Preference Values Research Articles

DETERMINATION OF MAINTENANCE PRIORITIES ON DISTRICT AND CITY ROADS IN LAMPUNG PROVINCE IN 2019 USING THE SIMPLE ADDITIVE WEIGHTING (SAW) METHOD

<p>Road infrastructure is a primary transportation asset extensively used by society to support economic, educational, and other activities. Consequently, roads function as a crucial supporter of the country's socio-economic activities. UU No. 38 of 2004 regarding Roads stipulates that roads are essential transportation facilities for the economy, social aspects, environment, politics, and defense and security. This research employs the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method to collect secondary data. The secondary data is obtained from the Department of Communication, Informatics, and Statistics of Lampung Province and processed to generate an assessment of road segments based on preference values. The research results indicate that, based on the criteria weighting, heavily damaged road conditions have the highest importance weight at 58.6%, followed by the criterion of average daily traffic. These findings suggest that road experts share a similar perspective on how road criteria are prioritized for specific regions. The ranking results using the SAW method with a Likert scale indicate a value of 97.34.</p>

Blockchain technology-driven supply chain financing for Ghana’s SMEs: An evaluation of the dilemmas to adoption using a picture fuzzy preference selection index technique

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to embrace blockchain technology-driven supply chain financing (BcTSCF) by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI); however, a substantial number have not responded favourably. With the utilization of purposive non-probability sampling approach, data was collected using questionnaires from 39 respondents (owners/managers of SMEs with BcTSCF experience as well as academics with BcTSCF expertise). Adopting the Technology-Organization-Environment framework, a list of drawbacks has been prioritized using a novel multi-criteria decision-making method called the Picture Fuzzy Preference Selection Index. This method involved the computation of total preference values, creation of picture fuzzy decision matrix, ranking and the selection of the drawback with the highest value, thus the prioritization of a set of determinants serving as drawbacks to adopting BcTSCF. The top five drawbacks to BcTSCF adoption are the availability of blockchain infrastructure, inadequate regulatory framework, lack of technical expertise, compatibility concerns, and insufficient government support. This study provides valuable input to industry practitioners, which might help the government and other stakeholders make corresponding policy arrangements. The original contribution of this study is the utilization of a novel picture fuzzy preference selection and the TOE framework to prioritize BcTSCF drawbacks.

Decision Support System for Determining Tutoring Institutions for SNBT Preparation Using the Weighted Product Method

There are several stages in choosing a state university, one of which is through the Joint Selection for State University Admission. To prepare for this, many SNBT candidates attend Learning Guidance Institutions. Learning guidance is a service or educational program designed to help students understand the subject matter taught in school. Its main goal is to improve students' academic abilities through various methods. This research aims to develop a Decision Support System (DSS) using the Weighted Product (WP) method to help choose the most appropriate Tutoring Institution. The system is designed to help parents and prospective students make decisions that suit their needs, taking into account factors such as teaching quality, facilities, and costs. With this DSS, it is hoped that the process of selecting Tutoring Institutions can be carried out more efficiently and accurately so that prospective participants can prepare themselves better to face SNBT. Based on the completed case study, the highest preference value is obtained by Adzkia (A4) with a value of 0.231, while the lowest preference value is Ganesha Operation (A1) with a value of 0.168. The results from the DSS built, and the manual calculations, show the same values.

Rényi Holographic Dark Energy

AbstractIn this work, the holographic dark energy model is constructed by using the non‐extensive nature of the Schwarzschild black hole via the Rényi entropy. Due to the non‐extensivity, the black hole can be stable under the process of fixing the non‐extensive parameter. A change undergoing such a process would then motivate us to define the energy density of the Rényi holographic dark energy (RHDE). As a result, the RHDE with choosing the characteristic length scale as the Hubble radius provides the late‐time expansion without the issue of causality. Remarkably, the proposed dark energy model contains the non‐extensive length scale parameter additional to the standard model. The cosmic evolution can be characterized by comparing the size of the Universe to this length scale. Moreover, the preferable value of the non‐extensive length scale is determined by fitting the model to recent observations. The results of this work would shed light on the interplay between the thermodynamic description of the black hole with non‐extensivity and the classical gravity description of the evolution of the Universe.

Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Pemilihan Laptop Gaming Menggunakan Metode AHP-Topsis

The process of choosing a gaming laptop involves considering a number of technical and performance factors in addition to budget factors. These factors include battery type, processor quality, graphics card quality, RAM capacity, and storage type. These are the main components that influence the gaming experience. In addition, ergonomics, design and sizing to suit individual preferences must be taken into account. This research aims to reduce the price factor borne by consumers so that it is not the only consideration in choosing a laptop using the AHP-TOPSIS method. The system development methods used are prototypes, modeling using UML and system development using PHP and MySQL. Based on the highest preference value, AHP-TOPSIS recommends that the HP Victus 16-R0017TX gaming laptop be selected as the best option. These suggestions can provide useful direction when choosing a gaming laptop that meets your needs in terms of speed and storage

Exploring the Intention to Engage in Policy Practice: The Role of Values and Career Motivations.

This study expands knowledge on what motivates engagement in policy practice (PP) by exploring the place of personal values, which reflect individuals' general motivations and context-specific motivations-the motivations to study social work-in predicting the intention to incorporate PP into their practice. The sample of this cross-sectional study comprised 280 BSW students in Israel, and the study employed the Portrait Values Questionnaire-Refined, Social Work Career Influence Questionnaire, and the PP Intention Scale. Path analysis showed that personal values were associated with PP intention both directly and indirectly through the motivations to study social work. However, the mechanisms differ for self-transcendence versus self-enhancement and openness to change versus conservation values. A stronger PP intention was associated with a higher preference for openness to change versus conservation values mediated by the social change motivation to study social work. The total effect of the preference for self-enhancement versus self-transcendence values on PP intention was nonsignificant. This resulted from the contradiction between the negative direct and positive indirect effects (through the social change motivation) of these values on PP intention. The study results underscore the place of personal values and motivations to study social work in explaining PP intention.

Decision Support System Using the TOPSIS Method in New Teacher Selection

Every school needs teachers who have good competence to educate students to become outstanding students. Getting teachers who have good competence is certainly not an easy thing, it must be a very strict selection process. This research aims to help determine teachers who are eligible to be accepted at IT Al Munadi Private Elementary School Medan by using the TOPSIS method. The selection consists of 5 criteria, namely education, microteaching, teaching experience, tahsin and memorization of the Koran. The TOPSIS method is widely used for Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM) decision making. The TOPSIS method is used as a ranking to see teachers who have competencies that are worthy of acceptance. Based on the results of the TOPSIS calculation where there are 6 alternatives that have been determined, the results obtained are G6 in the first place with a preference value of 2.82, 2nd place with a preference value of 2.48, 3rd place with a preference value of 2.09, 4th place with a preference value of 1.72, 5th place with a preference value of 1.67, while the 6th place is G1 with a preference value of 1.00. It is hoped that the decision support system using TOPSIS can help schools in determining teachers who have good competence so as to produce outstanding students.

Assessing food preferences in Spain: a historical perspective including attributes and values

PurposeThis study aims to identify how Spanish consumers’ extrinsic preferences for food have evolved by examining the extant literature on food preferences in Spain, focusing on food-related attributes and food-related values.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a synthetic review of the extant academic literature on Spanish consumer preferences for food-related attributes and food-related values from the mid-20th to the 21st century. This study uses key economic and social milestones that are most likely to influence food value chain actors to show how consumer preferences have evolved over the study period.FindingsSpanish consumer food attribute preferences expanded as the food sector of the nation continued to grow, and value preferences showed a similar pattern from the mid-20th to the 21st century. The drivers of these preferences were trust, lifestyle, education (campaigns), sociodemographic factors and purchasing power.Originality/valueEvaluating the extant literature’s contribution to consumer preferences for food-related attributes and values is important because it can aid in understanding the hierarchy and variety of consumers’ food preferences as well as the factors that drive these preferences. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explore how Spanish consumer preferences evolved between the mid-20th and 21st centuries.

Value Preferences in Civil Servant Career: Kazakhstan and Russia

Value Preferences in Civil Servant Career: Kazakhstan and Russia

Expanding neutrino oscillation parameter measurements in NOvA using a Bayesian approach

NOvA is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment that measures oscillations in charged-current νμ→νμ (disappearance) and νμ→νe (appearance) channels, and their antineutrino counterparts, using neutrinos of energies around 2 GeV over a distance of 810 km. In this work we reanalyze the dataset first examined in our previous paper [] using an alternative statistical approach based on Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo. We measure oscillation parameters consistent with the previous results. We also extend our inferences to include the first NOvA measurements of the reactor mixing angle θ13, where we find 0.071≤sin22θ13≤0.107, and the Jarlskog invariant, where we observe no significant preference for the CP-conserving value J=0 over values favoring CP violation. We use these results to examine the effects of constraints from short-baseline measurements of θ13 using antineutrinos from nuclear reactors when making NOvA measurements of θ23. Our long-baseline measurement of θ13 is shown to be consistent with the reactor measurements, supporting the general applicability and robustness of the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata framework for neutrino oscillations. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Improving Agar Degradation Activity of Vibrio natriegens WPAGA4 via Atmospheric and Room Temperature Plasma (ARTP)

Agar oligosaccharides from the degradation of agar harbor great potential in the food and pharmaceutical industries. An agar-degrading bacterium, Vibrio natriegens WPAGA4, was isolated from the deep sea in our previous work. However, the agar-degrading activity of WPAGA4 remains to be improved for more production benefits of this strain. The aim of this study was to enhance the agar-degrading activity of WPAGA4 by using atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis. Three mutant strains, including T1, T2, and T3, with good genetic stability were obtained, and the agar-degrading activities of these strains increased by 136%, 141%, and 135%, respectively. The optimal temperature and pH for agar degradation were slightly changed in the mutant strains. No sequence mutation was detected in all the agarase genes of WPAGA4, including agaW3418, agaW3419, agaW3420, and agaW3472. However, ARPT mutagenesis increased the relative expression levels of agaW3418, agaW3419, and agaW3420 in the mutant strains, which could be the reason for the improvement of degradation activities in the mutant strains. Furthermore, T3 had the lowest consumption rate of agar oligosaccharide, which was 21% less than the wild-type strain. Therefore, T3 possessed a preferable production value due to its higher degrading activity and lower consumption of agar oligosaccharides. The current work enhanced the agar-degrading activity of WPAGA4 and offered strains with greater potential for agar oligosaccharide production, thereby laying the foundation for industrial applications.

ОСВІТНІЙ ПРОЄКТ «ЦІКАВА НАУКА ОНЛАЙН» ЯК ШЛЯХ КОМПЕНСАЦІЇОСВІТНІХ ВТРАТ В УМОВАХ ВІЙНИ В УКРАЇНІ

The article highlights the experience of implementing educational projects in the conditions of the transformation of education in Ukraine, which was caused by the war. Research conducted by the State Education Quality Service of Ukraine showed that compensation for the loss of study time most often occurs through providing students with educational materials and tasks for independent study. Group and individual consultations, additional training classes are held less frequently. The study notes that it is too difficult to assess how often these measures are implemented, given that most teachers complain of a lack of conditions and opportunities. Research conducted by us in the Ukrainian educational hubs of JRS Romania in Bucharest confirmed the feasibility of creating educational hubs as an effective form of non-formal education aimed at overcoming educational losses caused by martial law. The results of research and the search for possible ways to reduce the level of educational losses determined the need to introduce new forms of educational activity and more appropriate forms of pedagogical education. In the context of the mentioned problems, the training of natural science teachers in higher education institutions should correspond to the realities of life, the social order and be oriented towards the organization of the educational process online. The implementation of educational projects conducted online based on the STEM-oriented approach, as the experience described in the article has shown, is one of the possible ways to overcome existing educational challenges and ensures that the training of future teachers meets the modern demands of the market of educational services. An example of the implementation of the above ideas is the "Interesting Science Online" project. The idea of the project is to combine the efforts of forms, methods and technologies of formal and informal education to compensate for educational losses in emergency situations. The project's online studios were developed by us depending on the value orientations and preferences of the project participants. The studios of scientific rap, scientific TikTok, the studio "Know How" and "Battle of the Worlds" are actively working in the project. All online studios work under the leadership of students - masters of interesting science. Educational products created in the studios are presented during the work of the studios and in social networks on the project pages. The article presents an innovative form of pedagogical education, online university studios, which improve the quality of training future teachers to carry out educational activities online and demonstrate the possibilities of compensating for educational losses in wartime conditions.

Genetic variability, diversity, and character association for dry fruit yield and quality in chili

ABSTRACT Despite the high nutritional value and extensive consumer preference for chili, productivity levels in India are significantly low. An experiment was carried out to study the variability, genetic diversity, and character association in 30 genotypes. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all the traits under study. A high magnitude of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, coupled with heritability and genetic advance, was observed for all the traits, except days to first flowering, days to first fruit set, and days to final harvest. Diversity analysis showed that the maximum intercluster distance was observed between clusters IX and XII. Results of correlation and path coefficient analysis indicated that number of fruits per plants, fruit length, fruit weight, green fruit yield per plant, number of seeds per fruit, days to first flowering, and days to final harvest were positively correlated with dry fruit yield. It is concluded that improvement in fruit yield in chili pepper could be achieved by selecting genotypes from clusters IX and XII as parents for hybridization, and traits as components that have positive effect on yield.

Values as motivating factors for representatives of generation Z in the Czech Republic and Slovakia within the European context.

Generation Z is expected to officially surpass the Baby Boomers in the labor market by 2024 and to represent 30% of the global workforce by 2030. In the work environment, they are referred to oxymoronically as competitively ambivalent. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the reasons for this behavior and to identify initiatives that would facilitate understanding between Generation Z and other generations. The aim of the present study was to find out whether Generation Z in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which lives in conditions of deepening polarization of society and differentiated opportunities (e.g., in access to education, consumption of goods and services, work and entertainment), exhibits compatible value orientation or whether significant antagonisms exist in the value system. The study utilized the referential Schwartz's theory of values, which handles universal values dynamically. This theoretical framework was extended to include the dimension of instrumental values that were contextualized in the labor market environment. The results show that the representatives of Generation Z in the Czech Republic and Slovakia prefer collective values (Benevolence and Universalism) in the first two places. However, they subsequently lean toward two individual values (Hedonism and Self-Direction). The comparison of the results in the European context showed the same values being shared by the representatives of Generation Z with preference nuances. The comparison of Generation Z representatives with members of other generations in the European context showed consistency of sharing collective values (Benevolence and Universalism). Discussion: Intergenerational value congruence, as well as knowledge of the difference in preferred values across generations (the collectivism value of Tradition shared by Baby Boomers and Generation X, and Hedonism as an individualism value shared by Generation Y and Generation Z) can help the successful integration of Generation Z representatives in the labor market. A way toward intergenerational synergy can be the recommended strategies for managing Generation Z in the context of career paths: Flexibility of development; Gamification; Mentoring.

Specialization: A multidimensional and integrative perspective

AbstractSpecialization remains as a controversial and ambiguous term in ecology. Although it has been usually measured using a dichotomic and simplified classification of specialists and generalists, its nature is by far more complex. In the context of biotic interactions, assigning these two labels is usually based on the number of interacting partners (one or few vs. many). Here, we provide a more precise, quantitative, and objective interpretation of the specialization phenomenon combining three different dimensions (specificity, preference, and selectivity) that offer complementary information to quantify specialization. Hence, partner richness is a metric associated with the specificity, Simpson's evenness is related to the preference and d′ index to the selectivity of the biotic interactions. Consequently, we propose a 3D specialization space combining these three metrics which allows to identify the degree of biotic specialization fleeing from its simplified historical interpretation. The proposed space was subsequently evaluated in five natural interacting systems (host–parasite, plant–ant, plant–pollinator, plant–seed disperser, and mycobiont–cyanobacteria) using available data comprising 116 networks with quantitative observations. The results indicate the prevalence of a lax specialization, where most organisms tended to show low values in at least one of the metrics. Predominantly, observations showed high values of specificity and low values of preference and selectivity. This relaxed specialization provides advantages of being specialized, without sentencing it when being too tight. The implementation of this framework provides a useful tool that allows to identify specialization in a more objective, integrative, and universal way for future specialization studies.

Ethnobotany of Medical Plant by the Community in Sitellu Tali Urang Jehe Sub-District Pakpak Bharat District North Sumatera

Pakpak is one of the subethnic groups in North Sumatera that still uses many medicinal plants, especially the people in Sitellu Tali Urang Jahe. The aim of the study was to find out the types of plants used in medicine, to find out the organs of plants used for treatment, to find out how to use plants for treatment, to know the cultural significance of ICS which are used as medicinal plants by the people of Sitellu Tali Urang Jehe sub-district, Pakpak Bharat district. This research method was conducted using qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative research was carried out by participatory observation using literature and community knowledge about medicinal plants, while quantitative research was carried out by calculating the percentage of plant species, plant organs and calculating the value of the Cultural Significance Index (ICS). Based on the research results obtained 30 species of plants belonging to 21 families. Plant organs used as medicine are leaves 57%, stems 12%, flowers 9%, rhizomes 9%, roots 3% and fruit 3%. Utilization of plants as medicine, namely by drinking 48%, taped 48%, and dripped 3%. The Calculation of the ICS value of Piper betle L. has the highest preference or importance value among other plants, namely 50, while Alyxia sp., Ageratum conyzoides L., Angiopteris angustifolia, Cheilocostus speciousus, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Crassocephalum crepidioides, Crotasaria pallida, Desmodium heterophyllum, Impatiens platypetala, Oxalis barrelieri, Polygala paniculata, has the lowest importance value among other plants, namely 3.

Analisis Kebutuhan Air untuk Penanakan Nasi dengan Berbagai Jenis Beras

One of the factors affecting rice fluffy level is water and rice ratio in the process of cooking. This study aims to determine the effect of the ratio of rice and water to the nature of the tender of rice with scoring test conducted by several panelists and analyze the right water needs in the process of rice cooking. The research was conducted in February 2018, at the Laboratorium Rekayasa Bioproses dan Pascapanen, Jurusan Teknik Pertanian. This research used three types of rice, Rojolele, Cimelati, and IR 64 with the treatment of rice and water ratio: 5: 8,5: 9. 5:10, 5:11. Research stages include analysis of amylose content, duration of cooking, rehydration power, texture, and scoring test of level tender and level of fondness to the tender. The results showed that, the higher the water and rice ratio, the longer cooking time, the rehydration power increased, the texture was more tender. In the same water and rice ratio, Cimelati rice has the highest residence value than Rojolele and IR 64, while Rojolele rice has the lowest residence value compared to Cimelati and IR 64. The highest preference value of Rojolele rice rice is shown in the ratio of rice and water 5:11, while on rice Cimelati and IR 64 is 5:10. Keywords: Amylose, Rehydration Power, Fluffier, Ratio of Rice and Water, Rice.

Bioinformatics analysis of potential common pathogenic mechanisms for COVID-19 and venous thromboembolism

BackgroundA growing body of research has shown that patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have significantly higher rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than healthy. However, the mechanism remains incompletely elucidated. This study aimed to further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of this complication. MethodsThe gene expression profiles of COVID-19 and VTE were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After identifying the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for COVID-19 and VTE, functional annotation, a protein–protein interactions (PPI) network, module construction, and hub gene identification were performed. Finally, we constructed a transcription factor (TF)-gene regulatory network and a TF-miRNA regulatory network for hub genes. ResultsA total of 42 common DEGs were selected for subsequent analyses. Functional analyses showed that biological function and signaling pathways collectively participated in the development and progression of VTE and COVID-19. Finally, 8 significant hub genes were identified using the cytoHubba plugin, including RSL24D1, RPS17, RPS27, HINT1, COX7C, RPL35, RPL34, and NDUFA4, which had preferable values as diagnostic markers for COVID-19 and VTE. ConclusionsOur study revealed the common pathogenesis of COVID-19 and VTE. These common pathways and pivotal genes may provide new ideas for further mechanistic studies.

Optimization of Selection Suppliers for Rice Raw Material Using AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Processes) and TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) Methods in CV Gembira

CV Gembira is engaged in the production of Rice Mill with the trademark Osing Rice, and has 3 variants, namely Osing Super, Osing Premium and Osing Gold. Problems CV Gembira one of them is the delay in the delivery of rice raw materials carried out by supplier and also the quality of goods that do not meet the criteria. The AHP method is the preferred method. There are several reasons, namely, AHP provides a hierarchical representation of a problem that is useful in assisting decision making. The selection of the TOPSIS method as an auxiliary method is based on simple logic and has the farthest distance to the negative ideal solution. After performing calculations using the AHP and TOPSIS methods, alternative sequence results are obtained supplier the best that can be used by CV Gembira with a preference value of 0.6249 is owned by UD Bintang Timur.

Life Table Study of Liriomyza trifolii and Its Contribution to Thermotolerance: Responding to Long-Term Selection Pressure for Abamectin Resistance.

Liriomyza trifolii is a significant invasive pest that targets horticultural and vegetable crops, causing large-scale outbreaks characterized by pronounced thermotolerance and insecticide resistance. This study examined the impact of long-term selection for abamectin resistance during the larval stage of L. trifolii on its population dynamics and thermal tolerance. We conducted a comprehensive comparison between the abamectin-resistant strain (AB-R) and the susceptible strain (S), including age-stage, two-sex life table analysis, thermal preference (Tpref), critical thermal maximum (CTmax), heat knockdown times (HKDTs), eclosion and survival rates, and LtHsp expression under heat stress. Our results showed that while selection for abamectin resistance was detrimental to survival and reproduction, it activated self-defense mechanisms and rapid adaptive adjustments and conferred modest thermal tolerance, which suggests a dual nature of insecticide effects. The AB-R strain exhibited significantly higher thermal preference and CTmax values, along with a longer HKDT and improved survival. Additionally, there was a significant upregulation of LtHsp expression in the AB-R strain compared to the S strain. These findings indicate that the evolution of thermal adaptation was accompanied by abamectin resistance development, emphasizing the necessity of considering temperature effects when applying chemical control. Our study provides valuable insights into how physiological acclimation may help mitigate the toxic effects of insecticides and illustrate how insects respond to multiple environmental pressures.