bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Navigating the water–energy nexus amidst the Lebanese economic crisis
Authors: Fayssal Nora , Al Tawil Lara , Danageuzian Hrair , Sabat Mira , ElMerehbi Hana , Darazi Dovan , Sabat Macole , Roukos Roy , Abou Dargham Sara , Romanos Jimmy
Published: May 2024

Lebanon's economic crisis has disrupted the country's energy and water sectors, highlighting their interdependence. The methodology involves surveying 150 municipalities across all Lebanese governorates, ensuring a comprehensive coverage of public and private water resources. Data on water and energy were collected before and during the crisis to explore this nexus during periods of economic turmoil. The findings reveal a decline in water provision during the crisis, with the average weekly water supply plummeting from 49 h in 2019 to 22 h in 2023. Concurrently, the use of water tankers has surged from 26 to 44%, indicating a concerning shift in water acquisition methods. Despite the crisis, conventional water sources remain predominant, while unconventional sources account for less than 1% of the total supply. In response to the energy shortage, renewable energy sources have gained traction in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The scarcity and rising cost of electricity have driven the adoption of solar photovoltaics in the water sector, reaching 4.8% for extraction from underground reservoirs and 2.8% for distribution. Similarly, the use of solar water heaters has increased from 7.9 to 15.4% in 2023. These findings underscore the interplay between energy and water security during periods of economic instability.
Effect of Metro rail extension on flood risks of Bangkok Metropolitan Authority outskirt due to climate and land use land cover changes
Authors: Phosri Phattrasuda , Pilailar Sitang , Chittaladakorn Suwatana
Published: May 2024

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's expansion, driven by economic growth, includes extending Metro systems and altering land use. This transformation, especially noticeable near these routes, has led to shifts in land cover – reduced green spaces, increased impervious surfaces, and decreased water storage. These changes, coupled with denser population and higher waste-generation, have compromised drainage efficiency, amplifying flood vulnerability. This study focuses on Pink Line's 34.5-kilometre stretch from Khae Rai intersection along Tiwanon Road to Min Buri, aiming to evaluate Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI) near the Metro line, identify critical influencing factors and propose mitigation strategies. The analysis divided the study area into five zones based on characteristics, evaluating FVI using population density (PO), drainage efficiency (DE), impervious ratio (IR), garbage management (GB), and pond area ratio (PA). FVI values ranged from 0.41 to 0.55. Sensitivity analysis showed minor FVI impacts at Lat Pla Khao and Ram Intra km.4 stations due to DE and IR, with reduced FVI at Khu Bon and Eastern Ring Road stations from PA and GB improvements. PA and IR enhancements consistently lowered FVI, while fluctuations were observed with GB and DE changes, with notable impacts at Min Buri Market Station. Understanding factor sensitivity aids in planning local mitigation-strategies.
A study on the spatial and temporal evolution patterns of water resource–ecology–social economy composite system resilience in the Huaihe River Basin
Authors: He Gang , Zhang Jingyi , Jiang Huaiyin
Published: May 2024

Water resources are important supporting elements in the ecological environment and socio-economic system of sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the comprehensive resilience level of the water resources–ecology–socioeconomic system against external disturbances in the Anhui and Shandong sections of the Huaihe River Basin. The comprehensive index system is constructed with the characteristic dimensions of resistance, resilience, and adaptability. Use the game theory combination weighting-VIKOR method to quantify the resilience level, and use the kernel density analysis and Markov chain to explore the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and transition probability. The results show that (1) the resilience index of the composite system in the Huaihe River Basin shows an increasing trend, and the resilience level of the Anhui section is generally higher than that of the Shandong section. (2) The resilience level gradually evolved into the spatial distribution characteristics of high in the west and low in the east, high in the south and low in the north during the study period. (3) The resilience grade has strong robustness, and the probability of transferring to the higher grade is greater than that of transferring to the lower grade.
Technical and economic impact of water reuse as an integrated water resource management measure in rural water supply systems
Authors: Angelova Irina , Alitchkov Dimiter , Radovanov Viden
Published: May 2024

Water reuse becomes an alternative to reduce the demand in the conventional water supply systems, especially in regions, where non-potable use of drinking water, as for garden and grass irrigation, is predominant. This study evaluates the footprint of reuse on small water supply systems in rural areas, where raw water quality does not meet the drinking water standards and complicated treatment is needed. Individual facilities for reuse of potential rainwater, light gray, gray and domestic wastewater in the households could lead to a decrease in non-potable tap water use up to 60% and a decrease of households' annual expenses for water supply up to 93 €/household. The installation of individual facilities for common reuse of rainwater and gray wastewater requires the highest investment costs, but the option`s operational costs are between 15% and 20% lower than all other options considered. The Drinking Water Treatment Plant capacity reduction due to Integrated Water Resource Management measures implementation enables from 48% up to 58% saving in the total operational costs for drinking water supply in the settlement. The shortest payback period and best economic impact of reuse for small scale water supply systems is observed if rainwater and gray wastewater are reused together.
Characterization and performance evaluation of in-house ultrafiltration membrane coupled with photocatalysis for 17α-methyltestosterone hormone removal
Authors: Karnjanamit Nicha , Bootluck Weerapong , Thammakhet-Buranachai Chongdee , Lau Woei Jye , Jutaporn Panitan , Khongnakorn Watsa
Published: May 2024

17α-methyltestosterone (MT) hormone is a synthetic androgenic steroid hormone utilized to induce Nile tilapia transitioning for enhanced production yield. This study specifically focuses on the removal of MT through the utilization of photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR), which employs an in-house polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membrane modified with 1% nanomaterials (either TiO2 or α-Fe2O3). The molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the in-house membrane falls within the ultrafiltration range. Under UV95W radiation, the PMR with PVDF/TiO2 and PVDF/α-Fe2O3 membranes achieved 100% MT removal at 140 and 160 min, respectively. The MT removal by the commercial NF03 membrane was only at 50%. In contrast, without light irradiation, the MT removal by all the membranes remained unchanged after 180 min, exhibiting lower performance. The incorporation of TiO2 and α-Fe2O3 enhanced water flux and MT removal of the membrane. Notably, the catalytic activity was limited by the distribution and concentration of the catalyst at the membrane surface. The water contact angle did not correlate with the water flux for the composited membrane. The degradation of MT aligned well with Pseudo-first-order kinetic models. Thus, the in-house ultrafiltration PMR demonstrated superior removal efficiency and lower operational costs than the commercial nanofiltration membrane, attributable to its photocatalytic activities.
Computational Screening of Some Phytochemicals to Identify Best Modulators
for Ligand Binding Domain of Estrogen Receptor Alpha
Authors: Alagarsamy Veerachamy , Sundar Pottabathula Shyam , Solomon Viswas Raja , Murugesan Sankaranarayanan , Muzaffar-Ur-Rehman Mohammed , Kulkarni Vishaka Sumant , Sulthana Mohaideen Thasthagir , Narendhar Bandi , Sabarees Govindraj
Published: May 2024

Objective:

The peculiar aim of this study is to discover and identify the most effective and potential
inhibitors against the most influential target ERα receptor by in silico studies of 45 phytochemicals from six diverse
ayurvedic medicinal plants.

Methods:

The molecular docking investigation was carried out by the genetic algorithm program of AutoDock
Vina. The molecular dynamic (MD) simulation investigations were conducted using the Desmond tool of
Schrödinger molecular modelling. This study identified the top ten highest binding energy phytochemicals that
were taken for drug-likeness test and ADMET profile prediction with the help of the web-based server QikpropADME.

Results:

Molecular docking study revealed that ellagic acid (-9.3 kcal/mol), emodin (-9.1 kcal/mol), rhein
(-9.1 kcal/mol), andquercetin (-9.0 kcal/mol) phytochemicals showed similar binding affinity as standard tamoxifen
towards the target protein ERα. MD studies showed that all four compounds possess comparatively
stable ligand-protein complexes with ERα target compared to the tamoxifen-ERα complex. Among the four
compounds, phytochemical rhein formed a more stable complex than standard tamoxifen. ADMET studies for
the top ten highest binding energy phytochemicals showed a better safety profile.

Conclusion:

Additionally, these compounds are being reported for the first time in this study as possible inhibitors
of ERα for treating breast cancer, according to the notion of drug repurposing. Hence, these phytochemicals
can be further studied and used as a parent core molecule to develop innovative lead molecules for
breast cancer therapy.
Some Terminally Alkenyl-substituted Porphyrins: Synthesis and Attempts of Heck Reaction Leading to Porphyrin–Azulene Dyads
Authors: Ostrowski Stanisław , Grzyb Sebastian , Godlewski Bartosz
Published: May 2024

:

The synthesis of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives, double functionalized in
one of the phenyl rings (with a nitro group and carbon substituents), is described. 5-(4-
Nitroaryl)-10,15,20-triarylporphyrinates react, in the presence of a base (t-BuOK), with carbanions
containing a leaving group at the carbanionic center to give products of substitution of
hydrogen at ortho-position to the nitro group via vicarious nucleophilic substitution scheme.
Their alkylation with allyl bromide or 4-bromobut-1-en (t-BuOK/DMF, at 0-5°C) leads to
porphyrins bearing side alkyl chain with a terminal double bond in yields of up to 82%. The
above-mentioned double-substituted intermediates are very convenient substrates for Heck
cross-coupling reaction. In this study, the synthesis of porphyrin–azulene dyads is reported. In
some cases, the formation of highly conjugated systems is observed, with moderate yield.
Their structures are interesting from both the porphyrin and azulene point of view.
Effect of Novel Inflammatory Biomarkers on Adverse Outcomes in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease and Pneumonia: A Multicenter
Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Bai Wenmei , Wang Yide , Li Fengsen
Published: May 2024

Background:

Interstitial lung disease frequently coincides with pneumonia in clinical
settings, and both conditions are closely associated with immunoinflammation. The Systemic Immune
Inflammatory Index (SII) is a recently identified marker, and its connection to the prognosis
of individuals suffering from interstitial lung disease and concurrent pneumonia remains unclear.
The objective of this study was to scrutinize the correlation between varying SII levels and unfavorable
outcomes in patients grappling with interstitial lung disease complicated by pneumonia.

Methods:

This study encompassed a retrospective multicenter cohort of 324 patients diagnosed
with interstitial lung disease and pneumonia, all receiving glucocorticoid treatment during their
hospitalization. We initially conducted ROC analysis to determine the optimal SII threshold.
Subsequently, we examined disparities in clinical symptoms, physical signs, clinical test data,
and other clinical attributes among patients with differing SII levels. Later, we employed the
Kaplan-Meier survival curve method to assess the association between distinct SII levels and the
30-day and 90-day mortality rates in patients dealing with interstitial lung disease complicated
by pneumonia. Finally, a Cox regression model was employed to identify factors influencing adverse
prognosis in these patients.

Results and Discussion:

The findings demonstrated that the optimal SII threshold for predicting
30-day mortality was 1416.97, with an AUC of 0.633 (95% CI: 0.559-0.708) and a P value of
<0.001. For 90-day mortality, the optimal SII threshold was 994.59, yielding an AUC of 0.628
(95% CI: 0.56-0.697) and a P value of <0.001. Noteworthy statistical distinctions emerged in
dyspnea, cyanosis, and oxygenation index among patients with varying SII levels. Additionally,
invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, and extended infection duration independently
constituted 30-day and 90-day mortality risk factors. Elevated heart rate and higher SII
levels emerged as independent risk factors for 90-day mortality.

Conclusion:

To some extent, SII levels exhibit correlations with the clinical manifestations in
patients grappling with interstitial lung disease complicated by pneumonia. Notably, a high SII
level is an independent predictor for an unfavorable prognosis in these patients. Nevertheless,
these findings warrant further validation through prospective cohort studies.
Lipid Nanoparticles as a Platform for miRNA and siRNA Delivery in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Dogheim Gaidaa , Chinnam Sampath , Amralla Mohamed T.
Published: May 2024

Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of death
worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comprises 75-80% of liver cancer cases. Therapeutic
strategies for HCC are available and have been shown to prolong survival but not treat HCC.
Gene expression and regulation are responsible for the pathogenesis and progression of HCC. Altering
these genetic networks can impact cellular behaviors and in turn cure HCC. Single-stranded
and double-stranded non-coding ribonucleic acid known as microRNA and small interfering
RNA, respectively have been investigated as possible therapeutic options. Currently, efficient delivery
systems that ensure cell-specific targeting and efficient transfection into tumor cells are still
under investigation. Viral vectors have been studied extensively, but immunogenicity hinders their
use as delivery systems. Non-viral vectors which include inorganic, lipid, or polymeric nanoparticles
are promising delivery systems. However, there are a lot of challenges during the formulation
of such systems to ensure efficient and specific delivery. In vitro and in vivo studies have investigated
different LNPs to deliver miRNA or siRNA. In this review, we highlight the role of LNPs as
a delivery system for miRNA and siRNA in HCC in addition to the latest results achieved using
this approach.
Effect of Strength and Durability of Sand Cement Brick Containing Recycled Concrete Aggregate and Cold Bottom Ash
Authors: Khalid Faisal Sheikh , Zaki Zahir , Ayob Syafiqa , Guntor Nickholas Anting Anak , Juki Mohd Irwan
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The market price of brick has risen sharply due to the insufficient brick supply. Therefore, implementing RCA as one of the alternative materials for sand replacement is significant. The consumption of natural aggregate (NA) can be reduced by using the RCA. It is a good step to utilize recycled concrete to minimize the problem of excess waste materials. The results of using RCA and CBA as sand replacements contribute to better performance in compressive strength as compared to the normal brick. The density of the brick was also reduced by 4.95% as the RCA and CBA took place in the brick. Besides that, the water absorption was decreased when incorporating RCA and CBA in the cement brick due to less free water in the mix and fewer voids.

Aims

This study aims to ascertain the performance, strength, and durability characteristics of sand cement bricks incorporated with RCA and CBA as partial replacements for sand.

Methods

Percentages of 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, and 6.0% of CBA and 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% of RCA were chosen for partial sand replacement. The brick had dimensions of 215 mm in length, 65 mm in depth and 105 mm in width. Density, compressive force, and water absorption tests were undertaken after each of the three varied ratios of water to cement (1:5, 1:6, and 1:7).

Results

The finding indicates that with the optimum RCA and CBA replacement and the correct water to cement ratio, the performance of the new brick is better than the normal brick.

Conclusion

The optimum sand-to-cement ratio is 1:6, according to the overall results of selecting the optimal sand-to-cement ratio by density, compressive strength, and water absorption test. However, the result for the density value shows that the average brick density is inferior to the control brick. For all of the sample bricks, the compressive strength was best at a sand cement ratio of 1:6. However, as each of the samples complies with the British Standard criterion of less or equal to 15% absorption, it was determined that the sand cement brick's capacity for water absorption was sufficient.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Boiled Oil: A Traditional Method of Extracting Oil from Boiled Olive Fruits
Authors: Janakat Sana , Bani-Issa Salsabeel
Published: May 2024

Background

In some villages in Northern Jordan, farmers boil part of their olive fruit harvest before oil extraction to increase the quantity of oil, get a desirable acquired taste, as they claim, and get additional health benefits. Locals call this oil Boiled oil (BO), and its price is about 20% higher than virgin olive oil (VOO) produced by the same farmer.

Objective

The hypothesis was that boiling olive fruits may affect the quality of the produced oil. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the chemical and physical characteristics of boiled oil in comparison with VOO and the effect of storage of both types of oils for one year.

Methods

Total phenolic compounds, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and radical scavenging activity (RSA) were evaluated. Moreover, the quality indices of BO and VOO were also evaluated.

Results

Total phenolic compounds decreased significantly (p <0.05) from 8.7 mg GAE/100g in VOO to 2.47 mg GAE/100g in BO. The antioxidant activity measured using FRAP assay also decreased significantly (p <0.05) from 962 to 379 micromole/kg.

Half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the RSA was significantly higher (p <0.05) in BO samples (414 mg/ml) in comparison with VOO samples (38.9 mg/ml). Moreover, there was a significant increase (p <0.05) in acid value in BO samples (0.943%) in comparison with VOO samples (0.518%). However, the increase in acid value after one year of storage was higher in VOO than in BO. The peroxide value also increased significantly in boiled oil (500 meq/kg) in comparison with VOO (19 meq/kg). Additionally, a significant increase in ultraviolet absorption was observed in BO at k232 and k270 (3.5), which is considered unsuitable for human consumption compared with VOO (2.43).

Conclusion

In conclusion, these results showed that boiling olive fruits before oil extraction deteriorates oil quality as expected, and consumers should be educated that this type of oil is hazardous to human health and is a waste of effort and money.
Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Musculoskeletal Injuries in Firefighters of the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service
Authors: Ras Jaron , Pellei Isabella , Niehaus Georg , Leach Lloyd
Published: May 2024

Objective

The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries is reported to be noticeably high amongst firefighters, which augments the dangers of the job and the difficulties that firefighters must face daily. Therefore, this study aimed to firstly determine the prevalence and characteristics of work-related musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) and musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and, secondly, to determine the relationship between MSD and MSIs in firefighters.

Methods

Using random systematic sampling, 309 firefighters from the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service were recruited to participate. A researcher-generated questionnaire was used to retrieve data on musculoskeletal injuries and musculoskeletal discomfort. Data was analysed using the T-tests, Cochran-Armitage trend test, Jonckheere-Terpstra test, and Binary logistic regression. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance.

Results

Male (p = 0.036) and older firefighters (p<0.001) with more years of experience (p = 0.002) were most likely to report a musculoskeletal injury. Falls, jumps, slips, and trips were the most common injuries (39.7%), which most often occurred on the fireground (41.1%). Most firefighters (73.3%) reported experiencing discomfort 1-2 times a week of moderate (60.1%) severity that interfered slightly with their ability to work (58.2%). Multivariable analysis showed that the age groups of 40-49 years and 50-65 years and the rank of station commander increased the risk for MSIs by a factor of 2.39, 2.67, and 3.83, respectively. In addition, MSD was associated with an increase in the likelihood of firefighters reporting MSIs (p <0.001).

Conclusion

Older male firefighters with more years in service were most likely to experience MSIs. Regular physical activity and work-related training should be implemented to increase the fitness for duty and to reduce the prevalence of injuries in firefighters.
Trauma Recovery from a Positive Psychology and Post-Traumatic Growth Perspective
Authors: Stephany Kathleen
Published: May 2024

The aim of Chapter Four is to demonstrate that living a better life after
adversity is possible when adequate support is offered. Therefore, positive psychology
and post-traumatic growth are two recovery-focused trauma-informed approaches that
are highly recommended to help people who have experienced adversity. Positive
psychology studies human well-being and optimal functioning. Post-traumatic growth
refers to positive changes in someone’s coping that occur from sorting through their
experience of trauma. Three different responses to traumatic stress are explained. For
instance, certain people bounce right back after an adverse event, others develop
maladaptive functioning, and a third reaction results in post-traumatic growth. The
particular response that a person experiences is somewhat context-dependent. After
trauma occurs, positive changes in brain function are made possible through
neuroplasticity. Positive Psychology and trauma-informed care share the common goal
of helping people to live better lives, but they also differ. For instance, positive
psychology strategies are designed to be used by everyone and are therefore not limited
to those who have experienced trauma. The five key elements of well-being theory
called PERMA are presented, such as positive emotions, engagement, relationships,
meaning, and accomplishment. Positive emotions are deemed essential for life
satisfaction. Work-related well-being was later developed and called PERMA+4 and is
associated with physical health, mindset, work environment, and economic security.
Flourishing is a central component of well-being theory and consists of the capacity to
be satisfied with one’s life achievements and being involved in something that is
meaningful. The following strategies are known to facilitate well-being, being grateful,
a positive attitude, random acts of kindness, and positive psychotherapy. Positive
psychotherapy is an effective method to treat trauma because it focuses on a person’s
strengths and weaknesses but also uses a person’s character signature strengths to help
them move forward. Appreciation for life, new possibilities, relating to others, personal
strength, and spiritual change are the five domains of post-traumatic growth. Meaningmaking, instillation of hope, and self-compassion are identified as additional lifeenhancing responses to adversity. Two Narrative Case Studies are presented. The first
one identifies how a student nurse felt unprepared to discuss spiritual issues with her
patient. The second case study demonstrates how nurturing mindful self-compassion
helps a teen to heal from childhood trauma. The following three learning activities are
suggested, debating the value of positive emotions, understanding the 24 signature
strengths of positive psychotherapy, and lessons learned from those who have
experienced post-traumatic growth. The chapter ends by recommending specific
gratitude-enhancing self-care strategies.
ANALISIS PERBANDINGAN FREKUENSI GELOMBANG BUNYI DENGAN TANGGA NADA PADA ALAT MUSIK MENGGUNAKAN APLIKASI PHYPOX
Authors:   Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah, Habibah Ni’mah Nur , Faiqoh Muna Dhurrotun , Saputra Firman Harris
Published: May 2024

This research is an experiment to compare the frequency of sound waves generated from scales on wind instruments using the Phypox application on a smartphone. The data obtained from the research that has been done is the frequency of each scale on wind instruments like the flute and piano. The method used is descriptive-quantitative. Based on the data that has been obtained, it can be seen that of the five sets of frequency value data, four of them have relatively the same number of values, and the results of the data obtained in F1 have different values. It should be noted that the data were not collected at the same time and under the same conditions. This allows for differences in the results of the frequency values obtained. The difference in frequency values is caused by several factors, including the researchers' ability to produce sound vibrations, room temperature, and room silence.
Analisis Kesalahan Penulisan Hiragana Pada Siswa Kelas XI IPS SMA Negeri 5 Kota Malang
Authors:   Universitas Brawijaya, Nahriyah Ihda Tis’atun , Husna Lailatul
Published: May 2024

This study aims to describe the errors in writing hiragana letters made by students of class XI IPS SMA Negeri 5 Malang City and identify the types of these errors. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative with test instrument. The test is a written test, students write Japanese vocabulary with hiragana letters. The test results were then analyzed for errors using the methodology proposed by Ellis. The errors that have been identified will then be classified into several error categories. According to Imelda, Chandra, and Adimihardja, there are 3 categories of errors in writing hiragana letters, namely (1) Inaccurate writing, (2) Inappropriate letter shapes, (3) Errors in letter selection. The result of this study is from the results of data analysis conducted, there are errors included in 3 categories of hiragana letter writing errors. The most common category of error is the category of inaccurate writing
PERAN PENDIDIKAN DALAM BIMBINGAN KONSELING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI BELAJAR ANAK
Authors:   Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo, Wulandari Herlina , Rohmatullah Royi , Yahya Muhamad Baqda Maulana
Published: May 2024

Learning is a form of assistance provided by the teacher so that the process of obtaining knowledge and knowledge can occur, mastering skills and character, forming attitudes and beliefs in students. in the educational environment problems for students who experience delays in the power of thinking, delays in writing, and reading. The teacher in this teaching and learning process becomes a facilitator for students who have difficulty reading and writing. In the guidance and counseling process, if there are children who have difficulty reading and writing, the teacher can identify the problems and needs of students, besides that the teacher diagnoses what causes the child to experience delays in reading and writing.Learning difficulties can also occur in children who under standard abilities, does not only occur in students with low abilities. Learning difficulties can also befall students and students who have normal or average academic standards. The steps for solving student learning difficulties in counseling guidance, namely talking to the principal in advance about having students with problems. Then look for ways that need to be done to deal with these problems, it can be concluded that the role of the homeroom teacher acts as a guide so that students can achieve educational goals that are directed to be good in the entire educational process, the guidance counselor collaborates with the subject teacher or homeroom teacher with work The same between the three can make it easier for students to increase learning motivation. The homeroom teacher also acts as a guide who always directs the behavior of students, by showing students things that are not done correctly and asking them to do it again correctly and as well as possible
Effectiveness of simulation-based medical education perceptions and attitudes
Authors:   Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majma'ah, Saudi Arabia, Alharbi Raed Abdullah
Published: May 2024

Simulation is a highly effective method often used in medical training. Simulation-based medical education (SBME) provides a way for healthcare professionals and patients to experience medical scenarios without actual risk to health or safety. This study focuses on comparing the views and opinions about SBME and traditional medical education (TME) among students from various levels and programs within medical colleges at Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia. A survey was used to gather information on students' perceptions and attitudes towards SBME and TME. The study analyzed responses from 472 healthcare students using Statistical Analysis System software. Of these participants, 52.33% were male and 47.67% were female. Most of the students, 80.30%, were pursuing bachelor's degrees, while 19.70% were in master's programs. The breakdown of their fields of study was as follows: 17.80% in medicine, 71.82% in applied medical sciences, and 10.38% in dentistry. A large majority, 93.43%, were familiar with SBME in general, and 90.89% knew about SBME in their specific field, indicating high awareness. Despite the challenges in using and maintaining SBME, the study found overall positive perceptions and attitudes towards it among healthcare students. Additionally, most participants believed that SBME offers a better learning environment, helps in reducing future medical mistakes, and supports every student's right to access SBME training.
Nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards hand hygiene in Aceh, Indonesia: A correlational study among surgical nurses
Authors:   Department of Nursing, Poltekkes Kementerian Kesehatan Aceh, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Abdurrahman Abdurrahman , Putra Ardia ,   Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Published: May 2024

This study aims to thoroughly examine nurses' knowledge and attitudes about hand hygiene and investigate how these factors are related. Conducted in a hospital environment, the research aims to gather detailed information to help develop better hand hygiene practices among nurses. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a global issue, impacting numerous people each year. However, consistent hand hygiene can greatly reduce these infections. Nurses are vital in preventing HAIs, and this study looks at the hand hygiene behaviors of thirty-three surgical nurses. The research involved collecting data through three questionnaires and analyzing it with the Pearson correlation test. The results revealed that the average knowledge score of the nurses was 11.6, and their average attitude score was 16.33. There was a strong correlation (r=0.688) between the nurses' knowledge and their attitudes towards hand hygiene practices. Moreover, a significant positive correlation (ρ-value of 0.000) was observed, indicating a meaningful relationship between knowledge levels and attitudes towards hand hygiene. The findings suggest that enhancing knowledge about hand hygiene results in a more positive attitude towards its practices. The role of the hospital ward manager is crucial in maintaining proper hand hygiene among staff. As a role model, supervisor, and evaluator, the ward manager significantly influences awareness and adherence to good hand hygiene practices. Additionally, the hospital should provide adequate support and resources to enable staff to perform hand hygiene effectively.
Assessing Opportunities and Barriers to Improving the Secondary Use of Health Care Data at the National Level: Multicase Study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Estonia
Authors: Metsallik Janek , Draheim Dirk , Sabic Zlatan , Novak Thomas , Ross Peeter
Published: May 2024

Background

Digitization shall improve the secondary use of health care data. The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ordered a project to compile the National Master Plan for Health Data Analytics, while the Government of Estonia ordered a project to compile the Person-Centered Integrated Hospital Master Plan.

Objective

This study aims to map these 2 distinct projects’ problems, approaches, and outcomes to find the matching elements for reuse in similar cases.

Methods

We assessed both health care systems’ abilities for secondary use of health data by exploratory case studies with purposive sampling and data collection via semistructured interviews and documentation review. The collected content was analyzed qualitatively and coded according to a predefined framework. The analytical framework consisted of data purpose, flow, and sharing. The Estonian project used the Health Information Sharing Maturity Model from the Mitre Corporation as an additional analytical framework. The data collection and analysis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took place in 2019 and covered health care facilities, public health institutions, and health care policy. The project in Estonia collected its inputs in 2020 and covered health care facilities, patient engagement, public health institutions, health care financing, health care policy, and health technology innovations.

Results

In both cases, the assessments resulted in a set of recommendations focusing on the governance of health care data. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the health care system consists of multiple isolated sectors, and there is a need for an overarching body coordinating data sets, indicators, and reports at the national level. The National Master Plan of Health Data Analytics proposed a set of organizational agreements for proper stewardship. Despite Estonia’s national Digital Health Platform, the requirements remain uncoordinated between various data consumers. We recommended reconfiguring the stewardship of the national health data to include multipurpose data use into the scope of interoperability standardization.

Conclusions

Proper data governance is the key to improving the secondary use of health data at the national level. The data flows from data providers to data consumers shall be coordinated by overarching stewardship structures and supported by interoperable data custodians.
A Chatbot-Delivered Stress Management Coaching for Students (MISHA App): Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ulrich Sandra , Lienhard Natascha , Künzli Hansjörg , Kowatsch Tobias
Published: May 2024

Background

Globally, students face increasing mental health challenges, including elevated stress levels and declining well-being, leading to academic performance issues and mental health disorders. However, due to stigma and symptom underestimation, students rarely seek effective stress management solutions. Conversational agents in the health sector have shown promise in reducing stress, depression, and anxiety. Nevertheless, research on their effectiveness for students with stress remains limited.

Objective

This study aims to develop a conversational agent–delivered stress management coaching intervention for students called MISHA and to evaluate its effectiveness, engagement, and acceptance.

Methods

In an unblinded randomized controlled trial, Swiss students experiencing stress were recruited on the web. Using a 1:1 randomization ratio, participants (N=140) were allocated to either the intervention or waitlist control group. Treatment effectiveness on changes in the primary outcome, that is, perceived stress, and secondary outcomes, including depression, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, and active coping, were self-assessed and evaluated using ANOVA for repeated measure and general estimating equations.

Results

The per-protocol analysis revealed evidence for improvement of stress, depression, and somatic symptoms with medium effect sizes (Cohen d=−0.36 to Cohen d=−0.60), while anxiety and active coping did not change (Cohen d=−0.29 and Cohen d=0.13). In the intention-to-treat analysis, similar results were found, indicating reduced stress (β estimate=−0.13, 95% CI −0.20 to −0.05; P<.001), depressive symptoms (β estimate=−0.23, 95% CI −0.38 to −0.08; P=.003), and psychosomatic symptoms (β estimate=−0.16, 95% CI −0.27 to −0.06; P=.003), while anxiety and active coping did not change. Overall, 60% (42/70) of the participants in the intervention group completed the coaching by completing the postintervention survey. They particularly appreciated the quality, quantity, credibility, and visual representation of information. While individual customization was rated the lowest, the target group fitting was perceived as high.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that MISHA is feasible, acceptable, and effective in reducing perceived stress among students in Switzerland. Future research is needed with different populations, for example, in students with high stress levels or compared to active controls.

Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS 00030004; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00030004
Implementing WHO SMART guidelines - Digital Adaptation Kits(DAKs): Early lessons from Pathfinder countries in Africa (Preprint)
Authors: Muliokela Rosemary , Banda kuwani , Hussen Abdulaziz Mohammed , Malumo Sarai Bvulani , Kashoka Andrew , Mwiche Angel , Chiboma Innocent , Barreix Maria , Nyirenda Muyereka , Sithole Zvanaka , Ratanaprayul Natschja , Fikadie Berhanu , Telake Hanna Abayneh , Weldeab Adane , Probert William , Tunçalp özge , Maya Ernest , Woldetsadik Mulatu , Tilahun Binyam , Guure Chris , Senya Kafui , Say Lale , Tamrat Tigest
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

The adoption of digital systems requires processes for quality assurance and uptake of standards to achieve universal health coverage. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Digital Adaptation Kits (DAKs) within the SMART Guidelines framework to reinforce standards and recommendations through digital systems, however, a systematic process is needed for implementing and ensuring impact of DAKs in country contexts.

OBJECTIVE

The paper details the structured process and stepwise approach used to customize the DAKs to the national program and digital context in five countries in Africa with diverse program guideline uptake and significant digital health investments: Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe All these countries have existing digital systems, which have potential to be updated with the DAKs.

METHODS

A DAK assessment tool was developed and employed to assess guideline digitization readiness and opportunities for system uptake in each country. Multi-stakeholder teams were established to conduct the content review and alignment of the generic DAK to national guidelines and protocols through a series of stakeholder consultations, including stakeholder orientation, content review and alignment, content validation, and software update meetings.

RESULTS

Country adaptation processes identified requirements for national level contextualization and highlighted opportunities for refinement of DAKs. Quality assurance of the content during the content review and validation processes ensured alignment with national protocols. Adaptation processes also facilitated the adoption of the DAKs approach into sexual and reproductive health (SRH) national guidelines and strategic documents.

CONCLUSIONS

Country experiences offered early insights into the opportunities and benefits of a structured approach to digitalizing primary health care services, and ultimately how this process can continuously be refined and sustained for country impact.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/A
Quality Improvement Needed for Rapid Review Reports: a cross-sectional survey based on the evidence-based guidelines for RR methodology (Preprint)
Authors: Yang Donghua Yang , Zhou Yongjia Zhou , Tang Xiao Tang , Zhang Tianyi Zhang , Li Yiyi Li , Zhang Jun Zhang , Ma XiaoTing Ma
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Rapid systematic reviews are vital tools for providing timely evidence to inform healthcare decisions.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the reporting quality of rapid review literature against established methodological guidelines to identify areas for improvement.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was used with thorough searches of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science until February 28, 2023. An expert guided the search strategy, and the Cochrane RR Evidence-Based Methodology was used to evaluate the reporting quality of rapid reviews. Subgroup and comparative analyses were performed to explore influencing factors on quality.

RESULTS

Among 112 Rapid Reviews analyzed, less than 50% fully reported on four key items, while over 50% fully reported on four other items. Reports published after 2021 showed slightly higher overall quality than those published before 2020, with significant differences in specific reporting criteria(P<0.05).The included studies were divided into CRR and RR groups. CRR had 100% reporting rates in several items and higher reporting rates in others compared to RR. Overall reporting rates were low for several items, with significant differences between CRR and RR for some items(P<0.05).The included studies were divided into groups A (IF ≤ 5) and B (IF > 5). Literature with an impact factor greater than 5 demonstrated slightly higher report quality compared to lower impact factor literature. Statistically significant differences were observed in specific criteria(P<0.05), with certain items reaching high reporting rates in both subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study observes an improvement in report quality. Literature in the Cochrane Library shows better reporting quality. However, overall methodological and report quality still require enhancement.

CLINICALTRIAL
Voice Analysis and Deep Learning for Detecting Mental Disorders in Pregnant Women: A Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Ooba Hikaru , Maki Jota , Masuyama Hisashi
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Screening for mental disorders in pregnant women is crucial, but traditional tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) or Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI18) lack objectivity. Voice analysis and AI show promise in identifying specific mental disorders; however, existing research focuses on general depression, neglecting other disorders in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the use of an image classification model to detect vocal patterns and identify mental disorders in pregnant women.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study was conducted in Japan with 204 pregnant women attending a one-month postnatal checkup. The study involved voice recordings during interviews, supplemented by sociodemographic data and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores. Voice samples were cleaned to remove environmental noise and other voices, then segmented and converted into spectrograms. Data augmentation techniques were employed to enhance training data diversity, and Efficientformer V2, pretrained with transfer learning, was used for categorization. Hyperparameters were optimized using Optuna, and an ensemble learning approach was used for final classifications, which were compared against the EPDS.

RESULTS

Of the 204 pregnant women enrolled, 32 were excluded due to inadequate data, resulting in 172 participants. The participants were divided into three groups: 97 for training, 32 for validation, and 43 for testing. The average audio duration was approximately 549.2±356.0 s. The segmented data yielded 2,942 training, 197 validation, and 323 test segments. After data expansion, the number of training segments increased to 14,170. Various hyperparameters were set for machine learning. The ensemble predictions displayed higher sensitivity (1.00) and recall (0.82) for vocal discrimination and higher specificity (0.97) and precision (0.84) for EPDS discrimination. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve comparison revealed no significant difference (p = 0.759).

CONCLUSIONS

Voice analysis and artificial intelligence may provide better screening methods for detecting mental disorders during pregnancy.
Rapid in situ determination of boron in irrigated waters using a new colorimetric kit
Authors: Ramírez Revilla S. A. , Paredes Murillo C. M. , Medina-Herrera M. S. , Camacho-Valencia D.
Published: May 2024

Boron is an essential micronutrient for normal plant growth. The main objective of this study was the development of a colorimetric kit for the in situ determination of the concentration of boron in irrigation water with a colorimetric scale. Said scale was compared with a boron calibration curve based on the reaction with azomethine-H. The calibration curve of the spectrophotometric method presented a correlation coefficient of 0.998, the detection limit and the quantification limits of the method were 0.1232 and 0.1605 mg/L respectively. It was therefore concluded that the colorimetric kit has potential for the determination of boron in situ in irrigation water.
Paraísos fiscales y el desvío del dinero público en México
Authors: Ríos Granados Gabriela
Published: May 2024

Este artículo nace de la necesidad de comprender el nexo que existe en México entre el desvío del dinero público y los paraísos fiscales. Es una primera aproximación en la que se analizan temas interconectados y que, en la actualidad, la legislación mexicana no tiene una resolución en conjunto. Temas como corrupción, empresas fantasma, paraísos fiscales, planeaciones fiscales agresivas, esquemas reportables e intermediarios, se esbozan en este artículo cuyo hilo conductor es seguir la huella del dinero público hasta llegar a los paraísos fiscales. Una de las primeras hipótesis de este artículo es que debe confeccionar un entramado jurídico, social y político que sea espejo del entramado delictivo de las operaciones para desviar el dinero público a paraísos fiscales.
IOT Based Cold Management Chain
Authors: Kamat Prof. Dr. Durgaprasad
Published: May 2024

Abstract: The global economy's rapid expansion has expedited the supply chain sector, which demands efficient, flexible, and responsive logistics services. To convey information between clients and logistics providers, internet technology has been highly successful. However, the current disconnect between the flow of goods and the flow of information in logistics services has made it difficult for decision-makers to obtain real-time information on products that are sensitive to temperature. A promising approach to managing the cold supply chain is the Internet of Things. In this paper we propose a IOT based cold supply chain management system that helps to enhance the decision support through managing, monitoring the real-time environmental factors like Temperature, Humidity & air quality of the cold chain and predicting the shelf life of temperature-sensitive products.