bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Six Sigma Technique to Reduce Waiting Time: A Practical Application in Passport Affairs Directorate
Authors: Khudair Abbas Hadeel , Mohammed Nasser Omar 
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the impact of the Six Sigma methodology on improving waiting times in passport directorates. The Six Sigma methodology is crucial for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in passport directorates, aiming to reduce waiting times and increase customer satisfaction by organizing services more effectively. The research was conducted in the Passport Affairs Department (Mansour Passports) from November 8, 2022, to April 19, 2023, with a sample size of 53 employees and citizens. The problem of this study is to shed light on the role played by the Six Sigma methodology in improving waiting time at the Passport Affairs Department. The study adopted the DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) and used statistical software (SPSS) to calculate Six Sigma levels for both citizens and employees. Access and service data analysis was conducted using Win QSB software, and arrival and service times were calculated for all stages (counter employees, accounts, and manager's computer). The most significant results indicate that the directorate operates at the first level of Sigma levels, while citizens are at the second level. There is a significant and inverse effect of Six Sigma principles on waiting. The total time a citizen waits from entering the passport office to receiving their passport is very long.

Paper type: Research Paper
The Effect of Blended Learning on Crisis Management During the Corona Pandemic (COVID-19 )
Authors: Allah Yousif Alwan* Azat , Abdullah Mohammed Atheer 
Published: April 2024

This research endeavors to investigate the influence of blended learning on the effective management of the educational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic within nine government and private colleges in Iraq, to assess the level of interest exhibited by these institutions in the principal research variables and their dimensions. Additionally, the research seeks to formulate a set of conclusions aimed at enhancing performance standards to ensure the attainment of quality outcomes. These conclusions are founded upon the novelty and pressing significance of these variables in sustaining the educational process.
The research methodology adopted for this research is primarily descriptive and analytical. The research population comprises teachers affiliated with departments specializing in administrative and economic sciences across the selected colleges, with a total sample size of 142 teachers. The principal research instrument employed is a questionnaire distributed to the aforementioned teachers. Furthermore, the research harnesses SPSS V.26 statistical software, for the analysis of the primary data. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques are utilized to assess and validate the research hypotheses. The statistical analysis reveals several noteworthy findings, most notably a substantial correlation and impact of blended learning across its dimensions (infrastructure suitability, teacher readiness, student readiness, and curriculum suitability) in the realm of crisis management, encompassing various dimensions
) the detection of warning signals, preparedness and prevention, damage containment, activity restoration, and learning(.
Paper Type: Research paper
The Impact of Strategic Change on Digital Governance: An Analytical study in Iraqi Interior Ministry
Authors: J. Jalout Ahmed , J. Abid Nahdum 
Published: April 2024

Abstract:
This research seeks to clarify the impact of strategic change with its four dimensions (readiness for change, change goals, change plan, and change management) on digital governance in the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, where this organization has a well-established and stable organizational culture due to the nature and requirements of the security sector and its employees, who are characterized by high respect for the organization’s culture, under conditions that require to adapt to rapid changes by choosing modern means and methods such as digital governance to achieve goals accurately and quickly. The research tested a group of departments and directorates that express a variety of military and civilian categories . The main role of the ministry is to maintain security and provide services. The research was applied to a sample of the research community, which was about 324 individuals from various specializations, including commanders and their assistants from the military ranks, managers, and their assistants from the civilian employees in the ministry. A questionnaire was used in the researchas the main tool for collecting data. Several statistical tools are used for analyzing the data obtained . The most prominent result is that there is a statistically significant impact for strategic change on digital governance.

Paper type: Research paper
PENGARUH KARAKTERISTIK MINERALOGI TERHADAP KAPASITAS TUKAR KATION ZEOLIT ALAM PACITAN, JAWA TIMUR
Authors: Budianta Wawan , Warmada I Wayan , Nurudin Makruf 
Published: April 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh komposisi mineralogi dan kimia terhadap kapasitas tukar kation (KTK) sampel zeolit alam yang diperoleh dari Pacitan, Jawa Timur. Sepuluh sampel tuf zeolitik dilakukan dianalisis komposisi mineralogi dan kimia, kapasitas tukar kation (KTK). Hasil komposisi mineralogi menunjukkan bahwa zeolit alam mempunyai jenis mordenit dominan dijumpai dalam jumlah yang yang signifikan, dengan persentase bervariasi dari 32% hingga 38%. Berdasarkan analisis kimia, kandungan kimia sampel tersusun oleh SiO2 yang berkisar antara 61% hingga 66% dan Al2O3 dari 9% hingga 11% yang kemudian diperoleh rasio antara Si/Al. Nilai kapasitas tukar kation (KTK) bervariasi dari 70 meq/100 g hingga 91 meq/100 g dengan nilai rata-rata 82 meq/100 g. Variasi nilai tersebut kemungkinan besar dipengaruhi oleh perbedaan persentase mineral zeolit dan mineral pengotor lainnya. Zeolit jenis mordenit juga diduga paling berpengaruh terhadap kapasitas tukar kation (KTK), sedangkan mineral lempung memberikan pengaruh yang relatif kecil. Kapasitas tukar kation (KTK) kesepuluh zeolit alam yang diteliti menunjukkan korelasi positif dengan kandungan zeolit tipe mordenit serta dengan kandungan total mineral berpori dan rasio Si/Al. Hasil penelitian diharapkan dapat memberikan informasi untuk berbagai tujuan terutama di bidang pertanian dan lingkungan.
Pelatihan Pijat Oketani Ibu Post Partum pada Kader Kesehatan di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Tulehu Kabupaten Maluku Tengah
Authors: Fasiha Fasiha , Achmad Ismiyanti H. , Wabula Widy Markosia 
Published: April 2024

Tulehu Community Health Centers is one of the community health centers in these work areas of the Central Maluku Regency Health Services. has 17 Posyandu with 85 active health cadres. There are IYCF Cadres who are representatives of the 17 Posyandu Health cadres. they were formed and trained in 2019. Exclusive breastfeeding coverage in the Tulehu Health Center working area is 32%, which is not yet according to the target of 40%. There were 129 babies, but only 41 people received breast milk. This happens because some mothers say that breast milk production is lacking (insufficient breast milk syndrome), so they give formula milk and additional food before 6 months, the activity aims is to increase the knowledge and skills of cadres in helping overcome breastfeeding problems in postpartum mothers. 20 cadres were targeted in the activities. The activities carried out consisted of providing oketani massage material demonstrations and re-demonstrations followed by independent practice a home using the learning models/media provided. The post-test results showed that there was an increase in knowledge from 7.1 to 92.26 and the skills assessment results were very good, namely 97.1. This indicates a very good achievement for the participants. It is hoped that regular monitoring and evaluation by midwives of the results of the oketani massage carried out by cadres will result in the problem of breastfeeding being resolved and the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding increasing.
A comprehensive study of prophage islands in Burkholderia pseudomallei complex
Authors: Khrongsee Pacharapong , Irby Iris , Akaphan Pitchaporn , Alami-Rose Mariam A. , Kaewrakmuk Jedsada , Tuanyok Apichai 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionBacteriophages are known as predators of bacteria and key biological factors influencing genetic recombination through phage transduction in bacteria. Phage transduction is known as one of the most common genetic recombination events found in Burkholderia pseudomallei, a diverse bacterial species and the causative agent of a deadly tropical disease melioidosis. The main objective of this study was to catalog prophages or prophage islands that are common in B. pseudomallei genomes.MethodsVarious bioinformatic tools were used to identify prophages in 106 complete B. pseudomallei genomes, and complete and incomplete genomes in other species within the B. pseudomallei Complex (BPC). Temperate phages were spontaneously induced from selected B. pseudomallei and B. thailandensis strains, and further characterized by transmission electron microscopy and whole genome sequencing.ResultsNine phage integration hotspots were identified in B. pseudomallei pan-genomes, eight of which were associated with tRNA gene-mediated site-specific recombination (tRNA-SSR) events. These genetic events occurred at various tRNA-genes including tRNA- Phenylalanine (anticodon GAA), - Methionine (CAU), - Proline (UGG), - Arginine (UCU), - Cysteine (GCA), - Arginine (CCG), - Serine (GGA), and – Selenocysteine (UCA) genes. Some of these events were also found in other related species within the B. pseudomallei Complex (BPC). We have demonstrated that lysogenic phages from select BPC strains could use B. pseudomallei strain Bp82 or 576mn as a host. These phages were classified into one of the two major groups, myoviruses or siphoviruses, based on their morphology and genomic composition.DiscussionWe have demonstrated that most B. pseudomallei strains are lysogenic, many containing at least one functional prophage in their genomes. Further investigation of the interactions between B. pseudomallei, bacteriophages, and other environmental and biological factors would provide a bigger picture of genomic diversity, potentially influence on survival of B. pseudomallei in the environment and its pathogenic specialization in hosts.
Incidence and risk factors of active tuberculosis among older individuals with latent tuberculosis infection: a cohort study in two high-epidemic sites in eastern China
Authors: Zhu Ping , Hao Xiaogang , Wang Wei , Wang Wei , Xu Bingjun , Zhan Bingdong , Fang Chunfu , Zhang Yating , Gao Yu , Chen Bin 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundThe influencing factors of the process from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to the onset of active tuberculosis (TB) remain unknown among different population groups, especially among older individuals in high-incidence areas. This study aimed to investigate the development of active TB among older adults with LTBI and identify groups in greatest need of improved prevention and control strategies for TB.MethodsIn 2021, we implemented an investigation among older individuals (≥ 65 years old) in two towns in Zhejiang Province with the highest incidence of TB. All participants underwent assessment using standardized questionnaires, physical examinations, interferon-gamma release assays, and chest radiography. All the participants with suspected TB based on the clinical symptoms or abnormal chest radiography results, as well as those with LTBI, were referred for diagnostic investigation in accordance with the national guidelines. Those with an initial diagnosis of TB were then excluded, whereas those with LTBI were included in a follow-up at baseline. Incident patients with active TB were identified from the Chinese Tuberculosis Management Information System, and a multivariate Cox regression model was used to estimate the incidence and risk of TB among those with LTBI.ResultsIn total, 667 participants with LTBI were followed up for 1,315.3 person-years, revealing a disease density of 1,292.5 individuals/100,000 person-years (17/1,315.3). For those with LTBI, chest radiograph abnormalities had adjusted hazard ratios for active TB of 4.9 (1.6–15.3).ConclusionsThe presence of abnormal chest radiography findings increased the risk of active TB among older individuals with LTBI in high-epidemic sites in eastern China.
Early GnRH-agonist therapy does not negatively impact the endometrial repair process or live birth rate
Authors: Wang Chen , Peng Yangqin , Chen Hui , Wang Qinmei , Dong Yu , Liu Huimin , Yao Yaoshan , Zhang Shunji , Li Yuan , Cai Sufen , Li Xihong , Lin Ge , Gong Fei 
Published: April 2024

Study objectiveTo investigate whether different timings of GnRH-a downregulation affected assisted reproductive outcomes in infertile women with moderate-to-severe intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) accompanied by adenomyosis.DesignA retrospective case series.SettingAn assisted reproductive technology center.PatientsThe study reviewed 123 infertile women with moderate-to-severe IUAs accompanied by adenomyosis undergoing their first frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles between January 2019 and December 2021.Measurements and main resultsThe majority of patients had moderate IUA (n=116, 94.31%). The average Basal uterine volume was 73.58 ± 36.50 cm3. The mean interval from operation to the first downregulation was 21.07 ± 18.02 days (range, 1–79 days). The mean duration of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was 16.93 ± 6.29 days. The average endometrial thickness on the day before transfer was 10.83 ± 1.75 mm. A total of 70 women achieved clinical pregnancy (56.91%). Perinatal outcomes included live birth (n=47, 67.14%), early miscarriage (n=18, 25.71%), and late miscarriage (n=5, 7.14%). The time interval between uterine operation and the first downregulation was not a significant variable affecting live birth. Maternal age was the only risk factor associated with live birth (OR:0.89; 95% CI: 0.79–0.99, P=0.041).ConclusionsThe earlier initiation of GnRH-a to suppress adenomyosis prior to endometrial preparation for frozen embryo transfer did not negatively impact repair of the endometrium after resection.
Carbon density and sequestration in the temperate forests of northern Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Loguercio Gabriel A. , Simon Alois , Winter Ariel Neri , Ivancich Horacio , Reiter Ernesto J. , Caselli Marina , Heinzle Facundo G. , Leuschner Christoph , Walentowski Helge 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionForests are a crucial part of the global carbon cycle and their proper management is of high relevance for mitigating climate change. There is an urgent need to compile for each region reference data on the carbon (C) stock density and C sequestration rate of its principal forest types to support evidence-based conservation and management decisions in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation. In the Andean Mountains of northern Patagonia, extensive areas of temperate forest have developed after massive anthropogenic fires since the beginning of the last century.MethodsWe used a plot design along belt transects to determine reference values of carbon storage and annual C sequestration in total live (above- and belowground biomass) and deadwood mass, as well as in the soil organic layer and mineral soil (to 20 cm depth) in different forest types dominated by Nothofagus spp. and Austrocedrus chilensis.ResultsAverage total carbon stock densities and C sequestration rates range from a minimum of 187 Mg.ha−1 and 0.7 Mg.ha−1.year−1 in pure and mixed N. antarctica shrublands through pure and mixed A. chilensis forests taller than 7 m and pure N. pumilio forests to a maximum in pure N. dombeyi forests with 339 Mg.ha−1 and 2.2 Mg.ha−1.year−1, respectively. Deadwood C represents between 20 and 33% of total wood mass C and is related to the amount of live biomass, especially for the coarse woody debris component. The topsoil contains between 33 and 57% of the total estimated ecosystem carbon in the tall forests and more than 65% in the shrublands, equaling C stocks of around 100–130 Mg.ha−1 in the different forest types.ConclusionWe conclude that the northern Patagonian temperate forests actually store fairly high carbon stocks, which must be interpreted in relation to their natural post-fire development and relatively low management intensity. However, the current high stand densities of these forests may well affect their future carbon storage capacity in a warming climate, and they represent a growing threat of high-intensity fires with the risk of a further extension of burned areas in the future.
Habitat associations of marine predators in the northern California Current during the low productivity downwelling season
Authors: Bliss Laura M. , Zamon Jeannette E. , Davoren Gail K. , Hanson M. Bradley , Noren Dawn P. , Emmons Candice , Holt Marla M. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionEastern Boundary Upwelling Systems are some of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. Little is known about habitat associations and spatial distributions of marine predators during seasonal periods of low productivity because there are few at-sea surveys during this period. During low productivity or prey scarcity, predators consuming similar prey in the same time and space may compete for limited resources, or they may avoid competition by exploiting different habitats or occupying separate spaces (i.e. niche partitioning). In this study, we examined habitat associations and niche partitioning of marine predators during the low-productivity winter downwelling season of the northern California Current Ecosystem (CCE). MethodsSeabird and marine mammal counts were continuously collected during systematic at-sea surveys during February–March/April in the northern California Current across four years (2006, 2008, 2009, and 2012). We examined seabird and marine mammal distributions in relation to seven habitat characteristics [i.e., sea surface temperature (°C), salinity, depth (m), seafloor slope (%), distance from shore (km), and distance from the 100 m and 200 m isobaths (km)]. We used a non-parametric multivariate analysis [i.e. canonical correspondence analysis (CCA)] to quantify species’ habitat associations and directional distribution ellipses to explore overlap in species core winter habitat.ResultsResults show 49 seabird and ten marine mammal species inhabit the CCE during this low productivity period, including endangered southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca). Seabirds and marine mammals exhibited significant but low overlap in habitat associations (i.e. weak niche partitioning) and similar habitat associations to summer studies. DiscussionWe also found that some species with similar foraging strategies showed asymmetrical spatial range overlap (i.e. common murre (Uria aalge) and parakeet auklet (Aethia psittacula)), which may mean that expected increased competition due to climate change can negatively affect some species more than others. Given that climate change is leading to increased frequencies, intensities, and durations of marine heat waves during winter months, addressing the winter ecology knowledge gap will be important to understanding how climate change is going to affect species that reside in or migrate through the northern California Current during the low productivity downwelling season.
Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting poor operative visibility during FESS in Chinese adult patients with CRS
Authors: Sun Deping , Liang Yalan , Yang Fuwei , Liu Lan , Mao Xuemei , Xu Xiaoli 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a nomogram that is capable of predicting poor operative visibility during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.MethodTo identify potential risk factors, patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) between January 2019 and December 2022 were selected from our hospital’s electronic medical record system. Data on general patient information, clinical manifestations, clotting-related test indices, Lund-Machay score of sinuses CT scanning, Lund-kennedy score of nasal endoscopies, anesthesia methods, intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate, and Boezaart bleeding score were collected. Minimum absolute convergence and selection operator (LASSO) regression, as well as multivariate logistic regression, were used to determine the risk factors. A nomogram was developed in order to predict poor operating visibility during FESS, and its performance was evaluated utilizing both the training and verification datasets via various measures including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, area under the curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis.ResultsOf the 369 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 88 of them exhibited POV during FESS. By deploying LASSO and multivariate logistic regression analyses, six risk factors were identified and used to construct a nomogram for predicting POV during FESS. These factors include prothrombin time (PT), prothrombin activity (PTA), Lund-Mackay score (LMS), Lund-Kennedy score (LKS), anesthetic method, and intraoperative hypertension. The AUC of the training set was found to be 0.820 while that of the verification set was 0.852. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration curve analysis revealed good consistency between predicted and actual probabilities. Also, the decision curve demonstrated that the nomogram had a high degree of clinical usefulness and net benefit.ConclusionThe constructed nomogram has a strong ability to predict the poor intraoperative field in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, which can help preoperative judgment of high-risk patients and provide evidence for perioperative management and preoperative plan formulation.