Bendable concrete, also known as Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC), represents a significant advancement in the construction industry due to its enhanced ductility and flexibility compared to traditional concrete. Unlike conventional concrete, which is brittle and prone to cracking under tension, bendable concrete can withstand significant deformation before failure. This is largely due to the inclusion of micro-scale fibers, typically polymer, steel, or other materials, which help control crack propagation and improve tensile strength [1]. One of the primary innovations of ECC is its ability to form tight, distributed micro-cracks rather than large, localized fractures. These micro-cracks allow the material to bend without losing structural integrity, making it ideal for applications that demand high resilience, such as buildings in earthquake-prone areas, infrastructure exposed to heavy traffic, or structures that need to absorb the energy from explosions or impacts [2]. Researchers have conducted extensive studies to assess ECC’s performance, especially in environments that experience dynamic loading, such as bridges and high-rise buildings [3]. Experimental studies showed that the fiber-matrix interface is critical in ensuring bendability. Research has focused on optimizing fiber volume fraction and matrix composition for different environmental conditions, including hot and dry climate [4]. Experimental investigations have tested ECC under dynamic loading conditions like shocks and earthquakes. The key advantage is its ability to strain harden under tension, which helps to resist crack formation and maintain structural integrity during seismic events or explosions. This is particularly important for improving the safety of infrastructure in earthquake-prone or high-risk areas [5]. Experimental tests have also been conducted to evaluate ECC’s energy absorption and fracture toughness, making it more effective than traditional concrete in withstanding sudden impacts or explosive forces [6]. Studies have examined ECC’s performance in extreme climates, including high temperatures and dry conditions, to ensure long-term durability. Experiments have shown that adjusting the composition (e.g., using supplementary cementitious materials like fly ash) can help mitigate issues like shrinkage or reduced workability [7]. Furthermore, durability testing under freeze-thaw cycles and high-temperature exposure reveals that ECC has superior long-term performance, making it an ideal candidate for infrastructures in extreme environments [8].

This paper examines the United Arab Emirates' Science Technology and Innovation (STI) policy, particularly its impact and application within the educational sector, as the nation transitions from a resource-based to a technology-driven economy. Utilising a vertical methodological approach, the study begins by contextualising the STI policy before comparing it with those of other nations, and then deeply analysing its specific application and implications in education. The findings reveal that while the UAE has successfully integrated STI into its educational framework, thereby progressing towards Vision 2021, several challenges persist. These include the need for a more structured implementation process, an undefined role for teachers in this transformative journey, and the neglect of demand factors within the educational system. Despite these gaps, the policy has aligned the UAE with global competitiveness standards and fostered an innovative environment. The paper concludes that although the STI policy has significantly transformed the educational landscape, driving innovation and technological advancement, it requires further refinement. To achieve deeper and more sustainable impacts, the policy must incorporate a comprehensive implementation framework, enhance teacher capabilities, and address the demand factors of education. By refining these elements, the UAE can better tailor its educational system to meet the objectives of the STI policy and prepare for future challenges, thereby reinforcing its position in the global economic landscape.
Keywords: STI policy; education; technology; innovation; policy evaluation

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate independent and dual association of body mass index (BMI)-for-age percentile and waist circumference (WC) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among sub-Saharan Black African boys and girls.
Materials and Methods: A total of 624 boys and girls aged 10-19 years were included in the study. Study participants were measured for BMI-for-age percentile, WC, Systolic blood pressure (SBP), impaired or diabetic fasting blood sugar (FBS) level and elevated levels of total cholesterol (T-Chol), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) as well as low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
Results: There was a significant variance (P-value=0.003) in the median BMI-for-age percentile among boys without (n=207; 23.8) and boys with (n=34; 44.2) MetS. This difference was more pronounced (P-value=0.00001) among girls without (n=365; 64.8) and those with (n=18; 82.9) MetS. A notable difference in WC (P-value=0.0004) was observed among girls without and with MetS. Positive and significant correlations between BMI-for-age percentile and SBP were noted among boys (r= +0.37, P-value<0.00001) and girls (r= +0.23, P<0.00001) without MetS, though the correlation was insignificant but still stronger among boys (r= +0.29, P-value=0.09) than girls (r= +0.11, P=0.68) with MetS. The correlation between WC and SBP was only significant among boys with MetS (r= +0.34, P-value<0.049). Stronger, negative and significant correlations were observed between BMI-for-age-percentile and FBG among girls (r= -0.67, P=0.002 for girls) than among boys (r= -0.42, P-value=0.01 for boys). Also stronger, negative and significant correlations existed between WC and FBG among girls (r= -0.62, P=0.006) than among boys (r= -0.39, P-value=0.02). Among those with MetS, the correlation between WC and TChol was stronger, positive and significant among girls (r= +0.54, P-value=0.02) but negative and insignificant among boys (r= -0.16, P-value=0.36). Both BMI-for-age percentile and WC were responsible for significant changes in FBS mostly among girls (R2=0.49, F-ratio=7.29, P-value=0.006) than among boys (R2=0.20, F-ratio=3.94, P-value=0.03).
Conclusions: Our results indicate that, elevated SBP BMI and WC may contribute more to MetS among boys while Diabetes, BMI and WC may do so among girls in Black Africa. There appears to be different interplay between these components of MetS through different mechanisms among boys and girls.
Keywords: Black African Adolescents; Body Mass Index; Sex; Metabolic Syndrome; Sub-Saharan; Waist circumference

Background: In the realm of pharmacology, a significant and urgent issue confronting us today is the rampant spread of counterfeit drugs. Pharmaceutical companies have faced increasing challenges in tracing products along the supply chain over the last decade, providing an entry point for counterfeiters to infiltrate markets. The proliferation of fake medications poses a serious threat to global public health, resulting in adverse effects. According to the World Health Organization, some countries experience as much as 30% of medication sales attributed to counterfeits. In less developed nations, the problem is even more severe, with one in ten medicines being identified as fraudulent or non- compliant. The detection of these counterfeits is complicated due to their intricate journey through networks, creating vulnerabilities. To effectively combat forgery, a comprehensive approach is imperative to monitor the entire delivery process. The utilization of efficient blockchain technology holds the potential to authenticate medications and safeguard public health.
Methods: This proposal introduces a pharmaceutical supply chain management system utilizing advanced Hyperledger Fabric technology to securely store medication records in a network. The framework addresses the issue of counterfeit drugs by establishing a drug ledger that meticulously records all network transactions, thereby establishing an intelligent healthcare ecosystem within the supply chain. Central to this system are smart contracts, essential components that confer specific access rights to the drug ledger. These contracts ensure that only authorized entities have control over access to sensitive information. Through the integration of Hyperledger Fabric and smart contracts, the system aims to create a supply chain characterized by transparency, resistance to tampering, and efficiency, effectively combating counterfeit drugs and enhancing the integrity of medication distribution. Ultimately, these improvements contribute to bolstering patient safety and optimizing healthcare outcomes.
Results and Conclusion: Ensuring confidentiality at the chain code layer is achieved through user-specific access controls in Attribute-based access control (ABAC). To evaluate the framework's performance, the blockchain benchmarking tool, Hyperledger Caliper, quantifies crucial metrics such as transactions per second, transaction idleness, and asset usage. This process provides valuable insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the system.
Keywords: Private Blockchain; Hyperledger fabric; Supply chain; Chain code; Access control

Introduction: In the world there are vulnerable groups that, due to social, economic and geographic conditions, do not have access to podiatric care; Ecuador is not immune to that. Therefore, the authors aim to improve podiatric care in vulnerable groups in the province of Guayas.
Materials and Methods: For this research we carried out a systematic review and data sources from different databases were consulted for the study such as: Pubmed, Science Direct; Scielo and Lilacs. The participants were vulnerable groups from the province of Guayas, Ecuador.
This is a mixed research, which is based on the dialectical-materialist conception for the application of theoretical method in obtaining and processing information for research.
Results: In the province of Guayas, Ecuador, there are vulnerable groups that face specific challenges that make podiatric care and other public health services impossible.
Conclusions: Improve podiatric care in vulnerable groups in the province of Guayas, Ecuador, given the social and human responsibility in the application of technological health procedures in that area of knowledge, pediatric treatment and rehabilitation of breech conditions and provide thus quality attention in services.
Keywords: podiatric care; vulnerable groups; technological health procedures; communicable diseases; Guayas province; Ecuador

The article "The Oddities and Origins of Human Sexuality" sets out the concept of sexuality, which is quite popular in our time, based on the ideas of the biological approach and psychoanalysis. The author analyzes these ideas in terms of grounds and consequences. The main provisions of the article are opposed to other provisions. Man is not only a biological being, but also a social, psychological, semiotic, spiritual, cultural, that is, a multidimensional centaur. In addition to the biological plane, evolution contains a socio-cultural plan. Love and sexuality are a cultural, historical and psychological phenomenon, in the formation and development of which such factors as the change of culture, types of individuality and personality, the nature of semiosis (sign systems, schemes, works of art) play an important role. However, criticism of the article "The Oddities and Origins of Human Sexuality" does not mean a desire to ban the ideas expressed in it. The presence in modern culture of different channels of socialization and ways of life, liberal democratic values and institutions presuppose, as Kant wrote, freedom in expressing one's opinions and beliefs.
Keywords: love; sexuality; person; personality; culture; semiosis; understanding; interpretation; approach; thinking

Prior to the collapse (which had yet to take place when this was written), there existed a critical supply/demand dynamic that was bringing the medical system in the UK to its knees, and the situation in the USA wasn’t too far behind. Costs were out of control and the COVIDians put the last nail in the coffin of the scared physician/patient relationship while attempting to impose centralized totalitarian control over all things medical. The captured three letter agencies were weaponized against the American people. Physicians allowed themselves to, at best, become irrelevant while a few vanguard physicians, who stood by their oaths, were murdered, silenced and often delicensed, de-certified and stricken off the registrar, all because they did not follow a false narrative in lock-step.

Delay is a major Quality of Service (QoS) metric in mission critical applications. Some applications run on Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) set ups which comes with transmission challenges arising from the size of traffic packets and environmental conditions. These challenges cause transmission delays, packet loss and hence a degraded network performance. This study investigated the performance of: Earliest Deadline First (EDF); Low Latency Queueing (LLQ) and Weighted Round Robin (WRR) scheduling algorithms in MANETs.

Firstly, the study investigated the Abhaya pre-emptive EDF scheduler. The study improved and adopted EDF algorithm to the MANETs environment, and formulated the Enhanced Earliest Deadline First-I and II (EEDF-I & EEDF-II) algorithms respectively. The numerical results showed that the EEDF-II model shortened the waiting times of packets of the different queues at various system loads compared with the EEDF-I model.

Secondly, the study adopted and improved the existing model to LLQ algorithm in the M/G/1 queue system. The numerical results revealed that the proposed algorithm performed better than the adopted in transmitting video packets. The study extended further the proposed LLQ algorithm to formulate the Extended Low Latency Queuing algorithm (ELLQ). The numerical results revealed that the video packets experienced the least conditional mean response time/slowdown; followed by voice packets and lastly text packets.

Thirdly, the study enhanced and studied the Existing (EWRR) service strategy; and then proposed an Improved (IWRR) model in the M/G/1 queue system under varying workloads distributions. The numerical results showed that video packets performed poorly compared to voice packets in the EWRR algorithm.

In conclusion, we studied three algorithms namely: EDF, LLQ & WRR, and proposed three novel variants i.e., EEDF-II, ELLQ plus IWRR for MANETs.

Introduction: Biomedical waste from healthcare facilities poses a serious threat to humans and the environment. Thus, this study aims to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare providers in Kisangani regarding the management of this waste.
Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 422 professionals and managers of secondary and tertiary health care establishments in Kisangani, from June 15 to August 15, 2024. Data were collected through structured interviews and observations. Categorical variables are expressed as percentages, and quantitative variables according to their distribution (mean ± standard deviation or median and interquartile range).
Results: The study shows that 64.5% of providers have never been trained in biomedical waste management or on infection prevention and control, and 68.7% of those trained were trained more than 36 months ago.
In addition, 93.6% of providers had little knowledge of the definition of biomedical waste management, 82.7% had little understanding of its steps, and 55.2% recognized its importance. In practice, 69.7% did not sort waste, 78.2% did not use coded garbage bags, and 66.8% lacked containers for sharp objects. Furthermore, 65.2% of establishments did not have a storage area and 74.6% considered waste management unsatisfactory. In addition, 71.8% reported a lack of functional incinerators, and 77% the lack of suitable means of transport. Finally, 68.7% reported a lack of water tanks, and 79.6% the lack of a dedicated budget.
Conclusion: The study reveals insufficient management of biomedical waste in health care facilities in Kisangani. There is a need to strengthen staff capacities and invest in infrastructure to ensure health safety and protect the environment.
Keywords: Management; biomedical waste; health care establishments; knowledge; attitudes; practices; City of Kisangani

Introduction: Consumption of unsafe water is the cause of many diseases, leading to significant morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five years of age. This situation represents a considerable burden for humanity. Household water treatment appears to be a practical and effective solution to ensure water security for populations, while reducing contamination and microbiological risks in communities without reliable access to safe drinking water. This article presents a study protocol aimed at assessing household drinking water treatment practices and identifying factors associated with these methods in the peri-urban environment of Bumba, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Material and method: A cross-sectional study with analytical aim will be carried out among 422 households during a period from July 1 to November 30, 2023. The data will be collected on the basis of an administered questionnaire and an observation guide. The frequencies and odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence interval will be estimated, then the logistic regression by stepwise descending approach will be calculated to analyze the influencing factors.
Expected results: Expected outcomes include a better understanding of households' practices and knowledge regarding drinking water, as well as the determining factors for their treatment behavior.
Conclusion: The findings of this study will highlight the role of knowledge and perceptions in the adoption of water treatment practices, thus contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
Keywords: Treatment; drinking water; peri-urban environment; Bumba

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of diarrhea as well as the conditions of water supply and management in households with a view to preparing a diarrhea control intervention.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on an exhaustive sample of 237 households from two villages in the Tshopo province of the DRC, during the period from July 16 to 23, 2023. Statistics were performed using Pearson Chi-square, Fisher Exact, t-Student and Wilcoxon Mann Whitney tests, according to their conditions of application.
Results: The prevalence of diarrhoea in children aged 0-59 months was 21% (95% CI: 17%-25%). Unimproved sources (93%) were the main source of water supply. The population was aware of poor water quality (73%), believed that it was possible to treat water (90%) and were in favour of treating it (97%). However, only 3% of the population actually treated it. Storing water in unhygienic containers (43%), storing water on the ground (100%) and keeping it for more than 24 hours (51%) were common practices. All variables of sample characteristics, knowledge and observed practices were not statistically different between the two study villages (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The prevalence of diarrhoea is high in both villages surveyed. The population is aware of the poor quality of source water and is willing to treat this water. Intervention is expected on water treatment and safe management to reduce the high incidence of diarrhoea.
Keywords: diarrhea; water treatment; secure management; Tshopo; DRC

Raising children is a project that involves many difficulties and crises, from the first hours of birth until the child reaches adolescence, Raising children is a process that is based primarily on the parents’ ability to raise the child in a way that suits the circumstances and changes of the time in which he lives, So that the child becomes able to keep up with and keep pace with the results produced by life’s circumstances and variables, so that he is able to understand and comprehend them, but the bigger question that parents must understand and digest is: What does the son need to improve the life he will live later?

The essence of death, in my opinion, is twofold and ambivalent: it is both a biological phenomenon conditioned by the finiteness of human life, and a social (socio-cultural) one, within the framework of the reality of which a person often thinks of himself as a timeless, immortal being. Such duality entails not only contradictions and cognitive dissonance, but also difficult problems and experiences.

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a Vasoproliferative disorder of the eye affecting preterm infants and is a leading cause of preventable blindness. Vitamin A -retinoids and their active metabolite, retinoic acid has highly potent antiangiogenic activity by inhibiting VEGF expression at the neovascularization phase. Objectives: To evaluate preventive effect of vitamin A on ROP. Materials and method: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted in the Neonatology Department of Dhaka Shishu Hospital among the preterm neonates of 32-34 completed weeks of gestation and also those neonates whose 1st ROP screening showed peripheral avascular zone irrespective of gestational age from July 2018 to June 2020. Initially 228 preterm neonates were enrolled in this study. Among them 164 preterm neonates were randomly allocated in vitamin A group (82) and control group (82).  Vitamin A group received vitamin A drop perorally (5000 IU/Kg/day), added to their enteral feeds as soon as minimal feeding was introduced and continued from starting point to 4 weeks and dose of vitamin A also adjusted with multivitamin drop when vitamin A group had to be given multivitamin drop. Control group had been given multivitamin drop from 2 weeks of age. Out of these, 6 neonates died, 1 neonate shifted to another hospital and 9 neonates did not come for follow up after discharge. So finally, 148 neonates were completed this study. Results: This paper shows oxygen therapy 53.9% in vitamin A group and 76.4% in control group with highly significant (p<0.01) difference found between two groups. Septicemia 36.8% in vitamin A group and 55.6% in control group with significant (p<0.05) difference found between two groups. Study shows ROP present 48.8% in vitamin A group with oxygen therapy and 78.2% in control group with oxygen therapy which was statistically highly significant (p<0.01). Research shows ROP present 64.3% in vitamin A group with septicemia and 85% in control group with septicemia which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin A supplementation prevents retinopathy of prematurity in preterm babies.
Keywords: Vitamin A; Retinopathy of prematurity; Pre-term baby

Objectives:

1. Identify the importance of incident reporting.
2. Discuss the impact of incident reporting on medication errors.
3. Critically review the limitations and challenges of incident reporting.
4. Develop an idea of the best incident reporting methods.

Methods: A comprehensive critical literature review of international papers was carried out. The PubMed database was the primary source for retrieving documents and studies with various methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, using specific keywords, and determining inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: The critical review reveals that incident reporting systems led to exploring risk areas during healthcare procedures and steps. This significantly impacts medication safety, especially medication errors, so many countries have created incident reporting systems related to medication errors. There are multiple limitations, barriers, and challenges to reporting incidents by health care professionals, for example, lack of training, time, and feedback, furthermore, fear of litigation and disciplinary action of reporting. The best approach to incident reporting systems should enhance safety and motivate clinical staff to report without fear of consequences.

Discussion and Conclusion: Incident reporting systems are critical to discovering unsafe practices and procedures of health care organizations; in addition, all efforts should be undertaken by the health services organization to encourage professionals to report incidents. The reporting system should be designed to simplify reporting and ensure the safety of both staff and patients.

Colon-targeted drug delivery systems are crucial for effectively treating diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome. The challenges of premature drug degradation in the upper gastrointestinal tract and poor site specificity hinder optimal therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, dysbiosis of gut microbiota complicates these conditions, necessitating therapies that not only deliver medications but also restore microbial balance. Nanosponges have emerged as innovative carriers that address these challenges by providing protection against degradation, enabling site-specific release in response to colonic stimuli, and allowing for dual-action therapies that combine drug delivery with microbiome modulation. This review discusses the various mechanisms through which nanosponges function, including pH-responsive, enzyme-responsive, and microbiota-responsive designs. Furthermore, the potential of nanosponges to co-deliver therapeutic agents and probiotics or prebiotics is explored, highlighting their role in restoring gut health while effectively treating colonic disorders. With advances in personalization and combination therapies, nanosponges hold promise for revolutionizing colon drug delivery and improving patient outcomes.
Keywords: colon drug delivery system; nanosponges; microbiomes; probiotics; personalized medicines

This report mention that offset inbalances of hip arthroplasty could be leading deep gluteal syndrome (DGS) related with neglected piriformis tension and further fibrosis. It could be listed as a late complication after hip replacement surgery. Posterior approach of hip arthroplasty compromised pirfiormis integrity which is performed tenotomy and than repaired will be leading comorbidity of this situation.
Material And Methods: A 65-year-old male, who underwent bilateral Total hip arthroplasty in 2004, applied to the our outpatient clinic with progressive hip and leg pain during sitting which is started to complain since 2017.
Prifomis and facet injections and radio-frequency blocks were applied to the patient at least twice. The complaints that increased but could not sitting more than 15 minutes than deceased office working forced to retirement.
The patient has not benefited from conservative treatments like injection, block therapy, physical therapy fro 6 years. EMG findings of the patient with nonspecific findings on MRI support obturator impingement syndrome.
Surgical Technique: Arthroscopic piriformis release was performed via posterior proximal portal and accessory proximal portal lateral decubitus position or prone position. The piriformis tendon is separated from insertion which is near the gluteus medius neighborhood with a total tenotomy. Neurolysis performed from obturator foramina output to external rotator site.
Result: The patient was mobilized painlessly two hours after the operation. All hip movements was actively free. During the sitting, the pain completely disappeared. The first week he was allowed to work in the office. The exercise was carried out without weight for three weeks, and then we started weight lifting and active resistive exercises. After the tenth day of stretching and ROM exercises, strengthening exercises were made. After the first three weeks of exercise, the pain gradually decreased. In the third and sixth months, the complaints were observed to completely diminished than the patient clinical follow-up was terminated.
Conclusion: Arthroscopic tenotomy and decompression therapy in Piriformis syndrome are safe and effective method. Arthroscopic piriformis release results consistently showed improvement pain and function and lowest incidence of complications. Priformis should be well evaluated in long-term ipsilateral sciatalgia in patients undergoing hip prosthesis, and arthroscopic tenotomy should be considered a safe option in patients who do not respond to conservative treatment related DGS.

Quantum error-correcting codes are important and essential for quantum information and quantum computation both in the binary and non-binary cases. In the last few years, a lot of research has been done for finding good quantum codes. As a class of quantum error-correcting codes, the quantum stabilizer codes play an important role in coding theory. As we know, the construction of new quantum stabilizer codes which have good parameters is a difficult problem. Different methods have been proposed by researchers to construct a quantum stabilizer code. A new method of quantum stabilizer code construction is based on symmetric association schemes. By employing this method, quantum stabilizer codes with optimal parameters are obtained. For this purpose, the book “Quantum Computation and Quantum Information” by M. A. Nielsen and I. L. Chuang, which covers most of these topics, can be introduced to those interested.

Integrating engineering, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools reshapes the landscape of various industries and everyday life. This essay explores how these fields intersect to drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and address complex challenges across different sectors.

This paper rigorously and concisely defines, in the context of our (Elementary) Mathematical Data Model ((E)MDM), the mathematical concepts of dyadic relation, reflexivity, irreflexivity, symmetry, asymmetry, transitivity, intransitivity, Euclideanity, inEuclideanity, equivalence, acyclicity, connectivity, the properties that relate them, and the corresponding corollaries on the coherence and minimality of sets made of such dyadic relation properties viewed as database constraints. Its main contribution is the pseudocode algorithm used by MatBase, our intelligent database management system prototype based on both (E)MDM, the relational, and the entity-relationship data models, for enforcing dyadic relation constraint sets. We proved that this algorithm guarantees the satisfiability, coherence, and minimality of such sets, while being very fast, solid, complete, and minimal. In the sequel, we also presented the relevant MatBase user interface as well as the tables of its metacatalog used by this algorithm.
Keywords: dyadic relation properties; satisfiability, coherence, and minimality of constraint sets; (Elementary) Mathematical Data Model; MatBase; db and db software application design

The arrival of 5G technology has sparked immense excitement across various industries due to its promise of ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect billions of devices seamlessly. However, with this technological leap come significant security concerns that need careful consideration and mitigation. The unique architecture of 5G networks, combined with the proliferation of connected devices, opens new avenues for cyber threats, espionage, and privacy breaches. This article will explore the major security concerns surrounding 5G technology in detail.

Micro-credentials have emerged as a flexible, personalised approach to skills development, serving a variety of learner and industry needs. These credentials offer opportunities for learners to upskill or reskill in a more focused and accessible manner, while enabling employers to address specific skills gaps efficiently. Despite their rising popularity and potential to transform education and workforce development, significant questions surrounding the quality assurance persist. Issues related to the standardisation, transparency, and transferability of micro-credentials pose challenges for both learners and employers seeking to validate and recognise them across different contexts. This paper examines the critical gaps in the quality assurance of micro-credentials, focusing on key areas such as standardisation, recognition, assessment rigor, and alignment with industry standards. It explores the complexity of integrating micro-credentials into existing educational ecosystems and the need for consistent practices that ensure credibility and comparability. Through an analysis of existing literature, this study highlights the pressing need for robust frameworks and alignment mechanisms that guarantee the quality and value of micro-credentials. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, industry partners, and policymakers in building a sustainable infrastructure that ensures the integrity and portability of micro-credentials within the broader educational and employment landscape.

The Halting Problem, first posited by Alan Turing in 1936, presents a fundamental question in computer science: can there exist a universal algorithm capable of determining whether any given program, when provided with a specific input, will eventually halt or continue to run indefinitely? Turing's groundbreaking proof demonstrated the inherent undecidability of this problem, meaning no single algorithm can resolve the halting question for all possible program-input pairs. This undecidability has profound implications for the limits of computational theory and the boundaries of algorithmic problem-solving. However, the practical necessity of ensuring program termination remains critical across various domains, particularly in developing reliable and secure software systems. In this paper, we propose an innovative and comprehensive framework that synergizes formal methods, symbolic execution, and machine learning to provide a practical approach to analyzing and predicting the halting behavior of programs. Our methodology begins with formal methods, specifically abstract interpretation, to approximate the program's behavior in a mathematically rigorous manner. By mapping concrete program states to an abstract domain, we create an over-approximation of program behavior that facilitates the detection of potential non-termination conditions. This step is crucial in handling the complexity of real-world programs, allowing us to strike a balance between computational feasibility and the precision of analysis. Next, we incorporate symbolic execution, a dynamic analysis technique that uses symbolic values in place of actual inputs to explore multiple execution paths of a program. Symbolic execution generates path conditions, logical constraints representing each possible execution path. These conditions are then solved using advanced Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) solvers to determine their feasibility. By systematically exploring feasible paths, symbolic execution uncovers scenarios that might lead to infinite loops or non-termination, providing a dynamic perspective that complements the static analysis of abstract interpretation. To enhance our analysis further, we integrate machine learning models trained on a diverse dataset of programs with known termination behavior. These models extract features such as loop counts, recursion depths, and branching factors from the program code and use them to predict the likelihood of termination. Machine learning offers a data-driven approach, leveraging patterns and statistical correlations to provide probabilistic predictions about program behavior. This component of our framework adds an additional layer of analysis, using the power of modern computational techniques to guide and refine our predictions. Our integrated approach also includes innovative techniques such as counterexample-guided abstraction refinement (CEGAR) to iteratively improve the accuracy of our abstract models based on counterexamples provided by symbolic execution. Additionally, we employ feature importance analysis to interpret the contributions of different features in our machine learning models, enhancing the transparency and trustworthiness of our predictions. This paper presents a detailed evaluation of our framework through extensive experiments on a variety of programs, demonstrating its effectiveness and scalability. We highlight how our approach can detect non-termination scenarios in complex real- world applications, thereby contributing to the reliability and safety of software systems. Furthermore, we explore the implications of our findings for future research, emphasizing the potential for hybrid analysis techniques and the integration of explainable AI in program analysis. Our work advances the field of program analysis by offering a robust, scalable, and scientifically sound methodology for addressing the practical challenges posed by the Halting Problem. By combining the strengths of formal methods, symbolic execution, and machine learning, we provide a comprehensive solution that not only enhances the accuracy of termination predictions but also sets the stage for future innovations in software verification and automated debugging.
Keywords: Halting Problem; Program Analysis; Formal Methods; Abstract Interpretation; Symbolic Execution; Machine Learning; SMT Solvers; Software Verification; Program Termination; Automated Debugging; Counterexample-Guided Abstraction Refinement; Explainable AI; Feature Importance Analysis; Computational Theory

Background: Excessive Smartphone Use (ESU) is associated with mental disorders among University students in most developed countries. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of ESU and its association with mental disorder among students of the University of Dschang.
Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the University of Dschang in which randomly selected students completed a survey comprised of a SAS-SV (10 items questionnaire), PHQ-7 (7 items questionnaire), PHQ-9 (9 items questionnaire), to screen for ESU, depression and anxiety respectively. Sleep quality was assessed using a three-item questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between ESU and mental disorder. Mental disorder was considered as the presence of one or more of the following disorders; depression, anxiety and/or sleep disorder.
Results: A total of 636 participants were included in this study. The prevalence of excessive smartphone use was 38.4% [95%CI: 34.6-42.3], and the prevalence of mental disorder was 35.8% [95%CI: 32.2-39.6]. The odds for mental disorder were 2.23 times greater among ESU [aOR =2.33, 5% CI: 1.58-3.16, p< 0.001] than in normal users.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of ESU among university students and a strong association with mental disorders. There is urgent need for interventions to control ESU among students for optimal academic performance and general wellbeing.
Limitations And Recommendations: This study was a transversal study; A longitudinal study and the use of a mental health specialist to confirm all cases of Mental health disorders could reveal better results.
Keywords: Excessive smartphone use; Mental health; Addiction; Students

Jewelry and body piercings are widely practiced cultural and fashion expressions, particularly in areas such as the ears, nose, and eyebrows. However, a significant number of individuals experience adverse reactions, including inflammation and persistent discomfort, commonly referred to as jewelry allergies. These allergic reactions are frequently triggered by exposure to metals like nickel, cobalt, and chromium, known allergens that can induce skin sensitivity. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a holistic approach for managing such allergies. Ayurvedic treatment emphasizes the use of herbal remedies, dietary adjustments, and topical applications to alleviate inflammation and promote tissue repair. Commonly employed herbs such as *Azadirachta indica* (Neem), *Curcuma longa* (Turmeric), and *Aloe barbadensis* (Aloe Vera) are renowned for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and skin-soothing properties. Furthermore, Ayurveda advocates the use of hypoallergenic metals like gold and silver, which are traditionally recognized for their therapeutic benefits, to prevent allergic reactions.

This paper explores Ayurvedic strategies for managing jewelry-related allergies and complications arising from body piercings. It examines the therapeutic efficacy of natural remedies, preventative approaches, and the role of lifestyle and dietary interventions. The integration of Ayurvedic principles with modern insights into allergic responses offers a comprehensive framework for the effective management of jewelry-induced allergies and complications.