Online Education and Engineering Students' Perception of Pedagogical Quality, in Learning the Process Control Course with MATLAB

The objective of this article is describe the results obtained from the evaluation of perception in engineering students, regarding pedagogical quality, in the context of online education; during the learning process of the process control course with Matlab. When developing the research, it was determined with respect to the answers capacity factor, that the indicators that present a better perception are "When presenting an observation about the development of the subject, the teacher responds to it appropriately" and "When you have any question or concern, the teacher answers your query quickly”, which have a total agreement of 82.4%. Regarding the Empathy factor, the indicator that presents a better perception is “The time in which the subject is taught is convenient for all students”, which presents a total compliance of 72.7%. Regarding the indicators that show the quality of the pedagogical service in general, it was determined that 75.7% perceive that teachers are always willing to help them and 81.8% perceives that teachers understand the specific academic needs of their students.

Determinants of IOGP Life-Saving Rules Compliance Among Nigerian Petroleum Industry Workers

Life-saving rules (LSRs) are a set of defined rules that support and complement general site-specific safety rules and procedures (SRPs). LSRs are popular in the oil & gas (O&G) industry and are part of the safety management system framework designed to prevent incidents in the workplace. Complying with LSRs ensures its intent of incident prevention, drives the goal of creating decent work, economic growth and sustainable development. With the continuum of incidents in the industry, total compliance with LSRs and SRPs still remains a mirage. Even though the introduction of LSRs in the O&G caused a paradigm shift from fair to better safety performance, incident investigations continue to unveil cases of violations/non-compliance. In the space of continuous improvement, it becomes expedient to determine possible causes of these LSRs and SRPs non-compliance, with a view to nipping the causal factors in the bud. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the factors affecting the level of workers compliance with IOGP LSRs in selected O&G companies operating in Delta State, Nigeria. The research recruited 317 sharp end workers and selected leaders, through a multistage sampling technique. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The study in its findings was able to elicit numerous compliance determinants arising from socio-demography, occupational and organisational factors. These factors are barriers to strengthen if the goal of total compliance and zero incident must be achieved in the workplace. The study recommends that management should comply with Thomas Legge's aphorisms 1 & 4 on SRPs and design training programmes for employees to be imparted with requisite knowledge needed for compliance, commit to safety and lead a positive safety culture to drive continuous improvement. Furthermore, there is the need to pursue total compliance with LSRs, SRPs and any site-specific safety rules to achieve zero incidents in the O&G industry.

The Potential of Digestate and the Liquid Fraction of Digestate as Chemical Fertiliser Substitutes under the RENURE Criteria

This study assessed how digestate and the liquid fraction (LF) of digestate would perform as candidate RENURE fertilisers (recovered nitrogen from manure) in nitrate vulnerable zones under the proposed criteria of the Joint Research Centre, namely, (i) a mineral nitrogen to total nitrogen ratio ≥ 90% (Nmin:TN ≥ 90%) or a total organic carbon to TN ratio ≤ 3 (TOC:TN ≤ 3); (ii) limits of ≤300 copper (Cu) mg kg−1 and ≤800 Zinc (Zn) mg kg−1. These criteria were applied to unpublished data (n = 2622) on digestate compositional properties, further amended with data from the literature (n = 180); digestate analysis from seven full-scale biogas facilities (n = 14); and biogas industry stakeholders (n = 23). The results showed that Cu and Zn mostly met the criteria, with compliance rates of 94.7% (of 1035 entries) and 95.0% (of 1038 entries), respectively. Just above 5% (of 1856 entries) met the Nmin/TN ≥ 90% criterion, while 36% (of 1583 entries) met the TOC/TN ≤ 3 criterion, while total compliance was 32% (of 1893 entries). When targeting the LF, total compliance increased noticeably, between 43 and 58% depending on DM range, indicating that LFs are better suited RENURE candidate fertilisers than unseparated digestate.

“When I Take Drugs, I Don’t Care”: Insights into the Operational Dynamics of Male Violent Offenders in a Correctional Centre

This study investigated the operational dynamics of male violent offenders incarcerated in Abakaliki custodial center, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted and purposive technique used to recruit 260 inmates charged with violent offenses. The data generated from structured questionnaire were analyzed using Predictive Analytic Software (PAS), with ordinary least regression, descriptive statistics and spearman rank order correlation techniques, employed in testing the variables explored. Findings revealed that this population use drugs to enhance criminal performance through being brutal; instilling fear in victims to secure their total compliance and submission; and suppressing regret for their criminal acts. Heroin, followed by, cocaine, cannabis, tramadol, and multiple drug use, were commonly used drugs in the population surveyed, with their offenses ranging from cultism, armed robbery, murder and burglary to kidnapping and assault and battery. Gaining insights into the changing operational knowledge, procedures and dynamics of violent offenders will (re)direct policy approach and action that are capable of increasing public and custodial safety. It will also orient and direct practical prison reforms for successful rehabilitation and reintegration of released inmates into the free world.

Point-of-care testing as the future of pre-hospital emergency medicine: an overview

Point-of-care testing (POCT) plays an increasingly important role in pre-emergency medicine by ensuring that patient’s continuum of care is commenced before arrival at health facilities. Given the benefits of POCT during the COVID-19 pandemic, this commentary described the advantages and disadvantages of POCT, and its current practices in pre-hospital emergency medicine. Point-of-care tests are easy to operate, cost-effective, and yield quick and accurate response, but are posed with challenges such as safety errors, poor adherence to quality control standards, and inspection errors. To optimize the benefits of POCT in pre-emergency medicine, it is required that regular trainings are conducted for POCT operators, and total compliance to POCT handling and management guidelines should be considered by each POCT operator.

Regulatory Costs of Being Public: Evidence from Bunching Estimation

Many disclosure and internal governance regulations for U.S. public firms trigger when a firm’s public float exceeds a threshold. Consistent with firms seeking to avoid costly regulation, we document significant bunching around multiple regulatory thresholds introduced from 1992 to 2012. We present a revealed preference estimation strategy that uses this behavior to quantify regulatory costs. Our estimates show that various disclosure and internal governance rules leads to a total compliance cost of 4.3% of the market capitalization for a median U.S. public firm. We apply the estimated costs to firms’ public-private choice and show that regulatory costs significantly impact private firms’ decisions to go public, while have limited effects on public firms’ decisions to go private.

KEPATUHAN 5 WAKTU MENCUCI TANGAN PADA PPDS ILMU BEDAH DI RUANG IRNA BEDAH A RSUD DR. SOETOMO SURABAYA

Abstrak. Infeksi nosokomial merupakan salah satu masalah utama di rumah sakit. Infeksi nosokomial dapat menyebabkan masa tinggal di rumah sakit lebih lama dan peningkatan biaya perawatan kesehatan. Secara umum, infeksi nosokomial dapat ditularkan melalui tiga cara, yaitu infeksi silang, autoinfeksi, dan infeksi lingkungan. Kebiasaan mencuci tangan merupakan intervensi yang paling penting dalam mengendalikan infeksi nosokomial. Desain penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif dengan mengamati opportunity, indikasi dan action dalam mencuci tangan yang diterapkan. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pengumpulan data melalui pengamatan langsung terhadap subyek penelitian yaitu PPDS Ilmu Bedah di ruang IRNA Bedah A RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya sampai memenuhi keriteria 100 opportunity. Dari 100 opportunity, terdapat 144 indikasi mencuci tangan. Indikasi yang paling banyak terjadi adalah saat setelah menyentuh pasien (37,2%). Action yang paling banyak diterapkan adalah handrub dengan menggunakan antiseptik berbasis alkohol (65,2%). Total kepatuhan mencuci tangan pada PPDS Ilmu Bedah di ruang IRNA Bedah A RSUD Dr. Soetomo adalah 23%. Kepatuhan 5 Waktu Mencuci Tangan pada PPDS Ilmu Bedah di ruang IRNA Bedah A pada bulan Oktober 2017 masih sangat rendah. Terdapat beberapa faktor yang dapat mempengaruhi tingkat kepatuhan mereka terhadap mencuci tangan secara tepat dan rutin, sehingga diperlukan intervensi untuk memperbaiki kepatuhan kebersihan tangan dari PPDS Ilmu Bedah tersebut.Kata kunci: 5 Waktu mencuci tangan, Kepatuhan mencuci tangan, Infeksi nosokomial, Pengendalian infeksi nosokomial Abstract. Nosocomial infection is one of major problems in the hospital. Nosocomial infections may lead to longer hospital stay and increased health care costs. Broadly speaking, nosocomial infections can be transmitted in three ways, namely cross-infection, autoinfection, and environmental infection. The habit of hand hygiene remains the most important intervention in the control of nosocomial infections. This research design was a descriptive research by observing the opportunity, indication and action of hand hygiene applied. The method used in this study was data collection through direct observation of the research subjects namely Surgery Residents in IRNA Bedah A RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya until 100 opportunities were completed. From 100 opportunities, there were 144 indications of hand hygiene. The most prevalent indication was the moment after touching the patient (37,2%). The most preferred technique was handrub using alcohol-based antiseptic (65,2%). Total compliance of hand hygiene in Surgery Residents in IRNA Bedah A RSUD Dr. Soetomo was 23%. Compliance of 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene in Surgery Residents in IRNA Bedah A on October 2017 was still very low. There were several factors that might influence their level of compliance in hand hygiene appropriately and routinely, so interventions were needed to improve the hand hygiene compliance of those Surgery Residents. Keywords: 5 moments of hand hygiene, Compliance of hand hygiene, Nosocomial infection, Infection control.

Adherence to treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: this study aims to evaluate the compliance of pharmacological treatment in patients with RA and identify the factors that may affect it. Materials and methods: observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. Surveys were conducted on 176 randomly selected patients from a private center specialized in Rheumatology located in the southern suburbs of the province of Buenos Aires (CER Medical Institute - Quilmes), between September 2015 and July 2016, by telephone by trained non-medical volunteers of the Articular Foundation. The BAM, CQR19 questionnaires were used and the patient’s perception of their degree of adherence to the treatment was investigated, dividing it into two groups: total compliance or partial/no compliance. Sociodemographic data, disease status, treatment, comorbidities and habits were collected.

Skladnost antibiotične kirurške profilakse s priporočili v UKC Ljubljana

Background: The antibiotic surgical prophylaxis (ASP) is very important as it can decrease the incidence of surgical infections. However, selection pressure of antibiotics is an important driver of antimicrobial resistance and may stimulate development of post-operative infections with resistant bacteria. This study aims to explore the level of compliance of ASP in daily practice with the set guidelines.Methods: Consecutive patients treated in the years 2011 and 2012 in UKCL were included in this retrospective study. Their medical records were reviewed and the results compared against the US Guidelines published in 2013. The following parameters were included in the study: application of an antibiotic prior to surgery, the appropriateness of the antibiotic and its dosage, application time and the number of doses applied.Results: Altogether 451 surgical procedures from 8 different UKCL's surgical units were analyzed. Patients age ranged from 18 to 97 years. Total compliance with the recommendations of ASP was achieved in 26 % of the cases. Antibiotic prophylaxis was applied in 87 % (range 62–100 %) of procedures with the indicated ASP. Appropriate choice of antibiotic reached 95 % (range 46–100 %). The lowest score was observed for the number of doses applied; the average compliance across 8 units was 46 %. Overall, the ASP was compliant with guidelines in 26 %.Conclusion: The study revealed that there is much space for improvement regarding the studied parameters of the ASP, in particular with regard to the appropriate number of doses of antibiotics administered. The prescribing and administrating of ASP in accordance with the recommendations depend strongly on the awareness and education of health care personnel as well as on supervision, feedback and supportive and blameless organization with good interpersonal communication.

Evaluation of the Operations of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Refilling Plants in Ghana – A Case Study

The demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Ghana has increased over the years since the Government LPG PromotionProgramme in 1990 and has resulted in the rise of the operations of LPG refilling plants in Ghana especially in the urbanareas. The operations of these refilling plants have raised a lot of concerns among the general public over the years due to itsassociated accidents. The study aimed at evaluating the operations of LPG refilling plants in Ghana using Tarkwa as the studyarea. It adopted survey as its research design and supported with literature review. The main instrument used for data collectionwas a questionnaire. Data collected from five refilling plants were analysed using statistical methods as well as the gradingcriteria prescribed by National Petroleum Authority (NPA) of Ghana. None of the LPG refilling plants attained “Grade A”. It isrecommended that there should be constant monitoring on the operations of LPG refilling plants to ensure total compliance withstandards.