Level Of Usage Research Articles

PREVALENCE OF ANXIETY SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADULTS IN NORTHWEST SYRIA

Introduction: In Northwest Syria, an area plagued by persistent conflict and instability, our understanding of the prevalence of anxiety remains limited. The aim of this study is to assess the occurrence of anxiety symptoms among adults living in Northwest Syria. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with a cross-sectional approach, this research delves into the adult population residing in designated sub-districts of Northwest Syria, with a special emphasis on the Idlib district, covering both Idlib city and Atmeh camps. Targeting individuals aged 18 years and older, the study employed a straightforward random sampling method to recruit participants from these localities. Results: A total of 890 adults participated to the study. Nearly half of the participants (49%) identified as male, while over half (58%) were below 40 years old, and the majority (79%) were married. The findings revealed that 75% of participants exhibited symptoms of anxiety. Moreover, prolonged mobile phone usage, exceeding 4 hours daily, exhibited a correlation with heightened anxiety symptoms prevalence. Notably, geographical location acted as a modifier in the relationship between anxiety symptoms and mobile phone usage. Specifically, individuals in Idlib city demonstrated increased odds of anxiety symptoms with excessive phone usage. Conclusion: The study revealed a significant increase in anxiety symptoms, notably associated with excessive mobile phone usage, geographical location, gender, and income level. Women and those with lower incomes were notably vulnerable, with discernible variations observed across specific locations. Various factors, including those highlighted in the findings, alongside external influences such as the recent earthquake and persistent political unrest, collectively contribute to heightened susceptibility to anxiety among individuals in this region.

ICT ADOPTION AMONG REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN MALAYSIA

The success of real estate agents relies on the ability to provide better services to their clients efficiently and seamlessly. The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is benefiting real estate agents by making it more convenient for real estate agents to find clients, advertise the property, and facilitate the property transaction process, which is indubitable. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to assess the level of ICT usage by real estate agents in valuation and agency firms in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Data were gathered through a survey conducted with these firms, and 400 responses were collected using a quantitative study and analysed using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index (RII) ranking. The study revealed that most respondents adopt ICT in their practices, with the most frequently used tools being Mobile Instant Messaging, Social Media, and Real Estate Agent Websites. However, technologies such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Robotic Process Automation, and Metaverse Real Estate are rarely utilised. The study concluded that the widespread application of ICT in real estate is evident. However, inadequate training, higher cost of acquisition, and shortage of skilled people are the barriers that limit its full potential within the sector. This study recommends that the top management of valuation and agency firms provide training programs and ongoing support that cater to the specific needs of real estate agents.

Applying New Media Techniques for Conveying News and Information by Journalists of Broadcasting News Channels

Despite the fact that the new media through which people around the world are aware of the up-to-date developments as it is the most widespread form of communication, there are still confusions and unclarities among the journalists of news channels in delivering news and data. This research aims to know whether journalists and members of media have developed the new technics and taken advantage of them, or they had not improved. The distinction and selecting the most suitable applications that journalists increasingly use as new media technics require a scientific way of research in order to clear the confusion properly. This research is a scientific attempt to identify the level of awareness and usage of the new media technics by journalists of the Kurdish news channels through taking a sample of the channels’ correspondents that would indicate what suitable applications and how they are used as a new media technic. The research is qualitative and is conducted through surveys. Questionnaires are responded to by 84 correspondents of the news channels, from which samples are intentionally taken. The respondents’ opinion is measured this way. A number of objectives have been achieved in this research. The most important one that the researcher has realized is that the majority of the journalists that work in the news channels are males. Additionally, the majority of the research sample indicates WhatsApp is the most used app. Recommendations are provided at the end of the research.

Higher Learning Female Scholars’ Knowledge and Usage of Emergency Contraceptive Pills in Dodoma Tanzania

Background An emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is one of the contraceptive methods that provide the last chance of preventing unplanned and unintended pregnancy once there is unsafe sexual intercourse. Higher learning scholars are at danger of getting an unwanted and unplanned pregnancy which poses a major public health concern and needs to be addressed. Therefore study examines higher-learning female scholars’ the level of knowledge and usage of Emergency Contraceptive pills in Dodoma Tanzania.  Methodology A Quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study and a multi-stage sampling technique were used to obtain 909 higher learning female scholars’ aged between 18 to 35 years old residing at Dodoma University, St. John, and College of Business Education in Dodoma, Tanzania. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20  Results The Respondent rate was 99.7%. Among 906 respondents only 30.6% knew emergency contraceptive pills (ECP), 27.7% had never heard about emergency contraceptive pills and 19.5% had ever used ECPs. Among those with knowledge, 33.7% reported using emergency contraceptive pills while for those with no previous knowledge, 21.8% had used ECP. At CI of 95% and p<0.05, the use of ECPs had statistical significance with age, level of education, marital status, ever heard of ECPs, level of knowledge, and sexual relationship.  Conclusion The results of the analysis of this study show that the level of knowledge and usage of emergency contraceptive pills among higher-learning female scholars’ in Dodoma Tanzania was low. At CI of 95, the use of ECPs had a statistical relationship with age, level of education, marital status, ever heard of ECPs, level of knowledge, and sexual relationship.

Social Media's Influence on Productivity in Working Space Facilities : Studies on Cofffe Shop in Cimahi City, Indonesia

This study aims to determine and analyze the influence of social media on productivity in workspace facilities located in coffee shops. Employing a quantitative descriptive research method, primary data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 106 respondents who use these workspaces in Cimahi City. Data analysis was conducted using simple regression to measure the relationship between social media usage and productivity levels. The results indicate that social media has a significant positive impact on productivity within coffee shop workspaces, demonstrating a strong correlation between the two variables. These findings have important implications for both the development of knowledge in productivity management and for coffee entrepreneurs. Coffee shop owners are encouraged to leverage social media as a tool to attract customers, build community engagement, and enhance interaction, all of which can contribute to increased visitor productivity. This research also opens avenues for further studies on additional factors influencing productivity in collaborative workspaces in public venues.

Analysis of Intelligent Equipment Usage for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention in Miners - Shanxi Province, China, 2023.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are prevalent in the workforce and occur across various industries. Surveys show that the prevalence of WMSDs among miners is generally over 50%. High levels of intelligent equipment usage (IEU) can decrease the prevalence of WMSDs among miners by 7.49% and reduce pain by 13.69% on average. Stepwise regression analysis proved that IEU can reduce the harmful effects of workload on WMSDs. New Quality Productive Forces (NQPF) should also focus on health productivity. Disease prevention departments should consider the impact of NQPFs on occupational health and actively guide intelligent equipment design.

Adsorption of ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions using cellulose-based adsorbents prepared by sol-gel method

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is one of the most widely used antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Consequently, there is concern that it may contaminate water resources due to its high usage level. It is therefore necessary to monitor, trace, and reduce exposure to these antibiotic residues. In the current study, the extraction of CIP from water was performed using a green adsorbent material based on cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) decorated with mixed metal oxides (MMO). This cellulose/MMO/PVA adsorbent was synthesized using a simple sol-gel method. The prepared adsorbent materials were then characterized using a range of methods, including scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, gas adsorption analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform infrared. The impact of pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and CIP concentration on ciprofloxacin extraction were examined. The equilibrium and kinetic adsorption data were well described using the Freundlich model (R2 = 0.965). The optimum conditions for CIP adsorption were: pH = 4.5; adsorbent dosage = 0.55 g·L−1; contact time = 83 min; and initial CIP concentration = 2 mg·L−1. The adsorption capacity of the cellulose/MMO/PVA adsorbent for CIP removal was ∼19 mg·g−1 (CIP removal = 86.48 %). This study shows that cellulose/MMO/PVA adsorbents have potential for removing contaminants from aqueous environments.

Unveiling University Students’ Perceptions on Their Teachers’ Digital Competence

In contemporary society, digital competence has become increasingly important for people in everyday life as well as in working life. Hence, it is vital that today’s higher education contain an appropriate degree of digitization both in terms of content and approaches, something which is particularly important in higher education, where there is a pronounced expectation of what one should be able to handle in terms of digitization when one enters the workplace. Drawing on insights from previous research, this study seeks to explore the integration of digital elements in higher education pedagogy via students’ perceptions of digital integration in their education and evaluate their assessments of teachers’ digital competence. Special attention is given to collaborative learning practices facilitated by digital technologies. The research questions posed to guide the aim are: How do university students perceive the integration of digital elements within their education, and what are their assessments of their teachers’ digital competence in utilizing these technologies? The results show that teachers’ digital competence varies across disciplines which might influence their utilization of digital pedagogical methods and tools. Moreover, both engineering and non-engineering students reported varying levels of usage of digital collaborative learning methods which might reflect discipline-specific preferences and practices in collaborative learning. Also, despite high confidence levels in using digital tools, students exhibited limited awareness of existing digital functionalities. These results seek to inform pedagogical practices, institutional policies, and professional development initiatives to cultivate a digitally proficient educator workforce and have relevance globally for all involved in teaching and learning in higher education.

Hubungan antara Penggunaan Media Sosial, Aktivitas Fisik dan Tingkat Stres Terhadap Status Gizi Usia 18 – 25 Tahun Di RW.03 Kelurahan Kebayoran Lama Utara

Nutritional problems in adults are affected by the use of social media which results in increased sedentary activity which can cause nutritional problems and increased stress levels. The increase in stress levels affects the increase in food intake so it can affect nutritional status. The general purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between social media usage, physical activity, stress levels and nutritional status of adults in 3rd Hamlet North Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. This type of research is quantitative study with cross-sectional design approach. Primary data collected in this study included nutritional status, social media usage, physical activity, and stress levels in age 18 – 25 years in 3rd Hamlet North Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. Secondary data was obtained from journals, articles, literature, and sites related to research. The sample for this study was 63 residents who were selected by purposive sampling according to inclusive and exclusive criteria. Chi Square was used to analyze the data. The results of this study revealed that there was no relationship between the use of social media and nutritional status (p = 0.223), there was no relationship between physical activity and nutritional status (p = 0.181), there was a relationship between stress levels and nutritional status (p = 0.005). From this study, it was concluded that there is relationship between stress levels and nutritional status in age 18 – 25 in 3rd Hamlet North Kebayoran Lama.

A study on substance abuse awareness and usage trends within the construction sector

Purpose To address safety risks, worker well-being concerns and productivity losses in construction due to substance misuse, this study aims to explore awareness and usage levels of various substances among Nigerian construction professionals. The findings aim to inform targeted interventions and policy development to tackle these industry-specific challenges. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review identified several substances and intoxicants commonly used in construction, which informed the development of a well-structured questionnaire. This questionnaire was distributed to both construction professionals and nonprofessionals. The Shapiro-Wilk test assessed the normality of awareness and utilization scores for each substance, while the Kruskal-Wallis H-test explored significant differences in awareness and usage scores among different respondent groups. Findings Despite reporting low awareness of substances commonly used in construction, a significant proportion (over 60%) of respondents admitted to using several of these substances in their construction activities. This highlights a concerning disconnect, with more than half (62.5%) exceeding a predefined threshold (3.5) for significant substance use. Ten out of the 16 substances surveyed fell into this category, indicating a widespread issue within the industry. Practical implications The findings of this study highlight the need for increased education and awareness programs about the dangers of substance misuse in the construction industry. Construction companies should implement regular training sessions and workshops to educate workers on the risks associated with substance use. Additionally, there should be stricter enforcement of substance use policies and routine substance testing to deter misuse. These measures can enhance safety, improve worker well-being and boost overall productivity in the construction industry. Originality/value The insights from this study can inform the development of international policies and best practices for substance use prevention and worker well-being in the construction industry. Sharing these findings with international organizations, policymakers and industry stakeholders can help create broader guidelines and frameworks adaptable for implementation in various countries.

The status of extended reality technology in South Africa's mining industry

The economic upheaval of COVID-19 forced companies to invest in emerging technologies to aid recovery. One such technology is extended reality, which is becoming a mature and innovative tool. Early adopters are seeing significant benefits in learning, training, immersive data visualization, and remote assistance. In South Africa, the mining industry is increasingly interested in using extended reality to optimize and innovate operations. The Minerals Council of South Africa's July 2021 report highlighted the potential of extended reality's to achieve zero-harm production and modernize the industry. However, the extent of extended reality adoption in mining remains unclear due to limited information on its usage. This study addressed this gap by distributing an online survey to assess awareness, knowledge, and current uses of extended reality in South Africa's mining sector. The results indicated that virtual and augmented reality had the highest levels of awareness and usage, primarily for learning and training. Mixed reality, however, had the lowest awareness and knowledge levels. In terms of applications, visualization and remote assistance had the least use cases. These findings highlight that the South African mining industry is deficient in its understanding and use of extended reality technologies. Without better awareness and application, the South African industry risks missing out on the full benefits of extended reality. The study underlines the need for the South African mining industry to improve its outlook on extended reality technologies to fully leverage their potential applications and benefits.

Exploring the Usage Effectiveness of a Nursing Charge System.

The nursing charge system for inpatient accounting has been utilized in healthcare institutions for years. However, the level of its effectiveness in meeting the needs of nursing services, including further development, has not been systematically evaluated. A cross-sectional study based in Delone and McLean's information system success model was applied to explore the level of effective nursing charge system usage across the five dimensions of system quality, information quality, service quality, user satisfaction, and net benefits. We conducted a survey of the inpatient units of a medical center in Taiwan from June 23, 2021, to July 23, 2021. A total of 214 valid questionnaires were collected. Using a 5-point Likert scale, the dimension with the highest score was information quality (3.71), followed by service quality (3.37), user satisfaction (3.36), net benefits (3.31), and system quality (3.23). Older nurses ( r = -0.176) and those with more clinical experience ( r = -0.151) viewed the nursing charge system as having less information quality. The comfort level with using the computer was positively associated with system quality ( r = 0.396), information quality ( r = 0.378), service quality ( r = 0.275), user satisfaction ( r = 0.417), and net benefits ( r = 0.355). The opinions of nurses are vital. User feedback and advice should be investigated regularly to achieve system optimization.

Quantifying urban park use in the USA at scale: empirical estimates of realised park usage using smartphone location data

A large body of evidence connects access to greenspace with substantial benefits to physical and mental health. In urban settings where access to greenspace can be limited, park access and use have been associated with higher levels of physical activity, improved physical health, and lower levels of markers of mental distress. Despite the potential health benefits of urban parks, little is known about how park usage varies across locations (between or within cities) or over time. We estimated park usage among urban residents (identified as residents of urban census tracts) in 498 US cities from 2019 to 2021 from aggregated and anonymised opted-in smartphone location history data. We used descriptive statistics to quantify differences in park usage over time, between cities, and across census tracts within cities, and used generalised linear models to estimate the associations between park usage and census tract level descriptors. In spring (March 1 to May 31) 2019, 18·9% of urban residents visited a park at least once per week, with average use higher in northwest and southwest USA, and lowest in the southeast. Park usage varied substantially both within and between cities; was unequally distributed across census tract-level markers of race, ethnicity, income, and social vulnerability; and was only moderately correlated with established markers of census tract greenspace. In spring 2019, a doubling of walking time to parks was associated with a 10·1% (95% CI 5·6-14·3) lower average weekly park usage, adjusting for city and social vulnerability index. The median decline in park usage from spring 2019 to spring 2020 was 38·0% (IQR 28·4-46·5), coincident with the onset of physical distancing policies across much of the country. We estimated that the COVID-19-related decline in park usage was more pronounced for those living further from a park and those living in areas of higher social vulnerability. These estimates provide novel insights into the patterns and correlates of park use and could enable new studies of the health benefits of urban greenspace. In addition, the availability of an empirical park usage metric that varies over time could be a useful tool for assessing the effectiveness of policies intended to increase such activities. Google.

A machine learning model for predicting phishing websites

There are various types of cybercrime, and hackers often target specific ones for different reasons, such as financial gain, recognition, or even revenge. Cybercrimes are not restricted by geographical boundaries and can occur globally. The prevalence of specific types of cybercrime can vary from country to country, influenced by factors such as economic conditions, internet usage levels, and overall development. Phishing is a common cybercrime in the financial sector across different countries, with variations in techniques between developed and developing nations. However, the impact, often leading to financial losses, remains consistent. In our analysis, we utilized a dataset featuring 48 attributes from 5,000 phishing webpages and 5,000 legitimate webpages to predict the phishing status of websites. This approach achieved an impressive 98% accuracy.

Design and application of a quality evaluation index system for sustainable cultivation of big data professionals in universities based on Bloom cognitive domain classification method

This article aims to design and apply a quality evaluation index system based on Bloom's cognitive domain classification method to evaluate the training quality of big data professionals in universities. With the rapid development of big data technology, the importance of cultivating big data professionals in universities is becoming increasingly prominent. However, the existing training quality evaluation system often lacks systematicity and scientificity, making it difficult to fully reflect the comprehensive abilities of students. This article combines key knowledge of big data in the field of finance and economics with Bloom’s cognitive domain classification method to divide the cognitive process of talent cultivation into six levels: memory, understanding, application, analysis, evaluation, and creation. Through expert interviews and the Delphi method, specific evaluation indicators for each cognitive level were determined, and 18 indicators were extracted. Through data collection and empirical analysis, the performance of students at various cognitive levels was evaluated. The results showed that third year students performed the best on average at all cognitive levels, reflecting their rich learning experience and practical skills. The analysis also shows that there are significant differences in the performance of students at higher-order cognitive levels, with a coefficient of variation of 0.23 for the A1 indicator and 0.84 for the F3 indicator. This indicates that higher-order cognitive activities require higher demands from students, with significant individual differences. Through correlation analysis between various indicators, it was found that the proficiency level of tool usage in the project is strongly correlated with other indicators. Bloom’s cognitive domain classification system can reflect students’ comprehensive abilities and provide a scientific evaluation method for universities. Through continuous improvement and in-depth research, we hope to provide more scientific and comprehensive support for the cultivation of big data talents in universities.

The Effect of Sampling Context on Preschoolers' Finite Verb Morphology Composite Scores.

The finite verb morphology composite (FVMC) is a valid measure for charting children's tense development and for differentiating children with and without language impairment during preschool and early elementary years. However, it is unclear whether FVMC scores vary as a function of language sample elicitation contexts. The current study evaluated the performance on FVMC in preschool-aged children across different language sampling contexts. Participants were 38 English-speaking children who were between the ages of 3 and 4 years and below the mastery level of tense usage in three language sampling contexts, including conversation (free-play), picture description, and narratives (story retell). FVMC from each sampling context was computed by calculating the overall accuracy of copula be, auxiliary be, third-person singular present -s, and past tense -ed combined. A linear mixed-effects model comparison was carried out to determine the effect of sampling context on FVMC scores. After controlling for child age, mean length of utterance, and the number of obligatory contexts for FVMC scoring, FVMC scores were significantly higher in conversation than in picture description and narratives. In addition, FVMC scores across the three sampling contexts were significantly correlated (rs ≥ .62, p < .001). Although children's performance on FVMC relative to each other was quite stable across sampling contexts, FVMC scores may vary with sampling contexts. As compared to picture description and narratives, conversation may not adequately capture the limitation in preschoolers' tense development that is important for therapeutic planning.

Effect of climate change on current and future potential distribution of Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) in Türkiye

The demand for nontimber forest products (NTFPs) has increased significantly in recent years. Hundreds of plant species that grow naturally in Türkiye have medicinal and aromatic value. Medicinal and aromatic plants are primarily used as a sources of tea, spices, condiments and essential oils. Species belonging to the genus Arbutus L. are used for decorative purposes and as fuel wood in many wood-based industries, they also have a wide range of uses in packaging, chairs making and furniture production. Additionally, the fruits of these trees are widely consumed by humans and animals because they are rich in sugar and vitamin C. It is predicted that changes in climatic conditions will significantly change the distribution, composition and function of forests threatening biodiversity. The purpose of this study was to model current and future potential geographical distributions of Arbutus unedo L., which is among the species that naturally grow in Türkiye and is of substantial value in terms of its ecological contribution to forest ecosystems, based on species presence data and environmental variables (bioclimatic variables and altitude). The current and future distribution area models for Arbutus unedo L. indicate that the potential distribution areas of the species in the coming years will gradually decrease, and in the SSP5 8.5 model, which represents the highest level of world resource usage this gradual decrease will reach its highest level and there will be no suitable distribution area left for the species. Therefore, it is predicted that the species will become endangered. In-situ and ex-situ conservation measures need to be taken to ensure the sustainability of the species in forestry and landscape areas.

The Relationship Between Teachers' Web 2.0 Tools Usage Competency Levels and Self-Efficacy Perceptions

The research aims to determine Web 2.0 tools usage levels of teachers teaching at preschool, primary and secondary school levels, in terms of school levels and educational backgrounds, and to reveal the possible relationship between teachers' use of Web 2.0 tools and their self-efficacy levels. The study comprised 203 instructors from Zonguldak province with various education levels and teaching at various school levels. The data in this study was collected through “Competency in Using Web 2.0 Tools" and "Teachers' Self-Efficacy Perceptions" scales. Correlation and two-factor ANOVA analyses were used to determine the outcomes after verifying the data's normal distribution and the scales' fit indices. According to the study's findings, scores on the "Web 2.0 Tools Usage Competency Scale" were higher in favor of teachers with a master's degree. It was concluded that teachers' usage levels of Web 2.0 tools were significantly related to classroom management, one of the sub-dimensions of the teachers' self-efficacy perception scale, and their educational level, one of the demographic characteristics of the teachers. Furthermore, when the self-efficacy measure sub-dimensions were examined, it can be concluded that teachers' levels of the use of Web 2.0 tools did not differ significantly by school level or educational level, but they did differ significantly in terms of classroom management. The research findings also offer suggestions.

Optimization on manifold injection in DI diesel engine fuelled with acetylene

Researchers demonstrated that implementing new combustion technology and optimising fuel quantity results in a significant reduction in traditional fossil fuel usage and emission levels. The Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) combustion strategy is one of the low temperature combustion technologies, and it is used to reduce the overall combustion temperature while also providing better combustion control. This study looks into RCCI combustion technology, which uses conventional diesel fuel as the high reactivity fuel (HRF) injected through the injector and acetylene gas as the low reactivity fuel (LRF) injected into the cylinder via a modified inlet manifold alongside air. The modified engine setup was tested for performance, emissions, and combustion under various load conditions, as well as different mass flow rates of acetylene gas, a low reactivity fuel that is injected with air. The flow field of the low reactivity fuel at the inlet manifold is analysed using the Computational Fluid Dynamics principle, which is used to determine the best flow rate for improving combustion quality. According to the simulation results, the optimal acetylene flow rate is 3 Litres Per Minute (LPM), and experimentation shows that at 3 LPM acetylene injection, the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) improves by about 3.2%, and emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), smoke intensity, and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are reduced by about 35%, 17%, 10%, and 21%, respectively.

Re-Examining the Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse: An Elaboration of Likelihood Model Analysis of Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential Election

Social media has become an important component of political discourse. In Nigeria, social media has played a critical role in shaping political opinions and voting behaviors, especially during the 2019 presidential election. This research re-examines the influence of social media on political discourse using the Elaboration Likelihood Model as a theoretical framework to scrutinize the level of message elaboration among voters on social media platforms and the factors that impact the central and peripheral routes of persuasion. The study explored the influence of social media on voter’s attitude, behavior and opinion during the election, with the ultimate aim of analyzing how different segments of society may react to persuasive messages. The findings of the study shed light on the level of social media usage during the election, the effect of voter’s attitude and behavior, the role of political propaganda, and the factors influencing social media’s effectiveness in shaping political discourse.