The Oral Health Status of Person with Special Needs in Kumasi

Background: The most prevalent non-communicable disease worldwide is oral health-related disease, with dental caries and periodontal conditions being common. Oral health status significantly impacts overall health and quality of life. Barriers to dental care affect children with special needs. This study evaluates the oral health status and treatment requirements of people with special needs. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study in Kumasi, Ghana examined oral health status among people, 121 children with special needs over two months, in June-July 2022. Dental caries, periodontal changes, malocclusion, and trauma were assessed. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results: The oral health status among people with special needs in this study was generally moderate, with a range from very good to very poor. The prevalence of dental caries was 37%, with a mean DMFT score of 2.82. Periodontal health showed unsatisfactory indicators such as mobile teeth, poor gingival health, high plaque scores, and the presence of halitosis. Conclusion: This descriptive study aimed to provide baseline data on the oral health status of special needs students in Kumasi, addressing the lack of knowledge in this area. It highlighted the importance of dental care in maintaining good oral health and overall well-being in individuals with special needs. Coordinated efforts by dental professionals are needed to provide dental health education and preventive interventions for these children.

Research on the Status Quo and Improvement Needs of Foreign Language Teachers’ Teaching Competence in Curriculum-Based Ideological Education in Xinjiang Colleges and Universities

This study investigated the status quo and further improvement needs of foreign language teachers’teaching competence in curriculum-based ideological education(CIE)in Xinjiang colleges and universities.The results show that the teachers’teaching competence in CIE is generally good,with the“cultivating quality”being the highest and the“scientific research quality”the lowest;there still exist several problems,such as teachers’lack of theoretical knowledge in CIE,lack of teaching resources,and insufficient abilities in teaching design and research.It is hoped that with the support and efforts from university administrations,teachers can improve their teaching competence in CIE through various approaches adopted and multiple measures taken,thus optimizing their teaching effectiveness,promoting the construction of CIE in Xinjiang colleges and universities in the new era,and contributing to Xinjiang’s high-quality development.

Research on Learner Needs Analysis and Listening Activities

Listening is the primary method to access language information.It is an essential part of L2(second language)teaching but also the most difficult skill to master for L2 learners.Based on this,it is necessary to analyze learners’needs in listening.This article aims to conduct a needs analysis of a selected learner from Iraq and describe course material selection and design.Methods including questionnaires,interviews,and observation were used to collect data.Additionally,targeted 60-minute online listening activities were designed.It was found that listening activities can improve both listening and speaking skills.Thus,language teaching should be student-oriented,and subsequent course materials and activity design should be selected based on the analysis of students’needs.

An evaluation model for smart grids in support of smart cities based on the Hierarchy of Needs Theory

Smart cities depend highly on an intelligent electrical networks to provide a reliable,safe,and clean power supplies.A smart grid achieves such aforementioned power supply by ensuring resilient energy delivery,which presents opportunities to improve the cost-effectiveness of power supply and minimize environmental impacts.A systematic evaluation of the comprehensive benefits brought by smart grid to smart cities can provide necessary theoretical fundamentals for urban planning and construction towards a sustainable energy future.However,most of the present methods of assessing smart cities do not fully take into account the benefits expected from the smart grid.To comprehensively evaluate the development levels of smart cities while revealing the supporting roles of smart grids,this article proposes a model of smart city development needs from the perspective of residents’needs based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory,which serves the primary purpose of building a smart city.By classifying and reintegrating the needs,an evaluation index system of smart grids supporting smart cities was further constructed.A case analysis concluded that smart grids,as an essential foundation and objective requirement for smart cities,are important in promoting scientific urban management,intelligent infrastructure,refined public services,efficient energy utilization,and industrial development and modernization.Further optimization suggestions were given to the city analyzed in the case include strengthening urban management and infrastructure constructions,such as electric vehicle charging facilities and wireless coverage.

Prioritizing the efforts:lived experiences of family when taking care of people with cancer

Objective:Cancer has one of the highest disease mortality rates.Families are very important in the treatment of people with cancer.By using a phenomenological design,this study aimed to explore the experience of families in caring for a person with cancer and to identify the needs of these families.Methods:First,eight interviews were under taken with family members selected through a purposive sampling method.Then,another three interviews were conducted for data validation.The collected data were analyzed using the framework method of analysis.Results:The core theme,“Prioritizing the efforts:Being aware of the best we could do for our family,”reflected family’s experiences of caring for a person with cancer and was underpinned by five themes:“Decisions to make,”“Keeping up the good support,”“Acknowledging the others’contributions,”“Assisting my family to alleviate the disease,”and“Adapting to the current situation.”Conclusions:The results suggest that building mutual trust and communication between family and healthcare professionals is vital in decision-making for people with cancer.Family may also work with the person in fulfilling their needs,without disregarding the needs of the family.When suppor ting the needs of people with diabetes,the family requires appropriate information,and thus,healthcare professionals wisely select which information can help the family make a decision regarding the treatment.After administering the treatment and providing information for people with cancer and their family,asking for feedback is required for evaluation.

Information Needs and Self-Care Practices of Diabetic Patients in Mbala, Northern Province, Zambia

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. It is “a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both” manifested by carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism abnormality. If untreated high blood sugar can damage the nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs. The purpose of this study was to assess the information needs and self-care practice of Diabetic Patients in Mbala, Northern Province Zambia. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study where 105 respondents aged 18 years and above participated in the study. Participants were randomly selected. A structured interview schedule and a check list were used to collect data. Statistics Package for Social Sciences computer software package version 23.0 was used to analyze data. Chi square and fisher’s exact tests were used to test the significance of the association between Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus, attitude towards self-care practices, self-care practices among Diabetic patients and the need for information among Diabetic patients. A 95% confidence interval and P value of 0.05 were used to ascertain the degree of significance. Multi-variate binary logistic regression model to determine predictors of self-care practices and need for information was also used. Result: On analyzing the dependent variables, more than half (61.9%), had high need for information and three quarters (85.7%) of respondents had poor self-care practices. Slightly more than half (58.1%) had high knowledge levels majority (78.1%), had a negative attitude. Significant associations were found P Conclusion: Negative attitudes and lack of information among Diabetic patients were the main reasons associated with poor self-care practices. Particular attention should therefore be given to ensuring that Diabetic patients are given adequate information on Diabetes self-care in order to improve the quality of life.

Comparison of Self-Perception of Esthetics and Orthodontic Treatment Needs among Dental and Non-Dental Students with Assessment by Orthodontist

Objectives: The present study was conducted to compare the self-perception of esthetics and wish for seeking orthodontic treatment among dental and non-dental students. The realistic orthodontic treatment needs were confirmed by expert orthodontist. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 male students (Dental—75, Medical—93 and Pharmacy—87 students). The questionnaire included 20 items covering dental esthetics self-perception (10 questions), self-confidence and psychological impact (5 questions), and the need for seeking orthodontic treatment (5 questions) on a five-point Likert scale. The realistic orthodontic treatment needs were confirmed by photographs using aesthetic component of IOTN and clinical examination for the participants and analysis of jaw models using Dental aesthetic index (DAI). Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was used to check the significant difference between groups. Results: The overall average esthetic self-perception score for total sample was 3.83. The overall average psychological impact score for the whole sample was 2.67. The total percentage of participants who either agree or strongly agree with the question related to their perception of need for seeking orthodontic treatment was 70%. According to the assessment of orthodontic needs using AC-IOTN, 19.8% required definitive treatment. According to the assessment of orthodontic treatment needs based on DAI, 20.3% and 9.9% needed highly desirable (DAI 31 - 35) and definite need of treatment (DAI ≥ 36) respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there was no difference between the esthetic perception of dental and non-dental students. The self-perception for seeking orthodontic treatment was over-reported by participants compared to real requirement as assessed by orthodontic specialist. Dental esthetics has no psychological impact on academic performance and self-confidence as perceived by study participants.

An Investigation Into the Needs and Challenges of County-Level Family Education Guidance Services and Corresponding Improvement Measures

The delivery of targeted family education guidance services is essential for establishing a three-in-one education model that encompasses families,schools,and communities.It is also the key to creating a favorable educational environment that promotes the comprehensive and healthy development of individual students.To gain a comprehensive understanding of family education characteristics and trends in Chinese counties,accurately tap into the educational needs of parents,and effectively identify strengths and weaknesses in family education guidance services,this paper employed a quantitative research method based on a questionnaire survey and interview data from J district of C city after years of continuous monitoring of the quality of family education in the area,aiming to explore these issues and put forward several suggestions for improvement.The results indicate that the family learning environment and atmosphere in the district are generally favorable,while parental educational competence requires further improvement.Parents express a strong desire for interactive,systematic,and fragmented family education guidance from schools.Most parents acknowledge the significance of receiving guidance on family education,yet they are disinclined to actively engage in learning-related activities.While the operational mechanisms of county-level family education guidance services have been continuously improved,there is a need for greater overall coordination.Furthermore,the potential of school-led family education guidance services has yet to be fully tapped,and the scientific and professional standards of such guidance need to be further enhanced.Based on the aforementioned findings,we propose recommendations for improvement.Using J district’s effective improvement practices in management,curriculum,and teams as an example,we intend to explore practical ways to promote county-level family education guidance services and provide a valuable reference for the establishment of a comprehensive and effective system to improve such services.

Reporting Children’s Development below the Test Floor: Looking Back and Forth to Describe Individual Strengths and Needs

The test floor effects seen in standardised tests lead to a standardised score of 1 or less with a flat profile that hides a child’s individual strengths and needs. The Griffiths III community of practitioners requested advice on the reporting of children’s development below the floor of the test, so that individual strengths and needs can be described. This paper reports the third phase of research following an earlier Scoping Review and a wider literature review. To confirm quality control, Phase 3 was conducted in a retrospective manner using the same methodology as the earlier phases but in a reverse direction. Peer reviewer comments and key elements from the Scoping Review and keywords from the publications were tabulated. Data analysis included a change of perspective to that of the child and their individual rights with respect to the literature themes already described in Phase 2. These confirmed that there is little specific guidance in the literature, but that computational advances for homogeneous populations and especially disaggregated data offer some solutions. A greater balance between broad biopsychosocial models and standardised models of assessment should be sought by practitioners together with the use of disaggregated data to highlight issues that pertain to individual subsets of results. This will ensure that the child’s right for their individual strengths and needs to be described together with a plan for management, may be met.

Managements of Special Health Care Needs Patients from Dental Assistant Point

The main role of this article is to describe dental assistants and the dental department’s role in the dental delivery system for Special health care needs (SCHN) by creating a structure to educate the dental assisting profession and project factors that have a significant impact on the dental assistant. The dental assisting management of SCHN patient’s profession including dental Assistance general responsibilities, regulation credentialing, and education. The SCHN patient’s management creates a challenge in all area of the dental department. Handling patient with a SCHN is underexplored throughout the dental staff especially when there is not enough theoretical foundation, education and training to deal with this category of patients. SCHN patients are defined as individuals who have abnormal behavioral impairments, mental conditions or/and chronic disease or abnormal laboratory results. Thus, the aim of this article is to guide all dental assistance staff in the best dental management choice for SCHN patients. All health care teams are part of patient care in most medical settings. A work environment supportive ensures positive outcomes for patient care. This article was considered as those categories of patients required more care and special way to deal with, moreover language, age, gender and education level of the patient are also considered significant parries. Not Many studies were found to support the care of SCHN patients in dentistry department. Taking experience from other area help to design a system to handle the SCHN even if it requires hiring a Dentist who is specialized in that filed.

Prescription and Delivery of Enteral Nutrition for ICU Patients: A Case Study of a Hospital in the Interior of Brazil

Background: The objective of the present study was to evaluate during one year the total delivery of volume, calories, and proteins and compare them with the total prescribed to ICU patients using ENT (Enteral Nutrition Therapy) exclusively. Methods: Data on the prescribed or infused volume, calories, and protein, as well as their respective needs for each individual, were collected. Anthropometric parameters and age data were also collected from the medical records of 41 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Results: Prescribed versus infused enteral diet volume was presented in 5 weeks which corresponds to the maximum duration of ICU treatment. Regarding sampling, the majority corresponded to elderly people (>64 years old) and males (63.4%). The total average prescribed was 719.2 mL of enteral diet on an average of 649.7 mL delivered. In addition, there was no significant difference between the prescribed and delivered volume, caloric value, and protein content of the diet only in the last week of hospitalization, which corresponded to the range of 29 - 36 days. Several factors make it difficult to reach the patient’s caloric and protein recommendations. Most of the reasons are not recorded, corresponding to 57.1%, indicating the difficulty of assessing the inadequacy of the prescribed and delivered volume. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first time that a prescription vs. delivery assessment has been carried out for patients in the Brazilian Midwest. In addition, although our research is a difficulty reported worldwide (in most hospitals), we also provide opportunities for how the problem was solved in our case, which may contribute to other cases.

Bioprocessed Black Rice Bran Potentiates the Growth Inhibitory Activity of an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor against Murine Colon Carcinoma

This study determined the effect of orally fed polysaccharide-rich bioprocessed (fermented) black rice bran produced by culturing with shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushroom mycelium on CT-26 colon cancer cells in vivo in an intracutaneously transplanted mouse tumor alone and in combination with intraperitoneally administered anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. Analysis of the isolated tumor weights at the end of the study shows that the average tumor size in control mice is 3.78 grams, and the average tumor size in mice treated with anti-PD-1 antibody is 2.16 grams. The average tumor size in mice treated with BRB-F alone is 2.25 grams, and the average tumor size in mice treated with anti-PD-1 antibody BRB-F combination is 1.38 grams. Thus, BRB-F or anti-PD-1 antibody alone each reduce tumor size by 40.5% or 42.9%, whereas the combination of BRB-F and anti-PD-1 antibody reduces tumor size by 63.5%, with their cooperative effect being statistically significant. The observed anti-tumor effects were accompanied by a series of biomarkers associated with cancer formation and inhibition. These results indicate that the reported potentiation of cancer therapy using drug-based medical chemotherapies with added checkpoint inhibitors in human patients are mechanistically similar with the functional food evaluated in the present study. These beneficial effects in mice challenge clinicians to investigate if the black rice bran food product can also protect against human cancer.

Protection of Allergic Asthma in Mice by Black Rice Bran Bioprocessed with Shiitake Mushroom Mycelia

We evaluated the potential of orally fed new food formulations to inhibit biomarkers reported to be involved in the causes of allergic asthma in mice. Asthma, a serious non-communicable disease, affects both adults and children and can be undertreated. New functional foods could provide therapeutic approaches. Here, the anti-asthma mechanism of a new functional food and three isolated fractions produced by bioprocessing black rice bran with shiitake mushroom mycelia was evaluated in mast cells, B cells, and orally fed mice and compared with non-bioprocessed black rice bran. In vitro, the treatments inhibited RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and immunoglobulin E (IgE) production. The in vitro anti-asthma effects were confirmed in orally fed mice following asthma induction by alumina and chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA). The suppression of asthma resulted from the inhibition of inflammation- and immune-related substances, including OVA-specific IgE, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, eotaxin, leukotriene C4, prostaglandin D2, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum. The treatment also reversed the thickening of the lung airway wall. The inflammation and asthma inhibition seems to be regulated by the balance of the T-helper cells’ Th1/Th2 immune response and the inhibition of multiple biomarkers associated with the cause of asthma. Future human clinical studies with adults and children should determine the potential therapeutic value of the anti-asthma effects of the new functional foods.

Sustainable Community Epidemic Prevention Countermeasures against Public Health Emergencies

How to deal with public health emergencies is an important issue related to the normal life of community residents. However, after the corresponding understanding, it is found that a series of unsustainable epidemic prevention factors have been exposed in the community in the COVID-19, such as blocked access to basic materials, unsafe living environment, and lack of social platforms. In view of these problems, based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the changes in the hierarchy of needs of residents during the epidemic were analyzed, and sustainable community epidemic prevention strategies were proposed from five aspects of material storage, safe environment, social platform, respect opportunity and self-worth realization, so as to provide effective reference for future response to public health emergencies.

Needs and Opportunities for Information in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania—A Qualitative Study

Background: The majority of breast cancer patients in Tanzania present with advanced disease, and a significant proportion has metastatic breast cancer (MBC) on presentation or develops it during the course of their follow-up. With few treatment options to choose from, such patients often benefit from empathic support and access to information to help them make treatment decisions based on their individual circumstances and needs. Patients with MBC have been shown to present with unique physical, social and psychological needs that require additional time, counselling and availability of health care providers in addition to the routine options available to other patients. In resource-limited settings, the needs of such patients are often unknown and unaddressed, which adds to the anxiety associated with the diagnosis and its treatment. Materials and methods: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted using 3 focus group discussions with a total of 17 participants with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) attending Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants were purposively selected for the study from outpatient clinics and inpatient wards. A semi-structured FGD guide was used to moderate discussions and analysis was done using a thematic approach. Results: The median age of participants was 51 (range 33 - 81 years) with an average of 4 months (range 1 - 12 months) from diagnosis of BC to the interview. 4 (24%) were diagnosed with MBC on first presentation (denovo). Participants spoke about the importance of accurate BC-related information in allowing timely referral and treatment both in the community and within the health system. They recognized the role of mass and social media in increasing awareness about BC and identified myths surrounding cancer treatment especially mastectomy. Correct and timely information at points of care, through media platforms and via ambassadors/patient support groups was perceived as a means to avoiding delays and securing early and effective treatment. Conclusion: Patients with MBC in Tanzania have many unmet informational needs in relation to their disease. Accurate BC-related information is important in allowing early detection and diagnosis. At the community level, provision of information through established media platforms and the use of patient advocates may help to enable early referral and treatment of patients.

Water Resources and Water Services Infrastructure and Its Vulnerability to Extreme Events—The Case of Jordan

This study discussed the water sector as a critical infrastructural element in Jordan where the sector is exposed to the extreme events. The exposure of the country to extreme events has initiated this study. Such events are Pollution accidents, flooding, draughts, overexploitation, failure in electricity supply, climate changes, earthquakes, landslides, failure of dams, failure of wastewater treatment plants, failure of desalination plants, sabotage, fire, water theft, migration and demographic changes (immigration and urban migration), relations to neighboring countries, epidemics, and others. These extreme events are discussed in this article and the results show that failures in the water infrastructure and water supply, in Jordan, with its water sector situation have rigorous percussions on the country’s health, food supply, economy, societal stability, the built environment, and on other water-related issues. The study concludes that developing national programs to protect the water infrastructure in the water-fragile country has become very crucial to reach a robust and resilient water sector which not only means providing the inhabitants with quantitatively sufficient and qualitatively healthy water but also aims to incorporate guaranteeing social, economic and political stability.

The Challenges in Providing Affordable Housing in Nigeria and the Adequate Sustainable Approaches for Addressing Them

Despite multiple schemes implemented by various governments around the country, affordable housing remains elusive to the average Nigerian. Because the situation is comparable to that of other developing nations, it remains a key concern in these countries’ socioeconomic development. Over 52% of Nigeria’s population has been claimed to live in shanties, squatter communities, and informal settlements. This article, therefore, reviews the challenges to the provision of affordable housing in Nigeria and the Sustainable approaches to address them. The article’s findings were based on a thorough examination of the literature. The article’s findings indicated that sustainable approaches for addressing Nigeria’s affordable housing barriers may best be examined through the economic, ecological, social, institutional, and technical factors. The paper urges the present regime, investors, lawmakers, and private developers in Nigeria to implement these approaches for affordable housing provision. The findings from this article will add to the current body of knowledge by providing important information on affordable housing provision and re-directing research interest towards affordable housing in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Psychological Emotion Analysis System for Special Needs Children Based on Neural Network

With the development of modern society and the improvement of living standards,care for special needs children has been increasingly highlighted,and numerous corresponding measures such as welfare homes,special education schools,and youth care centers have emerged.Due to the lack of systematic emotional companionship,the mental health of special needs children are bound to be affected.Nowadays,emotional education,analysis,and evaluation are mostly done by psychologists and emotional analysts,and these measures are unpopular.Therefore,many researchers at home and abroad have focused on the solution of psychological issues and the psychological assessment and emotional analysis of such children in their daily lives.In this paper,a special children’s psychological emotional analysis based on neural network is proposed,where the system sends the voice information to a cloud platform through intelligent wearable devices.To ensure that the data collected are valid,a series of pretreatments such as Chinese word segmentation,de-emphasis,and so on are put into the neural network model.The model is based on the further research of transfer learning and Bi-GRU model,which can meet the needs of Chinese text sentiment analysis.The completion rate of the final model test has reached 97%,which means that it is ready for use.Finally,a web page is designed,which can evaluate and detect abnormal psychological state,and at the same time,a personal emotion database can also be established.

Social Determinants of Social Zapping:Exploring Predictors of Planned Scheduled Social Events with Others

Social zapping has gained popularity as a term that refers to canceling plans or appointments at the last minute to attend other,supposedly more appealing events.This behavior resembles rapidly switching channels on a television,as individuals frequently jump between different social engagements.The present study examined potential behavioral trait predictors of social zapping,such as belongingness,self-esteem,sense of control,and meaningful existence among community residents ranging from 40 to 75 years of age(n=48).The study utilized simple linear regressions to identify potential predictors of social zapping,exploring how the four fundamental needs(belongingness,self-esteem,sense of control,and meaningful existence)might be linked.Results indicated that belongingness and self-esteem are significant predictors of social zapping tendencies.Additionally,an independent samples t-test was conducted to determine the relationship both older and younger adults have with the four fundamental needs as well as the role age plays in social zapping tendencies.Older adults exhibited a significant and more positive association with self-esteem,sense of control,and meaningful existence compared to individuals aged 39 and younger.Social zapping frequency was nonsignificant for both older adults and younger adults.Furthermore,a separate set of linear regression analyses were completed to determine how social desirability affects social zapping across age groups.Social desirability significantly predicted both self-esteem and meaningful existence.Overall,the present study builds on what is currently a new phenomenon in research and will provide new information on the relationship between age,social zapping,and behavioral traits.

Why Teaching and Research Activities Lack Vitality?:A Probe into the Basic Psychological Needs of Teachers

Teaching and research activities are of great significance to the professional development of teachers.The basic psychological needs of teachers include autonomy,competence,and attribution.The engagement of teachers in teaching and research activities can be analyzed from these three perspectives.Under the management system of teaching and research,teachers generally lack autonomy in the organization of teaching and research activities;they are also lack scientific research knowledge and ability;in addition,under the influence of harmonious interpersonal relationships and the culture of individualism,there is a dearth in real communication among teachers.In light of this,we propose targeted countermeasures to promote the vitality of teaching and research activities.