Type Of Occupation Research Articles

A dynamic simulation model for building cooling and heating energy considering climate-building system-occupant interactions

Residential buildings have a significant potential for energy conservation. The building energy consumption process is a complex system influenced by several factors at climate, building system, and occupant levels. This study introduces a novel model based on a multi-agent system to systematically integrate these multiple influencing factors, simulate their interactions, and estimate the resultant cooling and heating energy with dynamic variations over years considered. The automatic dynamic energy simulation was conducted over 30 years considering four temporal parameters (i.e., outdoor temperature, heat transfer coefficient of the building envelope, household type, and behavior pattern of occupants). A case building was used to validate the model, and the dynamic annual results were quite different from the static ones. The dynamic cumulative cooling energy consumption during 31 years was 0.69 % lower than the static one, whereas dynamic cumulative heating energy was 7.53 % higher compared with static energy. It highlighted the importance of considering dynamic multi-agent interactions. Besides, the roles of multiple energy influencing factors and dynamic parameters were compared and discussed. This study provides critical insights into improving building energy performance and offers a rapid and automatic approach for dynamic energy simulation.

Robust analysis and best practices in flood economic loss assessment using HEC-FIA and GO-Consequence software for climate-ready risk management

Evaluating economic losses is essential for effective flood mitigation and rescue missions. While tools such as HAZUS and HEC-FIA have been extensively used for estimating economic losses, there remains a notable gap in exploring the nuanced intrinsic data of these software systems. This study evaluates HEC-FIA and GO-Consequence, delving into methodologies governing key parameters, including the depth-damage function, National Structure Inventory (NSI) dataset utilization, structure replacement costs based on occupancy type, foundation height considerations, and nuanced flooded depth calculations. Additionally, the research appraises and validates the recently disclosed NSI dataset by the US Army Corps of Engineers, underscoring its pivotal role in economic loss assessment.The analysis suggests that HEC-FIA overestimates by about 15 % compared to GO-Consequence. This overestimation in loss estimation varies across categories, especially in commercial and public buildings. Identified anomalies in estimated loss values emphasize the importance of validating input data sources and cross-referencing with alternative models. The percentage difference between model estimations increases for higher loss values, suggesting factors such as interpretation of damageable value from depth-damage function, flooded depth, occupancy type, and number of stories influence estimation discrepancies. GO-Consequence aligns closely with actual loss values, showcasing state-of-the-art capabilities, advanced features, and enhanced functionalities. Its integration with open data sources makes GO-Consequence a superior choice for future flood loss assessments. The outlined methodology is a best practice for researchers, engineers, and stakeholders, offering insights into estimated value uncertainties.

Impact of blue-collar vs. white-collar occupations on disease burden in psoriatic arthritis patients: A Swiss clinical quality management in rheumatic diseases cohort study

Biomechanical stress may exacerbate inflammation in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This study aimed to investigate disease activity, work disability, and drug response/retention rates in PsA patients among two different occupation’s types: blue-collar workers (BCol) with manual labor versus white-collar workers (WCol) with sedentary occupations. PsA patients registered in the Swiss cohort (SCQM) were classified as BCol or WCol workers and assessed at the initiation of a biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (b-/tsDMARD). We compared the baseline characteristics at treatment start and the DAS28-CRP for the 1-year remission. Treatment retention was investigated using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Multivariable models were adjusted for potential confounders. Of 564 patients, 29% were BCol, and 71% were WCol workers. Baseline disease activity was comparable between both groups. BCol workers were predominantly male (79.8%) and more work disabled at baseline (84.0% vs. 27.9%; p < 0.01). One hundred seventy-four treatment courses (TCs) of 165 PsA patients were included for longitudinal analysis. Occupation did not significantly influence the achievement of DAS28-CRP remission at 1 year. Kaplan–Meier analysis (n = 671) indicated longer retention for BCol workers (mean retention duration: 3.15 years vs. 2.15 years, (p = 0.006). However, adjusted Cox regression analysis did not corroborate these findings. This study indicates that physically demanding occupations correlate with increased rates of work disability among PsA patients, while treatment response seems to be unaffected by the patients’ occupation type. Additional research is required to thoroughly comprehend the relationship between physical workload, disease activity, and treatment outcomes.Key Points• This study indicates that physically demanding occupations correlate with increased rates of work disability among PsA patients.• The treatment response among of PsA patients seems unaffected by the patients’ occupation type.

Analysis of anamnestic data from genetic counseling of couples with history of repeated spontaneous abortions from Split Croatia

Aim: To show the importance of how important are in the genetic counselling process of spontaneous abortions, including careful and detailed analyses of anamnestic data and drawing a family tree.Methods: We included 451 couples with normal karyotypes and treated in the Genetic Counseling Unit due to one or more unsuccessful pregnancies from 1985 to 2010.Results: Second-generation relatives of both partners had two times higher number of SA than the general popu-lation. Almost one third of participans (men and women) were historically exposed to some harmful agent. The "motherhood age effect" is not present, male partners in the group with 3 spontaneous abortions (SA) were older. Both men and women had previous urinary and/or genital infections more often than in the general population. There was no significant correlation between occupation and SA and the frequency of urogenital infections with the type of occupation. Women were affected by computer work or exposure to food and chemicals, while men mostly by heat and cold exposure. Harmful habits predominant in women was smoking and alcohol by men.Conclusion: The research showed how much important information could be obtained for further investigation of the causes of a complex multifactorial process such as recurrent spontaneous abortions.

The Impact of Multimorbidity on Labor Force Participation Among the Middle-Aged and Older Working Population in the United States.

Multimorbidity, known as multiple chronic conditions (MCC), is the coexistence of two or more chronic health conditions (CHC). The near-retirement-age population with MCC is more likely to experience discontinued labor force participation (LFP). Our objective was to evaluate the impact of MCC on LFP among adults aged 50-64 and to explore heterogeneous effects between self-employed and non-self-employed workers. We constructed our sample using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) from 1996 to 2018. We adopted an individual fixed-effect (F.E.) model and propensity score matching (PSM) to measure the impact of MCC on the probability of being employed and changes in annual work hours. 50.5% of respondents have MCC. Individuals with MCC exhibit a predicted probability of being employed that is 9.3 percentage points (p < .01, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: -0.109, -0.078) lower than those without MCC. Compared with non-CHC, MCC significantly reduced annual working hours by 6.1% (p < .01, 95% CI: -0.091, -0.036) in the F.E. model and by 4.9% (p < .01, 95% CI: -0.064, -0.033) in PSM estimation. The effect is more pronounced for the self-employed with MCC, who have 13.0% (p < .05, 95% CI: -0.233, -0.026) fewer annual work hours than non-CHC based on the FE model and 13.4% (p < .01, 95% CI: -0.197, -0.070) in PSM estimation. MCC significantly reduces LFP compared with non-MCC. MCC has a heterogeneous impact across occupational types. It is important to support the near-retirement-age working population with multimorbidity through effective clinical interventions and workplace wellness policies to help manage health conditions and remain active in the labor market.

Prevalence of Spinal Segmental Sensitization Syndrome in Outpatients Attending Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centers for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Multicenter Study

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of spinal segmental sensitization (SSS) syndrome, a regional pain disorder, among patients visiting physical medicine and rehabilitation centers (PM&RCs) for chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP). DesignAn observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted from March to July 2023. SettingSeven PM&RCs from 5 cities, representing 3 care systems: Social Security (SS), Ministry of Health (MH), and private practice (PP). ParticipantsAll patients, regardless of age, attending a physiatry consultation for CMSP for the first time and who provided informed consent to participate were included. Nonprobabilistic sampling was employed. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasureWe estimated the overall prevalence of SSS syndrome as a percentage among patients with CMSP, stratified by health care institution, sex, age, and occupation type. We also recorded the spinal segments involved and any concomitant painful disorders (CPDs). SSS syndrome was diagnosed using standardized criteria. ResultsOf the eligible participants, 319 with CMSP were enrolled; 73.4% were women, and the median age of participants was 56.9 (range, 13-89y) years. The overall prevalence of SSS syndrome was 53.3%. Of these, 69.1%, 42.2%, and 13.8% were in the SS, MH, and PP systems, respectively. The most affected were female participants (56.4%), those aged 50-64 years (60.4%), and those with active jobs (58.8%). Most commonly, the lumbosacral and lumbar segments were affected, followed by the lower and middle cervical levels. Spine pathologies were the most common CPDs. ConclusionThe prevalence of SSS syndrome was high among patients who visited PM&RCs for CMSP and varied according to the care system. Further research on SSS syndrome is warranted to relieve the burden it poses on patients with CMSP and ensure proper diagnosis in clinical practice.

Structural nonlinear seismic time-history response prediction of urban-scale reinforced concrete frames based on deep learning

Efficiently predicting the seismic response of urban building clusters is essential for preemptively identifying potential seismic hazards prior to an earthquake and optimizing resource allocation post-event. However, complete information of buildings at a city scale is generally un-accessible or non-existent. Existing methods struggle to reconcile low information demands, high computational accuracy, and computational efficiency. This paper proposes a fast prediction method for structural seismic time-history responses that combines deep learning methods with easy-getting structural parameters at an urban scale. An end-to-end network with adaptive multilevel fusion output is designed, which incorporates the autoencoder concept for predicting the structural seismic time-history responses based on ground motions records and five easy-getting structural parameters. The models are compared and optimized considering the training hyperparameters and network architecture, resulting in an optimized model with low complexity that provides valuable reference values for structural seismic response. Besides, the proposed model is applied to four actual buildings with different construction time, occupancy types, and floor sizes, demonstrating its good prediction performance and significant computational advantages comparing to the universally used MDOF method.

A practical method for functional recovery analysis based on seismic resilience assessment of city building portfolios

Enhancing the seismic resilience of city building portfolios represents a pivotal strategy for mitigating the adverse effects of earthquakes. A practical method for functional recovery analysis is proposed to quantitatively assess the seismic resilience of city building portfolios. The proposed method involves quantifying delay time and developing repair scheduling schemes. The delay time considers the dependencies of normal functioning buildings on infrastructure service availability and road accessibility. It emphasizes the varying demands of buildings for critical versus general infrastructure services. The repair scheduling scheme, conducted in two steps, employs a rational repair priority index that integrates the post-earthquake residual functionality, service capacity, and relative importance of buildings. This scheme prioritizes the repair of life-rescue-related buildings, distinguishes the repair sequence for different occupancy types of buildings, and reflects the principles of local governments in repair decision-making. The effectiveness of this practical method is demonstrated through a case study. Recovery curves are compared under different earthquake scenarios and levels of labor force constraints. The concept of normalized time is introduced to allow for a comparative assessment of seismic resilience across different recovery scenarios in a more practical manner. The results can provide valuable guidance for formulating pre-earthquake risk reduction strategies, developing post-earthquake functional recovery schemes, and constructing more resilient cities.

Information Network Assessment of Farm Women in Sub-Himalayan Terai Region of India and the Role of KVK

Krishi Vigyan Kendra play an important role of information network development among the farmers and farm women through different training and extension programme. This empirical study was conducted to find out the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra on information networks development of the farm women in sub Himalayan terai region of India and to identify the different factors influencing agricultural information network output of the farm women in terms of knowledge. The study was conducted in the Cooch Behar District of West Bengal with the help of an ex post facto research design. It is found from the study that social participation of farm women was high in case of the members of Self Help Groups, Mobility of the farm women were more in panchayat office. Majority of the farm women received farm information from farmers club/FPO, sources of informal farm information of the female farmers were higher in case of discussion with fellow farmers, mass media exposure of the farm women was higher in case of mobile phone and farm women visit the farm science centre whenever problems occur. It is also found from the study that the variables livestock possession, material possession, participation of FSC programme, communication skill, attitude of the farm women towards FSC scientist, mass media exposure, e resources exposure, decision making ability, type of family and occupation were influence more than 70% of the variability of the dependent variable agricultural information network output of the farm women. So, it is very essential for taking consideration above mentioned variable before implementation of any farm women orientated programme. It is revealed from the study that the residual errors were less in the regression model and there was some of variation that is not explained by the model. The research work would play important guidelines for expanding the information network in the field of agriculture through Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

Assessment of heat stress contributing factors in the indoor environment among vulnerable populations in Klang Valley using principal component analysis (PCA)

Rising global temperatures can lead to heat waves, which in turn can pose health risks to the community. However, a notable gap remains in highlighting the primary contributing factors that amplify heat-health risk among vulnerable populations. This study aims to evaluate the precedence of heat stress contributing factors in urban and rural vulnerable populations living in hot and humid tropical regions. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 108 respondents from urban and rural areas in Klang Valley, Malaysia, using a face-to-face interview and a validated questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the principal component analysis, categorizing factors into exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicators. In urban areas, five principal components (PCs) explained 64.3% of variability, with primary factors being sensitivity (health morbidity, medicine intake, increased age), adaptive capacity (outdoor occupation type, lack of ceiling, longer residency duration), and exposure (lower ceiling height, increased building age). In rural, five PCs explained 71.5% of variability, with primary factors being exposure (lack of ceiling, high thermal conductivity roof material, increased building age, shorter residency duration), sensitivity (health morbidity, medicine intake, increased age), and adaptive capacity (female, non-smoking, higher BMI). The order of heat-health vulnerability indicators was sensitivity > adaptive capacity > exposure for urban areas, and exposure > sensitivity > adaptive capacity for rural areas. This study demonstrated a different pattern of leading contributors to heat stress between urban and rural vulnerable populations.

Metabolic syndrome in personnel of TUMS☆ and its association with types of occupations: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) causes an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Hospital staff as an influential segment of the population are at risk of developing MetS. This study aimed to determine the occupational distribution of MetS in hospital staff and to examine the association between the type of occupation and the likelihood of developing MetS. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study we recruited 3128 personnel of TUMS, including healthcare workers, office workers and supportive workers of Tehran's University Teaching Hospitals during 2020–2022. Demographic, anthropometric indices and laboratory tests were recorded. MetS was determined using three definitions including ATP III recommendations, IDF and regional IDF criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26. ResultsMetS was observed in 641 (20.5%) subjects according to ATP III recommendations, 923 (29.5%) based on IDF and 713 (22.8%) using regional IDF criteria. Using regional IDF criteria, age, gender and occupational status were associated with the MetS occurrence (all p < 0.0001). Adjusting for the age and gender of participants, healthcare workers were less likely to develop MetS compared to both office workers (OR = 0.66, 95%CI for OR: 0.55–0.80, p < 0.0001) and supportive workers (OR = 0.72, 95%CI for OR: 0.58–0.90, p = .003). However, office workers and supportive workers did not differ significantly regarding this parameter (p = .44). ConclusionRegardless of the MetS definition criteria, the findings indicated an alarming MetS prevalence, particularly among supportive workers and office workers. Considering the significant role of hospital staff in patients’ health promotion, effective management is essential.

Estimating the efficacy of Newborn-Communication, Health, Feeding and Swallowing Education Program (N-CHFSEP) for primiparous mothers

Background Primiparous mothers face diverse challenges during pregnancy and post-childbirth. There is a lack of comprehensive educational programs for primiparous mothers on maternal functioning and newborn care. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of a developed educational program on the attitude of primiparous mothers towards newborn communication, general health, feeding and swallowing. The objectives were (1) to develop an attitude questionnaire (AQ), a parent education program, and a feedback questionnaire (FQ); and (2) to estimate the efficacy of the education program pre- and post-delivery. Methods Ninety-eight primiparous mothers without any obstetric history, proficient in English or Kannada, and delivering healthy newborns were recruited for the study. Phase 1 involved the development and validation of AQ, the parent education program [Newborn Communication, Health, Feeding and Swallowing Education Program (N-CHFSEP)], and FQ; while Phase 2 comprised of administering them on the mothers. Both quantitative (descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and chi-square test) and qualitative analysis were done on the parameters of interest. Results The results of the study demonstrated a notable increase in the number of mothers (not all) reporting heightened confidence levels following receiving the N-CHFSEP (which was observed in all the domains). This observed change (pre and post) was statistically significant as per paired t-test analysis (p &lt;0.05) indicating a significant increase in confidence levels post-N-CHFSEP intervention, as well as recognizing warning signs related to the same. Sociodemographic factors such as age, education, occupation, and family type were reported to have a significant effect (p &lt;0.05) on maternal confidence levels before and after N-CHFSEP administration. Feedback from participants highlighted the effectiveness of the program in enhancing knowledge and awareness, while also suggesting areas for improvement. Conclusions This study demonstrates the effectiveness of N-CHFSEP in enhancing primiparous mothers' confidence in newborn care, thereby improving maternal and infant health.

Prediction of residential building occupancy using Machine learning with integrated sensor and survey Data: Insights from a living lab in Morocco

Building occupancy information is essential for effective energy management in buildings through the adoption of energy conservation and occupant-centric control strategies. These strategies endeavor to contribute to optimizing energy consumption while ensuring occupant comfort. This study focuses on advanced occupancy modeling techniques to enhance energy efficiency in residential buildings, utilizing various data-driven techniques. Various Machine Learning models, such as Random Forest, Bayesian Network, Decision Trees, Support Vector Machines, K-Nearest Neighbors, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, and Regularized Greedy Forest, have been evaluated for predicting and classifying building occupancy. Employing a living lab approach within a residential setting, the research evaluates model performance using two ground truth datasets: IoT sensor and survey data. Experimental tests use Accuracy and F1_score as evaluation criteria, demonstrating accuracy rates ranging from 70% to 95.96%. The results highlight the performance of these models in predicting residential occupancy, offering valuable insight into two approaches to occupancy modeling. The Random Forest model performs exceptionally well in capturing occupancy trends, while the Bayesian Network model, combined with expert knowledge, provides detailed predictions of occupancy types and zones. The research also addresses challenges related to data collection, including privacy concerns. It presents effective occupancy modeling strategies for residential energy management.

Deep neural network-based probabilistic classifier of occupational accident types on a construction site in Korea

ABSTRACT The number of accidents in the Korean construction industry has been increasing rapidly, reaching about 25,000 every year. Although strong and binding laws and systems have been implemented to reduce accidents in the construction industry, the frequency of accidents is still higher than that of other industries. While existing studies have provided models for predicting occupational accidents, there are limitations in predicting individual workers’ occupational accidents specific to site conditions and worker tasks. This study proposed a deep neural network model that can classify and predict core accident types for workers in construction sites, considering the characteristics of the site and workers based on 70,204 case data from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. The result of this study would contribute to improve safety in construction sites by being used for safety accident prevention training customized for workers at construction sites. Additionally, the model can be expanded to develop a real-time construction site occupational accident monitoring and early warning system by integrating ICT-based safety management technologies such as wearable devices and CCTV.

P-010 Impact of paternal occupational exposures on fetal loss in the female partner: a systematic review

Abstract Study question Are paternal occupational exposures associated with a higher risk of fetal loss in the unexposed female partner? Summary answer Significant positive associations between paternal occupational exposures and fetal loss were retrieved, for chemical and physical agents and for several occupations. What is known already Adverse pregnancy outcomes are frequent and, in its recently updated guidelines, the ESHRE reinforced the interest of exploring the father’s exposures. Nevertheless, causes of fetal loss are still most often investigated only in mothers. Paternal risk factors for fetal loss have been scarcely explored, particularly occupational exposures. Though, males appear to be more exposed to occupational reprotoxic agents than females and are not always aware or sufficiently informed of these exposures. Reprotoxic mechanisms of father’s occupational exposures may include sperm nucleus alteration, seminal fluid contamination and/or indirect exposure of the mother to paternal occupational environment (via linen, dust…). Study design, size, duration A systematic review of the literature using PRISMA 2020 methodology was performed for full text English and French language articles in the Pubmed MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Embase databases. Participants/materials, setting, methods We included only original studies published until December 2022, performed in humans, including a control group and performing a multivariate analysis. The fetal losses analysed were early and/or late and we did not exclude studies analysing stillbirths. We excluded studies in which the female partner was also occupationally exposed. The dose-response relationship and mechanisms of action were noted where described. Main results and the role of chance The 33 studies included analysed a total of 540,246 pregnancies from 8,183 couples or 114,093 exposed male workers, and were classified into 3 groups according to the occupational hazards studied. Regarding chemical agents, the risk of miscarriage was significantly increased in cases of paternal occupational exposure to Thiocarbamate(OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3), Carbaryl (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.9-3.1), Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.13-2.18), printing solvents (OR = 5.5, 95% CI 1.8-17.2), ethylene oxide (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 1.2-18.4), petroleum refinery solvents (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.8) and stainless steel welding fumes (RR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.3-9.1). Regarding physical agents, the risk of stillbirth or perinatal mortality was significantly increased with exposure to ionising (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.21-2.76) and nonionising radiation (RR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.08-4.62). Regarding the type of occupation, the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth was significantly increased among crushers, grinders and calenders (OR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.13-4.30), to seamstresses (OR = 2.54, 95% CI 1.29-5), sheet metal workers and commercial aircrew (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 1.30-6.23). The dose-response relationships showed divergent results. The mechanisms of action hypothesized were mainly germ cell mutations. Limitations, reasons for caution The publications selected were mostly published before 2010 and showed high variation in the population sizes, types of male occupational exposure, and in the nature and number of confounding factors used for the multivariate statistical analysis. Due to the various nature of exposures analysed, no meta-analysis could be performed. Wider implications of the findings Men should be made more aware of male-mediated occupational reproductive risks. Occupational health professionals should participate in the investigation of the causes of foetal loss and act on male occupational exposures that may impact pregnancy outcomes. Further high-powered prospective studies are needed, which should include paternal current occupational exposures. Trial registration number not applicable

Tacker Fixation versus Suturing of Mesh in Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair

Abstract Background Laparoscopic hernia repair is more difficult technically than open surgery and there is evidence of learning curve in its performance and many complications which reported from laparoscopic procedure is due to learning curve lead to operative complications. Objective To compare the outcome results of the fixation of mesh by intracorporeal sutures and by tackers in TAPP hernia repair. Patients and Methods In our study, 30 patients were included divided on two groups, 15 for each. Group A; fixation mesh with tackers, Group B; fixation mesh with intracorporeal sutures. Both groups were compared in terms of operative technique, operative time, mesh device fixation cost, intra &amp; post operative complications, early post operative pain within two weeks and in first month, hospital stay, restriction of physical activity and incidence of recurrence and chronic pain. Results We found that using Intracorporeal sutures for fixation mesh is available, cheaper and more handle than using the Tackers which are expensive and less available so it makes a laparoscopic hernia more practical and decrease need for open surgery so we avoid the complication of open surgery. Both techniques are considered safe and effective with similar rates of recurrence and chronic pain although further wider scale studies are recommended. Conclusion TAPP hernia is considered safe as all perioperative complications are well tolerated by patients and mostly there was no need for a second operative intervention. Mesh fixation technique did not affect long-term persistent pain. A large number of patients reported persistent pain regardless of mesh fixation technique, which emphasizes the need for preoperative information. Preoperative pain was a risk factor for persistent pain. The optimal surgical approach must be selected individually for the patient, taking into account patient age, hernia size, unilateral or bilateral, primary or recurrent status, strangulation and type of anesthesia, occupation, and leisure activities. Both techniques are effective in the management of inguinal hernia and were associated with same recurrence rate. However, due to small sample size and short follow up duration, longer- term studies are also recommended.

AGE, SEX, AND TYPES OF OCCUPATION WITH HISTOPATHOLOGICAL TYPES IN PATIENTS WITH OCULAR SURFACE SQUAMOUS NEOPLASIA (OSSN) IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN SURABAYA, INDONESIA

Highlights The histopathological types of OSSN were significantly associated with age and occupation. The study's findings enhance the understanding of OSSN in Indonesia and emphasize the importance of UV exposure, occupation, and age in its development. Abstract Background: Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN) is a spectrum of tumors affecting the conjunctiva and cornea, in which a more invasive type of OSSN has a higher recurrence rate. As a tropical country, Indonesia is constantly exposed to intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the main risk factor for OSSN. Despite this, there are very few studies regarding OSSN in Indonesia. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the association between sociodemographic characteristics such as age, sex, and types of occupation (outdoor and indoor) and histopathological types of OSSN to fill the gap in research and contribute to early diagnostic strategies. Material and Method: Sociodemographic and histopathological data were extracted from the medical records of patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with OSSN at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital from 2017 to 2021. Data from 88 samples that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were classified and analyzed with descriptive statistics and a two-sided Fisher's exact test using SPSS version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). Result: The exact test results of the two-sided fisher revealed a statistically significant relationship between age (p = 0.0004) and occupation type (p = 0.049) with histopathological types of OSSN. However, no significant association was found between sex and histopathological types of OSSN (p = 0.130). Conclusion: Age and occupation were found to have a significant association with the histopathological types of OSSN, reinforcing the need for further exploration of its strength and nature to be considered by future researchers.

Prosthesis Usage and Functional Status in Upper Limb Amputees: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Amputation poses significant challenges encompassing psychological, physical, and socio-economic dimensions, impacting individuals and society at large. In India, a substantial portion of the population faces loco-motor disabilities, with amputees forming a notable segment. Prosthetic rehabilitation plays a crucial role in mitigating the consequences of limb loss, aiming to restore autonomy post-amputation. Methods A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted over 18 months, from November 2018 to May 2020, involving unilateral upper limb amputees (ULAs) aged over 18 years. A consecutive cohort of 33 patients, predominantly male (30 males and three females), with a mean age of 43 ± 12 years (median: 43 years; range: 20-67 years), was prospectively enrolled in the study. Participants had completed at least one month of post-prosthetic fitment and were actively attending outpatient or prosthetic checkout clinics. The study utilized the Manipal Prosthetic Rehabilitation Success (PRS) score and the Orthotics and Prosthetics User Survey Upper Extremity Functional Status (OPUS UEFS) score to assess prosthesis usage and functional status. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The study revealed insights into upper limb prosthesis usage in India, highlighting factors influencing the success and challenges faced by ULAs. Associations were found between the success of prosthesis usage and several factors: occupation type (p=0.012), the side of amputation involving non-dominant limbs (p=0.033), comfort level (p=0.002), and prosthesis weight (p=0.029). Comfort level emerged as a primary predictor of usage success. The OPUS UEFS scores indicated varying levels of satisfaction and usage patterns among participants, with some utilizing prostheses for specific tasks while others for broader activities. Comfort level demonstrated a statistically significant difference in OPUS UEFS scores, favoring comfortable prostheses (p=0.020). Additionally, the mean OPUS UEFS score for patients with satisfactory or good prosthesis use was 53 ± 11 (median: 55; range: 22-64), compared to 45 ± 13 (median: 43; range: 18 - 64) in those with poor prosthesis use, with the difference nearing statistical significance (p=0.058). Conclusion The study sheds light on the landscape of upper limb prosthesis usage in India, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions based on individual needs and cultural contexts. The findings underscore the importance of comfort, side of amputation involving non-dominant limbs, occupation type, and prosthesis weight in determining the success of prosthesis usage. Opportunities exist to enhance upper limb prosthetic care in India by addressing cultural nuances and refining assessment tools to better suit the Indian population.

Assessing Quality of In-Patient Care and Patients's Expectations Using A SERVQUAL Approach in A Tertiary Care Hospital in India

Background: Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare service quality and has implications for the growth and success of healthcare organizations. However, there is often a gap between patients’ expectations and perceptions of service quality, which can vary depending on various sociodemographic factors. This study aimed to assess the expectations, perceptions and service quality gap in a tertiary care hospital using SERVQUAL model. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 adult inpatients using a semi-structured questionnaire based on the five dimensions of the SERVQUAL model. The quality gap was calculated as the difference between perception and expectation scores. Results: The study found a significant negative quality gap across all five dimensions, with the largest gaps observed in reliability and responsiveness. The study also revealed that gender, age, and education influenced patients’ perception of service quality, while type of specialty, residence, monthly income, and occupation did not have a significant effect. Conclusion: The study highlighted the need for improving the service quality in the tertiary care hospital, especially in terms of reliability and responsiveness. The study also suggested that healthcare managers and providers should consider the diverse expectations and needs of patients based on their sociodemographic characteristics.

PHILOSOPHICAL FEATURES OF THE CHINESE MUSICAL TRADITION. GENERAL ANALYSIS

The article is devoted to the consideration of an interesting topic, the influence of philosophy on the formation of ritual Chinese music, which is taken as the basis for the formation of a unified state culture that creates "correct ethical" views in society. Modern ritualism actively studies all the factors and conditions of the formation, conduct and influence of ritual on society, based on a large volume of heterogeneous material. The researchers identified the principles of ritual formation as a social sacred act, taken as the basis of social practice, where language, poetry, music, power, productive activity, and court are built on the basis of ritual. The ritual allows you to rank society by strata, systematizing it, defining each of its place and types of occupation in accordance with the sacred heritage. This aspect was implemented in the ritual tradition of the Chinese Empire, where the ritual itself corresponded to the creation of the empire from the original chaos. The complexity of the ritual required the formation of a mechanism for the harmonization of the sacred-ritual factor through music, songs and dances, which was realized in Chinese culture through the creation of ritual music, which was included as a necessary element in the system of ritual (sacred) and the structure of society (profane) combining them. The ritual musical tradition arose and developed on the basis of a deep philosophical analysis of the experience of the formation of music and songs of the states of ancient China, conducted by Kung-tzu and his followers. As a result, we have practical experience of centuries-old state development, a powerful cultural system, and an ethnic group capable of development under the leadership of the state. At the same time, ritual music developed based on the integration of the traditional cultural achievements of the Han people and neighboring ethnic groups. The ethical principles embedded in culture by Confucian philosophy made it possible to develop music through the synergy of musical traditions of different peoples. Based on philosophy, the musical structure, lyrics, dance movements were selected and the composition of the participants was determined.