Holistic Integration Research Articles

Evaluating potential impacts of industrial activities at depth on shallow groundwater: Holistic integration of results from multidisciplinary research in eastern Canada

A multidisciplinary project was carried out in New Brunswick (eastern Canada), where hydrocarbon exploration was stopped in 2015 due to a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, to investigate the vulnerability of shallow aquifers to industrial activities from both potential surface contamination and upward fluid migration. The study area included an active unconventional gas field (which also encompassed a potash mine in operation until late 2015) and a prospect hydrocarbon field. This project, a collaboration between two levels of government, universities and an oil and gas operator, created an unprecedented opportunity by allowing several monitoring wells to be drilled directly on gas well pads.Multiple datasets from geological, geophysical, geomechanical, hydrogeological and geochemical studies were collected and the interpretation of aquifer vulnerability resulted from the integration of their findings. The data coverage from reservoir depths to the surface provided no evidence for the presence of a natural connection between the deep units targeted by the industry and the shallow aquifers, or of contamination from the surface. The intermediate zone between the shallow aquifers and reservoirs appears to provide an effective barrier preventing upward migration of fluids. In particular, the locally ambiguous origin of methane in groundwater and the presence of salts in a few shallow monitoring wells were resolved through a sound understanding of the interacting elements of the geological – geophysical – geomechanical and the hydrogeological – geochemical components of the holistic system. Although this article focuses primarily on the hydrogeological component, highlights of the other components are presented here to give an overview of this multidisciplinary project's results and their contribution and to provide readers with a practical framework that can be used in other regions or other industrial contexts involving deep subsurface activities.

Brief Exposure to Notated Scores: Pianists' Quick Impressions of Musical Style

This study concerns classical musicians' ability to recognize style periods from very brief visual exposure to musical notation. 25 professional pianists were shown nine 500-ms displays of musical excerpts from piano works by J. S. Bach, L. v. Beethoven, and F. Chopin. The pianists were told to describe what they saw and to assess the style period of the music. Recognition was relatively good: 49% of the verbal protocols included a correct style period label or the right composer name. Verbal protocols also supported the notion that style recognition chiefly relies on intuitive, holistic integration of information, rather than on reflective, analytic processing. First, correct responses regarding style period occurred significantly earlier than incorrect ones, which suggests that they may have taken place more intuitively. Second, correct recognitions were not preceded by richer spoken contents than was found in the case of non-recognition. Indeed, the opposite was the case for composer recognition, which again associates recognition with intuitive processing. It is argued that the rapid recognition of musical style characteristics is a prerequisite for stylistically sensitive sight reading.

Integrative learning in the lens of meta-learned models of cognition: Impacts on animal and human learning outcomes

Abstract This commentary examines the synergy between meta-learned models of cognition and integrative learning in enhancing animal and human learning outcomes. It highlights three integrative learning modes – holistic integration of parts, top-down reasoning, and generalization with in-depth analysis – and their alignment with meta-learned models of cognition. This convergence promises significant advances in educational practices, artificial intelligence, and cognitive neuroscience, offering a novel perspective on learning and cognition.

Integrating Plant Physiology in Landscape Architecture: A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainable Garden Design

This paper delves into the convergence of plant physiology and landscape architecture, with the overarching objective of establishing a comprehensive framework for the creation of sustainable garden designs. The fusion of these disciplines allows landscape architects to harness a profound understanding of the intricate needs and intrinsic characteristics of plants. In doing so, they can craft gardens that not only exhibit resilience but also harmonize with the environment, all while appealing to the senses. This exploration encompasses a broad spectrum of plant physiological aspects, embracing themes like water and nutrient uptake, the intricate process of photosynthesis, and the complex responses plants exhibit when subjected to stressors. Furthermore, this paper extends its purview to practical applications of this botanical knowledge in the realm of garden design. It underscores the pivotal role played by plant physiology in guiding decisions regarding plant selection, the thoughtful arrangement of garden elements, and the implementation of maintenance practices. The ultimate aspiration is to underscore the significance of adopting a scientifically informed approach within landscape architecture—a mindset that can pave the way toward the creation of healthier, more sustainable, and aesthetically captivating outdoor spaces. Through this holistic integration of plant physiology and landscape architecture, we embark on a journey towards the conception of gardens that are not just visually appealing but also ecologically meaningful and enduring.

Global Research Priorities for Holistic Integration of Water and Power Systems

Global Research Priorities for Holistic Integration of Water and Power Systems

Strengthening Accessibility and Inclusivity in Libraries: The Role of Adaptive Technology in Supporting Visually Impaired Users

Libraries have long been recognized as key institutions in democratizing access to knowledge and information, yet users with visual impairments still face significant barriers to accessing these resources. The purpose of this research is to explore how adaptive technologies can improve accessibility and inclusivity in libraries for users with visual impairments. Using a qualitative methodology involving in-depth interviews and content analysis of library websites, this study assessed the effectiveness of current adaptive technologies and identified barriers to their use. The results show that, although adaptive technologies such as screen readers and indoor navigation systems hold great potential to improve user experience, there are still gaps in implementation and library staff awareness of the specific needs of visually impaired users. The conclusions of this study emphasize the importance of holistic integration of adaptive technologies in library service strategies to ensure equal access. Based on these findings, this paper recommends better staff training, the development of strong inclusive policies, and collaboration with disabled people's organizations to improve the accessibility and inclusiveness of libraries, thus supporting wider social participation of visually impaired users.

A Holistic Integration of Conventional and Machine Learning Techniques to Enhance the Analysis of Power Transformer Health Index Considering Data Unavailability

A Holistic Integration of Conventional and Machine Learning Techniques to Enhance the Analysis of Power Transformer Health Index Considering Data Unavailability

Innovation Strategy and Firm Competitiveness: A Framework to Support the Holistic Integration of Eco-Innovation

Innovation Strategy and Firm Competitiveness: A Framework to Support the Holistic Integration of Eco-Innovation

Integrating Good Corporate Governance, Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility, Zakat, Syariah Governance, and Syariah Compliance: Exploring their Interconnected Impact on the Financial Health of Islamic Commercial Banks

The background of this research revolves around the need to understand the complex relationship between Good Corporate Governance (GCG), Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility (ICSR), zakat, Shariah Governance (SG), and Shariah Compliance (SC) in the context of financial institutions, particularly Islamic banks. This study adopts a holistic framework to explore their interconnected impacts on the financial health of Islamic banks. The research utilized a comprehensive literature review with qualitative analysis, aiming to gain a thorough understanding of the subject from 2010 to 2023. The findings indicate that in the face of business complexity and global market dynamics, Islamic banks need to implement concepts such as Good Corporate Governance (GCG), Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility (ICSR), Zakat, Shariah Governance (SG), and Shariah Compliance (SC). The holistic integration of these principles can have a significantly positive impact on the financial health of Islamic banks. GCG provides a robust foundation for risk management and transparency, ICSR enriches the social and environmental dimensions, Zakat plays a crucial role in wealth redistribution and community economic empowerment, while SG and SC ensure adherence to Shariah principles and maintain the integrity of financial institutions. By effectively applying these concepts, Islamic banks can strengthen their position in facing market challenges and enhance their contributions to sustainable economic development.

Properties of High-Content Micro-Steel Fiber Self-Compacting Concrete Incorporating Fly Ash and Slag Powder Performance Study

The addition or substitution of various gel materials in cement-based composites has been proven to be an effective approach in enhancing the performance of concrete. Current research focuses mainly on enhancing the toughness of concrete, but lacks discussion on the performance of alternative gel materials. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effects of partially substituting cement with fly ash and slag powder as gel materials, while incorporating a high volume fraction of micro-steel fibers (6%), on the workability and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete. By means of rigorous experimental investigation and meticulous analysis, we comprehensively assessed the workability characteristics of self-compacting concrete, encompassing critical aspects such as filling ability, cohesion, and permeability. Additionally, we conducted an extensive evaluation of the mechanical attributes of self-compacting concrete, encompassing vital parameters, such as compressive strength, axial compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. Last but not least, through a holistic integration of workability and mechanical properties, we conducted a comprehensive performance evaluation of self-compacting concrete incorporating a synergistic blend of fly ash, slag powder, and micro steel fibers. The experimental results indicate that the composite addition of fly ash and slag powder in self-compacting concrete, while compatible with up to 6% micro-steel fibers, leads to a decrease in concrete workability and an increase in cohesiveness due to the addition of micro-steel fibers. Moreover, fly ash predominantly influences the tensile properties of concrete, while the addition of slag powder significantly affects the compressive and flexural properties of concrete. Additionally, the addition of micro-steel fibers significantly improves the overall mechanical properties of concrete.

Science, technology, and innovation: the next frontier in Asia-Pacific’s legal framework

ABSTRACT The pivotal role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in the global economic framework has brought the Asia-Pacific region into sharp focus, given its unique blend of burgeoning and mature economies. Historically, International Investment Agreements (IIAs) were designed to protect investors, but the rapid ascendancy of STI necessitates a recalibration of these accords. This article embarks on a detailed comparative analysis of IIAs in the Asia-Pacific, exploring the nuances of STI provisions therein. While some IIAs incorporate STI considerations, a holistic integration remains noticeably lacking. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development provides frameworks to quantify technological capabilities, emphasizing the transition to a ‘knowledge economy’. Meanwhile, Intellectual Property Rights emerge with dual roles: fostering innovation while potentially hindering technological proliferation. The discussion delves into the necessity for IIAs, especially Bilateral Investment Treaties, and Free Trade Agreements, to fully embrace STI for maximizing global investment potential. The article's structure sequentially examines the ‘New Economy’, typologies of STI in IIAs, and the need for their incorporation, concluding with insights on the challenges and prospects of such integration.

Older Adults' Perceptions About Using Intelligent Toilet Seats Beyond Traditional Care: Web-Based Interview Survey.

In contemporary society, age tech (age technology) represents a significant advancement in health care aimed at enhancing patient engagement, ensuring sustained independence, and promoting quality of life for older people. One innovative form of age tech is the intelligent toilet seat, which is designed to collect, analyze, and provide insights based on toileting logs and excreta data. Understanding how older people perceive and interact with such technology can offer invaluable insights to researchers, technology developers, and vendors. This study examined older adults' perspectives regarding the use of intelligent toilet seats. Through a qualitative methodology, this research aims to unearth the nuances of older people's opinions, shedding light on their preferences, concerns, and potential barriers to adoption. Data were collected using a web-based interview survey distributed on Amazon Mechanical Turk. The analyzed data set comprised 174 US-based individuals aged ≥65 years who voluntarily participated in this study. The qualitative data were carefully analyzed using NVivo (Lumivero) based on detailed content analysis, ensuring that emerging themes were coded and classified based on the conceptual similarities in the respondents' narratives. The analysis revealed 5 dominant themes encompassing the opinions of aging adults. The perceived benefits and advantages of using the intelligent toilet seat were grouped into 3 primary themes: health-related benefits including the potential for early disease detection, continuous health monitoring, and seamless connection to health care insights. Technology-related advantages include the noninvasive nature of smart toilet seats and leveraging unique and innovative data collection and analysis technology. Use-related benefits include ease of use, potential for multiple users, and cost reduction owing to the reduced need for frequent clinical visits. Conversely, the concerns and perceived risks were classified into 2 significant themes: psychological concerns, which included concerns about embarrassment and aging-related stereotypes, and the potential emotional impact of constant health monitoring. Technical performance risks include concerns centered on privacy and security, device reliability, data accuracy, potential malfunctions, and the implications of false positives or negatives. The decision of older adults to incorporate intelligent toilet seats into their daily lives depends on myriad factors. Although the potential health and technological benefits are evident, valid concerns that need to be addressed remain. To foster widespread adoption, it is imperative to enhance the advantages while simultaneously addressing and mitigating the identified risks. This balanced approach will pave the way for a more holistic integration of smart health care devices into the routines of the older population, ensuring that they reap the full benefits of age tech advancements.

Holistic Integration: The Efforts Legal Protection for Children Challenge of Support Victim

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the shared responsibility of the community, state, and government in ensuring the growth and development of children, especially in the context of challenges posed by the pandemic. The study aims to explore the legal framework and regulations in place to protect the basic rights of children, emphasizing the importance of providing an environment conducive to their future growth and development.
 
 Method: This research adopts a normative juridical approach, focusing on the analysis of legislation and relevant secondary data. The study examines existing laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of children's rights, with a particular orientation toward understanding the legal frameworks established by the government. The method also involves studying regional regulations and academic initiatives such as forming task forces and providing psychologist counseling.
 
 Result: The research reveals that the government, both at the national and regional levels, has implemented laws and regulations to ensure the growth and development of children. These legal frameworks encompass various aspects, including education, social support, and psychological well-being. Additionally, the study identifies the establishment of task forces and counseling programs as proactive measures taken to address the challenges faced by children, especially in the academic field. These initiatives reflect the government's commitment to providing comprehensive support to children, even amidst the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
 
 Conclusion: In conclusion, the study underscores the shared responsibility of the community, state, and government in safeguarding the future of children, particularly in the face of challenges like the pandemic. Through the implementation of laws, regulations, and regional initiatives, efforts are being made to ensure that children's basic rights are protected and that they have access to necessary support systems. The establishment of task forces and counseling programs further emphasizes the commitment to the holistic development of children. However, continuous efforts and adaptability in policies are crucial to addressing evolving challenges and ensuring that children receive the best possible environment for their growth and development.

Sustainability Education for Human Capital Development in Higher Learning Institutions in Rwanda

Vision 2050 envisage Rwanda as a high-income country with improved living standards for all Rwandans. One of the main pillars to help Rwanda achieve this ambition is building a strong education system that is able to develop human capital needed to fill the skill gap as required by the society and the industries. To achieve this, sustainability education could play a crucial role. This paper aims at investigating the effect of sustainability education on human capital development in Rwanda. Three key concepts of concern were identified in literature along which we built our discussions and analysis. These included, inclusive education (proxied by quality, equality and diversity in education), curriculum breadth (proxied by science and extra-curriculum activities) and industrial matching (proxied by skill transfer, meeting market needs and employability). The paper is anchored on human capital and social capital theories. The primary data was collected from a random sample of 270 students in University of Kigali (UoK) and University of Rwanda- College of Business Gikondo Campus. The paper used PLS-SEM method to model the relationships among the study variables and analysed using SmartPLS4. We find positive and significant effect of sustainability education on the human capital development. The results have policy and practical implications going forward to the future. We suggest a holistic integration of sustainability mentality in the education system in order to grow suitable human capital ready for the market.

Holistic integration of omics data reveals the drivers that shape the ecology of microbial meat spoilage scenarios.

The use of omics data for monitoring the microbial flow of fresh meat products along a production line and the development of spoilage prediction tools from these data is a promising but challenging task. In this context, we produced a large multivariate dataset (over 600 samples) obtained on the production lines of two similar types of fresh meat products (poultry and raw pork sausages). We describe a full analysis of this dataset in order to decipher how the spoilage microbial ecology of these two similar products may be shaped differently depending on production parameter characteristics. Our strategy involved a holistic approach to integrate unsupervised and supervised statistical methods on multivariate data (OTU-based microbial diversity; metabolomic data of volatile organic compounds; sensory measurements; growth parameters), and a specific selection of potential uncontrolled (initial microbiota composition) or controlled (packaging type; lactate concentration) drivers. Our results demonstrate that the initial microbiota, which is shown to be very different between poultry and pork sausages, has a major impact on the spoilage scenarios and on the effect that a downstream parameter such as packaging type has on the overall evolution of the microbial community. Depending on the process, we also show that specific actions on the pork meat (such as deboning and defatting) elicit specific food spoilers such as Dellaglioa algida, which becomes dominant during storage. Finally, ecological network reconstruction allowed us to map six different metabolic pathways involved in the production of volatile organic compounds involved in spoilage. We were able connect them to the different bacterial actors and to the influence of packaging type in an overall view. For instance, our results demonstrate a new role of Vibrionaceae in isopropanol production, and of Latilactobacillus fuchuensis and Lactococcus piscium in methanethiol/disylphide production. We also highlight a possible commensal behavior between Leuconostoc carnosum and Latilactobacillus curvatus around 2,3-butanediol metabolism. We conclude that our holistic approach combined with large-scale multi-omic data was a powerful strategy to prioritize the role of production parameters, already known in the literature, that shape the evolution and/or the implementation of different meat spoilage scenarios.

Video Turing Test: A first step towards human‐level AI

AbstractThe development of artificial intelligence (AI) agents capable of human‐level understanding of video content and conducting conversations with humans on this basis is a promising application that people expect. However, this is a challenging task that requires the holistic integration of multimodal information with temporal dependencies and reasoning, as well as social and physical commonsense. In addition, the development of appropriate systematic evaluation methods is essential. In this context, we introduce the Video Turing Test (VTT), a blind test used to evaluate human‐likeness in terms of video comprehension ability. Moreover, we propose Vincent as a video understanding AI. We explain the configuration of VTT, the architecture of Vincent to prepare for VTT and the proposed evaluation methods for video comprehension. We also estimate the current intelligence level of AI based on our results and discuss future research directions.

Choosing human over AI doctors? How comparative trust associations and knowledge relate to risk and benefit perceptions of AI in healthcare.

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is accelerating rapidly. Beyond the urge for technological optimization, public perceptions and preferences regarding the application of such technologies remain poorly understood. Risk and benefit perceptions of novel technologies are key drivers for successful implementation. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the factors that condition these perceptions. In this study, we draw on the risk perception and human-AI interaction literature to examine how explicit (i.e., deliberate) and implicit (i.e., automatic) comparative trust associations with AI versus physicians, and knowledge about AI, relate to likelihood perceptions of risks and benefits of AI in healthcare and preferences for the integration of AI in healthcare. We use survey data (N=378) to specify a path model. Results reveal that the path for implicit comparative trust associations on relative preferences for AI over physicians is only significant through risk, but not through benefit perceptions. This finding is reversed for AI knowledge. Explicit comparative trust associations relate to AI preference through risk and benefit perceptions. These findings indicate that risk perceptions of AI in healthcare might be driven more strongly by affect-laden factors than benefit perceptions, which in turn might depend more on reflective cognition. Implications of our findings and directions for future research are discussed considering the conceptualization of trust as heuristic and dual-process theories of judgment and decision-making. Regarding the design and implementation of AI-based healthcare technologies, our findings suggest that a holistic integration of public viewpoints is warranted.

Performance Evaluation of You Only Look Once v4 in Road Anomaly Detection and Visual Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping for Autonomous Vehicles

The proliferation of autonomous vehicles (AVs) emphasises the pressing need to navigate challenging road networks riddled with anomalies like unapproved speed bumps, potholes, and other hazardous conditions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These anomalies not only contribute to driving stress, vehicle damage, and financial implications for users but also elevate the risk of accidents. A significant hurdle for AV deployment is the vehicle’s environmental awareness and the capacity to localise effectively without excessive dependence on pre-defined maps in dynamically evolving contexts. Addressing this overarching challenge, this paper introduces a specialised deep learning model, leveraging YOLO v4, which profiles road surfaces by pinpointing defects, demonstrating a mean average precision (mAP@0.5) of 95.34%. Concurrently, a comprehensive solution—RA-SLAM, which is an enhanced Visual Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (V-SLAM) mechanism for road scene modeling, integrated with the YOLO v4 algorithm—was developed. This approach precisely detects road anomalies, further refining V-SLAM through a keypoint aggregation algorithm. Collectively, these advancements underscore the potential for a holistic integration into AV’s intelligent navigation systems, ensuring safer and more efficient traversal across intricate road terrains.

Biodiversity change in light of succession theory

Biodiversity is rapidly changing in the Anthropocene, but not all directional changes observed in biodiversity time series are anthropogenic. We discuss key research findings in global change ecology from the past decade, considering the possibility that natural succession contributes as a driving force of directional change. Succession theory suggests the possibility that: 1) accelerated rates of species temporal turnover could also reflect ecosystem recovery rather than global biodiversity redistribution; 2) natural changes in local diversity over time may not be zero, with successional diversity change being variable but often showing a positive temporal trend; 3) biotic homogenization may not only be driven by non‐native species, but also by natural processes alone; and 4) successional dynamics may strongly modify the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We propose that a holistic integration of succession theory into global change ecology could provide a baseline for natural biodiversity change and allow us to better isolate the impact of anthropogenic drivers.

Advancing Breast Cancer Heterogeneity Analysis: Insights from Genomics, Transcriptomics and Proteomics at Bulk and Single-Cell Levels.

Breast cancer continues to pose a significant healthcare challenge worldwide for its inherent molecular heterogeneity. This review offers an in-depth assessment of the molecular profiling undertaken to understand this heterogeneity, focusing on multi-omics strategies applied both in traditional bulk and single-cell levels. Genomic investigations have profoundly informed our comprehension of breast cancer, enabling its categorization into six intrinsic molecular subtypes. Beyond genomics, transcriptomics has rendered deeper insights into the gene expression landscape of breast cancer cells. It has also facilitated the formulation of more precise predictive and prognostic models, thereby enriching the field of personalized medicine in breast cancer. The comparison between traditional and single-cell transcriptomics has identified unique gene expression patterns and facilitated the understanding of cell-to-cell variability. Proteomics provides further insights into breast cancer subtypes by illuminating intricate protein expression patterns and their post-translational modifications. The adoption of single-cell proteomics has been instrumental in this regard, revealing the complex dynamics of protein regulation and interaction. Despite these advancements, this review underscores the need for a holistic integration of multiple 'omics' strategies to fully decipher breast cancer heterogeneity. Such integration not only ensures a comprehensive understanding of breast cancer's molecular complexities, but also promotes the development of personalized treatment strategies.