Preventive Measures Research Articles

Health Care Expenditure of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Bangladesh: A Review

The main objectives of this review are to offer an in-depth examination of the analysis of health care expenditure of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in covering its epidemiology, causes, clinical manifestations, diagnostic techniques, treatment approaches, and prognosis in Bangladesh. Most of the information and data are mainly involved in a critical review of various studies from sample groups of different ethnicities, age groups and genders. This study employs a systematic review and meta-analysis approach to compile and analyze existing research on health care expenditure of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to ensure comprehensive and transparent reporting of the review process. Results on the basis of various reports showed that the length of diabetes and the number of co-morbidities and complications raise the cost of healthcare. The data confirms the previously reported conclusion that patients treated with insulin monotherapy or an insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) combination had higher direct costs and overall costs than patients treated with OHAs alone. Overall, it was discovered that the main contributing factors to the cost of therapy were the length of diabetes, the quantity of co-morbidities and complications, and the type of treatment. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing in Bangladesh, where out-of-pocket medical expenses are higher and universal health insurance is not available to the general public. Planning cost-effective diabetes management and prevention measures is necessary. A suitable insurance plan should be created with special services for diabetic patients. To reduce the negative effects of the condition, early detection of diabetes is essential as reported by several studies compiled herein. This can be accomplished through raising awareness and eradicating the social stigma, especially for women in Bangladesh. J. Bio-Sci. 32(2): 93-106, 2024

"Ethnic disparities in the prevalence of Molar-Incisor-Hypomineralisation (MIH) and caries among 6-12-year-old children in Catalonia, Spain".

To study the prevalence of MIH and caries in 6- and 12-year-old schoolchildren and their association with ethnic disparities and other relevant factors. In recent years, there has been uneven improvement in school children's oral health, highlighting inequalities in access to dental care and health outcomes, particularly among ethnic minorities. The most prevalent oral disease in childhood, caries, is preventable, as its risk factors are well known. However, MIH, a common condition affecting the enamel of permanent incisors and/or molars, has no established aetiology or preventive measures. A cross-sectional study among schoolchildren was conducted in 725 children from Masnou (Barcelona, 2013) and in 577 children from Sant Andreu de Llavaneres (Barcelona, 2018-2020). Data collection was carried out by means of clinical examination and a selfreferenced questionnaire. Oral health outcomes included: presence of dental caries, presence of MIH, hypomineralised second primary molars (HSPM). All variables were analysed according to ethnic disparities and other variables such as socioeconomics, diet, hygiene habits, plaque and access to dental services. We performed multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance to examine ethnic disparities in MIH and caries. This cross-sectional study based in Catalonia, Spain showed that there are ethnic disparities in caries as observed with other child's diseases; however, they do not seem to follow the same pattern for MIH. More studies are needed (i) to explore how MIH behaves among populations in terms of inequality; (ii) to study the aetiological factors of MIH; and (iii) to identify potential factors associated with MIH and caries that have not been studied and that may contribute to the observed ethnic disparities.

Advanced Human Reliability Analysis Approach for Ship Convoy Operations via a Model of IDAC and DBN: A Case from Ice-Covered Waters

The melting of Arctic ice has facilitated the successful navigation of merchant ships through the Arctic route, often requiring icebreakers for assistance. To reduce the risk of accidents between merchant vessels and icebreakers stemming from human errors during operations, this paper introduces an enhanced human reliability assessment approach. This method utilizes the Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN) model, integrated with the information, decision, and action in crew context (IDAC) framework. First, a qualitative analysis of crew maneuvering behavior in scenarios involving a collision with the preceding vessel during icebreaker assistance is conducted using the IDAC model. Second, the D–S evidence theory and cloud models are integrated to process multi-source subjective data. Finally, the human error probability of crew members is quantified using the DBN. The research results indicate that during convoy operations, the maximum probability that the officer on watch (OOW) chooses an incorrect deceleration strategy is 8.259×10−2 and the collision probability is 4.129×10−3. Furthermore, this study also found that the factors of Team Effectiveness and Knowledge/Abilities during convoy operations have the greatest impact on collision occurrence. This research provides important guidance and recommendations for the safe navigation of merchant ships in the Arctic waters. By reducing human errors and adopting appropriate preventive measures, the risk of collisions between merchant ships and icebreakers can be significantly decreased.

Acinetobacter spp. in neonatal sepsis: an urgent global threat

Neonatal sepsis causes substantial morbidity and mortality, the burden of which is carried by low-income countries (LICs). The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens in vulnerable neonatal populations poses an urgent threat to infant survival. Acinetobacter spp. are increasingly responsible for severe disease in neonates globally. The cause of this escalation remains unclear, but host, pathogen and environmental factors are all likely to contribute. Acinetobacter spp. strains are frequently resistant to the first line empirical treatment for neonatal sepsis as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), ampicillin and gentamicin, rendering these antibiotics ineffectual in many critically ill neonates. The resultant escalation to broader spectrum antibiotic regimens in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) worldwide has led to the emergence of more resistant strains, including carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (CRAB), resulting in infections that are ever more difficult to treat. While some existing antimicrobial agents are under consideration for treatment of Acinetobacter spp. infections, the majority remain a long way from clinical use in neonates. Further research into the clinical phenotype of these infections, transmission dynamics and preventative measures are urgently needed to reduce neonatal deaths. This review aims to summarise the role of Acinetobacter spp. in neonatal sepsis, including host, pathogen and environmental factors, the global epidemiology and clinical features of the disease, the treatment options, and future research priorities.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Violence Against Children

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was known that number violence to child in Indonesia more increase. Study this is study References with objective for study reason happening violence against children During the COVID-19 pandemic and effort in prevention. Factor common causes of hard cake on children during the COVID-19 pandemic is a problem economy as a result of activity restrictions during pandemic, the relationship between children and parents who are not balanced, and low parental knowledge related with parenting patterns. Impact period short of perceived violence children is to affect the child 's physical, while the impact long-term related to the psyche of the victim. In overcoming, The problem of violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic must be carried out in a social environment with various preventive measures. On In this research, the author suggests there needs to be awareness, that acts of violence against children are extraordinary crimes that can interfere with the growth and development of children.

ADOLESCENTS KNOWLEDGE ON THE USE OF COSMETIC AND DERMATOLOGICAL PREPARATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF ACNE VULGARIS

Acne vulgaris is a common, chronic, inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit that affects most teenagers with inflammatory lesions on the face and trunk. They are mainly caused by increased sebum production, hyperkeratinization of the follicle, inflammation, hormonal changes, misuse of cosmetic and dermatological preparations. This condition is more common in adolescents, but it also occurs in patients in their twenties and thirties too. These changes in the skin affect emotional stress and quality of life. Dermocosmetics play a special role in the care and treatment of acne-prone skin. A series of complementary dermocosmetics are available, which include products with cleansing, active, soothing and moisturizing properties. Dermocosmetics formulated with active substances can be used in acne monotherapy based on the effectiveness of specific active ingredients in alleviating acne symptoms without any adverse effects reported so far. Effective skincare serves not only as a preventative measure by addressing the underlying causes of acne, but also helps mitigate the negative effects of pharmacological therapy and helps manage complications such as scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This study aims the evaluation of the awareness of adolescents in relation to the treatment of acne and their knowledge about the use of cosmetic and dermatological preparations. Based on our results 40% of teenagers didn’t consult a dermatologist but used preparations that they see on social media and that their effectiveness was lower than 30%. 38% of the teenagers have used the therapy and the food regime that the dermatologist recommended which lead to a 75% effectiveness on treatment, 12% have used lotions recommended by their pharmacists and didn’t follow the food regime from which they had an effectiveness of only 42%. We also noticed that the patients who followed the instructions of the dermatologist and the pharmacist had more efficiency, while the others had less efficiency. From this we can conclude that any change in the skin for better efficiency should be managed by a dermatologist.

Статистические аспекты обращений детей за стоматологической помощью при острой зубной боли.

The study analyzes the characteristics of the treatment of children with acute toothache in dental departments. The object of the study was the medical records of dental institutions in St. Petersburg. The subject of the study is the treatment of children of different age groups. The time period of the study is from 2010 to 2023. Relevance. The study of pediatric dentistry issues related to intense toothache occupies a special place in many studies. This is largely due to the age characteristics of children, who, due to their lack of development of communication skills, are not able to independently control what is happening. Analyzing applications to dental clinics, special attention should be paid to the fact that a significant part of patients are children suffering from acute toothache. This phenomenon highlights the importance of a statistical study of the causes and sequences associated with the need for dental care among the younger generation. Focusing on aspects related to children’s dental care for acute toothaches opens up access to a deep understanding of the problem and the development of strategies to overcome it. The study of statistical data can reveal certain trends, which, in turn, will help to develop more effective methods of prevention and treatment of dental diseases in children. The purpose of the study: the study of statistical aspects of children’s requests for dental care for acute toothache. Materials and methods of research: analysis of scientific and practical literature, generalization, statistical and analytical analysis. As a result of the research, a review of scientific, practical, statistical information was carried out, an empirical study was conducted, and the author’s conclusions were given. Based on the analysis, which affected the frequency of children’s visits to dental institutions, the main reasons for such visits were identified. At the top of the list are preventive measures that emphasize parents’ awareness of the importance of taking care of their child’s dental health, as well as indicating the effectiveness of educational programs in the field of dentistry. They are followed by an urgent need to consult a specialist due to severe toothache caused by a variety of causes, among which there may be diseases such as pulpitis or periodontitis. The analysis of data for the period from 2010 to 2023 revealed the immutability of the main reasons for dental office attendance and the quantitative characteristics of such requests, which confirms the constant relevance of this issue

Environmental Risk Factors for Visceral Leishmaniasis: An Analysis of Housing Types and Behavioral Factors in Baringo County, Kenya.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in Baringo County, Kenya, and contributes significantly to the burden of disease in the region. Housing structures and other environmental risk factors contribute to transmission dynamics, but these have not been specifically studied in Baringo. The aim of this study was to increase understanding of VL transmission in the region through determining relationships between VL infection, housing, and other environmental factors. Data collection occurred from February 1 to May 31, 2023 at Chemolingot Sub-County Hospital and patients' homesteads via questionnaires of primary VL patients being treated and VL follow-up patients who were still residing in the same house as when the infection occurred. Factors assessed were housing structures, proximity to vector breeding and resting sites, and prevention and control measure practices. A baseline assessment of housing types was conducted through direct ethnographic observation and used in the analysis. Forty-one patients were included in the study. A χ2 analysis and Fisher's test were used to determine association between VL infection and housing materials, where VL patient housing data were compared with the regional baseline assessment. Significant associations with VL infection were found between mud and stick walls (P <0.001); mud walls (P <0.001); mud, stick, and grass combination walls (P = 0.02); and stick and grass walls (P <0.001). Behavior comparison showed that most VL-protective behaviors were practiced by follow-up patients after infection. Results showed an increased need for VL prevention focusing on environmental factors.

Chinese Medical Association guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (2024 edition)

To further standardize lung cancer prevention and treatment measures in China, enhance the quality of diagnosis and treatment, improve patient prognosis, and provide evidence-based medical guidance for clinicians at all levels, the Chinese Medical Association convened experts from respiratory medicine, oncology, thoracic surgery, radiotherapy, imaging, and pathology to develop the Chinese Medical Association guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (2024 edition). This consensus resulted in several updates from the 2023 edition. The 2024 guidelines highlight that the risk of lung cancer in smokers remains higher than that of non-smokers even 15 years after quitting. Additionally, a new lung cancer incidence risk model is expected to become a critical tool for screening high-risk groups. In pathology, the guidelines now include pathological evaluation of surgically resected lung cancer specimens following neoadjuvant therapy and suggest that immunohistochemical staining of certain transcription factors may aid in the classification of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In molecular detection, the guidelines propose simultaneous detection of driver gene variations based on both RNA and DNA from specimens. The new edition also provides detailed descriptions of patient selection and surgical requirements for thoracic sub-lobectomy, aligned with the 9th TNM staging. Moreover, the guidelines expand treatment options, approving more therapies for immunoadjuvant and EGFR-TKI resistant lung cancer patients, as well as additional drug options for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR mutations, EGFR 20 insertions, ALK fusions, and MET exon 14 skipping. These recommendations are based on state-approved drug applications, international guidelines, and current clinical practices in China, integrating the latest evidence-based medical research in screening, diagnosis, pathology, genetic testing, immune molecular marker detection, treatment methods, and follow-up care. The goal is to provide comprehensive and reasonable recommendations for clinicians, imaging specialists, laboratory technicians, rehabilitation professionals, and other medical staff at all levels.

The prevalence and related factors of post-partum anxiety and depression among mothers during COVID-19 pandemic in 2021

BackgroundThere are many factors effective on occurrence of post-partum anxiety and depression. COVID-19 pandemic, as a major health crisis, affected many countries and had undesirable mental health outcomes, especially for the vulnerable population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of post-partum anxiety and depression and their related factors during COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 360 mothers who delivered their child during COVID-19 pandemic and had referred to the comprehensive urban health canter of Lenjan city two months after their delivery (from November 10th, 2021, until March 19th, 2022). Data were gathered using 3 questionnaires including demographic characteristics, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24 and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsThe prevalence of anxiety and post-partum depression was 27% and 20%, respectively. None of the demographic characteristics had a significant relationship with anxiety and depression. Related factors to post-partum anxiety included desired pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome, marital conflicts, history of mother’s hospitalization due to COVID-19, compliance rate with preventive health measures for COVID-19, stressful events, and social support.ConclusionIt is suggested to screen mothers to detect significant related factors of post-partum anxiety and depression in other future pandemics or epidemics to support them.

Assessing the Health Belief Model of Students with Regard to Breast Cancer: A Descriptive Study

Background: Breast cancer continues to be a substantial worldwide health issue, impacting millions of individuals and families annually. Gaining insight into individuals' perception and reaction to the risk of breast cancer is crucial for advancing early detection and successful prevention methods. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a commonly utilised theoretical framework for examining health behaviours associated with breast cancer. According to the Health Belief Model (HBM), individuals are more inclined to take measures to prevent or manage a health threat if they believe that they are at risk of developing the condition, perceive the condition to have severe consequences, believe that taking action would be advantageous in reducing the threat, and perceive minimal obstacles to taking action. The study seeks to evaluate the Health Belief Model of students in relation to breast cancer. Methods: A descriptive research design was adopted. Self-administered semi-structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from 365 female participants. Purposive sampling approach was used to choose Tamale Girls and Ghana Senior High Schools from the Tamale Metropolis and simple random technique was used to identify the study respondents. Data was analysed using SPSS. Statistics like frequency and percentages were used to represent the findings. Results: The study revealed that students possessed a moderate-to-high level of information regarding the causes, effects, and preventions of breast cancer. This knowledge was mostly influenced by the type or category of learning. Overall, a minimal number of students participated in the screening process for breast cancer. Among the three techniques, breast self-examination was the most commonly utilised, followed by mammography and clinical breast examination. Factors such as age, family size, religion, and social class were found to be associated with breast cancer screening. Conclusion: Students generally exhibited a modest degree of perceived vulnerability to breast cancer. They also demonstrated a favourable disposition towards the advantages of breast cancer prevention and early detection measures.

Induced ruminative and mindful self-focus in daily life across the menstrual cycle in women with and without premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Rumination and mindfulness are transdiagnostic risk and protective factors while their role in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the cycle-phase-specific effects of rumination and mindful self-focus on momentary mood and cognitions in women with and without PMDD. This study involved brief ambulatory inductions of ruminative and mindful self-focus along with ambulatory assessments of negative (NA) and positive affect (PA), and rumination, present-moment-awareness (PMA) and self-acceptance on two days during both the follicular and late luteal phase in women with and without PMDD (n = 60 each). Compared to healthy controls, women with PMDD showed stronger increases in PA in response to mindful self-focus inductions during the late luteal phase, whereas no such group differences were identified during the follicular phase. Independent of clinical status and cycle phase, induced ruminative self-focus immediately increased momentary NA and rumination and decreased PMA, whereas induced mindful self-focus inductions increased momentary self-acceptance. Overall, higher PA-reactivity toward mindful self-focusing during late luteal phase in women with PMDD points to the potential of cycle-phase-specific mindfulness interventions for PMDD. Irrespective of cycle phase, rumination and mindfulness appear to represent targets for brief prevention and intervention measures for both non-clinical and clinical groups.

The burden of liver cancer in Mongolia from 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Liver cancer remains the leading cause of death and public health threat among the Mongolian population. So far, there has been no in-depth analysis to describe the burden of common attributable factors to liver cancer in Mongolia. Therefore, we aimed to explore the most prevalent causes of liver cancer and its trends from 1990 to 2019. We extracted the primary liver cancer data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to examine the mortality and morbidity of liver cancer by its etiological types, which included alcohol, viral hepatitis B and C, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The data was extracted by sex and 5-year age intervals from 1990 to 2019. Data included mortality, incidence, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of liver cancer among the Mongolian population. Mongolia had the world's highest age-standardized DALYs for liver cancer (2558.1) in 2019. Alcohol-attributable DALYs (786.6) were 29 times higher than the global average (26.1), and liver cancer due to hepatitis C (752.6) and B (763.2) were 21.5 (35.0) and 10.9 (69.1) times higher, respectively. Over the past 30 years, there has been a steady increase in the incidence and number of deaths caused by liver cancer in Mongolia. In 2019, liver cancer incidence due to alcohol consumption was 3.1 times higher for males than females, and hepatitis B was 2.7 times higher for males than females. However, the incidence of hepatitis C and NASH were slightly higher for females. Deaths from liver cancer accounted for 9.51% (2365) of total deaths in Mongolia in 2019, with a continuously increasing trend in the fraction of death compared to 1990, which was 11 times higher than the global average (0.86%), particularly in females with a 319.6% (95% UI 234.9-435.7) increase observed during the study period. Liver cancer due to hepatitis B, C, and alcohol each shared about one-third of liver cancer deaths. A comprehensive analysis of the burden of liver cancer in Mongolia reveals alcohol use as a primary cause of liver cancer mortality, particularly affecting men and significantly impacting the disease burden. Viral hepatitis continues to pose a major public health concern in the country. Although significant milestones have progressed, addressing the unique demographic and geographical challenges requires tailored approaches for specific target populations. The evidence generated from this analysis is crucial to support policy guidance, contribute to evidence-based decisions, guide public health prevention measures, and amplify population health promotion and disease prevention throughout Mongolia.

The effects of icon design features on user perception and preference: A case study of icons for Covid-19.

The objective of this study is to evaluate users' perceptions and preferences on the design features of the COVID-19 prevention promotion icon from the perspective of users' aesthetic and perceptual needs. In this study, 120 officially published icons from 24 countries and regions were collected from online platforms for ranking tests, and then the top-ranked icons were subjectively rated by the semantic differential method. By evaluating the quality of users' perceptions of multiple semantic dimensions of icons, we extracted the perceptual semantic words that users valued as the main icon design features. Spearmen correlations were applied to derive possible correlations between user rankings and semantic scales, and a Friedman test was also conducted to determine the true differences in user perceptions and preferences for different styles of icons. Factor analysis was conducted to extract six perceptual words that influence the design features of the COVID-19 prevention promotion icon. The methodology adopted in this study facilitated the screening of design features related to icon effectiveness, and the findings show that "Interesting," "Simple," "Familiar, "Recognizable," "Concrete," and "Close(semantic distance)" are the key features that influence users' perception and preference of COVID-19 icon design. The results of this study can be used as the basis for designing and improving publicity icons for preventive measures in COVID-19, and the methods adopted in this study can be applied to evaluate other types of icon design.

Prediction of medical admissions after psychiatric inpatient hospitalization in bipolar disorder: a retrospective cohort study.

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness associated with high rates of general medical comorbidity, reduced life expectancy, and premature mortality. Although BD has been associated with high medical hospitalization, the factors that contribute to this risk remain largely unexplored. We used baseline medical and psychiatric records to develop a supervised machine learning model to predict general medical admissions after discharge from psychiatric hospitalization. In this retrospective three-year cohort study of 71 patients diagnosed with BD (mean age=52.19 years, females=56.33%), lasso regression models combining medical and psychiatric records, as well as those using them separately, were fitted and their predictive power was estimated using a leave-one-out cross-validation procedure. The proportion of medical admissions in patients with BD was higher compared with age- and sex-matched hospitalizations in the same region (25.4% vs. 8.48%). The lasso model fairly accurately predicted the outcome (area under the curve [AUC]=69.5%, 95%C.I.=55-84.1; sensitivity=61.1%, specificity=75.5%, balanced accuracy=68.3%). Notably, pre-existing cardiovascular, neurological, or osteomuscular diseases collectively accounted for more than 90% of the influence on the model. The accuracy of the model based on medical records was slightly inferior (AUC=68.7%, 95%C.I. = 54.6-82.9), while that of the model based on psychiatric records only was below chance (AUC=61.8%, 95%C.I.=46.2-77.4). Our findings support the need to monitor medical comorbidities during clinical decision-making to tailor and implement effective preventive measures in people with BD. Further research with larger sample sizes and prospective cohorts is warranted to replicate these findings and validate the predictive model.

Nomogram predicting early urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy

PurposeOne of the most frequent side effects of radical prostatectomy (RP) is urinary incontinence. The primary cause of urine incontinence is usually thought to be impaired urethral sphincter function; nevertheless, the pathophysiology and recovery process of urine incontinence remains unclear. This study aimed to identify potential risk variables, build a risk prediction tool that considers preoperative urodynamic findings, and direct doctors to take necessary action to reduce the likelihood of developing early urinary incontinence.MethodsWe retrospectively screened patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023 at the First People ‘s Hospital of Nantong, China. According to nomogram results, patients who developed incontinence within three months were classified as having early incontinence. The training group’s general characteristics were first screened using univariate logistic analysis, and the LASSO method was applied for the best prediction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine independent risk factors for early postoperative urine incontinence in the training group and to create nomograms that predict the likelihood of developing early urinary incontinence. The model was internally validated by computing the performance of the validation cohort. The nomogram discrimination, correction, and clinical usefulness were assessed using the c-index, receiver operating characteristic curve, correction plot, and clinical decision curve.ResultsThe study involved 142 patients in all. Multivariate logistic regression analysis following RP found seven independent risk variables for early urinary incontinence. A nomogram was constructed based on these independent risk factors. The training and validation groups’ c-indices showed that the model had high accuracy and stability. The calibration curve demonstrates that the corrective effect of the training and verification groups is perfect, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve indicates great identification capacity. Using a nomogram, the clinical net benefit was maximised within a probability threshold of 0.01–1, according to decision curve analysis (DCA).ConclusionThe nomogram model created in this study can offer a clear, personalised analysis of the risk of early urine incontinence following RP. It is highly discriminatory and accurate, and it can help create efficient preventative measures and identify high-risk populations.

Bayesian-optimized extreme gradient boosting models for classification problems: an experimental analysis of product return case

Purpose Product returns are a major challenge for e-businesses as they involve huge logistical and operational costs. Therefore, it becomes crucial to predict returns in advance. This study aims to evaluate different genres of classifiers for product return chance prediction, and further optimizes the best performing model. Design/methodology/approach An e-commerce data set having categorical type attributes has been used for this study. Feature selection based on chi-square provides a selective features-set which is used as inputs for model building. Predictive models are attempted using individual classifiers, ensemble models and deep neural networks. For performance evaluation, 75:25 train/test split and 10-fold cross-validation strategies are used. To improve the predictability of the best performing classifier, hyperparameter tuning is performed using different optimization methods such as, random search, grid search, Bayesian approach and evolutionary models (genetic algorithm, differential evolution and particle swarm optimization). Findings A comparison of F1-scores revealed that the Bayesian approach outperformed all other optimization approaches in terms of accuracy. The predictability of the Bayesian-optimized model is further compared with that of other classifiers using experimental analysis. The Bayesian-optimized XGBoost model possessed superior performance, with accuracies of 77.80% and 70.35% for holdout and 10-fold cross-validation methods, respectively. Research limitations/implications Given the anonymized data, the effects of individual attributes on outcomes could not be investigated in detail. The Bayesian-optimized predictive model may be used in decision support systems, enabling real-time prediction of returns and the implementation of preventive measures. Originality/value There are very few reported studies on predicting the chance of order return in e-businesses. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to compare different optimization methods and classifiers, demonstrating the superiority of the Bayesian-optimized XGBoost classification model for returns prediction.

Rapid assessment of human–elephant conflict: a crime science approach

An interdisciplinary approach has the potential not only to help solve conservation-centric problems but also to enrich and improve evidence-based scientific research. Crime science, an offshoot of criminology, provides a comprehensive, solution-oriented approach that transcends disciplinary boundaries and bridges science and practice for developing effective conservation interventions to real-life problems such as Human Elephant Conflict (HEC). This paper focuses on HEC as a conservation concern, but the resultant behaviors toward elephants, people, and their property are criminology’s concern. Using the Action Research paradigm, a rapid assessment of human–elephant conflict (HEC) in India was undertaken to identify contextual solutions. This study utilized problem-oriented field research methods that enabled the gathering of data on elephant habitat-landscape, villagers’ lifestyle (habitat) in the fringe areas, their current approaches in dealing with the conflict, the challenges forest officials face to mitigate HEC, and the assistance provided by district administrators to protect villagers and their corps and HEC-related deaths. The qualitative inquiry, including observation of village-forest fringe areas, focus group discussions with villagers, and interviews with forest officers and rangers, and district administrators/collectors who are handlers, guardians, and managers of the conflict space, provided rich data in identifying situational practical measures and underscored the role of crime science in providing a conceptual framework to gather evidence in addressing HEC in forest areas. The findings of the research suggest that human–animal convergence space is the source (or location) of conflict and criminology-driven situational crime prevention measures, including increasing effort, risks, reducing rewards and provocations, and removing excuses might mitigate the conflict, requiring coordinated efforts by villagers, forest and district administrators, and local law enforcers.

Association between physical activity and sedentary behavior and depression in US adults with cardiovascular disease: NHANES 2007–2016

BackgroundPrevious studies reported the effect of physical activity (PA) or sedentary behavior (SB) on increasing occurrence of depression in patients with cardiovascular disease, leading to a higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes. However, the association between the combination of PA and SB and depression in patients with cardiovascular disease remained unstudied. MethodsPatients with cardiovascular disease (aged ≥18 years) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2016. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the association between PA, SB, and depression. ResultsAmong the 2585 patients (mean age 64.43 years; 54.65 % male) in this study, the prevalence of depression was 16.40 %. After adjustment for age, gender, race, education level, marital status, poverty income ratio, employment status, smoking, alcohol use, BMI, hypertension, and number of cardiovascular diseases, depression was negatively associated with higher PA (adjusted OR = 0.567, 95 % CI 0.403, 0.799) and positively associated with higher SB (adjusted OR = 1.472, 95 % CI 1.089, 1.990), respectively. The risk of depression associated with higher PA and lower SB was significantly lower (adjusted OR = 0.464, 95 % CI 0.307, 0.702) compared to those with lower PA but higher SB. LimitationsThis was a cross-sectional study with limited ability to make causal inferences. ConclusionsOur findings indicate that patients with higher PA and lower SB have a lower risk of depression than those with low PA levels and high SB levels. Moving more and sitting less is a potential preventive measure against depression in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Optimizing Crime Prevention Strategies: Harnessing the Contribution of Computer’s Hardware and Software for Enhanced Public Safety – A Review

This review paper explores the crucial role of computer hardware and software in optimizing crime prevention strategies and enhancing public safety. It delves into the increasing need for efficient preventive measures to combat the growing number and variety of criminal activities. The paper examines how technology can be leveraged to improve crime detection, prediction, and crisis management, ultimately contributing to safer communities.