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The aim of this research is to analyze the impact of parent satisfaction on Children's online learning for Primary Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Independent variables are Child competency, Technical Problems, Duration of online learning, and several assignments. The research method is a quantitative approach with Primary data analysis using Google form. The population in this study was the parents of the Primary school students who are following the Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Primary Education at the Open University of Sri Lanka using a simple random sampling method. Respondents of 102 data analyses were done through descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation, and Regression and were analyzed using SPSS. By using a structured questionnaire with five Likert scales from strongly disagree to strongly agree measured independent and dependent variables. The results of this study are independent variables had a significant impact on parents' satisfaction with online learning. But Technical Problem was not significant in parents' satisfaction with online learning. The moderation effect explains the association between the following three factors; the number of online assignments, the duration of online learning, and parents' satisfaction. According to the Child competency, Parents were more satisfied with their children's online learning. Researchers may use this article as literature or supplementary material for future research.

Abstract Background The relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health is complex; drinking may exacerbate anxiety, and in turn, anxiety can lead to excessive drinking. This study explores the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns including wine, beer, and spirits, and anxiety prevalence in selected 13 South American nations. Methods This study utilises secondary data spanning 29 years from 1991 to 2019 obtained from the Our World in Data database. It investigates the causal link between the prevalence of anxiety and alcohol consumption in the selected countries using the Granger causality test. Results Anxiety was found to have a unidirectional effect on wine and beer consumption in Chile, Suriname, Uruguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, drinking alcohol consumption appears to impact anxiety levels in Brazil. Argentina demonstrates a bidirectional relationship between anxiety and all three types of alcohol consumption, with similar patterns observed in Brazil (wine and beer), Chile (spirits), and Paraguay (spirits). Conclusion No significant causal relationships for alcohol consumption patterns were found in other nations. The identified Granger causal links follow four distinct directions in this study. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, governments, and international investors for informed decision-making regarding regulation and policy tools.

Abstract In the fast-paced, post-COVID digital world, e-commerce presents promising prospects for significant advancement. However, customers often feel uncertain due to persistent concerns about the robustness of security measures safeguarding e-commerce platforms. The primary objective of our study was to identify factors affecting the security of e-commerce platforms based on the perceptions of Sri Lankan customers. This research was conducted using data collected from Sri Lankan e-commerce users via both online and offline surveys. An ordered probit regression model was utilised, demonstrating that transaction security, privacy, vendor system security, and platform quality positively impact the perceived security of e-commerce. The e-commerce industry in Sri Lanka is expected to see growth and an increased user penetration rate. The findings of this study are anticipated to assist e-commerce business owners and policymakers in addressing critical security issues, namely vulnerabilities in transactional security, low privacy, inadequate system security, and poor e-commerce platform quality. These improvements are expected to build trust and credibility among consumers, maximising e-commerce success.

Abstract Background Smoking significantly contributes to the mortality rates worldwide, particularly in non-communicable and preventable diseases such as cardiovascular ailments, respiratory conditions, stroke, and lung cancer. This study aims to analyse the impact of smoking on global deaths, and its association with mortality across the main income groups. Methods The comprehensive analysis spans 199 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. The study categorises countries into four income groups: high income, upper middle income, lower middle income, and low income. Results The findings underscore the profound impact of global tobacco smoking on mortality. Notably, cardiovascular disease mortality is notably affected in both upper-middle-income and high-income groups. Chronic respiratory disease mortality rates show a significant impact across all income groups. Moreover, stroke-related mortality is observed in the lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income groups. These results highlight the pervasive influence of smoking prevalence on global mortality, affecting individuals across various socioeconomic levels. Conclusion The study underscores the critical implications of smoking on mortality rates, particularly in high-income countries. It emphasises the urgency of targeted interventions in these regions to address the specific challenges posed by tobacco smoking on public health. Policy recommendations include implementing prohibitive measures extending to indoor public areas such as workplaces and public transportation services. Furthermore, allocating funds for research on tobacco and health, is imperative to ensure policymakers are consistently informed about emerging facts and trends in this complex domain.

Background Corruption, a multifaceted governance issue, impacts public well-being globally. The recent trends reveal a rise in suicide rates across the Americas, while all other regions show declines over twenty years of time. This study investigates corruption’s effect on suicide in 26 American countries, considering moderating factors of unemployment, inflation, and economic growth. Methods This study analysed latest two decades of available data, using stepwise panel regression method to investigate the effects of corruption and economic variables on suicide across income levels. Data were sourced from Transparency International, World Bank and the World Health Organization. Initially, unit root tests and CUSUM plots were used to ensure the stability and stationarity of the dataset, and model specification were validated through F test, LM test and Hausman test to select the ideal econometric model - POLS, REM, or FEM for the study. Results A strong suicide rate persistence revealed, particularly in high-income countries, where the lagged suicide variable showed a coefficient of 0.8063 (p < 0.001). Corruption significantly impacted suicide rates in upper-middle-income countries (coefficient = -0.0268, p < 0.05), with higher corruption perceptions scores correlating with lower suicide rates. Additionally, unemployment acted as a significant moderator, intensifying the corruption’s adverse impact on suicide with a coefficient of 0.0022 (p < 0.001) in upper-middle income nations. Economic growth demonstrated a minor protective effect, particularly in high-income regions, with an interaction coefficient of -0.0005 (p < 0.1), suggesting slight suicide reduction linked to economic stability. Conclusion This study found that corruption, unemployment, and economic growth significantly influence suicide rates across the Americas. Corruption exacerbates suicide risks in upper-middle-income countries, while unemployment amplifies this effect. Economic growth offers a slight protective effect, particularly in high-income regions, suggesting that economic stability may help mitigate suicide rates.

Introduction Carbapenems are used to treat multidrug-resistant organisms as last-resort antibiotics. Resistance to carbapenems is an emerging public health threat worldwide, with alarming reported rates in Asian countries. To minimise further spread of resistant strains and guide interventions, it is important to understand the prevalence rates and causative molecular determinants. Therefore, the systematic review and meta-analysis arising from this protocol will aim to comprehensively describe the available surveillance data on carbapenem resistance in Asian countries to provide an in-depth overview of the carbapenem resistance status in this region.Methodology and analysis A systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted via PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases. Additional articles and grey literature will be searched in Google Scholar, OpenGrey and Google Chrome by manually searching the reference lists of selected studies. The review question was designed according to components in the ECLIPSE (E-expectations, C-client, L-location, I-impact, P-profile and S-service) framework. Studies conducted with samples other than clinical samples will be excluded. Only original articles published in the English language will be included. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool will be used to assess the quality of the included studies. A random-effects meta-analysis will be performed if the data are sufficiently homogenous. Heterogeneity between studies will be assessed via the I² statistic. The subgroup analysis will be performed considering the type of sample, pathogen type, region/country where the studies were conducted and genetic determinants.Ethics and dissemination As this study is conducted on the basis of published data, ethical approval is exempt. The findings of this study will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal with the intention of providing summarised data on the globally emerging threat of carbapenem resistance and emphasising the need to introduce alternative, more effective treatment options.PROSPERO registration number CRD42024515806.

This research investigates rural area students' online adoption during the fourth wave of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The main objective of this study was to identify the factors affecting the adoption of online education in rural areas in Sri Lanka. This case study was carried out based on data gathered from the online survey during the pandemic covering 16 districts in Sri Lanka. Using the ordered probit regression model through the stepwise technique, the study investigates the factors affecting the adoption of online education in rural areas in Sri Lanka. According to the results generated, attitude, perceived use, awareness, and new technology adoption have a positive impact on student adoption of online education in Sri Lanka. Online education so far is one of the effective and feasible solutions for providing education in a pandemic situation in any country. These findings are helpful for responsible educational institutions to address and contribute to key issues such as low perceived use, poor attitude, low awareness, and poor technology adoption. The study will also assist policymakers in preparing a roadmap, at the policy level with the perceived benefits of online education during similar future crises in Sri Lanka.

In considering today's energy challenges, the link between the usage of renewable and non-renewable energy sources and economic growth has gained substantial policy attention. This research examines the complex relationship between these three variables to understand how non-renewable energy consumption and renewable energy consumption interact and what that means for economic growth. This study uses the Granger causality approach to explore the relationships between non-renewable energy consumption, renewable energy consumption, and economic development. It draws on a comprehensive dataset from the Word Bank database, including 152 nations from 1990 to 2019. The analysis is further disaggregated by four subgroups of countries; least developed, developed, transitional economies and developing countries. The result of this study provides valuable empirical evidence of uni-directional causality running from renewable energy consumption to economic growth and non-renewable energy consumption to economic growth in transitional economies. Furthermore, policymakers should focus on both variables when making decisions because the results show that energy consumption and economic growth are interconnected. Implementing global energy efficiency standards, reducing fossil fuel usage, and adopting regulatory measures are all viable policies for limiting adverse effects on the environment while encouraging economic development.

Access to emergency obstetric care, including assisted vaginal birth and caesarean birth, is crucial for improving maternal and childbirth outcomes. However, although the proportion of births by caesarean section has increased during the last few decades, the use of assisted vaginal birth has declined. This is particularly the case in low- and middle-income countries, despite an assisted vaginal birth often being less risky than caesarean birth. We therefore conducted a three-step process to identify a research agenda necessary to increase the use of, or reintroduce, assisted vaginal birth: after conducting an evidence synthesis, which informed a consultation with technical experts who proposed an initial research agenda, we sought and incorporated the views of women's representatives of this agenda. This process has allowed us to identify a comprehensive research agenda, with topics categorized as: (i) the need to understand women's perceptions of assisted vaginal birth, and provide appropriate and reliable information; (ii) the importance of training health-care providers in clinical skills but also in respectful care, effective communication, shared decision-making and informed consent; and (iii) the barriers to and facilitators of implementation and sustainability. From women's feedback, we learned of the urgent need to recognize labour, childbirth and postpartum experiences as inherently physiological and dignified human processes, in which interventions should only be implemented if necessary. The promotion and/or reintroduction of assisted vaginal birth in low-resource settings requires governments, policy-makers and hospital administrators to support skilled health-care providers who can, in turn, respectfully support women in labour and childbirth. L'acces aux soins obstetriques d'urgence, y compris l'accouchement vaginal assiste et la cesarienne, est essentiel pour ameliorer les effets de la maternite et de l'accouchement. Toutefois, bien que la proportion de cesariennes ait augmente ces dernieres decennies, le recours a l'accouchement vaginal assiste a diminue. C'est particulierement le cas dans les pays a revenu faible ou intermediaire, bien que l'accouchement vaginal assiste soit souvent moins risque qu'une cesarienne. Nous avons donc mene un processus en trois etapes afin d'imaginer un programme de recherche qui permettrait d'augmenter le recours a l'accouchement vaginal assiste ou de le reintroduire. Apres avoir realise une synthese des donnees probantes, qui a servi de base a une consultation avec des experts techniques qui ont propose un programme de recherche initial, nous avons sollicite et incorpore les avis des representantes des femmes pour ce programme. Ce processus nous a permis d'imaginer un programme de recherche complet, avec des sujets classes comme suit: (i) la necessite de comprendre la perception qu'ont les femmes de l'accouchement vaginal assiste et de fournir des informations appropriees et fiables; (ii) l'importance de la formation des prestataires de soins de sante en matiere de competences cliniques, mais aussi de respect dans les soins de sante, de communication efficace, de prise de decision partagee et de consentement eclaire; ou (iii) les obstacles a la mise en reuvre et a la durabilite et les facteurs qui les facilitent. Les reactions de femmes nous ont appris qu'il etait urgent de reconnaitre que l'accouchement, la naissance et le post-partum sont des processus humains intrinsequement physiologiques et dignes au cours desquels les interventions ne devraient etre mises en reuvre qu'en cas de necessite. La promotion et/ou la reintroduction de l'accouchement vaginal assiste dans les regions a faibles ressources necessitent que les pouvoirs publics, les decideurs politiques et les administrations d'hopitaux soutiennent les prestataires de soins de sante qualifies, qui pourront a leur tour soutenir respectueusement les femmes pendant l'accouchement. El acceso a la atencion obstetrica de emergencia, incluido el parto vaginal asistido y el parto por cesarea, es crucial para mejorar los resultados de la maternidad y el parto. No obstante, aunque el porcentaje de partos por cesarea ha aumentado en las ultimas decadas, el uso del parto vaginal asistido ha disminuido. Esto ocurre especialmente en los paises de ingresos bajos y medios, a pesar de que un parto vaginal asistido suele ser menos arriesgado que un parto por cesarea. Por lo tanto, llevamos a cabo un proceso de tres pasos para identificar un programa de investigacion necesario para aumentar el uso del parto vaginal asistido o volver a incorporarlo: tras realizar una sintesis de la evidencia, que sirvio de base para una consulta con expertos tecnicos que propusieron un programa de investigacion inicial, buscamos e integramos las opiniones de las representantes de las mujeres sobre este programa. Este proceso nos ha permitido identificar un programa de investigacion exhaustivo, con temas categorizados como: (i) la necesidad de comprender las percepciones de las mujeres sobre el parto vaginal asistido, y proporcionar informacion adecuada y fiable; (ii) la importancia de formar a los profesionales sanitarios en habilidades clinicas, pero tambien en atencion respetuosa, comunicacion efectiva, toma de decisiones compartida y consentimiento informado; o (iii) las barreras y los facilitadores de la implementacion y la sostenibilidad. A partir de las opiniones de las mujeres, nos enteramos de la urgente necesidad de reconocer las experiencias del parto, el alumbramiento y el posparto como procesos humanos inherentemente fisiologicos y dignos, en los que las intervenciones solo deben aplicarse si son necesarias. La promocion o la reincoporacion del parto vaginal asistido en regiones de escasos recursos exige que los gobiernos, los responsables de formular politicas y los administradores de hospitales apoyen a los profesionales sanitarios capacitados que, a su vez, pueden ayudar a las mujeres en el trabajo de parto y el alumbramiento de manera respetuosa. [phrase omitted], Introduction Assisted vaginal birth, also known as instrumental or operative vaginal birth, refers to a vaginal birth conducted with the help of an instrument such as forceps or a vacuum [...]

Abstract Background This study investigates the influence of Global Smoking Prevalence (GSP) on Stroke Death Rates (SDR) across 27 countries categorized into High-Income Countries (HIC), Upper Middle-Income Countries (UMIC), Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), and Low-Income Countries (LIC). Methods Analysing data from two distinct periods (1990–1999 and 2010–2019), countries exhibiting an increased SDR were selected. The study uses a polynomial regression model, treating income groups as cross-sectional and years as time series data. Results Results from the regression model reveal that 17 countries observed a significant impact of GSP on SDR, with only Turkey, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste resulting in negative values. However, the study emphasises that out of all 27 countries, the highest occurrence of the impact of GSP on SDR has been reported in the LMIC stratum for the period under review. Conclusion It is evident that GSP affects the risk of incidence of stroke death, specifically in the LMIC stratum. Furthermore, it has been identified that GSP is a major preventable risk factor affecting global mortality. To mitigate the risk of stroke death attributable to smoking prevalence, necessary preventive steps should be adopted to encourage smoking cessation, and essential policies should be implemented to reduce the burden of SDR.

Background: This study focused on evaluating the physiochemical characteristics and antibacterial activity of Octoprohibitin-encapsulated CNPs (Octoprohibitin-CNPs) against Acinetobacter baumannii. Methods: Octoprohibitin was encapsulated into CNPs via ionotropic gelation with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and low molecular weight chitosan (CS). Octoprohibitin-CNPs were dispersed in phosphate-buffered saline and the release kinetic profile was determined. Then Octoprohibitin-CNPs were examined using field-emission transmission electron microscopy and physicochemical characterization was performed. Antibacterial activity of Octoprohibitin-CNPs against A. baumannii was evaluated. Biofilm inhibition and eradication assays were performed using the crystal violet (CV) staining-based method for biofilm quantification. Results: The average diameter, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity of Octoprohibitin-CNPs were 244.5 ± 21.97 nm, +48.57 ± 0.38 mV, and 85.7% and 34.2%, respectively. TEM analysis imaging revealed that Octoprohibitin-CNPs are irregularly shaped, with fewer aggregates than CNPs. Octoprohibitin-CNPs exhibited a biphasic release pattern, characterized by an initial rapid phase followed by a sustained release over time, extending up to 93.68 ± 6.48% total release until 96 h. In vitro, Octoprohibitin-CNPs showed lower cytotoxicity compared to Octoprohibitin alone. Time-kill kinetic and bacterial viability reduction assays showed Octoprohibitin-CNPs exhibited slightly higher antibacterial activity against A. baumannii than Octoprohibitin. Conclusions: Octoprohibitin-CNP-treated A. baumannii exhibited higher levels of morphological deviation, increased membrane permeability, and the production of reactive oxygen species, as well as antibiofilm activity with greater biofilm inhibition and eradication than Octoprohibitin. These findings show that Octoprohibitin-CNPs perform better against A. baumannii compared to Octoprohibitin alone.

The surging prevalence of diabetes globally necessitates advancements in non-invasive diagnostics, particularly for the early detection of cardiovascular anomalies associated with the condition. This study explores the efficacy of Pulse Wave Analysis (PWA) for distinguishing diabetic from non-diabetic individuals through morphological examination of pressure pulse waveforms. The research unfolds in four phases: data accrual, preprocessing, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model construction, and performance evaluation. Data were procured using a multipara patient monitor, resulting in 2000 pulse waves equally divided between healthy individuals and those with diabetes. These were used to train, validate, and test three distinct CNN architectures: the conventional CNN, Visual Geometry Group (VGG16), and Residual Networks (ResNet18). The accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score gauged each model’s proficiency. The CNN demonstrated a training accuracy of 82.09% and a testing accuracy of 80.6%. The VGG16, with its deeper structure, surpassed the baseline with training and testing accuracies of 90.2% and 86.57%, respectively. ResNet18 excelled, achieving a training accuracy of 92.50% and a testing accuracy of 92.00%, indicating its robustness in pattern recognition within pulse wave data. Deploying deep learning for diabetes screening marks progress, suggesting clinical use and future studies on bigger datasets for refinement.