Digital echoes: Investigating the impact of online time on happiness and well-being in abu dhabi

This study examines the impact of online time on well-being among Abu Dhabi residents using data from the fourth Quality-of-Life Survey. Unlike prior studies, this research explores multiple determinants: online time, happiness, subjective health, mental health, self-perceived obesity, exercise, satisfaction with family life, and social relationships. A significant path model reveals that online time adversely affects mental health, self-perceived obesity, sleep quality, and exercise, but positively correlates with happiness and subjective health. The negative effects on mental health notably influence happiness, family life satisfaction, social relationships, subjective health, and exercise. Mental health also mediates these relationships, underscoring its importance in overall well-being. Differences in online hours and well-being determinants are found across gender, age, education, nationality, and marital status. The study underscores the need for interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive online time and improve well-being across demographic groups

Digital Leadership in Organizations for Digital Transformation

This chapter explores digital leadership in the context of organizational digital transformation. It examines the evolving role of leaders in the digital age, highlighting core competencies such as visionary thinking, data-driven decision-making, and fostering innovation. The chapter discusses strategies for developing digital leadership capabilities, theoretical implications of digital leadership, and ethical considerations in the digital realm. It also addresses practical implications, including improved innovation, employee engagement, and organizational agility. The chapter concludes by identifying future research avenues, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies, industry-specific research, and exploration of ethical dimensions in digital leadership. Throughout, it underscores the critical role of digital leadership in navigating technological change and driving organizational success

Synergistic effects of copper oxide-stigmasterol nanoparticles: a novel therapeutic strategy for oral pathogen biofilms and oral cancer

Oral pathogen biofilms contribute to chronic infections, while oral cancer remains a significant health threat, emphasizing the need for effective therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the fabrication, characterization, and therapeutic potential of copper oxide-stigmasterol nanoparticles (CuO-SS NPs) for oral pathogen biofilm disruption and oral cancer treatment. The antimicrobial activity of CuO-SS NPs was evaluated against oral pathogens, including S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans. In cancer cell studies, CuO-SS NPs exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity, reducing cell viability from 88% at 15 µg/mL to 29.33% at 120 µg/mL, comparable to doxorubicin (24.3%). The CuO-SS NPs significantly upregulated the apoptosis markers (Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and FasL) by 4.05, 1.4, and 3.1 fold, respectively. These results highlight the potential of CuO-SS NPs as a dual-purpose therapeutic for oral infections and cancer

Catalytic removal of synozol blue dye from aqueous solution through green synthesized iron NPs with H2O2: with addition of ECOSAR and biological investigation

This bioinspired study explores the fascinating realm of clean and green chemistry by unveiling the potential of FeO NPs fabricated by taking advantage of botanical extract obtained from the leaves of Justicia adhatoda as a reducing agent because it reduced Fe (II) to Fe (0). FeONPs have been fabricated successfully with distinctive structural and morphological features that have been characterized through multiple analytical techniques, like UV/Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, and Zeta potential. The surface plasmonic resonance peak appeared at 268 nm, which was measured through the UV/Vis spectra of synthesized NPs. XRD analysis discovered the crystalline nature of NPs. SEM analysis revealed the highly porous nature, and BET unveiled the specific surface area at 11.5583 m2/g of NPs. Moreover, the fabricated NPs exhibited potential photocatalytic and biological applications. The produced NPs deteriorate the synozol blue dye only within 30 min in the presence of UV light. The dose-dependent potential antifungal and antibacterial activities have been explored against Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Klebsiella pneumonia, respectively. Studies confirmed their potential antimicrobial activities. The zone of inhibition measured against Klebsiella pneumoniae was 15 mm with 30 % inhibition, and maximum antifungal activity has been shown against Rhizoctonia solani with a percent inhibition of 30 %. Overall, the fruitful fabrication of FeONPs has proved an excellent illustration of the complementary potential between green chemistry and nanosciences, and NPs are further utilized in various environmental cleaning and biomedical applications

LLM-driven semantic explanations for soil moisture prediction models

Efficient soil moisture prediction is crucial for sustainable agricultural practices, especially in the face of climate change and increasing water scarcity. However, the adoption of machine learning (ML) models in this context is frequently limited by their lack of interpretability, particularly among non-expert users such as farmers. This study proposes a novel approach to soil moisture prediction that combines high predictive performance with enhanced explainability. We propose a framework that leverages large language models (LLMs) to generate textual explanations based on a proposed irrigation and soil moisture ontology, thus making the model\u27s predictions more understandable to farmers. The ontology formalizes essential agricultural concepts and their interrelationships, enabling semantically rich explanations to bridge the gap between sophisticated model results and practical decision-making. Our approach is exemplified by a prototype system that provides both predictions and user-friendly explanations. The findings highlight the potential of combining advanced ML techniques with semantic reasoning to improve the interpretability and adoption of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture

Trends in the use of non-nutritive sweeteners among female university students in the United Arab Emirates

Objective: This study aimed to explore the consumption patterns of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) among female university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in the context of rising health awareness. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to April 2023 among female university students in the UAE. A total of 192 participants aged 18 and above were recruited through convenience sampling. A structured, self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data on NNS consumption, motivations for use, physical activity, dietary habits, and self-reported height and weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and categorized using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests were applied, with significance set at p \u3c 0.05. Results: Only 24 % of participants reported current consumption of artificially sweetened foods and beverages, while 15.1 % used sweeteners in pill or powder form. The most common reasons for using NNS were weight management and adopting a healthy diet. Among former users, taste preferences (23.9 %) and perceived health risks (13 %) were primary reasons for discontinuation. Significant associations were observed between NNS use and BMI, engagement in weight loss diets, and physical activity levels. Conclusions: NNS consumption appears relatively low among female university students in the UAE, with health-driven motivations and sensory preferences shaping usage patterns. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health messaging and suggest potential shifts in dietary behavior among young women

Dysphagia in Rare Diseases and Syndromes: Current Approaches to Management and Therapeutic Innovations—A Systematic Review

Background: This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the correlation between Rare Diseases and Syndromes (RDS) and the dysphagic disorders manifested during childhood and adulthood in affected patients. Dysphagia is characterized by difficulty or an inability to swallow food of any consistency, as well as saliva or medications, from the oral cavity to the stomach. RDS often present with complex and heterogeneous clinical manifestations, making it challenging to develop standardized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Dysphagia can arise from various etiologies, including those related to the central nervous system, inflammatory and neoplastic processes, anatomical or structural disorders, and neuromuscular conditions. These diverse etiologies can result in both structural and functional deficits or neurological impairments that compromise swallowing function. While RDS frequently leads to uncommon conditions, dysphagia remains an underrecognized complication. Objectives: The primary objective of this review is to illuminate the latest knowledge concerning the management of dysphagia in both pediatric and adult populations within the context of RDS, with a particular focus on current therapeutic approaches. To achieve this, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of existing strategies for managing dysphagia in RDS, highlighting recent advancements in therapy while identifying critical gaps in clinical knowledge and practice. By synthesizing available evidence, the review aims to deepen understanding of the unique challenges associated with dysphagia in these conditions and explore innovative interventions to enhance patient care and outcomes. Results: The integration of innovative therapeutic techniques into the speech-language pathology treatment of dysphagia augments traditional strategies, offering updated knowledge that can be applied to prognosis and therapeutic interventions across various ages and racial groups. This review also provides an overview of symptomatology, assessment techniques, and the specific characteristics of dysphagia associated with various genetic and acquired RDS

Ensuring academic integrity in the age of ChatGPT: Rethinking exam design, assessment strategies, and ethical AI policies in higher education

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, particularly OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has significantly impacted higher education institutions (HEIs), offering opportunities and challenges. While these tools enhance personalized learning and content generation, they threaten academic integrity, especially in assessment environments. This study systematically examines the impact of ChatGPT on academic integrity in HEIs, focusing on exam design, assessment strategies, AI detection tools, and policy frameworks. This research draws from current literature and expert recommendations to identify practical approaches for developing assessments that foster critical thinking and deep cognitive engagement, making them less susceptible to AI-generated content. Key areas explored include the creation of complex, analytical exam formats, deploying advanced AI detection software to counter AI-assisted cheating, and formulating institutional policies that promote the ethical use of AI. This comprehensive framework aims to equip educators and administrators with practical strategies to preserve academic standards while harnessing the potential benefits of AI, ensuring the continued validity of assessments in the AI-driven educational landscape

What Can Student Perspectives Tell Us About the Value of Multicultural Counselling Training? A Q Methodology Study

Background: While multicultural counselling courses (MCCs) are central to developing culturally competent practitioners, little is known about how students themselves perceive the helpfulness of these training experiences. Prior research often focuses on general outcomes of multicultural competence, with limited attention to the nuanced, subjective viewpoints of students engaged in MCCs. Aim: This study aimed to explore how counselling students conceptualise the helpfulness of a semester-long MCC, identifying student personas that shape their learning focus and engagement with course content. Method: Seventeen master\u27s-level counselling students completed a Q sort of 38 statements related to their MCC experiences. Using Q methodology, a by-person factor analysis identified shared subjective viewpoints that reflect distinct learning preferences and interpretations of MCC value. Results: Three student personas emerged: Reflective Counsellors, Cultural Learners, and Pragmatic Counsellors—each prioritising different aspects of multicultural training, such as awareness, cultural knowledge, and skill application. The findings highlighted the importance of recognising diverse learning needs and incorporating tailored teaching strategies in MCCs to support the development of multicultural competence. Conclusion: Understanding the different ways students perceive MCC helpfulness can inform course design, educator reflexivity, and training strategies. These insights are vital for optimising the impact of multicultural counselling education on future practitioners working with diverse populations

English‐Language Advertising in Europe

Research on advertising in Europe referring to the world Englishes framework has focused on the characteristics of English as it is used in different advertising genres in Europe, as well as on the attitudes that are held towards it, and the impact that its inclusion may have. It has included corpus studies that look at the incorporation of English into specific genres in different national or regional contexts, as well as experimental studies that have asked respondents to self‐report on their response to that English. Scholars have investigated television and radio commercials, print advertising and job advertisements, and studies have been carried out across the continent, from the Republic of Ireland in the West, to Russia in the East. This research identifies a number of shifts in the sociolinguistic landscape that are reflected in the ways in which English has been included in European advertising over the past two decades