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Fulltext The adoption and use of learning analytics tools to improve decision making in higher learning institutions: An extension of technology acceptance model

Mukred M, Mokhtar UA, Hawash B, AlSalman H, Zohaib M

Heliyon, 2024 Feb 29;10(4):e26315.
PMID: 38420393 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26315

Learning Analytics Tools (LATs) can be used for informed decision-making regarding teaching strategies and their continuous enhancement. Therefore, LATs must be adopted in higher learning institutions, but several factors hinder its implementation, primarily due to the lack of an implementation model. Therefore, in this study, the focus is directed towards examining LATs adoption in Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs), with emphasis on the determinants of the adoption process. The study mainly aims to design a model of LAT adoption and use it in the above context to improve the institutions' decision-making and accordingly, the study adopted an extended version of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the underpinning theory. Five experts validated the employed survey instrument, and 500 questionnaire copies were distributed through e-mails, from which 275 copies were retrieved from Saudi employees working at public HLIs. Data gathered was exposed to Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for analysis and to test the proposed conceptual model. Based on the findings, the perceived usefulness of LAT plays a significant role as a determinant of its adoption. Other variables include top management support, financial support, and the government's role in LATs acceptance and adoption among HLIs. The findings also supported the contribution of LAT adoption and acceptance towards making informed decisions and highlighted the need for big data facility and cloud computing ability towards LATs usefulness. The findings have significant implications towards LATs implementation success among HLIs, providing clear insights into the factors that can enhance its adoption and acceptance. They also lay the basis for future studies in the area to validate further the effect of LATs on decision-making among HLIs institutions. Furthermore, the obtained findings are expected to serve as practical implications for policy makers and educational leaders in their objective to implement LAT using a multi-layered method that considers other aspects in addition to the perceptions of the individual user.
Fulltext A Review on Use of Emulsified Acids for Matrix Acidizing in Carbonate Reservoirs

Yousufi MM, Mohyaldinn Elhaj ME, Dzulkarnain IB

ACS Omega, 2024 Mar 12;9(10):11027-11049.
PMID: 38497019 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07132

Almost 60% of oil and 40% of gas reserves worldwide are contained in carbonate reservoirs where acidizing stimulation is more challenging compared to sandstone reservoirs. Utilization of emulsified acids in matrix acidizing operations has been the most effective technique for more than half a century. This is due to the colloidal system's ability to generate deep, narrow conduits toward production zones under controlled retarded reactivity with the rock surface, along with the excellent sweep efficiency and corrosion inhibition of the well equipment. This Review attempts to review the various kinds of emulsified acids that are used for matrix acidizing of carbonate formations. The Review is trying to trace the innovations that have, gradually, been applied for enhancing the performance of emulsified acids for a variety of conditions, their limitations, and the developmental solutions such hybrid emulsifiers and pickering emulsions. In addition, the Review also discusses the parameters, characteristics, and measuring techniques required for the successful synthesis of a stable and quality emulsion while considering the environmental concerns raised toward the application of an emulsified acid system. From the reviewed publications, it can be summarized that macroemulsions are best suited for matrix acidizing applications over microemulsions due to low emulsifier concentrations and high acid volume retention; similarly, water in oil emulsions provide better retardation in a comparison to oil in water emulsions. The small droplet size of the emulsion yields high viscosity and stability. The compositional balance between each component present in the acidizing system is a crucial factor for optimum performance. Moreover, for future practice, much focus is required to design emulsified acids as ecofriendly systems that can leave the least amount of toxicity during and after implementation.
Correction: Patient-controlled analgesia morphine for the management of acute pain in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Oon MB, Hisamuddin NNAR, Noor NM, Yazid MB

Int J Emerg Med, 2024 Apr 10;17(1):54.
PMID: 38600463 DOI: 10.1186/s12245-024-00625-1
The determinants of carbon emissions in Belt and Road Initiative countries: analyzing the interactive role of information and communication technologies

Ji D, Sibt-E-Ali M, Amin A, Ayub B

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Oct;30(46):103198-103211.
PMID: 37682436 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29719-8

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries have benefited greatly from the intelligent growth of the green economy made possible by the widespread adoption of internet and mobile phone technologies. In addition, renewable energy consumption endorses sustainable development. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to determine if the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and renewable energy consumption has an effect on sustainable development in BRI countries, while using the augmented mean group (AMG) model, AMG robustness test, and panel Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test to get robust results. According to the results of the study, the information and communication technology, renewable consumption, human capital, and urbanization reduces the emission of carbon dioxide emission in BRI countries while economic growth enhances the CO2 emission. Therefore, it is recommended that BRI countries increase their inter-regional cooperation in order to boost investment in renewable energy, effectively use the spillover effect of technology and knowledge, and end the resource curse in environmental policy. Based on the results, the authors of this paper propose a number of important steps toward environmental sustainability.
Whole genome sequencing analysis of Komagataeibacter nataicola reveals its potential in food waste valorisation for cellulose production

Nasharudin MIH, Siew SW, Ahmad HF, Mahmud N

Mol Biol Rep, 2024 Apr 11;51(1):503.
PMID: 38600404 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09492-8

BACKGROUND: Komagataeibacter nataicola (K. nataicola) is a gram-negative acetic acid bacterium that produces natural bacterial cellulose (BC) as a fermentation product under acidic conditions. The goal of this work was to study the complete genome of K. nataicola and gain insight into the functional genes in K. nataicola that are responsible for BC synthesis in acidic environments.
METHODS AND RESULT: The pure culture of K. nataicola was obtained from yeast-glucose-calcium carbonate (YGC) agar, followed by genomic DNA extraction, and subjected to whole genome sequencing on a Nanopore flongle flow cell. The genome of K. nataicola consists of a 3,767,936 bp chromosome with six contigs and 4,557 protein coding sequences. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree and average nucleotide identity analysis confirmed that the bacterial isolate was K. nataicola. The gene annotation via RAST server discovered the presence of cellulose synthase, along with three genes associated with lactate utilization and eight genes involved in lactate fermentation that could potentially contribute to the increase in acid concentration during BC synthesis.
CONCLUSION: A more comprehensive genome study of K. nataicola may shed light into biological pathway in BC productivity as well as benefit the analysis of metabolites generated and understanding of biological and chemical interactions in BC production later.
Production planning approaches: a review from green perspective

Qasim M, Wong KY, Saufi MSRM

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Aug;30(39):90024-90049.
PMID: 36745348 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24995-2

There is an increasing concern about incorporating green criteria into production planning approaches. Production planning models that ignore green parameters may generate outcomes that are unfriendly to the environment. The relevant literature has suggested a flourishing trend towards the integration of green parameters into production planning approaches. The earlier reviews have most commonly analyzed the green production planning approaches from an "energy efficiency" perspective. Literature on the integration of other green criteria is also available. However, such studies are rarely reviewed. Along with "energy efficiency," the study in hand reviews the production planning strategies from another green perspective which is "low-carbon emissions." The first objective of this study is to review the medium and short-term production planning approaches from the aforementioned green criteria and provide a classification scheme. Second, new research avenues are identified to facilitate researchers in incorporating green schemes in production planning approaches. This study explored various databases for articles published on green production planning approaches. Consequently, 84 articles published between 2011 and 2022 were considered for the review. This review pointed out that most of the studies on green production planning considered "energy efficiency" and studies on "carbon emissions" were overlooked. Furthermore, green concepts were mostly integrated into the short-term production planning level and comparatively few studies were found for the medium-term. This study will help researchers to analyze green production planning in terms of modeling approaches, objective functions, uncertainties, solution approaches, etc.
Probabilistic classification of the severity classes of unhealthy air pollution events

Masseran N, Safari MAM, Tajuddin RRM

Environ Monit Assess, 2024 May 08;196(6):523.
PMID: 38717514 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12700-4

Air pollution events can be categorized as extreme or non-extreme on the basis of their magnitude of severity. High-risk extreme air pollution events will exert a disastrous effect on the environment. Therefore, public health and policy-making authorities must be able to determine the characteristics of these events. This study proposes a probabilistic machine learning technique for predicting the classification of extreme and non-extreme events on the basis of data features to address the above issue. The use of the naïve Bayes model in the prediction of air pollution classes is proposed to leverage its simplicity as well as high accuracy and efficiency. A case study was conducted on the air pollution index data of Klang, Malaysia, for the period of January 01, 1997, to August 31, 2020. The trained naïve Bayes model achieves high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity on the training and test datasets. Therefore, the naïve Bayes model can be easily applied in air pollution analysis while providing a promising solution for the accurate and efficient prediction of extreme or non-extreme air pollution events. The findings of this study provide reliable information to public authorities for monitoring and managing sustainable air quality over time.
Does foreign direct investment influence carbon emission-related environmental problems? Contextual evidence from developing countries across Sub-Saharan Africa

Khan MN, Shahbaz M, Murshed M, Khan S, Hosen M

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Mar;31(13):20343-20361.
PMID: 38372919 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32276-3

Sub-Saharan African nations face multifaceted environmental problems, especially those associated with carbon discharges. Hence, this study calculates a composite carbon index in the context of 39 developing nations from this region and uses it as a proxy for the carbon emission-related environmental problems they have faced during the 2000-2020 period. This index is estimated by utilizing data regarding annual carbon dioxide discharges, output-based carbon productivity rates, and energy consumption-based carbon intensity levels in the concerned countries. Hence, policy takeaways from this study have critical relevance for the selected sub-Saharan African nations to help them achieve the objectives related to the Sustainable Development Goals agenda and the Paris Accord. Overall, the findings from the econometric analyses verify that more receipt of foreign direct investment initially raises but later on reduces environmental problems. Thus, the nexus concerning these variables depicts an inverse U-shape. Besides, the results endorse that greening the energy consumption structures of the sampled sub-Saharan African countries helps to abate their environmental problems in the long run while financial development aggravates the extent of environmental adversities that take place. Lastly, improving the quality of regulatory agencies enables the Sub-Saharan African nations to further mitigate their environmental problems. Moreover, these aforementioned findings are observed to be heterogeneous across low- and middle-income categories of the selected Sub-Saharan African countries. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of the findings is also confirmed by the outcomes derived from the country-specific analyses. Nevertheless, these nations should attract clean energy-embodying foreign direct investment, make their energy consumption structures greener by amplifying renewable energy adoption rates, introduce green funds to develop their financial sectors, and make their environmental regulatory agencies more transparent with their activities.
Economic complexity, greenfield investments, and energy innovation: policy implications for sustainable development goals in newly industrialised economies

Bashir MF, Inglesi-Lotz R, Razi U, Shahzad L

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 May;31(24):36013-36027.
PMID: 38744767 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33433-4

The crucial role of environmental assessment quality has been recognised by environmental and sustainable development goals in addressing climate change challenges. By focusing on the key identifier of environmental assessment, progress can be made towards overcoming climate change issues effectively. The current study considers environmental commitments under COP28 to study the role of economic complexity, greenfield investments, and energy innovation in environmental degradation in newly industrialised economies from 1995 to 2021. We employ novel panel estimations from CS-ARDL, CS-DL, AMG, and CCEMG to confirm that economic growth and greenfield investments degrade environmental quality. On the other hand, energy innovation and urbanisation improve environmental sustainability. Lastly, we confirm the EKC hypothesis for economic complexity as well. Given the reported empirical findings, the study suggests policymakers must focus on economic complexity to transform industrial sectors' economic potential. Furthermore, foreign investment projects must be linked with environmental goals to increase renewable energy capacity.
Fulltext A Qualitative Systematic Review of Healthcare Practitioners' Experience of Workplace Violence

Emary EAM, Arifin SRM, Yusof MZ

Malays J Med Sci, 2024 Feb;31(1):51-61.
PMID: 38456107 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2024.31.1.4

Healthcare practitioners face significant risks of workplace violence due to various reasons such as hospital congestion, miscommunication, and aggressive behaviours of patients and relatives. Exposure to workplace violence may disrupt the workflow process and compromise patient care in healthcare facilities, ultimately affecting job performance, reducing job satisfaction, and negatively affecting the physical and mental health of healthcare practitioners. This study aimed to review all the published studies conducted on the experiences of workplace violence among healthcare practitioners. This study is a systematic review of qualitative studies. Data were collected through online databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, MEDLINE and JSTOR were searched from the year 2015-2021. The inclusion criteria were: qualitative methods and mixed methods of data collection and analysis; studies that were carried out among healthcare practitioners who have been experience on workplace violence; scope of the primary studies included experience of workplace violence; and published in English/Malay in academic journal between 2015 and 2021. A total of 15 papers were included in the final analysis. The overall quality of the included papers was high. Of the 15 papers, 12 studies fully met the CASP criteria. The results of the 15 included studies were organised into the thematic groups of: i) verbal violence as the common workplace violence; ii) perceived causes of workplace violence and iii) seeking help. Across different countries, verbal violence was the most common type of workplace violence reported by healthcare practitioners. This review also identified that a lack of information, failure to meet patient expectations, and delayed treatment were the main contributing factors to workplace violence.
Fulltext Performance of Antibody-Detection Tests for Human Melioidosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Selvam K, Najib MA, Khalid MF, Harun A, Aziah I

Malays J Med Sci, 2024 Dec;31(6):34-56.
PMID: 39830111 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2024.31.6.4

Melioidosis is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Although culture is the gold standard for diagnosing melioidosis, it is time-consuming and delays timely treatment. Non-culture-based diagnostic techniques are interesting alternatives for the rapid detection of melioidosis. This systematic review provides an overview of the performance of antibody-detection tests for melioidosis. A thorough literature search was conducted in two databases to identify relevant studies published until 31 December 2023. Among the 453 studies identified, 29 were included for further analysis. Various antibody-detection methods have been developed, primarily enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Recombinant outer membrane protein A-(OmpA)-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin D (IgD) exhibited the highest accuracy, with a sensitivity of 95.0% and a specificity of 98.0% in ELISA. Furthermore, immunochromatographic testing has emerged as a promising rapid diagnostic test (RDT), with haemolysin co-regulated protein 1 (Hcp1) demonstrating significant accuracy, a sensitivity of 88.3%, and a specificity of 91.6%. Additionally, IgG against Burkholderia invasion protein D (BipD) showed excellent accuracy, with a sensitivity of 100.0% and a specificity of 100.0% in surface plasmon resonance assay. Combining multiple antigens or employing different detection techniques can enhance the accuracy of melioidosis diagnosis.
Fulltext Phylogenetic and Sequence Analyses of the Variable Region in the Glycoprotein Gene of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Isolated from Iraqi Patients

Wali MH, Naif HM, Abdul Rahim NA, Yunus MA

Malays J Med Sci, 2024 Dec;31(6):133-147.
PMID: 39830110 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2024.31.6.11

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common aetiological agent that causes respiratory infections, especially among infants. Identifying circulating RSV genotypes is an essential strategy for understanding the spread of the virus in a certain area. Sequencing the variable regions of the attachment glycoprotein (G) gene of RSV is a quick and direct approach for identifying the genotypes.
METHODS: This study was aimed to sequence the G gene region of RSV isolated from patients admitted to hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, during the autumn of 2022 and winter of 2023. To achieve this goal, 150 patients with lower respiratory symptoms were screened for RSV infections. RSV-positive samples were detected and confirmed using the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) approach, which involved the use of specific TaqMan primer sets targeting RSV subgroups. Then, a G gene region that included hypervariable region 2 (HVR2) was amplified and sequenced using the Sanger sequencing method. Furthermore, molecular and phylogenetic analyses were performed on the G gene region to determine the variability profile of the tested specimens.
RESULTS: There were 41 (26.6%) RSV-positive cases. Of these, the RSV-B subgroup was the most prevalent (82.90%), while the RSV-A subgroup incidence rate was 17.07%. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the RSV-B isolates were related to the BA genotype and shared nucleotide sequence similarities with isolates from India, Australia and the UK. The RSV-A isolates belonged to the ON genotype and had some degree of similarities with isolates from Italy, Tunisia, and France.
CONCLUSION: Seasonal tracking of the RSV isolates would facilitate a better understanding of virus evolution, viral pathogenesis, and genetic diversity.
Fulltext Significance of Marangoni convection in ethylene glycol base hybrid nanofluid flow with viscous dissipation through a porous medium

Rehman A, Khan I, Alshehery S, Khan MS

Sci Rep, 2025 Jan 05;15(1):849.
PMID: 39757265 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-85242-5

The current research deals with analytical analysis of Marangoni convection on ethylene glycol base hybrid nanofluid two-dimension flow with viscous dissipation through a porous medium, which have some important application in mechanical, civil, electronics, and chemical engineering. Two types of nanoparticles one is sliver and other is graphene oxide and ethylene glycol is used as base fluid in this research work. The authors applied appropriate transformations to convert a collection of dimension form of nonlinear partial differential equations to dimensionless form of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The transformed nonlinear ordinary differential equations are solved with the help of an approximate analytical method known as the homotopy analysis method. The effects of various parameters, including nanoparticle volume fraction, porosity parameter, Marangoni convection, and Eckert number, on energy and momentum profiles are analyzed, with the results illustrated using graphs. A physical explanation is provided to simulate and evaluate the behavior of nanofluid structures, such as temperature and velocity, in response to changes in these influencing factors.
Work-related stress and its associated factors among primary care doctors in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Shahrudin MS, Nik-Nasir NM, Mohamed-Yassin MS

BMC Prim Care, 2025 Jan 07;26(1):4.
PMID: 39773193 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02697-7

BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, the recent COVID-19 pandemic had increased the workload of all health professionals, especially primary care doctors (PCDs). Hence, this study aimed to determine the level of work-related stress and factors associated with higher levels of work-related stress among PCDs in Malaysia during this pandemic.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted online using Google Forms™. Sociodemographic as well as work and workplace data were collected. The Job Demand Inventory, Physicians' Lack of Professional Autonomy, and Health Professions Stress Inventory questionnaires were used to assess the job demand score, job autonomy score, and the level of work-related stress, respectively. Multiple linear regression was performed to determine the significant factors associated with higher work-related stress.
RESULTS: A total of 301 PCDs participated in this study with the majority being female (76.1%), Malay (67.8%), married (73.1%), medical officers (68.8%), and worked in urban (70.4%) and public primary care clinics (83%). The mean (SD) score for work-related stress was 62.8 (18.4), (score range 0-120). PCDs who had any degree of worry about being alienated by friends and relatives because of close contact with COVID-19 patients had higher work-related stress levels compared to PCDs who did not have any worry [rarely (b = 10.23, 95% CI:5.57, 14.89), sometimes (b = 10.41, 95% CI:5.68, 15.13), often (b = 10.12, 95% CI:4.16, 16.08), and always (b = 14.65, 95% CI:7.43, 21.89)]. The other significant factor was higher job demand scores (b = 1.13, 95% CI:0.91, 1.35). In contrast, PCDs who always received support from supervisors at their workplace were found to have lower work-related stress levels compared to those who did not receive any support (b=-5.65, 95% CI:-10.38, -0.93).
CONCLUSIONS: The level of work-related stress among Malaysian PCDs during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher compared to American PCDs and Malaysian physicians before the pandemic but lower compared to Australian emergency physicians during the pandemic. Urgent measures to address the above-mentioned associated factors should be implemented as another pandemic may be just around the corner.
Fulltext Correlates of Tobacco Use Among People with Mental Illness Within Asia: A Scoping Review

Parul P, Joseph B, Datta S, Rahman MA

Community Ment Health J, 2025 Jan;61(1):147-157.
PMID: 39126555 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-024-01336-w

Tobacco use among people with mental illness is one of the contributing risk factors for premature morbidity and mortality. Two in three people with mental illness are current smokers with deteriorating physical health and quality of life. This review outlines the prevalence and predictors of tobacco use among people with mental illness in Asia. Twenty-five cross-sectional studies were selected from the exhaustive search of databases. Ten countries emerged based on the number of studies conducted within Asia among people diagnosed with mental illness and tobacco use, namely, India (8), China (7), Pakistan (2), Singapore (2), Sri Lanka (01), Japan (01), Jordan (01), Malaysia (01), Korea (01), and Taiwan (01). The prevalence of tobacco use was in the range of 3.6% to 89.4%, with the measure of precision at 95% confidence. The highest and lowest prevalence was reported in China, followed by India. Being male, separated, lower education, unemployed, lack of family support, a psychotic diagnosis, lack of knowledge, motivation, and a coping mechanism were predictors of tobacco use. This review emphasized the extent and predictors of tobacco use among this vulnerable group that need to be reflected while initiating and implementing cessation strategies by healthcare providers.
Fulltext Provenance, environments, and tectonic signatures of Tanjong-Sandakan Formations, Northeast Sabah, Malaysia: Implications from sedimentology, palynology, and geochemistry

Abd Halim MF, Zainal Abidin NS, Arifullah E

Heliyon, 2024 Dec 15;10(23):e39969.
PMID: 39669147 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39969

This study investigates marginal marine deposits found in the Tanjong and Sandakan formations from the Early to Late Miocene in Northeast Sabah. It examines sedimentology, trace elements (TE), rare earth elements (REE), hydrocarbon generation potential, and palynology to understand provenance, depositional environments, and paleoenvironmental conditions. Facies analysis identified four associations in the Tanjong and three in the Sandakan Formation, ranging from fluvial-deltaic to shallow marine environments. Mangrove-associated taxa, herbaceous and tree ferns typical of freshwater swamps, and coastal plants indicate a transition zone between terrestrial and marine environments. Siliciclastic deposits in the Northeast Sabah basin show varying redox conditions, ranging from dysoxic to oxic, as indicated by the Ni/Co, V/Cr, and U/Th ratios. These fluctuations may be linked to the tectonic evolution of the Sulu Sea and related sea-level lowstands. The low abundance of marine dinoflagellate cysts, along with high levels of rainforest and peat swamp pollen, suggests periods of subaerial exposure that contributed to the redox conditions. C-values and Sr/Cu ratios in the mudstone samples indicate semihumid to humid and warm conditions during the Miocene. Additionally, the distribution patterns of rare earth elements (REE) and the (La/Yb)N and Th/U ratios reveal consistent sedimentation rates in marginal marine environments. Palynofacies analysis indicates water column fluctuations, leading to oxidation during transport, resulting in low TOC values and kerogen types III and IV. Ternary diagrams of immobile TEs indicate that mudstone samples originate from active continental margins, linked to the rifting of the Sulu Sea during the Early to Middle Miocene. In contrast, sandstone samples exhibit characteristics of passive margins, likely due to recycled sediments from the early "Rajang Group Accretionary Complex." The plots for immobile TEs in the mudstones suggest intermediate and mafic sources, supporting the idea of uplift and erosion from deepwater sediments, as well as volcanic activity from the Cagayan and Sulu Arc systems. Sandstone samples may be sourced from acidic rocks associated with felsic intrusions in the Segama Valley, indicating a significant continental basement beneath the ophiolite. Keywords: Marginal marine, trace element, provenance, palynology, tectonic setting, Northeast Sabah.
Multi-Objective Task-Aware Offloading and Scheduling Framework for Internet of Things Logistics

Umer A, Ali M, Jehangiri AI, Bilal M, Shuja J

Sensors (Basel), 2024 Apr 09;24(8).
PMID: 38675998 DOI: 10.3390/s24082381

IoT-based smart transportation monitors vehicles, cargo, and driver statuses for safe movement. Due to the limited computational capabilities of the sensors, the IoT devices require powerful remote servers to execute their tasks, and this phenomenon is called task offloading. Researchers have developed efficient task offloading and scheduling mechanisms for IoT devices to reduce energy consumption and response time. However, most research has not considered fault-tolerance-based job allocation for IoT logistics trucks, task and data-aware scheduling, priority-based task offloading, or multiple-parameter-based fog node selection. To overcome the limitations, we proposed a Multi-Objective Task-Aware Offloading and Scheduling Framework for IoT Logistics (MT-OSF). The proposed model prioritizes the tasks into delay-sensitive and computation-intensive tasks using a priority-based offloader and forwards the two lists to the Task-Aware Scheduler (TAS) for further processing on fog and cloud nodes. The Task-Aware Scheduler (TAS) uses a multi-criterion decision-making process, i.e., the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), to calculate the fog nodes' priority for task allocation and scheduling. The AHP decides the fog nodes' priority based on node energy, bandwidth, RAM, and MIPS power. Similarly, the TAS also calculates the shortest distance between the IoT-enabled vehicle and the fog node to which the IoT tasks are assigned for execution. A task-aware scheduler schedules delay-sensitive tasks on nearby fog nodes while allocating computation-intensive tasks to cloud data centers using the FCFS algorithm. Fault-tolerant manager is used to check task failure; if any task fails, the proposed system re-executes the tasks, and if any fog node fails, the proposed system allocates the tasks to another fog node to reduce the task failure ratio. The proposed model is simulated in iFogSim2 and demonstrates a 7% reduction in response time, 16% reduction in energy consumption, and 22% reduction in task failure ratio in comparison to Ant Colony Optimization and Round Robin.
Neuroradiological Correlation of the Lateral Third Periventricular, Pituitary Gland and Stalk, Pineal Gland, Cerebral Aqueduct, and Foramen Magendie and Luschka With Intraventricular Neuroendoscopic Images: A Case Series

Zakaria Z, Ismail MI, Ang SY, Idris Z

Cureus, 2024 Mar;16(3):e56952.
PMID: 38665765 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56952

Neuroendoscopy procedures in pediatrics have expanded beyond the endoscopic third ventriculostomy. As such, a direct and angled endoscope allows further visualization around the corner, capturing the surrounding anatomy. Intraoperative live images look different than radiological images. Hence, in this single institutional experience, we correlate neuroradiology images with intraoperative intraventricular endoscopic views of the third-fourth ventricle, pituitary, pineal gland, cerebral aqueduct, and foramen magendie and luschka. Our collective case series reveals a few interesting case scenarios of normal and abnormal findings during the procedure. Careful navigation of the neuroendoscope is crucial to prevent injury to the neurovascular bundle. A close relationship with normal anatomy from radiological imaging is necessary to prevent it from getting lost once inside the ventricular cavity.
Fulltext Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Mobile Health Intervention (Multi-Aid-Package) in Medication Adherence and Treatment Outcomes Among Patients With Hypertension in a Low- to Middle-Income Country: Randomized Controlled Trial

Arshed M, Mahmud A, Minhat HS, Lim PY, Zakar R

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 2024 Jun 19;12:e50248.
PMID: 38896837 DOI: 10.2196/50248

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in Pakistan is predominantly attributed to poor medication adherence. As more than 137 million people in Pakistan use cell phones, a suitable mobile health (mHealth) intervention can be an effective tool to overcome poor medication adherence.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether a novel mHealth intervention is useful in enhancing antihypertensive therapy adherence and treatment outcomes among patients with hypertension in a low- to middle-income country.
METHODS: A 6-month parallel, single-blinded, superiority randomized controlled trial recruited 439 patients with hypertension with poor adherence to antihypertensive therapy and access to smartphones. An innovative, multifaceted mHealth intervention (Multi-Aid-Package), based on the Health Belief Model and containing reminders (written, audio, visual), infographics, video clips, educational content, and 24/7 individual support, was developed for the intervention group; the control group received standard care. The primary outcome was self-reported medication adherence measured using the Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Adherence Scale (SEAMS) and pill counting; the secondary outcome was systolic blood pressure (SBP) change. Both outcomes were evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Technology acceptance feedback was also assessed at the end of the study. A generalized estimating equation was used to control the covariates associated with the probability of affecting adherence to antihypertensive medication.
RESULTS: Of 439 participants, 423 (96.4%) completed the study. At 6 months post intervention, the median SEAMS score was statistically significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the controls (median 32, IQR 11 vs median 21, IQR 6; U=10,490, P
Retraction Note: Financing for energy efficiency solutions to mitigate opportunity cost of coal consumption: An empirical analysis of Chinese industries

Chien F, Zhang Y, Sadiq M, Hsu CC

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Jul;31(33):46094.
PMID: 38969897 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34295-6

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