Tracking the Rise of Robots: The IFR Database

We present and analyze the dataset on the international distribution of industrial robots by country, industry, and application provided by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) since 1993. After describing the IFR we point out specificities and limitations of its dataset. We explain the process of data collection, develop a correspondence table between the IFR industry classification and the ISIC rev. 4 industry classification, and clarify the applied compliance rules. We further compute average implicit depreciation rates inherent to the robot stocks in the IFR dataset in the range of 4–7% per year between 1993 and 2019. We also find that the share of industrial robots that are not classified to any industry or application has sharply declined since 2005.

Adipose-derived stem cells in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: from extraction methods to the preparation of the transplant

Introduction: Recent studies have investigated the use of adipose tissue as source of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in humans. However, there are still several protocols being performed. Objective: Analyze the protocols published in the literature in the last ten years and to investigate how they are being carried out and if they are following the criteria adopted by the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS) and the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT). Methodology: Articles from the PubMed, ScienceDirect and Lilacs database published in January / 2010 until the present time, which were evaluated in order to investigate the use of adipose-derived stem cells in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Results: Thirty four articles were evaluated in its entiraty. The abdominal area was the most choosen to do the liposuction, however the quantities of adipose tissue removed and the number of cells transplanted was variable. It is hightlited the enzimatic digestion of adipose tissue with collagenase as extraction method. Only 14 articles complied all the 3 criteria required to prove the real presence of mesenchymal stem cells in the samples that was transplanted. However, all the articles showed improvement of function and pain. Final considerations: Thus, even the results found are promising, the evidence is still limited in humans and the variability of the methodology makes it difficult to standardize the technique, also its implementation as a reference in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Analyzing Individual, Institutional, and Regional Contributions to E-tourism: The Case of ENTER Proceedings (1996–2021)

ENTER conference is an annual international event organized by the International Federation for Information Technology and Travel and Tourism (IFITT). Since 1994, this conference has been providing a platform for academics, industry practitioners, governments, and other organizations to share their research about information and communication technologies application in tourism. In the conference, the IFITT community mainly focuses on three streams, namely, research, destinations, and industry. The studies presented at the ENTER conference were published in the content of ENTER proceedings. The current study analyzes the proceedings published from 1996 to 2021 (i.e., 26 issues) to understand the individual, institutional, and regional contributions to e-tourism within these 26 years.

Advocating for Library and Information Services by National Library Associations of Africa in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

The chapter documents the role that is played by national library associations in advocating for the development of library and information services for the attainment of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda in Africa. A structured records review and literature review was done to solicit information on how national library associations are taking part in achieving the sustainable development goals. Websites of associations were looked at and participants were drawn from national library associations in Africa, Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Library and Information Associations (SCECSAL), African Library and Information Association and Institution (AfLIA), and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). The results indicated that national library associations are facing challenges in their advocacy work and there is a need to offer training to library staff and improve communication between librarians and policymakers.

Safety and Security Issues of Media Professional: A Case Study of Freelance Journalists in Pakistan

In the last twenty years’ Pakistani media have experienced remarkable progress and transformation in its role. There have been serious setbacks in current years. Almost more than one hundred private TV channels are currently broadcasting. Pakistan is one of the unsafe counties of the world for journalists as per the 2020 report of the International Federation of Journalists Pakistan. Pakistan has been a war zone for almost forty years, where 140 journalists were killed in Pakistan from 2000 to 2020 but still, Pakistani law does not guarantee journalists' safety. Are they feeling safe and secure and which steps will be important for journalists’ security and safety? This researcher is qualitative. The data have been collected by conducting interviews and applying the social responsibility theory to investigate, what is about the freedom of speech because this theory describes the claims that the journalist always plays a responsible role of passing the information with freedom and the task of the press is to make journalism better.

Gilchrist-James, Gayle

Gayle Gilchrist-James (1940–2008) was a leader in social work in Canada and around the world. Through her social work practice, academia, and leadership at the national and international levels, she exemplified what a social worker could do through hard work, vision, and passion. Her wholistic systems view gave her the sense of “no limits” about her life and work. Her leadership was rooted in compassion and a humanitarian perspective. She was a role model to students and faculty at the University of Calgary in her teaching style and how she cared deeply for the students she taught. Her crowning accomplishments were her work with the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) as vice-president (North America) and president and the creation of the IFSW’s Commission on Human Rights.

Integrating Macro–Micro Practice

Social work sets itself apart in the “helping professions” in recognizing the significance of its students and practitioners engaging with the theoretical knowledge and practice experiences sufficient for fluency across macro to micro settings. This practice integration assures comprehensive understanding of person-in-environment, from casework to complex systems work, and is raised to an ethical standard in the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics and in the International Federation of Social Work Principles. Yet macro-oriented scholars have accused social work educators and professionals of abandoning their obligation to social justice and policy participation and of focusing their energy instead on micro practice. This literature is helpful in addressing how integrated practice can be achieved and informs the development of social workers who solidly embrace a commitment to macro knowledge and participation.

Bibliotek för alla?

The Swedish Library Act states that “Library activities shall be available to everyone” and other policy documents in Sweden promote the public library as a place making information and culture accessible to all. The Library Acts of Denmark, Finland and Norway include similar statements, as well as the core values of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. However, the concept of accessibility is seldom defined or discussed. During recent years, the concept of participation is widely used in the context of accessibility in cultural policies, including policies related to public libraries. Even so, this concept also lacks a clear meaning. Accessibility and participation are closely related to democracy; by making information accessible and by enabling participation libraries are considered as promoters of democracy. Thus, when the meaning of accessibility and participation changes, the understanding of democracy is affected. In this article, I explore the meaning of the concepts accessibility and participation in Swedish library policies. Eleven library policies are analyzed utilizing Arnsteins “ladder of participation” and Fraser’s critique of Habermas notion of the public sphere. The article also discusses how the notion of democracy is affected by the different meanings accessibility and participation hold in the respective policies.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING – FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ACCOUNTANTS

Nowadays, in the context of interconnected economies, the phenomenon of money laundering and terrorist financing has escalated, with a direct impact in Romania as well. The European Union has intensified the fight against this phenomenon, which risks making the financial system vulnerable, through the 4th and 5th European Directives, which extend the professional obligations of accounting experts and financial auditors in the field of preventing and combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Because professional accountants must act in the public interest, IFAC has developed a guide that supports professional accountants in their efforts to limit the phenomenon of corruption and money laundering at an international level.