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A Cross-Sectional Study on Patient Safety Culture in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India
Full text linkAim: The study was to assess the patient safety culture in a tertiary care hospital in India using the HSOPSC survey. It also sought to compare the findings with global data to identify strengths and areas for improvement in patient safety practices.
Methods: This cross-sectional study used the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) version 2.0 to assess patient safety culture at a tertiary care hospital in India. The survey was administered to healthcare professionals across various specialties, with responses analyzed using SPSS software. Comparative analysis was conducted with global data from the AHRQ database to evaluate differences in patient safety perceptions.
Findings: Findings revealed that while the hospital performed well in areas like organizational learning and communication about errors, it scored lower in domains such as staffing, error reporting, and teamwork compared to global data. A significant portion of staff reported challenges with staffing levels and work pace. Error reporting was less frequent, with many staff members indicating underreporting of incidents. Teamwork and communication within multidisciplinary teams also showed room for improvement, especially in overcoming hierarchical barriers. These results emphasize the need for better staffing practices, a supportive reporting environment, and enhanced interprofessional collaboration.
Conclusion: This study highlights the strengths and weaknesses in patient safety culture at a tertiary care hospital in India, with notable gaps in staffing, error reporting, and teamwork. Addressing these challenges through improved staffing levels, non-punitive reporting systems, and team-building initiatives could enhance patient safety. The findings suggest that fostering a supportive and open safety culture is essential for reducing medical errors. The study provides valuable insights for healthcare policymakers to implement targeted interventions for safer patient care in Indian hospitals
Biomedical Applications of Polycaprolactone (PCL) Composites: Structure, Properties, and Future Prospects
Full text linkPolycaprolactone (PCL) is a semi-crystalline, biodegradable aliphatic polyester that has emerged as a versatile biomaterial for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine applications due to its exceptional biocompatibility, controlled degradation kinetics (2-4 years in vivo), and FDA approval status for multiple medical devices. Despite these advantages, pure PCL exhibits significant limitations including low mechanical strength (16-24 MPa tensile strength), hydrophobic surface properties (water contact angle 80-90°), and minimal bioactivity, which restrict its clinical utility in load-bearing and cell-interactive applications. To address these shortcomings, researchers have developed PCL-based composite systems by incorporating bioactive ceramics (hydroxyapatite, β-tricalcium phosphate), natural polymers (collagen, chitosan, gelatin), synthetic polymers (PLA, PLGA), and nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide) to create multifunctional biomaterials with enhanced properties. This comprehensive review analyzes PCL composite development over the past two decades, emphasizing fabrication techniques including electrospinning, 3D printing, solvent casting, and melt blending, which enable precise control over scaffold architecture and functionality. Comparative analysis with other biodegradable polymers (PGA, PLGA) reveals PCL's unique advantages in long-term applications, with studies demonstrating >90% cell viability, ~65% bone regeneration in animal models, and sustained drug release profiles extending 6-8 weeks. Recent innovations include smart, stimuli-responsive PCL systems for targeted therapy, gene delivery platforms, and bioprinting applications that have advanced from laboratory research to clinical trials, with several PCL-based products (Neurolac®, Osteoplug®) receiving regulatory approval. Current challenges include manufacturing scalability, long-term biocompatibility assessment, and complex regulatory pathways for multi-component systems. Future developments focus on integrating artificial intelligence for scaffold design, 4D printing technologies for dynamic structures, and multidisciplinary approaches combining materials science with precision medicine. This review demonstrates that PCL-based composites represent a transformative class of biomaterials with customizable properties that bridge fundamental research and clinical translation, positioning them at the forefront of next-generation biomedical technologies
Improving Mathematics Achievement and Self-Efficacy in Students with Mild Intellectual Disabilities using the 7Es Learning Strategy in Inclusive Classrooms in Calabar Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria
No full textAim: The study examined the effect of the 7Es learning strategy on Mathematics achievement and self-efficacy of students with mild intellectual disabilities in an inclusive classroom in Calabar Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study objectives were established to provide direction and focus for this research. Two research questions were formed, which were converted to two null hypotheses. A literature review was done based on the study variables, and the research gaps were also stated.
Method: The study used a 2x2 factorial design in this investigation. The design was quasi-experimental and non-randomized. The population of the study consisted of 4,031 Senior Secondary (SSII) students with mild intellectual disabilities in Calabar Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria, of which a sample of 200 students with mild disabilities were selected (100 students were taught using the 7Es learning strategy, while 100 were taught using the traditional approach). The data was gathered using a mathematical achievement test (MAT) and a Mathematics Self-Efficacy Rating Scale questionnaire (MSERSQ). The reliability coefficients are strong (KR-20 = 0.88, Cronbach's Alpha = 0.90) for the MAT and MSERSQ, respectively, indicating good reliability. Two research hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the data, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was applied to test the null hypotheses.
Results: The results of the analysis using ANCOVA indicated that students with mild intellectual disabilities who received tutoring using the 7Es learning strategy outperformed those who received tutoring using the traditional approach in terms of mathematics achievement (F-ratio = 268.399, p < 0.050), with a partial eta squared of 0.577 indicating a moderate effect, and self-efficacy (F-ratio = 1261.293, p < 0.050) with a partial eta squared of 0.865 indicating a high impact.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the high academic achievement and self-efficacy of students with mild intellectual disabilities depend on the practical application of the 7Es teaching technique by teachers in teaching Mathematics concepts.
Recommendation: Among other recommendations, the 7Es learning strategy should be adopted into the teaching and learning of Mathematics to improve mathematics achievement and self-efficacy of learners with diverse needs.
Unique Contribution: This study's key contribution was to introduce the 7Es learning strategy as an effective pedagogical tool for enhancing mathematics achievement and self-efficacy of students with diverse needs
The Paradox of ESG Performance and Audit Fees in the Energy Sector: Mediating and Moderating Effects of Green Innovation, Supply Chain Management, and Media Attention
Full text linkThe ESG concept, which covers the dimensions of corporate environment, society, and corporate governance, has promoted the transformation of corporate goals from pursuing maximum self-interest to balancing environmental, social, and corporate governance values. The vast majority of current research focuses on how improving corporate ESG performance can reduce audit fees, and there is little literature specifically studying the relationship between ESG performance and audit fees for energy industry companies. This article takes energy-listed companies from 2018 to 2022 as samples to analyze the impact of ESG performance and its environmental, social, and corporate governance dimensions on audit fees in the energy industry. At the same time, this study explores whether ESG performance and its environmental, social, and corporate governance dimensions have an intermediary mechanism for audit fees through green innovation capabilities, supply chain integration management, and shareholder equity, as well as the moderating effect of media attention on the relationship between ESG performance, environmental, social, and corporate dimensions and audit fees. Research has found that: (1) the improvement of ESG performance, environmental performance, social performance, and corporate governance performance of energy companies cannot reduce audit fees; (2) Green innovation capability and supply chain integrated management play an intermediary role between corporate ESG performance and audit fees, supply chain integrated management and shareholder equity play an intermediary role between corporate environmental performance and audit fees, green innovation capability and supply chain integrated management play an intermediary role between corporate social performance and audit fees, and green innovation capability plays an intermediary role between corporate governance performance and audit fees; (3) Media attention has played a positive moderating role in the impact of corporate ESG performance and environmental dimensions on audit fees. The research has improved the ESG performance of energy industry enterprises in specific industries and the relationship between their performance in the environmental, social, and governance dimensions and audit fees. This will further promote energy enterprises to practice ESG concepts and achieve sustainable development
Framing Conflict: American Media’s Framing of the Israel-Hamas War
Full text linkA content analysis of 335 news articles from The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and Fox News published between October 2023 and March 2024 reveals that Fox News predominantly employs the ‘security threat’ frame, portraying Israel’s actions as necessary defenses, while The New York Times and CNN emphasize ‘humanitarian crisis’ and ‘moral responsibility’ frames, highlighting impacts on Palestinian civilians and ethical concerns. The Washington Post takes a more balanced but critical approach toward the war. We also interviewed 10 journalists from the four media channels, and they confirmed and elaborated on what we found in the content analysis. These outcomes demonstrate that in the coverage of an international conflict media framing may take a bidirectional nature, where media influence public opinion while simultaneously adapting to audience perceptions
Assessing the Impact of Nutritional Status on Psychomotor Development in Infants Aged 0-23 Months in the Gahombo Health District, Burundi
No full textThis study aims to assess the influence of malnutrition on the psychomotor development of children aged 0–23 months in the Gahombo health district. The survey was conducted from 12 to 27 July 2024.
The results show disharmonious psychomotor development in children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) when compared to their adequately nourished peers. The ability to hold the head without support, sit, crawl, walk independently, pronounce simple words, babble, and track familiar faces is significantly affected in malnourished children.
Only 9.7% of MAM and 2.7% of SAM children walked independently at 12 months of age, in contrast to 39.2% of adequately nourished children. Furthermore, the ability to pronounce "papa" and "maman" or to babble and follow a familiar face was much lower in malnourished children (p < 0.05). These delays were more pronounced in cases of severe malnutrition. Therefore, malnutrition has a profound influence on psychomotor development in children under two years of age. The study highlights the importance of early intervention and appropriate nutritional care in mitigating the impact of these disorders
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration Status and Neonatal Immune Function: New Perspectives in Anticipating Late Onset Sepsis among Preterm Neonates at Tertiary Care Centres (A Prospective Study)
No full textObjective: This study aims to investigate the impact of low vitamin D levels in cord blood on the incidence of neonatal sepsis in preterm infants.
Patients and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Al-Azhar and Helwan University Hospitals from September 2024 to January 2025. 150 neonate premature infants with a gestational age of <37 weeks were enrolled. In the present study, vitamin D deficiency (group 1, n=75) was defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <15 ng/mL; and vitamin D sufficiency (group 2, n =75), 25(OH)D concentration ≥15 ng/mL.
Results: All markers were higher in Group 1 compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the mean Del PCT was lower in group 2 compared to different groups. The cut-off of the umbilical cord CRP was 10.5 mg/L, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 41, 88.0, 29 and 28%, respectively. At a PCT cut-off of 1.18 ng/mL, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 79, 91, 51 and 61%, respectively
Conclusion: Our study is one of the few that examines the relationship between neonatal sepsis in preterm newborns and the level of vitamin D in cord blood. Based on the findings of our investigation, we concluded that neonatal sepsis in preterm newborns is not related to vitamin D levels in the cord blood. To investigate these findings further, a larger patient sample or randomized controlled trials are required
From Syndicates to Protocols: Rethinking Organized Crime in the Age of Cybercrime
Full text linkThis article develops the concept of cyber-mediated organized crime to capture structural transformations driven by digital infrastructures, especially cryptocurrencies.
Integrating functionalist theory (AGIL), Elias’s figurational sociology, and trust theory, it reconstructs how criminal formations adapt by substituting social embeddedness with cryptographic mechanisms.
Empirical domains—ransomware, darknet markets, blockchain laundering—reveal how digital actors fulfill core functions of protection, coordination, and trust under pseudonymity and decentralization.
Rather than replicating traditional hierarchies, these formations emerge as adaptive social systems shaped by functional differentiation and technological affordances.
Their systemic resilience, despite evolving law enforcement strategies, underscores new modes of illicit governance and contestation
Safety and Efficacy of Flow Diversion for Intracranial Aneurysms in Small Parent Vessels: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Full text linkBackground: Intracranial aneurysms arising from small parent vessels (<2 mm) are challenging due to their fragile anatomy and distal locations. Flow diversion (FD) offers a promising treatment, but its safety and efficacy in small vessels remain underexplored.
Objective: To evaluate angiographic occlusion rates and procedure-related morbidity associated with flow diversion for intracranial aneurysms arising from parent vessels <2 mm in diameter.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Bicêtre Hospital, Paris, France, from January 2018 to December 2023, analyzing 50 patients undergoing 56 procedures for 55 aneurysms. FD devices (e.g., Silk Vista Baby, Pipeline Flex) were used. Follow-up at 6, 18, and 42 months assessed occlusion via digital subtraction angiography (DSA) using Raymond-Roy and O’Kelly-Marotta scales.
Results: Complete occlusion was achieved in 70.9% (39/55) of aneurysms at a mean follow-up of 17.86 months. At 6, 18, and 42 months, occlusion rates were 56.4%, 55.6%, and 76.5%, respectively. Intraprocedural complications occurred in 28.6% (16/56) of procedures, with 19.6% (11/56) due to in-stent thrombosis. Symptomatic major complications were observed in 17.9% (10/56), including ischemic events and hemorrhage, and permanent FD-related morbidity was 8.0% (4/50).
Conclusion: FD is effective for small vessel aneurysms, with high occlusion rates, but significant complications highlight the need for careful patient selection and refined techniques. Larger studies are needed to optimize outcomes
The Effectiveness of a Training Program in Equipping Teachers of Students with Intellectual Disabilities with Competencies for Implementing Transition Plans and Enhancing Their Teaching Self-Efficacy
No full textBackground: Teachers working with students who have intellectual disabilities are the pillars supporting these students throughout their educational success and are primarily responsible for implementing transition plans for them. The ability of teachers working with students who have intellectual disabilities to acquire competencies related to student transition to different stages is a primary factor that makes this transition smooth. Therefore, teaching self-efficacy plays a crucial role in teachers’ success in their assigned roles and, accordingly, implementing transition plans.
Objective: The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a training program in equipping teachers working with students who have intellectual disabilities with competencies for implementing transition plans and enhancing their self-efficacy.
Methods: The study adopted the quasi-experimental approach that included one experimental group subject to pre-test and post-test measurements and a follow-up measurement to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program and its sustainable results. In this study, the independent variable was the training program, while the dependent variables were the competencies for implementing transition plans and teaching self-efficacy. The study employed the following instruments: a questionnaire on the competencies of teachers of students with intellectual disabilities for implementing transition plans (developed by the researchers), a questionnaire on teaching self-efficacy among special education teachers (developed by the researchers), and a training program (developed by the researchers).
Participants: The study sample comprised (13) elementary-stage teachers working with students with intellectual disabilities. The teachers demonstrated insufficient competencies in implementing transition plans and insufficient teaching self-efficacy.
Results: The study's results confirmed the effectiveness of the training program in improving teachers' competencies for implementing transition plans and teaching self-efficacy. This is indicative of the effectiveness of the activities and strategies included in the program in enhancing these competencies and skills for the teachers.
Conclusions: The study at hand is one of the few that contributes to the professional development of teachers working with students with intellectual disabilities in an Egyptian environment. The study also presented two measuring instruments: one for transition competencies, another for teaching self-efficacy, and a training program for enhancing both