Technological Assistance Research Articles

Effectiveness Of Manual Material Handling Tools For Chicken Feed Transporting Rails And Online Marketing Websites

This research aims to solve problems in the process of feeding broiler chickens on increasing the skills of chicken farmers. The mentoring activities carried out include assisting chicken farmers in using production technology assistance and demonstrating if there is damage or errors in operating Manual Material Handling (MMH) tools or difficulties in managing the website. The results of this research are: 1) 90% respondents understand how to operate Manual Material Handling tools; 2) 90% respondents understand the components of Manual Material Handling; 3) 95% of respondents strongly agree with the material duration in operating manual material handling; 3) 95% participant evaluation results after participating in training for the category of using MMH to Help Broiler Chicken Production answered strongly agree.

Managing circular ecosystems in imperfect contexts – the case of extractive fishing in the Brazilian Amazon region

Purpose This study aims to answer the question of how to structure a circular ecosystem for extractive fishing in the Amazon region. It explores possibilities for implementing a circular ecosystem management model in an imperfect market with low technological availability, high informality and limited public assistance. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative approach was adopted for this paper, with a case study on extractive fishing in the state of Amazonas. Data was collected through 35 interviews and direct observation of the processes of collecting, storing and transporting fish on two routes: Tapauá-Manaus and Manacapuru-Manaus. Findings Through the data collected, it was possible to observe the importance of an orchestrating agent – such as an association or even a public authority – for the establishment and development of a circular ecosystem for extractive fishing in the region. Research limitations/implications The paper makes theoretical contributions by presenting how a circular ecosystem management model could be implemented for an imperfect market in the Global South, as well as contributing to the literature on how the circular economy contributes to mitigate the threat to biodiversity posed by the linear economy. Practical implications It contributes to the management practice of structuring circular ecosystems. Social implications The role of public authorities and the collective organization of fishermen as orchestrators connecting the network of actors that develop the extractive fishing ecosystem is fundamental, guaranteeing effective social participation in solving local problems. Originality/value The idea of circular ecosystems was applied to imperfect contexts, with high informality, weak institutions and bioeconomy, topics still little explored in the literature.

Improving the Quality of Services for Rawalo Village Apparatus Through Information Technology Training and Assistance

Improving the Quality of Services for Rawalo Village Apparatus Through Information Technology Training and Assistance

Technology Assistance in Dementia (Tech-AiD): A Framework for Care in the Digital Age

Technology Assistance in Dementia (Tech-AiD): A Framework for Care in the Digital Age

Utilization of a novel patient-specific 3D-printing template for percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy: results from a randomized controlled trial.

The learning curve for percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) is steep, especially for the puncturing and localization procedures. The implementation of 3D printing technology may solve this problem. A novel individualized 3D-printing template (3D-PT) was designed and utilized in PETD. A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed. A total of 28 patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with PETD were analyzed. Of these, 14 patients were treated with the assistance of 3D printing technology (3D-PT group) in conjunction with fluoroscopy, while the remaining 14 patients were treated exclusively under the guidance of C-arm fluoroscopy (control group). The number of puncture attempts in the 3D-PT group was significantly less than in the control group (1.36 ± 0.63 vs. 6.07 ± 3.08, p = 0.000). The 3D-PT group exhibited a significant reduction in both intraoperative puncture fluoroscopies (2.71 ± 1.27 vs. 12.14 ± 6.15, p = 0.000) and the overall number of fluoroscopies (2.71 ± 1.27 vs. 17.43 ± 6.27, p = 0.000). In the 3D-PT group, there was a significant reduction in both the puncture time (5.77 ± 1.82 vs. 13.99 ± 4.36, p = 0.000) and the total operation time (60.39 ± 9.78 vs. 76.25 ± 17.78, p = 0.007). Complications were not observed in either group. The application of the novel individualized 3D-PT for PETD is effective and safe. The technique has substantial potential and is worth widely promoting.

Research on Dynamic Optimization Algorithm of Warehousing Location Layout Based on Nonlinear Optimization

The paper aims to improve the turnover rate and operation efficiency of goods that are shipped out and replenished in the warehouses of electric power enterprises through big data analysis and optimization algorithms.The data is distributed in diverse locations and data nonlinear optimization algorithms certainly helps to understand the patterns for effective management of warehouses.This article focuses on reducing the delay in the operational processes.A multi-objective optimization (MOO) has been proposed which is aiming at improving the efficiency of transition process of commodities, storage, and overall warehouse operations.The study helps in the optimization of the allocation of cargo spaces with the aid of big data analysis optimization technology which collects and manages data in a distributed environment. A multi-objective cargo space optimization algorithm is proposed along with consideration of dynamic constraints.The algorithm is based on the coefficient of variation adaptive differential evolution algorithm.Individual decoding is performed according to the real-time cargo space availability.The simulation results show that the convergence speed of the algorithm is greatly improved.Meanwhile, the efficiency of warehouse transition process, shelf stability and the classification of commodities are remarkably improved.In nutshell, the multi-objective decision-making with the integration of big data analysis optimization technology assists in the effective organization of warehouse allocation system by considering multiple factors and constraints.

Challenges in Implementing Assistive Devices in Teaching Learners who are Visually Impaired in full Service Classrooms

The study aimed to explore the challenges experienced in the implementation of assistive devices in the teaching of learners who are visually impaired in inclusive classrooms. The study encapsulates qualitative research techniques were used for data collection and analysis. The study revealed that through the assistance of technology, learners were motivated and could easily communicate with one another even outside their school which also encouraged their critical thinking. Effective educational outcomes from assistive technology use are dependent upon a coordinated assessment and implementation process. There were different challenges found to be hindering the successful implementation of assistive devices. These challenges were a lack of professional support for teachers teaching learners who are visualy impaired in inclusive classrooms; educators’ negativity and poor attitude; teachers’ lack of knowledge in utilising assistive devices profitably; insufficient funding and procurement in purchasing assistive devices in schools.

Appraisal of Clinical Improvement With Total Knee Arthroplasty in Valgus Knee Deformities: A Case Series.

Introduction This case series explores the efficacy of unassisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in addressing valgus knee deformity secondary to osteoarthritis. The study aims to evaluate functional outcomes pre- and post-surgery using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and radiological assessments in short-term follow-up. Six patients underwent TKA and were evaluated retrospectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in the angle of deformity, KSS, and range of motion postoperatively. The study underscores the success of TKA in correcting valgus deformity, improving knee function, and enhancing patient satisfaction. TKAis a highly successful treatment for osteoarthritis, providing functional recovery and improved quality of life. However, valgus knee deformity presents a challenge in TKA, affecting approximately 10% of patients. This study aims to assess the functional outcomes of TKA for valgus deformity using KSSand radiological evaluation in short-term follow-up. Materials and methods A retrospective observational study was conducted from November 2022 to December 2023, involving six patients with valgus knee deformity secondary to osteoarthritis. TKA was performed with no technological assistance, and patients were assessed pre- and post-surgery using KSS and radiological measurements. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests. Case description Six patients with grade two valgus deformity underwent technology-unassisted TKA. The postoperative assessment revealed significant improvements in the tibiofemoral angle, KSS, and range of motion. The medial parapatellar approach for TKA was utilized with a standard unconstrained primary TKA prosthesis, resulting in successful correction of deformity and improved knee alignment. Discussion TKA is a widely performed and reliable surgical intervention, with valgus knee deformity posing specific challenges. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of conventional TKA in correcting valgus deformity, improving knee function, and enhancing patient satisfaction in a very small case series. Comparison with previous studies supports the findings of the pre-existing literature, highlighting the importance of appropriate surgical approach and patient selection. Conclusion TKAutilizing a medial parapatellar approach proved effective in our small case series in correcting valgus deformity, improving knee function, and enhancing patient satisfaction. Short-term follow-up reveals significant improvements in stability, posture, and KSS scores. Further assessments and longer-term follow-up are warranted to confirm the long-term effectiveness of this approach.

Cyber Security Challenges in Industry 4.0: A Review

In the era of Industry 4.0, when smart factories and networked systems are reshaping the landscape of industrial production, the protection of important data and information security is a top priority. Cyber-physical systems and the technology that supports it are the keys to Industry 4.0. It is founded on four essential design principles: interoperability, availability of information, technological assistance, and decentralized decision-making. These design principles, however, provide new weaknesses that could be exploited by bad people. To protect these systems from emerging dangers, great consideration should be given to the proactive and adaptive security measures, which will consequently enable the continuing growth and success of Industry 4.0 technologies. This paper will delve into the multifaceted challenges that Industry 4.0 presents in terms of data security and the emerging solutions and strategies required protecting vital information in this brave new world of manufacturing. The exploration of these challenges and the proposed solutions are essential for businesses and policymakers alike to navigate the complexities of data security and ensure the resilience of critical information in the digital age of Industry 4.0.

Quantification of EEG Characteristics for Epileptic Seizure Detection and Monitoring of Anaesthesia Using Spectral Analysis

Epilepsy is considered one of the primary neurological disorders, and its treatment requires abundant technological assistance. General Anaesthesia induces distinct patterns in brain activity, with the most common being a gradual increase in low-frequency signals as the level of Anaesthesia deepens. In this instance, a method of validating epileptic seizures and Anaesthesia through the utilization of electroencephalogram (EEG) data, acquired non-invasively, is introduced. Epileptic seizures and detection of the presence of Anaesthesia approaches make use of discrete Laplace Transformation (LT), Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT), and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Here, it is discussed how power spectral analysis (PSA) helps study EEG characteristics in detecting epileptic behavior and the presence of Anaesthesia. A dataset of EEG (Epileptic and Anaesthesia), which is available publicly [1,2], has been used in the propounded technique using FIR filters and LT, DCT, and FFT are used to store and process 16 channel data. Power Spectrum Density (PSD) and its average were contrasted against a specific spectrum and frequency range of a typical EEG signal to obtain the results. This work uses a technique to determine whether the patient being studied is epileptic and awake or anesthetized.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the spider mite Tetranychus piercei McGregor

Despite the rapid advances in sequencing technology, limited genomic resources are currently available for phytophagous spider mites, which include many important agricultural pests. One of these pests is Tetranychus piercei (McGregor), a serious banana pest in East Asia exhibiting remarkable tolerance to high temperature. In this study, we assembled a high-quality genome of T. piercei using a combination of PacBio long reads and Illumina short reads sequencing. With the assistance of chromatin conformation capture technology, 99.9% of the contigs were anchored into three pseudochromosomes with a total size of 86.02 Mb. Repetitive elements, accounting for 14.16% of this genome (12.20 Mb), are predominantly composed of long-terminal repeats (30.7%). By combining evidence of ab initio prediction, transcripts, and homologous proteins, we annotated 11,881 protein-coding genes. Both the genome and proteins have high BUSCO completeness scores (>94%). This high-quality genome, along with reliable annotation, provides a valuable resource for investigating the high-temperature tolerance of this species and exploring the genomic basis that underlies the host range evolution of spider mites.

Classification Taxonomies Genus of 90 Animals Using Transfer Learning Resnet-152

The process of learning theory and the limited ability to remember anything, especially a foreign language, often cause students to have difficulty understanding lessons, especially in determining the type and taxonomy of the animal. With the assistance of computer vision technology, students can more effectively face various challenges, enhance their understanding, and improve their ability to apply the concept of animal classification. The research classifies the taxonomy of 90 animals using Transfer Learning ResNet 152. It aims to analyze the performance of Transfer Learning ResNet 152 on the 90-animal dataset. The results show that in Model A with an architecture with frozen layers in 6 ResNet blocks, the highest evaluation value obtained is 0.9222 on Batch size 4 with Dropout 6, 0.9241 on Batch size 8 with Dropout 7, 0.9259 on Batch size 16 with Dropout 8, and 0.9296 on Batch size 32 with Dropout 4 and Dropout 7. Meanwhile, in model B with an architecture with frozen layers in 5 ResNet blocks and one non-frozen block, the highest evaluation value obtained is 0.7611 on Batch size 4 with Dropout 8, 0.8713 on Batch size 8 with Dropout 2, 0.8852 on Batch size 16 with Dropout 1, and 0.9204 on Batch size 32 with Dropout 3.

Unplanned Readmissions in Children with Medical Complexity in Saudi Arabia: A Large Multicenter Study.

Children with medical complexity (CMC) account for a substantial proportion of healthcare spending, and one-third of their expenditures are due to readmissions. However, knowledge regarding the healthcare-resource utilization and characteristics of CMC in Saudi Arabia is limited. To describe hospitalization patterns and characteristics of Saudi CMC with an unplanned 30-day readmission. This retrospective study included Saudi CMC (aged 0-14 years) who had an unplanned 30-day readmission at six tertiary centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Alahsa, and Almadina between January 2016 and December 2020. Hospital-based inclusion criteria focused on CMC with multiple complex chronic conditions (CCCs) and technology assistance (TA) device use. CMC were compared across demographics, clinical characteristics, and hospital-resource utilization. A total of 9139 pediatric patients had unplanned 30-day readmission during the study period, of which 680 (7.4%) met the inclusion criteria. Genetic conditions were the most predominant primary pathology (66.3%), with one-third of cases (33.7%) involving the neuromuscular system. During the index admission, pneumonia was the most common diagnosis (33.1%). Approximately 35.1% of the readmissions were after 2 weeks. Pneumonia accounted for 32.5% of the readmissions. After readmission, 16.9% of patients were diagnosed with another CCC or received a new TA device, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 6.6%. The rate of unplanned 30-day readmissions in children with medical complexity in Saudi Arabia is 7.4%, which is lower than those reported from developed countries. Saudi children with CCCs and TA devices were readmitted approximately within similar post-discharge time and showed distinct hospitalization patterns associated with specific diagnoses. To effectively reduce the risk of 30-day readmissions, targeted measures must be introduced both during the hospitalization period and after discharge.

Pendampingan Pembuatan E-Commerce untuk Produk Makanan IKM Majelis Taklim Wirausaha Basthah

Majelis taklim entrepreneur Basthah is an IKM which is engaged in the manufacturing of snacks and several types of handicraft products. The women who are members of the Taklim Entrepreneurial Council Basthah are residents in the area around Jangli Permai, Semarang City. Basthah's entrepreneurial taklim council tries to help the economy of these mothers by developing small and medium-sized industries, especially in the manufacture of snacks such as donuts, chips, and other snacks, as well as some handicrafts. Marketing of these products is also still done manually, Basthah's entrepreneurial taklim assembly has not used technology assistance or can be said to be online marketing. There are several stages of the implementation method that will be used in making an online marketing system, namely the informational stage, the tool preparation stage, the mentoring and e-commerce development stage, and the report generation stage. The online marketing system is an e-commerce based website. The website uses 2 supporting applications, namely wordpress and woocommerce applications. Wordpress application to support website systems and woocommerce applications to support e-commerce systems. The e-commerce-based website will help the mothers of the majelis taklim entrepreneurs of Basthah to use e-commerce-based technology.

An Alternative Procedure for a Win-win African-Swiss Cooperation in Gold Production in Africa.

The growth of Africa as a major gold (Au) exporter can not only strengthen economic ties with other parts of the world, but also lead to solutions to global industrial challenges, and the only way to stop gold smuggling out of gold-producing African countries seems to be having multiple refineries in Africa, for which developing gold-producing African countries might need technological assistance provided by a more developed country, especially Switzerland. In this Note, the chemistry of gold mining was discussed, and the idea is conveyed that if aqua regia is used as a main reagent in both gold mining and the electrolytic refinement of gold, then the two systems of gold mining and gold refining can be coupled industrially and geographically, and such a coupling can facilitate the growth of home-grown gold refineries in gold-producing African countries. It is also discussed that with Swiss companies finding it economical to properly use aqua regia in Africa as described, a win-win African-Swiss cooperation will be established that will benefit both the Swiss companies and gold-producing African countries. Further, it is concluded that the addressed cooperation will be accompanied by four of the seventeen goals called 'Sustainable Development Goals' by the United Nations.

Natural catalysis-based clean hydrogen production from shale oil: An in-situ conversion enabled by electromagnetic heating

Employing electromagnetic(EM)-assisted catalytic heating to produce hydrogen (H2) directly from petroleum reservoirs is an emerging technology for decarbonizing fossil fuel industry. Transforming hydrocarbons to clean H2 in situ will enable pure hydrogen extraction to surface while simultaneously sequestering carbon underground with the assistance of downhole hydrogen membrane separation technology. Here, we aim to characterize the role of shale rocks in enhancing EM heating and catalyzing shale oil conversion to hydrogen as natural catalysts under EM irradiation. Flow-through experiments are well designed and conducted in a customized microwave reactor system. We also identified for the first time that shale rocks exhibit a “thermal runaway” (TR) phenomenon which occurs at a temperature of 280 °C. After TR happens, the energy needed for heating shale samples to a high enough temperature is significantly reduced under EM irradiation. Further, we identified that metal-rich minerals in shale rocks play an evident natural catalytic effect on shale oil conversion to hydrogen. As a result, hydrogen with a percentage of 1 mol.% starts to be generated at a measured temperature of 253–421 °C in the presence of shale rocks and is a dominant gas in the generated gas products at high temperatures. The highest production rate and concentration of H2 gas are 178 sccm and 77 mol.% from the conversion of 0.4 g of shale oil, respectively. Importantly, CO2 generated during the process is negligible. This work lays a foundation for leveraging the abundant shale rocks and their natural catalytic effect for more efficient, cost-effective, in-situ hydrogen production directly from shale reservoir via the EM-assisted catalytic heating technology we recently proposed.

LoRa Based IoT Enabled Sensor Networks for Plantations

The integration of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technology with the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture plays a pivotal role in addressing a range of challenges and constraints faced by the sector, encompassing issues such as labour shortages, suboptimal farm management practises, and unpredictable weather conditions. In response to these pressing concerns, this study focuses on the development of WSN with IoT for agriculture, employing a spread spectrum modulation technique named the Long Range (LoRa) module. By leveraging LoRa devices and wireless radio frequencies, this technology serves as a versatile platform for delivering wireless, long-range, and energy-efficient communication to support small and medium-sized agricultural operations. These operations often lack adequate technological assistance due to factors such as limited expertise and the high costs associated with cutting-edge agricultural technology. The research undertakes a comprehensive exploration, involving LoRa parameter testing, Line-of-Sight evaluations, Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) simulations, and sensor calibration, to assess the efficacy of LoRa-based IoT-enabled sensor networks within plantation environments. The overarching objective of this research endeavour is to provide valuable insights that contribute to the optimisation of agricultural practises through streamlined IoT solutions. By implementing practical and cost-effective strategies, the local agricultural sector stands poised to achieve seamless strides in both sustainable and efficient food production.

Recurrent Intensive Care Episodes and Mortality Among Children With Severe Neurologic Impairment

Children requiring care in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are known to have increased risk of subsequent mortality. Children with severe neurologic impairment (SNI)-who carry neurologic or genetic diagnoses with functional impairments and medical complexity-are frequently admitted to PICUs. Although recurrent PICU critical illness episodes (PICU-CIEs) are assumed to indicate a poor prognosis, the association between recurrent PICU-CIEs and mortality in this patient population is poorly understood. To assess the association between number of recent PICU-CIEs and survival among children with severe neurologic impairment. This population-based retrospective cohort study used health administrative data from April 1, 2002, to March 31, 2020, on 4774 children born between 2002 and 2019 with an SNI diagnosis code in an Ontario, Canada, hospital record before 16 years of age and a first PICU-CIE from 2002 to 2019. Data were analyzed from November 2021 to June 2023. Pediatric intensive care unit critical illness episodes (excluding brief postoperative PICU admissions). One-year survival conditioned on the number and severity (length of stay >15 days or use of invasive mechanical ventilation) of PICU-CIEs in the preceding year. In Ontario, 4774 children with SNI (mean [SD] age, 2.1 [3.6] months; 2636 [55.2%] <1 year of age; 2613 boys [54.7%]) were discharged alive between 2002 and 2019 after their first PICU-CIE. Ten-year survival after the initial episode was 81% (95% CI, 79%-82%) for children younger than 1 year of age and 84% (95% CI, 82%-86%) for children 1 year of age or older; the age-stratified curves converged by 15 years after the initial episode at 79% survival (95% CI, 78%-81% for children <1 year and 95% CI, 75%-84% for children ≥1 year). Adjusted for age category and demographic factors, the presence of nonneurologic complex chronic conditions (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.70 [95% CI, 1.43-2.02]) and medical technology assistance (AHR, 2.32 [95% CI, 1.92-2.81]) were associated with increased mortality. Conditional 1-year mortality was less than 20% regardless of number or severity of recent PICU-CIEs. Among children with high-risk PICU-CIEs, 1-year conditional survival decreased from 90% (95% CI, 89%-91%) after the first PICU-CIE to 81% (95% CI, 77%-86%) after the fourth PICU-CIE. This cohort study of children with SNI demonstrated a modest dose-dependent association between PICU-CIEs and short-term mortality. These data did not support the conventional wisdom that recurrent PICU admissions are associated with subsequent high mortality risk.

Literasi peran manajemen dan strategi eksistensi UMKM di Kota Semarang

There are many problems currently plaguing UMKM in Indonesia. These challenges include the quality of human resources, inadequate managerial capabilities, limited investment funds and working capital, lack of expertise in marketing strategies and the ability to utilize technology which is still relatively low. UMKM have a lot of room to grow in today's information-based economy, as long as they make good use of existing information technology infrastructure. Therefore, it is very important for stakeholders to continue to carry out outreach, guidance and support for UMKM. Management excellence in the changing dynamics of the Indonesian economy has direct implications for the tactics used by UMKM to survive in the business world, especially in the area of legal compliance. In order for UMKM to grow and develop in today's competitive market, it is important to address legal issues head-on. Through the use of management knowledge, digital technology, and legal registration assistance, community service is realized. It is hoped that UMKM players can remain competitive by maintaining product quality and being able to play a management role in running the gendar cracker business.

National Characteristics of Emergency Care for Children with Neurologic Complex Chronic Conditions.

Most pediatric emergency care occurs in general emergency departments (GED), where less pediatric experience and lower pediatric emergency readiness may compromise care. Medically vulnerable pediatric patients, such as those with chronic, severe, neurologic conditions, are likely to be disproportionately affected by suboptimal care in GEDs; however, little is known about characteristics of their care in either the general or pediatric emergency setting. In this study our objective was to compare the frequency, characteristics, and outcomes of ED visits made by children with chronic neurologic diseases between general and pediatric EDs (PED). We conducted a retrospective analysis of the 2011-2014 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) for ED visits made by patients 0-21years with neurologic complex chronic conditions (neuro CCC). We compared patient, hospital, and ED visits characteristics between GEDs and PEDs using descriptive statistics. We assessed outcomes of admission, transfer, critical procedure performance, and mortality using multivariable logistic regression. There were 387,813 neuro CCC ED visits (0.3% of 0-21-year-old ED visits) in our sample. Care occurred predominantly in GEDs, and visits were associated with a high severity of illness (30.1% highest severity classification score). Compared to GED visits, PED neuro CCC visits were comprised of individuals who were younger, more likely to have comorbid conditions (32.9% vs 21%, P < 0.001), and technology assistance (65.4% vs. 45.9%) but underwent fewer procedures and had lower ED charges ($2,200 vs $1,520, P < 0.001). Visits to PEDs had lower adjusted odds of critical procedures (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62-0.87), transfers (aOR 0.14, 95% CI 0.04-0.56), and mortality (aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.19-0.75) compared to GEDs. Care for children with neuro CCCs in a pediatric ED is associated with less resource utilization and lower rates of transfer and mortality. Identifying features of PED care for neuro CCCs could lead to lower costs and mortality for this population.