Challenges women face in leadership positions: a quantitative approach in cycles’ 1 and 2 schools

This quantitative study explores the challenges that face Omani women in becoming cycle 1 and cycle 2 school principal. The problem is that; Omani women occupy only 9% of the leadership positions among civil service employees. Oman is ranked 127th out of 135 countries, and was given a 0.587 score, regarding the women participation in the labor market. The society’s perception of women as having weak qualities compared to men, the community looks at women as being emotional and unable to make decisions. This study is implemented in both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 female schools in four regions: (Al-Batina, Al-Dhahira, Al-Sharqia and Al-Dakhalia). An online questionnaire with (30) paragraphs has been used as a tool for data collection. Thirty female school principals were the research participants in the current study. (11) from cycle 1 schools and (19) from cycle 2 schools. The findings revealed that: Firstly, the majority of responses confirmed that women have the right and ability to have a job at leadership positions in Oman. Secondly, cultural barriers do not hinder females in becoming school principals. Thirdly, the study revealed that women may receive support from their families to take leadership positions. On the other hand, it detected that the personal challenges such as limited ambition, less motivation as well as less desire to reach leadership positions and the traditional views towards women role in Omani society; have the biggest impact on preventing Omani women to take leadership roles. It is also evident from the study that women are overcoming gender related challenges by taking up education and working hard to be as good as the men in Oman

Integrating product emotions study in the industrial design education for sustaining affective consumers

This article highlights the importance of product emotions study in the industrial design education. The incorporation of product emotions during the design of an artefact is important as it embodies the socio-cultural preference towards that artefact, hence supporting one of the three sustainable development components—social sustainability. Therefore, through the application of product emotions study, Malaysian products could elicit positive emotions that will lead to consumer-product’s ‘affective sustainability.’ We conducted a preliminary survey among the industrial design academia to gauge how we can effectively incorporate the product emotions component into the Malaysian tertiary curriculum. We first present a selected background literature on product emotions and explain the types of response processing using examples from the market. We then explain our research method and present the results and analysis. At the conclusion of this article, we recommend how industrial design education can integrate the aspect of product emotions in its curriculum and highlight the need for research in this area if Malaysian products wish to gain sustainable affection in the global markets. We hope that the successful integration of product emotions will enable local manufacturers to improve their sales revenue and develop larger market for their products

Genetic diversity of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 from Sabah, Malaysia 2015

Background Cholera is an important health problem in Sabah, a Malaysian state in northern Borneo; however, Vibrio cholerae in Sabah have never been characterized. Since 2002, serogroup O1 strains having the traits of both classical and El Tor biotype, designated as atypical El Tor biotype, have been increasingly reported as the cause of cholera worldwide. These variants are believed to produce clinically more severe disease like classical strains. Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the genetic diversity of V. cholerae in Sabah and whether V. cholerae in Sabah belong to atypical El Tor biotype. Methods ERIC-PCR, a DNA fingerprinting method for bacterial pathogens based on the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence, was used to study the genetic diversity of 65 clinical V. cholerae O1 isolates from 3 districts (Kudat, Beluran, Sandakan) in Sabah and one environmental isolate from coastal sea water in Kudat district. In addition, we studied the biotype-specific genetic traits in these isolates to establish their biotype. Results Different fingerprint patterns were seen in isolates from these three districts but one of the patterns was seen in more than one district. Clinical isolates and environmental isolate have different patterns. In addition, Sabah isolates harbor genetic traits specific to both classical biotype (ctxB-1, rstRCla) and El Tor biotype (rstRET, rstC, tcpAET, rtxC, VC2346). Conclusion This study revealed that V. cholerae in Sabah were genetically diverse and were atypical El Tor strains. Fingerprint patterns of these isolates will be useful in tracing the origin of this pathogen in the future

Enhancing Community Commitment in Conservation through Participatory Approach

Kg. Tudan is a village situated in the buffer zone of Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve (CRBR). About 402 people live in Kg. Tudan, and majority are farmers. However, the steep terrain and infertility of the soil has affected the livelihood of communities, making them dependent on the surrounding forest to support their living. The Sabah State Government, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) implemented a project in Kg. Tudan, Tuaran, Sabah from 1st July, 2013 until 30th June 2017, under a programme called "Sustainable Development for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation" (SDBEC). The project's main focus was to develop sustainable livelihoods through a participatory approach and the concept of living in harmony with the environment. After the project ended, a qualitative study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the SDBEC project implementation in Kg. Tudan and its implication towards the local communities' conservation awareness. Thirty-three villagers of Kg. Tudan were interviewed. The data was analysed using Leximancer software with results illustrated in the form of a conceptual map. The study's findings indicated that the knowledge and commitment of the community in Kg. Tudan on conservation was enhanced through a participatory approach. The study also identified that the community of Kg. Tudan required capacity building and integration of sustainable livelihoods with community-based natural resource management. We recommended for ministries and NGOs engaged in environmental and biodiversity conservation to direct more efforts towards developing sustainable practices that facilitate local communities' participation in preserving natural resources

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

Determination of optimum sodium bicarbonate injection rates for acid hydrochloric scrubbing in a clinical waste incineration plant

Clinical wastes are heterogeneous in nature and fluctuations in the waste components have a direct effect on the sorbent capture rates. This research was conducted to determine the optimum sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) injection rates for acid hydrochloric (HCl) scrubbing in a clinical waste incineration plant. The plant employs a rotary kiln system having burning capacity of 300 kg/h of clinical waste and operated on a 24 h/day basis. Currently the plant meets all the emission parameters set by the Department of Environment (DOE) even at excessive injection rates of NaHCO3. The NaHCO3 injection rate is 25 kg/h, which was recommended by plant manufacturer to meet maximum standard emission limit of 100 mg/Nm3 HCl. Moisture content (relative humidity) and stoichiometric ratio of adsorbent and acid mist were the main parameters influencing the acid gases removal. To overcome the excessive injection of NaHCO3, analysis of HCl emission at various injection rates of 25, 20, 15 and 10 kg/h were conducted. The results on HCl emission after injection of NaHCO3 were in the range of 0.58-7.13, 5.63-7.74, 0.07- 2.99 and 3-28 mg/Nm3, respectively. The results showed that NaHCO3 injection rate as low as 10 kg/h could still meet the HCl stipulated emission limit. It can be concluded from this study that an optimum injection rate would not only save cost and reduce wastage but also reduce bag house loading rate and prolong the life span of filter bags. A further study was conducted for chlorine (Cl2) and HCl emissions at the point of before and after the injection point of NaHCO3, showed inverse proportional relationship between both parameters. Total Cl2 concentration was lower at the point of after injection point of NaHCO3, lower temperature was observed with higher water vapor (H2O) present had reduced the amount of Cl2 present. The reduction in emission concentration ranges from 56% to 97% after NaHCO3 injection at a slight reduced temperature. Most of the chlorine atom will leave the incinerator as HCl, but a considerable part is in the form of Cl2

Bioactivities and green advanced extraction technologies of ginger oleoresin extracts: a review

Zingiber officinale Roscoe is an excellent source of bioactive compounds, mainly gingerols and shogaols compounds, that associated with various bioactivities including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm. Zingiber officinale Roscoe found its application in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical industries. The demand for a high quality of ginger oleoresin extracts based on the contents of gingerols and shogaols compounds for a health-benefit has dramatically increased. Various extraction techniques, including the conventional and advanced extraction techniques for gingerols and shogaols have been reported based on the literature data from 2012 to 2022. The present review examines the functional composition and bioactivities of Zingiber officinale Roscoe and the advanced green extraction technologies. Some variations in the quantity and quality of gingerols and shogaols compounds are because of the extraction method employed. This review provides a depth discussion of the various green advanced extraction technologies and the influences of process variables on the performance of the extraction process. Lower temperature with a short exposure time such as ultrasound-assisted and enzyme-assisted extraction, will lead to high quality of extracts with high content of 6-gingerol. High thermal processing, such as microwave-assisted and pressurized liquid extraction, will produce higher 6-shogaol. Meanwhile, supercritical fluid extraction promotes high quality and the safety of extracts by using non-toxic CO2. In addition, challenges and future prospects of the extraction of ginger oleoresin have been identified and discussed. The emerging green extraction methods and technologies show promising results with less energy input and higher quality extracts than conventional extraction methods

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in children : an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study

Introduction Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, there is a lack of data available about SSI in children worldwide, especially from low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of SSI in children and associations between SSI and morbidity across human development settings. Methods A multicentre, international, prospective, validated cohort study of children aged under 16 years undergoing clean-contaminated, contaminated or dirty gastrointestinal surgery. Any hospital in the world providing paediatric surgery was eligible to contribute data between January and July 2016. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI by 30 days. Relationships between explanatory variables and SSI were examined using multilevel logistic regression. Countries were stratified into high development, middle development and low development groups using the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Results Of 1159 children across 181 hospitals in 51 countries, 523 (45 center dot 1%) children were from high HDI, 397 (34 center dot 2%) from middle HDI and 239 (20 center dot 6%) from low HDI countries. The 30-day SSI rate was 6.3% (33/523) in high HDI, 12 center dot 8% (51/397) in middle HDI and 24 center dot 7% (59/239) in low HDI countries. SSI was associated with higher incidence of 30-day mortality, intervention, organ-space infection and other HAIs, with the highest rates seen in low HDI countries. Median length of stay in patients who had an SSI was longer (7.0 days), compared with 3.0 days in patients who did not have an SSI. Use of laparoscopy was associated with significantly lower SSI rates, even after accounting for HDI. Conclusion The odds of SSI in children is nearly four times greater in low HDI compared with high HDI countries. Policies to reduce SSI should be prioritised as part of the wider global agenda.Peer reviewe

Management and Outcomes Following Surgery for Gastrointestinal Typhoid: An International, Prospective, Multicentre Cohort Study

Background: Gastrointestinal perforation is the most serious complication of typhoid fever, with a high disease burden in low-income countries. Reliable, prospective, contemporary surgical outcome data are scarce in these settings. This study aimed to investigate surgical outcomes following surgery for intestinal typhoid. Methods: Two multicentre, international prospective cohort studies of consecutive patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal typhoid perforation were conducted. Outcomes were measured at 30 days and included mortality, surgical site infection, organ space infection and reintervention rate. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to adjust for clinically plausible explanatory variables. Effect estimates are expressed as odds ratios (ORs) alongside their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 88 patients across the GlobalSurg 1 and GlobalSurg 2 studies were included, from 11 countries. Children comprised 38.6% (34/88) of included patients. Most patients (87/88) had intestinal perforation. The 30-day mortality rate was 9.1% (8/88), which was higher in children (14.7 vs. 5.6%). Surgical site infection was common, at 67.0% (59/88). Organ site infection was common, with 10.2% of patients affected. An ASA grade of III and above was a strong predictor of 30-day post-operative mortality, at the univariable level and following adjustment for explanatory variables (OR 15.82, 95% CI 1.53–163.57, p = 0.021). Conclusions: With high mortality and complication rates, outcomes from surgery for intestinal typhoid remain poor. Future studies in this area should focus on sustainable interventions which can reduce perioperative morbidity. At a policy level, improving these outcomes will require both surgical and public health system advances