Period March Research Articles

Analysis of Financial Contagion and Prediction of Dynamic Correlations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Combined DCC-GARCH and Deep Learning Approach

This study aims to combine the use of dynamic conditional correlation multiple generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (DCC-GARCH) models and deep learning techniques in analyzing the dynamic correlation between stock markets. First, we examine the contagion effect of the high-risk financial crisis during COVID-19 in the United States on the Latin American stock market using a dynamic conditional correlation approach. The study covers the period from 2014 to 2020, divided into the pre-COVID-19 period (January 2014–February 2020) and the COVID-19 period (March 2020–November 2020), to examine the sudden change in average conditional correlation from one period to the next and identify the contagion effect. The contagion test showed significant contagion between the S&P 500 and Latin American indices, except for Argentina’s MERVAL. Additionally, we applied deep learning models, specifically LSTM, to predict market dynamics and changes in volatility as an early warning system. The results indicate that incorporating LSTM improved the accuracy of predicting dynamic correlations and provided early risk signals during the crisis. This suggests that combining DCC-GARCH with deep learning techniques is a powerful tool for predicting and managing financial risk in highly uncertain markets.

FAKTOR DETERMINAN YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN PARTISIPASI PEMERIKSAAN IVA PADA WANITA USIA SUBUR

Cervical cancer is an important health problem for women throughout the world because it is the highest cause of death both nationally and globally. This study aims to assess various determinant factors that influence the participation of Women of Childbearing Age (WUS) to carry out IVA test in the Puskesmas Pesanggrahan working area. This research is an analytical observational study with a cross sectional design. Primary data was collected through questionnaires from respondents, while data on IVA test that carried out by WUS was taken from the Puskesmas Pesanggrahan in the period March – April 2024. The population of this study was all WUS who lived in the Petukangan Selatan Subdistrict, Pesanggrahan District, who met the research criteria. A total of 109 WUS became respondents in this study. In this study, the p value < 0.05 which showed a significant correlation was found in the determinant factors of knowledge related to IVA test, access to information related to IVA test, husband's support, support from health workers, support from health cadres, and support from friends. Determinant factors that are found to be related can be a focus for community health centers to develop promotive efforts on targets that determine decisions to WUS in carrying out IVA test, apart from the knowledge regarding IVA test among WUS can continue to be improved through health promotion programs at community health centre.

Information Extraction from Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data for Identifying Shipping Line based on Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)

Abstract Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a technology used to track the movement of ships through the transmission of ship data using Very High Frequency (VHF) waves. Ships around the world transmit their information, which is then captured by AIS receivers. This AIS data collected and stored at the ground station. This study uses the data on the number of ships categorized based the Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) in the southern Indonesian Archipelago Sea Route II (ALKI II), Madura strait, and its surroundings during one month period of March 2023. The AIS raw data processed using The Jupyter Notebook to generate the information such as MMSI, longitude, latitude, and navigation status. The information then plotted on QGIS to see the difference pattern of shipping lanes based on the ship’s MMSI number. The aim of this research is to demonstrate how AIS data processing and analysis can generate sufficient information for maritime spatial planning, including depicting maritime traffic density and traffic constellations, shipping lanes and navigation status, the hierarchical network of maritime routes, fishing zones, and spatial-temporal interactions between shipping activities. The findings from maritime spatial planning can offer valuable insights for law enforcement at sea and offer guidance for developing port infrastructure based on specific needs through the utilization of AIS data.

Social Infrastructure During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evaluating the Impact of Outdoor Recreation on Pandemic Dynamics in Europe

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected mental and physical well-being, leading to significant changes in daily habits and preferences. Given that pandemics require the tear down of most social ties and interactions to limit their inevitable spread, this study delved into the extent to which social infrastructures have been affected, focusing on behavioral shifts in essential services such as retail, recreation, groceries, pharmacies, public transport, parks and open spaces, workplaces, and residential areas. Notably, while most social infrastructures saw a decline in public usage, parks and open spaces experienced increased visitation despite public health measures aimed at minimizing social interactions. This striking increase in park and open space visitations has captured the interest of this study to observe the impact it had on the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the underlying causes behind this trend. Since Europe was heavily affected by the pandemic, this study focused specifically on European countries over a two-year period (March 2020 to March 2022), covering the severe period of the pandemic. While parks and open spaces initially showed no direct influence on the pandemic trajectory, when closely observing visitation trends, both increases and declines, opposing insights were revealed. This study found that attempts to reduce park and open space visitation were significantly unsuccessful, leading to substantial increases in both the magnitude and duration of visits once restrictions were eased. This surge in park and open space attendance corresponded to notable spikes in new infections during periods of peak visitation. Therefore, urban planning and public health authorities must prioritize safely accommodating the increased park and open space demand while effectively minimizing virus transmission. This involves considering park sizes and proximity, along with implementing a balanced set of crucial public health strategies to support community well-being and resilience.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Vulnerability to Mood and Anxiety Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact on mental health. Identification of individuals at higher or lower risk of mental health problems may assist with targeting prevention, support and treatment efforts during future pandemics. Using a Canadian national mental health survey that collected data during the pandemic period (March 2022–December 2022), this study examined the vulnerability of participants reporting abuse during their childhood by examining the annual prevalence of mood, anxiety and substance use disorders. Psychiatric disorders were identified using a version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Because childhood adversities are well-known risk factors for mental disorders, the analysis focused on interactions between childhood adversities and pandemic-related stressors by estimating the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). RERIs provide evidence of synergy based on the occurrence of greater than additive interactions. Physical and sexual abuse interacted synergistically with pandemic-related stressors in predicting mood and anxiety disorders. No synergies were found for substance use disorders. Childhood adversities increase vulnerability to later stressors and may be useful for the identification of individuals more likely to have mental health needs during this type of public health emergency.

Perioperative severity of acute appendicitis during the confinement related to SARS COVID-19: a retrospective comparative cohort.

To evaluate the perioperative severity of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the same periods in 2018 and 2019 in the Nancy-Metz region, France. Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency that can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns resulted in reduced hospital visits, potentially delaying treatment for appendicitis and increasing perioperative severity. This retrospective, bicentric cohort study included 634 adult patients who underwent emergency appendectomy at the Nancy University Hospital and Metz Regional Hospital. The study compared patients from the pandemic period (March 17, 2020, to December 14, 2020) with those from the same periods in 2018 and 2019. The primary outcome was perioperative severity, defined by a Gomes score ≥ 3 and/or a Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ 3. Secondary outcomes included time to treatment, severity of biological inflammatory syndrome, postoperative complications, and hospitalization metrics. Logistic regression analyses were performed with adjustments for ASA scores. The study included 194 patients from the COVID-19 cohort and 440 from the non-COVID cohort. The perioperative severity was higher during the COVID period (33.5% vs. 25.9%), though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.0845). Secondary outcomes such as time to treatment, severity of the inflammatory syndrome, and postoperative complications did not show significant differences between cohorts. However, the duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy was longer during the COVID period (6days vs. 5days, p = 0.0410). The COVID-19 pandemic led to a non-significant increase in perioperative severity of acute appendicitis. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the French healthcare system maintained effective management of surgical emergencies, with no significant increase in postoperative complications. Further research is required to explore the broader impact of the pandemic on the management of appendicitis.

Intrauterine Fetal Death and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Looking beyond SARS- CoV-2 Infection

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has caused high numbers of deaths and complications since 2020. Though the risk is the same as in the general population, pregnant women with COVID-19 are especially susceptible to developing complications because of their altered physiology. The objective of this retrospective study is to investigate the relationship betweenthe COVID-19 pandemic period and intrauterine fetal death, which can help to take steps to reduce intrauterine fetal death during the pandemic. Materials and methods: This retrospective study compared the intrauterine fetal death rate during the pre-pandemic (March 01, 2019 to February 29, 2020) and the pandemic period (March 01, 2020, to February 28, 2021) in a tertiary referral hospital in Bangladesh. Patient data were collected from the record-keeping register of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and analyzed by computer-based software presented in graph, chart and table. Results: Out of 21717 obstetric patients admitted patients,821 (3.78%) were documented as cases of intrauterine fetal death in the pre-pandemic period, whereas in the pandemic period, the number was 895 (4.86%) out of 18424. Due to inadequate data records and considering the exclusion criteria, a total of 790 IUFD patients of the pre-pandemic period and 860 IUFD patients of the pandemic period were included in this study. Conclusion: The percentage of IUFD on obstetric admission showed significantly (p<0.001) higher in the pandemic period compared to that in the pre-pandemic period. This result is important for providing insights to the policy makers for future planning, counseling of women wishing to become pregnant, and prioritizing their safety, including their vaccination. Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.22 (2); July 2023; Page 47-50

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on accesses for seizures in the pediatric emergency department

BackgroundSeveral studies reported a reduced rate of accesses to pediatric emergency department (ED) for seizures during COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of our study is to evaluate the attendance to pediatric ED for seizures, as well as the influence of seizure type and personal history of seizures on the rate of admissions during the pandemic period. MethodsThe number and clinical features of patients admitted to the pediatric ED because of seizures were collected at a single hospital in Milan, Italy, between January 2017 and December 2021. The impact of COVID-19 on the rate of admissions was quantified by using the incidence rate ratio (IRR), comparing the pandemic period (March 2020 to December 2021) to the pre-pandemic (January 2017 to February 2020). ResultsDuring the study period, 1091 patients with seizures were evaluated, 776 (71.1 %) before the pandemic and 315 (28.9 %) during the pandemic. Mean age at evaluation was 3.9 years (range: 1 month to 17 years). During the pandemic, we found a 30 % decrease in evaluation rates per month (IRR, 0.70; 95 % CI, 0.58–0.84), as well as an increased rate of unprovoked seizures (44.8 %, vs 26.5 %, p < 0.001) and focal seizures (29.5 % vs 13.1 %, p < 0.001). ConclusionsOur study showed a reduction in the number of emergency evaluations for seizures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of evaluations was influenced by seizure type and previous history of seizures.

Remote work and psychological distress: evidence from the understanding America study dataset

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how working remotely relates to psychological distress and also how this relationship varies by gender, age and employment sector.Design/methodology/approachWe examined 30 waves of longitudinal data (observations = 76,845 and respondents = 4,542) drawn from the Understanding America Study (UAS), a nationally representative panel collected during the period March 2020–October 2021, and analyzed the data using a negative binomial panel model.FindingsThe results show that both female and male workers who worked remotely during this time period experienced psychological distress. For workers aged 30–54 and those 55 years of age or above, and those who worked for nonprofit and private organizations, remote work was strongly related to psychological distress. Alternatively, remote work had no significant effect on psychological distress among younger and government workers.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to both research and practice related to flexible work arrangements by delving into the influence of remote work on a key employee well-being outcome, psychological distress, which has been understudied in research on human resource practices.

Paralabral cyst in cricketers – A case series

Objectives: Paralabral cysts of the shoulder are rare, and it is usually associated with labral tears. Repetitive stress on the labrum due to increased training history in cricketers can cause micro-tear of the labrum. These tears commonly occur during the early cocking phase in cricketers. These longstanding micro-tears usually form paralabral cysts where the tear operates as a one-way valve. It is fairly common in cricketers who had a longer duration of training and playing history. These cysts are commonly seen in posterior-superior labral tears and SLAP tears. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from a total of 12 cricketers between the period of March 2022 and July 2023. All these athletes mostly came with complaints of chronic shoulder pain, and the diagnosis was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. All these patients were treated by arthroscopic cyst decompression with labral repair. A rehabilitation regimen was administered postoperatively to improve the functional ability of the shoulder and help the athlete to return-to-play. QuickDASH score was performed 12 months postoperatively to assess the effectiveness of the surgical outcome. Results: All the patients reported remission of pain and showed improvement in their QuickDASH scores compared to the pre-operative period. A properly supervised rehabilitation regimen helped the athlete to return to sport. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of paralabral cysts helps in preventing neurological compromise and quicker return-to-play in cricketers. Arthroscopic cyst decompression with labral repair, along with a criteria-based rehabilitation program helps in improving the functional outcome of the athlete.

Time Series Perspective on the Sustainability of the South African Food and Beverage Sector

This study aims to quantify and graphically illustrate the negative lingering effect that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the sales in South African Rands (ZAR) of the food and beverage sector using the time series seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous components (SARIMAX) intervention model. The SARIMAX2, 1, 00, 1, 212 intervention model provided the best fit, supported by the lowest values of the model selection and error metrics (Akaike’s information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, and root mean square error). The total estimated loss of sales in the 52 months during the intervention period (March 2020 to June 2024) amounts to ZAR 130,579 million. The most affected months were April 2020 and May 2020 with estimated losses of ZAR 7719 million and ZAR 7633 million, respectively. The findings of this study align with the Statistics South Africa® statistical report based on empirical estimation without any model fitting, thus highlighting the effectiveness of the SARIMAX intervention model in quantifying the effects of the pandemic. The lingering negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic still continues to threaten the sustainability of the South African food and beverage sector, violating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal, Number 2, which is to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

A Study of Urban Noise Pollution in Jalalabad City of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan

This study examines the pervasive issue of global noise pollution and its implications for human health, specifically concentrating on 16 high-traffic locations within Jalalabad, Afghanistan, utilizing the Sound Meter application for data acquisition. The conspicuous absence of antecedent research accentuates the significance of this inquiry. Analysis identified traffic, loudspeaker systems, and human activities as primary contributors to the ambient noise. Over a meticulously documented 32-day period in March and April of 2023, notable noise peaks were observed, notably at Talshay Square, registering 73.5 dB at 3:00 PM, and at Malang Jan Watt, reaching 87.5 dB at noon. Urgent intervention is imperative to ameliorate these conditions for the well-being of the city's residents, urging policymakers to implement efficacious noise abatement strategies. This research offers pivotal real-time noise data for Jalalabad and suggests mitigation measures, stressing the necessity for further scrutiny to assess strategy effectiveness, aiming for a harmonious urban environment.

Attendance patterns of provisioned Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) in Tin Can Bay, Australia – Further indication of male bonding and alliance

Tin Can Bay, Queensland, is one of four free-ranging dolphin feed provisioning sites in Australia and the only one featuring Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis). The site attracts the same 5–10 dolphins a year, most of which return regularly, and some which have been in attendance since the 1990s. Historical records were obtained for the period March 2010 to March 2021 covering dolphin attendance to the provisioning station including dolphin name, arrival time, and departure time. Tourist numbers were also obtained which included the total number and how many of that total directly took part in provisioning. Attendance of dolphins to the provisioning site has increased over the years both in frequency and total numbers. There was evidence of group cohesion between four particular dolphins (one mother-offspring pair and one male pair). The strongest pairing was seen between two males, indicating bond formation in adult male humpback dolphins, which may be indicative of an alliance. Specific events were also looked at in detail including cyclones, flooding COVID-19 restrictions, which reduced dolphin and/or human attendance.

Association of nirmatrelvir–ritonavir with post-acute sequelae and mortality among patients who are immunocompromised with COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a retrospective cohort study

The effect of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir on post-COVID-19 outcomes for individuals who are immunocompromised is understudied. We aimed to examine the association of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir with post-acute sequelae and mortality among patients who are immunocompromised and admitted to hospital with COVID-19. We did a retrospective cohort study using territory-wide electronic health records from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority and Hong Kong Department of Health. Eligible patients were adults aged 18 years or older who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period (March 11, 2022, to Nov 9, 2023) and were admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Four exposure groups were formed based on immune status (immunocompromised or immunocompetent) and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir status (yes or no). The primary outcome was post-acute inpatient death, starting from 21 days after the positive RT-PCR date. Standardised mortality ratio weighting with doubly robust adjustment was applied to control for confounders. Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the outcomes. Between March 11, 2022, and Nov 9, 2023, there were 89 772 individuals with positive RT-PCR tests, of whom 39 923 met eligibility criteria and were included in the study cohort. 19 914 (49·9%) of 39 923 patients were female, 20 009 (50·1%) were male and the median age was 75·0 years (IQR 63·0-85·0). 846 (38·2%) of 2217 patients who were immunocompromised and 14 586 (38·7%) of 37 706 patients who were immunocompetent were prescribed nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. Among the patients who were immunocompromised, those patients who received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir had significantly lower risk of post-acute inpatient death (HR 0·58, 95% CI 0·45-0·74; p<0·0001) and hospitalisation for acute respiratory distress syndrome (0·43, 0·20-0·90; p=0·024) than those who did not. A significant negative interaction was found between immune status and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir on post-acute all-cause hospitalisation (relative excess risk due to interaction -0·84, 95% CI -1·30 to -0·37; p=0·0004). Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was associated with reduced risk of post-acute inpatient death among patients who were immunocompromised and admitted to hospital with COVID-19. However, the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir on post-acute hospitalisation outcomes was less pronounced in patients who were immunocompromised than in patients who were immunocompetent. Health and Medical Research Fund, Research Grants Council theme-based research schemes, and Research Grants Council Collaborative Research Fund.

Aerobic bacteria study, clinical spectrum, and outcome of patients with community-acquired multidrug-resistant pathogens

ABSTRACT Context: Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in developing countries like India. Hence, even small relative increases in the mortality rate for infections due to multidrug-resistant pathogens would lead to substantial increases in the number of deaths as a result of infections worldwide. Aims: The aim of the study was to study the microbiological data of community-acquired pathogens and the corresponding outcomes due to antibiotic-resistant versus antibiotic-susceptible bacterial microorganisms. Settings and Design: A single-center prospective cohort study for two years undertaken during the study period of March 2022 to 31 October 2023. Materials and Methods: All clinical samples of 402 patients diagnosed microbiologically as community-acquired infections were included. Culture samples were collected and processed according to standard operating procedures and clinical details were recorded. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical variables were expressed as counts and percentages. Fisher’s exact test was used for testing differences in proportions. Two-sided distribution P values of &lt;0.05 were considered significant. Results: Among Gram-positive organisms, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes were predominant isolates. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species were the majority of the pathogens among Gram-negative isolates. Mortality rates observed in community-acquired respiratory tract infections (CA-RTIs), community-acquired urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs), community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections (CA-SSTIs), and community-acquired bloodstream infections (CA-BSIs) were 13.6%, 6.56%, 4.5%, and 31.5%, respectively. The length of hospital stay of more than three days was found as 56.06%, 36.2%, 40.9%, and 73.6% in CA-RTIs, CA-UTIs, CA-SSTIs, and CA-BSIs, respectively. Conclusions: Performing cultures earlier during hospitalization and determining the timing of colonization can allow more targeted choices and reduce morbidity and mortality rates among infected patients.

ANALYSIS OF TEXT-IMAGE RELATIONSHIP IN SELECTED ONLINE NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER CARTOONS ON COVID 19 PANDEMIC

The study conducted an analysis of text-image relationship in selected on-line Nigeria Newspaper cartoons, using Systemic Functional Multimodal Discourse Analysis (SF-MDA) developed by (Djonov, 2005 and O’Halloran, 2008) as approach to the COVID 19 cartoons. A descriptive and discursive approach were adopted for the study. The corpus of the study consisted 6 (Six) online COVID-19 cartoons which were drawn from the following 3 (Three) online National Newspapers in Nigeria: The Punch, The Iniquere and The Niche, published from the period of March, 2020 and December, 2020. The findings of the study revealed that, COVID 19 cartoons rely heavily on the interplay between images and words specific language use especially caricature as a tool to communicate social and political messages. Thus, through creative combination of images and words, COVID 19 cartoons have the potentials of entertaining and informing the public on current issues. The study therefore recommended that, the use of irony by using words or pictures to describe the opposite of what is such as what should be in COVID 19 cartoons should also be investigated.

The Effect of Nursing Practices on the Near Infrared Spectroscopy Levels of Premature Infants

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the effect of nursing care practices on the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) levels of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Materials and Method: This is a cross-sectional, analytical study. It was conducted over the in the NICU of a hospital in Eskişehir province. We did not calculate sample size, but included in the study, after the parents had been informed about the research, the entire universe of neonates in the NICU who matched the inclusion criteria during the period March 1 - April 26, 2019. The study was completed with 40 neonates. Data collection was performed with a “Descriptive Data Form,” and a “Procedures Performed Chart.” The data were evaluated with the IBM SPSS 24 package program. Results: A significant difference was discovered between the nursing care practices included in the study and the neonates’ Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) values, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and peak heart rates (PHR) (p&amp;lt;0.01). Conclusion and Recommendations: At the end of the study, we concluded that the nursing care practices conducted with premature infants had an adverse impact on cerebral oxygenation. We suggest that nursing practices carried out with premature infants be executed with sensitivity and care; no unnecessary practice should be implemented, and lengthy collective care practices should be divided into convenient increments so that the neonates are allowed to rest in-between. Keywords: Nursing care, NIRS, premature, neonate, neonatal intensive care unit This study was sponsored by a University Scientific Research Projects Unit. Project code: 2018-2334

Seasonal vertical accretion in different hydro-geomorphic environments of Indian Sundarban: Assessing the role of mangroves in mitigating sea level rise impacts

The Indian Sundarban, renowned for its unique hydro-geomorphic diversity, faces rising threats from sea level rise, necessitating an examination of the spatio-temporal variation of vertical accretion and the role played by mangroves in mitigating these impacts. As such, fifteen transects were chosen across buffer and transition zones of Indian Sundarban, each equipped with 4–6 sedimentation pins, to gauge accretion rates in premonsoon, monsoon, and postmonsoon season during period March 2020 to March 2022, considering diverse hydro-geomorphic attributes. The vertical accretion rate exhibits a curvilinear pattern, ascending from the lower seafront zone towards the middle of the estuarine region, reaching a peak, and subsequently declining towards the upper estuarine zones. Specifically, in the seafront zone, the yearly mean accretion (focusing solely on accretion and excluding subsidence) ranges between 5 and 10 mm/year, while in the middle estuarine region, it increases to an average of 38.1 ± 9.44 mm/year. However, in the upper zone, the yearly mean accretion decreases slightly to approximately 17.71 ± 9.54 mm/year. Similar patterns are observed when considering the distance from the riverfront to the interior of the mangrove zones. Seasonal analysis demonstrates that the postmonsoon period exhibits the highest accretion, followed by the premonsoon season, while the monsoon tends to be erosional in nature. Mangrove zonation, and subsequent distribution of root height, root diameter, root density, tree density, tree basal area, inundation frequency, current speed, variation in suspended sediment concentration were identified as influential factors affecting vertical accretion rates. Based on multiple regression analysis, root density, inundation frequency, and tree density demonstrated moderate-positive correlations with vertical accretion, whereas distance from the riverfront, root height, and root diameter displayed negative correlations. This study enhances our understanding of the intricate processes behind vertical accretion in the Sundarban, offering valuable insights for future research and advancing discussions on the broader implications of climate change in coastal regions.

Variation in surgery postponement rates in the NHS in England.

Postponement of surgery at preoperative assessment in the days or weeks before the patient is admitted for surgery, as distinct from cancellation on the planned day of surgery, can be devastating for patients and an inefficient use of finite resources. However, postponements are often poorly recorded. The primary aim of this pilot study was to investigate elective surgical postponement rates during or after preoperative assessment across England, and the reasons for postponement for patients on an elective surgical pathway. A retrospective analysis of clinical audit data from 16 National Health Service (NHS) trusts in England was undertaken. Data were collected during a two-week period in March 2024 on all postponements within a service. The primary outcome of interest was the postponement rate. Some 8000 case notes were reviewed. There were 583 (7.3%) postponements. Postponement rates across trusts varied from 31.9% to 1.0%. Significantly shorter time from referral to preoperative assessment was observed for day-case patients, urgent patients, patients without early screening and patients without a 'to come in' date in place. Of the 342 routine patients, 293 (85.7%) had postponements for medical rather than pathways or process reasons. Half of all routine patients waited over 94 days and a quarter of patients waited 198 days from being added to a patient tracking list to preoperative assessment. Minimizing postponements and improving preoperative assessment efficiency should be part of wider initiatives to streamline perioperative pathways.

DIGITAL AND NON-DIGITAL GAMES IN YOUNG LEARNER EFL CLASSROOMS AT WARTIME IN UKRAINE

The present study aims to investigate the gaming habits of young learners (YLs) in the process of learning English as a foreign language and examine the role non-digital or conventional and digital games play in teaching English to young learners. It examines both conventional games used in the classroom and digital games played outside of formal instruction. Reasons for playing these two types of games were elicited from the children who were additionally asked about the preferences concerning playing games alone (solitary play) or with peers (collaborative play), in the English classroom or beyond it, i.e. preferred contexts for gameplay (classroom vs. home). The survey was conducted in Ukraine in a particularly challenging period in February and March, 2023, marked by the aftermath of COVID-19 and the subsequent declaration of martial law in the country. An online questionnaire was designed to collect data from our participants aged 10-13. The questionnaire was then administered to the children, and a total of 175 completed questionnaires yielded valuable results that formed the foundation of the study’s analysis. Findings revealed that in the current war-torn Ukraine most frequently preference is demonstrated for conventional games which are played within the structured environment of the English classroom. These games were perceived by YLs as a means offering them to alleviate the burdens of everyday stress while simultaneously facilitating lively and engaging peer interaction in English. Conversely, digital games were preferred for home-based play primarily due to their inherent entertainment value, essentially bringing them pleasure and enjoyment. One of the most crucial implications to be gleaned from this research lies in the urgent need for educators to actively integrate age-appropriate and educationally sound digital games and applications into their existing EFL curricula. By strategically incorporating these digital tools, educators can effectively supplement formal language instruction, fostering a more multifaceted and engaging learning experience for their young learners.