Environmental Domains Research Articles

Efficacy of Teleconsultation Versus Usual Care in Improving Quality of Life Among Geriatric Patients Aged 60 and Above: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction The geriatric population, aged 60 years and older, is rapidly growing worldwide. This demographic shift has led to a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, comorbidities, and functional impairments, placing immense pressure on healthcare systems. Teleconsultation, which uses telecommunication technologies to deliver healthcare services remotely, offers a potential solution. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of teleconsultation versus usual care in improving the quality of life among the geriatric population aged 60 years and older. Methods A parallel, randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio was conducted. Eligible participants, aged 60 and above, were recruited at the triage emergency department (ED) following a baseline eligibility assessment. Inclusion criteria included the ability to communicate in English or Hindi, possession of International Organization for Standardization (ISO-certified) instruments for self-monitoring, and willingness to comply with study procedures and provide written consent. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control arms using a computer-generated sequence, with allocation concealment achieved through sequentially numbered opaque sealed envelopes (SNOSEs), which were opened in front of participants after obtaining baseline data. A total of 2,000 participants (1,000 per arm) were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the teleconsultation or usual care group. Results In the teleconsultation group (n=1,000), 36.5% of participants (365) were female and 63.5% of participants (635) were male. Similarly, in the usual care group (n=1,000), 37.1% of participants (371) were female and 62.9% of participants (629) were male. The teleconsultation group significantly outperformed the usual care group in several domains pre-intervention, with higher mean scores in the physical health domain (11.16 vs. 10.96, P = 0.009), psychological domain (11.74 vs. 11.62, P = 0.020), and environment domain (12.44 vs. 12.26, P = 0.0001). No significant difference was observed in the social relationships domain (P = 0.452). The teleconsultation group significantly outperformed the usual care group in all domains post-intervention, with higher mean scores in the physical health domain (14.49 vs. 12.74), psychological domain (13.75 vs. 12.35), social relationships domain (14.05 vs. 12.90), and environment domain (13.91 vs. 12.94) (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion These findings suggest that teleconsultation significantly improves the quality of life for elderly patients by providing a more accessible and convenient means of healthcare delivery and addressing the physical, emotional, and social challenges associated with chronic illnesses.

Quality of Life after Cataract Surgery.

Background: The impact of medical intervention on a patient's quality of life (QoL) is more and more important. Treatment success is defined not only in terms of the success of the procedure performed but also with regard to its impact on different areas of the patient's life. The aim of the study was to assess the QoL of patients after cataract surgery and identify factors that affect it. Methods: Between January and March 2018, a survey was carried out among 100 patients who had undergone cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation at the 'Spektrum' Clinical Ophthalmology Centre in Wrocław. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire and Illness Acceptance Scale (AIS) were used. Results: Most respondents (67%) rated their overall health as very good. The median score on the AIS was 34 (31.5-39), indicating a high level of illness acceptance. There was no statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05) between sex and QoL nor between the level of illness acceptance and QoL. We found no statistically significant relationships between place of residence and QoL (p > 0.05) nor between place of residence and AIS. Conclusions: The respondents reported the highest QoL scores for the environment domain and the lowest QoL scores for the social relationships domain. QoL had a positive impact on illness acceptance among the study patients. Younger patients (aged 50 or under) reported significantly higher scores for all the domains of QoL. Being employed was found to be associated with better QoL and greater illness acceptance.

Quality of Life of Healthcare College Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) and its influencing factors among healthcare college students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare students at King Saud University. A modified version of the Arabic World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, including 25 questions, was used to assess students' QOL. Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Descriptive and regression statistics were used. A total of 547 healthcare students completed the questionnaire during the data collection period. Of all the students, 39.7% were from applied medical college, 62.5% were females, 98.9% were single, and 91.8% were non-smokers. Regarding academic status, 58.3%did not participate in any extracurricular activity, 42.6% had an academic advisor, and 80.4%had a grade point average (GPA) higher than 4.1. The average QOL score across all domains was moderately good (60.30 ± 16.0), whereas the physical domain showed the poorest score (46.89 ± 14.8) while the environmental domain had the greatest score (68.04 ± 20.6). The environmental domain was the only domain that showed significant differences between healthcare colleges (p <0.001). Moreover, students who were male (p = 0.009), non-smokers (p = 0.023), reported living with family/friends (p =0.031), and from families with high monthly income (p < 0.001) had significantly higher environmental QOL scores than their counterparts. The study found that healthcare students had moderately good mean QOL scores. The environmental domain was the only QOL domain that showed significant differences between healthcare colleges with the greatest scoreamong medical college students. Gender, smoking status, residence status, and family monthly income were found to have a strong association with students' environmental QOL scores. Institutions need to focus on the regular measurement of students' QOL, which facilitates implementing strategies that can promote their overall QOL and subsequently positively impact their performance academically and practically.

An empirical investigation into the enhancement of decision-making capabilities in corporate sustainability leadership through Internet of Things (IoT) integration

This research investigates the impact of Internet of Things (IoT) applications on decision-making capacity (DMC) development in Corporate Sustainable Leadership (CSL). The research focuses on how IoT enhances Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices within organizations, addressing key sustainability challenges and supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through quantitative and qualitative analyses, the study identifies three primary findings: (1) IoT applications directly enhance power source management in the environmental domain, improving Business Strategy and Long-term Growth (BSLG) and Measurement and Reporting (M&R) capabilities. This is achieved through real-time monitoring, smart building management, and predictive maintenance. In the social sphere, IoT strengthens supply chain transparency, bolstering Stakeholder Management (SM) through real-time tracking and blockchain-integrated systems for product authenticity verification. IoT comprehensively empowers performing risk management in the governance realm, improving Organizational Culture (OC) through early warning systems and predictive analytics for risk mitigation. (2) IoT integration facilitates Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM), Real-Time Responsiveness (RTR), and Business Risk Management (BRM), key components of IoT-DMC. Furthermore, it supports the development of Effective Stakeholder Management (ESM), Resource Efficiency (RE), and Sustainable Competitive Outcomes (SCO) within IoT-CSL. (3) While highlighting the potential of IoT in advancing CSL, the research also acknowledges challenges such as initial investment costs, data privacy concerns, technological complexity, energy consumption of IoT devices, and electronic waste management. The study concludes that successful IoT implementation in CSL requires careful planning, robust data management, and a holistic approach considering both benefits and potential drawbacks.

Infection Prevention Elements Streptococcus suis using One Health System Health Zone 2, Thailand

This study assesses the effectiveness of the One Health System in preventing Streptococcus suis infections in Health Zone 2. Utilizing an exploratory sequential mixed-method approach, the research integrates in-depth interviews with affected individuals and specialists with a survey of 375 disease control practitioners. Analysis revealed a comprehensive set of factors critical to infection prevention, broadly categorized under human, swine, and environmental domains. Significant human-related factors include hygiene practices among swine workers and the influence of behaviors and personal beliefs on disease risk. In the swine domain, management practices before slaughter and during raising significantly impact safety measures against Streptococcus suis. Environmental factors such as sanitation and local regulations also play crucial roles in disease prevention. These findings suggest that targeted improvements across these domains can considerably enhance prevention strategies. The study underscores the need for a dynamic, adaptable prevention model and proposes longitudinal research to further investigate these strategies across more diverse geographic areas.

Barriers to Communication in Undergraduate Medical Education: Perspectives of Students From Karnataka, India.

Background Communication barriers in medical education can impede learning. Understanding these barriers from students' perspectives is crucial for developing effective solutions. The objectives of this study were to identify the barriers to communication in undergraduate medical education and their solutions from students' perspectives as well as to determine the demographic factors associated with these barriers. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2018 to July 2019 among undergraduate students at a medical college in Karnataka. Using a stratified sampling method, data was collected from 400 students via a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between demographic factors and barriers to communication. Results Students identified several communication barriers, primarily in the domains of language, environment, psychology, and teacher-related issues. Key barriers in theory classes included the use of medical jargon, overcrowding, faulty microphones, absent-mindedness, peer pressure, fast-paced teaching, monotonous sessions, and information overload. In practical classes, barriers were overcrowding, absent-mindedness, and fast-paced teaching, and for clinical case discussions, barriers included difficulty understanding the local language, overcrowding, and leg pain. Proposed solutions by students for theory classes included simpler explanations, smaller batches, microphone maintenance, interactive lectures, and breaks between classes. For practical classes, solutions were smaller practical batches, interactive sessions, and simpler explanations of topics, while for case discussion, solutions included optional local language classes, smaller groups, and better seating arrangements. Conclusion This study highlights key communication barriers in medical education and underscores the influence of demographic factors such as gender and academic year. The solutions proposed by the students are practical and could enhance communication and the overall educational experience if implemented in medical colleges across India.

Patient-perceived factors on treatment satisfaction in early onset scoliosis treated surgically with a minimum of ten years

BackgroundThe prognosis of surgically treated subjects with early onset scoliosis (EOS) into adulthood has been lacking. We aimed to investigate the patients’ perspectives on satisfaction with surgical treatment.MethodologyWe included all surgical candidates with EOS who had undergone index spinal surgery for scoliosis correction between 2009 and 2013. The minimum duration of postoperative follow-up was 10 years at the time of survey completion. Three questionnaires were used in this study, comprising the revised Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire (SRS-22r), the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). Measures of treatment satisfaction were retrieved from SRS-22r.ResultsThere were 29 participants who completed the survey, and thereby included in the study (i.e., a response rate of 43% and a dropout rate of 6%). Amongst them, 14, 11, and 4 individuals received posterior spinal fusion (PSF), magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR), and traditional growing rods, respectively. The average duration after the index spinal surgery was 12.6 ± 2.2 years. Our findings revealed that self-image (across all treatment groups), sleep disruption (only in PSF), and social aspects (in both PSF and MCGR) were significantly worse when compared to the normative values. According to the multivariable linear regression model (R-square = 0.690, p < .001), an increase in SRS-22r mental health (p = .008) and PROMIS-29 social participation scores (p = .004) corresponded to 0.511 and 0.055 points increases in satisfaction. Every unit increase in PROMIS-29 fatigue (p = .043) and WHOQOL-BREF physical domain scores (p = .007) was in conjunction with 0.019 and 0.040 points decreases in satisfaction. SRS-22r self-image (p = .056) and WHOQOL-BREF environmental domain scores (p = .076) were included in the model but did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsTo improve the long term quality of life in surgical candidates with EOS, we demonstrated that mental health, social participation, fatigue, and physical health were significant factors associated with treatment satisfaction. Interestingly, demographic and radiographic parameters did not have a significant effect in our cohort.

Assessment of Quality of Life of Doctors during Corona Pandemic in a Tertiary Hospital in Dhaka City

Background: Corona pandemic is an event where there is a rupture of the normal life pattern. The healthcare professionals specially doctors had faced an unknown potential threat to life that made them work in an intense and fearful situation. So, their quality of life (QOL) was affected in that pandemic. Objectives: To assess the physical health, psychological, social relationship, and environmental domains of quality of life of doctors during COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary level hospital. Methods: It was a cross sectional study that included 100 doctors who were working during corona pandemic in BSMMU. Then they were interviewed with a semi-structured socio-demographic questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed by validated Bengali version of World Health Organization quality of life scale brief (WHOQOL-BREF). Data analysis was performed by statistical package for social science (SPSS), version-20. Results: Among the four domains, the environmental domain had the lowest score followed by physical health and psychological health domain and the social relationship domain showed a relatively higher score. Besides, environmental health scores of female doctors were significantly higher than those of male doctors. Perceptions of quality of life were significantly poor among doctors who were in current economic struggle (p=0.034) or in fear of future economic struggle (p=0.009). Score of environmental health domain were significantly low among doctors who were in current economic struggle (p=0.0137) as well as in fear of future economic struggle (p=0.015). Conclusion: All domains of quality of life were impaired in doctors during COVID-19 pandemic situation. Among the four domains of WHOQOL-BREF scale, environmental domain was mostly affected. Environmental health of male doctors was worse than female doctors during COVID-19 pandemic. Current as well as fear of future economic struggle in COVID-19 pandemic detrimentally affected perception of quality of life among responded doctors. These also caused poor environmental health among doctors in COVID-19 pandemic. J Com Med Col Teachers Asso Jan 2024; 28(1): 09-13

Perceived School Belonging Among Youth with Chronic Physical Illness.

In a sample of youth aged 10-16years with chronic physical illness, this study examined psychometric properties of a modified Psychological Sense of School Membership (m-PSSM) scale; described longitudinal trends in perceptions over 24months; and, identified factors associated with school belonging. Youth were recruited from a pediatric hospital in Canada. A total of 105 youth attended school in the past year and provided self-reports. The four-item m-PSSM had a unidimensional structure which was measurement invariant between youth in elementary (10-13years) versus secondary school (14-16years). Internal consistency was (ω > .80). There was no evidence that m-PSSM scores changed significantly over time (η2 = 0.05). Predictors of lower perceived school belonging were being in secondary school, having psychopathology, reporting lower quality of life in the domains of social support and school environment, experiencing peer victimization, and living in a community with higher residential instability and lower material deprivation.

Effectiveness of Multilevel and Multidomain Interventions to Improve Glycemic Control in U.S. Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Racial and ethnic disparities in type 2 diabetes outcomes are a major public health concern. Interventions targeting multiple barriers may help address disparities. To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of diabetes self-management education (DSME) interventions in minority populations. We hypothesized that interventions addressing multiple levels (individual, interpersonal, community, and societal) and/or domains (biological, behavioral, physical/built environment, sociocultural environment, and health care system) would have the greatest effect on hyperglycemia. We performed an electronic search of research databases PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO (1985-2019). We included randomized controlled trials of DSME interventions among U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes from racial and ethnic minority populations. We extracted study parameters on DSME interventions and changes in percent hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). A total of 106 randomized controlled trials were included. Twenty-five percent (n = 27) of interventions were exclusively individual-behavioral, 51% (n = 54) were multilevel, 66% (n = 70) were multidomain, and 42% (n = 45) were both multilevel and multidomain. Individual-behavioral interventions reduced HbA1c by -0.34 percentage points (95% CI -0.46, -0.22; I2 = 33%) (-3.7 [-5.0, -2.4] mmol/mol). Multilevel interventions reduced HbA1c by -0.40 percentage points (95% CI -0.51, -0.29; I2 = 68%) (-4.4 [-5.6, -3.2] mmol/mol). Multidomain interventions reduced HbA1c by -0.39 percentage points (95% CI -0.49, -0.29; I2 = 68%) (-4.3 [-5.4, -3.2] mmol/mol). Interventions that were both multilevel and multidomain reduced HbA1c by -0.43 percentage points (95% CI -0.55, -0.31; I2 = 69%) (-4.7 [-6.0, -3.4] mmol/mol). The analyses were restricted to RCTs. Multilevel and multidomain DSME interventions had a modest impact on HbA1c. Few DSME trials have targeted the community and society levels or physical environment domain. Future research is needed to evaluate the effects of these interventions on outcomes beyond HbA1c.

Why nothing beats NIRS technology: The green analytical choice for the future sustainable food production

In this perspective paper we argue for the fact that near infrared (NIR) technology, due to its unique properties, will become an indispensable green sensor technology in the future digitalized and sustainable food production.The future of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in green analytics is bright. Ongoing advancements in NIR technology, coupled with increased accessibility and integration with advanced multivariate data analysis such as machine learning and artificial intelligence will further amplify the impact of NIRS across food, agricultural, environmental, and renewable energy domains. The miniaturization, increased portability, and enhanced affordability of NIR instruments, coupled with its integration into emerging technologies, will empower a diverse range of industries and researchers to address pressing global challenges with unprecedented precision and efficiency. The implementation of NIR technology in process analytical technology will enable the transition to future digitalized and sustainable food production. In a future circular economy, where waste streams, co-products and water are reclaimed and valorized, continuous measurements are necessary and in many cases, there are no sensor alternatives to NIR technology.

A Structural Equation Model for Understanding the Relationship between Cognitive Reserve, Autonomy, Depression and Quality of Life in Aging.

In recent years, aging has become a focal point of scientific research and health policies due to the growing demographic trend of an aging worldwide population. Understanding the protective and risk factors that influence aging trajectories is crucial for designing targeted interventions that support healthy aging and improve people's quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between variables of aging. A total of 103 Italian participants (55-75 years old) underwent multidimensional assessments that covered cognitive, functional, emotional, and quality of life dimensions. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and elucidate the relationships between depression, quality of life, cognitive reserve, executive functions, and daily autonomy. The findings revealed that a higher quality of life was associated with reduced depressive symptoms. In addition, cognitive reserve emerged as a protective factor positively correlated with both quality of life and daily autonomy. In this study, quality of life was determined using physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environmental domains. Identifying the significant relationships between these variables in a sample of late adults and young-aged people has given us useful elements for designing psycho-educational interventions that can be aimed at preventing frailty in later old age or supporting healthy longevity.

Democratizing Microreactor Technology for Accelerated Discoveries in Chemistry and Materials Research.

Microreactor technologies have emerged as versatile platforms with the potential to revolutionize chemistry and materials research, offering sustainable solutions to global challenges in environmental and health domains. This survey paper provides an in-depth review of recent advancements in microreactor technologies, focusing on their role in facilitating accelerated discoveries in chemistry and materials. Specifically, we examine the convergence of microfluidics with machine intelligence and automation, enabling the exploitation of the cyber-physical environment as a highly integrated experimentation platform for rapid scientific discovery and process development. We investigate the applicability and limitations of microreactor-enabled discovery accelerators in various chemistry and materials contexts. Despite their tremendous potential, the integration of machine intelligence and automation into microreactor-based experiments presents challenges in establishing fully integrated, automated, and intelligent systems. These challenges can hinder the broader adoption of microreactor technologies within the research community. To address this, we review emerging technologies that can help lower barriers and facilitate the implementation of microreactor-enabled discovery accelerators. Lastly, we provide our perspective on future research directions for democratizing microreactor technologies, with the aim of accelerating scientific discoveries and promoting widespread adoption of these transformative platforms.

A glassy carbon electrode modified with gold decorated iron oxide/ carbon dots for light assisted voltammetric detection of antibiotic resistant microbe Enterococcusfaecalis

Detecting bacteria is essential in managing significant health concerns as it enables timely intervention, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes, particularly in treating common infections that necessitate precise identification for effective symptom management. Enterococcus species represent a notable threat in hospital-acquired infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs), given the increasing prevalence of strains resistant to multiple antibiotics, unresponsive to standard therapies, and carrying various virulence factors. Traditional approaches to identifying Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) have limitations, including prolonged processing times, limited sensitivity, and the potential for false positive results. While Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a valuable tool, it is susceptible to contamination and variations in DNA concentration. The emerging technique of Photoelectrochemical (PEC) holds promise for enhancing E. faecalis detection by leveraging photogenerated electrons and holes. This study introduces a rapid and precise approach utilizing a light-assisted electrochemical biosensor featuring a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite of gold-coated iron oxide and carbon dots (Au@Fe3O4/CDs). The nanocomposite was successfully synthesized and underwent thorough characterization. The investigation has a detection range from 1 to 14 CFU mL−1, along with a notably low limit of detection (LOD: 3 CFU mL−1, LOQ: 10 CFU mL−1). Rigorous examination of real-world samples such as food, water, and soil demonstrated exceptional specificity, reproducibility, and long-term stability of the sensor. The applications of the Au@Fe3O4/CDs nanocomposite in PEC processes underscore the potential of this innovative approach in addressing health concerns associated with bacterial infections and delivering real-time impacts for both healthcare and environmental domains.

Job satisfaction: A cross sectional study among pharmacists in Kosovo

Job satisfaction has a substantial impact on pharmacists' output. When pharmacists are satisfied with their jobs, they are more likely to provide high-quality care to patients. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess job satisfaction among pharmacists in Kosovo. From December 2021 to March 2022, a cross-sectional web-based questionnaire was administered to pharmacists from throughout Kosovo to assess pharmacists' job satisfaction in Kosovo. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The Chi-Square test was used to examine connections between variables. For statistical significance, the p values were set up at 0.05. Cronbach's alpha was determined as part of the reliability test, and the outcome was 0.889. In addition, it was conducted a correlation analysis. The total number of returned questionnaires was 460 out of 1350 distributed. There were 444 completed questionnaires (a response rate of 32.9%). The level of satisfaction in the working environment domain was 56.2% (agree and strongly agree). In comparison, the level of satisfaction in the professional interaction domain was 68.9% (agree and strongly agree), and in the incentives and recognition, it was 57.5%. Regarding all three domains, 59.3% of pharmacists were satisfied with their jobs. Low pay (46.2%), limited opportunities for advancement (42.3%), and workload (37.4%) were the most influential aspects of job satisfaction. The results suggest that pharmacists are generally satisfied with their jobs, but some areas need improvement, particularly in terms of pay, opportunities for advancement, and workload. The responsible stakeholders should take into consideration the pharmacists’ concerns presented in the findings of the research.

Development of a sustainable polymer composite: enhancing properties of waste plastic with ground tire rubber reinforcement

The growing interest in utilizing waste for composite development has prompted investigations across social, economic, and environmental domains. This study focuses on utilizing recyclable waste plastic materials and micro-sized ground tire rubber (GTR) of varying sizes (600 μm, 300 μm, and 150 μm) to create a polymer matrix composite (PMC). Employing a thermal blending technique, the manufacturing process adjusts the composition ratios of polymer and GTR from 90:10 to 50:50. Subsequently, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) is utilized to analyze the PMC composition, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirms functional group and chemical structure. The study demonstrates significant improvements in various properties upon adding GTR to High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) composite materials. For HDPE-GTR composites, the melting temperature (Tm) ranged from 120.29 °C to 138.53 °C, crystallization temperature (Tc) from 102.84 °C to 127.14 °C, and enthalpy of melting (ΔHm) from 70.96 to 139.67 J g−1. Crystallinity (Xc) varied from 48.43% to 52.96%. In LDPE-GTR composites, Tm ranged from 106.08 °C to 129.57 °C, Tc from 90.27 °C to 112.20 °C, ΔHm from 75.59 to 142.53 J g−1, and Xc from 51.59% to 54.05%. Moreover, mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural modulus, and impact strength exhibited enhancements with GTR addition to the polymer matrix. These findings underscore the potential of sustainable waste utilization, advancing environmentally friendly and resource-efficient composite materials.

Blockchain Projects in Environmental Sector: Theoretical and Practical Analysis

The growing interest in environmental sustainability issues and, at the same time, the advantages offered by blockchain technology have strong connections to each other. This study explores the application of blockchain technology across various environmental domains, such as air quality, climate change impacts, and resource management. The research utilised a dual approach, combining a bibliometric analysis with VOSviewer and a topic analysis using BERT models to assess the discourse within both the scientific literature extracted from Scopus and practical blockchain projects obtained from GitHub. The findings reveal that food security, energy, and sustainable agriculture are predominant topics in academic discussions, with a noticeable increase in focus from 2017 onwards. Practical projects are focused on transparent tracking and decentralised management. The overlap between academic and practical spheres is evident in the shared focus on energy and environmental management, demonstrating blockchain’s growing role in addressing global environmental challenges. This study underscores the importance of integrating theoretical research with practical implementations to harness blockchain’s full potential in promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Sleep Duration, Insomnia, and Associated Factors Among Ukrainians 1 Year After Russia's Full-Scale Invasion.

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of sleep disturbances and associated factors among Ukrainians 1 year after Russia's full-scale invasion. Quota sampling was used to collect online survey data from 2364 adults living in Ukraine aged 18 to 79 years from April 5, 2023, to May 15, 2023. Short sleep duration was defined as sleep duration ≤6 hours and long sleep duration as ≥9 hours. Insomnia was assessed by the Insomnia Symptom Questionnaire. The prevalences of short sleep duration, long sleep duration, and insomnia were 39.4%, 6.9%, and 38.5%, respectively. Short sleep duration and insomnia were both more likely in females (short sleep duration: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.44; insomnia: aOR = 2.17), individuals with depression (short sleep duration: aOR = 1.61; insomnia: aOR = 7.76), affected by the 2014 Russian invasion (short sleep duration: aOR = 1.37; insomnia: aOR = 1.78), and with more trauma events (short sleep duration: quartile 3 [Q3] versus Q1: aOR = 1.88; Q4 versus Q1: aOR = 1.83; insomnia: Q3 versus Q1: aOR = 2.14; Q4 versus Q1: aOR = 2.32). Insomnia was more likely in Ukrainians with posttraumatic stress disorder (aOR = 2.95), anxiety (aOR = 4.57), and loneliness (aOR = 1.67). Essential public service was associated with short sleep duration (aOR = 1.64). Short sleep duration and insomnia were associated with lower quality of life in physical, psychological, and environmental domains. Insomnia was associated with the social relationships domain. Sleep health among Ukrainian adults 1 year into the war is concerning, with more than one-third reporting inadequate sleep or insomnia. More studies are needed on impacts and interventions for sleep health during and after the war.

Quality of life among people with mental illness attending a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Ethiopia: a structural equation model.

Mental illness is one of the most severe, chronic, and disabling public health problems that affects patients' Quality of life (QoL). Improving the QoL for people with mental illness is one of the most critical steps in stopping disease progression and avoiding complications of mental illness. Therefore, we aimed to assess the QoL and its determinants in patients with mental illness in outpatient clinics in Northwest Ethiopia in 2023. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among people with mental illness in an outpatient clinic in Ethiopia. The sampling interval was decided by dividing the total study participants who had a follow-up appointment during the data collection period (2400), by the total sample size 638, with the starting point selected by lottery method. The interviewer-administered WHOQOL BREF-26 tool was used to measure the quality of life (QoL) of people with mental illness. The domains of QoL were identified, and indirect and direct effects of variables were calculated using structural equation modelling with SPSS-28 and Amos-28 software. A p-value of < 0.05 and a 95% CI were used to evaluate statistical significance. A total of 636 (99.7%) participants agreed to participate and completed the data collection. The mean score of overall QoL of people with mental illness in the outpatient clinic was 49.6 ± 10 Sd. The highest QoL was found in the physical health domain (50.67 ± 9.5 Sd), and the lowest mean QoL was found in the psychological health domain (48.41 ± 10 Sd). Rural residence, drug nonadherence, suicidal ideation, not getting counselling, moderate or severe subjective severity, family does not participate in patient care and a family history of mental illness had an indirect negative effect on QoL. Alcohol use and psychological health domain had direct positive effect on QoL. Furthermore, objective severity of illness, having low self-esteem, and having history of mental illness in the family had both direct and indirect effect on QoL. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors (rural residence, illiterate educational status, not married marital status), social support-related factors (poor self-esteem, family not participating in patient care), substance use factors (alcohol use, tobacco use) and clinical factors (high objective and subjective severity of illness, not getting counselling, suicidal ideation, higher number of episodes, comorbid illness, family history of mental illness, poor drug adherence) directly and indirectly affected QoL. In this study, the QoL of people with mental illness was poor, with the psychological health domain the most affected. Sociodemographic factors, social support-related factors, drug use factors, and clinical factors, directly and indirectly affected QoL through the mediator variables of physical health domains, psychological health domains, social relation health domains, and environmental health domains. In order to improve the QoL of people with mental illnesses, we recommend that emphasis be given to addressing the QoL of those with mental illness, including the development of policy and practice responses that address the above identified factors.

The LTAR Grazing Land Common Experiment at the Great Basin.

The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network (LTAR), through its Common Experiment (CE) framework, contrasts prevailing and alternative agricultural practices for efficacy and sustainability within the indicator domains of environment, productivity, economics, and society. Invasive species, wildfire, and climate change are principal threats to Great Basin agroecosystems. Prescribed grazing may be an effective tool for restoring lands degraded by these disturbances. At the Great Basin (GB) LTAR site headquartered in Boise, ID, our contribution to the CE contrasts a prevailing (PRV), cattle grazing practice of fixed moderate stocking and duration with an alternative (ALT), prescribed grazing practice called high-intensity low-frequency (HILF) grazing where stocking and duration are tailored to suppress invasive annual grass competition with native or desirable plant species and thus promote recovery of rangelands degraded by annual grass invasion and recurrent wildfire. Preliminary results indicate cheatgrass density and fuel height have been reduced in ALT-treated paddocks compared to PRV paddocks. Since its inception in 2014, our GB CE has been a research co-production effort among ranchers, public land managers, and researchers. Future directions for this research will center on expanding the experiment to multiple study areas to better address the scope of the annual grass/wildfire problem. We expect this research will lead to effective and sustainable grazing practices for restoring >41 million hectares of degraded rangelands in the Great Basin and other areas of the western United States.