Proceedings of the 4th World Conference on Research Integrity

This article presents an insightful meta-analysis of existing research on ethical adherence and non-adherence among post-graduate students. It further provides an ethical considerations perspective that is pivotal in the integrity of academic research and professional practice. The study delves into various factors that influence ethical behavior, highlighting the interplay between institutional culture, peer influence, academic pressure and personal values among post-graduate students. It also examines the far-reaching consequences of ethical lapses, which can undermine individual reputations, distort research outcomes and damage the credibility of academic institutions. Through a thorough review of empirical studies, this meta-analysis identifies effective strategies for promoting ethical conduct in post-graduate education, emphasizing the need for institutions to implement comprehensive ethics training programs, foster an open dialogue on ethical issues, and establish clear institutional policies and guidelines. The findings underscore the importance of creating a supportive environment that encourages ethical behavior and decision-making among post-graduate students, ultimately contributing to a more ethical academic landscape. By addressing the complexities surrounding ethical adherence, this article provides valuable insights and recommendations for educators, administrators, and policymakers aiming to enhance the ethical climate within higher education. Key words: Higher Education Institution, Ethical Adherence, Non-Adherence, Meta-Analysis, Post-Gradate DOI: 10.7176/JEP/15-13-02 Publication date: December 30th 20

Synergistic Role of Low-Strength Ultrasound and Co-Digestion in Anaerobic Digestion of Swine Wastewater

Swine manure poses significant challenges for anaerobic digestion due to its low carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio and elevated ammonia concentrations, both of which restrict methane generation. This study investigated the impact of integrating low-intensity ultrasound with co-digestion of piggery wastewater and food waste leachate. Laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors were employed under four operational conditions to evaluate anaerobic digestion performance, track shifts in microbial community structure, and assess the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Co-digestion significantly enhanced methane production, yielding 1.3–3.2 times more than manure alone, while low-intensity ultrasound further increased methane yields by approximately 36–44% at high loading rates. Moreover, coupling low-intensity ultrasound with co-digestion led to the most rapid recovery following an overloading shock. Unexpectedly, ultrasound treatment alone increased the expression of certain ARGs (tetG, sul1, ermB) and the Integrase gene (intI1), while co-digestion led to a reduction in these genetic markers. These findings clearly indicate that the concurrent application of co-digestion and low-intensity ultrasound achieved the highest methane yield, the fastest recovery after organic overloading, and greater suppression of specific ARGs

Management of Bleeding Uterine Arteriovenous Malformation with Bilateral Uterine Artery Embolization

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical outcome of bilateral uterine artery embolization (UAE) as a first-line therapeutic option for bleeding uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2012, 19 patients were diagnosed with acquired uterine AVM clinically and through imaging studies. The clinical characteristics, angiographic features, technical success rate of embolization, procedure-related complications, imaging, and clinical follow-up data were assessed. Clinical success was defined as immediate symptomatic resolution with disappearance of vascular abnormality on subsequent imaging studies. RESULTS: A total of 20 bilateral UAE, with or without embolization of extra-uterine feeders, were performed as the first-line treatment. Technical and clinical success rate was 90.0% (18/20) and 89.5% (17/19), respectively. Embolization was incomplete in two patients who had residual extra-uterine fine feeders to the AVM or a procedure-related complication (ruptured uterine artery); the former showed slow regression of the vascular malformation during the observation period, while the latter underwent a successful second bilateral UAE. Immediate clinical success was achieved in the remaining 17 patients after a single session and no recurrence of bleeding was found. Recovery to normal menstrual cycle was seen in all 17 patients with clinical success within one or two months, two of whom subsequently had uneventful intrauterine pregnancies carried to term. CONCLUSION: Bilateral UAE is a safe and effective first-line therapeutic option for the management of bleeding uterine AVMs. However, incomplete embolization due to unembolizable feeders or difficult access into the uterine artery may lead to suboptimal treatment

Proceedings of the 4th World Conference on Research Integrity

CITATION: O’Brien, S. P., et al. 2016. Proceedings of the 4th World Conference on Research Integrity. Research Integrity and Peer Review, 1:9, doi:10.1186/s41073-016-0012-9.The original publication is available at https://researchintegrityjournal.biomedcentral.comThese Proceedings contain the abstracts of the presentations given at the 4th World Conference in concurrent sessions, partner symposia, and poster sessions. Also included are summaries of the discussions in three focus tracks, which allowed delegates to consider and work on questions about the roles of funders, institutions, and countries in improving research systems and strengthening research integrity. Videos of the plenary presentations are available at the conference website (www.wcri2015.org).https://researchintegrityjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41073-016-0012-