Integrated approach to colorectal anastomotic leakage: Communication, infection and healing disturbances

Colorectal anastomotic leakage(CAL) remains a major complication after colorectal surgery. Despite all efforts during the last decades, the incidence of CAL has not decreased. In this review, we summarize the available strategies regarding prevention, prediction and intervention of CAL and categorize them into three categories: communication, infection and healing disturbances. These three major factors actively interact during the onset of CAL. We aim to provide an integrated approach to CAL based on its etiology. The intraoperative air leak test, intraoperative endoscopy, radiological examinations and stoma construction mainly aim to detect and to prevent communication between the intra- and extra-luminal content. Other strategies including postoperative drainage, antibiotics, and infectious-parameter evaluation are intended to detect and prevent anastomotic or peritoneal infection. Most currently available interventions for CAL focus on the control of communication and infection, while strategies targeting the healing disturbances such as lifestyle changes, oxygen therapy and evaluation of metabolic biomarkers still lack wide clinical application. This simplified categorization may contribute to an integrated understanding of CAL. We strongly believe that this integrated approach should be taken into consideration during clinical practice. An integrated approach to CAL could contribute to a better understanding of the etiology of CAL and eventually better patient outcome.

INTEGRATED ANALYSIS APPROACHES TO ROCK MECHANICS PROBLEMS

In order to effectively cope with exponent increase of the complexity faced to the rock mechanics analysis problems and the large incompatibility existing between the information level required to model the rock mass and engineering and our obtainable information level at hand,the integrated approaches with intelligent characters are proposed. Many previous standard methods,such as precedent type analysis,rock classification,analytic method stress-based,basic numerical methods (BEM,FEM,DEM,hybrid),and their extended numerical methods (fully coupled) to be developed,can be selected respectively or integrated accordingly. It is alternative to develop basic/fully integrated system,and internet-based approaches. These novel methods can also be selected or integrated each other or with the standard methods to perform rock mechanics analysis. Some key techniques to develop these alternative methods are discussed. It may focus in future on developing fully integrated systems and internet-based approaches. Developing an environmental,virtual facility/space shall be firstly done for this collaborative research on internet.

Participatory and Integrated Research in Mountainous Regions of Thailand and Vietnam:Approaches and Lessons Learned

Participatory and integrated research approaches employed by a long-term Thai- Vietnamese-German collaborative research program, ‘The Uplands Program’, that address the vicious circles of resource scarcity, environmental degrada- tion and rural poverty in mountainous regions of northern Thailand and northern Vietnam are discussed in this paper. We present two examples from the Thai component of the research program to show how different disciplines and stakeholders need to cooperate at different scales to make meaningful scientific contributions towards sustainable land use and rural development in mountainous regions. The case of resource conservation in the Thai highlands shows that local and scientific knowledge, conven- tional surveys and participatory modeling can be creatively combined. Integrated research on the potential of integrating fruit trees and associated technologies into mountain farming systems suggests that natural scientists have to work alongsideeconomists and social scientists to avoid harmful effects of purely technology-driven and productivity- enhancing approaches. The success of new technologies cannot be measured solely by adoption rates and yield increases, but also needs to take into account their long-term impact on various groups of farmers and the ecological, economic and social trade-offs that they entail. Technical and institutional innovations need to go hand in hand to provide viable livelihood opportunities for smallholder farmers in mountain watersheds. The major lesson learned from the first six years of our research in the mountains of Thailand and Vietnam is that conventional and participatory approaches are not antagonistic; if scientists from various disciplines and research paradigms are open-minded, the combination of both approaches can produce meaningful results that cater for the needs of both the academic community and local stakeholders in mountain environments.

Test Case Prioritization in Unit and Integration Testing:A Shuffled-Frog-Leaping Approach

Both unit and integration testing are incredibly crucial for almost any software application because each of them operates a distinct process to examine the product.Due to resource constraints,when software is subjected to modifications,the drastic increase in the count of test cases forces the testers to opt for a test optimization strategy.One such strategy is test case prioritization(TCP).Existing works have propounded various methodologies that re-order the system-level test cases intending to boost either the fault detection capabilities or the coverage efficacy at the earliest.Nonetheless,singularity in objective functions and the lack of dissimilitude among the re-ordered test sequences have degraded the cogency of their approaches.Considering such gaps and scenarios when the meteoric and continuous updations in the software make the intensive unit and integration testing process more fragile,this study has introduced a memetics-inspired methodology for TCP.The proposed structure is first embedded with diverse parameters,and then traditional steps of the shuffled-frog-leaping approach(SFLA)are followed to prioritize the test cases at unit and integration levels.On 5 standard test functions,a comparative analysis is conducted between the established algorithms and the proposed approach,where the latter enhances the coverage rate and fault detection of re-ordered test sets.Investigation results related to the mean average percentage of fault detection(APFD)confirmed that the proposed approach exceeds the memetic,basic multi-walk,PSO,and optimized multi-walk by 21.7%,13.99%,12.24%,and 11.51%,respectively.

Application of vertically integrated sampling approach to study of new production via ^(234)Th -^(238)U disequilibria

The spatial and temporal distributions of new production vary largely in different sea areas. To understand the level of new production in the sea area studied better, an estimate of new production must be obtained in large spatial and temporal scales. The ~234Th/ ~238U disequilibrium is an effective method for the study of new production. Two sampling strategies, vertically integrated sampling ap proach based on trapezoidal integration principle and discrete layer sampling approach, were compared in the studies of the xiamen Bay and the northern South China Sea. The scavenging fluxes and removal fluxes of ~234Th and the residence times for dissolved and particulate ~234Th were calculated. The coinci dent results from two Sampling approach suggest that vertically integrated sampling approach is not only effective and reliable, but also significantly reduces the number and volume of samples. It allows us to study new production by ba ^(234)Th - ^(238)U disequilibria in large spatial scale.

An Integrated Approach to the Teaching of English Writing

English writing, as a basic language skill for second language learners, is being paid close attention to. How to achieve better results in English teaching and how to develop students＇ writing competence remain an arduous task for English teachers. This paper introduces three writing approaches that are currently popular in English writing teaching field, i.e., the product approach, the process approach and the genre approach, and offers some discussion on the three approaches each approach shows its strengths and weaknesses, but meanwhile they are largely complementary. Then this paper attempts to propose an integrated approach which is not only a synthesis of the above three approaches, but also draws on some experiences of traditional Chinese language teaching methods.

Integrated physiological and molecular approaches to improvement of abiotic stress tolerance in two pulse crops of the semi-arid tropics

Chickpea(Cicer arietinum L.) and pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan L.(Millsp.)] play an important role in mitigating protein malnutrition for millions of poor vegetarians living in regions of the semi-arid tropics. Abiotic stresses such as excess and limited soil moisture(water-logging and drought), heat and chilling(high and low temperature stresses), soil salinity, and acidity are major yield constraints, as these two crops are grown mostly under rainfed conditions in risk-prone marginal and degraded lands with few or no inputs. Losses due to such stresses vary from 30% to 100% depending on their severity. The literature abounds in basic information concerning screening techniques, physiological mechanisms, and genetics of traits associated with resistance/tolerance to abiotic stresses in these two crops. However, the final outcome in terms of resistant/tolerant varieties has been far from satisfactory. This situation calls for improving selection efficiency through precise phenotyping and genotyping under high-throughput controlled conditions using modern tools of genomics. In this review, we suggest that an integrated approach combining advances from genetics, physiology, and biotechnology needs to be used for higher precision and efficiency of breeding programs aimed at improving abiotic stress tolerance in both chickpea and pigeonpea.

Integrated approach for understanding spatio-temporal changes in forest resource distribution in the central Himalaya

Intense anthropogenic exploitation has altered distribution of forest resources. This change was analyzed using visual interpretation of satellite data of 1979, 1999 and 2009. Field and interactive social surveys were conducted to identify spatial trends in forest degradation and data were mapped on forest cover and land use maps. Perceptions of villagers were compiled in a pictorial representation to understand changes in forest resource distribution in central Himalaya from 1970 to 2010. For- ested areas were subject to degradation and isolation due to loss of con- necting forest stands. Species like Lantana camara and Eupatorium adenophorum invaded forest landscapes. Intensity of human pressure differed by forest type and elevation. An integrated approach is needed to monitor forest resource distribution and disturbance.

An integrated approach to scaling issues in environmental change study

Global change research and sustainable development need to be addressed at larger scales in the light of small scale process studies. Much remains to be done before the small scale, process level understanding of ecosystem responses to global change can be reliably translated to larger scales. The paper reviews the status of scaling issues and tries to find how to extrapolate our observations and our findings at site scale up to regional scale and provide ecological information and interpretations at the regional scale. An integrated approach to scaling-up from site to region is proposed combining hierarchical theory, landscape ecology, remote sensing, geographical information system (GIS) with process/mechanistic modeling. Remote sensing and GIS will play key roles in spatial analysis, integration as well as cross scale modeling.

Enhancing Data Analysis and Automation: Integrating Python with Microsoft Excel for Non-Programmers

Microsoft Excel is essential for the End-User Approach (EUA), offering versatility in data organization, analysis, and visualization, as well as widespread accessibility. It fosters collaboration and informed decision-making across diverse domains. Conversely, Python is indispensable for professional programming due to its versatility, readability, extensive libraries, and robust community support. It enables efficient development, advanced data analysis, data mining, and automation, catering to diverse industries and applications. However, one primary issue when using Microsoft Excel with Python libraries is compatibility and interoperability. While Excel is a widely used tool for data storage and analysis, it may not seamlessly integrate with Python libraries, leading to challenges in reading and writing data, especially in complex or large datasets. Additionally, manipulating Excel files with Python may not always preserve formatting or formulas accurately, potentially affecting data integrity. Moreover, dependency on Excel’s graphical user interface (GUI) for automation can limit scalability and reproducibility compared to Python’s scripting capabilities. This paper covers the integration solution of empowering non-programmers to leverage Python’s capabilities within the familiar Excel environment. This enables users to perform advanced data analysis and automation tasks without requiring extensive programming knowledge. Based on Soliciting feedback from non-programmers who have tested the integration solution, the case study shows how the solution evaluates the ease of implementation, performance, and compatibility of Python with Excel versions.

Enable Excel-Based Basic Cybersecurity Features for End Users by Using Python-Excel Integration

In the digital age, the global character of the Internet has significantly improved our daily lives by providing access to large amounts of knowledge and allowing for seamless connections. However, this enormously interconnected world is not without its risks. Malicious URLs are a powerful menace, masquerading as legitimate links while holding the intent to hack computer systems or steal sensitive personal information. As the sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks increase, identifying bad URLs has emerged as a critical aspect of cybersecurity. This study presents a new approach that enables the average end-user to check URL safety using Microsoft Excel. Using the powerful VirusTotal API for URL inspections, this study creates an Excel add-in that integrates Python and Excel to deliver a seamless, user-friendly interface. Furthermore, the study improves Excel’s capabilities by allowing users to encrypt and decrypt text communications directly in the spreadsheet. Users may easily encrypt their conversations by simply typing a key and the required text into predefined cells, enhancing their personal cybersecurity with a layer of cryptographic secrecy. This strategy democratizes access to advanced cybersecurity solutions, making attentive digital integrity a feature rather than a daunting burden.

For a Holistic View of Biotechnology in West and Central Africa: What Can Integrated Development Approaches Contribute?

Africa, ever on the lookout for development levers that will allow its economy to take off, is turning more and more towards technology. This is one of the possible modern avenues to success, especially the use of the biotechnologies that are so touted by Western countries. However, the hope placed in these new technologies must not hide the long-proven fact that technology alone is not enough to solve development problems. Biotechnologies do not escape this rule. Biotechnologies can be the best and the worst things for the people of Africa. Beyond their technical contributions, we must be wary of their boomerang effects and collateral damage. A country’s development is actually more complex than simply implementing technology, and in the current global environmental context a holistic vision is necessary to ensure sustainable development. In the area of water, this integrated vision emerged on the international scene during the Dublin Conference in 1992, which consecrated the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). More recently, the Eco-Health concept strives to combine human health and ecosystem health while incorporating a socioeconomic dimension into the health and environmental spheres. The concern to mesh human activities better with environmental protection was materialized previously, in the 1970s already, through impact studies. After presenting this set of tools in the service of a holistic approach to the environment and development, we shall see that these approaches can inspire the players when it comes to the ways they implement biotechnologies. At the end of the day, a holistic approach to biotechnologies in Africa will be facilitated by enhanced information and communication and reliance on peasant farmers’ expertise. It will have to be rooted in broader participation of the players concerned. This integration will also concern environmental and land-owning aspects, without forgetting socio-cultural acceptance of the projects and the links with health. Ultimately, it will also mean putting the human at the heart of development by taking all the richness and particularities of African society into account.

MicroRNAs identification and bioinformatics analysis in large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea using an integrated comparative and ab initio approach

MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are a group of small, endogenous, single-stranded non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression levels. Previous studies have revealed that miRNAs play key roles in multiple biological processes, such as growth and development in both animals and plants. Computational identification is an efficient method for miRNA prediction in organisms with a reference genome before high-throughput miRNA sequencing experiments. In this study, we employed an integrated strategy combining the homology-based and ab initio approaches to predict miRNAs from the genome and transcriptome of large yellow croaker, one of the most commercially important marine fish in China and East Asia. A total of 418 miRNA molecules, including 287 miRNAs by the homology-based method and 131 miRNAs by the ab initio approach, were identified for large yellow croaker. Additionally, 16 053 target genes were predicted and annotated for Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) databases. Meanwhile, we analysed single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) around large yellow croaker miRNA and found that the miRNA seed regions were significantly less prone to mutations, indicating that the miRNA sequences were under strict natural selection based on their essential regulation functions in living cells. Twenty-two SNPs were identified in large yellow croaker miRNA seed regions, which dramatically influenced the miRNA-gene regulation networks. This is the first reported miRNA detection from both the genome and transcriptome using the integrated strategy for large yellow croaker species, and the miRNA and SNP analyses in this work provide important resources and a reference for subsequent miRNA functional investigations in large yellow croaker.

Integrated Ecosystem Sustainability Approach: Toward a Holistic System of Thinking of Managing Arid Ecosystems

Ecosystems in arid regions play a pivotal role in providing services to vulnerable environments with considerable challenges including extreme temperatures, low precipitation, variable climate change, and infertile soil. The countries of the arid regions are facing more challenges due to land degradation, biodiversity loss, the scarcity of water and food resources, and protecting their inhabitant’s public health. In many cases, policymakers in these countries are aware of the challenges, but they are seeking through scientific communities to develop clear sustainability and resiliency plans. Due to the complexity associated with arid ecosystem services, the scientist communities are still focusing on the development of integrated ecosystem management approaches. Within this line of commitment to our future generation, the paper in hand presents a framework for an Integrated Ecosystem Sustainability Approach (IESA). The core of this nexus approach is to understand and quantify the interlinkages between the ecosystem components, internal and external stresses, and society needs. The paper also identifies the key gaps to be considered when applying the IESA approach to arid ecosystem management plans.

An Integrated Approach for Decision Support through Multi-objective Optimization with Application to an Ill-posed Design Problem

In the current scenario of global competition and short product life cycles, customer-defined satisfaction has attracted interest in artifact design. Accordingly, intelligent decision-making through multi-objective optimization has been proposed as an efficient method for human-centered manufacturing. However, previous vast researches on optimization have been mainly focused on optimization theory and optimization techniques and paid little interests on the process of problem formulation itself. In this paper, therefore, the authors present a total framework for supporting multi-objective decision making. Then, the authors try to solve the formulated multi-objective optimization problem that involves both qualitative and quantitative performance measures as a general consequence from the above procedure. Taking especially quality as a qualitative measure, the authors gave a new idea to evaluate the quality quantitatively. Additionally, to facilitate the portability of the proposed method in multidisciplinary decision-making environments, the authors implement the proposal algorithm in an Excel spreadsheet and validate the effectiveness of the approach through a case study.

Integrated Approach in Sichuan

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National Conference on Integrated Approach

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Teaching Method for Comprehensive English Integration of Grammar-translation Method and Communicative Approach

Comprehensive English is a very basic and important course for English majors,according to the features of the text-book A New English Course,teachers should adopt the integration of grammar translation method and communicative approach to improve students' linguistic competence and communicative competence.

A Variable Separation Approach to Solve the Integrable and Nonintegrable Models:Coherent Structures of the (2 + 1)-Dimensional KdV Eqnation

We study the localized coherent structures ofa generally nonintegrable (2+ 1 )-dimensional KdV equation via a variable separation approach. In a special integrable case, the entrance of some arbitrary functions leads to abundant coherent structures. However, in the general nonintegrable case, an additional condition has to be introduced for these arbitrary functions. Although the additional condition has been introduced into the solutions of the nonintegrable KdV equation, there still exist many interesting solitary wave structures. Especially, the nonintegrable KdV equation possesses the breather-like localized excitations, and the similar static ring soliton solutions as in the integrable case. Furthermor,in the integrable case, the interaction between two travelling ring solitons is elastic, while in the nonintegrable case we cannot find even the single travelling ring soliton solution.

Urban Green Spaces and an Integrative Approach to Sustainable Environment

This paper explains the benefits and challenges of urban green spaces based on the critical discussion of study results from different studies in different cities. The important roles played by green spaces are social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of sustainable development. Urban green spaces can be a comprehensive tool for long term protection of environmental sustainability through improving the quality of life and air quality, increasing property value due to their amenity and aesthetic characteristics, and reducing the energy costs of cooling buildings. Urban green spaces also can provide ecosystem services in which the recreation and relaxation facilities are especially available to urban dwellers and tourists too. To confirm the multiple roles played by green spaces, certain level of qualitative improvements and distribution of green spaces within the urban area should be considered and incorporated effectively into the environmental sustainability agenda. To do this, an integrated approach regarding the planning, monitoring, designing and maintaining of urban green spaces is required for improving the environmental sustainability in cities in different countries.