Stability Program Research Articles

Report of the Panel of Economists: Interim Report on Economic Stabilisation with a Human Face

In September 2008, as the newly elected government struggled to restore macroeconomic stability, the Planning Commission of Pakistan constituted an advisory Panel of eminent economists to “come up with both short and medium term policy actions to address the economic challenges facing Pakistan, especially in the context of the global economic downturn”.1 The Panel was further advised by the Prime Minister to “suggest a short-term policy package to restore macro-economic stability which is efficient and equitable”2. The Panel had less than six weeks to come up with its initial recommendations. The government was at the same time in deep negotiations with the IMF for a rescue package as the balance of payments situation became more precarious by The Interim Report of the Panel was to serve a two-fold purpose. First, to be drawn upon as required by the economic team headed by the Minister of Finance in their negotiations with the IMF. Second, to the extent the Panel supported the need for stabilisation measures, it would strengthen the government’s hand in building-up public support for stabilisation measures to be adopted. The Panel came up with its Interim Report in end-October 2008 and proposed adoption of, “stabilisation measures that preserve economic growth to the possible extent and specific steps that would protect the poor and vulnerable groups”. The Report was presented and discussed in a full extended Cabinet meeting presided over by the Prime Minister. At the same Cabinet meeting, the Finance Minister presented the main elements of the proposed IMF Stand-By Agreement. Both the Panel’s Interim Report and the draft IMF Agreement were adopted by the Cabinet. The latter was formally signed in November 2010 after approval by the IMF Board of Directors. The Interim Report of the Panel in this context must be viewed as an important indeed ‘historical’ report. For the first time the country’s leading economic experts, in an independent advisory role, had put together a ‘home-grown’ stabilisation package which was given serious consideration by the government and deliberated at the highest echelons i.e. by the Cabinet.3 [1]ibid Preface, p. (iii). [2]”The Panel was set-up by Mr Salman Faruqui, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and included as members: Dr Hafiz A. Pasha, (Chairman), Dr Rashid Amjad (Convener), Dr Naved Hamid, Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha, Dr Akmal Hussain, Dr Akhtar Hassan Khan, Dr Ijaz Nabi, Dr Naseer Ali Khan, Mr Riaz Riazuddin, Dr Rehana Siddiqui, Dr Ali Cheema, Dr Asad Sayeed, Prof. Muhammad Tousif Akhter, Mr Sakib Sherani and Dr Qazi Masood Ahmed. The following were co-opted as members: Dr Azam Chaudhry, Dr Ather Maqsood, Syed Kalim Hyder Bukhari, Mr Muhammad Sabir and Mr Savail Hussain. [3]The Panel also separately presented its report to the President of Pakistan before the Cabinet meeting. The Panel’s Interim Report was divided into two parts. Part I presented a short term stabilisation programme covering the next one and half years between 2008-10. Part II, dealing with growth recovery and development priorities, presented the main elements of a medium-term development strategy. Since the final report of the Panel (submitted much later) dealt in detail with the proposed development strategy, in this review we basically analyse Part I of the report i.e. the short-term stabilisation package covering: (i) macro framework; (ii) main policy measures proposed; (iii) expected economic impact on key macro economic variables.4 We then also conduct a brief ex-post evaluation based on actual economic outcomes. It should be said up front that the Panel saw the stabilisation programme as one which would basically be V-shaped in its economic impact. “The guiding principle is a short sharp reduction in growth in the short-term and a quick rebound back to a higher trend growth rate”.5 This scenario as it turned out proved to be more than optimistic though, in all fairness as 2009-10 drew to an end, there were signs of economic optimism as the economy responded favourably to the stabilisation measures adopted.

Administration of Arginine Vasotocin and modified Isotocin improve artificial propagation and post-spawning survival of female yellow catfish

Low rate of spawning and high percentage of death after artificial propagation are frequently observed in catfish, which do harms to the long-term population stability and genetic breeding programs in aquaculture. In this study, yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), an important freshwater species in China was used as a research model, since the farmed female yellow catfish had poor reproduction performance and a high death rate after treatment with the traditional exogenous hormones, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogues2 (LHRH-A2) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). We tried to investigate the roles of the Arginine Vasotocin (AVT)/ Isotocin (IT) neuropeptide family in reproduction and design an optimal strategy for inducing artificial propagation in yellow catfish. Two copies of pro-avt and pro-it were detected in hypothalamus and ovaries of yellow catfish, and their mRNA levels gradually increased during spring-summer season. Furthermore, the transcript levels of pro-avt and pro-it in hypothalamus significantly increased after injection of LHRH-A2 and HCG. Although AVT could not induce germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in female yellow catfish, administration of AVT significantly stimulated premature ovulation in a dose-dependent manner and induced the expression of ovulation-related genes, ptgs2a and acvr1. Furthermore, there is a significant up-regulation of serum prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in female fish after AVT treatment, whereas no difference was observed in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Since IT of yellow catfish was insoluble in saline, a rigid peptide segment was added at the end of IT (the modified IT was named IT-M), which could greatly improve its solubility and induce ovulation in female yellow catfish. Subsequently, we demonstrated that adding carp pituitary extraction (CPE) to the second injection of traditional methods could efficiently improve the spawned fish, eggs production, fertilization rate, hatching rate and post-spawning survival of female yellow catfish, despite at a relatively high cost in hormones. We further discovered that IT-M + AVT could substitute for HCG + CPE in the second injection and had high efficiency in artificial propagation, reducing the hormone costs to less than one-third. Altogether, we provide an effective and affordable combination of exogenous hormones to improve reproduction performances and post-spawning survival rate in yellow catfish.

Complexities of State-Building in Somaliland

Abstracts Since the mid-2000s, state-building in Somaliland has emerged as a complex mixture of coexisting, competing programs, political aspirations, and foreign agendas. This article applies a dialectical approach to focus on the scalar relations among actors and models of capacity-building, from programs’ design to their implementation. Drawing on science and technology studies, I use the term “complexities” to describe the “multiplicities” of programs, actors, and different ways of ordering that coexist and overlap, sometimes in tension among them, other times in coordination. Specifically, this article examines two approaches to state-building in Somaliland: the United Nations Development Program’s institution-building and US Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded stabilization programs. Going beyond fixed binaries, such as international and local, homogenous and hybrid, state-building and state-formation, this article observes how these dichotomies are formed and how, rather than being separate, they combine together, generating techno-political arrangements. Somaliland’s complexity is made up of techno-political arrangements that are coproduced by both technical expertise and national political aspirations. Technical capacity-building programs, such as the redesign of the Somalia Institutional Development Project (SIDP), the creation of Somaliland’s National Development Plan (NDP), and the allocation of USAID’s grants, have become the terrain for political claims over the redistribution of resources and the control of state institutions.

Dynamic Modeling, Simulation, and Optimization of Vehicle Electronic Stability Program Algorithm Based on Back Propagation Neural Network and PID Algorithm

Dynamic Modeling, Simulation, and Optimization of Vehicle Electronic Stability Program Algorithm Based on Back Propagation Neural Network and PID Algorithm

A pilot study of virtual reality for inpatients with opioid use disorder.

While inpatient withdrawal management/acute stabilization can improve outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), patients often leave treatment early due to mood, tension, and cravings associated with opioid withdrawal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a novel virtual reality (VR) based intervention; 3D Therapy Thrive (3DTT). Subjects with OUD (N = 32) were recruited from a community acute stabilization program and received up to two sessions of 3DTT. They completed questionnaires related to their overall satisfaction with the experience and side effects; as well as those related to mood, tension, and cravings. There were no reported side effects and the majority of subjects (94%) reported high satisfaction with the experience. Out of 62 patients approached, 33 patients agreed to participate (53%) 33 patients completed one, and 17 of these patients (52%) completed both sessions of 3DTT, with 19 participants (58%) completing their treatment protocols. Compared to baseline, 3DTT participants reported significant reductions in depression, tension, and cravings (p's < 0.001). This pilot study supports the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of 3DTT for improving outcomes for inpatients with OUD. Future randomized controlled trials are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of 3DTT for improving retention, reducing cravings, and improving mood and tension. This is the first study to evaluate the feasibility of a psychologically informed VR intervention in inpatients with OUD.

Reducing wait times and avoiding unnecessary use of high-cost mental health services through a Rapid Access and Stabilization Program: protocol for a program evaluation study.

Emergency psychiatric care, unplanned hospital admissions, and inpatient health care are the costliest forms of mental health care. According to Statistics Canada (2018), almost 18% (5.3 million) of Canadians reported needing mental health support. However, just above half of this figure (56.2%) have reported their needs were fully met. In light of this evidence there is a pressing need to provide accessible mental health services in flexible yet cost-effective ways. To further expand capacity and access to mental health care in the province, Nova Scotia Health has launched a novel mental health initiative for people in need of mental health care without requiring emergency department visits or hospitalization. This new service is referred to as the Rapid Access and Stabilization Program (RASP). This study evaluates the effectiveness and impact of the RASP on high-cost health services utilization (e.g. ED visits, mobile crisis visits, and inpatient treatments) and related costs. It also assesses healthcare partners' (e.g. healthcare providers, policymakers, community leaders) perceptions and patient experiences and satisfaction with the program and identifies sociodemographic characteristics, psychological conditions, recovery, well-being, and risk measures in the assisted population. This is a hypothesis-driven program evaluation study that employs a mixed methods approach. A within-subject comparison (pre- and post-evaluation study) will examine health services utilization data from patients attending RASP, one year before and one year after their psychiatry assessment at the program. A controlled between-subject comparison (cohort study) will use historical data from a control population will examine whether possible changes in high-cost health services utilization are associated with the intervention (RASP). The primary analysis involves extracting secondary data from provincial information systems, electronic medical records, and regular self-reported clinical assessments. Additionally, a qualitative sub-study will examine patient experience and satisfaction, and health care partners' impressions. We expect that RASP evaluation findings will demonstrate a minimum 10% reduction in high-cost health services utilization and corresponding 10% cost savings, and also a reduction in the wait times for patient consultations with psychiatrists to less than 30 calendar days, in both within-subject and between-subject comparisons. In addition, we anticipate that patients, healthcare providers and healthcare partners would express high levels of satisfaction with the new service. This study will demonstrate the results of the Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP) efforts to provide stepped-care, particularly community-based support, to individuals with mental illnesses. Results will provide new insights into a novel community-based approach to mental health service delivery and contribute to knowledge on how to implement mental health programs across varying contexts.

Effects of scapular stabilization program on pain, range of motion, and disability in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the impacts of the scapular stabilization program (SSP) on pain, range of motion (ROM), and disability in chronic non-specific neck pain (NNP). Methods: It was a randomized clinical trial. The study was conducted at University Medical Centre, Lahore. According to eligibility criteria, 28 participants were randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups through the lottery method. While the control group received only relaxation exercises, the experimental group received SSP exercises along with the relaxation exercises on the cervicoscapular region. Three sessions of 45 min each, three times/week, on alternating days for three weeks were given. The outcome measures for pain, ROM, and disability were the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), goniometer, and neck disability index (NDI), respectively. These were assessed before the intervention and at the end of the third week. Results: The mean age of Groups A and B was 24.76 ± 4.53 and 27.76 ± 4.62, respectively. Within-group analysis of NPRS, NDI, and cervical flexion and extension ROM showed significant improvement in both groups. Between-group analysis showed post-treatment NPRS (P = 0.000), NDI (P = 0.000), cervical flexion (P = 0.004), and extension (P = 0.000). A significant improvement (P &lt; 0.05) in pain, disability, and flexion and extension was observed in the experimental group. Conclusion: Both groups showed improved outcomes, but a significant difference was found in the control and experiment groups. The trial concluded that in treating NNP, the SSP effectively alleviates pain and improves disability and mobility.

Development of the Construction of City Buses in Terms of Reducing the Curb Weight of the Vehicle

Modern city buses are made of various construction materials and the share of material groups has changed over the decades. By replacing heavy materials for structural elements or bus components with their lighter counterparts, the kerb weight of the bus can be reduced by up to several hundred kilograms. This article presents the issues of the development of city bus design in terms of passenger space comfort and bus structure in the context of reducing the vehicle's own weight since the 1970s. The main changes in vehicle design allowing for reducing the weight of structural elements of bodies and chassis as well as the main assemblies in city buses are presented as well as research on body types in terms of aerodynamics, safety and travel comfort. It has been shown that reducing the weight of the bus does not negatively affect its load capacity and the new bus designs are equipped with safety and comfort systems, including ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ASR (Automatic Stability Regulation), ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and air conditioning in the passenger space. Thanks to modern light construction materials, we gain the opportunity to improve safety and comfort without losing the transport capabilities developed as a result of the development of city buses over the years.

Improving the multi-functionality of optical tweezers with FPGA integration.

The development of optical tweezers aims to extend their operating function and pattern. However, excessive programming can lead to a decrease in the system's operating speed and introduce bugs or data transmission delays. In this study, we present a time-shared optical tweezers system that allows for parallel operation of multiple functions. To enable efficient data transmission, we employ a queue structure and a buffer. To assess the system's performance, we utilize a biological sample in conjunction with the optical tweezers system and scanning imaging technique. We quantify the trapping parameter while concurrently running power stabilization programs. As a result, the standard deviation of the measured stiffness is reduced by 60% in the x and y directions and 30% in the z direction, indicating a significant improvement in calibration precision. Throughout the program execution, the system maintains an operating rate of 110kHz, and the data are continuously updated in real time on the host. The system's performance demonstrates its potential for quantification and morphological reconstruction of biological samples.

Comparison of Intervention Programs to Improve Trunk Stability for Active Females.

Current literature illustrates a disparity in trunk stability push up performance (TSPU), as measured by the Functional Movement Screen (FMSTM), in females throughout the lifespan when compared to their male counterparts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel exercise approach to a trunk stability (NEATS) program compared to a standard Pilates program on TSPU performance in active females aged 18-45 years. It was hypothesized that subjects in the NEATS program would have greater improvements on outcomes related to trunk stability than subjects in the Pilates program. Randomized controlled trial. All subjects were tested at baseline on Beighton criteria, the FMSTM, Y-Balance Test Upper Quarter and Lower Quarter, and grip strength by an evaluator blinded to group allocation. Subjects were randomized into the NEATS (n=17) or the Pilates group (n=19). The intervention period lasted eight weeks, with exercise progression at weeks two, four, and six. The main outcome was between-group pass rates on the TSPU. At posttest, 41% (n=7) of the NEATS group and 42% (n=8) of the Pilates group passed the TSPU, though there was no difference between groups (p=0.97). Significant differences were noted on the TSPU (Pilates, NEATS p=0.01) and composite scores (Pilates p=0.01; NEATS p=0.03). No within-group improvements were noted on the individual scores of the FMSTM (p=0.05-0.66). Within-group differences were noted on the posterolateral reach on the Y-Balance Test Lower Quarter (p=0.03) in the Pilates group. Between-group posttest continuous measures were not significantly different (p=0.17-0.96). Improvements in trunk stability were comparable between the multi-planar NEATS program and a standard Pilates program suggesting that both can be used to improve trunk stability performance in active females. 2.

Long-Term Stability of Cord Blood Units After 29 Years of Cryopreservation: Follow-Up Data From the José Carreras Cord Blood Bank.

The José Carreras Cord Blood Bank (CBB) located in Düsseldorf as of today stores 21 215 active cryopreserved cord blood units (CBUs) applicable as a source for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Since the success of transplantation outcomes is mainly dependent on the cord blood quality, typical parameters are evaluated by a Stability Monitoring Program specified by the FACT Standards. The longest expiration time determined to date is 29 years for unseparated units, 25 years for manual and 18 years for automated volume-reduced units licensed by the Paul-Ehrlich Institute. According to the CBB stability program TNC count, TNC recovery, TNC viability, CD34+7AAD- viability, CD45+7AAD- viability and CFC count were determined for all 3 processing methods applied over time. As a measure of stability, unseparated units (processed 1993-1998) revealed a mean TNC viability of 88.91 ± 5.01% after 29 years of cryopreservation versus manual volume-reduced CBUs (processed 1998-2005) with a mean of 84.22 ± 10.02% after 25 years of cryopreservation versus automated volume-reduced CBUs (processed since 2005) with a mean of 88.64.91 ± 3.91% after 18 years of cryopreservation. In addition, these relevant parameters were retrospectively analyzed for released transplants in correlation to the storage time. Moreover, the follow-up data of recipients from CBUs cryopreserved directly (unseparated) versus CBUs cryopreserved after manual versus automated volume-reduction are presented here demonstrating an earlier engraftment in both volume-reduced groups as compared to unseparated CBUs. By this retrospective analysis, key questions are discussed regarding cord blood parameters in relation to processing methods, engraftment, and patient age (children and adults).

Efficacy of core stabilization program and conventional exercises in low back pain

Background: Patients experiencing low back pain (LBP) often benefit from therapeutic exercise. These exercises can retrain trunk muscles and improve spinal stability and sensory integration. Consequently, we aimed to compare the efficacy of a core stabilization program and conventional exercises in low back pain. Methods: This prospective, comparative study comprised 192 subjects aged 20-60 with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSLBP). Core stabilization or usual physical therapy activities were randomly assigned to groups C or R. Both treatment groups received TENS and ultrasound therapy. Pretreatment, second, fourth, and sixth-week post-treatment outcomes were documented using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Both groups were female-dominated. Height, weight, and BMI were comparable. At baseline, group C had a mean VAS score (5.69±1.80), while group R had (5.52±1.42). P value 0.4684 indicates no significant difference between exercise groups. At the final assessment, group C had a considerably (p&lt;0.0001*) lower mean VAS score (2.96±0.39) than group R (3.89±0.98). Group C had a substantially higher mean VAS score change from baseline to the final evaluation (-2.73±0.51) than group R (-1.18±0.79). Conclusions: Core stabilization exercise is more effective than routine physical therapy exercise in terms of greater reduction in pain in chronic NSLBP.

An exploration of employees’ experiences of online food delivery: evidence from employee reviews

PurposeOnline food delivery service has evolved swiftly and stretched the bounds of the catering business. In the gig economy, being a food delivery rider draws employees with the promise of flexibility and independence. To this end, the purpose of this paper is to explore the main themes shared in online reviews by food delivery riders and which of these themes are linked to positive and negative ratings.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used 729 employee reviews posted on the Glassdoor website. In addition, they used content analysis to examine reviews of Uber Eats online food ordering company shared by food delivery riders on an online platform.FindingsThe results of this study include seven main themes: “earning,” “customers,” “orders,” “tips,” “car,” “flexible schedule” and “app” (navigation). Positive concepts are associated with “earning,” “orders,” “tips” and “flexible schedule.” Negative themes are linked to the “app” (navigation), “car” and “customers.”Practical implicationsManagement should consider online reviews as employees’ opinions and voices. Specifically, management should provide financial support to employees for car maintenance, offer insurance for income stability and arrange training programs to enable them to use several tip-enhancing behaviors.Originality/valueNo research has been conducted using online reviews from an employment search engine to investigate employees’ experiences of online food delivery. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first attempts using user-generated content from an employment search engine to explore employees’ experiences.

Assessment and treatment of nonsurgical thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: A modified Delphi-based consensus paper of the American Society of Hand Therapists

BackgroundWhile the literature is abundant on hand therapy assessment and treatment of nonsurgical thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA), clarity and uniformity are meager, making it a desirable diagnosis to establish expert consensus. PurposeThis study aimed to ascertain if consensus exists for the assessment and treatment of nonsurgical management of thumb CMC OA in the hand therapy clinical setting. Study DesignThis was a consensus paper via the modified Delphi approach. MethodsA modified Delphi method was used to determine consensus among an expert panel, including hand therapists and hand surgeons, via two online surveys. A consensus paper steering committee (from the American Society of Hand Therapist’s research division) designed the surveys and analyzed responses. Consensus was established as 75% agreement among the expert panel. Demographic information was collected from the expert panel. ResultsThe expert panel included 34 hand therapists and seven hand surgeons. The survey response rates were 93.6% for the first survey and 90.2% for the second survey. Consensus recommendations were classified according to the World Health Organization categorization. These included evaluating the body structures for clinical signs/clinical testing and body functions for pain, range of motion for palmar abduction, radial abduction, opposition, and thumb metacarpal phalangeal flexion/extension, and grip and tripod pinch strength. Further consensus recommendations were for the assessment of function using a region-specific, upper extremity patient-reported outcome measure (activity and participation), environmental factors, outcome expectation, and illness perception within the patient’s unique environmental and social contexts. Treatment recommendations included the use of an orthosis during painful activities, a dynamic stability program (stable C posture, release of tight adductors, and strengthening of stabilizers), patient education, joint protection techniques, adaptive equipment, and functional-based intervention. ConclusionsThe findings describe the consensus of a group of experts and provide a clinical reference tool on the hand therapy assessment and treatment of nonsurgical thumb CMC joint OA.

An analysis of the application of mechatronics in the modern automotive field

Nowadays, mechatronics technology is more and more widely used in the automotive field, and the author starts from this point to analyze the development in this field of China. By enumerating concrete examples of the application of electromechanical integration technology in the automotive field, the paper analyzes and summarizes the direction of developing electromechanical integration technology in the current automotive field based on existing literature and data, so as to make a contrast with our countrys low level of electromechanical integration technology, and puts forward several suggestions on the application of electromechanical integration technology in the automotive field. The results show that the application of mechatronics in the modern automobile field is mainly in automatic fuel filling system, car attitude control, ABS anti-lock system, electronic stability program, racing car design and so on, concluding that progress should be made in the fields of enterprise reform, innovation, and specialty setting.

An Analysis of the Factors that Have Determined the Success of Macroeconomic Stabilization Programs in Transition Economies

It is important to know the determinants of the transition process to help different countries develop strategies that are appropriate to their national context and ultimately successful. Central and Eastern Europe is a typical transition country, and the disparity in the degree of transition between individual countries provides scholars with valuable research experience and food for thought. This article outlines the reasons why different countries in Central and Eastern Europe succeeded or failed, and how different strategies had positive or negative effects after starting the transition. In conclusion, the success of transition economies depends on the establishment of good market systems on the economic front, effective systems on the political front, and the development of approaches that are appropriate to the national context.

Abstract 13 Long-Term Stability of Dus Cord Blood Units After &amp;gt;29 Years of Cryopreservation: Follow-Up Data from the José Carreras Cord Blood Bank

Abstract Introduction The José Carreras Cord Blood Bank (CBB) located in Düsseldorf stores 21215 active cryopreserved cord blood units (CBUs) and has released 1476 CBUs for allogeneic transplantation. The success of transplantations, but also the generation of cells for regenerative medicine for e.g. iPSC reprogramming, significantly depends on the quality of the cryopreserved CBUs after thaw. Objectives Therefore, typical parameters like cell count, recovery and viability are analysed from thawed CBUs yearly by a stability monitoring program according to the FACT standards. The longest cryopreservation period in liquid nitrogen tested to date is 338 months (&amp;gt;29 years) for unseparated units and 300 months (25 years) for volume-reduced units that are licensed by the Paul-Ehrlich Institute. Methods A retrospective analysis of unseparated CBUs processed from 1993-1997, CBUs processed from 1998-2005 by manual volume-reduction and CBUs processed since 2005 by automated volume-reduction applying the Sepax100 system was performed. In consideration of the distinct processing methods, storage time and existing follow-up data of released transplants, this approach should demonstrate the high CBU quality and proof the long-term engrafting capability of CBUs cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Results According to the CBB stability program means of TNC count (16.32±2.61 x 108), TNC recovery after thaw (106.8±13.91%, above 100% due to earlier applied cell-count method), TNC viability (88.91±5.01%), CD34+7AAD- viability (90.73±3.69%), CD45+7AAD- viability (69.09±5.38%) and CFC count (7.10±2.45 x 106) were determined after &amp;gt;29 years of cryopreservation for unseparated CBUs. In volume-reduced CBUs the mean TNC count (9.37±2.14 x 108), TNC recovery (97.78±3.70%), TNC viability (84.22±10.02%), CD34+7AAD- viability (88.11±5.16%), CD45+7AAD- viability (73.67±8.31%) and CFC count (1.37±0.59 x 106) were determined after 25 years of cryopreservation. Discussion In addition, these relevant parameters were retrospectively analyzed for released transplants in correlation to the storage time. The follow-up data of recipients from CBUs demonstrate an earlier engraftment of volume-reduced CBUs as compared to unseparated CBUs in accordance to an increased TNC count over time. With regard to applied processing methods, engraftment time and patient age (children and adults) this retrospective analysis confirms the high quality of old CBUs stored in the liquid phase at -196°C.

The Escalation of Child Trafficking in Makassar: A Criminological Analysis

This research analyzes the factors contributing to escalating child trafficking activities in Makassar. This research uses an empirical legal research method with a criminology-based approach. All collected data is then qualitatively analyzed to describe the problem and answer the research objectives. The results show that the incidence of child trafficking in Makassar has escalated due to the complexity of multiple factors, including economic, community, education, social, gender inequality, technology, and law enforcement. Therefore, several recommendations can be proposed to the relevant stakeholders. First, the Makassar Municipal should consider implementing economic stabilization programs centered on protecting vulnerable children and families. Second, the development and enhancement of education quality should be prioritized, aiming to augment access to knowledge and awareness about children’s rights. Additionally, efforts to reduce poverty and promote gender equality must be intensified to prevent the exploitation of women and children. Third, the government and tech regulators must devise and implement policies to curb the misuse of social media in the context of child trafficking. Lastly, there must be an enhancement in law enforcement involving the optimization of the PPA Unit in its investigative role. Concurrently, inclusive and comprehensive legal reforms should be pursued to fortify the child protection system and mitigate the multifaceted factors exacerbating child trafficking in Makassar.

Distribution Management of Rice for Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) at Perum BULOG Bondowoso

Rice has a strategic role in food security. The government always strives to improve food security, especially those originating from increased domestic production. Production of rice produced without effective distribution development activities can affect uncontrolled prices, in the distribution of rice there are several efforts made by the Perum BULOG. Perum BULOG issued the Supply Stability and Price Stability program or Market Operation. This is carried out throughout the year to anticipate spikes in rice prices among consumers and has proven effective. This study aims to find out how rice distribution management is implemented and find out what factors and strategies are dominant in the development of rice distribution at the Perum BULOG Bondowoso. The method used is a descriptive that carried out by in-depth interviews with the distribution assistant of the manager. The company's position based on the SWOT is in quadrant I with IFE 3,4 and EFE 3,76. Perum BULOG is more affected by external factors, such as lack of control on the activity of Supply Stability and Price Stability in the market. It needs to strengthen the establishment of relations with stakeholders so that distribution goes well and opens up new opportunities to achieve the company's goal.

PRRSV-1 Stabilization Programs in French Farrow-to-Finish Farms: A Way to Reduce Antibiotic Usage.

Infection with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus type 1 (PRRSV-1) has serious economic consequences for the pig industry. Swine practitioners and other agricultural advisors often describe an increase in antibiotic use when PRRSV-1 is circulating. Our objective was to assess the impact of PRRSV-1 stabilization programs on reducing antibiotic use in 19 French farrow-to-finish farms that successfully implemented such a protocol between 2007 and 2019. For each farm, we compared the global antibiotic consumption, including all physiological stages (expressed in mg/PCU and ALEA) one year before (P1) and one year after (P2) the implementation of the protocol, and the change between P1 and P2 was calculated in percentages. The data were also analyzed by level of consumption. We showed that antibiotic use decreased significantly between P1 and P2 if expressed in mg/PCU and showed a decreased tendency in terms of exposure (ALEA) after PRRSV-1 stabilization. Concerning the change from P1 to P2, depending on the level of consumption in P1, our results showed that the higher the consumption levels were in P1, the greater the antibiotic reduction in P2. This study highlights the ability of a stabilization protocol against PRRSV-1 to reduce antibiotic use, especially on farms that have high consumption rates. These hopeful results show that further investigations about the relationship between PRRSV-1 and antibiotic usage could be beneficial.