Blockchain Framework of UiTM Postgraduate Tracking System (UPTrackS) for Good Governance Practice

Traditional bureaucracy in universities deters good governance. Moving to digital bureaucracy, like digital governance that uses blockchain technology, improves transparency, accountability, and efficiency. A digital architecture called UiTM Postgraduate Tracking System (UPTrackS) leverages blockchain technology to manage governance procedures. According to a poll on UPTrackS deployment, the system delivers sound governance, with a confidence rating of 7.9 out of 10. Enhancing the computer literacy skills of administrative employees and improving the user interface of the system they use are necessary steps to enhance efficiency. Additionally, implementing these changes can lead to better administrative practices that adhere to good governance principles

4-Hy­droxy-2-methyl-1,1-dioxo-2H-1λ6,2- benzothia­zine-3-carb­oxy­lic acid hemihydrate

In the title compound, C10H9NO5S·0.5H2O, two geometrically different organic mol­ecules are present. The benzene rings and the carboxyl­ate groups are oriented at dihedral angles of 13.44 (4) and 21.15 (18)°. In both mol­ecules, an intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an S(6) ring. In the crystal, both moleucles form inversion dimers linked by pairs of O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to generate R 2 2(8) loops. The dimers are consolidated into chains extending along [100] by bridging O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds from the water mol­ecule. A weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bond also occurs

4-Hy­droxy-2-methyl-1,1-dioxo-N-phenyl-2H-1λ6,2-benzothia­zine-3-carboxamide

In the title mol­ecule, C16H14N2O4S, the thia­zine ring adopts a twist chair conformation with the N and adjacent C atom displaced by 0.966 (3) and 0.386 (4) Å, respectively, on the same side of the mean plane formed by the remaining ring atoms. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzene rings is 37.65 (10)°. The mol­ecular structure features an intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond, which generates an S(6) ring. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

N-Benzyl-4-hy­droxy-2-methyl-1,1-dioxo-2H-1λ6,2-benzothia­zine-3-carboxamide

In the title mol­ecule, C17H16N2O4S, the heterocyclic thia­zine ring adopts a half-chair conformation, with the S and N atoms displaced by 0.546 (4) and 0.281 (4) Å, respectively, on opposite sides of the mean plane formed by the remaining ring atoms. The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by an intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond. The two aromatic rings are inclined to one another by 42.32 (11)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers. The dimers are linked via a series of C—H⋯O inter­actions, leading to the formation of a three-dimensional network

2,3-Dihydro-1λ6,2-benzothia­zine-1,1,4-trione

In the title compound, C8H7NO3S, the benzene ring is oriented at a dihedral angle of 69.25 (7)° to the S and O atoms of the sulfonyl group. The heterocyclic ring approximates to an envelope, with the N atom in the flap position. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯Oc (c = carbon­yl) hydrogen bonds, forming C(5) chains along [001]. Two R 2 2(10) loops arise from pairs of C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and a weak aromatic π–π stacking inter­action [centroid–centorid separation = 3.8404 (11) Å] also occurs

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Can a helical molecule be an efficient functional element to meet the present requirement of thermoelectric efficiency?

Although a large amount of works has been done to test whether molecular junctions can offer suitable energy conversion from heat energy to electrical energy, still it is questionable mainly because of their too poor efficiencies. Here we report that a single helical molecule subjected to transverse electric field exhibits efficient thermoelectric energy conversion. The structural geometry has a significant effect on electronic transmission, and thus, thermopower and figure of merit (FOM), namely, ZT, which we verify by comparing the results of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and α-helical protein molecules. We prove that α-helical protein is much superior than ssDNA, and our analysis provides a boost in the field of energy conversion. Finally, we examine the role of the electric field which could be another eminent parameter for controlling the efficiency

Understanding digital media literacy in a digital age: A review of current frameworks

There is an increment of Malaysian internet users in recent year. Younger user, specifically the generation Z, also named as ′internet generation′ is considered as the category who actively participate and share content through social media or group messaging. When the world becomes more interconnected, the adoption to technological gadgets is increasing. It changes the identity of audience from passive to active recipient while processing the message. In fact, to utilize digital gadgets and manage with information competently are a set of skills that essential for every individual. However, fundamental understanding of digital media literacy remains unclear. Therefore, this paper outlines the concept of digital media literacy from various literature. The discussion is based on five competencies, namely (i) competence of access, (ii) analyse and evaluation, (iii) create, (iv) reflect, and (v) act. This study aims to provide a guideline for educators by identifying the issues that related of digital media literacy and competencies among students while conducting the class. Besides, further information on the existing frameworks of digital literacy will also be elaborated and refined