Critical Elements Research Articles

The Metabolic Syndrome, a Human Disease.

This review focuses on the question of metabolic syndrome (MS) being a complex, but essentially monophyletic, galaxy of associated diseases/disorders, or just a syndrome of related but rather independent pathologies. The human nature of MS (its exceptionality in Nature and its close interdependence with human action and evolution) is presented and discussed. The text also describes the close interdependence of its components, with special emphasis on the description of their interrelations (including their syndromic development and recruitment), as well as their consequences upon energy handling and partition. The main theories on MS's origin and development are presented in relation to hepatic steatosis, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, but encompass most of the MS components described so far. The differential effects of sex and its biological consequences are considered under the light of human social needs and evolution, which are also directly related to MS epidemiology, severity, and relations with senescence. The triggering and maintenance factors of MS are discussed, with especial emphasis on inflammation, a complex process affecting different levels of organization and which is a critical element for MS development. Inflammation is also related to the operation of connective tissue (including the adipose organ) and the widely studied and acknowledged influence of diet. The role of diet composition, including the transcendence of the anaplerotic maintenance of the Krebs cycle from dietary amino acid supply (and its timing), is developed in the context of testosterone and β-estradiol control of the insulin-glycaemia hepatic core system of carbohydrate-triacylglycerol energy handling. The high probability of MS acting as a unique complex biological control system (essentially monophyletic) is presented, together with additional perspectives/considerations on the treatment of this 'very' human disease.

Development of a Consumer Reported Outcome Measure for Personal Care Products : The Rationale

Cosmetic products are one of the fastest-growing segments of personal care products in the United States. One of the critical elements in the sales and growth of cosmetics is leveraging claims. Unlike pharmaceuticals in the US, claims in personal care products are usually not reviewed nor require regulatory approvals before products are sold in the US. However, regulatory agencies have no oversight of how the advertisement is presented to the consumers and have cited known companies and brands for promoting deceptive advertising and forcing costly market withdrawal, impacting the financial values of investors and customers' confidence alike.

Protein thermal sensing regulates physiological amyloid aggregation

To survive, cells must respond to changing environmental conditions. One way that eukaryotic cells react to harsh stimuli is by forming physiological, RNA-seeded subnuclear condensates, termed amyloid bodies (A-bodies). The molecular constituents of A-bodies induced by different stressors vary significantly, suggesting this pathway can tailor the cellular response by selectively aggregating a subset of proteins under a given condition. Here, we identify critical structural elements that regulate heat shock-specific amyloid aggregation. Our data demonstrates that manipulating structural pockets in constituent proteins can either induce or restrict their A-body targeting at elevated temperatures. We propose a model where selective aggregation within A-bodies is mediated by the thermal stability of a protein, with temperature-sensitive structural regions acting as an intrinsic form of post-translational regulation. This system would provide cells with a rapid and stress-specific response mechanism, to tightly control physiological amyloid aggregation or other cellular stress response pathways.

METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM

This academic article introduces a pioneering methodology for the comprehensive assessment of air defense systems, addressing existing shortcomings in evaluation approaches. The subject of this study revolves around the development and implementation of an advanced methodology for assessing air defense systems. еThe primary aim is to rectify existing evaluation shortcomings by introducing a holistic model that significantly enhances both efficiency and effectiveness in the evaluation of air defense systems. This methodology incorporates critical elements such as system description, mission, objectives, combat environment, threat, and concept. By explicitly considering factors like system flexibility, survivability, and operational concepts, the study surpasses traditional evaluations, providing a nuanced understanding of the capabilities inherent in air defense systems. The methodology places particular emphasis on the importance of threat analysis, addressing uncertainties related to enemy forces and tactics. Additionally, the study introduces an innovative evaluation model employing tactical scenarios to assess system reliability, availability, and durability, integrating combat environment factors and potential adversary combat options. The research contributes to the academic discourse by providing a systematic and thorough approach to air defense system evaluation, tailored to the complexities of modern warfare and in alignment with the evolving military and technological landscapes. The article suggests avenues for future research to delve into nuanced criteria selection and aggregation methods, aiming to further refine the proposed evaluation methodology.

Inventory Optimization of Deteriorating Items: A Comprehensive Review of Carbon-Control Policies and Their Impact on Shelf Life, Greening Effects, and Rework Policies

This study examines the deteriorating inventory management problem for items with short shelf life, considering alternative carbon control strategies from 2018 to 2023. These policies include carbon cap and trade, trade and credit policy, carbon-emission control, and others. The study takes into account critical elements such as shelf life, optimal policies, modelling approaches, greening effects, subsidies, and rework policies. The analysis started with a search for 'EOQ Model' in the Science Direct database, which generated 788 items. For a comprehensive evaluation, were restricted our resources to 329 scientific publications, including deterioration. Following that, it was limited to carbon emissions, obtaining 123 results. The papers referenced above cover a wide range of issues, including remanufacturing and rework, as well as carbon caps and trade-credit systems for data collection, yielding 45 and 32 research articles, respectively. The review prioritizes respected publications of peer-reviewed journals papers for reliable results were examined. A review of the literature suggested that future research should concentrate on stochastic modelling. The emphasis has been placed on identifying future study gaps that will aid in the development of most relevant models. The current work will serve as a guideline for selecting the suitable mathematical technique(s) and methodology(s) in various situations involving deteriorating items. The current analysis examined 42 research papers on deteriorating inventory modelling accessible in the literature to characterize its current state and indicate probable future directions. Future research needs have also been identified. This comprehensive study is firmly believed to fill a knowledge gap on deteriorating inventory and support in the formulation of appropriate methods for the creation of a successful and effective inventory control system for deteriorating products.

Lithium in Greek Coal Fly Ashes: Contents and Characterization by Sequential Extraction

Lithium belongs to the critical elements and is used in a variety of high-tech applications. In the context of the circular economy, demand has arisen for technologies that are able to recover high-tech metals from wastes and byproducts. To achieve efficient recovery, apart from assessing metal enrichment, extensive knowledge of metal binding and leaching characteristics is required. The aim of the present study is to investigate the Li contents and mode of occurrence in Greek coal fly ashes. Eight coal fly ashes from different power plants in Greece were collected, and their major constituents were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF); their mineralogy was studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and their Li content was determined by ICP–MS. To identify Li binding and leaching characteristics, two sequential extraction methods (Tessier and BCR) were employed. The results showed that the Li content in the samples studied was between 95 and 256 μg/g and could be mainly attributed to the amorphous material encountered in the samples. The sequential extraction experiments revealed that 70–90% of Li is included in the residual fraction, indicating that it is strongly bound to the fly ash matrix.

A risk‐based evaluation of safe distance for a hydrogen refueling station

AbstractTo ensure the safety of hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) and protective targets in the surrounding area, this paper has introduced a risk‐based safe distance assessment method for a 35MP HRSs, emphasizing the impact of the station's surrounding area. The findings indicate that the safe distance is determined by vapor cloud explosion (VCE) accident scenarios arising from pipeline leaks (compressor‐hydrogen storage tanks) at 125 m. Therefore, a crucial focus should be placed on safeguarding and maintaining hydrogen pipelines. Furthermore, based on societal risk, the requirement of a 358‐m safe distance specifies that the population gathering within this range should be <500 people, virtually eliminating the possibility of constructing hydrogen stations in urban residential areas. Only in scenarios where VCE risks are not considered, less‐populated surrounding environments might reduce the safe distance of hydrogen stations. Eliminating the risk scenarios of VCE is a crucial approach to lowering the safe distance of HRSs, making establishing such stations in urban centers feasible. Therefore, factors such as open spaces, well‐ventilated facilities, and blast walls become critical elements in reducing the safe distance of HRSs.

FRAME DESIGN OF INLINE SKATES MADE BY ADDITIVE TECHNOLOGY

The aim of the article was to investigate the possibility of topological optimization (TO) of the inline skate frame manufactured through the Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) method of AISi10Mg-0403, an Additive Manufacturing (AM) technique. The study's core objective was to leverage The Altair Inspire software to re-envision the initial CAD model, culminating in an organic and bionic frame design. Incorporating comprehensive load analysis, the research considered various load scenarios, including static mass, dynamic forces, and acceleration during cornering, to ascertain the frame's strength and stability. Topological optimization was excluded within a defined design space, preserving critical functional elements while enhancing performance. The first part of the article is devoted to defining the concepts and nature of AM metallic materials. The practical part follows, in which the design of the skate frame is specified with specific requirements and the procedure of individual steps needed to create its final CAD Model. The work concludes by describing the preparation of the designed optimized frame construction.

Early diagenetic control on the enrichment and mobilization of rare earth elements and transition metals in buried ferromanganese crust

Ferromanganese crusts on seamounts represent a major reservoir of various critical metal elements (e.g., rare earth elements and transition metals) and hold substantial economic value. However, current research primarily focuses on crusts that are exposed to seawater, and little is known about the resource potential of buried crusts in sediments and the impact of early diagenesis on buried crusts. Here, we present in-situ high-resolution major and trace element analyses of a buried crust from the western Pacific Ocean to unravel how rare earth elements and transition metals are enriched and mobilized as burial. The elemental profiles of the buried crust indicate that as the crust is buried, dissolved nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) are gradually released from it into the porewater. Manganese and cobalt (Co) contents of the buried crust remain relatively constant, while rare earth elements are incorporated into the buried crust. Collectively, the early diagenesis leads to the release of Ni and Cu into the porewater, whereas it facilitates the fixation of rare earth elements within the buried crust. Given the widespread distribution of buried crusts in modern oceans, they represent a potential resource for future economic extraction of critical metals, particularly rare earth elements and Co.

Digital Marketing Strategy PT. Dewangga Travindo (Hajj and Umrah Agent)

The development of the internet has brought about changes in the implementation of company marketing strategies. This aligns with the increasing interest in Umrah and Hajj in Indonesia. This research aims to understand how PT implements the digital marketing strategy. DEWANGGA TRAVINDO (Umrah and Hajj Agency). This research employs a qualitative descriptive approach. The data used consists of primary and secondary data. The research follows a qualitative descriptive approach. The results of this study indicate that the Umrah and Hajj Agency applies digital marketing steps as outlined by Thomas Joseph, encompassing the integration of critical elements of digital marketing such as content, SEO, social media, community web, mobile apps, search engines, and the effective utilization of CRM systems.
 Keywords: Strategy, Digital Marketing, Hajj & Umrah, Marketing Strategy.

Sustainable Emotional Design Based on Industry 4.0 for Industrial Nougat Packaging

Nowadays, digitalisation is present in all links of the product life cycle and within product design. Packaging is a critical element that affects the customer’s purchase intention. Therefore, packaging is one of the elements for which it is positive to include techniques and methods based on Industry 4.0 to obtain results from users and bring them closer to the process. The relationship between packaging and the expected quality and emotions of users is a topic that is addressed in the social axis of sustainability and involves an effort to strengthen the relationship with the user. This article studies the expected quality of nougat in terms of packaging shape and colour using ANOVA analysis. For this purpose, a survey was carried out among 122 participants in Spain and Mexico. The main conclusion is that packaging with a combination of three shapes (rectangle, square and triangle) and colours (yellow, orange and red) enhances consumers’ emotions of Admiration, Satisfaction, Pleasant Surprise, Attraction, Fascination and Joy.

Perwujudan Profil Pelajar Pancasila dalam Mata Pelajaran Pendidikan Jasmani: Article Review

The purpose of this article is to find out the embodiment of the Pancasila student profile in physical education and non-physical education subjects in the form of embodied elements and methods or models used. This research design used PRISMA flow chart. The data source is obtained from google scholar within the last 3 years. Data collection techniques with the PICO Method. The result of the study is the realization of the profile of Pancasila students in Physical Education and Non-Physical Education subjects. The elements of the Pancasila student profile that have been realized in Physical Education subjects are Creative and Critical Thinking elements. Meanwhile, Non-Physical Education subjects have realized the 6 elements of the character profile of the study of pencasila. Learning methods that can improve and realize the profile of Pancasila students in Physical Education subjects are cooperative learning models with various types and PjBL. Meanwhile, Non-Physical Education subjects are learning models, namely: Cooperative, PjBL, Literature Studies, Dipresi Mosem, Discovery Learning. The implication of this research is the realization of the Pancasila student profile whose existence is very important in life and is proven to contribute to delivering students to successful learning.

How Do Job Seekers Respond to Cybervetting? An Exploration of Threats, Fear, and Access Control

The cybervetting activities of potential employers present a significant threat to job-seeking social media users because their content becomes vulnerable to unwanted access and scrutiny. Without control over access, personal information may be gathered from social media and used in ways that harm the job seeker. Access control is a critical element of information privacy that has not received much attention but can help explain individuals' privacy behaviors. We use a protection motivation framework and a fear appeal to examine how job-seeking SNS users respond to cybervetting. We analyze the responses of 375 job-seeking SNS users to understand the relationships among threat perceptions, fear, coping responses, access control, and intention to implement and use an ephemeral application. We argue that when confronted by cybervetting, job-seeking SNS users are favorable toward using an ephemeral application because it bolsters privacy and meets the psychological need for control over access. Our results show that access control moderates the fear response to cybervetting, it is prompted by users' coping responses, and it helps explain why response efficacy and self-efficacy are predictive of behavioral intention.

Critical Analysis: Interplay of E-commerce and Conumer Protection, in Conformity with International Standards

This study examines the existing legislative framework in India that safeguards the interests of online customers in light of the rapidly expanding e-commerce sector and its impact on consumer preferences for online shopping. A thorough analysis of the two recently established laws—the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020—as well as a literature review support analysis of 290 online customers were carried out in order to address the study questions and achieve the objectives. Important conclusions include the following: cash on delivery is the preferred method of payment for online purchases; website content and efficient customer support services foster consumer confidence; and safe and dependable systems are critical to the success of e-business firms. One may argue that the new laws are sufficiently strict to uphold the rights of internet shoppers and encourage the expansion of e-commerce in India. In addition to elements like website information, customer service, warranty, security, privacy, and redressal, laws protecting consumer rights in e-commerce also have an impact on consumers' confidence. Expanding e-commerce appears to be promising given the strong legal framework and consumer protection policies in place. The findings add to the body of knowledge on e-commerce and the protection of consumer rights by clarifying the critical elements influencing customer loyalty and trust as well as providing an insightful viewpoint on e-consumer protection in the Indian context with wider implications.

Bridging the Divide: Navigating Cultural Integration in Cross-Border M&A

With time, the idea of cross-border mergers has become increasingly popular, and presently, Indian corporations are more likely than those in other nations to engage in cross-border mergers and acquisitions. A cross-border merger is demonstrated by TATA Steel's acquisition of the US-based business Corus. 1. Inbound Merger: An inbound merger is a cross-border merger in which the foreign firm is regarded as an Indian company's branch office and the resulting company is an Indian corporation. 2. Outbound Merger: An outbound merger is a cross-border merger in which the merged firm becomes the parent company of the foreign company. The influence of cultural disparities on international mergers and acquisitions (M&As) can be substantial. When two firms with disparate cultural backgrounds come together, they have to adjust to new business practices, communication methods, and beliefs. While there may be difficulties involved, there may also be chances for both businesses to grow from one another and enhance their processes. Thus, the goal of this research is to advance knowledge of the intricate and significant process of cultural integration in international mergers and acquisitions. The research can assist companies in achieving better results in cross-border mergers and acquisitions by identifying the critical elements that affect cultural integration success and formulating recommendations for how to enhance cultural integration effectiveness.

Responsive advice-giving to troubles in supervision interaction

Advice-giving is not only a crucial pedagogic activity in student supervision but also responsive conduct to students’ expressions of trouble in talk in-interaction. However, we know little about how advice-giving arrives in such sequences. This study uses conversation analysis to examine supervisory advice-giving in responding turns after students express their trouble. It is demonstrated that students’ reports of trouble make supervisors’ advice-giving normatively relevant. But there may be additional work before the arrival of advice: (1) rephrasing students’ formulations of trouble, (2) using follow-up exploratory questions, and (3) sharing parallel experiences. They are considered to be moves that achieve epistemic symmetries on the advisable issues so the chance of advice resistance is minimized. When delivering the advice proper, two practices are discovered: the construction of It is not X but Y is aimed to mitigate the critical element; the just-formulation reflects supervisors’ orientation to the workability of the trouble. Overall, this set of findings provides that the elimination of epistemic asymmetry is key in the enactment of advice acceptance. The study draws on 67 episodes of responsive advice-giving sequences, found in 12 hours of video recordings of authentic supervision meetings in a UK institution.

Dynamic simulation of the differential gear in road vehicles

The differential gear is a mechanism that is part of the kinematic chain of the vehicle’s transmission. The differential gear has the role of dividing the self-propulsion power flow received from the main drive into two branches, each transmitted to a drive wheel, giving them the possibility to rotate with different angular velocities, depending on the driving conditions. The present work presents the possibilities of computer-aided design and 3D modeling of the main drive and differential gear, respectively the bevel pinion, the crown wheel, the planet pinions and the satellites, using Autodesk Inventor Professional. The 3D model of the main drive - differential gear assembly, considered as a mechanism, was subjected to a dynamic study, using the Dynamic Simulation module. This involves the modeling of the kinematic couplings, the definition of the drive movement parameters and the external loads, respectively the graphical visualization of the kinematic and kinetostatic results for the various components of the mechanism, in real operating conditions, during a kinematic cycle. At the same time, based on the obtained results, the analysis by the finite element method of the most critical component elements, under straight-line driving and turning conditions, is presented.

A Path to Risk: Critical Elements of a Structured Approach.

Value-based care arrangements have been the cornerstone of accountable care for decades. Risk arrangements with government and commercial insurance plans are ubiquitous, with most contracts focusing on upside risk only, meaning payers reward providers for good performance without punishing them for poor performance on quality and cost. However, payers are increasingly moving into downside risk arrangements, bringing to mind global capitation in the 1990s wherein several health systems failed. In this article, the authors focus on their framework for succeeding in value-based arrangements at University Hospitals Accountable Care Organization, including essential structural elements that provider organizations need to successfully assume downside risk in value-based arrangements. These elements include quality performance and reporting, risk adjustment, utilization management, care management and clinical services, network integrity, technology, and contracting and financial reconciliation. Each of these elements has an important place in the strategic roadmap to value, even if downside risk is not taken. This roadmap was developed through an applied approach and intends to fill the gap in published practical models of how provider organizations can maneuver value-based arrangements.

A Multifaceted Approach to Interpreting Reaction Time Deficits After Adolescent Concussion.

Reaction time (RT) is a critical element of return to participation (RTP), and impairments have been linked to subsequent injury after a concussion. Current RT assessments have limitations in clinical feasibility and in the identification of subtle deficits after concussion symptom resolution. To examine the utility of RT measurements (clinical drop stick, simple stimulus-response, single-task Stroop, and dual-task Stroop) to differentiate between adolescents with concussion and uninjured control individuals at initial assessment and RTP. Prospective cohort study. A pediatric sports medicine center associated with a regional tertiary care hospital. Twenty-seven adolescents with a concussion (mean age = 14.8 ± 2.1 years; 52% female; tested 7.0 ± 3.3 days postconcussion) and 21 uninjured control individuals (mean age = 15.5 ± 1.6 years; 48% female). Participants completed the Post-Concussion Symptoms Inventory (PCSI) and a battery of RT tests: clinical drop stick, simple stimulus-response, single-task Stroop, and dual-task Stroop. The concussion group demonstrated slower clinical drop stick (β = 58.8; 95% CI = 29.2, 88.3; P < .001) and dual-task Stroop (β = 464.2; 95% CI = 318.4, 610.0; P < .001) RT measures at the initial assessment than the uninjured control group. At 1-month follow up, the concussion group displayed slower clinical drop stick (238.9 ± 25.9 versus 188.1 ± 21.7 milliseconds; P < .001; d = 2.10), single-task Stroop (1527.8 ± 204.5 versus 1319.8 ± 133.5 milliseconds; P = .001; d = 1.20), and dual-task Stroop (1549.9 ± 264.7 versus 1341.5 ± 114.7 milliseconds; P = .002; d = 1.04) RT than the control group, respectively, while symptom severity was similar between groups (7.4 ± 11.2 versus 5.3 ± 6.5; P = .44; d = 0.24). Classification accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) values were highest for the clinical drop stick (85.1% accuracy, AUC = 0.86, P < .001) and dual-task Stroop (87.2% accuracy, AUC = 0.92, P < .002) RT variables at initial evaluation. Adolescents recovering from concussion may have initial RT deficits that persist despite symptom recovery. The clinical drop stick and dual-task Stroop RT measures demonstrated high clinical utility given high classification accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity to detect postconcussion RT deficits and may be considered for initial and RTP assessment.

Reduced order model for hard magnetic films

In the pursuit of rare earth-lean permanent magnets for green technologies, microstructural optimisation offers a promising strategy to enhance coercivity while minimising critical element content. For this approach, the combination of experimental work on hard magnetic films and numerical investigations is necessary. However, computational limitations restrict micromagnetics to small systems, motivating the development of a reduced order model for investigating large multigrain systems. The model is based on the embedded Stoner-Wohlfarth method and is used to investigate the influence of a nonmagnetic grain boundary phase thickness and the aspect ratio of the magnetic grains on the overall coercivity. It is possible to simulate large NdFeB multigrain structures which can be compared to hard magnetic films. We derive design recommendations to increase coercivity by increasing the grain boundary phase thickness and the aspect ratio of the grains in hard magnetic materials.