Tracing the Self: Foucault\u27s Genealogy and the Evolution of Subjectivity From Ancient Practices to Digital Frontiers

This paper critically examines the interplay between the ethical constitution of subjectivity and the notion of truth in Michel Foucault\u27s political oeuvre, with a specific focus on the technologies of the self. Employing a comprehensive genealogical approach, the study delves into various technologies of the self, unraveling the complex models of knowledge and power they embody. This investigation illuminates key socio-historical shifts, revealing nuanced dynamics in the relationships between subject, self, truth, and power that extend beyond the traditional focus on the disciplined subject of modernity. A unique contribution of this work lies in its exploration of the methodological significance of technologies of the self within contemporary political philosophy, considering not only historical perspectives but also the implications of digital hyperconnectivity and gamified self-technologies. By examining strategies of resistance and freedom, the paper underscores the potential of these technologies as tools for both empowerment and surveillance, presenting a multifaceted view of self-constitution in the digital era. In its analysis, the paper integrates insights from recent scholarship, including the ethical dimensions of technological mediation and the concept of ‘quantified otherness,’ thereby enriching the understanding of how the technologies of the self-shape and are shaped by socio-technological systems. The paper aims to contribute to ongoing discussions about power, resistance, and the ethical constitution of subjectivity in contemporary political philosophy, highlighting the relevance of Foucault\u27s work in the context of emerging technologies and evolving social norms

Assessing the Chemistry ‘Cookbook’ Culture – Caribbean Tertiary Students’ Perceptions of Plagiarism in General Chemistry I Laboratory Reports

Academic integrity is one of the significant issues facing assessments in higher education. While there are a plethora of papers addressing this problem in certain locales, very little research has been published regarding tertiary institutions in the Caribbean. This paper satisfies this paucity in the literature and present findings which will help benchmark it against other comparable populations. This mixed-methods case study examines first-year students’ perceptions of plagiarism definitions, its seriousness, reasons for plagiarising, and its prevalence in a General Chemistry lab course at a Jamaican university. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and triangulated using a questionnaire and document analysis to understand the complexity of participants’ views. The results show that students largely define plagiarism as copying portions of text and not citing someone else’s work. While accepting that copying large and small portions of text are serious offences, students are less inclined to perceive copying a picture and self-plagiarism as problematic. Although students believe plagiarism is prevalent, they oppose harsh consequences, citing lack of understanding, course difficulty, time management issues, lack of motivation, and fear of failure as understandable reasons. Institutional recommendations to mitigate this growing concern include implementing strategies that would broaden students’ knowledge of what constitutes plagiarism, employing pedagogic strategies that aim to increase students’ self-efficacy, creating a more supportive academic environment, and reducing participation in plagiaristic behaviour

Wireless Insights into Cognitive Wellness: A Paradigm Shift in Alzheimer’s Detection through Ultrathin Wearable Antennas

The Proposed algorithm, designed to simulate an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain model across different stages, presents an invaluable opportunity for further research and in-depth study of the effects of AD. Currently, there is a notable absence of a comprehensive simulated model for the AD brain that allows the exploration of all AD biomarkers within a simulation tool. This represents a crucial advancement in the field, enabling researchers to thoroughly investigate and understand the diverse biomarkers associated with AD without resorting to highly expensive and ionizing radiation techniques. The algorithm’s capability to emulate various stages of AD in a simulated environment is an essential step toward assessing its applicability for AD patients, providing a cost-effective and safer alternative for research and study in comparison to existing methodologies and delves into the development and evolution of a patch antenna designed for the identification of distinct stages in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) detection. The antenna, equipped with ultra-wideband (UWB) capabilities, consists of a slotted circular disc antenna patch and a partial ground. The placement of rectangular slots in the ground structure aims to enhance radiation directivity, gain, and efficiency. The primary objective is to optimize the antenna’s efficacy by strategically integrating a slotted circular disc and arranging slots in the ground structure. The research aims to provide an effective solution for non-invasive tracking of Alzheimer’s disease progression. The antenna, with dimensions of 50×35×0.1 mm³, is fabricated using a flexible laminate substrate (Ultra-lam 3850). The prototype demonstrates a remarkable bandwidth of 8.55 GHz (2.02–10.57 GHz) and exhibits nearly directional radiation characteristics. The study employs 3D CST 2019 simulator software for analysis, followed by physical fabrication and measurement of the antenna. Evaluation involves both a single antenna and a four-antenna array element around a 3D realistic-shaped Hugo head model and a six-layer brain phantom simulating various AD stages. The reported peak gain reaches 2.36 dBi and 3.1 dBi at 2.4 GHz and 7.48 GHz, respectively, with consistently high radiation efficiency (92.5% and 90.5% at 2.4 GHz and 7.48 GHz). In practical application, the antenna demonstrates satisfactory field penetration into human head tissues while adhering to safety standards. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values of 0.734 W/kg and 0.00238 W/kg at 2.4 GHz and 7.48 GHz, respectively, ensure compliance with safety regulations. The research concludes that the proposed antenna, supported by statistical and measured data, presents a promising non-invasive method for effectively tracking the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Insights into Personalized Care Strategies for Wilms Tumor: A Narrative Literature Review

Wilms tumor (WT), or nephroblastoma, is the predominant renal malignancy in the pediatric population. This narrative review explores the evolution of personalized care strategies for WT, synthesizing critical developments in molecular diagnostics and treatment approaches to enhance patient-specific outcomes. We surveyed recent literature from the last five years, focusing on high-impact research across major databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Diagnostic advancements, including liquid biopsies and diffusion-weighted MRI, have improved early detection precision. The prognostic significance of genetic markers, particularly WT1 mutations and miRNA profiles, is discussed. Novel predictive tools integrating genetic and clinical data to anticipate disease trajectory and therapy response are explored. Progressive treatment strategies, particularly immunotherapy and targeted agents such as HIF-2α inhibitors and GD2-targeted immunotherapy, are highlighted for their role in personalized treatment protocols, especially for refractory or recurrent WT. This review underscores the necessity for personalized management supported by genetic insights, with improved survival rates for localized disease exceeding 90%. However, knowledge gaps persist in therapies for high-risk patients and strategies to reduce long-term treatment-related morbidity. In conclusion, this narrative review highlights the need for ongoing research, particularly on the long-term outcomes of emerging therapies and integrating multi-omic data to inform clinical decision-making, paving the way for more individualized treatment pathways

Dietary Knowledge and Eating Habits among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Lebanon

Little is known about the dietary knowledge (DK) and eating habits (EHs) of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Lebanon. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the DK and EH of the population with T2D and determine their associated factors. A cross-sectional survey enrolling 351 patients with T2D was carried out, using the snowball sampling technique. The survey used the UK Diabetes and Diet Questionnaire and the Dietary Knowledge questionnaire to assess participants\u27 EH including the frequency of consumption of certain foods and their knowledge of food groups and food choices. While a higher DK index indicated better knowledge, a higher EH index indicated less healthy EH. Independent sample T-test and Mann-Whitney test were used for dichotomous variables, and ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for polytomous variables. Correlation analysis tested the association between two continuous variables. Two multiple linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with DK and EH. Overall, 67% of participants had good or adequate DK, and around 25% and 75% of them had healthy and less healthy EH, respectively. Better knowledge was significantly related to occupation, BMI, presence of comorbidities, and HbA1c testing during the last 3 months. Higher family income, physical activity, family history of diabetes, receiving help in medication administration from family or friends, and higher DK level were factors associated with healthier EH. Nutrition education and awareness campaigns aimed at patients and their families are needed to empower patients with adequate DK and skills to facilitate the adoption of healthy EH

A sentiment analysis approach for understanding users’ perception of metaverse marketplace

This research explores the user perceptions of the Metaverse Marketplace, analyzing a substantial dataset of over 860,000 Twitter posts through sentiment analysis and topic modeling techniques. The study aims to uncover the driving factors behind user engagement and sentiment in this novel digital trading space. Key findings highlight a predominantly positive user sentiment, with significant enthusiasm for the marketplace\u27s revenue generation and entertainment potential, particularly within the gaming sector. Users express appreciation for the innovative opportunities the Metaverse Marketplace offers for artists, designers, and traders in handling and trading digital assets. This positive outlook is tempered by notable concerns regarding security and privacy within the Metaverse, pointing to a critical area for development and assurance. The study also reveals a substantial neutral sentiment, reflecting users’ cautious but interested stance, particularly regarding the marketplace\u27s role in investment and passive income opportunities. This balanced view underscores the evolving nature of user perceptions in this emerging field. Theoretically, the research enriches the discourse on technology adoption, particularly in virtual environments, by highlighting perceived benefits and enjoyment as significant adoption drivers. These insights are invaluable for stakeholders in the Metaverse Marketplace, guiding the development of more secure, engaging, and user-friendly platforms. While providing a pioneering perspective on Metaverse user perceptions, the study acknowledges its limitation to Twitter data, suggesting the need for broader research methodologies for a more holistic understanding

Bernstein polynomials method for solving multi-order fractional neutral pantograph equations with error and stability analysis

In this investigation, we present a new method for addressing fractional neutral pantograph problems, utilizing the Bernstein polynomials method. We obtain solutions for the fractional pantograph equations by employing operational matrices of differentiation, derived from fractional derivatives in the Caputo sense applied to Bernstein polynomials. Error analysis, along with Chebyshev algorithms and interpolation nodes, is employed for solution characterization. Both theoretical and practical stability analyses of the method are provided. Demonstrative examples indicate that our proposed techniques occasionally yield exact solutions. We compare the algorithms using several established analytical methods. Our results reveal that our algorithm, based on Bernstein series solution methods, outperforms others, exhibiting superior performance with higher accuracy orders compared to those obtained from Chebyshev spectral methods, Bernoulli wavelet method, and Spectral Tau method

Non-Carathéodory analytic functions with respect to symmetric points

The authors introduce new classes of analytic function with respect (Formula presented.) -symmetric points subordinate to a domain that is not Carathéodory. To use the existing infrastructure or framework, usually, the study of analytic function have been limited to a differential characterization subordinate to functions which are Carathéodory. Here, we try to obtain various interesting properties of functions which are not Carathéodory. Integral representation, interesting conditions for starlikeness and inclusion relations for functions in these classes are obtained

Associations between total, free and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D forms with adiponectin and irisin in maternal-neonatal pairs at birth from Greece

Background: Apart from the well-established skeletal effects, vitamin D has been explored as a secretagogue influencing various adipokines, including adiponectin and irisin. Recent evidence suggests that specific forms of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OHD), such as free and bioavailable 25(OH)D, may provide more accurate measurements of vitamin D status. The relationship between vitamin D status and serum irisin and adiponectin concentrations remains largely unexplored, particularly during pregnancy. Methods: We analyzed data from 67 healthy maternal-neonatal pairs from Northern Greece at birth. Biochemical and hormonal tests were conducted on each maternal-neonatal pair. The vitamin D forms were estimated using validated mathematical models. Subsequently, regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between the vitamin D forms and adipokine levels. Results: Bioavailable maternal 25(OH)D was inversely associated with neonatal irisin concentrations [β=-73.46 (-140.573 to -6.341), p=0.034]. No other associations were observed between maternal vitamin D status and neonatal adipokine concentrations. Conclusion: In conclusion, maternal bioavailable vitamin D concentrations are inversely associated with neonatal serum irisin concentrations, warranting further studies to evaluate the underlying mechanisms for this finding