Decline In Quality Research Articles

Assessment of Risks of Voltage Quality Decline in Load Nodes of Power Systems

Assessment of Risks of Voltage Quality Decline in Load Nodes of Power Systems

Impact of Diet and Exercise on Mitochondrial Quality and Mitophagy in Alzheimer's disease.

Impact of Diet and Exercise on Mitochondrial Quality and Mitophagy in Alzheimer's disease.

Risk Factors for Poor Sleep Quality and Subjective Cognitive Decline in Older Adults Living in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Risk Factors for Poor Sleep Quality and Subjective Cognitive Decline in Older Adults Living in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Examining the Effectiveness of Supervisory Time Management in Promoting Academic Success among Researchers at University Level

Time management is critical to output and performance in any organizational setting or an important component in the education sector is. At academic settings like universities, the need for time management is even more critical. The necessity of time management becomes even more evident in academic environments, such as universities. In the academic setting, time management skills are essential for mentors who guide the academic progress of their mentees and supervisors who oversee research activities. The study aimed at “Examining the Effectiveness of Supervisory Time Management in Promoting Academic Success Among Researchers”. The objectives of the study were: 1) To assess the academic performance of researchers based on key performance indicators in higher education, 2) To investigate the correlation between supervisors' time management strategies and the academic performance of researchers, highlighting potential influencing factors. A quantitative research design was employed, targeting PhD faculty from public and private universities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Eighteen universities were nominated by using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through a self-developed questionnaire, distributed to students and faculty members and analyzed using descriptive and correlation statistical techniques. In contrast, supervisors who lacked efficient time management skills faced notable challenges in guiding their researchers, resulting in delays in thesis completion and a decline in publication quality. Ineffective time management often led to disorganized research processes, reduced motivation among team members, and missed academic milestones, ultimately impacting overall research output. Hence, it is recommended that academic institutions develop policies requiring supervisors to participate in regular time management training. Supervisors should establish structured research timelines and provide clear guidelines to researchers to prevent delays. Additionally, mentorship programs should be implemented to support supervisors in improving their organizational skills and fostering a more productive research environment.

Karst water quality, source of pollution, and health risk assessment in China.

Karst water quality, source of pollution, and health risk assessment in China.

FTO-mediated m6A modification elevates the MFN2 mRNA stability to suppress ovarian granulosa cell senescence.

FTO-mediated m6A modification elevates the MFN2 mRNA stability to suppress ovarian granulosa cell senescence.

DcNCED2 promotes ABA synthesis via carotenoid degradation and enhances drought resistance in carrot.

Carrot DcNCED2 gene can improve the activity of antioxidant substances, enhance the drought tolerance of plant, and play regulatory roles in the degradation of carotenoids and the synthesis of ABA. Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a biennial root vegetable crop of Apiaceae. In the process of growth and development, carrot is always subjected to drought stress, resulting in the decline of yield and quality. 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) is an important rate-limiting enzyme in the pathway of carotenoid degradation and ABA synthesis, which can directly affect the drought resistance of plants. It is scientifically important to study the molecular mechanism of carrot DcNCED gene in response to drought stress. In this study, expression specificity analysis of DcNCED2 gene showed that the expression level of DcNCED2 gene reached the highest value at 60-75 d after sowing. DcNCED2 gene was transferred into Arabidopsis thaliana and carrot by constructing plant overexpression vector. The transgenic A. thaliana was found to exhibit a drought-tolerant phenotype with longer root length, higher SOD and POD activities, lower MDA content, higher ABA content and related gene expression, and lower lutein and β-carotene content. The results indicated that DcNCED2 gene could improve the drought tolerance of the seedling. The ABA content in leaf of overexpressed DcNCED2 carrot was significantly increased, while the contents of lutein, α-carotene and β-carotene were decreased compared with the wild carrot. The changes of expression levels of most related genes were consistent with the above results. These results indicated that DcNCED2 gene could promote the degradation of carotenoids and the synthesis of ABA in carrot leaves and thus achieve the regulation of abiotic stress in carrot plants.

Climate change impacts on tomato production in high-tech soilless greenhouses in Türki̇ye

Climate change and its impact on agricultural production due to the occurrence of extreme weather events appear to be more imminent and severe than ever, presenting a global challenge that necessitates collective efforts to mitigate its effects.There have been many practical and modelling studies so far to estimate the extent of climate change and possible damages on agricultural production, suggesting that water availability may decrease by 50% and agricultural productivity between 10 and 30% in the coming years ahead. Though there have been many studies to estimate the possible level of damage by the climate change on the production of many agricultural crops, no study has been conducted on the greenhouse tomato production. Therefore, this study was conducted to discover the effects of extreme high temperatures during the 2022–2023 growing season on the high-tech Turkish tomato greenhouse industry through a survey. The results showed that all greenhouses lost yield, ranging from 6 to 53%, with an average of 12.5%. Survey data revealed that irrigation and fog system water consumption increased by 29.32% and 31.42%, respectively, while fertilizer and electricity consumption rose by 23.66% and 19%. Some 76.5% of the growers declared difficulty in climate control, 11.7% reported tomato cluster losses with no information on yield loss, 9% experienced yield losses despite no cluster losses, and 61.7% observed a decline in tomato quality, leading to reduced sales prices. Considering these findings, it is recommended that greenhouses must adopt advanced climate control technologies, expand fog system capacities, and integrate renewable energy sources to enhance resilience against climate-induced challenges. Additionally, improving water-use efficiency, optimizing cooling strategies, using new and climate-resistant varieties and adjusting cropping seasons could help mitigate yield losses due to extreme temperatures. The study results offer extremely valuable insights into greenhouse production for researchers, technology developers, and policymakers for the mitigation of climate change effects and the development of more sustainable production systems.

Biological factors and production challenges drive significant UK fruit and vegetable loss.

Food loss and waste estimates are highly inconsistent as a result of methodological and systemic differences. Additionally, the absence of in-depth evidence surrounding the biological drivers of food loss and waste precludes targeted mitigation action. To address this challenge, we undertook a metanalysis utilising a systematic literature review combined with industry stakeholder surveys to examine the incidence of food loss and waste in the UK fruit and vegetable supply chain between primary production and retail. We estimated that 37% of fruit and vegetables, equivalent to 2.4 Mt of produce, is lost between production and sale. In the UK, primary production is the main stage responsible for these losses (58%), and is dominated by four crops (apple, onion, carrot and potato), which contribute 71% of total food loss and waste. Quality and supply/demand mismatch are the core drivers, combined with limited ability to control postharvest quality decline as a result of technical or economic barriers. Innate biological mechanisms contribute to, and detract from, marketable quality generating food loss risks where these cannot be adequately modified or controlled. Through climate change effects, reduced pesticide availability, changing consumer behaviour and increased pressure to reduce resource/energy inputs during pre- and postharvest handling, food loss and waste risk is likely to increase in the short term unless targeted, coordinated action is taken to actively promote its mitigation. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of physical activity on semen quality: a review of current evidence.

A growing global trend indicates a decline in semen quality, with a lack of physical activity identified as one of the contributing factors. Exercise is medication, and numerous studies have explored its effects on semen quality. However, there is no consensus on the most effective type and intensity of exercise for improving semen quality, owing to inconsistent findings across studies. These discrepancies may be attributable to variations in study populations (e.g., healthy versus infertile individuals) and research methodologies (e.g., observational versus interventional studies). This paper reviews the existing literature from the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, reclassifying articles on their subject and research designs to delineate the relationship between exercise and semen quality. It also summarizes the mechanisms through which exercise influences semen quality, including hormonal regulation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors.

Derivation of the oral reference dose (RfD) for bisphenol S and bisphenol F based on epidemiological and experimental studies.

Derivation of the oral reference dose (RfD) for bisphenol S and bisphenol F based on epidemiological and experimental studies.

Bowel Disorder Incidence and Rectal Spacer Use in Patients With Prostate Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy.

The polyethylene glycol-based hydrogel spacer (PHS) system temporarily separates the rectum from the prostate in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa). To compare incidence of bowel disorders and related procedures in patients receiving RT with and without PHS. This retrospective cohort study used 4 datasets: Medicare 5% Standard Analytic Files, Medicare 100% Standard Analytic Files, Merative MarketScan Commercial Database, and Premier Healthcare Database. Participants included adult patients with PCa undergoing RT from 2015 to 2021. Placement of PHS. All-cause bowel disorders and related procedures, identified from diagnosis and procedure codes. Results were compared with age-matched male general population without PCa or RT. Of 261 906 patients with PCa included in the study, 25 167 (9.6%) received PHS (mean [SD] age, 70.7 [6.5] years) and 236 739 did not (mean [SD] age, 71.1 [7.5] years). One year prior to RT, patients who received PHS had a lower mean (SD) Charlson Comorbidity Index score than those who did not (2.48 [1.08] vs 3.14 [1.95]; P < .001). Stereotactic RT was more common in patients who received PHS (2743 [10.9%] vs 8810 [3.7%]; P < .001), while intensity-modulated RT was less common (12 755 [50.7%] vs 142 402 [60.2%]; P < .001). After 4 years post RT, patients who received PHS had a 25% lower hazard of bowel disorders (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75 [95% CI, 0.72-0.78]; P < .001) and a 46% lower hazard of related procedures (HR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.47-0.62]; P < .001) than patients who did not receive PHS. Patients without PHS had higher hazard compared with an age-matched general population (disorders: 17.1% [95% CI, 17.3%-17.6%] vs 10.3% [95% CI, 10.1%-10.5%]; HR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.32-1.37]; P < .001; procedures: 2.0% [95% CI, 1.9%-2.1%] vs 0.7% [95% CI, 0.7%-0.8%]; HR, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.79-2.06]; P < .001), while patients who received PHS did not (disorders: 12.4% vs 10.3%; HR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.98-1.05]; P = .82; procedures: 1.1% [95% CI, 1.0%-1.3%] vs 0.7% [95% CI, 0.7%-0.8%]; HR, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.96-1.29]; P = .15). Common procedures included colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and rectal resection. In this cohort study of patients with PCa receiving RT, those receiving a PHS had a significantly lower incidence of all-cause bowel disorders and related procedures compared with patients who did not receive a PHS over the 4-year follow-up. The incidence among patients with PHS was similar to the general population. These findings are consistent with prior phase 3 trial results, where patients receiving PHS experienced no decline in bowel quality of life.

Psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the Family Caregiver-Specific Quality of Life Scale (FAMQOL) among family caregivers of patients with chronic psychiatric disorders

BackgroundFamily caregivers of psychiatric patients often experience various negative psychosocial consequences, with a decline in quality of life being the most prevalent. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the psychometric indices of the Persian version of the Family Caregiver-Specific Quality of Life Scale (FAMQOL).MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 400 family caregivers of patients with chronic psychiatric diseases in Iran in 2024 using convenience sampling. Using a forward-backward translation procedure, the face and content validity of the FAMQOL were assessed through both qualitative and quantitative methods. After face and content validity, in order to determine construct validity, exploratory (n = 200) and confirmatory (n = 200) factor analysis was performed. To determine reliability, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Macdonald’s omega coefficient) and stability (intraclass correlation coefficient) were estimated.ResultsA total of 400 participants were evaluated, comprising 184 males (46.0%) and 216 females (54.0%). In content validity, one item was removed and during exploratory factor analysis, the remaining 15 items were loaded on four factors including social, spiritual, physical and psychological, which described 61.74% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the obtained model has a good fit. All obtained factors had convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach’s alpha (0.783 to 0.932), Macdonald’s omega (0.817 to 0.934) and intraclass correlation coefficients (0.953 to 0.971) showed acceptable internal consistency and stability of the factors of the Persian version of FAMQOL.ConclusionFindings from this study confirm that the Persian version of the FAMQOL is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating the quality of life among family caregivers of patients with chronic psychiatric disorders. This scale holds significant potential for both research and clinical applications, facilitating the identification of caregivers’ needs and guiding the creation of targeted interventions to enhance their quality of life.

Nature-based solutions as an economical option for the removal of micropollutants in artificial wastewater: the case of a laboratory constructed wetland planted with Phragmites australis

Discharge of micropollutants laced untreated or partially treated wastewater into the environment is one of the significant contributors to water quality decline. This study adopted the method of hydrological balance proposed by Kadlec and Wallace for the construction of a combination of Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands and Vertical Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands planted with Phragmites australis to investigate micropollutants load removal as well as the treatment efficiency of lab constructed wetlands. Artificial wastewater with Pb, Cd and Cr concentrations of 0.368 mg/l, 0.377 mg/l, and 0.362 mg/l respectively, was prepared using 99.99% Pb(NO₃)2 crystals, 1000mgl/l Cd(NO3)2 and Cr(NO₃)3 standard solutions to serve as influent wastewater for the wetlands. A test run of the setup was done with an influent flow rate of 0.8 L per hour for optimisation purposes after which effluent samples after treatment in the wetlands were analysed every other day using a HACH LT 200 heating block for digestion, HACH LCK 306, LCK 313 and LCK 308 cuvettes reagents and a HACH DR 3900 spectrophotometer for the determination of concentrations of Pb, Cr, and Cd. Pre and post treatment of Pb, Cr and Cd concentrations, pollution loads, and the overall treatment efficiency were tested for significance using T-test and one way ANOVA. There were significant reductions of 0.268 mg/l, 0.356 mg/l and 0.347 mg/l between the pre-treatment concentrations and post-treatment concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr respectively. Micropollutant removal efficiency was in the order of Cd (95.85%) > Cr (94.43%) > Pb (72.80%) respectively. This study will contribute to ongoing research on nature-based solutions for the removal of micropollutants from wastewater at a relatively lower cost.

To what extent does professional service fees influence the quality of project documents?

The introduction of competitive fee tendering for construction professionals in South Africa has led to increasing assertions that it caused a decline in professional service quality, including quality of project documents. However, this may not necessarily be true. The relationship between fees and professional service quality is complex and dictated by several variables, of which fees may be significant but not necessarily the overriding variable. This study investigates the key determinants of professional service quality, and how, and in what circumstances, fees specifically influence quality. A survey of 604 construction professionals, including consultants and clients, identified 20 factors influencing document quality, with the top three being fees, time, and experience. Qualitative insights from interviews with nine senior industry experts further corroborated these findings. The study reveals that while fees are a critical variable, they are not overwhelmingly more significant than time and experience in determining professional service quality. This highlights the multi-faceted nature of professional service quality, where fees interact with other factors, such as time and experience, to influence the quality of project documents. By examining these interactions, the research offers valuable insights to guide industry practices in competitive environments.

A Hybrid Optimization Approach Combining Rolling Horizon with Deep-Learning-Embedded NSGA-II Algorithm for High-Speed Railway Train Rescheduling Under Interruption Conditions

This study discusses the issue of train rescheduling in high-speed railways (HSR) when unexpected interruptions occur. These interruptions can lead to delays, cancellations, and disruptions to passenger travel. An optimization model for train rescheduling under uncertain-duration interruptions is proposed. The model aims to minimize both the decline in passenger service quality and the total operating cost, thereby achieving sustainable rescheduling. Then, a hybrid optimization algorithm combining rolling horizon optimization with a deep-learning-embedded NSGA-II algorithm is introduced to solve this multi-objective problem. This hybrid algorithm combines the advantages of each single algorithm, significantly improving computational efficiency and solution quality, particularly in large-scale scenarios. Furthermore, a case study on the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway shows the effectiveness of the model and algorithm. The optimization rates are 16.27% for service quality and 15.58% for operational costs in the small-scale experiment. Compared to other single algorithms or algorithm combinations, the hybrid algorithm enhances computational efficiency by 26.21%, 15.73%, and 25.13%. Comparative analysis shows that the hybrid algorithm outperforms traditional methods in both optimization quality and computational efficiency, contributing to enhanced overall operational efficiency of the railway system and optimized resource utilization. The Pareto front analysis provides decision makers with a range of scheduling alternatives, offering flexibility in balancing service quality and cost. In conclusion, the proposed approach is highly applicable in real-world railway operations, especially under complex and uncertain conditions, as it not only reduces operational costs but also aligns railway operations with broader sustainability goals.

The Role of Tariff Setting in the Healthcare Market Equilibrium

Healthcare pricing is intricate and influenced by numerous factors, including market structures, government regulations, access to financial resources, service costs, supply and demand. Due to this complexity, government intervention is frequently necessary to ensure equilibrium in the system. Relying solely on market forces (invisible hand) can create challenges for both healthcare providers and patients. For example, high tariffs can deter patients from pursuing essential care, leading to poorer health outcomes and contributing to economic challenges such as decreased productivity. On the other hand, low tariffs might create excessive demand for services, resulting in resource wastage and a decline in quality. Policymakers must strike a balance that emphasizes health considerations while also taking into account the medical education system, relevant laws, and political factors when establishing healthcare tariffs. The way these tariffs are determined not only affects healthcare access but also has broader implications for economic growth and workforce productivity. This highlights the need for careful management of healthcare tariffs to support both public health and economic performance.

Hand–Eye Separation-Based First-Frame Positioning and Follower Tracking Method for Perforating Robotic Arm

Hand–Eye Separation-Based First-Frame Positioning and Follower Tracking Method for Perforating Robotic Arm

Impact of Post-Harvest Technology Adoption on the Well-Being of Pepper Farmers in Kegalle, Sri Lanka

Abstract Pepper is the most widely consumed spice globally and was historically the first to be traded internationally. Sri Lanka, renowned for its high-quality spices, has recently experienced a decline in pepper quality. Ensuring high standards in pepper production is essential for competitiveness in the global market, which can be achieved through the adoption of modern post-harvest processing technologies. This study investigates the determinants influencing the adoption of these technologies and their subsequent impact on the well-being of farmers in the Kegalle District. The technologies assessed herein include threshing machines, blanchers, and drying equipment. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and structured interviews, involving 47 farmers who adopted the technologies and 50 non-adopters, selected through stratified random sampling. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, and binary logistic regression. The results obtained indicate that factors such as internet access, credit accessibility, production costs, and proximity to markets significantly influence the decision to adopt technology. Conversely, socio-economic variables like farming experience and income levels were found to have no significant effect. The farmers who regularly interacted with extension officers and utilized online resources were more likely to adopt the technologies. Differences in satisfaction between the adopters and non-adopters were observed only relative to training programs, whereas other extension services showed no significant variations. The study also found that over 70% of the adopters reported increased income, savings, and physical assets, along with a reduced household workload. The findings suggest that the adoption of modern post-harvest processing technologies substantially enhances the overall well-being of pepper farmers in Sri Lanka.

Effect of Foot Reflexology with Aromatic Oil to Assess Sleep Quality among Healthy Individuals: A Narrative Review

Objective: The primary objective of this literature review was to evaluate the effectiveness of foot reflexology with aromatic oil to assess Sleep quality among healthy individuals. Introduction: Sleep is a vital activity that offers relaxation, stability, stress release, and the capacity to recuperate from physical or mental exhaustion, but not getting enough sleep can lead to tiredness, sleepiness, anxiety, dizziness, instability, disorientation, focus problems and a decline in quality of life (QoL).Due to its great frequency and correlation with both mortality and morbidity, inadequate sleep has emerged as a public health problem in several nations. Methodology: A complete electronic search of published research publications was carried out utilizing databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and others. The search sought research that evaluated the benefits of foot reflexology with aromatic oil on sleep quality in healthy individuals. This literature review included papers that fit the requirements, such as randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and pilot studies. Results: This review investigated the ways in which foot reflexology combined with aromatic oil affects the quality of sleep and improves physiological as well as psychological well-being of an individual. Conclusion: This study found that using foot reflexology with aromatic oil can enhance sleep quality in healthy individuals. Regular practice of foot reflexology with aromatic oil may help to alleviate sleep-related difficulties and promote overall well-being, with no recorded negative effects.