Search results for: healthcare regulations
850 Impact of Civil Engineering and Economic Growth in the Sustainability of the Environment: Case of Albania
Authors: Rigers Dodaj
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Nowadays, the environment is a critical goal for civil engineers, human activity, construction projects, economic growth, and whole national development. Regarding the development of Albania's economy, people's living standards are increasing, and the requirements for the living environment are also increasing. Under these circumstances, environmental protection and sustainability this is the critical issue. The rising industrialization, urbanization, and energy demand affect the environment by emission of carbon dioxide gas (CO2), a significant parameter known to impact air pollution directly. Consequently, many governments and international organizations conducted policies and regulations to address environmental degradation in the pursuit of economic development, for instance in Albania, the CO2 emission calculated in metric tons per capita has increased by 23% in the last 20 years. This paper analyzes the importance of civil engineering and economic growth in the sustainability of the environment focusing on CO2 emission. The analyzed data are time series 2001 - 2020 (with annual frequency), based on official publications of the World Bank. The statistical approach with vector error correction model and time series forecasting model are used to perform the parameter’s estimations and long-run equilibrium. The research in this paper adds a new perspective to the evaluation of a sustainable environment in the context of carbon emission reduction. Also, it provides reference and technical support for the government toward green and sustainable environmental policies. In the context of low-carbon development, effectively improving carbon emission efficiency is an inevitable requirement for achieving sustainable economic and environmental protection. Also, the study reveals that civil engineering development projects impact greatly the environment in the long run, especially in areas of flooding, noise pollution, water pollution, erosion, ecological disorder, natural hazards, etc. The potential for reducing industrial carbon emissions in recent years indicates that reduction is becoming more difficult, it needs another economic growth policy and more civil engineering development, by improving the level of industrialization and promoting technological innovation in industrial low-carbonization.Keywords: CO₂ emission, civil engineering, economic growth, environmental sustainability
Procedia PDF Downloads 85849 International Classification of Primary Care as a Reference for Coding the Demand for Care in Primary Health Care
Authors: Souhir Chelly, Chahida Harizi, Aicha Hechaichi, Sihem Aissaoui, Leila Ben Ayed, Maha Bergaoui, Mohamed Kouni Chahed
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Introduction: The International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) is part of the morbidity classification system. It had 17 chapters, and each is coded by an alphanumeric code: the letter corresponds to the chapter, the number to a paragraph in the chapter. The objective of this study is to show the utility of this classification in the coding of the reasons for demand for care in Primary health care (PHC), its advantages and limits. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in 4 PHC in Ariana district. Data on the demand for care during 2 days in the same week were collected. The coding of the information was done according to the CISP. The data was entered and analyzed by the EPI Info 7 software. Results: A total of 523 demands for care were investigated. The patients who came for the consultation are predominantly female (62.72%). Most of the consultants are young with an average age of 35 ± 26 years. In the ICPC, there are 7 rubrics: 'infections' is the most common reason with 49.9%, 'other diagnoses' with 40.2%, 'symptoms and complaints' with 5.5%, 'trauma' with 2.1%, 'procedures' with 2.1% and 'neoplasm' with 0.3%. The main advantage of the ICPC is the fact of being a standardized tool. It is very suitable for classification of the reasons for demand for care in PHC according to their specificity, capacity to be used in a computerized medical file of the PHC. Its current limitations are related to the difficulty of classification of some reasons for demand for care. Conclusion: The ICPC has been developed to provide healthcare with a coding reference that takes into account their specificity. The CIM is in its 10th revision; it would gain from revision to revision to be more efficient to be generalized and used by the teams of PHC.Keywords: international classification of primary care, medical file, primary health care, Tunisia
Procedia PDF Downloads 265848 Evaluation of Different Waste Management Planning Strategies in an Industrial City
Authors: Leila H. Khiabani, Mohammadreza Vafaee, Farshad Hashemzadeh
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Industrial waste management regulates different stages of production, storage, transfer, recycling and waste disposal. There are several common practices for industrial waste management. However, due to various local health, economic, social, environmental and aesthetic considerations, the most optimal principles and measures often vary at each specific industrial zone. In addition, waste management strategies are heavily impacted by local administrative, legal, and financial regulations. In this study, a hybrid qualitative and quantitative research methodology has been designed for waste management planning in an industrial city. Firstly, following a qualitative research methodology, the most relevant waste management strategies for the specific industrial city were identified through interviews with environmental planning and waste management experts. Forty experts participated in this study. Alborz industrial city in Iran, which hosts more than one thousand industrial units in nine hundred acres, was chosen as the sample industrial city in this study. The findings from the expert interviews at the first phase were then used to design a quantitative questionnaire for the second phase of the study. The aim of the questionnaire was to quantify the relative impact of different waste management strategies in the sample industrial city. Eight waste management strategies and three implementation policies were included in the questionnaire. The experts were asked to rank the relative effectiveness of each strategy for environmental planning of the sample industrial city. They were also asked to rank the relative effectiveness of each planning policy on each of the waste management strategies. In the end, the weighted average of all the responses was calculated to identify the most effective waste management strategy and planning policies for the sample industrial city. The results suggested that among the eight suggested waste management strategies, industrial composting is the most effective (31%) strategy based on the collective evaluation of the local expert. Additionally, the results suggested that the most effective policy (58%) in the city’s environmental planning is to reduce waste generation by prolonging the effective life of industrial products using higher quality and recyclable materials. These findings can provide useful expert guidelines for prioritization between different waste management strategies in the city’s overall environmental planning roadmap. The findings may also be applicable to similar industrial cities. In addition, a similar methodology can be utilized in the environmental planning of other industrial cities.Keywords: environmental planning, industrial city, quantitative research, waste management
Procedia PDF Downloads 132847 Investigating Spatial Disparities in Health Status and Access to Health-Related Interventions among Tribals in Jharkhand
Authors: Parul Suraia, Harshit Sosan Lakra
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Indigenous communities represent some of the most marginalized populations globally, with India labeled as tribals, experiencing particularly pronounced marginalization and a concerning decline in their numbers. These communities often inhabit geographically challenging regions characterized by low population densities, posing significant challenges to providing essential infrastructure services. Jharkhand, a Schedule 5 state, is infamous for its low-level health status due to disparities in access to health care. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the spatial inequalities in healthcare accessibility among tribal populations within the state and pinpoint critical areas requiring immediate attention. Health indicators were selected based on the tribal perspective and association of Sustainable Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) with other SDGs. Focused group discussions in which tribal people and tribal experts were done in order to finalize the indicators. Employing Principal Component Analysis, two essential indices were constructed: the Tribal Health Index (THI) and the Tribal Health Intervention Index (THII). Index values were calculated based on the district-wise secondary data for Jharkhand. The bivariate spatial association technique, Moran’s I was used to assess the spatial pattern of the variables to determine if there is any clustering (positive spatial autocorrelation) or dispersion (negative spatial autocorrelation) of values across Jharkhand. The results helped in facilitating targeting policy interventions in deprived areas of Jharkhand.Keywords: tribal health, health spatial disparities, health status, Jharkhand
Procedia PDF Downloads 96846 Navigating the Nexus of HIV/AIDS Care: Leveraging Statistical Insight to Transform Clinical Practice and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Nahashon Mwirigi
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The management of HIV/AIDS is a global challenge, demanding precise tools to predict disease progression and guide tailored treatment. CD4 cell count dynamics, a crucial immune function indicator, play an essential role in understanding HIV/AIDS progression and enhancing patient care through effective modeling. While several models assess disease progression, existing methods often fall short in capturing the complex, non-linear nature of HIV/AIDS, especially across diverse demographics. A need exists for models that balance predictive accuracy with clinical applicability, enabling individualized care strategies based on patient-specific progression rates. This study utilizes patient data from Kenyatta National Hospital (2003–2014) to model HIV/AIDS progression across six CD4-defined states. The Exponential, 2-Parameter Weibull, and 3-Parameter Weibull models are employed to analyze failure rates and explore progression patterns by age and gender. Model selection is based on Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) to identify models best representing disease progression variability across demographic groups. The 3-Parameter Weibull model emerges as the most effective, accurately capturing HIV/AIDS progression dynamics, particularly by incorporating delayed progression effects. This model reflects age and gender-specific variations, offering refined insights into patient trajectories and facilitating targeted interventions. One key finding is that older patients progress more slowly through CD4-defined stages, with a delayed onset of advanced stages. This suggests that older patients may benefit from extended monitoring intervals, allowing providers to optimize resources while maintaining consistent care. Recognizing slower progression in this demographic helps clinicians reduce unnecessary interventions, prioritizing care for faster-progressing groups. Gender-based analysis reveals that female patients exhibit more consistent progression, while male patients show greater variability. This highlights the need for gender-specific treatment approaches, as men may require more frequent assessments and adaptive treatment plans to address their variable progression. Tailoring treatment by gender can improve outcomes by addressing distinct risk patterns in each group. The model’s ability to account for both accelerated and delayed progression equips clinicians with a robust tool for estimating the duration of each disease stage. This supports individualized treatment planning, allowing clinicians to optimize antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens based on demographic factors and expected disease trajectories. Aligning ART timing with specific progression patterns can enhance treatment efficacy and adherence. The model also has significant implications for healthcare systems, as its predictive accuracy enables proactive patient management, reducing the frequency of advanced-stage complications. For resource limited providers, this capability facilitates strategic intervention timing, ensuring that high-risk patients receive timely care while resources are allocated efficiently. Anticipating progression stages enhances both patient care and resource management, reinforcing the model’s value in supporting sustainable HIV/AIDS healthcare strategies. This study underscores the importance of models that capture the complexities of HIV/AIDS progression, offering insights to guide personalized, data-informed care. The 3-Parameter Weibull model’s ability to accurately reflect delayed progression and demographic risk variations presents a valuable tool for clinicians, supporting the development of targeted interventions and resource optimization in HIV/AIDS management.Keywords: HIV/AIDS progression, 3-parameter Weibull model, CD4 cell count stages, antiretroviral therapy, demographic-specific modeling
Procedia PDF Downloads 7845 Consumption of Fat Burners Leads to Acute Liver Failure: A Systematic Review protocol
Authors: Anjana Aggarwal, Sheilja Walia
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Prevalence of obesity and overweight is increasing due to sedentary lifestyles and busy schedules of people that spend less time on physical exercise. To reduce weight, people are finding easier and more convenient ways. The easiest solution is the use of dietary supplements and fat burners. These are products that decrease body weight by increasing the basal metabolic rate. Various reports have been published on the consumption of fat burners leading to heart palpitations, seizures, anxiety, depression, psychosis, bradycardia, insomnia, muscle contractions, hepatotoxicity, and even liver failure. Case reports and series are reporting that the ingredients present in the fat burners caused acute liver failure (ALF) and hepatic toxicity in many cases. Another contributing factor is the absence of regulations from the Food and Drug Administration on these products, leading to increased consumption and a higher risk of liver diseases among the population. This systematic review aims to attain a better understanding of the dietary supplements used globally to reduce weight and document the case reports/series of acute liver failure caused by the consumption of fat burners. Electronic databases like PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, etc., will be systematically searched for relevant articles. Various websites of dietary products and brands that sell such supplements, Journals of Hepatology, National and international projects launched for ALF, and their reports, along with the review of grey literature, will also be done to get a better understanding of the topic. After discussing with the co-author, the selection and screening of the articles will be performed by the author. The studies will be selected based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The case reports and case series that will be included in the final list of the studies will be assessed for methodological quality using the CARE guidelines. The results from this study will provide insights and a better understanding of fat burners. Since the supplements are easily available in the market without any restrictions on their sale, people are unaware of their adverse effects. The consumption of these supplements causes acute liver failure. Thus, this review will provide a platform for future larger studies to be conducted.Keywords: acute liver failure, dietary supplements, fat burners, weight loss supplements
Procedia PDF Downloads 84844 The Potential of Small-Scale Urban Food Growing to Supplement Households’ Diets and Provide Health and Wellbeing Benefits
Authors: Bethany Leake, Samantha Caton, Paul Norman, Jill Edmondson
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With the majority of the UK population residing in urban areas and with the pressures both environmentally and socially on rural agriculture, the role of urban food production, particularly urban horticulture (UH), is increasingly important in the future of UK food security. UH has the potential to provide an important contribution to urban diets and to provide additional benefits to human health and well-being. While allotments are the traditional focus of UH and play an important role, as access to this type of land is limited and unequal across cities, other forms of UH space, such as domestic growing, will need to be utilized to provide a significant contribution to urban diets. It is theorized that this smaller scale of growing may also be a more accessible way of engaging novice growers in UH. A collaborative research project, Urban Harvest, was designed between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield-based food organizations, which aimed to engage inexperienced gardeners in UH by providing them with home food-growing kits (Grow-Kits). Grow-Kits were provided to 189 participants across Sheffield in 2022, 48% of whom had never grown food before. Data collected through surveys and interviews will help us to evaluate the effect of small-scale food growing on health and wellbeing and the potential of this type of scheme to encourage future UH engagement. This data and increasing evidence on the co-benefits of UH have important implications not only for local food security but also for urban health inequalities and the potential use of this activity for preventative healthcare.Keywords: urban horticulture, health and wellbeing, food security, nutrition
Procedia PDF Downloads 73843 Cascade Screening for Beta-Thalassemia in Pakistan: Relatives’ Experiences of a Decision Support Intervention in Routine Practice
Authors: Shenaz Ahmed, Hussain Jafri, Muhammed Faran, Wajeeha Naseer Ahmed, Yasmin Rashid, Yasmin Ehsan, Shabnam Bashir, Mushtaq Ahmed
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Low uptake of cascade screening for βeta-Thalassaemia Major (β-TM) in the ‘Punjab Thalassaemia Prevention Project’ (PTPP) in Pakistan led to the development of a ‘decision support intervention for relatives’ (DeSIRe). This paper presents the experiences of relatives of children with β-TM of the DeSIRe following its use by PTPP field officers in routine clinical practice. Fifty-four semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted (April to June 2021) with relatives in seven cities in the Punjab province (Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahab, Kasur, Gujranwala, Multan, and Faisalabad). Thematic analysis shows that participants were satisfied with the content of the DeSIRe and its delivery by the field officers in a family meeting. They understood the main purpose of the DeSIRe was to improve their knowledge of β-TM and its inheritance, to enable them to make decisions about thalassemia carrier testing, particularly before marriage. While participants raised concerns about the stigma of testing positive, they believed the DeSIRe was an appropriate intervention, which supported relatives to make informed decisions. Our findings show the DeSIRe is appropriate for use by healthcare professionals in routine practice in a low-middle income country and has the potential to facilitate shared decision-making about cascade screening for thalassemia. Further research is needed to prove the efficacy of the DeSIRe.Keywords: thalassemia, Pakistan, cascade screening, decision support
Procedia PDF Downloads 240842 Plasma-Assisted Decomposition of Cyclohexane in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor
Authors: Usman Dahiru, Faisal Saleem, Kui Zhang, Adam Harvey
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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are atmospheric contaminants predominantly derived from petroleum spills, solvent usage, agricultural processes, automobile, and chemical processing industries, which can be detrimental to the environment and human health. Environmental problems such as the formation of photochemical smog, organic aerosols, and global warming are associated with VOC emissions. Research showed a clear relationship between VOC emissions and cancer. In recent years, stricter emission regulations, especially in industrialized countries, have been put in place around the world to restrict VOC emissions. Non-thermal plasmas (NTPs) are a promising technology for reducing VOC emissions by converting them into less toxic/environmentally friendly species. The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma is of interest due to its flexibility, moderate capital cost, and ease of operation under ambient conditions. In this study, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor has been developed for the decomposition of cyclohexane (as a VOC model compound) using nitrogen, dry, and humidified air carrier gases. The effect of specific input energy (1.2-3.0 kJ/L), residence time (1.2-2.3 s) and concentration (220-520 ppm) were investigated. It was demonstrated that the removal efficiency of cyclohexane increased with increasing plasma power and residence time. The removal of cyclohexane decreased with increasing cyclohexane inlet concentration at fixed plasma power and residence time. The decomposition products included H₂, CO₂, H₂O, lower hydrocarbons (C₁-C₅) and solid residue. The highest removal efficiency (98.2%) was observed at specific input energy of 3.0 kJ/L and a residence time of 2.3 s in humidified air plasma. The effect of humidity was investigated to determine whether it could reduce the formation of solid residue in the DBD reactor. It was observed that the solid residue completely disappeared in humidified air plasma. Furthermore, the presence of OH radicals due to humidification not only increased the removal efficiency of cyclohexane but also improves product selectivity. This work demonstrates that cyclohexane can be converted to smaller molecules by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) non-thermal plasma reactor by varying plasma power (SIE), residence time, reactor configuration, and carrier gas.Keywords: cyclohexane, dielectric barrier discharge reactor, non-thermal plasma, removal efficiency
Procedia PDF Downloads 136841 Controlling Fear: Jordanian Women’s Perceptions of the Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Early Stage Breast Cancer
Authors: Rana F. Obeidat, Suzanne S. Dickerson, Gregory G. Homish, Nesreen M. Alqaissi, Robin M. Lally
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Background: Despite the fact that breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Jordanian women, practically nothing is known about their perceptions of early stage breast cancer and surgical treatment. Objective: To gain understanding of the diagnosis and surgical treatment experience of Jordanian women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Methods: An interpretive phenomenological approach was used for this study. A purposive sample of 28 Jordanian women who were surgically treated for early stage breast cancer within 6 months of the interview was recruited. Data were collected using individual interviews and analyzed using Heideggerian hermeneutical methodology. Results: Fear had a profound effect on Jordanian women’s stories of diagnosis and surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer. Women’s experience with breast cancer and its treatment was shaped by their pre-existing fear of breast cancer, the disparity in the quality of care at various health care institutions, and sociodemographic factors (e.g., education, age). Conclusions: Early after the diagnosis, fear was very strong and women lost perspective of the fact that this disease was treatable and potentially curable. To control their fears, women unconditionally trusted God, the health care system, surgeons, family, friends, and/or neighbors, and often accepted treatment offered by their surgeons without questioning. Implications for practice: Jordanian healthcare providers have a responsibility to listen to their patients, explore meanings they ascribe to their illness, and provide women with proper education and support necessary to help them cope with their illness.Keywords: breast cancer, early stage, Jordanian, experience, phenomenology
Procedia PDF Downloads 325840 Critical Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety Challenges Facing the Construction Sector in the UK and Developing Anglophone West African Countries, Particularly the Gambia
Authors: Bintou Jobe
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The construction sector, both in the United Kingdom (UK) and developing Anglophone West African countries, specifically The Gambia, is facing significant health and safety challenges. While the UK has established legislation and regulations to support Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in the industry, the same level of support is lacking in developing countries. The significance of this review is to assess the extent and effectiveness of OHS legislation and regulatory reform in the construction industry, with a focus on understanding the challenges faced by both the UK and developing Anglophone West African countries. It aims to highlight the benefits of implementing an OHS management system, specifically ISO 45001. This study uses a literature review approach, synthesizing publications from the past decade and identifying common themes and best practices related to Occupational Health and Safety in the construction industry. Findings were analysed, compared, and conclusions and recommendations were drawn after developing research questions and addressing them. This comprehensive review of the literature allows for a detailed understanding of the challenges faced by the industry in both contexts. The findings of the study indicate that while the UK has established robust health and safety legislation, many UK construction companies have not fully met the standards outlined in ISO 45001. These challenges faced by the UK include poor data management, inadequate communication of best practices, insufficient training, and a lack of safety culture mirroring those observed in the developing Anglophone countries. Therefore, compliance with OHS management systems has been shown to yield benefits, including injury prevention and centralized health and safety documentation. In conclusion, the effectiveness of OHS legislation for developing Anglophone West African countries should consider the positive impact experienced by the UK. The implementation of ISO 45001 can serve as a benchmark standard and potentially inform recommendations for developing countries. The selection criteria for literature include search keywords and phrases, such as occupational health and safety challenges, The Gambia, developing countries management systems, ISO 45001, and impact and effectiveness of OHS legislation. The literature was sourced from Google Scholar, the UK Health and Safety Executive websites, and Google Advanced Search.Keywords: ISO 45001, developing countries, occupational health and safety, UK
Procedia PDF Downloads 101839 Determining the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression
Authors: Gerald H. Artisen, Miah Joy O Awing, Elydia O. Ayat, Rachel L. Ayangwa, Zeah D. Baggas, Aspen S. Baguiyac, Delight D. Baguiyac, Kristine G. Bakidan, Nemesis B. Bakidan, Ketly B. Balanggao, Rhea G. Bala-Is, Hope Lulet A. Lomioan
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The study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with postpartum depression among mothers in the Pasil, Kalinga, contributing to a better understanding of the mental health challenges faced by this specific population. This research utilized a cross-sectional descriptive study to assess postpartum depression prevalence and identify contributing factors in Pasil, utilizing a quantitative approach and collecting data on sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric data, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The study concluded that probable depression can be seen among mothers in the Pasil, which resulted in a risk of suicidality with a percentage of 40.08. Additionally, most of the respondents are aged 28–32, married, have a college degree, are unemployed, have a monthly income of 1,000–5,000, are female, have hypertension, gave birth naturally, have two children, have a planned pregnancy, and are currently breastfeeding. Lastly, the study found that mothers in Pasil who have unplanned pregnancies under obstetric factors are at high risk of developing postpartum depression, with a p-value below the 0.05 level. The study recommends barangay health professionals develop initiatives to inform aspiring mothers about postpartum depression (PPD) and resources to help them adjust to motherhood. It also recommends frequent check-ins with new mothers to identify special healthcare needs. Programs should be independently funded by LGUs, and support from family and relatives is recommended to prevent PPD.Keywords: maternal health, postpartum depression, mothers, Pasil
Procedia PDF Downloads 28838 Price Effect Estimation of Tobacco on Low-wage Male Smokers: A Causal Mediation Analysis
Authors: Kawsar Ahmed, Hong Wang
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The study's goal was to estimate the causal mediation impact of tobacco tax before and after price hikes among low-income male smokers, with a particular emphasis on the effect estimating pathways framework for continuous and dichotomous variables. From July to December 2021, a cross-sectional investigation of observational data (n=739) was collected from Bangladeshi low-wage smokers. The Quasi-Bayesian technique, binomial probit model, and sensitivity analysis using a simulation of the computational tools R mediation package had been used to estimate the effect. After a price rise for tobacco products, the average number of cigarettes or bidis sticks taken decreased from 6.7 to 4.56. Tobacco product rising prices have a direct effect on low-income people's decisions to quit or lessen their daily smoking habits of Average Causal Mediation Effect (ACME) [effect=2.31, 95 % confidence interval (C.I.) = (4.71-0.00), p<0.01], Average Direct Effect (ADE) [effect=8.6, 95 percent (C.I.) = (6.8-0.11), p<0.001], and overall significant effects (p<0.001). Tobacco smoking choice is described by the mediated proportion of income effect, which is 26.1% less of following price rise. The curve of ACME and ADE is based on observational figures of the coefficients of determination that asses the model of hypothesis as the substantial consequence after price rises in the sensitivity analysis. To reduce smoking product behaviors, price increases through taxation have a positive causal mediation with income that affects the decision to limit tobacco use and promote low-income men's healthcare policy.Keywords: causal mediation analysis, directed acyclic graphs, tobacco price policy, sensitivity analysis, pathway estimation
Procedia PDF Downloads 112837 A Literature Review on Emotion Recognition Using Wireless Body Area Network
Authors: Christodoulou Christos, Politis Anastasios
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The utilization of Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) is experiencing a notable surge in popularity as a result of its widespread implementation in the field of smart health. WBANs utilize small sensors implanted within the human body to monitor and record physiological indicators. These sensors transmit the collected data to hospitals and healthcare facilities through designated access points. Bio-sensors exhibit a diverse array of shapes and sizes, and their deployment can be tailored to the condition of the individual. Multiple sensors may be strategically placed within, on, or around the human body to effectively observe, record, and transmit essential physiological indicators. These measurements serve as a basis for subsequent analysis, evaluation, and therapeutic interventions. In conjunction with physical health concerns, numerous smartwatches are engineered to employ artificial intelligence techniques for the purpose of detecting mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. The utilization of smartwatches serves as a secure and cost-effective solution for monitoring mental health. Physiological signals are widely regarded as a highly dependable method for the recognition of emotions due to the inherent inability of individuals to deliberately influence them over extended periods of time. The techniques that WBANs employ to recognize emotions are thoroughly examined in this article.Keywords: emotion recognition, wireless body area network, WBAN, ERC, wearable devices, psychological signals, emotion, smart-watch, prediction
Procedia PDF Downloads 50836 Identifying the Hidden Curriculum Components in the Nursing Education
Authors: Alice Khachian, Shoaleh Bigdeli, Azita Shoghie, Leili Borimnejad
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Background and aim: The hidden curriculum is crucial in nursing education and can determine professionalism and professional competence. It has a significant effect on their moral performance in relation to patients. The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying the hidden curriculum components in the nursing and midwifery faculty. Methodology: The ethnographic study was conducted over two years using the Spradley method in one of the nursing schools located in Tehran. In this focused ethnographic research, the approach of Lincoln and Goba, i.e., transferability, confirmability, and dependability, was used. To increase the validity of the data, they were collected from different sources, such as participatory observation, formal and informal interviews, and document review. Two hundred days of participatory observation, fifty informal interviews, and fifteen formal interviews from the maximum opportunities and conditions available to obtain multiple and multilateral information added to the validity of the data. Due to the situation of COVID, some interviews were conducted virtually, and the activity of professors and students in the virtual space was also monitored. Findings: The components of the hidden curriculum of the faculty are: the atmosphere (physical environment, organizational structure, rules and regulations, hospital environment), the interaction between activists, and teaching-learning activities, which ultimately lead to “A disconnection between goals, speech, behavior, and result” had revealed. Conclusion: The mutual effects of the atmosphere and various actors and activities on the process of student development, since the students have the most contact with their peers first, which leads to the most learning, and secondly with the teachers. Clinicians who have close and person-to-person contact with students can have very important effects on students. Students who meet capable and satisfied professors on their way become interested in their field and hope for their future by following the mentor of these professors. On the other hand, weak and dissatisfied professors lead students to feel abandoned, and by forming a colony of peers with different backgrounds, they distort the personality of a group of students and move away from family values, which necessitates a change in some cultural practices at the faculty level.Keywords: hidden curriculum, nursing education, ethnography, nursing
Procedia PDF Downloads 109835 Evaluation and Proposal for Improvement of the Flow Measurement Equipment in the Bellavista Drinking Water System of the City of Azogues
Authors: David Quevedo, Diana Coronel
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The present article carries out an evaluation of the drinking water system in the Bellavista sector of the city of Azogues, with the purpose of determining the appropriate equipment to record the actual consumption flows of the inhabitants in said sector. Taking into account that the study area is located in a rural and economically disadvantaged area, there is an urgent need to establish a control system for the consumption of drinking water in order to conserve and manage the vital resource in the best possible way, considering that the water source supplying this sector is approximately 9km away. The research began with the collection of cartographic, demographic, and statistical data of the sector, determining the coverage area, population projection, and a provision that guarantees the supply of drinking water to meet the water needs of the sector's inhabitants. By using hydraulic modeling through the United States Environmental Protection Agency Application for Modeling Drinking Water Distribution Systems EPANET 2.0 software, theoretical hydraulic data were obtained, which were used to design and justify the most suitable measuring equipment for the Bellavista drinking water system. Taking into account a minimum service life of the drinking water system of 30 years, future flow rates were calculated for the design of the macro-measuring device. After analyzing the network, it was evident that the Bellavista sector has an average consumption of 102.87 liters per person per day, but considering that Ecuadorian regulations recommend a provision of 180 liters per person per day for the geographical conditions of the sector, this value was used for the analysis. With all the collected and calculated information, the conclusion was reached that the Bellavista drinking water system needs to have a 125mm electromagnetic macro-measuring device for the first three quinquenniums of its service life and a 150mm diameter device for the following three quinquenniums. The importance of having equipment that provides real and reliable data will allow for the control of water consumption by the population of the sector, measured through micro-measuring devices installed at the entrance of each household, which should match the readings of the macro-measuring device placed after the water storage tank outlet, in order to control losses that may occur due to leaks in the drinking water system or illegal connections.Keywords: macrometer, hydraulics, endowment, water
Procedia PDF Downloads 73834 Optimizing Multimodal Teaching Strategies for Enhanced Engagement and Performance
Authors: Victor Milanes, Martha Hubertz
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In the wake of COVID-19, all aspects of life have been estranged, and humanity has been forced to shift toward a more technologically integrated mode of operation. Essential work such as Healthcare, business, and public policy are a few notable industries that were initially dependent upon face-to-face modality but have completely reimagined their operation style. Unique to these fields, education was particularly strained because academics, teachers, and professors alike were obligated to shift their curriculums online over the course of a few weeks while also maintaining the expectation that they were educating their students to a similar level accomplished pre-pandemic. This was notable as research indicates two key concepts: Students prefer face-to-face modality, and due to the disruption in academic continuity/style, there was a negative impact on student's overall education and performance. With these two principles in mind, this study aims to inquire what online strategies could be best employed by teachers to educate their students, as well as what strategies could be adopted in a multimodal setting if deemed necessary by the instructor or outside convoluting factors (Such as the case of COVID-19, or a personal matter that demands the teacher's attention away from the classroom). Strategies and methods will be cross-analyzed via a ranking system derived from various recognized teaching assessments, in which engagement, retention, flexibility, interest, and performance are specifically accounted for. We expect to see an emphasis on positive social pressure as a dominant factor in the improved propensity for education, as well as a preference for visual aids across platforms, as research indicates most individuals are visual learners.Keywords: technological integration, multimodal teaching, education, student engagement
Procedia PDF Downloads 61833 Development of Affordable and Reliable Diagnostic Tools to Record Vital Parameters for Improving Health Care in Low Resources Settings
Authors: Mannan Mridha, Usama Gazay, Kosovare V. Aslani, Hugo Linder, Alice Ravizza, Carmelo de Maria
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In most developing countries, although the vast majority of the people are living in the rural areas, the qualified medical doctors are not available there. Health care workers and paramedics, called village doctors, informal healthcare providers, are largely responsible for the rural medical care. Mishaps due to wrong diagnosis and inappropriate medication have been causing serious suffering that is preventable. While innovators have created many devices, the vast majority of these technologies do not find applications to address the needs and conditions in low-resource settings. The primary motive is to address the acute lack of affordable medical technologies for the poor people in low-resource settings. A low cost smart medical device that is portable, battery operated and can be used at any point of care has been developed to detect breathing rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) and arterial pulse rate to improve diagnosis and monitoring of patients and thus improve care and safety. This simple and easy to use smart medical device can be used, managed and maintained effectively and safely by any health worker with some training. In order to empower the health workers and village doctors, our device is being further developed to integrate with ICT tools like smart phones and connect to the medical experts wherever available, to manage the serious health problems.Keywords: e-health for low resources settings, health awareness education, improve patient care and safety, smart and affordable medical device
Procedia PDF Downloads 193832 Relationships among Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in Oncology Nurses
Authors: Yi-Fung Lin, Pei-Chen Tsai
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Background: The hospital healthcare team provides 24-hour patient care, and therefore shift-work is inevitable in the nursing field. There is an increased awareness that shift-work affecting circadian rhythms may cause various health problems, especially in poor sleep quality, which may harm the quality of life. Purposes: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of demographic characteristics on nurses’ sleep quality and quality of life and the relationship between these predictors of nurses’ quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study was conducted with purposive sampling of 520 female nurses in a medical center in north Taiwan from July to September 2014. Data were collected with structured questionnaires using Psychometric Evaluation of the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). Outcomes: The main results include: 1) Irregular menstruation, non-regular exercisers, and more daily caffeine consumption have negative impacts on sleep quality. 2) Younger age, fewer children, low education level, low annual income, irregular menstruation, pain during menstrual cycles, non-regular exercisers, constipation, and poor sleep quality all contribute negative impacts on the quality of life. 3) The odds ratio of sleep disturbance between 12-hour shifts and 8-hour shifts was 2.26, but there was no significant difference regarding their quality of life scores. Conclusion: This study showed that there is a strong correlation between oncology nurses’ sleep quality and quality of life. Sleep quality is a significant predictor of quality of life in oncology nurses.Keywords: oncology nurses, sleep quality, quality of life, shift-work
Procedia PDF Downloads 159831 Discrimination Faced by Dalit Women in India
Authors: Soundarya Lahari Vedula
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Dalit women make up a significant portion of the Indian population. However, they are victims of age old discrimination. This paper presents a brief background of the Indian caste system which is a hierarchical division placing Dalits at the lowest rank. Dalits are forced to perform menial and harsh tasks. They often face social ostracism. The situation of Dalit women is of unique significance as they face triple discrimination due to their caste, gender, and class. Dalit women are strictly withheld by the rigid boundaries of the caste system. They are discriminated at every stage of their life and are denied access to public places, education and healthcare facilities among others. They face the worst forms of sexual violence. In spite of legislations and international conventions in place, their plight is not adequately addressed. This paper discusses, in brief, the legal mechanism in place to prohibit untouchability. Furthermore, this paper details on the specific human rights violations faced by Dalit women in the social, economic and political spheres. The violations range from discrimination in public places, denial of education and health services, sexual exploitation and barriers to political representation. Finally, this paper identifies certain lacunae in the existing Indian statutes and broadens on the measures to be taken to improve the situation of Dalit women. This paper offers some recommendations to address the plight of Dalit women such as amendments to the existing statutes, effective implementation of legal mechanisms and a more meaningful interpretation of the international conventions.Keywords: Dalit, caste, class, discrimination, equality
Procedia PDF Downloads 200830 Antibiotic Prescribing Pattern and Associated Risk Factors Promoting Antibiotic Resistance, a Cross Sectional Study in a Regional Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Nicholas Agyepong, Paul Gyan
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Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotic is a common healthcare concern globally resulted in an increased risk of adverse reactions and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The wrong antibiotic prescribing habits may lead to ineffective and unsafe treatment, worsening of disease condition, and thus increase in health care costs. The study was to examine the antibiotic prescribing pattern and associated risk factors at Regional Hospital in the Bono region of Ghana. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the current prescribing practices at the Hospital from January 2014 to December, 2021. A systematic random sampling method was used to select the participants for the study. STATA version 16 software was used for data management and analysis. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance set at p<0.05. Antibiotic consumption was equivalent to 11 per 1000 inhabitants consuming 1 DDD per day. Most common prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (14.39%) followed by erythromycin (11.44%), and ciprofloxacin (11.36%). Antibiotics prescription have been steadily increased over the past eight years (2014: n=59,280 to 2021: n=190,320). Prescribers above the age of 35 were more likely to prescribe antibiotics than those between the ages of 20 and 25 (COR=21.00; 95% CI: 1.78 – 48.10; p=0.016). Prescribers with at least 6 years of experience were also significantly more likely to prescribe antibiotics than those with at most 5 years of experience (COR=14.17; 95% CI: 2.39 – 84.07; p=0.004). Thus, the establishment of an antibiotic stewardship program in the hospitals is imperative, and further studies need to be conducted in other facilities to establish the national antibiotic prescription guideline.Keywords: antibiotic, antimicrobial resistance, prescription, prescribers
Procedia PDF Downloads 46829 Implementation of a Program of Orientation for Travel Nursing Staff Based on Nurse-Identified Learning Needs
Authors: Olga C. Rodrigue
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Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities experience ebbs and flows of nursing staffing, a problem compounded by the perception of the facilities as undesirable workplaces and competition for staff from other healthcare entities. Travel nurses are contracted to fill staffing needs due to increased admissions, increased and unexpected attrition of nurses, or facility expansion of services. Prior to beginning the contracted assignment, the travel nurse must meet industry, company, and regulatory requirements (The Joint Commission and CMS) for skills and knowledge. Travel nurses, however, inconsistently receive the pre-assignment orientation needed to work at the contracted facility, if any information is given at all. When performance expectations are not met, travel nurses may subsequently choose to leave the position without completing the terms of the contract, and some facilities may choose to terminate the contract prior to the expected end date. The overarching goal of the Doctor of Nursing Practice evidence-based practice improvement project is to provide travel nurses with the basic and necessary information to prepare them to begin a long-term and skilled nursing assignment. The project involves the identification of travel nurse learning needs through a survey and the development and provision of web-based learning modules to address those needs prior to arrival for a long-term and skilled nursing assignment.Keywords: nurse staffing, travel nurse, travel staff, contract staff, contracted assignment, long-term care, skilled nursing, onboarding, orientation, staff development, supplemental staff
Procedia PDF Downloads 168828 Changes in Knowledge and Awareness for a Community-Based Cancer Screening Educational Program
Authors: Shenghui Wu, Patricia Chalela, Amelie G. Ramirez
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Background: Cervical cancer (CC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and breast cancer (BC) are diseases that can be prevented/detected through early test. Through educational programs, individuals can become better informed about these cancers and understand the importance of screening and early detection. A community-based educational program was developed to improve knowledge and awareness toward the screening of the three cancer types in a South Texas underserved population. Methods: Residents living in Laredo, Texas were invited to participate in the present study. From January 2020 to April 2021, participants were recruited using social media and flyer distributions in general community. Participants received a free live web cancer education presentation delivered by bilingual community health educators, and online pre- and post-education surveys for CC, CRC, and BC separately. Pre-post changes in knowledge for individual items were compared using McNemar’s chi-squared tests. Results: Overall, participants demonstrated increases in CC (n=237), CRC (n=59), and BC (n=56) screening knowledge and awareness after receiving the cancer screening education (Ps<0.05). After receiving the cancer screening education, 85-97% of participants had an intent to talk to a healthcare provider about CC/CRC/BC screening, 88-97% had an intent to get a CC/CRC/BC screening test in the next 12 months or at the next routine appointment, and 90-97% had an intent to talk about CC/CRC/BC with their family members or friends. Conclusion: A community-based educational program can help increase knowledge and awareness about cervical, colorectal, and breast cancer screening, promote positive changes in population's knowledge and awareness about the benefits of cancer screening.Keywords: cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, educational program, health knowledge, awareness, Hispanics, screening, health education
Procedia PDF Downloads 107827 An Effective Preventive Program of HIV/AIDS among Hill Tribe Youth, Thailand
Authors: Tawatchai Apidechkul
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This operational research was conducted and divided into two phases: the first phase aimed to determine the risk behaviors used a cross-sectional study design, following by the community participatory research design to develop the HIV/AIDS preventive model among the Akha youths. The instruments were composed of completed questionnaires and assessment forms that were tested for validity and reliability before use. Study setting was Jor Pa Ka and Saen Suk Akha villages, Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai, Thailand. Study sample were the Akha youths lived in the villages. Means and chi-square test were used for the statistical testing. Results: Akha youths in the population mobilization villages live in agricultural families with low income and circumstance of narcotic drugs. The average age was 16 (50.00%), 51.52% Christian, 48.80% completed secondary school, 43.94% had annual family income of 30,000-40,000 baht. Among males, 54.54% drank, 39.39% smoked, 7.57% used amphetamine, first sexual intercourse reported at 14 years old, 50.00% had 2-5 partners, 62.50% had unprotected sex (no-condom). Reasons of unprotected sex included not being able to find condom, unawareness of need to use condoms, and dislike. 28.79% never been received STI related information, 6.06% had STI. Among females, 15.15% drank, 28.79% had sexual intercourse and had first sexual intercourse less than 15 year old. 40.00% unprotected sex (no-condom), 10.61% never been received STI related information, and 4.54% had STI. The HIV/AIDS preventive model contained two components. Peer groups among the youths were built around interests in sports. Improving knowledge would empower their capability and lead to choices that would result in HIV/AIDS prevention. The empowering model consisted of 4 courses: a. human reproductive system and its hygiene, b. risk-avoid skills, family planning, and counseling techniques, c. HIV/AIDS and other STIs, d. drugs and related laws and regulations. The results of the activities found that youths had a greater of knowledge and attitude levels for HIV/AIDS prevention with statistical significance (χ2-τεστ= 12.87, p-value= 0.032 and χ2-τεστ= 9.31, p-value<0.001 respectively). A continuous and initiative youths capability development program is the appropriate process to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in youths, particularly in the population who have the specific of language and culture.Keywords: AIV/AIDS, preventive program, effective, hill tribe
Procedia PDF Downloads 370826 From Protection of Sacrificial Self, to Critical Turning Points and Growth: Nurses’ Experiences of Caring for Patients on the Frontline in Ireland during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sinead Creedon, Anna Trace
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Nurses were the most exposed of all frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mainly female nurses working in the acute hospital sector formed the frontline defence in the Irish health service. They faced it with resilience and courage despite exposure to risk of burnout and threats to their mental health and wellbeing. Gaining an understanding of the nurses’ journey in adapting to this harsh climate could inform positive psychology interventions and / or support staff such as senior hospital managers in an adverse work situation. Furthermore, it would strengthen our insight and theoretical understanding on the use of positive psychology interventions in adverse work conditions. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was carried out to gain insight into how nurses adapted to the changing work environment during the pandemic. Online semi-structured interviews were done with six experienced female nurses who were all redeployed to the frontline from their own roles. The three themes representing the nurses’ journey were the Protection of Sacrificial Self, The Fortifying Effect of Us, and Critical Turning Points & Growth. Nurses revitalised themselves by creating a sense of ‘us’ to help them face a harsh climate against others, which enabled additional critical turning points. This study further enriches our understanding of personal growth and trauma in adverse work conditions by including an exploration of what sacrificial commitment adds to our understanding of physical and moral courage.Keywords: COVID-19, nurses, positive psychology, resilience, sacrificial commitment, supports
Procedia PDF Downloads 147825 Construction and Demolition Waste Management in Indian Cities
Authors: Vaibhav Rathi, Soumen Maity, Achu R. Sekhar, Abhijit Banerjee
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Construction sector in India is extremely resource and carbon intensive. It contributes to significantly to national greenhouse emissions. At the resource end the industry consumes significant portions of the output from mining. Resources such as sand and soil are most exploited and their rampant extraction is becoming constant source of impact on environment and society. Cement is another resource that is used in abundance in building and construction and has a direct impact on limestone resources. Though India is rich in cement grade limestone resource, efforts have to be made for sustainable consumption of this resource to ensure future availability. Use of these resources in high volumes in India is a result of rapid urbanization. More cities have grown to a population of million plus in the last decade and million plus cities are growing further. To cater to needs of growing urban population of construction activities are inevitable in the coming future thereby increasing material consumption. Increased construction will also lead to substantial increase in end of life waste generation from Construction and Demolition (C&D). Therefore proper management of C&D waste has the potential to reduce environmental pollution as well as contribute to the resource efficiency in the construction sector. The present study deals with estimation, characterisation and documenting current management practices of C&D waste in 10 Indian cities of different geographies and classes. Based on primary data the study draws conclusions on the potential of C&D waste to be used as an alternative to primary raw materials. The estimation results show that India generates 716 million tons of C&D waste annually, placing the country as second largest C&D waste generator in the world after China. The study also aimed at utilization of C&D waste in to building materials. The waste samples collected from various cities have been used to replace 100% stone aggregates in paver blocks without any decrease in strength. However, management practices of C&D waste in cities still remains poor instead of notification of rules and regulations notified for C&D waste management. Only a few cities have managed to install processing plant and set up management systems for C&D waste. Therefore there is immense opportunity for management and reuse of C&D waste in Indian cities.Keywords: building materials, construction and demolition waste, cities, environmental pollution, resource efficiency
Procedia PDF Downloads 304824 From Plate to Self-Perception: Unravelling the Interplay Between Food Security and Self-Esteem Among Malaysian University Students
Authors: Amiraa Ali Mansor, Haslinda Abdullah, Angela Chan Nguk Fong, Norhaida Hanim Binti Ahmad Tajudin, Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah
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Obesity has risen sharply over the past three decades, posing a grave public health concern globally. In Malaysia, it has also emerged as a significant health threat. While the second Sustainable Development Goal, "Zero Hunger", aims to ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all, a key challenge lies in addressing food insecurity. Food insecurity not only pertains to the quantity but also the quality of food, with both dimensions playing a pivotal role in health outcomes. To date, much of the research on food security has focused on household levels. There remains a research gap concerning university students, a population transitioning to independence from parental support and grappling with limited resources. This study seeks to bridge this gap by extending the Food Security Theory to incorporate the psychological dimension of self-esteem. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from 452 public university students in Malaysia through a cross-sectional research design and a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. The anticipated findings will provide novel insights by linking food security with self-esteem. Such insights have implications for healthcare policy and the framing of preventive strategies against obesity. It is hoped that this research will not only contribute to the academic discourse on Food Security Theory but also serve as a foundation for refining national health policies and programs aimed at fostering a healthier lifestyle.Keywords: obesity, food security, body image, self-esteem
Procedia PDF Downloads 76823 Macroeconomic Implications of Artificial Intelligence on Unemployment in Europe
Authors: Ahmad Haidar
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Modern economic systems are characterized by growing complexity, and addressing their challenges requires innovative approaches. This study examines the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on unemployment in Europe from a macroeconomic perspective, employing data modeling techniques to understand the relationship between AI integration and labor market dynamics. To understand the AI-unemployment nexus comprehensively, this research considers factors such as sector-specific AI adoption, skill requirements, workforce demographics, and geographical disparities. The study utilizes a panel data model, incorporating data from European countries over the last two decades, to explore the potential short-term and long-term effects of AI implementation on unemployment rates. In addition to investigating the direct impact of AI on unemployment, the study also delves into the potential indirect effects and spillover consequences. It considers how AI-driven productivity improvements and cost reductions might influence economic growth and, in turn, labor market outcomes. Furthermore, it assesses the potential for AI-induced changes in industrial structures to affect job displacement and creation. The research also highlights the importance of policy responses in mitigating potential negative consequences of AI adoption on unemployment. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions such as skill development programs, labor market regulations, and social safety nets to enable a smooth transition for workers affected by AI-related job displacement. Additionally, the study explores the potential role of AI in informing and transforming policy-making to ensure more effective and agile responses to labor market challenges. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the macroeconomic implications of AI on unemployment in Europe, highlighting the importance of understanding the nuanced relationships between AI adoption, economic growth, and labor market outcomes. By shedding light on these relationships, the study contributes valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and researchers, enabling them to make informed decisions in navigating the complex landscape of AI-driven economic transformation.Keywords: artificial intelligence, unemployment, macroeconomic analysis, european labor market
Procedia PDF Downloads 77822 The Conflict Between the Current International Copyright Regime and the Islamic Social Justice Theory
Authors: Abdelrahman Mohamed
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Copyright law is a branch of the Intellectual Property Law that gives authors exclusive rights to copy, display, perform, and distribute copyrightable works. In theory, copyright law aims to promote the welfare of society by granting exclusive rights to the creators in exchange for the works that these creators produce for society. Thus, there are two different types of rights that a just regime should balance between them which are owners' rights and users' rights. The paper argues that there is a conflict between the current international copyright regime and the Islamic Social Justice Theory. This regime is unjust from the Islamic Social Justice Theory's perspective regarding access to educational materials because this regime was unjustly established by the colonizers to protect their interests, starting from the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works 1886 and reaching to the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 1994. Consequently, the injustice of this regime was reflected in the regulations of these agreements and led to an imbalance between the owners' rights and the users' rights in favor of the former at the expense of the latter. As a result, copyright has become a barrier to access to knowledge and educational materials. The paper starts by illustrating the concept of justice in Islamic sources such as the Quran, Sunnah, and El-Maslha-Elmorsalah. Then, social justice is discussed by focusing on the importance of access to knowledge and the right to education. The theory assumes that the right to education and access to educational materials are necessities; thus, to achieve justice in this regime, the users' rights should be granted regardless of their region, color, and financial situation. Then, the paper discusses the history of authorship protection under the Islamic Sharia and to what extent this right was recognized even before the existence of copyright law. According to this theory, the authors' rights should be protected, however, this protection should not be at the expense of the human's rights to education and the right to access to educational materials. Moreover, the Islamic Social Justice Theory prohibits the concentration of wealth among a few numbers of people, 'the minority'. Thus, if knowledge is considered an asset or a good, the concentration of knowledge is prohibited from the Islamic perspective, which is the current situation of the copyright regime where a few countries control knowledge production and distribution. Finally, recommendations will be discussed to mitigate the injustice of the current international copyright regime and to fill the gap between the current international copyright regime and the Islamic Social Justice Theory.Keywords: colonization, copyright, intellectual property, Islamic sharia, social justice
Procedia PDF Downloads 21821 Examining the Relationship between Family Functioning and Perceived Self-Efficacy
Authors: Fenni Sim
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Objectives: The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between family functioning and level of self-efficacy: how family functioning can potentially affect self-efficacy which will eventually lead to better clinical outcomes. The hypothesis was ‘Patients on haemodialysis with perceived higher family functioning are more likely to have higher perceived level of self-efficacy’. Methods: The study was conducted with a mixed methodology of quantitative and qualitative data collection of survey and semi-structured interview respectively. The General Self-Efficacy scale and SCORE-15 were self-administered by participants. The data will be analysed with correlation analysis method using Microsoft Excel. 79 patients were recruited for the study through random sampling. 6 participants whose results did not reflect the hypothesis were then recruited for the qualitative study. Interpretive phemenological analysis was then used to analyse the qualitative data. Findings: The hypothesis was accepted that higher family functioning leads to higher perceived self-efficacy. The correlation coefficient of -0.21 suggested a mild correlation between the two variables. However, only 4.6% of the variation in perceived self-efficacy is accounted by the variation in family functioning. The qualitative study extrapolated three themes that might explain the variations in the outliers: (1) level of physical functioning affects perceived self-efficacy, (2) instrumental support from family influenced perceived level of family functioning, and self-efficacy, (3) acceptance of illness reflects higher level of self-efficacy. Conclusion: While family functioning does have an impact on perceived self-efficacy, there are many intrapersonal and physical factors that may affect self-efficacy. The concepts of family functioning and self-efficacy are more appropriately seen as complementing each other to help a patient in managing his illness. Healthcare social workers can look at how family functioning is supporting the individual needs of patients with different trajectory of ESRD and the support we can provide to improve one’s self-efficacy.Keywords: chronic kidney disease, coping of illness, family functioning, self efficacy
Procedia PDF Downloads 173