Kendall's Tau-b Research Articles

Residuos sólidos y gestión ambiental en una institución educativa de secundaria

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of solid waste on the environmental management of an educational institution of secondary education in the district of Victor Larco Herrera in the year 2023. It was quantitative and applied. The design was non-experimental, correlational, cross-sectional. The hypothetical-inductive method was used. The population consisted of 280 students, males and females, from 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of high school; the sample consisted of 72 students. A survey was used as a technique and two questionnaires as data collection instruments. The results revealed that the var iable "solid waste" was perceived at a medium level by 40,28%, and the variable "environmental management" was also perceived at a medium level by 36,11%. Likewise, in Kendall's Tau-b the value was 0,109 with a consistency level = 0,352. The straight line was Y = 86,15 + (0,018)X, with coefficient of determination R2 = 0,018. It was concluded that the impact of solid waste is very low, which is explained in 1,8% by environmental management; therefore, it is necessary to carry out awareness workshops to cons erve the environment.

ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TREATMENT PATTERNS BASED ON PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS IN CASES OF HYPERTENSION COMPLICATIONS AT PKU MUHAMMADIYAH GAMPING HOSPITAL

<p><strong><em>Background : </em></strong><em>Hypertensive disease is often referred to as "The Silent Disease" or silent disease. The percentage of complication hypertension in Indonesia is cerebrovascular disease 21.6%, heart disease 40.9%, and kidney disease 33.2%. Yogyakarta is one of the provinces in Indonesia with a prevalence of complication hypertension of 32.86%. Each year, an estimated 9.4 million people die from hypertension and complications.</em></p><p><strong><em>Objective :</em></strong><em> To analyze the relationship between treatment patterns based on sociodemographic characteristics in complication hypertensive patients in Inpatient PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital.</em></p><p><strong><em>Methods:</em></strong><em> </em>This study was analytical research methods using retrospective methods. The sampling technique was in this study is the total sampling technique. The variables used in this study were patterns of antihypertensive drug use associated with sociodemographic factors including gender, age, and patient health insurance (BPJS or non-BPJS). The test analysis was Chi-Square Test and Kendall's tau-b Test for variable blood pressure relationships and drug use patterns.<em></em></p><p><strong><em>Results:</em></strong><em> Sociodemographic characteristics of respondents include: adult age (16.7%) and elderly (83.3%), male and female gender (50.0%), BPJS treatment coverage (91.7%) and general (8.3%). Hypertensive disease complications include: stroke (20.8%), myocardial infarction (4.2%), kidney failure (4.2%), heart failure (33.3%), diabetes mellitus (37.5%). Drugs used: Amlodipine (23.10%), Candesartan (30.80%), Nifedipine (11.50%), Bisoprolol (19.20%), Clonidin (5.80%), Captopril (1.90%), Lisinopril (3.80%), and Ramipril (3.80%).</em></p><strong><em>Conclusion:</em></strong><em> There was no relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and treatment patterns and there was a relationship between systolic / diastolic blood pressure with drug use patterns in cases of complication hypertension at PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital.</em>

Outcome of posterior short segment fixation with implanting pedicle screw at the fractured level for treatment of thoracolumbar fracture

IntroductionThoracolumbar fractures make up majority of the spinal fractures. Various techniques including long, short, mono and short segment screw fixation have been used to achieve stability. There are still few studies describing the results of short segment fixation with intermediate screw fixation in fractured vertebrae, despite the fact that all have adequate efficacy and stability. Materials and methods41 patients were studied and evaluated preoperatively, at discharge and at 2, 6, 12, 24 weeks and 1 year follow-up clinically using Greenough and Fraser Low Back Pain Score, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading, four-point scale questionnaire for patient's satisfaction, sagittal index (SI) of injured vertebra and Cobb's angle. ResultsThe patient's mean age was 36.9 ± 11.7 years, majority (90.2 %) with lumbar (L1-L3) segment involvement. All the patients significantly improved neurologically immediately after surgery (p < 0.001) however the improvement was not significant at final follow up (p = 0.3) as compared to the preoperative ASIA grade (Kendall's tau-b test). Low back pain decreased significantly on subsequent follow-up as measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score (p < 0.001). The Low Back Pain Scale of Greenough and Fraser calculated at immediate post-operation and at 1 year follow up in comparison to pre-operation status showed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001). Sagittal index (SI) estimated at 6, 12, 24 weeks and 1 year follow-up in comparison to preoperative SI was higher and statistically significant (p < 0.001). Mean Cobb's angle significantly decreased during follow-up at 6, 12, 24 weeks and 1 year compared to preoperative angle (p < 0.001). Four Point Scale Questionnaire assessed at 1 year follow-up showed majority (82.9 %) were very satisfied with the outcome. ConclusionPosterior short segment with intermediate screw fixation in fractured vertebra is a feasible and stable treatment method for traumatic single thoracolumbar fracture with respect to the functional outcome, patient satisfaction and preservation of motion segment.

The Relationship between Traditional Acoustic Measures and Cepstral Analysis of Voice.

In this study, the correlations between traditional acoustic measures (TAMs) and cepstral analysis (CA) were explored in Persian. This investigation was a cross-sectional study including 179 dysphonic (n=141) and normophonic (n=38) speakers. The TAMs (jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonic ratio) and CA (cepstral peak prominence, and cepstral peak prominence-smoothed) values were obtained during vowel prolongation, reading a standard sentence, and a non-standard running speech sample using Praat software. The difference of acoustic measures between normophonic and dysphonic speakers and intercorrelation among acoustic measures and correlation between the acoustic measures and perceived dysphonia levels was analyzed with independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson, Spearman, and Kendall's Tau-b correlation tests using IBM SPSS Statistics. The findings showed that dysphonic speakers had higher TAM values and lower CA values than normophonic speakers. (P &lt; 0.05). In dysphonic speakers, a large correlation was discovered among all acoustic measurements (r = 0.52 to 0.96; P &lt; 0.05), while in various perceived dysphonic speakers, there was a correlation of varying strength (r = 0.25 to 0.97; P &lt; 0.05). Ultimately, there was a significant small-to-large correlation between the acoustic measures and perceived dysphonia levels (r = 0.34-0.58; P &lt; 0.05). This research demonstrated that Persian speakers with dysphonia experienced a rise in TAM and a corresponding reduction in CA. In the future, multi-parametric indices can be developed using both TAM and CA to include various aspects of vocal production and yield a single, comprehensive value.

PD-L1 expression in testicular germ cell tumors undergoing spontaneous regression.

Spontaneous regression of testicular germ cell tumors is a well-known phenomenon; however, the precise mechanisms of spontaneous regression are still unknown. Our study aimed to investigate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in spontaneously regressed testicular germ cell tumors, exploring the link between the immune response and spontaneous regression. From a sample of 356 testicular germ cell tumors, we singled out 5 completely regressed and 6 partially regressed tumors. In four out of six cases with partial regression, a residual seminoma component was found, while in the remaining two cases, an embryonal carcinoma component was found. Comparisons were made with 20 pure seminomas and 20 mixed germ cell tumors (MGCTs). A semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and intra/peritumoral lymphocytes was performed. There was no PD-L1 expression in tumors with complete regression. All partially regressed tumors showed expression in intra/peritumoral lymphocytes within the tumor remnants. Expression was significantly more frequent in pure seminomas compared to MGCTs (P = 0.004). A positive correlation was demonstrated between the seminoma component and the proportion of PD-L1 positive lymphocytes, with a Kendall's Tau-b coefficient of 0.626 (P < 0.001). Tumor cells showed PD-L1 expression in three MGCTs within the embryonal carcinoma component. Our results support an immunological mechanism of spontaneous tumor regression, with the strongest potential in testicular tumors containing seminoma components. However, further research is necessary to determine the role of PD-L1 ligand more precisely in the microenvironment of spontaneously regressed tumors.

CARIES STATUS MEASURED WITH THE ICDAS II ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHILDREN

Dental caries is an infection of the hard part of the teeth that is very vulnerable in children. Unaddressed tooth decay interferes with child development, especially primary school-age children who have an impact on quality of life, discomfort and experience learning disorders that affect academic achievement. In the ICDAS II index, caries measurement can be seen from the stage of development starting from clinically visible enamel changes to more extensive cavitation. This study aims to determine the relationship of caries status measured by ICDAS II to quality of life in 12-year-old children. Analytic research with cross sectional method. The study population was 12 years old students with a purposive sampling technique of 43 samples. Data obtained using caries examination sheets and quality of life questionnaires. The statistical test used in the study was Kendall's tau-b test. The results showed that the relationship between caries status measured by ICDAS II to quality of life obtained a p-value of 0.000 with a correlation value of 0.515 which is included in the strong relationship category. The conclusion is that this study found a significant relationship between caries status measured by ICDAS II and quality of life in 12-year-old children.

Short communications: Endothelin-1 in cardiac allograft vasculopathy

IntroductionCardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a leading cause of death following heart transplant. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a highly potent vasoconstrictor peptide derived from the vascular endothelium with multiple biological actions known to be relevant for CAV. We assessed the trans-myocardial gradient (TMG: coronary sinus minus coronary artery concentration: negative = extraction, positive = secretion) of ET-1 in heart transplant patients to determine correlations with angiographic, Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) features of CAV. ResultsVessels with more severe CAV demonstrated significantly higher (more positive) ET-1 TMG (IVUS Stanford Grade IV: −0.05 [−0.21, 0.13] pg/ml versus Stanford Grade I-III: −0.31 [−0.64, −0.11] pg/ml, p = 0.01). ET-1 TMG was positively correlated with mean intimal thickness on both IVUS and OCT (IVUS: Kendall's tau-b = 0.254, p = 0.02 and OCT: Kendall's tau-b = 0.344, p < 0.0001). Patients who died had net ET-1 release compared with surviving patients (died: 0.21 [0.19–0.24] versus surviving: −0.28 [−0.52, −0.17], p = 0.01). ConclusionIn heart transplant patients, coronary arteries with more intimal thickening are associated with a higher (more positive) trans-myocardial gradient of ET-1, suggesting that up-regulated ET-1 release in the coronary circulation may be permissive for the development of CAV.

The Influence of Learning Styles and Attitudes on Academic Performance of College Students in a Flipped Learning Environment

This study looks into how flipped classrooms affect college students with different kinds of learning styles, attitudes, and academic performance. The purpose of the study is to provide empirical support for the effectiveness of the flipped classroom model in accommodating a variety of learning styles. Survey questionnaires and midterm grades of students were used as instruments for data analysis on 85 participants in a state university in the Philippines. Statistical tools such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Kendall's tau-b were employed for a comprehensive analysis. The data analysis revealed that a majority of respondents identified as auditory learners, expressing agreement with the flipped classroom model and demonstrating excellent performance within this learning environment. Significantly, the positive attitude and excellent performance exhibited no significant differences across various learning styles. Clear evidence emerged indicating that a positive attitude toward the flipped classroom correlated with exceptional academic achievements. Consequently, the study implies that the flipped classroom proves effective in catering to diverse learning styles while maintaining students' excellent academic performance. Furthermore, it could be concluded that their positive attitude in a flipped classroom model have boosted their academic performance in general. Understanding the connection between students' attitudes toward particular pedagogical approaches and their academic performance offers important insights that can greatly enhance the processes of teaching and learning, resulting in better educational outcomes fostering a positive learning environment.

Seroprevalence Assessment of Anti-Varicella Antibodies among Adults in the Province of Florence (Italy).

Background: Varicella infections follow a benign course in around 90% of cases, with more severe forms occurring in adults. To identify potential pockets of susceptibility and to improve targeted immunization strategies, this study aims to critically assess immunological status by evaluating varicella seroprevalence among adults (18-99 years) in the province of Florence (Italy), nearly a decade after Tuscany introduced the vaccination program. Methods: A convenience sample of 430 subjects aged 18 to 94 years (mean age 51.8 ± 18.8 years), stratified by age and sex (53.7% of subjects were female; N = 231), was collected between 2018 and 2019. Sero-analytical analyses were conducted utilizing EUROIMMUN Anti-VZV ELISA (IgG) kits. Results: Most of them were of Italian nationality (87.4%; N = 376). Among the 430 tested samples, 385 (89.5%) were positive and 39 (9.1%) were negative. The remaining six sera (1.4%), confirmed as equivocal, were excluded from further analysis. No significant differences were found based on sex (p-value = 0.706) or nationality (p-value = 0.112). The application of trend tests (Mantel-Haenszel; Kendall Tau-b) showed a significant trend (p < 0.024 and p < 0.032, respectively), with an increasing probability of finding a positive anti-varicella serological status passing from a lower age group (84.2%) to a higher one (93.0%). By considering the female population aged 18-49 years, the seroprevalence of anti-varicella antibodies was found to be 88.4%, with a susceptibility of 11.6%, highlighting the risk of acquiring infection during pregnancy. Conclusions: The introduction of varicella vaccination has had a significant impact on public health in Tuscany and in Italy more generally. However, further efforts should be made to reduce the number of individuals still susceptible in adulthood, with particular attention given to women of childbearing age and the promotion of vaccination through mass and social media and institutional websites.

International Academy of Cytology standardized reporting of breast fine-needle aspiration cytology with cyto-histopathological correlation of breast carcinoma.

The International Academy of Cytology (IAC) has developed a standardized approach for reporting the findings of breast fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Accordingly, there are five chief categories of breast lesions, C1 (insufficient material), C2 (benign), C3 (atypical), C4 (suspicious), and C5 (malignant). The prognostication and management of breast carcinoma can be performed readily on the basis of this classification system. The aim of this study was to classify various breast lesions into one of the above-named categories and to further grade the C5 lesions specifically using the Robinson system. The latter grades were then correlated with modified Scarff-Bloom-Richardson (SBR) grades. This retrospective study was undertaken in the pathology department of a hospital located in the urban part of the city of Bangalore. All FNAC procedures performed on breast lumps spanning the year 2020 were included in the study. A total of 205 breast lesions was classified according to the IAC guidelines into C1 (6 cases, 2.9%), C2 (151 cases, 73.7%), C3 (13 cases, 6.3%), C4 (5 cases, 2.5%), and C5 (30 cases, 14.6%) groups. The C5 cases were further graded using Robinson's system. The latter showed a significant correlation with the SBR system (concordance=83.3%, Spearman correlation=0.746, Kendall's tau-b=0.736, kappa=0.661, standard error=0.095, p≤.001). A standardized approach for FNAC reporting of breast lesions, as advocated for by the IAC, improves the quality and clarity of the reports and assures diagnostic reproducibility on a global scale. Further, the cytological grading of C5 lesions provides reliable cyto-prognostic scores that can help assess a tumor's aggressiveness and predict its histological grade.

Reproducibility of Cardiac Computed Tomography Classifications of Hypoattenuated Thickening and Peridevice Leak Following Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

To assess the reproducibility of interpreting hypoattenuated thickening (HAT) and peridevice leak (PDL) using cardiac computed tomography (CT) imaging following Watchman FLX left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). In this multicenter retrospective reproducibility study, 100 anonymized post-LAAC cardiac CT scans were evaluated within the same cardiac phase by an experienced and a novice rater blinded to prior evaluations. All scans were evaluated twice by each rater, assessing overall HAT and PDL categories as well as specific associated findings based on suggested algorithms for post-LAAC interpretation. Inter- and intra-rater agreement and reliability were evaluated using absolute agreement, Cohen's kappa and Kendall's tau for categorical variables, and mean difference, Bland-Altman plots, limits of agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for continuous variables.Within overall categories of both HAT and PDL, substantial agreement (kappa >0.61) and reliability (Kendall's tau-b > 0.75) were observed. Specifically, identifying high-grade HAT (kappa >0.78) and distal patency (kappa >0.85) displayed the highest agreement within HAT and PDL interpretation. Meanwhile, measuring the height of the proximal screw hub cove represented the least reliable HAT assessment among both inter- and intra-rater comparisons (ICC<0.75), while suspected leak mechanism represented the least reproducible PDL measure. Despite only minimal training of one rater, overall high levels of inter- and intra-rater agreement and reliability were observed across the chosen algorithms for interpretation of HAT and PDL following Watchman FLX LAAC. Prognostic implications of the included variables are to be explored in future trials and registries.

Prevalence of household food insecurity and its association with food waste

BackgroundHousehold food waste significantly contributes to overall food waste. While the relationship between food security and food waste has been extensively studied at the macro level, there is a need for research focusing on the quantitative association between food security and food waste at the household level in developing countries, particularly in Southeast Asia. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of household food insecurity and household food waste and to examine the association between household food security and food waste using direct measurements.Subjects and methodsA total of 215 households in Bogor Regency, Indonesia, participated in this cross-sectional study. Food waste was measured using waste composition analysis and a 7-day diary. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) questionnaire was used to assess household food security, while household income and the proportion of food expenditure were considered confounding factors. The association between food security and food waste was examined using Kendall tau-b and ordinal logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of household food insecurity was 18.6%, and the average household food waste was 77 kg/cap/year. Cereals, tubers, and their derivatives (especially rice) and vegetables were major contributors to edible waste, while fruits dominated inedible waste. A negative association was observed between food waste and household food security (edible FW: p = 0.044, r = -0.110; total FW: p = 0.038, r = -0.114), suggesting that household food waste decreases as the severity of food insecurity increases. However, after adjusting for household income, the proportion of food expenditure, and the education levels of spouses, this association became statistically insignificant (p > 0.05).ConclusionThere was no significant association between household food security status and food waste. Household income plays a significant role in determining the quantity of household food waste, as higher income is associated with increased food waste. Strategies to prevent and reduce food waste should focus on major contributors such as rice and vegetables, especially among families with higher food accessibility.

Predictors of length of postoperative stay following endoscopic skull base surgery with intraoperative CSF leak.

Establishing benchmarks for length of stay (LOS) may inform strategies to improve resource efficiency, decrease costs, and advance care quality. In this study, the authors characterize postoperative LOS in endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS) and elucidate prolonging factors. A retrospective chart review was conducted at a tertiary academic center including consecutive adult patients who underwent intradural ESBS with intraoperative CSF leak during primary repair between July 2018 and March 2024. LOS, calculated as the time between the end of anesthesia until discharge from the hospital, comprised the primary outcome. Categorical and continuous independent study variables were assessed for univariate LOS association via the Mann-Whitney U-test and Kendall's tau-b correlation, respectively, and those with significant associations were included as multiple linear regression inputs. One hundred sixty-three patients were included, with a median LOS of 4.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.8-5.8) days. LOS was significantly prolonged in high-flow (n = 82) compared with low-flow (n = 81) CSF leak cohorts (median 4.5 [IQR 3.9-6.5] vs 2.9 [IQR 2.1-4.7] days, p = 0.002). Defects involving the anterior cranial fossa (n = 16, median 4.6 [IQR 3.3-7.5)] days), suprasellar region (n = 94, median 4.4 [IQR 3.2-6.4] days), sella (n = 138, median 3.9 [IQR 2.8-5.8] days), or posterior cranial fossa (n = 17, median 4.5 [IQR 3.9-6.5] days) had variable LOSs. On multiple linear regression, after controlling for numerous patient, surgical, and postoperative factors, lesion diameter (B = 0.16, 95% CI 0.048-0.26), bone defect area (B = 0.008, 95% CI 0.001-0.014), anesthesia time (B = 0.015, 95% CI 0.004-0.026), bed rest length (B = 2.34, 95% CI 1.12-3.56), postoperative CSF leak (B = 11.06, 95% CI 4.11-18.01), postoperative meningitis (B = 11.79, 95% CI 4.83-18.74), postoperative stroke/hemorrhage (B = 25.25, 95% CI 18.43-32.06), and postoperative pneumonia (B = 5.59, 95% CI 0.79-10.38) independently predicted overall prolonged LOS. With healthcare utilization receiving increased attention, mitigating factors that extend LOS are important. Extent of surgery and certain postoperative complications may constitute key factors prolonging LOS following intradural ESBS with intraoperative CSF leak.

Changes of β2-microglobulin and electrolytes in different stages of COPD and their value in evaluating prognosis

Background: To investigate the changes of β2-microglobulin and electrolyte in different stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the value of evaluating prognosis. Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken on 120 patients diagnosed with COPD and treated at our hospital between February 1, 2020, and January 31, 2023. These patients were classified into three groups based on the GOLD classification: mild (FEV1 &gt; 81%), moderate (51% &lt; FEV1 ≤ 80%), and severe (FEV1 ≤ 50%). As a control group, 40 healthy individuals who had routine examinations during the same period were selected. The COPD patients were then followed up and divided into a good prognosis group (n = 67) and a poor prognosis group (n = 53). The levels of β 2-microglobulin and electrolytes were measured in patients with different stages of the disease and different prognoses. Kendall's tau-b and ordered logistic regression were employed to analyze how the changes in β 2-microglobulin and electrolyte levels correlated with disease severity. Furthermore, the prognostic value of β 2-microglobulin and electrolyte levels in COPD was assessed using an ROC curve. Results: In comparison to the control group, the severity of COPD patients displayed a notable increase in β 2-microglobulin levels, while there was a significant decrease in levels of calcium, chlorine, potassium, and sodium. Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficient analysis indicated a positive correlation between COPD severity and β 2-microglobulin, and a negative correlation between COPD severity and levels of calcium, chlorine, potassium, and sodium. Logistic regression analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between disease severity and β 2-microglobulin, and a negative correlation between disease severity and levels of calcium, chlorine, potassium, and sodium. Furthermore, the poor prognosis group exhibited a significant increase in β 2-microglobulin levels, alongside a significant decrease in levels of calcium, chlorine, potassium, and sodium compared to the good prognosis group (P &lt; 0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that a combined detection of β 2-microglobulin, calcium, chlorine, potassium, and sodium yielded significantly higher area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity values compared to single detection methods, highlighting its significant predictive value for COPD prognosis. Conclusion: Patients who presented with a more severe form of the disease exhibited elevated levels of β 2-microglobulin and reduced electrolyte levels. Prognostic accuracy was significantly enhanced when β 2-microglobulin and electrolyte levels were analyzed together, offering a superior method for predicting patient outcomes.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Irregular Sub-Saharan Migrants in Northern Morocco.

Due to its geographical proximity to Europe, Morocco experiences a significant influx of migrants from neighboring Sub-Saharan African countries. Attempts to cross the Strait of Gibraltar make Northern Morocco a stopover for Sub-Saharan migrants. However, faced with increasingly restrictive measures from European Union countries, many of these migrants are compelled to turn this transit into a prolonged stay in Morocco, often in irregular status and facing challenging socio-economic conditions that threaten their health and their quality of life-related to health. This study aims to assess the level of health-related quality of life and its determinants among irregular Sub-Saharan migrants in Northern Morocco using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) measurement scale. A total of 526 irregular Sub-Saharan migrants residing in the cities of Tangier and Tetouan were recruited using snowball sampling. A socio-demographic information sheet and the SF-36 scale were used to collect data. Subsequently, the data were entered and statistically analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 21.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). Numerical variables were summarized as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as frequency and percentage. Non-parametric tests, including the Mann-Whitney U test and Kendall's Tau-B, were used to measure the association of physical and mental component scores with sociodemographic variables, for a significance level set at p < 0.05. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify factors determining health-related quality of life, using odds ratios (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) for p < 0.05. Participants were aged between 18 and 50 years, with a mean age of 29.7 ± 7.6 years; 80% were single, and the majority were male (63.7%). In terms of education, 57.2% have a secondary level. The physical (PCS = 46.5 ± 9.03) and mental (MCS = 35.5 ± 9.9) summary scores were low. PCS and MCS were lower among subjects aged ≥ 36 years compared to those aged 18-25 years (p = 0.000). Women had lower PCS than men (p = 0.002). The migrants having more than three years in Morocco had lower MCS compared to those recently settled (p = 0.002). PCS and MCS were lower among participants who were assaulted compared to those who were not (p = 0.000). Multivariate logistic regression results showed that age, type of habitat, and assault significantly affected both PCS and MCS scores. Gender is a significant determinant for PCS and duration of stay in Morocco for MCS. The quality of life of Sub-Saharan irregular migrants appears to be low, particularly concerning the mental health component, highlighting the need for priority interventions in this area to improve their health status.

Developing students' scientific competencies using the school's environmental context in rural and semi-rural settings

The study implemented a didactic proposal to develop Scientific Competencies in secondary students from rural and semi-rural contexts by leveraging the school's environmental surroundings. Using an instrumental case study methodology, progression hypotheses were established, revealing a sufficient correlation (0.32) in scientific competency development between two targeted students, as determined by Kendall's Tau-B. The research focused on two students deemed suitable by their teacher, with evidence analyzed to create a performance rubric that assessed competency development. The findings indicated that the teacher's ecology teaching model aligned with a level 2 progression based on specialized literature, leading to specific didactic recommendations. The study concluded that effectively incorporating constructs for developing scientific competencies requires teachers to adopt critical perspectives on the inconsistencies in the Colombian educational system, understand scientific competencies in an international context, and engage as reflective researchers. This approach is essential for fostering scientific competency development in the classroom.

Mangroves trend and their impact on surface temperature in Al-Wajh Lagoon: a study aligned with Saudi Arabia's vision 2030

Mangrove ecosystems are vital to arid environments like Saudi Arabia, offering crucial ecological services and enhancing biodiversity. This study investigates the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of mangrove coverage in the Al Wajh lagoon area, crucial for crafting effective conservation and management strategies. Employing high-resolution Landsat and Sentinel imagery, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) were analysed across 35 mangrove clusters. By 2023, mangroves covered approximately 24.5 km2. Kendall Tau-b Correlation Coefficients confirmed a significant positive trend. The study further explored the relationship between NDVI and surface temperature, revealing an inverse correlation with slope values ranging from −4.03 to −44.1, suggesting that increased mangrove coverage significantly contributes to local cooling, thereby underscoring the climate regulation benefits of mangrove conservation. This positive change in NDVI post-2020 is directly attributable to the conservation efforts embedded within the Red Sea Project, Vision 2030, development phases, demonstrating the critical role of designated conservation zones in mitigating the environmental impacts of large-scale development projects. The findings underscore the need for targeted policies to protect and expand mangrove habitats as part of broader environmental sustainability goals in the region.

Sexual dimorphism of pelvic scarring: A new method of adult biological sex estimation.

Estimating biological sex is a crucial aspect of forensic anthropology, and is pivotal in forensic investigations. Presently, the most frequently adopted osteological sex estimation methods focus on the anterior pelvis, which is easily susceptible to postmortem damage, revealing a need for additional accurate methods. This study introduces a novel method for estimating adult sex through metric pelvic scar analysis, using a known skeletal sample (169 females; 51 males). Relationships between sex and scar dimensions were subjected to Kendall's tau-B testing, and the strongest associated measurements were further analyzed using binary logistic regression to determine their predictive capacity. The final estimation method was tested on an additional known-sex sample of 43 males and 43 females from the Spitalfields skeletal collection. All associations between biological sex and scar measurements were significant, with the preauricular sulcus and newly defined inferior interosseous cavity presenting the strongest relationships (τb 0.223-0.504). Individual regression models using the approximate volume of each feature predicted sex with over 80% accuracy, but when combined in a single regression model, the accuracy increased to an impressive 97.1%. When then applied to the validation sample, the final estimation model achieved an accuracy of 90.7%. These results highlight the high estimation accuracy achieved by simultaneously utilizing the approximate volume of the sulcus and the inferior cavity. This is not only highly accurate but also utilizes the sturdier posterior pelvis, making it a promising tool for forensic investigations and the wider field of osteology.

Impact of a pharmacist-led intervention on prostate cancer illness perception.

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Illness perception (IP) significantly determines illness outcomes. This study determined the impact of a pharmacist educational intervention on IP in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and predictors of IP. Using a brief IP questionnaire, an interventional study of patients with PCa was conducted in all cancer reference hospitals in one Nigerian state. After a pre-post assessment of patients' IP, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. The impact of pharmacists' intervention on IP was determined by paired-sample statistics and correlation analysis at the 95% CI. Relationships and predictors of IP were determined using Kendall's tau-b (τb), likelihood ratio, and F tests of equality of means, respectively. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Pharmacists' educational intervention significantly improved IP (SEM, 0.13; r = 0.875; P < 0.0001) among the 200 participants. The analyses also showed a significant paired sample difference (2.662; SEM, 0.06; 95%CI, 2.536-2.788; t = 41.69; df = 199; P < 0.0001). All subscales of patients' IP significantly improved except for illness consequences (P = 0.173) and identity (mean [SD], 4.40 [3.730] in both pre- and postintervention assessments). Pre- and postintervention assessments showed a significant negative relationship of IP with age (τb = -110 [P = 0.040] and τb = -14 [P = 0.021], respectively), Gleason score (τb = -0.125 [P = 0.021] and τb = -0.124 [P=0.012], respectively), and age at diagnosis (τb = -0.103 [P = 0.036] post intervention). IP was significantly dependent on the drug therapy (df = 8; mean square [M] = 6.292; F = 2.825; P = 0.006), alcohol intake (df = 1; M = 9.608; F = 4.082; P = 0.045) and Gleason score (df = 9; M = 6.706; F = 3.068; P = 0.002). Patients' IP significantly improved after pharmacists' educational intervention. Predictors of IP were drug therapies, alcohol use and Gleason score. Findings can be extrapolated in clinical settings to improve treatment outcomes.

The anxiety level of pregnant women at Siti Khodijah Muhammadiyah Sepanjang Hospital during COVID-19 pandemic

Pregnant women are one of the vulnerable groups who have to face the unpleasant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the effects is the psychological impact that is bad for both the mother and the fetus. This study aims to describe the level of anxiety experienced by pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic at Siti Khodijah Muhammadiyah Sepanjang Hospital. The results of this study are expected to be used as information to help overcome more serious mental health problems. This research uses using quantitative descriptive design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample of this study was 112 pregnant women who met the research criteria. This research was conducted by giving them questionnaires consisting of their age, job, parity, gestational age, history of COVID-19 illness, history of mental problems, knowledge about COVID-19, and level of anxiety. Statistical analysis showed 84.8%, 8.9% and 6.3% of pregnant women experience low, moderate, and concerning levels of anxiety, respectively. The majority of pregnant women are primigravida, aged 20-35 years, with a gestational age of 28-41 weeks, housewives, and the level of knowledge about COVID-19 is very good. Correlation analysis using Kendall's tau-b showed a significance value of 0.038 (&lt;0.05), which means a relationship exists between the level of knowledge about COVID-19 and the level of anxiety of pregnant women. In conclusion, the level of anxiety of pregnant women the most is low anxiety, followed by moderate and concerning levels of anxiety.