry. Research Limitation/Implications: The study's reliance on a systematic literature review may limit capturing real-time industry dynamics. Practical Implication: Implementation of industry 4.0 technologies in the construction industry has the potential to create a safer, inclusive work environment by automating hazardous tasks and reducing working hours. Social Implication: Construction 4.0, if embraced, has the potential to challenge traditional gender norms, fostering a more equitable industry. Originality/Value: The study offers a novel approach that assesses the collective impact of technology and the law on enhancing women's participation and capacity-building initiatives, thereby contributing to gender equality and empowerment in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Research has documented the prevalence of different HIV/AIDS prevention programs launched to reduce the spread of the virus. However, the extent to which the success or otherwise of these programs are achieved is rarely discussed. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the impact of three socioeconomic parameters on the evaluation of HIV/AIDS prevention programs in the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: A sample of 239 health care employees selected using the proportional stratified random sampling technique participated in the study. A priori power analysis (using G*power) indicated that the sample size was large enough to achieve a 96.7% statistical power. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis assessed the dimensionality of the instrument. Acceptable construct and discriminant validity and composite reliability coefficients were obtained. At the .05 alpha level, the null hypotheses were tested using a one-way analysis of variance. Findings: Findings indicated that the evaluation of HIV/AIDS prevention programs significantly varied with the level of funding provided (F[2, 236]=81.11, p<.001), human capacity available (F[2, 236]=40.91, p<.001), and stigmatization to people living with AIDS (F[2, 236]=40.79, p<.001). Health facilities with higher funding and human capacity successfully evaluated HIV/AIDS prevention programs. However, the evaluation of HIV/AIDS prevention programs was lower in areas with a high level of stigmatization. Conclusion and implication: This study's findings provided evidence that funding, human capacity, and stigmatization affect how HIV/AIDS pandemic can be effectively evaluated. This study implies that additional responsibility is required for public health workers to promote quality service delivery across different health facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the organizational framework of oceanographic scientific expedition research. The classification provided and the essence of the main factors in the organization of oceanographic expeditionary research. Problems have been identified and solutions proposed.

The paper examines the main labor market issues of Uzbekistan, incorporating the demographic situation in the country. Also at the research work the key indicators of digital development of Uzbekistan has been investigated. Following the authors' approach Uzbekistan has significant opportunities to receive a demographic dividend by investing in human capital, especially taking into consideration the increasing human capacity in the field of digital development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human development has been widely accepted as both the primary goal and driver of sustainable development. Human development is critically important for countries attempting a radical transformation from a resource-based economy to knowledge-based, sustainable development, like Qatar. This paper examines Qatar's human development needs and challenges with respect to its economic, demographic, and educational development goals. Following a comprehensive literature review, domain-specific documentary information and data were collected and analyzed, along with qualitative insights and data obtained through semi-structured interviews with local professionals from various sectors, to gather opinions about the needs, challenges, drivers, and recommendations for human development. A preliminary integrated policy framework and set of recommendations for human development planning are proposed as a guide, for Qatar and similar countries, for transitioning from a resource-based economy to knowledge-based sustainable development. This framework and the understanding of the needs, challenges, and drivers based on the qualitative research, in conjunction and in comparison with the literature analysis, are expected to assist decision-makers in devising, and more importantly implementing, tailored policies and roadmaps focused on four key dimensions: skills (education), citizenship, leadership, and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are significantly more likely to develop and die from invasive cervical cancer, while rates of other gynecologic malignancies are comparable to those faced by women in high-income countries. Despite this increased need, there are few specialist physicians in LMICs available to treat women with gynecologic cancers. Training specialists in low-resource settings faces multiple challenges, including ensuring protected time from other clinical demands, access to best practice guidelines, training that is tailored to the specific challenges faced in the trainee's environment, and isolation from other fully trained professionals and securing support services. In addition, training specialists from LMICs in high-resource settings is costly and return of trainees to their own country is not guaranteed. Here we describe two approaches to gynecologic oncology training in LMICs. The International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) developed the Global Curriculum Mentorship and Training Program (Global Curriculum) to support gynecologic oncology fellowships in regions of the world that do not currently have formal training in gynecologic oncology. In India, on the other hand, leaders in world-class gynecologic oncology centers must find a way to meet the training needs of a vast and disparate country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the government directive to close schools in March 2020, a meeting of the academic leadership of Ashesi University devised a 360-degree response to the COVID-19 pandemic with decision making underpinned by simplicity and flexibility. The Admissions Department, supported by Student Life, led the evacuation and safe return home of all students, with students with challenging situations placed in homes the week of the announcement. Concurrently, the Academic Affairs team suspended all regular activities for two weeks, and with the assistance of the Operations and IT teams, developed the operational response plan, piloted the following week. Faculty and Academic Affairs stressed best practices, and in response to Student Life, emphasised the quality of instruction over quantity; rigour and higher-order thinking over the amount of learning. Pursuance of quality assurance was through weekly and clear master plans on teaching. Student Life, Admissions, and Academic Affairs used a devised student activity sheet to provide support to students to mitigate attrition, which was less than 0.2 per cent at the end of the semester. They regularly engaged students in virtual town hall meetings. Parents were included in students' study needs and invited to visit classes. Vendors for the grounds, cafeteria, security and cleaning services have been supported during this period. Most faculty and students have begun to enjoy the online teaching and learning experience with no request for a tuition refund, but rather, high student demand for summer school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on research, development, and capacity building in relation to food and nutrition security (FNS) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It looks at human capacity, education, teaching and learning, women empowerment, research, innovation and technology, research, indigenous knowledge (IK), institutional aspects, infrastructure, information and communication technologies (ICT), policies and finance. Professional bodies exist in many countries and the extent to which they engage in FNS awareness creation differs. Food and nutrition insecurity continues to affect people in Africa’s 54 nations where the population is expected to double by 2050 with the expected doubling of food production to keep pace with population growth. Within the continent there is a substantial number of human capacity professionals who are global leaders in food, nutrition and related professions. Some research organisations in the continent directly or indirectly benefit from grants administered by developed economies but a challenge exists with brain drain and ageing of qualified and experienced experts. Increasing educational need, coupled with the growing population necessitates attention to ensuring a sustained supply of highly trained, adequately equipped and qualified professionals in the relevant fields of food and nutrition sciences. Higher educational institutions exist in especially those that fall within the 500 in world universities ranking. Research activities take place in the continent along with the translation of research outputs into commercialisable products. Research towards transforming agriculture for improved livelihoods is taking place in different parts of the continent. Education, governance, gender and rural development are the key challenges. Income growth and the impacts of climate change on food production have contributed to food insecurity. ICTs can play an important role for FNS. Strengthening research, development, capacity building and industry cooperation are critical for FNS in Africa.

This paper focuses on research, development and capacity building in relation to food and nutrition security (FNS) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It looks at human capacity, education, teaching and learning, women empowerment, research, innovation and technology, research, indigenous knowledge (IK), institutional aspects, infrastructure, information and communication technologies (ICT), policies and finance. Professional bodies exist in many countries and the extent to which they engage in FNS awareness creation differs. Food and nutrition insecurity continues to affect people in Africa's 54 nations where the population is expected to double by 2050 with the expected doubling of food production to keep pace with population growth. Within the continent there is a substantial number of human capacity professionals who are global leaders in food, nutrition and related professions. Some research organisations in the continent directly or indirectly benefit from grants administered by developed economies but a challenge exists with brain drain and ageing of qualified and experienced experts. Increasing educational need, coupled with the growing population necessitates attention to ensuring a sustained supply of highly trained, adequately equipped and qualified professionals in the relevant fields of food and nutrition sciences. Higher educational institutions exist in especially those that fall within the 500 in world universities ranking. Research activities take place in the continent along with the translation of research outputs into commercialisable products. Research towards transforming agriculture for improved livelihoods is taking place in different parts of the continent. Education, governance, gender and rural development are the key challenges. Income growth and the impacts of climate change on food production have contributed to food insecurity. ICTs can play an important role for FNS. Strengthening research, development, capacity building and industry cooperation are critical for FNS in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article approaches the challenges to solidarity in the age of globalization in terms of the limitations set to it by a) the structure and values of global capitalism, b) political membership to the Nation-State, and c) membership to cultural groups that do not allow self-reflection, learning and changing. Building on Martínez Guzmán´s Philosophy for Peace, the political self from the perspective of our human competences to extend solidarity to strangers are redefined, more specifically, a) our capacity to communicate and understand each other, b) our capacity to recognize sameness in each other, c) our capacity to cooperate. At the end, this revised understanding of the self is applied to identify the political institutional changes that are necessary for the extension of solidarity: a) a transnational public sphere, b) global domestic politics, and c) a constitution for the world society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An entrepreneurial university increases human capacity and efficiency and improves the global competitiveness of South Africa. The country has embraced the need to improve and exploit the outputs of innovation by supporting processes that will transform the country into a 'knowledgeeconomy', where knowledge is the basic form of capital and where economic growth is driven by innovation. This is a qualitative study and 21 interviews were conducted with employees of innovation centres and incubators to assess the role of universities in the development of entrepreneurship and agglomeration economies. Findings suggest that the country requires the collaboration of businesses, educational institutions and government to be innovative and creative for entrepreneurs, to create knowledge, assist in building a knowledge economy, create spin-off companies and contribute to economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like James Hardie-Bick’s (2015) contribution this paper elaborates on the importance for socio-legal studies of Ernest Becker’s (1924-1974) work on the destructive consequences of human … all too human forms of death denial. With Becker, it makes an attempt to think through the question, ‘Is it possible, in the light of the human condition, to escape evil?’ Terminally ill by the early 1970s, Becker himself was left no time to complete his thoughts on this matter. Focussing on the point where Becker left the discussion when he died in 1974 we make an attempt here, still with an eye on the aforementioned question, to explore the work of a number of philosophers whose work we know Becker was familiar with: Benedictus de Spinoza, Henri Bergson, and Albert Camus. In their work, it is argued here, one could find elements towards thinking through the question of evil, and the (im)possibility of escaping it. Al igual que el artículo de James Hardie-Bick (2015), este artículo profundiza en la importancia que tiene para los estudios sociojurídicos el trabajo de Ernest Becker (1924-1974) sobre las consecuencias destructivas del ser humano… y la tan humana negación de la muerte. Con Becker, se realiza un intento de reflexionar sobre esta pregunta: “Es posible, a la luz de la condición humana, escapar del mal? Enfermo terminal a comienzos de los años 70, el propio Becker no tuvo tiempo de completar sus pensamientos sobre este asunto. Centrándonos en el punto en el que Becker dejó el debate, cuando murió en 1974, y sin perder de vista esta pregunta, se intenta analizar el trabajo de una serie de filósofos, con el que estaba familiarizado Becker: Benedictus de Spinoza, Henri Bergson y Albert Camus. Se defiende que en su trabajo se pueden encontrar elementos que hacen pensar sobre la cuestión del mal, y la (im)posibilidad de escapar de él.DOWNLOAD THIS PAPER FROM SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2619429

Concerns about digital agriculture reinforcing industrialised models of agriculture and power inequalities have been widely articulated. This paper uses directionalities, which are characterised by dominant and durable directions or pathways, to conceptualise this envisaged entrenchment. It argues that we need to anticipate and collect the evidence on which to govern digital agriculture technologies before such directionalities set in. To support this anticipatory need, the paper draws on findings from a research prioritisation exercise with stakeholders in the UK. It identifies and critically analyses two interconnecting meta-themes, organisational capacity and human capacity, which emerged inductively in the analysis of selected themes and priority research questions. In doing this, the paper widens the scope of enquiry about digital agriculture, by introducing 'capacities' as a new theoretical lens to examine how institutional structures and processes shape the utilisation of digital data, technologies and their underlying directionalities. The paper concludes by outlining the implications of this new perspective on directionalities and capacities for digital agriculture research in the UK and internationally. • Concerns about digital agriculture reinforcing industrialised models of agriculture. • A stronger evidence base is needed before such durable directionalities set in. • A prioritisation exercise was conducted to identify priority research questions. • Two overarching meta-themes, organisational and human capacity, were identified. • Linking capacities and directionalities provides a new conceptual lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]