Suboptimal Conditions Research Articles

Integrated Advanced Ozonation Technologies for Enhanced Total Organic Carbon Removal from Secondary Treated Municipal Wastewater: Systematic Optimization and Environmental Analysis

Integrated Advanced Ozonation Technologies for Enhanced Total Organic Carbon Removal from Secondary Treated Municipal Wastewater: Systematic Optimization and Environmental Analysis carbon (AC) for TOC removal from secondary-treated effluent. A predictive model optimised the process parameters, achieving a maximum TOC removal efficiency of 65.95% at an O3 flow rate of 3.17 L/min, H2O2 dosage of 12.98 mM, UV exposure duration of 62.04 min, and AC dosage of 10.10 mg/L. In contrast, the lowest TOC removal of 39.55% ± 2.15% occurred under sub-optimal conditions, with an O3 flow rate of 3 L/min, H2O2 dosage of 10 mM, UV exposure for 20 min, and 1 mg/L of AC. The economic and environmental analyses revealed the integrated process to be more cost-effective and sustainable compared to conventional single-step treatments. These findings highlight the potential of integrated advanced ozonation technologies for effective TOC removal, providing a pathway for enhanced wastewater treatment practices and improved environmental sustainability. Graphical Abstract

Enhancing Maize Production Through Timely Nutrient Supply: The Role of Foliar Fertiliser Application

Maize, regarded as a staple economic crop, attracts special global attention with the aim to enhance its production. Foliar fertilisation offers a complementary method to traditional soil fertilisation amongst resource-limited agricultural systems, providing a more efficient solution to nutrient deficiencies, especially in suboptimal soil conditions. This study aimed to analyse foliar fertiliser formulation research directions and their application in maize production. A literature search was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS) database. Bibliometric analyses were performed using the VOSviewer software (version 1.6.17). The changes in the publication trends of documents were tested using the Mann–Kendall test. The production effects of foliar fertilisation were independently synthesised. The results showed a strong positive increase in publication trends regarding maize foliar fertilisation (R2 = 0.7842). The predominant nutrients that affected maize production were nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, iron, and manganese. The timely foliar application of nutrients corrected deficiencies and/or sustained nutrient supply under several abiotic stresses. Foliar application at critical growth stages like flowering and grain filling boosted carbohydrate and protein content, lipid levels, kernel size, mineral content, and the weight of the maize grain. This review identified important research gaps, namely genotype-specific responses, interactions with other agronomic practices, and long-term environmental effects.

Effect of Liquid Marble 3D Culture System on In Vitro Maturation and Embryo Development of Prepubertal Goat Oocytes

Suboptimal culture conditions during in vitro maturation (IVM) affect oocyte developmental competence and the viability of the resulting embryo. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems provide a more biologically appropriate environment compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of liquid marble (LM) microbioreactors as a 3D culture system on IVM and the subsequent embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes. The cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) recovered from prepubertal goat ovaries underwent IVM in drops under oil (the 2D system and the control group) and in the 3D LM system (the LM group). After IVM, oocytes were parthenogenetically activated and cultured until the blastocyst stage. The control and LM groups showed similar rates of nuclear maturation (52.17% and 44.12%) and blastocyst formation (10.64% and 10.10%). Reactive oxygen species and glutathione levels and the density of transzonal projections (TZPs) in oocytes did not differ between groups. The LM system increased mitochondrial activity and modified the organization of these organelles in the oocyte cytoplasm compared to the control group. The LM microbioreactor demonstrated the ability to improve the mitochondrial status of the oocytes and was not harmful for oocyte IVM and subsequent embryo development. Therefore, LM could be used as a 3D cost-effective culture system for the IVM of prepubertal goat oocytes.

Happy teachers, quality schools: improving teacher performance through happiness, motivation and a good work life

Introduction. The gap between expected teacher performance and actual teacher performance is one of the problems faced by all teachers. Despite the important role teachers play in shaping educational outcomes, many teachers face challenges that adversely affect performance, including stress, lack of motivation, and suboptimal working conditions. The purpose of this study is to explore how happiness at work, motivation, and quality of work life affect teacher performance. Study participants and methods. Respondents in this study were public high school teachers consisting of 17 schools totaling 260 teachers. Respondents in terms of age, the majority are 41-50 years old (35.8%), the majority are female 182 people (70%), and male 78 people (30%). The majority of respondents' last education was bachelor 211 people (81.2%). The length of work of most respondents was 177 people (68.1), and the status of respondents as civil servants was 114 (43.8%). Data were analyzed using SPSS Win. 27 and SmartPLS 3.0. The statistical techniques used were descriptive statistical analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis including: validity and reliability, HTMT test, Structural model evaluation, hypothesis testing analyzing direct effects and indirect effects through intervening variables, Evaluation of goodness of fit and model fit. Results. The first validity and reliability test shows Cronbach's alpha value> 0.70, so all data is reliable., Outer loading values of the four variables range from 0.701 to 0.930. This indicates that all measurement items are valid. Hypothesis test results show happiness at work significantly improves the quality of work life and teacher performance. Motivation also had a positive impact on quality of work life, but less of a direct effect on teacher performance. Quality of work life acts as an important mediator in this relationship, highlighting the importance of quality of work life in improving overall teacher performance. Overall, the results of the goodness-of-fit evaluation indicate that the proposed model fits the data. The R Square values indicate that the model can explain variations in the quality of work life and teacher performance variables, although there is still room for improvement. Model fit indicators such as SRMR, d_ULS, d_G, Chi-Square, and NFI show that the model has a good fit with the data. Therefore, the proposed model can be used to understand the relationship between happiness at work, motivation, quality of work life, and teacher performance. Conclusion. This study shows that workplace happiness and motivation are important factors affecting the quality of work life and teacher performance in public high schools in the Purwakarta district. This study examines the mediating effect of quality of work life on the relationship between happiness at work, motivation and performance. This research can be used as an evaluation and policy-making material to pay more attention to the conditions of teachers.

Hydroperiod Influences Tadpole Growth and Development in the Endangered Littlejohn's Tree Frog (Litoria littlejohni).

Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrate taxa globally. Their global decline necessitates effective conservation actions to bolster populations across both the larval and adult stages. Constructing man-made ponds is one action proven to enhance reproduction in pond-breeding amphibians. However, to achieve successful conservation outcomes, extensive knowledge about the ecology and behavior of the target species is required. In this study, we investigated how different hydroperiod regimes impacted the growth and development of Litoria littlejohni tadpoles. Over a 28-week period, tadpoles were exposed to three hydroperiod treatments: constant high, declining, and constant low water levels. Weekly measurements of snout-vent length, body mass, and Gosner stage were taken to assess treatment-related changes. To determine whether different treatments affected locomotor performance, jump tests were conducted 3 weeks post-metamorphosis. Individuals exhibited limited developmental plasticity in response to declining water, with a mean time to metamorphosis of 85.1 days ± 12.1. Comparatively, when L. littlejohni tadpoles were exposed to low water volumes, they were able to speed up development and reduce time to metamorphosis, with a mean time of 63.7 days ± 10.3. The speeding up of development had an apparent consequence for L. littlejohni. We found support for trade-offs between rapid development and reduced morphometric measurements postmetamorphosis which resulted in reduced locomotive ability. Individuals from constant low water treatments exhibited an average total jumping distance of 171 cm ± 13.6 over 10 consecutive jumps, compared with 236 cm ± 17.3 in constant high and 210 cm ± 14.8 in declining treatments. Rapid larval development aids tadpoles in escaping suboptimal aquatic conditions, but its effects on locomotion may impact foraging efficiency and predator escape ability. Understanding developmental plasticity in threatened amphibians, especially in response to hydroperiod variations, is crucial for conservation programs, particularly under future climate change scenarios predicting increased drought and reduced hydroperiods in aquatic environments.

Quantifying animal social behaviour with ecological field methods.

Field studies of social behaviour are challenging due to the need to record or infer interactions between multiple individuals, often under suboptimal environmental conditions or with potential disturbance by observers. Due to the limited field techniques available, we present a novel method to quantify social behaviours in the field by comparing the counts of individuals caught in traps across multiple locations sampled simultaneously. The distribution of individuals between traps gives the extent of aggregation, and phenotypic data allow for inference of non-random assortment. As a case study, we applied this method to populations of three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in freshwater ponds, using minnow traps. As expected, we observed a strong trend for aggregation. We were able to describe the ecological drivers of aggregation, comparing environmental and phenotypic conditions across sites. Aggregation was not related to environmental parameters, but was negatively associated with the proportion of breeding males caught during the breeding season. No evidence for phenotypic assortment based on body size was found. These results demonstrate that widely available ecological equipment can address questions related to social behaviour. This cost-effective approach, avoiding the tagging of individuals and minimizing extended observer disturbance, can be applied across various habitats and species.

A Practical Usage of Point Spread Function for Industrial Barcode Image Enhancement

Barcodes are extensively utilized across industries for a variety of critical and routine applications, ranging from logistics to inventory management. Their widespread use has driven a high demand for barcode-reading devices. Optical barcode readers rely heavily on camera performance and image quality to achieve successful decoding. However, the cost of these cameras can vary significantly based on factors such as lighting conditions, working distance, and exposure time. To reduce costs without the need to upgrade cameras or other hardware, a computational enhancement approach leveraging the Point Spread Function (PSF) has been developed. This method enhances image quality, ensuring effective barcode decoding even under suboptimal conditions, thereby offering a cost-efficient solution for industrial applications.

Feasibility of the use of Kangaroo mother care in the transfer of preterm and low-birth-weight infants: a two-arm nonrandomized controlled cluster feasibility study of neonatal transport in Cape Coast, Ghana

BackgroundDespite progress made towards SDG 3, sub-Saharan Africa lags behind the rest of the world, accounting for over 50% of global neonatal deaths.The increased number of hospital births in the region has not reciprocated the reduction in neonatal mortality rates. Sick newborns face uncertain journeys from peripheral facilities to specialized centres arriving in suboptimal conditions, which impacts their outcomes, due partly to the scarcity of dedicated neonatal transport services.MethodsThis was a 2-arm nonrandomized controlled cluster study of preterm and low-birth-weight neonates transferred from eight peripheral sites to a tertiary neonatal unit via conventional methods or the KMC (August 2022–April 2023).ResultsA total of 77 (mother-baby pairs) were recruited, 34 in the KMC group and 43 in the conventional arm. Most (60%) were transported by taxis/private cars. Overall mortality was 20.8%. No untoward event was recorded for neonates transported by KMC, with marginally better temperatures on arrival. Although the observed differences were not statistically significant given that this was not the primary aim, the findings add to evidence that KMC transport may not be more life-threatening than the current practice of transporting newborns in the caregiver’s arms. KMC transport has the added advantage of ensuring non-separation of the small and sick child from its mother from birth and improved temperatures upon arrival.ConclusionKMC transport for preterm and Low birth weight infants using available transport in Sub-Saharan Africa is feasible. Local large-scale randomized trials are needed to gather more evidence for policy direction needed to inform a scale-up of this low-cost intervention.Trial registrationISRCTN98748162. Retrospectively registered 02.09.2024.

Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Properties of Rhodiola rosea Root Endophytic Bacteria

Plants inhabiting environments with suboptimal growth conditions often have a more pronounced capacity to attract and sustain microbial communities that improve nutrient absorption and expand abiotic stress tolerance. Rhodiola rosea L. is a succulent plant of the Crassulaceae family adapted to survive in sandy or rocky soils or dry tundra. The aim of the present study was to investigate the diversity and plant growth-stimulating potential of R. rosea endophytic microbiota. Metataxonomic analysis of the bacterial diversity in the rhizome of R. rosea revealed 108 families. Among these, three families were found exclusively in the core microbiome of 1-year-old plants, while nine families were unique to the core microbiome of mature plants grown in the field for more than 4 years. Seventy-three endophytic bacteria isolates were obtained from the rhizome of R. rosea plants and were assigned into 14 distinct bacterial genera of Firmicutes (26%) or Proteobacteria (74%) phyla. Screening for functional genes related to the nitrogen cycle, phosphorus mineralisation or dissolution, and traits associated with nitrogen fixation (56% of isolates), siderophore production (40%), inorganic phosphorus solubilisation (30%), and production of indole-related compounds (51%) led to the classification of the isolates into 16 distinct clusters. Co-cultivation of 45 selected isolates with germinating Arabidopsis seedlings revealed 18 and 5 isolates that resulted in more than a 20% increase in root or shoot growth, respectively. The study results established the complexity of the succulent R. rosea endophytic microbiome and identified isolates for potential plant growth-stimulating applications.

Lightweight Detection and Counting of Maize Tassels in UAV RGB Images

By integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing with advanced deep object detection techniques, it can achieve large-scale and high-throughput detection and counting of maize tassels. However, challenges arise from high sunlight, which can obscure features in reflective areas, and low sunlight, which hinders feature identification. Existing methods struggle to balance real-time performance and accuracy. In response to these challenges, we propose DLMNet, a lightweight network based on the YOLOv8 framework. DLMNet features: (1) an efficient channel and spatial attention mechanism (ECSA) that suppresses high sunlight reflection noise and enhances details under low sunlight conditions, and (2) a dynamic feature fusion module (DFFM) that improves tassel recognition through dynamic fusion of shallow and deep features. In addition, we built a maize tassel detection and counting dataset (MTDC-VS) with various sunlight conditions (low, normal, and high sunlight), containing 22,997 real maize tassel targets. Experimental results show that on the MTDC-VS dataset, DLMNet achieves a detection accuracy AP50 of 88.4%, which is 1.6% higher than the baseline YOLOv8 model, with a 31.3% reduction in the number of parameters. The counting metric R2 for DLMNet is 93.66%, which is 0.9% higher than YOLOv8. On the publicly available maize tassel detection and counting dataset (MTDC), DLMNet achieves an AP50 of 83.3%, which is 0.7% higher than YOLOv8, further demonstrating DLMNet’s excellent generalization ability. This study enhances the model’s adaptability to sunlight, enabling high performance under suboptimal conditions and offering insights for real-time intelligent agriculture monitoring with UAV technology.

Condition Identification of Calcining Kiln Based on Fusion Machine Learning and Semantic Web

The static control limits restrict self-healing capabilities and decision-making processes, impeding adaptability to the dynamic shifts in intricate industrial operations, frequently leading to suboptimal or anomalous conditions that undermine production efficiency. This paper presents a methodology for the identification of suboptimal operating conditions with respect to yield and quality. A GSR model for the identification of suboptimal operating conditions of yield and quality based on random forest classification was established. The experimental results demonstrate that the method is capable of rapidly and accurately identifying the production and quality of the calcining kiln. The identification accuracy of the yield and quality of the suboptimal operating conditions is 99.82% and 99.18% respectively. In the production process, real-time identification of operating parameters enables rapid detection of suboptimal operating conditions in yield and quality, providing the basis for optimal regulation and control, which in turn can improve production efficiency.

Investigating the Structural Health of High-Rise Buildings and Its Influencing Factors Using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery: A Case Study of the Guangzhou–Foshan Metropolitan Area

Urban growth is increasingly shifting from horizontal expansion to vertical development, resulting in skylines dominated by high-rise buildings. The post-construction operations and maintenance of these buildings are critical, requiring regular structural health monitoring (SHM) to proactively identify and address potential safety concerns. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) has proven effective for monitoring building safety, but most studies rely on high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The high cost and limited coverage of these images restrict their use for large-scale monitoring. Sentinel-1 medium-resolution SAR images, which are freely available and offer broad coverage, make large-scale SHM more feasible. However, studies on the use of Sentinel-1 SAR images for structural health monitoring, especially at large spatial scales, remain limited. To address this gap, in this study, Sentinel-1 SAR images and PS-InSAR technology are proposed for performing a comprehensive structural safety assessment of super high-rise buildings in the Guangzhou–Foshan Metropolitan Area (GFMA) and for analyzing the influencing factors. Our assessment shows that while the overall structural safety of these buildings is satisfactory, certain areas, including Pearl River New Town, central Huadu district in Guangzhou, and southeastern Shunde district in Foshan, exhibit suboptimal safety conditions. We verified these findings using GNSS data and on-site investigations, confirming that Sentinel-1 SAR imagery offers reliable accuracy for monitoring building structural health. Furthermore, we identified factors such as settlement in soft soil layers, the construction of surrounding (underground) infrastructure, and building aging, which could potentially impact building structural safety. The results demonstrate that Sentinel-1 SAR images provide a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective method for the large-scale monitoring of building stability, enhancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and informing strategies to prevent potential safety crises, and also ensuring the sustainable development of society.

Adltformer Team-Training with Detr: Enhancing Cattle Detection in Non-Ideal Lighting Conditions Through Adaptive Image Enhancement.

This study proposes an image enhancement detection technique based on Adltformer (Adaptive dynamic learning transformer) team-training with Detr (Detection transformer) to improve model accuracy in suboptimal conditions, addressing the challenge of detecting cattle in real pastures under complex lighting conditions-including backlighting, non-uniform lighting, and low light. This often results in the loss of image details and structural information, color distortion, and noise artifacts, thereby compromising the visual quality of captured images and reducing model accuracy. To train the Adltformer enhancement model, the day-to-night image synthesis (DTN-Synthesis) algorithm generates low-light image pairs that are precisely aligned with normal light images and include controlled noise levels. The Adltformer and Detr team-training (AT-Detr) method is employed to preprocess the low-light cattle dataset for image enhancement, ensuring that the enhanced images are more compatible with the requirements of machine vision systems. The experimental results demonstrate that the AT-Detr algorithm achieves superior detection accuracy, with comparable runtime and model complexity, reaching 97.5% accuracy under challenging illumination conditions, outperforming both Detr alone and sequential image enhancement followed by Detr. This approach provides both theoretical justification and practical applicability for detecting cattle under challenging conditions in real-world farming environments.

Diversity and Abundance of Mangrove Gastropods in Setiu Wetlands and Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia

Mangrove gastropods, a highly diverse group of mollusks, play a critical yet often overlooked role in mangrove ecosystems. This study investigates the distribution and abundance of mangrove gastropods in two study sites with distinct management regimes: Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR) and Setiu Wetlands (SW) in Peninsular Malaysia. Gastropod sampling was conducted over two days in April 2023, with one-hour visual encounter surveys performed at each study site per day. A total of 3,717 individuals, representing 26 species, were collected across both study sites. The family Ellobiidae was predominant in MMFR, while the family Littorinidae dominated in SW. Despite the higher biodiversity of both mud-dwelling and tree-dwelling species observed in MMFR, the overall low abundance of gastropods indicates negative impacts from greenwood exploitation and the widespread monoculture of Rhizophora spp. In contrast, the reduced diversity of mud-dwelling species in SW may be attributed to suboptimal sediment conditions caused by a shifted Setiu River mouth, low freshwater discharge, and increased sedimentation. This study provides precise assessments of species distribution across various microhabitats, offering essential baseline data for future ecological monitoring. Improved management practices, including habitat restoration, protection of biodiversity hotspots, and community engagement, are critical for sustaining gastropod populations and ensuring the long-term health and resilience of these vital coastal ecosystems. The findings highlight the sensitivity of gastropods to environmental changes and emphasize the need for adaptive conservation strategies to mitigate human impacts on mangrove ecosystems. This study serves as a foundation for developing effective conservation strategies to protect mangrove ecosystems, crucial for maintaining gastropod populations and the overall health of coastal ecosystems.

Exploring optimal soil conditions for high-functional Oenanthe javanica (water dropwort) production.

Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC., also known as water dropwort, is an aquatic plant species native to various regions across Asia. Despite its numerous health-promoting effects, research on improving its quality remains limited. The present study aimed to identify the optimal soil conditions required for high-quality water dropwort production. Fifty crop and soil samples from South Korean farms were analyzed for their functional content, soil chemical properties and plant tissue components. The results indicated that crop samples with lower functional components had higher soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable cations than those with higher functional components. High-quality crop samples exhibited neutral soil pH and low EC values, suggesting better nutrient availability for crop growth and reduced salt stress as a result of mineral accumulation in soil. These findings suggest that soils affected by excessive salinity may create suboptimal soil conditions for water dropwort cultivation, potentially compromising crop quality. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF INTRAVENOUS ADMIXTURE PREPARATION ERRORS. A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN HOSPITAL

Background: Intravenous admixture preparation errors (IAPEs) are critical issues in healthcare, involving incompatible diluents, incorrect mixing techniques, and wrong volumes of diluents and IV fluids. These errors compromise patient safety, with significant risks of adverse effects due to the rapid bioavailability of intravenous drugs. Despite the known dangers, insight into the prevalence, determinants, and severity of these errors in hospital settings is limited, underscoring the need for targeted preventive measures to enhance IV therapy safety. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, types, and severity of IAPEs, identify the major determinants causing these errors, and propose strategies for minimizing their occurrence in hospital settings. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted across three private hospitals in Islamabad. Data were collected from various wards, including inpatient, emergency, general, infectious, gastroenterology, and respiratory wards. Observations of IV admixture preparation were performed covertly to avoid altering staff behavior. A structured data collection sheet was used to record errors related to diluent selection, volume, labeling, and mixing techniques. Demographic and professional information of staff, as well as ward-specific conditions, were documented. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics to evaluate the prevalence, types, and severity of errors. Results: Of the observed IV admixtures, 60% were prepared by nurses, while 24.6% were prepared by pharmacists. The most common errors included incorrect diluent volume (58%), incomplete mixing (44.8%), and improper labeling (65.9%). Normal saline was used in 55.2% of preparations, while 53.6% of admixtures contained powdered antibiotics. Only 41.8% of staff adhered to sterile area protocols, and 71.5% had received IV admixture preparation training. Major determinants included insufficient knowledge, lack of training, poor working conditions, and excessive patient load. Conclusion: IAPEs are prevalent in hospital settings, largely driven by insufficient training, knowledge gaps, and suboptimal working conditions. Comprehensive training, adherence to standardized guidelines, and implementing centralized IV admixture preparation programs can significantly reduce these errors and enhance patient safety.

Mitigating salt stress in “Friariello Napoletano” (Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort.): The potential of biochar for sustainable agriculture

The agricultural sector is therefore called upon to seek efficient and sustainable strategies to improve plant resilience and tolerance to sub-optimal growth conditions. In many coastal areas of the Mediterranean, saline stress causes serious problems to vegetable crops. In this scenario, the use of upgraded agrochemicals such as plant biostimulants, biochar and plant nutrition regulators could be beneficial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of amending the soil with different concentrations of poplar-derived biochar (0 %, 1 % and 2 % by volume), on the productive and qualitative response of an ecotype of “Friariello Napoletano” (Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort.) under different levels of saline irrigation (0, 30, 60 and 120 mM NaCl, giving an electrical conductivity values of 0.05, 2.09, 6.09 and 9.70 dS m–1). The experiment was conducted in an unheated greenhouse, using pot plants grown in soil with a randomized complete-block experimental design arranged in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme with three replications. Productive and physiological results (ACO2, gs, E, SPAD index) highlighted a highly glycophytic response of Friariello. Biochar integration, besides increasing total production and glucosinolate content, led to a significant reduction in toxic ion content (Na+and Cl−) under saline conditions compared to control plants. Regardless of salinity effect, the application of biochar resulted in an increase in fresh yield and photosynthetic activity (ACO2) of 12.8 % and 29.3 % respectively. The promising results underscore the potential role of biochar as a sustainable strategy for mitigating salt stress in Friariello Napoletano and potentially other vegetable crops in salt-affected regions. However, it needs to be clarified which adaptive mechanisms triggered by biochar improves production performance even and especially under sub-optimal growing conditions.

Ensuring the Future Pool of Gastroenterologists in the United Kingdom Is Imperative

ABSTRACTThis perspective article explores the importance of fostering interest in gastroenterology among medical students and addressing the barriers that deter them from pursuing careers in this specialty. The paper highlights the critical role of early exposure to research, specialized electives, and mentorship in encouraging students to consider gastroenterology as a career choice. Current challenges include limited access to specialized electives and research opportunities within UK medical schools, inadequate hands‐on experience, and a perceived lack of stability and control over future training pathways. Additionally, suboptimal working conditions in the National Health Service (NHS) and uncertainty in the allocation of foundation jobs further discourage students from specializing in gastroenterology. To address these issues, the paper proposes several strategies: expanding gastroenterology electives, increasing research opportunities through grassroots initiatives and developing targeted mentorship programs to guide and inspire students. Furthermore, enhancing diversity and representation within the specialty by removing barriers for female medical students is crucial for creating a more inclusive environment. This article combines insights from existing literature, personal experiences, and innovative educational initiatives to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of gastroenterology training for medical students. The recommendations aim to inspire new approaches to medical education and training that will cultivate a well‐prepared, diverse, and motivated workforce ready to advance the field of gastroenterology.

Impacts of large-scale seaweed farming trends on the local environment and community

Seaweed farming has been growing globally as a sustainable food production method and by expanding applications for human health to agricultural and industrial materials. Recent literatures published within ten years were examined with some keywords including “large-scale seaweed farming” and “seaweed industrialization.” This comprehensive literature review on large-scale seaweed farming suggested that there are both concerns and opportunities regarding ecological-environmental and socio-economical perspectives brought by such current growing trend. While negative impact on other concurrent natural organisms, pollution, and disease and pest outbreaks, are concerning, seaweed farming can also contribute to water quality and carbon sequestration. Moreover, seaweed farming needs to consider producers’ economical conditions and health, as well as potential environmental burden by suboptimal farming conditions. There are technological challenges to meet the growing demand, while seaweed farming has potential value in food security and women empowerment. Considering these multiple impacts generated by upscaling seaweed farming, global actions to maximize benefits and mitigate negative consequences is necessary. It is crucial to enhance capacities and develop technologies for production and processing. The insufficient coverage of existing international and regional frameworks for biosecurity of aquaculture requires improvement of disease monitoring and surveillance mechanism along with increasing investments in research and capacity building. They also need consistent terminology and optimized local-level practices to address multiple challenges including social and human aspects, which can provide valuable knowledge for sustainable development.

Analisis Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Keselamatan Operasional Kapal di Pelabuhan Merak

The study, titled "Analysis of Factors Affecting Safety at Merak Port," aims to identify and analyze key factors influencing operational safety at Merak Port. This port is a strategic route linking Java and Sumatra, serving millions of passengers and vehicles annually. However, high activity levels and operational complexity present significant safety challenges. This research employs a qualitative case study approach, combining interviews, field observations, and document analysis. Quantitative data were also collected via questionnaires distributed to operators, workers, and passengers. Findings reveal that human factors, weather conditions, and infrastructure are critical to safety. Incidents in 2023, such as the KMP Royce 1 fire and a crane accident, underscore the need for enhanced risk management and infrastructure maintenance. The study concludes that gaps in safety training and compliance with safety procedures are key challenges. Additionally, extreme weather and suboptimal heavy equipment conditions increase operational risks. Recommendations include improving safety management practices, enhancing infrastructure maintenance, and providing regular training for workers to strengthen operational safety at Merak Port.