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Public Value Creation Amid Geopolitical Challenges: the Necessity of Robotizing Nurses' Administrative Tasks in the Public Healthcare Context
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This qualitative study explores the extent to which the integration of robots in Egyptian public hospitals might alleviate nurses' administrative tasks and contribute to the creation of public value, as well as the reasons behind these potential effects. Analysis of interviews reveals that nurses do not believe replacing them with robots for administrative tasks would significantly reduce their workload or enhance public value. The nurses identify three primary challenges contributing to this belief: patient-focused, nurse-focused, and contextual challenges.Abstract
This qualitative study explores the extent to which the integration of robots in Egyptian public hospitals might alleviate nurses' administrative tasks and contribute to the creation of public value, as well as the reasons behind these potential effects. Analysis of interviews reveals that nurses do not believe replacing them with robots for administrative tasks would significantly reduce their workload or enhance public value. The nurses identify three primary challenges contributing to this belief: patient-focused, nurse-focused, and contextual challenges
Prevalence and determinants of assistive device use among older adults in India: a cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative survey
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Objectives:
To estimate the prevalence and identify the determinants of assistive device usage in daily life among older adults in India.
Design:
Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative survey data.
Setting:
India
Participants:
A total of 66 316 adults aged ≥45 years with complete information on assistive device use from Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, 2017–2018.
Primary and secondary outcome measures:
The primary outcome was self-reported use of any assistive device, including visual, hearing, mobility or other assistive devices. There were no predefined secondary outcome measures. Sociodemographic and health-related variables were analysed as covariates to assess factors associated with assistive device use.
Results:
The prevalence of assistive device use was 38.61% (95% CI: 37.73% to 39.50%). Use increased with age, from 34.48% among adults aged 45–59 years to 52.07% among those aged ≥75 years (adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) 1.30; 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.35). Prevalence was higher among men (40.94%) than women (37.51%) (aPR 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.09), among individuals with education above primary level (54.28%) compared with those with up to primary education (28.35%) (aPR 1.42; 95% CI: 1.36 to 1.48), and among urban residents (53.88%) vs rural residents (31.16%) (aPR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.22). A clear socioeconomic gradient was observed, with prevalence increasing from 27.65% in the poorest to 50.66% in the richest wealth quintile (aPR 1.32; 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.39). Assistive device use was higher among participants with chronic conditions (47.30%) than those without (28.16%) (aPR 1.15; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.19) and was markedly higher among those with a prior eye or vision diagnosis (64.93%) compared with those without (14.61%) (aPR 3.94; 95% CI: 3.78 to 4.11). Among users, spectacles or contact lenses were most common (89.26%), followed by walking sticks or walkers (11.62%) and dentures (6.15%). State-level prevalence varied widely, ranging from 71.27% in Goa to 13.44% in Arunachal Pradesh.
Conclusion:
Assistive device use was reported by less than half of Indian adults aged ≥45 years. The findings reveal clear socioeconomic and geographic inequities in access to assistive devices, with substantially lower use among older adults with less education, those in poorer wealth quintiles and rural residents. These disparities highlight the need for equity-focused interventions that improve accessibility to assistive devices, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged groups and individuals with chronic conditions.Abstract
Objectives:
To estimate the prevalence and identify the determinants of assistive device usage in daily life among older adults in India.
Design:
Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative survey data.
Setting:
India
Participants:
A total of 66 316 adults aged ≥45 years with complete information on assistive device use from Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, 2017–2018.
Primary and secondary outcome measures:
The primary outcome was self-reported use of any assistive device, including visual, hearing, mobility or other assistive devices. There were no predefined secondary outcome measures. Sociodemographic and health-related variables were analysed as covariates to assess factors associated with assistive device use.
Results:
The prevalence of assistive device use was 38.61% (95% CI: 37.73% to 39.50%). Use increased with age, from 34.48% among adults aged 45–59 years to 52.07% among those aged ≥75 years (adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) 1.30; 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.35). Prevalence was higher among men (40.94%) than women (37.51%) (aPR 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.09), among individuals with education above primary level (54.28%) compared with those with up to primary education (28.35%) (aPR 1.42; 95% CI: 1.36 to 1.48), and among urban residents (53.88%) vs rural residents (31.16%) (aPR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.22). A clear socioeconomic gradient was observed, with prevalence increasing from 27.65% in the poorest to 50.66% in the richest wealth quintile (aPR 1.32; 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.39). Assistive device use was higher among participants with chronic conditions (47.30%) than those without (28.16%) (aPR 1.15; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.19) and was markedly higher among those with a prior eye or vision diagnosis (64.93%) compared with those without (14.61%) (aPR 3.94; 95% CI: 3.78 to 4.11). Among users, spectacles or contact lenses were most common (89.26%), followed by walking sticks or walkers (11.62%) and dentures (6.15%). State-level prevalence varied widely, ranging from 71.27% in Goa to 13.44% in Arunachal Pradesh.
Conclusion:
Assistive device use was reported by less than half of Indian adults aged ≥45 years. The findings reveal clear socioeconomic and geographic inequities in access to assistive devices, with substantially lower use among older adults with less education, those in poorer wealth quintiles and rural residents. These disparities highlight the need for equity-focused interventions that improve accessibility to assistive devices, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged groups and individuals with chronic conditions
The Glutamate-GABA balance in epilepsy : a biochemical perspective on the regulation of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission
No full textEpilepsian taustalla olevien hermostollisten mekanismien ymmärtäminen on ollut tutkimuksen kohteena pitkään. Viime vuosikymmeninä on saatu uutta tietoa siitä, miten eksitatorisen ja inhibitorisen neurotransmission epätasapaino heijastuu hermoverkkojen toimintaan ja näin ollen altistaa epilepsiakohtauksille. Tutkimuksen merkitys on suuri, sillä se luo pohjaa sekä epilepsian mekanismien syvemmälle ymmärrykselle että uusien ja tehokkaampien hoitomuotojen kehittämiselle (Sarlo & Holton, 2021).
Keskushermosto säätelee elimistön toimintoja mahdollistaen korkeat kognitiiviset prosessit, kuten muistin, tunteiden käsittelyn ja oppimisen, ja elämää ylläpitävät toiminnot, kuten hengityksen sekä sydämen sykkeen (Michael-Titus et al. 2023). Hermoston toiminta perustuu hermosolujen eli neuronien väliseen viestintään, jossa sähköiset impulssit ja kemialliset välittäjäaineet eli neurotransmitterit muodostavat tarkasti säädellyn kommunikaatiojärjestelmän (Levitan & Kaczmarek, 2002).
Keskeisimmät keskushermoston neurotransmitterit ovat glutamaatti ja gamma-aminovoihappo (GABA). Glutamaatti toimii pääasiallisena eksitatorisena eli kiihdyttävänä neurotransmitterinä, kun taas GABA on merkittävin inhibitorinen eli estävä neurotransmitteri. Eksitatorisen ja inhibitorisen neurotransmission tasapaino ylläpitää hermoverkkojen dynamiikkaa ja on täten välttämätöntä keskushermoston normaalille toiminnalle (Samardzic, 2018).
Tasapainon häiriöt voivat johtaa useisiin neurologisiin ja psyykkisiin sairauksiin (Andersen, 2025). Yksi merkittävimmistä on epilepsia, joka on maailmanlaajuisesti yksi yleisimmistä vakavista neurologisista sairauksista, ja jolle ominaista on hermosolujen liiallinen sähköinen aktiivisuus. Epilepsian arvioidaan koskettavan noin 50 miljoonaa ihmistä maailmanlaajuisesti. Epilepsiakohtaukset voivat ilmetä poissaolo- tai kouristuskohtauksina sekä kognitiivisina poikkeavuuksina epilepsiatyypin mukaan (Keinänen & Eriksson, 2009)
Promotion vs. prevention? The impacts of national cultural values and regulatory focus on near-expiry food across Malaysia and China
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In high food waste environments, purchasing near-expiry food (NEF) is both an ethical and practical decision. While existing studies have highlighted the role of individual attitudes and economic factors, limited attention has been given to the interplay between cultural moral systems and motivational orientations in shaping such behavior. This study develops and tests a culturally grounded framework that explains how national cultural values and regulatory focus jointly influence consumer intention to purchase NEF. Drawing on Confucian and Islamic ethical systems, three experiments (N = 1321) were conducted in China and Malaysia. Study 1 demonstrated that individuals influenced by Islamic cultural values presented significantly greater NEF purchase intentions than those influenced by Confucian values. Study 2 identified perceived ethical value as a mediator of this effect. Study 3 revealed a significant moderation by regulatory focus: Promotion-focused participants in the Confucian condition reported stronger purchase intentions, whereas prevention-focused participants in the Islamic condition maintained consistently high ethical engagement. Together, these findings highlight that ethical consumption is shaped not only by moral norms but also by motivational alignment. Practical implications are discussed for policy makers and marketers seeking to reduce food waste through culturally and motivationally congruent interventions.Abstract
In high food waste environments, purchasing near-expiry food (NEF) is both an ethical and practical decision. While existing studies have highlighted the role of individual attitudes and economic factors, limited attention has been given to the interplay between cultural moral systems and motivational orientations in shaping such behavior. This study develops and tests a culturally grounded framework that explains how national cultural values and regulatory focus jointly influence consumer intention to purchase NEF. Drawing on Confucian and Islamic ethical systems, three experiments (N = 1321) were conducted in China and Malaysia. Study 1 demonstrated that individuals influenced by Islamic cultural values presented significantly greater NEF purchase intentions than those influenced by Confucian values. Study 2 identified perceived ethical value as a mediator of this effect. Study 3 revealed a significant moderation by regulatory focus: Promotion-focused participants in the Confucian condition reported stronger purchase intentions, whereas prevention-focused participants in the Islamic condition maintained consistently high ethical engagement. Together, these findings highlight that ethical consumption is shaped not only by moral norms but also by motivational alignment. Practical implications are discussed for policy makers and marketers seeking to reduce food waste through culturally and motivationally congruent interventions
A novel green method for the amination of condensed tannins to produce bio-based coagulants
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The main drawback of most tannin-based coagulants is their reliance on formaldehyde as a crosslinking agent, which introduces toxicity and limits their sustainability. To overcome this issue, a novel green synthesis route was developed using condensed tannin from Acacia mearnsii, ethanolamine, and cinnamaldehyde under mild conditions, without the use of toxic reagents, yielding the coagulant named TEC. TEC achieved a charge density of 3.37 ± 0.05 meq g−1, confirming successful cationization, and showed an increased molecular weight (from 1390 Da to 2610 Da), indicating the incorporation of new functional groups into the tannin. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the incorporation of amine signals from ethanolamine and new aromatic signals from cinnamaldehyde into the tannin structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful amination while preserving the characteristic features of the tannin after modification. TEC was evaluated for the coagulation of high-turbidity wood-based industry water samples, specifically pulp mill water (2700 NTU) and debarking water (1600 NTU), where more than 99 % and 97 % of the turbidity, respectively, were removed. TEC selectively reduced organic extractives, with the highest efficiencies achieved for steryl esters and triglycerides (≥98 %). TEC neutralized the negatively charged particles in water mainly via charge neutralization mechanisms. These results demonstrate that TEC offers a sustainable alternative to water treatment, providing an ideal combination of charge density and molecular weight that enhances coagulation and flocculation without introducing toxic substances, thereby overcoming the key limitations of current tannin-based coagulants.Abstract
The main drawback of most tannin-based coagulants is their reliance on formaldehyde as a crosslinking agent, which introduces toxicity and limits their sustainability. To overcome this issue, a novel green synthesis route was developed using condensed tannin from Acacia mearnsii, ethanolamine, and cinnamaldehyde under mild conditions, without the use of toxic reagents, yielding the coagulant named TEC. TEC achieved a charge density of 3.37 ± 0.05 meq g−1, confirming successful cationization, and showed an increased molecular weight (from 1390 Da to 2610 Da), indicating the incorporation of new functional groups into the tannin. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the incorporation of amine signals from ethanolamine and new aromatic signals from cinnamaldehyde into the tannin structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful amination while preserving the characteristic features of the tannin after modification. TEC was evaluated for the coagulation of high-turbidity wood-based industry water samples, specifically pulp mill water (2700 NTU) and debarking water (1600 NTU), where more than 99 % and 97 % of the turbidity, respectively, were removed. TEC selectively reduced organic extractives, with the highest efficiencies achieved for steryl esters and triglycerides (≥98 %). TEC neutralized the negatively charged particles in water mainly via charge neutralization mechanisms. These results demonstrate that TEC offers a sustainable alternative to water treatment, providing an ideal combination of charge density and molecular weight that enhances coagulation and flocculation without introducing toxic substances, thereby overcoming the key limitations of current tannin-based coagulants
EaaS/PIN Synergy: Advances and Challenges Secure Path Verification
No full textAbstract
The proliferation of resource-constrained devices in Internet of Things (IoT) environments has amplified the demand for scalable, secure, and efficient cryptographic services. While Encryption-as-a-Service (EaaS) models enable offloading cryptographic tasks to trusted infrastructure, critical challenges remain regarding path integrity, trust management, and resilience to adversarial threats in multi-domain networks. This paper introduces EaaS/PIN, a unified framework that combines cryptographically verifiable path integrity, user-centric trust scoring, collaborative threat intelligence, and machine learning-driven path selection across distributed Autonomous Systems (ASs). The framework integrates: (i) a novel anonymity protocol to conceal complete routes from intermediary ASs, (ii) lightweight, customizable encryption suitable for IoT and edge environments, (iii) real-time, AI-based path recommendation leveraging dynamic trust and performance metrics, and (iv) a blockchain-inspired audit mechanism for tamper-evident reporting and accountability. Comprehensive mathematical modeling, algorithms, and a detailed case study focused on secure data transmission in a multi-AS smart city network demonstrate that EaaS/PIN significantly enhances routing security, reduces latency, and ensures transparent and verifiable operations even under adversarial conditions. Experimental results confirm robust detection of path manipulation and compromised ASs, as well as measurable performance gains over baseline solutions. The proposed framework paves the way for scalable, user-aware, and resilient cryptographic services in next-generation heterogeneous network infrastructures.Abstract
The proliferation of resource-constrained devices in Internet of Things (IoT) environments has amplified the demand for scalable, secure, and efficient cryptographic services. While Encryption-as-a-Service (EaaS) models enable offloading cryptographic tasks to trusted infrastructure, critical challenges remain regarding path integrity, trust management, and resilience to adversarial threats in multi-domain networks. This paper introduces EaaS/PIN, a unified framework that combines cryptographically verifiable path integrity, user-centric trust scoring, collaborative threat intelligence, and machine learning-driven path selection across distributed Autonomous Systems (ASs). The framework integrates: (i) a novel anonymity protocol to conceal complete routes from intermediary ASs, (ii) lightweight, customizable encryption suitable for IoT and edge environments, (iii) real-time, AI-based path recommendation leveraging dynamic trust and performance metrics, and (iv) a blockchain-inspired audit mechanism for tamper-evident reporting and accountability. Comprehensive mathematical modeling, algorithms, and a detailed case study focused on secure data transmission in a multi-AS smart city network demonstrate that EaaS/PIN significantly enhances routing security, reduces latency, and ensures transparent and verifiable operations even under adversarial conditions. Experimental results confirm robust detection of path manipulation and compromised ASs, as well as measurable performance gains over baseline solutions. The proposed framework paves the way for scalable, user-aware, and resilient cryptographic services in next-generation heterogeneous network infrastructures
The garden as the field: following soil regeneration practices with participatory soil science in Singapore
No full textAbstract
Soil is an essential part of urban foodscapes. While community gardens have received attention as parts of this foodscape, the role of experienced gardeners in the everyday transformation of human-soil relations is underexamined. This paper traces an action research project aimed at connecting human-soil relations with the “30 by 30” national food security policy that is part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Based on a collaboration initiated by a community group with the National Parks Board of Singapore, this paper introduces the concept of “soil companions”, and presents the qualitative findings of a larger 36-month study. It examines the practices of experienced gardeners who build soil as bioinfrastructure. A thematic analysis of interviews with five soil companions–gardeners employing soil regeneration practices–in Singapore was conducted. We discuss the ecological and social dimensions of their practices, and implications for soil and food security policies for an increasingly urban world. We raise future directions for research on foodscapes, public health, and global commodity chains.Abstract
Soil is an essential part of urban foodscapes. While community gardens have received attention as parts of this foodscape, the role of experienced gardeners in the everyday transformation of human-soil relations is underexamined. This paper traces an action research project aimed at connecting human-soil relations with the “30 by 30” national food security policy that is part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Based on a collaboration initiated by a community group with the National Parks Board of Singapore, this paper introduces the concept of “soil companions”, and presents the qualitative findings of a larger 36-month study. It examines the practices of experienced gardeners who build soil as bioinfrastructure. A thematic analysis of interviews with five soil companions–gardeners employing soil regeneration practices–in Singapore was conducted. We discuss the ecological and social dimensions of their practices, and implications for soil and food security policies for an increasingly urban world. We raise future directions for research on foodscapes, public health, and global commodity chains
Why the osprey is the most widespread bird of prey?
No full textLuonnon ymmärtäminen on aina kiinnostanut ihmistä. Luonnontieteen ala, joka tutkii elottoman ja elollisen luonnon vuorovaikutuksia on ekologia. Ekologian perusyksiköitä on laji ja populaatiotason tutkimus. Kun ymmärrämme, miksi laji menestyy ja mitkä ominaisuudet ovat menestyksen takana, tiedämme millä tavoin sitä tulee suojella. On siis tärkeä ymmärtää mahdollisimman paljon mitä kukin laji tarvitsee ympäristöltään, jotta se voi menestyä. Tutkiessamme lajien populaatioita, voimme saada uutta tietoa ihmisen vaikutuksista ekosysteemeihin ja tarvittaessa muuttaa haitallisiksi koettuja käytäntöjä. Parhaimmassa tapauksessa käytäntöjen muuttaminen voi vaikuttaa useampiinkin lajeihin ja jopa kokonaisiin ekosysteemeihin, esimerkkinä ympäristömyrkky DDT:n käytön lopetus.
Tutkin artikkeleiden ja kirjallisuuden avulla mitkä tekijät ovat vaikuttaneet siihen, että kalasääski (Pandion Haliaeetus) on yksi maailman laajimmalle levinneistä lintulajeista. Sääksi on hyvin muinainen laji ja luonnonvalinta on valintapaineen avulla muokannut sääksen morfologisia piirteitä jo miljoonia vuosia. Sääksi on luonnonvalinnan ansiosta löytänyt erinomaisen ekolokeron sen ekosysteemissä, sillä se on ainoa petolintu, joka on erikoistunut syömään yksinomaan kalaa. On muitakin petolintuja, jotka käyttävät kalaa ravinnokseen mutta sääksen erikoistumat ovat tehneet siitä saalistajan, joka on aivan omassa luokassaan. Samanlaista saalistustapaa eli kovalla nopeudella syöksymistä veteen jopa 30 metristä ei nähdä millään muulla petolintulajilla. Valtavan rohkeuden lisäksi menestyminen vaatii moitteettoman saalistustekniikan ja ainutlaatuiset kynsien, jalkojen ja jopa sisäelimien ominaisuudet.
Sääksen resilienssistä ei kerro ainoastaan pitkä ja menestyksekäs historia luonnollisia voimia vastaan, vaan myös sen soveltuvuus ihmisen toimintaan. Ihmisen rakennelmat, kuten merimerkit ja sähkötolpat kelpaavat sääkselle hyvin pesäpaikaksi. Vaikka ihmisen maankäyttö on sääkselle yksi suurimmista uhista, sen soveltuva ekolokero antaa sille aina uusia mahdollisuuksia ihmisen toiminnasta huolimatta. Jatkuvasti löytyy uusia tutkimuksia, joissa todetaan, kuinka sääksi soveltuu aina vain paremmin elämään ihmisen kanssa. Tavallisesti sääksi suosii kirkkaita saalistusvesiä mutta se voi tarpeen tullen vaihtaa ne sameisiin maatalouden vaikutuksen alaisena oleviin järviin, jos ravintoa on järvessä riittävästi. Monien erilaisten ympäristöjen kelpuuttaminen ei yksin riitä valtaamaan maailmaa, vaan tarvitaan myös hyvää kykyä levittäytyä paikasta toiseen. Pelkkä lentokyky ei riitä, vaan soveltava ympäristön kelpuuttaminen yhdistettynä sääksinaaraiden tapaan vaihtaa herkästi pesäpaikkaa kauas omasta poikaspesästään lisää sääksen dispersaali kykyä huomattavasti. Uusien tutkimustulosten johdosta ymmärrämme koko ajan enemmän sääksen menestykseen liittyvistä seikoista ja tutkinta jatkuu