Reliable Criteria Research Articles

An enhanced $$H_\infty$$ filtering delay dependent criteria for continuous systems with varying time-delays

An enhanced $$H_\infty$$ filtering delay dependent criteria for continuous systems with varying time-delays

Internet of Thing (IOT) Based Sensor Technologies and Smart Irrigation System: An Analysis of Critical Success Factors in Emerging Markets

ABSTRACT: This study explores how smart irrigation systems can be improved by introducing advanced technologies and reducing water consumption to fight climate change. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the success of smart irrigation systems based on the Internet of Things with the mediation of optimal consumption management. This is an applied research employing mixed methodologies (qualitative-quantitative). Initially, the semi-structured interviews were carried out to obtain the effective success factors of the smart irrigation system. Analysis in the qualitative section has been conducted using the Maxqda software. For the quantitative study, a 25-statement questionnaire was applied according to the selected codes obtained with a five-point Likert scale to validate the obtained model. The questionnaire was distributed online in January 2023, and analysis was conducted using SmartPLS3 software. The technical aspects of the questionnaire were assessed using validity and reliability criteria, which can guarantee the precision of the research findings. Construct and content validity were employed in this study to examine the questionnaire’s validity. The researchers employed Cronbach’s alpha coefficient to evaluate the reliability of the measurement instrument. Besides, it can be said that the research instrument has acceptable reliability because obtained Cronbach’s alpha for all variables was greater than 0.70 and the questionnaire’s overall alpha was determined to be 0.810. Furthermore, the t-statistics for all research hypotheses is higher than 1.96 at the 95% confidence level. In this sense, the hypotheses of the research were confirmed. The Internet of Things and will change the nature of activities and services in the market. In fact, for emerging markets, the untapped and growing investment opportunities and the economic leap against the Internet of Things are so enticing and facilitating that it is impossible to resist. and neglecting it will cause irreparable damage to agility. Therefore, the success of the Internet of Things for emerging markets depends on the preconditions of integration of activities carried out by decision-making organizations, facilitation of regulations, and communication and interaction between relevant sectors, which should be considered a priority through cross-sectoral research.

К безопасности труда при транспортировании гидросмесей по трубопроводу

The article describes the technology of pipeline transportation of hydraulic mixtures for stowing at underground mining. The relevance of optimization of the hydraulic mixture transportation processes is based on the fact that filling the excavated space during its abandonment is the main factor of injury prevention among workers and the integrity of industrial facilities. The aim of the study is to detail the hardening mixture transportation methods for increased distance compared to the reached distance. The maximum damage factor is a rockslide into the open excavated space; therefore, the delivery of stowing pulp to the location of use minimizes the hazard for miners. The advantages of the proposed solution are substantiated by the adopted study methods. The study results can be used for the development of a set of protective measures. The applied mixture transportation methods have been analyzed. The practices of hydraulic mixture transportation for the distance of 2.5 km, which exceeded the best global achievements, have been described. Models of the description of hydraulic mixture transportation have been provided including the models obtained by calculations and experimental pressure loss. The operation schedules in forced mode for pipeline transport have been provided. It has been demonstrated that the optimization of aspects of the issue is specifically relevant for the intensification of processes of metal deposit development. The outcomes of the experimental study can be used when involving accumulated washery refuse in the treatment. It is recommended to determine the parameters of efficient delivery of hydraulic mixtures in vibration-induced mode by modelling in accordance with the criteria of distance and reliability of transportation. The recommendations on the use of hydraulic mixture delivery technology in forced mode can be required when developing mineral deposits by open and underground methods and training highly qualified personnel.

Validity of Project Model Science Learning Tools Assisted by Augmented Reality to Improve Students' Literacy and Creative Thinking Abilities

The development of project model science learning tools assisted by augmented reality has been carried out to improve students' literacy and creative thinking abilities. This development research aims to produce a valid product and describe the results of the validation of the learning device so that it is suitable for use in the learning process. This type of research is research and development with 4D model design which consists of the definition, design, development and dissemination stages. Validation of learning tools was carried out by three competent expert validators at Mataram University. The development of augmented reality-assisted project model science learning tools developed consists of a syllabus, lesson plans, teaching materials, LKPD, augmented reality media as well as scientific literacy test instruments and creative thinking ability test instruments. The results of the research show that the project model science learning tools assisted by augmented reality have very valid and reliable criteria so that they are suitable for use in the science learning process in schools to improve students' scientific literacy and creative thinking abilities.

THE EFFECTS OF TRUST, STORE IMAGE AND CONSUMER JUDGMENT ON REPEAT PURCHASES MEDIATING CONSUMER SATISFACTION VARIABLES ALFAMIDI DEMAK AREA

The purpose of this study was to determine how much influence trust, store image and consumer judgment have on repeat purchases through customer satisfaction, because Alfamid customers are the mediator of research. The population of the people taken in the study is the number of Alfamidi customers in the Demak area, the exact number of which is unknown, the sampling technique of course uses purposive sampling, where the sample size is 110 consumer representatives. The validity and reliability criteria applied in this study also use Amos free calculations for data analysis and calculation. The main conclusions of this study are that trust has a positive and significant impact on customer satisfaction; customer satisfaction is positively affected by store image and also positively affects customer satisfaction; consumer judgment is positively affected by customer satisfaction but does not significantly affect customer satisfaction. trust has a positive and significant impact in relation to repeat purchases.Store image has a positive, but not significant impact in relation to repeat purchases; consumer judgment has a positive, but not significant impact in relation to repeat purchases. Consumer satisfaction has a positive and significant impact on repeat purchase behavior. trust has a positive and significant impact on the purchase of goods through consumer satisfaction feedback, while store image has a positive and significant impact on the purchase of goods through consumer consumer feedback, and consumer judgment evaluation has a positive and significant impact on the repurchase of goods through consumer satisfaction feedback

Cortinarius (Basidiomycota, Cortinariaceae) section Crassispori revisited: resolving the C. chevassutii complex and demystifying C. variebulbus

Numerous collections made in deciduous and evergreen oak woodlands of Europe allowed us to re-evaluate, both morphologically and molecularly, the systematic position and taxonomic boundaries of Cortinarius chevassutii f. personatus. This infraspecific taxon and Cortinarius chevassutii share the same ecological niche, an identical distribution pattern, and can even co-occur in the same spot, making their distinction quite challenging, morphologically. However, the phylogenetic analysis of our broad dataset supports two reproductively isolated taxa that both deserve the rank of species. According to recent findings, Cortinarius pseudobulliardioides is the name to apply to the former C. chevassutii f. personatus. Based on present knowledge, spore size and average length/width ratio represents the most reliable diagnostic criterion to separate the two species. Additionally, through next generation sequencing (Illumina) of its holotype, we here reveal the phylogenetic position of Cortinarius variebulbus within the same sect. Crassispori. Recent phylogenetically confirmed collections of this species allow us to document and illustrate this taxon for the first time.

Development of Numeracy Problems Based on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to Measure Critical Thinking Ability

One of the 21st-century skills that students must possess is critical thinking. An instrument is needed to assess the level of success in developing students' critical thinking abilities. The contribution of this research is the development of numeracy problems based on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) that can measure students' critical thinking abilities. This research is quantitative, with analysis using Ministep software and involving 75 students as research subjects. Numeracy problems were developed using the 3-D model with the stages of define, design, and develop. The results of this study indicate that the 15 developed numeracy problems are valid as they meet at least one criterion of validity and reliability, with an item reliability value of 0.96. This suggests that the instrument can effectively measure critical thinking skills, cover a diverse range of difficulty levels, and ensure that the formulated questions are suitable for measuring and assessing various student abilities. These results indicate that the ESD-based numeracy problems developed can be used as reference material in similar research or studies related to the analysis of students' critical thinking abilities in solving ESD-based numeracy problems.

Optimization of Material Utilization by Developing a Reliable Design Criterion for Tool Construction in Cross-Wedge Rolling

The massive forming industry in Germany produces around 1.4 million parts every year, which are mainly used in safety-relevant areas such as the automotive industry. The production of these parts requires a considerable amount of energy, much of which remains unused and causes high CO2 emissions. An efficient approach to reduce these emissions and improve material utilization is cross-wedge rolling, which enables efficient material utilization but is limited by the so-called Mannesmann effect, which leads to unwanted material defects. This paper describes the development and validation of a safe design criterion for cross-wedge rolling tools in order to avoid material damage caused by the Mannesmann effect and thus increase resource efficiency in forging. Based on simulation-supported investigations and experimental tests, process maps are created for various materials. The validation is carried out both in an experimental test facility with real tools and in an industrial production facility, which leads to a significant reduction in excess material and CO2 emissions. The results show that the full resource potential of cross-wedge rolling can be exploited by optimizing process parameters and tool geometries.

Variability and Diversity Studies Using Morpho-physiological Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Irrigated and Rainfed Conditions

A study was conducted at Rice and Wheat Research Centre, Malan and Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CSK HPKV, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India during October, 2013 to May, 2014 to identify traits for developing reliable selection criteria and conduct diversity analysis. In the present investigation, fifty-six diverse wheat genotypes were evaluated in an alpha-design using various yield attributes and drought indices under irrigated and moisture-stress environments over three environments in two locations. Results from the study indicated significant differences for almost all the traits under all three environments and pooled environments. Variability studies showed high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variability with high heritability coupled with high genetic advance for seedling vigour under irrigated conditions as well as under moisture-stress conditions along with membrane stability index, dry matter accumulation and grain yield. On the basis of low DSI and high DRI values and relative ranking of morpho-physiological traits, seven genotypes HPW 368, NI 5439, CM 33, CM 19, HPW 236, CM 11 and HPW 349 have been found to be moisture-stress tolerant. Association studies showed that grains spike-1, harvest index, thousand grain weight, excised leaf water loss and days to 75% maturity are most important traits for selection of tolerant genotypes. On the basis of D2 statistics, 56 genotypes were grouped into twelve main clusters and genotypes HPW 277, HPW 297 and NIAW 1415 were found superior as well as diverse for most of the traits. Hence, these genotypes can be used in breeding programmes aimed at enhancing drought tolerance.

Application of the new simple weight calculation (SIWEC) method in the case study in the sales channels of agricultural products

In this research is presented a new method for determining the weights of criteria called simple weight calculation (SIWEC) method. The steps of this method are presented in the practical example of determining the importance of criteria for the needs of sales of agricultural products in the Semberija region. During the presentation of this method two methods are elaborated the simple SIWEC method which includes numerical ratings and the fuzzy SIWEC method which includes ratings in the form of linguistic value. In the selected example is presented how to use this method in order to determine the importance of criteria and in both cases the criterion of sales reliability is given the greatest weight. The contribution SIWEC method is reflected in its simplicity, which facilitates decision-making.•The method presented in this research apart from others is that it uses the evaluation of the criteria by decision makers, so the criteria should not be ranked and compared, but simply evaluated.•Unlike similar methods, the presented method uses the adjusted steps of the method for ranking the alternatives, and decision makers are given a different importance in the decision-making.

Theoretical porosity design, mechanical properties, and durability of large-pore sandy recycled concrete

This study used recycled aggregate (RA) and mineral additions to design large-pore sandy recycled concrete (LPSRC) using a design porosity (DP) of 25 %, 20 %, and 15 %. Thus, the related effects of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), recycled fine aggregate (RFA) and fly ash (FA) on the compressive strength, frost resistance (using slow and fast freezing methods), and sulfate attack properties of LPSRC were systematically studied. Moreover, to reduce the error between the design and theoretical porosity values, the bulk density ratio adjustment method was employed to design the theoretical porosity. The results of binarization analysis demonstrated that the deviation of the actual porosity caused by the sidewall effect was ∼2 %, which should be considered during DP design and performance evaluation. The compressive strength of the LPSRC after 56 curing days increased by 35.9 % on average as the DP was reduced from 25 % to 15 %. In a freeze–thaw cycle test, the slow freezing method was more accurate for evaluating the frost resistance of the LPSRC. Under the same conditions, the mass loss rate of the LPSRC calculated using the slow and fast freezing methods was 3.2 % and 7.62 %, respectively. This distinction is pivotal for establishing reliable frost resistance criteria for LPSRC in cold-weather applications, complementing previous research in the field. In terms of sulfate deterioration resistance, compressive strength corrosion factors decreased with increasing DP. Additionally, damage was mainly concentrated at the contact interface between RCA and the cement matrix, while the aggregate itself showed relatively little damage, suggesting RCA application has a positive effect on improving preparation of the LPSRC. Specifically, as DP increased from 15 % to 25 %, the average reduction in the compressive strength corrosion factors for LPSRC after 30 and 60 times of dry–wet cycle were 9.64 % and 8.37 %, respectively, illustrating a clear correlation between higher DP and reduced sulfate resistance. This study contributed to the LPSRC design and production using RCA, RCF and FA, that positively impacts to the sustainable development of the construction industry and helps to evaluate the effectiveness of RA in macroporous concrete. Moreover, the strategic implementation of design porosity has been shown to optimize the structural integrity and performance of the concrete, achieving a balance between strength and workability, which is crucial for the concrete's durability and its ability to adapt to various environmental conditions.

Stochastic lattice-based porous implant design for improving the stress transfer in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

BackgroundUnicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been proved to be a successful treatment for osteoarthritis patients. However, the stress shielding caused by mismatch in mechanical properties between human bones and artificial implants remains as a challenging issue. This study aimed to properly design a bionic porous tibial implant and evaluate its biomechanical effect in reconstructing stress transfer pathway after UKA surgery.MethodsVoronoi structures with different strut sizes and porosities were designed and manufactured with Ti6Al4V through additive manufacturing and subjected to quasi-static compression tests. The Gibson-Ashby model was used to relate mechanical properties with design parameters. Subsequently, finite element models were developed for porous UKA, conventional UKA, and native knee to evaluate the biomechanical effect of tibial implant with designed structures during the stance phase.ResultsThe internal stress distribution on the tibia plateau in the medial compartment of the porous UKA knee was found to closely resemble that of the native knee. Furthermore, the mean stress values in the medial regions of the tibial plateau of the porous UKA knee were at least 44.7% higher than that of the conventional UKA knee for all subjects during the most loading conditions. The strain shielding reduction effect of the porous UKA knee model was significant under the implant and near the load contact sites. For subject 1 to 3, the average percentages of nodes in bone preserving and building region (strain values range from 400 to 3000 μm/m) of the porous UKA knee model, ranging from 68.7 to 80.5%, were higher than that of the conventional UKA knee model, ranging from 61.6 to 68.6%.ConclusionsThe comparison results indicated that the tibial implant with designed Voronoi structure offered better biomechanical functionality on the tibial plateau after UKA. Additionally, the model and associated analysis provide a well-defined design process and dependable selection criteria for design parameters of UKA implants with Voronoi structures.

Social entrepreneurship: recognition of sociocultural competencies in the higher education future

PurposeThe present study aimed recognition sociocultural competencies in social entrepreneurship of higher education.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a qualitative content analysis technique. In order to identify and select information-rich cases, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 22 experts among the social activists in Iran’s public and private universities based on the criterion-dependent targeted sampling method. Four credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability criteria were used to increase the accuracy of qualitative data the findings were analyzed using thematic analysis through open, axial and selective coding.FindingsSociocultural competencies in social entrepreneurship of higher education are categorized into three cognitive (cognitive requirements of entrepreneurship, sociocultural values) emotional (emotional integration, positive emotions) and behavioral (interactive communication, professional life, entrepreneurial social traits) levels at 34 subcomponents.Originality/valueHigher education with the growing trend of the challenge of cultural diversity and fusion caused by intercultural communication requires competencies that prepare social entrepreneurs for the future of higher education with the lens of socio-cultural capabilities. The neglected gap in the higher education system has empirical value for executive managers. The approach of preparing future higher education leaders for social and human benefits beyond political boundaries and cultural and social tensions, sociocultural competencies have an exclusive appeal.

Development of Safe Blood Transfusion Self‐Efficacy Scale for nurses: Validity and reliability study

AimThe aim of the study is to develop a scale to measure nurses' self-efficacy levels regarding safe blood transfusion practice. MethodsThis study, applied in methodological design, was conducted in a public university hospital in Istanbul between March-April 2021. The sample included 372 nurses. A draft form consisting of 75 items was prepared. Content validity, construct validity, distinctiveness, internal consistency reliability, two-half test reliability, test-retest, and item analysis methods were used to determine the psychometric properties of the scale. ResultsThe exploratory factor analysis showed that the scale had a four-factor structure that explained 71.36 % of the total variance. The factor loads of 49 items were found to vary between 0.50 and 0.92. The item-total correlations were found to be between 0.55 and 0.92. The Cronbach's alpha value for the whole scale was 0.96. ConclusionThe results of the analysis show the items constituting Safe Blood and Blood Products Transfusion Self-Efficacy Scale have validity and reliability criteria that can measure the nurses' self-efficacy levels regarding safe blood transfusion practice.

Understanding confounding factors allows for accurate interpretation of liver stiffness measurements by ElastQ, a novel 2D shear wave elastography technique.

Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) or two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) is recommended to assess the risk of liver fibrosis and advanced chronic liver disease. Even though both techniques measure liver stiffness, their numerical results often diverge. Confounders and reliability criteria for 2D-SWE have not been systematically investigated. We prospectively recruited participants with paired LSM by VCTE and the novel 2D-SWE technique ElastQ (Philips) in three European tertiary centers. The following parameters were recorded: sex, age, body mass index (BMI), etiology, laboratory markers of liver damage and function, as well as cholestasis, LSM by VCTE and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), interquartile range (IQR)/median for VCTE-LSM and ElastQ-LSM, and the skin-to-liver capsule distance. We included 840 participants: 447 (53.2%) males; median age 57.0 [IQR:19.0] years; median BMI 25.4 [6.0] kg/m2; median VCTE-LSM 7.25 [9.2] kPa; median ElastQ-LSM 6.7 [5.4] kPa. On uni- and multivariable modeling (adjusted for LSM), we found that the discrepancy increased with liver stiffness and markers of disease severity. Skin-to-liver capsule distance and BMI affected VCTE-LSM more compared to ElastQ-LSM and significantly increased the discordance between the two measurements. The discrepancy of ElastQ-LSM to VCTE-LSM increases with liver stiffness and disease severity. BMI and skin-to-liver capsule distance increase the discrepancy between VCTE- and ElastQ-LSM but affect ElastQ-LSM less. The quality criterion IQR/median ≤ 30% indicates reliable ElastQ-LSM.

An analysis of the characteristics of Indonesian pre-service science teachers’ compassion skills and gender roles

This research aims to analyze pre-service science teachers’ generosity, friendliness, wisdom, sensitivity, and tolerance as indicators of compassion skills, and explore gender roles on the characteristics of these skills. As 21st-century skills, compassion skills need to be conveyed through teachers’ attention, affection, kindness, and gentleness toward their students. These skills are fundamental for pre-service science teachers’ personality competence in supporting their role as future professional teachers. These skills also play an important role when there is interaction between teachers and students or among students during the learning process which affects learning outcomes. However, references concerning the characteristics of pre-service teachers’ compassion skills and the role of gender in these skills are underexplored. To address this gap, this research employed an exploratory method involving 107 pre-service science teachers at several state universities in Indonesia. Data was collected using a questionnaire that met validity and reliability criteria. The research results show that the teachers generally demonstrate a high/very high extent of compassion skills. The results also point to the fact that gender differences pose no significant influence on compassion skills. The implication highlights the necessity to focus on training pre-service science teachers’ compassion skills, while undermining any anxiety due to gender differences.

Эффективность лактулозусодержащей добавки при выращивании баранчиков

Purpose. To study lactulose-containing prebiotic feed additives in feeding Kalmyk fat-tailed rams, evaluate their effect on growth and development indicators, and determine the physiological state of animals when they are used. Materials and Methods. LLC "Baska" of Yustinsky district of the Republic of Kalmykia was chosen for the experiment. The experimental part of the work was conducted on 45 rams of Kalmyk fat-tailed breed, selected according to the principle of pair-analogs in three groups of 15 animals each. The animals in the first group (control group) received general economic ration (OR); the second group – OR + feed additive "Lactumin-1" at a dose of 0.6% of the weight of concentrates; the third group – OR + feed additive "LactuSuper" at a dose of 0.5% of the weight of concentrates. The conditions of the experimental young animals were the same for all experimental groups and corresponded to the generally accepted zootechnical and veterinary norm. The study of blood parameters was carried out in the conditions of Complex Analytical Laboratory of VRIMMP (Volgograd) using analyzers URiT-3020 Vet Plus (China) and URiT-800 Vet (China), lysozyme, bactericidal and phagocytic activity – using the methods of Dorofeychuk V.G. and Fedyuk V.V. In order to study the effect of lactulose-containing feed additives on the live weight of experimental animals, the rams were individually weighed every 30-31 days. The results obtained during the experiment and laboratory conditions were processed using mathematical and statistical methods by calculating the reliability criterion (Student-Fisher method) in the Statistica 10.0 program. Results. Addition of lactulose-containing additives to the diet had a positive effect on blood parameters, contributed to the improvement of the natural immunity of animals and an increase in live weight: at the age of 4 months the content of total protein in the rams blood of I and II groups increased by 1.63% (P≥0.95) compared to the control group, lysozyme activity – by 1.4 and 2.7% (P≥0.95), bactericidal – by 0.37 and 1.24%, phagocytic – by 3.39% (P≥0.95) and 4.7% (P≥0.99), live weight – by 4.93% (P≥0 .99) 7.56% (P≥0.999); at the age of 6 months the amount of total protein was greater by 1.63 and 3.29% (P≥0.95), lysozyme activity – by 1.88 and 2.84% (P≥0.95), bactericidal activity – by 0.59 and 1 .42%, phagocytic – by 1.54% (P≥0.95) and 3.98% (P≥0.99), live weight – by 2.39% (P≥0.95) 4.36% (P≥0.99), respectively. Conclusion. Lactulose-containing feed additives had a beneficial effect on blood biochemical parameters, increased the level of natural immunity of animals, and contributed to an increase in meat productivity of rams.

Пути реализации генетического потенциала пород и кроссов птицы на основе использования новых видов кормовых средств

Purpose. Work out ways to realize the genetic potential of breeds and crosses of poultry of meat and egg directions of productivity based on the use of new types of feed products, taking into account the analysis of the dynamics of the microbiome at the level of taxonomic types of microorganisms. Materials and Methods. Studies on the inclusion of prebiotic feed additive "Laktuvet" and mineral feed additive "Saponit" were conducted in the conditions of the SS "Svetly" of the CJSC "Agrofirma "Vostok" of the Volgograd Region on "Hysex Brown" cross laying hens. Scientific experiment on the effect of the additive "Quercetinolact" on the growth and development of meat chickens was conducted on broilers of "Ross-308" cross in the vivarium of VRIMMP. Zootechnical, clinical and biochemical research methods were used in the research work. Hematological studies were carried out in certified laboratory on automatic biochemical analyzers using an appropriate set of biochemical reagents. The obtained results were processed using software, calculating the mean value (M), standard errors of the mean (±SEM) and determining the reliability criterion of difference according to Student-Fisher. Results. Adding the prebiotic feed additive "Laktuvet" to the feed of laying hens in an amount of 0.5% in the diet structure contributed to an increase in the gross collection of eggs and the intensity of egg laying by 1.84 (85 eggs) and 1.74%, egg weight – by 1.17 g (1.86%; P≤0.001) due to an increase in the number of microorganisms by 22.9%. Among them, the number of bacteria of Actinobacteria, Lactobacillales and Ruminococcaceae groups increased by 9.0; 1.8 and 1.4 times compared to the control, respectively. Taking into account the data obtained, new feed additive “Quercetinolact” was tested in feeding broiler chickens of Ross-308 cross. Chickens that received Quercetinolact additive exceeded their counterparts in control group in live weight by 4.13 (P≤0.001); 5.19 (P≤0.001) and 5.48% (P≤0.001), which in absolute terms amounted to 108.1; 136.1 and 142.8 g. In terms of meat yield in live weight, the superiority amounted to 3.07; 3.65 and 3.82%, respectively, feed savings per 1 kg of gain 3.66; 6.10 and 6.71%. Mineral feed additive "Saponit" in feeding laying hens in the amount of 1 and 3 kg per ton of feed contributed to an increase in egg productivity by 1.58 and 2.37%, respectively, egg laying intensity – by 1.20 and 2.01%, and gross yield eggs – 90 (1.18%) and 150 pcs. (1.97%), egg weight – by 1.16 and 1.49%. Conclusion. The use of natural mineral complexes and prebiotic feed additives in the diets of chickens of egg and meat breeds and crosses in order to realize the genetic potential and taking into account the analysis of microbiome dynamics at the level of taxonomic types of microorganisms is advisable.

Reliability and Diagnostic Performance of Transient Hepatic Elastography in Chronic Hepatitis C during the Training Phase

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is estimated to affect 58 million people worldwide and around 700,000 individuals in Brazil. Various non-invasive markers of hepatic fibrosis have been proposed, such as transient hepatic elastography (THE) using FibroScan®. However, the reliability of the performance, by operators in the training phase is undetermined, which hinders its applicability in clinical practice. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of training an inexperienced operator to perform the examinations using FibroScan® in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Specifically, the frequency of unreliable results throughout the training was assessed. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection including compensated chronic hepatitis C patients who underwent the examinations using FibroScan® between March 2014 and December 2016, performed by two researchers. Included patients were divided into two groups based on the operator's experience in the examination: the Experienced Examiner (EE) group and the Examiner in Training (ET) group, with the latter divided into two phases: phase 1, consisting of the first 100 examinations, and phase 2, comprising subsequent examinations. For the reliability analysis, parameters such as success rate (SR), interquartile range (IQR) to median (Md) ratio (IQR/Md), and reliability criteria of Castéra, et al. and Boursier, et al. were used. Results: Between March 2014 and December 2016, 771 adult HCV-infected individuals were evaluated and divided into EE group (n = 161), ET phase 1 (n = 100), and ET phase 2 (n = 158), showing similar demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics. SR and IQR/Md ratios were similar among EE, ET phase 1, and ET phase 2 groups. The proportion of reliable results was comparable in all three groups, using Castéra, et al. reliability criteria (92.5%, 92.0%, and 97.5%, respectively) and Boursier, et al. criteria (96.9%, 95.0%, and 98.1%, respectively). Conclusion: A short training period (up to 100 examinations) seems to be sufficient for them to have good clinical applicability in the hands of an operator with initial experience in the method.

Validity of student creativity test instruments on energy and its changes for junior high school students

Science subjects not only master various types of knowledge, such as facts, concepts, or principles, but are also a process of discovery. In this era, creativity has become mandatory in schools and universities. This is also mentioned in relevant research which explains that creative thinking in learning is very important, especially in science learning. Therefore, the aim of this research is to create a test that improves students' creative abilities, with special emphasis on energy and its changes, which is one of the subjects in the field of natural sciences. This research is development research (R&D) using the ADDIE model. The results of data analysis show that the test questions have quite high validity and reliability, the difficulty index shows that the test questions are in the quite good category. Furthermore, with a question reliability index ranging from 0.69 > 0.60 on high criteria, this test instrument can be said to produce the same results if tested at a different time or place with reliable criteria. Based on the results of the data analysis, it was concluded that the test questions developed were suitable for use with students to measure students' creative abilities in the matter of energy and its changes.