Quality Standards Research Articles

Pengaruh Pengalaman Kerja dan Pelatihan Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Engineering Maintenance PT XYZ

Company's excellence center will be achieved with competent human resources towards the company's rapid competitiveness. This study aims to investigate how work experience and job training affect employee performance in the Engineering Maintenance Department Organisation at PT XYZ. Population and sample for this study included Engineering and Maintenance employees at PT XYZ. The research utilized multiple linear regression analysis as the primary method to examine the relationships between the variables. A quantitative approach was employed. Research sample was chosen using saturated sampling technique, the study involved a total of 35 respondents. Data analysis results indicate that work experience and job training significantly impact employee performance. According to the coefficient of determination test results, training and compensation contribute 43.2% to employee performance. From this research it is recommended to PT XYZ increase investment in training and develop strategies to enhance employee performance. This should help improve the quality standards of employee performance through training, enabling employees to gain more valuable experience, maintain a smooth production process, and produce high-quality goods.

Pengendalian Persediaan Sparepart dengan Menggunakan Metode Fifo di Warehouse di PT.Heinz ABC Indonesia Pasuruan

Spare parts inventory is a common problem faced by many companies that use lots of machines or robots in their production processes. Where the spare parts warehouse in the company is required to always be prepared and there is no delay in the availability of spare parts to continue to support production machine activities. If the availability of spare parts is late or empty, it will hamper the production process activities within the company. Seeing this problem, researchers are trying to maintain the availability of spare parts using the FIFO (first in first out) method so as to prevent delays or stock shortages. The FIFO method is a method of inventory management that uses product stock in the warehouse based on the time of entry. By using this method, it is hoped that there will be no delays or stock vacancies in the warehouse due to irregularities in picking up spare parts in the warehouse. The aim of this research is to ascertain how the use of the FIFO method affects the warehouse's ability to manage spare parts inventory efficiently. Field research is this type of research. This research uses a qualitative data analysis methodology and inductive reasoning, which starts with precise and real facts before drawing conclusions from them. The research results provide significant benefits in increasing operational efficiency and reducing the possibility of excess or shortage of stock, which can disrupt production and delivery processes. Efficient receiving also helps in maintaining spare parts quality, ensuring that only items that meet quality standards are received and stored. Application of the FIFO method in the spare parts warehouse at PT. Heinz ABC Indonesia also has a positive impact on inventory recording and reporting. With a more regular flow of goods in and out, the recording system becomes more accurate and easier to track. This makes it easier for the accounting and management team to carry out audits and identify potential problems.

AVALIAÇÃO DA EXECUÇÃO DE PRÉ-MOLDADOS EM RESIDÊNCIAS

The use of precast elements in residential construction has proven to be an effective and attractive option due to its speed, precision, and cost reduction. This research explores the particularities, benefits, and challenges associated with this construction method, covering various types of components, such as slabs and beams, as well as the stages of the process, including manufacturing, transportation, and assembly. Among the advantages are the uniformity of components, faster construction processes, waste reduction, and efficient material management, which promotes sustainability in the construction sector. However, challenges also arise, such as the need for rigorous planning, skilled labor, adherence to quality standards in production, and some limitations in project flexibility. Logistical issues and the resistance of structures to weather conditions are essential to ensure the durability of buildings. The study concludes that, despite certain constraints, the strategic use of precast elements can bring significant benefits to residential construction, especially with the advancement of new technologies and innovations.

Study of the Framework and Attributes of Ethical Standards in Journalism

It has always been difficult to create fair evaluation criteria for journalists, especially when it comes to judging morality and ethical conduct in news reporting. These guidelines function as yardsticks for gauging the ethics of news topics and the objectivity of journalistic techniques. These criteria are becoming more and more difficult as journalism changes, especially in the digital age. Fostering ethical journalism requires an understanding of its categorization and internal structure. This analysis employs a conceptual framework to explore the evaluation standards of news ethics. The method involves: Literature Review: Examining existing academic literature, ethical codes, and industry guidelines to outline the prevailing evaluation standards in journalism. Thematic Analysis: Identifying and categorizing the components of evaluation standards into normative and quality standards, assessing their relevance to different aspects of journalistic practice. Case Studies: Analyzing specific instances where journalistic ethics were put to the test, allowing for a practical understanding of how these standards function in real-world scenarios. The primary objective of this study is to clarify the internal structure of journalistic ethics evaluation standards and highlight the distinctions between normative and quality standards. By doing so, the analysis aims to provide insights into how these standards can be effectively applied to evaluate news behaviors and moral character in journalism. What is deemed ethical in one context may not hold the same weight in another. This relativity underscores the importance of understanding the specific circumstances surrounding journalistic practices. Historical Context: The evolution of journalistic ethics is tied to historical events and societal changes. Standards that once sufficed may need reevaluation to address contemporary challenges, particularly with the rise of digital media and misinformation. Complex Internal Structure: The internal structure of evaluation standards can be multi-layered, with different levels of criteria applied depending on the context and specific ethical dilemmas faced by journalists. This complexity requires continuous dialogue and adjustment as new ethical challenges arise. Practical Implications: Journalists and media organizations must engage with these standards actively, incorporating them into training and policy development. By fostering an understanding of both normative and quality standards, the industry can promote a more ethical and accountable journalism practice.

The Relation Between Passively Collected GPS Mobility Metrics and Depressive Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The objective, unobtrusively collected GPS features (eg, homestay and distance) from everyday devices like smartphones may offer a promising augmentation to current assessment tools for depression. However, to date, there is no systematic and meta-analytical evidence on the associations between GPS features and depression. This study aimed to investigate the between-person and within-person correlations between GPS mobility and activity features and depressive symptoms, and to critically review the quality and potential publication bias in the field. We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CENTRAL, ACM, IEEE Xplore, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify eligible articles focusing on the correlations between GPS features and depression from December 6, 2022, to March 24, 2023. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied in a 2-stage inclusion process conducted by 2 independent reviewers (YT and JK). To be eligible, studies needed to report correlations between wearable-based GPS variables (eg, total distance) and depression symptoms measured with a validated questionnaire. Studies with underage persons and other mental health disorders were excluded. Between- and within-person correlations were analyzed using random effects models. Study quality was determined by comparing studies against the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. Publication bias was investigated using Egger test and funnel plots. A total of k=19 studies involving N=2930 participants were included in the analysis. The mean age was 38.42 (SD 18.96) years with 59.64% (SD 22.99%) of participants being female. Significant between-person correlations between GPS features and depression were identified: distance (r=-0.25, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.21), normalized entropy (r-0.17, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.04), location variance (r-0.17, 95% CI -0.26 to -0.04), entropy (r=-0.13, 95% CI -0.23 to -0.04), number of clusters (r=-0.11, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.03), and homestay (r=0.10, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.19). Studies reporting within-correlations (k=3) were too heterogeneous to conduct meta-analysis. A deficiency in study quality and research standards was identified: all studies followed exploratory observational designs, but no study referenced or fully adhered to the international guidelines for reporting observational studies (STROBE). A total of 79% (k=15) of the studies were underpowered to detect a small correlation (r=.20). Results showed evidence for potential publication bias. Our results provide meta-analytical evidence for between-person correlations of GPS mobility and activity features and depression. Hence, depression diagnostics may benefit from adding GPS mobility and activity features as an integral part of future assessment and expert tools. However, confirmatory studies for between-person correlations and further research on within-person correlations are needed. In addition, the methodological quality of the evidence needs to improve. OSF Registeries cwder; https://osf.io/cwder.

Selection of priority watershed for water environment management.

As part of the National Water Management Basic Plan, this study conducted research to identify priority management watersheds in the Yeongsan River basin to respond to changes in water environmental conditions and improve water quality. Analysis of water quality over the past decade revealed that points located in the middle and lower of the Yeongsan River exceeded the target water quality standards. As based on the results, pollution sources and loads indicated that the W-1 watershed, classified as urban areas, exhibited high levels in residential, industrial, and urban landuse characteristics, whereas the W-6 watershed, classified as rural areas, showed high levels in livestock farming, aquaculture, and agricultural landuse (wet and dry filed) categories. To understand the impact of point source (PS) and non-point source (NPS) pollution within the watershed, load duration curve (LDC) analysis was conducted, indicating that downstream segments of all flow ranges exceeded the target water quality standards, necessitating management of both PS and NPS. Multivariate log-linear analysis also confirmed the influence of PS and NPS, suggesting that watershed management should concurrently address both types of pollution. Based on the results, priority management watershed rankings were derived through the calculation of standard and integrated indicators, with the analysis indicating the following order: W-1 > W-6 > W-3 > W-4 > W-2 > W-5 > W-7 > W-8. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Priority management watersheds that urgently need water environment management can be identified. The priority management watershed rankings were derived through the calculation of integrated indicators data on BOD, TP concentration, and loads. Serve as a guide for future diagnostic assessments of pollution sources and the development of effective management strategies. Anticipated to significantly contribute to the establishment of robust water quality management practices in the basin.

Finding wholegrain pasta quality: what are the challenges and opportunities?

This review approaches the challenges and opportunities regarding wholegrain pasta’s quality. Bibliometric maps were created to help visualize wholegrain pasta studies’ main themes and chronology. Most research findings have focused on digestibility and nutritional enhancement, although concerns such as raw materials and processing conditions require further investigation. The main challenges are regulatory harmonization and developing quality standards to evaluate and produce wholegrain pasta. Thus, further research is necessary to overcome these challenges and improve technological and sensory quality of wholegrain pasta.

Enterprise Data Governance : A Comprehensive Framework for Ensuring Data Integrity, Security, and Compliance in Modern Organizations

Enterprise data governance has emerged as a critical function for organizations seeking to maximize the value of their data assets while mitigating risks associated with data management. This article presents a comprehensive framework for implementing effective data governance strategies in modern enterprises. It examines the key components of robust governance structures, including clear policies, well-defined roles and responsibilities, and the establishment of data quality standards. The article explores methods for ensuring regulatory compliance and enhancing data security, emphasizing the importance of risk management and data protection measures. By analyzing case studies across various industries, the article identifies best practices and common challenges in data governance implementation. Additionally, it investigates the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain on data governance practices. The findings underscore the necessity of a holistic approach to data governance that aligns with organizational objectives, fosters a data-driven culture, and adapts to evolving regulatory landscapes. This article contributes to the growing body of knowledge on enterprise data management and provides practical insights for organizations striving to improve their data governance capabilities in an increasingly complex digital environment.

Analysis of Supply Chain Risk Control in Aceh Nut Work Using the House Of Risk Method Approach (Case Study: Nutmeg Oil Industry in South Aceh Regency)

South Aceh nutmeg oil plays an important role in the trade of essential oils from Indonesia. 70-80% of Indonesia's nutmeg oil trade comes from South Aceh. However, on the other hand, there is a disruption in price stability in the production of South Aceh nutmeg oil which is influenced by the quality standards of nutmeg oil. The purpose of this study is to identify potential risks that arise in the supply chain, find risk agents as the cause of the risk and control the risk by designing risk mitigation and its formulation in the structure of the nutmeg oil supply chain in South Aceh. The technique used in this study is the House Of Risk (HOR) method. The study has obtained 23 risk events and 17 priority risk agents covering Source, Make, Distribution and Costumer (Return) activities. Then from the risk agents obtained, 11 priority mitigation actions were also obtained as a control of the performance of the nutmeg oil supply chain that can be applied in an effort to reduce the occurrence of supply chain risks so that the industry is able to produce optimally and is able to improve the quality of nutmeg oil which of course has a positive impact on the selling value.

Quality control of eddy covariance fluxes of two ecosystem types with local flux-variance similarity functions in West Africa

Ecosystem capacity studies for carbon sequestration and water extraction are largely conditioned by Eddy Covariance (EC) measurement availability and quality. Our study aims at evaluating several procedures of EC data qualification. Indeed, quality control of EC data is generally ensured by stationarity and well-developed turbulence tests. The latter is based on integral turbulence characteristic (ITC) models. In this study, we revisited the quality control procedure using locally established ITC models for wind speed components and atmospheric scalars (temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide molar densities) in unstable and stable conditions. We also considered the interdependence of flux qualities because of the corrections applied to fluxes during their preprocessing. The analyses were carried out using one year of data collected above a woodland forest and mixed crop sites, both situated in Northern Benin, West Africa. From these analyzes we note that the quality flags vary depending on the use of local or existing ITC models. Also, the test of turbulence development on atmospheric scalars, previously neglected, is of great importance in the quality control of data. Thus, taking into account the ITC models associated with the atmospheric scalars established locally in the well-developed turbulence test as well as taking into account the interdependence of the flux quality have considerably improved the standard quality control procedure used in effectively filtering unrealistic flux data while keeping a considerable percentage of good and medium quality data.

ANALYSIS OF PERIODIC SELF-ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HEALTH QUALITY STANDARDS IN TERMS OF MATERIAL MANAGEMENT AS A PREVENTIVE ACTIVITY: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

This study aims to investigate the effects of periodic self-assessments on materials management within the framework of quality management in healthcare. The retrospective study, conducted in a university hospital, evaluates the effectiveness of quality improvement initiatives and compliance with health standards, while examining in detail the effects of these processes on materials management. It also investigates how self-assessment processes improve healthcare service delivery and contribute to materials management processes. Problems identified through Fishbone and Pareto analysis are examined, prioritised and solutions are developed. The findings obtained aim to improve material management processes and increase quality standards in health. The main purpose of the research is to examine the effects of periodic self-assessments on materials management in order to improve the quality of healthcare services. The findings emphasise the importance of maintaining quality standards in health services and systematic handling of periodic self-assessments. Problems identified by Fishbone and Pareto analysis are analysed by root cause analysis and solutions are developed. This approach aims to contribute to the development of materials management processes and to the improvement of quality standards in healthcare. The results of the research are an important guide for practitioners, managers and policy makers in the fields of quality management and materials management in health services.

Development of conceptual provisions for implementing innovative technologies to quality standards of public passenger transport

This paper reports a study of the main principles for the formation of public passenger transport service quality standards. The object of the research is public passenger transport services. The task of the study is the development of conceptual foundations for the formation of quality standards using modern innovative technologies. It has been established that the main factor in achieving the quality of public passenger transport services is taking into account innovative technologies and compliance with the criteria and norms of EU standards. Features in the functioning of public passenger transport in the world have been studied, including the use of information platforms for tracking the movement of transport routes, Internet applications, ensuring safety and compliance with environmental requirements. The criteria that serve as indicators of improving the efficiency of the quality of services have been defined, among the main ones are the availability of transportation, comfort, frequency of traffic, and waiting time, quality of service, as well as safety. A system of forming the quality of public passenger transport services has been proposed, which involves determining the needs and requirements of consumers of public passenger transport services, ensures the development of measures to improve the quality of services and their certification. A comprehensive approach to the formation of the quality of public passenger transport services based on the introduction of innovative technologies has been formed, which could make it possible to determine the level of their innovative development, as well as ways to improve it. This approach takes into account the relationship between implemented measures, measuring the level of service quality and the distribution of obligations to ensure the level of services determined by quality criteria. This makes it possible to determine the required level of quality of public passenger transport services and to form a relationship between the level of innovative technologies and the stages of the approach. The practical significance of the results is the design of tools that would ensure the improvement of the quality of public passenger transport services.

WEB BASED INTERNAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM A DESIGN AND PROTOTYPING

Improving the quality of education in higher education institutions is crucial to support the development of human resources and the progress of the nation. Utpadaka Swastika University, as one of the higher education institutions in Indonesia, is committed to producing high-quality and competitive graduates. To ensure this quality, an effective and efficient internal quality assurance system (SPMI) is necessary. This research aims to design and build an internal quality assurance system based on the web using PHP and MySQL at Utpadaka Swastika University with the prototyping method. Software testing is conducted through Black Box Testing. This internal quality assurance system aims to ensure the quality of higher education provided by universities through the implementation of the Tridharma of Higher Education, in order to realize the vision and meet the needs of stakeholders. The achievement of quality assurance goals through the internal quality assurance system will be accredited through external quality assurance systems. This system can assist in presenting document information accessible to program heads, leaders, auditors, administrators, and quality assurance body (LPM) leaders. It facilitates program heads in the process of collecting and submitting documents for evaluation and audit instruments, allowing the LPM to directly identify issues and quality standards in the internal quality assurance process. This system is expected to be used as a reference for further development of an Internal Quality Assurance System so that the system can have better features.

Financial feasibility: developing and commercializing Turmeric Kombucha with the business model canvas

Turmeric Kombucha, a fermented drink combining the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, represents a promising product of functional beverage market. In order to successfully bring Turmeric Kombucha to market, it is essential to evaluate its commercialization potential. This involves assessing the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and financial feasibility metrics. This study aims to determine the feasibility and strategies for successfully commercializing Turmeric Kombucha for development a business plan with scale up the production of Turmeric Kombucha. The result indicate that Turmeric Kombucha has a viable business model with 9 elements. Based on financial shows that Net Present Value (NPV) of $ 13,405,417.62, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 71.42 %, a Payback Period (PP) of 0.59 years, and Break-Even Point (BEP) metrics of 3,173 units and $ 4,914.46. The analysis shows strong financial viability and significant growth potential for Turmeric Kombucha, supported by sustainable and efficient supply chain partnerships. The features and characteristics of the obtained results in this study, namely: a) high consumer interest from health-conscious individuals over 18 years old; b) health benefits of Turmeric Kombucha include hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties; c) key resources include efficient production processes, user-friendly equipment, and adequate human and financial resources. The practical application of these results involves strategies for scale up of market expansion, quality standardization, and supply chain enhancement. Customer relationships are fostered through direct and indirect distribution channels such as marketplaces, word-of-mouth, and retail stores.

Inisiasi Pengolahan Air Embung dengan Teknologi Multimedia Filter (MMF) sebagai Solusi Air Bersih di Kabupaten Bojonegoro

Clean water and proper sanitation are fundamental human needs. Nganti Village, located in Ngraho Subdistrict, Bojonegoro Regency, faces significant drought and clean water shortages, particularly during the dry season. The water quality remains subpar despite the presence of springs and water reservoirs. Consequently, processing raw water from the village's reservoir can offer a viable solution. This service activity aims to harness water reservoirs as a clean water source through multimedia filter (MMF) technology. The activities, conducted from 2022 to the end of 2023, encompass four stages: socializing the program plans, constructing multimedia filters (MMF), installing the water treatment unit on-site, and evaluating water quality, followed by necessary follow-ups. The primary activities involve installing water treatment units with MMF technology in collaboration with village officials and the community. The treated water is then tested for quality at the IPB University laboratory. Test results indicate that MMF technology significantly improves water quality, reducing parameters such as Magnesium, Manganese, Calcium, Iron, and Phosphate by 25.8‒97.8%, thus meeting quality standards. However, some parameters, such as TSS, COD, and Zinc, still exceed quality standards, necessitating further processing. This advanced water treatment requires involvement from the local government, particularly in funding through community empowerment programs, to install advanced treatment units and provide operational support for these units.

Deep learning models for hepatitis E incidence prediction leveraging Baidu index.

Infectious diseases are major medical and social challenges of the 21st century. Accurately predicting incidence is of great significance for public health organizations to prevent the spread of diseases. Internet search engine data, like Baidu search index, may be useful for analyzing epidemics and improving prediction. We collected data on hepatitis E incidence and cases in Shandong province from January 2009 to December 2022 are extracted. Baidu index is available from January 2009 to December 2022. Employing Pearson correlation analysis, we validated the relationship between the Baidu index and hepatitis E incidence. We utilized various LSTM architectures, including LSTM, stacked LSTM, attention-based LSTM, and attention-based stacked LSTM, to forecast hepatitis E incidence both with and without incorporating the Baidu index. Meanwhile, we introduce KAN to LSTM models for improving nonlinear learning capability. The performance of models are evaluated by three standard quality metrics, including root mean square error(RMSE), mean absolute percentage error(MAPE) and mean absolute error(MAE). Adjusting for the Baidu index altered the correlation between hepatitis E incidence and the Baidu index from -0.1654 to 0.1733. Without Baidu index, we obtained 17.04±0.13%, 17.19±0.57%, in terms of MAPE, by LSTM and attention based stacked LSTM, respectively. With the Baidu index, we obtained 15.36±0.16%, 15.15±0.07%, in term of MAPE, by the same methods. The prediction accuracy increased by 2%. The methods with KAN can improve the performance by 0.3%. More detailed results are shown in results section of this paper. Our experiments reveal a weak correlation and similar trends between the Baidu index and hepatitis E incidence. Baidu index proves to be valuable for predicting hepatitis E incidence. Furthermore, stack layers and KAN can also improve the representational ability of LSTM models.

A Comparison of Medical Education Policies in Japan and Singapore with a Focus on Governance: Implications for Korea

Among Asian nations, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea exemplify countries with high standards of medical quality. This review explores the differences in medical education policies between Japan and Singapore, particularly concerning governance, and discusses the implications for South Korea’s medical education policies. Relevant documents were analyzed by referencing scholarly articles and data from governmental and expert organizations in each country. In Japan, advances in medical education policies include initiatives such as the regional quota system and the core curriculum model, which emphasize stakeholder engagement and transparency. However, challenges persist due to limited stakeholder participation, necessitating a transition toward a more equitable governance paradigm. Singapore’s model features robust public-private partnerships with minimal direct governmental intervention, emphasizing innovation and community integration, as seen in the Healthier SG project. These case studies demonstrate effective governance involving significant stakeholder collaboration and strategic financial investments. Conversely, South Korea’s medical education policies face challenges from a predominantly government-centric approach, with an absence of cohesive governance structures and inadequate involvement from essential professional stakeholders. This situation has led to policy inconsistencies and a deficit of strategic direction, exacerbated by insufficient financial support for educational infrastructure and program development. The experiences of Japan and Singapore indicate that it would be beneficial for South Korea to adopt integrated governance frameworks that prioritize transparency and collaboration. Furthermore, increasing financial investment in medical education could mitigate existing deficiencies and improve the quality and effectiveness of its healthcare education system.

ECONOMIC AND LEGAL TRENDS OF EUROPEANIZATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW OF UKRAINE

Today, it is appropriate to talk about cooperation between Ukraine and EU member states in matters that are functional for their legal systems. The first is the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens; providing asylum to refugees from other countries; adaptation of legislation on the regulation of relations in the field of migration, both legal and illegal; fight against illegal employment; and others. It was found that the administrative law of Ukraine is developing in complex political-economic and social-legal conditions. Therefore, the use of European experience in the field of administrative and legal regulation of social relations in Ukraine should not imply mindless copying, which can negatively affect society and the state. The topic of the research should be the creation of national methodological recommendations on quality indicators of individual branches of law in accordance with the quality standards of legislation and law of the countries of the European Union. The introduction of European approaches to the regulation of social relations at the administrative and legal level in Ukraine must be balanced and adapted so that there is no negative impact on the development of society and the process of state formation. At the same time, the comparative legal study and rational use of foreign experience in the development of administrative law allows to significantly expand the so-called "legal field", enriching it with the experience of foreign countries. The current conditions for the development of administrative law in Ukraine depend on globalization, which affects all spheres of life, affecting the development of unified legal values and democratic principles of European administrative law, and the national administrative law system of individual European countries. In fact, there are two parties of subjects endowed with the corresponding rights and obligations in the field of administrative-legal relations.

Formulation of Ethanol Extract Cream of Sikkam Leaves (Bischofia javanica Blume) as an Antifungal Against Candida albicans

Skin health issues in Indonesia, including those caused by fungal infections such as (Candida albicans), can lead to various conditions like candidiasis, scabies, tungiasis, and leprosy. This study aims to evaluate the potential of sikkam leaf extract in developing an antifungal cream to combat (Candida albicans). Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that cannot photosynthesize and reproduce through branching filaments composed of hyphae. Fungi can thrive in diverse environments such as water, soil, and decaying organic matter. A cream is a semi-solid emulsion preparation in which one or more medicinal substances are dissolved or dispersed within a base. This formulation determines the cream’s effectiveness, including the optimal ethanol extract concentration needed for antifungal activity. Extraction of sikkam leaves was conducted using maceration with 70% ethanol, and creams were formulated with extract concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15%. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The study results showed that sikkam leaf-based creams meet quality standards, including organoleptic properties, homogeneity, pH, spreadability, and physical stability. Effectiveness testing indicated that creams with 5%, 10%, and 15% concentrations produced inhibition zones against (Candida albicans) with average diameters of 6.3 mm, 9 mm, and 15.3 mm, respectively. The higher the extract concentration, the stronger the inhibition of fungal growth. The cream with a 15% concentration proved to be the most effective, with inhibition classified as strong. Thus, sikkam leaf extract shows potential as a key ingredient for antifungal cream formulations.

Effects of the Application of Organic Fertilizers on the Yield, Quality, and Soil Properties of Open-Field Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa spp. pekinensis) in China: A Meta-Analysis

With the development of sustainable agriculture, trials on the benefits of the application of organic fertilizers around the world have been conducted. Herein, we investigated the impact of the pure chemical fertilizers (CFs) combined with organic fertilizers compared with the application of CFs (100% CFs) and no fertilizers (NFs) on soil properties as well as the yield and quality of Chinese cabbage through meta-analysis. Results indicate that: (1) Compared with NFs, the application of organic fertilizers can significantly improve the yield and quality of Chinese cabbage and increase soil nutrients. (2) Compared with CFs, the application of organic fertilizers can increase the fresh weight, number of leaves, transverse diameter, leaf length, and development of Chinese cabbage per plant, with increases of 8.54%, 6.6%, 9.905%, 8.42%, and 10.03%; Meanwhile, organic fertilizers can significantly increase the yield (total amount of above-ground parts produced) and commercial yield (the portion that meets the required quality standards and is intended for sale) of Chinese cabbage to increase the yield and commercial yield by 10.08% and 35.56%, respectively. However, it has no significant impact on the income from growing Chinese cabbage. (3) Compared with CFs, the application of organic fertilizers can significantly increase the content of vitamin C (11.06%), soluble sugar (19.16%), and soluble protein (8.83%) and reduce the content of nitrate and nitrite in Chinese cabbage, with a reduction of up to 19.02% and 20.9%, respectively. The application of organic fertilizers will also have a certain impact on the absorption of heavy metals in Chinese cabbage. (4) Compared with CFs, the application of organic fertilizers can significantly improve soil organic matter, soil carbon sequestration, nitrogen absorption, and potassium absorption, showing increases of 12.73%, 13.19%, 7.91%, and 7.37%, and the application of organic fertilizers reduces soil electrical conductivity and available nitrogen, showing decreases of 36.78% and 38.75%, respectively. (5) The application of organic fertilizers significantly increased the content of soil urease and soil sucrase, increasing by 9.42% and 17.16%, respectively. This study helps inform the application of organic fertilizers in Chinese cabbage production.