At the conclusion of their 1968 report, the Harvard Ad Hoc Committee argued that “responsible medical opinion” was ready to accept severe and permanent neurologic injury as a new criterion for deat...

Two conundrums puzzle COVID‐19 investigators: 1) morbidity and mortality is rare among infants and young children and 2) rates of morbidity and mortality exhibit large variances across nations, locales, and even within cities. It is found that the higher the rate of pneumococcal vaccination in a nation (or city) the lower the COVID‐19 morbidity and mortality. Vaccination rates with Bacillus Calmette–Guerin, poliovirus, and other vaccines do not correlate with COVID‐19 risks, nor do COVID‐19 case or death rates correlate with number (...) of people in the population with diabetes, obesity, or adults over 65. Infant protection may be due to maternal antibodies and antiviral proteins in milk such as lactoferrin that are known to protect against coronavirus infections. Subsequent protection might then be conferred (and correlate with) rates of Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) (universal in infants) and pneumococcal vaccination, the latter varying widely by geography among infants, at‐risk adults, and the elderly. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/GODBYRbPL00. (shrink)

In this dialogue, Mileva and Albert start to talk about physics and its subject matter, the physical. They end up in a situation that permits causal dependence between separate ontological domains. In this possible world, they continue talking. First, they Socratically agree that the physical is physical and only physical. Then, they call the physical an ontologically homogeneous domain. They then generalise the principle that the physical is causally unaffected by anything non-physical, into the principle that ontologically homogeneous domains do (...) not cause ontologically homogeneous domains. From a modern point of view talking about black hole singularities, they continue discussing the Chandrasekhar limit and the collapse of the physical laws as we know them. Mileva carries a burden and Albert stands up and carries it with her. The burden is an implication of the generalised principle. Relying on parsimony, only ontologically homogeneous domains are forbidden to cause ontologically homogeneous domains. This leaves the door open for ontologically heterogeneous domains to cause ontologically homogeneous domains. Also relying on parsimony, only ontologically homogeneous domains are forbidden to be caused by ontologically homogeneous domains and this allows ontologically heterogeneous domains to be caused by ontologically homogeneous domains. Ontologically heterogeneous domains, thus, are allowed to causally link ontologically homogeneous domains. Albert realises that the mathematical could qualify as an ontologically homogeneous domain and that the theoretical difficulties that are foreseen beyond the Chandrasekhar limit could be addressed by expanding physics into a context that contains also an ontologically heterogeneous domain. The theoretical difficulties beyond the Chandrasekhar limit would be due to an emergent mathematical-physical domain. Mileva concludes that Albert’s theory is not faulty but regional. A global theory would have to include the explanation of the mathematical-physical. (shrink)

Millennials are a powerful workforce group and are quickly becoming established business leaders, consumers, and investors. Yet, millennials are often described as a uniformly homogeneous generation, despite mounting evidence of variances across their private and workplace behaviors, attitudes and preferences, and personal values. This article examines the personal value orientations of millennials in the Unites States, reporting consistencies, variations, and contrasts based on a large sample drawn from seven diverse universities. Results of this article suggest more similarities across a national (...) population of millennials than differences, suggesting a national identity among American millennials. Practical implications of our findings and future research are discussed. (shrink)

Singapore's strategic play to secure international wealth management market share has been very successful. Serious questions, however, were raised in relation to this ascendency as the Global Financial Crisis drove the European Union and the United States of America to become proactive in clamping down on tax evasion and other areas deemed by them to be undesirable within the international financial system. This paper will examine the Singapore government's decade-long growth policy of its wealth management sector, and how it has (...) been impacted upon by international regulatory responses. Further, it examines how in stark contrast to the EU and the US, Indonesia has been far less successful in its diplomatic efforts to have Singapore address financial diplomacy issues in relation to Indonesian citizens residing in Singapore. This article will argue, however, that Singapore's less than robust response to Indonesia's constant requests for action maybe to the long-term detriment of Singapore itself. (shrink)

The implementation of international human rights laws at the national and local levels relies on the framing of norms. Recent research has shown that international norms regarding child marriage have shifted from setting a minimum age limit to building the agency of girls to resist the practice, which can be either active or passive. Active agency requires taking action for its purpose, whereas passive agency involves acting in situations with limited options. The dominant discourse on child marriage often portrays girls (...) as victims, and this article adds to the existing literature on how child brides exert agency utilizing semiotics approach. Based on an extended qualitative study conducted at _Quarit Woreda_, the Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia, the article explores how the girls have been exerting transformative agency to resist the practice, or at least exercise limited agency to enforce their marital choice. It also contrasts them with female parents, where the latter are found to uphold mythical signification being one among the central norm holders. By doing so, the contribution seeks to understand the semiotic system—the structural resources that support versus socio-cultural factors that constrain their agency. This article also discusses the multifaceted difficulties faced by girls in challenging the well-established norm and the creative strategies they use to overcome impediments through networking and collaboration pathways. Lastly, the article suggests potential future interventions that aim to enhance girls’ transformative agency which in turn supports the effective enforcement of child marriage law in the study area. (shrink)

Māori (Indigenous people of New Zealand (NZ)) suffer food insecurity disproportionately in New Zealand. Some research suggests that Māori value mātauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge) when it comes to the collection, preparation and eating of kai (food). This study explores the connections between mātauranga Māori and kai in regional NZ schools for potential pathways to impact food security for children. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with five primary school principals in the Hawke’s Bay region. Principals were purposively selected on commitments (...) to proactively incorporating mātauranga Māori into their school environment. Reflective thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Three main themes were identified: teaching and learning around mātauranga Māori and kai; environmental sustainability and the sustainability of kai initiatives; and school values. A strong emphasis was placed on the learning of traditional Māori values around kai and the whenua (land) and the sustainability of teaching programs. School values were invariably bound in Te Ao Māori (a Māori worldview) however, schools felt challenged in aligning their values and their mātauranga Māori-bound teaching practices with the current food provision programme in their schools (Ka Ora, Ka Ako). The programme’s strict nutritional guidelines appeared to challenge traditional Māori approaches to kai. Schools remain an ideal environment for the incorporation of mātauranga Māori to support food security and food education, and future work should explore a demonstration project that incorporates the knowledge gained in this study and ways to integrate mātauranga Māori into Ka Ora, Ka Ako. (shrink)

Introduction. The article highlights the role and trends of urban development in a single regional space. The authors consider the industrial region, where the economic centers are the cities of monospecialization (metallurgy, mechanical engineering), which form the settlement framework of the regional economic system. At the same time, the connectivity of the regional space was determined by the contacts of cities in infrastructure areas and the possibilities of agglomeration formations. The authors analyze the urban environment of cities (...) in the region, which revealed common problems for them in organizing urban space. It was shown that the competition of cities for a person can be won by offering the population more comfortable working and living conditions, a variety of social services, and the possibility of using agglomeration effects. Scientific novelty of the research. The peculiarity of the author’s research was a new approach to urbanization as an urban way of life, extended to a set of cities of different status and population in the region. At the same time, the zones of attraction and concentration of business and social activity were connected with large cities and centers of agglomerations of the region, which ensure the joint use of resources, transport, and social infrastructure. The purpose of the article is to Identify constraints and opportunities for developing cities in a single regional space, taking into account their connectivity and interaction. Methods. The authors use the information base: statistical data, scientific literature, and expert assessments to clarify the conceptual tools of the research and to analyze the demographic situation in the cities-centers of agglomeration associations of the region. The authors present the assessment of the state of the urban environment, and reveal the disproportions in its organization. The research approaches are tested on the example of the cities of the Chelyabinsk region. (shrink)

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a collection of symptoms that arise in pregnant women caused by an increase in blood glucose levels due to a progressive decrease in insulin secretion, variables that influence the incidence of gestational diabetes include age, history of diabetes mellitus, can occur at any time, but this disease usually begins to attack in the 24th week of pregnancy. The prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Indonesia is still relatively small, namely around 3-5%, but this figure could (...) be higher because cases of GDM are rarely detected. Even though it can heal on its own, that doesn't mean gestational diabetes is not dangerous. If not treated properly, this disease can increase the risk of the baby being born with excess weight, being born prematurely, or being born with low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. For pregnant women, gestational diabetes has the potential to cause complications, such as preeclampsia and hypertension. In Indonesia, all pregnant women are recommended to undergo DMG screening. However, not many pregnant women do this. The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between the perceptions of pregnant women and the behavior of early detection of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus at the Plumbon health center, Indramayu Regency in 2024. This research is quantitative research with a cross-sectional study design. The respondents in this study were 107 pregnant women who lived in the working area of the Plumbon Health Center, Indramayu Regency and used health services at the health center in 2024. Samples were taken using the Accidental Sampling technique, a technique for determining samples based on chance, namely any patient who happened to meet the researcher. and data were analyzed univariate and bivariate. The results of the research show that the characteristics of respondents, namely age, education, employment and income, do not have a significant relationship with early detection behavior of GDM, however, the perception of pregnant women with behavior of early detection of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus has a significant relationship as does mother's knowledge of early detection of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. have a significant relationship. (shrink)

Este artículo analiza las dinámicas que tiene el tejido empresarial de una región para relacionarse con las universidades y explora cómo se desarrollan estos procesos de cooperación. Este análisis se realiza a partir de los datos de una encuesta realizada a una muestra representativa de empresas de base tecnológica del sistema regional de innovación de Andalucía. Los resultados señalan que entre las empresas que cooperan con las universidades la estrategia más extendida se centra en el desarrollo de relaciones menos (...) intensivas en la generación y uso del conocimiento científico, basadas en actividades de recursos humanos. Estas empresas siguen unas pautas más informales en el desarrollo de sus relaciones con las universidades. Sin embargo, un sector reducido del tejido empresarial de la región muestra una estrategia de relación caracterizada por el desarrollo de una mayor diversidad de actividades con las universidades, que implican más intensidad de generación y uso de conocimiento científico a través de cauces más formales para llevar a cabo el proceso de cooperación. El artículo explora los factores que influyen en los modelos de relación universidad-empresa y resalta las implicaciones de los resultados para los sistemas regionales de innovación. (shrink)

El presente trabajo corona la tercera parte de una trilogía en torno al Mundo islámico, tratando la “bioética jurídica islámica” como fenómeno jurídico regional frente a la occidental, autodenominada universal. (Anteriores partes fueron “Derechos humanos”, y “constitucionalismo” islámicos.) Aporta un glosario terminológico islámico sui generis con connotaciones específicas, similitudes y diferencias frente a la occidental al uso en España, en evitación de posibles confusiones o lapsos debidos al uso de términos de idéntico significante y homólogo significado. Analiza tensiones de (...) todo tipo producidas al asociar “bioética y derechos humanos en el mundo islámico”. Condensa en diez tesis finales la polémica y problemática resultante, que reproduce –según su autor– análoga situación de otrora entre “Derechos humanos universales versus Derechos humanos islámicos regionales”. La bibliografía selectiva abarca temas específicos de Derechos humanos, bioética islámica y constitucionalismo, reseñando in fine aportaciones del autor. (shrink)

Improving the coordination between technological innovation in high-tech industries and regional economic development is an important measure for all provinces to implement the innovation-driven development strategy. Based on the analysis of the mechanism of high-tech industrial technological innovation and regional economic development, this paper constructs the measurement index system of high-tech industrial technological innovation and regional economic development, and the chain network DEA model, entropy weight method, coupling coordination model, and exploratory spatial data analysis technology are comprehensively (...) used to empirically analyze the technological innovation efficiency of high-tech industries, regional economic development level, and the coupling coordination relationship between them and the spatiotemporal evolution trend in 24 provinces of China from 2009 to 2018. The results show that there are significant differences in the average level of technological innovation efficiency of high-tech industry in each stage, which is the most prominent in the technology research and development stage, followed by the industrialization stage, and finally in the technology transformation stage. The degree of coupling and coordination between high-tech industrial technological innovation and regional economic development is increasing year by year, which is in the adaptation stage of high-tech industrial technological innovation and regional economic development. From the perspective of spatial pattern, there is a positive spatial autocorrelation between the coupling coordination degree of high-tech industrial technological innovation and regional economic development. The number of provinces with low coupling coordination degree is much larger than that with high coupling coordination degree, showing a serious imbalance of regional heterogeneity and forming two spatial aggregation areas of “high-high” diffusion effect and “low-low” low-speed growth. (shrink)

ABD ve PKK ilişkisi genellikle popüler söylemlerde kendisine yer bulsa da, akademik bir çalışmaya konu olmamıştır. Akademik ilginin kapsamı ABD’nin PKK’yı terör listesine koyması ile sınırlı kalmış ve akademik çalışmalarda bu bilgi sıklıkla tekrarlanmıştır. PKK’nın ABD’yi nasıl gördüğü konusu ise PKK’nın Marksist bir terör örgütü olduğu tespitinin anlaşılması noktasında karşımıza çıkmış ve PKK’nın ABD emperyalizmine karşı geliştirdiği söylemin altı çizilmiştir. Bu dolaylı değinmelere rağmen, PKK’nın ABD’ye yönelik yaklaşımı detaylı bir çalışmaya konu olmadığı gibi bu yaklaşımın PKK için neden merkezi bir (...) noktada olduğunun açıklanması zahmetine de girilmemiştir. 2013 sonrası ABD’nin PKK’nın Suriye’deki uzantısı PYD/YPG ile işbirliğine gitmesi konuyu yeniden popüler hale getirdiği bir ortamda, Ali Balcı The PKK-Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s Regional Politics - During and After the Cold War başlıklı bir çalışma yayımladı. (shrink)

Why is there still debate about definitions of death in medicine and bioethics? Is it because of existential uncertainty and philosophical curiosity about when a person has died so the person’s dea...

The issue of human rights has always been a matter shared by politicians, lawyers, philosophers and sociologists. Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights scholars and human rights activists have discussed whether the Declaration has become a symbol of human rights universality. Two decades later Muslim states have started discussions if human rights are indeed universal. They argued that human rights is a product of western imperialism and therefore the Arab states are not bound by the human (...) rights catalogue proposed by the West. In 2008, the Arab Charter on Human Rights drafted within the framework of the League of Arab States came into force. This fact was welcomed by the international community, non-governmental organizations, and High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Arab Charter on Human Rights was seen as a possibility for the Arab States to confirm the commitment to the universality of human rights. However, the adopted text was disappointing and once again raised the doubt that Arab States are not truly committed to universal human rights. This article analyses the quest for the universality of human rights. (shrink)

The global market for biologics and biosimilar pharmaceutical products is experiencing rapid expansion, primarily driven by the continuous discovery of new molecules. However, information regarding Latin America’s biological market remains limited.