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HEYYY ALLL I am very excited to share my thoughts and writing with you, and I am very grateful to be given this opportunity. Disclaimer: This will be about women’s empowerment. But hey, if you’re a man, you can stay! Just take notes, you might learn something. But seriously, if you stay, you better not mansplain this back to us later, okay? Hope you enjoy and learn something new girlies;) Hey! I’m Rasha Dernaika and if we haven’t crossed paths before, then it’s high time we did! I am currently balancing life at Canadian University Dubai in the UAE and I am originally from Lebanon. Oh and by the way, did I tell you I'm almost 20? Yeah, just at that age where everything gets more confusing but none of that matters yet. Amazing right? Now, let me brag a bit. I’ve already been a guest on the fabulous podcast "SIP with Jana" Shout out to my bestie, Jana! I love her to bits, and we had such a blast on the podcast. If you haven’t listened to it yet, what are you even doing with your life? Go check it out after reading this, of course. The topic for today, please??? Okay okay, I've been talking a lot, let’s roll our sleeves up and get into something important but often neglected: women’s mental health and self-esteem. We are also going to talk about the traumatic experiences we had when we were young that stick to us forever like gum sticks on a shoe. So, childhood trauma – the one-sided love in our lives The Great World of Women’s Mental Health For us ladies here, can we all agree that life sometimes feels like a roller coaster? One moment it seems like you are on top of the world and in the next you are doubting if your socks match. Mental health plays a huge role in this ride, particularly for women. Trying to balance careers, families, and social lives and not forgetting to get at least eight hours of beauty sleep; therefore no wonder our mental health might suffer. Self-Esteem: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Now let’s discuss self-esteem! It’s like muscles—if you don’t use them they will become weak. Sadly enough, women live in a society where they are constantly exposed to impractical expectations. Like having flawless skin, perfect body shape, or being able to cook a five-course meal while wearing high heels! What an empty dream! The Unwanted Shadow of Childhood Trauma This, though, is the icing on a cake: childhood trauma. Picture that uninvited ghost in a party. It could be that you didn’t get enough love and care as a child or went through some pretty tough times. Either way, it has this habit of sticking around and whispering sweet words of self-doubt and anxiety into your ear as you grow older. Beautiful isn't it? lol Overcoming Childhood Trauma Alright babes, now let’s talk about overcoming this unwanted shadow. The first thing to do is to admit that there was childhood trauma. It may seem like admitting that what happened in your past still affects your present is easy when it’s not. Also, therapy can come through for you here. A therapist will help you understand these events better so that you can develop ways of dealing with them healthily. Then we have self-compassion. Just be nice to yourself. Accept that your feelings and reactions are valid. Keeping company with people who support and remind you of your worth would help too. Journaling also serves as an efficient vehicle to articulate one’s thoughts and feelings which makes them more comprehensible to oneself. Picking the Right Partner Well now, it is time for a change to focus more on relationships. Ladies, choosing the right man to share your life with is very important. It is like deciding between a pair of shoes that you need in your wardrobe. You didn’t plan on wearing high heels during a hike right? Likewise, you require a person who will stand by you, accept you, and even develop you into a better individual. However, there are cases where women are involved in abusive relationships. It is just like having to walk around having those shoes that cause blisters – uncomfortable and harmful. The Chokehold of Toxicity But, you may ask: why do some females remain in such marriages? Welllllll It’s not that easy. At times it can be the fear of being alone, at other times low self-esteem, and at still other times they think they can change their partner. Spoiler alert: It is impossible to reform someone who has no intention of changing within himself. Being in a toxic relationship can be compared to feeding your self-esteem to a shredding machine. You deserve better girlll. How to Escape a Bad Relationship Ending an abusive relationship may not be pleasant, but it is necessary to change your life for the better. First, make sure that you accept that you are worthy of happiness and that it is your right to be respected and valued as a person. Next, form a support network; this can include friends, family members, or a therapist to guide you throughout the procedure. Think ahead clearly ensuring that you have a safe destination to run to and all that you may require. Just remember, no one is perfect and it is perfectly acceptable to ask for assistance. Your safety and your psychological state are of utmost importance bestie !! Let’s Get Real But hey, enough with the doom and gloom. Let’s be serious about how one could approach this. First off, therapy. Honestly, it’s like having a secret pass to navigate through life’s challenges with ease. Whether that be confiding in a doctor or simply venting to your friends (Noora, Salma, Mai, Tala, and of course the twins Joudi and Haya) I love you guys! Always remember some people will stay by your side and it is important for them to know how much they mean to you. Then there’s self-care. I’m not referring to pampering oneself with bubble baths and face masks, although it’s quite good to do so sometimes, who doesn't like rainbow-colored bath bombs right? but I mean actual self-care, whether it is setting healthy boundaries, declining a task if one is overwhelmed, etc. Because guess what? You’re worth it! And never forget your best friends in any case, as they are the ones who will stick with you in any situation. Wrapping It Up Well babes, that just about sums it up. A vulgar, but ridiculous guide to female psychology, self-esteem issues, the constant threat of childhood trauma, and the need to select a proper husband. Ladies, never forget that you are wonderful the way you are. If anyone tries to convince you otherwise all you have to do is smile knowing they are probably wearing a mismatched pair of socks. Thanks for reading and, as always, make sure to catch “SIP” ...the place where all the good kids go. Have a great day and until next time gurl, stay fabulous.

Abstract This paper aims to analyze the contradictions present in Brazil, exploring aspects of its economy and the growth of social inequality in the country since the beginning of its history. Brazil has been growing increasingly as an economy in the world, presenting itself as the ninth-largest economy in the world in 2024. However, on the other hand, Brazil is also present in the ranking of the most unequal countries in the world, occupying the space from the fourteenth position, according to its Gini coefficient. How can Brazil be one of the largest economies in the world and social inequality persist to this day? This contradiction has deeper foundations than it may seem, rooted in Brazil's history. Therefore, this research proposal aims to study the basis of such economic disparity, focusing on the country's colonization and its consequences, as well as the reason for its persistence in Brazil. Introduction Brazil is growing more every day as a global influence. Its culture and population have spread across several countries. However, the Brazilian image published shows very little of the country's reality, which has a large part of society in precarious living situations. According to the data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in 2022, there were 12.7 million people in extreme poverty and 67.8 million in poverty, which are considerable numbers compared to the total Brazilian population of 215.3 million people. In contradiction to this fact, according to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in 2023, Brazil entered the ranking of the ten largest economies in the world, occupying the ninth position with a gross domestic product (GDP) of 2,272, in USD billion. Following this logic, how can Brazil have a growing economy while poverty and social inequality persist in the country? The answer to this question lies in the country's origins. From the 1500s onwards, Brazil was colonized by the Kingdom of Portugal, becoming an exploration colony. This fact shows that Portugal aimed to extract the goods and natural resources available in the colony for the metropolis's benefit. For this reason, the focus of colonization was not on developing a nation but on exploiting wealth. Consequently, social projects for the construction and development of a society have never received attention since the beginning of Brazilian history, a fact that has led to the precariousness of social issues such as education in the country, which is the base of the development of a nation and the generation of jobs. Furthermore, the Portuguese participated in the history of Brazil much more than the Brazilians themselves, causing a lack of historical and political awareness in today's society. Hence, these bases shape Brazil to this day, being rooted in Brazilian structures, which impede the country's social development. Thus, this paper aims to methodologically investigate the construction of the Brazilian nation and its economy since the beginning of its history to demonstrate the reason for the persistence of economic disparity in Brazil. Research Questions How can Brazil be one of the largest economies in the world while social inequality persists until nowadays? What is the connection between the colonization of Brazil and such economic disparity? Literature Review In this way, it is evident that the problem of socioeconomic inequality in Brazil has existed for many centuries, which implies that this theme has been the focus of studies and research by various experts and researchers throughout history, continuing to the present day, since this problem persists without an efficient resolution in the country. An example of a study in this area is the article by Pimentel (2022), which addresses the social context of inequality in Brazil based on the Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 and its right to equality. Pimentel analyzes the problem based on the unequal work system, disproportionate access to education, and the Brazilian tax system, expatiating the concentration of income and Brazil's political system. Moreover, Tornaghi (2021) approaches the economic disparity in Brazil based on the analysis of its economy and its recent growth, debating the role of agribusiness in the country, and bringing a pandemic view of the Brazilian social and economic situation and its consequences for the country. Tornaghi brings as a solution to this problem the need for comprehensive long-term policies, especially in education and digital inclusion. Although the articles present valid and extremely important arguments for understanding economic disparity in Brazil, they do not address the issue of colonization and the formation of the country as a cause for this problem, which is very important for understanding Brazil ́s economy and resolving social inequality in the Brazilian context. Methodology Qualitative analysis: This research paper will use a qualitative study to analyze the history of Brazil methodologically, from the period in which the first Portuguese arrived in Brazilian lands until the present day. The main actions taken by the Kingdom of Portugal in Brazilian territory and their consequent effects on the colony's economy and the native population will be analyzed. The analysis will cover all periods of the so-called “Brazil Colony,” classified as the Brazilwood phase (1500–1530), the Sugar phase (16th and 17th centuries), and the Gold Cycle (18th century). The focus will be on exploited resources, the development of the economy based on the export of primary products, slavery, and the construction of Brazilian society. Furthermore, the facts that led to the lack of historical and political awareness among the Brazilian people will be addressed, with emphasis on the process of Brazilian independence, which was carried out by a Portuguese man and still has an impact on Brazil nowadays. Quantitative analysis: Along with the historical analysis of the country, this research aims to analyze numerical secondary data related to Brazil during its historical periods. Mainly, the graphs that demonstrate the growth of the Brazilian economy over the years and the growth in income concentration will be analyzed and thus compared with the historical facts that caused such effects in order to understand the economic disparity. Conclusion In conclusion, this paper aimed to analyze the effects of the colonization of Brazilian territory on the country's economy and the construction of socioeconomic inequality in Brazil. Hence, it is evident that understanding this subject is essential so that the same flaws do not persist in the country's future, in a way that Brazil can evolve as a power in the world and promote a better life for the Brazilian population.

Abstract: This research proposal aims to explore the differences between blockchain technology and traditional financial institutions, focusing on their implications for economic growth and technical innovation. It dives into the key characteristics, benefits, and restrictions of both systems, evaluating their implications across a variety of economic variables. Using a thorough methodology that includes theoretical inspection, factual justification, and case study analyses, this study aims to provide varied viewpoints on the prospective effects of blockchain integration on economic evolution and technological advancement. Introduction: The introduction of blockchain technology has triggered an abrupt shift in the field of financial institutions, providing a force of disruption that questions the old frameworks controlling monetary transactions. (Hasan, F. 2024). In a period of rapid technology progression, recognizing the differences between blockchain and traditional financial systems is critical for determining their respective impacts on economic growth and technological innovation. At its basis, blockchain technology creates a distributed database system, drastically changing how financial transactions are recorded and approved. Unlike traditional financial systems, which rely on centralized authorities such as banks or governments to monitor and sanction transactions, blockchain works on a distributed system where every participant keeps a copy of the ledger, assuring transparency, security, and permanence(Vikki, V.2024) .This shifts away from centralization not only improves the security of financial data, but also reduces the risks associated with single points of failure, resulting in a more flexible environment (Vikki, V.2024). The exponential growth of cryptocurrencies, aided by blockchain technology, undermines established currency and monetary policy by providing decentralization and financial inclusion. However, blockchain has challenges such as scalability, regulation, technical issues, and the consumption of energy damaging the economy. (ClearTax, 2023). Coexistence with older systems raises issues of interoperability and regulation. Thus, the aim of this proposal is to critically evaluate the differences between blockchain and traditional finance, as well as to investigate the economic and technological ramifications. Assessing advantages, limitations, and possible collaborations will provide valuable insights for navigating the changing financial market. Literature review: The literature emphasizes a comprehensive view of the implications of blockchain technology against traditional financial institutions for economic growth and technical advancement. While some researchers (Sharma, 2024) believe blockchain has the ability to revolutionize financial transactions and boost economic growth, others ((Stephen D, 2020) warn against disregarding its limitations and potential negative consequences.  (Swan,2015) identifies scalability difficulties and energy consumption as key impediments to widespread blockchain implementation, which could impede economic growth and innovation. (Catalini, Gans,2016) address safety issues, arguing that alignment of blockchain and existing frameworks is critical for reducing risks and pushing technical progress in a positive way. In addition, (Narayanan al, 2017) warns that blockchain has the potential to worsen existing disparities if access obstacles are not addressed, potentially slowing economic growth and hindering technological advancement. (Yermack 2017) expresses concern regarding privacy and security, emphasizing the significance of carefully designing and executing blockchain solutions to encourage confidence and drive innovation. In summary, a fair assessment of blockchain's impact on economic growth and technical innovation must take into account a variety of views, including both potential benefits and problems (Tobias A, Dong H, Arif I, MarinaM,2023). This includes tackling scalability challenges, regulatory issues, socioeconomic consequences, and privacy and security concerns in order to ensure that blockchain technology benefits the economy and advances technical innovation within established financial institutions. Methodology Data collection Data will be collected by an organized review of diverse sources, such as academic databases, industry reports, and government publications. Academic resources, such as PubMed and Google Scholar, will be searched using terms like "blockchain technology" and "traditional financial systems." Additionally, industry reports from well -known organizations and government publications will be analyzed. The method of snowball sampling will also be used to identify major sources mentioned in the literature. This comprehensive technique assures that various concepts and points of view are included, which enhances the study. Qualitive analysis: Thematic coding and analysis, which are vital to qualitative research, will be used to breakdown and evaluate data from specific sources. This approach comprises conducting a thorough analysis to uncover recurring themes, patterns, and trends about the differences between blockchain technology and traditional financial institutions. Each source will be thoroughly analyzed to collect relevant information and insights. Furthermore, this analysis will dig deeper into sub-themes including scalability, security, legal frameworks, and adoption rates, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the topic. We aim that this qualitative approach will help us understand the complexities and effects of the variances between blockchain and traditional financial systems for economic growth and technological innovation. Comparative analysis: A comparative analysis will be carried out as part of this research to determine the effects of blockchain technology and existing financial systems. This analysis will examine each system's key attributes and characteristics, with the goal of identifying its strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the comparative analysis will look at case studies and real-world examples to demonstrate the practical significance of these disparities. This study aim is to analyzes both blockchain technology and traditional financial institutions to gain an in-depth understanding of their respective impacts on economic growth and technical innovation. Ethical consideration: Ethical considerations will be prioritized during the research process, including proper attribution of sources, and following ethical principles. Biases in source selection and analysis will also be addressed, which will improve the reliability and validity of the research outcomes.

Abstract This paper aims to discern the meaning behind Placebo drugs and compare their efficacy to a frequently compared to term- homeopathic treatment. The historical, biopsychosocial, and medical significance of placebo will be juxtaposed with the blazing controversy surrounding homeopathic remedies. A brilliant 2020 study outlines the roles of both drugs in ameliorating several welfare factors in patients suffering from NSCIC. The correlation of quality of life and survival time will tie in with statistical data of the effect of placebo, homeopathy and no treatment on survival time of patients. The double-blind and placebo-controlled trial will be performed over 18 months and examined for changes at 9 months. A control group of affected patients will be featured in the examination. The analytical scope of this paper evaluates the differences between the two by considering statistics and biological examination. The method used to analyze data is quantitative. Key words: efficacy, homeopathic treatment, placebo-controlled, quantitative. Introduction 'Placebo' is referred to by linguists as [I] shall please"- originating from Latin. Future indicative active of the Latin verb 'placere' and means "to please, give pleasure, be approved, be pleasing, be agreeable, acceptable..." (Shapiro, A.K.) The use of the placebo effect in medicine is commonly regarded by patients, psychologists and medical professionals as a sham treatment developed to act as a false source of support while ultimately ameliorating one's physical and mental wellbeing. Its discovery signified an indispensable breakthrough in medieval medicine, when medics ascertained the power of a fake drug in improving symptoms, such as migraines, joint pain, arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, and depression. (Munnangi S, Sundjaja JH, Singh K) These are some of the conditions that are most sensitive to the placebo effect. Soon, the placebo was proved to yield positive physiological results in patients by effectively treating their malady. In medicine, the Placebo drug has played a critical role in mitigating illness in troubled patients by mimicking real treatments and appearing visually convincing. Henry Beecher, an acclaimed US physician, was the first to discover the placebo effect in 1955. Henry Beecher analyzed the results of 15 studies and concluded that, regardless of a patient's complaint, around one-third showed a significant response to a placebo. (Marchant, Jo.) Wielding placebo drugs in medicine and psychology decreases the impact of illusory expectations on the outcome. For instance, as written by Allan LG, Siegel S, according to signal detection theory, the expectation of a treatment creates uncertainty about the sensory information of pain, and the placebo response is a case of perceptual error. Furthermore, homeopathy is an alternative type of treatment that is currently very controversial due to its bizarre resemblance to placebo drugs. This paper aims to discuss the correlation between both phenomena. Research question “How does modern day homeopathic treatment compare to the efficacy of the Placebo drug?' Literature review Existing literature primarily focuses on conceptualizing the imperative role of placebo in modern treatment. Prior research and studies provide a spectrum of perspectives considering the main exploitation of the sham therapeutic treatment. While some sources claim that placebo is predominantly utilized to please and comfort patients who were suffering from incurable,' state Finniss and Damien G, others focus on their role in experimental studies: "Clinical investigators use randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials as a gold standard to validate treatments.' (Munnangi S, Sundjaja JH, Singh K) Homeopathy, similarly, is a pseudoscientific type of surrogate treatment, aiming to stimulate an independent bodily response to a sickness. According to the research done by the Homeopathy Research Institute, an approximate of 200 million people worldwide, with 50% of the surveyed living in India, and a large partition of Europe (100 million EU citizens, some 29% of the EU's population) believe in and habitually implement homeopathy in treating illnesses. (HRI) When searching ‘the correlation between homeopathy and placebo', several medical studies and articles came up. Numerous sources disprove the efficacy of homeopathic treatment, with the medical community referring to it as health fraud, due to the deficiency of statistical and biological tests. Lecturing at the Cambridge University's Centre for Science and Policy, Sir John Beddington voiced his scientific opinions concerning homeopathy: "My view scientifically is absolutely clear: "homeopathy is nonsense, it is non-science.. The most it can have is a placebo effect...” Methodology Quantitative research In order to examine the availability of conducted experiments in the realm of homeopathic treatment and its linkage to placebo, I investigated studies on Pubmed that came up from searching with keywords such as: homeopathic treatment, placebo in homeopathy, placebo effect in medicine. This paper will thereby consider and be designed similarly to the accomplished study conducted by Michael Frass, who discovered the role of homeopathic treatment in improving the quality of life and elongating survival of a lung cancer patient. This study proves the efficacy of homeopathy parallel to placebo and control trials. The efficacy of homeopathic treatment will compare to placebo-controlled trials with the purpose of identifying whether additive homeopathy influences a patient's physical and mental wellbeing as well as quality of life (QoL). Controlled variable: patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Dependent variables: quality of life and survival time. Independent variable: additive homeopathy treatment vs. placebo vs. no homeopathic treatment. The participants involved in this clinical trial included patients with stage IV NSCLC. Patients were treated with homeopathic treatment during placebo-controlled and double-blind trials in Phase III of testing medical drugs. Phase III includes testing a drug on a large group of individuals with the given disease in order to determine the efficiency of the drug as compared to placebo drugs. From 150 patients with NSCLC, 52 were taken as a control group and not given neither placebo, nor homeopathy. 98 individuals took either placebo or homeopathic remedies; (placebo= 51) (homeopathy= 47) The drugs were given in a double-blind manner, meaning that neither the patient nor the doctor knew which drug was being presented to them. Likewise, the methodology will include several groups of affected patients and examine the physiological results for control, placebo-treated and homeopathically treated groups. Results. Patients (47) that were treated with homeopathic remedies showed positive tendencies, as their QoL showed more improvement compared to placebo. The timeline for the clinical trial was 9 and 18 weeks. The average (median) survival time was considerably longer in the homeopathy group (435 days; p < 0.001) versus placebo (257 days; p =0.010) as well as against the control group (228 days; p < 0.001). QoL showed to be directly proportional to survival time, creating a positive correlation. Therefore, homeopathy displayed optimistic results for NSCLC patients. Conclusions In conclusion, this paper investigated the terms 'placebo drug efficacy' and 'homeopathy', analyzed numerous studies and articles providing various opinions and statistical data, investigated a clinical trial comparing the two drugs and therefore crafted a medical and psychological perspective that must be further explored. A further exploration will include a broader study with a larger frequency of patients in the given groups. A substantially more thorough examination will be conducted to delve into the pharmacological aspects of placebo and homeopathic remedies. The proposed question: 'How does modern day homeopathic treatment compare to the efficacy of the Placebo drug?' will receive a profound scientific break-down and examination.

Hello, dear readers, writers, and members of the Students International Podcast (SIP) community! We are thrilled to welcome you to the official blog section of SIP—a vibrant, inclusive space where students from all corners of the globe can come together to share their thoughts, ideas, and creative expressions. Whether you are a seasoned writer or someone just beginning to explore the world of words, this blog is for you. A Home for All Voices 🌟 At SIP, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives. Our blog is designed to be a melting pot of ideas and experiences, where everyone and anyone is encouraged to submit their pieces of writing. Do you have a poem that captures a moment of beauty or a flash of inspiration? An essay that tackles pressing societal issues? Perhaps a research proposal that could change the world, or reflections on politics, religion, philosophy, or mental health? Whatever your passion, this is the place to share it. Engage, Discuss, and Inspire 🌈 Our goal is to foster a supportive and dynamic community where readers and writers can engage with each other’s work. We invite you to not only read and enjoy the submissions but also to leave thoughtful comments and participate in discussions. Your feedback can inspire others and spark new ideas, creating a ripple effect of creativity and insight. Collaborations with Organizations and Universities 🎓🤝 We are excited to announce that SIP will be collaborating with various organizations and universities around the world! These partnerships will bring in fresh perspectives, resources, and opportunities for our community. Through these collaborations, we aim to provide a richer and more diverse array of content, as well as opportunities for academic and professional growth. How to Get Published ✨ Ready to share your writing with the SIP community? It's easy! To publish your work on our blog, simply fill out the Google Forms application here. We welcome submissions from students worldwide, and we are eager to showcase a wide array of voices and viewpoints. Did we mention that each publisher gets a certificate of acknowledgment when they do publish...;0 Join the SIP Family 💬❤️ By contributing to our blog, you become a vital part of the SIP family and the hundreds of students who watch our content and to the thousands that tune in every month! This is more than just a platform for sharing writing—it's a community where we learn from each other, grow together, and celebrate the rich tapestry of student experiences and insights. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your pen, unleash your creativity, and become part of a global conversation that transcends borders and boundaries. We can't wait to see what you have to share! Warmest regards, The Students International Podcast Team 🌍✨