Set Criteria Research Articles

Exploring Inventory Management System with Priority Sequencing

Effective inventory management is crucial for businesses to optimise their resources and meet customer demand. This abstract introduces an Inventory Management System (IMS) that utilises priority sequencing to enhance the control and organisation of inventory items. The system employs various prioritisation criteria, such as item demand, shelf life, or profitability, to determine the sequence in which items are received, stored, and dispatched. Prioritisation Criteria: The IMS allows businesses to set specific rules and criteria for prioritising inventory items. This includes factors like customer demand, product shelf life, or item profitability. Real-time Monitoring: The system provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, allowing businesses to make informed decisions on restocking, order processing, and inventory allocation. Automated Reordering: IMS can automatically generate reordering recommendations based on preset priorities, ensuring that essential items are always in stock. Cost Reduction: By efficiently managing inventory based on priority sequencing, businesses can minimise holding costs, reduce wastage, and optimise working capital. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Prioritising items based on customer demand ensures that popular products are readily available, leading to improved customer satisfaction and retention. Forecasting Capabilities: The system can use historical data to predict future demand trends and adjust prioritisation accordingly. Reporting and Analytics: IMS provides detailed reports and analytics to help businesses fine-tune their inventory management strategies.

Cyber risk management technology to strengthen the information security of the national economy

Purpose. Developing a technology for managing cyber risks based on their improved classification by the level of impact on the occurrence of an extreme situation. Methodology. To achieve the goal, general scientific and special methods of cognition were used in the study: dialectical and systemic approaches, analysis and synthesis, logical generalization and grouping, structural-logical method, iterative approach, modeling, method of formal representations of uncertainty. Findings. A cyber risk management technology has been developed, consisting of four main stages: analysis of cyber threats (context establishment; security audit; formation of scenario concepts); scenario modeling (threat decomposition; scenario formation; setting criteria; setting probability estimates of concepts (variables); building a network architecture; formation of a private threat model; scenario analysis); risk assessment; object classification. The proposed approach to cybersecurity risk management provides vulnerability detection and risk assessment (risk potential) and simplifies the development of management solutions to prevent events affecting cybersecurity. Originality. The proposed technology differs from the existing ones by focusing on identifying those vulnerabilities and cyber threats that, according to their improved classification by the level of impact on the occurrence of an extreme situation, can lead to serious disruptions in the functioning of critical information infrastructure of the national economy. Practical value. The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the proposed cyber risk management technology is one of the tools for preventing the realization of risks in cyberspace and the basis for strengthening the information security of economic entities in particular and the national economy as a whole.

Artificial Intelligence and its ability to reduce recruitment bias

Artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of Human Resource Management (HRM), altering conventional methods and elevating the recruitment process for companies. The conventional approach to hiring can be incredibly time-intensive, often stretching over several weeks to sift through all applications. This process can be daunting for recruiters, who are tasked with reviewing numerous resumes. AI steps in to streamline this process by rapidly sifting through a large number of applications, identifying the most suitable candidates, and providing concise overviews of their qualifications. This not only saves recruiters time but also allows them to concentrate on improving the candidate experience and attracting top talent. AI operates around the clock, ensuring the recruitment process remains active and effective even when recruiters are not on duty. Moreover, AI can help mitigate bias, when utilized correctly, it can facilitate more equitable hiring decisions by focusing on relevant skills and experiences rather than personal biases. This article explores the multifaceted role of AI in mitigating recruitment bias, AI algorithms use objective data and set criteria to reduce unconscious bias during initial screening. This approach helps ensure that job seekers are evaluated based on qualifications and merit, rather than personal characteristics.

Exploring Burden of Disease Metrics in EU legislation: A Systematic Analysis

Abstract Background The burden of disease (BoD) methodology is a valuable tool for evidence-based policymaking. However, there is currently no systematic analysis available regarding its use in the European Union (EU) legislation framework. This study aims to describe the implementation of BoD methodology in EU legislation. Methods A search was conducted on EUR-Lex, the official and most comprehensive platform to access EU legal documents. The main inclusion criteria in the analyses were date of publication (between 2004 and 2023, accounting for EU-25) and inclusion of BoD metrics (years of life lost - YLL, years lived with disability - YLD or disability-adjusted life years - DALY). Descriptive and network analysis were conducted to analyse the legislation content. Results Out of 2592 documents, 191 met the set criteria. Ten were legally binding, and 69% were published after 2018. The European Commission (n = 152) was the most regular issuing institution. BoD was mainly used as an argument (n = 93) and for impact assessment (n = 50). The metrics were commonly presented in the main text (n = 122) and in the annex (n = 48). EuroVoc domains like environment and social questions prevailed. The most frequent EuroVoc terms were climate change policy (n = 45), EU environmental policy (n = 32) and pollution control measures (n = 32). Discussion Despite the growing recognition of BoD metrics in supporting policymaking, only 191 documents published over the past 20 years within the EU legislation make reference to this methodology. Greater efforts in knowledge dissemination and directing research towards specific policy uptake may increase the application of BoD studies in EU policies. By advocating for increased awareness, promoting collaboration between researchers and policymakers, and targeting research efforts towards specific policy needs, a more comprehensive integration of BoD methodologies into EU legislation can be achieved, contributing for evidence-informed policies. Key messages • There were only 191 documents of the EU legislative documents published in the past 20 years mention burden of disease metrics, mainly addressing environmental and social issues. • There is a need to increase EU policy uptake from BoD studies, by conducting policy-oriented research, and building capacity among researchers and policymakers on BoD methodology.

Design and Testing of a Web-Based Student Information Management System

Politeknik Piksi Ganesha is an institution of higher learning located in Bandung, Indonesia, specializing in engineering and technological curricula. The research's general objective is to describe the design and implementation of the web-based Student Information Management System (SIMS) to manage student data at Politeknik Piksi Ganesha Bandung. The functional and non-functional specifications are represented using Unified Modeling Language (UML) based on broad data collection through observation, interviews, and a literature review. It also entails black-box testing, which measures the system's performance against set criteria, focusing on the output without the details of its internal workings. The significant findings indicate that SIMS enhances highly administrative processes, accuracy in data, and good communication among stakeholders by applying clear UML diagrams of the system. This successful system development meets the institution's requirements and adds to the bar for other developments within the educational technology sector. The result has also emphasized the need for practical design methodologies and testing frameworks to develop reliable information systems to improve decision-making in academic institutions. The research has contributed significantly to the discipline because it has shown how different technological innovations can alleviate the problems surrounding managing student information at higher education levels.

Vocational Education Administration, Bilateral System under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission Kalasin Province

Background and Aims: Vocational education administration Dual system of educational institutions under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission. It is a professional education arrangement that arises from an agreement between an educational institution and a business establishment. The main objective is to develop and train professional skills for students. To prepare for future work the objectives of this research are to study the following: (1) Level of administration of vocational education, dual system, of vocational education in Kalasin Province. According to the standards for managing vocational education in the dual system of the Vocational Education Commission. To assess the quality and efficiency of operations at the operational level. 2) Compare the level of vocational education administration in the dual system of vocational education in Kalasin Province. To find differences in management in various areas and the use of various approaches to develop educational quality. (3) Study guidelines for promoting or developing the administration of vocational education, a dual system, of educational institutions under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, Kalasin Province. To suggest ways to improve and develop educational administration to be more efficient. Methodology: In this research the sample group used was a total of 196 people. The research tool was a questionnaire with a 5-level rating scale, which had a confidence value of 0.81 and an internal consistency (IOC) in the range of 0.6-1.00. This questionnaire was designed to inquire about the administration of vocational education. Dual system of educational institutions under the Kalasin Provincial Vocational Education Institute. For data analysis use basic statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and statistical tests used to compare differences, including t-test and F-test. Results: The results of the research found that: (1) Vocational education administration overall, it was at a high level. (2) Results of comparative analysis of opinions regarding vocational education administration classified by position, educational level, and size of educational institution found that there was no difference. (3) Guidelines for developing vocational education administration It is necessary to be supported and encouraged to be able to develop and adapt to the changes in today's industrial world. The various areas that should be developed include: 1) Quality of graduates: They must have knowledge and abilities that are accepted by the industry. 2) Curriculum development: Curriculum should be developed together with entrepreneurs and other stakeholders. 3) Measurement and evaluation: An effective measurement and evaluation system should be developed. 4) Cooperation between Educational institutions and business establishments: There should be strong relationships and cooperation in developing students. Conclusion: Vocational education administration Dual system of educational institutions under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission Kalasin Province. It is necessary to strengthen cooperation between educational institutions and enterprises. By giving the private sector an opportunity to participate in setting criteria and guidelines in various areas to be clear and consistent with the needs of the labor market. In this regard, there should be an effective evaluation process in order for management to be systematic and produce good results.

Optimizing marine vehicles industry: a hybrid analytical hierarchy process and additive ratio assessment approach for evaluating and selecting IoT-based marine vehicles

Rapid developments in the Internet of Things (IoT) have opened the door for game-changing applications in numerous sectors, especially the vehicle industry. There is a rising demand for efficient assessment and decision-making methodologies to pinpoint the most promising choices for the vehicle sector with the introduction of IoT-based maritime vehicles. To overcome this issue, the integrated multi-criteria decision-making analysis (MCDA) paradigm proposed in this research combines the additive ratio assessment (ARAS) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approaches to evaluate and choose IoT-based maritime vehicles based on their performance- and authenticity-related criteria in the vehicle sector. The selection issue is hierarchically organized, and the assessment criteria are prioritized using the AHP approach. There are seven performance and authentication related criteria are selected that might aid in the selection procedure. Using the AHP, we are assigned these criteria proportionate weights that reflect their respective significance and interrelationships. AHP, however, falls short of offering a thorough analysis of the alternatives that exist. To overcome these restrictions, this research presents the integration of AHP with the ARAS approach for the ranking of alternatives according to how well they perform against the set criteria. By using the ARAS technique, it is possible to get over the restrictions of AHP and achieve a more thorough assessment of maritime IoT-based vehicles. The efficiency of the framework is proven using empirical data and professional judgment. The findings show that the hybrid method successfully encapsulates the intricate relationships between the factors being evaluated and objectively appraises the potential of IoT-based maritime vehicles for the automotive sector. This study extends to the area by providing an organized and thorough method for assessing and choosing IoT-based maritime vehicles. Considering several factors and their mutual dependence, the hybrid AHP and ARAS technique gives decision-makers a powerful tool for evaluating the potential of IoT-based maritime vehicles in the automotive sector. Smart decisions on the deployment of IoT-based marine vehicles and maximizing the potential they present may be made by beneficiaries in the automotive sector using the study’s results.

Theoretical basics of the self-learning system of intelligent locomotive decision support systems

Analysis of works in the field of artificial intelligence allows to make an assumption that today there is a sufficiently developed theoretical basis for the development of intelligent control systems for locomotive control. This will minimize the risks associated with the human factor on the railways. The paper presents the theoretical rationale for the development of a knowledge base for intelligent locomotive control systems. The approach and structure of the self-learning system of intelligent DSS is proposed, the advantage of which is the presence of a fuzzy classifier that works according to the set criteria and determines a fuzzy image of the current train situation. Learning a fuzzy classifier consists in finding a vector K that minimizes the distance between the results of logical inference and experimental data from the sample. The knowledge base is implemented using linguistic variables formalized by methods of fuzzy logic. The use of linguistic values makes it possible to design the base using the usual language of communication, which greatly simplifies both the design process itself and the analysis of the system's performance. Also, the knowledge base has the possibility of constant self-improvement. This happens in two ways. The first is by adding new rules to the knowledge base in case the current situation does not match the existing ones in the base, in which case an additional rule is created and checked for adequacy. The second way is a mechanism for ranking rules in the knowledge base. If the control action of the locomotive driver coincided with the recommendation of DSS in the current situation, then the rating of this recommendation (rule) increases, and in the future the rule selection algorithm will choose one or another control action for the current situation that has the highest rating (that is, it has already been verified several times person). The experiment has shown that the use of intelligent DSS has positive results. On average, the DSS made the correct train control decisions faster than the locomotive driver.

Application of diabetic foot exercises in diabetic mellitus patients: A systematic review

A complication of diabetes that often occurs in the legs is diabetic foot with ulcers, which will reduce the quality of life, increase morbidity and mortality. Diabetic mellitus patients have a 15-20% risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers in 5 years with a recurrence rate of 50-70%, and 85% will undergo amputation. Self management that can be applied is with foot gymnastics. This foot exercise has many benefits for both patients who have neuropathy and those who have not experienced it. Among them can strengthen small muscles, calf muscles, and thigh muscles, as well as overcome joint mobility limitations that are often experienced by DM sufferers. This review aims to find out the benefits of applying foot exercises to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The research method used is systematic review. Literature is searched through Google Schoolar, PubMed, and sciencedirect databases. A total of 88 articles were obtained and then selected through the stages of title, abstract, keywords and advanced selection in the full text. The results of the selection were obtained 4 articles that met the set criteria. Survey reporting uses the Optional Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) reviews. Based on the systematic review that has been carried out, effective results were obtained in the application of foot exercises in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Sub-Acromioclavicular Decompression Increases the Risk of Postoperative Shoulder Stiffness after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

The sub-acromioclavicular (SAC) decompression is often performed during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. However, the impact of SAC decompression on patients with postoperative shoulder stiffness (POSS) are controversial and unclear. This study is aim to evaluate the impact of additional sub-acromioclavicular (SAC) decompression during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on the postoperative shoulder stiffness (POSS) in patients. This retrospective study examined digital data from patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at a local institution. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Score, the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Restricted shoulder mobility occurring within 6 months postoperatively, lasting more than 12 weeks, characterized by a passive forward flexion angle of <120° or an external rotation angle of <30°, with or without associated shoulder pain was identified as POSS. Factors affecting POSS were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. The patient-reported outcomes scores were analyzed by generalized estimating equations to examine the impact of SAC decompression. A total of 155 patients met the set criteria and were included in the study. The analysis of binary logistic regression showed that diabetes (p = 0.001) and SAC decompression (p = 0.003) were independent factors for POSS. In the analysis of each follow-up point, only at the 3-month follow-up, the ASES scores (p = 0.003), UCLA scores (p = 0.045), and VAS scores (p = 0.005) showed significant differences between the SAC decompression group and the non-decompression group. For the intergroup comparison, the results showed a significant difference in the ASES scores (β = -4.971, p = 0.008), UCLA scores (β = -1.524, p = 0.019), and VAS scores (β = 0.654, p = 0.010) throughout the study duration between the SAC decompression group and the non-decompression group. The findings of this study suggested that SAC decompression during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair increase the risk of POSS compared with those without the decompression, which indicate surgeons do not perform SAC decompression unless necessary.

Reachable set control of singular semi-Markov jump multi-agent systems with input delay via state decomposition method

This paper addresses the challenge of reachable set estimation in singular multi-agent systems with time-delay and semi-Markov switching topologies. The primary goal is to construct an ellipsoid that encompasses all states originating from the origin. Furthermore, criteria for reachable sets with reduced conservatism are developed. The singular multi-agent systems are reduced by the Laplace matrix, then the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional is constructed by using decomposed state vector. In addition, the sufficient conditions for the reachable set of singular multi-agent systems bounded by ellipsoids are given by matrix theory and linear matrix inequality. Numerical examples show that our results is effective.

Economic and Governance Dimensions of ESG Performance: A Comparative Study in the Developing and European Countries

ABSTRACT: This research delves into the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics on economic practices, focusing on a comparative analysis between developing countries and Europe from 1960 to 2021. It explores how ESG metrics, once peripheral in economic analyses, have become pivotal in shaping economies and societies globally. The study highlights the emerging importance of ESG in understanding economic resilience, societal well-being, and investment priorities, especially in the context of a globalized landscape. Employing a robust mixed-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative analyses to examine ESG metrics’ evolving role. Utilizing World Bank data, it encompasses a comprehensive review of 239 regions and nations over a span of six decades. The quantitative component includes descriptive and time series analyses, alongside correlation and regression techniques. Complementing this, a qualitative cultural and economic synthesis provides deeper insight into the data, positioning ESG criteria at the crossroads of financial imperatives, societal obligations, and cultural dynamics. The study uncovers significant correlations between higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) levels and advanced ESG practices in Europe, indicative of societal values that emphasize sustainability. It reveals varying ESG performances across Western and Eastern European countries compared to developing nations, influenced by distinct cultural economies. The research highlights how regional geopolitical events, cultural norms, and values have shaped diverse trajectories in ESG metrics’ evolution. These findings offer nuanced insights into the complex influences of ESG metrics across different economic, sociopolitical, and cultural landscapes. The study’s outcomes are vital for policymakers and investors, unveiling the intricate nuances and implications of ESG trends. It underscores the need for nuanced policy strategies that consider the unique cultural and economic backgrounds of regions, particularly in developing countries. The research advocates for a cultural-economic perspective in sustainable development, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between society, culture, and economy. The findings suggest that embracing diverse ESG applications can lead to more effective and culturally sensitive approaches to economic development and governance. Conclusively, this research offers a comprehensive cultural-economic perspective on the role of ESG metrics in shaping sustainable development. It serves as a foundational analysis for future studies and policy formulations, aiming to enhance the understanding and application of ESG criteria in diverse economic and cultural settings.

The Implementation of Criterion Referenced Test Approach in Analysis of Student Learning Outcomes at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah

Criterion Referenced Test (PAP) establishes specific standards that students must meet, providing objective evaluations and helping teachers identify which students need remedial support. PAP ensures that all students achieve the required basic competencies. This research describes the application of PAP in analysing Arabic language scores at the Madarah Ibtidaiyah level. Utilizing a qualitative approach with descriptive research, data was collected through unstructured interviews with the school principal and Arabic teacher, as well as observations of student grades. Data analysis involved organizing data by research objectives and interpreting findings accordingly. The study found that PAP facilitates teachers in conducting grade corrections or remedial actions when students fail to meet the set criteria, which is a minimum of 33% or a grade C. The student’s raw Arabic scores are converted to a letter scale, revealing cases where students did not meet the minimum score, necessitating remediation. At MI Miftahul Huda, PAP is used with a letter scale conversion to evaluate grade 4 students' Arabic language performance, with a minimum criterion set at 55% (grade C). This approach simplifies the implementation of remedial measures for students not achieving passing grades and proves effective in tracking student progress.

The impact of renal function on initial therapy in transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma patients.

The prognosis for multiple myeloma (MM) patients has improved with the advent of new drugs, but the prognosis with renal impairment (RI) is poor. The choice of treatment in such cases is critical, but there are no set criteria. We examined the impact of RI on initial therapy in transplant-ineligible MM patients. We selected symptomatic MM patients who met the following criteria: age ≥ 65 years, fit, and ineligible for transplantation from the database. We analyzed the impact of age, treatment, International Staging System (ISS) stage, karyotype abnormalities, performance status, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR < 50 or ≥ 50ml/min/1.73m2) on overall survival (OS). We also analyzed the OS by eGFR for each treatment. We selected 349 symptomatic MM patients. The regimens used were lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (RVd), daratumumab, bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisolone (D-VMP), daratumumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-Rd) and daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (D-Vd) in 184, 41, 74 and 50 patients, respectively. The median age was 74years old; ISS stage was I/II/III in 85/112/131 patients; and 161 patients showed eGFR < 50. The OS was shorter with ISS stage III (p = 0.029) and eGFR < 50 (p < 0.001) by multivariate analysis. The OS under the RVd/D-Rd regimens were significantly shorter for patients with eGFR < 50, but OS under the D-VMP/D-Vd regimens were not significantly different between patients with eGFR < 50 and eGFR ≥ 50. The OS of the transplant-ineligible MM patients with higher ISS stage and RI was poor. Initial treatment with a D-VMP/D-Vd regimen might be less affected by RI.

Effect of chloroquine pre-treatment on the metoclopramide’s pharmacokinetics after their co-administration

ABSTRACT Background This study evaluated the pharmacokinetic interactions of orally administered chloroquine and metoclopramide. Methods The study employed a randomized and two-phase cross-over design with 4-week washout plan. Twelve healthy male volunteers were shortlisted according to the set criteria and were administered with metoclopramide 10 mg PO and chloroquine (a total of 1500 mg) at different intervals which were (500 mg at 0, 6, and 24 h). The concentration of chloroquine and metoclopramide in the blood samples was estimated using a validated HPLC-UV technique to affirm the maximum concentration (Cmax), time to reach Cmax (Tmax), and area under the curve (AUC). Results Cmax, T1/2, and AUC of metoclopramide were increased up to 20, 10, and 47.8%, respectively, by the concomitantly administering Chloroquine. Chloroquine-treated phase showed increased values of Cmax (ng/ml), AUC (ng.h/ml), and T½ (h), i.e. 41.35 ± 1.61, 504.12 ± 66.25, and 5.72 ± 2.63, as compared to that reference phase i.e. 34.52 ± 4.92, 341.14 ± 112.8, and 5.19 ± 1.14, respectively. Conclusions Chloroquine was found to attenuate CYP2D6 activity in healthy Pakistani male volunteers. Hence, patients that are prescribed with metoclopramide or other CYP2D6-substrate drugs require a dose adjustment when administered with chloroquine.

An Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Science has won the 2nd prize at the 2nd National Science, Technology &amp; Innovation in 2024.

The Outstanding Cambodian Scientists Awards has been initiated by the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (NCSTI) and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology &amp; Innovation (MISTI), coordinated by the General Department of Science. The initiative aims to highlight the value of knowledge generated through scientific research aligned with the eight priority areas outlined in the National Research Agenda 2025. The eight priority areas are local food, reliable energy supply, quality education, electronic and mechanical spare parts, cloud-based services, electricity and potable water, carbon neutrality, and digitally enhanced health. The application was open for one month, from February 14, 2024, to March 13, 2024. The selection committee would have selected the best based on the set criteria. According to a guideline of the Outstanding Cambodian Scientists Awards, some basic criteria for eligibility and evaluation for the award included degree holders with at least a Master’s degree, having publications (research papers, textbooks) in recognized publishers, conference presentations, thesis supervisions, grants received, recommendations from a researcher in the field, and a clean record regarding professional ethics and criminality. The committees, consisting of seven members, are selecting the top three ‘Outstanding Cambodian Scientists’; they consist of the following components: Minister of MISTI, Representative of the Advisor Board of NCSTI, Invited international researcher, Dr. HUL Seingheng, USS and Head of Secretariat of 2nd National STI Day 2024; Dr. TRY Sophal, Director General of STI, and Invited private sector from enterprise association, industrial association, or else. At the Gala Dinner held on March 24, 2024, the recipients of the prestigious awards were formally revealed. Dr. SOUM Veasna was one of the awardees and proudly accepted the 2nd prize at the 2nd National Science, Technology &amp; Innovation event of 2024, focusing on the theme of ‘Electronic and Mechanical Spare Parts’. Delve into the pages ahead to explore the captivating narratives of his research endeavors and remarkable accomplishments within this domain.

Antroduodenal manometry findings in children with suspected pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

In 2018 diagnostic criteria for pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (PIPO) were established. Neuromuscular dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract is one of these, and often examined through antroduodenal manometry (ADM). There is little data on antroduodenal manometries in children. Our objectives were to retrospectively apply these criteria to children evaluated for suspected motility disorder, to reevaluate the ADM patterns and compare children who did and did not meet the PIPO criteria and also with healthy adults. Children with a suspected gastrointestinal motility disorder previously investigated with 24-h 8-lead ADM were reevaluated by applying the 2018 ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN PIPO diagnostic criteria and the 2018 ANMS-NASPGHAN guidelines. ADM findings were compared between children who retrospectively fulfilled a PIPO diagnosis, children who did not, and a control group of healthy adults. Of 34 children (age 7.9 (±5.1) years, 18 males), 12 retrospectively fulfilled the 2018 PIPO diagnostic criteria. Twenty-five children (10 in the PIPO group) had abnormal diagnostic findings on ADM, whereas 9 (2 in the PIPO group) had no such findings. A PIPO diagnosis implied a significantly higher degree of abnormal ADM patterns (2.33 vs. 1.23, p = 0.02). There were no major differences in quantitative ADM measurements between the groups except higher pressures in children. Children who retrospectively fulfilled a PIPO diagnosis had a significantly higher abundance of abnormal ADM findings compared with symptomatic children without PIPO and healthy adults. Our data indicate a need for set criteria for evaluation of ADM in children with suspected PIPO.

Enhancing Tensile Modulus of Polyurethane-Based Shape Memory Polymers for Wound Closure Applications through the Addition of Palm Oil.

Thermo-responsive, biocompatible polyurethane (PU) with shape memory properties is highly desirable for biomedical applications. An innovative approach to producing wound closure strips using shape memory polymers (SMPs) is of significant interest. In this work, PU composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) was synthesized using two-step polymerization. Palm oil (PO) was added to PU for enhancing the Young's modulus of the PU beyond the set criterion of 130 MPa. It was found that PU had the ability to crystallize at room temperature and the segments of individual PCL and BDO polyurethanes crystallized separately. The crystalline domains and hard segment of PU greatly affected the tensile properties. The reduction of crystalline domains by the addition of PO and deformation at the higher melting temperature of the crystalline PCL polyurethane phase improved the shape fixity and shape recovery ratios. The new irreversible phase, raised from the permanent deformation upon stretching at the between melting temperature of the crystalline PCL and BDO polyurethanes of 70 °C, resulted in a decrease in shape fixity ratio after the first thermomechanical stretching-recovering cycles. The demonstration of PU as a wound closure strip showed its efficiency and potential until the surgical wound healed.

Second-order optimality conditions for set-valued optimization problems under the set criterion

Second-order optimality conditions for set-valued optimization problems under the set criterion

Prediction of Potential Risk for Flupyradifurone and Its Transformation Products to Hydrobionts.

Flupyradifurone (FPF) is considered the latest generation of neonicotinoid insecticides. Here, we investigated the toxicity and ecological risk of FPF and its aerobic transformation products (TPs) to aquatic species using the method of prediction. We found that FPF exhibited moderate or high toxicity to some aquatic species. The 5% hazardous concentration of FPF was 3.84 μg/L for aquatic organisms. We obtained 91 aerobic TPs for FPF, and almost half of FPF TPs exhibited toxicity to fish or Daphnia. Eleven of the TPs of FPF exhibited a high or moderate risk to aquatic ecosystems. All FPF TPs with high and moderate risks contained a 6-chloropyridine ring structure, indicating that the derivant of a pyridine ring exhibits potential risks to aquatic ecosystems. Our results provide insight into the potential risk of FPF to aquatic ecosystems and could be used to help set criteria to control pollution caused by FPF.