Quality Assessment Index Research Articles

Integrating multivariate statistical techniques and geochemical indices for water quality assessment in pond ecosystems of Kirtipur Municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal

Integrating multivariate statistical techniques and geochemical indices for water quality assessment in pond ecosystems of Kirtipur Municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal

Improved GIS Techniques and a Novel Physico-Chemical Risk Index for Surface Water Quality Assessment: A Case Study of the Al-Garraf Oil Field

Petroleum hydrocarbons and waste streams have polluted the environment, harmed human health, affected socioeconomic conditions, and impacted communities in oil-producing countries. The aim of the study is to identify hotspots of contaminated water, create spatial risk maps of pollution from the petroleum industry and develop a novel index to estimate ecosystem pollution named physico-chemical risk index (PRI). Ten sites in the Al-Gharraf oil field were analyzed for their water quality. The highest results of the six-month sample analysis were PH (8.7), DO (11.5mg/L), turbidity (70.3 NTU), temperature (34 C), BOD<sub>5</sub> (37.8 mg/L), COD (101 mg/L) and TSS (109 mg/L). To achieve the above objectives, different methods and techniques were used; one of them is inverse distance weighting(IDW) with GIS to create geographical maps of the measured parameters. The IDW method was used to accurately map the distribution of ecosystem parameters of the oil field. The PRI was performed to compare the threshold values for pollutant elements with the contamination of the site. The threshold value for contaminated water in Garraf oil field is 24.328 and is determined by the PRI index. The analysis is carried out at regular intervals and compared with the threshold values. This work has created an important database for the oil industry that should be used to monitor ecosystems.

Prioritizing performance and outcome indicators for quality assessment of cancer screening programs in the EU.

A key element in ensuring appropriate balance of harms and benefits in cancer screening is to develop a priority set of performance and outcome indicators to be used in screening data evaluation systems. These indicators need to be equity-focused, aligned to new screening approaches and broad-based to cover possible opportunistic screening, but at the same time as limited as possible. Indicators for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening programs were chosen through a consensus building Delphi methodology involving a panel of cancer screening experts. The list of indicators was developed using a multistage process. First, a systematic search was performed along with an extensive grey literature search to identify all potential existing indicators. Next, these indicators were refined by two expert groups, definitions and calculations were agreed upon, redundant indicators removed. A final list of 38 indicators was put forward into a Delphi study. 33 cancer screening experts were invited to take part. The Delphi study consisted of two rounds of an online survey and an online facilitated discussion between the cancer screening experts. 23 indicators were chosen covering 10 predefined indicator categories with detection rate, examination coverage and interval cancer rate deemed most important. Outcome indicators such as crude incidence rate and time from screen to result notification, while ultimately reaching consensus were deemed of less importance. 23 priority indicators cover the entire screening pathway including harms, barriers and inequalities. These indicators have been piloted by the CanScreen-ECIS project.

Effect of Fused Filament Fabrication Parameters on Selected Indicators for Assessing Technological Quality of Shaped Models

Despite many studies, implementation of the additive manufacturing process in industrial and research practice is limited due to the numerous distortions affecting the obtained dependencies to a degree that is difficult to predict. No uniform methodology has been developed for the study of the impact of changes in the FFF parameters on the technological quality indicators. This paper presents a description of the original procedure for assessing technological quality using a reference component. The aim of the research was to analyze the impact of changes in the FFF additive manufacturing parameters on selected indicators of technological quality assessment of products. To compare the technological quality of the various models produced, measurements of surface roughness as well as dimensional and shape accuracy were carried out using stylus profilometry and coordinate measurement. The conducted tests showed that samples with a layer height of 0.12 mm have the most advantageous surface roughness parameters compared to the other layer heights of 0.16 mm and 0.20 mm tested. All the samples obtained were characterized by smaller dimensions than nominal, indicating the material shrinkage occurring during the FFF process. The study showed a negligible effect of material fill rate on surface roughness parameters as well as on the dimensions and shape accuracy. The obtained measurement results allow determining the most advantageous parameters of the FFF process depending on the adopted quality requirements.

Assessment of performance and quality indices of glutinous rice under different drying methods

Assessment of performance and quality indices of glutinous rice under different drying methods

Zooplankton as Indicator of Ecological Status in the Streževo Reservoir (North Macedonia)

This study examined the ecological status of the Streževo Reservoir in North Macedonia, focusing on zooplankton as an indicator of water quality. Built in 1982, the Streževo Reservoir serves several purposes, including irrigation, water supply, and hydropower generation. The research project investigated the seasonal and vertical variation in zooplankton abundance and biomass as well as the influence of environmental factors. Sampling was conducted seasonally (spring, summer, and autumn) in 2010 and 2011 across the longitudinal profile (epilimnion, metalimnion, and hypolimnion) of the reservoir at three sampling stations: the inflow of the Šemnica River, a central station in open water, and a site near the dam. The Streževo Reservoir is characterized by significantly pronounced seasonal and vertical temperature stratifications. The species diversity of the zooplankton was low, with only 21 taxa identified. Seasonal oscillations in abundance were statistically significant, with maximum values in the summer period and minimum values in spring. The Shannon diversity index displayed the lowest diversity values in the autumn, in the hypolimnion, and the highest values in the summer, in the metalimnion. The RDA analysis showed that temperature was the most important predictor of zooplankton abundance distribution, followed by Chl a concentration and TN. According to the Zooplankton Index of Quality Assessment (Zoo-IQ), during the investigated period the reservoir had good water quality in all three studied seasons, as well as through the whole profile. Overall, the study highlights the importance of zooplankton as an indicator of water quality and provides valuable insights into the ecological status of the Streževo Reservoir. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive examination of the interconnected dynamics affecting reservoir ecology, particularly as the present study is the first to perform such an analysis for the Streževo Reservoir. It highlights the impacts of thermal stratification on biochemical processes, the seasonal variations in dissolved oxygen and phosphorus levels due to phytoplankton activity, and the influences of temperature on zooplankton diversity and abundance. Furthermore, it introduces the Zoo-IQ index as an innovative tool for assessing water quality through zooplankton analysis, emphasizing its relevance as an early indicator of ecological changes in freshwater systems. Moreover, this multi-faceted approach underscores the complexity of reservoir ecosystems and the importance of proactive management strategies to the mitigation of water quality fluctuations. This study underlines the need for continuous monitoring and proactive management strategies to address the aging of reservoirs.

Protocols for Postanesthesia Care Unit Handoff and Patient Safety: A Scoping Review.

To map studies that tested an intervention orienting patient transfer to Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and identify outcomes related to care safety. Scoping review guided by recommendations of the JBI Manual and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guide. The Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) framework was used to develop the research question and consolidate inclusion and exclusion criteria in databases consulted without date parameters. The review protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework. The systematic search identified 182 records. After reading their titles and abstracts, 49 studies were read in full. The final sample consisted of 17 texts published between 2013 and 2024. The main elements evaluated in the implementation of interventions to guide patient transfer to the PACU related to patient safety were as follows: increase in the number of transferred information; higher rates of professional satisfaction with teamwork; presence of surgical professionals; questions from the receiver and adequacy to the instrument. Also was identified a pause to monitor the patient before the transfer and reduction of omitting information, interruptions, distractions, task errors, hypoxemia, nausea, vomiting and excessive pain. The variables evaluated after the interventions to promote a structured patient transfer to the PACU have the potential to guide the development of quality assessment indicators and contribute to the promotion of a safety culture in institutions. Considering the constant increase in complexity and demand for perioperative care, the investigation of patient transfer processes to the PACU can provide support for the management of surgical practices and contribute to improving patient safety and the experience of the health professionals involved. No patient or public contribution. OSF registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/M2FYN.

Hydrogeochemistry, Water Quality, and Health Risk Analysis of Phreatic Groundwater in the Urban Area of Yibin City, Southwestern China

With rapid urbanization, intensified agricultural activities, and industrialization, groundwater resources are increasingly threatened by pollution. Industrial wastewater discharge and the extensive use of agricultural fertilizers in particular, have had substantial impacts on groundwater quality. This study examines 18 groundwater samples collected from the main urban area of Yibin City to assess hydrochemical characteristics, spatial distribution, source attribution, water quality, and human health risks. Statistical analysis reveals significant exceedances in TDS, NO3−, Mn, and As levels in groundwater, with elevated concentrations of B as well. Isotopic analysis identifies atmospheric rainfall as the primary recharge source for groundwater in the area, with water–rock interactions and limestone dissolution playing key roles in shaping its chemical composition. Applying the Entropy-Weighted Water Quality Index (EWQI) for a comprehensive water quality assessment, the study found that 94.44% of groundwater samples were rated as “good”, indicating relatively high overall water quality. Deterministic health risk assessments indicate that 72.22% of the groundwater samples have non-carcinogenic health risks below the threshold of 1, while 66.67% have carcinogenic health risks below 1.00 × 10−4. Monte Carlo simulations produced similar results, reinforcing the reliability of the health risk assessment. Although the study area’s groundwater quality is generally good, a significant human health risk persists, underscoring the need to ensure the safety of drinking and household water for local residents. This study provides a valuable reference for the rational management and remediation of groundwater resources.

Assessment of lipid quality indices of fish from the Barguzin River (Eastern Cisbaikalia)

The importance of fish as a component of healthy nutrition and as a high-quality source of nutrients in the human diet has increased in recent years. To assess the nutritional value of the six main commercial fish species (common roach Rutilus rutilus, common bream Abramis brama, crucian carp Carassius carassius, crucian carp Carassius carassius, common carp Cyprinus carpio, European perch Perca fluviatilis, and northern pike Esox lucius) from the Barguzin River (Eastern Cisbaikalia), the FA composition and lipid quality indices of the muscle tissues have been determined. The FA composition of the dorsal muscle tissue of fish has been analyzed by direct methanolysis. The total content of SFAs ranges from 26 rel. % in carp to 37 rel. % in bream, MUFAs from 17 rel. % in perch to 32 rel. % in carp, and PUFAs from 42 rel. % in bream and carp to 54 rel. % in pike. The dominant FAs are palmitic 16:0 (17.5–29.2 rel. %), oleic 18:1(n-9) (17.5–29.2 rel. %), and stearic 18:0 (5.0–8.0 rel. %) acids, as well as PUFAs, including essential docosahexaenoic 22:6(n-3) (9.7–24.9 rel. %), eicosapentaenoic 20:5(n-3) (9.2–19.1 rel. %), and arachidonic 20:4(n-6) (6.9–10.1 rel. %) acids. The Σ(n-3)/Σ(n-6) ratio of PUFAs is 2.8–4.6, which is typical for freshwater fish. Relatively high nutritive value index (NVI), values of the health-promoting index (HPI), and ratio of hypercholesterolemic to hypocholesterolemic FAs (HH), the as well as the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices (1), indicate the high nutritional value of the muscle tissue of the studied fish species. According to the content of (n-3) PUFAs and high total ratio of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, the most valuable species are European perch and northern pike.

Heavy metal characteristics and ecological threat assessment in water and sediments of Eniong Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Heavy metal characteristics and ecological threat assessment in water and sediments of Eniong Creek, Nigeria was studied between August 2022 and January 2023 in 3 stations. Seven heavy metals were analyzed with standard methods and compared with quality Standard. Ecological threat was assessed in water using two metal pollution indices while six sediment quality assessment indices were used to access the sediment quality. Results showed that the mean concentrations of nickel, copper, cadmium and zinc in water sample exceeded the permissible limits set by National environmental (surface and groundwater) quality regulations for aquatic life, while copper and cadmium exceeded the permissible limits set by Canadian sediment standards quality for the protection of aquatic life in sediments in all the stations. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) values exceeded the threshold (100) across the stations, ranging between 469.53 and 686.74 while comprehensive pollution index (CPI) ranged between 1.405 and 1.854, indicating moderate contaminated water. The sediment indices indicated that cadmium and copper were the major metallic pollutants. The indices indicated the following –contamination factor: copper (moderate) and cadmium (very high), degree of contamination (very high); ecological risk: cadmium and copper (high) while lead and zinc were moderate; potential ecological risk (high); quantification of contamination: cadmium and copper (anthropogenic); geo-accumulation index: cadmium (very highly polluted). The study revealed that the water body and sediments were polluted, attributed to anthropogenic activities.Keywords: Eniong Creek; Heavy Metals, Nigeria; Sediment; Water

Assessment of water quality and heavy metal indices in a tropical freshwater river for aquatic life and public health standard

Assessment of water quality and heavy metal indices in a tropical freshwater river for aquatic life and public health standard

Developing HIV indicators for clinical care quality assessment: relevance and practicality evaluated by healthcare practitioners in South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo

BackgroundThe use of quality indicators in healthcare systems is one of the factors that improve the quality of health services. However, indicators for assessing HIV clinical care in the context...

Characteristics of factors affecting the sustainable development of agricultural enterprises

The article examines the factors that influence the sustainability of the agricultural enterprise, as well as approaches to determining the vector of their influence on achieving sustainability and developing practical recommendations for strengthening (weakening) their action. It is substantiated that ensuring the stable functioning of agricultural enterprises in conditions of martial law requires the search for new approaches to achieving sustainability. The author’s approach to interpreting the sustainable development of an enterprise involves its stable acquisition of a new quality, which is manifested in a balanced change in subsystems - economic, social, environmental, which ensure the achievement of sustainability based on the use of innovations. It is proven that the condition for achieving sustainability by the agricultural enterprise is the stability of its development, which is considered as a tool for ensuring sustainability. It is concluded that small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises do not have sufficient adaptive capabilities to the conditions of the external environment, which makes it difficult for them to achieve sustainability. It is argued that the internal factors that influence the achievement of sustainability by the agricultural enterprise, unlike external ones, are subjective and most of them are subject to quantitative assessment. It is argued that the quality of the management process of an agricultural enterprise is one of the factors of the external environment that influences its achievement of sustainability. Indicators of management quality assessment are highlighted, which should be taken into account in the system of the most influential factors on the achievement of sustainability by an enterprise. The internal social factors that influence the sustainability of an agricultural enterprise include the following: the level of quality of employees life, the level of social security, indicators of staff turnover, the qualitative structure of employees by education, age, etc. The most important environmental indicators for ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural enterprise are highlighted, among which are: compliance with crop rotation, rational use of fertilizers, protection of fields (plantations), maintenance of ecological and landscape systems of agriculture, alternative agricultural production, technologies for the use and disposal of by-products, etc. It is substantiated that the transition of an agricultural enterprise to the principles of sustainable development occurs provided that it achieves sustainable development and economic growth of the main resulting indicators. Key words: sustainable development, agricultural enterprise, external factors, internal factors, sustainability, models of sustainable development, qualitative economic growth.

Quality assessment and in-vivo glycemic indices of snack bar from blends of plantain flour, soy meal and oat bran

Snack bars were produced in response to the growing demand for creative, processed, healthful, and convenient foods brought on by a lack of time for cooking and a growing awareness of health issues. The purpose of this study was to develop and assess the nutritional content, glycemic response in healthy human subjects, sensory and physical properties of snack bars from plantain, soy meal, rice-bran, and oat-bran flour. The flour samples were combined in the following manner: PSO (plantain 65%, soy meal 30%, and oat bran 5%); PSRO (plantain 60%, soy meal 30%, rice bran 5%, and oat bran 5%). The formulated snack bars had significantly higher contents of total ash (3.98–4.56%), crude fiber (5.41–6.68%) and crude protein (25.24–26.30%) compared to the control sample, which had 1.88, 3.31 and 3.98%, respectively. Moreover, the snack bars showed reduced glycemic index (37.66–38.82) and glycemic load (18.83–19.41) compared to the control 51.68 and 25.84, respectively. Sensory evaluation showed that there was no significant difference in overall acceptability between the produced snack bars and the commercial oat snack bar, but there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in color, appearance, texture, aroma, and taste. Results showed that, in comparison to the control (COS), the produced snack bars (PSO and PSRO) have low glycemic indices and are high in crude fiber and protein. The snack bars' nutritional composition was improved by the addition of rice bran. The snack bar especially PSRO has potential to be used as functional diet to modulate blood sugar.

Landsat-Derived Forel-Ule Index in the Three Gorges Reservoir over the Past Decade: Distribution, Trend, and Driver.

Water color is an essential indicator of water quality assessment, and thus water color remote sensing has become a common method in large-scale water quality monitoring. The satellite-derived Forel-Ule index (FUI) can actually reflect the comprehensive water color characterization on a large scale; however, the spatial distribution and temporal trends in water color and their drivers remain prevalently elusive. Using the Google Earth Engine platform, this study conducts the Landsat-derived FUI to track the complicated water color dynamics in a large reservoir, i.e., the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), in China over the past decade. The results show that the distinct patterns of latitudinal FUI distribution are found in the four typical TGR tributaries on the yearly and monthly scales, and the causal relationship between heterogeneous FUI trends and natural/anthropogenic drivers on different temporal scales is highlighted. In addition, the coexistence of phytoplankton bloom and summer flood in the TGR tributaries has been revealed through the hybrid representation of greenish and yellowish schemes. This study is an important step forward in understanding the water quality change in a river-reservoir ecosystem affected by complex coupling drivers on a large spatiotemporal scale.

Effect of silver nanoparticles in polyethylene packaging on physicochemical, microbiological, and textural properties of oil cake.

This study investigated silver nanoparticle (SNP)/titanium dioxide polyethylene films as chemical preservative substitutes to increase the shelf life of oil cake. The research examined three types of packaging films: standard low-density polyethylene (LDPE), LDPE with 3% SNP, and LDPE with 5% SNP, and assessed their impact on oil cake shelf life. Analysis of packaging films included scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The study evaluated the effects of SNP on chemical and microbial stability on oil cakes in different storage days (1st, 15th, 30th, and 37th days) at 25 °C. Parameters such as moisture content, water vapor permeability, water activity, peroxide, fat acidity, texture, and microorganisms were studied. The results demonstrated that SNP-containing films can extend the shelf life of oil cake up to 37 days, marked by a significant decrease in microbial growth, particularly mold, compared to conventional packaging films. Notably, films with 5% SNP concentrations exhibited the highest efficacy in preserving the quality of the oil cake. Higher concentrations of SNP led to an increased reduction in microbial load and enhanced mold control while maintaining favorable quality assessment indices throughout the storage period from day 1 to day 30. Remarkably, oil cake packaged with a 5% SNP polymer film displayed the most promising outcomes, extending shelf life up to 30 days at 25 °C.

An Indicator Based on Spatial Coordinate Information for Assessing the Capability for Dynamic Machining Performance of Five-Axis Flank Milling.

As a spatial coordinate sensor, the touch-trigger on-machine probe is a key equipment in manufacturing that ensures machining quality, and it has played an important role in five-axis flank milling. However, in flank milling, the utilization of the deviation as a conventional indicator for quality assessment of the machining performance is incomprehensive without considering the characteristics of the machining method. In this paper, the error mutual moment is introduced as an indicator to assess the capability for dynamic machining performance of the machine tool in flank milling based on the spatial coordinate information of the touch-trigger on-machine probe considering the characteristic of the error distribution of the flank milling. Experiments are carried out to validate the advantages of the error mutual moment to assess the capability for dynamic machining performance compared with the deviation. Results show that the error mutual moment shows more significant discrepancies than the deviation in assessing the capability for dynamic machining performance of flank milling. The error mutual moment has the potential to be applied as a quality assessment sensor.

Multidimensional Indicator for Data Quality Assessment in Wireless Sensor Networks: Challenges and Opportunities

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are equipped with numerous sensors that generate vast quantities of data, essential for operational efficiency and informed decision-making. However, the value of this data is contingent upon its suitability for the specific applications it serves. A significant challenge in WSNs is the selection of appropriate data quality dimensions and metrics necessary to construct robust Data Quality Indicators (DQI) and comprehensively assess data quality in various contexts. This systematic literature review seeks to identify the key data quality dimensions and the corresponding measurement metrics within WSNs, while exploring the use of multi-dimensional data quality criteria in developing DQI. A thorough search of SCOPUS and Web of Science databases yielded 475 potential research articles, from which 64 primary studies were selected for in-depth analysis. The findings highlight four key data quality dimensions in WSN: accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and consistency. However, choosing measurement metrics for each dimension requires an in-depth understanding of the data's context. Various approaches for obtaining DQI in WSN research were identified, including weighted linear average models and application-specific contextual information. Effective DQI incorporates weights to each dimension, reflecting the priorities of specific data users, and leverages contextual information pertinent to the sensors’ data. It is crucial to evaluate whether the data collected by WSNs meets established quality standards, a key aspect of WSN operation. These insights will aid in developing more robust and reliable WSNs, ensuring the provision of high-quality data essential for effective operation and decision-making.

Application of Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) of Water Quality Assessment in Tengi River

Application of Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) of Water Quality Assessment in Tengi River

Toward configuring healthier classrooms: developing indoor environmental quality assessment indicators

ABSTRACT Classrooms serve as essential indoor environments for students, as they spend a significant portion of their developmental years within them. This has prompted a critical set of questioning of these indoor environments, presenting the emergence of understanding how they affect health and comfort, as well as the importance of assessing these effects. Currently, one of the most advantageous methods of assessment is the Green building Rating Tools (GBRTs). There is an abundance of rating tools that aid in assessing the performance of many types of buildings’ Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). However, maintaining a healthy classroom environment (HCE) necessitates the integration of health and comfort aspects alongside any classroom assessment process. Thus, the primary aim of the current research was to identify the definition of HCE attributes. Moreover, the research aims to detect areas that are yet to be considered or need more attention of the current IEQ assessment indicators, regarding promoting and assessing any classroom environmental healthiness. This was done by revisiting and delving into the IEQ-health-comfort relation, and, moreover, analyzing the attributes which verify the healthiness of a classroom environment and indicators which are traditionally employed to assess IEQ within existing rating systems. A comparative analysis methodology was used to identify key indicators, commons and correlations, in order to determine the extent of compatibility and differences. This analysis has resulted in a new list of 60 composite assessment indicators that concentrate on the health and comfort aspects, referred to as HCE indicators, a step toward healthier classrooms.