Usage Practices Research Articles

Sustainable Water Use and Public Awareness in Portugal

The degradation of available water quality is a consequence of pollution, environmental degradation, and/or climate change resulting from human activities. Designing strategies to foster the adoption of sustainable behaviors requires an awareness within populations regarding water quality, water availability, and the proper consumption of water. The goal of the present work was to assess the population awareness of sustainable water usage practices. The data collection involved administering a questionnaire to a sample of 1723 participants, encompassing individuals of both genders and aged between 15 and 84 years. The questionnaire includes five specific themes (i.e., water quality, water availability, water resources, water saving, and water reuse). The outcomes indicate that despite a higher awareness of sustainable water usage practices, participants reveal low levels of awareness regarding water reuse. Furthermore, measures of participants’ overall awareness and the potential for improving it are presented. These metrics are crucial in enabling the grouping of participants according to similar characteristics, thereby streamlining the design of targeted interventions.

Colistin: Lights and Shadows of an Older Antibiotic.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance represents a serious threat to public health and for infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms, representing one of the most important causes of death worldwide. The renewal of old antimicrobials, such as colistin, has been proposed as a valuable therapeutic alternative to the emergence of the MDR microorganisms. Although colistin is well known to present several adverse toxic effects, its usage in clinical practice has been reconsidered due to its broad spectrum of activity against Gram-negative (GN) bacteria and its important role of "last resort" agent against MDR-GN. Despite the revolutionary perspective of treatment with this old antimicrobial molecule, many questions remain open regarding the emergence of novel phenotypic traits of resistance and the optimal usage of the colistin in clinical practice. In last years, several forward steps have been made in the understanding of the resistance determinants, clinical usage, and pharmacological dosage of this molecule; however, different points regarding the role of colistin in clinical practice and the optimal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets are not yet well defined. In this review, we summarize the mode of action, the emerging resistance determinants, and its optimal administration in the treatment of infections that are difficult to treat due to MDR Gram-negative bacteria.

Enabling Self-Practice of Digital Audio–Tactile Maps for Visually Impaired People by Large Language Models

Digital audio–tactile maps (DATMs) on touchscreen devices provide valuable opportunities for people who are visually impaired (PVIs) to explore the spatial environment for engaging in travel activities. Existing solutions for DATMs usually require extensive training for the PVIs to understand the feedback mechanism. Due to the shortage of human resources for training specialists, as well as PVIs’ desire for frequent practice to maintain their usage skills, it has become challenging to widely adopt DATMs in real life. This paper discusses the use of large language models (LLMs) to provide a verbal evaluation of the PVIs’ perception, which is crucial for the independent practice of DATM usage. A smartphone-based prototype providing DATMs of simple floor plans was developed for a preliminary investigation. The evaluation results have proven that the interaction with the LLM could help the participants better understand the DATMs’ content and could vividly replicate them by drawings.

Compliance analysis of oral nutritional supplements in hospitalized postsurgical patients with colorectal cancer: A prospective study.

There are few reports on compliance with oral nutritional supplements (ONS) after surgery in hospitalized patients. This study aimed to investigate the compliance with ONS and its influencing factors after surgery in colorectal cancer patients. STROBE checklist was used during the preparation of this paper. A total of 103 postoperative colorectal cancer patients were selected from November 2020 to April 2021 from the Department of Anorectal Surgery in our institution, which is a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou, China. The compliance with ONS was recorded by a self-record sheet, and sociodemographic and disease-related information of these patients was gathered through a self-designed questionnaire. The overall ONS compliance rate of patients with colorectal cancer was 57.6%. Results of univariate analysis revealed that ONS compliance rate was related to sex, admission body mass index, abdominal distension, attitude towards ONS, and satisfaction with ONS. Multi-factor analysis showed that age, sex, and perceived benefits of nutrition therapy independently influenced the ONS compliance rate. The postoperative ONS compliance rate of colorectal cancer patients needs to be further improved. Healthcare professionals should pay more attention to the postoperative ONS compliance and acknowledging the influence of age, gender, and attitudes towards ONS on ONS compliance. Notably, patients' perspectives towards ONS play a crucial and modifiable role in determining ONS compliance. Nurses ought to assist patients in cultivating a positive attitude towards ONS. Dosage form and delivery method are also influence factors that deserves further exploration in the future. Future research endeavours should endeavour to craft tailored, meticulous nutritional intervention strategies tailored to the diverse factors that influence ONS compliance, ultimately leading to enhanced ONS adherence. Our findings could serve as valuable evidence for the development of strategies aimed at enhancing ONS usage practices.

Environmental Sustainability of Food Environments: Development and Application of a Framework in 4 cities in South Asia

BackgroundFood environments, where people directly engage with broader food systems, may be an important contributor to the environmental sustainability of food systems. ObjectivesThe primary objectives of this study were to establish a new food environment framework that considers environmental indicators and to assess data availability and gaps using data previously collected as part of a food systems survey in 4 South Asian cities. MethodsThe framework was developed by conducting a structured literature review of previous food environment frameworks and in-depth interviews with content experts (n = 6). The framework and indicators were then mapped to data collected by consumer and vendor surveys using the Urban Food Systems Assessment Tool (UFSAT) in Ahmedabad (India), Pune (India), Kathmandu (Nepal), and Pokhara (Nepal). ResultsWe have expanded the sustainability domain within food environments to include consumer travel to food vendors, the presence of food delivery services, policies related to sustainability, vendor food waste, vendor plastic use, vendor utility usage, vendor recycling and waste management practices, and food packaging. Mapping the framework to existing data from 4 cities in South Asia, we found variations in food environment sustainability indicators, particularly regarding consumer transportation to food vendors, the presence of delivery services, and food waste. ConclusionsAlthough the majority of food environment research focuses on the availability and affordability of healthy foods, there is an urgent need to understand better how aspects of food environments contribute to environmental goals. When mapping the framework to existing food systems data, we found gaps in data on environmental sustainability in food environments and variation in indicators across settings.

Applying Artificial Intelligence in Special Education: Exploring Availability and Functionality of AI Platforms for Special Educators

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapidly developing, both in the education field and beyond, in recent years. Due to this fast-paced nature, special education teachers may not be aware of the availability of AI that could be pertinent to their practice. In this manuscript, five AI platforms that are readily available for special education teachers to access are explored. AI platform details including pricing, functionality, and feature options are provided for each. Suggestions for how each AI platform can be utilized by special education teachers within their practice is conveyed. Overall implications regarding AI integration, usage, and ethical considerations in special education practice are discussed.

USPOREDBA AKTIVNOSTI KOMERCIJALNIH I DRUŠTVENIH PODUZETNIKA NA FACEBOOKU

The main objective of this study is to examine the differences in Facebook usage practices between social and commercial entrepreneurs. The research is based on the official Facebook pages of six pairs of commercial and social enterprises during a period of two years, giving a total of 1046 posts for analysis. Findings reveal differences in the content and types of Facebook posts between commercial and social entrepreneurs. While commercial entrepreneurs have a clearly expressed market orientation, social enterprises strive to build the legitimacy of philanthropists and initiators of social change. There is no statistically significant difference in the number of reactions per post per follower between the two types of enterprises. However, followers' engagement is stronger among social entrepreneurs than commercial entrepreneurs. What all businesses lack is customer-generated content. Business owners could take the empirical findings into consideration when developing a strategy for managing their presence on social networks.

The pivotal role of data harmonization in revolutionizing global healthcare: a framework and a case study

Aim: Data harmonization standardizes healthcare information, enhancing accessibility and interoperability, which is crucial for improving patient outcomes and driving medical research and innovation. It enables precise diagnoses and personalized treatments, and boosts AI model efficiency. However, significant challenges such as ethical concerns, technical barriers in the data lifecycle, AI biases, and varied regional regulations impede progress, underscoring the need for solutions like adopting universal standards such as HL7 FHIR, where the lack of generalized harmonization efforts is significant. Methods: We propose an advanced, holistic framework that utilizes FAIR-compliant reference ontologies (based on the FAIRplus and FAIR CookBook criteria) to make data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable enriched with terminologies from OHDSI (Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics) vocabularies and word embeddings to identify lexical and conceptual overlaps across heterogeneous data models. Results: The proposed approach was applied to autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and mental disorders using unstructured data from EU cohorts involving 7,551 patients with primary Sjogren’s Syndrome, 25,000 patients with cardiovascular diseases, and 3,500 patients with depression and anxiety. Metadata from these datasets were structured into dictionaries and linked with three newly developed reference ontologies (ROPSS, ROCVD, and ROMD), which are accessible on GitHub. These ontologies facilitated data interoperability across different systems and helped identify common terminologies with high precision within each domain. Conclusion: Through the proposed framework, we aim to urge the adoption of data harmonization as a priority, emphasizing the need for global cooperation, investment in technology and infrastructure, and adherence to ethical data usage practices toward a more efficient and patient-centered global healthcare system.

The FAITHS2 Model Predicts Functional Disability in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

The present study aimed to develop a model to predict functional disability at 3months in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) (n = 5,406). The primary outcome was functional disability (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] >2) at 3months. A prediction model including blood biomarkers was developed based on a multivariable logistic regression model, which was internally validated by the 100-time bootstrap method. A nomogram and a web-based calculator were developed for usage in clinical practice. At 3months, 11% (638/5,406) of the patients had functional disability. Seven independent predictors of functional disability at 3months were incorporated into the FAITHS2 model (fasting plasma glucose, age, interleukin-6, stroke history, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] at admission, sex, and systolic blood pressure). The Area Under Curves (AUCs) were 0.814 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.796-0.832) and 0.808 (95% CI 0.806-0.810), and the Brier scores were 0.088 ± 0.214 and 0.089 ± 0.003 for the derivation cohort and internal validation, respectively, showing optimal performance of the model. The FAITHS2 model has excellent potential to be a dependable application for individualized clinical decision making.

USE OF ANTIBIOTICS AND THE FARMERS' AWARENESS LEVEL OF ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE OF BROILER FARMS

The ever-existent measures of antibiotic application in the broiler industry remain a controversial tool for improving livestock health and accelerating growth. The main objective of the study is to find the use of antibiotics and the farmers' awareness level of antibiotic resistance in broiler farms. This study is designed to investigate antibiotic usage practices and assess the awareness levels of broiler farmers regarding antibiotic resistance. A total of 280 participants from various broiler farms across the region were recruited from February 2023 to August 2023. Eligible participants included farm owners, managers, and workers directly involved in broiler farming activities. Data were collected from 280 participants through a designed survey. The study revealed a predominance of medium-sized farms, housing between 5,000 to 20,000 broilers, accounting for 60% of participants, followed by large farms with over 20,000 broilers at 25%. Basic biosecurity protocols were the most commonly implemented management practice among participants, reported by 50% of respondents, while 35% reported moderate implementation, and 15% reported advanced biosecurity measures. Tetracycline emerged as the most commonly used antibiotic (45%), often administered orally (60%) for disease prevention (40%). Enrofloxacin (30%) and Amoxicillin (25%) were also prevalent, with oral administration being the preferred route. Despite the predominance of seeking veterinary advice (70%), a notable proportion reported self-medication (20%) or seeking advice from fellow farmers (10%). It is concluded that antibiotic usage remains prevalent in commercial poultry farming, with tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and beta-lactams being commonly employed. While seeking veterinary advice predominates, there's a need to address gaps in access to veterinary services and promote responsible antibiotic stewardship among farmers.

Assessment of Paracetamol Usage Practices and Perceptions among Caregivers for Children Post-COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Caregivers often use paracetamol in the management of pediatric illnesses without a clear rationale. This study evaluated the perception and practices of caregivers regarding the use of paracetamol in children in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. This study involved a cross-sectional design involving 373 caregivers of children under twelve. The questionnaire elucidated the reasons, usage frequency, and safe usage practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS, applying Chi-square tests and logistic regression. Most caregivers were in the age range of 31-40 years, and with intermediate education. Paracetamol was mainly used for fever, generalized pain and, diarrhea, with fewer opting for other self-care measures. Caregivers with primary or less education were more likely to perceive paracetamol as safe (AOR = 2.98 (1.3-6.73), p = 0.009) and less inclined to check warning labels (AOR: 0.11 (0.05-0.25), p < 0.001) and expiry dates (AOR: 0.063 (0.027-0.14), p < 0.001). The caregiver's education level significantly influenced the determination of treatment duration (χ2 = 21.58 (4), p < 0.001), dosage (χ2 = 30.70 (4), p < 0.001), and frequency of administration (χ2 = 17.77 (4), p = 0.001). In conclusion, inadequate health literacy can result in a lack of attention towards crucial safety information about pediatric paracetamol use. Hence, counselling initiatives should be undertaken to ensure the safe and effective use of paracetamol in children.

MINI REVIEW ABOUT RISKS OF RADIATION IN MEDICINE

Radiation is currently widely used and routinely applied in medicine. Diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation treatment have grown from their primitive beginnings 100 years ago to modern methods that are regarded as critical tools across all fields and specializations of medicine today. Ionizing radiation's inherent qualities give numerous benefits, but they can also be harmful. Its usage in medical practice requires an informed decision on the risk-benefit ratio. This choice requires knowledge of radiation in general as well as medical skill in specific. This review investigated the risks associated with radiation, their connection to medicine, and the advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Radioactive substances and radiation are used in medicine, research, and diagnosis. The forms of radiation and their varied impacts on medicine, particularly in the treatment and diagnosis of disorders like cancer, were disclosed by our review's conclusions. It has been demonstrated that mistakes in radiation dosage can result in health issues, hence managing radiation must be done carefully both during research and in practice

A prospective multicenter European observational study of a single incision sling (Altis®): A safe and effective treatment option for women

Introduction:Single-incision slings were introduced for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treatment to decrease surgery time, postoperative pain, and the amount of mesh used. Objective:This multicenter study aims to examine Altis® usage in real-world clinical practice, its effectiveness in treating SUI, patient satisfaction, quality of life, sexual function, and complication rates. Methods:Between 2015 and 2022, a prospective single-arm observational cohort study was conducted across 33 European centers involving 564 patients, investigating the clinical effectiveness of the Altis® sling. Patients were monitored for 36 months. The primary endpoint (success) was a positive impression of improvement and absence of serious/severe/Clavien Dindo (CD) ≥ III-related adverse events at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included effectiveness at 36 months, impact on quality of life, and risk factors for failure. Results:An Altis® was implanted in 564 women. At 12-months, 86.6% of patients achieved success, 97.2% endorsed the surgery, and 90.4% were satisfied with the outcomes. At 36 months, 83.0% reported significant improvement, 94.5% endorsed the surgery, and 89.9% were satisfied. Altis® demonstrated decreased daily pad usage and improved quality of life. Dyspareunia and sexual function largely remained unchanged. However, 11.3% reported pain, and there were instances of serious adverse events. Conclusion:The Altis® implant demonstrated substantial improvements in symptoms and overall quality of life for a majority of women with SUI. Potential complications such as mesh exposure, reoperation, voiding dysfunction, and urinary retention emphasize the importance of preoperative counseling. The Altis® implant is a viable option within the available surgical treatments of SUI.

Exploring the perceived knowledge of teacher educators and pre-service teachers on the differentiated instruction practices of teacher educators

Inclusive education involves creating effective learning environments that welcome and meet the diverse needs of all students. Differentiated instruction (DI) has been identified as a key instructional approach to addressing the diverse needs of all students in regular classrooms. While there is a large body of literature on DI, that relating to the non-Western context is sparse. Using comprehensive model of DI as a conceptual framework, this study examined teacher educators’ perceived usage of DI practices in teacher training institutions in Ghana. It used a questionnaire design based on the tenets of model for data collection. A total of 1,002 participants (199 teacher educators and 883 pre-service teachers) were recruited from four teacher training institutions in Ghana. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, t-tests, and Hayes’s model for performing moderation analysis. The results show differences between pre-service teachers and teacher educators, with the former rating the latter lower on the perceived usage of DI. The study concludes with a discussion on the training needs of teacher educators in the usage of DI and enabling them to effectively model appropriate differentiated teaching experiences to beginning teachers.

Effect of Rhizobium Bacteria Inoculation Rate on Yield and Yield Components of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) at Awi Zone, Ethiopia

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) is economically a significant crop in Ethiopia. The yield of field peas in our country has fell due to poor management practices of Bio fertilizer rates usage. Three rates of bio fertilizer (0, 250 and 500g ha-1) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Number of nodules per plant, Pod numbers per plant, plant height, and effective nodule number of productive tillers, total biomass yield, grain yield, and straw yield were recorded and significantly affected by bio-fertilizer rate application. The determined or the highest grain yield (2671kg ha-1) was recorded from 250 g ha-1 bio-fertilizer rate. Almost 250g ha-1 bio fertilizer rates were superior for the research area. Nevertheless, more investigation has to be done under different locations and seasons to come up with practical recommendations correlated to the current study.

Bacterial Colonization of Mobile Phones: Myth or Reality.

Introduction Bacteria tend to persist on mobile phones for longer durations causing hospital-acquired infections. This is primarily because mobile phones have become an extended hand to healthcare workers due to their unavoidable utilization and the lack of sanitization after use in wards. Methods A questionnaire was used to assess the usage and disinfection practices of mobile phones among medical students regularly attending the wards of a teaching hospital. Culture was done to assess the presence of bacteria and their resistance to antibiotics. Three sterile cotton swabs were performed for each mobile phone. If growth was present, then a culture smear was made, and the type of bacteria was assessed. Participants received subsequent education on the disinfection of phones according to standard disinfection protocol. The main objective of the study was to determine the presence of bacteria on students' mobile phones and its resistance to antibiotics. Results A total of 103 medical students took part in the study, which included 51 males and 52 females. It was found that all the students used their mobile phones at all times in wards and 43% of them carried their phones to washrooms. Out of all the students surveyed, only 23% of students had regularly disinfected their phones. Bacteria were present on all mobile phones sampled. Among these, 98.05% had Gram-positive bacteria, 82.52% had Gram-negative bacilli, 33.98% had Bacillaceae, and 8.73% had vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE). Among participants who did not disinfect their phones, 95.89% and 97.59% had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), respectively. Conclusion Following standard disinfection protocols is the need of the hour to reduce hospital-acquired infections.

“Ritual Purity” Reimagined: Eco-Friendly Menstrual Practices and Emotional Well-being in Muslim Women

This study delves into the intricate interplay between menstrual practices and the use of menstrual products in India, entangled with religious and cultural beliefs categorizing menstruating bodies as “ritually impure.” This study investigates the experiences of Muslim women using reusable menstrual products (RMP). The findings highlight a limited yet impactful group of Muslim women comfortable with RMP usage, indicating heightened emotional well-being and body positivity. Participants emphasized the need to raise awareness among menstruators to adopt ecofriendly alternatives. The study calls for further research to promote RMP usage, emphasizing eco-friendly and sustainable menstrual practices in India.

Exploring the landscape of AI adoption in cosmetic medicine and surgery: Insights from the 25th IMCAS Congress (International Master Course in Aging Science).

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into cosmetic medicine promises to revolutionize the field by enhancing diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care. This manuscript explores the current adoption and perceptions of AI among professionals in the realm of cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery, utilizing insights from the IMCAS Congress 2024 attendees. A survey employing a digital questionnaire with 14 questions was distributed among attendees of the IMCAS Congress 2024 to evaluate their familiarity with AI, usage in clinical practice, perceived advantages, and concerns regarding data privacy and security. The survey revealed that a majority of respondents are familiar with AI's potential in cosmetic medicine, yet there is a notable discrepancy between awareness and actual application in practice. Concerns over data privacy and a pronounced need for further training were also highlighted. Despite recognizing AI's benefits in cosmetic medicine, significant barriers such as data privacy concerns and the need for more comprehensive training resources must be addressed. Enhancing education on AI-applications and developing strategies to mitigate privacy risks are imperative for leveraging AI's full potential in improving patient care and outcome in cosmetic medicine.

Pagadian Diocesan Schools Information Monitoring System through Data Visualization

The Pagadian Diocesan Schools Information Monitoring System through Data Visualization is a web-based application meticulously developed to address the challenges of managing educational data across multiple schools within the Pagadian Diocese. Utilizing HTML, MySQL, PHP, CSS, and Bootstrap, the system streamlines the login process for administrators, enhances data monitoring, and provides a centralized view for superintendents. Through advanced data visualization tools, the platform presents essential metrics such as student population, income, and expenses, contributing significantly to the Pagadian government’s education initiatives while adhering to ethical data usage practices. Continuous user feedback ensures the refinement of the system, guaranteeing efficient and effective data management within the Pagadian Diocese. The study also encompasses the design, development, and testing phases of the system, following the Waterfall Model. Through rigorous testing, the system demonstrated commendable performance, stability, and security measures, with high user-friendliness and compatibility. The ISO/Logical Summary Report identified strengths in Functional Stability, Portability, Reliability, Security, Usability, and Maintainability, leading to a Total ISO/Logical Flow score of 90.94%. Overall, the system promises a smooth, effective, and dependable user experience, with room for improvement in UI design and error handling to enhance its performance further.

Appraisal of household safety practices of extension cord usage in Ho Municipality, Ghana

Appraisal of household safety practices of extension cord usage in Ho Municipality, Ghana