Aggregate Analysis Research Articles

Augmenting surveys with social media discourse on the workings of democracy from a cross-national perspective

This paper introduces an unsupervised framework that illustrates how insights gathered from opinion surveys regarding the functionality of democracy can be connected to social media messages of politicians on an international scale. By concentrating on the influence of social media messages from elected officials, the study adopts a “top-down” theoretical approach that links citizens’ attitudes towards democracy with the viewpoints about democracy expressed by politicians within social media discourses. Using a word embedding classification strategy, democracy-related themes are extracted from politicians’ messages. The research is conducted across 11 European countries, namely, Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Switzerland is also included in the study because of its direct democracy system. The 10th round of the European Social Survey serves as the basis for assessing citizens’ democratic attitudes. The study encompasses two main analytical segments. First, aggregated analyses conducted at the country level reveal the degree of alignment between prominent democracy-related themes present in politicians’ discourse and citizens’ perceived significance of these same themes. Second, individual-level connections between social media data and survey respondents are established through their preferred political party (or orientation). Variable importance analysis is subsequently applied to explore which democracy-related themes conveyed by politicians hold significance in predicting public contentment with democracy.

A comparative assessment of uncrushed-river concrete mix of Hari-River, and Kamar-Kalaq: the two widely used concrete mix in Herat, Afghanistan

Concrete, as a cornerstone of modern construction, heavily relies on the quality of its constituent materials, particularly aggregates. Among the critical factors contributing to high-quality concrete are proper gradation, absence of clay particles, and angular shape of aggregates. Adhering to these standards typically results in concrete with superior strength. However, aggregates sourced from riverbeds often possess a natural gradation, contain clay particles, and have rounded shapes. This study delves into a comparative analysis of aggregates sourced from two widely utilized riverbed regions, namely Hari-River and Kamar-Kalaq, situated within Herat province, Afghanistan. Given that over 90% of concrete in Herat province is sourced from these two riverbeds, the findings of this study carry immense significance. The research meticulously examines key parameters, including clay content, gradation, aggregate shape, and compressive strength, to determine the optimal choice for concrete production. Methodologically, samples were acquired following ASTM standards, and rigorous testing procedures were conducted, encompassing clay particle analysis, sieve analysis, and strength testing. The results reveal significant disparities between the two regions, with Hari-River demonstrating superior characteristics across various metrics. Particularly noteworthy is Hari-River’s lower clay content of 2.7% compared to Kamar-Kalaq’s 3.7%. The gradation of Hari-River for both coarse and fine aggregates is superior to that of Kamar-Kalaq when compared to size 67 aggregate range. Additionally, the average 28 days concrete compressive strength of Hari-River aggregates is 27.8 MPa, while that of Kamar-Kalaq is 23.4 MPa.

Ellipsoidal micelle formation of quaternary ammonium salt-based gemini surfactants: structural analysis through small-angle X-ray scattering.

Gemini surfactants exhibit better adsorption and aggregation properties than those of monomeric surfactants. However, to enhance the functional properties of gemini surfactants, the effect of spacer structures on their aggregation behavior must be elucidated. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has been performed to study the aggregate structures of monomeric surfactants, but its application has not been expanded to the analysis of gemini surfactants. Therefore, in this study, we performed a structural analysis of aggregates formed by quaternary ammonium salt-based gemini surfactants with different spacer structures in aqueous solutions through viscosity, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and SAXS measurements. We also investigated the effects of the spacer structure and surfactant concentration on the aggregation behavior. The DLS results indicated that gemini surfactants with spacers containing cyclic structures, such as diethylene and triethylene chains, formed small micelles (several nanometers in size) at the limiting concentration for dissolution in water. In contrast, gemini surfactants with nitrogen and oxygen atoms at the center of the spacer formed ellipsoidal micelles at low concentrations, as shown by SAXS results. The core and overall radii of the minor and major axes of the ellipsoidal micelles decreased with increasing surfactant concentration and were larger for spacers with two ethylene chains connected to central nitrogen and oxygen atoms than for spacers with rigid diethylene and ethylene chains connected to a central nitrogen atom.

Current vaccination strategy against Piscirickettsia salmonis in Chile based only on the EM-90 genogroup shows incomplete cross-protection for the LF-89 genogroup

Piscirickettsia salmonis, the primary bacterial disease in Chilean salmon farming, necessitates a constant refinement of control strategies. This study hypothesized that the current vaccination strategy for SRS control in the Chilean Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry, which has been in place since 2017 (ALPHA JECT® 5.1 plus LiVac®), solely relies on vaccines formulated with the EM-90 genogroup of P. salmonis (PS-EM-90), triggering a partial cross-immunity response in fish infected with the LF-89 genogroup (PS-LF-89). Relative Percent Survival (RPS) and cell-mediated immune (CMI) response were evaluated in Atlantic salmon post-smolts vaccinated with the standard vaccination strategy but challenged with both PS-EM-90 and PS-LF-89, in addition to other vaccination strategies considering primo vaccination and booster with other commercial vaccines and the possible enhancing effects of the combination with a natural immunomodulator (PAQ-Xtract®) administered orally. The intraperitoneal (I.P.) challenge was performed after 2395°-days (DD) after the start of the immunostimulant delivery, 1905 DD after the primo vaccination, and 1455 DD after the booster vaccination. Unvaccinated fish showed 73.6 and 41.7 % mortality when challenged with PS-EM-90 and PS-LF-89, respectively. Fish infected with PS-LF-89 died significantly faster (21 days post-infection, dpi) than fish challenged with PS-EM-90 (28 dpi) (p = 0.0043) and had a higher probability of death (0.4626) than fish challenged with PS-EM-90. RPS had a significant positive correlation with the PS-EM-90 load of the P. salmonis genogroup (r = 0.540, p < 0.01) but not with the PS-LF-89 load (r = 0.155, p > 0.05). This demonstrated that the immunization strategies were more effective in lowering PS-EM-90 loads, resulting in higher survival rates in fish challenged with PS-EM-90. The current industry vaccination strategy recorded a 100 % RPS when fish were challenged with PS-EM-90, but the RPS dropped significantly to 77 % when fish were challenged with PS-LF-89, meaning that the strategy did not show complete cross-protection. But after adding PAQ-Xtract®, the RPS improved from 77 % to 92 % in fish that were vaccinated with the standard method but then challenged with PS-LF-89. The most effective vaccination strategy was based on LiVac® as primo vaccination and ALPHA JECT® 5.1 plus LiVac® as booster vaccination, with or without PAQ-Xtract®, in both PS-EM-90 (100 %) and PS-LF-89 (96 %) challenged fish. The serum concentration of anti-P. salmonis IgM did not show a correlation with the protection of immunization strategies expressed in survival. Low serum IL-12 and high serum IFNγ concentrations showed a correlation with higher bacterial loads and lower survival. Aggregate analysis showed a significant correlation between higher numbers of CD8+ cells in the head-kidney, higher fish survival, and a lower bacterial load. The immunization strategies were safe for fish and induced only mild microscopic lesions in the gut. Taken together, our results help to better understand the biological interaction between P. salmonis and post-smolt vaccinated Atlantic salmon to deepen the knowledge on vaccine-induced protection, CMI immune response, and cross-immunity applied to improve the current immunization strategy for SRS control in the Chilean salmon industry.

Effects of system-sanctioned framing on climate awareness and environmental action in the United States and beyond

Despite growing scientific alarm about anthropogenic climate change, the world is not on track to solve the crisis. Inaction may be partially explained by skepticism about climate change and resistance to proenvironmental policies from people who are motivated to maintain the status quo (i.e., conservative-rightists). Therefore, practical interventions are needed. In the present research program, we tested an experimental manipulation derived from system justification theory in which proenvironmental initiatives were framed as patriotic and necessary to maintain the American “way of life.” In a large, nationally representative U.S. sample, we found that the system-sanctioned change intervention successfully increased liberal-leftists’ as well as conservative-rightists’ belief in climate change; support for proenvironmental policies; and willingness to share climate information on social media. Similar messages were effective in an aggregated analysis involving 63 countries, although the overall effect sizes were small. More granular exploratory analyses at the country level revealed that while the intervention was moderately successful in some countries (e.g., Brazil, France, Israel), it backfired in others (Germany, Belgium, Russia). Across the three outcome variables, the effects of the intervention were consistent and pronounced in the United States, in support of the hypothesis that system justification motivation can be harnessed on behalf of social change. Potential explanations for divergent country-level effects are discussed. The system-sanctioned change intervention holds considerable promise for policymakers and communicators seeking to increase climate awareness and action.

The Productivity Spectrum: An Individual-Level Examination of Servers’ Reactions to Workload and Overwork

Purpose: This study explores the diverse reactions of human servers to variations in workload and overwork, focusing on how these stressors influence service time in a call center setting.Study design/methodology/approach: OLS regressions with fixed effects and clustered standard errors were used to analyze the impact of workload and overwork on service time at both aggregate and individual levels.Sample and data: This research utilizes archival data from a call center at a large Kuwaiti private hospital, covering 58,460 calls handled by 23 agents during October 2016.Results: At the aggregate level, workload has a negative effect on service time, indicating a general speedup response, while overwork shows no significant effect. At the individual level, responses vary significantly among agents, with some agents speeding up, others slowing down, and some demonstrating non-linear responses to workload. Overwork responses also vary, with some agents slowing down, others speeding up, and some showing flat responses.Originality/value: This study contributes to the behavioral queuing literature by emphasizing the importance of individual-level analysis in understanding server responses to workload and overwork. The findings reveal that aggregate analyses can mask significant variations in individual behaviors, crucial for optimizing call center performance. By exposing the spectrum of individual reactions, the study provides deeper theoretical and practical insights into the complex dynamics of service time under different work stressors.Research limitations/implications: The findings provide insights for optimizing call center performance, but further research is needed to validate and generalize these findings across different settings and call center environments.

Mediating role of energy uncertainty for environmental management in electricity generation: The evidence from Pakistan

This groundbreaking study examines the relationship between CO2 intensity, aggregated and disaggregated fossil fuels, clean and nuclear energy, and, as a mediating variable, energy uncertainty for Pakistan during 2019M01 and 2022M10 with monthly data. To this end, the ARDL Bound Testing method is used to identify the long-run relationship of the studied factors. The empirical results suggest that under the mediating effect of energy uncertainty, renewables and nuclear energy in electricity generation have a negative association with CO2 intensity. In contrast, fossil fuels in generating electricity influence positively CO2 intensity in the aggregated analysis. Moreover, the disaggregated results under the mediating role of energy uncertainty reveal that only hydro energy reduces CO2 intensity as renewables, bioenergy, wind, and solar energy do not impact CO2 intensity. Both coal and gas energies cause a rise in CO2 intensity. Regarding nuclear energy, it also has a negative relation with CO2 intensity. The increase in energy uncertainty leads to a fall in CO2 intensity in aggregated and disaggregated analyses as well. Wavelet coherence analysis shows that CO2 intensity and energy uncertainty depend on each other dynamically for almost the whole employed period.

Synthesis of suspension stabilizers for isolation fluids by response surface methodology and study of their properties

In order to solve the problem of unstable settling of isolation fluid at high temperatures, high-temperature-resistant suspension stabilizers for isolation fluids were prepared. Using the free radical aqueous solution method with 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), YX-1 (a monomer containing an amide group) as the main chain of the molecule, and N-Vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) and DX-2 (monomer containing hydrophobic groups) as the side chains of the molecule. We innovate the suspension stabilizer synthesis process, the synthesis conditions of the suspension stabilizer were optimized by using the one-factor experimental design and response surface analysis. The elemental composition and structure of the polymer suspension stabilizers were tested and analyzed by using X-ray spectroscopy (XPS), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy (H NMR). The hydrophobic aggregation behaviour of the polymer molecular chains was demonstrated from a microscopic point of view using fluorescence spectroscopy tests and size analysis of polymer molecular aggregates. Oscillation experiments on the isolation solution with suspension stabiliser showed that the hydrophobic groups contained in the polymers can undergo the effect of joining and bridging, and can also form a strong spatial network structure at 220°C, leading to the enhanced elasticity of the isolation fluid, which helps to alleviate the sedimentation of barite. Sedimentation stability and compatibility were evaluated for the isolation fluid containing suspension stabilizers. It was found that the isolation solution suspension performance is good under the condition of 90–220℃, its density difference is less than 0.10 g/cm3. It can also effectively prevent the contact contamination of the drilling fluid cement slurry, which is conducive to the improvement of the quality of the deep well cementing.

Transcriptional Dynamics and Key Regulators of Adipogenesis in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells: Insights from Robust Rank Aggregation Analysis.

Embryonic stem cells are crucial for studying developmental biology due to their self-renewal and pluripotency capabilities. This research investigates the differentiation of mouse ESCs into adipocytes, offering insights into obesity and metabolic disorders. Using a monolayer differentiation approach over 30 days, lipid accumulation and adipogenic markers, such as Cebpb, Pparg, and Fabp4, confirmed successful differentiation. RNA sequencing revealed extensive transcriptional changes, with over 15,000 differentially expressed genes linked to transcription regulation, cell cycle, and DNA repair. This study utilized Robust Rank Aggregation to identify critical regulatory genes like PPARG, CEBPA, and EP300. Network analysis further highlighted Atf5, Ccnd1, and Nr4a1 as potential key players in adipogenesis and its mature state, validated through RT-PCR. While key adipogenic factors showed plateaued expression levels, suggesting early differentiation events, this study underscores the value of ESCs in modeling adipogenesis. These findings contribute to our understanding of adipocyte differentiation and have significant implications for therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic diseases.

Fecal calprotectin diagnostic level gradient along the small bowel in patients with Crohn's disease.

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is known to be a sensitive biomarker of colonic inflammation but to a lesser degree of small bowel (SB) inflammation. Moreover, data on FC's diagnostic levels in different SB segments are scarce. We aimed to examine FC's diagnostic levels along the SB-axis in CD. This was a post-hoc aggregated analysis of five prospective studies of adult CD patients, who underwent FC testing and SB video capsule endoscopy (VCE). Lewis score (LS) inflammation in different SB segments was tested for correlation with FC level after exclusion of colonic disease. The diagnostic levels of FC for SB inflammatory topographical-gradient were assessed using a receiver operating characteristic. 214 patients were included (age:30 [24-43] year-old, males-57%). For a similar SB inflammatory-activity (LS≥135), FC levels incrementally increased from proximal to distal SB segments (63 [30-121] versus 190 [78-549], p=0.005) and from distal SB segment to the colon (190 [78-549] versus 542 [185-1000], p=0.010). The best FC cutoffs to identify isolated mild proximal/distal SB-inflammation (LS≥135) were 77μgg and 123μgg, respectively. A cutoff of 234μgg was best to detect more significant proximal inflammation (LS≥350) when only mild distal SB-inflammation was present. In sensitivity analyses, this proximal-to-distal FC gradient was maintained when LS≥350 and LS≥790 were used as the inflammatory reference-values. Unlike FC, the magnitude of CRP elevation was unrelated to the topography of inflammation along the SB-axis. FC may serve as a topographical biomarker of CD-activity, with its sensitivity to identify mucosal inflammation increases from proximal to distal SB segments.

Evaluating the significance of ECSCR in the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and drug efficacy assessment.

The main challenge in diagnosing and treating ulcerative colitis (UC) has prompted this study to discover useful biomarkers and understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, transcriptomic data from intestinal mucosal biopsies underwent Robust Rank Aggregation (RRA) analysis to identify differential genes. These genes intersected with UC key genes from Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Machine learning identified UC signature genes, aiding predictive model development. Validation involved external data for diagnostic, progression, and drug efficacy assessment, along with ELISA testing of clinical serum samples. RRA integrative analysis identified 251 up-regulated and 211 down-regulated DEGs intersecting with key UC genes in WGCNA, yielding 212 key DEGs. Subsequently, five UC signature biomarkers were identified by machine learning based on the key DEGs-THY1, SLC6A14, ECSCR, FAP, and GPR109B. A logistic regression model incorporating these five genes was constructed. The AUC values for the model set and internal validation data were 0.995 and 0.959, respectively. Mechanistically, activation of the IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in UC was indicated by KEGG and GSVA analyses, which were positively correlated with the signature biomarkers. Additionally, the expression of the signature biomarkers was strongly correlated with various UC types and drug efficacy in different datasets. Notably, ECSCR was found to be upregulated in UC serum and exhibited a positive correlation with neutrophil levels in UC patients. THY1, SLC6A14, ECSCR, FAP, and GPR109B can serve as potential biomarkers of UC and are closely related to signaling pathways associated with UC progression. The discovery of these markers provides valuable information for understanding the molecular mechanisms of UC.

Size-exclusion LC-UV/HRMS based method for the analysis of aggregates in synthetic GLP-1 analog liraglutide and evaluation of excipient impact on aggregation.

Peptide aggregation is one of the key challenges associated with the development of therapeutic peptides. Peptide and protein aggregates are considered as one of the most important critical quality attributes (CQA). Therapeutic liraglutide (LGT) is proteinaceous in nature, and aggregation can be triggered by various environmental stress condition. Therefore, it is essential to separate and identify aggregation states of such drugs. In this study, we have established size exclusion chromatography-liquid chromatography-ultraviolet/high resolution mass spectrometry (SEC-LC-UV/HRMS) method to separate and identify the stress induced LGT aggregates. LGT samples were subjected to photolytic, thermal, freeze thaw and shaking stress conditions. Additionally, LGT solution was incubated with surfactant and excipient that are commonly used in peptide formulation, to evaluate their impact on aggregation level and physicochemical stability over time. The developed SEC method was also validated for specificity, accuracy, precision and linearity. The results of this study will be useful for investigators to monitor LGT aggregates during product development.

Whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing of 1064 individuals with type 1 diabetes reveals novel genes for diabetic kidney disease

Aims/hypothesisDiabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a severe diabetic complication that affects one third of individuals with type 1 diabetes. Although several genes and common variants have been shown to be associated with DKD, much of the predicted inheritance remains unexplained. Here, we performed next-generation sequencing to assess whether low-frequency variants, extending to a minor allele frequency (MAF) ≤10% (single or aggregated) contribute to the missing heritability in DKD.MethodsWe performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) of 498 individuals and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 599 individuals with type 1 diabetes. After quality control, next-generation sequencing data were available for a total of 1064 individuals, of whom 541 had developed either severe albuminuria or end-stage kidney disease, and 523 had retained normal albumin excretion despite a long duration of type 1 diabetes. Single-variant and gene-aggregate tests for protein-altering variants (PAV) and protein-truncating variants (PTV) were performed separately for WES and WGS data and combined in a meta-analysis. We also performed genome-wide aggregate analyses on genomic windows (sliding window), promoters and enhancers using the WGS dataset.ResultsIn the single-variant meta-analysis, no variant reached genome-wide significance, but a suggestively associated common THAP7 rs369250 variant (p=1.50 × 10−5, MAF=49%) was replicated in the FinnGen general population genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for chronic kidney disease and DKD phenotypes. The gene-aggregate meta-analysis provided suggestive evidence (p<4.0 × 10−4) at four genes for DKD, of which NAT16 (MAFPAV≤10%) and LTA (also known as TNFβ, MAFPAV≤5%) are replicated in the FinnGen general population GWAS data. The LTA rs2229092 C allele was associated with significantly lower TNFR1, TNFR2 and TNFR3 serum levels in a subset of FinnDiane participants. Of the intergenic regions suggestively associated with DKD, the enhancer on chromosome 18q12.3 (p=3.94 × 10−5, MAFvariants≤5%) showed interaction with the METTL4 gene; the lead variant was replicated, and predicted to alter binding of the MafB transcription factor.Conclusions/interpretationOur sequencing-based meta-analysis revealed multiple genes, variants and regulatory regions that were suggestively associated with DKD. However, as no variant or gene reached genome-wide significance, further studies are needed to validate the findings.Graphical

Landcover-categorized fires respond distinctly to precipitation anomalies in the South-Central United States

Satellite detection of active fires has contributed to advance our understanding of fire ecology, fire and climate dynamics, fire emissions, and how to better manage the use of fires as a tool. In this study, we use active fire data of 12 years (2012–2023) combined with landcover information in the South-Central United States to derive a monthly, open-access dataset of categorized fires. This is done by calculating a fire predominance index used to rank fire-prone landcovers, which are then grouped into four main landscapes: grassland, forest, wildland, and crop fires. County-level aggregated analyses reveal spatial distributions, climatologies, and peak fire months that are particular to each fire type. Using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), it was found that during the climatological fire peak-month, the SPI and fires exhibit an inverse relationship in forests and crops, whereas grassland and wildland fires show less consistent inverse or even direct relationship with the SPI. This varied behavior is discussed in the context of landscapes’ responses to anomalies in precipitation and fire management practices, such as prescribed fires and crop residue burning. In a case study of Osage County (OK), we find that large wildfires, known to be closely related to climate anomalies, occur where forest fires are located in the county and absent in areas of grassland fires. Weaker grassland fire response to precipitation anomalies can be attributed to the use of prescribed burning, which is normally planned under environmental conditions that facilitate control and thus avoided during droughts. Crop fires, on the other hand, are set to efficiently burn residue and are practiced more intensely in drier years than in wetter years, explaining the consistently strong inverse correlation between fires and precipitation anomalies. In our increasingly volatile climate, understanding how fires, vegetation, and precipitation interact has become imperative to prevent hazardous fire conflagrations and to better manage ecosystems.

The associations of supervised consumption services with the rates of opioid-related mortality and morbidity outcomes at the public health unit level in Ontario (Canada): A controlled interrupted time-series analysis.

This study aimed to assess the impact of the implementation of legally sanctioned supervised consumption sites (SCS) in the Canadian province of Ontario on opioid-related deaths, emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalisations at the public health unit (PHU) level. Monthly rates per 100,000 population of opioid-related deaths, ED visits and hospitalisations for PHUs in Ontario between December 2013 and March 2022 were collected. Aggregated and individual analyses of PHUs with one or more SCS were conducted, with PHUs that instituted an SCS being matched to control units that did not. Autoregressive integrated moving average models were used to estimate the impact of SCS implementation on opioid-related deaths, ED visits and hospitalisations. Twenty-one legally sanctioned SCS were implemented across nine PHUs in Ontario during the study period. Interrupted time series analyses showed no statistically significant changes in opioid-related death rates in aggregated analyses of intervention PHUs (increase of 0.02 deaths/100,000 population/month; p = 0.27). Control PHUs saw a significant increase of 0.38 deaths/100,000 population/month; p < 0.001. No statistically significant changes were observed in the rates of opioid-related ED visits in intervention PHUs (decrease of 0.61 visits/100,000 population/month; p = 0.39) or controls (increase of 0.403 visits; p = 0.76). No statistically significant changes to the rates of opioid-related hospitalisations were observed in intervention PHUs (0 hospitalisations/100,000 population/month; p = 0.98) or controls (decrease of 0.05 hospitalisations; p = 0.95). This study did not find significant mortality or morbidity effects associated with SCS availability at the population level in Ontario. In the context of a highly toxic drug supply, additional interventions will be required to reduce opioid-related harms.

Predicting biomarkers related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Robust ranking aggregation analysis and animal experiment verification

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and incurable lung disease characterized by unknown etiology. This study employs robust ranking aggregation to identify consistent differential genes across multiple datasets, aiming to enhance prognostic evaluation and facilitate the development of more effective immunotherapy strategies for IPF. Using the GSE10667, GSE110147, and GSE24206 datasets, the analysis identifies 92 robust differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including SPP1, IGF1, ASPN, and KLHL13, highlighted as potential biomarkers through machine learning and experimental validation. Additionally, significant differences in immune cell types between IPF samples and controls, such as Plasma cells, Macrophages M0, Mast cells resting, T cells CD8, and NK cells resting, inform the construction of diagnostic and survival prediction models, demonstrating good applicability. These findings provide insights into IPF pathophysiology and suggest potential therapeutic targets.

A comparative analysis of soil organic carbon stock and soil aggregation in two crop sequences in the Rolling Pampa (Argentina)

Understanding how farming practices affect soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation is essential for sustainable agriculture. Agronomic decisions, such as crop sequence, significantly influence various soil properties. However, the overall benefits of crop rotation on soil structure and SOC storage remain uncertain. We compared the effects of soybean (Glycine max L.) monocropping with a three-year crop rotation comprising wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/soybean double crop, maize (Zea mays L.), and soybean on the vertical distribution of SOC up to one metre depth. Additionally, we examined carbon accumulation as particulate organic matter-carbon (POM-C), soil aggregation, and structural stability in the topsoil. Compared to monocropping, crop rotation increased SOC concentrations (19 vs. 16 gC kg soil⁻¹), stock (12 vs. 10.7 MgC ha⁻¹), and POM-C content (6 vs. 3.2 gC kg soil⁻¹) in the first 5 cm of soil. At 20–65 cm depth, rotation showed a marginal increment of SOC stock with respect to soybean monocropping. The increased surface SOC content in the rotation positively affected the POM-C content and macro-aggregation. However, soil structural stability showed a tendency to be higher in the monocropping, especially at a depth of 5–20 cm. Overall, crop rotation demonstrated potential for enhanced carbon sequestration in temperate agroecosystems within three years, despite not significantly improving soil structural stability.

Enhancing the Autonomy of Establishing Indicator Informatization.

Quality indicators are essential for hospital management, clinical decision-making, and patient care. In today's technologically advanced era, it is increasingly critical to derive effective statistical data analysis from intricate datasets. However, the administrative department within our hospital often fails to prioritize information needs due to limited resources. Consequently, the collection of indicator data continues to rely on paper-based operations.To tackle common issues in collecting indicator data, such as incomplete or inaccurate data, time-consuming aggregation and statistical analysis, and a lack of timeliness, we have implemented appropriate Business Intelligence (BI) tools. We provide educational training to empower users to create visual templates for indicators that are tailored to their specific requirements. This approach saves time, reduces data duplication, and minimizes writing errors. It enhances supervisors' understanding of the current situation and future prospects in terms of data analysis and timeliness. Ultimately, this initiative improves healthcare quality and management effectiveness.

Is Business Cycle Gender Neutral? An Analysis of Aggregate and Sectoral Working Hours in Canadian Economy

Is Business Cycle Gender Neutral? An Analysis of Aggregate and Sectoral Working Hours in Canadian Economy

On the choice of weights in aggregate compositional data analysis

On the choice of weights in aggregate compositional data analysis