The decision to choose between onsite and offsite construction is important in the effort toward sustainable construction. Offsite construction is often promoted as an environmentally friendly approach to construction operations. However, previous studies have shown that there is a lack of clarity on the environmental trade-offs between onsite and offsite construction. Factors that can affect the decision to build onsite or offsite include the availability of a local offsite manufacturing facility, the distance of the offsite factory to the final place of use, the proximity of the site to the local supply of material and labor, etc. This study provides a framework to apply the system dynamic modeling technique to evaluate how various factors can affect the environmental impact of the building construction phase (for onsite or offsite construction methods). The system dynamic model (using Vensim software) that was developed provides a platform that allows users to input variables such as the distance that is expected for transportation of labor, material, and equipment to both the onsite facility and the offsite construction location, factors associated with the use of equipment for construction, the distance needed for transportation of building panels or modules from the offsite facility to the final site, etc. Among other things, the model showed that an increase in the distance from the offsite yard to the final construction site increases the total impacts of transportation of completed modules. An increase in the number of trips for the transportation of material to the onsite construction location increases the total impact of onsite construction. In terms of the environmental impact of construction, none of the two methods of construction gives an absolute superiority over the other. The environmental performance of offsite and onsite depends on various associated factors. It is recommended that building practitioners review various factors that are peculiar to their projects to make an informed decision on the best construction methods.

Studies on the use of pesticides in southwest Nigeria have revealed a substantial rise in a variety of pesticide-related illnesses, including mental impairment and reproductive problems. Those who work in agriculture and are regularly exposed to pesticides are the most impacted. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that three million severe pesticide poisoning episodes occur globally each year, with at least 300.000 deaths and 99% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income nations. The effects of longer-term exposure to pesticides on health are not yet precisely estimated. Objectives: To this end, the objective of this study is to assess the knowledge of pesticide residues and common pesticides in grain-based food (brown and white beans, yellow and white maize, brown millet and rice) about pesticide use in selected markets of Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A total of 240 respondents were selected from four states (Ado-Ekiti, Ibadan, Osun and Ondo) with the aid of structured questionnaire and interview guide using purposive sampling technique. The markets were Oja-titun (market) Ile-Ife, Osun; Alesinloye Market Ibadan, Oyo; Oja Oba, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti; and Oja Oba, Akure Ondo State. The identification and quantification of pesticide residues was done using a Varian 3800/4000 gas chromatograph mass spectrometer while 60 structured questionnaires were administered to respondents including food merchants, buyers/consumers as well as food vendors. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The experiment was conducted from November 2020 to November 2021. Up to 50.4% never read instructions on pesticide application while a shared 24.8% read them always and occasionally. The number of respondents who never read the instructions were particularly high in Ekiti and Ondo, up to 52.5% of the respondents in Ekiti do not know whether or not they are exposed to pesticides during application. Also, majority of the respondents never attended any professional training on pesticide application, this amounted to 79.3%. Most people were not aware that unsafe pesticide application is harmful to human health. Similarly, a wide variety of symptoms were reported by respondents following pesticide application or consumption of grains, these included headaches and dizziness, itching and redness of the eyes, skin allergy, diarrhea, and stomach disorder, vomiting and loss of appetite, weakness of the body, asthma, permanent skin patches, shortness of breath, excessive sweating. Millet recorded the highest number of OCP residues while maize had the lowest. On the contrary, maize had the highest number of OPP and carbamate residues while millet had the lowest number of OPP residues. Meanwhile, maize, rice and beans had only one carbamate pesticide residue. Conclusions: According to the study's conclusions, farmers who can only get information from agricultural extension officials should receive urgent and immediate attention for raising awareness. Additionally, extensive IPM training programs must be created with the intention of disseminating precautions for protecting human health and a healthy agro-ecosystem. In order to find more effective pest management methods that utilize less pesticides, it is crucial to reevaluate the pesticide residues and common pesticides found in grains in the targeted markets. To reduce farmers' exposure to pesticides, it is also required to establish personal protective measures, special educational initiatives, and legislation promoting the use of safer pesticides. Significance and novelty: This study gives policymakers a comprehensive understanding of the ways that may be utilized to close the significant knowledge gap on pesticide residues in grains and provides an insight into the knowledge of pesticide residues and common pesticides in grains.

The building construction industry holds a crucial role in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions globally. The targets for greenhouse gas emissions may not be achieved without a defined strategic plan to meet up with the set targets from various sectors of the economy. Recognizing the enormous potential that the building industry holds in contributing to global greenhouse gas GHG emission reduction, this study describes a framework on how optimization techniques can be used as a guide for emission reduction targets for the housing sector using illustrations of the onsite and offsite building construction industry. Given that some of the GHG gases are also sources of air pollution, this study includes a discussion on how the effort to address air pollution can be used to find a consensus towards addressing the concern about GHG emissions. This study presents procedures for simplified methods of estimation of GHG emissions that various municipalities around the globe can use to estimate and report the emissions from the building construction industry. The study presents a unifying strategy for emission management. The study also demonstrates how programming methods can be applied to GHG emissions management. The approach used in this study is transferable to other industries. The study recommends a unifying strategy for the management and control of emissions in the building construction industry. The study also recommends a coordinated effort in sharing best practices for emission control and management from all jurisdictions globally. In the effort to reduce global emission targets, further studies like this and its expansion is recommended for all sectors of the global economy. It is recommended that these studies should be followed by a concrete effort to achieve good implementation of sustainable emission reduction targets globally.

Poor irrigation water quality due to oil spillage on surface water can result in food insecurity, health and economic challenges. This paper investigated the effect of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHC) and lead (Pb) on irrigation water quality in the oil spill prone area of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Water samples were taken from five different sections labelled A, B, C, D, and E along the Choba River, in Rivers State, Nigeria. Sections B, C, D and E were direct industrial effluent discharge points while section A was without direct industrial effluent discharge. Standard methods were employed in the water sampling and analysis. Suitability of Choba river water for irrigation was assessed by comprehensive pollution index (CPI) that incorporated salinity, sodicity, and permeability hazard potentials as well as the specific toxicity hazard potentials of TPHC and Pb. Results showed that all primary water parameters except pH were within the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines. The pH was low, ranging between 4.48 and 5.6. TPHC values for four out of the five samples were greater than the 10mg/l guideline as recommended by the Directorate of Petroleum Resources for surface water. TPHC for the four samples ranged between 14.52 and 174.32mg/l. The parameters with the most impact on CPI include EC, PI and TPHC with TPHC having the most impact. Water samples from sections A, B and E with CPI values 0.14, 0.37, and 0.8 respectively were classified in the clean, sub clean and slightly polluted categories respectively, while water samples from sections C and D with CPI values greater than 1 range from moderately to heavily polluted and not suitable for agricultural irrigation. Only water sample A was found suitable for irrigation.

Life cycle assessment, LCA is one of the tools that is used to measure the environmental impacts of a process or an operation. Various studies have mentioned the benefits of mass timber in building construction. This study presents an evaluation of the LCA of certain mass timber in relation to concrete-based materials. Using Athena impact estimator for buildings, the study compared the results of an LCA study for a house that is designed with concrete beams, concrete columns, and concrete walls with brick in the envelope category (Material group 1) with those that are made with glulam beams, glulam columns, CLT walls with spruce wood bevel siding (Material group 2), and another building with LVL columns, LVL beams, CLT walls with spruce wood bevel siding (Material group 3). The results are in line with those that were reported by the majority of previous researchers. For the location that is being reviewed (Calgary, Alberta), the designs showed that construction with wood materials having mass timber components will have a better environmental performance than that for a building design with more concrete-based materials. The building design with more concrete-based material (group 1) showed 242% and 60% higher global warming and acidification potential respectively than the building with glulam beams and columns (material group 2). Except for ozone depletion potential, material group 2 (with glulam beams and columns) has a lower impact than material group 3 (with LVL/PSL beams and columns). The differences in impacts are more pronounced when the comparison is with design with more concrete-based products. This report further shows that LCA can be helpful during the preliminary design to evaluate the expected environmental impacts of the choice of different materials. This study recommends that material manufacturers and building contractors pay attention to LCA results to evaluate areas for continuous improvement.

Addressing adolescent and sexual reproductive healthcare is essential to providing young patients with the resources they need to navigate and empower themselves with. However, there is limited data about how often this occurs. Several studies have previously indicated that there is a large gap in accessing this gap in low-income neighborhoods. Our study aims to identify the establishment of gynecologic care among adolescent cisgender women and elucidate potential reasons for seeking or not seeking out care. We approached women in the pediatric emergency room that matched the inclusion criteria set out. Qualitative surveys were conducted until thematic saturation was reached and a cross-section study design was employed. Interviews were analyzed through modified ground theory. The study was conducted at the pediatric emergency department at University Hospital located in Newark, NJ. In 2018 estimates, the Newark population consists of 47.0% Black and 39.2% Hispanic or Latinos. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 cisgendered, English-speaking females between ages 18 to 25 presenting to the pediatric emergency room who may or may not have previously established primary care with a gynecologist. Transcriptions were analyzed using modified grounded theory and themes were identified using inductive coding of patient interviews.

To report a case of a major branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in the superotemporal region with superior macular involvement and a review of its natural history. This is a retrospective case presentation of a 49-year-old African Caribbean female patient presented to Accident and Emergency with unilateral persistent acute history of reduced central vision of left eye for 10 days with no other associated symptoms. Treatment options included using scatter (pan-retinal) laser photocoagulation followed by intravitreal injections as the area of non-perfusion is >5-disc area. It is warranted to understand the risk factors associated with BRVO and to develop appropriate treatment and follow-up plans.

We study the theory of combinatorial games and find winning strategies for players. The algorithmic implementation of the winning strategies for the game TacTix is presented and the software implementation for this game in Python programming language is implemented. The program has a console interface and allows one to check the winning strategies in practice.

From 2020 to 2022 the Covid-19 was spread and many people died. Death is near to everyone. The aim of the study was to investigate differences of concept of good death and view of life and death cross cultural. Participants were 92 Japanese, 110 Korean and 100 American who were ordinary people. We used the Good Death questionnaire to measure desirable death and the Death Attitude Inventory to measure view of life and death. Participants completed both questionnaires. As for Good Death, Japanese and Korean regarded “not being burden to others” as important the most, and American regarded “feeling that one’s life is worth living” as important. The scores of “unawareness of death” and “religious and spiritual comfort” of Korean were the highest, following American, and Japan. As for the Death Attitude Inventory, the score of American was higher than Japanese and Korean totally. The scores of “Death as release” or “Death Avoidance” of American were the highest. These results suggest that although Japanese and Korean regard “Not being burden to others” as important in common, Korean regard religious and spiritual comfort as important. American may avoid to think of death and regard it as release. We can make use of these cultural differences in clinical situation.

In this research work, we have applied “Lipinski’s RO5” for pharmacokinetics (PK) study and to predict the activity of peptidic HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Peptidic HIV-1-PRIs have been taken from literature with their observed biological activities (OBAs) in term of IC50. The logarithms of the inverse of IC50 have been used as biological end point o(log1/C) in the study. For calculation of physicochemical parameters, the molecular modeling and geometry optimization of all the derivatives have been carried out with CAChe Pro software using semiempirical PM3 method. Prediction of the biological activity of the inhibitors has shown that the best QSAR model is constructed from pharmacokinetic properties, molecular weight and hydrogen bond acceptor. This also proved that these properties play important role to describe the PKs of the drugs. On the basis of the derived models one can build up a theoretical basis to access the biological activity of the compounds of the same series.

Al-Dawaimah is an ancient Canaanite Palestinian village, occupied in 1948 by Israel, and belongs to inframediterranean to thermomediterranean thermotype and arid, semi-arid, and dry ombrotype. The study presents, a region rich in many plant vascular, and it is part of the Palestinian coast, North Africa, the Negev and the Sinai desert, in addition to the mountainous hills of Palestine located west of the Hebron, Jordan River and the Dead Sea. The objective is to identify and update the flora and vegetation in the area of Al-Dawaimah and its neighboring areas in west Hebron of Palestine. Methodology: More than 270 plant specimens have been taken from Al-Dawaimah and surroundings areas, using Braun-Blanquet, Van der Maarel and Salvador River Martinez methods to study the flora, and phytosociological plants, and 214 x 10 plants plots distributed in area were studied. Result and discussion: Three different plant communities were identified, in different environments between arid, dry- subhumid ombrotype and infra-thermomediterranean thermotype, and different soils as (carbon substrates as brown ruinsenas and terra rossa lands, limestone and others), where more than 214 species of plants have been found, of which 45 (20.02%) are endemic species, and in Raunkiaer's life system, trees represent were, (86; 40.18% trees), (34; 15.88% shrubs), (51; 23.83% chamaephytes), (10; 4.67% geophytes), (16; 7.47% phanerophytes), and (12; 6.54% hemicryptophytes). Conclusion: In Al-Dawaimah area, syntaxonomical performance of these associations are: Quercetalia ilicis Br.-Bl. ex Molinier 1934. Rhamno lycioidis-Quercion cocciferae Rivas Goday ex Rivas-Martinez 1975. 1. Rhamnus palaestinae- Quercetum calliprini ass. nova., Pistacio lentisci -Rhamnetalia alaterni Rivas-Martínez 1975. 2. Ceratonio siliquae -Pistacetum lentisci ass. nova., Junipero phoeniceae- Pinon acutisquamae A.V. Pérez et Cabezudo in A.V. Pérez et al. 1988 corr. Rivas-Martinez. et al. 2002. Pinetalia halepensis Biondi et al. 2014. 3. Junipero phoeniceae- Pinetum halepensis ass. nova.

The characterization of rock mass along the tunnel alignment based on physical, geological and geotechnical data of the project area was used in this work. The support systems were recommended for all geotechnical units using RMR and tunneling quality index (Q-system) support chart. The paper also consists in making a two-dimensional numerical study of the stability of the left lateral slope of the Portal of the tunnel with the Slide 6.0 software and inside provisional support with the Phase.2 2D program. The study shows good results of the internal rock mass stability of the tunnel and satisfactory safety factor (FoS) in terms of collapse analyzes of the lateral slope of the tunnel portals.

The reduction of the native forests coverage in mainland Portugal increased in the past centuries, leading to a marked decrease in biodiversity in general, especially on typical species of mature forest environments. However, urban biodiversity seems to resist more effectively than rural to disturbances due to the lower incidence of fires, as well as to agriculture expansion. Thus, in this work, we analyzed the dynamics of the natural vegetation potential in each biogeographic sector, and selected, based on the evolutionary stages of the vegetation, a set of priority taxa for conservation. The criteria used are intended to highlight plants with ornamental value, but at the same time, some of them have high patrimonial value, belonging to the Red List of Vascular Flora of Mainland Portugal or protected by Annexes II, IV and V of the Sectorial Plan of the Natura 2000 Network at the European level. Our analysis resulted in the identification of 62 plants that can be increased in public spaces in order to improve their conservation status. For each biogeographic sector, the plants best adapted to the local edaphoclimatic conditions are presented. Forest habitats can now, through micro-reserves in urban areas, ensure their long-term conservation and greater awareness among the population. An integrated planning, where the socio-ecological strategy is designed for the long term, will benefit the quality of life of citizens in an urban environment. Furthermore, the creation of micro-reserves in urban parks (gardens) can prevent the extinction of many botanical values in the landscapes of the western Mediterranean Basin.

Objectives: There remains no consensus management for isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT), with current data inconclusive and dating back to the warfarin era. In the current direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) era, optimal management of IDDVT needs to be re-assessed. Methods: A retrospective evaluation of patients treated with therapeutic anticoagulation for IDDVT in the DOAC era (2013-2016) was compared with historically published data from the warfarin era (2011-2012). Results: 247 patients were evaluated, 103 from the DOAC era and 122 from the warfarin era. There were less provoked events in the DOAC cohort (45.6% vs 66.7%, p=<0.01). Overall rate of major bleeding was 1.6% with 1.0% in the DOAC era and 2.1% in the warfarin era (p=0.50). There was no difference in rates of VTE progression on treatment 5.8% vs 4.9% respectively (p=0.91). Overall risk of VTE recurrence post cessation was 5.3% (1.86 per 100 person years) with no difference between groups (5.8% vs 4.9%, p=0.74). Conclusions: Our data shows IDDVT is not always benign, with risk of extension despite treatment and long-term risk of VTE-recurrence. Therapeutic anticoagulation with DOAC in these patients was associated with a major bleeding rate of 1.0% in the DOAC cohort. Further clinical trials into the optimal IDDVT management in the DOAC era are necessary.

The effects of climate change are already being felt in several parts of the World. Variability of changing rainfall intensity, drought and weather patterns contribute to determining the vulnerability of many human activities such as agriculture. In the next future, climate change considerations will depend on having appropriate strategies such as strengthen implementation agencies working in a coordinated manner and with a data-driven approach in order to ensure monitoring, reporting and data verification. In this context, national and regional meteorological Services are facing with high demand for timely and quality information, services and products. A web-based interactive application with the aim of disseminating meteo-hydrological information at regional scale is described in this paper. The web application is built on a relational database and client-side programming has been used for implementing the user interface and controlling the web page behavior. The combination of PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor, a general-purpose scripting language, especially suited to server-side web development) and JavaScript (high-level object-oriented scripting language, nowadays the dominant client-side scripting language of the Web) has been chosen for this reason, since such software is free to use for everyone. The SOL system, developed on behalf of Marche region, Italy, was chosen as a case study, due to its multi-source data framework and because of the processing and public dissemination of several ad-hoc data elaborations.

Three novel coordination polymers {[Cu₂(bitbu-OMe)₄(SO₄)₂]·6MeOH}_n (1), {[Co₂(bitbu-OMe)₄(NCS)₄]_0.5·2DMF}_n (2), {[Co(bitbu-OMe)₂(NCS)₂]·2MeOH}_n (3) (bitbu-OMe = 1,1’-[(5-tert-butyl-2-methoxybenzene-1,3-diyl)dimethanediyl]bis(1H-imidazole)) are synthesized through a slow evaporation method using solvothermal technique of CuSO₄·5H₂O or Co(SCN)₂ with bitbu-OMe. X-ray diffraction analysis results reveal that 1, 2, and 3 have similar two-dimensional layer networks. The study of the effect of the methoxy group in bitbu-OMe towards the stability of ligand conformation in obtained coordination polymers becomes necessary to be conducted in the future to unveil the reason for conformation similarity of ligand in coordination polymers.

The high prevalence of low back pain associated with prolonged sitting as a result of work demands, is a major public health problem. Added to this is the sedentary lifestyle and full-time use of vehicles, keeping workers in this seated position. We now know the many benefits of regular exercise and physical activity. Inactivity is considered a risk factor associated with the development of lower back pain. We undertook this study to make subjects aware of the consequences of this posture. In addition, we wanted to help them relieve lower back pain and functional disability caused by prolonged sitting posture. To achieve this, we have set ourselves the goal of assessing the effect that the combination of a physical exercise program and massage with shea butter could have on lumbar pain and functional disability in inactive sedentary officials with full-time lumbar pain driving their vehicles. To achieve this goal, we brought together 45 subjects divided into three experimental groups. The results show that the group receiving the combination of an exercise and massage program with shea butter, experienced a significant decrease in pain and functional disability over the 6 weeks. Thus, the combination of an exercise and massage program with shea butter allows effective management of pain and functional disability in inactive sedentary officials.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are important class of persist organic pollutants that were used as a component of paints especially in printings, as plastificator of plastics and insulating materials in transformers and capacitors, heat transfer fluids, additives in hydraulic fluids in vacuum and turbine pumps. There is always a need to establish reliable procedures for predicting the bioconcentration potential of chemicals from the knowledge of their molecular structure, or from readily measurable properties of the substance. Hence, correlation and prediction of biococentration factors (BCFs) based on λ_max and vibration frequencies of various bonds viz υ(C-H) and υ(C=C) of biphenyl and its fifty-seven derivatives have been made. For the study, the molecular modeling and geometry optimization of the PCBs have been performed on workspace program of CAChe Pro 5.04 software of Fujitsu using DFT method. UV-visible spectra for each compound were created by electron transition between molecular orbitals as electromagnetic radiation in the visible and ultraviolet (UV-visible) region is absorbed by the molecule. The energies of excited electronic states were computed quantum mechanically. IR spectra of transitions for each compound were created by coordinated motions of the atoms as electromagnetic radiation in the infrared region is absorbed by the molecule. The force necessary to distort the molecule was computed quantum mechanically from its equilibrium geometry and thus frequency of vibrational transitions was predicted. Project Leader Program associated with CAChe has been used for multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis using above spectroscopic data as independent variables and BCFs of PCBs as dependent variables. The reliability of correlation and predicting ability of the MLR equations (models) are judged by R², R²_adj, se, q²_L10O and F values. This study reflected clearly that UV and IR spectroscopic data can be used to predict BCFs of a large number of related compounds within limited time without any difficulty.

Objective: The effects of muscle fatigue appear to elicit a transient means of postural instability; however, the recovery of postural stability after fatiguing exercise has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to determine the immediate effect of local vibration applied to fatigued plantar flexor muscles on postural stability in healthy young adults. Design: True Experimental (pre-test - post test design with a control group). Setting: A tertiary care centre. Participations: 42 healthy young adults. Intervention: Fatigue of plantar flexors muscles was induced by repeated dynamic contractions performed to maximum exhaustion. Experimental group (n= 21) received local vibration to fatigued muscles with a handheld vibrator whereas the control group (n = 21) received no intervention (rest). Postural stability was assessed using one leg stance test (OLST) under three different conditions viz. pre-fatigue, post-fatigue and post rest/vibration. Results: Comparative analysis of postural stability within the group was done pre-fatigue, post-fatigue and post rest/vibration condition using Kruskal-Wallis test. A significant decrease from pre-fatigue to post-fatigue condition (p-value < 0.001); and a significant increase from post-fatigue to post rest/vibration condition (p-value < 0.001) was observed in OLST in both - control group and experimental group. However, further comparison of OLST between the groups (using unpaired t test) showed a significant difference in post-fatigue condition versus post rest/vibration condition in favour of the experimental group. Conclusion: Plantar flexors fatigue significantly affects one leg stance time in healthy young adults. Results of this study show that there is an immediate effect of vibration to fatigued muscles on recovery of postural stability in healthy young adults. Recovery of postural stability achieved quickly with such a simple tool may help increase the degree of participation in sports and other similar activities which can cause muscles to fatigue. However, more studies are required to determine this effect using other clinical measures.

The construction industry remains one of the most hazardous sectors globally, with Nigeria experiencing a high incidence of workplace accidents despite the adoption of Occupational Health and Safety Management (OHSM) frameworks. This study evaluated the effectiveness of OHSM practices in improving workplace safety across construction companies in Nigeria’s coastal cities. A cross-sectional design was employed, combining quantitative surveys of construction workers (n = 1,400) with qualitative interviews of 35 managers and supervisors. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 28, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses. Findings revealed a generally positive perception of OHSM, with 54.4% of workers rating OHS policy effectiveness as “Good” and 52.0% rating health outcomes as “Good.” However, accident frequency remained a concern, with 46.4% reporting accidents occurred “Occasionally” and 31.9% acknowledging them as “Frequent” or “Very Frequent.” Comparative analysis showed indigenous firms were rated higher in policy effectiveness and health outcomes but also reported slightly higher accident frequencies than international firms. Thematic analysis identified five key monitoring and evaluation strategies including routine inspections, regular training, audits, behavioural reinforcement, and access control, Also, five measures of OHSM effectiveness, including compliance observation, incident tracking, KPIs, employee feedback, and benchmarking. OHSM was found to positively influence project outcomes by reducing compensation costs, enhancing reputation, and improving supervision and quality of work. OHSM practices in Nigeria’s construction sector are perceived as effective in policy and health outcomes, yet accident rates remain a critical challenge. The study underscores the importance of continuous training, stricter enforcement, behavioural reinforcement, and systematic performance evaluation.

The focus of this study was to determine the influence of religious literacy and multicultural teaching competence on the teaching self-efficacy of Religious and Moral Education (RME) teachers in public basic schools within the Kumasi Metropolis. The research employed a cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 308 RME teachers selected through the stratified sampling technique from 165 basic schools across 14 circuits. Data were collected using questionnaires and analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that religious literacy significantly and positively influenced teachers’ self-efficacy (β = 0.487, p < 0.05), accounting for 23.7% of the variance. Similarly, multicultural teaching competence demonstrated a strong positive effect on teaching self-efficacy (β = 0.711, p < 0.05), explaining 50.6% of the variance. Finally, the study found that religious literacy and multicultural teaching competence together contributed 52.2% to RME teachers' teaching self-efficacy (SD = 0.692, p < 0.05, R² = 0.522). The study recommended that the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) should design and mandate regular in-service training programmes focused specifically on religious literacy for RME teachers. Also, it was recommended that pre-service and in-service training should emphasise awareness of personal biases, deep knowledge of learners’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and practical skills for culturally responsive pedagogy.

This study proposes an integrated approach combining geographic information systems (GIS) and geotechnical analyses to assess the stability of the Oued Ayda mountain lake dam, located in the Siliana Governorate, northwestern Tunisia. The mechanical properties of the embankment and foundation materials were integrated into a Mohr-Coulomb geomechanical model, while the pore water pressure distribution was simulated for various representative hydromechanical scenarios: end of construction, normal operation, rapid drainage, and short- and long-term empty reservoir conditions. The stability analysis, performed using the Morgenstern-Price method with the SLOPE/W software (GeoStudio), reveals high safety factors on the upstream side (SF > 3 in the short term and SF ≥ 2 in the long term), indicating good resistance of this slope to hydraulic and mechanical stresses. Conversely, the results show that the downstream slope exhibits significantly lower safety factors, ranging from 1.335 to 1.338 under long-term conditions, particularly during normal operating and rapid drainage scenarios. These reduced values indicate a high vulnerability of this slope to persistent saturation and adverse hydraulic gradients. In conclusion, although the dam exhibits satisfactory overall stability, the downstream slope remains the most vulnerable area of the structure. The results underscore the need for rigorous management of water level fluctuations and suggest reinforcing the drainage system or implementing targeted stabilization measures to ensure the long-term safety and durability of the structure.

This study addresses the critical challenge of material scarcity within Ghana’s creative industries by pioneering the synthesis of professional-grade stage blood from indigenous, locally-sourced materials. In the context of Ghanaian theatre and film, practitioners face significant barriers due to the high cost and limited availability of imported special effects products, often resulting in the use of inadequate substitutes that compromise aesthetic realism, safety, and narrative authenticity. This paper responds by exploring the potential of cassava starch, tapioca, kenkey dough, and fufu wax. Grounded in Schumacher’s theory of Appropriate Technology, the paper reframes indigenous resources not as inferior alternatives but as technologically and contextually appropriate solutions that align with Ghana’s economic, environmental, and social realities. The study provides detailed, reproducible recipes for both flowing and clotted blood variants, validated through practical application in simulated special effects such as gunshot wounds and deep-tissue scars. These formulations meet key performance criteria: visual fidelity under theatrical and cinematic conditions, controlled viscosity, ease of application and removal, and performer safety. Beyond technical innovation, this research contributes to shifting academic and professional discourse from dependency and scarcity toward resourcefulness, sustainability, and artistic self-reliance. It offers a practical framework for reducing production costs, enhancing the quality of visual storytelling, and fostering local value chains within Ghana’s growing creative economy.

The principle of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) posits that people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who are able to achieve and maintain a viral load of <200 copies/mL by regularly taking antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are considered virally suppressed and cannot transmit the HIV virus to other individuals through sex. This groundbreaking message has emerged as a key HIV prevention strategy for eliminating transmission risks and enhancing the quality of life of people living with HIV. This narrative review explores the clinical foundation of U=U, the level of awareness and acceptance of the message globally, and the psychosocial impact on people living with HIV. It has been discovered that this message minimizes stigma, improves mental health, promote treatment adherence and good disclosure behaviors among people living with HIV. Evidence has shown that despite the U=U revolution for HIV prevention, there are significant differences in awareness and acceptance of the message among different population groups. The challenges noted were poor communication by healthcare providers, limitations in the health system, and stigma issues. Nevertheless, the inclusion of U=U in mainstream HIV services has proven to increase awareness and enhance its adoption. The urgent need in the present review is to advocate for strategies to increase the equitable distribution of U=U to harness its full potential in public health.

Introduction: Ovarian torsion is a rare gynecological emergency that can result in permanent ovarian loss if not promptly recognized and managed. Cases involving multiple rotations of the ovary are highly unusual and pose a significant risk for ovarian viability. Clinical Description: A 33-year-old P2 woman presented with sudden severe lower abdominal pain. Imaging showed a complex midline adnexal mass, more towards left and mild free fluid with suspected torsion. Emergency laparotomy showed a sixfold torsion of the right ovary with a dermoid cyst. Detorsion and cystectomy were performed with preservation of the ovary. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and histopathology further confirmed a benign dermoid cyst. Discussion: Ovarian torsion with multiple rotations is extremely rare so early recognition and timely surgical intervention enable ovarian salvage even in severe cases. Moreover, Dermoid cysts are the most common predisposing factor. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and immediate management of ovarian torsion to prevent complications, preserve ovarian integrity and fertility.

Mathematical modeling plays a central role in infectious disease epidemiology, shaping outbreak response strategies and informing public health policy. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the value of these models but also exposed persistent limitations related to data fragility, lack of transparency, limited stakeholder engagement, and insufficient consideration of social and political contexts. Rather than critiquing modeling as a discipline, this perspective argues for a reorientation of infectious disease modeling toward a more responsive, equity-centered, and participatory paradigm. We propose a conceptual framework built on three interrelated principles: adaptability through real-time data integration, transparency via open-source and reproducible practices, and relevance through interdisciplinary and co-produced model design. Drawing on illustrative examples from COVID-19 and dengue control efforts, we highlight how integrating behavioral dynamics, local knowledge, and policy feedback can improve model usefulness and public trust. Reconceptualizing models as dynamic systems of inquiry rather than static forecasting tools can enhance decision-making and promote more equitable and effective responses to future public health emergencies.

Introduction: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, with ischemic stroke accounting for most cases. Structural vascular factors such as carotid artery tortuosity have gained attention as potential markers of vascular aging and cerebrovascular risk. The carotid tortuosity index (CTI), defined as the ratio of actual vessel length to the straight-line distance between two fixed points, provides a quantitative measure of arterial curvature. A CTI value of ≥1.2 indicates pathological tortuosity. Although noninvasive modalities such as CTA and MRA are frequently used, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard for evaluating vessel geometry due to its higher spatial precision. This study aimed to determine the association of age, sex, and hypertension with CTI measured by DSA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2025 at the Neurointervention Clinic, RS Pelni Jakarta, Indonesia, involving 61 adult patients who underwent carotid DSA. CTI was measured bilaterally using digital imaging software and classified as <1.2 (non-tortuous) or ≥1.2 (tortuous). Clinical data, including age, sex, and hypertension status, were collected from medical records and analyzed using bivariate tests. Results: Older age (≥65 years), female sex, and hypertension were significantly associated with higher CTI values on both carotid sides. Tortuosity was more common among hypertensive patients and elderly females, indicating the influence of vascular remodeling and chronic hemodynamic stress. Conclusion: Carotid tortuosity increases with age, hypertension, and female sex. DSA-based CTI measurement provides a reliable and precise approach for evaluating vascular changes associated with cerebrovascular risk.

Background: Resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) provides insights into large-scale brain network organization associated with cognitive control, emotion regulation, and attentional processes. The ventral attention network (VAN) is a key salience-driven network that supports attentional re-orienting to behaviorally relevant stimuli. However, little is known about how VAN resting state functional connectivity varies by demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors during early adolescence. Objective: To examine associations between VAN rsfMRI connectivity and multiple demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics. Methods: Data came from the baseline and early follow-up waves of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. The analytic sample included youth with high-quality baseline rsfMRI data and complete socioeconomic and psychosocial measures. The primary outcome was mean resting-state functional connectivity within the VAN across subcortical and cortical regions of interest (ROIs). Bivariate correlations were computed between VAN connectivity and demographic (age, sex, puberty, race/ethnicity), socioeconomic (income, parental education, marital status, neighborhood income), psychosocial (trauma, discrimination, financial difficulty), trait (impulsivity), and behavioral variables (body mass index, depression, suicide, prodromal symptoms, and substance use). Unadjusted bivariate correlations and adjusted logistic regressions were used for data analysis. Results: VAN connectivity showed small but significant correlations with multiple contextual factors. Higher household income, parental education, and neighborhood affluence were associated with greater connectivity, whereas Black race and Hispanic ethnicity were related to lower connectivity. Youth reporting higher discrimination and financial difficulty exhibited weaker VAN connectivity. Greater VAN connectivity was negatively associated with impulsive reward-driven trait (drive), prodromal symptoms, BMI, and marijuana and alcohol use. Associations between VAN connectivity and suicide, depression, marijuana use, and alcohol use remained significant in age and sex adjusted models. Conclusions: VAN connectivity reflects subtle neural correlates of socioeconomic and psychosocial context in early adolescence. Our results underscore the importance of integrating structural and contextual factors in interpreting brain-behavior associations across diverse populations. These findings are suggestive of stable socioeconomic and psychosocial correlates of network efficiency.

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) is widely associated with improved health, behavioral, and educational outcomes. However, emerging research suggests that these benefits are not uniformly experienced across populations or contexts. The theory of Marginalization-related Diminished Returns (MDRs) has primarily focused on racial and ethnic disparities, showing that individuals from racially marginalized groups often experience weaker protective effects of SES. There is a lack of evidence on geography—particularly rural residence—as a moderator of SES effects. Objective: This review explores how place, especially rural contexts in the U.S., shapes the extent to which SES translates into improved outcomes. We extend the MDRs framework to include place-based and geography-based marginalization, arguing that even among non-Hispanic White populations, rural residence can lead to diminished returns on education, income, and other forms of capital. Content: Drawing on theoretical models such as Fundamental Cause Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, and synthesizing empirical findings from studies of academic achievement, substance use, and educational aspirations, this review highlights how structural disadvantages in rural areas weaken the effectiveness of individual and family-level resources. Conclusion: Rural health and educational disparities are not solely due to a lack of resources but may also reflect systemic conditions that erode the value of existing resources. Policy interventions must be place-aware and address the contextual constraints that limit opportunity. Future research should more explicitly test how geography moderates the effects of SES across a range of outcomes and populations.

In this paper, we will examine a rather complex case of the paradoxical nature of certain conclusions that may arise when studying the numerical convergence of a specific nonlinear recursive sequence, known in the literature as Muller’s sequence. To analyze the peculiar computational behavior of this sequence, it is necessary to employ a powerful mathematical framework in order to understand the nontrivial issues that can arise when the software implementation of this seemingly simple mathematical problem. These challenges often stem from the limitations of numerical methods and the inherent errors in computer arithmetic, which can affect the accuracy and stability of the results, particularly when dealing with iterative methods like Muller's sequence.

This literature review delves deeply into the epidemiology, structural and cultural challenges, and management strategies of status epilepticus (SE) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Incidence rates of SE vary significantly between countries, with notable disparities associated with socio-economic contexts, healthcare infrastructures, and cultural perceptions of epilepsy. The management of SE in this region is often hindered by constraints in medical infrastructure, inadequate access to specialist diagnostics such as electroencephalogram, and limited availability of essential anti-epileptic drugs, which are frequently out of reach for rural populations. These challenges are further exacerbated by the social stigma and cultural beliefs surrounding epilepsy, impeding access to care and widening inequalities. Moreover, the scarcity of qualified medical personnel undermines the efficient and prompt management of this neurological emergency. The review underscores the pressing need to enhance healthcare infrastructures, boost the capabilities of healthcare professionals, and conduct community awareness initiatives to destigmatize epilepsy and lessen prejudice. Additionally, practical recommendations are put forward for enhancing local capacity, fostering equity in care access, and mitigating regional health disparities in SSA.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) faces significant challenges in early diagnosis and prognostic assessment, necessitating novel molecular biomarkers. The role of GCN1 in tumorigenesis remains unclear, warranting systematic investigation of its clinical value. Methods: Utilizing multi-omics data from 164 HCC patients in the TCGA database, we comprehensively evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of GCN1 through differential expression analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Results: GCN1 expression was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues (P<0.001), with ROC analysis demonstrating an AUC of 0.921 (95% CI: 0.893-0.950) for discriminating tumor from normal tissue. Clinical correlation analysis revealed that high GCN1 expression significantly associated with advanced T stage (OR=1.941, P=0.002) and AFP levels >400 ng/ml (OR=3.697, P<0.001). Multivariate survival analysis confirmed its independent prognostic value (HR=1.454, P=0.038). Functional analysis indicated GCN1 promotes tumor progression by regulating cell cycle (NES=2.385) and axon guidance (NES=2.307) pathways. Conclusion: This study first elucidates the dual clinical value of GCN1 in HCC, providing a theoretical foundation for developing novel diagnostic biomarkers and prognostic evaluation systems. Future research should validate its molecular mechanisms and explore potential targeted therapies.

Nodal marginal zone lymphomas are indolent and rare non-Hodgkin lymphomas, most often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Their clinical presentations are typically insidious, which can lead to delayed diagnosis. The concomitant secretion of IgM and IgG immunoglobulins with kappa light chains constitutes an exceptional feature in this type of lymphoma, as illustrated by our case. We report the case of a 62-year-old man with a history of treated syphilis and inferior vena cava thrombosis managed with rivaroxaban, who presented with a left inguinal mass evolving over three months, accompanied by fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Clinical examination revealed non-inflammatory left inguinal lymphadenopathy without other abnormalities. Laboratory tests showed non-regenerative anemia, leukopenia, and elevated LDH levels. Protein electrophoresis revealed a monoclonal peak in the gamma region, confirmed by serum immunofixation showing two monoclonal bands of IgG kappa and IgM kappa types. Biopsy of the inguinal lymph node revealed histological and immunohistochemical features consistent with a small B-cell marginal zone lymphoma, staged as IV based on the extension workup. A chemotherapy regimen consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) was initiated, resulting in a partial response after four cycles. The coexpression of IgM and IgG kappa light chains in nodal marginal zone lymphomas, which are already rare, is an unusual finding. This particularity warrants multicenter studies to better assess its diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications.

Background: Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) theory posits that the health benefits of socioeconomic resources, such as education, are smaller for marginalized and minoritized populations, including immigrants. While MDRs have been extensively documented for racial and ethnic minorities, less is known about whether these diminished returns extend to immigrant populations. This study tested MDRs of education on various health and cognitive outcomes, including self-rated health (SRH), cognitive function, numeracy, number of chronic medical conditions, and limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) among immigrants compared to non-immigrants in the United States. Objective. To examine whether educational attainment confers weaker protective effects on SRH, cognitive function, numeracy, chronic medical conditions, and ADLs in immigrants compared to non-immigrants, confirming the presence of MDRs across these domains. Methods: We used data from the Understanding America Study (UAS), a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults. We tested the association between educational attainment and five outcomes—SRH, cognitive function, numeracy, number of chronic medical conditions, and limitations in ADLs—across immigrant and non-immigrant groups. Multivariate regression models were employed, adjusting for key sociodemographic covariates. Results: The protective effects of education on a range of health outcomes were significantly weaker for immigrants compared to non-immigrants. Education level showed weaker associations with SRH, cognitive function, numeracy, number of chronic conditions, and ADLs among immigrants. These findings suggest that even at higher levels of educational attainment, immigrants experience poorer health and cognitive functioning than their U.S.-born counterparts. Conclusion: This study offers strong evidence for the MDRs of education on multiple health outcomes among U.S. immigrants. One possible explanation is that, despite achieving higher levels of education, immigrants often face structural barriers—such as discrimination, limited access to resources, and economic inequities—that constrain the health-related benefits typically associated with educational attainment. Additionally, a portion of immigrant education may be acquired outside the United States, where credentials may not be fully recognized or rewarded within the U.S. labor market. These findings highlight the importance of policies aimed at addressing systemic inequities and improving access to healthcare, employment opportunities, and social support for immigrant communities. Future research should further explore the mechanisms underlying these diminished returns and identify policy solutions to reduce their impact. Keywords: Educational Attainment, Immigrants, Nativity, Self-Rated Health, Chronic Disease, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Cognitive Function

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasingly prevalent among youth and young adults, particularly college and university students. This is a population for whom e-cigarette use is not recommended due to potential health risks, including nicotine addiction and long-term respiratory effects. Social networks play a crucial role in shaping attitudes toward e-cigarettes and influencing use behaviors. However, the relative influence of different social ties—parents, siblings, and friends—on e-cigarette attitudes and use remains unclear. Objective: This study utilizes data from the SMOKES study to compare the influence of e-cigarette use within different social network sections—parents, friends, and siblings—on personal e-cigarette attitudes and use among college and university students. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey of college and university students, we examined the associations between e-cigarette use within different social networks and individual e-cigarette attitudes and use. Multivariate regression models assessed the strength of these associations, adjusting for key demographic and behavioral covariates. Results: Findings indicate that among college and university students, the strongest influence on both e-cigarette attitudes and use comes from friends who use e-cigarettes. In contrast, parental and sibling e-cigarette use showed weak or non-significant effects. These results suggest that peer influence, rather than family influence, plays a dominant role in shaping e-cigarette-related behaviors and perceptions in young adults. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of peer influence in e-cigarette uptake and attitudes among college and university students. Public health interventions aimed at reducing e-cigarette use in this population should consider targeting peer networks rather than focusing solely on family-based influences.

The anterior collateral ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments in the knee, connecting the tibia and femur and acting as a key stabilizer. Factors influencing these injuries include playing surface, training programs, athlete strength, technique, and gender. Female athletes are at a higher risk of ACL injuries, being four to nine times more likely than males, often due to differences in biomechanics and training patterns. It ss important that rehab focuses on both legs, as overworking the injured leg increases the risk of injuries elsewhere. Prevention training, such as proprioceptive-balance and plyometric agility training, has been shown effectiveness in minimizing ACL injuries. Despite some limitations in research, these programs highlight the importance of improved training techniques. Kinesio taping might help reduce pain but lacks strong evidence for preventing ACL tears.

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and vaping tobacco have increased rapidly worldwide, raising concerns about their health effects, social acceptability, and regulatory challenges. In many countries, e-cigarettes are more commonly used by individuals from higher socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, who, in theory, should have greater knowledge about e-cigarettes and their associated risks. However, it remains unclear why a group with more knowledge about e-cigarette risks would also hold more positive attitudes toward vaping and exhibit higher usage rates — a phenomenon that may represent a knowledge-behavior paradox. Understanding this paradox, along with the complex relationships between e-cigarette knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, is critical for informing effective public health interventions, campaigns, social media messaging, and regulatory policies. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the complex relationship between SES, e-cigarette knowledge, pro-vaping attitudes, and e-cigarette use. Methods: The SMOKES Study (Study of Measurement of Knowledge and Examination of Support for Tobacco Control Policies) used a multi-center, cross-sectional design, collecting data from 2,403 college and university students across 15 provinces in Iran (covering nearly half of the country's provinces). The survey measured family income, age, sex, ethnicity, e-cigarette use, knowledge, and attitudes. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the interrelations between SES, knowledge, attitudes, and behavior, while adjusting for age, sex, and ethnic minority status. Results: SEM analysis confirmed the hypothesized paradox. Although greater knowledge about e-cigarettes was linked to less favorable attitudes toward vaping and lower use, pro-vaping attitudes emerged as the strongest predictor of vaping behavior, while knowledge played a weaker protective role. Notably, individuals with higher SES simultaneously showed higher knowledge and, paradoxically, more pro-e-cigarette attitudes and greater usage. Female students and ethnic minority students reported higher correct knowledge and lower pro-vaping attitudes and use. Although age and higher family income were associated with more favorable attitudes, they did not directly predict vaping behavior. These results suggest that for higher SES individuals, poor knowledge is not the main driver of e-cigarette use; rather, their pro-e-cigarette attitudes, which seem to outweigh the influence of knowledge, play a key role. Conclusions: Although individuals from higher SES backgrounds report greater correct knowledge about e-cigarettes, this knowledge does not necessarily translate into reduced positive attitudes or lower usage. This study highlights the complexity of these paradoxical effects and suggests that public health strategies need to go beyond simple education and knowledge-based interventions. Targeted approaches should address industry messaging, challenge misconceptions, and strengthen regulatory efforts to reduce e-cigarette use among young adults, including those from higher SES backgrounds.

Background: Tobacco control policies are implemented globally to reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that individual tobacco use may influence the level of support for these policies. However, the extent to which personal use affects policy endorsement remains underexplored, particularly among young adults in academic settings. Aims: This study aimed to examine whether college students who use tobacco exhibit lower support for tobacco control policies compared to their non-user counterparts. Methods: We conducted a multi-center, cross-sectional study involving 2403 college students from various provinces in Iran. Tobacco use was ascertained based on self-reported consumption of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and hookah. Attitudes toward tobacco control policies were evaluated using a structured survey instrument, and comparative analyses were performed to assess differences in policy support between tobacco users and non-users. Results: The analysis revealed that tobacco users demonstrated significantly lower support for tobacco control policies compared to non-users. This association was consistently observed across users of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and hookah, suggesting a systematic pattern irrespective of the type of tobacco product used. Conclusion: These findings indicated a clear association between tobacco use and reduced endorsement of tobacco control policies among Iranian college students. These results have potential implications for public health policy, emphasizing the importance of addressing individual tobacco use behaviors in the development and implementation of tobacco control strategies. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this relationship.

In today’s world of a globalized economy and ubiquitous digital transactions, businesses are hungry for ways to increase transaction efficiency and security. In the real economy, solutions that scale to fit transaction volume or velocity are equally valuable. This is true for clearing and settlement and for the day-to-day needs of buyers and sellers alike. Clever observers of both cash and digital transactions can spot cases where technology that supports transaction security or safety can strengthen consumer-borrower ties, mitigate default risks, and reduce recidivism. In general, a cloud solution for payment processing and merchant services solves two major barriers to optimum business technology: lack of scalability and lack of security [1]. The extension of current practice has its advantages, but new solutions unlock significant opportunities for both consumers and financial institutions [2]. The focus of this work is on the provisioning of cloud-based payment processing and merchant services to financial institutions and established global organizations, although the options available with these services mean they are potentially applicable to a wide range of group entities, including non-trading organizations, pension administrators, and group treasurers. With the increased attention to cybersecurity, a mass of data is available to assist the IT departments of the major payment processors, merchants, and acquirers to get cybersecurity on the radar of C-level executives [3]. The case is put forward for the increased targeting of and reporting to the Board’s Audit, Risk, and Liability Committees of publicly held payment processors and merchants to reduce fraud losses and mitigate the reputation and class action lawsuit risk due to data breaches. The progress of technology in the payment sector requires all stakeholders to have a collective approach in order to mitigate fraud and cybersecurity-related risks in new products and services to enhance consumer confidence and the proportion of retail cashless transactions [4].

The pharmaceutical supply chain has become increasingly complex and vulnerable to various risks, including counterfeit drugs, diversion, and fraud. As these challenges threaten patient safety and the integrity of global healthcare systems, serialization has emerged as a pivotal innovation in pharmaceutical logistics and regulatory compliance. Serialization involves assigning unique identifiers to individual drug packages, enabling precise tracking and authentication at every stage of the supply chain. This process provides unprecedented transparency, enhances product security, and facilitates real-time monitoring of pharmaceutical products as they move from manufacturers to end consumers. Despite its potential to revolutionize pharmaceutical traceability, the integration of serialization technologies faces numerous obstacles. These include high implementation costs, regulatory inconsistencies across regions, and the technological challenges of managing vast amounts of data. Moreover, the complex, multi-tiered nature of the global supply chain introduces additional risks related to data integrity, cybersecurity, and interoperability between systems. As pharmaceutical companies seek to navigate these challenges, innovations in serialization technology—such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and radio frequency identification (RFID)—are providing promising solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce fraud, and increase visibility. This manuscript explores both the innovative advancements and the key challenges associated with the integration of serialization in the pharmaceutical supply chain. It delves into the evolving regulatory landscape, highlighting the need for global harmonization of serialization standards, and examines the impact of serialization on securing pharmaceutical distribution networks. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the importance of collaboration among manufacturers, technology providers, and regulatory bodies in overcoming implementation barriers and realizing the full potential of serialization. As the pharmaceutical industry moves towards a more interconnected and data-driven future, serialization promises to play a central role in shaping the next generation of drug safety and supply chain management. By addressing the hurdles to adoption and leveraging emerging technologies, the pharmaceutical sector can create a more secure, transparent, and efficient supply chain that better serves public health and fosters greater trust among consumers and healthcare professionals alike.

Background: As a central component of the brain's reward system, nucleus accumbens (NAcc) plays a crucial role in reward salience and substance use behaviors. Changes in the NAcc are also relevant to higher rates of substance use of youth and adults from low-income backgrounds. Although resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the NAcc provides valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying reward processing and the propensity for self-reported reward salience and substance use, research exploring the association between NAcc rsFC and brain networks beyond the default mode network (DMN) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) is limited. Objective: To investigate the role of the resting-state functional connectivity of the NAcc with the cingulo-opercular network, sensorimotor mouth network, and sensorimotor hand network in the association between socioeconomic status, self-reported reward salience, and future substance use. Methods: Data were obtained from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. NAcc rsFC with the cingulo-opercular network, sensorimotor mouth network, and sensorimotor hand network was assessed at baseline. Socioeconomic status was measured using family income. Self-reported reward salience was assessed using validated psychometric scales. Substance use outcomes were tracked longitudinally over the study period. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to examine the covariances between family income, NAcc rsFC, reward salience, and subsequent substance use. Results: Higher baseline family income was positively associated with baseline NAcc rsFC (B = 0.092, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with baseline reward salience (B = -0.040, p = 0.036) and future substance use (B = -0.081, p < 0.001). Baseline NAcc rsFC was strongly and positively associated with reward salience (B = 0.734, p < 0.001) and future substance use up to age 13 (B = 0.124, p < 0.001). Additionally, baseline reward salience was positively associated with future substance use (Covariance = 0.176, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that NAcc rsFC with brain networks beyond the DMN or PFC may contribute to the links between low parental socioeconomic status, reward salience, and substance use risk. Expanding the understanding of NAcc rsFC provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying these associations. These results have important implications for developing targeted interventions aimed at preventing substance use, particularly among low-income youth with heightened reward salience. Further research is needed to explore causal pathways and moderating factors influencing these relationships.

Background: While understanding how corticostriatal connectivity is associated with socioeconomic status (SES), trauma exposure, cognitive function, reward salience, impulsivity, and future substance use is essential to identifying neurobiological pathways that contribute to health disparities and behavioral outcomes, very few studies have tested the role of left caudate resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) with the cingulo-opercular network as a proxy of corticostriatal connectivity in social, cognitive, and behavioral processes. Objective: This study investigates the associations between left caudate-cingulo-opercular connectivity and multiple biopsychosocial domains, including low SES, high trauma exposure (financial and life events), cognitive function, reward salience, impulsivity, depression, and future substance use (tobacco and marijuana use). Methods: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were analyzed to assess connectivity between the left caudate and the cingulo-opercular network. Data on socioeconomic status, trauma exposure, cognitive performance, and mental health were collected from participants. Future substance use behaviors were evaluated through longitudinal follow-ups. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships between corticostriatal connectivity and the targeted domains. Results: Corticostriatal hypoconnectivity was associated with lower SES, higher trauma exposure, poorer cognitive function, heightened reward salience, higher impulsivity, and history of depression. Additionally, corticostriatal hypoconnectivity at baseline predicted future tobacco and marijuana use during follow-up years. Conclusion: Corticostriatal hypoconnectivity, particularly the rsFC between the left caudate and the cingulo-opercular network, may represent a potential mechanism linking a wide range of social, emotional, and behavioral problems in youth. These findings suggest that corticostriatal hypoconnectivity could serve as a neurobiological marker for identifying individuals at risk for depression, low cognitive function, high reward salience, impulsivity, and substance use, emphasizing the interplay between socioeconomic and neurocognitive factors in shaping behavioral health trajectories.

Digital therapeutics (DTx) are emerging as a pivotal tool in promoting longevity by addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders. These software-driven interventions offer personalized, evidence-based treatments that can be accessed via digital devices, making healthcare more accessible and scalable. One of the key advancements in DTx is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to tailor interventions based on individual health data. This personalization enhances the effectiveness of treatments and supports preventive care by identifying risk factors early. The need for digital therapeutics is underscored by the rising prevalence of NCDs, which are responsible for a significant portion of global mortality and healthcare costs. Traditional healthcare systems often struggle to provide timely and personalized care, especially in low-resource settings. DTx can bridge this gap by offering cost-effective solutions that are easily scalable. Moreover, digital therapeutics can address health inequities by providing low-cost interventions to underserved populations, thereby reducing the burden of NCDs and improving overall health outcomes. As technology continues to evolve, the potential for DTx to enhance longevity and quality of life becomes increasingly promising. Recent advancements in longevity medicine and technology have focused on extending both lifespan and healthspan, ensuring that people not only live longer but also maintain good health throughout their extended years. This review article highlights these advancements that are contributing to this compelling subject of Longevity.

Background: Disasters such as typhoons, floods, and earthquakes frequently impact the Philippines, placing nurses at the forefront of response and care. Given these recurring threats, ensuring that nurses possess adequate awareness, knowledge, and skills is crucial to mitigate risks, enhance preparedness, and promote effective disaster management. Aim/Objectives: This study sought to (1) assess the current levels of awareness, knowledge, skills, and involvement of private hospital nurses in Rizal Province across four phases of disaster management—mitigation and prevention, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation and recovery; and (2) propose a contingency and training plan based on identified gaps. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was employed. A total of 350 nurses from Level 1, 2, and 3 hospitals participated by completing a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and correlation tests to identify differences and relationships among variables. Results: Overall, the nurses reported very high levels of awareness and skills, coupled with a high level of knowledge and significant involvement in disaster-related activities. Nurses in larger (Level 3) hospitals exhibited higher practical readiness and engagement, while those in Level 1 and 2 facilities had comparatively lower scores. Positive correlations emerged between higher levels of awareness, knowledge, and skills and increased engagement in disaster initiatives. Conclusion: Building on these findings, a targeted contingency and training plan was designed using Pucel’s Performance-based Instructional Design, emphasizing hands-on simulations, structured policy briefings, and collaborative efforts with local disaster risk reduction offices. Addressing these specific gaps can bolster hospital preparedness, strengthen community resilience, and ensure more effective disaster response and patient care.

This study investigated the use of digital design as a tool for assessing attitudes among male sex offenders by exploring how artistic expression can reveal complex emotional landscapes related to their crimes. The study utilized digital paintings, a type of digital design that involves creating artwork using digital tools and software. Digital painting tools allowed the researcher to simulate traditional painting techniques, while benefiting from the flexibility and versatility of digital media. It is essential to comprehend and address offenders’ attitudes towards sexual crimes to create prevention and rehabilitation plans that work. The effectiveness of digital paintings that illustrate the consequences of sexual crimes on offender, victim and the offender’s family was examined in this study. The study examined whether exposure to these visual representations could result in a quantifiable decrease in supporting attitudes toward sexual crimes by comparing participants' pre-test and post-test attitudes using the Crime Pics II tool. There is little research on how visual cues can change offenders' attitudes and perceptions, despite the urgent need for creative evaluation techniques in this delicate field. This study adds to the continuing conversation on crime prevention and offender rehabilitation by demonstrating how well digital design can change perceptions of sexual crimes. A total of 61 male convicts of defilement and rape were purposively sampled for the study. The study utilized an art exhibition and Rapid Serial Visual Presentation format to repeatedly display digital paintings to participants aged 18-45. The artwork produced in both monochrome and polychrome schemes and in realist and surrealist styles was designed to elicit immediate emotional and cognitive responses. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the participants' responses and reflections provided important insights into their attitudes, including sentiments of regret and guilt as well as a sophisticated awareness of the wider effects of their behaviour. Monochrome paintings tended to portray darker emotions, whereas polychrome paintings showed a wider range of emotions, including hope and recognition of the harm done. The findings demonstrate that digital design can effectively support offenders' emotional processing and self-reflection, demonstrating its potential as a helpful tool in rehabilitative and assessment contexts.

The purpose of the study was to examine the Influence of Physical Features of the Housing Environment on Students' Halls of Residence at the University of Cape Coast in the central region of Ghana. Quantitatively, a descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Housing Deficit Theory underpins the study. The study population comprised three hundred and eight one (381) level 100 students in the Halls of Residence at the University of Cape Coast. Stratified proportionate random and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the eight (8) halls of residence and three hundred and eight one (381) level 100 students. The main instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was used in the study to assess the reliability of the variables. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and show the direction of the responses. The study revealed that the students were satisfied with the physical features of the halls of residence, which influenced their contentment. Features such as recreational facilities, fire service systems, and relaxation facilities were vital in reaching such satisfaction. The study also indicated that the students were satisfied with how much their housing environment influenced their contentment. Students' relationship with their colleagues, the proximity of their halls of residence to the lecture halls and the serenity of the environment of the halls of residence all proved helpful in aligning the students' contentment to such an extent. It is recommended that the hall management should maintain the present physical features and facilities in the halls of residence for students' satisfaction. It is also recommended that the university management take into consideration the proximity of the halls of residence to the lecture theatres and the serenity of the environment of halls of residence in any future halls of residence construction.

Background: Nowadays, integrating online and remote instruction into education presents unique challenges, particularly in nursing education, where combining technology with the core value of caring is essential. Nurse educators must address students’ holistic needs, as their circumstances can influence overall learning development. Objectives: This study aims to ascertain the technological caring competence of nurse educators Methodology: A descriptive design using an adapted tool on technological caring competence for nursing education (TCCNE) Results: A total of 243 Filipino nursing educators participated in this study. Overall, the participants’ perceived level of TCCNE was quite high. This sample representative of nursing educators holds strong perceptions of their TCCNE with the values of being considerate, supportive, and respectful to their students as the highest rated competency. This result implies that the educators keep the essence of what nursing is about as they model the importance of caring even in an academic setting considering that these teachers are using remote instruction. Conclusion: The study opens up a discussion on assessing the TCCNE of nursing education in an academic setting. Thus, its advocacy could start from implementing the research training plan. Further, the nurse educators should strengthen in balancing care with appropriate technology is viewed as a necessary step to maintain the essence of nursing, which is on caring that can be modeled out not just in clinical practice alone, but in nursing education.

Digital therapeutics (DTx) play a transformative role in diabetes management by leveraging technology to provide personalized, data-driven medical interventions. These tools enhance self-management by offering continuous monitoring and real-time feedback on glucose levels, diet, and physical activity. This personalized approach helps patients adhere to treatment plans and make informed lifestyle changes, leading to improved clinical outcomes such as reduced HbA1c levels and better overall diabetes control. The importance of DTx lies in their ability to make diabetes care more accessible and convenient. Mobile apps and telemedicine platforms enable patients to receive support and guidance from anywhere, reducing the need for frequent in-person visits. Additionally, DTx often include behavioral support features like reminders, educational content, and motivational tools, which are crucial for maintaining healthy habits and managing stress. Currently, the dynamics of DTx in diabetes are rapidly evolving, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning to further personalize and optimize care. As the adoption of these technologies grows, they hold the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and revolutionize diabetes management on a global scale. This article will focus on the benefits of novel digital therapeutics for prevention and management of type II diabetes that are currently available in the market.