Proper Management Research Articles

Development of Vinzons Pilot High School Online Enrollment with Student Track Identification System

The Vinzons Pilot High School is a top secondary school in the Camarines Norte province. About 6,000 students attend VPHS every year with the number seeing a steady increase. which recruited around 200 instructors and staff members. Enrolment allows around 6000 students every year which poses a concern for the student and the employees of the school. It is for that reason that the digitizing enrolment system is among the alternatives that can help to manage the large number of participants and the data to manage. The agenda on the establishment of online enrolment system coupled with student track identification for Vinzons Pilot High School was offered as an alternative for the usual manual process, and to facilitate flow and eliminate disorganization of transactions and work. The research focuses on how hand enrolling works on the side of school transactions and students' opinions about their selective track. The enrolment procedure is time-consuming and is not so efficient as manual enrolment method is used to cover multiple transactions like the updating and adding of student data, the provision of Learner Information System reports, student sectioning, assisting students to choose a specialty among others. The study requires proper data management because the study concentrates on monitoring adherence to the restrictions and assessing the manual system. In this, the proponent obtained the necessary data that would guide the development of redesigning and automating the existing process and serving students to find the right path to their career.

Baxter’s Nerve Entrapment: The Missing Nerve

Baxter’s neuropathy is a rare condition that has often been overlooked in the realm of peripheral nerve disorders. This brief communication aims to shed light on the elusive nature of Baxter’s neuropathy, emphasizing the significance of recognizing and understanding this condition for proper diagnosis and management. By addressing this “missing nerve,” we hope to contribute to improved patient outcomes and enhance the overall understanding of peripheral nerve pathologies.

DTSSN: A Distributed Trustworthy Sensor Service Network Architecture for Smart City

The smart city is an increasingly popular concept when it comes to urban development. In a smart city, numerous sensor services are generated by IoT sensors in a distributed manner, requiring proper management and effective interaction to guarantee the connectivity of different regions. However, the sensitive nature of sensor data raises concerns over joining public cloud centers or edge servers, despite assurances of their reliability from providers. Local deployment and maintenance of sensor services may cause these service providers to become ”data isolated islands”, hindering the construction process of smart city. This paper proposes a distributed trustworthy sensor service network architecture named DTSSN to support the building of a fully distributed sensor service network. The proposed network architecture operates through the collaboration of two core devices, the sensor service switch and router, to effectively enable the registration, discovery, invocation, transaction, and monitoring of cross-region sensor services. Then, a lightweight trustworthy transaction mechanism based on blockchain is proposed to realize SLA-based automatic service transaction while reducing potential risks in the service network. Comparative analysis and simulation experiments validate the effectiveness of the DTSSN architecture in terms of scalability, availability, and trustworthiness, underscoring its potential in advancing smart city development and governance.

Analysis of Road Infrastructure Problems in Urban City, Karachi

Road infrastructure is a significant part of the economic development of countries. Better performance of road communication system is significant part of all over the world. Developed countries make a significant effort for designing a well-managed traffic arrangement for the individuals. Furthermore, an efficient transport system is the key element for improving the country's economic conditions. Sustainable and efficient traffic management system is the backbone for humanizing the economic growth of developing countries. In case of Pakistan, Karachi is the main industrial hub for whole country's economy and accommodates enormous number of migrants. Due to this reason the population of city is increasing day by day. This paper presents the current situation of road infrastructure troubles in Karachi. The urban city is facing several numbers of issues that were already documented by researchers such as traffic congestion and road safety problems. On an urgent basis an efficient mass transit system is required to reduce the traffic jam conditions. The transport system of Karachi requires instant proper management rules and designed transport facilities. The aim of the paper is to identify the main traffic problems of the large urban city, Karachi, which is faced by the people in their daily life and to suggest recommendations for reducing the current situation related to traffic management strategies. The research methodology for this paper will be based on qualitative analysis of the road infrastructure troubles that are identified by the individuals through interviews and detailed group meetings.

How Do Nitrogen Deposition, Mowing, and Deer Grazing Drive Vegetation Changes on Dune Heaths?

Heathland vegetation has undergone significant changes in the past century, e.g., due to airborne pollutants and a lack of proper management. Understanding the interactions between these factors in combination is pivotal for heathland conservation. Here, we studied the vegetation changes at a dune heath in a four-year manipulation experiment analysing the combined effects of nitrogen deposition, mowing, and deer grazing. Our results showed no significant effect of nitrogen deposition and deer grazing on plant growth and cover of dwarf shrubs within the experimental plots. However, high loads of nitrogen decreased bryophyte cover and increased the growth and cover of sand sedge Carex arenaria L. Mowing adversely affected the dwarf shrub community, e.g., the dwarf shrub species crowberry Empetrum nigrum L., and facilitated increased cover and plant growth of graminoids. Plant growth and the cover of C. arenaria increased in plots without deer grazing, whereas bryophyte cover decreased significantly without grazing. We do not recommend intensive mowing of vegetation as a conservation method for dune heaths because it promotes graminoids. From a conservation aspect, it is essential to consider the effect of deer on heathlands because they both impede some species and benefit others and mitigate the adverse effects of nitrogen deposition on dune heaths.

The diagnosis of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) in children

Over the last two decades, immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), previously thought to be a biomarker of multiple sclerosis (MS), have been shown to cause a distinct disease called MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). MOGAD accounts for approximately one-third of all demyelinating syndromes in children and is the second most common central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease after MS. The diagnosis is made by detecting anti-MOG IgG antibodies against the natural MOG antigen, in the presence of compatible clinical and neuroradiological features. However, due to controversies in the methodologies for detecting anti-MOG antibodies and their diagnostic cutoff values, as well as the expanding clinical spectrum, accurate diagnosis may be challenging, at least in a subset of patients. Clinical presentations of MOGAD vary by age; the highest rates are seen in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in younger children and optic neuritis, myelitis, or brainstem symptoms in older children. Although it was previously thought to be a milder demyelinating disorder and to have a monophasic course in the majority of patients, recent studies have shown that relapses occur in about half of the patients and sequelae develop in a significant proportion of them, especially in those with persistently high antibody titers, leukodystrophy-like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions, and spinal cord involvement. However, due to the monophasic course in about half of the patients, long-term treatment is not recommended after the first clinical episode but is recommended for patients who experience relapse. Accurate and early diagnosis of MOGAD is essential for proper management and better outcome. This review covers the challenges in the diagnosis of MOGAD in children.

Trends in incidência of Covid-19 and clinical outcomes among patients with chronic kidney disease: insights from a retrospective study in Brazil

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is closely associated with non-communicable chronic diseases, including Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH). The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a high incidence of renal injuries, particularly in patients with pre-existing comorbidities. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of COVID-19 and its clinical outcomes among patients with CKD. A retrospective descriptive documental study with a quantitative approach was conducted at the Hospital Regional do Baixo Amazonas Dr. Waldemar Penna (HRBA) in Santarém, Brazil. Patient selection was done through a non-probabilistic convenience and random method. Data were collected from medical records over period from July to December 2020. The most common comorbidities associated with CKD were Systemic Arterial Hypertension (74.10%) and Diabetes Mellitus (33.33%). The study findings indicate a high incidence of COVID-19 among CKD patients, particularly in older age groups. The presence of comorbidities, such as Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus, further increased the risk of COVID-19 complications in this population. The findings underscore the importance of early detection, proper management, and preventive measures to minimize the impact of COVID-19 in this vulnerable population.

Towards A Framework for Performance Management and Machine Learning in A Higher Education Institution

Performance management is a process that helps an organisation to manage its performance. Therefore, there are three stages of performance management such as coaching, corrective action, and then termination. A proper performance management process is very important for the development of a higher education institute. Apart from that, machine learning is another important process that is based on software technology. Therefore, machine learning helps to predict the outcomes of learning. There are a total of four types of algorithms of machine learning such as unsupervised, supervised, semi-supervised, and reinforcement. Furthermore, the use of performance management helps to enhance the productivity of the students of higher education institutions. In addition to that, the use of machine learning in higher education institutions is also helpful to enhance the productivity of the students. As both of the processes are efficient to gain knowledge about several things, therefore it helps to enhance the productivity of the students of higher education institutions.
 On the other hand, the purpose of this particular research study is to create a framework for machine learning and performance management in a higher education institution. Therefore, the framework is efficient and effective to understand the concept of research topics. Furthermore, the Framework for machine learning and performance management will help the students of higher education institutions to understand the impacts of these processes on their productivity. Apart from that, the researcher has used several types of methods and techniques for collecting and analysing all the data about the particular research topic. Thus, the researcher has adopted secondary methods for gathering more information and data about the research topic. Along with that, the researcher has used qualitative techniques for analysing all the data in this particular research study.

Poorly differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma in a 5-year-old girl: a case report

BackgroundThe incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing among the population less than 20 years of age, especially during the second decade of life. Differentiated papillary thyroid cancer is the most common pathology in children. It usually presents with thyroid nodules with or without cervical lymphadenopathy. Thyroid nodules carry a considerable risk of malignancy in children.Case presentationWe herein report a 5-year-old girl with poorly differentiated papillary thyroid cancer which is an extremely rare finding at this age. The patient underwent right thyroid lobectomy followed by left hemi thyroidectomy and right central and lateral neck dissection. Pathologic examination revealed a poorly differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma with nodal deposits.ConclusionIt is essential to raise awareness of proper evaluation and management of thyroid nodules at such an age.

Aquifers and Groundwater: Challenges and Opportunities in Water Resource Management in Colombia

Water is essential for life on Earth, playing fundamental roles in climate regulation, ecosystem maintenance, and domestic, agricultural, and industrial processes. A total of 70% of the planet is covered by water. However, only 2.5% is fresh water, and much of it is inaccessible. Groundwater is the main source of the planet’s available water resources. For that reason, groundwater is a critically important resource, and is increasingly vulnerable due to the climate crisis and contamination. These challenges threaten the availability of clean and safe water, necessitating an understanding of effective and sustainable management. This review presents an overview of the concepts of aquifers and groundwater. Also, it reflects on the importance of these resources in developing countries such as Colombia (South America). In addition, it considers the characteristics of mineral waters, their uses, and associated risks, as well as their exploration and control policies. Colombia is a country with immense water and biological wealth and is crucial to maintaining the climate and availability of global water resources. Nevertheless, managing Colombia’s aquifers is a challenge, as many have not yet been fully explored. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to study hydrogeochemistry through the application of advanced technologies to analyze the dynamics, distribution, and quality of groundwater, as well as its vulnerability to pollution and climate change. On the other hand, the consumption of mineral groundwater can have health benefits, such as positive cardiovascular and gastrointestinal effects. But geogenic, biogenic, or anthropogenic elements such as heavy metals and microplastics can pose a risk to human health. The need for proper management of water resources to prevent risks to human health and the environment is emphasized. Therefore, an integrated approach to water resource management will ensure conservation and sustainable use, secure a continuous supply of freshwater, and facilitate adaptation to climate change.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ УПРАВЛІННЯ ФІНАНСОВО-ГОСПОДАРСЬКОЮ ДІЯЛЬНІСТЮ В ОРГАНАХ СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ЗАХИСТУ НАСЕЛЕННЯ В УМОВАХ ВОЄННОГО СТАНУ

Management of financial and economic activities in the social protection bodies of the population in the conditions of martial law requires a special approach and is considered taking into account the complexities and challenges that arise in these conditions. Activities can be significantly complicated due to sudden changes in the economic and social environment. Martial law can present great challenges to organizations, but proper management and adaptation can help them remain resilient and effective. All activities are affected by a number of factors: safety of workers and property, provision of defense and security funding, communication restrictions, the need for cooperation with military structures to ensure the country's defense and security needs. Management of financial and economic activities in state organizations in the conditions of war requires responsibility, flexibility and readiness for unforeseen situations. After the end of martial law, all state-owned enterprises may face the challenges of stabilizing and restoring economic activity in conflict-affected areas. Keywords: management, economic activity, financial and economic activity of social protection bodies, efficiency of activity, management of financial and economic activity, economy under martial law.

The Study of Relationship of Soil Physics Health and Micro-Climate Characteristics on Paddy Fields

Global food security and environmental stability will be threatened by population growth, land usage, and land change. Proper soil management in plant production helps reduce temperature and humidity-induced plant deterioration. This study aims to identify soil physics health (SPH), microclimate characteristics, and the relationship between the two in managing organic and inorganic paddy fields. The research location is in Purwantoro District, Wonogiri Regency, using descriptive explorative research, with purposive soil sampling at work map, made by overlay thematic maps, resulting in 9 LMU. The observation and sampling were carried out in the maximum vegetative phase of plants, while the micro-climate is in the generation phase. The determination of the soil physics health status used the scoring method. Using the T-test, Pearson’s correlation test finds the relationship between SPH and micro-climate characteristics and the differences between the two. The results showed the distribution of SPH in organic farming is healthy (74.7) and very healthy (83.3), while inorganic farming is healthy (79.72). The temperature is optimal, ranging from 23.5°C to 30.1°C, but the humidity is minimum in the range of 35.3% to 76.1%. The SPH and micro-climate have a significant relationship, with a positive correlation between air and soil temperature with SPH and a negative correlation between air humidity and soil moisture.

Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and molecular detection of blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M genotypes among gram-negative Bacilli isolates from hospital acquired infections in pediatrics, one institutional study

BackgroundGram-negative bacilli represents an important pathogen in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) worldwide. The emergence of antibiotic resistance in these pathogens warrants attention for the proper management of infections. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance represents a major therapeutic problem in infections due to Gram-negative bacilli.The present study aimed to study the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M by multiplex polymerase reaction in isolated Gram-negative bacilli from HAIs in pediatric patients.MethodsThe study included one hundred-five isolates of Gram-negative bacilli from pediatric patients with different types of HAIs. The isolates were subjected to full microbiological identification, antibiotics susceptibility by disc diffusion method, the phenotypic study of ESBL, and the genetic study of ESBL genes by multiplex PCR.ResultsFifty isolates of Gram-Negative bacilli showed ESBL activity by a phenotypic study by double disc diffusion method (50/105). All ESBL producers’ isolates were positive by PCR for ESBL genes. The most frequent gene was blaTEM (64%), followed by blaSHV (30%) and CTX-M (22%). Mixed genes were found in 4 isolates (8%) for blaTEM and blaSHV, blaTEM and CTX-M. There was a significant association between PCR for ESBL genes and phenotypic ESBL detection (P = 0.001). There was significant detection of ESBL genes in E. coli (28%), followed by Enterobacter spp. (26%), Klebsiella spp. (24%), Serratia (14%), Pseudomonas spp. (6%) and Proteus (2%), P = 0.01. There Seventy percent of isolates positive for ESBL production had an insignificant association between MDR and PCR for ESBL genes (P = 0.23).ConclusionThe present study highlights the prevalence of ESBL activity among clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacilli isolated from hospital-acquired infections in pediatric patients. The most common gene responsible for this activity was blaTEM gee followed by blaSHV and blaCTX-M. There was a high prevalence of multiple antibiotic resistance among isolates with ESBL activity. The finding of the present study denotes the importance of screening extended beta-lactamase among Gram-negative bacilli associated with HAIs in pediatric patients.

The Management of Biliary Disease in Patients with Severe Obesity Undergoing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery-An International Expert Survey.

This study aimed to survey international experts in metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) to improve and consolidate the management of biliary disease in patients with severe obesity undergoing MBS. Obesity and rapid weight loss after MBS are risk factors for the development of gallstones. Complications, such as cholecystitis, acute cholangitis, and biliary pancreatitis, are potentially life-threatening, and no guidelines for the proper management of gallstone disease exist. An international scientific team designed an online confidential questionnaire with 26 multiple-choice questions. The survey was answered by 86 invited experts (from 38 different countries), who participated from August 1, 2023, to September 9, 2023. Two-thirds of experts (67.4%) perform concomitant cholecystectomy in symptomatic gallstones during MBS. Half of experts (50%) would wait 6-12weeks between both surgeries with an interval approach. Approximately 57% of the experts prescribe ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) prophylactically after MBS, and most recommend a 6-month course. More than the half of the experts (59.3%/53.5%) preferred laparoscopic assisted transgastric ERCP as the approach for treating CBD stones in patients who previously had RYGB/OAGB. Concomitant cholecystectomy is preferred by the experts, although evidence in the literature reports an increased complication rate. Prophylactic UDCA should be recommended to every MBS patient, even though the current survey demonstrated that not all experts are recommending it. The preferred approach for treating common bile duct stones is a laparoscopic assisted transgastric ERCP after gastric bypass. The conflicting responses will need more scientific work and clarity in the future.

Quantitative evaluation of crowd intelligence innovation system health: An ecosystem perspective

Crowd intelligence innovation (CII) is an open problem-solving model, typically performs on a crowdsourcing-based online innovation platform, which is highly dependent on the engagement and high-quality work of participants. On an online platform, many demanders publish tasks, and innovators submit schemes, which forms a complex CII system. To ensure such a CII system operates sustainably, it is critical for the platform operators to know the current system’s health statuses before taking proper management actions. However, the large influx of participators with varied behaviors makes it extremely difficult to evaluate the health statuses of the system and capture its characteristics. Practicable method for quantitatively evaluating the health status of a CII system is still missing. Therefore, this study proposed a new quantitative health status evaluation method from an ecosystem perspective. First, the crowd intelligence innovation ecosystem (CIIE) was established by mapping the CII system onto the natural ecosystem based on ecological theory. Second, the health status of CIIE was described by its internal health status and external health status using a mixed method. The internal health status of the CIIE was defined and evaluated based on its health characteristics in terms of stability, ascendency, development capacity, and redundancy measurements using ecological network analysis. The external health status was evaluated using the ecological entropy index system. As the primary verification of the feasibility of our proposed approach, a case study of Zhubajie was conducted. These results confirmed the feasibility of our evaluation method. With this method, the health status of CIIEs could be accurately measured, which supported the management and organization the CII systems. Future work will focus on adapting suitable measures to improve the operation of CII.

Quality parameters and lipid composition of oil extracted from spent coffee grounds: A promising alternative to vegetable oils used for consumption and cosmetic purposes

AbstractCoffee grounds are the most commonly generated daily waste in the world, raising numerous questions regarding their proper management and their environmental impact. The present study focuses on the physical and chemical characterization of oil extracted from spent coffee grounds (SCG), with the aim of valorizing this by‐product as a potential source for oil production. The results obtained from the analysis of SCG oil were also compared to those of some edible oils (soybean, corn, and sunflower oils) and cosmetic oils (lentisc, sweet almond, and castor oils). The results revealed that spent coffee waste yielded an important amount of oil, specifically 17.19%, as compared to corn (4.31%) and soybean (19.52%) seeds. Regarding the fatty acids composition of SCG oil, eight components were identified, with a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids accounting for more than 45% of total fatty acids. The phytosterols composition of SCG oil revealed the presence of seven components, with β‐sitosterol being the predominant one. The tocopherol analysis showed that SCG oil contained only α and β isomers, with β‐tocopherol being the dominant form at over 68%. These findings accentuate the potential of spent coffee waste as a promising alternative for oil production and open up new applications for SCG oil, such as in the food industry, pharmaceutical applications, and cosmetics.Practical Application: Given the significant increase in the demand for vegetable oils, the oil industry has recently begun to explore new plant matrices, particularly those having low costs. SCG are the most commonly generated daily by‐product in the world. The present investigation aims to characterize and valorize the oil extracted from SCG. The obtained results revealed the potential of SCG as a promising alternative for oil production. Consequently, valorizing spent coffee waste as a natural by‐product for oil production can be an ideal solution to address numerous issues related to its proper management and its environmental impact. Hence, the oil industry can promote spent coffee waste, cheapest by‐products, as a promising alternative for oil production. Moreover, the present investigation represents a commendable model of the circular economy since the remaining waste obtained after extracting lipids from the coffee grounds waste can be used as natural fertilizer rich in protein for plant development.

Influence of Demand Forecasting System on Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

This study aimed to investigate the influence of demand forecasting systems on the performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. Without proper management, increasing product turnover will increase design and manufacturing costs. This study employed a descriptive survey research design to accomplish its goals since it has enough provision for the protection of bias and maximized reliability. The target population comprised of managers in manufacturing firms that are members of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). KAM therefore provided the sampling frame for this study. As at 2017, KAM had a membership of 903 manufacturing firms. A sample of 90 respondents was drawn from this population. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire which was self-administered. Data obtained was processed and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings from the data analysis were visually represented through tables. The study revealed that demand forecasting system explained 7.6% of the change in performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study concluded that demand forecasting system significantly influence performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. This study recommends that manufacturing firms should use quantitative methods, qualitative methods, causal methods and time series for demand forecasting. Keywords: Manufacturing, Performance, Demand, Forecasting, firm, Kenya.

Socio-Ecological Responsibility Using Triple Bottom Line Method Perspective of Mamayu Hayuning Bawana

This research explores the application of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) concept and Socio-Ecological Responsibility from the perspective of Mamayu Hayuning Bawana (MHB) at Unisma Islamic Hospital Malang. Facing the complex challenges of life, especially in the healthcare sector, companies need to consider social, economic, and environmental aspects in a balanced manner. Unisma Islamic Hospital Malang demonstrates a commitment to TBL with a focus on Profit, People, and Planet. This is reflected in efficient financial management, improved access to healthcare services, proper medical waste management, and the adoption of green technology. The Mamayu Hayuning Bawana concept is also applied, emphasizing harmony between humans, nature, and the divine. The implementation of TBL and Mamayu Hayuning Bawana aims to create a balance between economic needs, social welfare, and environmental sustainability. The Islamic Hospital of the University of Islam Malang (RSI Unisma) has successfully achieved harmony between economic growth, social concern, and environmental preservation, replacing competition with harmonious synergy. This research contributes to understanding sustainability practices in the healthcare sector and encourages other companies to adopt TBL for socio-ecological sustainability. Future studies can focus on other industries, develop more comprehensive impact measurement methods, and involve the community in decision-making processes.

Trends of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Rifampicin resistance in Northwest Ethiopia: Xpert® MTB/RIF assay results from 2015 to 2021

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in countries with limited resources. The emergence of drug resistance in mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), particularly rifampicin (RIF) resistance, hindered TB control efforts. Continuous surveillance and regular monitoring of drug-resistant TB, including rifampicin resistance (RR), are required for effective TB intervention strategies and prevention and control measures.ObjectiveDetermine the trend of TB and RR-TB among presumptive TB patients in Northwest Ethiopia.MethodA retrospective study was conducted at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UoG-CSH). The study included TB registration logbook data from all patients who visited the hospital and were tested for MTB using the Xpert® MTB/RIF assay between 2015 and 2021. The SPSS version 26 software was used to enter, clean, and analyze the laboratory-based data.ResultsA total of 18,787 patient results were included, with 93.8% (17,615/18787) of them being successful, meaning they were not invalid, error, or aborted. About 10.5% (1846/17615) of the 17,615 results were MTB-positive, with 7.42% (137/1846) RIF resistant. Age, anti-TB treatment history, and diagnosis year were associated with the presence of MTB and RR-MTB. Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence was higher in productive age groups, whereas RR-TB prevalence was higher in the elderly. Regarding diagnosis year, the prevalence of TB and RR-TB showed a declining trend as the year progressed. While MTB was detected in 12.8% (471/3669) of new and 22.2% (151/679) of re-treatment presumptive TB patients, RR-MTB was detected in 8.5% (40/471) of new and 18.5% (28/151) of re-treatment TB cases.ConclusionThe prevalence of TB and RR-TB in the study area showed a declining trend over the years. While TB was more prevalent in productive age groups (15 to 45 years), RR-TB was more prevalent in older populations (over 45 years), than others. Moreover, patients with a history of anti-TB drug exposure were more likely to be positive for DR-TB, highlighting the need to strengthen DOT programs for proper management of TB treatment.

Occurrence and prioritization of non-volatile substances in recycled PET flakes produced in China

Recycled PET (rPET) is gaining popularity for use in the production of new food contact materials (FCMs) under the context of circular economy. However, the limited information on contaminants in rPET from China and concerns about their potential risk are major obstacles to their use in FCM in China. Fifty-five non-volatile compounds were tentatively identified in 126 batches of hot-washed rPET flakes aimed for food packaging applications in China. Although the 55 substances are not necessarily migratable and may not end up in the contacting media, their presence indicates a need for proper management and control across the value chain. For this reason, the 55 substances prioritized on the basis of level of concerns and in-silico genotoxicity profiler. Among them, dimethoxyethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were classified as level V substances, and Michler's ketone and 4-nitrophenol were both categorized as level V substances and had the genotoxic structure alert, while 2,4,5-trimethylaniline was specified with genotoxic structure alert. The above substances have high priority and may pose a potential risk to human health, therefore special attention should be paid to their migration from rPET. Aside from providing valuable information on non-volatile contaminants present in hot-washed rPET flakes coming from China, this article proposed a prioritization workflow that can be of great help to identify priority substances deserving special attention across the value chain.