Do we have proportionate gender in policy making? A Study based on key Government Institutions of SAARC Region

Women empowerment has remained a long standing issue for practitioners and policy makers at all levels even in the present modern known era of modernization. The basic objective of this study is to assess gender equality in the top sphere of the SAARC key governmental institutions from the recruitment and selection perspective. This study has used secondary data collected from the official websites of the governments and its affiliated key institutions. The unique feature of this study is that it analyzes gender inequality phenomena form the recruitment and selection perspective. An extensive gap has been identified between male and female top executives serving in key government institutions, which is not only a serious challenge for the global gender equality policy but also a serious question on government gender selection polices in the region. The notion of male dominance clearly prevails in the current scenario of the gender representation in government institutions, which remains a serious challenge for the gender equality. It has been concluded that a special focus is needed to prioritize the selection mechanism for females in top power structure of these governments especially in SAARC region

Considering business start-up in recession time. The role of risk perception and economic context in shaping the entrepreneurial intent

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine under-researched psychological and environmental factors related to entrepreneurial motivation and intention. This helps us to explore the links between risk perception (risk as opportunity and risk as threat), economic context (in a recession), entrepreneurial motivation (personal attitudes and perceived behavioral control) and intention for new venture creation. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 619 individuals from two European countries, Spain and Great Britain, is studied. A range of control variables have been considered, including demographics, human/social capital and country effects. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the relationships among the model constructs. Findings – The structural model broadly holds and adequately fits the data. Entrepreneurial risk perception is strongly linked with entrepreneurial motivation. Entrepreneurial motivation, in turn, is strongly linked with entrepreneurial intention. It suggests, therefore, an indirect effect of risk perception on intentions. Economic context is also linked with risk perception and entrepreneurial intentions. Research limitations/implications – Results from this exploratory study suggest a role of risk perception in establishing the entrepreneurial intention of individuals. Therefore, greater attention should be paid to this element in entrepreneurship education programs. Similarly, perceptions about the economic (recessionary) environment and its relationship with risk perception also have to be taken into account, with the purpose of letting students understand the possibilities that are present in a recessionary situation. Originality/value – This is the first time that perceptions about risk and the economic context are tested within the theory of planned behavio

A model of consultation in prostate cancer care:evidence from a systematic review

Background: There has been an evolution of various consultation models in the literature. Men affected by prostate cancer can experience a range of unmet supportive care needs. Thus, effective consultations are paramount in the delivery of supportive care to optimize tailored self-management plans at the individual level of need. Objective: The aim of this study is to critically appraise existing models of consultation and make recommendations for a model of consultation within the scope of clinical practice for prostate cancer care. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement Guidelines. Electronic databases were searched using a wide range of keywords and free text items to increase the sensitivity and inclusiveness of the searches. Findings were integrated in a narrative synthesis. Results: A total of 1829 articles were retrieved and 17 papers were included. Beneficial features ranged across a number of models that included a person-centered consultation, shared management plans, and safety netting. None of the reviewed models of consultation are suitable for use in prostate cancer care because of a range of limitations and the clinical context in which models were developed. A Cancer Care Consultation Model was informed from critical appraisal of the evidence and expert clinical and service user comment. Conclusion: Further research is needed to empirically test consultation models in routine clinical practice, specifically for advanced cancer specialist nurses. Implications for Practice: The Prostate Cancer Model of Consultation can be used to structure clinical consultations to target self-management care plans at the individual level of need over the cancer care continuum

La intención emprendedora en Reino Unido y España: un estudio comparativo

Extending from Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behaviour, this paper develops a more integrated entrepreneurial intention model. This incorporates the role of culture, along with motivations, skills and knowledge of the entrepreneurial environment. The cross-cultural applicability of the model is tested across two different countries, Great Britain and Spain, on a total sample of 1005. Partial Least Squares technique is used to try and overcome limitations of previous research. The model broadly holds for both countries. Implications for public decision makers and entrepreneurship education are discussed. In particular, enhancing the level of knowledge and awareness about entrepreneurship would increase self-efficacy perceptions and, hence, entrepreneurial intentionsEste trabajo, partiendo del enfoque de Acción Planificada (Ajzen), desarrolla un modelo más integrado de intención emprendedora, incorporando el papel de la cultura, las motivaciones, habilidades y conocimiento empresarial. La aplicabilidad transcultural del modelo se prueba analizando dos países diferentes (Gran Bretaña y España), en una muestra de 1005 individuos. Se utilizan Mínimos Cuadrados Parciales para superar las limitaciones de anteriores investigaciones. El modelo en general es válido para los dos países, derivándose implicaciones para la toma de decisiones y la educación emprendedora. En particular, mejorar el conocimiento y la toma de conciencia sobre el emprendimiento aumentaría la percepción de autoeficacia y, por lo tanto, las intenciones emprendedora

A poly-vinyl Alcohol (PVA)-based phantom for prostate cancer detection using multiparametric ultrasound:a validation study

Multiparametric ultrasound (mpUS) enhances prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis by using multiple imaging modalities. Tissue-mimicking materials (TMM) phantoms, favoured over animal models for ethical and consistency reasons, were created using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with varying molecular weights (Mw). Methods: Four PVA samples, varying in Mw with constant concertation, were mixed with glycerol, silicon carbide (SiC), and aluminium oxide (Al2O3). Phantoms with varying depth and inclusion sizes were created and tested using shear-wave elastography (SWE). An mpUS phantom was developed to mimic prostate tissue, including isoechoic and hypoechoic inclusions and vessels. The phantom was scanned using supersonic ultrasound, strain elastography, and Doppler ultrasound. Validation was performed using radical prostatectomy data and shear-wave elastography. Results: The acoustic properties varied with enhancers like glycerol and Al2O3. Low Mw PVA samples had a speed of sound ranging from 1547.50 ± 2 to 1553.70 ± 2.2 m/s and attenuation of 0.61 ± 0.062 to 0.63 ± 0.05 dB/cm/MHz. High Mw PVA samples ranged from 1555 ± 2.82 to 1566 ± 4.5 m/s and 0.71 ± 0.02 to 0.73 ± 0.046 dB/cm/MHz. Young’s modulus ranged from 11 ± 2 to 82.3 ± 0.5 kPa across 1 to 10 freeze-thaw cycles. Inclusion size, depth, and interaction statistically affect the SWE measurements with p-value = 0.056327, p-value = 8.0039 × 10−8, and p-value = 0.057089, respectively. SWE showed isoechoic inclusions, prostate tissue, and surrounding tissue only. The Doppler velocity was measured in three different inner diameters. Conclusion: PVA mixed with enhancer materials creates an mpUS phantom with properties that mimic normal and abnormal prostate tissue, blood vessels, and soft tissue, facilitating advanced diagnostic training and validation

The Performance of Different Parametric Ultrasounds in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Correlation with Radical Prostatectomy Specimens

Background: Prostate cancer is a prevalent cancer among men. Multiparametric ultrasound [mpUS] is a diagnostic instrument that uses various types of ultrasounds to diagnose it. This systematic review aims to evaluate the performance of different parametric ultrasounds in diagnosing prostate cancer by associating with radical prostatectomy specimens. Methodology: A review was performed on various ultrasound parameters using five databases. Systematic review tools were utilized to eliminate duplicates and identify relevant results. Reviewers used the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Results [QUADAS-2] to evaluate the bias and applicability of the study outcomes. Result: Between 2012 and 2023, eleven studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of the different ultrasound parametric procedures in detecting prostate cancer using grayscale TRUS, SWE, CEUS, and mpUS. The high sensitivity of these procedures was found at 55%, 88.6%, 81%, and 74%, respectively. The specificity of these procedures was found to be 93.4%, 97%, 88%, and 59%, respectively. This high sensitivity and specificity may be associated with the large lesion size. The studies revealed that the sensitivity of these procedures in diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer was 55%, 73%, 70%, and 74%, respectively, while the specificity was 61%, 78.2%, 62%, and 59%, respectively. Conclusions: The mpUS procedure provides high sensitivity and specificity in PCa detection, especially for clinically significant prostate cancer

The Development Strategy of Agricultural Geographical Indications in China

Geographical indication (GI) is one of the intellectual property rights protected by the World Trade Organization. Statistics shows that most GIs are related to agricultural products in China, the development of GIs is of great significance to rural China’s economy. In 2015, China adopted the “internet plus” strategy which brings a wonderful opportunity to the development of agricultural GIs. Although the supportive policies introduced by government, the rapid development of online shopping, and the booming of agricultural e-commerce in rural China are favorable to the development of agricultural GIs, there are still some problems to be solved. This study proposes that government should play a leading role in constructing information network infrastructure and some other aspects; the production and promotion of agro-products based on GIs should be subsided; the development of GIs-related professional associations should be accelerated. In addition, brand management and the exploration of global market are also essential factors. This study can be referable for policy makers and agricultural GIs related business owners to promote the development of China’s agricultural GIs. Keywords: Development Strategy; Agricultural GIs; Internet Plus; Agro-products Certified with GIs; Intellectual Property Right

Fluorometric optical sensor arrays for the detection of urinary bladder cancer specific volatile organic compounds in the urine of patients with frank hematuria:a prospective case-control study

This study outlines a simple fluorometric optical sensor system for the sensitive, real time measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as biomarkers of urinary bladder cancer in patients presenting with frank hematuria and confirmed to have the disease on histopathology. Arrays of 24 sensor points based on fluorescence VOC sensitive materials were made. Urine samples of 38 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed bladder tumours and 41 age and gender matched healthy controls were recruited and analysed using this sensor array. This system correctly classified 68 out of 79 urine samples with 84.21% sensitivity and 87.80% specificity; the system also achieved 66.67% sensitivity and 75.00% specificity for classification of high-grade and low-grade bladder cancer patients. This study showed promising results in the detection of urinary bladder cancer as well as to classify high grade versus low grade bladder cancers

Hybridity and Cultural Duality in E.M Forster’s Character Dr. Aziz: A Post-Colonial Analysis

The study examines the impact of British influence on Indian culture and its people, leading to a dualism in their personalities, as conceptualized by Homi K. Bhabha's notion of hybridity. The analysis of Forster’s novel and the character of Dr. Aziz using Bhabha’s concepts of hybridity and ambivalence reveals that British culture poses a significant threat to the native culture, eroding the ancient histories of Indian cultures in the younger native generation. This qualitative research, based on the findings of this study, also opens up a new dimension for researchers in the same field or those interested in hybridity, or A Passage to India. This research is qualitative in nature, and the data was collected from the novel A Passage to India. The research also identifies that Dr. Aziz appears to be influenced by the English lifestyle and attempts to emulate English behavior on multiple occasions, seeking friendship with English people and even organizing and leading a trip for them to demonstrate his honor and responsibility. However, after facing accusations, he refrains from accepting the friendship of the English until they cease to rule India, displaying dual and hybrid behavior. The study also uncovers the influence of the English language and cultural values on Indians. Considering that Forster wrote the novel A Passage to India during his visits to India, it is evident that he witnessed the scenario during the British Raj, lending credibility and trustworthiness to the events described in the novel. This provides a satisfying validation of the research results

A qualitative study exploring models of supportive care in men and their partners/caregivers affected by metastatic prostate cancer.

Purpose/Objectives: To explore the experiences of patients with metastatic prostate cancer and their partners/caregivers, as well as an interprofessional team, with a nurse-led multimodality supportive care intervention. Research Approach: Qualitative study. Setting: National Health Service (NHS), Tayside, Scotland. Participants: 19 patients, 7 partners/caregivers, and 7 interprofessional members from four hospitals in NHS, Tayside, Scotland. Methodologic Approach: 33 semistructured interviews were conducted to explore patients' and partners/caregivers' experiences of supportive care, and a framework approach was used to analyze the data. Findings: Men and their partners/caregivers experienced a range of unmet physical, psychological, and informational supportive care needs. The participants in the intervention group reported overall high satisfaction with the use of holistic needs assessments and self-management plans, with a decrease in unmet needs compared to the standard of care over time. The prostate cancer specialist nurse was perceived as the hub of survivorship care. Members of the interprofessional team perceived benefit in the nurse-led multimodal supportive care intervention. Interpretation: An emphasis needs to be placed on personalizing care, with supportive care interventions targeted to individual needs. Implications for Nursing: Care can be improved by incorporating holistic needs assessment to target specialized interventions for optimized, individualized care plans. An intervention seminar encouraged self-management and self-efficiency, leading to greater satisfaction for participants