Search

Introduction. The identification of mitotic figures is essential for the diagnosis, grading, and classification of various different tumors. Despite its importance, there is a paucity of literature reporting the consistency in interpreting mitotic figures among pathologists. This study leverages publicly accessible datasets and social media to recruit an international group of pathologists to score an image database of more than 1000 mitotic figures collectively. Materials and Methods. Pathologists were instructed to randomly select a digital slide from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets and annotate 10-20 mitotic figures within a 2 mm2 area. The first 1010 submitted mitotic figures were used to create an image dataset, with each figure transformed into an individual tile at 40x magnification. The dataset was redistributed to all pathologists to review and determine whether each tile constituted a mitotic figure. Results. Overall pathologists had a median agreement rate of 80.2% (range 42.0%-95.7%). Individual mitotic figure tiles had a median agreement rate of 87.1% and a fair inter-rater agreement across all tiles (kappa = 0.284). Mitotic figures in prometaphase had lower percentage agreement rates compared to other phases of mitosis. Conclusion. This dataset stands as the largest international consensus study for mitotic figures to date and can be utilized as a training set for future studies. The agreement range reflects a spectrum of criteria that pathologists use to decide what constitutes a mitotic figure, which may have potential implications in tumor diagnostics and clinical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reflects upon an international collaboration between supervision experts from South Africa, Hong Kong and New Zealand with the Singapore Association of Social Workers. This collaboration was focused on developing the supervision of supervisory practice. An overview of social work supervision in Singapore is discussed, followed by the process of developing the programme content, delivering training and providing consultation on creating a curriculum. The outcomes include supervision guidelines, curriculum development and further cross-national collaborations. The article concludes by discussing the learning from this international collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how foreign-educated faculty contribute to fostering research internationalization in their home universities, considering as manifestations of such internationalization the publication of studies in international journals, participation in international conferences, editorial memberships, projects, and research impact. The study used a purposive sampling approach focused on six Pakistani universities. A validated survey instrument was administered to 102 foreigneducated faculty and 117 faculty members educated in national higher education institutions. The findings suggest that foreign-educated faculty demonstrate a higher level of engagement with the global academic community, particularly by co-authoring articles, books/chapters with international scholars, as well as presenting research works at global conferences. In addition, these scholars are cited more often. The study also analyzes various factors that influence the contribution of returnee faculty members to research internationalization and observes that discipline, gender, and academic rank affect the internationalization of academic investigation differently. The study concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for enhancing research internationalization in Pakistan, contributing valuable insights to higher education research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Precision medicine is an innovative approach that integrates genomics, clinical informatics, and proteomics to address both genetic and environmental factors in disease prevention and treatment. This bibliometric study analyzes research trends, collaboration patterns, and the unique characteristics of precision medicine across countries to inform future research directions. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection (1999– 2022) database to identify publications related to precision medicine. The analysis of publication patterns, collaborations, institutions, authors, and research hotspots was performed utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint 2019 in conjunction with the Bibliometrix package in R. Results: A total of 30,777 publications on precision medicine were identified. The United States and the United Kingdom were recognized as the primary contributors, while European countries exhibited substantial collaborative efforts. Harvard University and the University of California System have played pivotal roles in advancing the field. The keywords analysis showed that in the early 2000s, "gene expression" and "personalized outcomes" were key themes. Since 2015, there's been a significant shift towards advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, liquid biopsy, highlighting their growing importance in precision medicine. Research topics across various countries exhibit certain global similarities. However, different nations exhibit distinct thematic research focuses. China emphasizes "Informatics", "Hepatocellular Carcinoma", "Photothermal Therapy", and "Lung Adenocarcinoma", while the United States prioritizes "Informatics", "Treatment Rules", and "Consortium Guidelines". Germany and France share similar interests in particular research domains. Conclusion: Precision medicine is rapidly globalizing, with significant contributions from multiple countries and emerging technologies acting as catalysts for further development. Greater international cooperation is essential to elevate the quality and impact of research. These advancements hold great potential for transforming personalized healthcare by integrating cutting-edge scientific disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing nursing workforce maldistributions impede rural healthcare access globally. In‐depth exploration of underlying philosophical ideas about rural health in nursing curricular could support recruitment and retention of nurses who are well positioned to support and advocated for health care and services relevant to their communities. Through a lens of positionality, the purpose of this paper is to explore rural health and nursing within the United States and Australia from the perspective of undergraduate students. Recognizing that both countries have 'first world' health services, issues of access to services associated with systemic and structural biases were significant features identified by participants. Their perceptions were supported by discussion with attendees of the 26th International Nursing Philosophy Conference from several countries, during a presentation titled 'What is different about rural health nursing: A philosophical exploration.' This international consistency suggests that systemic and structural biases are global phenomena. While exposure to rural health and rural nursing may be beneficial for recruitment, preparing nurses for rural practice requires more than educating students to complete clinical tasks. Uncovering collaboration, advocacy and policy development opportunities for nurses in rural communities could move the dial from recruiting rural nurses to fulfill immediate needs to retention of well‐educated and highly skilled nurses. Building a stronger philosophical base for rural healthcare inclusive of all people, honouring their distinguishing characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, is long overdue. Positionality can inform how nurses across the globe relate to other countries' governments, cultures, norms, values, expectations, etc., which can influence the advancement of the profession and address social inequities among rural populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covid-19, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Climate Change, have disrupted work education, rendering sustainability of careers and livelihoods a concern. This paper outlines a collaborative response to that challenge, offering opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in a work education cloud collaboration, Project SLiC (Sustainable Livelihoods Collaboration). We have joined forces across nation states in the Global South/North to share cloud resources, focused on teaching a postgraduate course, Sustainable Livelihoods. Online modules are stored in a secure cloud site, from which local courses draw-down, autochthonously, whichever resources fit workforce development in context. We outline modules, and an evaluative process, in a proof-of-concept trial. Finally, we envisage how this initial collaboration may morph into a whole degree, including research supervision. We close with a call to career development professionals to share their unique expertise and experiences at the work education frontline, on how to develop this sustainable careers project, for the greater good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic brought about many changes in the delivery of healthcare, graduate medical education, and collaborative efforts across academic medicine. While there was a temporary disruption in the fluid delivery of services, longer-term benefits emerged with the leveraging of innovative technology and multicenter collaborations. These new opportunities led 14 centers in the United States and Europe to develop a novel, remote, and collaborative educational effort in cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesiology, known as the Transatlantic Educational Network. This paper describes the initial pilot structure and preimplementation data and provides a rationale for the development and expansion of the pilot program in other areas of anesthesiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the possible influences of the Russia-Ukraine War on Russia's research productivity and international collaboration in science. For this purpose, we introduce and apply two recently developed indicators of relative intensity and balance in international collaboration. To see whether longitudinal trends have changed recently, we combine a long-term perspective based on annual updates since the year 2000 with a short-term perspective based on monthly updates since the beginning of 2022. The clearest change is that the productivity of Russian science, as measured within Web of Science, has dramatically decreased after several years of growth. There is also a clear decline in the degree of international collaboration in fields of research that heavily rely on large multinational infrastructures established through state agreements. In other fields, however, the degree of international collaboration is more stable. The general decline in Russian science seems to be more driven by internal factors than by loss of partnerships abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conducting an in-depth analysis of 235,746 research papers in the field of artificial intelligence spanning from 2001 to 2020, this study quantified the extent of research leadership in international collaborations by discerning the country of the corresponding author. To comprehensively investigate both endogenous and exogenous effects, we employed the Generalized Exponential Random Graph Model, an advanced methodology adept at characterizing network structures with real-valued edges. This research elucidates the pivotal role of intrinsic structural factors influenced by edge dependencies and evaluates their impact on research leadership in international collaborations. Specifically, our findings reveal a positive and significant effect of the mutual effect and the transitivity effect. Furthermore, language and geography no longer play a significant role in generating international research collaborations between two countries. Additionally, scientific productivity also holds an important position in generating research leadership. However, R&D expenditures no longer facilitate the establishment of leadership for international research collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-led development (CLD) represents a transformative approach empowering local communities to navigate global challenges and revive traditional crafts, ensuring sustainable development while safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Within the jade industry, CLD not only promises economic advancement but also preserves cultural identity. Yet, research on its impact in this context remains limited, prompting this investigation. This qualitative study investigates how CLD initiatives empower jade artists, preserve cultural heritage, and foster international collaboration. Using in-depth analysis, findings reveal that initiatives in skills development, entrepreneurship, collective decision-making, and market access empower artists. However, scaling impacts necessitate further research and investment. Cultural preservation, intergenerational learning, community education, and partnerships with cultural institutions are pivotal for sustaining traditions. Facilitating international collaboration and market access is crucial, underscoring the need for supportive policies and resources to globalize artisanal economies. Key factors for empowering artists in jade art villages through CLD include skills development in traditional techniques and innovative design, entrepreneurship support via microfinance and mentorship, collective decision-making promoting fair trade, market access through fairs and online platforms, and cultural preservation fostering heritage continuity. Strategies for cultural heritage preservation focus on documentation, authentic design revival, community education, and collaboration with institutions. Networking, trade fairs, online marketing, cultural exchanges, and market research support enhance international collaboration and market access. These efforts aim to sustain the cultural significance, economic viability, and global recognition of jade craftsmanship. Policymakers, practitioners, and researchers can leverage CLD to bolster the jade sector sustainably, promoting resilience, innovation, inclusion, and cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Collaborations are critical to address rural health challenges. We evaluated a new international collaboration between institutions in Georgia, the United States (US), and Scotland, United Kingdom (UK), to address rural health issues and to understand the barriers and facilitators to effective international collaboration efforts. A qualitative approach was used through in-depth interviews and focus groups with educators, researchers, and healthcare providers in the US and Scotland who were involved in the CONVERGE international rural health collaboration. Transcriptions were imported into the NVivo qualitative software program. A reflexive thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes from the collected data. Twelve interviews and two focus groups were conducted virtually with 17 participants. Two primary domains were identified from the thematic analysis: (1) motivators that increase engagement in international collaboration, and (2) mechanisms for, and barriers to, the continuity needed to create meaningful change. Six themes emerged related to commonality of issues, prospect of sharing knowledge, need of sustained funding and institutional support, and selection of human resources. Participants of CONVERGE were more likely to engage when they had a space to share ways to address challenging issues and integrate knowledge and practice. They were motivated by their desire for growth and the institutions they serve and emphasized that infrastructure support is vital for sustainable collaborations.

Abstract Background Cancer is a major public health challenge globally. However, little is known about the evolution patterns of cancer research communities and the influencing factors of their research capacity and impact, which is affected not only by the social networks established through research collaboration but also by the knowledge networks in which the research projects are embedded. Methods The focus of this study was narrowed to a specific topic – 'synthetic lethality’ – in cancer research. This field has seen vibrant growth and multidisciplinary collaboration in the past decade. Multi-level collaboration and knowledge networks were established and analysed on the basis of bibliometric data from ‘synthetic lethality’-related cancer research papers. Negative binomial regression analysis was further applied to explore how node attributes within these networks, along with other potential factors, affected paper citations, which are widely accepted as proxies for assessing research capacity and impact. Results Our study revealed that the synthetic lethality-based cancer research field is characterized by a knowledge network with high integration, alongside a collaboration network exhibiting some clustering. We found significant correlations between certain factors and citation counts. Specifically, a leading status within the nation-level international collaboration network and industry involvement were both found to be significantly related to higher citations. In the individual-level collaboration networks, lead authors’ degree centrality has an inverted U-shaped relationship with citations, while their structural holes exhibit a positive and significant effect. Within the knowledge network, however, only measures of structural holes have a positive and significant effect on the number of citations. Conclusions To enhance cancer research capacity and impact, non-leading countries should take measures to enhance their international collaboration status. For early career researchers, increasing the number of collaborators seems to be more effective. University–industry cooperation should also be encouraged, enhancing the integration of human resources, technology, funding, research platforms and medical resources. Insights gained through this study also provide recommendations to researchers or administrators in designing future research directions from a knowledge network perspective. Focusing on unique issues especially interdisciplinary fields will improve output and influence their research work.

To fulfill their conservation potential and provide safeguards for biodiversity, marine protected areas (MPAs) need coordinated research and monitoring for informed management through effective evaluation of ecosystem dynamics. However, coordination is challenging, often due to knowledge gaps caused by inadequate access to data and resources, compounded by insufficient communication between scientists and managers. We propose to use the world's largest MPA in the Ross Sea, Antarctica as a model system to create a comprehensive framework for an interdisciplinary network supporting research and monitoring that could be implemented in other remote large‐scale international MPAs. Our proposed framework has three key components: (i) policy engagement, including delineation of policy needs and ecosystem metrics to assess MPA effectiveness; (ii) community partner engagement to elevate diverse voices, build trust, and share resources; and (iii) integrated science comprising three themes. These themes are: advancement of data science and cyberinfrastructure to facilitate data synthesis and sharing; biophysical modeling towards understanding ecosystem changes and uncertainties; and execution of observational and process studies to address uncertainties and evaluate ecosystem metrics. This proposed framework can improve MPA implementation by generating policy‐relevant science through this coordinated network, which can in turn improve MPA effectiveness in the Ross Sea and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Network for Volcanology Collaboration (INVOLC) is a network formalised by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI) with the specific ambition to enhance volcanology globally through improved international collaboration. IAVCEI-INVOLC was created with a focus on volcano scientists working in resource-constrained contexts, including those based in low- or middle-income countries. After a community-wide online survey and inaugural workshop during which INVOLC's ambitions were discussed, a series of challenges, as commonly experienced by those working in resource-constrained settings, were identified. These challenges may present barriers to participation in volcano science in an international context and are related to both organisational resources (financial, human, technical) and inclusion in research collaborations. In this perspectives paper, we present a series of 15 guidelines for best-engagement protocols in international collaboration in volcanology that may be adopted during times of quiescence, volcanic unrest and/or an eruption and its aftermath. Our aspiration is that these guidelines will help build more respectful, equitable and sustainable partnerships that will ultimately advance the science of volcanology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of international collaboration and preparedness in managing infectious diseases and health emergencies. It focuses on the Infectious Disease Emergency Specialist (IDES) training program in Japan, which was established after the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The IDES program provides comprehensive training to Japanese physicians in responding to health emergencies, including a second-year international training component. The article also highlights the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) in the United States as a model for collaboration and coordination in managing infectious diseases. The collaboration between NETEC and IDES has facilitated knowledge exchange and best practices in handling special pathogens and has contributed to Japan's readiness for future health crises. The article emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and the establishment of robust healthcare networks to strengthen global health security. [Extracted from the article]

This study explores the historical trajectory of Cuban international scientific collaboration across three distinct epochs (1900–1959, 1960–1989, and 1990–2023). Utilizing co-authorship as a metric for collaboration and examining publications sourced from the Scopus database, the research delineates the nuanced dynamics of Cuban international scientific collaboration over the span of 122 years. The findings highlight the efficacy of Cuba's strategic geographical diversification efforts in bolstering its scientific prowess and fostering innovation. Moreover, the adoption of this strategy has contributed to the augmentation of Cuba's scientific output. The results demonstrate a progressive diversification of Cuban collaborations across various regions, with notable emphasis on partnerships with Western Europe and Latin America. Nevertheless, collaborations with other regions exhibit limited engagement, indicative of untapped opportunities for expansion. Despite encountering challenges, scientific collaboration emerges as a pivotal driver in advancing Cuba's scientific productivity. This study underscores the pivotal role of international partnerships in nurturing scientific advancement and posits avenues for future research aimed at fortifying global research networks and augmenting research capabilities in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decades after the fall of the Iron Curtain, medical research in Russia remains poorly integrated into global science. In this study, we analyze the evolution of Russian medical research presence in international journals in recent years and examine the role of international collaboration in driving this change. We collected data from various sources, including Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline. While articles in international journals still constitute a smaller proportion of all Russian medical publications, their representation has significantly increased in recent years. Articles in high-impact journals now comprise approximately one-third of the total output. International cooperation emerges as a key factor behind top-level Russian medical publications, with international coauthorship playing a particularly significant role in high-impact journals, where 70% of Russian-authored publications include foreign co-authors. It is noteworthy that Russian authors are rarely designated as corresponding authors, suggesting a limited leadership role in project teams, especially, regarding research published in the most prestigious publications. Additionally, Russian scientists produce a notably low number of non-collaborative papers that later achieve high citation rates. Given that 81% of the most productive authors participate in international projects and the recent suspension of many ties and collaborations with foreign scientists, we expect a significant decline in Russia's presence in core medical journals in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) refers to a heterogeneous group of rheumatic conditions in children. Novel drugs have greatly improved disease outcomes; however, outcomes are impacted by limited awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and adequate treatment, and by differences in access across health systems. As a result, patients with JIA continue to be at risk for short- and long-term morbidity, as well as impacts on virtually all aspects of life of the child and family. Main body: Literature on the socioeconomic burden of JIA is largely focused on healthcare costs, and the impact of JIA on patients, families, and communities is not well understood. High quality evidence on the impact of JIA is needed to ensure that patients are receiving necessary support, timely diagnostics, and adequate treatment, and to inform decision making and resource allocation. This commentary introduces the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases: Producing an Arthritis Value Framework with Economic Evidence: Paving the Way for Rare Childhood Diseases (PAVE) project, which will co-develop a patient-informed value framework to measure the impact of JIA on individuals and on society. With a patient-centered approach, fundamental to PAVE is the involvement of three patient advocacy organizations from Canada, Israel, and Europe, as active research partners co-designing all project phases and ensuring robust patient and family engagement. The framework will build on the findings of projects from six countries: Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Israel, and Belgium, exploring costs, outcomes (health, well-being), and unmet needs (uveitis, mental health, equity). Conclusion: This unique international collaboration will combine evidence on costs (from family to societal), outcomes (clinical, patient and family outcomes), and unmet needs, to co-design and build a framework with patients and families to capture the full impact of JIA. The framework will support the development of high-quality evidence, encompassing economic and clinical considerations, unmet needs, and patient perspectives, to inform equitable resource allocation, health system planning, and quality of care better aligned with the needs of children with JIA, their families, and communities. Knowledge gained from this novel approach may pave the way forward to be applied more broadly to other rare childhood diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is a major public health challenge globally. However, little is known about the evolution patterns of cancer research communities and the influencing factors of their research capacity and impact, which is affected not only by the social networks established through research collaboration but also by the knowledge networks in which the research projects are embedded. Methods: The focus of this study was narrowed to a specific topic – 'synthetic lethality' – in cancer research. This field has seen vibrant growth and multidisciplinary collaboration in the past decade. Multi-level collaboration and knowledge networks were established and analysed on the basis of bibliometric data from 'synthetic lethality'-related cancer research papers. Negative binomial regression analysis was further applied to explore how node attributes within these networks, along with other potential factors, affected paper citations, which are widely accepted as proxies for assessing research capacity and impact. Results: Our study revealed that the synthetic lethality-based cancer research field is characterized by a knowledge network with high integration, alongside a collaboration network exhibiting some clustering. We found significant correlations between certain factors and citation counts. Specifically, a leading status within the nation-level international collaboration network and industry involvement were both found to be significantly related to higher citations. In the individual-level collaboration networks, lead authors' degree centrality has an inverted U-shaped relationship with citations, while their structural holes exhibit a positive and significant effect. Within the knowledge network, however, only measures of structural holes have a positive and significant effect on the number of citations. Conclusions: To enhance cancer research capacity and impact, non-leading countries should take measures to enhance their international collaboration status. For early career researchers, increasing the number of collaborators seems to be more effective. University–industry cooperation should also be encouraged, enhancing the integration of human resources, technology, funding, research platforms and medical resources. Insights gained through this study also provide recommendations to researchers or administrators in designing future research directions from a knowledge network perspective. Focusing on unique issues especially interdisciplinary fields will improve output and influence their research work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this report is to describe a case series of children undergoing selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) for the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy in Vietnam. Also described is an international cooperation model to facilitate the development of a new, multidisciplinary team for the evaluation and treatment of these children. Details of international collaboration are described, including in-person travel and virtual interactions. All cases of children younger than 18 years undergoing SDR for treatment of spastic cerebral palsy at a single center in Hanoi, Vietnam are described, including preoperative evaluation of spasticity and gait as well as results at 6 and 12 months. Results are summarized using descriptive statistics. Since the beginning of cooperation in training and transferring SDR techniques by experts from the United States, in the period from June 2016 to December 2022, 18 SDR surgeries were performed in Hanoi. Patients' ages ranged from 2 to 14 years; 13 were male and 5 were female. Overall, approximately 60% of nerve rootlets were cut. Modified Ashworth Scale scores at 6 and 12 months after surgery in the hip, knee, and ankle joints showed improvement from preoperative values. There were 2 recorded complications: intracranial hypotension causing subdural hemorrhage and a case of skin infection at the incision site. The ongoing international cooperation between Vietnamese and American physicians has helped improve the surgical treatment of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy in Hanoi, providing children with a surgical treatment option with successful outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English for young learners (EYL) teachers have practiced some creative activities to maintain their pupils' learning with natural exposure to the target language amidst the pandemic. One activity practiced by Indonesian and Korean teachers was an international collaboration to perform a virtual drama of each country's folktale. This phenomenological research aimed at tapping the teachers' perceptions regarding interculturality and world Englishes (WE) in the virtual dramatic play collaboratively conducted and delving into their commitments in honing interculturality and WE. Two Indonesian and Korean teachers were involved in three sessions of in-depth interviews using pre-prepared interview questions. The trustworthiness of the data was achieved by the group discussions allowing the participants to comment on and revise the transcribed data, as well as triangulation by two international collaborators. Thematic analysis was performed to identify emerging themes and to provide novel insights into EYL teachers' encounters with interculturality and WE. The Indonesian and Korean teachers admitted the compatibility between language and culture, the urgency of introducing varieties of English, and the merits of conducting international collaboration to promote interculturality and WE. The teachers are committed to integrate interculturality and WE in their instructions despite some differences in the stipulated curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the shift from the first phase to the second phase of transnational cinema studies, this volume examines a set of practices of transnational cinema that have been taking place between China and its counterparts. In exploring transnational cinema activities in the form of film collaborations and co-productions, this volume puts the spotlight on critical trends in transnational cinemas that are not limited to Western spheres of influence. Focusing on practical applications of case studies between China, Arab countries, Denmark and the U.S. it contributes to the debates on the definition and practical applications for research on film collaboration and co-production and transnational cinema studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodResultConclusionEthiopia is the second most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa. While Ethiopia’s health care system includes primary health centres, general, and specialised hospitals, allied health care like speech-language pathology was not available until 2003. This article was written with the aim of sharing the experience of establishing speech-language pathology as a profession and the first speech-language pathology training program in Ethiopia.In this paper, we retrospectively examine how the leadership of local stakeholders, a multidisciplinary team, and the development of a professional infrastructure led to the success of the program. The authorship group, who were involved in the program from inception to implementation, share their experiences.The speech-language pathology undergraduate program at Addis Ababa University graduated its first class in 2019. Plans to grow the training program at the graduate level are ongoing.This novel program, grown from several international partnerships, is an example of how low- and middle-income countries can improve access to the service providers necessary to treat their populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper titled "India's Refugee Policy: A Critical Analysis" engages in a comprehensive examination of India's approach to refugees, aiming to provide a nuanced understanding of the policy landscape. As the global refugee crisis persists, nations are increasingly challenged to address the humanitarian and geopolitical dimensions of forced displacement. This research endeavors to shed light on India's response to this complex issue. The study employs a critical analytical framework to evaluate the historical evolution of India's refugee policy, encompassing legislative measures, government initiatives, and international collaborations. By tracing the policy trajectory, the research discerns the driving factors and underlying principles that have shaped India's stance on refugees over time. Special attention is given to key events and geopolitical shifts that have influenced policy dynamics. Furthermore, the paper delves into the implementation and enforcement aspects of India's refugee policy, scrutinizing the challenges faced in providing protection, livelihood, and integration opportunities for displaced populations. The examination extends beyond legal frameworks to assess the effectiveness of practical measures in ensuring the well-being of refugees within the Indian context. The critical analysis also explores the geopolitical considerations that inform India's refugee policy, taking into account regional dynamics, security concerns, and diplomatic implications. By examining the intersections of humanitarian principles and national interests, the paper seeks to elucidate the balancing act that characterizes India's approach to refugee management. This research contributes to the discourse on refugee policies by offering a thorough examination of India's unique position in addressing the challenges posed by forced displacement. The insights gleaned from this critical analysis can inform policymakers, scholars, and international stakeholders in refining strategies for more effective and compassionate refugee management globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Ecuador has become a major drug shipper. It is currently suffering great social and economic instability due to the high level of violence, especially in coastal cities such as Guayaquil. To mitigate this situation, the Ecuadorian presidency has carried out a series of activities in conjunction with the security forces. In addition, some countries and international institutions have collaborated with this country to help it recover its calm sovereignty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Transplant Congress (ATC) 2023, held in San Diego, California, emerged as a pivotal platform showcasing the latest advancements in organ machine perfusion, a key area in solid organ and tissue transplantation. This year's congress, attended by over 4500 participants, including leading experts, emphasized innovations in machine perfusion technologies across various organ types, including liver, kidney, heart, and lung. A total of 85 abstracts on organ machine perfusion were identified. Noteworthy advancements included the use of normothermic machine perfusion in mitigating ex‐situ reperfusion injury in liver transplantation, the potential of biomarkers in assessing organ quality, and the impact of machine perfusion on graft survival and ischemic cholangiopathy incidence. Kidney transplantation saw promising developments in novel preservation methods, such as subzero storage and pulsatile perfusion. Heart and lung sessions revealed significant progress in preservation techniques, including metabolic alterations to extend organ preservation time. The conference also highlighted the growing interest in machine perfusion applications in pediatric transplantation, multi‐visceral organ recovery, Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation, and discussions on novel technologies for monitoring and optimizing perfusion protocols. Additionally, ATC 2023 included critical discussions on ethical concerns, legal implications, and the evolving definition of death in the era of machine preservation, illustrating the complex landscape of transplantation science. Overall, ATC 2023 showcased significant strides in machine perfusion and continued its tradition of fostering global knowledge exchange, further cementing machine perfusion's role as a transformative force in improving transplant outcomes and expanding the donor pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the existing bridge stock is aging, the task of assessing these bridges becomes increasingly important. One of the assessment methods for existing bridges is load testing. Improvements in the field of diagnostic load testing are related to the use of numerical models. Improvements in the field of proof load testing focus on the safety of the execution of the test as well as the required load in the test. What is still lacking is a reflection of these recent advances in the codes and guidelines used for load testing of bridges. Two approaches are proposed to address this lack. The first approach attempts to answer fundamental questions with regard to bridge load testing through research. The second approach is to coordinate efforts and facilitate collaboration and exchange of ideas internationally through the IABMAS Technical Committee on Bridge Load Testing. In conclusion, it is expected that these efforts will form the basis of improved recommendations for the assessment of concrete bridges by load testing to be included in codes and guidelines and to serve the community of engineers faced with the task of assessing ageing infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in healthcare systems and the challenges they face in terms of quality and implementation. It highlights inconsistencies and biases in the development of guidelines, the lack of clear evidence to support recommendations, difficulties in translating evidence into practice, and the subjective interpretation of evidence. The article also mentions the publication of guidelines for the treatment of patients with pectus abnormalities as an example, but points out several weaknesses in the development process. It emphasizes the need for international collaboration to improve the quality and trustworthiness of guidelines and calls for adherence to established quality criteria. [Extracted from the article]

This study explores the implementation and ramifications of China's "Double First-Class" initiative, a major educational policy launched in 2015 aimed at transforming selected universities and disciplines into world-class entities. Focusing on the period from 2015 to 2022, this research investigates how specific units within participating universities have responded to the initiative in terms of faculty recruitment, curriculum development, research focus, and international collaborations. Employing Institutional Theory, the analysis examines how universities adapt to, conform with, or resist these mandates, and assesses the extent to which the initiative fosters homogeneity or diversity within China's higher education system. The findings reveal varied adaptations across institutions, influenced by existing disparities and institutional capacities, highlighting a complex interplay between global competitive pressures and local educational values. This study contributes to the discourse on global higher education reforms by providing insights into the nuanced processes of policy implementation and the strategic positioning of Chinese higher education within the global knowledge economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present a general outline of INGOs project management who work with local partners to implement community programs and humanitarian activities. The idea is to review how a well-structured project plan can improve the implementation of both programs and activities while developing sustainable partnerships between different stakeholders to ensure targeted results and improved livelihoods. By checking the structure, process, and dynamic of the project - programs delivery and sustainable services provision can be checked. When it comes to partners, INGOs are working with various local partners ranging from government ministries, departments, local public administrations, non-governmental organizations, cooperatives private sector, etc. Hence, the value of the paper - when it comes to developing a clear project management process that helps strengthening the projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study published in Scientometrics used publications in Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection to exam the decades-long scientific collaboration between Cuba and China (Ronda-Pupo, Scientometrics 129:785–802, 2024). Ronda-Pupo's finding of the significant growth of research collaboration between these two countries evidenced by the number of co-authored papers is different from our daily perception of the scientific collaboration between China and Cuba. By using the same data, we find the dominating role of multilateral co-authorship rather than bilateral or trilateral co-authorship in Cuba-China scientific collaboration. This important finding gives an alternative explanation of the increasing Cuba-China co-authored publications. Through the supplement of our exploration, readers can have a better understanding of the Cuba-China scientific collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science and technology human resources are fundamental components for enhancing the efficiency of the national innovation system. This study aims to examine the co-evolutionary relationship between scientific collaboration and scientific mobility, explore the dynamic development process of collaboration and talent flow within the global science system, and offer insights for developing suitable policies related to scientific mobility and international collaboration. The study employs Scopus data from 1788 to 2020 to investigate the systematic co-evolution of scientific talent flow and scientific collaboration from a macro and long-term perspective. The findings indicate that: (1) The global scientific flow and collaboration networks are increasingly interconnected, with a rising prevalence of international mobility and intensified worldwide collaboration. (2) Both networks exhibit cluster structures that have evolved over time, with a shift towards more random network configurations, reflecting more extensive and frequent global scientific interactions. (3) The "Matthew Effect" is observed, highlighting an imbalance with a few dominant players and many minor participants, while advanced countries demonstrate greater alignment between collaboration and mobility networks than lagging ones. Policy implications include encouraging international research mobility, supporting cooperation within scientific clusters, and prioritizing connections with global research hubs while engaging with peripheral countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars' international mobility plays a key role in increasing the visibility of scholarly work and academic institutions in the current age of globalization. Previous work has demonstrated that national funding policies can have a significant and positive impact on a country's global cooperation. The China Scholarship Council (CSC) is a government funding agency established to foster international collaborations among Chinese scholars, particularly in science and technology (S&T) fields critical to modernization. However, there remains a lack of long-term, systematic evaluation of CSC' performance and impacts. To address this gap, this paper examines the academic outcomes of CSC funding by analyzing bibliometric data from scholarly works published 2008–2022, retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database. We found that the number of CSC-funded publications significantly increased during this period, and CSC-funded scholars collaborated with substantially more foreign scholars since the program's launch compared to other Chinese scholars and the global average. The prevalence of CSC-funded research in S&T fields may be synergistic with broader capacity building efforts, including by enhancing China's research and development capabilities. Further examining the CSC-funded collaborative network, there is a marked rise in ties with Europe, although the USA remains a key partner. Overall, this study highlights the pivotal role of the CSC in internationalizing China's research system, positioning the CSC as a model for policymakers who aim to leverage government funding to promote academic achievement through global collaborative research activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates UNESCO's Arid Zone Program (1950-1964), emphasizing its role in establishing a network of scientists and fostering international collaboration on arid region issues. The program aimed to support research, provide training for scientists, and disseminate information regarding arid zones. It organized conferences, commissioned studies, and conducted seminars, thereby significantly expanding its reach and influence. The article also explores the interplay between science and diplomacy within the program, the impact of colonial and post-colonial contexts, and the program's contribution to developing a global knowledge infrastructure despite some limitations and biases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promises ethics in service triangle context on higher education can be met if performance improves superior performance and be given the implications for competitive advantage. The purpose of this study was to analyze and determine promising ethics in service marketing triangle and competitive advantage of higher education. The research method used is survey method, namely descriptive and explanatory. The number of respondents in the study is 330 students of the polytechnic in West Java, which is determined by sampling technique, which is cluster proportional random sampling. The hypothesis testing was done using a multivariate statistical test of the Partial Least Square (PLS). The data processing was done with smartPLS 2.0 programs and Statistical Programs of Social Science (SPSS) for Windows. The results show that: The promising ethics in service triangle context and competitive advantage influence as well but not quite good. The promising ethics in service marketing triangle context can be met also if performance improves international collaboration on higher education as well, so that promises ethics can be achieved optimally and be given the implications for competitive advantage of higher education. The goal of internationalization of higher education are: 1) improve the quality of education; 2) improve the quality of research; 3) improve the competence and capacity of academic staff and researchers; 4) improve the competence and capacity of graduates; 5) enhance the college's reputation in the eyes of the international and financial gain; and 6) respond to the demands of the labor market of qualified internationally. There are five (5) general principles of corporate governance known as good corporate governance (GCG). Those are: Transparency, Accountability, Responsibility, Fairness and Indepandency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There exist concerns about potential bias against Global South scholars in academic publishing. While discrimination exists, in academia as in life, I suggest this statement is an oversimplification. It is obviously worth acting if we witness clear signs of discrimination, but no work is immune from errors and an accepted paper might still offer room for improvement. Accordingly, rejection is a chance to revisit your work critically and improve it. In the piece, I offer an overview of the most common reasons for paper rejections, including unclear structure, weak methodology, language barriers, and insufficient engagement with global debates and practical advice for improving your manuscript (and possibly acceptance rate). They can range from co-authoring with international colleagues, to seeking feedback at conferences, reviewing for target journals, and pay special attention to methodological approaches.

Purpose: Sustainable finance and carbon taxation represent a rich field of research. However, existing reviews are often constrained, offering piecemeal insights drawn from subsets of the literature rather than the entire body of work on these topics. To address this gap, this study seeks to comprehensively map the research dynamics surrounding carbon taxation and sustainable finance. By employing big data analytics and machine learning to analyze scholarly research, it explores the evolution of the field, assesses the impact of key publications, and examines collaborative efforts that drive innovation. Method: This study employs bibliometric methods, using R Studio software, to analyze publication data from 2020 to 2024. It identifies keywords, emerging trends, author collaborations, and contributions from various countries. Result: The findings reveal a significant increase in research on carbon taxation and sustainable finance, with China emerging as the largest contributor. The analysis also uncovers key trends in topics such as economic development and carbon dioxide emissions, which are central to global discussions. Furthermore, the findings emphasize the importance of international collaboration in tackling climate change and promoting economic sustainability. This study not only enriches academic literature but also offers valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and other stakeholders addressing environmental and economic sustainability challenges. Practical Implications for Economic Growth and Development: This research offers valuable insights for policymakers to promote environmentally friendly economic growth strategies through carbon tax policies and sustainable finance initiatives.

ABSTRACT Our globalized world means that most public health challenges cannot be tackled alone; they require unified and collaborative working across countries. Overseas fellowships offer an immersive experience that empowers nursing researchers to enhance global collaborations and synergize diverse research expertise from various cultural contexts. This enriched collaboration leads to more innovative solutions to public health issues and significantly enhances the overall impact of their research. This paper presents a self‐reflection from the perspective of a community and public health nursing researcher, based in Hong Kong. During a 2‐month research secondment at a university in the UK, I explored ways to leverage my fellowship to strengthen global connections, expand collaborations, and enhance my research capabilities in addressing health equity issues among LGBTQ+ populations, particularly concerning sexual violence. By sharing my journey, I aim to inspire more nursing researchers to engage with global academic communities and collectively advance global public health initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]