Decreasing CAUTI Rates by Educating Staff on Reinforcing the CAUTI Bundle

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for 40% of all the hospital acquired infections in the United States. The use of an indwelling catheter is common in hospital settings. Improper placement, assessment, and maintenance can increase the risk for CAUTI, increase the length of stay, and cause harm to the patient. The purpose of this project was to decrease CAUTI rates in a critical care unit by educating nursing staff on the use of the CAUTI bundle and the CAUTI maintenance tool. The practice questions focused on (a) whether an education program for nursing staff on CAUTI extends the knowledge of nurses in managing patients with indwelling catheters and (b) if an education program for nursing staff on CAUTI decreases the incidence of CAUTI. Malcolm Knowles\u27s theory of adult learning guided this project. Data on CAUTI incidence pre- and post-education program reflected zero CAUTI incidence in the month following the education program with 96% of the nursing staff following the CAUTI protocol. Participants completed a post program evaluation. All participants identified that they agreed or strongly agreed that the program met the objectives identified on the evaluation form and that the content extended their knowledge of the topic. This project may contribute to social change by impacting the potential for patients to have less infection leading to decreased hospitalizations and improved quality of life

Analisis Kehilangan Minyak Pada Crude Palm Oil Dengan Metode Statistical Process Control Pada PT Bastian Olah Sawit Tungkal Palembang

PT Bastian Olah Sawit merupakan pabrik yang mengolah kelapa sawit dengan metode dan aturan tertentu hingga menghasilkan Crude Palm Oil (CPO) dan Palm Kernel Oil (PKO). Perusahaan selalu berupaya untuk mengoptimalkan jumlah rendemen CPO dan PKO, salah satunya dengan meminimalisasi kehilangan minyak (oil losses) pada CPO. Besarnya nilai rata-rata losses yang terjadi dalam satu bulan untuk tandan kosong pada screw press 0,46%, biji (nut) 0,09%, centrifuge 0,34%, dan effluent 0,38%, Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan data sekunder. Hasil penelitian rata-rata kehilangan CPO pada Screw Press adalah 0,456% melebihi ambang batas maksimum 0,450%, nilai Pvalue 1. Rata-rata pada Centrifuge adalah 0,338% < 0,34% dengan nilai Pvalue < 0,005 sehingga dinyatakan data tidak berdistribusi normal, dan nilai Cpk = -0,13 menandakan proses tidak Capable karena < 1. Rata-rata pada Effluent adalah 0,382% < 0,40% dengan nilai Pvalue < 0,005 dinyatakan tidak berdistribusi normal, dan nilai Cpk = 0,17 menandakan proses tidak Capable karena < 1

Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and flower stage of development on carotenoids and oil content of marigold (Tagetes patula L.)

&nbsp;&nbsp; Seeds of marigold collected from local ornamental plants were grown at the farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan, during the 4th of March, 2007. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of N, P and flower stage of development on carotenoids and oil contents of marigold (Tagetes patula L.). The study consisted of three rates of N (0, 43 and 86 kgha-1) and two P levels (0, 41 kg P2O5 ha-1). Flowers were harvested at the unopened, newly opened, mature and over mature stages. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers significantly increased plant height and number of branches of marigold. However, they did not affect flower carotenoids content. Marigold flowers contained about 5 different carotenoids including lutein, the major component and β-carotene. When compared with salad rocket which is a lutein rich plant, most of the lutein of marigold flowers was present in the esterified form in contrast to rocket leaves, in which case lutein was largely in the free form. Five carotenoids types appeared in marigold flowers 15 days after flower opening and less types were observed in younger and older flowers. The seeds of marigold contained 1.5% of fixed oil, the major fatty acid of which was linoleic acid.&nbsp;&nbsp; تمت زراعة بذور الماريقولد التي جمعت من نباتات زينة محلية&nbsp; في مزرعة &nbsp;كلية العلوم الزراعية، جامعة الجزيرة، وادمدني، السودان, في الرابع من مارس, 2007. الهدف من الدراسة هو بحث تاثير سماد النيتروجين والفسفور ومراحل نمو الزهرة على صبغة الكاروتين ومحتوى الزيت في زهرة الماريقولد (Tagetes patula L.) &nbsp;&nbsp;كانت مستويات النيتروجين صفر، 43، 86 كجم نيتروجين/هكتار ومستويات سماد الفسفور صفر, 41 كجم P2O5/هكتار. حصدت الازهار في مراحل نمو مختلفة وهي: قبل ان تتفتح، ومباشرة بعد تفتح الزهرة ومكتملة النضج وبعد 15 يوما من التفتح. تم استخدام تصميم القطاعات العشوائية الكاملة. أوضحت نتائج التجربة &nbsp;أن المعاملة بالنيتروجين والفسفور أدت الى زيادة معنوية في طول النبات وعدد الافرع في نبات الماريقولد، ولكنها لم تؤثر على محتوى الكاروتينات الموجودة في أزهار الماريقولد كما أوضحت طريقة كروماتوغرافيا الطبقة الرقيقة أن أزهار الماريقولد تحتوي على حوالي 5 أنواع مختلفة من الكاروتينات بما فيها ليوتين وبيتاكاروتين. الليوتين الموجود في الماريقولد يوجد بصورة مرتبطة في شكل إستر مقارنة بالليوتين الموجود في الجرجير والتي يوجد فيها الليوتين بصورة حرة. ظهرت 5 أنواع من الكاروتينات في زهرة الماريقولد بعد 15 يوم من تفتح الأزهار، ووجدت نسبة أقل في الأزهار الأقل والأكبر عمراً. تحتوي بذور الماريقولد على1.5% من الزيوت الثابتة &nbsp;والمكون الأساسي لها من الأحماض الدهنية هو حمض اللينوليك. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp

Performance analysis of orthogonal spacetime block codes over Nakagami-q MIMO RFID backscattering channels

The authors employ the conditional moment generating function approach to analyse the performance of orthogonal space-time block codes over Nakagami-q (Hoyt) multiple-input multiple-output radio frequency identification backscattering channels. New exact and asymptotic symbol error rate expressions are derived for the case of two and four receiving antennas N = 2, 4 . The exact expressions are in the form of a sum of infinite series while the asymptotic ones are in the closed form. The diversity order that the system can achieve is found to be L, where L is the number of tag antennas, and the performance of this system is found to be more sensitive to the channel condition (the q parameter) of the forward link than that of the backscattering link. The theoretical results (exact and asymptotic) are verified through comparison with simulation results

Islamic Historiography in North Sumatera: Analysis of Trends in Thesis Writing Themes at the History of Islamic Civilization Study Program 2020-2022

This research examines the trend of thesis writing themes among History of Islamic Civilization students, Faculty of Social Sciences, in 2020-2022. The problems raised are the trending themes and their contributions to the development of Islamic historiography in North Sumatra. Therefore, this research aims to detail the trending thesis writing themes among students of the History of Islamic Civilization study program, Faculty of Social Sciences 2020-2022, and explain their contribution to the development of Islamic historiography in North Sumatra. The results show that the research themes selected are cultural history, archeology, biography, museums, architecture, education, political, intellectual, organization, art, and demographic histories. Furthermore, the most dominant theme is historical heritage and preservation efforts included in the scope of the archeology discipline, followed by traditions and culture in cultural history. The next themes are architecture, museums, literature, and biography, as well as political, intellectual, educational, organization, social, art, branding, and demographic histories. These themes have indirectly added to the references of Islamic historiography, particularly in local history research

Narcissism and Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Malaysia Realm

In ensuring the success of an entrepreneurial endeavor, multiple factors come into play.&nbsp; One important aspect is the personality trait of said individual such as narcissism. In Malaysia, there are studies conducted on narcissism in publicly listed companies and CEOs’ earnings management, but lacking research on entrepreneurs and their impact on business performance.&nbsp; This conceptual paper aims to explore the level of narcissism in Malaysian entrepreneurs and how narcissistic traits impact businesses. The theory of Stimulus-Organism-Response is used as the underpinning foundation for framing the relations of the variables to narrow the gap of understanding entrepreneurs’ narcissistic traits impact specifically in the Malaysian region. After reviewing abundant related literature, three main factors are poised as the stimulus portion of the framework; risk-taking activities, propensity towards entrepreneurship, and business competencies. Meanwhile, the organism portion is represented by the narcissistic trait, and the response portion is evaluated in terms of business performance. The implication of this paper is to spur a more in-depth probe into this matter and further enhance entrepreneurs’ successes in the future with preventive measures

Characterization of bilayered matrix-type mucoadhesive buccal films containing tizanidine hydrochloride and piroxicam

Purpose: To formulate and characterize tizanidine hydrochloride (TZN) and piroxicam (PRX)-loaded bilayer mucoadhesive buccal films with an intention to improve the bioavailability and patient compliance in pain management.Methods: Bilayer buccal films were prepared by solvent evaporation technique using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) 15cps and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30 as immediate release (IR) layer forming polymers and HPMC K15 M, PVP K 90 along with various muco adhesive polymers (Carbopol P934, sodium alginate, etc), as sustained release (SR) layer forming polymers. The prepared films werecharacterized for thickness, weight variation, folding endurance, surface pH, swelling index,mucoadhesive strength, in vitro residence time, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation and drug release kinetics.Results: The prepared films were of largely uniform thickness, weight and drug content. Moisture loss (%) and folding endurance were satisfactory. Surface pH was compatible with salivary fluid. Disintegration time was 85 s for F1 and 115 s for F2 of IR films. In vitro dissolution studies showed 99.12 ± 1.2 % (F1) and 90.36 ± 1.8 % (F2) were released in 45 min. Based on the above results, F1 was chosen as the optimum formulation to be combined with SR layer of TZN. Amongst the SR layers of TZN in vitro drug release. The findings show that of F2 was 98.38 ± 0.82 % and correlated with ex vivo release. Drug release followed zero order release kinetics and mechanism of drug release was non-Fickian type diffusion. In vitro residence time was greater than 5 h.Conclusion: The findings show that the bilayer buccal films demonstrate the dual impact of deliveringPRX instantly from the IR layer, with good controlled release and permeation of TZN from the SR layer, thus providing enhanced therapeutic efficacy, drug bioavailability and patient compliance

Evaluation of laparoscopic appendectomy vs. open appendectomy: a retrospective study at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To compare open and laparoscopic appendectomies and to evaluate the level of efficacy of both types of appendectomy performed at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). METHODS: Based on this strong study rationale, a clinical audit of patient\u27s records was performed to evaluate the significance of this technique as a treatment modality. The study population comprised of patients with appendicitis admitted in the Department of Surgery from January 2004 to December 2004. The patients\u27 charts were reviewed to ascertain whether the procedure was done as an acute case or as an elective procedure. The predictor variables explored in this study were: age, gender, ultrasound and CT focused procedure, operative time, post-operative stay, number of hours required for the return of bowel function, use of narcotic analgesia and the total hospital bill of the respective patients. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients\u27 clinical charts were reviewed. Of these, 29 patients had had laparoscopic appendectomies and the remaining 20 had open appendectomies. The mean post-operative stay in days was relatively shorter for laparoscopic appendectomy (1.97 +/- 2.3) compared to open appendectomy (3.1 +/- 1.8). The average time for the return of bowel movement was remarkably lesser for laparoscopic appendectomy (10.6 +/- 8.2) hours than open appendectomy (21 +/- 13) hours. Two of the independent variables: CT focused (P-value: 0.01) and operative times in minutes (P-value: 0.06) were found to be significantly associated with the types of appendectomy. Hence our study found that laparoscopic appendectomy, although relatively expensive, is a safe and effective procedure for the removal of appendix over open appendectomy

The role of sustainability education within dermatological surgery in the United Kingdom

Sustainability recognises the limited planetary resources and is characterised by being able to sufficiently meet the needs of the current population without compromising future generations. The most recent iteration of the General Medical Council (United Kingdom) ‘Outcome for Graduates’ document required newly qualified doctors to have knowledge of sustainable healthcare (General Medical Council, 2018). Medical education is a key pillar in empowering the medical workforce to recognise the sustainability of the health services they provide and build competencies to reconfigure services and care pathways that will be resilient to the effects of climate change. This correspondence discusses the role of sustainability education within dermatological surgery in the United Kingdom