Perceptions Of Benefits Research Articles

Septic vs. aseptic revision knee arthroplasty: are scoring systems effective in communicating the nuances?

In comparison to primary TKA, outcomes of revision TKA will always appear inferior. When trying to assess outcomes of revision TKA for PJI, a group of aseptic revisions can serve as a reliable control, as compared to primary TKA. Our primary aim was to compare functional outcomes of septic versus aseptic revisions by using 5 scoring systems. We retrospectively reviewed 45 revision knee arthroplasty cases. Of the 45 cases, 17 belonged to the septic group and 28 to the aseptic group. The scores obtained were assessed for differences between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to assess the correlation between the PCS and MCS of the SF-36 score vs. other scores. The mean WOMAC score in the septic group was 38.88 ± 6.35 and in the aseptic group was 44.96 ± 10.07. With regards to the SF-36 score, the RE component (role limitations due to emotional problems) showed a significant difference, being poorer in the septic group (51.06 ± 31.57) as compared to the aseptic group (69.18 ± 28.62). We found a higher incidence of rest pain and nocturnal pain in the septic group. None of the scoring systems showed correlation with the SF-36 score. In our study, there was a significant difference in the outcome of revision TKA based on etiology only with regards to the WOMAC score. Moreover, our study brings to the fore the importance of not just surgical management of patients with septic failure but also the importance of paying heed to the emotional and social problems encountered by these patients which has an impact on their outcome as a whole and diminishes their perception of benefit from revision surgery in spite of equivocal knee scores as compared to their counterparts.

Fixational eye movements as active sensation for high visual acuity

Perception and action are inherently entangled: our world view is shaped by how we explore our environment through complex and variable self-motion. Even when fixating stable stimuli, our eyes undergo small, involuntary movements. Fixational eye movements (FEM) render a stable world jittery on our retinae, which can be expected to harm neural coding. Yet, empirical evidence suggests that FEM help rather than harm human perception of fine detail. Here, we elucidate this paradox by uncovering under which conditions FEM improve or impair retinal coding and human acuity. We combine theory and experiment: model accuracy is directly compared to that of healthy human subjects in a visual acuity task. Acuity is modeled by applying an ideal Bayesian classifier to simulations of retinal spiking activity in the presence of FEM. In addition, empirical FEM are monitored using high-resolution eye-tracking by an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope. FEM introduce variability in retinal ganglion cell activity, but they also effectively preprocess inputs to facilitate retinal information encoding. Based on an interplay of these mechanisms, our model predicts a relation between visual acuity, FEM amplitude, and single-trial stimulus size that quantitatively accounts for experimental observations and captures the beneficial effect of FEM. Moreover, we observe that while human subjects' FEM statistics vary with stimulus size, our model suggests that subjects' FEM amplitude remains within a near-optimal range, where acuity is enhanced compared to much larger or smaller amplitudes. Overall, our findings indicate that perception benefits from action even at the fine spatiotemporal scale of FEM.

Can I tolerate that kind of behaviour? Self-esteem, expected benefits, risk perceptions and risk tolerance in romantic relationships.

Previous research has relied on characteristics of relationship behaviours (e.g., choosing/avoiding intimacy) as evidence of prioritising potential rewards over the perceived risks (i.e., interpersonal risk tolerance). Across four studies (Ntotal = 1422), we drew from psychological risk-reward models of decision-making to test whether perceived risks, benefits, and/or risk tolerance were associated with relationship goals and behaviours. Self-esteem was positively associated with expecting greater benefits and perceiving less risk in relationship behaviours but not with differences in risk tolerance (i.e., tolerance of risks perceived; Studies 1 & 2). Furthermore, greater expected benefits were associated with connection goals and engaging in those behaviours, whereas greater perceived risk was associated with self-protection goals and less engagement (Studies 3 & 4). Our findings suggest that people with high self-esteem are not necessarily tolerant of interpersonal risk but instead differ in their perceptions of interpersonal risks and benefits, and consequently engage in behaviours they expect to confer benefits and avoid ones they anticipate will be costly.

Memory-guided perception is shaped by dynamic two-stage theta- and alpha-mediated retrieval.

How does memory influence auditory perception, and what are the underlying mechanisms that drive these interactions? Most empirical studies on the neural correlates of memory-guided perception have used static visual tasks, resulting in a bias in the literature that contrasts with recent research highlighting the dynamic nature of memory retrieval. Here, we used electroencephalography to track the retrieval of auditory associative memories in a cue-target paradigm. Participants (N = 64) listened to real-world soundscapes that were either predictive of an upcoming target tone or nonpredictive. Three key results emerged. First, targets were detected faster when embedded in predictive than in nonpredictive soundscapes (memory-guided perceptual benefit). Second, changes in theta and alpha power differentiated soundscape contexts that were predictive from nonpredictive contexts at two distinct temporal intervals from soundscape onset (early-950ms peak for theta and alpha, and late-1650ms peak for alpha only). Third, early theta activity in the left anterior temporal lobe was correlated with memory-guided perceptual benefits. Together, these findings underscore the role of distinct neural processes at different time points during associative retrieval. By emphasizing temporal sensitivity and by isolating cue-related activity, we reveal a two-stage retrieval mechanism that advances our understanding of how memory influences auditory perception.

From Preference to Priority: The Surge in Demand for Organic Foods

This study examines the evolving perceptions of organic food consumption across three phases: Pre-COVID, during COVID, and Post-COVID. It explores the impact of the pandemic on consumer behavior and preferences by leveraging data from over 600,000 interactions on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and online forums. Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and perceptual map scoring, this study identifies key trends and drivers shaping consumer choices, and provides a detailed comparison of attitudes during these critical periods. Key theoretical frameworks underpin this analysis. The Health Belief Model (HBM) explains how perceptions of health benefits and risks influenced the shift toward organic foods, particularly during the pandemic when health consciousness peaked. Similarly, the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) highlights the role of perceived threats, such as chemical exposure in conventional foods, in driving consumers to prioritize organic options for their safety and health benefits. Furthermore, the Diffusion of Innovations Theory (DOI) underscores the role of social media in spreading awareness and encouraging adoption of organic food trends, amplifying consumer engagement during and after the pandemic. The findings reveal a significant surge in the demand for organic foods during the pandemic, driven by heightened health concerns and a desire to support local agriculture and sustainable practices. In the Post-COVID era, these changes reflect a lasting consumer commitment to health and environmental responsibility. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers, marketers, and producers, emphasizing the importance of adapting strategies to meet evolving consumer expectations in a more health-conscious and sustainability-focused market.

P-537. PAIRED - PAtIent Reported Experiences and perceiveD benefit of treatment with dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC): a diverse sample of people with HIV-1 reporting high treatment satisfaction, good adherence, and high quality of life

Abstract Background Understanding the real-world experiences of people with HIV-1 (PWH) is essential to tailoring HIV treatment to PWH needs. PAtIent Reported Experiences and perceiveD benefit of treatment with dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) (PAIRED) examined PWH experiences in the United States. Methods PAIRED comprised a cross-sectional survey and in-depth qualitative interviews of stable-switch PWH ≥ 18 years, receiving DTG/3TC for ≥ 3 months. A mixed recruitment methodology (site-led and community outreach) was employed, and the survey included validated instruments [HIV-Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (HIV-TSQs), Adelphi Adherence Questionnaire™ (ADAQ), PoZQoL]. The survey results presented here are descriptive. Results PAIRED represented a diverse sample of 474 participants (31% female sex at birth, 48% non-White, and 50% ≥ 50 years) (Table 1). Median time since HIV diagnosis was 13.5 years (IQR: 7.0-23.0) and most (74%) had taken ≥ 2 previous antiretroviral (ART) regimens. The majority switched from either bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (28%) or abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine (28%) to DTG/3TC, and 73% had taken their immediate previous treatment for > 12 months. Majority of participants (62%) had taken DTG/3TC for > 12 months. When asked to rank factors influencing switch to DTG/3TC, PWH reported avoidance of side effects and minimizing long-term impact as top 2 factors (Figure 1). Using the HIV-TSQs, PWH reported high satisfaction with dolutegravir/lamivudine. Out of a maximum score of 60, the median total HIV-TSQs score was 57.0 (IQR: 52.0-60.0). Out of a maximum score of 65, participants had an overall median PozQoL score of 47.0 (IQR: 38.5-55.0), indicative of high quality of life. PWH reported improved treatment satisfaction with DTG/3TC compared with their previous ART regimen (68% vs 31% very satisfied) (Figure 2) and reducing the number of medicines was extremely or very important to 79% of PWH (Figure 3). Good adherence was observed using the ADAQ [median ADAQ© score 0.4 (IQR: 0.2-0.5); possible scores 0-4], with 89% of PWH reporting never or rarely missing a DTG/3TC dose. Conclusion PAIRED represented a diverse sample of PWH switching to DTG/3TC who were highly satisfied with treatment resulting in good adherence and high quality of life. Disclosures Jihad Slim, MD, FACP, AbbVie: Grant/Research Support|AbbVie: Honoraria|AbbVie: Speaker Bureau|Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Honoraria|Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Speaker Bureau|Merck: Grant/Research Support|Merck: Honoraria|Merck: Speaker Bureau|Theratechnologies: Advisor/Consultant|Theratechnologies: Honoraria|ViiV Healthcare: Advisor/Consultant|ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support|ViiV Healthcare: Speaker Bureau Andrew P. Brogan, PhD, GSK: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)|ViiV Healthcare: Employee Gavin Harper, BA, Adelphi Real World: Employee|ViiV Healthcare: Contract for this analysis Katie L. Mycock, MChem, Adelphi Real World: employee|ViiV Healthcare: Contract for this analysis Abigail McMillan, MSc, Adelphi Real World: employee|ViiV Healthcare: Contract for this analysis Deanna Merrill, PharmD, MBA, AAHIVP, GSK: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)|ViiV Healthcare: Employee Gustavo Verdier, BSc, BPharm, MBA, ViiV Healthcare: Employee

Community supported agriculture’s perceived positive impacts on mental health and vegetable consumption in Norway and the UK

Community supported agriculture (CSA) is a format for provisioning food, usually vegetables, where consumers are involved, to various degrees, in the production process. In this study of survey data, we explore differences between CSAs in Norway and the UK in terms of organisational models and member characteristics, particularly the factors that contribute to increase member contentment with CSAs, and their perceptions of their own mental health and vegetable consumption. Results show that compared to the British, Norwegian CSA members participate far more actively in the cultivation and harvesting of the vegetables, and more often prepay subscriptions for the whole season. In both countries, CSA membership was perceived to have caused improvements in members’ life quality, vegetable intake and physical and mental health. Members who participated more actively in the CSA and who received more of their vegetables through the CSA, were also more satisfied with their CSA and had a stronger perception that their vegetable consumption level and their mental health were positively affected by membership. Members with lower educational attainment levels were more likely to have discovered new vegetables through the CSA. Environmentally friendly production methods were also found to be important for CSA members. Vegetable quality and affordability were associated with higher contentment, and learning how to cook and grow vegetables through the CSA was associated with higher consumption of, and interest in, new vegetables. Overall, the results indicate that CSAs can stimulate contentment due to their members’ perceptions of social and environmental benefits.

How Should Clinicians Discuss Deprescribing with Caregivers of Older Adults Living with Dementia? A Qualitative Study.

Preventive medications are potential targets for deprescribing in older adults with dementia as goals of care change from preventive to palliative. Yet, prescribers lack communication guidance to address deprescribing. Using bisphosphonates as a case example, we sought to characterize and compare communication preferences of prescribers and family/informal caregivers regarding deprescribing. We conducted 23 semi-structured interviews with prescribers (12) and caregivers (11) of older adults with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD). Prescribers and caregivers were asked to provide their impressions of seven conversation starters for discussing deprescribing, focusing on a case example using bisphosphonates. These phrases focused on topics including life expectancy, treatment burden, adverse effects, and costs. We used a qualitative framework analysis to identify relevant themes as prescribers and caregivers discussed their general perceptions of the potential benefits and harms of bisphosphonates and experiences with deprescribing. Among prescribers, there were ten physicians and two nurse practitioners; most (nine) female and white. Among caregivers, eight were female, seven were white, and five were Latino/a. For both prescribers and caregivers, preferred conversation starters initiated a risk versus benefit discussion, emphasizing medication adverse effects and patient-specific factors, such as functional status and indication for treatment. While prescribers emphasized discussing common medication adverse effects, caregivers noted the importance of knowing a medication's potential impact on ADRD. The least preferred conversation starter for deprescribing among both groups focused on the extra effort and cost of continuing bisphosphonates. Discordance between caregivers and prescribers were identified in several phrases; notably, caregivers disliked statements that introduced discussions of prognosis and life expectancy. Deprescribing conversations may be best perceived by caregivers when introduced with a discussion of a medication's adverse effects and potential impact on cognition. In addition, deprescribing conversations should be tailored to patient-specific factors, including functional status, goals of care, and the role of their caregiver in medical decision-making. Avoiding discussions of medication cost, pill burden, and life expectancy may help reassure the caregiver that deprescribing is a form of medication optimization and not a withdrawal of care.

Public opinion outweighs knowledge: A dual-process framework for understanding acceptance of genetic modification among scientists and laypeople.

Communication research on scientific issues has traditionally relied on the deficit model, which posits that increasing scientific knowledge leads to public acceptance. However, this model's effectiveness is questioned due to inconclusive impacts of knowledge on acceptance. To address this, we propose a dual-process framework combining the deficit model (with scientific knowledge as a key predictor) and a normative opinion process model (where perceived majority opinion plays a crucial role) to predict people's risk/benefit perceptions and their support for genetic modification (GM). Using two national surveys in mainland China-Study 1 with 5145 laypeople and Study 2 with 12,268 scientists-we found positive and significant correlations between scientific knowledge or perceived majority opinion and GM support, mediated by risk/benefit perceptions. Importantly, the normative pathway-represented by perceived majority opinion-exerts a stronger direct and indirect impacts on GM support than scientific knowledge across both scientists and laypeople. Moreover, while the normative process shows a greater influence than the informative process on individuals' perceptions of both benefits and risks associated with GM, its prominence differs between scientists and laypeople depending on the types of perceptions-scientists are more sensitive to risk-related social norms, whereas laypeople are more concerned with norms related to benefits. The paper concludes with a discussion on the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Research on biomechanics-informed rural planning strategies for enhancing biodiversity and health

Rapid urbanization has resulted in decreased biodiversity, adversely impacting ecosystem functions and human health, especially in rural regions. Biomechanics-informed rural planning integrates principles of biological mechanics with biodiversity enhancement and public health objectives to establish sustainable communities. Purpose: This study aims to foster resilient ecosystems and healthier rural populations by introducing biomechanics-informed approaches to rural planning that synergize biodiversity enhancement with health promotion. Methods: This study bridges the knowledge gap by examining the relationship among biomechanically efficient behaviors, personal health, and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (EDRR) through the lens of the Health Belief Model (HBM). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to investigate the correlations between the study's key variables. The research focused on a rural community impacted by disaster to test the hypotheses, exploring biomechanics-informed rural planning strategies that facilitate sustainable development and biodiversity enhancement. Results: The findings indicate that health perceptions and EDRR attributes indirectly influence biomechanically efficient behaviors. Specifically, participation in activities that support biodiversity is positively associated with perceptions of social integration benefits, EDRR awareness, and health promotion. Conclusion: This study underscores the potential to integrate biomechanics into Emergency Disaster Risk Reduction (EDRR) initiatives and community planning to encourage healthy lifestyles and enhance the environmental sustainability of resilient communities.

Enhancing Indonesian Language Learning Through TBLT and Google Classroom in Higher Education: Students’ Perceptions

Many studies have investigated Task-Based Language Teaching(TBLT) in language learning, but studies on the implementation of TBLT assisted by Digital Media in the current era have been rarely conducted by scholars. This study is intended to investigate students' perception of the implementation of TBLT assisted by Google Classroom, focusing on their learning experiences, the challenges they face, and the benefits and effectiveness of TBLT. This explanatory sequential mixed method involved 60 students of the Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Study Programs at Eka Sakti University, Padang. The data of this study were gathered using a questionnaire and semi-structured interview. The quantitative data were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed qualitatively using an interactive model. The results show that students’ perception of learning experiences, benefits, and effectiveness aspects were positive, while some students faced some challenges (e.g., task instruction, time allocation to do the tasks, internet connection, and work independently) in the challenge aspect in Indonesian language learning using TBLT assisted by Google Classroom. Although they faced some challenges, they overcame them by collaborating with their classmates in conducting institutions from the lecturer. Thus, it can be concluded that TBLT assisted by Google Classroom is effective in enhancing students’ Indonesian language skills and components, participation, learning interest, collaboration, and engagement. Thus, the TBLT approach integrated with Google Classroom is suggested to be employed by language instructors in teaching the Indonesian language course in Higher Education for non-Indonesian major students.

Local Community Behavior Model in Participatory-Based Sustainable Tourism Development

Sustainable tourism development is one of the main agendas in many countries, including Indonesia. Tourism based on the principle of sustainability provides economic benefits, maintains environmental sustainability, and promotes local cultural values. One of the key factors for the success of sustainable tourism development is support from local communities. Local communities play an important role because they are subjects and objects in tourism development. The involvement of local communities in this process can increase a sense of ownership, active Participation, and compliance with sustainable tourism practices. However, not all local communities have the same behavior in supporting sustainable tourism development. This study aims to find a model of local community behavior in supporting participatory-based sustainable tourism development. The study identifies local community behavior, such as attitudes, social norms, knowledge, and perceptions of benefits in sustainable tourism development through active Participation. This study uses a quantitative approach with Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires from 100 local community respondents in Ranupani Village, Senduro District, Lumajang Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia. The results showed that attitudes and perceptions of benefits had a positive and significant effect on active Participation, while social norms and knowledge did not have a significant effect. Furthermore, active Participation was proven to positively and significantly affect sustainable tourism development. Attitudes and perceptions of benefits also indirectly influenced sustainable tourism development through active Participation. These results indicate the importance of building positive attitudes and increasing perceptions of the benefits of sustainable tourism to encourage active community involvement. Conversely, the low influence of social norms and knowledge requires a more effective approach by strengthening social norms and providing relevant education to the community. This study contributes to developing community behavior theory in sustainable tourism development. Further research is suggested to explore other variables, such as policy or technology support, that can influence active community participation.

Factors influencing antiretroviral therapy switching in people with virologically suppressed HIV-1: a cross-sectional multicenter study in France.

In France, over 90% of people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) achieve virological suppression with effective combination of antiretroviral therapies (ART), but limited data exist on the motivation for switching ART. To describe the reasons and determinants for switching ART, with a particular focus on doravirine-based regimens, in routine clinical practice in France. This analysis of cross-sectional baseline data is part of the DoraVIH study, a French, multicenter (15 sites), two-step observational cohort study that includes prospective follow-up for a subset of participants. Eligible participants were PLWH under ART regimen, virologically suppressed for at least 6-months, doravirine-naïve and switching ART regimen. Sociodemographic and clinical data, ART history, and reasons for switching ART were assessed at baseline. Inclusions occurred between December 13, 2021 and September 21, 2022. Of the 291 PLWH included whose data were analyzed, 143 switched to doravirine-based regimen (DOR PLWH) and 148 to another combined regimen (non-DOR PLWH). Mean age was 51.6 years and 206 participants (70.8%) were men. At baseline, 35 (25.0%) DOR PLWH and 15 (10.6%) non-DOR PLWH had Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 (p = 0.007). The most common reasons for switching were treatment simplification, tolerability and drug-drug interactions, accounting for 79.7% of all reasons. Among the 68 participants with prior tolerability issues, 47 (69.1%) switched to doravirine-based regimen. Primary reasons for switch were treatment simplification and tolerability. Participants with obesity were more likely to switch to doravirine, reflecting physicians' favorable perception of doravirine potential benefits, particularly in managing weight gain.

Survey of willingness to participate in clinical trials and influencing factors among cancer and non-cancer patients

Despite the expanding landscape of clinical trials, there is a lack of study concerning Malaysian patients’ participation and perspectives. This study addresses these gaps by assessing patients’ willingness, knowledge, perceptions, confidence, and religious barriers related to clinical trial participations at Sarawak General Hospital. We conducted a cross-sectional survey from March to September 2022 on 763 cancer and non-cancer patients. We collected patients’ responses and calculated scores for willingness to participate (40.5/100), knowledge (29.9/100), perceived benefits (66.5/100) and risks (72.4/100) of participations, confidence in clinical trial conducts (66.3/100), and religious barriers (49.8/100). The higher scores indicated greater willingness, better knowledge, stronger perceptions of benefits and risk, increased confidence, and stronger religious barriers. Cancer patient demonstrated significantly greater willingness for trials involving new drugs (31.9/100 vs. 27.4/100, p = 0.021) but slightly higher religious barriers compared to non-cancer cohort (51.4/100 vs. 48.3/100, p = 0.006). Multivariable logistic regression identified female gender, unemployment, poor knowledge, low perceived benefits, high perceived risks, and low confidence as significant factors associated with reduced willingness to participate (p < 0.05). This study underscores the challenges in engaging Malaysian patients in clinical trials, particularly in Sarawak, emphasising the need for targeted strategies to raise awareness, effective communication, and enhancing public confidence in clinical trials.

Goat agribusiness extension in Komala Village, South Wangi-Wangi District

The Komala Village community has many goats but there are many problems faced by the community such as dead fetuses, malnutrition, limited health care, environmental conditions, lack of knowledge and training and limited infrastructure. Therefore, the aim of this extension activity is to provide education to the farming community about the correct way to raise goats. This activity was carried out on Friday, March 26, 2023 at 16.00 WITA - Finish, located at the Gazebo of the Komala Village Head's House, South Wangi-Wangi District, Wakatobi. Counseling materials presented to the community: (1) Types of appropriate and balanced feed for goats, (2) Natural feed, supplementary feed, and fermented feed, (3) How to organize feeding according to age, weight, and maintenance objectives, (4) Efficient feeding methods, and (5) Mixing and serving feed techniques. After following the goat farming extension, the community response was as follows: (1) enthusiasm and participation, (2) increased understanding, (3) interest in new practices, (4) awareness of the importance of improving goat rearing practices (5) satisfaction with information, (6) positive perception of benefits, (7) desire for further training, and (8) better collaboration. The conclusion from this community service activity is that the community in Komala Village still has low knowledge regarding how to raise goats. Although they have experience in raising goats, many things can still be improved in farming practices to achieve better results. As for what needs to be improved in community knowledge, such as feed management, care, production management, use of technology, and business management skills.

PRP Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: The Improvement Is Clinically Significant and Influenced by Platelet Concentration: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a promising therapeutic intervention for knee osteoarthritis (OA), attracting substantial clinical and research attention. However, the clinical relevance of the treatment benefit remains controversial. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of PRP compared with placebo in patients with knee OA in terms of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and to investigate the possible influence of platelet concentration on the clinical outcome. Study Design: Meta-analysis. Level of evidence 1. Methods: The search was conducted on 5 databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science) using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials comparing PRP and placebo injections to treat knee OA, written in the English language, with no time limitation. The effects were quantified at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up points. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were used, with subanalyses based on platelet concentration performed using a 1,000,000 ± 20% platelets/µL cutoff. The MCID values (VAS, 1.37; WOMAC, 6.4) were used to interpret clinical improvement. The articles’ quality was assessed using the Revised Tool for Risk of Bias in Randomized Trials and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines. Results: Among the 5499 articles retrieved, 18 randomized controlled trials (1995 patients) were included. PRP presented statistically superior improvements in VAS and WOMAC scores compared with placebo at all follow-up points, exceeding the MCID at 3- and 6-month follow-up points for VAS and at all follow-up points for WOMAC. The subanalysis based on platelet concentration showed that high-platelet PRP provided clinically significant pain relief with the improvement exceeding the MCID compared with placebo at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up points. In contrast, low-platelet PRP failed to offer a clinically perceivable benefit in terms of VAS score. WOMAC results showed that both products provided a clinically significant improvement at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. This benefit was maintained up to the 12-month follow-up in the high-platelet group but not in the low-platelet group, where the improvement compared with placebo did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that PRP offered clinically relevant functional improvement at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up points and pain relief at 3- and 6-month follow-up points compared with placebo for the treatment of knee OA. Platelet concentration was found to influence treatment efficacy, with high-platelet PRP providing superior pain relief and more durable functional improvement compared with low-platelet PRP.

THE IMPACT OF CLOUD COMPUTING ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DELIVERY ABUJA NIGERIA

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services, such as storage, processing power, and software applications, via the internet. Cloud computing offers various advantages and opportunity to construction industry, such as cost reduction, improving quality, enhancing productivity, and fostering innovation. Nigeria is lagging behind in this technological advancement due to lack of awareness, resistant to knowledge, which lead to lack of empirical evidence on the impact of cloud computing on project delivery and performance in Nigeria. The adoption and application of cloud computing in the construction industry is still low and limited in Nigeria. This study is aim at filling the gap by conducting a comprehensive study on the concept, adoption, impact, and perceive benefits of cloud computing in construction project delivery in Nigeria. To achieve this, mix-method of analysis was used, to asses, identify, determine, and evaluate the level of adoption of cloud computing in construction industry in Nigeria. From the findings, the level of adoption of cloud computing in the construction industry in Nigeria was moderate. The most adopted cloud service model was software as a service SaaS, followed by platform as a service, PaaS and infrastructure as a service IaaS. The most adopted cloud deployment model was public cloud, followed by hybrid cloud and private cloud. The factors that influenced the adoption and usage of cloud computing were organizational factors, individual factors, and environmental factors. Cloud computing has a positive and significant impact on the project delivery, in terms of time, cost, quality, and sustainability, as it enables the project managers to deliver the project faster, cheaper, better, and greener, by using the cloud services and solutions that suit their project needs and demands. The study recommend, The increase of the awareness and understanding of cloud computing among the construction project site managers, and to provide them with the necessary training and education, to enhance their knowledge and skills of cloud computing, and to increase their confidence . Keywords: Cloud computing, Empirical Evidence,Project Delivery

Purchasing behavior of green food: using health belief model norm activation theory

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence consumers’ intentions to buy green food and develop conceptual framework that combines Health belief model (HBM) and Norm activation theory (NAT).Design/methodology/approachThe research used purposive sampling to collect primary responses from Indians and Lebanese in Ghana at restaurants and retail stores in Accra. Based on the NAT and HBM constructs, questionnaires were designed and distributed to 787 respondents. Data were analyzed using partial least squares and structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses developed through a literature review.FindingsThe findings showed that perceived benefit (PBN), perceived threat (PTT) and cue to action (CAT) are key factors that drive consumers’ intentions to purchase green food by Indians and Lebanese in Ghana. However, there are perceived barriers (PBB) that prevent individuals from buying green food, such as high prices, doubts about authorization and content, shortage of green food, inadequate selling techniques, supposed fulfillment and deficiencies. Therefore, more work is needed to address these barriers.Practical implicationsThis research can be used to create advertising messages that emphasize the health and wellbeing benefits of environmental impact on communities, and stimulate customer motivation to purchase green food.Originality/valueThis is a unique study that combines HBM and NAT to investigate the factors that influence consumers’ intentions to buy green food among Indians and Lebanese in Ghana and developed a conceptual framework to offer valuable insights for marketing practitioners to develop effective marketing strategies to induce buying intentions towards green foods. The construct of NAT has been found as useful moderators of pro-environmental behavior.

Plants species, perception and intangible benefits of the vegetation of ramna park, Dhaka

The study concerns with the evaluation of the current status of plant species composition and also perceptions and views of visitors on intangible vegetation benefits of Ramna Park, which focuses on determining the evaluation of the park in terms of physical/natural characters, accessibility, surroundings, motive for use, and the significance and quality of an urban green space in a megacity. A total of 384 people participated in a questionnaire composed of closed and open-ended questions. The study identified a total of 352 plant species under 96 families from the park area. The percentage of native and exotic species was found here at 49 and 51%, respectively. Based on people’s perceptions, the study revealed that Ramna Park was more valued for its accessibility, green space characteristics, conservation, and importance of greenery in city dwellers daily lives. Among the participants, 41% visited the park for walking and relaxation, followed by 17% for physical exercise. In addition, regarding the participant’s overall perceptions of intangible urban vegetation benefits, 48% of people were satisfied in terms of planning, 77% were satisfied with the current greenery, and 38% were satisfied with current security. Moreover, 52% of people were not able to identify the plants in the park area, and 84% of people could not distinguish the plants between native and exotic. Most of the participants (97%) mentioned the need for more parks and demanded parks having native plants with improved maintenance and proper administration throughout the city. Visitor’s opinions revealed that the support was realized for the importance and management strategies of Ramna Park as it facilitates socialization, leisure, recreation, and physical activities. Recommendations include promoting the dominance of native species, replacing exotics gradually, increasing the number of wildlife supporting species, enhancing public awareness, and integrating expert opinion into urban plantation programs. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(4): 1011-1020, 2024 (December)

Affect Heuristic and Influence of ‘Name’ in Investment Decisions of Nepalese Investors

The study aims to investigate the presence of affect heuristics in investment decisions and analyze the influence of company and financial tool names in investment decisions. The framework of the Affect Heuristic Model was adapted to measure perceived risk and perceived benefit. Besides the impact of fluency, association and familiar names were tested to discover the level of perceived risk and perceived benefit during the investment decision. The research was conducted among 150 investors who invest in the Nepal Stock Exchange through an online form. The study indicates that Nepalese investors tend to rely on heuristic shortcuts, such as fluency, familiarity, and association, when assessing investment opportunities. They are notably influenced by affect ‘name’ heuristics, shaping their perceptions of benefits. Moreover, their perception of risk and benefit is more influenced by trends and superficial factors like glitz than past performance and corporate character. Local companies and well-known brands are favored due to the familiarity heuristic.