Game theory to enhance stock management of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 outbreak

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare facilities have suffered from shortages in medical resources, particularly in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In this paper, we propose a game-theoretic approach to schedule PPE orders among healthcare facilities. In this PPE game, each independent healthcare facility optimises its own storage utilisation in order to keep its PPE cost at a minimum. Such a model can reduce peak demand considerably when applied to a variable PPE consumption profile. Experiments conducted for NHS England regions using actual data confirm that the challenge of securing PPE supply during disasters such as COVID-19 can be eased if proper stock management procedures are adopted. These procedures can include early stockpiling, increasing storage capacities and implementing measures that can prolong the time period between successive infection waves, such as social distancing measures. Simulation results suggest that the provision of PPE dedicated storage space can be a viable solution to avoid straining PPE supply chains in case a second wave of COVID-19 infections occurs

BI’AH LUGHAWIYYAH DAN PENCAPAIAN PELAJAR DI UNIVERSITI AWAM MALAYSIA: PERANAN SIKAP PELAJAR SEBAGAI MEDIATOR

Bi’ah lughawiyyah memainkan peranan penting dalam proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran bagi meningkatkan penguasaan bahasa Arab dalam kalangan pelajar. Penguasaan bahasa Arab dalam kalangan pelajar di Malaysia masih berada pada tahap rendah dan kurang memuaskan. Justeru, keperluan untuk mengkaji faktor – faktor penentu penguasaan bahasa Arab dalam kalangan pelajar adalah sangat penting kerana penguasaan bahasa Arab merupakan petunjuk penting kepada kejayaan pelajar. Tujuan kajian ini dijalankan adalah untuk mengkaji pengaruh bi’ah lughawiyyah terhadap pencapaian pelajar serta peranan sikap pelajar sebagai mediator dalam hubungan di antara bi’ah lughawiyyah dan pencapaian pelajar. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah penyelidikan kuantitatif berbentuk tinjauan. Data kajian dikumpulkan dengan mengedarkan set soal selidik yang diadaptasi dan diubahsuai daripada beberapa kajian terdahulu. Seramai 494 orang pelajar di lapan buah universiti awam Malaysia yang menawarkan kursus sarjana muda bahasa Arab terlibat dalam kajian ini. Kaedah analisis data yang digunakan dalam kajian ini terdiri daripada dua bentuk iaitu analisis deskriptif statistik dan statistik inferensi. Kajian ini juga turut menjalankan analisis faktor iaitu analisis penerokaan faktor (EFA) dan analisis pengesahan faktor (CFA). Data kajian dianalisis dengan bantuan perisian SPSS dan perisian Structural Equation Modelling - Partial Least Square (Smart – PLS 3). Berdasarkan hasil analisis data, kajian ini menemukan bahawa bi’ah lughawiyyah (komponen psikososial dan fizikal) secara positif dan signifikan mempengaruhi pencapaian pelajar dan sikap pelajar berperanan sebagai mediator dalam hubungan di antara bi’ah lughawiyyah (komponen psikososial) dan pencapaian pelajar.   Kata Kunci: Bi’ah Lughawiyyah, mediator, pencapaian pelajar, sikap pelajar, universiti awam Malaysia   ABSTRACT Bi'ah lughawiyyah plays an important role in the process of teaching and learning to enhance Arabic language proficiency among students. Mastery of Arabic among Malaysian students is still low and unsatisfactory. Hence, the need to examine the determinants of Arabic language proficiency among students is very important because the mastery of Arabic is an important indicator of the success of the students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of lughawiyyah on the student achievement and the role of the student as a mediator in the relationship between lyaawiyyah and student achievement. This study uses quantitative research methods in the form of cross sectional. The data were collected by distributing set of questionnaire adapted and modified from some previous studies. A total of 494 students in eight Malaysian public universities who offer Arabic undergraduate courses are involved in this study. The data analysis method used in this study consisted of two forms, namely statistical descriptive analysis and inferential statistics. This study also carried out factor analysis, namely factor exploration analysis (EFA) and factor validation analysis (CFA). The data were analyzed using SPSS-22 and Structural Equation Modeling - Partial Least Square (Smart - PLS 3). Based on the results of the data analysis, this study finds that bi'ah lughawiyyah (psychosocial and physical components) positively and significantly influences students 'achievement and students' attitude as mediators in the relationship between the lughawiyyah (psychosocial component) and student achievement.   Keywords: Bi’ah Lughawiyyah, Malaysian public university, mediator, student achievement, student attitude   Cite as: Zaid, C. M., Ismail, Z., Al Jarrah, M. I., Ab Majid, M. R., Othman, M. A., & Salleh, A. W. (2019). Bi’ah Lughawiyyah dan pencapaian pelajar di universiti awam Malaysia: Peranan sikap pelajar sebagai mediator [Bi’ah Lughawiyah and achievement of students at Malaysian public university: The role of students as a mediator]. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 4(2), 70-100. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol4iss2pp70-10

The effects of tualang honey on female reproductive organs, tibia bone and hormonal profile in ovariectomised rats - animal model for menopause

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Honey is a highly nutritional natural product that has been widely used in folk medicine for a number of therapeutic purposes. We evaluated whether Malaysian Tualang honey (AgroMas, Malaysia) was effective in reducing menopausal syndrome in ovariectomised female rats; an animal model for menopause.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The rats were divided into two control groups and three test groups. The control groups were sham-operated (SH) and ovariectomised (OVX) rats. The SH and OVX control rats were fed on 0.5 ml of distill water. The rats in the test groups were fed with low dose 0.2 g/kg (THL), medium dose, 1.0 g/kg (THM) and high dose 2.0 g/kg (THH) of Tualang honey in 0.5 ml of distill water. The administration was given by oral gavage once daily for 2 weeks. The reproductive organs (uterus and vagina), tibia bone and aorta were taken for histopathological examination while serum for hormonal assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Administration of Tualang honey for 2 weeks to ovariectomised rats significantly increased the weight of the uterus and the thickness of vaginal epithelium, restored the morphology of the tibia bones and reduced the body weight compared to rats in the ovariectomised group. The levels of estradiol and progesterone, in honey treated groups were markedly lower than that in the OVX group. At low doses (0.2 g/kg; THL group) of Tualang honey there was an increased in serum free testosterone levels compared to OVX group (P < 0.01). Progesterone concentrations was significantly decreased in the OVX group as compared to SHAM group (P < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Tualang honey was shown to have beneficial effects on menopausal (ovariectomised) rats by preventing uterine atrophy, increased bone density and suppression of increased body weight. Honey could be an alternative to HRT.</p

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

A systematic evaluation of the performance of GPT‐4 and PaLM2 to diagnose comorbidities in MIMIC‐IV patients

Abstract Background Given the strikingly high diagnostic error rate in hospitals, and the recent development of Large Language Models (LLMs), we set out to measure the diagnostic sensitivity of two popular LLMs: GPT‐4 and PaLM2. Small‐scale studies to evaluate the diagnostic ability of LLMs have shown promising results, with GPT‐4 demonstrating high accuracy in diagnosing test cases. However, larger evaluations on real electronic patient data are needed to provide more reliable estimates. Methods To fill this gap in the literature, we used a deidentified Electronic Health Record (EHR) data set of about 300,000 patients admitted to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. This data set contained blood, imaging, microbiology and vital sign information as well as the patients' medical diagnostic codes. Based on the available EHR data, doctors curated a set of diagnoses for each patient, which we will refer to as ground truth diagnoses. We then designed carefully‐written prompts to get patient diagnostic predictions from the LLMs and compared this to the ground truth diagnoses in a random sample of 1000 patients. Results Based on the proportion of correctly predicted ground truth diagnoses, we estimated the diagnostic hit rate of GPT‐4 to be 93.9%. PaLM2 achieved 84.7% on the same data set. On these 1000 randomly selected EHRs, GPT‐4 correctly identified 1116 unique diagnoses. Conclusion The results suggest that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential when working alongside clinicians to reduce cognitive errors which lead to hundreds of thousands of misdiagnoses every year. However, human oversight of AI remains essential: LLMs cannot replace clinicians, especially when it comes to human understanding and empathy. Furthermore, a significant number of challenges in incorporating AI into health care exist, including ethical, liability and regulatory barriers

THE EFFECT OF AUTONOMY AND SALARY ON JOB SATISFACTION: A CASE STUDY OF TEACHERS IN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN KUWAIT

This study aimed at investigating autonomy and salary influencing job satisfaction of teachers in five-top international schools in the State of Kuwait. The research method used in this study was the quantitative research method because of its relevance to conducting social and humanitarian studies. The primary data has been collected with a questionnaire as the main instrument for data collection, which was distributed online by the schools’ management because of (Covid-19) while secondary data has been collected from the most up-to-date articles, Journals, and Books. The study population consisted of male and female teachers from five-top international schools, their number reached (1,890) teachers, while a sample of the study has been determined using the stratified sampling technique the number of the sample reached (370) teachers. Data from the respondents were analyzed using simple regression analysis &amp; ANOVA analysis, and (SPSS) software. The outcomes of the study showed that Autonomy (AUT), Salary (SAL), had significant positive effects on Job Satisfaction (JS). Thus, hypotheses H1, H2, were supported. Results of the analysis revealed that school administration should pay more attention to satisfying both intrinsic and extrinsic factors leading to teacher job satisfaction. The authors recommended that the international school management needs to address the individual's needs and work to satisfy them to achieve Job satisfaction of the teachers, and schools’ administration needs to provide teachers with financial and non-financial incentives to promote and encourage the teachers to do their best in performing their tasks and fulfilling their responsibilities toward the student and their parents

Highly Flexible Polyaniline-Based Implantable Electrode Materials for Neural Sensing/Stimulation Applications

Implantable bioelectrodes have the potential to advance neural sensing and muscle stimulation, mainly in patients with peripheral nerve injuries. They function as the transducer at the interface between the damaged nerve and the muscle which is controlled by that nerve. This work reports the fabrication and characterization of novel, low-cost, flexible bioelectrodes based on polyaniline (PANI) and supported with silicone polymer. The fabricated electrodes were evaluated for their electrical and mechanical characteristics. PANI was used as the main transducer component in this fabrication. The characterization methods included electrical conductivity, capacitive behavior, long-term electrical impedance, and mechanical evaluation. The results of the fabricated PANI-silicone-based samples displayed a bulk impedance of 0.6 kΩ with an impedance of 1.6 kΩ at the frequency of 1 kHz. Furthermore, the bioelectrodes showed a charge storage capacity range from 0.0730 to 4.3124 C/cm2. The samples were stable when subjected to cyclic voltammetry tests. The bioelectrodes revealed very flexible mechanical properties as observed from the value of Young’s modulus (in the order of MPa) which was less than that of skin. Hence, the PANI-based bioelectrodes reported herein showed promising electrochemical characteristics with high flexibility