Specific Indicators Research Articles

Using the Best Available Technologies in the Production of Cement to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The article analyzes approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions using the best available technologies (BAT) to achieve the strategic goal of low-carbon economic development in Russia. The study focuses on the development of a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the regional level, taking into account the contribution of each sector to the total greenhouse gas emissions in the Novosibirsk Region’s carbon balance. Particular attention is paid to the Industrial Processes sector and its impact on climate change, in particular within cement production. Using the example of JSC Iskitimcement, the largest cement producer in the Novosibirsk Region (NSO), direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions are calculated, and the specific indicators per unit of production for the period 2018–2021 are analyzed. The article presents various BAT, applied in cement production, including the use of non-traditional raw material components, alternative fuels, utilization of waste heat for power generation, and reduction of clinker share in cement, among others. The climate effect of these technologies has been assessed. These studies make it possible to develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region and contribute to sustainable environmental development.

Policies and Models for Efficient and Eco-sustainable Ports

Introduction The port system is one of the main sources of national and international trade; it is essential for the transfer of freight and people, but at the same time it is a critical site in relation to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, some management strategies are developed to optimize the freight terminal activities using innovative technologies to limit the negative environmental impacts. Objective This study focuses specifically on vehicle management on the landside of a container port and aims to evaluate the impacts and performance of the system, in which the traditional handling units are replaced by green and automated ones. The study is part of a framework of actions to be undertaken to pursue the target “to make a port more competitive and sustainable”. Methods This study deals with the assessment of the handling time, energy consumption, and gas emission deriving from the innovative vehicular technologies capable of making the port more competitive and sustainable. A modeling approach is used to understand the possible impacts generated by new technologies on port performance. The models have been calibrated on the basis of a large database carried out by a specific survey of port operators and specialized companies. Results A case study is proposed about the container port of Gioia Tauro (Italy), an important port in the center of the Mediterranean area in terms of transshipment. Some specific indicators are analyzed by quantitative models, such as energy consumption for efficiency and harmful gases for ecology, considering the current port configuration and some project scenarios in which green and automated handling units are used. The analysis has been performed using a spreadsheet, with automatic calculation. The input data related to the actual port configuration have been provided by the port management company; those related to the scenarios have been taken from specialized companies. Data included refer to the last 5 years. Conclusion The study highlights the advantages of green and automated handling means; the use of these solutions represents a fundamental step to making a port more competitive and sustainable. This research could stimulate policymakers and port managers towards innovative technological solutions to make a port more competitive and sustainable. The proposed approach can be applied and extended to other contexts.

The Cognitive Profile of Elderly Patients With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Role for Cognitive Reserve?

To assess cognitive status in elderly patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in the subacute phase, examine the role of cognitive reserve, and investigate associations with cognitive complaints, mental distress, and functional outcomes. A level 1 trauma center in the Netherlands. A total of 52 individuals with mTBI and 42 healthy controls. A prospective observational cohort study. Neuropsychological assessment in the subacute phase (2 weeks to 6 months post-injury) to objectively measure the cognitive functioning, the Head Injury Symptom Checklist for subjective cognitive complaints, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for anxiety and depression, the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire for cognitive reserve, the Community Integration Questionnaire for community integration, and the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended for functional outcome. Cognitive impairments were observed in memory ( P < .001) and attention, processing speed and executive control ( P < .001). Cognitive reserve was not associated with neuropsychological test performance, except for one test measuring working memory. The relationship between injury severity and cognitive outcome was not moderated by cognitive reserve. Elderly patients reported significantly more complains than healthy controls regarding forgetfulness, concentration problems, and slowness. Complaints of concentration were associated with cognitive impairment. All cognitive complaints were significantly correlated with mental distress. Cognitive impairments may be present in elderly patients in the subacute phase after mTBI, and these impairments were not significantly associated with cognitive reserve. This suggests that cognitive reserve might not serve as a protective factor against the effects of mTBI in the elderly. Concentration complaints may serve as a specific indicator for cognitive impairment, while complaints of memory and mental slowness may represent more generic indicators of mental distress. These findings highlight the importance of careful screening in older adults with mTBI, guiding clinicians toward specific treatment targets encompassing cognitive impairment, diminished mental well-being, or both.

DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS FOR MUSLIM FRIENDLY TOURISM IN MALAYSIA

Muslim friendly tourism is a tourism segment that adheres to the religious needs of Muslim tourists. It includes a wide range of services and facilities including transportation, restaurants, entertainment, and accommodations that designed for and directed at Muslims. Malaysia is one of the fastest growing countries in the Muslim friendly tourism industry sector, holding a sizeable market share. As sustainable tourism has emerged as the way forward for Muslim friendly tourism, specific sustainability indicators should be developed to be used in planning and decision-making of Muslim friendly tourism related matters. Yet, the majority of the existing sustainability indicators reflect other tourism niche such as ecotourism, small tourism enterprises, adventure tourism destinations, festival tourism, and ecological resort. Malaysia’s tourism industry contributed 12.8% to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021 and contributed 23.4% to the total employment. Hence, sustaining Muslim friendly tourism as a niche tourism segment is one of the country’s priorities. This study is on-going aims to develop sustainability indicators for Muslim friendly tourism in Malaysia. For this purpose, stage 1 of this research aims to identify sustainability indicators for Muslim friendly tourism and stage 2 aims to evaluate the relative importance of the indicators identified. Findings of this study is in line with the National Tourism Policy (2020-2030), which aiming to ensure the continuity of the country’s tourism industry and will support the Malaysian government specifically Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 on “decent work and economic growth” as tourism has the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly, to this goal.

Audit of antenatal and delivery care at a midwife obstetric unit, South Africa

Background: Poor qualities of antenatal and intrapartum care are associated with poor maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Audit of care is an essential tool to identify gaps for standard protocols and guidelines that can assist with evidence based intervention to ensure consistent quality of care during antenatal and delivery.&#x0D; Objectives: To measure the compliance on the specific antenatal and delivery care indicators based on national guidelines.&#x0D; Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted of women who had childbirths between January and June 2021 in a midwife obstetric unit. Descriptive statistics were used to describe continuous and categorical variables. Both the mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for continuous and proportions for categorical variables.&#x0D; Results; The mean age and gestational age of the sample were 26 years and 16 weeks respectively. Teenage pregnancy constituted 13.5%. Most of the antenatal and delivery care indicators had good compliance (&gt; 95%). However, gaps were identified for: recording of Last Menstrual Period (78.5%), syphilis treatment at antenatal booking (72.7%), repeat syphilis test at 32 weeks (43.4%) and completion of basic antenatal care checklist (46.3%) during antenatal care. Lower rate for delivery care indicators were: recording of measurement of length and head circumference of the neonates (76.5%) and use of pain relief (5.4%) to mothers at delivery. The outcome indicators measured were good as Low Birth Weight, delivery complications and neonatal death rates were 11.6%, 10.7% and 1.4% respectively. &#x0D; Conclusions: Though the study found good compliance with antenatal and delivery care provided but the few basic indicators such as basic antenatal checklist, completion of syphilis treatment and use of pain relief were poor. These results are vital for a quality improvement programme including training of midwives on basic antenatal care including maternity care guidelines in PHC facilities. A multi-centre study is also recommended for further study.

Sustainable Development in GCC (Do Logistics Indicators Matter?)

Objective: Although logistics practices could contribute a lot to countries’ economic and ecological factors, there is still a need to know which logistics practices could contribute to specific ecological domains. Previous studies in many cases have limited their investigation either to a specific environmental indicator, such as CO2, or to a specific region. This study opts to close the gaps of previous studies by investigating the impacts of logistics aspects on the environmental variables in Gulf countries and expanding the focus of the tested environmental domain to include energy consumption as an additional variable to CO2. Methods: The study adopted a panel data approach, which uses both cross-sectional and time series approaches together. The panel approach includes more data coverage, reduces the variables’ internal correlations, and provides a more efficient model with high freedom degrees. The logistics performance data has been derived from LPI, which was published by the World Bank in 2007. At the time of writing this paper, the index covers data from 2007 to 2023. Although LPI data are available from 2007 to 2023, the CO2 and energy consumption were only available until 2020. Results: The results indicated that different logistics indicators have different impacts on ecological issues. The results revealed that only infrastructure and customs logistics indicators have significant effects on CO2 emission and energy consumption in the GCC. Conclusions: This study recommends that decision-makers should consider the environmental consequences of engaging in logistics practices. Although the improvements in logistics indicators will lead to facilitating the movements of goods internally and externally, caution should be taken with regard to harm it may cause to the environment.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY INTERVENTION PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTER (DOH-TRC)

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Therapeutic Community Intervention Program operated by the Department of Health-Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC) in the Philippines. The research focused on four components of the program, namely the Residential, Outpatient, Aftercare, and Recovery Home programs. The study determined the areas of success and those requiring improvement to enhance the overall effectiveness of each program. Structured questionnaires and surveys were administered to two groups of respondents-program staff and patients-who had received the respective intervention programs. The survey questions were designed to evaluate the effectiveness of various aspects of the programs, such as treatment plan individualization, program implementation fidelity, program structure, family involvement, patient support systems, post-treatment monitoring, relapse prevention, and post-recovery support. The statistical analysis revealed significant insights into the effectiveness of each program. The Residential and Recovery Home programs received high mean scores, indicating that staff and patients perceived them as highly effective. However, the Outpatient and Aftercare programs demonstrated areas requiring attention and improvement. The Outpatient Program showed that family support, patient anxiety towards reintegration into the community, and the absence of a program for patient and family interaction were significant concerns. For the Aftercare Program, areas of concern included the lack of a structured patient monitoring system and financial support for staff assigned to monitor aftercare patients. The findings offered valuable insights into areas that needed enhancement to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Based on the data findings, a comprehensive action plan was developed to improve the effectiveness of the Therapeutic Community Intervention Program. The action plan involved specific key performance indicators, activities, budget allocations, timelines, personnel involvement, and continuous quality improvement efforts tailored to each program. The study provided information on the advantages and disadvantages of the Therapeutic Community Intervention Program implemented by DOH-TRC. By implementing the proposed action plan, the center can further improve the effectiveness of its Residential, Outpatient, Aftercare, and Recovery Home programs, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and contributing to the programs overall success in combating substance abuse and promoting lasting recovery. Continuous evaluation and improvement will be essential to ensure the program remains responsive to the evolving needs of its participants and consistently delivers high-quality care. KEYWORDS: Rehabilitation, Residential Program, Outpatient Program, Aftercare Program, Recovery Home Program

Integrating new variables into a framework to support cacao denomination of origin: a case study in Southwest Colombia.

Cocoa quality plays a pivotal role in establishing denominations of origin, with genotypes, geography, climate and soil conditions being key variables. However, these factors have not been comprehensively explored in defining cacao denominations of origin. The present study addresses this gap by laying the foundation for cacao denomination of origin, focusing on the Buenaventura region on Colombia's Pacific coast. Our goal is to provide a holistic understanding of the elements underpinning cacao denomination of origin, emphasizing Buenaventura's unique cocoa quality and geographical significance. Through the Buenaventura case, we propose a robust framework applicable to other cacao-producing regions, elevating the recognition and value of cacao denomination of origin. Our framework encompasses geography, agronomy, genetics, microbial diversity, pests and diseases and cocoa quality. In a pioneering move, we propose a cacao denomination of origin in Colombia, specifically examining Bajo Calima, Sabaletas and Cisneros within Buenaventura region. Buenaventura stands out for its cocoa quality, characterized by fruity flavors attributed to the rich biodiversity of the lowland rainforest. Our analysis indicates specific geographical indicators for each of the study zones, with Buenaventura identified as a region with natural characteristics to produce fine flavour cocoa products. Each zone exhibited a high differentiation and diversity of cacao cultivars. Buenaventura has the potential to be designated as a future denomination of origin for cacao from the Pacific region of Colombia, characterized by its unique fruity-aroma chocolates. Our framework is adaptable to other cacao-producing regions, facilitating the establishment of denominations of origin within the cocoa industry and agriculture. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Escherichia coli as Microbiological Quality Water Indicator:A High Importance for Human and Animal Health

The purpose of this review is to demonstrate the importance of monitoring microbiological quality in water for animals and humans, which relies primarily on coliforms, mostly Escherichia coli. Fecal coliforms, such as E. coli, are more specific indicators of fecal pollution. A fecal contamination detection can be performed not just in drinking water, but also in the environment. As a result of improved detection methods for E. coli, drinking water is becoming more reliable as a result of the use of E. coli as an indicator of fecal pollution. Drinking water contamination by feces is currently best detected by E. coli. Accordingly, temperate environments are more likely to have fecal coliforms than tropical environments, human and animal feces have high levels of E. coli in comparison to other fecal coliforms, and E. coli detection methods are more affordable, fast, sensitive, specific, and easy to use than other fecal coliforms.

Will the true inclusive city rise? Mapping the strengths and weaknesses of the city ranking systems

Ranking cities is considered an effective instrument to rate and qualify the specific image of cities and encourage them to define and improve sustainable development strategies, but it has also been criticized for generating biased outcomes. Recently, the number of rankings for inclusive cities is rising, in fact along with growing investments in inclusive city projects and initiatives. The inclusive city rankings have both the strength to enhance lesson-drawing and self-improvement and the weakness to exacerbate competition among un-equals. In this article, nine different ranking systems for assessing urban inclusion are scrutinized and compared. Based on relevant theory regarding inclusive urban development and ranking systems, a methodology to compare and assess ranking systems is established, building on different quality aspects. The findings indicate that although for most ranking systems much essential information to understand how they produce results can be retrieved, motivations for generating these inclusive city rankings can be moral, utilitarian, or a combination of both, and that evaluation methods and dissemination of the results sometimes lack transparency and timeliness. Some metrics are incomplete and/or biased toward specific dimensions and indicators. The consistency across the ranking systems in producing the best-performing cities is much stronger than that of the worst-performing cities. Moreover, an obvious developed-developing gap was observed in the sense that most high performers are in Europe and to a lesser extent Nord-America, while the bottom 25 % are primarily in developing countries. Finally, suggestions are given to make methodologies for inclusive ranking systems more transparent, comprehensive and less biased.

High-risk groups of neonatal lupus erythematosus in term infants: a birth cohort study.

After standardized prenatal health care, there is still a high risk of dermal, hepatic, or hematological system involvement for high-risk groups of NLE. There are no specific indicators for the prediction of whether babies will develop NLE. All of these patients need to be followed up closely within one year after birth. • Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLEs) can affect the cardiac, dermal, hepatic, and hematological systems of infants. • After standardized prenatal health care employing good multidepartment cooperation in our center, no neonates had cardiac block in this study. However, dermal, hepatic, and hematological system involvement of NLE can still gradually appear (as long as 60days after birth in some cases) during follow-up, and some of these conditions are serious and require timely and active intervention. No single factor has been found to predict whether offspring at high-risk of NLE whose mothers are positive for anti-SSA, SSB and/or RNP will develop NLE.

Sustainable mobility in smart cities: a document study of mobility initiatives of mid-sized Nordic smart cities

The smart city concept is being viewed as part of the urban future, integrating technological advances, multi-sectorial collaboration, and innovative open markets with strategic goals and ambitions to achieve sustainable urban development. Smart mobility is considered a vital element of the smart city, given that urban transport systems should become more efficient and sustainable. With this in mind, we raise the question: how sustainable is smart mobility? To answer this, we review smart city strategies and measures of fourteen mid-sized cities of the Nordic Smart Cities Network, identifying smart mobility goals together with proposed or implemented mobility measures. We evaluate how they align with sustainable mobility and how effective they are with the help of two analytical frameworks: a) the EU’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP) objectives and b) the S.M.A.R.T. objectives. In doing so, we assess to which degree smart mobility strategies and measures in Nordic smart cities contribute to sustainable urban mobility and development, and how they contribute to achieving sustainable and smart city goals in terms of feasibility and accountability. The study reveals that measures mainly address the SUMP objectives relating to efficiency and environment, with little focus on inclusive and safe mobility planning that caters to attractive cities and high quality of urban life. Another finding is that smart mobility measures are relatively conventional, and their goals and ambitions are often stated on an abstract level and rarely measurable with specific indicators. Thus, there seems to be a lack of feasibility and accountability related to smart mobility measures, as well as a lack of focus on social sustainability.

The National Water Resources Policy and Water Management: Considerations about the Rural Context of the Cantareira System

Purpose: The National Water Resources Policy established foundations and instruments for the management of water resources in Brazil. Despite being considered one of the most advanced internationally, its effectiveness is questioned for water management in rural contexts where small users predominate. The article presents elements of water management conducted by rural landowners, seeking to analyze how these elements approach or distance themselves from the foundations and instruments of the National Water Resources Policy. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 151 rural landowners who use water resources in the context of the supply sources of the Cantareira Water Production System. The results indicate that the water sources accessed by users are the central reference that supports decisions on local water management, which distances itself from the watershed as a management unit, as proposed by law. Not based on a scientific conception, users mobilize specific indicators to determine the quality of the water consumed. Perceptions of the private domain and common good surrounding water sources do not fully align with the understanding of water as a public good. Furthermore, the notion of free access to and use of water also distances itself from any intention to charge for water in rural areas. It is concluded that the foundations and instruments of the National Water Resources Policy are not able to promote the management of water resources at the level of small sources and users, and that the perceptions and management practices of these users are far from what is established by law. The objective of the article is to present elements of water management conducted by rural landowners, seeking to analyze how these elements approach or distance themselves from the foundations and instruments of the National Water Resources Policy. Method/design/approach: The research is of a qualitative nature, of a descriptive nature, having been carried out empirical research. For the empirical research, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 151 rural landowners who use water resources in the context of the supply sources of the Cantareira Water Production System. Results and conclusion: The results indicate that the water sources accessed by users are the central reference that supports decisions on local water management, which distances itself from the hydrographic basin as a management unit, as proposed by law. Not based on a scientific conception, users mobilize specific indicators to determine the quality of the water consumed. Perceptions of the private domain and common good surrounding water sources do not fully align with the understanding of water as a public good. Furthermore, the notion of free access to and use of water also distances itself from any intention to charge for water in rural areas. Research implications: From the analysis, it is highlighted that the fundamentals and official instruments of water resources management cannot influence the water management that occurs at the level of small rural users. The main implication of the study is to stimulate reflection on the need to build a policy that takes into account elements of local water management, seeking full management of water resources. Originality/value: The study seeks to contribute to the improvement of water resources management, in terms of local management aspects. The ways of acting of rural landowners need to be recognized, understood and valued, so it will be possible to promote sustainable water management in one of the most critical contexts for water security in the country.

Regulation of potential denitrification rates in sediments by microbial-driven elemental coupled metabolisms

Microbial driven coupled processes between denitrification and methane/sulfur metabolism play a very substantial role in accelerating nitrogen removal in river sediments. Until now, little is known about how element coupling processes alter nitrogen metabolism by the microbial functional communities. The primary objective of this research was to clarify the contributory role of microbial-mediated coupled processes in controlling denitrification. Specifically, the study sought to identify the key bioindicators (or metabolic pathway) for preferably regulating and predicting potential denitrification rate (PDR). Here, a total of 40 sediment samples were collected from the inflow rivers of Chaohu Lake under nitrogen stress. The results revealed the ecological importance of methanogens and sulfate reducing bacteria in the microbial interaction network. Correlations between quantitative or predicted genes showed that the methanogenic gene (mcrA) was synergistic with denitrifying genes, further unraveling that the key role of methanogenesis in denitrification process for facilitating nitrogen removal. The PDR of sediments ranged from 0.03 to 133.21 μg N·g−1·h−1. The study uncovered specific environmental factors (NH4+ and OM) and microbial indicators (nosZ, mcrA, Paracoccus, Thauera, Methanobrevibacter and Desulfomicrobium) as potential contributors to the variations in PDR. Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis revealed a significant direct effect of NH4+ on PDR, evidenced by a standardized coefficient (λ) of 0.77 (P < 0.001). Additionally, the findings also emphasized the salient role of methanogens (Methanobrevibacter) and methanogenic gene (mcrA) in indicating PDR. The research's aforementioned findings shed light on the substantial consequences of methanogenesis on nitrogen metabolism in coupled processes, enabling improved control of nitrogen pollution in river sediments. This study provided fresh perspectives on the effects of multiple functional taxa on denitrification, and reinforces the significance of coupling processes for nitrogen removal.

Event Sastra Festival Temu Penyair Asia Tenggara II di Padang Panjang sebagai Potensi Pariwisata

This research aims to explore the literary event, theTemu Penyair Asia Tenggara II (TPAT) or Southeast Asian Poets Gathering II, as a potential tourism attraction. The background of this study lies in the existence of various literary festivals across the archipelago that have the potential to boost tourism, yet remain unknown to the wider public. One such event is held in Padang Panjang. This research investigates the impact of visitors' experiences on their return visits to the city where the festival takes place. The methodology employed in this research is a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods were used to collect data through a survey questionnaire distributed to 14 respondents, covering 10 key indicators. Subsequently, the questionnaire data was processed using qualitative descriptive analysis with a focus on literary tourism. The research corpus is the TPAT II festival held in Padang Panjang, West Sumatra. Data collection involved distributing questionnaires to 14 correspondents, addressing 10 specific indicators. The research process included data collection through field surveys. The collected data was then processed and analyzed to reveal the literary event's potential as a tourism attraction, employing literary tourism perspectives. The findings of this research indicate that visitors perceive literature and tourism, as showcased in the festival held in Padang Panjang, positively. This perception leads to a desire among visitors to return to Padang Panjang. Visitor satisfaction is anticipated to serve as a model for organizing other festivals, acting as promotional platforms for lesser-known places or tourist destinations, thereby contributing to sustainable tourism. Consequently, regions hosting TPAT II events are expected to become tourism assets for Padang Panjang.

Editorial for the Special Issue “Native Gold as a Specific Indicator Mineral for Gold Deposits”

Native gold is the most common and significant industrial gold mineral [...]

Addressing the Primary and Subharmonic Resonances of the Swing Equation

A research investigation is undertaken to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the primary and subharmonic resonances exhibited by the swing equation. The occurrence of the primary resonance is characterised by amplified oscillatory reactions, voltage instability, and the possibility for system failure. The phenomenon of subharmonic resonance arises when the frequency of disturbance is a whole-number fraction of the natural frequency. This results in the occurrence of low-frequency oscillations and the potential for detrimental effects on equipment. The objective of this study is to expand upon the current literature regarding the impacts of primary resonance and enhance comprehension of subharmonic resonance in relation to the stability of a specific power system model. The analytical and numerical tools are utilised to investigate the fundamental principles of this resonant-related problem, aiming to provide an effective control solution. This choice is driven by the model’s complex nonlinear dynamical behaviour, which offers valuable insights for further analysis. This analysis includes the Floquet Method, the Method of strained parameters, and the concept of tangent instability in order to provide an extension to existing literature relating to primary and subharmonic resonances, taking into account the dynamic and bifurcation characteristics of the swing equation. This objective will be achieved through the utilisation of both analytical and numerical methods, enabling the identification of specific indicators of chaos that can contribute to the safe operation of real-world scenarios.

Chronic toxicity assessment of nano-formulated Bischofia javanica leaves: Implications for pharmacological use

This study explores the chronic toxicity of nano-formulated Bischofia javanica leaves, a plant with pharmacological significance in Indonesia, following OECD guidelines 452. Graded doses (2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg BW) of nano-formulated Bischofia javanica were administered to the treatment groups for 60 days, while the control group (K-) received only water. On the 61st day, the mice were euthanized, and samples for biochemical, hematological, and histopathological analysis were collected. Statistical analysis involved one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests. Graded doses of nano-formulated Bischofia javanica leaves caused significant alterations in liver function. Doses between 2 and 4 g/kg BW improved liver histology and physiological markers. Higher doses (6 to 8 g/kg BW) led to liver dysfunction and histological degeneration, characterized by substantial fatty alterations, intracellular fat accumulation in hepatocytes, and compromised central blood vessels and sinusoids. The lungs showed signs of alveolar inflammation, epithelial exfoliation, debris, and the accumulation of inflammatory cells in alveolar spaces. Lower doses showed uniformly distributed cardiac blood vessels, while higher doses resulted in heart hemorrhages and amorphous exudates. Except for high doses, which significantly elevated specific liver damage indicators, no other levels of Bischofia javanica caused treatment-related mortality or significant alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters. Blood sugar levels remained stable across the dose range. In conclusion, moderate doses of nano-formulated Bischofia javanica leaf extracts can enhance physiological functions positively. However, caution is necessary when contemplating high doses, as they can cause dysfunction or damage vital organ systems.

Innovating the Understanding of Work in Service Organizations During Covid-19: Effects on Workplace Attractiveness

This paper seeks to explore innovation in new work practices in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic and identify which indicators of same lead to workplace attractiveness. From a socio-demographic perspective, service industry employees constituted the focus of this study. The study employed a two-step mixed-methods approach. First, the qualitative component deduced a data structure of innovative new work practices by conducting 21 semi-structured interviews with top- and middle-level managers. Second, hypotheses were formulated based on the qualitative data, and a quantitative survey with 155 employees was used to test the effectiveness and attractiveness of innovative new work practices using psychological empowerment as a mediator. The data structure was conceptualized according to three dimensions: (i) innovating approaches to new work, (ii) innovating leadership attitudes, and (iii) innovating organizational culture. The results of the quantitative study suggest that the innovation in leadership attitude and in organizational culture have a strong influence on psychological empowerment, thereby positively influencing workplace attractiveness. This paper contributes to a uniform understanding of innovative work practices in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through empirical testing, the paper highlights specific indicators of innovation in work that lead to increased workplace attractiveness. Service organizations during such crises as pandemics can concentrate on the three dimensions and the specific indicators to implement innovative work measures while increasing workplace attractiveness for their employees.

Use of a controlled attenuation parameter for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

To evaluate the efficacy of vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) with a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in a population of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)and to compare to US and different non-invasive indices. Single center NAFLD patients' database of 2021-2023 years was retrospectively analysed. Data of VCTE evaluation with CAP (FibroScan 530® and FibroScan 630 Expert®) as well as liver US examination results and values of HSI, FLI, BAAT and NAFLD-LFS were extracted. AUROCs for all methods used were constructed and sensitivity and specificity analysis was performed. The data of 1081 patients were available for analysis (385 with steatosis, 274 with NASH, 422 without NAFLD as a control). Ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of liver steatosis compared to VCTE with CAP showed sensitivity and specificity of 94.6 and 63.7%, respectively. Diagnosis of liver steatosis using indices and scales showed sensitivity and specificity of HSI: 97.9 and 60.1% (AUROC 0.90), FLI: 92.5 and 85.3% (AUROC 0.93), BAAT: 76.6 and 73.5% (AUROC 0.82), NAFLD-LFS: 56.7 and 81.8% (AUROC 0.85). The sensitivity of the US of the liver was consistent with previous studies, but the specificity was low. The HSI index had the best indicators of sensitivity and specificity in relation to the diagnosis of liver steatosis. Combination of liver US and HSI can be used in screening of liver steatosis, however, for the complete diagnosis better tools which can simultaneously evaluate liver steatosis and fibrosis should be used.