Assessing healthcare workers’knowledge and confidence in the diagnosis,management and prevention of Monkeypox

BACKGROUND Monkeypox(Mpox),is a disease of global public health concern,as it does not affect only countries in western and central Africa.AIM To assess Burundi healthcare workers(HCWs)s’level of knowledge and confidence in the diagnosis and management of Mpox.METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study via an online survey designed mainly from the World Health Organization course distributed among Burundi HCWs from June-July 2023.The questionnaire comprises 8 socioprofessional-related questions,22 questions about Mpox disease knowledge,and 3 questions to assess confidence in Mpox diagnosis and management.The data were analyzed via SPSS software version 25.0.A P value<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTS The study sample comprised 471 HCWs who were mainly medical doctors(63.9%)and nurses(30.1%).None of the 22 questions concerning Mpox knowledge had at least 50%correct responses.A very low number of HCWs(17.4%)knew that Mpox has a vaccine.The confidence level to diagnose(21.20%),treat(18.00%)or prevent(23.30%)Mpox was low among HCWs.The confidence level in the diagnosis of Mpox was associated with the HCWs’age(P value=0.009),sex(P value<0.001),work experience(P value=0.002),and residence(P value<0.001).The confidence level to treat Mpox was significantly associated with the HCWs’age(P value=0.050),sex(P value<0.001),education(P value=0.033)and occupation(P value=0.005).The confidence level to prevent Mpox was associated with the HCWs’education(P value<0.001),work experience(P value=0.002),residence(P value<0.001)and type of work institution(P value=0.003).CONCLUSION This study revealed that HCWs have the lowest level of knowledge regarding Mpox and a lack of confidence in the ability to diagnose,treat or prevent it.There is an urgent need to organize continuing medical education programs on Mpox epidemiology and preparedness for Burundi HCWs.We encourage future researchers to assess potential hesitancy toward Mpox vaccination and its associated factors.

Accurate quantification of the algebraic,multiplicative algebraic,and simultaneous iterative reconstruction techniques in ionosphere rebuilding based on the TIEGCM assessment

The algebraic reconstruction technique(ART),multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique(MART),and simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique(SIRT)are computational methodologies extensively utilized within the field of computerized ionospheric tomography(CIT)to facilitate three-dimensional reconstruction of the ionospheric morphology.However,reconstruction accuracy elicits recurrent disputes over its practical application,and people usually attribute this issue to incomplete and uneven coverage of the measurements.The Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model(TIEGCM)offers a reasonable physics-based ionospheric background and is widely utilized in ionospheric research.We use the TIEGCM simulations as the targeted ionosphere because the current measurements are far from able to realistically reproduce the ionosphere in detail.Optimized designations of satellite measurements are conducted to investigate the limiting performance of CIT methods in ionospheric reconstruction.Similar to common practice,electron density distributions from outputs of the International Reference Ionosphere(IRI)model are used as the iterative initial value in CIT applications.The outcomes suggest that despite data coverage,iterative initial conditions also play an essential role in ionospheric reconstruction.In particular,in the longitudinal sectors where the iterative initial height of the F2-layer peak electron density(hmF2)differs substantially from the background densities,none of the three CIT methods can reproduce the exact background profile.When hmF2 is close but the ionospheric F2-layer peak density(NmF2)is different between the targeted background and initial conditions,the MART performs better than the ART and SIRT,as evidenced by the correlation coefficients of MART being above 0.97 and those of ART and SIRT being below 0.85.In summary,this investigation reveals the potential uncertainties in traditional CIT reconstruction,particularly when realistic hmF2 or NmF2 values differ substantially from the initial CIT conditions.

Assessment of International GNSS Service Global Ionosphere Map products over China region based on measurements from the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China

The global ionosphere maps(GIM)provided by the International GNSS Service(IGS)are extensively utilized for ionospheric morphology monitoring,scientific research,and practical application.Assessing the credibility of GIM products in data-sparse regions is of paramount importance.In this study,measurements from the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China(CMONOC)are leveraged to evaluate the suitability of IGS-GIM products over China region in 2013-2014.The indices of mean error(ME),root mean square error(RMSE),and normalized RMSE(NRMSE)are then utilized to quantify the accuracy of IGS-GIM products.Results revealed distinct local time and latitudinal dependencies in IGS-GIM errors,with substantially high errors at nighttime(NRMSE:39%)and above 40°latitude(NRMSE:49%).Seasonal differences also emerged,with larger equinoctial deviations(NRMSE:33.5%)compared with summer(20%).A preliminary analysis implied that the irregular assimilation of sparse IGS observations,compounded by China’s distinct geomagnetic topology,may manifest as error variations.These results suggest that modeling based solely on IGS-GIM observations engenders inadequate representations across China and that a thorough examination would proffer the necessary foundation for advancing regional total electron content(TEC)constructions.

Food security amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Central Asia:Evidence from rural Tajikistan

Food security has been long understudied in the context of Central Asia.We present an analysis examining household-level food demand for Tajikistan and assessing the magnitude of its food security changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.Based on an extensive household survey data set from Tajikistan,we estimate the expenditure,income,and price elasticities for nine food categories using the QUAIDS model.Then,we develop a microsimulation model using the estimated elasticities to assess the dual impact of declining remittance income and rising food prices stemming from the pandemic shock.There are significant differences in demand elasticities across food groups,with high elasticities observed for nutritious foods,such as meat,fruit,eggs,and milk,in rural households.Moreover,our findings show that changes in remittance income and food prices significantly negatively affected food security for rural households during the COVID-19 pandemic.These findings have important implications for policymakers concerned about rural livelihoods and food security in remittance-receiving economies during the post-pandemic period.

New food sources and production systems:a comparison of international regulations and China’s advancements in novel foods with synthetic biology

The global shift towards sustainable food systems has sparked innovations in food sources and production systems,including cell-based meat,plant-based food products,precision fermentation,and 3D food printing.These advancements pose regulatory challenges and opportunities,with China emerging as a critical player in adopting and regulating new food technologies.This review explores the international landscape of new food sources and production systems(NFPS),focusing on China’s role and regulatory approaches compared to global practices.Through this comparative analysis,we aim to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on food safety regulation,offering insights and recommendations for policymakers,industry stakeholders,and researchers engaged in the global food system’s evolution.This comprehensive overview underscores the dynamic nature of regulatory frameworks governing NFPS,highlighting the international efforts to ensure food safety,consumer protection,and the sustainable evolution of the food industry.

Exploring the impacts of major events on the systemic risk of the international energy market

This study examines the systemic risk caused by major events in the international energy market(IEM)and proposes a management strategy to mitigate it. Using the tail-event driven network(TENET)method, this study constructed a tail-risk spillover network(TRSN) of IEM and simulated the dynamic spillover tail-risk process through the cascading failure mechanism. The study found that renewable energy markets contributed more to systemic risk during the Paris Agreement and the COVID-19pandemic, while fossil energy markets played a larger role during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This study identifies systemically important markets(SM) and critical tail-risk spillover paths as potential sources of systemic risk. The research confirms that cutting off the IEM risk spillover path can greatly reduce systemic risk and the influence of SM. This study offers insights into the management of systemic risk in IEM and provides policy recommendations to reduce the impact of shock events.

Effect of nocturia in patients with different severity of obstructive sleep apnea on polysomnography: A retrospective observational study

Patients with suspected OSA were examined using PSG.They were divided into two groups based on the presence of nocturia.Nocturia was defined as a patient who needed to void at least once.Apneaehypopnea index(AHI)was employed to classify patients according to degrees of severity:AHI<5 events/h,5 events/hAHI<15 events/h,15 events/hAHI<30 events/h,and AHI30 events/h,defined as normal,mild OSA,moderate OSA,and severe OSA,respectively.Demographic variables,PSG parameters,International Prostate Symptom Scores(IPSSs),and quality of life scores due to urinary symptoms were analyzed.Results:In total 140 patients,114 patients had OSA(48 had mild OSA;34 had moderate OSA;and 32 had severe OSA)and 107 patients had nocturia.The total IPSS was significantly higher in nocturia patients in all groups except the group of severe OSA patients.With the increasing severity of OSA,more correlated factors related to nocturia were determined.In mild OSA patients,nocturia related to increased age(p=0.025),minimum arterial blood oxygenation saturation(p=0.046),and decreased AHI of non-rapid eye movement(p=0.047),AHI of total sleep time(p=0.010),and desaturation index(p=0.012).In moderate OSA patients,nocturia related to increased age(p<0.001),awake time(p=0.025),stage 1 sleep(p=0.033),and sleep latency(p=0.033),and decreased height(p=0.044),weight(p=0.025),and sleep efficiency(p=0.003).In severe OSA patients,nocturia related to increased weight(p=0.011),body mass index(p=0.009),awake time(p=0.008),stage 1 sleep(p=0.040),arousal number(p=0.030),arousal index(p=0.013),periodic limb movement number(p=0.013),and periodic limb movement index(p=0.004),and decreased baseline arterial blood oxygenation saturation(p=0.046).Conclusion:Our study revealed that there were more correlated factors related to nocturia with increasing severity of OSA.This study helps in clinical education and treatment for OSA patients with different severity.

Multi-Class Skin Cancer Detection Using Fusion of Textural Features Based CAD Tool

Skin cancer has been recognized as one of the most lethal and complex types of cancer for over a decade.The diagnosis of skin cancer is of paramount importance,yet the process is intricate and challenging.The analysis and modeling of human skin pose significant difficulties due to its asymmetrical nature,the visibility of dense hair,and the presence of various substitute characteristics.The texture of the epidermis is notably different from that of normal skin,and these differences are often evident in cases of unhealthy skin.As a consequence,the development of an effective method for monitoring skin cancer has seen little progress.Moreover,the task of diagnosing skin cancer from dermoscopic images is particularly challenging.It is crucial to diagnose skin cancer at an early stage,despite the high cost associated with the procedure,as it is an expensive process.Unfortunately,the advancement of diagnostic techniques for skin cancer has been limited.To address this issue,there is a need for a more accurate and efficient method for identifying and categorizing skin cancer cases.This involves the evaluation of specific characteristics to distinguish between benign and malignant skin cancer occurrences.We present and evaluate several techniques for segmentation,categorized into three main types:thresholding,edge-based,and region-based.These techniques are applied to a dataset of 200 benign and melanoma lesions from the Hospital Pedro Hispano(PH2)collection.The evaluation is based on twelve distinct metrics,which are designed to measure various types of errors with particular clinical significance.Additionally,we assess the effectiveness of these techniques independently for three different types of lesions:melanocytic nevi,atypical nevi,and melanomas.The first technique is capable of classifying lesions into two categories:atypical nevi and melanoma,achieving the highest accuracy score of 90.00%with the Otsu(3-level)method.The second technique also classifies lesions into two categories:common nevi and melanoma,achieving a score of 90.80%with the Binarized Sauvola method.

A Comprehensive Systematic Review: Advancements in Skin Cancer Classification and Segmentation Using the ISIC Dataset

The International Skin Imaging Collaboration(ISIC)datasets are pivotal resources for researchers in machine learning for medical image analysis,especially in skin cancer detection.These datasets contain tens of thousands of dermoscopic photographs,each accompanied by gold-standard lesion diagnosis metadata.Annual challenges associated with ISIC datasets have spurred significant advancements,with research papers reporting metrics surpassing those of human experts.Skin cancers are categorized into melanoma and non-melanoma types,with melanoma posing a greater threat due to its rapid potential for metastasis if left untreated.This paper aims to address challenges in skin cancer detection via visual inspection and manual examination of skin lesion images,processes historically known for their laboriousness.Despite notable advancements in machine learning and deep learning models,persistent challenges remain,largely due to the intricate nature of skin lesion images.We review research on convolutional neural networks(CNNs)in skin cancer classification and segmentation,identifying issues like data duplication and augmentation problems.We explore the efficacy of Vision Transformers(ViTs)in overcoming these challenges within ISIC dataset processing.ViTs leverage their capabilities to capture both global and local relationships within images,reducing data duplication and enhancing model generalization.Additionally,ViTs alleviate augmentation issues by effectively leveraging original data.Through a thorough examination of ViT-based methodologies,we illustrate their pivotal role in enhancing ISIC image classification and segmentation.This study offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners looking to utilize ViTs for improved analysis of dermatological images.Furthermore,this paper emphasizes the crucial role of mathematical and computational modeling processes in advancing skin cancer detection methodologies,highlighting their significance in improving algorithmic performance and interpretability.

Long-term outcomes of erectile function in adult orchidopexy patients

ObjectiveCryptorchidism affects up to 6% of full-term male infants, and orchidopexy has been shown to reduce impaired spermatogenesis and malignant risks significantly. However, the relationship between orchidopexy and sexual function has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate sexual function outcomes in adult patients who underwent orchidopexy for unilateral undescended testis in childhood.MethodsTotally, 58 adult patients who underwent unilateral orchidopexy in childhood were enrolled in the study. Erectile dysfunction (ED) was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-15 questionnaire. All participants underwent serum (testosterone and follicular stimulating hormone levels) measurement and semen analysis. Paternity rates were evaluated to assess the patient's fertility. Additionally, anxiety, depression, and stress were measured by the self-rating anxiety scale, self-rating depression scale, and visual analogue scale, respectively.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between IIEF-15 scores (intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire, or overall satisfaction) comparing the cryptorchidism group with the control group;however, the ED was significantly higher in the cryptorchidism patients (p=0.000). At the median follow-up of 16.3 years, 15.5% of our patients complained of moderate to severe ED. Most patients were satisfied with their overall relationship and only 34.5% were not satisfied. Anxiety, depression, and stress were more prevalent in cryptorchidism than in healthy men (anxiety: 72.4% vs. 20.7%;depression: 19.0% vs. 5.2%;stress: 60.3% vs. 10.3%;p˂0.05). Additionally, ED was negatively associated with anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms (r=−0.518, p=0.000;r=−0.448, p=0.000;r=−0.591, p=0.000, respectively). Moreover, ED had a significant correlation with advancing age, psychological factors (anxiety, depression, and stress), infertility, and low levels of testosterone (p˂0.05).ConclusionLow testosterone, infertility, and psychological burden (anxiety, depression, and stress) are used as factors for predicting ED outcomes after orchidopexy for undescended testis to guide physicians to evaluate the efficacy of testosterone replacement and psychological support in their management.

Implementing and evaluating an automatic centroid moment tensor procedure for the Indonesia region and surrounding areas

The purpose of this research was to suggest an applicable procedure for computing the centroid moment tensor(CMT)automatically and in real time from earthquakes that occur in Indonesia and the surrounding areas.Gisola software was used to estimate the CMT solution by selecting the velocity model that best suited the local and regional geological conditions in Indonesia and the surrounding areas.The data used in this study were earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.4 to 8.0.High-quality,real-time broadband seismographic data were provided by the International Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks Web Services(FDSNWS)and the European Integrated Data Archive(EIDA)Federation in Indonesia and the surrounding areas.Furthermore,the inversion process and filter adjustment were carried out on the seismographic data to obtain good CMT solutions.The CMT solutions from Gisola provided good-quality solutions,in which all earthquake data had A-level quality(high quality,with good variant reduction).The Gisola CMT solution was justified with the Global CMT(GCMT)solution by using the Kagan angle value,with an average of approximately 11.2°.This result suggested that the CMT solution generated from Gisola was trustworthy and reliable.The Gisola CMT solution was typically available within approximately 15 minutes after an earthquake occurred.Once it met the quality requirement,it was automatically published on the internet.The catalog of local and regional earthquake records obtained through this technology holds great promise for improving the current understanding of regional seismic activity and ongoing tectonic processes.The accurate and real-time CMT solution generated by implementing the Gisola algorithm consisted of moment tensors and moment magnitudes,which provided invaluable insights into earthquakes occurring in Indonesia and the surrounding areas.

Performance and Safety Improvement of Induction Motors based on Testing and Evaluation Standards

The induction motor,which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy,has been recognized as the cornerstone of industrialization.The rotor of an induction motor can be either a squirrel cage rotor or a wound-type rotor,both existing as magnetless topologies.Three-phase squirrel cage induction motors are frequently utilized in industrial drives because they are dependable,have high starting torque,are selfstarting and affordable.Single-phase induction motors,on the other hand,are commonly used for small loads such as domestic appliances in form of modest fans,pumps and electric power tools.In South Africa,there have been reports of fires and explosions resulting in live and property loss because of induction motors that have not been thoroughly tested or are incorrectly labelled in terms of ratings,electrical safety and performance.The goal of this study is targeted at preventing end-user injuries and failures caused by non-compliant induction motors,by evaluating locally manufactured/imported induction motors based on tests and evaluation from standards(IEC and SANS).The study is conducted using experimental procedures at the Explosion Prevention Technology and Rotating Machines(EPT and RM)laboratory,South African Bureau of Standards(SABS),South Africa.The main finding from the study shows differences in the nameplate characteristics of various induction motors which could have detrimental effects such as production and operational downtime in their end-use industries,at later stages.

A Study on Chengdu Museum’s Endeavor to Expand Its International Influence

Expanding a city’s cultural influence through museums is a growing trend in local efforts to promote cultural advancement and communication in China in the context of international engagement in the new era.Chengdu Museum,which opened its new venue to the public in 2016,has emphasized the importance of engagement with foreign visitors as a key focus of its recent development.This aligns with Chengdu’s goal of establishing itself as a world-renowned cultural and creative city during the 14th Five-Year Plan period(2021–2025).This paper summarizes the approaches of renowned Chinese and foreign museums to expanding their international influence,citing examples such as the British Museum,the Louvre Museum,and the National Museum of China.Based on a case study of Chengdu Museum’s efforts to enhance its international communication capacity since 2016,several suggestions are put forward for urban museums regarding how to increase research capability,create a media matrix,and develop cloud exhibition platforms.This study aims to provide some insights for museums to effectively integrate resources to preserve urban culture urban culture and enhance the global influence of Chinese culture.

Progress and Achievements of Fengyun Meteorological Satellite Program since 2022

Fengyun meteorological satellites have undergone a series of significant developments over the past 50 years.Two generations,four types,and 21 Fengyun satellites have been developed and launched,with 9 currently operational in orbit.The data obtained from Fengyun satellites is employed in a multitude of applications,including weather forecasting,meteorological disaster prevention and reduction,climate change,global environmental monitoring,and space weather.These data products and services are made available to the global community,resulting in tangible social and economic benefits.In 2023,two Fengyun meteorological satellites were successfully launched.This report presents an overview of the two recently launched Fengyun satellites and currently in orbit Fengyun satellites,including an evaluation of their remote sensing instruments since 2022.Additionally,it addresses the subject of Fengyun satellite data archiving,data services,application services,international cooperation,and supporting activities.Furthermore,the development prospects have been outlined.

Establishing a mechanism for international cooperation for Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water monitoring

The Japanese government’s unilateral decision to discharge the nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean has caused immense nuclear safety risks.Monitoring the unclear contaminated water is a starting point to combat these risks and seek remedies for the rights and interests of all concerned parties.The establishment of a mechanism for international cooperation in this respect is necessary to handle the risks of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water and to lay the foundation of a framework for tackling any future disposal of nuclear-contaminated water following Japan’s example.At present,the international legal systems in the spheres of nuclear safety and security,marine environmental protection,and other areas,as well as the questioning of the monitoring reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA)by the relevant parties,the monitoring practices of historical nuclear accidents,and numerous radioactivity monitoring mechanisms have provided the institutional and practical basis for constructing such a mechanism.The mechanism can be promoted by the IAEA through its existing mechanisms or be jointly initiated by China,the Russian Federation,the Republic of Korea,the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,and the Pacific Island countries,among other stakeholders.Specifically,this mechanism should consist of three levels:first,the framework of the basic legal system,including the cooperative principles of national sovereignty,interest-relatedness,and procedural fairness,and the signing of the Framework Convention on the Monitoring of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water and its Optional Protocol;second,the organizational structure and its responsibilities,which may include the Conference of Parties as the decision-making body,the Secretariat as the central coordinating body,and the monitoring committees in various fields as specific implementing agencies;and third,specific administrative arrangements,which involve the standardization of monitoring,the management system of monitoring networks and stations,the rules for monitoring procedures,and the rules for the utilization of the monitoring data,etc.With the urgent need for the scientific and fair monitoring of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water,China,as a stakeholder country,can promote the establishment of such a mechanism for monitoring nuclear-contaminated water through the following paths:①It is necessary to clarify the factors affecting the construction of an international cooperation mechanism for monitoring nuclear-contaminated water so as to ascertain the standpoints of the stakeholders,claims of their interests,contents of their cooperation,and the relevant international relations.②On the basis of existing practices,China should consider improving the monitoring mechanism to cope with the risks of the discharge of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water by formulating targeted policies and systems,setting up specialized monitoring institutions,and establishing a systematic monitoring network system.③This is an effective way for China to actively promote the participation of stakeholders in the construction of an international cooperation mechanism for monitoring nuclear-contaminated water in Fukushima by further innovating the dissemination mechanism to address the risk of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water discharging into the sea and facilitating the identification of issues for international cooperation in monitoring Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water based on the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Exploring the Dynamics of Industrial Convergence Among RCEP Member Countries: An Empirical Study

The evolving dynamics of industrial convergence among the member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP)framework have emerged as a significant subject that merits in-depth consideration and analysis.This study initially employs multi-regional input-output(MRIO)data and the social network analysis(SNA)method to delineate the levels and variation trends of this industrial convergence across the RCEP member countries.It then delves into the positive effects of this convergence phenomenon on the trade and investment fields of the member countries.The research findings indicate:(a)In 2006 and 2015,before the implementation of the RCEP,the RCEP member countries displayed a relatively close industrial convergence.The convergence levels exhibited a general upward trend on both the supply and the demand sides,but there were significant disparities in the levels of industrial convergence among the member countries.Furthermore,while the convergence in the three economic sectors showed an increasing trend,the development was uneven across the board.(b)Since the implementation of the RCEP,the trade ties among the member countries within the region have strengthened significantly,and the interplay between the countries’industrial and supply chains has been characterized by high-quality collaboration and demonstrated remarkable resilience.In addition,the convergence in the investment fields of the RCEP member countries and their respective industries has unleashed a wave of positive synergies.These findings offer valuable insights that can serve as a robust foundation for formulating effective policies to advance the growth and prosperity of the RCEP region.

International Communication of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Popular in the West

With the development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)acupuncture and moxibustion,research on acupuncture and moxibustion in the Western world is deepening.The concept of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West is formed.By investigating the localization of acupuncture and moxibustion in the Western world,this paper introduces several kinds of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West and concludes the spread of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West through hospitals and clinics,academic works,social organizations,education,and training.This paper provides a global vision developing domestic acupuncture and moxibustion and promoting academic prosperity and technical progress of world acupuncture and moxibustion system.

A Study on the Symbol-Based Narrative in the International Communication of Cities

Cultural symbols,a manifestation of cities’cultural resources,are not only signs that frame concepts but also forms that express meanings.Exploring the international communication of cities from the perspective of symbols,this paper analyzes in depth how cities create their cultural symbols in the dynamic process of international communication in an era of symbol-based digital media,and how they develop their narratives and explain meanings through the dissemination of symbols when telling their stories to international audiences,thus enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of their international communication efforts.