The article describes the use of publicly available materials of radar mapping from spacecraft as a way to increase the reliability, as well as to reduce the cost and time of work to select the site of linear construction projects situated in remote underdeveloped areas. Based on the results of theoretical study and practical application of radar mapping of the Earth's surface from spacecrafts the conclusion is made about the availability of these materials, their reliability (relevance) and accuracy in order to select the site of linear construction projects at the concept design stage.

Mathematical modeling plays a central role in infectious disease epidemiology, shaping outbreak response strategies and informing public health policy. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the value of these models but also exposed persistent limitations related to data fragility, lack of transparency, limited stakeholder engagement, and insufficient consideration of social and political contexts. Rather than critiquing modeling as a discipline, this perspective argues for a reorientation of infectious disease modeling toward a more responsive, equity-centered, and participatory paradigm. We propose a conceptual framework built on three interrelated principles: adaptability through real-time data integration, transparency via open-source and reproducible practices, and relevance through interdisciplinary and co-produced model design. Drawing on illustrative examples from COVID-19 and dengue control efforts, we highlight how integrating behavioral dynamics, local knowledge, and policy feedback can improve model usefulness and public trust. Reconceptualizing models as dynamic systems of inquiry rather than static forecasting tools can enhance decision-making and promote more equitable and effective responses to future public health emergencies.

Complexity Leadership Theory (CLT) is a new and revolutionary concept in addressing healthcare crises worldwide. Its relevance and applications were tested during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, no definite and encompassing research was done to apply it to nursing leadership. Thus, this study examines CLT integration into nursing leadership to address the challenges posed by the pandemic. Through a systematic review of literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, relevant studies were analyzed to determine how complexity leadership theory was defined, conceptualized, and operationalized within nursing leadership context. The findings reveal that traditional hierarchical leadership models are insufficient in a dynamic crisis environment like the pandemic. Instead, CLT’s framework which encompasses adaptive, administrative, and enabling leadership facilitates innovation, resilience, and effective interprofessional collaboration. Nurse leaders employing these strategies are better positioned to manage resources limitation, foster shared decision-making, and implement technological advancements in rapidly changing healthcare settings. Overall, this study underscores the potential of complexity leadership theory to transform nursing leadership practices by promoting continuous learning and empowerment, thereby enhancing crisis response and preparedness for future pandemics.

Background: Research on Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) consistently reveals that social determinants of health, especially educational attainment, do not yield equal health benefits across racial and ethnic groups in the United States. MDRs suggest that social stratification, segregation, lower education quality, and labor market discrimination contribute to diminished health returns of education among minoritized groups. However, few studies have tested the relevance of MDRs in American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations compared to non-Hispanic White adults. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the strength of the inverse association between educational attainment and hypertension prevalence, hypothesizing that the protective effect of education on hypertension risk is reduced among AIAN adults relative to non-Hispanic Whites. Methods: Using data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), we analyzed a nationally representative sample of adults aged 18 and older. Logistic regression models examined the association between educational attainment and self-reported hypertension diagnosis, stratified by racial/ethnic group (AIAN vs. non-Hispanic White). Models were adjusted for key covariates, including age, gender, income, and insurance status. Results: Higher educational attainment was associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension in the combined sample of AIAN and non-Hispanic White adults. However, this protective association was significantly weaker among AIAN adults compared to non-Hispanic White adults, as evidenced by a significant interaction between race and education. Conclusion: AIAN adults exhibit a higher prevalence of hypertension even at higher levels of educational attainment compared to non-Hispanic White adults, supporting the relevance of MDRs for AIAN populations. This finding underscores the need for public health interventions that address structural barriers and contextual factors unique to AIAN populations. Policies focused solely on educational access may be insufficient to reduce hypertension risk among AIAN adults without addressing broader social and structural inequities.

Background: Although some neural mechanisms underlying socioeconomic status (SES) disparities are known, the role of brain-wide resting-state functional connectivity in these effects remains less understood. Aim: This study aims to identify brain-wide resting-state functional connectivity signatures that may mediate the effects of SES on body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure in children, using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Methods: Data were drawn from the ABCD study, a large, diverse cohort of children aged 9-10. Pre-processed resting-state functional MRI data were used, and factor analysis was conducted to extract a whole-brain connectivity factor. The first factor, capturing the greatest variance in brain-wide resting-state connectivity, was selected for further analysis in a structural equation model (SEM). This connectivity factor was tested as a potential mediator of the relationship between SES (measured by parental education, family income, and neighborhood characteristics) and two indicators of cardiometabolic health: BMI and systolic blood pressure. Results: Factor analysis revealed a robust first factor that accounted for a significant proportion of variance in brain-wide resting-state functional connectivity. This factor was significantly associated with SES, indicating that children from lower SES backgrounds exhibited distinct connectivity patterns. Additionally, the factor was linked to both BMI and systolic blood pressure, suggesting its relevance to cardiometabolic health. Mediation analysis showed that this connectivity factor partially mediated the relationship between SES and both BMI and systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Brain-wide functional connectivity may be a mediator of SES effects on BMI and blood pressure in children. The first connectivity factor provides a promising neural signature linking SES with cardiometabolic risk. Comprehensive brain-wide approaches to functional connectivity may offer valuable insights into how social determinants of health shape neural and physical development in childhood.

This study explores the integration of Adinkra symbols into the set design of Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB), a popular beauty pageant and reality TV show that has aired on TV3; a private television station in Ghana. GMB showcases beauty, intelligence, cultural knowledge, and traditional values, celebrating Ghana's rich cultural heritage through female contestants representing the country's diverse ethnic groups. In response to the lack of coherent Ghanaian artistic elements in previous set designs, this study employed an artistic methodology to incorporate four Adinkra symbols, Okɔdeɛ Mmɔwerɛ, Duafe, Dweninimmɛn, and Mate Masie, into the set design for the show’s eighth season. These symbols, signifying beauty, strength, wisdom, and unity respectively, were creatively integrated into a crown-like set design for the grand finale, harmonizing aesthetic trends with cultural significance. The design process was informed by rigorous research and stakeholder interviews, ensuring that the selected symbols conveyed the intended cultural messages. The results highlight the potential of traditional symbols to enhance both the cultural relevance and visual appeal of television productions. The project enriches the cultural depth of GMB production and offers a blueprint for incorporating indigenous symbols into contemporary set design. The study recommends that future productions continue exploring traditional symbols to deepen the appreciation of Ghanaian heritage and strengthen cultural identity through visual arts.

Background: Education is widely recognized as a key driver of wealth generation, providing individuals with the opportunity to enhance their socioeconomic status. However, the effectiveness of education in generating wealth varies significantly across different social groups. In the United States, research has shown that Black individuals experience weaker economic returns on education compared to their White counterparts, a phenomenon explained by the theory of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs). Although MDRs have been documented in various countries, their relevance to caste-based disparities in India remains unexplored. Objective: This study aims to investigate the caste-based diminished returns of education on wealth in India. We hypothesize that the returns on educational attainment, in terms of wealth generation, will be weaker for individuals from Scheduled Castes (SCs) compared to those from higher castes, using data from the India Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of DHS -2019/2021 data from India, examining the relationship between educational attainment and wealth across different caste groups (scheduled castes and non-scheduled castes). Multivariate regression models will be employed to assess the interaction between caste and education in predicting wealth outcomes, controlling for relevant covariates such as age, gender, and region. Results: The study is expected to find that the returns on education, in terms of wealth, are significantly weaker for individuals from Scheduled Castes compared to those from higher castes. This would indicate that caste-based discrimination continues to hinder the economic progress of Scheduled Castes, even when they achieve similar levels of education as their upper-caste counterparts. Conclusion: The findings of this study will extend the MDR framework to the Indian context, demonstrating that caste-based disparities result in diminished returns on education for wealth generation. This study underscores the need for targeted policies that address the specific barriers faced by Scheduled Castes in translating educational attainment into economic success and highlights the ongoing impact of caste-based discrimination in India.

Whereas Physical Education and Sports (PES) have been reported to be crucial to learners, such claims have often been made without empirical support. Given this, this paper reports on a systematic review of the relevance of PES to learners. The review involved 20 empirical studies. Most studies were conducted in the United States, using quantitative research design and focusing on preschool to high school. The studies also demonstrated that PES improves academic performance, motivation, attention, and behaviour. It is recommended that PES be taken seriously at all levels of academics and integrated into the curriculum. While the studies reviewed did not involve higher educational institutions, the benefits can be extended to higher education institutions such as colleges of education and universities.

The primary role of indigenous moral education is to inculcate positive attitudes, moral norms, ideals and virtues such as honesty, kindness, compassion, respect for others, and a sense of a common good. In a Ghanaian traditional society’s perspective, the morality of a person is judged according to his or her character. This position paper discusses the relevance of indigenous moral education and its relevance in contemporary Akwamu Traditional society in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The sources of indigenous moral education among the people of Akwamu society are proverbs, taboos, naming, puberty and marriage rites. The indigenous moral education provides moral values such as respect for authority, truthfulness, loyalty, obedience, tolerance, chastity and godliness to members of the Akwamu community. Besides the foregoing, the indigenous moral education systems, such as proverbs and puberty rites have outlived their usefulness in recent times among the Akwamus as a result of modernity which has introduced an alternative means of initiating young girls into adulthood. It is also important to note that even though some of the indigenous moral education systems have outlived their usefulness in contemporary times, the surviving ones should be incorporated into the modern moral education system so that the cultural identity of the people is preserved.

Methamphetamine and its metabolite amphetamine are frequently abused drugs. Whether obtained legally or from clandestine laboratories it is of relevance to determine the chiral makeup of these drugs for investigative purpose. Although urine and oral fluid matrices are commonly offered, less available to independent laboratories are techniques to verify dextro (D-) or levo (L-) (meth)amphetamine from human K2EDTA plasma. This paper outlines the development and validation of a method that includes the addition of internal standard and a two-step liquid-liquid extraction to remove the analytes from human K2EDTA plasma by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The assay was validated according to the United States Food and Drug Administration and College of American Pathologists guidelines, including assessment of the following parameters in plasma validation samples: linear range, limit of detection, lower limit of quantitation, matrix effects, inter- and intra-day assay precision and accuracy, carry over, linearity of dilution, matrix effects and stability. The outcome is a validated and reliable method for the determination of D- and L- isomer concentration of meth(amphetamine) human plasma samples that can be easily adopted by independent clinical laboratories.

The study investigated formative assessment conceptions and practices among the teachers of social studies in the Techiman Municipality of the Bono East Region of Ghana. The research was undertaken with the view of finding answers and making suggestions that could help improve the formative assessment practices specifically in social studies. A census was conducted in the eighty-four (84) public Junior High Schools in the Techiman Municipality in the Bono East Region. All the ninety-five (95) Social Studies teachers in the public Junior High Schools in the Municipality were selected for the study. A 50-item questionnaire including 2 open-ended questions was developed for the teachers. The data collected were analysed by using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The study revealed that, the teachers had correct conception of formative assessment and saw its relevance in the classroom, however, their assessment practices were not formative enough. The teachers’ assessment practices were influenced by external factors. It is recommended that pressures such as demand for continuous assessment marks to grade students ought to be reduced to allow the teachers practice assessment as professionals.

The linkage between fiscal policy and economic growth has attracted the attention of empirical investigators in economic literatures. This study systematically reviewed sub-Saharan African literatures just to examine the relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth. To achieve the objective of the study, 11(eleven) empirical literatures in 7(seven) Sub-Saharan African literature studied between the year 2013 and 2020 were selected. As regard to sampling, random sampling was used to enhance the representatives of the sample. The criteria for selection were the relevance of the topic and the geographical area of studies. In this procedure, the first geographical area and then studies were selected. In the second stage relevance of the studies was considered as inclusion crateria. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The result shows that the studies selected for review are more interested in the long-run relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth than its short-run effect. This implies that Sub-Saharan African countries are using fiscal policy for economic growth rather than stabilization. Regarding consensus on the relationship between the two variables, majority of the literature selected for review found that fiscal policy is positively and significantly affecting the economic growth of the Sub-Saharan African countries. The major fiscal policy tools used in the selected literature are government expenditure and tax reflecting the similarity of economic structures and compositions in sub-Saharan Africa. In conclusion, the compositions of fiscal policy instruments are almost similar in sub-Saharan Africa. The policy implication is that policymakers in sub-Saharan Africa should give due attention to the composition of fiscal policy tools.

The purpose of the study was to assess the socioeconomic status and levels of parental involvement on the academic performance of Junior High School Students in the Upper West Akim District in Ghana. The study adopted the quantitative approach and specifically used the descriptive survey design. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used for the selection of schools and respondents for the study. The main instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software version 22 was used for analysis of data gathered. The study concluded that, parents’ socioeconomic status specifically; education, occupation and income levels, is an important factor that determines the academic performance of students in the Upper West Akim District. The educational and income statuses have a positive relationship with the academic performance of students. The findings from the study also revealed that, parents who ensure that their children study at home, provide their educational needs, discuss their progress with their teachers and attend PTA meetings regularly have children who perform better academically as compared to children whose parents do not see to it that their children study at home, provide the educational needs of their children, discuss their children’s learning with teachers and attend PTA meeting regularly. It is recommended that, Considering the strong positive relationship between parental involvement and academic performance, it is recommended that government through the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should educate parents, teachers and school managers on the relevance of parental involvement in the education of the child and the need for the school to create an atmosphere that would involve parents in the education of their wards. It is also recommended that, adult literacy should be enhanced by government to improve the level of education of parents in the Upper West Akim District which will go a long way to improve participation of parents in children’s education and hence improve their academic performance.

The purpose of the study was to assess Academic achievement of Low- Social-Economic-Status (SES) of Junior High School Students in Ghana. The study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design. The population for the study comprised all JHS students and teachers in the Aboom Circuit of the Cape Coast Metropolis. Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling table, Purposive and randomly sampling techniques were used to select schools, teachers and students for the study. The sample frame for the study was all students and teachers in the five selected JHS of the Aboom Circuit of the Cape Coast Metropolis. The sample size for the study was 350 for students and 30 for teachers. The main instrument for data collection for the study as questionnaire. Research question was analysed using mean and standard deviation; hypothesis was analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The study revealed that continued, consistent and persistent presence of these student-related factors such as hunger, lack of self-motivation, poor study habit, watching TV, laziness, and students’ truancy or absenteeism negatively affect students’ academic achievement. The results of the study also indicated that there was a moderate, negative correlation between student-related factors and students’ academic achievement with high levels of perceived student-related factors with low levels of students’ academic achievement. It is recommended that, the role of guidance and counseling session in schools is to assists students to be focused on their studies. Therefore, guidance and counseling sessions in various schools should be effectively organised to prevent students’ truancy. It is also recommended that School administrators in partnership with PTA leadership and NGOs should educate students on the relevance of education and give social support to students from low socio-economic backgrounds and motivate them in their studies.

The growing complexity of the operating environment urges pharmaceutical innovation. This essay addresses the need for the integration of advanced technologies in the pharmaceutical supply chain. It justifies the value proposition and presents a concrete use case for the integration of deep learning insights to make data-driven decisions. The supply chain has always been a priority for the pharmaceutical industry; research and development recognizes companies' increasing investment in big data strategies, with plans for a CAGR in big data tool adoption. The work presented herein has a preliminary explorative character to recuperate and integrate evidence from partly overlooked practical experience and know-how. The practical relevance of the essay is directed toward practitioners in pharmaceutical production, supply chain management, logistics, and regulatory agencies. The literature has shown a long-term concern for enhanced performance in the pharmaceutical supply chain network. This essay demonstrates the application of deep learning-driven insights to reveal non-evident flow dependencies. The main aim is to present a comprehensive insight into deep learning-driven decision support. The supply chain is portrayed in a holistic manner, seeking end-to-end visibility. Implications for public policy are discussed, such as data equity: many countries are protecting their populations and economic growth by building resilience and efficiency to ensure the capacity to move goods across supply chains. The implementation strategy is covered. The combined reduction of variability, efficiency as matured richness, reliability (on stochastic flows and their understanding through deep learning and data), and system noise (increased dampening through the inclusiveness of all stakeholders) results in increased responsiveness of supply chains for pharmaceutical products. Future work involves the integration of external data, closing the loop between planning and its application in reality.

Scalable architecture principles for data warehousing are introduced to support population health management and predictive analytics. These principles are validated through the design of an accompanying Data Pipeline that allows the integration of non-traditional data sources, the use of real-time data for descriptive analytics dashboards, and support for the generation of supervised Machine Learning models. Several analytical capabilities have been implemented to exemplify the practical application of the principles, including predictive models for Risk Stratification in health care. Optimal cost-effectiveness and performance considerations ensure the practical relevance of the architectural principles and associated Data Pipeline. In recent years, the availability of Low-Cost Data Storage services and the increasing popularity of Streaming technologies opened new possibilities for the storage and processing of Streaming data on a near-real-time basis. These technologies can help Developing Countries in tackling many relevant issues such as Urban Planning, Environmental Management, Migration Policies, etc. A multi-tier approach combining Cloud-based Storage with Data Warehousing and Data Mining technologies can offer an interesting architecture to exploit Big Data related to populations.