Relationship between the use of smart medical services and mental health status

In this editorial,I comment on the article by Zhang et al.To emphasize the importance of the topic,I discuss the relationship between the use of smart medical devices and mental health.Smart medical services have the potential to positively influence mental health by providing monitoring,insights,and inter-ventions.However,they also come with challenges that need to be addressed.Understanding the primary purpose for which individuals use these smart tech-nologies is essential to tailoring them to specific mental health needs and prefe-rences.

The Digitization of Public Services and Its Contribution to the Quality of Service in Relation to User Satisfaction

In recent years, some governments have been working on solutions to transform public administrations and provide high-quality services to users. The United Nations has recommended integrating digital technology into various aspects of life, including public services. The objective is to offer real-time, high-quality digital services, improve the delivery of public services, enhance their effectiveness and efficiency, while achieving objectives such as transparency, interoperability and citizen satisfaction. However, most governments in developing countries are unable to keep up with this trend. As a result, they often create digital public services that fall short of users’ expectations. This study aims to identify the fundamental factors influencing the quality of service in relation to user satisfaction and to explore the relevance of digital technology in implementing this quality within Cameroon public administrations. To achieve this, we used a qualimetric research method, which included non-directive interviews, questionnaires, and structured observations. The results showed that the public services offered in our study environment did not meet users’ expectations. However, the study identified the fundamental aspects to be considered in providing quality public services connected to user satisfaction, as well as the strengths of digitization in achieving this quality.

Location Based Services Acceptance and Adoption Evaluation: An Investigation on Mobile Phone Users’ Response to Awareness and Utilization of LBS Technology in Nairobi Kenya

Location Based Navigation System (LBNS) is a specific Location Based Service (LBS) purely for navigational purpose. These systems resolve position of a user by using GNSS/GPS positioning technologies, to which supplementary information on goods and services are tagged. The navigation services have become popular and can be installed on mobile phones to provide route information, location of points of interest and user’s current location. LBS has continued to face challenges which include “communication” process towards user reference. Location Based Service System conveys suitable information through a mobile device for effective decision making and reaction within a given time span. This research was geared at understanding the state of LBS technology acceptance and adoption by users in Nairobi Kenya. To do this a quantitative study was carried out through a questionnaire, to investigate mobile phone users’ response on awareness and use of LBS technology. Testing the growth of this technology in this region compared to predictions in previous studies using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), it is evident that many users may be aware of GPS functionality in mobile phones but are certainly yet to fully embrace the technology as they rarely use it. This points to some underlying challenges towards this technology within this part of the World, thereby recommending for deliberate monitoring and evaluation of LBS technology for sustenance growth based on user satisfaction and acceptance for improved usability.

Users’ Perception and Satisfaction of Current Situation of Home Health Care Services in Jordan

Background: The healthcare system in Jordan is evolving and has to continuously respond to the changing risk profile of the population. The purpose of this study was to examine perception of users and providers of the quality of home health care services. Methods: A descriptive design was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 82 users of home health care services. Results: Users had low to fair satisfaction (30.5% - 69.5%) about the quality of care provided, had moderate satisfaction (72.0% to 81.7%) about the information received, and had low to fair satisfaction about education related to goal of treatment and medication (46.4% - 53.3%). Users had high level of agreement (>70%) that health agencies provided interpersonal care. Conclusion: The ability of the frail people to choose from a variety of cost-effective long-term care services is limited.

Profiling users and non-users of senior services

The goal of this study was to determine whether or not older adults who utilized community nutrition services were more or less able to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), or Physical Activities (PA) than non-users. In surveying older adults aged 60 - 103 (n = 1065), it was determined that service users were older, frailer, living alone, and less able to perform ADLs, IADLs, or PAs than non-users. However, within the non-service user group, a subset of nonusers was identified as those who were infirm, malnourished, less active, and unable to perform ADLs. Both users and non-users of community nutrition programs would benefit greatly, with services recalibrated to serve these community-dwelling, but needy older adults.

Experience of Drug Abusers Participating in Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Services Provided by the Counselling Centres for Psychotropic Substance Abusers (CCPSAs) in Hong Kong

Despite the official statistics showing that the number of drug users has been declining, the problem of drug abuse remains serious in Hong Kong. This problem is evidenced by the trend of hidden and prolonged drug abuse. The recovery of drug abusers is an important process, because the misuse of drugs can cause many bio-psycho-social complications. Therefore, 11 Counselling Centres for Psychotropic Substance Abusers (CCPSAs) in different districts in Hong Kong play an important role on those drug abusers [1]. As a core community-based drug rehabilitation service in Hong Kong, studies about CCPSAs are limited. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach to explore the experience of drug abusers participating in community-based drug rehabilitation services provided by CCPSAs. Five CCPSA users, who utilized the services for more than two months, participated in the semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data collected were then analysed by thematic analysis, and five themes were generated: 1) receiving supportive counselling service in CCPSAs, 2) revealing variance towards nonmandatory services in CCPSAs, 3) encountering intrapersonal conflicts when participating in CCPSAs, 4) expanding social network through integration in group activities and 5) wishing to be a companion to other drug abusers. Findings of this study provide valuable insights towards services modification and the enhancement of drug rehabilitation and drug abusers’ wellbeing over the collaboration of healthcare workers, services providers and the media. However, this study has some limitations, and it presents suggestions for future research.

An Analysis of Users’/Customers’Perceptions of the Nigerian Rail Transport Services

Rail transport has and continues to play a key role in the movement of goods and passengers in many countries around the world including Nigeria.However,while rail transport continues to enjoy relative importance in terms of investment,growth and contribution to the national economy in several countries,it has suffered and declined(in terms of modal share contribution which has led to decreased patronage)in Nigeria.However,there are new developments and investment on rail and some measures are being put in place to revive the Nigerian rail transport system.As these new developments and rehabilitations are going on,it will be imperative to know what the users/customers think as well,so that they are not left out because under normal circumstances,customers need transport services and not rail transport services.Therefore,if they were not satisfied with rail transport services they would simply turn to other modes of transport.As part of an on-going PhD research project,this paper focuses on the perceptions of Nigerian rail transport users/customers regarding the quality of rail services provided.Data was collected by the use of structured/semi-structured questionnaires,which were distributed,to the respondents.The study sample included 474 respondents between the age range of 20-70 out of which just 21(4.4%)have used rail transport;this low patronage figure is as a result of the long time neglect of the Nigerian rail transport system while 474(100%)of the correspondents use road transport daily which has led to an increasing pressure on road transport and infrastructures.Data was collected respectively from the following cities:Lagos,Warri,Ughelli and Benin.

User preferences-aware recommendation for trustworthy cloud services based on fuzzy clustering

The cloud computing has been growing over the past few years, and service providers are creating an intense competitive world of business. This proliferation makes it hard for new users to select a proper service among a large amount of service candidates. A novel user preferences-aware recommendation approach for trustworthy services is presented. For describing the requirements of new users in different application scenarios, user preferences are identified by usage preference, trust preference and cost preference. According to the similarity analysis of usage preference between consumers and new users, the candidates are selected, and these data about service trust provided by them are calculated as the fuzzy comprehensive evaluations. In accordance with the trust and cost preferences of new users, the dynamic fuzzy clusters are generated based on the fuzzy similarity computation. Then, the most suitable services can be selected to recommend to new users. The experiments show that this approach is effective and feasible, and can improve the quality of services recommendation meeting the requirements of new users in different scenario.

Research on User Permission Isolation for Multi-Users Service-Oriented Program

For the super user privilege control problem in system services, a user permission isolation method is proposed. Based on virtualization technology, the permission limited environments are constructed for different users. According to privilege sets, the users, mapping relations are built among users, isolated domains and program modules. Besides, we give an algorithm for division of program permissions based on Concept Lattices. And the security strategies are designed for different isolated domains. Finally, we propose the implications of least privilege, and prove that the method eliminates the potential privileged users in system services.

Exploring the unique biophysical characteristics and ecosystem services of mountains: A review

Mountains are unique terrestrial ecosystems characterized by distinct physiography,biological diversity,and socio-economic features.These ecosystems provide numerous essential goods and services to communities within and beyond the mountains.Despite their significance,comprehensive studies that thoroughly characterize the ecosystem services of mountains are lacking.Such research is crucial to advance scientific understanding of mountain characteristics and ecosystem services.This study investigates mountain regions’unique characteristics and ecosystem services using global datasets such as the U.S.Geological Survey(USGS),the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment(GMBA),NASA EARTHDATA,and other relevant databases and literature review.The focus was to explore unique physiographic and socio-economic characteristics and ecosystem services provided by mountains.The results indicate that mountain ecosystems are pivotal in offering provisional,regulatory,and supporting ecosystem services on Earth.Despite their limited geographical area,these ecosystems supply substantial amounts of freshwater to communities living within and downstream of mountainous regions.Additionally,mountain ecosystems serve as global biodiversity hotspots,harboring a significant proportion of the world's species.However,mountain ecosystems face numerous natural and anthropogenic challenges,including climate change,habitat destruction,and resource overexploitation.Current efforts towards sustainable mountain development are inadequate.Enhanced scientific research and targeted policy measures are essential to address these challenges,protect mountain biodiversity,and ensure the continuous provision of vital ecosystem services.

Computing the User Experience via Big Data Analysis:A Case of Uber Services

As of 2020,the issue of user satisfaction has generated a significant amount of interest.Therefore,we employ a big data approach for exploring user satisfaction among Uber users.We develop a research model of user satisfaction by expanding the list of user experience(UX)elements(i.e.,pragmatic,expectation confirmation,hedonic,and burden)by including more elements,namely:risk,cost,promotion,anxiety,sadness,and anger.Subsequently,we collect 125,768 comments from online reviews of Uber services and perform a sentiment analysis to extract the UX elements.The results of a regression analysis reveal the following:hedonic,promotion,and pragmatic significantly and positively affect user satisfaction,while burden,cost,and risk have a substantial negative influence.However,the influence of expectation confirmation on user satisfaction is not supported.Moreover,sadness,anxiety,and anger are positively related to the perceived risk of users.Compared with sadness and anxiety,anger has a more important role in increasing the perceived burden of users.Based on these findings,we also provide some theoretical implications for future UX literature and some core suggestions related to establishing strategies for Uber and similar services.The proposed big data approach may be utilized in other UX studies in the future.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies among Drug Users in Burkina Faso

Introduction: The epidemiology of both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among drug users (DUs) is little known in West Africa. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among drug users in Burkina Faso. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional biological and behavioral survey conducted between June and August 2022, among drug users in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso, the two main cities of Burkina Faso. A respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to recruit drug users. Hepatitis B surface antigen was determined using lateral flow rapid test kits and antibodies to hepatitis C virus in serum determined using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Data were entered and analyzed using Stata 17 software. Weighted binary logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors of hepatitis B and C infections and a p-value Results: A total of 323 drug users were recruited with 97.5% males. The mean age was 32.7 years old. The inhaled or smoked mode was the most used by drug users. The adjusted hepatitis B and hepatitis C prevalence among study participants were 11.1% and 2.3% respectively. The marital status (p = 0.001), and the nationality (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with hepatitis B infection. The type of drug used was not significantly associated with hepatitis B infection or hepatitis C infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies among DUs are comparable to those reported in the general population in Burkina Faso. This result suggests that the main routes of contamination by HBV and HCV among DUs are similar to those in the population, and could be explained by the low use of the injectable route by DUs in Burkina Faso.

Evaluation of an Autonomous Vehicle User Interface for Sensory Impaired Users

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) hold immense promises in revolutionizing transportation, and their potential benefits extend to individuals with impairments, particularly those with vision and hearing impairments. However, the accommodation of these individuals in AVs requires developing advanced user interfaces. This paper describes an explorative study of a multimodal user interface for autonomous vehicles, specifically developed for passengers with sensory (vision and/or hearing) impairments. In a driving simulator, 32 volunteers with simulated sensory impairments, were exposed to multiple drives in an autonomous vehicle while freely interacting with standard and inclusive variants of the infotainment and navigation system interface. The two user interfaces differed in graphical layout and voice messages, which adopted inclusive design principles for the inclusive variant. Questionnaires and structured interviews were conducted to collect participants’ impressions. The data analysis reports positive user experiences, but also identifies technical challenges. Verified guidelines are provided for further development of inclusive user interface solutions.

Reform of the Irrigation Sector and Creation of Functional and Sustainable Irrigation Water Users Associations (AUEI) in Niger: Capitalization of the Experience of the Konni AHA

During the 1980s, as part of a policy of liberalization, following budgetary cuts linked to the implementation of structural adjustment programs, management responsibilities for AHAs were transferred from ONAHA to cooperatives concerned. Due to lack of financial resources, but also because of poor management, everywhere in Niger we are witnessing an accelerated deterioration of the irrigation infrastructure of hydro-agricultural developments. Institutional studies carried out on this situation led the State of Niger to initiate a reform of the governance of hydro-agricultural developments, by streng-thening the status of ONAHA, by creating an Association of Irrigation Water Users (AUEI) and by restructuring the old cooperatives. Indeed, this research aims to analyze the creation of functional and sustainable Irrigation Water User Associations (AUEI) in Niger in a context of reform of the irrigation sector, and based on the experience of the Konni AHA. It is based on a methodological approach which takes into account documentary research and the collection of data from 115 farmers, selected by reasoned choice and directly concerned by the management of the irrigated area. The data collected was analyzed and the results were analyzed using the systemic approach and the diagnostic process. The results show that the main mission of the AUEI is to ensure better management of water, hydraulic equipment and infrastructure on the hydro-agricultural developments of Konni. The creation of the Konni AUEI was possible thanks to massive support from the populations and authorities in the implementation process. After its establishment, the AUEI experienced a certain lethargy for some time due to the rehabilitation work of the AHA but currently it is functional and operational in terms of associative life and governance. Thus, the constraints linked to the legal system, the delay in the completion of the work, the uncertainties of access to irrigation water but also the problems linked to the change in mentality of certain ONAHA agents constitute the challenges that must be resolved in the short term for the operationalization of the Konni AUEI.

Sharing Smart Services,Jointly Promoting Trade Development

In 2024,the China International Fair for Trade in Services (hereinafter referred to as CIFTIS) opened in the China National Convention Center and Shougang Park on September 12th.The theme of the CIFTIS this time was"global services,shared prosperity",which is not only a window for allowing the world to discover the development of China's service trade,but is also a bridge for promoting global cooperation with regards to the service trade.As one of the world-famous service trade events,the CIFTIS has become an important business card allowing China to open up.The CIFTIS has attracted the attention of the whole world and become a bridge for all parties to share development opportunities,promote industrial growth,and strengthen communication.

Mental health service users'progression from illicit drug use to schizophrenia in New Zealand

Background Recently,publications have hypothesised that the demonstrated increase in the incidence of schizophrenia in New Zealand is a side effect of the increased strength of available cannabis derivatives over the last 25+years and the much more recent increase in the population's use of methamphetamine.Aim To compare the rates of later schizophrenia between age-matched mental health service users with initial diagnoses as alcohol abusers or illicit drug users.Method From the PRIMHD comprehensive national database,all users of the mental health services over a 5-year period who received an ICD-10 presenting diagnosis of alcohol or substance use/abuse were identified.For each person identified,the database was examined for the following 3 years to determine the numbers later diagnosed with schizophrenia.Results For the initial alcohol problem people in their twenties,1.7%were diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia in the subsequent 3 years.For the initial drug problem people,the rate was 10.9%.Within that drug-using population,the indigenous Maori developed schizophrenia at a higher rate than did the remainder of the population.Conclusion These findings in New Zealand require further research into their generalisability,context and explanation.

Residents’perceptions of ecosystem services in an urbanizing basin:A case study in the Guanting Reservoir basin,China

Understanding stakeholders’differences in perceptions of ecosystem services(ES)is crucial for guiding ecolog-ical conservation and planning.However,the variations of ES perception amongst different types of residents in urbanizing areas along an urban-rural gradient are still poorly understood.Combining a questionnaire-based survey,redundancy analysis,and statistical tests,we delineated the urban-rural gradient according to local res-idents’socio-economic characteristics,and investigated the differences in local residents’perceptions of ES and potential factors affecting them in the Guanting Reservoir basin,a rapidly urbanizing basin in China.The results showed that residents living in urban-rural transitional areas attached great importance to provisioning services of providing food and domestic water,regulating services of carbon sequestration and air purification,and cul-tural services of providing education and training,which were 0.7%-13.1%,0.7%-9.1%and 2.5%-21.2%higher than that of residents in other areas,respectively.Age and occupation were major factors affecting residents’perceptions.In terms of land-use types that deliver ES,the difference in perceptions of ES delivered by grassland was the greatest amongst residents.Our results support recommendations for policymakers to take into account the stakeholders’diverse perceptions,thus promoting residents’sense of gain on ES.

User location privacy protection mechanism for location-based services

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things(IoT),Location-Based Services(LBS)are becoming more and more popular.However,for the users being served,how to protect their location privacy has become a growing concern.This has led to great difficulty in establishing trust between the users and the service providers,hindering the development of LBS for more comprehensive functions.In this paper,we first establish a strong identity verification mechanism to ensure the authentication security of the system and then design a new location privacy protection mechanism based on the privacy proximity test problem.This mechanism not only guarantees the confidentiality of the user s information during the subsequent information interaction and dynamic data transmission,but also meets the service provider's requirements for related data.

Healthcare Services Interoperability in Kenya: Challenges and Opportunities

In an attempt to assess the Kenyan healthcare system, this study looks at the current efforts that are already in place, what challenges they face, and what strategies can be put into practice to foster interoperability. By reviewing a variety of literature and using statistics, the paper ascertains notable impediments such as the absence of standard protocols, lack of adequate technological infrastructure, and weak regulatory frameworks. Resultant effects from these challenges regarding health provision target enhanced data sharing and merging for better patient outcomes and allocation of resources. It also highlights several opportunities that include the adoption of emerging technologies, and the establishment of public-private partnerships to strengthen the healthcare framework among others. In this regard, the article provides recommendations based on stakeholder views and global best practices addressed to policymakers, medical practitioners, and IT specialists concerned with achieving effective interoperability within Kenya’s health system. This research is relevant because it adds knowledge to the existing literature on how healthcare quality can be improved to make it more patient-centered especially in Kenya.