Quality Index Research Articles

Effectiveness of a novel artificial intelligence-assisted colonoscopy system for adenoma detection: a prospective, propensity score-matched, non-randomized controlled study in Korea.

The real-world effectiveness of computer-aided detection (CADe) systems during colonoscopies remains uncertain. We assessed the effectiveness of the novel CADe system, ENdoscopy as AI-powered Device (ENAD), in enhancing the adenoma detection rate (ADR) and other quality indicators in real-world clinical practice. We enrolled patients who underwent elective colonoscopies between May 2022 and October 2022 at a tertiary healthcare center. Standard colonoscopy (SC) was compared to ENAD-assisted colonoscopy. Eight experienced endoscopists performed the procedures in randomly assigned CADe- and non-CADe-assisted rooms. The primary outcome was a comparison of ADR between the ENAD and SC groups. A total of 1,758 sex- and age-matched patients were included and evenly distributed into two groups. The ENAD group had a significantly higher ADR (45.1% vs. 38.8%, p=0.010), higher sessile serrated lesion detection rate (SSLDR) (5.7% vs. 2.5%, p=0.001), higher mean number of adenomas per colonoscopy (APC) (0.78±1.17 vs. 0.61±0.99; incidence risk ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.42), and longer withdrawal time (9.0±3.4 vs. 8.3±3.1, p<0.001) than the SC group. However, the mean withdrawal times were not significantly different between the two groups in cases where no polyps were detected (6.9±1.7 vs. 6.7±1.7, p=0.058). ENAD-assisted colonoscopy significantly improved the ADR, APC, and SSLDR in real-world clinical practice, particularly for smaller and nonpolypoid adenomas.

Safety assessment of agricultural products and the pesticide regulation trend in China

The sustainable development of Chinese agriculture needs to coordinate the quality and quantity of agricultural products. To verify whether government regulation can promote agricultural development by controlling pesticides, the indices of government regulation, quantity and quality of agricultural products, and pesticide use per area of cropland were calculated, and a comprehensive evaluation index and the coupling degree and coordination degree of agricultural products were analyzed by coupling function. The results showed that the coupling and coordination degree of the quality and quantity of agricultural products and the comprehensive index are improving. The regulation of pesticide use per area of cropland is a key mechanism in promoting the coordinated development of agricultural product safety. The regulation trend of agricultural development in China is to reduce pesticide usage appropriately and expand the production-possibility frontier of agricultural products.Graphical abstract

Features of the quality of life of first graders taking into account gender differences and cognitive abilities

The purpose of the study: To study the features of the quality of life of first-graders, taking into account gender differences and cognitive abilities. Design: An open prospective non-randomized comparative clinical trial. Materials and methods: 631 children were examined, students of the first grades of secondary schools without a specialized bias № 110, 83, 75, 67, 9 Rostov-on-Don using the international questionnaire PedsQL 4.0 – Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. To assess the cognitive development of children, the D. Wexler scale was used with the determination of the intellectual coefficient. Results: First-graders with a high level of cognitive development have reduced indicators of physical and emotional functioning, as well as the overall quality of life score. Girls with a high intellectual coefficient, in comparison with boys, have lower physical, emotional, school functioning and higher indicators of social functioning. The indicators of quality of life in children with a high level of cognitive development do not reflect the same in children who do "excellent". Conclusion: The revealed features of the quality of life of first-graders with different levels of cognitive development require differentiated medical, psychological and pedagogical support of children in this age period and further study of their health.

Soil quality assessment in the Araban plain across various land use types

BackgroundSoil is an important resource for improving the quality of human well-being and creating sustainable environmental awareness. Therefore, it is imperative to protect the soil health. This study determined quality of the soils in the Araban plain, Türkiye using three different methods, i.e., principal component analysis (PCA), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and expert opinion (EO). The major aim was to determine the most appropriate method for determining soil quality and recommending soil protection practices for improving quality. MethodsThis study was conducted on an area of approximately 25,000 ha. A total of 230 soil samples (7 pasture areas, 56 orchards, and 167 arable crops) were analyzed to determine key soil quality indicators. A minimum dataset consisting of parameters that best represent the soils of the region was created. Subsequently, PCA was used to predict soil quality with the optimal accuracy using the least amount of data. The EO was incorporated to validate the PCA results. The AHP was used to assign weights to the parameters. Indicators at all sampling points were converted to unitless scorers. These scores were then formulated as soil quality index (SQI) using the weighted summation method. ResultsOrganic matter (OM) exerted the highest impact on soil quality. Significant variations in SQI values were observed among arable land, orchards land and pastureland (P < 0.01). Significant variations were recorded in SQI values of the assessment methods employed in this study. The lowest (0.552) and highest (0.829) SQI values were recorded for AHP and EO, respectively. Overall, streamlining indicators through PCA gave the most accurate result for SQI value. Subsequently, SQI determination should involve weighing with AHP, particularly towards EO. ConclusionThe AHP was found to be the most appropriate method for evaluating soil quality in Araban. This integrated approach ensures a robust evaluation of soil quality, facilitating more accurate and nuanced insights for informed land management decisions. Overall, 92.61 % of the region’s soil had poor and medium soil quality. Therefore, increasing OM content and aggregate stability are suggested to improve soil quality in the study region.

Organic substitution contrasting direct fertilizer reduction increases wheat productivity, soil quality, microbial diversity and network complexity

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers negatively impacts crop productivity and farmland ecosystem, impeding sustainable agricultural progress. Consequently, there is an immediate need for a chemical fertilizer reduction strategy that ensures crop productivity and improves soil quality and the ecological environment of farmland. This study implemented a three-year (2018–2020) field experiment with two chemical fertilizer reduction methods (direct fertilizer reduction and organic substitution) to investigate their effects on wheat productivity, soil quality, heavy metal pollution risk and microbial characteristics. The results showed that organic substitution treatments (OF1, OF2 and OF3) improved most wheat plant (nutrient uptake and yield and its components) and soil properties (soil nutrients and carbon and nitrogen fractions), leading to increased crop productivity index (CPI, by 9.18 %-16.39 % and 14.14 %-23.36 %) and soil quality index (SQI, by 84.67 %-138.86 % and 104.11 %-175.91 %) compared to conventional fertilization (CF) and direct fertilizer reduction treatments (RF1, RF2 and RF3) in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, organic substitution enhanced the diversity and network complexity of bacterial community, while raising the soil pollution index (SPI, by 9.30 %-12.84 % and 12.20 %-18.49 %) without causing soil heavy metal pollution. Thus, it is recommended to adopt organic fertilizer substitution as the primary chemical fertilizer reduction strategy for wheat production. This approach will ensure crop yield, and improve soil quality and microbial characteristics, but its long-term application requires monitoring changes in soil heavy metals. Overall, this study provides guidelines for implementing scientific fertilization in agricultural practices, thus contributing to the health and sustainability of farmland ecosystems.

Corporate governance quality index and Islamic bank risk-taking

Corporate governance quality index and Islamic bank risk-taking

Using syndromic surveillance to rapidly assess the impact of a June 2023 wildfire smoke event on respiratory-related emergency department visits, Massachusetts, United States

Abstract A statewide air quality advisory was issued in Massachusetts for 6–7 June 2023 due to smoke originating from wildfires in Canada. Of particular concern was fine particulate matter, which has an aerodynamic diameter of ⩽2.5 μm (PM2.5) and has been linked to adverse respiratory outcomes. The objective of this study was to rapidly assess the impact of this wildfire smoke event on respiratory-related emergency department (ED) visits among Massachusetts residents. For exposure, daily air quality index (AQI) data from the US Environmental Protection Agency were used. Massachusetts counties, where for each day from 6 to 8 June 2023, the daily AQI was ⩾101 (i.e. unhealthy air quality), were considered exposed. For each exposed period, two unexposed reference periods where AQI &lt; 101 (i.e. ‘good’ or ‘moderate’ air quality) were identified within the two weeks prior to the exposed period, with the same days of the week and in the same county. Data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s syndromic surveillance system were used to examine daily counts of ED visits for asthma, air-quality-related respiratory illness, and all causes by county of residence, age group, race, and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. For each outcome, the numbers of ED visits were compared between the exposed and reference periods. Overall, there were no large increases in ED visits for any conditions examined during this wildfire smoke event. However, residents who were aged 18–64 years, Hispanic/Latino or White experienced small but not statistically significant increases in asthma-related ED visits. These potential differences in the effect on asthma-related ED visits by age and race/ethnicity may be relevant for analyses of future events. This study provides an example of how real-time, publicly available exposure data can be used in conjunction with outcome data from syndromic surveillance to rapidly examine the impact of wildfires and other acute environmental events on health.

Clinical impact of restless legs syndrome in patients with migraine: a 12-year, single-center, longitudinal study

AbstractAlthough many studies have indicated a significant association between migraine and restless legs syndrome (RLS), few long-term longitudinal studies have examined RLS in patients with migraine. We conducted a single-center, 12-year, longitudinal study of migraine patients and assessed whether RLS was present in 2010, 2017, or 2022 to evaluate its associations with clinical factors. Headache-related disability was assessed using the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS). Sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), respectively. Of the 262 patients included at baseline (2010), 101 were available after 7 years (2017), and 74 were available after 12 years (2022). The RLS incidence rates were 13.7%, 20.8%, and 24.3% in 2010, 2017, and 2022, respectively. The RLS severity score did not significantly differ among the three time points. The persistent RLS group, defined as those who were positive for RLS at the last evaluation in addition to the first and/or second evaluations, had significantly higher MIDAS, BDI-II, PSQI and ESS scores than did the never RLS group, defined as those who did not exhibit RLS at any of the three time points. Our 12-year longitudinal study revealed significant impacts of RLS on the burden of patients with migraine.

Quality of Life and Burden of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Adult Patients Within the Asia-Pacific Region: A Cross-sectional Survey.

The burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) is significant, with a substantial impact on quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to ascertain the burden of AD, its impact on QoL, and associated costs. Patients with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled from eight territories, namely Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. After screening was performed and informed consent was obtained, eligible participants were asked to provide responses on their AD symptoms, severity, treatment, and out-of-pocket costs via an online survey. QoL was assessed using EQ-5D-5L and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), while productivity loss was quantified using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire. Data from completed submissions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study was reviewed by the institutional review board in each territory. Median age of enrolled patients (N = 1103) was 41.0years (interquartile range, IQR 16.0). The majority of patients reported that their head/neck, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs were affected during a flare. Topical (74.2%) and oral steroids (58.7%) were frequently prescribed to manage AD. Common atopic comorbidities were allergic urticaria (64.2%), allergic rhinitis (61.8%), and allergic conjunctivitis (51.5%). Median DLQI score was 13.0 (IQR11.0), while median EQ-5D-5L (based on China value set) score was 0.8 (IQR0.4); 87.2% and 77.2% of patients reported pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression on the EQ-5D-5L domains, respectively. Median total annual costs associated with AD were USD10,128.52 (IQR12,963.26) per patient, with indirect costs being the largest component. Findings from WPAI indicated that presenteeism is a major contributor to productivity loss. This multinational survey study showed that AD is associated with substantial QoL impairment and economic burden among Asian adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD. To alleviate burden of AD, clinicians should be more proactive in managing other concomitant conditions including psychological issues, and advocate for increased reimbursement for AD treatments.

Poor sleep and decreased cortical thickness in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder

BackgroundPoor sleep quality has been associated with changes in brain volume among veterans, particularly those who have experienced mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study sought to investigate (1) whether poor sleep quality is associated with decreased cortical thickness in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, and (2) whether these associations differ topographically depending on the presence or absence of mTBI and PTSD.MethodsA sample of 440 post-9/11 era U.S. veterans enrolled in the Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders study at VA Boston, MA from 2010 to 2022 was included in the study. We examined the relationship between sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and cortical thickness in veterans with mTBI (n = 57), PTSD (n = 110), comorbid mTBI and PTSD (n = 129), and neither PTSD nor mTBI (n = 144). To determine the topographical relationship between subjective sleep quality and cortical thickness in each diagnostic group, we employed a General Linear Model (GLM) at each vertex on the cortical mantle. The extent of topographical overlap between the resulting statistical maps was assessed using Dice coefficients.ResultsThere were no significant associations between PSQI and cortical thickness in the group without PTSD or mTBI (n = 144) or in the PTSD-only group (n = 110). In the mTBI-only group (n = 57), lower sleep quality was significantly associated with reduced thickness bilaterally in frontal, cingulate, and precuneus regions, as well as in the right parietal and temporal regions (β = −0.0137, P < 0.0005). In the comorbid mTBI and PTSD group (n = 129), significant associations were observed bilaterally in frontal, precentral, and precuneus regions, in the left cingulate and the right parietal regions (β = −0.0094, P < 0.0005). Interaction analysis revealed that there was a stronger relationship between poor sleep quality and decreased cortical thickness in individuals with mTBI (n = 186) compared to those without mTBI (n = 254) specifically in the frontal and cingulate regions (β = −0.0077, P < 0.0005).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a significant relationship between poor sleep quality and lower cortical thickness primarily within frontal regions among individuals with both isolated mTBI or comorbid diagnoses of mTBI and PTSD. Thus, if directionality is established in longitudinal and interventional studies, it may be crucial to consider addressing sleep in the treatment of veterans who have sustained mTBI.

Sleep quality in cancer patients: a common metric for several instruments measuring sleep quality.

Sleep problems are frequently observed in cancer patients. Multiple questionnaires for assessing sleep quality have been developed. The aim of this study was to present transfer rules that allow the conversion of the patients' scores from one questionnaire to another. In addition, we anchored this common metric to the general population. A sample of 1,733 cancer patients completed the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Sleep Index, Jenkins Sleep Scale, EORTC QLQ-C30, and the sleep scale of the EORTC QLQ-SURV100. The methods for establishing a common metric were based on Item Response Theory. The main result of the study is a figure that allows the conversion from one of the above-mentioned sleep scales into another. Furthermore, the scores of the questionnaires can be transferred to theta scores that indicate the position within the group of cancer patients and also to T scores that indicate the position in relation to the general population. The correlations between the sleep scales ranged between 0.70 and 0.85. The conversion rules presented in the study enable researchers and clinicians to directly compare single scores or mean scores across studies using different sleep scales, to assess the degree of sleep problems with regard to the general population, and to relate cutoff scores from one questionnaire to another.

Sleep quality and associated factors among people who inject drugs in Iran: a nationwide survey using respondent-driven sampling

BackgroundPoor sleep quality is a significant issue among people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aimed to evaluate sleep quality and associated factors among PWID in Iran.MethodsUsing respondent-driven sampling, 2,652 PWID (2,563 male) were recruited in 11 major cities in Iran between 2019 and 2020. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was utilized to measure sleep quality, and logistic regression was used to assess associations in RDSAnalyst, a software designed for respondent-driven sampling.ResultsThe overall prevalence of poor sleep quality was 68.4% (68.3% among males and 70.2% among females). Married PWID had higher odds of poor sleep quality (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 1.41; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.91). Lack of access to sufficient food in the past 12 months was also associated with poor sleep quality (AOR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.17, 2.57 for sometimes having no access, and AOR: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.93, 4.52 for always having no access compared to always having access). Additionally, good self-rated health was significantly associated with lower odds of poor sleep quality (AOR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.31).ConclusionPoor sleep quality is prevalent among PWID in Iran. It is recommended to mitigate the adverse effects of this issue and enhance the overall quality of life for PWID. Supportive interventions aimed at preventing and treating poor sleep quality, as well as improving overall health outcomes, are essential.

The Circadian Rhythm of Itching among 241 Adults with Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-sectional Study.

The pattern of itching in patients with atopic dermatitis has not been systematically studied. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pattern of itching in adults with atopic dermatitis using questionnaires to assess for a circadian rhythm of itching in participating patients at a single institution (n = 241). A self-report questionnaire was used to assess circadian rhythm and intensity of itching in patients. In addition, the patients' disease severity (Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI]) and quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI]) were assessed. Itching occurred most frequently (74.69%) and with the greatest severity (62.66%) between 20:00 and 00:00, and the least number of patients (25.31%) experienced itching between 04:00 and 08:00. The DLQI and EASI scores both correlated with the average and maximum itch intensity (r = 0.582, r = 0.533, respectively; r = 0.539, r = 0.517, respectively; p < 0.001). The DLQI and EASI scores were associated with average itch intensity (B = 0.179, B = 0.204, respectively; 95% CI: 0.112 to 0.246, 95% CI: 0.096 to 0.313, respectively; p < 0.001), and the EASI score was associated with males and family history (B = 0.285, B = 0.287, respectively; 95% CI: 0.094 to 0.476, 95% CI: 0.096 to 0.478, respectively; p = 0.003). Adult patients with atopic dermatitis exhibited a circadian rhythm of itching; these study results could positively impact treatment approaches.

Evaluating the Population-Based Usage and Benefit of Digitally Collected Patient-Reported Outcomes and Experiences in Patients With Chronic Diseases: The PROMchronic Study Protocol.

Chronic diseases are associated with a high disease burden. Under- and overprovision of care as well as quality variation between health care providers persists, while current quality indicators rarely capture the patients' perspective. Capturing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as well as patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) is becoming more and more important to identify gaps in care provision, prioritize services most valuable to patients, and aid patients' self-management. This study aims to measure the potential benefits and effectiveness of using electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) and electronic patient-reported experience measures in a structured and population-based manner to enhance health care for chronic disease patients in Germany. This prospective cohort study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of PROM usage in patients with chronic diseases. We evaluate whether (1) digitally collected PROMs and PREMs can be used for health system performance assessment by generating a representative response of chronically diseased individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and coronary artery disease across Germany, and (2) based on the PROMs and PREMs, low-value care can be identified. As patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are rarely presented back to patients, (3) this study also examines patients' reactions to their PROM scores in the form of digital PRO feedback. For these purposes, randomly selected patients from a nationwide German insurer are digitally surveyed with generic and disease-specific PROMs and PREMs, as well as additional questions on their health-related behavior, 4 times over 1 year. Individual PRO feedback is presented back to patients longitudinally and compared to a peer group after each survey period. Patient-reported data is linked with health insurance data. Response rates, changes in health and experience outcomes over time, self-reported changes in health behavior, and health care system usage will be analyzed. The PROMchronic study explores the usage of PROMs in patients with chronic diseases. Data collection began in October 2023, after the initial invitation letter. All the 200,000 potential patients have been invited to participate in the study. Data have not yet been analyzed. Publication of the interim results is planned for the autumn of 2024, and the results are planned to be published in 2025. We aim to fill the research gap on the population-based usage of PROMs and PREMs in patients with chronic diseases and add to the current understanding of PROM data-sharing with patients. The study's results can thereby inform whether a health care system-wide approach to collecting PROMs and PREMs can be used to identify low-value care, assess quality variation within and across chronic conditions, and determine whether PRO feedback is helpful and associated with any changes in patients' health behaviors. German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00031656; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00031656. DERR1-10.2196/56487.

Exploring the Quality-of-Care Dynamics of Inpatient Psychosocial Rehabilitation in Community-Based Mental Health Services: A Comprehensive Analysis.

This study aims to investigate the intricacies of inpatient psychosocial rehabilitation by examining a community-based mental health inpatient rehabilitation service in Nova Scotia, Canada. It provides a comparative analysis with national standards using the Quality Indicator for Rehabilitative Care (QuIRC) and offers recommendations for improvement. The study will link findings to research on enhancing specific domains, focusing on strategies to address identified challenges and leverage opportunities to meet or exceed national benchmarks in promoting recovery and social inclusion. This study utilizes the QuIRC as a primary assessment tool to evaluate the quality of care in psychiatric and psychosocial rehabilitation care unit. The QuIRC assessment findings reveal crucial insights across several domains, including the living and therapeutic environment, treatments and interventions, self-management and autonomy, social interface, human rights, and recovery-based practices. The study identifies strengths and areas for improvement by comparing unit scores with national averages in Canada, offering a detailed examination of the quality of care provided in a community-based psychosocial rehabilitation service. Using the QuIRC identifies strengths and areas for improvement of current care provided, opening opportunities for positive change and improved quality of care. By highlighting the critical indicators of the quality of care and best practices derived from the QuIRC assessment, this study provides practical insights that can be directly applied by practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders, fostering an understanding of essential elements that support effective mental health rehabilitation within community settings.

Influence of steaming duration, chlorophyll-a and -b content and ratio, and pH on the color of green tea processed from multiple tea (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivars.

The color of green tea is an important quality indicator. In recent years, shading of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plants has been widely adopted for green tea production to enhance its green color and umami taste. In this study, we identified factors that influence green tea color by (i) examining variation in the chlorophyll content of fresh new tea shoots among cultivars, cropping seasons, and the degree of shading, (ii) investigating the rate of conversion of chlorophyll to pheophytin during the tea manufacturing process, specifically with steaming duration, and (iii) analyzing the effects of the new tea shoot properties and the steaming process on colorimetric values of the steamed new tea shoots. Multiple regression analysis revealed that three factors contributed to the rate of conversion of each chlorophyll type to pheophytin in steamed new tea shoots (ranked by importance): steaming duration > each chlorophyll type (chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b) content of fresh new tea shoots > pH. The colorimetric hue angle (h) value of steamed new tea shoots was influenced by four factors (ranked by importance): steaming duration > total chlorophyll (chlorophyll-a + chlorophyll-b) content in fresh new tea shoots > pH > chlorophyll-a/chlorophyll-b ratio in fresh new tea shoots. Differences in the color of new tea shoots can be explained by the aforementioned four factors. The findings will be useful for cultivar selection, and determining the appropriate degree of shading and steaming duration, to produce high-quality green teas with a good appearance. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Soil quality indicators under five different cacao production systems and fallow in Alto Beni, Bolivia

Soil quality indicators under five different cacao production systems and fallow in Alto Beni, Bolivia

Spatial Distribution of Wells in the Eastern Side of Nineveh Governorate – Iraq

Groundwater is an important resource, especially in areas where water resources do not meet the requirements of life. Therefore, population centers in areas far from rivers are linked to the quantity and quality of groundwater available. The study area represents a large part of the eastern part of Nineveh Governorate, which is dotted with small cities and villages with population and agricultural activity. The quantity and quality of groundwater are related to the nature of the reservoir rocks in the region, which are mainly represented by the Pila Spi Formation, composed of dolomite limestone, the Fat’ha Formation, composed of periodic successions of marl, limestone, and gypsum, and the Injana Formation, composed of periodic successions of sandstone, siltstone, and clay. The quality of the rocks exposed in the study area, especially at the feet of the Bashiqa and Ain Al-Safra mountains, and the ability of the minerals that make up them to dissolve in conditions of weathering and erosion also affect the water content of dissolved salts. The water quality index (WQI) was calculated to determine its suitability for civil use based on the physical (pH, E.C, T.D.S and T.H) and chemical (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, SO42-, Cl- and NO3-) specifications. In light of this, the distribution of wells was determined according to their specifications. In general, there were six regions; The first in the northern part has excellent water, the second in the south has good water, the third in the south has unsuitable water, and the fourth area, which represents the area confined between the city of Mosul and Mount Bashiqa, has poor water quality, while the area adjacent to Ain Al-Sufra Mountain is classified as having good water quality, while The area located to the southwest towards the Tigris River is of very poor quality. There are sites for wells whose specifications vary according to the type of activity there.

Assessing Eco-Environmental Effects and Its Impacts Mechanisms in the Mountainous City: Insights from Ecological–Production–Living Spaces Using Machine Learning Models in Chongqing

In the face of accelerating land use changes, conflicts between land use patterns and the eco-environment are increasingly pronounced. By calculating the eco-environment quality index (EQI) adopting the ecological–production–living spaces (EPLS) framework, we evaluate the eco-environment quality of land use changes within Chongqing’s central urban area from 2000 to 2020. The study employs a random forest model to elucidate the mechanisms influencing the eco-environment quality. The findings reveal the following: (1) Living spaces have expanded by 361.53 km2, while production and the ecological spaces have been experiencing a significant reduction of 331.42 km2 and 30.11 km2 over two decades. (2) The eco-environment quality has steadily declined from 0.3665 in 2000 to 0.3501 in 2020, indicating a degradation in overall quality. There is notable spatial variation in eco-environment quality, typically displaying a “low center–high periphery” pattern. (3) Pesticide usage, grain production, and the added value of the primary industry are the primary factors affecting ecological quality. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for global urban planning and environmental management. Rapidly, land use change regions worldwide face similar conflicts between economic growth and ecological sustainability. This research underscores the need for integrated land use policies that balance development with environmental preservation. The methodologies and findings can inform international efforts to optimize land use patterns, improve ecological quality, and achieving sustainable development goals, offering adaptable strategies for policymakers and urban planners globally.

Comparative Physiochemical Appraisal of Groundwater and Drinking Water Quality Assessment in Hisar District

Having access to clean drinking water is crucial, especially in rural areas where groundwater is the main water supply. This study has assessed the physicochemical quality of the groundwater in hisar District, Haryana, India. The following physiochemical parameters were determined on 30 samples samples that were gathered from thirty different locations: pH, total dissolved solids, total hardness, alkalinity, electrical conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, nitrate, fluoride, and sulfate. These findings were compared to the standards set by the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Bureau of Indian Standards, the World Health Organization, and other regulatory authorities. The majority of the required parameters were found to be within allowable bounds; but, total hardness, calcium, and magnesium were shown to be higher than advised in several locations. According to the Water Quality Index, groundwater in certain regions is becoming unsafe for human consumption due to its diminishing quality. This study emphasizes the need of routine monitoring in addition to providing vital information to support mitigation efforts and guarantee the supply of sustainable and clean water resources for the residents of the hisar district in the state of Haryana