Sodium butyrate is a sodium salt of a volatile short-chain fatty acid (butyric acid) used to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis infection in birds. Three

Purpose: – The purpose of this paper is to provide a holistic view on e-learning-related concepts as a basis for an e-learning strategy. Furthermore, it aims to shed light on the level of application of existing open-source learning management systems (LMS) by the public and private universities of Cyprus. Due to a currently existing information gap in the field, the study should rather be seen as an exploratory descriptive snapshot to create initial awareness based on which further hypotheses can be derived for future studies. Design/methodology/approach: – Quantitative research has been conducted in this study with an online questionnaire distributed to all the public and private universities in Cyprus. Findings: – The conducted research analysis results clearly illustrate the comparisons among different features and services of an e-learning platform. Additionally, the analysis results highlighted the tendency of the participants toward a social learning environment which was considerably high in using social networks and other collaboration platforms, as students were more attracted to those e-learning platforms that integrate social learning elements such as various social media tools. Research limitations/implications: – The only data collection method used was the online questionnaire. Even though it provided the researchers with sound and useful outcomes in a considerably short time, the validity of the results was not properly justified. The findings cannot claim to be representative. The main reason of selecting only one type of data collection method, i.e. questionnaire was the limited time of completing the research. Another significant limitation was the very low co-operation level of some of the universities under study which resulted in having less reliable results, as the response rates of some universities were merely 1 per cent. Originality/value: – This research study provides a comprehensive body of knowledge about LMS and e-learning, in general, within the public and private universities in Cyprus. In other terms, the results of this study enhance the existing knowledge about the e-learning features as well as demonstrating the tendency of the students toward social learning within an LMS.

The application of statistics in business is essential in order to make decisions in a rigorous and reliable way. One of the fields where forecasting methods are important focuses on business failure. In a comparative study, discriminant analysis and logistic regression are applied on a sample of small and medium-sized firms with head offices in Castilla y León (Spain) in order to predict business failure using a set of financial ratios as independent variables to enter the corresponding models. The achieved results show that there are some differences in the variables becoming significant in each method, but factors related to resources generation are common to both. The classification results reveal that the two methods are appropriate to predict business failure, but logistic regression turns out to be somewhat better, since the percentages of correctly classified firms are higher.

Background: Caesarean section is necessary to save the lives of mothers and newborns at times, but it is important to perform it only when it is essential due to all the risks involved. This study aimed to examine the rate of caesarean sections performed at a tertiary hospital using the Robson classification to detect methods for the detection of and/or reduction in these caesarean section rates. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of a retrospective database was carried out. Results: A total of 10,317 births were assessed. The Robson classification was used to assess these interventions and verify whether the indication for performed caesarean sections was appropriate. In total, 2036 births by caesarean section were performed in the whole sample. The annual caesarean section rate varied between 18.67% and 21.18%. Conclusions: Caesarean sections increased by about 20% in 2021 compared to 2020 even though the trend over the years of study was decreasing. Vaginal delivery after caesarean section is a reasonable and safe option. Caesarean section rates could be improved, mostly in Robson’s Group 2. The Robson classification facilitated progress in the implementation of measures aimed at improving care and adjusting caesarean section rates.

En este trabajo se describe la evolución del proceso de convergencia europea en materia de educación superior, denominado 'Proceso de Bolonia", desde sus orígenes hasta la actualidad, tras la última Conferencia Ministerial, celebrada en Londres en mayo de 2007. Asimismo, se resume el proceso seguido en España para su adaptación al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES), con referencia a la normativa que ha ido aprobándose a lo largo del mismo. Por último, se recoge un ejemplo concreto de adaptación a la convergencia europea, como es el referido a los estudios de carácter económico-empresarial. The present paper offers a description of the evolution of the so called 'Bologna Process" of European convergence in the area of Higher Education from its origins to the present moment, after the last Ministerial conference held in London in May 2007. At the same time the process followed in Spain for its adaptation to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), with reference to the legislation which has been passed along its development is summed up. Eventually an specific example of adaptation to the European convergence is given; that is the one referred to the field of business and economic studies.