Strategic Points Research Articles

Pendidikan Agama Islam Solusi Dalam Menangani Dekadensi Moral Era Milenial

The research aims to explain Islamic religious education as a solution in addressing the moral decadence in the millennial era. The research method employed is qualitative, utilizing literature review. The results indicate that moral decadence in the millennial era is occurring due to the influence of the advancements in science and technology (Iptek). The development of Iptek has a significant impact, bringing about both positive and negative consequences. Despite its positive effects, the development of Iptek has also raised numerous negative issues, particularly the decline in the morality of the nation's generation (moral decadence). As a result of Iptek's progress, consumeristic, hedonistic, and secularistic attitudes are the embryos of moral decadence in the generation. This is further exacerbated when moral decadence becomes evident among the nation's young students. Threats that may be underestimated by the current generation are related to violence in the educational environment, bullying, conflicts, and sexual harassment, all of which contribute to the moral decadence of the nation. Islamic education plays a crucial role in addressing these issues. Therefore, religious education, being a strategic point in moral development, must reform and reassess its role in addressing these problems. This emphasizes the importance of revitalizing strategies for Islamic religious education to minimize the increasingly concerning moral decadence.

Detection Of Pathogens In Human Consumption Water Through Pcr Technique

In this study, the presence of pathogenic microorganisms such as Listeria Monocytogenes, Escherichia coli with its O157:H7 serotype, and Salmonella spp. was determined in drinking water in the Chambo canton. Selective culture media techniques and conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were employed for this purpose. Specific primers for each pathogen were used for thermocycling, along with positive controls for contrast. A total of 50 samples from different strategic points in the area were analyzed using these methodologies. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 40% (20/50) of the samples, Escherichia coli with its O157:H7 serotype in 80% (40/50), and Salmonella spp. in 20% (10/50). Thus, the quality of the drinking water in the canton was determined based on the number of points contaminated with the studied pathogens. The objective of this research is to understand the degree of contamination in drinking water and to consider possible alternatives in the sector to reduce the microbial load in the study matrix.

Endogenous rural development planning. Case: Vereda El Vergel in Palmor - Ciénaga Magdalena, Colombia

In Colombia, the agricultural sector is a strategic point to generate development in the territories; but few governmental actions are implemented to achieve it, therefore, the objective of this research is to explain how the rural development of Vereda Vergel in Palmor-Ciénaga Magdalena, Colombia, has taken place based on the productive activities developed by its inhabitants under the criterion of governance of the community itself focused on its welfare. Methodologically, it is classified as a descriptive-explanatory field study with a qualitative approach, following the theoretical postulates of Alburquerque (2007) and Martínez de Anguita (2006). As a data collection technique, an interview script was applied to a focus group formed by farmers of the village. The main finding shows that there is no planning in the territory to promote the rural development generated within the community; however, the community diversifies its productive activity in fruit and bread crops such as lemon, mango, strawberry, coffee, yucca, yams; on the other hand, animal husbandry: chickens, ducks, pigs and cows, as well as beekeeping activities. In this sense, all the primary production and handcrafted processed products

Impact of a Community Pharmacy Pharmacotherapy Follow-up (PTF) service in patients using opioid analgesic

The use of prescribed major opioid analgesics (fentanyl, tapentadol, morphine and oxycodone and combinations) for non-cancer chronic pain is fraught with risks that may generate Negative Medicine Outcomes (NMO). Among the factors associated with these risks, those related to the patient's characteristics and aberrant behavior, the treatment conditions, and the prescription health settings should be evaluated with the aim of minimizing unsafety during the health care process. The present study addresses, from a community pharmacy, the analysis of Drug Related Problems (DRP) and Negative Medicine Outcomes (NMO) in patients using these major opioid analgesics while it aims to demonstrate the role of pharmaceutical care interventions in promoting safety during the use of these molecules. A three step Pharmacotherapeutic Follow-up (PFT) protocol was designed to prevent, detect, and solve DRP and NMO associated with the use of opioid analgesics. 74.6% of the patients used opioid analgesics to treat musculoskeletal pain. Polypharmacy with benzodiazepines (61.9%); antidepressants (57.1%) and antiepileptics (30.2%) was detected in patients using these opioids. The Morisky-Green Adherence test revealed that 30.2% were nonadherent. It was observed, with statistical significance, that in all patients (63), the impact of the 14-week PFT supervised by the community pharmacist achieved an overall reduction in the prevalence of DRP and NMO. While the reduction in the number of DRPs reached 66.7%. Community pharmacies are a strategic point to promote and implement effective opioid stewardship due to both their central role in healthcare services and frequent interaction with patients.

Evaluation of Laboratory Waste Management at Medan State Polytechnic

The notion of a sustainable campus (green campus) may be used to execute higher education's strategic role in contributing to sustainable development. The Strategic Plan of Medan State Polytechnic, at Strategic Objective Point 7 concerning Improving the Quality of Management of Tridharma Implementation, states that one of Medan State Polytechnic's strategic efforts is to implement sustainable development in the form of a green campus. The scoring evaluation based on categories and waste indicators (WS) based on the UI GreenMetric Guideline World University Rankings 2023 received 75 points out of a possible 1800 points, or 4.3%. Furthermore, efforts are made to improve the waste category's scoring by constructing stabilization ponds comprised of anaerobic ponds, facultative ponds, and maturation ponds for wastewater generated from cleaning laboratory equipment, while the remaining concrete material is used as a mixture of Cement Treated Base (CTB).

The Selection of Weapon Systems in The A2/AD (Not Access/Area Denial) Strategy at Indonesia's Strategic Choke Points by Using The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method

This article utilizes the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to decide how to choose an effective weapon system for the A2/AD (anti-access/area denial) strategy at the Sunda Strait, Indonesia's strategic choke point. The main discussion is limited to selecting the types of weapon systems considered effective in implementing A2/AD at Indonesia's strategic choke points. The next step is to decide which primary, secondary, and alternative criteria are the most important. Each of these will then be put together mathematically by measuring consistency using the Consistency Index (CI), the Consistency Ratio (CR), and the Consistency Hierarchy, which is the ranking as the result of the analysis. This method resulting in a weight for the navigation criteria of 66%, projection of 19%, and operability of 16%. Furthermore, in conclusion, the order of the best weapon systems is RBS15 MK4 with a weight of 66%, Brahmos II at 18%, and Neptune 360ST at 16%.

Bian Que’s Twelve Channels?

Abstract The name Bian Que, like that of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi), has reverberated through the development of Chinese medicine since the time of the Warring States. The discovery of a human figurine showing channels and strategic points, together with a number of medical texts, during the excavation of the Laoguanshan Han tomb in Chengdu, Sichuan, in 2012–13 has reignited controversies about whether it is correct to speak of a specific Bian Que school, or whether, as this paper argues, these texts were written by the Han physicians who used Bian Que as a mouthpiece to record their own medical expositions. The paper begins by examining the main characteristics of the Laoguanshan human figurine and discusses what this excavated artifact reveals about the early history of Chinese medicine. It questions the existence of the so-called Bian Que school and, obliquely, the suggested relationships between the school and the figurine and between the school and medical texts found in the same tomb. The paper shows how diverse the disjointed knowledge of medicine was and that the idea of a “school” does not accurately reflect what was happening in the transmission of medical knowledge during the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods (475 BCE–220 CE).

ESTUDO GEOMORFOLÓGICO E DESCRIÇÃO DE SEDIMENTOS DO BAIXO CURSO DA MICROBACIA DO CÓRREGO DO BRUMADO, SANTA RITA DURÃO/MARIANA MG

The Quadrilatero Ferrifero is an important metallogenic region constituted by pre-Cambrian lithology that has a great collection of bibliographic materials. The Córrego do Brumado basin is localized on the east edge of the quadrilátero and next to the district of Santa Rita Durão and inserted in the reverse flank named Santa Rita synclinal. This approach focuses on the regional geomorphology with post analysis of the sediments collected on the low stream of the river. With bibliographic research and topographical chart analysis, it was possible recognize the study field and recognize the strategic visitation points. The collected samples were examined through a binocular loupe to obtain details about the aspects of their grains and mineralogy. The local geomorphology was analyzed following the classification of the IBGE geomorphological guide. In the scenario, the geological and geomorphological agents act in the evolution of the basin fluvial geomorphology, how represented in the low stream, where the flooding bank and your low energy contribute to the landscape shaping.

Automation and optimization in daylight analysis and life cycle assessment for automated daylight monitoring device for a metro rail station box in Ahmedabad, India

Daylight analysis and optimization are pre-requisites for energy-efficient and sustainable infrastructure. Conventional practices of designing and providing artificial lighting often ignore the consideration of the availability of natural daylight for the infrastructure. This paper aims to analyze the availability and potential of natural daylight reviewing the sky component type at a designated location, real-time sensor-based illuminance measurement on-site and BIM-based daylight simulation. Consequently, a sensor prototype was deployed to the metro rail station for automated optimization. Firstly, the sky component type of Ahmedabad was determined based on the literature review. Subsequently, sensors were integrated at the strategic grid point location covering the entire metro rail station to collect real-time Illuminance for daylight factor calculation. Furthermore, BIM-based sun path and shadow analysis and daylight simulation were carried out to suggest the possibility and potential of daylight savings. Finally, based on all the analysis and results, a newly designed sensor-based prototype was developed and equipped to enhance automated optimization for daylight savings, which resulted in 29% energy savings monthly. This approach significantly helps the project stakeholders to enhance building energy performance and lead a step closer towards sustainable infrastructure.

An analysis of the tripartite evolutionary game for building the ecological security barrier in the Bohai Sea under the threshold of land-sea integration

The construction of marine ecological security barriers (MESBs) is fundamental for the sustainable development of the marine ecological environment and of the marine economy, and is an important component of the strategy of land-sea integration. It is difficult to build an effective MESB simply by relying on the power of the government; therefore, to this respect, it is urgent to encourage the multiple participating subjects to work together. This study takes the Bohai Sea as the research object, and uses evolutionary game theory to construct a game model of decision-making behavior among marine enterprises, local governments, and the public in the process of construction of the MESB in the Bohai Sea, so as to explore the strategic stability equilibrium point through the analysis of the interests of the three decision makers, and lay the foundation for promoting this process. The results are as follows: (1) Local government regulation is key to promote the transformation of the Bohai Sea MESB from policy documents to behavior and from goal to practice; moreover, it directly influences whether the main sources of land-based pollution, i.e., marine enterprises, will abandon the traditional approach to production and development and actively promote the construction of the Bohai Sea MESB. (2) The supervision and reporting of the public can be used as a synergistic, auxiliary supervision means. Thanks to the government’s publicity and education, the public will develop social awareness of marine ecological security, which in turn will ensure a better public supervision of the behavior of local governments and, thus, promote the active participation of marine enterprises in the MESB in the Bohai Sea. (3) Participation costs, ecological benefits, corporate social image, fines, and other factors are the main factors considered in the strategic choice of marine enterprises, with different factors having different marginal effects at different stages. Finally, this study proposes effective measures to further clarify the roles and functions of the stakeholders in the construction of the MESB in the Bohai Sea, balance the interests of the game subjects, and provide an effective implementation path for the realization of the “Ocean Power”.

Whole body vibration and rider comfort determination of an electric two-wheeler test rig.

Two-wheeled vehicles are the major mode of transportation in India. Such vehicles are exposed to excessive vibration on the road when compared to four-wheeled vehicles. However, the research on the reduction of whole body vibration in the case of two-wheelers is not explored in detail. The present study predicts rider comfort in the case of an electric two-wheeler as per ISO 2631-1, by obtaining the finding the weighted acceleration at the strategic locations of vibration at the test rig. An electric two-wheeler test rig is used in the study. The values of acceleration from the test rig in running conditions are obtained by using NI LabVIEW 2019. The drive cycle of the electric vehicle (EV) test rig is controlled by Sync sols' EV lab software. Obtaining the weighted root mean square (RMS) acceleration from running the test setup, it is compared with the ISO 2631-1 standard to obtain the rider comfort. Loading area, traction motor, base mount, and suspension were found to be the strategic points of vibration. Frequency weighted RMS acceleration of 0.3 to 0.4 m/s 2 obtained at these points are prone to cause discomfort for the rider. Vehicle speed, road profile, and duration of exposure were found to be important parameters affecting the rider's comfort. A maximum of 4.6 m/s 2 amplitude was observed. The loading area, which corresponds to a rider's seat in actual vehicle, is important and reduction of these vibrations make the ride comfortable for the rider. Suspension and base mount of the test rig are found to be uncomfortable observing the weighted RMS acceleration. A suitable damping technique design is very much essential in reducing these vibrations and improve the rider comfort, as many more non-deterministic vibrations are prone to cause dis-comfort in case of actual on road riding conditions.

Hydrogeological assessment of a major spring discharging from a calcarenitic aquifer with implications on resilience to climate change

Groundwater is a vital source of freshwater, serving ecological, environmental, and societal needs. In regions with springs as a predominant source, such as the Northern Apennines (Italy), resilience of these springs to climate-induced recharge changes is crucial for water supply and ecosystem preservation. In this study, Nadìa Spring in the Northern Apennines is examined through an unprecedented array of multidisciplinary analyses to understand its resilience and unique characteristics. The Nadìa Spring's exceptional response, characterized by a sustained base flow even in the face of drought, is attributed to a combination of factors including a substantial groundwater reservoir, a complex network of faults/fractures, slope instabilities, and karst dissolution. The investigation reveals a dual porosity system in the aquifer, consisting of fast-flow conduits and a diffuse fracture network. While fast-flow conduits contribute to rapid responses during high-flow conditions, the diffuse system becomes predominant during low-flow periods. This dual porosity structure helps the spring maintain a consistent base flow in the face of climate-induced recharge fluctuations. The study shows that Nadìa Spring exhibits remarkable resilience to year-to-year variations in recharge, as evidenced by stable minimum discharge values. While the spring has undergone a decline in discharge over the past century due to long-term climate change, it is becoming more resilient over interdecadal timescales due to transition to a diffuse drainage system that mitigates the impact of reduced recharge. The availability of a century-long spring discharge monitoring was a crucial piece of information for understanding the spring's discharge response and drawing conclusions about its long-term resilience to recharge fluctuations. Continuing long-term monitoring and research in the future will be essential to validate and expand upon these findings in the context of changing climatic conditions. This research serves as a model for assessing strategic groundwater discharge points in geological settings similar to the Northern Apennines.

CHIVA for dummies.

Sparing the Great Saphenous Vein capital for possible arterial substitution and recurrence decrease may be an alternative to current ablation options for Varicose Veins treatment. Conservative surgery of varicose veins (CHIVA) was suggested in 1988 by Franceschi, by limited veins interruptions in strategic points. However, the method did not diffuse due to the need for high Duplex expertise to determine the procedure in every single patient. Evaluation of the literature regarding saphenous sparing, with special reference to CHIVA. It has been realized that basic Ultrasound expertise is sufficient for performing GSV conservation. Most of the time, only a few parameters are needed: a junction competence assessment and a re-entry perforator position. For achieving the goal of saphenous conservative treatment, a limited phlebectomy and possible Junction interruption (crossotomy) may be a simplified solution.

Microplastic Distribution Model in Ambient Air PM2.5 Around the Medan Industrial Area, North Sumatra

This research aims to investigate and model the distribution of microplastics in PM2.5-sized air particulates around the Medan industrial area, North Sumatra. Focusing on airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, this research seeks to understand the impact of exposure to microplastics on ambient air quality. The air sampling method was carried out systematically at various strategic points around the industrial area, and laboratory analysis was carried out to detect and identify microplastics. The research results showed that the number of microplastics in PM2.5 in ambient air ranged from 41 – 92 particles with an abundance of 0.41 – 1.40 particles/m3. The dominant form of microplastics around the Medan industrial area is fragments, amounting to 62%. The distribution of the number of microplastics and their abundance is marked in red, which is close to the source of pollution, namely industrial areas.

LDV measurements of boundary layer velocity profiles on flat plates with different surface roughnesses

The dynamics acting upon thin flat plates submerged in a fluid are chiefly governed by the delicate boundary layer enveloping their surfaces. Through a series of experiments, we investigated the impact of surface roughness elements on the boundary layer adjacent to a flat plate across a range of Reynolds numbers. The experiments were performed in the Chungnam National University-Cavitation Tunnel (CNU-CT). Three flat plates, each characterized by distinct surface roughness heights denoted by k, were subjected to scrutiny. One boasted a pristine smoothness, while the others bore the deliberate roughness of sandpaper, each with its own unique texture. With precision instrumentation, including Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV), we meticulously documented the axial velocity profile and the RMS (Root Mean Square) velocity at strategic points along the flat plates. Through these measurements, we unveiled the boundary layer's thickness, δ, and momentum thickness, θ, elucidating their variations under differing free-stream velocities. As our exploration deepened, the relationship between the local Reynolds number, Rnx, and the non-dimensional velocity profiles, u+ − y+, became apparent. A systematic shift along the log-law line ensued, with both u+ and y + increasing in tandem with the rise in Rnx. Yet, our inquiry did not conclude with observation alone. Employing empirical rigor, we quantified the drag forces acting upon flat plates of varying roughness heights, deriving them from the measured momentum thickness across a range of local Reynolds numbers, Rnx.

Mitochondrial Alpha-Keto Acid Dehydrogenase Complexes: Recent Developments on Structure and Function in Health and Disease.

The present work delves into the enigmatic world of mitochondrial alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes discussing their metabolic significance, enzymatic operation, moonlighting activities, and pathological relevance with links to underlying structural features. This ubiquitous family of related but diverse multienzyme complexes is involved in carbohydrate metabolism (pyruvate dehydrogenase complex), the citric acid cycle (α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex), and amino acid catabolism (branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex, α-ketoadipate dehydrogenase complex); the complexes all function at strategic points and also participate in regulation in these metabolic pathways. These systems are among the largest multienzyme complexes with at times more than 100 protein chains and weights ranging up to ~10 million Daltons. Our chapter offers a wealth of up-to-date information on these multienzyme complexes for a comprehensive understanding of their significance in health and disease.

Can trusted authorities change minds on anti-LGBTQ norms: Evidence from an experiment in Ghana.

Across numerous African societies, a prevalent resistance to LGBTQ rights is evident. While prominent strides have been made on LGBTQ rights in various parts of the world, the African context has witnessed limited progress. Public opinion polls indicate that influential figures have succeeded in altering public sentiment towards LGBTQ rights in Western countries, yet such progress remains elusive in the African context. Mechanisms effective in shifting public attitudes toward embracing LGBTQ rights remain largely unexplored, especially in the African context. In this paper, we consider whether endorsement messages conveyed by trusted authorities possess the potential to foster a shift in attitudes towards embracing LGBTQ rights among a nationally representative sample of respondents in Ghana. Through a factorial experiment, we find that there are varying impacts of messaging from distinct trusted authorities in shaping attitudes toward embracing LGBTQ rights. Notably, pro-LGBTQ messaging from traditional and co-partisan leaders yields modest effects, while messaging from religious leaders exhibits no discernible impact. These findings hold significance for determining strategic focal points in potential endeavors to advance LGBTQ rights within the African context.

Geospatial analysis for strategic wildlife disease surveillance: African swine fever in South Korea (2019-2021).

Since the confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) in South Korea in 2019, its spread, predominantly in wild boars, has been a significant concern. A key factor in this situation is the lack of identification of risk factors by surveillance bias. The unique orography, characterized by high mountains, complicates search efforts, leading to overlooked or delayed case detection and posing risks to the swine industry. Additionally, shared rivers with neighboring country present a continual threat of virus entry. This study employs geospatial analysis and statistical methods to 1) identify areas at high risk of ASF occurrence but possibly under-surveilled, and 2) indicate strategic surveillance points for monitoring the risk of ASF virus entry through water bodies and basin influences. Pearson's rho test indicated that elevation (rho = -0.908, p-value < 0.001) and distance from roads (rho = -0.979, p-value < 0.001) may have a significant impact on limiting surveillance activities. A map of potential under-surveilled areas was created considering these results and was validated by a chi-square goodness-of-fit test (X-square = 208.03, df = 1, p-value < 0.001). The strong negative correlation (rho = -0.997, p-value <0.001) between ASF-positive wild boars and distance from water sources emphasizes that areas surrounding rivers are one of the priority areas for monitoring. The subsequent hydrological analyses provided important points for monitoring the risk of virus entry via water from the neighboring country. This research aims to facilitate early detection and prevent further spread of ASF.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INVESTMENTS INTO HUMAN CAPITAL AT THE MACRO LEVEL

This article is devoted to the study of the problem of evaluating the effectiveness of financing the education sector as an important industry that contributes to the creation of conditions for accelerated economic growth. In the context of the formation and development of an innovative economy, investments in education are of a priority nature and provide an important competitive advantage from a strategic point of view - the accumulation and development of the country's intellectual potential. At the same time, an increase in investment in education does not mean an increase in the effect and cannot guarantee an increase in the quality of educational services. Therefore, one of the topical issues in the implementation of investments in the industry is the evaluation of their effectiveness. The formation of a methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of investment in education at the macro level is based on a comparison of changes in national investment in education and changes in the human development index. Approbation of the proposed method is carried out on a specific example. This article analyzes the works of the classics of philosophy and economics, monographs, scientific and technical research, and articles by foreign and domestic scientists on the analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of investments in human capital. The results of this study raise an important question for theoretical economists: what the mechanism by which human capital is affects economic growth, how to model the relationship between the stock of human capital, capital, and technological progress, as well as the law of accumulation of human capital in the model.

The Key Impact of Management Modes for Innovation in SMEs

This study assists in obtaining a better knowledge of managerial and organizational factors favoring different types of innovation, highlighting the critical role of creativity, risk-taking, and performance management for operational innovation. Also, this study aims to simultaneously investigate interactions of exploration and exploitation innovation to show how managers and organizations are usually treated in exploration and exploitation innovation. A sample of 755 valid questionnaires from small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) from diverse firms in the global south were employed and analyzed using the partial least square structural equation model to examine the proposed research model and assumptions. This study shows that creativity, risk-taking, and performance management are positively and significantly affect operational innovation in global south SMEs. From a strategic point of view, our findings demonstrate that SMEs must create innovation in order to maintain their performance. Managers of SMEs would be aware of the influence of various types of innovation on various aspects of business performance, such as marketing, operations, and finance. On a management level, the research findings assist SMEs in achieving high performance levels with their innovation projects. In addition, this research helps readers to develop a better knowledge of how organizations combine operating innovations and exploration.