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Graphical Abstract Highlight Research • The results of this research showed that allometric growth in males and females had negative allometric growth characteristics. • The growth condition index in male and female fish is dominated by thin and fat body shapes.The maximum length growth (L∞) and growth speed of males is higher than that of females. • Total mortality and fishing mortality for males is higher than for females, but natural mortality for females is higher than for males. • The exploitation rate of males and females is in the Under-exploitation category because the E value is

There are still products in the process of issuing halal certificates, even though numerous goods circulating in society promise halalness until 2024. Consequently, comprehensive provisions are required to cover goods and services. This follows the regulations explicitly regulated in Law Number 6 of 2023, Law Number 33 of 2014, and Article 4 of Law Number 8 of 1999 about consumer protection. This writing employs normative juridical legal and field research methods to observe and collect data from real-world societal situations to obtain the necessary facts. The study's findings show that the halal certification program has been effectively implemented in Indonesia's national legal framework, as outlined in Law Number 6 of 2023, Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Guarantee Products, and Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection. The government's efforts to enhance the halal certification program are demonstrated by the self-declare program and halal certification assistance in socialization and data collection for halal certification registration, facilitating business actors to obtain halal certificates that enhance consumer comfort.

Abstract Accurately predicting the Modulus of Resilience (MR) of subgrade soils, which exhibit non-linear stress–strain behaviors, is crucial for effective soil assessment. Traditional laboratory techniques for determining MR are often costly and time-consuming. This study explores the efficacy of Genetic Programming (GEP), Multi-Expression Programming (MEP), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in forecasting MR using 2813 data records while considering six key parameters. Several Statistical assessments were utilized to evaluate model accuracy. The results indicate that the GEP model consistently outperforms MEP and ANN models, demonstrating the lowest error metrics and highest correlation indices (R2). During training, the GEP model achieved an R2 value of 0.996, surpassing the MEP (R2 = 0.97) and ANN (R2 = 0.95) models. Sensitivity and SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis were also performed to gain insights into input parameter significance. Sensitivity analysis revealed that confining stress (21.6%) and dry density (26.89%) are the most influential parameters in predicting MR. SHAP analysis corroborated these findings, highlighting the critical impact of these parameters on model predictions. This study underscores the reliability of GEP as a robust tool for precise MR prediction in subgrade soil applications, providing valuable insights into model performance and parameter significance across various machine-learning (ML) approaches.

Abstract Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, allergic inflammatory skin disorder that lacks a definite cure. Using a mouse DNCB-induced AD-like skin lesions model, this study evaluated the potential therapeutic utility of tHGA as an oral and topical treatment for AD. Male BALB/c mice were sensitised and challenged with 1% and 0.5% DNCB on their shaved dorsal skin. Mice in the treatment group were administered tHGA (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) orally three times per week for 2 weeks, or tHGA (0.2%, 1%, and 5%) topically once daily for 12 days. On day 34, the mice were euthanized, and blood and dorsal skin samples were obtained for analysis. All doses of orally and topically administered tHGA significantly improved scratching, epidermal thickness, blood eosinophilia and mast cell infiltration. There was a minor discrepancy between the two routes of administration, with orally treated tHGA showing significant reductions in Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), tissue eosinophil infiltration, serum IgE and skin IL-4 levels with treatment of 40 and 80 mg/kg tHGA, whereas topically applied tHGA showed significant reductions in all dosages. These findings suggest that tHGA exhibited therapeutic potential for AD as both oral and topical treatment ameliorates AD-like symptoms in the murine model.

The results of experimental research involving nine one-way slabs are detailed in this report. The objective was to investigate the impact of different parameters on the structural performance of these slabs in their absence and with strengthening. Externally bonded CFRP sheets strengthened six of the nine slabs; the three remaining slabs served as control specimens. Before subjecting the specimens to monotonic loading, pre-fatigue damage of 50% and 70% repeated loading was induced. An exhaustive assessment was conducted on each slab, in which it was compared to its control slab. Several crucial elements were incorporated into the evaluation, including the ultimate load capacity, the reason for failure, crack patterns, and load-deflection curves. Examining these metrics was intended to provide insight into the efficacy and structural performance of the employed fortification technology. Compared to unenhanced reinforced concrete slabs (control slab), the highest stresses on slabs supported with bonded CFRP sheets are between 20 and 44% better. Compared to the control slab, an almost 70% reduction in deflection was observed. The flexural performance of compromised reinforced concrete slabs repaired with this technology can be brought up to date and enhanced.

The effectiveness of an air conditioner does not only depend on the design of the air-conditioner solely. Several factors affect the effectiveness of the cooling process of a room. One of the main factors in obtaining optimal results in the cooling process of a room is the rate of heat flow that enters a conditioned space. The amount of heat flow that enters a conditioned room affects the final temperature of the room. The ceiling is a part of the room that has a immense heat-flow rate. That is because the air temperature above the plafond is relatively high, and the thickness of the room plafond is relatively compact. It is necessary to analyze the room plafond material thermal resistance in increasing the heat absorbtion efficiency of household air conditioners. The thermal resistance of the material effect on the average room temperature, room temperature map, and the energy consumption is examined experimentally. The result shows that by occupying the plafond with a Styrofoam layer, the average room temperature decreases by 1.3⁰C, the air conditioner cooling capacity decreases by 0.402 kW, electric current decreases by 0.006 A compared to the existing room condition.

Abstract Background This study explores the impact of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) on the microstructural integrity of white matter tracts in the brain, focusing on areas involved in speech processing. While the primary impact of hearing loss occurs in the inner ear, these changes can extend to the central auditory pathways and have broader effects on brain function. Our research aimed to uncover the neural mechanisms underlying hearing loss-related deficits in speech perception and cognition among NIHL patients. Methods The study included two groups: nine bilateral NIHL patients and nine individuals with normal hearing. Advanced diffusion tensor imaging techniques were employed to assess changes in the white matter tracts. Regions of interest (ROIs), including the auditory cortex, cingulum, arcuate fasciculus, and longitudinal fasciculus, were examined. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values from these ROIs were extracted for analysis. Results Our findings indicated significant reductions in FA values in NIHL patients, particularly in the left cingulum, right cingulum, and left inferior longitudinal fasciculus. Notably, no significant changes were observed in the auditory cortex, arcuate fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus, middle longitudinal fasciculus, and right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, suggesting differential impacts of NIHL on various white matter tracts. Conclusions The study's findings highlight the importance of considering association fibres related to speech processing in treating NIHL, as the broader neural network beyond primary auditory structures is significantly impacted. This research contributes to understanding the neurological impact of NIHL and underscores the need for comprehensive approaches in addressing this condition.

Alat uji lapangan Cone Penetration Test (CPT) yang biasa kita sebut sondir telah banyak digunakan di Indonesia. Namun penggunaan Cone Penetration Test dengan pengukuran air pori (CPTu) belum digunakan secara luas, karena itu penelitian ini akan dilakukan secara langsung di lapangan (in situ) menggunakan alat CPTu. Pengujian in-situ memiliki keunggulan antara lain parameter tanah yang diperoleh pada kondisi tegangan yang sesungguhnya di lapangan, data yang diperoleh bersifat kontinu sepanjang kedalaman dan dapat mengatasi masalah pengambilan sampel ataupun ketergangguan sampel. Lokasi penelitian berada pada kawasan Gedebage Bandung yang saat ini mengalami perkembangan yang luar biasa. Tanah pada kawasan tersebut merupakan tanah lunak yang pada umumnya memiliki kuat geser rendah. Penentuan kuat geser lempung (Su) merupakan rasio net cone resistance dan faktor konus (Nkt). Penelitian lebih mendalam terhadap koefisien Nkt dalam evaluasi kuat geser tanah lunak berdasarkan data hasil uji CPTu akan di verifikasi menggunakan uji laboratorium. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan koefisien Nkt yang sesuai untuk kawasan Gedebage adalah 13-15. Rentang parameter kuat geser hasil uji laboratorium dan hasil uji CPTu di lapangan adalah sebagai berikut: kedalaman 0-10m Su >25 kPa, kedalaman 10-25m Su berkisar 10 kPa dan kedalaman 25-31m Su >100 kPa.

From the approval of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to the 2023 Nobel Prize awarded for nucleoside base modifications, RNA therapeutics have entered the spotlight and are transforming drug development. While the term “RNA therapeutics” has been used in various contexts, this review focuses on treatments that utilize RNA as a component or target RNA for therapeutic effects. We summarize the latest advances in RNA-targeting tools and RNA-based technologies, including but not limited to mRNA, antisense oligos, siRNAs, small molecules and RNA editors. We focus on the mechanisms of current FDA-approved therapeutics but also provide a discussion on the upcoming workforces. The clinical utility of RNA-based therapeutics is enabled not only by the advances in RNA technologies but in conjunction with the significant improvements in chemical modifications and delivery platforms, which are also briefly discussed in the review. We summarize the latest RNA therapeutics based on their mechanisms and therapeutic effects, which include expressing proteins for vaccination and protein replacement therapies, degrading deleterious RNA, modulating transcription and translation efficiency, targeting noncoding RNAs, binding and modulating protein activity and editing RNA sequences and modifications. This review emphasizes the concept of an RNA therapeutic toolbox, pinpointing the readers to all the tools available for their desired research and clinical goals. As the field advances, the catalog of RNA therapeutic tools continues to grow, further allowing researchers to combine appropriate RNA technologies with suitable chemical modifications and delivery platforms to develop therapeutics tailored to their specific clinical challenges.

This study aims to analyze student needs for learning materials for journalism courses at Indonesian Language and Literature Education, Toraja Indonesian Christian University. Using a qualitative approach, the study collected data through a series of in-depth interviews, surveys, and focus groups with students enrolled in journalism courses. The main objective of the study was to identify specific aspects of the learning material that students consider important, areas they find challenging, and suggestions for curriculum improvement. The results show that students value a combination of theoretical and practical learning, with particular emphasis on real-life case studies, multimedia skills, and the use of social media in journalism. Students also highlight the need for greater interaction with professional journalistic practitioners and field practice opportunities such as internships. Key difficulties students face include understanding journalistic investigative concepts, ethics, and legal aspects, as well as the development of technical skills such as writing, editing, and media analysis. This research suggests the need for a flexible and responsive curriculum that integrates the latest technology, provides teaching materials relevant to industry developments, and strengthens students' practical skills. These findings contribute to the development of more effective journalism teaching practices, which focus on preparing students for real challenges in the journalism industry.

Abstract Background Neisseria meningitides, Streptococcus pneumonia, and hemophilic influenza type B are frequently linked to bacterial meningitis (BM) in children. It’s an infectious sickness that kills and severely mobilizes children. For a variety of reasons, bacterial meningitis remains a global public health concern; most cases and deaths are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Even though vaccination has made BM more preventable, children worldwide are still severely harmed by this serious illness. Age, sex, and co-morbidity are among the risk variables for BM that have been found. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify the variables influencing the time to recovery for children with bacterial meningitis at Jigjiga University referral hospital in the Somali regional state of Ethiopia. Method A retrospective cohort of 535 children with bacterial meningitis who received antibiotic treatment was the subject of this study. Parametric Shared Frailty ty and the AFT model were employed with log likelihood, BIC, and AIC methods of model selection. The frailty models all employed the patients' kebele as a clustering factor. Results The number of cases of BM declined in young children during the duration of the 2 year, 11 month study period, but not in the elderly. Streptococcus pneumonia (50%), hemophilic influenza (30.5%), and Neisseria meningitides (15%) were the most frequent causes of BM. The time to recovery of patients from bacteria was significantly influenced by the covariates male patients (ϕ = 0.927; 95% CI (0.866, 0.984); p-value = 0.014), patients without a vaccination history (ϕ = 0.898; 95% CI (0.834, 0.965); P value = 0.0037), and patients who were not breastfeeding (ϕ = 0.616; 95% CI (0.404, 0.039); P-value = 0.024). The recovery times for male, non-breastfed children with bacterial patients are 7.9 and 48.4% shorter, respectively. In contrast to children with comorbidity, the recovery time for children without comorbidity increased by 8.7%. Conclusion Age group, sex, vaccination status, co-morbidity, breastfeeding, and medication regimen were the main determinant factors for the time to recovery of patients with bacterial meningitis. Patients with co-morbidities require the doctor at Jigjiga University Referral Hospital to pay close attention to them.

Background and Aim: Fertility is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of livestock production, as it directly impacts the reproductive rates. A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between sperm quality and embryo development is key to optimizing reproductive outcomes and improving the quality of livestock. This study analyzed the developmental competence of in vitro embryos recovered from Bali cattle with normal or poor sperm motility. Materials and Methods: Nine bulls with normal fresh semen (NFS) or poor fresh semen (PFS) motility were ejaculated for semen. Semen ejaculates, including volume, motility, and sperm concentration, were evaluated immediately after collection to measure the quality of the fresh semen. Frozen semen was evaluated using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) for motility, progressive sperm motility, distance curve path, distance curve linear, distance straight line, average path velocity, curvilinear velocity, linear velocity, straightness (STR), linearity of forward progression (LIN), wobble, and average lateral head displacement (ALH). Bull groups were used to determine in vitro embryo cleavage ability after fertilization of Bali cattle. Ovaries of Bali cattle were collected by slicing, and only cytoplasmic oocytes with compact cumulus cells were used in this study. The oocytes were matured, and in vitro fertilization was performed using fertilization media with a final sperm concentration of 1.5 × 106 spermatozoa/mL. After 48 h, the embryo cleavage ability of the cultured oocytes was evaluated. Results: There were significant differences in motility values between the NFS and PFS groups; however, there were no significant differences in the volume or sperm concentration. There was a significant difference in the LIN value between the groups but no significant differences in other CASA parameters. There were no significant differences in the cleavage rate and morula between the groups, but a positive correlation was observed between the cleavage rate and the morula and between the morula and ALH. A significant negative correlation was observed between the cleavage rate and STR and between the morula and STR; no significant differences were observed for other variables. Conclusion: Despite variations in sperm characteristics, both normal and poor sperm motility demonstrated comparable in vitro embryonic development competence. These findings provide important insights into the fertility potential of Bali bulls, providing valuable information that can enhance selection strategies to improve the quality of livestock production.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted economies and industries worldwide, including the real estate sector. This study aims to assess the effects of the pandemic on commercial real estate prices in the Malaysian market. By examining variations in property types and considering key factors influencing pricing, the research contributes to a better understanding of the pandemic’s impact on the real estate market. To analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial real estate prices, a mixed-method approach was employed. The study combines data from direct real estate indices, which provide insights into property prices based on transaction data, and listed real estate, which includes publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs). By utilizing both sources, a comprehensive analysis of the market is achieved. The sample for this study consists of commercial real estate properties in the Malaysian market. It includes properties from various sectors, such as retail, hospitality, and office buildings. The sample is representative of the overall market and captures the different property types affected by the pandemic. The analysis begins by comparing direct real estate indices to highlight the limitations and potential biases associated with using these indices. It then examines the variations in commercial real estate prices during the COVID-19 outbreak, focusing on the different property types. Statistical techniques, such as regression analysis and trend analysis, are employed to identify patterns and quantify the impact on commercial real estate prices. The study’s main findings reveal that the retail and hospitality sectors experienced the most significant impact on commercial real estate prices during the COVID-19 pandemic. These sectors witnessed a substantial decline in property values due to restrictions, lockdown measures, and reduced consumer demand. Office buildings, although moderately affected, also experienced some decline in prices. This research contributes to the existing literature on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial real estate prices, specifically in the Malaysian market. By combining data from direct and listed real estate sources, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the variations in property prices across different sectors. The findings offer valuable insights for real estate investors, policymakers, and industry professionals in adapting to the changing market conditions and making informed decisions regarding commercial real estate investments. In conclusion, this article sheds light on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial real estate prices in the Malaysian market. The research methodology, which combines data from direct and listed real estate, allows for a comprehensive analysis of property variations among different sectors. The findings emphasize the significant impact on the retail and hospitality sectors, while showing office buildings to have been moderately affected. It also provides important insights for stakeholders in the real estate industry, enabling them to make informed decisions and develop appropriate strategies.

This article discusses the issue of disparity in sanctions arising from the issuance of the Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia on Name Registration in Population Documents. A case in Tuban highlights a child who was unable to obtain a birth certificate because the name was too long to be entered into the Population and Civil Registration Office system. The regulation imposes restrictions on naming children, requiring a minimum of two words and no more than sixty characters. Non-compliance with this regulation can result in the non-issuance of a birth certificate, potentially rendering the child stateless. This situation contradicts UDHR Article 15, ICCPR Article 24, CRC Articles 7-8, and the 1945 Constitution Article 26 (1) on citizenship. The purpose of this study is to highlight the imbalance between regulatory rules and sanctions, demonstrating how lower-level regulations can violate higher-level rules. This research employs a qualitative, literature-based, and normative-doctrinal approach. Secondary data sources include Permendagri No. 73/2022, the Population Administration Law, the 1945 Constitution, and international regulations related to population and citizenship. The findings indicate that birth certificates reflect the state's responsibility to provide citizens with rights, including the right to identity. However, the sanction of not issuing a birth certificate due to regulatory non-compliance creates a disproportionate disparity in naming rights. Therefore, policy revision is necessary to optimize legal protection, making the system more equitable and in line with legal norms.

Background and Aim: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an infectious disease of cloven-hoofed animals, including buffalo, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, causing major economic losses to the local farmers and, overall, to the national economy of the country. This study aimed to detect FMDV serotypes in year-round FMD outbreaks, hematological and biochemical changes, and oxidative stress in FMDV-infected cattle and buffaloes in the district of Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, and the socioeconomic impact of FMD outbreaks on farmers. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the district of Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, where FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematological, biochemical, and oxidative analyses were performed by analyzing the blood of FMDV-infected and non-infected animals. Information on the associated risk factors was obtained through a structured questionnaire by interviewing farmers in each FMD-affected farm. Results: Thirty-four out of 38 farms (89%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 75%–97%) were positive for FMD by ELISA. Higher FMD infection was detected in farms with a herd size of 100 animals (32%, 11/34) and 51–100 animals (18%, 6/34). Fifty-seven percent (114/200, 95% CI: 50%-64%) of animals were positive for FMD. Of these, 61% (69/114) were cattle and 39% (45/114) were buffalo. FMD positivity was higher in females (86%, 98/114) than in males (14%, 16/114) and higher in animals older than 2 years of age (52%, 59/114). On average, farmers lose U.S. dollars 3000 annually due to FMD outbreaks. Animals infected with FMDV had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) white blood cell counts and significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower hemoglobin and total protein concentrations in buffalo and cattle, whereas infected cattle showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower albumin levels. Globulin levels were lower in buffaloes infected. Alanine aminotransferase levels were lower in infected cattle (p ≤ 0.05). Creatinine levels were higher in infected buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Urea and phosphorus concentrations were higher in FMDV-infected cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Calcium levels were lower in infected cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Catalase enzyme activity in infected cattle and buffaloes was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in FMDV-infected cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed serotype O circulation among cattle and buffalo in year-long FMD outbreaks in the Quetta District of Balochistan. Blood analysis identified a parameter deviated from the normal level due to FMDV infection. In addition, the outbreak of FMD has a significant negative economic impact on livestock farmers.

Abstract This article introduces a miniaturized dual-band multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna with wide bandwidth and high isolation. The design incorporates ground plane modifications and utilizes metamaterials to achieve dual-band operation in the millimeter wave spectrum for 5G applications, specifically operating at the 28/38 GHz frequency bands. The proposed antenna maintains its dual-band functionality despite its compact size of 3.8 $$\times$$ × 3.7 $$\times$$ × 0.787 $$\text {mm}^3$$ mm 3 (without the feed line). The antenna is fabricated on a Rogers RT5880 substrate with a thickness of 0.787 mm and with relative permittivity $$\varepsilon _r$$ ε r = 2.2. The MIMO system comprises two symmetric radiating elements positioned in close proximity, resulting in mutual coupling levels of $$-$$ - 20 dB and $$-$$ - 12 dB at 25 GHz and 37 GHz, respectively. Modifications are made to the ground length to enhance the isolation at the higher frequency band while embedding metamaterials effectively reduces the coupling at the lower frequency band. The incorporation of metamaterials leads to an enhanced bandwidth from 3.8 to 4.8 GHz in the desired lower band (24–28.8 GHz) and from 3.8 to 4.2 GHz in the higher band (36.6–40.8 GHz). The proposed system can operate across the 28/38 GHz bands using a compact design, thus offering reasonable isolation, an envelope correlation coefficient below 0.0001, and a significant diversity gain (> 9.99 dB). These attributes emphasize the system’s suitability for 5G millimeter-wave cellular communications.

Abstract Background Pakistan is one of most vulnerable low- and middle-income countries with 29 million adult active tobacco users. Smoking cessation services are lacking as the tobacco control initiatives have largely failed to address the smoking endemic. Over the last 5 years, Pakistan has witnessed the use of innovative tobacco harm reduction (THR) products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. However, their use remains limited. THR products are imported legally as consumer goods and are taxable. The lack of sufficient data for THR and its application is a challenge in gauging their effectiveness in assisting smokers quit combustible smoking. Evidence-based studies can help in measuring the effectiveness of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches as smoking cessation aids. Method Keeping in view the study objectives, a sample size of 600 participants will be sufficient to assess the effectiveness of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches for smoking cessation in Pakistan. Of these, 200 participants each will receive e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches along with basic care counselling, while the remaining 200 participants will only receive basic care counselling for 48 weeks. The association of participants’ characteristics with smoking and health status will be based on the bivariate and multivariate analysis. The simple t-test and variance analysis will assess the differences in intervention indicators between the control and treatment groups. For the inferential analysis, the average treatment impact will be based on the quasi-experimental techniques such as difference in difference (DID) or propensity score matching (PMS). Discussion The study will evaluate the participants at the baseline as they decide the quit date. After every 12 weeks, a follow-up survey with the participants will be conducted. Results are anticipated to inform the public, decision-makers, and researchers about the effects of using e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches in the short- and medium-term periods. Critically, the potential of e-cigarettes and other alternative nicotine delivery systems as smoking cessation aid will be assessed. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05715164 . Registered on February 6, 2023. Protocol version. Protocol version 1.0, 14-12-2022 Trial in progress and not yet recruiting participants. Estimated primary data collection date—April 2024

The aim of this paper is to examine marriage by capture from the perspective of Christian marriage so that, in the end, the church, government, and all levels of society can determine the correct attitude towards catch marriage. This paper uses a qualitative method with data collection techniques using observation, interviews, and documentation studies. Sampling used purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Capture marriage, one of the marriage methods in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, is a tradition of kidnapping women to make her a bride. This has been practiced by noble descendants for prestige purposes since the era of kingdom rule in Sumba. The results obtained show that marriage by capture has experienced a shift in meaning, where it was once done for prestige and by mutual consent, but now it is an act of violence and crime that is very detrimental and even demeaning to women. In the perspective of Christian marriage, the capture of marriage is an act that opposes the Word of God because marriage should be based on love. The government, churches, non-governmental organizations, traditional leaders, and community leaders have expressed their rejection of marriage by capture. Evidence of this rejection is the existence of policies or regulations and a number of other programs to overcome and eliminate capture marriage. However, so far, the government, churches, non-governmental organizations, traditional leaders, and community leaders have not really implemented every existing regulation.

ABSTRACT. The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between body condition score with reproductive disorders, reproductive performance and estrus performance in beef cattle. Sixty beef cattle were used in this research. Body condition score (BCS), reproductive disorders, reproductive performance and estrus performance were measured in this research. Data were analyzed using correlation and simple linear regression. The results in this research showed that the relationship between BCS and reproductive disorders, condition of vulva, behavior, intensity of mucus and uterine erection had no significant effect (p 0.05) with the value of the regression equation and the correlation coefficient respectively Y = 4,964 - 0,57X and 0,12; Y = 2.235 + 0.14X and 0.26; Y = 1.788 + 0.89X and 0.153; Y = 2.343 - 0.12X and 0.23; Y = 1.352 + 0.1X and 0.198. BCS with Service per conception, Days open, Conception rate and Estrus post partum showed significant results (P 0.05) with the value of the regression equation and the correlation coefficient Y=2.266-0.201X and 0.35; Y = 107.35-3.56X and 0.33 and Y = 96.923-4.385X and 0.499; Y = 87,891 - 4,189X and 0,508. The conclusion of this study is that Body condition score has a significant effect on Service per conception, Days open, Conception rate and Estrus post partum.

Abstract In today's electrical grid, frequency cannot be ignored. The proliferation of renewable energy sources into a power system degrades its frequency; hence, the need for frequency regulation has been increased as a result. The second major factor is the perturbation in the load that originates the frequency fluctuation which needs to be suppressed in minimum time to avoid any system collapse. The designing of an optimal controller is indispensable because of increasing power system complexity. In order to maintain the stability of the power system, this paper presents the cascaded design of the model predictive controller with fractional order PID controller (MPC‐FOPIDN) to mitigate the frequency oscillations due to disruption in load. The combination of the predictive capabilities of model predictive control (MPC) and fractional order control enhances control abilities, making it an optimal control strategy for load frequency control (LFC). The grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA) is applied to obtain optimal gains values for the FOPID controller. The efficacy of the controller has effectively mitigated frequency fluctuations caused by a change in demand or any uncertainty in the power system.

5G New Radio (NR)-V2X, standardized by 3GPP Release 16, includes a distributed resource allocation Mode, known as Mode 2, that allows vehicles to autonomously select transmission resources using either sensing-based semi-persistent scheduling (SB-SPS) or dynamic scheduling (DS). In unmanaged 5G-NR-V2X scenarios, SB-SPS loses effectiveness with aperiodic and variable data. DS, while better for aperiodic traffic, faces challenges due to random selection, particularly in high traffic density scenarios, leading to increased collisions. To address these limitations, this study models the Cellular V2X network as a decentralized multi-agent networked Markov decision process (MDP), where each vehicle agent uses the Shared Experience Actor–Critic (SEAC) technique to optimize performance. The superiority of SEAC over SB-SPS and DS is demonstrated through simulations, showing that the SEAC with an N-step approach achieves an average improvement of approximately 18–20% in enhancing reliability, reducing collisions, and improving resource utilization under high vehicular density scenarios with aperiodic traffic patterns.

The macroscopic continuum traffic flow models are being investigated to predict and ameliorate traffic more efficiently. These models are beneficial implementation tools to comprehend and complement the shortfalls in traffic evolution. Despite the significant enhancements in devising the traffic dynamics, the practical utilization of these macroscopic models is not being fully explored. In this study, the Non-Homogeneous Stimulus-Response Model (NHSRM) (Imran et al., 2023) is investigated for its application in forecasting traffic flow on a curvy highway during various weather conditions. The weather impact, in the specific, dry, light rainfall, moderate rainfall, and heavy rainfall on the travel time, velocity, and density spatiotemporal evolution on a curvy highway is analyzed. The flow during different weather conditions is investigated over two curved roads with 120 m, and 500 m radii. As evident from the results, significant velocity breakdowns during heavy rainfall impact the upstream traffic which contributes to congestion development. The average velocity of traffic depletes significantly, and the congestion formation upstream is significant. While the travel time of particular highway segments elevates sharply during heavy rainfall. A comprehensive understanding of the insights, and the criticality associated with the parameters of the model, in particular, on the choice of the maximum velocity of the highway has been presented for NHSRM.

A study was conducted to determine the impact of aquaculture wastewater discharged from Alhaji Aagberi Fish Farms' fish pond in Ede, Osun State. Samples were collected from four different points around the pond and subjected to physicochemical and metal content analyses to determine the heavy metal levels. The physicochemical tests included pH, temperature, colour, electrical conductivity, chloride, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate, and turbidity. Biological tests such as fecal coliform, heterotrophic plate count, and adenosine triphosphate tests were also performed. The results showed that the samples had acceptable pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity levels. The colours of the samples ranged from light greenish, greenish, and light brown to no colour. Some samples had a fish-like odour, while others had no odour. The samples had an average chloride content ranging from 99.4 ± 0.2 mg/L to 149.9 ± 0.2 mg/L, dissolved oxygen from 1.94 ± 0.01 mg/L to 2.31 ± 0.02 mg/L, nitrate content from 2.99 ± 0.01 mg/L to 3.12 ± 0.01 mg/L, and turbidity from 2.44 ± 0.01 mg/L to 2.97 ± 0 mg/L. All of these values were within the regulatory limits. The metal content analyses showed that zinc, lead, mercury, and chromium were within acceptable limits. The bacterial counts ranged from 1.5 x 102 CFU/mL to 4.5 x 102 CFU/mL, leading to four genera of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Aspergillus spp., Mucor, and Penicillum were the fungal isolates obtained from the samples. Therefore, to prevent harmful bacteria from the fish pond, the microbial load should be reduced by regulating and monitoring the water supplied and discharged from the pond ensuring it is free from harmful bacteria.

Recent advancements in air conditioning (AC) technologies, such as inverters, enable the compressor to remain activated despite reaching the setpoint temperature. This study investigates the cooling performance and electrical parameters of a split inverter AC system controlled by a microcontroller in order to determine the operational performance characteristics of the air conditioning system. An ATmega 2560 microcontroller integrated with PZEM, DS18B20, and LCD I2C sensors monitors was 8,525 Btu/h capacity split inverter AC. During a 1-hour experimental run, the temperature differential between supply air (Tsupply) and return air (Treturn) stabilized at approximately 17 °C, with Tsupply reaching a minimum of 8.5 °C. Treturn remained relatively constant after 500 s with no fluctuations. Moreover, power draw maintained an average of 750 W (1 PK) with no variations, exhibiting an inverse relationship with Tsupply. The maximum energy consumption recorded during the experiment was 1,373 kWh. As expected based on fundamental thermodynamic principles, the energy usage showed a direct proportional relationship with the total runtime of the system. That is, the longer the AC system was engaged, the higher the total energy required to maintain the cooling effect. Overall, microcontroller-based split inverter AC enables real-time performance monitoring and efficient operation, representing a promising technology.

Adopting suitable energy policies that consider the existence of main obstacles could make the development of solar energy systems much smoother. Several obstacles have been placed in the way of solar energy development in Pakistan, which has prevented its growth from reaching a satisfactory level. In order to tackle these issues, it is necessary first to recognize the obstacles that stand in the way of implementing solar energy. So, this research aims to find and rank the obstacles to the expansion of solar power in Pakistan using a novel spherical fuzzy analytical hierarchy process. The results revealed that the economic obstacles category (21.46%) ranks highest among major categories. In contrast, the overall global ranking of sub-obstacles showed that budget constraints (4.68%), lack of access to credit/capital (4.52%), political instability (4.51%), high investment risk and operation cost (4.42%), and partnership issues (4.37%) are the more critical five sub-obstacles than the rest of the twenty-one obstacles within different categories. In addition, recommendations are made for the elimination of the obstacles. The current study has policy implications for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners involved in the solar sector in the country. Furthermore, it may help develop strategies for the smooth deployment of solar energy in Pakistan.

The presence of volatility in residential property market prices helps investors generate substantial profit while also causing fear among investors since high volatility implies a high return with a high risk. In a financial time series, volatility refers to the degree to which the residential property market price increases or decreases during a particular period. The present study aims to forecast the volatility returns of real residential property prices (RRPP) in Malaysia using three different families of generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models. The study compared the standard GARCH, EGARCH, and GJR-GARCH models to determine which model offers a better volatility forecasting ability. The results revealed that the GJR-GARCH (1,1) model is the most suitable to forecast the volatility of the Malaysian RRPP index based on the goodness-of-fit metric. Finally, the volatility forecast using the rolling window shows that the volatility of the quarterly index decreased in the third quarter (Q3) of 2021 and stabilized at the beginning of the first quarter (Q1) of 2023. Therefore, the best time to start investing in the purchase of real residential property in Malaysia would be the first quarter of 2023. The findings of this study can help Malaysian policymakers, developers, and investors understand the high and low volatility periods in the prices of residential properties to make better investment decisions.

Nitride salts were added to polyvinylidene fluoride fibers and then the fiber mats were prepared by electrospinning. An experimental investigation of the structure was provided by Raman, FTIR, SEM, and XRD. The phase ratio of the polymer was studied both theoretically and experimentally in connection with the addition of the hydrates Mg(NO3)2, Ca(NO3)2, and Zn(NO3)2 salts. The comparison of simulated and experimental data for vibrational spectroscopies is discussed. We provide a comparison of triboelectric, dielectric, and compositional characterization of PVDF fibers doped with three types of nitride hydrates. Doping of PVDF fibers with magnesium nitrate hexahydrate leads to significant improvement of the triboelectric performance.

Mid-field wireless power transfer (WPT) offers a compelling solution for delivering power to miniature implantable medical devices deep within the human body. Despite its potential, the current power delivery levels remain constrained, and the design of a compact source structure to focus the transmitter field on such implants presents significant challenges. In this paper, a novel miniaturized transmitter antenna operating at 1.71 GHz is proposed. Leveraging the antenna proximity-coupled feeding technique, we achieve optimal current distribution for efficient power transfer. Additionally, a receiver integrated within the human body is proposed, comprising a slotted ground and a meandering slotted radiating element. This receiver is excited via a coaxial feedline with a truncated ground. Our findings demonstrate wireless power transfer of −23 dB (0.501%) at a distance of 30 mm between the transmitter and receiver, alongside a peak gain of −20 dB with an impedance bandwidth of 39.61%. These results highlight promising advancements in enhancing energy transfer efficiency for deep-implant applications.

Background: Newcastle disease is very pathogenic in chicken, whereas in duck in some case does not show any clinical symptoms. Aims: To compare the clinical symptoms features, pathological lesions, viral distribution, and apoptosis response caused by the ND virus in domestic chicken and Alabio duck. Methods: Forty domestic chickens and 40 Alabio ducks were separated into 4 groups: domestic chicken and Alabio duck treatment groups, where each was infected by NDV velogenic Ducks/Aceh Besar_IND/2013/eoAC080721 in 106ELD50 dosage. The domestic chicken and Alabio duck control groups were each inoculated with Phosphate Buffer Saline. The infection route was intraorbital, 0.1 ml in volume. Symptoms were observed from day 1 until day 7 post-infection (PI). Necropsy was performed on day 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 PI for organ collection. Results: Symptoms observed were disorder in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, followed by 100% mortality in domestic chickens. In Alabio ducks, there were only depression and slight lethargy. The lesion in domestic chicken day 1 appeared by the lungs, thymus, Fabricius bursa, spleen, and kidney. On day 3 PI, lesions were also found in the heart, proventriculus, duodenum, and cecal tonsil. Day 5 and day 7 PI, lesions were found in the trachea and brain. In Alabio ducks, on day 1 lesions were found in the lungs, thymus, spleen, and proventriculus. Afterward, on day 3, light lesions were found in the heart. On day 5, lesions were found in the trachea and brain; finally, on day 7, light lesions were only found in the thymus, spleen, and brain. Immunosuppressive reaction NDV in domestic chicken was highest in the proventriculus, duodenum, cecal tonsil, and lymphoreticular organs. In the Alabio duck, it was highest in the duodenum and cecal tonsil. The caspase-3 percentage in domestic chicken increased on day 3 PI; in Alabio ducks, on day 2 PI. Conclusion: Clinical symptoms and pathological lesions were found faster and more severe in domestic chickens. The immunopositive reaction NDV in domestic chicken continued to increase, while in Alabio ducks it decreased until the last observation day. Apoptosis percentage increased earlier in the Alabio duck than in domestic chicken. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(4.000): 433-442]

In the fields of numerical analysis and applied science, approximating the roots of nonlinear equations is a fundamental and intriguing challenge. With the rapid advancement of computing power, solving nonlinear equations using numerical techniques has become increasingly important.Numerical methods for nonlinear equations play a critical role in many areas of research and industry, enabling scientists and engineers to model and understand complex systems and make accurate predictions about their behavior. This paper aims to propose novel fourth- and fifth-order iterative schemes for approximating solutions to nonlinear equations in coupled systems using Adomian decomposition methods. The proposed method’s convergence is examined and numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new schemes. We compare these iterative techniques with some previous schemes in the literature, and our results show that the new schemes are more efficient. Our findings represent a significant improvement over previously reported results. Polynomiography is an important tool for visualizing the roots of complex polynomials. It is widely used by researchers, mathematicians and engineers, as it provides a way to visualize complex equations understand their behavior. Our proposed method is capable of generating polynomiographs of complex polynomials, revealing interesting patterns that provide clear visual representations of the roots of complex polynomials.

Ground deformation associated with natural and anthropogenic activities can be damaging for infrastructure and can cause enormous economic loss, particularly in developing countries which lack measuring instruments. Remote sensing techniques like interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) can thus play an important role in investigating deformation and mitigating geohazards. Rawalpindi and Islamabad are twin cities in Pakistan with a population of approximately 5.4 million, along with important government and private entities of national and international interest. In this study, we evaluate rapid paced subsidence in this area using a modified small baseline subset technique with Sentinel-1A imagery acquired between 2015 and 2022. Our results show that approximately 50 mm/year subsidence occurs in the older city of Rawalpindi, the most populated zone. We observed that subsidence in the area is controlled by the buried splays of the Main Boundary Thrust, one of the most destructive active faults in the recent past. We suggest that such rapid subsidence is most probably due to aggressive subsurface water extraction. It has been found that, despite provision of alternate water supplies by the district government, a very alarming number of tube wells are being operated in the area to extract ground water. Over 2017–2021, field data showed that near-surface aquifers up to 50–60 m deep are exhausted, and most of the tube wells are currently extracting water from depths of approximately 150–160 m. The dropping water level is proportional to the increasing number of tube wells. Lying downstream of tributaries originating from the Margalla and Murree hills, this area has a good monsoon season, and its topography supports recharge of the aquifers. However, rapid subsidence indicates a deficit between water extraction and recharge, partly due to the limitations inherent in shale and the low porosity near the surface lithology exposed in the area. Other factors amplifying the impacts are fast urbanization, uncontrolled population growth, and non-cultivation of precipitation in the area.

This study evaluates how the board composition and asset quality of Nigerian deposit money banks affected their financial performance. The study used a sample size of 20 out of 33 deposit money banks and an ex-post facto research design. Panel least square regression techniques were then used to assess the secondary data gathered from the audited financial records of the participating deposit financial institutions for the years 2014 to 2021. The study found that while asset quality has a negative impact on the performance of Nigerian banks, the size of the board and the makeup of the credit committee have a beneficial impact. As a result, the study came to the conclusion that board qualities and asset quality are two further elements that affect deposit money bank performance in Nigeria. In order to ensure that its members are appropriately diverse and in compliance with the Corporate Governance Code, the study proposed that the size of deposit money institutions' boards be rationalized. In order to guarantee that banks are not exposed to excessive risk, it was also advised that the Central Bank of Nigeria should keep an eye on the operations of the credit committee.

The Sustainable Development Goals are in line with Indonesia's vision and mission. One of the 17 SDGs, is zero poverty. Poverty gets the most attention because all the SDGs are some kind of effort to achieve the goal of "no poverty". With the help of this research, it is helpful that the realization of the success factors of the sustainable development goals without poverty can be known as the critical success factors. Data on the unemployment rate, Human Development Index, inflation, and poverty are collected from the Central Bureau of Statistics. The official website was used to collect data covering six provinces in Java Island for ten years. Panel data regression analysis is the analysis method used in this study. In every province in Java, one of the most influential factors in reducing poverty is the Human Development Index or the quality of each individual.

Water resource management requires a thorough examination of how land use and climate change affect streamflow; however, the potential impacts of land-use changes are frequently ignored. Therefore, the principal goal of this study is to isolate the effects of anticipated climate and land-use changes on streamflow at the Indus River, Besham, Pakistan, using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The multimodal ensemble (MME) of 11 general circulation models (GCMs) under two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) 245 and 585 was computed using the Taylor skill score (TSS) and rating metric (RM). Future land use was predicted using the cellular automata artificial neural network (CA-ANN). The impacts of climate change and land-use change were assessed on streamflow under various SSPs and land-use scenarios. To calibrate and validate the SWAT model, the historical record (1991–2013) was divided into the following two parts: calibration (1991–2006) and validation (2007–2013). The SWAT model performed well in simulating streamflow with NSE, R2, and RSR values during the calibration and validation phases, which are 0.77, 0.79, and 0.48 and 0.76, 0.78, and 0.49, respectively. The results show that climate change (97.47%) has a greater effect on river runoff than land-use change (2.53%). Moreover, the impact of SSP585 (5.84%–19.42%) is higher than that of SSP245 (1.58%–4%). The computed impacts of climate and land-use changes are recommended to be incorporated into water policies to bring sustainability to the water environment.

In this paper, we examine q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces in Minkowski space-[Formula: see text] with q as the shape parameter. These surfaces, a generalization of Bézier surfaces, have applications in mathematics, computer-aided geometric design, and computer graphics for the surface formation and modeling. We analyze the timelike and spacelike cases of q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces using known boundary control points. The mean curvature and Gaussian curvature of these q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces are computed by finding the respective fundamental coefficients. We also investigate the shape operator dependency for timelike and spacelike q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces in Minkowski space-[Formula: see text], and provide biquadratic and bicubic q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces as illustrative examples for different values of the shape controlling parameter q.

Kemiskinan menjadi permasalahan nasional. Program pengentasan kemiskinan terus digalakkan untuk mengentaskan masyarakat dari garis kemiskinan. Program Bantuan Pangan Non Tunai yang diinisiasi oleh Kemanterian Sosial RI merupakan terobosan dan percepatan bagi penerima program di Gedangan Grobogan. Fokus program dalam bidang ekonomi, sosial, pendidikan dan kesehatan dirasa kurang karena tidak didukung oleh kesadaran hukum. Kasus kekerasan seksual di dalam rumah tangga dialami oleh masyarakat lapisan atas, menengah dan bawah terjadi karena lemahnya pemahaman, wawasan dan kesadaran hukum, terutama di kalangan masyarakat miskin. Kegiatan penyuluhan ini dilaksanakan dengan metode ceramah dan diskusi sehingga hasil yang diharapkan adalah adanya pengetahuan hukum, wawasan hukum dan kesadran hukum tentang Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual kepada peserta penerima Bantuan Pangan Non Tunai (BPNT) yang akan memunculkan pengetahuan tentang berbagai macam tindak kekerasan seksual, penanganan dan pelaporan.

The land boundary dispute between Pakan Dalam Village and Paramaian Village was triggered duet o the issuance of an Oil Palm Plantation Right to use permit in Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency and occurred duet o the issuance of a Certificate of Land Ownership unilaterally by Paramaian Village on existing lands in Pakan Dalam Village and cause changes in the image on the map in the Central Bureau of Statistics book of Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency in 2009. The purpose of this study is to explain the process of dispute occurrence starting from the pre-conflict, confrontation, crisis, and post conflict periods from 2009-2021. This research uses the Historical Method which in writing goes through the heuristic stage, data is collected from interviews nd documents. Criticism is made to find out the veracity of the data. Interpretation is carried out to analyze the data. The las tis historiography, which is to write systematically based on chronological narratives. The results of the study, in 2009 were shown by changes in map image, in 2016 the Pakan Dalam Village goverment sent a letter to the Central Bureau of Statistics of Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, in 2017 the peak of the dispute problem, in 2020 the problem began to subside, and in 2021 there was a peace agreement at the Daha Utara Subdistrict Office. The conclusion is the dispute occurred because of the existence of an Oil Palm Plantation Company, the dispute began in 2009 and ended in 2021 with an agreement to make village pegs at each coordinate point of each village.

AbstractPeanut is the most important oil seed in the world and is becoming a valuable source of plant protein and other important functional ingredients. The present study was designed to explore the nutritional, microbiological, and sensorial properties of the functional cookies enriched with defatted peanut cake flour (DPCF). Peanut seeds were roasted in a microwave, and oil was extracted using a mechanical extruder. The leftover peanut cake residues were collected and utilized for the development of cookies. The mechanical grinder was used to grind the peanut cake into flour. Afterward, DPCF was added at different levels (0, 3, 7, 10, and 14%) to prepare functional and therapeutic cookies. The cookies were tested for their biochemical (proximate, mineral, and antioxidant), microbiological (Mold count), physical, and sensorial attributes. The results showed that the mineral content i.e. calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium in the wheat and DPCF were 21, 1.21, 23, 0.80, 0.73, 137, 134.62 and 178.5, 3.81, 49.68, 5.28, 4.95, 730, 1266.50 mg/100 g, respectively. The antioxidant profile of functional cookies was found to be best in the T4 (14% peanut cake flour) TPC (4.33 ± 0.08 GAE mg/g) and DPPH (1.11 ± 0.06 AAE mg/g), whereas the Control sample has the lowest TPC (1.04 ± 0.02 GAE mg/g) and DPPH (0.18 ± 0.01 AAE mg/g). The thickness, diameter and spread ratio were 3.94–5.54, 31.09–24.98 and 7.82–5.1 mm, respectively. In conclusion, defatted peanut cake flour (DPCF) is a great option to be added in precise amounts (14% of the total) to fill the nutritional gap in cookies.

Financial performance is essential to the company because financial performance indicates company health. This study intends to present simultaneous and partial empirical evidence on the effect of environmental management systems, asset management, and capital structure on financial performance in the energy and mineral sectors listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2018 to 2021. The number of samples that can be obtained is 50, totalling 200 observations. Hypothesis testing in this study is used descriptive statistics with panel data regression analysis. The results showed that environmental management systems, asset management, and capital structure simultaneously affect financial performance. Partially, the environmental management system does not affect financial performance, asset management positively affects financial performance, and capital structure negatively affects financial performance.

The aim of the work is to analyze the operation of a hybrid heat pump that simultaneously uses the heat of the return network water and outdoor air for heating multi-storey buildings. To achieve this goal, the following tasks are solved: the influence of influences on the temperature of the return network water, air temperature and their compensation on the operation of the product is considered, intermediate circuits at the evaporator and gas cooler are considered for transferring a variable heat load to the heat pump and from the heat pump. The most significant results are the hydraulic-aerodynamic scheme of the heat pump, the schemes of the intermediate circuits before the evaporator and the gas cooler. The significance of the results obtained lies in the establishment of such technical solutions for the CHP - heat pumps system, which allow sav-ing gas consumption at the CHP, the cost of heat consumers to pay bills. The use of a working fluid cooler before the gas cooler of the heat pump to control the temperature of the direct net-work water of the heating system of the building allows you to select such a compressor pres-sure at which the amount of heat given off by the heat pump to the building will correspond to the temperature curve. In this case, it is desirable to install an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger after the compressor before the gas cooler. It has been established that a PI controller can be used to control the temperature at the outlet of the gas cooler through the inlet air channel.of var-ious parameters, including solar radiation, ambient temperature, compressor speed and initial water temperature, have been simulated and analyzed on the thermal performance of the system.

Abstract Road infrastructure development in a country has been considered an important predictor of economic development and prosperity. Hence applying a systematic analysis approach, this study aims to project the future role of the central government in developing road infrastructure and its significance in the country's economic growth. The main data sources were the literature review and expert opinions in the form of self-administrative surveys and interviews. Besides, the Cross-impact Direct Influence (CDI) matrix was applied to formulate the questionnaire. For the data analysis purpose, MICMAC analysis and Scenario Wizard software were used. The MICMAC analysis results revealed the dominant role of 9 important/key variables in developing the Indonesian road infrastructure. Simultaneously 24 positive states of the important variables what identified via the Scenario-Wizard Method. Findings also depicted stronger consistency among the four scenarios. Whereas Scenario 1 showed the most ideal 9 key features related to Indonesia’s road infrastructure developments with a high intensity of concentrating the efforts on planning road infrastructure development in big cities and use of smart and modern technology. Moreover, presenting a group of constructs for developing road infrastructure and resultant economic growth in the country, the current study adds value to the existing literature.

This study aims to determine the development of Weblog-based learning media on the subject matter of the biosphere. Weblog is an online-based application service that can be used to create learning media related to biosphere material. This research uses a development research method with the ADDIE model which was first developed by Raiser and Mollenda which was used as an approach in compiling learning media. Data collection techniques through observation, interviews, questionnaires and documentation. The instruments used are in the form of assessment criteria to determine the feasibility of media from material experts, media experts, and geography teachers as well as student responses to learning media using questionnaires. Data was collected in the form of research results on the quality of learning media and suggestions for product revision. The results of the material expert validation show that the media validation value given by validator 1 or material / content expert with valid category is 86.15%, validator II or product design expert gives a very valid assessment of 87.77%, then for validator III or in this case geography teacher subject experts give a very valid category assessment of 98%. The average response from students to this learning medium was 85.5%. Thus Weblog-based learning media on biosphere material can be used as a learning medium in schools and get a very good response by students.

Abstract Background An understanding of farmers' preferences of new banana cultivars and their characteristics is critical for developing and selecting cultivars that meet consumer needs. Therefore, phenotypic selection in a genetically variable population remains an important aspect of plant breeding. Methods The participatory varietal selection approach for preference ranking was used on 31 'Matooke' secondary and primary triploid hybrids and local banana cultivars evaluated between 2016 and 2019 in Uganda and Tanzania to investigate how farmers' preference attributes could help breeders identify superior cultivars. The quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The qualitative data from farmers' focus group discussions (FGDs) were described using content analysis. The Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test were used to confirm the difference in farmers' preferences between groups. Results Farmers' approaches for defining characteristics were multivariate, and their preferences varied by site and country. Large fruit, a large bunch, market acceptability of the banana bunch, a sturdy stem, and an attractive appearance of the banana plant were the characteristics most preferred by farmers in Tanzania and Uganda. Tanzanian farmers preferred large bunches over other characteristics like bunch marketability and robust stem. Large fruit, drought tolerance, a strong stem, and phenotypic similarity to local cultivars were prioritized by Ugandan farmers. Both men and women farmers were more concerned with production-related characteristics, but the former valued marketing-related characteristics more, while the latter preferred use-related characteristics. Their preferences did not differ statistically, but the relative importance assigned by each group to the selected attributes was different. Conclusion Farmers' varietal preferences are frequently based on some assumed requirements, resulting in cultivar rejection or non-adoption. Therefore, determining the value attributed to each characteristic by various farmer groups is crucial in developing 'Matooke' banana cultivars with desired attributes that will boost the rate of adoption on-farms. Breeding initiatives that establish a system of integrated approaches and rely on thorough diagnosis of both production and consumption characteristics will best serve farmers' diverse preferences. To accomplish this, planning for varietal improvement initiatives at various levels—including internationally, regionally, nationally, and locally—would require a strong participatory structure that is gender inclusive.

The scourge of paucity of finance to SMEs which has been undermining their potential as drivers of economic growth has been blamed partly on firm related characteristics. However, the fact that little has been done in this regard from the supply side (banks) spurs this research. This study investigates the influence of firm specific characteristics on loan approval for SMEs in North Central Nigeria. Data was drawn from the primary source through the use of questionnaires to elicit responses from the sampled bank loan officers in the study area. A sample of 207 was drawn from the volunteer loan officers in 448 branches using multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and Kruskal Wallis H were employed in analyzing the data. The study found that all the identified firm characteristics (size, age, incorporation, industry, financial information, location and collateral), which are all significant at 0.01 but with varying degrees, are the factors influencing banks’ credit approval for SMEs in the North Central Nigeria. The study concluded that while banks attach greater importance to firm size, firm age and location in their loan decision for SMEs, they also give consideration though lesser, to other factors. The study thus recommended among others, the need for SMEs to synergize and borrow as consortium rather than as individual units. This will facilitate improved financial access and economies of scale in terms of relatively reduced loan costs. Similarly, SMEs should also consider setting up urban offices to achieve close proximity to their banks for better financial access.

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh kurangnya akhlak mulia yang dimiliki peserta didik di lingkungan pendidikan. Dalam berbagai program dan kegiatan pembelajaran yang dilakukan SMA Al-Islam 1 Surakarta, banyak hal yang dapat ditiru, dimodifikasi, dan dapat dijadikan bahan dalam melakukan proses penanaman akhlak siswa di lingkungan sekolah. Jadi, tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk memberikan gambaran mengenai implementasi penanaman nilai moral dengan media kitab at-Tijan fi syu'ab al-iman pada siswa SMA Al-Islam 1 Surakarta dan identifikasi kendalanya. ditemukan di dalamnya. Jenis penelitian yang dilakukan adalah penelitian lapangan dengan menggunakan pendekatan deskripsi kualitatif studi kasus. Peneliti memanfaatkan metode observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi dalam mencari perolehan data yang valid untuk menunjang kebutuhan penelitian. Teknik reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan serta verifikasi data merupakan teknik analisis data yang digunakan peneliti. Selanjutnya menggunakan triangulasi dalam menentukan keabsahan data. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa implementasi penanaman nilai-nilai akhlak terpuji dengan media kitab at-Tijan fi syu'ab al-Iman pada siswa SMA Al-Islam 1 Surakarta dilakukan melalui 4 tahap yaitu tahap perencanaan, pengorganisasian, pelaksanaan, dan tahapan evaluasi. Sedangkan faktor yang memberikan kelancaran dan penghambat terbagi menjadi dua hal, yaitu faktor pendukung dan faktor penghambat pelaksanaan.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the degree of perception of oral pathology as a specialty among the general pathologists and the need of utilizing oral pathologists in assisting to identify oral lesions in diagnostic challenges. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among qualified general pathologists to collect the data. The survey items focused on various aspects, including the analysis of oral pathology as a specialty, the importance of employing oral pathologists for identifying oral lesions in diagnostic challenges, and the difficulties encountered in managing such lesions. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. For comparing the relationship between work experience and the referral of odontogenic cysts and tumors cases, a Chi-square test was employed. A significance level of p ⩽ 0.05 was deemed as statistically significant. Results: Two hundred and fifty general pathologists responded to the questionnaire. Two hundred and thirty two (92.8%) participants showed awareness of oral pathology as a specialty. For the diagnosis of oral, jaws, and salivary glands pathologic lesions, the majority 198 (79.2%) respondents believed that oral pathologists are required for the diagnosis. Regarding the referrals of lesions to oral pathologists, 137 (54.8%), participants did not refer. In terms of training in oral pathology, all of the participants agreed that they would undertake short-term posting in oral pathology. For challenging cases, all the general pathologists believed that oral pathologists should be part of the team. Conclusion: The general pathologists recognized oral pathology as a specialty and feel the need for an oral pathologist opinion in diagnosis. However, most of the general pathologists did not refer the complex cases to oral pathologists. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to encourage oral pathologists and their hiring at histopathology laboratories that are diagnosing complex head and neck cases.