Quality Function Research Articles

Assessing the Impact of Ghee, Olive Oil and Margarine on Male Rabbit Fertility and Reproductive Hormones.

In the present investigation, the impact of natural ghee, olive oil and synthetic margarine on the fertility parameters of male rabbits was evaluated by examining semen quality, fertility hormones, antioxidant markers, lipid profile, and liver and kidney functions. Eighty male rabbits were randomly allotted into four groups (20 rabbits each, four replicates/group). The basal diet supplemented the control group; the margarine group was fed a 10% margarine diet, the ghee group was fed a 10% ghee diet, and the olive oil group was fed a 10% olive oil diet. In the margarine group, the semen quality parameters, total testosterone levels, free testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and antioxidant enzyme levels as catalase showed a significant reduction compared to other groups. At the same time, they were enhanced in ghee and olive oil groups. A substantial increase of triglyceride (TAG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol, with a decrease of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, were observed in the margarine group contrasted to ghee and olive oil groups. The ghee and the olive oil-treated group showed strong immunoreactions of androgen, FSH, LH receptors and mild caspase 3 in testicular tissue compared to the margarine-treated group. Finally, histopathological examination of rabbit testicular tissue showed proliferation of basal spermatogenic cells, increased luminal spermatid of seminiferous epithelium, and proliferation of interstitial cells in normal interstitial tissue in the ghee and olive oil treated group. Still, it showed severe vacuolation and necrosis in the basal luminal seminiferous epithelium and congestion of blood vessels in the margarine group. This present study revealed that the health influence of olive oil and ghee is better than margarine on male fertility parameters.

Polysaccharides from Cordyceps cicadae Ameliorate Reproductive Impairments in Male Mouse through the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis.

Cordyceps cicadae polysaccharides have received attention due to their potential in treating hyperglycemia and enhancing renal function. The beneficial effect of the purified C. cicadae polysaccharides fraction (CCP-1) on the reproductive impairments and spermatogenesis dysfunction of immunocompromised mice is unavailable and is studied herein. The study establishes a GC-1 spg cell apoptosis model induced by TNF-α+SM-164 (TS) and male mouse reproductive injury model induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX), and then intervened by CCP-1. CCP-1 improves the viability of GC-1 spg cell and inhibits cells apoptosis induced by TS in vitro. CCP-1 enhances sperm quality and spermatogenesis function, as well as ameliorating the histological lesions in the hypothalamus, testicular, and kidney. CCP-1 elevates gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) level that secreted by the hypothalamus, and increases the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteizing hormone (LH) in the anterior pituitary stimulated by GnRH, and promotes the secretion of testosterone (T) by testis. Moreover, CCP-1 could protect the reproductive system by activating reproductive regulatory pathway such as SCF/C-kit pathway and inhibiting apoptotic signaling pathway such as Bax/Caspase-3 pathway. These results manifest that CCP-1 could serve as a natural promising reproductive system protective supplement for ameliorating CTX biotoxicity.

Natural and Engineered Ocean Inflow Projects to Improve Water Quality Through Increased Exchange

Globally, the health of coastal water bodies continues to be threatened by climate change and mounting anthropogenic pressures related to population increase and associated development. Land use changes have increased the direct runoff of freshwater, nutrients, and other contaminants from watersheds into coastal systems. Exacerbated by increased temperatures, these changes have contributed to a worldwide decline in seagrass coverage and losses of critical habitat and ecosystem functions. For restricted estuaries and lagoons, the influx of nutrients is particularly damaging due to high water residence times and impaired flushing. The result is eutrophication and associated declines in water quality and ecosystem function. To mitigate degraded water quality, engineered ocean–estuary exchanges have been carried out and studied with examples in Australia, New Zealand, India, Denmark, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United States of America. Based on successes including decreased nutrient concentrations, turbidity, and chlorophyll and increased faunal abundance in some past studies, this option is considered as a management tool for combatting worsening water quality in other estuaries including the Indian River Lagoon, a subtropical, lagoon-type estuary on the central east coast of Florida, USA. Decreased residence times, lower nutrients, higher dissolved oxygen (DO), higher salinity, lower temperature, and lower turbidity all combine for improved ecosystem health. In this review, the successes and failures of past projects intended to increase ocean–estuary exchanges, including biological and geochemical processes that contributed to observed outcomes, are evaluated. The primary indicators of water quality considered in this review include nutrient contents (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) and dissolved oxygen levels. Secondary indicators include changes in temperature and salinity pre- and post- engineering as well as turbidity, which can also impact seagrass growth and overall ecosystem health. Each of the sites investigated recorded improvements in water quality, though some were more pronounced and occurred over shorter time scales. Overall, enhanced ocean exchange in restricted, impaired water bodies resulted in system-specific response trajectories, with many experiencing a net positive outcome with respect to water quality and ecosystem health.

Recurring Network Node Performance Evaluation Model for Enhancing the QOS Levels in 6G Enabled WSN

Among the many promising qualities of the Sixth Generation (6G) are its ultra-dense connection, integrated sensing and communication, secure communication, very high data rate, energy and spectrum efficiency, and ultra-reliable low latency communication. Novel approaches to environmental protection and resource monitoring have evolved with new forms of communication networks made possible by technological advancements. When it comes to environmental research and science, 6G enabled Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) plays a key role. There are several fields that can benefit from WSNs, including robotics, environmental monitoring, medicine, and the military. The Quality-of-Service (QoS) is a critical concern in wireless sensor applications because to the increasing demand for their use in various domains. Because the resources accessible from sensors and the many applications operating over these networks have varied limits in nature and requirements, ensuring QoS in WSNs is complex and increasingly demanding. Delays, throughput, jitter, and other network-level indicators used to be the main focus of QoS efforts. In this research, a model for providing suitable QoS measures for WSN is proposed, including service, reliability, and availability, all of which contribute to the preservation of high-quality service. Availability, Dependability, and Serviceability are the parameters considered for providing QoS. 6G wireless networks are largely focused on enhanced intelligence, synchronization of resources and topology from beginning to end, and the inherent support for high-bandwidth, low-latency communication. With these features, cyber physical user experiences that are rich in context are feasible. As a result, defining and identifying the function of quality of experience in 6G networks is crucial, particularly for network administration. To optimize application service satisfaction, a WSN should learn to govern the network's overall performance based on QoS characteristics, which guarantee the transfer of information. This research proposes a Recurring Network Node Performance Evaluation Model (RNN-PEM) for enhancing the QoS levels in 6G enabled WSN. The proposed model when compared with the traditional models, provided enhanced QoS levels.

Multi-Objective Optimization Design of Traditional Soil Dwelling Renovation Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process—Quality Function Deployment—Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II: Case Study in Tuyugou Village in Turpan, Xinjiang

As the socio-economic landscape expands and tourism flourishes, the traditional earthen dwellings of Tuyugou Village, Turpan, Xinjiang, face significant challenges, including low energy efficiency and suboptimal living comfort, necessitating data-driven and scientifically robust renovation strategies. Existing renovation methods, however, often lack empirical support and rely heavily on the subjective judgments of architects, thus hindering the effective preservation and transmission of cultural heritage. This research addresses the renovation of these traditional dwellings by employing the AHP method to systematically evaluate user requirements, with input from diverse stakeholders, including homeowners, tourists, experts, and government authorities. The study then applies the QFD method to construct the House of Quality, translating user needs into specific design attributes; this is followed by a comprehensive quantitative analysis for optimization. A novel multi-objective optimization model (MOP) is introduced, with materials as the central focus, addressing key aspects of engineering, culture, and energy conservation. The NSGA-II algorithm is utilized to generate optimal Pareto solutions, which are then further refined using the entropy-weighted VIKOR method. Among the ten pre-selected renovation solutions, the sixth design plan was identified as the optimal choice, excelling in cost control, cultural integration, and energy performance. Specifically, it achieved a unit construction cost of RMB 340.566/m2, a cultural adaptability score of 1.5364, and an energy cost of RMB 352.793/kWh, thereby demonstrating an effective balance between traditional architectural elements and modern requirements. The objective decision making enabled by the VIKOR method successfully balances cultural preservation with contemporary needs, enhancing both living standards and tourism appeal. This study offers innovative and empirically grounded renovation strategies for traditional dwellings in arid and semi-arid climates, providing a framework that effectively balances cultural preservation and modernization.

An Assessment Mechanism for Integrated Software Sustainability Evaluation Model via Evaluation Theory

Evaluation of software sustainability aids in decision-maker’s identification of the specific actions needed to guarantee sustainability for current and future generations. The prior approach to assessment focused on how the business environment was changing and using the high-quality software sustainability evaluation model (SSEM) affected those changes. Numerous well-established quality models, concepts, and understandings impacted on SSEM trends. These act as frameworks for developing software evaluations, the outcomes of which are applied to the assessment of generic software procedures. Therefore, this research aimed to use Evaluation Theory (ET) to create an assessment mechanism for an integrated Software Sustainability Evaluation Model (i-SSEM). This model encompasses evaluation criteria, targets, assessment processes, data-gathering techniques, synthesis techniques, and yardsticks. Nine criteria are presented in this study to evaluate software sustainability encompassing functional adequacy, dependability, performance efficiency, usability, security, compatibility, maintainability, portability, and impactibility. The use of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology, effectively classifies the recommended criteria into sustainable dimensions. A Goal Question Metric (GQM) is used to establish the software criteria by precisely specifying the aim, perspectives, and viewpoints of an evaluation of the sustainability aspects. By highlighting the unique evaluation mechanism for software products and processes and utilizing both quantitative and qualitative measurement techniques, this model improves the current SSEM.

Sleep quality and cognitive function on self-rated health status among the elderly: Findings from the Indonesian family life survey (IFLS-5)

Sleep quality and cognitive function on self-rated health status among the elderly: Findings from the Indonesian family life survey (IFLS-5)

Improving the Dynamics of an Electrical Drive Using a Modified Controller Structure Accompanied by Delayed Inputs

This paper presents the operation of a modified speed controller with a standard PI/PID structure that includes the preprocessing of the controller’s input signal, focusing on the past behavior of control errors. The modification involves adding a delay line, with the outputs of the individual line segments summed with a weighting method, as detailed in the paper. One of the significant advantages of this method is its use of a standard industrial controller structure, which makes it highly practical and easily implementable in existing systems. By relying on well-established control frameworks, this approach reduces the need for specialized hardware or complex modifications, allowing for smoother integration and lower implementation costs. The delay-based signal shaping shows excellent properties for the electric drive system powered by a hard-switching PWM converter. The set of weighted delays acts as a filter whose parameters are chosen using the quality function to test different configurations for optimal performance. When tested in a speed control system for a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, the modifications improved the control quality index, indicating better performance and efficiency. Importantly, the system allows for reducing or eliminating the gain in the differentiating part of the controller, which decreases motor current chattering and noise. This paper includes an experimental verification of the proposed solution in a laboratory setting under semi-industrial conditions.

Association between weight reduction achieved with tirzepatide and quality of life in adults with obesity: Results from the SURMOUNT-1 study.

The SURMOUNT-1 trial investigated effects of tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, on body weight in participants with obesity or overweight. This analysis evaluated changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) assessing physical function, psychosocial well-being, and overall health aspects of participants' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in SURMOUNT-1. PRO instruments included the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite Clinical Trials version (IWQOL-Lite-CT), Short Form Survey-36 version 2 (SF-36v2) and EQ-5D-5L. Scores were analysed by treatment group and by categorical degree of weight reduction group: >0 to <5%, ≥5 to <10%, ≥10 to <20% and ≥20%. Relevant PROs were evaluated for participants with or without physical or psychosocial limitations at baseline, as measured by Patient Global Impression of Status for physical activity (PGIS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), respectively. All tirzepatide groups demonstrated significant improvements in PRO scores versus placebo. There was a consistent trend of incremental PRO improvement with greater degrees of weight reduction, starting from ≥5% weight reduction. Participants achieving ≥20% weight reduction demonstrated the greatest changes from baseline to week 72 (SF-36v2 Physical Component Summary, 4.60; SF-36v2 Mental Component Summary, 0.80; IWQOL-Lite CT Total score, 24.7). Those with baseline physical and psychosocial limitations experienced greater improvements than those without. Tirzepatide treatment was associated with improved HRQoL compared to placebo in people with overweight or obesity. Higher percentages of weight reduction were associated with greater improvements. Clinical trial registration number for SURMOUNT-1: NCT04184622.

Elevated N-glycosylated cathepsin L impairs oocyte function and contributes to oocyte senescence during reproductive aging.

Age-related declines in oocyte quality and ovarian function are pivotal contributors to female subfertility in clinical settings. Yet, the mechanisms driving ovarian aging and oocyte senescence remain inadequately understood. The present study evaluated the alterations in N-glycoproteins associated with ovarian aging and noted a pronounced elevation in N221 glycopeptides of cathepsin L (Ctsl) in the ovaries of reproductive-aged mice (8-9 months and 11-12 months) compared to younger counterparts (6-8 weeks). Subsequent analysis examined the involvement of Ctsl in oocyte aging and demonstrated a significant elevation in Ctsl levels in aged oocytes. Further, it was revealed that the overexpression of Ctsl in young oocytes substantially diminished their quality, while oocytes expressing an N221-glycosylation mutant of Ctsl did not suffer similar quality degradation. This finding implies that the N221 glycosylation of Ctsl is pivotal in modulating its effect on oocyte health. The introduction of a Ctsl inhibitor into the culture medium restored oocyte quality in aged oocytes by enhancing mitochondrial function, reducing accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS), lowering apoptosis, and recovering lysosome capacity. Furthermore, the targeted downregulation of Ctsl using siRNA microinjection in aged oocytes enhanced fertilization capability and blastocyst formation, affirming the role of Ctsl knockdown in fostering oocyte quality and embryonic developmental potential. In conclusion, these findings underscore the detrimental effects of high expression of N-glycosylated Ctsl on oocyte quality and its contribution to oocyte senescence, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target to delay ovarian aging and enhance oocyte viability.

Effectiveness of telerehabilitation versus face-to-face pulmonary rehabilitation on physical function and quality of life in people with post COVID-19 condition: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) is characterized by the persistence of symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection for more than 12 weeks, with worsening quality of life and physical function deconditioning being among the most commonly reported persistent symptoms. Pulmonary rehabilitation has emerged as a safe and viable option for these patients. Administered either face-to-face (FTF) or telemedicine (TL), it has been shown to improve symptoms associated with PCC. However, little is known about which approach is best for this population. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis on the efficacy of FTF versus TL compared to usual care in improving physical function and quality of life (physical and mental) in patients with PCC. A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was performed from 2020 to January 5th, 2024. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment; this selection included only randomized controlled trials. A network meta-analysis was performed to compare the effects of FTF and TL with usual care. Multivariate and univariate analysis were performed to evaluate the best intervention. Data were extracted from 10 studies, five of which were treated with FTF and five of which were TL, involving 765 adults with PCC, ranging in age from 22 to 66 years. Interventions consisted of isolated or combined exercises (aerobic, resistance, breathing) and lasted between three and ten weeks in most of the included studies. Multivariate analysis found that FTF produced significant differences compared to TL or usual care with moderate quality of evidence. Univariate analysis found that significant differences were only found for physical function and mental domain of quality of life for TL vs. usual care, with moderate quality of evidence. This study supports the use of FTF as a therapy to improve physical function and quality of life in patients with PCC. However, in the absence of differences between FTF and TL in the univariate model for any of the outcomes studied, the choice of the form of pulmonary rehabilitation administration should be individualized. Future studies should compare FTF with TL directly to clarify which is the best approach.

The effect of health education on symptom severity in patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain as the primary symptom. To evaluate the effect of health education on the severity of various symptoms in patients with FM, seven databases were searched from inception to August 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of health education for FM. The primary outcome was overall symptom severity, and the secondary outcomes were pain, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, fatigue, physical function and self-efficacy. The Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized trials and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations were used to assess the quality of the included studies and the certainty of evidence, respectively. Treatment effects were estimated by calculating Hedges' g and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Meta-analysis included a total of 13 trials. The results revealed that health education significantly reduced overall symptom severity, depression and anxiety and increased sleep quality and physical function among patients with FM (all P values < 0.05). However, no significant effects were observed on pain, fatigue and self-efficacy. Health education may be a beneficial intervention for FM patients, particularly for mitigating symptom severity. Health-care providers should implement health education interventions to empower patients to effectively manage their symptoms.

Effect of Telerehabilitation-Based Motor Imagery Training on Pain and Related Factors in People with Multiple Sclerosis: Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of telerehabilitation-based graded motor imagery (MI,GMI) training on pain and pain-related factors in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). DesignRandomized controlled, assessor-blind pilot trial with repeated measure design. SettingNeurology outpatient clinic. ParticipantsThirty-two people with MS were randomly allocated to intervention (n=16) and control (n=16) groups. InterventionsDuring 8-week GMI training period, the first 2-weeks involved implicit MI training while 6-weeks explicit MI training were conducted. Main OutcomeThe primary outcome was the general pain intensity over the past two days, assessed with Visual Analogue Scale, with a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of 23 mm. Secondary outcomes included general pain and specific body parts' pain intensity over the past seven days, neuropathic pain intensity, MI ability, fatigue, depression, anxiety, quality of life, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and cognitive functions scores. Assessments were conducted at baseline, at weeks 8 (post-treatment) and 12 (follow-up). ResultsThe intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in pain intensity over the past two days compared to control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, at the 8-week assessment, the intervention group surpassed the MCID in pain intensity over the past 2 and 7 days (p<0.05), whereas no significant change was observed in the control group (p>0.05). Significant effects were observed post-treatment on general pain over the past seven days, neuropathic pain, MI ability, fatigue, depression, quality of life, processing speed, and visuospatial memory within intervention group compared to control group (p<0.05). However, the impact on anxiety, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and verbal memory between groups were not significant (p>0.05). ConclusionTelerehabilitation-based GMI training stands out as viable for management of chronic pain and pain-related psychosocial symptoms for people with MS.

Association between sleep quality and cognitive impairment in older adults hypertensive patients in China: a case–control study

BackgroundPrevious studies have found that poor sleep quality promotes the occurrence of cognitive impairment (CI), but this relationship has been rarely reported in older adults hypertensive patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and CI in older adults hypertensive patients and the mediating effect of sleep quality between physical activity (PA) and CI.MethodsA total of 2072 older adults hypertensive patients were included in this case–control study. Five hundred and eighteen older adults hypertensive patients with CI were matched 1:3 by age and sex to 1,554 older adults hypertensive patients with normal cognitive function. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Mini-Mental State Examination were used to evaluate PA intensity, sleep quality, and cognitive function in older adults hypertensive patients. Multivariate logistic regression and the mediation package in R Language were used to analyze the relationship between sleep quality and CI and the mediating effect of sleep quality between PA intensity and CI in older adults hypertensive patients.ResultsAfter adjusting for all confounding factors, sleep quality was positively correlated with CI in older adults hypertensive patients (OR = 2.565, 95%CI: 1.958–3.360, p &amp;lt; 0.001), and this relationship also existed in the older adults hypertensive patients with education levels of primary school and below and junior high school and above (OR = 2.468, 95%CI: 1.754–3.473, p &amp;lt; 0.001; OR = 2.385, 95%CI: 1.367–4.161, p = 0.002). In addition, sleep quality mediated part of the mediating effect between PA intensity and CI in older adults hypertensive patients (Za*Zb: - 17.19339; 95%CI: −0.37312, −0.04194).ConclusionPoor sleep quality was associated with the occurrence of CI in older adults hypertensive patients, and this relationship also existed in older adults hypertensive patients with education levels of primary school and below and junior high school and above.

Soil quality and vegetation identification in closed sand-gravel mining area in West Java, Indonesia

This paper examines the soil quality and vegetation identification in a closed sand gravel mining area in West Java, Indonesia. Revegetation of disturbed mining areas is crucial in restoring soil quality and environmental function. The native plants play a pivotal role in accelerating this process. The goal of this mixed-methods study in closed sand-gravel mining was to look at the nutrient profile, texture, and microbial count of the soil in two places in the foothills of a closed mine, as well as to find and name the plant species that naturally grow well and to find and name the plant species that naturally grow well when it rains. The observation showed that the soil near the spring was more fertile than the soil away from the spring, and the soil surrounding the spring supported a higher plant density. The study area supported the growth of 22 plants, including two trees, 13 shrubs, two sedges, four grasses, and one fern. Notably, two perennial trees–Mexican lilac and beech wood–were successfully grown during the initial greening program conducted three years ago. The bacterial and fungal counts for both soils were 109 colony-forming units (CFU) per g and 104 CFU/g, respectively. We found different morphology in the soil fungal colonies, while the bacteria colonies remained homogenous. The results underscore that the soil in the disturbed mine area still supported the native plant growth. These findings are crucial for the preservation of these native plants, making them crucial for the intensive revegetation of the mining area prior to the introduction of suitable perennial trees.

Low-Dose Morphine Does Not Cause Sleepiness in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Rationale: Regular, low-dose, sustained-release morphine is frequently prescribed for persistent breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, effects on daytime sleepiness, perceived sleep quality, and daytime function have not been rigorously investigated. Objectives: We sought to determine the effects of regular, low-dose, sustained-release morphine on sleep parameters in COPD. Methods: We conducted prespecified secondary analyses of validated sleep questionnaire data from a randomized trial of daily, low-dose, sustained-release morphine versus placebo over 4 weeks commencing at 8 or 16 mg/d with blinded up-titration over 2 weeks to a maximum of 32 mg/d. Primary outcomes for these analyses were Week-1 Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) scores on morphine versus placebo. Secondary outcomes included Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire scores (end of Weeks 1 and 4), KSS and ESS scores beyond Week 1, and associations between breathlessness, morphine, and questionnaire scores. Measurements and Main Results: One hundred fifty-six people were randomized. Week-1 sleepiness scores were not different on morphine versus placebo (ΔESS [95% confidence interval] versus placebo: 8-mg group, -0.59 [-1.99, 0.81], P = 0.41; 16-mg group, -0.72 [-2.33, 0.9], P = 0.38; ΔKSS vs. placebo, 8-mg group: 0.11 [-0.7, 0.9], P = 0.78; 16-mg group, -0.41 [-1.31, 0.49], P = 0.37). This neutral effect persisted at later time points. In addition, participants who reported reduced breathlessness with morphine at 4 weeks also showed improvement in LSEQ domain scores including perceived sleep quality and daytime function. Conclusions: Regular, low-dose morphine does not worsen sleepiness when used for breathlessness in COPD. Individual improvements in breathlessness with morphine may be related to improvements in sleep. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02720822).

Effects of the Piston Skirt’s Surface Structure on Coating Quality and Friction Functions

It is necessary to take effective ways to reduce friction and wear grading of a friction pair for the purpose of improving the thermal efficiency and operating reliance of the internal combustion engine. As an effective way, coordinated multi-scaling structure optimization has gained more and more attention, however, its effect on coating adhesion strength remains unclear, and there is less systematic research on its interactive role in friction properties. The paper takes advantage of the stretching test and dynamic simulation calculation to study the influence of piston skirt waviness on coating adhesion as well as profile, waviness, and roughness on friction and wear performance. The research results show that coating adhesion strength will increase first and then decrease in the conditions of enlarging waviness depth, width, and roughness; in addition, surface roughness could generate a bigger effect on coating adhesion than waviness shape. Increasing the waviness width also reduces friction losses and wear in the piston skirt. When the waviness width increases from 0.25 mm to 0.40 mm, the friction losses of the piston skirt decrease by 27%, and the cumulative wear load on the skirt is reduced by 26%. However, under conditions of limited lubrication, smaller waviness widths are more effective in reducing wear. Additionally, increased roughness has a negative impact on the friction and wear characteristics of the piston skirt. This study provides valuable guidance for optimizing designs aimed at reducing friction and wear in internal combustion engine pistons and other mechanical components subject to friction and wear.

The relationship between audit committees, external auditors, and internal control systems: a literature review and a research agenda

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the relationship between audit committees, external auditors and internal control systems (ICS) and strives to point out mutual influences between the instances to provide an integrated perspective for firms’ multilateral monitoring mechanisms. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the incorporation of sustainability and fraud considerations into the traditional roles of audit committees and auditors. Design/methodology/approach This structured literature review is based on 71 empirical-quantitative studies published in high-quality journals between 2005 and 2022. Considering the classification of ICS into ICS quality and internal audit function, the studies are analyzed with regard to audit committees’ and external auditors’ characteristics, divided into incentives and competencies, as well as their mutual relationships. Findings This study highlights a dynamic trilateral network of relationships between monitoring authorities and primarily shows that audit committees equipped with adequate competencies generate a substitutive effect for external auditors by reducing their efforts, whereas ICS quality serves as a possible mediator in this network of relationships. The establishment of an integrative three-party coalition of competent and adequately incentivized monitoring parties is essential to guarantee sufficient and appropriate ICS and overall corporate governance quality. Practical implications The findings should prompt legislators and firms to ensure a deeper collaboration between audit committees, internal auditors and external auditors to generate synergy effects and economies of scale within the integrative monitoring process. Legislators should develop stricter requirements for competencies of audit committees and auditors. These should include a holistic triad of sustainability, fraud and digital expertise as well as mandatory forensic procedures performed by all monitoring bodies. Originality/value The authors contribute to prior research by highlighting the importance of an integrative three-party coalition of monitoring authorities to ensure corporate governance quality and to generate synergy effects within a dynamic multilateral monitoring process. Furthermore, the authors offer cutting-edge implications by stressing the need for consideration of sustainability and fraud aspects in the traditional work and profiles of audit committees and auditors.

Proposed Improvement of Trans Semanggi Suroboyo Services Using IPA and QFD Methods

The high intensity of private vehicle usage has led to uncontrolled road congestion. To encourage residents to switch to public transportation, the Surabaya City Government introduced Trans Semanggi Suroboyo. Trans Semanggi Suroboyo experienced a decrease in passengers in 2023, with a decline of 324,711 passengers. Based on a preliminary survey with direct interviews conducted with 35 Trans Semanggi Suroboyo passengers, frequent complaints were related to service and facilities. Therefore, it is important to analyze and propose improvements to the services of Trans Semanggi Suroboyo as public transportation in Surabaya. To enhance the quality of services and facilities, it is essential to identify and evaluate passenger perceptions using service quality dimensions based on the Decree of the Director General of Land Transportation Number SK.5923/AJ.005/DRJD/2016. The most important service quality priorities for passengers are measured using the Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) method. This research identified 9 critical attributes that require improvement. Subsequently, a service quality improvement design was developed using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach through the House of Quality (HoQ) matrix, resulting in 5 priority technical responses. Based on these findings, a plan for improving the service and facilities of the Trans Semanggi Suroboyo bus was proposed to maintain the quality of public transportation services.

Hiking Backpack Design Development with Integrated Splint Feature for Fracture Injuries

The background of this design is the risk of fracture injury to climbers when mountaineering. According to the International Alpine Trauma Registry (IATR), there were 306 mountaineering accidents resulting in fractures in 2019. First aid for fractures requires standardized equipment and methods to assist the rescue process. The problem studied is the difficulty of climbers in utilizing climbing equipment as splints when treating fracture victims on the mountain. The purpose of this design is to develop climbing equipment so that it can be converted into a means of bandaging to perform first aid for fracture injuries. The design method used is Quality Function Deployment (QFD), to determine the priority aspects related to the specifications of the means of massaging that users want. The result of the design is a backpack product with an internal frame that applies a collapsible mechanism so that it can be quickly accessed in an emergency and can be adjusted according to the dimensions of the body part that has a fracture injury. The developed splint design successfully meets the criteria for dimensional customization to the user's body and can immobilize the fracture according to standard first aid procedures.