Hybrid Software Architecture For Doctor-Patient Consultation

This aim of the research is to solve an inadequate performance of the conventional approach in capturing clinical finding during doctor-patient consultation, by designing and implementing the proposed hybrid software architecture. Doctor-patient consultation is a crucial process in diagnosing and capturing clinical findings of patient problem. Currently, most doctor-patient consultation used conventional ways of capturing clinical findings by using paper‟s note, note book, manually entered digital records, and so on. With these conventional ways, the number of patient to be treated properly in the consultation process is less than the number of patients that had been registered per day. This problem most probably caused by the low performance of process and system response time, system interruption, and inadequate integrated system that make patients‟ health records difficult to be accessed seamlessly across other modules in health information system. The proposed architecture incorporates hybrid technique that could operate during online and offline situation by utilizing local and central data storage. This architecture also provide fast track search using International Clinical Diseases version 10 (ICD-10) and Read Clinical Term (CTV3) for doctors to clerk in clinical findings such as diagnosis, symptoms, medication and other related clinical notes. The research was conducted through case study approach by way of structured and semi-structured interview at Health Centre of UTeM. The findings from the data collection and validation showed that the proposed architecture is suitable to be used but requires minor modification. Application of this hybrid architecture dramatically reduces the time taken and improves response time for doctor to capture patient health record during doctor-patient consultation process

Variation in annual volume at a university hospital does not predict mortality for pancreatic resections.

Annual volume of pancreatic resections has been shown to affect mortality rates, prompting recommendations to regionalize these procedures to high-volume hospitals. Implementation has been difficult, given the paucity of high-volume centers and the logistical hardships facing patients. Some studies have shown that low-volume hospitals achieve good outcomes as well, suggesting that other factors are involved. We sought to determine whether variations in annual volume affected patient outcomes in 511 patients who underwent pancreatic resections at the University of California, San Francisco between 1990 and 2005. We compared postoperative mortality and complication rates between low, medium, or high volume years, designated by the number of resections performed, adjusting for patient characteristics. Postoperative mortality rates did not differ between high volume years and medium/low volume years. As annual hospital volume of pancreatic resections may not predict outcome, identification of actual predictive factors may allow low-volume centers to achieve excellent outcomes

New localities of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) in the upper Euphrates river basin, a remarkable range extension in western Iraq

Records of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) have been confined to the waterbodies of southern, central, and northern Iraq (Kurdistan). Although its status in the Upper Euphrates River Basin in western Iraq is not fully explored, it seems to be rare. In August 2019, two adult Eurasian otters were reported from two new localities in Anbar Province after being strangled by fishing nets. These records represent the first photographic evidence for a remarkable range extension of the Eurasian Otter distribution range in western Iraq

Recent Sighting of Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli in Hawizeh Marsh (Southern Iraq)

Since 1956, there were very few sightings of Iraq Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli) especially after the Iraqi marshlands inundation. In April 2015, an adult male Iraq Smooth-coated Otter was trapped near Al-Edheam, in the northern part of Hawizeh Marsh (Southern Iraq). The recent sighting along with present photographic record represents very rare evidence documenting the occurrence of L. p. maxwelli otter in Iraq since the1950s

Fatty acid evaluation and antimicrobial activity of virgin coconut oil and activated virgin coconut oil on streptococcus mutans

For decades, coconut oil was reported to possess a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity due to its abundant fatty acid’s contents. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) has been strongly implicated as the main etiological factor in dental caries. Regardless of the ongoing medical advances, the therapeutic resources for dental caries remain ineffectual, and this has led to renewed interest in using virgin coconut oil (VCO) as a possible choice for dental caries control. In this study, the ability of VCO and activated virgin coconut oil (AVCO) combatting cariogenic S. mutans ATCC 25175 has been evaluated. Fatty acids contents were compared through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrum (GC-MS) analysis, and their antimicrobial activity was determined using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. From the GC-MS analysis, AVCO (59%) was found to have a slightly higher medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) as compared to VCO (54.1%), and the long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) contents in VCO (45.9%) was found to be higher than AVCO (41%). Interestingly, S. mutans ATCC 25175 was found to be susceptible towards AVCO (MIC: 6.24 mg/ml) and resistance towards VCO in vitro. The excellent antimicrobial activity of AVCO as a result from (i) the release of individuals fatty acids after activation of virgin coconut oil by lipase digestion and (ii) the present of MCFA and LCFA that are significant in antimicrobial activity. Further study can be designed to specifically examine the activity of individuals fatty acids present in oils against S.mutans virulence genes/protein using molecular dynamic assessment

Influence of Cognitive, Affective, and Conative Elements in Promoting Engineering Problem Solving Skills

Problem solving is one of the main challenges that needs to be mastered in engineering learning. This study aimed at looking whether cognitive, affective and conative elements play role in the process of mastering problem solving skills in engineering learning. Cognitive, affective and conative refer to the ‘Trilogy of Mind’ concept. Educational innovation from 1980-2016 shows that elements proposed in the ‘Trilogy of Mind’ capable in improving academic achievement. Previous studies conducted among engineering students in polytechnics Malaysia show the importance of cognitive, affective and conative elements in mastering problem solving in learning. This study continued in the process of looking whether cognitive, affective and conative can enhance the engineering learning. Strategy (cognitive), attitude (affective) and initiative (conative) are elements that are found to be able to improve academic achievement through the mastery of problem solving. An in-depth study is referring to the process of looking the relationship between strategy and attitude, initiative and attitude as well as the strategy and initiative. This study uses a survey design with a quantitative approach. The sampling method used is a simple random technique. A total of 100 engineering students from polytechnics were involved in this study. The data is analysed based on inferential statistic. The results showed that planned strategy in problems solving can be influenced by students' attitudes. Besides that, student attitude contributes to student initiative level. Strategy is also associated with initiative in mastering problem solving

Contributing factors and their association with blood pressure control amongst hypertensive patients

Objective: To assess contributing factors and their association with blood pressure control amongst hypertensive patients.Methodology: This cross sectional comparative study was conducted at OPD general medicine dept, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, from July to December 2018. Hypertensive patients of both genders, having age more than 18 years, and on antihypertensive medication form at least six months were included in the study. Optimally controlled BP was defined as an average systolic BP < 140 and diastolic BP < 90 mmHg if the patient is younger than 60 years, or an average systolic BP < 150 and diastolic BP < 90mmHg if patient was older than 60 years. Logistic regression was applied to assess the effect of different factors on blood pressure control of the hypertensive patients.Results: In the study sample majority 107 (55.4%) of the patients belonged to 41-60 years age group, and females 106 (54.9%) were predominant. Main bulk 155 (80.3%) of the patients was married and mostly 80 (41.5%) patients had monthly income in the range of 25000-50000. About half 89 (46.1%) of the patients enrolled for the study were doing adequate physical activity. Optimized blood pressure was found in 92 (47.67%) patients.Conclusion: The proportion of hypertensive patients whose blood pressure was optimally controlled was relatively low and less than half of patients had blood pressure in acceptable limits. Age group (41-60) years, routine use of vegetable on most days of week, physical activity, adherence to treatment and taking less than three drugs have a strong relationship with blood pressure to keep in optimized limits

Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq (Chordata: Mammalia)

A checklist of the mammals of Iraq including their current status and geographical distribution is provided. Data were collected from literature and combined with field observations obtained during 2013–2014. The checklist comprises 93 species of wild mammals occurring in Iraq and belonging to eight orders, 28 families, and 65 genera. The status and distribution of three Erinaceomorphs, three Soricomorphs, 20 Bats, 23 Carnivores, eight Artiodactyls, two Lagomorphs, 28 Rodents, and six Cetaceans are reported. The checklist includes 24 species evaluated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources: one was listed as Extinct, one as Critically Endangered, four as Endangered, eight as Vulnerable, seven as Near Threatened, and three as Data Deficient. One subspecies of carnivores (Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli) and one rodent species (Long-tailed Nesokia Nesokia bunnii) endemic to Mesopotamian marshlands were highlighted as taxa with conservation priority to Iraq. We also focused on main threats to the most common wild mammals with special attention to impacts of illegal hunting and poaching

Impact of Tufa Stone Powder as a Partial Replacement of Aggregate on the Mechanical Performance and Durability of Repair Mortar

The rehabilitation and reconstruction works are usually performed with a view to conserving these landmarks and maintaining them culturally, architecturally and structurally. From this perspective, the mortars utilized in these repairs must be suitable, physiochemically and mechanically, to the ancient materials used in these buildings. Accordingly, it was proposed to evaluate tufa stone powder, a waste product of one of the most widely found stones in the Loire Valley in France, as an ingredient in repair-work mortar mixtures (M1, M2) through partially replacing the fine aggregate it contains with different amounts of this powder (37%, 42%) by weight of mix. Additionally, a third manufacturing mortar (M3) was utilized with both prepared mortars (M1, M2) for comparison with the tufa stone. The mechanical properties (including flexural, compressive and shear strengths, and ultrasonic pulse velocity) and the durability properties (total porosity, thermal dilation and conductivity, capillary absorption, and water and gas permeability) of the three mortars were examined in addition to those of the tufa stone. The results revealed that the prepared mortar, M2, (having lower binder content and a higher amount of substitution with tufa stone powder) has the lowest mechanical performance in comparison with the other mortars, indicating that this mortar is more supple and loose than the authentic tufa masonry. The thermal and durability properties are comparable to that of the tufa stone existent in ancient monuments. Consequently, the prepared mortar (M2) is the most appropriate mortar, for utilization in repairing old landmarks in the Loire Valley in France

Lessons from humanitarian clusters to strengthen health system responses to mass displacement in low and middle-income countries: A scoping review.

The humanitarian cluster approach was established in 2005 but clarity on how lessons from humanitarian clusters can inform and strengthen health system responses to mass displacement in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) is lacking. We conducted a scoping review to examine the extent and nature of existing research and identify relevant lessons. We used Arksey and O'Malley's scoping framework with Levac's 2010 revisions and Khalil's 2016 refinements, focussing on identifying lessons from discrete humanitarian clusters that could strengthen health system responses to mass population displacement. We summarised thematically by cluster. Of 186 sources included, 56% were peer-reviewed research articles. Most related to health (37%), protection (18%), or nutrition (13%) clusters. Key lessons for health system responses included the necessity of empowering women; ensuring communities are engaged in decision-making processes (e.g. planning and construction of camps and housing) to strengthen trust and bonds between and within communities; and involving potential end-users in technological innovations development (e.g. geographical information systems) to ensure relevance and applicability. Our review provided evidence that non-health clusters can contribute to improving health outcomes using focussed interventions for implementation by government or humanitarian partners to inform LMIC health system responses to mass displacement