A goal-oriented, business intelligence-supported decision-making methodology

In many enterprises and other types of organizations, decision making is both a crucial and a challenging task. Despite their importance, many decisions are still made based on experience and intuition rather than on evidence supported by rigorous approaches. Decisions are often made this way because of lack of data, unknown relationships between data and goals, conflicting goals, and poorly understood risks. This research presents a goal-oriented, business intelligence-supported methodology for decision making. The methodology, which is iterative, allows enterprises to begin with limited data, discover required data to build their models, capture stakeholders goals, and model threats, opportunities, and their impact. It also enables the aggregation of Key Performance Indicators and their integration into goal models. The tool-supported methodology and its models aim to enhance the user's experience with common business intelligence applications. Managers can monitor the impact of decisions on the organization's goals and improve both decision models and business processes. The approach is illustrated and evaluated through a retail business scenario, from which several lessons were learned. One key lesson is that once an organization has a goal model, data can be added iteratively. The example, tool support, and lessons suggest the feasibility of the methodology

Does Physical Production of Nanoparticles Reduce Their Ecotoxicity? A Case of Lower Toxicity of AgNPs Produced by Laser Ablation to Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Use of nano-materials has increased in various aspects of human life. However, possible outbreak of nano-materials toxicity in humans and other organisms is one of the future challenges. Different chemical precursors which are used in chemical approaches for production of nano-materials may have secondary and sometimes toxic effects in living organisms. These secondary effects may be reduced in physical approaches due to not use of chemicals. To test this hypothesis, acute toxic effects of two types of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which were produced by physical (top-down) and chemical (bottom-up) methods on survival rate of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were compared. According to the results, AgNPs produced by physical method were 38 times less toxic than ones generated by chemical method and therefore, the hypothesis was approved. The estimated 96 hr LC50 values of AgNPs produced by physical and chemical methods for zebra fish were 0.540 ± 0.032 and 0.014 ± 0.001 mg/L, respectively. According to these values and regarding the rules of European Union, both types of AgNPs are considered as highly toxic chemicals to aquatic organisms. Generally, AgNPs seems to have toxic effects on aquatic organisms regardless of the method used for their production, and so, their accidental or intentional entrance into the aquatic ecosystems should be inhibited

Length-weight relationship and growth pattern of Turkmenian loach (Paraschistura sargadensis) living in Aran qanat, Baft city

Regarding the importance of studying inland water fishes specially the fish living in qanats, some morphology characteristics, length-weight relationship and growth type of Turkmenian loach Paraschistura sargadensis living in Aran qanat, Baft city were assessed by standard protocols. Range of total length was 25.1-51.38 mm, standard length was 20.65-43.10 mm, fork length was 23.41-46.85 mm, body depth was 2.97-4.66 mm and the weight of fish was 0.12-0.81 g. Total length- weight relation was as W=0.000012TL2.86 with r2= 0.978. According to the results of Pauly test, the value of “b” obtained had a significant difference with value of “3” and hence, the growth type of this species is allometric in Aran qanat

Toxicity Effect of Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles to Marine Microalgae, Nannochloropsis oculata

To assess the acute toxicity of colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in Nannochloropsis oculata, microalgal cells were exposed to different concentrations of AgNPs for 72 hours and according to OECD 201. Algal cell count was done every 24 hours and average specific growth rate, as well as percent inhibition of the average specific growth rate, were calculated for each concentration. Also, the amount of inhibitory concentrations (IC) and median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of this nanomaterial were calculated according to the percent inhibition of the average specific growth rates and by using the Probit Analysis program. The results showed that even at the lowest concentration (0.005 mg/L), silver nanoparticles reduced the growth of Nannochloropsis microalgae. Accordingly, No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC), Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC), and IC50 of this nanomaterial for tested microalgae were 0.001, 0.005, and 0.036 ± 0.009 mg/L. On this basis, and considering the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), tested AgNPs are classified as “category acute 1” or “very highly toxic” for N. oculata, so any accidental or intentional release of AgNPs containing wastewaters to aquatic ecosystems may cause irreparable effects on the aquatic environment

Acute toxicity of synthetic colloidal silver nanoparticles produced by laser ablation method to Eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki

Considering the growing production, consumption of nanomaterials and their probable release into the aquatic ecosystems and study on the toxic effects of these materials are of critical importance to aquatic organisms. In this study, the acute toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produced by a physical method (laser ablation) was examined on Gambusia fish. Acute toxicity tests were planned and performed according to standards of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. To do this, after 96 hour exposing fish to different concentrations of silver nanoparticles, mortality data were analyzed using probit analysis program and lethal concentration values were calculated. Accordingly, the 96-hour median lethal concentration (LC50) of this AgNPs colloid for Gambusia fish (Gambusia holbrooki) estimated to be 0.016 mg l-1. On the basis of this value, mentioned nanomaterial is classified as a highly toxic chemical and in the case of release into the environment could have adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Preventing from intentional or accidental release of AgNPs into aquatic ecosystems should be, therefore, considered further

Individual and combined effects of dietary iron and copper nanoparticles and comparison with their inorganic forms on blood biochemical profile, antioxidant status and immune response of Schizothorax Zarudnyi Nikolskii, 1897

In this study, the effect of dietary supplementation with mineral and Nano forms of two essential elements, iron and copper was investigated on the blood biochemical profile, antioxidant, and immunity performance of Schizothorax Zarudnyi with an average weight of 23.97±0.45 g. The fish were fed with diets containing (1)  no copper and iron supplement (basal diet), (2) 150 mg/kg of mineral iron supplement, (3) 3 mg/kg of mineral copper supplement, (4) 150 and 3 mg/kg of iron and mineral copper supplement respectively, (5) 150 mg/kg of iron nanoparticle supplement, (6) 3 mg/kg of copper nanoparticle supplement, and (7) 150 and 3 mg/kg of iron nanoparticles and copper nanoparticle supplement, respectively for 60 days. Dietary addition of iron and copper in both forms improved blood biochemical profile, antioxidant, and immunity performance compared to the control. The addition of Nano form led to significant improvement in blood parameters and antioxidant defense system compared to the mineral-fed treatments. The simultaneous use of the Nano form of these two elements led to a significant improvement in serum total protein, albumin, globulin, HDL, cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA, GPx, SOD, CAT, C3, ACH50, and serum bactericidal activity compared to other treatments. In conclusion, the simultaneous use of iron and copper at the rate of 150 and 3 mg/kg of diet in Nano form is much more effective than their mineral or individual Nano forms to improve the antioxidant and immune parameters of S. Zarudnyi

Effect of lethal concentration of Nano Silver in Aphanius dispar

Rising trend of production and use of nanoparticles can lead to the possibility of their release into aquatic environments. Therefore, knowing toxic effects of these materials on aquatic organisms is of great importance. The objective of this research was to study the acute toxicity of colloidal silver nanoparticles (CAgNPs) through determining the lethal concentrations in the euryhaline teleost, Aphanius dispar. Toxicology experiments were conducted for 96 h in freshwater according to the OCED 203 standard protocol. Fish mortality was recorded every 24 h after exposure to concentrations of CAgNPs 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50. The actual concentration of silver in each aquarium was measured by atomic absorption and based on the actual concentration data on mortality were analyzed using the US EPA Probit analysis program. Based on the results, the estimated 96h LC50 of CAgNPs was 10.631 mg/L. Accordingly, the tested CAgNPs should be classified according to GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals) as “category acute 3” for Aphanius dispar this means that presence of CAgNPs in the environment of this fish is detrimental and, therefore, its release into the aquatic ecosystem should be carefully considered

Prevalence of depression and anxiety among IIUM pre-clinical medical students during COVID 19 pandemic

Given the tough nature of studying medicine, medical students are at higher risk of developing mental health-related issues such as depression and anxiety than the general public. The worries about what the future holds, lack of social interactions due to shifting towards online learning, and being confined inside the house for a long period of time due to government-imposed lockdown, might negatively affect medical students’ state of mind. This study was done to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety among International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) preclinical medical students during COVID-19. A cross sectional study involving Year 1 (n=77) and Year 2 (n=81) medical students of IIUM was conducted from July till August 2020, and they were recruited to answer a self-administered online survey. This study was done in accordance with terms stipulated by the institutional ethical committee (Research ID: 735). The Generalized Anxiety Disorders Scale (GAD-7) and Well Being Index (WHO-5) scores were used to assess the level of anxiety and depression among the students respectively. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 (IBM, New York). From 158 respondents, 27.8% of the students experienced depression, while 86.7% of the students flagged symptoms of anxiety. In accordance with this outcome, the concern about their physical well-being, social relationship and ffectiveness of online learning during this pandemic crisis are among the factors that might contribute to the increase of depression and anxiety among the students. This study has concluded that IIUM medical students showed an increased risk of suffering from depression and anxiety during COVID-19 era. It is highly suggested that proper interventions such as university support group online gathering, interactive online learning and gamification, and promotion of online counselling be administered in order to preserve good mental health of medical students during this pandemi

Perceptions of the online learning experience among medical students during COVID-19

Social gatherings have been limited during the COVID 19 pandemic to reduce the transmission of viruses. Many academic institutions have shifted their classes from traditional methods into online remote teaching and learning sessions. Since neither the students nor lecturers were familiar with this setting, the delivery of medical education has undoubtedly impacted as the lectures, clinical placements and key examinations were discontinued. Many adjustments need to be made in order to make sure that the online teaching is held properly. This study was conducted to investigate the perceptions of online learning experience among medical students during the pandemic. An online survey was distributed to 158 medical students from Year 1 and Year 2 of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) from July 2021 till August 2021. The Learning Community Scale and Student Support Scale based on Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) were applied to measure the participants' perceptions. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Based on the Learning Community scale, higher response values signified better feelings towards the learning community. The average scores of all five questions were high level (3.68-4.36 on 5-Likert scale), suggesting that the participants were feeling well towards their learning community. Likewise, higher response values in the Student Support scale indicated that better student support is perceived. The average scores of all five questions were also high (3.11-4.31 on 5-Likert scale), indicating that the respondents perceived an adequate amount of student support. In conclusion, the study conjectured positive perceptions towards their learning experience during COVID-19 pandemic among the students despite the sudden shift from physical to online teaching and learning sessions. However, broader ethnic groups and larger sample sizes might be useful for more precise and reliable future results